i» ^^jrm^r YALE UNIVERSITY LIBRARY ^^ HISTORY a COMfLETE EEOOED OF THE OEGANIZATION ; AND OF THE DIFFERENT COMPAN^IJES, REGIMENTS AND BRIGADES CONTAIKINQ DESCRIPTIONS OF EXPEDITIONS, MARCHES, SKIRMISHES AND BATTLES; TOGETHER WITH BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES OP OFFICERS AND PERSONAL RECORDS OP EACH MAN DURING HIS TERM OP SERVICE. Compiueb from Official Reports anb ot^ir Jotamtnts. By j. R. SYPHER, Esq. LANCASTER, PA.: PUBLISHED BY ELIAS BARR & CO. 1865. Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1864, by J. K. STPHER, In the Clerk's Office of the District Cotirt in and for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. to His Excellency, Hon. ANDREW G. CUBTlN, Governor of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, The earnest Patriot . and the Friend^ of the Soldier, this record op distinguished services, AND ROLL OF HONOR is inscribed BY THE AUTHOR. OON"TElSrTS. CHAPTER I. INTRODUCTION. Threats of Southern leaders — Secret preparation for war — Treachery of Buchanan's Cabinet — Conduct of Floyd — Shipment of arms and ammunition to the Southern States — Seizure of Government property by the rebels — Dispersion of the Navy — Secession of South Carolina — The Government in possession of the Conspira tors — The' inauguration of President Lincoln — Official declaration that force will be used to defend public property — The conspira tors attack Fort Sumter— The effect in the South — The uprising of the North — The condition of the War Department — Response to the call for 75,000 troops — Washington threatened — Treachery of Virginians — Harper's Ferry and Gosport Navy Yard destroyed — Riot in Baltimore — The route to the Capital re-opened 24 CHAPTER II. PREPARATIONS FOR WAR IN PENNSYLVANIA. The People of Pennsylvania respond to threats of Secession — Governor Curtin pledges the power of the State — The Legislature resolves to sustain the Union — The War excitement in the State — Mayor Henry's Address to the People — Pennsylvania Troops at Washington in advance of all others — Response of the People to the President's Call for Troops in April, 1861 — Camp Curtin established at Harrisburg — Action of Public Men— Hon. Simon Cameron, Secretary of War — Hon. Thaddeus Stevens advises an Army of a million of men — Governor Curtin convenes the Legis lature — His Message — Recommends the organization of a Reserve Corps — Patriotism of the People — Soldiers' Aid Societies — Re freshment Saloons — Gen. Patterson's Call for Twenty -flve Regi ments — Act authorizing the Pennsylvania Reserve Corps — George A. McCall appointed Major-General — Companies ordered into Camps of Instruction — Col. Mann at Easton — Captain Mclntire at West Chester — Organization of First Regiment — Col. Roberts —John A. Wright, Chief of Ordnance, &c. — Organization of (T) 1 HISTORY OF THE PENNSYLVANIA RESERVES. the Kane Rifle Regiment^Col. Biddle— Organization of the Fifth Regiment— Campaign of Biddle's Brigade to Western Virginia- Skirmishes at New Creek and Piedmont— Forced March to Ridge- vUle— Return of Brigade to Harrisburg 44 CHAPTER III. ORGANIZATION. Regiments organized in Camp Washington, Easton — Colonel Mann —Colonel Sickel— Colonel March— Organization ofthe Sixth regi ment, Camp Curtin — Orgajnization of the Seventh regiment, Camp Wayne— Regiments organized in Camp Wilkins— Colonel Hays — Regiments in Camp Wright — Colonel McCalmont — Colo nel Gallagher— Twelfth regiment in Camp Curtin— Colonel Tag- gert— McDowell's advance— Battle of Bull Run— Call for the Reserve Corps — Marching of regiments-irPassage through Balti more — Arrival at Washington — Camp formed at Tenallytown — First regiment at Annapolis— Artillery regiment — Organization ofthe Fifteenth regiment, cavalry 78 CHAPTER lY. TENALLYTOWN — PIERPONT — DRANESVILLE. Camp instructions — General intelligence of the men — Position of the Reserve Corps — Alarms — Picket firing — Desire to meet the enemy in battle — The enemy driven from Upton's Hill — Grand Review by President Lincoln and General McClellan — General McCall's order — Resignation of Captain McPherson — A negro informs General McCall of the approach of the enemy — Lieu tenants Fisher and Wonderly detailed for duty in Signal Corps — Condition, strength and discipline of the Reserve Corps — The enemy reported to be advancing — Attack on pickets at Great Falls — Presentation of colors by Governor Curtin — Organization of brigades — Report on condition of the division — Colonel Magilton — Advance into Virginia — Order of march — Langley — McCall's division the right of the army — Disasters in other divisions — The Reserves always successful — Reconnoissance to Dranesville — Ball's Bluff— Colonel Taggart tried by Court Mar tial — Reconnoissance to Gunnell's farm — Cavalry reconnoissance to Dranesville — Battle of Dranesville — McCall's official report — Letter from Secretary Cameron — Governor Curtin goes to Camp Pierpont 107 CONTENTS. 9 CHAPTER V. OPERATIONS OF THE ARMY EAST AND WEST. The effect ofthe battle of Dranesville — Blockade of the Potomac- Resignation of General Scott— McClellan appointed General-in- Chief of the National army — Situation on the Potomac — Other Departments — Capture of Hatteras Inlet — Battle of Carnifex Ferry — Operations in Missouri — Change of Commanders in the West — ^Formidable preparations by Army and Navy — Capture of Port Royal — Bumside's expedition — Battle of Logan's Cross Roads — Capture of Fort Henry and Fort Donelson — Battle of Pea Ridge — The Merrimac — Naval engagements in Hampton Roads — The Monitor — Repose of the Army of the Potomac — Spirit of the people — Mistaken policy — Army corps — President -Lincoln's War Orders — The Army of the Potomac ordered to advance — Choice of route to Richmond — Evacuation of Manassas by the rebels — Advance of the Army ofthe Potomac — Embarka tion for the Peninsula — Advance on Yorktown— Siege and Evacuation of Yorktown — Battle of Williamsburg — Advance to Chickahominy — Battle of Fair Oaks — Detachment of McDowell's Corps — March of the Reserves to Hunter's Mills— " Smoky Hol low " — March to Alexandria — Hard march and stormy night — Preparations for a new Campaign — The First Corps moves to Manassas — Scenes on the Bull Run battle-field — Paymaster and sutler in camp — Tricks of trade — Advance to Catlett's Station— Captm'e of Fredericksburg — Colonel Taggart's treatment of gueiTillas — McDowell desires to advance from Fredericksburg — ¦ Promotion of Colonel Bayard and Lieutenant-Colonel Owen Jones — The First Corps ordered to march on Richmond — Presi dent Lincoln at Fredericksburg — McDowell's advance within eight miles of McClellan' s army— The recall — Jackson's raid — McDowell's troops sent to the Shenandoah — Bayard's Cavalry and the Bucktail battalion pursuing Jackson — Harrisonburgh — Gallant conduct of Bucktails — Capture, of Lieutenant-Colonel Kane and Captain Taylor — Battle of Cross Keys — Escape of Jackson 143 CHAPTER VI. PENINSULAR CAMPAIGN — MECHANICSVILLE— GAINES' MILL. The Reserves in camp at Fredericksburg — Condition of brigades — General Reynolds military governor — General Ord, promotion. 10 HISTORY OF THE PENNSYLVANIA RESERVES. his military services — McClellan calls for reinforcements — De struction of bridges at Fredericksburg — McCall's division ordered to the Peninsula — Embarkation — Saifing to the White House — Disembarkation — March to Despatch station — Pursuit of enemy at Tunstall's station — Stuart's raid — Arrival of Third brigade — The Reserves save McClellan's line of communication — Concen tration of the division at Despatch station — Strength of the division — March to new bridge — Spirit of the men — McCall and his troops assigned the post of honor — March to Mechanicsville — The appearance of the troops — Position on Beaver Dam creek — Occupation of Mechanicsville — Picket lines — Powerful armies face to face — Delay of the attack — The situation ; in Richmond ; in the armies — McClellan in doubt — Resolves to give battle — Position of the army— Advance of the left wing — Position of the right wing — Jackson's movement -Advance of the Rebel army — Battle of Mechanicsville — Night after the battle — Withdrawal to a new line — Position at Gaines' Mill^Battle of Gaines' Mill- Desperate fighting by regiments — Official reports— Results 187 CHAPTER YH. PENINSULAR CAMPAIGN — NEW MARKET CROSS ROADS. Designs of the enemy — Trent's farm — Movement to Savage station — Army trains — The reserve artillery ; its value to the army ; in trusted to McCall's division — Arrival of McCall at Savage station — Interview with McClellan — Proposition to destroy the trains — The Hero of Mechanicsville prefers to fight — Spirit of the troops — Scenes at Savage station — Sorrowful partings — Rev. Junius Marks— Distress of the wounded— Battle of Allen's farm— Gal lantry ofthe Fifty-third Pennsylvania regiment— Battle of Savage station— March to New Market road— A restless night— Battle of New Market cross roads — Treachery of a negro guide — The brunt of the attack sustained by the Reserves— The Third regi ment begins the battle— Charge of the Seventh— Confusion on the left— Charge ofthe First brigade- Death of "Colonel Simmons —Cooper's and Kern's batteries— Capture and re-capture of Cooper's battery— Charge of the Irish Brigade— Terrible strug gle for Randall's battery— General Meade wounded— General McCall captured— Colonel Roberts in command — Retm-n of General Seymour — Artillery abandoned by the army — Colonel Simmons — Captain Biddle — False reports — Honor ofthe Reserves vindicated 246 CONTENTS. 11 CHAPTER YHI. PENINSULAR CAMPAIGN — MALVERN HILL — HARRISON'S LANDING. Battle at Turkey bridge — Withdrawal of troops to Malvern hill — Noble efforts to save the wounded — Line of battle on Malvern hiU — The battle — Retreat to Harrison's landing — March of the ' Reserves — Situation at Harrison's landing — Casualties in the Reserve Corps — Reorganization — Labors of the surgeons — Pro motion of offlcers — Colonel McCandless — Fisher — Ricketts — Sin clair — Harvey — Hays — Jackson — Anderson — Taggart — Hardin — Donations of delicacies and vegetables— Mrs. Harris — Prof. Kevinski — Return of prisoners from Richmond — Their reception — McCall at home ; sword presentation at West Chester — Resignation — General Reynolds assumes command of Reserves — President Lincoln and General Halleck visit the army — General Pope assigned to the army of Virginia — His mission — McClellan ordered to withdraw from the Peninsula — Tardy obedience — Critical situation of the armies — General Hooker's reconnoissance to Malvern hUl — End of Peninsula campaign 398 CHAPTER IX. pope's CAMPAIGN — BULL RUN — MARYLAND CAMPAIGN — SOUTH MOUNTAIN — ANTIETAM. Position of Pope's army — Abandons the line ofthe Rapidan — Posi tion on the Rappahannock — Movements of the enemy — Attempts to cross the river — Pope's army outflanked — Promised reinforce ments do not arrive — Rain storm — Movement to Warrenton — March to Manassas — Battle at Bristoe station— Skirmish at Gainesville — Jackson's retreat from Manassas — Pursuit — Jackson surrounded— Withdrawal of McDowell's forces— Change of plan — Porter's disobedience of orders — General Sigel's attack on Jackson on the 39th of August — Noble conduct of General Rey nolds — Desperate flghting — Heintzelman and Reno on the fleld — General Pope orders a charge along the front — The enemy driven from the fleld — Inexplicable conduct of General Porter — Situation at nightfall — Position on Saturday moming — Porter's repulse, desperate flghting along the whole line — The enemy in over whelming numbers — Turning of Pope's left — Attempt to seize the Stone bridge — Daring valor of General Reynolds and the 12 HISTORY OF THE PENNSYLVANIA RESERVES, Reserves — Official reports — Loss in Reserve regiments — March to CentreviUe — Condition of the troops — Rations issued — Battle of ChantiUy — Retirement of the army within the fortifications- Object of Pope's campaign — Transfer of the Army of the Poto mac — Movements of McCleUan — The rebels cross the Potomac — Pursuit by General McCleUan — March of the Reserves — Meade in command — Battle of South Mountain — Spirited charge up the mountain slope — The shout of victory — The casualties — The bivouac — Pursuit of the enemy — Position on the Antietam — Hooker ordered to turn the enemy's left — The Reserves in the advance — The flght on Tuesday night — The picket line on the fleld — Battle of Antietam — Desperate flghting — Field , won, lost and won again — Fighting on the right — Fighting on the left — The field — The casualties — Official reports 331 CHAPTER X. BURNSIDE'S CAMPAIGN — FREDERICKSBURG— HOOKERS CAM PAIGN — CHANCELLORSVILLE. Camps at Sharpsburg — Effort to withdraw the Reserves — Resigna tion of Colonel Roberts — Colonel Potts — Major Todd — Colonels TaUey — BaUy — Kirk — Warner — General officers — Supplies for the soldiers — McClellan's delay — Ordered to advance — Stuart's raid — Advance into Virginia — March of the Reserves — McClellan relieved — Burnside assumes command — Plan of campaign — Or ganization of the army — Movement to Falmouth — Battle of Fredericksburg — Line of battle — The Reserves in the advance — Charge ofthe First and Third brigades — They pierce the enemy's line — Unsupported — Forced back — Casualties — General Jackson — Death of three sergeants — Captain O'Rourke— General Meade's report — Sumner's and Hooker's attacks — Withdrawal ofthe army to the north bank of the river — Second campaign — Burnside requests to be relieved — Hooker placed in command of the army — General Meade promoted to the command of thje Fifth corps — General Doubleday in command of the Reserves — The Reserves transferred to Washington — Hooker's administration — Condition of the army — Hooker's campaign — His plans — Movements — Battle of ChanceUorsville — Jackson's assault on the Eleventh corps — Desperate fighting — Death of Colonel Peissner — Generals Berry and Whipple — Sedgwick victorious at Fredericksburg — The Sixth corps struggles against Lee's whole army — Hooker retreats across the river — Loss in both armies 396 CONTENTS. 13 CHAPTER XI. INVASION OP PENNSYLVANIA — MEADE's CAMPAIGN — GET TYSBURG — MINE RUN. Transfer of Eeserve Corps to Alexandria — Guarding the railroad — Efforts to retire the Reserves — Change of officers ; • resignations and promotions— Colonel Ent — Colonel S. M. Jackson — General Crawford — Lee's march northward — Hooker's march te Fred erick — Advance of the Rebel army into Pennsylvania — Destruc tion ofthe Columbia bridge — The Reserves ask to be led against the invaders of their native State — General Meade assumes com mand of the army — Meade's plans — Movements — Position — Advance on Gettysburg — Movements of the enemy — Reynolds' corps at Gettysburg — Beginning of the battle — Death of Reynolds — General Howard falls back to Cemetery hill — Concentration of the army — Line of battle— Operations of the second day — Topography of the fleld — Position of the Third corps — The attack on the left — Charge of the Reserves — Capture of Round- top — The battle on the right — Close of the second day— Prepara tions for the third day — Desperate flght on Friday morning — The luU — The artillery fire and the charge in the evening — General Meade in the battle — Slaughter of the enemy — The second charge of the Reserves — End of the battle — The casual ties — Surgeon Jackson — Colonel Taylor — General Reynolds — Retreat of the enemy — The pursuit — Position of the enemy at Falling Water — The council of Generals — The escape of Lee's army — Pursuit into Virginia — End of the ca,mpaign — General Meade — Presentation of sword to Meade — Operations on the Rappahannock — The retrograde movement to CentreviUe — Battle of Bristoe station — Advance to the Rapidan — Battle on the Rappahannock — Mine run campaign — Marches and skir mishes of the Reserves— The withdrawal— Winter quarters 482 CHAPTER XII. WINTER QUARTERS — GRANT'S CAMPAIGN — WILDERNESS — SPOTTSYL VANIA COURT-HOUSE — NORTH ANNA — BE- THESDA CHURCH — MUSTER OUT. Guarding the railroad — Capture of guerillas — Colonel Hardtn wounded— Expedition to BrentsviUe — Death of Major Larimer — Colonel Gustin's expedition to Occoquan — Captain Fisher ; his 14 HISTORY OP THE PENNSYLVANIA RESERVES. escape from Libby Prison— Reorganization of the Army— General . Grant— Advance — Crossmg the Rapidan— The Army in the WUderness— Muster out of the Ninth regiment— Surgeons PhU- lips. King and Lane — General Meade's address to the Army — The battle in the Wilderness— The advance to Parker's store- Line of battle — The Reserves surrounded — Escape to Lacy's farm— Capture of the Seventh regiment — Colonel Bplinger — Battle of Friday- General Wadsworth— Death of Colonel Dare — Movement to the right — Close of the day — Operations on Saturday — Night march to Spottsylvania Com't-House — Battle on Sunday — Charge of the Reserves — Line of battle — Second charge — McCandless wounded— Colonel TaUey captured — Opera tions on Monday — Death of General Sedgwick— Sheridan's cavalry raid — Battle of Tuesday — The army at rest — Battle of Thursday — Hancock's coup de main — Desperate battle — Days of repose — The return of the Eighth regiment — Death of Surgeon Jones — Escape of Captain Robinson and Lieutenant Robinson — Attempt to turn the right — Exploit of Bucktails — Movement to Guinney's station — March to the North Anna — Operations south of the North Anna — Flank movement to Hanover — Battle of Bethesda Church — Expiration of term of service — Casualties — l Return to Pennsylvania — Reception — Muster out — Campaign of the Third and Fourth regiments in Western Virginia — Battle of Cloyd's mountain — Battle of New River — Casualties — Death of Colonel Woolworth — Return — Reception and muster out— The glory of the Reserves 501 CHAPTER XITI. REGIMENTAL ROLLS AND INDIVIDUAL RECORDS. Muster-out Rolls op the First REomENT- Roll of Field and Staff Officers— Roll of company A — Roll of company B— RoU of company C — Roll of company D — Roll of company E — RoU of company F— Roll of company G— Roll of company H— RoU of company I — Roll of company K 562 Muster-out Rolls of the Second Regiment — Roll of Field and Staff Offlcers — Roll of company A — RoU of company B — Roll of compony C — Roll of company D — Roll of company E — RoU of company F — RoU of company G — RoU of company H — Roll of company K 575 CONTENTS. 15 Muster-out Rolls op the Third Regiment — RoU of Field and Staff Offlcers — Roll of company A — Roll of company B — Roll of company C — Roll of company D — Roll of company B — Roll of company F — Roll of company G— RoU of company H — RoU of company I — RoU of company K 584 Muster-out Rolls op the Fourth Regiment — Roll of Field and Staff Offlcers— RoU of company A — RoU of company B — Roll of company C — Roll of company D — RoU of company E — Roll of company F — RoU of company G — RoU of company H — Roll of company I — Roll of company K 597 Muster-out Rolls op the Fifth Regimbnt — RoU of Field and Staff Offlcers — Roll of company A — Roll of company B — Roll of company C — Roll of company D — Roll of company E — Roll of company F — RoU of company G — Roll of company H — Roll of company I — RoU of company K 609 Muster-out Rolls op the Sixth Regiment — Roll of Field and Staff offlcers — Roll of company A — RoU of company B — Roll of company C — Roll of company D — RoU of company E — Roll of company F — Roll of company G — Roll of company H — Roll of company I — RoU of company K 631 Muster-out Rolls op the Seventh Regiment — Roll of Field and staff Offlcers — Roll of company A — Roll of company B — Roll of company C — Roll of company D — Roll of company E — Roll of company P — RoU of company G — Roll of company H— Roll of company I — RoU of company K 634 Rolls op the Eighth Regiment — RoU of Field and Staff Offlcers — Roll of company A — RoU of company B — Roll of company C — RoU of company D — Roll of company E — Roll of company F — Roll of company G — RoU of company H — Muster-in RoU of com pany I— RoU of company K '. 648 Rolls op the Ninth Regiment — Roll of Field and Staff Offlcers — Roll of company A — Roll of company B — Roll of company C — RoU of company D— RoU of company E— RoU of company F— Roll of company G — RoU of company H— Muster-out RoU of company I — RoU of company K 659 16 HISTORY OP THE PENNSYLVANIA RESERVES. Rolls op the Tenth Regiment — Roll of Field and Staff Officers — RoU of company A — RoU of company B — Roll of company C^ RoU of company D — Roll of company E — Muster-out Roll of com pany F — Roll of company G — Muster-out Roll of company H — Roll of company I — Roll of company K 671 Rolls op the Eleventh Regiment- Roll of Field and Staff Offl cers — Muster-out Roll of company A — Roll of company B — RoU of company C — Roll of company D — Muster-out RoU of company E — Roll of company F — Muster-out Roll of company G— Roll of company H — Roll of company I — Roll of company K 684 Muster-out Rolls op the Twelfth Regiment — Roll of Field and Staff Officers— RoU of company A — Roll of company B — Roll of company C — RoU of company D — Roll of company E — Roll of company F — Roll of company G — Roll of company H — Roll of company I — Muster-in RoU of company K 696 Muster-out Rolls op the Thirteenth — Bucktail — Regiment —Roll/ of Field and Staff Officers— RoU of company A— RoU of company B — RoU of company C— Roll of company D — Roll of company E — RoU of company F — Roll of company G— RoU of company H — RoU of company I — Roll of company K 710 PREFACE. The Great Rebellion of the Southern States was formally opened and war commenced by the attack of the conspi rators on Fort Sumter, in Charleston Harbor, in South Carolina, on the 12th day of April, 1861. After resisting the terrific attack for two days, early on the morning of the Ilth of April, the garrison of less than one hundred men, surrendered to an attacking army of over two thousand strong." On the 15th day of the same month, the day following the fall of Fort Sumter, Abraham Lincoln, Presi dent of the United States, issued a proclamation, calling out seventy-five thousand militia from the several States in the Union, to serve during a term of three months, in the war against the rebels. A requisition was made on the State of Pennsylvania for fourteen regiments. These were promptly famished, and, such was the patriotic ardor of the people, that the ntimber was increased to twenty-five regiments fully organi"zed ; and as many more regiments, oflEered by the people, were not accepted by the "War Department. Camp Curtin was formed at Harrisburg on the 18th of April, and before the end of the month, the twenty-five regiments were organized and in the field. The Legislature of the State of Pennsylvania was ordered by the Governor of the Commonwealth to convene in extraordinary session on the 30th day of April, to provide for the better estab lishment of the State militia, and to organize an army for State defence. 2 (17) 18 HISTORY OP THE PENNSYLVANIA RESERVES. In a message addressed to the members of the Legislature on the first day of the extra session. Governor Andrew G. Curtin recommended the immediate organization, disciplin ing and arming of at least fifteen regiments of cavalry and infantry, exclusive of those already called into the service of the United States. "Warning had already been given to the people in the border counties of approaching danger, and the long line of the southern boundary, lying on the borders of States seriously disafi'ected, rendered the adoption of precautionary measures not only politic, but necessary to the public safety. Such was the popular feeling throughout the State, that public-spirited citizens, acting on the recom mendation of the Governor, maintained in complete organi zation the unaccepted companies, and others formed new companies, to be in readiness when a call should be issued for additional troops. The Legislature acted promptly, and on the 15th day of May, 1861, passed an Act providing for the organization of the.p " Reserve Corps of the Common wealth," to consist of thirteen regiments of 'infantry, one regiment of cavalry, and one regiment of artillery. Two days after the passage by the Legislature of the enabling act, Governor Curtin issued a proclamation, setting forth the number of companies that would be required from each county in the State. The distribution was made pro portionate to the number of troops already in service from each county, based on assessments in proportion to popula tion. The companies, by the same proclamation, were ordered to convene in State camps formed at Easton, West Chester, Pittsburg and Harrisburg, where, in conformity with the law, they were to be organized and to receive military instruction, until such time as their services should be reqtdred for the defence of the State. PREFACE. 19 Under previous calls, hundreds of companies had formed and offered their services to the State, but could not be received beyond the number assigned in the quota called for by the "War Department at "Washington, which was but a tithe of the number offered by the patriotic citizens of the Commonwealth. When, therefore, it was published that the Governor was about to issue a call for fifteen thousand troops for purposes of State defence, so earnest was the desire of men to be admitted into the service, that many rushed to Harrisburg with all possible speed, from various districts in the State, and besought Governor Curtin to accept companies that were already fully organized and desired to enter the service of the country without delay. In a few days the number of companies offered was greatly in excess of the number required. The troops were speedily assembled in the designated camps, and the Corps was promptly organized under the direction of Major- General George A. McCall. It was the intention of the projectors of the Corps, that the troops should remain in the camps of instruction during the autumn and winter, in order to become skilled in the manual of arms and thoroughly familiar with regimental, brigade and division drills, before going into active service. The fate of war, however, decreed otherwise. The invasion of Pennsylvania was threatened from the direction of Cum berland and Harper's Ferry, through Maryland, whose citizens would offer no resistance to the progress of a hostile army through that State into the borders of Pennsylvania. The danger apprehended and foreseen by the Governor and members of the Legislature, had come even before the swift vigilance of the men who presided over the affairs of the State had completed the organization, arming and instruct- 20 HISTORY OF THE PENNSYLVjiNIA RESERVES. ing the troops that were to be relied on for the purposes of defence. But a little more than a month after the Legisla ture had passed the Act providing for the organization of the Reserve Corps, it became necessary to despatch troops to the southern border and into the State of Mary land, in order to defend the State from invasion. Accord ingly, on the 22d day of June, 1861, two regiments, the First Rifles, popularly known as the "Bucktails," com manded by Colonel Charles J. Biddle, and the Fifth regiment of infantry, commanded by Colonel Seneca G. Simmons, and two companies of artillery, commanded by Captain C. T. Campbell, were ordered to march to Cumberland, in the State of Maryland, to reinforce the Eleventh regiment of Indiana' Volunteers, commanded by Colonel Lew. WaUace. While these troops were rendering valuable services in Western Virginia, the battle of Bull Bun was fought by the Army of the Potomac, commanded by Major-General Irwin McDowell. The terrible »disaster that befel the national army in this battle, on the 21st day of July, created an unexpected demand for reinforcements. No provision had been made for an emergency of this nature, and hence no reioforcements were at the disposal of the General-in-Chief. It became necessary, therefore, to summon to the national capital, with all possible haste, aU the available forces in the country. A requisition was made on the State of Pennsyl vania on the 22d of July, for the immediate service of its Reserve Corps. In response to this urgent demand of the national government, eleven thousand of these troops were sent to Washington as rapidly as transportation could be furnished, and, within a few days, the entire Corps, number ing fifteen thousand eight hundred and fifty-six officers and men, was mustered iato the service of the United States, and PREFACE. 21 became a part of the Army of the Potomac. On arriving at Washington, the troops went into camp at Tenallytown, five miles northwest from Georgetown, and in October, crossed the Potomac river on Chain Bridge, and five miles' west from the bridge, formed Camp Pierpont, near the Leesburg pike ; here they remained during the winter. While in Camp Pierpont, the organization was perfected, and the troops instructed in drills, and. by frequent foraging' expeditions and reconnoissances, made familiar with active service. On the 20th of December, 1861, the Third Brigade, com manded by Brigadier-General Edward 0. G. Ord, engaged the enemy near Drainsville, and won the first victory gained by troops in the Army of the Potomac. In the spring of 1862,- the Corps joined in the movement of the army, under Major-General George B. McClellan, and marched to Fredericksburg, constituting the Second Division of General McDowell's Corps. In June it embarked on the Rappahannock river for the Peninsula, and on the Ilth of June debarked at the "White House," on the south bank of the Pamunkey, and joined the right wing of the army at Mechanicsville. These troops alone fought the battle of Mechanicsville, they were engaged at Gaines' MiUs, Charles City Cross Roads and Malvern Hill, through the seven days' battles before Richmond. They rendered distinguished services at the second battle of Bull Run, at South Moun tain, Antietam, Fredericksburg, and Gettysburg. Where- ever the Army of the Potomac marched and fought, the Pennsylvania Reserve Corps was present, enduring the severest toils of war. Hundreds of the brave men, who volunteered in defence of the State in case of invasion, have sacrificed their lives 22 HISTORY OF THE PENXSYLV-4.XI-i. RESERVES. on their country's altar, ia battles fought far from the borders of their native State by the army of the nation. Both the living and the dead, who marched and battled in this corps of brave men, have a history proper to be written. It is the purpose of this work to supply a public demand, by preserving in proper form, a complete record of the entire organization, containing the names of all the officers and privates, their services, promotions and desti nies, from the date of their enlistment into the State service to the day of their muster out of the service of the United States; accounts of the marches they endured, the camps they occupied, and the many battles in which a haughty foe was made to recoil before the power of their arms. The History the Reserve Corps has made, the author has written. It commends itself to every Pennsylvanian on account of the great merits and patriotic devotion of the men whose acts it records. CHAPTER L I N T R 0 D TT C T I 0 N . Threats of Southern leaders — Secret preparations for war — Treach ery of Buchanan's Cabinet — Conduct of Floyd — Shipment of arms and ammunition to the Southern States — Seizure of Government pro perty by the rebels — Dispersion of the Navy — Secession of South Carolina — The Government in possession of the Conspirators — The inauguration of President Lincoln — Official declaration that force will be used to defend public property — The conspirators attack Fort Sumter — The effect in the South — The uprising of the North — The condition of the "War Department — Response to the call for 75,000 troops — ^Washington threatened — Treachery of "Virginians — Harper's Ferry and Gosport Navy Yard destroyed— Riot in Baltimore — The route to the Capital re-opened. The political leaders in the Southern States had so fre quently threatened secession and the dissolution of the Union, that the people of the North heard with indifference the menace repeated at the return of each presidential elec tion. During the administration preceding the inauguration of President Lincoln, the Southern leaders openly prepared for war. Military companies were organized, equipped and drilled, at the expense of the government, and the commu nities of the South Atlantic and Gulf States were put on a war footing. No tocsin of alarm was sounded. The work of preparation went on quietly and stealthily, it is true, but vigorously, and with organized system. In the spriag of 1860, the conspirators, emboldened by their previous suc cesses, declared openly, that unless they were permitted to choose for the succession, a man for President of the United States, committed to their own peculiar principles, they would secede from the Union and establish a confederacy of the Southern States, wherein the slaveholder might enjoy the rights and privileges of his domestic institution, unmo lested by external interference. The extreme ignorance of 24 HISTORY OF THE F-ESSSYh^ASIX RESERVES. the lower classes of the white population in the slave States, placed them wholly in the power of those who plotted treason against the government. They were taught to believe that the greatest calamity that could befall them and all the inhabitants of the Southern States, would be a govern ment administered by a "Republican" President, and that the only means of escape from this was secession and the establishment of an independent Confederacy. Though the leaders thus taught the people, they at the same time dili gently labored to ensure the election of the Republican can didate; and having succeeded in this, they called on the ignorant and misguided masses to take up arms and resist the authority of President Lincoln. During the administra tion of James Buchanan, the traitors occupied the fortifica tions, barracks and arsenals of the army; seized the yards and docks of the navy; plundered the mints and cus tom houses; sent abroad the ships of war; corrupted the regular army; bankrupted the Treasury; destroyed the credit of the United States, and so completely demoral ized the National Government, that but for the virtue and latent patriotism of the loyal people in the Northern States, the free institutions of America would have been irretrieva bly lost. Not only had the leaders labored to disarm the people and demoralize the government by seizing the forts, ajsenals and treasure, by dispersing the fleet and disorgan- iziag the army, but they had placed in the several depart ments at the National Capital, men on whom they could rely for assistance. They were equally diligent in garrison ing the fortifications on the Southern coast with men of their own choosing, and in marshaling armies for the field. For, however short-sighted and blinded by treason, these men were not without serious apprehensions of a sudden uprising of the people in defence of the government and the honored flag of the coiintry. To armies hastily organized and indif ferently armed, they had prepared to oppose companies and regiments and batteries familiar with the evolutions on the field and skilled in the manual of arms. INTRODUCTION. 26 Abraham Lincoln was elected President -of the United States on the 7th day of November, 1860, but would not enter upon the duties of that office until his inauguration on the 4th day of March, 1861. In the mean time, James Buchanan, who had been elected to his office, openly pledged to pursue the general policy of the slaveholders, adminis tered the affairs of the nation. The government was virtually in the hands of the conspirators, and they had yet four months in which to mature their nefarious schemes. Never was time more industriously employed. The members of the President's Cabinet were among the boldest of the con spirators, and unscrupulous and dictatorial, they enthralled him by superior councils, and involved him in a policy which, though he knew was disastrous to the Nation, he had not power to change. His advisers watched him keenly as do beasts of prey their victim, and, with commendations or threats, moulded him to execute their will. Howell Cobb, a slaveholder and leading conspirator in Georgia, was Secre tary of the Treasury; he employed the powers of his official position to destroy the credit of the Nation and leave an exhausted treasury to the new Administration. Jacob Thompson, of Mississippi, was Secretary of the Interior, and, though a weak man, he served as spy and informer to the conspirators, and in Cabinet meetings voted with his associates in treason. John B. Floyd, of Virginia, Secretary of War, having greater power for evil, outstripped all others in crime against the government he had sworn to defend. He scattered the standing army of the United States in remote fortresses, in the far west, and left the forts in the Southern States ungarrisoned. He disarmed the Northern States by emptying their arsenals and sending the arms into the Southern States, where they could be seized and used by the insurgents. One hundred and fifteen thousand stand of arms were taken from Springfield, Mass., and Watervliet, N. Y., and distributed throughout the slave States. A vast amount of heavy ordnance and ordnance stores were trans ferred to the disaffected States; cannons, mortars, balls, 26 HISTORY OF THE PENNS"YLVANIA RESERVES. shells, powder, and all the materials of war, were shipped in large quantities to rebel storehouses. Having thus depleted the War Department, over which he presided, Floyd re signed his office as Secretary, and at once joined the rebel army, in which he received a high commission. Isaac Toucy, of Connecticut, a pliant tool in the hands of the con spirators, was Secretary of the Navy. Including vessels of every class, the United States Navy consisted of ninety ves sels carrying about two thousand four hundred guns. It was of the utmost importance to the conspirators, that this arm of the Nation's defence, should be rendered power less at the hour it would be most needed by the government The gallantry and high-sense of honor, that obtained among the officers of the fleet, and the pride with which each com mander regarded his vessel and the flag it bore on the high seas, rendered hopeless the traitors' schemes of corruption, so successfully plied against the officers at Washington. If the fleet commanders could not be converted to plots of treason, it was essential to the purposes of the conspirators, that the fleet should be dispersed in a manner that would render it unavailable for defence. Accordingly, it was dispersed. In the report of the new Secretary of the Navy, Gideon Welles, made July 4th, 1861, it is stated that five war vessels were sent to the East Indies, three to Brazil, seven to the Pacific Ocean, three to the Mediterreanean, seven to the coast of Africa and others to other distant waters, so that of the whole squadron, but two vessels, carrying twenty- seven guns and two hundred and eighty men, were left at home in Northern ports, and available to the government at the time of the attack made by the rebels on Fort Sumter. Earnest men in the North regarded this unprecedented dispersion of the fleet of the Nation, with suspicion and alarm, even before the facts were published in the official report of Secretary Welles. The House of Representatives appointed a select committee of five, to examine into the condition of the navy, and to inquire into the conduct of Secretary Toucy. This committee reported to the House on the 21st of Febru- INTRODUCTION. 27 ary, 1861, and after stating in what manner the fleet was dispersed, made use of the following language : " From this statement it will appear, that the entire naval force availa ble for the defence of the whole Atlantic coast, at the time ofthe appointment of this committee, consisted ofthe steamer Brooklyn, twenty-five guns, and the store-ship Relief, two guns. While the former was of too great draft tO' permit her to enter Charleston harbor with safety, except at spring tide, the latter was under orders to the coast of Africa with stores for the African squadron. Thus the whole Atlantic seaboard has been, to all intents and purposes, without de fences during all the period of civil commotion, and lawless violence to which the President has called our attention, as 'of such vast and alarming proportions as to be beyond his power to check or control.' "The committee cannot fail to call attention to this extra ordinary disposition of the entire naval force of the country, and especially in connection with the present no less extra ordinary and critical juncture of political affairs. They cannot call to mind any period in the past history of the country, of such profound peace and internal repose, as would justify so entire an abandonment of the coast of the country to the chance of fortune. Certainly, since the nation pos sessed a navy, it has never before sent its entire available force into distant seas, and exposed the numerous interests at home, of which it is the special guardian, to the dangers from which, even in times of the utmost quiet, prudence and forecast do always shelter them. To the committee this dis position of the naval force at this most critical period, seems extraordinary. The permitting of vessels to depart for dis tant seas, after these unhappy difficulties had broken out at home; the omission to put in repair and commission, ready for orders, a single one of the twenty-eight ships dismantled and unfit for service, in our own ports, and that, too, while six hundred and forty-six thousand six hundred and thirty- nine dollars and seventy-nine cents of the appropriation for repairs in the na-vy, the present year, remained unexpended, 28 HISTORY OF THE PENNSYLVANI.i RESERVES. were, in the opinion of your committee, grave errors — without justification or excuse." Thus was the government despoiled by its sworn officers ; the most sacred trusts were betrayed; the property of the government was delivered to its enemies by the raen whose sworn duty it was to defend and preserve it, and the govern ment itself was on the very point of being unconditionally surrendered into the hands of the conspirators. It is dif ficult to find any where in the annals of history, soi great weakness surrounded by arrogance so unscrupulous, and controlled by treachery so infamous. The Executive, aroused to a sense of the dangers that surrounded him, in a delirium of terror and alarm, recommended the unconditional sur render of the government to the demands of those who plotted for its destruction. The North was called on to sur render every thing. The South was only to consent to ac cept the surrender. A " Peace Congress " was convened at Washington to arrange the catalogue of concessions 'the North was required to make to Slavery. Seven States were unrepresented. Their leaders had resolved on a dismem berment of the Union, and the establishment of a con federacy, whose foundation should be slavery. They refused to take part in the Peace Convention, and regarded with scorn any- measures that interfered with their mad designs. The convention adjourned on the 27th of February, 1861, and their deliberations and plans of adjustment were soon forgotten. Compromises and resolutions of pacification, were offered in the Senate of the United States, and discussed at great length; but over and above all schemes of politicians and compromises offered by statesmen, stood the one great fact, that the State of South Carolina, through the represen tatives of her people in convention assembled, as far as it was possible for them so to do, proceeded formally to secede from the United States, and to break up the government of the American Union, by passing the following resolution: "We, the people of the State of South Carolina, iu conven tion assembled, do declare and ordain, and it is hereby de- INTRODUCTION. 29 clared and ordained, that the ordinance adopted by us in Convention, on the 23d of May, in' the year of our Lord 1788, whereby the Constitution of the United States of America was ratified, and also all acts and. parts of acts of the General Assembly of this State, ratifying the amend ments of said Constitution, are hereby repealed, and that the union now subsisting between South Carolina and other States, under the name of the United States of America is hereby dissolved." In the face of this official declaration on the part of the conspirators in South Carolina, it was impossible for loyal sovereigns in the North to consent to, much less to offer, any terms of compromise. The new Administration acted on this principle, and demanded that the conspirators should retract their acts of hostility against the United States, as prelimi nary to compromise and terms of pardon. It was, however, not the purpose of the rebels to retract, not even to suspend hostilities. Many believed that a peaceful separation might be effected; but the leaders prepared for war and were resolved on enforcing their resolutions of secession by arms in open war. Throughout the Southern States, the slaveholding seces sionists brought into requisition every instrument of terror within their grasp to crush out the last vestige of loyalty t(D the Union. " Vigilance Committees" and " Minute Men*^ were organized in the cities and large towns, to execute the commands of the chief conspirators, and it is a notable fact, that wherever these organizations were established, treason was most successful. Those who could not be controlled by persuasion and coaxing, were dragooned and bullied, by threats and jeers. By this means, when the question of secession was nominally submitted to a popular vote, thous ands of well-disposed citizens voted for immediate secession through timidity, and many more, who at heart were too loyal to be guilty of the slightest overt act of treason against the government, quietly remained at home, in order to escape violence. "To be candid," says a Southern journalist, speak- 30 HISTORY OF THE PENNSYLVANIA RESERVES. ing of the election, "there never has been so much lying and bullying practised, in the same length of time, since the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, as has been in the recent campaign." " The big heart of the people is still in the Union, and we hope to see it yet assert its supremacy. It is now subjugated temporarily to the will of the politicians. Less than a hundred thousand politicians are endeavoring to destroy the liberties and usurp the rights of more than thirty milhons of people. K the people permit it, they deserve the horrors of the civil war which will ensue; they deserve the despotism under which they will be brought, and the hard fate which will be their lot." The stout heart gave utterance to these sounds of warning, in the midst of traitors ; they fell not unheard on the ears of men not yet wholly mad, but through fear, were unheeded. Forts Creswell and Johnson, on the coast of North Caro lina, were seized by the rebels on the Sth of January, 1861. On the 9th, a convention in the State of Mississippi passed an ordinance of secession. On the Ilth, an armed force from New Orleans seized the United States Marine Hospital, two miles below the city, expelled the patients and converted the buildings into barracks for rebel troops. On the same day, the secessionists of Florida and Alabama declared those States out of the Union. They seized the navy yard and Fort Barancas at Pensacola. The rebels in Mississippi blockaded the Mississippi river at Vicksburg, by placing a battery of field pieces on the bluff, and compelled every vessel passing to heave to and be searched. On the Arkansas river a vessel, with government supplies for the garrison at Fort Smith, was seized and confiscated to the nse of the rebels. On the 15th, the rebels in Florida surprised and captured the United States Coast Survey Schooner Dana. On the 19th, a convention in Georgia, by a vote of two hundred and eighty-eight against eighty-nine, voted that State out of the Union. On the 21st, Jefferson Davis, United States Senator from the State of Mississippi, who continued to INTRODUCTION. 31 occupy his seat after the secession of the State he repre sented, withdrew from the Senate to place himself at the head of the rebels. On the 26th, the convention in Louisiana passed an ordinance of secession. This convention was an usurpation. No returns have ever been made of the vote by which the members claimed to have been elected. It is believed, that in defiance of the threatened reign of terror, the people of that State voted against secession. The con vention was nevertheless packed to the pleasement of the leaders, and the ordinance was adopted with only seventeen dissenting voices in a convention of one hundred and thirty delegates. On the 81st, the rebels in New Orleans, silencing, by threats of Lynch law, every honest patriot who would offer a remonstrance, seized the custom-house and the United States Mint, containing government deposits to the amount of five hundred and eleven thousand dollars. On the 4th of February, forty -two of the leading conspira tors met in Montgomery, Alabama, representing the States of Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North ^ Carolina, and South Carolina. The object ofthe convention was the organization of a new nation, — the Southern Con federacy, — to consist of the seven States above named, and such other States as might subsequently secede from the Union and be added to the Confederacy. Without the slightest misgivings, these men undertook to revolutionize a nation whose territory spans a zone of the continent, and the number of whose people exceeds thirty miUions. They deemed themselves sovereign umpires, and arrogated to their convention the power to frame a Constitution, adopt Articles of Confederation, and establish a permanent govern ment. The people were ignored and had no voice in the revolution. History affords no parallel to such audacious usurpation ; and yet, so sagaciously was the affair managed, that the ignorant masses at the South were led as obediently as plantation slaves to unrewarded labor. After performing the grave ceremonies of creating a nation, these same forty- two delegates chose Jefferson Davis President, and Alexan- 32 HISTORY OF THE PENNSTLV^VNIA RESERATIS. der H. Stevens Vice-President of the Southern Confederacy. On the ISth, Jefferson Davis and Alexander H. Stevens were inaugurated at Montgomery in the offices to which they had been elected by the convention. Everything thus seemed to go prosperously for the Con federacy, and the conspirators were loud in their declarations that God favored their enterprize and would give it success. All this time the government was apparently powerless. The slaveholding States bounding the free States on the south, called the "border States," did not secede, but threat ened to do so if the government attempted to coerce the seceded States back into the Union. This policy of "No Coercion," which governed the action of the leaders in the border States, was a device of traitors to enthral these States into the new doctriae of constitutional secession. No action of these non-seceded States could have been more embar rassing to the authorities at Washington. They thus formed a bulwark, behind which tlie seceded States deliberately and securely prepared for war; and from and through which they drew suppHes of arms and men. Soon after the inauguration at Montgomery, a member of the Mihtary Committee declared, "We have arms, and in abundance, though no armories. Every State has amply provided itself to meet any emergency that may arise, and is daily purchasing and recei^dng cannon, mortars, shells, and other engines of destruction with which to overwhelm the dastard adversary. Organized armies now exist in aU the States, commanded by officers, brave, accomplished, and experienced ; and even should war occur in twenty days, I feel confident that they have both the valor and the arms successfully to resist any force whatever." The people of the free States regarded the progress of the rebellion with composure; and quietly, but with intense latent emotion, awaited the inauguration of President Lin coln. Relief was not hoped for during Buchanan's admin istration. This the conspirators well knew, and hence were prepared to resist the inauguration of an administration INTRODUCTION. 83 pledged to resist the usurpation of the slave power. The attempt to assassinate President Lincoln on his passage to the Capital failed, and his administration was duly inaugu rated on the 4th of ilarch, 1861. In his inaugural address, Mr. Lincoln said : "I therefore consider that, in view of the Constitution and laws, the Union is unbroken; and to the extent of my ability I shall take care, as the Constitution itself expressly enjoins on me, that the laws of the Union be faithfully execu ted in all the States; doing this I deem to be only a simple duty on my part, and I shall perform it, so far as practica ble, unless my rightful masters, the American people, shall withhold the requisite means, or, in some other authoritative manner, direct the contrary. "I trust this will not be regarded as a menace, but only as the declared purpose that as to the Union, I will constitu tionally defend and maintain it. In doing this there need be no bloodshed or violence ; and there shall be none, unless it be forced upon the national authority. The power confided to me will be used to hold, occupy and possess the property and places belonging to the government, and to collect the duties on imports ; but beyond what may be necessary for these objects, there "will be no invasion, no using of force against or among the people anywhere. "Physically speaking, we cannot separate. We cannot remove our respective sections from each other, nor build an impassable wall between them. A husband and wife may be divorced and go out of the presence and beyond the reach of each other, but the different parts of our coun try cannot do this. They cannot but remain face to face, and an intercourse either amicable or hostile must continue between them. Is it possible, then, to make that intercourse more advantageous or more satisfactory after separating than before? Can aliens make treaties easier than friends can make laws? Can treaties be more faithfully enforced between aliens than laws among friends? Suppose you go to war, you cannot fight always, and when, after much 34 HISTORY OF THE PENNSYLVANIA RESERVES. loss on both sides and no gain on either, you cease fighting, the identical old questions as to terms of intercourse are again upon you. "This country, with its institutions, belongs to the people who inhabit it. Whenever they shall grow weary of the existing government, they can exercise their constitutional right of amending it, or their revolutionary right to dis member or overthrow it. "The Chief Magistrate derives all his authority from the people, and they have conferred none upon him to fix terms ¦for the separation of the States. The people themselves can do this also, if they choose, but the Executive, as such, has nothing to do with it. His duty is to administer the present government as it came to his hands, and to transmit it, unimpaired by him, to his successor." When Abraham Lincoln, by virtue of his constitutional election, assumed the administration of the government of the United States, he found all the offices at Washington administered by appointees of the preceding administration, which was notoriously under the control of the conspirators. The heads of Departments, the chiefs of Bureaus, clerks and messengers, with few exceptions, were unreliable, and could not, with safety to the government, be retained in office. The city of Washington was threatened with attack from the rebels in the South, when at the same time it was liter ally swarming with spies and assassins who woifld inform, and co-operate "with^the enemy without. On the 18th of February, Joseph Holt, a distinguished and patriotic citizen of Kentucky, into whose hands the portfolio of the War Department was entrusted on the re tirement of the traitor Floyd, addressed a letter to President Buchanan, in reply to a resolution of the House, inquiring into the state of the defences of the city of Washington. The foUowing extract from that letter describes the condi tion of affairs at the time of Mr. Lincoln's inauguration: "The overthrow of the Federal authority has not only been sudden and widespread, but has been marked by es- INTRODUCTION. 35 cesses which have alarmed all, and been sources of profound humiliation to a large portion of the American people. Its history is a history of surprises, and treacheries, and ruth less spoliations. The forts of the United States have been captured and garrisoned, and hostile flags unfurled upon their ramparts. Its arsenals have been seized, and the vast amount of public arms they contained appropriated to the use of the captors, while more than half a million of dollars, found in the Mint at New Orleans, have been unscruJ)ulously applied to replenish the coffers of Louisiana. Officers in command of revenue cutters of the United States, have been prevailed on to violate their trusts, and surrender the pro perty in their charge ; and instead of being branded for their crimes, they, and the vessels they betrayed, have been cordially received into the service of the seceded States. "At what time the armed occupation of Washington City became a part of the revolutionary programme, is not certainly known; more than six weeks ago, the impression had already extensively obtained, that a conspiracy for the accomplishment of this guilty purpose was in process of formation, if not fully matured. The earnest endeavors made by men known to be devoted to the revolution, to hurry Virginia and Maryland out of the Union, were regarded as preparatory steps for the subjugation of Washington. "The nature and power of the testimony thus accumulated may be best estimated by the effect produced upon the popidar mind. Apprehensions for the safety of the capitol were communicated from points near and remote, by men unquestionably reliable and loyal. The resident population became disquieted, and the repose of many families in the city was known to be disturbed by painful anxieties. Mem bers of Congress, too, men of calm and comprehensive views, and of undoubted fidelity to their country, frankly expressed their solicitude to the President and to this department, and formally insisted that the defences of the capitol should be strengthened. With such warnings, it could not be forgotten that, had the early admonitions which reached here in regard 36 HISTORY OF THE PENNSYL V-i.NI-i- RESER"\rE3. to the designs of lawless men upon the forts of Charleston harbor, been acted on by sending forward adequate re inforcements before the revolution began, the disastrous political complications that ensued might not have occurred. "Impressed by these circumstances and considerations, I earnestly besought you to allow the concentration at this city of a sufficient military force, to preserve the pubhc peace from all the dangers that seemed to threaten it. Aa open manifestation on the part of the administration of a determination, as well as of the ability to maintain the laws, would, I was convinced, prove the surest as also the most pacific means of baffling and dissolving any conspiracy that might have been organized. It was believed, too, that the highest and most solemn responsibility resting upon a Pre sident withdra-wing from the government was, to secure to his successor a peaceful inauguration." The words of this address were the first official declaration to the world, that the government would, if necessary, em ploy force to defend the Constitution and enforce the Jaws of the nation. The rebels now gave up aU hopes of peaceful separation. The government was now pledged to the loyal people, to use force to hold, occupy and possess the public property and collect the lawful duties and imports. The conspirators in this, the declared purpose of the new admin istration, had but two alternatives : either they must sur render the forts, arsenals, mints, custom houses, vessels and other public property, and acknowledge their ordinances of secession to be void, or they must defend them with armed force. Nothing was more foreign to the purposes of the self constituted officers of the conspiracy, than submission to the authority of Mr. Lincoln's administration. They chose the terrible alternative of civil war. The leaders felt the necessity of arousing the people and of creating a popular furor in favor of the Confederacy. They resolved to take the initiative in open hostilities, and by storming some weakly garrisoned fort, and hoisting the Confederate banner on the proud place, honored by the flag INTRODUCTION. 37 of the nation, "fire the heart of the South," and amid excite ment and confusion, create an army that would be able suc cessfully to resist the small standing army of the Union. It was supposed that the South, once committed to war, would be compelled by pride to support the leaders, and continue the conflict. Every possible preparation was made, with all the expedition the facilities at their command would admit of, for an attack on Fort Sumter, in Charleston harbor. Fortifications were erected on the islands opposite the fort, iron-clad batteries were constructed in every available posi tion on shore, and formidable engines of war floated in the harbor. To man these and to defend the city they had collected at Charleston an army of ten thousand men. On the Ilth of April, the rebels sent a demand to the United States garrison to surrender. Major Robert Ander son replied that "his sense of honor and his obligation to the government would prevent his compliance." He, how ever, at the same time, informed them that the garrison were nearly starved out, and if no supplies reached them before the 15th, they would be compelled to surrender. A peaceful surrender would not accomplish the purposes of the rebel leaders, and hence, at half past four o'clock on the morning of the 12th of April, the rebels, comihanded by General Beauregard, opened fire upon Fort Sumter and the flag of the United States, and thus inaugurated a civil war, which was to cost more than two hundred thousand lives, to distress and impoverish countless families, to imperil the existence of free institutions, and to subvert the doctrine of republican governments. This outrage upon our country's flag was received throughout the rebellious States with ail the demonstrations of pride and joy. The conduct of the ¦ last administration at Washington had brought the people in the South to look upon the government with contempt, and they had no apprehensions that it would now manifest suffi cient vitahty to attempt to punish their treason. The action of the rebels at Charleston was telegraphed throughout the States, and when the people heard that Fort 38 HISTORY OF THE PENNSYLVANIA RESERVES. Sumter had been captured, after two days' bombardment, and that the national flag had been hauled down to make room for the banner of traitors, the land was filled with patriotic indignation. The uprising at the North was such as the world never witnessed before. Up to the day of the attack on Sumter, there were few men in the North who believed the rebels would commence civil war. The threats and bluster of the Southern politicians were regarded as a more violent repetition of similar demonstrations in the past. As the news of the insult to the national dignity, of the battle and of the capture of the fort by the rebels was flashed along the wires and radiated from every station, excitement, unparalleled in the history of the world, pervaded every city, hamlet and fireside. Party distinctions were forgotten, and a united people thought only of the public peril and of means to defend the government. On the 15th of April, President Lincoln issued a procla mation, calling out 75,000 volunteers, to serve during a term of three months, and at the same time summoned Congress to convene in extra session on the 4th of July. Never, perhaps, were a people found less prepared for war, than were the people of the Northern States, yet the response to this call for troops was prompt and cordial. Four days after the date of the call, troops from States remote from the capital were already thronging its streets, and the War Department was overwhelmed with men anxious to serve in defence of their country. The President had exercised, in the organization of his administration, a wise and liberal judgment. William H. Seward, of New York, was appointed Secretary of State; Sahnon P. Chase, of Ohio, Secretary of the Treasury ; Simon Cameron, of Pennsylvania, Secretary of War; Gideon Welles, of Connecticut, Secretary ofthe Navy; Montgomery Blafr, of Maryland, Postmaster-General ; Edward Bates, of Missouri, Attorney- General ; Caleb B. Smith, of Indiana, Secretary of the Interior. Simon Cameron, Secretary of War, thus describes the INTRODUCTION. 39 condition of his department when he entered upon his duties : " Upon my appointment to the position, I found the department destitute of all means of defence ; without guns and with little prospect of purchasing the material of war. I found the nation without any army, and I found scarcely a man throughout the whole War Department in whom I could put my trust. The Adjutant-General deserted. The Quartermaster-General ran off". The Commissary-General was on his death-bed. More than half the clerks were disloyal." This was the condition of the War Department little more than a month before 75,000 troops were called into the field, and the capital of the nation menaced by a well organized army. Immediately after the capture of Sumter, Jefferson Davis, the proclaimed head of the conspirators, issued a proclama tion, authorizing privateers to be fitted out in all the ports of the South, to prey upon the commerce of the United States. Against these piratical vessels, the vast merchant marine of the United States was utterly defenceless. Treach ery had dismantled and dispersed the fleet, and there were no convoys to guard the merchantmen. As a protection ¦ against the- rebel privateers, the President, on the 19th of April, announced the blockade of all the ports in the seceded States. At the same time, the Secretary of the Navy put forth all the strength of his department to create a navy, and . in less than three months, over three hundred vessels of war were in active service. Encouraged by the successful attack on Sumter, the rebels prepared to make a desperate effort to gain possession of Washington before the North could gather forces for its defence. A plot was formed for the capture of the city, by a conspfracy of Virginians with prominent secessionists in Washington, leagued with traitors of influence and wealth in Baltimore. The Virginians, to the number 'of about three thousand, were to seize the arsenal at Harper's Ferry, which contained twenty-five thousand stand of arms, and thus supply themselves with weapons and ammunition. They 40 HISTORY OF THE PENNS"YLVANIA RESERVES. were then to make a rapid descent on Washington, and marching into the streets of the city, they would be joined by organized bands of traitors, armed to the teeth and ready to receive them. In the midst of the terror and confusion created by the sudden assault from without and from within, the conspfrators would seize on some of the most important public buildings and convert them into fortresses, from whence they could command the city until the arrival of reinforcements from Richmond. In the meantime, the con spirators in Baltimore were to cut off all communication with the North, by burning bridges, tearing up railroads, and cutting the telegraph. Should troops attempt to march through Baltimore to the defence of the capital, armed mobs were to attack them in the streets, and impede their pro gress until Washington could be strongly garrisoned by reinforcements. The government were made acquainted with this plot just in time to thwart it and save the city. Gen. Scott quietly' took possession of the capital, behind whose massive walls a few trusty soldiers could maintain a desperate defence. A party of three hundred men, commanded by General James Lane, of Kansas, bivouacked in the East Room of the White House; and the "Cassius M. Clay Battalion" patroUed the streets at night and guarded the public buildings. The very limited means left at the disposal of the Secretary of War, were used to the best possible advantage to guard against a surprise. The Long Bridge across the Potomac was patrolled by a detachment of dragoons ; and a battery of light artillery was placed at the end of the bridge, on the Washington side. Lieutenant Jones of the United States army, with a garri son of forty -three men, held Harper's Ferry. On the 19th of April, at ten o'clock in the night, he received reliable information that three thousand Virginians, despatched by Governor Letcher, were within two hours march of Harper's Ferry, approaching from Winchester, and that three hun dred troops from Hallstown were within half a mile of the introduction. 41 arsenal. The Kttle band of defenders had heroically prepared to blow up the arsenal and destroy the arms and ammuni tion should they find the enemy approaching in overpower ing numbers. Accordingly, when convinced that over three thousand men were about descending on the garrison. Lieutenant Jones ordered the torch to be applied, and, in a few minutes, aU the building? of the army were in flames. The garrison retired in safety across the river. The seces sionists at Harper's Ferry made every effort to extinguish the flames and saye the munitions of war for their approach ing friends. FaUiag to obtain the government property, in a burst of rage they rushed across the river to pursue the heroic band, whose loyalty had defeated their attempt to appropriate the arms of the government, and firing upon them, succeeded in killing three of their number. At day light next morning about five thousand Virginia troops were holding the important post. This action on the part of the Virginis^ns took place while that State was still nominally in the Union. For, though a convention in secret conclave had passed an ordi nance of secession, it was kept a profound secret from the community, in order that plans, not yet matured, might be adopted for seizing Fortress Monroe, the Gosport Navy Yard, and the arsenal at Harper's Ferry. On the night of the 16th of April, by order of Governor Letcher, a large number of boats laden with stones were sunk in the mouth of James river, in order to prevent the passage out of the large ships lying in the harbor. Imme diate arrangements were made to seize the navy yard. Many of the petty officers in the yard were traitors, and labored to baffle the efforts of loyal men to protect the pubhc property. On the 18th, many of the naval officers resigned their commissions, and passed over to the rebel service, surrendering to the enemy, as far as was in their power, the most extensive and important naval station in America. The history of the world will scarcely show, among civilized men, any act of dishonor so flagrant. 