tages extended on the
right flank of the grounds; in these there was singing, and chatting,
and playing euchre or whist, and other social games almost every
evening. And the demeanor of every soldier in the camp of the
Sixteenth Connecticut at that time was _gentlemanly_. Not an oath was
heard, not a phrase that in any way could offend the ear of a virtuous
female; not an act perpetrated that savored of anything but deference
and respect toward the sex. To complete the softening influence thus
cast on the regiment the Colonel's mother, Mrs. Burnham, paid us a
visit, and went among the men as such a good, sensible old lady, with
a heart full of kindness, and a head full of shrewd Connecticut sense,
would naturally do. She advised and comforted those in trouble,
listened to complaints and nursed the sick. She was regarded as a
representative of the good respectable home life which we had left,
and to which we would sooner or later return, and the veneration and
affection of the regiment for her was unbounded.

During all these weeks the military standing of the regiment rose
perceptibly. There was not a cleaner, prompter, more loyal, reliable,
and honest regiment in the service. No brighter arms, no quicker
evolutions, no greater perfection in drill was to be found any where.
The dress parade every evening gathered a crowd of lookers on. The
guards, if detailed to other points, attracted attention. And the name
of the Sixteenth was a good name in every man's mouth."

EXCURSION THROUGH DISMAL SWAMP.

On September 9th, five companies were detailed to go to South Mills,
to do two weeks picketing. South Mills was about twenty-two miles from
our outposts, and within seven miles of Elizabeth City. It was
infested by guerrillas, and was merely held that no rebels might come
through Dismal Swamp and surprise us. It was about the only place in
that famous swamp where a few houses could be built and called a
village. The detachment, under the command of Major Pasco, reached
Deep Creek that morning, at half past nine. At Deep Creek the five
companies, together with two wagons loaded with provisions, embarked
on two canal boats, and hitching mules to the boats we were on the way
to North Carolina. The scenery through the swamp was novel. This mode
of traveling was new to the soldiers, and was highly enjoyed. Some
footed it on the tow-path, some played chess, or cards, others smoked
and read, and others danced to music from a fid