YALE UNIVERSITY LIBRARY 3 9002 06422 8738 iDg|:«lEg^^^.j^ CivyiiiUMHtynttHmter OUE C AMPAiaiSTS ; OK, Tax MARCHES, BIVOUACS, BATTLES, INCIDENTS OP CAMP LIFE AND HISTORY OF OUR REGIMENT DURING ITS THREE YEARS TERM OP SERVICE. A 8ESTCa or TEB ABUT OF THE FOTOUAC, UITDEB GENSBALS HoCLEIiLAa, BmurSIS^ HOOKEB, UEADE ASD OBAST. By E. M. WOODWARD. Adjutant, Stcond Pa, Raiwvtt. PHILADELPHIA: JOHN E. POTTER AND COMPANY, 617 Sansom Stbeet. Entered according to Act of Congresa in the jrear 18SS tif E. M. WOODWABD, ia Uw Clerk'a Office of the Diatrict Conrt of the United Statea, In >Bd for the Ksattn Diatrict of Fenna7lTsnla. TO |j^ie ^ibeis m^ Mksi oi % §$c0ttj|} ^stthz. TO THX UEUOBT OF THXIB DEAD, ta BESFEOTFtJLLY DEDICATED. Br TBEIB COUZJLDJt, rNTRODTJCTORY. The object in writing this volume, is to give in a clear and lucid manner the history of The Second Eeoiment Pennsylvania Eeserve Volunteer Cobps, and an insight into the life of a soldier. To connect it properly with the movements of the army, it is deemed necessary briefly to sketch the campaigns of the " Army OF THE Potomac," under Generals McClellan, Burn side, Hooker, Meade and Grant, from its formation until June, 1864, when the regiment's term of three years expired and it was mustered out. The short, arduous and decisive campaign of "The Army of Virginia" under General Pope, is also sketched." The Author's journal, kept on the field, and his " Picket " letters in the Sunday Transcript, written on the spot with the official reports of Commanders, furnish the material. If the recital of the incidents of the camps, the marches, the bivouacs, thie battles and the joys, the sorrows, the pleasures, the sufferings, the glories and the defeats, will revive in the memory of the participants, the scenes gone by, or interest the reader, it will be the Highest source of gratification to the author. E. M. W. vii CONTENTS. CHAPTER n. ¦OIRXB AlO) THX TLAO VOtlD OB— THB AW ABS DZSIOB OF THB LxASXB* Of TBB Sbbbujob— JimmcAnoB or thb CouBaa or Pbibidxbt Iiibcoui». _ CHAPTER in. Wab fob THB UBIOB^PXiliiaiLTAmA'a BxgPOSBB— Okgabizatiob or THX KiaXBTBX — GOLOifXLa Uaxit'b, UABSE'a asb Db EoBPOirAT'g RsaiBEirra— Cahp Wa8H> ixaTOB— Qdaibt Sahxi— WHiaxT ui A Udbxxt Babbil— (Ibttibo thb Cosb- nBBiax.._....-„»..„.~.«.......-~» -....„ „ » _ 21 CHAPTER IV. Oboaxizatiob or tbb Bbcobs, Thibd abd Fovbtb Bbsxbtxs— DiaaATiarAonoB TBBBBWrrH— Elbctioh or Fnu) OmcEBa— Watchzd abd Fabbbo au. Niobt.— Pbtabtdbb or the Foobtb abs Thibd BxaiHBBTa, „ 3> CHAPTER V. DirABTVBB or TBB Sbcobs— Itx Bobteb— Cabp CoBTn— Leatb thb Statb with- odt bbibo Uubtbbbs nrro thx Ubitxii Statbb Sebtice— Habchibo wttxoct Obsebs— Balthiobx— Sabst Hook— Dibcobtebt aboko the Ueb— BxroaAi. to TAKE THB OATH— BEBT BOXB Of DiaOBACE— STBABOB UiBMABASEHEBT— UABCS TO BXBUB. _~........ ..,......«...„ „ ~.... 4* CHAPTER VL UaBCH THBOrSB UABTlAaS— UiTTIBT nr thb NlBXTBXBTll HbWTOXSUHiITIA^ OoASDi ArriB Whiixt— DioABsiBa or Cohtabibs. ~ M 9 10 C0NTB1NT3. CHAPTER vn. rASB. TXBAIiTTOWB— VtaiT rBOIf THE PbESIDEBT ABB ObBEBAI. MoCTiETiTiIB— Pbbbbbta-. HOB or Flaqb— A Hail Siobk— The Ebouiebtb bbiqased....... — _................... W CHAPTER VIIL CBOSBDra TBB Chaix BBisax— Caxp Fiebpobt— The "loBa Boix,"— BEACBEaAxs . Bboobboitxbibo— Uabch to Dbaibebtillb— Ab Ibsibcbeet Hek— Betcbb to Fiebpobt— BAU-'a Blupp— Betiew— Bebisratiob op Colobel Uabb — Obabd Bevibw.. » S5 CHAPTER IX Bkibxibh bxab Dbaibebtille— Fobaqibo Ebpeditiob- Battle op Dbaibbbtilie -Visit or Gotebbob Cdetib— The Botb ib Wibteb— Cahp Lipe— Fmuro POB Uedals— FicKETisa — "Old Ubclb Beb" — "Takibo Fbebch" — Nauobtt "Sell." 73 CHAPTER X. Opebibo op the Cahpaiob op 1862— Fabewellto Fiebpobt— The Mabch— Hawx- HiTBBT'a Mills — Abut Coeps— Wet ahd Koist Kioht — "Hollo Baehet''— Alexahdeia— Embakkatios POE the Pekibsitla— Bt Bailboas— A Nioht IB Bebel Cabibs — BriBS op ItlABAssAs — Bull Bub Field— SBixiHa Cideb— Uabch to the Bappahabbock— Catalbt Skibmibh — Wabhibotob vs. Datid OP Old., ... 81 CHAPTER XI. FALHoriH- Visit op Pbebidebt Lincolb — Cbobsibo the Bappahabbock— Obatb OP Mabt Washibotob— Lote Bubble — Cehetxbt — Mabch to Gbat'b Labdibo — 'Ebbabkatiob pob the Febihsula— Votaob to the White House — Uabrh to Dispatch Btatiob „....._ M CHAPTER XII. ¦ixoB OP Tobbtowb— Battle op Willluisbobo— amnnsHES at Seteb Pibbx Cold Habbob abd Mechabicbtille— Battle op Haboteb Coubt Hodbb— Battle op Faie Oaks— Attack os Tubstall'b Statiok— Mabch to the Chmka- homibt- Nanalet'b Mill— Sbellibo the Ebekt- Battle op Oak Gbote IM CHAPTER XIII. Bteebqih op the Opposibo Abmies— Opebibo op thb Seteb Dats" Battle- Battle OP Mechakicstille-Battle op Gaibeb' Millb-Cbobsihq the Chioka- bohibt..» „ _ JJJ contents. 11 chapter xiv. PAoa. Cbabob or Babb— Uabch to the Jaheb Bitib— Battle or Alleb'b Fabh— Bat. TLB or BiTASE's Btatiob- A Kioht ob Ficxet— Tbb Battle or Olebdalb— The Bitxb Bzaches _...„....... ..„....„ „_ ISO CHAPTER XV. Battlb or Ualtebb Bill— Uabch to Babbisob'b Labdibo— Cbiteltt to oux Wqubdbd— Bubtiho Obbtbacks — White Glotes abd Baooed Clothes— Visit or Fxbsioebt Libcols „ „ _ lis CHAPTER XVI. Uidbioht Bhellibo— a Spt— Pbohotiobs— Betubb op Gxbxbals UcCall abd BeTBOLBB— WlTHDBA\TAL PXOH THB PeBIBSULA— YoTASE OB THE JaHES ABD POTOHAO— Gebbbal Pofe's Uotebebt— Bubtibo oub Ditibob— Bubbibo tbb Oacbtlet „ » 164 CHAPTER XVIL SxcoBD Battle or Bull Bcb— Cobduct or Gebbbal Fm Johb Fobteb The Abut palu Back— Battle op Chabtillt- Ablibotob Beiohtb— Uftob's Bill.. 178 CHAPTER XVin. CxoasiBa the Fotohac— Uabch thxouok Uabtlabd— Battle op South Uoubtaib — Behabkablb Ibcidebt ~.— 193 CHAPTER XIX. The Battle op Abtietaii— Field Bobpitals— The Bbxiit withdeawb to Vib- aiBiA— PoBTBB'a Becobboibbabce- Visit OP Fbxbidebt Libcolb 203 CHAPTER XX CBOsanra thx Fotohac— Uabch tbbouob ViBaiBiA—WABXXBTOB— Gebbbal Uc- Clzllax Bupebceded— Bexotal op Oibbbal Fitz Jobb PoBTEB— Oub Viboibla TailBSa— BOMBAXDMEBT OP Fbedebicksbubo— Latibo Pobtoobs 221 CHAPTER XXL Battle or Fbxdebicbbbubo— Loss or oub AxiR^lBciSBBTa— Causes op the Di- rxAT— Bb-cbobs the Bappahabbock ~,.....~ — ..~ 232 12 OONIXNIS. CHAPTER XXn. VicKBTTBrax ABD FioHnBO— Fabxwbll OT OxBEBAL Ubadb— Tbx Uob Exnu- noB— Gebbbal Bubbside Bxlibtes bt Gebbbal Hookx>— Obdebbd to AIiXbbw- BxiA— To Faibbax Couxt Bocax— Picxxi at Bull Bub— Cattdbb or 6>BXB4db BtOUOBTOB— FB0li0TI0BB...~.......~.-~....~~.....~»» Mf CHAPTER XXm. Oub Fbtitiob— Uabob to FEBBaTLTAnA— BAm DAT— Battlb or OsTmwni^- LoBBxa or TBB ABjaxa....>-......~....~...„.~.n_«.~........_..-.~.».>..«....— .„. IN CHAPTER XXIV. Fall op Betbold»— The Bot'b Swobd— Habch— Ubdtibo Lote— FALLnra Watxbi —Lee Cbobses the Fotohac— Wappibo HEiaHTS— Uabassas Gap— Abbcdots— UABOHIBa Of A Cibole-.._«— ....>.».— ._..«.-.....«_...»....«..„.._„..._„_ Mt CHAPTER XXV. Bappahabbock Btatiob— The Swobd Babouxt— Uilitabt Exicstiob— Uaboh to culpbpfbb coubt bousx -.....„.....»,.._»...............»„._...«.._....„....«....,. sm CHAPTER XXVL Ixx'a Attxhpt to Flabk— Back to the Bahpahabbock- To Bbabdt Btatiob— Thb Battle op Bbibtoe— To Cibtbxtillb abd FAiarAZ Coubt Bouse- Victo- bibb at Bappababhock Statiob abd Kellet's Fobd— Bbbel Cabibs— Cbobsibo TBB Bapidab— Battle op Uibx Bub- Wibteb Ouabteks at Bbibtox— Flab Fbebzbtatiob— Beobqabuatiob op the Abiit...-._„ — „.. 3SH CHAPTER XXVIL FosmoB OP TBB Abhies — Opebibo op Gbabt'b Cahpaiob— -Tbe Battle or thh WiLDEBBiBs— Tbb Battle of Spottbtltabia Codxt Bouse— Ebqaoebebt at GuiBHET's Btatiob— EsoAOEHEBT at Nobtb Abba— Tebh op Sebticb Expibbx —The Beoihebt besoltes to Bbhaib— The Battle or Bbthebda Cbubch— THb FABTIBO — UABCBIBa BoHE — ^BBCEFTIOB IB BABBiaaUBa ABD PHILADELPHIA'— PbEBBBTATIOB or Mumiji ..,,. ,,, „„ _ _^__^ 101 APPENDIX A. Killed, Wodbdxd abd 3Iia»iBo....«..— ..__...._„.„....„.„..„„__,...__„.^_... jj^ APPENDIX B. Bobtex or THE Beoobd FbBBBTLTABIA BEaEBTB»_™..«_.__...„_„„„__„^_^, 331 APPENDIX C. "Uaxchbs abd BiTonAca..«...-„.......™,....„.....„_..........__.._„ •«• >itr MumifuiQns, CHAPTER I. THE GREAT REBELLION. Many men of discemmenl^ who had watched the politics of the country for years past, and the gradual but steady moulding of pubfie opinion in the North and South, had long foreseen the approaching storm, that was to test the great question of the stability of the Govem ment and institutions established by our fathers, and many pure patriots of both sections, guided by the light of history in their judgments, foreseeing the fearful con sequences that would inevitably follow, sought to avoid or at least postpone the calamity by concessions and com promises, while others, equally patriotic and sincere, deemed it best to bear the bosom to the storm and suffer the consequences at once, rather than by delay, permit the nation to be bound hand and foot to the car of Southern institutions. Under the Govemment of the United States, which Alexander H. Stephens, the Vice-President of the "Southern Confederacy," in November, 1860, pronounced ''the most beneficent Goveniment of which history givea us any account," and which Jefferson Davis, the Presi dent in the session of 1860-61 said was, " the best Gov emment ever instituted by mau, unexceptionably ad ministered, and under which the people have been pros- (13) 14 OUR CAMPAiaNS. perous beyond comparison with any other people whose career has been recorded in history," the citizens of all sections of the country and of every class felt only its power and influence to protect and prosper. Possessing a continent under one Government and one flag, free from the evils of standing armies and expensive fleets, free from imposts and export duties among themselves, free from export duties to foreign countries and internal revenue taxes, being one people in fact with a substan tial community of origin, language, belief and law, (the, great ties that hold society together,) having struggled, suffered and triumphed together, with their glories and defeats in common, with a Constitution springing from the free consent of all with ample provisions for its peace ful alteration or modification, with one section a com mercial and manufacturing, another grain and stock growing, and a third whose great staple was cotton and tobacco, they of all people on God's earth should have lived in peace and contentment. But the South saw that in wealth and prosperity the North was far outstrip ping her, and alas, instead of seeking for the cause and trying to remedy the fault, they affected to despise the superior industry and energy of the North, preferring a system of labor that gave wealth and luxuriant ease to the few, at the expense of tbe prosperity and elevation of the masses, and the degradation of labor. Fearing that slavery would become isolated they sought to maintain the balance of power in the Senate by the extension of slave territory, and the creation of slave States which their population and resources did not warrant. Nor did they confine themselves to the territorial limits of the United States. Already had the Government purchased for them the territories now forming the slave States of Louisiana, Arkansas, Mis souri and Florida, and already had it engaged in a war with a sister Republic to annex and open to them the vast State of Texas. And more than this, the Govern ment underhandedly favored the filUbustering expedi- THE GREAT REBELLION. 15 tions of the marauders, Lopez and Walker, for the con quest of Cuba, Lower California and Central America, that they might be annexed to the Union and opened to slavery. With these, Mexico, and the Southern States, the Southern dream of a mighty empire, enabled to secure the good offices and favors of mercenary and monarchical Europe and to bid defiance to Republican America, arose in golden visions before their eyes, and ambitious men were willing to destroy the Government and constitution of their country, and wade through seas of blood to power and position. Yet they were anxious to remain in the Union and enjoy all the advantages of it, as long as they could continue to control its councils, which they had done from the foundation of the Govem ment. As early as 1820, the Missouri Compromise was passed, which was the first and most respected of all. In ad mitting Missouri as a slave State, it stipulated that slavery should not be introduced north of the line of thirty-six, thirty degrees of latitude, its southern bound ary, but that limit so long accepted, the South com plained of, and Mr. Douglas introduced a bill annulling the same, and substituting " squatter sovereignty," which drew from Congress the right to interfere in the question of slavery in the territories. The South soon discovered that the superior population and resources of the North enabled them to settle the territories of Kansas and Ne braska with their hardy workmen, who decreed liberty, to the land. This unexpected turn of events, which should have been foreseen, caused them to change their theory, and they invoked the power of Congress to inter fere in the slave question in the territories against " squatter sovereignty," and demanded that its decision should be trampled under foot. The miserable and im becile conduct of Presidents Pierce and Buchanan in perniitting a civil war to exist in Kansas for so long a period without making any effort to stay it, is alas too well known to need comment. 16 OUR CAMPAIGNS. It is only necessary to say that the Southemers de feated in their trials of popular vote, force of arms and congressional legislation, although assisted by a power ful and obedient Administration, turned their attention in a new direction and obtained a decision from the Su preme Court of the United States — the Dred Scott de cree. In the preamble of this celebrated decision of the highest judicial power of the Govemment, there is proclaimed two principles : first, that there is no differ ence between a slave and any other kind of property ; secondly, that all American citizens may settle every where with their property. With the right of property understood in this wise no State had the power either to abolish slavery, or to forbid the introduction of slaves, and, therefore, there was no legal power to prevent a Southerner from settling in a free State with all his.slaves. But this is not all that was demanded. The subservient Administration was given up to the will of the Southemers and the mails ceased to carry letters, journals and books, which excited their suspicion. In 1832, under the leadership of John C. Calhoun, the long dreamed of vision of empire that had haunted the brain of their ambitious and reckless politicians, first made its appearance in the nullification act of the legis lature of South Carolina, but that stem old patriot An drew Jackson, who declared that " The Union must and shall be preserved," met it with firm resolution, and his demand for the immediate disbanding of the State troops nipped it in the bud. From that time, however, the spirit of disunion had been assiduously disseminated in the South, and every issue that had arisen between the two sections, had been met by them with the threat of secession. The Hall of the august Senate had witnessed the drawing of firearms, and its sanctity had been vio lated by brutal assaults upon its members, and threats were freely made by the "fire-eaters" to break up the sessions of Congress in blood. Yet the North submitted to these degradations for the sake of peace, and bowed the THE GREAT REBELLION. 17 head to the demands of the South for the sake of the Union. At last, in 1860, the two great political parties met to make their nominations for President and establish their platforms. The disunionists first showed their treason by betraying their party and breaking up its convention, because the true democrats would not bow their heads to their will. The seceders then called a convention and nominated John C. Breckenridge, who is now a leader in this infamous rebellion, and declared that tho election of Mr. Lincoln, their opponent, would be fol lowed by the dissolution of the Union. The North heard the threat ; if they had submissively yielded to it once more, all dignity, self-respect and mental liberty would have been lost. They knew the consequence ; secession was rebellion, rebellion was a commercial crisis, was the political weakening of the country, and the unsettling of many fortunes. It was the loss of all Southern trade, the loss of all capital invested in the South, the loss of all debts owed by the South. But the great spirit of the North that had bowed so often to the dictates of a Southern minority for the sake of the Union and peace, arose in its majestic dignity and proclaimed that the will of the majority should be expressed regard less of threats and consequences. Prior to the election for President, the Govemor of South Carolina had recommended both Houses of the Legislature to take measures in advance for the secession of the State in case Mr. Lincoln should be elected; and a special commission was nominated, and held perma nent session. In Texas, Senator Wigfall, in speaking of Mr. Breckenridge, did not hesitate to say, " If any other candidate is elected, look for stormy weather. There may be a confederation, indeed, but it will not number more than thirty-three States." Senators Jefferson Davis of Mississippi, and Judah P. Benjamin of Louisiana, (Secretary of War of the Confederate States,) held no less explicit language, announcing that at the first elec- 2 18 OUR CAMPAIGNS. toral defeat of the South, it would set about forming a separate confederation, long since demanded by its true interests. It was even freely proclaimed through their papers, "that Mr. Lincoln should not be inaugurated if elected." The Presidential election took place on the 6th of No vember, 1860, and resulted in the choice of Abraham Lincoln; Messrs. Bell and Douglas, who were equally exceptionable to the secessionists, receiving a joint vote in almost all the Southern States, larger than that cast for Mr. Breckenridge, who was the embodiment of the secession principles. Yet in the face of this direct re fusal of the majority of the southerners to endorse Mr. Breckinridge and the principles he represented, the un principled and ambitious leaders set diligently to work to accomplish their long cherished and diabolical design of destroying the Government of their fathers, that they' might rise to power and position. By resolutions of their Legislatures, and unauthorized conventions, studious misrepresentations of their press, and inflammatory ap-: peals to the masses they at last succeeded in "firing the Southern heart," and preparing it for the awful crime of fratricide. On the 20th of December, a few days after the result of the election was known, the Legislature of South Car olina, a State with a white population of two hundred and seventy-six thousand, or about half that of the city of Philadelphia, passed an ordinance of secession, and declared herself a free and sovereign State. She did in fact the same thing in 1832, but the firm and resolute Andrew Jackson, with a stroke of the pen awed into submission and silence all. Would to God for one month's rule of the old patriot and heroin 1860. Thisac- tion of South Carolina produced a deep sensation through out all sections of the country, and the people of the North could not realize the earnestness of the atrocious deed. But in rapid supcession foUowed other acts, that too THE GREAT REBELLION. 19 plainly showed that madness had usurped the throne ol reason, and that "those whom the Gods wish to destroy they first make mad." On the 3d of January, 1861, Forts Pulaski and Jack son, in the harbor of Savannah, were taken possession of by State troops, by order of the Governor of Georgia, under the pretext of preventing them from falling into the hands of mobs ! On the 9th, the State Convention of Mississippi passed an ordinance of secession by a vote of eighty-four to fifteen. On the llth, the State Convention of Alabama passed an ordinance of secession by a vote of sixty-one to thirty^ nine, and invited the other slaveholding States to send delegates to a Convention to be held on the 4th day of February, in Montgomery, Alabama. Soon after all the United States forts and arsenals along the Atlantic and Gulf coast and on the Mississippi river, with the mints, custom-houses and other Federal buildings in the South were seized. Batteries were erected on the Mississippi river, and its navigation ob structed. Beside the above States, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana and Texas seceded. On the 4th, a Convention of the seceded States con vened at Montgomery, Alabama, and elected Howell Cobb, the late Secretary of the Treasury, President. On the 9th, the Southern Congress, at Montgomery, Alabama, elected Jefferson Davis of Mississippi, Presi dent, and Alexander H. Stephens of Georgia, Vice-Presi dent of the Southern Confederacy for one year. The iDonstitution of the United States, with amendments, was adopted. On the 16th, Mr. Davis, at Montgomery, declared in a speech, that the South will hold her own, and force all who oppose them, " to smell Southern powder and feel Southern steel." During this time, a little over two months only, the most bitter feeling of hatred and animosity was engen- 20 OUR CAMPAIGNS. dered against Northerners residing in the South, and scHool teachers and mistresses were shipped north, whipped, tarred and feathered, or hung, according to the whims or passions of the mobs. Merchants were robbed, honest men, who had resided among them for years, were notified to leave without time to collect their debts or dispose of their property. Traders on the Mississippi were driven from their baizes by lawless mobs, their goods plundered and their lives jeopardized. Yet, while the military force of the United States could be used to drive squatters from their cabins on the Govem ment lands in Kansas in the middle of winter, the right of the Government to use it to protect its own property, sustain the supremacy of its laws, and suppress insurrec tion, was denied. Such is the deplorable course seces sion had run during the last days of Mr. Buchanan's Administration, and so far from raising his voice or hand to save our beloved Union from destruction, he en couraged them in their treason by his imbecility and silent acquisition, until at last, in a message to Congress, he actually denied the power of the Government under the Constitution to coerce the seceding States — i. e., to maintain the supremacy of its own laws. And what was his Cabinet ? The hot-bed of treason and secession I On the 8th of January, Jacob Thompson of Misssissippi, resigned his position as Secretary of tho Interior, because aid was granted to Major Anderson, at Fort Sumter. The next day the Constitution, the Gov ernment organ at Washington, attacked Secretary Holt, for sending aid to Major Anderson, and defended Mr. Thompson for resigning, and the United States sub- treasurer refused to pay the salaries to Major Anderson and his command. Howell Cobb, the Secretary of the Treasury resigned, and was chosen President of the Con vention of the seceding States, convened at Montgomery, Alabama. John B. Floyd of Virginia, Secretary of War, after stripping the arsenals of the Northern States of their arms, ordnance, and ammunition, coUeagued with • THE GREAT REBELLION. 21 Russell, Bailey, and others in stealing over $6,000,000 worth of trust bonds, resigned, and on the 29th of Feb ruary, the Grand Jury of the District of Columbia pre sented charges against him for mal-administration in office, and conspiring against the Government. And even Isaac Toucey of Connecticut, Secretary of the Navy, had ordered to foreign stations all the available vessels of the navy, leaving at home only the ships in ordinary. Can any one suppose that these chosen counsellors of the President, who daily debated at the meetings of the Cabinet the great questions that had agitated the country for so long a time, had succeeded in deluding Mr. Buch anan in regard to their real views and intentions ? Can any one suppose that the leading statesmen of the South who always had free access to the White House, and were welcomed to the hospitahties of the President, could so utterly deceive him in regard to their designs ? Could it be possible that a man of the ability of Mr. Buchanan, with his famUiarity with the politics of the country, and long intercourse with the leading men of the nation, could have been blinded as to the intentions of the arch- traitors and " fire-eaters" of the South ? No I It requires too much creduUty and charity to answer in the nega tive. But let us put the most charitable construction on his actions that we can, and what shall we say of them ? That the poor old dotard was in the traces and could not kick out ; that be was bound hand and foot and had not the strength to release himself, and that he quietly acquiesced in their treasonable designs, hoping that the Government would be reconstructed upon a firmer basis by those who had treason in their hearts. The great principle of popular suffrage was to be vio lated, the broad arena stretching to the Pacific, and far to the south was to be given up to human bondage. The African slave trade, with all its loathsome horrors, was to be re-opened, and for what ? To preserve a dis honorable peace, that soon would be broken. But, thank God, the Administration of Mr. Buchanan 22 OUR CAMPAIGNS. was coming to a close, and through the dark clouds that empaled the Nation, a bright ray of hope shone upon the horizon as Abraham Lincoln appeared upon the ship of state and seized the helm. The nation breathed freer, and patriots felt our Gov ernment was a reality, and not a rope of sand. CHAPTER n. SUUTEB ahd the FLAG FIBED ON— Thk AIM ASD DESIGN OP THE LEADEBS OF THE REBELLION — JUSTIFICATION OP THE C0T7BSB OP Pbesident Lincoln. No President ever assumed the cares of State under more inauspicious circumstances than Mr. Lincoln did. Seven States had already seceded from the Union and were marshalling their armies to maintain their independ ence at the point of the bayonet, and the arch-traitora were using all their insidious wUes to seduce the remain ing slave States from their allegiance to the Federal Govemment. From the Forum, Pulpit and Press was proclaimed the foulest treason, and the boast made that the " Stars and Bars" would soon float in triumph over the National Capitol. A large portion of the army had been surrendered by General Twiggs, in Texas, the remainder of it was on the Pacific coast, or scattered through the. Territories of Utah and New Mexico, or stationed on our distant frontiers, while six hundred men were the entire available force which the Govemment was able to concentrate at Washington to secure the peaceful inau guration of the President. All the available vessels of the navy were stationed in distant seas. Many of the purest patriots despaired of the Republic, foreign nations proclaimed its doom was sealed, and " hope for a season bade the world farewell," while the hallowed light of Liberty paled before the gathering storm. But the SUMTER AND THE FLAG FIRED ON. 23 steadfast chief heeded not the storm that swept across the land, but serene, firm and immovable, held aloft the lamp of hope, while he gathered the scattered strength of the Nation and matured his plans for its preservation. On the llth of April, Leroy P. Walker, rebel Secre tary of War, demanded the surrender of Fort Sumter, to which Major Anderson replied, that his sense of honor and his obligations to the Government prevented a com pliance. The next morning at two o'clock the rebel General Beauregard sent word to Major Anderson that if he would evacuate, he would not be fired upon, to which the Major replied, that, if not otherwise ordered or provisioned, he would be forced to evacuate by noon of the 15th inst. But the peaceful possession of the fort was not what the traitors desired; they wanted blood " to fire the Southern heart." In two hours afterwards, the batteries and fortifica tions in Charleston harbor, seventeen in number, opened fire upon the fort, which was returned by Major Ander son, and kept up on both sides all day without harm on either side, excepting the dismounting of two of Ander son's guns. A slow fire was kept up all night, and re sumed with great vigor early the next morning. At eight A. M., the officers' quarters took fire from a shell. Soon after a number of hand grenades and shells caught fire and exploded within the fort. At twelve o'clock, the whole roof of the barracks were in flames, and the maga zine being in great danger, ninety barrels of gunpowder were taken out and thrown into the sea. The heat. Smoke, and galUng -fire gradually exhausted the garri son, and nearly suffocated them. At one P. M., after sustaining an attack of thirty-three hours, the fort was surrendered, the garrison being permitted to carry away the flag and all company arms and private property. A salute of fifty guns was fired, and the glorious old flag was hauled down, and the emblem of liberty and hope of the down-trodden and oppressed of the world gave place to the flag of treason. il OUR CAMPAIGNS. The greatest crime that was ever committed against liberty and mankind was now consummated. Heaven itself levolted at the act, and sent the hissing missUes of death harmlessly on their course. The North was stupefied, and stood aghast at the enormity of the crime, being unable to realize that the flag of such glorious memories should have been fired upon by those whom they looked upon as brothers, and whom they supposed would have given the best blood of their hearts to save from dishonor. But let us consider for one moment what was the aim and design of the rebel leaders. Already a confederate flag ot fifteen stars, one star for each slave State, inclusive of Delaware and Maiyland, had been flung to the breeze, and it was solemnly proclaimed that the Confederacy would never yield any. portion of the territory claimed. This virtually, and in fact, included Washington. On the fatal 12th of April, 1861, while the tidings of the assault on Sumter were travelling over the wires, the Rebel Secretary of War, in the presence of Jefferson Davis and his coUeagues, and of five thousand hearers, declared that before the end of May " the flag which now flaunted the breeze would float over the dome of the Capitol at Washington." In pursuance of this original plan of the leaders of the rebellion, the capture of Washington has been continu ally had in view, not merely for the sake of its public buildings, as the capital of the Confederacy, but as the necessary preUminary to the absorption of the Border States, and for the moral effect in the eyes of Europe of possessing the metropolis of the Union. Iq speaking of this matter, the Hon. Edward Everett, in his address at the consecration of the National Cemetery, at Gettysburg, says: "the occupation of the National Capital, with the seizure of the pubUc archives and of the treaties with foreign powers was an essential feature. This was in substance, within my personal knowledge, admitted, in the winter of 1860-61, by one of the most infiuential THE AIM AND DESIGN OF THE BEBEL LEADERS. 25 leaders of the rebellion, and it was fondly thought that this object could be effected by a bold and sudden move ment on the 4th of March, 1861. There is abundant proof also, that a darker project was contemplated, if not by the responsible chiefs of the rebellion, yet by name less ruffians, willing to play a subsidiary and murderous part in the treasonable drama. It was accordingly maintained by the rebel emissaries abroad, in the circles to which they found access, that the new Araerican minister ought not, when he arrived, to be received as the envoy of the United States, inasmuch as before that time Washington would be captured, and the Capital of the Nation, and the archives and muniments of the Gov ernment would be in the possession of the Confederates." And what is secession but rebellion ? Rebellion, like any other revolutionary act, may be morally justified by the extremity of oppression. In monarchical govern ments revolution is frequently justifiable, as the cart ridge-box is the only means by which the popular opinion can be expressed. But in our country the solu tion of all our political differences was wisely left to the decision of the ballot-box, which had heretofore served us upon every occasion, and had ever been respected. Andrew Jackson, in his Proclamation against the Nul lification Act, in December, 1832, says : " And then add, if you can, without horror and remorse, this happy Union we will dissolve ; this picture of peace and prosperity we will deface ; this free intercourse we will interrupt ; these fertile fields we will deluge with blood ; the pro tection of that glorious flag we renounce ; the very name of Americans we discard. And for what, mistaken men, for what do you throw away these inestimable blessings? For what would you exchange your share in the advan tages and honor of the Union ? In the dream of sepa rate independence — a dream interrupted by bloody con flicts with your neighbors, and a vile dependency on a foreign power." * * * " Its destroyers you cannot be. You may disturb its peace — you may intermpt the 26 OUR CAMPAIGNS. course of its prosperity— you may cloud its reputation for stability, but its tranquiUity wUl be restored, its prosperity will return, and the stain upon its national character will be transferred and remain an eternal bl&t on the memory of those who caused the disorder." "Having the fullest confidence in the justness of the legal and constitutional opinions of my duties, which has been expressed, I rely, with equal confidence, on your undivided support in my determination to execute the laws, to preserve the Union by all constitutional means, to arrest, if possible, by moderate but firm measures, the necessity of a recourse to force ; and, if it be the will of Heaven, that the recurrence of its primeval curse on man for the shedding of a brother's blood should fall upon our land, that it be not called down by any offensive act on the part of the United States." Such was the language of that sterling patriot when treason first raised its head in South Carolina. Was Mr. Lincoln justified in his determination to maintain the Union at all hazards, or should he have submitted peaceably to its dissolution ? A peaceable dis solution was impossible, except by the surrender of the National Capital and the border States of Delaware, Maryland, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Missouri, all of which at the late election had gone against the South by casting their electoral votes for Mr. Bell, excepting Mis souri, which went for Mr. Douglas. And more than this, all of them had sent delegates to meet those from the Northern States in a peace conference, and showed unmistakably their attachment to the Union. Delaware and Maryland refused to secede, Virginia elected Union delegates to the State Convention and refused to adopt the rebel constitution. Kentucky subsequently elected nine Union members of Congress and one seces sion, Tennessee had elected a majority of Union dele gates to a State convention and refused to hold a con vention, and Missouri subsequently elected Union dele gates to its State convention. Could the Government JUSTIFICATION OF PRESIDENT LINCOLN. 