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Feb. 28, the regiment marched by Culpeper and Thoroughfare Mountain to Robertson's River; and, May 4, moved, with the Army of the Potomac, across the Rapidan, "bivouacking for the night on the south bank, which was the only sound night's rest the regiment enjoyed till it was relieved; its term of service having expired."

Marching and countermarching, rifle-pits and picket, indicate the hard work accomplished.

May 5, the Tenth was fairly in the Wilderness, followed by skirmishing to cover Gen. Eustis's front, and then fierce battle. Writes the gallant colonel,

Men fell like leaves in autumn; yet the regiment stood firm, never wavered, till, the ammunition being expended, it was promptly relieved by Lieut.-Col. Harlow and the Seventh Massachusetts. Would I could sound a note to his (Harlow's) praise, than whom none is more worthy! We suffered here a loss of one hundred and fifteen, or more than one-third, in killed and wounded. There the brave and gallant First Lieut. Ashley, commanding Company I, was shot through the head, and instantly killed; and Lieut. Midgly, a most worthy officer, fell mortally wounded. We fell back over the crest of a hill and supplied ourselves with ammunition, took our position for the night, and, as we held the ground, cared for our wounded.

Moving on the enemy at daylight next morning, the Tenth repeated the heroic fighting of the preceding day; and, indeed, the same sanguinary valor distinguished the regiment through all the dreadful days of the Wilderness, and beyond it.

Of the conflict which followed the attempt of the rebels to regain the ground from which Hancock in his charge, supported by the Tenth, had driven them on the 11th, Lieut.-Col.

The battle of the 12th of May was one of the severest and closest the regiment was ever engaged in. The rebels seemed determined to retake the position at whatever cost; and for twenty-four hours there was one continuous roar of musketry. The right of the Tenth was in close proximity to the rebel left, and fighting over the same works. The muskets of the rebels were knocked aside by the men, and, in some instances, wrenched from the hands of the rebels. Many examples of bravery were displayed in this fight; but it would be invidious to mention any, and not all. It was here that Major Parker, Capt. J. H. Weatherill, and First Lieut. A. E. Munyan, officers distinguished for bravery and gallant conduct on many a hard-fought field, were mortally wounded. Capts. Knights and Johnson, and Lieut. Eaton, were severely wounded, and many brave men were killed and wounded, in the fight of the 12th; and to mention all who creditably acquitted themselves would be to

publish the names of all who were present. A heavy rain was falling all day, and all day and all night was the regiment kept under fire. Early on the morning of the 13th, the enemy gave up the attempt to retake the works; and we were relieved, and ordered to the rear. The battle-field at this point, directly in front of the ground occupied by the Tenth, beggars description. The dead and wounded of the enemy were literally piled in together, three, four, and five deep, showing conclusively that the ammunition which had been expended during the previous twenty-four hours had not been in vain. The loss of the enemy at this point was far greater than our own.

A brisk engagement between the enemy and the fourth brigade took place on the 18th, of the casualties of which Lieut.-Col. Parsons says,

We suffered the loss of Lieut. Bartlett, ever noted for brave and gallant conduct, who was shot through the head, and instantly killed. Also Capts. Bigelow and Pierce, and Lieut. Cotterill, were among the wounded. Sergts. Paul, Abbott, and Corp. Harger, were among the number who fell to-day, men of indomitable pluck, heroes in every sense of the word, full of patriotism, and fully competent to command. We mourn the loss of many such, who fell with their breasts to the foe on the battle-fields of Virginia.

On the 24th of May, the North Anna River was crossed, and, on the 28th, the Pamunkey. From Hanover Court House, a reconnoissance to Peak's Station, on the Central Virginia Railroad, was made on the 30th; the Tenth being in advance. This was followed by a forced march to Coal Harbor next day, and the battle at that point.

From that time until the 19th of June, the regiment was on the march, and under fire; crossing the Chickahominy on the 13th, and the James on the 16th, at dusk, on a pontoon-bridge. Marching all night and the day following, the regiment reached a position within two and a half miles of Petersburg, and was ordered out at ten o'clock the same night to support a picket. The 18th was spent in skirmishing, in carrying a line of riflepits, and in throwing up others under cover of darkness. The Tenth was relieved the next evening, and encamped near corps headquarters.

The next morning, as we were waiting to receive the order to report in Massachusetts, the enemy opened a battery of twenty-pound guns from the opposite bank of the Appomattox, and shelled the regiment very vigorously for some time. Sergeant-Major George F. Polley was struck with one of these missiles, and almost instantly killed. The death of Polley cast a gloom over the whole of the homeward trip, commenced that day. By his gallant

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conduct and fearlessness, he had become a favorite with the whole regiment. When such men are called to give up their lives, we are forcibly reminded of the immense sacrifice this struggle costs us. We buried Polley at City Point, June 21, and took the mail-boat for Washington, arriving there the 22d; and, after numerous delays, reached Springfield on the 25th of June, where a cheering and enthusiastic reception awaited the return of the veterans of many a hard-fought field.