42 history OF THE PENNSYLVANIA RESERVES. It was now evident that the yard, with its immense stores of materials, could not be preserved. Not a moment was to be lost. On the 21st of April, at seven o'clock in the even ing, the steamship Pa^^•nee left Fortress Monroe with six thousand men on board to aid in the destruction of the yard and to bring off the loyal men. The steamer reached Gosport at nine o'clock. The crews of the Cumberland and the Pennsylvania received their deliverers with hearty ap plause. The Pawnee made fast to the dock, landed the troops, and seized all the gates of the yard that no foes could enter. All that could possibly be removed was placed on board the vessels to the extent of their capacity. Everything that could not be removed and that could prove valuable to the rebels was destroyed. Shot, shell, carbines, stands of arms, revolvers, were thrown overboard from the vessels that could not be towed over the obstructions. Nearly three thousand heavy guns, splendid Columbiads and Dahlgrens, were spiked. At midnight, when the light of the moon had gone out, the barracks were set on fire, and the crackling flames, leap ing from basement to roof, illumined the scene with a fear ful glare. The trains were laid and the matches prepared to set on fire houses, shops, ships, everything that would burn. At four o'clock the torch was applied, and in less than half an hour the whole yard was enveloped in flames. Thus were the labors of half a century lost in an hour. The traitors in Baltimore acted promptly with their friends in Virginia. They tore up the railroad through the streets, and resisted the passage of Northern troops through the city. As the troops from Massachusetts, on the 19th of April, were marching through Baltimore on their way to Washington, they were hideously beset by an armed mob bearing a secession flag. They were assailed from behind street corners, from doors, windows and housetops, by men armed with pistols, guns, stones, clubs, and all the imple ments of savage warfare. A Pennsylvania regiment was preparing to follow the Massachusetts troops in cars. They INTRODUCTION. 43 were unarmed, and it was deemed imprudent to attempt to cross the city. The men were therefore returned to Phila delphia. The secessionists had thus effectually obstructed the passage of troops to the national capital over the only direct and expeditious route. For a time, troops were for warded through Annapolis and up the Potomac river. Bal timore was for the time in the possession of the secessionists. It was determined, however, that the soldiers from the North should fight their way through every obstruction. As soon, therefore, as Washington was. safe. United States volunteers were ordered to march by the direct route to their capital, through the streets of Baltimore, or over the grounds where the city once stood. 44 HISTORY OF THE PENNSYLVANIA RESERVE.^. CHAPTER n. PREPARATIONS FOR "WAR IN PENNSYLVANIA. The People of Pennsylvania respond to threats of Secession — Gover nor Curtin pledges the power of the State — The Legislature resolves to sustain the Union — The "W"ar excitement in the State — Mayor Henry's Address to the People — Pennsylvania Troops at "Washington in advance of all others — Response of the People to the President's Call for Troops in AprU, 1861 — Camp Curtin estabhshed at Harrisburg — Action of Public Men— Hon. Simon Cameron, Secretary of "War — Hon. Thaddeus Stevens advises an Army of a million of men — Governor Curtin con venes the Legislatm'e — His Message — Recommends the organization of a Reserve Corps — Patriotism of the People — Soldiers' Aid Societies — Refreshment Saloons — Gen. Patterson's Call for Twenty-five Regiments — Act authorizing the Pennsylvania Resei-ve Corps — George A. McCaU appointed Major-General — Companies ordered into Camps of Instruc tion — Col. Mann at Easton — Captain Mclntire at "West Chester — Organ ization of First Regiment — Col. Roberts — John A. "Wright, Chief of Ordnance, &c. — Organization of the Kane Rifle Regiment — Col. Biddle — Organization of the Fifth Regiment — Campaign of Biddle's Brigade to "Western Virginia — Skirmishes at New Creek and Piedmont — Forced March to RidgeviUe — Return of Brigade to Harrisburg. In October, 1860, the people of Pennsylvania elected AndreAV G. Curtin Governor of the Commonwealth, and in November declared, by a majority of sixty thousand votes, in favor of Abraham Lincoln for President of the United States. This was the reply of the people of this great state to the threats of the slaveholders, that if an anti- slavery candidate should be elected for President, the South ern States would secede from the Union and overthrow the Government. With three hundred miles of boundary lying along the borders of slave States, and open to immediate in vasion, the people thus forcibly responded to the challenge of the conspfrators. In his inaugural address, delivered in Harrisburg, Janu ary 15, 1861, Governor Curtin pledged himself and the PREPARATIONS FOR "R'AR IN PENNSYLVANIA. 45 whole power of the State to the support of the National Constitution. He said: " No part of the people, no State nor combination of States, can voluntarily secede from the Union, nor absolve them selves from their obligations to it. To permit a State to withdraw at pleasure from the Union, without the consent of the rest, is to confess that our Government is a failure. Pennsylvania can never acquiesce in such a conspiracy, nor assent to a doctrine which involves the destruction of the Government. If the Government is to exist, all the require ments of the Constitution must be obeyed ; and it must have power adequate to the enforcement of the supreme law of the land in every State. It is the first duty of the national authorities to stay the progress of anarchy and enforce the laws, and Pennsylvania, with a united people, will give them an honest, faithful and active support. The people mean to preserve the integrity of the National Union at every hazard." " The Constitution which was originally framed to pro mote the welfare of the thfrteen States and four millions of people, in less than three-quarters of a century has embraced thirty-three States and thirty millions of inhabitants. Our territory has been extended over new climates, including people with new interests and wants, and the Government has protected them alL It is all we desire or hope for, and all that our fellow-countrymen who complain, can reasonably demand." The Legislature of Pennsylvania being in session on the 24th of January, 1861, adopted a preamble and resolutions which contained the following very explicit language : " Whereas, A convention, of delegates assembled in the city of Charleston, in the State of South Carolina, did on the twentieth day of December, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty, adopt an ordinance, en titled "An ordinance to dissolve the union between the State of South Carolina and other States united with her un der the compact, entitled, ' The Constitution of the United 46 HISTORY OF THE PENNSYLVANIA RESERVES. States of America,' whereby it is declared that the said union is dissolved. "Resolved, That if the people of any State in this Union are not in the full enjoyment of all the benefits intended to be secured to them by the said Constitution ; if their rights under it are disregarded, thefr tranquility disturbed, their prosperity retarded, or their liberties imperilled by the people of any other State, full and adequate redress can and ought to be provided for such grievances, through the action of Congress and other proper departments of the National Government. " Resolved, That we adopt the sentiments and language of President Andrew Jackson, expressed in his message to Congress, on the sixteenth of January, one thousand eight hundred and thirty -three, ' that the right of a people of a single State to absolve themselves at will and without the consent of the other States, from their most solemn obliga tion, and hazard the liberties and happiness of millions composing this Union, cannot be acknowledged, and that such authority is utterly repugnant both to the principles upon which the General Government is constituted, and the objects which it was expressly formed to attain.' " Resolved, That the Constitution of the United States of America contains all the powers necessary to the mainten ance of its authority, and it is the solemn and most impera tive duty of the Government to adopt and carry into effect whatever measures may be necessary to that end ; and the faith and the power of Pennsylvania are hereby pledged to the support of such measures, in any manner and to any extent that may be required of her by the constituted authorities of the United States. "Resolved, That aU plots, conspiracies and warlike demon strations against the United States, in any section of the country, are treasonable in character, and whatever power of the Government is necessary to their suppression, should be applied to that purpose without hesitation or delay." The rapid progress and increasing strength of the PREPARATIONS FOR "WAR IN PENNSYLVANIA. 47 rebellion, admonished public men in the North, and more especially in Pennsylvania, bordering on the rebellious dis tricts, of the necessity for inaugurating efficient precaution ary measures for the defence of both State and National Governments. Accordingly, Governor Curtin, in a mes sage addressed to the Legislature of Pennsylvania on the 9th day of April, 1861, recommended that immediate pro visions be made for the removal of the defects in the mili tary system ; that arms be secured and delivered to citizens who would enter the military service of the State ; that the most eflective weapons be procured for the existing organi zations, and that all possible means be employed to impart "vitality and practical energy to the militia laws of the Commonwealth. The active preparations and the formid able display of military strength in the Southern States, did not pass unheeded by the Executive of this State.' He declared in this message, that " on whatever pretext these extraordinary military preparations may have been made, no purpose that may contemplate resistance to the enforce ment of the law, will meet sympathy and encouragement from the people of this Commonwealth. Pennsylvania yields to no State in her respect for, and her willingness to pro tect, by all needful guarantees the constitutional rights and constitutional independence of her sister States; nor in fidelity to that Constitutional Union whose unexampled benefits have been showered alike upon herself and them." " Devoted to the Constitution and the Union, Pennsylva nia offers no counsel, and takes no action in the nature of a menace ; her desire is for peace, and her object, the preserva tion of the personal and political rights of citizens, the true sovereignty of States, and the supremacy of law and order." In response to this recommendation, the Legislature in three days perfected and passed a bill to organize the militia, and appropriated half a million of dollars for the purchase of arms and accoutrements. Thus while the olive branch was held out and its acceptance urged in terms of patriotic devotion, its rejection was nOt unexpected. The vigorous 48 HISTORY OF THE PENNSYLVANIA RESERVES. preparation of the elements of the approaching contest, indicated that those who set them in motion, understood well the nature of the rising commotion, and were deter mined to be ready for the fearful struggle. On the 13th of April a bfll was passed in the State Senate to define and punish treason. It forbid any citizen of the State to take a mihtary commission from the enemies of the United States, or to give any aid or comfort whatsoever to the conspirators, and required all officers of the Pennsylva nia volunteers to take an oath of allegiance to the United States. On the same day two new regiments raised for the United States, reported as ready for immediate service. Thus had the Governor, the Legislature and the people of Pennsylvania, promptly accepted the challenge of the sece- ders and prepared for war. Two days after the last of these transactions, the President of the United States issued the first proclamation calling for troops. The tidings of war, actually begun by the attack on Fort Sumter, and the promulgation of President Lincoln's call for seventy-five thousand volunteers, produced a profound sensation throughout the country. In the cities and princi pal towns the people were moved to intense excitement. On the evening of the 15th of April, in Philadelphia, the feeling of exasperation in the public mind, especially wrought upon by the presence of persons suspected to be in the service of the conspirators, impelled the loyal and insulted populace to the very verge of mob violence. A vast multitude crowded in front of the office of " The Pal metto Flag," a newspaper recently commenced and believed to be controlled by secessionists, and demanded the proprie tors to display the American flag. In order to assure the people that order would be maintained and the power of the Nation preserved inviolate in the City of Philadelphia, Mayor Henry appeared at a window with the national flag in his hand, and thus addressed the people : "Fellow-citizens: — Lend me your ears, as becoming good and loyal citizens — men loyal to your country and her PREPARATIONS FOR WAR IN PENNSYLVANIA. 49 honor. My fellow-citizens, no traitor shall rear his head or have a foothold in the city of Philadelphia. With the help of Almighty God, treason shall not raise its destructive hand to tear down the flag of the Union. I call upon you now and for the future to protect this flag at the point of the bayonet, and at the cost of our lives. Fellow-citizens, while I conjure you to stand by the flag of the Union, do not forget the private rights of individuals ; be calm and resolute, defend your flag against treason, but act with prudence, and do not invade the rights or property of individuals." However widely the people had differed heretofore, on questions of public policy and in reference to political par ties, they were unanimous in the defence of the Union and the enforcement of the laws. Pohtical differences were sub merged, and all men became of one mind and vied with each other in efforts to punish treason and sustain the Gov ernment. The quota of the State, under the call of the President, was fourteen regiments. All men gave them selves up to the single labor of reinforcing the army of the United States. Troops were immediately put in motion, en route for the National Capital, and five hundred men, who arrived in Washington on the morning of the 18th of April, commanded by W. F. Small, of Philadelphia, were the first troops received from the States. Other States were equally zealous, but Pennsylvania being nearest the Capital, mani fested a common energy and maintained her true position among the States, in being first "with her troops, at the seat of war. In his annual report for the year ending December, 1861, A. L. Russell, Adjutant-Ge'neral of the State of Pennsylvania, thus briefly relates the action of the people at this most critical period of the Nation's peril:- "In response to the proclamation of the 15th of April last, by the President of the L^nited States, calling out seventy-five thousand militia from the several States of the Union, to serve for three months, Pennsylvania not only 4 50 HISTORY OP THE PENNSYLVANIA RESER^VES. furnished promptly its assigned quota of fourteen regi ments, but increased the number to twenty-five ; and such was the patriotic ardor of the people, that the services of about thfrty additional regiments had to be refused, — making in all more than one-half of the requisition of the President." In the organization of the Military Department of the State Government, Edward M. Biddle, of Carlisle, was appointed Adjutant-General, Reuben G. Hale, Quarter master-General and W. W. Irvin, Commissary-General of the State. Governor Curtin appointed on his staff, Avith the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel, John A. Wright, Thomas A. Scott and R. Biddle Roberts. Colonels Wright and Scott, the former an extensive manufacturer of, and dealer in iron, and the latter the Vice-President of the Pennsylvania Rail road, served the State gratuitously. Colonel Wright con tinued on the staff during the War. Scott was appointed Assistant Secretary of AVar, and Roberts was elected colonel of the Ffr.st regiment. A. L. Russell, Joseph D. Potts. and Craig Biddle were appointed to fill the vacancies, and in September Colonel Russell was 'appointed Adjutant-General of the State, vacated by the resignation of General Biddle. On the 18th of April Camp Curtin was formed at Har risburg, and all the organized militia in the State were ordered to that place for the purpose of more thorough or ganization. The assault of the secessionists in Baltimore, on the Massa chusetts troops on the 19th of April, induced Governor Curtin to issue an order that all troops from Pennsylvania should be thoroughly armed and equipped before leaving the State ; and about the same time, Simon Cameron, Secretary of War, requested that the regiments organized in Pennsyl vania be clothed, subsisted and transported at the expense of the State. Adjutant-General Biddle addressed himself to the work with a practical energy that soon transformed the new recruits into soldiers, organized and armed for active service. In ten days from the date of the President's call on the State for fourteen regiments, twenty-five regiments, witt PREPARATIONS FOR WAR IN PENNSYLVANIA. 51 arms, accoutrements and perfect organizations, numbering twenty thousand, nine hundred and seventy-nine men, were in the field. The public men of Pennsylvania were in the very lead of the most zealous spirits in the nation. They urged on the National Government the immediate organization of power ful armies, that would overawe the conspfrators, or crush thefr military forces at a single blow. Secretary Cameron exceeded all other Cabinet officers in energy, — he proposed at the beginning to call out five hundred thousand troops, and to use every element of strength within the reach of the Government, in order to meet and speedily overthrow the power of the rebels. Hon. Thaddeus Stevens, in State and National Councils, in his place in the House of Congress and in private cfrcles urged, as a measure necessary for the public safety, and to preserve the honor of the Nation, that the Government should immediately call into the field an army of a million of men, — proclaim freedom to the slaves, and invite the emancipated negroes to join the army of the Union. This, he argued, would be the shortest and most efficient method of ending the rebellion; and hence, also, the most humane policy. The Secretary of War made full preparations for a long and severe contest. He provided munitions of war in proportions vastly dispro portionate to the strength of the army ; but, contrary to the opinions of men of less forecast, greatly inadequate to the subsequent demands of the Government. Mr. Stevens con tinued to plead for a large army, and Governor Curtin labored with unparalleled zeal to place the State of Penn sylvania on a war footing that would enable the people to respond promptly and vigorously to every demand for men, .means, and raaterials to prosecute the war. Though the j counsels of these men did not prevail, during the years of I uncertain campaigns that followed, they did not depart from their original policy, which, two years later, was adopted by the administration at Washington. On the 20th of April Governor Curtin issued a proclama- 52 HISTORY OF THE PENNSYLVANIA RESERVES. tion convening the Legislature of Pennsylvania in extra session. The proclamation was as follows: " Whereas, An armed rebellion exists in a portion of the States of this Union, threatening the destruction of the National Govern ment, periling pubhc and private property, and endangering the peace and security of this Commonwealth, and inviting systematic piracy upon our commerce ; and. Whereas, Adequate provision does not exist by law to enable the Executive to make the military power of the State as available and efficient as it should be for the com mon defence of the State and the General Government ; and, Whereas, An occasion so extraordinary requfres a prompt exercise of the Legislative power of the State ; therefore, I, Andrew G. Curtin, Governer of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, by vfrtue of the powers vested in me by the Constitution, do hereby convene the General Assembly of this Commonwealth, and require the members of the Senate and House of Representatives to meSt in thefr re spective Houses in the Capitol, at Harrisburg, on Tuesday, the 30th day of April, A. D. 1861, at 12 o'clock, noon of that day, then and there to take into consideration and adopt such measures in the premises as the exigency may seem to them, in thefr wisdom, to demand." The members of the Legislature responding to the call, arrived at the Capitol on the appointed day, and during the first hour of the session organized, received and read a Message from the Governor, appointed a committee to revise the military laws of the State, received a bill, which a member read in his place, for the relief and support of the famOies of such volunteers as are or may be hereafter accepted by the Governor; also, a bill to stay executions in the collection of debts, and heard petitions of citizens from several counties, praying for a law, authorizing the Commis sioners of the counties to appropriate money to aid in equip ping and supporting the citizen soldiery of those counties. In his jMessage to the Legislature, Governor Curtin said : " It is impossible to predict the length to which the mad- preparations for war in PENNSYLVANIA. 53 ness that rules the hour in the rebellious States shall lead us, or when the calamities which threaten our hitherto happy country shall terminate. We know that many of our people have already left the State in the service of the General Government, and that many more must follow. We have a long line of border on States seriously dis affected, which should be protected. To furnish ready sup port to those who have gone out, and to protect our borders, we should have a well-regulated military force. I, there fore, recommend the immediate organization, disciplining, and arming of at least fifteen regiments of cavalry and infantry, exclusive of those called into the service of the United States; as we have already ample warning of the necessity of being prepared for any sudden exigency that may arise, I cannot too much impress this upon you." When the first call for troops was published, in every part of the State, the people every where responded with unparalleled alacrity. The mechanic dropped his tools; the farmer left his plow in the unfinished furrow; mer chants and clerks abandoned the counter ; judges, lawyers, and clients discontinued their suits; teachers closed their schools, and ministers left their pulpits at the first sound of the drum beating the call to arms; and, as a united people, offered their services to the Government. Business, home and fanaily, were left to the care of a generous com munity. Nor did they leave them to suffer. In all parts of the State the people responded promptly, and most gen erously contributed of their means for the support of the families of those who had taken up arms and marched to the defence of the Nation. In some parts of the State the contributions of supplies like that of men, were wholly voluntary; in other districts, grand juries, courts and municipal corporations, recommended the appropriation of money from the public funds for the same purpose. At the recommendation of the Governor, the Legislature legal ized these appropriations and gave the requisite authority to county commissioners to make further appropriations of 54 HISTORY OF THE PENNSYLVANIA RESERVES. the pubhc money for the support of the families of volun teers, whenever in thefr judgment cfrcumstances should demand it. In addition to these pubhc provisions for the benefit of the citizen soldiers who had so promptly taken up arms in the defence of liberty and law, numerous societies were organized, composed chiefly of patriotic-ladies, who collected money and supplies of such articles of food and clothing as would add to the comfort of the soldier in health, or reheve the distress and pain of the sick and wounded. It is worthy of note, that the benevolent and patriotic women of Pennsylvania were the first to move in this labor of love, and that from the noble-souled women of this State, whose hearts, true to thefr Germanic origin, are ever respon sive to the faintest calls of humanity, other commxinities, in other States, learned the lessons of practical, loving-kind ness to the defenders of the Union. One of the first of these societies for the care of the soldiers was organized in the city of Lancaster, on the 22d day of April, 1861. At the close of a sermon on Sunday, April the 21st, Rev. J. Isadore Mombert, an Episcopal clergyman, who, while in Europe during the Crimean war, had witnessed much suflering by the sick and wounded soldiers, recom mended to the people that they form a society, having for its object the threefold purpose of "providing for our brave volunteers the necessary outfit, of preparing for the wants of the wounded, and of forming a volunteer corps of nurses both for home and for hospital duty." A meeting was called to be held in the Court House on the following day. At this meeting the society of "The Patriot Daughters of Lancaster" was formed, with Mrs. Rosina Hubley as Presi dent; Mrs. Emanuel Reigart, Vice-President; Miss Anna Slaymaker, Secretary; and Mrs. John F. Long, Treasurer. While the people were still in the Court House perfecting the organization of this societj', a messenger announced that two companies, sent from Lancaster, were destitute of over coats and blankets. Immediately a " repository " was desig- PREPARATIONS FOR WAR IN PENNSYLVANIA. 55 nated at which the desired articles would be received, and thus on the same day, the Society of Patriot Daughters entered upon their patriotic labors, which subsequently expanded and varied with the exigencies of the times. About the same time some of the ladies of the Muhlenburg family, in Reading, organized a society for a like purpose. In other parts of the State, these noble examples were speedily imitated. In Philadelphia the citizens acted with a benevolence unparalleled in the extent of its bounteous distributions. On the breaking out of the rebelhon, multitudes of troops arrived in this city on their way to Washington, hungry, thirsty, and wearied by the fatigues of long travel, and yet no provision had been made or was likely to be made to relieve their wants or to afford them rest. The citizens immediately and most generously rallied, and con tributed towards these desirable ends as far as was prac ticable in thefr individual capacities ; but the necessity for concerted action was every where apparent. On the 26th of May the Cooper Shop Volunteer Refreshment Com mittee, after feeding the soldiers upon the streets, opened the doors of the saloon, in order to better accommodate the patriotic men who were rushing forward to the Nation's Capital, and during the first two years of the war fed orie hundred and seventy -four thousand nine hundred and forty- six soldiers passing through Philadelphia to and from the war. On the 27th of May the " Union Volunteer Refreshment Saloon" was instituted. The committee procured a small building (formerly a boat shop and riggers' loft,) situated near the southwest corner of Washington and Swanson streets, and gradually increased its dimensions untU twelve hundred men could be accommodated at one time at the tables, while the most ample facilities were furnished for washing, bathing, and writing letters. In this saloon nearly five hundred thousand men were received, entertained, and provided for during the first three years of the war. 56 HISTORY OF THE PENNSYLVANIA RESERVES. In the hospital department of this establishment over thfrteen thousand patients received treatment, and in the dormitory nearly forty thousand soldiers were lodged. The cooking apparatus was of sufficient capacity to provide rations for fifteen thousand men per day. The annual expense of this saloon amounted to about twenty thousand dollars. These institutions were the free gifts of the citizens of Philadelphia, to the soldiers of the Union, who passed that way, either to or from the war. The President of the United States, the Governors of the States of Maine, New Hamp- shfre, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania, and many distin guished citizens, formally expressed thefr thanks to the com mittee for their noble hberahty to the soldiers ; and in all the armies of the Nation the praise of the citizens of Phila delphia was above that of any other people in the country. General Butler, then a colonel in command of the Sisth Massachusetts regiment, on his way to the seat of war, in a speech to the committee of the ladies and gentlemen of the Union Volunteer Refreshment Saloon, made the following significant remark : " In coming through New York city, we received a military reception ; but here in Philadelphia, we receive a substantial one, which does more to encourage and refresh the Union soldiers than any other that could be given." On the 16th of April Major-General R. Patterson, com manding the Pennsylvania troops at Harper's Ferry, requested Governor Curtin to call out twenty-five additional regiments of infantry and one of cavalry, to serve during three months, and to be forthwith mustered into the service of the United States. Immediately on the receipt of this request, the summons to arms was telegraphed to every part of the State, and men organized in a day and started for the State Capital. The authorities at Washington, how ever, had in the meantime determined not to receive any additional regiments to serve for three months, and hence PREPARATIONS FOR WAR IN PENNSYLVANIA. 57 the order of General Patterson was countermanded on the SOtii of April. In response to this call, companies were daily arriving at Harrisburg from every direction, and the State was literally swarming with troops, which the War Department would not receive. His Excellency the Governor, was therefore the more earnest in recommending that the Legislature should provide for the immediate organization of these companies in a manner that would render them available in case the public safety required thefr 'services, and also to allay the clamor of the men, who had been stopped in the middle of their march, and told the order calling them to arms had been countermanded, and that their services would not be accepted by the War Department. On the 2d of May, the select committee consisting of Gideon J. Ball, Isaac A. Sheppard, Thomas Williams, Charles H. Hills, George W. H. Smith, Samuel M. Law rence and Henry G. Leisenring, reported a bill which pro vided for, and authorized a loan of three millions of dollars ; gave the Governor power to appoint a major-general to have command of all the military forces of Pennsylvania ; also two brigadier-generals to be subject to the order of the Commander-in-chief; to appoint staff-officers, to estaljlish camps of instruction and to thoroughly organize the State forces. The biU was freely discussed and passed both branches of the Legislature, and on the 15th of May, received the Governor's signature and became a law of the Com monwealth. As finally passed, it contained the following pro'nsions: That the Commander-in-chief, in conjunction with the officers com posing the grand staff of the militia of this Commonwealth, are hereby authorized and required to organize a military corps, 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 regi ment of light ai:tillery. The said regiments shaU severaUy be composed of companies of like number, and to be armed and equipped, clothed, dis- ciplmed, governed and officered as similar troops in the service of the United States, and shaU be enlisted in the service of the State for a 58 HISTORY OF THE PENNS"1'LVANIA RESERVES. period not exceeding three years or for the war, unless sooner dis charged, and shall be Uable to be caUed into the service of this State at such times as the Commander-in-chief may deem their services ne cessary, for the purpose of suppressing msunections, or to repel mva- sions, aud further to be liable to be mustered into the sei-vice of the United States at such times as requisitions may be made by the President of the LTnited States. That the Commander-in-chief, in conjunction with the officers aforesaid, shall cause two or more camps of instructions, not exceeding eight, to be formed in different sections of the State, for the ac commodation and instruction of said troops ; and the Governor shaU ap point suitable officers or drUl-masters with the rank and pay of captams, whose duty it shall be to instruct said troops in the mihtary art, conforming, as near as may be, to the plan of instruction, rules, regulations and discip- Une adopted for similar troops in the service of the United States. That the Commander-in-chief shall cause the troops aforesaid to be drilled and instructed in such encampments, for and during such periods of time as he may deem necessary to perfect them in military art. That the several companies and regiments composing said volunteer corps shaU be entitled to elect, and the Governor shall commission, offlcers similar in number and rank to those allowed like troops in the army of the United States : Protided, That the Governor shall have power to appoint and commission chaplains for said corps, and to designate their rank. That no troops shaU be kept in camp longer than three months at any one time, except the Governor shall, upon the expiration of said three months, deem the longer continuance of said troops necessary for the protection of the Commonwealth, or shaU have a requisition for troops from the President of the United States. That the Commander- in-chief, in conjunction with the grand staff as aforesaid, are hereby authorized and empowered to make and adopt aU needful rules and regulations for the speedy and efficient organization of said Volunteer Reserve Corps, and for arming and equipping the same with the most approved style of arms and equipments ; and the offlcers and rank and file composing said volunteer corps shall be sworn or affirmed to sup port the Constitution of this State, and the Constitution of the United States. Under previous calls for volunteers, the numbers accepted and mustered into the service of the United States were so insignificant in proportion to the numbers offered by the people, that there was throughout the State an increasing uneasiness lest there would not be opportunities for others to join the army. In the wave of enthusiasm that rolled over the State, swift as the lightnings that flashed along the wires the news of the fall of Fort Sumter, the able-bodied PREPARATIONS FOR WAR IN PENNSYLVANIA. 59 men en masse rushed to arms, drilled, organized and armed, and besought the authorities to accept their services. In the thorough comprehension of the situation, and the true con ception of the magnitude of the impending danger, the State authorities of Pennsylvania were far in advance of the Government at Washington, and the people of this great Commonwealth were even more sensitive to the perils of invasion that threatened their border counties, lying imme diately north ofthe territory claimed by the insurgents, than were their magistrates and mihtary authorities. Such was the feehng throughout the State, that the adop tion of precautionary measures by the Legislature, was but a prompt and .necessary response to the demands of the people. When it was ascertained that only a limited number of troops would be accepted by the National Government, beUeving that the army of the United States was wholly inadequate for the maintainance of order and for the protec tion of pubhc and private property, public-spfrited citizens in all parts ofthe State, acting in the high and honorable capacity of sovereigns in a republic, organized and preserved intact at their own expense, military compariies to be ready for emerg encies, which they believed would speedily come. In many cases, men who had organized companies under a call for troops from the President of the United States, but which could not be accepted because of the great numbers offering, appealed ,to their fellow- citizens for, and bounteously re ceived, contributions of means for the subsistence of thefr companies. At the time, therefore, of the passage of the Act creating the "Reserve Corps of the Commonwealth," more than a sufficient number of men to organize the regi ments authorized by the law, had been offered to the Governor, The loan of tiiree millions of dollars authorized in the Act, was taken by the capitahsts, with a promptness that did honor to a loyal and patriotic people. Upon opening the bids for the loan, it was found that the whole amount had 60 HISTORY OF THE PENNSYLVANIA RESERVES. been taken at par, and a large number of bids were in ex cess. Thus the enthusiasm to volunteer in the armies, mani fested by those who were able to endure the hardships of the service, found a worthy counterpart in the liberahty of the wealthy citizens and corporations, who, with a com mendable promptitude, supphed money to defray the mihtary expenses of the State. Immediately after the passage of the Act creating the Reserve Corps, Governor Curtin invited George A. McCaU, of Chester county, to accept the position of major-general provided for in the law. McCall accepted the appointment, and was confirmed a major-general of Pennsylvania troops by the Senate on the 16th of May, and on the same day entered upon his duties as commander of the Pennsylvania Reserve Corps. General McCall was born in the city of Philadelphia on the 16th of March, 1802, and graduated at the West Point Mihtary Academy, 1822. In 1831 he received the appoint ment of assistant adjutant-general on the staff of Major- General Gaines, who was then commanding the Western Department of the United States. In 1836 he was promoted to a captaincy in the Fourth regiment United States infantry. He served with his regiment in the war against the Florida Indians, and was recommended by General Worth for the brevet of major " for gallant conduct in the battle of Pela- licaha." Gen. W orth in recommending McCall for promo tion said, "He will do more honor to the rank than the rank can confer on him." At the beginning of the war with Mexico, Captain McCall accompanied his regiment to Corpus Christi, and marched under General Taylor to the Rio Grande. He participated in the battles of Palo Alto and Resaca de la Palma, and received the brevets of major and lieutenant-colonel, "for gallant and distinguished conduct" in these battles. The citizens of Philadelphia also acknowledged his services by presenting to him an elegantly mounted sword. At the close of the war with Mexico, Lieutenant-Colonel PREPARATIONS FOR WAR IN PENNSYLVANIA. 61 McCall resigned his staff commission of assistant adjutant- general, and crossed the Atlantic to spend a year in Europe in the hope of regaining his health, which had been seriously impaired during the campaign in Mexico. While in England, and also on the Continent, he obtained permission from the authorities to visit the military schools, fortifications, camps, barracks and hospitals, and thus in his tour acquired much useful knowledge, which subsequently he put into practice. On his return, he took command of the Third regiment United States infantry, stationed at Santa Fe. Before leaving Washington to assume this command, he was required by the War Department to prepare a historical sketch of the newly acqufred territory, embracing a statistical account of its population, mineral and agricultural resources and com- merical advantages. This "Report" was published by order of Congress. In 1850, McCall received from President Taylor the appoiatment of Inspector-General of the United States Army, with the rank of colonel of cavalry, which appoint ment was unanimously confirmed by the Senate. Having made inspections of the troops and military posts in New Mexico, California and Oregon, Colonel McCall found his health again failing, and therefore in April, 1853, resigned his commission and retfred from the service. After leaving the army. Colonel McCall devoted much of his time to scientific pursuits and made numerous valuable contributions to natural history. In 1855, he removed from his residence in Philadelphia to a farm in Chester county, where in retirement, enjoying the society of his family and friends, he remained until the rebellion of the Southern people and the bombardment of Fort Sumter called his country to arms. Immediately there after, in April, 1861, Governor Curtin summoned Colonel McCall to Harrisburg to advise with him on the military organization of Pennsylvania. While at the capital he was unanimouslyelected colonel of the Tenth regiment of Penn- 62 HI.STORY OF THE PENNSYLVANIA RESERVES. sylvania Volunteers enlisted for three years or the war. Having declined the position, he was on the 15th of May appointed hy the Governor of the State, Major-General of the Pennsylvania Reserve Corps. General JtleCall without delay entered upon the work of organizing fifteen regiments of troops in the manner provided by law. On his staS; Henry J. Biddle, who graduated at West Point in 1885, was appointed assistant adjutant-general with the rank of lieutenant colo nel. Henry Sheets, of Philadelphia, and Eldridge McConkey, of West Chester, who had just graduated at Cambridge College, were appointed aids-de-camp. Subsequently Pro fessor Henry Coppie, late Captain of United States Artil lery, joined the' staff as inspector-general of the corps. General McCall gave his personal attention to the orga nization of the troops. The renowned regiment of skir mishers known throughout the world as the "Bucktails," received his special care. The men were armed mth rifles and drilled to manoeuvre in wooded hills, swamps and ravines. Henry H. Smith, Surgeon-general of the corps, received orders from the general commanding to allow no man to pass through his inspection into the companies, who would not be received into the ranks of the regular army as physically unexceptionable. The surgeon strictly enforced this order, and to this military foresight is due much of the gallantry and power of endurance the corps subsequently evinced. The riflemen were selected from those districts in the State where game most abounds and the people are ac customed to the use of the rifle ; the cavalrymen were re cruited in the mountainous counties where the young men travel on horseback, and the entfre body of infantry and artillery, was culled from the noblest sons of the industrious citizens of all classes in the State. The best materials in Pennsylvania were placed at the disposal of the command ing general. Men, horses and munitions of war, were sup plied in numbers and quantities that enabled the authorities to select materials proper for the most honorable and severe service a generous people could expect. PREPARATIONS FOE WAE IN PENNSYLVANIA. 63 Through the most untiring efforts of Major-General McCall, heartily seconded by the State authorities, the or ganization of the corps proceeded with such rapidity that on the 21st of June, two regiments were sent to the relief of the Eleventh Indiana regiment at Cumberland in the State of Maryland, and on the 21st of July, the whole corps responded to the call of the Commander-in-Chief of the United States Army, by marching to the defence of the Capital of the nation. Of the companies that were organized in response to General Patterson, which was countermanded on the 80th of April, many maintained their organizations and were variously distributed over the State. Some were still in the immediate vicinity of the homes of the men, others were at the county seats of the respective counties, in which they had been organized, and a few who had reached designated camps before General Patterson's order had been countermanded, remained there awaiting further orders. The first duty devolving upon General McCall, was the collecting of these companies into camps. It was found that a much larger number of companies applied for acceptance than could be received under the Act of the Assembly. Hon. Eli Slifer, Secretary of the Com monwealth and Assistant Secretary Samuel B. Thomas en deavored to apportion the companies throughout the State in an equitable ratio ; yet in many cases, when men were told their companies could not be accepted into the service, they turned away in tears and wept bitterly, because the honorable privilege of fighting in the defence of thefr country was denied them. The required number of companies which had been accepted were ordered into designated camps of instruction. On the 27th of May General McCall directed WiUiam B. Mann, Esq,, of Philadelphia to take the organized compa nies that had been mustered into the service of the State, in that city and march them to Easton. In accordance with instructions. Camp Washington, a camp of instruction, was established on the Fafr -grounds at that place, and thirty com- 64 HISTORY OP THE PENNSYLVANIA RESERVES. panics were ordered to rendezvous there for the purpose of forming three regiments. Most of these companies were from the city of Philadelphia and had maintained their or ganizations from the time of the first call for volunteers in April. Colonel Mann was placed in command of the camp and proceeded at once to make arrangements to instruct the men in the manual of arms and in company and battahon drill. By a special order, dated at Harrisburg June 1, 1861, Captain Henry M. Mclntfre, of the Brandywine Guards, was ordered to march his company to Camp Wayne, near West Chester, on Monday the 8d of June, to assume command of the camp and of all companies of the Reserve Corps as they arrived at that post, until they were regularly organ ized into regiments. In response to these orders, the " Brandywine Guards," company A, of Chester county, commanded by Captain H. M. Mclntire ; the " Union Guards," company B, of Lan caster, Captain Thomas B. Barton ; the " Slifer Phalanx," company C, of Delaware county, Captain Samuel A. Dyer; the "Safe Harbor Artillery," company D, of Lancaster county, Captain George H. Hess ; the " Lancaster Guards," company E, Lancaster county, Captain Aldus J. Neff; the "Archy Dick Rifles," company F, of Delaware county, Captain William Cooper Talley ; the " Phoenix Artillery," company G, of Chester county. Captain John R. Dobson; the " Carlisle Light Infantry," company H, of Cumberland county. Captain Robert McCartney ; the " Carlisle Guards," company I, of Cumberland county. Captain Lemuel Todd; and the " Adams County Infantry," company K, of Adams county. Captain Edward McPherson, which companies sub sequently constituted the First Regiment, rendezvoused at Camp Wayne, near West Chester. On the 9th of June those companies held a meeting, as pro vided in the Act authorizing the establishment of the corps, and proceeded to elect field officers and to organize the Ffrst regiment of the Pennsylvania Reserve Corps. R. PREPARATIONS FOR WAR IN PENNSYLVANIA. 65 Biddle Roberts, Esq., of Pittsburg, was elected colonel ; II. M. Mclntire, of the Brandywine Guards, lieutenant-colonel, and Lemuel Todd, of the Carlisle Guards, major of the regiment; Charles B. Lamborne was appointed adjutant, J. R. T. Coates,, quartermaster ; L. W. Read, surgeon ; E. D. ¦ Brenneman, assistant-surgeon, and Rev. John A. McGin- ley, chaplain. R. Biddle Roberts was born at Pittsburg, August 25, 1825. He is a son of Edward J. Roberts, Esq., for many years Clerk of the United States Court at that place and a soldier in the war of 1812 ; and a grandson of the Hon. Samuel Roberts, Judge of that district, and the author of " Roberts' Digest of the British Statutes." Mr. Roberts received a liberal education, and was early brought into public life as Clerk of Councils and Clerk of the District Court of the United States. He was admitted to the bar of his native county in 1850, and in 1853 was elected, by a large majority. District Attorney of the county, although nominated on the Democratic ticket, at a time when the Whig party had two thousand of a majority in the district. He discharged the duties of that office with marked abihty, and retfred in March, 1857, after having won a commanding position at the bar. President Bu chanan appointed him District Attorney of the United States for the Western District of Pennsylvania, which posi tion he held until the war broke out in 1861, when he retfred from his professional pursuits with the kindest feel ings of the bench and the bar. When the report of the reduction of Fort Sumter reached Pittsburg, Mr. Roberts was first lieutenant of a company of volunteer infantry, an organization of many years standing, called " The Duquesne Grays." The men had already ten dered their services to the Government, under the call for seventy-five thousand men, for three months, and with them he determined to march ; while, however, he was arrang ing his papers and the affairs of his large and lucrative practice, he was called on by a committee of young men 66 HISTORY OF THE PENNS"rLVANIA EESER'VES. who had just formed a volunteer company, called the "Zouave Cadets," "vnth a request that he would take com mand of them. He at once consented, conditioning that the company should be raised promptly. This the committee guaranteed to do, and in twenty-four hours Captain Roberts found himself in command of ninety patriotic young men, and many others offering. The company was placed in the Twelfth regiment of three months men, and marched from Pittsburg on the 24th of April, in General Negley's brigade. On the 25th they were mustered into service at Harrisburg. Just before thefr muster, the officers of the brigade called at the Capitol to pay their respects to Governor Curtin ; while in the executive chamber, the Governor stated to them that he required a gentleman of some military know ledge and of good business qualifications to act upon his staff, and that he would be glad if they would recommend a person so qualified. The officers of the brigade consulted together, and in a short time unanimously recommended Captain Roberts, who was at once appointed an aid-de-camp on the staff' of the Governor, with the rank of lieutenant- colonel. The duties of this position, though extremely laborious, were faithfully discharged by Colonel Roberts. When the bill authorizing the Reserve Corps was passed by the Legislature, Colonel Roberts having expressed a "wish to go into the field, was, on the 9th of June, elected colonel of the Ffrst regiment, which was organized at Camp Wayne, at West Chester. Soon after his election, he assumed com mand of the camp, and proceeded to perfect the organiza tion and equipment of his own regiment and also of the Seventh regiment, which was organised at the same camp. On tlie 5th of June, Governor Curtin issued an order esta blishing a department of ordnance, and a department of transportation and telegraphing, and appointed Lieutenant- Colonel John A. Wright chief of these departments. To this officer was committed noi only all the valuable ordnance of the corps, but also the making of aU contracts and arrange- PREPARATIONS FOE WAR IN PENNSYLVANIA. 67 ments for transportation and telegraphing required in organizing and moving the troops. The companies in the western counties were ordered to march into the camps of instruction at Pittsburg, and those in the central portion of the State to Camp Curtin, at Har risburg. These camps had been established under previous calls for volunteers. Colonel John McLean commanded at Pittsburg, and Colonel G. A. 0. Seller at Harrisburg ; to these officers, company commanders arriving at the camp were ordered to report. When it had been determined by General McCall to organize a regiment of rifle skirmishers, the following com panies were selected to compose the regiment, on account of the superior skill of the men\ in .the use of the rifle : The ".Anderson Life Guards," company A, of Tioga county, com manded by Captain Philip Holland ; the Morgan Rifles," company B, of Perry county, Captain Langhorn Wistar ; the "Cameron County Rifles," company C, of Cameron county. Captain John A. Eldred ; the " Raftsmen's Guards," company D, of Warren county. Captain Roy Stone; the ¦" Tioga Rifles," company E, of. Tioga county. Captain Alanson E. Niles ; the " Irish Infantry," company F, of Carbon county. Captain Dennis McGee ; the " Elk Rifles," company G, of Elk county. Captain Hugh McDonald ; the "Wayne Independent Rifles," company H, of Chester county. Captain Charles F.Taylor; the "McKean Rifles," company I, of McKean county, Captain William T. Blan chard ; the " Raftsmen's Rangers," company K, of Clearfield county. Captain Edward A. Irvin. All of these companies, in obedience to orders, had rendezvoused in Camp Curtin at Harrisburg, and on the 12th of June held a meeting for the purpose of organizing the regiment, by the election of field officers. Thomas L. Kane, of McKean county, was elected colonel, biit feeling that a regiment organized for a special service of so much importance to the corps, and, indeed, to the whole army, should be commanded by an officer of experience, he subsequently resigned. The com- 63 HISTORY OF THE PENNSYLVANIA RESERVES. pany officers convened on the follo-wing day and elected Charles J. Biddle, Esq., of Philadelphia, colonel; Thomas L. Kane, heutenant-colonel; Roy Stone, of the "Raftsmen's Guards," major. John T. A. Jewett, of Warren county, was appointed adjutant of the regiment; Lieutenant W. H. Fatten, of Cleai-field county quartermaster ; S. D. Free man, surgeon; W. T. Humphrey, assistant-surgeon, and Rev. W. H. D. Hatton, chaplain. The character and experience of Colonel Biddle made it eminently proper that the Rifle regiment of picked men, organized as a regiment of skirmishers, should be placed in his command. Charles John Biddle was born in Philadelphia in 1819 ; was educated at Princeton College; and was admitted to the bar in his native city in 1840. At the beginning of the war "with Mexico, he raised a company for service under the Act of Congress adding ten regiments to the regular army. Captaia Biddle's company was in the regiment of Voltigeurs, of which the colonel was the present Paymaster- General T. P. Andrews, and the lieutenant-colonel was Joseph E. Johnston, now a general in the Confederate" army. This regiment rendered distinguished service in all the battles in the valley of Mexico, in the campaign of General Scott. Honorable mention of Captain Biddle's name appears in the official reports of Generals Scott, Worth, Pillow, and Cadwalader, as published by Congress in 1847. In his report of the storming of Chapultepec, General Scott names Captain Biddle as " one of the first in the assault," and his regimental commander, Colonel An drews, in his report of the same action further says of Cap tain Biddle, " he joined us in the morning from a sick bed, against my wish and order." He received the brevet of major for "gallant and meritorious services," and was selected by General S. W. Kearny, as his aid-de-camp. At the end of the war, he resumed the practice of the law in Philadelphia. On the breaking out of the rebeUion, he was chosen a PREPARATIONS FOR WAR IN PENNSYLVANIA. 69 member of the " Committee of Safety," organized for the defence of Philadelphia, and gave much time and attention to raising and drilling troops for that purpose. On the 13th of June, 1861, he accepted the command of the Thirteenth Reserve regiment, afterwards more widely known as the "BucktaUs;" at the same time he was placed in command of Camp Curtin. He left Harrisburg on the 21st of June, 1861, in com mand of a detachment of the Reserve Corps, consisting of his own regiment, the Fifth, Colonel Seneca G. Simmons and a battery of the First Pennsylvania Artillery. General McClellan, in that portion of his report which treats of his campaign in Western Virginia, commends the "great ac tivity and intelhgence displayed by Colonel Charles J. Bid dle," whUe commanding a brigade. During the period of his military service, an election for Congress was held in PhUadelphia, to fill a vacancy in the representation of the second district. Colonel Biddle was elected, but believing his Service in the field more valuable to his country he did not attend the first session of the Congress. He declined a brigadier-gen eral's commission which was tendered to him soon after his election, replying that the acceptance of it was "incom patible with the civil trust which he had just accepted from the people of the second district of Pennsylvania." At the time of the second session of Congress, in December, 1861, Colonel Biddle was with his regiment on the Potomac, near Washington City, and as it was knoVvn that the army was to pass the winter in that position, his constituents desfred him to take his seat in the House of Representatives. He obtained leave of absence to visit Philadelphia, where he was received by his fellow-citizens .with becoming honors. In a written address they referred in complimentary lan guage to his military services, and urging hiin to take his seat in Congress, the committee said : " The circumstances attending your recent election to this body, the strong declaration of the wishes ^nd expectations 70 HISTORY OP THE PENN"S"YLVANIA RESERVES. of your constituents, in conferring upon you, during your absence "with the army and without solicitation on your part, a position attended at this time with peculiar responsibUity, are, we trust, such as may induce you to reUnquish, at least for the present, that military hfe in which, through more than one campaign, you have afready earned a just distinction." To this Colonel Biddle replied : " It has been my earnest desire, at this great juncture in our National affairs, to give my humble services where they may be most useful to my country. With this pur pose I took the field ; and holding, during the period of the extra session, a separate and important command, I did not feel at Uberty to quit it to take the seat in Congress to which you had, in my absence, elected me. " It is true that, according to high authorities, I might at once hold the two positions ; but it is plain that I could not perform the duties of both, and, waiving the bare legal question, it seems to me to be incompatible with the charac ter of a representative and a legislator to be a paid officer, subject to the orders of the Executive, and present in his place only by the revocable leave of a military superior. I have, therefore, reached the conclusion that your represen tative must not now be thus trammelled : yet, should the tide of war, indeed, roll around the National Capital, I hope that my brethren in arms "wiU find room in thefr ranks for one soldier more." The resignation of Colonel Biddle as colonel of the " Buck- tails" was accepted by the Secretary of War December 12, 1861. WhUe the enemy continued to threaten the Capital from Mannassas, he held the position of volunteer aid to General Andrew Porter, then commanding in Washington City. Two days after receiving his commission Colonel Biddle reported for duty to General McCall. He was ordered to join his regiment at Camp Curtin and to assume command ofthe encampment. He repafred at once to the post of duty and commenced the work of organizing and disciplining the PREPARATIONS FOE WAR IN PENNS"Saj VANIA. 71 companies that were daily arriving in camp. The rigid mil itary disciplinejenforced by Col. Biddle, was new and, in a measure, distasteful to the volunteer soldiers, who had so recently been of the sovereign people. Though while in Camp Curtin some of the men murmured, after engaging in active service and through all their long and severe cam paigns the companies and regiments attributed due credit to the lessons of military duty learned while in camp at Harrisburg. The "Jersey Shore Rifles," company A, of Lycoming county, commanded by Captain H. C. Ulman ; the " Taggart Guards," company B, of Northumberland county. Captain James Taggart ; the " Washington Cadets,"' company C, of Clearfield county. Captain J. 0. Loraine ; the "Slifer Guards," company D, of Union county. Captain Thomas Chamber lain ; the " Centre Guards," company E, of Centre county, Captain John I. Gregg; the "Bradford Union Guards," company F, of Bradford county, Captain A. J. Trout ; the " Huntingdon Infantry," company G, of Huntingdon county. Captain A. S. Harrison ; the " PoUock Guards," company H, of Northumberland county. Captain John McCleery ; the " Scott Infantry," company I, of Huntingdon county. Cap tain George Dare, and the " Cooktnan Rangers,'* company K, of Lancaster county. Captain J. W. Fisher, were ordered to report to the commanding officer at Camp Curtin. On the 20th of June these companies organized them selves into the Fifth regiment of the Reserve Corps, by electing Captain John Irving Gregg, of Centre County, colonel; Captaia J. W. Fisher, of Columbia, lieutenant- colonel ; and Captain George Dare, of Huntingdon county, major of the regiraent. The following day Colonel Gregg resigned the colonelcy of this regiment to accept an appointment in the regular army. Seneca G. Simmons, a captain in the regular army was elected and commissioned to fill the vacancy. Colonel Simmons- was a man thoroughly educated in the science of mUitary tactics, and was a soldier by profession 72 HISTORY OP THE PENNSYLVANIA RESERVES. and experience. His service in the regular army emi nently fitted him to command the men who had chosen him to be their colonel. Lieutenant A. G. Mason, of the Brad ford Union Guards, was appointed adjutant; John Bigler, quartermaster; John S. Carpenter, surgeon; and W. F. Marsh, assistant-surgeon of the regiment. The original strength of each company, in conformity to the army regulations, was limited to seventy-seven men, including officers and privates ; but on the 20th of June instructions were issued from the headquarters of the Corps, at Harrisburg, to commanders of regiments and companies, to estabUsh recruiting rendezvous and fill up as rapidly as possible, the companies to the full maximum strength of one hundred and one men, the number authorized by the War Department under General Order of May 14th. In obedience to these instructions, the' work of recruiting was begun, and in a few days the ranks of all the companies were filled with men, who rejoiced at the opportunity thus offered to enter the service. On the 21st of June, General Winfield Scott, Commander- in-chief of the United States army, telegraphed from Wash ington to Governor Curtin, at Harrisburg, requesting him to send immediately two regiments of Pennsylvania troops to the relief of Colonel Lew. Wallace, commanding the Eleventh Indiana regiment, at Cumberland, in the State of Maryland. On the same day General McCaU ordered Colonel Charles J. Biddle to march, without delay, with his own regiment and the Fifth, commanded by Colonel Simmons, and Battery A, Ffrst Pennsylvania ArtiUery, commanded by Captain Charles T. Campbell, to the reUef of Colonel WaUace. The brigade comprising these regiments and the battery, was at once placed in cars on the Pennsylvania Railroad, oppo site Camp Curtin; the trains moved westward early on Saturday morning until they arrived at Huntingdon, and thence over the Huntingdon and Broad Top railroad to Hopewell, where the command camped during the night of the 22d of June. PEEPAEATIONS FOE WAE IN PENNSYLVANIA. 73 The citizens along the line of the railroad cheered on the soldiers as they hurried away to the threatened border. At the stations where the trains stopped, baskets of provisions were distributed to all who could partake. The ladies of Huntingdon, however, excelled in thefr attention to the marching brigade. An ample dinner had been provided for the coming soldiers, of which they partook most freely, and fiUed thefr haversacks with the choicest dainties. Early on Sunday morning the command resumed the march moving in the direction of Bedford Springs. At Bloody Run the command halted to partake of a dinner prepared by the citizens of that village. The brigade en camped that night near Bedford Springs, where it remained three days. This first day's march of twenty-three miles, through sand and dust, beneath a burning sun ; the first night's sleeping on the ground, without bed or covering, and the drenching rain that poured down on the men during the night, appro priately formed the introduction to the campaigns that fol lowed, and, which in results were honorable, as in execution they were severe. Colonel Biddle had received instructions to move his com mand to a convenient camping ground near the State line, and there await further orders. The object of the demon- stoation was to assure the people in the border counties, by the presence of an organized force, that they would be pro tected against inroads from Virginia through Maryland ; and also to be within supporting distance to Colonel WaUace. The command moved from Camp McCall, near Bedford Springs, and after two days' marching reached the Mary land State line where Camp Mason and Dixon was estab lished, in which the troops remained two weeks. While statesmen discussed the constitutional propriety of passing State troops beyond the State Umits, Colonel Biddle dUigently instructed his command in miUtary movements and prepared it to render efficient service whenever oppor tunity should offer. 74 HISTORY OP THE PENNSYLVANIA RESER"VES. On the 7th of July, the citizens of Cumberland, becoming alarmed by a report that a body of rebel cavafry was about to make a raid into that place, urged the colonel command ing the brigade, to occupy the city and protect the lives and property of the citizens. The troops broke camp at night and arrived in Cumberland at twelve o'clock. They sur rounded the town and laid on their arms till daylight, await ing the approach of the enemy, who, however, learning of the arrival of so large a force, did not attempt to execute his designs. Colonel Biddle then directed his command to occupy the camps that had been previously occupied by the Indiana regiment. From this point scouting parties were frequently sent out to reconnoitre the country in every direction. These expe ditions were intrusted to the command of Lieutenant-Colonel Thomas L. Kane of the BucktaU regiment. One of the most considerable of these excursions was made to New Creek on the 12th of July. The day after the scouting party had left camp, the entire command foUowed and camped about two mUes from New Creek towards Cumberland. Lieu tenant-Colonel Kane posted his men in a house a short dis tance from the viUage on the road towards Romney. Before dayhght on Sunday morning, a great noise was heard at the New Creek depot ; a detachment of men was sent from the house to ascertain the cause of the uproar, and were in structed, if they discovered the enemy, to fire on him and re treat to the house so as to draw his forces under fire of the concealed riflemen. The skirmishers advanced within one hundred yards of the enemy, delivered their fire and retired towards the house, closely pursued by the enemy's cavalry men. When the troopers came within easy range they re ceived a well-aimed voUey of rifle shot which emptied thefr saddles and caused the precipitate flight of the whole force, leaving Lieutenant- Colonel Kane and his party in quiet pos session of the viUage. In his report of the afiafr to Colonel Biddle, Lieutenant- Colonel Kane says: PREPARATIONS FOE WAR IN PENNSYLVANIA. 75 "The enemy's cavalry rode into the village boldly and had commenced sacking it and hunting for the Union men, whom the news of our approach had brought from their hiding places in the mountain, when I sent out a squad "with the rifles which I borrowed from Captain Kesley of Cumber land, to open a fire on their right flank. They had first murdered Kelly, a youth from Cumberland, when our fire compeUed them to form and make a dash at my quarters, where they were confident, as they were assured by the secessionists of the town, they would effect a complete sur prise. They came up in fine order, but broke and ran on receiving a fire which was reserved till they were ready to dismount. Lieutenant Boughton of the 8d Virginia cavalry regiment, and privates Bosley and Miller, fell at the first volley mortally wounded. A number were wounded who died along the road by which they effected their retreat. The number of the woimded has not been ascertained. The rebel infantry who were drawn up to cut off" our retreat, did not venture near enough to take any serious part in the en gagement, but fied with the cavalry." The scouting party, numbering about two hundred and fifty men, followed the retreating enemy. At RidgeviUe, a smaU village nine miles from New Creek, on the road leading to Romney, the enemy was discovered in the woods; a few shots were exchanged without taking effect. The enemy retreated precipitately towards Romney. Kane's men took possession of a stone buUding near the "viUage. They removed the furniture, barricaded the doors and win dows, and converted the building into a secure fortress. In this position they awaited the arrival of reinforcements. At noon on Sunday, Captain A. J. Trout, commanding a detachment, comprising the " Jersey Shore Rifles," Captaia Ulman ; the " Bradford Union Guards," Captain Trout, of the Fifth regiment, and the "Morgan Rifles," Captain Wistar, of the Rifle regiment, was sent to occupy Piedmont, and to defend it against an attack threatened by a body of the enemy's cavafry. 76 HISTORY OP THE PENNSYLVANIA EESEE-VES. On Monday, Colonel Simmons directed Lieutenant- Colo nel Fisher, of the Fifth regiment, to take Captain Loraine's company, of the Fifth, and Captain Holland's and Captain McDonald's companies of the Rifle regiment, and place them in position to guard against surprise, and to defend the viUage of New Creek. Both detachments moved promptly to the execution of the duties assigned to them. When Captain Trout arrived at Piedmont, he found the people in a state of intense excitement, momentarily expect ing the arrival of the Cpnfederate troops. No time was lost in placing the small force in position for defence. The Morgan Rifles were placed in a stone store house owned by a Mr. Hendricksen. The men removed the windows and doors, and erected barricades in the passages. The main force of the guard occupied the brick market house and pre pared to resist an attack. The enemy did not approach until Monday night at half past nine o'clock, when a party of cavalry attacked the picket station on the hiU to the east of the village. The picket guard obstinately maintained its position, and was rapidly reinforced from the station at the market house. After an irregular attack, lasting about an hour, in which he lost four men, the enemy retired. The Union troops sufiered no loss. As Colonel Biddle's brigade approached New Creek, the advance guard was met by a lady, near a bridge that had been destroyed by the rebels. She was Mrs. Dayton, who came out to guide the advancing scouts to the enemy's camp. After proceeding a short distance, she introduced to the commanding officer her two daughters, who, relie'ving thefr mother, took up the lead, and, marching at double- qtdck time, never faltered untU they reached the village and learned the strength and position of the enemy. On the 16th of July, the brigade broke camp north of the Potomac and crossed the river. The bridge ha^mg been destroyed, it was necessary to transport the baggage on the backs of the men, to the top of the embankment on the south side. The day was consumed in this tedioUS PEEPAEATIONS FOE WAE IN PENNSYLVANIA. 