PLEASANT HILL, CAMP
NEAR Darnestown,
September 27, 1861.
A dark, dull, rainy day without, a calm, quiet, cosey tent
within. At peace with ourselves, and apparently with all mankind. Such
is this Friday morning.
Yesterday * was a grand day for our army. The orders were
issued for its observance by a grand division parade and service, and at eleven
o'clock the brigades moved to Darnestown, and formed in a large field for the
service. Our friend Mr. Quint gave the address on the occasion. I did not go
myself, being detained by the combined influence of a headache and a
court-martial. The headache and court-martial have both adjourned to-day, and I
think they will not be called together again.
It is said that the division looked very well indeed, and
that the Massachusetts Second appeared bright beside the other regiments. This
is probably exactly true. We have never been drawn up to face anything else
except the Reverend Chaplain, but it is said that the column stood his fire
like heroes!
The impression seems to be gathering force that our term of
inaction is drawing to a close. I only hope that when we go across the Potomac,
it will be by a grand concerted movement, which will sweep everything before it
clean. “Nulla vestigia retrorsum.”
Not a single about face in the whole movement. I think we
have reason to be glad that our regiment is getting through the
chills-and-fever season so well. The place where we are seems quite healthy,
and we suffer much less than our neighbors. By a new division of brigades,
Colonel Gordon becomes the Senior Colonel of the Third Brigade, which makes him
the Acting Brigadier. This puts Colonel Andrews in command of the regiment.
I hope soon to hear of Howard's movements, and also of Charley's
coming on to join William.
_______________
* The President's Fast Day.
SOURCE: Elizabeth Amelia Dwight, Editor, Life and
Letters of Wilder Dwight: Lieut.-Col. Second Mass. Inf. Vols., p. 106-7
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