CORNELL- UNIVERSITY LIBRARY The Gift of NEWTON C. FARR Class of 1909 olin DATE DUE r minypi )bvPLtt ^Tfonk/ ^ -imefltfe f^org^^ eFyLLoa]^^ amiiUitdi-lU't'iaSLSiMl I / PRINTED INU.S.A w/ Cornell University Library The original of tiiis book is in tine Cornell University Library. There are no known copyright restrictions in the United States on the use of the text. http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924032780623 FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE FROM BULL RUN TO APPOMATTOX Standing — Sergeant John H. Carter. First Mass. H. A. (Four- teenth Mass. VoL Inf.) Bogar- dus. N. Y., Jan. i8. 1864. Sitting — First Lieut Eugene Carter, Eighth U. S. Inf.. Capt. Twenty- ninth and Eleventh U.S. Inf. Brevet Captain and Major U. S. Army. Silling — First Lieut. John N. Andrews. Eighth U. S. Inf., Regimental Adjutant. Brady, 1861. Standing — F i r s t Lieut. Eugene Carter, Eighth U. S. Inf., Regimental Q. M. Captain ROBERT GOLDTHWAITE CARTER U. S. Army, Retired Formerly First Lieutenant Fourth U. S. Cavalry, Brevet First Lieu- tenant and Captain U. S. Army. Medal of Honor, Bachrach, Washington, D. C, July 13, 1907. Sergeant-Major Walter Carter, Twenty-second Mass. VoL Inf. Left — Bealton Station. Va., Sept. 1, 1863. T/^nUl Jir. Right — VnvB.t^ R. G. Carter, Twenty-second Mass. Vol. Inf. Broad- way, N. Y., Aug. 16 1862. FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE OR Sunshine and Shadows of the War of the Rebellion A STORY OF THE GREAT CIVIL WAR FROM BULL RUN TO APPOMATTOX CAPTAIN ROBERT GOLDTHWAITE CARTER U. S. Army, Retired Formerly Private Company H, Twenty-second Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry (Henry Wilson Regiment) ; First Lieutenant, Fourth United States Cavalry; Brevet First Lieutenant and Captain, U. S. Army; a graduate of the United States Military Academy, Class of 1870; Awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for "Most Dis- tinguished Gallantry in Action with Indians," and two brevets, one for "Specially Gallant Conduct" in action with Indians and the "Grateful Thanks of the State of Texas, througlj its Legislature in Joint Assembly, for Prompt Action and Gallant Conduct, etc." Captain Carter is a Companion of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States; A Companion of the Military Order of the Medal of Honor of the United States, Medal of Honor Legion; A Member of the Medal of Honor and Army and Navy Clubs of Washington, D. C, and United Service Club of New York. Corre- sponding Member of the Maine Historical Society and author of many monographs and short stories on Military Subjects in various papers and magazines, as well as Historical and Genealogical notes gathered from many sources. WASHINGTON PRBSS OF GIBSON BROS., INC. I9I3 Copyright 1913. by R. G, Carter. iia Wtft anil OIl|il&«n tijtB math, a Inns ronttnuf & labor of Imt, xa moat atfetttonatflu ipiittateb PREFACE. This volume gives a full narrative sketch taken from the letters and diaries of these four brothers, covering the four years of the Civil War from First Bull Run to Appomattox Court House, of what they saw and did, and is replete with reminiscences, stories, etc., of a period of bloody war such as the world had never before witnessed. It was the boys of the Union Armies who made it possible for the present generation to have a reunited country. "A Government of the people, by the people, and for the people, that it might not perish from the earth, and that our dead shall not have died in vain." And the youth of this great nation should never forget that which is due to those who for the well being of their country pledged and imperiled all that life holds dear, and, in this devotion, gave proof that there are things nobler than mere pleasure and greater than self which both men and women count worthy of bravest endeavor and supreme sac- rifice. This volume deals neither with the strategy or grand tactics of that War. The writer consulted but few authori- ties, and such as he .did examine were for the purpose of verifying certain data, fixing dates, correcting lines of march, giving conversations with some of the old ofBcers of the Army, etc. He begs, therefore, to acknowledge the assistance thus afforded from the following works, viz. History of the Twenty-second Massachusetts Volun- teer Infantry (Henry Wilson Regiment) , History of the One Hundred and Eighteenth Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry {"Corn Exchange"), History of the First Massachuestts Heavy Artillery (Fourteenth Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry), History of the Eighth U. S. Infantry, History of Fifth Corps, "McClellan's Own Story," Bache's Life of Gen. Geo. G. Meade, History of Second Corps, De Trobre- and's "Four Years with the Army of the Potomac," History of the Ninety- third New York Volunteer Infantry, the official maps and records of the War of the Rebellion, conversations with Generals H. J. Hunt and James Longstreet, citizens of Gettysburg, etc., etc. ^^. /i^i^:i..Jy^ d/t-^^^f-^'^ Washington, D. C, 1913. CONTENTS, EXPLANATORY NOTE^ This story was begun serially over seventeen years ago in the Maine Bugle, a magazine pub- lished by an Association of Maine Regiments, which served in the Civil War. When this story was but half completed it suspended publication. It seemed a crime to throw away the bal- ance of the manuscript. The plates for the half-tone cuts were all destroyed. In making up the contents, therefore, for the first ten chapters the author had to be guided by the paging in one-half of this edition as given by the chapters in the magazine series, and then as given by the pages which follow, while in the other half of the edition, or reprint, the contents are chap- tered and paged continuously from pages i to 509. The Author. Washington, D. C, 1913. Page. INTRODUCTORY. 1-3 Inception — Military training for value received — Patriotic duty of all American boys to their Government — Military training for all boys beyond a, certain age — To inculcate patriotism, duty, honor, discipline, prompt obedience, etc. — ^Liberty vs. License — Foreign element — Danger of national decadence. CHAPTER 1 4-9 Birth place — ^Ancestry — Early home — Removal to Massachusetts — Stirring times and stormy scenes — The Cadet at West Point — The "straw which showstheway the wind blows" — Abraham Lincoln himg in effigy — "Old Del" Professor Mahan and Cadet Rosser — "I believe we are going to have Civil War" Resignations — ^Attack upon Port Sumter and beginning of war — Devotion to the Flag — Graduation — Reports in Washington — Drilling the i6th New York Volunteers — ^Reports to General McDowell. CHAPTER II 10-27 Bull Run — ^The March to Centbrville. Branding and flogging — Foraging — Regulars complain to General McDowell^ Alarms — March to Sudley Ford — Major Sykes cautions command — Piling Blankets — ^Approaching the battlefield — General Burnside — Lieutenant Kent wounded — Our brother in command of old "B" Company, Third U. S. Infantry — "On right by file into line" — Description of the battle — Colonel Jones, Fourth Alabama— The R. I. Battery— Griffin's West Point Battery— Buck Hill— "Corporal killed at my side" — Change position to the ChinnHouse — BaldHill — Capture of Surgeon Sternberg — The panic — The retreat — Rear guard— Cover- ing the routed mihtia — Escape of Doctor Sternberg — Arlington Heights — Reviewed by the President — Regular Battalion saved the Army — "I have heard of them" — ^A visit to the field forty-five years later — Incidents — Reflec- tions — Romance of the "Stone House" — "Haunted House" of "The Surreys of Eagles Nest" — ^A curse — Conclusions. vn VIII CONTENTS. Page. CHAPTER III 28-48 Provost Guard. Organization— Location— Duties— Franklin Square— The Floyd house— The "Chain Building"— General Scotts headquarters— Central guard house- Gen. Andrew Porter— General McClellan assumes command— Patroling Washington streets— Mutiny of "Highlanders" (79th N. Y.)— Arrest of ring- leaders — Flag taken away, afterwards restored — ^Arrest of Gen. C. P. Stone — Enlistment of a second brother— The brothers meet— Munson's Hill— A prisoner— "Happy Jack"— Fort Albany— Commands "G" Company, Eighth U. S. Infantry— "Four Mile Run"— A mihtary execution— Quarters of the Fourteenth Massachusetts Volimteers shown in Harper's Weekly — The "Long Roll" — Provost Marshal Generals guard — The entire Army move-;. CHAPTER IV 49-73 On the Peninsula — General McClellan's Headquarters — Seven Days Battle. The forward movement— March to Fairfax Courthouse— The brothers meet — Retiu-n to Fairfax Seminary — Camp Porter, Alexandria — A bloodless battle — Embark for Fort Monroe — On the Peninsula — March to Yorktown — Siege of Yorktown — Camp "Winfield Scott"— Evacuation of Yorktown — Letter of May 4, 1862 — A joke — March up the Peninsula — Review at Cumberland landing — Distinguished guests — Expedition up the Pamunkey — Camp at Dr. Curtis, near New Bridge, Va. — Fair Oaks — Gaines Mill — The Seven Days battle — Dr. Trents — Council of War — Commands guard at bivouac fire — Camp Lincoln — The Panic on the "Quaker Road — Provost Guard saves MqClellan's Army — On to Malvern Hill — Camp at Harrison Landing — The President's visit — Prisoners of war — A desperate chance — Reveals the "flank movement" — Advice from a regular — The other brothers enlist — A quartette — "Dr. Hall's Laws on Health" — Reflections. CHAPTER V 74-98 What Two Recruits Saw and Did in the Army of the Potomac While Waiting to Join Their Regiment. Enlistment — Camp Cameron, Cambridge, Mass. — Mustered in — On to the "Front" — Franklin Barracks, N. Y. — Camden and Amboy Railroad — The Drunken bully — His fate — "Cooper Shop," Philadelphia — Havre de Grace ferry — Cattle cars — "Soldiers Rest and Retreat" — Impressions of Washing- ton — Reach Alexandria — Scenes in and about Alexandria — Shuter's Hill — Fairfax Seminary — Camp Excelsior (convalescent camp) — Life in camp — Visit the forts — Meeting of the brothers — A fearful storm — The "Round House" — Issuing arms — Cloud's Mills — Advance of the "Heavies" — The capture — Return to the forts — General McClellan — "Dan Webster" the war horse — A relic — "Arlington Springs — The ways are hard — Bean soup — Join the 22d Massachusetts — Hall's Hill. CHAPTER VI 99-118 The Campaign and Battle of Antietam. Long roll — The alarm — The night march on the forts — Army in line of battle — Arlington Heights — Fort Worth — Major Tilton joins from prison — Fort Cor- coran — The march to Frederick — A forced march — Light marching order — Pile our extra (?) clothing — Never to see it again — Battle of South Mountain — ■ CONTENTS. IX Page. CHAPTER VI— Continued 99-1 18 Prisoners in the streets — ^A "Johnny's" remark — Colonel Tilton's rejoinder — Middletown — A mules repast — The frightened recruit — The regular and volun- teers meet on the battlefield — Turner's Gap — The dead in rows for burial — "War is no romance" — Boonesboro — Keediesville, Md. — Shelling — The black lines of battle — Our fighting position — The battle of Antietam is on — Description of the battle — The recruits honey can — Asa Fletcher, the sharp- shooter — He is wounded — The Burnside bridge — The dead and wounded — On picket — ^A fearful night — Sherrick's house — Poisoned preserves — A canard — Lead the advance — Bivouac near the Grove house — Smith's farm and hospital — Blackford's Ford — The spring. CHAPTER VII 119-151 Engagement With the Rear Guard of Lee's Army at Black- ford's Ford. A bold raid — Recapture of GrifSn's gun — ^Engagement with Lee's rear guard — Boteler's Mill — The "Corn exchange" Regiment (ii8th Pennsylvania) — Picket duty — Chesapeake and Ohio canal — The accusation — The Irish pickets rejoinder — Paroled prisoners — The ford — Death and burial — "Rally on the sutler" — Shepardstown — Letters home — Cold weather with hard frosts — With- out tents, overcoats or blankets — Sickness in camp — Freezing weather — The unnecessary sufferings of volunteers — Ignorance of officers — Neglect — Whiskey etc. — Criticisms — Opinions — Growling, cursing, etc. — Our defense — Orders to move. CHAPTER VIII 152-186 March to Fredericksburg, Va. Harpers Ferry — Loudon Valley — John Brown and the engine house — Snickers' Gap — In line of battle — Snowstorm — Marching inteethof a gale — White Plains, Va. — McClellan and Fitz John Porter relieved of their commands — General Burnside — The review — Henry Wilson-^The princess' son — Narrow escape from capture — Rain! Rain!! — "Mud camp" — Near Hartwood Chtirch — Discussion among the rank and file — Mental and physical status of the Army — ^Free expressions of opinion — Defence of McClellan by the regular — Oiu: fighting base — Secret reconnoissance — The prisoner — ^A hard tramp — Incidents in camp — Letters home — Our belief — "Still we are true to all teachings." CHAPTER IX 187-205 The Battle of Fredericksburg. Moral and Physical status of the Army of the Potomac — ^Thanksgiving — Visit to headquarters — Patriotic letters — "Smoky Camp" — Snow — The advance — On the Plains of Stafford — Cheerful gleam on a dark night — Our brothers' tent — On the farm of Mary, the mother of George Washington— rRaid on Tobacco — Crossing the pontoons — Dead on the bridge — ^A bleached out "Coon" — In "Knight's Brickyard" — A solid shot — Down in the mud — General Griflin — "Left front into line" — The charge upon the Heights — Shelter (?) for "ske- daddlers" — Enough is as good as a feast — ^Night upon the battlefield — ^Among the dead and dying — Charge of the 20th Maine — Col. Adelbert Ames — Sunday in line of battle — Breastwork of dead bodies — Horrible sights — The night carnival in Fredericksburg — "I shall find them if I have to go into action" — Scenes and incidents — Our brother finds us — ^A jewelry store — An anxious night — ^A terrible storm — The retreat. X CONTENTS. Page. CHAPTER X 206-240 ArrER THE Battle oe Fredericksburg. Reflection and comments — "Camp Gove" — Building log huts — A cold recon- naissance — The prisoner — A wounded woman — Richard's Ford — A drunken aide — The icy bath — Ellis' Ford — On picket — No fires — The terrible New Year's march — "Burnside's mud march" — The whiskey riot — The reward (?) of virtue — General Hooker in command — Snow, rain and mud — Winter picket duty — The "biled owl" — Visits to headquarters — Hooker's body Guard — Reviews by the President — A laughable picture — "Fighting Joe Hooker" stuck in the mud — Mental, moral and physical status of the Army of the Potomac. CHAPTER XI 4i-274 The Campaign and Battle of Chancellorsville. Th e campaign opens — Eight days rations — On the march — Fording the Rapidan — Camp "No Where" — The recovered photographs, a war incident — ^A perilous night — Building barricades — The panic-stricken boy — A mangled pioneer — Gen- eral Whipple wounded — Building rifle pits — In the woods — Jackson's attack — Move to the centre — Annie Etheridge — ^A close miss! — Sweet revenge — Mid- night attack on the pickets — Hooker at the "White House'' — Lie down for your lives! — Our brother's visit to us on the front line — He is captured — A hungry colonel — The sharpshooter — Rain, mud, and suffering — The retreat — Rear guard — Taking in the pontoons — ^Whiskey again — ^The night march — lost in the woods — Camp Gove again — Many reflections — Causes for defeat. CHAPTER XII 275-304 The Campaign of Gettysburg. "Shells and bullets are but music, if the result shall only be a song of triumph" — On the move — Grove Church, Wykoff's Gold Mine and Morrisville — A corps of observation — A midnight adventure — Beverly Ford — Ordered to the support of the cavalry — "Ready to move at five minutes' notice" — "Everything breathesof approaching fight, let it come!" — "I am proud of the risk a soldier runs of at least dying in a worthy cause" — The scattered graves — "We will go side by side to anything that awaits us" — "ZouaveMary" — GumSpring — Wounded pride — "Got any pies, auntie?" — A hungry stomach satisfied — ^Army characteristics — Cavalry battle at Aldie — Support the Cavalry Corps — Incidents of the march — The story of John Morrison — Guard the corps train — Music vs. straggling — Kilpatrick's battle — Night march from Hanover — A straggler — No. 8 brogans — Patriotic Pennsylvanians ( ?) — Grumbler's rejoinder — McClellan in command( ?) — Death vs. a cherry pie — Boneauville — ^Awaiting the command for battle near Powers Hill — In support of the 12th Corps. CHAPTER XIII 305-328 The Battle of Gettysburg. Going in — Vincent's brigade — Line of battle near the Rose house — Awaiting the charge — Change of front — Coolness of the men — The ' ' Whirlpool " and " Valley of Death"— JohnMorrison'spresentiment— The Wheat-Field— Bigelow's battery— An incident — The prisoner's remark — Little Round Top — Key Point — Maine and Texas with Alabama in a death struggle — Hand to hand — Rocks and fists — A perilous position — Hold the Union left — The Sickles controversy — ^Was he justified in taking his advanced position — Gen. Warren's foresight and prompt- CONTENTS. XI Page. CHAPTER XIII— Continued 305-328 ness saves the Round Tops — Arkansas sharpshooters — Devil's Den — Their cap- ture — Pickett's charge — High-water mark — Saves the life of Captain Turner, Fifth Texas — The Old Canteen — ^A midnight tour — ^A Vision — The apparition — The horrors of the field — reconnoissance — last shot at Lee's army — Burying the dead — General Lee's objects — Was Longstreet a traitor to his Cause? CHAPTER XIV 329-367 After Gettysburg. Following in Pursuit — A fearful storm — Catoctin Pass — Middletown — Turner's Gap again — Over Antietam's battlefield — The scars of war — The line of battle near St. James Church — A rare sight — Skirmishing — Our brother rides up^ — Senator Wilson on the line with his old regiment — ^Acts as mail carrier — Skir- mishing — A rainy night — Capture of prisoners — Their story — ^A Council of war — Lee's army crossing the Potomac^Crampton's Gap — The pontoons at Berlin — In Virginia again — Lovettsville, Purcellsville — The battle of Wapping Heights — Both armies carom off — Blackberries vs. pork — Beverly Ford — Execution of Deserters— ^Substitutes — ^Advance to Culpepepr — A Race for Washington — The Army of the Potomac Wins — A dreadful march — Rain and mud — ^A sick brother — Bull Run again — The Return — Battle of Rappahanock Station — A "soft job?" CHAPTER XV 368-387 Mine Run Campaign and Winter of 1863 and 1864. Meade Stuck in the mud — Thanksgiving — "With Peace all over the land, as our blood purchased heritage for all future time, oh, what a happy meeting will it be for a loyal family of true-born Americans" — Bitter weather — Hungry men eating horse corn — Ready for the charge — Pinning papers to our bodies — Our return — "The voice of the Army rings high and clear to-day" — Winter quar-- ters — Thoughts on promotion — Reenlistment fever — A patriotic appeal — A fur- lough — Back to the "Land of Sodom" — The Lyceum — "Dedicatory ball" — New Chapel, the chaplain, sermons — "Anything and everything for the crushing of the Rebellion" — Under Orders to move — Visits the "Heavies" — A commis- sion declined — "Ready at a moment's notice to harness up" — Mud predomi- nates — " Unconstitutional Surrender" — Grant, I guess, has seen enough of Virginia by this time" — Six days storm — "The days are almost here when we shall be wearily plodding over the road once more, in search of victory or death" — "I shall soon be on the march and in battle" — "/ stand in awe of danger, but shall meet it like a man" — " Pride will conceal the inward fear of death!" CHAPTER XVI 388-414 The Wilderness Campaign. "At any Moment the dread 'Pack up' may be sounded" — "The hour has come and God Grant success to Liberty" — "I may be on the march for a fiercer contest than Gettysburg" — On the move — Brandy Station — "I just live, father, and that is about all" — Death all about — The Wilderness — "Jack" Griffin's ruse — Spottsylyania Court House — "I shall fight to-morrow with a stout heart, bent on success" — The "Heavies" join the Army of the Potomac — Their gal- lant fight — The Ny River, or Harris' Farm — "On to the fight and may Heaven grant us success" — "If I should fall" — The night fight — The bay- onet — Hand to hand struggle — Clubbed rifles and fists — Capture the XII cont:^ivts. page. CUAPrn^ X.YI— Continued 388-414 colors of the Sixth Alabama— Laurel Hill — Alsop's Farm — At Spindler's — The Brock Road — Death on every side — Cut off — Run the gauntlet — Our brother's narrow escape — A close shave — Rescue from the rifle pits — " Go in and win, U. S.," say I!— Jericho's Mills— The No. Aima— A "Fine Regiment "—Lead the divig,ion— On the skirmish line— The battle— Defeat A. P. Hills' Corps— Across Pamunkey River — Foraging — "Now for the grandest opportunity of the war!" — Stragglers to be fired at — A rebel commissary — "I would not lose the chance of going through the battles yet to come." CHAPTER XVII 415-444 From the Pamunksy to Petersburg. Totopotomoy Creek — Bethesda Church — Cold Harbor — "I am not afraid to die, even suddenly upon the battlefield" — The fear of a non-professor — "I trust all feel as Ido" — "lamfuUofthatspiritthatleadstoultimatevictory" — "Am full of fight; depend on it, I shall weather the storm" — "Heroes they are, and lasting be the chaplets of memory that we all do gladly weave o'er the places of their burial." — "Oh! the sorrowing families at home'' — Correspondents, and their work — Firing all along the line — "There is evidently a movement on foot" — Meeting of the "Veterans'' — "Last night was big with events" — "Death of the Veterans" — Captain "Joe" Baxter killed — "The bullets are flying thick'' — Ed's body is in plain sight" — Hendricks — "Skiving" — "I shall vote for 'Abe' if I live" — "What a gathering of human souls" — "All the boys are well, and are ready to go where Grant says" — ^'isil to the "Heavies" — Picket firing — On the move — "It was a slaughter for naught" — March to Petersburg — Supporting the Ninth Corps — Charge of the Fifth Corps — Cap-, ture of Petersburg and Norfolk Railroad — "I must still run the bloody gaunt- let" — "I am still in the land of the living" — "Shall we be spared?" — Support the Second Corps. CHAPTER XVIII 445-471 The Siege of Petersburg — Battle of the Mine or Crater. "Only a fragment is left, shall we be spared?" — Moving shanties — "Shame to any young man now at home, if he does not rush to arms!" — Bountiful sup- plies — "Still we lie in the trenches doing nothing all day long" — Deserters — Night alarms — "The Rebel army can't stand such drafts long" — The covered ways — "I have built me a triangular redoubt" — A close call — "I am a perfect soldier now" — The "Petersburg Express" — A prairie-dog village — A picket shot instead of the familiar clock tick^-" It came when danger was around about me" — "You must finish these bomb proofs to-night!" — Cramp colic — "You have saved my life !" — "Elliott's Salient"— Explosion of the"Mine ' ' — "I shouted for joy!" — Mismanagement — "Our works swarmed with men" — "A division that could retake and hold the works " — ''People at home ought never to despair of the Republic"— A romance of "Elliott's Salient." CHAPTER XIX 472-489 City Point — The Sunny Side of Army Life. A "soft job " — A sudden change — Explosion of the ammunition barges — Horrible scenes — U. S. Sanitary Commission — Life at City Point— "No peace until the South yields obedience to the law" — -"Our detail at City Point alone kept the cork in the bottle" — The U. S. C. C. — Christianity vs. Bravery — "Down with CONTENTS. xiii Page. CHAPTER XIX— Continued 472-489 'Mac,' and up with 'Abe' and 'Andy'"— A " Tenderfoot "—The "Bull Pen' — Capture of deserters — "Job's comforters" — "Every American citizen should vote " — " These ignoble sons who have remained at home during the war ' ' — Pre- paring to start home — "We shall start next Wednesday morning at 10 o'clock" — " I shall see John before I go" — "How I pity all at the forefront to-night" — "All we want is peace, but upon the terms of union, and obedience to the laws and constitution" — A visit to the front — Oh! sad parting — Farewell! CHAPTER XX 490-509 Thb Capture op Petersburg. Boydon plank road — Hatcher's Run — Burgess' Mill — "Weldon Raid" — Second Hatcher's Run — Capture' of Petersburg — Swinging to the left — Cutting off Lee's retreat — ^Appomattox — Marching back — Lincoln's assassination — Through Richmond — Again at Spottsylvania — Fredericksburg — The old battle- fields^Shell and bullet swept — Ghastly sights — Bailey's Cross Roads — The grand review — Garrisoning the forts again — Muster out — Reflections — An epitaph — "Well done, good and faithful servants'' — Duty to God, country, and to fellow man — Education of children — The End. THE THIRTEENTH MAINE. 203 shots as they advanced, they swept back the skirmish line, and then, in what appeared to be three lines of battle, rushed upon Emory's di- vision. Dwight's brigade with- held their fire till the enemy had crossed the creek, and were rising the slope : then they delivered as fine a volley as was ever fired upon the drill ground. The crash was terrific. The enemy's front line became a windrow of dead and wounded, and their battle yells were changed to shrieks and groans. Dwight's brigade instantly reloaded, and commenced a rapid and accu- rate firing at will, and although the other lines of the enemy came up, and for a time struggled desperate- ly to gain ground, but few of them passed that row of dead and wounded, while the few who passed it soon fell, or went back. They soon saw that it was useless to face that sheet of flame, and desisting from their front attack, attempted movements by the flanks. They first tried the left flank, but were quickly repulsed by Benedict's brigade. They then made an at- tempt upon the right flank, which was held by a small brigade of par- tially disorganized and badly dis- couraged cavalrj-. The Thirteenth Maine, and the Forty -seventh Pennsylvania, which had, till then, been lying down in the rear of Dwight's brigade, were moved by the right flank into the woods to re- pel the attack. A brigade of dis- mounted cavalry, according to the enemy's own account, made the at- tack at this point, but they were repulsed and held at bay until dark, when they fell back. The battle was over. As the twilight deepened into darkness, nothing could be heard in our front but the groans of those of the ene- my who, too severely wounded to go to the rear without assistance, were lying where they fell. Pick- ets were thrown out to guard against surprise, the detail from the Thirteenth being three men from Jeremiah Osgood, Company E, Thirteenth Maine Infantry. each company, and the men, wearied by their hurried march and the fierce excitement of the battle, lay down with their weapons in their hands. The Thirteenth had at last faced the enemy upon a real battlefield, and had done its part in his repulse. In helping foil the flank movement it had performed a most essential service, and proba- bly saved Emory's division from sharing the fate of Ransom's gal- lant detachment of the Thirteenth corps ; for Ransom's men had bravely repulsed all attacks in their 204 FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. front, and had only been beaten field in spite of the obstructed road ; because their flanks had been who snatched victory from the jaws turned by the enemy's superior force, of defeat; and who saved the reni- For hundreds of families in Louisi- nant of the gallant Thirteenth corps ana and Texas the anniversary of from annihilation. Of the many Sabine Cross Roads, as the battle exciting incidents of the war, none, was called, has since been a day of except General Sheridan's famous mourning. ride, exceeds, in dramatic interest. Although the battle was disgrace- the fierce rush and timely arrival of ful to the general, whoever he was, Emory's division upon the field of responsible for sending the army Sabine Cross Roads, forward in detachments, each liable to be overpowered by a superior force, it was honorable to General Ransom's, men, who fought so bravely without a hope of victory, and doubly honorable to Emory's men, who forced their way to the ' The Nineteenth corps of Yankee boys, Who never yet were beat, Came on the field at double quick, And covered our retreat. Such volleys as their muskets gave We never heard before, — All honor to the Nineteenth boys, — They saved the Thirteenth corps." FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. By Captain Robert Goldthwaite Carter, U. S. Army. INTRODUCTORY. Journals and letters have been lost and memories have been weak- ened. Although an urgent appeal went forth some time since for all soldiers of the armies of the Union to preserve their own personal records for future .reference, very little if any progress has been made, and the individual cases are very rare where the work has been commenced and finished. Some ten years after the war, while on a leave of absence from his regiment — the Fourth U. S. Cavalry, then in Texas, the writer was examining a mass of letters written by his brothers and himself during the War of the Rebellion, which had been carefully preserved by a very thoughtful mother. God bless the mothers of the Republic ! He found them nearly complete. A strong desire, reinforced by a certain sense of duty, prompted him to copy them entire. He was struck very forcibl3' with the idea that a connected journal embodying these letters, together with his own personal recollections, then very fresh and distinct, would not only be the means of preserving their subject matter for future historical reference for himself and family, but would present in a connected form, that which hereafter might FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. 20; afford much pleasure to personal friends and relatives. This has proved true. It was an exceedingly interesting, but extremely difficult and tedious work. Many of these old letters were in lead pencil ; mere scraps of paper, yellow with age ; the rats had begun to make nests, and all were becoming obliterated and destroyed. These appear chrono- logically arranged in several record and letter-books. This was but a beginning. The writer has since managed with much patience, and laboring under many difficulties to connect these letters into a continu- ous narrative, and this has already performed its duty as the basis in part, of a history of the Wilson Regiment — Twenty-second Massa- chusetts Volunteers, but this in- cluded only the impersonal part. These letters were written when we were very young, but they breathe forth but one spirit, that of patriotic deyotion to the cause in which we were engaged, under an ever crushing pressure of danger, exposure, hardship, toil, and priva- tion, unequalled or unsurpassed in the history of any country, and certainly worthy of preservation and recital for many generations to come. Written as they were on the march, upon the battle-field, under fire in the rifle pits, in the sun, rain, snow, and mud — even in the presence of grim death, it is won- derful in our extreme youth, that throughout all there should run such a firm resolve and strict ad- herence to duty when there was so much to discourage our youthful ardor, depress our spirits, and swerve us from the true course. They are not the detailed history of campaigns, of grand strategic movements, or tactics on the field, but rather a simple expression of the personality or personal views and every day experiences of " Four Brothers in Blue,"' and of the large majority of the rank and file of the Army of the Potomac, and of the best intelligence and pure patriotism of its masses. For it was the true intelligent resolve, patriotic fervor, unflinching courage, and unswerv- ing purpose of the rank and file after all, that won the battles of the War of the Rebellion. It is a statistical fact, and of record, that the war was fought and the victory won by the boys of this country. A writer has well said that: — "the average age of the men composing the Union armies, was a little over twenty years, and they were the best soldiers on ' God's foot-stool.'" With a patriot- ism that was heroic, and a heroism that was patriotic, they stood by the flag, and in southern prison pens rotted and starved to death, and were buried like dogs, but they never went back on " Old Glory ! " Their bones are dust, Their good swords rust, Their souls are with the saints we trust. At Shiloh, Stone River, Gettys- burg, Vicksburg, in the damp shades of the Wilderness, on countless other fields of strife they fell, and a great nation remembers them, 206 FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. and will, so long as a loyal man or woman remains to strew their graves with flowers. These four brothers were born in Bridgeton, Cumberland Co., Maine, and were descended in a direct line from families of soldiers. The Car- ters and Hamlins on the paternal side had done splendid service in both the Colonial and Continental armies. Captain Eleazer Hamlin and three sons, Europe, Africa, and America, served throughout the Revolutionary war, while the Goldthwaite ancestors on the mater- nal side had been in the Colonial service; three brothers. Colonel Thomas, Colonel Joseph, and Cap- tain Benjamin, and three nephews. Captain Philip, Major Joseph, and Dr. Michael Burrill Goldthwaite ; Colonel Joseph G. and Captain Benjamin G. having been present at the Siege of Louisburg, and in Jan- uary, i747i the latter commanded the English forces after the death of Colonel Noble in battle with the French at Minas, Nova Scotia. In 1847, the brothers removed to Portland, Me. ; all their young boy- hood days therefore were passed in that beautiful, forest citv bv the sea. Their father was active in politics, and was for ten years or more the editor of the Portland Advertiser, then the leading Whig paper in the state ; he was also intimately asso- ciated at that time with William Pitt Fessenden, Hannibal Hamlin, the Washburns, James G. Blaine, and others in the formation of the Republican party. In 1857, the family removed to Bradford, Mass., and here the war found the brothers somewhat scat- tered. We were living during stirring times and amid stormy scenes, and at a time when boys of our age guided by the superior judg- ment and wisdom of our parents, and reading the current events in the daily newspapers, soon be- came familiar with all the politi- cal phrases of that period. Our minds, notwithstanding our extreme youth, soon became familiar with such phrases as the Missouri Com- promise, the Dred Scott Decision, the Free Soil Struggle, Border Ruffians, Bleeding Kansas, etc. We had read " Uncle Tom's Cabin." One of us when but ten years of age, had seen the fugitive slave, Thomas Sims, delivered up to his southern owners, and escorted through the crowded streets of Bos- ton to the vessel which was to bear him back to the doom of servitude. We had read with much eager- ness, the accounts of the first Republican convention at Philadel- phia, which nominated John C. Fremont for president in 1856, for our father was a delegate from Maine with James G. Blaine, and occupied the same room with him. We had followed with still greater interest, the Douglas-Lincoln joint debates — those famous sermons, which had at last pricked the consciences, and aroused the sober- minded people of the North, to such a wonderful sense of the wrong of slavery, and what a diabolical and infamous crime it was — this bon- FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. 207 dage of human beings formed in the image of God. We had heard the bells tolling their mournful notes when John Brown met his fate so heroically at Charlestown, W. Va., and his soul went marching on. All these events came crowding along in rapid suc- cession to shape our characters and guide our actions for the future. We had not, however, during this exceedingly eventful period, given expression in writing to even our crude ideas of all that was passing, and it was not until the nomination of Abraham Lincoln for president in i860, that these slumbering thoughts were given vent, and our ideas found free scope on paper. Many very interesting letters now occur. At this time one of the brothers was about completing his course at the U. S. Military Academy at West Point, having been appointed a cadet from the First Cong. Dis- trict of Maine, (Portland.) At no place in the country did feeling run so high or conviction seem so strong that there would be war, as among the cadets at the National academy. The Southern cadets were purely representative, or mostly from the distinctive classes of their section, were in constant communication with their friends, and many a "straw" was flung to the breeze, showing which way the wind blew, long before the slow minds of the Northern masses, deeply engrossed in commercial pursuits, everything but politics, had grasped the situa- tion or were aware that there was any strong movement for secession or the dismemberment of the Union. The Southerners were carefully instructed what to do, how to de- port themselves, when to resign ; and as there was no attempt to restrain their ardor, the Northern cadets were, in consequence, kept fully posted as to the strongly grow- ing sentiment. While the conser- vative politicians at the North were calmly considering the " ways and means" for avoiding war, and grasping at any and all methods for a compromise- — whether honorable or otherwise, the Southern cadets knew that their " kin " were eagerly preparing for war, and with no thought of compromise. Our young cadet's letters are full of the excitement under which he was now laboring. As early as November, i860, just on the eve of election, Abraham Lincoln was hung in effigy with a negro wench on a large tree directly in front of the barracks. Several Southern cadets 'sent in their resignations, and all Southerners were wearing the " cockade." Bv December 2, six had already resigned, and every one had his resignation ready, hav- ing become convinced that disunion was a sure thing, and only awaited further development to hand them in. On December 14, Cadet F. of Louisiana received a letter from the governor of that state, informing him that it was certain, and for him, F., and all other cadets from that state, to regulate their conduct by 208 FOUR BROTHEJiS IN BLUE. that of Major Beauregard, the new superintendent " that is to be." On the afternoon of the 2Qth, Cadets B. and K. left for Alabama. The entire class, and many of the first and third accompanied them to the ferry boat. Both were extremely popular in the corps of cadets, and deservedly so, both expressed much regret at parting, but they knew that Alabama was to secede, and their parents wished them to take this course. They left the Mess hall amidst cheers and stamping of feet, and as they opened the door both cried out "God bless you, fellows!" and when they left West Point for gar- risons across the river, they were borne on the shoulders of their classmates, and both shed tears. Word then came from this brother, " I believe we are to have civil war, I do not see how it can be avoided ; how or where it will end I know not ! " January i, 1861, he says : " Do n't you think things begin to look like war? I don't know whether it's our military training, or what it is, but we are all firm believers that the difficul- ties now existing between the two sections of the country, are sure to drag us into a civil war. I do n't see how the president can consider their recent acts in any other light than an open declaration of war." Washington's birth-day was cele- brated by the band playing at reveille and tattoo. The Northern cadets heard that it was the inten- tion of the Southerners to hiss Yan- kee Doodle and the Star Spangled Banner. When the band therefore entered the -'arena," every window was filled with heads, some singing out — "Play Dixie," while others shouted — "Star Spangled Banner and Yankee Doodle." The band struck up Yankee Doodle, and such a cheering and clapping of hands was heard as to drown any hisses that may have been made. On the 13th of April when the news of the bombardment of Fort Sumter was announced, he says : " Nobody can begin to describe the deep feeling which has prevailed among men who have the least spark of patriotism or love of country. We, as young guards of the Republic, feel this terrible state of affairs d-eeply, and will willingly take our places b}'' the side of older officers, and fight to the death for the flag of our country. This is no idle talk for we are very soon to be called upon to prove our devotion to the flag. If war continues, and I do not see how it can honorably do otherwise, I have no doubt but that my class will graduate in June, and every one of us proceed to join our regiments without even going to our homes. "We are ready for it, and al- though 3'oung, will do our best, and if Providence wills it that we be cut off early, let it be. We will die honorably, and ask eighteen millions of freemen at the North to avenge us." He graphically describes an in- cident which occurred between Cadet R., who had resigned, and old Professor M., about vyhose loy- FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. 2 0g alty there had been some doubtful and in his letters had, by a sudden rumors. The cadet went to the and apparently over-conservatism, professor to obtain his signature to incurred the displeasure of a a voucher, and upon leaving, ex- tended his hand ; the old professor straightened himself up and said : "No, Mr. R., I cannot take your hand, you are going to aid in break- ing up one of the best governments the world ever saw, to aid in tramp- younger brother who had criticised him in the severest manner. But after the uncalled for attack upon Fort Sumter his sentiments seemed to have suddenly under- gone a revulsion, for he says, " I suppose I am like all Northern men ling in the dust the purest and best at present, but my teelings have flag ever cast to the wind, and I undergone a great change within cannot even wish you prosperity the last month. At first I was for and happiness. Good morning, sir." compromising everything but na- After that there was no further tional honor. I was in favor of doubt of the intense loyalty of Pro- throwing aside all parties, all plat- fessor M. forms, and doing everything to The Southern element had up to save our beloved country from dis- the overt act of war, and the whole- union, rebellion, and anarchy. I sale resignation of the Southern cadets, been dominant at the Mili- tary academy. The habits, tastes, feelings, and sentiments of the Northern cadets had, for many years, leaned toward their more outspoken, fiery, and impulsive classmates, and if any one in the corps of cadets had the courage of conviction to speak his sentiments boldly in favor of " a more perfect union," or de- nied the right of further encroach- ment of the slave power, he was at once designated as an "abolition- ist," and a number of instances could be recorded where this young even went so far as to believe that the North owed some compromise, and actually had encroached upon Southern rights, and was too grasp- ing. I even went so far that my own brother accused me of being recreant to my early teachings, or, in other words, was a Northern man with Southern principles. God spare the mark! As though they ever had any. But, I take all back now and humbly ask forgiveness for my seeming doughfacedness." The superintendent of the Mili- tary academy at this time was Gen- eral Richard Delafield ; the com- cadet from the conservative state of mandant was Colonel John F. Rey- Maine had to maintain his opinions nolds, afterwards commanding the in the " fistic arena," and by a dis- First corps, and killed while lead- play of cool pluck and sheer ing his corps into battle at Gettys- strength of muscle. burg July i, 1863. Lieutenants He had, however, tried to recon- Saxon, Dodge, Williams, and cile his feelings and opinions to a McCook commanded respectively better state of things in the future, the cadet companies A, D, C, and 2IO FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. B, and were all distinguished offi- cers during the war, as were many of the instructors and assistant pro- fessors then on duty at the academy. General Fitzhugh Lee and General Charles Field on duty in cavalry were both distinguished major-gen- erals in the Confederate army. At length after stating in one of his letters that — " It is hard to study here under such intense excite- ment," chafing under the restraints that kept him there after one class had already graduated in Ma}', and commenting upon the Battle of Big Bethel, and the death of his beloved instructor, Lieutenant John Grebble of the artiller}', killed in that battle ; after wading through what he thought were many trials and tribu- lations about uniform, equipments, etc., and passing a successful ex- amination, he announced the fact that "This is the last time I shall sign m}' name Eugene Carter, U. vS. C. C." With his tin case con- taining his academic diploma he emerged from the military academy a full fledged brevet second lieuten- ant, and started for Washington, June 29, 1861. He was assigned to the Eighth U. S. Infantry, but as his regiment was then held in Texas as prisoners of war he was ordered to report to Brigadier-Gen- eral Joseph K. F. Mansfield for duty in drilling newly arrived vol- unteer regiments, and was detached to drill the Sixteenth New York, Colonel Davis. At 4 a. m. he went daily to East Capitol street where the regiment was encamped, and with an other officer, a class-mate, gave them a drill of two hours, and again in the evening at 4 p. m., each drilling a battalion of about four hundred and fifty men. General McDowell's troops were crossing the river daily, however, and the young officer chafed at the monotony of the drill, especiall}' as a "big fight" was expected, and eight of his class-mates had already left their quarters at the Ebbitt house and accompanied General McDowell as aids, or had been attached to Sherman's and the West Point Light Battery (Griffin's.) But at last on the evening of July 10, he received orders to re- port to General McDowell, and the same night started, taking one suit of clothes, two flannel shirts, four under shirts, five white shirts, (with- out bosoms), one pair of thick boots, one pair of blankets, one Colt's revol- ver, handkerchiefs, socks, brush, comb, note paper, some Seidlitz powders, cholera pills, etc. THE SIXTH REGIMENT OF CAVAIRY. 305 of such excellent men as composed the ranks of the Sixth Cavalry. Subsequent to the close of hos- tilities, the adjutant-general's office not having given proper credit to the regiment for its services in bat- tle, General Sheridan sent to the War Department the following communication, which is cherished as a manly and characteristic ac- tion on the part of that great leader : " I take this occasion to strongly urge that justice be done the Sixth Cavalry, and that the battles as given in the within order issued by me ... be credited to this regiment on the next army regis- ter, so that its record, or so much of it as is permitted in the army register, may be in a measure cor- rect and complete. In the follow- ing battles the Sixth Cavalry fought under my personal super- vision, viz. : Wilderness, Todd's Tavern, Furnaces, Spottsylvania Court House, Yellow Tavern, Meadow Bridge, Winchester, Fisher's Hill, Cedar Creek, Five Forks, Dinwiddle C. H., Clover Hill, Sailor's Creek, and Appoma- tox Court House." The records of casualties during the Rebellion show 7 officers killed, 53 men killed in action and 53 other deaths ; 122 wounded in action, and 17 by accident: 438 missing, most of these being captured at Fairfield and in other charges, — making a total of 689 enlisted men. The regiment participated in the following actions during the war : 1862. Williamsburg, May 4, Slaters- ville. May 9, New Kent C. H., May II, New Bridge, May 20, Me- chanicsville. May 24, Hanover C. H., May 27, Ashland, June 16, Black Creek, June 26, Malvern Hill, August 5, Falls Church, Sep- tember 5, Sugar Loaf Mountain, Md., September 13, Petersville, Md., September 15, Charlestown, September 28, Hillsboro, Septem- ber 29, Waterford, October i, Charlestown, October 8, Philamont, November i, Uniontown, Novem- ber 2, Upperville, November 3, Barber's Cross Roads, November 5, Amosville, November 7-8, Sul- phur Springs, November 17, Fredericksburg, December 12. 1863. Beverly Ford, June 9, Benton's Mill, June 17, Middleburg, June 2X, Upperville, June 21, Fairfield (Gettysburg), Pa., July 3, Wil- liamsport, Md., July 6, Funkstown, Md., July 7, Boonesboro, Md., July 8-9, Funkstown, Md., July 10, Brandy Station, September 13, Culpepper, October 11, Brandy Station, October 11, Robertson's Tavern, November 27, Mine Run, November 28-29. 1864. Wilderness, May 5-6, Todd's Tavern, May 7> Spottsylvania C. H., May 9, Yellow Tavern, May 11, Meadow Bridge, May 12, Sa- lem Church, May 28, Old Church, 3o6 FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. May 30, Trevilian Station, June 11-12, Dabney's Mill, June 29, Deep Bottom, August i, Berry- ville, August 16, Winchester, Sep- tember 19, Fisher's Hill, Septem- ber 20, Cedar Creek, October 19. 1865. Five Forks, March 30, Dinwid- die C. H., March 31, Five Forks, April I, Sailor's Creek, April 6, Appomatox Station, April 8, Clov- er Hill, April 9. FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. THE BATTLE OF BULL RUN. By Captain Robert GoUthwaite Carter., U. S. Army. [Conlinued from page no.] In dim lead pencil, on the two sides of four small visiting-cards, now in the possession of the writer, written from Arlington by our brother, but recently graduated from West Point, occurs the fol- lowing brief description of his experience in this, his first battle : "Thank God! I am alive! I commanded a company alone at. Bull ]iun from eleven until five. We were the last to leave the field, and were very near being cut off. Kent — acting captain of my com- pany — was wounded in the leg and foot when we first came on the field. I sent him to the rear, and took command myself. I lost one corporal and nine men ; the former was shot through the heart, and fell by my side. We had marched twelve miles without food and scarcely any water. Do n't believe anything you hear ! We were whipped, and it ended in a total rout. Our battalion of regulars could only be kept together by the most superhuman efforts of our officers. We had to keep out of the road, so that our retreat could not be observed. We marched twelve miles, resting half an hour, and started for our old encamp- ment, which we reached about 8 o'clock the next morning. Our march in all was forty-eight miles — besides fighting from eleven until five — in forty-eight hours. The West Point Battery, suffered ter- ribly, losing forty men, most of their horses, and five pieces — no officers. We had two officers wounded, and would have lost all, had we not taken the precaution to lie flat on our bellies while we were supporting the Rhode Island bat- tery. The large rifle balls struck a few inches above us. You will hear great stories about the bravery of this and that regiment of volun- teers, but believe me, most of them acted like cowards in my division. I was on a hill and saw them, and had it not been for our Regular batteries, the whole army would have been taken prisoners or killed. FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. 307 When we first went into action, oui" men — who are mostly recruits — seemed inclined to back out, but we stationed ourselves behind them and threatened to shoot the first man that turned. We then talked to them, told them they were con- sidered the mainstay of the brigade, and finally, afi;er having rested a little (although still under fire), we moved up in very good style. " I am completely worn out; my bedding all lost on the road, but my baggage all up. I wore the same underclothes for one week, and they were perfectly filthy when I changed. I was perfectly cool throughout the action, and never thought of myself a moment. I saw the dead and wounded lying about me, without the slightest feeling, and saw my corporal shot dead by my side without a single tear. I knew I had great responsi- bility resting upon me, and I knew if I flinched the least my command was ruined. I feel quite well this morning, and after a good dinner, which is being prepared, I will be all right again. "AfFec. your son, "E. C. "U. S. A." Although he had been regularly assigned to the Eighth U. S. Infan- try upon graduation, he had, on account of the Eighth being then held prisoners of war in Texas, been temporarily attached to Com- pany B, Third U. S. Infantry (Lieutenant J. F. Kent), in the little Battalion of Regulars, under the command of that gallant soldier. Major George Sykes, Fourteenth Infantry, afterward a major-gen- eral, commanding the Fifth Army Corps. It was composed of Com- panies C and G of the Second, — B, D, G, H, of the Third, and G of the Eighth U. S. Infantry, Captain Nelson H. Davis, Second Infantry, acting major. Few of the officers had had but little expe- rience in the field, being for the most part either fresh from West Point or civil life. This battalion, which General Beauregard has since the war characterized — "a small but incomparable body of Regular Infantry," formed a part of the First Brigade (Andrew Por- ter), Second Division (David Hun- ter). The troops comprising the remainder of this brigade, were a battalion of seven companies of regular cavalry belonging to the First and Second regiments, and Second Dragoons, under the com- mand of Major Innis Palmer ; a battalion of marines under Major Reynolds; the Eighth, Fourteenth, and Twenty-seventh N. Y. state militia, and Captain Charles Grif- fin's Battery of the Fifth U. S. Artillery (West Point Battery). The regulars, militia, and volun- teers preserved their distinctive names, and to a certain extent their uniforms. The Fourteenth Brook- lyn wore a semi-zouave uniform ; the Twelfth New York wore the full dress hat of the regulars, while some of the Wisconsin and Minne- sota troops were uniformed in grey. In a letter, dated July 16, our young officer says, — 3o8 FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. "We march at 3 p. ni., with three days' rations and nothing but our arms and blankets ; our desti- nation is Fairfax ; the whole line moves. We will march about six miles to-day, five miles to-morrow, and then fight. Fairfax has been reinforced by about 12,000 rebels, and we expect to have a good time. The Fourteenth N. Y. Zouaves will deploy as skirmishers, and we have the 'post of honor' — the right. I am second in command of my company. I hope all will turn out well. It will be some time before you hear from me again, and perhaps never." G. O. No. 17, Headquarters Department of N. E. Virginia, Arlington, July 16, 1861, read as follows : "The Second Division (Hunter's) will leave their camps in light marching order, and go on the Columbia turnpike as far as the Little River turnpike, but not to cross it, the Second Brigade (Burn- side's) leading. The Second Divi- sion (Hunter's) will, after the road shall be cleared of the Fifth Divi- sion, move on the direct road to Fairfax Court House by the Little River Turnpike." The account of what follows is in his own language, written from his journal after the battle. "As you wish very much to have me give you some of my experi- ences in the campaign of Bull Run I will strike out this evening. I will begin from the time we left Arlington. Major Sykes received orders to hold himself in readiness to march at 3 o'clock on the i6th. We brought up the rear of Colonel Porter's brigade. We were con- siderably harassed by the baitings made by the volunteers in front of us, and slept in a field by the road- side. Up bright and early the next morning ; got my servant to bring me some water in a canteen ; washed ; cleaned my teeth ; brushed my hair ; looked at my pocket looking-glass ; and ate a sumptu- ous breakfast, composed of hard bread and half-boiled tongue. We started on our march at 8 o'clock. Did not make much headway on account of continued stops ; reached Fairfax about 12 o'clock; found it occupied by Miles's brigade and a portion of Heintzelman's. Volun- teers conducted themselves in a most shocking manner ; broke open stores and scattered the contents in the streets ; killed all the pigs and poultry they could find ; robbed the bee-hives : dug all the new pota- toes they could get from the gar- dens ; broke open houses ; stole the sweet meats, etc. "Regular officers went to Mc- Dowell and complained, telling him they would tender their resig- nations if it was not stopped. Flad a stampede the first night. All under arms except our regiment. We told our men to lie low or they would get shot by the volunteers. Started the next morning towards Centerville ; had a long, tedious march in the hot sun ; reached our camping-place about 7 o'clock ; took a bite, and went to bed on our oil cloths and blankets (and I had FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. 3°9 an India rubber pillow) ; slept soundly until 12 o'clock, when we were stampeded. Our men re- ceived the customary command to lie down and go to sleep, as it was a false alarm. Some of the volun- teers actually formed a line of bat- tle, and marched to the woods and fired three rounds at the trees, and then deployed skirmishers. " Somebody fired a gun, and the fusilade commenced. One of the officer's ' strikers,' who was leis- urely crossing the camp-ground at this moment, apparently oblivious that anything unusual was going on, suddenly had his march arrest- ed by Captain Dodge, wlio shouted : ' Lie down, you d — d fool ! ' which he proceeded to obey ' instantly.' He had been taught to obey orders, but not to avoid friendly bullets in an enemy's country. " Our mess chests arrived the next day (and we had taken good care to fill them well before start- ing). We had flour, tea, coff'ee, sugar, pickles, sardines, boiled ham, nice loaf bread, molasses, butter, and all our mess furniture, consisting of a table, plenty of crockery, and pots to cook in. Of course we lived well now, and be- sides we bought cake on the road. The next day was extremely warm, and our men built booths of bushes for us, which were very comforta- ble. We heard of Tyler's foolish and headstrong movement with much chagrin, inasmuch as he had been defeated and had not gained a single point, and had ventured the move in spite of all the written protests of Major Barnard and others, who were chief engineers of the Army of the Potomac. " Went and took a bath in the afternoon ; had no clean clothes to put on ; old ones perfectly filthy. Band played in the evening ' Home, Sweet Home,' and many other airs. " Next' morning, the regiment was formed into a hollow square to witness the flogging of two de- serters, who had been sentenced by a general court martial. Fifty lashes were well laid on with a raw-hide ; a letter ' D ' one and a half inches long branded on one, and the same on the other, with the addition of a large 'W' on his hip. They stood it well. Volunteers were shocked at such a spectacle. One inquired of an ofliicer of the Third Infantry, — ' If I should de- sert, would I receive such punish- ment?' The reply was, — 'No; you would be shot ! ' Note. — This was the last flog- ging ever witnessed in the regular army, but not the last branding. " Our camp was nearly the same until we received orders to hold ourselves in readiness to march at 2 o'clock on the morning of the 2ist. We then knew there was a fight ahead. I forgot one thing : The first night we were in camp a volunteer captain came to Major Sykes, and said our supply train had been cut off" by the enemy's cavalry. Major Sykes immediately detailed three companies, and Col- onel Porter sent one company of cavalry to retake them. My com- 310 FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. pany. was one of the number. I looked at my pistol, bid Ferris good-bye, and started, ready for anything that might turn up. We marched about a mile, and met our train safe and sound. If we had caught ' Mr. Voluntario ' we would have pulled his nose." An officer, who was with the battalion on this day's march — a hot and dusty one — relates that "A private belonging to some militia or volunteer organization ahead, passed the regulars at a ' double quick' on his way to the front. Like many others commencing this campaign, he had literally packed himself, and appeared — besides his rifle, equipments, etc. — to carry an assorted cargo of ' a little of every- thing.' As he passed, with pots, dippers, etc., rattling, he turned a jolly red face towards the column, and exclaimed, 'Lord, Jee ! but I wish 't I was a mule ! ' The roars of laughter that followed seemed greatly to refresh and speed him on his way." " We had cofitce made for us be- fore we started, for it was a bitter cold morning. We drank sundry cups full and started on the march, or, as I thought, some secret expe- dition. But all the volunteer bands commenced to play patriotic airs, and they would cheer like wild de- mons. We marched quite fast un- til we got to Centerville, and there made quite a long halt. Tyler's division moved on in advance, and then came Heintzelman's and Hun- ter's divisions, we bringing up the rear of the whole. Our march was long and hot, but we knew that we were going to have a fight, and the excitement kept us in good cheer. "We passed Cub Creek bridge, and left Tyler. He went straight ahead, and we took a direction to our right, something like this (sketch). As we turned off, we heard firing ahead, and concluded that Tyler was engaged. As soon as we got about a mile from where we branched off. Major Sykes halted our regiment, and caused them to load their muskets. He then made them a short speech, cautioning them to keep from get- ting excited, and to fire low. He told them that they were regulars, and were regarded as the mainstay of the brigade. He called his offi- cers about him, and told them that he had every confidence in us, al- though most of us had never been in action. He told us to keep our companies well in hand and make them ' fire low.' We then started, and had a long march through the woods, on the Sudley and New- market road, over a very good road. When we arrived within two miles of Bull Run, we were marched into a large field, and the men took off their blankets and laid them in a pile, and the bands were left to guard them. We then forded a creek (Young's branch, near the intersection of the War- renton turnpike with the Sudley road), and marched very rapidly until we came in sight of the field. The first thing I saw was a man stretched out dead, with his head shot nearly away. FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. 311 "We could see the Rhode Island battery firing and see the return shots from the rebel battery. We marched in this direction by fours, and came behind the two Rhode Island regiments. We met Burn- side and he ran towards us, saying, Good God ! Major Sykes, you regulars are just what we want : form on my left and give aid to my men who are being cut to pieces !' We formed on the right by file into line on the run, the Rhode Island- ers cheering and exciting our men. "As soon as we were formed, we commenced firing, and the rebels did not like the taste of our long range rifles. Our men fired badly ; they were excited, and some of the recruits fired at the stars. There was some confusion, but we imme- diately formed line of battle and marched across the field in splen- did order for about forty rods. We were then wheeled by company to the right, to gain a wood on our right, but immediately took our men out of column of companies by the command, ' Right flank, by file left ! ' As we got to the edge of the wood we observed a white flag upon a sword, held by some one lying down. We went to the spot and found Colonel Jones of one of the Alabama regiments mortally wounded. He asked for a drink of water, which we gave him.. He asked what we intended to do, and we told him to whip them. He said, ' Gentlemen, j-ou have got tne, but a hundred thousand more await you ! ' Note. — This was Colonel Eg- bert Jones of the Fourth Alabama. Just previous to the battle he had been requested to resign by his regiment on account of some tri- fling misunderstanding. He de- clined to do so, but told his men that if they would wait until after the battle he would then resign if they still demanded it. During the battle he sat on his horse and gave his orders with great coolness and deliberation, exciting the admira- tion and enthusiasm of his men. While in this position, a ball struck him in the thigh near the hip : it ranged down the marrow of his bone to the knee. He survived several weeks, and died at Orange Court House, Va. He was an im- mensely large man, being 6 ft. 3 in. in height. — Brewer's Hist, of Ala. "We went through the woods, which were about twenty rods long and full of dead bodies, and then turned to our left and formed line again. We were here fired upon by two regiments, and many of our men fell. Kent was wounded here. We fell back into the woods, and the men all laid down for fifteen minutes. We then received orders to support the Rhode Island bat- tery, which was brought up to where we had fallen back from a few moments before. " We formed upon their left flank, and immediately received a shower of shell, grape, and canis- ter from the rebel batteries. The crest of the hill protected us in a great degree, but we were obliged to lie flat upon our faces for one hour, and all the time hearing the rifle balls, etc., flying in close prox- imity to our heads, and not infre- 312 FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. quently seeing a few rolling about 'ing could save them. We formed among the men. line of battle, and then deployed " The Rhode Island battery had them as skirmishers. We fired into as brave men to manage it as I a regiment about five hundred yards would wish to see, but they did no from us, but stopped immediately execution. I did not see the ele- as they carried the American flag. vating screw touched ; neither did I see a pendulum hausse, nor a tangent scale. They would fire, allow the guns to recoil, load again, push them up to the crest of the hill, and pull away in the direction of the battery which was firing upon us. After they had ceased firing, we rose up and stood still for a few moments, watching the Sixty-ninth and Fourteenth New York Volunteers. The Sixty-ninth had got into a battery, and our flag was waving from its parapet ; the Fourteenth was marching to sup- port them. Presently we saw four We saw our mistake very quickly when they joined three other regi- ments carrying the rebel flag, and gave them a dose of lead they will long remember. We are very cer- tain that a private in Company G killed General Barnard E. Bee, who, by the way, was a very dear friend of Major Sykes. " We found that our troops were all leaving the field, and that we were being surrounded. One or two squadrons of cavalry were try- ing to get on our flank, but we formed square so quickl}^ that they became convinced who we were. or five regiments deploy in front of and kept out of range of our rifles." the woods, where they had been NoTE.-It is related that when held m reserve, and march to at- the battalion first " formed square," tack our men; terrific firing then one of the men in grey, in the small commenced, and lasted five or ten company which had joined it (be mmutes. " We then saw the American flag waver, and its supporters turned and fled, apparentl}' ' all cut up.' No two men went the same way, but covered the field with flying fugitives. We then marched over lieved to be from Minnesota), who was apparently six and a half feet in height and slim in proportion, when he saw the enemy getting around them, jumped up in the air, and exclaimed frantically, — I' They 're Jlinking us, they 're'try- ing^to flinik us ! " He wore a sort of Shako, that had, on account of towards the hill on our right (the ,, being loo "l^^e fo^kim, slij^ed plateau where the Henry and Rob inson houses were), where these regiments were retreating to, and tried to form them, or at least to cover their retreat. One companj^ formed, and joined our little regi- ment and did good service, but the rest were panic stricken and noth- to the back of his head, and he presented such an outre appearance as to cause the men to laugh out- right. "By that time one of their bat- teries had got our range, and was plying us with round shot and rifle. We now saw that every regiment FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. 313 had left the field, and our chances for safety were very slim. We formed line of battle, and faced by the rear rank, and then pushed for ' Sawyer s.' " We were followed for three miles by a battery of rifled cannon, and the music the shots made about our ears was anything but amus- ing. We kept together admirably, but we were surrounded by fugi- tives. We kept away from the road, so that our trail could not be followed by our dust. " We were threatened by cavalry twice, but we were put into the woods, and cavalry are good for nothing there. Well, we reached Centerville, and went into a little field or garden and rested for twenty minutes. We held a ' coun- cil of war, 'and told the major we would surely be cut off" at> Fairfax if we did not get back there soon. We immediately called our men to attention and started on the march, and continued until we arrived at our old camping place, one mile and a half from Centerville. We were bound to stay there for a lit- tle while, for we could not go on : our feet and legs refused to do duty, ' fairly mutinied,' and charges have been preferred against them since. You remember I had given my rations to a drummer boy in the morning. He returned with my haversack, and Captains Aver- ill, Griffin, Dodge, Douglass, with the assistance of several lieutenants of Griffin's and Sykes's command, gallantly devoured the contents. We discussed the late battle, con- gratulated each other on his safety, and then turned in for the night. We found all our baggage that had been left at Arlington, and I in- dulged in some clean clothes and dry shoes, and besides I had a blanket tied to my carpet bag. "We were called up at twelve, and started again, we bringing up the rear as usual- We marched without halting until we were within ten miles of Arlington. We then halted in a little lane by the road- side. About five o'clock we were again roused up, and started in a drizzling rain, which soon came down in torrents. We reached Arlington about nine, and after my tent was pitched I knew noth- ing for the next twenty-four hours. I send you a portion of Colonel Porter's report. "A few daj's after the battalion was established in camp, President Lincoln, accompanied by General McDowell, came over to review it; in their passage down the line, they drew rein in front of the colors, when the general, turning to Mr. Lincoln, said, ' Mr. President, these are the men who saved 3'our army at Bull Run.' The president, look- ing keenly up and down the line, replied, ' I 've heard of them ! ' "The loss to the battalion, con- sidering the numbers engaged, was heavy, aggregating (killed, wound- ed, and missing) eighty-three. Lieutenants Kent and Dickenson — the latter acting adjutant — were wounded and taken prisoners, as also the surgeon, who remained behind with the wounded. He 314 REUNION OF VETERAN ASSOCIATIONS. belonged to the young officers' Johnston, and reported the prison- mess, and when taken was called ers as well treated but miserabl_V upon to give his parole not to give fed. aid or abet the enemies of the Con- " On the 2d of August our young federate states ; this he refused to officer was ordered, with his com- do, but consented to give his parole pany, to report to General Andrew for five days to take care of the Porter, provost marshal, for duty sick and wounded prisoners. in Washington. On that day he "When his parole was up, no crossed Long Bridge in a drench- notice was taken .of him, and he ing rain, arriving at three o'clock, concluded he would, attempt to At eight p. m., with twenty men, escape. He crossed over the line, he was sent to patrol the city. He and asked the sentinel where to was quartered in Franklin Square, procure some red oak bark. He Wooden barracks were built for was .informed, and he started for the men, while the officers were the Potomac. He travelled at night, placed in furnished houses, for the moon and stars guiding him. which the government paid $165 He struck the Potomac fifteen miles per month. Our young officer was above Washington, procured a flat quartered in a house formerl}- occu- boat from the river side, and with pied by John B. Floyd, ex-secretary one paddle floated down to the of war. Here his duties — hard, rapids a few miles above Washing- constant, and disagreeable — of at- ton. He walked fift}' miles, and tempting to preserve order in the lived upon hard bread and berries, cit}' of Washington after the Battle He saw Generals Beauregard and of Bull Run, commenced." REUNION OF VETERAN ASSOCIATIONS. The annual reunion of the First The meettnfr was called to order Maine Heavy Artillery Association at 3 o'clock bv President Captain was held at Rockland, August 21- George F. Fernald. The records 22. That they were lieartily wel- of the last meeting were read by corned was made manifest to them, Comrade Henry Sellers, and the and all the visitors are loud in voic- report of treasurer received. Tiie ing their praises of the hospitality following resolution was passed : extended to them . ^ Resolved, That the thanks of this After a bountiful dinner served at association be extended to the resi- G. A. R. hall by the Ladies' Relief clent comrades of Edwin Libby Corps and assistants, a few hours ^P^^' ^- ^- ^- '■> ^o the Ladies' Re- were passed in chat, and then the l^^'^oi-ps, and citizens of Rockland, . ui J r ,1, 1 ^'®° '"^ young ladies who helped veterans assembled for the regular to entertain the regiment, for their business meeting. kindly and generous hospitality. ADVENTURES AND INCIDENTS IN A FEB EI PRISON. 37 from the men, and as there are only a few of them compared with the rank and file, perhaps their better educa- tion, and the influence they would exert should the officers who guard them fall into their hands afterwards, and from the courtesy among offi- cers the world over, and many oth- er reasons, made their case much easier. But among the common soldiers, their case, at the best, was deplora- ble. They were starved, crowded, and abused, even with us, to the bit- ter end, and what redress could they get? Had I space, I could relate scores of instances of rebel cruelty. We had among us eleven Free and Accepted Masons, of which I was, luckily, one. We were always used well by our " Praters," and the obli- gations well lived up to. Many were the kindnesses we received, and as far as I know, they did all for us they could. They seemed to be as desirous of finding us out and helping us, as we were to receive their tokens of brotherly love and friendship. Much has been said of the power of this "Ancient Society," and I can say that from my long imprisonment, it has not been overrated. Many a prisoner has escaped, and hundreds helped more than will ever be known. It was fortunate for me, also, that I had some knowledge of medicine, and from my slight knowledge I was enabled to do favors to the guard, especially in one case where a Georgia sergeant, and a South Carolinian, fought a duel. It was thought I saved one's life. From that I had many privileges of parole to go into the for- ests and get wood. You may well believe 1 used this for myself and for my comrades. All exchange of prisoners of war had been stopped for over a year, and General Banks, although defeated, had many prisoners in his hands, and had arranged a cartel, and 1,200 men of his army, prisoners, were sent to the Red river, some 200 miles, for exchange, in midwinter. Thinking their case was sure, before leaving our camp they gave away all they could spare to their chums, left, and started on their long march. They were gone five weeks. The cartel of exchange was revoked; and they came back to our overcrowded camp bare- footed. You can imagine their feel- ings, and ours. Their sufferings were beyond words to express. Many died on the way, hungry. We were all afflicted with body lice and scurvy. God knows how those men, even more than those left in camp, suffered. But, as God willed, in two months they again left (what remained of them) for God's country, with us, forty of the old mess, as I will relate. We had been raised to the highest pitch of hope, and then again de- pressed, so that we sank into a state of almost helplessness. But the time came. We were taken outside, forty- two, the old squad, Butler's men, and paroled, the 1,200 of Banks's men, and finally started on our trip to the Red river, marching 200 miles, tak- ing their dirty old crowded steamer. Sick, ragged, dirty, and almost starv- ing, we bore it patiently. We were allowed much liberty, for who would escape at that time } We had en- joyed very good health, but on the influx of the new prisoners, we be- 38 FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. came afflicted with scurvy, and diar- remiss in iiis kindness to me, and who rhoea, etc., and were a pitiable lot, obtained me a furlough home, which with teeth and gums sore, from which I made the most of and rejoined my many of ushave neverrecovered. I, for regiment, the old Twelfth Maine, at one, lost all my teeth and have none Berryville, on their start up the val- now, nor can I wear- them. ley. I was fortunate, as I had been in I went through that campaign until New Orleans for over a year, and the affair of Cedar Creek. I was by found my dress suit there, and many no means in good health, and that the old comrades and friends, among thirty days' furlough I received from them my captain, Farrington, on Gen- New York city was a bonanza to me, eral Reynolds's staff, who was not can be well imagined. FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. By Captain Robert Goldthwaite Carter, U. S. Army. (CONTINUED.) THE PKOVOST Gtj'AED AND WASHING- TON'S DEFENSES. The provost guard, or "City Guard" of Washington, was comprised of a bat- talion of Regular Infantry, Battery K, Fifth U. S. Artillery, Troops A and E of the Fourth U. S. Cavalry, and the Sturges Rifles (Illinois Vol- unteers). The infantry was practi- cally Sykes's battalion with some changes, and was made up as follows : Company I, First, C and G (perhaps H) of the Second, B, D, G, H, and K of the Third, and G of the Eighth. The companies of the Third and Eighth were quartered in Franklin square, which had been occupied by the Twelfth New York Volunteers, Colonel Daniel Butterfield, the booths or low board barracks being on the north side, with the company streets running north and south. Company I of the First Infantry was quartered near the corner of H and Eighteenth streets. All of the Sec- ond, except H, were located in a large warehouse in Georgetown, known as " Forrest Hall." A, D, and I Companies of the Second Infantry, are reported to have arrived August 5, from the Pacific coast, under Lieutenant-Colonel Hannibal Day, and also taken quarters in " For- rest Hall." — {National Intelligencer.) Colonel Day was made provost-mar- shal of Georgetown. These troops were joined, a few days later, by Company F of the Eighth, and Octo- ber 22, 1 86 1, by B, E, G, and I, of the Tenth Infantry, under Captain N. A. M. Dudley, which were at first located at " Camp Anderson," but afterwards assigned to the quarters at Franklin square. Early in 1862 (about Jan. i) Company I, Ninth Infantry, and Headquarters, and A, D, E, F, G, H, I, and K Companies of the Fourth were on duty with the provost guard, FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. 39 and Jan. 5, 1S62, Companies B and C came from the Pacific coast via the Isthmus of Pananra, and were quar- tered with the balance of the Fourth in Duff Green's Row, on Capitol Hill, and were placed in charge of the Old Capitol prison, besides guard- ing the bridge over the Anacosta river, and patrolling. A part of the Sixth Infantry (D,) was quartered near Judiciary square ; Major George Sykes's quarters were on the north side of K street, facing the square, west of the house afterwards occu- pied by the secretary of war, Edwin M. Stanton, which was next door west of the house now (1896) occu- pied by Senator John Sherman. The line officers occupied houses on the south side of I street, facing the square, and on the east side of Four- teenth, between H and I streets, while some of the bachelors occupied the old "Chain Building" (among them Lieutenants J. A. Snyder and J. A. McCool), which was located on the north side of H street on the southeast corner of an alley leading through from H to I, now the Fredo- nia. All the kitchens, non-commis- sioned officers' mess, etc., were located at the northeast corner of K and Fourteenth streets, where the Ham- ilton House now stands. Our brother, after about August 18, was in the old John B. Floyd house, as stated. This was No. 345 I street (old number), which was, so far as the writer has been able to ascertain, that now (1896), occupied as a dental college, three doors west of the alley which runs from I to H street. The Cen- tral guard-house, which was for the temporary reception of prisoners- ar- rested by the provost guard, and where the officers on daily duty had to remain, was located on the south side of Louisiana avenue, west of Ninth street, about midway in the block of market houses, nearly oppo- site where Harris's or the Bijou thea- tre now stands. Among the officers with their regiments or temporarily attached for duty with the guard, were Major Innis Palmer, Captains D. Davidson, Jesse A. Gove (pro- moted to be Colonel Twenty-second Mass. Vols., killed at Gaines's Mills, June 27, 1862), C. S. Lovell, George L. Willard, N. A. M. Dudley {Lieu- tenants Averill, Hamilton, J. D. Drouillard, J. B. Williams, Danger- field Parker, Isaac Helm, Andrew Sheridan, James A. Snyder, Joseph A. McCool, John W. Whitney, W. H. Penrose, H. B. Noble, C. D. Mehaffey, Francis E. Davies, George H. Butler, Oliver P. Gooding, and W. L. Kel- logg. Lieutenant Frederick Devoeof the Third Infantry was the adjutant. On August 2, 1 86 1, General An- drew Porter, provost marshal, issued " G. O. No. I, from Headquarters, City Guard, Provost Marshal's of- fice," and all officers and men without leaves of absence or passes, were ordered to be arrested, and reports made daily from the Central guard- house to him at headquarters. After the Battle of Bull Run, the streets of the city fairly swarmed with troops, either mustered out and going home, or coming to the front, all militia or partially-organized volun- teers, not yet leavened or disciplined. The music of the bands of the in- coming regiments filled the air. Many officers and men were absent without 40 FOUJR BROTHERS IN BLUE. leave from their commands. The hotel corridors were filled with em- bryo brigadiers, and all was excite- ment, bustle, and seeming confusion. In fact, it was a small bedlam. The provost marshal had charge of a class of duties which had not before, in our service, been defined and grouped under the management of a It was the office of duty then for this small band of disciplined Regu- lars to restore order- from chaos, sift out the good from the bad, and keep the wheels in motion. Washington bore no resemblance to the beautiful city of to-day. The streets were wretchedly paved, or not paved at all ; they were worse lighted, and when it special department. The following rained they became almost impassa- subjects indicate its sphere: "Sup- pression of marauding and depreda- tions, and of all brawls and disturb- ances.'' " Preservation of good order, and suppression of drunken- ness beyond the limits of the camps." "Prevention of straggling on the march." "Suppression of gambling- houses, drinking houses, or bar-rooms, and brothels." " Regulations of ho- ble. An air of shabby, dirty neglect everywhere prevailed. The guard- house was constantly besieged with vis- itors, and crowded with people brought in for examination. Officers of every grade, from brigadier-general down, were arrested, and if unable to give an account of themselves, were placed in the guard-house until their cases could be investigated. The officers tels, taverns, markets, and places of of the guard acted in the capacity of public amusement." "Searches, ser- vices, and arrests." •' Execution of sentences of general court martial, involving imprisonment or capital punishment." "Enforcement of or- ders prohibiting the sale of intoxicat- ing liquors (liquor houses were not allowed to keep open after 9:30 p. m.), whether by tradesmen or sutlers, and of orders respecting passes ; deser- tions from the army, prisoners of war taken from the enemy, countersign- ing safeguards, passes to citizens, within the lines and for purposes of trade." " Complaints of citizens as to the conduct of soldiers." There was a limited censorship of the press. With these multifarious duties, the reader can imagine of what impor- tance this command was in the city, directly after the Battle of Bull Run, and the commencement of four years of horrible war. magistrates. Saloons, houses of ill fame, and dens and dives of all de- scriptions, had sprung up like mush- rooms ; but one of the most prolific sources of trouble to the " City Guard " was " Canterbury Hall," the old variety theatre. What old soldier who visited Washington about this period does not remember this mar- velous dispenser of amusement and good cheer to the volunteer soldier, from his dull and monotonous camp- life on the other side of the river, and what a temptation it was to take a "French leave," just for a few hours of boisterous entertainment within those festive walls.' It was on the south side of Louisiana avenue, be- tween Four-and-a half and Sixth streets, now occupied by lawyers' offi- ces. All had to be visited, day and night, and cleaned out and purged. But soon system and good order reigned at the national capital. FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. 41 General McClellan assumed com- mand of the Army of the Potomac and the defenses about Washington, July 27, 1861. He says of that pe- riod : " Many soldiers had deserted, and the streets of Washington were crowded with straggling officers and men absent from their stations with- out authority, whose behavior indi- cated the general want of discipline and organization." "The restora- tion of order in the City of Wash- ington was effected through the ap- pointment of a provost marshal, whose authority was supported by the few regular troops within my command." G. O. No. 2, July 30, 1862, was is- sued, appointing Colonel A. Porter, Sixteenth U. S. Infantry, as tempo- rary provost marshal; "he will be obeyed and respected accordingly.'' "The energy and ability displayed by the provost marshal and his as- sistants, and the strict discharge of their duty by the troops, produced the best results, and Washington soon became one of the most quiet cities in the Union." The Washington Intelligencer of August 13, 1861, says : " The guard in Washington is doing excellent service. Our city now exhibits perfect order, night and day." Extracts from our brothers' letters will give the reader a partial idea of the life and duties performed in those days in and about the city of Wash- ington : "Camp Trumbull, Arling- ton, Va., July 31, 1861. Our battal- NoTE. The companies of the Second and G of the Eighth catne into the city on the 30th of July. The companies of the Third on August I, i86r. ion is now very small ; the Second and Eighth have left us and gone into the city to act as guard. Colonel Porter is appointed military com- mander, and he wants the Third also ; we will know this evening." " Ebbitt House, August 2, 1861. Colonel P. has been made provost marshal, and ordered us over immediately. "Although I am almost dead with fatigue. I will answer your letters. We are in Washington as a mili- tary guard of the city. My com- pany is quartered in a splendid house, directly opposite my room at the Eb- bitt, and all the others are very near." (Some were around the corner on the south side of Thirteenth street.) "We marched over from Arlington in orie of the most terrific rain storms I ever witnessed. We got drenched through and through." "I have been patrolling the city all day, and oh, how warm ! But I was relieved at parade. I do not know how long we will remain here, but should judge the time will be quite long." " Mr. Goodwin, M. C, has a room opposite mine, on the other side of the street. I go to see him very often, and like him very much. Mr. Fessenden invited me to call on him, but I have not had time to do so." " I met Mr. Washburn, of Illi- nois, on the morning of the Battle at Centreville. He introduced himself, Note. It is stated to the writer by one of the old sergeants of the Third U. S. Infantry, that upon arriving in Washington, after marching from Arlington in the drenching storm, the com- mand was marched into a hall on the north side of Pennsylvania avenue, between Tenth and Eleventh streets, now occupied by Gay & Co., stove and hardware dealers,-vrhere they remained at least one night. 42 FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. and we had quite a talk. He knew you when you were at Bridgton." "Have just learned that two lieuten- ant-colonels and three captains of vol- unteers have been lodged in the guard-house for want of proper passes." " Central Guard-House, August 4. Have just returned from Mrs. King's, wife of Horatio King ; passed a very pleasant evening with herself and son, and received an invitation to tea for to-morrow evening. I spent the evening with Mr. Goodwin, M. C. He seems very kind, and very anx- ious to do something for me." August 18, 1861. "I am on duty as officer of the patrol, and have just brought them in for the men to get their suppers. I go out again about half past eight, and remain out until eleven or twelve. I made a seizure this afternoon of five soldiers in a low den, and carried them to the guard-house ; but as a general thing the streets are pretty clear of volunteer officers and sol- diers, and the city is now very quiet. We move our quarters to-morrow, two streets above the present one. Booths have been constructed in a large open place, andoursoldiers are to occupy them. The officers are to have two furnished houses very near, but we will not get into them for a week, as the furniture has not all arrived. I think each officer will have two rooms, and we will all mess together ; as we are now situated, we draw no commutation, and have to pay very largely to live." " I suppose you have heard all about the mutiny of the Seventy-ninth N. Y. Volunteers. "X^'e were ordered to march to their camp and quell it,,and remained from II a. m. until i p. m. W-hen I ar- rived home, I found a note from John, saying he had enlisted and was then at the depot. I immediately jumped into a carriage and drove down, but found that he had left. I found where the regiment he had enlisted Carter Brothers. in was encamped, and started for it ; after wandering about until 1 1 p. m., I found it, and learned that the re- cruits had not arrived. I could not go up the next day, as I was on duty, but the following day I drove up; found him, got permission to bring him home with me ; dressed him up in citizens' clothes, and had him one day and a half with me ; got him sworn in, gave him a blanket and a few necessaries, and started him back again. " I was very much pleased with the colonel, and his regiment generally. FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. 43 I gave John all the good advice I could, and promised to come and see him as often as I could. This after- noon I saw his regiment march over Long Bridge, and do not know where it is bound for. Will find out, and see him again. On the morning of Aug. 14, i86[, General Porter, provost marshal, re- ceived the following order: Headquarters Division OF THE Potomac, Washington, D. C, Aug. 14, '61. Brigadier-General Andrew Por- ter, Provost Marshal, etc. : General: Thebrigadecommand- er of the Seventy-ninth Regiment New York Volunteers having re- ported that the regiment is in q statepf open mutiny, Major-Gen eral McClel- lan directs that you proceed with a battery, the two companies of the Sec- ond Cavalry, at the Park Hotel, and as many companies of regular in- fantry as you may deem proper, to the encampment of that regiment. On your arrival there, you will order such as are willing to move to march out of the camp, leaving the disaf- fected portion of the regiment by themselves. You will then order the latter portion to lay down their arms, and will put them under a strong guard. The ringleaders you will put in double irons. You are authorized, if necessary, to use force to accom- plish the object. Report the result as soon as possible. I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, A. N. Colburn, Assistant Adjutant- General. The alleged causes for discontent were the refusal to allow them to go home on furlough to visit their fami- lies, and to reorganize by filling va- cancies among their officers, etc. But the true cause arose from discontent in relation to their term of service. Having enlisted during the first ex- citement, for two or three years, or for the war, when they saw the three months' regiments returning home after the disastrous Battle of Bull Run, their dissatisfaction broke out in open mutiny among the men of the Second Maine, and Seventy-ninth New York. In the case of the former, sixty-three men were sent to the Dry Tortugas, there to serve out the rest of the war as prisoners at hard labor. The case of the Seventy-ninth New York was covered by G. O. No. 27. The execution of this order was en- trusted to Colonel A. Porter, who took with him a battalion, a squadron, and a battery of regulars. They were drawn up to surround the muti- neers, who promptly submitted. The ringleaders were placed in irons, and marched to the guard-house under a strong escort of cavalry. The colors were taken from the Seventy-ninth, and were sent to General McClellan's headquarters, which at first were on the corner of Pennsylvania avenue and Nineteenth street, afterwards moved to the old " Dolly Madison " house, or later known as the " Commodore Wilkes" house, located at the south- east corner of Lafayette square, now (1896) occupied by the Cosmos Club. The colors were returned to this regi- ment in just one month from the time they were taken from them, as a reward for good conduct and for gallantry in a skirmish at Lewins- 44 FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. ville, Va. It redeemed itself by good service in connection with General T. W. Sherman's expedition to South Carolina, and subsequent deeds upon the battle-field, as did also the gallant old Second Maine in the Army of the Potomac, whose colors had not been taken from them. The follow- ing letter explains itself: Headquarters Army of the Potomac, Washington, Sept. 14, 1861. General W. F. Smith, Chain Bridge : The colors of the Seventy-ninth will be sent to you to-morrow. Please return them to the regiment, with the remark that they have shown by their conduct in the reconnoissance of the eleventh instant, that they are worthy to carry the banner into action, and the commanding general is confident they will always in future sustain and confirm him in the favorable opinion he has formed of them. (Signed) Geo. B. McClellan, Major- General, Commanding. (Rebellion Records, vol. v, p. 168.) At the time of the mutiny the Seventy-ninth (Highlanders) was en- camped on the east side of Four- teenth street, between that and Tenth, and just south of the south- erly slope of Columbia Heights (but what is now Florida ave- nue and S or T streets). Lieu- tenant W. W. Averill, afterwards a major-general, commanding the cav- alry of the Array of the Potomac, was battalion adjutant. When the command marched out, he read the order for the Seventy-ninth to lay down their arms. One very comical incident connect- ed with this event, is related by Captain Edward Lynch, U. S. Army, retired, who was then at General Sykes's headquarters. When the battery had been posted, and the in- fantry and cavalry had surrounded the camp, and it looked as though the wretched mutineers were about to be blown from the face of the earth by this formidable array of regular troops; the Adjutant had ceased reading the order command- ing them to surrender when a very tall, thin sergeant of the culprit Highlanders marched out, holding a very long pole, and waving from the end of it was an empty, striped bed tick, which, after a few moments of grotesque pause, mingled with some surprise and amusement, was recog- nized as the flag of truce by which the stubborn members of the Seventy-ninth, now driven to this last resort, wished to convey to Sykes's regulars that they had unco7idition- ally surrendered. Although he had strongly advised against another brother's enlistment, when he returned from this unpleas- ant duty it was to find the note awaiting him (already referred to) stating that this brother had enlisted in the Fourteenth Massachusetts Volunteers, and was then at the depot. Our eldest brother, John H. Carter, who had enlisted under the president's first call in Company E., Fourteenth Massachusetts Volunters, was mustered into the service August 16, 1861. The regiment was mustered into the service July 5, 1 86 1, at Fort Warren, Boston Har- bor. It left the state July 7, 1861, FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. 