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 7
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At ten o'clock the next morning, we moved down the pike, passing Falls Church, Munson's Hill, and a long line of fortifications erected at different times by the Union and Confederate troops, and arriving within a mile
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"HALLO BARNEY."
of Alexandria, moved over the fields to the left, and en- camped near the Cemetery and the Fairfax Seminary. On account of the roads, and the sleepless night, the march was rather an inanimate one, but little spirit of joviality being displayed until we met a supply train moving in an opposite direction among whose drivers was a red panted Zouave, the first we had seen. One of the boys found out his name, and as he passed cried out "hallo Barney"-Barney turned round to see who his friend was, when the whole regiment saluted him. At first he was disposed to take it ill-naturedly, and gave full vent to violent gesticulations and oaths, but finding he was " in for it," he jumped upon the seat of the wagon, and commenced dancing and waving his hat. As he passed by our regiment, the next took it up, and for a long way we could hear the shouts of " Barney," and see his red pants dangling in the air. Thus a happy point taken will enliven for a time a whole army.
The war metamorphosed Alexandria from a quiet Old Virginia town into a bustling business place. Almost every house was turned into a store, restaurant or board- ing house, all of which did a thriving business from the continual influx of officers, soldiers, government attachés and innumerable teamsters and workmen. Though the sale of liquor was prohibited under severe penalty, and the provost guard continually visited places suspected of the illicit traffic, yet large quantities of it were daily sold. One individual had a barrel up his chimney, another one upon the top of his house, from which he drew it out of a gas jet in a back room, and a third drew it from a private house next door by means of his hydrant. The city possessed not a single attrac- tion for a private residence. As the whole army was now concentrated in the neighborhood, the streets were crowded with soldiers, many of whom went to excesses. though not annoying the citizens or particularly harming themselves, but as the Reserves had not been paid off for
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some time, and were out of money, they won golden opinions for their good conduct.
The enemy's retreat from Manassas to Gordonsville somewhat modified the plans of the campaign, and at a council of corps commanders held at Fairfax Court House on the 13th, the Peninsula campaign was decided upon, provided the enemy's steamer Merrimac could be neutralized, the army be immediately transported to the Lower Potomac, the navy co-operate in silencing the batteries on the York river, and Washington be made safe. If not, to Richmond via Manassas and the Rappa- hannock. The embarkation of the army was imme- diately commenced at Alexandria, Washington and Perryville, and in thirty-seven days after the order was received by the Hon. John Tucker, Assistant-secretary of War, one hundred and twenty-one thousand, five hundred men, fourteen thousand five hundred and ninety- two animals, one thousand one hundred and fifty wagons, forty-four batteries, seventy-four ambulances, besides pontoon bridges, telegraph materials, and the enormous quantity of equipage, etc., required for an army of such magnitude, were transferred to Fortress Monroe with the loss of but eight mules and nine barges, an operation of such magnitude as was without a parallel in this country.
The weather during our encampment here was cold, rainy and unpleasant, rendering the ground mostly unfit for drilling, but every favorable opportunity was taken advantage of for that purpose. We received our full ration and a ration of whisky was served out every rainy night. As the troops who had laid here all winter had cut down and used the wood in the neighborhood, it was scarce, and the boys hearing some regiments of New York troops had embarked for the Peninsula, went over and rummaged their encampments, and procured a rich supply of boards, etc. Some commissary stores were left behind under guard, to which they proceeded to help themselves, under the patriotic impression that as they belonged to Uncle Sam, it was their duty to improve his
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property by keeping themselves in good fighting order.
On the 2d of April, Captain George A. Woodward was elected Major, First Lieutenant Horace Neide, Captain, and Orderly Sergeant Daniel H. Connors, First Lieu- tenant. After the election the Major regaled the men on ale, and his opponent on whisky, which made what is termed a "stone wall," some portion of which toppled over during the night.
About this time a company of Pennsylvanians, under the command of Lieutenant John M. Clark, who had been attached to the First District of Columbia Volun- teers, were nominally transferred to our regiment, taking letter F, but were asigned by General McCall to take charge of the extra line of caissons for the artillery battalion of the Reserves.
