USA > Pennsylvania > Our Campaigns: or, The marches, bivouacs, battles, incidents of camp life and history of our regiment during its three years term of service > Part 5
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On the 28th, orders were received to draw provisions and prepare to march, and during the evening there was a busy time cooking and packing up. At three o'clock the next morning the reveille sounded, and soon the camp was all astir, and at seven we took up our line of march, the rain descending in torrents, drenching us to the skin. But onward the men pressed through the mud, and about four o'clock in the afternoon, after a tire- some march of only eight miles, went into camp about two miles from Darnestown. The next day Colonel Thomas was detached from the command of our brigade,
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TENALLYTOWN.
which devolved upon Colonel Charles J. Biddle, of the " Bucktails." The regiment remained here until the 19th of September, when at eleven o'clock at night the "long roll" awakened the sleepers. Getting under arms and into line, we moved off in a southeasterly direction, and after a march of eight miles arrived at Muddy Branch, a tributary of the Potomac, where we were sent to guard a supply train. Here we remained until the 25th, when we again moved, marching fifteen miles, to Tenallytown, where we joined the Division of Pennsylvania Reserves, under Brigadier-General George A. McCall.
CHAPTER VII.
TENALLYTOWN. VISIT FROM THE PRESIDENT AND GENERAL MCCLELLAN. PRESENTATION OF FLAGS. A HAIL-STORM. THE REGIMENTS BRIGADED.
TEVALLYTOWN is situated at the junction of the Rock- ville and Poolesville roads with the Georgetown road, three miles from the latter town, and one mile and a half from the Chain Bridge. Here was erected Fort Pennsylvania, a most important and formidable earth- work, with a broad and deep ditch, heavy abatis, and guns mounted barbette. It was built by the Reserves, details being made from all the regiments for that pur- pose.
Prior to our arrival several interesting ceremonies took place, among which was a grand review of the Di- vision by His Excellency Mr. Lincoln, attended by his Cabinet, and Major-General George B. MeClellan, com- manding the Army of the Potomac. The next day the following order was issued and read at the head of the regiments of the Reserves on dress-parade :
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HEADQUARTERS PENNSYLVANIA RESERVE VOLUNTEER CORPS, Camp Tenally, August 21st, 1861.
Soldiers of the Pennsylvania Reserve ! This day must be recognized as a propitious inauguration of your future military history. You have this day passed under the scrutinizing inspection of the Commanding General of the Army of the Potomac, in whose ability to success- fully prosecute this war, the confidence of the country is reposed. You have passed in review before the Presi- dent of the United States and his Cabinet; and both the General and the President have expressed to me their unqualified approval of your soldierlike appearance on review, and of the discipline thus manifestly shown to exist in the corps.
It now rests with you, officers of the Pennsylvania Reserve, to carry out to perfection the work so well begun. Upon you devolves the care of your men; let that be unremitting; let every attention to their wants temper the rigid discipline necessary to the formation of the soldier, and with one heart we will uphold the flag of our State, and place her name among the foremost in the cause of our common country.
GEO. A. McCALL, Brigadier-General Commanding.
On the 10th of September, the presentation of the flags, the gift of the Society of the Cincinnati, of Penn- sylvania, to the Reserves took place. But nine regiments were present, which were drawn up in a large field adjoin- ing the River Road. The color companies of each regiment were marched to the front with their colonel on their right. Soon the swelling notes of a fine band were heard far away in the distance, and as the music ap- proached the guns of Fort Pennsylania and Campbell's batteries of the First Reserve Artillery thundered forth their salutes, which echoed from hill to hill, and rever- berated through the valleys until it seemed like the rour of battle. Ere the sound had died away, the First Re- serve, Colonel Simmons, and a procession of carriages
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PRESENTATION OF FLAGS.
appeared in view, containing His Excellency the Presi- dent of the United States, accompanied by his Cabinet, Governor Curtin and General Mcclellan, with a host of government and Pennsylvania officials, reporters, &c. 'The flags were produced, and Governor Curtin com- menced the presentation, and as each colonel received his regimental flag, he briefly returned thanks for the gift. The presentation being over, the Governor ad- dressed the troops. When he told them that they were his fellow-citizens and Pennsylvanians, and that the honor and faith of Pennsylvania, to the last drop of her blood, and the last dollar of her resources, were pledged to the support of the Government, and the maintenance of our beloved institutions, he mounted the back seat of the carriage, and declaring that he was in full view of thou- sands of her citizens assembled to carry that determina- tion into effect, the enthusiasm was unbounded, and cheer after cheer went up from thousands of manly throats.
