3> . * Ik

*. *

». »

».; »

&. ?i k

LIST OF NEW PUBLICATIONS.

OUR CAMPAIGNS ; or, The Marches, Bivouacs, Battles, Incidents of Camp Life, and History of our Regiment during its three years term of service. By E. M. Woodward, Adjutant Second Pennsylvania Reserves. 12mo., cluth. Price $2.00.

LIFE AND ADVENTURES OF MISS MAJOR PAULINE CUSHMAN, the celebrated Union Spy and Scout. By F. L. Sarmiento. With Por- trait and Illustrations. ]2mo., paper. Price $1.50; cloth, $2.00.

OUR BOYS. The Personal Experiences of a Soldier in the Army of the Po- tomac. By A. F. IIiLL, of the Eighth Pennsylvania Reserves. With char- acteristic Frontispiece. 12mo., paper, $1.5C , cloth, $2.00.

THRILLING STORIES OF THE GREAT REBELLION. By a Disabled Officer. With Illustrations in Colors. 12mo., paper. Price $1.50 ; cloth, $2.00.

THRILLING ADVENTURES AMONG THE EARLY SETTLERS. By

Warrex Wildwood, Esq. Illustrated by 200 engravings. 12mo., paper. Price $1.50; cloth, $2.00.

LIFE OF DANIEL BOONE, the Great Western Hunter and Pioneer. By Cecil B. Hartley. 12mo., illustrated, cloth. Price $2.00.

LIFE OF DAVID CROCKETT, the Original Humorist and Irrepressible Backwoodsman. 12mo., illustrated, cloth. Price $2.00.

LIFE OF KIT CARSON, the Great Western Hunter and Guide. By Charles Bcrdett. 12mo., illustrated, cloth. Price $2.00.

THE BEAUTIFUL SPY. An Exciting Story of Army and High Life in New York in 1776. By Charles Burdett. 12mo., paper. Price $1.50 ; cloth, $2.00.

THE ROYALIST'S DAUGHTER AND THE REBELS; or, The Dutch Dominie of the Catskills. A Tale of the Revolution. By Rev. David Murdoch, D.D. 12mo., paper. Price $1.50,- cloth, $2.00.

THE HERO GIRL, and How she Became a Captain in the Army. A Tale of the Revolution. By Thrace Talman. Illustrated. 12mo., paper. Price $1.50; cloth, $2.00.

THE SOLDIER AND THE SORCERESS; or. The Adventures of Jane Seton. 12mo., paper. Price $1.50 ; cloth, $2.00.

WONDERFUL ADVENTURES BY LAND AND SEA, of the Seven Queer Travelers who met at an Inn. By Josiah Barnes. 12mo., cloth. Price

$2.00.

THE ORPHAN BOY; or. Lights and Shadows of Northern Life. By Jeremy Loud. 12mo., paper. Price $1.50 ; cloth, $2.00.

THE ORPHAN GIRLS. A Tale of Southern Life. By James S. Peacocke, M.D. 12mo., paper. Price $1.50 ; cloth, $2.00.

7^^ Either or all of these Books will be sent free to any address, on re- ceipt of price. Agents wanted for their sale, with whom liberal terms will be made. Address

JOHN E. POTTEE, Publisher,

No. 617 Sansom Street, Philadelphia, Pa.

OUR CAMPAIGNS

MARCHES, BIVOUACS, BATTLES, INCIDENTS OF CAMP

LIFE AND HISTORY OF OUR REGIMENT DURING

ITS THREE YEARS TERM OF SERVICE.

1

TOOETHER WITH

A SKETCH OF THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, UNDER GENERALS McCLELLAN, BURNSIDE, HOOKER, MEADE AND GRANT.

By E. M. WOODWARD,

Adjutant, Second Pa. Reserves.

1 -1 " >		*
„-^		PHILADELPHIA:
PUBLISHED	BY	JOHN	E. POTTER, No. (317 1865.	SANSOM	STREET.
Checked			X^
Mflv 1913

Entered according to Act of Congress in the year 1865 by

E. M. WOODWARD,

in the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States, in and for the Eastern

District of Pennsylvania.

Stereotyped by Theodore Brown, 605 Sansom street, Philadelphia. CoLLixs Printeb.

TO

mxB un^ Mm ^f Jk fe^an^

TO THE MEMORY OF THEIR DEAD, IS RESPECTFULLY DEDICATED.

BY THEIR COMRADE,

THE JlUTHOIi.

INTRODUCTORY.

The object in writing this volume, is to give in a clear and lucid manner the history of The Second Eegiment Pennsylvania Keserve Volunteer Corps, 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 o£B.cial reports of Commanders, furnish the material. If the recital of the incidents of the camps, the marches, the bivouacs, the 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 I.

FADE.

The Great Rebellion 13

CHAPTER II.

Sumter and the flag fired on — ^The aim and design op the Leaders op the Rebellion— JcsTiFicATiox of the Course of President Lincoln '. 22

CHAPTER III.

War for the Union — Pennsylvania's Response— Organization op the Reserves —Colonels Mann's, Marsh's and De Korponay's Regiments — Camp Wash- ington—Quaint Najies — Whisky in a Musket Barrel — Getting the Coun- tersign 28

CHAPTER IV.

Organization of the Second, Third and Fourth Reserves— Dissatisfaction theretvith— Election of Field Officers— Watched and Fanned all Night — Departure of the Fourth and Third Regiments 39

CHAPTER V.

Departure of the Second — Its Roster — Camp Curtin — Leave the State with- out BEING Mustered into the United States Service— Marching without Orders- Baltimore— Sandy Hook— Discontent among the Men— Refusal to take the Oath— Sent Home in Disgrace— Strange Mismanagement— March to Berlin 44

CHAPTER VI.

March through Maryland — Mutiny in the Nineteenth New York Militia- Guards after Whisky — Disbanding of Companies 53

9

10 CONTENTS.

CHAPTER VII.

PAGK.

Tenallttown— Visit fbom the President and General McClellaw— Presenta- tion op Flags— A Haxl Storm— The Reoiments brigaded 61

CHAPTER YIII.

Crossing the Chain Bridge— Camp Pierpont— The "Long Roll."— Beauregard Reconnoitering — March to Drainesville— An Indiscreet Hen— Retirx to Pierpont— Ball's Bluff— Review— Resignation of Colonel Mann— Grand Review * 65

CHAPTER IX.

Skirmish near Drainesville — Foraging Expedition — Battle of Drainesville — Visit of Governor Curtin — The Boys in Winter — Camp Life — Firing for Medals— Picketing — " Old Uncle Ben " — " Taking French " — Naughty "Sell." 73

CHAPTER X.

Opening of the Campaign of 1S62— Farewell to Pierpont— The March— Hawk- hurst's Mills- Army Corps— Wet and Noisy Night— "Hollo Barney"— Alexandria— Embarkation for the Peninsula— By Railroad— A Night in Rebel Cabins — Ruins of Manassas — Bull Run Field — Selling Cider — March to the Rappahannock— Cavalry Skirmish— Washington vs. David of Old.. .. 82

CHAPTER XI.

Falmouth — Visit of President Lincoln — Crossing the Rappahannock— Grave of Mary Washington— Love Bubble— Cemetery— March to Gray's Landing —Embarkation foe the Peninsula— Voyage to the White House— March to Dispatch Station 96

CHAPTER XII.

Siege of Yoektown— Battle of Williamsburg; — Skirmishes at Seven Pines, Cold Harbor an-d Mechanicsville— Battle of Hanover Court House- Battle of Fair Oaks— Attack on Tunstall's Station— March to the Chicka-

HOMINT — NaNALEY'S MiLL — SHELLING THE EnEMY — BATTLE OF OaK GrOVE 105

CHAPTER XIII.

Strength of the Opposing Armies — Opening of the Seven Days' Battle — Battle op Mechanicsville— Battle of Gaines' Mills — Crossing the Chicka-

HOMINY .'. 116

CONTENTS. 11

CHAPTER XIY.

