remain until the last trump shall sound to summon them to their final account before a just and holy God.

During the five days encampment at Boonsboro Gap, the weather was very stormy and disagreeable; everything was excitement, and we were confident that Lee and his army would be annihilated. The Potomac army with its re-enforcements was rapidly concentrating, having marched from Gettysburgh by various routes; flushed with victory they were anxious to be led forward. The rebel army being very much disheartened by defeat and scant of rations, some having five rounds of ammunition apiece, desertions from their lines were numerous, a great many Maryland soldiers returning to their homes sick and tired of rebeldom. Various rumors were in circulation, and all felt that a decisive battle would soon be fought, at what point none could tell, as none were certain of the whereabouts of Lee's main force, he having retreated from Gettysburgh in the darkness of the night; but it was supposed he was in the vicinity of Williamsport, preparing to re-cross the river into Virginia, and fall back as rapidly as possible, within the defences of Richmond. A courier bearing despatches from Jeff. Davis to Gen. Lee was captured by our scouts, and the despatches intercepted. They were orders from Richmond for Lee to fall back immediately, as the place was threatened by our forces under Butler from Fortress Monroe. Maryland now presented a scene of desolation and woe; houses pillaged, robbed and burned by the soldiers of both armies; trees were felled and rail fences demolished without regard to owners. Orders were read to the troops forbidding straggling, but by some those orders were not obeyed, and foraging soon became common. The poorer classes were on the verge of starvation, as everything they had was taken. The soldiers fared well, helping themselves to everything that came in their way, without regard to owners or to value, robbing hen roosts, killing sheep, hogs and cattle. Fields of grain were trampled upon and laid waste; horses and mules were turned loose to feed in fields of oats, wheat and clover.

On the afternoon of July 9th, orders came for the division to move and join the Potomac army, having been assigned as 3rd Division, 3rd Army Corps, now commanded by Gen. French. Gen. Sickels, one of our ablest Generals, formerly commanded the corps; he was everywhere in the hottest of the fight. At Gettysburgh, while giving command to his men, he was struck by a shell and severely wounded in the leg. It was found necessary to amputate it, and the command of the corps was given to Maj. Gen. French. The odd divisions, 1st, 2nd and 3rd, were formed in two, our division as 3rd, commanded by Brig. Gen. Carr from New York State. Leaving the gap, the division marched that afternoon six miles, joining the Potomac army at night, encamping in a field. This was our first entry in that army, and we remained there until the close of the war. The 11th New Jersey was in the 2nd division. They were raised at Trenton under the same call, and proceeded to the front a few days sooner than the 14th. They were placed immediately in active service and had already participated in several battles. At Gettysburgh they were in the hottest of the fight, losing more than one-third of their men, and fighting bravely. They now numbered but two hundred men; sickness and death on the battle field had thinned their ranks, but still they were ready for the contest and as eager as ever to be led forward. Six days had now elapsed since the retreat of Lee from Gettysburgh; the army was again concentrated and moved forward to the attack. We were now but one day's march from the enemy, strongly entrenched at Williamsport. As yet we had not seen a battle, nor had we seen an armed rebel. As new troops we were all anxious to fight, but were disappointed, perhaps for the best. After joining the Potomac army, the division encamped in a field until morning, cooking coffee and hard-tack by camp fires built of rail fences. The next morning the troops were awakened at reveille which was sounded at sunrise. At 11 o'clock a forward movement was again made, marching six miles, passing through a small village called Katyville. The stores were closed, the majority of the men being secesh. Frederick City was the base of supplies, and rations were plenty; such as an army was allowed on a march, consisting of hard-tack, salt pork, sugar, coffee and beef. As long as the troops remained in Maryland, they fared well, but in Virginia, rations were scarce, often two or three days passing without anything to eat; the troops marched very slow. As we were approaching the enemy during the afternoon, but six miles were marched. The Regiment encamping on a hill near a battery, arms were stacked, the men prepared their evening meal. The camp fires of our army were everywhere visible, and in the darkness of the night looked splendidly. At nine o'clock the bugle sounded, and orders came to move immediately. Various reports were soon circulated, but little time was given for conjecture. Soon the troops were in motion, marching back a forced march of eight miles, almost double quick, halting at twelve o'clock in the vicinity of Boonsboro Gap, near the headquarters of Gen. Meade. A line of battle was quickly formed, the troops sleeping on their arms. The Regiment halted in a field of wheat cut and shocked, the men helping themselves, making beds for the night. It being warm we slept well until aroused the next morning at reveille. The weather was close and very uncomfortable and marching very tedious. The troops had advanced farther than was intended, and were almost within the enemy's lines. The next morning orders came again to advance, marching three miles in line of battle, maneuvering in various positions. The Regiment was detailed to support a battery, remaining two days and three nights, every moment expecting to attack the enemy, and wondered why the order was not given. All were anxious to fight, and all were confident that the rebel army would be defeated. Gen. Meade held a council of war with his corps commanders, French, Howard, Sykes, Sedgwick, Warren and Hancock, and it was decided not to attack, as the army needed reorganizing and had suffered severely at Gettysburgh, the risk being too great to run. The rebel army, although defeated, would fight with desperation, and if victorious nothing could save Washington. Gen. Lee, without exception, was the leading general of the rebel army, together with A. P. Hill, Longstreet and Ewell, and they were formidable antagonists to encounter. Taking advantage of the delay, the enemy were rapidly re-crossing the river, having seized several boats, and with their pontoon train soon constructed bridges. The river was falling and everything was in their favor. While we were watching their front nothing but their advance guard was in sight. On the night of July 14th the retreat was discovered, but nothing could be done until morning. At daylight our army was in pursuit, but without avail. Their rear guard, numbering some five thousand men, was captured, the rest were safe across the river, marching rapidly toward Richmond, a weakened, demoralized army, disheartened by defeat. It is estimated that Lee lost forty thousand men in his attempt to invade the North. Gen. Meade was greatly censured by the people of the North for allowing the enemy to escape, but Lee had yet a large army and victory to our forces not altogether certain. The Potomac army by rapid marching and hard fighting, had driven the enemy from our soil, and the heart-felt thanks of millions of souls went up to God in praise. But still more was to be done; the rebels were not conquered; large armies were yet to be encountered and subdued; miles of territory hostile to the government to be occupied, and treason crushed forever. The army moved five miles to Williamsport, occupying the same ground the rebels did the night before. We saw