2T Withdraw its protection and support from the union-loving people of those States and surrender its Capital to traitors who would soon become a foreign and hostile nation ? Could the Govemment voluntarily surrender the navigation of the Mississippi river, the great out let of the Western States to the Gulf of Mexico? Could a great Nation submit to its political death and destruction without an effort for self-preservation ? No, God forbid it, yet Americans have argued these ques tions in the affirmative, but only those who were deceived themselves, of were trying to deceive others. But Mr. Lincoln, the chosen of the people, the instrument of God, was inspired with the knowledge that he held not only the destiny of the country, but of liberty throughout the world in his hand, and rose equal to the emergency. Throughout his inaugural address, he is firm, without being provoking. The limits of concession are clearly marked out, and a conciliatory spirit is maintained. The President, while manifesting the most pacific disposition, distinctly declares he wiU abandon none of the rights of the Govemment, but will leave to others the odium of aggression. He declares secession is unconstitutional, and nothing can induce him to consent to the destruc tion of the Union. That he will endeavor to shun a war, that he will not be the aggressor, but that he will fulfill the duty of preserving federal property and collect fede ral taxes in the South. " In your hands," says Mr. Lin coln, " my dissatisfied fellow-citizens, in yours and not mine, is found the terrible question of civil war. The Govemment will not attack you ; you will have no con flict, if you are not the aggressors. You have not, on your part, an oath registered in heaven to destroy the Government, whilst I, on my side, am about to take the most solemn oath to maintain, to protect and defend it." If Mr. Lincoln had acted otherwise than he did, he would have been derelict in his duty to his God, his country and mankind, and when the intelligence of the assault upon Fort Sumter was received, the issuing of his 28 OUR CAMPAIGNS. proclamation calling for seventy -five thousand volunteers to maintain the laws of the United States over the seced ing States, and admonishing the rebels to lay down their arms and quietly submit to the laws within twenty days, was but the response of the great American heart. And America's reply to the proclamation was such an uprising of free men as the world never witnessed before. Where ever it was received, it produced the wildest excitement and enthusiasm, the booming gun, the pealing bell, and rattling drum, announced it throughout the land, until from the broad Atlantic it rolled across the plains and echoed over the snow-clad peaks to the Pacific. CHAPTER m. Wak FOB THE Union — Pennstltania's besponse — Oboaniza- TION OF THB RESERVES — COLONELS MaNN'S, MaBSH'S, AND De Korponat's regiments — Camp Washington — Quaint Names — Whiskey in a musket babbel — Getting the coun tersign. In Philadelphia business was suspended, flags were thrown to the breeze in every street, rendezvous were opened in every section, and placards calling for volun teers, covered the walls of every corner. Recruiting parties traversed the city in every direction, followed by crowds of men eager to enroll their names, the armories of the volunteer companies were crowded to overflowing with men drilling night and day, the public parks of the city were given up for the same purpose, and the quietude of the Sabbath was forgotten amidst the preparation for war. The citizens furnished armories free of rent, and such of the volunteers as could not support themselves without work were fed on the bountiful supply of the neighborhood. The lady congregations of the different churches set themselves diligently to work supplying PENNSYLVANIA'S RESPONSE. 29 the volunteers with shirts, drawers, socks and other clothing and contributions of all sorts were freely given- The generous impulses of the heart of a nation never flowed freer. The soldiers rode free on the cars, and went free to all places of amusement. The only trouble the men had was to find companies that were sure of ac ceptance, and some who had good reputations numbered two hundred and fifty and three hundred men, while all were rapidly filling up. In fact twenty thousand men could have been raised in the city in one week. The quota assigned to Pennsylvania was fourteen regi ments, and in four days after the call six hundred men— the first to arrive for its defence — were placed in the Na tional Capitol, and ten days later twenty -five regiments were organized and put in the field, eleven more being furnished by the State than called for. In fact, such was the patriotic ardor of the people, that the Adjutant-Gene ral of the State,- in his Annual Report for 1861, states, that the services of about thirty additional regiments had to be refused, making in all more than two-thirds of the requisition of the President. Eight of these regiments were from PhUadelphia, but there were scores of full companies that were not accepted. The second call for volunteers was made upon the State in May. The allotted share to Pennsylvania was ten regiments ; but the General Govemment would not allow these to be raised, but simply credited the State with them, as she had abeady furnished more than her two quotas. The extra session of the Legislature of Pennsylvania convened on the 30th day of April, in pursuance of the proclamation of the Govemor, fully appreciating the gigantic task the North had before them, wisely and patriotically resolved, in accordance with Govemor Cur tin's recommendation, to organize, arm, equip and dis cipline a division to be called the " Reserve Volunteer Corps of the Commonwealth," and to be composed of thirteen regiments of infantry, one regiment of cavalry, and one regiment of light artillery, to be held in readi- 80 OUR CAMPAIGNS. ness to obey any requisition the President might make on the State for troops. In organizing this division, the conception of which originated with the Governor, the greatest difficulty he experienced was, not in finding officers and men to fill it, but to select between the numerous applicants who beset him night and day, not only in the executive chamber and public streets of the Capital, but even in his bed room. His Excellency having resolved that the division should be a true type of Pennsylvanians, proportioned it among the different counties, so that every township should be represented in it. Among the regiments organized in Philadelphia, at that time, were those known as Mann's, March's, and De Korponay's, from the first of which eight companies were accepted, from the second seven, and from the third five. AU these were raustered into the State service about the latter part of May, by Captain Henry J. Biddle, Assistant Adjutant-General of the Division, at the Girard House, where the men went through the most severe medical exaraination by the surgeons, who required every man to strip, and rejected all who had the least blemish or defect. " Never," said Dr. Henry H. Smith, the Sur geon-General of the State, " were a finer formed or more hardy body of men collected together in one division." Gabriel De Korponay commenced the organization of his regiment about the middle of April, and araong the captains who joined with him were George A. Wood ward, "Pennsylvania Rifies;" J. Orr Finnie, "Scotch Rifles;" E. M. Woodward, "Taggart Guards;" P. L Sraith, "Consolidation Guards;" and I. W. Kimble, "Hatborough Guards." These captains were selected by the Governor from DeKorponay's regiment. Wm. B. Mann commenced the organization of hia regiment about the same time, and the companies chosen by the Governor were Captains P. McDonough, "Gover nor's Rangers;" James N. Byrne, "Hibernia Target Company;" R. Ellis, "Govemor's Rangers;" T. Bring- COLONEL MANN's REGIMENT. 31 hurst, "Govemor's Guards;" T. Mealey, "Independent Rangers;" William Knox, "Constitutional Rangers;" Robert McClure, "Quaker City Guards;" and Wm. S. Thompson, "Montgomery Guards," (of Bristol, Pa.) All these companies were soon filled up to the maxi mum number, but the men were in such a feverish state of excitement for fear they would not be mus tered in, that difficulty was experienced in inducing them to stay long with any company that appeared to hang fire. Thus, after a few days recruiting, most of them had the necessary number of men, but after they had driUed awhile, they left to join other companies that they supposed were more likely to be accepted. But their places were readily filled by others who came from other companies under the same impression. Almost all the soldiers were supplied with flannel shirts and other articles of clothing by the congregations of the different churches ; most prominent among which in their liberality was patriotic Old Christ Church, which distributed no less than four thousand five hundred and seventy-two articles of clothing, most of which were made by the ladies of the church. On the 29th of May, the seven Philadelphia companies of Colonel Mann's regiment left the city for Camp Wash ington, Easton, Pa., where they arrived during the after noon. Prior to their departure they marched to the residence of the colonel at the corner of Fifth and Green streets, where they were presented with a magnificent' and richly trimmed silk flag by a number of ladies, the presentation being made by Daniel Dougherty, Esq. On the morning of the 30th, the four Philadelphia companies of Colonel De Korponay's regiment, with the " Ontario Guards," Captain Horatio G. Sickel, formed on Broad street near Green, and under the command of Captain Sickel, marched to Master and America streets, where they took a special train on the North Pennsylva nia Railroad, for Easton, at which place they arrived during ;he afternoon, aud marched out to camp ; quarters 82 OUR CAMPAIGNS. were assigned them to the right of Colonel Mann's regi ment. The camp was on the Fair Grounds of the Farmers' and Mechanics' Institute, which covered about thirty- five acres, situated on a level elevation about one and a-half mUes west of Easton, and three-quarters of a mUe north of the Lehigh river, in Northampton county. Ou the east and north sides of the enclosure were long rows of bunk rooms, three of which were assigned to each company. In front of each company's quarters were situated the kitchens, facing inward, and in their rear were the officers' quarters facing outwards. To the west, occupying about two-thirds of the enclosure, was the race course, and in the centre was situated the large and capacious Fair buildings of imposing appear ance and equal to any of its kind in the State. From its roof rose a large and stately dome, from the balcony of which was presented a magnificent view of the sur rounding country. To the north, far in the distance, lie the Kittatinny or Blue Ridge mountains, pierced on the right by the Delaware Water Gap, in the centre by the Wind Gap, and on the left by the Lehigh Water Gap. The intervening country is interspersed with rolling hills and gentle valleys, farm houses, and villages with their tapering spires, the most prominent of which are the Moravian towns of Bethlehem and Nazareth. On the south, from the Lehigh, the country gradually rises for the distance of two miles, where it is shut in by the lesser spurs of the Blue Ridge. On the east rolls the broad Delaware, and beyond it stretches in the distance the rolling country of New Jersey. The men immediately upon their arrival were fur nished with tincups, plates, spoons, knives and forks, a day's rations, and plenty of straw to sleep upon. The next day was spent in getting things in order, and by the foUowing morning they were settled down and ready to comraence the routine of carap. Colonel Mann, com manding the camp, issued the foUowing "caUs" to be CAMP WASHINGTON. 83 ,«ounded : Reveille, 4 A. M.; Drill, 4 J ; Recall, 6, Break fast, 7; Guard Mounting, 7J; Fatigue, 7f ; Sick Call, 8; Drill, 9 ; Recall, 10 ; OrderUes' Call, 12 M. ; Dinner, 12J P. M.; Drill, 6; Recall, 7; Supper, 7|; Tattoo, 9; Taps, 9 J. Four roll calls were had each day, and in a little while every thing worked with the regularity of ma chinery. During the intervals between drills, the men amused themselves in various ways, mostly in one-half sleeping, while the other half deviled them. Quoits, ¦foot-ball, boxing and sparring, singing and playing, and all sorts of pranks were continuaUy going on, and, alto gether they appe£a-ed the happiest and merriest set of men in the world. One of the most interesting scenes was the policing the camp. The guard of the previous day had liberty from 10 A. M., untU 4 P. M., and the next day were required to perform thepolice duty of the carap. Armed with rakes and hickory brooms, they gathered the straw, mbbish and old bones into heaps, to be reraoved in wagons. This duty is always disliked by soldiers, as .in fact all work is, but as they marched out, with their im- ;plements at a "shoulder," it was with the mock ceremony of troops leaving for "the sacred soil of Virginia," and many " a good-by" and "God bless you" was heard, as 4heir puckered Ups whistled out "The girl I left behind me." A few days after our arrival. Colonel March's seven companies came into camp, and others soon after fol lowed, and by the 12th of June, there were twenty-five companies, numbering one thousand nine hundred and fifty-six officers and men present. As no clothing or blankets were as yet furnished by Govemment, and as the men had brought nothing with them except what they stood in, they soon presented a rather ragged appearance, which, however, did not in the least affect their buoyant spirits. The citizens of the borough of Easton, however, -with a noble generosity took the matter in hand, and determined to do all in their power to render the soldiers 3 84 OUR CAMPAIGNS, comfortable. A Ladies' Aid Society was formed, which furnished every necessary supply of clothing, blankets, comfortables, flannels, jellies, etc., for the hospital, and a large number of quilts, pantaloons, shirts, towels, etc., for the camp. The soldiers will always remeraber with gratitude, the kindness of the citizens of Easton, which was bestowed upon them without ostentation. The food furnished was abundant, and of the best quality, consisting of fresh beef, wheat bread, potatoes, rice, beans, bacon, coffee, sugar and small stores, but considerable sickness pre vaUed among the men, arising from the free use of lime stone water, to which they were unaccustomed, but there was no serious iUness. In the place of a well, the supply came from a large cistern, in which was caught the rain water from the roof of the Fair building, and that hauled from the borough of Easton in casks. As a sanitary precaution the whole camp was vaccinated, and to pro mote the general health, the men were taken to the Lehigh three times a week, where they enjoyed the luxury of bathing. Upon such occasions there would sometiraes be a thousand men in the water at once, and they hugely enjoyed the sport of diving, splashing and paddling around in general. The great feat among the expert swimmers, was to cross and reeross the river without resting. Among the first things that agitated the brains of the men, was to devise quaint names and mottoes to place over the doors of their quarters, and although they were not purely classical, some of them were typical of those who adopted them. Commencing on the extreme south of the eastern side, was Captain McDonough's company, with " Fourth Ward, City of PhUadelphia;" "Fort McCandless, Sergeant DiUon commanding;" "Fort Mann, Lieutenant John J. GUI commanding ;" " Fort , Lieutenant J. D. Schock commanding." On the right of this was " The Quaker City Head Quarters ;" " Camp McClure ;" " Fort Wm T. QUAINT NAMES. 85 Blundin ;" " Quaker Bridal Chamber ;" " Calahan HaU ;" " Live and let live." Next, " Fort James N. Byrnes ;" "Screws;" "Hibernia Fire Engine Company;" "Bird in Hand;" "Finney House." Next, "Continental Hotel," "The Rose Cottage;" "Dart's Head Quarters :" "Hard Corner Sharps;" "The Old House at Home;" "Inde pendent Rangers;" "Nailer's Head Quarters;" "Gay Rooster;" "Diamond HaU;" "Don't Tread on me;" "Minerva HaU;" "Git up and Git;" "Old Lebanon Gar-' den. Captain Mealey." Next, " Happy Home of the Constitutional Rangers, Captain WiUiam Knox;" "Punch Bowl Hotel;" "Black Horse Hotel;" "Astor House;" "Ellsworth Hotel;" " The Government keeps us, and we will keep the Go vernment;" "Cohocksink Hotel;" "District Attorney's Office ;" Notice, " Upon any liquors being brought in, the moral character of applicants to practice at the Bar, must be strictly inquired into." Next, " Bristol Boys, Captain Wm. S. Thompson ;" " Bower of Love ;" " Happy Crew;" "The Old School House;" "The Old Spring House;" "Hole in the WaU;" " Montgomery Guards ;" Next, "Einwechter's Head Quarters;" "Tenth and Eleventh Street Depot, Exchange Tickets, Seven cents ;" " The Serious Family ;" " Out for a Day's shooting." Next, "Ontario House, Captain Horatio G. Sickel;" "Donaghy'slnn;" "BiU Pool Club;""We Respect all, and Fear none;" "Never Sink;" "Live Oak;" "Ken sington Boys;" "Hike out and Simmer down." Next, "Babnoral Castle;" "Scotch Rifles, Captain J. Orr Fin nic;" "Wallace'sCave, Lieutenant J. B.Fletcher;" "De Korponay ;" " Struther's Retreat ;" " Poney HaU." Next, "Penn Rifles, Captain George A. Woodward;" "De Korponay;" "The Flag Wyoming." Next, "Taggart Guards;" "De Korponay Bricks;" "Sunday Mercury, Caiptain B. M. Woodward ;" " Spicket's Head Quarters ;" "Railroad House ;" " The abode of Virtue." Next, " Con- fiolidation Gniards, Captain P. I. Smith ;" " De Korpo nay Pidgeon Box;" "Gay and Happy;" "Fort Defi- 36 OUR CAMPAIGNS. ance." Next, " Hatborough Guards, Captain I. W. Kim ble ;" " Free and Easy ;" " Happy "Family." Next, "Wide Awake Hall, Captain Wm. D. Curtis ;" "Long Island, of Reading;" "Keystone Hook and Lad der Company;" "Elephant Guards;" Next, "The Star of North Birdsboro', Captain Jacob Lenhart;" "Fort Sumter ;" " Japanese Hotel ;" " Arctic Circle ;" " Death to Traitors ;" "Jeff Davis at the Sheriffs BaU ;*' " The Blue Eyed Stranger;" "Moonlight Assassinators;" "Mount Vemon;" "Washingtoii anS Lincoln ;"" Victory or Death;" "White Hall, Newtown, Captain David V. Feaster ;" "Traitor Hunters;" "Love and Glory;" " Game Chickens;" "EUsworth Avengers;*' "Rebel KUlers;" '"Hard Scrabble Rangeirs;" *' Obiter County Volun teers;" "Never Surreiideir;" "The Wheat !FieId;*' "The Red Curtin;" "Susquehanna Tigers;" "Gldria Dei-j" "EUsworth's Heart," etc. Guard mounting in the mofning was an interesting cereraony, the guard nuiribering one hundred and two iaeh, which, with the band, made a fine display. Of couirse, it could not 'be supposed with so many young men in camp, many of whom were for the first time free from the restraints of home, they would all conduct themselves with the strictest decorum. In fact there were many of them who looked upon the arrangement as a grand pic-nic or excursioii, and were bound to enjoy themselves as much as possible, and took particular de light in dodging the guard. But four men from each corapany, inclusive of the old guard, were permitted to be absent from camp at a time, but quite a number more managed to get out without authority. Almost every bunk had its "rat hole" dug. under the "back partition, through which the boysmade their exit despite the" guard. feome of these gentlemen upon their return would be caught, and put in the guard house, but it being soon discovered that it afforded a most easy means of egress, Colonel Mann determined to build one of logs inside of the enclosure with only a small aperture for WHISKEY IN A MUSKET BARREL. 37 ingress and egress. This was prouQu^ced by the men to be a real " Black house of refuge," a,nd served naost admirably the purpose intended, bu|i really it was quite amusing to see the artful dodges resorted to by sonie of the inmates to overcome the difficulties. An " officer of the day," on one occasion, upon visit ing the guard house, found the g^ard and one of the prisoners in a violent altercation, the guard with his musket between the logs trying to bayonet the prisoner. Complimenting the guard upoi^ tlie zeal displayed, he was privately cautioned not to wound any of the, prisoners, and advised to take no notice of the naughty names they called hira. The officer afterwards was highly edified to learn that the girard having his musket barrel filled with whiskey, was engaged in treating the. prisoner when surprised by him. With the countersign an officer or private could enter the camp at any time of night, bnt it was seldom given to the men, yet some of them were cute enough to get it^ Vrhen wanted., The most successful one in this arrange ment was an eccentric genius in Company A, who managed to get in and out almost every night. His modus operandi was taking a musket and crawling up to one of the guards and teUing him he was on the next post and had forgotten the countersign. Some times he would take half a company out with him, when they would go to town and have a grand time dancing. The men upon such occasions seldojn went to excess o|f troubled the citizens, but were inordinately fond of sing ing patriotic songs at unseasonably hours of the night, which disturbed the quiettide of the town, but the borough watchmen never interfered with them. Colonel Mann, however, was not unmindful of his duty to the citizens, and sent out nightly patrols to pick up the boys who should be in bed, and they seldom had any trouble in persuading their comrades to return with them. In fair weather the camp presented an animated ap pearance, it being the fashionable resort of the neighbor- 88 OUR CAMPAIGNS. ing farmers and the citizens of Easton, particularly on Sundays, when in addition to the evening " dress parade," the troops, headed by their band, passed in review before Colonel Mann, and marched around the race course. The female visitors to the camp were not always of the most refined and unexceptionble class, and although they pos sessed much patriotism and love for the soldiers, it occa sionally was found necessary to drum them out, and although it produced much raerriraent to the spectators, it was rather distasteful to the individuals themselves. ' While laying at Camp Washington, the remains of John Lerch, of Captain Dachrodt's company. First Regi ment Pennsylvania Volunteers (three months men) were sent to Easton for interment. The funeral obsequies was performed by the Taggart Guards, Lieutenant J, K, Brown, and the Constitutional Rangers, Captain Thomas Bringhurst, the battalion being under the command of Captain Woodward. The ceremony was very imposing. Pomp's Cornet Band, with muffled drums, playing the "Dead March in Saul." , The funeral of young Moyer of the same regiment, also took place ; the escort consisting of the " Williams burg Legion," Captain F. Burger; the "Quaker City Guards," Captain R. M. McClure ; the " Harmer Guards," Captain Thoraas F. B. Tapper; the "Hatborough Rifles, Captain I. W. Kimble ; the " Governor's Rangers," Lieu tenant George Young ; the " Dickson Guards," Lieuten ant J; B. Baker; the "Reed Guards," Lieutenant P. M. Davis; the "Able Guards," Lieutenant Thomas G. O'Hara ; the " Governor's Guards," J. D. Edwards, the " Governor's Rangers," Lieutenant John D. Schock ; the battalion being under the command of Captain Ellis. It was many years since Easton had witnessed such funeral ceremonies. ORGANIZATION OF RESERVES. 89 CHAPTER IV. OnOANlZATION OF THE SECOND, ThiRD AND FOURTH RESERVES. Dissatisfaction therewith. Election of Field Officers., Watched and fanned all night. Defarturb of the Fourth and Third Regiments. On the 14th of June, General McCall visited -the camp to organize the regiraents, supposing the independent companies had formed voluntary associations with one or the other of the three colonels who had parts of their regiments quartered there. Not finding such to be the case, however, after a consultation with Colonel ' Mann, the general issued an order for the organization of the carap, which order, after stating that " the best interests of the ser'/ice demanded that the corapanies brought to gether at this camp shall be organized at the earliest day practicable," went on to say, " it would be aesirable that the proposed organization should be arranged by the voluntary association of companies." He concluded by ordering that if such voluntary association could not be effected by the 19th inst., inclusive, the " organization would be conducted in the following manner : The ten companies which first arrived in carap and in the order they are now quartered, will constitute a regiment, to be known as the Second regiment ; the next ten will form the Third regiment, and the last ten will form the Fourth regiment of the Pennsylvania Reserve Volun teer Corps. Each regiment so formed, will proceed with out delay to elect their field officers." The companies, as quartered, were: First, eight of Colonel Mann's and two independent; next, five of Colonel De Korponay's; next, five independent; next and last, seven of Colonel Marsh's and three independent. On the 20th, General McCall again visited the camp, and in the evening convened the captains at the commis sary's building, and proceeded to organize the regiments. 40 OUR CAMPAIGNS. As no voluntary associations had been effected, the order was read, when Lieutenant H. Clay Beatty arose and stated that as Captain Thompson's company did not arrive until several days after De Korponay's had, he should not be thrown into the first division. Against this the De Korponay companies earnestly protested, maintaining that as they were the companies assigned to the colonel by the Govemor, they could not be taken from him, and as Captain Thompson's company had been accepted by the Govemor as one of Colonel Mann's, he rightfully belonged to him, and that the mere fact of the delay of a few days in his arrival in camp, where quar ters had been assigned, and kept for him, did not alter the case. After considerable argument, the General an nounced that the names of Captains Thompson and Sickel and four of De Korponay's captains be placed in a. hat, and the question of which two companies should go to Colonel Mann, be decided by lot. This gave two chances to one against Colonel De Kor ponay. Lieutenant Henry A. Soheetz, aid-de-camp to General McCall, drew the slips, and the first two names drawn were Captains G. A. Woodward and E. M. Wood ward. This destroyed all hope of the De Korponay regiment. It cannot be denied, the officers and men were deeply attached to De Korponay, and the effect of this blow upon them was severely felt. A captain of one of the companies detached, threw hiraself upon his hatids and wept like a chUd, and his company broke out in open mutiny, and attempted to seize a number of muskets in a neighboring ofl^cer's quarters. It was with the utraost difficulty the other De Korponay's corapanies could be kept quifet, and in fact it was deemed necessary to order out the whole carap for the purpose. Though defeated, the De Korponay companies desired to remaiu together, for which purpose. Captains Smith and Finnie of the Third regiment exchanged with Captains Thomp son and McClure of the Second regiment. The three regiments having now been formed, eleo- FOURTH OP JULY IN CAMP. 41 tions were held in them the next day for Field Officers, which resulted as foUows : Second Iiegiment.-~-Colone\, Wm. B. Mann. Lieutenant- Colonel, Albert L. Magilton, Major, Wm. McCandless. Third Regimeni.-^lEoTa.iio G. Sickel. Lieutenant- Colonel, Wm. S. Thompson. Major, Richard H Wool. worth. Fourth JiegimeTit.-^^olaael, Robert G. March. Lieu tenant-Colonel, John F. Gaul. Major, Robert M. McClure. The four De Korponay companies of the Second Regi ment, cast a unanimous vote for Colonel De Korponay and Lieutenant-Colonel A. L. Snowden. Soon after, the men commenced receiving clothing^ from the State, the first instalment, consisting of twenty blankets and forty pair of shoes for each company, and some time after their complete outfit and arms came. The Fourth of July in due course of time rolled round;. and was duly celebrated with the usual festivities appro priate for the occasion. Of course the liberty of the camp was much enlarged, and the number of passes to town largely increased, while a still larger proportion of "absent without leave," managed to get out. Although many of the patriots' brains becarae in a highly inflam matory state, every thing passed off in good humor, and taking all things into consideration, they had a very happy and jovial time. As a precautionary measure, heavy detaUs were sent from camp to patrol the town and coUect the disabled, who were conveyed to camp and earefuUy stowed away in their bunks, until they became refreshed with sleep. For the better accommodation of the sick, a large hospital was erected near the centre of the race course, in a wooded grove, to which was attached a laboratory, kitchen, washing and dining rooms. This building was appropriated to the Second Regiment, the hospitals of the Third and Fourth Regiments being located at the Head-quarters of their respective colonels. 42 OUR CAMPAIGNS. One day upon the arrival of the Philadelphia train at South Easton, a young soldier who was "slightly inebri ated," fell through the trestle work upon a coal pile below, a distance of twenty feet, and his Captain and one of the Surgeon's being there, immediately went to his assistance, but before their arrival he had got up and started for camp. Fearing he was internally hurt, they started in pursiiit, and soon overtaking him, detained him until an ambulance could be sent for. Night came, but no ambulance, so he was put in a carriage, conveyed to camp, stripped, examined and lapped up in warm blankets and put to bed in his bunk. In the meantime the ambulance came down the street in search of the wounded soldier, and finding a " green shirter," stretched upon a cellar door, he was carefuUy picked up and con veyed with brotherly care to the Camp Hospital, where two of his comrades were detailed to watch over and fan him through the night. Through the long and weary hours, faithfully did they perform their charge, with a love and watchfulness known only among comrades. The morning came, but the soldier still slept, until at last the Surgeon approach ing him, gently woke hira up. " Andy, ray boy, how do you feel?" "Feel," replied the bewildered boy, as he gazed upon the strange scene around him, "feel, why where am I? what has happened to me ?" "Ah, Andy,' replied the Surgeon in a kind and gentle voice, as he stripped off the bed clothing to examine him, " I fear you are seriously hurt ; you fell through the tressel work at South Easton, and the only wonder is, it did not kill you instantly. Draw your leg up and stretch it out." Andy with sorae misgivings, slowly obeyed. "Draw up the other one — now stretch out your arms." "Does that hurt you," said the Surgeon as he pressed his ribs and breast. " No, sir," replied Andy. " See here,' young man," said the Surgeon, beginning to smell a rat, " I guess you were drunk last night, get up out of that bed and travel." " Well," repUed Andy REVIEWED BY THE GOVERNOR. 43 as the truth flashed upon him, and a comical expression came over his face, " I think you guess right, but Doctor, hadn't you better set those broken bones of mine first ?" As Andy passed down the ward, a tittering was heard among the patients, and some unable to repress their smiles, covered their heads with their blankets, and gave vent to hearty laughter. A quiet old gentleraan who witnessed the scene, caUed An^ to one side as he passed through the laboratory, and gave him a drink of brandy, remarking, that "that would set his bones all right." Andy enjoyed the arrangement wonderfully, and was always afterwards on the best terms with the Surgeon. The young man who fell through the tressel work, was on drUl the next morning as sound as ever. On the 14th, His Excellency, Andrew G. Curtin, Governor of the State arrived, and a review of the troops was ordered. The men were dressed in their light blue pants, neat dark blue blouses, and fatigue caps, with their muskets and brasses as bright as new dollars. Being thrown into column of companies, they passed in review before His Excellency, who was surrounded by his staff. The affair was very creditable for newly organized troops, and the Governor expressed himself much pleased. The next day, Major H. D. Maxwell, the Paymaster- General of the State of Pennsylvania, arrived in camp and commenced paying off the Second Regiment, but when he got through with two companies, orders were received for the Fourth to prepare to march, so the pay ment of the Second was suspended, and that of the Fourth commenced and got through within a short time. On the 16th, the Fourth, Colonel March, left the camp and proceeded by rail to Harrisburg. The payment of the Second and Third Regiments was resiimed and soon completed, and on the 22d, the Third, Colonel Sickel, was ordered to Harrisburg. 