The regiment formed at the depot, and marched down Main Street to Court Square. The street was lined with the national colors, and cheer upon cheer rent the air.

It was welcomed back by the Mayor in a neat and appropriate speech, which was acknowledged; and the thanks of the regiment were tendered to all who were present to bid it welcome, by the commanding officers. The regi ment was then marched into City Hall, and partook of a bountiful collation prepared by the citizens of Springfield. During the festival, we were entertained with patriotic songs sung by some fifty misses, to the great delight of all present.

The regiment was then furloughed until the 8th of July, when it was mustered out. Thus, after three years' and fifteen days' service, the Old Tenth passed into history, and its members returned to the rights of citizenship.

Eleventh.

CHAPTER IX.

ELEVENTH AND TWELFTH REGIMENTS.

- Roster of Officers. At Washington. - Resignation of Col. Clark. - At Yorktown. Battles of the Peninsula. - Bull Run and Bristow Station. - Chancellorsville. March to Gettysburg. — Lieut.-Col. Tripp's Report. - Wilderness. Cold Harbor. James River. Petersburg.. Death of Col. Blaisdell. - Twelfth Regiment. Organization. — At Sandy Hook, Md. — In the Shenandoah Valley.Death of Col. Webster. - Battle of South Mountain. Fredericksburg. - Gettysburg. Mine Run. Gen. Grant's "On to Richmond.”. tered out.

Return Home.- Mas

THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT.

HIS regiment was raised in the vicinity of Boston, and ordered to Fort Warren, May 4, 1861; where it was organized on the 9th, and sworn into the service of the United States June 13. The officers of the organization were as follow: —

June 15, the regiment went to Camp Cameron, and, on the 24th, started for Washington; reaching the capital on the 3d of July. On the 14th, it was marched to Alexandria, and thence, on the 21st, to Bull Run, and participated in the conflict there. From that disastrous sabbath's work, the regiment returned to Camp Wilson, at Alexandria. Aug. 10, it removed to Bladensburg, Md.; and from thence, Oct. 27, to Budd's Ferry. Meanwhile, Col. George Clark, who had originally raised the regiment, was com pelled, Oct. 11, by reason of ill health, to resign, and was suc ceeded by Lieut.-Col. Blaisdell. During the winter, the regiment performed picket-duty as a part of first brigade, Hooker's division, along the banks of the Potomac, and in front of the rebel

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batteries at Shipping Point, Va. No part of the soldier's service involves more exposure or requires more fortitude than the picketline.

April 5, the Eleventh embarked for the Peninsula, and, on the 12th, encamped at Yorktown, and were again assigned to picketservice. On the 26th, the men of the Eleventh dashed upon and took a rebel lunette, and, on the 4th of May, entered the enemy's breastworks. Next day, they engaged the enemy at Williamsburg, and were the admiration of the army. To express the grateful appreciation of the Commonwealth, the Governor ordered a new State color for the regiment, to be forwarded with his congratulations. The annexed tells the rest of the pleasant story:

ADJUTANT-GENERAL'S OFFICE, BOSTON, May 19, 1862.

Col. BLAISDELL, Eleventh Regiment Massachusetts Volunteers.

Colonel, It makes every Massachusetts man feel prouder than ever of the old Commonwealth as he reads of the brave deeds of our Massachusetts regiments.

The conduct of the Eleventh Regiment at the battle of Williamsburg was gallant in the extreme; and his Excellency Gov. Andrew tenders to yourself, your officers, and your men, his warmest congratulations, and his sincere thanks for their bravery and good conduct on that terrible day.

As a small recognition of their valor, his Excellency has ordered a new regimental color to be made, and forwarded to the regiment.

Respectfully yours,

WILLIAM SCHOULER, Adjutant-General.

The colors were sent on in July last; and the old ones which have been borne so bravely in ten hard-fought fields were returned, and are now deposited in the State House.

Marchies, with the interludes of encampments, brought the regi ment to Fair Oaks, June 3, to perform picket-duty, work on the intrenchments, &c. The troops were engaged in the battle of the 25th, in the action at Savage's Station, in that at Glendale on the 30th, and at Malvern Hill July 1; encamping in the evening of that day at Harrison's Landing. On their return march, the troops reached Yorktown on the 15th of August, embarked for Alexandria, and thence advanced again as far as Warrenton Junction. On the 25th, they went to the battle-fields of Bristow Station and Bull Run; returning to Alexandria, Sept. 3, to be employed on the defences of Washington.