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36

INFLUENCE OF LOYAL WOMEN.

right-not less noble and heroic are their loved ones, mothers, sisters, wives, who give them up in the hour of need, and who at home, without surrounding excitements to sustain them, without any prospect of renown to reward them, watch, labor and pray to the God of Hosts in behalf of that cause for which they have bravely but tearfully risked their heart's dearest treasures. Who can estimate the influence of loyal women in our country's present struggle? Not the less potent ir that it is for the most part unobtrusive and beneath the surface; an influence manifested not in bloody smiting, but in humble labors to alleviate the necessities and miseries of war, in words and acts of inspiring encouragement.

"Bear, then, to the ladies of Canandaigua our heartfelt gratitude. Tell them that their trust shall not be dishonored. Tell them that their gift shall not be in vain, but that by its influence, cheering on our men to true and loyal heroism, it will be gratefully remembered and cherished as one of the powers and instrumentalities by which, we trust to God, that ere long from the rock-ribbed coast of Maine to the Keys of Florida,

"The Star Spangled Banner in triumph shall wave,

O'er the Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave.'"

The Elmira Cornet Band then discoursed a patriotic air, after which the Regiment returned to the barracks and partook of a sumptuous repast, provided by the citizens of Elmira.

This beautiful banner, which has ever been the

TROOPS MOVING TO THE CAPITAL.

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pride of the Regiment, was made of the finest blue silk, bearing upon one side the Coat-of-Arms of the State of New York, and on the reverse the Seal of the County of Ontario, adopted in 1790. Over this seal appeared in bold gilt letters, the words: "Ontario County Volunteers." Surmounting the staff was a highly finished carved Eagle, with spread pinions-the whole forming one of the most elegant battle-flags ever wrought by fair hands.

Six hours were allotted each day to drilling, though, owing to the absence of arms, the men were confined, during the entire time of sojourn at Elmira, to the rudimentary principles of the manual. Books, newspapers, and other reading material, purchased and contributed by various benevolent associations, whiled away many hours which would otherwise have hung heavily.

Meanwhile our forces were being massed on the Potomac, and the men became anxious to depart for the seat of war. They had enlisted to fight the rebels at once, and, unexperienced as they were in military matters, could not understand the necessity of devoting so much time to preparation. Not that they chafed under discipline, but longed to be up and at the miscreants who had dared to fire on their country's flag, and were then menacing its capital.

Friday, July 3d, the Regiment was drawn up in front of the barracks, and Captain Sitgreaves, a regular officer, proceeded to muster it by companies into the United States' service for two years, dating

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FURLOUGHS GRANTED TO THE MEN.

from May 22d, the time at which it was organized. All those who desired to do so, were permitted to visit their homes on the 4th, with the understanding that they should return immediately. Arms and equipments were for the first time furnished on the 6th and 7th, and preparations made for an immediate departure to Washington, via Harrisburg. A long train of freight and cattle cars were drawn up to receive the men, but Col. Taylor declined to "embark" his command in any such vehicles, and passenger cars were furnished in their stead.

DEPARTURE FOR WASHINGTON.

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CHAPTER III.

Departure for Washington.—Patriotism of the Williamsport Ladies. -Arrival at the Capital.-Camp Granger.-Destroying a Liquor Establishment.-" Cleaning-out" a Clam Peddler.-Review by Governor Morgan.-First Death in the Regiment.-First Battle of Bull Run.-Changes among the Officers.

ABOUT noon on Tuesday, the 8th, the Companies marched down to the depot, preceded by the Elmira Cornet Band, which had been attached to the Regiment. Two hours later they moved away, amidst tremendous cheering from the assembled multitude, waving of handkerchiefs, throwing of bouquets, &c.

On reaching Williamsport, Pa., the ladies of the place crowded around the cars, showering oranges, apples, cakes and other edibles upon the men, filling their canteens with coffee, and in other ways displaying their patriotism and hospitality. They will long be held in grateful remembrance by the Regiment. Passing through Harrisburg the train reached Baltimore about noon, the men marching through the streets with fixed bayonets to the Washington Depot.

When within about fifteen miles of Baltimore, some fifty of the officers and men, who had gone in search of water on the stoppage of the train, were

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left, much to their own chagrin and the amusement of the Regiment. Arriving in Washington at three o'clock P.M., the Companies formed and proceeded down Pennsylvania Avenue to the various quarters assigned them. It rained fiercely that afternoon, and they were glad enough to get under shelter, without waiting to gratify their curiosity by an inspection of the Capitol buildings.

The next day, Wednesday, they were marched out on Seventh Street, two and one-half miles from the city, to the spot designated for their encampment, which was named " Camp Granger," in honor of Gen. John A. Granger, Esq., of Canandaigua, who had interested himself much in behalf of the Regiment. This was the first experience of most of the men in the art of castramentation, and many were the droll incidents which occurred in connection with the pitching of the tents. After repeated trials, however, they were all satisfactorily adjusted.

The habitations completed, drilling was the next thing in order, which, together with target-shooting, scouting, and mock skirmishing, was kept up from day to day. The first lessons in "guard running" were learned here, many of the men managing to escape to the city, under cover of night, and return without detection before the sounding of the morning reveille. As a general thing they were temperate and abstemious in their habits, manifesting their disrelish for ardent spirits, by destroying on one occasion a liquor establishment which had been opened on the grounds. There were some, however,

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