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THt NEW YORK PUBLIC IIBRARY

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HISTORY

118th Pennsylvania Volunteers

Corn Exchange Regiment

Antietam to Appomattox

TO WHICH IS ADDED A RECORD OF ITS ORGANIZATION AND A

COMPLETE ROSTER. FULLV ILLUSTRATED WITH

MAPS, PORTRAITS, AND OVER ONE

HUNDRED ILLUSTRATONS

—WITH ADDENDA—

BY THE SURVIVORS' ASSOCIATION

Philadelphia, Pa.:

J. L. SMITH, Map Publisher

27 South Sixth Stueet 1905

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THE NEW rORK PUBUC LIBRARY

856124^

ABTOn, LENOX AND TILDEN FOUNDATIONS

ConntiCHT, 1905, BY J. L. SMITH.

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TO THE

Corn Exchange Association.

The Commercial Exchange

OF PKILADELmiA,

LED THE IiStH I

TO THE OFFICERS AND MEN OF THE REGIMENT WHOSE

VALOR AND PATRIOTISM MADE ITS HISTORY: AND

TO THE FAMILIES OF ITS DEAD HEROES,

$4is bolntne,

WHICH RECORDS ITS GALLANT SERVICE AND URAVE DEEDS IN THE CAUSE OF AN IMPERILLED

Is IDeDicateH.

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Our List of 39 Engagements.

Antietam, Shepherdstown,

FREDEKtCKSBURC, ChaNCELLORSVILLE,

Aldie, Gettysburg,

Wapping Heights, Brandy Station,

Bristoe Station, Rappahannock Station, Mine Run, Wilderness,

Spottsylvania, Laurel Hill,

Po RrvER, Todd's Tavern,

Jericho's Mill, Peach Orchard, North Anna, Harris' Fakm, Tolopotomy Creek, Magnoua Swamp, Bethesd'a Church, Cold Harbor,

Norfolk Railroad, Jerusalem Plank Road,

Petersburg, Weldon Railroad,

Feeble's Faru, including Slonning of Fort McRu. Pegram's Farm. Chapel House,

Hatcher's Run, Raid on Weldon R. R..

Dabney's Mills, Lewis's Farm,

Boydton Plank Road, Gravelly Run, Five Forks, Appomaitox.

(iv)

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PREFACE.

TN this History, thirty years after, we fight our battles over -*- again.

It is not a labor, but a pleasure. Nothing delights an old- soldier so much as to live again in the stirring scenes, and on the battle-fields. But in these pages we do not pretend to write the histoiy of the war. We only give sketches and in- cidents that came under the observation of the privates in the ranks. Of course the histories are all correct They tell of achievements ol great men who wear the laurels of victory, have great honor conferred on them, high positions in civil life.

Ponderous histories of the war have been written in which the generals were giants and the privates pygmies. But we believe that it was the patriotism and the sturdy valor of the private soldier that triumphed, rather than the skill and courage of the generals.

This t>ook will tell of the men who did the drilling, standing guard and picket-duty, built breast-works, corduroy roads, stood firm when bullet, shot and shell were doing their deadly work, and making gaps in the line ; who were wounded and killed for their love of Union. This book tells of these men, who drew thirteen dollars a month, ration.s, and the ramrod.

We only describe what we saw in an infantry regiment. We write entirely from notes taken at the time and letters sent home then and answered. You must remember that these

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things happened thirty years ago— a long time in a man's life. Every man who clung to his regiment became a living part of it, and of its history. This volume is the life of the iiSth.

To bring the past back clearly and vividly its scenes and events must be recalled. Many of the facts and incidents are drawn from the letters sent home of officers and men of the regiment. Notable among those who have assisted are : General Charles P. Herring, Surgeon Joseph Thomas, Major Joseph Ashbrook, Sergeant Alfred Layman, Sergeant Samuel Nugent, L. Teal and Captain N. D. Preston.

Thanks are due Sei^cant Thomas J. Hyatt for revising the manuscript and adding a number of interesting and humorous incidents, as well as for the reliable picture of life in the prison- pens of the South from his actual experience and observation.

To Private Henry H. Hodges is due acknowledgment for his preparation of the admirable roster.

Acknowledgments are due to Col. John P. Nicholson ; Col. Gcbi^e Meade; Major Thomas Ward, Asst. Adjt.-Gen. U. S. A.; ex-Scnator A. G. Cattell; Col. O. L. Pruden, and Capt. I. W. Heysinger, M.A., M.D.

Many works have been consulted ; among them are : Hum- phrey's " Virginia Campaign of 1864-65 ; " Doubleday's " Chancellorsville and Gettysburg ; " Palfrey's " Antietam and Fredericksburg ; " Lt.-Col.Wm. F. Fox's " Regimental Lx>sses ;" Gen. Walker's " Second Corps ; " Parker's {History of) " 22d Mass. Regiment," and Lt.-Col. Wm. H. Powell's "History of the Fifth Army Corps."

In addition to the above, much matter of an important char- acter from the hitherto unpublished manuscripts of Generals Warren, Griffiri and Chamberlain on the later campaigns of the war, has been added.

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INTRODUCTORY.

TT is peculiarly agreeablft to me to have this opportunity of ^ bearing testimony to the soldieriy character and honorable service of the 1 1 8th Regiment of Pennsylvania Volunteers.

It was my good fortune to be more or less intimately asso- ciated with this regiment during its entire career in the field. On many occasions of special service, and at last permanently, it was in my own command. I had therefore opportunity to observe and occasion to test its qualities.

I was witness of the terrible initiation into the realities of war, which precipitated itself like an avalanche upon this gal- lant regiment within three weeks from its muster into the ser- vice, where, by the force of manly character which well supplied the place of long discipline, and by the principle of noblesse oh' ligi which recalls the times of chivalry, it held its front against desperate odds and at fearful cost, long after the rules of war, and even the orders of the division commander, permitted it to retire with honor. This conduct won for it, while as yet almost the junior regiment in the corps, that respect which veterans give only to veterans,

I need only say that its whole career confirmed the prestige of this beginning.

The history of this regiment affords a notable instance of

that strange and hitherto unexplained phenomenon so frequent

in the experiences of our civil war, that those reared amidst

(vii)

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■what are supposed to be the enervating influences of city life, when suddenly summoned to the privations and hardships of war, grew stronger under the test, and in multitudes of in- stances even surpassed in endurance and persistence of physical force men inured to outdoor toil, and whose stalwart and mus- cular forms on their appearance in the field made them seem invincible.

But whatever may be the hidden physiological law shadowed forth in this, the record of this regiment gave ample illustration of those other truths made clear in days of trial, that " blood tells " — that virtue is manhood, and valor, worth.

It was a fitting consummation of this ^ithful and gallant service that this regiment was one of those which won the triumphant privilege of forming that last line of battle before which Lee's army laid down the arms and colors of its sur- rendered cause.

These words are written for the brave men held in cherished memory and undying affection by one who shared with them the sulTerings and glories of the field, following, or rather bear- ing forward, the blood-red cross which made way for the Nation's flag.

And I bespeak of the readers of this history that appreciative interest which is due to those who for the well-being of their country pledged and imperilled all that life holds dear, and in this devotion gave proof that there are things nobler than pleasure and greater than self, which men and women count worthy of bravest endeavor and supreme sacrifice.

Joshua L. Chamberlain.

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CONTENTS.

CHAPTER I. CAMP UNION.

Resolutions of tbeCom or Commercial Exchange— Organization of the Regi- ment— Interest laken in the Regiment by the Exchange — Leller from Gov- ernor Cunin, after Shepherdstown — Colonel Prevosl — Camp Union — The Fira Guard— The Misfit— The Awlcward Squad— Bacon, Hard Tack, and Salt Pork- The Battalion Urill— The Untrained Sen tiy- Absence without Leave — Roll Call— Rations— The Day's Work- Pranks— Divine Service- A Gift Dreis Parade— Journey to Washington- The Soldier's Retreat— The Govemmetit Corral — Bivouac at Arlington Heights — Fort Albany— En- riched Water— The Meal Chest— Fort Corcoran

CHAPTER II

ANTIETAM.

The Raiment Brigaded — Colonel Barnes — " Comrades, Touch the Elbow " — The March from Fort Corcoran — Bivouac at Silver Springs — piminucion of Baggage — " Where is the I iSlh ? " — Battle of " the Monocacy " — Sounds of Conflict— John Monteith— Charge upon the Hogs—" 1 Can't Eat a Col- lege"— Signs of War — Thirsty Soldiers — A Martial Display — Monument Hill— Moving Columns— The Army Loosened- The Battle— The Irish Brigade — Bumside's Charge — Horrors of War — An Uncomfortable Line —Sharp-Shooting— "Are There any Rebels About Here ? "—Lee's Retreat — Carrying off the Wounded — Sharpsburg— Blackford's FonJ

CHAPTER III.

SHEPHERDSTOWN.

The Advance — Fording the Stream — Ascending the Bluff — Hanging Horses — Order to Retreat— Steady itehavior of the Men— Galling Fire— De- fective Enfield RiHes — Private Joseph Mechan'a Description ot the Guns; Colonel Prevost's Description — Number of Confederates Engaged — Close Fighting — Colonel Prevosi Advances with the Colors — Colonel Ptevi'st

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Woonded— An Awful Scene— Denib of Captain Ricketts— The Retreat— The Old Mill— Saving the Colors— KilLed by Our Own Men— Incidents of the Retreat— Lieutenant While Killed— West's Close Call— Incidents of fhe Fight—" Oh I Captain Ricketts ! "—Doubt About a Quinine Pill— " Give it to them. Boys ! " — Lieutenant Crocker's Flag of Trace — " Shell and tie d — dt" — Crocker and the Confederate General — Major Herring and the Regulais- Joseph Meehan's Story — Dr. Joseph Thomas's Nairative — Sei^eanl Peck's Experience as a Prisoner — The lllSth R^ment — One of Stonewall Jackson's Staff Visits his Folks

CHAPTER IV.

FROM SHEPHERDSTOWN TO FREDERICKSBURG,

Hoaseless and Homeless — Enamining the Doctor— On the March Again — Bivouac at Bryant's Farm — MaryUnd Heights — Crossing the Potomac — Ig. the Shenandoah Valley— A Rich Country—" Goose Creek "—Supplies Needed— Snicker's Gap— Court- Martial on a Kg— Yankee Trading- Empty Pockets— George Slow, and his Visit Home— The Famine at Snick- er's Gap — A Life of Emergencies — Ostracism by the Soulhemers — On the March in » Snowstonn— White Plains- At Warrenion— A Chaplain's Call — McClellan Relieved of Command— Removal of FiU-JcAn Porter—" Red Warrior "—A Muddy Waste— Belle Plain

CHAPTER V.

FREDERICKSBURG.

Promotion to the Ranks — " Unloading Boards " — Signs of Battle — " Stafford Heights " — Maiye's Heights — Attempts to Lay the Pontoons — Crossing the River in Boats — The Pontoons Laid — Crosang — A Thrilling Scene — A Game of Euchre— The Regiment Crosses the River- View of the Confed- erate Position — Slaughter— Diving for Tobacco^Sack of the City — Chaige over the Plain — Scipio Africanus Rises — Moving to the Front — The Brick- yard—Major Herring Wounded— "This is What we Came Here for"— Coolness of Colonel Barnes — The Comer Store and Something in it — Sunday Morning — Serjeant Siotienberg — A Prohibition Bullet — Losses in the Battle— The Regiment Relieved from the Front- Retreat of the Army —Was it a Blunder? i

CHAPTER VI.

Military Town — Potomac Creek Bridge — Decorations — Fuel — Amuse-

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mecEs— Militarr Etiquette and Loaded Anns^ Weeding out Incompetents — tHsdpline — Colonel Gwyn in Command — Picket Duly — Preparation of a Virginia Family Dinner — Someihin;; Suspicious — Inveslignling ihe Country — A Cavalry Vedette — Scipio AHicanus Receives the Parade— A Sad End- ing to Scipio'» Greatness — A Reconnoissance — Beans Cooked for Five Miles — Crossing the Rappahannock — A Treacherous Raft — A Wounded GirL — The Dame at the Spring — A Confederate Postman — The Return — The Old Year Oul— A Battle-line of Ducks— An Anny of Crows— Boxes fnnn Home Sent by the Com Exchange — Peculiar Tastes — An Unfinished Task— Mud March— The Second Deluge— Three Miles a Day— Stuck— The Wager and its Consequences — Campaign Abandoned , , . 140

CHAPTER VII.

CHANCBLLORSV ILLE.

Return of Colonel Prevusi — Condition of the Army — General Hooker in Command — "Joe" Hooker is our Leader — Extra Clothing and Eight Days' Rations — Woollen Lined Roads — Cros:iing at Kelly's Ford on Can- vas Pontoons— Fording the Rapidan— The Farthest Stretch — Travelling Through the Woods— The Chancellor House; Rescuing the Inmates — " HospiUlities of the Country ■'— Meeting the Enemy— A Quiet Stare — A Controlling Position — Disappointment — Dr. Owens Complimented by the Confederates — Army Head-quartets — General Hooker's Order — Egypt- ian Plague — Bi^nning of the Fight — Thompson's Tobacco — Withdrawal of the Brigade — Scipio Africanus Surrounded — Drawing jn Ihe Pickets — Rout of the nth Corps— The Rebel Charge— Scarcity of Rations— Shell- ing the Hospital — General Griflin's Bowling — Wounded Horses — Woods on Fire — Casualties — Death of General Whipple — Peter Haggerty — Treed — Captain O'Neill's Eccentricity and Bravery — Retaking the Line — "A Bit of a Talk "—Explosive Cartridges— Capuin O'Neill's Candle— The Siorm — Withdrawal of the Army and the Pickets — Pursuit — March to Camp — Blue and Gold — Dropping Out — Chris's Ride — Another Blunder, 165

CHAPTER Vni.

Scipio Africanus Vanishes — General GriRin and the Adjutant — The Captain's Jacket — Whoopers — Guarding the ajth New York — Presentation to Gen- eral Barnes — " By Geoi^, Sir, You're an Orderly" — Retirement of Colo- nel PrevoEi — Strong Hcket Line — Gold Mine Farm — Cavalry Fight at Brandy Station — A Compromise on Fence Rails— Manauas Plains — In- tense Heat and Scarcity of Water — Oum Springs — Goose Creek Af^in —

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Fight at Aldie— Mi ddlebui^— Capture of Staart's Horse Artillery—Cavalry Charges — The" Hooker's Retreat" — Mosby'a " Happy Hunting Ground" —Dark Days .210

CHAPTER IX.

GETTYSBURG.

Suspense at the North — March to Gettysburg — " An Army with Banners " — l-eesburg — Fording the Monocacy — A Remarkable Spring — " Old Four Eyes" — Frederick City — Region of Abundance — Disobedience Means Death — General Sykes and the Irishman— In Pennsylvania- York— Han- over-Visitors—A High Private — The First Day's Fight- A Canard— In the Fight— Holding Little Round Top — The Wheat- Field— The Roar 0/ Battle — Bigelow'i Battery— An Unwilling Recruit— Steady Work— Change of Front — Orderly Retirement — The Troslle House Fight — Death of Cap- tain Davids — Georgia Prisoner* — Major Herring and the Colors — Charge of the Pennsylvania Reserves — Dr. Thomas's Description of Second Day's Fight— The Last Day— The Devil's Den— Seminary Ridge— A Confederate Officer's Mistake — Horrors of Battle — The Crisis— The Cliarge—The Re- pulse— The Victory — '■ Go and Fight Somewhere Else " — A Famous Rabbit — Bigelow's Battery — Brady's Hundred Rounds and his Gun — Impottance of Battle of Gettysburg 229

CHAPTER X.

FROM GETTYSBURG TO WARRENTON.

General Barnes Wounded — Delicacies for Confederate Prisoners — Sutgeon Thomas's Order — Indignant Visitors — Identifying a Leg — Corporal Smith and the Goose- A Missing Father— The Goose is Cooked and Taken to t^mp — Attempts at Carving — The Goose Victorious — -Advancing — Quar- termaster Gardner— Chaplain O'Neill and General Meade— Lieutenant Binney — Tramp, Tramp, Tramp, the Boys are Marching — Recruiting — Keystone Battery — Up the Mountain — Fighting for over Fifty Days . . 273

CHAPTER XL

Sunday-morning Inspection — Wrong Ammunition — A Facetious Bugler— Re- cruits for the Regiment — Bounty-jumpeis — Quaker Recruits — Heal and Inseas— A Dangerous Bath— Heroic Rescue— The Five Deserters — Their Trial — Sentence — Death-watch — Execution — Horse-racing — Captain

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Crocker's Mannon ; it is Wanned — Captain Donegan's Picket Line — Gen- eral Sykes and the Kcket— " You're got Moseby ! "—A Brave Deierter— The PaKon House, Reception at— Jealousy iuid its Consequences . . 390

CHAPTER xn.

lee's movement, etc.

F^iitat Bristoe Station— Raccoon Ford— The Maple Grove- Captain Don- ■l^on and the Lady — The Captain's Confederate Brother — Information Gained — Brandy Station— General Griffin and (he Battery — Beverly Ford — Martial Display— Back to Brandy Station- A Busy Day for the Sth Corps — Stuart's Cavalry Mined up with Union Forces— Attack at Broad Run — Monaghan, of "I," and the Dilch — Movement of ihe xd Corps— Cen- tra viUe— Fairfax Court-House— Shiel.Is, of " H "—Bull Run BattleJield— Uncovered Remains — Grave of Colonel Fletcher Webster— Captain Bank- ion's Album — Buckton— The Road that did not go — Major Herring's pro- motion-chilly Times— " Joe " Hooker's Retreat 318

CHAPTER Xni.

RAPPAHANNOCK STATION.

The " General " — Destruction and Ruin — A Lunette — Signs of Approaching Conflict- Captain Sharwood- M'Candless Wounded— "The Guide is Left ! the Guide is Left ! "—A Feint— The Assaulting Column—" Drop thai Lanyard "—Capture of the Portion- Killed and Wounded— Fifteen Hundred Prisoners, Four Guns, Seven Batlle-Flags — The Devil in Com- mand—"Odjulant, dot Horse no Colic got "—" Hard Tack"— Major O'Neill— His New Uniform—" This is the Way we used 10 Dressin Ingee " An Bast Indian Parade — Battalion Review — " Halt, Disperse, and be d— d wyou' 335

CHAPTER XIV.

MINE RUN.

The March— French's Blunder—" Look Sharp. Kelly ! "—Stealing a Wagon Train — A Spy Dies — Flankers — The Regiment Lost — An Abandoned House — Rations — A Comfortable Night — A Lost Pig Found — Connecting with the Enemy's Pickets — Pocketful of Flat Irons — A Delicate Position — Colonel Throop in Command — Finding Persimmons and the Enemy — DeVille— Mine Run-~<:old Comron— -A Shell, Chaplain O'Neill, and a Cup of Coflee — Orders for the Chaise— A Solemn Time— James W. Hyatt lifted by a Solid Shot— Walter's Reconnoiss-ince- The Retreat . . 353

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CHAPTER XV.

CAMP BARNES — THE WINTER AT BEVERLY FORD.

Third Winter of the War— Soldiers' Fib»— The Sodden Cily— The Chapel- Amateur Theatricals — The Light of Cincinnati — Dainty Dishes — A Cube Meal — An Indignant Cook — Rats — Sergeant Nugent's Campaign — Albert DeVille'B Sword Hand— Godwin's Muskcl- "The Homespun Dress" —Corporal Smith— " The Trusty Soldier and the Canteen of Whiskey"— Larry Mullen's Suayity — Captain Crocker Resigns — Captain Donegan Re- signs— The Brigade Broken up — General Bartlect — Lincoln and the Gen- erals—The Encampment Ends in Smoke 376

CHAPTER XVI.

THE WILDERNESS — LAUREL HILL — SPOTTSYLVANIA.

The Army Moves — Crosses the Ra[Hdan — Movements of the Division — Giiflin's Division Opens the Tight — General Baitlett's Narrow Escape — ■ " K " persuades a Battery to Remain — Colonel Gwyn Wounded — Loss of the ttSth— A Fruitless Fight— A Wofnl N^ht— Forest Fires and the Wounded — General Wadsworth's Death — Musketry Fighting — Colonel Herring and the Johnny — The Army Unwinds Itself — Colonel Herring Commands the Pickets — March by Brock's Road — Movements — Colonel Herring Successfully Resists a Desperate Charge — Makes Arrangements to Retain his Position- — Severe Loss — Sergeant Fryer Wounded — General Warren's Compliment to Colonel Herring — General Sedgwick Killed — From the Wilderness to Spottsylvania — A Touching Incident — Movements on the loth — Country around Spottsylvania — Damp Reflections — " Where's the 118th?" — Heavy Fighting — Success — Caiiying Ammunition — De- spatch to Colonel Herring — Night of the 13th — Halt in the Night March— A Vivid Contrast — The Ny — Enemy's Entrenchments — Picket Firing — Peculiar Skirmishing — Visitors to the Front — Wray's Experience — Advance of the 18th — Tapping the Corps — Imprudent Johnnies .... 395

CHAPTER XVII. WORTH ANNA — BETHESDA CHURCH COLD HARBOR.