77 labor, so that it was evening when the command arrived at New Creek. As the troops were preparing to go into camp, a messenger arrived from Lieutenant-Colonel Kane asking for immediate relief. Orders were given to march, and, in a few minutes the whole command moved towards Romney. The road led up a narrow valley, watered by New Creek, to a point where the Romney turnpike turns up the moun tain in a northern direction. The farmers, who were har vesting thefr grain crops, hailed with joy the arrival of the National forces, and told marvelous stories of the battle re ported to be raging near Romney. The command reached the position occupied by Kane's men at nine o'clock in the night and found them securely fortified in the stone house. In obedience to orders from General McClellan, who commanded the department of Western Vfrginia, Colonel Biddle did not advance against the enemy's position at Romney, but withdrew his command to the camp at New Creek, and on the 20th, marched to Piedmont. The damage done to the Baltimore and Ohio railroad by the Virginia secessionists had been fully repaired and communication was opened between Baltimore and Wheeling. The privates in the Fifth regiment, took possession of the. office of the Piedmont Independent, whose editor, A. S. Trowbridge, had been driven from his home by the rebels, and issued a newspaper called The Pennsylvania Reserve, which was the first of a great number of similar publications issued during the war by the editors and printers in the volunteer army. After the battle of BuU Run, Colonel Biddle's brigade was ordered to return to Harrisburg, and on the 27th of July, took up the march towards Hopewell and thence by railroad arrived at Camp Curtin on the last day of the month. Thus, after forty days of service, ended the first campaign made by troops of the Pennsylvania Reserve Corps. 78 HISTORY OF THE PENNSYLVANIA RESER^VES. CHAPTER III. ORGANIZATION. Regiments organized in Camp "Washington, Easton — Colonel Mann —Colonel Sickel— Colonel March— Organization of the Sixth regiment, Camp Curtin — Organization of the Seventh regiment, Camp "Wayne — Regiments organized in Camp "Wilkins — Colonel Hays — Regiments in Camp "Wright — Colonel McCalmont — Colonel Gallagher — Twelfth regi ment in Camp Curtin — Colonel Taggert — McDowell's advance— Battle of Bull Run — Call for the Reserve Corps — Marching of regiments- Passage through Baltimore — An'ival at "Washington — Camp formed at Tenallytown — First regiment at Annapol's— Artillery regiment — Organ ization of the Fifteenth regiment, cavalry. The call for two regiments of infantry and a battery of artillery to be sent into active service, convinced the State authorities of the importance of the speedy organization of the Reserve Corps. The departments at Harrisburg were worked to the fullest capacity to prepare materials to arm and equip the regiments, and General McCall urged forward the organizations and advanced the instructions, as rapidly as the circumstances would admit of. The captains of com panies who had been ordered to report with their men at the camps of instruction, came forward with commendable promptness and submitted themselves and their companies to the orders of the commanding general. The thirty companies in Camp Washington, at Easton, though active in learning the company drills, did not form themselves into regiments, until the 21st of June, when, by order of General McCall, the following companies from the city of PhUadelphia, were constituted the second regiment: The " Penn Rifles," company A, commanded by Captain George A. Woodward; the "Governor's Rangers," com pany B, Captaia Patrick McDonough; the "Hibernian ORGANIZATION. 79 Target Company," company C, Captain James N. Byrnes; the "Governor's Rangers," company D, Captain Richard EUis ; the " Scotch Rifles," company E, Captain John Orr Finnic; the "Governor's Rangers," company F, Captain Thomas Bringhurst; the "Taggart Guards," company G, Captain Evan M. Woodward ; the " Independent Rangers," company H, Captain Timothy Mealey; the "Constitution Rangers," company I, Captain William Knox, and the " Con solidation Guards," company K, Captain Patrick J. Smith. In the election held by these companies, William B. Mann, Esq., of PhUadelphia, was elected colonel; Albert L. Magilton, heutenant-colonel, and WiUiam McCandless, major. Augustus T. Cross, was appointed adjutant ; Charles F. Hoyt, quartermaster ; Thomas B. Reed, surgeon, and J. W. Lodge, assistant surgeon of the regiment. WUliam B. Mann, through whose exertions the Second Reserve regiment was called into existence, was born in Bur lington county. New Jersey, on the 27th day of November, 1816. His father, the Reverend William Mann, is a highly respected member of the Methodist ministry, and was, at the time of WUliam's birth, a teacher of considerable emi nence. When he was four years old, his parents removed to Philadelphia, of which city Mr. Mann has remained a resident. He was educated under the immediate care of his father, until he reached his eighteenth year, when he entered upon the study of the law, in the office of Hon. Charles Naylor, a gentlemen of excellent reputation as a lawyer, and a member of the National Congress. He was admitted to practice at the Philadelphia Bar, in 1888. Mr. Mann rose rapidly in distinction in the practice of law, and had long been widely and favorably known to the inhabitants of the city, in which he lived. Without neglect ing the duties of his profession, early in life, he took an active part in the political questions, which engaged the pubUc mind, and soon became a leader in the party with whom his opinions led him to associate. In 1858, when WiUiam B. Reed, became the District Attorney of the city 80 HISTOEY OF THE PENNSYLVANI-i RESERVES. of PhUadelphia, Mr. Mann was associated with that gentle man in conducting the public prosecutions. In 1856 he was elected District Attorney for PhUadelphia, and was subsequently twice re-elected to that position ; once in 1859, and agaia in 1862. His intimacy with the minutest detaUs of the duties of his position, his energy and quick ness in the prosecution of the cases submitted to him, and his thorough acquaintance "with the criminal law, recom mended him strongly to the citizens of Philadelphia, whose confidence he possesses regardless of party distinction. "When, in 1861, the State of Pennsylvania summoned into the field a Reserve Corps, Mr. Mann dfrected his efforts to the organization of a regiment. No time or labor was spared to place the men at the disposal of the State authori ties at the earliest possible period. The companies were recruited in Philadelphia and ordered to Camp Washington at Easton ; in organizing the regiment, they elected Mr. Mann to the colonelcy. It was not the intention of Colonel Mann, at the time he accepted the position, to remain permanently in command. Like many citizens at that time of patriotic fervor, he felt that his country demanded his best exertions. In the very outset, therefore, of his miUtary career, he had determined to recruit a regiment and remain in service only through one campaign, and, having placed his men in the field and instructed them in the performance of thefr duties, . it was his intention to return to the exercise of his civU pursuits and to give his support to the Government in a sphere yielding, perhaps, less distinction, but requiring equal devotion to the Union. An Act of Assembly was passed enabling him to appoint a deputy to perform his duties during his temporary absence. In November, 1861, therefore, when the army went into winter quarters. Colonel Mann tendered his resignation of the command of the Second regiment, and upon its accept ance, took leave of his companions in arms, and returned to his civil position. The foUowing companies were constituted the Thfrd ORGANIZATION. 81 regiment : the "" Second Reading Artillery," company A, of Berks county, commanded by Captain Jacob Lenhart, Jr. ; the " Salem Independents," company B, of Wayne county. Captain WiUiam D. Curtis ; the " Union Rifles," company C, of Bucks county. Captain David V. Feaster; the "Me chanics' Infantry," company D, of Berks county. Captain William Briner; the "De Silver Greys," company E, of PhUadelphia, Captain John Clark ; the " Washington Guards," company F, of Berks county. Captain Washington Richards ; the "Germantown Gi^rds," comparfy G, Philadelphia county. Captain Richard H. Woolworth; the " Applebachville Guards," company H, of Bucks county. Captain Joseph Thomas ; the " Montgomery Guards," company I, of Bucks county. Captain William S. Thompson ; and the " Ontario. Infantry," company J, of PhUadelphia, Captain Horatio G. Sickel. These companies elected Horatio G. Sickel of Philadel phia, colonel; William S. Thompson of Bucks county, lieutenant-colonel ; and Richard H. Woolworth of Philadel phia, major of the regiment. Albert H. Jameson of Reading, was appointed adjutant ; Franklin S. Bickly of the same place, quartermaster ; James ColUns, of Philadelphia, sur geon; George L. Pancost of the same place, assistant surgeon, and Reverend WUliam H. Leake, chaplain. "Horatio G. Sickel was born in Bucks county, Penn sylvania, April 3rd, 1817, and for many years resided in the city of Philadelphia, where he Avas engaged in the manufacturing and mercantile business. He was also a practical soldier, having held a commission in the uniformed militia ofthe State of Pennsylvania, since August, 1841. At the breakiag out of the rebellion and at the caU of the President for seventy-five thousand troops, in April, 1861, Captain Sickel recruited a company in Philadelphia, called the " Ontario Infantry," and tendered his services to the Governor of the State, on the 20th of April. The general uprising of the North and the pressure upon the Governor at that time, precluded the acceptance of this com- 6 82 HISTORY OF THE PENNS"YLVANIA RESERVES. pany, under the first call. Captain Sickel, however, kept his company intact and under daUy instruction, until the passage of the Act authorizing the " Reserve Corps." The company ^^-as then accepted and mustered into service, at Philadelphia. His mUitary prestige at once gave to Captain Sickel the confidence of the officials, and he was pla-ced in command of six companies, accepted from the city, and was ordered to report with his command at Camp Washington at Easton, where he arrived with his companies ^n the 29th of May. Upon the orranization of the Third regiment, he was elected colonel, and immediately entered upon the work of drilling his command. The Fourth regiment was organized on the same day, by the following companies : The "Able Guards," company A, of Philadelphia, Captain John Schcenewald ; the " Quaker City Guards," company B, of Philadelphia, Captain Robert M. MoClure ; the " Montgomery Rifles," company C, of Montgomery county. Captain Isaiah W. Kimble ; the "Dickson Guards," company D, of Philadelphia, Captain Nathan J. Taylor ; the " Williamsport Legion," company E, of Lycoming county. Captain Francis H. Burger; the "National Guards of Monroe," company F, of Monroe county. Captain George B. Keller; the "Harmer Guards,'' company G, of Philadelphia, Captain Thomas F. B. Tapper ; the "Susquehanna Union Volunteers," company H, of Sus quehanna county. Captain Elisha B. Gates; the "Reed Guards," company I, of Philadelphia, Captain Henry Ein- wechter, and the " Enton Guards," company K, of Chesfer county, Captain WilUam Babe. Robert G. March, of PhUadelphia, was elected colonel; John P. Gaul, lieutenant-colonel, and Robert M. McClnre, major of this regiment. John Nyce was appointed adju tant ; A. A. Lechler, quartermaster ; Adolphus Patze, sur geon ; Wm. T. W. Dickerson, assistant surgeon, and Eev. Edwin Marks, chaplain. Robert G. March was born in the city of PhUadelphia, ORGANIZATION. 83 October 5th, 1819. At the age of ten years he was left an orphan and was indentured as an apprentice to the morocco manufacturing business. After reaching the age of majority, he went to Virginia, where he commenced his military training in a volunteer company organized in Alexandria, and received a commission dated May 2d, 1842, signed by President Tyler. After his return to PhUadelphia, he several times held the position of captain in the military organizations in the city. At the commeijcement of the" rebellion he volunteered his services to the Governor of Pennsylvania, and was com missioned by Governor Curtin, on the 23d of April, 1861, to recruit a regiment, which he accomplished at his own expense, and was ordered to proceed with six companies to Camp Washington, at Easton. On the 21st of June, when the Fourth regiment was .organized, he was elected to the colonelcy. Colonel March served with his regiment until October, 1861, when, on account of physical disability, engendered by over-exertion in camp, he tendered his resignation. As Colonel -March was about leaving his command, at Tenallytown, he received a memorial, signed by all of the commissioned officers in the companies of his command, expressing their esteem for him as an officer, and their regret that the state of his health made it necessary for him to resign his commission as commander of the regi ment. On the 22d of June, the day on which the brigade com manded by Colonel Biddle marched from Camp Curtin, there remained in the camp ten companies: The "Iron Guards," company A, of Columbia county, Captain Wel lington H. Ent ; the " Union Guards," company B, of Snyder county, Captain Chas. D. Roush ; the " Honesdale Guards," company 0, of Wayne county. Captain Jno. S. Wright ; the "Washington Rifles," company D, of Frankhn county. Captain Wm. D. Dixon ; the " Montour Rifles," company E, of Montour county. Captain M. H. Manly ; the " Northern 84 HISTORY OF THE PENNSYLVANIA EESER"VE3. Invincibles," company F, of Bradford county. Captain Daniel Bradbury; the "J. D. Cameron Infantry," company G, of Dauphin county. Captain Jacob Rehrer ; the " Tioga Invincibles," company H, of Tioga county. Captain Juhus Sherwood ; the " Towanda Rifles," company I, of Bradford county. Captain W. H. H. Gore, and the "Susquehanna Volunteers," company K, of Susquehanna county. Captain John ShuU. These companies organized the Sixth regiment, and elected W. W. Ricketts, of Columbia county, colonel; William Penrose, lieutenant-colonel ; and Henry J. Madil, major. Henry B. McKean was appointed adjutant ; R. H. McCoy, quartermaster; Charles Bower, surgeon; L. Rmg Jones, assistant surgeon, and Rev. Samuel Jessup, chaplain of the regiment. On the 26th of June, the foUowing named companies in Camp Wayne, at West Chester, organized the Seventh regi ment : The "Carlisle Fencibles," company A, of Cumberland county, Captain R. M. Henderson; the "Biddle Rifles," company B, of Perry county. Captain John Jameson ; the " Iron Artillery," company C, of Lebanon county, Captain E. G. Lantz; the "Rifle Guards," company D, of Clinton county. Captain Chauncy A. Lyman ; the " Ridgway Guards," company E, of Philadelphia, Captain Chas. S. Peall; the "Wyoming Bank Infantry," compai^ F, of Luzerne county. Captain Elisha B. Harvey; the "Second Philadelphia Guards," company G, of Philadelphia, Captain John G. Chapman ; the " Cumberland Guards," company H, of Cumberland county. Captain Joseph Totten ; fSie "Myers- town Rifles," company I, of Lebanon county. Captain Jerome Myers ; and the " Douglas Guards," company K, of Phila delphia, Captain Casper Martino. The companies elected Elisha B. Harvey, of Luzerne county, colonel; Joseph Totten, lieutenant-colonel; and Chauncy A. Lyman, major of the regiment. Alexander B. Sharps was appointed adjutant ; Charles A. Lane, quarter- ORGANIZ-iTION. 85 master ; Alfred W. Green, surgeon ; Thomas Jones, assist ant-surgeon, and A. Judson Furman, chaplain. Elisha B. Harvey, at the time the rebellion broke out, was practicing law at Wilkesbarre. He immediately closed his business and recruited a company, which formed part of the regiment which Colonel Harvey was elected to command. The Eighth regiment was organized at Camp Wilkins, near Pittsburg, on the 28th of June, by the foUowing com panies : The " Armstrong Rifles," company A, of Armstrong county. Captain L. S. Cantwell ; the " Jefferson Riflemen," company B, of Dauphin county. Captain Robert E. Johnson ; the "Anderson Cadets," company C, of Alleghany county. Captain Geo. S. Hays ; the " Browns"ville Greys," company D, of Fayette county. Captain C. L. Conner ; the " Duncan Guards," company E, of Philadelphia ^.nd Alleghany county. Captain John Duncan ; the " Hopewell Rifles," company F, of Bedford county. Captain John Eichelberger ; the "Fayette Guards," company G, of Fayette county. Captain Jesse B. Gardner; the "Clarion Union Guards," company H, of ¦Clarion county. Captain William Lemon; the "Greene County Rangers," company I, of Greene county. Captain S. M. Baily, and the "Hopkins Infantry," company K, of Washington county. Captain Alex. Wishart. Dr. George S. Hays, of HerriotsvUle, was elected colonel ; S. Duncan Oliphant, lieutenant-colonel, and J. B. Gardner, major of the regiment. John G. Swearingen was appointed adjutant ; Gilbert L. Eberhart, quartermaster ; H. A. Lich- tenthaler, surgeon ; H. K. Neff, assistant surgeon, and Rev. WilUam Aiken, chaplain. George S. Hays was born in Alleghany county, Pennsyl vania, September 28, 1807. He received a medical educa tion and practiced his profession nineteen years in his native county. In the spring of 1861, when the Southern rebels attacked Fort Sumter, Dr. Hays was living on his farm, engaged in stock raising. At the call to arms, he raised a company, composed of the sons of his neighbors, and, in 86 HISTORY OF THE PENNSYLVANIA RESER"VE3. obedience to orders received from General McCall, marched with it, to Camp Wilkins, soon after the passage of the Act providing for a Reserve Corps. Dr. Hays had for three years commanded the " Duquesne Greys," of Pittsburg; the mUitary experience acquired in that position, and the repu tation he enjoyed in the community, secured for him the election to the colonelcy of the Eighth regiment. Colonel Hays commanded his regiment until the termination of the Peninsular compaign, when he resigned, on account of the injuries received at the battle of Charles City Cross Roads. On the 28th of June, the Ninth regiment was organized in Camp WUkins, near Pittsburg, by the following com panies: the "Pittsburg Rifles," company A, of Allegheny county. Captain Lewis W. Smith; the "Garibaldi Guards," company B, of Alleghenv county. Captain Frank Hartmayer ; the "Iron City GuariLs," company C, of Allegheny county, Captain James T. Shannon ; the " Government Guards," company D, of Allegheny county. Captain Robert Galway ; the "Chartier Valley Guards," company E, of Allegheny county. Captain Charles Barnes ; the " Meadville Volunteers," company F, of Crawford county. Captain Samuel B. Dick ; the " City Guards," company G, of Allegheny county. Cap tain John B. Brookbank ; the " New Brighton Rifles," com pany H, of Beaver county. Captain John Cuthbertson ; the "McKeesport Union Guards," company I, of Allegheny county. Captain William Lynch, and the "Allegheny, Rangers," company K, of Allegheny county. Captain Hugh S. Fleming. These companies elected Conrad F. Jackson of Pittsburg, colonel; Robert Anderson, lieutenant-colonel; and James McK. Sncjdgrass, major of the regiment. T. Brent Swear ingen was appointed adjutant; John F. Kirkpatrick, quarter master; Joseph A. Phillips, surgeon; Henry F. Marthi, assistant-surgeon, and Reverend J. B. Pyatt, chaplain. The Tenth regiment was organized in Camp Wright, on the 29th of June, by the following companies : " The "Somerset Infantry," company A, of Somerset county, ORGANIZATION. 87 Captain Robert P. Cummins; the "Middlesex Rangers," company B, of Mercer county. Captain Thomas McCon- nell ; the " Venango Greys," company C, of Venango county. Captain Christopher M. Over ; the '' Jefl'erson Light Guards," company D, of Washington county. Captain Charles W. McDaniel; the "Clarion River Guards," com pany E., of Clarion county. Captain James B. Knox ; the "Curtain Rifles," company F, of Beaver county. Captain Milo R. Adams ; the " Mercer Rifles," company G, of Mercer county. Captain Adoniram J. Warner ; the Warren Guards, company H, of Warren county. Captain Henry V. Part ridge ; the " Allegheny College Volunteers," company I, of Crawford county. Captain Ira Ayer, Jr.," and the " Wilson Rifles," company K, of Beaver county. Captain Samuel MUler. John S. McCalmont, Esq., of Venango county, was elected colonel of the regiment ; James T. Kirk, lieutenant-colonel, and Harrison AUen, major. Siam B. Smith was appointed adjutant; Cyrus Elder, quartermaster; Benjamin Rohrer, surgeon ; David McKinney, Jr., assistant surgeon, and Rev erend J. L. Greene, chaplain. John S. McCalmont was born at Franklin, Venango county, Pennsylvania. He is one of three sons of the late Alexander McCalmont, born on the 28th of April, 1822. The oldest, WUliam, now deceased, was a soldier in the regular army, and the youngest, Alfred B., is now colonel of the 142d Pennsylvania volunteers Alexander McCalmont, the father of these soldiers, was an early settler in western Pennsylvania, and rose by his own industry and probity to a position of honor and influ ence in the community. He was during ten years, president judge of the Eighteenth Judicial District, having been appointed to that position by Governor David R. Porter. John S. McCalmont was, at the age of sixteen, appointed a cadet to the military academy in 1838 ; and graduated in the class of 1842. At the time of his graduation, he was appointed brevet second lieutenant in the Third infantry. 88 HISTORY OF THE PENNSYLVANIA RESERVES. head-quarters at TaUahassee, Florida, and subsequently second lieutenant in the Eighth infantry, then commanded by Colonel Worth, headquarters, Pilatka, Florida. In July, 1843, at the close of the Florida war, he resigned his commission and commenced the study of law. He was admitted to practice and soon after was appointed deputy attorney-general for Clarion, Elk, and McKean counties, and took up his residence at Clarion. In 1848, he was elected to the legislature, and again in 1849, and was elected speaker of the House of Representatives for the session of 1850. In May, 1853, he was appointed president judge for the Eighteenth Judicial District. At the election in 1853, he was elected by the people president judge of the same district, for ten years from December, 1853. The arduous labors of his professional duties had seriously impaired his health; that, however, did not stand in the way of his patriotic devotion to his country ; he resigned his seat on the bench, and accepted the colonelcy of the Tenth regiment of the Reserve Corps. This regiment was ordered, early in July, to Cumberland, to reinforce Colonel Biddle's brigade ; but when it arrived at HopeweU, the orders were countermanded and the regi ment ordered to report at Harrisburg, where it was mustered into the United States service, on the 21st day of July, 1861. The Eleventh regiment was organized in Camp Wright, on the 1st day of July, by the following companies: The " Cambria Guards," company A, of Cambria county. Captain Robert Litzinger; the "Indiana National Guards," company B,.of Indiana county, Captain Daniel S. Porter; the "Dixon Guards," company C, of Butier county. Captain Samuel Louden ; the " Conongessing Rangers," company D, of Butler county. Captain WiUiam Stewart; the "Washing ton Blues," company E, of Indiana county. Captain Nathaniel Nesbit; the "Union Volunteers," company F, of Fayette county. Captain Edward Bierer; the "Independent Blues," company G, of Armstrong county. Captain James P.-Speer; the "Westmoreland Blues," company H, of Westmoreland ORGANIZATION. 89 county. Captain Daniel Kistler; the "Washington Blues," company, I, of Westmoreland county, Captain Thomas H. Spfres, and the "Brady Guards," company K, of Jefferson county. Captain Evans R. Brady. T. F. Gallagher, was elected colonel; James R. Porter, lieutenant-colonel, and S. M. Jackson, major ofthe regiment. Peter A. Johns, was appointed adjutant ; H. A. Torrence, quarter-master; James S. De Benneville, surgeon; D. W. BaUentine, assistant-surgeon, and Rev. WilUam T. Dickson, chaplain. Thomas F. Gallagher, was born in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, on tlte 17th of January, 1822 ; he received a Uberal education, and, when the rebeUion broke out in 1861, was a merchant in New Alexandria, a village in his native county. For many years he had taken an active interest in mUitary organizations in Westmoreland county, and had, by experience, acquired a knowledge of company and 'regi mental drills and manoeuvres. When the Eleventh regi ment was organized, he was elected to the colonelcy and invited to take command of the regiment. Colonel Gallagher accepted the position and served with distinction, until the 12th of December, 1862, when he was compelled to resign, on account of a severe wound received at the battle of South Mountain. The Twelfth regiment which was the last of the infantry regiments in the corps, was organized in Camp Curtin, on the 25th of July. The companies in the Twelfth, were col lected from all parts of the State. They were the " Wayne Guards," company A, of Philadelphia, commanded by Cap tain John H. Taggart; the "Factory ville Infantry," company B, of Wyoming county. Captain David N. Matthewson ; the' " Troy Guards," company C, of Bradford county. Captain Richard Gurtin; the "Kepner Fencibles," company D, of Dauphin county. Captain Samuel B. Wilt; the "Easton Guards," company E, of Northampton county. Captain Peter Baldy ; the " West Newton Guards," company F, of West moreland county. Captain Andrew G. Oliver; the "Bailey's Invincibles," company G, of York county. Captain Samuel 90 HISTORY OF THE PENNSYLVANIA RESERVES. N. BaUey; the "Indiana County Infantry," company H, of Indiana county, Captain Andrew J. Bolar : the "Huntingdon Guards," company I, of Huntingdon county. Captain James C. Baker, and the "McClure Rifles," company K, of Frank lin county. Captain John S. Eyster. These companies elected Captain John H. Taggart, of Philadelphia, colonel; Captain Samuel N. Baily, of York county, lieTjtenant-colonel, and Captain Peter Baldy of North ampton county, major of the regiment. Theodore McMurtrie, was appointed adjutant ; James T. Woodall, quartermaster ; W. H. Thorne, surgeon; Isaac J. Clark, assistant surgeon, and Rev. A. J. Bolar, chaplain. John H. Taggart, was born in Georgetown, Kent county, Maryland, on the 22d of January, 1821. After the death of his father, in 1830, he went to Philadelphia, where he resided up to the breaking out of the rebellion in 1861. He 'v^as a printer by profession, and one of the proprietors of the Philadelphia Sunday Mercury. He had a taste for mUitary exercises, and, was for many years connected ¦with the " Washington Blues," of Philadelphia. After the attack on Fort Sumter, he raised a company in PhUadelphia, called the " Wayne Guards," for the three months service, and subsequently tendered the services of the company to Governor Curtin, to form part of the Reserve Corps. Cap tain T.iggart marched his company to Harrisburg, on the 7th June, and remained in Camp Curtin until the 25th of July, the day on which the Twelfth regiment was organized, when he was elected colonel, and placed in command of the regiment. The Rifle regiment, which was the second regiment organ ized for the corps, was numbered the " Thirteenth regiment of the Pennsylvania Reserve Corps." In an official order issued by General McCaU, at the request of the men com posing it, the regiment was named the "Kane Rifles." "The BucktaUs," however, was the popular name of this historic organization; an, appellation taken from the badge, the taU of a deer, worn on thefr caps by both officers and privates; ORGANIZATION. 91 and whenever in the skirmish line of the opening battle this badge was seen, fear seized the hearts of the trembling foe, for in it he recognized the advance guard of a corps of troops, celebrated in both armies for the irresistible power of their battle charges. On the 16th of July, General McDowell advanced from the banks of the Potomac towards Manassas, with an army of thirty thousand five hundred men. The troops, though principaUy volunteers, recently from their peaceful labors in the North, were eager for active service, and commenced the advance with alacrity and joy. At noon on the 17th, the advance division of the Union army entered Fairfax unopposed, and found in the enemy's camps much valuable property, which, in the haste and fear of the flight, the rebels had abandoned. With the march of this army moved the heart of the nation, filled with hopeful joy. On the 18th, General Tyler reconnoitered the enemy's position and ascertained the location of his batteries. Two days — fatal delay — ^were spent in examining the country and posting the troops. On Sunday, the 21st, the terrible battle was fought. Never was a field more fiercely contested. Every regiment fought heroically, and merited its country's gratitude. From early in the morning until two o'clock in the afternoon, the battle raged with unabated fury. Up to that hour, the advantages were on the side of the Union troops, who had assaUed, one after another, the strong posi tions of the enemy on the bank of Bull Run, and carried them by storm. Three o'clock came, and victory seemed certain to the National army. But, as at the battle of Waterloo, Blucher came and Grouchy came not, so in this hour of National perU, General Johnston, with thirty thous and fresh troops, came to the aid of Beauregard, but Patterson came not with his thirty thousand loyal troops to the rescue of McDoweU's army. The day was lost. Beaten by overwhelming numbers, McDowell's army was hurled back into the entrenchments in front of Washing ton. The safety of the Capital was threatened and the 92 HISTORY OF THE PENNSYLVANIA RESERVES. nation, for a day, was paralyzed with bewildering amaze ment. The term of service of the troops composing Patterson's army would expire before the 1st of August; the army under ilcDowell was daily diminishing in numbers from the same cause, and the Capital of the nation was left with out a force equal to that defeated at Bull Run, to guard it against the victorious enemy. The authorities at Washing ton discovered, when it was too late to be remedied, the error of having under-estimated the force of the conspira tors. The call for help — immediate, instantaneous relief — went out from Washington throughout all the land. Penn sylvania alone was prepared to respond with an available promptness. The stone which the builders had rejected, now became the head of the corner. Baffled by the admin istration at Washington, rebuked by the Secretary of War, and censured by the anti-war party in his own State, Gov ernor Curtin, with patriotic fervor, labored to complete the organization of the Reserve Corps. . He was told it would prove to be his political grave. Circumstances have made it his most honorable monument, and the pride of the State. Just before the advance of McDowell's army, the services of this organized body of men were offered to the govern ment ; but the authorities at Washington refused to receive them. On the 18th of July, Governor Curtin again tele graphed to the war office at Washington, stating that two regiments of the Reserve Corps were in service in Western Virginia, another was marching to join them, and ten other regiments were in camps at Pittsburg, Harrisburg, Easton and West Chester. In the same dispatch, the Governor requested that mustering officers be sent to the several camps, to muster the regiments into the service of the United States. On the same day, orders were received from the Secretary of War, directing that four regiments should be sent to Hagerstown, and the remaining regiments of the Reserve Corps, not including those in Western Vfrginia, should be mustered and transported to Baltimore ORGANIZATION. 93 on the Northern Central Railroad. On the 19th, another dispatch, from Adjutant-General Lorenzo Thomas to Gov ernor Curtin, instructed him, in obedience to the wishes of the Secretary of War, to assemble all the regiments, excepting only the two commanded by Colonels Charles J. Biddle and Seneca G. Simmons, at Harrisburg, where they would be mustered into the service and forwarded to the seat of war, as previously ordered ; stating also that their services were imperiously demanded, and " if they were not forwarded promptly, the regiments would be prevented from taking part in the impending battle." The Governor repUed by telegraph: "AU the regiments have been ordered to Harrisburg, in obedience to your dispatch just received, and, on arrival, will be immediately forwarded to the seat of war, as previously ordered. If there is not time to muster them in at this place, mustering officers can follow them to the field." All possible expedition was used to concentrate the Corps and forward it to the scene of active operations, in front of Washington. Though the Governor, through his private messengers, had faUed to induce the administration at Washington to accept the services of this organized body of troops, at a time that would have rendered them avail able to the commander of the National forces, there was wanting no zeal or hearty co-operation when the cry for help came with telegraphic emphasis from Washington to Harrisburg. With a most generous patriotism, peculiar to a sovereign people, aU the resources of the State were brought into requisition to reinforce the National army in front of the capital. The following dispatches show the temper of the hour : — "Washingtoh, July 21, 1861. GovEBNOB CuRTifr I — Get your regiments at Harrisburg, Easton and other points ready for immediate shipment, lose no time preparing. Make things move to the utmost. THOS. A. SCOTT, Assistant Secretary of Wa/r. 9i HISTORY OF THE PENNSYLVANIA RESERVES. "Washington, July 21, 1861. Governor Curtin :— Please send the "Wisconsin regiment at Harris burg to Baltimore instead of Harper's Ferry. Send aU other regiments at Harrisburs; and elsewhere to Baltimore. WINFIELD SCOTT. Governor Cortin : — Forward all you can to-night. Transportation will be provided by Northern Central Company. Press forward all . available force. ~ THOS. A. SCOTT. Governor Curtin. — Let me know how your regiments are moving. "What have you started and how fast wUl they leave ? THOS. A. SCOTT. Harrisburg, July 21, 1864. Thos. A. Scott, Washington : — One regiment left for "Washington, at noon ; one from Pittsburg and one from "West Chester have just ar rived ; one from Pittsburg and two from Easton will arrive to-morrow. The others as rapidly as they can be transported to and from this place. The three month regiments are arriving here, without being announced or any preparations for them. Our men justly complain of their arms, both those that return and those we send. A. G. CURTIN. "Washington, July 21, 1861. Governor Curtin : — To-morrow wont do for your regiments. "We must have them to-night. Send them to-night. It is of the utmost importance. THOS. A. SCOTT. Stop the regiment at Greencastle and send it to "Washington to night. Do not fail. THOS. A. SCOTT. The authorities at Washington, had already learned of the escape of General Johnston, from the Shenandoah valley, and feared the result of his junction with Beaure gard at Manassas. Early on the 21st of July, they tele graphed to Governor Curtin to have the Reserve Corps of Pennsylvania concentrated at Harrisburg. But as the events of the day became more developed. General Scott feeling the want of a sufficient reserve force, changed the direction of the troops moving towards Harper's Ferry, and ordered all the regiments in Pennsylvania to march through ORGANIZATION. 95 Baltimore to Washington. Later in the day McDowell's defeat at Bull Run, made it necessary, for the safety of Washington to have a strong force on the north bank of the Potomac above Georgetown, and to that point the regi ments of the Reserve Corps were marched as rapidly as they arrived at the Washington terminus of the Baltimore and Ohio railroad. Colonel R. Biddle Roberts, commanding the First regiment, and senior colonel in the corps was placed in the advance. Colonel Robert G. March Avho had left Harrisburg in ad vance with the fourth regiment awaited the arrival of Colonel Roberts west of Baltimore. Colonel George S. Hays commanding the Eighth, Colonel John S. McCalmont, commanding the Tenth and Colonel E. B. Harvey, com manding the Seventh regiment followed as rapidly as trans portation could be provided. As the trains approached Baltimore, on Monday afternoon. Colonel Roberts was ad monished at every station by the three months troops, who were guarding the railroad of the danger of passing through the city of Baltimore. When the command arrived at the outer depot on the Northern Central railroad in the sulj^rbs of Baltimore, a body of the poUce force of the city, met Colonel Roberts and advised him not to pass through the city with his command. They represented the populace as being in a state of the most intense excitement, and declared that the police would be overpowered in an attempt to re sist the mob. They stated further, that the secessionists were thoroughly armed, and that it would be " very unsafe" for him to attempt to march through the streets. Colonel Roberts listened with an indifferent attention to the repre sentations of the policemen, and when their efforts to .dis suade him had ceased, filled with the patriotic emotions of a citizen soldier, who knew well for what purpose he had taken up arms, he replied, " Gentlemen, I have not come down here hunting for safe places. My men are thoroughly armed and equipped, and wUl march through Baltimore." The lesson of the 19th of AprU, learned in the streets of 96 HISTORY OF THE PENNS"YL VANIA RESERVES. Baltimore, had not been lost on the Pennsylvania troops marching to the Capital. Colonel Roberts had taken the precaution to have ammunition distributed to the men, with orders that they should load their guns and be prepared to engage the enemy at any moment. Orders were also issued to the commissioned officers in every company, that, if the enemy attacked them in the streets of Baltimore, they should promptly return the fire ; if attacked from the houses, they were instructed to set fire to the buildings as they advanced through the city. Colonel Roberts advanced with his regiment to Calvert street depot, took possession of the railroad building, and after posting a guard about his command, allowed his men to make themselves comfortable for the night. Early in the morning of the 23d, the whole command, "with the exception of the Fourth regiment, which encamped near the outer depot, took up their line of march through the city. The pavements, cross-streets and buildings were crowded with vast multitudes of awe-stricken beholders. Not a sound was heard, save the tap of the drum and the trea^ of the advancing column. Regiment after regiment filed into the heart of the city, through the narrow and winding streets; the secessionists were well armed; they had been boastful and defiant ; they now looked with sullen astonishment on the well ordered troops, that marched with conscious strength through their streets ; and in fear, they silently nursed their wrath. Thus was the city of Baltimore humiliated. The secessionists, who threatened to murder the National troops in the streets, were awed into silence, and ever afterwards ceased to be aught else than sullen spies, smugglers, and piratical allies to the rebels in arms. After marching through the city, the First regiment encamped on CarroU Hill, where it remained until the fol lowing Saturday. The other regiments moved forward on the Baltimore and Ohio railroad, and arrived at Washington in the evening of the same day. The Second, Thfrd and Fourth regiments, at Camp ORGANIZATION. 97 Washington, near Easton, had moved promptly to Harris- br^rg, and thence to Baltimore. The Second, Colonel Mann's regiment, was transported on the Baltimore and Ohio rail road to Sandy Hook, where it arrived on the 28th; the Thfrd regiment, commanded by Colonel Sickel, proceeded directly to Washington, and arrived there in the evening ofthe 25th. of July. The Fourth, Colonel March, re mained in camp near Baltimore. So great was the rejoicing at the arrival of these regi ments at the Capital, that President Lincoln, accompanied by members of the cabinet and other distinguished men, came out to meet them at the depot, and to thank the men for having ensured the safety of the Capital by their presence. The President reviewed the troops and com mended them for the progress they had made in discipline and drill. Colonel Harvey, commanding the Seventh regiment, thus relates his experience in the march from Harrisburg to Washington : — " Our orders at Harrisburg were, to report to the com mandant at Baltimore, General Dix. Our journey towards Baltimore, during daylight, was one constant scene of cheer ing. People — men, women, and children — were loud in their demonstrations of patriotism and joy. When we reached the State Une, we concluded to prepare for any emergency. We felt that we were hovering between two authorities — passing from Pennsylvania State authority to the United States authority; and during this transit, I concluded I would be the authority, and the regiment cheerfully ac cepted it. We ordered the train to stop, and the men out. Ammunition was disfributed, and the men loaded their pieces. We then moved on the train to within four miles of the city, and there stopped until dayUght. We next moved into the city, and stopped at the Bolton Station. The men got out of the cars and formed a Une on the side of the Street, where we iremained for five hours, awaiting orders. Immediately on our arrival in the city, we re- 98 HISTORY OF THE PEN.N'SYLVANIA RESERVES. ported, by telegraph to General Dix, at Fort McHenry, our presence. At about ten o'clock, A. M., a despatch was received from that officer dfrecting us to procure something to eat, and then proceed to Washington as soon as we could obtain transportation. Thereupon our quartermaster has tened off in search of pro-visions. The mayor or provost marshal, attentive to our wants, sent Mr. S. Robinson of that city with a poUce force to conduct us to some grove to take refreshment. We formed, and under the pilotage of a poUceman, started, as we supposed, for the grove aforemen tioned. After half an hour's march through the city, the head of our Une halted at the Camden Depot I I inqmred if this was where we were to get our breakfast and the three last meals not yet had. I was met by the policeman, who informed me that he had been ordered to conduct us to that depot, that we might be moved on to Washington at once. Just then some of the managers of the raifroad came up, and insisted on our going ahead, as the train was already in waiting. I informed them that we should not leave Balti more until the men had one fuU meal. We had bounded for two days and nights on one meal ; a longer continuance in that business would then cease. I then marched the regiment back to the Bolton Depot. The Quartermaster, Judge Lane, and Mr. E. Robinson had just returned, and the men enjoyed one good meal. I next authorized Mr. Robinson to make arrangements and contract for the trans portation of my regiment — nine hundred men, baggage, horses, and equipments, to Washington ; — and to move pre cisely at nine o'clock, P. M. Mr. Robinson soon returned, having made the arrangements. At seven o'clock we moved the regiment once more from the Bolton Station to the Cam den Station, and were there informed that the cars placed on the track were for us and were ready. We loaded up. There were twelve cars. We fiUed them fuU, leaving four companies stUl on the platform ! The superintendent, man agers, &c., came along blustering and scolding us for not getting ahead. I remonstrated with them about the accom ORGANIZATION. 99 modations provided, but only received in return threats that if we did not load up in the twelve cars, they would move the trains and leave us behind. In addition to this, they refused to take the cars containing our horses, surplus arms and ammunition. Our contract called for nine o'clock as the moving hour; it was then eight o'clock. I at length went to the head of the train, detached the locomotive, and placed Captain John Jameson on the platform with three companies to prevent the re-attachment of the locomotive or the moving of the train with part of my command until I should give the proper order. The superintendent ap proached, and ordered the engineer to move forward. Both left suddenly. ' I next repaired to the railroad office, where I met some eight smooth gentlemen, who talked pompously, and indulged in a few threats. We heard them through, though very impatient and angry. I only replied, that that train would not move before nine o'clock, and that then it would take none of my regiment unless it took all ; that we should keep possession until that hour and then release it unless more cars were furnished meanwhile ; that if they wished to dispossess us, they were at liberty to make the attempt; that we had heard of Baltimore once, and were perfectly wUling that others should hear of it the second time. I then returned to the locomotive, found my orders strictly enforced, and the men all quiet, but impatient for orders. I was followed by a stranger, and asked to return to the raUroad office. I sought Mr. Robinson, who made the contract, and we returned to the office together. When I got back a Mr. White, clerk of the road, and a man calling himself president of. the road, were present, who informed me that they had just received a despatch from Honorable Simon Cameron, ordering me forvyard at once, and that we were to proceed in twelve cars, leaving the horses and bag gage behind. He next presented me with a certificate which professed to show that the company had furnished transpor tation to me for the regiment. I thereupon demanded a certified copy of the Washington despatch. They refused to 100 HISTORY OF THE PENNS"YLVANIA RESER"VE3. give it me, saying that I had no business vrith it. I rephed that I had something to do with rogues in my life; that they might write almost any thing and call it a despatch ! This made a Uttie flurry. Just at this moment stepped in a man who, in a loud voice, proclaimed himself assistant- quartermaster of the United States, and demanded informa tion as to who was interfering with and preventing trans portation 1 I looked at him a moment, measuring his metal, and then replied, it was myself. He responded, that he would not have country colonels interfering with his busi ness, and blustered considerably. My field officers now entered. I thereupon said to this blustering major, that I had possession of the locomotive and cars, and that he must show me better authority than he had yet shown to induce me to change my determination. I then "wrote a despatch to General Cameron, Secretary of War, stating our condi tion — their refusal to take us comfortably, and to take our horses and baggage. They soon presented us with a reply, purporting to be from Secretary Cameron, ordering us for ward. I ordered a certified copy of it, which they refused. I then left the office, and returned to the cars, and waited till nearly nine o'clock, still refusing to move, when the aforementioned United States major, or quartermaster, came to me, and said they would furnish three more cars, that we might leave at nine o'clock. This was done, and we finaUy took our departure for Washington, where we arrived about one o'clock next morning." The necessity for the presence of these troops at the Capital was so urgent, that some of the regiments were for warded before they had been mustered into the service of the United States. Patriotism, a devotion to the Union that knew no turning back, was the bond that bound the men together in solid regiments. Transported in open cars, exposed to storm and rain, from Harrisburg to Baltimore, these soldiers of the Union, forgetting personal comfort, thought only of defending their Government against the assaults of traitors. Not a man deserted, but "with fuU 0RG-VNIZ-4.TI0N. 101 ranks, in their camps on CarroU Hill and on the banks of the Potomac, the companies presented themselves for muster. On the 2nd of August, the Third, Sixth, Seventh and Eighth regiments were ordered to march from their quarters in and about the city of Washington, to Tenallytown, a village six miles northwest from the Capital. At this place General McCall directed that a camp should be formed, at which all the regiments of the Corps were ordered to report. The Ninth, Tenth and Eleventh regiments arrived from Washington in the new camp, on the 5th ; on the 8th, the Fifth regiment ; and on the 13th of August, the Twelfth regiment, arriving from Harrisburg, reported at Tenally town. Soon after the arrival of six regiments at Tenallytown, General McCall was informed by the commander of the army, that the Reserve regiments would not be organized into a di-vision, as was contemplated by the State authorities of Pennsylvania. General McCall appealed to the Secretary of War: protesting that the troops had been raised, the regiments formed, and the organization of the Corps entered upon, with the explicit understanding that the unity of the command would be maintained, when its services should be transferred to the National Government. Secretary Cameron entertained the appeal with favor, and respected the arrange ment of the State "with the regiments. The detached regi ments in Western Virginia, at Harper's Ferry, and at Anna- poUs, were ordered to join the command at Tenallytown, where they were organized as a division of the Army of the Potomac, consisting of three brigades, which was kno"wn as "McCaU's Division." On Saturday, the 28th of July, in obedience to orders issued from Major-General Dix, Colonel Roberts marched ¦with the First regiment from Carroll HiU to Annapolis. Six companies of the regiment were quartered in the Naval Academy in that city, and four companies were stationed at AnnapoUs Junction. The regiment was detailed to guard 102 HISTORY OF THE PENNSYLVANIA RESERVES. the railroad from Annapolis to the junction with the Balti more and Washington road. The frequent seizures of drugs, medicines, and other contraband goods from smugglers, who were engaged in unlawful traffic with the rebels, south of the Potomac, gave evidence that these new troops were vigilant and reliable guards. In his report of operations on the line of the Annapolis railroad, General Dix commends the conduct of both officers and men of the First regiment, for the manner in which they performed the special duty to which he had assigned them. Soon after Colonel Roberts took command at Annapolis a party of negroes arrived in the harbor in a small boat and were picked up by the revenue cutter "Forward." The negroes said they were the slaves of a disloyal owner ; that they had stolen the boat from their master and had made their escape. The captain of the cutter made appUcation to turn them over to Colonel Roberts, who, not being allowed, by orders from his superiors, to admit slaves into his camp, nor to return them to their masters, applied to General Dis, commanding the department, for instructions. The fact that the boat and men had been taken by a revenue cutter, made it necessary to refer the question of disposition to the Secretary of the Treasury. A full and complete statement of the case was submitted through the proper channel, to Secretary Chase, but no answer was ever received by the captain ofthe "Forward." By a law of Congress he was not permitted to discharge his captives ; they were consuming rations and occupying space on the cutter that were required for other purposes, yet no one would receive the prisoners or authorize any disposition to be made of them. Finally, the men were allowed to escape from the vessel at PhUadeh phia, without any official notice. The four companies of the Ffrst regiment stationed at Annapolis Junction, were presented with an elegantly finished flag, the gift of the loyal ladies of Prince George and Montgomery counties in Maryland. The ceremonies of the presentation, in the presence of a large assemblage ORGANIZATION. 103 of Citizens, was the first evidence to the troops that they were not surrounded wholly by enemies. On the 30th of August the regiment was relieved from duty at Annapolis, and on the foUowing day joined the camp at Tenallytown. The Thfrteenth regiment marched from Harrisburg on the 8th of August, and taking transportation on the North ern Central and Baltimore and Ohio railroads, reported for duty to General Thomas of General Bank's army at Sandy Hook. This regiment and the Second, remained in the army commanded by General Banks until the close of Sep- ¦ tember. They marched from Sandy Hook through Point of Rocks, Jefferson, and Hyattstown, to Darnestown ; thence on the 25th of September to Tenallyto-wn, where they joined their companions in the army of the Potomac. The Fourteenth regiment of the Reserve Corps, which was the Ffrst artillery, had not yet been organized at the time the corps was called into service.. Eight companies were recruited and three of the batteries were organized by the State and sent to Tenallytown. The other companies were ordered to Washington, where they were organized by the War Department. The eight batteries of this regiment were never in im mediate conjoined service; they were not permanently attached to G^eral McCall's command as a constituent portion of the Reserve Corps, but were detached and assigned to other divisions. Some were sent out of the Army of the Potomac to serve in other campaigns. The three original batteries only were retained ; battery A, com manded by Captaia Hezekiah Easton ; battery B, Captain James H. Cooper; and battery G, Captain Mark Kerns. In AprU, 1862, battery C, Fifth United States ArtiUery, Captain Truman Seymour, was assigned to McCall's division, in compliance with a general order, that to each division of thj^ee brigades there should be assigned three volunteer and one United States regular batteries. The Fifteenth regiment, (the First- Pennsylvania Cavafry,) 10-i HISTORY OP THE PENNSYLVANIA RESERVES. was organized after the arrival of the infantry regiments at Tenallytown. About the middle of August five com panies in Camp Curtin, the "Juniata Cavalry," company A, of Juniata county, commanded by Captain John K. Robin son; the "Lower Merion Troop," company B, of Mont gomery county. Captain Owen Jones ; the " Mifllin County Cavafry," company C, of Mifflin county. Captain J. P.: Taylor; the "Smith's Cavalry," company D, of Clinton county. Captain William S. GUe, and the " Centre County Cavalry," company E, of Centre county. Captain Jonathan Wolf, organized by electing Captain David H. Hastings, of the United States Army, colonel, and Captain Owen Jones, major. Captain Hastings declined to accept the colonelcy of the regiment only half organized. Major Jones took command of the battalion and proceeded to Washington, where he was soon joined by three other companies from Harrisburg ; the " Ringgold Cavalry," company F, of Green county. Captain Josiah H. Ray ; the "Blair County Cavalry," company G, of Blair county. Captain David Gardener, and company H, Captain Theodore Strick. These eight companies remained in camp near Wash ington until the middle of September, with a deficiency of organization that seemed to threaten every effort to form a regiment. The field and company officers were unskilled in miUtary tactics and discipline, and thougl* quite anxious to become soldiers, and to make thefr men such, they fully realized their deficiency and anxiously sought for assistance in the election of an experienced officer to command the regiment. Finally, General McCall in co-operation with Governor Curtin and his advisers, secured the services of Captain George D. Bayard, of the regular army, who was elected by the officers, and commissioned by the Governor of Pennsylvania, colonel of the regiment. Two companies fi'om a disbanded organization, were then attached to the regiment, company I, Captain George T. Work, and com pany K, Captain Joseph H. Williams ; its organization was then completed. Captain Jacob Higgins was elected lieu- OEGANIZATION. 105 tenant-colonel, and Lieutenant S. D. Barrows was appointed adjutant ; Lieutenant R. R. Corson, quartermaster ; David Stanton, surgeon; Samuel Alexander, assistant-surgeon, and Rev. J. H. Beale, chaplain of the regiment. In January, 1862, the "Reading City Troop," company L, of Berks county, commanded by Captain John C. . A. Hoffeditz, and company M, Captain Hampton S. Thomas, two independent companies, were attached to the regi ment, thus making it complete with twelve companies. The regiment was originally armed by the United States Government with sabre and pistol to each man and ten carbines to each company; subsequently the number of carbines was increased, at different times, until in November every man in the regiment was supplied with that formid able weapon. The original eight companies were clothed by the State of Pennsylvania. The clothing was furnished according to the regulations of the United States army and was of a good quality. Nearly all of the original horses were selected with great care and were purchased by some of the officers of the regi ment in the State of Pennsylvania; the remainder were selected by Colonel Bayard from the Government horses at Washington. These horses, under good care and training during the succeeding winter, became, notably the best horses in , the United States service ; some of them were accounted the best in the regiment, after five new lots had been worn out in its campaigns. The origiaal team horses, performed all the labor of the regiment for more than two years, and still were the most hardy regimental teams in the cavalry service in the army of the Potomac. This regiment was composed of the choicest materials in the State of Pennsylvania ; the Governor refused all appli cations for the formation of cavalry companies, from large towns and cities. The companies were recruited whoUy from the rural districts of a large State, at a time -when 106 HISTOEY OP THE PENNSYLVANIA RESERVES. infantry was the favorite arm of the service. The men, therefore, who joined this regiment, chose the cavalry ser- "vice, for the love of it, and because they were practical horsemen. They were mostly country laborers and farmers accustomed to the use and care of horses, and at least good, if not properly trained riders. Very few of the men were ever dismounted by accident or awkwardness, during their early drilling, and in their later rencounters, were never un horsed, unless by missiles of death. After Colonel Bayard was established in his position and his regiment was armed, equipped and mounted, the work of drilling was immediately commenced and prosecuted with great energy. He labored most assiduously to prepare the regiment in the shortest possible time, for actual contact "with the enemy. Believing the cavalry arm of the service must be "made, and not merely improved," he called his officers around him once or twice a day to instruct them in tactics ; company, squadron and regimental drill and sabre exercises on foot or mounted, were vigorously practiced morning and afternoon of every day, under the personal dfrection of Colonel Bayard and his field officers, untU the regiment was called into continued service in the spring of 1862. TENALLYTOWN. 107 CHAPTER IV. TENALLYTOWN — PIERPONT — DRANES"VILLE. Camp Instructions — General inteUigence of the men — Position of the Eeserve Corps — Alarms — Picket firing — Desire to meet the enemy in battle — The enemy driven from Upton's HiU — Grand Eeview by Presi dent Lincoln and General McClellan — General McCall's order — Resig nation of Captain McPherson — A negro informs General McCall of the approach of the enemy — Lieutenants Fisher and Wonderly detailed for duty in Signal Corps — Condition, strength and discipline ofthe Reserve Corps — The enemy reported to be advancing — Attack on pickets at Great Falls — Presentation of colors by Governor Curtin^OrganizRtion of brigades — Report on condition of the division — Colonel Magilton — Advance into Virginia — Order of march — Langley — McCall's division the right of the army — Disasters in other divisions — The Reserves always successful — Reconnoissance to Dran'esviUe — Ball's Bluff — Col- nel Taggart tried by Court Martial — Reconnoissance to Gunnell's farm — Cavalry reconnoissance to Dranesville — Battle of Dranesville — Mc CaU's official report — Letter from Secretary Cameron — Governor Curtin goes to Camp Pierpont. At Tenallytown, General McCall estabhshed his com mand in pleasant camps, and instructed the field officers to use all possible dUigence in familiarizing their regiments with the battalion drill, and to teach the men the manual and the use of arms. The officers organized classes for mutual instruction in miUtary tactics and army regulations. In these, aU questions pertaining to miUtary science were freely discussed, and points in doubt were referred to the officers who had graduated in the miUtary academy at West Point, or to the commanding general. The zeal to acquire a knowledge of military duties and movements manifested by the officers, was equalled only by thefr efforts to instruct thefr men in the driUs, the duties and the conduct of a soldier. Never, perhaps, was there so general a diffusion of inteUigence, extending through all the com- 108 HISTORY OF THE PENNSYLVANIA EESEEVES, panics of a division of an army, as was the case in the Reserve Corps. A large number of students from colleges, academies, normal and high schools, many teachers in the public schools and in the higher institutions of learning, professional students, physicians, lawyers and preachers, were found, not only as officers, but in the ranks, associated with young men of equal intelligence. There were ser geants who, but for their uniforms, might have been mis taken for generals, and privates fit to command brigades. To make soldiers of citizens like these was not a difficult task. To command companies, regiments, brigades and divi sions composed of men of so much intelligence, reqitfred officers possessing much executive ability and a thorough knowledge of the rights, privileges and duties of both officers and privates. General W. F. Smith's division of the Army of the Potomac occupied a position on the Potomac river at the chain bridge; General McCall was ordered to form on the ¦ right of Smith's division with the Reserves. Smith's regiments beyond the bridge, on the south side of the river, frequently came in contact with the enemy's pickets, and, in the exchange of shots, some of the men in his command were wounded. The reports of these encounters, repeated in the camps of the Reserve regiments, excited in the men a desire to cross the river and exchange the monotonous rounds of their picket duty for the more exciting lines of thefr associates on their left. On several occasions, the reports brought in induced the beUef that the enemy was preparing to make an assault on Smith's Unes, for the pur pose of destroying the chain bridge and severing the right wing from the centre of the army. The Reserve Corps was called to arms, to await orders to march to the reUef of Smith's division, if it should be attacked by a superior force. Twice they were marched out a short distance from camp, but were disappointed by being ordered to return to their quarters, without having seen the enemy. The day before the evacuation of Upton's Hill by the rebels, a plan TENALLYTOWN. 109 had been matured to capture it, in which the Reserves were to take an important part. On the night chosen for the attack, the troops were ordered under arms, and the whole command put in readiness to march to the assault; but, about the time they were to leave camp, it was discovered that the enemy had evacuated the position in precipitous haste, in order to escape the attack, of which he had been advised by the traitorous citizens, who, through the mis placed confidence of a Government too generous to be severe, had been allowed to remain at their homes, within the Unes of the National army. On the 20th of August, the regiments were temporarily organized into two brigades. The First regiment of infantry, commanded by Colonel Roberts; the Second regiment. Colonel Mann; the Third regiment. Colonel Sickel; the Fourth regiment, Colonel March; the Sixth regiment. Colonel Ricketts, and the Eighth regiment. Colonel Harvey ; and battery A, commanded by Captain Easton ; battery B, Captain Cooper ; battery D, Captain Flood, and battery F, Captain Matthews, were constituted the Ffrst brigade. The four batteries of artUlery were commanded by Major Dan forth. The Fifth regiment of infantry, commanded by Colonel Simmons; the Seventh regiment. Colonel Hays; the Ninth regiment. Colonel Jackson; the Tenth regiment. Colonel McCalmont; the Eleventh regiment, Colonel Gallagher; the Twelfth regiment, Colonejl Taggart, and the Thirteenth regiment. Colonel Biddle; and battery C, commanded by Captain Simpson; battery E, Captain Barr; battery G, Captain West, and battery H, Captain Brady, were organ ized into the Second brigade. The regiment of cavalry commanded by Colonel Bayard, remained unattached to either of the brigades. On the 21sfc of August, the regiments of the corps, that had reached the camp at Tenallyto"wn, were passed in review before the President of the United States and General McClellan, who had, a short time before that, been assigned 110 HISTOEY OF THE PENNS"YL VANIA RESERVES. to the command of the Army of the Potomac. After the review. General McCall issued the foUowing order : " Soldiers of the Pennsylvania Reserves ! This day must be recognized as a propitious inauguration of your future mili tary history. You have this day passed under the scrutin izing inspection of the Commanding General of the Army of the Potomac, in whose abUity to successfully prosecute this war, the confidence of the country is reposed. You have passed in review before the President of the United States and his cabinet ; both the General and the President have expressed to me their most unqualified approbation of your soldier-like appearance in review, and of the disciphne thus manifestly shown to exist in the corps. "It now rests with you, officers of the Pennsylvania Reserves, to carry out to perfection the work so well begun. Upon you devolves the care of your men ; let that be unre mitting. Let every attention to their wants, temper the rigid discipline necessary to the formation of a 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." On the 21st of August, Captain Edward McPherson resigned his commission as captain of company K, First regiment, to take effect on 'the last day of that month. The people of the Seventeenth Congressional District of Pennsyl vania had chosen Captain McPherson to be their represen tative in Congress, and earnQgtly desired him to take his seat in the House, at the opening of the session in December. Believing that he could not, without a violation of law, he mustered into the service of the United States, and at the same time hold his seat in Congress, he resigned his com mission in the company ; subsequently, he was appointed a volunteer aid on the staff of General McCaU. His company parted with him reluctantly, and at a meeting, the men passed resolutions expressive of- regret at his departure, and of respect for his abiUty as an officer and character as a gentleman. TENALLYTOWN. Ill Lieutenant John F. Bailey assumed command of McPher- son's company, and on the 2d of September was promoted to the captaincy. On the 28th of August, General McCall addressed a note to General McCleUan, in which he stated that he had posted a detachment of cavalry and a battery of artiUery at Great FaUs, and that a report, just received from the officer in command, informs him that, at five o'clock on the previous evening, the enemy fired on his pickets at Sand Ferry ; also, that later, a negro appeared at the water edge on the oppo site side of the river, bearing a white flag, and said " a large force of the enemy had just encamped half a mile from the river." The officer adds: "We have heard their drums and seen thefr fires." The report of the negro was in a short time verified by scouts sent out from the headquarters of the army. The regiments in camp were ordered to be in readiness,to march to the reUef of the out-post at Great FaUs, should the enemy attempt to cross the river. Finding, however, that the fords were guarded, the enemy's force retired without making any further demonstrations. Lieutenant Benjamin F. Fisher, of company H, and Lieu tenant David Wonderly, company K, of the Third regiment, having been thoroughly examined as to their qualifications, were, on the 29 th of August, detaUed on duty in the Signal Corps. These officers subsequently rose to great distinction in the signal service, and were attached to the headquarters ofthe army. *> In a report ofthe condition, strength and discipline ofthe command, made on the 2d of September, 1861, to General McClellan, commanding the Army of the Potomac, General McCall says : The First regiment, Colonel R. Biddle Roberts, reports an aggregate of nine hundred and twenty men ; two of the companies are below the minimum standard of number ; all are armed with the old altered flint lock musket, against which the feeUngs of prejudice and distrust are almost universal. The flank companies have been promised the Belgian rifle, within a short period. 