General McCall briefly replied to the Governor, thank- ing him for the gifts, and giving the assurance that the colors would never be dishonored.
The presentation over, the `regiments wheeled into columns of companies and passed in review before the Governor. After this the company attending the Presi- dent and Governor partook of a collation, in pic-nic style, in the grove fronting General McCall's headquar- ters. There were several ladies in the party-Mrs. Governor Curtin, Mrs. General Maxwell, and others, whose presence added greatly to the pleasure of the occasion. The greatest sociability prevailed, and all present enjoyed themselves. President Lincoln was in his happiest mood, and was the life of the company. Wit and sentiment ruled the hour, without stiff for- mality. Through with the repast, they stepped into their carriages, and passing over the Chain Bridge into Virginia, returned to Washington, via the Long Bridge.
While we laid here heavy details were made daily
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for picket, cattle-guard, or working parties on the fort, besides which Colonel Mann was indefatigable in his efforts to discipline the regiment by constant battalion and company drills. Several demonstrations of the enemy's pickets created alarms in camp, and caused us to get under arms, all of which were pleasant little excitements for the men. On the 7th of October, we were visited by a violent hail-storm accompanied with a high wind. Some of the stones were of the size of bullets, cutting through the tents, and almost driving the horses wild. The storm lasted about a half' hour, leaving the atmosphere quite cool. The next day the fall election taking place in our State, the Reserves . exercised their right of casting their vote, each com- pany voting at its captain's quarters. About this time Lieutenant-Colonel Magilton resigned.
While we laid here the organization of the regiments into brigades took place.
The First Brigade, Brigadier-General John F. Rey- nolds, was comprised of the First Rifles, "Bucktails,' Colonel Charles J. Biddle; the First Infantry, Colonel R. Biddle Roberts; the Second Infantry, Colonel Wil- liam B. Mann; the Fifth Infantry, Colonel Seneca G. Simmons ; and the Eighth Infantry, Colonel Geor Hays.
The Second Brigade, Brigadier-General George Gor- don Meade, was composed of the Third Infantry, Colonel Horatio G. Sickel; the Fourth Infantry, Colonel A. L. Magilton; the Eleventh Infantry, Colonel T. F. Gal- lagher ; and the Seventh Infantry, Colonel E. B. Harvey.
The Third Brigade, Colonel J. S. McCalmont, was composed of the Sixth Infantry, Colonel W. W. Ricketts ; the Ninth Infantry, Colonel Conrad F. Jackson ; the Tenth Infantry, Colonel J. S. McCalmont; and the Twelfth In- fantry, Colonel John H. Taggart.
The First Reserve Cavalry, Colonel George D. Bayard, and the First Reserve Artillery, Colonel Charles F. Camp- bell, although attached to the division were not brigaded.
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CROSSING THE CHAIN BRIDGE.
CHAPTER VIII.
CROSSING THE CHAIN BRIDGE. CAMP PIERPONT. THE "LONG ROLL." BEAUREGARD RECONNOITRING. MARCH TO DRAIIIES- VILLE. AN INDISCREET HEN. RETURN TO PIERPONT. BALL'S BLUFF. REVIEW. RESIGNATION OF COLONEL MANN. GRAND REVIEW.
EARLY on the morning of the 9th, General Smith ad- vanced his division from the neighborhood of the Chain Bridge to Langley, where deploying his skirmishers, he pushed forward a brigade on the Drainesville pike, and took possession of Prospect Hill. With his main body, he diverged from the pike at Langley to the left, ad- vancing towards Lewinsville, which village he entered and occupied without opposition, leaving the main por- tion of his troops at Smoot's Hill, and pushing on a de- tachment to occupy Miner's Hill.
To occupy this extension of the lines, the same day orders were issued to the Pennsylvania Reserves to march, and in a short time their tents were struck, wagons loaded and men in line. At seven o'clock in the evening our regiment took up its line of march, passing eastward through Tenallytown, and turning to the right, wound down a long, narrow, rough road to the Potomac, along which it moved to the Chain Bridge, and set foot for the first time upon the "sacred soil of Virginia." As the
regiments crossed, their bands struck up "Dixie's Land," and their vociferous cheers burst forth, echoing from shore to shore of the rock-bound river. Moving on past Fort Marcy they bivouacked for the night about half a mile beyond Langley, Fairfax county.
