August 25.

Our men kept coming in all the morning and by noon they were about all in. Our tents arriving in the night, we moved our camp and put our tents up next day. We moved our camp to get on grass ground, there being not much of that article around Arlington. All the new troops that arrive in Washington are sent to Arlington Heights, so it keeps the grass pretty well worn down. The boys made the green corn and water-melons disappear in a hurry until the owner complained of them to our Colonel.

August 28.

Nothing of importance occurred until August 28 when we went to Gen. Lee’s Plantations to camp. Here we had a nice place considering others around us.

We were encamped near “Fort Craig.” A dozen or more forts were in sight of us, Fort Albany being about the strongest. It would be a hard job for the enemy to take Washington from the Virginia side. While we were at Arlington, we were employed digging trenches and making rifle pits.

September 3.

Hearing that some old regiments were within four or five miles of us — among them the 12th, 13th, and 18th,12 I went to see them. Saw Jim Robertson, Lewis Tucker of the 18th, George Raymond and others of the 13th. They had just come out of the Bull Run, Centreville — and other battles. Looked rather tough.

September 6.

Had orders to prepare for marching. Were ordered to leave our knapsacks at camp, to be taken to Washington and stored. Then we thought we were going into active service. We left Arlington Heights about dark and marched toward Washington, — went the short way this time. Did not stop long in Washington but kept on towards Leesboro. The men fell out about a mile before the regiment stopped. I could go no farther if I tried for I was completely exhausted. James Jones of Randolph fell out with me and we slept together that night. Could hardly stand to undo our blankets. Our regiment had but a little over 100 men when they stopped for the night.