44 OUR CAMPAIGNS, CHAPTER, v.. Departure of the Second. Its Roster. Camp Curtis. Leave the State without being mustered into the Uniiied States service. Marching without orders. Baltimore. Sandy Hook. Discontent among the men. Refusal to TAKE the oath. Sent home in disgrace. Stbajsge misman agement. March to Berlin. The news of the disastrous battle of Bull Run being received, orders were issued for the Second Regiment to prepare to move on the morning of the 24th of July, "and accordingly about nine o'clock, they bid farewell to the camp, and marched through Easton across the Lehigh to the depot. Pomp's Comet Band escorted them, the bells were rung, the citizens cheered, and the ladies waved their handkerchief. The organization of the Regiment was as follows : Colonel, Wm. B. Mann. Lieutenant-Colonel, A. L, Magilton, Major, Wm. McCandless. Adjutant, Quartermaster, Charles F. Hoyt. Surgeon, Thomas B. Reed. Assistant Surgeon, J. W. Lodge, Sergeant Major, Augustus T. Cross, Quartermaster Sergeant, Wesley S, Mann, Company A. — Captain, G, A. Woodward. First Lieu tenant, R. H. Loudon. Second Lieutenant, Horace Neide, Company B. — Captain, P. McDonough. First Lieu tenant, John D. Schock, Second Lieutenant, Johji J. GiU, Company C. — Captain, James N. Byrnes, First Lieu tenant, John B, Robinson, Second Lieutenant, Frank Fox. Company D. — Captain, H. Ellis. First Lieutenant, John Curley. Second Lieutenant, George Young. Company E. — Captain, J. Orr Finnie. First Lieu tenant, J. Baxter Fletcher, Second Lieutenant, Alex ander Black. departum:. 45 ' Company F. — Captain, Thomas Bringhurst, First Lieutenant, George W, Kite. Second Lieutenant, Wil liam J, D. Edwards, Company O. — Captain, E, M. Woodward, First Lieu tenant, Henry A. Scheetz, Second Lieutenant, John K. Brown, Company H. — Captain, Timothy Mealey. Eirst Lieu- ¦tenant, Peter Summers. Second Lieutenant, ;. Company I. — Captaio, WilUam Knox. First Lieu- tenant, Thomas Weir. Second Xieutenant, John H. Jack. Company K.' — Captain, P. I. Smith. First Lieutenant, Isaac J, Harvey. Second Lieutenant, JameS C. Justus. Amidst the cheers of the crowd the cars moved 6% and the day being excessively warm, the boys soon pro ceeded to produce ventilation by knocking the sides out of the freight cars, with the butts of their muskets. Although the tops of the cars were crowded, and the ¦bridges on the road were very low, but one man was hurt during the passage, he receiving a severe contusion on the back of the head, that set him so wUd, that it re quired several men to hold him down to prevent his jumping off. Along the route flags were displayed from the nouses, and at the villages the populace turned out .en nmsse to welcome our passage. About four o'clock ¦in the afternoon we arrived at Harrisburg,. and marched .out to Camp Curtin, where we enjoyed the novelty and romance of sleeping upon the soft green grass, with nothing but the vault of heaven above us, from which descended a- copious shower of rain during the night. AU the regiments of the Reserve, we believe, with but one exception, were mustered into the United States ser vice before leaving the State, and it was Colonel Mann?s desire we should also be, but as it would cause a delay of some days, the Colonel was induced by Lieutenant- •colonel Magilton, and with the consent of the Govemor, to proceed to Baltimore without its being done. Ac cordingly, at two o'clock the next afternoon we marched 46 OUR CAMPAIGNS, to the raUroad, and at darl^ took the cars and proceeded on our way several miles, where we laid on a sideling until near daybreak the next n^orning, when moving, on, we arrived at Baltimore early in the afternoon, and slept that night upon a common opposite the depot. Upon the regiment being reported to General Dix, who comraanded the Department, and he ascertaining we came there without any orders, he declined having any thing to do with us, until he telegraphed to Simon Cameron, the Secretary of War, upon the subject. Mr. Cameron, probably vexed at such unauthorized proceed ings, and being on bad terms with Colonel Mann, on account of his defeat in the gubernatorial convention, replied in a very unsatisfactory manner, when it was de termined to move the regiment to Sandy Hook, which point was then reported to be threatened by the rebels under General Jackson. Early on Sunday morning, July 28th, our regiment marched through the city to the depot of the Baltiraore and Ohio Railroad, where we took cars for Sandy Hook. It numbered one thousand and one, officers and men, and were as fine a body of soldiers as ever passed through the city. Their neat new uniform, their steady tramp and well-dressed lines, with their martial bearing, at tracted the attention of all, and many were the inquiries as to what regiment it was. At the depot they were met by the Union Relief Coraraittee, who supplied them with an abundance of ice-water. On the route to Sandy Hook many American flags were displayed, and at EUicott's MUls unmistakable signs of loyalty were shown by the waving of handkerchiefs and the cheers of the people. We arrived at the " Point of Rocks," about four P. M., where we found two corapanies of Verraont three -months volunteers, guarding that point. The bridge at this place was burnt by the rebels on the 8th of June, and a huge rock, many tons in weight, tumbled upon the track. The rebels may have been picketing on the opposite bank of the Potomac, but whether they were or SANDY HOOK. 47 not, the boys had the satisfaction of imagining they saw them. After an hour's delay, we started on, flnding the road picketed for twelve miles up, the distance to Sandy Hook, where we arrived after dark, and found many of the three months men on their way home, their time having expired, and all the army having that day crossed to the Maryland shore of the Potomac, except a few left to occupy Harper's Ferry, about two miles above. It had been raining hard through the afternoon, the night was exceedingly dark and unpleasant, and after remain ing a long while awaiting orders, tlie men laid down along the road and went to sleep. The next morning was oppressively hot, and after making coffee, we formed and^ marched to Pleasant val ley, a table-land plateau, about a mile back from, and some four hundred feet above, the Potomac. This valley lays between the mountains knoWn as Maryland Heights, abutting opposite Harper's Ferry, and a spur of the Bliie Ridge, terminating on the Potoraac, at the vil lage of Knoxville, on the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, overlooking Harper's Ferry, Sandy Hook, and Knoxville, and commanding the country roads running from the former place towards Hagerstown and Frederick. The location was unassailable, except from the opposite Virginia or Loudon Heights, which would really com mand the position, but for the existence of obstacles almost insuperable to the placing of any battery there. Here we encaraped in a wheat stubble-field, and received our camp equipage and tents. The night of our arrival, the regiment was reported to General Banks, commanding the Department of the Shenandoah, whose first inquiry was by whose authority we came there, and upon his ascertaining we had come upon our "own hook," he declined to have any thing- to do with us, until he communicated with the War De partment. The general, however, assigned us camping grounds, and the next day before night, the colonel suc ceeded in obtaining for the men a part of a ration, by 48 OUR CAMPAIGNS. -indemnifying the commissary of subsistence from any loss. Discontent among the men soon commenced showing .itself, and was increased from the fact of our being en camped next to the Twenty-eighth Pennsylvania Volun teers, of which De Korponay was Lieutenant-Colonel, and who received their full ration, and of a much better quaUty than our own. A rumor, that obtained much -credence among the men, was put afloat, to the effect, ihat they being out of the State of Pennsylvania, and not mustered into the United States service, there was no power to hold them. It soon after coraing to the Jcnowledgeof General Banks that an officer of another jegiment was tampering with the men, and had offered ltd enlist themin his regiraent if they would not be mus tered in, an order was issued by him prohibiting the •enlistment of any of the men, under penalty of cashiering tthe officer who did so, and directing the drumming out of camp of any of them found enlisted. This discontent, there lis not the slightest doubt, was countenanced and jencouraged by a field officer of our own regiment, whose .object was to bring Colonel Mann into bad repute,, and wear the eagles upon his own shoulders. Secret meet ings were held by the. men, and the ringleaders were led to suppose that if the regiment was .broken up, they would be sent to PhUadelphia, and that the would-be- colonel would obtain permission to reorganize them, and .they would be made officers. This discontent continued until the 1st of . August, .when it reached its cUmax. That afternoon Lieutenant- colonel Fitz John Porter, U. S. A., "the extrerae West -Pointer," was sent by General Banks to rauster the regi ment in. Commencing on the right, he discovered muti nous intentions among a portion of the men, which ex tended to every company in the regiment. This was increased by his very injudicious remarks, he apparently caring very little whether the men were mustered in or not. When they were . ordered to hold up their right sent home. 4d hand and take the oath of allegiance to their Govern ment, about one-fourth refused to do so. The reasons assigned by them was, that they were armed with smooth-bored rauskets, (the only ones the Governraent at that time could give them,) their crowded tents, (five in each,) bad rations, (better than some of them got at home,) not having overcoats, (in the middle of Summer,) their unwillingness to serve under Colonel Mann, (their own choice,) they, in fact, like all other men who were doing wrong, using every subterfuge to justify their con duct. They were marched to their quarters, and the naraes of all who had taken the oath, forwarded to head quarters. The next morning the regiraent was again called out to have the oath administered, and to the surprise of all, those who had taken the oath the day before, were re quired to take it again, they being informed that those who refused would be sent home in disgrace. The con sequence of such injudicious proceedings was what might have been expected, and instead of one-fourth, nearly one-third, or three hundred and twenty refused. They were then marched to General Thomas' headquar ters, ordered to stack arms, divest themselves of their accoutrements, and strip off their blouses and blue pants, retaining only their linen pants and shirts. An order was then issued detailing eleven officers, leaving fiv9 companies without any officers, to conduct them to Phila delphia, it stating, "this order is peremptory, and must not be disobeyed." Late that afternoon they left 'Sandy Hook in a special train, the men giving Lieutenant- colonel Magilton three cheers at their departure. They conducted themselves very orderly, and at Broad and Prime streets were dismissed to their homes, but how they were received we know not. Th§ officers having learned Govemor. Curtin was in the city, proceeded to the Continental Hotel to call upon him, but he at first declined having an interview with them. Having granted one, however, what was their 4 60 OUR CAMPAIGNS. Bui^rise and indignation at being shown a telegram he had just received from General Ba,nks' Assistant Adju tant-general, stating that they, and over three hundred of the men, having refused to take the oath of allegiance, had been sent home in disgrace. A few moments' con versation, however, satisfied His Excellency that a gross and dishonorable deception had been practiced by some officer of the regiment upon General Banks, and he ex pressed his willingness to issue an order to have the officers mustered in immediately, and furnish them with transportation back to their regiment. But as the offi cers had been mustered in, the order was unnecessary. Upon their arrival back at Sandy Hook, they were met with another unaccountable surprise, in finding that the men whom they had left in camp, and who had been sworn into the service twice before, had been called upon that day to take the oath for the third time. "It is necessary," said the men, "for a good soldier to carry a Bible with him to be sworn in on, or he will find himself discharged before he knows anything about it." In fact, many of the men, finding it easier to get out of the ser vice than to stay in it, concluded to go home and enter some other regiment, and .out of one thousand and one men who marched through Baltimore two weeks before, but a little over four hundred remained. The men whose officers had been sent home with the deserters, being told they would not return, and that they would be transferred to other companies, left almost in a body. Who was responsible for such unaccountable and criminally misraanaged proceedings, the reader must judge for himself. It is just to those men to state, though they deserted the flag when almost within sight of the enemy, that, with few exceptions, they entered the ser vice again, and their blood has been poured out upon almost every battle-field of the Army of the Potomac. On Sunday morning the llth, the Independent Ran gers, of Philadelphia, Captain Wm. McMuUin, who were encamped near by, started home, being escorted to the to BERLIN. 51 cars by Company D. The next morning. The First City Troop of Philadelphia Light Cavalry, Captain James, broke camp and marched homeward, via Hagerstown and Baltimore, being escorted a distance on their way by the Twenty-Eighth Regiment Pennsylvania Volun teers, Colonel Geary". These two companies at the re quest of the general, had consented to remain some time after their term of service expired, for which they re ceived his thanks. On the 13th, Colonel Geary received orders to march to the Point of Rocks, twelve miles down the Potomac, and after dark they got into motion, a guide being em ployed to pilot them by a back road, to prevent the movement being discovered by the enemy. The night was exceedingly dark, and the pilot having intentionaUy or unintentionally lost the way, and not having iany desire to become a stockholder in the colonel's lead mine, thought it prudent to decamp; so the colonel, after hunting around for him for some time, with pistol in hand, turned into a narrow road which proved to be a private lane. As the baggage wagons were passing through the barn yard one of them upset, which was fol lowed by considerable noise, occasioned by the braying of mules, and the shouting and cursing of the teamsters. The colonel went to the house to procure a lantern, but all his pounding, shouting and throwing stones at the windows, produced no efect. At last he heard meek, tremulous voices issuing from the cellar, and discovered the old folks and children in their night clothes, down there prajdng for deUverance from the battle they sup posed was raging around their house. On the 14th, orders were received to reduce our bag gage as much as possible, and to pack up and send to Harrisburg the extra articles left by the deserters. About one A. M., whUe in the midst of the work, the drums beat the "long roll," and the men dropping every thing, were soon in line with their muskets and cartridge boxes. When Dr. Reed went to the Hospital to get his 52 OUR CAMPAIGNS. instruments, he found his patients hurrying on their clothes, against which he remonstrated without avaU, and before he could get a guard to enforce his orders, the sick were in the ranks and could not be got out. Leaving the camp "topsy turvy," in charge of the cooks and teamsters, we started off, and hurrying across the canal at Knoxville, proceeded down the towpath to Berlin, about four miles below, where a party of reba had been firing upon the pickets of the Nineteenth New York, but with no other effect than the knocking over of sorae carap kettles and the scattering of their contents. Here we stacked arms and stretched ourselves upon th© grass watching an old rascal on horseback waving a white flag, and who doubtlessly was calculating our strength. On the 8th of June, the rebels burnt the long and sub stantial bridge that spanned the river at this point, and the only wagon communication between the two shores, are the fords above and below the piers. About two weeks' back, the rebels brought an old iron twelve- pounder cannon that had its muzzle knocked off, and was fastened with chains to the front wheels of an old wagon, which they posted on the opposite hills to com mand the village. They thought it prudent to withdraw the same night, and hiding their cannon, they left, in tending to return the next night and get it. The Ber- linites, however, found it out, and slipping over brought it away, and at night it was stationed on the pier of the bridge, behind a bulwark of hay bales. Being minus of grape shot, they cut the iron braces of the bridge into slugs, which were about as good as anything else to fire out of it. After remaining here until it was ascertained that the rebels had decamped, we about face, and retraced our steps to camp, but all the spirit of the boys was gone, and our march was a quiet one. We arrived about dark, and had a late, but welcome supper. At this time the Army of the Shenandoah picketed the Potomac for the distance of fifty miles, from Wil- THE MOVE TOWARDS WASHINGTON. 53 liamsport about twenty miles above the Ferry, until the line joined that of the Army of the Potomac, some thirty miles below. The enemy picketed on the south bank for an equal distance, we having abandoned Virginia, except in the immediate neighborhood of Harper's Ferry. The greater portion of the rebel army under General Johnson, having joined Beauregard at Manassas, and left the valley of the Shenandoah and the upper Potomac comparatively bare of troops, which relieved all anxiety for the safety of Maryland.and Pennsylvania, it was de termined to make a corresponding movement of our forces towards Washington, which was not yet consi dered safe. Therefore, orders were issued on the night of the 16th, to be prepared to march early the next morning with three days cooked rations in haversacks. Fortunately the paymaster, Major Maxwell, arrived that day and paid the regiment off for the twenty-one days owed by the State of Pennsylvania, we having been transferred to the United States service on the 21st of July. This money was very acceptable to the empty pockets of the men, and was duly appreciated by the citizens of Maryland on our march through their State. CHAPTER VI. M aiCH THROUGH Maryland. Mutiny in the Nineteenth New Tore Militia. Guards after whisky. Disbanding op com panies. One of the most exciting scenes in a soldier's life is the breaking up of camp when they have been lying inactive for some time, and particularly so when it is for the first time in active field service. Although the order to move was not issued until 10 o'clock at night, and rain was falling at the time, the camp fires were soon brightly 54 OUR CAMPAIGNS. burning and the men busily engaged in preparing their rations for the march. Early the next morning, before "reveille," the men were all up and stirring, and soon cooked their breakfasts and had everything ready to move. And what a scene of animation it was I The striking of tents, the packing of baggage, the loading of wagons, the falling in of the men, their cheers and songs, inter mingled with the strains of martial music, the shouts and curses of the drivers, the braying of mules, the galloping to and fro of orderlies and aids, the rattling drums and hoarse commands — oh, how animated and exciting. " Frank, help me on with my knapsack," " Ben, fix my cartridge box," "Charley, hold my musket while I go for water," " Take my canteen along," shouts a dozen voices, " Who'se got a piece of string," "Give me a cork for my canteen," " Who wants a good blouse," and a thousand other similar expressions are heard through Ihe camps. " Fall in, fall in," is heard, and the noise ceases as the men take their places. A cold drizzly rain was falling, as the wagons moved from the encampment, and stretched in a long line in a neighboring field, followed by the regiment, clad in heavy blue overcoats. Colonel Thomas, with his staff and the Second U. S. Cavalry dashed past, followed by a battery of the Fourth U. S. Artillery, and one of the Ninth New York. The Twenty-ninth Penna. Vols., Col onel Murphy, passed next, then came the Second Reserve, Colonel Mann, foUowed by the First Reserve Rifles— the "BucktaUs," Colonel Biddle. Next came the Fifth Con necticut, Colonel Ferry, and the Nineteenth New York Volunteers, and a long line of other troops, but the sraoke from the burning rubbish of the camp hung heavily upon the earth, partially obscuring the masses of men, pre senting a scene at once grand and interesting. " For ward," passed down the line, and to the soul-stirring music of our bands, we took up oar march, striking the banks of the Potomac, which we followed for a short distance, wlen turning to the left, in a northeasterly MARCH THROUGH MARYLAND. 55 direction, we halted at intervals to rest the men and let the wagons come up. We passed through Petersville, a small village where a secession flag had lately been flying; but the old flag of our hearts now floated in its stead. In the afternoon we passed through Jefferson, as pretty a village as Maryland can boast of. Our bands struck up lively marches, and smiling faces from Union hearts, and waving handkerchiefs greeted us, as we passed'along. We turned to the right toward the Point of Rocks, then to the left towards Frederick, moving over a narrow i^oad through the woods, to the left of which was presented a magnificent scene of rolling hills and wooded valleys, broken in the far distance by the lofty peaks of the Blue Ridge, At dusk we halted to select a bivouacking ground, and then raoving off entered a thick woods, where our blazing camp fires were soon surrounded by the wearied soldiers. The flakes rose high in the air; the flames casting their lurid light through the arching branches of the majestic trees ; and wrapped in our blankets, with our feet to the flre, we slept peacefuUy until " reveille," Our march that day was fifteen miles. The next day we started early, it being cloudy, drizzly and oppressively close, and by noon crossed a branch of the Monoeacy, and encamped on its banks in a wheat stubble, having made but six miles. Here we were met by Dr. Hoyt, our quartermaster, who had gone ahead to procure provisions and wood for us. The next morning, the 19th, we raoved at eight o'clock, through a drizzling rain and deep mud, passing through Buckeystown whose inhabitants are of strong secession proclivity. Not a flag was seen or a handkerchief waved to welcome us. The darkies and children were highly delighted with the music and novel sight, the men stayed in the houses and peeped through cracks, but the women's curiosity overcoming thera, stood at the doors and windows looking pictures of woful sorrow. About a mUe from here we crossed the Monoeacy and encamped 56 OUR CAMPAIGNS. on its banks, having marched eight miles. Here we found concentrated a large number of other troops. As we did not move the next day, the men had a good time .bathing, several thousands of them enjoying it at once, resembling as they sat on the innuraerable rocks in the river, flocks of penguins. That night we sent off all our sick to the general hospital at Frederick. The next morning we struck tents and got into motion early, passing through Urbana, and encamping about noon near Hyattstown, we having marched sis mUes. There the next day, August 22d, a mutiny broke out in the Nineteenth New York State Militia. This regiment had been sworn into the State service for two years, and transferred to the United States under the President's second call. The term of three months having expired, the men clairaed that they were released from further service, and that the Government had no right to con tinue them in the service for the balance of the two years.. In fact, they tried the same game on, that had been so successfully played by the mutineers of our reg iment, but they had the wrong man to deal with. The regiment was formed, the wings doubled up, faced in wards and arms stacked. The wings were then marched to the rear, leaving about sixty paces between them, a portion of the articles of war and the governor's orders read to thera, and those who were willing to obey, ordered to step to the front. But one hundred and eighty did so. These were placed on guard over the rest, and the " Buck- tails' sent for. In the mean time a battery of artillery was unlimbered and placed in position about three hun dred yards from them and soon after the " Bucktails" .came down on double quick and were formed into two lines. The mutineers remained silent, quietly watching the proceedings, when Colonel Biddle rode up, and giv ing the necessary orders marched them into the space between his lines, and escorted them to an open field, where they enjoyed the luxury of a broiling sun for the remainder of the day, and a drenching rain all night, GUARDS AFTER WHISKY. 57 which cooled them off and refreshed them wonderfully. The next morning the patriots were so transmogrified, that aU but a few returned to duty, and the balance were shipped to the Tortugas. This regiment afterwards proved itself one of the bravest and most gallant in the service, and this little freak of theirs proves that upon such occasions it only requires firmness and judgment to keep men in the right path and prevent them from dis gracing themselves. We remained in camp until noon of that day, when we marched to the southward about one mile, and en camped on the skirt of a fine piece of wood, where the ground was high and dry. Here considerable labor was spent in fixing up our camp, digging sinks and cutting a broad path through the wood for the camp guard to move on. In obedience to orders the baggage was very much reduced, officers being limited to eighty pounds, and the men to what they could carry on their backs. Two axes, one hatchet, five mess-pans, two camp kettles, were aUowed to twenty men, and one tent to six. This, at that time was exceedingly limited, but we afterwards leamed to look upon it as sufficient for a whole company. On the 24th, Company E, Captain J. Orr Finnie, was ordered to escort a train of one hundred wagons to Washington, which they did successfully, and rejoined us on the march back. Considerable liquor having been introduced into camp. Colonel Mann ordered Captain with his company and part of K, to seize and destroy all he could find in the neighborhood. Sixteen barrels belonging to a storekeeper at Charlesburg were destroyed, for which the Government paid. But the hardest job was to find the liquor belonging to a man who had followed the regiment from Easton, Pennsylvania. He generally kept his liquor a mUe or two off, and went to the huts and farm houses near the camp, and represented himself as a sutler waiting for his team. By the time he sold out his jug of whiskey, the guards would discover his where- 58 OUR CAMPAIGNS. abouts, and when they arrived he was gone to refill, and the next day would commence operations at some other cabin. At the railroad station near Buckeystown he played an exceedingly sharp trick on all concemed. A tavern keeper there was doing a lively business at five cents per glass. had but one keg, and wanted, to make the most out of it possible, so he got some of the men drunk and succeeded in raising a fight, when he immediately reported it to one of the colonels, who shut the tavern up. Then opened his keg in a bye- place, and sold out at ten cents per glass. But his time soon after came, they caught him, destroyed his liquor, and he was banished from our regiraent forever after wards. He was a fair sample of camp followers. On the 27th, the First Brigade, Colonel George H. Thomas, consisting of the Second United States Cavalry, one battery Fourth United States Artillery, one battery Ninth New York, the First Rifles, P. R. V. C, "Buck taUs," Colonel Biddle; the Second Infantry, P. R. V. C, Colonel Mann; the Twenty-ninth Pennsylvania Volun teers, Colonel Murphy; the Nineteenth New York State Militia, Colonel , and the Fifth Connecticut, Colo nel Ferry, were reviewed by Major-General Nathaniel P. Banks. The day unfortunately was drizzUng, which in a measure spoiled the effect. However, as the cavalry, artillery and infantry wheeled into column, and passed in review, they presented a fine appearance. The bands of each regiment wheeled to the left out of the column in front of the general, and continued playing until the regiment passed, when it followed in the rear. The colonels took their position by the side of the general until their command passed, the officers and colors saluting, and the men coming to a carry. The next afternoon, the Second Brigade was reviewed by the general, but it rained then also. While lying here, an order was issued by General Banks, disbanding Companies B, F, G and I, on the ground of being " below the legal standard of accept- DISBANDING OP COMPANIES. 59 ance,"^ the men being transferred to the other companies of the regiment, and the officers honorably discharged. There were some points in this order worthy of observa tion. The companies could not be "accepted," although they had been regularly mustered into the United States service nearly a month before, and the officers had been in the exercise and discharge of their duties during that time, and were recognized as such, they subsequently drawing their pay. Again, the officers were "honor ably discharged" from the United States service, which the order stated they could not be " accepted" into. But the most important point in regard to the order is, that it was illegal, there being no authority to discharge an officer from the army, except by order of the President of the United States. Tlus is distinctly stated in the Army Regulations of 1861, and was subsequently ad mitted to the author, by the Honorable Simon Cameron, Secretary of War. General Banks, however, had but lately entered upon his military life, and doubtless was ignorant of the laws upon the subject, or else it is hardly to be supposed he would have assumed a power not vested in him, and that too, when he had received orders to send all the Pennsylvania Reserves to General McCall, General McCall entertained the same opinion of the ille gality of the order, and protested against it, but Fitz John Porter was indirectly connected with the arrange ment, and he, with General Banks, were favorites of Mr, Cameron, and their friends were pushing them for posi tions, so the Secretary would not revoke an order he acknowledged to be illegal. This was a gross act of injustice, as the officers were no more responsible for the loss of the nien, than if they had been killed in battle, but the colonel finding his ranks greatly reduced, was unwiUing to await the slow process of recruiting, and supposing the governor would immediately order four full companies to fill up the regi ment, he sanctioned the act. But His Excellency could not be induced to assign companies in their place, and 60 OUR CAMPAIGNS. so far from acknowledging the legality of the act, he soon after issued commissions to the officers. The offi cers discharged were Captains P. McDonough, T. Bring hurst, E. M. Woodward and William Knox. First Lieu tenants John D. Schock, George W. Kite, John K. Brown and Thomas Weir. Second Lieutenants John Gill, WilUam Edwards and John H. Jack. One lieu tenant of the companies was not discharged, another dis charged who had resigned a month before, and had not been mustered into the United States service, and another transferred to a company in which there was no vacancy. Captain McDonough raised another corapany, joined the regiraent at Camp Pierpont, and was subsequently pro moted lieutenant-colonel. Captain Woodward entered . the ranks along with his men who remained true, was appointed sergeant-raajor of the regiment and at the battle of Antietam, promoted adjutant. Captain Knox was appointed sutler, and continued with the regiment until May, 1862. Of the lieutenants, John H. Jack retumed with Captain McDonough, was wounded at the battle of Bull Run, and promoted captain for gallant conduct. John K. Brown for a year was connected with the brigade commissary. Wm. Edwards entered the Curtin Light Guard as orderly sergeant, and George W. Kite the Ninety -first Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers. About this time First Lieutenant Isaac J. Harvey, Com pany K, was detailed to the Signal Corps. On the 28th, orders were received to draw provisions and prepare to march, and during the evening there was a busy time cooking and packing up. At three o'clock the next, morning the reveille sounded, and soon the camp was all astir, and at seven we took up our line of march,_the rain descending in torrents, drenching us to the skin. But onward the men pressed through the mud, and about four o'clock in the afternoon, after a tire some raarch of only eight miles, went into camp about two miles from Damestown. The next day Colonel Thomas was detached from the command of our brigade, TENALLYTOWN. 