The next afternoon the wagons arrived, the tents were pitched, and Camp Pierpont established, named in honor of. Frank HI. Pierpont, the loyal Governor of Western Virginia. The position assigned to the Reserves was
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the extreme right of the Army of the Potomac, their picket line extending from the river past Prospect Hill over towards Lewinsville. The camp of the Second was to the right of the Chain Bridge and Drainesville pike, on a low and badly drained piece of ground, at the base of a wooded hill, near the Langley School-House, which was occupied as the head-quarters of the First Brigade.
During the first ten days, the "long roll" was beaten, and the men got under arms five times. On the night of the 11th, the pickets in the neighborhood of Lewins- ville were driven in, and the next day the enemy consist- ing of at least three regiments of infantry, some cavalry and a battery of six guns, were discovered near Miner's Hill, concealed in the woods, which led to the supposi- tion that an attack was meditated the next morning. At noon the drums beat, and the men got into fighting order. General Mcclellan and staff, including the Comte de Paris and the Duc de Chartres, rode over and re- mainded during the night at Smoot's house, and at mid- night the drums again beat and every preparation was made for an attack.
It was a clear and beautiful night, the moon shone forth in its mild beauty ; the stars twinkled with resplend- ent glory, and not a cloud glided through the sky. The drums beat "the long roll," the trumpets of the cavalry and artillery sounded their shrill blasts, and the bands of the infantry pealed forth their most soul-inspiring strains. The camp-fires burned brightly, the glittering bayonets and sabres flashed in the light, and every heart beat high with hope. At two A. M., various columns of troops, on the Maryland side of the Potomac, were put in motion, and moved across the river to a position from which they could be easily thrown to any point of the line the emergency might require. Among them were some four thousand cavalry and fifty pieces of artil- lery. But alas, after remaining in position until day- light, chilled with the falling dews, the boys were doomed to disappointment. Beauregard had only been on a
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A FRIGHTENED ORDERLY.
reconnoisance in force, to ascertain our position since the recent extension of our front.
About this time Orderly Sergeant Richard Clendining, Company H, was elected Second Lieutenant, vice Robert II. Porter, resigned, July 21st. Also, Sergeant James R. Nightingale, Company C, Second Lieutenant, vice Frank Fox, resigned.
About eleven o'clock on the night of the 18th, orders were issued for the Reserves to prepare to move early the next morning, with three days cooked rations in haversacks, and accordingly there was a busy time that night around the camp-fires. Early in the morning, the regiments were in line, and at seven o'clock they moved off up the pike towards Drainesville. The First Brigade, General Reynolds took the lead with a squadron of the Reserve cavalry, Colonel Bayard in the van, followed by two batteries of the Reserve artillery, Colonel Campbell, the "Bucktails" and infantry with the ambulances, or "avalanches," as the boys called them, bringing up the rear. Crossing Difficult creek, we continued on through Drainesville, and halted to bivouac three miles beyond. Soon after General McClellan rode up and ordered us to fall back about four miles to Thornton's house, at the forks of the Chain Bridge and Leesburg and Alexandria pikes. The artillery was posted to sweep the roads, pickets thrown out, and the men put in a heavy woods, where they slept peacefully.
When we first commenced our retrograde movement many surmises that soon assumed the shape of rumors were set afloat, and as we at that time were incapable of judging of military movements, they received much credence. An orderly came dashing down the road in search of General Reynolds and almost breathlessly in- formed him, there were "forty thousand rebels coming down upon us." "Forty thousand old fools," replied the General, "go back to where you came from."
The Second Brigade lay that night about three miles in our rear, and the Third about three miles in their rear
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at Difficult creek, to preserve our communication and. prevent our rear being turned, General Smith's division was also moved out the Alexandria and Leesburg turn- pike, to cover that road and those leading from Centre- ville to Drainesville.
The next morning by daylight the boys were up and hard at work cutting down the chestnut trees in the woods to get the nuts, and the squealing of pigs was heard in various directions. An old hen that had been roosting on a tree commenced cackling, which attracted the attention of a soldier who was passing by. " Madam," said the boy, "you had better have kept your mouth shut," as he knocked her off with a stone. These pro- ceedings were however put a stop to, and the boys restricted to the limits of the camp.