45 {Washington Intelligencer records its arrival August lo, 1861), and was irnmediateiy placed upon garrison duty in the various forts about Wash- ington, garrisoning principally Forts Albany, Runyan, Tillinghast, Craig, and Scott, most of which it built. On the first of January, 1862, in accordance with orders from the war department, it was changed into the First Regiment of Heavy Artillery, and consequently received fifty new recruits for each company, and two additional companies of one hundred and fifty men each to fill it to its maximum standard and complete its organization. In addition to their duties of garrisoning the forts, they were, with the exception of one short period, employed in throwing up new works and connecting all with infan- try parapets and covered ways, and building bomb proofs. It was labori- ous ; they were unused to it, and they chafed under such work. Our brother was not a very frequent writer ; many of his letters have and battalion adjutant of the First Massachusetts Heavy Artillery, was mortally wounded by a shell in the charge upon the enemy's works at Petersburg, Va., June 16, 1864, dying on the 17th. His father, William Powell Caldwell, also from Redfield, Me., was a private in the Third Maine Volunteers, was detached for duty with the Mississippi River flo- tilla in February, 1862, and had charge of Mortar Boat No. 38, in the operations about Memphis, Isl- and No. lo, and Vicksburg, and died from the effects of a congestive chill on the ordnance gunboat Judge Torrence, July 14, 1863, and was buried on the Louisiana shore Au- gust 20, 1861. General McClelJan directed the provost marshal to hold in readiness to march at a minute's warning, the entire guard to put down a mutiny in Colonel (E. D.) Baker's California regiment. "Should any portion of that regi- ment mutiny (and there is now some reason to suppose that they will), you been lost. Although his life in the are authorized to use force if neces- forts was comparatively monotonous sary to quell it. If they refuse to and his service devoid of severe obey, you are authorized to fire on hardships until 1864, his journal of them." It was not, however, nedes- events have a smack of humor to sary to use this display of force, and them, and a decided interest in con- our brother's letters do not mention nection with those more important movements of which the defenses of Washington seemed at times to be the central point. On Sunday, August 18, 1861, it marched across Long Bridge and took up its quar- ters in Virginia. In Company E, Fourteenth Massachusetts was also a cousin, Lewis Powell Caldwell from Amesbury, Mass., but born in Read- field, Me., who as a first lieutenant this incident. August 28, the young regular writes as follows : " We are on duty every day, and the duties are not very pleasant. Since I commenced this letter, I have had no less than twenty persons to see me, and have had to talk with them all." "I enjoy army life very much." ''John is now en- camped on the Virginia side. I will try to make him comfortable and FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. will go to see him as soon as possible. We were under orders to be ready at a moment's notice last night, but did not have to move. General McClellan keeps everything to him- self and none of us know anything of the movements, but rest assured that Washington will never be at- tacked, and if they do they will get most woefully whipped." Our brother of the Fourteenth writes his first letter from the John B. Floyd house September 5, 1861. "Through Gene's influence I have been granted a furlough until to- night." "There are better writing facilities here than at Fort Albany, which is about five miles distant. I got up early, answered to my name at 'roll-call,' and immediately start- ed for the city, furnished with a pass by Brigadier-General Richardson who commands our brigade. I am very much pleased with a soldier's life, taken as a whole, but sometimes our duties are severe, for instance : We had to be up at five o'clock for roll- call ; breakfast at six; guard mount- ing at seven ; and such as are not on guard have to go on 'fatigue duty,' which consists as follows : Chopping down the woods and digging trenches around different forts with pickaxes and shovels, and I feel about as lame and stiff as a man can feel who is unused to such work. Monday I was on guard, Tuesday I was detailed for 'fatigue,' but when we had worked during the forenoon and started for 'dinner,' I with two or three of my comrades ' fell in the rear ' in the bushes, and started for Blenker's brigade, about two miles distant, and we had a good time. We got any quantity of melons, tomatoes, and peaches on the road, for the white population have nearly all left, and there are nothing but niggers left." "Gene has now gone to General Porter's office to prefer charges against his orde(;ly sergeant, whom he left in charge of some gov- ernment prisoners while he was at dinner. The sergeant got very drunk and G. says he will ' break' him for it, as it was a very important duty. G. is quartered in the traitor Floyd's former residence, and a splendid house it is, too. Our camp is in a constant state of alarm, and we sleep on our arms every night in case any- thing should happen. Twelve men from each company in our regiment, joined by an equal number from the Michigan and New York regiments attached to the brigade, went out last night to attack a rebel work on Mun- son's Hill, about three miles distant, and were successful, driving the devils from the fortification and taking a number of prisoners, who are now in our little guard-house, in- cluding one captain. The country here is literally swarming with troops, and you may expect to hear some good news soon. Everything is kept secret from the soldiers, and we all move in the night. All you see in the papers is 'gammon.' Banks with his whole army is within five miles of us, he having moved very secretly under orders from McClellan (who is a general whom our country will be proud of soon), and you will soon hear of a great Northern vic- tory, for our army is now thoroughly organized, and if we do not beat them now we never can."' " Our FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. lieutenant-colonel had a narrow es- cape the other day, while out scout- ing with several other officers from other regiments, one of whom was wounded quite severely in the leg and hip, and it is doubtful if he re- covers ; but they gave shot for shot and some were seen to fall, and they had their flag at half mast all day ; our men had telescopic rifles. It is believed here that Jeff Davis is dead." Our brother of the Eighth Infantry writes now as follows : "Sept. 21, 1861. This is the only paper to be found in the vicinity of Long Bridge, where I am stationed to-day." "John's regiment guards one end of Long Bridge, and we guard the other. " I have been second in command of Company B since the fight at Bull Run. Last night. Lieutenant Bell, commanding Company D, was re- lieved from duty with this regiment and ordered to turn over the prop- erty belonging to the company to Lieutenant Carter. The Major has put me in command of a company. Nothing new has come to light ; troops arriving constantly. We have artillery and cavalry in abundance. Jeff Davis and his angels cannot take Washington now. I think we shall advance about the middle of next month." Our recently enlisted brother writes from Fort Albany : " I stood guard yesterday and last night, and so have to-day to do as I like. This Note. It is a well-autbenticated fact that on several occasions one brother was at the north end of the bridge, in command of the guard, examining passes, while the other brother was a sentinel at the south end, performing the same duty. 47 forenoon I went over, to Mason's Hill, recently occupied by rebel forces. I should think they lived pretty much on green corn by the piles of corn cobs piled up around their works. I then went about a mile beyond, and came to a little one- story school-house, and you would have laughed to see the caricatures written 'on the walls with charcoal, pencils, and chalk, making game of the 'd — n Yankees,' as they term our soldiers. Here are some of the inscriptions : ' Yankee face-course to Bull RunJ '■Lafayette Guards., Mobile, Alabama, a terror to the Yankees.' ' I) — n the Yankees ! ' The walls are covered with just such stuff as this. Some of our men went out the other day and captured an orderly sergeant, and when they brought him into camp we had quite a lively time. They put him in the guard-house, where an Irishman was confined who bears the sobriquet of 'Happy Jack.' He is a great favorite with the whole regiment, but has got just about enough of the devil in him to keep in the guard-house about all the time. No sooner is he out, than in he goes again. When they put Secesh in he seemed very much pleased and welcomed him with a speech, shook hands, asked after the health of Jeff, and then took out his knife and asked for a loan of the few remaining buttons he had on Ms clothes. We expect to have a new uniform in a few days, of the artillery pattern, as we are an artil- lery regiment. We are making great progress in our drill on the guns, and can now fire them very rapidly. I have a fine chance to see all the lead- 48 FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. ing men of the nation here, and scarcely a day passes that we are not honored by a visit from 'Old Ahe,' or a member of his cabinet. I was on guard at the gate of Fort Runyon, the other day, and along come two officers and simply said, 'The Presi- dent,' and pretty soon along came ' Old Abe,' in a splendid carriage, accompanied by a young lady, fol- lowed by Secretaries Cameron and Seward, also accompanied by ladies. We -ai"e quite alone here now, for all the troops have moved, God knows where. At night they are with us; in the morning they are gone. Mrs. Greene, the colonel's wife,' arrived here the ocher evening, and the next day after her arrival she presented each company with three bushels of sweet potatoes. In the evening we turned out and proceeded to his quar- ters and gave her cheer after cheer, and sung ' John IJrown's Chorus.' Colonel Greene is very popular with his men, and is a very kind man." Our brother in Washington now writes: " Oct. 2, 1861. I have not got command of my company yet, but expect to have it in a few days. Lieutenant Noble, now in command, was ordered away, but owing to some informality, the provost marshal (under whose command we all are) refused to relieve him. He has been to the War Department twice, and expects to get away soon. I am now acting adjutant, and have to form all guard mountings and all parades, but am not relieved from any other duty. I am officer of the guard this morn- ing, and am rather glad that I am, for otherwise I would have to attend the funeral of General Gibson, in full uniform. The Second, Third, and Eighth, joined in one regiment, and under command of Major Sykes, act as escort, and it is raining like guns." "Oct. 13, 1861. I thought I had written you that I had left Major Sykes's immediate command, and had joined the Eighth, where I have command of my own company, G. The captain. Dodge, who was my instructor at West Point, has a leave of absence for one year. The first lieutenant is on parole, and I, being the next in rank, take command of the company. I am the only grad- uate with the Eighth, and Captain Willard, who commands the Post, makes me his right-hand man. I am acting adjutant, and have to form all parades and guards; all my duties together keep me pretty busy most of the time. I ask Captain Willard's advice in everything, for Major Sykes told me he was a model cap- tain, and I find him very attentive to his duties, and he has a splendidly equipped company, I mean to be a good officer or none at all. You shall never hear anything of me that shall wound your pride. If you should, however, doubt of the performance of my duties heretofore, or my conduct as an officer and gentleman, I refer you to Colonel Davies, whose regi- ment (Sixteenth N. Y. Vols.) I drilled when I first came to Wash- ington ; to General Sykes, who com- manded us at Bull Run; or Captain Willard, who commands the two companies of the Eighth stationed at Washington. We have been un- der orders since last night to be ready at a minute's notice with two days' rations. I went to see General FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. 49 Sykes last evening about the move- ment, and he said that the rebels had advanced to make a reconnoissanceof our position, but a second report was that they were retreating. I thought then it was only a feint to cover the retreat of their main army, and my supposition has been confirmed this morning. McClellan is following them slowly but surely. O'Rorke goes with the expedition which " (The remainder of letter cannot be found). (Colonel Patrick O'Rorke, 140th N. Y. Vols., killed at Gettys- burg, July 2, 1863.) Our brother in Virginia writes : " Four-Mile Run, Oct. 15, 1861. I am out on picket duty, about one mile and a half from the fort. The whole army has advanced, and we are now alone. There are three of us out here under charge of a cor- poral, and will remain during the week, when we will be relieved. We got some boards and have made us quite a shanty, covered with our rub- ber blankets to make it waterproof. Our duty is to examine passes, and is not very dangerous, but we have to be up night and day ; two hours on and four hours off. I do n't believe there will be any fighting for some time yet, unless the rebels attack us, about army affairs wagons and troops. If he does not beat them now, we had better all come -home. I am almost homesick, now the troops have left, for every- thing is so quiet. I hope something will turn up, so that we can have a share in some of the fighting, but it does not look much like it now. There is really nothing to write about, for we are kept entirely in ignorance of any movements. When you see a regiment moving, and you ask them where they are going, they do not know, not even their officers. We get most of our news from papers we receive from home." Our brother of the provost guard writes, Oct. 22, 1861 : " I am officer of the day, and have to remain in my quarters, or near them, during the day and night of my tour. It is rain- ing very hard, and I shall not take my patrol out unless it ceases. I have been discussing army matters with Captain Willard, commandant of the post, most of the evening, and he has just left my room to go down town to hear the news, if any, of the Leesburg fight, in which Colonel Baker (U. S. senator from Oregon) was killed. I think he was a very brave man, but he knew very little Never mind ; and that seems to be the general opinion here. McClellan's plan seems to be to feel his way, and to keep near the enemy, so that when they make a final stand his troops will be fresh. He now has an im- mense army around him. I think there could not have been less than 200,000 men around here before they advanced, and all day Sunday the roads were crowded with army we will not speak ill of the dead. He died in a good cause, while gallantly leading his men, so the papers say. But why feel sad and discouraged at the loss of one man 1 Before this war is ended, the soil of Virginia will be soaked with as good blood as ever flowed in the veins of Colonel Baker. I now command a company of eighty men. When I took them the com- pany books were very much behind- 5° FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. hand ; the returns, muster-rolls, de- scriptive rolls, and all papers were made out wrong, and I have had to correct them. The company had no clothing; many were in the guard- house ; they were not properly fed, and they had no company fund. Now my books are correct : so are my papers ; the company has plenty arranged and carried out by the pro- vost marshal, Lieutenant Frederick Devoe, acting adjutant of the battal- ion, read the death warrant to the pris- oner at the scaffold, and the law was then and there carried into effect. His spiritual advisor was Father Walter of St. Patrick's church. He met his doom with firmness. Several of clothing ; I have very few in the detachments of infantry from the guard-house ; they have plenty to eat, and their quarters are kept clean. I have a company fund amounting to seventy dollars. Captain Willard congratulated me this very morning on the marked improvement of my company since I took command of it. I received a short note from John to-day ; he is coming over to spend the day with me some time this week." On the 26th of October, he was promoted to be a First Lieutenant, Eighth U. S. Infantry. provost guard were detailed to pro- ceed to the place of execution, whither they marched without mu- sic. Our brother in Virginia, says, October 28, 1861 : "I spent Sunday with Gene. Our encampment is about four miles from the city in Fair- fax County, Virginia, on a high hill overlooking the town, the Potomac running between. I got a pass Fri- day night and started early in the morning for the promised land. After walking about half a mile, I On the 28th of October, there oc- got into a sutler's wagon and rode curred a tragic incident which cast a gloom over the entire provost guard. Sergeant Joseph Brennan, Company A, Second U. S. Infantry, was shot dead by Private Michael Lennahan, the remainder of the way. I found G , who was officer of the day. I shaved off the extensive beard which I have cultivated during my residence on the 'sacred soil'; Company D, of the same regiment changed my dilapidated uniform for in Georgetown. He was tried by a a nice suit of black; went to Brown's court, found guilty and sentenced to hotel and got my hair cut, and I be hanged. He was kept confined think I made quite a decent appear- in Georgetown until the night before ance for a volunteer. I had a splen- the execution, when he was brought did breakfast and then went out with in a closed carriage to the guard- G . with the patrol under his house in Franklin Square. On the charge, and he took me through morning of January 6, 1862, he was most of the principal parts of the taken to an open lot just north of city, and after arresting about half a where the Lutheran church now dozen officers and soldiers, without stands (on Thomas Circle), between proper passes, and taking them to Thirteenth and Fourteenth streets, the guardhouse, returned to his All the details of the execution were quarters, and then we had a splendid FOUR BROIHERS IN BLUE. dinner. I think he (G S^ -) has more authority here than any mayor or police judge at home. Here are some of his doings : While we were going around he spied three soldiers going into a rum-shop, the proprie- tors of which he had before warned ; he followed them with his men, and entered just as they were taking a "* smile,' he arrested the soldiers for having no papers, searched the shop, and poured all the liquor into the gutter, and marched the proprietors {a man and a woman) to the guard- house, where they will have to come down with twenty-five dollars for the offense. The guard also brought in three men detectedin smuggling liquor across the river. He (G ) ordered the liquor (four barrels of ten minutes, the men as happy as whiskey) poured out and the three ducks in the mud. It took us about poor devils to be discharged. half an hour to put our tent up, and "I spent the afternoon very pleas- you can judge how luxuriously we antly ; about six o'clock I resumed spent the night. We turned out at my garb of a ' sodger,' and soon daybreak ; picked up our things from after invaded the 'sacred soil,' and the heap and they are now out drying reached my quarters about eight, on the bushes. I got out my old after spending one of the most pleas- clothes from my knapsack ; changed ant days within my recollection. my socks ; cleaned my gun ; went of my best shirts ; it is a beautiful looking garment now." „ "November 3,1861. We usually have a grand review and inspection on Sunday, but for the last forty-eight hours it has been blowing a perfect gale, and I began to think the Lord was about to deluge the land again, for such ' tall raining,' I never yet witnessed. About ten o'clock last night, just for a change, our tent took a notion to come down, and you never saw such a time ! ! Down came guns, cartridge boxes, cross- belts and all, and such a scene ! We were all wet through, and therefore could not get much more moist, so we formed around our ' fallen house,' and sang 'Glory Hallelujah' about "There is nothing new to write about with the exception that six regiments just passed here, going over to the navy yard, where they are going to embark down river, to clean out the rebel batteries on the river. Don't come out here to fight, after the bread with two or three others ; had my breakfast, which consisted of baked beans, bread, and coffee, and here I am writing you. Most of the time we live very well, but whatever we have I never grum- ble, for I think as you do, that it does Bob, if you do you will be sorry ; no good, and I gain by it, for the mind what I tell you. To-day is other day seven men were detailed pleasant for a wonder. Last night for guard duty at the canal, and they I like to have frozen, it was so cold, have to sleep in the open air. How- and the rats and the mice are as thick ever, it was soon found out that but as mosquitoes in warm weather. I six were required and each one was found a nest in my knapsack this anxious to be let off. The captain morning, and you ought to see one came out and said, 'Carter, you need 52 FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. not go, for I never hear you grumble about anything.' So much for not grumbling. It was a sad day here when we learned of the Battle of Ball's Bluff, but it did not dispirit the men, and only makes them more anxious to fight. A fellow in our tent lost a father in that battle, and God help the ' Secesh ' who crosses his path. There seems to be but one sentiment among our men — that of revenge for the barbarities of the rebels, and when we win a victory they will be as cruel and relentless as were our enemies. There have been great fears for the safety of the fleet during the storm, but there is a report in camp this morning that it is safe. If that should fail, it would almost be a death-blow to our hopes and we should feel that there would be but one thing left for us to do — to give them battle at Manassas ; and we are bound to whip them when we do at whatever cost of life. All we need is officers. The men are full of fight, and if the officers do their duty the men will know no defeat." " Nov. 7, i86t. I have to write even- ings as I have to drill most of the day with pick-axe and shovel. I have been wanting to go out to Falls church for some time to visit N , but I had not the face to ask the cap- tain for a pass, as I have had so many recently, but yesterday two of my comrades got passes to go there, and one of them named Harris did not feel well, so I went on his pass. There is a provost guard that goes out every day, composed of two from signed by the colonel, and they are court-martialed and have to go through the 'knapsack drill," in the ditch around the fort. I knew two men, and if we were overhauled my name ivas Harris. When we came back the provost halted us, and ex- amined our passes ; the two boys from our company said, 'How are you, Harris V and everything was lovely ; I had a splendid time ; saw N and another fellow who used to work with me, and while I was walking about the camp, who should I meet but Mose N., formerly of Portland. He is homesick and ' wants to go home,' but I think the young man will pass the remainder of the season here. I went with him over to the Second Maine, and there I met Horatio S , also of Portland. He is a second lieutenant ; was with his regiment as a private at the Battle of Bull Run, and has had a pretty hard time generally. The regiment lost about one hundred men in that dis- graceful fight. Vice-President Ham- lin was out there on a visit. There are any quantity of rumors every day in our camp, but they all end in smoke. Just for the fun of the thing, when we returned last night we started a story that the Twenty- second Massachusetts had had a bloody fight, beating the rebels at all points, and in less than five min- utes, all through the camp it was, 'Bully for the Twenty-second.' they are the boys!! Three cheers for the Wilson boys! ! etc.'" ' Nov. 9, 1861. I have only time to each company, who pick up all who acknowledge receipt of the generous are caught one mile from camp, with- box. It is nearly ' taps,' and I expect out a pass from the captain, counter- to go out on picket again to-morrow I'OUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. 53 night. The blanket and quilt will be giving day, which I accepted. She very comfortable while I am out, as says she was acquainted with Mother it is very cool nights and we have no before she was Mrs. Carter. If we tents, and are allowed no fire. Yes- should have another officer join us, terday, I went into the fort and who I think of applying for a leave of should be there but John A. Poor of seven days, and I know General Portland, accompanied by his wife, Sykes will endorse it, but at present wife's niece (Mrs. Dr. Oilman), also I am alone with my company, and Ex-Governor Williams of Maine.' the army regulations expressly state John A. recognized me in a moment, that when there is only one officer to so did Mrs. Oilman, and I had quite a a company, he shall not be granted a talk with them. Mrs. Poor met Gene leave of absence. I shall call upon in Washington. The past week has Senator Fessenden and Morrill as been a very uncomfortable one for us soon as possible. I am on duty, as in our tents, and we have suffered usual, and feel very tired, for I have considerably from wet and cold, but patrolled all day with a vengeance, have plenty of 'salt horse,' and good I think I am known in the city of bread to eat. Washington better than Abraham "Nov. 27, 1861. — A grand re- Lincoln, and I have the reputation view of all the regular troops took oi he.i'ng 3. miiihtij military man '■N'hen place. The infantry was commanded on duty. I would make a mighty by General George Sykes ; cavalry good detective, for patrolling makes by Lieutenant-Colonel W. H. Emory, a man keep his eyes and ears open, and the artillery by Colonel Henry J. and quick on his feet.'" Hunt; the entire command under "Dec. 24. Christmas Eve, and I General Andrew Porter." am on duty as officer of the day, but "December 2, the young lieuten- I am not on duty to-morrow. As ant says, ' I gave my company a small much as I desire to see you all, I •dinner on Thanksgiving day. I feel would not leave my company alone, very proud of my company, and I I know that my company loves me, know they would fight to the death and I have been made sure of the for me. They keep their quarters fact by receiving a very large, orna- very clean, and always look splen- mental fruit cake, with a very respect- ■didly in 'all parades. Captain Wil- ful note signed by men whom I have lard (the commanding officer) says had occasion to punish very severely, the company has improved vastly but they know I did it justly, and out under my command. I received an of no ill will towards them. My com- invitation from Mrs. Ex-Governor pany funds and papers are all in ad- Anderson to dine with her on Thanks- mirable condition, and as soon as an- NoTE.-On Nov. 12, 1861, the abstract from Other officer joins the command, I the consolidated morning report of the Army of shall apply for a leave. I applied in the Potomac shows that the " City Guard" had person to General Porter, yesterday, an " aggregate present for duty equipped," — . , rr . it o r°. "^ , ,' • A to send more ottcers to us, and 1 1,078, infantry, 123 cavalr)', and six guns. Ag- ' gregate present, 1,418. think vve shall be reinforced very S4 FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. soon. I shall expect J. over to see me to-morrow. I give my company a Christmas dinner to-morrow, con- sisting of turkey, oysters, pies, ap- ples, etc. ; no liquors. I am called to quell a disturbance and must close this short note." Our brother in Virginia says, Jan. 9, 1862, " It is pleasant to-day, for a wonder; it has rained continually for about six weeks, and it really makes me feel in good spirits to see the sun again, together with the glorious news of the continued success of our arms in all quarters. The picture you spoke of, in Harper h Weekly, is an exact copy of our quarters, only they look much better on paper than they really are. They are made of pine logs, the crevices being 'chucked up' with mud and chips. The roofs were first covered with straw, then with mud, and finally with tarred paper, which makes them waterproof. Our battery (E) occupies the first two tents from the telegraph wires. I am an inmate of the first tent. The buildings at the left are an old barn, belonging to an old 'Secesh,' named Roach, and out-buildings belonging to his house ; also some tents used by the tent and picket guard. The officers' quarters are not in view, nor the fort. We still keep up our in- fantry drill, which, to me, is far prefer- able to the very hard work of hand- ling heavy cannon. It has already given me the asthma and pleurisy badly, and to-day I can hardly ' wheeze,' but I suppose it will be all the same in the end. There is not much mercy shown down here to a sick man. I never was better in my life than when I commenced to work on heavy guns. The men, as a gen- eral thing, are dissatisfied with the change; many have deserted, and doubtless many more will do so." Our brother of the regulars now went home on a seven days' leave, and returning Jan. 14, 1862, writes: "I saw Captain Pitcher, acting com- mander of the regiment, Noble, Worth, and Ferris at Fort Hamilton in New York. They all received me very cordially, and invited me to dine. The regiment is picking up fast, and I think before many months the gallant old Eighth will shine with its usual lustre. I found Captain Wil- lard and all very well, and very glad to see me. . . My company has suffered under green hands, but I will shortly bring them into the beaten path. The inspector-general was about this morning and went away, saying, ' Everything is lovely and the goose hangs high ! ' I am officer of the day, to-morrow, and shall meet my old friends once more." On the 28th of January, 1862, the following order was issued : "War Department, Washington City, D. C, Jan. 28, 1862. Order No. Ordered — That the commanding general be and is hereby directed to relieve Brigadier-General C. P. Stone from command of his division in the Army of the Potomac forthwith, and that he be placed in arrest and kept in close confinement until further orders. Edwin M. Stanton, Secretarii of War." And now occurred an incident that caused the provost guard no little FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. 55 excitement, although all the details were kept very secret. This was oc- casioned by the following letter: " Headquarters of the Armv, "Washington, Feb. 8, 1862. "General: You will please at once arrest Brigadier-General Charles P. Stone, United States Volunteers, and retain him in close custody, send- ing him under suitable escort by the first train to Fort Lafayette, where he will be placed in charge of the cammanding officer. See that he has no communication with any one from the time of his arrest. "Very respectfully yours, (Signed) "Geo. B. McClellan, ^^Major-G-enerair " Br:g.-Gen. Andrew Porter, "Provost Marshal." Two lieutenants, Dangerfield Par- ker and J. A. Snyder, with Sergeant C. B. Heitman of Company B, Third United States Infantry (our brother's old company), and about fifteen men were sent, between eleven and twelve o'clock on Saturday night, Feb. 8,1862, to make the arrest. General George Sykes accompanied the guard. They halted in front of Lord Lyons's (Brit- ish minister) house on H street (now known as the Admiral Porter house). General Sykes went in ; there seemed to be a reception or ball ; he soon reappeared. The guard was then marched to a house on the west side of Seventeenth street, between H street and the north side of Penn- sylvania avenue. General Sykes dis- appeared again. Soon he returned with a gentleman whom none of the officers or the guard knew, and pro- ceeding to the "chain building" al- ready referred to, on H street be- tween Thirteenth and Fourteenth streets, occupied by some of the offi- cers of the guard, he was placed in a room on the upper floor, and Lieuten- ant James A. Snyder and a sentinel placed outside the door. He was taken to Fort Lafayette on the 9th, by Lieutenant Dangerfield Parker. Sergeant Heitman was offered the detail of sergeant of the guard to ac- company him, but declined. Gen. George Sykes. Our brother at Fort Albany says, Feb. 23, " It is all talk about the sol- diers not having sufficient to wear. I don't believe half of them were ever so well clothed in their lives. If we were called upon to advance upon the enemy to-morrow, we should be compelled to throw a large por- tion of our clothing away. I am pretty well now. Don't write to any of the doctors, for it won't do the least particle of good. Our lieuten- ant is a doctor, and he has done me more good than they could do at S6 FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. the hospital. Our regiment has been and Donelson with as much joy as placed in the division of General we did. I hardly believe you felt as McDowell, but we are not brigaded, glad as I did, for I felt, father, for the Washington's birthday was celebrated past two or three months that our by the 'Grand Army' in fine style, country was in a bad way. I feared There was nothing to be heard all that England would interfere and I day but the roar of artillery, and such knew if she did we were ruined, for a roar I never before heard. It must our blockade would be raised; Sher- have been fine music to our friends (?) at Manassas, who, by the way, are making tracks for Richmond, or some other sacred spot. The Army of the Potomac will soon give them a trial man (T. W.), would be cut off; our forces at Ship Island and Pickens would have to surrender, and we were totally unprepared for a war with such a power; and rivers, lakes of their steel. It is impossible to and large cities were not defended as move an army now, for the roads are in a wretched condition, the mud being two or three feet deep in many places. I have not seen Gene for a fort- night ; we can get no papers since we have been in McDowell's division, so I don't expect to see him very often." Our brother of the provost guard writes February 24, " We have only two officers for duty ; Lieutenant Martin and Fisher have joined their own regiments (companies), and I am alone with my company. I am officer of the day now, but I have just come back from patrolling ; very wet (got caught in a rain storm), and not being fond of travelling about in the rain and mud I will take the liberty — 'being commanding officer of the Post pro tem," — to remain at home during the morning. The streets of Washington are perfect rivers, and unless a person can swim, it is very dangerous for they should be and we had no navy, compared with that of England. When the news came that France intended to aid the South, I thought indeed our cup was full. I felt so badly about it that I would frequently find myself almost in tears, and Capt. Willard felt as I did. I told him one day that I thought if they would allow us to attend to our own affairs and remain away, we would crush out this rebellion very soon, and in six months after we would whip France and England both together if they did not keep quiet. I have no doubt that they think, or have thought, that the South was more powerful than we, but Forts Donelson and Henry and Roanoke will convince them to the contrary. I only wish I had been at Donelson. I see almost every day the capture or death of some of my old friends; Capt. Dixon, the chief engineer and builder of Fort D., was killed in his own work. I short persons to attempt to navigate know General Buckner quite well, them. I have a pair of very large He married a sister of Kingsbury, boots and do not have very much who was in the class above me, and trouble. I suppose you received the who was adjutant of the Corps. You news of the capture of Forts Henry have heard me speak of him as being FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. 57 a very fine fellow. Buckner was here when I reported, and was going to take a position in our army." . . . " We are only waiting for good travelling and the grand advance; we will have bloody work, for we are bound for Richmond, and by the aid of God we will be there before long. Frank is here ; I was with him all day on the 22d. He was taken in Texas, and refused to give the parole that many did, and was consequently detained a prisoner since March. He has just been exchanged; he was well treated (being a regular). He says the troops are half clothed, half fed, and not paid at all. Richmond and New Orleans are under martial Jaw, and there is no business any- where. Everything is very high. General McClellan told him that his course was very praiseworthy. Frank don't know what to do ; he will remain about here a week and make up his mind. Our uniform is to be changed, and in my next letter I will describe it to you." "Fort Albany, Feb. 26, 1862. I will write you just a word or two, as perhaps I may never have another opportunity. We have just received marching orders and don't know at what moment we go. The orders are that we go with only four wagons and two days' rations. The officers are to take nothing but a carpet bag. I shall take nothing but my blankets, rubber and woolen. If I escape un- injured I shall then send for the rest Note : First Lieutenant Royal T. Frank graduated from the Military Academy in the class of 1858. He was from Maine. He is now Colonel First United States Artillery, and com- mandant of the Artillery School at Fort Monroe, Va. of m}' valuable wardrobe. The Colonel has just been talking to us about our canteens, haversacks, etc., ' but be sure, boys,' he said, ' and have plenty of powder and shot." He has got fight in him. I have got fifty pounds and I shall try and shoot. Give love to Mother, and tell her not to worry." '' I have not heard from Gene." Our brother of the regulars now writes: "Feb. 27, 1862. I write in great haste. We are under orders to hold ourselves in readiness at a moment's notice to have two days' rations cooked, and to have all com- pany property stored. I am all picked up and ready to start any- where at any time. If anything hap- pens to me send to John Golden, Massachusetts avenue, between First and Seventh streets for my effects, and you will receive them instanter. Good-by to all." "February 28. I have been in my room since yester- day evening with my knapsack packed and all ready to move. I believe that Banks attempted to take Williams Port, and got defeated, and this is the cause of all the getting ready, etc. Yesterday morning the Fourth United States Cavalry went off some- where, and returned this morning covered with mud. I did not see any of them, consequently do not know where they went. Captain Willard has been promoted to be Major in Note: Major George L. Willard was ap- pointed a brevet second lieutenant, Eighth United States Infantry, June 28, 1848; Major Nineteenth United States Infantry, Feb. 19, 1862. He was captured at Harpers Ferry, Va., Sep- tember, 1862, and was killed at Gettysburg, July 2, 1863, while in command of the Third brigade. Third division. Second corps." S3 AN INCIDENT OF THE CENTRAL GUARD-HOUSE. the Nineteenth Infantry. He just but do not know at what moment the left my room, after telling me pri- ' long roll ' will summon us to march vately some good news. The provost on the enemy. It has-been under- marshal-general of the Grand Army, stood by us till recently that we General Andrew Porter, has applied were to be stationed here permanently, for Major Willard to command a but such is not the fact; we advance battalion which is to move with him. with the "Grand Army." By acci- Major asked me how I would like to dent I met with a late H. paper, and be adjutant. He says I am not sure in it I saw a ' Call ' for a meeting to of commanding a company, and now drum up recruits for the "Web-footed that P'rank is here, he may be ordered Fourteenth," giving these individuals to take command at any moment. If to understand that this regiment I act as adjutant I will have a horse would see none of Jeff's friends. It to ride, which is a very fine thing to is too bad for them to be so deceived, have in the field, • « la S/iarroin/niss.' I suppose Major Wright has been to Major wishes to have me very much. H. to recruit. He thought when he left I rather think I shall like it. It is that we should not advance, but we very cold and windy here, and I hope have received different orders since if we move, we will wait until it is a he left, and I am glad of it." little pleasant. I am busy with my Our brother of the provost guard muster and pay-rolls, and have to see writes, March lo, 1862. " We move that my monthly return is made out this morning at twelve noon. We properly." are on the provost marshal-general's Our brother at Fort Albany writes, guard. The entire army moves, March 5th. " We still continue here, good-by. God bless you all ! " AN INCIDENT OF THE CENTRAL GUARD-HOUSE. Jiy General J. P. Cilh-y. The mention in the narrative of at the Central guard-house, and ra- the " Four Brothers in Blue," of this mained on this duty till August i, military adjunct to the military rule 1863. The services of this detail of the city of Washington during the were unique, and the experiences War of the Rebellion, will recall to varied ; most of the ordinary duties of many an old soldier something of a police judge, with those of the chief personal experience. April 7, 1863, of police, were united in one person, while disabled by the wound in Before relating one of these inci- the right arm and shoulder, I was dents, a description of the guard- detailed as judge advocate on the house may be appropriate, and the staff of General Martindale, military following is taken from the history governor of Washington, and was of the Fourteenth New Hampshire assigned to duty as examining officer regiment : AN INCIDENT OF THE CENTRAL GUARD-HOUSE. 59 "The Central guard-house had by order of General Martindale, com- been used as the common city jail mander military district of Washing- before the war. It was not a very ton, and detailed for duty at Central strong prison, nor was it well con- guard-house. Lieutenant Ira Berry, structed as to convenience or sani- Jr., afterwards relieved Lieutenant tary advantages. It was small, and Fellows ; and Lieutenant Solomon of looked more like the engine-house of the One Hundred and Seventy- some New England fire company eighth New York relieved Lieuten- than a jail. It was built of brick, ant Wright the last of June. Lieu- with stone floors, and consisted of a tenant Berry relieved Captain main building some forty feet square Cooper, and was placed in charge of and two stories high, with an L ex- the prison. Other officers of the tending forty or fifty feet to the rear Fourteenth, among them Lieutenant from the centre of the building. George F. Blanchard, were subse- This L was two stories high, and was quently on duty at the Central guard- divided into cells on each floor, lo- house. During this summer of 1863, cated on each side of an alley down the property clerk was Sergeant F. the centre. In the main building, on C. Horner of the Seventy-sixth New the first floor, were rooms used as York, and the clerks were R. N. offices for reception, and trial or ex- amination of prisoners, property- Washburn of the Thirty-ninth Mass- achusetts, J. P. Cherry of the Seven- room, and guard-rooms. The second ty-sixth New York, and J. B. Daven- floor consisted of one large room, port of the Twentieth Massachu- No. I, into which most of the pris- oners were sent at first, especially if setts. There were from twenty to forty citizens. There were usually from cases of arrest and detention to be fifty to one hundred prisoners in this examined into daily. The cases room. All kinds and grades of peo- were duly entered in a docket, and pie, from the soldier found drunk on under the name of each culprit was the streets, to men arrested for mur- the cause of his arrest, and a few der, and even what could now be notes giving some additional facts, termed 'Suspects,' found their way I will give one incident to show the to the Central guard-house. "Captain J. S. Cooper, of the range of investigation demanded. One morning, as I entered the Tenth New Jersey, was in charge of building, I noticed in one corner a the Central guard-house, having huge pile of canteens, jugs, and bot- under him two officers, taking twen- ties. I expressed some surprise at ty-four hour tours, alternately, from this -display, and asked the prison noon to noon; and an ample guard, clerk what was up. He smiled, and with sergeants and other subalterns, suggested that a reference to the " May 26, Lieutenants Stark Fel- docket would further perplex me. I lows and Carroll D. Wright (now opened the docket, and among the United States commissioner of labor) first entries read the names of some were detached from the Fourteenth three women, charged with smug- AN INCIDENT OF THE CENTRAL GUARD-HOUSE. gling liquor across Long Bridge, that the liquor was found in their posses- sion, and a note in form of an order from General Martindale stating that one of the women had a child in the carriage when arrested, and directing me to find out if it was her baby or a borrowed one. The suggestion of such an endeavor was appalling to a young unmarried officer. While I perceived Captain Cooper laughing internally, personally, laughing was the most remote achievement from my mind. The order seemed ab- surd, and its execution impossible, but a distinct order it was, and as such could not be avoided or ignored. I had no heart to take up any other case, but held my breath as I medi- tated what I could do to solve or to avoid the positive command. At last it came slowly through my pei- plexed brain that every mother must remember the date of birth of her child, the place where born, the time it was weaned, and when its first tooth was cut. I summoned the sup- posed mother before me. Her voice and her whole appearance proclaimed her nationality to be Irish. It oc- curred to me, as I saw these marked racial traits, to produce in her mind the impression that I believed her to be of German origin, and that she was lying when she should claim Irish birth. So I comm.enced harsh- ly, for actually I was thoroughly vexed with the requirements of the order. " Where were you born .'' '' She replied, "In Donnybrook, near Dublin." I replied quickly," Impos- sible, you are Dutch built and Dutch voiced ; you must mean near Ham- burg." She held to Dublin, and I hurled a volley of questions at her, asking her the date, and a lot of facts about her early life and marriage, and introduced tenderly, as tending to sustain my impression of nationality, the date of birth of the child, where born, when weaned, teeth cut, etc. I went over the ground three times with varied sequence of question ; all her dates and places agreed except those concerning the child, whose date of birth, place of birth, when weaned, etc., did not agree, and then looking her square in the face, I said, " You are lying concerning that child. It is not your own child. You have given three dates of its birth, and two places where born, and have weaned it at different times.'' She started, and trembled, and said nothing for a minute, when her inborn Irish wit, with an Irish bull in it, and a womanly weapon of defense were brought into execution. " Boo, hoo, hoo ! Boo, hoo, hoo!" and the tears actually ran down her cheeks as she continued her " Boo, hoo, hoo." I was prepar- ing by involuntary association to ac- company her tears, when she said, " If you had doubted who the father was, I would not have cared ; but to doubt who the mother is ! Boo, hoo, hoo! " FIEST MAINE HEA VY ARTILLER Y JN FALL OF 1864. 139 part of the fort were a large lot of rough tent-poles and spring-beds or rude bunks, made of small poles. It so happened that the space be- tween the extreme left of the fort and the bomb-proof was a little short for the two regiments, and as the Ninety-ninth went in first, when our regiment got into position, our Com- pany E lapped by the right company of the other regiment, and, as a mat- ter of course, both companies began to take possession of the poles and bunks. The men, tired with their night march, had lain down without shelter in the covered wav for a short nap, and awoke numb and stiff with the cold, and naturally, under the circumstances, were a little fractious ; in fact, they were in just that state of mind and body when it was a mighty easy thing to pick a quarrel with any of them. Both companies claimed the ground and the poles, and both made vigorous protests against the other's meddling with what each claimed as his own. Words grew warm ; in short, the air was blue with oaths, foul names, threats and challenges. Fighting words passed back and forth until, as if by common consent, the contest narrowed down to a tall Pennsylvania sergeant, and Private Charles Eaton of Company E. After a little spicy talk between the two, which would not bear repeating on these pages, the sergeant aimed a heavy blow at Eaton, which he neatly dodged and struck the sergeant with his shoulder, well down on his abdomen, and run- ning him back a few steps against a bunk, tipped him over on his back, caught him by the throat with his left hand and commenced to put in fierce blows with the right. Seeing this, our Company E Irishman, John Fitzgerald, who stood holding his gun by the muzzle in front of him. exclaimed in jDerfect ecstasies, " Kill the dum son of a gun," but the ever- present son of the Emerald Isle was with the Pennsylvania's also, and stood very near Fitzgerald. The remark seemed to roil his temper, for the next instant a heavy backhander across the mouth came near laying our man on his back. The Irish was now up on both sides. Fitzgerald recovered his balance, changed hands on the muzzle of his gun, and aimed a swinging blow at the brain of his antagonist with all the venom of a mad man. Quicker than a flash the Pennsylvania Irishman sprang on his foe, throwing his arms about his neck and thus avoiding the blow. Then throwing himself backward, he knocked the gun from F"itzgerald's hands, caught it in the air, and struck an equally fierce blow, but it chanced to hit fairly and harmlessly on the well-filled cartridge-box which rested on the right hip of our man. By this time, the four combatants were seized and held by their comrades until their tempers cooled off, no harm resulting from the fierce fight except a black eye for the Pennsyl- vania sergeant. One little incident of this October 2d affair, and I am done. We had a man in our company, whom we will call Benton for the sake of conceal- ing his identity. I presume every company had one of the same sort, who had a very decided opinion that the rear wa» a much safer place than 14° FOUR BROTHERS UY BLUE. the front in time of action. On this particular morning, when we fell in, although I was a corporal at the time, my captain placed me in the line of file closers, and, with a merry twinkle in his eye, remarked, " I want you to stay with Benton to-day, wherever he stops." You may be sure I kept a sharp eye on him. He tried his old game of dodge while moving through dense woods, but whenever he thought he had got out of sight of the men, he always found I had him yarded. I got him into his place in line about the time we started to charge across the open field, but at the sound of the first bullet, his knapsack grew heavy, and he de- clared he could not keep up. I told him to throw it off, but he allowed he would stay by his knapsack. I then tried the virtue of the point of my bayonet against his anatomy, while another man dropped back and caught him by the collar, and he was thus hustled along amid the jeers of the company, actually the first time he was ever under fire. FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE On the Peninsular — Gen. McClellan's Headquarters — Seven Days' Battle. By Captain Robert Goldthwait Carter, U. S. Army. (continued.) On the 28th of February, 1862, it had become known that General An- drew Porter was appointed provost marshal general of the Army of the Potomac, and having applied for a battalion of regulars as provost guard, with Major George L. Wil- lard. Nineteenth United States In- fantry in command, and the order having been received to move on the loth of March, it crossed the river and went into camp the same day, near Fairfax seminary. The following officers composed the staff of General Porter: Major, W. H. Wood, Seventeenth United States Infantry ; chief cf staff, Cap- tain James McMillan, Seventeenth United States Infantry ; acting assis- tant adjutant-general. Captain J. W. Forsythe, Eighteenth; lieutenants, J. W. Jones, Twelfth, C. F. Trow- bridge, Sixteenth, and C. D. Mehaffey, First United States Infantry ; aide-de- camp, General Andrew Porter ; pro- vost marshal, General Amey of the Potomac. The provost guard was now com- posed as follows : a battalion of in- fantry under Major G. L. Willdrd, the latter being Companies F and G, Eighth Infantry, under Captain Roy- al T. F"rank and First Lieutenant Eugene Carter, with two Companies, B and D, of the Seventeenth. At general headquarters, two companies, FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. 141 A and E, Fourth United States Cav- alry ; Lieutenants J. B. Mclntire and William O'Connell, one company, Oneida Cavalry (New York Volun- teers), one company, Sturges Rifles (Illinois Volunteers). The Sturges Rifles was a single, unattached company of eighty-three men, organized at Chicago in April, 1 861, mustered May 6. It was equipped and subsisted for nearly two months by the munificence of Mr. Solomon Sturges. The com- missioned officers were Captain James Steele, First Lieutenant N. W. Sheldon, Second Lieutenant Fos- ter. It was armed with Sharpes rifles. It served as body guard to General McClellan in West Virginia, and accompanied him to Washington, reaching there July 26, 1861. From that time it was a part of the head- quarters guard. It left the army at Falmouth, Virginia, and was mus- tered out November 27, 1862. Our brother at Fort Albany writes March 1 1 : " Last night the long roll beat in all the encampments for miles around, and the 'Web-footed Four- teenth' sallied forth to see what was up. We soon learned that this regi- ment was not to move at present. Soon we saw General McDowell with his division approaching, followed by Blenker and his division. The whole army was moved. About 12 o'clock we discovered that Long Bridge was covered with troops, and in about half an hour they approached, and it was rumored that they were regulars; so of course I was interested, and I waited patiently for nearly three hours for the thousands of cavalrv. and over one hundred gun pieces of artillery to pass us. Then came the regular infantry ; Gene's company was the first, he in command. He is in fine spirits, and looking as healthy as a buck. His two companies, with two companies of cavalry were selected for a body guard to General Porter, the provost marshal, but would not accept until they were assured by General McClellan that they would have the same privileges of promotion as if they were to be in the thickest of the fight. In all prob- ability, unless we have a reverse, which we shall not, Gene or myself will be in no very great danger of losing our valuable lives. " It is very hard marching, as the mud is very deep. He will probably sleep on the ground to-night. I walked by his side nearly to Mun- son's Hill, and then bade him adieu, and I felt almost like cursing my fortune, that we were not permitted to advance with him." Our brother of McClellan's head- quarters writes from Fairfax Semi- nary, March 19 : " I have been on the jump for the past two weeks. One week ago last Sunday night, at i o'clock, we were ordered to march at 12 the next day. The Major succeeded in getting plenty of transportation, and we started very well provided for. " I have one large tent for the rations of my company. I took a wall tent for myself, and a small one for my servant, ray carpet-bag and camp bed, three blankets, and a pillow. " We marched about three miles the first day and bivouacked. In u o o o Q « eq u o FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. 143 passing Fort Albany, I found John on the lookout, and he walked along with me for three miles, and then started back, looking as forlorn as possible. The first night was some cold, but we managed to make our- selves comfortable. Reveille was beaten at 4 o'clock, and we started towards Fairfax court-house at 6; arrived there at 2 p. m., and went into camp very near General Mc- Clellan's quarters. We remained there until last Sunday (i6th) morning, and then received or- ders to report at headquarters at Fairfax Seminary. "The Friday and Saturday before, it rained very hard ; my blankets, boots, and every- thing I had got wet. My throat troubled me considerably. We marched on Sunday to within two miles of the Seminary, and there found an overflowed river, which we could not ford with our wagons ; we remained here for an hour, not knowing what to do, but we were informed that we could go back a mile and find a cross-road which would bring us into the main road to Wash- ington, and then we could take the main road to Alexandria, which is very near our present camp. " We started, and such a road I never saw before ; mud knee-deep. We finally arrived at our destination, after having marched about twenty- five miles. Our wagons had been stalled, and we had nothing to cook or eat with. We remained totally inactive for two hours, and just at dusk our wagons came up, our tents were pitched, our fires were lighted, and supper cooked. " Of course we felt like new men. The next morning we arranged our camp, and now we have everything comfortable. General Porter and staff are with us ; General McClellan and staff are very near, and the medical director and chief of ord- nance directly behind us. We are to be changed from provost guard duty to the guard of the commander-in- mi m I •..;,! * (A: ll ,■•1' Fairfax Court House, Va. ' chief. I think I shall decline the staff appointment offered to me and keep my company. I have seen enought of ' mounted orderlies' du- ties. "Frank commands one company of the Eighth, I command the other. Two companies of the Seventeenth are with us, and the officers and men are worse than those of any volun- teer regiment in the service. I went over to Washington this morning, saw John on my return. I think we shall embark in two or three days, 144 FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. but where we go to, I know not. I wish we could have a chance to fight, for I want a brevet captaincy. Gen- eral McClellan says that we may have a chance." Our brother of the artillery now writes : "March 19. To-day I saw Gene; since they marched a week ago Mon- day, I have heard nothing from him ; but to-day as I came from the provost guard, the boys told me that my brother had been to see me, and that are now a part of the body guard of ' Little Mac.'" " Camp Portek, Alexandria, March 25, 1862. Your letter reached me this morn- ing, and found me, as usual, officer of the day but no patrol duty to per- form. The duties now are compara- tively light, there being six officers to divide with. I am alone with my company, but I have applied for my second lieutenant. I think I told you that Frank commands one company Fairfax Seminaky, Va. he was out by the roadside, feeding his horse ; so I went and found him. He is pretty well tired out, having marched from Fairfax last night, and is now camped about a mile from Alexandria. McClellan with his whole army has returned. Banks has about 45,000 men beyond Ma- nassas, and McClellan, with nearly 200,000 men, are embarking on board steamers for God only knows where. There is 'some game up.' "The two companies of the Eighth of the Eighth, and I the other. We are very good friends. I have been to W. twice since we came back from Fairfax, and obtained all I needed for a long campaign. As we go with General McClellan, it becomes us to look as well as possible, so I got my uniform coat and pants, woolen shirts without collars, and one hun- dred paper collars. Now I can have a clean collar every day, and shall not be put to the trouble of having them washed. All the regular infantry FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. 145 have embarked. I rode down to Alexandria yesterday and saw Gen- eral Sykes and all the officers. The General said he wished I was going along with him ; and I really wish I was, for I know they will see enough fighting, and God knows I had rather fight under General Sykes as my im- mediate commander than any man living. I feel now as though we were isolated, mere tent raisers ; but I will content myself with General Porter's promise to give us a chance, and he is a good man and a brave soldier. I hear nothing of our mov- ing, but I know when we do go, we go on board the Commodore with General McClellan." " I have been drilling my company as skirmishers for the past week, and firing with blank cartridges ; it is the best practice we can give them, for it teaches them to be cool under fire. This morning Frank was sick, and Major Willard took command of the company, and challenged me to have a sham battle with him. Friday night, March 28, General McClellan was serenaded by the band and glee club of the Ninety-fifth Pennsylvania Volunteers, and they were cordially welcomed by him, who made them a brief but spirited address." General McClellan, with headquar- ters of the army, embarked April 2, 1862, from Alexandria on the Steamer Commodore; Companies F and G of the Eighth, on the Steamer Wilson Small for Fortress Monroe. They arrived on the 3d, and went into camp one mile from Hampton. Leaving Hampton on the morning of April 4, the march was resumed slowly across Newmarket Bridge, and through Little Bethel, and head- quarters were located in a house at Big Bethel very near where Lieuten- ant John Greble of the Artillery, and our brother's instructor at West Point, had been killed ten months before. On Saturday, April 5, three miles beyond Big Bethel, the Half- way House was reached, once a road- side hotel ; there had been a store connected with it, the windows to which had iron bars ; it was now deserted. About one-half mile from it " Rosedown " was passed, a planta- tion house three stories in height, of some pretensions. It was painted white, and had large chimneys and many outbuildings. W. Russell, the owner of this place, stood outside, and answered the numerous questions put to him. He claimed to be a Union man, complained that the Con- federates had burnt up his fences ; his slaves, many of them, were nearly white. This was about twelve miles from Yorktown. Camp and headquarters were at Chesapeake Church at night. On the 6th, after a long, tedious, and slow march across Kowards's bridge and through Cock- letown, during which cannonading could be heard in the advance, camp was made near Yorktown. General McClellan was in a hut in a deserted Rebel camp. On the 7th, the camp of the general headquarters and provost guard was five miles from Yorktown, near Dr. Powers's. It rained all night, the 7th, and all day of the 8th. Remained in this camp until the nth, reconnaissances, skir- mishes, and cannonading going on most of the time. The roads were 146 FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. horrible from the recent rains, and the baggage, most of the time, was far in the rear. On the nth, camp was moved further to the front, and nearer to Yorktown. This camp they occupied until the siege was raised. It was between two small branches of the southeasterly arm of Wormley Creek. It was situated on a mag- nificent plateau in the midst of about 30,000 men, and was about one mile from York river. A little to the right of camp one could obtain a good view of the river, and a walk of about half a mile around the woods, Yorktown, Gloucester Point, and a long line of the enemy's works could be seen. To the south of camp was a ravine through which ran a small creek, along which were some fine springs. It was about two miles from the enemy's line. A short dis- tance to the rear was a large swamp, reeking with malaria, along which ran the camp of the One Hundred Fifth New York volunteers. A very thick wood of pine, elm, and sassafras almost surrounded the camp, but it was soon all cut away. Facing camp, and but one fourth of a mile to the front. Prof. Low had his ap- paratus for filling his balloons, which, during the siege of Yorktown, could frequently be seen almost daily above the trees for short reconnaissances of the enemy's works. A detail of the Fifth New York Volunteers (Duryea's Zouaves), which had been attached to Skyes's Regular brigade, pitched the headquarter camp, and laid out the ground about them, and a detail was made daily for guard duty over General McClel- lan's quarters, which were very near regimental headquartersof the Fifth New York. The camp was laid out in the form of a great parallelogram or rectangle, with the staff tents on the long sides, and the commander-in-chief on one of the shorter sides, the guard tents being upon the other. On the side occupied by General McClellan, a space, 100 feet square, was marked out, around which sentinels walked day and night, and upon which no one was allowed to approach without a pass or unless they had urgent busi- ness with the general. In the centre of this square two large tents were pitched alongside with a small space between them. One of them was occupied by General McClellan, and the other by General Marcy, his father-in-law, and chief-of-staff. Both were furnished alike, with stove, table, lounge, camp bed, camp stools, desk, and toilet articles. In front of these a street 100 feet wide (width of the rectangle) ran to the guard tents on the other side of the camp. Upon each side of this street the staff tents were pitched, all arranged according to rank from General McClellan's tent. In these were the provost marshal, adjutant-general, inspector^general, quartermaster-gen- eral, the heads of departments, aides to the commanding general, etc. A line back of the staff tents were devoted to subalterns, servants, etc. Outside of all, the horses were pick- eted ; and further away was the headquarter train in park. It was an immensely imposing affair, and noth- ing like it was ever seen in the Army of the Potomac again. 148 FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. The provost guard extended all to saddle up and capture it. Gen- through the camps; picked up strag- eral Porter did not consider it wise glers and contrabands, and if they to pull the valve when he saw he had passes they were released, if not, was going towards the enenny's lines, they were sent to the nearest guard- although many shouted for him to do house, from which the soldiers were so ; but soon, at a high altitude, a sent to their respective regiments, fortunate countre-current set him and the contrabands to the nearest back, and opening the valve, he de- subsistence department, if they were scended within a few rods of head- wanted there for labor, or, if not, they quarters, landing directly on top of a were kept by the guard until other- soldier's shelter tent, wise disposed of. All stray horses Batteries sprang up in every direc- and mules were picked up and re- tion, and the army sat down before turned to the herds to which they Yorktown for a long siege. One of belonged. It took charge of all the most remarkable of these bat- rebel spies; all prisoners of war, who teries, and one with quite a history, were turned over to them by their was Battery No. I, which was the captors. Stolen property of every first to open on the enemy's works, description was traced up, and a on April 30, only a few days before thousand and one duties were per- the evacuation. It was located at formed by this headquarter and the mouth of Wormley creek on the provost guard that would fill columns banks of York river. It was built by to enumerate. It was a terror to all details from the Fifth New York, evil-doers. A writer has well said : and the First Conn. H. A. directly "Better order never was kept any- in front of Farinholt's house in his where on the continent than in the peach orchard. Its guns were 1-200 Army of the Potomac." and 5-100 Pdr. parrots, and it was The entire camp was named by garrisoned by one battery. First G. O. No. 115, dated April 12, 1862, Conn. H. A., Captain Burke. " Camp Winfield Scott." On the The plantation had been apparent- same day, in the forenoon, the enemy ly abandoned by the whites, and Far- sent up a balloon, but it remained inholt was said to be a lieutenant in up only a few minutes, and it was the Confederate army ; but on May surmised that it was a failure. One 5th, during the advance of the army of the most exciting incidents that through and beyond Yorktown, a happened near headquarters was the great many stragglers came into ascent of General P^itz John Porter in headquarters and were sent to the one of Prof. Low's balloons, early on provost guard , from the rear guard the morning of April 11. The rope of the fleeing " Johnnies," and among broke a few hundred feet from the them was F"arinholt and a neighbor ground, and away he went, rising by the name of Davis. P^arinholt higher and higher over the enemy's stated that he had been impressed works. There was great excitement into the Confederate service. He for a time, and cavalry were ordered narrowly escaped being shot and ar- FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. 149 rested several times during his haz- ardous escape. He sent in a note to headquarters saying he wished to " take the oath of allegation," and the " oath of allegiance'' was at once ad- ministered. On the night of the i8th, the camp was alarmed by heavy and continuous firing of artillery and musketry. General lyicClellan sent some of his staff officers to ascertain the cause. many of their dead behind. We are anxiously awaiting to hear the result of the battle of Yorktown, and feel sorry that our regiment was not per- mitted to participate in it ; yet I know that the army must suffer much, as they have had nothing to shelter them- selves with, since they have been there, with the exception of little booths, formed of rubber tents. " I fear we shall have a desperate Battery No. i, Yorktown. On the 2 1st of April Companies A, F, H, and K of the Ninety-third New York Volunteers were attached to the headquarter guard, and Major Granville O. Haller was assigned as commandant of headquarters. On the 25th of April our brother in Fort Tillinghast wrote as follows : "I can, with full confidence assure you that I am freed at last from that interesting species of vermin called 'lice.' After a long and desperate siege, they have evacuated, leaving fight there, and I worry for Gene's safety ; yet I trust he will be spared. " I see by the papers that Frank Fessenden was badly wounded at the battle of Pittsburg Landing. I some- times think that this will be a long and bioody war, though ' Jeff ' is see- ing bad times now. I thought when I ' enlisted for a soldier,' that I should have returned ere this, or have be- come ' food for powder ; ' but God only can see the end. "There is nothing here to keep up FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. one's spirits, for we are away from everybody and everytiiing, with the exception of the Arlington House, the residence of the traitor Lee, and formerly of Washington, the Father of his Country. It has been a splen- did place, but now everything has been destroyed, the magnificent for- est around it having been cut down, and the flower gardens neglected. The pictures have nearly all been taken away, and the house much in- jured. The rooms are very large, and there is a long entry running the entire length of the house, adorned with stags' heads, and a few splendid paintings still remain. Lee's ' nig- gers,' about fifty in number, still oc- cupy their quarters, and make them- selves useful by washing for the soldiers, etc. Arlington has been until recently the headquarters of General McDowell. ■'Last week I was confined to my bunk two or three days, having got wet through while on guard, and taking cold, " I witnessed the battle between the forces of Gene and Willard. It was a desperate engagement. No- body killed on our side ; the loss of the enemy unknown." Camp Winfield Scott, May 4, 1862. " I may not have a chance to write again for some time. The enemy bave evacuated Yorktown, and we are pressing hard upon their rear guard. They commenced last Friday hear nothing but 'Yankee Doodle, ' Hail Columbia,' 'Star Spangled Ban- ner,' and ' Dixie.' We can hear the cannonading going on very distinct- ly, and it cannot be very far from us. I wish I were with the advance. I expect we will all move to-morrow, and follow up the retreating army of Secession so fast that we will give them a general battle before many days. The reason for evacuating seems to be their fear of our gun- boats. We will whip them in a fair, open field fight, and they will find a vast difference between fighting three months' Volunteers, and our present army. " We have had a very lively time for the last three days ; solid shot and shell whistling over our heads, and falling about us in every direction. You cannot imagine the noise made by a hundred-pound rifle shell whiz- zing through the air, even at the dis- tance of half a mile from you. It seems like three or four engines go- ing at the top of their speed, and when it bursts — thunder and zounds ; what a noise ! ! But I have heard their music so often, that I scarcely notice them now. I wish John was with this army, I know he would be better contented than he is now. He used to take so much pleasure in coming to see me when I was at the seminary. He would walk miles to see and spend the day with me. ■'I have just been talking to the major ; he has just come from head- night, and have left a large amount quarters, and of course has heard all of munitions of war behind. Our the news. This morning we sent out a bands, which for two weeks have strong reconnoissance composed of been as silent as the grave, are now horseartillery and cavalry. We met the playing with all their might, and we rear guard of the enemy, and a brisk FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. 151 skirmish took place ; full particulars not received. The Sixth Regular Cavalry lost about thirty men, and captured fifty prisoners ( privates), and one captain. I think that Johns- ton intends to throw about sixty thousand men upon McDowell, and keep forty thousand behind entrench- ments for our benefit. " The Rebels have erected batteries again at Acquia Creek. Our officers are almost satisfied that we would have had to fight at Yorktown for months before we could reduce it, and it was owing to the over-caution of General Robert E. Lee of the Con- federate army that it was evacuated. " We will follow them very closely. Our advance is at Williamsburg to- night. Many have been killed by the explosion of torpedoes, which the Rebels placed in the ground all about their fortifications. Our gunboats have gone to West Point, and all our supplies are being carried there as rapidly as possible. Prisoners are being brought to us very fast ; many, deserters. Signals are flying in every direction, and rockets of all kinds and sizes. " I must get some rest, for I think we will move to-morrow. I have been kept awake for some nights past by heavy cannonading. " France will recognize the South- ern Confederacy in less than a month, for the purpose of dividing us on Mexican affairs. If she does, I hope every man and boy in the great North will shoulder his musket and give himself to his country. " We do nothing but drill from morning until night. " During this terrific cannonading, to one of the youngsters attached headquarters thought he would play a practical joke upon General , so he asked him to come over and see one of the great shells the enemy had pitched into the headquarter camp. When he arrived the young fledgling showed him an immense oyster shell obtained from the York river, much to the disgust of the dig- nified general. " General McClellan, leaving every- thing behind, taking only his imme- diate staff, went to the front to con- duct the pursuit. His temporary headquarters in Yorktown were at the Anderson house. On that day he had no dinner or supper, and on the morning of the 6th he had no breakfast but a biscuit, nor dinner ; all his baggage was back in camp. He was out in a heavy rain until late at night. He slept in his clothes and boots, and his bed was a buffalo robe and horse blanket ; he was without even a hair-brush or tooth-brush ; his headquarters curing that night on the field of Williamsburg were in the Whittaker house, but, on the night of the 6th, were in a fine house which General Joe Johnston had been occupying, in Williamsburg. "The provost guard had been kept busy, guarding prisoners, deserters, and attending to the many duties in- cident to the excitement and bustle of breaking up Camp Winfield Scott. "At 12:30 p. m. on the night of the 7th, General McClellan sent a despatch to General Marcy to bring up headquarters at once to Williams- burg. It moved at early daylight, and passing through Yorktown, over- took the general by 2 p. m. on the 'S^ FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. gth, at Williamsburg, and moving out late in the afternoon of the same day, camp was pitched at Ewell's Farm, three miles from Williamsburg. " Starting at 5 a. m. on the loth, at II :45 a. m. headquarters had moved through James City, Burnt Ordinary, by many churches and chapels, to Barhamsville, where camp was pitched near an old church. Roper's meeting-house, in a pine grove. Here they remained until the morn- ing of the 13th. On the night of the I2th, the army was up and gathered for miles about this place. It was a beautiful, bright moonlight night. The band of the Second Dragoons was serenading headquarters, and fifty other bands near by were sound- ing off " tattoo." It was a grand and inspiriting scene. On the 13th, moved at 6 a. m. from Roper's church to Cumberland Landing on the Pamunkey river, where a temporary depot was estab- lished. This place sprang into im- portance almost in a single night. From a little landing with an occa- sional oyster boat tied up to the wharf, it had become an immense seaport with a forest of masts, gov- ernment transports, and trading ves- sels crowding each other, and every indication of busy life and commer- cial impQrtance. The army was visited here by Sec- retaries Seward, Bates, and Welles, Frederick Seward and wife, Admiral and Mrs. Goldsborough, Admiral Dahlgren, who were guests at Gen- eral McClellan's headquarters. They were taken about camp in ambu- lances : a number of ladies were in the party. On the 14th, the army had a grand review in their honor. It was a most magnificent spectacle. When Secretary Seward rode around one of the regiments from Massachu- setts, he remarked to General Mc- Clellan, " This is ' old Massachusetts,' God bless her!" "Yes,"' replied General McClellan, with a smile, pointing to the line which was nearly double that of any other, " it will take the Rebels a long time to get around this regiment." It rained on the 14th and 15th, and on the i6th, head- quarters left camp in a heavy rain and marched to White House, the home of the Lees. Here a very singular incident came near depriv- ing the commander-in-chief of his wagon train with all headquarter baggage, etc. The roads, from heavy rains, were horrible. In coming to White House, it had missed the road where it forked ; had taken one lead- ing directly into the enemy's lines, and was only rescued and turned back by some of our cavalry, and then only after a skirmish with the enemy's scouts and pickets. General McClellan was, therefore, compelled to take up temporary headquarters in the house. As soon as the wagons arrived, he moved to about one-half mile in rear of the Landing, and pitched his camp as usual. This was about one mile from Dr. Macon's. He neither occu- pied the house himself nor allowed others to do so, but placed a strong guard about the entire grounds and property. On the 17th of May it had been determined by General McClellan to break up, if possible, the enemy's depot of supplies on the Pamunky FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. IS3 river above White House. He des- ignated a portion of the headquarter guard to accomplish this important task. Under verbal orders from General Andrew Porter, the com- mand started at 9 o'clock on the morning of the 17th, under Major George L. Willard. It was com- posed of Companies F and G, Eighth United States Infantry, under Cap- tain Royal T. Frank and First Lieu- tenant Eugene Carter, and Lieuten- ants A. T. Smith of the Eighth, and F. A. Field, Eleventh Infantry ; ten men of Company B, and fifteen men of Company D, Seventeenth Infan- try, with Assistant-surgeon J. H. Frantz, and thirty-four men of the Sturges Rifles, Captain James Steele ; a total of one hundred and forty en- listed men. They embarked on the light draft tug boat Seih Loive, where Captain Murray, United States Navy, was ■found, who commanded the United States steamship Sehago, with whom Major Willard had been directed to cooperate ; Captain R. B. Ayres's Battery F, Fifth United States Artil- lery, came aboard with two lo-pound- er Parrott guns of his battery. Steaming slowly up the river, about 10 o'clock the gunboat Curri- tuck, Captain Nicholson, was over- taken. The Pamunkey was a beautiful river, with high bluffs and a most pic- turesque scenery. It was so narrow, however, that at times the boats were brushing the treetops along its banks, and one could almost leap ashore. The bluffs were thickly wooded, and it was expected that the enemy might have a concealed force along the shore. Frequently the Currituch got aground. White flags were flying from nearly every house that could be seen. Few whites were discovered. But at Putney's mill or ferry, the negroes came down by couples and families to make grimaces and gestures of welcome. Captain Ayres said they reminded him of the Mojave Indians when he made his exploration of the Colorado river. They reported that at Smith's store, ten miles from White House, the enemy had a strong picket of thirty. At 2 o'clock the "Thoroughfare" was reached, the narrowest part of the river, where the boats could not turn around. The stream widened into pools, however, and at times one could see stretches of country, covered with waving grain, gently sloping meadows, farm- houses, large plantation mansions and picturesque negro quarters, which Captain Ayres said "made a man weep for very admiration." The stream was found to be ob- structed at several points by timber felled from opposite sides, so that the tops met and the branches were in- terlaced in the middle of the narrow channel. It was decided that the quickest way to get rid of the barricades was to run them down. Putting on a full head of steam, a run was made at them and they were run down with the greatest ease ; the boughs were crushed to splinters, while the piles that had been at these points were so bent over that they could no longer impede navigation. Shortly after 2 o'clock, dense smoke was discovered ahead. At 3 o'clock a point was reached, about IS4 FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. twenty miles from White House, where a boom of two or more sunken schooners or canal-boats effectually barred the way. In the distance a number of Rebel steamers and schooners could be seen, with a line of the enemy drawn up on the high bluffs. These boats were filled with stone, and it was found impossible to raise or remove them. This was at a place called Bassett's Landing, fif- teen miles from Richmond. The command, with the exception of a small picket-guard left with the boats, was now landed on the left bank (North side), and the little force set out on its hazardous march. It proceeded two or more miles in the direction of Richmond, pushing its way through a thick undergrowth for nearly a mile. The mounted pickets of the enemy retired. Things were beginning to look very interesting, and like a iight, with the possible chance of being cut off from a re- treat to the boats, when, suddenly, with a flash of blue smoke, a hollow explosion, and a burst of flame, the Rebel craft were ignited, and soon were completely enveloped in flame ; at the same time the enemy ran away without firing a shot. One propeller and one large sound steamer, the Logan, and a number of schooners, variously estimated at from ten to twenty, were counted, all of which were totally destroyed. The command was so close that the noise and the crackling of the burning tim- bers could be distinctly heard. The object of the expedition having now been accomplished, the command at 4 o'clock returned to the steamers. During its absence, a sailor from the Currituck reported a body of troops on the south side of the river, drawn up in line of battle, at a point nearly opposite the burning vessels. The sergeant of the picket that had been left behind, sent a negro to as- certain if this was correct. He re- turned in a few minutes after the command had re-embarked, and re- ported a large force of the enemy drawn up in the road leading from the burning fleet to the Chicka- hominy river, and just within a line of woods some distance from the Pamunkey. The return was at once made, the steamers having to back some distance before they could turn. About half way down, a small force of the enemy's cavalry was seen, but they were not molested. It was learned from the negroes that these vessels had contained about 20,000 bushels of corn, besides coal and other stores, one negro stating that he had been engaged in hauling the corn to the Chickahominy Swamp. All along the banks of the river were collected herds of cattle and flocks of sheep, driven thus far in the retreat of the enemy from Yorktown. The little battalion reached White House between 8 and 9 p. m.v creating much excitement and no little en- thusiasm about the headquarter camp. General McClellan said of this expedi- tion : " It was admirably managed, and all concerned deserve great credit." While at White House, an artist of one of the illustrated newspapers started to walk from Yorktown to Williamsburg, but was stopped by a company of cavalry some little dis- tance from Yorktown and told it was FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. 15s dangerous to proceed. Two Massa- chusetts soldiers had been found hanging to trees, shot, and with their throats cut. Two had been shot the day before, and they had been scout- ing between the two places. The steamers brought many per- sons who came provided with coffins to remove the friends killed in battle. These mournful processions were the first thing that struck one oddly while at White House. These visitors soon became so numerous and persistent that the authorities at headquarters began to seriously consider a return to the old Roman method of burning the dead. Millions of dollars worth of supplies were shipped to this point, and until it was destroyed it assumed the pro- portions of an immense city. On Monday, May 19th, headquar- ters moved from White House at 7 a. m., to Tunstall's Station on the York railroad. This was the most beautiful camp of the entire campaign. It was at G. Bosher's plantation, on the summit of a high hill overlooking the entire country, and commanding a superb view in all directions. The country was highly cultivated, being covered with fine plantations. Towards Richmond, about seventeen miles distant, the bivouacs of almost the entire army could be seen, stretch- ing out in every direction, and at night the countless fires made it almost a fairy scene, grand and brilliant be- yond description. It was about six miles from White House, three quar- ters of a mile from the Pamunkey, two miles from Lipscomb's. On the 20th, General Filz John Porter's en- tire corps was reviewed, a magnifi- cent spectacle as seen by all the officers on duty at headquarters. Rained heavily also on 24th. Cool nights and fires necessary. May 22d, moved to near Cold Har- bor, two miles from New Bridge and seven or eight from Richmond, and on the 26th moved at 2 p. m. nearer to the Bridge, at Dr. E. Curtis's farm. This was about three quarters of a mile northwest of Gaines's grist-mill and about a mile from the Chicka- hominy river, five miles from Rich- mond. It rained hard at 3 p. m. Our brother in the artillery writes from Fort Tillinghast : " May 25, 1862. " We are now having some excite- ment in camp, as we received march- ing orders to-night, to be ready to march at a moment's notice, and the cooks are busily engaged cooking ' salt horse ' for a march." " When I write again, I shall proba- bly be out of this place. If we do not move from here for a day or two, I will get one taken (photo), so that you can see how your hopeful son looks since he ' went for a soldier.' I have not heard from Gene since he left, and think it strange. It is of no use to try to wiite, for there is such a 'hubbub' it is impossible. The boys are dancing, bellowing, and having a good time generally; they feel so good that there is a chance of at least getting sight of a ' Secesh.' " May 27, an important event oc- curred at headquarters, in the capture by some of General F. J. Porter's troops, of the mail bags en route from Richmond to Fredericksburg. There were about 500 papers in the bags, among them the Richmond Bupatch iS6 FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. of that date. General Porter gave it in charge of our brother who took it immediately to General McClellan at headquarters. It doubtless furnished good material for post-prandial read- ing. On the night of May 31, General McClellan made his headquarters on the field at Fair Oaks, at the Tyler house. It is related that about ten o'clock on this night he ordered all camp followers, including newspaper correspondents, without exception, to turn out on fatigue duty, and assist the details of soldiers in their work repairing the roads, and getting the artillery out of the mud. Our brother of the regulars writes from Camp at New Bridge, Va , near Richmond, June 2, 1862: "I feel it my duty to write to you this evening, or I would be asleep at this moment. I have written so much of late that I am heartily sick of the sight of pen and ink. I was a re- corder of a garrison court martial and I had to write up the proceedings, and it all amounted to nearly fifty pages. I will now endeavor to write you often, and keep you posted as well as my position will allow. " You have heard by telegraph that the Army of the Potomac has had a bloody and desperate fight. Our left and centre are on the other side of the Chickahorainy ; the left advanced some. We had one bridge across the river. The recent rains and the cutting away of the dams by the Rebels above, induced them to send about sixty thousand men down to attempt to clean out Heintzelman's entire corps, consisting of thirty thousand men, on Saturday. "They were determined to drive him into the river, which had risen fearfully, and drown as many as escaped them. They attacked our extreme left (General Casey's divis- ion) and drove us back, Casey's division behaving shamefully, ske- daddling in all directions before a charge made by South Carolinians ; but Henry Ward Beecher's pet lambs started it — the First Long Islanders. Old Heintzelman was up and dressed, and before night he had gained all that had been lost except twelve guns, which are now in the hands of the enemy. Very little artillery was used, as the position was unfavorable. " Night closed the scene. Report circulated that Generals Palmer, Casey, and Negley were killed ; afterwards contradicted. Generals Franklin's and Fitz John Porter's corps, which occupy the right, were under arms, and old " Bull " Sumner's, the centre corps, prepared for action. The attack commenced on Sumner's corps very early Sunday morning, but he had prepared two lines, covered by skirmishers, and it was evident that he intended to retrieve himself from his temporary disgrace at Wil- liamsburg. " He led his corps in person, assisted by General McClellan, who rode in front of our skirmishers. 'Old Bull' was grand ! His face as smooth as a mirror, and burning with enthusiasm. We had three corps engaged during the two days. Finally we gave them a polishing touch with our cold steel, and they skedaddled. Three thou- sand men will cover our losses. I know nothing of theirs, only two thousand went into Richmond wound- FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. 157 ed, and they now lie as thick as leaves about the battle ground. " Our men fight splendidly. They would let the Rebels fire, and then give three cheers for the 'rat killers,' and sing out ' Bully for you — you fight pretty well ! ' " General McClellan regards it as a complete victory, and we know from deserters and contrabands just from Richmond that they have no hope of whipping us. " Wait until Generals Fitz John and Franklin touch them up with our regular brigade under General Sykes and our one hundred and four pieces of reserve artillery ; and if everything else fails the provost guard will arrest the entire army. We took two of their brigadiers. I am very healthy, but suffer some from the heat. I weigh ten pounds more than when in Washington. I have received letters from K., B., and W., and will answer them when I get to Richmond. Do n't be alarmed about Washington. If General Mc- Dowell cannot take care of ' Stone- wall ' Jackson, ' Little Mac ' will send Fitz John up with a small portion of the Army of the Potomac. This army never yet met with a reverse, and it never will. I had charge of five hundred and fifty-nine rebels taken at Hanover Court-house for one day and night. None escaped me." For the next week the floods descended, overflowing the river, flooding the roads and fields, and making movements of any kind almost impossible. The bridges were carried away, and there was a constant fire from the enemy upon the working parties. On the 6th, Colonel Sweitzer, one of General McClellan's aides, was fired upon while carrying a flag of truce into the enemy's lines. June 8th General Prim and staff of the -Spanish army arrived, stirring up headquarters to its depths. He came to White House Landing on the mail boat Nellie Baker. Accompanying him were Brigadier-General Milans del Bosch, chief of staff, Seiior Justo San Miguel, Colonel Deutenre, Colonel Cortazar, Seiior de Sales, and Senor Peres Calvo, the latter one of the most talented and widely-known writers of Spain. Captain Joseph Keller, First New York Excelsior Cavalry, escorted them. They were received at the White House Landing by General Van Vliet, Lieutenant-colonel Rufus Ingalls, Captain C. Sawtelleand Cap- tain Rankin, who escorted the party to Forest Station on the railroad; here they were met by the Prince de Joinvilie, and Count de Paris, the French princes attached to General McClellan's staff. The ride from here to headquarters could be likened to the "Slough of Despond" in Bunyan. They rodethrough Generals Heintzel- man's and Sumner's to General Hooker's camp, where they lunched; then to General W. F. Smith's camp, where a brigade was reviewed in the mud ; thence to General Keyes's, and over the late battle-field of Fair Oaks, and finally brought up in the head- quarter camp near New Bridge, much the worse for wear, being met by Generals Marcy, Andrew Porter, Seth Williams, and others. General Prim was informally intro- duced to all the other officers at 'S8 FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. headquarters. He was a dark-faced, black-haired, bright, young looking man of about forty-five. He spoke only French and Spanish. General Milans, his chief of staff, spoke English and was the source of much amusement among all the officers. He seemed like the man in the play; he had iron grey hair and beard, with long, fierce mustachios of the Span- ish cavalier type, and wore a loose, Gen. Andrew Porter. green coat well covered with silver embroidery ; red pants tucked into his boots, and a funny little monkey cap perched on his head ; a riding whip or stick was suspended from his buttonhole. On the 9th, a grand review was given in their honor, the corps re- viewed being Fitz John Porter's, and lasting from 2 to 3 p. m. It was wit- nessed by all at headquarters, and was considered a grand success, mak- ing a great impression upon the Spanish general, but not quite as brilliant as that given to Secretary Seward at Cumberland Landing. It took place in a large open field on the right of the road from Gaines Mill to Mechanicsville. After the review, the party went with General F. J. Porter to the new bridge, upon which a large party was at work, and while there they were fired upon by the enemy. General Porter, taking charge of a battery near at hand, returned the fire with so much vigor that the enemy's guns were silenced, much to the delight of General Milans. On the lOth it rained in torrents ; a programme had been laid out, but General Prim de- cided to hasten his departure. He was escorted to the station by Lieu- tenant T. B. Dewees of the Second Cavalry, and upon the arrival of the train at White House Landing he was again escorted to the boat by Colonels Van Vliet and Ingalls, and Captains Sawtelle and Rankin. On the 1 2th, camp of the provost guard was moved to the south side of the Chickahominy at Dr. Trent's house. This was named by General Orders the same day, " Camp Lin- coln," and was about one-half mile from the river, beautifully located on a high hill. General McClellan had his tent under two large walnut trees near the house, while the others were massed in a large field back of the house. While here the heat was in- tolerable. On this day there was heavy artillery firing, and on the 14th several arrests were made of citizens for giving information to the enemy. FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. 159 On the 15th, a large party of ladies arrived in camp with Senator . A heavy rain came up while they were at lunch in General Mc- Clellan's tent. About every evening camp was enlivened by a skirmish going on at some part of the line, and hearing the report of officers whose duties had called them to different points along the front. On the 17th, the weather was again clear and bright, the mud com- menced to dry up, and the river was falling rapidly ; the bridges were nearly finished. Our brother writes, June 18, 1862 as follows: " Gamp Lincoln. For the first time since the campaign commenced, I am a little unwell. I have a slight cold, and am inclined to be feverish, but it will all pass away, and I shall be the same lively, fat, jolly fellow as ever. I have not written to John, because I imagined that his regi- ment was with the standing joke, McDowell's army, and I did not know how to direct, nor do I now; but I will send to you when I write. It will be a long day before I get a leave of absence, and I may take an insane notion to get killed in front of Richmond." Our brother of the artillery also writes, June 22, 1862 : " I received a letter from Gene last night dated Camp Lincoln, across the Chickahominy, and he was mo- mentarily expecting a fight. It vvas a short letter ; he did not say any- thing about receiving any of my letters, so I suppose he did not get them. I directed to General Andrew Porter, Provost Marshal General, Headquarters Army of the Potomac, with his direction inside. I have entirely recovered from the asthma, but still have the grass cold, and sup- pose I shall have until fall, as the natives all skedaddled, and there is no one to do the haying. " They do not pay much attention here to haying, building no barns to store it as at home, but stacking it in the open field. They can keep their stock out to pasture nearly all the year round, as there is no snow to amount to anything. Mother, I wish you were out here for a short time to have some of the strawber- ries and cherries. The former have about gone. The ' Secesh ' straw- berries beat anything I ever saw at home, both for quality and quantity, wild and cultivated. " I have foresworn ' salt horse ' and army rations, and intend to live on fruit during the summer, as the own- ers have cleared out, and the soldiers have it all their own way. As I write now, there is a bushel basket setting in my barrack, nearly filled with splendid cherries, and the boys gather about it, eating and talking over the war, when they shall get home, etc. After cherries come black- berries and blueberries ; the bushes are full, and the peach-trees already begin to hang low with their weight of peaches. This is no country for apples, there being very few ; but peaches even grow in the woods. I cannot live on such stuff as we get to eat, and the sutlers are robbers ; yet we must trade with them or go without. I have already eaten so much salt meat that I am covered i6o FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. with humor. The boys now 'tap their shoes with salt horse.' " Lewis heard from his father last week; he was at Memphis, in good health, and enjo3/ing himself gen- erally. Lewis has been promoted to a second lieutenant. I am glad of it. The choice lay between himself and another sergeant. The colonel came up, and submitted it to a vote of the company, and he was voted down ; but the colonel changed his mind, and they tossed up a cent, ' best in three," and Lewis won. He now acts as lieu- tenant, and the colonel has recom- mended him to the governor." On the 23d of June, Camp Lincoln was visited by a terrible storm — thunder and lightning — and almost a hurricane, blowing down tents and trees in all directions. On the 26th and 27th the attack was made upon the right flank of the army, which finally terminated with the change of base to the James river. The cannonading all day long was incessant on the 26th, and on the 27th, as it grew nearer, and the tide of battle surged towards the river, it became evident that a change was to be made at once. About 2 p. m , headquarters com- menced to move over to Savage's Station, and by dusk the camp at Dr. Trent's was practically abandoned. At 1 1 p. m.. General McClellan called a council of war in front of his tent at Dr. Trent's, at which all corps commanders, personal aides, chief of engineers, the Prince de Joinville, Count de Paris, and the most trusted of his staff were present. A large fire was built in front of, and they sat under, the arbor that had formed a pavilion to one of the tents, only one of which was now standing. General McClellan here informed all of his intended change of base, his reasons, choice of route, and method of execution. Our brother had charge of the guard around the bivouac fire. It did not adjourn until 2 a. m. of the 28th. Before daylight he went to Savage's Station, and there remained all that day and night, directing the with- drawal of trains, destruction of sup- plies, etc. Headquarters left Sav- age's between 2 and 3 a. m., on the 29th, and moved across White Oak Swamp to a large clearing. It driz- zled, and there was a dense fog, which did not lift. The day and night at Savage's, and the intehse strain and excitement of trying to stem the almost irresistible tide of fugitives and stragglers streaming to the rear, had almost exhausted the little prov- ost guard, and now occurred a little incident which strongly demonstrates the necessity of having such a well- organized force for use in such an emergency. The object of the enemy was to gain possession of the Quaker road in rear of White Oak Swamp, and thus cut off the retreat ; a result which would have been most dis- astrous, if not absolutely fatal to Gen- eral McClellan's plans. Early on the 29th, it was seen that the position of affairs was critical, owing to the fact that our line of movement had be- coriie known to the enemy. General McClellan was busy in examining the ground, keeping the trains in motion, and posting troops in such position as to cover their passage FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. i6i from attacks by way of New Market and Richmond roads. The columns were debouching from the swamp to the south side, and had reached a point near Willis Church, when an attempt was made by the enemy's cavalry to cut the lines. There was a sharp fight. Had Stuart's cavalry at that moment not all been on the north side of the Chickahominy, this attempt to check the retreat might have proved successful. As it was, it came near being so and creating a general panic. The provost guard, almost exhausted from their forty- eight hours of unremitting toil and vigilant watch, was deployed across the road in line of battle, and standing like a stone wall, it held all the would- be skedaddlers to their work. Everything seemed on the point of going to pieces. All realized it, and the gallant little command, led by tired officers, who stemmed the rout at Bull Run, never did better service to the country than when it checked the threatened panic on the Quaker road. It is just such little acts of firmness on the part of a handful of men, that have in times past saved great armies from defeat and total annihilation. It is said that on this occasion, a well-known New York regiment fled to the rear in a perfect panic, and were not only checked by the provost guard, but were arrested and sent as prisoners to headquarters. On June 28th, Whitehouse was in charge of the Ninety-third New York, four companies of which were now at- tached to the provost guard. A sig- nal station, about thirty or forty feet high, had been built on top of the house. At a given signal on this day, which was one gun fired for this purpose, the immense stores which had been accumulated all about the house were fired by Lieutenant Swain, Company B, of that regiment, and they were totally destroyed, in- cluding the mansion itself. At 5 a. m., on the 30th, head- quarters were at a house about three miles south of White Oak Swamp, but as soon as all the troops had crossed, and the bridge was destroyed, it moved via Quaker road, across Tur- key Creek bridge to Haxall's Landing, arriving soon after noon. From here our brother writes a hasty note, — ' " Bivouac near James river, July I, 1862." " We have been fighting for three days. Communications cut off. Reg- ular brigade covered itself with glory. Loss very heavy. I am well, and have to work very hard." During the night of July i,or early on the morning of the 2d, headquar- ters moved to Harrison's Landing, six miles from Haxall's, and camp was located at the Harrison House, where William Henry Harrison, President of the United States, was born. For fully five miles up and down the James river, and for three miles back, the country was covered with the camps of the Army of the Poto- mac. It was about twenty-five miles in a direct line from Richmond, and eight or ten miles from City Point. On Monday, June 30, the French princes left headquarters for Fortress Monroe, on the gunboat Jacoh Bell. On the third of July, before camp could be made comfortable, our brother was detailed with his com- l62 FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. pany to escort 480 prisoners of war to Fort Columbus, New York harbor. Lieut. J. A. Meliaffey accompanied him. They were placed on the United States transport Hero., Cap- tain Hancox, and arrived at Fort Monroe about noon on the fourth. Reaching New York on the sixth, they were turned over to Colonel Loomis, commanding, and Lieuten- ant Casey, provost marshal of the post, and the return was made im- mediately. Among the prisoners was Lieut. -Col. Edward Pendleton, Third Louisiana Artillery (see list of prisoners in the New York Herald, July 7, 1862), and 53 officers, two colonels, three lieutenant-colonels, and three majors. He arrived back from this arduous trip July gth. On the same day President Lincoln arrived on the steamer Ariel, with Assistant Secre- tary of War Watson, Frank P. Blair, Jr., and General Negley. On the way up the James river, the steamer grounded' on Kettle Shoals, and while the crew were getting her off, the president and his party improved the opportunity to go in bathing. He reviewed the army, commencing in the afternoon and continuing into the evening, which although bright moonlight, was too dark to distin- guish his features, thus proving a source of disappointment to the thousands of men who had never seen him. While at Harrison's Land- ing he visited the Galena, the Moni- tor, and Maratanza, and left the next morning at 10 a. m., on the Ariel for Fort Monroe. On the i8th our brother wrote : " Camp near Harrison's Landing, James River, Va., July 18, 1862. " It is so warm here that writing seems almost out of the question, but I know you will expect a letter. If you would like to see the location of our camp, get a Herald of the i6th, but do n't pay fifteen cents for it as I do every night. Our camp is directly opposite Jordan's Point. The line of officers' tents is situated on a high bluff, so near its edge that we can jump into the James river. " Our camp is in a thick wood we have cleared up until we have a large place for parade and drill, and upon the whole, I think we have the best camp in the Army of the Potomac. I was a little sick for two days after I returned, but now I am as well as ever. I did not have time while on my Northern trip to eat. The change of climate, diet, water, and living generally, made me almost sick, and honestly I felt like a new man when I arrived back at camp. I was very uneasy while on my way from For- tress Monroe to Fort Columbus, for I knew that one company was a very- small escort for the number of prison- ers I had with me, and I knew they were a determined and bloodthirsty set. " The steamer was a miserable old hulk to go so far in. I kept my eyes open, and if they had attempted any outbreak, many of them would never have lived to see the 'sunny South' again. I kept the leading spirit, Colonel Pendleton, under my eye constantly, and although our inter- course was very friendly, he knew FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. 