112 HISTORY OP THE PENNS"YL VANIA EESEE"VE3. The Third regiment, Colonel Horatio G. Sickel, is armed with the modem musket ; the flank companies having rifles. The aggregate number on the roUs is eight hundred and ninety-seven men. An officer has been detailed to recruit. The men are weU equipped, and the con dition of the regiment is good. The Fourth regiment, Colonel Robert G. March, with an aggregate list of eight 'hundred and forty -seven men, is variously armed ; the flank companies have rifles; company K, has the Harper's Ferry musket; the other companies, the old altered flint-lock musket. This regiment, when encamped near Baltimore, was drilled in street firing to the neglect ofthe battahon drill, which is now being steadUy practiced. The Fifth regiment, Colonel S. G. Simmons, numbering nine hun dred and thirty-two men, is armed with the Springfield rifles and Har per's Ferry muskets. The colonel complains of the uniform as being inferior, and reports that there is need of full equipments of regtflar uni form. He has not yet drawn overcoats. His regiment is very well driUed. The Sixth regiment, Colonel "W. "W. Rickets, numbers nine hun dred and fifty-four men. An officer will leave to-morrow on recruiting service. Some of the companies have rifles ; the others the Harper's Feri'y muskets ; one hundred and sixteen members of this regiment are sick. Most of the cases are of typhoid fever, the type of which is becoming mUder ; the fever is attributed to the unhealthiness of their location when encamped aroimd Washington City. The colonel and heutenant-colonel are Tjoth disabled by sickness. The regiment is very weU drilled. The Seventh regiment, Colonel E. B. Harvey, is performing picket duty at Great Falls. It numbers nine hundred and two men, and is armed with improved rifles and muskets. The internal condition ofthe regiment is good. It is vei-y well drilled. The Eighth regiment, Colonel George L. Hays, numbers eight hun dred and ninety men, armed with rifles and muskets of improved patterns. An officer is out recruiting for it. The men are weU equipped and well drilled. The Ninth regiment, Colonel Jackson, lacks sixty-three men of its complement. Company A, has Sharp's breach-loading rifles without bayonets, which were furnished by the men. Company B, has Spring field rifle muskets ; the other companies have the altered flint-locks. The men have no overcoats, and the colonel says, that after sending several requisitions for them, to Harrisburg, he, this moming, sent one to the proper bureau in "Washington. They are also short of blankets. The colonel reports, that the men have great distrust of their, guns, and that that wUl be a source of weakness in case of active operations. The driU and disciphne are very good. The Tenth regiment, Colonel John S. McCalmont, have the altered flint-lock, except the flank companies, which have rifles. Complaint is TENALLYT0"WN. 113 made that requisitions for overcoats and blankets have not been filled. The regiment consists of nine hundred and flfty-two offlcers and men. It is well drilled. The Eleventh regiment, Colonel T. F. Gallagher, nine hundred and forty-two strong, is armed with the altered flint-locks, except the flank companies, -which have rifles. The supply of blankets cover the origi nal number of men enlisted^ but recruits are unsupplied. The members of this regiment have great aversion to their old muskets. They are very well driUed. The Twelfth regiment consists of nine companies, with a total of eight hundred and sixty-two men ; the flank companies have the Minnie rifles, and the other seven, the Harper's Ferry muskets. There are several vacancies in the company offlcers, caused by resignation and sickness, which impairs the efficiency of the regiment. Captain Easton's battery consists of four guns, two of which are twelve pounders, and two are twenty-four pounders. Captain Cooper has four guns, of which two are six pounders, James' rifled, and two are six pounder smooth-bore ; a section of this battery is on detached duty at Great Falls. Captain Matthew's battery consists of four guns, six pounders. In addition, there is a company of cavalry from New York, attached . to the brigade. It consists of seventy -flve men. The aggregate force of the brigade is not up to the maximum flxed by law, but the work of recruiting is going on. The command is in good condition, The sick list is larger than at any former period, being five hundred and ninety-eight out of an aggregate of ten thousand four hundred and sixty-five ; of the sick nine are commissioned offlcers, and seventy -three non-commissioned officers. The proportion of deaths is smaU. The discipline of the camp is good, the absentees few, and the promptness, whenever in the discharge of duty, commendable. Information was received from General Smith, that the enemy was moving to the right and would appear in force on the river. To meet this movement. General McCall issued an order to his command, early in the morning of the 4th of September, to be in readiness to move at a moment's notice, with two days' cooked rations in their haversacks. A despatch from General McClellan was read at dress parade, which informed General McCall, that he would cer tainly be attacked within forty-eight hours. The officers and men received the report with joy and exultation ; they "put themselves in readiness for battle and impatiently waited for the order to march. The Seventh regiment with a de- 8 114 HISTORY OP THE PENNSYLVANIA RESERVES. tachment of cavalry and a section of artiUery, was sent to Great FaUs on the 24th of August, and remained there guarding the fords. Several times during the week, the pickets were fired on by the enemy's scouts, but with no effect. At half past eight o'clock on the morning of the 4th of September, the enemy opened on the picket station with two twenty-four pound howitzers, and three rifled cannon, from the Virginia side of the river. The section of artiUery was at once trained on the enemy, the distance, however, being beyond the range of the guns, the shots fell short of the enemy's position. Colonel Harvey immediately reported the facts to General McCall, who sent forward two Whit- worth rifle guns of great range, and the Eighth regiment of infantry, to support the Seventh. The enemy, however, after throwing about flfty shells, without doing any damage, ceased firing at eleven o'clock and withdrew from the river. The reinforcements were ordered back to camp, where, with their companions, they grieved because all prospects of a battle had now vanished. The Reserves constructed a square redoubt at Tenally town, mounting twelve guns, which was named Fort Penn sylvania ; they also built two lunettes and named them Fort Gaines and Fort Cameron ; these works formed part of the fortifications for the defense of AVashington. On the 10th of September, Governor Curtin, presented to the regiments of the Reserve Corps, the stands of colors provided in accordance with a resolution passed by the Legislature of Pennsylvania, appropriating funds donated by the " Cincinnati Society" of Philadelphia, for the purchase of flags for the Pennsylvania volunteer regiments. The ceremonies of the presentation were the most imposing that, up to that time, had been witnessed in the army. The regi ments were formed at nine o'clock in the morning, on the division parade-ground, in the foUowing order, commencing on the right: The Fifth regiment. Colonel Simmons; the First regiment. Colonel Roberts; the Eighth regiment. Colo nel Hays ; the Thfrd regiment. Colonel Sickel ; the Seventh TENALLYTOWN. 115 regiment. Colonel Harvey; the Eleventh regiment. Colonel Gallagher; the Tenth regiment, Colonel McCalmont; the Sixth regiment. Colonel Ricketts, and the Twelfth regiment Colonel Taggart. The Fourth regiment, Colonel March, and the Ninth regiment. Colonel Jackson, were on picket duty. The Second regiment. Colonel Mann, and the Thirteenth regiment. Colonel Biddle, were in General Banks' army. The color companies were formed in line in front, with the colonel of each regiment' at the head of the company. The parade ground was surrounded by a line of guards to exclude the vast multitude of soldiers and civilians, that had coUected to witness the presentation. At eleven o'clock. President Lincoln, accompanied by Honorable Simon Came ron, Secretary of War, drove into the enclosure; a few minutes later General McClellan arrived, escorted by the McClellan Rifle Guards of Chicago, and accompanied by Adjutant- General Lorenzo Thomas, General Butler, and General Mansfleld. Half an hour later, the sound of artil lery, firing the appropriate salute, announced the arrival of His Excellency, the Governor of Pennsylvania. Governor Curtin, accompanied by the members of his staff, Surgeon- General Henry H. Smith, Judge Maxwell, paymaster-gen eral, and many distinguished citizens, soon appeared on the parade ground. Colonel Simmons, Fifth regiment, which had marched to Washington to escort the Governor to Tenallytown, moved into position at the right of the line, and General McCall reported his command in readi ness to receive the colors. After receiving most cordial greetings from the President, the Secretary of War, the General-in-Chief, and the General Commanding, His Excel lency, the Governor, proceeded to formally present the colors to the colonels of the several regiments, at the head of their color companies. Attended by his staff' and Gene ral McCall, he commenced at the right of the line and placed in the hands of each Colonel, the beautiful flag pro vided by the State of Pennsylvania, saying at the same time, that he was authorized to do so by a recent Act of the 116 HISTORY OP THE PENNSYLVANIA RESERVES. Legislature. After ha"vlng received the colors, the compa nies wheeled by platoons and marched around the right and left of the line to the rear, and took thefr places in the line with thefr new colors unfurled to the breeze. The flags were made of blue silk, fringed with yellow ; in the centre was embroidered the coat of arms of the State of Pennsylvania, surrounded by thirteen golden stars ; the number of each regiment also, appeared on the flag it received. Having passed along the entire line and dehv- ered the badges of honor to the regiments. Governor Curtin refturned to his carriage, and, standing upon the seat, thus addressed the soldiers : General McCall and Men of Pennsylvania : — "Were it not for the surroundings, one might be struck by the novelty of this scene. Large assemblages of the people of Pennsylvania, on any occasion which calls them together for deliberation on subjects touching the general welfare and the public good, are always attended with a charm that fascinates. But when I look over the thousands of Pennsylvanians away from the soil of their State, in arms, there is inspiration in the occasion. I came here to-day on a duty enjoined by the Legislature of Penn sylvania. The remnant of the descendants of the heroes and sages of the Revolution, in the Keystone State, known as the Cincinnati Society, presented me with a sum of money to arm and equip the volunteers of Penns3'lvania, who might go into public service in the present exigency. I referred the subject to the Legislature. They instructed me to make these flags, and to pay for them with the money of the Cincin nati S9ciety. I have placed in the centre of the azure field the coat-of- arms of your great and glorious State, and around it a bright galaxy of stars. I give these flags to you to-day, and I know you will carry them wherever you appear, in honor, and that the credit ofthe State will never sufiisr in your hands. Our peaceful pursuits in Pennsylvania have been broken. Many of our people have abandoned those arts of industry which lead to development and progress, and have been forced to bear arms. They have responded to the call of the National Government, and while you are here in obedience to that call, your feUow-citizens at home are occupying the camps you have lately vacated. All our material wealth, and the life of every man in Pennsylvania, stands pledged to vmdicate the right, to sustain the Government, and to restore the ascendancy of law and order. Tou are here for that purpose, with no hope of acquisition or vengeance, nor from any desire to be enriched by the sheddmg of biood. God forbid I Our people are for peace. TENALLYTOWN. 117 But if men lay violent hands on the sacred fabric of the Government, unjustly spill the blood of their brethren, and tear the sacred constitu tion to pieces, Pennsylvania is for war — war to tho death 1 How is it, my friends, that we of Pennsylvania are interrupted in our progress and development ? How is it that workshops are closed, and that our mechanical and agricultural pursuits do not secure their merited reward ? It is because foUy, fanaticism, rebeUion, murder, piracy, and treason prevail over a portion of this laud ; and we are here to-day to vindicate the right, to sustain the Government, to defend the Constitution, and to shed the blood of Pennsylvanians, if it need be, to produce this result. It will do no harm to repeat here, in the presence of so many Pennsylvanians in arms, that in our State the true principles of human liberty were first promulgated to the world ; and there also the Con vention met that framed the Constitution ; and Pennsylvania, loyal iii the Revolution, now stands solidly and defiantly to arrest the treason and rebellion that would tear into ijieces the sacred instrument of our "Union of States. My friends, one might regret to see so many men of Pennsylvania here in arms to-day. But there is a pleasure in the recollection that you have been willing to volunteer your services in the defence of the great principle of human liberty. Should the wrong prevail, should treason and rebellion succeed, we have no government. Progress is stopped, civilization stands still, and Christianity in the world, for the time, must cease— cease forever. Liberty, Civihzation and Christianity hang ui^on the result of this great contest. God is for the truth and the right. Stand by your colors, my friends, this day delivered to you, and the right will prevail. I present to you, to-day, as the representative of the people of Pennsylvania, these beautiful colors. I place in your hands the honor of your State. Thousands of your fellow-citizens at home, look to you to vindicate the honor of your great State. If you fail, hearts and homes will be made desolate. If you succeed, thousands of Pennsylvanians will rejoice over your success, and on your return, you will be hailed as heroes who have gone forth to battle for the right. They follow you with their prayers. They look to you to vindicate a great Government, to sustain legitimate power, and to crush out rebellion. Thousands of your friends in Pennsylvania know of the presentation of these flags to-day ; and I am sure, that I am authorized to say that their blessing is upon you^ May the God of Battles in His wisdom protect your lives, and may Eight, Truth and Justice prevail. General McCall responded : Governor Curtin ; — Permit me, in the name of the Pennsylvania Eeserve Corps, to return, through your ExceUency, to the State of our 118 HISTORY OF THE PENNSYL VANI-V EESER"VES. birth, the thanks with which we receive the splendid banners that, in accordance with an Act of the State Legislature, you have this day presented. The bestowal of these noble banners devolves upon the regiments of this division, a responsibiUty they cheerfully accept ; and they trust, with the aid of the God of Battles, to bear these Stars and Stripes proudly in the conflict, and to place the banner of our State amongst the foremost in the cause of the Constitution and the Union of our common country. At the close of the ceremonies, the distinguished -visitors repaired to General ]\IcCairs tent and partook of a bounteous collation, prepared for them by the commanding general. In compliance with instructions received from the head quarters of the Army of the Potomac, the regiments ofthe Pennsylvania Reserve Corps, were on the 16th of September organized into three brigades, and the brigades into a di vision, to be known as "McCall's Division." The First brigade was composed of the regiment of cavalry, and the Fifth, Ffrst, Second and Eighth regiments of infantry, com manded by Brigadier-General John F. Reynolds. The second brigade was composed of the Thirteenth, Fourth, Third, Seventh and Eleventh regiments, and was commanded by Brigadier-General George G. Meade. The Third brigade was composed of the Tenth, Sixth, Ninth and Twelfth regi ments ; Colonel McCalmont of the Tenth regiment was as signed to the command of this brigade until the arrival of the general who should be appointed to that position. To complete the organization of the departments. General McCall appointed Captain Chandler HaU, division quarter master ; Captain James B. Clow, commissary of subsistence; Lieutenant Estruries Beatty, ordnance officer, and Dr. An thony E. Stocker, surgeon at division headquarters. General Reynolds appointed on the staff of the First brigade, Charles Kingsberry, assistant adjutant-general; Charles B. Lamborne, and Henry S. Spear, aides-de-camp ; Captain Chandler Hall, who' acted as division quartermaster, was quartermaster of the First brigade, and James B. Clow, though discharging the duties of commissary for the di-vd- TENALLYTOWN. 119 sion, had been appointed, and . continued the commissary on Reynold's staff"; Dr, James B. King was appointed brigade surgeon. General Meade commanding the Second brigade, ap pointed Edward 0. Baird, assistant adjutant-general; J. Hamilton Kuhn, and William W. Watmough, aides-de camp ; Captain Samuel Ringwalt, quartermaster ; James P. Fredericks, commissary of subsistence, and Anthony E. Stocker, surgeon. In November, Brigadier-General Edward 0. C. Ord, re ported for duty in McCall's division, and was assigned to the command of the Third brigade. He appointed on his staff. Captain Placidus Ord, assistant adjutant-general; Samuel S. Seward, and A. Brady Sharp, aides-de-camp ; Captain Wil Uam Painter, quartermaster ; Captain James M. Tillapaugh, commissary of subsistence, and Dr. W. G. Lowman, surgeon. Before moving from Tenallytown, the command was re ported by General McCall to be in the following condition : " Seven companies of cavalry numbering seven hundred and sixteen men, are in camp ; they are well-mounted, and I have high hopes for the efficiency of the regiment. Captain Bayard of the regular army has been elected colonel ; the other three companies are in Pennsylvania, not yet fully recruited. " Of the eight artillery companies belonging to this corps, as organized by the State of Pennsylvania, three are still in the city of Washington ; Captain Barr is with Brigadier- General Smith, beyond chain bridge; Captain Matthews is with the column commanded by Major-General Banks, and Captain Cooper is at Great Falls with two sections of his battery./ Captain Barr and Cafptain Matthews, have been transferred since the date of my last report, leaving in this camp but two batteries and one section; Captain Easton's battery of four guns. Captain West's battery of four guns, and a section of Captain Cooper's battery of two guns, in all, ten guns, of which two are twenty-four- pounders, two twelve-pounders, and six are six-pounders. 120 HISTORY OF THE PENNSYLVANIA RESERVES. We have also eight parrot-rifle ten-pounders, of which six are mounted and ready for service. These are part of the outfit of the corps furnished by the State of Pennsylvania and it is proposed to distribute them among the batteries. " The First infantry regiment is now well armed ; men complain of the weight of the cartridge boxes from want of shoulder-belts, which they have thus far been unable to procure. The health of this regiment is good. It has been in camp and field nearly four months, and has not lost a man from accident or disease. " The Second regiment is "with Major-General Banks, also the Kane rifle regiment ; the latter wiU join this division in a day or two. " The Thfrd regiment has been unable to procure cross- belts, the only thing necessary to their complete equip ment. The condition of this regiment is very good. " The Fourth, though badly armed, is progressing in the driU. " The Fifth is in admirable order. " The Sixth is unfortunate in the sickness and absence of its colonel and lieutenant-colonel. The former went home feeble, after severe illness ; the latter who was furloughed; has not yet returned ; one captain and two lieutenants are sick ; and one captain and a lieutenant are on signal duty. " These causes contribute materially to weaken the efli- ciency of the regiment. Two of the men have died during the week, one in the hospital in Washington and the other in camp. " The Seventh regiment, which has been on picket duty at Great Falls for two weeks returned last evening. It has rendered valuable service, and is in promising condi tion. " The Eighth regiment is at present on picket duty ; it ia well-armed, well-equipped and well-drUled. " The Ninth is now on picket duty; Since last report this regiment has received new arms and a partial supply of overcoats. TENALLYTOWN. 121 " The Tenth regiment has received cross-belts and blankets, and is newly-armed with the exception of three companies. " The Eleventh regiment has received overcoats from the State. This is a well-drilled regiment and with the im proved arms, with which it is now supplied, would be very effective. " The Twelfth regiment is suffering very much from the number of vacancies in its company officers. In bnt three of the nine companies, are all the offices filled, and the officers present on duty. The regiment is weU-armed and the drills are regularly maintained. "There are five hundred and fifty-two on the sick report. The command consists of eleven thousand two hundred and fifty-five men, making the proportion of sick about one-half of one per cent. The regiment principaUy afflicted is the Sixth, whose sick report shows an increase of ten within the last week. " The general condition of the command is good. Disci pline is maintained and duties are performed with prompt ness. When the command was suddenly ordered to chain bridge, to support Brigadier-General Smith, the men res ponded with great alacrity, and in a spirit evincing a readiness to meet every emergency." To fill the vacancy in the Fourth regiment, caused by the resignation of Colonel March, Lieutenant- Colonel Magilton, of the Second regiment, was elected colonel, on the 4th of October, 1861. Albert L. Magilton was born in New Castle county, Delaware, on the 8th of July, 1826. Soon after his birth his parents removed to Philadelphia. Albert was educated in the public schools of the city, and, in May, 1842, on the recommendation of Professor A. D. Bache, principal of the Central High School, was appointed to a cadetship at West Point. He graduated in June, 1846, and was immediately appointed brevet second lieutenant in the Fourth United States artillery, stationed at Fortress Monroe. In October, Lieutenant Magilton sailed, with a part of the regiment to which he was attached, from Hampton Roads for Brazos 122 HISTORY OP THE PENNSYLVANIA RESERVES. Santiago, Texas. Soon after arriving in Texas, the regi ment was sent to Tampico, and was assigned to the second brigade of General Twiggs' division, in Scott's army, at Vera Cruz. Lieutenant Magilton was engaged with his command in all the battles in the Mexican war, from the battle of Vera Cruz to the taking of the city of Mexico, and was brevetted first lieutenant for gallant and meritorious services in the battle of Contreras, on the 20th of August, 1847. In August, 1848, he returned to the United States, and was stationed at Fortress Monroe until October, when he was ordered to New Orleans, and accompanied the greater part of the Fourth regiment to Florida, and was actively engaged in the v^ar against the Seminole Indians. In May, 1850, he was transferred to a battery stationed at Fort Leavenworth, in the Indian Territory, where he was employed in service on the plains until 1853, when he received orders to proceed to Fort Brady, in Michigan. In October, 1855, he was sent to Boston, and thence by steamer to Florida, to serve in the second war against the Indians fighting under Bowlegs. In June, 1856, he was promoted to the rank of captain, and, in October, was sent with his regiment to Kansas, as a part of the force sent into that Territory to enforce the laws and prevent disturbances among the settlers. On the 31st of December, Captain Magilton resigned his commission in the army and retfred into private life in the city of Philadelphia. At the beginning of the Southern rebellion, in the spring of 1861, Captain Magilton called upon Governor Curtin, and informed him that, though then a private citizen, he had received a military education, and would be pleased to make his knowledge and experience avaUable to the government in any capacity it should be deemed most serviceable. Accordingly, when Colonel Mann was sent to Camp Washington, at Easton, Captain Magilton was requested by Governor Curtin to accompany him, and to instruct the officers and privates in the companies how to establish and organize the camp. When the Second regi- PIEBPONT. 123 ment was formed, Magilton was elected lieutenant-colonel, and served in that position with the regiment until the companies in the Fourth elected him to the colonelcy of that regiment. Early in the morning of the 9th of October, General Smith advanced with his whole division from the vicinity of chain bridge to Langley; he pushed forward a brigade on the Dranesville road and occupied Prospect Hill ; with the main body of his Command, he turned southward from the Dranesville turnpike, and marched towards Lewinsville, and took possession of that village and Smott's and Minor's HUls. In order to preserve the unity and strength of the Une, General McCall was ordered to move his commnnd on the same day, from his camp at Tenallytown to Langley, a village in Fairfax county, Virginia, two miles west from the chain bridge. In marching into Virginia, the Rifle regiment moved in the advance ; the Artillery followed this regiment, and the Third, Second, and First brigades, marched in successive order. The men were ordered to carry in their haversacks two days' cooked rations, and sixty rounds of ammunition in their cartridge boxes. This, to the citizen soldier, unworn by severe marches and unscarred in battle, was active service. They broke camp and marched across chain bridge into Virginia, as soldiers going to battle. The cheerful spirit and the deUght with the change was universal ; the bands of music played " Dixie's Land," and the men rent the air with patriotic cheers. The only sad hearts in the division were those of the men left behind in charge of the camps. The command arrived at a point on the Leesburg turnpike, half a mile west from Langley, in the evening, and bivouacked till the follo"wing morning. A line of pickets was estab hshed, commencing at the right of General Smith's line, and extending northward, crossing the turnpike in front of. the command at Prospect Hill, and resting with the right on the Potomac, During the next day, the transportation and equipage were removed from Tenallyto"wn ; and Camp 124 HISTORY OF THE PEXNSYLVANIA RESERVES. Pierpont, named in honor of the loyal Governor of West Vfrginia, was established near Langley. McCall's Division was thus made the right of the Army of the Potomac, which position it held until the close of the Peninsular campaign. Two days after the establishment of the camp in Vir ginia, the enemy attacked and drove in the pickets near LewinsviUe ; the whole corps was ordered under arms and marched out to meet the enemy. It was afterwards learned, however, that the rebel General Beauregard had simply ordered a reconnoissance to learn the new line occupied by the Army of the Potomac. Frequent reconnoissances were made in front of the entire line, extending from Alexandria, in a semi-circle around Washington, to a point on the Poto mac, four miles above chain bridge. In all of these saUies, conflicts with the enemy more or less severe ensued ; it is noteworthy, that while the commanders of other divisions had frequently the mortification to report the loss, in cap tures by the enemy, of wagons, artillery, horses or men, the general commanding the Pennsylvania Reserve Corps was in every expedition successful, and on no occasion reported a reverse in his command or an accident to his troops. On the 18th of October, while in Washington, General McCall received an order from General McClellan, directing him to move his command on the following day to Dranes- viUe, and to thoroughly reconnoitre the country, and map the roads and topography as f\ccurately as possible. In giving the order. General McCleUan stated to General McCall, that the enemy had left Leesburg, and that there need be no fear of an attack from that direction, but cautioned General McCaU to keep a vigilant guard on his left, and to be prepared to resist an attack from the direction of Cen treviUe. Early on Saturday morning the troops moved from Camp Pierpont, with two days' cooked rations in their haversacks, and at six o'clock in the evening the head of the column halted on a hUl a mUe and a half beyond Dranes^viUe, in PIERPONT. 125 the direction of Leesburg. General Reynolds' brigade was in the advance, with a squadron of Colonel Bayard's cavalry sent forward as scouts ; this was followed by General Meade's brigade ; Colonel McCalmont's brigade marched in the rear. Having spent Saturday in making examinations of the country to the right and left of the road, and for several miles beyond Dranesville, General McCall was convinced that' he could not complete the work satisfactorily, and return on the following day, in compliance with orders ; he therefore despatched a messenger, on Sunday morning, to the headquarters of the army, to report this fact to General McClellan, who sent an order to General McCall, direct ing him to return to his camp, immediately after the object of the expedition shall have been accomplished, on the fol lowing Monday. General McCall having fully completed his work, in obedience to orders, put his troops in motion at ten o'clock on Monday morning, to return to Langley. When the General, with his staff, reached Camp Pierpont, at one o'clock on Monday afternoon, before dismounting, he received a despatch from General McClellan, requesting him, if he had not yet moved his command, to remain at Dranesville until he received further orders. Two brigades had already reached camp, and the third was arriving in close order. General McCaU immediately telegraphed to General McCleUan that his command had already reached Camp Pierpont, and asked, "What shall I do?" General McClel lan replied "that he should let his command rest, and be prepared to move at a moment's notice, if required." The arms were stacked, rations, were immediately issued, the artillery horses were re-harnessed, and the command was held in readiness until three o'clock in the afternoon of the next day, when General McCaU received orders from General McClellan to dismiss his troops. At four o'clock, three hours after McCaU's troops had arrived in camp at Langley, Colonel Baker, commanding two thousand one hundred men, who had been sent across 126 HISTORY OF THE PENNSYLVANIA RESERVES. the Potomac, without facilities for re-crossing, was sud denly attacked by five thousand rebel troops at Ball's Bluff, and was overwhelmed and defeated with heavy loss. Colonel Baker, a distinguished Senator from California, and a man of rare military genius, was kiUed, while rallying his brave band for another desperate charge, with the hope of cutting through the enemy's lines to escape capture; two hundred and twenty -three of his men fell dead by the side of their gallant commander; two hundred and sixty-sis were wounded, and four hundred and fifty -five were made prisoners. Had General McCall been ordered to remain at Dranesville on Monday, thirteen thousand well-ordered troops thrown on the flank and rear of the rebel force in front of Colonel Baker, would have saved the lives of the noble men, who fell a needless sacrifice to that illy-advised advance, and would have spared the .nation the disgrace of Ball's Bluff. Colonel Bayard was sent with his regiment of cavalry on a reconnoissance to Dranesville on the 26th of November, for the purpose of learning the position of the enemy's out posts. The regiment reached a position near DranesviUe at five o'clock in the morning, and by dividing the regiment into two squadrons, and moving to the right and left. Colonel Bayard surrounded the viUage with his troopers and captured the enemy's pickets ; two cavalrymen belonging to Colonel Stuart's " Virginia Horse" were captured by Cap tain Stadlemann, of company B. Colonel Bayard also arrested six citizens of Dranesville, who were "known to be secessionists of the bitterest stamp." As the regiment was returning with the prisoners, seven miles east of Dranesville, it was fired upon by the enemy concealed in a dense pine thicket. The first volley was aimed at the head of the column and mortally wounded Assistant-surgeon Alexander and Private Houghtaling. Colonel Bayard's horse was shot, and two baUs penetrated his coat and slightly wounded him ; Surgeon Stanton also had his horse shot twice, and received a rebel bullet in his clothes. The PIERPONT. 127 regiment immediately surrounded the woods, and^ the carbineers dismounted and entering the thicket, drove the enemy from his hiding place. Two of the enemy were killed and four were captured. Colonel Bayard, in his report, says : " We killed or captured all we saw." . A general court-martial was convened in McCall's divi sion on the 4th of December, for the trial of Colonel John n. Taggart, commanding the Twelfth regiment, on a charge preferred against him by Captain Gustin, of company C, and Lieutenant Harding, of company B, of his regiment. The charge was that of "conduct unbecoming an officer and a gentleman." The specifications set forth, that Colonel Taggart had " shamefully beaten " and otherwise ill-treated three privates in the companies commanded by the officers who arraigned him ; and also that he had obtained money fr-om the companies by false promises. The evidence taken by the court estabhshed that the men fired their guns in the cars whUe passing from Baltimore to Washington, and that it was necessary to use violent measures to reduce them to obedience of orders. On another occasion, some ¦five or six of the men left the ranks to enter an orchard, and when asked to return to their companies, refused to do so, and force was employed to maintain subordination. The finding of the court, of which General Ord was presi: dent, was that, of the charge and specifications Colonel Taggart was " not guilty ;" and that, " the court does there fore honorably acquit him ; and in the opinion of this court the charge and specifications are frivolous and vexatious." On reviewing the proceedings. General McClellan issued the following order : " The Major-General Commanding is surprised that the charge and specifications against Colonel Taggart were ever, brought to trial, resting as they do upon evidence which is so complete a vindication of his conduct. It appears that the men whom, in the enforcement of good order and military discipline, he was obliged to punish. 128 HISTORY OF THE PENNSYLVANIA RESERVES. were contumacious and insubordinate — were, some of them, engaged in pillaging and pilfering, in which they persisted after admonition, and others were guilty of firing their guns in the cars to the terror of the passengers, contrary to positive orders. In order to reduce them to obedience, it was necessary to act with promptitude and energy. They resisted his authority, and if much severer punish ment had been necessary to restore order, it would have been fully justified. The proceedings of the court-martial are confirmed. Colonel Taggart will resume his sword and his duties." On the 6th of December, General McCall sent General Meade's brigade, Kern's battery, and a squadron of cavalry, commanded by Major Jones, to Gunnell's farm, two miles' and a half northeast from Dranesville, with instructions to capture two young men, nephews of Gunnell, and spies and murderers; also to bring in all the forage found on the farm. General Ord's brigade marched out and halted in supporting distance, in case Meade should be attacked. General Meade fully complied with his orders. He cap tured the spies and three of their associates, and brought in' fifty -seven wagon loads of grain, seven horses, two oxen, one wagon, one fowling piece, and two negroes, which, with the five white prisoners, were sent to McClellan's head quarters. During the day. General McCall rode to the front, and found Meade's command in most perfect order. In his report to General McClellan, he said : " It is with pleasure I refer to the very exemplary conduct of all the troops on this occa sion ; I can commend, from personal observation, the good discipline maintained; there was no straggling or lagging behind during the march out or returning." While the command was in camp at Tenallytown the cavalry regiment was drilled and exercised in the move ments on the field ; after the corps crossed the river the men were trained as scouts and soon became one of the most efficient regiments in the service. One of the scouts .0^. DRANESVILLE. 129 from this regiment returned to camp on tho 19th of December and reported to General McCall that the enemy would be at Dranesville on the following day, with a strong foraging party and a wagon train, for the purpose of carry ing away all the forage and grain in the country in front of the camp of the Reserves. General McCall was unwil ling to allow the country from which he drew large supplies of forage, to be plundered by the enemy ; he at once deter mined to dispute the right to the property between the lines of the hostile armies, and accordingly ordered his division to be ready to march on the morning of the 20th. The Third brigade, commanded by General Ord, whose turn it was on the roster for armed service, was ordered to move out the DranesviUe road at daylight. The First brigade, commanded by General Reynolds, was ordered to march at eight o'clock; and the Second brigade, com manded by General Meade, was held in reserve, with orders to be in readiness to follow if required to reinforce the brigades in front. The Thirteenth regiment, commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Kane, was temporarily assigned to the Third brigade, to act as skirmishers. A detachment of cavalry commanded by Lieutenant- Colonel Higgins, and Easton's battery, consisting of two twenty-four-pound howitzers and two twelve-pounders, was ordered to accom pany the brigade. In his instructions to General Ord, General McCall said: "The object ofthe expedition is two-fold. In the first place, to drive back the enemy's pickets, which have advanced within four or five miles of our lines, and have carried off two good Union men and threatened others ; and secondly, to procure a supply ox forage." The forage train was placed in charge of Captain Hall, who was instructed to " procure forage at vGunnell's or some other rank secessionist's farm." At six o'clock in the morning, the air cold and a thin frost covering the ground, the men were in position and ready to march. The Bucktails were placed in the advance of the infantry, and were preceded by the cavalry scouts 9 130 HISTORY OF THE PENNSYLVANIA RESERVES. thrown forward to discover the position of the enemy's pickets. Each regiment threw out two companies of flankers on each side of the column to scour the woods and prevent a surprise. The march of the command was as regular and as prompt as that of a body of veterans. At Difficult creek there was an alarm given by some of the scouting parties, and the brigade was ordered to halt. General Ord, upon investigation, found no enemy in the immediate vicinity and ordered the men to refresh them selves with a lunch from their knapsacks. The march was then continued until the head of the column reached Dranesville soon after eleven o'clock. While waiting in Dranesville for the regiments in the rear to come up, Gene ral Ord posted the cavalry and artillery, supported by the Ninth regiment, commanded by Colonel Jackson, and a portion of Kane's Rifle regiment, so as to cover the ap proaches to the village. The presence of the enemy's mounted men on the slopes behind a wooded hollow south of the road, and also the appearance of a broad mass of smoke in the direction of CentreviUe, convinced General Ord of the presence of the enemy. To meet an attack from the CentreviUe road, the brigade was faced southward and Lieutenant-Colonel Kane was sent with his regiment to occupy the woods in the rear, on which it was believed the enemy had a considerable force. The Tenth regiment Colonel McCalmont, followed by the Sixth, commanded hy Lieutenant-Colonel Penrose, and the Twelfth, commanded by Colonel Taggart, which formed the rear guard, closed up promptly. While this disposition of the troops was being made on the right and front to meet the enemy, Colonel Taggart's flankers discovered the enemy on the south side of the Leesburg pike, and reported that, from a hill, a large force of rebel troops was seen moving northward on the Centre- vUle. road. On other portions of the line, the flanking companies came in contact with the enemy's scouts, and it was evident that a considerable body of rebel troops was DRANESVILLE. 131 in the neighborhood. General Ord had early in the day despatched a messenger to General McCall to inform him of the situation in the front ; immediately on receiving the message. General McCall proceeded to Dranesville and arrived there soon after the battle had commenced. Gene ral Ord in the meantime had so admirably disposed his regiments that his conduct received the approval of the commander of the division. Believing the enemy would attack simultaneously on both sides of the turnpike. General Ord directed Colonel McCalmont to place his regiment on the north side of the road in the woods, to bring it forward into line and attack the enemy if he advanced on that side of the road. Colonel Jackson was ordered to occupy a corresponding position on the south side of the road. . The Bucktails were , placed between these two flanking regiments with orders to defend the column against an attack in ; the rear. The cavalry formed in the road west of the Bucktails ; the artillery was placed in the centre, and .the Sixth and Twelfth regiments were on the turnpike, and when the brigade faced ' the south towards the CentreviUe road, formed the left of the line. , General Stuart, who commanded the enemy, having discovered that General Ord's brigade was passing beyond the iiittersection of the CentreviUe road with, the Leesburg and Dranesville pike, determined to seize the intersection and -.cut the communication of the brigade ; with Camp Pierpont. His command included the Eleventh Virginia regiment, commanded by Colonel Garland ; < the Sixth South Carolina, Lieutenant- Colonel Secrest; the Tenth 'Alabama, Colonel Forney; the First Kentucky, Colonel Taylor; the Sumter Artillery, Captain Cutts,, and Ransom's and Radford's Cavalry. General Stua;rt placed, the Eleventh Vfrginia and the Tenth Alabama regiments on the, right of the CentreviUe road; and the Sixth South.. Carolina; and the First Kentucky regiment on the left ; the, artillery was advanced in the road between the columns of infantry, and 132 HISTORY OF THE PENNSYLVANIA RESERVES. the cavalry regiments covered the flanks. In this order the rebel general pushed forward his command until the advance of the Eleventh Virginia ¦ came in contact with the flanking company of Colonel Taggart's regiment ; at that moment hearing the firing of the skirmishers he opened fire with his artillery intending to enfilade the road and prevent the return of the regiments that had already passed the intersection. Colonel Taggart brought his regiment into line to meet the enemy and immediately sent his adju tant. Lieutenant S. B. Smith to General Ord, who was at the right of the line, to report that the enemy was advan cing in force on the CentreviUe road. General Ord immediately ordered the cavalry to the left flank, and selecting a commanding position for the artillery directed Captain Easton to open on the enemy's battery. The battery came down the pike with a gaUoping speed that carried it beyond the position and capsized one of the guns ; the three remaining guns were posted as directed by the general, and Captain Easton opened on the enemy's position and shelled the woods ; the gunners taking aim at the rising smoke as the enemy's battery was invisible. The third discharge exploded one of the enemy's caissons ; the dead horses and men, and fragments of broken limbers and exploded caissons found in the CentreviUe road after the battle, showed with what remarkable precision Captain Easton's battery had been served. Though General Ord had, at first, supposed the enemy would attack on both sides of the road, and moved his infantry to meet such an attack, he was soon convinced that the whole force of the enemy was on the south side of the road ; and proceeded at once to make the necessary change in the disposition of his regiments. Neither McCal mont nor Jackson had yet had time to come into Ime undei the first order, but were moving by the flank; Colonel McCalmont was ordered to move to the support of the battery which was now raking the road occupied by the enemy. DRANESVILLE. 133 Colonel Jackson faced his regiment to the front and with Kane's Rifles on his left was put in the woods on the right, west of the CentreviUe road, and pushed up the hill ; the men required no urging forward, but were with difficulty restrained by the officers, from rushing upon the enemy in a double-quick charge. Captain Easton's gunners had already demolished the rebel battery and were now ordered . to cease firing to allow the infantry to close the battle with the bayonet. The Ninth regiment came close upon the enemy in the woods, but the dense undergrowth rendered it impossible to distinguish foe from friend; the men were anxious to fire, but an officer having informed Colonel Jackson that the troops in his front were the Bucktails, he reserved his fire until just as Captain Galway was in the act of reporting them to be the enemy he received a volley from the First Kentucky regiment ; the Ninth promptly returned the fire, and charging upon the enemy, who made a stilbborn resis tance, finally drove them from the woods. Had Colonel Jackson been perfectly satisfied at the onset that the troops in his front were rebels, he would have driven them from their position with the bayonet before they would have had time to fire on his regiment. The Bucktails engaged the enemy on both sides of the road, and seizing a brick house, which the enemy was en deavoring to reach, the riflemen speedily converted it into a fortification against the enemy. As they drove back the rebels the Bucktails hotly pursued them, led on by Lieutenant-Colonel Kane, who soon after passing beyond the house, was shot in the face and fell to the ground, but immediately rising again he bound up his wound and re sumed his place at the head of his regiment. Meantime the Sixth regiment commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Penrose, acting in conjunction with Kane's Rifles, moved forward between the Centerville road and the Alexandria pikes, and vigorously engaged the rebel regiments that were advancing to turn' the left of General Ord's position. 134 HISTORY OF THE PENNSYLVANLA. RESERVES. The Twelfth had been thrown round the enemy's left flank, for the purpose of capturing the battery, by cutting off its retreat on the Centerville road. In order that he might be able to remain close to his men. General Ord directed Colonel Taggart to dismount and accompany his regiment on foot into the dense woods covering the enemy's left. The Twelfth received the order to advance with cheers, and promptly entered the dense woods torn by rebel shells and rattling with rebel musketry ; but the enemy finding himself out-flanked, hurriedly withdrew his battery beyond the reach of the advancing regiment. Soon after the beginning ofthe battle. General Ord moving moving to the left with cavalry, discovered a position from which the road occupied by the enemy could be enfiladed, aud ordered Captain Easton to right the capsized gun and to open an enfilading fire on the enemy's position ; the order was promptly executed, and had the double effect of breaking the enemy's lines, and also of leading him to believe that reinforcements had arrived and opened a battery on his right flank. Colonel McCalmont believing the enemy would attempt to turn the left, sent out Captain Thos. McConnell with a platoon of skirmishers from Company B, of the ' Tenth regiment, with orders to approach the enemy's cannoneers and discover whether there was any movement to turn the left of the brigade. Captain McConnell soon reported that the enemy had given way under the fire of artillery and the musketry on the right, and was retreating in a southerly di rection. It was now nearly one o'clock, and General McCall ordered the whole line to advance against the eng my, who was giving way in every part of the field ; the retreat soon became a rout, and the enemy fled precipitously, leaving his dead and wounded, and large quantities of arms, ammu nition and clothing on the field, and victory honored the banners of the Reserves in their first battle.- Up to this time reverse had suceeded reverse in all ofthe encounters with the enemy by the Army of the Potomac. DRANESVILLE. 135 It was left for the Pennsylvania Reserve Corps, a body of men recruited, officered and organized by the State of Pennsylvania, to redeem the honor of the National Arms, to entourage the people of the North, and to restore confi dence in their armies. The battle raged furiously during an hour and a half. GeneralMcCall arrived onthefieldsoon after twelve o'clock ; and having stopped at Difficult creek, he directed General Reynolds to hold his brigade in readiness to march. ¦ When he approached the battle field. General McCall heard the report of the enemy's artillery open on Ord's brigade and immediately sent a messenger back to Reynolds with orders to move forward. The brigade came vip and was ordered to take a position on the left and move against the enemy's right flank, while Ord's brigade would charge in front. The hill in front of Reynolds was densely covered with a pine thicket, which caused so much delay in the movement, that the charge was ordered by General McCall and the enemy routed before his troops came up. The casualties in the Reserve Corps in the battle of Dranesville were, six killed and sixty-one wounded ; two were reported missing. The killed were Samuel C. Walker and Daniel Darling of the Sixth' regiment ; John Sexton and John W. Stockdale of the Ninth ; G. Raup, S. Galbraith and G. Cook of the Thirteenth regiment. Among the wounded there were five commissioned and two non-com missioned officers. In the Sixth regiment there were two privates killed, one officer and twelve privates wounded ; in the Ninth, two privates were killed, two commissioned officers one corporal and seventeen privates wounded ; in the Twelfth there was one private wounded ; in the Thirteenth there were two privates killed, two officers, one sergeant and twenty -five privates were wounded. The Cavalry regiment lost one horse killed ; there were no casualties in the Tenth regi ment, and in the ArtUlery but one man received a slight wound. 136 HISTORY OF THE PENNSYLV-iNIA RESERVES. The enemy reported the engagement as having been very severe ; and placed his loss at forty-three killed, one hundred and forty three wounded and forty -four missing. After the battle was ended, the dead and wounded placed in ambulances or on stretchers to be carried by the men, for the department at Washington had not yet furnished a sufficient number of ambulances to the corps, and the enemy's wounded who could not be removed, placed in houses, the command returned to Camp Pierpont with forage, trophies and victory ; having in one day marched twenty-two miles, fought a battle, won a victory, and col lected .sixteen wagon loads' of hay and twenty -two of corn. General McCall made the following report of the battle to General McCleUan : Heas Qcaetebs McCali's Dmsioir, CiMP PiEBPONT, December 22, 1861. Geitekal : — I have the honor to present, for the information of the genoral-in-chief, a more detailed account of the affair at Dranesville on the 20th instant, together with reports of Brigadier-General E. 0. C. Ord, commanding third brigade of my division, and the commanders of the Sixth mfantry, Lieutenant-Colonel W. B. Penrose ; of the Ninth infantry, Colonel C. F. Jackson ; of the Tenth infantry, Colonel J. S. McCalmont ; of the Twelfth infantry, Colonel J. H. Taggart ; of the First rifles, Lieutenant-Colonel T. L. Kane ; of two squadrons of the First cavalry, Lieutenant- Colonel J. Higgins, and Easton's battery, Captain H. Easton, Pennsylvania Reserve. On the evening of the 19th, having learned that the enemy's pickets had advanced to within four or flve miles of our lines, and carried off two good Union men, and plundered and threatened others, and that their reserve was in the neighborhood, at Dranesville, I gave written instructions (a copy of which is marked A) to Brigadier-General Ord to move with his brigade at six a. m. on the 20th, to surround and cap ture this party, and at the same time to collect a supply of forage from the farms of some of the rank secessionists in that vicinity. Brigadier- General J. F. Reynolds, with the first brigade, was directed to move on to Difficult Creek, to be ready to support Ord in the event of his meetmg a force stronger than his own. At half-past ten a. m. on the 20th, I received a despatch from General Ord, written on the march, informing me that the guide had learned on the way that there was a full brigade, but without artiUery, at Hem- DRANESVILLE. 137 don's Station, flve hundred infantry and cavalry at Hunter's Mill, and two hundred infantry between Dranesville and the Potomac. I imme diately mounted my horse, and, with my staff and an escort of cavalry, moved rapidly forward to overtake, if possible, Ord's brigade. I stopped for a few moments with Brigadier-General Reynolds at Difficult Creek, and, having directed him to be in readiness to move foi'ward rapidly in case he should be required to support Ord, I rode on. "When within about two miles of Dranesville, I heard the flrst gun flred by the enemy. It was soon answered by Easton's battery, which imparted to me the fact that the enemy had artillery with them. A rapid ride soon brought me to the fleld, where Ord was hotly engaged. I found Easton's battery judiciously placed and in full blast upon the enemy's battery about flve hundred yards in front, on the CentreviUe road. Here I stopped to observe the practice of our battery, while one of my staff rode off to ascertain where General Ord was. "While here, admiring the beautiful accuracy of the shot and shell thrown by this battery upon the battery of the enemy, a force of infantry and cavalry made their appearance from cover on the enemy's right, moving in a direction to turn our left. Colonel McCalmont, whose regiment was on the left, was notified of this movement; but a feW' shell from our battery, skilfully thrown into their midst, checked their advance, and drove them back ignominiously to cover. Not hearing any thing of General Ord, I set out in search of him on our right, where brisk firing was at- the time going on. Here was the Ninth infantry, Colonel Jackson, who had gallantly met the enemy at close quarters, and nobly sustained the credit of his State. By this time Captain Sheets, of my staff, reported that he had found General Ord near the centre front. Proceeding there, I found the rifles and a part of the Sixth Infantry Pennsylvania reserve engaged under a brisk fire with the enemy. Having met General Ord, we moved forward, and the position where the enemy's battery had'been placed was soon gained, and here we had evidence of the flne artillery practice of Easton's battery. The road was strewed with men and horses ; two caissons, one of them blown up ; a limber, a gun-carriage wheel, a quantity of artillery ammunition, small-aims, and an immense quantity of heavy clothing, blankets, &c. The battle was now over, and the victory won. "With my consent General Ord made an advance of about one-half mile, but nothing further was to be done, as the enemy, in full flight, had passed beyond our reach. I then recalled Ord and .prepared for the return of my com mand. I ordered the harness to be taken off the enemy's horses which ' lay dead in the road, and to be put upon horses of my escort, and brought away the perfect caisson and the limber. Early in the day, not knowing what force might be thro-wn. forward from CentreviUe to support the troops we had encountered, I had called forward Brigadier-General Reynolds, First brigade, and Brigader-Geue- 138 HISTORY OF THE PENNSYLVANIA RESERVES. ral Meade, Second brigade, from Camp Pierpont, to the support of the Third brigade. Both these distinguished offlcers promptly brought forward their commands, and I only regretted that the fine disposition ofthe regiments and battery of Ord's command, together with the gal lantry of Colonels Jackson, McCalmont and Taggart, and Lieutenant- Colonels Kane, Pligghis and' Penrose, and Captain Easton, had left nothing for Reynolds and Meade to do. The rout of the enemy was complete. But as I did not consider it justifiable to bivouac at Dranes ville; when my ammunition -was much e.vhausted, and the enemy might easily throw ten or twenty thousand men between me and my camp during the night, I ordered every arrangement to be promptly made for the return march. Some time was required to prepare our wounded, (sixty officers and men,) to be transported to camp, and it was very nearly dark before I got the column in motion. Our killed and wounded as well as so many of the rebel wounded as could be moved, were brought away. The troops we had engaged and defeated were the First Kentucky regiment. Colonel Tom Taylor, about eight hundred strong on the fleld ; the Tenth Alabama, Colonel Forney, nine hundred strong ; a South Carolina regiment, whose colonel was not known to the prisoners in our possession, -^vho informed me that no intercourse between different regiments was ever allowed, and a Virginia regiment. The Kentucky prisoners informed me they believed a fifth regiment was present, as two or three regiments had left Centreviile" at three a. m., and they, the Kentucky and Alabama regiments, together with Captain Cult's Georgia battery, and Stuart's Virginia regiment of cavalry, left at five a. m. The whole were under command of Brigadier-General Stuart. General Ord reports as worthy of notice his personal staff, and also Colonels McCalmont and Jackson, Lieutenant- Colonel Kane, Captain Easton, First Pennsylvania artillery ; Captain Niles, First rifles ; Cap tain Bradbury, Sixth infantry P. R. ; Captains Dick and Galway, Nmth mfantry, P. R. The number of killed found in front of the position occupied by the Ninth infantry. Colonel Jackson, is, in my estimation, proof enough of the gallantry and discipline of that flne regiment ; but where all behaved nobly it is difficult to discriminate. I must, however, call your atten-. tion more particularly to Brigadier-General E. O. C. Ord, commanding Third brigade, for whose able disposition of his regiments and battery, and personal exertions to encourage and urge on his men, too much credit cannot be accorded him. To Captain H. J. Biddle, assistant-adjutant general of my staff; Lieu tenant H. A. Sheets, aide de-camp ; Captain Clow, brigade commis sary, acting aid- de-camp, and Lieutenant E. Beatty, ordnance officer, acting aid-de-camp, my thanks are due for their gallantry in carrying orders under flre, and for encouraging and urging on the men ; and also DRANESVILLE. - 139 to Captain Chandler Hall, brigade-quartermaster, who was energetically employed in collecting forage. It is proper to mention that, deeming it necessary to leave one of my staff at head-quarters to superintend the telegraph, and to order forward the reserve, viz. : the Second brigade and three squadrons of cavalry, if required, the lot fell upon my aid-de-camp, Lieutenant Elbridge Maconkey, who discharged the responsible duty entirely to my satis faction. Seven prisoners were taken, whose names, &c., are as follows : Cor poral Ferris, E. Long, and privates "WiUiam Nelson and Patrick Hughes, of the First Kentucky regiment, and privates Robert R. Moss, Ira Chan- ney, "WiUiam Morris, and J. "WilUamson, of the Tenth Alabama regi ment. . The 'want of ambulances was felt on this occasion, and I would re spectfully suggest that a few more be ordered to each regiment of my division, as I was unable, for want of transport, to bring from the field all the wounded prisoners taken in the affair. Those left I had placed iu coinfortable quarters in Dranesville, where they can be well attended to ; but owing to this deficiency of transportation for the wounded, I was compelled to leave in the hands of the enemy some of my prisoners. Last, not least, I brought in sixteen wagon loads of excellent hay, and twenty-twc%of corn. The following list of killed and wounded on our side is, I regret greater than I at first reported, viz : seven killed and sixty-one wounded, including one lieutenant-colonel and four captains, and three missing. From what I have gathered from various reliable sources, I am satisfied that the loss of the enemy was, at the very least, ninety killed left on the field, besides those carried off, amongst whom was, certainly, Colonel Tom Taylor, commanding the First Kentucky regiment, whom the Kentucky prisoners in my custody state they saw fall from his horse. Colonel Forney is also said to have been killed^ this, however, is not so satisfactorily ascertained. General Stuart is reported "by one of the prisoners to have been killed or wounded. I have the hopor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, GEO. A. McCALL, Brigadier-General Commanding Division. Brigadier- General S. "Williams, Assistant Adj utant-General. The authorities at Washington were so much elated with the conduct of the Reserve Corps, and with the result of the engagement at Dranesville, that the Secretary of War addressed the following letter to General McCall : 140 HISTORY OF THE PENNSYLVANIA RESER'VES. ¦V^AB nEPARTMENT, VecemJieT 28, ISOl. BBIGADIEE-GEXEnAL G. A. McCALL, Commanding Division, Camp Pierpont, Virginia. Geiv'eeal :— I have read your report of the battle of Dranesville, and although no reply is necessary on my part, yet as a citizen of the same Commonwealth as yourself and the troops engaged in that brilliant affair, I cannot refrain from expressing to you my admiration of the gallant conduct displayed, both by offlcers and men, in this their first contest with the enemy. Nearly all your command upon that occasion are either my personal friends or sons of those with whom for long years Ihave been more or less intimately associated. I feel that I have just cause to be proud that, animated by no other motive than patriotism, they are among the first to revive the glory shed upon our country by the men of the Revolution and soldiers of the "War of 1812. It is one ofthe bright spots that give assurance ofthe success of coming events ; and its effect must be to inspire confidence in the belief that hereafter, as heretofore, the cause of our country will triumph. I am especially gratified that a Pennsylvania artillery corps, com manded by offlcers who have necessarily had but limited systematic instruction, have won not only the commendation of their friends, but an unwilling compliment from the enemy, for the wonderful rapidity and accuracy of their fire. I wish I could designate all the men who, nobly discharging their duty to the country, have added to the glory of our great commonwealth. Other portions of the army will be stimulated by their brave deeds, and men will be proud to say that at DranesvUle they served under McCaU and Ord. I am. General, very respectfully, your obedient servant, SIMON CAMERON, Secretary of War. As soon as the report of the battle was received at Har risburg, Governor Curtin proceeded to Camp Pierpont to pro"nde for the care of the wounded soldiers, and to con gratulate the corps for the honor it had conferred on the State. He issued the foUo"wing order, which was read to the regiments : " The gaUantry of ourtroops in the late affair at DranesviUe, demands a public acknowledgment. Their courage, conduct, and high discip line are honorable to the corps and to the Commonwealth by whose forecast it was raised and formed, in anticipation of the exigencies of the country, and whose sons fiU its ranks. DRANESVILLE. 141 Genera] McCall and Brigadier-General Ord, and the offlcers and men who were engaged under their commands, may be assured that Penn sylvania is not insensible to their martial virtue, and from them and their fellows, confidently looks for as many further illustrations of it as there shall be opportunities afforded them." By order of A. G. CURTIN, Governor of Pennsylvania. A. L. Russell, Aid-de-Camp. General McCall pubUshed a congratulatory order, and caused to be read to his division the letter from Secretary Cameron and the order from Governor Curtin. The colors of the regiments that were engaged in the battle, were taken to Washington, and on each flag " Dranes'vU^le, December 20, 1861," was painted in golden letters. 142 HISTORY OF THE PENNSYLVANIA RESERVES. CHAPTER V. OPER.iTIONS OF THE ARMY EAST AND WEST. The effect of the battle of Dranesville— Blockade of the Potomac- Resignation of General Scott— McClellan appointed General-in-Chief of the National army — Situation on the Potomac — Other Departments- Capture of Hatteras Inlet — Battle of Carnifex Ferry — Operations in Missouri — Change of Commanders in the West — Formidable prepara tions by Army and Navy — Capture of Port Royal — Bumside's expedi tion — Battle of Logan's Cross Roads — Capture of Fort Henry and Fort Donelson— Battle of Pea Ridge— The Merrimac— Naval engagements in IJampton Roads — The Monitor — Repose of the Army of the Potomac- Spirit of the people — Mistaken policy — Army corps — President Lincohi's "War Orders — The Army of the Potomac ordered to advance — Choice of route to Richmond — Evacuation of Manassas by the rebels — Advance of the Army of the Potomac — Embarkation for the Peninsula — Advance on Yorktown— Siege and Evacuation of Yorktown — Battle of "WiUiams- burg — Advance to Chickahominy — Battle of Pair Oaks — Detachment of McDowell's Corps — March ofthe Reserves to Hunter's Mills — "Smoky Hollow " — March to Alexandria — Hard march and stormy night — Pre parations for a new Campaign — The First Corps moves to Manassas— Scenes on the Bull Run battle-field — Paymaster and sutler in camp- Tricks of trade — Advance to Catlett's Station— Capture of Fredericks burg — Colonel Taggart's treatment of guerrillas — McDowell desires to advance from Fredericksburg — Promotion of Colonel Bayard and Lieut enant-Colonel Owen Jones — The First Corps ordered to march on Richmond — President Lincoln at Fredericksburg — McDowell's advance within eight miles of McClellan's army— The recall — Jackson's raid- McDowell's troops sent to the Shenandoah — Bayard's Cavalry and the Bucktail battalion pursuing Jackson — Harrisonburgh — Gallant conduct of Bucktails^Capture of Lieutenant-Colonel Kane and Captain Taylor — Battle of Cross Keys — Escape of Jackson. The battle of Dranesville -with its victory gave to the Pennsylvania Reserve Corps an honor and a name, which extended throughout the country, and were reported in every household. For many weeks, during the dreary OPERATIONS OF THE ARMY EAST AND WEST. 143 winter that followed, the camps at Langley were visited' by distinguished citizens and public officers at Washington; and great numbers of people from Pennsylvania made the journey to Camp Pierpont, especiaUy to see and congratulate the soldiers, who, by their gallant conduct, had honored the nation and afforded so much pleasure to every loyal citizen in the country. When the cold weather set in, the men constructed cabins of logs and earth, and covered them with the ¦ army tents, to shelter themselves from the winter storms. No orders had been issued by the general-in-chief for the army to go into winter quarters, but most of the regiments had voluntarily settled themselves in comfortable camps, satisfied that the Army of the Potomac would remain in front of Washington till spring. The enemy employed his energies during the winter in the construction of fortifications and batteries on the Potomac river, below Washington ; on commanding heights, he erected batteries for the purpose of obstructing communication 'with the Capital, and several times during the winter the river was effectually blockaded. On the 1st of November, 1861, President Lincoln ac cepted the resignation of the veteran hero, Brevet Lieuten- ant-General Winfield Scott, who, on account of his extreme old age, and feeling himself to be physically unable to con- . duct the campaign against the conspirators, resigned his com mission as commander-in-chief of the United States army. On the same day, Major-General George B. McClellan was appointed to the command of the army, and imrhediately addressed himself to the labor of organizing the forces on the Potomac. In the many days, weeks and months of in action that ensued, a magnificent army was formed, which afterwards became the engine of tremendous power, that in its" onward march crushed the rebellious hosts in the East. The rebel leaders were not less active in their preparations for the terrible trials of strength which they knew must sooner or later be made in "Virginia. During the whole of the autumn and winter, the hostile armies on the Potomac, :44 HISTORY OF THE PEXNSYLVANIA RESERVES. lumbering, in the aggregate, not less than four hundred housand men, stood, facing each other with threatening ooks, but neither venturing to strike a blow. 'I'he Potomac ras blockaded below Washington, the Baltimore and Ohio ailroad was destroyed west of Harper's Ferry, and opposite he centre of the Union army, the rebel flag floated most of tie time within sight of*the Capitol in Washington. After he battle of Dranesville, the skfrmishers along the Une ssumed a petty character productive of no advantages to ither party. For seven months the army remained sta- ionary on the plea, that it needed organization, drUl and letter weapons ; that the mud in the roads was so deep hat it was impossible to make a sucessfal advance, and that aUijtary strategy required that the Army of the Potomac hould remain in repose, until movements, essential to the uccess of the campaign, should be executed in the South nd West. In other departments of the army and in the navy, there ras more visible activity, and the attention of the people ras for a time diverted from the army in front of Wash- ngton. On the 29th of August, the mUitary and naval expedi- ion under General Butler and Commodore Stringham, after , bombardment of two days, captured the Confederate works ommanding Hatteras Inlet, the entrance to Pamlico Sound, n North Carolina. The enemy's works were Fort Clark and Tort Hatteras. At their capture, thirty-four pieces of can ton, one thousand stand of arms and a quantity of provisions ell into the possession of the National forces. Three Oon- sderate vessels with valuable cargoes of coffee, provisions, otton and ammunition, also became the prizes of the victors. Lfter having endured a severe shelling from the fleet at a ange of two and a half miles for two days. Colonel Martin, lajor Andrews and Commodore Barron, of the Confederate ervice, with aU their forces, numbering six hundred and hirty men, surrendered unconditionally, and were made irisoners of war. In this engagement the United States OPERATIONS OF THE ARMY EAST AND WEST. 145 forces suffered no loss. The Confederates lost four killed and eighty wounded. The battle of Carnifex Ferry, which closed the campaign in West Virginia, was fought on the 10th of September. General Rosecrans overtook the rebel General Floyd with his army strongly intrenched in a position near the ferry on Gauley river. The rebel force was five thousand strong and had sixteen field pieces in position ; the intrenchments were inaccessible on either flank and on the rear; the front was masked with dense forest and thicket. At three o'clock in the afternoon. General Rosecrans attacked the enemy's works "with a brigade of Ohio troops ; the battle raged with great fury untU darkness put an end to the contest ; the attacking party slept on their arms the whole night within a short distance of the enemy. During the night General Floyd evacuated the position, and stole away with his force across the river and destroyed the bridge. He abandoned all his trains and camp equipage, his private baggage and the baggage of his officers, his ammunition and cattle, and a number of Union prisoners captured by the Confederates at Cross Lane. The National forces lost fifteen killed and seventy -five wounded. In Missouri a petty warfare was carried on that extended over the whole State. General Fremont, who had been as signed to the command in the West, with an energy un equalled in other departments, was organizing a powerf al army, with which he expected to drive the enemy from the States west of the Mississippi. He at once attacked the the enemy in his most vulnerable point by declaring in a proclamation, that " The property, real and personal, of all persons in the State of Missouri, who shall take up arms against the United States, and who shall be directly proven to have taken active part with the enemies in the field, is declared to be confiscated to the public nse ; and their slaves, if any they have, are hereby declared freemen." In issuing this proclamation. General Fremont was just ten months in advance of the nation's representatives at Washington. 