History of Pennsylvania volunteers, 1861-5; prepared in compliance with acts of the legislature, by Samuel P. Bates.

452 SIXTY-SECOND REGIMENT. 1862
division commanded by General Porter. Drill was immediately commenced,
but was little prosecuted in consequence of the numerous details required for
fatigue duty, the men being almost constantly employed in constructing roads,
throwing up intrenchments, and in cutting away the pine forests beyond Arlington Heights. On the 26th, the lines of the army were advanced and reformed, the enemy, who had occupied Munson's Hill, falling back. The camp
of the Sixty-second, in the new line, fell near Fall's Church.on the Alexandria,
Loudon and Hampshire Railroad. A few weeks later it moved to Minor's
Hill, where it went into winter quarters in camp Bettie Black, named for
the Colonel's youngest daughter, and where drill and discipline were regularly
and rigidly enforced. The routine here established required squad drill from
six to nine A. M., company drill from ten to twelve A. M., and battalion drill
from one to five P. M. daily. The entire division was drilled at intervals, and
occasionally was engaged in sham battles. A school for officers was established which was held regularly at evening. The men were thoroughly drilled
in bayonet exercises, which, however, proved of little practical utility, farther
than imparting skill in handling the musket as in practice the troops almost
invariably charged with the bayonet in the scabbard. The regiment had received a flag before leaving Pittsburg in July, a present from ladies of that city.
The presentation of the State colors was made in December, at Hall's Hill,
Colonel Black responding in behalf of the regiment in his usual felicitous
manner.
Early in the winter, a malignant form of camp fever prevailed among the
troops, from the effects of which several died. Strict sanitary regulations were
adopted by Surgeon Kerr, and its ravages were soon stayed. The winter was
spent in constant duty, the men being drilled and disciplined, reviewed and
inspected, until heartily sick of camp life, and anxious for the real business of
war. On the 10th of March, in common with the army, it moved upon the
enemy's works at Manassas to find them abandoned. At Fairfax Court House,
the regiment was halted, where it remained until the 15th, when it marched to
Alexandria it having been determined to transfer the army to the Peninsula.
Embarking upon transports, it moved to Fortress Monroe, and upon its arrival went into camp near the ruins of the little village of Hampton, which had
been destroyed by order of General Mapgruder. Soon after its arrival it joined
in a reconnoisance in the direction of Yorktown. At Big Bethel the movement
terminated, and the troops returned again to camp. On the 3d of April the
army moved upon Yorktown, the regiment marching up near the enemy's
works, the men beholding for the first time the rebel grey. In the skirmishing
which ensued, it moved forward under fire and took position in line of battle;
but the enemy were soon obliged to evacuate, the Sixty-second losing in the
operation one killed and three wounded. During the protracted preparations
for carrying the hostile works, the men were kept constantly employed upon the
trenches. In the progress of the siege, several died from disease. Colonel
Black was first apprised of the evacuation, by three deserters who came in with
a flag of truce, the regiment happening to be on picket near the river on the
night in which it was made.
General Porter's division remained in the vicinity of Yorktown until the 8th
of IMay, when it embarked upon transports and moved up the York River to a,
point oppositeWest Point, where it landed and went into camp. While here, the
Fifth Provisional Corps was formed, to the command of which General Porter