163 his life was not worth a copper if any movement was made. I am try- ing for the adjutancy of the Eighth. If I do not get it, I am thinking very strongly of taking a lieutenant-colo- nelcy of a Maine regiment, with Frank as colonel. " Maine men fight well, and I would rather be with them than any other volunteers. I can command my company for a very long time yet if I wish it, but regular officers are thought so little of now . . . that almost anything is preferable to remaining in the regular service. " Our paymasters ' skedaddled ' so fast on the famous 'flank movement,' that they have not yet made their ap- pearance and consequently we are all short of cash. John will now see all the activeness he wishes ; I hope and trust he will come out safe. Impress him with the necessity of keeping clean, and being careful about his eating. Tell him never to throw away his knapsack, and always to have three days' rations on hand." "July 24, Provost Guard Camp, NEAR Harrison's Landing, Va. " I have been upon a court martial for several days, and have been pretty busy. I suppose we will adjourn to- morrow unless General Williams sends us another batch of cases, and I sincerely hope he will not, for I am tired of 'banging.' Dr. Frantz, our surgeon, left us this morning, and with him as faithful a negro as ever breathed. The doctor has been with us since we left Washington, and has always messed with me. We took Jerry from the guard-house (he was a contraband) at Yorktown, and he has been faithful and true, while others ' skedaddled.' " Poor Jerry allowed two or three large drops to fall from his eyes when he bade me good-by, and I acknowledge I felt badly. The doc- tor goes to Fort Monroe as medical purveyor. We were fast friends, and I felt sorry to have him go. Our new medico is a very fine fellow; he messes with me, and we bid fair to be as fast friends as Frantz and my- self. Major Willard has recom- mended me for a brevet, and I reckon I will get it. General Porter promised when we started out on this duty, to give us all a fair chance, and those who attended to their duties well would be remembered. I think the General recommended Major Willard, Captain Frank, Lieutenant Smith, and myself for the Pamunkey expe- dition. " Major W. received an order a few days since to send in a list of officers in his command, whom he considered worthy of brevets, and he wrote a long letter to the General, recom- mending Frank, Smith, and myself. He showed the letter to me. I do not care for the brevet so much, but it pleases me to be mentioned as highly as I have been. A soldier's life is very uncertain, especially in battle, for we cannot tell when or where, as ' Old Bull' Sumner says, 'the h — 1 the balls will strike.' " This is a bloody war, and 'doubt- ful things are mighty uncertain.' The Army of the Potomac is flour- ishing, and the provost guard is on the top wave. We have a boat to ourselves, and we row, fish, and sail, waiting for reinforcements. The 164 FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. health of the army is rapidly increas- ing, and if you will only send the loafing, cowardly devils that got home under the plea of sickness, and had their certificates signed by ras- cally surgeons, we will do something as we are. The entire Southern Confederacy cannot move us one pin, unless they, by some means, cut off our communications with Fortress Monroe. Our gunboats are the little fellows that play the deuce with them. I have never said much about the 'flank movement ' for many reasons, but I will now tell you the truth about the matter.'' Note. — While at White House, G. O. No. 125 was published, strictly prohibiting all officers of the army from communicating in private let- ters the strength, position, or move- ment, etc., of the army, under pen- alty of punishment for giving infor- mation to the enemy. "We had to keep what force we had across the Chickahominy ; it weakened our right flank and line of communication, and we could not strengthen it, because we had not the means. McCall was attacked ; he was supported by Fitz John Por- ter, and together they drove the Rebels back; in the meanwhile, ' Stonewall ' Jackson was at Han- over Junction, twenty-five miles from Mechanicsville. In spite of the gal- lant trio in front of Washington, he made a forced march to outflank Por- ter and succeeded. They were rapid- ly reinforced from Richmond by rail, and Porter could not get away as it was intended. "The intention was to have him come off during the night, cross the swamp, and leave the Rebels in the dark, and go into Richmond the next morning, or else to the James river. Porter had to fight desperately to get away at all ; he had not 30,000 men under him, and he had to fight three times that number. The regu- lar division alone fought 20,000 al] day long at the Gaines house. "John Edwards lost two guns through the confounded wilfulness of a brigadier-general. John acted splendidly, and is one of the best artillery officers in the service. Note. — Brevet Lieutenant-Colo- nel John Edwards, captain Third U. S. Artillery, was born in Port- land, Me. ; graduated from the mili- tary academy, July i, 185 i. "Well, Porter retreated. Head- quarters moved to Savage's Station. On Friday evening, all the generals commanding corps had a council of war. I commanded the guard around the bivouac fire. I saw them ad- journ. The next morning the move- ment commenced. We left Savage's Sunday. I saw General McClellan at White Oak Swamp, and he was very cool. I saw him the morning of the Battle of Malvern Hill, and he was a little excited. I was very near him and heard him give his orders, and any one who says he is not a com- petent general lies. His retreat was conducted with most consummate skill; the turning moment was when he arrived at the river." It was the letter dated March 4, 1862, from Camp Winfield Scott, in which he prophesied that France would recognize the Confederacy within a month, and he hoped every man and boy in the great North would shoulder his musket and FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. '6S give themselves to their country, ing officer of a company. My com- that hastened the enlistment of the pany has not averaged three sick other two brothers of this quar- men per day, and during the entire tette, and called forth the following month of July, I did not have more letters : than three sick. I allow no frying, "Aug. 2, 1862. but give them plenty of bean soup " I feel very sad, more so than I and hard bread. I draw onions, cab- ever did before, for I feel as though bages, and potatoes often, and fresh I should never see all my brothers again. I believe as you do that two beef once or twice a week. " Franks company is like mine, better boys were never born, and to and we pride ourselves upon having lose either by sickness or wounds, I the two model companies in this know it would be a crushing blow to army. I think the two other com- me, but I feared it, and now that it is panies of the Eighth will be ordered done, my experience enables me to here, and the provost guard will then give them some good advice, and you be the Eighth Infantry under the must see that they follow it. They command of Captain Pitcher. Major are coming from a Northern climate Willard is going to take command of into a much warmer and unhealthy a volunteer regiment (One Hundred one; the heat and water will affect and Twenty-fifth New York), and them, I know. Give them some wants me to be major. Jamaica ginger ; it is the best thing " I expect Mother will feel terribly in the world. Tell them to be care- sad at parting with Walter and Bob. ful what they eat, and never under Tell her to keep up, for she is a any circumstances whatever to eat noble mother. You also, my dear fried meat. They can eat fried pork Father, must not allow it to depress when fried upon a stick. you. Look upon the bright side ; "This one thing, together with what but I write you with a heart over- is called 'fried hardtack' (hard bread flowing with sadness, that you will fried in fat), has caused more sickness be extremely fortunate if you ever than anything else ; I know it ! Tell see all of your four sons again, them never to throw away their knap- sacks, haversacks or canteens, and shelter tents, if they have them. " Tell them to always keep their clothes in as good order as possible. " If any of us should fall, you must think that you are not alone in your sadness; that there are many homes more miserable and desolated by the loss of sons and brothers as dear to Get them commissions if you can, them as yours are to you. Every- commissioned officers if possible, if thing is quiet. The Rebels at- not non-commissioned, and get them tempted to shell our camp the other into an old regiment by all means. night, from across the river, but we " Your idea of sending them here soon made them skedaddle." into Captain Thompson's regiment is an admirable one, and you must do it. All depends upon the command- "Aug. 4, 1862. " I feel this evening as if I would be unworthy to be your boy, if I did 1 66 FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. not write to you. I know that your hour of trial and bereavement is at hand, for you are to part with your last and youngest boy ; but, Mother, do not allow it to affect you. If they are with the Army of the Potomac, they shall never know what it is to want for anything as long as I have enough ; and if they should be wounded, they should be cared for and taken to my own tent. " But do not think of such things. It will be a godsend if they both get into the same company. Send them to Captain Thompson's company. I will see him to-morrow, and my word for it, they will receive a hearty wel- come. "I wish the government would draft ; there are a few people in this world I would like to see driven to the battle-field ; and it must be done sooner or later, for we are in need of men very much. The Rebels are straining every nerve and filling this state with troops, and I really would not be surprised to hear at any moment that they had forced their way to Washington ; but Richmond falls at the same moment, and then their supplies are cut off, and if we have reinforcements, they are all tagged. " Important movements are on foot, but it is a secret. We have crossed the river in large force, and whipped their cavalry in a fair fight. General Hooker advanced and seized Malvern Hill this evening. General Burnside is coming up the river, and Fort Darling will be taken in a short while. " Major Willard leaves us shortly to take a volunteer regiment. He has offered me a majority, and I shall accept, provided I can obtain a leave. My health is excellent ; I weigh twenty pounds more than when in Washington. My duties are now light, and I have an easy time. "Our camp is the envy of the army, and our position as provost guard sought after by all the regu- lars; but the Eighth Infantry was noted while in Washington for the prompt discharge of all duties (and they always have been ), and we will be kept here against all aspirants. It is extremely warm, and the flies are very troublesome. Good-night ! God bless you, my dear Mother, is the prayer of your loving son." All was " quiet on the James." On August 13, our brother went home on a short leave of absence, while the army was remaining inac- tive at Harrison's Landing. He joined headquarters again about Sep- tember I, at or near Washington, and marching with General McClel- lan again in command of the army, through Rockville, Clarksville, Ur- bana, and Frederick, we met him on the battle-field of South Mountain. Alas I how near we came to follow- ing his sage advice, the advice of a regular officer to two volunteer pri- vates, in an old regiment from Antie- tam to the siege of Petersburg, dur- ing the next two years of bloody struggle, will be most amusing to note, and a gentle retrospect at this period always reminds the writer of a non-combatant friend who visited us at Fredericksburg about the time of the Burnside " Mud March." He was attached to some state commis- sion. He distributed some of "Dr. THE CAPTURE OF FORT FISHER, NORTH CAROLINA. 167 Hall's Laws on Health," gave us all sound advice, a most learned and val- uable lecture as to how to take care of our health, and hastened home himself the next day, having caught a most violent cold while sleeping on our rough pole bunk in the damp, although we had nearly stripped the tent that night for blankets to keep him warm. From this time on, the fates of the " Four Brothers in Blue " were joined together, and the anxiety which each displayed for the other was never relieved night or day until news from the battle-field denied or confirmed the many rumors that were ever flying about in camp or on the march. When near by, miles would be traversed to gain each other's camp, and on more than one occasion, he — the regular — whenever in a position where he could do so, rode over the battle-fields to gain news of us, .or satisfy himself that we were not among the wounded or the silent dead. " So nigh to grandeur is our dust, So near is God in man ; When Duty whispers, ' Lo, thou must ! ' The youth replies, ' I can.' " Swift as the summons came, they left The plow, 'mid furrow, standing stil). The half-ground grist in the mill, The spade in earth, the axe in cleft. " They went where duty seemed to call. They scarcely asked the reason why. They only knew they could but die. And death was not the worst of all." THE CAPTURE OF FORT FISHER, NORTH CAROLINA. Read by General Adelbert Ames, before the New York Commandery of the Lay a Legion. About the first of December, 1864, when in command of the 2d Division, 24th Corps, of the Army of the James, then before Richmond, Va., I was notified I had been selected to lead my division in a movement, by sea, against some point of the Con- federacy on the Atlantic coast. At that time, Wilmington, N. C, was the port through which the Con- federacy received a large part of its munitions of war, and whence was shipped to England, in payment therefor, much of its cotton and to- bacco. Wilmington was situated on the east bank of the Cape Fear river, thirty miles from its mouth, which was guarded by Fort Fisher. Our navy was untiring in its efforts to blockade that port, but was not successful. The order from General Butler to General Weitzel, relative to the ex- pedition December 6, 1864, was: "The major-general commanding has entrusted you with the command of the expedition about to embark for the North Carolina coast. It will consist of 6,500 infantry, two bat- teries, and fifty cavalry. The effec- tive men of General Ames's division of the 24th Corps will furnish the infantry force. General Paine is under your orders, and General Ames will be ordered to report to you in person immediately." i68 THE CAPTURE OF FORT FISHER, NORTH CAROLINA. My division of three brigades was composed of New Hampshire, New York, Pennsylvania, and Indiana troops, about 3,300 in number. Gen- eral Paine had a division of colored troops. We embarked at Bermuda Hun- dreds, Va., December 8, and our transports reached the place of ren- dezvous off New Inlet, N. C, Thurs- day, the 15th. i Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, we awaited the coming of the navy. Admiral Porter, commanding our fleet, arrived Sunday evening, the 1 8th. The next day the water was too rough to make a landing on the ocean beach. Towards evening, a northeast gale coming up, the trans- ports were sent to Beaufort for coal and water, as the ten days' supply had run short, where they were de- layed by the weather and the diffi- culty of getting coal, until Saturday, the 24th. — Report on Condiict of the War, Fort Fisher Expedition, p. 12'B. I did not go to Beaufort, as my ship on which I had one of my bri- gades was well prepared for such an emergency. General Butler, followed by his fleet of transports, returned to New Inlet on Saturday, the 24th of De- cember, between four and five o'clock in the afternoon. The powder boat, which played such a notorious part in this expedi- tion, had been exploded at about two o'clock on the morning of the same day. — Report on Conduct of the War, Fort Fisher Expedition, p. MS. The idea of the powder boat was General Butler's, but it was approved of and adopted by the navy, which furnished the vessel and its share of the 215 tons of gunpowder used. The navy held control of this experi- ment from first to last. The explosion was untimely, and a failure. Commodore Jeffers of the navy reports: "A part of the pro- gramme required that the vessel should be grounded, which appears not to have been the case." — Report on Conduct of the War, Fort Fisher Expedition, p. 250. Commander Rhind writes : "That, owing to the want of confinement and insufficient fusing of the mass, that much of the powder was blown away before ignition and its effect lost.'' — -Report on Conduct of the War, Fort Fisher Expedition, p. 252. Admiral Porter reports : " That the powder was finally exploded from the effects of a fire kindled in the forecastle. No results of value were to be expected from this mode. It was proposed only as a final resort, in order to prevent the vessel, in any contingency, from falling into the hands of the enemy." — Report on Conduct of the War, Fort Fisher Ex- pedition, p. 250. Commander James Parker, U. S. Navy, stated to the New York Loyal Legion, October 5, 1892: "We all believed in it (the powder boat) from the admiral down, but when it proved so laughable a failure we of the navy laid its paternity upon General Butler." Colonel Lamb, in command, de- scribes Fort Fisher as follows : "At the land face of Fort Fisher t'ne peninsula was about half a mile wide, Cape Fear river being on one side and the Atlantic ocean on the other. FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. 239 FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. By Captain Robert Goldthwaite Carter, United States Army. WHAT TWO RECRUITS SAW AND DID IN THK ARMY OF THE PO- TOMAC WHILE WAITING TO JOIN THEIR REGIMENT. " How they went forth to die ! Pale, earnest thousands from the dizzy mills, And sunburnt thousands from the harvest hills, Quick, eager thousands from the citv streets, And storm-tried thousands from the fishers' fleets." What Northern man, or he who was a boy at the outbreak of the war, can look back upon those stormy days, and not remember the flushed face, the eager glance, the heavy, anxious liearts of all? Who does not recall when that fateful spring of 1861 opened, fraught with wild rumors of politi- cal troubles and national disasters, the thrill that darted through his heart like an electric shock, and the swelling, choking sensations in his throat, when the amazing, almost stupefying announcement came flashing along the wires of the attack upon Fort Sumter? The flag, "Old Glory," our "Stars and Stripes," had been mocked, spit upon, torn down, and trampled under foot. This cer- tainly meant war, and if the great and powerful North had been blind or asleep before, and had turned a deaf ear to those who had for a long time seen the storm coming, she could no longer resist this prac- tical appeal to the patriotism of her sons. The resolve came instantly — that come what may, the insult must be atoned, and "wiped out." Men and women, girls and boys, became as it were one power. Business — except with the more av- aricious and sordid — was almost entirely neglected ; rosettes of tri- colored ribbons, tin}' flags, and medallion pictures of the President, were worn upon the breast or in tlie hair of everybody. The warlike and inspiring sound of drum and fife was heard all over the land. Men of brains and means hurried forth with their cool heads and ready pockets to direct and bring dire confusion and chaos to a stand- still, and to stay the tide of excite- ment until order could reign and system regulate. The writer was too young to go, but his heart was continually fired, and many a day in the corn-field, his hand grasped the hoe with a firmer grip, and he almost im- agined each blade of corn a rebel of the deepest dye, and until he awoke from his warlike thoughts, there was danger of total destruc- tion to the innocent crop of his imaginary foes. During these troublous times there was no spirit for work. Amidst this inspiration of war, throbbing and wildly surging through his veins, he had obtained consent of his parents, and follow- 240 FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. ing the bent of his own inclinations, and the "stay-at-home" warriors, although but fifteen years of age, with their ever-ready cry of "On to on April 20, 1861, had started in a Richmond I" was daily heard, perfect deluge of rain for Boston, Things looked gloomy, indeed, and attempted to enlist in Compan\' The writer had grown in a year, G, (Hale Guards) Fifth Massachu- and was large for his age. Why setts Volunteers, from Haverhill, could he not pass for eighteen Massachusetts. It was already years of age? He determined to filled to overflowing ; this, and his try again. He went to the nearest age caused him to be peremptorily rendezvous at "Camp Stanton," rejected. Lynnfield, Massachusetts, where the He was, therefore, doomed Thirtx'-third Massachusetts was amidst the vibration and clamor of then being organized, but his con- war to wait, and sigh and wish, science began to prick. Like the What a year of expectancy and "Immortal George" he felt that he wistful waiting that was ! How could not stifle it for so trifling a many nights did we toss on our cause. Upon announcing to the pillow, too e.xcited to sleep; and recruiting officer that he was si.x- how bus\' were our restless brains ! teen, he was immediately rejected ; Bull Run came like a thunderbolt resulting in a decidedly cold bath upon our confused senses. At last, to our zeal and patriotic ardor, now 1862 came along, crowded with at the boiling-point, fast thickening events. A special There was not then that eager- call for 300,000 more troops had ness displayed for such young vol- been made : our army had met with unteers as was afterwards shown in repulse on the Peninsula, and our the war. brother's letter of May 4th from There was no other wav than to General McClellan's headquarters gain the necessary stretch of two seemed to inspire anew the patriotic years in our agfe. We felt then, ardor which we had attempted to and have alwa3's felt since, that the suppress and stifle during that long Lord would forgive us, and in a year of waiting, hoping ; of anxiety iit^N days, that gain was announced and fears. at the same rendezvous, and to the We watched the companies drill, same officer, and we were greedily saw them depart one by one for the examined, accepted, and upon re- "Front," first our eldest brother, porting in Boston, our enlistment then an uncle, and many cousins papers were made out by Lieuteu- and kin. How we did chafe! ant W. H. White, Twenty-second Many an aircastle did we build, Massachusetts, August 5, 1862, only to have it rudely torn down, who was recruiting for that regi- by an awakening to a stern realiza- ment. tion of our duties. The constant His office was on the west side of cackling of loud-voiced politicians, Sudbury street, about half way FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. 241 down to Haymarket- square. Our plain barracks, with the hard, brother Walter, three years older, board bunks ; the cold nights in here joined us for the same regi- which we tried to sleep ; the many ment, and on the same day our friends coming to see us, and filling little squad was transferred to us so full of the good things of this Camp Cameron, North Cambridge, life that the writer had a serious at- and was on that day mustered into tack of cholera morbus, etc., etc. the United States service bv Cap- We were all happy and jolly in this tain J. B. Collins, United States camp, but, oh, my! weren't we Army, and we were now full- raw? All was hurr}' and scurr}' ; fledged recruits for Company H, sergeants, who had been sent from Twenty-second Massachusetts Vol- their regiments for this purpose, unteers. were organizing and assigning the The writer was now the young- recruits, now pouring in under this est of four brothers in the Union second call, to squads in barracks, army. Our informal or unofficial They were supervising the issue of enlistment v\'as made at a large and clothing, rations, etc. enthusiastic war meeting held on There was no time for drill. We the village common in front of the lay upon the hard bunks first with- First Congregational church, at out mattresses or blankets, and then Bradford, Massachusetts, July 23, with a straw tick and only a few 1862, at which our father presided, old quilts, sent to us from home. An interesting account is given in We marched on guard with one full in the Haverhill Tri-Weekly set of old muskets for all the reliefs ; Publisher ot July 24. Our father many were minus locks, baj'onet, explained his reasons for consenting gun slings, etc. How strange it that such youthful sons should thus all seemed to our young imagina- be given to the cause ; he might tions ! How proud we felt as we urge as a plea against their going grasped that worthless old weapon into the service, that two were al- — harmless as a club — and paced ready in the army ; but at the con- up and down that peaceful beat, as elusions of his remarks "he we had been diligently instructed to brought them forward and gave do, in the dark hours of the night ! them to his countr}', and with them The 12 o'clock, and "A-a-a-1-l-s some eight or ten more, youthful w-e-e-e-1 ! " rang out in the still, and strong — the very flower of the clear air, as it went fortli from No. community. The scene was in- i, at the guard-house, and happ}- deed a thrilling one, and will form boys were we when our turns came, a brilliant record in the history of although we were afraid our voices the war." trembled just a little, as wereflected Many letters were written from upon the fearful responsibilities Camp Cameron during our brief that seemed to be resting upon us stay, giving a description of our with such a crushing weight. 2 42 FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. How we peered forth into the diers, and enjoyed our sleep. Up- night, that no object should escape on arriving in New York the next our vision, or sound our ear, and morning, we were marched to the oh, how mean and guilty we felt barracks on Franklin street. Here when we heard the threatening we met with our first experience of voice of some old soldier, who was filth and wretchedness. The hard returning from a "French leave," side of our plank was coming up- say "Sentinel, turn your back and permost. walk the other way," and a large Sour, greasy, loathsome food, watermelon shot over our beat, and cold slop coffee were issued, at followed by the precipitate rush of which our stomachs revolted, and its several owners ! But they were we cast it aside ; and the mouldy, no enemy ! And this was not the vermin-laden floors made our "Front," but only "Old Camp bodies rebellious. Our letters say, Cameron," and, as soon as our con- "We had some string beans for sciences cleared up a little, we felt dinner that would have puzzled better. mortal man to dissect. I don't be- At last, all was ready for our de- lieve the like of them was ever seen parture, and on Friday, August 15, before. I don't see how any one 1862, we left via the Fall River could have gone to work to get up Line steamer Rlcirofolis for New such a unique mess. It was an in- York. Our dear father and mother suit to a soldier to offer such a mess followed us into Boston, with eyes to him." full of tears. We marched to the Late in the afternoon we left tap of the drum, and were, in our New York by boat, via South Am- ill-fitting, grotesque uniforms, the boy and Camden, for Philadelphia, proudest boys in the world. Arriving atC, we crossed the ferry Four of us had sung as a quar- at the foot of Washingtan avenue, tette, and our "John Brown's and were glad to find ourselves in Body," " Marching Along," and good old Philadelphia. A walk of "We Belong to Gideon's Band," a few yards along the avenue, and rang out at intervals, the outpour- around the corner to Otsego street, ing of happy hearts. The parting brought us to the Cooper Shop Vol- from our parents was a sad one, the unteer Refreshment saloon, which first in our young lives, and had it was fifty yards south on the latter not been for the excitement of the street. A few moments later, after occasion, and the jolly companion- a refreshing wash, we were waited ship of our comrades, it would upon by a bevy of Christian ladies, have proved too much for us. We overflowing with sympathy and left them sorrowing over the last kindness, who served to us the first boys they could send to war. good, wholesome, clean food since We slept on the floor of the cabin our enlistment, and which we rel- on the boat, for we were now sol- ished exceedingly. FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. 243 The little, low, narrow cars on the Camden and Amboy road were dimly lighted with candles a part of the night, which cast a sickly glimmer over all. They were redo- lent with the stifling odor of bad pipes, worse whiskey, strong onions, and the villainous exhala- tions of many perspiring bodies. The air in the famous "Black Hole" of Calcutta could not have been more foul. We were tired out, sleepy, and non-combatant. We tried to be cheerful — for recruits — by singing our old songs, and attempting a feeble sort of a joke now and then, but occasionally a regular old-fash- ioned growl escaped us. The can- dles went out, leaving us in impene- trable darkness and gloom. The road was rough, and most of the night a burly, drunken Irishman, over flowing with bad whiskey and pugilistic ambition, amused himself, but nobody else, by passing along the narrow aisle, bumping our drowsy heads against the seats, snatching our caps off and throw- ing them away into the darkest portions of the car. If we mildly demurred in our desire for peace, he threatened to thrash us, "knock a lung" out of us, etc., and as we did not want that to happen so soon after we had enlisted, and before we had actual- ly seen the " front," we patiently bore it for a while. Then two of us, our stalwart brother and myself, got near to where a light from one of the small windows glimmered in, and watching our opportunity when the bully was passing, energetical- ly "knocked him out in one round," into a corner, extracted the " ben- zine " from his pocket, poured it out, and as the result, enjoyed peace, if not comfort, the remainder of the night. He never knew who or what hurt him, and the next morning, wore upon a smiling face, some- what disfigured by a mourning eye, the happiness he felt that the whis- key had " let go." At six o'clock we were again about to move, and taking a train from the corner of Broad street and Washington avenue, over the Phila- delphia, Wilmington & Baltimore railroad, were soon speeding on our way to Baltimore, which we reached about 12, and after taking a light lunch of crackers, cheese, and coffee, kindly furnished by some good Samaritans at the depot, we were placed in a cattle freight train, and after jolting slowly on, seeing for the first time in our lives the tobacco fields, the negroes working, the large plantation houses and quarters far removed from the road, etc., we arrived in Washington, completely exhausted by our travels on land and sea, and overcome mentally and physically by this continual round of excite- ment to our youthful senses. We were sent to the "Soldiers' Retreat," — an excellent name for a very vile place. Oh, such a re- treat ! So soothing and quiet- ing !( ?) Where leather pies at ex- orbitant prices, and chicory slop for coff"ee, boiled in the same ket- 244 FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. ties with greasy pork, prevailed, causing our cake-and-pie-nurtured stomachs to revolt and the filthy floors made our bodies shrink away and shiver. tachment will be marched to the ' Soldiers' Rest,' where additional cooked rations will be issued to the men to last until their arrival at the next ' Rest,' or at the destination of At night, to our New England the detachment, according to cir- ears Pandemonium seemed to be cumstances. "turned loose." It was, we be- lieve, sometimes called the " Sol- diers' Rest." Oh, what a Rest! If we rested there during those ex- citing nights and days of our em- bryonic soldierhood, we have never been able to realize or appreciate it after the lapse of more than thir- ty-five years. It now stands (1897) just north of the B. & O. depot, on New Jersey avenue, and is used as a freight office. "Nineteen thousand eight hun- dred and sixty volunteers arrived in Washington from the 15th to five o'clock on the evening of the 22d. All had to be fed one meal, and too much credit cannot be awarded the commissariats at the ' Retreat,' Messrs. Donahoe and Searles, who are at work night and day, person- ally superintending this vast board- ing and sleeping saloon." — Na- tional Intelligencer , August 23, 1862. "Rations For Recruits. War Department, Adjutant- Generat^'s Office, Washing- ton, D. C, Aug. 20, 1862. Orders No. 113. "By order of the Secretary of War. E. D. Townsend, Assistant Ad/'niant- General." Our first letter is dated "Wash- ington, D. C, Sunday, August 17, 1862, five o'clock p. m." We have been in Washington just one-half hour, having come through Balti- more to-day. We have eaten our rations at the volunteer receiving room, consisting of the most horrid coffee and bread, so George Ball says (I did not eat any). We are now in the recruiting barracks for the night. We go early in the morning to our various regiments; when, where, or how we know not. It is expected that we are to march to Fort Alban}'. 1 have sent word to John to that efTect. Probably it will never reach him. There are over 1,000 men in the room where I am writing. Some are playing cards for money ; some cursing ; some playing games, and in gen- eral singing, and doing things con- trary to our New England Sabbath rules. Edgar, George, and myself are in the middle of the room. " Detachments of recruits will be stretched out full length, and are furnished with at least two days' the only ones that are writing cooked rations before starting from home, and it was only to relieve the depot for their regiment. If your anxiety that I know you at delayed in any city en route, a de- this present moment feel, that I FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. 2 4S endure the disagreeable position in which I am now placed. "We stopped in New York all day Saturday, after coming in the Metro-polis from Fall River. We marched about two miles up Broad- way to Franklin street barracks. At night we started for South Am- boy, about forty miles, in a ferry steamer ; we got there about eight ; traveled all night in cars that were about six by ten ; stopped about three or four hours on the road near peach orchards. The boys got out and got all they wanted ; that was about twelve o'clock at night; we didn't have lights in the cars, neither did we have places to sleep in, but we were crowded in like sheep. "Arrived at Camden about four o'clock ; crossed the river to Phil- adelphia, where we were splendidly treated ; went into the far-famed Cooper establishment, and had a nice breakfast at five oclock ; the only good meal that we have had since we left home. ' God bless the Quaker city ! ' Why, Mother, the truth is, soldiers are of no ac- count, and are treated like dogs wherever they go ; but I am bound to stick b3^ and do my best. I never experienced such a passage as I have on my way thither. We have ridden day and night, and suffered all the hardships of com- mon cattle. I have not slept but once, and that was on the Fall River steamer. We all slept on the floor. Bob is now well and sends his ambrotype. "We had an awful night's pas- sage to P. on the Camden & Amboy R. R. We were awake all night, surrounded by roughs and drunken soldiers. We had a small fight, and I left the mark of my fist on a drunken rowdy's eye. I cut it and blacked it, and no sooner had I got through with him, than Bob gave him a pelter that knocked him down. "The bully insulted us, and squared oflf" to hit one of our Twenty- second boys, and Bob and I pitched in. We are disgusted with our journey, and now only long to reach our regiment, even if the battle- field is open before us immediately, so long as we are in the midst of discipline. We marched through P., started for Baltimore at six, got into Baltimore about twelve ; marched up West Pratt street, the famous place where they had the riot. Everything was quiet, it be- ing the Sabbath. ' ' On the Susquehanna we crossed at Havre de Grace on a boat ; the cars ran right on it, and then we crossed. We remained at Balti- more Depot until i : 30 o'clock, then they put us aboard the train for W. The cars were baggage cars with boards nailed in for seats. Well, now for the route. It beat every- thing I ever saw. ' Niggers ' every- where. The meetincr-houses are different; the grass, the soil, the fences (what there were of them, for there are plaguey few). There are immense plantations of this great Southern corn and tobacco, growing in red soil, with no fences up in front, and the houses way up in the middle of the field. 246 FOUJfi BROTHERS IN BLUE. "The train went about as fast as I could run all the way, forty miles. We had a good time on top, looking around. They stopped at the fa- mous Relay House. I saw the viaduct where the First Massachu- setts Battery guarded. We stopped again on the route to water up. I went up in a field to a plastered nigger hut. What a sight ! About ten little ' nigs,' about of a size ' all going to see the ' sojers ' Massa.' She (the woman) gave me some native tobacco as a curiosity. We arrived at Washington about o'clock ; went into this coop where we are all writing. I told the boys a little while ago that I was bound to go around and see the sights ; they were afraid, because there were guards stationed at the doors, but I got out a good way, and went to see the elephant. I first walked to the capitol and went up into the dome, wrote my name, saw all the beautiful pictures that you have heard so much about, and all around the different rooms. " From the top of the dome I saw Long Bridge, Arlington Heights, General Lee's house, and Fort Albany ; I went down Pennsylvania avenue, and saw all the business part of the city : Willard's, the Treasury, the famous White House, the War Department, the Smith- sonian institute, and Washington monument, patent office, etc. I walked through the gardens where portly senators and the high gen- try of the land have trod. In fact, I looked at everything of impor- tance in the city, and saw sights I never expected to see, and which I may never see again. I never saw such quiet in a city where militaiy movements are carried on in such a grand scale. There is no life, no excitement ; I never should know from its outward appearance that it was threatened by a rebel army, nor should I in the least dream that it was our national capital, except by its public buildings. " It lacks all the supposed gran- deur of a presidential city, a royal abiding place. " I have just come back. I can- not write to you now as I would if I were in a nice place. This is full of men hollering, fiddling, etc., so I cannot write well. I had my picture taken in New York just for the fun of it; it isn't very good, but I thought, dear Mother, that you would like to see me as I am in uniform." Alexandria was our next objec- tive point. Our letters of August 19, say : " We started from Wash- ington at S : 30 o'clock this morning, and after marching two miles, went aboard of a river steamer, and came down here to Alexandria. It is six miles from Washington, and the ride is fine. We are in an old ' secesh ' house, quartered until further orders. We are to stay here in Alexandria to-day, and I am going to try and see John four miles from here. I couldn't help thinking of you at five o'clock this morning (only think of it !) , when I got up and took my housewife to put on a button. I have put a side FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. 247 pocket into my coat, and am really an adept in needle and thread yet. I spent a most horrid night in our barracks on the outskirts of the city. There were over 1,000 men, raw recruits, on the floor, and such a noise I never heard. " I never slept a wink all night. It did seem like a hell upon earth ; most barbarous profanity and hide- ous screaming were heard all night, and it was cold as Greenland, and I slept (?) cold. " We have not been furnished with woolen blankets, and a hard, board floor, covered with filth, is not very pleasant. However, I do not com- plain, although I do wish the uf- ■per sides of the -planks were a lit- tle softer. " My resolves before I left Boston have been sorely tempted out here, but all my good principles still re- main firm. We have to write any way, on our knees or on the floor. We do n't know where we shall go to from this hole, for McClellan is moving, and therefore they do n't know where to send us ; but I do hope, for Heaven's sake they will get us off" soon, as I think this is the worst we shall see — this knock- ing around in Camp Cameron, and barracks in diff'erent cities. While I was out in the city (yesterday) George Ball was taken with a vio- lent colic, and suff'ered everything for about an hour. When I got to the 'Rest' I found him bent up double in an empty barrack, with Frank Kimball over him, rubbing his stomach with whiskey. I stayed and helped Frank, and soon he was himself again. Ed. Holt was sick all day, but Virginia air is improving him. Leroy Kimball is most miserable, and looks a fit sub- iect for a hospital. We are tender- ly nursing him. Bob is now well, and I was never better in my life. Loss of sleep and hard usage have thinned me a good deal in flesh, but my eye is bright in health. There is a certain something in my system that defies disease. " We are all wondering why F. Kimball stands it so well. He is in first-rate spirits. Morrison, the one who lived at Nat. Carleton's, and threw down his scythe vvlien his country called, has been well also, although he has eaten every kind of fruit and vegetable. He has already received the sobriquet of ' Gingerbread.' He eats all the time, and after four of our re- cruits had died in the barracks in Washington, from eating poisoned fruits sold by the peddlers, and he was warned of his danger, he said he had made up his mind not to starve, even if he was poisoned. " He wrote home that he was never coming back from the ' sacred soil.' He is a quaint specimen of the genus homo, and keeps us roaring at his remarks. " I sent word over to John yester- day by Ed. Walton (who took ad- vantage of his Fourteenth-regiment dress), when he went to Fort Al- bany, that Bob and I were in the city, and wanted him if possible, to come over and see us, as it was im- possible for us to get over to see him. He sent word by Ed. that it FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. was just as impossible for him to leaving Culpepper, and the sick and wounded of the Cedar Moun- tain fight are arriving in town, and it is a sickening sight to see them, without either arm or leg, and a gash here and there over their poor, languishing bodies. I have already seen enough among the wounded to lead me to hope that my lot may not fall among them. " Quite a number of men for the Twentj'-second from the hospitals, where they have been for the last few months, came along with us, to join our regiment. They gave me some heart-rending accounts. I was talking yesterday on King street with a young lieutenant of an Ohio regiment, who has a ball in his shoulder, and he says there is work ahead, and in our immediate vicinity. I shall soon be in tlie fight, I know. I went in swim- ming this morning with some of the boys, in the Potomac river. " I send you my ambrotype." (It cannot be found.) The weather was oppressively hot. Although under the control of a pro- vost marshal, the results of the war were seen in the dilapidated build- ings and filthy streets. The house we occupied, on the corner of King and Fairfax(?) streets, was alive with vermin, and what we first thought was the ground itch, prickly rash, or some other kin- dred disease incident to our new experience and change of climate, habits of life, food, etc., soon proved to our uninitiated recruits to be the genuine and unmistakable " grey- back." get over to Washington. We could n't get a pass over Long bridge, so we have missed seeing him. When I found out that this was our route, I had 'lotted upon seeing him, and was very much disappointed. "I have been all over the cit}' ; seen the Marshall House, where Ellsworth was killed, and the slave pen. It is a dirty place, this hot- bed of secession, but the people seem kind and pleasant. They are obliged to, for the streets are full of Union soldiers. At night they place small American flags over ' secesh ' residences, and if they are removed the occupants suffer well. They clean them out. It is amus- ing to see the 'nigs' in Washing- ton. They are the most aristocratic personages I ever beheld. Here they are the most abject, and cringe at a white man. The teams and carriages have the most gro- tesque appearance. We shall probably stay here in Alexandria until we find out where McClellan has moved to, and then shall join our regiment. Stirring events are soon to happen in Virginia, and I know that in less than two weeks the ' raw recruits ' are to go into the ranks to meet the foe. " God help me to nerve myself manfully for the fight. I am hope- ful, and full of bright anticipation. May I always be as happy as I am now ! The streets are full of rumors — Pope retreating ; then he is victoriously engaged ; again, he is advancing. All our troops are FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. 249 Owing to the non-energetic na- ture of the officer in charge of us, Captain H. P. Williams, Twenty- second Massachusetts, and some imperative duty, or mysterious busi- ness, that always kept him in Washington, we were left to shift for ourselves. Our resources were few, but we were compelled to rely mainly upon the little money we had, and so far as rations, clothing, or any of the ordinary allowances provided by the government for or- ganized or unorganized bodies are concerned, we endured, and un- necessarily, while here, more than for the next two years, except on several occasions of extreme exi- gency. We marched through the streets of Alexandria, singing, and as mar- tyrs to the slaughter, our knap- sacks on our backs, the perspiration flowing like water, to this old, de- serted house. Our letters continue : " Alexandria, Va., Aug. 20, 1862. " We do n't know when we shall leave here. It may be this day, or to-morrow, or a week, but I hope we shall leave soon, as I am sick of this place already. The guard has just come up and says we may go at any moment, so I must hurry. What will Leroy do? He is sick with a fever up stairs. But we must go, and if he ca n't keep up, he will have to go into the Alexandria hospital. Poor fellow ! I am writing on a board on my knee. I send you this card as a curiosit}'. The boys are hav- ing their pictures taken, and I got this to send to you. " It is awful writing, but I can't help it, as I am tired holding this board. The order has come for us to go, and I must defer this letter till another time, when I know not. We go to camp about one and three-fourths miles from here, there to remain a few days." From Alexandria we moved on the 20th of August to the heights in the rear of the south of the city. It was near Fort Ellsworth, and the camp, which was designated as " Camp Excelsior," was command- ed by Colonel J. S. Belknap, Eighty-fifth New York Volunteers. It was on the summit of Shuter's hill, overlooking Alexandria, and between the Little River and Lees- burg turnpikes. On the crest of the hill, and but a few yards from our tents, was a small family burial lot, enclosed, which contained several grave- stones, bearing the following in- scriptions : "Elizabeth L. Carter, died April 17, 1846," " Mary B. Carter," " Fanny A. C. Dulany, died May 3, 1835," "Henry L. Dulany." This camp was also des- ignated as " Excelsior Hospital," which afterwards became " Camp Convalescent." Our little squad of recruits, so eager to join our regi- ments, the exact whereabouts of which could not then be ascer- tained, formed the nucleus of what subsequently assumed huge propor- tions, and proved a burning disgrace to the country. It was here that the sick and wounded men who had recovered from their wounds, were sent, until. 2SO FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. in the following year, they had ac- cumulated to many thousands. It was here that a show of green- backs procured a man's discharge from the service as easy as tumbling city of Alexandria. Oh, what a place ! Full of ' niggers ' and sol- diers, and it looks as though the hand of God were upon it; it is under the guns of three or four off a log ; here, in the early morn- forts, all of which can blow it to ing, the bummers and beats took a little gentle exercise up and down the steep hills in the vicinity, just before surgeon's call, and then reli- giously attending it, with hearts thumping from a hard run, and a generous display of the filthy lucre, were pronounced badly affected with heart disease, and booked for pieces. It is under army control, and the sick and wounded fill every house that has been confiscated. The result of war is seen in its dilapidated buildings, and miser- able, filthy streets. All the slops of soldiers, fragrant with loathsome diseases, run foul in the gutters, and it is a sickening sight to walk what they had long desired — a through the streets of Alexandria. journey to " Home, Sweet Home." It was here that red ink, or some other substitute, was skilfully used to simulate blood from the mouth and lungs, or the last stages of a consumptive, and the greenback " prolapsus " dodge was so success- fully worked. The camp was investigated by a committee of congress, and matters were, after a while, somewhat rem- Verily, ' Old Virginia ' will be but a vestige of her former self, when we have marched through her stricken domains." "Saturday, August 24, 1862, Alex- andria Heights, Fort Ellsworth, in Camp. "After closing this letter the other day, we moved from Alexan- dria, and are now about two miles from there, towards Fort Scott. edied, but for the greater portion of Our camp is situated splendidly ; it its existence it remained a perfect scourge to the army. There were many old soldiers sprinkled in among us, returning to their regi- ments. Our letters describe it as " within a stone's throw of Fort Ellsworth, within plain view of Fairfax Semi- nary, and over across the valley, about one and one-half miles, is Fort Lyon, garrisoned by the Sixty- ninth New York, who go home to- day, their time, three months, being up." " There are forts in all direc- tions. Below lies the dirty, nasty commands a view of Alexandria, Fairfax Seminary, Washington city, and the Potomac river. " We are now in better quarters, and begin to feel settled. Our camp is under control of a York colonel ; I do not yet know his name. We are in small wedge tents, and five of us occupy one of them, — Ed. Holt, William Webster, Asa Fletcher, Bob, and your hum- ble servant. We have hay on the dusty floor, and at night, rubber and woolen blankets answer every purpose of beds. Fletcher found a FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. 251 nice mattress, filled with shavings, on the road to Fairfax Seminary, so we are all right there. But, oh, the dirt and filth of all our surround- ings ! It is perfectly awful. It is only the hope of future fight, and victorjs that keeps us bright and and jolly. If we couid only have the rations the government provides for us, we should be well satisfied ; but we are deprived of them in some way. If we could only cook our own coflFee, and draw our own sugar, I should be contented, for then I could use it as I pleased ; but now one fellow pretends to cook for our mess or squad of Twenty- second boys, and most certainly he does n't put in my quantity of sugar in the coffee, and he throws in more grease than government allows ; but I do not complain with a mean tone ; I lump it all, and do uH care a snap. " It is n't half what we have got to endure, for, as I see the war-worn veterans of McClellan's army wend their weary way along the turnpikes that pass our camp, and hear the horrid stories of Hooker's brigade, my heart grows sick within me, and I consider that I am now in a blissful state, only patiently waiting transportation to purgatory. "From this camp the turnpikes are seen full of soldiers, moving for- ward to join the army. Regiment after regiment from Pennsylvania and New York pass us daily, and at night their camp-fires light up the surrounding country with thou- sands of beacon-fires, bidding the anxious hearts of our Northern peo- ple to rejoice in their coming strength. " It would do your heart good to hear the welcoming cheers of the troops as they pass the encamp- ments of their brethren in arms. It is a glorious sight to us in our embryo state of soldierhood. "We expect to hear from our regi- ment every minute. A report is going the rounds that they are to come to Alexandria, and go from there to join with Pope and Burn- side. Kearney's division came up night before last, and have gone to- day ; no one knows where, but if they did, they probably would not tell. " There are about 3,000 raw re- cruits with us for the various regi- ments of all the states. I tell you if things do n't work at odds and ends. You will excuse the blots and general looks of this, won't you, Mother? I am away from the rest of the boys, and down in the woods, beside the hill, writing to you, and my poor contrivances, with the help of Virginia flies and mosquitoes, prevent a great display of writing faculties. I have been writing on a tin plate; it don't go very well. My handwriting is just about spoiled, but I can't help it. Good-night ! " Sunday morning. — I wish you would tell Mrs. M., with my kind remembrance, that her little Testa- ment has not been laid aside, and that when we were in the cars from Philadelphia to Baltimore last Sun- day, I read two chapters in it, while gambling and every kind of wick- 252 FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. edness, was being practised in the sadly-neglected function out here ii car. you rely upon the government. " It is a most beautiful day, but no That is ' honest ' as Ball says. one would ever know it was the " The first morning I 'drew' some Sabbath. Some of the Irish Ninth hard bread and coffee, and cooked are drunk, gambling, howling, and my own coffee ; it was the first cup every vice is going the rounds of of that article that I ever cooked the camp. Itis monstrous ! Ihaveal- myself, but it tasted better than any ready seen sights that I never dream- I have yet had from Uncle Sam. I ed I should, and at Alexandria, I wish you would send me your believe the fiends of hell are let loose while the Army of Potomac is pass- ing through, for such noises and horrid scenes I never heard nor be- held before. People are killed there every day, and I saw there to-day two negroes dead on stretchers, on King street. Our young men from B. are very quiet; some are read- ing their Testaments, while others are writing. We have been singing psalm tunes, and it was a strange contrast to the rest of the camp ; method of making pure Mocha, as far as process is concerned, for you cannot expect it -pure, when the raw material is two-thirds adul- terated. "Edgar, ' Bob,' a New York Cav- alry boy, and myself made the acquaintance of a Virginia planter (at the foot of the hill, across the road), where we bought milk of him, and he was very good indeed to us. We fell into the good graces of the ' nigs,' and they gave us yet many gathered around, and peach pies, and flapjacks, etc. At seemed interested. We are going night we patronized the 'nigs' to have baked beans and roast pork again, and had a good treat; since for dinner to-day. Four of our fel- then we have bought milk occasion- ally of them, and they generally throw in something extra. The first night we had no tents, and no supper ; ' Bob ' and myself put up together on the ground, and about 12 o'clock it rained like guns ; our rubber blankets saved us a soaking, but as it was, I got no sleep, and lows (old soldiers) borrowed my knife, and went to a ' secesh ' house and stuck a pig, a little while ago, and we are to have a feast in conse- quence. "I 'drew' (term for foraging from the plantations) some green corn andapplesto-day, and I mean to have roast corn and apple sauce for kicked it off and got wet. It was supper. a perfect paradise, however, to the " Last night we had some boiled mean, lousy apartments at Alexan- rice ; it tasted like salve, with lard dria, where the bedbugs, cock- for seasoning; you know I am very roaches, and filth were knee-deep, particular about that dish. But no ' Bob' got bitten all over one night more about the stomach now, al- there. We did n't get half enough though, talk as you may, it is a to eat there either, for we had no FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. 253 plates or large dippers, and rations were not regular at all. One day we only had one small ration of bread and salt pork. I bought my grub, as did most of the others, even old soldiers returning to their regiments. "The second night, we went into a tent where an old soldier of the Pennsylvania Bucktail Rifles, two boys of the Seventh Maine, from Cape Elizabeth, and several New Yorkers were, and they cooked us a good supper. We sung all our good songs, and they were much pleased. The next day we were transferred to a new camping ground (us Massachusetts boys), and a mighty mean place it is ; right upon a dusty plat of ground, with nothing green around us, and water most a mile. "We have not had a single thing furnished to us yet ; I have bought a dipper and two plates. I do n't expect to get an3'thing when I get to my regiment, for in the present move, the quartermaster's department cannot be attended to ; so I shall buy as I need, as fast as I want, and draw commutation hereafter for articles I do n't get from the government. Even the old regiments can't get clothes, and when they encamp they can't get enough to eat, and I am sure if pro- visions are not plenty, how can clothes be? I am all covered over with prickly heat, and my suffer- ings from it are almost unbearable ; but I apprehend when I get through with this cruise, I shall be able to endure almost anything with reason- able patience. "Myneck is all burned to a crisp. The heat of the sun is severe. It penetrates away through. We are waiting to hear from our regiment. They are now at Acquia creek. While I am in my tent, the boys keep coming in, and it do n't take many to fill it up. They talk and laugh, and of course it is impossi- ble to write, but wait a while and I will close this." From this camp we made many visits to Alexandria, to Forts Al- bany, Scott, Craig, and Tillinghast, where we saw our brother, John, some cousins, and many friends whom we knew in the First Massa- chusetts Heavy Artillery ; also the Thirty-third and Thirty-fifth Massachusetts, the latter near Hunter's chapel, in which we had many friends. Our letters describe these visits, with numerous amus- ing incidents, etc., but they are, while interesting, too voluminous for introduction within the limits of these papers. On one of these visits we had learned that the P'irst Massachu- setts Heavy Artillery was then un- der orders to join General Pope's army, and when the latter was w-restling with Longstreet and Jackson on the 25th of August, the " First Heavies " were ordered out, and that same day we learned that they were out beyond Fort Ells- worth, on the Fairfax C. H. road, near Cloud's Mill. Our letters say : " Saturday 2S4 FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. night, about six o'clock, we heard that the Fourteenth (First Massa- chusetts Heav}^ Artillery) , was en- camped about one and one-half miles up the road, near Cloud's Mill. Hardly believing it, we started with nothing but our can- teens. We traveled about two miles, falling in with drunken sol- diers of the First, Eleventh, and Sixteenth Massachusetts regiments, who, as soon as they found out that we were Massachusetts boys for the Twenty-second, were completely crazy to have us shake hands and have a drink with them. We shook hands with more than fifty, but nary a drink. Night was fast set- tling down upon us, and the en- campments of Hooker's and Kear- ney's brigades looked splendid. "We soon got on the track, and got in the camp of the -Fourteenth, and such a splendid sight I never saw. The camp-fires lit up the tents and fields for miles around. Some were roasting sweet potatoes, making coftee, etc. We found Lewis's tent, and found that John was on picket at Cloud's Mill, about three fourths of a mile from there, and would n't be in till morn- ing ; so, after seeing lots of boys that we used to know, we ' turned in' on four cents' worth of hay that Lewis bought, making one and one-third cents apiece — enough to keep our bones from getting sore. "In the morning, I went down to the Mill, and found John asleep on the soft side of a -plank. We woke him, and he was delighted to see us. He said after we left the fort the other day, he never expected to see us again. I tell you. Father, he is almost tickled to death to see us. It cheers him up ; and to think that we should travel fifteen miles at one time (seven and one half out and back), and six miles at another time, it makes him feel glad. "When he woke up, he said that rats as large as mules had been running over his body all night, and practising battalion drill. Cloud's Mill, if you remember, was the scene of a sharp skirmish at one time. It is an old wooden and brick mill, used once for grinding corn; now occupied by 'contra- bands.' They invited us in, and gave us hoe cake, coffee, and fish — the best food I have had since leav- ing home. After staying with John about two hours, we again bade him good-by, and left him there, as he could not be relieved from guard duty. If it (the regiment) is not gone, I shall go again to- morrow." The visit was repeated the fol- lowing day, and our brother, hav- ing "foraged" a lot of cabbages and other vegetables, gave us a royal boiled dinner, which he cooked himself. He writes : "Cloud's Mill, August 26, 1862. "I go in about ten minutes on my way to Warrenton. Ca n't write but a word. Have to destroy everything. Bob took dinner with me this afternoon. They are at Fort Ellsworth, and will probably follow shortly. Do not write until FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. 255 you hear from me. We shall now see fighting." It was the last campaign of this regiment until the spring of 1864, when the movement across the Rapidan took place. It then joined Grant's army, and distinguished itself in nearly all of the bloody battles of the Second army corps, until the surrender at Appomattox, and we shall have occasion to refer to it often in following up the for- tunesof our eldest "brother in blue." But while in the fortifications, their restlessness and anxiety to join General Pope and engage in the second Battle of Bull Run be- came so great that when this, their first opportunity, and its inglorious result, became known in the Army of the Potomac, the "Heavies" were for a long time chafed most unmercifully by their veteran com- rades, and they never manifested the same impatience for an advance from their fortified position. Our brother thus describes his share in the "forward movement:" "Fort Tillinghast, Sept. 7, 1862. "We have just been inspected by General Fitz John Porter, who complimented us highly. We were very foolishly ordered away from here some two weeks ago, but we are back again by order of General McClellan. "We had a pretty tough time dur- ing our absence, having to lie in the woods for over two days, in line of battle, with two pieces of artillery, which we found aban- doned by a New York battery. We lost about eight or ten men, who were taken prisoners, and took about the same number in return. We saved a large amount of property to the govern- ment. Our colonel is a ' brick.' He was some distance in advance, when he discovered a regiment of cavalry approaching to overtake the wagon trains. He rode back 'double quick,' and immediately gave the order : ' Head of column to the right (into the woods) ! Can- non to the front ! ' This checked the ' rebs.' There are four roads leading into Fairfax, but we only had men to cover three, so the next day they got to our rear by the fourth road, and made a dash at our hospital, which was half a mile or so to the rear, capturing all the hospital stores, the two surgeons, a wounded soldier, the hospital stew- ard (J. Riley of Haverhill), one ambulance, and one or two other teams, and teamsters. " The surgeons were immediately paroled, and General Lee (W. H. F. ?) sent his compliments to Colonel. Green, sa3'ing that if he (Green) had camped in an open field the previous night, he would have cap- tured and dispersed his entire com- mand. " The Colonel was slightly mad, the General being an old acquaint- ance of his. We afterwards cap- tured two of his scouts, being taken in trees, watching our move- ments. Before all this happened, we heardheavy cannonading ahead, and knew that a battle was in prog- ress ; so the Colonel ordered us to unsling knapsacks in the woods. 2s6 FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. and we were hurrying on to join " O Father, we are having excit- in the battle, when old Lee came ing times ! At the bottom of the hill down on us. is the main road to Manassas, and "On our return, we found the as you know, McClellan's army, a knapsacks were ransacked by fugi- great part of it, has landed at Alex- itive ' niggers,' who were running andria, and are reinforcing Pope away, and by the poor soldiers of at Culpepper and vicinity, which is McClellan's army, who are hurry- about sixty miles from here, ing forward ; so we lost everything "They all have to go on this road, except what we wore. and we go down and sit on a rock "It would almost make you weep and watch them as they file along, to look at the remnant of the beau- regiment after regiment, brigade tiful army that left here but a few after brigade. Such looking fel- months since, so full of hope, lows I never saw ! Some ot them Some of the regiments are not so with straw and felt hats, look large as our company, which num- blacker than their hats ; are dusty bers one hundred and fifty. There and dirty ; beards all tangled, and, is now a large army of troops here, with their ponchos slung on their and there is some active movement on foot which, I hope, will soon wipe out our recent severe reverses. The men are all anxious to fight, ex- cept those in the corps of McDow- ell, who swear they will run at the first fire, if he leads them ; for they know that he leads them to certain death and defeat. One and all de- nounce him as a traitor." The Army of the Potomac, as our letters indicate, moved directly by our camp on Shuter's Hill, on the turnpike leading from Alexandria to Fairfax Court-House, to join shoulders, they present a worn ap- pearance. "They all seem to feel discour- aged to think that the}' have seen their brothers and friends shot down by their side, and then have bad to turn right back and go way round up the Potomac again, and are now one hundred miles from Richmond. They all blow for ' Little Mac,' al- though they can 't understand all their movements. Pope is fighting every day, and reinforcements are rushing along the roads by thou- sands. New regiments are camp- Pope. Hooker's and Kearney's vet- ing all around us, and the night is erans were among them, and, going to their camps just beyond ours, we took from these well-versed " pa- triots," some of our first lessons of what was to come, especially in " drawing'' articles not on the list of commissary rations, " chicken- raising," etc., etc. Our letters say : made noisy by their continual cheer- ing. We have about 2,000 men waiting to join their regiments, in camp here. Yesterday some went down on the road, and, as Hooker's and Kearney's war-scarred veterans filed along, they joined their re- spective commands, cheering and shouting. FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. 257 " It seemed to give them confi- dence to think that the North was pouring in recruits, but they have suffered so much, Father, in the Chickahominy swamps, that when we talk with them, they discourage us a little, but only a little. " I am writing on my knee, with poor ink and pen, and of course it looks awfully ; I can only just write so you can read it, and that is all. I am covered with great heat blotches from head to foot, and they itch fearfully, which, together with mosquitoes and flies, is awful. "When John told us the other day that Gene was in Washington the same day I was, and that he was on a leave of twenty days to go home, and I couldn't see him, I could hardly restrain my feelings. Now, I suppose, he is at home enjoy- ing himself, and I may never see him again. Oh, that we four boys could have met in Washington on that day ! Would n't we have had a breakdown? " The Twenty-second stopped at Acquia Creek, and went to join Pope in that direction. As soon as they get settled somewhere, then we shall move ; but my opinion is that we shall remain here for a week or two. I hear the continual booming ■of guns. Last night they shot two ■or three 'niggers' in Alexandria ; I suppose the soldiers were drunk. Edgar saw one 'nig' shot through the head." On the 28th, being informed that General McClellan's headquarters ■were only about one and three- quarter miles from our camp, we struck out to gratify our desire to see him and make a personal inspec- tion of his camp. As we approached the headquar- ter tents, we saw the General come out of one of them, and immediately recognized him by his photographs, although we had mentally pictured him as somewhat nearer the heroic size — at least six feet. Not content with absorbing all we could of the commander-in-chief, we strolled towards the rude, brush- covered stables, where we were soon pointed out the celebrated war- horse of the General's — Dan Web- ster. We blush now to record the the fact that, becoming suddenly possessed of the devil, or the twin spirit of vandalism — not alone con- fined to us during that period of the war — we watched our chance, and, when the sentinel's back was turned, we deliberately cut off a lock of hair from Dan Webster's mane, and, secreting it in my pocket, coolly walked away. We have always thought we were richly punished for that act, for we had scarcely started to retrace our steps, when a terrific thunder- storm burst upon us, blew down a part of the headquarter tents, and, before we got back to Fort Ells- worth, completely drenched us ; and, besides, upon sending the trophy home, our parents, not fully appreciating our efforts as a relic hunter, carelessly placed it in a drawer with a lot of old scraps, where it became lost or destroyed. Dan Webster was a magnificent dark chestnut, and under the sad- FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. die, with a numerous mounted staff' about him, was easily conspicuous by his glossy coat and fine action. Our letters say : " 'Little Mac' is about two miles from us in camp. Bob, Fletcher, and myself went down to see him last Thursday, and were fortunate enough to catch a glimpse of him. He is not half so handsome as his photographs at the North would seem to indicate. His moustache is brown, and he wears an imperial. He is short and quite broad-should- ered. He wore a dirty military coat and regulation pants, with high boots and an old Kossuth hat. Alto- gether, he was a very modest man in appearance. I wasn't much struck. "While there, a heavy shower fell upon us, and the tents of his staff" were all blown down ; we got wet through. I saw his horse, Dan Webster, and he is a noble horse. I never saw a better-looking or more powerfully built one for speed and everything else requisite for his station : — a general's horse in every particular. Bob has some hair that he cut from his mane, which he is going to send home." On that night, after our return from General McClellan's head- quarters, we saw a young man brought into camp in the agonies of death. He was the son of wealthy parents, and was in the last stages of delirium tremens ; he gasped his last at 9 p. m., and we saw him pass into another world. The fol- lowing day, another man, older, was brought in. He seemed to have on the uniform of a Confed- erate artilleryman. He had been found wandering through our lines in a half-crazed state, and he died without having made known his identity. It was our first experience with death in any form, and it made a lasting impression on our young minds, which the after horrors of many bloody battles hardly effaced. On the 29th of August we moved through the fields and over very rough ground, to a point a little more than one mile directly west of Camp Excelsior, and just north of Fairfax Seminary, on a small branch of Cameron Run. Our letter, dated in Camp near Fairfax Seminary, Sunday, Aug. 31, 1862, says: " We have moved to this place, about one fourth of a mile from Fairfax Seminary, per- haps the very spot where Gene encamped when he returned from his grand advance in the spring. We came here last Friday morn- ing, and the first night slept with no tents ; they were promised for last night, but when I got back from a long tour to the camp of the Thirty-fifth regiment and Fort Til- Hnghast, nary a tent did I find, and this morning I woke up to find it raining finely. "I spread my rubber blanket, and stood it until I got up. We cooked our breakfast in the rain, consisting of ' drawn ' rations from the fields on our route ; apple sauce, roast corn, some bread, and mean coffee (although the latter I cooked myself) . FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. 259 " It is still raining, and the boys have put their duds in a heap, put their rubber blankets over them, and gone into some tents put up by some old settlers, while I have wandered over here to the Semi- nary, and vinder an old shed, free from the noise and bustle of the camp, am spending my Sabbath in writing to you. "It is raining quite hard out, and once in a while it spatters through on my paper (letter badly stained), but the place is much better than a shelter in a tent where all the boys are talking and laugh- ing, especially on such a wet day as this, when the cloth of the tents is just like a sieve. Fairfax Sem- inary is a fine building, and is now used as a hospital. It was the greatest seat of learning in the South before the war broke out ; ' so they say.'' It is certainly a beautiful situation, and the grounds give indications of former beauty. I should judge the buildings were all fine ; everything is going to ruin here. ' It was, and is not' may truly be said of every building in Fairfax County, "V"a. We have orders to go to-day, but very likely they will be countermanded, as it is almost impossible to join them (the regiment) while they are fighting as they are now. " All day yesterday the cannons' roar was incessant, and the rumors among the various camps we passed through were very exciting. At the forts they were digging rifle- pits, and new guns were being mounted ; the magazines were open, and ammunition was being carried to the many places of con- venience inside the battlements. You could hear very distinctly the boom of the guns towards Centre- ville, and I saw Sumner's Corps as it passed Fort Tillinghast, as also Meagher's Irish Brigade of Penin- sular veterans, as they marched to reinforce our army, then and now in conflict with ' Stonewall ' Jack- son. " I saw a straggler of the Twen- ty-second, Thomas Branigan, Co. G, when we were coming back. He said there were about two hun- dred and fifty in the regiment, able for duty, and they were then fight- ing at Manassas. He got out of cartridges, and being liable to cap- ture in the rear, * skedaddled' to Alexandria, and was making tracks for Fort Albany when we saw him, where he had a brother whom he had not seen for twelve months. " He told me some pretty hard stories of his Peninsular campaign, and said as soon as he got rested, he should travel for the Twenty- second again. " He hailed from Lawrence, (Mass.), and had lost his knapsack at Gaines Mill, and nothing cov- ered him but a coat (ragged blouse) and pair of pants. He had his two blankets coiled about him, but his overcoat and sich were among the missing ; a hard-looking boy and no mistake. We started for Hun- ter's Chapel early yesterday morn- ing, and when we got there we found that the Thirty-fifth had changed their camp, and gone 26o FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. down towards Fort Craig, near Fort Tillinghast, and we found them all there. "We saw John; he looked pretty well, considering what he has been through lately : he has lost everything ; I suppose you have heard of their march to Centreville, and of their narrow escape from capture by Colonel Lee of the rebel army . . . After some tall tramping, and the loss of all their baggage and duds, they have re- turned to their forts, satisfied, they all say, to remain there until the war is over. " They are now putting the forts in a good state of defense. That is a smashing regiment. Colonel Green's, of 1800 strong. The Pen- insular soldiers, as the Fourteenth passed, asked if it was not a divi- sion. Their own brigades scarcely vie with it in point of numbers. "While we were there (before their advance), about five hundred recruits arrived, and they were re- ceived with shouts of jo}'. Many of them were taken in, I reckon, for they didn't expect an advance quite yet. " Before I left Hospital Camp (Shuter's Hill), I went to see the Thirt3'-third regiment. Colonel Maggi, and stayed until dress parade was over at 6 o'clock p. m. I saw those two lieutenants we conversed with at Camp Stanton, if you remember, on the possibility of Bob's being accepted at 17 years of age, and whether or not there were any regulations to the effect that all under 18 were to be refused. "They were glad to see us; it is a fine regiment ; I almost wish I were in it. We have been kicked about so since we started ! If Mc- Clellan had stayed at Harrison's Landing, we should have been with our regiment in good drill, and all right ; but his moving away makes a heap of trouble for us, the gov- ernment scarcely knowing what to do with us. " I am afraid now that the Thir- ty-fifth will get drilled before us, and be off for the field before we are. They twitted us to that effect yesterday, and it was a little morti- fying to me, when I remember what I said about old regiments before leaving home. " Three days' rations were dealt out to us last night, and we were to have gone to-day. Upon some one asking the commanding officer what we raw recruits could do before the enemy, he replied, ' the}' can fight like the devil ;' so in all probability, as soon as we get arms, according to reports and orders, we shall go to meet the foe with our regiment without even knowing how to handle a musket or come into line of battle. I can only sajs ' Bully for that ! ' The sooner the better for me. This climate is mak- ing me terribly lazy. I lose all my strength here, and feel dumpish continually ; I want to lie down con- stantly ; there seems to be some- thing in the atmosphere that absorbs all my vitality. The heat has been tremendous, and we have suffered terribly from it. All the recruits for Porter's Corps are in camp with FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. 261 us; about a thousand men. It is lighten your load, and bivouac on not quite as pretty as the old place, some old camming ground alive but much better. I do not see a with these animals, it is certain paper very often, but I hear that that a lousy carcass is your lot tor McClellan is commander-in-chief some time to come. It is impos- over the Army of Virginia, and that sible to keep clean in the days of Halleck now is merely military adversity, but now, while we are adviser. stationary, and have everything " One night I was troubled a frelty handy, we delight in our good deal by something running morning bath." about on my neck all night long ; I [Note. — Any old soldier will suspected that it was an army of recognize the philosophy and logi- //ce, and in the morning, I found cal reasoning of the above, also the outside my tent, by my corner (and grim irony of a recruit out in an I sleep close, for there were five in open field, in a drizzling rain, the tent) an old dirty shirt, all cov- alongside of two or three small ered over with body h'ce, and they water holes in a little creek or brook, had been marching at close quar- of the color of red mud, and covered ters all night. with grease and floating soap-suds "I found four large ones on my from those above us, out of whicli shirt, and three ' slimmers ' inside, we had to make our coffee, and in on the seams; and in the seams which everything was '■'■ pretty under my arms, and on mv neck, handy " and where we delighted in any quantity of little eggs, or young our " morning bath."'] divils, hardly formed. I cleaned "There are a lot of green re- them all off, but have scarcely got- cruits who keep firing their revolv- ten rid of them yet. ers around camp, and bullets are " It is perfectly horrid, and I lose constantly flying about us ; it is n't flesh in thinking of it ; who under very agreeable. I have been near heavens could have been fiendish enough to being shot. I have just enough to have put that shirt got back to camp. It is still rain- under my head? I know not! If ing, and we are without tents; I the Irishman I whipped on board am most wet through, things and the Camden & Amboy R. R. had all. been in campi should have thought "Monday afternoon, September i, him the guilty one; but he had 1862. We move to-night with two joined his regiment. I have never days' rations. The enemy are at found out the villain yet. We have Fairfax Court-House, ten miles from all got to come to it, however, for here. The battle Saturday was all soldiers have lice ; you can keep 'nip and tuck,' I could hear the from it a short time, but when you cannonading all day long. To-day, are on the march, and maybe have the wounded are coming by the thrown away soap and towels to road; some shot through the arm. 262 FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. leg, or hand. I have talked with them, and they all saj^ that Mc- Dowell is a traitor, and should be shot as one. I thought I would write to let you know that we go to-night, for to-morrow we^ may be in battle ; but if we do, God be with the right, and protect them from the bullets of the .... en- emy. " Mac" went out by us last Saturday night, to take charge of the troops. The boys are in good spir- its, notwithstanding our hard treat- ment, and are ready for the march." The New York Herald of Sep- tember I, 1862, says: "The bus- tle and confusion of Alexandria ex- ceeds that of any previous occasion, not excepting even the tumult of McClellan's departure for the Pe- ninsula ; the army wagons, regi- ments and stragglers block up the streets from daylight till the small hours of the morning, so that pe- destrianism becomes almost impos- sible. " The river is obstructed with shipping ; the wharves groan be- neath the weight of army parapher- nalia ; long trains of cars creep through the mass of humanity, and artillery now and then, with its deafening rumble, adds to the din, while a dense cloud of dust hangs above all the town, blinding the eyes and choking up the respiratory organs of every visitor of this mod- ern Babel. " All the restaurants have been closed by the authorities, and in- fantry patrol every street. All the hotels and boarding-houses were crowded beyond comfort, and hun- dreds of officers go about the street disconsolate, vainly seeking for a place to lay their heads. " Of course the * secesh ' element is jubilant. Delight upon the coun- tenances of rebel sympathizers too plainly marks their long-nurtured hopes of deliverance from the 'Yan- kees,' and the bitter experience of former delinquents only checks the full expression of disloyalty. " There has been continual anx- iety all the morning relative to the engagement now going on in the vicinitv of Centreville. It is 12 o'clock, and there is a lull in the cannonading, which has been very severe up to this hour. On every hill from Fort Ellsworth to the city, and on many of the roofs of the houses, crowds were observed listening to the distant cannonading. The ' se- cesh ' families kept their houses closed, and occasionally would par- tially open their doors, and with dark and scowling features peer up the street, as if anxiously expecting Jackson. " The following morning we moved to the foot of Arlington Heights, and camped in the meadow near the spring on the north of the mansion. A letter dated Septem- ber 3, 1862, in camp on Arlington Heights, near Fort Albany, Vir- ginia, says : " Night before last Bob just enclosed a few words to some of you at home, stating the fact that we were then under orders to march at a moment's notice with three days' rations .... That same night we stood in our FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. 263 tent during a violent thunder-storm, knapsack under him for a pillow, until 8 o'clock, expecting every mo- and he was provided for as com- ment to leave. At that time the fortably as circumstances would order came, and we packed our permit. I slept next to him ; I put knapsacks and started. We marched eight or ten muddy muskets under about one quarter of a mile through me, and a box on one side, and got the rain and Virginia mud, and in between it and Edgar; my well- then halted for equipments. filled haversack was my pillow, but " I wet m3' feet all through, and all I had to cover me was my over- only having one pair of stockings, coat ; everything was in my knap- they are in a bad condition. We sack under Ed.'s head, and I hated had to wade across streams from to disturb him. our camping ground, and it was " I threw away the quilt that John over our shoes. We stayed in this gave me, just before leaving camp, (that) place until 11 o'clock, rain- to ease my load, so that now I have ing all the time, and then after be- only my rubber blanket, which, as ing partly equipped with poor arms I said before, was under his head. (second-hand), we were ordered " It rained all night long, I got back to our camp, with instructions wet through, I was very cold, and to be back with the rising of the it did seem as though my feet sun, to renew the process of arm- would freeze. Early in the morn- ing, ing we were up, and Ed., after " There were about 4,000 men in vomiting, was much better, all, mostly recruits, and on that " The boys came over from camp, muddy, rainy night, it was a scene and about 10 o'clock, having been I shall never forget; those men all all armed and equipped, we started, mixed up, trying to get arms ; we know not where. Some of our everything was helter-skelter, and bo3's got Austrian rifles, some En- order and method were beyond field, and others the Springfield. I looking for. It was a regular mob, got the Enfield, and Bob got the and when you consider that the finest arm of the whole lot, a fine commanding officer gave us to un- United States Springfield rifle." derstand that we were going to aid This letter does not give full our regiments and that they were justice to the scene on that night, retreating, you can conceive of the We were marched across these whole arrangement somewhat ; and streams in the darkness of a ter- remember, too, that not one of us rific thunder storm to an octagonal had ever put on a belt, buckle, building, or as we always termed cartridge-box or cap pouch. it the ' Round House,' which must " What a picture we did present ! have been on or near the Leesburg Most of us boys went back to camp, turnpike. but Edgar being sick, I got him a Our recruits represented every box and made him a bed, put my Massachusetts regiment in the field. 264 FOUli BROTHERS IN BLUE. We were all mixed up, there was der such a needless and disgraceful no organization, no discipline, no state of incompetency, system in issuing anything. All We stalked about awhile in the was helter-skelter. Every kind of ever increasing depth of mud, and an old, rusty, worthless gun was then taking some pieces of ammuni- handed out to us in the darkness, tion boxes and some old guns, and we did not know one from the filled with mud and water, we made other. Ammunition for a Belgian a raised bed on the mire-trodden was given to a man with a Spring- ground, and, in all the utter wretch- field rifle ; "buck and ball" was edness and gloom, we recruits of passed out for the Enfield, etc. but three weeks, just from our com- We were told that our regiments fortable New England homes, wore were retreating upon the fortifica- out the night, while in our fevered tions ; we were to join in the fight imagination we were momentarily with them at once. expecting the enemy upon us. Not a man had ever put on a All day long, Sept. 2, the start- cartridge box or a buckle on a belt, ling boom ! boom ! of cannon was and there was nobody to show us : heard, and to our yet uninitiated besides, the rain was beating down ears it sounded ominously, indeed, in torrents ; it was dark as Erebus, With our heavy loads, soaked bed- and the only light we had this quilts, with which we had been wild night, was the flashes of light- so kindly supplied by our friends in ning, reinforced (?) by one or two the forts, we were marched here dim candles that frequently went and there and everywhere ; first to out in the deluge of rain that struck Fort Tillinghast, then to Fort Al- them. bany, with nobody, apparently, in All was dire confusion. Belts, charge of us, who seemed to know boxes, etc., were put on upside where to go, or what to do with this down, often without cap-boxes or huge recruit, "White Elephant," bayonet scabbards, and, during our until we finally arrived at the foot momentary excitement, through of the slopes of Arlington, near the constant rumors of the near ap- " Springs," just below the house, proach of the enemy, the appalling Our letter continues : darkness of the night, the incessant "We marched to this place, flashes of lightning and the rattling about seven miles, and it came and continuous booming of the pretty tough on some of us. I as- thunder, could "Johnny Reb " sure you we were pretty well loaded, have struck us just then, "John I had everything but a U. S. Gilpin's race" would have been as blanket; but my rubber blanket is nothing compared with the " ske- heavier than regulation, and we had daddle" on that fearful night. twenty rounds extra of cartridges. The average intelligence of those and our knapsacks were pretty well recruits marveled and chafed un- filled. I came near throwing mine JFOUR BJiOTHERS IN BLUE. 265 away several times ; I should, had it not been for a very acceptable halt at the time being. ... I hate to do it, but I tell you they pull on a fellow's back dreadfully ; the kind of knapsacks that Father bought us have very narrow straps, and that, with no other straps, makes a very severe bind across the lungs ; so much so, that it is painful to breathe. "We had sixty rounds of ammuni- tion, weighing six or seven pounds ; our haversacks were filled with dry, sour bread, (melted) coffee, and sugar (sickening), and plenty of ' hard tack.' " Here we are this fine morning, all well and hungry, after a night's sleep on the cold ground. I slept well, but was cold. We are directly opposite the Capitol and a short distance from Fort Albany. Til- linghast must be back of us on the same road, only higher up. " I think they intend to keep us here for drill, until our regiment comes up, for our captain in charge says that they will get to us before we get to them. " What kind of drilling it will be I know not, but I think it will be poor, if I take our sergeant for a specimen of drill master. I am heartily sick of the way things are carried on. " Oh, for a West Pointer to teach rne the way I should go, before I reach or see my regiment ! lam hoping for the best, however. That night we were out in the rain, I ex- pected we should march to our reg- iments, and see fighting the next day, and we were disappointed enough to be toted way over here. I should rejoice in the privilege of sleeping on our banking at home, if I could have the rest of the comforts in close proximity daytime I won't complain, though, for I knew it must be so, before I started. Last night, Fletcher, Webster, Ed. and myself separated from the rest, and slept in the woods. The mos- quitoes troubled us somewhat, and the ants filled our haversacks, but with these exceptions, we were very comfortable. " O my dear Mother, you can scarcely imagine the feelings I have towards you now, when I remember how far away from you I am, and how long I may be sepa- rated from you ; and think, too, of your health and how often you are sick — when, I know not." Here, while enjoying this be- wildered state, and momentarily expecting to move out and join our regiment, now on the march, where we knew not, the writer "drew" some beans, and, squatted over a green wood fire, was industriously trying to stew them and to flank the smoke on the arc of a circle, when his brother of the " Heavies" found him. There were nearly enough beans before boiling, to fill a quart tin ; they now commenced to swell and I dipped out a few. They swelled more, and kept increasing — drop- ping over the sides — until, in my spirit of agony, and with eyes full of smoke, I was about to pitch 266 FOUMTH MAINE BATTERY. them into the fire, when a loud " fall in ! " was given, and suddenly changing my mind — recruit-like — angry at being disturbed at my first culinary eflforts, I dumped the mess of swelled and partially stewed beans into my haversack, nearly filling it. I inwardly resolved and outwardly shouted that I " would have stewed beans out of that mess anyway," when I got to the regiment, much to the amusement of the brothers stand- ing by. Finally, on the 4th of September, after many trials and tribulations, we proceeded to join the regiment at Hairs Hill, accompanied part of the way by our brother of the "Heavies," to help carry the "plunder" and assist in " veteran- izing " us. A new era now began to dawn upon our uneducated, un- disciplined minds. FOURTH MAINE BATTERY. Under the fair skies of one of the rarest of June's rare days, Wednesday, the 23d, was held the fifteenth annual reunion of the Fourth Maine Battery, at Grand Army hall, Augusta, and once again have the survivors of that grand old body gathered together, to elect their officers, talk over old times, and to perpetuate the feel- ings of brotherly love born in their hearts when they fought side by side in the dark days of the Re- bellion. In point of weather, nothing better could be desired. It was nothing more than was to be ex- pected, however, for the Fourth Maine Battery always has good weather. During the past fifteen years since their organization, there has been but one reunion upon which the sun did not shine. The attendance was not as large as on some previous occasions, there being thirty-five members present. There are in all no members of the organization, but they are scattered over the countr}', from Maine to California. The forenoon meeting was called to order at 11:20 o'clock by the president, Ethel H. Jones, and was followed by roll-call. A com- mittee of three to select officers for the ensuing year, was appointed by the chair as follows : Abel Davis of Pittsfield, A. S. Bangs of Au- gusta, and F. C. Foss of Mt. Ver- non. The chair also appointed the following committee on resolutions : F. M. Mills of Skowhegan, Judson Ames of Montreal, Canada, and Lester Holway of Fairfield. Treasurer F. M. Mill presented his report for the past 3'ear as fol- lows : Received from Comrade Crymble, treas- urer, 1896 . ... S32.75 Expended as per bills . . . 20.11 Balance on hand . $12.64 FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. 313 one-half mile up river and were our quarters, and built a nice oven brigaded with the Thirteenth and to bake in, and just got everything Twenty-fifth Connecticut, and One in apple-pie order when came the Hundred and Fifty-ninth New aggravating order to move. York, under Colonel Henry W. January 23. Cleared twelve Birge of the Thirteenth Connecticut, acres of land for a parade ground. This makes seven times we have The way we get out stumps and moved camp since we have been other obstructions is to fasten a here. When we last moved, they chain to them, then bend on about told us it was for the winter, so we a hundred men or so, and some- fixed up ever so nice, toted bricks thing is bound to come. Man labor nearly half a mile from an old is cheaper than mule labor ; the building which was demoralized by mule must be spared for there is Uncle Sam's big guns, and laid more fuss made over a dead mule nice sidewalks the whole length of than a dead soldier. FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. By Captain Robert Goldthwaite Carter, United States Army. MARCH TO THE ANT I ETA M BATTLE OF ANTIETAM SCENES AND INCIDENTS. The Twenty-second Massachusetts Volunteers was then a part of the Fifth Corps (Fitz John Porter), First Division (Morell), First Brigade (Mar- tindale), now commanded by Colonel James Barnes, of the Eighteenth Massachusetts Volunteers, and was composed of the Second Maine, First Michigan, Eighteenth Massachusetts, Twenty-second Massachusetts, Twenty-fifth New York, Thirteenth New York, and First Berdan Sharp- shooters. It was merely bivouacked a few hundred yards southwest of the tild camp it had occupied the previous winter, and the remains of its old stockaded Sibley tents were distinct- ly visible across the little run. It bore evidence of its disastrous cam- paign on the Peninsula, and its march from Acquia Creek, via Bull Run, to this place. To the uninitiated eyes of our recruits what a looking regiment it was! At the Battle of Gaines Mills they had "piled their knapsacks," had been nearly sur- rounded by "Stonewall" Jackson; had fought an unequal contest with great gallantry; had "skipped out" and lost everything, and were now without even shelter tents, blankets, overcoats, etc.; many were bare- footed, and their clothes were ragged and torn. Some wore straw hats of every shape and color, others a black or white slouch, while many sported a vizorless cap of that unique pat- tern so well remembered by all old soldiers, almost impossible to de- scribe, which had increased the 314 FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE their faces to a rich ma brown on hogany. How mean we recruits did feel in our good clothes, spick-and-span-new. We felt like jerking them off as we had seen the drunken sailor (?) in the circus, and letting them go as far as they would. Shortly after our arrival in this camp, the pickets of the Second Maine and First Michigan were driven in from the direction of Fair- fax Court-House. The bugles sounded the assembly, across the hills, and the brigade with a battery was soon in motion. This was our first experience of actual war, and our boyish enthusiasm and eagerness to get into battle as soon as possible, was nowhere so prominently dis- played as in the letters we wrote home after this event, and our dis- appointment at not being allowed to go with the regiment to the point of danger was keen and genuine. What did we come out for — simply to draw and eat rations ? And when were we going to have a chance at a "Johnny".? It was but an alarm, and they soon returned. The scenes about the bivouac fires that night as we gath- ered in groups and listened to the stories of our newly-found veteran companions of the Peninsular cam- paign, were vivid and soul-inspiring, and our fevered imaginations pic- tured with unrestrained eagerness the coming years and glory of ser- vice to our country. Our letters say : " In Camp, Twenty-second Regi- ment, Hall's Hill, September 5, 1862. I am at my new home, and my joy is full. The way stations on the jour- ney have been too disagreeable for a pleasant remembrance, and I con- sider the experience of them the for- gotten things of the past, and am happy and contented in the present. Our little family of brave men were delighted to see us last night (only twenty-six in Captain Thompson's company), and at night the camp- fires were crowded with scarred and war-worn veterans' faces, anxious to hear from home. They ha\ e now been on the march for three weeks from Harrison's Landing, and arrived here night before last at the same com- pany ground they left so full of hope and big in numbers last spring, now a small band of noble men, only num- bering one hundred and fifty men fit for duty when we got here. I am now e plurihus unum and am glad I am in an old regiment. Henry Wilson was here to see them as soon as they arrived, and they say he cried like a child when he saw how devoid of everything they were. The regi- ment idolizes him as their benefac- tor, and as the one who is ever hav- ing an eye single to their well-being. He is the man above all others who has done so much for the poor sol- dier, and I say all honor to the kind- hearted Natick shoemaker, a man worthy of high position in the senate chamber. "Some of these poor chaps have had nothing to cover their poor bodies these cold September nights but a thin blouse and tattered breeches ; their shirts gone, and their shoes and stockings ; they lost everything at Gaines Mills. We are going to have new muskets and light FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. 