A PAPER READ AT THE OFFICERS' REUNION IN BOSTON,
MAY 12, 1884,
BY
DANIEL OAKEY,
CAPTAIN SECOND MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT OF INFANTRY.
BOSTON:
Geo. H. Ellis, Printer, 141 Franklin Street.
1884.
In taking up the thread of Captain George A. Thayer's admirablechapter upon the Chancellorsville campaign, we find the regimentbaling out their old log pens, on a dark night, in the rain.They had stripped the canvas roofs before starting for Chancellorsville.The return to a deserted camp, even in fine weather,flushed with victory, is not agreeable. The failure of Chancellorsvillemade the discomforts of this memorable night harder tobear, and it seemed very much like some of the worst experiencesof the "Mud campaign."
Company "D" pursued their work with vigor, and sang withthe broadest sarcasm "Home Again." This had rather an enliveningeffect upon some of the other companies, who, up to thistime, had been very silent. Daylight relieved us all; and, withsunshine and regimental "police," the place soon looked as ifnothing had happened, except for the late absentees, some ofwhom would return when their wounds permitted; but otherswould never again draw their swords under the old battle-flag.The scholarly Fitzgerald, who died so bravely, was the only officerof "ours" killed at Chancellorsville.
It was at this very camp, about a month before, that the gallantand lamented Colonel Shaw, then a captain in our regiment, leftus to organize and command that fated battalion, the "Fifty-fourthColored Massachusetts." Here, we again formed a messwith the officers of the Third Wisconsin; and our former caterer,Charley Johnson, and his colored staff, managed the table d'hôte.Those who were fortunate enough to be present will rememberthe surprise party given to us by the officers of the Third Wisconsinin our canvas dining-room, at the foot of the hill, andhow it burst upon us in all its splendor of bayonet chandeliers[Page 2]and unlimited "commissary." Brigade manœuvres and battaliondrills were diligently practised; and, when Casey's tactics werescarcely dry from the press, Colonel Sam Quincy, with the leastpossible preparation on our part, "sprung" on us the new movementof "Forward on the centre to form square" at "double-quick."And, I am ashamed to say, that, practised as we were inall the tricks of field manœuvres, we "got mixed." The rightwing started without delay for Falmouth, the left wing for AcquiaCreek, and the color division took a steady trot for the camp ofthe Tenth Maine. Adjutant Fox galloped wildly about the field,the Colonel howled in despair, but on we went till the word"Halt!" brought us to a stand, and we came back and formedline. The Colonel then made the memorable remark, "Gentlemenwill please to have some connection of ideas," and startedthe machine again at full speed. This time we melted into asquare in a manner which would have pleased General Andrews.From this camp, Colonel Quincy resigned, pretty well exhaustedwith wounds, exposure, and the trials of the Rebel prison.
We now moved camp—Major Mudge commanding—to a pinegrove, where we constructed quite a picturesque military village,