e next morning we came in sight of
Fortress Monroe, and sailing on up Chesapeake Bay, anchored for the
night, and the next day steamed up into the harbor of Annapolis and
landed. We were kindly received by the officers of the United States
Naval Academy, who furnished us with quarters in the government
building for the night.

General Benjamin F. Butler, of Massachusetts, was there in command of
the United States forces, composed mostly of New England troops.

Thursday morning we set out on the road to Annapolis Junction. We
were told by inhabitants we met that we never would reach Washington,
as the road was in the possession of Confederate troops and their
friends; but we tramped along, and overtook the 71st New York
Regiment at noon, halting an hour or two in their company, and after
having had a good rest, about 4 o'clock resumed our march for the
Junction, discovering no signs of the enemy as we proceeded, and at
about 8 P. M. halted for the night. We encamped in a field beside the
railroad, posting sentinels on all sides, as we expected an attack
at this place. Camp fires were kindled, supper prepared and eaten,
after which preparations were made for the night. The 71st New York
coming up and halting at our bivouac, we exchanged greetings with
them, furnished them with hot coffee, and informed them, as they took
their departure on the road, that it was a short march for them to
the Junction--"only nine more miles." A member of the 71st afterwards
composed a song entitled "Nine Miles to the Junction," the words of
which were as follows:

The troops of Rhode Island were posted along
On the road from Annapolis station,
As the 71st Regiment, one thousand strong,
Went on in defence of the nation:
We'd been marching all day, in the sun's scorching rays,
With two biscuits a day as our rations,
When we asked Governor Sprague to show us the way,
And "How many miles to the Junction?"
[Repeat:]

The Rhode Island boys cheered us on out of sight,
After giving the following injunction:
"Just to keep up your courage--you'll get there to-night,
For 'it's only nine miles to the Junction!'"
They gave us hot coffee, a grasp of the hand,
Which cheered and refreshed our exhaustion;
We reached in six hours the long promised land,
For 't was "onl