315 blue pants ; already does the regi- ment begin to assume order in every- thing after all the confusion and chaos of the last month. " I am glad that I am here, for everything bids fair to be as gay as can be. We begin to draw rations as a company now, and it is cooked well. This morning I drew the first ration of coffee, and it was as good as it could be without milk and sugar. I drank it down with a rel- ish, and I have not tasted it before for a week, not even of my own mak- ing, it was so sickening to my stom- ach. " When we got here last night we met Captain Thompson, who was glad enough to see us ; he is a man of few words, and very unassuming, but looks like a brave man, and every inch a soldier when on duty ; at other times he mingles freely with his soldiers and eats with them, and has now an old hut made of leaves for his quarters, while the rest of the ' shoulder straps ' have their fine tents, etc. " Our lieutenants are both gone, the second lieutenant, Shute, being still at home. . . . Our other lieutenant (Salter) was killed before Richmond, but our drill-master, Billy Salter, brother to Tom Salter (first lieutenant), is alive, and we have commenced to like him very much; he is a genuine favorite, and the best- drilled fellow in the company; he is the best sergeant in the regiment, so Captain T. says. " We have been drilled for the first time this morning, and I never felt better in my life. We were drilled in a squad without muskets, and went through the various steps and facings common to company drill; we were complimented by the ser- geant, who said we should be able to take our muskets in hand in a day or two. It is even so, for our boys are all smart and intelligent ; we learn quick, and have a good teacher, both worthy of each other. John is now here; he came up with a fellow named West, and I will stop this letter writing in the hot sun until he leaves. "John has gone now; he is going to the camps of the Twelfth and Thirteenth (Mass.) Regiments; when he gets back to Tillinghast (Fort), he will have to come a spread eagle on a cannon whee for leaving without permission, so Captain Sargent told them if they went away. John received Gene's note asking him to be at the National Hotel, Washington, last Saturday, but he could n't get over. ... I am sorry he has been so sick, and it is a great surprise to me to learn of the bare possibility of his being a Massachusetts colonel. It has been spoken of in several of the letters the boys received last night. We are all going up to Fort Tillinghast to get some beans Sunday, if we get a pass; John invited us. I mean to obey all rules and regulations now, but while in the chrysalis state I mean to hook, run guards, etc., etc. " It meant nothing but red tape, so we did n't care ; now we are in the regiment, and I am bound to be straight, as an example to others. "When we got here last night the 3i6 FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. pickets of the First Michigan and privations, and after our hard, hot, Second Maine were driven in tthey dusty march of yesterday, to get that belong to our brigade) by a brigade of rebels, near Fairfax Court-House. The bugle's call to arms sounded across the fields, and they were soon on the move with Martin's Battery fformerly FoUet's, which went out with the Twenty-second). They marched about a mile and were or- dered back. The recruits were de- nied the privilege of going with them. Our pickets told some great stories. Tell Mother that we are soon to have some woolen blankets and some small tents. We slept on the ground last night; there was a heavy dew. I spread my rubber blanket and Edgar and I slept on it, with his woolen blanket over us.. . . I hear that letter writing has been prohibited in the Army of the Potomac ; I hope this will be allowed to go safely. The reb- els are shelling the woods five miles distant, while I am writing ; I can hear the cannon boom as plainly as though they were right here. "There is a tremendous army about here, everywhere, in camps, and at night it is a sight to behold. I have to write with pencil now, for a few days ago I spilt my ink. Depend upon it, my dear sister, we are happy now and in good spirits." " Hall's Hill, Sept. 5, 1862. " You can never know how I felt, after four weeks of jolting round, lying out in all sorts of weather, no tents, no blankets, nothing to eat but raw pork and 'hardtack' (so hard that it is almost impossible to break them), after all our hardships and letter. It was like a bright light, dispelling the gloom ; like a shining star in the black, cloudy night. You need not think that I am suffering so much; this lying on the ground and eating this food is tough at first, and so is drinking bad, muddy water, but you soon get used to it, and it does not seem as bad as you imagine. I have seen the time when I would not honestly give the food that I have eaten to the swine, but now, when I am hungry, salt pork tastes as good as chicken and the hard- tack as good as biscuits. So you see that it is all in getting used to these things. " Now it was awful hard at first to put on my coat and lie down on the ground with a knapsack for a pillow, but now I can lie down with perfect composure and sleep; not as sweetly as at home, to be sure, for it is so awful cold nights here that you can 't do it. Sometimes we make up a hot fire, and all lie with our feet to it, and even then in the morning we are wet and shivering. The dew is like rain ; the days are hot, though, and so it goes — hot days and cold nights. " Probably you have seen pictures of soldiers lying about a camp-fire, have you not .? If not, I must de- scribe it. You will see some in their shirt-sleeves, some cooking, some smoking, some sleeping, some telling stories of their terrible cam- paign on the Peninsula — all this, with the bright glare of the fires all around, goes to make up one of the FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. 317 most beautiful pictures that can be imagined. "We are now near Ball's Cross Roads, where the sharp skirmish was. Fall's Church is about a mile from here, where another fight was. General McClellan is in command of the whole Army of Virginia: Pope's, Banks's, McDowell's, and Sigel's armies are all around us in a circuit of eight or ten miles ; the rebels are about four miles from here. They do not think the fight will be here, but at Edward's Ferry, about twenty miles from here, near the famous Ball's Bluff battle-ground. We may stop here some time, and if I go on picket, which I shall probably do in a day or two, I will write you more excit- ing news ; as it is now, it is quite dull, with the exception of the great masses of troops that are continually passing near us. "I have changed very much since I left ; as I sit now you would hardly know me. I am under a tree in shirt-sleeves, writing on an old barrel head, and my black face and hands, shaved head, etc., make a rough- looking youth of me. Yon ought to see the other fellows, some that left home a year ago. I hardly knew them. They have been on the march twenty-one days, and are all exhausted and beaten out. " This morning I went foraging, and got corn, potatoes, cabbages, beets, etc., to make a grand boiled dinner. It was a great treat, after living so long on nothing; it tasted like home. It is fun to see the boys roasting corn and potatoes, frying meat, and making coffee. I can cook most anything now in a rude way. Excuse this penciling, as it is almost impossible to write with pen and ink ; also excuse the general looks and writing. It has blown away twice and has got soiled. I am very tired, as I am sitting with my back against a small tree. I have been on drill once since I com- menced this letter, and as I expect to have to drill again in a few min- utes, I will close.'' We wrote many letters from here, describing little matters and inci- dents about camp, and our first impressions, etc., but although inter- esting, they would prove altogether too voluminous for the limits of these articles. At dark on the night of the 6th, we were suddenly ordered to move. This was to be our first march be- side the veterans from the Peninsula, and our pride was touched. It came hard ; every strap cut at every step. The "bureau" was full of good things, and hung off like a camel's hump enlarged. Every movement was painful. Nothing could be heard but the tramp, tramp, the clink, clink, of the tin dippers or coffee cups against the bayonets, and the low murmuring of voices as we moved rapidly along in the darkness. The laugh and jest had long ago died out, and each individual in that hurrying column was a busy thinker, a machine, which, once set in motion, goes to the utmost of its endurance. The knapsacks we wore had been purchased for us by our father in Boston. They were "patent," were 3ii^ ^067? BROTHERS IN BLUE. small, with narrow breast straps, and were ill-suited for packing or carry- ing loads under any circumstance, and especially now that we had no instruction in arranging the same. It was a hard march, but all did well, and morning found us on Arlington Heights with an immense army all about us. Our bivouac was at Fort Worth, near Fairfax seminary, not far from Fort Ellsworth, which we had left but a few days before, and which the regiment had helped to build. But after making coffee, we again took up the march, passed the seminary towards Fairfax Court- House, and after winding about in various directions, finally pitched upon a spot, as an old soldier re- marked, " especially adapted to the regiment,'' the ground being covered with stumps, stones, underbrush, and briars. We had scarcely cleared a space large enough to spread our blankets and lie down upon, before we were ordered to "Fall in" under arms immediately. We got into line and awaited the next order, which did not come. We lay upon our arms all night, and in the morning drew rations. We remained all day in this place, and on the gth, at 8 a. m., moved again. After marching a few miles in rather a perplexing manner, we turned off to the left, passed by Fort Albany on the Alexandria road, and up over Arlington Heights, and finally halted near Fort Cor- coran. Here the command was mus- tered for pay, received many visitors and boxes, whose contents were knapsacks, out of which a few men extracted some uesirable articles and flung the knapsacks away. Morell's division had been left in the fortifications, while the balance of the Fifth Corps was already on the march into Maryland to intercept the advance of the enemy, now over- running the state. The camp of our regiment was on the slope of a very steep hill. No sooner did we go to sleep than we woke up to find ourselves down at the foot of the slope, where we had gradually slipped. The camp was thoroughly "policed," rations of "soft bread" were drawn, and on the nth some clothing. Three days' ra- tions were issued towards night, which was equivalent to an order to move, and, on the morning of the I2th, when it did come, at 8 a. m., the cooks, not having time to cook the meat, left it on the ground, to be brought along in the wagons, if there was room, if not, to be thrown away as usual. A soldier will not carry more than his haversack will hold. The turn- pikes were full of soldiers moving forward to join this great force, and at night their camp-fires lighted up the surrounding hillside with innu- merable fires. Their glorious and genuine cheers resounded in every valley. It was an inspiring sight to us in our embryo state of soldierhood. We lay behind the fortifications look- ing expectantly for the conflict to begin. Pope had been defeated ; McClel- lan deposed ; petty jealousies and in- ternal dissensions had taken the place nearly or quite spoiled, and some of what ought to have been a united FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. 319- army under the leadership of a gen- eral in whom it could have implicit confidence. Even the recruits felt this and knew the situation, although we fully realized that we could not all be generals. General McClellan was still looked up to by the masses and the troops, as the only man then competent to command the army which he had been instrumental in creating, organ- izing, and molding into shape. It was a very critical period ; there was apparent, even to our verdant selves, much disgraceful confusion and dis- organization. He assumed command. In the hurried reorganization, many things so essential to the comfort and morale of the rank and file, vvere overlooked, which afterwards resulted in unnecessary suffering, beyond our power to relieve, causing much growling and grumbling among the men in the ranks, no more so than among the recruits just joined, but especially among the Peninsular vete- rans, who had, many of them, by this time, got their stomachs more than full, and their appetites thoroughly appeased. It had rained on the night of the nth, just enough to soak our blan- kets and clothing, without laying the dust or cooling the atmosphere. On the morning of the 12th, soon after reveille and before our breakfast was finished, pack up was sounded, and we were soon moving across the old acqueduct bridge, through George- town to Capitol Hill, where we were expected to take cars for Frederick ; but upon reaching the high ground south of the capitol, the orders were countermanded, and, countermarch- ing, we took the Rockville road. Our colonel, Jesse A. Gove, formerly captain of the Tenth United States Infantry, had been killed at Gaines Mill. We were now commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel William Stowell Tilton, of Boston, who. having been wounded and captured at Gaines Mill, and exchanged, had joined us on the lOth, near Fort Ellsworth, the regiment giving him three cheers. A new regiment, the One Hun- dred and Eighteenth Pennsylvania, had been assigned to our brigade, the famous " corn exchange'' of Phila- delphia. It was brand new, gay, and gaudy in its complete outfit, and what: baggage it carried ! It held over even us recruits. The wet, heavy loads soon began to tell upon the men, especially upon our new-found friends from Pennsylvania. The heat was in- tolerable, the dust almost suffocating, blinding our eyes and filling our noses and mouths to overflowing; fine and penetrating, it sifted into our faces, which, wet with perspira- tion, soon changed the appearance of the moving column. The expres- sions of the countenances were cer- tainly irresistibly comical, and one could have hardly refrained from laughing at the dust- and sweat-be- streaked face of some individual who, with rueful glance, looked with such a pleading, beseeching expression, seemingly asking for sympathies, which, under the circumstances, could not be given, had not the condition of all been so nearly alike. Every step was a weary and pain- ful effort, and there was need for great pluck and powers of endurance. Our bivouac for the night was just 320 FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. beyond Silver Spring on the Rock- ber, when our march kept step with ville road. Soon after we made the booming of the cannon from the camp, orders were given to leave all South Mountain battle-field, after a unnecessary things behind to be twenty-four mile march and without taken back to Washington. By the rations, we camped on the banks of the light of the fire, all superfluous things Monocacy river. We, chafed, sore- were packed, and many now reduced footed, and empty recruits, reckoned themselves to the clothes they stood we had struck a "crusher" for our in, rations, cartridges, rifle, and can- teen. The straggling had been terrible. Everywhere along the route were to be seen the stragglers of the One Hundred and Eighteenth Pennsyl- initiation, and — well, we wished our- selves snugly and safely at home in the good old state of Massachusetts. At this bivouac, on the edge of Frederick, the writer thought he would be safer and secure better vania, always to be recognized by sleep, perhaps avoid a wetting, by the huge, brass regulation letters and numbers on their caps. They literally strewed the road. In many a convenient fence corner could be seen a council of war getting under one of the wagons. A mule is not particular whether he eats a wagon pole, the harnesses or the canvas cover, chews his mate's tail or — regales himself on a recruit. deliberating, while overhauling their They were very hungry, had been loads, as to whether the Jamaica pushed all day, and gave vent to ginger, soap, writing (patent) desks, blacking, tactics, emery powder, cholera powder, pills, paper collars, extra shirts, etc., should be dropped from their " bureaus," now discov- ered to be a "little heavy," much to the delight of the Peninsular "vets," who, while unmercifully chaffing us. their uneasiness and weariness by the longest drawn-out brays, groans, and wee-hawings. Finally, one of them, after vainly endeavoring to masticate his iron- bound feed-box, smelled the writer, this fresh recruit, and seizing him by the blouse, dragged him forth for now regaled themselves and their a better chance at him. light-loaded bodies with many a long-denied article at our expense. Stragglers were coming in all night, and ludicrous were the sights The writer had been in dreamland, and when he discovered where he was and what had him, he almost shrieked aloud. He never slept and comical the questions asked by under a wagon after that; he didn't some of these patriots of Uncle Sam, as they wandered about in the dark- ness after their commands. The march to Frederick City, via Rockville, Seneca Mills, Clarksburg, Hyattstown, and Urbana, was a terrible one upon those who had just like that kind of a nightmare. As we passed through Frederick on the morning of the isth, we halted for a short time in one of the rnain streets. The good Samari- tans of the loyal old town vied with each other in contributions of water. joined, and on the 14th of Septem- Bread in loaves as large as a milk FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. 321 pan, and often fruit were pressed valley of Middletown was near where upon our unwilling (?), but grateful, a long bridge had been burned by victims (?). On the sidewalks were many pris- oners who had just been sent in from the field of South Mountain. Among them were some North Caro- linians, as slim as a lath and as tall as a church spire. They were gath- ered in groups. Pretty soon, two of their number, who seemed to be pointing out and gesticulating towards our colonel, drawled out in the usual " Tar-heel " vernacular, " I say, Bill, thar's the 'old cock' we uns had a prisoner at Richmond." The other looked agdin, and nodding assent, replied loudly, " I reckon vou uns is right." The colonel the rebels. It was Frederick's love- liest surroundings, and lives yet in our memories. It was a picture of unparalleled beauty. Innumerable camp-fires sprung up as if by magic ; groups of men were about them ; a moon lent its enchantment to the scene. As far as the eye could reach in that extensive valley, it was a grand, illuminated panoramic view. Wagons were parked, their long rows of white canvas tops reflected in the moonlight; horses were at the picket ropes ; mules at the wagon tongues. The former were neighing their shrillest notes; the latter wee- hawing their loudest brays; men were pricked up his ears. Before the war, bringing in forage and armfuls of rails. it was said, he had been in the tobacco business in Richmond, and after being wounded and captured, he was confined, it seems, through some singular freak of fortune, in his old warehouse. His old acquaint- ances, upon learning that he was there, placed the following placard upon the door : " If the friends of Col. W. S. Tilton wish to see him, they will find him at his former place of business." Colonel Tilton had but just rejoined, was scarcely recov- ered from his wound, and this, with the remark of the prisoners, intended for his ears, nettled him. He turned his angry face towards the elongated " Tar-heelers," and with a strong, nasal twang, for which he was noted, said, "Yes, you d d scoundrels! I'm the same 'old cock,' but blank! blank ! ! you '11 never get him there again ! " Our bivouac that night in the and soon the expectant sounds gave way to munching, and with coffee- cup in hand all were happy, man and beast, regardless of to-morrow's dangers and duties. As we wound along the hilly road leading to South Mountain on the morning of the i6th, we met more prisoners on the road and the wound ed being conveyed to the hospitals at Frederick. Here we observed the camp of the regulars on the left of the road, and a moment later, much to our joy and surprise, saw our brother coming down the slope to the side of the road, and were soon walking with him towards the gap in the mountains. In a letter dated " Camp near Boonsborough, September 17, 1862," he says : "Thank God, I have seen the boys ! We were encamped near the battle-field of Middletown with a 322 FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUB. ■crowd of prisoners, awaiting to be relieved by a regiment of General Morell's division. I knew that he belonged to General Porter's corps, and thought the Twenty-second •might be with him. After waiting two days, General Morell arrived. I had just got up and washed my •face, when I saw the division pass. I rushed down and inquired for the Twenty-second ; it was just passing. Bob rushed at me ; Walter soon fol- lowed. I walked along with them two miles and then returned. They ■both looked hearty and well. I asked them if they wanted money, and they said " No." Walter had •enough ; Bob had lost his all — some- where. I shall look for them again, but, Father, one or Ipoth may now be sleeping his last sleep. We are having a terrible battle ; it com- menced at daylight this morning and has been raging furiously all day. All other battles in this country are ■merely skirmishes compared to it. "Jackson took Harper's Ferry with the entire garrison. Franklin has probably retaken it. Jackson crossed the river to Virginia, and recrossed above with a part of his corps to assist Lee, etc., against McClellan. Burnside has the left, forcing them up from Harper's Ferry ; Sumner and Fitz John Porter have the centre. "The rebels have only two fords. Franklin is trying to cut them off from one, and Hooker the other. We have taken many prisoners, but the fighting has been bloody and ob- stinate. General Mansfield is killed, and Generals Hartsuff and Meagher wounded. The fighting has ceased for the night. What will the mor- row bring forth .? I understood that General Morell's division would be held in reserve with the regulars ; if so, I think they have not been en- gaged. Do not be too anxious. I will do all I possibly can to find out about them. I think 'Little Mac' has taken them this time. We have slaughtered them fearfully, and driven them some. Our artillery has a greater range than theirs. I saw the fight at Middletown (South Mountain), and will tell you about it as soon as possible." Our brother of the artillery writes a letter dated, " Fort Tillinghast, September 7, 1862," and says: " Walt and Bob I have seen quite often. Frank Kimball stopped with me Thursday night, he being too sick to go to his regiment. Friday he felt much better, and I took his gun and knapsack, and went with him to Hall's hill, where the Twenty-second lay. I spent about two hours with the boys, read your letters, etc. Poor boys ! You little know what they will have to suffer ; yet they seem contented, and I hope they will be so. I was going to see them to-day, but I hear they have all gone, and do not know where. Hall's hill is about five miles from our camp." " Hospital, Fort Albany, "September 17, 1862. "You will perceive that I am now in the hospital ; I have been quite sick for the past week, having had a severe attack of jaundice, and am not much better now, excepting that I am not so sick at my stomach as I have been. FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. 323 "My skin is about as yellow as it well can be. I do not have any bed to lie on, and the rats have a ' battal- ion drill' over my body about every night. Last night a poor devil (as a soldier is called here) died next to me, and I did not know it until morning, he died so easily. The •doctor had not been to see him for twenty-four hours. "I am now sitting on the floor, writing on a box, having made a penholder with a knife, borrowed paper and envelope, and have got a stamp that Kate enclosed for me to forward a letter to Bob, but as I sometime ago delivered that letter in person, I have decided to 'freeze' to the stamp. "They (Bob and Walt) encamped a short distance from Tillinghast for a day or two, but I woke up one morning and found they had de- parted, but do not know where they have gone. I hear that they are with McClellan's victorious army, and hope they are safe. " If I do not soon get relieved of this 'yellow fever,' I shall not be fit for anything. You must miss Bob and Walt greatly, and I do not see how you made up your mind to part with them both. I should think you and Mother would feel about lost without them. God grant they may be safely returned to you ! They will have to endure hardships that people little dream of at home. It would almost make you weep to see the soldiers that returned from the Peninsula, after they arrived here. To tell the truth, it was the worst sight I ever saw, the men being completely dirty, and most of them covered with vermin, as they had no change of clothing; and what made them feel worse was taking McClel- lan away from them. "The men almost worship him, and all agree in saying that if he had had twenty thousand fresh men after the Battle of Fair Oaks, his head- quarters would now be at the ' Spotts- wood Hotel' in Richmond. Is there anything sure of Gene's being col- onel of a regiment, and what one is it 1 Where is Gene now ? I wish you would answer me as soon as you can. If I knew he was in Wash- ington, I would go to see him. I have walked five or six miles to see him, yet failed to meet him. I sup- pose it is nothing but ' war' at home. The old soldiers here feel rather hard to think that they had come out here with nothing to hope for but to be ' wrapped up in an Ameri- can flag ' and die a ' glorious death,' while these new ones come on to serve half time, and get a bounty of from two to three hundred dollars. It is rather rough on the old ones, do n't you think so .■" " There are a great many who come out here now who have been in the service before, and have got their discharge on various pretexts from old regiments. They come out here merely for the money, and commence ' playing sick ' soon after they get here. If a new soldier is sick, he gets but very little sympathy from the old ones; they commence, 'An- other two hundred dollars gone to the devil! ' 'There's a two hundred dollar chap!' 'Government is two hundred dollars out on him I etc., etc. There was a fellow, the other 324 FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. day, who belonged to a Pennsylvatiia park. Occasionally the boom of can- regiment, had been out before, got non could be heard ahead. The town discharged, gone home, got a large was full of prisoners, stragglers^ bounty, and returned. He was squads of mounted men, wagons, playing the 'rheumatism dodge' mules, etc., and for a time this busy a second time, and was boasting and significant preparation and these how much money he had made bustling scenes about us diverted cur by the operation, and that he attention as we hurried along. Just would soon have his second dis- beyond the town we halted to make charge, to an old Michigan regiment coffee. Later in the afternoon of the that had been with McClellan. These i6th, the column passed through men could not stand it ; they 'dipped Keedysville, making many tiresome into' that fellow and beat him halts at the edge of the town, while shockingly so that I hardly think he passing through the masses of artil- will recover. When I saw him, he tery, cavalry, and wagon trains. At was completely covered with blood, times the road seemed entirely and senseless." blocked. We passed through Turner's Gap. Upon gaining the westerly edge The Confederate dead were still lying of the town, towards the Antietam, by the roadside, awaiting the arrival we filed to the left, near a small of the burial party. Unkempt and chapel (now replaced by a new brick unwashed, their ashy faces and church), and inclining, or obliquing to ragged, bloody, bloated bodies pre- our right, passing over a small knoll, sented a ghastly and repulsive spec- halted in what we supposed was our tacle to us recruits, as yet uneducated fighting position. It was on the south or unhardened to the dreadful hor- side of the Keedysville and Sharps- rors of war. Many of our number burg road, and about 300 yards from began to surmise, if not to fully where there is now a new brick realize, that there was no romance schoolhouse. This chapel was packed about that spectacle. with wounded after the battle. The debris of the fight lay scat- On the right of the road could be tered all about; knapsacks, guns, seen the lines of battle; the slopes canteens, blankets, hats, etc. As we seemed black with them, as far as descended into the lovely valley of the eye could reach. Batteries were Boonesboro' and passed through the in position, and columns were mov- little town of the same name, all ing. Everything clearly indicated seemed to be hurry and excitement, extensive preparations for the com- Cavalry and infantry were going ing fight. Just before dark, while hurriedly to the front, and frequently we were gathered about our fires, we were moved to the side of the making coffee and eating our supper, road as a staff officer hastily galloped the enemy commenced shelling our along and ordered the passage of a position and was promptly responded battery, a column of cavalry, or sent to by our guns. A lively artillery duel the wagon trains into the fields to ensued, continuing long into the night. FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. 325 From our bivouac on the knoll we had a fine view ; the fuses looked like fireflies, as they swiftly darted through the sky, and the harsh grat- ing of the pieces as the shells burst and filled the air, were ominous sounds to our inexperienced e^rs. It wds, however, quite a pyrotechnic treat for us, especially when we felt that we were far enough removed to feel a certain degree of safety. , We little realized, as yet, the dan- ger and terribledestruction attending these awful missiles of war. As we lay upon the ground for the night, it commenced raining. There was no sleep, and late into the midnight hours, groups of "owls," who never sleep, it would seem, were gathered about the small, low fires, listening to the far-off cheering on the right, and gravely discussing the probabilities of the coming morrow. As soon as it was light, the firing was renewed, and by sunrise it had increased to a loud, incessant, bellow- ing cannonade. The black lines of battle which we had seen the night before on the slopes to our right, had now all disappeared. The Battle of Antietam was on. Between 7 and 8 o'clock we were ordered to " fall in," and moving slowly to our front in column, paral- lel to the road, we proceeded to a point where the Keedysville and Sharpsburg road meets the Rohrers- ville road at Porterstown, and cross- ing the former, halted under an ab- rupt line of hills, just a few yards to the north of the road. We filled a gap, which had been made by the withdrawal just before our arrival, of Richardson's division of Sumner's corps. The Pry house, General McClellan's headquarters, was. in full view, about 1,000 yards northeast, and the nearest house was that of Eckers, 350 yards directly in our rear, occupied at this time by Straub, or Staub. It was a square brick, with a peaked roof facing the Keedys- ville and Sharpsburg pike, and at that time had a large garden filled with old-fashioned flowers and shrub- bery, fruit trees, etc. Our position was in reserve, near the centre, supporting several heavy batteries, among which were Kus- serow's, Taft's, and Weed's (Battery D, Fifth U. S. Artillery). Here we lay on our arms all day, ready to move at a moment's notice. Several times we were ordered to "fall in," and move to the support of Hooker, on the right, and started to do so, but in a few moments were told to lie down again. We were at no time actively engaged, and lost but one man, wounded, in the regiment. We were, however, witnesses of the en- tire battle from one of the most com- manding positions on the field. It was a grand spectacle. Occasionally a shell would sail, shrieking and rasp- ing over our heads. Once or twice they burst accurately over us, and a horse or mule, tied into Straub's fences, was killed. We often went up and watched the great battle, now at its height. Once or twice, when several shells came uncomfortably near, we dodged so conspicuously, that the old cannoneers, standing by their unhmbered pieces, laughed at us ; but, in a few moments we had the laugh on them, for suddenly a shell came right for and into the bat- 326 FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. tery. They very discreetly and '■has- tily sought cover, while we, somewhat mortified by their derisive laughs, and failing to fully appreciate the real danger, remained in our places. The shell failed to explode, and fortu- nately, for had it done so, some of us might not be alive to write of it. We could see the lines of battle go up on the right — an indistinct, ir- regular mass — almost hidden in the dense smoke, the battle-flags floating out from their staffs and showing the different regiments and brigades. Fresh and rapid rolls of musketry would break out — then puff! puff! ! a boom, boom, boom, in one, two, three order, told us of the light bat- teries. Sometimes we could see the line waver and break, the fire from the guns would slacken ; a pause, and through the smoke we could see the confused and shattered fragments come staggering, flying back, and now came the "yi-yih's," the screeches, or yells of the "Johnnies," followed by the sturdy, ringing cheers of our boys. The renewed cracking of the Parrots followed, as battery af- ter battery came up to check the on- ward rush; but the confusion was only temporary; a reinforcement from some other portion of the line, and the same ground was again and again passed over in fearful struggle. We saw the Irish Brigade (Meagher's) make its famous charge, its green flag, with the harp of Erin, outlined clearly against the sky. On the left was Burnside. Once or twice his lines had advanced to- wards a great corn-field, which was alive with the blaze of the Confed- erate rifles, but as often had he been driven back. Sometimes we could see his line go through this corn- field, nearly to the edge of the fringe of timber that skirted Antietam creek. It was a magnificent exhibi- tion of pluck and bravery. The Thirty-fifth Massachusetts was a new regiment ; we had many friends in it. It had joined Burnside's corps just before starting from Washington. It was composed of splendid material. It was said that while near the edge of the corn-field, with its flank rest- ing on nothing, or "in the air," in line of battle, a staff officer of Burn- side's was sent to inquire what brig- ade that was, and to withdraw it from such an exposed position. " It is the Thirty-ninth Massachusetts," was the reply. It had uselessly sac- rificed 50 per cent, of its strength to satisfy a false pride, and fulfil cer- tain conditions of bravery, which was never afterwards attempted. Later in the afternoon, after severe fighting on both sides, Burnside was ordered to carry the bridge across the creek, at all hazards. He obeyed the order, but the attacking column met with a fearful loss. Colonel Henry W. Kingsbury of the Eleventh Connecticut was killed at the head of his column ; he was adjutant of the Corps of Cadets before our brother's graduation ; was frequently men- tioned in his letters, and was greatly beloved by all who knew him. Shortly after two o'clock, General McClellan rode down the road from the Pry house, with his staff, passing by our line. As we rose up and every man cheered to the echo, we were greeted with the same kindly FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. 327 smile, and removal of the hat, with a courteous bow, which bespoke the true gentleman and appreciative soldier. Before leaving Washington, many boxes had reached the regiment, and most of their contents had been hur- riedly distributed among the men. Much had to be thrown away. One man had received a can of honey, had distributed the sweet morsel, which he could not carry, and a re- cruit having begged the can, it was given to him. No one could imagine what use he was going to make of it. While lying behind this hill in line of battle, whenever there was a lull in the firing, the men indulged in what had now become a chronic pas- times-cooking. Soon there was a rousing fire, and having " flipped up " to see who would fill the canteens at Straub's house, the choice places along the line of flaming rails were, in a few minutes, covered with black coffee cups — among them the nexv^ bright honey caw, with the lid screwed down. The recruit was chuckling to himself, while watching the pot, that he would have his coffee first, when, alas! through his lack of knowledge of the expansive fo)ce of steam, this innocent man came near blowing his own head off, and scalding the whole company. He stooped over his patent coffee- pot to see how near done his coffee was when, whi-z-z-z! bang! ! and up went the can like a rocket into the air, tearing the fire to pieces, scatter- ing the rails and cups in every direc- tion, and making a cloud of steam which, fortunately without scalding anybody, must have deluded the " Johnnies " with the hope that a caisson had exploded. How that re- cruit did get roundly cursed for his thick-headed stupidity, nor were the old grumblers satisfied, or their anger cooled off, until the bugler had filled all of the canteens again, and once more started the coffee cups on their bubbling rounds. Among the number in our little tent at "Camp Excelsior," near Fort Ellsworth, was a man, somewhat past middle-age, who had joined us at Camp Cameron. He was full- bearded and bronzed ; was possessed of much native good sense and shrewdness, and had enlisted for Andrew's First Company of Massa- chusetts Sharpshooters, then attached to the Fifteenth Massachusetts. His name was Asa Fletcher, and his home was Winchester, Mass. According to his own story, related in the most modest manner, and afterwards fully substantiated, he was an expert gunner, and a "crack rifle shot." Not of the "wind- gauge-do n't-talk-above-a-whisper" or- der of to day, but one who could step out with a rifle at from two to five hundred yards, at arm's length, and put the lead into a bull's-eye, with an old-fashioned target rifle. He was cool, perfectly self-pos- sessed, and gave as his reason for enlisting in the sharp-shooters, that he was "determined to place himself where he could do the most good." He had gunned a great deal along the North Carolina coast and about Chesapeake Bay, and many a juicy canvas-back of his shooting had found its way into the Baltimore market. We boys all looked up to 328 FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. Asa Fletcher, and regarded his» ad- vice and opinions, although some- times rather gruffly expressed, as worth following. His long-shore campaigns had taught him much that we now de- rived the benefit of. He had a kind heart, and was always trying to con- tribute to our comfort, and regulating the affairs of the tent. The blankets must be shaken mornings, left to air a few minutes in the sun, then folded up ; the tent brushed out and things righted — those essentials which vol- unteer recruits so little regarded at the beginning of the war. Some "kicked" at all this " nonsense," but F. good-naturedly insisted, and soon all acquiesced. One day, F., in his eagerness to make us more comfortable, brought in a hospital bed-tick which he had found thrown away on the road to Fairfax seminary, and had filled with hay to keep us off the damp ground. He generously offered to share it with the " tent's crew.'' In a few nights we were all itching and scratching. We called it " prickly heat," but a closer examination re- vealed to our horrified gaze genuine "gray-backs" of huge proportions, and upon a rigid inspection of the mattress, which we insisted upon but F. poo-hoohed at, we found "'em thick," and he never heard the last of that bed-tick. When arms were issued during that violent storm and dreadful night, at the "Round House," F. was given a Remington rifie of small calibre, such as were issued to many of the New York regiments at the beginning of the war. He was furnished with but twenty rounds of ammunition. His quick marksman's eye at once dis- covered the deficiencies of such a weapon for a sharpshooter. In his strong, high-keyed, nasal voice, with Yankee-like readiness for a trade, he suggested a " swap" for my new Springfield rifle, the envy of our little squad; but, boy-like, I refused, confident that I " knew a good thing when I saw it." He joined our regiment with us, at Hall's Hill, as he could get no trace of his company, and he was the only man for Andrew's Sharp- shooters ; but there was no provision made for him, nor could rations be issued to him, and he determined to push on in search of his command, which, he was informed from a reli- able source, was already on its way through Maryland, and alone he set out. He died some years ago, but he thus related this story to the writer, years after the war : " The second or third day out from Washington, the rations you boys so generously furnished me, gave out. I knew that I must not waste my car- tridges, and having fallen in with some stragglers of the chronic stamp, knowing what strict orders there -were against straggling and foraging, I was continually in fear that I might be arrested. But hunger knows no law. I used one of my precious car- tridges in killing a hog, which I tumbled over at the first shot as he was running two hundred yards dis- tant. "This supplied us with fresh meat. I begged some hard bread, and with plenty of peaches and green corn, I FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. 329 got along all right. I joined my company at Antietam, the evening of the i6th, as they were lying in line of battle. I did not know right face from left. Their rifles were not like mine, so Captain A. said, 'Go in! Get under cover and do all the harm you can to the Johnnies ; the first man killed in the company, if within your reach, take his rifle and car- tridges.' This was good advice, but not at all reassuring to a new recruit just going into battle ; how did I know that I should not be the first to be killed myself.' "On the morning of the 17th, when going in with the company, and I saw the frightful slaughter all about me, I found myself trying to dodge every shot and shell that came in our direction. My nerves were all unstrung under this altogether new and novel excitement; it was dif- ferent kind of gunning from what I was used to; my hands shook and I was mad with myself that I acted so like a coward, and found it so hard to control my feelings. "The moment we halted in line, however, and the captain said, ' Lie down ! every man on his own hook ! ' I was all right, and was just as cool as though shooting at a target, or watching behind a ' blind ' for shot at a duck on the rise. I got behind a tree, and kneeling, watched my chances. I had but nineteen car- tridges, and that worried me some ; but I determined, upon the captain's suggestion, to change my rifle and ammunition at the first opportunity, for then I should have plenty. "The 'Johnnies' were behind hay- stacks. I shot five times deliber- ately, and dropped a man every time. How do I know it 1 Well, I did not shoot until I saw a body, and a good, fair mark; then I sighted to kill, and saw the man drop after I had fired. " Just as I expected, though, the Remington rifle heated right up, and fouled. I rammed down a ball; it stuck. I partially rose up, either to draw it, or to force it home, when I saw a rebel steadily aim at me from the haystack where I had dropped the others. I dodged down, but wasn't quick enough; he fired; the ball took me here, through the body, going through a portion of my lung. I fell, with a dull numbness all over me. "All daylong I lay, unable to move hand or foot. The battle raged over and around me. Once a horse almost trampled on my prostrate body; again, a party of rebels came up to me, and were deliberating whether to pin their bayonets through me. I told them that I was virtually their prisoner, although on the battle field, and after roundly cursing me they left me. " I saw near me many of our own men struck a second time when at- tempting to move, and whenever I lifted my head or moved my arm, I was shot at. I finally determined to play dead, which I did, until the rebel wounded were picked up, when, see- ing that they were going to leave me, and knowing I would die on the field that night without assistance, I beg- ged to be taken off. After robbing me of everything about my person, we were taken to a barn and placed on some straw. My wound had not been dressed. After suffering many 33° FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. torments for want of water, I firfally was given some, and immediately felt better. " When I asked how soon I was to be attended to, I got nothing but curses, and 'when we uns are taken care of,' for a reply. " Stonewall Jackson's brigade went by, and he was pointed out to me. When the rebels retreated across the river, I was paroled, and carried with other prisoners, wounded and paroled, to Frederick City, where I lay for many weeks before I could be sent home and discharged." Such was the experience of a sharp- shooter, after four weeks' service. He subsequently died from the effects of this wound. Night had closed in upon the scenes and incidents of the day. A bloody battle had been fought. The worst features were to come after- wards. It seemed like Sunday in a quiet New England village, when we moved out early on the morning of the i8th, a bright, beautiful, sunshiny day. Such a hush ! Such a still calm had succeeded the incessant uproar of the previous day. Our progress was necessarily slow : through fields, and barn-yards filled with hundreds of wounded ; every- where in and out, amidst a vast out- of-door hospital. The direction of our march was southwest along a high ridge, to- wards H. B. Rohrbach's (now Wyand's) house,where Colonel Kings- bury died, a few hundred yards from the Antietam. We halted for some time at the Burnside Bridge, on the east side of the creek. It bore evi- dence of having been the scene of a desperate fight; bullet holes were to be seen in every direction, and the trees and fences were scarred and splintered. The dead and dying strewed the ground, and all about was the wreckage of battle. On the steep hill-side, completely overlook- ing and commanding the bridge and its approaches, were the rebel rifle- pits, which, with large rocks and trunks of trees, had served as a shel- ter for the enemy when our column advanced on the charge across the bridge. Late in the afternoon, in the midst of a drenching shower, and after some marching and countermarching, we relieved a division of the Ninth Corps (Sturgis's), on the west side, having crossed the bridge for this purpose, our regiment relieving the Forty-fifth Pennsylvania, and were placed on picket for the night, about 500 yards above the bridge, under an abrupt bank that extended along the Antietam. It drizzled during the entire night. Our beds were upon some wet, split- out shingles. Some fresh beef, issued to us just before starting, and which we had no opportunity to cook, was eaten raw, and, without coffee, rel- ished in the gloom and silence. About midnight, a squadron of cavalry came galloping up the road from the direc- tion of the bridge and attacked a house (Sherrick's) on the north side of the road. It was occupied by the enemy's sharpshooters, and was just outside our line. They gave a wild cheer, half yell. The bullets flew pretty thickly for a while, as they went clattering and chattering over the slope. The noise and uproar had FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. 331 aroused us from a sort of drowse, and after that nobody thought of sleep. We could hear the cracking of car- bines, the intermingled cheers and yells, and soon they came back, re- porting that the "Johnnies" had gone out of the house like "rats.'' The dead were all about us, and many wounded. It was our first night upon a battle-field. The sights were terrifying; sounds horrible and start- ling. A kind of hardness crept over us during the long, wakeful night we passed in that blood-stained, death- strewn spot by the Burnside Bridge, and we grew older in thought and feeling by having come in contact with such misery and suffering, which we never so fully realized after- wards. On the following morning, the igth, the sun came out bright and beautiful ; the blackened faces and bloated bodies were beyond recogni- tion, and were disgusting to look upon for a moment. Some wore the air of despair, while others had a calm and peaceful face, as though in dream land, and had not known pro- longed pain. The enemy had now, it was soon discovered, left our front, and while awaiting the command to move for- ward, we went over that portion of the field. There was a certain fasci- nation in it to my young mind", al- though exceedingly sad and im- pressive ; horrible to contemplate even at this distance of time, and which has never faded from my rec- ollection during all these succeeding years. Volumes could be filled with per- sonal incidents and reminiscences of this field of Antietam alone. Upon visiting Sherrick's house this morn- ing, we found it quite a sumptuous affair. It had been hastily evacuated, as it was between the lines. The foragers ahead of us had pulled out what edibles it contained, and among them a splendid assortment of jellies, preserves, etc., the pride of every Robert G. Carter. Maryland woman's heart, but now scattered all about. The orchard was filled with the choicest fruit. What a feast ! Our stomachs just beginning to become accustomed to "salt horse" and "hard tack," earn- estly opened and yearned foi" this line of good things. No crowd of school- boys, Ifit loose from the confinement of a recitation room, ever acted so absurdly, as did these rough, bronzed soldiers and recruit allies, on that 332 FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. death-strewn ground about Sherrick's yard and orchard. They would seize a pot of jam, grape jelly, huckleberry stew, or pineapple preserve, and after capering about a while, with the most extravagant exhibitions of joy, would sit upon the ground, and with one piece of hard bread for a plate, and scoop, would shovel Walter Carter. out great heaps of the delectable stuff, which rapidly disappeared into their capacious mouths. This went on for some time while waiting for the order to move; when some wag, "not wisely hut too well," started one of those famous camp rumors, which gathers as it rolls, that the rebel pickets who had occupied the house, had, out of revenge, poisoned every pot and jar we had eaten from ; had carefully left them in full sight as a bait, and sure death was now our near future. Such looks of consternation; such elongated faces, were never seen be- fore. Numerous inquiries were made for emetics; others rushed for the surgeon, many imagining upon the spur of the moment, and feeling nau- seated from over-gorging, that they could distinctly feel the pain of the poison now working, while the wiser ones relieved their stomachs, and with them — their fears — by nature's process. Nor did the panic subside, and confidence become fully restored, until hours afterwards, when it was discovered that nobody had died from the effects. Opposite to Sherrick's is Stern's, in which Otto lived during the battle, and near it the old stone grist-mill. Note. Michael Tenant, who oc- cupies the house next east of Sher- rick's, told the writer three years ago, while standing at the spring, and near the mill, many incidents. His house, he said, was built out of the squared logs that came out of the old Lutheran church when it was torn down, one year after the battle. This church tower was used as a signal tower by General McClellan, and it was converted into a hospital after the battle. He showed the writer where he saw a soldier fall dead at his gate, shot by a Confederate sharp- shooter in the mill ; he buried him, after much difficulty, in the hard limestone soil, and later identified the spot for his disinterment and con- veyal to the National Cemetery when it was located at Sharpsburg. It was a lively scene that morning of the 19th as we hurried through the streets of Sharpsburg and out on FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. m the main pike beyond, througli tiie fields, to a position near one of the fords on the Potomac, where it had been found by a hasty reconnoissance that the whole Rebel army had crossed into Virginia. We led the advance. The men trudged through the mud, and joked and chatted with the regiments of other brigades and divisions. The signal flags on top of the church tower were wig-wagging like mad, conveying rapid messages. Order- lies and staff officers, bespattered from head to foot, were galloping here and there, exciting the ire of our grumblers, by the coat of slime and mud they splashed on them in their hasty ride. The streets were filled with wreckage. Here and there a wagon, a wheel, a' dead mule, or a defunct caisson were keeled up as though in their death agonies. Ar- tillery and cavalry were hurrying for- ward, and long columns of infantry were being directed along the main streets to different positions along the new front. Many of the houses and front yards were filled with the wounded of both armies, whom the enemy in their hurried retreat could not take with them. Hundreds out in the open air were lying on clean straw that had been provided by our men, together with such other acts of kind- ness and attention as they had never received before. We moved about four miles, halt- ing once or twice, where the rebels had camped, especially at General Lee's headquarters on the north side of the road in the grove near the out- skirts of Sharpsburg. They were scattered with plunder of all kinds, and many old letters, which we amused ourselves with reading as we marched, and would prove rich litera- ture in these pages had they been pre- served, but we cared not for such trifles then, and soon threw them back into the debris and filth that cumbered the ground. We left the road near J. D. Groves's house (used as General Fitz John Porter's headquarters), opposite Cap- tain D. Smith's (which was used as an immense hospital for the wounded of both sides), and turning south through the fields, soon struck the river near Blackford's Ford, below Shepardstown. We halted to recon- noitre. The enemy were all across. Several old caissons with their wheels chopped, and much wreckage, lay about on the banks. The pickets of the enemy were seen on the opposite bank. A few shots were fired by some guns planted on the bluff over our heads ; the sharpshooters of our regi- ment were sent under cover and to remain there that night, while the balance were withdrawn to about one mile back towards Groves's house where we went into bivouac for the night, furnishing ourselves liberally with straw from the stacks near by. 334 REUNION OF VETERAN ASSOCIATIONS. REUNION OF VETERAN ASSOCIATIONS. FIRST-TENTH-TWENTY-NINTH. The Twenty-ninth reunion of the comrades of the First-tenth-twenty- ninth regiment of Maine volunteers, was held August 12, 1897, at Long Island, at the regimental buildings. This was one of the regiments that saw considerable service, and suffered heavily by losses of killed and wounded. The remaining men of the regiment, in spite of their hardships and privations, are still as eager to meet one another, and talk over the stirring days of 1861-5. There was a good attendance of the comrades at the meeting, and the officers of the field and staff were well represented, and showed much pleasure in being able to once again meet with the comrades of their command. The annual business meeting was called to order at 1 1 : 30 a. m., President W. K. Dana of Westbrook presiding. The regimental historian, John M. Gould, announced that the work of compiling the regimental histories was progressing as well as could be expected, to be accurate in impor- tant details. The work of writing the history of the engagement of the regiment at the Cedar Mountains is in the hands of Comrade Tripp, who is making good progress on the work. The report of the treasurer showed that there was a balance on hand of $36.26 last year, and that after all expenses of the year they now have in the treasury 1^65. 71. After the report of the treasurer, the president, W. K. Dana, in a few well-chosen words, introduced the daughter of John E. Cutter, a mem- ber of the regiment. Miss Charlotte Cutter of California, who read an original selection from the pen of her father. THE LOST BEANS. Old Company K grew up in the woods Where the sprucy gales in their roguish moods. From the forest tops unwind the skein, That winter spins on the hills of Maine. Well-faithed and truthed their lives had been, And the forest gave them discipline As they learned the trend of its darkening lines. And felt the grace of its serried pines. And they swung the axe with a stroke as free As their fathers gave for libeUy. From the pages thunibe'd in the district schools They had learned, with the " P'undamental Rules," Of Boston's tea, and of Lexington. And of t caressed with loving hands The flinted lock of the same old gun That argued the case with the Briton bands. And their hearts were latent with the fires That burned in the lives of their stubborn sires. So when there was need of Company K They shouldered their arms and marched away- But a squad of other mould and grain Was Company E. From the thoroughfare Of the town they came, and from strife for gain Where shrewdness wins from caliber, And pulls at another's tackle blocks ; But they never shrank from the dryest knocks. Good soldiers, whom war's iron dew Fell lightly on, — though notion loose. That strategy was for home use. Did stay with them the service through. Virginia's winter, chill and gray. Found Company E and Company K Lined out by Rappahannock's flow Some twenty years and more ago. As the fires glow, the hold within Deep hid, while their hot energy Drives the great ship through storm and sea So burned the army; till again The stars shone out from their blue field, And all the charging crests were stilled. INCIDENTS OF SERVICE. '9 not fit to be out of the hospital, but would come with the "boys." He died from the result of marching and over-exertion that hot daj^ Charlie was a quiet fellow, a true Christian, faithful to duty and loved by us all. His memory shall be dear to us " till time is no more." Comrade Noble had been followed by the Confederates into the woods some farther to the right of the regimental line from where I en- tered. He came across my tracks, and it seemed to him I was going the wrong way. I was firmly con- vinced I was right, but he went his way and I went mine. In five minutes or less a squad of rebels asked him to surrender, and in a few days he reported at Libby prison for a summer vacation. I kept straight ahead and came to a clearing, where I was quickly fired upon by the same squad of rebels that made Noble a prisoner ; so, you see, I came pretty near sharing his fate, after all. I have no doubt the rebels had heard us in the woods, and were halting for us to come out. Poor Ellis kept out of their hands by keeping on in the course I had taken. Harrison was exchanged in about four months, and told me how surprised he was when he came out of the woods into the road and was halted by a squad which he thought was our men playing a joke on him, or that they had taken him for a rebel. They soon convinced him who they were and what they wanted. After disarming him, one of the number was detai-led to take him to the rear. A great many dead and wounded were lying about, and in some places they were thickly together. He was marched a long way back to the rear, and got nearly ex- hausted before they reached the collection of prisoners, which was about midnight. They turned him into a field with a large number of other Federals, who had been cap- tured, among the lot many officers and two generals. He said he was hungry and very chilly before day- light, and many of the men kept stirring about to keep the chills off. They had for a joke, that the rebels took the fence down in places where the prisoners were inclosed, so they would catch cold. I kept on what seemed to me a long way in the woods, and not sure then whether I was going right or not, lay down by the trunk of a large tree, clasp- ing my gun in my arms. The firing had ceased, with the excep- tion of an occasional picket shot. I soon fell into an uneasy slumber, and was fully awakened by the artillery, probably moving in the road to my right. Presently a rebel gun took position, and fired over the woods, and a federal bat- tery replied, and I lay quiet, ex- hausted and unconcerned under the trees, watching the fiery shells as they clipped off the tallest tree-tops over my head. FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. By Captain Robert Goldthwaite Carter, United States Army. Engagement with the Rear Guard of Lee's Army at Blackford's Ford, or Boteler's Mill. — Camp near Sharps- burg. — Picket Duty in the Chesa- peake and Ohio Canal, Along the River from the Ford to Shepards- xown. — Letters Home. — Comments, Criticisms, Opinions, Growling, etc. — Cold Weather. On the night of September 19, a livel}^ scouting column under the command of General Griffen, had no trouble in finding it. Inno- cent of the divei-sion which was in store for us, we splashed and pad- dled our way along. Some of the men had taken off both shoes and stockings ; others, perhaps the ma- jority, had kept them on; these were the wise ones, for we had use for them on our return. The cavalry were met returning. The splashing of their horses sent crossed the river and succeeded in the water flying into the faces of capturing two guns, one of which some of our grumblers, who out of was a gun of his old West Point spite, shouted out, "Are there any battery (afterwards Battery D, Fifth United States Artillery) cap- tured from him at the first battle of Bull Run, when attached to the battalion of regulars in which was our brother. The other was of Eng- lish make, having the Tower stamp on it. The part}' came through our camp some time before morn- ing making a great clatter, shout- ing, and giving the awakened men in their bivouac the joyful news. dead cavalry-men ahead? What guerillas do you belong to?" etc., etc., to which the answer comes back prompll}-, "Yes, you bum- mers, we do the fighting and leave the dead cavalry-men for the 'dough boys' to pick up. Go to the rear 3'ou ' worm crushers ' I" The chaffing continued until the river was crossed. We were then hurriedly, and with sharp com- mands, formed into the line of bat- Early on the morning of the 2oih tie, ordered to " load at will," and we were ordered to make a recon- noissance in force across the Poto- mac, at Blackford's Ford. This had been used by Eee, both in coming into and retreating from Maryland. It was, where we forded it, some distance below the dam, quite shallow, a little over the knees, with a somewhat pebbly bottom, but not manj^ large rocks. We were to ascertain the where- abouts of Lee's rear guard. We by the flank were directed to move b}' a narrow cart path up a rather sheltered ravine, on one side of which was a protecting bank, and on the other, a rather abrupt bluff that formed the bank of the Poto- mac. We again hastily formed line of battle. A crack, a crash, followed by another and another, in quick succession, directly over our heads, came from our batteries on the FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. Maryland shore, and was the first intimation we had that a rebel line of battle was rapidly moving down upon us. " Fix bayonets !" came the com- mand, followed by "Lie down!" and, although from our sheltered position we could not then see the enemy's line, a moment later the roll of musketry from the right of our brigade told us that the engage- ment had begun. It was a sharp fight. One man in our regiment, Corporal George Davis of Co. B, had the right side of his face knocked off by one of our own shells. Another, Private Chauncey C. Knowlton of Co. I, was terribly wounded in the leg, probably by a shot from our own guns ; it was amputated. Both died. As the firing surged along the line towards us, and the men com- menced firing at the gre}^ line now beginning to show up over the bank, we were ordered to with- draw. As we fell back, the One Hundred and Eighteenth Pennsyl- vania, which had received the full force of the blow thus far, did not follow us, and being overwhelmed by superior numbers, were driven from their position on the extreme light to the crest of the bluff, where man)' were killed, wounded, or captured, and driven pell-mell over its precipitous slopes. (See his- tory of that regiment for a graphic and detailed account of this affair ; also the CenUiry series, " Battles and Leaders of the Civil War," for an excellent cut of Blackford's Ford, Boteler's mill, the dam, etc.) Our passage back to the Mary- land shore was a hard one, higher up and nearer the dam ; the river was full of snares and pitfalls, and up to our necks in many places, besides being very rocky. As we emerged from the stream and passed through Berdan's Sharp- shooters, in the dry bed of the Ca- nal, we halted for a moment to gain our breath. While resting here, a little officer of the ii8th Pennsyl- vania (Captain Henry O'Neill [?]) came in behind us. He was drip- ping with water. In his enthusias- tic energy to move across and get to the rear, he had not stopped to see how many of the regiment had followed. Waving his sword, he shouted in a high and squeaky voice — "Follow me, all that are left of the gallant ' Corn Ex- change.' " He turned as he did so, and there behind him stood one half drowned little corporal, smaller than himself, beside a very tall pri- vate. Both the officer and corporal pieced together could hardly have equaled his size. We broke out into uncontrollable laughter at the absurdity of the group. It seems that the order for the brigade to withdraw across the river had not reached this regiment on the right, for some still unexplained reason, or they attempted to retire when too late, but, either on account of the chaffing they received, or the sensi- tiveness which they naturally felt at this, their first battle, from that time on there was a lack of cordiality between the rest of the brigade and our brethren from the Keystone FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. State, who stoutly asserted that we ran away and left them to their fate, and whenever on picket, scrambling for water at a small spring, gather- ing rails, or " reaching" for straw, there were numerous collisions, al- though no bloodshed, between the two commands. A conversation on picket occurred shortly after, be- tween one of our sharp-witted Irish- men and a member of the " Corn Exchange" regiment. The latter was upholding their cause and its gallant conduct in staying, while our fellow was very strongly argu- ing that " any regiment after being ordered to retreat, that did not do so, deserved all they got," etc. The other angrily rejoined, " If you had behaved as well as- the ^gal- lant Corn Exchange ' the Johnnies would have been whipped." " Oh ! be gorra ! 'Corn Exchange !' ' Corn Exchange!'" said Pat, "there is no such regiment as that now. It is the ' Cob Exchange,' for didn't the ' rebs ' shell all the corn off yez the other day?" We returned to our camp, dried ourselves out by large, roaring fires, related our adventures, and soon grappled with our featherless beds. Nine or ten rebel brigades took part in this affair. "Stonewall" Jackson's report states that "it ended in an appalling scene of the destruction of human life." Gen- eral A. P. Hill, who commanded, reports: "Then commenced the most terrible slaughter that this war has yet witnessed. The broad sur- face of the Potomac was blue with the floating bodies of our foe. But few escaped to tell the tale. By their own account they lost three tJwHsand men, killed and drowned, from one brigade alone." On the following day, Sunday, we opened with skirmishing, but it soon closed as our dead were brought across for burial. Newspapers were exchanged, etc. The truce closed at 5 p. m., when our batteries promptly opened to show that we were all alive. We picketed near the river, sleep- ing at night in the dry canal, our bodies at an angle of nearly 45 de- grees, and here we suffered all the ills of violent colds and malaria, from the low bottoms and foggy at- mosphere about us, and diarrhoea from drinking the limestone water to which we were unaccustomed, and for want of proper shelter, clothes, shoes and blankets. On the 2ist of September, headquar- ters of the Armv of the Potomac were at Captain Smith's farm, nearly opposite General Fitz John Porter's headquarters at the Gove house. Smith's house and barns were filled with wounded. While on picket, September 24th, a large squad — some five hundred prisoners — went splashing across the river, overjoyed to get back to their native South-land. The President reviewed the army, and here we saw for the first time, Abraham Lincoln. How long and gaunt he looked, but with what a kindly smile did he greet the Boys in Blue as he hastily rode with the General along line after line. FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. 23 How the smile from a care-worn and anxious face touched the hearts of those bronzed, rough- looking men. It was like an elec- tric shock. It flew from elbow to elbow, and with a loud cheer, every soldier gave vent to his sup- pressed feeling, making the welkin ring, and conveyed to him the fact that his smile had gone home and found a response. September 27. Headquarters moved two miles in the direction of Harper's Ferry and camped. October 8. General M. Patrick was assigned as provost marshal of the army, and headquarters moved to Knoxville, Md. October 13. Headquarters moved to Brownsville, in Pleasant Valley, Md. October 19. A provisional bri- gade was formed from the Ninety- third New York, Twentieth New York, Eighth United States Infan- try and Sturgis Guard. The first was designated as Headquarter Guard, the second and third as Provost Guard, and the last as Body Guard. October 23. Bishop Mcllvaine preached at headquarters. One lady only attended. She had a very sweet voice, and led in sing- ing the hymns. The first night on picket we lay on the slope of the canal between two rails, with head over the peaked side for a pillow, and woke up with our necks most broken, and with threatened strangulation. The next relief, we tried a bed " without," and woke up to find ourselves in the fire, with our breeches scorched in several places, and our legs well warmed. We had slid down the inclined plane of moist clay. Our hips were black and blue from too much hard ground in our beds. While on picket, we contrived a way to make meal, and enjoy that delicacy so longed for by a New England boy, " fried hasty pudding." This pieced out our rations of " hard tack" and " salt horse," the latter so ropy and glistening with briny preservative, as to give our pie-loving, Yankee-recruit-stomachs an ache, to even look at its long drawn-out saltness. We reached the corn, made graters of our cartridge-box tins by patiently punching holes with our bayonets. We then grated the corn from the cob, boiled the coarse m.eal, cooled, sliced, and fried it on tin plates, eating it with sugar, or, we poured the boiled meal upon clean flat stones, and baked it in the hot ashes. Our division was camped on two sides of a small valley, down which ran a small road through Black- ford's (W. M.) woods to the river. It was located about three fourths of a mile southwest from S. P. Grove's house, where Fitz John Porter had his headquarters, and about half a mile nearly south from where Crow now lives. It was the practice of sutlers and traders of all kinds to come down that road to our camp. They mostly came 24 FOUR BROTHERS TN BLUE. from Pennsylvania, and asked ex- orbitant prices for everything. One dollar a pound for butter, six small cakes for fifty cents, etc., was a fair sample of the outrageous ad- vantage and monopoly which these non-combatant sharks seized upon. We remonstrated, but in vain, and the consequences soon fol- lowed. A vigrilance committee was organized, with spies to go ahead and sound the traders. If the prices were too high, according to our tariff, a moderate one, a signal was given, and the cry immediately went up " Rally ! Rally ! !" In a moment clouds of soldiers were seen issuing like magic from the ground. They closed in on both sides and rear, and "rounded up " the traders. There was no escape from this kind of a spider's web. The cart was overturned, everything taken from it ; apples, leather pies, gingercakes, etc., and every soldier skurried back with pockets, hats, and arms full of plunder. In five minutes not a soul was visible, and the dazed peddler gathered up his traps, appealed to the officers,. was asked to ■point ont Ike guilty mail, which he could not, and he departed a sadder but wiser man for a new load. One of our recruits, Milton M. Ingalls, suddenly died, October 24, after a few days' illness. We per- formed our first burial service, stood guard over his remains at the hos- pital tent, made his rude coflin of cracker boxes, and late one after- noon marched to the hillside to bury him, the chaplain of the Second Maine officiating. Note.— The track of the Nor- folk and Western railroad now (1897) passes almost over the spot. While making his coffin, another recruit, a large Norwegian sailor, very weak from chronic diarrhoea, sat upon the other end of it, and when the last nail was driven, mournfully said, " I shall be next." The nights grew bitter cold ; the sick grew numerous. Many were sick with typhoid fever, and our con- dition at all times in this camp was mentally, morally, and physically bad. We remained near Sharps- burg until October 30th, and besides doing picket duty opposite Shepards- town, we performed guard and fa- tigue duty, drilled, and became more and more seasoned for the long two years before us, sheltering oui"- selves from the heat by day, and shivering through the long, frosty nights. Not infrequently we got up before dawn to find many running up and down the hard ground to thaw out their congealed blood, or sitting by the smouldering embers of the fire, making " scouse " at the " cook house." The ground was covered thick with frost, 3'et we slept in our thin, unlined blouses upon it, with no " ponchos," blankets, or overcoats. The spread or two that we had left by order back near Rockville, had been stored at Washington, never again to see the light of day. FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. 25 During our gloom}' and despond- ing hours, before getting seasoned and hardened, and while in this chrysalis state, many bright sun- beams crept in ; many laughable adventures and ludicrous incidents took place. Frequent visits to the camps of other regiments, and to prisoners under treatment near by, varied the monotony. The usual camp rumors were rife. "We were going to build log huts, and ^uard the river for the winter." " Provost duty in Frederick City," etc. Our letters say : " Sunday, Sept. 21, 1862, In Camp Near Potomac, Near Sharpsburg. "I commenced a letter to you at Fort Corcoran, just after we had left Fort Worth, where Bob wrote to you, and just before we left on our long march of six days. I had just written one sheet when we were ordered to march. * * * When passing through Washing- ton, I looked in vain for Gene. We had a long march, and I suf- fered ; especially for food. 1 never knew what it was to want for bread before. I had to beg, for I was actually weak from total abstinence. * * * Bob, Edgar, G. B., and myself were the only ones of the whole company (old fellows and all), who kept up and never strag- gled. The road was lined with these latter individuals, and even now (though we started a week ago Friday), seven of our com- pany have not yet come up. Frank and LeRoy are thirty miles back. used tip. Captain Thompson is back on the supply train, sick. We have only one corporal ; our two sergeants are sick, and the company is nowhere. We are not j'et drilled ; we have not been taught to lire a gun. We were in reserve on Wed- nesday, and I saw all the fight, ex- cept on our left, where Burnside carried the bridge. Thursday we passed that spot on the advance, and were on picket all night in that terrible place, where dead men were piled up in heaps beside us. Such horrid sights I never saw before. Two of our company were on the outpost, skirmishing all night. George Lovejoy and Ed. Walton were detailed from us to fill vacancies. We slept on our arms all night. " During the night, a squadron of cavalry attacked a brick man- sion occupied by rebel sharpshoot- ers. * * * The next morning I visited the place, and got any quantity of jellies, preserves, etc. ; but was obliged to leave it all when we marched. It was so before we left our camp near Fort Corco- ran ; there were four or five boxes came to the company filled with nice things, and we could have_ lived like princes if we could have stayed, but orders came to march, and we had to leave it all. I left four cans of honey given me, for I could not take it. * * * "Well, about the march. We didn't commence marching until two or three days after the account you read. That was the advance of Porter's corps (Syke's division) ; FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. we were the rear guard and marched Friday, September 12, on a differ- ent route, not touching Darnestown. * * * When we started, I had no idea where we were going ; in- stead of going directly from George- town to Maryland, after we crossed the Aqueduct, we kept on to Wash- ington, and I thought we were go- ing to Baltimore, but, after resting for grub, near the capitol, we marched way back to Georgetown, and from there started on our march to Rockville. * * » You at home can never realize the intense suffering we endured on those five days of marching. The first day we went fifteen miles with our wet stuff on our backs, and hot and dusty enough to suffocate a per- son. * * * Of course they took the longest way to exercise us. The next morning, seeing that we would never hold out with our loads, the order was to leave everything except what we actually needed. I (R. G. C.) only took my rubber coat. "We marched through Hyatts- town and Urbana, and then stopped. Tliey routed us out early the next morning, which was Sunday, and marched us twentj'-four miles to Frederick City. ^ * * my 'fod' (food) had given out in the morning, as had most of them, and when we bivouacked on the banks of the Monocacy river I had nothing to eat but one hardtack about three inches square. What do you think of that, after twenty-four miles of marching on the road, and loaded up at that? We had nothing to eat all night, our rations being gone, and our teams to the rear, on hor- rid roads. Nothing but hills, hills, and mountains. We suffered as much as the advance, I reckon ; those long, hot days of marching, the din of battle in the distance, ever in our ears, and we hurrying forward to be in at the death. That Sunday night we camped at 8 o'clock, and it was as dark as Erebus. These were hard times for the raw recruits, but we did well. * * * The next morn- ing rations were served out, the teams having come up in the night. * * * " We rested at Keediesville that night, and I could see that they were preparing for a great battle the next morning, as I thought, for thev had commenced shelling then. * * * " Sa}' to father that knapsacks are no go any waj' in the arm}' ; a man can't carry one * * * on the march. At the least estimate of weight, and of the best pattern, it is clumsy, * * » ^nd ten to one if you leave it anywhere dur- ing a battle, it is lost. I don't want to lug another of the articles while I have my other luggage. I would carry a rubber blanket and poncho coiled up over my back, and per- haps I might add my woolen blanket ; but an overcoat is alto- gether too heavy for light marching order. I should not have thrown awajr the last, two articles in W., if they had not been wet, and I almost dead from sheer exhaustion. FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. 27 I should not have lived to tell the tale if I had carried them ten miles further, and during even then I should have straggled, and I hated to do that; * * * a thing I didn't do the entire distance, though only four recruits came in on the home-stretch. Many a night I flung myself on the grotxnd supperless and too tired to eat. In the day- time I ate dust, and drank the per- spiration that rolled down my face. It was a bitter experience. Monday, we passed through it (Frederick City), amid the shouts and cheers of the people. We passed through Rockville, Hyatts- town, Urbana, Boonesboro, Kee- diesville, and Sharpsburg. Near Middletown heights, between M. and Boonesboro, where Reno was killed and where Hooker stormed the battery of the rebels (I saw any quantity of dead I'ebels there), we passed by a camp of regulars, with prisoners in charge. I was on guard behind the regimental ambulances, and upon casting my ej'es about, I saw Eugene standing in the middle of the road with Bob. I left the guard I tell you, and we walked over a mile together, when we parted. » * * He showed us the battle-ground. * * * 41 * * * Gene said he would see us (again) in a day or two, but we have not seen hini yet. We talked about everything while we were together, and oh ! I was so delighted to see him. He was going back to Frederick City with his prisoners, and expected to re- turn. " Bob lost his wallet before he marched with seven dollars in it. When we were on the march from Hall's Hill to Alex- andria, and from there to Fort Worth, as Bob told you in his last letter, I threw my knapsack away at the first stopping place ; it almost cut the life out of me. I could carry the load well enough, though much heavier than Bob's, for I had extra books, medicine, and writing-desk, but the mode of carrying it was not so easy. I kept all of my things, but did them up in a rubber blanket, and slung them over my shoulders by straps. I carried them in this way very well. "Just before we started from Fort Corcoran, we saw John ; and * * * we also saw Lewis, and were going over to see them the next day, but were ordered off. We had extra shirts, stockings, blankets, etc., given us before we started, and that added to our heavy loads. I was barefooted when my stockings came to hand ; my shoes hurt my bare feet, covered with %ore^ uncut co7-7is, and my stock- ings were too full of holes for a second mending, so I threw them away. " The night before we started, it rained all night, and as I slept on the ground, I got wet, and ditto my things, so that when I started next morning I had a very heavy load. I carried it six miles until I was almost gone, and I just fell out of ranks and disposed of all the articles I could. I threw away my medicine, books, checkers, toivels, and lots of little tfdngs, and gave my heavy wet FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. overcoat and blanket to a Unton family on the road. My bundle was still heavy, but smaller, and I carried it to our first night's resting-place, twelve or more miles from Washing- ton. Let Gene talk about clinging to your knapsacks, things, etc. ; it 's all "6o«A.'" I reckon he never car- ried either on a long march. No one hated to throw away things as I did, but I could n't help it. I had over seventy-five pounds on my back, be- sides eighty rounds of cartridges, gun, etc. " The road was full of stragglers all the way back to Washington, and during the night they came in. One new regiment in our brigade, Ii8th Pennsylvania, twelve hundred strong, only numbered two hundred at our first stopping-place ; they all had knapsacks." Note. — The major of this regi- ment had to be sent back to Wash- ington to gather up the stragglers and march them to join the balance of the regiment. " The color-ser- geant and color-guard fell out com- pletely exhausted, and the 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 made. One weary, dusty private met General Morell, and saluting, said : ' General, can you tell me where the Ii8th Pennsylvania is.'' 'Certainly, my man,' replied the general seriously; 'everywhere between here and Wash- ington.' " (See History of the One Hundred and Eighteenth Pennsyl- vania.) "The second morning we were all ordered to move in light marching order, and to leave our luggage. I thought it was only temporary and that our duds would be brought for- ward in the teams, so I took only my poncho, leaving my rubber blanket over my other things, it being the only covering I had for them, so you see that I must have suffered from cold the next day (night) on the ground with nothing but my poncho over me. " I got some milk once on the road, and with some hard-tack crumbled into it, I enjoyed a splendid meal. I have now my cotton shirt on (others behind), breeches, coat, one pair of dirty stockings, wet through yesterday (in what manner I will tell you presently), and my shoes and cap, all my wardrobe in this part of the country available. I lost my poncho yesterday on the other side of the Potomac. " Two brigades crossed this classic stream in the morning (Martindale's and Griffin's) * * * while But- terfield's (the three composing Morell's division), remained on this side. As soon as we got there we were attacked by a superior rebel force, and, after fighting a short time, were recalled, and forded the Poto- mac (up to my breast in some places), in good order. I wet myself through, cartridges and all. * * * On reaching the Virginia shore, I fired my gun off, loaded up, and the first thing I knew I saw all of our officers dismount hurriedly, and order us into line of battle up the hill. By this time twenty pieces of our artil- lery on the Maryland shore were shelling over us, and such a racket ! Shells bursting over our heads, offi- cers ordering, balls whizzing ! It was gay I * * * Our own shells FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. 29 burst in among us, within six ieet of me all around. I never heard such a terrific noise in my life. "Two of them struck into our own regiment, bursting in Company I, and knocked a man's face off, mor- tally wounding him. Another of our men was struck in the leg by a shrapnel shell fired by the enemy, and his leg had to be amputated. The bullets flew about me, but I minded them not. I was only watch- ing for a shot * * * ^g were in a queer position, on the side of an ascending ridge from a ravine, close to the river's bank. When the order came to cross the river, I was so mad * * * that I forgot my poncho, which I threw off by my side to aid me in firing better. * * * " One time while lying down on our bellies, we heard the cry on our right from the Second Maine boys : 'They're coming!' The order was given to ' Fix bayonets ! ' and prepare for a volley when the enemy ap- peared in sight.. I thought we were going to see some fun then. * * * I had n't got warmed into it hardly, and I retreated backwards so as to get a pop at them when th'ey came over the hill. * * * We had then to leave * our crossing the river was no joke ; all I could think of was Ball's Bluff, for certainly, had it not been for our batteries and two regiments of Berdan's sharp- shooters in a dry canal on the Mary- land side, we would none of us have reached the shore alive. * « * We went (came back) across above where we went over (under the dam), and it was up to my armpits, with the current running like mad and the bullets buzzing like bees. The river was full of slippery ledges, and in the crevices it was very deep. I did not fall once. * * * I was so exhausted that I could hardly stand, for I bad to keep my powder dry, and had to keep up a man who was most strangled, having fallen three times in coming across. * * * While fording, the ' rebs ' appeared on the banks, and the bullets whistled into us good. * * * j helped one short captain (H. P. Wil- liams) across ; he fell twice, and I picked him up, wetting my gun and ammunition in the act." Note. — Captain W. was a very di- minutive man, with an exceedingly large hat, which resembled an um- brella spread over his person. His progress, although moist, had been successful, until nearly across, when plump! in he went into a deep hole that sent him out of sight at once. The tell- tale hat, however, showed where he would rise. Up he came, spluttering and blowing, his mouth full of water. Another step, and in he went again out of sight. Our brother was nearest to him. He seized at the hat, missed him, then making a deeper grab caught the half-drowned little captain by the collar, and, holding him up almost at aim's length, quietly deposited him high, but not dry, upon a more shal- low spot. The victim was hardly aware that any visible force had ef- fected his rescue, for he went on scrambling like a crab for shore. "You ought to have seen them tumble down. Our acting colonel (W. S. Tilton), went down flat into the river, and wet himself all over, so did Bob, and got soaked. * * * I did not fall once. I did not dry myself, but slept under some straw. 3° FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. and this morning am all right and ^teaming. * * * The 'rebs' bad about ten or twenty thousand troops pouring down upon us; it seems they crossed the nigbt before, and set a trap to cut us all up when we crossed, but thank Heaven ! our sharpshooters and cannon « * * saved us. * * * We had no hard fight ; we only discovered the enemy in force, and caused him, perhaps, to take too much notice for his own good. " McClellan rode by us on his re- turn to camp, and he looked pleased as if everything had worked to his satisfaction. You will probably see the details of this affair in the papers. Oh ! if I could only see a Boston Journal. We have not had a mail for a week and a half, and have not been permitted to write home during these battles. * * * When I read the accounts of the fight in which we were engaged across the river, I am only thankful that we escaped so well ; it was a pretty bout after all. * * * Of course, in retreating down the precipice (as it were), we could not go in perfect line of battle, neither in going across the river, as the current was so swift. * * * I read ' Carleton's ' account again, and also 'why the fight was not renewed,' and the report that Martindale's bri- gade got into an ambuscade when they crossed the river, and was roughly handled, the latter a misera- ble hoa.x. * * * Most of the boys have given out on shoe leather, but Bob and I still hold on ; God bless those shoes ! If it had not been for them, what should we have done ? They have not even commenced to wear out. The maker of them — Wil- liams — is now in a better land, and will peg and sew no more. He was shot on Wednesday, as were many more of the Thirty-fifth. Ed. Mor- rill was shot through the foot. Have n't heard about Haze (Good- rich), but hope he is safe- I hear that Fred Brooks, Flanders, Cram and Nichols all are wounded, and thus it is with war. Horrid ! and how my whole soul is troubled when I think of these associations severed, these hearts crushed ; may you all be spared the sorrow of some, but O Father, you can scarcely know the dangers to which your affection- ate boys are subjected, both on the field of battle and the low-minded camp. My mind is turning fondly to you all at home this beautiful Sab- bath mornipg, and how I wish I were with you, but my work must be done before I ever see you again, and that it may be done in earnest, quickly, and I be an humble instrument in the grand resulting victory, is the hopeful prayer of your affectionate son. It is hard to write in this army. Love to all, and kiss them all for Bob and myself." " In Camp, near Sharps- burg, ON THE Potomac side, Sept. 23, 1862. The letters of our brothers, Walter and Bob, now say : "As soon as I finished my letter to father on Sunday, I went down from tlie woods to the camp, and there found Gene waiting for me. He had been relieved from his pris- ioner guarding by a regiment of our brigade (Martindale's now FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. 31 commanded by Colonel [James] Barnes of Massachusetts, senior colonel of the brigade, and until recently, in the Bull Run fight, and sometime since by Colonel [Charles W.] Roberts of the Second Maine, a brave officer and better liked than Barnes), and is now on the provost guard, aad acts with Frank's com- pany as a part of Mac's' body-guard. I was glad enough to see him, I can assure you. He is in camp about three miles from us. I can- not get down so far to see him, but he can come and see us daily if he chooses. * * * He told us if we were wounded, to ask to be carried to McClellan's headquarters, and he would see to it that we were well taken care of by a good surgeon. * * * J know that is what dear mother fears, that we will get wounded, and either die on the field, or get into some iaw-hone hospital, and to teli the truth that is what I fear most myself. I do n't fear to go into battle, for last week I was as cool all through it as could be; neither do I fear the wounds, or even death itself, for * * * that is what I came out for, if need be to give up my life in defense of my country, but it is the thought that I shall be uncared for, that I shall be buried where no loving hand can strew flowers and shed tears of love over rriy grave. Oh ! I have seen too much of that already. After a big battle, they tumble them in without marh or sign * * * "He showed me your letter of September 3th to him, and I was overjoyed to see it. It was so much in the same loving, motherly strain. and so full of tender anxiety for her boys. How is it that we can ever forget such an interest, and fail to repay such with kindness, when we are at home, when opportunities are so frequently offered ? " Gene left us, promising to call again. He spoke of the possibility of his getting a Massachusetts regi- ment; he said it was easy enough, if some one would influence Governor Andrew to ask his release from (the) regular service, he thinks they would grant it readily. "Since Sunday I have been on picket on the banks of the Potomac. Our whole corps occupy the posi- tion in front where the rebels ap- peared in force, and compelled our small force to retreat across the river on Saturday. Three regiments go on at night, alternately, and stay until the next night. We all sleep on the bank of a canal, and on the tow-path post our sentinels during the night. Our object is to look out for the 'rebs,' and give the alarm. Their sharpshooters are stationed on the opposite bank, 500 yards, and we pop away at each other well. All day long matters of interest were continually taking place. I only suffered at night in the canal, I could n't sleep I was so cold ; we were relieved last night, and are in camp to-day. Our stragglers are fast coming up, thanks to the provost guard ; Frank and LeRoy are still missing though. * * * Quite a number of ambulances were over yesterday, under a flag of truce, to get the wounded and bury dead. Fifty men went over with them for the latter purpose. If man can't 32 FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. stand a cold on the lutlgs he must die, that's all. There are poor fel- lows now in our regiment who are sick and past recovery, yet they lin- ger on, in hopes, perhaps, that a welcome bullet may bring peace to their weary bodies ; if they ever do get home it will be to die. * * * I know not what they mean by not drilling us ; we do not understand anything as yet of field movements, and what a poor show we shall make on the battle-field ; all confusion and disorder. " I saw something of it last Satur- day while recrossing the river; it was an orderly retreat, yet everything was out of place. I was excited some- what when I came back, for I heard nothing but our Parrot shells scream- ing over our heads into the ranks of the enemy, and their mini^ balls whizzing past our ears. On Wed- nesday, while being held in reserve, I went up on the hill several times, back oE where our brigade was drawn up, and I saw our 20-pound Parrots drop their shells into the enemy's ranks, and saw Meagher's Irish bri- gade charge on the 'rebs ' and waver- ing once, charge again, with victory as their bloody purchase. I could hear Burnside on the left, as he fought to take the Stone Bridge at all hazards, flanked by woody hills, filled with rebel riflemen, and the next day I saw the result of that hard fought ground where so many were lying around me. I saw one poor fellow who had lain all night with a bullet in his brain, wholly unconscious, yet breathing still in perfect spasms, as his life blood ebbed away ; it was a gone case, and, ere this, he has gone forever from earthly battle-fields. * * * We had to lie to all day and night under a hill, in reserve, supporting some 20-pound Parrot guns. The shells came over that day just enough for me to get used to them ; one burst within five rods of me. General McClellan went by us to cheer up the men about two or three o'clock ; he took off his hat to us when we hurrahed, * * * You ought to see a great battle as I have seen one ; * * * You at home can never realize the horrors : the con- tinual rear of cannon ; the bursting of shells around you ; the rattling of musketry ; the dense smoke, etc., make it a grand, sight ; but marching over it the next day, was what would make your heart bleed, dear mother. The brave and lion-hearted patriots lay dead and dying all around ; the blackened corpses that had not been buried, lay out in a heavy shower, that we had to march through. " When the sun came out, oh, heav- ens, what a smell. I have done picket duty within a few yards of a dead horse for thirty-six hours, and gone by any quantity of them, but the decaying bodies of men beat any- thing I ever smelt, and to think, too, that they had to die without a mother's tear, or a friendly care ; and not to be recognized, but to be shoved in a little hole, that is just what I don't relish. I don't fear the fight at all, but it is getting wounded and having to suffer and die on the battle-field. * * » Were n't they excited in Haverhill when they heard of the Thirty-fifth being so cut up .' Company G got FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. 33 into a cross-fire which killed eight, and wounded thirty more : among the killed was Clarence Woodman. Poor fellow ! he lay with his head down hill, the blood settled in his neck, and he was an awful looking object. A cannon-ball killed him. * * * We whipped them awfully that day, as you will see by the papers, but with a heavy loss on our side of ofificers and men. * * * I send you a Baltimore Clipjjer, with a detailed account of the great Bat- tle of Antietam. * * * Mother may bless the day that Fitz John Porter's corps was in reserve, for had we gone into that fight, we should have been all cut up, and perhaps * * * my body would have been this day lying under the sod on the banks of Antietam creek, * * * and sure I am that many of our boys would be low in the dust now. * * * Oh ! if you could have seen the sights that I have seen : the poor fellows strewn around * * * j^gt as they were charging across the bridge, full of savage fight ; but, alas, the unerring bullet through the brain ended their brief resolve ' to do, or die ! ' "Thursday, we went through the rain over the celebrated bridge where the terrible fighting was. We were on picket that night, and exchanged shots with the ' rebs.' The next morn- ing we started after them. * * * Why in the name of heaven McClel- lan did not let our corps finish up the ' rebs,' and why he did not renew the battle on Thursday, and follow speedily across the river, I can 't understand. It looks to me as though it would have been better to have crushed them with fresh troops on Thursday, than to have them skedaddle off under the pre- text of burying their dead in plain sight of our general. I am provoked, perhaps, without cause, but I cannot help feeling that it prolongs this hor- rid war. * * * Why we are not ordered to whip the enemy » * * is more than I know. * » * "Carleton's account of it in the Journal that Father sent me was su- perb; it was just as I witnessed the fight, where Hooker, brave and gal- lant, fought and fell. I agree with Carleton, and wonder when the fight was waning and well-nigh lost on the left that Porter or Sykes was not ordered to the support, and win the day, and not let the sun go down on an undecided fight, to be opened on the morrow by an agreement to bury the dead, under which plea the whole rebel army prepared to retreat, and which they carried out on Friday morning (when we were ordered for- ward to Sharpsburg), to our shame, without much loss to their rear guard. Now, why not whip them on Wednesday with fresh men, and on Thursday beat them with Pennsyl- vania reserves at Hagerstown, and on Friday cut them up on the re- treat, with our cavalry and light bat- teries, while they were being pushed into the river at the point of the bayonet, and amid our Parrot shells ? We could have done it ! Why not .' Time will tell ! Now the papers are freighted with the welcome (.-') intel- ligence that the rebels are in force across the river, advantageously posted, etc., and peace is proposed to us in haughty terms, they claiming 34 FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. the victories of South Mountain and Antietam. * * * " Now follows a letter from our brother in the artillery : "Fort Tillinghast, Sept. 26, 1862. '• I am now out of the hospital, but am not quite able to do duty. * * I was quite sick for a time, but now my skin is getting bleached out once more, by the use of pills, castor oil, turpentine, and rhubarb. Mother asked me some questions about the loss of things : I have not had a thing made up to me, and what I get I have to pay for. I have drawn a blanket, but the nights are very cold here now, and I need a quilt or something of that sort. We are not in barracks, but have had to go into our tents ; but I ought not to com- plain, for we are leading a life of luxury to some of the poor soldiers on the march. Poor Walt and Bob ! I think of them often, for I do not doubt they have had to throw away everything. It cannot be helped while soldiers are on a march, loaded down with a heavy cartridge-box, with forty rounds, cross belt, haver- sack with two or three days' rations, and a heavy gun and bayonet. When the old troops left, I found a good knapsack and overcoat ; the coat was full of vermin, so I had to leave it, but I will not have to draw a knapsack. "A regular imposition is practised upon the soldiers, for instance, the poor fellows from the peninsula were compelled, by their officers, to throw away everything they possessed two or three times, and then to draw everything new. Yesterday, the Eleventh Massachusetts, which now number scarcely one hundred and fifty men, and have received no pay for over four months, were paid off, and most of them did n't get more than five or six dollars, as all of these things which they were or- dered to throw away, and which they could not possibly carry, were charged to them : thus these poor fellows, after undergoing everything but death itself, were robbed of even the small pay which they had so nobly earned. " If they treat soldiers in this way, they will fight no more. * * * Two of our companies, ' I ' and 'H,' went to Harper's Ferry last night, where they are to garrison some of the fortifications, but we have probably got a steady situation now. This regi- ment is the envy of the other regi- ments, for we have a comparatively easy time to them, yet we have seen some rather hard times, and may see more. * * * i suppose you know that Barnes commands the brigade in which our brothers are. It seems as though God protected them, for part of that brigade went over the river, and were nearly all massacred. * * * The Pennsylvania regiment lay near us before the advance, and it was a very fine regiment, with full ranks, but to-day they are, nearly all of them, in their graves." Note. — The ofiPcial losses in the One Hundred and Eighteenth Penn- sylvania were as follows : Three offi- cers and sixty men killed ; four offi- cers and ninety-seven men wounded; three officers and one hundred and two men missing. (The latter were nearly all taken prisoners, parts of two companies only returning to tell the tale). FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. 