Our Corps de Armee, being detached from the Army of the Potomac, constituted an independent command- the Department of the Rappahannock-under General McDowell, designed to cover Washington. We prepared to move south, first having the cartridges increased to one hundred per man.
Early on the morning of the 9th, we struck tents, and strapping them on our knapsacks, with three days' cooked rations in haversacks, moved off. A severe storm of alternate rain, hail and snow, which had been falling for several days, was prevailing, rendering the roads and fields we passed over in many places knee-deep in mud. Passing down between Forts Ellsworth and Lyons, we marched about three miles to the Orange and Alexandria railroad where we halted to await transportation. Here we stood six hours shivering in the mud, with our heavy knapsacks upon our backs, but about three o'clock the cars arrived and our brigade embarked and we got under way. Our journey was without any incident of interest, and at nine o'clock in the evening the train halted about two miles beyond Bull Run creek, in front of a large deserted encampment of huts, that had been built and
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occupied by the enemy during the winter. We had an. ticipated a hard night of it, in the open fields without fires, so these proved a perfect god-send to us, as the snow was deep and the storm was raging with fury, and many of the men had been exposed through the day on platform cars, so closely huddled together that they could hardly move. We were in the cabins but a few mo- ments before bright crackling fires were burning in the ample chimney-places and we were partaking of a boun- tiful supper of hot coffee, crackers and junk. As we sat around the cheerful fires enjoying our pipes, we soon forgot the exposure of the day and the storm that was raging without, and then stretching ourselves upon the clay floor we enjoyed a good night's sleep.
The next morning at eight o'clock we formed and marched up the railroad about three miles, the surround- ing country presenting a scene of desolation, being stripped of fences and wood. On either side were deserted huts, camps, broken wagons, caissons, barrels and boxes.
At Manassas Junction were the vast ruins of the depot and other buildings burnt by the enemy in the haste of retreat, they being unable to remove the im- mense amount of provisions and clothing collected there. Smouldering ruins, wrecked cars and machinery, vast piles of flour, pork, beef, wagons, lumber, trunks, bottles, demijohns, tents, hides, tallow, bones, dismantled fortifi- cations and rifle pits all mixed up together in inextri- cable confusion. Moving on, we entered a large open plain, surrounded by woods; and passing through a col- lection of deserted huts, we encamped in a pine forest on its border, in an old encampment of our skedaddling friends. The only thing of life left to welcome us was a pet turkey buzzard whose wings they had clipped to prevent its escape. What a fit emblem it would make for their bogus Government !
Near by, in a fine oak forest, were the ruins of the enemy's hospitals, which they burnt before leaving.
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BULL RUN BATTLE FIELD.
They were of boards, one story high and consisted of five rows, of ten buildings, each twenty-four by one hundred and twenty-eight feet, besides several detached houses and stables, all connected by broken sandstone walks, to protect the patient's feet from the damp earth. Near them was a large grave yard, and many clusters of graves were found in the neighborhood.
While here many of us visited the Bull Run battle field, situated about seven miles distant, finding but few occupied houses on the road, most of the inhabitants having left, they believing the stories so freely promul- gated in the Southern papers of our monstrosities. Where they remained at home a guard was furnished for their houses and their property protected. Near the battle-field were a number of huts lately occupied by the enemy, and over the door of one was found nailed the cross bones and skull of a human being. Leg bones were also found with the marrow but partially dried up in them, from which finger rings had been sawed off. What singular and refined tastes the chivalry of the South have! It was noticed that while there were quite a number of bibles and tracts left in their cabins, there were no cards to be found, but whether this was to be accounted for by the fact of their being conscientiously opposed to gaming, or considered the cards the most valuable of the two, we cannot say. The field, of course, possessed much interest to all, and the important posi- tions were carefully examined. The bones of men and horses lay scattered about unburied although the enemy laid in the immediate neighborhood for eight months. Near the water courses were found the skeletons of many of the wounded who had crawled to them to quench their thirst.
On the 12th the regiment was paid off by Major John M. Pomeroy, and soon after our sutler, Captain Knox, resigned and left us. Mr. Stokes was appointed in his place, but being unable to give satisfaction, soon after left. About this time Sergeant-Major Augustus T. Cross,
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was appointed adjutant of the regiment, vice Neide promoted.
