steam rolled out of
the soaked garments of the men, as they stood huddled around the
roaring, cracking piles,--and the black night and ghostly woods were
lighted up in a style most wonderful. The storm continued all night,
and many a man waked up next morning to find his legs firmly packed
in new fallen snow. At daylight orders came to pack up and be ready
to move at once; which was now a difficult order to execute, on
account of many things, especially the shelter tents;--for they were
as rigid as sheet-iron and yet had to be rolled up and strapped on the
knapsacks. Nevertheless it was not long before the regiment was in
motion; and after plodding off for a mile to the left, a line of
battle was formed, vedettes sent out, trees felled and breastworks
built, and at dinner-time the men were allowed to build fires and cook
breakfast. Then, after standing until almost night in the snow, which
had now turned to sleet, the column was headed homeward. Upon
arriving, it was discovered that some of the Jersey Brigade had taken
possession of our log snuggeries, and that their officers had
established their heels upon the mantels in our officers' quarters,
and were smoking the pipes of comfort and complacency, as though they
had not a trouble in the world, and never expected to have. But they
soon found that possession is not nine points of military law, by any
means. An order from Division Headquarters soon sent them profanely
packing,--and the Second Heavies occupied."

Though weeks were spent in such comparative comfort and immunity as
the present situation afforded, the men felt as if they were resting
over a volcano which might break into fierce activity at any moment;
and as the winter passed signs of the renewal of the struggle
multiplied on all sides.

On February 5th (1865), part of the Second Connecticut was ordered to
move out to support and protect the flank of the Fifth Corps, which
was engaged near Hatcher's Run, and accordingly left the comforts of
the camp and bivouacked for the night a few miles away. The history of
the regiment says: "It was bitter cold sleeping that night--so cold
that half the men stood or sat around fires all night. In the morning
the movement was continued. A little before sundown we crossed
Hatcher's Run and moved by the flank directly into a piece of woods,
the Second Brigade under Hubbard leading the division and the Second
Connecticut under Skinner leading the brigade. Wounded men were