35 " General Martindale is sick. It is foolishness to send anything to a regimental hospital, for a sick sol- dier seldom gets the benefit. The cooks, hospital steward, doctors, waiters, and ' hangers on ' devour everything they can lay their hands on, and if a soldier is very sick, and has no money, God help him ! In a general hospital there is more sys- tem, and they get more benefit from contributions. In the .hospitals, the attendants witness such scenes of want and misery that their hearts be- come hardened, and only when a , man is nearly dead do they begin to notice him, and then it is often too late. Write soon, for you do n't know how much better it makes me feel to get a letter from home." Our brothers, Walter and Bob, now say in their letters dated : " On Picket on the Banks of THE River Opposite Shep- ARDSTOWN, Sept. 26-29, 1862. "We are now having comparative rest after our long march, but at best camp life, and duties with it, is hard, and it is only in periods that the lazy days come, and then it takes all the time to rest. I am tired enough, for we few boys had to do all the guard duty for our reginaent on the march^ and it takes hold to march all day, and stand guard all night ; and now what makes it most aggravating, our sergeant puts it on just the same, although many of the old men are with us now. Besides, we have put up officers' tents and dig sinks and other fatigue duty. It is altogether worse than I could possibly have imagined before I left home. Verily our beloved country is worth a vast deal to have its integrity maintained at such a cost of suffering and hard- ship, as is endured in the army. "We recruits are getting kicked round pretty well now ; we do all the duty in our company, and they call us d d recruits, etc., etc. * * * I put up with things from minor officers, petty officers, and even pri- vates without a murmur, which I would have resented with a blow if I had been at home. But it is no go here, I have to submit or else bear- rested. * * * Captain Thomp- son * * * is sici^; now, and at- tends to no duty, and we have run behind in drill. Our drill-master (Sergeant William Salter), has gone to a hospital sick, and common pri- vates, grown old in sin and musty in discipline, are detailed to go through the movements with us. They are sick of soldiering, and have no ambi- tion to teach others, and we are, con- sequently, minus in that department. I only hope that it will be remedied. * * * Captain T. is one of those kinds of men not at all genial, or easy to get acquainted with. He is not in the least upper crust, for he messes with his men, and hates salutations and red tape, but he is a stern man, hard to get on the right side of, and difficult to under- stand ; and now, while sick, is grouty and cross. He is a brave man, and a good officer, I guess, but, as a man, with all the feelings natural to us, I don't think much of him." Note. — He obtained a sick leave, upon the expiration of which he failed to return, and was cashiered. He, with other captains in the regi- 36 FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. ment, felt sorely aggrieved (and well they might), because the regimental adjutant, First Lieutenant Thomas Sherwin, Jr., had been promoted to be major of the regiment over their heads, and they took this method of getting out of the service, rather than to serve under him, their resignations having been refused. "Our second lieutenant is a young man (Edwin C. Bennett) I used to know when in S. B. Pierce's. * * * We shall be on the march in a few days for Virginia, and then for the danger. Don't make my unworthy letters too public, mother ; my writ- ing is necessarily bad ; my paper dirty, etc. I have to beg paper and envelopes, my writing-desk being left behind ; I am used up for everything. * * * A box might be sent di- rected to the care of 'Captain J. J. Thompson, Twenty-second regiment, Harnden's Express,' and it might reach me sooner or later, depending greatly on our moving. A fellow had a box come S.iturday, and was obliged to leave all his ' fod ' (food) behind for a trip across the river; when he had returned it had disap- peared ; was n't it too bad ">. I must close now for a day or two, for we are going on picket now down to the river.'' " Sunday, Sept. 29, 1862. "We have changed camp to a neater, cleaner place, only a few rods from our old place. I was down to the Potomac this morning, and washed myself, shirt, and stock- ings, and while they wtre drying, swam into the midflle of the river. The rebel pickets do not fire at us now; we made an agreement to that effect. * * * It was pretty lonely guard duty for me. I was sick with ray cold, and had a headache and symptoms of dyspepsia (the latter most nauseating). While I lay sick, during my time of relief. Bob, who, was two or three posts above me, was writing to yoii, and I got him to excuse me in it for not finishing this sooner. I am much better to-day, though my cold is still bad, and I sleep on the ground at night, and have perfect horrors in the choking, coughing line. I thought I could stand this cursed climate, but I give in. Shall be dead if I stay here much longer, and if I ever do get home, it will be hard to recruit, if I don't get this cough off me. I am going to try our doctor once more, and present claims for his highest skill. I hope to be better soon, at least before we march into Dixie, never to return until we have swept the originators of this wicked re- bellion into purgatory. * * * Last night we gathered around a camp-fire for the first time in Mary- land, and we had a jolly time; we sung all our songs, and a lot of boys joined in with * * * of sacred hymns. We talked of home and spent a very pleasant evening. Bob went to bed slightly sick ; he had a toothache and a headache ; he is bet- ter this morning after tending to the wants o£ his inner tabernacle. We have not been allowed to build regu- lar camp-fires before. I am afraid our little general is letting the ' rebs ' have too much time to recruit their wasted energies ; he ought to follow up a retreat more promptly in my great military opine. Captain T. has gone to Washington, for how long I FOUR 'BROTHERS IN BLUE. 37 know not. Gene has n't been here since last time. Bob and I intend going over to see him to-morrow if we can get a pass from headquarters. We iliall manage, to be in at dinner time. * * * " September 30. Since I stopped last, I have been on picket again. We are there all the time, and when I do commence this letter, I have to keep stopping * * * to do duty. They can talk about the Army of the Potomac resting from their labors, but I say we have to work as hard as ever. I would rather be on the march after the ' rebs,' who, I fear, are now resting and recruiting. "They say we are stopping to have the quartermaster clothe and fix us up, but most of us have signed for blankets, etc., sometime since, and have, as yet, not seen them. I see indications, by papers and other- wise, of Gene's being appointed to the colonelcy of the Forty-eighth Massa- chusetts regiment, nine months vol- unteers. It will be a good thing for him. * * * While on picket this time (only since yesterday morning until this noon), we have had a splendid tirne bathing, eating, etc. At night, General Sykes' band played, and it did sound beautifully rim ; I can't even wash them. * * * all you hear about our receiving vegetables, or anything but 'hard-tack,' 'salt-horse,' sugar and coffee (in small quantities), with beans, rice, and fresh beef occasionally, is humbug. We are much obliged to father for list of nine months Bradford recVuits. " October 3. — You must have been so anxious during our long, unavoid- able silence, since we left Virginia's shore ; but, after many tribulations, we have reached the River Jordan, and now are on our oars. To-day most of our regiment have gone on picket again, but Bob and myself were detailed to lug water all day ; no easy job. We have only two pails for coffee to bring up to-night, and, in the meantime, being relieved from all other duty. Bob is writing to father, and I am trying to do your letter all the justice it de- serves. We are within three miles of Sharpsburg, and about a mile from the river. * * « We have decent food in camp now; have to go on picket, fatigue duty, etc., * * * which keeps us pretty well to work. * * * We have to go almost to the river, through a beautiful piece of woods to get it (water) ; when on picket we do n't beside the Potomac. Some of our have anything to do, as the ' rebs ' familiar tunes made me hinder home-sick. They played : ' Wood Up,' 'Annie Laurie,' ' Silvery Shower,' and 'Dixie.' It was a rich treat. I wish we had a band. We could n't go to see Gene yesterday, as we in- tended, on account of picket duty. It is too late to-day to try. My ears are burned raw, my cap having no do n't shoot at us, and we do n't at them. We were on picket when those 400 prisoners were paroled, and had to cross the river. They were a motley looking crew ; but, nevertheless, the officers were smart looking fellows, some of them. Shepardstown is about a mile across the river, above Blackburn's (Black- 38 FOUR BROTHERS IK BLUE. ford's) ford, where we went across. McClellan's headquarters have been within two miles of us. * * * Gene looks rather thin, but pretty well. * * * jt rained last night, and for once I had the shelter of a tent, and a borrowed overcoat and rubber blanket for my portion. I slept well. I went to see the doc- tor this morning, and he gave me licorice to chew for my cold, and a big pill. He said I must take the lat- ter at night and be covered warm. The latter is a leeth difficult, for all the boys are away, and all their rags are with them. A poor fellow in the Michigan regiment (First), fell down dead while digging a trench around his tent, prior to the approaching shower. He gave some one his ad- dress in the morning and told them to ' send him home to-morrow,' as he should 'be dead before night.' They laughed at him, and now his lifeless body is on its way to a Western home of sadness. To day, in the same regiment, a fellow threw an old shell (as he supposed), into the fire, and it burst, killing one man and wounding three. Isn't it dreadful.? All this in plain sight of camp. My cold is some better, but I hack dreadfully. "Abraham Lincoln is expected to pay the army a visit to-morrow. We are under orders to turn out at a moment's notice ^icdl rlijfied.' * * * I have been on review, and have seen Father Abraham.' He reviewed the whole army; it was a splendid sight. He looks the same as his pictures, though much more careworn ; one of his feet is in the grave. * * * The presi- dent was attended by ' Little Mac,' on his right hand and F. J. Porter on his left, with their staffs and body-guards. * * * He rode by and between each regiment, so that he came within a rod of me, as also did ' Little Mac' We stayed about five hours in the hot sun, and while most of them were growling, I stood it like a ' major,' being used to the heat. Our brother, Walter, says : ' It gave me the headache dread- fully.' * * * " I am suffering with diarrhoea, and have been for three weeks ; they say it is lying on the ground that causes it. Our doctor says it is owing to the hard, limy water we drink. One thing is certain, ' Camp Baker Cor- dial' doesn't affect it in the least; it weakens me dreadfully. * * * Asa Fletcher, our friend from Win- chester, who was with us so long, was terribly wounded in the late battle ; he left us on the march to join the Andrew's sharpshooters, for which company he enlisted, and was wounded the time the captain was killed. He is a first-rate man, and a friend of Uncle John's." Our regiment is back, and I have to go on (/revs 'parade. I am also on guard to-night. " For our seeming lack of prudence in leaving behind and throwing away so many things so essential to our comfort, we were accused by our father with a lack of ' good general- ship,' etc., etc., and were criticised rather severely for the same. •'To this we responded with much spirit in two very long letters, which, although written in the midst of sick- ness and distress,' are characterized FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. 39 by a vein of good humor and apt il- lustrations. But beyond detailing all the harassing incidents of our first long march to Sharpsburg, the weight, piece by piece, of our wet loads, the dreadful heat, which was g8° ; and stating as our belief that these things, which we were told to leave back near Rockville, were to be sent forward to us very soon in the teams; their contents would be but a repetition of the other letters. They are, however, very amusing as an unanswerable argument from a soldier's standpoint to our non-com- batant, lawyer father, who was view- ing matters, as were many others, through glasses at a secure and com- fortable home station." Our brother in the forts now writes : " Fort Tillinghast, October 3, 1862. " I suppose you have, ere this, re- ceived long and interesting letters from Walt and Bob, giving you a graphic account of the horrid battles of Antietam. It was a dear bought victory, and will cause many a bitter tear at the North. As Gene or my other brothers never write to me, I shall expect to hear from them through you at home. Night before last I was on guard for the first time since I returned from the hospital, and it was quite an exciting night, for nearly 25,000 troops took their departure to join the army of Mc- Clellan, and another large force went in the direction of Centreville. Regi- ments continually come over the bridge, but they are very green, and they have to keep them here for two or three weeks before they are fit to take the field, and even then, they are not what they should be ; but something has got to be done within the coming eight weeks, for by that time we shall be again wallowing in the mud, and another winter of inac- tivity would stare us in the face; but I think McClellan will be at them before long, and God grant that he may be victorious, and that this un- happy war may be. brought to a speedy close, for it is fast ruining the country. I lately found out that I had a relative in this regiment, Aus- tin Carter, a son of Uncle Henry's ; he made me a call to-day. About half of our company are sick with the same complaint I was troubled with, but in a lighter form ; yet they are not fit for duty. The doctor says it is owing to the manner in which we live. We have not been paid for four months; we have a company fund of $200, but the officer who has it in charge, spends it, as he has no money from the government, and when we try to get him to buy some- thing to eat for us, he makes all sorts of excuses, but we do n't see the grub. It is salt horse, bread and oak leaf gruel every day except Sundaysv when we have a luxury, baked beans. I wish I had some of your ginger- bread and doughnuts; I do really hanker for something of that sort. We have got our tents stockaded for the winter, but we will not be allowed any fire in them, as we are in the fort, and it will not do to have fire near the magazines. We are having six additional guns placed in the fort, and a whole regiment of engineers are digging rifle-pits and breast- works between the forts. Secesh 40 FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. would stand a poor sight if the^ ad- vanced on the capital in this direc- tion. I saw a Salem paper the other day, which said that the Forty-eighth Regiment would be commanded by Colonel Carter, with E. P. Stone as lieutenant-colonel. Has it been de- cided upon, and can Gene get his leave .'' I hope so. I am now pretty well, but I do not feel as I did be- fore, and am quite thin. Since I have been here, I have weighed nearly one hundred and fifty ; to-day I weighed one hundred and fifteen. I regret to tell you that Uncle William has been missing for a long time ; Lewis has not heard from him since June, and he is re- ported as missing. He thinks him either dead or a prisoner, as he prom- ised to write soon Some- thing has surely befallen him, yet Lewis still has hopes of hearing from him ; he used to write quite often to him What horrible work the rebels made in that Haverhill company. I am so thankful that Robert and Walter escaped ; but the poor boys have yet to meet the enemy ; but I have a sort of feeling that they are not destined to die by a butternut bullet." The two brothers in the Twenty- second Massachusetts now write : "October 5, 1862. "We did n't have baked beans to- day, for the reason that we could n't draw the pork ; but instead of that luxury, we had a most acceptable mail brought in, of which Bob and myself received a good share, letters and papers For them accept our best thanks, for they serve to while many of our weary hours away, as we pass in our weary pilgrimage Within three nights I have enjoyed an overcoat, a tent, and a woolen blanket. To-day I drew a blouse, and to-morrow the ponchos are coming, ' so they say,' and with this let me say that the doctor has taken me in hand, and under bis treatment I am almost well of my cough and cold, thanks to pills, etc. I have done duty always, never so used up but what I could do my share of work, and I never shirk un- der the plea of temporary ailment ; my diarrhoea is getting to be much better and I feel like my old self again. To-day I am on fatigue, and this holy forenoon has been alter- nately employed, the first half in digging a trench for slops, and the other in attending divine service in front of Colonel Barnes's headquarters. I listened to a most eloquent and in- teresting address from the chaplain of the One Hundred and Eighteenth Pennsylvania. The opposite ex- tremes met there surely I hope we shall soon see a fight. I am anxious to show a little of my essence, for I believe I would never leave a good field and a fair show for victory, until death was my only al- ternative, and then I should hesitate. . . I think of poor J's death, and her sleeping in the quiet grave- yard, but such is life ; we are all des- tined sooner or later to pass from this world to another. It must be considered a great blessing to be buried at home, and if I am killed in battle, I should wish to be brought home, and buried according to the laws of civilization, not as I have seen them here, like dogs." FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. 41 Our brother at McClellan's head- quarters now writes : '' Camp Near Shakpsburg, October 5, 1862. "Enclosed, please find a group of Captain Frank, Lieutenant Worth, and your humble servant ; although not very good, you can form some idea how we look. I wish Lieuten- ants Andrews and Cooper were here. " October 9. " The regiment was ordered out without arms, and was marched a few rods to the left of the camp to clear up a piece of ground, for the purpose of shifting camp. We had the rocks well gathered up in heaps, when further progress was stopped by the major of Berdan's Sharp- shooters (ist), who came out, and No. 1. Group of officers of tlie Eighth U. S. Infantry at General McClellan's headquar- ters, iiearSliarpsburg.Md., October, 1862. Beginning on the left, as one faces the picture. No. 1, is First Lieut. Eugene Carter (sitting). No. 2. Capt. Royal T. Frank (now colonel •First U. S. Artillery), standing. No. 3; Second Lieut. Wm. S. Worth (now lieut. -colonel Thirteenth U. S. Infantry). All are saying, " What (),o I want, John? " We then would have a group of the claimed the ground ; so we went back Light Infantry ; they went out riding to quarters to await further orders, this morning, and have not returned. Had our usual squad and company I have just commenced my twenty- drill. Battalion drill was had in the fifth year. Why do n't I hear from afternoon, and dress parade. Just at some of you.' It is very strange ; I sunset one of the batteries fired a receive no letters at all. I shall try few shots over the river, but received to see Walt and Bob to-morrow. " We were inspected October 7 by Colonel A. S. Webb, inspector- general on General Porter's staff. Line was formed in four and one half minutes." no reply." " October 10. "Drilled in the forenoon. Com- menced to rain towards night. No dress parade. In the afternoon a sutler came into camp with bread to 42 FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. sell. Not being able to deal it out this old yellow corn in an old iron fast enough, and charging exorbitant pan; it tasted good, and most of it rates, Colonel Barnes confiscated the reminded me of the leavings at home entire lot. October li and 12. — the 'old maids ' in the bottom of Cold and rainy." the dish. They tasted even better The brothers, Walter and. Bob now tfian those at home, for Bob cooked . them in pork fat and let them do "Sunday, October 12, 1862. brown and crispy. I got hold of "To-day has been a day of rest for some fresh bread and gingerbread me, and I cannot let it close without that some of our boys cleaned out of writing for once a short letter home, a transient sutler, who had no license. I have had a good quality of food to- and that went good between us. day, and that has seemed to content They do the same with every one me, for my stomach has been at ease, who comes along, and declare they . and not continually yearning for a will continue to do so, until Uncle fulness scarcely ever satisfied in this Sam comes along with his iron box. barren land. l' have had a plate of The boys are expecting him daily; baked beans for breakfast, and some we recruits will not get a cent, as soup made of the water in which our they left us out when the regiment meat was boiled, and rice, beef, pep- was mustered. per, etc., boiled in with the mess for "We still continue in our daily dinner. Very rich living that ! The duties of picket and camp guard, surgeon came to our company, and some drilling, fatigue duty for shoul- said that we must have food of that der straps, company police duty, kind, or else we would all die, so our cleaning up street, inspections, dress cook (Hazen Clements), .... parade, etc. Still there are many pitched in and got up this savory idle hours, and I try to improve them dish. I have been to meeting twice by writing to you at home, reading in the open air, and heard very fine books, and other avocations. I often addresses delivered by Pennsylvania am ambitious enough to take my and Michigan chaplains; it was a rich ' tactics,' and study it, but I find the treat. You ought to have seen these finer senses of understanding are old veterans weep when the preacher dulled by the influences around me, alluded to the dear ones at home, and it affects the mental powers, I whom they had not seen for years; do verily believe, as it does the and it affected me, I assure you, physical. . . . Bob and I got to hear the many tender allu- a pass Saturday, and started for sions these two good men made McClellan's headquarters to see Gene, about our relations wiih the dear We started in high glee, in bright home circles left so far behind. How anticipations of a pleasant visit and a I wish we had a chaplain ; but all good time, for we had worked hard sich, sutlers included, are denied us. for the pass, and three officers' names Bob is on guard, and during the time had to be affixed before we could of his relief, he has been popping start. -«M •0,0 t- OJ C .. «Sgg^^ - ™ O H W r^ tj --^ jj ^ ^3 ffl .O'O ri OJ P^ §3^.2.3 §M T3 3 4J +J R to '-' O u5 [D "^ "^ o- • aS-BS-a'-'Q ce« a 03 « &! T -^'S^'O 9 "> m rt =0 O ri ft s - +3 t^ (D l> +f --^,_^ _ fl 0) xiccl OSbO l^gooa^a m+J » ^ ceo d tH g3 t< Qjp:;^^ o5°^a^ws a o a' ;a. cTta a Co S-S iM o " a S a a o Po-ioa!>i'a 44 FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. " When we got there we found no headquarters, and 'Little Mac' had flown to Harper's Ferry with the provost guard, Gene and all. Wasn't that a disappointment ? We had to come back without seeing him. There are rumors in camp to-day that we leave for Washington in less than a week to take up our winter quarters. There are many other reports, but I never give credence to them, and scarcely ever repeat them. The 'secesh' prisoners near us say that if it was not for the last procla- mation the trouble would have been settled this winter. A pretty dodge that! How artful in them I I have slept well the last two nights under a blanket. Do not be too an.xious. I shall soon manage to be all right. It is growing terribly cold, and the leaves are falling. "Thursday morning, October i6, 1S62, my birthday. On reserve picket above Shepardstown, Md..' (Va.) "On the 13th of October it was cold and dreary, raining at intervals, but on the 14th it cleared, but it grew very cold. Men suffered much for clothing. About two hundred shelter-tents were issued to the com- mand. Had battalion drill. It was a very busy day on the 15th, pitch- ing tents and trying to make our- selves comfortable. Received first mail for a week.'' Our brother Walter writes: "To-day I am twenty years old, and I confess I am astonished ; it has come upon me unawares, and really it does seem as though time had stolen a march on me. I celebrated this morn by getting a breakfast with another young man of H. at a farm-house. I paid fifty cents for the two of us, and it was a decent meal. We had bread and poor butter, miildUiKj coffee, stewed mutton, cold ham, and some Stew- art's syrup ; the first time I have sat down to a morning repast for a month and a half. I have not even sat down in a chair, the ground being the resting place for my sore limbs and racked hips. I saw something of the mode of living in this heathen country by this transitory repast. The old woman sat at the head of the table in a high-backed chair, cane seat, and the legs were up from the floor, and she leaning towards the table, and when eating, one of her elbows was continually on; when she replenished the bread plate (the loaf lying beside her), she would seize her knife and gouge out half the loaf, and then turning it around would repeat the operation. Such half slices you never saw; thick, thin, and hacked from every side, and she with head down, leaning forward and pulling away at it. I thought . . . how long it would take you. to teach her to cut some of your neat, even slices of bread. '•• Every one of the family used their own knife for butter and syrup, and it made no difference whether it came from the mouth or not ; into the plates of butter and syrup it would go. Down came the children, one by one, hair uncombed, faces dirty, and they pitched in 'lemons,' their noses receiving the application of their fingers for want of rags. FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. 45 though there were plenty of them on the poor urchins. My hair was uncombed, but it was because I could n't comb it, it being too short as yet. This is the way they live ; is n't it horrid ? While I write our cavalry are crossing the river, and our army, and I hope it will teach us a lesson. Captain (Thompson) has resigned, but it will not be accepted, and he is expected back from W. He has been there long enough, his furlough having long since run out. . . . We have an inspection of the head of the colu.mn is at Shep- ourselves every day in camp, to pre- ardstown. The rebel pickets are vent our bodily enemies coming the firing, skedaddling as they run. All the brigades are under arms to-night, except ours (which is on picket), and the whole army was crossing last night. I can hear the booming of cannon, and everything betokens a flank movement on us; you may start at the word lice, in the peace- ful, cleanly cottage in Bradford ; so did I, at first, but now it is our fami- ly conversation here, while armies of them invade our borders. I am not fight; what our army does must be troubled much, but some of the boys done now, for in a month the roads are. It is perfectly horrid, and too will be impassable, and the winter disgusting to us, but we have to season will usher in winter quarters come to it on account of others. I for the men. We may now cross as have to be plain on such a subject. soon as we are relieved.'' Note. — The foregoing movement of troops proved to be a reconnois- sance in force in the direction of Charlestown, Bunker Hill, and Win- chester, by Generals Hanpock and Humphreys. " Griffin's and Butterfield's bri- gades, of our division have gone over, and Martindale's will follow, very likely. Bob is back at camp, and I only hope h^ will get a mail. I wish Father would send me a paper with a detailed account of the ' re- but I shall not. broach it often. I am quite well now, except a hoarse- ness in my throat. My voice for singing has been gone for some time. I do n't know when I shall get over it. It is a cold, raw day, and the wind blows just as it does at home these fall days. I hear the rustling of the corn, and the leaves falling from the trees. I long to get back to camp ; we have been out two days, and to-night sees us through. I have got to stand extra to-night, one of our number being sick ; there are fewer on post ; one sick, and one view,' by President Lincoln, if he a corporal, leaving mvself and Craig can get it. I saw a paper for the first time during the week, and I was surprised to learn of the two Union victories at Corinth and Per- ryville, and how I hope the latter (a lad from Boston), to stand guard the twelve hours of the night. I guess I can stand it. How often do I think of you all, and many things besides, during the long hours of was followed up. The cavalry raid the night guard, especially when on by the rebel Stuart is a disgrace to picket." 46 FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. " Bv Camp-fike, 8 p. m. "Since I finished my letter to Mother this afternoon, I have had to take Newman up to camp, three miles distant, a sick man. They have orders to move with two days' rations. (Midnight). My two hours on post are just out, and I will say a few words more. It is hard to write by the fire, but my last hour has been spent in reading Charles Sum- ner's splendid speech, and if I can read, I can write. Did you read Dickinson's great speech in New York a few days since? It was a magnificent harangue. We shall march to-day, probably, and already I begin to smell fight. We go as reinforcements to the contending parties on the other side ; the battle will probably be renewed in the morning. It has been raining like guns all the first part of the night, but it is now starlight. (Heavy thun- der-storm). I was pretty wet ; we had to stand and take it. I do n't know when I shall write again. " When shivering with cold, with- out shelter, and awaiting the tardy issuing of blankets, shoes, shelter tents, etc., at Sharpsburg, we had first tried to see, then had written, our brother, who was in camp in the beautiful Pleasant Valley, at Knox- ville, near Harper's Ferry, and on the fourteenth, we received the fol- lowing reply. " But upon going over to get them, found he had gone on furlough, and before another letter could reach the camp of the Eighth, it had vanished, we knew not where, and we were doomed to shiver the long nights out in patient waiting and suffering. Cami' neak Norfolk (.') (Knox- ville), beyond Hakpek's Ferky, and in Pleasant Valley, Octo- ber 14, 1862. " Dear Brothers : I received your letter this morning, and answer im- mediately. I think you are a little hard on me. . . . God knows I would see you every day if I could, but you must know I am nearly twenty miles from you by the road, and besides, my duties are many. I am quartermaster and commissary for the five companies of the Eighth Infantry, besides commanding my own company. Why, in God's name, did you not tell me that you were wanting blankets when I saw you ? . . . If you want anything that I can give you, always ask for it; do not forget that I am your brother, and that, whatever I have, I shall always gladly share with you, even to my last shirt. . . Kate . . . told me of Julia J.'s death. I wish my pen could do my thoughts justice, for I always liked her so much. But soldiers have no time to think of the dead ; a sudden pang, a tear, and all is forgotten for the time. . . . As to your blankets, what kind of a quartermaster have you .' I would give you money, and would give you blankets from my own bed, if I could get them to you, but that seems impossible. The only way I know of is to go to the quartermaster of the Third United States Infantry, which is encamped somewhere near you, with the enclosed note. I do not know about the Forty-eighth regiment. I may be colonel of it, and I may not ; I do not care much either way. You would never be- FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. 47 Heve me when I told you how volun- teer soldiers had to suffer, notwith- standing all my experience. I wish I could see you; write to me again shortly, and I may see you again soon." The enclosed note was as follows : '■'•Lieutenant J. H. McCool, Quarter- master Third U. S. Infantry, Colo- nel Buchanan's Brigade (^Firsi), Sykes' Division: " Dear Mac : The bearer of this is my brother, of the Twenty-second Massachusetts Volunteers. During all these . . . cold nights, he and another brother have been sleep- ing without a rag to cover them. They are privates, Mac, but they have hearts as big as elephants ; they cannot get blankets for love or mon- ey ; if you can furnish them with the articles, do so for God's sake, for I cannot be easy while they suffer that which they never dreamed of doing. Please write me the cost of the blankets. I will send you the money immediately. Yours truly, Carter, Eighth Infantry." Our brother of the artillery now writes as follows: " Fort Tillinghast, October i6th, 1862. "The box came this morning, everything in good order. I have not time to write, but I thought I would let you know that the box was all right. This noon I scoured my knife and fork, gave my plate a good cleaning, washed ray face, combed my hair, drew out the box from under my bunk (we have two bunks in our tent), and took dinner. I tried to imagine myself at home. It was the best dinner I have had since I have been in the array. You know, Mother, better than I can tell you, how thankful I was for all the arti- cles you sent. They taste so good to me. The stockings I needed, as I have worn the pair I have on about a month. . . . The quilt is what I want, but I am most sorry 3'ou sent so good a one, for if we should be ordered on a long march, I fear it would follow the fate of my other things, but I will try to cling to it. ... I can't help thinking how much you and father must miss ' the boys,' as you used to call them. I knew they would have to throw away their things, as it is impossible for a soldier to carry all they require. . . . Colonel Greene has resigned, and the men feel very badly about it, as he has done a great deal for the regiment, and we owe our good for- tune to being here to his efforts. He is a good soldier, kind and indul- gent to the men, and a terror to the officers. He shows no partiality to them, and if they wrong any of the men, he is after them with a sharp stick. Our old captain don't dare to look him in the eye, for he is not much of a military man, and the colonel knows it and rubs him occa- sionally. I do not know the cause of his resignation. " Please excuse this short note, but I have to drill most of the time, apd have to go out in about ten minutes. I am writing out of doors, as I can- not write in the tent, for the boys are always skylarking and making such a noise that it is almost impos- sible for me to do so. . . . FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. "On October 19th, some of* our officers were arrested and ordered to Harper's Ferry to report to the provost marshal-general, for having been in Sharpsburg without a pass. Our major reported by letter, but that would not do, and he was di- rected to report in person. On the 20th, it was again, very cold, — not much sleep after midnight — but it came out warm enough at 4 p. m. to have battalion drill. On the 21st, there was a sharp frost, ground white, and very cold. On the 22d, a heavy gale set in, threatening to destroy our frail tents. Blew all day, but we drilled ; almost impossible to hear orders given. On the 24th, there was an inspection in the afternoon." Our brothers in the Twenty-second now say : " Near Sharpsburg, October 24, 1862. "I did think we should be on the march before this, but the order to march was countermanded after we got in from picket. . . Since that time, I have expected to leave this place several times, but now can scarcely tell ; the order at dress par- ade, and the general appearance of things indicated a movement, but at headquarters they are building log huts and seem as contented and happy as possible. I am in a quan- dary. Our requisitions for overcoats and blankets have been sent in, and we are eagerly, patiently awaiting the arrival of the brigade teams. "Gene has answered ray letter, and has sent an order to a brother quartermaster of his in the Third Regulars near at hand, for two blankets. I went over a day or two since, but found he had gone on a furlough of thirty days, so we are dished unless we get them from our quartermaster . . . and the act- ing quartermaster did not know Gene, so we did not get them. Our ponchos are but slight shelter these cold nights, and if we do not get them soon, I shall not attempt to sleep, but go up to the cook-house and stay by the fire nights. The cook-house is composed of half a dozen cracker boxes, two or three barrels, kettles, pans, etc., in a heap. Bob, Edgar, Webster, and myself are in a small tent, composed of four ponchos (^about six feet square, with buttons and button- holes on every side, made of cotton cloth tightly woven), with boards at the top, bottom, and both sides, and we manage to keep pretty warm by 'spooning in' until 12 o'clock, and then we turn out to warm up, and generally hang about the fire until morning. We hope soon to be more comfortable ; we are trying as hard as possible. '• I thought I should have the pleasure of informing you that we were the possessors of everything needful in this note, but I am disap- pointed. ... I hope we may be classed with the wise, and learn from all that experience. ... It is very hard, I assure you, now for us to write at all, for it is so cold nights that we can sleep but little, and in the daytime we are so sleepy, and having a great deal of duty to doi we find it very hard to undertake the composition of a letter. . . . We have a regular feast over them ; FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. 49 we exchange papers, and ask 'What is the news from home ? ' I send you a piece of poetry which I cut from a paper, describing the scene very well. . . . Pepper is always useful now that we are in camp; sometimes we have a sort of rice soup, and if we do not have pep- per it tastes tame, and it also makes our 'salt horse' very palatable, so that we can eat it ; when you write again, and if it is convenient, chuck in some more, whether /afAer laughs or hot. If he were in our situation, he would think pepper a huge thing. . . . We have had two frosts this week, and a great deal of cold wind. . . . They are cutting down every- thing here in the shape of trees; we burn black walnut sticks to make cof- fee, as if it didn't cost anything. "Things look as if we were going to stop here sometime ; then again it is rumored that we march this day and that ; all sorts of rumors about us now. I think myself that we shall leave here soon. . . . The way we cook our coffee, meat, etc., we have two crotched sticks, with a long pole to string them (the kettles) on, with a big fire under it. . . . Last Sunday we had baked beans for breakfast. Went to hear the chap- lain of the Fourth Michigan preach in the afternoon, and in the evening went down in the woods, built a fire, rolled up some logs to sit on, and had a prayer- meeting. That day seemed more like Sunday to me than any other day yet. "Yesterday was a sad day, the saddest of my experience in the army. I had, dear mother, to per- form the last sad ofifices to the de- parted dead ; one of our Bradford boys is no more. He sleeps the sleep that knows no waking, and as I write, and cast my eyes out of the tent, his grave is before me, under a tree upon the hill. Milton Ingalls . . brother of Oliver I., who has been in the company since it started, both of whom 1 used to go to school with. Oliver was wounded at Gaines' Mills ; Milton came out just after we did, and joined the regiment at Hall's Hill the same night we marched from there. We had been here but a short time, during which they seemed to enjoy each other's com- pany very much, for they had not seen each other for more than a year. " Two weeks ago, Milton was taken sick, and one cold, blustering day, after Oliver and I had taken him to the hospital, the poor fellow (he had typhoid fever) died before his broth- er could reach him. Walt and I stood guard over his body all the afternoon till six o'clock, when we marched without arms to bury him. He was buried very well, consider- ing the circumstances. Two of our men made a box, and we got the chaplain of the Second Maine to offi- ciate. I helped lower him to his last resting-place. . . . Newman is in the hospital, and when we were making his box, he sat on one end of it and watched them, and said : ' I shall be there next.' He has changed wonderfully, although I think he will live. George Ball is used up, having been sick two weeks or more . . . you would never know him. I never saw such a change. The Lord knows we have all changed enough, but he is completely meta- s° FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. morphosed . . . he is all faded but could not lug it. It is hard out, his hair, eyes, etc., and his quick work to get it, as we have to hurry step is changed to a slow, dragging along. ... I will write on the step, and he moves around with a 29th, my birthday (17), to some of careworn, beseeching look that is you. . . ." really . . . pitiful. . . . Yes! that strong fellow, the one they thought would stand everything, is reduced down, and looks like some careworn old man ; he is not in the hospital. . . . You have no idea what a life this is ; none but the strongest, the iron constitution, can stand it. It is the roughest, toughest life that I ever experienced. . . . Our brother of the Regulars now writes : " Camp near Weverton, October 25, 1862. " My excuse for not writing before is a good one; I have so much to do since I have been quartermaster, that I write very few letters. In the first place, we have had such a miserable The sights I have seen, death in quartermaster and poor train that I every form ; the cutting of limbs ; the suffering I have endured, besides seeing others suffer ; the discourage- ment I have met with, together with other things, have taken some of the spirit out of me. . . . If I am ever sick, and you are written to come, do n't hesitate a moment. You do n't know how a poor soldier suffers in the hospitals, when they are in the field ; I won't attempt to describe it, for it will make you feel badly. . . . Now I must make an inspection of my clothes. . . . Crawling lice, diarrhoea, and cold are the curses of the soldier. What if I should tell you that every soldier in this army has them, and that you even have to throw away your shirt, they swarm so in the night; they form hollow squares, and deploy skirmishers, have dress pa- rades, etc. " I send you a piece of thread that I took from a dead man, on the bat- tle-field of Antietam. I send it be- cause it may be a curiosity to you. I could have picked up a lot of stuff. was disgusted, and have been trying to mend the entire concern, to get rid of broken teams, worn-out horses, to get into shape the rolling stock of the battalion of the Eighth Infantry. I have had to furnish wood and forage, and have had to send long distances for them both. I was at Harper's Ferry from last Monday until yester- day morning, with my train, after clothing ; the entire train of the army seemed to be there, and my time was among the last. I rode to camp every night, and left my train so that I could keep my place. I got up at daylight, and started usually without my breakfast. It is very cold there, and I dread a winter campaign unless I am in Washington, and that town has lost its chatm forme. ... I received a letter from John yester- day ; he is well, but a little low- spirited, I thought. Walt and Bob are too far away for me to get time to see them. I received a letter from them some time since, asking for blankets. I gave them money, and an order on a quartermaster for FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. SI blankets. I have got to make out duplicate inspection reports, to get an ambulance and a horse con- demned, and if I do not commence them soon, my hands will be so stiff that I will not be able to finish them." "A very heavy picket guard was furnished on the 25th ; it was cold and raw, with a northeast storm. Inspection was ordered for the 26th, but the storm prevented. Artillery firing was heard in the direction of the river. Martin's battery opened on a party of rebels who came to the river to get stray cattle, and drove them back. One of the sharpshooters had his jaw broken in two places by the kick of a horse. We were ordered at night to have three days' rations ready in haver- sacks to move at any moment. There was a rumor that McClellan had been superseded, and Hooker placed in command. On the 27th there was a cold and piercing gale of wind all day." Our brother Walter now writes : " October 29, 1862. " Mr. Ingalls is going home to- day ; he felt dreadfully when he found his son was dead and buried. When he inquired after his boys, especially the one who was sick, he was told the sad news by our ser- geant, ' We buried him yesterday.' We had an awful cold night last night : the frost was very heavy. We slept very comfortably during the night, Ed. having drawn a rubber blanket, which he stretched over us all. Bob and I didn't sign for one, he having a coat, and la blanket in my bundle. If I get pay coat and woolen blanket I shall be satisfied. But it is just our luck to have them come the very last. If I had thought of the long delay, and of rubber blankets coming first, I should have ordered one ; and there 's the great trouble out here ; no one can see a day ahead, and cannot calculate on anything that is certain. I have a nice rubber blanket, and hate to buy another one of (the) government. They have already swindled us on our clothing at Camp Cameron. Two horses froze to death last night, or rather perished from exposure, and you ought to see the poor horses and mules tremble and shake in the morning ; they suffer everything. Some are out in the open air, others (officers') have stables made out of green boughs. We have a nice bed of cedar, which tends towards comfort, and manage pretty well, though pretty close for convenience, but none too much so for warmth. We ' spoon in' lively, and sleep like hogs, until we are tired out, having but one position, and then turn out. "We have drill enough lately; out lieutenant-colonel gives a bat- talion drill every afternoon. I am getting to be quite proficient in the manual, and study tactics a good deal, for some of our boys, ser- geants and corporals, are leaving to join the regulars, and I am look- ing out for a position. I do some writing up to the lieutenant's tent, and that helps me ; he noticed my writing to-day, and I stepped in. I might have got a clerkship for the 52 FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. adjutant if I only had the influence a short time ago ; but no matter, I am on the lookout ; might as well be somebody while in this great ar- rangement. We are on the ' ready' still, to move, and if they do before Bob and I get our coverings, we are dished, and will be subjects for the box. I think we go towards the enemy ; if not, then we go towards Washington, and then there will be a chance to send us something." Wednesday Eve, October 29th. Bob's birthday, seventeen years old. "Bob and I have just finished our celebration supper, eaten by candle-light, while Ed. and Web- ster have gone down to the woods to the prayer-meeting, at which we are all attendants. It consisted of flap jacks fried by Bob, ingredients furnished by myself, and soft bread and butter. We ate sugar and butter on ' slabs,'' and had a good apple to wind up with. ' We hail this day so full of joy, and greet it with a song ! ' and we have been singing, 'For this night we'll merry, merry be ! ' and many other songs. We are really happy, so much so that I cannot help sitting down to our first candle light for four nights (sometimes they give us candles, and sometimes they purposely forget it), and express to you the joy of our hearts, even though it be feebly expressed, and that, too, with a lead pencil, a hard writing material in the night time, simply because we both have blank- ets to sleep under, and shall be comfortable this night. Bob was sick last night, and was threatened! with a severe turn. He had felt a cold coming on, and had said to me several times, ' If I have to lie on that tent floor of cedar without any covering two or three nights more, I shall be sick.' It was very cold last night, and his head ached and burned, yet he had no covering, and we both determined to do won- ders in the blanket line to-day, in view of our expected move. Poor prospects of our requisitions being furnished to-day, and future suffer- ing from cold, and a shelter tent only to go into, and that scarcely ever relieved by the gladdening warmth of a candle, which, in its dim rays, gi^■es joy to the soldier at night. "Well, we got them! One we bought of a }'oung man, Dawson (Frank) of Haverhill, who went to the regulars to-day, and the other our lieutenant let me have, it being one he receipted for to cover George Ball while he was sick, and which he now transfers to me subject to my responsibility, and liable to be returned when mine arrives. George Ball, Newman, and five of our com- pany have gone to a hospital back of Sharpsburg or Keediesville. Orders were read at dress parade to be ready to march in six hours, and all our sick are sent to the rear. Two of the hours are now past and gone, and I am not at all alarmed. These orders are getting -played out with us, although it does look all about like an advance into Virginia and a winter campaign. Of course, just because we are now comfort- FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. S3 able, we shall be routed out ; but I say, go ! We ought to fight and whip the rebels, and I say ' go in !' To be sure we are now having things d~ecent here ; we can buy articles that we need, and can change our diet slightly, and everything is lovely in the camp, especially at night. Our whole brigade, with Griffin's, is right between two hills. The Michigan and Pennsylvania regiments are getting things from home, and these moonlight nights the camps are echoing with joyful voices, and musical instruments are abundant. I believe ours is the stillest of them all. It is charming here at night. We had potatoes and fresh meat for dinner, the former for the first time. It is really too bad to move just now. We ought to have gone long ago, but I am ready for anything. We were very fortunate in getting our blankets ; it was all by chance, and was one of those lucky things that will happen to a Carter in a lifetime. We paid $2.50 for the blanket. If we had not got it, I was determined for Bob's sake to buy an officer's blanket (white and soft) that was priced to me at $6. As it was, we had to almost beg a sale of Dawson, and we should have had to fight almost for the above. . . . You ought to see Bob. . . . He is all wound up in one of them. ... It is really amusing. He is well to- night. ... I never would have come out here without him and our boys for the world, knowing now what I do ; it is the only thing that keeps us leavened. We should never be happy without each other. How I have risen up within myself and cursed the very name of Eng- land since I read Gladstone's speech, and the general tone of the govern- mental reception of ' Honest Old Abe's' proclamation. How I des- pise their criticisms, slurs, and jests, and their making fun of us. Their turn will come next, and then her whole course of infamy will be summed up total, and just will be her reward. Whip the ' rebs,' and then up Yankees and at John Bull ! I am in then again for three years or the war. It is queer about the intentions of the government to place McClellan where Halleck is, and put Hooker at the head of the Army of the Potomac ; what can be the meaning of it? The army thinks everything of ' Little Mac,' and think he is the best -planner in the world, but I think ' Fighting Joe' will do more in the field, if he keeps out of the way of the bul- lets. "I have mended my pants and am now whole, although my gen- eral appearance in the clothing department might fall short of your standard at home. My shirt has n't come yet. "I have made out our company muster roll, and we recruits are on the list, so we shall be paid on next pay day, if we do not move on the enemy. . . . the boys have come back and our small tent is too full for comfort in writing. We retire to a warm bed-, and I know the intelligence will make you glad. 54 FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. for your words indicate a warm, fatherly anxiety for the comfort of his boys. Our backs and limbs are sore from the effect of sleeping on our tent floor the way we have, and now I hope to get them straight- ened out ; we shall spread one blanket and cover over with the other. ... If we move soon, and I be denied the pleasure of writing to you at home for a while, then here 's good luck in the in- terim, and if I live, I shall con- stantly think of you all ; if I am shot by yohnny Reb, be sure I drop with face to the foe, fighting like a tiger, yet with thoughts of home in my mind." " Thursday night, " October 30, 1862. "We are packing up to leave; where we go to, God only knows, but probably towards the foe, and I hope we may never come back until we have made our election sure, and everything Secesh is gone for, and they be numbered with the past. On every hilltop may be heard preparations for breaking camp, and the bugles are sounding, the men singing, and altogether it is a gala, novel scene ; you can hardly imagine it. I am as calm as can be, and I feel hopeful for the future. I know not what is before me, but if it is the danger of the battle, depend upon it I am in for some tall fighting. Bob says he has looked out for ^fod' this time, and I can vouch for it, by the looks of his well-filled haver- sack ; mine is ditto. Tell father we are ' living and learning,' and try to follow his good advice. I have got more than three days' rations, and have got to lug a blanket and a poncho, with my other soldier load. Tell mother that we have two stakes stuck into the ground with crotches at the top of each, and a long pole is put across them, and upon it we hang our kettles, atid under it we build our fires. We have a cook for the company, who cooks coffee, boils beef, salt horse, rice, etc., and we can cook extra dishes ourselves ; he has a cook-house {a tent), with all his ingredients, kettles, spiders, etc. He draws our rations from the quartermaster's tent in our regi- ment, and the quartermaster of each regiment of a brigade, draws from the brigade commissary. My lo\'e to you all at home, and I rejoice that I am contented and happy, as I think of you all to-night, so happy in the little ' straw cottage.' That a wish might bring you every blessing, is but an expression of my sincere feeling." Note. — In the April number of the Bugle, p. 161, a statement was made by the writer with reference to the burning of the stores about White House, Va., June 28, 1862, by a detachment of the Ninety- third New York Vols, (then at- tached to the provost guard. Army of the Potomac), under the com- mand of Lieutenant W. C. Swain, Co. B of that regiment. This account was taken from the history of the Ninety-third, and is some- what misleading. The inference might be clearly drawn that the destruction of the house itself was HOW I RECOVERED MY SWORD. ss the act of Lieutenant Swain, or before the stores were fired by him. done by his order. This was not This correction is made solely in the case, however, as the mansion defense of Lieutenant Swain, and was burning at least two hours in the interest of historical accuracy. HOW I RECOVERED MY SWORD. By Brevet Major Henry S. Biirrage. i[Read before the Maine Commandery of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States, December ist, 1897.] The circumstances connected with my capture, November i, 1864, on the left of our lines at Petersburg, Va., I have already stated in a Note. — The circumstances were these : Major Burrage, 36th Massa- chusetts Infantry, was brigade offi- cer of the day, and among other in- structions was one directing him if an opportunity offered to exchange papers to do so and to bring the papers to brigade headquarters. In a wood at a point in front of our line where exchanges had taken place almost daily for some time, a Confederate was in waiting when Major Burrage visited his line. He had three Richmond papers, and Major Burrage only a single Wash- ington paper. The Confederate offered to give Major Burrage his three papers, if in addition to the one paper he would bring out a Sunday Morning Chronicle in the afternoon. This Major Burrage agreed to do, and as he turned to go back to his line he asked the Confederate who he was. He re- plied that he was the major of the Second Mississippi. Major Bur- rage, on completing his rounds, carried the three Richmond papers to General Curtin, his brigade com- mander (ist Brigade, 2d Division, 9th Army Corps), and in the after- paper read before the Command- ery, March 7, 1888. The sword which I carried at the time of my capture was one noon, on revisiting his line, he car- ried with him a copy of the Sunday Morning Chronicle. On reaching the post in front of which the ex- change had been made in the morn- ing. Major Burrage learned that the Confederate officer had not ap- peared. Thinking that possibly he expected to be called out from his line. Major Burrage at length un- folded his paper, and walking down the wood road, soon came in sight of the Confederate outposts. Halt- ing, he waved the paper. A Con- federate soldier left the post on the road as if to report to an officer. In a minute or two the soldiers in the pits on the road arose, leveled their muskets, and an officer called out, " Come in or we '11 fire." Ma- jor Burrage supposed that after a word of explanation he would be permitted to return to his line, but after some investigation, he was held as a prisoner. A few weeks later, near the point where Major Bur- rage was captured. Captain H. O. Dudley, nth New Hampshire In- fantry, captured Roger A. Pryor, in retaliation for Major Burrage's capture. S6 HOW I RECOVERED MY SWORD. which I especially valued, as it was the sword which I held in my hand, enclosed in its scabbard, when I was wounded at the battle of Cold Harbor, June 3, 1864. The blood- stains on the scabbard were not removed at the time, and when later I discovered them I let them remain, it being my purpose to preserve the sword as a memorial of a day which would have to me life-long memories. But the officer who was in command of the Con- federate picket-line at the point where I was captured demanded my sword, this sword which I de- sired so much to keep. I reluc- tantly handed it to him, and at the same time I expressed my mind somewhat freely on account of what I regarded as bad faith on the part of the Confederates in making the capture. Believing that I would be returned to our own lines as soon as I should reach an officer of higher rank, and relate the circumstances of the capture, I asked the name of the officer who demanded my sword in order that I might secure it on my return to our lines. He gave his name as Captain James A. Summers, Co. A, 33d North Carolina Troops. As it was finally determined that I should be held as a prisoner of war, my ex- pectation of a release was not real- ized, and Consequently I did not recover the sword which was taken from me at the time of my capture. In May of the present year, in one of the issues of the Boston Journal, a letter was printed ad- dressed to the Mayor of Boston, Hon. Josiah Quincy. The writer, a resident of South CaroHna, stated that he had in his possession the sword of Lieutenant William H. Hodgkins, Thirty-sixth Massachu- setts Vols., and that he would return it to Lieutenant Hodgkins if living. Major Hodgkins, who is well known in Boston in military and political circles, was an officer in my regiment. He lost his sword under the following circumstances, while the regiment was in East Tennessee in the autumn of 1863. Major Hodgkins, then adjutant of the regiment, while at home on leave, left his sword at the head- quarters of the regiment. During his absence Orderly Sergeant John K. Fairbank, of Co. K, received a commission as second lieutenant, and as he had had no opportunitj' to procure a sword of his own, he was allowed to use the adjutant's sword. At the battle of Campbell's Station, about sixteen miles below Knoxville, Nov. 16, 1863, Lieuten- ant Fairbank was wounded in the leg, as we were falling back from the crossroads upon our main line, the enemy pressing us heavily at the time. Lieutenant Fairbank's men succeeded in bringing him with them, but Lieutenant Hodg- kins's sword was left on the field in the excitement of the effort to save Lieutenant Fairbank from capture. As the Confederates advanced, a South Carolina soldier found the sword. It had been given to Lieu- tenant Hodgkins by the Sunday- school of the First Congregational church in Charlestown, Mass., and NINE MONTHS IN A REBEL FRISON. 125 to the Charleston prison. While ances to take us up to the barracks, here I went up to see the old jail, but before going into the barracks, and was told that Colonel Iverson we were required to sit on the grass was confined inside, but I did not and wait for the process of hair- see him. cutting and shaving and bathing — We marched on board the General for obvious reasons. When my turn McDowell, an old blockade runner, came, I went into a long, narrow and went down the river and put to building, where there were twelve sea. The weather was rough and or fifteen barbers. I sat down. My nearly all of the boys got sick and hair was cut short. My whiskers had to go below. Only McManis were cut and shaved. A thorough and myself remained on deck. We shampooing followed, and then came were both old sailors and were able the bath. There was hot and cold ■ to stand the long, ground swell that water and as I undressed, a man tossed the vessel. That night a threw all my clothes out at the storm came up and we had to put window. An overseer made us into port. The next morning I wash most thoroughly, after which went on deck, but not another soul we went into the clothing depart- was there — all sick below. The ment perfectly naked, and came out major in command came out of his with two suits of underclothes and stateroom and asked, '-Ain't you a clean uniform, shirts, coat, jacket, sick.'" " No, sir," said I. "Well," shoes, hat, all complete, besides a said he, "I want you to take charge tin-plate, a pint-cup, a knife, fork of the rations, make coffee, slice up and spoon. As I went out I was the hams and distribute these to who- asked ray name, regiment, and ever want them." I was so sick that state, and then sent down the line I ought to have been in bed, but I to the New England barracks, where got Comrade McManis and went I reported to the sergeant. He "mid-ships" and took charge. We showed me my bunk and left me to made coffee in a great, iron tank, rest. Once more I thanked God good and strong. We cut ham, and that I was alive and well, and in with cracker-boxes full of ham and God's country, with Old Glory float- crackers we went down into the cab- ing over me. ins and sang out, "Who wants cof- We remained here a week, when fee.' Who wants ham and crackers .'" we all got furloughs and commuta- But nobody responded. There were tions of rations at twelve cents per four hundred men on board, but not day while in prison, and two months' one could eat. pay together with transportation We reached Annapolis the next home. I believe that was the hap- morning at one o'clock, but it was piest day of my life. From the so dark that we lay off till daylight, time we arrived at Annapolis until then went alongside the wharf about I boarded the train to go home, eight o'clock. A lot of young men everything went like clock-work, in navy blue met us with convey- The camp was under the most per- 126 FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. feet discipline. No mistakes,, no A. H. Jones, and Ebenezer Jones blunders, nothing to disturb us or responded by mail. John is in to postpone the hour when the Sharon, Pennsylvania, and A. H. company of those who had together Jones is in Pittsburg. Eben came faced the dangers of the field, drank to California in 1896 and stayed a from the same canteen, divided the year in Fresno, only six miles from last half pint of rice or meal, and my own home in Malaga, and now suffered the agonies of prison life, lives in Los Angeles, California, should be exchanged for the sweet And now, my dear comrades of companionship of wife and family. Company F, First Maine Cavalry, Thirty-one years rolled by, and to whom I have written this story, one day when sending my subscrip- I want you all to write a story for tion to the National Tribune, I sent the Bugle. Charley Skillings was an inquiry through that paper for seventeen months in a rebel prison, my comrades. John M. Yahres, Now, Charley, let us hear from you. FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. By Captain Robert Goldthwaite Carter, U. S. Army. [continued.] The March to Fredericksburg, Va. — Lciu- DON Valley — S n i c K e r's G a p — S now Storm at White Plains — McClellan AND Fuz-JoHN Porter Relieved of Their Commands — Cold Weather — The Prin- cess's Son — Narrow Escape from Cap- ture — "Mud Camp" — Discussions Among THE Rank and File — Defense of McClel- lan — A Secret Reconnoissance, etc. Building fires of our now deserted huts, the straw, dried cedar boughs, shelter tent poles, etc., we gathered in knots, around the crackling blaze, to discuss pro and con the objective point, the probabilities of tvlien we would reach it, lwii\ what object was in view, etc. The grumblers and growlers threw in a few opinions well interlarded with "cuss words," about the (/overn- ment. the ivar, niggers, etc. At 9 p. m., were off, and marching via the Antietam Iron Works, Harper's Fer- ry, and the Loudon Valley, through Middleburg and Warrenton, soon knew that we were enroute for Fred- ericksburg. Our march continued until after midnight, along a very good road, and with the usual amount of joking, hard talk, and amusing incidents. We bivouacked four miles from Har- per's Ferry in a large field. The next day we marched leisurely, and with many halts to the river, crossed the pontoons, and stopping just long enough for us to see the "John Brow7i celebrities," and to admire the beau- tiful scenery about Maryland and Loudon Heights, at the junction of the Shenandoah river with the Poto- mac, we crossed the former, also, on pontoons, and bivouacked near Hills- boro, about six miles beyond, and in the open valley of Loudon. FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. 127 Our brother Walter says : "Bivouacked in a field about six miles from Harper's Ferry, in what direction, or towards what place, I know not, Nov. i, 1862. "Dear Ones at Home: We are on the march, and report says we are to reinforce Sigel and Burnside, and while I write, the cannon are booming about ten miles off, towards Leesburg some persons say. We have been in this field all day, and have been mustered for pay; when it will come, we do not know. We started night before last about 9 o'clock (just after I wrote Kate), and marched until i : 30 a. m., and bi- vouacked about four miles from Harper's Ferry; yesterday morning we started again, and marched with ease about ten miles to this place, from which we expect to move in the advance on the rebs every moment. My feet are somewhat blistered, but I guess I can go it. Bob had a hard time with a sore chest, but is now in for it, being a little better. We halted for three hours before Har- per's Ferry, it took so long for the teams to cross the pontoon bridge there. Some of our boys saw Bill Mills of Bradford, of Company H, 14th Mass., which is stationed on Maryland Heights. We are now in full view of a most beautiful valley, extending for miles. I thought it was the Shenandoah, but have found out different ; it is on the other side of hills near us . . . the way the rails owned by the rebs disappear is a caution. Imagine an army moving through Bradford ; in the morning, after one night's rest, all our fields would be converted into one general, common property ; every fence would be gone for miles around. We draw rations every three days on the march, and if a battle is expected, they give us all we can lug, and we trust to Providence for supplies after it, for a week the trains being no- where. Our beans are never soaked at night, our cook not knowing enough ; they are very good though without ; we can't go through the whole programme. Scarfs would be grand, so would woolen caps, for we freeze our pates nightly ; we try to wear our caps, but they drop off, and the dew wets our skulls through. Last night we turned in to this place from our march at 8 o'clock; it was a beautiful evening, and the frogs were singing as lustily as they do in May at home. ... As this ac- commodation mail leaves at 5 o'clock for Harper's Ferry, I must be closing. We heard from Gene; he has moved from Knoxville to Berlin, and I doubt if we shall see him." Our brother Bob now adds : " I thought I lines. . . . meaning that and health. would add a few I am O. K. . . . I am in good spirits Last night we spooned in, sleeping on a rubber blanket, and covering us with both blankets ; slept quite warm. I caught an awful cold on my lungs, owing to sleeping without covering, but am better. We have had quite a rest to-day. ... I shall write as soon as we reach our stopping place." Here we drew some blankets, and by "doubling up" and sleeping on our rubbers, were once more com- fortable. Our march on the follow- 128 FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. ing day, Sunday, up the valley, was enlivened by the booming of guns nearly all day, and after a march of fifteen miles, we camped at Snicker's Gap. The marching was easier, our blankets were in rolls, our equip- ments seemed to fit better, and we took things in a more philosophical light. We were becoming soldiers. A fight had occurred at the Gap. Once or twice we packed up to move. The Rebels were crowding along on the other side of the Blue Ridge, and it was necessary for us to guard the pass. Snicker's Gap, Near Snickersville, Va., Nov. 5, 1862. We arrived here Sunday after- noon, after a tedious ride of fifteen miles ; before leaving our camping ground, five miles this side of Har- per's Ferry, where we stayed all day Saturday, and from which place I wrote a short letter home, we drew a blanket apiece, swelling our blan- kets to three in number (of course just as we were on the march), and I drew a shirt, white fcotton and wool shoddy, no shape or make), canteen, haversack and a pair of stockings ; also went in for an overcoat. Our packs are rather heavy, but somehow they don't hang so heavy as formerly. I have got to be a soldier now, and my rig fits better, and I can march like a trooper ; there's no falling out now, like unto our Washington march, and we have to keep to the front and bear up well. Our lieutenant commanding, Jo- seph H. Baxter of Cambridge, an orderly sergeant of another company formerly, now second lieutenant of ours, gave me an old rubber blanket before I started, which answers very well for Bob and myself, as protec- tion from the ground, and we spread two blankets over us, Bob having loaned our blanket that we bought, just to have it carried. Weren't we lucky in that 1 We have our old dress coats for pillows, and wear them in the cold weather for over- coats, but we sweat under them on these marches in the warm valley. We have to wear them, our packs are so large, besides it is the easiest way to carry them, with the one exception of being too warm. We have our tent full of straw, and Ed , Bob and myself spoon in together so comfortably, ever remembering our mutual suffering in camp near Sharpsburg, Maryland. We have let Webster slide, for four are too many in our tent on a march ; it answers very well in camp, for we put down boards, and widen things to suit, but here we pull our ponchos as close to the ground as possible, two inches. Our old doctor is at Brigade head- quarters, and we can have all the hay and straw we want to lie upon ; lie thought they were unhealthy, and fried hard bread healthy, the old reprobate ! I wish he had had my black and blue hips. We are real comfortable here, and only need an overcoat for guard duty, and mittens during night picket. We shall prob- ably move in a day or two from here. It is likely to come in order form every day, every hour, every mo- ment ; we packed up yesterday, and were under orders to move ail dav. We got here too late to participate FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. 129 in the Snicker's Gap fight, but we shall be reckoned in in a day or two I guess, for on the other side of the Ridge the Rebs are crowding the left bank of the Shenandoah. We may stay here to protect the Gap, and to-night the Second Maine go on picket. General Butterfield has command of our division now, and probably Colonel Barnes of the Massachusetts Eighteenth (right flank regiment of' the brigade) will command Martindale's brigade, in consequence of the wind up of the Martindale court marshal in Wash- ington ; I am glad he got clear. Bob is on guard to-night, and he will wear his dress coat over his shoulders, and wrap his blanket about himself. . . . . . . . There will be a great battle soon, and then may Heaven protect your boys as they fight for the country, and in the language of C. W., " Stick to their flag." At every opportunity I shall write and relieve you of your anxiety, and liv- ing or dying, be assured my thoughts are centered on home, and if you do not hear from me when you most wish or expect to, be sure it is be- cause it is impossible. Bob has just come into the tent, and says we move to-morrow morn- ing for Ashby's Gap, eight miles below ; our teams are being loaded, and I guess it is so. We keep three days' rations with us all the time, and our hard bread is very nice at pres- ent ; real good crackers . . . keep them all cheerful in the house by as- surances of our present comparative comfort, and do not allow them to give way so readily to their feelings. Wells were dug, company books were over-hauled, all sorts of rumors were started, and then we knew we would move. It was a cold, raw, bitter day as we filed out of camp, and wound through the one dirty street of Snickersville. A cold drizzle set in. The snow commenced to spit occasionally. The halts were few and far between. The men had become too cold and numb to hold a musket, and resort was had to old stockings and haver- sack bags, to make up the deficiency of mittens. Our route was through Philomont, Mountville P. O., and Middleburg. As we were in rear of the brigade, when we arrived in camp at 7 o'clock, the ground was occu- pied, and our bivouac was upon a bald knoll, where the wind blew hard all night. We were on the farm of J. W. Patterson, five miles beyond Middleburg. There was little sleep^ The fires were crowded; many pant legs suffer- ed ; water froze hard in canteens at our heads, and we wished for and heartily welcomed daylight. But, after starting upon the road in the morning and encountering a dense snow storm which soon drove us into the woods for a camp, we wished again, like Napoleon, "for night." Our little shelter tents were pitched by tying the front and rear cords to trees the proper distance apart, and staking down the sides as usual in the deep snow and placing our guns with fixed bayonets as uprights at the front and rear; some hay was obtained with much difficulty from a long distance, and soon, with the aid of large, blazing fires we partially forgot our transient misery. ijo FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. At night we received a large mail tensely from the cold, and it was said which we read, partly by the aid of some died. Here our corps corn- pieces of candles which we had saved mander, General Fitz John Porter, and carried for the purpose, and was relieved, and the general com- when they went out, by the dim light manding the army, George B. Mc- of the fires. Clellan. Then came the leave-tak- A ration of whiskey and quinine ing. It was a magnificent sight, and was issued. We were temperance to as regiment after regiment cheered, the backbone, yet freezing outwardly waved their tattered flags, and saluted and being dry inwardly, with wet the departing commanders it was feet and chattering teeth, we hesi- enough to move a heart of stone, tated but a brief moment, and then Our letters say : " In Camp Near Warrenton, with a feeling akin to desperation, worried it down. The following morning the sun November lo, 1862. came out. The snow melted, the We expect to move to-morrow, so roads grew sloppy, and after starting I will avail myself of all the inter- from our feathery white bivouac, we vening time to satisfy the thoughts slipped and waded along the stony, that are always running in the stiller wretched turnpike until thoroughly waters of my mind, viz. : the desire tired out we camped beyond and near to ever have home before me, and to New Baltimore. Passing through talk and converse with you all by Georgetown, a march of nearly writing and thereby keep the infiu- eighteen miles, long to be remem- ence pure and fresh, unsullied by the bered, during which the wet, cold, scenes and daily occurrences of the and thoroughly worn out men gave camp ; for truly I fall in with father's vent to their feelings in curses loud kind words of advice, and care most and deep. for how much I am thought of in B,, We again moved about four miles and all about the dear old home, to a better camp in a piece of thin " I closed my last letter at Snicker's woods, where we filled our pouches Gap with this 'Bob has just come with cedar tips and leaves, and into the tent and said we were to " crowding it " at night, using our move the next morning.' He was blankets to best advantage, tried in right, and that Thursday morning at the midst of haversacks, canteens, daylight, before we had any time to dippers, guns, boxes, and the equip- get breakfast, we started. It was a ments of the men to imagine our- bitter cold day and we footed it until selves surrounded by luxuries. Our 7 o'clock at night, not at all minding camp was on the left side of the the usual stop of 8 minutes to the Warrenton road near the Cat-tail hour: for sometimes we would march branch of Cedar Run. two hours steady without a particle The nights were bitter. Ice form- of rest, and that would convert the ed on the streams and in our can- regiment into a cursing, swearing teens. Men and animals suffered in- body of men who, tired out, would FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. 131 give vent to their feelings in curses and imprecations about the army, ofificers, and the whole concern any- way. . . . Oh, my Lord ! was n't it cold? No overcoat, no gloves, hands benumbed, so that I could hardly handle my gun. I remember- ed that I had an old pair of holey stockings in the bottom of my haver- sack, and I pulled them on, after which ... I was more comfort- able. . . . We camped on the top of a bleak hill in the dead grass, and being rear guard to our division, we arrived in camp later than the rest of the brigade, and consequently had the worst pick of ground, as we had the poorest place during the day, being jolted about in the rear of the teams, ambulances, etc. It was a fit ending to a day of hard usage. . The wind blew bitter cold . . I suffered the whole night. . I could n't stand it . . . 'turned out' two or three times to warm my feet by the fire. ... It was so cold that the water in our canteens froze by our sides, so that we had to shake them to break the ice so that we could drink. . . . Bob and I slept under two blankets upon my rubber blanket ; we had no time to pitch ponchos. We were off early ; routed out at 4 o'clock, and started without anything to eat ; no coffee or anything . . . went about a mile, the wind blowing right through us, when, Heavens and Earth ! If you will believe it, it commenced to snow, and we had to march in a driving snow storm . . . two hours, it being colder than any November day I ever remember at home. . . . They marched us until about 12 o'clock, when the ofificers flushed out, and could not stand it themselves. We filed into the woods by regi- ments, and cold, wet, and hungry we had to button our ponchos and pitch them. . . . Stayed until the next morning. We had an awful time getting up our tents in the snow. Of course we had to go for rails, etc., to make a fire, so that we would not actually freeze. ... I went a mile and a half to get some hay. I filled the tent well up. Ed. put his rubber up in front to keep the driv- ing snow out, and we all spooned in together, and managed quite well. My feet were sopping wet and cold, and that night they served out whis- key (and quinine) rations to the men. "Imagine the scene! Everyone of us temperance to the backbone, yet freezing inwardly, and there the relieving article before us. Bob and I had never tasted it, and Ed. but once. We could not hesitate. . . I actually thought it would do me good, cold, wet, and chilled as I was. I worried down one spoon- ful of it ; it almost made me sick for a moment, but the after sensation was very agreeable. Bob and Ed. drank the rest, saving some for the next day, which came in very oppor- tunely, as it was cold. Ed. was on guard, and it was rather severe on him, as he had been ordered on arri- val to help put up headquarter tents, and do general fatigue. We expe- rienced some inconvenience too, for his duties compelled him to leave the tent at stated times, and the clothes, etc., had to be disturbed. When in the tent, before roll-call the unex- pected and welcome call of ' mail ' 132 was heard FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. We fell in lively I assure vou. . . . We started again the next morn, and in the forenoon the sun came out, and the roads were perfectly awful ; such muddy, stony turnpikes I, hope never to see again. We marched i8 miles, through Phile- mont and Middleburg to within a few miles of New Baltimore — seven without a rest or halt, and camped back here 4 miles. I went again for hay, and a second nice bed was the result, although we suffered from the cold blow that had lasted during the latter part of the afternoon. "The next morning we marched to our present camping ground, and after a hard time at tent raising in the cold, and a poor experience of a Sabbath day, we came into posses- sion of a pretty good night's quarters, our bed being composed of forest leaves, and our covering as usual. . . We are now encamped in the woods. At night we were subjected to a long dress parade, at which over 30 ridiculous orders were read ; we like to have frozen to death." . . . " Now, if that is not rough marching in snow storms, cold, freezing days, lying on the ground nights . . . for ten days ; rout- ing out, packing up before light ; and yet, there are some devilish fools at home who will go home and sit by their comfortable fires, with paper in hand, and swear about Mc- Clellan and the army, their not mov- ing, etc. Oh ! would n't I like to have some of those loafers out here and march them at the point of the bayonet, with nothing but their salt pork and crackers to eat, twenty miles a day for a fortnight } Well ! I guess so ! They would soon know whether the army moves or not." " Sunday, November 9. " Here we are still, and two inches deep in snow, with the weather, oh ! so bitter cold. As cold as I ever knew it to be at home ; running water frozen two inches thick this morning, and we are slowly freezing to death in our slight poncho tents. I wish you might have looked in upon us last night after we had rolled ourselves in our blankets, and prepared to sleep; if you could have peeked in, and by the aid of a candle light, gazed upon the ' sleeping beauties.' It did seem as if we would freeze up solid last night ; the wind was most keen, and the snow being damp, froze as it fell, I guess, for in the first of the evening, it was most raining, and this morning our tent is covered with icy snow, and within there is a frost equal to any I ever saw on the window of our little chamber. "Two men of the Massachusetts Ninth died from exposure last night, and I apprehend there will be many more of other regiments who will fol- low them, when we go on picket duty and do extra marching. We got up early, for we could n't sleep, and had the meanest breakfast I ever ate ; wormy hard-tack, and black coffee; the bread was so hard I could scarce- ly chew it. ... I have worn my back teeth all down, and the fillings of two are ground to powder, so that they ache often. . . . We have to go most a mile for wood twice a day, and wading in snow and mud with only shoes on is rather tough ; besides I am barefoot now, my stock- FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. 133 ings having caved in, being of most miserable quality, and having been subjected to extra hard usage — mud, snow, and rain travelling. .... We no sooner get one comfort, before we are out in another, and we cannot draw when we please. . . When I stick these feet of mine, so poorly clad with woolen yarn, into cold shoes in the morning, you can imagine my phelinks ; my pedal extremities are generally cold all day. But, such is my manifest destiny, and I will grin and bear it. If I am only allowed to get my revenge out of the t7-ue origi- nators of this war, the rebels, I will be content; but I wish for the op- portunity very soon before my North- ern Union blood congeals in too great quantities from the severity of the weather. . . . Just stopped for a moment to see Gene ; he and Lieu- tenant Worth rode up on their way to General Sykes ; he only stopped long enough to ask me how I liked the 'winter campaign,' and that he was almost frozen, and wanted some- thing warming. He has just dashed off ; he rides elegantly. "I ate some bread (hard) this morning that wasn't fit for hogs, and some rice that was splendid. Mother, I shall never be dainty when I get home, for I can eat rice that runs salvy, which you know I detested when at home. I love it now. I saw a sutler yesterday and bought paper, envelopes, and ink ; I can't write with the latter, it is so cold to hold a pen ; I only use it to direct envelopes. . . The lint, bandages, needles, and item, are all carefully re- served safely for future use, if not for us, for others. They are only addi- tional mementoes of your love for us. It does seem as if there never was such a mother ... so su- premely good, so regardless of self, so full of loving kindness to all man- kind', so sympathetic, so, .^so, so — I could go on almost indefinitely. You are such a patriotic woman — hurrah ! for you, I say. You are a fit subject for every beatitude in the Bible, and I do not enlarge, either. " Monday Morning. " Slept very comfortably, though it was cold. Water froze solid in our canteens j we had four in a tent, Le Roy still being without necessary comforts ; it crowds us dreadfully. Think of four sleeping in the front bedroom with all of our blankets and accoutrements thrown over us. We had baked beans for breakfast, and really, mother, they were, nice ; it is the only good dish we have. We are expecting a review by General Burn- side this afternoon. I wish we could be reviewed before the enemy. Gene says we shall move in a day or two. Some officers are exceptions, but the general run of them I despise. It seems as if it were impossible to find a noble-hearted man among them. If I were one, I believe I could make my men like me; there is a way to do it. You do n't know how nice we keep our tent ; every morning, after we have eaten our rations, I fix up our blankets, and put them at our heads, and we look as nice as you please ; others keep them like pig- pens. " We suffer dreadfully from the smoke of the campfires ; our whole camp is full of it, and our eyes are severely affected ; we can't close them 134 FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. at night, they ache so, and when'they are open, they are filled continually with smoke. " Later, November lo, 1862. " To-day we have been on review. We took leave of McClellan, and the whole army is discouraged and sad. I will not complain. I have learned not to doit; neither will I hope for evil to befall the government, but just as sure as George B. McClellan leaves, the courage, enthusiasm, and pluck they go to bed well, and in the night wake up shivering, and sore across the chest; then commences their death march unless speedily seen to. It is almost impossible to cure on the march. Bob has had a headache for a day or two past, and his face looks swollen ; he is very fat, and that may account for it. I am doing every- thing to cheer him up and keep him lively, but he says he knows he will not escape a sick time. I say he shall! . . . Eugene was over to of the army go with him see us this afternoon ; he is an en- It is all the talk in camp .... It would amuse you to hear the sol- diers talk about the government and Abolitionists ; ' hope they will be murdered, and the army defeated,' etc. They can't understand it ; it is a problem to them ; they see no pa- pers, and know not the sequel. Some say that General McClellan is entirely relieved, and some say that it is only to give him the (position of) com- mander-in-chief of the army instead of General Halleck. I am inclined to believe the latter, for it has been hinted at in the papers for some time, and why should he be superseded .'' "We also hear that he has been ordered to report at his home in New Jersey. If you could only hear the soldiers talk about it, you would n't give much for the patriotism of the Armv of the Potomac, and as for their being in good spirits and eager to advance, as the papers say, it is all bosh ! For many of them are dis- couraged, and swear they wont fight under any other general than ' Little Mac ' ; besides the cold weather is killing the men. In our company three are down with fever ; raged individual about McClellan's removal ; he only stayed five minutes, having made arrangements to be back to General McClellan's reception to officers. . . . Just long enough to swear and damn about their remov- ing 'Mac' Oh! isn't he mad .> Aren't all of them mad.? We shall try to go over and see him to-morrow. You don't know what a commotion the change in the army has made. Officers threaten to resign, and men refuse to fight. In heaven's name why make the transfer now, when all plans are made, and McClellan is our leader, the idol of the army } Why give the enemy the victory ? . . They are cannonading out ahead this morning, showing the rebs are near. There is a large army around us, con- sisting of Sigel's, Burnside's, and Porter's corps. Burnside was with 'Mac' this morning; he succeeds him in command. I fear for the result of our grand advance, for it is almost suicidal removing McClellan now, and although I am willing to do my part, God knows I have so far, yet . . . I think what we do is no good. This winter is to see more suffering than FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. 135 America has seen before for some time, that is if we do not winter somewhere. ... I feel as if my constitution and health will be ruined, for who can stand it to lay out all winter, fight, march, etc. } . . . " When your photograph turned up we were too full for utter- ance. . . . How we did laugh at father's pepper. . . . We use it a great deal in scouse, made of hard- tack, salt horse, pork, and water, all stewed together, which makes a very palatable mess. You would laugh, _I know, to see me this noon, eat raw fork and hard bread, with a dipper of coffee, just from necessity. I could but just get it down, but it was so heavy it stayed after I swallowed it." On the 28th of October, the pro- vost guard left their camp in Pleasant Valley and marched to Berlin, Md., camping a short distance back from the Potomac river. October 31, Com- pany G, Ninth New York (Hawkins's Zouaves), Captain Childs, marched back from Wheatland and reported on headquarter guard. November 2, it crossed the river and marched to Wheatland, Va. November 3, it marched to Bloomfield, via Philemont, a distance of eighteen miles. No- vember 4, marched to William Hall's place at Middleburg, Va. November 5, moved to Rectortown, and on the 8th to Warrenton. Our brother, now of the Eighth In- fantry, writes from Warrenton as fol- lows : "Camp at Warrenton, "Nov. 10, 1862. " The pride of headquarters and of the army left us this morning. I would have given a month's pay to have had Abraham Lincoln present to witness the ovation given to General George B. McClellan yesterday norning, by the troops of this army. He leaves us the proudest man in America. Night Before last he received all his staff, and all connected with head- quarters. The Eighth Infantry and Second Cavalry went with General Patrick, provost marshal general ; when the tent was crowded, and all had shaken hands with the General, the champagne was opened, and the General proposed ' The old Army of the Potomac,' and ' Bless the day when he was with it again.' Yesterday he reviewed the provost guard, and it was the finest sight ever witnessed. The old Eighth Infantry and the old Second Cavalry, and his body guard. The Eighth and Second never before cheered for mortal man, but on this occasion such yells as we gave when he passed, were never heard before. After he had passed in review, and was returning to the front. General Patrick, who was riding by his side, suddenly put spurs to his horse and rushed away from him ; uncovering his old gray head, he cried out : 'Once more and all together ! ' They then shook hands, both in tears. Yesterday evening the General re- ceived at Fitz John Porter's headquar- ters. I was there, and it was a mel- ancholy sight to see old men, major- generals, and brigadiers, shed tears when they parted from him. "General Burnside is one of his best friends, and regrets this thing as much as any of us. When General McClellan received the order, reliev- ing him, we were pursuing the rebels, and would have forced them to fight 136 FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. the next day ; now the rebels are ahead of us, and I expect we shall be skedaddling back to Washington very soon. I saw Walter and Bob yester- day ; I never saw them so fat before ; they appear to be comfo'rtably situ- ated; I shall see them again soon. Our command has just been ordered to turn out and receive General Burn- side, who will occupy the old head- quarters to-night. I suppose we must transfer our affections to him now. " On the i6th the provost guard left Warrenton, marched to Weavers- viUe, crossing Cedar run, bivouacking near Catlett's Station. On the 17th it bivouacked at Spotted Tavern, and on the i8th at Hartwood Church. On the 19th it reached Falmouth, Va., about 11 o'clock a. m., and went into camp." Our brother in the forts now writes : " Fort Tillinghast, "Nov. 13, 1862. "I do not feel like writing to-night, as I am very tired, having had to work hard all day on a ' bomb-proof ' which we are digging in the fort for protection in case of an attack, but am obliged to communicate to you some unwelcome intelligence. Lewis to-night received a letter from the commander ot the gunboat Judge (I could not make out the name), informing him of the death of his father ; he died (or was killed) at the bombardment of Vicksburg. He had written before, but Lewis did not get the letter. . . . Lewis feels very badly, but I try to cheer him all I can. I received mother's letter . . . please tell her she had better not send them (the little things she mentions), for I should have to throw them away if we should move. One pair of stockings, one shirt, and a blanket, with ammunition and equipments, are all I can possibly stagger under. It is ' the last hair that breaks the cam- el's back,' you know. . . . We have had a big snow storm here, and it has been pretty rough in these tents, but when I think of how poor Walt and Bob must suffer, I do not com- plain. Do you hear from them, and how are they? . . . The Twenty- fifth Maine is encamped near us ; it is mostly made up of my old school- mates, and it seems like old times. Frank Fessenden is colonel. Luther Dana, Ham. Ilisley, Freeman Clark, and a host of others are among the privates. . . . Tell father that that little George Goss who used to do up the mail with Gene ... is sergeant-major, and was local editor of the Argus before he came to the war. " He is the present correspondent of that sheet. One of our company died the other day, and they had him embalmed and sent to Amesbury. We borrowed the money to be paid ' pay day.' The removal of McClel- lan does not cause much talk here, and if Burnside will only fight and do something towards closing the war, it will be all right. The men would rather do a month's steady fighting, and then go home, than to remain here a year doing nothing." Our brothers of the Twenty-second now say : "Warrenton, Nov. 15 and 16, 1862. " Last night after our return from a visit to Gene, we received your last FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. ^37 letter accompanied with the package containing the caps, gloves, one needle, and some thread, tokens of your fond interest, and continual efforts for our best comfort and pleasure at home. If you only knew how overjoyed we were to receive them. . . . The caps are the envy of the company, and the gloves are the best we could desire. . . . The day your letter came, Eugene was over in the afternoon, towards night ; Bob was down sick at the time, but has since recovered ; Gene stayed with us until late in the even- ing, and when he went away, it was was with the understanding that if Bob was better, we would be over to see him the next day ; his visit was very pleasant to us. He seems just as he used to, and talked with us about everything ; he was cross and snappish though about the removal of ' Little Mac ' and Fitz John Porter. " The next day Bob was no better, and we could n't go over to the Eighth Infantry ; we were called out on review (our corps), to take leave of General Porter, and welcome 'Fighting Joe' as our new comman- der. It was a sad parting, and many an ofKcer shed tears, while Porter was very much overcome ; it was a magnificent sight, and as the various regiments cheered, waved their tat- tered banners, and saluted their de- parting commander, it was enough to move a heart of stone. It has had a great effect upon this part of the army, the supersedure of McClellan, and his favorite general. Porter. " Gene came over at noon, and stopped most of the afternoon ; Bob was much better, and we had a gay time. We saw General Howard and Governor Washburne of Maine, at the camp of the Maine Second (in our brigade, next regiment.) . . . The next day, Friday,. Bob and my- self went over to see Gene ; we got a pass from headquarters of the brigade, and started early in the fore- noon. We found Gene glad to see us, and he introduced us to Frank Worth (son of General Worth of Mexican war fame) ; a young fellow, Captain McKee, (formerly captain of Gene's company at West Point), now of the First Cavalry; also Lieutenant (J. N.) Andrews, adjutant of the battalion, and ever so many more officers (of his class) who called to see him, that I can't recollect. " We were treated splendidly by them all, just the same as though we were one of their number, and parti- cular friends at that. . . . We sat in a little arm (camp) chair, the first one since leaving home. He has got a nice wall tent all to him- self. We had a long, nice chat with him, and talked and joked. He showed us one or two of his camp pictures, gave us one, grew quite confidential, discussed the war, re- moval of his idol., ' Little Mac,' etc. etc., till dinner time. " We had a royal meal, composed of roast beef, pickled tongue, sweet and Irish potatoes (the latter mashed in butter and milk, bread and butter, and sherry wine. . . . We en- joyed that kind of ' fod ' until our stomachs were not big enough for our eyes. . . . We had a gay dinner, and a gay time . .. . Af- ter waiting for the mess (of which Gene is the worthy caterer this 138 FOUR BROTHERS IJS! BLUE. month) to get through their smoke, Gene, Bob, and myself adjourned to the tent (where he lives in style), and had a long confab on politics, the army, regulars and volunteers, his company, home, the letter you sent to him, John Andrew and his niggers, and many more topics worthy of mention, but forgotten just now. We found him a queer genius in his ideas, and in politics he beats the Dutch. We felt perfectly at home, and talked freely. We stayed there until four o'clock, when we went to see guard mounting ; and oh, father, how splendidly the regulars drill ; it is perfectly sickening and disgusting to get back here and see our regi- ment and officers manoeuver, after seeing those West Pointers and those veterans of eighteen years' service go through guard mounting. I need not go into detail, nor mention any of the differences; you know it all. I am only glad I saw, for now I know I am a better soldier after seeing them perform. Gene sent for a lot of apples, and took us to the sutler's tent and gave us some cheese, a can of strawberries to carry to our camp. While there we saw Colonel (Adel- bert) Ames of the Twentieth Maine, and John (Marshall) Brown, his adju- tant . . . and Tom Edwards, the latter in government employ. . . . Gene walked half way back with us ; on the road he introduced us to Fuller, a former classmate of his from Maine, and another classmate whom I cannot recollect. They seemed as glad to see us as if we were their own brothers, and shook our hands cordially ; they are such a genial set of fellows, these West Pointers, and yet such perfect soldiers. Gene seems to be a great favorite too with them all. Gene left us at camp. We had a real nice visit, and he treated us splendidly. "... That morning we drew overcoats, and upon our arrival in camp, found a letter from father. We could not imagine what the bundle was, but upon opening it and seeing the contents, we actually jumped up and down. . . We found Henry Wilson (Senator) in camp; he walked around to every camp fire, and sat down and talked to the men . . . he was out to inspection ; Hooker told him yesterday that we made a fine appearance. . . We are very busy preparing for a march. I am finishing this Sunday, and to-morrow we move . . . rumor has it that we go to Fredericksburg. Yesterday General Hooker reviewed the whole corps; our division was in one field, and it was a splendid sight ; he rode round at a trot by every regiment, when he posted himself on a hill, and the whole division marched by, by companies. He took off his hat to the flags, all of them. " Gene was to have been here to- day but I guess he has moved ; the whole army is on the move but us ' Reserves.' Hooker has now com- mand of the Center Grand Division, composed of the Third and Fifth army corps, the latter being ours, under temporary command of the ranking brigadier, General Sykes. So I am under Gene's old commander ; may I be true to him, as was Gene, and the remembrances of the gallant major (at home) cause me to fight well, and whistle and sing after the FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. 