10 146 HISTORY OF THE PENNSYLVANIA RESERVES. He realized that the rebels were in earnest, and that all attempts at pacification by timidity and concessions to traitors were unavailing, and would but add fuel to the flame. He therefore at once seized the rod of justice and determined to severely chastise the men, who labored to overthrow the Goverment. The proclamation of freedom, to the slaves, however, came too soon for the authorities at Washington ; accordingly on the Ilth of September, twelve days after its promulgation at St. Louis, the proclamation was modified by President Lincoln, so as to apply only to slaves employed by the rebels in military service. The battle of Wilson's Creek was fought on the 10th of August. General Lyon, the officer in command, was killed early in the engagement. The number of killed, wounded and missing was one thousand two hundred and thirty-flve. The rebel General McCuUoch reported the Confederate loss to be four hundred and twenty-one killed, and one thousand tluree hundred wounded. The Union troops "withdrew to Rolla, thus abandoning southwestern Missouri to the enemy. On the 20th of September, Colonel Mulligan, after a brave resistance during five days, surrendered Lexington to General Price's army of Confederates. Marauding parties now marching through the western portion of the State, laid waste the country, until General Fremont, at the head of his army, marched to Springfield and drove the Confederates, under Price and McCuUoch, into Arkansas. On the 2d of November, Fremont was relieved of the command of the department. General Halleck was sent to . St. Louis to assume command, and active operations were transferred to the east side of the Mississippi. On the 7th of November, a battle was fought at Belmont, in Missouri, in which the National forces were commanded by General Grant. The Confederates, under General Cheatham, were driven from their works, but after retreating a short distance, were largely reinforced, and compelled Grant to fall back and take refuge with his army on the transports, and, defended by gunboats, to return to Cairo. To these disasters in the West were added OPERATIONS OF THE ARMY EAST AND WEST. 147 those on the Potomac during the autumn of 1861, until General McCall, with a brigade of the Pennsylvania Re serves, changed the fortunes of war, and honored the National arms with 'victory at Dranes"7ille. Then foUowed a season of preparation unparalleled in the history of nations. Armies were created to engage in campaigns extending along a front of two thousand miles ; a navy was impronsed to blockade a coast three thousand miles in extent ; to defend the vast merchant marine of the United States, and to organize powerful fleets for the reduc tion of strong harbor fortifications in the seceded States. An expedition, sent out in command of Commodore Dupont, had successfully attacked Port Royal, and on the 7th of November captured the rebel forts and established the National fiag on the soil of South Carolina. On the Ilth of January, 1862, an expedition, comprising over one hun dred vessels of all classes, carrying an army of fifteen thousand troops, commanded by General Burnside, and accompanied by a fleet of gunboats, commanded by Com modore Goldsborough, sailed from Hampton Roads. The squadron encountered a severe storm, which threatened every vessel with destruction. Nearly a full month had elapsed before the hearts of the people were gladdened with the news of the success of the expedition. On the 7th of February, the gunboats attacked the enemy's works on Roanoke L'iland, defended by forty-two guns of heavy calibre, supported by a force of three thousand infantry and eight gunboats. From early in the morning until an hour after dark, the fleet of gunboats rained a storm of shot and shell on the island; the bombardment ceased, and during the night General Burnside landed his troops, and at daylight on Saturday morning, moved against the enemy's position on the centre of the island. The battle raged with unabated violence until four o'clock in the afternoon, when, finding the supply of ammunition was nearly exhausted. General Burnside ordered the "works to be carried by storm, with the bayonet. Before five o'clock the enemy surren- 148 HISTORY OF THE PENNSYLVANIA RESERVES. dered unconditionally. A victory was won unequaUed by any other since the National forces had taken the field. It was a victory that thrilled with joy every loyal heart throughout the land. Six forts, two thousand five hundred prisoners, forty-two heavy guns, three thousand five hundred stand of small arms, and seventy -five tons of ammunition, fell into the hands of the victorious army. General Burnside followed up his advantage "with an assault on Newbern, and after a desperate engagement on the 14th of March, routed the enemy and captured the city. In the meantime the gunboat fleet had driven the rebels from the navigable waters of North CaroUna, leaving the city of Wilmington as the only possession of the enemy on the coast of the State. While the nation was waiting to hear from the C'xpedition to North CaroUna, tidings of victory came from the West. On the 19th of January, General Thomas had met and defeated the rebel army under General George B. Critten den, at Logan's" Cross-Roads, near Somerset, in Kentucky. General Zollicoffer, a favorite in the Confederate army, was kUled, and the army completely routed and scattered in the mountains. On the 6th of February, Commodore Foote, with a fleet of seven gunboats, entered the Tennessee river, and attacked and captured Fort Henry; this engagement demonstrated the power of the Mississippi squadron, which, up to that time, had been regarded as an untried novelty. But stiU more glorious achievements awaited the progress of the army in the West. On the Cumberland river, the enemy had constructed a strong fort and had garrisoned it ' with an army of eighteen thousand eight hundred and twenty -nine men. On the 12th of February, General Grant appeared before these works, which the enemy had named Fort Donelson, Anth an army of forty thousand men. He invested the position on the land side, while Commodore Foote's fleet attacked the water batteries. A terrible battle was commenced on the morning of the 13th, which was continued with great vigor for three days. Early in the OPERATIONS OF THE ARMY EAST AND WEST. 149 morning of the fourth day. General Buckner, commanding the rebel troops, surrendered his army unconditionally to General Grant. General Floyd and General Pillow had stolen away during the night with three thousand men, who thus escaped being captured. By this surrender the national forces took thirteen thousand three hundred prison ers, three thousand horses, forty-eight field pieces, seventeen heavy guns, twenty thousand stand of small arms, and. a large quantity of supplies. The Confederates reported a total loss of fifteen thousand and sixty-seven men in killed, wounded and prisoners. The National loss was two thou sand three hundred and thirty-one. The exultations that spread throughout the loyal States on the receipt of the news of the victory at Fort Donelson, had not yet subsided, when, from the far distant hills of northern Arkansas, the report of another victory of the first magnitude filled all loyal hearts with joy. On the 6th of March, the combined rebel armies under Generals Van Dorn, Price and McCuUoch, numbering about thirty-five thousand men, attacked the National army, commanded by General Curtis, at Pea Ridge, in Arkansas. Darkness ended the battle on the first day ; both armies slept on thefr arms ; early on the following morning the contest was resumed, and continued "with great severity and heavy losses on both sides. General McCuUoch fell at the head of his army mortally wounded. Night again closed on the contending armies, and both rested with arms in hand, certain of victory on the morrow. On the»morning of the 8th, the struggle was resumed and continued with great desperation, but before darkness again veiled the scene of carnage, the Con federate forces were totally routed, and vigorously pursued by the Union army. General Curtis reported a loss in kiUed, wounded and missing, of one thousand three hundred. The rebels lost eleven hundred killed, two thousand five hundred wounded, and one thousand six hundred prisoners. The power of the rebeUion in the West was broken, and the only hope of the leaders was to reinforce the armies of 150 HISTORY OF THE PENNSYLVANIA RESERVES. Vfrginia, who had been allowed to remain in undisturbed quiet, and thus divert the energies of the nation from the West. Upon the evacuation of the Gosport Navy Yard, near Norfolk, the United States officers scuttled and sunk the steam frigate Merrimac. This was one of the most magnifi cent ships in the American navy; a forty -gun frigate of four thousand tons burden, built in 1856, and considered the finest specimen of naval architecture then afloat. She was two hundred and eighty-one feet long, fifty-two feet broad, and drew twenty-three feet of water. Her engines were eight hundred horse power, and drove a two-bladed propeUer, fourteen feet in diameter ; her armament consisted of twenty-four nine-inch shell guns, fourteen eight-inch, and two one hundred pound pivot guns. This magnificent vessel was raised by the rebels, who, being weak as a maritime power, devoted much attention to the construction of iron-clad rams; she was cut down, leaving only the massive and soUd hull, over which they constructed a sloping shield of railroad iron, firmly plated together, and extending two feet under the water. In appearance, the ship was much like the slanting roof of a house placed on a hull, with the ends of the vessel, fore and aft, projecting a few feet beyond the roof. Nothing appeared above this iron shield but a short smoke-stack and two flag staffs. The fact that a mailed battery of the most formidable character was in preparation, was well known at the North, and her appearance on the waters below Norfolk was daily predicted. About noon of Saturday, the 9th of March, this monster was seen coming round Craney Island, accompanied by the Jamestown and Yorktown, two other war vessels, foUowed by quite a little fleet of armed tugs and small craft. The Merrimac, with her imposing retinue in train, headed for Newport News, where there was a garrison of National troops, guarded by the United States sailing frigates Cum berland and Congress. The Merrimac steamed majesticaUy OPERATIONS OF THE ARMY EAST AND WEST. 151 along, as if conscious of superior strength, and as she passed the Congress, delivered a single broadside into the doomed ship, then leaving her to be attacked by the smaUer vessels, made dfrectly for the Cumberland. When the rebel monster ¦was within two hundred feet of the two frigates, they both discharged their tremendous broadsides against her armor ; she quivered a moment under the fearful concussion, but every ball glanced from her sloping shield like hailstones from a slated roof. Not deigning to pay any attention to the fierce, but harmless, assault of the two frigates struggling for life, she rushed straight for her prey. The powerful battery at Newport News opened with all its massive guns at point-blank range, -with a power that no mailed structure pre-viously known would have been able to withstand, but these solid shot and shell glanced harmlessly away. On rushed the Merrimac with increasing speed, and not a soul on board to be seen, and with all the power of her tremen dous weight, plunged headlong into the side of the helpless frigate. The iron prow struck the Cumberland amidship, crushing in her side with a horrible gash. Then reversing her engine, and careless ofthe shower of cannon-balls rattUng against her imper-vious mail, she retraced her path a few rods for another butt. As she drew back she turned her broadside to the disabled frigate and hurled into her bosom a terrible volley of shot and shell, that tore through the crowded vessel, hurling her batteries about her decks and scattering mutUated bodies in every direction. Again, with full headway, crowding on all steam, the Merrimac made another plunge into the Cumberland, and striking her upon the former wound, crushed in the whole side, snapping the massive oaken beams, strong as nature and art could make them, as if they had been but a lattice of dry reeds. But the Cumberland never surrendered ; the majestic old frigate sank beneath the waves with colors flying, every man at his post, and every unsubmerged gun hurUng defiance at the foe. In fbrty-five minutes the work was done, and over 152 HISTORY OF THE PENNSYLVANIA RESER^STES. one hundred dead and wounded bodies of heroic men went down with the broken frigate. The Merrimac now turned her attention to the Congress. The rebel gunboats Jamestown and Yorktown were hover ing about this majestic ship, discharging their shot at long range ; the tremendous broadsides of the Congress compelled her unworthy assailants to keep at a respectful distance. The frigate, attempting to escape, unfortunately, grounded, and thus became the more helpless. The Merrimac, fearing the shallowness of the water, did not attempt to crush the Congress with her prow, but deliberately took her position at the distance of about one hundred yards, and discharged broadside after broadside of her one hundred pound shot and shell, raking the ship from stem to stern. At the same time, the whole rebel fleet poured into the crippled frigate a destructive fire of shells and red-hot shot. Lender this devouring fire the carnage was awful. Instantly the decks were covered with dismounted guns and frag'ments of broken batteries, mangled limbs and pools of gory blood. The ship was on fire ; her timbers and plank dry as tinder, the fiery billows burst forth with a consuming power wholly irresistible; the wounded and the survivors were being consumed by the spreading flames, when, to save the brave men from a terrible death, the officers, with tears and anguish, hauled down the flag and surrendered the burning wreck. The officers of the Congress were made prisoners; the crew escaped to the shore in small boats. The noble ship burned for hours, illuminating the scene for mUes around the harbor, until about midnight, the flames reached the magazine, and, with an explosion that moved the waters and caused the earth to tremble, the fiery fragments of the frigate were thro'wn into the air and covered the sea. When the flames were quenched beneath the waves, dark ness, gloomy and terrible, shrouded the dismal scene. The United States ships Minnesota and St. Lawrence were both in the Roads, aground, lying helpless, waiting to be consumed by the devouring monster. Night was rapidly OPERATIONS OF THE ARMY EAST AND WEST. 153 approaching, and, as if glutted with a surfeit of victory, the Merrimac returned to her position behind Craney Island, where she prepared to continue her work of destruction the next morning. As the sun went down that evening and night came on, every heart in the fleet and in the coast defences throbbed ¦with despair. The Merrimac was invulnerable. She could do what she pleased, bidding defiance to the massive guns on both sea and land. After destroying every vessel of the fleet, and reducing every fortress on the coast, Washington, Baltimore, Philadelphia, New York, Boston and Portland were the glittering prizes within her grasp. Not only at Hampton Roads, but throughout the. North, consternation was pictured in every loyal face. At ten o'clock that night, two small steamers were seen coming in from the sea, having in tow a singular looking craft, resembling a raft with a small round tower, a few feet high, on its center. Could the watchful sentinel on the walls of Fortress Monroe have known, what it was that he saw approaching the ramparts he guarded — as the Spanish sailor, exclaiming "Land! Land!", from the fore-topmast of the Pinta, electrified the lost mariners on Columbus' despairing fleet — so he, calling out to the agitated and sleep less garrison " Deliverance ! Deliverance ! God defends the right !" might have calmed their agitation and filled their hearts with hope. The Monitor was approaching ; unor dered, unowned by the Government; the experiment of Captain Ericsson, a private citizen, residing in New York. The untried vessel arrived opportunely, but by chance, in Hapipton Roads. The situation of the fleet was immediately made known to Lieutenant Worden, commanding the Monitor. The vessel was put in order for a fight, and awaited the dawn of morning, and the approach of the Merrimac Sunday morning came — the sun rose ¦with unusual brightness. Anxious eyes, from every vessel and along the shore, gazed in the direction of Sewall's • Point, where the Merrimac and her consorts were at anchor. 154 HISTORY OF THE PENNS'YLVANIA RESERVES. About nine o'clock, the vessels began to move. The mailed monster was coming to crush the ribs of two majestic ships, for a morning repast. Wholly unconscious of the antagonist she had to encounter, she came leisurely down, and opened fire on the Minnesota, which was still aground. Just then the Monitor hove in sight, resembling, as the rebels said, a small raft Avith a "Yankee cheesebox" upon it. She steamed boldly onward towards her formidible antagonist, and, when at the distance of half a mUe, Lieutenant Worden, who stood at the grate in the pilot, house, gave the order to fire. The huge iron jaws of the turret moved slowly aside, a momentary creaking of ropes and pulleys was heard, then a thundering report, and an immense solid ball, weighing one hundred and seventy pounds, was hurled against the mailed side of the Merrimac. This was the Monitor's challenge, and could not, with safety, be disregarded. The Merrimac paused in utter astonishment, then turned fiercely ¦upon her diminutive foe, expecting to demolish her with a single broadside. Drawing near the little floating turret, at a range of but a few yards, the huge monster poured upon the Monitor the full power of her metal, sure that after such a discharge, nothing of the vessel would remain above the waves. But, as the smoke lifted, the little Monitor, 'with one hundred and seventy pounds of solid iron and a deafening roar, announced herself unharmed. It was now evident that Greek had met Greek, and iron con tended against iron. The wooden fleets had become silent, awe-sfricken spectators, while tens of thousands along the . shore, from Fortress Monroe to Newport News, and in all the rebel batteries, watched in dread suspense the terrible conflict. Never before had ships met carrying metal so massive. In this tremendous duel, hundred pound shot rattled against the mailed and impenetrable sides of the combatants, and glanced off like hail. The Monitor was superior in speed, and for four hours steamed around her mammoth antagonist, with her two powerful guns always pointing at the foe, and at a distance of but a few yards. OPERATIONS OF THE ARMY EAST AND ¦WEST. 155 planting baUs in every possible place, eagerly searching for some vital spot. The contest, at times, was so hot — the muzzles of the hostile guns almost touching each other — that both ships were enveloped in a cloud of smoke that no eye could penetrate. The flashing fire and the thunder ing roar incessantly bursting forth from the tumultuous maelstrom of flame and smoke^ gave evidence to the watch ing thousands that the mortal contest raged with unabated fury. At length the search of the Monitor's guns was successful ; three mortal gashes were visible ; the Merrimac was sinking ; the mailed monster was whipped, and turned to run away. The Monitor was ordered not to follow, but to remain "with the wooden fleet. No pen can describe the joy that thrilled the hearts of the National troops. Cheer after cheer rose from the fleet and from the land, and roUed like reverberating thunder along the shore and across the waters. The injuries to the Merrimac were vital. She was towed to Norfolk, and finally committed self-destruction, to escape capture. The Monitor came out of the contest uninjured. This eventful conflict — one of the most memorable on record — revolutionized naval warfare, and indisputably established the supremacy of the American na-vy. During the period of all the noble achievements in the West and along the coast, the Army of the Potomac, which had assumed the most formidable proportions in numbers and in all the material of war, remained in repose. The impatient public were unwilUng to expose themsel-Ves again to the charge of goading their generals to movements for which they were unprepared. The disaster at Bull Run had been attributed to the pubUe clamor that forced the advance before time for preparation had been allowed. In silent impatience the country waited for the inert masses to be led beyond their ramparts. But as month after month roUed on, and more than two hundred thousand troops stood unemployed in their trenches, with the flag of the enemy flaunted within fuU view of thefr bastions, with Washington 156 HISTORY OF THE PENNSYLVANIA RESER^VES. besieged, and its port blockaded, while every southern breeze bore insult and defiance to the patriots in arms, the people could no longer withhold their murmurs. The Western Army organized by Fremont and commanded by Halleck was triumphantly marching southward from victory to victory. The people were ready to contribute any number of men and any amount of money, that might be asked for by the military department at Washington. Volunteers crowded to the camps in such numbers that they could not be accepted. All they asked was, that this miserable rebeUion of a few thousand slaveholders, dragging in their train four milUons of slaves and half as many " poor whites," should be speedily crushed. Blow after blow was struck by the rebels with the most envenomed hate ; these were answered in feeble resentment. The armies of the nation were held inactive, under the vain delusion that a mere show of power would overawe the conspirators. Never before did a government so un-willingly come to the conviction, that there was no alternative but regular, old-fashioned, death-dealing, bloody, dreadful, destructive war. For a long time the young men in the army were ¦compelled to use the spade instead of the musket. The authorities were anxious not to exasperate their foes by wounding their pride, or striking them blows they would keenly feel. The Government had no disposition to strike the fetters from the limbs of the bondsmen, and thus lost the sympathy of the friends of freedom throughout the world. Nothing must be done that could in any way ex asperate the Southern people. It would offend the rebels to employ slaves in the trenches, and therefore they were not admitted in the lines of the army ; and our soldiers were forced to dig knee-deep in the mud after exhausting marches and sleepless watchings, while all around them, were lusty negroes, whose masters had ran away from them, and who earnestly begged to be allowed to labor, stipulating no price, and asking only for food and protection from the slave-catcher. Strange as it may seem, impelled by an OPERATIOerS OF THE ARMY EAST AND WEST. 157 insane absurdity, the commanding generals rejected these willing laborers, and the citizen soldiery were needlessly doomed to life-destroying toU. The Government advanced slowly and reluctantly to wards the position, that the war must be conducted on war principles. It was impossible for the generals who were in sympathy with slavery, who felt that the rebels were half right, and who 'wished to conduct the war in a manner that would constantly keep open the way of adjustment, by making such concessions to the South as the Southern leaders might demand — it was imposseble that such generals should prosecute campaigns -with vigor, and strike blows with all thefr possible strength. The Government contended forbearingly and timidly against a foe, furious 'and enven omed as ever rushed with bloodthirsting hate to fields of carnage. The rebel leaders were terribly in earnest ; whUe opposing them, we have for many weary months the record of a government but half aroused. Never before did a peoplie press forward with such enthusiasm to the banner of freedom; never before was their enthusiasm met with such feeble response from their appointed leaders. True, after a series of vexatious delays that wearied the patience of an earnest people, the army in the West moved against the works of the enemy. But, on the eastern banks of the upper Potomac, upon the Maryland shore, the white tents of the patriotic troops were spread out for leagues. Lower down, opposite Washington, from the heights of ArUngton to Budd's Ferry, these soldiers of freedom were intrenched in as majestic a series of ramparts as armies ever reared. The insolent foe had been slowly pressed back by these marshalled hosts, until they occupied thefr lair on the plains of Manassas. Without a struggle the rebels relin quished aU the ground they had gained b}'' the battle of BuU Run. Near the close of the month of February, 1862, after two unsuccessful efforts had been made to move the Army of the Potomac, the troops were again ordered to prepare to ad- 158 HISTORY OF THE PENNSYLVANIA RESERVES. vance from their intrenchments. On the 8th of March the army in front of Washington was divided into four army corps. The First corps was commanded by Major-General McDowell, and contained the divisions of Generals Frankhn, McCall, and King ; the Second, commanded by Brigadier- General Sumner, contained the divisions of Generals Rich ardson, Blenker, and Sedgwick ; the Third, commanded by Brigadier-General Heintzelman, contained the divisions of Generals Fitz John Porter, Hooker, and Hamilton ; and the Fourth, commanded by Brigadier-General Keyes, contained the divisions of Generals Couch, Smith, and Casey. On the 19th of January, 1862, President Lincoln, as com mander-in-chief of the army and navy, had issued an order for a general movement of all the armies of the United States. In obedience to this order, the armies in the West, commanded by General Halleck, commenced the movement which resulted in the brilliant victories that so electrified the country, and re-vived the hopes of the loyal men, that the rebellion would soon be crushed. The Army of the Potomac stUl remained inactive, and on the 31st of January the President issued the following order : "Executive Mansion, " Washington, January 31, 1862. " Ordered, That all the disposable force of the Army of the Potomac, after pro'viding safely for the defence of Wash ington, be formed into an expedition for the immediate object of seizing and occupying a point upon the raUroad south- westward of what is known as Madassas Junction, all details to be in the discretion of the commander-in-chief, and the expedition to move before or on the 22d day of February next. "ABRAHAM LINCOLN." General McCleUan repUed to this order, objecting to the plan indicated by the President, as involving " the error of dividing the army by the Occoquon creek, a very difficult obstacle, and by a distance too great to enable the two por- OPERATIONS OF THE ARMY EAST AND WEST. 159 tions to support each other, should either be attacked by the masses of the enemy, while the other is held in check." He then proceeded to discuss the advantages in favor of a movement by way of the Rappahannock river or Fortress Monroe, preferring the former route. A council of war was held in February, at which twelve generals were present, McDowell, Sumner, Heintzelman, Keyes, Fitz John Porter, Franklin, W. F. Smith, McCall, Blenker, Andrew Porter, Barnard and Naglee. To these were submitted the two Unes of operation proposed by the President and General McClellan. The result of the deliberation was a vote of eight in favor of, and four against the movement by way of Annapolis, and thence down the Chesapeake bay and up the Rappahannock river to Urbana, and across the country to Richmond. The generals who voted against this movement were McDowell, Sumner, Heintzelman and Barnard. General Keyes voted for it "with the qualification, that the movement should not be undertaken until the enemy's batteries on the lower Potomac shall have been captured, and the na-viga- tion of the river reopened. General McClellan hoped by this movement to elude the enemy, and arrive in front of Richmond before the forces at Manassas could be concen trated there for its defence. It had been decided by the councU of war, held in February, not to disturb the enemy on the lower Potomac, but to move secretly by the new route up the Rappahannock, and thus turn the position at Manassas. President Lincoln solicitous for the safety of Washington, and impatient with the delay in the movement of the Army of the Potomac, on the 8th of March, issued another order, as foUows : "Executive Mansion, Washington, Marcii S,th, 1863. " Ordered, That no change of the base of operations of the Army of the Potomac shall be made, without leaving in and about Washington such a force, as in the opinion of the 160 HISTORY OF THE PENNSYLVANIA RESERVES. general-in-chief, and the commanders of army corps, shaU leave said city entirely secure. " That no more than two army corps (about fifty thousand troops) of said Army of the Potomac, shall be moved en route for a new base of operations, until the na^vigation of the Potomac, from Washington to the Chesapeake bay, shall be freed from the enemy's batteries and other obstructions, or until the President shall hereafter give express permission. " That any movement as aforesaid, en route for a new base of operations, which may be ordered by the general- in-chief, and which may be intended to move on the Chesa peake bay, shall begin to move upon the bay as early as the 18th of March instant, and the general-in-chief shaU be responsible that it moves as early as that day. " Ordered, That the army and navy co-operate in an im mediate effort to capture the enemy's batteries upon the Potomac, between Washington and the Chesapeake bay. ABRAHAM LINCOLN. "L. Thomas, Adjutant- General." The President had yielded to the judgment of the council- of generals in the choice of route, but would not consent to the -withdrawal ofthe army from the defenses of Washington, whUe the enemy remained in possession of his works on the lower Potomac. Before any movement was begun, the rebels abandoned their batteries on the banks of the Potomac, and evacuated their position at Centreviile and Manassas, and retired beyond the Rappahannock. When General McClellan learned that the enemy had re tfred from his front, he ordered a general movement of the whole army in the direction of the position lately occupied by the rebels, and early in the morning of the 10th of March, the army broke camp and marched toward Manassas. At noon. Colonel AverUl, commanding two regiments of cavafry reached the enemy's Unes at Centreviile, and passed through his deserted works, finding heaps of mihtary stores and much vaJluable property stiU burning. Sumner's corps OPERATIONS OF THE ARMY EAST AND WEST. 161 was ordered to pursue the enemy and to ascertain, if possible, what were his intentions. General Howard's brigade was pushed forward to the Rappahannock railroad bridge, whero he drove the rear guard across the river. The enemy blew up the bridge to prevent pursuit and continued his march southward. On the Ilth, the army returned to the Potomac, concentrating near Alexandria. It was now evident, that Lee, having learned of General McClellan's intention to move against Richmond by way of the Peninsula, had with drawn from the Une in front of Washington, in order to in tercept and retard McClellan's movement up the Peninsula. The transports had been ordered from Annapolis to Alexan dria, where the army embarked for Foi-tress Monroe. The embarkation commenced on the 17th of March. General McCleUan moved from Alexandria with his headquarters, on the 1st of April, and arriving at Fortress Monroe, on the 3rd, ordered an advance of his army from that base towards Yorkto'wn. On the Ilth of March, President Lincoln issued an order relieving General McClellan of the command of other mili tary departments, and assigning him to the command of the Department of the Potomac. General McClellan was to take the field in person, and conduct the active operations against Richmond. He expected by a rapid movement to drive before him or cap ture the enemy on the Peninsula, open the James river and press on to the rebel capital before the enemy could be rein forced from other parts of the Confederacy. An unex pected obstacle, however, was encountered in the Warwick river, which was supposed by General McCleUan, not to lay across his proposed line of march ; and it was not until the advance of his column arrived on the bank of .the stream, that he learned of its course, and that, rising near Yorktown, under the enemy's guns, it flowed across the Peninsula and emptied into the James. The line of the Warwick was strongly defended by the enemy's works, ^nd was difficult to pass. Yorktown was also found to be extensively fortified and 11 162 HISTORY OP THE PENNSYLVANIA RESERVES. defended by a strong force. McClellan, therefore, determined to take the place, by " preparing for an assault by the pre liminary employment of heavy guns, and some seige oper ations." The seige was commenced and prosecuted with great vigor until the night of the 3rd of May, when the enemy evacuated his works and withdrew towards Rich mond. His rear guard was overtaken at WiUiamsburg, strongly intrenched. On the morning of the 5th, General Sumner who was in the advance, ordered an assault on the enemy's defenses, in which his own and General Heintzelman's corps engaged and. defeated the rebels, driving them towards Richmond. Recent rains had rendered the roads almost' impassable, and successful pursuit was impossible. The army advanced slowly over the muddy roads, and on the 16th of May, headquarters and a depot of supplies were established at White House on the Pamunky river ; four days later, the ad vance guard arrived on the north bank of the Chickahominy. General McClellan says in his report to the Secretary of War: " When, on the 20th of May, our advanced light troops reached the banks of the Chickahominy river, at Bottom's bridge, they found that this, as well as the railroad bridge about a mile above, had beeii destroyed by the enemy. " The Chickahominy in this vicinity is about forty feet wide, fringed with a dense growth of heavy forest trees, and bordered by low marshy bottom lands, varing from half a mile to a mile in width. " Our operations embraced that part of the river between Bottom's and Meadow bridges, which covered the principal approaches to Richmond from the east. " Within these limits the firm ground lying above hign- water mark seldom approaches near the river on either bank, and no locality was found within this section where the high ground came near the stream on both sides. It was subject to frequent, sudden, and great variations in the volume of water, and the rise of a few feet overflowed the bottom lands on both sides. OPERATIONS OF THE ARMY EAST AND WEST. 163 " At low water it could be forded at almost any pointy but during high water it was above a fording stage, and could then be crossed only at the few points where bridges had been constructed. These bridges had all been destroyed by the enemy on our approach, and it was necessary not only to reconstruct these, but to build several others. " The west bank of the river, opposite New and Mechanics- viUe bridges, was bordered by elevated bluffs, which afforded the enemy commandhig positions to fortify, estabUsh his batteries, enfilading the approaches upon the two principal roads to Richmond on our right, and to resist the recon struction of the important bridges. This obliged 'us to select other less exposed points for our crossings. " As the enemy was not in great force opposite Bottom's bridge on the arrival of our left at that point, and as it was important to secure a lodgement upon the right bank before he could have time to concentrate his forces and contest the passage, I forthwith ordered Casey's division to ford the river and occupy the opposite heights. This^was promptly done on the 20th, and reconnoissances were at once pushed out in advance. " These troops were directed to throw up defences in an advantageous position to secure our left flank. General Heintzelman's corps was thrown forward in support, and Bottom's bridge immediately rebuilt. " In the meantime our centre and right were advanced to the river above, and on the 24th we carried the village of Mechanicsville, driving the enemy out with our artiUery, and forcing them across the bridge, which they destroyed. General Naglee on the same day dislodged a force of the enemy from the vicinity of the "Seven Pines," on the Bottom's bridge road, and our advance on the left secured a strong position near that place. " AU the information obtained from deserters, negroes, and spies, indicated that the enemy occupied in force all the approaches to Richmond from the east, and that he intended to dispute every step of our advance beyond the Chicka- 164 HISTORY OF THE PENNSYLVANIA RESERVES. hominy, and the passage of the stream opposite our right. That their army was superior to ours in numbers, did not admit of a doubt. Strong defences had been constructed around Richmond. " Impressed by these facts ¦with the necessity of strengthen ing the army for the struggle, I did not fail to urge repeat edly upon my superiors the importance of reinforcing the army of the Potomac with every disposable man, in order to insure the success of our attack upon the rebel capital." In a few days after the arrival of the army on the banks of the Chickahominy, two corps, General Heintzelman's and General Keyes', had crossed the river and held fortified positions on the south bank. The other corps occupied the north bank and extend up the river to Mechanicsville. On the 30th of May, the troops on the south side of the Chickahominy were in position as follows : Casey's division on the right of the WiUiamsburg 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 on the borders of White Oak swamp. Constant skirmishing had been kept up between the pickets; while these lines were being taken up and strengthened, large bodies of Con federate troops were seen immediately to the front and right of Casey's position. During the day and night of the 30th, a very ¦violent storm occurred. The rain falling in torrents, rendered work' on the rifle-pits and bridges impracticable, made the roads almost impassable, and threatened the destruction of the bridges over the Chickahominy. The enemy perceiving the unfavorable position in which the army was placed, and the possibility of destroying that ; part of it which was apparently cut off from the main body by the rapidly rising stream, on the 31st of May, threw an overwhelming force upon the position occupied by Casey's di^vision, and fought the battle of Fair Oaks. The two corps on the south bank of the Chickahominy OPERATIONS OF THE ARMY EAST AND WEST. 165 would doubtlessly, have been crushed, had not the veteran hero. General Sumner, thro-wn his corps across the bridges in front, almost as they were being carried away by the rising flood, and marched rapidly to the relief of the left wing. Sumner was a soldier of the old school ; he loved the excite ment of battle, and whenever the artiUery was heard pound ing in the distance, the old hero's countenance beamed with inexpressible joy, and his. eyes flashed with fiery zeal; his hair, white with age, streamed in the air as, on his war- horse, he galloped along the fiery lines of battle, inspiring every man in his corps with the spirit of his commander. It was fortunate for the army of the Potomac, and for the country, that at that critical hour, when the left wing, cut off from reinforcements by a stream that in thirty minutes would be impassable, was overwhelmed by the whole power of the enemy, the order to reinforce was sent to a soldier like Sumner. Though the bridges in his front were floating, he ordered his men across, exclaiming, "Forward, men! Your weight wiU keep the logs in place." The men crossed rapidly, and, forming on the other side, pushed forward and engaged the enemy. Night closed the conflict, which was renewed on the foUowing day with great desperation, and ended in the complete rout of the enemy. In this battle, the Confederate general reports a loss of six thousand seven hundred and eighty -three ; the army of the Potomac lost five thousand seven hundred and thirty- seven. General McClellan, explaining why the enemy was - not pursued in his flight into Richmond, after the battle of Fair Oaks, says: " On the 31st, when the battle of Fair Oaks commenced, we had two of our bridges nearly completed ; but the rising waters flooded the log-way approaches and made them almost impassable, so that it was only by the greatest efibrts that General Sumner crossed his corps and participated in that hard-fought engagement. The bridges became totally useless after this corps had passed, and others on a more permanent plan -were commenced. 166 HISTORY OF THE PENNSYLVANIA RESERVES. "On my way to headquarters, E^fter the battle of Fair Oaks, I attempted to cross the bridge where General Sumner had taken over his corps, on the day previous. At the time General Sumner crossed, this was the only avaUable bridge above Bottom's bridge. I found the approach from the right bank, for some four hundred yards, submerged to the depth of several feet, and on reaching the place where the bridge had been, I found a great part of.it carried away, so that I could not get my horse over, and was obliged to send him to Bottom's bridge, six miles below, as the only practicable crossing. " The approaches to New and Mechanicsville bridges were also overflowed, and both of them were enfiladed by the enemy's batteries established on commanding heights on the opposite side. These batteries were supported by strong forces of the enemy, ha\'ing numerous rifle-pits in their front, which would have made it necessary, even had the approaches been in the best possible condition, to have fought a sanguinary battle, with but little prospect of success, before a passage could have been secured. " The only available means, therefore, of uniting our forces at Fair Oaks for an advance on Richmond soon after the battle, was to march the troops from Mechanics-ville, and other points, on the left banks of the Chickahominy, down to Bottom's bridge, and thence over the WiUiamsburg road to the position near Fair Oaks, a distance of about twenty- three miles. In the condition of the roads at that time this march could not have been made with artillery in less than two days, by which time the enemy would have been secure within his intrenchments around Richmond. In short, the idea of uniting the two wings of the army in time to make a -vigorous pursuit of the enemy, with the prospect of overtaking him before he reached Richmond, only five miles distant from the field of battle, is simply absurd, and was, I presume, never for a moment seriously entertained by any one connected -with the army of the Potomac. An advance, invol-ving the separation of the two wings by the OPERATIONS OF THE ARMY EAST AND WEST. 167 impassable Chickahominj'-, would have exposed each to defeat in detail. Therefore I held the position already gained, and completed our crossings as rapidly as possible. " In the meantime, the troops at Fair Oaks were directed to strengthen their positions by a strong line of intrench ments, which protected them while the bridges were being built, gave security to the trains, liberated a larger fighting force, and offered a safer retreat in the event of disaster." In making the preliminary arrangements for the move ment from Alexandria, it was determined that the Ffrst corps. General McDowell's, should move as a unit first, and effect a landing either at the Sand-box, some four miles south of Yorktown, in order to turn all the enemy's defences at Ship Point, Howard's Bridge and Big Bethel, or, should existing circumstances render it preferable, land on the Gloucester side of York river and move on West Point. The transports, however, arrived slowly and few at a time. The army was therefore embarked by divisions, and the corps kept together as much as possible. A new order of march was arranged, placing McDowell's corps in the rear, as it was to move in mass to its point of disembarkation, and land on either side of York river, as might 'subsequently be determined. But, after McClellan had left Alexandria for Fortress Monroe, the President was informed by his mili tary ad'visers, that his order, requiring a sufficient force for the sure defence of the Capital to be left in the fortifications, had not been complied with, he issued an order detaching the First corps from McClellan's army, and directed Gene ral McDowell to report to the Secretary of War. By this order of the President, the Pennsylvania Reserves, which formed part of the First corps, were separated for a time from the Army of the Potomac. In the general advance made on Manassas, on the 10th of March, McCaU's division moved from Camp Pierpont. A cold rain, and a driving March wind made the day very disagreeable ; yet the whole di-vision, in buoyant spirits at the prospect of active service, broke camp about midday. 168 HISTORY OF THE PENNSYLVANIA RESERVES. and, after marching sixteen mUes, arrived at Hunter's Mills, in Loudon County, Virginia, early in the night. The men bivouacked in the woods, having left their camp equippage at Langley, and remained in that position tliree days, m a camp christened by the men " Smoky HoUow." On this, their first campaign into Vfrginia, some of the men foraged quite liberally on the farmers' poultry yards and mUk houses. Orders were given at Hunter's Mills, forbidding the men to leave camp, and a guard was stationed to enforce the order. Some of the " boys" in the BucktaU regiment, unwilling to give up all prospects of ever again dining on Virginia poultry, resorted to a piece of strategy, which, they argued, was honorable in times of war. The beat of the camp guard was on the top of a railroad embankment, against which the Bucktails pitched their tents, impro-vised of gum blankets, and proceeded to tunnel the embankment, and thus pro-vided a back door to one of the tents, through which the men passed to and from their foraging expeditions, and were faring sumptuously every day, until an officer, passing that way, accidently stepping too near the edge, broke through, and sliding into the tent through the back door, discovered the tunnel, and ordered it to be filled up and the tent to be removed. Some of the officers of this regiment had in their service a "contraband" cook, named Adolphus. On one occasion, as he was engaged in preparing dinner for the mess, one of the officers, requiring his ser-vices in the tent, called out: " Adolphus, have you clean hands ?" The servant, suppos ing the question to be an insinuation that he would prepare a meal with unwashed hands, regarded it as an insult, and straightening up to his full length, with an air of injured innocence, pouting his thick Ups, and eyes expressing virtuous indignation, demanded, " What am de reference ?" A roar of laughter burst from the crowd of by-standers, that was renewed as often as the story of Adolphus was repeated in camp, and the exclamation * became a standard phrase. / 0PERATH)N3 OF THE ARMY EAST AND WEST. 169 On the 12th of March, Lieutenant-Colonel S. N. BaUey of the Twelfth regiment, was honorably discharged, and on the 1st of April, M. D. Hardin was elected and commis sioned to fill the vacancy. While at Hunter's Mills, the newly invented shelter tent was distributed to the companies. This tent consists of two pieces of canvas, which, when joined by hooks or strings, form a plain sheet ; this, stretched over a ridge pole, and the, edges fastened to the ground, forms a small wedge tent for the shelter of two men. The men, accustomed to the comfortable tents and huts at Camp Pierpont, received the shelter tents -with much dissatisfaction. They named them "dog houses," and when first pitched, the boys amused themselves by hopping into them on hands and feet, and imitating the barking of dogs. Long and severe marches, when transportation could not come up -with camp equip page, soon demonstrated the value of the little tent, that could be taken to pieces, packed in the knapsacks and carried by the men. On the 14th of March, General McCall was ordered to move his command immediately on the road towards Alex andria, and await orders from General McDowell. It had not yet been determined whether the division should be sent back to Camp Pierpont, or whether it would march to Alexandria. General McCaU moved promptly on the Alex andria pike to Difficult creek, where he encamped during the night. The bridge on this road had been destroyed by the enemy, and the water had been swollen by the recent rains so as to make the creek unfordable. The only bridge remaining across the creek was the one on the Dranesville pike, in front of Camp Pierpont, which had been repaired and guarded by the Reserves. General McCall determined to march across, a distance of seven miles, to that bridge, and there report to General McDowell for orders. Rain had been falling during the afternoon and night of the 14th, and on the 15th it poured down in torrents. General McCall was conscious of the effect the march, beneath a 170 HISTORY OP THE PENNSYLVANIA RESER'VES. drenching rain and through heavy mud, would have on the men, and desired to bivouac at the bridge over Difficult creek, or to be allowed to march back to Camp Pierpont, which was only four miles distant. Having crossed the creek, he halted his command on the Dranesville pike, to await the return of a messenger despatched to General McDowell. The messenger soon arrived, bringing orders directing General McCall to "march without delay to Alex andria, with artillery and infantry, and prepare to embark immediately." Alexandria was twelve miles distant — it was growing late — the storm continued -with unabated severity. The first seven miles of the road to Alexandria lay through a low, swampy country, was overflowed -vyith water, and, under the feet of the first regiment that would pass over it, would become a bed of liquid mud. But, in obedience to positive orders. General McCall led his divi sion forAvard, and after hours of discouraging toil, the knapsacks and clothes of the men increasing in weight at every step, with the saturation of rain, which unceasingly beat upon them, the ranks became broken, the artillery horses exhausted, and the whole division, overcome with fatigue, was brought to an involuntary halt. General McCall sent forward a messenger to General McDowell, and reported that it was impossible for his command to proceed any further, and that he had bivouacked on the Alexandria pike, near Falls Church. A soldier in the Second regiment, describing the scene in camp on that stormy night, says : " After much patient labor, we succeeded in getting our fires started, and towards night, hot coffee was served. Such was the -violence of the storm, that it was impossible to put up our tents ; most of the men spent the night in cutting wood and standing around the -fires. At one time the heavens opened their flood-gates and poured do-mi a torrent of water, stifling the wind and flooding all below; the fires were instantly extinguished and the patriots were aroused to a full appreciation of thefr condition. Not to be OPERATIONS OF THE ARMY EAST AND -WEST. 171 thus conquered by the elements, they set up wild shouts and huzzas, making the woods and hills fdr miles around, echo with their noise, actually outdoing the storm, and putting the men into a good humor ; all that was wanted to complete their happiness was a fiddle and straight-four, and then they would have made a full night of it. Morning came with a bright, warm sun, nature ha'ving exhausted herself in the mad' rage of the previous night." On the following morning, at ten o'clock, the division resumed the march, and moving down the pike, passed long Unes of fortifications, erected at different times, some by the rebels and others by the National troops, and arriving within a mile of Alexandria, were ordered into camp near the Fair fax Seminary. At this place the division remained four weeks, and when the men found that there had been no necessity for the severe march they had been compelled to make on the 15th of March, they censured thefr command ing general, and complained of the hard treatment. Subse quently, however, they learned that it had been the order of General McClellan that the Reserves should embark first, and, with the other divisions of the First corps, have -the advance in the movement to the lower Chesapeake. Gene ral 'McCall has put on record the fact, that this was the only occasion on which the Pennsylvania Reserves, whUe under his command, complained of the severity of any duties they were required to perform. In compliance with the President's order, McDowell's corps was retained in the Department of the Rappahannock for the defense of Washingtoh. McCaU's division, there fore, established comfortable camps near Alexandria and awaited orders. On the 26th of March, General McDowell, reviewed the troops, numbering about forty thousand in his command. The advance to Hunter's MiUs had inured the men to the hardships of the campaign, and relieved them of the surplus baggage that had accuitiulated in camp at Langley. They had learned how to prepare for the march ; what would add to and what detract from their comfort in 172 HISTORY OF THE PENNSYLVANIA RESERVES. active campaign service. All things superfluous had been discarded, and things necessary provided. The change was perceptible at the review; the men were not overloaded -with knapsacks, fiUed with useless baggage, but every sol dier was accoutered in marching order, both as to weight and quaUty of material. When it had been fully determined that the First corps should be detached from the Army of the Potomac, and McClellan had already commenced operations on the Penin sula with the troops under his command. General McDowell put his force in motion towards Catlett's Station on the Alexandria and Orange railroad, -with the intention of going do-wn in the direction of Culpepper repairing the railroad, as he advanced. General McDowell understood by his orders that he was retained for the defense of Washington, and that all offensive movements were to be connected with defensive operations for the defense of the Capital. Joining in this movement early on the morning of the 9th of April, just one month after leaving Camp Pierpont, the Reserves again broke camp and advanced southward in search of the enemy. With three days' cooked rations in their haversacks, the men marched in a severe storm of alternate rain, sleet and snow which had been prevailing for several days, rendering the fields spongy and the roads knee-deep with mud. Passing between Forts Lyons and Ellsworth, the division arrived at the Alexandria and Orange raihoad, three miles from their camps, and awaited transportation. After standing several hours exposed to the pitiless storm, waiting the arrival of the train, the troops took passage, some in open platform cars, and others more fortunate in box cars, which sheltered them from the storm. There was little cheer in the hearts of the men as the trains rolled on slowly and cautiously over the rickety bridges and track. They thought of the dreary night — a bed on the snow-covered ground, unsheltered from the dri-ving sleet and rain. The train would not arrive at Bull Run until long after nightfaU, and pitching camps in pitch darkness OPERATIONS OF THE ARMY EAST AND WEST. 173 on strange grounds, Avas the gloomy prospect that awaited the men. At nine o'clock in the night the division reached the plains of Manassas, two miles beyond Bull Run ; wet, cold, and stiff, the men were discharged from the train. After a brief search for camping grounds, the brigades came upon the deserted huts of the enemy, and taking possession of the comfortable cabins," enjoyed an unlooked-for good fortune in being sheltered from the storm, and warmed and dried by the glowing fires kindled on the enemy's hearths. On the following morning the corps was put in motion down the railroad towards Catlett's Station. Soon after his arrival at that place, McDowell received instructions from the President, that the object of his having been kept on the Potomac, was purely defensive, that he was constantly to keep in view that he was there for the ^defense of the Capital, and that his command was to be a covering force for that purj5f)se. While the First corps remained on the railroad from Manassas to Warrenton Junction, McCall's division was en camped near the Bull Run battle field, and many of the men visited the scene of the first terrible conflict between the contending armies. The sight of the vast ruins of depots, storehouses, hospitals, engines, cars, heaps of pro- ¦visions, wagons, caissons, gun carriages, barrels, boxes and clothes burnt by the enemy at Manassas, and the debris of war on the battle field, gave the beholders, astonished at so great destruction, but a feint conception of the ordeal through which they had volunteered to pass, and of the StiU more terrible scenes of desolation, blood and gory death, in which they were to be the principal actors. In the camps of the rebels, they found sculls, cross bones, hands, feet, and whole skeletons of their fellow soldiers who had fallen at Bull Run, nailed over the doors, or hanging against the walls of the tents ; bones sawed into small pieces and half carved rings, and other ornaments of human bones, were found in great numbers in the camos occupied during the -ffidnter by the rebels. 174 HISTORY OF THE PENNSYLVANIA RESERVES. During the encampment at Manassas, the paymaster visited the Reserve regiments, and, at about the same time, also, the sutlers arrived, for the double purpose of supplying the men with luxuries and notions, and themselves with money and speedy profits. It is not, however, always the sutler who fares best in the exchange, for at times the "boys make raids " on wagons or tent, and bear away the stores without money and without price. One of these traders at Manassas had a barrel of " sweet cider " in his tent, which he retailed readily at ten cents a glass ; some of the "boys" considering the price uncommonly large and the glass ex ceedingly small, determined to set up opposition, and ac cordingly borrowed an auger and a faucet from the sutler, tapped the barrel through the tent at the other end, and sold a much larger glass at a much smaller price, and made more money by the operation than the man on the inside. On the 17th, General Reynold's brigade mbved forward to Catlett's Station and was followed next day by Meade and Ord. The railroad had been fully repaired and the bridges- built on the wagon road, and in the position then occupied there was nothing further for the troops to do. General McDowell anxious that his command should be actively em ployed, applied to the Secretary of War to know, whether it would be- " -within the scope of his defensive instructions under which he was acting, if he were to take Fredericks burg?" The Secretary thought it would, and gave him permission to move against that city. The movement was commenced from Catlett's the middle of AprU. Colonel Bayard's cavalry, -with the "Ira Harris Light" cavalry formed the advance guard of King's division, which was the first to move from Catlett's. On the evening of that day and on the following morning, a series of brisk engagements took place between Bayard's force supported by the Fourteenth Brooklyn regiment, and the enemy, near Falmouth; the rebels were finally routed and driven across the river to Fredericksburg, with considerable loss in kiUed, wounded and prisoners. In the OPERATIONS OF THE ARMY EAST AND WEST. 175 First Pennsylvania cavalry, there were three killed and eight wounded, and in the Harris Light cavafry, five were killed and nine wounded. Colonel Bayard made the following report of the encoun ter, in a letter addressed to the Governor of the State of Pennsylvania: Camp at Faimouth, Va., April 20, 1862. Sir : — I have the honor to" report that on the morning of the 18th I was ordered, with one battalion of the First Pennsylvania cavalry, and seven companies of the Harris Light cavalry, to take possession of the bridge leading from this place across the Rappahannock, and hold it until General Augur, commanding a brigade, came up. I started at two o'clock in the morning, and about four I reached the vicinity of the enemy. They were posted on a high hill, with a brush on either side of the road, and had erected heavy barricades of I'ails across the road. Ignorant of these obstructions, as soon as their pick ets were driven in, I ordered Colonel 0-wen Jones, commanding the battalion of the First Pennsylvania cavalry, to move forward and seize the bridge at all hazard. He moved for-ward at a rapid gait, and as soon as he reached the vicinity of the barricades, a very heavy infantry fire was opeHed upon him. Captain Richard's company M, and Captain Davidson's company F, acted with the utmost gallantry. Captain M. L. French, of company E, and Sergeant Jesse Fry, of same company, with Lieutenant "William Bayard, adjutant ofthe second battalion, all acted with courage. Cap tain Davidson was taken prisoner, but finally captured the man who had charge of him, and bf ought him and his horse into camp. Lieu tenant Sample, of Captain Richard's company, had his horse killed. Lieutenant Leaf, of same, company, acted throughout the aflair -with bravery, whilst the good conduct of Captain Richards is spoken of in the highest terms by Colonel Jones. Of Colonel Jones it is sufficient , to say, that he rallied his men -with the same coolness with which he led the advance under the withering flre opened upon him. A second charge of the Harris Light cavalry, led by myself, flrst made me aware of the obstructions in the road. I have since learned that behind the barricades were posted four hundred infantry, and in their rear, on their flanks, "were three or four companies of cavalry. Immediately after the affair, the enemy deserted the barricades, and I advanced with General Augur's command in pursuit. That I lost so few men, I attribute to the darkness of the night, which caused the enemy to shoot too high. I had thrde men killed, nine wounded, and eleven horses killed, and five badly shot. It was quite a brisk little' affau-, and added to the confldence I have in the 176 HISTORY OF THE PENNSYLVANIA RESERVES. bravery of the men, and the good conduct of the officers of my regi- ment. I think, sir, you can trust this regiment. I am, sir, very respectfully, Your obedient servant, GEO. D. BAYARD, Colonel Pennsylvania Cavalry. To His Excellency Governor A. G. CuRTra, Harrisburg, Pa. As a reward for the gaUant conduct of the regiment in this engagement. Governor Curtin ordered that "Falmouth, AprU ISth, 1862," be inscribed on its flag. When the the enemy returned across the river, he burned all the bridges to check the pursuit of the National troops. General Augur's brigade held Falmouth until the remainder of King's division and the Reserves arrived. The Fifth regiment commanded by Colonel Simmons and the Twelfth, Colonel Taggart, and company A, Captain Neide, of the Second regiment, were detailed to guard the railroad from Alexandria to Warrenton Junction. At Bristoe Station, William Holmes, a private in Captain Neide's company, died, which Avas the first death that oc curred in the Second regiment. The Twelfth regiment marched for Falmouth on the 7th of ;May ; on the 8th, near Hartwood Church, five men in this regiment Avere captured by guerrillas ; WiUiam Fox, a private in company B, was severely wounded in the head, but made his escape and gave the alarm to the ¦ regiment ; these men, neglectful of orders, had straggled three or four miles from the rear guard, and were picked up by the enemy. Colonel Taggart immediately sent back a company of the Harris Light Cavalry, that had come out from Fal mouth, and three companies of infantry, to scour the country in search of the enemy and the prisoners; the troops returned at night after an unsuccessful effort. The foUow ing morning Colonel Taggart took two companies and went back to the place where his men had been captured and arrested eight citizens, whom he threatened to take to Fal mouth as hostages. The farmers, who had maintained a OPERATIONS OF THE ARMY EAST AND WEST. 177 treasonable sUence, which was broken only by the fear of imprisonment, informed Colonel Taggart that a guerrilla leader from Culpepper county had been scouting in that neighborhood, and it was his band that had captured the men and sent them across the Rappahannock, at Richard's Ford. Having gained this information, and knowing that the enemy had recrossed the river. Colonel Taggart released the hostages. As the men were returning to camp, they discovered traces of blood in the road in front of a house owned by a Mr. Stevens, which was reported to have been used as a rendezvous for the guerrillas. The musket belonging to Fox, the man who was wounded, was found in the garden ; Colonel Taggart ordered the dwelling-house and out-build ings to be set on fire and burned to the ground. The order was promptly executed, and the regiment resumed its march and reached Falmouth on the evening of the 9th of May. This visitation on the farmers had a good effect; the second day after the march of the Twelfth, when the Fifth regiment passed over the same road, the farmers came out and warned Colonel Simmons to look out for guerrillas. The "contrabands" were especially active in rendering valuable services ; they acted as guides, and gave important information concerning the character of the inhabitants along the route. On the 9th of May, Colonel Simmons, commanding the Fifth regiment, and three companies that had been detached from other regiments to guard the railroad, started for Fal mouth, and, after marching three days, reached Camp Wash ington, opposite Fredericksburg., About the time General McDowell arrived at Falmouth, opposite Fredericksburg, he received a written order from the President, through the Secretary of War, directing him not to cross the Rappahannock, nor to reconstruct the bridges across the river, but to establish his communication with Aquia Creek and await further orders. 12 178 HISTORY OF THE PENNSYLVANIA RESER'VES. General Franklin's division did not accompany the other divisions of the First corps to Fredericksburg, but was detached, and sent to McClellan at Yorktown about the 20th of April. Subsequently it was organized with Smith's division into the "Sixth Provisional Corps" of the army of the Potomac. General McDowell besought the authorities at Washing ton to allow him to throw across the river a force, at least, sufficient to occupy Fredericksburg. He represented that his guns on the north side commanded the city and the landing opposite his position; that Union citizens were being carried away by the rebels, and that large quantities of stores and other property were being removed, and, under the protection of his artillery, he wished to send over a detachment to protect the loyal people and capture the pro perty of the enemy. Upon these representations. General McDoweU was authorized to cross a force only for defensive purposes, but was ordered not to advance beyond the city. Fredericksburg is one of the oldest towns in the State of Virginia; it was settled soon after the time when John Smith attempted to establish a colony at Jamestown; the surrounding country contains many large estates and ele gant mansions. One of these, the " Lacy House," opposite the city, has, in the progress of the war, become doubly historical. It was a fine specimen of English architecture, buUt of glazed bricks, imported long before the Revolution. The garden which surrounded it, laid out in beautiful walks, adorned with rare trees and exotic plants, shrubbery and flowers was admired for its taste and elegance. The lawns facing Fredericksburg sloped gradually down to the waters of the Rappahannock, forming a series of terraces, descend ing to the river's bank. The view from this house was magnificent, the eye taking -within its scope the windings of the river above and below for miles, alternating with hills, AoiUey.s, fields and woodland, while the old city of Frederiolfs- burg lay at the observer's feet. OPERATIONS OF THE ARMY EAST AND WEST. 179 This elegant mansion, so suggestive of comfort and refine ment, was the property of one Major Lacy, a prominent Virginia politician, to whose wife it had descended in a bequeatliment providing that all the slaves belonging to the estate should be set free. Lacy contested the will, and the courts of the State of Virginia decided, that the testatrix was not of sound mind -when she freed the slaves, and that that portion of the will was therefore void. Lacy then sent the freedmen South to be sold into slavery. Having become very unpopular as a politician, when the rebellion broke out he entered the rebel army as major, expecting thus to regain his political and social standing. When the National troops approached Falmouth, the mansion, together with its elegant appointments, was deserted by Mrs. Lacy, and became the headquarters of General McDowell. During this occupation everything was scrupulously pro tected, and scarcely a rose was suffered to be plucked from its stem without the permission of the commanding officer. The ravages of war, however, soon overtook this palace of comfort and beauty. When, in the spring of 1863, the author last saw the once beautiful mansion, there remained only a wreck of its former beauty. The furniture was gone, with the exception of here and there a broken chair or lounge; rough soldiers were sitting in the once elegant parlors, cooking coffee; the doors and wainscoating had been torn off' to make firewood ; the windows were broken ; the garden trodden do-wn and destroyed; hackled stumps showed where noble trees once stood, and scores of horses were picketed around the once lordly structure. The place had been occupied during the winter for an hospital by that noble, self-sacrificing, christian woman, Mrs. Dr. John Harris,* of the city of PhUadelphia. She * In the spring of 1863, as the author was one day riding with Colonel Owen, of Brooklyn, turning to ascend a hill, he discovered an ambu lance just in the act of overturning. Fearing some sick or wounded soldiers might be seriously injured by the fall, he galloped forward. 