The 5th Corps Moves — Both Armies Moving Southward — Telegraph Road

— An Air of Comfort and Ease — Capturing a Major — Successful Foraging — Paddy Mulchay and the Goose— Dog Robbers, Pot Wrestlers, Coffee Cool- ers—A False Real Alarm— Ned Wolfenden and the Mule — Corporal Smith to the Front — The Enemy's Advance Checked — A Decoy and Vengeance —Matthew's House — Cutting the Virginia Central Railroad—" By the Left Flank" — Mongohick Church — Henry Clay's Birthplace — Entrenching —

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Adnndng and Covering — Heavy Skirmishing — A Resolute Attack — Cold HlrtMr — Bcthesda. Church — An Inlerrupted Dinner — " Mark Time, Kelly ! " — Lenoir's Battle— CorportJ Smith to the Reat ; and with the Reg- uUis — Capture of the Fairies — Colonel Herring Covers his Regiment — A Tremendons Battle — Walter's Captures — Lieutenant Ware — Succeasful Rate — Shady Grove Church Road — Ashbrook and Moore — Chickuhominy Swamp — Shelling the Wrong Place — Friendliness 4)4

CHAPTER XVIIL

PETERSBURG — WELDON RAILROAD — PEEBLE'S FARM.

A Long Wait — Feint towards Richmond — Failure to Seite Petersburg — Crossings of (he Cbickahoiuiny — Pontoon Bridge — Looking after River Front — -Water Famine — WB^hiag in Creation — A Dig for Cover and a Dig for Water — Assauh on Peteisbui^ — Beauregard's Withdrawal — l^e Hare House — " Piles of Dead " — Colonel Chamberlain Wounded — Commencing Ihe Siege— Works around Petersburg— Sergeant Nagent's Well— Friendly Pickets— A Fac-^mile Letter—A Cuwardly Act and its Punishment— "Yanks, Don't Firel the Hull Thing's a Mittake "—Breastworks — Fort Hell and Fort Damnation — Building Bomtproofe — An Improved Con- struction is a Failure — Pud's Supper — Desertion by Brigade — Amnesty Proclamation — Careless Exposure — Artillery Practice- Bumside Mine Explodes — Seigeant Nugent's Wisdom— The Colored Troops — Dodging — MoTcment to Weidon Railroad — Brutality — Artillery to the Front — Flowers HoQse — A Deserved Reprimand— Major Hopper's Accouiu of Engagement — Smith and Ihe Grape Jelly — Buzriiu; Bees — Horse-Racing — Sheridan Routs Early- Fort McRae Captured 471

CHAPTER XIX.

THE hatcher's RUN OF OCTOBER, 1864— HICICSFORD AND BELLE- FIELD, WELDON RAILROAD, RAID — DABNEY's MII-LS.

General Warren's Report — An Early Start — Forest Fighting — Colonel Hening Commands Skirmishers, and Checks the Enemy — Deceived Innocence — The Capture and Escape — Disguised — Notice to Quit — Move to Destroy Railways — Destniclion — Confederate Artillery Driven Off— A I^rrel of Soi^humi Seigeant Paschall Bathes in it; Likewise Tom Gabe— A Social Time — The Colonel's Traps and their Fate— Dew of the Orchard — Done —Guerillas— General Order 65— Furloughs— En eculions— Robert Ruffin — Composition of Brigade — Intercepting Supplies— Turkey Chase — Hatcher's Run — The Enemy Driven — The Regiment Engaged — Captains Scott and Bayne Wounded — Colonel Herring Wounded ; He Loses his Leg — Cold Comfort — Extract from General Warren's Report — Getting Ready for the Final Plunge 516

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XVI —

CHAPTER XX.

The Beginning of the End — Griflin's Division — An Abominable March and Succe&alul Fighring — Taunting tlie Johnnies — Five Forks and Notliing to Eat — A Break through Ihe Brijade — Brigade Joins Sheridan — Capture of Return Works — Caplnre McGr^or's Battery — I iSlh Looks arter Prisoners —Corporal Fletcher Killed— Griffin's Captives— The Sound of Baltle — Unfortunate Sutlers — The Famous Race- High Bridge— Despatch from Sheridan— Genera! Chimberlain — Report of Surrender — Lee's Surrender — Microscopic Rations — Confederate Arms — "Didn't we Give it to you at Shepherdstown ! " — The Fooliih Wise- — Remembrance of John Brown — Gathering Arms and Stores— Seasoned Meat— Relics— The Last Picket Line — Empty Hopes and Stomachs — Assassination of th(^ President— Diffi- culty with Colored Troops — Hodge's Diary — Closing Thoughts ■ 560

CHAPTER XXL

SOUTHERN PRISONS.

Confederate Sanitary Commission— Oosc Quarters — A North Carolina Con- script— Conscience and Com Cakes — Andersonvjlle — Shelter — Location — Rations— The Stockade — Cook House— Water— Filth— Belle Islanders — Dead Line — Cleanliness— Soap — ^Tenta — Thousands Shelterless — Broad- ways— Vendors — Running the Blockade — Gnmbiing — Theft — Execution of Raiders — Punishment of Thieves — Escape — Tunneling — Wells — Wood Rations— Sickness— Doctor's Call— Medicines- Dead House— Dead Wag- ons— Burial Ground— Increase of Prisoners — Addition to Stockade — Ovens — Beans and Bugs — Fourth of July — Scene at the Gale — Prison Hospital , —Death of Fullerton— Removal of Prisoners— Stockade at Millen— Black- shear — Florence — A Lost D<% — Chrittmas Dinner — Hospital at Goldsboro —Now or Never— 0«»- Flag

APPENDIX.

Laurel Hilt and Sheridan's Raid — A Few Prison Reminiscences — William H. Henning's Prison Experience — Religious Aspect of the llSlh — Brief His- tory of the Army Hospital and its Work — Gettysburg versus Waterloo^ Appetite of an Army Mule— A Strange Premonition— Old Big Feet— April Thirteenth, 1865- Who was the Color-Bearer ?— The Surrender of General Lee — Flag of Truce at Appomattox^The Private — Circular . . . 657

Roster 681

Survivors' Association, iiSth Corn Exchange Reciment, P, V. . 744

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HISTORY

lis™ PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS

ORGANIZATION — CAMP UNION— FORTS ALBANY AND COCHRAN.

country with si

hearts like these; Tip of her armies is swelling Ihe breeze. They rush to her rescue, their lives freely give— Twere better to die than in bandage to live.

\^^ promising results anticipated from the majestic advance of the splen- didly appointed Potomac Army from Yorktown to the Chickahominy in the spring of 1862 were speedily dissipated. Wilhamsburg had tested the capacity of the Union soldiery for vigorous as- sault, while Fair Oaks and Seven Pines were assurances of ability for indomita- ble resistance. Then for a month there was ominous quiet, while the lines of beleaguerment were maintained about

\the Confederate capital, when suddenly upon the exposeiJ right fell the over- whelming shock of Gaines' Mill and Mechanicsville. The famous Seven- Days' battles followed, with all their valor and all their fatalities, and concluding resultlessly at Malvcm Hill, the leaguers went a-summering on the banks of the James.

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An anxious people viewed the situation with alarm. The Government, stirred to renewed activities, called again upon the gallant North to recuperate the depleted ranks of her sorely- pressed soldiers. Disaster had not abated enthusiasm, nor failure diminished zeal. Emergencies are the opportunities of heroes, and the patriotic freemen of the North, the East and the West again promptly responded with their sturdy volunteers. It was this condition of public sentiment that gave birth to the 1 1 8th Pennsylvania.

The Corn Exchange of Philadelphia, now better known by the more significant name of the Commercial Exchange, was composed of a membership conspicuous for their loyalty to the Union and their zeal and liberality in sustaining the Govern- ment in all its efforts to put down the Rebellion.

On the morning of the 15th of April, 1861, when the tele- graphic announcement had reached the North of South Caro- lina's defiant insult to the American flag by opening fire on Fort Sumter, the busy hum and bustle of the every-day life of the association was arrested to give voice to their indignation. The members gathered around the speaker's rostrum with anxious faces and sorrowing hearts, and after some preliminary proceedings, including stirring addresses by Alexander G. Cat- tell and others, it was unanimously resolved "that the Room Committee be instructed to purchase immediately and cause to be extended the insulted and still-beloved flag of the United States in front of their building, and to keep it flying there under all circumstances until the Rebellion was subdued."

Upon the minute-book of the association of that day maybe found the following preamble and resolution, which were unanimously adopted:

Whereas, Anned rebellion has mised its hand ag.iinst the Government of the United States, and is now engaged in infamous outrages upon the honor, int^Tily and a(e\y of our beloved country ; .-ind,

Whereas. It is the duly of alt true men, in a ciisi^ like the pres«nt, 10 express their devotion to the 5.icred cauae of their country, and their linn detemiination never to abandon her lo her enemies ; therefore

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Ristitied, That the Com Exchange Astocialion, in Ihe manirestnlion of their nnreaerred and entire sympathy with the adminittration in this tiying hour, and of (heir carast desire to do all thai men may do in behalf of their country, do DOW instruct their Room Committee lo purchase immediately, and cause to be extended, the insulted but still beloved flag of [he United States in front of iheir building before sunset, and to keep it flying there under all circumBlances.

Both the letter and spirit of this resolution were faithfully kept. Before the sun had sunk behind the western hills, the old flag was waving in the breeze, and there it continued to wave, in sunshine and in storm, through summer's heat and winter's cold, until its honor was vindicated and its supremacy and rightful authority were recognized all over the land.

Nor did this patriotic commercial body stop with sentiment, patriotic and assertive as it was. In the first year of the war its generous treasury was lavish with contributions, and its individual members were liberal with their private means to sustain the Government, and aid the soldier to meet the emergencies the country had been so unexpectedly called upon to encounter.

In the summer of 1862, still fervent in its unflinching loyalty, and abreast with the time, the Corn Exchange resolved, as its response to the call for three hundred thousand volunteers, that it would give its money and lend its strength and influence to furnish an entire regiment of Pennsylvania soldiers, to discharge in part the obligation put upon the good old Commonwealth by this other call for troops.

At a meeting of the association held July 24, 1862, the fol- lowing action was taken, as appears by the minutes of that day. Mr. Cattell oflered the following :

WiiEKCAS, Some of the members have taken the preparatory steps towards the orgaiiiiation of a regiment, under the auspices of this Association, and have indicated for the colonel of sud regiment Captain C. M. Prevost, a gentleman and

Wh ebeas. The Governor of the Commonwealth has signifled his great pleasure in view of our proposed action ; therefore be it

Ketnlvtd, That this Association, declaring their undying devotion to Ihe country, and iheir wiliingness lo bear their fail proportion of ihe duties which now devolve on every good ciliien, hereby pledge themselves to give iheir sympathy, aid and co-operation to the prompt formation of a regiment, lu be commanded by Captain C M. Pterost.

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RfSohfd, Thai to cany out ihis piiipntea cummillee of twenty- one l>e nppointed by [he chiiirman, to collect, by voluntary !iul>«criplion, the amount of means necessary to organize said re^ment, and to consult with six) aid in all proper ways the officers thai may be selected to put the regiment in fighting trim.

Resohed, Tlial it is the sense of this meeting, that the (iuty of the hour requires of all loyal and true men to aid, by their influence, iheir counsel and means, the prompt enlistment of Pennpylvania's proportion of the new call for troops.

The preamble and resolutions, as read, were unanimously adopted.

It was also moved by Mr. James, and seconded by Mr. Budd, that the funds in the hands of the treasurer of the asso- ciation be contributed to the above object, which was also adopted unanimously.

In accordance with these resolutions, a committee of twenty- one of the most substantial members of the association were appointed at this meeting to further and insure the project — and most successfully did they fulfil their mission. The names of the gentlemen composing the committee were as follows :

Alexander G. Cattell, Chairman.

CHARI.FS KNECtlT,	Edward G. James.	SaML'KL 1.. \Yaro,
Joseph VV. Miller.	pHtLip B. Mingle,	Alexander J. Derrvshirk,
SaM1!ELL. WlTNfLR.	Job Ivins,	JOSIAH Bbvan,
jA>it;s Steel,	Henrv Winsoh,	\V. Dike NTlrphv.
Samuel F. Harthanft,	Archibald Gettv,	James Uarkatt. Jr.,
Henry Bueid,	Lewis G. Mytincer,	Frank K. Sheppard.
GKOROEA. McKlNSTRV,	Hugh Craio,

The committee entered at once upon the work assigned them with great zeal and energy. They offered a large special bounty in addition to that given by the Government, with other induce- ments, to secure a high grade of volunteers, and in the incredi- bly shortperiod of thirty days a regiment numbering nine him- dred and sixty men had been recruited, officered and drilled at Camp Union, on the banks of the Schuylkill — had broken its camp of recruitment, and was on its way to the front to do its part to meet the then impending crisis in the nation's fate.

Each private of the regiment was provided with a rubber blanket, and many other articles of convenience and comfort

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for the soldier, at the expense of the association, and it is questionable whether any regiment that went to the front during the war was more generously provided with all things needed to minister to the comfort of the private soldier

From the inception of the work to its close, when this mag- nificent regiment, fully and elegantly equipped, left for the field, the chairman and other members of the committee gave almost their entire time to the work, not only devoting the hours of the day but often the entire night in pushing forward and per- fecting their arrangements. The chairman of the committee, Alexander G. Cattell, an earnest and efficient supporter of the Union cause from the beginning of the war, who was afterwards United States Senator from New Jersey, was conspicuous In the work of the committee. Giving up attention to his private business almost entirely, he could be found at almost any hour of the day or night, either at the rooms of the committee, or at the recruiting stations, or the camp, pressing forward the work of recruiting and organization. Indeed, so marked were his services, that he acquired the honor of being called the "Father of the Regiment," and his interest in the " Survivors' Associa- tion " thereof, of which he is an honorary member, shows that even at this late day, after a quarter of a century has passed away, his interest in the regiment with which he" was so closely connected has not abated.

Mr. Samuel L. Ward, the treasurer of the fund subscribed for the purpose of raising the regiment, was also conspicuous for his devotion to the work and endeared himself to all by the faithful discharge of his duties and his uniform courtesy and kind- ness to all with whom he came in contact. Indeed, the entire committee, with a zeal worthy of all commendation, worked faithfully and in entire accord for the accomplishment of the purpose which the association had committed to their hands.

It is worthy of mention that when the camp wherein the troops had lain during the time of their organization was broken up, and the regiment h^d gone to the field, his fellow- members of the committee, recognizing Mr. Cattell's valuable

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services, voted that the old flag-staff under which the regiment had been formed should be presented to him ; and when it had been planted upon the lawn of his country-seat at Merchant- vllle, New Jersey, where it still stands, a handsome flag was, with appropriate ceremonies, presented to him by the association as a body.

Nor did the work of the committee and the association end, or their interest in the regiment cease when it had gone to the field. They followed with intense interest and anxiety, min- gled with pride, each step of its progress through all its vary- ing fortunes to the close of the war. Their interest was mani- fested by frequent visits of committees to the front, carrying words of cheer and bearing gifts for the men ; by their minis- trations to the sick and wounded, notably after the calamity of Shepherdstown, and by &ithful attention to the wants of such needy &milies as were left behind, whenever such wants were made known, and also by generous contributions to the widows and orphans of those who fell on the battle-field. More than one hundred thousand dollars were collected and expended by the association and its members in their patriotic work of send- ing men to the field and of providing for the needy families connected therewith. Although technically called the llSth Pennsylvania Volunteers, the regiment was known throughout the war as the " Corn Exchange Regiment of Philadelphia," and the association has ever felt a just pride in the valor and achievements of the brave boys that bore their name.

At the close of the war the survivors of the regiment de- posited with the Corn Exchange the worn and tattered battle- flag carried at Shepherdstown, and from there to Appomatt03t. It was afterwards presented by the association to General Pre- vost, as its rightful custodian and guardian. In the course of his graceful speech of acceptance, in reply to the presentation remarks of President Hinchman, he did the association the honor to say : " It is my duty, as well as pleasure, to say for myself and for my brother-officers, that we feel that whatever character we have made as soldiers, whatever distinction we

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have earned, we are lai^ely indebted to this association for giving us the opportunity. It was your patriotism and liberal- ity that placed the Com Exchange Regiment in the field ; and you, gentlemen, are sharers in the glory it earned. Nor did your liberality end there. Your donations were placed in the hands of such devoted men as Hoffman. Ward, Knecht, Hart- ranft, and others, who were untiring in their devotion to the " wounded and dying, and smoothed the path to the grave of many a brave fellow; and widows and orphans have reason to bless the Corn Exchange Association for your liberal dona- tions dispensed by these gentlemen."

Since the Com Exchange took their patriotic action in con- nection with the regiment a quarter of a century has passed away, and many, indeed most of those who bore an active part in this loyal work, have passed to that " bourn from which no traveller returns." Of the committee of twenty-one there are but eight survivors. But the loyal men of the association of that day sowed broadcast the seeds of patriotism in their organization which have ripened into an abundant harvest, and the flame of liberty bums as brightly in the hearts of their suc- cessors, "The Commercial Exchange," as it did in the parent body. And if ever the nation is again imperiled by foes from without or within, it will stand by the Government with the same zeal and fidelity as did its predecessor, " The Corn Ex- change," on tlie 24th day of July, 1862.

Already the spirit of the old has been reproduced in the new organization, as shown by their recent generous contribu- tion for the erection of an elegant monument on the battle-field of Gettysburg, to commemorate the part which was taken by the regiment on that memorable field.

The following letter from Governor Curtin, written on a special occasion after the disaster at Shepherd stown, in which this regiment suffered lately, will be read with interest, as, in addition to his words of sympathy, he speaks of the connection of the Com Exchange with " the 1 1 8th Pennsylvania " in very complimentary terms :

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Harrisbukc, Pa., October 6, 1862. T*tki Praidmt and Membtn of the Com Exchange, Pkiladelfkia, Pa. :

Gentlemen: I have been so constantly occupied that I have been unable to express to you, and ibroogh you to the regiment of volimteeis called into service for the defence of the Government, and wilh which your association is so closely identified, my deep sympathy and painful regrets at llie occurrence of the recent terrible disaster which befell the regiment.

It is painful, indeed, that brave men, who are ever willing to riik life in the field in defence of our State and the safety of our people, when threatened by a numer- ous army of the enemies of their country, should meet a fate so melancholy as this which has cast a gloom over our enlire community at a time when they would have been hopeful and exultant. Please express my sympathy (o the injured, and my condolence with families and friends of the dead. I avail myself of this o[^rtu- nily to express to you my acknowledgpient for your patriotic liberality in assisting to place in the field the I iSth Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers, and of offering you my congratulations On the courage and gallantry of the officers and meo in the recent baltle.

Indeed, gentlemen, while our hearts are saddened by the thoi^hts that so many of the brave and patriotic who left oui State in the volunteer service, in defence of the holy cause of constitutional liberty, are numbered with the mighty hosts of the slain — a monument that needs no scroll — yet we cannot fail to find consolation in the fact that so many gallant achievements have been performed by our officer* and men, that the people of Pennsylvania have never failed in their constant loy- ally and courage, and that in all the great armyof freemen called from their hoibeB to sustain our wise and beneficent Government, the troops from Pennsylvania stand

With the earnest hope,gentlemen,that you may continue to work with the same dutifulness in the future, and contribute from your means with the same liberality that you have in the past, until this unnatural and Insane rebellion has been sup- pressed and the supremacy of the law and order fully re-established,

I have the honor to remain, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

A. G. CURTIN,

This commercial body had already furnished from its mem- bership, or those who had affiliations with it, many good and worthy men, who had tasted deeply of the stem severities of war. Notable among them was Captain Charles M. Prevost. He had earned prominence and distinction on the staff of their fellow-townsman, Brigadier-General Frank Patterson, in the hard-fought battles of the Peninsula, and on him fell worthily the choice of the colonelcy of the regiment their energies had so manfully projected. To him they wisely committed its

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destinies; to him they intrusted its reputation and theirs; to his skill they gave its training ; to his soldierly judgment they consigned its military keeping. But six other officers, Gwynn, Donaldson, Batchelder, Hand, Walters and McCutchen, had been in actual battle. Many others, among them Colonel Pre- vost as a captain and Major Herring as a lieutenant, had been well schooled in tactical instruction in the Gray Reserves, a regiment of high repute in the Pennsylvania militia. From the ranks of this oi^anization the line of the iigth Pennsylvania, as well as the regiment the history of which we are now writing, was supplied with some of its best commissioned officers. It still bears distinguished place in the service of the State as the ist Regiment Infantry of the National Guard.

The authority to recruit was received early in August, The substantial aid supplied by the Corn Exchange lent an impetus to the labor, and the work was prosecuted with unusual vigor. Recruiting stations were opened in the most available loca- tions : A at 727 Market street, and D at Eighth and Market ; B Walnut below Second, C at 833 Market, and G on the north side of Market below Ninth ; E at the Girard House, F at the □orth-east corner of Broad and Race, and H on Fillh above Chestnut; I at 513 south Second, and K at 241 Race street. A was the first to fill its quota to the maximum. Al- though several other -regimental organizations were in active competition, the 118th was the first to fully complete its quota. In fact, before any of the others had actually com- pleted theirs, the emergency became so pressing that they ■were hurried to the front with the required maximum still incomplete.

Major Herring was placed in chaise of the camp of rendez- vous and instruction. It was located on a most attractive spot on the west side of Indian Queen Lane, near the Falls station, on the Norristown branch of the Philadelphia, Germantown and Norristown Railroad, and designated as "Camp Union." From the forty-seven men, with which the encampment started.

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the daily acquisition of recruits soon swelled the nnniber to respectable proportions. Guardnjuty and a practical applica- tion of the principles in the school of the soldier were taught as well as the opportunities would permit But few officers could be spared from the recruiting stations. Lieutenants Binncy, Moss and West were among those on duty at the camp. The first guard ever mounted in the regiment was in charge of Sergeants Charles Silcox, Company F, and Hillery Snyder, Company K, consisting of the following privates :

Company A"— Thomas J. Hyatt; Wm. H. H. Davis ; Wm. B. Mayberry ; Jos. P. Davis ; August Sigel ; Ambrose Schwoerer. Company /"— Wm. Gcnn; Robert Harnly; Wm. H. King. Company G — Thos. O'Donold; John Coonan; Henry Craig; John Werntz; James Dougherty. Company A — Joseph Hess; Thos. H. Bullock; Lewis G. HofTman; G. W. Wainwright; Samuel N. Robertson.