61 which devolved upon Colonel Charles J. Biddle, of the " !^ucktails." The regiment remained here until the 19th of September, when at eleven o'clock at night the " long roll " awakened the sleepers. Getting under arms and into line, we moved off in a southeasterly direction, and after a march of eight miles arrived at Muddy Branch, a tributary of the Potomac, where we were sent to guard a supply train. Here we remained until the 25th, when we again moved, marching fifteen miles, to Tenallytown, where we joined the Division of Pennsylvania Reserves, under Brigadier-General George A. McCall. CHAPTER vn. Tenallttown. Visit from the President and QB/fERAii McClellan. Presentation of Flags. A Hail-storm. The Regiments Brigaded. Tenallytown is situated at the junction of the Rock- viUe and Poolesville roads with the Georgetown road, three miles from the latter town, and one raile and a half frora the Chain Bridge. Here was erected Fort Pennsylvania, a raost important and formidable earth work, with a broad and deep ditch, heavy abatis, and guns mounted barbette. It was built by the Reserves, detaUs being made from all the regiments for that pur pose. Prior to our arrival several interesting ceremonies took place, araong which was a grand review of the Di vision by His ExceUency Mr. Lincoln, attended by his Cabinet, and Major-General George B. McClellan, com manding the Army of the • Potomac. The next day the following order was issued and read at the head of the regiments of the Reserves on dress-parade : 62 OUR CAMPAIGNS, Headquarters Pennsylvania Reserve Volunteer Corps, Carmp Tenally, August 2ist, 1861, Soldiers of the Pennsylvania Reserve I This day must be recognized as a propitious inauguration of your future military history. You have this day passed under the scrutinizing inspection of the Commanding General of the Army of the Potomac, in whose ability to success fully prosecute this war, the confidence of the country is reposed. You have passed in review before the Presi dent of the United States and his Cabinet ; and both the General and the President have expressed to me their unqualified approval of your soldierUke appearance on review, and of the discipline thus manifestly shown to exist in the corps. It now rests with you, officers of the Pennsylvania Reserve, to carry out to perfection the work so weU begun. Upon you devolves the care of your men ; let that be unremitting ; let every attention to their wants temper the rigid discipline necessary to the formation of the soldier, and with one heart we wUl uphold the flag of our State, and place her narae araong the foremost in the cause of our common country. GEO. A. McCALL, Brigadier-General GommaDding. On the 10th of September, the presentation of the flags, the gift of the Society of the Cincinnati, of Penn sylvania, to the Reserves took place. But nine regiments were present, which were drawn up in a large field adjoin ing the River Road. • The color companies of each regiment were marched to the front with their colonel on their right. Soon the swelling notes of a fine band were heard far away in the distance, and as the music ap proached the guns of Fort Pennsylania and CampbeU's batteries of the First Reserve Artillery thundered forth their salutes, which echoed from hill to hill, and rever berated through the valleys until it seemed like the roar of battle. Ere the sound had died away, the First Re serve, Colonel Simmons, and a procession of carriages PRESENTATION OF FLAGS. 63 appeared in view, containing His Excellency the Presi dent of the United States, accompanied by his Cabinet, Governor Curtin and General McClellan, with a host of government and Pennsylvania officials, reporters, &c. The flags were produced, and Governor Curtin com menced the presentation, and as each colonel received his regimental flag, he briefly returned thanks for the gift. The presentation being over, the Governor ad dressed the troops. When he told them that they were his fellow-citizens and Pennsylvanians, and that the honor and faith of Pennsylvania, to the last drop of her blood, and the last doUar of her resources, were pledged to the support of the Government, and the maintenance of our beloved institutions, he mounted the back seat of the carriage, and declaring that he was in full view of thou sands of her citizens assembled to carry that determina tion into effect, the enthusiasm was unbounded, and cheer after cheer went up from thousands of manly throats. General McCall briefly replied to the Governor, thank ing him for the gifts, and giving the assurance that the colors would never be dishonored. The presentation over, the regiments wheeled into columns of companies and passed in review before the Govemor. After this the company attending the Presi dent and Govemor partook of a collation, in pic-nio style, in the grove fronting General McCall's headquar ters. There were several ladies in the party — Mrs. Govemor Curtin, Mrs. General Maxwell, and others, whose presence added greatly to the pleasure of the occasion. The greatest sociability prevailed, and all E resent enjoyed themselves. President Lincoln was in is happiest mood, and was the life of the company. Wit and sentiment ruled the hour, without stiff" for mality. Through with the repast, they stepped into their carriages, and passing over the Chain Bridge into Virginia, returned to Washington, via the Long Bridge. WhUe we laid here heavy details were made daily 64 OUR CAMPAIGNS. for picket, cattle-guard, or working parties on the fort, besides which Colonel Mann was indefatigable in his efforts to discipUne the regiment by constant battalion and company driUs. Several demonstrations of the enemy's pickets created alarms in carap, and caused us to get under arras, all of which were pleasant Uttle exciteraents for the men. On the 7th of October, we were visited by a violent hail-storm accompanied with a high wind. Some of the stones were of the size of bullets, cutting through the tents, and almost driving the horses wild. The storm lasted about a half hour, leaving the atmosphere quite cool. The next day the fall election taking place in our State, the Reserves exercised their right of casting their vote, each com pany voting at its captain's quarters. About this time Lieutenant-Colonel Magilton resigned. While we laid here the organization of the regiments into brigades took place. The First Brigade, Brigadier-General John F. Rey nolds, was comprised of the First Rifles, "BucktaUs," Colonel Charles J. Biddle ; the First Infantry, Colonel R. Biddle Roberts ; the Second Infantry, Colonel Wil liam B. Mann; the Fifth Infantry, Colonel Seneca G. Simraons ; and the Eighth Infantry, Colonel Geor Hays. The Second Brigade, Brigadier-General George Gor don Meade, was coraposed of the Third Infantry, Colonel Horatio G. Sickel ; the Fourth Infantry, Colonel A. L. Magilton; the Eleventh Infantry, Colonel T. F. Gal lagher ; and the Seventh Infantry, Colonel E. B. Harvey. The Third Brigade, Colonel J. S. McCalmont, was composed of the Sixth Infantry, Colonel W. W. Ricketts ; the Ninth Infantry, Colonel Conrad F. Jackson ; the Tenth Infantry, Colonel J. S. McCalmont ; and the Twelfth In fantry, Colonel John H. Taggart. The First Reserve Cavalry, Colonel George D. Bayard, and the First Reserve Artillery, Colonel Charles F. Camp bell, although attached to the division were not brigaded. CROSSING THB CHAIN BRIDGE. 65 CHAPTER VHL Crossing the Chain Bridge. Camp Pierpont. The "lono roll." Beauregard reconnoitring. March to Draiiies- VTLLE. An indiscreet hen. Return to Pierpont. Ball's Bluff. Review. Resignation of Colonel Mann. Grand Review. Early on the morning of the 9th, General Smith ad vanced his division from the neighborhood of the Chain Bridge to Langley, where deploying his skirmishers, he pushed forward a brigade on the Drainesville pike, and took possession of Prospect Hill. With his main body, he diverged from the pike at Langley to the left, ad vancing towards Lewinsville, which village he entered' and occupied without opposition, leaving the main por tion of his troops at Smoot's Hill, and pushing on a de tachraent to occupy Miner's Hill. To occupy this extension ef the lines, the same day orders were issued to the Pennsylvania Reserves to march, and in a short time their tents were struck, wagons loaded and men in line. At seven o'clock in the evening our regiment took up its line of march, passing eastward through Tenallytown, and turning to the right, wound down a long, narrow, rough road to the Potoraac, along which it moved to the Chain Bridge, and set foot for the flrst time upon the " sacred soil of Virginia." As the regiraents crossed, their bands struck up " Dixie's Land," and their vociferous cheers burst forth, echoing from shore to shore of the rock-bound river. Moving on past Fort Marcy they bivouacked for the night about half a mile beyond Langley, Fairfax county. The next afternoon the wagons arrived, the tents were pitched, and Camp Pierpont established, named in honor of Frank H. Pierpont, the loyal Governor of Western Virginia. The position assigned to the Reserves was 5 66 OUB CAMPAIGNS. the extreme right of the Army of the Potomac, their picket line extending from the river past Prospect Hill over towards Lewinsville. The camp of the Second was to the right of the Chain Bridge and' Drainesville pike, on a low and badly drained piece of ground, at the base of a wooded hill, near the Langley School-House, which was occupied as the head-quarters of the First Brigade. During the first ten days, the " long roll" was beaten, and the men got under arms five times. On the night of the llth, the pickets in the neighborhood of Lewins ville were driven in, and the next day the enemy consist ing of at least three regiments of infantry, some cavalry and a battery of six guns, were discovered near Miner's Hill, concealed in the woods, which led to the supposi tion that an attack was meditated the next morning. At noon the drums beat, and the men got into fighting order. General McClellan and staff, including the Comte de Paris and the Due de Chartres, rode over and re- mainded during the night at Smoot's house, and at mid night the drums again beat and every preparation was made for an attack. It was a clear and beautiful night, the moon shone forth in its mild beauty ; the stars twinkled with resplend ent glory, and not a cloud glided through the sky. The drums beat "the long roll," the trumpets of the cavalry and artillery sounded their shrill blasts, and the bands of the infantry pealed forth their most soul-inspiring strains. The camp-fires bumed brightly, the glittering bayonets and sabres flashed in the light, and every heart beat high with hope. At two A. M., various colurans of troops, on the Maryland side of the Potomac, were }iut in motion, and moved across the river to a position rom which they could be easUy thrown to any point of the Une the emergency might require. Among them were some four thousand cavalry and fifty pieces of artil lery. But alas, after remaining in position until day light, chilled with the falling dews, the boyswere doomed to disappointment. Beauregard had only been on a A FRIGHTENED ORDERLY. 67 reconnoisance in force, to ascertain our position since the recent extension of our front. About this time Orderly Sergeant Richard Clendining, Company H, was elected Second Lieutenant, vice Robert H. Porter, resigned, July 21st. Also, Sergeant James R. Nightingale, Company C, Second Lieutenant, vice Frank Fox, resigned. About eleven o'clock on the night of the 18th, orders were issued for the Reserves to prepare to move early the next morning, with three days cooked rations in haversacks, and accordingly there was a busy time that night around the camp-fires. Early in the morning, the regiments were in Ime, and at seven o'clock they moved off' up the pike towards Drainesville. The First Brigade, General Reynolds took the lead with a squadron of the Eeserve cavalry. Colonel Bayard in the van, followed by two batteries of the Reserve artUlery, Colonel Campbell, the " Bucktails" and infantry with the ambulances, or " avalanches," as the boys called them, bringing up the rear. Crossing Difficult creek, we continued on thnough DrainesviUe, and halted to bivouac three miles beyond. Soon after General McClellan rode up and ordered us to fall back about four miles to Thornton's house, at the forks of the Chain Bridge and Leesburg and Alexandria pikes. The artiUery was posted to sweep the roads, pickets thrown out, and the men put in a heavy woods, where they slept peacefully. When we first commenced our retrograde movement many surmises that soon assumed the shape of rumors were set afloat, and as we at that time were incapable of judging of nulitary movements, they received much credence. An orderly came dashing down the road in search of General Reynolds and almost breathlessly in formed him, there were " forty thousand rebels coming down upon us." " Forty thousand old fools," replied the General, " go back to where you came from." The Second Brigade lay that night about three miles in our rear, and the Third about three miles in their rear 68 OUR CAMPAIGNS. at Difficult creek, to preserve our communication and prevent our rear being turned. General Smith's division was also moved out the Alexandria and Leesburg turn pike, to cover that road and those leading from Centre ville to Drainesville. The next morning by daylight the boys were up and hard at. work cutting down the chestnut trees in the woods to get the nuts, and the squealing of pigs was heard in various directions. An old hen that had been roosting on a tree commenced cackling, which attracted the attention of a soldier who was passing by. " Madam," said the boy, "you had better have kept your mouth shut," as he knocked her off with a stone. These pro ceedings were however put a stop to, and the boys restricted to the limits of the camp. On our march up we found a number of houses aban- . doned by their occupants, who had fled on our approach under the impression we were Mamelukes and Bedouins coraing to murder and destroy all we found. At some places we found the furniture carried out on the lawn ready for moving. We also found houses that had been abandoned for some time, their inhabitants having been driven away by their neighbors on account of their Union sentiments. During the day detachments were sent out to recon noitre the neighboring roads and country and make a planetable survey of a great portion of it, and along the Loudon and Hampshire railroad in several places they encountered the enemy's scouts, killing two and wound ing four of them. The next morning, the 21st, General McCall having accomplished the object of his advance, in obedience to orders received that morning from Gen eral McCleUan, returned to camp. Much comment was made at the time through the public press in regard to this movement, as the battle ol " BaU 's Bluff'" took place upon the day of our return, and we were in a position to have been pushed forward CHANGE OF CAMP. 69 in the enemy's rear, and probably reversed the fortune of the day. In the official report of General McCleUan, he states that General Banks sent a despatch to him on the 20th, that the signal station at Sugar Loaf telegraphed that the enemy had moved away from Leesburg, upon which he telegraphed to General Stone that McCall occupied DrainesviUe, and desired him to keep a good look-out upon Leesburg, and to make a slight demonstration, to see if the movement had the effect of driving them away. This despatch was received by General Stone at eleven o'clock A. M., and he immediately despatched Captain Philbrick, Fifteenth Massachusetts Volunteers with twenty men on a reoonnoissance towards Leesburg, who returned that night and reported having advanced within a mUe of the town without finding any enemy. He had then accomplished all that had been expected of him. It is probable that that night he conceived the idea of capturing the town by a brilKant coup, and the next day commenced the crossing of infantry, horses and artiUery over the broad and rapid river in three scows. The dis astrous results of this rash undertaking are weU known. General Stone acknowledged before the " Committee on the conduct of the war," that the movement on the 21st originated with himself and was not ordered by General McCleUan. ^ Upon the return of the Reserves to camp. General McCall was ordered to rest his men, and to hold them in~ readiness to return to Drainesville at a moment's notice. The camp of our regiment was moved about a half mUe to the north-east, on a fine high and sloping piece of ground, terminating abruptly towards the pike in a steep hill. At the base of this were the quartermaster's and sutler's tents and the guard house. On the crest was located the field and staff, and on the slope the com pany tents, with a fine parade ground beyond. About this time First Lieutenant R. H. Loudon, Com pany A, resigned, and Second Lieutenant Horace Neide 70 OUR CAMPAIGNS. was elected to fill the vacancy. Orderly Sergeant John J. Ross was chosen second lieutenant of the same com pany, and Mr. Neide was appointed adjutant of the regiment. Quartermaster-sergeant Wesley S, Mann having some time before been honorably discharged the service, John L. Benzon was appointed in his place, and WiUiam A. Hoyt made commissary-sergeant. On the 22d, an election was held for lieutenant colonel, which resulted in the unanimous choice of Major Wil Uam McCandless. On the 28th, General McCall reviewed the Reserve, consisting of the thirteen regiments of General Reynolds and Meade, and Colonel McCalmont's brigades, the First Reserve Cavalry, Colonel George D. E^yard, and the First Reserve Artillery, Colonel Charles F. Campbell, in front of Johnson's Hill. The field contained but about forty acres, the regiments were formed in divisions closed in mass, which wheeled into column in mass, and moved forward to where General McCall and staft" were stationed but before reaching him, the divisions broke into com panies at wheeling distance, and passed in review. When the line began thus to uncoil itself it reached a great distance, and presented a splendid spectacle. When Colonel Mann raised the regiment, his intention was to remain in the service until Washington was safe, and on the first of November, feeling the object for which he came out was accomplished, he resigned and returned to his profession. While in command of the regiment, he was assiduous in his attention to the welfare of the men, freqaently examining their rations, visiting their quarters and the hospital, and tempering the rigid dis cipline necessary to the formation of a soldier with a fatherly care. With his ability, if he had remained in the service, and had not had his " light put out," the eagles upon his shoulders would have undoubtedly soared until they reached the stars. While at Tennallytown, the men were kept half of the time in digging earthworks and building forts, and but GRAND REVIEW. 71 little time was left to devote to battalion drill. But here it was different, besides the difficulty of getting to Wash ington was so great, that few cared about taking the trouble to procure a pass. The result was, that a great portion of the time was spent in drilling, and the regi ments being all encamped within sight of each other, quite a rivalry sprang up between them, as to which would become the most perfect. The effect was a marked improvement in the discipline of the men. On the 7th the regiment was paid off by Major Smith, About the same time we exchanged the smooth-bore for the Harper's Ferry rifled muskets. On the 20th, a grand review of a portion of the Army of the Potomac, took place near Munson's Hill, in a valley, or rather plain, two miles long by one broad, stretching to the east towards Bailey's Cross Roads. The troops, numbering seventy-five thousand, rank and file, were drawn up in a line, forming three sides of a square. Upon the right were cavalry and artillery, and on the left was the Pennsylvania Reserves. Around this immense plain, thousands of people and vehicles were gathered. Munson's HUl was black with them, and the trees and houses were covered with men and boys. Con siderable time was occupied in getting the troops into their proper positions, and the centre of the field pre sented an animated scene, hundreds of aids and order- Ues gaUoping in all directions, carrying orders for the different divisions and brigades. At twelve o'clock, noon, a cortege consisting of Presi dent Lincoln and lady, inan open barouche, foUowed by Secretaries Seward and Cameron, a host of distinguished civilians and Foreign Ministers arrived, and took post near the flag-staff, in the centre and front of the square. Soon after General McClellan arrived, escorted by the Second and Fifth United States Cavalry, and his Body Guard, and took post to the left of the President, sur rounded by his Generals and Staff. A salvo of artillery announced his arrival. The President and Secretaries 72 OUR CAMPAIGNS. mounted horses and rode over to the General, and they started on the review. Commencing on the left, they passed down by the Reserves, and as the party, consist ing of some three hundred officers, generals and their staffs, rode up, the troops commenced cheering and the bands playing. As they galloped down the line at the rate of fifteen miles an hour, the terrific roar was kept up the whole way through, making the scene intensely thril ling. After passing around, a position was taken, and orders given for the column to pass in review. First came the Reserves, General McCall, which after passing, filed to the right and marched at once to their camp, some ten miles off. Then followed General Heintzleman's Division, which passed to the left, and marched some fifteen miles to their post. The divisions of Generals Smith, Franklin, Blenker, Porter and McDoweU, brought up the rear, and each was dismissed and marched di rectly to its camp. There were seventy regiments of infantry, seventeen batteries, and seven regiraents of cavalry, and the tirae occupied in passing was three hours. They raarched in column of division, and if they had been in the usual order, it would have taken twice as long. It was by far the finest review ever witnessed on this continent. About this time the men commenced preparing winter quarters. These consisted of walls of from four to six logs high, with wedge tents placed over them. Floors Of boards or logs were put down, shelves put up, and small sheet-iron stoves put in. From four to six gene rally bunked together, according to their liking. SKIRMISH NEAR DRAINESVILLE. 73 CHAPTER IX. Seirmtsh nr,\R Drainesville. FoRAGmo expedition. Battlb of Drahsksville Visit of Governor Cubtin. The Boys in Winter. Camp life. Firing fob medals. Picketing. "Old Uncle Ben. " " Taking French. ' ' Naughty ' ' sell. ' ' Early in the evening of the 26th, Colonel Bayard with five hundred and fifty men of the Reserve Cavalry, started on a scout up the pike. They halted at Difficult Creek, and before daylight, proceeded to DrainesviUe, and captured four pickets, Charles Coleman, Philip Car per, Dr. Day and son, and three other citizens. On the return a short distance from Drainesville, a volley was fired from the woods, mortally wounding Assistant-sur geon Alexander, and slightly two men. Colonel Bayard and Surgeon Stanton had their horses killed undf.r them. A portion of the cavalry were immediately dismounted, and entering the woods, killed three and captured six, including Captain Farley, of General Bonham's staff, and Lieutenant Carderees, of South Carolina. Thomas, the brother of Charles Coleman, was shot in the eye and breast, and died a few days afterwards. On the return home of the expedition, they were met by Generals McCall and Reynolds, with the First Brigade of the Re serves, and three batteries of artillery coming to their aid. These Colemans were accused of shooting wounded soldiers, and of cutting the head off of one who escaped from the first Bull Run, which they set upon a pole in front of their tavern, and threw his body to the hogs. Of these accusations there can be little doubt, as much pains were taken to inquire into them, and it was found, that while several of their neighbors acknowledged the fact, others said they had heard of them, and none gave 74 OUR CAMPAIGNS. a direct denial. Thomas, however, we presume, is now meditating upon his deeds, surrounded by an infinite host of congenial spirits, whose happiness and comfort is receiving the attention of their beloved master who prompted them to their acts. Captain Farley and Lieu tenant Carderees were on a courting expedition to the Misses , who lived in the neighborhood, and got themselves into trouble by neglecting their lady loves to go bushwhacking. On the 29th, Captain McDonough, whose company had been disbanded by General Banks, at Hyattstown, Md., arrived with a new company and was assigned his old letter, B. The lieutenants were John H. Jack and James 0. Manton, the former being one of the officers whose -company was also disbanded at the same time. This gave us seven companies.- On the 3d of December, the brigade started on a forag ing expedition, and proceeded about nine miles up the pike to Mr. Thomas' House, where they captured a large number of wagon loads of corn, etc., that had just been collected by the enemy. Mr. Thomas was an agent for the Confederate Govemment, and was in the habit of scouring the country and collecting from the inhabitants, much against their will, bedding, blankets, clothing, etc., for the use of the army. The boys returned in the after noon highly delighted with their expedition. While the roads were good. General McCall sent his expeditions a considerable distance from carap, reserving the forage near by for winter, but this prudential fore sight availed him little, for one day General Smith, whose division laid on our left, sent out an extraor dinary strong expedition and swept the whole country in our front, actually gathering within sight of our pickets. This was not considered exactly the fair thing, but further than a good-natured reproof no notice was taken of it. On the 12th, there was a review of the Reserves. On the 19th we practiced with blank cartridges, and in the BATTLE OF DRAINESVILLE. 75 evening received orders to be prepared to move at three o'clock the next morning. The Battle op Drainesville. — ^Early on the morn ing of December 20, 1861, Brigadier-General Ord, with the " Bucktails," Lieutenant-Colonel Kane, Easton's bat tery of four guns, and his own brigade, the Third, con sisting of the Sixth, Captain W. G. Ent; the Ninth, Colonel 0. F. Jackson; the Tenth, Colonel J. S. McCal mont, and the Twelfth, Colonel John H. Taggart, marched through Drainesville and some distance be yond on a foraging expedition, and on their return about two and a half o'clock, they discovered the enemy who were also on a foraging expedition, approaching from the direction of Centreville, on the Alexandria and Leesburg pike, in their rear. This pike joins the Chain Bridge and Leesburg pike a short distance east of DrainesviUe, near Thornton's house, where there is a heavy woods and high ground. To gain this position was the aim of both parties, and General Ord, by double quicking his command succeeded. The battle soon opened and lasted for one hour and a half with great fury, when General Ord observing the enemy to waver ordered a charge, when they broke and fled, leaving their kUled and wounded and two caissons on the field, and were followed by our victorious troops for over a mile. The enemy's force consisted of First Kentucky , Rifles, the First and Eleventh Kentucky Infantry, the Tenth Alabama and the Sixth South Carolina volun teers, a regiment of cavalry and a battery of six guns, comraanded by Acting Brigadier-general John H. For ney. Their loss in killed and wounded was one hundred and sixty -five men, they acknowledging that of one hun-_ dred and fifty. Among their killed was Colonel Tom Taylor, First Kentucky Rifles. Our loss was but seven killed and forty-one wounded, including four officers, among whom was Lieutenant-colonel Kane, slightly. We brought all our kiUed and wounded, many of the enemy's wounded, eight prisoners, and fifty-eight wagon 76 OUR campaigns. loads of forage to camp. General McCall arrived upon the field during the action and took command. General Reynolds, who had been moved with his brigade to Difficult creek, iraraediately upon hearing the sound of battle put his column in motion, striking across the country to the left for the purpose of inter cepting the eilemy in their retreat on the Alexandria and Leesburg pike, but his movement was counter manded by General McCall, whose positive instructions were not to bring on a general engagement. The Second Brigade, General Meade, was also put in motion, and General Hancock's division was ordered to our support. General McClellan proceeded as far as Miner's Hill, where, finding the battle was over, he returned. This battle was the first victory gained by the Army of the Potomac, and after the disastrous defeats of " BuU Run" and "Ball's Bluff," was hailed with joy by the people of the North. A. few days after the battle, His Excellency, Governor Curtin, visited the Reserves to congratulate them and care for the wounded, and he caused the flags of the regiraents that participated in the battle to be sent to Washington, where "Drainesville, December 20, 1861," was inscribed on each of them, after which they were re turned to them in the presence of the whole division and an assemblage of distinguished officials and civilians. On the 14th of January, Lieutenants John B. Robinson and J. Baxter Fletcher, Sergeants Joseph Benison, David H. Pidgeon and Isaac C. Sharp, were detailed to proceed to Philadelphia, on recruiting service. On the 20th, the regiment was paid off by Major Smith. Winter now set in, in earnest, and the " sacred soil of Virginia " began to assurae very rauch the appearance of a vast raud-puddle. Almost every day it drizzled, rained and snowed alternately ; the sun not blessing us with its genial rays, or Jack Frost coming to our relief to extricate us from the mud. Shoe and clothes brushes were at a discount. Nice young men who formerly CAMP LIFE. 77 prided themselves on their kid gloves and patent leather boots, began to reaUze the stern necessities of the case, and officers, sergeants, corporals and privates wandered about in a promiscuous mass, floundering and splashing in the mire as happy as young ducks in a mud-puddle. Nature happily has formed man to be contented with circumstances, and what seems the height of misery to the imagination, in reality loses much of its unpleas antness. The boys ate their rations, thought of their sweethearts, slept warmly in their bunks, stood in the mud on guard and shivered on picket, raaking the best of their situation, occasionally wishing the war was over, and having slight hopes of furloughs in the future. The reveille rattles and up springs the soldiers. " Fall in. Company A 1" rings down the street ; and with vari ations in the last letter, is repeated over the camp. Out tumble the sleepy boys and range themselves in line in front of their tents. Roll call is soon over and down they run to the neighboring brook where their toilet is performed. Back to their tents and tumbling in they soon have a glowing flre burning. Then cpraes " peas on trencher," as breakfast is called— for what reason I know not, considering the unvarying bill of fare. But the fascinating summons is always obeyed, and with tin plates and cups, to the music of the " tin plate march," they proceed to the cook's quarters of their own com pany. The milkless coffee is dipped from a huge kettle, and the salt junk from a pile and with a few wafers of hard tack, the patriots march back to their bunks and enjoy a hearty meal. At eight comes guard mounting — quite an imposing ceremony in clear weather. Then the boys cut their wood and fill their canteens, clean their muskets, sew on buttons, write home, read, cut wooden chains and bone rings, play cards, smoke and talk over old times, and brag about their sweethearts. At noon ' roast beef,'" is sounded and out turns the re doubtable tin plate band who waddle through the mud to the kitchen, where it is only by their redoubled ener- :78 OUR CAMPAIGNS. ^es with the more uproarious rattling of merry voices, that the words of discontent and grumbling are drowned. The "roast beef" generaUy turns out to be an article known to the soldiers as " salt horse," which sometimes gives way to its fresh kindred, or bean soup, but is usually only varied with salt pork. The afternoon glides away like the morning, and then comes the un changeable " hard tack and coffee." At nine, tattoo beats, and the regimental bands commencing on the right of each brigade begin playing and by the time they have ceased the half hour has expired for taps to sound, when all lights are extinguished and sounds cease. This is the routine of camp in bad weather, but when the ground will permit, drilling and bayonet exercise take place in the morning and afternoon, besides the "dress parade " of the evening. About this time target practice became quite popular and the crack of muskets was heard daily in the rear of the camp. Company C, Captain Byrnes, was presented with four handsome silver medals by the raerabers of Hibernia Engine Company of Philadelphia, which were fired for on the banks of the Potomac. The target was well riddled, and the prizes won by Corporal Thomas Wood, William Miller, Edward Concannon and WiUiam Derr. About the same time Company H fired for three magnificent silver raedals, and the prizes were won by Captain Mealey, Corporal Edward Dubois and Samuel Hershaw. A leather medal, richly decorated with pegs was presented to Andy , he making the worst shot. In the regular army they have company and regi mental prizes which are fired for yearly, and array prizes that becorae the private property of the winner. Although our regiraent nurabered but seven companies we were required to furnish the guard and picket details of a full regiraent, which, though it came rather hard, was cheerfully submitted to. The two companies de tailed for picket were up bright and early, and with a day's cooked rations, marched up the pike above the general's "old uncle BEN. 79 quarters, where they were inspected by one of his aids, who verified the detail. They then proceeded to Pros pect HiU, where they were divided into three reliefs, and relieved the old picket. Shelters of boughs were here built for the Reserve to lie in, and a considerable portion of the day was spent in cutting wood for the night. Our regiment generally picketed from the pike to the Potomac, but when it laid to the left of the road they made the Ball House their headquarters. Mr. Ball was a violent secessionist, and like most of his clan had abandoned his home and with his famUy gone south upon the ap proach of our army. The consequence was, everything soon went to ruin. The trees were cut down, fences tumed up, and one board after another disappeared from the house, untU the chimney alone marked where it once stood. This was the case all the way down to the Chain Bridge and to Alexandria, the only exceptions being of those who had sense enough to remain at home, and those who had retumed from the exile into which they had been driven by their secession neighbours. When the rebellion first broke out, the secessionists, although in the minority, with the aid of Confederate troops drove the Union citizens from their houses, , im pressing the young men, and plundering and robbing the old and helpless. An old slave and his wife were all that remained on the farm, and their cabin and little garden were undis turbed. They obtained their daily food from the haver sacks of the soldiers, for which they appeared grateful. They had great faith in the efficacy of prayer, and when "old Uncle Ben" discoursed upon the war, he was wont to observe, " Massa Linkum has a power of men, and them am mighty fond of chickens. I spects Massa Govemment must be powerfully rich to own all dem wagons and horses." Uncle Ben truly loved the afore said gentleman, and frequently inquired if they "had eber experienced religion." Picketing in pleasant weather was much preferable to 80 OUR CAMPAIGNS. the camp, but on the bleak hiUs of the Potomac, during the bitter cold nights, the wind came rushing down the vaUey, penetrating to the very bones. Sometimes the weather was so intensely cold, that the men were relieved every hour. Then it was their pace was quickened on the beat, and in their frail shelters they huddled up together to get warra, the motto being, " united we sleep, divided we freeze." Some of the men, with bad memories, had considerable trouble in remembering the countersign. One night, when Pat D was posted, the' corporal gave him the word "Malta." "Now remeraber, Pat, by thinking of malt from which liquor is made, you can remember. it." "Yes, sir," replied Pat. Sometime afterwards, when an officer visited the posts, he interrogated Pat. Pat looked confused for a few moments when his face brightened up as he replied, "and is it rye, sir?" At another time when the word was " Brandywine," one of the men replied, "wine and whiskey," and at another time the word " Toledo" was tortured into "toad eater." Beyond the picket line was the cavalry patrol, who moved to and fro on the pike, as far as Difficult creek. Sometimes on cold nights the patrols would induce some one of the infantry who was off duty to ride a round for him, while he warmed hiraself. This, however, he had better not have been caught at. Of course, the men wished to visit their homes during the winter, and as furloughs could not be granted to all, . many were doomed to disappointment. Considerable numbers, however, took a run home for a week or ten days without any authority, which was called " taking French." To accomplish this, they concealed themselves in the army wagons and were smuggled across the Chain Bridge to Washington, where they procured citizens clothes and went north. Many of them, however, were detected by the depot guard in spite of their disguise, for soldiers have a peculiar look and style about them that is easily detected by a practiced eye. And woe unto THE MOTHER OP JACKSON. 