Page:History of the Forty-eighth Regiment, M.V.M. during the Civil War (IA historyoffortyei00plumm).pdf/67

 *sibility that a force might be sent out to fall upon us before we could reach our camp. But the reconnaissance on the whole was a success. The road was clear of rebels and about five miles from Baton Rouge where the Montecino Bayou crosses the road we met the division of General Curvier Grover fresh from their camp at Baton Rouge. No one who witnessed those regiments of infantry and cavalry and the fine batteries accompanying them as they crossed the pontoon bridge and came springing up the hillside, and with their gun-barrels glistening in the rays of the setting sun disappeared from view on the winding road ahead will ever lose the impression there gained.

We reached our camp at Baton Rouge at about 9 o'clock. Most of us were footsore and all were weary, and creeping into our tents we were just settling down to a good night's rest when down from headquarters came an order to march at 3 the next morning. So in the early morning we fell in each heavily laden with knapsack, a full supply of cartridges and two days' rations, and started on the road over which we had come the previous day. The morning was cool, the road in good order, trees just budding out and festooned with vines and moss. On the whole we enjoyed the scenery of the Southern forest road and the fresh morning air. Neither the heavy burdens nor the blistered feet caused by yesterday's weary march could wholly repress our enthusiasm, ignorant as we were of campaign life and eager for a change. But as we got out into the open country and old Sol rising higher and higher got in his work upon us our burdens seemed heavier and heavier every moment and every step was an agony. With rout step and arms at will, on,