180 HISTORY OF THE PENNSYLVANIA RESER-VES found the house a wreck, and after the hospital had been removed, previous to the campaign, to ChanceUorsvUle, the destruction of everything but the brick walls was piade complete. The First corps remained in front of Fredericksburg, comparatively inactive, more than a month. General McDoweU was, aU this time, anxious to move down the Richmond pike, to the right wing of McClellan's army, and repeatedly solicited permission from the War Department to execute the movement. It was, however, deemed inex pedient to withdraw these troops from the Rappahannock, and the First corps was detained at Falmouth. The Reserve regiments ornamented their camps 'with arbors and lawns, shaded with boughs of cedar and pine, and made themselves comfortable, as they supposed, for the summer. Surgeon Thomas H. Reed, of the Second regiment, was promoted to. brigade surgeon, and ordered to Yorktown, and Assistant Surgeon Edward Donnelly, of the Fifth regi ment, was promoted to the rank of surgeon, to fill the vacancy created by the promotion of Surgeon Reed. In this camp, a number of recruits, brought in by officers sent out from Camp Pierpont, joined the division. Captain Clow, the division commissary, erected a mammoth bakery, from dismounted, and tearing open the curtains, there discovered Mrs, Harris and her devoted co-laborer, Mrs. S. Grier Beck, completely sur rounded, covered over and bound down with kegs, kettles, boxes, buckets and pans, whose semi-liquid contents of apple butter, ste-wed fruit, jellies, gruels, and other dainties, had overflowed, not only the ladies, saturating their clothes, but socks, slippers, bandages and linen were inextricably mixed. The author, with the aid of the colonel, suc ceeded in unburying the unfortunate ladies, 'who, though considerably bruised, lamented only for the loss to the " poor sick soldiers" in the fleld hospital they had set out to visit on errands of mercy. Bad roads, storm, toil, danger, privation, aU combined, could not dishearten or turn back these noble women. 'Wherever the Army of the Potomac marched, encamped or battled, there were they to comfort the sick to soothe the wounded, to invoke blessings on the dying soldiers. OPERATIONS OP THE ARMY EAST AND WEST. 181 which were issued over twenty thousand loaves of excellent bread per day, and supplied to the men in regular rations. Colonel Bayard, commanding the cavalry regiment of the Eeserve Corps, was, on the 28th of April, commissioned a brigadier-general. A "flying brigade" was organized for ser-vice in the Department ofthe Rappahannock; it contained the First Pennsylvania and the First New Jersey cavalry, and four companies of the Bucktail regiment, in command of Lieutenant-Colonel Kane ; the brigade was commanded by General Bayard. These troops were employed on picket duty and in scouting expeditions along the bank of ihe Rappahannock. On the Sth of May, Lieutenant-Colonel Owen Jones was promoted to the colonelcy of the cavalry regiment, made vacant by the promotion of Colonel Bayard. Owen Jones was born in Montgomery county, Pennsyl vania, on the 29th of December, 1819. He received a Uberal education, and after graduating at the University of Pennsylvania, studied law in the office of Hon. William M. Mere'dith, who filled with marked ability, the office of attorney -general of the State during both terms of Governor Curtin's administration. Mr. Jones, preferring the quiet of country Ufe, after his admission to practice, took up his residence on the family homestead, in his native county ; he drew around him all the comforts, conveniences and luxuries that wealth and a pleasant family could procure, and devoted his life to his home and friends. In 1856 he was elected a member of Congress, and repre sented his district during one term at the National Capital. When the rebeUion of the Southern conspfrators threat ened the existence of the Government, he volunteered his services for its defence. Early in the Spring of 1861, he organized a company of cavalry, called the " Lower Merion Troop," and exchanging his luxurious home for the hardships of camp life, marched his company to Camp Curtin, at Harrisburg. When the regiment of Cavalry attached to the Reserve Corps was 182 HISTORY OF THE PENNSYLVANIA RESERVES. organized. Captain Jones was elected major; he was placed in command of the regiment and marched with it to Wash ington. Subsequently he was elected lieutenant-colonel, and on the promotion of Colonel Bayard was commissioned colonel. After the middle of May, General Shields' division of General Banks' corps, was ordered from the Shenandoah to Fredericksburg ; and General McDowell was instructed by the President to advance towards Richmond, and join the right of McClellan's army with his whole command, in cluding the division from Banks' army, as soon as General Shields arrived. General McDowell sent forward Bayard's brigade to reconnoitre the road towards Richmond, and prepare the way for the advance of the army. The " flying brigade" marched from Fredericksburg on the 24th of May; the enemy everywhere on the road retreated hastily, but half completing their work of destruc tion as they fled. General Bayard's advance had reached a ' point but eight miles from Hanover Court-house, driving the enemy before him, when, to his deep regret, and the disappointment of his men, who supposed they were on a fair way to capture Richmond, a messenger from General McDowell overtook the command and ordered General Bayard to return to Fredericksburg. At the same time, in obedience to instructions from the President, General McClellan had sent a corps under General Fitz John Porter to Hanover Court-house, where he met the enemy under General Anderson, whom he attacked, and after a severe engagement routed and drove from the field. Thus every thing in the front was most favorable for McDowell's ad vance down the road from Fredericksburg, and his junction Avith McClellan's army. President Lincoln and the Secretory of War, accom panied by members of the cabinet and other distinguished personages, arrived from Washington at Fredericksburg on the 24th, and conferred -with General McDoweU on the pending movement, the defence of the Capital and the OPERATIONS OF THE ARMY EAST AND WEST. 183 strength and position of troops remaining north of the Rappahannock. General McDowell said he would be ready to move on Saturday afternoon, the 24th of May ; the Presi dent, however, was averse to commencing a campaign on Sunday, and suggested that the command should move early on Monday morning. The President left McDowell's headquarters on Saturday night, and -almost immediately after his departure, a despatch was received by General McDowell, announcing the raid of the rebel General Jack son down the Shenandoah valley, This diversion of the enemy wholly changed the plans of McDowell's campaign. By order of the President, Bayard's brigade was "withcalled, and followed by three divisions, commanded by Generals ' Shields, King, and Ord, was sent with all possible haste to intercept Jackson's retreat up the valley. The regiment of cavalry and company C, commanded by Captaia Leander W. Gifl-'ord ; company G, Captain Hugh McDonald; company H, Captain Charles F. Taylor, and company I, Captain WiUiam F. Blanchard, of the Bucktail regiment, were the only troops from the Reserve Corps that joined in this expedition. McCall was ordered to hold Fredericksburg, until the return of the three divisions of the First corps from the Shenandoah. The troops marched by the Catlett's Station road through Thoroughfare Gap to Front Royal, where they arrived on Sunday the 1st of June, and after taking an hour's rest pushed forward to Strasburg, coming up to the rear guard of Jackson's retreating army. General Bayard ordered his cavafry to halt until reinforce ments would arrive. On Monday morning he pushed forward, driving the enemy through the to-wn, and was almost immediately joined by the advance guard of General Fremont's army, marching from the west to intercept Jackson. Bayard's brigade was ordered to press forward as rapidly as possible on the rear of the flying enemy. A light brigade and flying artillery from Fremont's army joined General Bayard's troops. The morning was clear and refreshing, after a 184 HISTORY OF THE PENNSYLVANIA RESERVES. heavy rain, and the pursuit had every element of interest and excitement. At intervals, the sound of artillery, rapidly served, was heard roUing over the hills, indicating to the marching column that the enemy's rear guard had made a stand, in the hope of checking the pursuit. On Monday evening, near Woodstock, General Ewell, who commanded the rear guard of the rebel army, made a stand in a strong position, hoping to delay, for at least a few hours, the vigorous pursuit ; he turned his guns against the Ffrst New Jersey cavalry, which was in the advance, but reinforce ments coming up promptly, the rebels were outflanked and forced to retire in hot haste through Woodstock. The pursuit continued with almost hourly skirmishes until the 6th of June, when Jackson's rear guard again attempted to make a stand at Harrisonsburgh, and a running fight occurred, lasting from two o!clock in the afternoon until dark. The enemy was driven from the town early in the afternoon by Bayard's brigade, and the men were resting and preparing coffee, when a scout came in, bringing a report that three hundred rebel cavalry were checked in their retreat by the breaking down of a bridge, which was being repaired. Colonel Wyndham, of the First New Jersey cavalry, was sent forward to reconnoitre the position of the enemy. The report of the scout proved to be false, and Colonel Wyndham's regiment was drawn into an ambuscade of infantry, and lost severely in officers and men. As soon as the disaster to the New Jersey cavalry was reported at headquarters. General Fremont sent for ward General Bayard, with the four companies of Bucktails and the Ffrst Pennsylvania cavalry, commanded by Colonel Owen Jones, and Colonel Cluseret's brigade, to defend the southern approaches to the town. Colonel Cluseret drove the enemy on the left, captured his camps, and held the crest of woods on which the rebels had been posted. Lieu tenant-Colonel Kane pushed forward through a wood on the right, and suddenly found himself opposed by four regiments of infantry, supported by cavalry and artiUery. OPERATIONS OP THE ARMY BAST AND WEST. 185 The first regiment broke under the impetuous charge of the gallant Buclctails, and retreated behind the other regiments, posted beyond the crest of the hill. When Kane's men gained the crest and discovered the force of the enemy, Martin Kelley, a private in one of the companies, called out to Lieutenant-Colonel Kane: "Colonel, shall I draw their fire ?" and immediately rushing forward, received the full volley of three regiments and fell dead, pierced in every part of the body. Relying on supports, the band of Buck- tails held the enemy in check for more than an hour, doing terrible execution with their rifles ; but finally discovering the insignificance of the number of the opposing force, the enemy closed in on them, and forced them to retire with heavy loss. At one time during this spirited engagement, a rebel officer appeared in front of the enemy's Une, urging the men to charge ; almost immediately, Fred Holmes, one of the Bucktail riflemen, raised to his cheek the unerring rifle, and fired ; the officer leaped from the ground and fell dead. It was General Ashby, whose death was a host lost to the enemy. Lieutenant-Colonel Kane was wounded in the leg early in the engagement, but refused to allow him self to be carried from the field. Captain Charles F. Taylor assumed the active command, and after having withdra-wn the remnant of the battalion from the woods, under the pro tection of Bayard's cavalry. Captain Taylor, finding that his commanding officer had been left on the field, turned back to recover his body, if dead, or to assist him away if wounded; both, however, fell into the hands of the enemy, and were sent prisoners to Richmond. General Bayard's brigade now became part of Fremont's army, and acted with it until its union with the Army of the Potomac, under General Pope, at BuU Run. On the 8th of June, in the battle of Cross Keys, both the Bucktail battalion and the cavalry regiment were actively engaged and suffered severely. The battle commenced at half past eight o'clock in the morning, and untU four o'clock in the afternoon, Fremont struggled with aU his force to over- 186 HISTORY OF THE PENNSYLVANIA RESERVES. whelm and capture Jackson's army, and would, doubtlessly, have succeeded, but for the withdrawal of a brigade on the left, whose commander, misunderstanding an order to relieve the troops in his front, ordered them to fall back in good order. The battle ceased ; and during the night the wUy rebel withdrew his army in safety beyond the Shenan doah river, at Port Republic, and destroying the bridge, to prevent pursuit, escaped to Richmond, thus ending the Jackson raid, and the campaign of Banks, McDowell and Fremont in the Shenandoah valley. PENINSULAR CAMPAIGN. 187 CH.APTER VI. PENINSULAR CAMPAIGN — MECHANICSVILLE — GAINES' MILL. The Reserves in camp at Fredericksburg — Condition of brigades — General Reynolds military governor — General Ord, promotion, his military services — McClellan calls for reinforcements — Destruction of bridges at Fredericksburg — McCaU's division ordered to the Peninsula — Embarkation — Sailing to the White House — Disembarkation — March to Despatch statioji — Pursuit of enemy at Tunstall's station — Stuart's raid — Arrival of Third brigade — The Reserves save McClellan's line of communication — Concentration of the division at Despatch station — Strength of the division — March to new bridge. — Spirit of the men — McCall and his troops assigned the post of honor — March to Mechanics ville — The appearance of the troops — Position on Beaver Dam creek — Occupation of Jlechanicsville — Picket lines — Powerful armies face to face — Delay of the attack — The situation ; in Riclimond ; in the arpiies . — ^McClellan in doubt — Resolves to give battle — Position of the army — Advance ofthe left "wing — Position ot the right -wing — Jackson's move ment — Advance of the Rebel army — Battle of Mechanicsville — Night after the battle — Withdrawal to a new line-^Position at Gaines' Mill — Battle of Gaines' Mill — Desperate flghting by regiments — Official reports — Results. The departure of two divisions of the First corps for the Shenandoah valley, left McCall ¦with the Reserve Corps at Fredericksburg to hold the position, until General McDowell should return -with the other divisions of his command. General McCall moved his division from the rear of Fal mouth, to the position vacated by General King's division, opposite Fredericksburg, and established his headquarters in the Phillips House, situated on a hill half a mile north east from the Lacy House, which it surpassed in architectu ral beauty and elegance of finish. The Phillips House was in December, 1862, made the headquarters of General Burn side during the battle of Fredericksburg, 'and afterwards the headquarters of General Sumner ; in the spring of 1863, it was accidently destroyed by fire. 188 HISTORY OF THE PENNSYLVANIA RESERVES. On the 24th of May, General McDowell addressed a com munication to General McCall, requesting him to report which of his brigades was the least efficient or least flt to take the field ? To this inquiry. General McCall replied : " It is impossible for me to draw a satisfactory distinction between the brigades of my division ; in respect to their arms, they are equally efficient, having about the same number of smooth bore Harper's Ferry muskets in each, (say about twelve hundred,) while the remainder are rifle muskets. I consider all these brigades as fit to take the field as any in the service, as far as the physique and intelli gence of the men are questions; and the, discipline and instruction are good in all." Colonel McCalmont of the Tenth regiment, after the expe rience of a winter in camp, found his health rapidly faUing. He had applied himself most assiduously to the labor of preparing his regiment for effective service, and left nothing unaccomplished that his versatile genius could suggest as advantageous to the thorough discipline of his command. He was eminently successful ; but when the time came for the well drilled regiment to be led in active campaigns, Colonel McCalmont was obliged, on account of his broken health, to allow that honor to his junior officer. He accord ingly resigned his commission in the month of May, while the regiment was at Fredericksburg. Lieutenant-Colonel James T. Kirk was elected to the colonelcy, and commanded the regiment through the Peninsular campaign, and until after the battle of Antietam. On the 26th of May, General Reynolds' brigade marched across the river on a trestle bridge, and occupied the city of Fredericksburg. General Reynolds was appointed mihtary governor, and camped his brigade on the heights in the rear of the city. His administration of affairs in Fredericks burg was vigorous and equitable, so that the loyal citizens rejoiced in the estabUshment of the authority of the United States in their city. WhUe at Fredericksburg, the Third brigade lost its com- PENINSULAR CAMPAIGN. 189 mander, who, by his ability as an officer, had won the confi dence of the soldiers, and was much loved by all the men. Edward O. 0. Ord was born in the State of Maryland, in 1818, and graduated at the military academy at West Point in 1839. He was commissioned second Ueutenant of the Third regiment United States artillery, aad sent to Florida, to serve against the Seminole Indians. At the close of the Florida war, Lieutenant Ord was ordered to join the coast survey, where he served -with distinction. In 1846, he was sent to Califormia, and in 1851 he was promoted|to a captaincy and employed on the Atlantic coast. He was returned to the West, to serve in California and Oregon, in 1855. At the beginning of the war against the rebels, he came East, and in September, 1861, was commissioned a brigadier-general, and given the choice of several vacancies. General Ord, without a moment of hesitation, asked to be assigned to the command of the vacancy in the Pennsyl vania Reserve Corps; choosing that position both on account of his great confidence in the mUitary abilities of General McCall, and the honorable reputation afready attained by the regiments of his division. The Third brigade, under his instructions, rose rapidly in efficiency, and under his command, in December, fought and won the battle of Dranesville. In May, 1862, General Ord was promoted to a major-generalship, and was assigned to the command of a di-vision in the First corps. The brigade of Reserves parted with him in sorrow, and never again loved an officer so dearly. The vacancy was filled by the. assignment of Brigadier- General Truman Sey mour, who, previous to the promotion of General Ord, had been a captain in command of the United States battery attached to McCaU's division. After the battle of Fair Oaks, which ended on the first of June, General McCleUan repeated, -with renewed emphasis, his demands for reinforcements, which, from the day of his landing at Fortress Monroe, in April, until his departure 190 HISTORY OF THE PENNSYLVANIA RESERVES. from Harrison's Landing, in July, had been incessant. On the 4th of June, he telegraphed to the Secretary of War : " Terrible rain storm during the night and morning — not yet cleared off". Chickahominy flooded, bridges in bad con dition. Are still hard at work at them. I have taken every possible step to insure the security of the corps on the right bank, but I cannot reinforce them here untU my bridges are all safe, as my force is too small to insure my right and rear, should the enemy attack in that direction, as they may probably attempt. I have to be very cautious now. Our loss in the late battle will probably amount to seven thousand. I have not yet full returns. On account of the effect it might have on our own men and the enemy, I request that you will regard this information as confiden tial for a few daj^s. I am satisfied that the loss of the enemy was very considerably greater ; they were terribly punished. I mention these facts now, merely to show you that the Army of the Potomac has had serious work, and that no child's play is before it. "You must make your calculations on the supposition that I have been correct from the beginning in asserting that the serious opposition was to be made here. " Please inform me, at once, what reinforcements, if any, I can count upon having at Fortress Monroe or White House within the next three days, and when each regiment may be expected to arrive. It is of the utmost importance that I should know this immediately. " If I can have five new regiments for Fort Monroe and its dependencies, I can draw three more old regiments from there safely. I can well dispose of four more raw regiments on my communications. I can well dispose of from fifteen to twenty well-drilled regiments among the old brigades in bringing them up to their original effective strength. Ee- cruits are especially necessary for the regular and volunteer batteries of artillery, as well as for the regular and volun teer regiments of infantry. After the losses in our last battle, I trust I will no longer be regarded as an alarmist. PENINSULAR CAMPAIGN. 191 I believe we have at least one more desperate battle to fight." Among other reinforcements promised, in reply to this despatch. Secretary Stanton informed General McClellan, that General McCall would be ordered to move on trans ports to White House, as soon as McDowell's force re turned from its trip to Port Royal. On the 7th of June, the Secretary advised General McClellan of the departure of troops for the Peninsula, and inquired, whether he would, on their arrival, be in a condi tion to advance. To this General McCleUan replied : — " I have the honor to state that the Chickahominy river has risen so as to flood the entire bottoms to the depth of three and four feet. I am pushing forward the bridges in spite of this, and the men are working night and day, up to their waists in water, to complete thera. " The whole face of the country is a perfect bog, entirely impassable for artillery or even ^cavalry; except directly in the narrow roads, which renders any general movement, either of this or the rebel army, entirely out of the ques tion until we have more favorable weather. " I am glad to learn that you are pressing forward rein forcements so vigorously. " I shall be in perfect readiness to move forward and take Richmond, the moment McCall reaches here and the ground will admit the passage of artillery. I have advanced my pickets about a mile to-day, driving off the rebel pickets and securing a very advantageous position." When the disloyal pppulation of Fredericksburg learned' that many of the National troops were leaving that vicinity, and believing that all would soon be -withdrawn, they ex hibited great hostiUty to the Union cause, and became inso lent and abusive. General Reynolds, however, when he was appointed miUtary governor, at once adopted measures to restrain all unfriendly demonstrations. On the 4th of June, there was a great freshet in the river, which carried away all the bridges connecting Fredericksburg with the 192 HISTORY OF THE PENNSYLVANIA RESERVES. north bank of the Rappahannock. The pontoon bridge had been taken up the day before, by order of General McCall, the trestle bridge at the Lacy House gave way, and its tim bers lodging against the railroad bridge, caused that to sepa rate and float down the stream. The weight of these two striking the bridge of canal boats, swept it before them. Fortunately, the gunboat fleet succeeded in saving the ma terials, and enabled the engineer corps speedily to recon struct the bridges. When the citizens of Fredericksburg saw the rising torrent sweeping away the bridges, they collected on the shore, and manifested great joy, the men cheering -wildly, and the women waving their white handkerchiefs. They knew that the First brigade was cut off from com munication with the two other brigades north of the river, and they already began to meditate an attack on the troops in the city. They were reminded, however, that General McCaU's artillery commanded the city, and that it would open on it -with all its force if any hostile demonstrations were made against the troops on that side of the river. Without waiting for the absent divisions of McDoweU's corps to return to Fredericksburg, the authorities at Wash ington ordered General McCall to move his division of Pennsylvania Reserves to the Peninsula. A fleet of tran sports had been ordered up the Rappahannock to convey the troops to White House. Accordingly, on Sunday morn ing, the 8th of June, the regiments were ordered to cook rations and prepare to march. At sun-set the tents were struck, and knapsacks hastily packed, and in the darkness and stillness of night, the whole division marched through the woods, along the river bank to Gray's landing, about ten miles below Falmouth, where the brigades bivouacked at two o'clock on Monday morning. At daylight, the work of embarkation began, and was pushed forward with great vigor. Early in- the afternoon, the vessels carrying the First and Second brigades, steamed into line and moved down the river ; the music of the bands and the cheers of 1^1 5 nrri ATTCTNTTYoF ^T V ,/ g^ '^f sst'^' :^^__^ •ctt \ '^e George C.U- , \ /, X" Jf,- PENINSULAR OAMP-UGN. 193 the men reverberated through the forests and sounded along the shore. On Monday night, the fleet anchored off Port Conway, and weighing anchor at daylight on Tuesday, steamed down the river. At four o'clock in the afternoon it reached Chesa peake bay, and heading southwardly entered York river. During the night, many of the vessels came to anchor off' AVest Point, at the confluence of the Pamunky and the Mattapony rivers. On Wednesday morning, the Ilth, the 'fleet entered the Pamunky, and stealing along the low swampy shores of that exceedingly crooked river, the nu merous vessels seemingly moving in every diredtion, yet, all ascending the stream, after passing and meeting hun dreds of government transports, at nine o'clock in the even ing arrived at the White House, and the debarkation of the troops was immediately commenced. The Third brigade was delayed two days, Avaiting for transports and did not arrive at the White House until the 14th of June. As the vessels moved down the Rappahannock, passing the large plantations on its shores, the negroes assembled in large numbers and watched with delight the crowds of sol diers on their decks ; the untutored slave knew, intuitively, that good must come to him by the movement of armies through the South. They cheered each vessel as it passed, by s-winging their hats and handkerchiefs in the air, and sending forth exclamations of joy. At one point below Tappahannock, an old man appeared on shore -with his wife and son ; as the vessels approached, he commenced shout ing, " Oh 1 glory ! glory ! I wish I was -wid you, but I have no boat and can't s-wim. Oh ! glory ! glory 1 Massa Lincoln 1 can't I go -wid you!" Some of the men called to him to come out, they would take him. Immediately he rushed into the water, followed by wife and child, and pushed for ward until they stood up to their necks in the stream, im ploringly extending their hands, alternately shouting for joy, and pleading in tones of deep despair, for "Massa Lincoln " to take them on board. 13 194 HISTORY OP THE PENNSYLVANIA RESERVES. No helping hand was extended to meet the outstretched arms of the poor slave, imploring for deliverance. Suffer ing, toil, destruction, loss of wealth, wounds, death, had not been sufficiently endured by the Nation, to develop the Nation's policy. The servants of rebel masters were turned back to rebel plantations, there to labor for the production of provisions to supply the rebel army. The people had not yet learned wisdom through fear and suffering ; and the rulers had not yet been forced into the adoption of a liberal policy in dealing -ftith the loyal men of the South. Two years later, the entire fleet would have been stopped, and a brigade of colored men marched on board, organized, armed, drilled and sent to that por don of the field in which the battle raged the fiercest. As rapidly as the regiments were debarked, they marched up the York river and Richmond railroad, and bivouacked a short distance from the landing. The First and Second brigades were formed and marched to a forage depot on the railroad, near Tunstall's station. On the 13th, they resumed their march, and moved forward to Despatch station. Soon after the brigades had gone into camp, a report reached General McCall that the enemy's cavalry had attacked the raUroad guard at Tunstall's station. General Reynolds was ordered to move do-wn the raUroad to the relief of the guard. Colonel H. G. Sickel, who commanded the Second brigade, threw out camp guards and prepared his. command to resist an attack. It was already night, but the bright moon and stars made it almost light as day. The six companies of BucktaUs, commanded by Major Roy Stone, were thrown forward as skirmishers, and were closely followed by the other regiments of the First brigade. After a rapid march of eight mUes, the troops reached Tunstall's station, where they found a train of cars on fire and a -portion of the track torn up; but the enemy had disappeared. The fire was extinguished and the freight and station house saved. A detachment moved on to White House, as it was beheved, the enemy would attempt to destroy that immense depot of PENINSULAR CAMPAIGN. 195 supplies, and the shipping in the river. Fortunately, the Third brigade of the Reserves, commanded by General Seymour, arrived at the White House, and was debarking at the time of the alarm. These troops were immediately placed in positions to defend the depot and the rebel raider, finding the place strongly guarded, did not attack it. The enemy who had thus suddenly appeared in the rear of the Army of the Potomac, was Stuart's cavalry, on its famous raid. At "Old Church" near Hanover, they attacked and overpowered Captain Royall's squadron of the Fifth United States cavalry, and then pushed forward to destroy the railroad and the depot of supplies at the White House. The Pennsylvania Reserves, however, happening so oppor tunely on McCleUan's Unes of communication, thwarted the designs of the enemy, and saved the Army of the Potomac from great embarrassment. When the detachment of Stuart's cavalry arrived at Tunstall's station, the men dismounted, and awaited the arrival of the train ; when it approached the station, they fired at the locomotive and cars, and killed one man and wounded several. The engineer, however, escaped, and crowding on all the steam, succeeded in saving the train. The enemy then set fire to a train at the depot, and a park of wagons near the station. But, learning of the approach of Reynolds' brigade, the rebels cut short their work of destruction and withdrew to the swamps. In the morning, some of the laborers, who had fled to the woods at the approach of the rebels returned to the Station; the bodies of others, who had been killed, were found and buried. Several of Stuart's men, who had become intoxi cated on the spirits, taken from sutler's wagons, were found in the woods and captured. A butcher- from Richmond rode into camp ¦wild with frantic joy. He sat down with the Union soldiers and commenced to relate the exploits of his squad of men among the supply trains, and proposed to take out the Yankee prisoners and hang them. Finally, he was informed, that he himself wa,s a prisoner in the camp of the Yankees, and if any hanging was to be done he 196 HISTORY OF THE PENNSYLVANIA RESERVES. " might find himself at the ¦^vrong end of the rope." The drunken wretch was so alarmed at the sudden change of his situation, that he instantly became sober, and plead for his life. After tormenting him a short time, the Reserves sent him away under guard to the provost marshal. The pursuit of the enemy ha^ving ceased, the troops re turned to their camp, n^ar Despatch station, and on the 17th of June, the whole division of the Reserves, ¦with the ex ception of the cavalry and four companies of the Bucktails, who were with General Bayard in the Shenandoah valley, and the Sixth regiment, commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Henry B. McKean, which was ordered to remain at Tun stall's station, was united under General McCall. On the same day, the division was t-wice paraded for review hy General McClellan, but the general failing to arrive, the re view did not take place. All day long, the sound of artillery firing, far away to the southwest, was distinctly heard in camp, and the men felt that they were about to enter upon active service in the face of the enemy. General Meade, who had been detained at Fredericksburg on special duty, rejoined his command at Despatch station. The Reserve Corps numbered twelve thousand nine hun dred and sixty-six men ; of these, about two thousand were absent by authority, on detached service or sick in hospitals; fifteen privates and four officers, were absent without proper authority. Therefore, the fighting strength of the division, when it entered upon the Peninsular campaign, was ten thou sand officers and men. On the 17th, orders were issued, forbidding the beating of drums, the playing of bands or the making of any noise, that might enable the enemy to learn the position of the camp. Later in the day the regiments received orders to be ready to march early on the following moming. I^o reveille was sounded, but aU the men were up and ready to move before the order was given to march. Forage was scarce, and the roads rough, cut in holes, and severe on the teams. For two days, ¦without forage, the horses toiled PENINSULAR CAMPAIGN. 197 with the artillery and trains over the terrible roads; the men subsisted on hard bread; without a murmur, they marched forward to take thefr position on the extreme right of McClellan's army. Their line of march was often in sight of the rebel pickets, and sometimes under the enemy's fire. On the evening of the 18th, the division encamped near new bridge, on ground vacated by Franklin's divi-, sion. An officer in the Twelfth regiment, in a description of the camp at new bridge, says : — • " The Reserves soon found they were in a warm place. The Union troops were at work on the bridge over the Chickahominy, and the rebels had a battery in their front, ¦ firing constantly, in the attempt to drive the workmen from the bridge. Several men were killed and wounded that day, and the shells flew in decidedly close proximity to some of our young soldiers, who had not had the luck to be 'in' at DranesvUle, causing them to 'duck' their heads involuntarily, while older soldiers, who had 'faced the music' before, began to think we were having a decidedly lively time. It was an abrupt introduction to the realities of war, and served to brace the nerves of the boys for more of the same sort, soon to come." General McCall returned the flre of the enemy with his batteries. In a short time the flring ceased ; one man was sUghtly wounded and one of McCall's guns dismounted. On the morning of the 19th of June, General McQp,ll re ceived orders from General McClellan to move forward with the greater part of his division to Mechanicsville, and take a position on the extreme right of the Army of the Potomac. This was the post of greatest danger, and was, therefore) the post of honor. General Meade's brigade was ordered to remain at the camp on Gaintes' farm, in a position command ing new bridge. General Reynolds moved his brigade over the Walnut Grove Church road to Beaver Dam creek, near Mechanics-viUe, and took up a strong position on, the east bank of the creek ; the approaches on the west side were protected by a swamp difficult to pass. General Seymour 198 HISTORY OF THE PENNSYLVANIA RESERp-ES. marched up the river road near the Chickahominy, and formed his brigade on the bank of Beaver Dam creek, joining the left of Reynolds' brigade with his right, and extending the left of his line to the Chickahominy. General McCaU selected the position and placed his (troops with great care. Though the Une of the creek was, by the nature of the grounds in front, a strong posi tion for defence, the troops were immediately employed to strengthen the weaker points. The roads crossing the creek at EUerson's mUl, on the left, and another near the right of the line, were defended by epaulments and rifle pits. Not only the general officers, but the officers and privates of the di-vision thoroughly understood the import ance of the position to which they had been assigned, and also the necessity for its successful defence.' Moreover, the reputation of the Pennsylvania Reserve Corps had reached the Peninsula before the division arrived on that eventful field; nor did the men suffer by comparison with the troops who had for many toUsome weeks wasted their energy in the swamps of the Chickahominy. A cotemporary says :* " I saw this division when landed ; and in the march up the railroad to different positions, I could not but look upon them with considerable satisfaction, for their condition was so much better than that of the army which had been breathing the pestilential air of the Peninsula for three months." Two officers of the Peruvian army, who were present to observe the operations of McClellan's army, see ing the conduct of the Reserves when they landed at the White House, complimented them on their high state of discipline, and inquired how long they had been in service; when informed that they had volunteered from ci-vil life one year previous to that date, these officers were astonished at the progress they had made in the knowledge of mihtary duties, and especially remarked on the prompt obedience the men gave to the orders and commands of their officers. As soon as McCall had established his division on * Dr. Mark's Peninsular Campaign. MECHANICSVILLE. 199 Beaver Dam creek, he directed General Reynolds to post two regiments beyond the creek to picket the line of the Chickahominy, and guard the approaches to Mechanics ville. The Bucktail regiment, commanded by Major Roy Stone, and the Fifth, commanded by Colonel Simmons, were entrusted with that important duty. They moved forward to Mechanicsville, and extended their picket line to Atley's station. The rebel lines were on the opposite bank of the Chickahominy, and the pickets could with ease converse with each other. The most diligent vigi-- lance was kept day and night. The officers and men were fully aroused to the duties of the hour. The two most powerful armies that had ever faced each other on the Western Continent, now stood like two giants, armed for the death struggle. Foot to foot, sabre to sabre; eyes flashed mutual defiance, yet neither dare release to the other the locked sabre. The slightest pu.lsation on either bank of the Chickahominy was instantly felt on the other. Both ready for the fray, yet neither willing to strike the first blow. Eventful days, momentous hours, awful mo ments were gliding away in terrible delays! Days for whose loss the Nation atoned in sacrifices, carrying to their shallow graves tens of thousands of noble citizens, and con suming hundreds of millions of wealth. Every hour of the long weary days spent in repose, from the day of the battle of Fair Oaks, until the 25th of June, cost the Nation life and treasure never to be replaced. While General McClel lan was bridging rivers and swamps, and erecting defensive works, the Confederate General Lee was preparing for an offensive campaign against the army sent to beleaguer his Capital. After the battle of Fair Oaks, which ended in the com plete rout of the whole rebel army at Richmond on. the 1st of June, the road to the rebel Capital was open to the Army of the Potomac, and if General McClellan would have ordered forward that portion of his army south of the Chickahominy in pursuit of the flying enemy, the re- 200 HISTORY OF THE PENNS^YLVANIA RESERVES. mainder, amounting to two-fifths of his force, could have been brought forward in time to co-operate with the pur suing column. General J. G. Barnard, Chief Engineer, and General W. F, Barry, Chief of ArtUlry, says :* " The repulse of the rebels at Fair Oaks should have been taken advantage of It was one of those occasions which, if not seized, do not repeat themselves. We now know the state of demoralization and dismay in which the rebel army retreated. We now know that it could have been followed into Richmond. Had it been so, there would have been no resistance to overcome to bring over our right wing. Although we did not then know all that we now do, it was obvious at that time, that when the rebels struck a blow at our left -wing, they did not leave any means in their hands unused to secure success. It was obvious enough that they struck with their whole force; and yet we repulsed them in disorder with three-fifths of ours. We could have followed them up at the same time that we brought over the other two-fifths." An officer in the rebel army, in a communication to a European journal, says : "The most fearful panic fell upon Richmond, and all who could possibly get away packed up every thing they had and fled southward. The nearer the hostUe army ap proached the city the flercer the tumult and uproar became. The burning waves of popular alarm could not be stayed. The Government itself furthered the confusion. Instead of resolving to triumph or fall with the army in front of Richmond, it at once ordered aU the different bureaux to pack up, and caused the officers of ordnance to empty the magazines and convey their stores further south. Even President Davis took to the road, and hastened, with his wife and children to North Carolina. As may be readUy di-vined, this loss of presence of mind threw the people at * Report of the Engineer and Artillery operations of tlie Army of (In Potomac, page 65. MECHANICSVILLE. 201 large into the most frantic excess of terror. There was nothing on all sides but shouting and uproar, and con fusion reached its utmost height. The secret police of General Winder lost all control. The civil authorities of Richmond were anxious to do something, but knew not what, and also lost their senses. A small number of the Baltimore rabble took advantage of the hubbub, and, in public meeting, passed resolutions condemning Richmond to conflagration so soon as the Union troops should enter it. Yet all who could escape did so. The sick and woimded. were carried further into the interior ; many public and pri vate buildings were marked out for destruction ; and, 'in short, a frightful catastrophe seemed to. be impending over the Southern capital." General Johnston the Commander-in-chief of the rebel forces, was wounded at the battle of Fair Oaks, and the command of the army passed into the hands of General Lee, who, the same writer says : " Was exactly the man to bring quiet and order out of this unreasonable chaos. He went to work with great zeal and enegy to discharge his onerous task. All disposable troops were hastily summoned from the interior ; General Stonewall Jackson's army corps was ordered to Richmond ; all the hospitals were cleared of their occupants and pre parations made for ten thousand wounded men; artillery and ammunition wagons rattled by day and night through the streets, whUe aids and orderlies galloped to and fro in ¦wild hurry-scurry -with their despatches. " Masses of troops came pouring in daily, yes, hourly, but without music or any military pomp. Sternly and silently those ragged, half-starved swarms of men, moved onward through the thoroughfares; but the fire in their eyes showed that they were' determined to defend thefr freedom or perish, " On the 25th of June another great council of war was held. In it were assembled nearly all that was eminent in the Confederate army. There stood like a rock General 202 HISTORY OF THE PENNSYLVANLV RESERVES. Lee, gazing cheerfully over the countenances of his com rades, for each of -whom he had a part already assigned. Thoughtfully his eyes wandered from one to the other, as though he wished to stamp the features of each upon his memory, -^nth the feeling that he, perhaps, should never behold many of them again. Close beside him towered the knightly form of General Baldwin ; at his left leaned pas sively Stone-\A'all Jackson, the idol of his troops, impatiently swinging his sabre to and fro, as though the quiet room were too narrow for him, and he were longing to be once more at the head of his columns. A Uttle aside quietly stood the two Hills, arm in arm, while in front of them old General Wise was energetically speaking. Further to the right stood Generals Huger, Long-street, Branch, Anderson, Whiting, Ripley and Magruder, in a group. When all these generals had assembled, General Lee laid his plans before them, and in a few stirring words pointed out to each his allotted task. The scheme had already been elaborated. It was compact, concentrated action, and the result could not fail to be briUiant. " When the conference terminated, all shook' hands and hastened away to their respective army corps, to enter upon immediate activity." On the 24th of June, General McClellan learned from a deserter from the rebel army, that General Jackson's corps had been reinforced at Gordonsville, and that it was '' moving towards Frederickshall, along the Virginia Cen tral railroad, for the purpose of attacking the army in the rear, on the 28th." On the 25th of June, the bridges and intrenchments having at last been completed. General McClellan advanced his picket line on the left, preparatory to a general forward movement. Immecliatcly in front of the most advanced redoubt, on the AVilliamsburg road, was a large open field ; beyond that, a swampy belt of timber, some five hundred yards -wide, which had been disputed ground for many days. Further MECHANICSVILLE. 203 in advance was an open field, crossed by the Williamsburg road and the railroad, and commanded by a redoubt and rifle-pits of the enemy. It was decided to push the lines to the other side of these woods, in order to ascertain the nature of the ground, and to place Generals Heintzelman and Sumner in position to support the attack intended to be made on the Old Tavern, on the 26th or 27th, by General Franklin, by assailing that position in the rear. Between eight and nine o'clock, on the morning of the 25th, the advance was begun by General Heintzelman's corps. The enemy were found to be in strong force all along the line, and contested the advance stubbornly, but by sunset the object was accomplished. The troops engaged were the whole of Heintzelman's corps. Palmer's brigade of Couch's di-vision of Keyes' corps, and a part of Richardson's division of Sumner's corps. When General McClellan returned from the field on the left, he found at his headquarters additional information, which convinced him that Jackson, with a force of thirty thousand men, was moving against his communications with the White House. The policy of a change of base to the James river had already been discussed, and was looked upon -with favor by General McClellan and many of his ad-visers. McCleUan believed that the rebel army at Rich mond greatly outnumbered his own, and that if brought in contact on an equal field, the overwhelming force of the enemy would decide the battle in favor of the Confederates. He therefore was exceedingly anxious to secure the co-ope ration of the fleet of gunboats on the James. The distance to the James river was only seventeen miles, but the nature of the ground made the movement a dangerous one, and exceedingly difficult to accomplish in the face of the enemy. The plan was however renounced, and General McClellan determined to feel the enemy in front of his left wing, and, if possible, renew the battle of Fair Oaks, with the impor tant advantages in his favor of available bridges across the 204 HISTORY OF THE PENNS'YLVANIA RESERVES. Chickahominy, which would enable him to concentrate the whole army on either bank of the river. If the challenge was not accepted, he would, at least, have advanced his lines towards Richmond, and by daily renewing the move ment, would soon concentrate his whole army south of the Chickahominy, and thus bring the enemy to battle! With this determination, the advance was ordered on the 25th. At five o'clock in the evening. General McClellan tele graphed from the field to Secretary Stanton : " The affair is over, and we have gained our point fully, and with but Uttle loss, notwithstanding the strong opposi tion. Our men have done all that could be desired. The affair was partially decided by two guns that Captain De Russey brought gallantly into action under very difficult circumstances. The enemy was driven from the camps in front of this-place, and is now quiet." But when he returned to his headquarters, and heard that both Jackson and Beauregard had joined their forces to Lee's army, he feared the consequences of a battle, and at a quarter past six o'clock, on the same evening, telegraphed to the President : "I am inclined to think that Jackson will attack my right and rear. The rebel force is stated at two hundred thousand, including Jackson and Beauregard. I shall have to contend against vastly superior odds, if these reports be true. But this army will do all in the power of men to hold their position and repulse any attack. " I reg:^et my great inferiority in numbers, but feel that I am in no way responsible for it, as I have not faUed to represent repeatedly the necessity of reinforcements, that this was the decisive point, and that aU the available means of the government- should be concentrated here. I wiU do all that a general can do with the splendid army I have the honor to command, and, if it is destroyed by overwhelming numbers, can at least die with it and share its fate. But if the result of the action, which -will probably occur to-mor row, or -within a shOrt time, is a disaster, the responsibUity MECHANICSVILLE. 205 cannot be thrown on my shoulders ; it must rest where it belongs." Subordinate officers partook of the spirit of their com mander ; everything in the left wing of the army began to wear the appearance of despondency. Rumors of the great increase of the Confederate army were circulated among the troops, and at headquarters the very atmosphere seemed to betray the absence of that "vigor which is given by hope and distinctness of plan. On the right, at MechanicsviUe, McCall's division labored hourly, strengthening its position. These troops had but recently arrived on the Peninsula. The men were yet full of energy and hope, and the officers were confident of suc cess. The spires of the rebel capital were in sight of their Camps, and the Reserves beUeved that they awaited only the orders to move, and that when these were received, they could march triumphantly to Richmond. Up to the even ing of the 25th of June, the troops were buoyant in spirit. On the left, the di-visions rejoiced in the success of the day, and confidently looked for still more brilliant achievements on the morrow. On the right, across the Chickahorniny, lay General Fitz John Porter's corps, including the Pennsylvania Reserves, the di-vision of Regulars commanded by General Sykes, and Morrell's di-vision — all eager for battle and confident of the result. But, at headquarters, orders were issued to General Casey to prepare for 'vigorous resistance at the White House, and to erect defensive works at Tunstall's-station. Trains of suppUes on the railroad were reversed and sent back to the Pamunkey ; transportation was ordered to move back towards Bottom's bridge, and the quartermasters were directed to move their supplies and ammunition up the James river. The change of base had been determined upon, and the orders for its execution issued. Thursday, the 26th, came on so still and motion less that, along the entire front of the hostile armies, nature seemed loth to rouse from her dreamy slumbers. No enemy stirred in front of the left wing,, and the dread quiet that 206 HISTORY OF THE PENNS^YL VANIA RESERVES. precedes the storm hung over the armies on the banks of the Chickahominy. General McCall had completed the defences on the line of Beaver Dam creek ; the general had full confidence in his troops, and the men believed their fortifications could not be carried by any force the enemy might send against them. In front of the line of rifle-pits the ground descended for a distance, varying from seventy-flve to one hundred and fifty feet, to the creek, which was difficult to ford and wholly impracticable for artillery ; beyond the creek there was a swamp that could not be passed by horses or artUlery, and -formed a serious obstruction to infantry. Two roads led from Mechanicsville through this swamp, one crossmg Beaver Dam creek at EUerson's mill near the Chicka hominy, and the other, crossing one mile further up the stream, led to Coal Harbor. The left of McCaU's line rested on the Chickahominy, and the right extended to a dense woods and swamp, north of the upper road. On the morning of the 26th, Colonel Simmons, with the Fifth regi ment, and the Bucktails, commanded by Major Roy Stone, were guarding the Mechanicsville and Meadow bridges, and picketing the river to a point beyond Meadow bridge. Four companies of the Ffrst regiment, under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel Mclntyre, were sent forward to Mechan ics-viUe on fatigue duty. At twelve o'clock, the Second regiment, commanded by Colonel McCandless, was ordered forward to Mechanics"ville. Colonel Farnsworth, command ing the Eighth Illinois cavalry, formed the left ¦wing of the cavalry corps, which held a line of pickets from Hanover Court House to the Chickahominy, above Atley's station. / On the left and rear of the two brigades commanded hy General Reynolds and General Seymour, was General Meade's brigade, in reserve. These, with Morrell's and Sykes' di^visions, numbering in all, about twenty-seven thousand men, constituted the right wing of the Army of the Potomac, and were strongly posted on the left bank of the Chickahominy, from Beaver Dam creek to a point MECHANICSVILLE. 207 below New bridge. The centre, consisting of Smith's, Sedgwick's, and Richardson's divisions stretched in line of battle from Goulden's, on the right bank of the river, to a point south of the York river and Richmond railroad. The left -wing, consisting of Hooker's, Kearney's, and Couch's di-visions, extended from Richardson's left, to a point beyond the Williamsburg stage road, to the borders of White Oak swamp. The whole line was protected by a skillfully designed system of earthworks. From this position the left -wing was pushed forward a short distance, on Wednes day, the 25th of June. At three o'clock on Thursday morning, the 26th of June, the rebel General Jackson commenced his march from Ash land, and moved do'wn the roads between the Pamunkey and the Chickahominy rivers. Driving the cavalry outposts back towards Atley's station, he uncovered General Branch's front, who immediately crossed the river on the Brook turnpike bridge, and wheeUng to the right, moved do-wn the Chickahominy, driving the Eighth Illinois cav afry before him, towards Meadow bridge. At one o'clock in the afternoon. Major Roy Stone, commanding the Buck taU regiment, received orders to march his reserve force, consisting of three companies, to the assistance of the cavalry that was slowly falling back in the face of the enemy. Major Stone moved forward promptly ; he posted Captain Wistar 's company at the junction of the three roads leading to Meadow bridge, Crenshaw's bridge and Atley's station ; Captain Irvin's company was formed across Cren shaw's road, about three hundred yards in front of the iunction, and Captain Jewett's company was thrown for ward toward Atley's station, to act as skirmishers for the cavalry, beyond the road leading to Shady Grove Church. Colonel Farnsworth supposed the enemy's force consisted of a battalion of infantry and a squadron of cavalry. Cap tain Jewett, however, had scarcely deployed his company, when the enemy's infantry appeared in his front in heavy force. The Bucktails opened fire at short range, and with 208 HISTORY OF THE PENNSYLVANIA RESERVES. such good effect, that the enemy halted in confusion. At the moment Captain Jewett's company became engaged with the enemy, Major Stone was informed that his three companies, left to guard Meadow bridge, had been ordered by Colonel Simmons to fall back, and that the enemy was crossing the bridge and moving to gain his rear. Major Stone immediately ordered Captain Jewett to fall back rapidly towards the junction of the roads. Whea the major arrived at the junction, he found Captain Wistar already sharply engaged -with the enemy advancing from Meadow bridge. He made a stubborn resistance, endeavoring to hold the enemy in check until Captain Jewett should join him ; the enemy, however, gathered rapidly in great force in his front, cut off his line of retreat on Mechanicsville, and forced him to fall back on a road that led northward through the swamp ; he retired slowly, fighting over every step of the ground, still hoping to hear from Captain Jewett. Finding that Jewett's company was now cut off, and in danger of being surrounded, Major Stone galloped back and led the company to the left, through the swamp, and, by great efforts, succeeded in bringing it safely to the intrenchments on Beaver Dam creek. Captain Irving, who had been ordered to guard the Crenshaw road, was advised to fall back to a safer place by the same messenger who informed Major Stone of the enemy's flank movement, but like a true soldier, he declined to leave his position without orders from his commanding officer. Orders were sent, but arrived too late. All the avenues of escape were already held by the enemy, and the woods were swarming 'with rebel troops. The men hid away in the swamp, where they remained, surrounded by the enemy, until the following Monday, when, finding no relief, and suffering from hunger, they buried their rifles, and came out and delivered them selves up to the enemy. The companies that had been on picket, fell back with the Fifth regiment, and joined the other companies in the intrenchments. In the meantime. General McCall had sent forward MECHANICSVILLE. 209 General Reynolds, with a portion of the First brigade, to form an advance line of battle at Mechanicsville. The check given to the advance of the enemy by the sharp firing of Major Stone's riflemen, enabled General Reynolds to form his line with the Fifth regiment and the companies of the First and Bucktail regiments, and to bring up the Second regiment to their support. Colonel McCandless was sent forward with the Second, on the road towards Shady Grove Church, with orders to hold the enemy in check, and to fall back gradually on Mechanicsville. At about half-past two o'clock. General Reynolds slowly with drew his brigade behind Beaver Dam creek, and occupied his intrenchments. The line of battle was formed in the following order, from right to left: on the extreme right were seven companies of the Second regiment, Lieutenant- Colonel McCandless ; then six companies of the First rifles. Major Stone; the Fifth regiment. Colonel Simmons; the First regiment, Colonel Roberts; the Eighth regiment. Colonel Hays; the Tenth regiment. Colonel Kirk; the Ninth regiment. Colonel Jackson, and the Twelfth regi ment. Colonel Taggart, which occupied the extreme left ; Meade's brigade, held in reserve, consisted of the Third regiment. Colonel Sickles; the Fourth regiment. Colonel Magilton, and the Seventh regiment. Colonel Harvey. Easton's battery of four twelve-pounder Napoleon guns, and Kern's battery of six twelve-pounder howitzers, were also ' held in reserve. The Sixth regiment. Lieutenant- Colonel McKean, was at Tunstall's railroad station ; the Eleventh, Colonel GaUagher, was on picket on the Chickahominy. Cooper's battery of six ten-pounder Parrott guns was placed north of the upper road, with the right of Reynolds' brigade; Smead's United States regular battery of four twelve-pounder Napoleon guns was placed south of the same road. Both these batteries completely commanded the road across the creek and through the swamp. De Harts' regular battery of six twelve-pounder Napoleon guns was stationed near the centre of the line and commanded a 14 210 HISTORY OF THE PENNSYLVANIA RESERVES. more distant section of the same road, and also the dfrect road leading from MechanicsviUe, to EUerson's mill. General Reynolds formed the line ofthe First brigade post ing the Second regiment, commanded by Lieutenant- Colonel McCandless, on the extreme right, in a dense woods in front of a ford across Beaver Dam creek ; two companies were sent forward under Major Woodward with orders to hold the ford; one company was posted in a dry swamp joining the right of the Bucktail regiment, the remaining companies extended through the woods between these two points, and on the right of Cooper's battery, which occupied a commanding hill. The Bucktail regiment, commanded by Major Stone, and two companies of United States sharpshooters. Captain Drew and Captain Giroux, held the rifle pits in front of Cooper's battery, and commanded the crossings at the Coal Harbor road. Colonel Simmons formed the Fifth regiment in the cover of a belt of woods on the left of the road, join ing the Bucktails; one company was placed in the rifle pits, and Lieutenant- Colonel Fisher in command of a heavy skfrmish line was thrown forward to receive the enemy advancing through the swamp. The four companies of the First regiment, which had been sent to Mechanicsville in the morning retired slowly, skirmishing 'with the enemy on the EUerson mill road. Colonel Roberts, by order of General Seymour, deployed •the remaining companies of his regiment to support De Hart's battery. When Lieutenant Mclntire came in fol lowed by the enemy, he joined the regiment, and immedi ately General Reynolds ordered Colonel Roberts to move his regiment to a woods on the Mechanicsville road, to support Cooper's battery in its terrible struggle agamst the large forces of the enemy attacking it by terrible assaults. As soon as the bridges across the Chickahominy had been uncovered by the withdrawal of Reynolds' brigade, the enemy rushed over in great force, and at three o'clock, two powerful divisions of Lee's army, each of which out numbered the Reserves, were in front of McCaU's line of MECHANICSVILLE. 211 intrenchments, A third division, commanded by General Branch, was moving against his right flank, and Jackson's corps of thirty thousand men, far to the right and rear, was sweeping dowu the south bank of the Pamunkey. Tl^e enemy in McCall's front consisted of the divisions of the rebel Generals A. P. Hill and D. H. Hill. The. skirmishers came forward rapidly and boldly. McCall's artillery sud denly burst upon the advancing column with a deafening roar, and with terrible effect. The enemy replied vigorously, but provoked at the superiority of the national artillery, and suffering severely from the terrific shower of shells, the rebel general determined to close in on the Reserves at short range. General Lee had arrived on the field, and ordered the divisions to form and charge the batteries. The Une was formed of the trustiest troops; every thing was now ready ; the enemy's artUlery was plied to its utmost power ; the command was given, and from the woods, out from the swamps, down the roads, along the entire front, ¦with shriek and yeU, flashing fire, thunder, and curling smoke, forward they came. Now was the instant of terrible trial. The Pennsylvania Reserves against thrice their number; General McCaU with Rejmolds, Meade and Sey mour, against General Lee, the two Hills, Pender and Ripley. On came the rebel hosts. McCall galloped along his entire Une, and found every man in position confident of victory. The artillery, from Cooper's right to De Hart's left, poured, with the full strength of its destructive power, showers of shell and spherical case upon the enemy's front, tearing great gaps through his ranks, which were immediately closed ; the desperate foe pressed steadily forward until within less than one hundred yards of the rifle pits, when a sheet of consuming flame flashed along the entire line from right to left, and the roar of musketry vied with the thunder of artillery ; the carnage in the enemy's ranks was a^wful ; the charging column reeled beneath the murderous fire, and like a wounded monster hurled itself back from the line ofthe creek, and took shelter in the swamp. In the midst of the terrible 212 HISTORY OF THE PENNSYLVANIA RESER^VES. charge. General McCaU, finding the hea^viest column pushmg against his right, advanced from the reserve Kerns' battery, supported by Colonel Sickles' regiment. The enemy soon rallied, and pushing forward heavy columns of fresh troops assaulted again and again the line of the Reserves. On the right a Georgia and Louisiana regiment, braving the terrific fire of artillery and musketry, charged through the swamp, wading the creek in water breast deep, and gained the firm ground in front of the right wing. Colonel McCandless at the head of the Second regiment rushed forward to meet the enemy; the contest for a short time was a desperate hand to hand encounter, the hostile banners almost touching each other. Reinforcements were hurried to the right, McCall sent in his reserve, and General Porter sent forward Griffin's brigade to protect McCall's right flank, but before aid arrived General Reynolds had with his own brigade whipped the enemy in his front and repelled his last charge with fearful slaughter. FaUing on the right to overcome the Second, the Buck- ¦ tails, the Fifth and the First regiments, the undaunted foe hurled his columns with furious desperation against the left. The wily rebel, however, found more than an equal in the commander of the Reserves. General McCall had already sent Easton's battery, supported by the Fourth regi ment, Colonel Magilton to General Seymour to strengthen the force at EUerson's mill, and as soon as the enemy was seen advancing against that point, the Seventh regiment, commanded by Colonel Harvey, was ordered to the extreme, left of the Third brigade to protect the left flank, in case the eneray should atterapt to cross the creek below the mill. General Seymour had ordered Colonel Hays, commanding the Eighth regiment, to hold the rifle pits in front of Easton's battery. Six corapanies were posted in the rifle pits, and four were sent forward across the meadow, along the creek, as skirmishers to receive the enemy. Colonel Kirk of the Tenth regiment directed Major Smith to occupy the rifle pits in front of De Hart's battery ¦with four companies; one MECHANICSVILLE. 