81 them that were caiight, for the guard-house was their certain resting place until they were sent to their regi ments under arrest. None of the Second bOys, however, were put to this indignity, but whether it was on account of their virtue or excessive cuteness, the reader mu,it judge for himself When the Potomac froze over this evil became prevalent in spite of the sure punishment that awaited their return to camp, foi" the men were willing to stand it for the pleasures of home. However, there is a mode to remedy all evils, so pickets were stationed on the river with orders to shoot dowa any one who at' tempted to cross. But home, no matter how humble is the palace of the heart, ahd some of the boys took the risk and got safely over, and surely it was right to deal leniently with them when they returned. A short distance beyond Difficult creek was the resi dence of Mrs. Jackson, the mother of Jim Jackson who kUled the lamented Ellsworth. As it was ascertained that her house was a general rendezvous for scouts and spies, whom she harbored and concealed, a squad of cavalry visited it early one morning with an ambulance and escorted her to General McCall's headquarters. Quite a number of concealed weapons and some important sketches of our picket line, that had been corrected to correspond with the changes lately made in it, were cap tured, so the old lady was sent to Washington. On the 14th of February, First-Lieutenant Peter Sum mers, Company H, resigned, and Orderly Sergeant Hugh P. Kennedy was elected to fill the vacancy. About tho Same time Assistant-surgeon J. W. Lodge resigned, and Doctor John Malone was appointed by Governor Curtin liis successor. Five volunteers frora each regiment of the Reservd were called for about this time for the Western flotilla, and the seventy-five men thus obtained from the division formed the crew of the celebrated gunboat Carondolet that ran such a glorious career on the Mississippi. A very amusing sell was started about this tim** by 6 82 OUR CAMPAIGNS. some wags, who circulated in all the regiments, at the same tirae, a rumor to the effect that any volunteer who would enter the regular army would receive one hun dred doUars in cash, and sixty days furlough by apply ing at headquarters the next morning at ten o'clock. The consequence was that headquarters was literally besieged by the gulled ones, and those who came out of curiosity. The General, observing the crowd, sent one of his staff, " Old Snapping-Turtle," out to inquire the cause of it, who stormed like an old war-horse at the men for being such fools. On the 3d of March the Reserves were ordered out with "kits complete," and marched to the Chain Bridge and back, a distance of eight miles. On the 5th this was repeated, the object being to prepare the men for the fatigues of the campaign. CHAPTER X. Opening of the Campaign op 1863. Farewell to Pierpont. The March. Hawkhurst's Mills. Army Corps. Wet and Noisy Night. "Hollo Barney," Alexandria. Embarka tion for the Peninsula.i By Railroad. A Night in Rebel Cabins. Ruins of Manassas. Bull Run Field. Selling Cider. March to the Rappahannock. Cavalry Skirmish. Washinton vs. David op old. For the proper elucidation of the subject it will be necessary here to refer to the planning of the campaign that was about opening. Two bases of operations for the Army of the Potomac presented themselves; one submitted by the President, January 31st, from Washing ton, involving an attack upon Centreville and Manassas direct, or the turning of one or both flanks of those po sitions, or a combination of those plans. An attack on the left flank involved too long a Une of wagon communica tion, and on the right flank by way of Occoquan if success- PLANS POR THE CAMPAIGN, 83 ful by a. decisive battle, could not have been followed up with commensurate results. Should the condition of the enemy's troops permit, he could fall back upon other positions, and fight us again and again, or if he was not in a condition to give battle outside of the intrenchraents at Richmond, it would have proved difficult and hazard ous to have followed him there either by way of Frede ricksburg or GordonsvUle, as he would have destroyed the railroad bridges and otherwise impeded our progress. Besides a line of communication from Washington to Richmond, through an enemy's country, was impracti cable. A direct attack upon Centreville would have been productive of no other results, and a combined attack upon that point and the right flank was impracti cable on account of the distance and obstacles intervening between the columns. The plan submitted by General McClellan, February 3d, was to operate from the lower Chesapeake, making Urbana, on the lower Rappahannock, the point of land ing, which is distant from West Point one march, and frora Richmond but two. This would have necessitated the abandonment of Manassas, Centreville and the Upper Potomac by the enemy, and if followed with celerity of movements the probable cutting off of Magruder in the Peninsula, and the occupation of Richmond before the enemy's forces could have been concentrated for its de fence. The latter proposition was adopted, and as early as February 14th the collection of vessels for the transporta tion of the army to the lower Potomac was commenoed, On the 9th of March information was received that the enemy having discovered the intended movement, was evacuating Centreville and Manassas, as well as hia positions on the upper and lower Potomac. Upon hia retiring, he having destroyed all the railroad bridges in his rear, and the roads being almost impassable, it was impos sible to inflict the usual damage generally afforded by the withdrawal of a large army in the face of a powerful foe. But as considerable time must elaose before transporta- 84 OUR CAMPAIGNS. tion could be coUected to convey the army to the lower Potomac, an opportunity was offered to experience the troops on the march and bivouac previous to the cam paign, and to get rid of the superfluous baggage which had accumulated in the camp during our long period of inactivity. Accordingly on the night of the 9th, orders were is sued for a general movement of the army the next morn ing, our regiraent being ordered to have four days' cooked rations in haversacks, sixty rounds of cartridges, and kit complete. At eleven o'clock on the 10th of March, 1862; we got into line, and bidding farewell to our happy horae at Pierpont, crossed over the fields to the pike, and took up our line of march. A heavy rain had fallen through the night and during the morning, rendering the roads very muddy, and our backs being green, the knapsacks bore heavily upon us. But all were in excellent spirits, be lieving we would soon meet the foe, and sooner than fall out to rest, the men threw away their extra clothing, strewing the road along the march with coats, blouses, blankets, etc. We continued up the pike across Difficult Creek to Spring Vale, within three miles of Drainesville, when turning to the left and following a bridle path through the woods and over the hUls, we. reached about dark the neighborhood of Hunter's Mills, near which, on the Loudon and Hampshire railroad we bivouacked, the night being cold and rainy. Here we remained until the next afternoon, when we marched about two miles to a high elevation near the ruins of Hawkhurst's Mills, where we encamped. Our encampment was about seventeen miles from Pierpont, two from Fairfax Court House, and eight from the Bull Run battle-field. The scene here was magnifi cent, particularly at night, when the valleys and hills beneath us for miles around, were lit up with thousands of camp-fires. Here we received our "shelter tents," which experience taught ua were the best in use for an ORGANIZATION OP THE CORPS. 85 army in the field. But at first they were very unpopular, the men calling them " dog houses," and for amusement creeping into them on their hands and knees, and bark ing out of the ends at each other. It should have been stated, that on the 8th of March, the President directed the Army of the Potoraac to be divided into four corps, in compliance with which, there was assigned to General Irwin McDoweU the first, con sisting of the divisions of Franklin, McCall and King, To General E. V. Sumner the second, consisting of Rich ardson, Blenker and Sedgwick. To General S. P. Heint- zleraan the third, consisting of F. J. Porter, Hooker and Hamilton ; and to General E. D. Keyes the fourth, con sisting of Couch, Smith and Casey. On the llth, an order from the President announced, that as General McClellan had personally taken the field, he was relieved from the command of the other military departments, and would retain command of the Department of the Potomac. It being ascertained that the enemy were in no force north of Warrenton Junction, on the evening of the 14th, during a light fall of rain, we took up our march through the woods, passing on every side bivouacks, and burning bough huts and arbors, the glare from which lighted us upon our road for miles. Reaching the Alexandria and Leesburg Pike, we turned to the right, and passing along it for two miles, about eleven o'clock filed into a den^e open woods, where, in spite of the falling rain, our fires soon burnt brightly, and we slept soundly. The next morning early, during a heavy rain, we took up our march, moving across the country to the DrainesviUe Pike, and turning down it crossed Difficult Creek, pass ing within four miles of our old home at Pierpont, and entering a woods, moved back again towards the Alex andria and Leesburg Pike by a private road. The rain by this time was faUing in torrents, flooding the swampy ground, making the marching most tiresome and fatigu ing. Soon the ranks were broken, the men scattering, 86 OUR CAMPAIGNS. plunging through the mud, ahd toiling under their knap- , sacks, made doubly heavy by their blankets and over coats becoraing saturated with water. Soon they com menced dropping out, and laid scattered through the woods for miles. Upon striking the turnpike again, a long halt was called for the stragglers to catch up, and then moving on, we soon filed into a wood and stacked arms. This was about three o'clock, and although we had marched fifteen railes, we were but three miles from the starting point in the morning, the detour to the left being made on account of the enemy having burned the bridge on the pike over Difficult Creek some months previous. After much patient labor, we succeeded in getting our fires started, and towards night hot coffee was served out, but such was the violence of the storm, that it was impossible to put up our tents, the. most of the men spending the night in cutting wood and standing around the fires. At one time the heavens appeared to out do themselves, opening their flood-gates and pouring down a torrent of water, stifling the wind and flooding all below. The fires were almost instantly extinguished, and then the patriots were aroused to a full appreciation of their position. Not to be thus conquered and sub dued by the raging elements, they set up their wild shouts and huzzahs, making the woods and hUls for miles around echo with their noise, until by indomitable perseverance, they actually got themselves into a good humor. All that was wanted after they got fully started to complete their happiness, was a fiddle and a "straight four," and then they would have made a full night of it. But morning came, and with it a bright warm sun, Nature appearing to have exhausted herself in the mad rage of the night. At ten o'clock the next morning, we moved down the f)ike, passing Falls Church, Munson's Hill, and a long ine of fortifications erected at different times by the Union and Confederate troops, and arriving within a mile "HALLO BARNEY," 87 of Alexandria, moved over the fields to the left, and en camped near the Cemetery and the Fairfax Seminary. On account of the roads, and the sleepless night, the march was rather an inanimate one, but little spirit of joviality being displayed until we met a supply train moving in an opposite direction among whose drivers was a red panted Zouave, the first we had seen. One of the boys found out his name, and as he passed cried out "hallo Barney" — Barney turned round to see who. his friend was, when the whole regiraent saluted him. At - first he was disposed to take it ill-naturedly, and gave full vent to violent gesticulations and oaths, but finding he was " in for it," he jumped upon the seat of the wagon, and commenced dancing and waving his hat. As he passed by our regiment, the next took it up, and for a long way we could hear the shouts of " Barney," and see his red pants dangling in the air. Thus a happy point taken will enliven for a tirae a whole army. The war metaraorphosed Alexandria from a quiet Old Virginia town into a bustling business place. Alraost every house was turned into a store, restaurant or board ing house, all of which did a thriving business from the continual influx of officers, soldiers, government attaches and innumerable teamsters and workmen. Though the sale of Uquor was prohibited under severe penalty, and the provost guard continually visited places suspected of the illicit traffic, yet large quantities of it were daily sold. One individual had a barrel up his chimney, another one upon the top of his house, from which he drew it out of a gas jet in a back room, and a third drew it from a private house next door by means of his hydrant. The city possessed not a single attrac tion for a private residence. As the whole army was now concentrated in the neighborhood, the streets were crowded with soldiers, raany of whom went to excesses, though not annoying the citizens or particularly harming themselves, but as the Reserves had not been paid off for 88 OUR CAllPAIGNS, some time, and were out of money, they won golden opinions for their good conduct. The enemy's retreat from Manassas to GordonsvUle somewhat modified the plans of the carapaign, and at a council ~ of corps commanders held at Fairfax Court House on the 13th, the Peninsula campaign was decided upon, provided the enemy's steamer Merrimac could be neutralized, the army be immediately transported to the Lower Potomac, the navy co-operate in silencing the batteries on the York river, and Washington be made safe. If not, to Richmond via Manassas and the Rappa hannock. The embarkation of the army was imme diately commenced at Alexandria, Washington and Perryville, and in thirty-seven days after the order was received by the Hon. John Tucker, Assistant-secretary of War, one hundred and twenty-one thousand, five hundred men, fourteen thousand five hundred and ninety- two animals, one thousand one hundred and fifty wagons, forty-four batteries, seventy-four ambulances, besides pontoon bridges, telegraph materials, and the enormous quantity of equipage, etc., required for an army of such magnitude, were transferred to Fortress Monroe with the loss of but eight mules and nine barges, an operation of such magnitude as was without a parallel in this country. The weather during our encampment here was cold, rainy and unpleasant, rendering the ground mostly unfit for drilling, but every favorable opportunity was taken advantage of for that purpose. We received our full ration and a ration of whisky was served out every rainy night. As the troops who had laid here all winter had cut down and used the wood in the neighborhood, it was scarce, and the boys hearing some regiments of New York troops had embarked for the Peninsula, went over and rummaged their encampments, and procured a rich supply of boards, etc. Sorae commissary stores were left behind under guard, to which they proceeded to help themselves, under the patriotic impression that as they belonged to Uncle Sam, it was their duty to improve his START POR THE RAPPAHANNOCK. 89 property by keeping themselves in good fighting order. On the 2d of April, Captain George A. Woodward was elected Major, First lieutenant Horace Neide, Captain, and Orderly Sergeant Daniel H. Connors, First Lieu tenant. After the election the Major regaled the men on ale, and his opponent on whisky, which made what is termed a " stone wall," some portion of which toppled over during the night. About this time a company of Pennsylvanians, under the coramand of Lieutenant John M. Clark, who had been attached to the First District of Columbia Volun teers, were nominally transferred to our regiment, taking letter F, but were aligned by General McCall to take charge of the extra line of caissons for the artillery battaUon of the Reserves. Our Corps de Armee, being detached from the Army of the Potomac, constituted an independent command-^ the Department of the Rappahannock — under General McDowell, designed to cover Washington. We prepared to move south, first having the cartridges increased to one hundred per man. Early on the morning of the 9th, we struck tents, and strapping them on our knapsacks, with three days' cooked rations in haversacks, moved off. A severe storm of alternate rain, hail and snow, which had been faUing for several days, was prevailing, rendering the roads and fields we passed over in many places knee-deep in mud. Passing down between Forts Ellsworth and Lyons, we marched about three miles to the Orange and Alexandria railroad where we halted to await transportation. Here we stood six hours shivering in the raud, with our heavy knapsacks upon our backs, but about three o'clock the cars arrived and our brigade embarked and we got under way. Our journey was without any incident of interest, and at nine o'clock in the evening the train halted about two miles beyond Bull Run creek, in front of a large deserted encampment of huts, that had been built and ;9P OUB CAMPAIGNS, occupied by the enemy during the winter. We had an ticipated a hard night of it, in the open fields without fires," so these proved a perfect god-send to us, as the snow was deep and the storm was raging with fury, and many of the men had been exposed through the day on platform cars, so closely huddled together that they could hardly move. We were in the cabins but a fow mo ments before bright crackling fires were burning in the ample chimney-places and we were partaking of a boun tiful supper of hot coffee, crackers and junk. As Ave-sat around the cheerful fires enjoying our pipes, we soon forgot tha exposure of the day and the storm that was raging without, and then stretching ourselves upon the clay floor we enjoyed a good night's sleep. The next morning at eight o'clock we formed and marched up tha railroad about three miles, the surround ing country presenting a scene of desolation, being stripped of fences and wood. On either side were deserted huts, camps, broken wagons, caissons, barrels and boxes. At Manassas Junction were the vast ruins of the depot and other buildings burnt by the enemy in the haste of retreat, they being unable to remove the im mense amount of provisions and clothing collected there. Smouldering ruins, wrecked cars and machinery, vast piles of flour, pork, beef, wagons, lumber, trunks, bottles, demijohns, tents, hides, tallow, bones, dismantled fortifi cations and rifle pits all mixed up together in inextri cable confusion. Moving on, wa entered a large open {(lain, surrounded by woods; and passing through a col- ection of deserted huts, we encaraped in a pine forest on its border, in an old encampment of our skedaddling friends. The only thing of life left to welcoma us was a pst turkey buzzard whose wings they had clipped to prevent its escape. What a fit emblem it would make for their bogus Govemment I Near by, in a fine oak forest, were the ruins of the enemy's hospitals, which they burnt before leaving. BULL RUN BATTLE FIELD. 91 J They were of boards, one story high and consisted of - five rows, of ten buildings, each twenty-four by one hundred and twenty-eight feet, besides several detached houses and stables, all connected by broken sandstone walks, to protect the patient's feet from the damp earth. Near them was a large grave yard, and many clusters of graves were found in the neighborhood. WhUe here many of us visited the Bull Run battle field, situated about seven railes distant, finding but few occupied houses on the road, most of the inhabitants ha-ving left, they beUeving the stories so freely promul gated in the Southern papers of our monstrosities. Where they remained at horae a guard was furnished for their houses and their property protected. Near the battle-field were a number of huts lately occupied by the enemy, and over the door of one was found nailed the cross bones and skull of a human being. Leg bones were also found with the marrow but partially dried up in them, from which finger rings had been sawed off. What singular and refined tastes the chivalry of the . South have ! It was noticed that while there were quite a nuraber of bibles and tracts left in their cabins, there were no cards to be found, but whether this was to be accounted for by the fact of their being conscientiously opposed to gaming, or considered the cards the most valuable of the two, we cannot say. The field, of course, . possessed much interest to all, and the important posi tions were carefully exarained. - The bones of men and horses lay scattered about unburied although the enemy laid in the immediate neighborhood for eight months. Near the water courses were found the skeletons of many of the wounded who had crawled to them to quench their thirst. On the 12th the regiment was paid off by Major John M. Pomeroy, and soon after our sutler, Captain Knox, resigned and left us. Mr. Stokes was appointed in his place, but being unable to give satisfaction, soon after left. About this time Sergeant-Major Augustus T. Cross, ^2 OUR CAMPAIGNS. was appointed adjutant of the regiment, vice Neide promoted. Soon after our arrival, quite a number of sutler and other "shebangs," were opened in our neighborhood, which furnished us with an abundant supply of the various articles so necessary for the soldier's comfort. One individual was doing a thriving business, he having succeeded in smuggling through a barrel of cider, which deUghtful beverage he dispensed to his thirsty patrons at -ten cents a glass. Some of the boys, however, con ceived the idea of running opposition to him, and having succeeded through false pretence in borrowing an auger and spicket from him, cut a hole in the back of his tent, tapped his barrel, and commenced operations. As they charged but half price, aud gave twice as much, they were liberally patronized, and after selling out in an in credibly short time, they decamped, when he was invited around to view the operation. He owned up he had been "sold" in the auger and spicket arrangement, but thought the joke a " little practical." While here the Second and Third Brigades arrived, companies from our regiment were sent on picket, and frequent battalion drills were had. At eight o'clock on the morning of the 17th, we formed and moved out on the open plain, where we laid until eleven o'clock, when we moved off to the south, soon striking the railroad, down which we marched, crossing Broad and Kettle runs on the new bridges that were being built to replace those destroyed by the enemy. Near the latter is Bristow Station, where Company A, Captain Neide, was detailed on guard duty. About a mile beyond this we filed into a woods, and encamped for the night near Brentsyille. The next morning early we again moved down the railroad. The day was very warm, and many of the men threw away their overcoats to lighten their burdens. About noon we reached Cat- lett's Station, near Cedar Creek, a tributary of the Occo quan River, where we encamped. That night Companies THE BIVOUAC. 93 E and H, Captains Finnie and Mealey, were detailed for picket under Major Woodward, on the heights beyond Cedar creek. While we laid here, we found for the first time honest people, they acknowledging frankly they were secessionists at heart, but regretted secession since it was followed by war. It was much more satisfactory to talk to such than with hypocrites, who uttered senti ments of loyalty, while traitors at heart. Much rain fell whfle we laid here, which prevented our drilling. While here our surgeon. Dr. Thomas B. Reed, of Washington county, Pennsylvania, was promoted bri gade surgeon, and ordered to Yorktown. His departure from araong us was regretted, as his eminent skill and abUity, and fine intellectual qualities, caused his loss to be deeply felt. On the 26th, about noon we marched off, crossing Cedar creek on falling trees, and passing over hills and dales, through the woods and fields, in a southeasterly direction and towards night bivouacked on the south bank of Elk creek, having raarched six .miles. On our route we passed several deserted houses and camps, also a number of newly made graves. The ground we laid upon was a gentle sloping hillside, admirably situated for our comfort, having an abundance of water and fence rails near by. What a sight it is to see a division bivouac for the night ! The brigades and regiments as they raarch into the fields are assigned their positions, and no sooner have they stacked arms, than off goes their knapsacks, and the men rush for the nearest fences. In a few minutes they are torn down, and thousands of men, with several rails each upon their shoulders, are seen hurrying towards their stacks. Then another rush is made for water, and soon a thousand fires are brightly burning, with the busy blue coats around them cooking' their coffee. Then the pipe, then the blanket, and soon all are lost in peaceful sleep, except the guard, who, through the lone hours of the night, keep watch and ward over their comrades. 94 OUR CAMPAIGNS. • The next morning was Sunday, a clear and beautiful day, and about six in the morning, after sounding the sick caU, we marched off. On our march we passed two churches, one a Methodist and the other a Baptist, but in neither of them had service been held for eight months. Near one was collected a nuraber of slaves, who told us they had been for sometime discussing the subject of - moving North. They, however, were divided in their opinion, the old folks prefering to - remain near their childhood's horae, but the younger longing for the liberty they knew not of We passed through a sraall village called White Ridge, near which, about noon, we en caraped in a pine woods, having made eight miles. Near by was a pond of clear water with a spring in the raiddle of it, but without proper outlet. The raen went to it to fill their canteens, but General Reynolds ordered his orderlies to ride in aud muddy the water, which caused the men to seek other and purer water. On our route we were followed by many negroes and some whites, whose' object, principally, was to get such clothes as the men would give them. At guard-mounting, an amusing scene took place. When the band commenced playing, the negroes involuntarily broke forth into a dance, clap ping their hands and singing. After this was over, a grand butting raatch took place, their heads crushing together like rocks, but producing no effect upon them. After scrambling for a few handfuls of pennies thrown among thera, they left for their horaes, happy with their afternoon's sport. Corapanies B and K, Captains McDo nough and Sraith, were thrown out on picket for the night. The next day was clear, pleasant, and cool for march ing, and at six in the morning we moved off, foUowing the fields along side of the roads. The country became more diversified and timber heavier. As we marched on we passed a large brick house, from a tree in front of which was flying the stars and stripes, and as the men caught sight of it, they rent the air with deafeding CAVALRY FIGHT. &6 cheers, which rolUng down the line echoed through the woods. At noon a long halt was called, and then pass ing through Hartword, a small village, we bivouacked at three o'clock in a fine woods two miles from Falraouth, Stafford county, and although we made seventeen railes^ the brigade came in in fine order with but few stragglers. The next morning, the 29th, we marched early and passed by where our cavalry had a skirraish with the enemy on the 18th, and which was marked by a breast work of rails, newly made graves, and dead horses. The enemy's force consisted of a regiment of infantry, one of cavalry, and a battery of artillery. They were charged by the First Reserve Cavalry under Colonel Bayard, and after being driven from their position were pushed to the Rappahannock, which they crossed on the upper bridge at Falraouth, which they burnt. Our loss was five men and fifteen horses kUled, and sixteen men wounded. The enemy's loss was about equal to ours, i Lieutenant- colonel Kilpatrick, Second New York (Ira Harris) Ca. valry was wounded, and Lieutenant Decker kiUed, Colonel Bayard's horse was wounded in four places. Soon after we entered Falraouth, through which we passed with our banners unfurled and bands playing. The inhabitants flocked to the doors and windows to gaze at us, and a motley crowd of negroes followed, highly delighted at the music and sight. About a mile beyond, on the Aquia road we encamped in a fine wood, where we found an abundance of fuel and water. The same afternoon the Second Brigade, General Meade, arrived and encamped to our left. The ground where our camp laid was once owned by Washington, he having inherited it from his father. Here he spent his youth between the age of ten and sixteen, during which time he obtained the principal portion of his education. Near the headquarters of General King, at the " Phillip's House," stood the old mansion, from the lawn in front of which, it is said, George threw a stone into the river, a feat which none 96 OUR CAMPAIGNS, of his companions were able to accomplish. We are not the least surprised at this, as the distance is about one mile I If tlus statement is true, the patriot in his youthful days must have been a powerful boy, and able to put in the shade the feats of David of old. CHAPTER XI, Falmouth. Visit of President Lincoln. Crossing the Rap pahannock. Grave op Mart Washington. Love bubble. Cemetery. March to Gray's Landing. Embarkation fob THE Peninsula. Voyage to the White House. March to Dispatch Station. The town of Falmouth is situated on the east bank of the Rappahannock, below the Falls, and nearly opposite Fredericksburg, with which it was connected by two bridges, one at the upper and one at the lower end of the town, the latter being used by the Aquia Creek RaUroad, but ijoth of which were burned by the enemy, with several steamboats and a number of sailing crafts upon our approach. A church in which several denomina tions forraerly worshipped, a cotton factory, and several store houses constituted the brick portion of the town, and about eighty houses, mostly in a dilapidated con dition, constituted the frarae portion of it. Deep water guUeys were worn in the streets, and the whoie place presented the appearance of decay. What few articles the inhabitants offered for sale commanded enormous prices, but soon the town was filled with our sutlers, storekeepers and photographers, who gave new life to it. On the 1st of May, private E. M. Woodward, Com pany H, was appointed sergeant-major of the regiment, vice A. T. Cross, promoted adjutant. On the 3d, Easton's, Cooper's and Kern's batteries arrived. On the 4th, the FALMOUTH. 