139 victory is won. We march on the morrow, dear father ; where we go I know not, but I trust all will be well with us ; you shall hear from us as soon as possible. Trusting that the last words of your letter may be veri- fied in the future. . . . Things look blue out here in respect to McClellan's removal ; its tendencies are bad for the army, yet I do not despond. If all will do their duty, as I hope to do mine, we shall beat the fleeing enemy." Our brother Bob adds on the i6th • " Of course you have read ere this of the removal of 'Little Mack' and his right hand man, Fitz John Porter ; that together with Hooker's review is the chief talk now in camp. At night the boys will huddle around the fire, and will blow and talk, until there is no end of opinions . . . you have no idea of the feeling ex- pressed in the army on this subject. . . . This is the third review I have been in since I came out here ; one by the president, farewell review by ' Mack,' and this one. Fitz John Porter's I did not go to, as I was sick in my tent. Since I wrote my last letters I have been threatened with a fever ; I laid in my tent for three or four days without scarcely moving out ; two or three of our boys were sick after this march. I suppose I caught cold during that last snow storm, in which we suffered severely, being without overcoats or gloves, and our feet soaked. ... I wish . . . that you who have never seen a large army, and its move- ments, could see it, and also the celebrated generals, ' Mac,' Burnside, Sumner, Hooker, Franklin, Richard- son (dead). Griffin, Wilcox, and half a score of others, for I know it must be a great sight to you. . . . Gene has been to see us twice, stopping a longtime each visit . . . he laid in our little coop, and talked with us ever so long ; shook hands with us at leaving, told us to be sure and come to see him. That was when I was sick, but was getting better. " The next day he came again, making us another pleasant visit. . Tell father I will try and profit by his advice ; let him never fear of my lowering myself in any way, for I am resolved that I will come back as good as when I went out. . . . We have to rout out mornings at five o'clock, reveille. Won't the gloves be gay to-morrow .' My Iwly stocking will be at a discount. . . . I am writ- ing on my knee, so do n't laugh at the writing; with an old blunt, lead pen- cil, and my Irniee fan aint just the thing. . . I will write just as soon as we stop long enough if we move to-morrow. ..." Our brother of the artillery now writes : " Fort Tillinghast, Nov. 18, 1862. . , . " About the box ; we ex- pect to go to Harper's Ferry soon, but cannot tell when, and it would be much easier for me to get it here, so if you can make it convenient, you had better send it as soon as you can. . . . Two or three of the Portland boys were over fo see me yesterday, and we went down to old Lee's place, and drew some persim- mons, and afterwards sat down to salt horse. I believe you asked me for a 140 FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. piece of my ' wool.' You have it en- closed ; it's sure death to rats., but has no visible effect on lice. They do not trouble my head, but are very partial to woolen goods. Is n't it aw- ful ? They will get into the tents in spite of all we can do, but I have not had any about me for some time. I got some ynercurial ointment, which fixed them, and came pretty near fix- ing me, for it took the skin nearly off my body. ... I suppose you feel very badly about Uncle William's death . . . He was killed on board the gunboat Judge Torrence at the storming of Vicksburg." In the rain and gloom of the morn- ing of November 17, we filed out again for the march, and moving through Warrenton, Warrenton Junc- tion, and other small hamlets (Elk- ton and Spotted Tavern) found our- selves on the 22d, near Hartwood church, a soaked, bedraggled lot of patriots. It was called the " Mud Camp." It was a low, marshy piece of ground. The rain pouring rn torrents, had overflowed it ; the tent pegs, although two feet or more in length, would not hold. A gust of wind at night swept it down upon our faces, and drenched to the skin, about midnight, after sev- eral unsuccessful efforts to disen- tangle cords, pegs, poles, etc., we abandoned it, and in the inky black- ness, steered for a fire, where we found about half of the company " sit- ting around," and here we wore out the night, crouching, nodding, and vainly endeavoring to sit upon a log, sleep bolt upright, keep from getting any wetter and colder, and at the same time, avoid tumbling into the fire.' Upon the 23d, we slowly paddled along the awful roads, through bog, mire, and liquid mud, about ten miles, and at night, bivouacked in our fight- ing position, about four miles from Falmouth, near Stoneman's Switch on the Acquia creek and Fredericks- burg railroad. We had reached our hase. When our small band of patriots was gathered at old Camp Cameron, in Cambridge, impatiently awaiting the seemingly slow movements of the powers that be, and transportation to our regiment ; engaged and absorbed in the many novelties uf the occa- sion, and in eager anticipation of events, we had given but little time or thought to individuals, or their characteristic traits. Among our number, however, we had noticed a tall, slim boy, straight as an arrow. His face was a perfect oval, his hair was as black as a raven's wing, and his eyes were large and of that peculiar soft, melting blackness, which excites pity when one is in dis- tress. His skin was a clear, dark olive, bordering on the swarthy, and this, with his high cheek bones, would have led us to suppose that his nationality was different from our own, had we not known that his name was plain Henry P . There was an air of good breeding and refine- ment about him, that, with his small hands and feet, would have set us to thinking, had it not been that in our youth and intensely enthusiastic na- tures, we gave no thought to our comrades' personal appearance. We can look back now and see the shy, reserved nature of the boy, the dark, melancholy eyes, the sad smile, FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. 141 the sensitive twitching of the" lips. We had more time to observe oiir comrades. Hardships, privations, danger, with death often staring us in the face, was beginning to draw us nearer. Strong sympathies were aroused. The tall, slim, dark haired boy began to yearn for companion- ship. On the Maryland campaign to An- tietam, sometimes the burden had been greater than he could bear, and the rough, hard jokes of the Penin- sula veterans, accompanied with a — "You d — d two hundred dollar re- cruit," had closed the portals of his heart. His quiet, uncomplaining ways attracted the writer's attention. I was drawn to him, and while around Sharpsburg, we had become warm, fast friends. His face grew brighter. His sad eyes looked happier. An occasional smile crept about his lips, lingered for a moment, and was gone. There was a burden upon his mind which I felt anxious to kno"w, yet hes- itatingly shrank from intruding my- self upon his sensitive, reticent na- ture. One day, however, Henry felt communicative. A letter from his sister had cheered him up, and in a sudden fit of confidence, he told me his long buried secret. This boy was the son of a Sand- wich Island princess near relative of the royal king, Kamehameha. His father, a native of Boston, be- came a merchant in Honolulu. He had, while living at the island, be- come enamoured of this princess, and after a short courtship, married her. He brought her to Boston where Henry was born. It is the old story — the beautiful princess died ; the father married again. Henry was educated in the public schools of Roxbury. In the midst of the clamor of war, when the very air vibrated with excitement, the wild enthusiasm of the crowds, and the inspiring sound of the drum, his Indian nature rose within him. His resolve was made. He would enlist. It was a beautiful face that Henry showed me that bright October day, as we sat in the shadows of the huge black walnuts and white oaks, that formed the grove by our camp near Shepardstown, on the banks of the Potomac. It was an ambrotype of the native princess, his mother, taken in Boston, after her marriage. With the exception of a slight fullness of the lips, and the prominent cheek bones, it was a perfect face. The blue-black hair, waving over a high forehead ; those large, mellow, black eyes, like a gazelle's, and the sweet smile that lighted the whole face, would have made anyone proud of such a lovely mother. But even as he replaced it in its sacred spot near his heart, the tears trembled upon his long, dark lashes, and rolled down the swarthy cheeks of the boy soldier. As we hastened along the hard Warrenton turnpike, on this i8th day of November, on our march to the " Spotted Tavern," every step seemed accompanied by a groan of fatigue or exhaustion, from the worn and weary men. It was long, hard, and uncompro- mising. Henry had kept up; was cheerful in his new-found friendships. But the unfortunate boy had, in his want of experience, purchased some- 142 FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. where, a pair of thin., high-heeled and nat-row soled boots. The poor fellow's feet became blistered. His pain-contorted face, as he hobbled along, mile after mile, showed plainly the agony he endured. His swollen feet became a torture, which even his Indian nature could no longer endure. He announced that he would be compelled to "fall out.'' We tried to persuade him. It was useless. It became a law of stern necessity. A sudden impulse seized me. I resolved to " fall out " too, and take care of him, for, although younger than he even, I was stronger, more robust, and had now become hardened into good soldier trim. We started a fire and prepared our coffee. Henry had removed his boots, and was enjoying a partial relief from his aching feet, when it suddenly occurred to me that this friendly act of pity and sympathy was contrary to the then existing orders, now so strictly enforced, and to every soldierly prin- ciple, and besides we might be " picked up " by the provost guard in rear, and punished for straggling. This I made known to him, and urged him to make another effort to rejoin the command, as it was late in the afternoon, and it would soon go into camp. But without avail. He raised his tin cup of coffee to his lips, and replied, — "I will be in camp by night, good by." The rear of the corps was about passing. I joined it, and an hour later was in bivouac with the regiment. It was the last we ever saw of poor Henry P . Week after week rolled by. Fredericksburg's murderous battle had been fought, yet no trace of the absent soldier. He had not been arrested by the provost guard. He was reported as " missing." We can hear the words now, as the roll was called in the gray of those fateful morn- ings, and gone over and over again in the chilly, frosty air of approaching night, — " Henry P , missing.'' Time wore on. The spring of 1863 approached. A paper was received one day in the company, and this item caught our eyes, — "At the Parole Camp, Annapolis, Henry P , late Twenty-second Regiment Massachusetts Volunteers. Funeral at Roxbury on at o'clock.' A letter was received some time afterwards, and the mystery was solved. He had been brought to the Parole Camp at Annapolis, a paroled prisoner of war. His emaciated frame, far gone with disease and suffering, had succumbed, and his spirit was at rest. Five minutes after I had left him, near Warrenton Junction, and joined the rear of the Fifth Corps, as it passed, a band of Mosby's guerillas came out of the oaks, where they had been watching our movements, and without a struggle, had surrounded and made a prisoner of the worn-out, shoeless boy, and marched him to Richmond. Libby prison and Bell Isle soon wore out the brave spirit, and at last, when by apparent good fortune, he was exchanged, it was only to linger feebly a few weeks, like the flickering of an expiring flame, then quietly pass away to an eternal life. The princess's son was dead. Our letters now continue, describ- ing the march to Fredericksburg. FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. 143 " Near Falmouth, Nov. 22, 1862. "Just after finishing my letter to father, (which I sent yesterday and wrote at Warrenton), we received positive orders to be ready to march next morning, last Monday, and be- fore I could get a chance to get it into the mail bag, the headquarter tent was struck, and in the midst of a drizzling rain we started, both of us being compelled to take our letters with us, and wait for a chance to send them ; yesterday was our first opportunity, and I hope they will be received in due time. . . . We are now within ten miles of Falmouth, camped in a most desolate place, and expecting to move hourly ; the sun is out for the first time since we started, and such a specimen of the rainy season as we have had, I never wish to witness again. " We have struck tents twice to- day, and both times had our orders countermanded ; and now we have pitched them again for the night, with hopes of a comfortable night's rest, the first we shall have had since Sunday night* We have boughs on the ground, and side sticks in the tent to keep out the wind ; our shel- ters are very frail, and are made by buttoning three square pieces of drilling together, and pinning them to the ground with stakes, the two side pieces being thrown over a pole, which rests in the crotches of two end stakes, and ropes from the ponchos drawn tight to pins in the ground, keep these two ends firm, while side pins keep the rest in place, and one poncho at the back end com- pletes a tent for three, unless you wish to be more comfortable, and put a poncho over at the foot, and I have drawn a poncho for the latter pur- pose, or at least signed for it ; I expect to get it soon. " I send you a rough sketch of a poncho tent, at the same time en- deavoring to explain it. It has been one continual rain since we left Warrenton, and when we got here man and beast suffered alike. We have been here two nights, and last night I was a perfectly soaked man. Sometimes we exaggerate when we say we are wet through, but I solemnly declare I was truly soaked ; here 's the way of it : yesterday our tent blew down in a squall of rain and wind, while I was in the woods after boughs for a bed, and before Bob and Ed could get it up, our kit, blankets and all, got wet through, and our tent ground filled with water ; we did the best possible, and all day long it poured, so that our personal bodies were wet when we retired to a wet bed. I spread my rubber blanket, and then put my woollen on that (I could wring the water from it in sufficient quantities to fill a water, pail), and until midnight I lay awake suffering from the cold, our tents filling every minute with puddles. I got up at two o'clock, and was so sore I could hardly stir. I went to the fires (kept burning by the guards, who were wallowing in mud and water) ; I stood there in the rain until the sun rose and dispelled the clouds, the firsf light for five days, and to-day we have fixed the tent and dried ourselves somewhat. Bob and Ed were troubled too, but had a better part of the tent and saved their blankets dry ; Bob was up in 144 FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. the night several times, not well. He is plumb to-day. Must close now, as it is dark ; we leave to-morrow, and I know' not for what spot, Fred- ericksburg I guess. I shall finish this as soon as we stop ; I have two letters by me now, which I wrote at Warrenton and could n't send them.'' " I am on fatigue, and have got to lug ivood. I do it cheerfully, for I am strong to-night, while many poor fellows are sick in the regiment. I am acting corporal of the squad de- tailed, but always do my share of the work : we have to do it to-night for we are in late, and we are cold ; it is moonlight, and we can see I guess. I may add more as soon as I get paper." "Wednesday, Nov. 26, 1862. " This whole letter I consider as a sort of diary, and as soon as I get it sufficiently long I will send it. Since Sunday we have been here, and we have all been wondering at the delay in our operations upon Fredericks- burg; there are many rumors about Burnside, intervention, etc., etc., but as I have seen no paper yet, I am at a loss to understand why we are here at a standstill, idle, and allow- ing the . rebs to fortify and gain strength. We have lots of work to do, and the fatigue labor of forming a camp of even four days' duration, is enormous. We have to cut and lug from the woods all our wood, while many regiments have theirs brought by their "quartermaster's teams. We are out of gi'ub also ; I have had two hard bread to-day, and yet there is great quantity at the commissary waiting for the head boss to deliver them out, and while I am hungry, the officers at headquarters are having roast beef, hot bread, pota- toes, and pudding. The government isn't to blame, neither is our worthy chief, Abraham (although misled, ignorant soldiers swear at 'Abe' for it), but it is all owing to miserable, petty officers, who forget all their ideas of right and wrong under the shoulder straps. . . . We shall draw rations to-night theg say. . . . We draw no beans, rice, or candles yet. While in the mud hole, Bob saw Brainard Blanchard ; I was away ; he passed by in the Thirteenth (Mas?.) on the skedaddle from Rappahannock Station ; the Rebi drove them away. He wanted to see me dreadfully, so Bob said." Our brother Bob, of the same date, says : '■ Walt has been writing this fore- noon with his overcoat and blanket on him, it is so cold. Now having fin- ished my humble meal of boiled crack- ers, I will try and see if I can manage to write a sAoriletter, for it is too cold to write long. Remember when we write, we have to be out of doors as it were, and no fire to sit by. To morrow is Thanksgiving, and I know you would like to hear from us. The last letter that I wrote was at Warrenton, Sunday afternoon. That night it rained ; reveille at three o'clock, and we packed up our wet stuff and started. It rained for live days, in which we suffered ex- tremely ; the third day we pitched ponchos in the rain and mud up to our ankles ; wet feet, cold and wet blankets, we laid that night, the rain pouring in torrents. I had the diar- rhoea, and of course, miserable, cold, FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. ^45 wet, and lying in the mud and water, had to turn out several times, be- cause of that curse to the soldier : you can't cure it. But rain was not to be our worst; we left the next morning with about eight or nine hard tack and a hunk of salt pork. The Second Maine were out and hol- lering for hard tack. We lived that day, and arrived at this place Sunday night (which is witkin five miles of Fredericksburg, which is across the river, Falmouth being just on this side). The next day we did not get a cracker, although our rations were up ; the boys looked blue enough ; some had n't even a crumb. . . . The next day came, and not a cracker. I thought we should all starve; we were hungry enough to eat a nail. I picked up pieces of cracker in the mud, under the mules' feet ; some picked up bones, and ate the marrow; this with cold, frosty weather, and diarrhoea from eating raw pork, took us down a peg. Yesterday we got three days' rations of cracker and pork, and the boys set up a howl; I thought there would be a mutiny ; they were yelling 'hard tack !' even in the night; some of the regiments haven't any now; good prospect for Thanksgiv- ing, isn't there .' It is getting to be rainy ; last night it rained good, and I had to ' turn out,' of course on account of diarrhoea. . . . You have no idea what it is, this winter campaign, with nothing for s'helter but thin, open cotton tents, in these extremely rainy, frosty, cold nights with nothing but coffee, pork, and h^rd bread, when we get into camp after a hard march. "We have to go sometimes a mile for rails, then pitch our tents with numb fingers, after which, in the dark and smoke, we cook our coffee in our little black pails, toast our hard tack, eat, and ' turn in,' pro- vided we are so fortunate as not to be on guard. Oh ! what a blessing those caps and gloves are, and now our overcoats that we drew at War- renton are quite comfortable. Only think of ' Carleton,' the Journal (Boston) correspondent, saying that in that cold, driving snowstorm at White Plains, had it not been for the stoves in our tents, we would have suffered terribly. ... I would liked to have warmed his fingers by those stoves in our tents nary a stove did we see. ... If his back had been in two inches of snow that night, he would have wished himself out of the warm tents. ... I think it is almost suicidal keeping men out this win- ter, in water and rain, mud and snow, with nothing to cover us, and no shoes on our feet. ... I have got the rheumatism, and a cold which has hung over me for six weeks, owing to getting wet, sleeping in water and snow with wet feet, etc. . . A great many of the boys have it. It is true . . . half the time we don't know so much about the army movements as you do, although when we are on the march, we generally have some idea of where we are going, and that is all we know for a day or two, except by rumor, which is sometimes that we are surrounded, and everything else impossible. . . . You must have had cold weather, and that 146 FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. storm you had, must have been 'the very politely, and asked them to dine same one we had at White Plains, with us, which invitation they greedily . . ." accepted. What was the result.' Our brother of the regulars now We never eat but what they are makes an elaborate defense of Gen- about ; they follow us night and day, eral McClellan, in answer to a long and I was compelled a day or two letter written him by our father, who since, to 'jerk' one, a 'Times re- was a strong anti-McClellan man : porter,' from one of my teams. " Camp Opposite Fredericksburg, " You have doubtless learned be- November 22, 1862. fore this that Burnside's advance was " I was very glad to receive your in Fredericksburg ; we are not there, long letter this morning, and will and what is more, we shall have to give it to Walter and Bob as soon as fight hard before we get there. Now I see them. While near Warrenton to commence with, I know that Gen- I saw them quite often, but since we eral Biirnside is not the equal, or left there, the Eighth Infantry has does not compare with General been in advance of everything except McClellan in military strategy ; of Sumner's Corps. Our qiiartermas- his patriotism I have not a doubt ; ter's department is becoming noted ; but if a man should assert that Gen- I always bring my train into camp eral McClellan was not a patriot, I with the battalion. Before we reached would tell him he lied, if I forfeited Falmouth, headquarters train did not my life for it. I am not an idolizer ; get in, and General Burnside was if you remember, I told you that obliged to go back seven miles to General McDowell was not the cause reach it. General Patrick and staff of our first Bull Run disaster ; I remained with the Eighth Infantry, firmly believed it then, and I as firmly and the general occupied my tent believe it now. I do not think that and bed for the night, and said he general was to blame for the disasters had never slept better in his life. on the peninsula ; I only ask you to "The next morning General Burn- read De Joinville's account of that side and staff honored us with a call, campaign, and as I hope to live drank all our water and whiskey up, through to-morrow, his account is a ate all of our apples, and started us correct one. off for Fredericksburg ; ' but we " General Patrick ' who knows you are not there yet.' The article, — well,' (he was in a class above you, ' McClellan at Antietam,' I have read and told me you used to come and before; it came from the New York see Plummer), commanded a division Tribune. Now I know more about in McDowell's Corps, that battle, and McClellan generally, " When- McDowell was at Fred- than these lively newspaper corres- ericksburg, his advance was within pondents who infest this army, and seven miles of Fitz John Porter when the provost guard. Two of these he fought the battle of Hanover individuals came to our camp in Court House; why did he not join Pleasant Valley; we treated them him.? Was it McDowell's fault.? No, FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. 147 it was owing entirely to General Wardsworth, who was his junior, but who, possessed with (of) more influ- ence than McDowell, succeeded in making President- Lincoln and the secretary of war believe that it was all for the best. McDowell protested to General Wardsworth that he (McDowell) was a ruined man. General Patrick told me of this. "After the battle of Fair Oaks, every available man was sent across the swamp ; Fitz John Porter's corps, ' originally t,he reserve,' now formed our right wing, and protected our communications ; should he with- draw, where would our supplies come from .'' Would it have been policy to have withdrawn him and plunged in- to Richmond, or, rather ' risked a battle,' with our communications abandoned } What would have been the result if we had been defeated .■' Surrender! Our right flank was turned ; McClellan expected it, and did the best in his power, changed his line of communications to James river. We arrived at Harrison's Landing after hard fighting, and our army thinned by disease and the bullet, but they had confidence in McClellan still. " Newspapers and political gentle- men generally, commenced to get frightened, and cry out, ' Down with McClellan.' Harrison's Landing was evacuated and McClellan was de- posed by an order from the war department, assigning him to the command of all troops not under the command of Pope. " His own body guard and orderlies were taken from him ; Pope's army was routed ; McDowell lost his repu- tation unjustly ; all came rushing madly upon Washington, and terror was depicted upon every countenance. McClellan was hegged to take com- mand again. He had to protect Washington, organize a routed army, plan a campaign into Maryland, get ammunition and supplies generally, and then find the enemy, which is no easy matter when you do not know whom to trust for information. Gen- eral Pleasanton's advance fought the enemy almost every day ; the battle of South Mountain was fought, and General Reno killed ; his place had to be supplied. We followed close on the heels of the enemy ; fought them through Boonesboro. General Franklin's corps had gone to the relief of Harper's Ferry, but arrived too late. Old Miles's inefficiency had done its work. We found General Lee in a very strong natural position, offering us battle with a force superior to our own, and having all the means in the world. The battle was fought ; General Burnside called for aid, and it could not be sent for very good reasons ; the regular divi- sion was supporting batteries, and the remainder of Pot-ter's corps were needed somewhere else than with Burnside. " The battle was won, and we occupied the field. We were out of ammunition, out of supplies, shoeless, and twelve or thirteen brigade gen- erals hors-du-combat ; regiments, bri- gades, divisions and corps partially disorganized ; no forage for animals, none for men, the enemy retreating upon their line of supplies (you ask what supplies ; I answer those taken from Pope at Manassas, and those FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. captured at Harper's Ferry). They retreated across the river. Why did not McCIellan follow them .' For the very same reason that Burnside now lies at Falmouth, and does not cross the river to Fredericksburg. "Crossing a river in the face of the enemy is, you know, the most dangerous undertaking in warfare, and if once across without supplies, and then beaten, what would become of the army ? General Sumner's advance wished to cross the river and occupy Fredicksburg ; General Burnside would not allow it. One or two Rebel regiments then occupied the other side ; now they have an army. We are within four miles of our supplies, and get all the forage and rations we want ; we have been reinforced by General Sigel, and have now a large army. General McCIellan did not have 80,000 man ; was almost a hundred miles from supplies, and the communication was not estab- lished. One word about quarter- masters' stores ; General Meigs said we had plenty, or at least he sent plenty. I went with my train for three weeks to Harper's Ferry, with one requisition for clothing. I never had it filled ; I never got a single shirt for my command, and I was told that only six thousand had been sent by the quartermaster's department for the entire army. I saw whole division trains go away with not a tenth part of the articles required, and I will take my oath that I heard General (Rufus) Ingalls, ' chief quartermaster of this army,' give orders to Captain Bliss (issuing quartermaster at Harper's Ferry), to ' cut down the requisitions,' and as regards clothing being drawn and kept without issuing, the only case of the kind that could occur, is when we were ordered to move and had no time to issue. " If division quartermasters should issue to regimental quartermasters, how much clothing do you suppose three wagons would carry, besides regimental and company property, rations, etc. .' That story is simply foolish, and no one who knows any- thing about a quartermaster's duties whould circulate, it. "When McCIellan was removed, he was advancing rapidly, and had gained two or three days on Lee's calculations ; we would have been in Culpepper or Gordonsville to-night if it had not occurred. There is not a military man in this army who does not regard McCIellan as the best man for commander-in-chief of this army. Old Hooker, who won all under McClellan's directions, sneaked away from Manassas Junction in an ambulance, while the up train was waiting for the down train containing McCIellan ; he was ashamed of the part he had taken, and sooner or later his conduct on several battle fields will get a sifting. " General Burnside I regard as a good man, a brave man, and a good soldier, but (I know what I say) he cannot be compared to George B. McCIellan for an instant; he has not got the brains, the energy, the cool- ness of ' Little Mac' General Burn- side will be supported by all officers and men. You never saw a more disgusted man in your life than this same patriot at the news of the re- moval of McCIellan ; he actually shed FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. 149 tears when McClellan turned over the command to him. He said he was not capable, and begged McClellan to remain until he had learned more about affairs ; McClellan said he would remain as long as possible, but he must obey his orders. Your story about Burnside's saying that he ' loved his friend, but his country better,' must have originated in the fertile brain of the ' Tribune reporter.' Per- haps the enclosed order will spread a little light upon why he accepted the command. (Encloses order relieving General McClellan). "As to McClellan's politics, I do not know or care what they are ; I do n't believe they ever influenced him a particle in the discharge of his duty. He has borne ' insult upon injury' with a patience like Job; he has been sacrificed for political capi- tal, and sooner or later he will triumph. If I thought for a moment his removal would benefit the cause for which we are fighting, I would submit without a murmur, but more cogent reasons than those already given for his removal must be ex- plained to me before I will ever believe that he has been sacrificed for his country's good. " You may teach me politics, but you cannot strategy or tactics. I am in a position where I see, hear, and learn something about such matters. I hope I shall see the day when you will be convinced that what I have told you about McClellan is true. I never expect you to believe what I tell you about the imbecility, rascality, and cowardice displayed by some of our precious jewels, until some of your sons are numbered among the many victims of their incapacity and worthlessness. How many officers do you suppose are appointed out of merit } . . . My fingers are cold, and it is late. The pontoon train will be here in the morning, and the ball will open." " November 24. — Pontoon train arrived early this morning ; the bridges were to have been built to- night, but some blundering fool did not send anchors and oars for boats, and did not send enough by fourteen. Sumner crosses first ; how the blood will flow." Our brother Walter now writes : " In camp near Falmouth, November 27, 1862. "After a long march from Warren- ton taking eleven days, we are at last in our position with the Third army corps, as the center division under General Hooker, on the banks of the Rappahannock, and are no longer considered a reserve corps, for ' Fight- ing Joe ' is our leader, and we shall have to buckle down to pure pugilis- tic qualities. We suffered terribly on the road, the rain being our greatest cause for complaint. I have a long letter which I commenced to mother in a mud Jwle back on the march which I shall finish and send as soon as possible ; in it I tell you all, and am now only writing a short note to relieve any anxiety as to our whereabouts in this blissful commu- nity ; it is almost too cold to write, and my fingers are as cold as can be; the weather is our greatest drawback now ; it rained all night, and I am damp all through, but still I am well, so is Bob. " We received our fint mail last 15° FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. night, and such a flow of good tilings never was received from a happier couple. . . . Oh, our joy this festive day, over this Thanksgiving treat! How it tends to center all our love and affection around that table, which to-day shall be set in our dining- room, and be occupied by those most dear to us ; our allowance of salt porJc, coffee, sugar and hard bread, (all we get on the march), will be seasoned to a delicate taste by those fond remembrances. . . . Your letters, so full of love and tender sympathy, are enough to make the day pleasant for us, and that we are thought of as you sit down to the feast, and are remembered all over old Massachusetts by its noble and patriotic Governor Andrew, as well as its generous-hearted, noble people, shall be our satisfying meditation, and shall we not have occasion to be thankful for it, even though we be far away from you all, and the horrid thought of war displaying itself in fearful reality at every step ? " How I wish I could be with you, but I know I cannot ; it is my first absence, but in spirit I am already in the ' straw cottage,' and I can seem to think that I am speaking to you all, and everything is as of old. . We had Governor Andrew's proclamation and his address to Massachusetts soldiers read to us last night on dress parade, and I think them most beautiful, in every respect so touching, and so well de- signed to awaken our better feelings ; they are the best productions of the time I have yet read from any gov- ernor. . . . Eugene is encamped about four miles from us, so I hear ; he will probably be over soon with your letter. I believe every word you say in your short letter, and I know that it is only the pro-slavery, ignorant, at home loafer soldiers that cling to McClellan now. There was a sort of something about ' Little Mac ' that deprived him of a fruitful victory ; I think him a great general, and I think they removed him at the wrong time, just in the midst of a campaign, thus occasioning a delay hurtful to the cause. McClellan and Fremont are of little consequence only as they affect the cause of our country, and I do think the former's removal at such a critical time, when the whole army adored him {Tribune correspondents to the contrary not- withstanding), has affected to some extent a good, loyal feeling in the army, and there is not so much fight in our ranks now, as there was be- fore, for we feel as if the fighting at home, the constant removal of gen- erals, the elections in New York, Philadelphia, and Ohio, and the prob- able quarrels in the approaching ses- sion of congress, all tend as a draw- back to the doings of the army. "I only hope his removal will set things right; time will show. I think my opinion of ' McClellan at Antietam' is exactly set forth in a piece of that heading in the New York Tribune of a few weeks since ; I expressed myself to the same effect in letters home just after the fight. The talk about there not being much enthusiasm at McClellan's last re- view, is all bosh ; such a reception by the different regiments I never saw given to any man, and it is no more than true, that in no man will FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. 151 the army place that implicit con- fidence that it did in George B. McClellan. I cannot account for it, but his presence was magical. . . . We may be ordered to move at almost any moment; the 'rebs' are over across the river, and we are over 100,000 strong ' en masse ' to the river on this side ; we have a commanding position, and Fredericksburg is at our mercy. There are many reports as to an order for its surrender, and an armistice granted for thirty days just afterwards ; also about the rela- tive strength of the batteries planted on either side, and our being ordered forward with twelve days' rations toward Richmond, and the commence- ment of our laying our pontoons, etc., etc., but not knowing anything about them, I shall say nothing We had an awful disagreeable march, commencing Sunday night before we started, (Gene started Sunday morn), the day he was to come and see us. "We were wet through night and day, and slept in mud and water ; we suffered also from cold and want of food, teams not coming up until after our rations had expired ; the weather was so cold that we ate more, and indeed, what we get on the march is n't enough for us, twelve crackers a day, salt pork, (most of the time with us), and two spoonfuls of sugar and coffee each. Why, I ate twelve hardtack yesterday at dinner I was so hungry ; it takes a good deal of such stuff to keep the blood warm enough to engender sufficient bodily heat for existence, and you would laugh to see me eat raw -pork, hard-tack, and drink hlack, pot coffee now ; I have had to come to it, for I cannot get different in this, the enemy's country ; as for forage, we are not allowed even that ; they guard all secesh property, rather than run the risk of having one Union Southern man (I have not seen them yet), lose a single chicken ; as for the weather being delightful, and stoves being in our tents, and the army being urgent to move forward, and everything be- ing lovely, as the 'army correspon- dents' make it out, it is a lase lie. " When we first got here we were all out of grub, and the teams being in the rear, we could n't draw our rations, and for a day and a half I only had a cup of coffee, two hard- tack (which I bought), and some crumbs in the bottom of my haver- sack ; now I am flush again with our peculiar line of provisions, and shall celebrate to-day with a hearty dinner. " We may have some fresh meat, for they are killing over in the butcher's department ; Ed Morrill fell out of the ranks of his company with a sore foot (wounded at Antietam), and our regiment overtook him on the march, much to the pleasure of us all. He stayed with us two days, riding in an ambulance belonging to our corps. His foot is inflamed by a severe cold in it, and he will be obliged to go to the hospital again." "November 28, 1862. " Bob was sick last night suffering from headache and pain in his stomach ; while returning this morn- ing from the brook, he was seized with a violent cramp in his stomachs and while crawling into his tent, his breath was almost taken away from him ; I turned around and saw him gasping, and by signs he told me 1 52 FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. what was the matter; we got him eral McClellan, etc.), and discussed out of the tent, and I rubbed his it, I side with father, Gene obsti- stomach with hot cloths until he re- nately hanging to his whims. Bob covered, during which process he neutral. suffered excruciating pain. After- " . . . . Gene urgently in- wards his stomach was sore, and he vited us to stay to dinner (at 5 has had a dull headache until now, o'clock, for Gene and Frank mess but at this time seems quite well, up together, and have two meals, one at and walking about as usual. . . . morn and at night), a Thanksgiving Captain T. is dismissed from the ser- one too, but Bob and I dared not, vice ; dishonorably discharged. . . think of the self denial just to obey After finishing my letter to father orders, and at 3 o'clock, after a pleas- yesterday. Bob and I thought of going ant visit, started for camp. Gene to see Gene ; we procured a pass and gave Bob some smoking tobacco and started. After walking five miles on promised to come and see us to- the railroad to Falmouth, (now com- morrow, with sutler's stores with him. pleted, and in running order, insuring We were afraid to stay mainly for a speedier delivery of both rations this, that we might get lost return- and mail), we passed to the left ing at night, having in our minds a towards Sumner's headquarters and new way to get to camp, obtained a grand sight of Fredericks- " We came away loaded with hard- burg ; could see their wagons and tack, which with our rations draion military works. After inquiry, got now, makes us well off; we hated to to Burnside's headquarters,, a mile leave but had to. On our way home from Sumner's, and soon reached the we struck the Thirty-fifth CMass.), provostguard. Eighth Infantry; Gene and I saw W. N. and others; I ate was gone, and Frank with him ; it supper with Haze Goodrich. It was was almost one o'clock, and our pass my Thanksgiving feast; very unex- expired at four with provosts all pectedly I assure you ; it consisted about us to arrest jxiHt sich ; we of sardines, chicken soup, flapjacks, waited until two o'clock, in the mean- hard bread and coffee. Well! we time being politely treated by Gene's got home late, and everything is officers (and I notice this in the regu- lovely now; we expect Gene to- lars, they are always very courteous morrow .... Sunday.'' to their friend's friends ; invite them to drink, etc., etc., a sort of etiquette November 30, 1862. with them), and was about to start " It is bitter cold to-day. Bob and for home, when Gene rode in ; he myself were on guard last night, and seemed so glad to see us ; got us being on the first relief, had to stand bread and apples to eat, and gave me our relief altogether in the night; a shave, and made everything com- all the while I was on the first relief fortable for a short visit ; he had in front of the colonel's tent, I had been over to General Sykes'. We many things to look upon that kept read father's long letter over (on Gen- my mind in constant occupation. FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. 153 "Thene were bjg fires in all the tents and candles in abundance, while tire -poor privates were without either. That furnished material for one hour's thoughts, and then I saw their supper carried into the tents for them, and smelt the savory odor of good things therein ; that was another comparison to the poor fellows who lay near me in their camp streets, eating their salt pork and hard bread, and on Thanks- giving day; while Acting-Brigadier 'Betty' Barnes and his staff were eating their dinners of geese, turkey and fixings, the privates of the Thirty-second Massachusetts were trying to buy hard bread at the brigade commissaries, within ten feet of their mess tent ; that is abominable, yet I do not mean to say our food is not suitable, for it is the best the government can give us, and of the best material and kind, when you remember the trans- portation and everything concerned; they can't possibly give us any other kind ol grub, although I never lose an opportunity to better it, when a chance presents itself. " But it is hard to cut us short, and keep us without hard-tack, when it is in abundance at the commissary to sell, while officers are faring like princes. " We are drawing beans, rice and molasses to-day, and candles are coming. It would make your heart bleed almost to see our poor fellows digging in the dirt, and getting wood for chimneys to officers' fireplaces, and to-day, Sunday, (the president's request to the contrary notwithstand- ing), a fatigue party is making a fireplace, and chimney for the colo- nel's tent, and against their will too, for many of them, I observe, are Christian men, who attend regularly the prayer meetings and live a good life, and besides all the every day fatigue. " We are liable at a moment's notice to be called by the colonel and staff to cut wood for their com- fort. I imagine they have no right to do the latter, for they draw their full pay .... and are ex- pected to hire servants ; neverthe- less, we suffer by it, and contribute wholly to their pleasure. Even in bringing wood for them, we have to bring it up from the woods, while other regiments have it brought by their teams. In the Thirty-fifth, company wood is drawn by horses. I am my own horse and many a time have made an ox of myself in carry- ing prodigious loads on my shoul- ders .... " Many there are in this regiment who, if they follow out their Mc- Clellan ideas of right, and after talk- ing as they do, play the white feather on the field, will find my bayonet in them as quick as a rebtel private's. They must be patriotic, or else the day is lost, and one man playing false to his country is death to many a patriot's endeavor on the day of battle ; there are many such in our army, and it is almost a crime for an honest, freedom-loving spirit to speak itself forth at the camp-fire urging on for the cause, and for war to the knife. "He is then beset by men in authority, who are his inferiors in most every kind of knowledge and 154 FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. together, they try to bear him down, " We were on guard from 5 to 7, and many are the epithets given to 11 to I, 5 to 7, and to-day, 11 to I ; him as he strives for the mainte- now we are at the guard house (the nance of his doctrine ; he is called open air), and I am writing on a an abolitionist, Charles Sumnerite, cracker box, sitting on a log; to- and even Massachusetts democrats morrow we go on fatigue, the usual seek to insult him by saying he is a custom. John Andrewite. Wait until the "Oh! if it wasn't freezing be- day of the fight .... I will tween the hours of 11 and i; I remember the foe in camp who hates believe I walked fifteen miles in ray his country, and thinks her not three tours of two hours each ; I worth fighting for, and says that streaked it lively back and forth on nigger freedom- is the object of this my beat, and this morning the war. ... I will remember him, ground was white with frost. Don't and if he falters from deliberate be alarmed about Bob, from my last cowardice, I will make him step up, letter to mother, of Friday's date; or into him I go, bayonet first and he is quite well now, his attack being bullet afterward. only temporary ; when I first began •' I am for Judge Holt and his to rub him, the pit of his stomach views as expressed to Collector Var- was sunken in, making a large ney in a recent letter, and you can't cavity, while just above there was a imagine how such letters from home hard bunch, just like rock, as big as serve to cheer us up ; how often my head ; it seemed as if his intes- would I despond were it not for kind tines were all bound up in a bunch ; words and ceaseless endeavors for however, he is cured now, and seems our comfort. Every letter is so full well. of love, and mother's pen seems to " I do pity any one sick here with- speak in every line of such inex- out friends ; I have weighed your pressible affection for us. It is words well ; that is the way it is, enough to make a stout heart melt, father, there is no sympathy for a and I can never read a message from poor sick man. At the hospital it is you without emotion. If it requires worse for him than it is in his tent, nothing but the elements to remind for there they use him shamefully, you of us, so steady and unceasing is LeRoy Kimball arrived to-day, and your thought of us. . . . although he is looking finely, I " .... If every soldier could think he says he has the diarrhoea ; see at home a friend like you, how we were glad to see him I assure their hearts would rejoice, and yet you. I shall never forget the night Governor Andrew is of the same we enlisted, and the speech you kind. I know full well that the made; that speech will live with me senate has a soldier's friend in its forever, as it showed your regard for seats when you make your debut ; us, and every letter brings fresh would they were all as patriotic as proof of your anxiety for us. I hope you. we may live to return ; what a happy FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. 155 greeting it will be. I think your letter to Gene, Bob, and myself sim- ply perfect. ... I never read such a good letter from you before. . . . As soon as McClellan gets cleaned out, why this stuff comes from their lips, and it leaks away in streams, and is swallowed by the humblest private who spits it out again. Just as soon as ' Mac' is re- moved, all this talk about there being no fight in the army, abolition- ists, etc., leaks out ; it must certainly have emanated from the fountain head. Your letter is most splendid ; it ought to be read all over the land. . . . Rumor of a move. . . , Good-by." Our brother Rob now says: Dec. 3, 1862. "It is a cold, dismal afternoon. . . rebel wagons. Captain Frank was up to Sumner's headquarters, and with the aid of a glass, could see them at work upon the redoubts ; I think we must move soon, and then for a bloody fight. We are making every preparation, and for my part, I am willing to risk my life in the encoun- ter just to please the croakers at home, who insist upon our making a ' winter campaign.' I want this thing closed up, and if it cannot be done without fighting, I say fight ! . . . till the quarreling, wrangling politicians are satisfied that we can't fight any longer. . . . One thing is certain, it can never be settled so long as they conduct things as they have been doing for the past year. " There have been too many traitors at home, too much fighting among Of course ere this reaches you, Walt ourselves, too much cheating, too will have communicated the news, much shoving out of generals, etc. rumors, etc., etc., as we get them. Of our Thanksgiving visit to Gene, and the Thirty-fifth, and our march to this camp, lack of food, etc., so that I will not repeat. Gene seems to think more and more of us. . . . and seems to take pride in introducing us to his West Point chums, and in vari- ous ways shows his kindness and brotherly love for us ; yet he is sharp and quick in his manner, having changed greatly from the time when we were brothers and sisters in the good old city of Portland. . . If you could see him in the army, and to ever hope to succeed. There never was a more intelligent, self- sacrificing army in the world, but how can it hope to succeed when it is held back by an unseen agency, as it were ? But I must hold my wind, for I am cold and must finish Monday morning." " On the morning of December ist, when a movement of any kind was furthest from our minds, the call sud- denly rang out. . , . '• Pack up." Down went our shelter tents, and we were on the march in short notice. Our destination, as usual, we did not the way he lives as a regular officer, know, but supposed we were going you would not wonder. ... I passed my first Thanksgiving from home in a profitable and pleasant manner ; we could look into the streets of Fredericksburg and see the on picket. The entire brigade and a battery went. After marching about five miles, at a very rapid gait, we knew it was no picket detail. Still we went on, going back to near our 156 FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. ' Mud Camp ' at Hartwood Church. We moved into the woods. No noise was allowed, neither bugle calls nor fires, and we 'munched' our crack- ers in moody silence. "We lay at night, in a wet, marshy piece of woods, through which ran a ravine. Pickets were sent out, and our Cavalry brought in a prisoner. On the following morning, we had just got breakfast, when orders came to pack up with all possible despatch. " Some of the boys remarked that 'Old Betty B.' . . . had got frightened and was going back to camp, and so it proved, and such marching, mile after mile through woods and under brush, across mud- holes, almost at a double quick, before a halt was made. " Then we swung out again, and at a terrific pace, kept on until we reached camp, the entire command much ex- hausted. Many were the curses loud and deep, that trailed through the air that day. It was called a reconnoi- sance, and we let it go at that, but we have never understood to this day, what the home movement was, nor the necessity for such barbarous, up and down hill 'double quicking,' with but one halt in a march of nearly ten miles. "This movement was in support of a reconnoisance which Gen. W. W. Averell, commanding cavalry brigade, had been directed to make with two regiments of his command to Grove Church, Deep Run, and that vicinity, to reestablish the picket line which Captain Johnson of the Third Penn- sylvania cavalry is said to have per- mitted to be surprised, and a part of them to be captured near there on November 28th, and to attack and destroy any force of the enemy's cavalry found there, supposed to be- long to Gen. Hampton's command. " The man captured was an old Mexican war veteran, who belonged to a company of confidential scouts ; he stated that there was a system of signals established by men on horse- back so that information could be conveyed very rapidly from point to point. " The enemy had, however, by this method, or, perhaps, by the fires which some of our men had made in the woods, been frightened off, and were beyond reach. (Rebellion Rec- ords. Also History of Fifth Corps, W. H. Powell, P. 364-66.) Our letters say : " While on fatigue, the call came, 'pack up.' Down went tents, and we were on the march in a short time. Our destination we did not know as usual, but supposed we were going on picket; the whole brigade went. After marching five miles, we thought picketing ivas played out, and still we went, going way back 10 or 11 miles to the place where it rained so and was so muddy ; went into the woods ; no bulling, no fires, and nothing to eat but crackers ; lay that night in a wet, marshy piece of woods. Our cavalry brought in a rebel scout, captured about three miles from our position. The next morning, (yesterday), we went II miles through woods, across mud holes and brush, back to camp ; and such marching ! We never halted but once, a short stop of ten minutes. It seemed as if they could not make us go fast enough ; up hill and down as fast as we could. The boys swore FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. 157 dreadfully, I never heard such oaths. It was a shameful, cruel, and barbar- ous trick to march men so ; worse than a drove of cattle ; but what does a Brigadier care for a private ? We got back tired, sweaty, dusty and used up ; just pitched our tents when Gene came riding up. He noticed my dirty face instantly ; told him to come (to- day) to-morrow, and I would shine as much as he. He asked after our wants, kindly told us there was a prospect of moving across soon, and after a short, but pleasant visit, left for headquarters. " I was on guard Saturday night ; it was awful cold, and as I paced my lonely beat in the midnight hours, oh ! how I did think and think of home. ... I thought of mother, who, although pale, care-worn and anxious for her soldier boys, now is bowed down with a new grief, that of the death of a brother. . . . Poor Mother! I sympathize with her in her loss, and as I tramped up and down that night, it seemed as if I could see her sitting up and waiting lor us to come; . . . Walt wants to write a few lines, and I will close." "December 3, 1862. " . . . . It is evening, and we have finished our supper, coffee, hard bread and boiled tongue that I bought from the butcher and coolced; are seated for the first time in this camp, in our tent, with a candle light, and a poncho covering in front, drawn to- day, and an extra occupant, LeRoy, who, as yet, has no tent, and we crowd him in with us. . . . Rest as- sured, in the tent to-night, we are all fondly thinking of you at home. Baked beans in the morning ; good times are coming at last, and we are living well after much tribula- tion." "December 4, 1862. "Verily, it needs not the rain, or the sunshine, the storm or the calm, to speak to you in words concern- ing us, for it seems one continual thought with you, to have an un- ceasing regard for our welfare, and always ' Walt and Bob ' are subjects of your own voluntary goodness. We could not feel it in our hearts to ask that which you do for us both in word and deed, we can scarcely acknowledge in fitting words ; we can only thank you, dear father, as- suring you that although we some- times forget to mention it, we are susceptible to all its kind intent, showing as it does your love for your soldier hoys, which we can never repay. . . . Your few words in mother's letter have been read, and meaning noted. " . . . Our situation is still the same, in camp before Fredericks- burg ; the Lord knows when we shall advance, yet the greater part of the army, who are sick of strife, are satisfied to remain inactive, even in winter quarters, which are not yet officially announced. I am not; I want to go ahead, or else stop for winter ; we have poor shelter for the present cold weather, and I hate to to live in expectation ; if we are go- ing to stop. I want to build a winter shanty ; if not, I wish to see the enemy, and force from him his right (as he thinks) to secede, and there- by give freedom to the slave, and ^^58 FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. hereafter have a true land of liberty. What a lack of interest in the cause the privates in the army have. To their shame be it said, two thirds would leave for home to-day, if they were allowed, and leave things as they are, and give the rebel govern- ment the victory, and a place among the nations of the earth, an estab- Bob's shoes are out, and he has drawn a pair of government bro- gans (gun-boats). Mine are like adamant. ... I have lost all my Sharpsburg feeling of laziness, and languor, and can work with a will; cold weather agrees with me. . . . LeRoy is back ; has been making' a bridge ; there is to be a lished revolutionary nation, in the grand review to-morrow by General face of the mighty north, and that, too, by force of arms. " It is disgraceful and unworthy a civilized power, and yet I believe it to be a fact, from what I have seen. How I wish every man was like Thomas Francis Meagher in the army, and led by the ildll of Mc- Clellan (for I believe he was com- petent, only his politics and feelings made him go in for a do-nothing policy, or rather soft patriotism, in the compromising line), and influ- enced by the fighting spirit of Joe Hooker. I don't want 'Mac' at the head, but a man with his ability to do (if he chose), but different feel- ings. I am waiting for better things soon. . . . Our qiiartermaster has gone to Washington to look after all regimental and company boxes. The result of his labors is already at Ac- quia Creek Landing: all the boys are sending for boxes. I hardly think it will pay, for Gene says we shall move soon surely. Yesterday two mince pies came hy mail ; they looked so tempting." ". . . Mother, be cheerful, and derive comfort from the assurance that your boys, a gallant quota from the family, a quartette of heroes per- haps still live, and loving her of old are fighting for the flag. Burnside. We are all in our tent now with our new poncho up in front ; we have eaten a dinner of beef soup and hard bread ; and how often we have spoken of home dur- ing our frugal meal. LeRoy talks continually of B. . . . longing to get home. Webster has been detailed to go in a pioneer corps of the regiment, to form with de- tails of other regiments in the bri- gade, a brigade pioneer corps, who carry with their other duds, axes, shovels, and picks, to clear the way, make bridges, etc., etc. ; he doesn't like the idea of it. . . . It has commenced to snow now, and it bids fair to be a long storm ; we are pretty comfortable though, for we are prepared in having our tents pitched before it came along." "December 6, 1862. '' We had a hard day's march to our old mud-hole, and a tough one back ; I suppose it was deemed necessary that we should have one more look at the place, or else it was thought advisable that we have exercise with a load on our backs ; we went ten miles in three and one fourth hours." Our brother in the artillery now writes a short letter : FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. 159 " Fort Tillinghast, December 8, 1862. "Captain Sargent just received your letter, and as I am not sick, but very well indeed, I hasten to answer, but can only write a note, as I am on guard, and have to go on my beat shortly. I received the splendid box which you sent, and I have had a feast I can tell you. . . . I in- vited several Portland boys to dine with me Thanksgiving day, among whom was the sergeant-major of the Twenty-fifth Maine, and he gave me quite a puff in the Portland Argus. Do you hear from the boys now ? I have thought of them about all the time for a day or two, as it has been very cold, the snow being quite deep ; I have suffered considerably in my tent from cold, and do n't know what I should have done if it had not been for the quilt which you sent me ; how must it be with them 1 Lewis sends his love, and is very much obliged for his stockings." Our brother Walter now says : In Camp Near Falmouth, December 10, 1862. " To-morrow we cross the Rappa- hannock at daybreak, and you know what awaits us there ; I have only time left to write once more. Your messages were so good, and you were so thoughtful of your soldier brothers, that I cannot let this last opportunity pass unimproved, without acknowledging it all ; besides I want to let you all know at home that we start for the field with high hopes and anticipations, both for the cause and ourselves; I cannot believe that I shall never see you again, and yet I am counting the cost ; I wish to write once more before I go, and this is a good chance. Your letters were in every way calculated to cheer us. . . . That's the kind of let- ter that does us good, and we do thank you for them so much. . . , I hope I may in some way repay in the same coin by writing this letter, short though it may be, at this time, on the eve of starting on a great tour of great results, and of great concern both to ourselves and to those at those at home. ... I have no news to write, for I know of no great events. . . . Eugene rode up to-day to bid us good-by ; he is under orders to move, and Gen- eral Patrick said that the Eighth had got to make a dash, and if so. Gene will go in ; he said that he was under orders to move so &oon that he might not see us for some time, and so he rode over to give us a parting word ; I hope no evil will befall him, or either of us, but that we may meet again as full of regard for each other as ever. "I was on guard last night at bri- gade headquarters, and as I stood on my beat at three o'clock this morn- ing, freezing with the cold, I could n't help thinking of how comfortable you are at home, and yet it is better that you should never know or see all that happens in this army, for if you did, you couldn't rest a single night, it would work upon your feelings so. Better be happy at home, not know- ing the miseries of this vast con- course of men, than to be miserable constantly over all the horrors of this life. " I saw things last night that would j6o FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. have made your hearts freeze if you had been witnesses ; such sufferings I never beheld. Nightly the camp showeth forth the wickedness of men, and the treatment of horses and mules ; the condition of some of these animals (I saw a mule with his right fore- leg kicked all to pieces by another horse, and as the joint-water oozed out, he groaned with pain most hideously; he was dead this morning, — no one to help, and I could not leave my post) ; the cattle-pen full of poor oxen, cold and hungry, walking about in the midst of offal and leavings of their dead comrades, soon to be shot in the morn, before the rest, and dressed in the same pen of butchery ; it is perfectly hor- rible ; and the sick and care-forsaken men who have no one to look after them as they near their end ; oh, how many they lie in their poor tents, and have to rise and walk, when at home they would be considered crazy to do it. "But enough of this! I am not following your example. I will close the melancholy Btory, rendered so much more awful by actual sight, by hoping that you will never see the like of it, that a land of peace may be yours, and that war may be far away from your immediate vicinity, so that its horrors may be heard of but not seen. " We have days of severe trial to go through now, for how can we pitch our tents these cold nights, after a long march and hard battle? The ground freezes as solid as it does at home in Bradford. We have per- fect spring days, thaws in the morn- ing, mud at noon, and winter at night. " The snow has all melted, and we had just commenced to get ready our winter quarters when this order reached us ; you ought to see the forests disappear by the soldier's axe; Virginia will be cleared by the strong arms of Northern laborers if we con- tinue much longer on its ' sacred soil'; we will hope for the best on this active campaign. I am thankful that I enter upon it in perfect health, and I pity the man who does not, for he is certain to (have) acute suffer- ings. You will find many blunders in my letters ; I am getting uncivil- ized, and forgetting all I ever knew ; what wonder is it, in the midst of such scenes as we are } If we are perfect brutes, I shall not wonder. . . . And now good-bye, father, mother, sisters ; to advance is neces- sary, and why delay ? It is sudden to us at this time, for we have been deluded with vain hopes of staying; I know not when you will hear from me again, but rest assured that every opportunity shall be improved to in- form you all of my health and good spirits, and you well know that my face will be to the foe, and as I march along to Richmond, my thoughts shall be with you all, and I shall always be as ever your loving son and brother, Walt." [TO BE CONTINUED.] FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. 223 homesick. I have never been liearcl after Johnston. Some of the One bv a single person to utter one word Hundred and Thirty-seventh New of complaint. I have been perfectly York came into our tent ; they seem contented, and now I long to get to be very fine fellows. Bread- back to my companj'. Next to selling has commenced again. To- home, that is the place to be. I bacco is quite cheap. The prison- am not glad that there is a prospect ers have had no rations whatever. of laying in camp parole. Only July 22. — Very warm to-day; one meal to-da}'. about eight hundred more came in. Julv 21. — About four hundred Some of the Fourth Maine ; among men from Pennsylvania and Mis- them was Bill Collins. He looked the sissippi and Tennessee arrive, same as ever, — the same old rough- Grant has driven Johnston out of hewn block. About dark we left Mississippi into Alabama. Rose- Belle Isle and went over to Libby. cranz on the move, and a very busy I tell you it was a happy night, time in the southwest. The ac- Twenty-seven days have I been in counts of those from Grant's army Richmond, and I tell you it was are very interesting. Vicksburg the dreariest four weeks I ever surrendered at 10 o'clock, the 4th, spent. Can buy bread along the and at daylight the 5th, Grant was streets, and blackberry pies. FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. By Captain Robert Goldthwaite Carter, U. S. Army. The Battle of Fredericksburg. Moral and Physical Status of the Army — Thanksgiving — Patriotic Letters — The Advance — On the Plains of Staf- ford — Cheerful Gleam on a Dark Night — Raid on Tobacco — Crossing the Pontoon — A Bleach ed-out Coon — In Knight's Brick Yard — A Solid Shot — " Left Fkont into Line! " — The Charge — Foraging Among the Dead — Shelter (?) FOR SkEDADDLERS — ENOUGH IS AS GoOD AS A Feast — Night upon the Battle Field— Sunday in Line of Battle — Breastwork of Dead Bodies — The Night Carnival — Scenes and Incidents —A Jewelry Store— An Anxious Night —A Terrible Storm — The Retreat. Much has been said, sketched, and written about the great Battle of Fredericksburg, by war corres- pondents, who were in the streets of the city, or on the north side of the Rappahannock river ; by histo- rians who were in neither place ; by "our artists on the spot," who were not on the spot., and by offi- cers of nearly every grade, from the commanding general down to junior subalterns, in print and out, covering every possible point, from the first inception of the campaign, with subsequent plan of battle, to the minutest tactical manoeuvre ; giving the dispositions of corps, divisions, brigades and battalions • 224 FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. all valuable, and contributing in no small degree to the future historian's labors, who is yet to sift this mass of material, so that it shall be a truthful and accurate account, em- bodying all that shall be useful to the military student, and rejecting whatever may smack of misrepre- to the last notch as the relieving o( George B. McClellan at White Plains, Va., on November 7, 1862. He himself says: "The order depriving me of the command cre- ated a deep feeling in the army, so much so that many were in favor of my refusing to obey the order, sentation, high coloring, or exag- and of marching upon Washington geration. It is the purpose of the to take possession of the govern- writer, however, to give some per- ment." sonal incidents of the Battle of " The half has never been told ! " Fredericksburg, with no embellish- Night after night about the bivouac ments ; not as coming from tlie com- fires, the bitter debates and rancor- manding general, the war corres- pondent, the artist, or historical critic ; nor even covering the plan of battle, the tactical or strategical points, but a plain, unvarnished ous discussions ran high. It was not understood in the ranks, and the sequel could not be foreseen. The advent of extreme cold weather now upon us, and the pros- statement of facts, given from the pects of a winter campaign ahead. standpoint of a private soldier. General McClellan liad been re- lieved ; General Burnside had as- sumed command; the "nine daj's' wonder," tliat had come upon every- body, even General McClellan himself, like a thunderbolt, had been freely discussed -pro and con around tlie camp fires during those cold, frosty, or drizzling November nights of 1862. Tlie president never knew what a strain was put upon the loyal Army of the Poto- mac ; commanding officers of corps, divisions and brigades, and officers of high rank, never knew, perhaps the country will never know. failure to secure the fruits of Antie- tam, with its negative results, and the jealousies and heart burnings of the Pope campaign, all had combined to contribute their demor- alizing effects to the rank and file, and were among the chiet causes of dissatisfaction, discontent, and ominous growling which occurred then and later. Much bad blood had been engen- dered, not infrequently resulting in personal encounters, in a general scattering of coffee dippers, and ends of rails, the fire being put out, and the men going to their cheerless bivouacs in the mud sul- It was certainly a most danger- len and almost disheartened. Vol- ous move, as many who were in umes could be filled with the hard the ranks can even to-day testify, words, grumbling, growling, the and no act of the government tested heat and passion of arguments, and the loyalty and devoted patriotism useless bickerings at the bivouac of the majority of our noble army fires about Warrenton, but at last, FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. 225 discipline, loyalty, and a better gone into its camps about Fal- feeling prevailed. mouth, Va. Ours, near Stohe- All these active forces had now man's Switch on the west side of the set the private soldiers in ranks to railroad. It was known as "Smoky thinking for themselves, and there Camp." The almost countless was a strong division of opinion as camp fires made of green oak and to whether McClellan could longer cedar, caused great volumes of acrid be set up as the idol of the army, smoke to constantly hang over us, which from that time on, induced a and so near tlie ground that it made more healthy reaction from the old one's eyes smart night and day. Peninsula days. There was no air stirring, and General McClellan says: "My the smoke shifted without rising, chief purpose in remaining with the from point to point, and drove us army as long as I did after being about on the arc of a circle, until relieved was to calm this feeling, in daylight welcomed us with a return- which I succeeded." ing warmth of the sun and the The writer desires to diverge for busy duties of camp made us partly a brief moment, and state that while forget our miseries. General McClellan's personal influ- We were still in our little " dog " ence may have stayed the insubor- tents, pitched on the hard frozen dinate feeling tliat was prevalent ground. They are airy without be- about headquarters, it was, never- ing spacious. They hold three men ; theless, the intelligent action of the ours held four by expansion out of •college and school boys, the rank charity to a poor fellow just from and file of the volunteer regiments the hospital who was sick and had about those bivouac fires, that no tent. There were no telephones quelled the mutinous sentiment in and, if in the night one forgot his the ranks, and 7iot all of that army promise and turned over, a nudge -would have moved on Washington or thump, started from the outside at the coniinand of any military man, indicated that all were to ac- dictator. The republic was safe in cept the inevitable and " lop over." the hands of such intelligent patri- The shelters were filled with ■otism. A careful reading of our cedar boughs ; a log was rolled to letters, will, he thinks, bear him each side, pegged in place, and ■out in this assertion. The early banked with earth; the blankets and violent snow storm had be- were spread, the rubber on cedar numbed our bodies ; the march boughs, the woollen on top, as far through the mud and rain of that as they would' go, the outside men ever rtiemorable stormy season had getting little indeed, especially in taken out some of the fire and spirit the haste and scramble of a " turn of the rank and file, and the Army over." of the Potomac had floundered out If a man was too cold during the on comparatively dry land and night, he quietly arose, left his bed, 2 26 FOUR BROTHERS 'IN BLUE. and unbuttoning the front poncho, covered the plain, froze hard and hastened to the cook-house by the stiff at night, only to be thawed by fire, where he was sure to find sev- the next day's sun into a vast skat- eral midnight ghouls, as boon com- ing-rink, over which we skated, panions who, like himself, had lost slipped, and slid, in our efforts to overcoat or blanket, and were at- move from one camp to another, tempting to down their misery at the collecting as we went, much valu- fire, and gain a little comfort by able Virginia soil, which we did smoking, growling, and casting re- not scruple to deposit wherever and flections upon tiie government, the whenever convenient, commanding general, tiie "con- Many were suffering from chronic traband," or somebody, they cared diarrhoea, caused by eating so much little whom, who had placed them raw pork on the march, and drink- in such a " d d miserable fix ing water from the hard limestone as this." springs about Sharpsburg, adding These midnight grumblings gen- greatly to the burden of discom- erally wound up by one or two forts which would naturally unfit burning their well-worn blue pants us mentally and physically for a to a rich brown, as a puff of wind Thanksgiving feast, or the great blew a stra}' flame their way, and campaign about to open, they crawled back to bed more mis- The weather was still raw, cold, erable than ever, for their tent gloomy, and disagreeable. The mates had generally managed to nights spent in our thin, inadequate appropriate the absentees' share of shelter, now filled with the almost the blankets, leaving them to the unendurable smoke referred to, were tender mercies of the outside of the keenly and most bitterly uncompro- tent, with no cover. mising. Drills, guard and picket duty. The new base of supplies was with an occasional reconnoissance to Acquia Creek. The Richmond the river fords, filled up the time and Fredericksburg railroad had during our three weeks' sojourn in been torn up, and while it was be- this camp. ing repaired, and for a few days November 27th was Thanksgiv- after we had arrived, our rations ing Day in the Army of the Poto- were non est. mac. It had rained, snowed, sleeted. Tired out with long marching, frozen and tliawed alternately, near- pinched with cold, tortured with ly every day since ourdeparture from smoke night and day, and almost Sharpsburg on thenigiit of October famished with hunger, we. were in 31st. no mood to enjoy this glorious an- We were daily expecting to hear niversary day of our New England the welcome order to build log huts forefathers — of turkeys, geese, and make ourselves comfortable in mince-pies, etc., and of stomach- winter quarters. The mud, which stuffing and general good cheer. FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. 227 The hungry men were collected on their parades, shouting "Hard tack ! hard tack?" or fishing about in the mud, among the mules' feet. blessed influences of it, or a master- stroke of Burnside's may ease the North ; I want a battle-cry and a waking up, an enthusiastic survey and under the wagons, for the few of the whole field ; a rush, a tri- crumbs that might have jarred from the empty wagons through the cracks. A well picked and polished pork bone, boiled with some of these muddy crumbs, comprised the sum total of the writer's luxurious (?) dinner, followed by no dessert, nuts, or raisins. Life at this period for the private soldier was indeed a burden, and a great strain upon our youthful and patriotic ardor. Such was the status, moral and physical, of the gallant old Army of the Potomac a few days preced- ing the Battle of Fredericksburg ; umph, as shall gladden you all who love the flag, even though it cut the heart-strings of many fond mothers as you, and break as dear a circle as ours. . . . . . . '■'■ It is a fact , father , that fhafthe energy and go-ahead that is put to the -wheels of the officers^ ■pleasure- and comfort-coach were directed to the great end for zvhich we are here, victory to our fag and dismay to our enemies would be the glorious result. . . . ..." The mud is deep, and it is most uncomfortable both inside and outside our tent ; still we are patriotic, and I am disgusted with yet extracts from our letters, even the poor dupes in our army, rank under this pressure of cold, hunger, sickness, and adversity, have the true ring. " November 23d, Sunday eve, by camp-fire. — We are near to Fal- mouth and Fredericksburg, and have our fighting position. Our tent is pitched, and for want of candle light I am beside a flicker- and file, who curse the army, damn the Abolitionists, and who think the fight has been won by the enemy when our little George B. McClel- lan lett us. I am for the cause, and unless the army is for it we shall never be victorious. The whole miserable twaddle comes from offi- cers first, and is sifted down to the ing fire, with my thoughts on two privates; it may come direct from grand extremes, — my home, and my country and her enemies. We marched this morning from our last mudhole, and have paddled along the awful roads slowly, only eight miles to-day ; yet we have reached our base, and the enemy is on the headquarters ; I know it is abroad as soon as ' Mac ' leaves. " I only wish for victory ; and to gain it we must have a principle to fight for. . . . " I am for pushing this mat- ter ahead, and never faltering un- other side; I long to grapple with til, if necessary, every rebel heartb- urn in deadly conflict, so that God stone is desolate, to secure our for- may give us the victory and the mer prosperity and bring about 2 28 FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. peace ; and my bones may moul- a small compensation for one's siif- der in Virginia if thereby one 'jot ferings. or one tittle ' is added to the good "I hate the life, and who does of the Federal army ; and in view not among the private soldiers? of all these, my ideas, I say it is dis- And who of us ever dreamed we couraging to see things go on as should like it? Not one ! On the they do. contrary, it was well represented to "Taking every difficulty into us before we left our dear homes, consideration (and I am no enthusi- how we might be compelled to un- ast on the subject of a fight ; I hate dergo all that we have now, and the sound of bullets as much as any much more besides; and while I other man, and I dislike strife of would much rather be at home, this kind as much as anyone ; and with peace all over the land, and besides all this, I have had stories attending to my studies, yet now I of suffering and anguish poured am out here, such is our cause that into my ears, such as is harely pos- I want to fight it through to a vic- sible for the imagination to picture, torious, righteous ending, much less to be actually true; I "So far, I believe, I am a true have also seen sights most sicken- patriot, and I have taken my life in ing, and have heard prisoners re- my hands to meet the foe, and for late their Richmond trials, and sto- Freedom and the Old Constitution ries of horror), yet, with all these I will battle on. ills, as likely to be my lot in the "If an arm off or a leg shattered train of earthly circumstances as increases one's value to that of ' a anyone's, I am for zvar and an im- Bank of England,' then indeed are ■mediate advance on the enemy's we four boys, witli such a father ivorlis! Oh, for a Bonaparte to and motlier, a patriotic family, and lead us on, that thunder-bolts might it is enough to spur anyone to high fall upon the stricken enemy ! Oh, aims and noble deeds." for a campaign like his memorable Such was the youthful spirit of one of six days on his first Italian enthusiasm, yet truly patriotic sen- campaign ! Oh, that it were just timents of a boy in blue, a private as much an honor to belong to the soldier, one of four brothers in the 'Army of the Potomac' as to the Army of the Potomac. It breathes proud 'Army of Italy ! ' and yet I fourth a spirit of high resolve and have confidence in General Burn- lofty purpose, in the midst of the side, if the morale of the army is depressing gloom which had settled improved. . . . upon the army, most wonderful by ... "I believe I am patriotic; contrast, else why did I come out here? The pontoons arrived at last, so Surely, money could have been no had the enemy, and our pickets in object compared to the treasures I full sight of each other, were in left behind. And again, money is daily conversation, exchanging hard FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. 22g bread, coftee, and sugar for to- bacco, sent across the river on boats made of boards, propelled by paper sails. They told us the army was all there, and invited us to come over, which we politely declined until we were ready- Several times had we Heights announced that the bom- bardment of Fredericksburg had begun. The column was soon moving in silence and darkness, over the hard, frozen ground, and two hours later, we were on the large plain, over- looking the river and city, near been notified to be ready to move at General Burnside's headquarters, a moment's notice ; but they were camp rumors, and a blissful igno- rance of movements with which every private of that army was at all times endowed, deluded us with the vain hope that we would not have a fight after all. False delu- sion ! On Wednesday night, December loth, we received positive orders to hold ourselves in readiness to move in the morning. We had now been told this so many times, that we "turned in," taking perhaps, a little more precaution that our car- tridges (one hundred rounds per man) were all right, and our hav- ersacks, canteens, etc., were placed where we could readily reach them in the dark, if chance should this time decree that we were to break camp. Peaceful slumber reigned in our midst. There was about three inches of light snow on the ground. At 3 a. m., on the nth, the long drawn out and dismal '"general" or " pack up " call was sounded, and as the shivering men gathered about the innumerable fires in the keen, frosty air, to draw their cof- fee, sugar, hard bread and pork. where we lay under arms, the can- nonading becoming more and more terrific as the dav advanced. The sun came out, thawing the mud as usual, and soon the plain was a huge, pasty quagmire, tram- pled and kneaded by the thousands of troops moving liither and thither. About 4 p. m. we moved back nearly a mile, into some woods, wliere we bivouacked for the night, and being within a few hundred yards of headquarters, we started for our brother's tent. A bright log fire blazed in the stone fireplace, a good hot supper, with plent}' of hot biscuits and cof- fee, cheered us up. The tent, after coming from the gloom, brightly lighted with candles, was cosy and comfortable, and added much to our general morale and good spirit. Our brother Walter saj's : " In Gene's Tent, " Thursday Evening, "December ii, 1862. " We started from our old camp- ing ground at 3 o'clock this morn, and have been under arms all day long before Fredericksburg ; the the boom ! boom! of the guns at cannonading has been perfectly aw- Falmouth and along Stafford ful. . . . Some of our troops 230 POUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. are across ; we shall go in the rnorn. We have been all day in the mud, and to-night have come to a piece of woods near Gene's quarters, and Bob and myself are here. We have had a good supper, and have been sitting beside a fire and talking about home. ' " Gene has got your letter, and we got three last night, with a ration of whiskey. . . . We are trained, father, and I have the animus to take me through. It is tough on the march, but we are bound to put it through, best foot forward. If our general hard times were only enlivened by such pleasant intervals as the present, oftener, with what a stout heart I should go forward. But we are Some think a great fight will take place to-day. Eugene." Shortly after midnight, we wended our way in the darkness through the lines of sleeping forms, stepping softly as possible, that the crackling sticks might not awaken the wearied men, and took our places among them in the silent bivouac. But not to sleep. Our thoughts dwelt upon the morrow, with its fateful future. On the following morning, the I2th, we moved a little nearer the river, where we remained inactive all day. We had witnessed at a distance, all the preliminaries of the day before ; heard the deafening cannonading, could see the smoke, and hear the cheers and yells, and were told of well, and at this time full of good the call for volunteers to lay the '/bd.' Bob is better of his di- bridges in the face of a terrific fire arrhea, and is as happy as a clam from the sharpshooters. Our biv- to-night; we are in for whatever is ouac while waiting for the order to before us to-morrow, and I bid you move, was on the farm of Mary, a last good night, assuring you of the mother of George Washing- our good cheer and well being, so ton. good-by, father and mother ! All At dark the last round of mus- will be well with us, I feel confi- ketry had died away, and only the dent. Gene sends love, and so do occasional shot of some picket was we all ; I wish John was with us heard, and when we learned that to-night; wouldn't we have a jolly the gallant Nineteenth Massachu- quartette? .... Captain setts, and Seventh Michigan, had Frank is now in the tent; he is cap- crossed in the pontoon boats, and ital ; I don't wonder Gene likes were even now in the streets of the him." city, our enthusiasm broke forth in Our brother at headquarters adds ringing cheers : the following note : " December 12. "We occupy Fredericksburg; Walt was over this morning before I was up, but he woke me; he Cheer after cheer we sent them, As only armies can, Cheers for Old Massachusetts, Cheers for Young Michigan. Saturday the 13th came, misty crosses the river this forenoon, and foggy, but at 9 or 10 a. m., it :^^M.: ,.^:.i^v yjJ^Bff^y^^HSl' E K-;:M; ■fc'^^S 'M-^^^^i k ■ ' ■i^^ ^IH li' KB. .m-ii ' - ':.aiEaBB»' I^^H^^H M '^^^^ ^^^^n^H 'iflHHHL' > "^^^I^i^''' !f>wp'iwir^'" ly^ ' '^■^^Bk" ^'7*^^^^' %''^ ^^^^^(^^^^^^t'" i aa j:rm^ ^^^^^^^K.' . JB^^^^^t.f.^^^SM^jWty'r^W^^.ii^"'*-^'^^ ■■ ^' -■^*ffjy^ - d^^BL ^L ^^pi'HK» v, .'v ; .. , ^ ; ■;' ll ''' ^^^«1 wl^HBl^Htt ^ ffSffVHHJ^BBBlBH^H i vt^j^^VMHSSi ». r^jfji^ ^ + f 1 ' j:i 13 0^ "S o Cl* OJ <4-l TH O w ;-i CU -d s -1-) )-l o 8 t3 (U G r^ ct! ■l-l ^ B <4-< o (L> k. •4-1 U, bfl ■ ~ o '>■ O (U o_ & r^ CJ '^ rt i-r^ 0) q: bp to d T3 r^ ;■ u rt tf] > to O V- bO O ;_ 3 ^ to cu o 1-5 L) 232 FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. broke, the sun came forth, and it gain, asserted itself. Box after box proved a beautiful da}^ Soon we was fished out, some pretty wet on heard General Franklin's guns top, but the middle layers were still down the river, then skirmishing undamaged, and the stream of men across at the city, followed by the seen during the entire day with roar of our heavy guns on Stafford arms full of " Army and Navy Heights in their endeavor to reach Plug," was thus accounted for. the enemy's batteries, in rear of The^' were at once subjected to a Fredericksburg. running cross fire of criticism and The battle had commenced, "chaffing" which invariably in- Sumner's Corps was all across, eluded the following category of being the first to gain a foothold, questions: "I say, partner, where While lying on this mudd)' flat, and did you get that?" "How much listening to the turmoil of battle, did you give for it?" "Where's expectant and ready for our turn at the sutler?" " How much will any moment, our attention was at- 3'ou take for the whole lot?" etc., tracted to men passing our com- and occasionally some individual mand in regular procession, loaded bolder than his companions, and to the chin with large plugs of to- his mouth watering for that luxui\' bacco. of luxuries to an oldchewer, would The eyes of our chewers grew shout, " Oh, don't be mean part- large, their faces wistful, and soon ner, give us a plug;" some was men might be seen stealing off in generously given awa}', some was the direction of the coveted treasure, sold, and eventually many hearts A short time before the bombard- and mouths made happy, ment, some of the large tobacco About two o'clock the order rang dealers in F . fearing that out "fall in;'" we knew what it they could have no facilities for meant. It took some time to reach transporting their stock to Rich- the pontoon bridge. The enemy mond, in case of the occupation of turned their guns on our relieving the city, broke open large boxes of column, but somewhat sheltered by the precious weed, and tumbled the houses, we suffered no loss, them off the wharves into the river. Our heavy batteries played over determined to so bury it that the our heads. When crossing the " Yanks " sliould not have the ben- river a man rushed by us, just efit of it. at all events. coming out of the fight. He was Many thousand dollars' worth bareheaded, his face ghastly white, thus found a watery grave. Our both hands clutched his throat, and pickets had noticed this, and through his fingers the blood could marked that watery grave in their be seen fairly spurting. He grew mind's eye. No sooner was Sum- paler, weaker; he staggered and ner's advance across, than the fell upon the edge of the bridge, al- Yankee spirit and natural love for most into the water, and by the side FOUR BROTHERS IK BLUE. 233 of our hurrying, anxious column, around the corner at full speed. Not one dared lend him the assist- At any other time this would have ance which he needed and be- called for the shouts of our men. seechingly implored. He must We crossed the canal on a bridge have run nearly a mile from where without knowing it, as we could he was shot, a strong illustration of not see the water. After a number man's tenacious hold upon life. of halts, we found ourselves in a Wehadcrossedatthelowerbridge, large brick-yard, called then and after passing down a deep-cut road that skirts the Washington farm. It is where the old ferry used to run, and a short distance above the steamboat wharf, at the lower end of the town. To the west of the end of the pontoon bridge was a now Knight's brick-yard. The mud was thick, glutinous, and churned into the usual shape and consistency. Many piles of burnt brick were all about. Gen- eral Charles Griffin, that gallant and accomplished soldier, the origi- rocky street leading up through two nal commander of the "WestPoint" stone-faced walls. It is very nar- row, and is called " Rocky Hill." Taking the street next to the north, we soon reached Caroline (now Main) street. Filing right, we then moved to Princess Elizabeth street. As we turned this corner, filing Battery at the first battle of Bull Run, the skilful artilleryist who commanded a brigade at Malvern oHill, now commanded our division. He was omnipresent, cool, quick, magnetic, and inspiring. The en- emy had our range ; the bricks flew ; the mud spirted ; the missiles left, we were immediately brought came thick and fast. There was under a sharp fire from the enemy's guns controlling the cross streets. The first spherical case burst accu- rately in Company " F," but ten feet ahead of us. Three men went down as though by a lightning stroke, one sliot through the lungs. An officer's servant, so black that char- coal would make a white streak on his shiny face, was carrying a bas- ket on the sidewalk. This shell to him was d. genuine surprise, for he was partly loping or sliambling along, with no thought of danger. Instantly he dropped the basket, his sable countenance became a dirty, ashen hue, his eyes rolled in his head, and he shot back again no room for deployment. A solid shot passed between our ranks ; a man next on our left (Stephen Fitts) sank like a log into the mud, with a groan, and the writer fell as if struck by the flat side of a board. Looking at him for a brief mo- ment, it flashed across me that he was shot through the body, while I got the eff'ect of the wind. Taking a long breath, and satisfying my- self I was not hurt, I sprang to my feet and pressed on. Now the knap- sacks and roils began to be cast off", sometimes a haversack heavy willi precious food. We scrambled out of the yard, crossed the rail- road and then the railroad cut, now 234 FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. a narrow-gauge road running to Orange Court House, through scores of wounded and dying men, bum- mers and stragglers, who had taken refuge there from the terrible fire, which now swept everything, and scrambling up the gravel embank- ment, debouched upon the plain. We were immediately subjected, for the first time, to the _/"«// effects of the most murderous fire the en- emy could concentrate. It seemed to have been especially renewed for us. The crest of the gravel bank was swept, and half blinded by dust and gravel thrown directlj' in our faces by the tempest of iron, we swept forward. Now the men commenced to fall. We were next to the left of a brigade of seven regiments. The command was given: " Fix bayo- nets ! " "Left front into line!!" " Double quick ! ! ! " The right flank regiment was the pivot, and under this terrific fire we were called upon to describe nearly the arc of a circle. We gained a slight rise, and as if by a common im- pulse, every man on the left sank to the ground exhausted. We hugged Mother Earth closely for a brief period, to gain our wind. From here we could see Marye's Heights, crowned with smoke and flame, could hear the constant swish and screaming, grating sound of the projectiles, as they burst accurately in front and over our line, knock- ing the dirt and sand into our very eyes. The writer was perfectly rigid and cool from nervous excite-- ment; he turned to the next man, who said, "This is awful; we better go forward ! " We started up, expecting to receive some re- sponse, or at least to see him follow us, for the whole left of our line was now up and advancing with ringing cheers. The writer glanced at him. He had sprung up, but a thud, and his brains covered his face and were spattered about us. In that short interval (a brief sec- ond) a ball had penetrated his brain. He was gasping in that pe- culiar, almost indescribable way, that a mortally wounded man has. I shall never forget the pleading expression, speechless, yet implor- ing. We reached the next slight rise *(now marked by a white board fence), the line half crouching as it ran, and moving sideways, as though breasting a "blizzard" or a wind- and hail-storm in bluff" old New England. This slope was black with lines of battle lying flat on the ground, over which hung the dense smoke of battle. We moved quickly through these masses, until we met such a withering fire directly in our faces, from the stonewall on the lower slope of the heights, just below the Marye house, as to cause the line to recoil, then to break, and finally, after one or two more efforts, to fall back to the front line, where we were soon employed loading, firing, and cheering. There was hardly a thought for the dead and dying lying every- where thickly about us. Some A ^ 1 bS o ih T3 - ^^ O +-» J2 •i ■• .';■' T3 j-j )-r « rt ^ >> CQ a, g, .[ o CO U ,^ >^ 3 O ■■■"-:' s .a " ^ ■' - ''^ ^ rt -.-,. '' < -c Hi -':'.■ ^ •-l-l QJ • - " . , K „ c .2 55 ^ ii QJ +-> T) Of) JU pq ' ' -M nj UJ •> 236 FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. rebels had got into the houses over- relieve your men," he quietly re- looking our position, just to our joined. It was Colonel Adelbert front, and from the second-story windows their sharpshooters were now dealing death to our ranks. We directed nearl}' all of our shots towards those windows. As the smoke lifted, the flashes Ames, who afterwards commanded a division, and subsequently became governor of, and United States sen- ator from, Mississippi. He was in the class at West Point next pre- ceding our brother's. We fell back came thick and fast, and the heads through the lines a few yards. The popped in and out. The writer's Twentietii Maine swept forward, and as it was its first engagement the rattle and roar instantly grew furious. Our position was now along a board fence, skirting a sunken road.* This road cut our line of battle, and steep gravel banks rifle soon became hot and foul from rapid firing, and the rammer stuck. I could get it neither up nor down, iind without thinking whether the rifle would burst, as soon as I saw some heads I fired, rammer and all, into the open window. The idea struck me at the time, while wait- sloped down on either side. Our ing for another rifle, as supremely officers had crossed the road to at- ridiculous, this long rammer whiz- tend to a wounded brother officer, zing through the opening, per- and we were without a company chance impaling some astonished commander. The firing had lulled "Johnny "to the wall, and I laughed somewhat, when suddenly a most aloud a nervous laugh. Once I terrific fire opened, with a blaze looked over my shoulder. I saw which dispelled the now fast ap- the Twentieth Maine, which was in proaching darkness. This was fol- our division, coming across the lowed by loud cheering, and yelling, field in line of battle, as upon pa- We were in a very exposed po- rade, easily recognized by their new state colors, the great gaps plainly visible as the shot and shell tore through the now tremulous line. It was a grand sight, and a striking example of what discipline will do for srich material in such a battle. Shortly after, a tall, slim colonel coolly walked over our bodies. " Who commands this regiment? " he asked. Our colonel responded. sition, subjected to a terrible cross- fire. The shells, shot, and can- ister tore through the fence and into the gravel bank directly in front of us. One shell burst in the road, directly on or near a mess- kettle. The pieces of shell and kettle came tearing up the bank and into our ranks, carrying gravel and splinters enough to almost cover our little band, now spread " I will move over your line and out in a vile spot, which had been * This cut road is shown on most maps, but three visits to the field, one in October, t8S6, another in October, 1889, and a third in 1895, failed to discover it, and my guide, who was a boy of fourteen at the time ■of the battle, did not seem to know its location. FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. 