Sergeant J. Rudhall White, who shortly afterwards was pro- moted to a lieutenancy, was detailed as clerk to the comman- dant. The supplies, tolerably feir, were furnished with reason- able regularity. There were but few breaches of discipline, and the men, in a spirit of commendable contentment, cheerfully accepted the change from the comforts of home to the inconven- iences necessarily attending a newly-organized camp.

A few days after the camp was formed, the men then on the ground were furnished with uniforms. As the garments were not made to order by fashionable tailors, and were handed out somewhat indiscriminately, the effect, in some cases, was pecu- liar. A tall, slender man exhibited himself to the quartermas- ter and requested a size adapted to his shape. The attempt to ,'iccommodate him was a failure. The bottoms of his pantaloons were three inches above his ankles, with a corresponding declen- sion of the top from hi.s waist, while the roominess in other ways was marvellous. At the same time, in the next tent to that from which the tall volunteer had emerged, a stout little chap had pulled on a pair the waist of which was almost to his armpits, while his toes had not yet appeared at the bottoms. Justice compels

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the -Statement that all the fits were not as bad as these two, tlic fact being that some one, whose sense of duty had been t!irf>t- tled in a spirit of mischief, had adroitly changed the indiiipcii- sables. Nevertheless, a gentle shade of melancholy stole over many faces as their owners looked down upon the shapeless mass of cloth that hung over the manly limbs, the contempla- tion of which had theretofore been a pride and satisfaction. The coarse, ponderous brogans, given out with the uniforms, were also a vexation to vanity. One, to whose lot fell a for- age cap that covered his ears, was assured it would shrink to proper propor- tions in the first rain-storm, while another, whose cap sat nattily upon the very tip of his crown, after the manner of the British sol- dier, was consoled with the assurance that the August sun would soon expand it to suit his comfort and

The uniforms having been donned, and the bro- gans relegated to the ob- scure recesses of the tents for the time being, it be- came incumbent upon the aspirant for militarj' fame to as- sume the position of the soldier. The men were taken out upon the parade-ground in squads, and there the squads were separately informed that " the position of the soldier should be one of grace and ease." Whereupon, naturally or unnaturally, each individual portion of each squad became about as un- graceful and stiff as was possible. This, combined with a burning inquisitiveness on the part of every one in the line to sec whether the others were graceful and easy, produced an

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effect the reverse of soldierly. The drill in the " facings " disclosed the fact that many, otherwise intelligent, were not certain as to which was their right hand or their left. Con- sequently, when the order " Right, face ! " was given, face met face in inquiring astonishment, and frantic attempts to obey the order properly made still greater confusion. The drill in marching and wheeling resulted in tortuous, uncertain lines and semi-circular formations that were ludicrous caricatures of the results intended to be produced.

This was the beginning. These were the ripples upon the surface of the volunteer's life. Beneath was the deep resolve to act well the part assigned them in the great tragedy of the Rebellion.

The record of the conduct of the regiment on many a battle- field, the graves in Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania, the armless sleeves, and the folded pantaloons of numbers of the survivors, bear witness to the faithful execution of that resolve.

The greater part of the month of August was spent in fit- ting the volunteers Tor the life before them and, among other things, to accustom them to the sight and taste of boiled salt pork and bacon. The day of hard-tack had not yet come. The evil hour of salt pork was put off for a time, as " rations " were purchased from the stores In town, and of the pedlers who visited the camp. Supplies were also obtained from the homes of the Volunteers.

After the men had been drilled in squads and companies, the field-ofRcers determined to have a battalion drill, in a field that sloped down from the side of the encampment On the afternoon of a clear August day, the regiment was formed into a battalion, front on the brow of the slope, and the order, ■■ Forward, march ! " given.

It was a delightful and inspiring sight. The men moved down the slope with steady, ringing tread, in perfect line, the bright rifle-barrels, with the bayonets on them, gleaming and shimmering in the sunlight. They seemed invincible. As

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they marched on, the band playing, the colors flying, a martial spirit in the very air, some unfortunate trod upon a yellow- jacket's nest hidden in the grass. There was music in the air. On. on, regardless of the stings of the indignant buzzers. But another nest was disturbed, and still others ; the music in- creased. The yellow-jackets made a spirited attack. The regiment hesitated, faltered, wavered, fled ! — fled in confusion, covered with stings instead of glory. The Corn Exchange Regiment had suffered its flrst defeat.

It was a dearly-bought victory for the yellow-jackets. To- wards evening scouts were sent out to ascertain the positions of the enemy. Camp-kettles filled with boiling water were hurried to the front, and ladlefuls discharged into the nests. No quarter was given. The yellow-jackets were annihilated.

The regimental surgeon had not yet arrived in camp. A volunteer from the country, Charles F. Dare, afterwards selected as hospital steward, who had had some previous experience in warfare with the winged, stinging foe, assumed the position, and, with becoming gravity, treated his wounded comrades with mud plasters, while their unwonnded friends gave them unlimited chaffs

There was no more than the usual awkwardness that usually attended a first military venture, but some of the incidents were highly ludicrous. Prompt and efficient sentinel-duty seems to be slow of acquisition. The corporal of the guard is sometimes prone to exercise his brief authority with unusual severity. The untrained recruit views his approach with dread, and is rejoiced when he is relieved of his presence. Colonel Gwyn, who, seated in his tent, had for some time noticed the exceptional awkwardness of a sentry in his vicinity as he passed his beat, finally approached him and relieved him of his musket. The colonel was entirely unknown to the sentry, either by name or rank. The sentry submitted quietly to his disarmament, and, as the colonel walked off carrying the piece with him, he turned and anxiously said, " Say, you — what shall I say to that ' bossy fellow' when he comes around?"

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It was the fierce 2nd martial corporal that atone he feared, and if the colonel could suf^ly him with an explanation that would have been satisfactory to the " bossy fellow," he was at liberty to do what he pleased with his piece. He learned better after- wards.

On one occasion Corporal Ferguson, tn a spirit of mischief, concocted a happy scheme to elude the guard and pass beyond the line. He happened on the south-west side of the camp, overlooking the Falls of Schuylkill, where a sentry was on duty, who appeared neither wise nor vigilant It was in the early evening, and there was a positive prohibition against passing the camp-limits after dark. Fifteen or twenty men were in the vicinity, and, without communicating his purpose, Ferguson, in a loud and authoritative tone, commanded, " Fall . in ! " It was promptly c^yed, and, after exercising his squad in a few manoeuvres, he deliberately marched it, without challenge or interruption, over the beat of the sentry. As they drew farther and faither from the reach of the sentinel's voice, Ferguson's purpose became apparent, and then, with a wild hurrah, the whole party broke for the village. Their liberty was of short duration. They ran suddenly upon an officer returning to camp, who, quickly conceiving from their actions and numbers that something was wrong, hustled them back without giving them opportunity to invent a story to deceive him.

Every morning, as the August sun rose from his bath in the Atlantic, he looked warmly at a mass of hastily and not over- completcly dressed, yawning, sleepy-headed fellows, with tum- bled hair, who had just ri.sen from their heaps of straw and emerged from the shelter of their tents to answer the imperative roll-call. In each company were one or two sluggards who appeared in undress uniform — that is, &tigue-caps on their heads, dress-coats pulled on over their under-clothing, their feet clad in nature's adornments. For c^ious reasons, and to the honor of the regiment, these spectacles clung closely to the rear rank.

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From a more elevated position the sun saw the company- cooks, invested with all the dignity of their important position, dealing out cofiee, bacon and soft-tack (baker's bread) — the coAee in quart tin mugs, the bacon on tin plates, and the bread into outstretched hands. A study of the feces of the men, as, seated on the grass, or surrounding improvised tables, they partook of their morning meal, revealed content, discontent or indiflerence. Some, blessed — or cursed, as short rations in the field at times subsequently proved — with the century-famed and chestnut-storied appetite of the ostrich, and the robust health of the anaconda, ate with a relish and avidity that told of the peaceful complacency of easy digestion. Others were certainly longing, not for the flesh-pots of ^fypt, but the pepper-pots and other mild appetizers of their Philadelphia homes. Still others ate as though eating were simply part of the business of life ; something that, like other things, had to be done, and might as well be done at that time as at any other.

Getting still higher in the sky, the bright-eyed master of the day gazed upon the men at company-drill. Some companies were evolving the mysteries of " shoulder arms," " present arms," "carry arms," " right shoulder shift," and loading and firing. Others were marching by the flank, wheeling, fronting, facing and perspiring— the last without orders.

At noon the sun looked straight down upoii the soup, boiled beef, vegetables and half-melted cooks ; later, from his westering place, glanced at the complicated and hurrying movements of the battalion-drill ; and still later, just before he disappeared behind the hills, reviewed the regiment as they stood drawn up on dress-parade, with great satisfaction, as well he m^ht

So tiie days went by in single file, each carrying its load of work in the manual of arms, and in squad, company and battalion-drill. Gradually the heterogeneous was moulded into the homc^eneous. Metaphorically licked into shape, the vol- unteers became — or looked, at least, like — veritable dogs of

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war, ready to be let loose. Enforcement of discipline and obedience to orders ; the yielding up, to an extent, of individu- ality and personal will, compacted the regiment into that essen- tial state in which it could be wielded by one man as a weapon of offence or defence — ready to be hurled against an enemy to overwhelm, or to stand as a breastwork to bar the advance of an approaching foe.

In the summer evenings, after the sun had given place to near-sighted twilight, in the range of whose vision all sorts of pranks could be played without being noticed, many of the men changed into boys, and did whatever mischief their hands found to do. One, who had an inventive turn of mind in the direction of practical jokes, gathered every toad that he could find within the limits of or near the encampment. These he confined in a pen in the woods, concealed by some underbrush. After his comrades slept, he would introduce two or three of his toads into each of the two tents adjoining that in which he was quartered. This proceeding, for several nights, was with- out proper effect. A night came, however, on which he was delighted with the results.

" Jim ! " screamed one of the occupants of the next tent ; " Jim ' 8^t "P- quick ! There's a snake in the straw ! "

The four sleepers were awake, up in an instant, and out of the tent. Once outside, they interrogated the alarmist ; " How do you know there is a snake there ? " " I was turning over and put my hand on him." This was most conclusive proof. The proprietor of the toads came out of his tent and c^ligingly offered to furnish a candle to throw light on further investigations. Arming themselves, they cautiously pulled the straw out of the tent, little by little, and with raised sticks watched at the entrance, while an ex- tended arm, with the light, was held inside. The night scene was an interesting one. The rays from the candle revealed two solemn-looking toads, squatted on their haunches, apparently wondering what the fuss was all about. The presence of toads in the tent on the other side of the joker having been discov-

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I4EUTENANT-COLONEL 118TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLU>"TEEBS BREVET MAJOR-GENERAL V. S. VOLUNTEERS

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— le- ered, suspicion was, somehow, directed to him. The boys watched, and detected his little game without his being aware of it One morning, in dressing, he found the bottoms of his pantaloon l^s neatly pinned and a half-dozen or so of toads in each. Not confounded, he only said sadly : " Boys, I didn't think you'd be guilty of toadying to me in this way."

Sunday, August lOth, the camp was visited by several hun- dred persons. In the afternoon there was divine service under the auspices of Samuel L. Ward and James Barratt, Jr., at which die Rev. Mr. McConnell and Rev. Wm. R. McNeill officiated. The former gentleman delivered a most impressive and patri- otic address.

Sunday, August l/th, divine service was held at camp by Rev. Dr. Jackson, whose eloquent and forcible remarks at the war meeting in Independence Square so electrified his hearers.

By August 20th there were over nine hundred men enrolled and distributed among the companies as follows : A, g8; B,97; C. 98 ; D, 89 ; E, 95 ; F, 92 ; G, 98 ; H, 98 ; I, 50 ; K. 94 ; and at roll-call that evening 674 privates answered to their names. In addition to that number, 100 were on guard, 18 sick, 20 on special service, and 18 were missing. During the day Major Herring drilled the regiment at the tap of the drum.

More than usual was accomplished in the short season of in- struction at this camp of organization. To one officer nearly the whole credit of the good results there obtained was due. In sea- son and out of season Major Herring was constant, watchful and attentive, and no detail escaped his observation, no fault passed without notice. He instilled a duty, obedience and discipline that bore rich fruit, as upon this elementary training was grafted the severe and graver responsibilities of a soldier's life.

Sunday, August 24th, was a memorable day. In the morn- ing Rev. Kingston Goddard delivered a very eloquent discourse, which was attentively listened to by nearly 1,000 uniformed soldiers of the organization and some 2,000 visitors. A fine

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quartette attached to Company C greeted the reverend gentle- man on his approach with some iamiliar and finely-executed sacred music, and added greatly to the interest of the occasion. In the afternoon it was computed about 5,000 visited the camp. There was no disorder — the behavior of all was in keeping with the day.*

On the 28th Companies H and K made a short street parade from I2th and Girard streets, under Captain Donaldson, accom- panied by a band, and made a creditable display.

On the 29th dress-parade was held at 5 p. m., afi:er which the Rev. John Walker Jackson presented to each man, on behalf of the members of the Com Exchange Association, a Bible, a hymn-book, and a blanket The presents were received by the Rev. Charles E, Hill, the chaplain of the regiment At the same time Miss Anita Ward, aged ten years, a daughter of Samuel L. Ward, the treasurer of the fund, gave each man of Company E a pincushion, the product of her own industry.

* One of the most eligible and jnctureique campi which hu yet been eitablished in thii vicinity is that of the Corn Exchange Regiment, Colonel Prevott, out near the Falli of Schuylkill. It it visited daily by tbouiandt of people, and the roads leading to it are lively with vehicles all day and evening. Abotit 1,000 men are in camp, wbich ii bcautiliilly arranged in a large field, surrounded on three sides hy group* of foreM trees. Lait evening an interesting ceremony took place at the camp. Lieutenant L. L. Crocker, of Company C, was presented with a beautiful sword, sash, bell and accoutrements. His company, which is one of the finest in this or any other re^ment, was drawn ap in line In its company street, and in a few graceful remarks Mr. Stephen N. Winslow, on behalf of (be donon of the beautiful weapon, presented the sword. Mr. Winstow complimented Lieutenant Crocker highly, as from a fifteen years' acquaiiUance he was able to do nobly, and he spoke in warm terms of the soldierly and gentlemanly bearing of the men of Company C, many of whom he had known in social and business relations before they had been called on to defend their country with the musket against this wicked Rebellion. Mr. Winslow's spirited and eloquent address was greeted with nine cheers by the compiny. Lieutenant Crocker appropriately responded. At the close of the speaking the company marched to the Falls and indulged in some pleasant singing and other agreeable CKercises, after which they bade good-bye to them and returned to camp. Yesterday the regiment at 3 F. M. received their En- field rifles. At 5 P. M. the men were put through the manual of aims with distin- guished accuracy on drets-parade, when Adjutant James P. Perot acquitted himself handtosuely. — Philadelphia EvtHtn^ BttiUtin, August 36, 1S61

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Beck's band was in attendance, and a lively and enjc^rable time was had.

On the Sunday before the departure the regiment was hon- ored by the distinguished presence of Parson Brownlow, the renowned Union clergyman, statesman and soldier of East Ten- nessee. He preached a memorable sermon, that thrilled his hearers with fervid patriotism.

August was near its end. Whispers and rumors circulated through the camp to the effect that the regiment had been or- dered to the front The whispers and rumors were true. On the last day of August the regiment was divided, half starting on that day and half on the next For the first time many of the men fully understood the import and consequences of the step they had taken in enlisting. The hour for separation from all home associations was at hand. As it drew nearer and nearer the laugh and the jest were checked on many a Up, and few, indeed, were they who did not see more clearly the serious and dangerous side of the undertaking. Hope told of easy victory and renown won. But, somehow, the other side would turn up and show a reverse of ugly wounds, of sudden death, of defeat and disaster. One was leaving a tearful-eyed wife, who, at their parting, would bid him God-speed with a brave smile, and then, turning in at the open door as he was lost to sight, give way to the bitter sobs and tears that she had re- pressed for his sake. They would meet again — when ? An- other would part with his wife and his boy — ^his pride, his hope, a part of himself, it would seem, when the wrench came. An- other was going away from his mother, and she was a widow. Sisters would cling around the neck of a brother at the parting. All had one or more bound to them by the closest, tenderest ties, from whom they were to be severed by time and distance. No wonder, then, that sad reflections filled their minds and threw grave and anxious shadows upon their faces. '

The good-byes were over. The men were on their way through Wilmington and Baltimore to Washington. Some sat with tremulous lips and tears forcing themselves from their

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eyes, in the shadow. True-hearted they were, and tender. Afterwards, and often, when the hail of bullets swept the field, and the shrieks of shells, like the moans of demons, filled the air, these same men marched in the front with faces so stern and lips so set that none could dream that thoughts of love or pity had ever entered their hearts. Some were moody, some laughed with a ring that wanted something to make it honest, and some — let it be said under the breath — were jovial with a joviality that brought headache in the moming.

The 31st of August, 1862, had been a disastrous day for the Union arms. All the hard blows Pope had received culminated in the hardest, and Bull Run, destined only for fatality, again recorded a Confederate triumph.

The gravity of the situation called for every available recruit All the regiments organizing about Philadelphia were hurried to the front. By ten o'clock in the evening Camp Union was abandoned forever, and at midnight the ii8th, or most of it, was at Broad and Prime street depot awaiting its turn, among the others, for transporation to Washington. The limited sup- ply caused a tedious wait, and it was five o'clock on the morn- ing of the ist of September before — packed on the inside and crowded on the roof of overladen box-cars — a full start was made for the destination.

Reasonably fair speed was made for the character of the train, and by two o'clock in the afternoon the command was debarked at the President street station in Baltimore, and promptly marched to the Washington depot, on Camden street. There the indications were, from lack of transportation, of a weary and uncomfortable all-night's delay. Fledglings in the service, a number of the officers surreptitiously hied away to the Eutaw House for a substantial meal and better rest. They had arranged to be communicated with should the regiment move unexpectedly, and left instructions with the clerk that, upon the receipt of such intelligence, they were to be at once notified.

At the supper table the somewhat boisterous conduct of a

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few of them drew forth frowning, disapproving glances from old General Wool, of Mexican &me, at that time commanding the ci^, who happened, with his family, to be occupying seats in the dining hall. After ten o'clock the noise rather increased, and the hotel corridors resounded with a good deal of royster- ing. A few, a very few, really did retire ; when, about midnight, those who had sought repose were aroused from their slumbers, and the others who had not were interrupted in their frolic, with the summons to hurry to the depot, that the regiment was in motion. It was obeyed with all the hurry and excitement incident to its peremptory character. Neither, however, was necessary ; for, upon reaching the station, instead of finding active preparations going on for departure, every man was soundly wrapped in slumber.

It was asserted that General Wool had taken this method to rid the hostlery of its noisy, undesirable guests. Whoever it was, the ruse was successful, and chagrined, and disappointed, those who had sought to steal the comforts denied their fel- lows found poor consolation in fretting away the balance of the night chafing over a lost opportunity. Nor did the train move out until ten in the morning. It was a slow run to Washington and four in the afternoon before it reached its destination.

The regiment was marched to the Soldier's Retreat to be fed. A most distinguished misnomer, if by the term retreat was meant ease, repose and comfort ; and a travesty on sub- sistence, if it was intended by feeding to imply that those to be fed were to be furnished with a nourishing, substantial meal. Sour bread, coffee-a^red water, decomposed potatoes, decayed beef were in such striking contrast with the comforting, well- served supplies furnished by the Volunteer and Cooper-Shop Refreshment Saloons in Philadelphia, that the soldiers howled a unanimous dissatisfaction.

The night was spent in the Government corral. Famished Diules howled discordantly, teamsters yelled their imprecations as wagons came and went In the intervals of quiet there was ft little rest

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On the morning of the 3d of September the regiment crossed the Long Bridge, and bivouacked on Arlington Heights, at Fort Albany, The journey, which began on the 31st at mid- night, with its frequent and lengthy interruptions, was at last concluded.

Other dry and healthful-looking unoccupied sites were in view, but the location assigned for our encampment was a veri- table swamp. Here and there a little fast-land afforded better ■ accommodations to those to whose good fortune it fell to occupy it ; but the camp was mainly on soft and miry ground. Such inconveniences were soon but little noticed ; any place was good enough if the column would only halt

The discomforts were insignificant contrasted with the sorry plight in which were some of the brave but shattered battalions of the Potomac army encamped around and about the vicinity, recuperating from the hard work entailed upon them by the Bull Run disaster.

A very handsome silk national standard, of the size pre- scribed for regimental colors, had been presented to Com- pany H by one of its admiring lady friends, before it left Philadelphia. Up to this time the regiment had been provided with the State flag only, and the captain of H, with appropriate ceremonies, very gracefully devoted his national colors to supply the deficiency. Whilst here a detail of the regiment, under Lieutenant Walters, was detached to the Balloon Corps, and remained absent from the command for some weeks.

Hard practical. work occupied the four days the regiment remained at Fort Albany. Drills of every character followed each other at intervals so close as to leave but little opportunity for leisure or aught else. On the last day of the encampment on the low ground, the men, suspecting from its taste, that the water of the creek from which they obtained their supplies for drinking and cooking was not of the purest, commissioned a squad to find the source of the creek and report. They went and returned. Some quarter of a mile or more up the stream they found a carcass of a horse lying. Still farther

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op they discovered a regiment encamped on both sides of the creek, some of the men washing their garments in its waters.

The tribulations of inexperience come to the soldier as they do to the colft^ian. Men are as prone to gibe and twit as arc the youths of the academy. No prohibitory regulation re- strained the bent of inclination, and the early history of all regiments is rife with many practical pleasantries perpetrated - at the expense of the readily susceptible.

