the wicked enemies of freedom trailed the old flag. They had performed the engagements the government had required of them; but sanguine hearts had been disappointed, and the country was calling again for defenders. The majority of the Seventh say they will stay; that they will re-enlist; that they will harken to every demand the country makes for the defense of her honor and glory. Those re-enlisting are given a short furlough to their homes, and after returning to Mound City, the regiment is mustered out of the three months' service the twentyfifth of July, and on the same day is mustered into the three years' service by Captain Pitcher, U. S. A. The story of Bull Run's battle field is now borne to our ears. Its wail has gone to the hearts of a throbbing people. The hearts of the men beat high to carry the flag into the Southland. This part of the Seventh's history I have seen fit to make brief; being anxious to lead the reader on as fast as possible to the days when the deep intonations of battle were heard. Days when the dogs of war barked loudly in tones of thunder around where the old Seventh's flag ofttimes stood encircled by a barricade of steel. CHAPTER II. The commencement of the three years' service.--The Roster of Officers.-Camp at Mound City, Ills.-Camp at Cairo, Ills.— Leaving Cairo.-Ascending the Mississippi.-Landing at Sulphur Springs.-Camp at Ironton.-Pilot Knob.-Expedition through Missouri.-Camp at Cape Girardeau.-Descending the Mississippi.-Landing at Fort Holt.-March to Elliott's MillsBattle of Belmont.-Return to Fort Holt.-Expedition to Blandville and Elliott's Mills.-Preparation to leave Fort Holt. The Seventh Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry now commences its three years' service with the following roster of officers: Colonel.-John Cook. Lieutenant Colonel.—A. J. Babcock, late Capt. Co. “I.” Adjutant.-Leroy R. Waller. Quartermaster.-William Brown. Surgeon.-Richard L. Metcalf. First Assistant Surgeon.-James Hamilton. Chaplain.-Jesse P. Davis. COMPANY A. Captain.-Samuel G. Ward. First Liuetenant.-Jonathan Kimbal. COMPANY B. Captain.-James Monroe. First Lieutenant.-Hector Perrin. Second Lieutenant.-O. D. Ells. COMPANY C. Captain.-Samuel E. Lawyer. First Lieutenant.-Leroy R. Waller, Second Lieutenant.-Edward R. Roberts. COMPANY D. Captain.-Benj. M. Munn. First Lieutenant.-Ira A. Church. COMPANY E. Captain.-Geo. H. Estabrook. First Lieutenant.-John A. Smith. COMPANY F. Captain.-Jas. T. Cummings. First Lieutenant.-Wm. Mathie. COMPANY G. Captain.-Henry W. Allen. First Lieutenant.-Geo. W. Tipton. COMPANY H. Captain.-Clifford Ward Holden. COMPANY I. Captain.-Noah E. Mendell. First Lieutenant.-E. S. Johnson. Second Lieutenant.-Thomas N. Francis. COMPANY K. Captain.-George Hunter. First Lieutenant.-Joseph Rowett. After remaining in Camp at Mound City, Illinois, a few days, we proceeded down the Ohio as far as Cairo, where again the regiment goes into Camp Defiance. And whilst here, from morning until night, the officers' voices are heard in command on the drill ground, bringing the regiment up to a high standard, preparing them that they may play well their part in the coming drama. Remaining in Camp Defiance two weeks, we take passage on board the steamer "New Uncle Sam," and are soon passing up the Mississippi river, accompanied by other steamers, loaded with troops from Bird's Point and Cairo. It is rumored that we will land at some point and enter Missouri. The Seventh are now standing on the deck of the steamer as she moves proudly up the river, and as we look over into Missouri, where wicked men have assailed the flag and freedom, our hearts beat high, and we long to be there, that we may unfurl our flag and give it freedom to wave on that side the river as well as on this. After a pleasant trip the regiment lands at Sulphur Springs, Missouri, and in a measure the wishes of the men are gratified, for they are now on rebel soil. From this point we proceed by rail to Ironton, and upon our arrival there, we are met by General Prentiss, who makes the regiment a speech, telling them that they have been ordered there to help him drive Jeff. Thompson from Missouri. We go into camp in the vicinity of Ironton. The scenery around here is grand. Pilot Knob looms up peerlessly, close to where we are camped. The Seventh boys are often seen on its summits (standing. as it were amid the clouds) looking down in the valley. While here the regiment is uniformed-and the Seventh's boys will remember those striped uniforms which made them look like convicts late from Jefferson City. On the 1st of September we received marching orders. All is commotion to-night-many an interrogation is made relating to this thing and that. On the morning of the 2nd, with every man a knapsack, haversack and canteen-and these filled to overflowing, the Seventh, for the first time in its history, took up the line of march, under command of Major Rowett, Colonel Cook being in command of the brigade, and Lieutenant Colonel Babcock absent in Illinois. The spirits of the men run high-they expected every moment to be rushed into battle; but how sadly were they disappointed. For days and nights we followed Prentiss in the pursuit of Jeff. Thompson; marching over rocks and hills, passing through Booneville, Fredrickton and Jackson, to Cape Girardeau, where we go into camp in the field to the rear of the town, thus ending our bloodless Missouri expedition. No Jeff. Thompson-no rebels could be found, all having made their exit far away over the mountains. Though it was a hard march, causing the weary, foot-sore soldiers to fall oft times by the way, the Seventh as a whole, enjoyed it well, and they will not soon forget the bountiful barn-yards they so frequently made descents upon, leaving nothing behind but geese- and chicken-heads to rehearse the story. I was much amused one evening by hearing an officer tell some of the men that over beyond that hill, about one mile, was a barn full of chickens, "and the first soldier who molested them he would |