237 used frequently by distressed men attending calls of nature. Many of our men were shot through the clothing. Our broth- in.the midst of this awful field of blood and suffering. Except an occasional heavy gun from the Heights, a spluttering of muskety. ur's haversack was cut away, his or the occasional crack of a sharp- canteen was bored through and flung upon my bod}' ; the water poured out over me, and in tlie blaze of the explosion, terrific noise and confusion, I suspected it was blood. For a moment my heart choked in my mouth, m}' hand stole quietly down, I felt the -water gurgling from the -perforated can- teen, and I again devoted all my energies to my making m^^t\.i thin- ner. " Who commands the companj' ?" sliooter's rifle, the hitherto inces- sant roar had ceased. Those who had thrown away their haversacks in the charge now proposed to go out "foraging," which meant a search for blank- ets, food, etc. We started, stum- bling over dead bodies and the wounded, every few steps. A hav- ersack belonging to an officer of the Twelfth Rhode Island, its for- mer possessor now stiff and ghastly beside it, was the first troph}'. We came in precise, but sepulchral drew out pieces of hard bread, some tones from the midst of the filth, debris, splinters, gravel, etc. The owner of the voice was Webster, frequently mentioned in this story ; he had been a schoolmaster ('after- wards killed at Mobile, while gal- lantly charging with his command, a colored regiment). " I motion the ranking non-commissioned offi- cer take us out of here, or we will all be killed," slowly added the well modulated,but half smothered voice. "Blank! blankety blank!! lay down ! ! ! you d — d fool ! " said our silver spoons, and then in the bot- tom, a handful or two of hard bread crumbs, closely mixed with granu- lated sugar, which we thought a surprise. We commencd to eat for the first time since early morning. The first mouthful was enoucrh to satisfy the most ardent admirer of all saccharine sweets. We sneezed, coughed, choked, spluttered and spit, until it seemed as though our tongues were on fire, and our throats burned out. Hed pep-per had been a part of that officer's ra- first sergeant. A fresh bursting of tions. The package had broken, shrieking missiles, another shower and freely mingled with the sugar, of gravel, and a perfect roar of I went to where I had seen a lot of cheers drowned the schoolmaster's bodies lying by a well-curb near a voice, and as nobody responded, small house, in and behind which we still " held the fort." We had many skulkers from the fight had been under a perfect blizzard of fire met with terrible slaughter. It was for three hours. As darkness came literally torn to pieces with shell, on, we settled down quietly to rest and bodies, blood, hair, brains,. 238 FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. and flesh strewed the floors and lines ambulances were rumbling; walls.* men were groaning, imploring, I found a full haversack, its own- screaming out for assistance, as they er's body upon it. In the darkness slov\]y chilledand stiffened to death. I rolled the cold, stiff' corpse away. Hundreds of dead and wounded lay thrust my hand in eagerly, and to thickly about us. No help for them my horror, encountered — not hard as they lay in the cold, clammy bread, but a paste of hard, clotted mud fast freezing about them. Not blood, mingled with flour. My for them affection's soothing hand, hand had plunged into the wrist. or1he many nameless attentions of A large wound in the man's side loving hands. Several nearest us had been over the opening, and the were in the last agonies of death, blood pouring in had soon con- their harsh, distressed death-rattles, gealed-. A chill almost froze the sounding strangely on the midnight marrow in my bones; my teeth air. Drearily, with faint hope for came together with a snap, my hair the morrow; exhausted, bleeding, slowly rose on end. I was all alone dying b}' inches, they must lie, with the dead, in utter darkness, their heroic efforts wasted in a upon the battle-field, and my hand useless sacrifice, dripping with cold, clotted life- In a little shed doorway, not ten blood. Hastily dropping my trcas- feet from us, propped against the arc (?), I fled from the spot; I for- side, sat a man, his leg barely aged no more, for / was not /inn- hanging by the skin, the blood fast gry again that night. We lay flowing from the untied arteries, down among the dead, upon the Life and liope were strong within cold, mire-trodden, death-strewn, him. He begged as I never knew and anguish-laden field that bitter, mortal man, for some one to take black December night, but not to him into the city . He said he knew sleep. he could be saved if we would only The scenes of horror, of dark carry him in. " Do for Heaven's despair, and gradual death, in the sake z&xry me in, and not leave me piercing cold and darkness, can to die by inches ! I am freezing to never be described. Imagination death ! I will give fifty dollars, shrinks even from such a picture, yes, one hundred dollars to any The actual, bare reality as we saw man." The long, cold night of it, can never be known or described, waiting, wishing, of hope and and scarcely approached. A low despair, wore his life away, for in murmur was at all times heard the gray morning, his body, stiff about us, and along the irregular and lifeless, still occupied the little * This house was a small square brick buildiug and no trace of it now remains. 1 am informed that it was an ice-house, used for storing ice for use in the city. The whole ground has been built over with small houses, fenced, and gardens planted with small trees. It had been used as a fair ground, and the high fence about it has been torn down. FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. 239 doorway, a look of almost savage hopelessness about the eyes and half-closed mouth, in which his teeth were clinched, for a final struggle with the Great Unknown. Our bivouac was among the dead of the Twelfth Rhode Island (Na- gle's Brigade). The first ser- geant, Charles F. Knowles (after- wards killed at Gettysburg), went about distributing cartridges for a renewal of the fight. Those most sleepy, he moved with his foot, and a ''^ get uj) -for your cartridges." His foot came against one obstinate fellow, who seemed deaf to his command. He was completely covered up with a blanket, and in the midst of our company. "Get up ! " he did not stir. A repeti- tion of the foot movement, and still no motion. Cold and shivering, the sergeant stooped, a little out of patience, pulled off the blanket, and at great risk, struck a match and held to his face. The glassy eyes, fixed and stony in death, the rigid, ashy face, told him the truth. He had attempted to issue cartridges to the dead, and compel him to answer to the roll-call. He had answered hours before, his duty to his country in the ranks of the army was done ! Who shall know who that stranger comrade in •our company was? How he died? or what were his last thoughts and wishes, on that bitter cold night ? Our brother of the regulars ■writes : " Camp Near Falmouth, " December 13, 1862. " I have just returned from the battle-field, where I have been act- ing as aid to General Patrick all day ; we commenced this morning about II o'clock to storm their bat- teries, and have made no headway as yet. I feel terribly, for I saw Walter and Bob's division go gayly into action, and I know the carnage has been awful ; I could not see them, as I was riding with the gen- eral, but tears came to my eyes as I saw Hooker's Grand Division pass me. I pray God to save them, for they are brave good boys ; I shall never live a happy moment if they are killed. " I gave them both instructions to come to me immediately if they were wounded. How gaily I could go into action myself, if it were not for these boys. I think of them all the time ; but, dear father, do not worry ; I will let you know the worst as soon as possible. General Griffin is wounded slightly ; Gen- eral Bayard mortally ; General Wilcox reported killed. Gefteral Meagher's brigade has one hundred men left. A report has just come in that General Franklin has whipped ' Stonewall' Jackson, and now holds their railroad communi- cation. Old Hooker is as sour as he can be ; Sumner smiles as usual ; Burnside is in consultation with Sigel who has just arrived with his corps ; a report that Slocum has arrived with his corps from Har- per's Ferry. 2 40 FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. This is the battle of the rebellion, and might have been stopped (pre- vented) if Burnside had crossed the river at first. Regular infantry were sent forward, but did not get in : will go in to-morrow. As day began to dawn, Sunday the 14th, we pushed noiselessly for- ward on the line. Soon the sun rose, and the shots which had, in the earlier hours, been only occa- sional, now came thick and fast. The cold, misty fog drifted slowly away. Shadowy forms now be- came distinct, in the quickening light, and the deadly contest was renewed. We had absolutely no shelter. To the front, lay extended the Heights with its tiers of batteries frowning down upon us. The low, grey stone wall, was clearly visible, from which we received such a murderous fire the day before. By raising ourselves slightly on our elbows, we saw the rebels stir- ring, and busily moving to and fro like angry bees. The houses but a few hundred yards distant, were alive with sharpshooters, overlook- ing our prostrate bodies, which stretched in a blue, irregular line, to conform to the ground. The dead lay in full view all about us, and many a poor, wound- ed fellow, who, too weak to call out, had been passed by the am- bulances for dead. The sharp- shooters were now at work picking off any man who dared stir an inch. To do so was almost certain death. Behind lay the city, evei-y avenue under fire, and controlled by the rebel light batteries. We could clearly trace the weary and danger- ous course of the day before, across the plain, but now it was deserted. Not a living thing could pass over it unnoticed. Many attempted to regain the line, by dodging, crawling, feigning dead, etc., but few succeeded, and many fell vic- tims to their zeal. For some time our minds were diverted by watch- ing their futile efforts. Just to our right, a little in ad- vance of where we lay, were two dead bodies, one disemboweled by a solid shot, the other with a leg shot off, and dangling, the mangled flesh in shreds, and the bones and sinews exposed to view. We were in a direct line with the small shed already referred to. Men con- stantly darted from the line and ran behind it. The bullets tore and sung all about us and our position was a deadly one. Something must be done. We, our brother and the writer, crawled up, seized the bodies, piled one on top of the other, placed our rolls against them, and tucking our heads under the rolls, and against these human bodies, now rapidly undergoing decomposition, we wore out the livelong day of four- teen hours, under a constantly de- structive fire, during which we never moved but once from a pros- trate position. The fixed and glassy eyes stared us in the face, and the stench from our comrades of clay, became re- pulsive to the last degree. We dragged ourselves painfully on our FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. 2\\ stomachs to the rear, not daring to raise our heads, got some loose ponchos and rubbers, and soon covered them from view. This breast work of the dead saved our Hves more than once during the day, as they were struck several times at least, as denoted by that peculiar dull thud in the dead flesh ; and a shiver ran through our spinal column at every fresh clip. Our colonel wore glasses ; he was industriously hugging the ground. His curiosity, like ours, prompted him occasionally to lift his head, a z-i-p — pi-i-i-n-g, in- stantly warned us, and the men dropped or hastil}' scrambled like crabs to their places. " Boys, don't dodge so," said the colonel, with a nasal twang ; his head came up to emphasize it. Wh-i-i-iz-z-z, pi-i-i-ng and a bullet by his ear caused his head to go down with a spasmodic, and rather comical, un- graceful jerk, throwing his glasses off, and he was at once greeted with a hearty shout for his kind advisory speech. There were many laugh- able incidents and adventures dur- ing the day. Night began to approach. Still we lay. The fire slackened. The mud again began to stiffen. Our bodies, cramped by the long posi- tion in the one place, in the very jaws of death, were stiff and sore. We roused ourselves, and ea- gerly looked for our relief, or dark- ness to come, and had almost resigned ourselves to another wretched night on the field, a cold chill creeping over our hearts and bodies, when a low hum, steadily increasing as it neared us, indicated the unmistakable tramp and mur- mur of a column, and a division of the Ninth Corps (Sturgis') crept up and relieved us. Gladly, impatiently, we fell in, and swiftly moved towards the city, the memory of our ghastly com- rades haunting us at every step. We passed through the streets. What a relief from our painful and prolonged suspense, and to the severe tension upon the over- wrought nerves. The houses were lighted to the brightness of day. The groups of men upon the side- walks, in the gutters, inside the houses, and on the galleries, or balconies, were indulging in a huge picnic or carnival. Fires were built on the pavement, illu- minating the streets as if a torch- light procession were in motion. Groups of men were mixing bread or flapjacks, frying pork or making coffee. The ruddy light shone upon their faces, and showed the eagerness and delight with which, even in the midst of danger and death, they were carrying on their culinary designs. Kitchen stoves were in full blast ; lighted candles were extravagantly placed upon the tables. All kinds of music sounded upon the air. Cracked fiddles, with wwsonorous notes, under the hands of most un- skilful performers. Flutes, fifes, and untuned pianos, accompanied by most z^wmelodious voices, added to the uproar. Some were dancing, while others 2 42 FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. played cards, or vainly endeavored General Burnside was to lead an to write, or laughing, told their attacking column in person, and eventful experiences of the past General Sumner another : the whole fateful hours. All were engaged long and short of the matter is this : in some kind of occupation, which We have butted our heads against to us, just from the darkness, a sltinip, and men have been mur- gloom, and dreadful ordeal, almost dered in cold blood to the amount of despair, of that Sunday line of twenty thousand ; we have not ac- battle at the front, presented the complished a single thing, and the strangest, most novel mixture of enemy's loss, here in the center, is grim-visaged war and his strange comparatively nothing. If you can satellites, that it had yet been our understand the following you will fortune to observe. know something about it (En- But there was a warm cheerful- closes a pencil sketch.) : ness that had its effect. It smoothed "The enemy had an enfilading the hard lines of anxiety and sus- fire upon us with very heavy guns, pense from our faces. It thawed Under hill number one, was a very the chill from our sorrow- stricken, high stone wall, behind which was hardened hearts, and compelled rebel infantry, and their own guns many a half-suppressed smile to playing over their heads at us. break forth into ripples of hearty Franklin was some few miles down laughter. the river with fifty thousand men We halted in a vacant lot; a sigh fighting Jackson, Hill, and Long- of relief went up. Before resum- street, he had some advantage, but ing our bivouac on the hard, frozen lost it again; he, however, holds ground, some of us went to a de- his own. serted house near by, and finding a " All of Hooker's grand division piano within, one of our number, would have gone in, but darkness an accomplished musician, volun- came to our relief. From all that I teered to cheer us up by plaving can learn, Walter and Bob were not some of his most lively selections, engaged, although under fire; I It proved to be a most delightful may be mistaken about their divi- diversion to our tired minds and sion. Humphre3's's division of But- bodies. terfield's corps was engaged, but I Our brother at headquarters now '''"''^ ^>'^^^ ^"'^ °"^" ^^'"^ "°'' ^j-i^gg . Two divisions of Hooker's grand division were sent to Franklin, and "Lamp near Falmouth, u t * j vi u-u i. <. ' old Joe acted like a child about "December 14, 1862. jt, " Nothing has been done to-day, "Humphreys's division acted bad- although it was planned to storm ly, but all of Sumner's corps acted the enemies' works again at 2 very bravely ; they were under fire o'clock, and in case of a failure, for ten long, mortal hours, and FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. 243 General Couch lost nearly two thirds of his corps. You may call this generalship, but I call it mur- der ; as to our troops fighting, they fight like devils, but no human be- ing can stand in front of such for- tifications, ' not a rebel to be seen ;' but ours did stand and get slaught- ered like sheep. We have got to abandon our attack on the center, and aid Franklin. General Sigel was at Dumfries, twenty miles from after a three hours' search, I found their regiment ; but, as I knew posi- tively that it had been in action, I rode up to it with a trembling heart; Walt soon appeared, fol- lowed by Bob. They are both in good spirits, and looked very clean. I understand that the rebels have given us a certain number of hours to remove our wounded from the town, for they intend shelling it. Sumner's and Hooker's grand di- here, at two o'clock this morning, visions are in the streets ; Sigel and and I understand General Slocum is thirty miles from here. The gallant Bayard is now probably breathing his last; he was with General Franklin standing by a Slocum will be here to-night. Don't believe newspaper reports ; we have not gained a single inch ; the enemy still hold their fortifica- tions, and we have lost fifteen tree, when a round shot glanced thousand men." and mashed his thigh. I have been busy all day paroling prisoners, and could not go over to the battle- field, but to-morrow I shall go over and look up the Twenty-second, if I have to go into action to find it ; I connot eat or sleep without thinking of them ; we cannot get at our dead to bury them." The next morning, the 15th, after a short march, we reached the bank of the river, where we washed off the powder, sweat, and accumulated dirt of forty-eight hours. While thus engaged, and before we had hardly completed our ablu- tions, we heard a shout, and our brother, mounted, appeared before us. He says : " Camp Near Falmouth, "December 15, 1862. " Walter and Bob are safe ; I went over to town this morning, and Our brother Walter writes a short pencil scrap as follows : "December 15, 1862. " I sent in a short note a moment ago, as the doctor came round for the letters, and this wasn't finished. I must close now." Note, Monday Morning — "We still live both of us, though hav- ing passed througii a storm of lead and iron ; we ha/e done our duty, and fought bravely, for Bob was a noble, fearless boy throughout, and I know I never flinched. I had a bullet put through my canteen and another cut my haversack strap, spoiling both. LeRoy says: 'Tell them I am safe ;' not one of our gallant band from B. are injured. I will write as soon as possible." Durinp; the almost unaccountable cessation of hostilities we took our- selves to the streets of the city, and 2 44 FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. to find our wounded at the hospitals. No one covild better understand what actual war was, than by trav- ersing the alleys and by-ways of this almost destroyed city. Had He could talk with difficulty. He never recovered, and was dis- charged on account of this singular wound. The next man to him was from Company " F" (W. H. Mud- there been a wind during the bom- gett), who had a spherical case bardment, nothing could have saved it from total destruction. Whatever now remained, was in the hands of the men, who for a time, held a high carnival, and paraded the shot through his lung, but after- wards recovered. We did not stav long. At night, we were moved cautiously into Caroline, now called Main, street, and after much march- streets in the cast-off apparel of ing and countermarching, to avoid past ages, and the old bell-crowned, long-haired beaver hats, poke bon- nets, hoop skirts, huge umbrellas, etc., convulsed all with laughter, until checked by the provost guard. We found our division hospital located in a shell-shattered, bullet- ridden mansion, whose frescoed walls, and adornments indicated that it had been the abode of some halting across streets in line of the enemy's fire, formed line of battle; it was rumored that the division was to compose an assaulting col- umn to be led b}' General Burnside in person. It was dark and cloudy. We stacked arms, and while some sought tlie sidewalks for a little rest, others entered the shops and wealthy person, who had hastily houses for shelter from tlie raw vacated it before the bombard- ment. The first man I saw among the dead and dying scattered about on the floor, was our comrade, who, when next to me in John P. Knight's brick yard, had been wind, which now rose to a gale. Fires were ordered to be put out by the provost guard. No matches could be lighted. We entered a lamp and jewelry store, the show cases having been stripped of the latter, but with all the shelves lined knocked over by a solid shot, the with the former, and amused our- wind from which had also sent me selves, by the aid of a fire which sprawling upon my back. He was we had started in a fireplace, for a propped up against the wall, and brief period, by throwing lamps at was stripped to the waist while the a target we had set up on the man- surgeon examined him. Strange tel. It was on the north side of the to say, the skin was not broken. He street, not far from where the Ex- had been picked up unconscious, change Hotel now stands at the but the extent of his injuries was a corner of Princess Anne and Main arge contusion, which was black, streets. blue, and yellow, and stood out There was no sleep for anybody ; from his breast like a hard lump, the loose windows loudly rattled, and about the size of a canteen, the signs creaked, the blinds THE LAST DAYS OF SHERIDAN'S CAVALRY. 2 4S slammed. Mounted aids and or- derlies continually galloped over the pavement, and the rain, which until midnight came in occasional drops, now increased to fitful gusts, that chilled all to the bone. We steadily looked forward for the command, which we felt quite cer- tain was to send us to our doom. At three a. m. loud raps on the doors were heard, and word was passed along, " Make no noise : get up ; get up ; fall in ! fall in-n-n ! " and we were instantly in line with our arms. These -were moments for quick and sad reflection. In a few moments, we would be moving towards those murderous heights again. The morning approached. The dark clouds scudded. The strong wind, laden with rain now soaking us to the skin, drove down the streets. It was anxious suspense for the word — forward. The order came, but the aid said aloud — " Which brigade. Gen- eral?'''' and the agony was over. We knew then we were the rear guard of the Army of the Potomac which, as soon as the pickets were whisperingly withdrawn, crossed the upper pontoon (which had been strewn with hay to muffle the sound), in a drenching, pouring rain, the storm now at its height. General Burnside rode by us. The stillness of death reigned over the column ; not a murmur from the ranks of disapprobation ; not a cheer or shout of joy or relief. His hat was slouched over his face, which bore a saddened and disappointed look. Our vast think- ing machine, each man intent upon, and industriously chewing the cud of bitter reflection, floundered, plodded, limped, and dragged itself into the old " Smoky Camp," and wearily sought the soaked ground for rest and relief, from the dangers, fatigues, and privations of these long, bitter nights and days during the campaign and battle of Freder- icksburg. [to be continued. THE LAST DAYS OF SHERIDAN'S CAVALRY. By Henry Edwin Tremain, Major and A. D. C. Brevet-Brigadier- General, U. S. V. [continued.] DINWIDDIE. above where Smith held, and in The narrative in the April Call trying to communicate with Devins closed with Major Charles Treichel and Davies he encountered the rear reporting to Sheridan the informa- of a rebel infantry line of battle, tion that the enemy had forced and that Sheridan bristled with fire the crossing of Chamberlain's bed and energy on learning the fact. 246 FOUJfi BROTHERS IN BLUE. ' ' The train went about as fast as I could run all the way, forty miles. We liad a good time on top, looking around. They stopped at the fa- mous Relay House. I saw the viaduct where the First Massachu- setts Battery guarded. We stopped again on the route to water up. I went up in a field to a plastered nigger hut. What a sight ! About ten little ' nigs,' about of a size ' all going to see the ' sojers ' Massa.' She (the woman) gave me some native tobacco as a curiosity. We arrived at Washington about o'clock ; went into this coop where we are all writing. I told the boys a little while ago that I was bound to go ardund and see the sights ; they were afraid, because there were guards stationed at the doors, but I got out a good way, and went to see the elephant. I first walked to the capitol and went up into the dome, wrote my name, saw all the beautiful pictures that you have heard so much about, and all around the different rooms. "From the top of the dome I saw Long Bridge, Arlington Heights, General Lee's house, and Fort Albany ; I went down Pennsylvania avenue, and saw all the business part of the city : Willard's, the Treasury, the famous White House, the War Department, the Smith- sonian institute, and Washington monument, patent office, etc. I walked through the gardens where portly senators and the high gen- try of the land have trod. In fact, I looked at everything of impor- tance in the city, and saw sights I never expected to see, and which I may never see again. I never saw such quiet in a city where military movements are carried on in such a grand scale. There is no life, no excitement ; I never should know from its outward appearance that it was threatened by a rebel army, nor should I in the least dream that it was our national capital, except by its pubHc buildings. " It lacks all the supposed gran- deur of a presidential city, a royal abiding place. " I have just come back. I can- not write to you now as I would if I were in a nice place. This is full of men hollering, fiddling, etc., so I cannot write well. I had my picture taken in New York just for the fun of it; it isn't very good, but I thought, dear Mother, that you would like to see me as I am in uniform." Alexandria was our next objec- tive point. Our letters of August 19, say : " We started from Wash- ington at 5 : 30 o'clock this morning, and after marching two miles, went aboard of a river steamer, and came down here to Alexandria. It is six miles from Washington, and the ride is fine. We are in an old ' secesh ' house, quartered until further orders. We are to stay here in Alexandria to-day, and I am going to try and see John four miles from here. I couldn't help thinking of you at five o'clock this morning (only think of it !), when I got up and took my housewife to put on a button. I have put a side FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. 247 pocket into my coat, and am really an adept in needle and thread yet. I spent a most horrid night in our barracks on the outskirts of the city. There were over 1,000 men, raw recruits, on the floor, and such a noise I never heard. " I never slept a wink all night. It did seem like a hell upon earth ; most barbarous profanity and hide- ous screaming were heard all night, and it was cold as Greenland, and I slept ( ?) cold. "We have not been furnished with woolen blankets, and a hard, board floor, covered with filth, is not very pleasant. However, I do not com- plain, although I do wish the uf- ^er sides of the -plaiiks were a lit- tle softer. " My resolves before I left Boston have been sorely tempted out here, but all my good principles still re- main firm. We have to write any way, on our knees or on the floor. We do n't know where we shall go to from this hole, for McClellan is moving, and therefore they do n't know where to send us ; but I do hope, for Heaven's sake they will get us off" soon, as I think this is the worst we shall see — this knock- ing around in Camp Cameron, and barracks in different cities. While I was out in the city (yesterday) George Ball was taken with a vio- lent colic, and suff'ered everything for about an hour. When I got to the ' Rest ' I found him bent up double in an empty barrack, with Frank Kimball over him, rubbing his stomach with whiskey. I stayed and helped Frank, and soon he was himself again. Ed. Holt was sick all day, but Virginia air is improving him. Leroy Kimball is most miserable, and looks a fit sub- ject for a hospital. We are tender- ly nursing him. Bob is now well, and I was never better in my life. Loss of sleep and hard usage have thinned me a good deal in flesh, but my eye is bright in health. There is a certain something in my system that defies disease. "We are all wondering why F. Kimball stands it so well. He is in first-rate spirits. Morrison, the one who lived at Nat. Carleton's, and threw down his scythe when his country called, has been well also, although he has eaten every kind of fruit and vegetable. He has already received the sobriquet of ' Gingerbread.' He eats all the time, and after four of our re- cruits had died in the barracks in Washington, from eating poisoned fruits sold by the peddlers, and he was warned of his danger, he said he had made up his mind not to starve, even if he was poisoned. " He wrote home that he was never coming back from the ' sacred soil.' He is a quaint specimen of the genus homo, and keeps us roaring at his remarks. " I sent word over to John yester- day by Ed. Walton (who took ad- vantage of his Fourteenth-regiment dress), when he went to Fort Al- bany, that Bob and I were in the city, and wanted him if possible, to come over and see us, as it was im- possible for us to get over to see him. He sent word by Ed. that it FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. was just as impossible for him to get over to Washington. We could n't get a pass over Long bridge, so we have missed seeing him. When I found out that this was our route, I had 'lotted upon seeing him, and was very much disappointed. " I have been all over the citj' ; seen the Marshall House, where Ellsworth was killed, and the slave pen. It is a dirty place, this hot- bed of secession, but the people seem kind and pleasant. They are obliged to, for the streets are full of Union soldiers. At night they place small American flags over ' secesh " residences, and if they are removed the occupants suffer well. They clean them out. It is amus- ing to see the 'nigs' in Washing- ton. They are the most aristocratic personages I ever beheld. Here they are the most abject, and cringe at a white man. The teams and carriages have the most gro- tesque appearance. We shall probably stay here in Alexandria until we find out where McClellan has moved to, and then shall join our regiment. Stirring events are soon to happen in Virginia, and I know that in less than two weeks the ' raw recruits ' are to go into the ranks to meet the foe. " God help ine to nerve myself manfully for the fight. I am hope- ful, and full of bright anticipation. May I always be as happy as I am now ! The streets are full of rumors — Pope retreating ; then he is victoriously engaged ; again, he is advancing. All our troops are leaving Culpepper, and the sick and wounded of the Cedar Moun- tain fight are arriving in town, and it is a sickening sight to see them, without either arm or leg, and a gash here and there over their poor, languishing bodies. I have already seen enough among the wounded to lead me to hope that my lot may not fall among them. " Quite a number of men for the Twenty-second from the hospitals, where they have been for the last few months, came along with us, to join our regiment. They gave me some heart-rending accounts. I was talking yesterday on King street with a 3'oung lieutenant of an Ohio regiment, who has a ball in his shoulder, and he says there is work ahead, and in our immediate vicinity. I shall soon be in the fight, I know. I went in swim- ming this morning with some of the boys, in the Potomac river. " I send you my ambrotype." (It cannot be found.) The weather was oppressively hot. Although under the control of a pro- vost marshal, the results of the war were seen in the dilapidated build- ings and filthy streets. The house we occupied, on the corner of King and Fairfax(?) streets, was alive with vermin, and what we first thought was the ground itch, prickly rash, or some other kin- dred disease incident to our new experience and change of climate, habits of life, food, etc., soon proved to our uninitiated recruits to be the genuine and unmistakable " grey- back." FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. 249 Owing to the non-energetic na- ture of the officer in charge of us, Captain H. P. Williams, Twenty- second Massachusetts, and some imperative duty, or mysterious busi- ness, that always kept him in Washington, we were left to shift for ourselves. Our resources were few, but we were compelled to rely mainly upon the little money we had, and so far as rations, clothing, or any of the ordinary allowances provided by the government for or- ganized or unorganized bodies are concerned, we endured, and un- necessarily, while here, more than for the next two years, except on several occasions of extreme exi- gency. We marched through the streets of Alexandria, singing, and as mar- tyrs to the slaughter, our knap- sacks on our backs, the perspiration flowing like water, to this old, de- serted house. Our letters continue : " Alexandria, Va., Aug. 20, 1862. " We do n't know when we shall leave here. It may be this day, or to-morrow, or a week, but I hope we shall leave soon, as I am sick of this place already. The guard has just come up and says we may go at any moment, so I must hurry. What will Leroy do? He is sick with a fever up stairs. But we must go, and if he ca n't keep up, he will have to go into the Alexandria hospital. Poor fellow ! I am writing on a board on my knee. I send you this card as a curiosity. The boys are hav- ing their pictures taken, and I got this to send to you. "It is awful writing, but I can't help it, as I am tired holding this board. The order has come for us to go, and I must defer this letter till another time, when I know not. We go to camp about one and three-fourths miles from here, there to remain a few days." From Alexandria we moved on the 20th of August to the heights in the rear of the south of the city. It was near Fort Ellsworth, and the camp, which was designated as " Camp Excelsior," was command- ed by Colonel J. S. Belknap, Eighty-fifth New York Volunteers. It was on the summit of Shuter's hill, overlooking Alexandria, and between the Little River and Lees- burg turnpikes. On the crest of the hill, and but a few yards from our tents, was a small family burial lot, enclosed, which contained several grave- stones, bearing the following in- scriptions: "Elizabeth L. Carter, died April 17, 1846," " Mary B. Carter," " Fanny A. C. Dulany, died May 3, 1835," "Henry L. Dulany." This camp was also des- ignated as " Excelsior Hospital," which afterwards became " Camp Convalescent." Our little squad of recruits, so eager to join our regi- ments, the exact whereabouts of which could not then be ascer- tained, formed the nucleus of what subsequently assumed huge propor- tions, and proved a burning disgrace to the country. It was here that the sick and wounded men who had recovered from their wounds, were sent, until, 250 FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. in the following year, they had ac- cumulated to many thousands. It was here that a show of green- backs procured a man's discharge from the service as easy as tumbling off a log ; here, in the early morn- ing, the bummers and beats took a little gentle exercise up and down the steep hills in the vicinity, just before surgeon's call, and then reli- giously attending it, with hearts thumping from a hard run, and a generous display of the filthy lucre, were pronounced badly affected with heart disease, and booked for what the}'' had long desired — a journey to " Home, Sweet Home." It was here that red ink, or some other substitute, was skilfully used to simulate blood from the mouth and lungs, or the last stages of a consumptive, and the greenback " prolapsus " dodge was so success- fully worked. The camp was investigated by a committee of congress, and matters were, after a while, somewhat rem- edied, but for the greater portion of its existence it remained a perfect scourge to l.he army. There were many old soldiers sprinkled in among us, returning to their regi- ments. Our letters describe it as " within a stone's throw of Fort Ellsworth, within plain view of Fairfax Semi- nary, and over across the valley, about one and one-half miles, is Fort Lyon, garrisoned by the Sixty- ninth New York, who go home to- day, their time, three months, being up." " There are forts in all direc- tions. Below lies the dirty, nasty city of Alexandria. Oh, what a place! Full of ' niggers' and sol- diers, and it looks as though the hand of God were upon it ; it is under the guns of three or four forts, all of which can blow it to pieces. It is under army control, and the sick and wounded fill every house that has been confiscated. The result of war is seen in its dilapidated buildings, and miser- able, filthy streets. All the slops of soldiers, fragrant with loathsome diseases, run foul in the gutters, and it is a sickening sight to walk through the streets of Alexandria. Verily, ' Old Virginia ' will be but a vestige of her former self, when we have marched through her stricken domains." " Saturday, August 24, 1862, Alex- andria Heights, Fort Ellsworth, in Camp. " After closing this letter the other day, we moved from Alexan- dria, and are now about two miles from there, towards Fort Scott. Our camp is situated splendidly ; it commands a view of Alexandria, Fairfax Seminar}', Washington city, and the Potomac river. " We are now in better quarters, and begin to feel settled. Our camp is under control of a York colonel ; I do not yet know his name. We are in small wedge tents, and five of us occupy one of them, — Ed. Holt, William Webster, Asa Fletcher, Bob, and your hum- ble servant. We have hay on the dusty floor, and at night, rubber and woolen blankets answer every purpose of beds. Fletcher found a FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. 251 nice mattress, filled with shavings, on the road to Fairfax Seminary, so we are all right there. But, oh, the dirt and filth of all our surround- ings ! It is perfectly awful. It is only the hope of future fight, and victory, that keeps us bright and and jolly. If we couid only have the rations the government provides for us, we should be well satisfied ; but we are deprived of them in some way. If we could only cook our own coffee, and draw our own sugar, I should be contented, for then I could use it as I pleased ; but now one fellow pretends to cook for our mess or squad of Twenty- second boys, and most certainly he does n't put in my quantity of sugar in the coffee, and he throws in more grease than government allows ; but I do not complain with a mean tone ; I lutnf it all, and do n't care a snap. " It is n't half what we have got to endure, for, as I see the war-worn veterans of McClellan's army wend their weary way along the turnpikes that pass our camp, and hear the horrid stories of Hooker's brigade, my heart grows sick within me, and I consider that I am now in a blissful state, only patiently waiting transportation to purgatory. " From this camp the turnpikes are seen full of soldiers, moving for- ward to join the army. Regiment after regiment from Pennsylvania and New York pass us daily, and at night their camp-fires light up the surrounding country with thou- sands of beacon-fires, bidding the anxious hearts of our Northern peo- ple to rejoice in their coming strength. " It would do your heart good to hear the welcoming cheers of the troops as they pass the encamp- ments of their brethren in arms. It is a glorious sight to us in our embryo state of soldierhood. "We expect to hear from our regi- ment every minute. A report is going the rounds that they are to come to Alexandria, and go from there to join with Pope and Burn- side. Kearney's division came up night before last, and have gone to- day ; no one knows where, but if they did, they probably would not tell. " There are about 3,000 raw re- cruits with us for the various regi- ments of all the states. I tell you if things do n't work at odds and ends. You will excuse the blots and general looks of this, won't you. Mother? I am awaj' from the rest of the boys, and down in the woods, beside the hill, writing to you, and my poor contrivances, with the help of Virginia flies and mosquitoes, prevent a great display of writing faculties. I have been writing on a tin plate ; it do n't go very well. My handwriting is just about spoiled, but I can't help it. Good-night ! "Sunday morning. — I wish you would tell Mrs. M., with my kind remembrance, that her little Testa- ment has not been laid aside, and that when we were in the cars from Philadelphia to Baltimore last Sun- day, I read two chapters in it, while gambling and every kind of wick- 252 FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. edness, was being practised in the car. " It is a most beautiful day, but no one would ever know it was the Sabbath. Some of the Irish Ninth are drunk, gambling, howling, and sadly-neglected function out here if you rely upon the government. That is ' honest ' as Ball says. " The first morning I 'drew' some hard bread and coffee, and cooked my own coffee ; it was the first cup every vice is going the rounds of of that article that I ever cooked the camp. Itis monstrous ! I have al- myself, but it tasted better than any ready seen sights that I never dream- I have yet had from Uncle Sam. I ed I should, and at Alexandria, I believe the fiends of hell are let loose while the Army of Potomac is pass- ing through, for such noises and horrid scenes I never heard nor be- held before. People are killed there every day, and I saw there to-day two negroes dead on stretchers, on King street. Our young men from B. are very quiet; some are read- ing their Testaments, while others are writing. We have been singing psalm tunes, and it was a strange contrast to the rest of the camp ; yet many gathered around, and seemed interested. We are going to have baked beans and roast pork for dinner to-day. Four of our fel- lows (old soldiers) borrowed my knife, and went to a ' secesh ' house and stuck a pig, a little while ago, and we are to have a feast in conse- quence. "I 'drew' (term for foraging from the plantations) some green corn and apples to-day, and I mean to have roast corn and apple sauce for supper. " Last night we had some boiled rice ; it tasted like salve, with lard for seasoning ; you know I am very particular about that dish. But no more about the stomach now, al- though, talk as you may, it is a wish you would send me your method of making ^wre Mocha, as far as process is concerned, for you cannot expect it pure, when the raw material is two-thirds adul- terated. ' ' Edgar, ' Bob,' a New York Cav- alry boy, and myself made the acquaintance of a Virginia planter (at the foot of the hill, across the road), where we bought milk of him, and he was very good indeed to us. We fell into the good graces of the ' nigs,' and they gave us peach pies, and flapjacks, etc. At night we patronized the -nigs' again, and had a good treat; since then we have bought milk occasion- ally of them, and they generally throw in something extra. The first night we had no tents, and no- supper ; 'Bob' and myself put up together on the ground, and about 12 o'clock it rained like guns ; our rubber blankets saved us a soaking, but as it was, I got no sleep, and kicked it off and got wet. It was a perfect paradise, however, to the mean, lousy apartments at Alexan- dria, where the bedbugs, cock- roaches* and filth were knee-deep. ' Bob ' got bitten all over one night there. We didn't get half enough to eat there either, for we had no FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. 253 plates or large dippers, and rations were not regular at all. One day we only had one small ration of bread and salt pork. I bought my grub, as did most of the others, even old soldiers returning to their regiments. "The second night, we wentinto a tent where an old soldier of the Pennsylvania Bucktail Rifles, two boys of the Seventh Maine, from Cape Elizabeth, and several New Yorkers were, and they cooked us a good supper. We sung all our good songs, and they were much pleased. The next day we were transferred to a new camping ground (us Massachusetts boys), and a mighty mean place it is ; right upon a dusty plat of ground, with nothing green around us, and water most a mile. "We have not had a single thing furnished to us yet ; I have bought a dipper and two plates. I do n't expect to get anything when I get to my regiment, for in the present move, the quartermaster's department cannot be attended to ; so I shall buy as I need, as fast as I want, and draw commutation hereafter for articles I do n't get from the government. Even the old regiments can't get clothes, and when they encamp they can't get endure almost anything with reason- able patience. "My neck is all burned to a crisp. The heat of the sun is severe. It penetrates away through. We are waiting to hear from our regiment. They are now at Acquia creek. While I am in my tent, the boys keep coming in, and it do n't take many to fill it up. They talk and laugh, and of course it is impossi- ble to write, but wait a while and I will close this." From this camp we made many visits to Alexandria, to Forts Al- bany, Scott, Craig, and Tillinghast, where we saw our brother, John, some cousins, and many friends whom we knew in the First Massa- chusetts Heavy Artillery ; also the Thirty-third and Thirty-fifth Massachusetts, the latter near Hunter's ehapel, in which we had many friends. Our letters describe these visits, with numerous amus- ing incidents, etc., but they are, while interesting, too voluminous for introduction within the limits of these papers. On one of these visits we had learned that the First Massachu- setts Heavy Artillery was then un- der orders to join General Pope's army, and when the latter was wrestling with Longstreet and enough to eat, and I am sure if pro- Jackson on the 25th of August, the visions are not plenty, how can clothes be? I am all covered over with prickly heat, and my suffer- ings from it are almost unbearable ; but I apprehend when I get through with this cruise, I shall be able to ■' First Heavies " were ordered out, and that same day we learned that they were out beyond Fort Ells- worth, on the Fairfax C. H. road, near Cloud's Mill. Our letters say: "Saturday 2S4 FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. night, about six o'clock, we heard that the Fourteenth (First Massa- chusetts Heavy Artillery), was en- camped about one and one-half miles up the road, near Cloud's Mill. Hardly believing it, we started with nothing but our can- teens. We traveled about two miles, falling in with drunken sol- diers of the First, Eleventh, and Sixteenth Massachusetts regiments, who, as soon as they found out that we were Massachusetts boys for the Twenty-second, were completely craz}^ to have us shake hands and have a drink with them. We shook hands with more than fifty, but nary a drink. Night was fast set- tling down upon us, and the en- campments of Hooker's and Kear- ney's brigades looked splendid. "We soon got on the track, and got in the camp of the Fourteenth, and such a splendid sight I never saw. The camp-fires lit up the tents and fields for miles around. Some were roasting sweet potatoes, making coffee, etc. We found Lewis's tent, and found that John was on picket at Cloud's Mill, about three fourths of a mile from there, and would n't be in till morn- ing ; so, after seeing lots of boys that we used to know, we ' turned in' on four cents' worth of hay that Lewis bought, making one and one-third ecnts apiece — enough to keep our bones from getting sore. "In the morning, I went down to the Mill, and found John asleep on the soft side of a -planh. We woke him, and he was delighted to see us. He said after we left the fort the other day, he never expected to see us again. I tell you. Father, he is almost tickled to death to see us. It cheers him up ; and to think that we should travel fifteen miles at one time (seven and one half out and back), and six miles at another time, it makes him feel glad. "When he woke up, he said that rats as large as mules had been running over his body all night, and practising battalion drill. Cloud's Mill, if you remember, was the scene of a sharp skirmish at one time. It is an old wooden and brick mill, used once for grinding corn; now occupied by 'contra- bands.' They invited us in, and gave us hoe cake, coffee, and fish — the best food I have had since leav- ing home. After staying with John about two hours, we again bade him good-by, and left him there, as he could not be relieved from guard duty. If it (the regiment) is not gone, I shall go again to- morrow." The visit was repeated the fol- lowing day, and our brother, hav- ing "foraged" a lot of cabbages and other vegetables, gave us a royal boiled dinner, which he cooked himself. He writes : "Cloud's Mill, August 26, 1862. "I go in about ten minutes on my way to Warrenton. Ca n't write but a word. Have to destroy everything. Bob took dinner with me this afternoon. They are at Fort Ellsworth, and will probably follow shortly. Do not write until FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. 2SS you hear from me. We shall now see fighting." It was the last campaign of this regiment until the spring of 1864, when the movement across the Rapidan took place. It then joined Grant's army, and distinguished itself in nearly all of the bloody battles of the Second army corps, until the surrender at Appomattox, and we shall have occasion to refer to it often in following up the for- tunes of our eldest "brother in blue." But while in the fortifications, their restlessness and anxiety to join General Pope and engage in the second Battle of Bull Run be- came so great that when this, their first opportunity, and its inglorious result, became known in the Army of the Potomac, the "Heavies" were for a long time chafed most unmercifully by their veteran com- rades, and they never manifested the same impatience for an advance from their fortified position. Our brother thus describes his share in the " forward movement :" "Fort Tillinghast, Sept. 7, 1862. "We have just been inspected by General Fitz John Porter, who complimented us highly. We were very foolishly ordered away from here some two weeks ago, but we are back again by order of General McClellan. "We had a pretty tough time dur- ing our absence, having to lie in the woods for over two days, in line of battle, with two pieces of artillery, which we found aban- doned by a New York battery. We lost about eight or ten men, who were taken prisoners, and took about the same number in return. We saved a large amount of property to the govern- ment. Our colonel is a ' brick.' He was some distance in advance, when he discovered a regiment of cavalry approaching to overtake the wagon trains. He rode back 'double quick,' and immediately gave the order : ' Head of column to the right (into the woods) ! Can- non to the front ! ' This checked the ' rebs.' There are four roads leading into Fairfax, but we only had men to cover three, so the next day they got to our rear by the fourth road, and made a dash at our hospital, which was half a mile or so to the rear, capturing all the hospital stores, the two surgeons, a wounded soldier, the hospital stew- ard (J. Riley of Haverhill), one ambulance, and one or two other teams, and teamsters. ' ' The surgeons were immediately paroled, and General Lee (W. H. F. ?) sent his compliments to Colonel. Green, saying that if he (Green) had camped in an open field the previous night, he would have cap- tured and dispersed his entire com- mand. " The Colonel was slightly mad, the General being an old acquaint- ance of his. We afterwards cap- tured tvi'o of his scouts, being taken in trees, watching our move- ments. Before all this happened, we heard heavy cannonading ahead, and knew that a battle was in prog- ress ; so the Colonel ordered us to unsling knapsacks in the woods, 2s6 FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. and we were hurrying on to join " O Father, we are having excit- in the battle, when old Lee came ing times ! At the bottom of the hill down on us. is the main road to Manassas, and "On our return, we found the as you know, McClellan's army, a knapsacks were ransacked by fugi- great part of it, has landed at Alex- itive 'niggers,' who were running andria, and are reinforcing Pope away, and by the poor soldiers of at Culpepper and vicinity, which is McClellan's armv, who are hurry- about sixty miles from here, ing forward ; so we loft everything " They all have to go on this road, except what we wore. and we go down and sit on a rock " It would almost make you weep and watch them as they file along, to look at the remnant of the beau- regiment after regiment, brigade tiful army that left here but a few after brigade. Such looking fel- months since, so full of hope. lows I never saw ! Some of them Some of the regiments are not so with straw and felt hats, look large as our company, which num- blacker than their hats ; are dusty bers one hundred and fifty. There and dirty ; beards all tangled, and, is now a large army of troops here, with their ponchos slung on their and there is some active movement shoulders, they present a worn ap- on foot which, I hope, will soon pearance. wipe out our recent severe reverses. " They all seem to feel discour- The men are all anxious to fight, ex- aged to think that they have seen cept those in the corps of McDow- their brothers and friends shot down ell, who swear they will run at the by their side, and then have had to first fire, if he leads them ; for they turn right back and go way round know that he leads them to certain up the Potomac again, and are now death and defeat. One and all de- one hundred miles from Richmond, nounce him as a traitor." They all blow for ' Little Mac,' al- The Army of the Potomac, as our though they can't understand all letters indicate, moved directly by their movements. Pope is fighting our camp on Shuter's Hill, on the every day, and reinforcements are turnpike leading from Alexandria rushing along the roads by thou- to Fairfax Court-House, to join sands. New regiments are camp- Pope. Hooker's and Kearney's vet- ing all around us, and the night is erans were among them, and, going made noisy by their continual cheer- to their camps just beyond ours, we ing. We have about 2,000 men took from these well-versed "pa- waidng to join their regiments, in triots," some of our first lessons of camp here. Yesterday some went what was to come, especially in down on the road, and, as Hooker's "drawing" articles not on the list and Kearney's war-scarred veterans of commissary rations, "chicken- filed along, they joined their re- raising," etc., etc. spective commands, cheering and Our letters say : shouting. FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. 2S7 " It seemed to give them confi- dence to think that the North was pouring in recruits, but they have suffered so much, Father, in the Chickahominy swamps, that when we talk with them, they discourage us a little, but only a little. " I am writing on my knee, with poor ink and pen, and of course it looks awfully; I can only just write so you can read it, and that is all. I am covered with great heat blotches from head to foot, and they itch fearfully, which, together with mosquitoes and flies, is awful. ' ' When John told us the other day that Gene was in Washington the same day I was, and that he was on a leave of twent}"- days to go home, and I couldn't see him, I could hardly restrain my feelings. Now, I suppose, he is at home enjoy- ing himself, and I may never see him again. Oh, that we four boys could have met in Washington on that day ! Would n't we have had a breakdown? " The Twenty-second stopped at Acquia Creek, and went to join Pope in that direction. As soon as they get settled somewhere, then we shall move ; but my opinion is that ■we. shall remain here for a week or two. I hear the continual booming ■of guns. Last night they shot two or three 'niggers' in Alexandria ; I suppose the soldiers were drunk. Edgar saw one 'nig' shot through the head." On the 28th, being informed that General McClellan's headquarters ■were only about one and three- quarter miles from our camp, we struck out to gratify our desire to see him and make a personal inspec- tion of his camp. As we approached the headquar- ter tents, we saw the General come out of one of them, and immediately recognized him by his photographs, although we had mentally pictured him as somewhat nearer the heroic size — at least six feet. Not content with absorbing all we could of the commander-in-chief, we strolled towards the rude, brush- covered stables, where we were soon pointed out the celebrated war- horse of the General's — Dan Web- ster. We blush now to record the the fact that, becoming suddenly possessed of the devil, or the twin spirit of vandalism — not alone con- fined to us during that period of the war — we watched our chance, and, when the sentinel's back was turned, we deliberately cut off a lock of hair from Dan Webster's mane, and, secreting it in my pocket, coolly walked away. We have always thought we were richly punished for that act, for we had scarcely started to retrace our steps, when a terrific thunder- storm burst upon us, blew down a part of the headquarter tents, and, before we got back to Fort Ells- worth, completely drenched us ; and, besides, upon sending the trophy home, our parents, not fully appreciating our efforts as a relic hunter, carelessly placed it in a drawer with a lot of old scraps, where it became lost or destroyed. Dan Webster was a magnificent dark chestnut, and under the sad- FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. die, with a numerous mounted staff' about him, was easily conspicuous by his glossy coat and fine action. Our letters say : " 'Litde Mac' is about two miles from us in camp. Bob, Fletcher, and myself went down to see him last Thursday, and were fortunate enough to catch a glimpse of him. He is not half so handsome as his photographs at the North would seem to indicate. His moustache is brown, and he wears an imperial. He is short and quite broad-should- ered. He wore a dirty military coat and regulation pants, with high boots and an old Kossuth hat. Alto- gether, he was a very modest man in appearance. I wasn't much struck. "While there, a heavy shower fell upon us, and the tents of his staff" were all blown down ; we got wet through. I saw his horse, Dan Webster, and he is a noble horse. I never saw a better-looking or more powerfully built one for speed and everything else requisite for his station : — a general's horse in every particular. Bob has some hair that he cut from his mane, which he is going to send home." On that night, after our return from General McClellan's head- quarters, we saw a young man brought into camp in the agonies of death. He was the son of wealthy parents, and was in the last stages of delirium tremens ; he gasped his last at 9 p. m., and we saw him pass into another world. The fol- lowing day, another man, older, was brought in. He seemed to have on the uniform of a Confed- erate artilleryman. He had been found wandering through our lines in a half-crazed state, and he died without having made known his identity. It was our first experience with death in any form, and it made a lasting impression on our young minds, which the after horrors of many bloody battles hardly effaced. On the 29th of August we moved through the fields and over very rough ground, to a point a little more than one mile directly west of Camp Excelsior, and just north of Fairfax Seminary, on a small branch of Cameron Run. Our letter, dated in Camp near Fairfax Seminary, Sunday, Aug. 31, 1862, sa3-s : " We have moved to this place, about one fouith of a mile from Fairfax Seminary, per- haps the very spot where Gene encamped when he returned from his grand advance in the spring. We came here last Friday morn- ing, and the first night slept with no tents ; they were promised for last night, but when I got back from a long tour to the camp of the Thirty-fifth regiment and Fort Til- linghast, nary a tent did I find, and this morning I woke up to find it raining finely. " I spread my rubber blanket, and stood it until I got up. We cooked our breakfast in the rain, consisting of • drawn ' rations from the fields on our route ; applesauce, roast corn, some bread, and mean coffee (although the latter I cooked myself). FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. 259 " It is still raining, and the boys have put their duds in a heap, put their rubber blankets over them, and gone into some tents put up by- some old settlers, while I have wandered over here to the Semi- nary, and under an old shed, free from the noise and bustle of the camp, am spending my Sabbath in writing to you. "It is raining quite hard out, and once in a while it spatters through on my paper (letter badly stained), but the place is much better than a shelter in a tent where all the boys are talking and laugh- ing, especially on such a wet day as this, when the cloth of the tents is just like a sieve. Fairfax Sem- inary is a fine building, and is now used as a hospital. It was the greatest seat of learning in the South before the war broke out ; ' so they say.' It is certainly a beautiful situation, and the grounds give indications of former beauty. I should judge the buildings were all fine ; everything is going to ruin here. ' II was, and is not," may truly be said of every building in Fairfax County, Va. We have orders to go to-day, but very likely they will be countermanded, as it is almost impossible to join them (the regiment) while they are fighting as they are now. " All day yesterday the cannons' roar was incessant, and the rumors among the various camps we passed through were very exciting. At the forts they were digging rifle- pits, and new guns were being mounted ; the magazines were open, and ammunition was being carried to the many places of con- venience inside the battlements. You could hear very distinctly the boom of the guns towards Centre- ville, and I saw Sumner's Corps as it passed Fort Tillinghast, as also Meagher's Irish Brigade of Penin- sular veterans, as they marched to reinforce our army, then and now in conflict with ' Stonewall ' Jack- son. " I saw a straggler of the Twen- ty-second, Thomas Branigan, Co. G, when we were coming back. He said there were about two hun- dred and fifty in the regiment, able for duty, and they were then fight- ing at Manassas. He got out of cartridges, and being liable to cap- ture in the rear, '■skedaddled' to Alexandria, and was making tracks for Fort Albany when we saw him, where he had a brother whom he had not seen for twelve months. " He told me some pretty hard stories of his Peninsular campaign, and said as soon as he got rested, he should travel for the Twenty- second again. " He hailed from Lawrence, (Mass.), and had lost his knapsack at Gaines Mill, and nothing cov- ered him but a coat (ragged blouse) and pair of pants. He had his two blankets coiled about him, but his overcoat and sich were among the missing ; a hard-looking boy and no mistake. We started for Hun- ter's Chapel early yesterday morn- ing, and when we got there we found that the Thirty-fifth had changed their camp, and gone 2 6o FOUR BROTHERS JN BLUE. down towards Fort Craig, near " They were glad to see us ; it Fort Tillinghast, and we found them is a fine regiment ; I almost wish I all there. were in it. We have been kicked "We saw John; he looked about so since we started ! If Mc- pretty well, considering what he Clellan had stayed at Harrison's has been through lately: he has Landing, we should have been with lost everything; I suppose you have our regiment in good drill, and all heard of their march to Centreville, right; but his moving away makes and of their narrow escape from a heap of trouble for us, the gov- capture by Colonel Lee of the rebel ernment scarcely knowing what to arm}' . . . After some tall do with us. tramping, and the loss of all their "I am afraid now that the Thir- baggage and duds, they have re- ty-fifth will get drilled before us, turned to their forts, satisfied, they and be off for the field before we all say, to remain there until the are. They twitted us to that effect war is over. yesterday, and it was a little morti- " They are now putting the forts fying to me, when I remember in a good state of defense. That what I said about old regiments is a smashing regiment. Colonel before leaving home. Green's, of 1800 strong. The Pen- " Three days' rations were dealt insular soldiers, as the Fourteenth out to us last night, and we were passed, asked if it was not a divi- to have gone to-day. Upon some sion. Their own brigades scarcely one asking the commanding officer vie with it in point of numbers. what we raw recruits could do "While we were there (before before the enemy, he replied, 'they their advance), about five hundred can fight like the devil;' so in all recruits arrived, and they were re- probabilit}-, as soon as we get arms, ceived with shouts of joy. Many according to reports and orders, we of them were taken in, I reckon, for shall go to meet the foe with our they did n't expect an advance quite regiment without even knowing how yet. to handle a musket or come into " Before I left Hospital Camp line of battle. I can only say, (Shuter's Hill), I went to see the 'Bully for that!' The sooner the Thirty-third regiment. Colonel better for me. This climate is mak- Maggi, and stayed until dress ing me terribly lazy. I lose all my parade was over at 6 o'clock p. m. strength here, and feel dumpish I saw those two lieutenants we continually ; I want to lie down con- conversed with at Camp Stanton, stantly ; there seems to be some- if you remember, on the possibility thing in theatmosphere that absorbs of Bob's being accepted at 17 years all my vitality. The heat has been of age, and whether or not there tremendous, and we have suffered were any regulations to the effect terribly from it. All the recruits that all under 18 were to be refused, for Porter's Corps are in camp with FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. 261 us; about a thousand men. It is not quite as pretty as the old place, but much better. I do not see a paper very often, but I hear that Mc'Clellan is commander-in-chief over the Army of Virginia, and that Halleck now is merely military adviser. " One night I was troubled a good deal by something running about on my neck all night long ; I suspected that it was an army of lice, and in the morning, I found outside my tent, by my corner (and I sleep close, for there were five in the tent) an old dirty shirt, all cov- ered over with body lice, and they had been marching at close quar- ters all night. "I found four large ones on my shirt, and three ' slimmers ' inside, on the seams ; and in the seams under my arms, and on mv neck, any quantity of little eggs, or young divils, hardly formed. I cleaned them all off", but have scarcely got- ten rid of them yet. " It is perfectly horrid, and I lose flesh in thinking of it; who under heavens could have been fiendish enough to have put that shirt under my head? I know not! If the Irishman I whipped on board the Camden & Amboy R. R. had been in camp I should have thought him the guilty one ; but he had joined his regiment. I have never found out the villain yet. We have all got to come to it, however, for all soldiers have lice ; you can keep from it a short time, but when you are on the march, and maybe have thrown away soap and towels to lighten your load, and bivouac on some old camming ground alive with these animals, it is certain that a lousy carcass is your lot for some time to come. It is impos- sible to keep clean in the days of adversity, but now, while we are stationary, and have everything ■pretty handy, we delight in our morning bath.'''' [Note. — Any old soldier will recognize the philosophy and logi- cal reasoning of the above, also the grim irony of a recruit out in an open field, in a drizzling rain, alongside of two or three small water holes in a little creek or brook, of the color of red mud, and covered with grease and floating soap-suds from those above us, out of which we had to make our coffee, and in which everything was '■^pretty handy," and where we delighted in our " morning bath."'] " There are a lot of green re- cruits who keep firing their revolv- ers around camp, and bullets are constantly flying about us ; it is n't ver}'^ agreeable. I have been near enough to being shot. I have just got back to camp. It is still rain- ing, and we are without tents ; I am most wet through, things and all. "Monday afternoon,September i, 1862. We move to-night with two days' rations. The enemy are at Fairfax Court-House,ten miles from here. The battle Saturday was ' nip and tuck,' I could hear the cannonading all day long. To-dav, the wounded are coming by the road; some shot through the arm. 262 FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. leg, or hand. I have talked with them, and they all sa}'' that Mc- Dowell is a traitor, and should be shot as one. I thought I would write to let you know that we go to-night, for to-morrow we^ may be in battle ; but if we do, God be with the right, and protect them from the bullets of the .... en- emy. " JNIac" went out by us last Saturday night, to take charge of the troops. The boys are in good spir- its, notwithstanding our hard treat- ment, and are ready for the march." The Xew York Herald of Sep- tember I, 1862, says: "The bus- tle and confusion of Alexandria ex- ceeds that of any previous occasion, not excepting even the tumult of McClellan's departure for the Pe- ninsula ; the army wagons, regi- ments and stragglers block up the streets from daylight till the small hours of the morning, so that pe- destrianism becomes almost impos- sible. " The river is obstructed with shipping ; the wharves groan be- neath the weight of army parapher- nalia ; long trains of cars creep through the mass of humanity, and artillery now and then, with its deafening rumble, adds to the din, while a dense cloud of dust hangs above all the town, blinding the eyes and choking up the respiratory organs of every visitor of this mod- ern Babel. " All the restaurants have been closed by the authorities, and in- fantry patrol every street. All the hotels and boarding-houses were crowded beyond comfort, and hun- dreds of officers go about the street disconsolate, vainly seeking for a place to lay their heads. " Of course the ' secesh ' element is jubilant. Delight upon the coun- tenances of rebel sympathizers too plainly marks their long-nurtured hopes of deliverance from the 'Yan- kees,' and the bitter experience of former delinquents only checks the full expression of dislo3'alty. " There has been continual anx- iety all the morning relative to the engagement now going on in the vicinity of Centreville. It is 12 o'clock, and there is a lull in the cannonading, which has been very severe up to this hour. On every hill from Fort Ellsworth to the city, and on many of the roofs of the houses, crowds were observed listening to the distant cannonading. The ' se- cesh ' families kept their houses closed, and occasionally would par- tially open their doors, and with dark and scowling features peer up the street, as if anxiously expecting Jackson. " The following morning we moved to the foot of Arlington Heights, and camped in the meadow near the spring on the north of the mansion. A letter dated Septem- ber 3, 1862, in camp on Arlington Heights, near Fort Albany, Vir- ginia, says : " Night before last Bob just enclosed a few words to some of you at home, stating the fact that we were then under orders to march at a moment's notice with three days' rations .... That same night we stood in our FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. 263 tent during a violent thunder-storm, knapsack under him for a pillow, until 8 o'clock, expecting every mo- and he was provided for as com- ment to leave. At that time the fortably as circumstances would order came, and we packed our permit. I slept next to him ; I put knapsacks and started. We marched eight or ten muddy muskets under about one quarter of a mile through me, and a box on one side, and got the rain and Virginia mud, and in between it and Edgar ; my well- then halted for equipments. filled haversack was my pillow, but "I wet m}' feet all through, and all I had to cover me was m}'' over- only having one pair of stockings, coat ; everything was in my knap- they are in a bad condition. We sack under Ed.'s head, and I hated had to wade across streams from to disturb him. our camping ground, and it was " I threw away the quilt that John over our shoes. We stayed in this gave me, just before leaving camp, (that) place until 11 o'clock, rain- to ease my load, so that now I have ing all the time, and then after be- only my rubber blanket, which, as ing partly equipped with poor arms I said before, was under his head. (second-hand), we were ordered " It rained all night long, I got back to our camp, with instructions wet through, I was very cold, and to be back with the rising of the it did seem as though my feet sun, to renew the process of arm- would freeze. Early in the morn- ing, ing we were up, and Ed., after " There were about 4,000 men in vomiting, was much better, all, mostly recruits, and on that " The boys came over from camp, muddy, rainy night, it was a scene and about 10 o'clock, having been I shall never forget; those men all all armed and equipped, we started, mixed up, trying to get arms ; we know not where. Some of our everything was helter-skelter, and boys got Austrian rifles, some En- order and method were beyond field, and others the Springfield. I looking for. It was a regular mob, got the Enfield, and Bob got the and when you consider that the finest arm of the whole lot, a fine commanding officer gave us to un- United States Springfield rifle." derstand that we were going to aid This letter does not give full our regiments and that they were justice to the scene on that night, retreating, you can conceive of the We were marched across these whole arrangement somewhat ; and streams in the darkness of a ter- remember, too, that not one of us rific thunder storm to an octagonal had ever put on a belt, buckle, building, or as we always termed cartridge-box or cap pouch. it the 'Round House,' which must " What a picture we did present I have been on or near the Leesburg Most of us boys went back to camp, turnpike. but Edgar being sick, I got him a Our recruits represented every box and made him a bed, put my Massachusetts regiment in the field. 264 FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. We were all mixed up, there was der such a needless and disgraceful no organization, no discipline, no state of incompetency, system in issuing anything. All We stalked about awhile in the was helter-skelter. Every kind of ever increasing depth of mud, and an old, rusty, worthless gun was then taking some pieces of ammuni- handed out to us in the darkness, tion boxes and some old guns, and we did not know one from the filled with mud and water, we made other. Ammunition for a Belgian a raised bed on the mire-trodden was given to a man with a Spring- ground, and, in all the utter wretch- field rifle ; "buck and ball" was edness and gloom, we recruits of passed out for the Enfield, etc. but three weeks, just from our com- We were told that our regiments fortable New England homes, wore were retreating upon the fortifica- out the night, while in our fevered tions ; we were to join in the fight imagination we were momentarily with them at once. expecting the enemy upon us. Not a man had ever put on a All day long, Sept. 2, the start- cartridge box or a buckle on a belt, ling boom ! boom ! of cannon was and there was nobody to show us ; heard, and to our 3'et uninitiated besides, the rain was beating down ears it sounded ominously, indeed, in torrents ; it was dark as Erebus, With our heavy loads, soaked bed- and the only light we had this quilts, with which we had been wild night, was the flashes of light- so kindly supplied by our friends in ning, reinforced (?) by one or two the forts, we were marched here dim candles that frequently went and there and everywhere ; first to out in the deluge of rain that struck Fort Tillinghast, then to Fort Al- them. ban\', with nobody, apparently, in All was dire confusion. Belts, charge of us, who seemed to know boxes, etc., were put on upside where to go, or what to do with this down, often without cap-boxes or huge recruit, "White Elephant," bayonet scabbards, and, during our until we finallv arrived at the foot momentary excitement, through of tlie slopes of Arlington, near the constant rumors of the near ap- " Springs,'" just below the house, proach of the enemy, the appalling Our letter continues : darkness of the night, the incessant "We marched to this place, flashes of lightning and tlie rattling about seven miles, and it came and continuous booming of the pretty tough on some of us. I as- thunder, could "Johnny Reb " sure you we were pretty well loaded. have struck us just then, "John I had everything but a U. S. Gilpin's race" would have been as blanket; but my rubber blanket is nothing compared with the " ske- heavier than regulation, and we had daddle" on that fearful night. twenty rounds extra of cartridges. The average intelligence of those and our knapsacks were prettj' well recruits marveled and chafed un- filled. I came near throwing mine J^OUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. 265 away several times ; I should, had it not been for a very acceptable halt at the time being. ... I hate to do it, but I tell you they pull on a fellow's back dreadfully ; the kind of knapsacks that Father bought us have very narrow straps, and that, with no other straps, makes a very severe bind across the lungs ; so much so, that it is painful to breathe. "We had sixty rounds of ammuni- tion, weighing six or seven pounds ; our haversacks were filled with dry, sour bread, (melted) coffee, and sugar (sickening), and plenty of ' hard tack.' " Here we are this fine morning, all well and hungry, after a night's sleep on the cold ground. I slept well, but was cold. We are directly opposite the Capitol and a short distance from Fort Albany. Til- linghast must be back of us on the same road, only higher up. " I think they intend to keep us here for drill, until our regiment comes up, for our captain in charge says that they will get to us before we get to them. " What kind of drilling it will be I know not, but I think it will be poor, if I take our sergeant for a specimen of drill master. I am heartily sick of the way things are carried on. " Oh, for a West Pointer to teach hie the way I should go, before I reach or see my regiment ! I am hoping for the best, however. That night we were out in the rain, I ex- pected we should march to our reg- iments, and see fighting the next day, and we were disappointed enough to be toted way over here. I should rejoice in the privilege of sleeping on our banking at home, if I could have the rest of the comforts in close proximit}' daytime I won't complain, though, for I knew it must be so, before I started. Last night, Fletcher, Webster, Ed. and myself separated from the rest, and slept in the woods. The mos- quitoes troubled us somewhat, and the ants filled our haversacks, but with these exceptions, we were very comfortable. " O my dear Mother, you can scarcely imagine the feelings I have towards you now, when I remember how far away from you I am, and how long I may be sepa- rated from you ; and think, too, of your health and how often you are sick — when, I know not." Here, while enjoying this be- wildered state, and momentarily expecting to move out and join our regiment, now on the march, where we knew not, the writer "drew" some beans, and, squatted over a green wood fire, was industriously trying to stew them and to flank the smoke on the arc of a circle, when his brother of the " Heavies" found him. There were nearly enough beans before boiling, to fill a quart tin ; they now commenced to swell and I dipped out a few. They swelled more, and kept increasing — drop- ping over the sides — until, in my spirit of agony, and with eyes full of smoke, I was about to pitch 2 66 FOUKTH MAINE BATTERY. them into the fire, when a loud amusement of the brothers stand- " fall in ! " was given, and suddenly ing by. changing my mind — recruit-like — Finally, on the 4th of September, angry at being disturbed at my first after many trials and tribulations, culinary efforts, I dumped the mess we proceeded to join the regiment of swelled and partially stewed at Hall's Hill, accompanied part of beans into my haversack, nearly the way by our brother of the filling it. I inwardh' resolved "Heavies," to help carry the and outwardly shouted that I "plunder" and assist in " veteran- " would have stewed beans out of izing " us. A new era now began that mess anyway," when I got to dawn upon our uneducated, un- to the regiment, much to the disciplined minds. FOURTH MAINE BATTERY. Under the fair skies of one of present. There are in all no the rarest of June's rare days, members of the organization, but Wednesday, the 23d, was held the they are scattered over the countr}', fifteenth annual reunion of the from Maine to California. Fourth Maine Battery, at Grand The forenoon meeting was called Army hall, Augusta, and once to order at 11:20 o'clock by the again have the survivors of that president, Ethel H. Jones, and was grand old body gathered together, followed by roll-call. A com- to elect their officers, talk over old mittee of three to select officers for times, and to perpetuate the feel- the ensuing year, was appointed by ings of brotherly love born in their the chair as follows: Abel Davis hearts when they fought side by of Pittsfield, A. S. Bangs of Au- side in the dark days of the Re- gusta, and F. C. Foss of Mt. Ver- bellion. non. In point of weather, nothing The chair also appointed the better could be desired. It was following committee on resolutions : nothing more than was to be ex- F. M. Mills of Skowhegan, Judson pected, however, for the Fourth Ames of Montreal, Canada, and Maine Battery always has good Lester Holway of Fairfield, weather. During the past fifteen Treasurer F. M. Mill presented years since their organization, there his report for the past 3'ear as fol- has been but one reunion upon lows : which the sun did not shine. ™, ,, J .1 Received from Comrade Crymble, treas- The attendance was not as large ^^er, 1896 . . . . $32.75 as on some previous occasions. Expended as per bills . . . 20.11 there being thirty-five members Balance on hand .... $776^ FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. 313 one-lialf mile up river and were our quarters, and built a nice oven brigaded with the Thirteenth and to bake in, and just got everything Twenty-fifth Connecticut, and One in apple-pie order when came the Hundred and Fifty-ninth New aggravating order to move. York, under Colonel Henry W. January 23. Cleared twelve Birge of the Thirteenth Connecticut, acres of land for a parade ground. This makes seven times we have The way we get out stumps and moved camp since we have been other obstructions is to fasten a here. When we last moved, they chain to them, then bend on about told us it was for the winter, so we a hundred men or so, and some- fixed up ever so nice, toted bricks thing is bound to come. Man labor nearly half a mile from an old is cheaper than mule labor ; the building which was demoralized by mule must be spared for there is Uncle Sam's big guns, and laid more fuss made over a dead mule nice sidewalks the whole length of than a dead soldier. FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. By Captain Robert Goldthwaite Carter, United States Army. MARCH TO THE ANTIETAM BATTLE OF ANTIETAM — SCENES AND INCIDENTS. The Twenty-second Massachusetts Volunteers was then a part of the Fifth Corps (Fitz John Porter), First Division (Morell), First Brigade (Mar- tindale), now commanded by Colonel James Barnes, of the Eighteenth Massachusetts Volunteers, and was composed of the Second Maine, First Michigan, Eighteenth Massachusetts, Twenty-second Massachusetts, Twenty-fifth New York, Thirteenth New York, and First Berdan Sharp- shooters. It was merely bivouacked a few hundred yards southwest of the tld camp it had occupied the previous winter, and the remains of its old stockaded Sibley tents were distinct- ly visible across the little run. It bore evidence of its disastrous cam- paign on the Peninsula, and its march from Acquia Creek, via Bull Run, to this place. To the uninitiated eyes of our recruits what a looking regiment it was! At the Battle of Gaines Mills they had "piled their knapsacks," had been nearly sur- rounded by "Stonewall" Jackson; had fought an unequal contest with great gallantry; had "skipped out" and lost everything, and were now without even shelter tents, blankets, overcoats, etc.; many were bare- footed, and their clothes were ragged and torn. Some wore straw hats of every shape and color, others a black or white slouch, while many sported a vizorless cap of that unique pat- tern so well remembered by all old soldiers, almost impossible to de- scribe, which had increased the 314 FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. brown on their faces to a rich ma- hogany. How mean we recruits did feel in our good clothes, spick-and-span-new. We felt like jerking them off as we had seen the drunken sailor (.'') in the circus, and letting them go as far as they would. Shortly after our arrival in this camp, the pickets of the Second Maine and First Michigan were driven in from the direction of Fair- fax Court-House. The bugles sounded the -assembly, across the hills, and the brigade with a battery was soon in motion. This was our first experience of actual war, and our boyish enthusiasm and eagerness to get into battle as soon as possible, was nowhere so prominently dis- played as in the letters we wrote home after this event, and our dis- appointment at not being allowed to go with the regiment to the point of danger was keen and genuine. What did we come out for — simply to draw and eat rations .'' And when were we going to have a chance at a "Johnny".? It was but an alarm, and they soon returned. The scenes about the bivouac fires that night as we gath- ered in groups and listened to the stories of our newly-found veteran companions of the Peninsular cam- paign, were vivid and soul-inspiring, and our fevered imaginations pic- lured with unrestrained eagerness the coming years and glory of ser- vice to our country. Our letters say: " In Camp, Twenty-second Regi- ment, Hall's Hill, September 5, 1862. full. The way stations on the jour- ney have been too disagreeable for a pleasant remembrance, and I con- sider the experience of them the for- gotten things of the past, and am happy and contented in the present. Our little family of brave men were delighted to see us last night (only twenty-six in Captain Thompson's company), and at night the camp- fires were crowded with scarred and war-worn veterans' faces, anxious to hear from home. They ha\ e now been on the march for three weeks from Harrison's Landing, and arrived here night before last at the same com- pany ground they left so full of hope and big in numbers last spring, now a small band of noble men, only num- bering one hundred and fifty men fit for duty when we got here. I am now e pluribus union and am glad I am in an old regiment. Henry Wilson was here to see them as soon as they arrived, and they say he cried like a child when he saw how devoid of everything they were. The regi- ment idolizes him as their benefac- tor, and as the one who is ever hav- ing an eye single to their well-being. He is the man above all others who has done so much for the poor sol- dier, and I say all honor to the kind- hearted Natick shoemaker, a man worthy of high position in the senate chamber. "Some of these poor chaps have had nothing to cover their poor bodies these cold September nights but a thin blouse and tattered breeches ; their shirts gone, and their shoes and stockings ; they lost everything at Gaines Mills. We are I am at my new home, and my joy is going to have new muskets and light FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. 315 blue panls; already does the regi- ment begin to assume order in every- thing after all the confusion and chaos of the last month. " I am glad that I am here, for everything bids fair to be as gay as can be. We begin to draw rations as a company now, and it is cooked well. This morning I drew the first ration of coffee, and it was as good as it could be without milk and sugar. I drank it down with a rel- ish, and I have not tasted it before for a week, not even of my own mak- ing, it was so sickening to my stom- ach. " When we got here last night we met Captain Thompson, who was glad enough to see us ; he is a man of few words, and very unassuming, but looks like a brave man, and every inch a soldier when on duty ; at other times he mingles freely with his soldiers and eats with them, and has now an old hut made of leaves for his quarters, while the rest of the ' shoulder straps ' have their fine tents, etc. " Our lieutenants are both gone, the second lieutenant, Shute, being still at home. . . . Our other lieutenant (Salter) was killed before Richmond, but our drill-master, Billy Salter, brother to Tom Salter (first lieutenant), is alive, and we have commenced to like him very much; he is a genuine favorite, and the best- drilled fellow in the company; he is the best sergeant in the regiment, so Captain T. says. " We have been drilled for the first time this morning, and I never felt better in my life. We were drilled in a squad without muskets, and went through the various steps and facings common to company drill; we were complimented by the ser- geant, who said we should be able to take our muskets in hand in a day or two. It is even so, for our boys are all smart and intelligent ; we learn quick, and have a good teacher, both worthy of each other. John is now here; he came up with a fellow named West, and I will stop this letter writing in the hot sun until he leaves. "John has gone now; he is going to the camps of the Twelfth and Thirteenth (Mass.) Regiments; when he gets back to Tillinghast (Fort), he will have to come a spread eagle on a cannon whee for leaving without permission, so Captain Sargent told them if they went away. John received Gene's note asking him to be at the National Hotel, Washington, last Saturday, but he could n't get over. ... I am sorry he has been so sick, and it is a great surprise to me to learn of the bare possibility of his being a Massachusetts colonel. It has been spoken of in several of the letters the boys received last night. We are all going up to Fort Tillinghast to get some beans Sunday, if we get a pass; John invited us. I mean to obey all rules and regulations now, but while in the chrysalis state I mean to hook, run guards, etc., etc. '• It meant nothing but red tape, so we did n't care ; now we are in the regiment, and I am bound to be straight, as an example to others. "When we got here last night the FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. pickets of the First Michigan and privations, and after our hard, hot, Second Maine were driven in (they*' dusty march of yesterday, to get that belong to our brigade) by a brigade of rebels, near Fairfax Court-House. The bugle's call to arms sounded across the fields, and they were soon on the move with Martin's Battery ("formerly FoUet's, which went out with the Twenty-second). They marched about a mile and were or- dered back. The recruits were de- nied the privilege of going with them. Our pickets told some great stories. Tell Mother that we are soon to have some woolen blankets and some small tents. We slept on the ground last night; there was a heavy dew. I spread my rubber blanket and Edgar and I slept on it, with his woolen blanket over us.. . . I hear that letter writing has been prohibited in the Army of the Potomac ; I hope this will be allowed to go safely. The reb- els are shelling the woods five miles distant, while I am writing ; I can hear the cannon boom as plainly as though they were right here. "There is a tremendous army about here, everywhere, in camps, and at night it is a sight to behold. I have to write with pencil now, for a few days ago I spilt my ink. Depend upon it, my dear sister, we are happy now and in good spirits." " Hall's Hill, Sept. 5, 1862. "You can never know how I felt, after four weeks of jolting round, lying out in all sorts of weather, no tents, no blankets, nothing to eat but raw pork and 'hardtack' (so hard that it is almost impossible to break letter. It was like a bright light, dispelling the gloom ; like a shining star in the black, cloudy night. You need not think that I am suffering so much; this lying on the ground and eating this food is tough at first, and so is drinking bad, muddy water, but you soon get used to it, and it does not seem as bad as you imagine. I have seen the time when I would not honestly give the food that I have eaten to the swine, but now, when I am hungry, salt pork tastes as good as chicken and the hard- tack as good as biscuits. So you see that it is all in getting used to these things. "Now it was awful hard' at first to put on my coat and lie down on the ground with a knapsack for a pillow, but now I can lie down with perfect composure and sleep; not as sweetly as at home, to be sure, for it is so awful cold nights here that you can 't do it. Sometimes we make up a hot fire, and all lie with our feet to it, and even then in the morning we are wet and shivering. The dew is like rain ; the days are hot, though, and so it goes — hot days and cold nights. " Probably you have seen pictures of soldiers lying about a camp-fire, have you not ? If not, I must de- scribe it. You will see some in their shirt-sleeves, some cooking, some smoking, some sleeping, some telling stories of their terrible cam- paign on the Peninsula — all this, with the bright glare of the fires all them), after all our hardships and around, goes to make up one of the FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. 317 most beautiful pictures tliat can be cook most anything now in a rude imagined. way. Excuse this penciling, as it is "We are now near Ball's Cross almost impossible to write with pen Roads, where the sharp skirmish and ink ; also excuse the general was. Fall's Church is about a mile looks and writing. It has blown from here, where another fight was. away twice and has got soiled. I General McClellan is in command of am very tired, as I am sitting with the whole Army of Virginia: Pope's, my back against a small tree. I Banks's, McDowell's, and Sigel's have been on drill once since I com- armies are all around us in a circuit menced this letter, and as I expect of eight or ten miles ; the rebels are to have to drill again in a few min- about four miles from here. They do utes, I will close. ' not think the fight will be here, but at Edward's Ferry, about twenty miles We wrote many letters from here, from here, near the famous Ball's describing little matters and inci- Bluff battle-ground. We may stop dents about camp, and our first here some time, and if I go on picket, impressions, etc., but although inter- which I shall probably do in a day esting, they would prove altogether or two, I will write you more excit- too voluminous for the limits of these ing news ; as it is now, it is quite articles. dull, with the exception of the great At dark on the night of the 6th, masses of troops that are continually we were suddenly ordered to move, passincr near us. This was to be our first march be- "I have changed very much since side the veterans from the Peninsula, I left ; as I sit now you would hardly and our pride was touched. It came know me. I am under a tree in hard ; every strap cut at every step, shirt-sleeves, writing on an old barrel The "bureau" was full of good head, and my black face and hands, things, and hung off like a camel's shaved head, etc., make a rough- hump enlarged. Every movement looking youth of me. Yon ought to was painful. Nothing could be heard see the other fellows, some that left but the tramp, tramp, the clink, clink, home a year ago. I hardly knew of the tin dippers or coffee cups them. They have been on the against the bayonets, and the low march twenty-one days, and are all murmuring of voices as we moved exhausted and beaten out. rapidly along in the darkness. " This morning I went foraging. The laugh and jest had long ago and got corn, potatoes, cabbages, died out, and each individual in that beets, etc., to make a grand boiled hurrying column was a busy thinker, dinner. It was a great treat, after a machine, which, once set in motion, living so long on nothing ; it tasted goes to the utmost of its endurance, like home. It is fun to see the boys The knapsacks we wore had been roasting corn and potatoes, frying purchased for us by our father in meat, and making coffee. I can Boston. They were " patent," were 3i8 FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. small, with narrow breast straps, and knapsacks, out of which a few men were ill-suited for packing or carry-* extracted some uesirable articles and ing loads under any circumstance, flung the knapsacks away, and especially now that we had no Morell's division had been left in instruction in arranging the same, the fortifications, while the balance of It was a hard march, but all did well, the Fifth Corps was already on the and morning found us on Arlington march into Maryland to intercept Heights with an immense army all the advance of the enemy, now over- about us. Our bivouac was at Fort running the state. Worth, near Fairfax seminary, not The camp of our regiment was or> far from Fort Ellsworth, which we the slope of a very steep hill. No had left but a few days before, and sooner did we go to sleep than which the regiment had helped to we woke up to find ourselves dowr> build. But after making coffee, we at the foot of the slope, where we again took up the march, passed had gradually slipped. The camp the seminary towards Fairfax Court- was thoroughly " policed," rations of House, and after winding about in " soft bread" were drawn, and on the various directions, finally pitched I ith some clothing. Three days' ra- upon a spot, as an old soldier re- tions were issued towards night, marked, "especially adapted to the which was equivalent to an order to regiment,'' the ground being covered move, and, on the morning of the with stumps, stones, underbrush, and I2th, when it did come, at 8 a.m., briars. the cooks, not having time to cook We had scarcely cleared a space the meat, left it on the ground, large enough to spread our blankets to be brought along in the wagons, and lie down upon, before we were if there was room, if not, to be ordered to ''Fall in" under arms thrown away as usual, immediately. We got into line and A soldier will not carry more than awaited the next order, which did his haversack will hold. The turn- not come. We lay upon our arms pikes were full of soldiers moving all night, and in the morning drew forward to join this great force, and rations. We remained all day in at night their camp-fires lighted up this place, and on the gth, at 8 a. m., the surrounding hillside with innu- moved again. merable fires. Their glorious and After marching a few miles in genuine cheers resounded in every rather a perplexing manner, we valley. It was an inspiring sight to turned off to the left, passed by us in our embryo state of soldierhood. Fort Albany on the Alexandria We lay behind the fortifications look- road, and up over Arlington Heights, ing expectantly for the conflict to and finally halted near Fort Cor- begin. coran. Here the command was mus- Pope had been defeated ; McClel- tered for pay, received many visitors Ian deposed ; petty jealousies and in- and boxes, whose contents were ternal dissensions had taken the place nearly or quite spoiled, and some of what ought to have been a united FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. 