t, left us to
organize and command that fated battalion, the "Fifty-fourth Colored
Massachusetts." Here, we again formed a mess with the officers of the
Third Wisconsin; and our former caterer, Charley Johnson, and his
colored staff, managed the _table d'hote_. Those who were fortunate
enough to be present will remember the surprise party given to us by the
officers of the Third Wisconsin in our canvas dining-room, at the foot
of the hill, and how it burst upon us in all its splendor of bayonet
chandeliers and unlimited "commissary." Brigade manoeuvres and
battalion drills were diligently practised; and, when Casey's tactics
were scarcely dry from the press, Colonel Sam Quincy, with the least
possible preparation on our part, "sprung" on us the new movement of
"Forward on the centre to form square" at "double-quick." And, I am
ashamed to say, that, practised as we were in all the tricks of field
manoeuvres, we "got mixed." The right wing started without delay for
Falmouth, the left wing for Acquia Creek, and the color division took a
steady trot for the camp of the Tenth Maine. Adjutant Fox galloped
wildly about the field, the Colonel howled in despair, but on we went
till the word "Halt!" brought us to a stand, and we came back and formed
line. The Colonel then made the memorable remark, "Gentlemen will please
to have some connection of ideas," and started the machine again at full
speed. This time we melted into a square in a manner which would have
pleased General Andrews. From this camp, Colonel Quincy resigned, pretty
well exhausted with wounds, exposure, and the trials of the Rebel
prison.

We now moved camp--Major Mudge commanding--to a pine grove, where we
constructed quite a picturesque military village, and became absorbed in
the habits and peculiarities of the wood-tick.

The days rolled on into June; and it seemed fully time to be doing
something more about beating Lee, whose lieutenants were successfully
screening their preparations for the coming Northern invasion. General
Halleck, General-in-Chief at Washington, was still busily engaged
telegraphing to the generals in the field; and, no doubt, Hooker was
hampered by these voluminous instructions, often so at variance with his
own plans, which were apt to be excellent, and he was unable at times to
suppress his own dominant and rather insubordinate spirit.

On the 5th of June, Stuart was discovered concentrating his troopers in
great force at Culpepper.