Often the victim lays the snare for himself, in his own guile- less innocence.

A young officer standing by the roadside, in the first camp his regiment ever made, noticed on the covers of the wagons of a passing ammunition train the designation of their contents, " Cal. 58." Carried away with enthusiasm for what he believed evidenced . such unselfish practical patriotism in his fellow- citizens of the Pacific coast, he gave vent to his appreciation in the expression : " Great heavens, has California, so far removed from the scene of hostilities, already furnished so many regi- ments to the Union army !" Such unusual verdancy* offered a tempting opportunity, and it was not long before his brother- officers had him fully persuaded that the Government, solicitous to encour^e amusements to while away the hours of leisure, would supply, upon a duly approved stationery requisition, an annual allowance of playing-cards. So firmly was this young gentleman convinced that he had t^een honestly informed as to rights of which he was ignorant, that he filled out a requisition for two decks of cards, one whist, one euchre, and presented it to the colonel for approval. Upon finishing the explanation which was, of course, demanded, he was bade to acquaint him- self more familiarly with the regulations and not permit him- self to be so trifled with in the future.

It is quite questionable whether all, or nearly all the officers of the 1 1 8th were not victims of what, if not a practical joke, was certainly a practical mistake. Most of the three officers of each company supplied themselves with a mess-chest of the most ponderous proportions, lai^e enough to cover nearly

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hair the bed of an army wagon. This they stored with all the desirable appliances of kitchen and table furniture in prolific quantities. With such a multiplication of impedimenta throughout an army, its field-operations might as well be suspended. Those who had the experience of active service advised against such investments. There advice was not only unheeded, but it was strongly intimated that it was prompted by motives of parsimony. These mess-chests, though, really got farther on their way than those better acquainted had expected. It was confidently believed that the depot at Wash- ington would See the last of them. Some, however, reached Frederick City. There the last survivor was abandoned. One by one they had been dro[^d along the road, and were never heard of afterwards.

On the 8th of September, the command moved to a dry, sloping hill-side, in the vicinity of Fort Cochran. Another four days of similar exacting instruction followed, and then began the sterner calls of duty. All else was soon absorbed in the nAtrch, the picket, the battle and bivouac; and so it went until the end had accomplished the full purpose of the soldier's mission, and he had once more found his home in a citizenship he had helped make secure.

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THE MEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY

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W&xN first under fire and ^nu're wishful to duck, Don't look or take heed at the man that U struck; Be thankful that you're livioE and trust to jour ludc. And march to youi (ront like * soldier.

ON the 1 2th the regimental individuality was measurably lost through its absorption into the combinations neces- sary in the management of great armies and the conduct of grand campaigns. The brigade to which it was allotted had bome the crucial test of the Peninsular battles and the Second Bull Run, and the laurels it had gathered were not to be dimmed by the conduct of the 1 1 8th, which so soon showed its valor ia the hard fighting at Shepherdstown,

The brigade, the ist of the ist Division of the 5th Corps, was commanded by Brigadier-General John H. Martindale, the division by Major-General GSorge W, Morrell, and the corps by Major-General Fitz John Porter, The brigade was com- posed of the 22d Massachusetts Volunteers, Lieutenant-Colonel Wm. S. Tilton commanding; the 18th Massachusetts, Colonel James Barnes; the 13th New York, Colonel E. S. Marshall; the 25th New York, Colonel Chas. A. Johnson ; the ist Michi- gan, Colonel Ira C. Abbott ; the 2d Maine, Lieutenant-Colonel Geor^ Vamey.

The 22d Massachusetts had obtained celebrity from the name of its distinguished statesman-cofonel, the Hon. Henry Wilson, senator from that State. Its march through Philadel- phia under his personal command, during the very early days of the war, may yet be recollected by the citizens of that day. This was about all of the senator's service with troops. His great abilities and unflinching patriotism could not be safely spared from the halls of Congress, where they were most in requisition and where his countrymen demanded his continu- ous presence.

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Colonel Barnes, of the i8th Massachusetts, and Colonel Marshal], of the 13th New York, had both been educated at the United States Military Academy at West Point, and Colo- nel Barnes, by virtue of his seniority, in the absence of General Martindale, was temporarily in command of the brigade.

The old song, " Comrades, Touch the Elbow" (which will be found on pages 27 and 28), that rang its stirring melodies through all the war, and yet awakens the echoes of the olden times, had its birth in this brigade. It was here General Mar- tindale, with his fiicile pen, caught his inspiration for its au- thorship. And that these brigade associations were never severed except by casualties, is convincing that the author was not mistaken when he intuitively caught his notions of soldier- fellowship from his early associations with this command. The work of the 13th and 25th New York and 2d Maine was done, and well done, and they passed out of the service at the expiration of their term. Otherwise there were no changes in the organization save additions, except that the 22d Massa- chusetts a few months before the conclusion of its three years* service was transferred, but not away from the division. The brigade remained continuously in the same division and corps ; its only change was in designation at the opening of the Wilder- ness Campaign, from the ist to the 3d. This change came about through the general consolidation of the other corps of the Army of the Potomac into the 2d, 5th and 6th. All the troops of the 1st Division, nine regiments, well tried and true, were made the 3d Brigade. To the other two brigades, regi- ments were mostly assigned that were not before a part of the . division oi^anization. The proud badge of distinction was always the red maltese cross.

It was as early as seven o'clock in the morning when the order of the assignment was executed, and promptly at that hour the brigade began the march from Fort Cochran over the Potomac, by the aqueduct bridge, and into the city of Wash- ington. Hither and thither it wandered, up and down its broad, dusty highways, apparently without aim or purpose. Its citi-

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Toachthed -bowl	now, my bofs, Comrades,tauch die	el-bow.
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Home and country patriots fire. Kindle your souk with fervid glow,

The Southern traitors shall retire When Northmen touch the elbow ! — Cho.

Though many brave men bite the sod, And crimson heart's blood freely flow,

Shout, as their spirits soar to God,

Onl comrades, touch the elbow.— Cho.

Now show the rocks of which you're made, The general signals, march ! Holloa !

Then double quickstep, first brigade, Charge ! Comrades, touch the elbow. — Cho.

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zens were conspicuously absent irom the thoroughfares, and its dwellings and mansions wore a forsaken, deserted look. The bustle and disorder attending the Bull Run disaster had meas- urably subsided, but there was evidently still lacking convincing assurance that all things were well. The men had grown heart- sick and weary of this aimless tramp, when the column, ulti- mately turning into the Seventh street road, gradually left the hot, dusty city behind it.

Passing through the fonnidable earthworks on the north of the city, then garrisoned by the 2d Pennsylvania Artillery, it bivouacked for the night at Silver Springs, an indifferent hamlet in Montgomery county, Maryland. Though the march had been a long and weary one, the actual distance accomplished toward any definite destination was but seven miles. Wholly unused to such fatigues, and totally unacquainted with reduc- ing their loads to the minimum by dispensing with useless append^es and trappings, the march told upon the men severely. The heat was intolerable, the air, unruffled by the lightest breeze, stifling, and the huge volumes of grinding dust impenetrable to the eye and overpowering. The Washington thoroughfares, upon which most of the tramping had been done, were not the fine, smooth, even-paved highways of to-day, but no better than country dirt roads, and from their continuous use, were less suitable for heavy pedestrian operations. The experienced soldiers of the brigade tramped along stolidly and leisurely, encumbered with no such ponderous, heavily-laden knapsacks as bore the men of the Il8th down to the very depths of exhaustion. Their personal baggage had simmered to the few indispensables conveniently transportable over the shoulder in the light and readily adjustable blanket-roll. This contained their house and home and what little extra apparel the few changes in the fashions of the day demanded. Their migratory households were at all times available, with canvas or the can- opy skies for their dormitories, as weather, time or inclination indicated. Their diet was a movable feast or a transitory fam- ine, according as a rich farming country furnished the edibles,

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or a scant cammisMriat meagrely supplied subsistence. This day's lessons in burden and carriage from their older brethren were not lost Necessities and comfort are cogent factors to tuition. Example and illustration in this con- nection were better teachers than the remoter methods of the pedc^ogue. In a very short time the i iSth had shed itself The cumbrous knapsack had been abandoned for its less mili- tary substitute, and the roll of blanket, gum-blanket and shelter-tent found its place by a practical adaptability in expe- riences, without delays, recommendations or intervention of advisory boards, quartermasters or ordnance officers. With their bronzed faces, battle-tried valor of Shepherdstown and tact in adjusting their appendages, they were soon indistin* guishable in general appearance from the men who had the longest training. They had teamed to eat and sleep and rest with satisfaction and comfort with whatever advantages there were at command, and having acquired with facility the axiom that they were never to lose anything, the soldierly appoint- ments others had were habitually at their disposal.

But the results of the day's march were shocking. Over- burdened, worn and weary, man after man, yielding to the in- evitable, had dropped by the wayside, or str^gling, broken and dejected, was struggling to reach the goal of his apparently endless journey. The sergeant and the color-guard fell in complete exhaustion, and tha colonel himself bore the standard to the bivouac. Three men to a company, as the " strength present for duty," was a most creditable showing when the final halt was mads.

One weary, dusty private, trudging solemnly and slowly along the road, near nightfall, struggling against the heat and hir own demoralized condition, met General Morrell, and, touching his hat, said :

"General, can you tell me where the iiSth Pennsylvania is?"

" Certainly, my man," replied the general, seriously ; " every- where between here and Washington."

The saddest thing about the matter is, that the general told

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the truth. Reclining against fences, or meditating under apple trees, the iiSth averaged about one hundred to the mile.

The invigorating shadows of nightfall revived many, and one by one during the night they gathered about their more fortunate fellows who had fully completed their task. But when the " general " sounded next morning, not more than half the battalion responded. Major Herring was despatched over the route travelled, to collect the scattered remnants of the other half, and shortly had returned them to their compan* ions and restored the regimental symmetry.

This scattering on the first march out from the national capital was not peculiar to the i iSth. The early part of the month of September, 1862, was unusually oppressive, and the new troops, who joined the army about that time, in their earlier marches lined the streets of that ci^ and the adjacent road- ways with many of their numbers who fell by the wayside. Nor was the straggling confined solely to the Iresh levies ; so persistent had the oflbnce become with the older soldiers, about this time, that severe and ignominious punishments were re- sorted to to correct the abuse, and with the old fellows there was nothing to be said in mitigation. Toughened and sea- soned in previous campaigns, they were not forced to abandon their standard from physical exhaustion. There was design and method in their conduct, and what they did was with pur- pose and deliberation. Happily, though, time and circum- stances set all things right, and the brilliant achievements at Antietam restored the Army of the Potomac to all the vigor of its original cohesion.

On the 13th reveiUe sounded at daybreak, and the morning meal disposed of, and articles to be transported and carried hurriedly gathered and packed, the column moved at seven o'clock. There was no improvement in temperature — the sun beat down relentlessly, and the dust rose in the same thicken- ing, suRbcating masses. The route, though, lay through a fresh, charming, arable country, with farms and fences and buildings indicating thrifty husbandry.

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The bivouac was made half a mile beyond Rockville, the shire-town of Montgomery county, sixteen miles from Wash- ington and some thirty from Baltimore, It was a smart-look- ing little hamlet, with the usual court-house and jail, a &ir com- plement of churches, and a population, when at home, of some four or five hundred. The women stood about the doorways curiously gazing upon the marching men, but there was a no- table scarcity of males, This, with no highly demonstrative or publicly expressed union sentiment, produced the uncharita- ble inference that they had gone to "Ki-yi-yi*" in the other band.

Sunday, the 14th, was pregnant with events and gave birth to the annals, historic and reminiscent, of South Mountain and Crampton's Gap. Through sultry, suffocating heat and clouds of permeating, choking dust, the column bowled along uninter- ruptedly from seven in the morning until six in the evening; the wearisome journey concluded on the banks of the Monocacy, neara village of the same name with the stream, four miles from Frederick City.

This ground became famous subsequently, in the summer of 1 864, as the scene of the battle of " the Monocacy," where Rick- etts, with his 3d Division of the 6th Corps, aided by Lew Wal- lace with troops from Baltimore, gallantly checked Early's for- midable advance upon the national capital. The stream, flow- ing transparent over its rocky bed. the old stone arches of the turnpike bridge, the deep-green, gently sloping fields, ex- tending their vegetation right to the water's edge, and the tim- ber, with open grassy sward between the trees, made the spot especially adapted to forgetful repose. Exhausted by their continuous tramp of eleven hours, the weary men soon sank into restful sleep.

The startling rumble of far-oflf cannonading during the morning hours broke sullenly upon the ear. These indications of distant conflict were an early initiation in the sounds of bat-

• The well'known yell of ihe Confedeiai«.

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tie. As the day advanoed and the distance shortened it pew intcnso ; the heavy, thundering, portentous roar was convincing that an afi^r of some magnitude was in progress. And so it was ; the day's work dislodged the enemy from the gaps in the South Mountain range, and opened the highways to the broad valleys beyond.

John Monteith, a corporal of H, was a strong, well-propor- tioned man, yet in hts twenties. He was full of a generous, genial flow of spirits ; his whole manner was catching. Whether fresh and well-fed, or tired and hungry, he could stimulate his a»npaiiions to hilarity that would stir them, when weary, to re- newed energy and activity, or hugely, entertain them when occasion afforded opportunity for amusement His abilities and industry indicated a promising future and speedy advance- menL His sad end, so soon to follow, cut off" a career bright with the promise of a successful soldier life. He had a rich, melodious voice, clear, round and ringing. The column had trudged along to that degree of weariness when a painful still- ness follows real latigue. Monteith had noted the situation. Suddenly his ringing voice rolled out amidst the quietude, in notes full, free and true, in the melodious strains of the entranc- ing song, " I Came from the Old Granite State," each verse con- cluding with a chorus, ending in " boom, boom, boom ! " The effect was instantaneous and the inspiration catching. Gradu- ally the regiment caught the strain, feitigues were forgotten, and the whole air was sonorous with the melody. It spread beyond the regiment, through the entire column of the brigade, and as the " boom, boom, boom " died away in our command, another took it up until, at last, it subsided in the distance. The effect, manifested by enlivened spirits and quickened step, was mar- vellous. It continued through the remainder of the journey and brought the command to their destination a better, brighter set of men.

There ha[^>ened in the late afternoon a chance to indulge in a sort of " movable feast," that, as has been suggested, was opportune only when a productive country was the source of

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supply. As it was a Sabbath day's journey that had just been- accomplished, it was aptly fitted to such an opportunity. Our men were young as soldiers, but already fair foragers.

After the bivouac was made the still-Ungering daylight kept animate objects moving about the wooded hillside beyond the camp, well in view. Their location for the night definitely fixed, a number of the men, prompted by a desire for investi- gation, or with a view to better their diet, had, with rifle in ' hand, strolled about in the near vicinity. Some hogs had broken their cover and were straggling through the woods, seeking a sustenance which their owners, to encourage domes-

tic habits as well as realize on them when fairly fattened, would have gladly furnished. It required but a slight effort of the imagination, even in this thickly-peopled, well-tilled country, to treat such strolling beasts as wild. Fresh pork was a succulent morsel when contrasted with the daily issues of its salted sister. Shots rang out sharply on the evening air, and two well- rounded porkers fell victims to unerring aim. Pork boiled, fried and toasted " ruled the roost," and many of the 1 1 Sth, that way inclined, gorged themselves to restfulness with fresh pig before the evening shadows faded into the depths of night

The march of the isth began so late as eight o'clock. A few miles out the column passed through Frederick City, forty-

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five miles from Washington, and the county-seat of Frederick county. It is a borough of some interest, with clean highways, well^aved sidewalks, and its streets all laid out at right angles. The stores and mansions are well-built substantial brick struc- tures, and indicate it to be a town well grown in years. It is nestled in a fertile, prosperous country, and its citizens had been a well-to-do, thrifty people. There are the usual court- house and jail and some eight or ten places of worship, some of them quite attractive.

Chief among the objects for which the soldier hungers is glory, and next comes a good dinner. From behind the cur- tains of an open window of one of the houses a matron in Quaker-like garb was peeping, when one of the men, desirous of reaching some degree of certainty as to the character of his next meal, approached the window, and lifting his cap politely, inquired anxiously :

" Madam, what is there in the village ? "

" A college of some reputation, sir,"

" Great heavens, madam, I can't eat a college I " he said, testily, and marched on.

But there was no halt for extended investigation, and the ob- servations noted were in the huriy of a pressing march.

The movement continued beyond the town along the turn- pike, with the sun as hot as ever and the dust as thick as usual. This roadway had been well travelled by heavy columns of marching men, artillery and trains. Most of the Confederate army and several corps of the Union had, the former preceding and the others closely following, gone over it. The stones were ground into dust. Each side of the road in the fields was well tramped out by the infantry, the main thoroughfare having been left for the trains. The fences were down entirely. Debris, broken wagons and abandoned property were strewn about everywhere. Telegraph poles and wires were cut and destroyed, and it was quite apparent the only purpose of pur- suers and pursued was to get along as rapidly as possible, regardless of what was lost, mutilated or forgotten.

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From the journey of the day before and the appearances on the next, the merest tyro could conclude that if the enemy waited long enough anywhere, something momentous was sure to occur, and somebody certainly was bound to be hurt. Occasional dischan!^ of artillery were heard, during the day and intelligence was received that General Reno, a corps-com- mander of prominence and distinction, had fallen at the bat- tle of South Mountain just as the engagement had nearly ter- minated.

The march concluded at six o'clock and the bivouac was made for the ' night close to the eastern base of the Catoctin range of mountains, upon the other side of which, near at hand, was the borough of Middletown.

Between six o'clock on a bright morning in middle Septem- ber and the break of day there is but little margin for prepara- tion for a hard all-day tramp. But at that hour on the i6th the column was all out on the roadway and, stimulated by the ■ invigorating morning air, had soon crowned the summit of the Catoctins, The autumn shadows had not yet tinged a single leaf, and there, in the distance, parallel with the Catoctin and sweeping from the north to south, away beyond the range of vision, rose the more prominent South Mountain belt. There it stood, clothed in all the grandeur of its patriarchal forests, dim and majestic tn the misty distance. Beneath, for miles, lay the broad, beautiful valley, dotted everywhere with bams and houses. Its stacks of garnered grain, its tall, waving com, and bright green pasturage, told of the plenty of a toiling, pros- perous community. Along the westem base of the Catoctins the little stream which bore their name threaded its way — cool, re- freshing, silent — through its sloping, meadowed banks. Mid- dletown, almost a mile in length, with the turnpike for its only highway, lay motionless near where the mountains ended and the valley began. The scene, broadening in the scope of its grandeur, was a rare landscape of mountain and valley, hill and dale, stream and village.

Middletown, a quaint, old-fashioned village of a few hundred

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inhabitants, was emineDtly suggestive of the old-time couatry loafing-place. Now, there were no loungers about the grocery, and the tavern stoops were deserted. The wayside gossip had been lost in the thunders of war on the Sunday just gone by. The mighty hosts contending for the mastery on its west- ern boundary had left this peaceful vale a charnel-house.

The handles had been removed from all the pumps in Mid- dletown. This aroused much indignation with threats of ven- geance from the thirsty soldiers. Their anger subsided when it became known that the measure was resorted to only be- cause the inhabitants feared a permanent loss of their water supply. The demand from such a wonderful and sudden in- crease of population had taxed the wells beyond their capacity. Some, however, had vented their spleen by loading them with stones, earth and rubbish, before the reason for disabling the pumps had been made known.

The distance across the valley was soon covered. The turn- pike, the old national road, up the mountain through Turner's Gap, is a gradual, easy rise, and on either side of the roadway the lands, on the eastern slope, almost to the very summit, had been cleared and were under tillage. Most of the hard fighting on the 14th had been done to the right and left of the pike, the scene concealed from view by the timber. Besides the many new-made graves, and the dead gathered in heaps and piled by the roadside, there were other evidences of heavy fighting on the road.

From the summit there was a martial display which, for con- centration of great masses of soldiery, all in full view at the same time, was probably never equalled at any time during the war. From the mountains to the Antietam, a stream flowing to the southward, and moving directly parallel with them, is a distance of from eight to ten miles. Within this area, over plain and valley, deployed, massed, in column and by the flank, some moving ^d others at rest, was nearly the whole Army of the Potomac, its in&ntry, cavalry, artillery and trains. With the exception of Franklin's Corps on the left, concealed from

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observation, in Pleasant Valley, in the vicinity of Maryland Heights, the entire army was within the range of vision to an observer standing on the top of the mountain. The day was perfect, the air clear and still, the sun bright and dazzling. Near the foot lay the hamlet of Boonesboro', a town apparently of more thrift and enterprise than Middletown, a good-sizeable, comfortable village of some six or eight hundred people. The day before the Union cavalry had sent the Confederate rear through the place rather precipitately. Many of the enemy were killed and wounded, a number taken prisoners and an en- tire battery of artillery captured. It was a spirited aflair and was the cannonading previously noted as "occasional dis- chai^es."

From the mountain to the bluffs and knotis which line the banks of the AntJetam westward, and southward to the spur which makes the western boundary of Pleasant Valley, the whole country was in full view. To the right and northward the arable open lands rolled off, with earth and sky united in a horizon miles and miles away.

Noticeable to the right on the mountain-top stood Monu- ment Hill, the highest peak of the range. It derived its name from a monument erected there by the patriotic citizens of the neighberhood many years before, to the memory of Washing- ton. Except the base, which still stood, it was all in ruins ; since the war the same patriotic sentiment has reconstructed it

Lacking the prominent mountain-sides for its boundaries, the valley was not so distinctly marked as that through which ran the Catoctin. It was evidently as rich, fertile and productive as the other, but as the ground was almost wholly concealed by the great mass of men and the paraphernalia of war, which literally covered it, its thrift and fertility were better indicated by the substantial character of the houses and out-buildings, and the size of the farms. The houses were solid and massive, some of brick and some of stone, and the bams .of stone, lar^e and commodious, much after the pattern of their Pennsylvania neighbors.