PAOB.

Change of Base— JIarch to the James Rivek— Battle of Allen's Faem—Bat- TLE OF Savage's Station— A Night on Picket— The Battle of Glendale— The River Reached 180

CHAPTER XV.

Battle of Malvern Hill— March to Harrison's Landing — Cruelty to our Wounded — Hunting Gretbacks— White Gloves and Ragged Clothes— Visit of President Lincoln 148

CHAPTER XVI.

Midnight Shelling — A Spy— Promotions— Return op Generals McCall and Retnolds— Withdrawal from the Peninsula— Voyage on the James and Potomac— General Pope's Movement— Hunting our Divison— Running the Gauntlet 164

CHAPTER XVII.

Second Battle of Bull Run— Conduct of General Fitz John Porter The

Army falls Back— Battle of Chantilly— Arlington Heights— Upton's Hill.. 176

CHAPTER XVIII.

Crossing the Potomac— March through Maryland — Battle of South Mountain —Remarkable Incident 193

CHAPTER XIX.

The Battle of Antietam— Field Hospitals— The Enemy withdrawn to Vir- ginia-Porter's Reconnoissance— Visit op President Lincoln 202

CHAPTER XX.

Crossing the Potomac— March through Virginia— Warrewton—Gexeral Mo- Clellan Superceded— Removal of General Fitz John Porter— Our Virginia Friends— Bombardment of Fredericksburo — Laying Pontoons 221

CHAPTER XXI.

Battle of Fredericksburg -Loss of our Army — Incidents — Causes of the De- feat— Re-cros3 the Rappahannock 232

12 CONTENTS

CHAPTER XXII.

PAGE.

Picket Trfce and Fighting — Farewell of General Meade— The Mud Expedi- tion—General BuRNSiDE Relieved by General Hooker— Ordered to Alexan- dria—To Fairfax Court House— Picket at Bull Run— Capture of General Stouqhton — Promotions , 247

CHAPTER XXIII.

Our Petition— March to Pennsylvania — Happy Day — Battle of Gettysburg — Losses of the Armies 259

CHAPTER XXIV.

Fall of Reynolds— The Boy's Sword — March— Undying Love— Falling Waters —Lee Crosses the Potomac— Wappinq Heights— Manassas Gap— Anecdote- Marching IN A Circle ^ 276

CHAPTER XXV.

Rappahannock Station— The Swobd Banquet— Military Execution— March to Culpepper Court House , 289

CHAPTER XXVI.

Lee's Attempt to Flank — Back to the Rappahannock — To Brandy Station — The Battle of Bristoe— To Centreville and Fairfax Court House— Victo- ries AT Rappahannock Station and Kellby's Ford— Rebel Cabins- Crossing the Rapidan— Battle of Mine Run— "Winter Quarters at Bristoe— Flag Presentation — Reorganization of the Army 297

CHAPTER XXVII.

Position of the Armies— Opening of Grant's Campaign— The Battle of the Wilderness — The Battle of Spottsylvania Court House — Engagement at Guinney's Station— Engagement at North Anjia- Term of Service Expires —The Regiment resolves to Remain— The Battle of Bethesda Church— The Parting— Marching Home— Reception in Habrisburg and Philadelphia- Presentation of Medals 305

APPENDIX A.

Killed, Wounded and Missing 329

APPENDIX B.

Roster of the Second Pennsylvania Reserves 334

APPENDIX C.

"Marches and Bivouacs 358'

Mr «;^ampax0n6

CHAPTER I.

THE GEEAT REBELLION.

Many men of discernment, who had watched the politics of the country for years past, and the gradual but steady moulding of public opinion in the N'orth and South, had long foreseen the approaching storm, that was to test the great question of the stability of the Govern- 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 Government of the United States, which Alexander H. Stephens, the Yice-President of the " Southern Confederacy," in November, 1860, pronounced ''the most beneficent Government of which history gives ■us any account," and which Jefferson Davis, the Presi- dent in the session of 1860-61 said was, "the best Gov- ernment ever instituted by man, unexceptionably ad- ministered, and under which the people have been pros-

(13)

14 OUR CAMPAIGNS.

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 the 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 Eepublic to annex and open to them the vast State. of Texas. And more than this, the Govern- ment underhandedly favored the fillibustering 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 Govern- 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 permitting 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' Southerners 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 Government, 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 imderstood 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 Southerners 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 stern 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 Cono-ress in blood. Yet the North submitted to these degradations for the sake of peace, and bowed the

THE GREAT KEBELLIOX. 17

head to the demands of the South for the sake of the Union.

At List, in 1860, the two great political parties met to make their nominations for President and establish their jjlatforms. The disunionists first showed their treason hj 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 the 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 Governor 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 Soutli, it would set about forming a separate confederation, long since demanded by its true interests. It was even* freely proclaimed tbrough 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 hero in 1860. This ac- 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 succession followed other acts, that too

THE GKEAT REBELLION". 19

plainly showed tliat madness Lad usurped the throne of reason, and that ''those whom the Gods wish to destroy they first make mad."

On the 8d 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 11th, 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 4:th 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 -ith, 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 II. Stephens of Georgia, Vice-Presi- dent of the Southern Confederacy for one year. The Constitution of the United States, with amendments, was adopted.

On the 16th, Mr. Davis, at ^lontgomery, 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 engea-

20 OUR aiMPATGNS.

derecl again^st 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, Avere notified to leave without time to collect their debts or dispose of their property. Traders on the Mississippi were driven from their barges 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 Govern- 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 ! On the 8th of January, Jacob Thompson of Misssissippi, resigned his position as Secretary of the 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 Montgomerj^, Alabama. John B. Floyd of Virginia, Secretary of War, after stripping the arsenals of the Northern States of their arms, ordnance, and ammunition, colleagued 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 hospitalities 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 familiarity 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 ! It requires too much credulity 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 he 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 II.

Sumter and the flag fired on— The aim and design of the leaders op the rebellion — justification of the course OF President 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-traitors were using all their insidious wiles to seduce the remain- ing slave States from their allegiance to the Federal Government. 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 Avere the entire available force which the Government 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 OX. 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 11th 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 loth 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 galling 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.

24 OUR CAMPAIGXS.

The greatest crime that was ever committed against liberty and mankind was now consummated. Heaven itself revolted at the act, and sent the hissing missiles 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 of fifteen stars, one star for each slave State, inclusive of Delaware and Maryland, 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 colleagues, 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 preliminary to the absorption of the Border States, and for the moral effect in the eyes of Europe of possessing the metropolis of the Union. In 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 public 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 influential

THE AIM AND DESIGN" OF TOE REBEL LEADERS. 25

leaders of the rebellion, and it was fondly thought that this object could be eltected 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 American 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 acid, 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 wdll 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 interrupt the

26 OUR CAMPAIGNS.

course of its prosperity — you may cloud its reputation for stability, but its tranquillity will be restored, its prosperity will return, and the stain upon its national character will be transferred and remain an eternal blot 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

JUSTIFICATIOX OF PRESIDENT LINCOLN". 27

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 Government 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 efibrt for self-preservation ? No, God forbid it, yet Americans have argued these ques- tions in the af&rmative, but only those who were deceived themselves, or 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 will abandon none of the rights of the Government, 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 tixes 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 Government 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 ^he 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 wdthin 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.

CHAPTEK III.

War for the Union — Pennsylvania's response — Organiza- tion OP THE Reserves — Colonels Mann's, Marsh's, and De Korponay's regiments — Camp Washington — Quaint Names — Whiskey in a musket barrel — 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. Eecruiting parties traversed the city in eyerj 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 difterent churches set themselves diligently to work supplying

pexxsylvania's respoxse. 29

tlic volunteers with shirts, drawers, socks and other clothing an.'l contributions of all sorts were freely given. The generous im])ulses of the heart of a nation never flowed freer. The soldiers rode free on the cars, and \vent free to all places of amusement. The only trouble the men had was to lind companies that were sure of ac- ceptance, and some who had good reputations numbered two hundred and fifty and three hundred men, while all w^ere rapidly filling up. In fact twenty thousand men could have been raised in the city in one Aveek.

