my course when in command of Banks' Cavalry, is particularly gratifying. You, actors with myself in those stirring scenes, are competent judges as to the propriety of my course, when it unfortunately did not meet with the approval of my superior; and your testimony, so handsomely expressed, after time has allowed opportunity for reflection, more than compensates for the mortification of that moment.

I have watched with pride the movements of your regiments, since my separation from you. When a telegram has announced that " in a Cavalry fight, the edge of the sabre was successfully used, and the enemy routed," the further announcement that the Fifth New York and First Vermont were engaged, was unnecessary.

Accept my kindest wishes for your future success,sharp sabres and a trust in Providence, will enable you to secure it in the field.

Very truly, my friends,

Your obedient Servant

JOHN P. HATCH,

Brigadier General.

CHAPTER IV.

Mosby, the Guerrilla. His men.- Picketing against him at Chantilly. Building Winter Quarters at Germantown. - Description. Mosby at Fairfax Court House. - Fight at Chantilly. At Warrenton Junction. Congratulatory Order of Commanding General. Fight at Greenwich. - Capture of a Howitzer. Gallant Conduct of Lieut. Barker.- Jan. 1st to June 14th, 1863.

The campaign of 1862 had ended, and the two great armies had constructed their winter quarters facing each other, along the line of the Rappahannock, the Rebels occupying the south bank above and below the heights of Fredericksburg, and the Federals stretching their camps for many miles on the northern shore above and below Falmouth. Between this line and that of the defenses of Washington lies a vast territory, which abounds in creeks, marshes, deep, sombre forests, with only here and there a village or settlement. A little to the west runs the chain of the Bull Run Mountains, with their ravines and caverns. This is a very fit hiding place for guerrillas and bushwhackers, who, in considerable numbers, infest the country, and commit their depredations on our lines. These guerrillas consist mostly of farmers and mechanics, residents of this region of country, who are exempt from the Rebel conscription. They generally follow their usual avocation during the day, and congregate at certain localities at night ready for any work proposed

by their leader, though each is often found to act quite independently of the rest. Their commander-in-chief is John S. Mosby, who, as a Rebel soldier who had known him from childhood up informed the writer, had always been a sort of guerrilla - deserting from his home in mere boyhood -fighting duels as a pastime - roving the country far and wide in search of pleasure or profit and finding now his chief delight in the adventures of guerrilla life. Under such leadership this guerrilla force has become very formidable, and a strong picket line was necessary at some distance from the defenses of Washington.

January 1st, 1863. The regiment celebrated this anniversary by marching from Fairfax Court House to Chantilly, and was there posted on picket, to guard against the incursions of Mosby and his gang. The peculiar nature of the force opposed to us requires special pains in the picketing. The main reserve, established from one to two miles from the line of videttes, is so situated as to be within easy striking distance of each picket relief. - at least when this can be done so as to render speedy assistance in case of an attack on any portion of the line.

The boys will not soon forget the dreary, dangerous hours they spent along this picket line. In fancy they will see themselves shivering around a miserable fire among the pincs, compelled often to sit or lie down in snow or mud. In this plight they hear the summons to be ready to stand post. Mounted upon their shivering horses, the poor fellows with nothing cheering but their courage, go out to sit in the saddle for two hours, facing the biting wind, and peering through the storm of sleet, snow or rain, which pelts them in the face mercilessly. Happy if the guerrilla does

not creep through bushes impenetrable to the sight, to inflict his cruel blows. The two hours expired, relief comes and the vidette returns to spend his four, six, or eight hours off duty as best he may.

January 5th. At a post called Frying Pan, the pickets were attacked by guerrillas, and quite a number of men were captured. The nature of the country is such as to afford the enemy the greatest possible advantage. Deep ravines, skirted by massive foliage summer and winter, give him shelter, while his knowledge of every road and footpath gives him a fine opportunity to escape with his booty in case of pursuit.

January 6th. Several men were captured and one wounded on picket near Cub Run. The guerrillas are very active. The utmost vigilance on our part cannot secure us perfectly from their depredations. The only way to rid ourselves of this plague would be to scour the entire country with a large force, arrest every male inhabitant able to carry a musket, and burn to the ground every building, including houses, where these bushwhackers reside or find refuge. To so stern a punishment, falling upon innocent and guilty with like terror, the government is not willing to resort. If the war is to continue long this would prove to be true policy, saving the lives of many of our brave boys.

January 10th. From the Chantilly mansion, owned by one of the Stuarts, the regiment moved to Germantown, pitching camp on a pine-covered knoll. The streets are laid out quite regularly by companies, a space averaging about 25 or 30 feet being occupied by each company. The men construct stockades of logs about 3 feet high, on which they place their tents, called A tents, on account of resem

blance to that letter. Chimneys are made of stone, or of bricks found in the remains of destroyed houses in the neighborhood, and sometimes of sticks of wood carefully laid in mud, which is by no means very inferior mortar. With this material the crevices of the stockades are also well plastered, making the soldier's cabin quite tight and warm, if he is not too idle to supply himself amply with fuel. In front of the tents is a street which has to be corduroyed or it will become impassable for mud, and just across the street are the stables for the horses. These are usually covered with a thick thatching of pine boughs, which afford a tolerable shelter for the cavalryman's trusty friend.

January 11th. The regiment went on a scouting party to Brentsville, and returned by way of Bristoe Station and Manassas Junction.

January 12th. A false alarm aroused the entire camp, which consists of a brigade of cavalry, composed of the First Virginia (Union), Eighteenth Pennsylvania and Fifth New York regiments of cavalry.

January 13th. Another false alarm disturbed our usual rest; and before quieting down again we were sent on picket, to remain about five days. We were relieved on the 17th.

January 17th, Sergt. Maj. Gall and 1st Sergt. Bryant, Company G, went to Buckland Mills with a flag of truce. January 20th. Companies E and G went on picket at Frying Pan, dismounted, that they might be the better prepared for guerillas should they appear.

January 24th. The same companies were ordered out on a scouting party to Herndon Station, and captured a