y nine miles to the Junction."

And now as we meet them in Washington's streets,
They always salute us with unction;
And still the old cry some one will repeat--
"It's only nine miles to the Junction!"
Three cheers for the warm hearted Rhode Island boys,
May each be true to his function;
And whene'er we meet, let us each other greet,
With "Only nine miles to the Junction."

Nine cheers for the flag under which we will fight,
If the traitors should dare to assail it.
One cheer for each mile that we made on that night,
When 't was "Only nine miles to the Junction."
With hearts thus united, our breasts to the foe--
Once more with delight will we hail it;
If duty should call us, still onward we'll go,
If even "nine miles to the Junction."

This was set to the air, "Tother side o' Jordan," and was adopted
into the regiment, becoming one of our camp fire songs.

During the night, after the departure of the 71st, nothing transpired
to disturb us.

At about 4 o'clock A. M. April 26th, we were once more on the road to
the Junction, which we reached at about 5.30 A. M., and at once
commenced loading baggage and provisions on the cars. At 9 A. M.,
everything being in readiness and the road reported clear, we started
for Washington, where we arrived about noon, and were at once
marched to the Patent Office, on 7th street, where we were to be
quartered until a site for a camp could be selected.

Tuesday, April 30th, the second detachment of the regiment arrived,
in command of Lieutenant Colonel Pitman, and on May 1st the regiment
was paraded in front of the Patent Office, the occasion being the
raising of the Stars and Stripes on that building. The flag was
hoisted by President Lincoln, after which the regiment was drilled by
Colonel Burnside, under review by the President and members of the
Cabinet.

Thursday, May 2d, the Light Battery arrived from Providence, in
command of Captain Charles H. Tompkins, and in the afternoon the
entire regiment marched to the Capitol grounds, and was sworn into
the United States service, by Major McDowell, of the Regular army.

CHAPTER III.

LIFE IN CAMP.

Preparations were at once made to go into camp. A detail of mechanics
was made from the regiment, and under the direction of Lieutenant
Walker, of Com