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Miles to the right and front, climbing the hills and sinking over them out of view, were columns upon columns of infantry, attenuated by the distance to widths so narrow as to but little resemble a moving mass of human beings, and reduced in size to patterns so pigmy as scarcely to be distinguishable as men. They seemed to writhe and crawl, until the heavy body, desig- nated for some determined purpose in that direction, had passed entirely out of sight But with all its strength, as it simmered away, the withdrawal of this column seemed in the distance to make no perceptible diminution in the vast numbers that still remained deployed, halted or shifBng for position, over the whole surface of the valley below. Smoke twirled from miniature camp-fires kindled for a little noon-day bite ; stacked in " line of masses," the sun softly glistened from the bright barrels of the muskets, or flashed on the pointed bayonets; batteries were parked with their divisions ; squadrons stood to horse with their battalions. Quarter-masters, wagon-masters, teamsters detaching the ordnance from the other wagons, gathered their trains into park. Surgeons, ambulances, stretcher- bearers, separated from the combatants, and the whole country- side— roads, fields, and timber — swarmed with manoeuvring soldiery.

That a great battle was imminent was plain. Nor could the 1 1 8th stand longer in wonderment and gaze admiringly upon the splendid military display passing in the valley before it, as if in 'panoramic appointments for its especial entertainment It passed down the mountain-side and was soon lost amid the legions shaking off their impedimenta preparatory to the struggle of the morrow.

There was inspiration everywhere; It culminated in open demonstration in the sonorous melody of* the "boom, boom, boom " again, as the column passed through Boonesboro', and the inhabitants joyously told of the demoralization of the enemy that followed the dash of the Yankee cavalry through the town on the day previous.

During the afternoon the whole army loosened itself and by

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five o'clock the regiment went into bivouac in line of battle at the foot of a ridge just beyond the village of Keedysvillc. The road from Keedysville crosses the Antietam by " Porter's Bridge," a name derived from the neighboring hamlet of Por- tertown. The ridge overlooked the creek and the country for some distance beyond. A battery in front was in action when the regiment came upon the ground, firing with deliberation, at extended intervals. Each shot brought its response, and though the practice was poor, that indescribable screech of the shells, heard for the first time, produced just a perceptible tremor of anxiety. Artillery at long range soon ceases to ter- rorize, and the men shortly treated the exploding missiles as familiar acquaintances. But away off to the right Hooker's Division was having it tremendously. The roar of the mus- ketry was unceasing, the dischai^e of the batteries continuous. Close enough for at least a full appreciation of the noise of a great battle, it was here the desperate stru^le of the cornfield and Dunker church was in progress, terminating the next morning in, probably, as many casualties, for the numbers en- gaged and the space and time covered, as any other field of the war.

The eve of a great battle is a wonderful curiosity -breeder. Naturally inquisitive, danger, anxiety, novelty, doubt, but more particularly the irresistible desire for information he has no business with, all impel the soldier to search for material to aid him to shape his resultless conclusions. And such they habitually are. Truth and rumor, fact and fancy, are moulded together to produce wonderful items of news, which are given forth as indubitable facts, but prove to be the opposite of real results. The stores of assumed wisdom, boastfully communi- cated to willing, susceptible listeners, are prodigious. Our regiment, new to such things, utterly bewildered with all the fugitive gossip manu&ctured for the occasion, awoke on the morrow to find these deceptive &ncies lost in the portentous happenings they had not even remotely conceived

The morning of Wednesday, September 17, Antietam's

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iateful day, dawned with a clear and cloudless sky. The regi- ment was pushed a little larther to the front, in support of a battefy of the 1st New York Artillery, still occupying ground commanding a view of a wide expanse of country upon the other side of the creek. Through the night the army found its positions, and as darkness disappeared before the daylight it unfolded vast deployments of lines of battle arrayed for the contest soon to be precipitated everywhere. Troops yet arriv- ing upon the ground poured in one continuous stream to where the battle waged wickedly on the right. There, from earliest break of day, the musketry rolled and thundered and roared incessantly. The desperate intensity of its terrible crash was magnified to the real depth of its deadly purpose from the al- most total silence of the batteries. The lines of the combatants impinged or struggled at range so close that the guns on either side stood dumb for fear their punishment would fall upon friend and foe alike. No shout or cheer or yell relieved the one all-absorbing, terrible sound ; all else was hushed in awe before the deep and deafening roar, increasing in intensity and developing in extent as fresh battalions lent their energies to the deadly fray. It really never seemed to cease, but was ab- sorbed as it extended to the left, and as the day grew apace came nearer and nearer to our own immediate front

The whole of the corps, the sth. had come upon the field. It lay stretched to the right and rear, impressive from its num- bers, awaiting its allotment to the front, as the progress of the fight demanded that wavering lines be strengthened, or columns of assault assisted. Still to the rear, massed farther down the valley, the lances of the 6th Pennsylvania Cavalry, not yet abandoTted, with their bright red pennants, were distinctive in the distance. And away off on top of " Elk Hill " the active operations of the signal-flags told of communications of mo- ment that the exceptionally clear atmosphere and their position of such especial prominence gave them opportunity to gather and transmit

The guns of the New York battery were served with more

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rapidity than on the previous afternoon. Danger will not sup- press curiosity, and the proximity, within call in case of move- ment, prompted some of the more inquisitive to stroll around the guns, anxious to seize, thus early, opportunity to closely observe artillery in action. It was a place where none had business except those whose duty called them there, and death or wounds resulting from unnecessary and improper exposure are not the honorable scars that add laurels to the chaplets of renown.

The battery commandant, competent to manage his own af- fairs, jealously insisted that the ground he occupied was as sacredly his as if he were its owner in fee, and he peremptorily bade the trespassers be off. He also vouchsafed to say that a major of a New York infantry regiment, brought there only by curiosity, had been killed within his battery lines only a little while before. Nor did he propose that knots or groups should stand about among his guns to draw the enemy's fire, and thus uselessly expose his own men. A ricochetting round-shot, un- comfortably close, strengthened his objections, accelerated the pace, and the bunch of inquiring minds dispersed suddenly to where they properly belonged.

At noon the combat raged in all its fierceness. It was near this hour when General McClellan, with his large and imposing staff, rode upon the ground occupied by our division. The deep and abiding enthusiasm that habitually followed him promptly greeted him. Shouts, yells, and cheers of apprecia- tion rent the air. This unusual noise, so loud that it was borne above the din of battle to the enemy's line, brought on a vig- orous and persistent shelling. Regardless of the flying, burst- ing missiles, there he sat astride his splendid chai^er, glass in hand, calmly reviewing the mighty hosts, whose discomfiture with his trusted legions he was bent upon that day accomplish- ing. Intent, no doubt, on securing some permanent advantage at this particular point, he turned suddenly to Colonel Webb, the engineering ofRcer of his staff, who subsequently won imper- ishable fame in command of the Philadelphia Brigade at Gettys-

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bui^, and, after a few moments of hurried instructions, de- spatched him on his mission down into the valley — down into the very jaws of death. The smoke of the conflict soon en- veloped him and he was lost to view entirely.

The perilous duties of the intelligent stafT-oflicer, so fre- quently demanding such severe and unusual exposure, so forcibly illustrated to the men of the r^ment thus early in their career, in this gallant ride of Webb's, aroused in them an admiration for him which ever afterwards, when he was seen or heard of, caused his name or presence to be most enthusiasti- cally received.

As this rider was shortly followed by the famous charge of General Meagher's Irish Brigade, now historically considered as among the most telling of the war, it was &irly concluded that the purpose of Webb's mission was to direct it This notable charge took place in full view from the knoll occupied by the regiment The ground over which they were about to move was rough and uneven, and in the distance appeared to be a freshly ploughed field.

The enemy's line upon which the advance was to be made was in plain view just outside the edge of a belt of timber. It was flanked by several batteries, whose active work of the morning had much improved their practice. They were said to be part of the celebrated Washington Light Artillery of New Orleans, whose fame as artillerists was coextensive with their service. From the formation of the ground the preliminary preparations could not be concealed ; the enemy caught them in their very incipiency and gun and musket belched forth their vengeful volleys with telling accuracy. But the gallant Irish- men moved into battle-array with the precision of parade. The sun glistened upon the bright barrels of the rifles and the colors fluttered vauntingly in the breeze. Prominent in its place be- side the national standard the green harp of Erin was dis- tinctly observed. As the advance progressed and the scathing fire cut out its fearful gaps, the line halted wi^ deliberation to readjust itself. The dead and wounded strewed the ground.

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thickening as the distance from the enemy lessened. Twice and again the green standard, more distinctly noticeable than the regimental color, fell, but only to be promptly seized a^in, still to be bome gallantly onward to its goal. Vast curtains of smoke concealed the enemy, rising at intervals, disclosing him ; yet unmoved, holding firmly to his post But nothing dimin- ished the courage, nothing could stay the onslaught, of these determined men. The deadly moment of impact came, the hnes impinged, and the enemy, in irreparable confusion, broke for the friendly cover of the timber. The Irishmen, still main- taining their organization with commendable exactitude, pressed them in their helpless flight, until finally, with shout and cheer, friend and foe were lost to view in the wood the enemy had sought for safety. The unerring fire of Meagher's men had told severely upon his adversary. As he disappeared his abandoned line was distinctly marked by a long array of dead and wounded who had fallen where they stood. It was not the Irishmen alone who entirely did the work, but the brigades of Caldwell and Brooks added their valor to the enemy's rout.

These splendid movements, typical of so many of equal gal- lantry during the war, to new troops, who had yet participated in no such deadly fray, was an excellent lesson in object teach- ing. It bore its fruits subsequently in many a desperate en- counter, when the metal of the Pennsylvanians was tested with a like severity.

During this advance of the Irish Brigade a battery of the enemy, manned by specially skilled artillerists, by its rapidity and accuracy had caused them much annoyance. Its shells, bursting with remarkable precision, had become fatally effec- tive. When the charging line had about half covered the distance between its starting-point and the enemy's position, the fire was so destructive that an artillery movement seemed essen* tial for its diversion. Promptly a battery galloped to position between the main lines of the two armies, directly in rear of Meagher's advance. It was unlimbered and in action in a trice. Out in the open plain, in full view, with a perfect range, and

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almost upon a dead level, it was an assignment of unusually severe exposure. In a moment it was wholly obscured ; lim- bers, pieces, caissons, men and horses were entirely lost in the impenetrable clouds of dujt and smoke that rose about it. Every shot, solid or explosive, was planted right within its midst, just where the expert gunnery controlling the opposing battery intended it should be. It was silenced instantly, lim- bered and withdrawn with an alacrity only equalled by the commendable enterprise with which it assumed its perilous task. Lashing, spurring and belaboring the startled animals, the remnants emerged from the smoky obscurity, and still fol- lowed by a few parting malignant shots they found the nearest convenient cover for rest and repairs. It had, however, fairly accomplished its purpose and diverted the fire for the moment from the soldiers who had so fearfully borne its brunt

The day was Waning, but the battle-roar continued until total darkness stopped the strife. It was evident, though the enemy still maintained, generally, the lines it held from the beginning, that the advantage had been with the Union forces, and that their adversaries had been severely worsted. Wherever the attack had been pressed with vigor, they had been much dis- comfited and forced to yield their ground. Such was the assurance of success, that our soldiers rested comfortably through the night in the blissful belief that they had won the day. The regiment did not become actively engaged, but re- mained all day in support of the battery, and bivouacked on the same ground it occupied in the morning.

On the morning of the 1 8th the command was moved oflT some miles towards the left, in the direction where Bumside had made the desperate fight for the stone bridge, the story of which, so often told with thrilling effect in pamphlet and essay, has crowned its grand heroism with the laurels it so justly deserves. .

Some of the route was over a portion of the field where the battle had waged fiercely. The unburied dead lay around. Many of the bodies, struck by the heavier missiles, were horri-

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biy totn and mangled. There was a leg, with its ragged, bloody edges, severed near the thigh, evidently by a solid shot ; another, in its garment, separated from its unseen trunk, lying in a fence-comer. By a broken-down frame building, that had been a field hospital, arms and legs, hurriedly amputated, were scattered here and there.

Down the slope of the road, approaching the bridge, the numbers of the slain increased ; abandoned muskets and car- tridge-boxes lay everywhere, and the ground, furrowed and upturned by shot and shell, showed the heavy work of the enemy's guns. Just at the entrance of the bridge a man lay stretched upon his back, unconscious, but moaning, a minnie- ball imbedded in his forehead.

These evidences of mortal combat were to become familiar. Seen in such a volume of horrors, so soon away from peaceful homes, the impressive silence with which the sights were viewed was conclusive that the men had a full appreciation of their early realization of the terrors of a battle-field.

The bridge was of stone, with three arches, of the pattern of such country structures so usual in Pennsylvania and Maryland. Upon the thither side the bodies of the dead Con- federates showed that they, too, had received some punish- ment. On the right bank of the creek, which was that occu- pied by the enemy, the heights rose abruptly, deflecting but lit- tle from a true perpendicular. Between their base and the creek there was but width sufficient for a wagon roadway. With these heights manned by the enemy and the main road- way over the bridge wholly under his control, the attempt to cany it seemed but desperation, and its success almost miracu- lous. Such were the conclusions these untried soldiers of ours reached when they first saw the ground and knew of the work of the previous day.

Debouching from the bridge, the narrow roadway beneath the heights leads both up and down the stream, along which the brigade at once deployed, and without delay clambered the bluff, that the line might be established along the upper edge.

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It was a position of much personal discomibrt, as Uie men had literally to hang to bush or bough, or rest on stones, to hold their places. The ascent was so steep that in many instances the officers were forced to use their swords and the men their bayonets to better secure their foothold. A stake and rider fence ran along the bluflf but a short distance from the edge, bordering the fields and open country between the heights and the town of Sharpsbui^, in full view and within easy rifle- range. The preservation of this fence on ground occupied for full twenty-four hours, first by one side and then by the other, was evidence that they had been more than usually employed with most important work. The stra^Iing houses upon the edge of the town were filled with the enemy's sharpshooters, who, aware that the bluff was occupied, kept up an incessant firing. The exposure of a single individual drew it with direct aim. He was rewarded for his temerity by a disabling shot or returned ignominiously to his cover.

There was an angle in the fence grown about with shrub and bush, however, which afforded safe concealment and full ob- servation. A careful reconnoissance from this point discovered a bouse, well in advance of the others and &rther out of the town, where shingles had been removed from its roof, and from which, through the holes, evidently came the most per- sistent and annoying shooting. The enemy inside seemed to have cutely drawn their rifles so far in under the roof, rest- ing them upon the rafters, that the smoke was actually re- tained within the building. They had been engaged so long it probably became stifling, and had caused a window to be opened below for freer ventilation. The oflicer who had been cautiously and suspiciously watching this house from the place of concealment in the fence-angle, still closely scrutinizing it, noticed, as he believed, smoke delicately twirling from this open window. To be convinced his conclusions were well-founded, he directed several shots to be fired at the roof This continued for a few moments, and then a number of the men moving to the top of the hill delivered several volleys. For the time the

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enemy's fire was silenced, but it was still doubted whether the rebels could affect such Yankee aptitude as to so effectually conceal themselves and their shots. A disastej, however, which shortly followed, was conclusive in the matter.

About this time General Burnside, entirely alone, unattended by staff-officer or orderly, rode along the narrow road that ran by the side of the creek. General Burnside's face was of that fresh, inviting nature that, even with his distinguished rank,

seemingly permitted interrogation. Prompted by his kindly look, some one inquired : " General, are there any rebels still about here?" probably more for something to say than any- thing else, as it had been quite apparent that at least a few were yet around. " Still about ? Why, there are thousands of them just over the hill, and they will be coming for you pretty soon." And then he continued, laughingly: "In the mean- time I am going to get out of this, as it is no place for me — I don't want to see any more of them ; " and so, with another

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hearty laugh, generous good-bye, and kindly wave of the hand, he rode away. The presence of a general oRicer with such high command, particularly away out in the front, is always an occa- sion for much animation ; but the general's gentle salutation and happy, laughing reply, and the troops not at all of his com- mand, was a moment for special gratification.

The doubt as to the character of the occupants of the house where the shingles had disappeared from the roof, and the pur- pose of their occupancy, was now wholly removed. Corporal Sanford, of Company E, not yet convinced, mounted the fence either for more perfect observation or to tempt an expert marksman. His illusion or temerity cost him dearly. A shot went crashing through his thigh, shattering the bone ; amputa- tion immediately followed, and his permanent disability speedily terminated his soldier-days. This was our first casualty.

This event started the enemy to renewed activity, and they kept up such a lively fusilade until nightfall that the more de- sirable quarters were well down under the protection of the bluR! The bickering fire which had continued most of the day, when darkness set in grew wicked and incessant. Upon the right it grew so in volume as to assume almost battle propor- tions. A determined attack in force was anticipated, and the watchful care needed to meet it caused the hours of the night to pass in wearisome anxiety. In &ct, a short distance to our immediate right a direct assault with decided persistency re- sulted in gathering in some hundred of the pickets. Just be- fore dawn, without any gradual subsidence, the firing ceased suddenly and abruptly.

When day broke on the 19th the purpose of the continuous fusillade was quite apparent. The enemy had entirely with- drawn, using the firing to conceal and, the darkness to cover the movement. He had disappeared from the north of the Potomac, and the invasion of Maryland was a failure.

Details were made from the regiment to carry off the wounded, who had been lying on the ground between the Union and Confederate lines for twenty-four hours, without

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water, save what a few of them had caught in their rubber blankets during a shower. One of the men wliom they foiind had been wounded through the fleshy part of both thighs. He belonged to a Connecticut regiment. He was carried to a lai^ &rm-house in the neighborhood, which the surgeons were using as a hospital. As they were about to take him into the house he said ; " No, boys ; lay me down out here ; there are others wounded worse than I am— take them inside."

The regiment moved up onto the plain, and the colonel, utiUzing every moment of leisure, exercised the command for some time in battalion manceuvres. Singularly, his attention was devoted almost exclusively to the " on right by file into line," a practice soon to be tested in actual combat with fatal effect.

If the improved tactics, uniting the fours, ignoring the right and left, dispensing with the positive adhesion to front and rear, and the consequent absolute dependence upon the slow and dilatory " on right by file into line " had not been necessitated, it is quite questionable whether, with these new tactics, the ^talities might not have been materially reduced or possibly every life been saved.

The drill had not concluded when, called to again resume the march, the column moved off to and through Sharpsburg. Whether our brigade was the first of the Union troops to enter the town after the enemy had abandoned it, was not definitely determined. The reception that awaited them would indicate they were. Demonstrations of joy and hearty greetings re- sounded everywhere. Men, women and children vied with each other in according a generous welcome. Such a greeting was a fitting rebuke to the flaming proclamation that the mis- sion of the Army of Northern Virginia was to liberate the citi- zens of Maryland from the thraldom of the Union of the States, and conclusive that, in this locality at least, there was no sym- pathy with such a purpose.

The town is a pretty little hamlet of some thousand people, beautifully located a few miles from the Potomac, overlooking the Antietam. It contained its proper complement of stores

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and churches, but all identity of the purposes for which these buildings had been used was lost; everything had been absorbed for the moment in one universal hospital. Houses and out-buildings were filled, and lawns and gardens covered with the Confederate wounded. Nor were these suffering men the only reminder of the great battle that had ended. Few were the houses that had not been pierced by solid shot or shell. One of the inhabitants said that he and his family were about to sit down at the dinner-table, when a solid shot crashed through the wall, and, falling on the table, spoiled the

"And when lh« day wm done. Full many > corpse lay, ghaitly pale, beneath the letting tun."

dinner and the dishes, and, he added, quaintly, "also our appetites."

Passing beyond the town the regiment halted before noon near the Potomac, in the vicinity of Blackford's Ford. A fringe of timber hid the river and concealed the troops from the enemy, who, with his batteries planted on the blufls on the other side, occasionally dropped a few shells. Towards night they ceased their fire, leaving their guns still in position, unsupported and even without their own battery-men. It seemed a fitting opportunity to elTect a capture, and the corps-commander called for one hundred volunteers from each regiment of the brigade to cany out the design. The response

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from the llSth was so hearty, it was more difficult to select from the volunteers than it would have been to order a detail. Captain Ricketts was assigned to the command, and the detach- ment marched off to report to General Griffin, who had been placed in charge of the movement. They returned about mid- night, having been eminently successful in the enterprise. Five pieces oC artillery and some of their appurtenances were taken, one of which was a gun of a regular battery which had been lost at the First Bull Run.

The halt and rest continued through the night, and the days and doings of " Antietam " were ended.

CORPORAL WILLIAM L GABC

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CHAPTER III.

SHEPHERDSTOWN.

Was there % nwn distnayed? Theirs not to make nplj.

Not tho' the soldier knew Theirs not to reason why.

Some one had blundeied; Tbcira but to do and die.

BLACKFORD'S FORD crosses the Potomac just below the breast of an old miil-dam. It bears the name of a family who for several generations occupied the residence and owned the lands in the immediate vicinity. Above the dam three lonely piers marked the site of the bridge that formerly spanned the stream, and had been the highway leading to Shep- herdstown and Martinsburg. On the Virginia side the ford road runs along the lower extremity of a high bluff off into the country, and another extends along the foot of the bluff, between it and the river, in the direction of Shepherdstown. The bluff rises precipitously, is almost perpendicular, and is dotted with boulders and a stunted growth of timber. The roadway, a short distance from the Ford, passes a gap or ravine, obstructed and concealed by underbrush and passable with difficulty. Two gate-posts marked its entrance, indicating it as an abandoned private lane. From the ravine, a path led up to the high table-land above. Along the face of the bluff, near the glen, were several kilns or arches, used for the burning of lime. The river road passes over the kilns, the bluff still, as it passes over them, continuing to rise precipitately. Another road passes down from the bluff around and in front of the kilns.

