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3 Years in The Army
good reason for his absence.
The Captain would march the company to its position in Regimental line/ where
we found the Colonel in command already to assign each company to its position
in the fort.
This matter of signals was all prearranged by the Colonel, but the boys did not know it, and the first time we were called out in this manner I thought sure that the Rebs were making a raid on Washington, but I lost my interest in the raiding business when I noticed we were not ordered to load our guns. We practiced this midnight drill often during the warm weather, and we became quite efficient. I think the best time we ever made in getting into Regimental line was 7 minutes. MASON'S ISLAND
In August 1863, 4 companies of our regiment including Co. H were detached and ordered to take up their march for Mason's Island as a guard for the Conscript camp. Mason's Island is located in the Potomac River on the Virginia side opposite the city of Georgetown. The Island is about 1/2 mile long and belonged to a man by the name of Mason. There was a large brick house on the island with a fine lawn and beautiful shade trees surrounding. Lieut. Col. Thomas A. Talbot was in command of the Battalion and he made his Headquarters at this house. I was ordered to report to Headquarters and served as clerk there during our stay on the island. Besides Col. Talbot the other officer at the house was Lieut. Newingham who was acting as an aid to the Colonel. My duties were very light, employing not more than one hour each day, and |