On our march up we found a number of houses aban- doned by their occupants, who had fled on our approach under the impression we were Mamelukes and Bedouins coming to murder and destroy all we found. At some places we found the furniture carried out on the lawn ready for moving. We also found houses that had been abandoned for some time, their inhabitants having been driven away by their neighbors on account of their Union sentiments.
During the day detachments were sent out to recon- noitre the neighboring roads and country and make a plane table survey of a great portion of it, and along the Loudon and Hampshire railroad in several places they encountered the enemy's scouts, killing two and wound- ing four of them. The next morning, the 21st, General McCall having accomplished the object of his advance, in obedience to orders received that morning from Gen- eral McClellan, returned to camp.
Much comment was made at the time through the public press in regard to this movement, as the battle of " Ball's Bluff" took place upon the day of our return, and we were in a position to have been pushed forward
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CHANGE OF CAMP.
in the enemy's rear, and probably reversed the fortune of the day.
In the official report of General Mcclellan, he states that General Banks sent a despatch to him on the 20th, that the signal station at Sugar Loaf telegraphed that the enemy had moved away from Leesburg, upon which he telegraphed to General Stone that McCall occupied Drainesville, and desired him to keep a good look-out upon Leesburg, and to make a slight demonstration, to see if the movement had the effect of driving them away. This despatch was received by General Stone at eleven o'clock A. M., and he immediately despatched Captain Philbrick, Fifteenth Massachusetts Volunteers with twenty men on a reconnoissance towards Leesburg, who returned that night and reported having advanced within a mile of the town without finding any enemy. He had then accomplished all that had been expected of him. It is probable that that night he conceived the idea of capturing the town by a brilliant coup, and the next day commenced the crossing of infantry, horses and artillery over the broad and rapid river in three scows. The dis- astrous results of this rash undertaking are well known. General Stone acknowledged before the "Committee on the conduct of the war," that the movement on the 21st originated with himself, and was not ordered by General McClellan.
Upon the return of the Reserves to camp, General McCall was ordered to rest his men, and to hold them in readiness to return to Drainesville at a moment's notice.
The camp of our regiment was moved about a half mile to the north-east, on a fine high and sloping piece of ground, terminating abruptly towards the pike in a steep hill. At the base of this were the quartermaster's and sutler's tents and the guard house. On the crest was located the field and staff, and on the slope the com- pany tents, with a fine parade ground beyond.
About this time First Lieutenant R. II. Loudon, Com- pany A, resigned, and Second Lieutenant Horace Neide
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was elected to fill the vacancy. Orderly Sergeant John J. Ross was chosen second lieutenant of the same com- pany, and Mr. Neide was appointed adjutant of the regiment. Quartermaster-sergeant Wesley S. Mann having some time before been honorably discharged the service, John L. Benzon was appointed in his place, and William A. Hoyt made commissary-sergeant.
On the 22d, an election was held for lieutenant colonel, which resulted in the unanimous choice of Major Wil- liam McCandless.
On the 28th, General McCall reviewed the Reserve, consisting of the thirteen regiments of General Reynolds and Meade, and Colonel McCalmont's brigades, the First Reserve Cavalry, Colonel George D. Bayard, and the First Reserve Artillery, Colonel Charles F. Campbell, in front of Johnson's Hill. The field contained but about forty acres, the regiments were formed in divisions closed in mass, which wheeled into column in mass, and moved forward to where General McCall and staff were stationed but before reaching him, the divisions broke into com- panies at wheeling distance, and passed in review. When the line began thus to uncoil itself, it reached a great distance, and presented a splendid spectacle.
When Colonel Mann raised the regiment, his intention was to remain in the service until Washington was safe, and on the first of November, feeling the object for which he came out was accomplished, he resigned and returned to his profession. While in command of the regiment, he was assiduous in his attention to the welfare of the men, frequently examining their rations, visiting their quarters and the hospital, and tempering the rigid dis- cipline necessary to the formation of a soldier with a fatherly care. With his ability, if he had remained in the service, and had not had his "light put out," the eagles upon his shoulders would have undoubtedly soared until they reached the stars.
While at Tennallytown, the men were kept half of the time in digging earthworks and building forts, and but
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GRAND REVIEW.
little time was left to devote to battalion drill. But here it was different, besides the difficulty of getting to Wash- ington was so great, that few cared about taking the trouble to procure a pass. The result was, that a great portion of the time was spent in drilling, and the regi- ments being all encamped within sight of each other, quite a rivalry sprang up between them, as to which would become the most perfect. The effect was a marked improvement in the discipline of the men.