97 Third Brigade, Genefal Ord, arrived, and on the llth, Company A, Captain Neid4 came in with the Fifth Re- serve, Colonel Simmons, from Bristoe Station, where they lost William Holmes, the first one of the regiment that died. On the same afternoon, the enemy drove in our out-posts of the Second New York Cavalry, under Major Duffie, on the Bowling Green road, back of Fredericks burg, but coming upon the reserve, they were hand somely repulsed, with the loss of one lieutenant and ten men prisoners, one killed and several wounded ; our loss being but one horse. The eneray in our front were under the command of General Anderson, and nurabered about fifteen thousand men. On the 12th, there was great rejoicing in camp upon the reception of the news of the evacuation of Yorktown, and the destruction of the Merrimac by the enemy, in honor of which a salute was fired of forty-four guns. About the same time, William Goucher, of Easton Pennsylvania, was appointed sutler of the regiment, and soon after arrived with a good supply of stores. Lieutenant Robinson, with his recruit ing party, also arrived from Philadelphia with a number of recruits. At Falmouth a large bakery was established by Cap tain James B. Clow, division commissary, which was capable of turning out twenty -one thousand six hundred loaves of br^.ad per day. The Reserves picketed as far as eight miles up the river, and in a circle around Fal- 2K>uth, about two miles from camp. Several of the Eighth regiment were killed while on duty at the mines. Neaf the upper end of the town, resided Mr. J. B. Pickner, a noted secessionist and a gentleman of great wealth, who owned large tracts of land on both sides of the river, the upper bridge and a factory. While we irere on cattle guard at his farm, he frequently visited and conversed with us. He deeply lamented the war, ¦not on account of the destruction of the Govemment, but of his property, but he consoled himself with the belief that the Govemment would have to pay for the damage 7 98 OUR CAMPAIGNS. done by the rebels. To this we fully agreed, and suggested to him the propriety of applying for a pension for his eon, who was wounded while in the Confederate service. The old gentleman looked somewhat confused at this, he not being aware that we were acquainted with his own and his son's antecedents. While we laid here Dr. Edward Donnelly, of Phila delphia, surgeon Fifth Reserve, was transferred to our regiment, vice Dr. Thomas B. Reed, promoted brigade surgeon. On the 21st, at nine o'clock in the morning, we formed and marched about two miles to a large open field, where our brigade was reviewed and inspected by General Van Rensallaer, Inspector-General of our Corps. At the review, the bands of the five regiments number ing some eighty instruments were joined, producing the most soul-inspiring music. It was three o'clock in the afternoon before the inspection was got through with. On the afternoon of the 23d, His Excellency the Presi dent of the United States, accompanied by the Honor able Secretary of War, and other members of the Cabi net, Major-General McDowell, staff and cavalry escort, reviewed the first corps about three miles from camp. As the President rode down the line on a fine spirited horse, the troops presented arms, the standards and colors drooped, officers saluted, drums beat, trumpets sounded, and a salute of twenty-one guns fired. Long and loud cheers for the honored chief, broke forth from the men, as he passed along the line. As early as the 17th, General McDowell had been in structed to move upon Richmond by the general route of the Richmond and Fredericksburg railroad, as soon as joined by General Shield's division, which came in after long and fatiguing marches on the 22nd, and it was decided upon at a consultation between the President and the generals that the movement should commence on the morning of the 26th. But on account of the ad vance of the enemy under "Stonewall" JacksQn down FREDERICKSBURG. 99 the valley of the Shenandoah, rendering the position of General Banks' force critical. General Shield's, King's and Ord's divisions and four companies of the " Buck- tails " under Lieutenant-Colonel E^ane were on the 25th dispatched to his reUef. Although this unforseen circumstance prevented the contemplated advance of McDowell, on the 26th, at eleven o'clock, A. M., we broke camp and marched to ward Falmouth, halting at the abandoned carap of the Twenty-second New York, where we put up our tents, but had hardly got through with our work, when we were ordered to again move. Striking tents, we marched to the river and crossed over on a trestle bridge, and entered Fredericksburg. The day was drizzly and the streets muddy, but -with our unfurled banners and mar tial music we marched merrily through the city. The houses of the rich were mostly closed ; a few old folks and young chUdren gazed out of the windows at us, and at the corners the negroes were collected in knots and appeared in a very happy mood. Passing through the city, we moved out William street about a half mile beyond the cemetery on the heights back of the city where we bivouacked in some scrub-oak brush to the right of the plank road, strict orders being given to avoid injuring the growing crops of the neighboring fields. Considerable rain fell during the night, and the next morning we moved to the left of the road, and en camped on a gently sloping hiU commanding a fine vi,ew of the city. Fredericksburg is an ancient city, situated on the western bank of the Rappahannock, and is principally noted for the i-efinement of its inhabitants, their aristo cratic characteristics and the beauty of its women. Prior to the war it contained about five thousand, inhabitants, and its exports amounted to some million of dollars yearly. The first account we have of this locality is that given 100 OUR CAMPAIGNS. by Captain John Smith who ascended the river in 1608, and fought the Indians on the present site of the towm It was here that Mary, the mother of Washington re sided for many years prior to her death, which occurred on the 25th of August, 1789. Her grave is- near the outskirts of the town upon the edge of a pretty bluff near the cemetery. Some years ago an attempt was made to erect a suitable monumrait to the memory of this good and estimable lady, and the comer-stone waa laid by President Jackson, but for want of public spirit the project fell through. Some years afterwards, a merchant from New York who was doing business there at the time, fell desperately in love with one of tbe Lewis branch of the family and bet money, and to advalnce hia suit determined to complete the monument, but before it Ivas finished his firm collapsed and his bright visions of love and gold vanished like a soap-bubble. In the cem etery near by are several pretty monuments^ and among tiiem that of Hugh Mercer, M. D., a son of General Hugh Mercer, who fell so gloriously at Princeton. The gen eral prior to the Revolution practised medicine here. There also, in newly -made graves, rested in quiet repose some three hundred Confed^te soldiers, victims of the mad ambition of their reckless leaders. Though mostly strangers from the far South, the hand of sympathy had decked their graves with flowers, and already the " Love- entangled " and " Forget-me-noty" had taken root in the new earth. Soon after General McDowell arrived, work was com menced on the Aquia creek and Fredericksburg raUroad, which was soon put in running order. The railroad bridge was also rebuilt across the river, a bridge of canal boats completed below it, a trestle one above, and a pon toon thrown over opposite Falmouth. Stockades and block houses were built to protect the approaches to these, and artillery commanded them on the eastern bluffs. On the 9th of May, Mr. Hunnicutt commenced the re issue of his paper "The Christian Banner," which he was FREDERICKSBURG. 101 forced to suspend exactly one year before on account of its loyal sentiments. Until the retrograde movement of the enemy, three secession sheets were issued here. The advent of the northerners soon made a marked difference in the appearance of the town, they opening stores, res taurants, bakeries, etc. ; in front of which were displayed numerous American flags. Although the streets were thronged with soldiers, we did not hear of any insult being offered to any of the inhabitants. On the day of our crossing. General Reynolds was appointed MUitary Govemor, and such was the course of his administration as not only to receive the warm thanks of the Mayor and Council, but when he was taken pris oner at the battle of Gaines Mill, they sent a deputatioa, to Richmond to intercede for his release. On the 26th, Henry Webb of " F," our detached bat tery company, was drowned. On the same day our advance posts were eight miles from the town and on the 29th our cavalry advanced twenty miles beyond, skirmishing and driving the enemy. On the 80th, the regiment was paid off by Major Pom eroy, and the same night orders were received to have one day's cooked rations in haversacks. The next morning at eight o'clock the men were ordered to fall ia without knapsacks, but at noon orders came to pack up all, and passing througb Fredericksburg, crossed the river to the east side, where our artillery was posted upon the high banks, and we moved about a half mile back to the vacated camp of the Twenty-second New York. The cause of this movement was : it being ascertained the enemy under General Anderson had moved toward Richmond, destroying the bridges in his rear, and on account of the weakening of our forces, by sending re- eaforcements to General Banks, we were unable to follow him, it was determined to place the Rappahan nock between us and them, so as to spare reenforcementa to McCleUan. 102 OUR CAMPAIGNS. About this time our brigade was furnished with white linen leggings and ordersissued requiring the men to have two pairs of shoes.* The officers here took lessons in sword exercise from a Mr. O'Rouke, who was the only Irishman we ever met who was base enough to deny his nationality. On the 4th of June the river became so swollen from the effects of continued rains that fears were entertained for the safety of the bridges, and as a matter of precaution the pontoon was taken up, bat in the afternoon the pUe or trestle bridge being unable to resist the pressure, gave way, and was swept down the river, where its timbers coming in contact with the rail road bridge, carried it away also, and the wreck of both coming in contact with the canal boats, broke them from their moorings, destroying the bridge that rested upon them, sending thern drifting doWn the river. The gun boats fortunately were enabled to get out of the way, and succeeded in recovering them all. , As soon as it was known in the city that our bri,dges were in danger, the inhabitants of both sexes collected upon the shore, and as each structure gave way they demonstrated their j*" by loud cheers and the waving of handkerchiefs. On Sunday morning, the 8th, orders were received to prepare to raarch, and after spending the day in cooking rations and making other necessary arrangements, at sunset we struck tents, packed knapsacks and got into line. It was a clear and beautiful moonlight night, and as the brigade bands pealed forth their soul-inspiring airs we marched off, winding our way through the woods and over the hill to the Rappahannock, down which we marched the distance of seven miles, bivouacking at two o'clock that night in Cedar lane. The next raorning after cooking breakfast we marched to Gray's landing, * The object of this order was to decrease the transportation of the Division Quartermaster Departraent, and as Captain Hall did not carry a knapsack on the march he doubtless considered it a brilliant idea. Nine-tenths of the shoes were thrown away by the men on the march. EMBARK FOR THE PENINSULA. 103 one mUe distant, where were collected a fleet of steam boats to receive us. By four o'clock our wagons, baggage and supplies were embarked, and marching aboard we hauled out into the stream. Soon after General Reynolds pushed off in a skiff, and was received with loud cheers, when our bands striking up we steamed down the river, as happy a set of blue coats as ever trod this planet. At sundown we came to anchor off Port Royal, where we remained all night, as we had no pilot. The steamer Canonicus was a fine large boat, but as she had our regi ment and five companies of the First and Eighth aboard, she was rather crowded, and by the time we all got our selves laid out for the night, there was scarcely a square foot of deck unoccupied. The next morning at five o'clock we weighed anchor, and again started on, accompanied by the ferry boat Chancellor Livingston, and about one P. M., came to anchor near the mouth of the river, where the rest of the flotilla soon afterwards arrived. The day had been a stormy one, but as the wind lulled in the course of a few hours, we again got under way, and passing into Chesa peake bay, headed to the south and at sunset entered the York river, passing by Yorktown and Gloucester City and coming to anchor during the night off West Point at the confluence of the Pamunkey and Mattapony rivers. Early on the llth we again got under way and entering the Pamunkey, steamed rapidly up it. This river winds through a low, flat country, and on account of its exceed ingly crooked course, it was interesting to watch our flotilla with their bows sometimes pointing in every direction. In fact when a strange steamer was discerned, it was impossible to tell whether she was going up or down the river, and when one was but a half mile from us in a direct line she was many times that distance off by the river. A "dark," who had resided in the neigh borhood, it was said, answered that it was so crooked in some places that it was impossible to cross it, as no matter how often one rowed over, he would invariably 104 OUR CAMPAIGNS. find himself on the same side. We soon commeiBiced meeting Government transports, mostly steamers and schooners laden with forage for the cavalry and artil lery. The farther we ascended the more numerous they became, until they numbered hundreds lining the banks of the river for a long distance and obstructing the navi gation. About nine o'clock we arrived at the White House, where we landed and stacked arms, awaiting orders. White House is situated on the Pamunkey, where tlie Richmond and York River RaUroad crosses, and was a position of great importance, being the depot of supplies for the army in front of Richmond. The house itself is an object of interest, being the spot where Washington met and loved Martha Custis in 1758. At the landing there was a forest of masts, and for a half mile the sho?e was covered with commissary stores and ammunition. There were thousands of tons on the wharf boats* and thousands more awaiting to be landed. There were many coramissary, sutler, guard and other tents thste, and many soldiers, sutlers, Govemment employees and contrabands, who, with innumerable wagons and order lies, continually rapving to and fro, and the arrival and departure of trains presented a scene of life and activity. Some distance back from the river was a canvas town, consisting of several hundred hospital tents, arranged in regular streets, with board floors and beds in them, and every thing prepared for the wounded of the coming battles. The boys having had time to wash themselves and replenish their stock of tobacco, the brigade formed and marched up the railroad about two miles, passing an establishment " for the embalming the dead," whose pro prietors distributed to their anticipated customers a bountiful supply of handbiils. Moving into a field to the left, we bivouacked for the night. Here our baggage was reduced to the lowest possible amount, the officers being required to send to lihe landing >11 but a smaU DISPATCH STATION. 105 valise or knapsack, and the companies being allowed their cooking utensils only. Orders were issued to cook three d^ys' rations, we borrowing from the First and i'ifth kettles for the purpose. At nine o'clock the next morning, we formed and marched off up the railroad which runs nearly due west from here, passing Tunstall's Station. The country through which we moved was mostly low, heavily wooded, and interspersed with numerous swamps. In some places where there were deep cuts, there were large deposits of marine shells and corals that indica,ted that at one time this portion of the Peninsula had been the bed of the sea. The same formation was found in other portions of the Peninsula, The day being exces sively warm many of the men threw away their over coats and blankets to Ughten their loads. About four o'clock we passed Dispatch Station and moved to the right of the road and encamped on the edge of a. heavy wood near the Chickahoininy river, we having marched ten miles. Through the day we heard the slow fire of hfiayy guns. CHAPTER XIL SiEOB OF Yorktown. Battle of Williamsburg. Skirmishes AT Seven Pines, Cold Harbor and Mechanicsville. Bat tle OF Hanover Court House. Battle of Fair Oaks. Attack on Tunst all's Station. March to the Chioka hominy. Kanaley's Mill. Sheixino the Enemy. Battlb OF Oak Grove. Before proceeding further, it wUl be necessary here to refer to the movements of the Army of the Potonaao since its debarjcation on the Peninsula. The presence of the enemy's steamer Merimao in the James river closed it to us, as a line of water communication bo- 106 OUR CAMPAIGNS, tween Fortress Monroe and the army operating against Richmond. To gain possession of the York river and its tributaries for that purpose, the reduction of York- town was necessary. Therefore, on the 4th of April, the army took up its line of march from the camping ground near Hampton to that point. At Big Bethel the enemy's pickets were encountered, but they fell back to Howard's creek, to which point they were followed by the main body of the army. The Siege of Yorktown, April 5th to May 4th, 1862. — The next morning the column again advanced, and in a few hours was in front of the eneray's works at Yorktown, On examination of their position it proved to be one of the strongest that could be opposed to an invading force, and the delays thereby created occupied until the 1st of May, when our siege batteries opened fire on the enemy's works, which during the night of the 3d they evacuated, leaving two 3-inch rifled cannon, two 4J-inch rifled cannon, sixteen 32-pounders, six 42- pounders, nineteen 8-inch Columbiads, four 9 inch Dahl- grens, one 10-inch Columbiad, one 10-inch mortar, and one 8-inch siege howitzer, with carriages and implements complete, and seventy-six rounds of ammunition to each piece. Besides these there were a large number of guns left at Gloucester Point and other works on the left. Battle op Williamsburg, May 4th, 5th, 6th, and 7th. — General McCleUan iraraediately threw all his cavalry and horse-artillery in pursuit, under General Stoneraan, Chief of Cavalry, supported by infantry under Generals Heintzelman, Hooker and Smith, who were followed by the divisions of Kearney, Couch and Casey, all und^ General Sumner, the second in command of the army, Two miles east of WiUiarasburg, the advance came upon the enemy's works, four miles in extent, over two-thirds of their front being covered by the branches of College and Queen's Creeks. The principal works were Fort Magruder, and twelve other redoubts and epaulements for field guns. The woods in front of the fort were felled, BATTLE OP WILLIAMSBURG. 107 and the open ground dotted with rifle pits. From this position the enemy opened fire upon the advance guard as it debouched from the woods, which being unsup ported by infantry, was forced to retire, but held the enemy in check until the arrival of General Suraner with part of Smith's division, at half-past five P. M. Heint zelman and Keyes reached the ground during the after noon. Early the next morning General Hooker came up, and began the attack on the enemy's works at seven and-a-half o'clock on the morning of the 6th, and for a time silenced Fort Magruder. Although the enemy was heavily reinforced, and attacked in turn, capturing five guns and inflicting heavy loss on Hooker, whose ammu nition was nearly exhausted, he maintained his position untU near four P. M., when Kearney arrived, and repuls ing the eneray, held possession of the ground that night. The battle was renewed the next day, and about four P. M., General McClellan arriving from Yorktown, took command in person. Fearing there was no direct com munication between the centre and left under Heintzel man, and hearing heavy firing in the direction of Han cock's command, he moved the centre forward, attempting to open communication with Heintzelman, and sent Smith and Naglee to the support of Hancock. Before these Generals reached Hancock, however, he was confronted by a superior force. Feigning to retreat slowly, -he awaited the onset, and then tumed upon them, and after some terrific volleys of musketry, he charged them with the bayonet, routing and dispersing their whole force, killing, wounding and capturing from five to six hun dred men, himself losing only thirty-one men. The enemy having fought to gain time to save their trains, abandoned their position during the night, leaving the town fiUed with their wounded in charge of eighteen surgeons. The official report of our loss is put down at two thousand two hundred and twenty-eight men killed, wounded and missing. The army was so much exhausted by the marches and confiicts which resulted in the vie- 108 OUR CAMPAIGNS. tory at WiUiamsburg, as to render an immediate pmsmt of the enemy impossible, in the condition of the country. ¦The divisions of Franklin, Sedgwick, Porter and Richardson, were sent from Yorktown by water to the vicinity of West Point, where, on the 7th, General Franklin handsomely repulsed the enemy under General Whiting, after a battle of nearly five hours duration. • Communication was soon opened between the two columns of the army, and headquarters was established at White House on the 16th, General Stoneraan having occupied the place some days before. About the same time Generals Franklin, Smith and Porter, reached White House, the roads being in such a state as to require thirty-six hours for one train to move five miles. A permanent depot for supplies being established at White House, the army was pushed forward along the York River and Richmond Railroad, and on the 20th the advance reached the banks of the Chickahominy River at Bottom's Bridge, which, as weU as the railroad bridge about a mile above, they found destroyed. The operations of the army embraced that portion of the river between this point and Meadow Bridge, which covered the principal approaches to Richmond from the east, and over which it became necessary to construct eleven new bridges, all long and difficult, with extensive log-way approaches. On the 22d, headquarters were removed to Cold Har bor, and on the 24fli three important skirmishes tocJc place. General Naglee made a reoonnoissance in force, for the purpose of ascertaining the strength of the enemy, and dislodge them from a position in the vicinity of the "Seven Pines," eight miles from Richmond, Another portion of the army had a spirited engagement of two hours near Cold Harbor, and drove their assailants from the field. A third wid briUiant little skirmish took place between the brigades of General Stoneraan and Davidson, in which they drove the enemy out of Mechanicsville with their artiUery, forcing them to seek safety on the BATTLE OP HANOVER COURT HOUSE, 109 opposite banks of the Chickahominy, they destroying the bndge in their retreat. General Stoneman also sent a portion of his cavalry three miles up the river, and de stroyed the bridge of the Richmond and Fredericksburg Railroad, The Battle of Hanover Court House, May 27 th.~- Having ascertained that the enemy were in force in the vicinity of Hanover Court House, threatening the right and rear of our army. General McCleUan dispatched General Porter to dislodge them, for which purpose he moved at daybreak on the 27th, After a fatiguing march of fourteen miles through the mud and rain. General Emory arrived in position and opened the battle about noon, driving the enony before him. The other columns soon after became engaged> and the enemy were defeated and routed with the loss of some two hundred kiUed, seven hundred and thirty prisoners, a 12-pound howitzer, a caisson, a large number of small arms, and twa railroad trains. Our loss amounted to fifty-three MUed, and three hundred and forty-four wounded and missing. The enemy's camp was also captured and de stroyed. The next day detachments were sent out, which destroyed the raUroad bridges over the Pamunky, the railroad bridges of the Virginia Central, and of the Fredericksburg and Richmond roads, and the country bridges over the South-Anna. These operations for a time cleared our right flank and rear, and cut off commu nication by rail with Fredericksburg, and with Jackson iria GordonsvUle, excepting by the circuitous route of Lynchburg. On the 28th of May our troops were pushed foi ward to Fair Oaks, their advance being met with sharp opposi tion, and on the 30th their positions on the south side of the Chickahorainy were as follows: Casey's division on the right of the Williamsburg road, at right-angles to it, the centre at Fair Oaks ; Couch's division at the Seven Pines; Kearney's division on the railroad, from near Savage's Station towards the bridge ; Hooker's division 110 OUR CAMPAIGNS. on the borders of White Oak Swamp. During the night of the 30th, a violent storm occurred, the rain falling in torrents, making the roads almost impassable, and threatening the destruction of the bridges over the Chickahominy. The Battle of Fair Oaks. — The enemy perceiving the unfavorable position in which our army was placed, and the possibility of destroying that part of it which was apparently cut off from the main body by the rap idly rising stream, the next day threw an overwhelming force upon the position occupied by Casey's division. The battle opened about one o'clock P. M., the attack being made siraultaneously upon the front and both flanks. The unequal contest was maintained with great gallantry, the troops struggling against the overwhelming masses of the enemy, for the space of three hours, before reinforcements arrived, and were finally driven from the field with heavy loss, and the position occupied by Casey taken by the enemy. During this time the troops of Heintzelman, Kearney, Sumner, Keyes, Couch and Sedg wick, were engaged, and in a measure retrieved the disaster of the day, and when night closed the contest, the enemy fell back to their defensive line. During the night our lines were newly formed, and artillery placed in position, and at five o'clock the next morning, June 1st, the battle was again renewed. The enemy boldly advanced without skirmishers, with two columns of attack supported by infantry in line of battle on each side, apparently determined to carry all before him by one crushing blow. He was met, however, with gallant resistance, and through the fierce battle he was driven back at every point, our droops pushing forward to the extrerae lines held by them the day before, re covering their own wounded and capturing the enemy's. Our total loss was five thousand seven hundred and thirty-seven, and of the enemy, per their official report, six thousand seven hundred and eighty-three. The only communication between the two banks of tunstall's station, m the Chickahominy were Bottom's, New and Mechanics ville bridges, the two latter being completely enfiladed by the enemy's batteries upon the commanding heights opposite, supported by strong forces, having numerous rifle-pits in their front, which would have made it necessary to have fought a sanguinary. battle, with not a certain prospect of success, before a passage could have been secured. Therefore, to have advanced on Richraond soon after the battle, it would have been necessary to march the troops from Mechanicsville and other points on the north bank of the Chickahorainy down to Bottora's bridge and thence to Fair Oaks, a dis tance of twenty three miles, which in the condition of the roads would have required two days to accomplish with artillery, by which time the enemy would have been secure within his entrenchments, but five miles distant. On the 13th of June we rested. In the afternoon orders were received to be prepared to move at daylight the next morning. Soon after orders were issued to move immediately, then orders came to draw five days' rations, three of which were to be cooked and two put in the knapsacks. By the time we had got through, about eleven, news was received that an attack had been made upon "Tunstall's Station," in our rear, and our brigade was ordered out. The night was a beautiful moonlight one, and after a march of eight miles we reached . there, but the eneray had left. The "Buck- tails," Fifth and Eighth were posted on the different roads, and we ordered to occupy a commanding position and hold the station. It appears that two squadrons of the Fifth United States Cavalry, under the command of Captain Royall, stationed near Hanover Old Church, were attacked and overpowered by a force of the enemy's cavalry, number ing about one thousand five hundred men, with four guns, who pushed on towards the White House in hopes of destroying the stores and shipping there, but the for- 112 OUR CAMPAIGNS. tunate arrival of the Third Brigade of Reserves frus trated their design. Upon the enemy's arrival at the station a portion of thera dismounted and awaited the arrival of the train, upon which they fired, killing one mail and wounding several others. The engineer imme diately put on steam and succeeded in running the train through. After this they set fire to the station-house and a car loaded with grain, and then tearing up a rail retired to a neighboring wood to await the arrival of another train now due. Upon the arrival of our brigade, however, they skedaddled. The next morning a number of laborers, who had escaped and hid themselves in the woods came in, as also Colonel G. B. Hall, Second Excelsior Brigade, who fell from a platform car and was captured by the enemy. They bound his hands together and tied him to the stirrup of one of the men, but during th§ confusion of their skedaddle upon our arrival, he managed to give them the slip. The bodies of two or three .poor laborers who had been wantonly killed were found and buried. Near the station they captured and burnt a nuraber of Govemment and sutler wagons, from which they got considerable liquor, and some Of them indulging rather freely, they were found lying around loose in the woods next morning and brought in. A Dutch butcher of Richmond came riding in, in a most glorious state of felicity, tickled half to death with the fun of the night before, which he related to us with great gusto, and pro posed taking a drink with any one who had liquor, and shooting the Yankee prisoners. The terror of the poor devil upon discovering his mistake, almost instantly sobered him, and the boys, after frightening him to their hearts' content " bucked and gagged " him, and tumed him over to the guard. The day being excessively hot, we were moved across the railroad to a wood upon a hill, where we remained until the next morning. During the night companies K and H, Captain Smith and Lieutenant Kennedy were TO THB CHICKAHOMINY. 