The Maine bugle ... campaign; 1-5 Jan. 1894-Oct. 1898 - Maine.gov

148 THE MAINE BUGLE.
barely capable of accomodating three. But a few cornstalks
placed in them for the double purpose of beds and floor made
things quite comfortable. Our cooks were sadly deficient in the
culinary art, yet our rations were much superior to those re-
ceived on Staten Island. The snow soon disappeared and the
sun came out bright and warm, drying the sandy field in which
we were camped and making it an excellent place for a cavalry
camp. Thus the winter of '6i and '62 found the First Regi-
ment, Ira Harris Guards (Fifth New York Cavalry) in camp of
instruction under competent drill masters, and the regiment
soon became proficient in horsemanship, the sabre drill and the
tactical evolutions of the trooper mounted, and the foundation
was laid for a brilliant career in a gigantic rebellion, whose
magnitude was not dreamed of at that date. Although the men
were attentive to instruction and subordinate, they had increas-
ing desire to escape from the monotony of drill and put in
practice the lessons taught in Camp Harris, before the rebellion
was put down by the infantry troops. Early in December, Sibley
tents were received capable of accomodating fourteen men
comfortably and placed on stockades in nicely arranged streets
by companies with a corresponding row of stables for the horses.
At the head of each company street was the officers' wall
tents, at the foot, the cook tent, occupied by a soldier detailed
for that purpose. With a stove in each tent purchased by each
tent squad, they were very comfortable and pleasant. On the
first day of March orders were received to break camp. Much
as we enjoyed our pleasant quarters these marching orders were
received with cheers and rejoicing. The regiment moved to
Annapolis and bivouacked in the navy yard. On the following
month April first, we took cars for an unknown destination. But
after a pleasant ride along the B. & O. R. R. on the tops of
freight cars, we landed at Harper's Ferry in the evening in the
midst of a heavy snow storm, and bivouacked in the ruins of the
Government Arsenal, made famous as the place of refuge of
John Brown and his party. On the following day wc occupied
government buildings on the plateau between the Potomac and