August 25th. After a short drill by officers of the 48th Regiment, I was detailed for guard duty. A large number of Confederate prisoners were confined in one of the old buildings near which I was posted. That kind of duty I did not like. It had to be done.
The fort was located on a point of land extending out into the Patapsco Bay. A high stone wall from water to water enclosed it. Company drill during the forenoon, battalion drill and dress parade in the afternoon, and all other duties incident to camp life had to be done as each day came along. By our stopping at the fort we escaped the battle of Antietam, at which time we had to do extra duty and be ready to march at any time, if wanted.