forward companies were mustered as they obtained the requisite number of men, until about November 1, when there were about 750 men in camp, distributed in eight different companies.
On the day previous to Thanksgiving Day the several companies were furloughed to go home to spend Thanksgiving, to report again in camp Saturday morning; only one company reported in accordance with orders, and as no other company put in an appearance, the Captain gave his men leave to return home, but to report again Monday morning, which they did, as did the other companies, only to feel a little chagrined to find that Adjt. Gen. Schouler, with a part of his staff, had visited the camp on Sunday, and was very angry to find the camp deserted by all but one Lieutenant and just enough men for camp guard. His remarks were reported to have been very forcible, succinct and pithy, the air was said to have been lurid.
He said, "By God! I'll send this regiment South or to Hell!" and the men concluded that they hadn't much preference as to the two locations. As a compromise between, the regiment was ordered to move to Camp Meigs, at Readville, Mass., forthwith; but expecting to be sent to one of the aforementioned places later on.
December 4, the regiment broke camp at Wenham and left for Camp Meigs. While marching through Boston at the intersection of Washington and Boylston Streets, the two companies from Lawrence, commanded respectively by Capts. Colby and Rollins left, being transferred to the 4th Regiment which had been recruiting at Lakeville, Mass., thus filling up that regiment, and the unorganized 55th Irish Regiment, which had been also recruiting at Lakeville was brought to