213 company was sent to support Easton's battery, and five companies, in command of Lieutenant- Colonel Warner, were thrown forward as skirmishers into the border of the swamp. Colonel Taggart ordered eight companies of the Twelfth regiment to occupy the rifle pits on both sides of the road at EUerson's mill ; two companies were sent forward to hold the rifle pits near the mill in advance of the right of the * Une, and commanding the road beyond the meadow. In rear of the rifle pits was placed a section of Cooper's bat tery, commanded by Lieutenant FuUerton ; the Ninth regi ment. Colonel Jackson, supported the Twelfth. Between four and five o'clock in the afternoon, General Lee launched a heavy column down the EUerson mill road against Seymour's brigade, and maintained a furious attack until night, repeatedly attacking in the most terrific charges. But the same steadiness that had met the assaults O'a the right, repulsed with murderous slaughter the assailants on the left. The companies thrown forward as skirmishers made the most obstinate resistance, as they slowly reti»ed to their intrenchments ; and the companies in the rifle pits, after discharging every cartridge in their boxes and pockets, were, •with the coolness of veterans, relieved by their supports. The battle raged without cessation from three o'clock in the afternoon until nine at night ; rolling repeatedly in heavy columns and desperate charges from right to left. Lee knew that the success of his great stragetic scheme of outflanking McClellan's army, required the dislodgement of McCaU's division from Beaver Dam creek. He therefore spared no sacrifice, employed his whole disposable force in the most desperate efforts, and failed. Two veteran divisions of his army had been repulsed with such terrible slaughter, that they could not renew the attack. A third division, com manded by General Branch, was repeatedly sent for but did not arrive untU the battle was over. If it had arrived in time, it too would have left dead in the swamps hundreds of its bravest men : for near the close of the battle, fresh troops arrived to relieve the Reserves. But McCall's men 214 HISTORY OF THE PENNSYLVANIA RESERVES. refused to be reUeved ; they replenished thefr ammunition and slept on the field, expecting to encounter the foe in the morning. In this battle, which is known as the " Battle of Mechan- ics^ville," McCaU's di-vision lost thirty-eight kUled, one hun dred and seventy -two wounded, and two hundred and eleven missing. No report has been published of the enemy's loss. All night long the wails and groans of the wounded rose from the swamp in front of the Reserves ; piteous cries for help, the moans of the dying, prayers, curses, and execra tions, filled the air from the hour the battle ceased until, on the following morning, the roar of artillery smothered the cries of agony. General McCall made the follo-wing report of the Battle of Mechanics-viUe, to General F. J. Porter, commanding the Fifth corps : Captain T. F. Locke, Assistant Adjutant-General. Sm : — I have the honor to submit herewith a report ofthe operations of my division in the Battle of Mechanicsville. On the afternoon of the nineteenth of June I received through you the orders of General McClellan to move forward with the '¦^¦greater part" of my division to Mechanicsville, and relieve Taylor's brigade, (of Franklin's corps,) then the extreme right of the army of the Potomac. In accordance -with this order I advanced the First and Third brigades, commanded respectively by Brigadier- Generals John F. Reynolds and T. Seymour, to Beaver Dam creek, this side of Mechanicsville, and occupied a strong position on its left bank, near its junction with the Chickahominy. From this position I ordered one regiment of infantry and a battery to be thrown forward to the heights in front of the village to relieve Taylor, and a strong line of pickets to be established as far forward as Meadow bridge. I held in reserve the Second brigade (Meade's) in front of Gaines' farm, ready to act either in support of the First and Third brigades, or to oppose the crossing at New bridge, should it be attempted. The position selected on Beaver Dam creek was naturally a strong one, the left resting on the Chickahominy, and the right extending to dense woods, (beyond the upper Mechanicsville road,) which were occupied. The passage of the creek was diflScult throughout the greater pnrt of my front, and, with the exception ofthe roads crossing at EUer son's mill, near my left, and that near my right, above mentioned, MECHANICSVILLE, 215 impracticable for artillery. On the right of the last-named road an epaulement calculated for four pieces of field artillery was thrown up, and rifle-pits for a regiment each were constructed in front of each brigade. Cooper's battery, of six ten-pounder Parrott guns, on the right of the upper road, (four of them behind the epaulement,) and / Smead's (regular) battery of four twelve-pounder Napoleon guns on the left of the road, commanded that approach. De Hart's (regular) battery of six twelve-pounder Napoleon guns was stationed near the front centre, commanding a more distant view of the same road, and also the lower road direct to the village by EUerson's mill. Easton's and Kern's batteries were with the Second brigade in reserve, in this position I awaited any movement the enemy might initiate. Cobb's Legion, of the confederate army, was encamped within view, on the opposite side of the Chickahominy, and A. P. Hill's division on his right, and about a quarter of a mile in the rear ; detachments from both of which held two redoubts and an extensive line of rifle-pits along the crest of the highlands overlooking the river. At about noon of the twenty-sixth, the enemy was discovered to be in motion, and at half-past twelve my pickets at Meadow bridge were driven in, whereupon those along the- road were ordered to fall back. Not long afterward, when the head of his column appeared in front of Mechanicsville, the infantry and artillery there were withdrawn. In the meantime Meade's brigade had been ordered forward, and directed to occupy ground in rear of the line, where they would be out of range of musketry, and at practicable distance for the support of any part of the field. My line of battle was formed in the following order, from right to left : On the extreme right were seven companies of the Second regi ment. Lieutenant- Colonel McCandless ; then six companies ofthe First Rifles., Major Stone ; the Fifth regiment, Colonel Simmons ; the First regiment. Colonel Roberts ; /the Eighth regiment, Colonel Hays ; the Tenth regiment. Colonel Kirk ; the Ninth regiment, Colonel Jackson, and the Twelfth regiment, Colonel Taggart, which occupied the extreme left. Meade's brigade, in reserve, consisted of the Third regiment, Colonel Sickel ; the Fourth regiment, Colonel Magilton ; and the Seventh, regi ment, Colonel Harvey. Easton's battery of four twelve-pounder Napo leon guns, and Kern's battery of six twelve-pounder howitzers, were also held in reserve. I should here mention that the Sixth regiment, Lieu tenant-Colonel McKean, having been detached some days before, was at Tunstall's railroad station, while the Eleventh regiment. Colonel Gallagher, was on picket on the Chickahominy. These two regiments were consequently thrown out ofthe engagement, except that the Elev enth was brought forward on tho morning of the twenty-seventh, and was under fire (losing one man) for a short time before being with drawn; The Fourth regiment Pennsylvania cavalry, Colonel Childs, attached to the Pennsylvania reserves, was under arms and in readiness 216 HISTORY OF THE PENNSYLVANIA RESERVES. for any service that might be required of it, but was not called into action. At about three o'clock P. M. the enemy's lines were formed m my front, and their skirmishers were rapidly advanced, delivering their flre as they came forward. They were speedily driven back by a dis charge of artillery and a ratthng reply of musketry. At this moment I rode along the front of several regiments, and I remarked in the cheerful and animated countenances of the men the promise of that brilliant success which they so nobly achieved in the sequel. In a short time the enemy, who was commanded by General Robert E. Lee in person, boldly advanced in force under cover of a heavy aitil- lery fire, and attacked my position from right to left. It was not long, however, before I was satisfied that his main attack was directed upon my right, and in consequence I ordered Kern's battery thither, and supported it by advancing frora the reserve the Third regiment, Colonel Sickel. Here for a long time the battle raged with great fury. The Georgians now rushed headlong against the Second regiment, but only to be mowed down by those gallant fellows, whose commander soon sent to the rear some seven or eight prisoners takenJn the rencontre. After this the enemy retired for a time from the close contest on the right, but along the line from the right centre to the extreme left kept up a heavy general discharge of artillery and small arms, which, with the rapid reply of the Reserves, was at times multiphed to an unbroken roar of thunder. Somewhat later in the day, a heavy column was launched down the road to EUerson's mill, where another most deter mined attack in force was made. I had already sent Easton's battery to General Seymour, commanding the left wing, and I now despatched the Seventh regiment, Colonel Harvey, to the extreme left, apprehend ing that the enemy might attempt to turn that flank, by crossing the creek below the mill. Here again the Reserves maintained their posi tion, and sustained their character for steadiness in flne style, never re tiring one foot during a severe struggle with some of the very best troops of the enemy, flghting under the direction of their most distin guished general. For hour after hour the battle was hotly contested, and the rapid flre of our artillery, dealing death to an awful extent, -was unintermitted, while the greatly superior force of the enemy enabled him to precipitate column after column of fresh troops upon my nearly exhausted lines. About sunset Griflin's brigade, of Morrell's division, arrived on the ground, together with Edward's battery. I requested the gallant Gene ral to move his brigade to the extreme right, that being the weakest point of my position. Some time elapsed before these troops reached the ground indicated, and as the evening was now far advanced, only a portion of his force could be brought into action. A short time, how ever, before the close of the engagement, the Fourth Michigan, Colonel "Woodbury, relieved the Fifth Reserves, whose ammvmition was ex- MECHANICSVILLE. 217 hausted, and two companies of the Fourteenth New York joined the First Rifles and the detachment of the Berdan Sharpshooters. Ed ward's battery had been left by Griffln in reserve, and late in the even ing I turned it over to General Seymour to be put in position on the left. About nine o'clock P. M. this well-contested action terminated by the withdrawal ofthe enemy with very heavy loss. My attention was now directed to the cleaning of the arms and the issuing of ammunition, to be in readiness for the resumption of the combat in the morning. This consumed our time till one o'clock A. M. of the twenty-seventh. The troops had but httle time for rest, as before daybreak I received through you. General McClellan's order to withdraw my division and fall back to the .rear of Gaines' mills. This order, I confess, gave me sorae concern. Had it reached me at midnight, the movement might have been accomplished without diffi culty and without loss ; but now it -svould be daylight before the move ment, which, tmder flre, is one of the most delicate and difficult in war, particularly in presence of a greatly superior force, could be commenced. I, nevertheless, went to work without a moment's delay. Meade's brigade was the first to be withdrawn, but before this was accomplished the enemy opened flre upon us. His fire -was promptly returned, and soon became general, along the line. Under these circumstances great caution and deliberation became necessary to screen the movement, and consequently the troops had to be withdrawn slowly and at inter vals. Meade's brigade, however, retired in excellent order. Grifiha's brigade and battery I then ordered to withdraw ; this was done cooly and successfully. Reynold's brigade followed, during which movement a scattering fire was kept up, and this was continued until all the artil lery was brought out of action, Lastly, Seymour's brigade was brought out. In fine, our killed had been buried, our wounded had been sent off by seven o'clock A. M., on the twenty-seventh, and not a man, nor a gun, nor a musket was left upon the field. The regiments filed past as steadily as if marching from the parade-ground ; and it must have been some time before the enemy were aware that we were gone, as no attempt was made to follow us immediately. My loss in this battle, as near as I have been able to ascertain, was thirty-three killed, and one hundred and fifty wounded. The loss of the enemy was heavy beyond precedent in this war, ia proportion to the numbers engaged. The strength of my division on the field did not exceed seven thousand, including officers ; that of the enemy was somewhere near twenty thousand. Hill's division alone was officially reported in the Richmond papers at fourteen thousand in this battle, and was admitted to have been reduced by casualties, after battle of New-Market Cross-Roads, to eight thousand. I learned from official authority, while a prisoner in Richmond, that General Lee's loss in killed and wounded at Mechanicsville did not fall short of two thou sand. In the official returns pubUshed, it was admitted that the First 218 HISTORY OF THE PENNSYLVANIA RESERVES. North Carolina lost nearly one-half its effective force, and the Forty- fourth Georgia nearly two-thirds. "Stonewall" Jackson's artiUery was in the battle with himself personally, although his infantry was several miles to the right of my position. ¦Where all so gallantly supported the honor ofthe flag, it would appear invidious to particularize, but my thanks are particularly due to Gene rals Reynolds, Meade and Seymour ; to Colonels Simmons and Taggart; to Lieutenant-Colonel McCandless and Major Stone, all of the Reserves, and who were all zealous and active, as well as gallant, in the discharge Of their arduous duties throughout this well-fought action. The offlcers of artillery especially distinguished themselves, Easton, De Hart, Smead, Cooper and Kerns. General Meade is entitled to credit for his prompt ness and zeal in carrying out all instructions conveyed to him, though not directly engaged. It is with much pleasure I acknowledge my obligation to Brigadier-General Griffln, who promptly brought his flne brigade to my support at a time when it was supposed to be needed. Also to General Morrell, who brought his division within supporting distance, and -was ready to act had aid been required. My personal Etas', Captain H. J. Biddle, Assistant Adjutant-General, and Lieutenants Scheetz and Meconkey, Aids-de-camp, as well as Lieutenant Beatty, Acting Ordinance Officer, deserve special notice for their gallantry in carrying orders, and for the other duties incident to their offices. General Porter made the foUowing report to General McClellan. BrIGADIER-GbNEHAL S. VyiLLIAMS, Assistant Adjutant-General. Genekai, : — I have to report that, in accordance with the general instructions communicated tf) me at the time when the operations ofthe right wing of this army were confided to my care, by the Major- General commanding, the extreme flanking force was disposed with a view to the observations of the bridges crossing the Chickahominy at Meadow bridge, and Mechanicsville, and the line through Hanover to the Pamunkey. There were outposts placed at these bridges them selves, the supporting forces being strongly posted on the east side of the Meadow or Beaver creek, -which runs through a ravine, and joins the Chickahominy about a mile east of Mechanicsville. This support- mg force consisted of two brigades of the Pennsylvania Reserve under the command of Brigadier-General John F. Reynolds ; the remainder Meade's brigade of McCall's division, of which these brigades formed a part, was held in reserve with Morrell's and Sykes' division on Gains' farm. The position is naturally a strong one. To increase its defensi- bility, earthworks were erected, under the supervision of General Reynolds, and masked from the view of the enemy. MECHANICSVILLE. 219 On Thursday, the S6th of June, the enemy commenced crossing the bridges already named. In accordance with directions previously given, the outposts observing the access to the crossing fell back alter slight resistance, to the already selected line of battle, on the eastern crest of Meadow creek, destroying the bridges as they retired. Meade's brigade ¦was immediately advanced to the support of Reynolds, together with. Martindale' s and Griffin's brigades of Morrell's division. General McCall at an early hour joined his command in front. I The road paraUel to the Chickahominy intersected the line of troops above described near its left. The road from Mechanicsville turns just before reaching Meadow creek valley, and runs nearly parallel to it, thus presenting the flank of an approaching enemy to the flre of troops disputing the passage. Down this road and into the ravine came the enemy's column in good order and great force. -Our troops were con cealed by earthworks, flanking this road on the lower side of the ravine. The men cooly reserved their flre until the head of the enemy's column was nearly across, then opened a terribly destructive volley in the face, and flank of the advancing foe. The survivors turned and fled in con- stei'nation, and no second attempt was made in force to cross the road. The enemy then deployed and took position on the opposite side of the ravine, placing artillery in such positions as they could select, and from that time until after dark employed their time mainly in persistent efforts to drive us from our position by near fire of musketry and artil lery, efforts which I cannot but think were attended with double the loss to them that we suffered. The firing ceased about nine o'clock in the evening, and the men lay on their arms in ranks, as they had stood. during the day, while exertions were being made by their officers to refill their exhausted cartridge boxes, and to bring food to such men as had none in their haversacks,- and by the Medical department to care for and remove to the rear the wounded, happily not very numerous on our side. All was made ready for a renewal of the contest on the old ground, or in advance toward Richmond, iiia the bridges which the enemy had crossed should our success warrant it. During the night, however, as the Commanding General (who had joined me at an early hour in the afternoon, and remained until about ten o'clock at night,) is aware, numerous and unvarying accounts came in from our outposts, and scouts toward tho Pamunkey, which tended to corroborate the pre- -viously received intelligence of the advance of the whole of Jackson's force from the direction of Gordonsville, whereby our right was to be effectually flanked without at all weakening the force in the immediate front of the army. ' As it was thus rendered necessai-y to select which side of the Chicka hominy should be held in force, there being on each side an army of our enemies equal in connection with their breastworks to the whole of our own, and these two armies and defences' well connected with each other, and with Richmond their base. But for the conception of the 220 HISTORY OF THE PENNS'YLVANIA RESERVES. idea of a flank movement, changing our base by the left flank to the James river, our position would have left but one alternative, a hasty abandonment of our attack on Richmond, and a retirement by the way we had advanced. The former plan, however, (now so happily accom plished,) which was made safe by its very boldness, necessitated the gradual withdrawal of our right. The Commanding General, however, left me with the intention of deciding on information he should receive at his own head-quarters. I should remain where I was and hold Beaver creek, or retire to a position selected by General Barnard near Gaines' mills. General Barnard remained with me to conduct my com mand to the new position, if decided upon to withdraw from Mechanics ville. Immediately after pointing out to me the new ground. General Barnard left me to represent the state of affairs to the Major-General Commanding, and the necessity for additional troops, and also to send me axes that the proper defences might in some degree be prepared. In accordance with the orders of the Major-General Commanding, re ceived about two o'clock in the moming of the 37th, for this end the retirement from Mechanicsville was began, at daylight of Friday the 27th of June. The brigade of General Seymour was the last to start, and that force under its gallant and skillful commander, most cooly retired covering the march of the other troops occupying the attention of the foe so perfectly, that ample time was allowed for all horses, foot artillery, wagons and wounded, to reach their designated posts in the line, where a new stand was to be made before crossing the Chicka hominy. The guns in position were safely removed from the works we were about to abandon, (works overlooking New bridge) and during the action of the same afternoon, did us gooij auxiliary service by the flre from Smith's position beyond the Chickahominy. On the open plain near those works were posted Tidball's and Robinson's horse batteries, which carefully watched the road and secured the retiring troops from the enemy, now pressing upon Seymour's brave band. All flnally got securely back within the lines selected for the next stand near the upper bridges in use by our forces. General Stoneman during the period above described, was in command of the force which was detailed to guard the region reaching from Meadow bridge to the Pamunkey. To his cavalry force was added the Seven teenth New York and Eighteenth Massachusetts regiments. By the movements ofthe enemy this command became cut-off from its connec tions with the remainder of my corps, and was therefore ordered to White House to aid in securing the Government property at that point. The troops have since safely rejoined me via the York and James rivers. The actions in which my corps was engaged, followed each other in such rapid succession after this auspicious opening, that it was not possible between each two to make a report of losses. The sad list of good soldiers whose loss reduced my noble corps by so large a part MECHANICSVILLE. 221 of its numbers in so short a space of time, must be made up in one report bearing date after the last of flve battles fought by us in flve suc cessive days. I am, General, very respectfully. Your obedient servant, P. J. PORTER, Brigadier-Qeueial Commanding. Though General McCall had severely repulsed the enemy in his front, and thus demonstrated his ability to hold his position against any force that could approach from the direction of Mechanicsville, it was evident that Jackson was moving, ¦with a force of thirty thousand troops, against the right flank and rear of the right -wing of McClellan's army. General McClellan says, in his report : "The position on Beaver Dam creek, although so success fuUy defended, had its right flank too much in the air, and was too far from the main army, to make it available to retain it longer. I therefore determined to send the heavy guns at Hogan's and Gaines' houses over the Chickahominy during the night, with as many of the wagons of the Fifth corps as possible, and to -withdraw the corps itself to a position stretching around the bridges, where its flanks would be reasonably secure, and it would be -within sup porting distance of the raain array. General Porter carried out my orders to that effect. "It was not ad-visable at that tirae, even had it been practicalsle, to -withdraw the Fifth corps to the right bank of the Chickahominy. Such a movement would have exposed the rear of the army, placed us within two fires, and enabled Jackson's fresh troops to interrupt the move ment to the James river, by crossing the Chickahominy in the vicinity of Jones' bridge, before we could reach Mal vern hill with our trains. I determined then to resist Jackson with the Fifth corps, reinforced by all our dispos able troops in the new position near the bridge heads, in order to cover the -withdrawal of the trains and heavy guns, and to give time for the arrangements to secure the adop- 222 HISTORY OF THE PENNSYLVANIA RESERVES. tion of the James river as our line of supplies in lieu of the Pamunkey. " The greater part of the heavy guns and wagons halving been removed to the right bank of the Chickahominy, the delicate operation of withdrawing the troops from Beaver iDam creek was commenced shortly before daylight, and successfully executed. " Meade's and Grif&n's brigades were the first to leave the ground ; Seymour's brigade covered the rear with the horse batteries of Captains Robertson and Tidball ; but the with drawal was so skillful and gradual, and the repulse of the preceding day so complete, that although the enemy fol lowed the retreat closely, and some skirmishing occurred, he did not appear in front of the new line in force till about noan of the 27th, when we were prepared to receive him." The Reserves reluctantly withdrew frora the position they had so nobly defended. They had spent half the night in replenishing their araraunition and cleaning their guns preparatory to another fight. The order to retire reached them while still at work, and before they had been refreshed by sleep. The preparations to withdraw con sumed the reraainder of the night, and at dayUght the eneray opened fire from batteries that had been placed in front of Captain Cooper's battery, and in front of Seymour's brigade during the night. The attack was resisted with great spirit until nine o'clock in the morning, when the troops were withdrawn, fighting as they retired. This was a moveraent, the successful execution of which would have added distinction to the veteran guard of a veteran army. Yet, General McCall, justly proud of his troops, says: " Our killed had been buried, our wounded had been sent off by seven o'clock in the forenoon, on the 27th, and not a man, nor a gun, nor a musket, was left upon the field. The regiments filed past as steadily as if marching from the parade ground." General McCall had for many years been an of&cer in the regular army, had seen much active service, and had risen GAINES' MILL. 223 to the honorable position of inspector-general of the array of the United States ; he was therefore competent authority on the conduct and quality of troops. In their first great battle then, the Reserves won laurels that would have done honor to professional soldiers of any army in the world. The troops retired behind the new line formed at Gaines' Mill. It had been determined to hold McCaU's di^vision in reserve. The men had been under arms since Wednesday morning, had fought a severe battle, and passed a sleepless night of labor and watching, and had skirmished with the enemy from daylight till nine o'clock; it was therefore intended not to put thera into action again in the afternoon, unless necessity demanded their service and sacrifice. The new position of the Fifth eorps was an arc of a cfrcle, covering the approaches to the bridges which con nected the right -wing with the troops on the opposite side of the river. Morrell's di-vision held the left of the line in a strip of woods on the east bank of the Gaines' Mill stream, resting its left flank on the descent to the Chickahominy, which was swept by our artillery on both sides of the river, and ex tending its right wing into an open ground towards New Coal Harbor. In this line General Butterfield's brigade held the extreme left, General Martindale's joined his right, and General Grif&n's, still further to the right, joined the left of General Sykes' division, which, partly in woods, and partly in open ground, extended in the rear of Coal Harbor. Each brigade had in reserve two regiments; McCall's division was forraed in a second line in rear of the first. Meade's brigade was on the left near the Chickahominy ; Reynolds' brigade forraed on the right covering the ap proaches to Coal Harbor and Despatch station, and Sey mour's brigade was placed still further in the rear as a reserve to the second line. On the morning of the 27th of June, during the -with drawal of his troops from MechanicsviUe to the selected 224 HISTORY OF THE PENNS-YLVANIA RESERVES. position afready mentioned. General Porter telegraphed to General McClellan as follows : " I hope to do -without aid, though I request that Franklin, or some other command, be held ready to reinforce me. The enemy are so close that I expect to be hard pressed in front. I hope to have a portion in position to cover t)ie retreat. This is a delicate movement, but relying on the good quaUties of the commanders of divisions and brigades, I expect to get back and hold the new line." The troops were all in position by noon, with the artUlery on the commanding ground, and in the intervals between the di-visions and brigades. Besides the di^vision batteries, there were Robertson's and Tidball's horse batteries, from the artiUery reserve; 'the latter posted on the right of Sykes' di-vision, and the former on the extreme left of the line, in the valley of the Chickahominy. Shortly after noon, the enemy were discovered approaching in force, and it soon became evident that the entire position was to be attacked. His skirmishers advanced rapidly, and soon the firing became heavy along the whole front. At two o'clock. General Porter asked for reinforcements. Slocum's division of the Sixth corps was ordered to cross to the left bank of the river, by Alexander's bridge, and proceed to his sup port. General Porter had sent much earlier for reinforcements, and also for axes, -with which he had intended to fell trees, and form abatis to defend the left of his position, but neither order reached General McClellan. Before four o'clock the engagement had become so severe, and the enemy were so greatly superior in numbers, that the entire second line and reserves had been moved forward to sustain the first line against repeated and desperate assaults along the whole front. General Porter had requested General McCaU to move forward the Second and Third brigades to support the left centre of the first line, which was being hard pressed by the enemy. The battle now became a desperate struggle. Divisions GAINES' MILL. 225 were disjointed, brigades disorganized, regiments broken, and companies crushed ; men fought side by side without reference to organization or coraraanders ; regiraental colors were disregarded; columns of men formed under the banner of the Nation, and charged the enemy wherever a commis sioned officer led. Regiment after regiment of the Reserves were ordered up and sent into the thickest of the fight, wherever and whenever the line in front seemed hardest pressed. The Seventh regiraent, coraraanded by Colonel Harvey, was sent to support General Martindale's troops then hurried away to the extreme left to reinforce Butter - field's brigade, struggling -with all its force against the ad vancing eneray, and as the tide of battle roUed towards the right, the Seventh was countermarched to Martindale's line, where it continued to support two regular batteries until night. The Third regiment, comraanded by Colonel Sickel, was ordered to support Kern's battery, but soon the Fourth Michigan regiraent, of Grifiin's brigade, was attacked by an overwhelming force that threatened annihilation; Colonel Sickel moved hurriedly to the support of the regiment struggling heroically against superior nurabers ; the shattered lines of the Michigan regiment shifted to the left, under a galUng fire, and the Thfrd stood face to face with the enemy in the border of a woods ; without raoving a foot backward or forward, the line stood like a wall against the surging sea. Regiment after regiraent of rebel troops charged up to the woods and was hurled back in disorder. For two hours, until the last cartridge of fifty rounds per man, was fired into the enemy's ranks, this gallant regiment held its position. It was then reUeved by the Eleventh Reserve regiment, coraraanded by Colonel Gallagher, and a regiraent of New Jersey troops. The Fourth regiraent, coraraanded by Colonel Magilton, supported Duryea's Zouaves, and after dri-ving the eneray from the woods the regiment moved up to support Colonel Sickel, whose regiment was engaged in a terrific contest. Before the Fourth could come up, the Thfrd had repulsed the enemy, and Colonel Magilton was 15 226 HISTORY OF THE PENNSYLVANIA RESERVES. ordered to the extreme left. Soon after going into action there, his regiraent was overwhelmed, driven back and becoming detached, was forced to cross the Chickahominy to Smith's di-vision to escape being captured. The Ninth regiment. Colonel Jackson, was ordered into a woods on the left to support the Ninth Massachusetts and the Si.xty-second Pennsylvania regiments. In marching to their support, Colonel Jackson's regiment was compelled to march through a swampy ravine, and encounter a galling fire from a body of rebel infantry. With great difficulty the regiment passed the ravine and gained the woods occupied by the Ninth Massachusetts and the Sixty-second Pennsylvania, the . Sixty-second regiment organized, drilled and commanded by that most gaUant Pennsylvanian, Colonel Samuel W. Black, was one of the most powerful in the service. These three noble regiments of brave men were ordered to charge. Instantly the Une was formed, gleaming -with fixed bayon- etts ; forward they went, each gallant leader at the head of his trusty line ; forward into the clouds of smoke, the wall of fire, the showers of iron and lead; forward into the •whfrlpool of death; into the woods clashing against the obstinate foe, steel to steel ; onward they went to the field beyond ; too terrible the charge for foe to -withstand ; the rebels flee in terror across the open field ; still the sohd line pursues them to the woods beyond. But alas! in the heat of battle and the excitement of victory, these heroes of the charge transcend their orders, follow their fleeing foe too far, and are now charged upon in front and flank by fresh troops thric^ and more thefr number. They are forced back across the open field, exposed to a terrible fire of infantry and artillerj'-. Here many of the bravest went down; broken and intermingled, the regiments fell back into the first woods from which they had charged. Though broken in rank, undaunted in spirit the men reformed and three times charged the enemy, but were unable to dislodge him. The Sixty-second regiment suffered most severely. GAINES' MILL. 227 Colonel Black and many of his brave men were killed' in the charge, and many more were wounded and made prisoners. Colonel Jackson reports that "the officers, without exception, did their whole duty, and the men, under such trying circurastances, exhausted by hard fighting, hard marching, and e-xtremely warm weather, behaved nobly." General McCall sent Colonel Kirk, with the Tenth regiment, to support two batteries in Sykes' division ; as soon as the fire of the enemy slackened in front of the batteries, the Tenth was ordered to a woods near the centre of the line, which position it held for two hours against desperate assaults, when its ammunition was exhausted and the whole Une was driven back. General Reynolds distributed the regiments of his brigade along the line, wherever the battle raged the fiercest. Colo nel Roberts, with the First regiment, was sent to relieve Duryea's Zouaves, who were' fighting the eneray against terrible odds on an open sandy plain. The field was covered -with the dead and dying, their red uniforms, and the pools of blood on the sand adding to the ghastliness of the scene. Colonel Roberts formed his regiment a few paces to the rear, protected by the crest of a hill, and in that position met the charges of the enemy, hurling back during two hours every hostile regiment that appeared in his front. Company B was at one tirae without a coraraissioned officer to coraraand it ; Colonel Roberts ordered Lieutenant Joseph Stewart, of company H, to lead the corapany ; the young man smiled pleasingly as he looked his colonel in the face, and gave hira a parting salute, and then ran at full speed along the regiment to the left of the line, placed himself at the head of the company, assumed command, and that instant fell dead, pierced through the head with a rebel bullet. The First regiment discharged into the eneray's lines its last round of araraunition, and being then relieved by other troops, marched to the rear. The Second regiment, commanded by Colonel McCand- 228 HISTORY OF THE PENNSYLVANIA RESERVES. less, was sent into a swampy woods, on the left of the First regiment. Several regiments had already been driven frora the swamp ; the ground was strewn with the mangled bodies of the dead and wounded ; the waters of the swamp were red with gore ; the trees, torn and riddled -with shot and shell, were spattered ¦with brain and blood, and the bursting shells filled the air ¦with hideous noises and sulphurous vapors. Onward the regiment moved; over the dead and dying, through the blood, the vapor and smoke, until it faced the rebel line of fire and death. Here they struggled heroically for a short tirae, when discovering a large force of the enemy advancing against his left flank. Colonel McCandless ordered his regiment to deliver a left oblique volley into the enemy's front, and then fall back. The enemy pressing against the flank of the regiraent in over powering nurabers, it was broken and forced from the woods. Easton's battery, which was on rising ground on the right of the regiraent, trained its guns on the enemy's column, and raked it with such well delivered charges, that the column was broken and forced to retire under shelter of the woods. Colonel McCandless formed his regiment in the cut of a road and awaited the approach of the enemy. The Fifth regiment, commanded by Colonel Simmons, and the remnant of the Bucktails, Major Stone, were ordered to hold a position near the right of the line, in the rear of New Coal Harbor. Perhaps nowhere on the field did the battle rage with greater -violence than in front of these regiments. The rebel infantry was sheltered by a dense woods, and the artillery was not raore than five hundred yards in front of the Bucktails. Major Stone ordered his riflemen to direct thefr fire on the gunners. Twice they compeUed the rebel battery to change position, and finally drove it from the field. Major Stone says, in his report: "The Fifth regi ment, on my left, the conduct of which afforded a constant example of courage and discipline, answered the enemy's infantry with the most terrific fire." The men fired their guns until they became so hot that they blistered their GAINES MILL. 229 hands when they touched the barrels. They exhausted their ammunition and determined to hold the field with the bayonet ; but Jackson's fresh troops, advancing on the Coal Harbor road, attacked the right wing of Porter's corps in the flank and rear, and forced it back to a new position. The Eighth regiment, commanded by Colonel Hays, was sent by General Reynolds to support two regular batteries . that were engaging the eneray. An hour later, Colonel Warren, coraraanding a Massachusetts regiment, reported to General McCall that his command was becoming di-vided, and requfred iraraediate relief ; the general ordered Colonel Hays to move his regiraent to the relief of Colonel Warren. The eneray was in a woods, about a quarter of a raile in front. The Eighth was iraraediately forraed in line, and moved forward until within one hundred yards of the enemy, when it charged into the woods and, in a desperate encounter, drove the rebels from their position at the point of the bayonet. Colonel Warren, taking advantage of this brilliant movement, extricated his regiment frora its embar rassed situation, and resumed his position ; and the Eighth, having won tho admiration of thousands of officers and men who -witnessed the charge, returned to its position in the rear of the batteries and stacked arms. The Eleventh regiraent, Colonel Gallagher, that had gone into the woods so bravely to the relief of the Third, side by side -with Colonel Sirapson's New Jersey regiment, fought the enemy for hours, repulsing every charge, but becoming enveloped in sraoke, thefr gaUant officers did not observe the retrograde of the right and left, and therefore remained fighting for victory, until, surrounded on every side, ammu nition exhausted and retreat cut off, both regiments were compeUed to surrender, in order to save the lives of their men. Only two companies of the Eleventh, that had been detailed in the morning to helve axes, escaped capture. The Twelfth regiment, commanded by Colonel Taggert, sup ported Griffin's battety, and, though subjected to fire for several hours, the regiment did not engage the enemy. 230 HISTORY OF TIIE PENNSYLVANIA RESERVES. When the first line was forced back, the enemy came -i^dthin the range of McCaU's artillery. Captain Easton, commanding battery A, suddenly found himself confronted by a heavy column of rebels charging from the woods, eight hundred yards in front of his position. This splendid bat tery opened with all its power, and for half an hour poured an incessant fire of shell and spherical case down through the column of the enemy. Again and again the enemy ral lied to the charge and were as often repulsed. Fresh troops were pushed forward, the position must be carried. As they came almost to the cannon's mouth, double-shotted canister tore in horrible gashes through the rebel masses. The col umn reeled back, but was reinforced, and ralUed to another desperate charge. "Pour in the double canister, boys!" shouted brave Captain Easton, " this battery can never be taken but over my dead body !" The men plied their guns with tremen dous effect ; their noble captain mortally wounded, fell by the side of his guns ; many of his men had fallen ; the artil lery horses lay dead about the battery, supports were gone, and the gunners ba3-oneted at their guns, the battery could fight no longer, and retreat was now impossible ; four guns and two caissons were left in the hands of the enemy. Battery B, comraanded by Captain Cooper was placed by General Reynolds, ¦with the First brigade, on the right of the second line. The irregularity of the battle, however, soon withdrew, regiraent by regiment, the brigade from their position. A New York regiment was ordered to support Cooper's battery. At half past five o'clock, the lines of the enemy were advanced driving the batteries in front of Cooper frora their position. Captain Cooper opened on the enemy, a vigorous fire, and held him in check until eight o'clock in the evening, when the supports were driven back and Captain Cooper withdrew his battery to escape capture by a column of rebel infantry, that was charging upon his position. Captain Kern's battery was put in a command ing position near the left, and was supported by regiments GAINES' MILL. 231 of General Meade's brigade. At five o'clock in the after noon the battery was uncovered by the repulse of the front line of battle. The guns imraediately opened on the enemy with good effect. Annoyed by the well-directed fire, the enemy made deterrained efforts to drive the battery from the hill. A heavy column was formed and charged up the hill, coming within fifty yards of the guns. Captain Kern was wounded in the left leg, but standing by his guns continued to cheer on his men. Grape and canister, double shotted, were poured into the advancing column, tearing the men to pieces and sending the masses reeling down the hill. Three times they renewed the contest with increased force, and a fiercer desperation; each time they were repulsed with greater slaughter. But the hill must be gained and the battery silenced, -without regard to loss. Another column was formed of fresh troops heavier than the defeated ones, and forward it came, the rebel general carrying the colors in front, and calling his men to follow. There was dreadful carnage in their ranks, bp-t each horrible gap was instantly closed up, and the column pressed forward. When within twenty paces of the battery, at a single round, the whole front rank was carried away, the general and his flag were buried in the heap of slain, yet still forward rushed the in furiate enemy, to the muzzles of the guns, when giving them a parting charge of death. Captain Kern limbered to the rear, and with four guns snatched from the hands of the enemy, retired behind a new line of battle. De Hart's battery of the Fifth United States artillery, which was attached to McCall's division, entered the action on the right of the artillery of the di-vision, and assisted Easton and Kern in their severe struggles with the enemy. The battery fired canister and spherical case uninterruptedly for half an hour, into the dense masses of the enemy with terrible effect, but the whole line giving way, this battery lost their guns and their caissons. The remaining three pieces were brought into battery in the new line and aided in arresting the progress of the eneray. Late in the day. 232 HISTORY OF THE PENNSYLVANIA RESERVES. after General Reynolds had reUeved the First and Eighth regiments, they were raarching to the rear for ammunition ; it was at this time the first line broke under the terrific charge of the enemy ; immediately thousands of disorgan ized troops were pouring in confused masses to the rear. General Porter riding alone came down in haste, called to Colonel Roberts, and exclaimed, "Colonel Roberts, can't you forra a line with these two regiments, and stop those flying troops ?" Colonel Roberts replied, " I can do it, but send me ammunition to stop the enemy." The two regiments immediately faced about and forraed in line; though the shells frora the enemy's batteries were falling thickly around them, the sergeants aligned the companies, and the of&cers executed the commands, cooly as if on dress parade. So marked was the conduct of the men, that it elicited exclama- ,tions of admiration from General Porter. The raen stood firmly, but were appalled at the situation, being in the face of the advancing enemy without a single round of ammu nition. Soon however, the cheers of the Irish brigade, commanded by General Meagher, were heard rolling up frora the Chickahorainy, and almost as rapidly, the blue lines of men were seen rushing, at double quick march to the front. General French's brigade, side by side with the fighting Irishmen, rushed straight for the thickest of the fight. The eneray, however, hearing that reinforcements were coming up ceased firing, and rapidly ¦withdrew. With the close of the hot sultry day the battle ended. Soon after sunset. General Reynolds, who was returning from the right of the line, where he had been endeavoring to procure relief for the Fifth and Bucktail regiments, heard the desperate contest waged by the Eleventh and the New Jersey regiraent, and iramediately galloped to the front. The brigade of regulars on the right gave way, and the enemy rushing forward gained the rear of the two regiments, and almost at the same moment, the left was forced, and the column of the enemy pushing onward, joined their com rades from the right, and completely cut off the retreat of GAINES' MILL. 283 the two regiments. General Reynolds and his adjutant- general, Colonel Kingsberry, and an orderly, concealed theraselves in the woods during the night. Early on the foUowing morning, while endeavoring to raake their escape, they were suddenly confronted by a rebel patrolling party, who demanded their immediate surrender. There was now no escape ; the general must allow himself to be captured, or he would be instantly shot. Colonel Kingsberry stepped forward and surrendejed himself. General Reynolds, and the orderly, prisoners of war. An officer in the Confederate army thus describes the battle, and the scenes at the close of the day : "The attack was opened by the columns of Hill (1st), Anderson and Pickett. These gallant masses rushed forward with thundering hurrahs upon the musketry of the foe, as though it were joy to them. Whole ranks went down under that terrible hail, but nothing could restrain their courage. The billows of battle raged fiercely onward ; the Struggle was raan to raan, eye to' eye, bayonet to bayonet. The hostUe Meagher's brigade,* composed chiefly of Irish men, offered heroic resistance. After a fierce straggle our people began to give way, and at length all orders and encouragements were vain — they were falling back in the greatest disorder. Infuriate, foaming at the mouth, bareheaded, sabre in hand, at this critical raoment General Cobb appeared upon the field, at the head of his legion, and ¦with him the Nineteenth North CaroUna and the Fourteenth Virginia regiments. At once these troops renewed the attack, but all their devotion and self-sacrifice were in vain. The Irish held their position with a determination and ferocity that called forth the adrafration of our own officers. Broken to pieces and disorganized, the fragments of that fine legion came rolling back frora the charge. The Nine teenth North Carolina lost eight standard bearers, and raost * Meagher's brigade did not arrive on the fleld till night. The troops referred to were McCall's division. 234 HISTORY OF THE PENNSYLVANIA RESERVES. of their staff' officers were either kUled or wounded. Again, Generals HiU (1st) and Anderson led their troops to the attack, and some regiments covered themselves mth im mortal glory. Our troops exhibited a contempt of death that made thera the equals of old, experienced veterans ; for, notwithstanding the bloody harvest the destroyer reaped in our ranks that day, no disorder, no timid bearing revealed that many of the regiments were under fire and smelt gun powder then for the first time. But the eneray, neverthe less, quietly and cooly held out against every attack we raade, one after , the other. Notwithstanding the fact that solitary brigades had to stand their ground frora four until eight o'clock, P. M., they performed feats of incredible valor ; and it was only when the news came that Jackson was upon them in the rear, that, about eight, they retfred before our advance. Despite the dreadful carnage in their ranks they marched on with streaming banners and rolling drums, and carried ¦with them all their slightly wounded and all their bagg.ngc ; and when the cavalry regiments of Davies and Wickham went in pursuit, repelled this assault also ¦\vith perfect coolness. "By this time night had come on and overspread the field of death with darkness, compassionately shutting out frora the eyes of the living the horrid spectacle of slaughter. Quiet graduaUy returned ; only a feeble cannonade could be heard upon our furthest left, and that, too, little by little, died away. The soldiers were so fearfully exhausted by the day's struggle that many of them sank down from their places in the ranks upon the ground. Although I, too, could scarcely keep in the saddle, so great was my fatigue, I hastened -with one of my aids to that quarter of the field where the struggle had raged the most fiercely. The scene of ruin was horrible ; whole ranks of the enemy lay prone where they had stood at the beginning of the battle. The number of wounded was fearful, too, and the groans and imploring cries for help that rose on all sides had, in the obscurity of the night, a ghastly effect that froze the blood GAINES' MILL. 235 in one's veins. Although I had been upon so many battle fields in Italy and Hungary, nevi'r had my vision beheld such a spectacle of human destruction. The preparations for the transportation of the wounded were too trifling, and the force detaUed for that purpose was either too feeble in numbers or had no proper knowledge of its duties. Even the medical corps had, by the terrors of the situation, been rendered incapable of attending to the wounded -with zeal and efficiency. With inconceivable exertion, I at length succeeded, -with the assistance of some humane officers, in bringing about sorae kind of order amid this frightful con fusion. By the happiest chance I found some Union ambu lances, had all our raen who could drive, and knew the way pressed into ser-vice, and set to work to get the wounded into Richmond. A most heart-rending task it was; for often the poor sufferer would expire just as we were about to extend him succor. By midnight we had got the first train ready. It consisted of sixty wagons, -with two hundred seriously wounded. I cautiously and slowly conducted this train -with success to the city. At the first hospital reached I was met with refusal. 'AU full!' was the reply to my inquiry. ' Forward to the next hospital !' was my word of command. ' All full 1' was again the answer. Just then a friend said to me that if I would wait he might be able to help me, as he would have a neighboring tenement, used as a tobacco warehouse, prepared for an hospital. So I had to make up my mind to wait there for an hour and a half, in the street, with my dying charge. I did my best to supply the poor fellows -v\dth water, tea, and other refreshments, so as to alle^viate their .sufferings in some degree ; bat the late hour of the night, and the agitation of the city, prevented me from putting my design into more than half execution. " At length the so-caUed hospital was ready, but I could scarcely believe my eyes when I saw the dismal hole off'ered me by that name. There, in open lofts, without windows or doors, a few planks nailed together were to be the beds of the unfortunate defenders of our country. During those 236 HISTORY OF THE PENNS-YL VANIA RESERVES. days of fate, the soldier had endured all things — hunger, thfrst, heat ; nothing could rob him of his courage, his indifference to death ; and now he lay there wounded to the death, at the door of his friends, whose property he had defended, for whose welfare he had exposed his life, and those friends turn him away to an open barn, where, with out dressing for his wounds or any care, he is left to perish. "And yet this city had a population of forty thousand souls, had churches admirably adapted to conversion into hospitals, had clergymen in numbers. But neither the doors of the churches opened, nor were the ministers ofthe gospel there to sweeten the last moments of the dying soldier. Sad and dispirited, I gave the order to carry in the wounded, cast one more glance at that house of death and horror, and then swung myself into my saddle and fled, -with a quiet oath on my lips, back to my regiraent. "I had but just reached my regiment when we received the order to advance along the whole line. I looked with sadness upon our once fine di-vision. How fearfully some regiments had been decimated ! Many which, like my own, had marched out with eleven hundred raen, had now but three or four hundred effective soldiers left. Yes, some — for instance, the Seventh Georgia and Twenty-first North CaroUna — had only something over one hundred and eighty men. A vast number of officers were disabled ; and many a fine feUow who, a few days before, full of confidence and jolUty, had prophesied a golden future, was no more. I no longer had the courage to ask for this one or that one whom I did not see, but took it for granted that he had faUen on the field of honor ; it was too sad to always hear the same response: 'He is dead!' 'he fell here!' or 'there!' in such and such a way." General McCall reported the operations of his di-vision in the battle of Gaines' Mill as follows : My division having been successfully withdra-wn from its position near Mechanicsville, after the repulse of the enemy, on the moming of GAINES' MILL. 237 the twenty-seventh of June, moved steadily and in order to the ground designated, in rear of Gaines' Mill, where it arrived at ten A. M. Here I was notified by General Porter, that as my division had been engaged till late the previous night, and suffered from loss of sleep, and had been under fire for some hours in the morning, it would be held in reserve to-day. As the different brigades of Porter's corps arrived on the ground, they were formed in line on the interior edge of the dense woods bounding the extensive plain of cleared farm lands, stretching some one thousand two hundred or one thousand five hundred yards back to the Chicka hominy. These troops constituted the flrst line, and my division occu pied the open ground some six hundred yards in the rear. The artillery occupied the space between the lines. The cavalry of my division, the Fourth regiment Pennsylvania, I placed under cover of the slope in rear. At half-past three o'clock P. M. the enemy advanced and opened his fire. Very soon after the action commenced, you ordered me to move forward the Second and Third brigades of my division to support the first line. This was immediately done, and in a style that called forth an expression of admiration from the commanding general. These two brigades were soon under fire, in some instances the regiments going at once into line where intervals had been left, while in others they halted directly in rear of the line already formed. In a short time after this the First brigade of my division also was ordered forward, and soon became engaged. In the meantime the batteries of my divi sion, Cooper's on the right, and De Hart's, Easton's, and Kern's in the centre and on the left, were also advanced, and shelled the enemy over the heads ofthe men in line. The action had soon become general, and the flre in front of my divi sion, which was near the centre of the line of battle, increased to a deafening roar of musketry, above which the artillery fire at times conld scarcely be distinguished. The enemy was apparently drawn up in four or flve lines, and one after another of them was thrust forward on my front as fast as the preceding one recoiled before the well-directed fire of the Reserves, or at such short intervals that the thoroughly heated muskets of my men had not time to cool. In this way, for upward of three hours, my brave fellows were under fire, the regiments cither relieving each' other or some regiment of another division whose men had become exhausted. About this time, seeing some commotion on the left of my di-vision, I rode rapidly to the ground, and found that the Fourth regiment had been driven in, and was being rallied by General Meade. The line, however, was soon re-formed. I rode in front, addressed the men briefly, and they soon resumed their place in line of battle. Everything now on the left of my division was in successful and satis factory operation ; I therefore rode slowly along the line, halting for a 238 HISTORY OF THE PENNSYLVANIA RESERVES. short time m the centre, and then proceeding to the right. Here I foimd General RoynoKls coming from the woods with the First and Eighth regiments of his brigade, he having relieved them and brought them out of action, in consequence of their ammunition being exhausted. He reported to me tliat the Fifth regiment had likewise nearly expended all its ammunition and ought to be relieved. On hearing this, I at once directed my Assistant Adjutant-General, Captain IL J. Biddle, to ride down the line, and, if possible, to bring up a regiment (of Slorrell's division, I think, ) that I had seen in reserve as I rode along the line. I now discovered a battery in rear of my extreme right, which, I thought, might be advantageously brought into action. I rode back to the spot and recommended a position in front to the offlcer in command. Captain "Weed, of the Fifth artillery. He cheerfully assented and at once moved off to occupy the position. He had not proceeded far before I discov ered a large number of men on the extreme left retiring. It soon became appjirent that we had met with a reverse there. I rode out in the direc tion of the men, and strove vigorously to rally them ; and I placed a squadron of Indiana cavalry, I happened to flnd on the ground, in line, with orders to cut down any man who attempted to pass their line. My endeavor was partially successful. I also stopped two batteries that were in retreat, and brought them into battery against the enemy, who just then appeared on the opposite hill-side ; I thus checked their advance on this point. About this time, French's division, -with Meagher's brigade, arrived on the ground where I was, and I stopped the fire of "the two batteries just brought into action while they passed down the hill in front. At the foot of the liill, however, they were met by General Fitz John Por ter, who Iialted the column of our friends, the sun being set and the enemy retired from view. My division retired in good order and de stroyed the bride opposite Trent's HiU (in compliance with General Porter's order) after they had crossed. On Trent's Hill the division lay upon their arms till morning. The only occurrence of this day's battlethat I have cause to regret (except the loss of many brave ofiicers and men, whose fall I sincerely mourn,) is the capture by tho enemy of a large portion of the Eleventh regiment of the Reserves, Colonel Gallagher commanding. This regi ment of Meade's brigade had, in the course of the afternoon, reheved the Fourth New Jersey regiment, Colonel Simpson, (Major United States Topographical Engineers, ) the latter promising to support the \ former in case of bemg hard pressed. In the heat of the action, the Eleventh regiment becoming enveloped in the smoke of battle, contin ued the fight after the rest of the line had retired, having been closely engaged with a rebel regiment in front ; and beforfe the Colonel was aware that he had been left alone on the field he found himself under flre of two regiments, one on either flank, besides the one in front. Notwithstanding the peril of his position, he gallantly kept up a galling GAINES' MILL. 239 flre on the advancing foe, as he himself retired in good order on the Fourth New Jersey. Here, to crown his ill-fortune, he found that he, as well as Colonel Simpson, was completely surrounded, a strong force having already taken position in his immediate rear. The situation of these two brave regiments, which had so nobly maintained their ground after all had retired, was now hopeless ; their retreat was entirely cut off by the in. creasing force of the enemy, who were still advancing, and they were compelled to surrender. No censure can possibly attach to either Col onel Gallagher or Colonel Simpson, or the brave men of their respective regiments, on account of this ill-turn of fortune ; but, on the contrary, they are entitled to the credit of having held their ground imtil it was tenable no longer. I have only further to add, that throughout this day the Reserves supported the character they had gained at the battle of Mechanicsville, on the afternoon of the 26th and the morning of this d.ay. My thanks are due to Brigadier-Generals Meade and Seymour for the aid afforded me in this hard-fought fleld. I regret to have to report the capture of Brigadier-General John P. Reynolds, commanding First brigade, and his assistant adjutant-gene ral, Captain Charles Kingsberry, who were taken prisoners while return ing to the division on the morning ofthe 38th. To the ofiicers of my personal staff, and particularly to Captain H. J. Biddle, assistant adjutant-general, and Major Alfred E. Lewis, volun teer aid-de-camp, my thanks are due for gallant and efEicient services. The loss ofthe division to-day was heavy ; it is embraced in the total at the foot of this report. General Fitz John Porter thus reports the battle to General McClellan : Bkigadieb-Gbneeal S. ¦Willijams, Asslstaat Adjutant-Geaeral. Genebal : — I have the honor to report that ou Friday the 27th of June, after the successful withdrawal ofthe right -wing ofthe army from Mechanicsville, and its encampment on Gaines' and Curtis' farms near New-bridge, it became necessary for the safety of the material to cover the bridges connecting with the main army across the Chickahominy. For this purpose the corps was disposed in a semicircle, having its extremities resting on the stream, while the intermediate portion occu pied the ground designated by the major-general commanding, it being the best possible for defence under the circumstances. Part of the front was covered by the ravine of Gaines' mill stream, covered with trees and underbrush, which partially masked our forces, 240 HISTORY OF THE PENNSYLVANIA RESERVES. and screened the reserves from view. By this disposition the roads from Coal Harbor and Mechanicsville, which converge at that point, were duly covered and defended. On the front thus formed were posted the divisions of Morrell and Sykes ; each brigade having in reserve two of its o-wn regiments. Portions ofthe divisions of artillery of Morrell and Sykes were posted to sweep the avenues of approach. The rest were held in reserve. McCaU's division formed a second line in rear of the woods skirting the ravine. Reynolds' brigade being posted on the extreme right to cover the approaches from Coal Harbor, and Despatch station to Sumner's bridge. General Cook with his cavalry was in structed to take a position under the hill in the valley of the Chicka hominy, to watch our left flank, and should the opportunity occur to strike the enemy on the plain. He was told he would have nothing to do on the hill. The troops remained in position waiting the approach ofthe enemy's columns kno-wn to be advancing in very great force. Believing my force too small to defend successfuUy this long line, I asked of General Bai-uard, who had selected and pointed out this position, to represent to the major-general commanding, the necessity of rein forcements, and he was to send me felling axes for defensive purposes. (See P. S ) Deserters from their ranks, and loyal citizens of Virginia, represented that General Jackson with fifty thousand men had united his forces with those of Longstreet, A. P. Hill and D. H. Hill from Richmond, and that they were advancing with the determination to overwhehn and crush the army of the Potomac. The dust from the immense columns of the enemy could be seen for miles, and soon our scouts and picket^ warned us that they were extending over our whole front. About two o'clock in the afternoon, they began with their skirmishers to feel for the weakest points of our position, and soon large bodies of infantry supported by a warm flre of artillery engaged our whole line. Repulsed in every direction, a few hours of ominous silence ensued indicating that their troops were being massed for an overwhehning attack. Our infantry and artUlery were drawn in towards the centre, and posted to meet the avalanche. Reinforcements were again asked for, and all available troops were sent forward by the major-general commanding. About six o'clock the enemy renewed the attack, advancing immense bodies of infantry under cover of artiUery along the road from Coal Harbor to Adam's house, immediately upon our right and centre, where Sykes' division and GriflSn's brigade were placed. This furious attack was successfully resisted and repulsed, but imme diately renewed by fresh troops ; the reserves were pushed as rapidly as possible into the woods to the support of Grifiin, whose regiments were relieved upon the expenditure of their ammunition. This and all our positions were held against the enormous odds, and the enemy were at times driven back by our battalions of fresh troops as they were successfully thrown into action. At each repulse by us, fresh troops GAINES' MILL. 241 were thro-wn by the enemy upon our exhausted forces, and iu such numbers and so rapidly that it appeared as if their reserves -were in exhaustible ; the action now extending throughout our entire line, the brigades of McCall were successfaUy thrown forward to give support to Morrell' s hard pressed division. The promised reinforcements ( Slocum' s division,) arrived just as the last of McCall's troops had been sent in to the relief of those of Morrell's battalions, whose ammunition had been exhausted, or to take the place of those which had been nearly cut to pieces. Newton's brigade of Slocum's division being in the advance, was promptly led, regiment after regiment to the right of Griffin's brigade of Morrell's division, and the left of Sykes' division into the thickest of the flght by its gallant commander, and was soon followed in the same manner by Taylor's brigade, each regiment relieving the regiment in advance, as soon as the ammunition of the latter was exhausted. In the meantime, Sykes, hard pressed on the right, maintaining his ground with all the obstinacy of the regulars, and the spirit of the volun teers, reqitired support., and Barllett's brigade of Slocum's division was sent to his relief. A portion however of Ne-wton's brigade had already been in to the assistance of his left. Previou^ to the arrival of Slocum's brigade, Reynolds having repulsed the enemy in his front, and hearing the tremendous contest on his left, had, acting under a true maxim, and with the generous spirit of a soldier, moved to the sound of cannon, and led his men regiment after regiment where our hard pressed forces required most assistance. As each regiment entered the woods to the relief of their exhausted companions, the effect was immediately shown by the enemy being driven before them, as e-videnced by the sound of musketry growing more and more distant. Some regiments which had been withdrawn, after having exhausted their ammunition, reformed, replenished their boxes, and returned, in one case even for the third time to this unequal contest. For each regiment thrown into action, there seemed to be two or three fresh regiments brought up by the enemy, but our men maintained their o\vn, and successively repulsed them,* until the last regiment had been advanced ; as if for a flnal effort just as darkness was covering everything from view, the enemy massed his fresh regiments on the right and left, and threw them with overpower ing force against our thinned and wearied battalions. In anticipation of this, our artillery which until now had been well engaged at favorable points of the field in dealing destruction upon the enemy, or held in reserve, was now thrown to the front, to cover the withdrawal of our retiring troops. The batteries already engaged, continued playing on the coming horde, while the others (in all about eighty guns) succes sively opened as our troops withdrew from in front of their flre, and checked in some places, in others drove back the advancing masses. AU appeared to be doing well, our troops withdrawing in order to the cover of the guns, the enemy retiring, and victory so far as possession 16 242 HISTORY OF THE PENNSYLVANIA RESER-VES. of the fleld was concerned, had already settled upon our banners ; when to my great surprise the artillery on the left were thrown into confusion by a charge of cavalry coming from the front. "With no infantry to support these, and other batteries Umbered-up and moved to the rear, some with deliberation, and only after deaUng destruction to the enemy, others in haste but without confusion, leaving the battle-fleld with no enemy upon it. The explanation of this is, that although the cavalry had been directed early in the day to keep below the hiU, and under no circumstances to appear upon the crest, but to operate if a favorable opportunity offered against the flank of the enemy in the bottom land, Brigadier-General P- St. George Cooke, doubtless misinformed, ordered it, as I have since learned, to charge between our infantry and artillery upon the enemy on our left flank, "vvho had not yet emerged from the woods. This charge executed in the face of withering flre of infantry, and in the midst of cannonading, resulted of course in their being thrown into confusion, and the bewildered horses regardless ofthe efforts ofthe riders, wheeled about and dashing through the batteries, convinced the gunners that they were charged by the enemy. To this alone is to be attributed our failure to hold the field and to bring off all our guns and wounded. At this juncture the cheering shouts of Brigadier-General French's and Brigadier-General Meagher's men were heard advanemg to our support, although they came too late to give us the aid required to drive back the already retiring foe, they gave renewed courage and confldence to our men, whose regiments formed under their protection, and were all withdrawn that night with the material and supplies to the other side of the Chickahominy. This was accomplished with defeat and heavy loss to the enemy, the withdrawal of the right wing of the army, in execution of the orders of the major-general commandmg. In these two severe contests of Mechanicsville and the Chickahominy, the country has to deplore the loss of many gallant and brave men. In so unequal a struggle (one to three) our losses may be considered small. It can only be attributed to the skill of the offlcers and the bravery and discipline ofthe men. Por our success at the battle of Mechanicsville, I desire especially to commend the admirable dispositions made by Brigadier-General Reynolds and Seymour. Owing to which with the skillful management of their men, their losses were few, in this latter respect (the exceUent posting of his men) I also commend Brigadier- General Griffln. I desire to express my thanks for the services rendered by those in charge of our siege guns referred to above, which had been previously moved across the Chickahominy to the command of Briga dier-General Smith in checking by their destructive flre the enemy from advancing upon our left at the battle of the Chickahommy. I desire especially to call the commanding general's attention to the conduct of Brigadier- General Sykes and of his brigade commanders, Colonel Warren, Lieutenant-Colonel Buchanan and Major LoveU, who for hours, by the admirable disposition of their men, drove back the enemy GAINES' MILL. 243 ¦and maintained their ground against fearful odds ; to Brigadier-General MorreU and his brigade commanders Martindale, Butterfleld and Griffln, who yielded their positions in the front, only after their ammunition was expended and their regiments much cut up ; to General McCall and his brigade commanders Reynolds, Meade and Seymour, who suc cessfuUy led their regiments into the thickest ofthe flght to support and reUeve their exhausted commands ; to Brigadier-Generals Newton and Taylor who also conducted their regiments to the support of Morrell and McCall; to Colonel Bartlett commanding Brigadier-General Slocum's division, who gaUantly assisted General Sykes, and repulsed charges of the enemy ; to Captain Locke, Assistant- Adjutant General, Captain Kirkland and Mason, Lieutenants Montieth and McQuaid, and Lieu tenant "Weld members of my staff, the gallantry of all of whom was conspicuous, and whose service in carrying orders conducting reinforce ments, directing batteries and rallying troops, were no less valuable than those ofthe commanders themselves ; and to Dr. Lyman, medical director, for his prompt care and attention to the wounded. I beg leave also to express my thanks for the service rendered during part of the engagement, by the aids of the major-general commanding, Lieuten ant-Colonel Radoivitz, Major Hammerstein, and Captain Louis Philippe and Robert E. Orleans, whose courage and energy was conspicuous among many brave men on that day's field. I also in this communi cation express my admiration of the conduct of Captain Hoyt, aid to General Butterfield, who like all the above aids (mine excluded) in spired our men with confidence when raUying them in their retreat and under the fire ofthe enemy. I cannot further mention individual acts, I give merely those in ele vated positions, whose conduct came under my own observation, and as an acknowledgment of the services of each command, many other cases of merit will be left for a more detailed report. In the operations above detailed, it is to be regretted that our losses were necessarily severe, but our object was gained in the unmolested concentration of our army with all its siege guns and material. Among the offlcers lost to us, I regret being obliged to number Brigadier-Gene ral Reynolds, Major Chtz, Captain 'Whiting, and Lieutenant S. M. "Weld, my aid, and Captain Chambliss, who were taken prisoners near the close of the contest. The country will mourn the loss of Gove, of . the Twenty-second Massachusetts ; McLean of the Eighty-third, and Black of the Sixty-second Pennsylvania, kiUed in action, genial men and gallant ofiicers who had distinguished themselves on previous occa sions ; Major N. B. Rossell, Third Infantry, and some others who have uot yet been officially reported to me. Detailed reports of commanders will be forwarded as they are re- jeived. I am. General, very respectfully, Your obedient servant, F. J. PORTER. 