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 Philadelphia, 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 Government would not allow these to be raised, but simply credited the State with them, as she had already furnished more than her two quotas.

The extra session of the Legislature of Pennsylvania convened on the 80th day of April, in pursuance of the proclamation of the Governor, fully appreciating the gigantic task the North had before them, wisely and patriotically resolved, in accordance with Governor 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-

30 OUK CAMPAIGNS.

ness to obey any requisition the President miglit 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. All these were mustered 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 examination 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 among the captains who joined with him were George A. Wood- ward, "Pennsylvania Eifles;" J. Orr Finnic, "Scotch Eifles;" E. M. Woodward, "Taggart Guards;" P. I. Smith, " 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 his regiment about the same time, and the companies chosen by the Governor were Captains P. McDonough, " Gover- nor s Eangers;" James N. Byrne, "Hibernia Target Company;" E. Ellis, "Governor's Eangers;" T. Bring-

COLONEL MANN's REGIMENT. 81

hnrst, "Governor'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 difiiculty 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 tliey had drilled 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 Avith 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 jhe 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 miles west of Easton, and three-quarters of a mile north of the Lehigh river, in Northampton county. On 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 following morning they were settled down and ready to commence the routine of camp. Colonel Mann, com- manding the camp, issued the following "calls'' to be

CAMP WASTTIXGTON. 33

sounded: Ecveille, 4 A. M.; Drill, 4J; Eecall, 6; Break- fast, 7; Guard Mounting, 7 J ; Fatigue, 7f ; Sick Call, 8; Drill, 9; Recall, 10; Orderlies' Call, 12 M.; Dinner, 12 J P. M.; Drill, 6; Eecall, 7; Sapper, 7i; Tattoo, 9; Taps, 9 J. Four roll calls were had eacli 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 continually going on, and alto- gether they appeared 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., until 4 P. M., and the next day were required to perform the police duty of the camp. Armed with rakes and hickory brooms, they gathered the straw, rubbish and old bones into heaps, to be removed 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 their puckered lips 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 fil'ty-six officers and men present. As no clothing or blankets were as yet furnished by Government, 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

8'i 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 remember 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- vailed among the men, arising from the free use of lime- stone water, to which they were unaccustomed, but there was no serious illness. 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 sometimes 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 recross 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 Philadelphia;" "Fort McCandless, Sergeant Dillon eomrhanding ;" "Fort Mann, Lieutenant John J. Gill

commanding ;" " Fort , Lieutenant J. D. Schock

commanding." On the right of this was " The Quaker Citj Head Quarters;" "Camp McClure;" ''Fort Wm. T.

QUAINT NAMES. -35

Blundin ;" '* Quaker Bridal Chamber ;" " Calahan Hall ;" " 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 Hall;" "Don't Tread on me;" "Minerva Hall;" "Git up and Git;" "Old Lebanon Gar- den, Captain Mealey."

Next, " Happy Home of the Constitutional Rangers, Captain William 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 Wall;" "Montgomery Guards;" Next, "Einwechters 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's Lm ;" "Bill Pool Club;" "We Respect all, and Fear none;" "Never Sink;" "Live Oak;" "Ken- sington Boys;" "Hike out and Simmer down." Next, "Balmoral Castle;" "Scotch Rifles, Captain J. Orr Fin- nic;" " Wallace's Cave, Lieutenant J. B. Fletcher ;" "De Korponay ;" " Struther's Retreat ;" " Poney Hall." Next, "Penn Rifles, Captain George A. Woodward;" "De Korponay;" "The Flag Wyoming." Next, " Taggart Guards;" "De Korponay Bricks;" "Sunday Mercury, Captain B. M. Woodward ;" " Spicket's Head Quarters ;" " Railroad House ;" " The abode of Virtue." Next, " Con- solidation Guards, Captain P. I. Smith ;" " De Korpo- nay Pidgeon Box;" "Gay and Happy;" "Fort Defi-

B6 OUR CAMPAIGNS.

ance." Next, " Ilatborough 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 Sheriff's Ball;" "The Blue Eyed Stranger;" "Moonlight Assassinators;" "Mount Vernon ;" " Washington and Lincoln ;" " Victory or Death;" "White Hall, Newtown, Captain David V. Feaster ;" "Traitor Hunters ;" " Love and Glory;" " Game Chickens;" "Ellsworth Avengers;" "Rebel Killers;" "Hard Scrabble Rangers;" "Chester County Volun- teers ;" " Never Surrender ;" " The Wheat Field ;" " The Red Curtin;" "Susquehanna Tigers;" "Gloria Dei;" " Ellsworth's Heart," etc.

Guard mounting in the morning was an interesting ceremony, the guard numbering one hundred and two men, which, with the band, made a fine display. Of course, 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 excursion, and were bound to enjoy themselves as much as possible, and took particular de- light in dodging the guard. But four men from each company, 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 boys made their exit despite the guard. Some 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 I^r A MUSKET BAEREL. 37

ingress and egress. This was pronounced by the men to bo a real " Black house of refuge," and served most admirably the purpose intended, but really it was quite amusing to see the artful dodges resorted to by some of the inmates to overcome the diffi;;ulties.

An " officer of the day," on one occasion, upon visit- ing the guard house, found the guard 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 upon the 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 him. The officer afterwards was highly edified to learn that the guard having his musket barrel filled with whiskey, was engaged in treating the prisoner Avhen surprised by him.

With the countersign an officer or private could enter the camp at any time of night, but it was seldom given to the men, yet some of them were cute enough to get it, when 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 telling 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 seldom went to excess or troubled the citizens, but were inordinately fond of sing- ing patriotic songs at unseasonable hours of the night, which disturbed the quietude of the town, but the borough watchmen neve^ 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-

38 OUR CAMPAIGNS.

ing farmers and tlie citizens of Easton, particularly on Sundays, when in addition to the evening " dress parade," tlie 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 merriment 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 commaad 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 Thomas 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. Da\ds; 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.

0RG.4X1ZATI0X OF RESERVES. , 89

CHAPTER IV.

Organization of the Second, Third and Fourth Reserves. Dissatisfaction therewith. Election of Field Officers. Watched and fanned all night. Departure of the Fourth and Third Regiments.

On the 14tli of June, General McCall visited the camp to organize the regiments, 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 camp, which order, after stating that "the best interests of the service demanded that the companies brought to- gether at this camp shall be organized at the earliest day practicable," went on to say, " it would be desirable 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 Avould be conducted in the following manner : The ten companies which first arrived in camp 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 of&cers." 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 Governor, they could not be taken from him, and as Captain Thompson's company had been accepted by the Governor as one of Colonel Mann's, ho 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. Scheetz, 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 of&cers 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 himself upon his hands and wept like a child, and his company broke out in open mutiny, and attempted to seize a number of muskets in a neighboring of&cer's quarters. It was with the utmost difficulty the other De Korponay's companies could be kept quiet, and in fact it was deemed necessary to order out the whole camp for the purpose. Though defeated, the De Korponay companies desired to remain, 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, elec-

FOURTH OF JULY IX CAMP. 41

tions were held in them the next day for Field Officers, which resulted as follows :

Second Regiment. — Colonel, Wm. B. Mann. Lieutenant- Colonel, Albert L. Magilton. Major, Wm. McCandless.

Third Regiment.-^HoTtitio G. Sickel. Lieutenant- Colonel, Wm. S. Thompson. Major, Kichard H. Wool, worth.

Fourth Rerjiment. — Colonel, Robert G. March. Lieu- tenant-Colonel, John F. Gaul. Major, Eobert ^L 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 became 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 details were sent from camp to patrol the town and collect the disabled, who were conveyed to camp and carefully 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 Reo:iments beinoj located at the Ilead- quarters of their respective colonels.