Soon after our arrival, quite a number of sutler and other "shebangs," were opened in our neighborhood, which furnished us with an abundant supply of the various articles so necessary for the soldier's comfort. One individual was doing a thriving business, he having succeeded in smuggling through a barrel of cider, which delightful beverage he dispensed to his thirsty patrons at ten cents a glass. Some of the boys, however, con- ceived the idea of running opposition to him, and having succeeded through false pretence in borrowing an auger and spicket from him, cut a hole in the back of his tent, tapped his barrel, and commenced operations. As they charged but half price, and gave twice as much, they were liberally patronized, and after selling out in an in- credibly short time, they decamped, when he was invited around to view the operation. He owned up he had been " sold" in the auger and spicket arrangement, but thought the joke a " little practical."
While here the Second and Third Brigades arrived, companies from our regiment were sent on picket, and frequent battalion drills were had.
At eight o'clock on the morning of the 17th, we formed and moved out on the open plain, where we laid until eleven o'clock, when we moved off to the south, soon striking the railroad, down which we marched, crossing Broad and Kettle runs on the new bridges that were being built to . replace those destroyed by the enemy. Near the latter is Bristow Station, where Company A, Captain Neide, was detailed on guard duty. About a mile beyond this we filed into a woods, and encamped for the night near Brentsville. The next morning early we again moved down the railroad. The day was very warm, and many of the men threw away their overcoats to lighten their burdens. About noon we reached Cat- lett's Station, near Cedar Creek, a tributary of the Occo- quan River, where we encamped. That night Companies
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1.
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A
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E and HI, Captains Finnie and Mealey, were detailed for picket under Major Woodward, on the heights beyond Cedar creek. While we laid here, we found for the first time honest people, they acknowledging frankly they were secessionists at heart, but regretted secession since it was followed by war. It was much more satisfactory to talk to such than with hypocrites, who uttered senti- ments of loyalty, while traitors at heart. Much rain fell while we laid here, which prevented our drilling.
While here our surgeon, Dr. Thomas B. Reed, of Washington county, Pennsylvania, was promoted bri- gade surgeon, and ordered to Yorktown. His departure from among us was regretted, as his eminent skill and ability, and fine intellectual qualities, caused his loss to be deeply felt.
On the 26th, about noon we marched off, crossing Cedar creek on falling trees, and passing over hills and dales, through the woods and fields, in a southeasterly direction and towards night bivouacked on the south bank of Elk creek, having marched six miles. On our route we passed several deserted houses and camps, also a number of newly made graves. The ground we laid upon was a gentle sloping hillside, admirably situated for our comfort, having an abundance of water and fence rails near by. What a sight it is to see a division bivouac for the night! The brigades and regiments as they march into the fields are assigned their positions, and no sooner have they stacked arms, than off goes their knapsacks, and the men rush for the nearest fences. In a few minutes they are torn down, and thousands of men, with several rails each upon their shoulders, are seen hurrying towards their stacks. Then another rush is made for water, and soon a thousand fires are brightly burning, with the busy blue coats around them cooking their coffee. Then the pipe, then the blanket, and soon all are lost in peaceful sleep, except the guard, who, through the lone hours of the night, keep watch and ward over their comrades.
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The next morning was Sunday, a clear and beautiful day, and about six in the morning, after sounding the sick call, we marched off. On our march we passed two churches, one a Methodist and the other a Baptist, but in neither of them had service been held for eight months. Near one was collected a number of slaves, who told us they had been for sometime discussing the subject of moving North. They, however, were divided in their opinion, the old folks prefering to remain near their childhood's home, but the younger longing for the liberty they knew not of. We passed through a small village called White Ridge, near which, about noon, we en- camped in a pine woods, having made eight miles. Near by was a pond of clear water with a spring in the middle of it, but without proper outlet. The men went to it to fill their canteens, but General Reynolds ordered his orderlies to ride in and muddy the water, which caused the men to seek other and purer water. On our route we were followed by many negroes and some whites, whose object, principally, was to get such clothes as the men would give them. At guard-mounting, an amusing scene took place. When the band commenced playing, the negroes involuntarily broke forth into a dance, clap- ping their hands and singing. After this was over, a grand butting match took place, their heads crushing together like rocks, but producing no effect upon them. After scrambling for a few handfuls of pennies thrown among them, they left for their homes, happy with their afternoon's sport. Companies B and K, Captains McDo- nough and Smith, were thrown out on picket for the night.