244 HISTORY OF THE PENNSYLVANIA EESER^VES. P. S. — Since writing the above, I have learned that the call for troops and axes, entrusted to General Barnard early in the day, was not deUvered to the ooipmanding-general ; axes were again called for but delivered at too late an hour to be used. Two hundred men of the Eleventh Pennsylvania volunteers, delayed to helve, were all of that regiment saved from capture or destruction. The barricades prepared by bon'owing the axes of the artillery, caused desperate and prolonged resistance, and had the called for axes first asked for, and the troops been delivered and filled, the fate of the day, and other results of the campaign upon the prolonged contest between the two sections of our country, may have been most materially changed. F. J. PORTER, Major-General, General McClellan reports the battle of Gaines' Mill as a reverse to General Porter's corps, and says : "During the night our thin and exhausted regiments were all withdra^wn in safety, and by the following morning aU had reached the other side of the stream. The regular infantry formed the rear guard, and about six o'clock on the morning of the 28th, crossed the river, destroying the bridge behind them. " Our loss in this battle in killed, wounded, and missing, was very heavy, especially in ofiicers, many of whom were killed, wounded, or taken prisoners while gallantly leading on their men or rallying them to renewed exertions. " It is impossible to arrive at the exact numbers lost in this desperate engagement, owing to the series of battles which followed each other in quick succession, and in which the whole army was engaged. No general returns were made untU after we had arrived at Harrison's landing, when the losses during the whole seven days were estimated together. "Although we were finally forced from our flrst Une after the enemy had been repeatedly driven back, yet the objects sought for had been obtained. The enemy was held at bay. Our siege guns and material were saved, and the right -wing had now joined the main body of the army. "The number of guns captured by the enemy at this GAINES' MILL. 245 battle was twenty -two, three of which were lost by being run off the bridge during the final withdrawal." While the battle was in progress, the enemy kept up a vigorous demonstration along the front of the centre and left wing of McClellan's army, in order to prevent the with drawal of troops from the south bank of the Chickahominy to reinforce Porter's corps. The ruse was . successful. Fearing an attack from the direction of Eichmond, General McCleUan withheld the reinforcements asked for, and neces sary to ensure, victory at Gaines' Mill. A small body of fresh troops were sent over in the evening to save the corps from overwhelming defeat. The Pennsylvania Eeserves lost in kUled, wounded, and missing, including the losses in the morning at Beaver Dam Creek, one thousand four hundred men. Including the reinforcements sent from the south side of the Chickahominy, the National forces in the battle of Gaines' Mill numbered about thirty-five thousand troops ; the rebels had not less than sixty thousand raen in the engagement. By the most desperate fighting and heroic sacrifice, the patriot troops held in check the army of confederates. Moi:e could not have been expected. The commanding-general said he intended only this, and that he was thereby enabled to accomplish his purpose, and to secure the change of his base of operations from the Pamunkey to the James river. 246 HISTORY OF THE PENNSYLVANIA RESERVES. CHAPTER VII. PENINSULAR CAMPAIGN — NE-W MARKET CROSS ROADS. Designs of the enemy — Trent's farm — Movement to Savage station- Army trains — The reserve artillery ; its value to the army ; entrusted to McCall's division — Arrival of McCall at Savage station — Interview with McCleUan — Proposition to destroy the trains — The Hero of Mechanics viUe prefers to flght — Spirit of the troops — Scenes at Savage station- Sorrowful partings — Rev. Junius Marks — Distress of the wounded— Battle of AUen's farm — GaUantry of the Fifty -third Pennsylvania regi ment — Battle of Savage station — March to New Market road — A restless night — Battle of New Market cross roads* — Treachery of a negro guide — The brunt of the attack sustained by the Reserves — The Third regi ment begins the battle — Charge of the Seventh — Confusion on the left — Charge of the First brigade — Death of Colonel Simmons — Cooper's and Kern's batteries — Capture and re-capture of Cooper's battery — Charge of the Irish Brigade — Terrible struggle for Randall's battery — General Meade wounded — General McCall captured — Colonel Roberls in command — Return of General Seymour — Artillery abandoned by the army — Colonel Simmons — Captain Biddle — False reports — Honor of the Reserves vindicated. Two sanguinary battles had been fought, in which the Confederate general had thro-wn his whole force against the right wing of McClellan's army, in desperate efforts to crush it. After two days of battle, the Army of the Potomac was concentrated on the south bank of the Chickahorainy, and the enemy had gained no decided advantage. General Lee believed that the army was flee ing in frantic disorder to its base of supplies at White * This battle has been variously designated as the battle of "Charles City cross roads, " " Glendale' ' and " Nelson' s farm'. ' ' General McCall, whose division fought the battle, is, by miUtary usage, the proper officer to name the battle. He names it, in his report, the "Battle of New Market cross roads." This designation has therefore been adopted by the author. PENINSULAR CAMPAIGN. 247 House, or down the Peninsula towards Yorktown. Having failed to overwhelm and capture the troops on the north bank of the river, he pushed his army down the roads between the Pamunkey and the Chickahominy, expecting thus to intercept McClellan's retreat. The shattered divisions of the right -wing of the National army withdrew frora the terrible field at Gaines' raiU, during the night of the 27th of June, and on Saturday raorning, the 28th, reformed their broken ranks on Trent's farm, on the bank of the river opposite the battle-field. General McClellan had removed his headquarters from Dr. Trent's house to Savage station. The iraraense trains, numbering over five thousand wagons, the seige train, a herd of twenty-five hundred cattle, and all the materiel of the array were put in motion towards Savage station. The powerful corps of reserve artillery, comprising eighteen splendid batteries of. one hundred guns of the most approved pattern, the choice in finish and equipment in the United States army, was still at Trent's farm. This park of artillery, commanded by General Hunt, was the most valuable property on the Peninsula ; without it the army of the Potomac would be helpless; ¦with it, posted in position like that at Malvern Hill, the retreating army could bid defiance to the whole armed force of the Confederacy. General McClellan did not undervalue this arra of his coraraand ; he knew that upon its safe transfer to the Jaraes river, depended the safety of his army. There was but one narrow road, leading through a deep swamp, available for the passage of trains and troops from Savage station to Malvern HiU. Through this swamp, over a single road, the array was pouring day and night. Baggage trains, supply trains, even siege trains might be destroyed in an emergency, to keep them from the hands of the enemy, but the reserve artillery must be guarded beyond peradventure, and placed in position south of White Oak swamp. General McClellan nervously, and in deep anxiety, called to mind his ablest generals and his trustiest troops. General McCall and his division of Pennsylvania 248 HISTORY OF THE PENNSYLVANIA RESERVES. Eeserves had been intrusted with the defence of the right ¦wing at MechanicsvUle ; they had faUy justified the con fidence reposed in thera by the coraraanding general. At Gaines' MUl, too, they had put to sharae the regulars, and paid a terrible price in blood for their valor. There ,were other di^visions which had rested whUe the Eeserves had been fighting and raarching, without sleep and without rations. But McClellan would take no risks in a labor so mo mentous. General McCall' was therefore ordered to guard Hunt's artUlery and conduct it in safety from Trent's farm to the Qua,ker road south of White Oak swamp. The guns, caissons, forges, battery wagons and ammunition trains, numbered about three hundred vehicles, and when added to McCaU's artillery and transportation, made a train seven mUes in length. General McCall accepted the post of honor and of responsibility, with a full comprehension of the arduous duties it imposed on his men. The brigade commanders were ordered to distribute the regiments throughout the train at proportionate intervals, and to keep flanking parties out to the right and left. The night of the 28th was dark and rainy. At nine o'clock McCall's di-vision, ha-nng in charge the artiUery, stretched out in the road from Trent's farm towards Savage station; the road was narrow; other divisions and trains were moving over other roads, and sorae were following McCall's train. Near the middle of the night, an of&cer rode up to General McCaU in the thick darkness, and informed him that he was on the -wrong road, and that his train must be turned back. The general replied, he was on the right road, and would continue forward. An hour later the officer again appeared on the road, and informed General McCall that it was the order of General McClellan that he should counter march his di-vision to another road and allow another com mand to pass over the road he was then on. General McCall replied to the ofiicer: "Give General McCleUan my compliments, and say to hira, that General McCall says, the road he is on is narrow, the night is very dark, his PENINSULAR CAMPAIGN. 249 train is long and heavy, and that it is impracticable to reverse his raarch ; moreover, the men are much fatigued from excessive duties, and must not be subjected to unne cessary hardships. He must, therefore, be perraitted to move forward on this road." No further orders were received by General McCall, and the division spared the confusion and toil of a countermarch of six miles in mud and darkness, advanced on the direct road to Savage sta-' tion. At one. o'clock on Sunday morning. General McCall arrived at McClellan's headquarters^, at Savage station. He found the commanding general surrounded by his corps and some of his di-vision commanders, standing around a fire, discussing the situation of the army. When General McCaU arrived. General McClellan stepped forward and said : " Here is General McCall, the hero of Mechanicsville." General McCall bowed, and, without further ceremony, in formed McCleUan of the order received to move on another road, and repeated his reasons, for continuing his march. General McClellan approved his course, and leading him aside, said in a low tone of voice : " General McCall, it is my desire to reach the Jaraes river before I am attacked by the enemy ; if I destroy all the trains including the private baggage, we can reach James river in twenty -four hours ; but if I atterapt to take the trains. with rae^ it will take us forty-eight hours to gain the river. What do you ad-vise me to do?" Now, it must be remembered, that McCall's di-vision had done more fighting, and had been subjected to greater hardships during the three days that had just passed, than any other troops in the army ; also, that at that very hour of rain and darkness, his gallant Eeserves were toiling through the mud guarding a numerous train of artil lery ; that General McCall, like his troops, had been three days and three nights without rest or sleep, and almost without food. All this the major-general coraraanding well knew, and knowing, perhaps, expected General McCall would gladly clear the road for his artillery by destroying the trains in his front. But never was man more mistaken. 250 HISTORY OF THE PENNSYLV.\NIA RESERVES. Shaking the rain fi'om his water-proof coat, and removing his cap from his head, General McCall stood erect, and looking down on McClellan's half upturned face, said : " General ilcClellan, I don't know that I sufficiently under stand the situation of the army to advise jou ; but from what I do know, I would fight over every inch of the ground from here to the James, before I would destroy a wagon. The moment you destroy your trains, you demor alize the army." To these heroic words McClellan made no reply, but the two generals in silence returned to the corapany around the fire. Greater corapliraents could not have been paid to men in arms than were that night awarded to the Pennsylvania Eeserves. The major-general commanding had entrusted to thera the casket of his army, indeed, of the nation ; the general commanding the division reposed such high confidence in his troops, that he was bold, -without hesitation, to deliver a reply to General McClellan, regarding the destruction of the trains, that in itself did much towards sa-ving the Army of the Potomac. He believed his men were able to march to the James with their baggage, and if necessary, fight the enemy at every step. Meanwhile the troops toUed through the deep forests, in darkness and rain, raarching by the side of the artiUery, resolved to defend it against the enemy, or to die in the road. On Sunday morning, wet and covered with mud, hungry, and exhausted by the terrible night march, the men reached Savage station. Here everything was in disorder ; the fields were crowded ¦with trains, the woods filled with wounded raen. Since Friday evening, aU had been hurry and confusion. The hurrying to and fro of officers in hot haste, carrying, and coraing for orders to and from every part of the array ; the arrival of the long trains of ambulances fiUed ¦with wounded soldiers, and the almost endless line of stretcher-bearers ¦with their wounded corapanions on their shoulders, poured in continuous streams into the open space about the station. The grounds around the houses, the floors of the bams, PENINSULAR CAMPAIGN. 251 stables, and out-houses were covered with vast multitudes of bleeding, groaning, and dying men. The uncertainty with regard to future movements, the hurUng together of the iraraense trains of the array of the Potomac, and the rumor that Jackson was marching against the comraunica- tions of the army with the White House, added to the con fusion and consternation that already palsied the stoutest heart. The raUroad trains had been employed to the last moraent to carry the wounded to White House. At ten o'clock on Saturday morning, the 28th of June, the telegraph wires connecting Savage station with White House, suddenly ceased working, and it was evident the enemy had posses sion of the raUroad. A train of cars filled -with five hundred wounded men was at the station ready to move, when the telegraph operator announced that his communication was cut. The train moved cautiously down the road three or four miles, to learn if possible the condition of things towards White House ; it soon returned to the station, and all were satisfied that the forces of the eneray had reached the rail road. The poor broken and wounded men, whose brave hearts had borne them up to endure all hardships, still waited on the cars, hoping against hope, and rejected the offers of their friends to remove thera to beds on the ground. Between two and three thousand sick and wounded were in the houses and tents, and under the trees at Savage station. Deep gloom and sore distress fell upon all ; there were a thousand rumors of things most im probable, but the despondency of the men prepared thera to believe the most extravagant stories, and the confusion that surrounded them increased their consternation. When, therefore, on Sunday raorning, the Eeserves halted at the station, the men left the ranks, and amid the army of wounded, sought out their companions, and administered for their wants ; for such as could walk they made canes and crutches ; they bound up the wounds of some, and aided many to foUow their regiments in the retreat across the swamp ; to others who could not follow them, they gave 2-32 HISTORY OP THE PENNSYLVANIA RESER-VES. water, and rations of bread, meat, sugar and coffee, and each noble patriot, placed in the -pocket of his wounded com panion all the money he had in his possession. The parting of brave men, companions in arms, is rarely witnessed under more distressing circumstances. The strongest heart was melted in sorrow ; many a manly cheek was wet -with tears as the soldiers bade farewell to each other, expecting never to meet again. Fathers dragged themselves away from the couches of their sons, son forsook father, and brother parted from brother. Both were patriotic and brave ; one, well, ro bust and strong ; the other, all bleeding, maimed and dying. They parted like brave men. Those who went, to die gloriously in battle, or, to survive with the vindicated honor of their country ; those who remained, doomed tO the most terrible hardships that befall men, who in war become the prisoners of a vengeful foe. Without physician, nurse or attendant, many died beneath the trees where their com panions had left them ; others, carried towards Eichmond, either died on the way and were buried in the swamps, or taken to the Confederate prisons, died of neglect, filth, and abuse. Eeverend Junius J. Marks, D. D., chaplain of the Sixty- third regiment of Pennsylvania volunteers, one of the most faithful christian ministers in this country, remained at Savage station to take charge of the wounded. This noble follower of his Divine Teacher, had for many days and nights of watchfulness and toil, labored for the alleviation of the pains and hardships of the disabled patriots on the Peninsula, and now, in the hour of severest trial and greatest need, he would not forsake them. When it was apparent . that the wounded would be left behind, Doctor Marks, feel ing that he was subject to the orders of Colonel Hays, com manding the Sixty-third regiment, or of General Kearney in whose command the regiment was brigaded, and know ing that these officers had already marched away towards James river, called on General Heintzelman and stated to him the situation ot the wounded at the station, and asked PENINSULAR CAMPAIGN. 258 the general, what, under the circumstances, he would advise him to do. General Heintzelman replied : " I cannot advise you. If you remain, you will become a prisoner, no man can tell you what you may have to endure ; you will lose all. You have no comraands holding you here, and if you please to go with the array, no one ought to blame you." Doctor Marks had hoped that General Heintzelman would order him to remain, for, feeling that to leave the men who were then under his charge, would be both dishonorable and cruel, he had determined to stay -with thera, live or die ; he ¦wished however to be defended in his conduct by the order or advice of a general officer. He nevertheless re mained with his sick and wounded countrymen, and on the 30th of June, became a prisoner of war. At three o'clock on Sunday afternoon, General Heintzel man and staff mounted their horses and galloped away from the station. Up to that tirae the disabled soldiers had not known that they were to be left behind to fall into the hands of the enemy. Doctor Marks says: "When it became manifest that such was to be their fate, the scenes of distress could not be pictured by human language. Some of the wounded men, who were left in their tents, struggled forth through the grounds, exclaiming, they ' would rather die than faU into the hands of the rebels;' I heard one man cry out '0 my God! is this the reward I deserve for aU the sacri fices I have made, the battles I have fought, and the agony I have endured from my wounds.' Some of the younger soldiers wept like children ; others turned pale, and some fainted. Poor feUows I they thought this was the last drop in the cup of bitterness, but there were yet many to be added." After having made a short halt, the Eeserves moved on from Savage station, and early in the afternoon crossed White Oak swamp creek. General McCall had received orders to park the artillery traia on the first firm ground south of the swamp, and to place his troops in a position to repel an attack from the direction of Eichmond. The division remained in line of battle on the border of the 254 HISTORY OF THE PENNSYLVANLi RESERVES. swamp until five o'clock in the afternoon. It was then reUeved of the charge of the artillery, which was out of danger, and was ordered to move forward on the road lead ing to Turkey Island bend on the James river. General Porter, to whose corps the Eeserves were attached, had orders to move forward with his command on the Quaker road to the James. When the head of the column reached the New Market road, it turned to the right, and marched westward towards Eichmond. The guide, having inquired of the inhabitants for the Quaker road, was informed that it entered the New Market road about five miles west ward from the intersection of the White Oak swamp road. At the point indicated by the citizens, there is an old abandoned road leading through the woods to the river, which the inhabitants called the Quaker road, but on the military maps used by General McClellan, this road was not laid down, but a road three miles further east was desig nated as the Quaker road. When the command had fol lowed for some distance, the lea^ of the guide, accompanied by an officer on General Porter's staffj General Meade, who was in the advance, insisted that they were on the wrong road, and that the Quaker road had already been passed. He halted his brigade, and riding forward with the guide, turned into the Old Quaker road, and discovered that it was overgro-wri, crossed by ditches and fences, and was therefore impassable. It was now about midnight, and so dark that it was impossible to make an examination of the country, General Meade reported the situation to General McOaU, who despatched a messenger to General Porter. General Porter rode forward, and insisted that they were on the right road, but directed General McCall to encamp his divi sion by the side of the road untU morning. The other divi sions of Porter's Corps, Sykes' and MorreU's, continued forward on the road, and after a fruitless attempt to enter the Old Quaker road, countermarched, and moving back marched by McCaU's camp, reached the Quaker road ofthe miUtary maps, by a private road through the woods, and PENINSULAR CAMPAIGN. 255 continued his march to the river ; he, however, neglected to ¦withdraw the Eeserves, or to send General McCall any orders as to the disposition of his di^vision. General Porter has since explained his conduct by saying that, " he no longer considered McCall's troops as attached to his com mand." Yet no order had been issued detaching them from the Fifth Corps. McCall and his gallant men, who had done more severe fighting, tedious marching and hard labor, since the morning of the 26th of June, than any other troops in the Army of the Potomac, were again, by the blunder of the commander of the Fifth Corps, placed in the front, and indeed almost within the camps of the enemy. WhUe the advance guard was pushing forward towards the Jaraes, the rear guard was holding the pursuing enemy at bay. During the night of the 28th, Generals Sumner's and Heint zelman's corps, and Smith's division were ordered to an interior line, the left resting on Keyes's old intrenchraents, and curving to the right, so as to cover Savage station. These troops were ordered to hold this position until dark of the 29th, in order to cover the withdrawal of the trains, and then to fall back across the swamp and unite ¦with the reraainder of the army. General Sumner vacated his works at Fair Oaks on the 29th of June, at daylight, and marched his command to Or chard station, halting at AUen's farm, between Orchard and Savage station. The enemy who had been greatly per plexed by the moveraent of the Army of the Potomac on Saturday, now discovered that General McClellan had abandoned his base at the White House, and was moving towards the James river. The rebel forces were immedi ately sent in pursuit of the retreating array. When Gene ral Suraner and General Heintzelraan discovered that the eneray was hanging on their rear, they formed their corps in line of battle on Allen's farm, determined to punish their pursuers, and at the same time ensure the safe withdrawal of the trains from Savage station. General Heintzelman 256 HISTORY OF THE PENNSYLVANIA EESERVES. formed his corps south of the railroad, facing towards Rich mond; Eichardson's and Sedg-svick's di-visions were formed on the right of the railroad, and General Slocum's division was sent forward to Savage station. At nine o'clock in the forenoon, the rebels approached this line of battle, and iraraediately coraraenced a furious attack on the right of Sedgwick's division, but were quickly repulsed. The eneray next attacked the left of Eichard son's division, making desperate efforts to carry a position held by Captain Hazzard's battery and the Fifty-third Pennsylvania regiment, coraraanded by Colonel Brooks. The valiant Pennsylvanians, however, had taken shelter behind a log house, and kept up a steady fire on the advanc ing enemy, who three times charged the position, but were as often repulsed, and finally compelled to retire in dis order. At the close of this spirited engagement, called the battle of AUen's farm. General Heintzelman withdrew his corps from the defensive works on the Williamsburg road, and crossed White Oak swamp at Brackett's ford ; General Sumner retired to Savage station. Opposite the station, between the railroad and the Williamsburg road, is a large plain, comprising an area of several hundred acres. The ground gradually ascends from the station towards the road. On this plain General Sumner, who commanded the rear guard of the grand army, drew up his troops in line of battle. Sumner had his own corps, Franklin's and part of Heintzelman's. Like a great waU thrown across the path of a powerful army, these lines of armed men stood for hours in the open field, many of them motion less as statues, waiting the approach of the enemy. Long and nuraerous trains of artillery, wagons and funeral ambu lances, on various avenues, approached, and passing behind this li-ving wall, poured in a continuous stream through the narrow pass of White Oak swamp. The van guard had passed the swamp and risen to a position on firm ground, flanked by the irapassable morass, where part of the trains could rest. General Keyes had already established commu- PENINSULAR CAMPAIGN. 257 nication -with the gunboats in the James, and GeneralPor- ter's corps stretched from the swamp to the right wing of Keyes' command. But the fate of the army was still in the hands of the rear guard standing in battle array on the plain at Savage station. Never were soldiers called to the discharge of more important duties! Never were troops more prepared for the sacrifice ! At five o'clock a great cloud of dust was seen rising from the fields towards the Chickahominy. The enemy had rapidly concentrated his forces on the south bank of the river, and was now marching to battle, confident of -victory and spoils. The veteran :hero, coraraanding the rear guard of the national army, sat calmly on his horse, and from the rising clouds of dust, ever varying, ever increasing, keenly conjectured the numbers and the designs of the enemy. The artUlery was trained on the approaches through which the enemy would come. Orderlies, aids de carap, and com manding officers were hurrying along the line from centre to right and left ; the men were in position, each with heroic resolution determined to resist the enemy till victory or death closed the contest. The rebels -approached through a dense woods which concealed' their movements until they were within a short distance of the National Unes. They then emerged from their ..concealment, pushed forward their artillery to commanding positions, and opened a furious fire of shot and shell. Sum ner's batteries replied vigorously, and tha guns on both sides were handled with great skill. For an hour, not a musket was fired. The lines of the army remained motionless, while the roar and crash of artillery filled the air with hideous sounds, and shook the earth -with its fearful concussion. Suddenly a wild yeU pierced the air ; the whole raass of the enemy's tro.ops sprung forward from the forest, and rushed into the open field in front of the National forces. Sheets of flame burst simultaneously from both Unes, and the roar of musketry -\ded with the thunder of artillery. The enemy was hurled back to the railroad, but advanced again and 258 HISTORY OF THE PENNSYLVANIA EESERVES. again to the close contest, each time replacing with fresh troops their broken ranks. Sumner and his troops well knew their situation. To retire was death ; to stapd firm could be no more. The mortal combat raged with fearful car nage till dark. At one time the eneray had almost succeeded in outflanking Sumner's position ; a hostUe brigade emerged frora the woods and rushed towards the rear of the left flank, but suddenly a battery opened on it with grape and canister, tearing through its colurans with such accurate range, that the eneray fled in disorder, and relinquished his purpose. The pall of battle and the shades of night brought no relief. The roar of cannon and the shriUer sound of musketry Avere incessant. The contending regiments, at times, stood face to face, and at the distance of only a few yards delivered volley after volley into each other's ranks. The enemy in his most furious efibrts failed to overwhelm the rear guard, and drive its broken regiments into the swamp. Sumner not only successfully resisted the attack, but had sent death in such terrible measures through the enemy's masses, that, becoming confused, the rebel regiments com menced firing on each other and were easily forced from the field. When General McClellan, beyond the White Oak swamp heard that Sumner had repulsed the enemy, he ordered him to retire across the swamp. But the Old Hero had his blood up, and asked for reinforcements that he might renew the battle in the morning. That, however, was contrary to the plans of the coraraanding general, and " Bull Sumner was choked off." He therefore retired during the night, and on Monday morning joined the right wing of the army south of the swamp. The killed and wounded in the battle of Savage station, like those in the battles at Gaines' mill, and AUen's farm, were left on the field, to receive the harshest treatment a bitter foe could infiict. Many of these noble defenders of the Union died from neglect, others from abuse, and some, dis tressed and broken in spirit, found a happy relief in death. PENINSULAR CAMPAIGN. 259 The lines of troops, and the immense trains marched in a continuous column through the swamp, and over White Oak creek. The roar of battle in the rear urged them to a quicker pace ; all day and all night long the living stream rolled onward. By midnight all the troops were on the road, and at five o'clock on ^Monday morning General French's brigade, which formed the rear guard to Sumner' .s corps, crossed White Oak creek, and destroyed the bridge. The labor of Monday, June 30, was the safe transfer of the trains to the bank of the James, under the protection of the gunboats. For this purpose the troops were placed in lines of battle on the roads leading from Eichmond down the Peninsula. Generals Keyes and Porter were in position at Turkey bend on Jaraes river. General Franklin guarded the passes of White Oak swarap. Early in the morning General Heintzelman destroyed the bridge at Brackett's ford, and felled trees across the Charles City road. He then -withdrew his corps to the point where the New Market road crosses the Charles City road. Kearny's division was formed in front of the Charles City road with its left joining the right bf McCaU's division, which was formed across the New Market road, facing towards Eichmond ; Hooker's division was forraed to the left and rear of McCall's posi tion. Part of Sumner's corps was with General Franklin at White Oak swarap, and the remainder formed in the rear of Heintzelman's left. The enemy had been so severely punished by General Sumner at Savage station, that he was slow to pursue the retreating rear guard. It was not until after twelve o'clock on the 30th of June, that he appeared opposite Franklin's position on White Oak creek. The enemy pushed forward several pieces of artillery, and opened a vigorous fire ou the divisions of Smith and Eichardson, and Naglee's bri gade, at White Oak swamp bridge. This artillery fire was continued throughout the day. Eichardson's di-vision suf fered severely; Captain Hazzard's battery, after losing many connoniers, and Captain Hazzard being mortally 260 HISTORY OF THE PENNSYLVANIA RESERVES. wounded, was compeUed to retire. It was replaced by Pettit's battery, which partiaUy silenced the eneray's guns. General FrankUn held his position until after dark, repeatedly driving back the eneray in their attempts to cross the creek. Finding it impossible to force the passage of White Oak creek in the face of the rear-guard. General Lee detached a powerful force to cross further up the swamp, and ordered the general in command to seize the intersection of the Charles City and New Market roads, and thus cut the line of retreat of the army of the Potomac. The enemy had already occupied the New Market road, in front of McCaU's division, and waited for reinforcements before beginning an attack. On the night of the 29th, General McCall had thro'wn forward the First brigade, commanded by Colonel Simmons, as an out-post to watch the movements of the enemy. The night was intensely dark, so that the men were unable to distinguish objects a few feet from them. Advancing about a mUe from camp, Colonel Simmons formed his troops on a private road at right angles with the New Market road ; he directed his men to lie do-wn in order, by the roadside, ready to spring into line at a moment's notice. A line of pickets was formed fifty paces in front of the brigade, and special countersigns were devised by which the pickets and the men from the different regiments could recognize each other. During the night several alarms occurred. At one time a number of battery horses broke loose, and rushed do-wn the road -with the fierceness of a cavalry charge ; after midnight brisk firing was heard in the rear, caused, (as was afterwards learned) by a false alarm ; again, a soldier sleep ing a nervous, restless sleep, holding his gun in his hands ready to meet the foe, dreamed that the enemy was charging -upon the brigade, and in a deep sepulchral voice, caUed out< to his comrades, " fall in ! fall in ! " Numerous dogs at the farm houses ia the vicinity kept up a continual barking, and thus not only aided to drive away sleep by their noise, NEW MARKET CROSS ROADS. 261 but also apprised the officers and men of the approach of the eneray. The frequent alarms made sleep impossible, and the command passed one of those nights of silent excitement, that preys so terribly on the energies of the soldier, and more unnerves the body than the severest shock of baftle. On Monday morning the brigade was -withdra-wn, and the division camped in an open field, where the men prepared breakfast from the scanty remnants in their haversacks. Surrounding the field occupied by the Eeserves, was a plain densely covered -with a forest of sedge pines ; General McCall taking advantage of the grounds skiUfuUy posted his troops on both sides of the New Market road. , He knew full well, that by the neglect of his superior officers, his division had again been placed at the point of greatest danger. He there fore formed his brigades in line of battle, feeling that the fate of the army once more rested on the arms of the Pennsyl vania Eeserves. Days of fierce battle, and nights of toUsome marches, had sadly worn upon the streng-th of the regiments. Most of the men were fitter subjects for the hospital than for the battle-field. Officers and men, however, felt that once more, treraendous efforts and terrible sacrifices raust be made, to save the army of the Potomac from destruction, and the National arms from disgrace. Worn and weary, but ¦with undaunted spirit the battle-scarred, soldiers again stood in serried ranks; their faces straight to the foe; the artil lery ¦with their pieces well to the front, and the infantry grasping tightly their arras, each man resolved to resist till death, the rebel hordes that ¦were swarming in the forests before them. I General McCall had formed his line of battle across the open plain; the Second brigade, commanded by General Meade, forming the right wing, crossed the Ne-w Market road ; the Third brigade, commanded by General Seymour, . was on the left, and extended to a marshy woods south of the field; the First brigade, comnjanded by Colonel Sim mons, was held in reserve, and was protected by a wooded hill in the rear of the centre of the line. The grounds were 262 HISTORY OF THE PENNSYLVANIA RESERVES. well chosen, and made an advantageous battle-field, but the Eeserve corps was too small to fully occupy it. Its thinned ranks, and contracted lines no longer stretched in massive columns across extensive fields, with unbroken front to the foe. Still, what was left of the noble corps, a heroic band, formed in line, and occupied the ground. Eandall's regular battery that supplied the place of De Hart's, which had been demolished at Gaines' mill, was posted on the right ; Cooper's and Kern's took positions in the centre ; two New York German batteries from Porter's corps, wMch had become detached from their di-vision, were placed in position on the left. Colonel Eoberts vnth the First regiment, and Colonel Jackson with the Ninth, were ordered to support the batteries in the centre. The Fourth regiment Colonel Magilton, and the Seventh commanded by Colonel Harvey, were on the extreme right with Eandall's battery. The two remaining companies of the Eleventh regiment, commanded by Captain Porter, were temporarily attached to the Seventh. The Tenth regiment commanded by Colonel Kirk, and the Twelfth, Colonel Taggart, supported the German batteries on the left. When, on the morning of the 30th of June, General McCall received the order from General McClellan to form his di-vision on the New Market road, and to hold the eneray in check until the trains had passed the cross roads in his rear, he supposed other divisions of the army would be formed on the right and left of his position to protect his flanks. The general-in-chief, however, was not present on the field, either to form the line or to superintend the battle, and the corps, and di-visions, being without a com mon leader, took positions, and fought independently. The only instructions given from headquarters were, that the several coraraands should resist the eneray, until the iraraense army trains, moving towards the James had passed all the cross roads, and arrived in camps on the bank of the river. Of these disjointed and independent divisions, McCall held the centre, resting on the principal NE-W MARKET CROSS ROADS, 263 road from Eichmond. The main body of the Confederate force advanced on this road, it being Lee's object to break through the lines of the National army at New Market and Charles City cross roads. Had he succeeded in this move ment, he would have seized the only approaches to the James river, Avould have di-vided McCleUan's army, and utterly destroyed the two fragments in detail. From the disposition of General Lee's forces, it necessarily foUowed, that the brunt of the attack would fall on McCaU's position. Gene ral Lee had sent forward his most powerful di-visions with orders to seize the Quaker road. One of these, commanded by General A. P. HUl, had assailed McCall's troops at MechanicsviUe in a battle, in which the Confederate gene rals acknowledged that " they were repulsed at every point ¦with unparalleled loss." Now, again, these same troops, reinforced by Longstreet's division, making a force of nearly twenty thousand men, were to be hurled against the reranant of the Eeserves, numbering less than seven thou sand effective soldiers. The sound of artUlery had been heard from nine o'clock in the morning, pounding incessantly, far away towards White Oak swamp ; gradually it drew nearer convincing the soldiers, that the tide of battle was rolling towards the centre. General McCall, believing that the enemy would approach his position by moving do-wn the New Market road, had thrown forward a squadron of the Fourth Penn sylvania cavalry to serve as pickets and videttes ; and whqn the enemy drew nearer, he sent forward the First regiment comraanded by Colonel Eoberts, and the Third comraanded by Colonel Sickel to support the cavalry. As Colonel Eoberts was about moving out with his regiment, a negro guide was sent to him who professed to be familiar with the country. After follo-wing the colored man for some dis tance, Colonel Eoberts ordered Lieutenant^Colonel Mclntire to station the companies, and form the line of pickets. The regiment marched on over a by-road through the thickets, and the companies, one after the other, were dropped from 264 HISTORY OP THE PENNSYLVANIA EESERVES. the column and expanded into picket lines ; just as the last corapany had reached its destination. Colonel Eoberts dis covered that the guide had acted falsely, and had led the regiraent into the lines of the eneray. The corapany imme diately countermarched at double-quick along the line, and gathering up the several companies, the regiraent reformed and withdrew to the New Market road just in time to escape capture. Before three o'clock on Monday afternoon, the enemy appeared in force in front of the deployed lines of the First and Third regiments. Colonel Eoberts made several efibrtS' to draw the enemy from the woods, and to open the engage ment, the rebels, however, obstinately refused to advance, but kept up an irregular fire from their concealed position. General Meade, hearing the firing in his front, rode forward to ascertain its nature and cause. Having reached the posi tion occupied by the First regiment, he inquired of Colonel Eoberts, why he did not engage the enemy, and ascertain his strength. Colonel Eoberts replied he had sent out his skirmishers to draw the rebels from the woods, but they refused to accept battle ; that he had himself, with a squad of cavalry, galloped along the front beyond his skirmish line, and had drawn a brisk fire from the enemy in the wood, and had also seen that the woods were occupied by a hea-vy force. About the same time sharp firing was heard on the left, and it was evident that Colonel Sickel had en countered the enemy in force. Colonel Eoberts was then ordered to retire to the line of battle and resume his posi tion in support of Cooper's battery. As soon as the rebel troops arrived in front of Colonel Sickel, who was in the wood south of the New Market road, a skirmifeh immediately commenced; the enemy at first made only a weak demonstration in front, to attract the attention of tVe regiment, and at the same time pushed forward flanking columns for the purpose of cutting off and capturing it. Colonel Sickel discovered the manceuvres of the enemy, and at once engaged his advancing columns. NE-W MARKET CROSS ROADS. 265 A terrific encounter ensued, during which the Third regi ment repulsed the enemy, and then retired in order on the line of battle in the field. The enemy now opened an artil lery fire along the entire front of McCaU's line, and under cover of a shower of shot and shell, sent forward a regiment against the right centre. The rebels carae frora the woods and advanced boldly into the field, deUvering their fire as they came ; Colonel Harvey, commanding the Seventh regi ment, and two companies of the Eleventh, was ordered to meet the hostile regiment with the bayonet. The men sprung from behind the battery, and darting forward -with the most reckless daring, drove the eneray frora the field ; to cover the return of the regiraent, Eandall's battery opened -with grape and canister, which unfortunately, to a small extent, struck the raen of the Seventh, and created temporary confusion, but the men -were too well drilled in battle to be thro-wn into disorder, and hence immediately reforined in their original position behind the battery. General McCall now discovered that the enemy was about to make an effort to carry away his left wing ; the general rode forward with the BucktaUs, and directed Major Stone to form his battalion in a narrow slip of woods on the left, in front of the line. Almost iramediately a heavy column of rebel troops were discovered moving through the woods threatening the left flank. The New York battery men, with out attempting to train their guns on the advancing rebels fired a few rounds- high over their heads, and then cutting their harness, rushed to the rear -with the horses, breaking through and deranging the lines of infantry. The enemy taking advantage of the temporary confusion, charged with hideous yells in overwhelming force upon the broken lines. The Twelfth regiment, which had been divided by order of General Seymour, and posted on the extreme left was crushed by the power of the enemy, and six corapanies were cut off frora the di-vision and driven back towards the left and rear on General Hooker's division. General McCall, with the true genius of a soldier, had discovered the move- 266 HISTORY OF THE PENNSYLVANIA -RESERVES. ments, and quickly understood the designs of the enemy He ordered the remaining regiments of the left ¦wing to change front, and sent forward the gallant Simmons with the Fifth regiment, commanded by Lieutenant-colonel Fisher, and the Eighth, commanded by Colonel Hays, to support Colonel Jackson and Colonel Kirk, of the Ninth and Tenth. Colonel Siraraons faced his regiments to the left, and ordered them to charge. The dense masses of the enemy were rushing with screams and yells frora the forest, and were dashing across the field, confident of an easy vic tory; the raore confident, because of the disorder on the extreme left. The four regiments, led by Colonel Sim- mbns, were forraed in line to stem this tide of death; to hurl back the exultant foe, to snatch victory from victorious arms, or, to be crushed beneath the weight of overwhelming numbers, was the dread alternative to which these patriot troops were called. No soldier on that field, in that awful moment, more fully appreciated the duties and the terrors of the hour than did the heroic Siraraons. He was ordered to charge diagonally to the left. For an instant he turned his face back, fixing his eyes upon the coraraanding general to reassure hiraself that he was right; then again to the head of his column, his great heart swelling with patriotic devotion, the voice of the soldier, in commanding tones, heard above the tumult of battle, rang out clear and loud along the serried lines, "Brigade! For-ward! char&b!" AVith eyes fixed on the enemy, and rifl'es firmly grasped, forward rushed the men to meet in a death struggle the advancing foe. The full, round cheer of the patriots, rising high over their ranks, drowned the screech and yell of the rebels ; the thunder of artillery and roar of musketry rose to their most furious might; bayonet clashed with baj'onet in fearful thrust and parry ; the impetuosity of the charge brought both columns to a halt. Now was the ter rible moment, hanging in the balance, equipoised, was the fate of the day, the life of the Eeserve Corps, the existence of the army. For-ward ! rang out from the head of the NE-W MARKET CROSS ROADS. 267 column, and rolled along the line in tones that at once struck terror to the hearts of the enemy, and fired the patriot troops with victorious zeal. The rebel masses bro ken and confused were pushed back to the forests. The left wing was saved ; the power of the enemy was broken ; nearly three hundred rebel prisoners were sent to the rear ; the day was half won. But the noble Simmons fell mor tally wounded. Multitudes of dead and wounded patriots covered the field. The lines of the charging column, when it entered the woods, necessarily becarae broken. Unable to reform under the murderous fire from the enemy's artil lery and infantry, the regiraents fell back to the woods behind their original position, where they reformed the line behind the Second regiment and the Bucktails, and held their ground till dark, when .the enemy withdrew from the contest. The Second regiment, commanded by Colonel McCandless, had been ordered to follow the Bucktails to the extrerae left, but before they had reached their designated position, the four regiraents that had so gallantly repulsed the rebels were broken and driven back closely followed by the eneray. The Second and the Bucktails iramicdiately faced to—the front, laid down and allowed the retiring regiraents to pass over thera, and then springing to their feet, met the advancing rebels with a fierce charge that checked their progress; and gave tirae for the other regiments to form in the edge of the woods. Four corapanies of the Twelfth regiment also formed in line and joined the Second. Six companies of the Twelfth had been cut off and driven to the rear, where they were formed by Major Baldy, and sub sequently under coraraand of Colonel Taggart, fought bravely by the side of a Massachusetts regiment in Hooker's division. When the German batterymen, and the detached compa nies of the Twelfth regiment, together with the squads in charge of the prisoners, came upon General Hooker's lines, he supposed McCall's division had been routed. A body 268 HISTORY OF THE PENNSYLVANIA EESERVES. of rebel troops that had pursued these detachments were vigorously attacked by General Hooker's troops and rolled back on the centre of the Eeserve Corps. The enemy then attacked ¦with great fury that portion of McCaU's line, by charging with heavy columns on Cooper's and Kern's bat teries. Colonel Eoberts, commanding the First regiment, had, with a counter charge, met the eneray who was advancing against Cooper's battery, at the same instant that Colonel Simmons had led the charge to the left. Three companies of Colonel Eobert's regiraent under the immediate command of Major Todd, moved to the left oblique ¦with the Fifth regiment, and partook of the glory and death of that tremendous onslaught; the other companies repulsed the enemy in front of the battery and then resumed their original position. The enemy_ made a second attempt to capture the batteries, and Colonel Eoberts again, in a most desperate contest, drove him back into the woods. A third atterapt to drive the men from their guns, resulted only in repeated slaughter to the charging columns. The batterymen had passed through the ordeal of fire-and death at Mechanicsville and Gaines' mill, and were now prepared for the worst. The regiments that supported them were ordered to use only the bayonet against the enemy. In front of the batteries for eight hundred yards was an open field, over which the enemy advanced against the most ter rific storm of grape and canister, that ever whirled in death-torrents across fields of fiercest battle. The foe coming from the dense forests, rushed upon the guns with a recklessness and contempt for death that surpassed the desperation of all other fields. In an hour like that, when men in dense masses, maddened with the excitement of battle, rush upon the fiery ordnance that at every round for a distance of a thousand yards, at point blank range, with charges of double shotted grape and canister, plows a horrible furrow of flesh and gore through the living field, artUlerymen, like demons incarnate, revel amid blood, groans, destruction, death, mangled forms, and fumes of NE-W MARKET CROSS ROADS. 269 hell, forgetful of danger, and glorying in the consciousness of superior strength. At each charge on Cooper's and Kern's batteries, the artillery cleared its front of living men, and filled it with the dead and dying. The supporting regi ments, inspired by the success of the batteries, each tirae the enemy advanced fell upon the right and left of the charging column, while the artillery broke the centre and hurled it back in confusion across the fields, into the forest. For raore than two hours of fearful sacrifice, the enemy attempted to capture or drive from the field these two batteries, but were unsuccessful. A terrible crisis was now reached. General Seymour had ordered the caissons of Kern's battery to be taken to the rear. Captain Kern had nearly exhausted the ammunition in his limbers; two officers had already been despatched in search of the caissons, but had failed to find them. Captain Kern reported to General McCall that in a few minutes his araraunition would be expended, and his caissons could not be found. The battery was therefore ordered to move to the rear. Captain Kern fired his last charge, and then, -with a heart full of sorrow, and eyes swiraraing in tears, ordered his battery from the field. It was about this time, that the regiments on the left had been forced back, after their charge. The eneray seeing the battery wheeling from its position, charged -with great force from the right, on the artillery, but was again repulsed by the vigorous counter charge of Colonel Eoberts' regiment. As' the regiment pursued the enemy towards the woods, a fresh column of rebel troops, charging from the left, flanked it, and forced it from the field ; then rushing furiously on Captain Cooper's gunners, drove them from their pieces and captured their battery. Just at this moment the Ninth regiment returned from the left to its original position near Cooper's battery; the men were told that Cooper's battery was lost ; in one voice they demanded to be led to the charge, to recapture it. Parts of other regiments formed in line with the Ninth, and rushed from the woods upon the battery at the instant the enemy 270 HISTORY OF THE PENNSYLVANIA RESERVES. was turning the guns upon them, a treraendous cheer and an irresistible charge, and iraraediately the undaunted Penn sylvanians were in the very midst of the foe. A terrific contest ensued. Bayonets thrust and parried ; muskets were clubbed; pistols, daggers, and bowie knives were freely used as the hostile currents surged in the turmoil of death, around and araong the guns and caissons ; the Eeserves had now deterrained the battery should be recaptured; the Confederates were equally bent on not relinquishing their possession. Never did men fight with more death-courting fury. On the right, Eandall's battery was belching forth its terrible charges of grape and canister ; the enemy could spare no reinforcements from that quarter ; at the price of life the gallant Simmons had broken the power of the enemy on the left, the centre now struggled alone. Too severe the storm, too fruitful of death the conflict, for mortal to endure! The rebels broke and run ; -with shouts of victory and insa tiate wrath, the men pursued them ; across the field, through the woods, and into the road, " going straight to Eichmond," shooting thera, bayoneting them, clubbing them and run- rung thera down, till the officers, seizing tho color-bearers, forced the victorious heroes to return to their original line; but not until William J. Gallagher, a private in Corapany F, who killed the rebel color-bearer, had seized the standard of the Tenth Alabama regiment, and carried it frora the field. The regiraent was met by General McCall and congratulated for its briUiant achievement. The gen eral received from private Gallagher the rebel colors and sent them to the rear. The centre had nobly sustained itself; the troops had repulsed the enemy at every charge, and had finally cleared their front of hostile reigiments. After the rebel troops had disappeared from the field in front of Cooper's battery. Colonel Eoberts dressed his Une, and directed the officers near him to keep their men well in hand, to meet another charge, in case the enemy renewed the conflict. It was after sunset ; the men knew the battle NE-W MARKET CROSS ROADS. 271 could not be continued much longer, and hence prepared for a final struggle. Just then a great noise was heard on the left and rear ; all eyes were instantly turned in that direction. Horror seized the hearts of the wearied soldiers, and men stood fixed as statues. A brigade of troops was pouring from the woods, raarching under a banner of strange de-vice, which in the dusk of. the evening could not be dis tinguished. " My God," exclaimed Colonel Eoberts, " what is that?" The next moment the stars and stripes emerged from the wood, and the answering shout went ~ up: "It is the Irish brigade I" An officer came dashing forward to Colonel Eoberts, and said he had come to reUeve his troops. The First and Ninth, and portions of other regiments then retired to the wood and General Meagher jnoved forward his brigade. The enemy suddenly opened a raost terrific fire of shell, and grape and canister from the woods beyond the field. General Meagher ordered his brigade to charge. "Save yourselves, men," said an officer of the Eeserves. " No !" replied Meagher, "rout the eneray! We fight for God! America! and Old Ireland!" The "fighting Irishmen" threw aside their hats and coats, roUed up their sleeves, gave a tremendous cheer, and then follo-wing their gallant commander, charged across the field against the murderous fire of artUlery, that slew them by hundreds. But, braving death, on went the Irish brigade, over the field and into the woods beyond ; so corapletely routed the enemy, that he did not again renew the conflict on that portion of the fleld. During all the time of the severe contest on the left, and the fierce battle in the centre, the right -wing, com manded by General Meade, had been vigorously engaged, and had succeeded in repulsing the enemy at every charge. Thwarted in every attempt to turn the left, and repulsed in their charge upon the centre, the columns of the eneray were now raassed for a final desperate effort to crush the regi ments on the right, and sweep their fragments from the field. The shades of evening were fast closing on the scene ; 272 HISTORY OF THE PENNS-YLVANIA EESER^VES. the roar of battle had diminished into a desultory fire. On the centre and left were the debris of exploded caissons and broken batteries, the carcasses of horses, and the bodies of. dead men, inextricably mixed. In front, an ominous silence reigned. That the enemy was about to renew his favorite tactics, and hurl the whole weight of his powerful masses against a selected point of the line. General McCaU well knew, nor was he deceived in expecting that the attack would be made on the right wing. The keen eye of Gene ral Meade had already detected the movements of the enemy, and instantly his lines were strengthened, and every man and every gun was in position. The Fourth and the Seventh regiments, and Captain Porter's and Lieutenant Sloan's companies of the Eleventh, lay in the woods behind EandaU's battery. In a few moments a brigade of the enemy, coming out frora the forest on the right of the field, six hundred yards from the battery, came forward at a lull run, traUing their arms, and in irregular masses rushed into the fight. Captain EandaU and his regulars, en-vying the laurels won by the volunteer batteries on their left, strained to their utmost power to sweep from the field the hordes of rebel troops, swarming on their front. Showers of shot and shell, from rebel batteries, pouring over the heads of their charging column, tore and crashed through the trees around the battery and araong the infantry, doing but sUght damage to the Eeserves. On came the infantry ; the grape and canis ter frora Eandall's guns at each round swept a channel of death through the mass of men, frora the front Une to the borders of the forest, but on they came, screaming and yell ing Uke savages ; closing up the terrible gaps as ofisn as the death-path revealed the dreadful carnage. The head of the column came Avithin thirty -yards of the cannon's mouth, but the fire was too terrible to endure, the brigade broke and scattered, but a second brigade in supporting distance pushed boldly forward, it too reeled beneath the fire, and was hurled back to the woods by the charge of the Fourth regiment. A third and more powerful brigade rushed upon NE-W MARKET CROSS ROADS. 273 the regiraent, and drove it behind the battery. Certain of victory, and maddened by the destruction in their ranks, the infuriated rebels pressed onward, through the lake of fire, and the atmosphere of death. They rushed upon the gun ners with bayonet and knife ; the Seventh regiment and part of the Fourth and Eleventh fired a volley into the front of the foe, at such short range, that the flames struck their faces. Eegardless of resistance, the rebels drove the can- noniers from their guns, and forced the infantry frora the field. General McCall and General Meade, who were on the ground, rallied the men to the contest. Many of Cap tain Eandall's men seized muskets and joined the infantry. A heroic band was rallied to retake the battery. The men charged from the woods, and fell upon the rebels just as one of the guns had been reversed, and its contents fired into the ' National troops. A struggle for the possession of the bat tery immediately commenced. Around the cannon, and over the dead bodies of horses and fallen comrades, the fierce conflict rolled and raged -with unparalleled fury. Few shots were fired. Bayonet crossed bayonet, and sabre and knife flashed fire from their clashing edges; single combatants stood breathless, face to face, and foot to foot, with locked bayonets, which each feared to release lest the other should gain the advantage. A supernatural frenzy fired the spirits of the raen. The shouts of command, the shrieks and yells of the enemy, the cheers of the Eeserves, the flash of the sabre, the thrust and parry of the bayonet, the crash of the clubbed rausket, the spouting blood, the death cry, the rush ing of masses, the surging of the conflict, pressing back into the forest, and forward again to the fragments of the broken battery, officers mounted on the guns cheering on their men, the momentary lulls, the rally and the fierce renewal of the fight, made the scene a maelstrom of fury with its currents of blood, wounds, and death, unparalleled in the History of the rebeUion. > General McCall had already put his last man into the fight, and was therefore unable to reinforce the troops strug- 18 274 HISTORY OF THE PENNSYLVANIA RE3ER\TE3. gUng in a death-grapple for Eandall's battery. Fresh regi ments reinforced the enemy's column, and the Eeserves were borne from the field, and carried back into the woods by sheer force of numbers. The rebels, however, had been too severely punished to pursue. They did not even attempt to hold the battery, but abandoning aU they had won, hastUy fell back to the woods, beyond the field ; and hearing the cheers of a brigade of New Jersey troops which was marching along the rear of McCall's position, to rein force General Kearney's line, the enemy did not venture to renew the conflict. The sun had already set, and as the dark shadows drew close around the evening's twilight, the roar of battle grew gradually more dim, and Uke the expiring day, gUramered and went out in the gloom of night. In the last terrible conflict that closed the battle of this day, an officer leading a Georgia regiment appeared most conspicuous, cheering on his men. He was a giant in form and strength ; he wore a plain black coat, bearing no insignia of rank, aud was armed -with a musket and bayonet, which he used with ferocious power to clear his way, bayoneting right and left as he advanced. He was, however, soon confronted by Sergeant H. C. Howard, of the Eleventh Eeserves, a young man of undaunted courage and of great muscular strength. Howard had already, during the day, despatched three men with his bayonet, and would not now shrink from the most powerful enemy. The Georgian thrust at him with his bloody bayonet, but Howard dexterously parried his stroke and caught the hostile weapon on the shank of his own. A desperate trial of skill and strength ensued ; the two giants wrestled in the embrace of death, regardless of the fury of battle that surrounded them. Neither corabatant would release the other's weapon to hazard a thrust at his antagonist, and both bayonets were finally brought to the ground. The two giants stood face to face, eyes glaring in stubborn defismce at each other, fixed as statues. At this moment NE-W MARKET CROSS ROADS. 275 one of Howard's companions coming up to him, clubbed his musket, and struck the Georgian on the head a blow that stretched him lifeless on the ground. Sergeant Howard then turned to General McCall, near whom the contest had occurred, smiled and nodded his head emphatically to one side, and again dashed away into the fight. General Meade, who ha,d done valiant service, and who had been General McCall's chief reliance during the day, was wounded late in the ev&Ung, while cheering on his regiments to the last desperate conflict. He was struck simultaneously by two balls, one entering his arm, and the other, penetrating the body just above the hip-joint, passed out near the spine. He attempted to remain on the field, but becoming exhausted from loss of blood, rode to the rear alone, and was received at the hospital by Surgeon Collins, who bound up his wounds, and sent him to the James river in an ambulance. As soon as the eneray had left the field. General McCall coraraenced the work of collecting his regiraents, for the purpose of re-forraing his line. He labored under great disadvantages. He had lost all of his brigade coraraanders; and in addition to this, in the course of the day all the members of .his staff" had been killed, wounded, or put hors du combat; his faithful orderly had been mortally wounded at his side, and his personal escort, a captain and twenty men of the Fourth cavalry, had been killed, wounded or dispersed, two only excepted, and the general himself had all day been under the hottest fire, encouraging his men. After the enemy had fallen back from the left and centre, and hurled their forces against the right, the fragments of six regiments on the left, joined theraselves together under their ranking officers, formed an independent brigade, and moved to the front. There was now no general officer on the field to command them. General Meade was wounded, Colonel Simmons, who commanded the First brigade, was killed, and General Seymour, commanding the Third brig ade, had become separated from his troops and had left 276 HISTORY OF THE PENNSYLVANIA EESERVES. the field. When, therefore, the battle raged with terrible fury on the right, these troops, with one accord, moved towards that part of the field, where General McCall was in the midst of the carnage, superintending the fight. Before the troops reached the scene of the final struggle, the battle had ended; When they gained their original position in the border of the field. Major Stone rode forward to recon noitre the ground in front; when he reached the -wrecks of the batteries on the crest of the hill, he was joined by General McCall, who was attended by a corporal and a private of the Fourth Pennsylvania cavalry. They rode forward a short distance, when they were suddenly con fronted by the levelled muskets of a column of rebel infan try, and coraraanded to halt and dismount. General McCall and the two cavalrymen, who were in front of Major Stone, were captured. Two volleys were fired at the major, but, it being now quite dark, he escaped, slightly wounded. The several regiments had now collected on the road near the right of the line ; the coraraanders of the regiments, •unable to learn of the fate of the general officers, and being without orders, collected their troops for such resistance as it was possible for thera to make. Colonel Eoberts, who was the ranking officer on the field, assume^ command, and directed the men to forra on the road and await his orders. About ten o'clock. General Seymour, coming up the road from the rear, arrived on the field, and relieving Colonel Eoberts, took command of the shattered columns of the Eeserves. The enemy had fallen back half a mUe from the battle-field, which became neutral, or, at least, unoccupied ground, until late in the night, the enemy moved up a division of fresh troops to hold the field. The Eeserves remained in position on the right and centre, on a line about one hundred yards in rear of the original line of battle, until eleven o'clock in the night, when they were ordered to withdraw and follow the other di-visions of the army to Malvern hill. Before leaving the field, the artUlery officers asked, pei'mission to procure NE-W MARKET CROSS ROADS. 277 horses and men to bring away their batteries, which were in front of the infantry, having been left there in the even ing, because the horses had been kiljed and the men were unable to draw them from the field. General Heintzelman, however, refused to allow the artillerymen to- attempt to remove the guns, lest it would bring on a renewal of the battie ; and General McClellan had directed General Heint- . zelman to avoid a general engagement until the army reached a position on the James river, where it could be aided by the gunboats. The artiUery with McCaU's di^vision was therefore abandoned by the Army bf the Potomac ; it was not captured ; but, on the morning of the 1st of July, was found on the field by the enemy's pickets. Among the noble dead left on this field of blood, was Colonel Seneca G. Simmons. In the death of this officer, the Eeserves lost an able and an experienced man, of the highest military attainments, and universally acknowledged soldierly qualifications. His education was altogether raili tary. He left Verraont, his native State, at the age of four teen, and becarae a pupil of Captain Partrige's school, then located in Connecti