April 17, 1863. A new division commander.

Gen. John J. Abercrombie 

and staff of eight

"April 17. We are no longer in the reserve corps for the defense of Washington, but will hereafter form a part of the army in the field. Nothing new to-day; still under marching orders."~ J. C. Williams, Corporal, Co. B, 14th Regiment, Life in Camp, 110 (1864).

"Friday 17th. We learn this morning, that Gen. Casey is transferred from his division, elsewhere, & that Gen. Abercrombie now commands this Division. This may effect our moving at all. Up & about as usual to-day & feeling about the same. H.G.C. got a canteen of milk & a Doz. Eggs to-night & so I made quite a supper of 2 eggs, rice &c&c."  ~ Diary of Horace Barlow, 106, Pvt., Co. C, 12th Regiment

"Conditions now permitted two from each company daily, to be given passes to visit Mount Vernon, Occoquan Village,Fairfax Station and the citizens outside our picket lines. The author in company with Fernando C. Wilett of Company G on the 16th made the march to Mount Vernon and returned on the 17th in a rain storm, stopping over night about a mile this side of Mount Vernon at an old mansion then occupied by a Mr. Mason which was kept as a sort of a hotel to accommodate the boys when making visits to and from Mount Vernon." ~Ralph Orson Sturtevant, Pictorial History of the 13th Regiment Vermont Volunteers 153 (1910).