42 OUR CAMPAIGNS.

One day upon the arrival of tlie 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 pursuit, 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 carefully 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 him up. " Andy, my 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 instantl}^ Draw your leg up and stretch it out." Andy with some 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, 3^oung 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," replied Andy,

REVIEWED BY THE GOVERNOR. 43

as the truth flashed upon hiin, 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 gentleman who witnessed the scene, called Andy 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 drill the next morning as sound as ever.

On the 14:ih, 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 Eegiment, 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 resumed and soon completed, and on the 22d, the Third, Colonel Sickel, was ordered to Harrisburg.

44 OUK CAMPAIGNS.

CHAPTER Y.

Departure op the Second. Its Roster. Camp Curtin. Leave the State without being mustered into the United States service. Marching without orders. Baltimore, Sandy Hook Discontent among the men. Refusal to

TAKE THE OATH. SeNT HOME IN DISGRACE. StRANGE 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 Cornet Band escorted them, the bells were rung, the citizens cheered, and the ladies waved their handkerchiefs. 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 ISTeide.

ComiKiny B. — Captain, P. McDonough. First Lieu- tenant, John D. Schock. Second Lieutenant, John J. Gill.

Company C. — Captain, James IST. Byrnes. First Lieu- 'tenant, John B. Robinson. Second Lieutenant, Frank Fox.

Company D. — Captain, R. Ellis. First Lieutenant, John Curley. Second Lieutenant, George Young.

Company E. — Captain, J. Orr Finnic. First Lieu- tenant, J. Baxter Fletcher. Second Lieutenant, Alex- ander Black.

DEPARTURE. 45

Compamj F. — Captain, Thomas Bringhurst. First Lieutenant, George W. Kite. Second Lieutenant, Wil- liam J. D. Edwards,

Company G. — -Captain, E. M. Woodward. First Lieu- tenant, Henry A. Sclieetz. Second Lieutenant, John K. Brown.

Company H. — Captain, Timothy Mealey. First Lieu- tenant, Peter Summers. Second Lieutenant, .

Company I. — Captain, William Knox. First Lieu- tenant, Thomas Weir. Second Lieutenant, John II. 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 off, 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 daring the passage, he receiving a severe contusion on the back of the head, that set him so wild, that it re- quired several men to hold him down to prevent his jumping off. Along the route flags were displayed from the houses, and at the villages the populace turned out en masse 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.

All 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 Governor, to proceed to Baltimore without its being dyne. Ac- cordingly, at two o'clock the next afternoon we marched

46 OUR CAMPAIGNS.

to the railroad, and at dark took the cars and proceeded on our way several miles, wliere we laid on a sideling until near daybreak tlie next morning, 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 commanded 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 2Sth, our regiment marched through the city to the depot of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, where we took cars for Sandy Hook. It numbered one thousand and one, officers and men, and were as fiae 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 Committee, who supplied them with an abundance of ice- water. On the route to Sandy Hook many American flags were displayed, and at Ellicott's Mills 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 companies of Vermont 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 tracl^. The rebels may have been picketing on the opposite bank of the Potomac, but whether they were or

SANDY HOOK. 47

not, the boys bad the satisfaction of imagining they saw them. After an hour's delay, we started on, finding 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, the 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 Blue Ridge, terminating on the Potomac, 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 encamped 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 Twent}^ -eighth Pennsylvania Volun- teers, of which De Korponay was Lieutenant-Colonel, and who received their full ration, and of a much better quality than our own. A rumor, that obtained much credence among the men, was put afloat, to the effect, that 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 coming to the knowledge of General Banks that an ofl&cer of another regiment was tampering with the men, and had offered to enlist them in his regiment 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 the officer who did so, and directing the drumming out of camp of any of them found enlisted. This discontent, there is not the slightest doubt, was countenanced and encouraged by a field officer of our own regiment, whose object was to bring Colonel Mann into bad repujte, 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 Philadelphia, 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 climax. That afternoon Lieutenant-, colonel Fitz John Porter, U. S. A., " the extreme West Pointer," was sent by General Banks to muster 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. 49

hand and take the oath of allegiance to their Govern- ment, about one-iourth refused to do so. The reasons assigned by them was, that they were armed with smooth-bored muskets, (the only ones the Government 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 names of all who had taken the oath, forwarded to head- quarters.

The next morning the regiment 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-foarth, 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 five 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 orderl}'', and at Broad and Prime streets were dismissed to their homes, but how they were received we know not.

The officers having learned Governor 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

50 OUR CAMPAIGNS.

surprise and indignation at being shown a telegram he had just received from General Banks' Assistant Adju- tant-general, stating that thej, 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 mismanaged 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 11th, the Independent Ran- gers, of Philadelphia, Captain Wm. McMullin, 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 Regim^nit 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 intentionally or unintentionally lost the way, and not having any 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 eftect. At last he heard meek, tremulous voices issuing from the cellar, and discovered the old folks and children in their night clothes, down there praying for deliverance 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., while in the midst of the work, the drums beat the "long roll," and the men dropping ^veyj 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 avail, 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 rebs had been firing upon the pickets of the Nineteenth New York, but with no other effect than the knocking over of some camp kettles and the scattering of their contents. Here we stacked arms and stretched ourselves upon the 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 lons^ 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 w^as 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, UDtil 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 "tnovement 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 YI.

March through Maryland. Mutiny in the Nineteenth New YoiiK Militia. Guards after whisky. Disbanding of 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 tlieir rations for the march. Early the next morning, before " reveille," the men were all up and stirring, and soon cooked their breakfasts and had everj^thing ready to move. And what a scene of animation it was ! 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 the 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 Eeserve. Colonel Mann, followed by the First Eeserve Eifles — the "Bucktails," 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 smoke 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, when 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 latey been flying; bat 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 Kocks, then to the left towards Frederick, moving over a narrow road 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 moving 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 fire, we slept peacefully until " reveille." Our march that day Avas fifteen miles.

The next day we started early, it being cloudy, drizzly and oppressively close, and by noon crossed a branch of the Monocacy, 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 moved at eight o'clock, through a drizzling rain and deep mud, passing through Buckeystown whofee inhabitants are of strong secession proclivity. ISTot 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 them, stood at the doors and windows looking pictures of woful sorrow. About a mile from here we crossed the Monocacy 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 enjojring it at once, resembling as they sat on the innumerable 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 six miles. There the next day, August 22d, a mutiny broke out in the Nineteenth jSTew 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 claimed 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 them, 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

wbicli cooled thera oiT and refrosbed them wonderfully. The next morning the patriots were so transmogrified, that all 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 spfent 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, ofi&cers 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 allowed to twenty men, and" one tent to six. This, at that time was exceedingly limited, but we afterwards learned 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 mile 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 whei'o-

58 OUR CAMPAIGNS.

abouts, and when tbey 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 concerned. 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 regiment 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 Eifles. P. E. Y. C, "Buck- tails," Colonel Biddle ; the Second Infantry, P. E. Y. C, Colonel Mann; the T\r3nty-ninth Pennsylvania Yolun- 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 drizzling, 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-

DISBAXDING OF COMPANIES. 59

ance," tbe 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 ofl&cers 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. This is distinctly stated in the Army Eegulations 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, Avhen 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 men, than if they had been killed in battle, but the colonel finding his ranks greatly reduced, was unwilliug 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 CAilPATGNS. •

SO far from acknowledging the legality of the act, he soon after issued commission^ 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, William 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 company, joined the regiment 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-major 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 returned 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 Eegiment 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 aud packing up. At three o'clock the next morniug 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 march of only eight miles, went into camp about two miles from Darnestown. The next day Colonel Thomas was detached from the command of our brigade.

TENALLYTOWN". 61

which devolved upon Colonel Charles J. Biddle, of the '■'Bucktails." 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 VII.

Tenallytown. Visit from the President and General MgClellan. Presentation op Flags. A Hail-storm. The Regiments Brigaded.

