embarked and went into camp, where they remained until June 14th, when they proceeded to the mouth of the Rio Grande, near Clarksville, and went into camp at White Horse Ranch, three miles up the river. About June 25th they again moved their camp to a location nearer the mouth of the river. Nothing of importance occurred there. The 4th of July was duly observed; the Declaration of Independence was read, and an oration was delivered by Gen. Cole to the assembled command from the deck of a wrecked schooner at the mouth of the Rio Grande. On the 14th of July the one year recruits were mustered out. August 2d the regiment left Clarksville and marched for Brownsville, some thirty miles up the river. The first night they encamped at "Palmetto Ranch," where, it will be remembered, the last action of the war was fought. The next day they reached Brownsville, where they went into camp on the east bank of the Rio Grande, and where they remained until they were mustered out in March, 1866.

On the 26th of August Colonel Peck resigned, and Lieut. Col. Porter was commissioned as Colonel, Major Bullard Lieutenant-Colonel, and Capt. Darwin A. Smalley Major. Subsequently Major Smalley resigned and Capt. George E. Croft was commissioned Major.

Life at Brownsville was monotonous and uneventful. The only service then required was to watch Maximilian's forces and the Mexicans. The former held Matamoras, which was fortified, or partially so, and frequently the Mexicans laid temporary siege to the place. The besiegers, however, never got near enough to suffer seriously from the Imperialist's guns,

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and their operations were highly farcical and ridiculous. It is said that some of our men amused themselves, and gained more or less pecuniary advantage by letting themselves out to fight on behalf of the Mexicans for five dollars a night. I cannot vouch for the truth of these reports, but I should judge from the accounts I have received that the duties of our men were not so arduous as to prevent, nor was the service so dangerous as to deter, them from participating in a "strife" so lucrative and rapturous. About all the regiment had to do was to perform guard and police duty. The principal topic of conversation seems to have been in reference to the question as to whether the Army of Observation was to move across the river and drive out the Imperialists, and as to when the regiment would be mustered out. Washington's Birthday (February 22d, 1866) was celebrated by a grand ball at Brownsville. A few days later, to wit: March 14th, the regiment was mustered out of the service at the same place, but proceeded as a body to New Orleans, and thence direct to Brattleboro where it was disbanded. The object I believe mustering out the regiment at Brownsville was to enable those who wished to remain at the South to quit the service there.

On arriving at Brattleboro, a grand reception was given to the officers and men; and, as I am informed a special effort was made to show that the citizens of Vermont appreciated the services of the Seventh.

On the 6th of April, 1866, the regiment was formally disbanded, and all its arms and equipments, except such as were purchased by the men, were turned over to the United States

MUSTER OUT AND DISBANDMENT OF REGIMENT. 207

authorities. The Seventh was the last volunteer regiment. from Vermont to be disbanded. Many of its officers and men were the first to enter the service; and during the entire war I venture to say that no troops from Vermont or elsewhere acquitted themselves any more creditably than they did. For their patience, fidelity and courage, the officers and men of the Seventh are entitled to the thanks and esteem of the people of Vermont. No more gallant regiment was ever sent out by the State than the Seventh Regiment of Vermont Volunteers.

FINIS.

LIST OF DEATHS

IN THE SEVERAL COMPANIES FROM FEBRUARY 12th, 1862, TO APRIL 6th, 1866.