The next day was clear, pleasant, and cool for march- ing, and at six in the morning we moved off, following the fields along side of the roads. The country became more diversified and timber heavier. As we marched on we passed a large brick house, from a tree in front of which was flying the stars and stripes, and as the men caught sight of it, they rent the air with deafening
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cheers, which rolling down the line echoed through the woods. At noon a long halt was called, and then pass- ing through Hartword, a small village, we bivouacked at three o'clock in a fine woods two miles from Falmouth, Stafford county, and although we made seventeen miles, the brigade came in in fine order with but few stragglers.
The next morning, the 29th, we marched early and passed by where our cavalry had a skirmish with the enemy on the 18th, and which was marked by a breast- work of rails, newly made graves, and dead horses. The enemy's force consisted of a regiment of infantry, one of cavalry, and a battery of artillery. They were charged by the First Reserve Cavalry under Colonel Bayard, and after being driven from their position were pushed to the Rappahannock, which they crossed on the upper bridge at Falmouth, which they burnt. Our loss was five men and fifteen horses killed, and sixteen men wounded. The enemy's loss was about equal to ours. Lieutenant- colonel Kilpatrick, Second New York (Ira Harris) Ca. valry was wounded, and Lieutenant Decker killed. Colonel Bayard's horse was wounded in four places. Soon after we entered Falmouth, through which we passed with our banners unfurled and bands playing. The inhabitants flocked to the doors and windows to gaze at us, and a motley crowd of negroes followed, highly delighted at the music and sight. About a mile beyond, on the Aquia road we encamped in a fine wood, where we found an abundance of fuel and water. The same afternoon the Second Brigade, General Meade, arrived and encamped to our left.
The ground where our camp laid was once owned by Washington, he having inherited it from his father. Here he spent his youth between the age of ten and sixteen, during which time he obtained the principal portion of his education. Near the headquarters of General King, at the "Phillip's House," stood the old mansion, from the lawn in front of which, it is said, George threw a stone into the river, a feat which none
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of his companions were able to accomplish. We are not the least surprised at this, as the distance is about one mile ! If this statement is true, the patriot in his youthful days must have been a powerful boy, and able to put in the shade the feats of David of old.
CHAPTER XI.
FALMOUTH. VISIT OF PRESIDENT LINCOLN. CROSSING THE RAP- PAHANNOCK. GRAVE OF MARY WASHINGTON. LOVE BUBBLE. CEMETERY. MARCH TO GRAY'S LANDING. EMBARKATION FOR THE PENINSULA. VOYAGE TO THE WHITE HOUSE. MARCH TO DISPATCH STATION.
THE town of Falmouth is situated on the east bank of the Rappahannock, below the Falls, and nearly opposite Fredericksburg, with which it was connected by two bridges, one at the upper and one at the lower end of the town, the latter being used by the Aquia Creek Railroad, but both of which were burned by the enemy, with several steamboats and a number of sailing crafts upon our approach. A church in which several denomina- tions formerly worshipped, a cotton factory, and several store houses constituted the brick portion of the town, and about eighty houses, mostly in a dilapidated con- dition, constituted the frame portion of it. Deep water gulleys were worn in the streets, and the whole place presented the appearance of decay. What few articles the inhabitants offered for sale commanded enormous prices, but soon the town was filled with our sutlers, storekeepers and photographers, who gave new life to it.