Ten-allytown is situated at the junction of the Rock- ville and Poolesville roads with the Georgetown road, three miles from the latter town, and one mile and a half from the Chain Bridg^e. Here was erected Fort Pennsylvania, a most important and formidable earth- work, with a broad and deep ditch, heavy abatis, and guns mounted barbette. It was built by the Reserves, details being made from all the regiments for that pur- pose.

Prior to our arrival several interesting ceremonies took place, among which was a grand review of the Di- vision by His Excellency 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 CAMPAIGN'S.

Headquartehs Pennsylvania T»ksf.rye Volunteer Corps, Gami:) Tenally, August 2lst, 18G1.

Soldiers of the Pennsylvania Reserve ! 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 soldierlike 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 well 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 will uphold the flag of our State, and place her name among the foremost in the cause of our common country.

GEO. A. McCALL,

Brigadier-General Commaiiding.

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 Campbell'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

PRESENTATIOX OF FLAGS. 63

appeared in view, containing His Excellency the Presi- dent of the United States, accompanied by his Cabinet, Governor Cartin 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 dollar 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 re.giments wheeled into columns of companies and passed in review before the Governor. After this the company attending the Presi- dent and Governor partook of a collation, in pic-nic style, in the grove frontiiig General McCall's headquar- ters. There were several ladies in the party — Mrs. Governor Curtin, Mrs. General Maxwell, and others, whose presence added greatly to the pleasure of the occasion. The greatest sociability prevailed, and all present enjoyed themselves. President Lincoln was in his 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 V'irginia, returned to Washington, via the Long Bridge.

While we laid here heavy details were made daily

64: OUR CAMPAirrs^S.

for picket, cattle-guard, or working parties on the fort, besides which Colonel Mann was indefatigable in his eftbrts to discipline the regiment by constant battalion and company drills. Several demonstrations of the enemy's pickets created alarms in camp, and caused us to get under arms, all of which were pleasant little excitements 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 Keserves 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. Key- nolds, was comprised of the First Eifles, "Bucktails,' 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. Simmons ; and the Eighth Infantry, Colonel Geor Hays.

The Second Brigade, Brigadier-General George Gor- don Meade, was composed 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. Baj^ard, and the First Reserve Artillery, Colonel Charles F. Camp- bell, although attached to the division were not brigaded..

CROSSIIs'G THE CHAIN BRIDGE. 65

CHAPTER YllL

CE0SST^'G THE Chain Bridge. Camp Piebpont. The "long FvOLL." Beackegap.d keconnoitping. I^Iapch to Drahits-

TILLE. An indiscreet hen. IvETURN TO PlEKPONT. BaLL'8

Bluff. Keview. Designation Of Colonel Mai^n. Grand Eetiew.

Eaely on the morning of the 9tb, General Smith ad- vanced bis division from the neighborhood of the Chain Bridge to Langlej, where deploying his skirmishers, be pushed forward a brigade on the Drainesville pike, and took possession of Prospect Hill. With his main body, be diverged from the pike at Langley to the left, ad- vancing towards Lewinsville, which village he entered and occupied without opposition, leaving tbe main por- tion of his troops at Smooths Hill, and pushing on a de- tachment to occupy Miner's Hill.

To occupy this extension of the lines, the same day orders were issued to the Pennsj'lvania Peserves 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 Potomac, along which it moved to the Chain Bridge, and set foot for the first time upon the " sacred soil of Virginia." As the regiments 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 Keserves was

6

66 OUR CAMrAIGXS.

the extreme riglit 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 11th, 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 w^oods, 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 jMcClellan and staff* includinoj the Comte de Paris and the Due de Chartres, rode over and re- mainded during the night at Smooths 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 burned brightly, the glittering bayonets and sabres flashed in the light, and every heart beat ^high with hope. At two A. M., various columns of troops, on the Maryland side of the Potomac, were put in motion, and moved across the river to a position from which they could be easily thrown to any point of the line 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

rcconnoisancc in force, to ascertain our position since the recent extension of our front.

About this time Orderly Sergeant Richard Clen dining, Company 11, was elected Second Lieutenant, vice Robert II. Porter, resigned, July 21st. Also, Sergeant James R. Nightingale, Company C, Second Lieutenant, vice Lrank Fox, resigned.

About eleven o'clock on the ni^^ht of the 18th, orders were issued for the Reserves to prepare to move early the next morning, wnth 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 Lne, and at seven o'clock they moved off up the pike towards Drainesville. The First Brigade, General Reynolds took the lead with a scjuadron of the Reserve cavalry. Colonel Bayard in the van, followed by two batteries of the Reserve artillery. Colonel Campbell, the " Bucktails" and infantry with the ambulances, or " avalanches," as the boys called them, bringing up the rear. Crossing Difiicult creek, we continued on thKough Drainesville, 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 artillery 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 military 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 onr communication and prevent our rear being turned, General Smith's division vras 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 cuttings down the chestnut trees in the

o

woods to get the nuts, and the squealing of pigs was heard in various directions. ■ An old hen that had been roostino^ on a tree commenced cacklino^, which attracted the- attention of a soldier who Vv^as 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 coming 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 plane-table survey of a great portion of it, and along the Loudon and Hampshire railroad in several places they encountered the enemj^'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 McClellan, returned to camp.

Much comment was made at the time through the public press in regard to this movement, as the battle of "Ball's Bluff'" took place upon the day of our return, and we were in a position to have been pushed forward

CnAXGK OF CAMP. 69

in tlie enemy's rear, and probably reversed the fortune of the day.

In the official report of General McClellan, 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 Drainesville, and desired him to keep a good look-out upon Leesburg, and to make a slight demonstration, to see if the movement had the efi'ect 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 reconnoissance towards Leesburg, who returned that night and reported having advanced within a mile 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 id(5a of capturing the town by a brilliant coup, and the next day commenced the crossing of infantry, horses and artillery over the broad and rapid river in three scows. The dis- astrous results of this rash undertaking are well 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 McClellan.

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 mile 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 teots 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 E, II. Loudon, Com- pany A; resigned, and Second Lieutenant Horace Xeide

70 OUR CAMPAIGN-3.

was elected to fill the vacancy. Orderly Sergeant John J. Kosd was chosen second lieutenant of tbe 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 William A. Iloyt made commissary- sergeant.

On the 22d, an election was held for lieutenant colonel, which resulted in the unanimous choice of Major Wil- liam McGandless.

On the 28th, General McCall reviewed the Eeserve, consisting of the thirteen regiments of General Reynolds and Meade, and Colonel McCalmont's brigades, the First Reserve Cavalry, Colonel George D. Bayard, 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 Avhere 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 grreat 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 Avas 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, frequently 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 difQculty 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 wliich would become the most perfect. The eflect was a marked improvement in the discipline of the men.

On the 7th the regiment was paid oft' 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 Koads. The troops, numbering seventy -five thousand, rank and file, were drawn up in a line, forming three sides of a square. Upon tte right were cavalry and artillery, and on the left was the Pennsylvania Eeserves. Around this immense plain, thousands of people and vehicles were gathered. Munson's Hill 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, aild the centre of the field pre- sented an animated scene, hundreds of aids and order- lies galloping in all directions, carrying orders for the different divisions and briL-ades.

At twelve o'clock, noon, a cortege consisting of Presi- dent Lincoln and lad}^, in an open barouche, followed by Secretaries Seward and Cameron, a host of distinguished civilians and Foreign Ministers arrived, and took post near the flag-staft', 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 Eeserves, 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 iifteen 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, a^nd orders given foi" 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 McDowell, 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 regiments of cavalry, and the time occupied in passing was three hours. They marched 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 DRAINE3VILLE. 73

CHAPTER IX.

Skirmtsh near Drainesville. Foraging expedition. Battle OF Drainesville Visit of Governor Curtin, The Boys in Winter. Camp life. Firing for medals. Picketing. "Old Uncle Ben. " " Taking French. ' ' Naughty ' ' sell. ' '

Early in tlie evening of the 26th, Colonel Bayard with live hundred and fifty men of the Reserve Cavaln^, started on a scout up the pike. They halted at Difficult Creek, and before daylight, proceeded to Drainesville, 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 Siirgeon Stanton had their horses killed under 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 Avere 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 inquii^e 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 npon Lis 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 C. 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 Government, 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 camp, 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 Eeservos. On the 19th we practiced with blank cartridges, and in the

BATTLE OF DRAIXE3VILLE. 7^

evening received orders to be prepared to move at three? o'clock the next morning.

