Waitt, Ernest Linden, History of the Nineteenth regiment, Massachusetts volunteer infantry , 1861-1865

[17] (First Company of Massachusetts Sharpshooters) and Captain Vaughn's battery of Rhode Island Artillery. Small ‘bunches’ of recruits were received from various sources while here, 43 being added from the 14th of September to the 27th. Shortly after the command was located at Camp Benton, six companies of the regiment, Companies A, B, C, D, E and F, were detailed, at various times, as pickets along the Potomac River, between Shelden's Island and Conrad's Ferry. Companies B, C, and E, were stationed below the crossing at Edward's Ferry,—D, above it, and, still further to the right, opposite Harrison's Island, were companies F. and A. On their right was the line of the Fifteenth Massachusetts. They continued on this duty until the disaster at Ball's Bluff, three weeks later. The rebel pickets were on the other side of the river, within easy hailing distance, and the music of their bands, playing ‘Dixie’ and ‘Bonnie Blue Flag,’ etc., could plainly be heard.

On October 2, a few men of the Fifteenth Massachusetts were sent over to Harrison's Island to reconnoitre. It was found to be deserted and for some days thereafter a picket post was kept on the island during the day, being withdrawn at night. Later, the post was kept there through the entire twenty-four hours. Gen. Stone, commanding the Corps of Observation, rode down every day to learn the movements of the enemy.

The station of Companies B, and C, was on a hill near the river, where they supported a section of two guns of Vaughn's Rhode Island Battery, posted there. They called the place ‘Camp Straw.’ The work was very light and much freedom was enjoyed. The men improved the opportunity to have a change of rations by buying food from the farmers. An old colored ‘mammy's’ squash and sweet potato pies were believed to be great luxuries by those who had never bought them. No one ever patronized her twice.

The men of the six companies who were on picket duty were under command of Capt. Edmund Rice and lived in cozy little shanties which were very comfortable, except in heavy storms, when they were not quite as dry as the men might have wished.

While at Camp Benton, dress coats, with brass shoulder