and had proved himself one of the bravest champions of the Union. But of all the plaudits which had greeted him, none had sounded so grateful as the loving praise of his wife. They went to Washington that night, and stopped at Willard's Hotel. The general's friends desired to serenade him, but he begged them not to do so.

General Burnside had a long and very interesting interview with President Lincoln and Secretary Stanton. He told them that there was very little loyalty in North Carolina should slavery not be sustained, but he believed that the quicker it could be abolished the better. He would not criticise the conduct of Governor Stanley, but he believed that the governor already doubted the policy of it. From Washington General Burnside went to the peninsula, where he spent several hours with General McClellan, discussing future military operations.

Returning to Newbern, General Burnside was formally presented with the magnificent sword presented to him by the State of Rhode Island. All the Union troops paraded on the afternoon of June 20th, near the city. There was a shower while the lines were being formed, but as General Burnside rode on to the field, a beautiful rainbow spanned the heavens, forming a triumphant arch of gorgeous splendor.

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Adjutant-General Mauran, of Rhode Island, formally presented the sword, concluding his remarks by saying: Be pleased to accept the sword, and if you may have occasion to draw it from its scabbard, we know full well that it will be in defense of the Union, the Constitution, and the laws; and when, by a kind Providence, you are again permitted to return to the peaceful walks of life, we will all be proud to greet you as one who has proved a good and faithful servant.”

General Burnside, receiving the sword, said: "General: In behalf of this gallant little army which surrounds you, I beg through you to thank the State of Rhode Island for the gift, given in appreciation of our services in the battle of Roanoke.

"Your excellent governor has most fittingly said that the services of this army have been in this manner remembered through its commander. Without the skill, courage, patience, and fortitude of the general officers, field and staff officers, company officers, non-commissioned officers, and privates of this corps d'armee, together with the full and hearty coöperation of our gallant navy in these waters, the State of Rhode Island would have been deprived the pleasure of giving, and I debarred the proud satisfaction of receiving, this elegant sword.

"On your return to our much-beloved State, say to its gallant governor, its Legislature, and its ever brave and loyal people, that they are represented in my command by as hardy and courageous a band as ever left Narragansett's shores, and should you meet any of the officials or citizens of our sister states that have contributed so much to our strength, say to them that they, too, have given to us soldiers who have, in common with others, been fore

most in the combat for the suppression of this wicked rebellion.

"I now beg to thank the State of Rhode Island for the kind manner in which she has been pleased to remember me; and to thank you for the kind interest you have manifested in the presentation of this most acceptable gift.”

A few days after this presentation General Burnside was summoned to a conference with General McClellan, the result of which was his withdrawal, with the greater portion of his command, from North Carolina, to coöperate more directly with the Army of the Potomac. He retained a nominal authority in North Carolina, however, until the 26th of August, when he issued the following farewell order, and General Foster succeeded to the vacant command:

HEADQUARTERS NINTH ARMY CORPS.
FREDERICKSBURG, VA., Aug. 26.

General Orders, No. 15.

The commanding general, on retiring from the Department of North Carolina, desires to express his deep regret at taking leave of the gallant soldiers who have been his comrades through so many trials. The requirements of the service prevented his bidding them farewell in person. when suddenly called to other scenes of duty, and he now desires to pay a high and well-deserved tribute to their discipline, their patience, and their courage. In the trying scenes at Hatteras Inlet, and on the battlefields of North Carolina, these soldiers' virtues were fully shown, and he now parts from them as from well-tried friends, who have always proved true to their leaders and to their country, and on whom. in any emergency, he could always rely.

By command of Major-General BURNSIDE. LEWIS RICHMOND, Assistant Adjutant-General.

ORDERED TO REINFORCE GENERAL MCCLELLAN - OFFERED THE COMMAND OF THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC-VISITS NEW YORK -ORGANIZATION OF THE NINTH ARMY CORPS-GENERAL POPE'S DISASTERS - EVACUATION OF FREDERICKSBURG BY BURNSIDEA NIGHT-MARCH-RETREAT OF THE UNION FORCES ON WASH

INGTON- INSUBORDINATION.

O

RDERED, with two divisions of his North Carolina army, to reinforce General McClellan, who had been obliged to retreat from before Richmond, General Burnside embarked with his forces for Virginia. When off Roanoke Island a messenger from Colonel Hawkins boarded his flag-ship with the intelligence that General McClellan had driven the Confederates from Richmond. Upon this information the troops were ordered back to Newbern, as it was expected by General Burnside that he would be ordered to advance on

Raleigh. After waiting several days, the true story of

McClellan's reverse was learned, and General Burnside again started to reinforce him.

Meeting President Lincoln on his arrival at Fortress Monroe, General Burnside had a conference with him, and then went to Baltimore, where 'he again met Mrs. Burnside. They went together to Washington, where, at the conclusion of another long interview with President Lincoln, General Halleck, and Secretary Stanton, the President offered General Burnside the command of the Army of the Potomac, which he promptly and peremptorily declined. The next day he escorted Mrs. Burnside to New York, and while there, visited the Illinois Central Railroad office, where he had some business matters to look after.

General Burnside continued wearing his Rhode Island uniform blouse and slouch hat, so that he was easily recognized. No sooner did he enter the building in which his old office was situated, than an enthusiastic crowd began to gather in front of it, and to call on him for a speech. Finding there was no escape, the general went. out on a balcony over the door-way, where he was welcomed by a shout which rang far and wide. Removing his hat, and with his face lighted up by that hopeful smile so peculiar to him, he said:

"My friends: The enthusiastic welcome you have extended to me has quite taken me aback. I expected to come here quietly and to go away without making any excitement; but the kind interest you take in me proves that you will also take some interest in what I have to tell you. It is this: That all is going well, if you will only fill up the old regiments. (Voices - They shall be filled up.') This is the best advice I have to give you — fill up the old regiments. So many men have so many times predicted the time of the end of the Rebellion, and been