The Battle of Drainesville. — Early on the morn- ing of December 20, 1801, 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 Kintlv Colonel C. F. Jackson ; the Tenth, Colonel J. S. McCal- moDt, 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 Drainesville, near Thornton's house, where there is a heavy Avoods 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 killed 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 Eifles, 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, commanded 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 ?,nd fifty. Among their killed was Colonel Tom Taylor, First Kentucky Eifles. Our loss was but' seven killed and forty-one wounded, including four officers, among whom was Lieutenant- colonel Kane, slightly. We brought all our killed and wounded, many of the enemy's wounded, eight prisoners, and fifty-eight wagon

76 our. CAMPATGX3.

loads of forage to camp. General McCall arrived upon the field during the action and took command.

General Eeynolds, who had been moved with his brigade to Difficult creek, immediately 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 enemy 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 '^ Bull Eun" and "Ball's Blufi;" was hailed with joy by the people of the IS'orth.

A few days after the battle. His Excellency, Governor Curtin, visited the Reserves to cono-ratulate them and care for the wounded, and he caused the flao^s of the regiments that participated in the battle to be sent to Washington, where " Drain esville, 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 ll:th of January, Lieutenants John B. Robinson and J. Baxter Fletcher, iSergeants 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 Yirginia " began to assume very much the appearance of a vast mud-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. Kice young men who formerly

CAMP LIFE. 77

prided tliemsclves on their kid gloves and patent leather boots, began to realize the stern necessities of the case, tind officers, sergeants, corporals and privates v/andcred 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, making 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 !" 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. Eoll 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 fire burning. Then comes "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 cofl.be 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 oner-

78 OUR CA?.rFAIGXS.

gies with the more uproarious rattling of merry voices, that tfee words of discontent and grumbling are drowned. The "roast beef" generally turns out to be an article known to the soldiers as "salt horse," Avhich 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 witli four handsome silver medals by the members 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 William Derr. About the same time Company H fired for three magnificent silver medals, 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 r-, he making the worst

shot. In the regular army they have company and regi- mental prizes which are fired for yearly, and army prizes that become the private property of the winner.

Although our regiment numbered but seven companies we were required to furnish the guard and picket details of a full regiment, 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 UXCLE BEJSr. 79

quarters, where they were inspected by one of liis aids, Avlio verified the detail. They then proceeded to Pros- pect Ilill, where they were divided into three reliefs, and relieved the old picket. Shelters of boughs were here built for the Eeserve to lie in, and a considerable portion of the day was spent in cutting wood for the night. Our regiment generally picketed trom 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 family gone south upon the ap- proach of our army. The consequence was, everything soon went to ruin. The trees were cut down, fences turned up, and one board after another disappeared from the house, until the chimney alone marked where it once stood. This was the case all the way down to the Chain Bridge and to Alexandria, the onty exceptions being of those who had sense enough to remain at home, and those who had returned 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 Avont to observe, '' Massa Linkum has a power of men, and them am mighty fond of chiekens. I spects Massa Government 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 hills of the Potomac, during the bitter cold nights,, the wind came rushing down the valley, penetrating to the very bones. Sometimes the weather was so intensely cold, that the men were relieved every hour. Theu it was their pace was quickened on the beat, and in their frail shelters they huddled up together to get warm, 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 remember, 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 " Brandy wine," 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 himself. 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 OF JACKSO^-. 81

them that were caught, for the guard -house was their certain resting; place until they were sent to their regi- ments under arrest. -Kone of the Second boys, however, were put to this indignity, but whether it was on account of their virtue or excessive cuteness, the reader must judge for himself. When the Potomac froze over this evil became prevalent in spite of the sure punishment that awaited their return to camp, for 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 down any one who at- tempted to cross. But home, no matter how humble is the palace of the heart, and some of the boys took the risk and got safely over, and surely it was right to deal leniently with them when they retlirned.

A short distance beyond Difficult crbek was the resi- dence of IMrs. Jackson, the mother of Jim Jackson who killed 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 iill the vacancy. About the same time Assistant-surgeon J. W. Lodge resigned, and Doctor John Malone was appointed by Governor Curtin his successor.

Five volunteers from each regiment of the Eeserve 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 time by

6

82 OUR CAMPAIGN'S.

some wasrs, wTio circulated in all the rcfriments, at the same time, a rumor to the effect that any volunteer who would enter the regular army would receive one hun- dred dollars 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.

Opent^sto of the Campaign of 1862. Faeewell to Pierpont. The ]March. Hawkhurst's Mills. Army Corps. Wet and Noisy Night. " Hollo Barney." Alexandria. Embarka- tion for the Peninsula. By Railroad. A Night in Rebel Cabtns. Ruins of Manassas. Bull Run Field. Selling CroER. March to the Rappahannock. Cavalry Skirmish. Washixton vs. David of 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 ISfanassas 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 line of wagon communica- tion, and on the right flank by way of Occoq uan if success-

PLANS FOR THE CAMPAIGX. 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 intrench'menls at Kichmond, it would have proved difficult and hazard- ous to have followed him there either by way of Frede- ricksburg or Gordons ville, 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 otiier resuUs, and a ccTmbined attack upon that point and the right Hank was impracti- cable on account of the distance and obstacles intervening between the columns.

The plan subfnitted by General McClellan, February 8d, 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 from Richmond but two. This would have necessitated the abandonment of IManassas, Centreville and the Upper Potomac by the enemy, and if followed Avith 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 l^th the collection of vessels for the transporta- tion of the army to the lower Potomac was commenced.

On the 9th of March information was received that the enemy having discovered the intended movement, was evacuatino; Centreville and Manassas, as well as h?s positions on the upper and lower Potomac. Upon his retiring, he having destroyed all the railroad bridges in his rL'ar, 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 lime must elaose before transporta-

84 OUR CAMPAIGNS.

tion conld be collected to convey the army to the lower Potomac, an opportunity was ofiered 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 armj^the next morn- ing, our regiment 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 home at Pierpont, crossed over the iiclds 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 slong- the march with coats, blouses, blankets, etc. We continued up the pike across Difficult Creek to Spring Vale, within three miles of Drainesvilie, when turning to the left and following a bridle path through the woods and over the hills, Ave reached about dark the neighborhood of Hunter's Mills, near which, on the Loudon and ETampshire 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 Ilawkhurst's Mills, where we encamped.

Our encamp m3nt 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 us were the best iu use for an

*" ORGANIZATION' OF 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 Potomac to be divided into four corps, in compliance with which, there was assisrned to General Irwin McDowell the first, con- sistinsf of the divisions of Franklin, McCall and Kinsr. To General E. V. Sumner the second, consisting of Rich- ardson, Blenker and Sedgwick. To General S. P. Heint- zleman 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 11th, 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 AYarrenton Junction, on the evenins; 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. Eeaching the Alexandria and Leesburg Pike, we turned to the right, and passing along it for two miles, about eleven o'clock filed into a dense open woods, where, in spite of the falling rain, our fires soon burnt brightly, and we slept soandly. The next morning early, during a heavy rain, we took up our march, moving across the country to the Drainesville 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 falling in torrents, flooding the swampy ground, making the marching most tiresome and fatigu- ing. Soon the ranks Avore broken, the men scattering,

86 OUR CAMPATG^rS.

plunging througli tlie mud, and toiling under tlieir knap- sacks, made doubly heavy by their blankets and over- coats becoming 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 miles, 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, Ave 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. Kot to be thus conquered and sub- dued by the raging elements, they set up their wild shouts and huzzahs, making the woods and hills 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 pike, passing Falls Church, Munson's Hill, and a long Ime 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 tlie left, and en- camped near the Cemetery and the Fairfax Seminary. On account of the roads, and the sleepless mght, the marcli 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 regiment 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 wagou, 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 time a whole army.

