n by the railroad track to catch a few minutes' rest. Company
B (Capt. Remmey), were not allowed even this rest; but were obliged to
return to the picket station, down the New Cumberland road from which they
had been recalled to join in the expedition, and which they did not reach
until after seven o'clock.

The next day was spent in line of battle, waiting for an attack; but the
rebels kindly allowed us to rest during the day, and to "turn in" at our
usual hour at night, without molestation, for which we were exceedingly
obliged to them.

In the meantime the preparations for the defence of Harrisburg went on
with all possible speed; by this time the fortifications erected there
were quite extensive, and it is probable that their looks went far toward
dampening the ardor of the "Confeds." But it seemed to us that in the
incessant hurry and bustle that were going on around, there was a great
want of system; that there was no great mind overseeing everything, and
watching that the right man was in the right place. Much of this is
certainly unavoidable. A general cannot see everything done with his own
eyes, but still the unusual manner in which things were managed--the
rushing at a thing for half a day, then leaving that unfinished, and going
at something else; the subordinates at a loss for orders, and almost every
one doing what seemed right in his own eyes--was the subject of frequent
comment, especially among the "thinking bayonets" of the rank and file.
But in justice it must be said that their opportunities of judging were
very limited.

At about ten o'clock on the morning of the 30th of June, an order came
from the General commanding, for the Twenty-second and Thirty-seventh New
York to prepare for a _two-hours'_ march, nothing to be carried but
canteens. A hasty roll of the drum, a few hurried orders from the company
officers, the line was formed, and in less than fifteen minutes the
regiments were off, leaving everything behind them. They have not got back
from that two hours' march yet!

After marching and counter-marching all over the country for some fourteen
miles, the brigade, in the afternoon, encountered the enemy near Sporting
Hill or Hampden, and quite a smart engagement ensued, the Twenty-second,
supported by some Pennsylvania cavalry (who skedaddled at the first
shell), advancing through woods and wheat-fields on the left--Co. A (Capt.
Otis), being detached as a reconnoitring party to cover that fla