On the 7th the regiment was paid off by Major Smith. About the same time we exchanged the smooth-bore for the Harper's Ferry rifled muskets.
On the 20th, a grand review of a portion of the Army of the Potomac, took place near Munson's Hill, in a valley, or rather plain, two miles long by one broad, stretching to the east towards Bailey's Cross Roads. The troops, numbering seventy five thousand, rank and file, were drawn up in a line, forming three sides of a square. Upon the right were cavalry and artillery, and on the left was the Pennsylvania Reserves. Around this immense plain, thousands of people and vehicles were gathered. Munson's Hill was black with them, and the trees and houses were covered with men and boys. Con- · siderable time was occupied in getting the troops into their proper positions, and the centre of the field pre- sented an animated scene, hundreds of aids and order- lies galloping in all directions, carrying orders for the different divisions and brigades.
At twelve o'clock, noon, a cortege consisting of Presi- dent Lincoln and lady, in an open barouche, followed by Secretaries Seward and Cameron, a host of distinguished civilians and Foreign Ministers arrived, and took post near the flag-staff, in the centre and front of the square. Soon after General McClellan arrived, escorted by the Second and Fifth United States Cavalry, and his Body Guard, and took post to the left of the President, sur- rounded by his Generals and Staff. A salvo of artillery announced his arrival. The President and Secretaries
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mounted horses and rode over to the General, and they started on the review. Commencing on the left, they passed down by the Reserves, and as the party, consist- ing of some three hundred officers, generals and their staffs, rode up, the troops commenced cheering and the bands playing. As they galloped down the line at the rate of fifteen miles an hour, the terrific roar was kept up the whole way through, making the scene intensely thril- ling. After passing around, a position was taken, and orders given for the column to pass in review. First came the Reserves, General McCall, which after passing, filed to the right and marched at once to their camp, some ten miles off. Then followed General Heintzleman's Division, which passed to the left, and marched some fifteen miles to their post. The divisions of Generals Smith, Franklin, Blenker, Porter and McDowell, brought up the rear, and each was dismissed and marched di- rectly to its camp. There were seventy regiments of infantry, seventeen batteries, and seven regiments of cavalry, and the time occupied in passing was three hours. They marched in column of division, and if they had been in the usual order, it would have taken twice as long. It was by far the finest review ever witnessed on this continent.
About this time the men commenced preparing winter quarters. These consisted of walls of from four to six logs high, with wedge tents placed over them. Floors of boards or logs were put down, shelves put up, and small sheet-iron stoves put in. From four to six gene- rally bunked together, according to their liking.
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SKIRMISH NEAR DRAINESVILLE.
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CHAPTER IX.
SKIRMISH NEAR DRAINESVILLE. FORAGING EXPEDITION. BATTLE OF DRAINESVILLE. VISIT OF GOVERNOR CURTIN. THE BOYS IN WINTER. CAMP LIFE. FIRING FOR MEDALS. PICKETING. "OLD UNCLE BEN." "TAKING FRENCH." NAUGHTY "SELL." .
EARLY in the evening of the 26th, Colonel Bayard with five hundred and fifty men of the Reserve Cavalry, started on a scout up the pike. They halted at Difficult Creek, and before daylight, proceeded to Drainesville, and captured four pickets, Charles Coleman, Philip Car- per, Dr. Day and son, and three other citizens. On the return a short distance from Drainesville, a volley was fired from the woods, mortally wounding Assistant-sur- geon Alexander, and slightly two men. Colonel Bayard and Surgeon Stanton had their horses killed under them.
A portion of the cavalry were immediately dismounted, and entering the woods, killed three and captured six, including Captain Farley, of General Bonham's staff, and Lieutenant Carderees, of South Carolina. Thomas, the brother of Charles Coleman, was shot in the eye and breast, and died a few days afterwards. On the return home of the expedition, they were met by Generals McCall and Reynolds, with the First Brigade of the Re- serves, and three batteries of artillery coming to their aid. These Colemans were accused of shooting wounded soldiers, and of cutting the head off of one who escaped from the first Bull Run, which they set upon a pole in front of their tavern, and threw his body to the hogs. Of these accusations there can be little doubt, as much pains were taken to inquire into them, and it was found, that while several of their neighbors acknowledged the fact, others said they had heard of them, and none gave
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