The war metamorphosed Alexandria from a quiet Old Virginia town into a bustling business place. Almost 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 liquor 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 hyiirant. 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,'^ many of whom went to excesses, though not annoying the citizens or particularly harming themselves, but as the Reserves had not been paid oft' for

88 QUE CAMPAIGNS.

some time, and were out of money, ^^QJ won golden, opinions for their good conduct.

Tlie enemy's retreat from JManassas to Gordonsville somewhat modified the plans of the campaign, 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 Eappa- 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. Some 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 FOR THE RAPPAIIANXOCK. 8^

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. Alter the election the Major regaled the men on ale, and his opponent on whisky, which made what is termed a " stono wall," some portion of which toppled over during the night.

About this time a company of Pennsylvanians, under the command 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 assigned by General McCall to take charge of the extra line of. caissons for the artillery battalion of the Keserves.

Our Corps de Armee, being detached from the Army of the Potomac, constituted an independent commund — the Department of the Eappahannock — under General McDowell, designed to cover Washington. We prepai^ed 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 falling 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. Hero we stood six hours shivering in the mud, 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

CD

two miles beyond Bull Eun creek, in front of a large deserted encampment of huts, that had been built and

90 OUR CAMPAIONS.

occupied by tlie eaemy 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 few mo- ments before bright crackling fires were burning in thfe ample chimney-places and we were partaking of a boun- tiful supper of hot coffee, crackers and junk. As we sat around the cheerful fires enjoying our pipes, we soon forgot the 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 the 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 floui', pork, beef, wagons, lumber, trunks, bottles, demijohns, tents, hides, tallow, bones, dismantled fortifi- qations and rifle pits all mixed up together in inextri- cable confusion. Moving on, we entered a large open plain, surrounded by woods ; and passing through a col- lection of deserted huts, we encamped in a pine forest on its border, in an old encampment of our skedaddling friends. The only thing of life left to welcome us was a pet turkey buzzard whose wings they had clipped to prevent its escape. What a fit emblem it would make for their bogus Grovernment !

Near by, in a fine oak forest, were the ruins of the enemy's hospitals, which they burnt before leaving.

BULL PvU^T BATTLE FIELD. 91

They were of boards, one story high and consisted of live 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 Irom the damp earth. Near them was a large grave yard, and many clusters of graves were found in the neighborhood.

While here many of tis visited the Bull Run battle field, situated about seven miles distant, finding but few occupied houses on the road, most of the inhabitants having left, they believing the stories so freely promul- gated in the Southern papers of our monstrosities. Where they remained at home 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 beinsc. Les; bones were also found with the marrow but partially dried up in them, from which finger rings had been sawed off. W^hat singular and refined tastes the chivalry of the South have ! It was noticed that while there Avere quite a number 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 gamdng, 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 examined. The bones of men and horses lay scattered about unburied although the enemy laid in the immediate neighborhood for eight mouths. 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 Sergoant-Major Augustus T. Cross,

92 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 doinsr a thrivingr business, he havin,-? succeeded in smuggling through a barrel of cider, which delightful 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, and 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, Avhere 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 K'eide, was detailed on guard duty. About a mile beyond this we filed into a woods, and encamped for the night near Brents ville. 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 Eiver, where wo encamped. That night Companies

THE BIVOUAC. 93^

E and II, Captains Finnie and Meal ey, 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 loj^alty, while traitors at heart. Much rain fell while we laid here, which prevented our drilling.

AVhile here our surgeon. Dr. Thomas B. Reed, of Washington county, Pennsylvania, was promoted bri- gade surgeon, and ordered to Yorktown. His departure from amons^ us was reorretted, as his eminent skill and ability, 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 marched six miles. On our route "sve 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 march 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, v/ith 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 tbe guard, who, through the lone hours of the night, keep watch and ward over their comrades.

94 OUR CAMPAICtXS.

The next morning was Sunday, a clear and beautiful day, and about six in the morning, after sounding the sick call, 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. ISTear one was collected a number 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 home, but the younger longing for the liberty they knew not of. We passed through a small village called White Ridge, near which, about noon, we en- camped in a pine* woods, having made eight miles. Near by was a pond of clear water with a spring in the middle of it, but without proper outlet. The men went to it to fill their canteens, but General Reynolds ordered his orderlies to ride in and muddy the water, which caused the men. to seek othei" and purer water. On our route we , were followed by many negroes and some whites, whose" object, principally, was to get such clothes as tlie men would give them. At guard-mounting, an amusing scene took place. When the band commenced playing, the negroes involuntaril}^ broke forth into a dance, clap- ping their hands and singing. After this was over, a grand butting match took place, their heads crushing together like rocks, but producing no effect upon them. After scrambling for a few handfuls of pennies thrown among them, they left for their homes, happy with their afternoon's sport. Companies B and K, Captains McDo- nough and Smith, 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 vv^e moved ofi] following 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 deafening

CAVALKY FIGHT. 95

cheers, wliicli rolling clown 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 Falmouth, Stafford county, and although we made seventeen miles, the brigade came in in fine order with but few stragglers.

The next morning, the 29th, Ave marched early and passed by where our cavalry had a skirmish 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 Eeserve Cavalry under Colonel Bayard, and after being driven from their position were pushed to the Eappahannock, which they crossed on the upper bridge at Falmouth, which they burnt. Our loss was five men and fifteen horses killed, and sixteen men wounded. The enemy's loss was about equal to ours. Lieutenant- colonel Kilpatrick, Second 'New York (Ira Harris) Ca. valry was wounded, and Lieutenant Decker killed. Colonel Bayard's horse was wounded in four places. Soon after we entered Falmouth, 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

98 OUR CAMPAIGNS.

of his companions were able to accomplish. We are not the least surprised at this, as the distance is about one mile ! If this 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 of Mary Washington. Love bubble. Cemetery. March to Gray's Landing. Embarkation for 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 Railroad, but i30th 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 formerly 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 frame portion of it. Deep water galle37^s were worn in the streets, and the whole 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 now 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, General Ord, arrived, and on the lltli, Company A, Captain , Neide cain;e in with the Fiftli 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 Dulhe, 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 enemy in our front were under the command of General Anderson, and numbered 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 bread per day. The Reserves picketed as far as eight miles up the river, and in a circle around Fal- mouth, about two miles from camp. Several of the Eighth regiment were killed while on duty at the mines.

Near the upper end of the town, resided Mr. J. B. Fickner, 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 wo were 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 Government, but of his property, but he consoled himself with the belief that the Government would have to pay for the damage

7

98 ' OUR CAMPAIGNS.

done bj the rebels. To this we fully agreed, and suggested to him the propriety of applying for a pension for his son, 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 Eeserve, 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 ^IcDowell, staft' 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, of&cers 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 I7th, 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 " Jackson down

FREDERICKSBURG. 99

the valley of the Slieaandoah, 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 Kane were on the 25th dispatched to his relief.

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 camp of the Twenty-second jSTew York, where we put up our tents, but had hardly got through with our work, when we were ordered to a<j^ain 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 children 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 hill commanding a fine view of the city.

Fredericksburg is an ancient city, situated on the western bank of the Eappahannock, and is principally noted for the refinement 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 town.

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 monument to the memory of this good and estimable lady, and the corner-stone was 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 the Lewis branch of the family and her money, and to advance his suit determined to complete the monument, but before it was 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 them that of Hugh Mercer, M. D., a son of General Hugh Mercer, who fell so gloriously at Princeton. The gen- eral prior to the Eevolution practised medicine here. There also, in newly-made graves, rested in quiet repose some three hundred Confederate 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-not," had taken root in the new earth. -

Soon after General McDowell arrived, work was com- menced on the Aquia creek and Fredericksburg railroad, 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 Ghristian 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 Military Governor, 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 deputation 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 30th, 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 eisrht o'clock the men were ordered to fall in without knapsacks, but at noon orders came to pack up all, and passing through 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- enforcements 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 reenforcements to McClellan.