On the 1st of May, private E. M. Woodward, Com- pany H, was appointed sergeant-major of the regiment, vice A. T. Cross, promoted adjutant. On the 3d. Easton's, Cooper's and Kern's batteries arrived. On the 4th, the
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Third Brigade, General Ord, arrived, and on the 11th, Company A, Captain Neide came in with the Fifth Re- serve, Colonel Simmons, from Bristoe Station, where they lost William Holmes, the first one of the regiment that died. On the same afternoon, the enemy drove in our out-posts of the Second New York Cavalry, under Major Duffie, on the Bowling Green road, back of Fredericks- burg, but coming upon the reserve, they were hand- somely repulsed, with the loss of one lieutenant and ten men prisoners, one killed and several wounded; our loss being but one horse. The enemy in our front were under the command of General Anderson, and numbered about fifteen thousand men. On the 12th, there was great rejoicing in camp upon the reception of the news of the evacuation of Yorktown, and the destruction of the Merrimac by the enemy, in honor of which a salute was fired of forty-four guns. About the same time, William Goucher, of Easton Pennsylvania, was appointed sutler of the regiment, and soon after arrived with a good supply of stores. Lieutenant Robinson, with his recruit- ing party, also arrived from Philadelphia with a number of recruits.
At Falmouth a large bakery was established by Cap- tain James B. Clow, division commissary, which was capable of turning out twenty-one thousand six hundred loaves of broad per day. The Reserves picketed as far as eight miles up the river, and in a circle around Fal- mouth, about two miles from camp. Several of the Eighth regiment were killed while on duty at the mines.
Near the upper end of the town, resided Mr. J. B. Fickner, a noted secessionist and a gentleman of great wealth, who owned large tracts of land on both sides of the river, the upper bridge and a factory. While we Were on cattle guard at his farm, he frequently visited and conversed with us. He deeply lamented the war, not on account of the destruction of the Government, but of his property, but he consoled himself with the belief that the Government would have to pay for the damage
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done by the rebels. To this we fully agreed, and suggested to him the propriety of applying for a pension for his son, who was wounded while in the Confederate service. The old gentleman looked somewhat confused at this, . he not being aware that we were acquainted with his own and his son's antecedents.
While we laid here Dr. Edward Donnelly, of Phila- delphia, surgeon Fifth Reserve, was transferred to our regiment, vice Dr. Thomas B. Reed, promoted brigade surgeon.
On the 21st, at nine o'clock in the morning, we formed and marched about two miles to a large open field, where our brigade was reviewed and inspected by General Van Rensallaer, Inspector-General of our Corps. At the review, the bands of the five regiments number- ing some eighty instruments were joined, producing the most soul-inspiring music. It was three o'clock in the afternoon before the inspection was got through with.
On the afternoon of the 23d, His Excellency the Presi- · dent of the United States, accompanied by the Honor- able Secretary of War, and other members of the Cabi- net, Major-General McDowell, staff and cavalry escort, reviewed the first corps about three miles from camp. As the President rode down the line on a fine spirited horse, the troops presented arms, the standards and colors drooped, officers saluted, drums beat, trumpets sounded, and a salute of twenty-one guns fired. Long and loud cheers for the honored chief, broke forth from the men, as he passed along the line.
As early as the 17th, General McDowell had been in. structed to move upon Richmond by the general route of the Richmond and Fredericksburg railroad, as soon as joined by General Shield's division, which came in after long and fatiguing marches on the 22nd, and it was decided upon at a consultation between the President and the generals that the movement should commence on the morning of the 26th. But on account of the ad- vance of the enemy under "Stonewall" Jackson down
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the valley of the Shenandoah, rendering the position of General Banks' force critical, General Shield's, King's and Ord's divisions and four companies of the "Buck- tails " under Lieutenant-Colonel Kane were on the 25th dispatched to his relief.
Although this unforseen circumstance prevented the contemplated advance of McDowell, on the 26th, at eleven o'clock, A. M., we broke camp and marched to- ward Falmouth, halting at the abandoned camp of the Twenty-second New York, where we put up our tents, but had hardly got through with our work, when we were ordered to again move. Striking tents, we marched to the river and crossed over on a trestle bridge, and entered Fredericksburg. The day was drizzly and the streets muddy, but with our unfurled banners and mar- tial music we marched merrily through the city. The houses of the rich were mostly closed; a few old folks and young children gazed out of the windows at us, and at the corners the negroes were collected in knots and appeared in a very happy mood. Passing through the city, we moved out William street about a half mile beyond the cemetery on the heights back of the city where we bivouacked in some scrub-oak brush to the right of the plank road, strict orders being given to avoid injuring the growing crops of the neighboring fields. Considerable rain fell during the night, and the next morning we moved to the left of the road, and en- camped on a gently sloping hill commanding a fine view of the city.
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