118 sent on picket, and Lieutenants Jack and Black were sent out with detachments to scour the woods, the lattei returning with five prisoners. On Sunday the 15th, the enemy having all disap peared, we retumed to our former camping ground, thq weather being oppressively hot and the men straggling much. The entire damage done by the enemy, besides that referred to above, was the kiUing of several of tho guard and teamsters at Garljck's Landing, and the burn ing of two schooners laden with forage, they making the entire circuit of the army, repassing the Chickahominy at Long Bridge. It is somewhat remarkable that this raid was commanded by Fitz Hugh Lee, and executed a few days after the return of his mother to Richmond, from a visit to the White House, where she had been furnished with a pass and escort by General Ifitz John Porter, who was a welcomed guest to her hospitalities prior to the war. More effectually to conceal from the enemy our posi tions and numbers, orders were issued prohibiting the sounding of all calls, and ordering the tying to trees of any who discharged their pieces. Every raorning early the enemy opened on our fatigue parties at work on the bridges, which the boys said was "Jeft" calling the roU." On the afternoon of the 1 6th the division was formed at five o'clock to receive General McClellan, but we were disappointed, and aft«r waiting an hour we returned to our quarters. The next day we formed at nine. A, M,, to receive the general, and remained in position until twelve, M., and reformed at six, when orders were read to us to march the next morning, which were received with enthusiasm. During the evening we were busy cooking rations, and at three the next morning, com panies B and A, Captains McDonough and Neid^ were recalled from picket. At five o'clock we moved off in a northwesterly direction parallel with the Chickahominy, and after marching eight miles encamped about noon near Gaines' House, and about three hundred yards from 8 114 OUR CAMPAIGNS. the river. Our bivouac was on an opening to the lef of the road, and between us and the river was a heavy woods, from the edge of which we could see the enemy on the other side busy at work. In the afternoon they opened with artillery on the workmen on the New bridge, to which the Reserve artillery responded, and with the exception of one man wounded and a gun dismounted; no damage was done ont side. This artiUery practice and skirmishing was of daily occurrence. The next morning, the 19th, at day break we raoved off to EUerson's raills, on the river road where it crosses Beaver Dam creek, about one and a half railes distance, where we reraained some timcj and then counter-march* ing and moving to the left we bivouacked in an oat-field near a woods, where the Sixth Pennsylvania cavalry (Rush's Lancers) were encamped. The sarae afternoon Mr, Hall made an ascension in one of Professor Lowe's balloons near our camp, for the purpose of reconnoiter- ing, but the enemy opening upon him from one of their batteries, he thought it prudent to postpone his aerial operations. Early the next morning we moved back about one mile to Nanaley's mill, where we encamped between the house and the road near a fine wood and a large raUl-dam, where the boys enjoyed the luxury of bathing. Our division upon its arrival was not attached to any Army Corps, but was assigned to the extreme right of the line, which was considered the post of honor. On the 21st, orders were received to hold ourselves in readiness, to raove night or day, at a moment's notice, and each morning to be under arras at three o'clock, and remain so until daylight. The same day. Lieutenant Fletcher and Sergeant Pidgeon arrived in camp from re cruiting service. On the 28rd, we were under arras aU the afternoon, and loaned our intrenching tools to the Fifth. Early on the raorning of the 24th, we started on picket to Mechanicsville, about one mUe distant, wheie we found ON PICKET. 115 the Twelfth Reserves, Colonel John H, Taggart, four companies of Rush's Lancers and Cooper's Battery ; Col onel Taggart, being in command of the line, he being the senior officer. Our regiment forming the Reserve, we laid in the grove back of Dr, Lumkin's house, Me chanicsville hes on the high ground, overlooking the Chickahominy on its north bank, from which it is about five hundred yards distance. It consists of a church and some fifteen houses, all of which were deserted and per forated by shot and shell. The south bank of the river rises graduaUy for about a half mile, where a long line of redoubts and rifle pits front a heavy wood. In the centre of the stream is an island, which is connected with either shore by a bridge, we holding one end of it, and the enemy the other, the island being neutral ground. The pickets at this point, although quite near one another, remained on good terms, the enemy's relief upon one occasion, presenting arras to Lieutenant-Col onel Mclntire, of the First Reserves, as he was visiting one of our posts. We were disposed, at this tirae, to show acts of courtesy to one another, as we daily ex pected to meet in battle. Richmond is but five miles distant from MechanicsvUle, and from a shed near the road-side we could see its spires. One of our officers wagered a hundred segars he would be in the city in one week — he was, but as a prisoner. During the night, the position of our guns were changed and General Reynolds required hourly reports to be made to him in writing. AU passed quietly and the next morning we were up and in line at three o'clock. There being strong indications of a movement on the part of the enemy, about five, P. M., orders were received to feel them with our guns, to ascertain, if possible, what they were at, and accordingly Cooper's battery threw about twenty sheUs, but without eliciting any response. We subsequently ascertained, what we then suspected, that they were moving off to our right. The sheUs, 116 OUR CAMPAIGNS. however, dropped beautifully among &em, and sent their wagons hurriedly down the pike. Battle of Oak Grove, June 25th. — ^While this was transpiring on our extreme right, a more interesting scene was enacting on the left. The bridges and in trenchraents being at last completed, an advance of our picket Une on the left was ordered on the 25th, prepara tory to a general forward movement. General Hooker's division of Heintzelman's corps, was pushed forward to occupy "Oak Grove," a new and important position in^ front of the most advanced redoubt on the WiUiamsburg road, and while advancing through a dense thicket an4 an almost impassable swamp, was suddenly attacked by the enemy, whom they repulsed and drove back. The fighting continued off and on during the day, and at suut set our object was accomplished, with the loss of fifty- one killed, four hundred and one wounded and sixty-four missing, making a total of five hundred and sixteen. The enemy's loss was about equal in number. CHAPTER XIIL BlTBENGTH OF THE OPPOSING ARMIES. OPENING OF THE SeVEB Days' battles. Battle of Mechanicsville. Battle of Gaines' Mills. Crossing the Chickahominy. In anticipation of a speedy advance on Richmond, to provide for the contingency of our communications with the depot at the WMte House being severed by the enemy, and at the same time to prepare for a change of the base of our operations to James river, if circum-^ stances should render it advisable, arrangements were made on the 18th of June to have transports with sup plies of provisions and forage sent up the James river to Harrison's Landing. By the report of the chief of the "secret service STRENGTH OP THE ARMIES. 117 corps," dated the 26th of June, the estimate strength of the enemy is put down at about one hundred and eighty thousand, and the specific information obtained regard ing their organization, warrants the belief that this esti mate did not exceed his actual strength. It is shown in the report that there were two hundred regiraents of infantry and cavalry; including the forces of Jackson and Ewell, just arrived; eight battalions of independent troops, five battalions of artUlery; twelve companies of infantry and independent cavalry, and forty-six comp anies of artiUery* amounting in all, to from forty to fifty brigades. There were undoubtedly many others whose designations were not known. The report also shows that numerous and heavy earth works had been completed for the defence of Richmond, and that in thirty-six of these were mounted some two hundred guns. On the 14th of May, General McCleUan in his official report states " 1 cannot bring into actual battle against the enemy more than eighty thousand raen at the ut most." Subsequent to that, he certainly did not receive reinforcements of more than ten thousand men, and de ducting from this total of ninety thousand, the losses sustained in the three skirmishes of the 24th of May at Seven Pines, Cold Harbor and Mechanicsville, and at the battles of Hanover Court House and Fair Oaks and minor skirmishes, with the usual sickness attendant upon the unhealthy position of the army, it may be safely stated that the Army of the Potomac did not number over eighty thousand fighting men at the opening of the Seven Day's battles. From information received from spies, contrabands and a deserter as early as the 24th, General McClellan had strong reasons to suppose the enemy meditated an attack upon his right and rear, and on the 26th of June, the day decided upon for the final advance on Richmond the enemy anticipated our movement by attacking our army. 118 OUR CAMPAIGNS. The Battle of Mechanicsville, June 26th.— Early that day our regiment was relieved by the Fifth Reserve, Colonel Simmons, and marched back to camp. At eleven o'clock we were ordered under arms, and at twelve, noon, just as our dinners were cooked, but before we could eat them, orders came to fall in with cartridge boxes and muskets. Marching up to Mchanicsville we tumed to the right and moved up the river road to "Shady Grove Church," where we raet the Eighth Illinois cavalry. Col onel Famsworth, who were being driven in by the enemy who had crossed the Chickahominy at Meadow bridge. Colonel McCandless had sorae time -before deployed Company B, Captain McDonough, as skirmishers, and learning that the enemy were approaching in overpower ing force, he deployed the regiment across the road in connection with the Eighth Illinois to produce caution on their part, and thus gain time to withdraw to Me chanicsville, where General Reynolds with the rest of our brigade and General Meade with his, were drawn up. Three companies of the "Bucktails," under Major La Roy Stone, who were on our left, were surrounded by a heavy force of the enemy, but two of them cut their way through, company K, being captured. At Mechanics vUle the line was again formed, and soon afterwards we withdrew to Beaver Dam Creek, where it was determined to give battle. This position was naturally a strong one, the left rest ing on the Chickahominy and the right extending to dense woods (beyond the upper Mechanicsville road) which were occupied. The passage of the creek was difficult throughout the greater part of the front, and, with the exception of the roads crossing at EUerson's Mill, near the left, and that near the right, above men-, ^ioned, impracticable for artillery. On the right of the last named road an epaulement calculated for four pieces of field artillery was thrown up, and rifle-pits constructed on the left of the road. The line of battle was formed in the following order BATTLE OF MECHANICSVILLE. 119 from right to left : On the extreme right was the seven companies of the Second regiment. Lieutenant-colonel liicCandless ; then six companies of the "Bucktails," Major Stone with four guns of Cooper's battery iu the epaulement ; the Fifth regiment'. Colonel Simmons in the rifle-pits on the left of the road; the First regiment. Colonel Roberts; the Eighth regiment. Colonel Hays; the Tenth regiment. Colonel Kirk; the Ninth regiment; Colonel Jackson; and the Twelfth regiment, Colonel Taggart, which occupied the extreme left. General Meade's brigade, which was in reserve, consisted of the Third regiment. Colonel Sickel; the Fourth regiment. Colonel Magilton; and the Seventh regiment. Colonel Harvey. Easton's battery of four twelve-pound Napoleon guns, and Kern's battery of six twelve pound howitzers, were also held in reserve. It should here be mentioned that the Sixth regiment, Lieutenant-colonel McKean, was detached at Tunstall's Station, and the Eleventh re^ment. Colonel Gallagher, was on picket on the Chickahominy. The position of the Second regiment, as before noticed, was on the extreme right, with a he£fvy wood in front and a ford near the right of it. Companies K aUd H, Captain Smith and Lieutenant Kennedy were detached tinder Major Woodward with orders to hold this ford at all hazards; and Company C, Captain Byrnes, was posted on the left in a dry swamp between us and the " Buck taUs." About three o'clock the enemy's lines were formed on the opposite side of the swamp and their skirmishers rapidly advanced, delivering their fire as they came forward. They were speedily driven back by the artil lery and a rattling reply of musketry. In a short time the inain body, who were commanded by General Robert E. Xee, in person, boldly advanced in force under cover of a lieavy artiUery fire, and attacked the whole front. It soon became apparent that the main point of their attack was the extreme right, upon which they opened a heavy 120 OUB CAMPAIGNS. fire of round shot and shell, and precipitated column after column of Georgian and Louisiana troops, who waded to their middle thfough the water, and boldly advanced up through the woods. They were received by the Second on their knees, with a withering fire, which they maintained without a moment's cessation for over three hours. During this time, assault after assault was made on the position, and upon three separate occa sions the enemy succeeded in forcing themselves between us and the " Bucktails," and gaining the clear ground, but they were each time driven back at the point of the bayonet by charges led in person by Colonel McCandless. At one time they charged the left and centre at the same time, boldly pressing on their flags until they liearly met ours, when the fighting became of the most desperate character, the flags rising and falUng as they were surged to and fro by the contending parties, each stmggling to defend its own, and capture its opponents'. Our left was driven back, the enemy at that point having passed the woods, bending our Une into a convexed circle. But never for a moment were we brdken, McCandless placing himself in front of the left, led it valiantly to the charge, hurling the brave Georgia, boys back, and almost taking their fiag. While this was going on in our front Major Woodward with his two companies was hotly engaged at the ford, the men delivering, from behind trees, a slow but destructive fire, or pouring in rapid volleys when hard pressed. General Reynolds, whose ever-watchful eye was upon the regiments of his brigade, several times rode down to our position, at one time exclaiming, as he pointed with his sword, " Look at them, boys, in the swamp there, thfey are as thick as flies on a gingerbread ; fire low, fire low." Just before dark, when we nad driven back their last charge, knowing we had expended nearly all our ammu nition, he ordered up the First Reserve, Colonel Roberts, who, in line of battle on our left and rear, opened fir BATTLB OP MECHANICSVILLE, 121 but soon after forming in column of division and ad vancing deployed and opened again on the retreating masses. At the same time Kern's battery of six twelve - pounder howitzers supported by the Third Reserve, Colonel Sickel, took position some three hundred yards to our right, and we moved to the right to give play to the guns, which opened a most terrible fire of shell upon the confused and broken masses of the eneray on the opposite side of the swamp. Colonel McCandless here offered to storm a battery posted opposite to us across the swamp, if support was given to him, which being promised, we moved down the road on our right to the ford held by Major Woodward, but the proraised sup port luckily failing to come, the attempt was abandoned, and the regiment was deployed on the edge of the swamp and again opened fire. The musketry soon after ceased, but the artiUery fire was contitiued until nine o'clock at night when the battle ceased, and the Reserves slept on the field of victory. Griffin's brigade and Edward's battery were also sent to the right to our support, but they with the Third regiment did not become engaged. About five o'clock a most determined attempt was made by the enemy to force the left at EUerson's Mill, but they were gallantly repulsed by General Seymour, who drove back column after column that was hurled against him. The prisoners taken by our regiment, mostly by com panies H and K, numbered fifteen,, and were utterly surprised at the smallness of the force that was opposed to them, and expressed their full confidence, if permitted to rejoin their comrades, that they could return and drive us from our position. It was here that tbe most desperate fighting was done, our regiment which numbered but three hundred and seventy-one, officers and men, losing nearly one-half of the nuraber kUled, and one-fourth of the killed and wounded of the whole division, which numbered about seven thousand, including officers. The enemy acknow- 122 OUR CAMPAIGNS, ledged the loss of over five hundred men at this point, and General McCall puts down their whole strength as twenty thousand, and states, in his report, that he "learned from official authority, while a prisoner in Richraond, that General Lee's loss, in killed and wounded, did not fall short of two thousand ; and that the Forty-fourth Georgia lost nearly two-thirds." The loss of the division is officially reported at thirty-three killed and one hundred and fifty wounded. The great disproportion in the losses must be attributed to the nature of the ground. But while we rejoiced at the laurels entwined around our banners, our hearts were saddened at the fall of our comrades whose life blood gushed out upon the field of victory.* General McCall, in his official report, honorably men tions the conduct of Lieutenant-colonel McCandless and the regiraent during the battle. During the night araraunition was sent for and distri buted to the raen. Companies H, and K, remained at the ford ; B, Lieutenant Jack, was thrown out on picket to the right, and the rest slept on the field all night. All was the stillness of death, not a voice being heard save the moaning of the eneray's wounded that came up out of the swamp and woods beyond. The next morning, long before daybreak, we were in line, and the enemy during the night having received heavy reinforcements, the attack was again comraenced, but principally upon the left. The position of Beaver Dam Creek, although so successfully defended, had its extreme right flank too rauch exposed, and was too far from the main army to make it available to retain it longer, therefore, just before daybreak orders were re ceived from General McClellan for us to fall back to the rear of Gaines' Mills. To withdraw a large force in broad daylight, while under fire, is one of the most delt • See Appendix, A. MARCH TO GAINES' MILLS. 12S cate and difficult movements in war, particularly in presence of a greatly superior force. It, nevertheless, was most successfully accomplished, great caution and deliberation being used to screen the moveraent, and the troops being withdrawn slowly and at intervals. Meade's brigade was the first to move; then came Griffin's brigade and battery, next Reynold's under cover of the Bucktails and Coopers guns, and last Seymour's. During these movements a scattering fire of artUlery and musketry was kept up and continued until all was brought out. So coolly and deliberately was the raove ment accomplished that the regiments as they filed past, marched as steadily as if coming from the parade ground, we burying all our killed and sending off our wounded, not leaving a man, gun or musket on the field. The retrograde movement at this time was not compre hended by us, and we slowly fell back in good order, but in any thing but a good humor, to the point desig nated in rear of Gaines' MiUs, where we arrived at ten o'clock in the forenoon. On our route we raet Cooper's battery which we saved the day before frora being flanked, and the men freely distributed coffee, bread and tobacco to our hungry boys who had fasted for twenty- four hours. The Battle of Gaines' Mills, June 27th. — It having been ascertained on the preceding night that the enemy was approaching in full force with the intention of cutting off our communication with the White House, General McClellan determined to carry out his intentions of changing his base from the Pamunkey to the James Rivers, for which purpose he withdrew the troops on the left bank of the Chickahominy to a position around the bridge heads where its fianks were reasonably secure, atad it was within supporting distance of the main array. This moveraent secured the withdrawal of all the heavy guns, wagons and stores to the right bank of the river, and afforded time to perfect arrangements to secure the adoption of the new base. To General Fitz John Porter 124 OUB CAMPAIGNS. with the Fifth Corps and all the disposable reinforce- toients, was assigned the task of resisting the eneray. The line of battle was about an arc of a circle formed on the interior edge of the dense woods bounding the extensive plain of cleared lands stretching some twelve or fifteen hundred yards back of the river. Morell's division held the left of the line in a strip of woods on the left bank of the Gaines' Mill stream, resting its left flank on the descent to the Chickahominy, which was swept by our artillery on both sides of the river, and extending into open ground on the right towards Cold Harbor. In this line General Butterfield's brigade held the extreme left, General Martindale's joined his right, and General Griffin, still further to the right, joined the left of General Sykes' division, which, partly in woods and partly in open ground, extended in the rear of Cold Harbor. Each brigade held in reserve two of its own regiments. General McCall vvas informed by General Porter, that as his division had been engaged till late the previous night, and suffered from loss of sleep, and had been under fire for some hours in the morning it would be held in reserve. It therefore formed the second line, occupying the ground some six hundred yards in the rear of the first. Meade's brigade on the left near the Chickahominy. Reynold's brigade on the right coveriflg the approaches from Cold Harbor and Despatch Station to Sumner's Bridge, and Seymour's in reserve to the second line, still further in rear. The artillery occupied the space between the Unes and the cavalry of the di vision, the Fourth Pennsylvania, was placed under cover of a slope in the rear. General P. St. George Cooke, with five companies of the Fifth Regular Cavalry, two squadrons of the First Regular, and three squadrons of the Sixth Pennsylvania Cavalry, (Rush's Lancers,) was posted behind a hill in rear of the position, and near the Chickahominy, to aid in watching 4he left fiank and de fending the slope of the river. BATTLE OP GAINES* MILLS. 128 The troops were all in position by noon, with the artil lery on the commanding ground, and in the intervals between the divisions and brigades. Besides these division batteries, there was from the artillery reserve Tidball's horse battery, posted on the right of Syke's division, and Robertson's on the extrerae left of the line, in the valley of the Chickahominy. Shortly after noon the enemy were discovered approaching in force, and it soon became evident that the entire position was to be attacked. His skirmishers advanced rapidly, and soon the firing became heavy along the whole front. At two o'clock P. M., General Porter asked for reinforcements. By three P. M., the engagement had become so severe, and the enemy were so greatly superior in numbers, that the entire second line and reserves were moved forward to sustain the first line against repeated and desperate assaults along the whole front. The Second and Third brigades of the Reserve were ordered forward and were soon under fire, in some in* stances the regiments going at once into line where intervals had been left, while in others they halted directly in rear of the line already formed. Our brigade, which had laid in a sheltered position behind a hill for five hours, with round shot and shell continually whiz zing and bursting over head, was soon after ordered to advance. Once more the boys prepared for battle, their brave hearts beating with high hopes of victory, and on double quick they moved to the edge of a heavy swampy woods, where they were halted for a few moraents. General Reynolds soon rode up, and ordered our regi ment to advance through the wood, clear it out and take up a position on its extreme edge. Colonel McCandless not entirely liking the order, asked the General's permission to move in at right angles to the position assigned to us, on the left of it. The General was silent for a moment, his. face bearing the expression of great perplexity and dissatisfaction, when he replied, " C(3onel, General Porter is fighting the battle on certain par^Qlels, and his orders 126 OUR CAMPAIGNS. wiU have to be obeyed." "I would to God," remarked the Colonel afterwards, " I had not asked him the ques tion, but had taken my regiment in by mistake." " For ward," passed down the line, and moving on we advanced into the wood, strewed as it was with the dead and the dying, and reaching its outer edge, laid down to await the coming storm. The First Reserve lay on our right, the Sixth Regii- lars in our rear, and several other regiments near by. A regiment of New York Zouaves were posted in an open field about five hundred yards in our front and facing us. Easton's battery of Reserves to our front and right were firing in the opening between us and parallel to our front. The enemy, as we well knew before we entered, were on our left flank. We may have been judiciously posted, and good soldiers should not think, but we could not help noticing that we were in a better position to attack our own troops than to inflict damage upon the enemy. Steadily the solid columns of the foe were advancing on our left, their leading lines dressed in our unifomi, showing no flag and treacherously crying out they were our friends, and not to fire upon them. But we were not deceived, and poured into them a left oblique fire with good effect. But onward they pressed until alraost upon us, when they poured into us a deafening roar of musketry, above which the artillery fire at times could scarcely be distinguished. Line after Une delivered their fire, and faUing to the ground gave range to those behind them. It sounded like one long continuous roar, not a susceptible interval being perceived for. several minutes. Overpowered, flanked, and with the enemy in our rear, with scattered remnants of other regiraents in the excitement of the moment firing into us, we broke and were scattered through the woods, fighting the best we could from behind trees, until finally we were driven headlong out, with our muskets thoroughly heated, and our ammunition almost exhausted. BATTLE OP GAINSS' MILLS. 127 We were driven from the woods to the right and par- ^lel with the line we entered on,.but did not retire more than three hundred yards, before we came to a depressed road, where once more we raised our banner to the storm and rallied the boys around it. Cut off' from our brigade and division, we laid here, and with Easton's battery, which was directly on our right, held the foe at bay, who seeing reinforcements coming up, dared not advance into the open field. Soon a gallant brigade passed by, with their arms at a right shoulder and lines dressed with the precision of a parade. Steadily, silently and firm paced, they advanced with their glorious banners and glittering bayonets gleaming in the sun, and like a mass of living valor en tered the woods and disappeared from sight. Soon their loud cheers and volleys told they had met the foe. If our brigade had entered the woods as they did, we would have met the enemy on our front and not our flank. At this time we were ordered into a low woods in the rear of Easton's battery, but had not remained there long before we were moved to the left on an open field. Soon afterwards we were ordered to the right, and fur ther to the rear of the battery. An hour had now passed by, and soon a few stragglers were seen flying from the woods, and in a few moments the foe burst upon us in overwhelming numbers. The guns of Easton's battery vomited forth their haU of double-shotted canister against which it appeared impossible for men to stand, yet on ward with undaunted bravery the enemy pressed, closing up their vast gaps and sweeping everything before them. The gallant Easton was killed, his brave cannoniers bay oneted at their guns, the majority of the horses disabled, and, despite the most heroic resistance, the battery was taken. A dozen or fifteen horses cut loose from tho battery, dashed through our line followed closely by the enemy, and again driven, we slowly and sullenly, but in good order retreated down over the fields, under a mur derous fire that brought many a brave man to the ground. 128 OUR CAMPAIGNS Having reached a position whose sloping ground afforded some slight protection. Colonel McCandless ralUed the men and reformed the line, collecting a large number of stragglers from different regiment, and soon after Colonel Simmons of the Fifth Reserve appeared and took charge. A squadron of Rush's Lancers and a squadron of Indiana cavalry, now came up and formed in our rear, and Gen eral McCall stopped two batteries that were in retreat and bringing them into battery opened upon the enemy, who just then appeared on the opposite hillside, and checked their advance at this point. Soon after French's and Meagher's brigades came up, and the fire of the batteries was stopped as they passed down the hill in front, but upon their reaching the foot of it, they were met by General Porter, who halted them, as the enemy had retired from view and the sun was ' setting. The other regiments and brigades of the Reserve fought with great gallantry, the First and Eighth being relieved and brought out by General Reynolds, and the Fifth retiring only when their ammunition was exhausted. Tbe Eleventh, Colonel Gallagher, having relieved the Fourth New Jersey, Colonel Simpson, whUe engaged by the enemy became so completely enveloped in the smoke of the battle as not to observe the rest of the Une had retired, and being completely surrounded by a vastly superior force of the enemy^ the major part of them and the Fourth New Jersey were captured, but no censure whatever, was attached to either of the gallant com manders of the regiments. About eight o'clock, the battle ceased and we were moved some distance towards the rear, near a field hospital where the wounded were being continually brought in for surgical treatment, after which they were laid upon the grass, a blanket thrown over them, and a canteen of water put by their side, where some slept and others died. The poor fellows displayed most heroic fortitude, and though many of them were horribly mangled and CROSSING THE CHICKAHOMINY. 129 suffering intense pain, only suppressed murmurs escaped their lips. AU of our regiment were collected and laid together, and were cared for by their comrades until we moved. While the surgeons were at work by the flick ering light of candles, the ruthless enemy opened flre upon them with shell, but they continued, hiding the lights as best they could with their caps and bodies. Through the night General Reynolds was surprised, with Captain Charles Kingbury, his Assistant Adjutant- general, and taken prisoner by the enemy. The com mand of our brigade, therefore, devolved upon Colonel Simmons of the Fifth Reserve. The nuraber of troops engaged on our side was not more than thirty-five thousand men, and that of the enemy has been computed to be from seventy to seventy- five thousand men. The loss on our side was heavy, but as no general returns were made until after the Seven Days' battle, the losses during the series of battles were estimated together. The number of guns captured by the enemy on the field were nineteen, and three were lost by being run off the bridge during the final withdrawal. Although we were finally forced from the first line after the enemy had been repeatedly driven back, yet the object sought for had been attained. The enemy was held at bay, our siege guns and material were saved, and the right wing could now be withdrawn and joined to the main body of the army.