102 OUR CAMPAIGNS.

About tliis time our brigade was furnislied with wliite linen leggings and orders issued requiring tbe 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, but in the afternoon the pile 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 tha canal boats, broke them from their moorings, destroying the bridge that rested upon them, sending them 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 bridges were in danger, the inhabitants of both sexes collected upon the shore, and as each structure gave way they demonstrated their joy by loud cheers and the waving of handkerchiefs.

On Sunday morning, the 8th, orders were received to prepare to march, 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 Eappahannock, down4 which we marched the distance of seven miles, bivouacking at two o'clock that night in Cedar lane. The next morning after cooking breakfast we marched to Gray's landing,

* The object of this order was to decrease the transportation of the Division Quartermaster Department, 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. l03

one mile distant, where were collected a fleet of steam- boats to receive us. Bv four o'clock our wa2:ons, bagjorao-e ana supplies were embarked, and marching aboard we hauled out into the stream. Soon after General Eeynolds 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 Eightli 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 morninii; at five o'clock we wei'^^hed 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 Citj^ and coming to anchor during the night off West Point at the confluence of the Pamunkey and Mattapony rivers. Early on the 11th we again got under way and entering the Pamunkey, steamed rapiddy 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 lis 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 w^as so crooked in some places that it was impossible to cross it. as no matter how often one rowed over, he would invariably

104 OUK CAMPAIGNS.

find himself on tbe same side. We soon commenced 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 the Eichmond and York Eiver Eailroad crosses, and was a position of great importance, being the depot of supplies for the army in front of Eichmond. 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 shore 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 commissary, sutler, guard and other tents there, and many soldiers, sutlers. Government employees and contrabands, who, with innumerable wagons and order- lies, continually moving 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 lor the wounded of the coming battles.

The boys halving 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 handbills. 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 the landing all but a small

DISPATCH STATION". 105

valisG or knapsack, and the companies being allowed their cooking utensils only. Orders were issuted to cook three days' rations, we borrowing from the First and Fifth kettles for the purpose.

At nine o'clock the next morning, we formed and marched oft* 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 indicated 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 lighten 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 Chickahominy river, Ave having marched ten miles. Through the day we heard the slow fire of heavy guns.

CnAPTER XII.

Siege op Yorktown, Battle of Williamsburg. Skirmishes AT Seven Pines, Cold Harbor and Meciianicsyille. Bat- tle OP Hanover Court House. Battle of Fair Oaks. Attack on Tunstall's Station. March to the Chicka- hominy. Nanaley's Mill. Shelling the Enemy. Battle op Oak Grove.

Before proceeding further, it will be necessary here to refer to the movements of the Army of the Potomac since its debarkation on the Peninsula. The presence of the enemy's steamer Merimac in the James river closed it to us, as a line of water communication be-

106 OUR CAMPAIGNS.

tween Fortress Monroe and the army oy^erating against Ricliraond. 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 Avhich point they were followed by the main body of the army.

The Siege of Yoektowx, April 5th to !NIay 4th, 1862. — The next morning the column again advanced, and in a few hours was in front of the enemy'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 4|-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 of Williamsburg, May 4th, 5th, 6th, and 7th. — General McClellan immediately threw all his cavalry and horse -artillery in pursuit, under General Stoneman, Chief of Cavalry, supported by infantry under Generals Heintzelman, Hooker and Smith, who were followed by the divisions of Kearnev, Couch and Casey, all under General Sumner, the second in command of the army. Two miles east of Williamsburg, 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 OF 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, Avas forced to retire, but held the enemy in check until the arrival of General Sumner 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 until near four P. M., when Kearney arrived, and repuls- ing the enemy, held possession of the ground that night. The battle was renewed the next day, and about four P. M., General McClellan arriving from Yorkto^vn, 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 turned 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 filled with their wounded in charge of eighteen surgeons. The ofiicial 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 conflicts which resulted in the vie-

108 OUK CAMPAIGNS.

tory at Williamsburg, as to render an immediate pursuit of the enemy impossible, in the condition of the country.

The divisions of Franklin, Sedgwick, Porter and Eichardson, 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 Stoneman 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 Eiver and Eichmond Eailroad, and on the 20th the advance reached the banks of the Chickahominy Eiver at Bottom's Bridge, which, as well 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 Eichmond 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 24tli three important skirmishes took place. General Naglee made a reconnoissance 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 Eichmond. Another portion of the army had a spirited engagement of two hours near Cold Harbor, and drove their assailants from the field. A third and brilliant little skirmish took place between the brigades of General Stoneman and Davidson, in which they drove the enemy out of Mechanicsville with their artillery, forcing them to seek safety on the

BATTLE OF HANOVER COURT ROUSE. 109

opposite banks of the Chickahominy, they destroying the bridge in their retreat. General Stoneman also sent a portion of his cavalry three miles np the river, and de- stroyed the bridge of the Kichmond and Fredericksburg Eailroad.

The Battle of Hanover Court House, May 27 ih. — Having ascertained that the enemy were in force in the vicinity of Hajiover Court House, threatening the right and rear of our army, General McClellan dispatched General Porter to dislodge them, for which purpose he moved at daybreak on the 27th. After a fatiguing march of fourteen miles through tlic mud and rain, General Emory arrived in position and opened the battle about noon, driving the enemy before him. The other columns soon after became engaged, and the enemy were defeated and routed with the loss of some two hundred killed, seven hundred and thirty prisoners, a 12 -pound howitzer, a caisson, a laro'e number of small arms, and two railroad trains. Our loss amounted to fifty-three killed, 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 railroad bridges over the Pamunky, the railroad brids-es of the Vir2;inia Central, and of the Fredericksburg and Eichmond 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 via Gordonsville, excepting by the circuitous route of Lynchburg.

On the 28th of May our troops were pushed forward to Fair Oaks, their advance being met with sharp opposi- tion, and on the 30th their positions on the south side of the Chickahominy 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.

t

on tlie borders of White Oak Swamp. During tlie 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 simultaneously 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, Coucb 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 infantr}^ in line of battle on each side, apparently determined to carry all before him by one crushing blow. He Avas met, however, with gallant resistance, and through the fierce battle he was driven back at every point, our troops pushing forward to' the extreme 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

TUNST all's station. Ill

tlie 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 tlieir. 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 Richmond soon after the battle, it would have been necessary to march the troops from Mechanicsville and other points on the north bank of the Chickahominy down to Bottom'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, bat 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 ill 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 enemy had left. The "Buck- tails," Fifth and Eighth were posted on the different roads, and wo 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- in <^- 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 them dismounted and awaited the arrival of the train, upon which they fired, killing one man 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 the 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 number of Government 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 turned 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 THE CHTCKAnOMINY. 113

seDt on picket, and Lieutenants Jack and Black were sent out with detachments to scour the woods, the latter returning with five prisoners.

On Sunday the 15th, the enemy having all disap- peared, we returned to our former camping ground, the weather being oppressively hot and the men straggling much. The entire damage done by the enemy, besides that referred to above, was the killing of several of the guard and teamsters at Garlick'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 Eichmond, from a visit to the White House, where she had been furnished with a pass and escort by General Fitz 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 morning early the enemy opened on our fatigue parties at work on the bridges, which the boys said vras " Jeft' calling the roll."

On the afternoon of the ] 6th the division was formed at five o'clock to receiv? General McClellan, but we were disappointed, and after waiting an hour we returned to our quarters. The nest 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 Neide were ]-ecalled 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.

tbe river. Oar bivouac was on an opening to tlie Icf 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 Eeserve artillery responded, and with the exception of one man wounded and a gun dismounted, no damage was done our side. This artillery practice and skirmishing was of daily occurrence.

The next morning, the 19th, at day break we moved off to Ellerson's mills, on the river road where it crosses Beaver Dam creek, about one and a half miles distance, where we remained some time, 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 same afternoon Mr. Hall made