The dam-breast, some ten feet wide, had been long neglected, many of the planks had rotted away or been removed, and water trickled through numerous crevices. The outer face, sloping to its base, was covered with a slippery green slime. On the Virginia side, some twenty feet had been left for a fish- way, through which flowed a rapid current. The river was (54)

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FITZ-JOHN PORTER,

Major-Genml of Voluniem U. S. Ai. July t. xKi, IB January 17. iS6j.

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THE KE« YOKK PUBLIC LIP.i:AKl

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low, and the fish-way easily fordable. Along the river shore, on the Maryland side, ran the Chesapeake and Ohio canal.

On the morning of the 20th of September Major-General Fitz-John Porter was ordered to send two divisions over the river to co-operate with a cavalry advance, and scour the country in the direction of Charlestown and Shepherdstown. In obedience to these instructions, Sykes, with his division, composed of two brigades of regulars and one of volunteers,

THE DAM AT SHEPHERDSTOWN.

H-as directed to proceed in the direction of Charlestown. and Morreil. with Barnes's brigade leading, in the direction of Shepherdstown. The cavalry did not, however, reach the Vii^inia side until Sykes's pickets were in close proximity to the advancing foe.

Sykes crossed the river early in the morning, and Lovell's 2d (regulars) Brigade skirmishers, advancing a mile into the country, soon developed the enemy, some three thousand

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strong, approaching with artillery. Warren's 3d Brigade was immediately thrown over in support and formed on Lovell's left, Level) having meanwhile been directed to fall back slowly ; and Barnes's brigade, arriving at the same time, on its road to Shepherdstown, was directed to connect with Lovell's right. The other brigades of Morrell's division did not cross. At the request of General Sykes, Barnes suspended his move- ment towards Shepherdstown, and supported Sykes. His brigade was deployed under the blufls. None of his regiments reached the summit, except the 1 i8th.

General Sykes, aware " that the Virginia side of the river was no place for troops, until a proper reconnoissance had been made, and reports from citizens indicating the belief that a lai^e force of the enemy was movii^ upon us " (him),* com- municated his opinion to General Porter, who, agreeing with him, directed the immediate re-crossing of the troops.

The withdrawal actually began before the whole of Barnes's brigade was over the stream. The regulars and all of his brigade, except the 1 1 8th, successfully accomplished their retreat with but slight, if any, loss. Colonel Barnes, in his official report, unfairly, if that be not too mild a term, states the severe loss attending the affair as having fallen generally on all the regiments of his brigade, when, in fact, it fell entirely on the 11 8th Pennsylvania, which alone of all his regiments was actually engaged. The disaster which befell it, in this its first battle, has not, heretofore, been fully or fairly related. It is the purpose of this chapter to faithfully unfold it.f

The day was bright and clear. The sun shone with mellow

'General Sykes's official report of the action.

t Major-G«neral Filz-Joho Foiter, in his report of the fight at Shepberdstown, Bays ; " Under cover of our guns the whole command recrossed with UHie injury, ejccffl fit \l%tk Pfniuyhiania fo/H»tof«, a small portion of which became con- fused early in the action. Their aimj (spurious Enfield rif)e«) were RO defeCtlTe thai tittle injury could be inflicted by them upon the enemy. Many of this r^- menl. new in service, volunteered the previous evening, and formed part of the allacking party wlio gallantly crossed the river to secure the enemy's aitillery. Thty hnvt fumid a good name, which tkar losstt havt not ditninishtd." — [The italics are ihe author's.]

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New Yohk, February i, 1881). Dear Sir:

Tenjoyed the pleasure a tew days sinrc. ihriiilgh the kindness i)( Gen. Cham- beriain and Gen. Locke, of reading the history of the hiSth Pa. Vol., in the pro- duction of which you had so effective a hand.

This is one of the regiments in which I always felt a deep interest from the lime it first joined the 5th Corps. I tried my best to have it supplied with good anns before it left Washington. The arms were reported almost worth- less and Gen. Hallecb assured me that they should ^x replaced before leaving. But though informed of the dangtr ofsending a regiment with such defective arms to a battle field — lest they sh'ouM meet with iW disaster they did — Sec- retary Stanton persisted in forcing ihem forward — though three hours would have supplied the arms — and Gen. Hallecb yielded. I did not know thai the supply bad not been furnished till after the battle.

The story ot those few da)^ is very interesting, and also much of what I have read, and I think you all desen'e great credit for giving it to the country. The regiment and the State deserved il. It did good service — the country is (irafiiing by il — and its members, it any arc in need, should not be sufferers by neglect of governmrnl.

FiTi John Porter. To J. L. Smith, Esq.. Philadelphia.

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THE KEW YORK

PUFl:IC ir-SARY

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GEORGE SVKES.

Majar-Geninl of ValuniHn U. S. Died Feb. B, tB«c>. a photograph by Bka[>v.

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Autumn radiance. Dew glistened on grass and leaf, and the old Potomac, calm and placid as if it had never known strife, visible for a considerable distance, swept on its course tranquilly. The landscape, varied with its valley and hillside, its meadows and woodlands, sprinkled with barn, house and garden, was peacefully picturesque in the refreshing sunlight of a soft September morning. There were no harbingers that by noon- day the regiment should suflfer casualties, severer for a single combat than probably ev&r fell to the lot of soldiers, even in the heaviest battles of the war.

An early breakiast was interrupted by orders to move. The meal completed, the brigade started in the direction of the river. With a few hurried personal preparations, some of the men removing their shoes and stockings, the column at 9 A. m. began the passage of the stream at Blackford's Ford. There was a good deal of pleasant shouting as the troops splashed through the stream, and roars of laughter greeted those who, less fortunate than their fellows, stumbled and fell headlong into the water.

Just before the head of the column entered the ford, a brigade of Sykes's regulars appeared upon the thither side, marching back again from the same reconnoissance with which Barnes's movement was intended to generally co-operate. The columns passed each other midway in the river. The regulars gave the information that there was " no enemy in sight" • It was evidently twittingly said to encourage the volunteers, whom they held in no very high esteem, for at that time their rear skirmishers were actually engaged.

Though it was clear that the situation was a grave one, yet the 118th Pennsylvania was permitted to mount the cliff with its front entirely uncovered. No skirmish-line protected its advance until its right company was detached, and when it was deployed the enemy were pressing so hard that its de^

'Comrade M. Shaughenes.';y, of Post 14, G. A. R., Department of PennsylvaDia, wbo. It U»t lime wat Ul enlisted man of Balteiy C, 3rd Artillery — known a* Gil>an'i batteiy — was one of those who twittingly gave this iiifomuuion.

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ployment answered no purpose. The commanding officer had a right to expect that, thrown out in a direction where an en- gagement was imminent, he would find himself at least covered by skirmishers well out in front of him.

The similar surroundings — high bluflfe in front, a wide river in the rear — recalled the Ball's Bluff disaster vividly.

The brigade took the road that followed the base of the blufTs ; and, as the head of the regiment approached the ravine or glen which led to the summit, a staff-officer dashed up hur- riedly to Colonel Barnes, who rode at the time beside Colonel Prevost, and reported the i;nemy approaching in heavy force. Some vigorous actioi;i beii^ instantly necessary, turning to Colonel Prevost, Colonel Barnes said : " Can you get your regiment on the top of the cliff?" " I will try, sir," was the prompt reply, and dismounting, he conducted the head of his column into the narrow, unfrequented path that led through the glen.

At this time not more than one-third of the regiment were across the river. General Barnes rode into the water and said to them : " Men, hurry up — you are wanted on top of the hill," In a few moments they were all across. As they climbed the hill by the narrow path, they found, near the top, a battery wagon, with its four horses still in harness, that by some mis- . chance had fallen from the path, which was here just wide enough for it. It had caught on- some trees and brush and hung between the path and the bottom of the ravine. The horses, tired of rearing and prancing, were quivering and suf- fering from their vain attempts to extricate themselves. Ricketts, noble, generous soul, fated to be a victim in the coming con- test, could not restrain his impetuous humanity, and jumping from the ranks he cut the traces of the struggling animals and released them from their peril. The wagon had evidently be- longed to a Confederate battery.

From the top of the blufT it was open country for a mile or more, with occasional cornfields ; then the fields changed to forest, and a wide belt of timber skirted the open lands. Farm-

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house, bam and hay-stack dotted the plain, and to the right in the distance were the roofs and spires of Shepherdstown.

The report of the stafikifficer that the enemy were approach- ing in force met with ocular confirmation. In front of the tim- ber the musket-barrels of a division, massed in battalion col- umns, gleamed and glistened in the sunlight To the right, not half a mile away, a whole brigade was sweeping down with steady tread, its skirmishers, well in advance, moving with firm front; and ere the head of the regimental column had scarce appeared upon the bluff, they opened a desultory, strag- gling fire.

The teachings of the battalion-drill near Sharpsburg on the day previous now had practical application. In tones indica- tive of an urgency that demanded speedy execution, the voice of the colonel rang out with clear deliberation : " On right by file into line." Company E, with Lieutenants Hunterson and Lewis, was promptly deployed as a skirmish-line. Advancing but a short distance, it was soon severely engaged, and, unable to resist the heavy pressure, very shortly fell back upon the main line.

At this point Lieutenant Davis, the acting assistant adjutant- general of the brigade, on his way to the right to withdraw • other regiments specially assigned to him to retire, observing that the 118th was making no movement to withdraw, but ac- tually becoming engaged, <^lled up the ravine to Lieutenant Kelly, the officer nearest him, to " tell Colonel Prevost, Colonel Barnes directs that he withdraw his regiment at once." The duty of communicating the order to the llSth to withdraw had been delegated to an orderly, a duty which he appears never to have discharged. This information Kelly promptly communi- cated to his captain, Bankson, who directed him to immediately report it to Colonel Prevost. He went along the line, and find- ing the colonel in front of the centre — the left was not yet in place — advised him of what he had personally been told,

" From whom did you say you heard this ? " inquired the colonel.

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"From Lieutenant Davis, of the staff of Colonel Barnes," re- plied Kelly.

" I do not receive orders in that way," was the colonel's sharp reply ; " if Colonel Barnes has any order to give me, let his aid come to me," and he continued to conduct the formation, the business he was engaged in wlien Kelly interrupted him.

The formation had been completed only to the colors when the action commenced in earnest. " Before one-half the regi- ment had gotten into line, with the river in our rear, the enemy began to fire upon us, advancing by battalions in all direc- tions."* From the beginning the fire of the enemy was tre- mendous ; the rush of bullets was like a whirlwind. The slaughter was appalling; men dropped by the dozens.

Until the alignement was fully perfected from the colors to the left, as the tnen came into their places under fire some confusion followed, but when the line was completely established the behav- ior was gallant, orders were obeyed with alacrity, and the sol- diers stood up handsomely against a dozen times their number.

About this time it became lamentably apparent that the muskets were in no fit condition for battle. The Enfield rifle, with which the regiment was originally armed, was at its best a most defective weapon, and of a decidedly unreliable pattern. Some of the weapons were too weak to explode the cap. This defect was at first unnoticed in the excitement; cartridge after cartridge was rammed into the barrel under the belief that each had been discharged, until they nearly filled the piece to the muzzle. A few charged cartridge with the bullet down and exploded cap after cap in a vain attempt to fire. Others, after a few shots, with pieces foul and ramrods jammed, instead of ' seizing the abandoned ones, crowded about the field-officers wxiously inquiring what they should do, while many, calm and free from excitement, were coolly seated upon the ground pick- ing the nipple to clear the vent.

Private Joseph Mehan thus quaintly describes the situation

* Colonel PrcToU'i official report.

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at this time ; " I had broken the nipple of my gun and had picked up another gun lying near me, but, as with the first one, I had great trouble in getting it to go off It made mc very- angry. I felt that 1 would give all the world to be able to shoot the advancing foe. I had fired but about a half-dozen shots, where as many again could have been got off had the guns been good for anything. I had taken a pin out and cleaned the nipple, and had raised my rifle for a shot, when I felt what seemed like a blow with a heavy fist on my left shoulder from behind. I did not realize at first that I was shot, feeling no particular pain, but my almost useless arm soon told me what it was."

In Colonel Prevost's ofiicial report he states : " We returned their fire as fast as possible, but soon found that our Enfield rifles were so defective that quite one-fourth of them would not explode the caps. Notwithstanding this discouraging circum- stance men and officers behaved with great bravery."

Such was the regiment put upon this hill-top to do battle against the veterans of A. P. Hill and Stonewall Jackson. With but twenty days' experience in the field ; with no oppor- tunity for drill or instruction, it bravely withstood their on- slaught, and with lines intact, except where a murderous slaughter had thinned them, valiantly battled for over half an hour against those overwhelming and tremendous odds. Nor did it yield until the punishment it inflicted was largely commensurate with what, great as it was, it had itself re- ceived.

" Nine or ten Confederate brigades took part in this affair, and the Confederates seem to believe that it ended with ' an appalling scene of the destruction of human life' Jackson, whose words these are, must have been imposed upon by A. P. Hill, who had charge of the operation, and whose report contains these assertions : ' Then commenced the most terrible slaughter that this war has yet witnessed. The broad surface of the Potomac was blue with the floating bodies of our foe. But few escaped to tell the tale. By their own account

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they lost 3,ooo men killed and drowned from one brigade

aione.'*

" ■ Or ait Ihou drank with vine. Sir Kniglit i' Or art ihjseU beside ? '

"The reader with a taste for figures will observe that this tale of deaths in one brigade alone wants only ten of being a thou- sand more than all the men killed in the Army of the Potomac on the i6th and 17th of September,"t

The enemy had now succeeded in pressing as close to the front as fifty yards,! *"'^ ^^^ ^>ot fi""* ^^ such close range was increasing the casualties with frightful fatality. At the same moment he succeeded in developing a regiment across the ravine, completely covering the entire right. The two right companies, under the immediate supervision of the colonel, promptly changed direction by the right f]ank and gallantly checked the manoeuvre. This movement, mistaken by the hard-pressed centre for a withdrawal, induced it to break tem- porarily, and with the colors in the advance move in some dis- order to the rear. Colonel Prevost caught the disorder in time to promptly check it. Heroically seizing the standard from the hands of the color-sergeant and waving it defiantly, he brought the centre back again to the conflict and completely restored the alignement. He was still waving the flag in defi- ance at the enemy when a musket-ball shattered his shoulder- blade and he was borne to the rear by Corporal Francis Daley, of Company E. The severity of his wound forced him to withdraw entirely from the action.

The command now devolved upon Ueutenant-Colonel Gwyn, to whom the colonel, as he passed him in retiring, formally turned it over. As he withdrew the enemy's lines developed in increase strength. His red cross battie-flags were waving in every direction to the front, and the air was

* He reported bis own loss as 261. f Palfrej'i "Antietam," page 129. t Colonel t^*o«t'i official ceport of Ae tidkia.

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resonant with his peculiar, piercing, penetrating yells. Tn restoring the line it had been advanced somewhat, and the engagement was thus brought to still closer quarters. The horrors of the battle were intensified. The dead and wounded rapidly increased in numbers ; the scene was an awful one. Shouts, cheers and orders were drowned in the roar of musketry and the defiant yells of the foe, who, confident in their over- whelming strength, were sure those who still survived would surrender.

After Colonel Prevost had passed through the ravine, he met Colonel Barnes on the road by the river.- To prevent mistakes Colonel Barnes was following up the orderly whom he had di- rected to carry the orders to " retire." It was a fatal interval between the attempt to prevent mistakes and what had been a most grievous one.

" Where is your regiment ? " Colonel Barnes earnestly in- quired.

" Fighting desperately on the top of the hill, sir, where you placed it," was the colonel's response.

" Why, I sent you orders to retire in good order."

" I never received them, sir," he replied, " and I am sorry I am too seriously wounded to take them ofT, for they are sufTer- ing dreadfully."

" I will do so myself," replied Colonel Barnes, and hurried away to execute his purpose.

John Siner, of Company C, stated after the fight that while he was retiring through the ravine, wounded in the arm, he met a mounted staff-ofticer, who, inquiring the whereabouts of his colonel, was told by him he was on the blufT fighting with his regiment. "Go tell him," said he, "to retreat in good order, by order of Colonel Barnes." The kind-hearted fellow, considerate for the welfare of his companions, assumed to do the duty which the staff-officer so improperly delegated to him, and returned to the field to execute his mission. He delivered his message to the first officer he met, but by the time he had communicated it, the regiment had alreacfy

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broken, and was making the best of its way back to the river. For his pains, Siner was again wounded in the leg. but uhi- mateiy managed to escape capture.

Just as Colonel Gwyn assumed the direction of the fight, a rout was imminent To steady the line and strengthen its weakening confidence, he gave the orders to fix bayonets. To those who heard it, it had something of the desired effect, but in the increasing confusion and unsteadiness it was heard by but few. Where it was heard, it was promptly obeyed.

The ofHcers were untiring and persistent in their efforts to bold their men together. At this critical moment, Captain Courtland Saunders and Lieutenant J. Mora Moss were in* stantly killed, the former with a musket-ball through the head, and the latter with one through the heart.

Here, too, Captain Ricketts fell while in the act of dis- charging his pistol. Stagger- ing, be was saved from falling by Private William L, Gabe, who started to assist him to the rear.

" Leave me, Gabe," said the captain, "and save yourself" ueutehant j, mora moss.

But the brave, generous Gabe would not desist, and again both were shot down together, Gabe wounded, and this time the captain killed. As he fell to the ground be cried, in agony :

" My God ! I am shot by my own men."

" Not so," said Gabe, " but by the ' rebs,' who arc right on top of us."

And then the enemy's line swept over them, and the captain lived just long enough to know that he was mistaken.

The enemy's stra^lers, who followed his advancing lines, stooped over the prostrate body of Ricketts and, against the earnest protest of the wounded Gabe, who still zealously clung

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to the body of his fallen chief, proceeded to rifle his pockets. They took his watch, diary, money and everything belonging to him, appropriated his sword to their own use, and stole his coat, vest and boots. The diary, the short risumi of his few days' service, they conceived of no use, and considerately re- turned it to Gabe.

Ricketts was a strong man. His energies were untiring, his sense of duty supreme. He had had a military training ; was skilful as a tactician. What he knew, he knew thoroughly. He had fully grasped the principles of his teachings and was apt , and ready in their application. His generous sympathy was evidenced by his readiness to relieve the suffering horses, and his heroic death attested his eminent courage. Fitted for an advancement which the casualties of war would have soon brought him, he was destined thus early in his ca- reer for the most honorable of all the soldier's epitaphs : " killed in action."

First Lieutenant William M. McKeen was about this time in the action also most seri-

CAPTAIN RICKETTS , . , » i

ouslywounded. Ashotpassed through his body involving a vital organ. His life was for a long time despaired of. He recovered subsequently, however, to again take a prominent place in the business community.

The enemy also suffered. The 14th South Carolina {A. P. Hill's Division) lost 55 killed and wounded in front of the 1 18th regiment.

The order to retire, which, with the thickening disasters, had been long hoped for, came at last. The welcome direction, communicated through the loud voice of Adjutant James P. Perot, was repeated hurriedly all along the line. The scene that followed almost beggars description. The brave men who

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had contended so manfully against these frightful odds broke in wild confusion for the river. Perot, unable from an injury in early life to keep pace with the rapidly retiring soldiers, re- mained almost alone upon the bluff. True to the instincts of a genuine courage, he stood erect facing the foe, with his pistol resting on his leit forearm, emptying it rapidly of all the loads iie had left, when he was severely wounded and ultimately fell into the hands of the enemy. Lieutenant Charles H. Hand, who afterwards succeeded him as adjutant, and a number of men were captured with him.

The greater part of the regiment made furiously for the ravine, down which they dashed precipitately. Since the march up, a tree, in a way never accounted for, had fallen across the path. This materially obstructed the retreat. Over and under it the now thoroughly demoralized crowd jostled and pushed each other> whilst, meanwhile, the enemy, having reached the edge of the bluff, poured upon them a fatal and disastrous plunging fire. The slaughter was fearful ; men were shot as they climbed over the tree, and their bodies suspended from the branches were afterwards plainly visible from the other side of the river.

Others, who avoided the route by the ravine, driven head- long over the bluff, were seriously injured or killed outright. Among these was Captain Courtney O'Callaghan, who, badly disabled, was never again fitted for active field-service.

An old abandoned mill stood upon the ford road, at the base of the cliff It completely commanded the ford and the dam-breast. When the last of the fugitives had disappeared from the blufl) the enemy crowded the doors, windows and roof and poured their relentless, persecuting fire upon those who had taken to the water. Numbers, observing the telling effect of the fire upon those who had essayed to the venture of crossing, huddled together and crowded each other in the arches at the base of the bluff; whilst others, hoping to escape the fatal effect of the avenging bullets, took to deeper water and crossed where the stream was deep enough to cover the entire body and leave the head alone exposed.

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It was here that Lieutenant Lewis, having previous!)' had his pistol-holster shot away and a musket-ball through the sleeve and another through the skirt of his coat, as he was taking to the water at the breast of the dam, was severely wounded and sent headlong into the stream. Regaining his feet, he ultimately succeeded, with the assistance of Private Patrick Nicholas, in making his way across without other mishap.

In the midst of the rout and confusion the colors had been borne to the water's edge near the dam-breast. At the sight of the terrible fatality attending those preceding him the bearer hesitated to cross. Time was invaluable ; the least delay would place the standard in hopeless jeopardy. Major Herring was opportunely at hand. He seized the staff and placing it in the custody of Private William Hummell, of D, directed him to enter the stream. Covering the soldier's body with his own, with the color unfurled and waving with daring taunt, as if defying the enemy to attempt its capture, he successfully made the Maryland shore. A conspicuous'mark, it drew towards it a fire resentfully wicked, but both the major and Hummell escaped unscathed.

