their proficiency as soldiers, but they
were "professors" in any art or device that tended to add comfort and
enjoyment to themselves, particularly when in an enemy's country, and
under the necessity of providing their own rations. Just such a man
as this we had in our company. James Markham never was known to have
an empty haversack, and always managed to procure a full supply of
rations, even at times at great personal risk. Just before dark on
the afternoon of the day of our occupation of Fairfax, and after the
before mentioned order had been given, this man Markham was on guard
on a narrow road leading out of the town; on the side of the road
where he was pacing was a tight board fence, and on the side opposite
a zig-zag, or "Virginia" rail fence. Markham's attention was called
by some one to a shoat pig that had all day escaped the "slaughter of
the innocents," and was at that moment making the best of his way
toward the maternal nest. The temptation on Markham's part to capture
this sprig of porkdom was too mighty to be overcome by any lingering
fear of Alexandria's dungeon, so instantly clapping his musket to his
shoulder he blazed away, with the result of piggy's dropping in his
tracks, without so much as an audible grunt. He sprang out, and had
barely secured his prey, when a mounted officer with a squad of
cavalry came galloping down the road. Markham proved himself equal to
the occasion; quick as thought he tucked the hind legs of the animal
underneath his waist-belt behind him, and backing up against the
fence, coolly presented arms to the provost guard as they approached,
and in reply to the officer's inquiry, "Who fired that shot?"
answered, "It was a sentry beyond, down the road." The guard rode on,
down the road, but it is presumed they never learned with any degree
of accuracy "who fired that shot."

Our company was detailed for picket guard, that night. Brigade guard
mount took place in the woods at sunset. Our regimental Band, led by
the veteran Joe Greene, played his familiar piece, "The Mocking
Bird." Our company was marched in the direction of Leesburg, and
posted in the edge of the woods, where picket guard head quarters
were established. At about 11 P. M., about one-half of our company
relieved a company of the 14th Brooklyn, the balance of the company
not going on until 1 A. M. There was occasional firing by the outer
picket, or cavalry vidette, during the night. General McDowell had
his headqu