* The wearied and exhausted men who had fought for two days, and many of them without a mouthful to eat, threw themselves upon the ground and sank to sleep with their cartridge boxes strapped upon them and their muskets in their hands. But their slumbers were of short duration, as soon orders came to wake them up «mii get into tine without noise. It was hard work to rouse the sleepy boys, it being necessary to roll some of them over, shake them, pound them, and even to lift • See Appendix A. 9 130 OUR CAMPAIGNS. them upou their feet. Having got the men in line, our division waited here until near morning to cover the withdrawal of the army from the left bank of the Chicka hominy, and then crossing the bridge opposite Trent's Hill about seven o'clock we blew it up ; moving on about a mile and a half we halted on Trent's Hill, where we laid during the 28th, CHAPTER XIV, Change of Base, March to the James River. Battle of Allen's Farm. Battle of Savage's Station. A Night on Picket. The Battle of Glendale. The Rivek reached. While the battle of Gaines' Mills or Chickahorainy was progressing on the left bank of the river, the eneray were not idle on the right bank, they having a large force between our left wing and Richmond showing their nuraerical superiority. Sharp musketry and artillery fighting took place there, along nearly the whole of the line, which was threatened by such heavy masses that the corps comraanders deeraed their forces were smaller than were adequate to the emergency. Therefore, to have sent more reinforcements to Porter would have imperilled the movement across the Peninsula. After the battle it was necessary to unite the two wings of the army which could have been done on either bank of the river, but if it had been on the left bank, although our united force could have defeated the eneray and have marched to the White House, as they held the roads leading there, our supply trains could not have been sent in advance of the army, but would have had to fol low us, and the guarding of these trains would have seriously embarrassed our operations in battle. We would have been iraraediately foUowed by the enemy on the Richmond side of the river, who would have operated RATIONS SERVED, 131 on our rear, and if we had been defeated, we would have been forced to fall back to the White House and pro bably to Fort Monroe; and, as both our flanks and rear would then have been entirely exposed, our entire sup ply train, if not the greater part of the army, might have been lost. The enemy anticipated this movement ou our part and were prepared to take advantage of it, but they were disappointed. When our army was concentrated on the Richmond side of the Chickahominy, and a large portion of the enemy were drawn away and separated from them by the river, we could have marched directly upon the city with very reasonable hopes of capturing it, but as the amount of rations we had with us was very limited and the enemy could at any time have severed our comrau nications with the supply depot at the White House, our victory might have been turned into disaster. It is therefore clear that the movements of General McClellan were dictated by sound military judgraent. During the day, rations, of which we were greatly in need, as some of the men had been forty-eight hours without food, were received and issued, but as we had left every thing in our camp near Mechanicsville. which was subsequently burnt by order of General McCall, wa had no haversacks. However, as soldiers are never at a loss for ways and means, they substituted the extremi ties of their shirts which answered most admirably. The same day our most efficient Quartermaster, Dr. Chas. F. Hoyt, was promoted Captain and Comraissary of Subsist ence of the brigade vice Captain Jas. B. Clow. We remained on an open field under a broiling sun during the 28th, which really afforded but indifferent rest, as we could not sleep, except as Montezuma on his bed of roses, and at nine o'clock that night, during a drenching rain, we moved off towards White Oak Creek. Our division took with it Hunt's Reserve Artillery, con sisting of thirteen batteries, which with our own trains extended the column many railes in length, and as our 132 OXm CAMPAIGNS. flanks were constantly exposed to attacks, the Third Brigade was placed by regiments between the batteries, to afford them support. Our movement, owing to narrow and bad roads, was necessarily slow, and all night long we toiled through dark woods and swamps unable to see but a few feet on either side of us. While thus moving, one of the wagon guard of the Fourth Reserve, stepped into the woods. a .little way and his musket being accidentally discharged he was mistaken for a foe, and a number of shots fired at him. This frightening some of the teams, they dashed in among us, which, with the unexplained firing, for a time created considerable excitement. About daybreak we reached Savage's Station, on the York River and Richmond RaUroad, where we found hundreds of wagons and ambulances almost choking the roads and covering the fields in every direction. Here were coUected vast piles of commissary and quartermas ter's stores, which were opened and the men allowed to take whatever they wanted. We also found here a large number of wounded of the preceding battles, and among them were our own, many of whom were subse quently taken prisoners. The boys went to see them and did all they could for them, improvising crutches for such as could hobble oW, and giving water and money to those who had to remain. There was also a large amount of ammunition here which was later in the day loaded on twelve cars and with an engine run into the Chickahorainy, a fuse being attached, and so well tiraed as to blow the whole up at the proper instant. Moving ,on past the station, we met a large number of prisoners captured during the battles, and about noon we crossed White Oak Creek Bridge, some distance beyond which General McCall was ordered to place his division in posi tion to repel any attack by the enemy from the direction of Richmond. It was here we leamed that General McClellan had caused to be read to the army a compli mentary return of thanks to the Pennsylvania Reserves BATTLE OP ALLEN'S FARM. 133 for their conduct at Mechanicsville, in defeating and holding a vastiy superior force in check, until he could perfect his arrangements for the withdrawal from the left bank of the river. Before proceeding ftirther, we will detail the general events of the day. The essential operation was the pas sage of our trains across the swamp, and their protection against attack from the direction of Richmond, and the establishment of our communication with the gunboats on James river. For this purpose the corps of Suraner and Heintzelman, and the division of Smith were ordered to an interior line, with their right resting on Savage's Station. Battle of Allen's Farm, June 29th. — General Sumner evacuated his works at Fair Oaks at daylight, and marched his command to Orchard Station, halting at Allen's field, between Orchard and Savage Stations. The divisions of Richardson and Sedgwick were formed on the right of the railroad, facing towards Richmond, Richardson holding the right, and Sedgwick joining the right of Heintzelman's corps. The first line of Richard son's division was held by General French; General CaldweU supporting the second. A log building in front of Richardson's division was held by Colonel Brook with the Fifty-third Pennsylvania volunteers, with Hazard's battery on an elevated piece of ground, a little in the rear. At nine o'clock, A. M., the enemy comraenced a furi ous attack on the right of General Sedgwick, but were repulsed. The left of General Richardson was next attacked, the enemy attempting in vain to carry the posi tion of Colonel Brooks. Captain Hazard's battery, and Pettit's battery, which afterwards re,placed it, were served with great effect, while the Fifty-third Pennsylva nia Volunteers kept up a steady fire on the advancing enemy, compelling them at last to retire in disorder. The enemy renewed the attack three times, but were as often repulsed. 134 OUR CAMPAIGNS. Battle of Savage's Station, June 29th. — During the moming. General Franklin hearing that the enemy, after having repaired the bridges, was crossing the Chickahominy in large force, and advancing towards Savage's Station, moved Sraith's division to that point, and communicated the intelligence to General Sumner. A little after noon. General Suraner reached the station, and united his troops with those of Franklin, and as sumed comraand. The troops were posted in line of _ battle, in the large open field to the left of the railroad, fronting Richraond, the left resting on the edge of the woods, and the right extending down to the railroad. General Brooks, with his brigade, held the wood to the left of the field, where he did exceUent service. General Hancock's brigade was thrown into the woods on the right and front. About four in the afternoon, the eneray advanced upon the Williamsburgh road and comraenced the attack in large force. They were gaUantly raet by General Burns' brigade, supported and reinforced by the reserve, and the Sixty-ninth New York Volunteers and Hazard's and Pettit's batteries! The other batteries were also brought into play, and the battle, which was fought with great obstinacy until nearly nine o'clock at night, terrainated in the enemy being driven from the field. Our division remained in its position on high open ground in the hot sun until four o'clock, when we were ordered to proceed to the Quaker road crossing of the New Market road, and take a position to repel any attack frora Richraond. The object of this movement was to cover the Turkey Bridge road, leading to the Jaraes river, along which trains were moving all night. On our march the road was nearly blocked up with innu merable wagon trains and artillery, besides a drove of twenty -five hundred cattle, through which we wound our way, and arrived at the designated point about six o'clock. We halted on Nelson's farm, the battle-field of the next day, and where a sharp skirmish had taken place with the enemy's cavalry early in the morning, the PICKET BEFORE GLENDALE. 135 showing that their efforts were about to be directed towards impeding our progress to the river. General McCaii made his headquarters at the farm house during the ni»rht. Leaving the Second and Third Brigades in reserve, at dark our brigade and a battery of artillery, under the command of Colonel Simmons, silently raoved off to the front, about a raile, crossing a sraall creek and turning to the left through a deep woods, where we were posted on picket, on a by-road. The night was intensely dark, and we were unable to see but a short distance frora us. The men were laid down on the edge of the road with ordei's for no one to speak or sleep, but to be ready to spring into line at an instant's notice. In front of us, at the distance of fifty paces, pickets were posted under command of Lieutenant Clendining. The countersign was — to bare the right arm and raise and lower it twice. When all was the stillness of death, a rapid fire of mus ketry opened a few hundred yards in our rear, and we were unable to tell whether it was an attack of the foe, or our friends firing upon one another. We found out afterwards it was our own men. About the middle of the night, a number of the bat tery horses got loose, and came dashing down the rear of our line, like a charge of cavalry, and several shots were fired into thera in rapid succession. One of the horses being wounded, kept up a most unearthly cry through the night, making the most distressing noise possible to imagine, and the farm dogs far and near were continually barking, indicating the proximity of the foe. In fact, and we strongly suspected it at the time, we were surrounded on all sides by the enemy, who knew our exact position, and had it in their power to cut in pieces or capture us, but they wished to bag the whole division, and were waiting for the arrival of one of their columns in the position assigned to it. , Fortunately it was de- . layed on its march, for which the general commanding was severely censured by his Government. The tedious 186 OUR CAMPAIGNS. hours of watching at last passed away, and the welcomed light of day broke in upon us, and with it, we withdrew our Une and returned to the field where we halted the preceding afternoon, and which before the setting sun was drenched with our blood. During the night all the troops fell back and crossed White Oak swamp, and by five A. M. on the 30th, Gen eral French commanding the rear-guard, crossed the bridge over the creek and destroyed it. General Keyes having been ordered to move to the James river, and occupy a defensive position near Malvern Hill, to secure out extreme left flank, arrived there in safety early in the morning with all his artillery and baggage. Other troops and long trains had also passed to the left. Battle of Charles City Cross-roads or Glendali^ June 30th. — It being the 30th of June, the regiments were formed for muster, and while this was being gone through with, the pickets comraenced exchanging shots, and so close were they to us, that Corporal John ColUns, Company H, received a bone wound in his arm, and we had hardly time to get through with the muster before the division was moved a short distance, and assigned its position for the battle. General McCall was ordered to take up a position on the left of the New Market or Long Bridge road, near its crossing with the Charles City road, in front of the Quaker road leading to Malvern Hill and "Turkey bridge, and to maintain it until the whole of the immense supply trains of the array, then slowly advancing frora White Oak creek, had passed towards James river, and to repel any attack on it. For this purpose General Meade's bri gade was posted on the right. General Seymour's on the left, and Reynold's, now Colonel Simmons', held in reserve. The artillery was placed in front of the line, Randall's •m the right. Cooper's and Kern's opposite the centre, and Dietrich and Kennerheim's, German batteries, acciden tally with the division, on the left of the Une. The Fourth Pennsylvania Cavalry, Colonel ChUds, was drawn THE BATTLE OF GLENDALE. 137 up on the left and rear, but not being caUed into action, were subsequently ordered to faU back. The field was a large open plain, with a front of about eight hundred yards, and depth of one thousand yards, intersected on the right by the New Market road and a narrow strip of timber, parallel to it, and on the left, near the centre, with a marshy woods, near which was Nelson's small farm house. In the rear of the plain was a steep wooded hUl running to a broad plateau or table land, across which run the Quaker road leading to the river. Upon the upper edge of the woods laid the First Brigade in reserve. On the right of the Reserves was posted Kearney's division, and on the left and somewhat retired was Sum ner, and further to the left, and slightly advanced, was Hooker. About half past two o'clock, P. M., the cavalry and infantry pickets of the Reserve were driven in, and soon after the enemy opened a heavy fire of shell upon our centre, under cover of which they sent forward two regi ments at different points to feel the line. These were driven back, one by the Third regiment. Colonel Sickel, and the other by the Seventh regiment. Colonel Harvey. Our division being too small to occupy the plain, both our flanks were exposed, and soon after a furious attack was made on the left by a heavy column of infantry. This advance was made under cover of a terrific artillery fire, and was gallantly met and driven back with great slaughter, and over two hundred prisoners taken. The " Bucktails," Major Stone, at this time were sent to the left and posted in the marsh woods, the First, Colonel Roberts, was sent to support Kern's battery, the Fifth, Lieutenant-colonel Fisher, and the Eighth, Colonel Hays, were ordered forward to the support of the left centre, and the last regiment of the reserve, the Second, Lieu tenant-colonel McCandless, was ordered to the left front. In anticipation of this order we had been advanced down the hill to near the edge of the woods, where tho 138 OUR CAMPAIGNS. cannoniers of a section of a Dutch battery belon^ng to Porter's corps and assigned that day to the Reserves, having cut their traces, came dashing through our regi ment, trampling several men to the ground and breaking the line. Their guns were abandoned in the plain before us, but the regiment advanced with loud cheers and swept across the field under a murderous fire of round shot and shell, and reaching a point near Nelson's house, and immediately on the right of the marsh woods, were laid down under a slight elevation of the ground. Here we were joined by a detachment of the Twelfth, under Adjutant McMurtrie, who were placed on our left. The battle was now raging with terrific fury, a perfect storm of shot and shell passing harmlessly over our heads. As the gaUant Seymour sat unmoved upon his horse in our rear, and saw the restiveness of the boys to advance, he said to thera, " lay down Second, lay down and go to sleep, I will wake you up when I want you." "Come and take a nap with us. General," replied the boys. The foe being heavUy reinforced, were steadily adavncing, and the regiments that had driven thera back with such gallantry had become somewhat disordered by the very irapetuosity of the charge, and had not tirae fully to reforra, and they in their turn were forced back, passing to our right. The Fifth and Eighth in the raean tirae had joined us on the right, and when the foe had arrived within fifty yards of us, Seymour cried out, " Up and at them," and rising we poured in a murderous fire that caused them to stagger and reel. With loud cheers we rushed upon them with the bay onet, and one of those desperate hand-to-hand struggles ensued that are seldom witnessed in war. The two hostUe flags were surging over the struggling mass a few feet from each other, and around them was poured out the best blood of Pennsylvania and Virginia. The struggle was a short but desperate one. Already had Major Woodward, Captains Sraith and Neid^ and Lieu tenants Fletcher and Nightingale, and many other THE BATTLE OP GLENDALE. 139 gallant spirits faUen, and the ground was crimsoned with their blood. In vain the wounded boys, who laid thick and near, urged on their comrades, but the enemy in crushing masses poured in around us, and with impet uous fury charged, to wrench from our hands the glori ous banner that flaunted over our heads. Overpowered, but with our banner and our honor unsullied, we were swept from the field. General Meade was borne off wounded, the heroic Simmons, who com manded our brigade, and Biddle, the Adjutant-general of the division, were mortally wounded, and a host of brave officers and men of the brigade laid around them.- As we retreated across the plain before us and up through the woods, the fire of hell was let loose upon us, the shells and canister tearing up the ground in deep furrows, or rushing, .=hrieking and hissing through the air, rending the very vault of heaven. On the plateau in the rear of the woods, the " Buck- tails," Second, Fifth and Tenth regiments were rallied by their respective commanders, and formed in line to the right of Sumner, and with the artillery that was playing over their heads succeeded in checking the further pro gress of the foe, and advancing, drove thera back and recovered the ground lost. Meanwhile a portion of the Twelfth regiraent, with detachments of the Fifth, Eighth and Tenth, who were carrying prisoners to the rear, retreated to the left on a by-road between Sumner and Hooker, followed closely by the enemy, who suddenly and unexpectedly coming upon these fresh troops, for neither had hitherto been engaged, soon recoiled, and were driven over upon our centre. While this was going on on the left, the centre and right of the Reserve were also hotly engaged, and so gi;aphically is the operations of these portions of the line described by General McCall, in his official report of the battle, that we copy it verbatim. " It must not be imagined that the eneray was inactive along the centre. and right of my line during all this 140 OUR CAMPAIGNS. time. Cooper's and Kern's batteries, in front of the centre, were boldly charged upon, each time a regiment' dashing up to within forty or fifty yards. They were then hurled back by a storm of canister and the delibe rate fire of the First regiment. Colonel Roberts, whom I had placed immediately in the rear of Kern's, and the Ninth regiment, Colonel Jackson, in the rear of Cooper's. The contest was severe, and put the steadiness of these regiments to the test ; both suffered heavy loss, but par ticularly the First regiment, whose gallant Lieutenant- colonel (Mclntire) was severely wounded. " Some time after this, the most determined charge of the day was tnade upon RandaU's battery, by a fuU brigade, advancing in wedge-shape, without order, but with a wUd recMessness that I never saw equalled. Soraewhat simUar charges had, as I have stated, been previously made on Cooper's and on Kern's batteries by single regiments without success, the Confederates hav ing been driven back with heavy loss. A like result appears to have been anticipated by Randall's company; and the Fourth regiment (as was subsequently reported to me) was requested not to advance between the guns as I had ordered, as it interfered with the cannoniers, but to let the battery deal with them. Its gallant com mander did not doubt, I am satisfied, his ability to repel the attack, and his guns fairly opened lanes in the ad vancing host. These gaps were, however, iraraediately closed, and the enemy carae on, with arras trailed, at a run, to the very muzzles of his guns, where they pistoled or bayoneted the cannoniers. Two guns were limbered, and were in the act of wheeling to the rear when the horses were shot, the guns were both overturned, and presented one confused heap of men, horses and car riages. Over all these the men of the Eleventh Ala bama regiraent dashed in, a perfect torrent of men, and I am sorry to say, the greater part of the Fourth regi ment gave way. . The left company (Captain Conrad) of that regimet, however, stood its ground, and with some THE BATTLB OF GLENDALE. 141 fifty or eighty men of other companies met the Ala- bamians. "I had ridden into the regiment and endeavored to check them; but, as is seen, with only partial success. It was here, however, my fortune to witness between those of my men who stood their ground and the Rebels who advanced, one of the fiercest bayonet fights that per haps ever occurred on this continent. Bayonets were crossed and locked in the struggle; bayonet wounds were freely given and received. I saw skulls crushed by the heavy blow of the butt of the musket, and, in short, the desperate thrusts and parries of a life and death encounter, proving indeed that Greek had met Greek when the Alabama boys fell upon the sons of Pennsylvania. " My last reserve regiment I had previously sent to support Cooper, and I had not now a man to bring for ward. My raen were bodUy borne off the ground by superior nurabers. A thick wood was immediately in the rear, and the Confederates did not follow my men into the thicket. It was at this moment, on witnessing the scene I have described that I bitterly felt that my division ought to have been reinforced. "My force had been reduced, by the battles of the 26th and 27th, to less than six thousand, and on this occasion I had to contend with the divisions of Long- street and A. P. Hill, estimated among the strongest and best of the Confederate army, and numbering that day from eighteen to twenty thousand. " The centre wa.s at this time still engaged and I could not withdraw any troops from it. "The Alabama troops did not attempt to enfilade my line, and leaving the guns on the ground, (the horses having, during the fight, been either killed or dispersed ) they retired to the woods on my right. " It was now near sunset and the heat of battle had greatly subsided. I now rode to the rear to rally and collect the stragglers. At a short distance I came upon 142 OUR CAMPAIGNS. two regiments of Kearney's division. I requested them to move forward, but was inforraed their orders were to await the arrival of General Kearney. I moved on and set sorae officers at work to form the stragglers of ray own regiraents into line. On my return- 1 found General Kearney. He put his regiments in motion and raoved to the front and on the right of my line. "As he rode away he said to rae, 'If you can bring forward another line in a few minutes we can stop them.' By this time the sun had set, and the desultory firing was confined to the extreme right. " In a short time Lieutenant-colonel Thorapson, Third regiraent, carae up and reported to me that he had col lected about five hundred men, with whom he was then advancing. I rode on with hira at the head of the column in a direction to bring this force up on Kearney's left. "On arriving near the ground where Randall's battery stood, I halted Thompson's coraraand, wishing to ascer tain whether any of ray men were still in front of me. I had left Captain Conrad's company about one hundred yards in advance, but it was now so dark I could scarcely distinguish a raan at ten paces. The battle, in fact, was now over; the firing on the left and centre had ceased, and there was only a desultory firing between Kearney's men and the enemy, some distance to the right. I rode forward to look for Conrad, and on the ground where I left him I rode into the enemy's picket, the Forty-seventh Virginia, Colonel Mayo, resting under some trees, and before I knew in whose presence I was, I was taken prisoner. Unfortunately for myself I had no staff officer with me, or I should have sent him forward to examine the ground, instead of going myself; but my Adjutant- general, the valiant Captain Henry J. Biddle, had been mortally wounded ; Lieutenant Scheetz had his horse killed, and was injured by the fall ; my Chief of Ord nance, the gallant Beatty," had been severely wounded at ray si'de, and only left me when I had insisted on his doing so; ray exceUent Orderly, Sergeant Siraeon Dunn, THE BATTLE OF GLENDALE. 143 Fourth Pennsylvania Cavalry, was also fatally wounded at my side, and out of my escort of a captain and twenty men of the Fourth Cavalry, but one corporal (the brave King) and one private remained with me; these two men were made prisoners with myself About the time 1 was taken prisoner the desultory firing on my right died away." The Reserves remained on the field during the night, and the rear guard withdrew from it about three o'clock the next morning, rejoining McClellan at Malvern Hill, after every gun and wagon of the Army of the Potomac had passed safely to the river.* The loss of the division in killed, wounded and pris oners, in the three battles of the 26th, 27th and 30th of June, was three thousand one hundred and eighty, out of about seven thousand who went into the battle of MechanicsviUe. The trophies of the day were three stands of colors captured and nearly three hundred pris oners. The command of the division now devolved upon General Seymour, and of our brigade upon Colonel Hays, of the Eighth Reserve, In regard to this battle, justice and truth requires that notice be taken of the report of General Hooker, of the part taken by his division in it, as published in " Wilkes^ Spirit of the Times," of Noveraber 1st, 1862, In this re port that officer states, " the whole of McCall's division was completely routed," &c. This sweeping assertion has always been regarded by every officer and man of the division as exhibiting a misapprehension of facts that was perfectly incomprehensible, and evidence has since been produced to show that it was not in accordance with facts. Besides the official report of General McCall, which is a sufficient refutation of the charge, we have his testi mony before " the Joint Committee of the Conduct on the War," in which he states: • See Appendix A, 144 OUR CAMPAIGNS, "I have no desire to treat Ughtly the reverses on both flanks of my division in this hard-fought field; they were the almost inevitable results of greatly superior numbers, impelled on those points with great impetu osity; but the Pennsylvania Reserves as a division, although terribly shattered, were never " routed " ; they maintained their ground with these exceptions, for three hours against thrice their numbers, in, I believe, the hardest fought and bloodiest battle in which they ever have been engaged, and in this opinion I am sustained by most of those officers, if not aU, with whom I have conversed on the subject. Had ray division been routed, the march of the Fed eral army would certainly have been seriously interrupted by Lee forcing his masses into the interval, (See General Porter's statement herewith.) When I was surrounded and taken prisoner, I was conducted at once to Lee'a headquarters. Here Longstreet told me they had seventy thousand men bearing on that point, all of whom would arrive before midnight ; and had he succeeded in forcing McClellan's coluran of march, they would have been thrust in between the right and left wings of the Federal army. Now, under this very probable contingency had I not held my position (see General Porter's report here with) the state of afEiirs in the left wing of McClellan's army would have befen critical indeed; but Lee was .checked (as Longstreet admitted ) by my division (see Surgeon Marsh's report herewith), and the divisions in the rear, together with the Pennsylvania Reserves and others, raoved on during the night, and joined McClellan at Malvern Hill before daylight. What share my divi sion had in effecting this happy result let the country judge." General Porter writing to General McCall from Wash ington, October 20th, 1862, says: "Had not McCaU held his place on New Market road, June 20th, that line of march of the (Federal) army would have been cut by the enemy." TESTIMONY. 145 General Meade, to the same, from carap, near Warren ton, Virginia, under date of November 7th, 1862, writes : * * * . " ^* ^^ o°^y tl^® stubborn resistance offered by our division ( the Pennsylvania Reserves ), prolong ing the contest till after dark, and checking till that time the advance of the enemy, that enabled the concentra tion, during the night, of the whole army on James river, wldch saved it." Colonel Roy Stone, one hundred and forty-ninth regir ment, Pennsylvania volunteers, who commanded tixe "Bucktails," at New Market cross-roads, writes: "Meantime the enemy (recoiUng from Sumner and Hooker) tumed to the left and was repulsed by your centre. About sunset I was ordered to the right, and went directly to the ground occupied by me when the action commenced, and I can bear witness that the ground held by the centre of your division when the battle opened, was held by your troops in the face of a large force of the enemy long after dark ; and so far as my observation extended, the only regiraents that broke in the early part of the fight were those that had become disordered by their own charge into the enemy's line." Colonel Hays, Eighth Reserves, writes : * * * " I ordered the line to advance and take a position in a field immediately in front of where General Seymour had been in the commencement of the action. We lay till four o'clock, the next moming, and so near the enemy that we could hear the voices of officers givmg orders." Lieutenant-colonel Warner, commanding Tenth Re serves, writes: * * * "The eneray being checked in these woods, the regiment again formed in line, with others of the Reserves who were rallied at this point, and moved forward to within a hundred yards of the ground it held at the beginning of the battle. Here it remained in line of battle, till 11 o'clock at night, when it was ordered to move to Malvern HilL" 10 146 OUR CAMPAIGNS. Surgeon N. F. Marsh, Fourth Pennsylvania cavalry, writes : "Washington, November 25iA, 1862. — General: — After the battle of the 30th of June, I remained at ' Willis' Church, with a large number of our wounded. The next morning I was directed by General Jackson (Stonewall) to report to General Lee. I found General Lee in company with General Longstreet, Magruder and Hill, on the New Market road. I addressed General Lee and informed him that I was a Federal surgeon, and had remained to care for our wounded, and wished protection and supplies for our men. He promised supplies, and directed General Longstreet to write the necessary per mit. At the time I approached they were discussing the battle of the previous day, being then on the ground. General Longstreet asked me if I was present. I re plied I was. He asked what troops were engaged. I replied I only knew the division I was connected with — McCall's — which fought just where we then were. Gen eral Longstreet said, ' Well, McCall is safe in Richraond; but if his division had not offered the stubborn resistance it did on this road, we would have captured your whole army. Never mind, we'll do it yet.' " On Thursday, 3d July, General Roger A. Pryor came into the Church (hospital,) and we had a long conversa tion. He repeated in substance what General Longstreet said, and spoke in the highest terms of the ' pluck dis played by McCall's Pennsylvania troops.' " The interest I felt in the Reserve Corps made me care ful to remember these acknowledgments of the rebel generals." Surgeon James R. Riley, of the One hundred and twenty-seventh Penna. Vols, writes: "Washington, January 16, 1864. — General: — On the 18th of December, 1862, I was engaged dressing the stump, having previously amputated the leg of Captain (name not recollected,) of the Twelfth Mississippi regiraent, who had been wounded at the battle of Fred- WHITE OAK SWAMP. 147 ericksburg, when he asked me what corps I belonged to, I replied the Pennsylvania Reserves. He said he had been in seventeen battles, and in all those on the Penin sula ; that if the Pennsylvania Reserves had not fought so well at Mechanicsville, where they had their best troops, and again at New Market cross-roads, the Con federates would have captured McClellan's army." It is not necessary to dwell longer upon this subject, as the above adduced testimony sets at rest the matter beyond all controversy. While the battle of Charles City cross-roads was pro gressing, the enemy were attempting to force a passage of White Oak swamp which was held by General FrankUn. Between twelve and one o'clock they opened a fierce cannonade upon the divisions of Smith and Richardson, and Naglee's brigades at this bridge. This artUlery fire was continued by the enemy through the day, and he crossed some infantry below our position, Richardson's division suffered severely. Captain Ayres directed the artillery with great effect. Captain Hazzard 's battery, after losing many cannoniers, and the Captain being mortally wounded, was compelled to retire. It was replaced by Pettit's battery, which partially silenced the enemy's guns. General Franklin held his position until after dark, repeatedly driving back the enemy in their attempts t