At this moment a battery from the Maryland side opened heavily. The practice was shameful. The fuses, too short, sent the terrible missiles into the disorganized mass fleeing in disorder before the serious puni^ment of the enemy's musketry. It was a painful ordeal, to be met in their effort to escape an impending peri! by another equally terrible. Shell after shell, as if directly aimed, went thundering into the arches, bursting and tearing to pieces ten or twelve of those who had crowded there for cover. A cry and wail of horror went up, plainly heard above the din and roar of battle. Waving handkerchiefs fixed to ramrods, they endeavored by their signals to warn the gunners to desist, but to no avail; the fatal work continued. Hoping for better treatment, numbers turned with their white insignia of truce towards the snemy and, again ascending to the hill-top, surrendered. The artillerists continued to pound away with an ardor indicative of satisfaction, until Captain B. F.

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Fisher and Lieutenant L. R. Fortescue, two officers of the Signal Coqjs, fortunately detected, with the aid of their long- range telescopes, the damage inflicted, when lengthened fuses and better practice brought their aim more directly towards the accomplishment of its intended purpose.

The dam-breast was still crowded, and here and there across it' were the dead, wounded and dying. As the last of the survivors were nearing the Maryland shore, Berdan's Sharp- shooters appeared. Deploying hurriedly in the bed of the canal, shouting loudly to those stil! exposed to seek what cover they could, they opened vigorously with their usual unerring and effective aim and soon abnost entirely cleared the other bank.

Ephraim Layman, of I, had escaped from the bluff uninjured. While hurrying along the edge of the river he was shot through the body and fell with his feet in the water. He lay in the same position until the following afternoon, when, under the flag of truce, he was removed to the Maryland side and subse- quently taken to the hospital at Sharpsburg. There, a few

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hours after the ball had been extracted, he expired. Layman had not yet reached his majority. He was of excellent &inily, and enlisted from motives of the purest patriotism. His early training, earnest purpose and firm determination to be foremost in answer to all demands of duty, were indicative of a promis- ing future.

One of the saddest incidents of this disastrous day happened after the action was really over. Lieutenant J. Rudhall White had passed through the desperate dangers of the contest and had safely landed upon the Maryland shore. As he reached the top of the river-bank he stopped and said : " Thank God 1 I am over at last." His halt attracted attention and a musket- ball, doubtless directly aimed from the other side by an ex- perienced marksman, ploughed through his bowels. The wound was almost instantly fatal ; he died as he was being borne away.

White was a handsome, soldierly young man of scarce twenty summers. A native of Warrenton, Virginia, at the breaking out of the war he was a young lieutenant in the Black Horse Cavalry, a command subsequently famous in all the campaigns of Virginia. Difiering in sentiments from his friends and his family, sacrificing the ties of home and friendship, he deter- mined to defend his convictions with his sword. Firm in his belief that the unrighteous attempt to disrupt the Government should be suppressed, imbued with the purest and highest patriotism, he sought service in the Union army. Instinctively a soldier from principle, his sad and early death interrupted a career that promised the brightest prospects. His short ser- vice had secured him the confidence of his superiors and the respect of his soldiers.

The mortality which attended the mess of Kicketts, Moss, White, McKeen and West was singular. They had all been associated as members of Company D of the Gray Reserves, and hence grouped themselves for the closest associations after they took the field. Ricketts, Moss and White were killed outright. McKeen's death subsequently resulted from his

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wounds, and West, who now alone survives, escaped a very close shot. A musket-ball cut his coat across the stomach, severing the garment as if by a knife, the lower flap falling to his knee.

The fight was a sad and purposeless af&ir, with a most dis- astrous and fatal termination. Yet it secured for the regiment a reputation among its new associates for staying qualities which, maintaining it thoroughly, as it did, down to the very end, bore most excellent fruits.

Experienced soldiers, jealous of their hard-earned glories, are prone, until their mettle is tested, to receive their inexperienced brethren with no boisterous, cheery demonstrations of hearty welcome. This treatment was more pronounced when the sol- diers of 1862 joined the Army of the Potomac, as the impres- sion was abroad that their enlistment was prompted solely by a moneyed consideration. Of course, this soon wore away, and the entire army was, as in the beginning, one harmonious whole in feeling, sentiment and purpose.

The 1 1 Sth's reception in the brigade was not attended by any joyous, gladsome shouts, nor was it exempt from the intima- tion that its presence at the front was largely due to the paltry shekels. The stolid indifference it met at every hand during the few days previous to the fight was frequently accompanied with epithets apparently intended to be enduring: " Here come the ^20oboys from Philadelphia," and others of like import The aflair at Shepherdstown, though, wiped everything out. That was a crucial test, and one which conquered the prejudices of men whose trials of battle fitted them to judge of the worth of their fellows. Oj^robrious allusions were changed to plaudits, and, for months afterwards, the command was pointed out everywhere to strangers as " the men who fought at Shepherds- town."

Madison, an enlisted man of H, had a sorry experience. Past the prime of life, he was still of wiry, nervous energies. He never shirked duty, and, seeking neither cover nor conceal- ment, had stood up manfully through the heat of the action.

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esc^ng unhaimed. In common with many of his fellows, he selected the more exposed dam-breast as a means of more rapid transit over the river. He seemed to be chosen as a special mark for the enemy's resentment. They dealt with him in no unstinted way, and before he had reached the Maryland side five balls had passed into or through his body. The last shot struck him as he almost made the shore and had turned sideways to take a resentful glance at his persecutors. Enter- ing his cheek it passed through both jaws, between the tongue and roof of the mouth. With the pluck and energy of des- peration, and maddened to a towering rage, he vented his anger in a frightful howl, and &cing squarely about gave his enemies the last shot he ever fired in the army, for his wounds terminated his service, but not his life. He is still a hearty, vigorous man.

Joe Kiersted, of H, was an uncouth, rough, turbulent sort of a fellow, but without bad propensities and a man of brave and generous impulse. He had passed safely through the fight, ^d successfully made the passage across the river. As he reached the bank on the Maryland side, he called to those around him that Corporal John Monteith was still upon the other side, lying seriously wounded near the edge of the river, and announced a half-formed purpose to return again and bring him back. The Berdan Sharpshooters, overhearing his remark and prompted to encourage such a generous intention, called to him, " Go it, my boy ; try it — we'll cover you." Thus strengthened in his kindly purpose, he dashed into the stream, and was soon after seen bearing his wounded comrade back again. He successfully landed poor Monteith upon the shore, and left him to the care of his sympathizing companions,

Kiersted served with his regiment until 1864, when he was transferred to a battery, and killed, gallantly fighting with his guns at Spotsylvania, in May of that year.

Monteith had an ugly wound through the lungs. He had worthily won himself into favor, and was universally known and appreciated throughout the entire command. His injuries

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were fetal ; he sunk rapidly, and in a few days died at the hos- pital established at the Episcopal church in Sharpsburg.

Sei^eant Joseph Ashbrook, of Company C, was among the badly wounded. A few minutes before the retreat he was shot in the stomach. Believing that he was fatally hurt, and suffer- ing very much, he sought a place to lie down. In doing this he fell half-way down the bluff In this short time the enemy had advanced to the edge of the bluff and were firing down on the heads of our retreating men. Sergeant Ashbrook, although disabled by his wound and fall, reached the river, where he met Captain Sharwood, of C, who advised him by all means to escape across the river. With difficulty he gained the slimy, half-submerged dam, and while near the Maryland side was again shot, the ball passing through his left thigh. His wounds were so serious that for some time his recovery was doubtful. After an absence of five months he returned to the regiment, joining it at Falmouth. He had not entirely recovered, but was induced to return by the offer of a second lieutenancy in recf^ition of his gallantry at Shepherdstown. He was after- wards promoted to a first lieutenancy, and finally to the captaincy of Company H; and was brcvetted major, to date from July 6, 1864, " for gallant and distinguished services at the battles of the Wilderness and Bethesda Church, Virginia, and during the present campaign before Richmond, Virginia." He also served on the staff of General Bartlett, commanding the 3d Brigade, 1st Division, sth Army Corps ; and as ordnance-officer on the staff of General Griffin, commanding ist Division, sth Army Corps; and in the latter position was detailed to receive the surrendered arms at Appomattox Court-house.

John R. White was first sergeant of G. It had with it but two commissioned officers. Captain Saunders and Lieutenant J. R. White, both of whom had fellen in the Shepherdstown action. After the engi^ement Sei^ant White was summoned to corps head-quarters, where General Fitz-John Porter, after handsomely commending the gallantry of the regiment for the fight it had made, and expressing regret at the severe casualties

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that attended it, announced to him that as he had been recom- mended for promotion by his immediate superiors, he would at once place him on duty as second lieutenant It was a rather unusual distinction to be placed in virtual commission before muster, but one which White well deserved, and which he sub- sequently proved his fitness for by rising to the rank of captain.

The announcement of the death of poor Rudhall in the Phil- adelphia papers threw the t\vo Whites into rather curious confusion. The two names exactly alike, the publication of that of John R. White among the list of killed, brought grief and sorrow to the home of the survivor, and two of his friends, anxious to secure his remains, started immediately for the front, with a pine box prepared for their reception. They made the journey with fitting gravity, and had reached Hagerstown be- fore their solemn countenances were enlivened with the infor- mation that the White they were hunting was alive and well, and would be decidedly indisposed to tenant the contracted quarters they had provided for him. Abandoning their under- taker's accompaniment, they continued their journey to the regimental camp, where, after a few days of suitable entertain- ment, they returned, well satisfied from ocular demonstration that their friend needed no such services as they had proposed to render.

The battle had its humorous side as well. In the early part of the fight one of the members of Company K received a flesh wound in the thigh. The members of the company were startled by a yell that would have done great credit to ao Apache, and the beseeching exclamation : " Oh t Captain Rick- etts ! Oh ! Captain Ricketts ! " repeated again and again. Look- ing around to find from whom the exclamation came, the wounded man was seen holding one hand upon the spot where the ball had struck, while, the other hand meantime waving wildly in the air, he was hopping around the field in an im- promptu war-dance upon one foot, occasionally letting the other touch the ground. The boys, who, for several reasons, did not just then feci especially mirthful, were compelled to laugh at

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diis grotesque and singular exhibition. The wound was a comparatively slight one.

Another member of Company K, John Burke, got a buck- shot in his leg. He went, after the fight, to the sui^eon, who extracted the shot and gave him a quinine pill. " What shall I do with it, doctor ? " said John. " SJiall I put it in the hole ? "

A captain of one of the companies, seeking comforts not suit- able to the occasion, during the %ht ensconced himself behind some scrubby bushes near the top of the bluff, with his back to the regiment As the bullets b^an to whistle by he thought he had stirred up a yellow-jackets' nest. Waving his sword with one band, shouting at the same time, " Give it to them, boys!" be kept the other hand in vigorous and unremittent motion, bnishing the supposed yellow-jackets away from his face and ears.

The next day, Sunday, the sun shone brightly and the soft air of early autumn caused a lassitude peculiar to the latitude and location.

It was too soon for reminiscence, but thought and talk ran free and full of the stirring moments of yesterday. There was a better comprehension of the individual heroism with which all had so nobly borne for the first time such a desperate shock of battle. There was a fuller realization of the loss of those who, in the service of their country, the fates had summoned thus early to sacrifice their patriotic lives.

A picket-detail was posted upon the river-bank, in full view of the bluff on the opposite shore and the battle-ground. Oc- casional shots required tact and activity to find cover from ex- posure, or called for careful marksmanship to silence the more experienced, adversary. The silent forms of the dead, killed in the fight, were in plain view. It was a sorrowful sight The ground being within the enemy's line, there was no opportunity to effect decent burial or to administer comfort and consolation to a possibly ebbing life.

An incident of the day, unusual in the story of wars, is worthy of exhaustive mention.

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The sensibilities of Lieutenant Lemuel L. Crocker had been aroused by the necessary abandonment of the dead and wounded, left uncared for and unattended in the precipitate withdrawal. He entreated Colonel Barnes so earnestly for permission to go and care for the forsaken ones, that the col- onel, fully comprehending the impropriety of the request, at last reluctantly consented to present it to General Fitz-John Porter, the corps commander. It met with a flat, emphatic refusal. There was no communication with the enemy, and it was not proposed to open any. War was war, and this was neither the time nor the occasion for sentiment or sympadiy. But Crocker was not to be deterred in his errand of mercy, and, in positive disregard of instructions, proceeded delib- erately, fully accoutred with sword, belt and pistol, to cross the river at the breast of the dam. It was a novel spectacle for an officer, armed with all he was entitled to carry, to thus com- mence a lonesome advance against a whole army corps. Bound upon an unauthorized mission of peace and humanity, a little experience might have taught him his reception would have been more cordial if he had left his weapons at home. Still, it was Crocker's heart at work, and its honest, manly beats bade him face the danger.

He found the bodies of Saunders, Ricketts and Moss, and Private Mishaw badly wounded, but still alive. He was bearit^ them, one by one, upon his shoulders to the river-bank, when he was suddenly interrupted by an orderly from General Porter, who informed him that he was instructed to direct him to return at once or he would order a battery to shell him out His reply was : " Shell and be damned ! " He didn't propose to return until the full purpose of his undertaking had been accom- plished.

The orderly thus abruptly disposed of, he continued his operations, when he was again interrupted by an authority which, if it failed to command respect, could enforce obedience. He had carried all the bodies to the bank, and was returning for the wounded Mishaw, when a Confederate general — whom

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Crocker always thought was Lee, but in this he was evidently mistaken — accompanied by a numerous staff, came upon the , ground An aide-de-camp rode up, inquiring, with some aspcrity^-explaining that no flag of truce was in operation — as to who and what he was, his purpose in being there, and by whose authority.

Crocker's work, which he had conducted wholly himself, had put him in a sorry plight. He was of lai^e frame, muscular, and finely proportioned. He had carried the bodies over his left shoulder and was absolutely covered with blood and dirt, almost unrecognizable as a soldier, and his voice and form atone indicated his manhood. His reply was prompt and ingenu- ous: he had been refused permission to cross by his corps commander, to whom he had made his purpose known ; the dead and wounded of the regiment that fought on that' ground yesterday were of the blood of Philadelphia's best citizens, and, regardless of the laws of war and the commands of his supe- riors, he was of opinion that humanity and decency demanded that they be properly cared for, which, no one else attempting, be had determined to risk the consequences and discharge the duty himseIC The simplicity and earnestness of this reply prompted the further interrogation as to how long he had been in the service, " Twenty days," responded Crocker, The gentle " I thought so " ixota the lips of the veteran general showed that the ingenuousness and sincerity had wholly cap- tured him. He bade him continue his labors until they were fuily completed, pointed out a boat on the shore that he could idlize to ferry his precious freight across the stream, and sur- rounded the field with a cordon of cavalry patrols to protect him from further molestation or interruption.

But Crocker had a host of troubles to iace upon his return. He had openly violated the positive commands of his superior ; he had been shamefully insulting to the messenger who bore his superior's instructions, and had acted in utter disregard of well-known laws governing armies confronting each other. Still, there was something about the whole af&ir so honest, so

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earnest, and so true, that there was a disposition to temporize ■ with the stern demands of discipline. And he had fully accom- plished his purpose — all the bodies and the wounded mian were safely landed on the Maryland side. However, he was promptly arrested.

Colonel Barnes, who had watched him through all his oper- ations, was the first of his superiors who was prompted to leni- ency, and he accompanied him to corps head-quarters to inter- cede in his belialf They were ushered into the presence of General Porter, who, shocked at such a wholesale accumulation of improprieties, and angered to a high tension by such positive disobediences, proceeded, in short and telling phrases, to explain the law and regulations — all of which, if Crocker didn't know before he started, he had had full opportunity to gather in dui^ ing his experiences.

Then followed moments of painful silence, and the general inquired whether he had seen a gun which the regulars had left upon the other side the day before, and if so, what was the likelihood of its recovery. Crocker replied that he had not, but bad noticed a caisson, and that he did not consider it likely it would ever come back. Returning to the subject, the general continued his reproof; but, considering his inexperience, un- questioned courage, and evident good intentions, he finally yielded, concluding that the reprimand was sufficient punish- ment, and released him from arrest and restored him to duty.

As incidents in Crocker's career appear from time to time through these pages, it will be noted that these early manifesta- tions of his daring, pluck and energy intensified as the years grew and the occasions thickened.

The following from the pen of Joseph Meehan, of Company A, is quaintly and truthfully earnest. So honest a descripdoa of a battle experience has rarely appeared :

"Towards evening on the 19th our colonel rode up to our front and called for fifty volunteers to take a rebel battery, across the river, five being wanted from each company. I re- sponded the second man from my company. I gave my watch

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JOSEPH MEEHAN, CO. A.

and purse to our sergeant to keep for me, my kit to a comrade, and, with a general hand-shaking all around, we were off.

" Clearing a woods between us and the river, we found our artillery posted facing the river. We had a good step to go through an open field before gaining the river. The artillery opened over our heads, under cover of which we reached the river-bank, receiving a volley from the enemy's infantry on the

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ALBERT H. WALTERS, CAPTAIN AND BREVET-MAJOH.

opposite side as we advanced, which, however, did us no harm. Wading a canal knee-deep in water, we laid fiat on the ground, as the rebel pickets were firing across at us. Waiting this way perhaps half an hour, word came to us that the battery had been captured by another body of troops acting in conjunction with us, and we returned quietly to camp. Our colonel made a complimentary speech to us on our behavior, and took a list of those who had volunteered.

"As this was my first time actually under infantry fire, I was greatly excited. My feelings are hard to describe. When

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walking across the open field, with the artillery firing oveiiicad and the rebels firing at us. I felt afraid. My heart beat tumult- uously. 1 thought I might be killed, and had no wish to die. 1 longed to live, and thought myself a fool for voluntarily plac- ing myself in the army. Vet 1 had no idea at all of turning back. My feelings were, that if ordered to go on, t would go, but gladly would 1 have welcomed the order, 'About face.' By the time the river was reached I was much calmer, the dread was working off me, and while not eager, as I had been to start, I fcit that if we crossed the river and charged the rebels I could do what the rest could.

*• The next day, the 20th of September, ushered in Shepherds- town, a name that will never be foi^tten by those of the iiSth who were there. ] had gone with my tent-mate, Fairbrother, for water, a distance of nearly a mile. On our return to camp, about 9A.H., we found the raiment just moving. We had barely time to put on our knapsacks and fall into line witli the rest

" Reaching the Potomac, many of us took ofT our shoes and stockings and rolled up our pants ; others did not. When nearly across I began to hear stray shots on the rebel side, which continued as we advanced. My first knowledge of im- mediate danger came when forming on the rebel shore. Lieu- tenant Wilson admonished us to be sure and pay attention to our officers' orders, and all would be well. Turning to the right, we hurried a short distance, then taking a turn to the left ascended a hill by the aid of low bushes which grew on the slope, reaching the top of a high bluff. Here we found firing already going on between our skirmishers and the rebels. Our boys began to look very serious indeed. I did not feel one bit alarmed. My little experience of the previous night, I suppose, took fear from me. I remember distinctly the feeling of indif- ference, so different from the evening before. I can truly say that at no time during the fight which came had I the least fear, or desire to turn back.

" We were soon formed in line of battle along the crest of the

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bluff. We at first knelt down, then in a little while advanced a few steps. The rebels were now in full view, dodging about behind the trees and running along by a rail fence a good dis- tance off! About this time our orderly-sei^eant got off his first shot; my own immediately followed, the second in our com- pany. The rebel fire and our own now became brisk.

" There was considerable confusion among our men and much noise, from the suddenness with which we found ourselves called into a brisk fight A cry reached me about this time to fix bayonets. Who gave it I do not know. I shouted the order loudly to those about me. Captain O'Neil, who was near me, asked me what I said. I replied : ' They are calling to fix bay- onets.' He raised his voice and called out ; ' Fix bayonets ; ' but there were but few besides myself who did it. The rebels were now approaching quite close. I had broken the nipple of my gun and had picked up another gun lying near me, but, as with the first one, I had great trouble in getting it to go off It made me very angry ; I felt that I would give all the world to be able to shoot the advancing foe. I had fired but about a half-dozen shots, when as many again could have been got off had the guns been good for anything.

" I had taken a pin out and cleaned the nipple, and had raised my rifle for a shot when I felt what seemed like a blow with a heavy fist on my left shoulder from behind. I did not realize at first that I was shot, feeling no particular pain, but my almost useless arm soon told me what it was. I called to our orderly-sergeant that I was shot He made no reply, probably not understanding me.

" I then took my first look back of me, and found myself very nearly alone. Two wounded men, McElroy and Tibben, of Company A, were right behind me on the ground, I passed them both, and began to descend the hill with numerous others. There was great disorder. About half-way down, among the brush, an officer was trying to stem the tide of descent I slid down the slope, with my one fr6e arm to aid me, and reaching the road at the bottom of the bluft ran a short distance till I

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came to three archways in the hill. Into the first of these I got for protection. Two other wounded men were there and three others, one of whom was John Bray, one of my tent-mates. Our artillery at this time was shelling the heights to cover our retreat The shells fell short, and one of them exploded in the archway next to me, tearing almost off the leg of Corporal James Wilson, who was therein for shelter.

" Those of us who were in the arches did not know what to do. The shells seemed directed at us, they struck the blufT above us, and sent the stones down in our front Many splashed in the water alongside of us. Expecting to be hit evety minute, some of my companions deemed it safer to sur- render to the rebels, and actually fixed a white handkerchief to a bayonet, and started to go up the hill ^^in, but they changed their minds.

