some days I had not anything to do but sit on the piaza and smoke my pipe or walk about among the trees.

    The Conscripts would arrive on the Island in Squads of ten or more, and line up in front of Headquarters. It was my duty to take their names and address and search them, to see that they had no citizen's clothing concealed about their persons. I was assisted by the guard that was always on hand. About one half of the Conscripts that arrived while I was there were "Bounty Jumpers" and nothing else. They would arrive clothed in a long overcoat over their uniform and in one pocket I would find a pair of thin pants and in another a cap. They were preparing to skip the first opportunity. Of course I took charge of all that stuff and stowed it away in a large room in the 2nd story of the house. When I left that room was half full., and I should like to know whatever became of all those coats, etc. I attached a card with the names of the owners to the coat and told them they could have them when they called and showed an Honorable Discharge from the U. S. Army.

    We remained on that island until the last week in October when we were glad to get orders to march back to the fort. About two weeks after our return I was taken with Chills and Fever and was quite sick, so they sent me to the Regimental Hospital and 1 was there two weeks. I don't think I ever recovered from the effects of that fever.


    On the 15th day of May 1864 our Regiment received orders to join the Army of the Potomac. We packed our knapsacks with all of our clothing. Haversacks with 3 day's rations. Cartridge Boxes with 40