months. A flag was presented to the regiment by Gov. Parker. The men were drawn up in line with white gloves, a band was hired for the occasion, and the flag was presented by the Governor in person. Although the men were denied the luxuries of life, they were far better off than the boys of the Potomac army with good tents and pretty good food. The men were very well contented. Numbers were anxious to move. Take us to the front was the general cry. Soon the order came, pack up, boys, and prepare to move. The men obeyed with alacrity, as all were glad to go, lying in camp so long. A number of articles had accumulated that were of no use to us and were left behind. The ground was as smooth and as even as a board floor, the men drilling on it so often it became hard. When we entered it it was mud knee deep. The men working with a will soon had their tents in line and arranged in perfect order. To be ready to move without delay was the order. Tents were struck and the regiment proceeded to the Relay House on baggage cars. Co.'s E and K were ordered to be in readiness, and were taken on board. Monocacy to us was a home, and with a sigh of regret we left, although anxious to move. Arriving at the Relay House at five o'clock, encamped in a field near the depot, the men lying out in the dew. The next morning tents were pitched. Just as they were ready, orders came for the men to send all surplus baggage home, as the regiment was ordered to the front to join the Potomac Army. The rebel army under Lee had again attempted the invasion of the North, and re-enforcements were hurriedly sent on. Everything was left behind. The men were now in light marching order, and were again placed on baggage cars for Harper's Ferry, eighty-one miles from Baltimore. Co. E was left at Monocacy to guard the bridge, stationed in block houses built by our regiment. Arriving at Maryland Heights, the regiment marched up the ascent in dust and sun. It was exceedingly warm, and the march very tiresome. The Heights are ascended by a circuitous route that winds around the mountain. The sun being very hot, and the roads very dusty, it was very hard for the men, and they soon became tired with heavy knapsacks, muskets and equipments. Arriving at the top, the regiment encamped near the 6th New York Heavy Artillery regiment that had lain there some six months. Their camp was in a splendid condition, clean and neat, the men being more like regulars than volunteers, wearing new clothes and white gloves. While on duty the men were compelled to lie out, having been furnished with no tents or blankets, nor did the men get any until the summer campaign was nearly over. The troops on the Heights numbered some 7,000 men, under command of Gen. Tyler.

The enemy were now across the Potomac in force, moving northward for Pennsylvania, under command of their best and ablest leader, General Lee, marching the same road they did the previous year, when under command of their wily and strategic leader, Stonewall Jackson, now no more. Lee, his superior in every respect, was now in full command of all the armies of the Confederate States, superintending the army of northern Virginia in person. Our army was commanded by Fighting Joe Hooker, Burnside's successor. Both armies were straining every nerve. Defeat to us was death. Washington, at the mercy of the rebels, would soon fall, the independence of the South achieved, and Slavery, the curse of our nation, would rule supreme. But God, in his wise providence, saw fit to rule otherwise, and victory crowned our arms.

The regiment was encamped on the Heights thirteen days. General Tyler was relieved and General French succeeded him. He immediately set about preparing the Heights for immediate defence. Trenches were dug, rifle pits and cannon were placed in position. It was supposed the enemy, if defeated, would fall back on Harper's Ferry, and everything was prepared to give them a warm reception. During our sojourn on the Heights the rain fell incessantly day and night, wetting us to the skin. Officers and men, with spades and picks, were busily engaged in digging and erecting fortifications in mud knee deep. A strong picket force was thrown out on all roads every night, each regiment sending more than half of their men. The works were at last finished, and Maryland Heights were considered as impregnable—a second Gibraltar—its frowning batteries and immense fortifications, manned by one division, were sufficient to hold the whole rebel army in check. While there an alarm spread that the enemy were coming. The men had never smelt powder and were as new recruits. It was night and very dark. Soon some of the men, mistaking others for rebels, fired their pieces, supposing the enemy were near. Report after report followed in quick succession, the darkness of the night preventing the men from seeing anything. At last the firing ceased. The men awakened from their sleep were at first confused, but soon became aware that no enemy was near, and closed their eyes once more in sleep. Expecting an attack, and to prepare the men for any emergency, every regiment was required to be in line at three o'clock each morning, remaining until daylight. It was a very wise precaution, as it proved beneficial to the men afterward. Two pontoon bridges were laid across the Potomac to Virginia, one at Harper's Ferry, another some three miles further North. The 14th regiment was on picket at one, the 6th Md. at the other. Jno. Brown's cave being near, it was visited by the men. This cave is an opening on Bollivar Heights, some 300 feet deep, filled with holes, and very dark. Here John Brown, and some thirty desperadoes, were concealed for seven days, and were at last compelled to surrender to the armed forces of Virginia. His object to free the slaves of the South failed, and he, with his band of men, were finally executed. The cave now bears his name, and is often visited by persons anxious to see the cave of the renowned chieftain. The arsenal and all public buildings were in ruins, the walls still standing. They were destroyed at the commencement of the war by the Union forces, to prevent them from falling into the hands of the enemy. Day and night the men worked on the fortifications, strengthening them after they were done. Lee was still moving northward, followed closely by Hooker, with the Potomac Army. Arriving near Maryland Heights he visited Gen. French, and ordered the Heights evacuated and the troops to re-enforce the army, preparatory to a decisive battle. Gen. Halleck, then in command at Washington, ordered Gen. French to remain, and ordered Hooker to be relieved. Gen. Geo. B. Meade, commanding the Pennsylvania Reserves, was placed in command of the army. He immediately ordered the troops to evacuate the Heights and join the Potomac Army with all possible haste, as re-enforcements were greatly needed. The men had worked hard, and those immense fortifications were useless.

The division under command of Major-General French evacuated the Heights on Tuesday, June 30, destroying a vast amount of ammunition, grain, etc. Eighty men from the 14th regiment, under command of Lieut. Bailey, were detailed to guard the pontoon bridge near John Brown's cave, until the Heights were evacuated. At four o'clock everything was ready, and the column started. Heavy guns were placed on canal boats for Washington; the sick were sent to convalescent camps, and everything that could not be taken was destroyed. Orders were read to the troops to prepare for an active campaign, and in light marching order; all baggage not really needed was sent to Washington, and the men were ready for a march. Company E, stationed at Monocacy, twenty-five miles away, was ordered to join the regiment, marching in a heavy rain, remaining but one night on the heights. At 5 P. M. the troops started, the rain pouring in torrents, marching that afternoon