"From our retreat we witnessed a scene of great excitement Men were trying to get across the river, the bullets dropping about them like hail. One or two were swimming, as being a safer plan. A breakwater ran across the river near us, and it contained many dead and wounded men. Nearly all of our party left to go across when the firing slackened, except the wounded men.

"A tribute here should be given to John Bray, who when asked if he was going, refused to go, saying he would stay with the wounded men. A little later he and I determined to try it, first getting for poor Wilson a canteen of water from the river, he asking, ' in God's name,' for a drink of water. Look- ing at my own canteen here, I found it, too, had been hit, a ball having struck it with force enough to make a hole in one side, but not going clean through. With Bray helping me on my wounded side, we struck into the river. We passed many dead and some who were but wounded. One man asked us. again in God's name, for help, which we could not render. Near our own side of the river we passed one who was com- pletely under water. We raised his head above the water, when voices from our side bid us to hurry over at once.

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" We got across safely, and I was put into a temporary shed with other wounded men, and later in the day, assisted by comrades Evans and Scout, taken to an (imbulance, which transported me and two others to Sharpsbui^, where a church had been turned into a hospital for the wounded men."

Dr. Joseph Thomas thus graphically describes his experience within the enemy's lines immediately after the Shepherdstown afEiir:

" On the afternoon following the day of the fight, soon after Crocker had brought the dead bodies of the officers over, on going down to the river near the dam, I heard the cries of the wounded on the other side, still lying upon the battle-field and calling for help. I resolved to go over and render them aid. Taking with me a companion (one of the hospital attendants), supplied with bandages and case of instruments, I went across the dam without let or hindrance, except the splash of a few rifle-balls in the water a distance off, fired by our own pickets. I discovered several dead men of our regiment still lying on the broken breastwork of the dam. Reaching the of^site side of the river, back of the mill, we proceeded up the ravine until we came to the plateau above. Here a considerable number of the killed still lay, and the wounded that had screamed for help.

" There were, perhaps, a score of them, so badly injured as to be incapable of locomotion or movement. We washed and bathed their wounds, supplied them with water, administered a dose of anodyne, and promised to have tbem removed as soon as possible.

" While we were engaged at this work, a mounted vidette came up, and inquired our business there and authority. Pointing to my green sash and case of instruments, I answered, ■' Can't you see that we arc surgeons attending to the wounded ? ' He replied, "All right ; go on, and when you are through here I will conduct you to the rear some distance, to a house; where you will find more of your wounded.' I agreed to accompany him. Then, following him along a pathway through

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the dense undei^rowth (I should say half a mile), we came to a house. Here we found some twenty men, nearly half of them being rebel soldiers, and the rest of our regiment, wounded, but not severely. They all appeared happy and very friendly.

" On inquiring whether they had any food, they pointed to a kettle over the fire containing a chicken and some potatoes cooking, and answered : ' We are domg well enough.' The johnnies spoke up, and said : ' We will take care of the boys when we find them unarmed and wounded, as brothers, but when they come with arms in their hands, we are always ready to meet them.'

" We left them and returned under the guidance of the vidette, who appeared a very kind-hearted fellow. We came back from the plateau on the right, reaching the Shepherdstown road, approached the dam, passed through the rapid sluice with effort, recrossed the river and reported our experience. An effort was made to have the wounded brought over. This was done that evening or next morning, under a flag of truce."

The narrative of Sergeant H. T. Peck's experience as a prisoner of war, subsequent to his Shepherdstown capture, he relates with telling eflect.

"After the engagement of September 20th, the prisoners were detained several hours by the rebels in a little grove half a mile north of the battle-field and on a road leading from Shepherdstown. None of the rebel main body was seen by us, only the guard, a company of about fifty men, and General Hill, who came, with his staff and escort, to look at us. To- wards evening we were marched several mites away, where we remained in a woods till next afternoon, Sunday. In the morn- ing a portion of Stonewall Jackson's coips encamped near us, and we had nearly all day a constant stream of gray- coated visitors, who were very good-natured in their inter- course.

" The rebel troops were remarkably orderly. Religious ser- vices in the afternoon were largely attended by them, if it u

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proper to judge by the volume of voices heard singing Meth- odist hymn-tunes in several parts of their camp. Late in the day we were marched some five or six miles conformably with 3 movement of the rebel corps.

" Our men were subsisting on the food they had in haver- sacks at the time of the battle, together with what corn ' pone ' they could buy from the rebel soldiers. Some who were with- out money went a little short of food, but there was no sufTer- ing at all, the luckier ones dividing with the others quite lib- erally. In the morning, Monday, rations of wheat flour and bacon were issued to us. The latter was very acceptable and useful. The flour, though good in quality, was entirely useless to our men since they, unlike the Confederates, were without skill in cooking it and had no opportunity of trading it for bread or meat.

" Shortly after receiving rations we commenced our march to Winchester. Reaching Martinsburg at about ten o'clock, we passed first through the better part of the town. Few men were to be seen, but many of the women came to their doors or windows to see us pass and fling at us bitter exclamations. We were called Yankee devils, murderers and thieves, and our guard was begged to strangle or shoot us. It was the young ladies especially who fired at us this quality of animosity. At the other end of the town, the locality of more humble homes, our reception was materially different. Women and children came to us from all directions with a profusion of lunches of bread and meat and cakes, and in many instances with jars of preserves, their choicest dainties, which they really could ill aflbrd to part with. The guards offered no objection to these contributions, and indeed congratulated us on our good luck.

" These women belonged to the families of mechanics em- ployed mostly in the extensive railroad shops located here, and were presumably from the North.

" While halted a few miles out of Martinsburg, a mounted Confederate, a guerilla probably, got into some dispute with one of our men, drew his pistol and made such earnest threats

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to use it, the captain of our guard ordered some of his men to cover the braggart with their muskets, which, we felt assured, he would have had used if the guerilla had injured any of our party.

" While halted for rest nea^r the town of Bunker Hill, a rebel band, out of sight, but near by in the woods, gave us a surprise, probably more pleasant than they imagined, by playing the Star Spangled Banner.

" In Winchester we were consigned to the court-house and the inclosure between it and the street There was already in these precincts a crowd of some 300 rebels, stragglers, con- scripts and the riffraff a provost-guard can pick up — a miser- able lot — who did not fraternize with our men, and who were so filthy in clothing and habits that our men remained of choice in the open yard without tents or blankets, even during nights of hoarfrost, to avoid contact with those in the court-house, which we were otherwise free to occupy.

" Rations issued to us here were raw beef and flour, but no arrangements were provided for cooking — not even a stick of wood for fire. At our request the officer of the guard per- mitted one of our non-commissioned officers to go, under guard, about the town to bargain for the cooking of the food. A baker traded us bread, pound for pound, for flour, and a woman engaged to boil the beef for a moderate sum of money, which we collected from our party. In the beef-boiling trans- action our contract turned out to be imperfect ; the agreement on the part of the female was to boil the meat. It was boiled, but so thoroughly no two shreds of it would hold together. There was probably a good profit in the soup from a hundred and fifty pounds of beef Our allowance from the rebel com- missary was a pound of flour and half a pound of meat per day.

" Every afternoon while we were here a neatly-dressed mu- latto girl came to the court-house yard with a large loaf of bread, a lump of butter and a kettle of two or three gallons of delicious soup. She invariably delivered the gift te one of our

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sergeants, who most probably had been pointed out to her as we passed through the street on our way to the court-house as a proper person to receive it. The girl could not be induced to tell the sei^eant who sent the food, saying : ' I darsent tell her name for fear of these (rebel) soldiers, but my missis sends it' . It was hoped the Union lady learned from the rather stupid girl how more than thankful we were for her timely and touching gift.

" One morning a young lady we had frequently noticed as the recipient of many attentions from Confederate officers came to the railing and, calling to one of our party, said : ' Ser- geant, you are to be paroled in a few days (this was our earliest report about it) and sent home. I wish, if you see General Shields when you return, you would give him Belle Boyd's compliments, and say she would be h^py to see him in the valley again,'

" Owing to restricted diet and exposure, without any cover- ing whatever from the frosty night air, all of our men suffered more or less with dysentery. No medical attention was offered them. Their previous robust health, however, and the hope of soon getting back to our own lines, kept them up, and not one became helpless.

" For one or two nights we had small but very hot fires made of beef bones, which we found bum surprisingly well. Go the morning we were sent away we were brought into the court-house, one by one, to sign the following parole paper :

" I, , do solemolr «we»r that 1 will not do or undeitake an^ «« or exert

MiyioBcDceiDtaTorofoT for the advantage or the United Stales; or against Ihe govenunoit of the Confederate States ; and that I will not divulge anything that I hiiVe leen or beard, or nay see or hear, to Ihe prejudice of the Conledemle State*; or engage in any military act whatsoever during the present war until r^nluty included in an authorized exchange of prisoners.

" Sworn befure me thii 19th day of September, in the year of our Lord one tboDnnd eight hnndred aod liity-two, at Winchester, Vi^nia.

" Uajok W. Kylb.

" By order of General Robert E. Lee.

" To one who signed nearly the last, the rebel captain having

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the document remarked : ' Why, I find all your men can write their own names.'

" We marched out of Winchester at 9 or 10 in the morning, and soon reached the hills to the eastward ; thence all the way to Harper's Ferry we passed through a country very beautiful in a dress of early autumn foliage. We were pushed on at a rapid gait, as our guard was at this time a detachment of mounted men, but, having no load to carry, we were not inor- dinately fatigued. We bivouacked beside a mountain stream

ADJUTANT JAMES P. PEROT,

and resumed the march early in the morning, passing through Charlestown. of John Brown feme. We came to our outposts, a short distance from Harper's Ferry, late in the afternoon. A flag of truce was sent in and we were promptly transferred to the Federal commandant of pickets."

One personal incident, however, appears to have escaped Feck. While idling away his time as a prisoner, he picked up

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a stray cap of the regiment, abandoned upon the battle-field. Removing a metal figure " 1 " from its front, he placed it opposite Lhe regimental number on his own, thus increasing the numerals to the enormous size of iilS. It was deftly done and calculated to make even a close observer believe that the figures had all been placed there at one time and were intended to meari what they purported. These extravagant figures soon attracted attention. A Confederate officer, startled at their high proportions, inquired earnestly from what State the wearer of the cap hailed. " Pennsylvania," was the prompt reply. " Great heavens ! " he exclaimed ; " is Pennsylvania running into the thousands ? With that State alone with i,ii8 regiments in the field, how can the poor Confederacy ever expect to suc- ceed ! " And he strolled on, apparently, for the moment at least, yielding to the deception.

The following incident from the pen of Major Henry Kyd Douglass, formerly of Stonewall Jackson's staff, is of intense interest and connects itself in proper sequence with matters incident to Shepherdstown.

" Several weeks after the battle of Antietam, when our head- quarters were at Bunker Hill, I went to Shepherdstown to hear something, if possible, from home. My father lived on the Maryland side of the Potomac, on the crest of a hill, which overlooked the river, the town, and the country beyond. The Potomac was the dividing line between the two States and tlie two armies, and the bridge that once spanned it there had been burned early in the war.

" It was a bright and quiet day, and from the Vii^inia cliffs I saw the enemy's pickets lying lazily along the canal tow- path or wandering over the fields. Up against the hill I saw- rifle-pits in a field in front of my home, and blue-coats evidentlj- in possession of it ; and then I saw my father come out of the house and walk off towards the bam. I saw no one else except soldiers. It was not a cheerful sight, and I turned away and down to the river to water my horse. As I rode into the stream several cavalrymen rode in on the other side;

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they saluted me by lifting their hats and I returned their salute. They invited me, laughingly, to come over, and I, being in- tensely anxious to hear something from home, replied that I would meet them in the middle of the river. They at once drew out of the water and dismounted, and so did I and the courier who was with me. Haifa dozen of them got into the ferry-boat, which was on their side, and we embarked in a leaky skiff, my courier using a paddle which he found at hand. We met the enemy's man-of-war in the middle of the stream and grappled it, while it was held in place with poles by its boat- men. After the first greetings the captain of the gunboat (he was only a sergeant, by the way) said to me: ' I see you arc a staff-officer.' My blunt courier broke in gruffly : ' Yes, and don't you think it devilish hard for a man to be this near home and not be able to speak to his father or mother t '

" This exposure of my identity was the very thing I did not wish. The sergeant looked a little astonished and replied : ' So you are Captain Douglass, of General Jackson's staff, are you ? We knew that the old gentleman on the hill has two sons in the Confederate army, one on the general's stafll' When I acknowledged his correctness, he said, with much earnestness, that I must get into their boat and go over to see my femily, I began to protest that it would not do, when one of the others broke in: 'Say, get in, captain; get in. If this Government can be busted up by a rebel soldier going to see his mother, why, damn it, let it bust I'

" There was a laughing chorus of assent to this that shook my doubts. I told my blue-coated friends that there was no officer among them, and that any officer who caught me c« the other side might not recognize their safeguard and I might be detained. The sei^eant replied that all their officers were in Sharpsbui^ at a dinner, and, at any rate, this party would pledge themselves to return me safely. It was an occasion for some risk and I took it I got into the large boat and my courier came along in his skiff ' to see fair play.' as he grimly said.

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"When we reached the Maryland shore, the soldiers on the bank crowded down to the boats, and soon, Yankee-like, were in full tide of questions, especially about Stonewall Jackson. As I had declined to leave our ships for the purpose of going up to my home, a cavalryman had gone to the house, under spur, to notify my family of my arrival. My mother soon made her appearance, very much frightened, for she believed I could only be there as a prisoner. My father, not being al- lowed to leave his premises without permission, could not come. As my mother approached, the soldiers, at a signal from the sei^eant, drew away and sat down on the tow-path, where they and my courier interviewed each other.

"As this strange meeting gave my mother more anxiety than comfort, it was a brief one. Nothing passed between us, however, that could ' bust the Government ' or bring trouble on the sei^eant and his men. When my mother left and took her stand upon the canal bank to see us safely off, the soldiers gathered about me to have a litttle talk, but I did not tarry. I gave the sergeant and his crew of the man-of-war my autograph upon sundry slips of paper, and told them that if the fortune of war should make them prisoners, the little papers might be of service to them if sent to General Jackson's head-quarters.

"As we took our leave and got into our skifl] the chivalric, manly sei^eant said to me: 'We belong to (I think) the 1st New York Cavalry. My parents live on the banks of the Hudson, and what I have done for you, I'd like some one to do for me if in the same fix. While I'm here I'll keep an eye on your home and people and do what I can for them ' (and he did). And as the skiff moved over the water and took me from home again, I raised my hat to my ' good friend, the enemy,' 3nd they stood along the shore, in response, with uncovered heads ; and then I waved it to my lather, who stood on the stone wall which crowns the hill and gazed, but made no sign ; and then to my mother on the bank, who, seeing me safely off, waved her handkerchief with a tremulous flutter, and then hid her lace in it as she turned and hurried away.

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" I was glad to learn afterwards that no harm came to the sergeant for his rash kindness to me. I have forgotten his name, if he ever told me, but I hope he lived to return safely to his folks on the banks of the Hudson.

" It is such touches as this that lighten up the inhumanities of war.

Vtrifying Lttttr Ptrtaining ta Crockett O-etsinp the Steer.

RAtEiGR, N. C, April 16, 188&

Mv Dear Sir : — On my remtn home I received jour favor of the 20U1 inrt. 1' remember well our conversation about the battle on the Virginia side of the Potomac, after the battle of Sharpsburg, or Antietam, and 1 also remcinber well the battle, as /v^as in the attacking party. We never forgot the feeling that ran through us about the time we got the order to go forward. We had hardly started before Ihe bullets began to whiz about our heads, which did not help to soften the lirst feeling.

It would give me great pleasure to give you the information you ask for if it were possible for me to do so. I was then a lieutenant-colonel commanding a regiment, and knew little of what was going on, except the fighting department, under orders, and what I could surmise from movements of troops and my maps of tbe country i but I know that Jackson's entire corps was present at the time you speak of, and almost all of A. P. Hilt's division of this corps was in the ad- vance in the battle mentioned.

Our brigadier (Branch) had been killed at Sharpibtuf , and the brigade was at this lime commatided by Lane, the senior colonel. I was standing on Ihe precipice near the river, and remember well seeing Ihe ofGcer cross the river with the white handkerchief as a flag, but I do not know who the general officer was that received him, for I did not witness this. I do not see how I can find this out for you, especially as so many who were there were afterwards killed ; in fact. A. P. Hill, and every brigadier-general that belonged to his division, 1 think, was since then killed, but one, and he lives in Mississippi. I regret exceedingly that 1 am unable to get for you the information you wish.

If I had only been acquainted with you the time yon were lying at the hospital wounded, after this battle, I might have done something for you, to have given a reason for the kind attention I have received from your father and his famity; but it came without this from me. But I believe I would have treated yon well if I had met you there; that is, after the flghl was over.

It W9S qaeer to see how we would shoot at each other, and how friendly we all would be when a flag of truce wai pending.

I am yours, very truly,

(Signed) R. F. Hokb.

To Major Samuel N. Lewis.

Colonel Hoke was a m^or-genenl in C S. A. before the war ended.

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THE BATTLE OF SHEPHERDSTOWN.

September solb, 1862. From RebellioD Records and Other Sources, Union and Confederate.

The battle of Shepherdstown was not much of a battle, as modem battles go, yet peculiar circumstances attending it gave the encounter an importance vastly transcending the extent of the losses or the numbers engaged. On the Con- federate side almost as many regiments were formed in line of battle for attack and support as were engaged on the Union side in the sanguinary battle of Gaines' Mill, before Richmond, three months previously. Against these regiments and bat- teries, as the event turned out in the crisis of the fighting, there was but one Union regiment.

As a tactical movement it was merely a successful reconnais- sance in force to determine the plans and movements of Lee's army after its flight across the Potomac the previous days, September i8th and 19th.

The great battle of Antietam had been fought and won, the Confederate invasion had ended in disaster and rout, and Lee's army, after losing more than one-third of its entire strength in killed, wounded and prisoners, had crossed to the south of the Potomac, still numbering nearly 50,000 men and officers with the colors and present for duty.

On the night of September 18th, and up to 9 o'clock in the momii^ of the 19th, Lee's army was in ceaseless flight across the Potomac, by a broad passage, known as Boteler's Ford. It was formed by the sand-wash of a dam, being about 300 yards wide and less than knee-deep at this time. This dam, which provided the water supply of Boteler's mill, was about a mile and a quarter below Shepherdstown, which stands back <m the bluffs behind the river. The dam had been covered

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with sloping planks, which had partially rotted away or dis- appeared, it having become useless for mill purposes. Along the Virginia side of the dam was an abandoned sluice-way, easily fordable, but with a strong current. At this time of extremely low water most of the river flow found its way through this sluice-way, except what leaked through or passed under low parts of the ruined dam.

Along the river on the Virginia side extended a long line of rocky bluffs, from far above Shepherdstown nearly down to the mouth of the Antietam creek, two miles below Boteler's Ford. After crossing the ford into Virginia, a road leads to the left, and up a rather open valley back to the plateau, which, while broken and wooded in parts, is fairly level farming-land for a distance back from the river, and beyond Shepherdstown. Behind these farms are woods. From the ford there extends along the river a very good road, which, about a half mile below Shepherdstown and three-quarters of a mile above the ford, turns back from the river and ascends an open gorge or valley to the plateau above, along which it continues to Shepherdstown. Just above the ford, where the road is nearest the river, were cut out of the rocky bluffs, and walled up, a number of lime-kilns, now long abandoned, with their arched entrances facing the road-side, and a branch road leading up behind the kilns to permit wagons to supply stone and fuel from above. From the road near these kilns an abandoned private lane led up a narrow and overgrown ravine, and another one further beyond, difficult to climb and with trees along its margin. Alongside this lower ravine the face of the bluffs was nearly perpendicular, with rocky ledges projectir^, from twenty to forty feet high and in some places more.

The Confederate army retreated by Boteler's Ford, mostly moving back from the river by the direct road which intersected the Charlestown pike three miles southwest of Shepherdstown, a part of the army also retreating through that town.

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From Antietara and Shepherdstown up the river to Williams- port there were plenty of good roads, both through Maryland and Virginia. Near Williamsport the fords were good at that time. At Harper's Ferry the main roads down the river on the Virginia side converged and crossed the Potomac to the north bank, commanded by the Maryland Heights on the north and the Loudon Heights on the south, overhanging nearly overhead.

On the morning of the iSth, General McClellan directed Bumside to send small parties of cavalry to scout down to Harper's Ferry, and to watch the mountain road crossing the Antietam at its mouth. This was the route to Pennsylvania pursued by the 2000 Union cavalry in their raid from Harper's Ferry through the forces of McLaws, Anderson and Longstreet, when they captured Longstreet's artillery train the night of September 14th to 15th, just before the battle of Antietam. Next day, the 19th, McClellan directed Sumner to send Williams' whole corps (the 12th Corps), by Rohrersville down to Harper's Ferry. Lee's army was then all across the river in Virginia. Franklin's 6th Corps was sent down to the river front to en&lade the retiring Confederates, and do all the damage he could, but not to attempt to cross the river until further orders.

General Porter was then ordered to line the Potomac bluffs, and mass his troops in readiness to move across at once. The other corps commanders, and General Pleasanton with the rest of the cavaby, were ordered to prepare for immediate move- ment.

Pleasanton was notified to have his cavalry and artillery at the river by daylight on the 20th, and that Porter intended to cross at that time.

The same evening, the 19th, Pleasanton was ordered, after crossing next day, to "push your command forward after the enemy as rapidly as possible, using your artillery upon them wherever an opportunity presents, doing them all the damage in your power without incurring too much risk to your command.

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If great results can be obtained, do not spare your men or horses."

During the 19th General Porter lined the northern bank of the river with skirmishers and sharpshooters, with portions of the divisions of Morell and Sykes in support- The heights were also occupied