319- army under the leadership of a gen- eral in whom it could have implicit confidence. Even the recruits felt this and knew the situation, although we fully realized that we could not all be generals. General McClellan was still looked up to by the masses and the troops, as the only man then competent to command the army which he had been instrumental in creating, organ- izing, and molding into shape. It was a very critical period ; there was apparent, even to our verdant selves, much disgraceful confusion and dis- organization. He assumed command. In the hurried reorganization, many things so essential to the comfort and morale of the rank and file, vvere overlooked, which afterwards resulted in unnecessary suffering, beyond our power to relieve, causing much growling and grumbling among the men in the ranks, no more so than among the recruits just joined, but especially among the Peninsular vete- rans, who had, many of them, by this time, got their stomachs more than full, and their appetites thoroughly appeased. It had rained on the night of the nth, just enough to soak our blan- kets and clothing, without laying the dust or cooling the atmosphere. On the morning of the 12th, soon after reveille and before our breakfast was finished, pack up was sounded, and we were soon moving across the old acqueduct bridge, through George- town to Capitol Hill, where we were expected to take cars for Frederick ; but upon reaching the high ground south of the capitol, the orders were countermanded, and, countermarch- ing, we took the Rockville road. Our colonel, Jesse A. Gove, formerly captain of the Tenth United States Infantry, had been killed at Gaines Mill. We were now commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel William Stowell Tilton, of Boston, who. having been wounded and captured at Gaines- Mill, and exchanged, had joined us on the loth, near Fort Ellsworth, the regiment giving him three cheers. A new regiment, the One Hun- dred and Eighteenth Pennsylvania, had been assigned to our brigade, the famous " corn exchange" of Phila- delphia. It was brand new, gay, and gaudy in its complete outfit, and what baggage it carried ! It held over even us recruits. The wet, heavy loads soon began to tell upon the men, especially upon our new-found friends from Pennsylvania. The heat was in- tolerable, the dust almost suffocating^ blinding our eyes and filling our noses and mouths to overflowing; fine and penetrating, it sifted into our faces, which, wet with perspira- tion, soon changed the appearance of the moving column. The expres- sions of the countenances were cer- tainly irresistibly comical, and one could have hardly refrained from laughing at the dust- and sweat-be- streaked face of some individual who, with rueful glance, looked with such a pleading, beseeching expression, seemingly asking for sympathies, which, under the circumstances, could not be given, had not the condition of all been so nearly alike. Every step was a weary and pain- ful effort, and there was need for great pluck and powers of endurance. Our bivouac for the night was just 320 FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. beyond Silver Spring on the Rock- ville road. Soon after we made camp, orders were given to leave all unnecessary things behind to be taken back to Washington. By the light of the fire, all superfluous things were packed, and many now reduced themselves to the clothes they stood in, rations, cartridges, rifle, and can- teen. The straggling had been terrible. Everywhere along the route were to be seen the stragglers of the One Hundred and Eighteenth Pennsyl- vania, always to be recognized by the huge, brass regulation letters and numbers on their caps. They literally strewed the road. In many a convenient fence corner could be seen a council of war > deliberating, while overhauling their loads, as to whether the Jamaica ginger, soap, writing (patent) desks, blacking, tactics, emery powder, cholera powder, pills, paper collars, extra shirts, etc., should be dropped from their "bureaus," now discov- ered to be a "little heavy," much to the delight of the Peninsular "vets," who, while unmercifully chaffing us, now regaled themselves and their light-loaded bodies with many a long-denied article at our expense. Stragglers were coming in all night, and ludicrous were the sights and comical the questions asked by some of these patriots of Uncle Sam, as they wandered about in the dark- ness after their commands. The march to Frederick City, via Rockville, Seneca Mills, Clarksburg, Hyattstown, and Urbana, was a terrible one upon those who had just joined, and on the 14th of Septem- ber, when our march kept step with the booming of the cannon from the South Mountain battle-field, after a twenty-four mile march and without rations, we camped on the banks of the Monocacy river. We, chafed, sore- footed, and empty recruits, reckoned we had struck a "crusher" for our initiation, and — well, we wished our- selves snugly and safely at home in the good old state of Massachusetts. At this bivouac, on the edge of Frederick, the writer thought he would be safer and secure better sleep, perhaps avoid a wetting, by getting under one of the wagons. A mule is not particular whether he eats a wagon pole, the harnesses or the canvas cover, chews his mate's tail or — regales himself on a recruit. They were very hungry, had been pushed all day, and gave vent to their uneasiness and weariness by the longest drawn-out brays, groans, and wee-hawings. Finally, one of them, after vainly endeavoring to masticate his iron- bound feed-box, smelled the writer, this fresh recruit, and seizing him by the blouse, dragged him forth for a better chance at him. The writer had been in dreamland, and when he discovered where he was and what had him, he almost shrieked aloud. He never slept under a wagon after that; he didn't like that kind of a nightmare. As we passed through Frederick on the morning of the 15th, we halted for a short time in one of the main streets. The good Samari- tans of the loyal old town vied with each other in contributions of water. Bread in loaves as large as a milk FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. 321 pan, and often fruit were pressed upon our unwilling (?), but grateful, victims (?). On the sidewalks were many pris- oners who had just been sent in from the field of South Mountain. Among them were some North Caro- linians, as slim as a lath and as tall as a church spire. They were gath- ered in groups. Pretty soon, two of their number, who seemed to be pointing out and gesticulating towards our colonel, drawled out in the usual " Tar-heel " vernacular, " I say. Bill, thar's the 'old cock' we uns had a prisoner at Richmond." The other looked agdin, and nodding assent, replied loudly, " I reckon vou uns is right." The colonel valley of Middletown was near where a long bridge had been burned by the rebels. It was Frederick's love- liest surroundings, and lives yet in our memories. It was a picture of unparalleled beauty. Innumerable camp-fires sprung up as if by magic ; groups of men were about them ; a moon lent its enchantment to the scene. As far as the eye could reach in that extensive valley, it was a grand, illuminated panoramic view. Wagons were parked, their long rows of white canvas tops reflected in the moonlight; horses were at the picket ropes ; mules at the wagon tongues. The former were neighing their shrillest notes; the latter wee- hawing their loudest brays; men were pricked up his ears. Before the war, bringing in forage and armfuls of rails, it was said, he had been in the and soon the expectant sounds gave tobacco business in Richmond, and way to munching, and with coffee- after being wounded and captured, cup in hand all were happy, man he was confined, it seems, through and beast, regardless of to-morrow's some singular freak of fortune, in his dangers and duties, old warehouse. His old acquaint- As we wound along the hilly road ances, upon learning that he was there, placed the following placard upon the door : " If the friends of Col. W. S. Tilton wish to see him, they will find him at his former place of business.'' Colonel Tilton had leading to South Mountain on the morning of the i6th, we met more prisoners on the road and the wound ed being conveyed to the hospitals at Frederick. Here we observed the camp of the regulars on the left but just rejoined, was scarcely recov- of the road, and a moment later, ered from his wound, and this, with much to our joy and surprise, saw the remark of the prisoners, intended our brother coming down the slope for his ears, nettled him. He turned to the side of the road, and were his angry face towards the elongated soon walking with him towards the " Tar-heelers," and with a strong, gap in the mountains. nasal twang, for which he was noted, said, "Yes, you d d scoundrels! I 'm the same ' old cock,' but blank ! blank ! ! you '11 never get him there again ! " Our bivouac that night in the In a letter dated " Camp near Boonsborough, September 17, 1862," he says : " Thank God, I have seen the boys! We were encamped near the battle-field of Middletown with a 322 FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. crowd of prisoners, awaiting to be -relieved by a regiment of General Morell's division. I knew that he belonged to General Porter's corps, and thought the Twenty-second ■might be with him. After waiting two days, General Morell arrived. I had just got up and washed my face, when I saw the division pass. I rushed down and inquired for the Twenty-second ; it was just passing. Bob rushed at me ; Walter soon fol- lowed. I walked along with them two miles and then returned. They ■both looked hearty and well. I asked them if they wanted money, and they said " No." Walter had •enough ; Bob had lost his all — some- where. I shall look for them again, but, Father, one or Ipoth may now be sleeping his last sleep. We are having a terrible battle ; it com- menced at daylight this morning and has been raging furiously all day. All other battles in this country are merely skirmishes compared to it. "Jackson took Harper's Ferry with the entire garrison. Franklin has probably retaken it. Jackson crossed the river to Virginia, and recrossed above with a part of his corps to assist Lee, etc., against McClellan. Burnside has the left, forcing them up from Harper's Ferry ; Sumner and Fitz John Porter have the centre. "The rebels have only two fords. Franklin is trying to cut them off from one, and Hooker the other. We have taken many prisoners, but the fighting has been bloody and ob- stinate. General Mansiield is killed, and Generals Hartsuff and Meagher -wounded. The fighting has ceased for the night. What will the mor- row bring forth .' I understood that General Morell's division would be held in reserve with the regulars ; if so, I think they have not been en- gaged. Do not be too anxious. I will do all I possibly can to find out about them. I think 'Little Mac' has taken them this time. We have slaughtered them fearfully, and driven them some. Our artillery has a greater range than theirs. I saw the fight at Middletown (South Mountain), and will tell you about it as soon as possible." Our brother of the artillery writes a letter dated, " Fort Tillinghast, September 7, 1862," and says: " Walt and Bob I have seen quite often. Frank Kimball stopped with me Thursday night, he being too sick to go to his regiment. Friday he felt much better, and I took his gun and knapsack, and went with him to Hall's hill, where the Twenty-second lay. I spent about two hours with the boys, read your letters, etc. Poor boys ! You little know what they will have to suffer ; yet they seem contented, and I hope they will be so. I was going to see them to-day, but I hear they have all gone, and do not know where. Hall's hill is about five miles from our camp," " Hospital, Fort Albany, "September 17, 1862. "You will perceive that I am now in the hospital ; I have been quite sick for the past week, having had a severe attack of jaundice, and am not much better now, excepting that I am not so sick at my stomach as I have been. FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. 323 "My skin is about as yellow as it well can be. I do not have any bed to lie on, and the rats have a ' battal- ion drill' over my body about every night. Last night a poor devil (as a soldier is called here) died next to me, and I did not know it until morning, he died so easily. The ■doctor had not been to see him for twenty-four hours. " I am now sitting on the floor, writing on a box, having made a penholder with a knife, borrowed paper and envelope, and have got a stamp that Kate enclosed for me to forward a letter to Bob, but as I sometime ago delivered that letter in person, I have decided to 'freeze' to the stamp. "They (Bob and Walt) encamped a short distance from Tillinghast for a day or two, but I woke up one morning and found they had de- parted, but do not know where they have gone. I hear that they are with McClellan's victorious army, and hope they are safe. " If I do not soon get relieved of this 'yellow fever,' I shall not be fit for anything. You must miss Bob and Walt greatly, and I do not see how you made up your mind to part with them both. I should think you and Mother would feel about lost without them. God grant they may be safely returned to you I They will have to endure hardships that people little dream of at home. It would almost make you weep to see the soldiers that returned from the Peninsula, after they arrived here. To tell the truth, it was the worst sight I ever saw, the men being completely dirty, and most of them covered with vermin, as they had no change of clothing; and what made them feel worse was taking McClel- lan away from them. "The men almost worship him, and all agree in saying that if he had had twenty thousand fresh men after the Battle of Fair Oaks, his head- quarters would now be at the ' Spotts- wood Hotel ' in Richmond. Is there anything sure of Gene's being col- onel of a regiment, and what one is it .■" Where is Gene now .'' I wish you would answer me as soon as you can. If I knew he was in Wash- ington, I would go to see him. I have walked five or six miles to see him, yet failed to meet him. I sup- pose it is nothing but 'war' at home. The old soldiers here feel rather hard to think that they had come out here with nothing to hope for but to be ' wrapped up in an Ameri- can flag' and die a 'glorious death,' while these new ones come on to serve half time, and get a bounty of from two to three hundred dollars. It is rather rough on the old ones, do n't you think so .'' " There are a great many who come out here now who have been in the service before, and have got their discharge on various pretexts from old regiments. They come out here merely for the money, and commence ' playing sick ' soon after they get here. If a new soldier is sick, he gets but very little sympathy from the old ones; they commence, 'An- other two hundred dollars gone to the devil! ' 'There's a two hundred dollar chap!' 'Government is two hundred dollars out on him ! etc., etc. There was a fellow, the other 324 FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. day, who belonged to a Pennsylvania- park. Occasionally the boom of can- regiment, had been out before, got non could be heard ahead. The town discharged, gone home, got a large was full of prisoners, stragglers, bounty, and returned. He was squads of mounted men, wagons, playing the 'rheumatism dodge' mules, etc., and for a time this busy a second time, and was boasting and significant preparation and these how much money he had made bustling scenes about us diverted cur by the operation, and that he attention as we hurried along. Just would soon have his second dis- beyond the town we halted to make charge, to an old Michigan regiment coffee. Later in the afternoon of the that had been with McClellan, These i6th, the column passed through men could not stand it ; they 'dipped Keedysville, making many tiresome into' that fellow and beat him halts at the edge of the town, while shockingly so that I hardly think he passing through the masses of artil- will recover. When I saw him, he tery, cavalry, and wagon trains. At was completely covered with blood, times the road seemed entirely and senseless." blocked. We passed through Turner's Gap. Upon gaining the westerly edge The Confederate dead were still lying of the town, towards the Antietam, by the roadside, awaiting the arrival we filed to the left, near a small of the burial party. Unkempt and chapel (now replaced by a new brick unwashed, their ashy faces and church), and inclining, or obliquing to ragged, bloody, bloated bodies pre- our right, passing over a small knoll, sented a ghastly and repulsive spec- halted in what we supposed was our tacle to us recruits, as yet uneducated fighting position. It was on the south or unhardened to the dreadful hor- side of the Keedysville and Sharps- rors of war. Many of our number burg road, and about 300 yards from began to surmise, if not to fully where there is now a new brick realize, that there was no romance schoolhouse. This chapel was packed about that spectacle. with wounded after the battle. The debris of the fight lay scat- On the right of the road could be tered all about; knapsacks, guns, seen the lines of battle; the slopes canteens, blankets, hats, etc. As we seemed black with them, as far as descended into the lovely valley of the eye could reach. Batteries were Boonesboro' and passed through the in position, and columns were mov- little town of the same name, all ing. Everything clearly indicated seemed to be hurry and excitement, extensive preparations for the com- Cavalry and infantry were going ing fight. Just before dark, while hurriedly to the front, and frequently we were gathered about our fires, we were moved to the side of the making coffee and eating our supper, road as a staff officer hastily galloped the enemy commenced shelling our along and ordered the passage of a position and was promptly responded battery, a column of cavalry, or sent to by our guns. A lively artillery duel the wagon trains into the fields to ensued, continuing long into the night. FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. 325 From our bivouac on the knoll we had a fine view ; the fuses looked like fireflies, as they swiftly darted through the sky, and the harsh grat- ing of the pieces as the shells burst and filled the air, were ominous sounds to our inexperienced e^rs. It was, however, quite a pyrotechnic treat for us, especially when we felt that we were far enough removed to feel a certain degree of safety. , We little realized, as yet, the dan- ger and terribledestruction attending these awful missiles of war. As we lay upon the ground for the night, it commenced raining. There was no sleep, and late into the midnight hours, groups of "owls," who never sleep, it would seem, were gathered about the small, low fires, listening to the far-off cheering on the right, and gravely discussing the probabilities of the coming morrow. As soon as it was light, the firing was renewed, and by sunrise it had increased to a loud, incessant, bellow- ing cannonade. The black lines of battle which we had seen the night before on the slopes to our right, had now all disappeared. The Battle of Antietam was on. Between 7 and 8 o'clock we were ordered to "fall in," and moving slowly to our front in column, paral- lel to the road, we proceeded to a point where the Keedysville and Sharpsburg road meets the Rohrers- ville road at Porterstown, and cross- ing the former, halted under an ab- rupt line of hills, just a few yards to the north of the road. We filled a gap, which had been made by the withdrawal just before our arrival, of Richardson's division of Sumner's corps. The Pry house, General McClellan's headquarters, was. in full view, about 1,000 yards northeast, and the nearest house was that of Eckers, 350 yards directly in our rear, occupied at this time by Straub, or Staub. It was a square brick, with a peaked roof facing the Keedys- ville and Sharpsburg pike, and at that time had a large garden filled with old-fashioned flowers and shrub- bery, fruit trees, etc. Our position was in reserve, near the centre, supporting several heavy batteries, among which were Kus- serow's, Taft's, and Weed's (Battery D, Fifth U. S. Artillery). Here we lay on our arms all day, ready to move at a moment's notice. Several times we were ordered to " fall in," and move to the support of Hooker, on the right, and started to do so, but in a few moments were told to lie down again. We were at no time actively engaged, and lost but one man, wounded, in the regiment. We were, however, witnesses of the en- tire battle from one of the most com- manding positions on the field. It was a grand spectacle. Occasionally a shell would sail, shrieking and rasp- ing over our heads. Once or twice they burst accurately over us, and a horse or mule, tied into Straub's fences, was killed. We often went up and watched the great battle, now at its height. Once or twice, when several shells came uncomfortably near, we dodged so conspicuously, that the old cannoneers, standing by their unlimbered pieces, laughed at us ; but, in a few moments we had the laugh on them, for suddenly a shell came right for and into the bat- 326 FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. tery. They very discreetly and has- erate rifles, but as often had he been tily sought cover, while we, somewhat driven back. Sometimes we could mortified by their derisive laughs, see his line go through this corn- and failing to fully appreciate the real field, nearly to the edge of the fringe danger, remained in our places. The of timber that skirted Antietam shell failed to explode, and fortu- creek. It was a magnificent exhibi- nately, for had it done so, some of us tion of pluck and bravery. The might not be alive to write of it. Thirty-fifth Massachusetts was a new We could see the lines of battle regiment ; we had many friends in it. go up on the right — an indistinct, ir- It had joined Burnside's corps just regular mass — almost hidden in the before starting from Washington. It dense smoke, the battle-flags floating was composed of splendid material, out from their staffs and showing the It was said that while near the edge different regiments and brigades, of the corn-field, with its flank rest- Fresh and rapid rolls of musketry ing on nothing, or " in the air," in would break out — then puff! puff! ! line of battle, a staff officer of Burn- a boom, boom, boom, in one, two, side's was sent to inquire what brig- three order, told us of the light bat- ade that was, and to withdraw it teries. from such an exposed position. " It Sometimes we could see the line is the Thirty-ninth Massachusetts," waver and break, the fire from the was the reply. It had uselessly sac- guns would slacken ; a pause, and rificed 50 per cent, of its strength through the smoke we could see the to satisfv a false pride, and fulfil cer- confused and shattered fragments tain conditions of bravery, which was come staggering, flying back, and never afterwards attempted, now came the "yi-yih's," the Later in the afternoon, after severe screeches, or yells of the "Johnnies," fighting on both sides, Burnside was followed by the sturdy, ringing cheers ordered to carry the bridge across of our boys. The renewed cracking the creek, at all hazards. He obeyed of the Parrots followed, as battery af- the order, but the attacking column ter battery came up to check the on- met with a fearful loss. Colonel ward rush; but the confusion was only Henry W. Kingsbury of the Eleventh temporary; a reinforcement from Connecticut was killed at the head of some other portion of the line, and his column ; he was adjutant of the the same ground was again and again Corps of Cadets before our brother's passed over in fearful struggle. We graduation ; was frequently men- saw the Irish Brigade (Meagher's) tioned in his letters, and was greatly make its famous charge, its green beloved by all who knew him. flag, with the harp of Erin, outlined Shortly after two o'clock. General clearly against the sky. McClellan rode down the road from On the left was Burnside. Once the Pry house, with his staff, passing or twice his lines had advanced to- by our line. As we rose up and wards a great corn-field, which was every man cheered to the echo, we alive with the blaze of the Confed- were greeted with the same kindly FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. 327 smile, and removal of the hat, with a courteous bow, which bespoke the true gentleman and appreciative soldier. Before leaving Washington, many boxes had reached the regiment, and most of their contents had been hur- riedly distributed among the men. Much had to be thrown away. One man had received a can of honey, had distributed the sweet morsel, which he could not carry, and a re- cruit having begged the can, it was given to him. No one could imagine what use he was going to make of it. While lying behind this hill in line of battle, whenever there was a lull in the firing, the men indulged in what had now become a chronic pas- time — cooking. Soon there was a rousing fire, and having " flipped up " to see who would fill the canteens at Straub's house, the choice places along the line of flaming rails were, in a few minutes, covered with black coffee cups — among them the new., bright honey can, with the lid screwed down. The recruit was chuckling to himself, while watching the pot, that he would have his coffee first, when, alas ! through his lack of knowledge of the expansive foice of steam, this innocent man came near blowing his own head off, and scalding the whole company. He stooped over his patent coffee- pot to see how near done his coffee was vvhen, whi-z-z-z! bang! ! and up went the can like a rocket into the air, tearing the fire to pieces, scatter- ing the rails and cups in every direc- tion, and making a cloud of steam which, fortunately without scalding anybody, must have deluded the "Johnnies" with the hope that a caisson had exploded. How that re- cruit did get roundly cursed for his thick-headed stupidity, nor were the old grumblers satisfied, or their anger cooled off, until the bugler had filled all of the canteens again, and once more started the coffee cups on their bubbling rounds. Among the number in our little tent at "Camp Excelsior," near Fort Ellsworth, was a man, somewhat past middle-age, who had joined us at Camp Cameron. He was full- bearded and bronzed ; was possessed of much native good sense and shrewdness, and had enlisted for Andrew's First Company of Massa- chusetts Sharpshooters, then attached to the Fifteenth Massachusetts. His name was Asa Fletcher, and his home was Winchester, Mass. According to his own story, related in the most modest manner, and afterwards fully substantiated, he was an expert gunner, and a " crack rifle shot." Not of the "wind- gauge-do n't-talk-above-a-whisper" or- der of to day, but one who could step out with a rifle at from two to five hundred yards, at arm's length, and put the lead into a bull's-eye, with an old-fashioned target rifle. He was cool, perfectly self-pos- sessed, and gave as his reason for enlisting in the sharp-shooters, that he was "determined to place himself where he could do the most good." He had gunned a great deal along the North Carolina coast and about Chesapeake Bay, and many a juicy canvas-back of his shooting had found its way into the Baltimore market. We boys all looked up to 328 FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. Asa Fletcher, and regarded his ad- vice and opinions, although some- times rather gruffly expressed, as worth following. His long-shore campaigns had taught him much that we now de- rived the benefit of. He had a kind heart, and was always trying to con- tribute to our comfort, and regulating the affairs of the tent. The blankets must be shaken mornings, left to air a few minutes in the sun, then folded up ; the tent brushed out and things righted — those essentials which vol- unteer recruits so little regarded at the beginning of the war. Some "kicked" at all this " nonsense," but F. good-naturedly insisted, and soon all acquiesced. One day, F., in his eagerness to make us more comfortable, brought in a hospital bed-tick which he had found thrown away on the road to Fairfax seminary, and had filled with hay to keep us off the damp ground. He generously offered to share it with the "tent's crew." In a few nights we were all itching and scratching. We called it " prickly heat," but a closer examination re- vealed to our horrified gaze genuine "gray-backs" of huge proportions, and upon a rigid inspection of the mattress, which we insisted upon but F. poo-hoohed at, we found "'em thick," and he never heard the last of that bed-tick. When arms were issued during that violent storm and dreadful night, at the "Round House," F was given a Remington rifle of small calibre, such as were issued to many of the New York regiments at the beginning of the war. He was furnished with but twenty rounds of ammunition. His quick marksman's eye at once dis- covered the deficiencies of such a weapon for a sharpshooter. In his strong, high-keyed, nasal voice, with Yankee-like readiness for a trade, he suggested a "swap" for my new Springfield rifle, the envy of our little squad; but, boy-like, I refused, confident that I " knew a good thing when I saw it." He joined our regiment with us, at Hall's Hill, as he could get no trace of his company, and he was the only man for Andrew's Sharp- shooters ; but there was no provision made for him, nor could rations be issued to him, and he determined to push on in search of his command, which, he was informed from a reli- able source, was already on its way through Maryland, and alone he set out. He died some years ago, but he thus related this story to the writer, years after the war : " The second or third day out from Washington, the rations you boys so generously furnished me, gave out. I knew that I must not waste my car- tridges, and having fallen in with some stragglers of the chronic stamp, knowing what strict orders there ■were against straggling and foraging, I was continually in fear that I might be arrested. But hunger knows no law. I used one of my precious car- tridges in killing a hog, which I tumbled over at the first shot as he was running two hundred yards dis- tant. "This supplied us with fresh meat. I begged some hard bread, and with plenty of peaches and green corn, I FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. 329 got along all right. I joined my company at Antietam, the evening of the i6th, as they were lying in line of battle. I did not know right face from left. Their rifles were not like mine, so Captain A. said, 'Go in ! Get under cover and do all the harm you can to the Johnnies ; the first man killed in the company, if within your reach, take his rifle and car- tridges.' This was good advice, but not at all reassuring to a new recruit just going into battle ; how did I know that I should not be the first to be killed myself? " On the morning of the 1 7th, when going in with the company, and I saw the frightful slaughter all about me, I found myself trying to dodge every shot and shell that came in our direction. My nerves were all unstrung under this altogether new and novel excitement ; it was dif- ferent kind of gunning from what I was used to; my hands shook and I was mad with myself that I acted so like a coward, and found it so hard to control my feelings. "The moment we halted in line, however, and the captain said, ' Lie down ! every man on his own hook ! ' I was all right, and was just as cool as though shooting at a target, or watching behind a 'blind' for shot at a duck on the rise. I got behind a tree, and kneeling, watched my chances. I had but nineteen car- tridges, and that worried me some ; but I determined, upon the captain's suggestion, to change my rifle and ammunition at the first opportunity, for then I should have plenty. "The 'Johnnies' were behind hay- stacks. I shot five times deliber- ately, and dropped a man every time. How do I know it.' Well, I did not shoot until I saw a body, and a good, fair mark; then I sighted to kill, and saw the man drop after I had fired. " Just as I expected, though, the Remington rifle heated right up, and fouled. I rammed down a ball; it stuck. I partially rose up, either to draw it, or to force it home, when I saw a rebel steadily aim at me from the haystack where I had dropped the others. I dodged down, but wasn't quick enough; he fired; the ball took me here, through the body, going through a portion of my lung. I fell, with a dull numbness all over me. "All daylong I lay, unable to move hand or foot. The battle raged over and around me. Once a horse almost trampled on my prostrate body ; again, a party of rebels came up to me, and were deliberating whether to pin their bayonets through me. I told them that I was virtually their prisoner, although on the battle field, and after roundly cursing me they left me. " I saw near me many of our own men struck a second time when at- tempting to move, and whenever I lifted my head or moved my arm, I was shot at. I finally determined to play dead, which I did, until the rebel wounded were picked up, when, see- ing that they were going to leave me, and knowing I would die on the field that night without assistance, I beg- ged to be taken off. After robbing me of everything about my person, we were taken to a barn and placed on some straw. My wound had not been dressed. After suffering many 33° FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. torments for want of water, I finally was given some, and immediately felt better. " Whien I asked how soon I was to be attended to, I got nothing but curses, and 'when we uns are taken care of,' for a reply. " Stonewall Jackson's brigade went by, and he was pointed out to me. When the rebels retreated across the river, I was paroled, and carried with other prisoners, wounded and paroled, to Frederick City, where I lay for many weeks before I could be sent home and discharged." Such was the experience of a sharp- shooter, after four weeks' service. He subsequently died from the effects of this wound. Night had closed in upon the scenes and incidents of the day- A bloody battle had been fought. The worst features were to come after- wards. It seemed like Sunday in a quiet New England village, when we moved out early on the morning of the iSth, a bright, beautiful, sunshiny day. Such a hush ! Such a still calm had succeeded the incessant uproar of the previous day. Our progress was necessarily slow : through fields, and barn-yards filled with hundreds of wounded ; every- where in and out, amidst a vast out- of-door hospital. The direction of our march was southwest along a high ridge, to- wards H. B. Rohrbach's (now Wyand's) house,where Colonel Kings- bury died, a few hundred yards from the Antietam. We halted for some time at the Burnside Bridge, on the east side of the creek. It bore evi- dence of having been the scene of a desperate fight ; bullet holes were to be seen in every direction, and the trees and fences were scarred and splintered. The dead and dying strewed the ground, and all about was the wreckage of battle. On the steep hill-side, completely overlook- ing and commanding the bridge and its approaches, were the rebel rifle- pits, which, with large rocks and trunks of trees, had served as a shel- ter for the enemy when our column advanced on the charge across the bridge. Late in the afternoon, in the midst of a drenching shower, and after some marching and countermarching, we relieved a division of the Ninth Corps (Sturgis's), on the west side, having crossed the bridge for this purpose, our regiment relieving the Forty-fifth Pennsylvania, and were placed on picket for the night, about 500 yards above the bridge, under an abrupt bank that extended along the Antietam. It drizzled during the entire night. Our beds were upon some wet, split- out shingles. Some fresh beef, issued to us just before starting, and which we had no opportunity to cook, was eaten raw, and, without coffee, rel- ished in the gloom and silence. About midnight, a squadron of cavalry came galloping up the road from the direc- tion of the bridge and attacked a house (Sherrick's) on the north side of the road. It was occupied by the enemy's sharpshooters, and was just outside our line. They gave a wild cheer, half yell. The bullets flew pretty thickly for a while, as they went clattering and chattering over the slope. The noise and uproar had FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. 331 aroused us from a sort of drowse, and after that nobody thought of sleep. We could hear the cracking of car- bines, the intermingled cheers and yells, and soon they came back, re- porting that the "Johnnies" had gone out of the house like "rats."' The dead were all about us, and many wounded. It was our first night upon a battle-field. The sights were terrifying; sounds horrible and start- ling. A kind of hardness crept over us during the long, wakeful night we passed in that blood-stained, death- strewn spot by the Burnside Bridge, and we grew older in thought and feeling by having come in contact with such misery and suffering, which we never so fully realized after- wards. On the following morning, the 19th, the sun came- out bright and beautiful ; the blackened faces and bloated bodies were beyond recogni- tion, and were disgusting to look upon for a moment. Some wore the air of despair, while others had a calm and peaceful face, as though in dream land, and had not known pro- longed pain. The enemy had now, it was soon discovered, left our front, and while awaiting the command to move for- ward, we went over that portion of the field. There was a certain fasci- nation in it to my young mind", al- though exceedingly sad and im- pressive; horrible to contemplate even at this distance of time, and which has never faded from my rec- ollection during all these succeeding years. Volumes could be filled with per- sonal incidents and reminiscences of this field of Antietam alone. Upon visiting Sherrick's house this morn- ing, we found it quite a sumptuous affair. It had been hastily evacuated, as it was between the lines. The foragers ahead of us had pulled out what edibles it contained, and among them a splendid assortment of jellies, preserves, etc., the pride of every Robert G. Cartek. Maryland woman's heart, but now scattered all about. The orchard was filled with the choicest fruit. What a feast ! Our stomachs just beginning to become accustomed to "salt horse" and "hard tack," earn- estly opened and yearned for this line of good things. No crowd of school- boys, Let loose from the confinement of a recitation room, ever acted so absurdly, as did these rough, bronzed soldiers and recruit allies, on that 332 FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. death-strewn ground about Sherrick's yard and orchard. They would seize a pot of jam, grape jelly, huckleberry stew, or pineapple preserve, and after capering about a while, with the most extravagant exhibitions of joy, would sit upon the ground, and with one piece of hard bread for a plate, and another for a scoop, would shovel Walter Carter. out great heaps of the delectable stuff, which rapidly disappeared into their capacious mouths. This went on for some time while waiting for the order to move; when some wag, '■'not wisely but too well," started one of those famous camp rumors, which gathers as it rolls, that the rebel pickets who had occupied the house, had, out of revenge, poisoned every pot and jar we had eaten from ; had carefully left them in full sight as a bait, and sure death was now our near future. Such looks of consternation ; such elongated faces, were never seen be- fore. Numerous inquiries were made for emetics; others rushed for the surgeon, many imagining upon the spur of the moment, and feeling nau- seated from over-gorging, that they could distinctly feel the pain of the poison now working, while the wiser ones relieved their stomachs, and with them — their fears — by nature's process. Nor did the panic subside, and confidence become fully restored, until hours afterwards, when it was discovered that nobody had died from the effects. Opposite to Sherrick's is Stern's, in which Otto lived during the battle, and near it the old stone grist-mill. Note. Michael Tenant, who oc- cupies the house next east of Sher- rick's, told the writer three years ago, while standing at the spring, and near the mill, many incidents. His house, he said, was built out of the squared logs that came out of the old Lutheran church when it was torn down, one year after the battle. This church tower was used as a signal tower by General McClellan, and it was converted into a hospital after the battle. He showed the writer where he saw a soldier fall dead at his gate, shot by a Confederate sharp- shooter in the mill; he buried him, after much difficulty, in the hard limestone soil, and later identified the spot for his disinterment and con- veyal to the National Cemetery when it was located at Sharpsburg. It was a lively scene that morning of the igth as we hurried through the streets of Sharpsburg and out on FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. 333 the main pike beyond, through the fields, to a position near one of the fords on the Potomac, where it had been found by a hasty reconnoissance that the whole Rebel army had crossed into Virginia. We led the advance. The men trudged through the mud, and joked and chatted with the regiments of other brigades and divisions. The signal flags on top of the church tower were wig-wagging like mad, conveying rapid messages. Order- lies and staff officers, bespattered from head to foot, were galloping here and there, exciting the ire of our grumblers, by the coat of slime and mud they splashed on them in their hasty ride. The streets were filled with wreckage. Here and there a wagon, a wheel, a' dead mule, or a defunct caisson were keeled up as though in their death agonies. Ar- tillery and cavalry were hurrying for- ward, and long columns of infantry were being directed along the main streets to different positions along the new front. Many of the houses and front yards were filled with the wounded of both armies, whom the enemy in their hurried retreat could not take with them. Hundreds out in the open air were lying on clean straw that had been provided by our men, together with such other acts of kind- ness and attention as they had never received before. We moved about four miles, halt- ing once or twice, where the rebels had camped, especially at General Lee's headquarters on the north side of the road in the grove near the out- skirts of Sharpsburg. They were scattered with plunder of all kinds, and many old letters, which we amused ourselves with reading as we marched, and would prove rich litera- ture in these pages had they been pre- served, but we cared not for such trifles then, and soon threw them back into the debris and filth that cumbered the ground. We left the road near J. D. Groves's house (used as General Fitz John Porter's headquarters), opposite Cap- tain D. Smith's (which was used as an immense hospital for the wounded of both sides), and turning south through the fields, soon struck the river near Blackford's Ford, below Shepardstown. We halted to recon- noitre. The enemy were all across. Several old caissons with their wheels chopped, and much wreckage, lay about on the banks. The pickets of the enemy were seen on the opposite bank. A few shots were fired by some guns planted on the bluff over our heads ; the sharpshooters of our regi- ment were sent under cover and to remain there that night, while the balance were withdrawn to about one mile back towards Groves's house where we went into bivouac for the night, furnishing ourselves liberally with straw from the stacks near by. 334 REUNION OF VETERAN ASSOCIATIONS. REUNION OF VETERAN ASSOCIATIONS. FIRST-TENTH-TWENTY-NINTH. The Twenty-ninth reunion of the comrades of the First-tenth-twenty- ninth regiment of Maine volunteers, was held August 12, 1897, at Long Island, at the regimental buildings. This was one of the regiments that saw considerable service, and suffered heavily by losses of killed and wounded. The remaining men of the regiment, in spite of their hardships and privations, are still as eager to meet one another, and talk over the stirring days of 1861-5. There was a good attendance of the comrades at the meeting, and the officers of the field and staff were well represented, and showed much pleasure in being able to once again meet with the comrades of their command. The annual business meeting was called to order at 1 1 : 30 a. m., President W. K. Dana of Westbrook presiding. The regimental historian, John M. Gould, announced that the work of compiling the regimental histories was progressing as well as could be expected, to be accurate in impor- tant details. The work of writing the history of the engagement of the regiment at the Cedar Mountains is in the hands of Comrade Tripp, who is making good progress on the work. The report of the treasurer showed that there was a balance on hand of $36.26 last year, and that after all expenses of the year they now have in the treasury $65.71. After the report of the treasurer, the president, W. K. Dana, in a few well-chosen words, introduced the daughter of John E. Cutter, a mem- ber of the regiment, Miss Charlotte Cutter of California, who read an original selection from the pen of her father. THE LOST BEANS. Old Company K grew up in the woods Where the sprucy gales in their roguish moods, From the forest tops unwind the skein, That winter spins on the hills of Maine. Well-faithed and truthed their lives had been, And the forest gave them discipline As they learned the trend of its darkening lines, And felt the grace of its serried pines. .And they swung the axe with a stroke as free As their fathers gave for libel'ty. From the pages thumbe'd in the district schools They had learned, with the " Fundamental Rules," Of Boston's tea, and of Lexington. And oft caressed with loving hands The flinted lock of the same old gun That argued the case with the Briton bands. And their hearts were latent with the fires That burned in the lives of their stubborn sires. So when there was need of Company K They shouldered their arms and marched away. But a squad of other mould and grain Was Company E. From the thoroughfare Of the town they came, and from strife for gain Where shrewdness wins from caliber, And pulls at another's tackle blocks ; But they never shrank from the dryest knocks. Good soldiers, whom war's iron dew Fell lightly on, — though notion loose, That strategy was for home use. Did stay with them the service through. Virginia's winter, chill and gray. Found Company E and Company K Lined out by Rappahannock's fiow Some twenty years and more ago. As the fires glow, the hold within Deep hid, while their hot energy Drives the great ship through storm and sea So burned the army ; till again The stars shone out from their blue field, And all the charging crests were stilled. INCIDENTS OF SERVICE. '9 not fit to be out of the hospital, but would come with the "boys." He died from the result of marching and over-exertion that hot day. Charlie was a quiet fellow, a true Christian, faithful to duty and loved by us all. His memory shall be dear to us "till time is no more." Comrade Noble had been followed by the Confederates into the woods some farther to the right of the regimental line from where I en- tered. He came across my tracks, and it seemed to him I was going the wrong way. I was firmly con- vinced I was right, but he went his way and I went mine. In five minutes or less a squad of rebels asked him to surrender, and in a few days he reported at Libby prison for a summer vacation. I kept straight ahead and came to a clearing, where I was quickl}' fired upon by the same squad of rebels that made Noble a prisoner ; so, you see, I came pretty near sharing his fate, after all. I have no doubt the rebels had heard us in the woods, and were halting for us to come out. Poor Ellis kept out of their hands by keeping on in the course I had taken. Harrison was exchanged in about four months, and told me how surprised he was when he came out of the woods into the road and was halted by a squad which he thought was our men playing a joke on him, or that they had taken him for a rebel. They soon convinced him who they were and what they wanted. After disarming him, one of the number was detailed to take him to the rear. A great many dead and wounded were lying about, and in some places they were thickly together. He was marched a long way back to the rear, and got nearly ex- hausted before they reached the collection of prisoners, which was about midnight. They turned him into a field with a large number of other Federals, who had been cap- tured, among the lot many officers and two generals. He said he was hungry and very chilly before day- light, and many of the men kept stirring about to keep the chills off. They' had for a joke, that the rebels took the fence down in places where the prisoners were inclosed, so they would catch cold. I kept on what seemed to me a long way in the woods, and not sure then whether I was going right or not, lay down by the trunk of a large tree, clasp- ing my gun in my arms. The firing had ceased, with the excep- tion of an occasional picket shot. I soon fell into an uneasy slumber, and was fully awakened by the artillery, probably moving in the road to my right. Presently a rebel gun took position, and fired over the woods, and a federal bat- tery replied, and I lay quiet, ex- hausted and unconcerned under the trees, watching the fiery shells as they clipped off the tallest tree-tops over my head. FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. By Captaiti Robert Goldthwaite Carter, United States Ar inv. Engagement with the Rear Guard of Lee's Army at Blackford's Ford, or Boteler's Mill. — Camp near Sharps- burg. — Picket Duty in the Chesa- peake and Ohio Canal, Along the River from the Ford to Shepards- ■jowN. — Letters Home. — Comments, Criticisms, Opinions, Growling, etc. — Cold Weather. On the night of September 19, a livel3' scouting column under the command of General Griffen, crossed the ri^•er and succeeded in capturing two guns, one of which was a gun of his old West Point battery (afterwards Battery D, Fifth United States Artillery) cap- tured from him at the first battle of Bull Run, when attached to the battalion of regulars in which was our brother. The other was of Eng- lish make, having the Tower stamp on it. The party came through our camp some time before morn- ing making a great clatter, shout- ing, and giving the awakened men in their bivouac the joyful news. Early on the morning of the 2oih we were ordered to make a recon- noissance in force across the Poto- mac, at Blackford's Ford. This had been used by Lee, both in coming into and retreating from Maryland. It was, where we forded it, some distance below the dam, quite shallow, a little oxer the knees, with a somewhat pebbly bottom, but not many large rocks. We were to ascertain the where- abouts of Lee's rear guard. We had no trouble in finding it. Inno- cent of the diversion which was in store for us, we splashed and pad- dled our way along. Some of the men had taken off both shoes and stockings ; others, perhaps the ma- jority, had kept them on ; these were the wise ones, for we had use for them on our return. The cavalry were met returning. The splashing of their horses sent the water flying into the faces of some of our grumblers, who out of spite, shouted out, "Are there any- dead cavalry-men ahead? What guerillas do you belong to?'' etc., etc., to which the answer comes back promptljs "Yes, you bum- mers, we do the fighting and leave the dead cavalry-men for the 'dough boys' to pick up. Go to the rear vou ' worm crushers ' !" The chaffing continued until the river was crossed. We were then hurriedly, and with sharp com- mands, formed into the line of bat- tle, ordered to " load at will," and bv the flank were directed to move by a narrow cart path up a rather sheltered ravine, on one side of which was a protecting bank, and on the other, a rather abrupt bluff that formed the bank of the Poto- mac. We again hastily formed line of battle. A crack, a crash, followed by another and another, in quick succession, directly over our heads, came from our batteries on the FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. 2 I Maryland shore, and was the first intimation we had that a rebel line of battle was rapidly moving down upon us. "Fix bayonets!" came the com- mand, followed by "Lie down!" and, although from our sheltered position we could not then see the enemy's line, a moment later the roll of musketry from the right of our brigade told us that the engage- ment had begun. It was a sharp fight. One man in our regiment. Corporal George Davis of Co. B, had the right side of his face knocked off by one of our own shells. Another, Private Chauncey C. Knowlton of Co. I, was terribly wounded in the leg, probably by a shot from our own guns ; it was amputated. Both died. As the firing surged along the line towards us, and the men com- menced firing at the gre}^ line now beginning to show up over the bank, we were ordered to with- draw. As we fell back, the One Hundred and Eighteenth Pennsyl- vania, which had received the full force of the blow thus far, did not follow us, and being overwhelmed by superior numbers, were driven from their position on the extreme right to the crest of the bluff, where many were killed, wounded, or captured, and driven pell-mell over its precipitous slopes. (See his- tory of that regiment for a graphic and detailed account of this affair ; also the Century series, " Battles and Leaders of the Civil War," for an excellent cut of Blackford's Ford, Boteler's mill, the dam, etc.) Our passage back to the Mary- land shore was a hard one, higher up and nearer the dam ; the river was full of snares and pitfalls, and up to our necks in many places, besides being very rocky. As we emerged from the stream and passed through Berdan's Sharp- shooters, in the dry bed of the Ca- nal, we halted for a moment to gain our breath. While resting here, a little officer of the ii8th Pennsyl- vania (Captain Henry O'Neill [?]) came in behind us. He was drip- ping with water. In his enthusias- tic ( nergy to move across and get to the rear, he had not stopped to see how many of the regiment had followed. Waving his sword, he shouted in a high and squeaky voice — "Follow me, all that are left of the gallant ' Corn Ex- change.' " He turned as he did so, and there behind him stood one half drowned little corporal, smaller than himself, beside a very tall pri- vate. Both the officer and corporal pieced together could hardly have equaled his size. We broke out into uncontrollable laughter at the absurdity of the group. It seems that the order for the brigade to withdraw across the river had not reached this regiment on the right, for some still unexplained reason, or they attempted to retire when too late, but, either on account of the chaffing they received, or the sensi- tiveness which they naturally felt at this, their first battle, from that time on there was a lack of cordiality between the rest of the brigade and our brethren from the Keystone FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. State, who stoutly asserted that we ran away and left them to their fate, and whenever on picket, scrambling for water at a small spring, gath£r- ing rails, or " reaching" for straw, there were numerous collisions, al- though no bloodshed, between the two commands. A conversation on picket occurred shortly after, be- tween one of our sharp-witted Irish- men and a member of the " Corn Exchange " regiment. The latter was upholding their cause and its gallant conduct in staying, while our fellow was very strongly argu- ing that " any regiment after being ordered to retreat, that did not do so, deserved all they got,"' etc. The other angrily rejoined, " If you had behaved as well as the "gal- lant Corn Exchange ' the Johnnies would have been whipped." " Oh I be gorra ! 'Corn Exchange I' ' Corn Exchange!'" said Pat, "there is no such regiment as that now. It is the ' Coh Exchange,' for didn't the ' rebs ' shell all the corn off yez the other day?" We returned to our camp, dried ourselves out by large, roaring fires, related our adventures, and soon grappled with our featherless beds. Nine or ten rebel brigades took part in this affair. "Stonewall" Jackson's report states that "it ended in an appalling scene of the destruction of human life." Gen- eral A. P. Hill, who commanded, reports: "Then commenced the most terrible slaughter that this war has yet witnessed. The broad sui-- face of the Potomac was blue with the floating bodies of our foe. But few escaped to tell the tale. By their own account they lost three tJwusand men., killed and drowned, from one brigade alone." On the following day, Sunday, we opened with skirmishing, but it soon closed as our dead were brought across for burial. Newspapers were exchanged, etc. The truce closed at 5 p. m., when our batteries promptly opened to show that we were all alive. We picketed near the river, sleep- ing at night in the dry canal, our bodies at an angle of nearly 45 de- grees, and here we suffered all the ills of violent colds and malaria, from the low bottoms and foggy at- mosphere about us, and diarrhoea from drinking the limestone water to which we were unaccustomed, and for want of proper shelter, clothes, shoes and blankets. On the 2ist of September, headquar- ters of the Armj- of the Potomac were at Captain Smith's farm, nearly opposite General Fitz John Porter's headquarters at the Gove house. Smith's hovise and barns were filled with wounded. While on picket, September 24th, a large squad — some five hundred prisoners — went splashing across the river, overjoyed to get back to their nati^•e South-land. The President reviewed the army, and here we saw for the first time, Abraham Lincoln. How long and gaunt he looked, but with what a kindly smile did he greet the Boys in Blue as he hastily rode with the General along line after line. FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. 23 How the smile from a care-worn and anxious face touched the hearts of those bronzed, rough- looking men. It was like an elec- tric shock. It flew from elbow to elbow, and with a loud cheer, every soldier gave vent to his sup- pressed feeling, making the welkin ring, and conveyed to him the fact that his smile had gone home and found a response. September 27. Headquarters moved two miles in the direction of Harper's Ferry and camped. October 8. General M. Patrick was assigned as provost marshal of the army, and headquarters moved to Knoxville, Md. October 13. Headquarters moved to Brownsville, in Pleasant Valley, Md. October 19. A provisional bri- gade was formed from the Ninety- third New York, Twentieth New York, Eighth United States Infan- try and Sturgis Guard. The first was designated as Headquarter Guard, the second and third as Provost Guard, and the last as Body Guard. October 23. Bishop Mcllvaine preached at headquarters. One lady only attended. She had a very sweet voice, and led in sing- ing the hymns. The first night on picket we lay on the slope of the canal between two rails, with head over the peaked side for a pillow, and woke up with our necks most broken, and with threatened strangulation. The next relief, we tried a bed " without," and woke up to find ourselves in the fire, with our breeches scorched in several places, and our legs well warmed. We had slid down the inclined plane of moist clay. Our hips were black and blue from too much hard ground in our beds. While on picket, we contrived a way to make meal, and enjoy that delicacy so longed for by a New England boy, " fried hasty pudding." This pieced out our rations of " hard tack" and " salt horse," the latter so ropy and glistening with briny preservative, as to give our pie-loving, Yankee-recruit-stomachs an ache, to even look at its long drawn-out saltness. We reached the corn, made graters of our cartridge-box tins b}' patiently punching holes with our bayonets. We then grated the corn from the cob, boiled the coarse meal, cooled, sliced, and fried it on tin plates, eating it with sugar, or, we poured the boiled meal upon clean flat stones, and baked it in the hot ashes. Our division was camped on two sides of a small valley, down which ran a small road through Black- ford's (W. M.) woods to the river. It was located about three fourths of a mile southwest from S. P. Grove's house, where Fitz John Porter had his headquarters, and about half a mile nearly south from where Crow now lives. It was the practice of sutlers and traders of all kinds to come down that road to our camp. They mostly came FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. from Pennsylvania, and asked ex- orbitant prices for everything. One dollar a pound for butter, six small cakes for fifty cents, etc., was a fair sample of the outrageous ad- vantage and monopoly which these non-combatant sharks seized upon. We remonstrated, but in vain, and the consequences soon fol- lowed. A vigilance committee was organized, with spies to go ahead and sound the traders. If the prices were too high, according to our tariff, a moderate one, a signal was given, and the crv immediately went up " Rally ! Rally ! !" In a moment clouds of soldiers were seen issuing like magic from the ground. They closed in on both sides and rear, and "rounded up " the traders. There was no escape from this kind of a spider's web. The cart was overturned, everything taken from it ; apples, leather pies, gingercakes, etc., and every soldier skurried back with pockets, hats, and arms full of plunder. In five minutes not a soul was visible, and the dazed peddler gathered up his traps, appealed to the officers,. was asked to -point out the gtitltv mail, which he could not, and he departed a sadder but wiser man for a new load. One of our recruits, Milton M. Ingalls, suddenly' died, October 24, after a few davs' illness. We per- formed our first burial service, stood guard over his remains at the hos- pital tent, made his rude coffin of cracker boxes, and late one after- noon marched to the hillside to burv him, the chaplain of the Second Maine officiating. Note. — The track of the Nor- folk and Western railroad now (1897) passes almost over the spot. While making his coffin, another recruit, a large Norwegian sailor, very weak from chronic diarrhoea, sat upon the other end of it, and when the last nail was driven, mournfully said, " I shall be next." The nights grew bitter cold ; the sick grew numerous. Many were sick with typhoid fever, and our con- dition at all times in this camp was mentally, morally, and physically bad. We remained near Sharps- burg until October 30th, and besides doing picket duty opposite Shepards- town, we performed guard and fa- tigue dutv, drilled, and became more and more seasoned for the long two vears before us, sheltering our- selves from the heat by day, and shivering through the long, frosty nights. Not infrequently we got up before dawn to find many running up and down the hard ground to thaw out their congealed blood, or sitting bv the smouldering embers of the fire, making " scouse " at the " cook house." The ground was covered thick with frost, vet we slept in our thin, unlined blouses upon it, with no " ponchos," blankets, or overcoats. The spread or two that we had left by order back near Rock\'ille, had been stored at Washington, nex'er again to see the light of da}'. FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. 25 During our gloomy and despond- ing hours, before getting seasoned and hardened, and while in this chrysalis state, many bright sun- beams crept in ; many laughable adventures and ludicrous incidents took place. Frequent visits to the camps of other regiments, and to prisoners under treatment near by, varied the monotonj-. The usual camp rumors were rife. " We were going to build log huts, and ^uard the river for the winter." " Provost duty in Frederick City," etc. Our letters say : " Sunday, Sept. 21, 1862, In Camp Near Potomac, Near Sharpsburg. "I commenced a letter to you at Fort Corcoran, just after we had left Fort Worth, where Bob wrote to you, and just before we left on our long march of six days. I had just written one sheet when we were ordered to march. * * * When passing through Washing- ton, I looked in vain for Gene. We had a long march, and I suf- fered ; especially for food. 1 never knew what it was to want for bread before. I had to beg, for I was actually weak from total abstinence. * * * Bob, Edgar, G. B., and myself were the only ones of the whole company (old fellows and all), who kept up and never strag- gled. The road was lined with these latter individuals, and even now (though we started a week ago Friday), seven of our com- pany have not yet come up. Frank and LeRoy are thirty miles back, used up. Captain Thompson is back on the supply train, sick. We have onlj- one corporal ; our two sergeants are sick, and the company is nowhere. We are not yet drilled ; we have not been taught to tire a gun. We were in reserve on Wed- nesday, and I saw all the fight, ex- cept on our left, where Burnside carried the bridge. Thursday we passed that spot on the advance, and were on picket all night in that terrible place, where dead men were piled up in heaps beside us. Such horrid sights I never saw before. Two of our company were on the outpost, skirmishing all night. George Lovejoy and Ed. Walton were detailed from us to fill vacancies. We slept on our arms all night. "During the night, a squadron of cavalry attacked a brick man- sion occupied by rebel sharpshoot- ers. * * * The next morning I visited the place, and got any quantity of jellies, preserves, etc. ; but was obliged to leave it all when we marched. It was so before we left our camp near Fort Corco- ran ; there were four or five boxes came to the company filled with nice things, and we could have_ lived hke princes if we could have stayed, but orders came to march, and we had to leave it all. I left four cans of honey given me, for I could not take it. * * * "Well, about the march. We didn't commence marching until two or three days after the account you read. That was the advance of Porter's corps (Syke's division) ; 26 FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. we were the rear guard and marched Friday, September 12, on a differ- ent route, not touching Darnestown. * * * When we started, I had no idea wliere we were going ; in- stead of going directly from George- town to Maryland, after we crossed the Aqueduct, we kept on to Wash- ington, and I thought we were go- ing to Baltimore, but, after resting for grub, near the capitol, we marched way back to Georgetown, and from there started on our march to Rockville. * * * You at home can never realize the intense suffering we endured on those five days of marching. The first day we went fifteen miles with our wet stuff on our backs, and hot and dusty enough to suffocate a per- son. * * * Of course they took the longest way to exercise us. The next morning, seeing that we would never hold out with our loads, the order was to leave everything except what we actually- needed. I (R. G. C.) onlv took my rubber coat. "We marched through Hvatts- town and Urbana, and then stopped. They routed us out early the next morning, which was Sunday, and marched us twent3'-four miles to Frederick City. '^ * * my 'fod' (food) had given out in the morning, as had most of them, and when we bivouacked on the banks of the Monocacv river I had nothing to eat but one hardtack about three inches square. What do you think of that, after twentj'-four miles of marching on the road, and loaded up at that? We had nothing to eat all night, our rations being gone, and our teams to the rear, on hor- rid roads. Nothing but hills, hills, and mountains. We suffered as much as the advance, I reckon ; those long, hot daj-s of marching, the din of battle in the distance, ever in our ears, and we hurrying forward to be in at the death. That Sunday night we camped at 8 o'clock, and it was as dark as Erebus. These were hard times for the raiv recruits, but we did well. * * * The next morn- ing rations were served out, the teams having come up in the night. • » * "We rested at Keediesville that night, and I could see that they were preparing for a great battle the next morning, as I thought, for they had commenced shelling then. * » * " Sa}' to father that knapsacks are no go anv way in the army ; a man can't carry one * * * on the march. At the least estimate of weight, and of the best pattern, it is clumsv, * * * and ten to one if vou leave it anywhere dur- ing a battle, it is lost. I don't want to lug another of the articles while I have mv other luggage. I w^ould carry a rubber blanket and poncho coiled up over my back, and per- haps I might add my woolen blanket ; but an overcoat is alto- gether too hea\y for light marching order. I should not ha^■e thrown awajr the last two articles in W., if they had not been wet, and I almost dead from sheer exhaustion. FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. 27 I should not have lived to tell the tale if I had carried them ten miles further, and during even then I should have straggled, and I hated to do that ; * * * a thing I didn't do the entire distance, though only four recruits came in on the home-stretch. Many a night I flung myself on the ground supperless and too tired to eat. In the day- time I ate dust, and drank the per- spiration that rolled down my face. It was a bitter experience. Monday, we passed through it (Frederick City), amid the shouts and cheers of the people. We passed through Rockville, H3'atts- town, Urbana, Boonesboro, Kee- diesville, and Sharpsburg. Near Middletown heights, between M. and Boonesboro, where Reno was killed and where Hooker stormed the battery of the rebels (I saw any quantity of dead rebels there) , we passed by a camp of regulars, with prisoners in charge. I was on guard behind the regimental ambulances, and upon casting my ejj^es about, I saw Eugene standing in the middle of the road with Bob. I left the guard I tell you, and we walked over a mile together, when we parted. * * * He showed us the battle-ground. * * * II* # » Gene said he would see us (again) in a day or two, but we have not seen him yet. We talked about everything while we were together, and oh ! I was so delighted to see him. He was going back to Frederick City with his prisoners, and expected to re- turn. " Bob lost his wallet before he marched with seven dollars in it. When we were on the march from Hall's Hill to Alex- andria, and from there to Fort Worth, as Bob told you in his last letter, I threw my knapsack away at the first stopping place ; it almost cut the life out of me. I could carry the load well enough, though much heavier than Bob's, for I had extra books, medicine, and writing-desk, but the mode of carrying it was not so easy. I kept all of my things, but did them up in a rubber blanket, and slung them over my shoulders by straps. I carried them in this way very well. "Just before we started from Fort Corcoran, we saw John ; and * * * we also saw Lewis, and Were goi-ng over to see them the next day, but were ordered off. We had extra shirts, stockings, blankets, etc., given us before we started, and that added to our heavy loads. I was barefooted when my stockings came to hand ; my shoes hurt my bare feet, covered with mre., uncut corns, and my stock- ings were too full of holes for a second mending, so I threw them away. " The night before we started, it rained all night, and as I slept on the ground, I got wet, and ditto my things, so that when I started next morning I had a very heavy load. I carried it six miles until I was almost gone, and I just fell out of ranks and disposed of all the articles I could. I threw away my medicine, hooks, checkers, towels, and lots of little things, and gave my heavy wet 28 FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. overcoat and blanket to a Union family on the road. My bundle was still heavy, but smaller, and I carried it to our first night's resting-place, twelve or more miles from Washing- ton. Let Gene talk about clinging to your knapsacks, things, etc. ; it 's all "6o«/(/" I reckon he never car- ried either on a long march. No one hated to throw away things as I did, but I could n't help it. I had over seventy-five pounds on my back, be- sides eighty rounds of cartridges, gun, etc. "■The road was full of stragglers all the way back to Washington, and ■during the night they came in. One new regiment in our brigade, ii8th Pennsylvania, twelve hundred strong, only numbered two hundred at our first stopping-place ; they all had knapsacks." Note. — The major of this regi- ment had to be sent back to Wash- ington to gather up the stragglers and march them to join the balance of the regiment. " The color-ser- geant and color-guard fell out com- pletely exhausted, and the 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 (he final halt was made. One weary, dusty private met General Morell, and saluting, said : ' General, can you tell me where the ii8th Pennsylvania is?' 'Certainly, my man,' replied the general seriously; ' everywhere between here and Wash- ington.' " (See History of the One Hundred and Eighteenth Pennsyl- vania.) "The second morning we were all ordered to move in light marching order, and to leave our luggage. I thought it was only temporary and that our duds would be brought for- ward in the teams, so I took only my poncho, leaving my rubber blanket over my other things, it being the only covering I had for them, so you see that I must have suffered from cold the next day (night) on the ground with nothing but my poncho over me. " I got some milk once on the road, and with some hard-tack crumbled into it, I enjoyed a splendid meal. I have now my cotton shirt on (others behind), breeches, coat, one pair of dirty stockings, wet through yesterday (in what manner I will tell you presently), and my shoes and cap, all my wardrobe in this part of the country available. I lost my poncho yesterday on the other side of the Potomac. " Two brigades crossed this classic stream in the morning (Martindale's and Griffin's) * * * while But- terfield's (the three composing Morell's division), remained on this side. As soon as we got there we were attacked by a superior rebel force, and, after fighting a short time, were recalled, and forded the Poto- mac (up to my breast in some places), in good order. I wet myself through, cartridges and all. * * * Qn reaching the Virginia shore, I fired my gun off, loaded up, and the first thing I knew I saw all of our officers dismount hurriedly, and order us into line of battle up the hill. By this time twenty pieces of our artil- lery on the Maryland shore were shelling over us, and such a racket ! Shells bursting over our heads, offi- cers ordering, balls whizzing ! It was gay ! * * * Our own shells FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. 29 burst in among us, within six ieet of me all around. I never heard such a terrific noise in my life. "Two of them struck into our own regiment, bursting in Company I, and knocked a man's face off, mor- tally wounding him. Another of our men was struck in the leg by a shrapnel shell fired by the enemy, and his leg had to be amputated. The bullets flew about me, but I minded them not. I was only watch- ing for a shot * * * we were in a queer position, on the side of an ascending ridge from a ravine, close to the river's bank. When the order came to cross the river, I was so mad * * * that I forgot my poncho, which I threw off by my side to aid me in firing better. * * * " One time while lying down on our bellies, we heard the cry on our right from the Second Maine boys : 'They're coming!' The order was given to ' Fix bayonets ! ' and prepare for a volley when the enemy ap- peared in sight.. I thought we were going to see some fun then. * « * I had n't got warmed into it hardly, and I retreated backwards so as to get a pop at them when th'ey came over the hill. * * « We had then to leave * * * our crossing the river was no joke ; all I could think of was Ball's Bluff, for certainly, had it not been for our batteries and two regiments of Berdan's sharp- shooters in a dry canal on the Mary- land side, we would none of us have reached th^e shore alive. * * * We went (came back) across above where we went over (under the dam), and it was up to my armpits, with the current running like mad and the bullets buzzing like bees. The river was full of slippery ledges, and in the crevices it was very deep. I did not fall once. # * « j ^33 so exhausted that I could hardly stand, for I had to keep my powder dry, and had to keep up a man who was most strangled, having fallen three times in coming across. * * * While fording, the ' rebs ' appeared on the banks, and the bullets whistled into us good. * * * j helped one short captain (H. P. Wil- liams) across; he fell twice, and I picked him up, wetting my gun and ammunition in the act." Note. — Captain W. was a very di- minutive man, with an exceedingly large hat, which resembled an um- brella spread over his person. His progress, although moist, had been successful, until nearly across, when plump! in he went into a deep hole that sent him out of sight at once. The telltale hat, however, showed where he would rise. Up he came, spluttering and blowing, his mouth full of water. Another step, and in he went again out of sight. Our brother was nearest to him. He seized at the hat, missed him, then making a deeper grab caught the half-drowned little captain by the collar, and, holding him up almost at arm's length, quietly deposited him high, but not dry, upon a more shal- low spot. The victim was hardly aware that any visible force had ef- fected his rescue, for he went on scrambling like a crab for shore. "You ought to have seen them tumble down. Our acting colonel (W. S. Tilton), went down flat into the river, and wet himself all over, so did Bob, and got soaked. * * * I did not fall once. I did not dry myself, but slept under some straw, 3° FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. and this morning am all right and ^teaming. * * * The 'rebs' had about ten or twenty thousand troops pouring down upon us; it seems they crossed the night before, and set a trap to cut us all up when we crossed, but thank Heaven ! our sharpshooters and cannon * * * saved us. * * * We had no hard fight ; we only discovered the enemy in force, and caused him, perhaps, to take too much notice for his own good. " McClellan rode by us on his re- turn to camp, and he looked pleased as if everything had worked to his satisfaction. You will probably see the details of this affair in the papers. Oh ! if I could only see a Boston Jourrial. We have not had a mail for a week and a half, and have not been permitted to write home during these battles. * * * When I read the accounts of the fight in which we were engaged across the river, I am only thankful that we escaped so well ; it was a pretty bout after all. * * * Of course, in retreating down the precipice (as it were), we could not go in perfect line of battle, neither in going across the river, as the current was so swift. * * * i read ' Carleton's ' account again, and also 'why the fight was not renewed,' and the report that Martindale's bri- gade got into an ambuscade when they crossed the river, and was roughly handled, the latter a misera- ble hoax. * * * Most of the boys have given out on shoe leather, but Bob and I still hold on ; God bless those shoes ! If it had not been for them, what should we have done ? They have not even commenced to wear out. The maker of them — Wil- liams — is now in a better land, and will peg and sew no more. He was shot on Wednesday, as were many more of the Thirty-fifth. Ed. Mor- rill was shot through the foot. Have n't heard about Haze (Good- rich), but hope he is safe. I hear that Fred Brooks, Flanders, Cram and Nichols all are wounded, and thus it is with war. Horrid ! and how my whole soul is troubled when I think of these associations severed, these hearts crushed ; may you all be spared the sorrow of some, but O Father, you can scarcely know the dangers to which your affection- ate boys are subjected, both on the field of battle and the low-minded camp. My mind is turning fondly to you all at home this beautiful Sab- bath morning, and how I wish I were with you, but my work must be done before I ever see you again, and that it may be done in earnest, quickly, and I be an humble instrument in the grand resulting victory, is the hopeful prayer of your affectionate son. It is hard to write in this army. Love to all, and kiss them all for Bob and myself." " In Camp, near Sharps- burg, ON THE Potomac side, Sept. 23, 1862. The letters of our brothers, Walter and Bob, now say : "As soon as I finished my letter to father on Sunday, I went down from the woods to the camp, and there found Gene waiting for me. He had been relieved from his pris- ioner guarding by a regiment of our brigade (Martindale's now FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. 31 commanded by Colonel [James] Barnes of Massachusetts, senior colonel of the brigade, and until recently, in the Bull Run fight, and sometime since by Colonel [Charles W.] Roberts of the Second Maine, a brave ofificer and better liked than Barnes), and is now on the provost guard, aad acts with Frank's com- pany as a part of' Mac's' body-guard. I was glad enough to see him, I can assure you. He is in camp about three miles from us. I can- not get down so far to see him, but he can come and see us daily if he chooses. * * * He told us if we were wounded, to ask to be carried to McClellan's headquarters, and he would see to it that we were well taken care of by a good surgeon. * * * I know that is what dear mother fears, that we will get wounded, and either die on the field, or get into some saw-bone hospital, and to tell the truth that is what I fear most myself. I do n't fear to go into battle, for last week I was as cool all through it as could be; neither do I fear the wounds, or even death itself, for * * * that is what I came out for, if need be to give up my life in defense of my country, but it is the thought that I shall be uncared for, that I shall be buried where no loving hand can strew flowers and shed tears of love over rny grave. Oh ! I have seen too much of that already. After a big battle, they tumble them in without mark or sign * * * "He showed me your letter of September 8th to him, and I was overjoyed to see it. It was so much in the same loving, motherly strain. and so full of tender anxiety for her boys. How is it that we can ever forget such an interest, and fail to repay such with kindness, when we are at home, when opportunities are so frequently offered? " Gene left us, promising to call again. He spoke of the possibility of his getting a Massachusetts regi- ment; he said it was easy enough, if some one would influence Governor Andrew to ask his release from (the) regular service, he thinks they would grant it readily. "Since Sunday I have been on picket on the banks of the Potomac. Our whole corps occupy the posi- tion in front where the rebels ap- peared in force, and compelled our small force to retreat across the river on Saturday. Three regiments go on at night, alternately, and stay until the next night. We all sleep on the bank of a canal, and on the tow-path post our sentinels during the night. Our object is to look out for the 'rebs,' and give the alarm. Their sharpshooters are stationed on the opposite bank, 500 yards, and we pop away at each other well. All day long matters of interest were continually taking place. I only suffered at night in the canal, I could n't sleep I was so cold ; we were relieved last night, and are in camp to-day. Our stragglers are fast coming up, thanks to the provost guard ; Frank and LeRoy are still missing though. * * * Quite a number of ambulances were over yesterday, under a flag of truce, to get the wounded and bury dead. Fifty men went over with them for the latter purpose. If man can't 32 FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. stand a coid on the lungs he must and, ere this, he has. gone forever die, that's all. There are poor fel- from earthly battle-fields. * * * lows now in our regiment who are We had to lie to all day and night sick and past recovery, yet they lin- under a hill, in reserve, supporting ger on, in hopes, perhaps, that a some 20-pound Parrot guns. The welcome bullet may bring peace to shells came over that day just their wearv bodies ; if they ever do enough for me to get used to them ; get home it will be to die. » '' * one burst within five rods of me. I know not what they mean by not General McClellan went by us to drilling us ; we do not understand cheer up the men about two or anything as yet of field movements, three o'clock ; he took off his hat to and what a poor show we shall make us when we hurrahed, * * * You on the battle-field ; all confusion and ought to see a great battle as I have disorder. seen one ; * * * You at home can " I saw something of it last Satur- never realize the horrors : the con- day while recrossing the river ; it was tinual rear of cannon ; the bursting an orderly retreat, yet everything was of shells around you ; the rattling of out of place. I was excited some- musketry ; the dense smoke, etc., what when I came back, for I heard make it a grand sight ; but marching nothing but our Parrot shells scream- over it the next day, was what would ing over our heads into the ranks of make your heart bleed, dear mother, the enemy, and their mini^ balls The brave and lion-hearted patriots whizzing past our ears. On Wed- lay dead and dying all around ; the nesday, while being held in reserve, blackened corpses that had not been I went up on the hill several times, buried, lay out in a heavy shower, back of where our brigade was drawn that we had to march through, up, and I saw our 20-pound Parrots " When the sun came out, oh, heav- drop their shells into the enemy's ens, what a smell. I have done picket ranks, and saw Meagher's Irish bri- duty within a few yards of a dead gade charge on the ' rebs ' and waver- horse for thirty-six hours, and gone ing once, charge again, with victory by any quantity of them, but the as their bloody purchase. I could decaying bodies of men beat any- hear Burnside on the left, as he thing I ever smelt, and to think, fought to take the Stone Bridge at too, that they had to die without a all hazards, flanked by woody hills, mother's tear, or a friendly care ; filled with rebel riflemen, and the and not to be recognized, but to be next day I saw the result of that shoved in a little hole, that is just hard fought ground where so many what I do n't relish. I do n't fear were lying around me. I saw one the fight at all, but it is getting poor fellow who had lain all night wounded and having to suffer and with a bullet in his brain, wholly die on the battle-field. * * » unconscious, yet breathing still in Weren't they excited in Haverhill perfect spasms, as his life blood when they heard of the Thirty-fifth ebbed away ; it was a gone case, being so cut up } Company G got FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. 33 into a cross-fire which killed eight, and wounded thirty more : among the killed was Clarence Woodman. Poor fellow ! he lay with his head down hill, the blood settled in his neck, and he was an awful looking object. A cannon-ball killed him. * * * We whipped them awfully that day, as you will see by the papers, but with a heavy loss on our side of ofificers and men. * * * I send you a Baltimore Clipper., with a detailed account of the great Bat- tle of Antietam. * * * Mother may bless the day that Fitz John Porter's corps was in reserve, for had we gone into that fight, we should have been all cut up, and perhaps * * * my body would have been this day lying under the sod on the banks of Antietam creek, * * * and sure I am that many of our boys would be low in the dust now. * * * Oh ! if you could have seen the sights that I have seen : the poor fellows strewn around * * * just as they were charging across the bridge, full of savage fight; but, alas, the unerring bullet through the brain ended their brief resolve 'to do, or die!' "Thursday, we went through the rain over the celebrated bridge where the terrible fighting was. We were on picket that night, and exchanged shots with the ' rebs.' The next morn- ing we started after them. * * * Why in the name of heaven McClel- lan did not let our corps finish up the 'rebs,' and why he did not renew the battle on Thursday, and follow speedily across the river, I can 't understand. It looks to me as though it would have been better to have crushed them with fresh troops on Thursday, than to have them skedaddle off under the pre- text of burying their dead in plain sight of our general. I am provoked, perhaps, without cause, but I cannot help feeling that it prolongs this hor- rid war. * * * Why we are not ordered to whip the enemy * * * is more than I know. * * * " Carleton's account of it in the Journal that Father sent me was su- perb ; it was just as I witnessed the fight, where Hooker, brave and gal- lant, fought and fell. I agree with Carleton, and wonder when the fight was waning and well-nigh lost on the left that Porter or Sykes was not ordered to the support, and win the day, and not let the sun go down on an undecided fight, to be opened on the morrow by an agreement to bury the dead, under which plea the whole rebel army prepared to retreat, and which they carried out on Friday morning (when we were ordered for- ward to Sharpsburg), to our shame, without much loss to their rear guard. Now, why not whip them on Wednesday with fresh men, and on Thursday beat them with Pennsyl- vania reserves at Hagerstown, and on Friday cut them up on the re- treat, with our cavalry and light bat- teries, while they were being pushed into the river at the point of the bavonet, and amid our Parrot shells ? We could have done it ! Why not .'' Time will tell ! Now the papers are freighted with the welcome (?) intel- ligence that the rebels are in force across the river, advantageously posted, etc., and peace is proposed tons in haughty terms, they claiming 34 FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. the victories of South Mountain and* Antietam. * * * " Now follows a letter from our brother in the artillery : "Fort Tillinghast, Sept. 26, 1862. '■• I am now out of the hospital, but am not quite able to do duty. * * I was quite sick for a time, but now my skin is getting bleached out once more, by the use of pills, castor oil, turpentine, and rhubarb. Mother asked me some questions about the loss of things : I have not had a thing made up to me, and what I get I have to pay for. I have drawn a blanket, but the nights are very cold here now, and I need a quilt or something of that sort. We are not in barracks, but have had to go into our tents ; but I ouglit not to com- plain, for we are leading a life of luxury to some of the poor soldiers on the march. Poor Walt and Bob! I think of them often, for I do not doubt they have had to throw away everything. It cannot be helped while soldiers are on a march, loaded down with a heavy cartridge-box, with forty rounds, cross belt, haver- sack with two or three days' rations, and a heavy gun and bayonet. When the old troops left, I found a good knapsack and overcoat ; the coat was full of vermin, so I had to leave it, buf I will not have to draw a knapsack. "A regular imposition is practised upon the soldiers, for instance, the poor fellows from the peninsula were compelled, by their officers, to throw away everything they possessed two or three times, and then to draw everything new. Yesterday, the Eleventh Massachusetts, which now number scarcely one hundred and fifty men, and have received no pay for over four months, were paid off, and most of them did n't get more than five or six dollars, as all of these things which they were or- dered to throw away, and which they could not possibly carry, were charged to them : thus these poor fellows, after undergoing everything but death itself, were robbed of even the small pay which they had so nobly earned. '' If they treat soldiers in this way, they will fight no more. * * * Two of our companies, ' I ' and 'H,' went to Harper's Ferry last night, where they are to garrison some of the fortifications, but we have probably got a iteatly situation now. This regi- ment is the envy of the other regi- ments, for we have a comparatively easy time to them, yet we have seen some rather hard times, and mat/ see more. ' * * J suppose you know that Barnes commands the brigade in which our brothers are. It seems as though God protected them, for part of that brigade went over the river, and were nearly all massacred. * * * The Pennsylvania regiment lay near us before the advance, and it was a very fine regiment, with full ranks, but to-day they are, nearly all of them, in their graves." Note. — The ofPcial losses in the One Hundred and Eighteenth Penn- sylvania were as follows : Three offi- cers and sixty men killed ; four offi- cers and ninety-seven men wounded; three officers and one hundred and two men missing. (The latter were nearly all taken prisoners, parts of two companies only returning to tell the tale). FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. 35 " General Martindale is sick. It is foolishness to send anything to a regimental hospital, for a sick sol- dier seldom gets the benefit. The cooks, hospital steward, doctors, waiters, and ' hangers on ' devour our beloved country is worth a vast deal to have its integrity maintained at such a cost of suffering and hard- ship, as is endured in the army. "We recruits are getting kicked round pretty well now; we do all the everything they can lay their hands duty in our company, and they call on, and if a soldier is very sick, and has no money, God help him ! In a general hospital there is more sys- tem, and they get more benefit from contributions. In the hospitals, the attendants witness such scenes of want and misery that their hearts be- come hardened, and only when a man is nearly dead do they begin to notice him, and then it is often too late. Write soon, for you do n't know how much better it makes me feel to get a letter from home." Our brothers, Walter and Bob, now say in their letters dated : '' On Pjcket on the Banks of THE River Opposite Shep- ARDSTOWN, Sept. 26-29, 1862. "We are now having comparative rest after our long march, but ait best camp life, and duties with it, is hard. us d d recruits, etc, etc. * * * I put up with things from minor officers, petty officers, and even pri- vates without a murmur, which I would have resented with a blow if I had been at home. But it is no go here, I have to submit or else be ar- rested. « « * Captain Thomp- son * * * js sicij now, and at- tends to no duty, and we have run behind in drill. Our drill-master (Sergeant William Salter), has gone to a hospital sick, and common pri- vate?,, grown old in sin and musty in discipline, are detailed to go through the movements with us. They are sick of soldiering, and have no ambi- tion to teach others, and we are, con- sequently, minus in that department. I only hope that it will be remedied. * * * Captain T. is one of those kinds of men not at all genial, or easy and it is only in periods that the lazy to get acquainted with. He is not days come, and then it takes all the time to rest. I am tired enough, for we few boys had to do all the guard duty for our regiment on the march,, and it takes hold to march all day, and stand guard all night ; and now what makes it most aggravating, our sergeant puts it on just the same. in the least upper crust, for he messes with his men, and hates salutations and red tape, but he is a stern man, hard to get on the right side of, and difficult to under- stand ; and now, while sick, is grouty and cross. He is a brave man, and a good officer, I guess, but, as a man. although many of the old men are with all the feelings natural to us, I with us now. Besides, we have put don't think much of him." up officers' tents and dig sinks and other fatigue duty. It is altogether worse than I could possibly have imagined before I left home. Verily Note. — He obtained a sick leave, upon the expiration of which he failed to return, and was cashiered. He, with other captains -in the regi- 36 FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. ment, felt sorely aggrieved (and well ' guard duty for me. I was sick with they might), because the regimental my cold, and had a headache and adjutant, First Lieutenant Thomas toms of dyspepsia (the latter Sherwin, Jr., had been promoted to . \ ,„, ■, \ ^ • , be major of the regiment over their "^"^t nauseating). While I lay sick, heads, and they took this method of during my time of relief. Bob, who getting out of the service, rather than was two or three posts above me, to serve under him, their resignations was writing to yoif, and I got him to having been refused. excuse me in it for not finishing this "Our second lieutenant is a young sooner. I am much better to-day, man (Edwin C. Bennett) I used to though my cold is still bad, and I know when in S.B. Pierce's. * * * giggp gj, the ground at night, and We shall be on the march in a few have perfect horrors in the choking, days for Virginia, and then for the coughing line. I thought I could danger. Don't make my unworthy stand this cursed climate, but I give letters too public, mother ; my writ- in. Shall be dead if I stay here ing is necessarily bad ; my paper much longer, and if I ever do get dirty, etc. I have to beg paper and home, it will be hard to recruit, if I envelopes, my writing-desk being left don't get this cough off me. I am behind ; I am used up for everything, going to try our doctor once more, * * * A box might be sent di- and present claims for his highest rected to the care of 'Captain J. J. skill. I hope to be better soon, at Thompson, Twenty-second regiment, least before we march into Dixie, Harnden's Express,' and it might never to return until we have swept reach me sooner or later, depending the originators of this wicked re- greatly on our moving. A fellow bellion into purgatory. * * * had a box come Saturday, and was Last night we gathered around a obliged to leave all his ' fod ' (food) camp-fire for the first time in Mary- behind for a trip across the river; land, and we had a jolly time; we when he had returned it had disap- sung all our songs, and a lot of boys peared ; was n't it too bad.' I must joined in with * * ^ of sacred close now for a day or two, for we hymns. We talked of home and are going on picket now down to the spent a very pleasant evening. Bob f'ver. went to bed slightly sick ; he had a " Sunday, Sept. 29, 1862. toothache and a headache ; he is bet- "We have changed camp to a ter this morning after tending to the neater, cleaner place, only a few wants of his inner tabernacle. We rods from our old place. I was have not been allowed to build regu- down to the Potomac this morning, lar camp-fires before. I am afraid and washed myself, shirt, and stock- our little general is letting the ' rebs ' ings, and while they were drying, have too much time to recruit their swam into the mid^Ue of the river, wasted energies ; he ought to follow The rebel pickets do not fire at us up a retreat more promptly in my now; we made an agreement to that great military opine. Captain T. has effect. * * * It was pretty lonely gone to Washington, for how long I FOUR ^BROTHERS IN BLUE. 37 know not. Gene has n't been here since last time. Bob and I intend going over to see him to-morrow if we can get a pass from headquarters. We sliall manac/e to be in at (dinner time. * * * " September 30. Since I stopped last, I have been on picket again. We are there all the time, and when 1 do commence this letter, I have to keep stopping * * * to do duty. They can talk about the Army of the Potomac resting from their labors, but I say we have to work as hard as ever. I would rather be on the march after the ' rebs,' who, I fear, are now resting and recruiting. "They say we are stopping to have the quartermaster clothe and fix us up, but most of us have signed for blankets, etc., sometime since, and have, as yet, not seen them. I see indications, by papers and other- wise, of Gene's being appointed to the colonelcy of the Forty-eighth Massa- chusetts regiment, nine months vol- unteers. It will be a good thing for him. * * * While on picket this time (only since yesterday morning until this noon), we have had a splendid tirne bathing, eating, etc; At night. General Sykes' band played, and it did sound beautifully beside the Potomac. Some of our familiar tunes made me kinder home-sick. They played : ' Wood Up,' 'Annie Laurie,' ' Silvery Shower,' and ' Dixie.' It was a rich treat. I wish we had a band. We could n't go to see Gene yesterday, as we in- tended, on account of picket duty. It is too late to-day to try. My ears are burned raw, my cap having no rim ; I can't even wash them. * * * all you hear about our receiving vegetables, or anything but 'hard-tack,' 'salt-horse,' sugar and coffee (in small quantities), with beans, rice, and fresh beef occasionally, is humbug. We are much obliged to father for list of nine months Bradford recfuits. " October 3. — You must have been so anxious during our long, unavoid- able silence, since we left Virginia's shore ; but, after many tribulations, we have reached the River Jordan, and now are on our oars. To-day most of our regiment have gone on picket again, but Bob and myself were detailed to lug water all day ; no easy job. We have only two pails for coffee to bring up to-night, and, in the meantime, being relieved from all other duty. Bob is writing to father, and I am trying to do your letter all the justice it de- serves. We are within three miles of Sharpsburg, and about a mile from the river. * * * vVe have decent food in camp now ; have to go on picket, fatigue duty, etc., * * * which keeps us pretty well to work. * * * We have to go almost to the river, through a beautiful piece of woods to get it (water) ; when on picket we do n't have anything to do, as the ' rebs ' do n't shoot at us, and we do n't at them. We were on picket when those 400 prisoners were paroled, and had to cross the river. They were a motley looking crew ; but, nevertheless, the officers were smart looking fellows, some of them. Shepardstown is about a mile across the river, above Blackburn's (Black- 38 FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. ford's) ford, where we went across. ' dent was attended by 'Little Mac,' McCIellan's headquarters have been on his right hand and F. J- Porter within two miles of us. * * * on his left, with their staffs and Gene looks rather thin, but pretty body-guards. * * * He rode by well. * » * jj rained last night, and between each regiment, so that and for once I had the shelter of a he came within a rod of me, as also tent, and a borrowed overcoat and did ' Little Mac' We stayed about rubber blanket for my portion. I five hours in the hot sun, and while slept well. I went to see the doc- most of them were growling, I stood tor this morning, and he gave me it like a 'major,' being used to the licorice to chew for my cold, and a heat. Our brother, Walter, says : big pill. He said I must take the lat- ' It gave me the headache dread- ter at night and be coi'eret^ warm. The fully.' * * * latter is a leetle difficult, for all the " I am suffering with diarrhoea, and boys are away, and all their rags are have been for three weeks ; they say with them. A poor fellow in the it is lying on the ground that causes Michigan regiment (First), fell down it. Our doctor says it is owing to dead while digging a trench around the hard, limy water we drink. One his tent, prior to the approaching thing is certain, ' Camp Baker Cor- shower. He gave someone his ad- dial' doesn't affect it in the least; dress in the morning and told them it weakens me dreadfully. * * * to ' send him home to-morrow,' as Asa Fletcher, our friend from Win- he should 'be dead before night.' Chester, who was with us so long. They laughed at him, and now his was terribly wounded in the late lifeless body is on its way to a battle ; he left us on the march to Western home of sadness. Today, join the Andrew's sharpshooters, in the same regiment, a fellow threw for which company he enlisted, and an old shell (as he supposed), into was wounded the time the captain the fire, and it burst, killing one was killed. He is a first-rate man, man and wounding three. Isn't it and a friend of Uncle John's.' Our dreadful.? All this in plain sight of regiment is back, and I have to go camp. My cold is some better, but on dress parade. I am also on guard I hack dreadfully. to-night. "Abraham Lincoln is expected to " For our seeming lack of prudence pay the army a visit to-morrow, in leaving behind and throwing away We are under orders to turn out at so many things so essential to our a moment's notice ^well rigged.' comfort, we were accused by our * * * I have been on review, father with a lack of ' good general- and have seen Father Abraham.' ship,' etc., etc., and were criticised He reviewed the whole army ; it rather severely for the same, was a splendid sight. He looks the "To this we responded with much same as his pictures, though much spirit in two very long letters, which, more careworn ; one of his feet is although written in the midst of sick- in the grave. * * * fhe presi- ness and distress,' are characterized FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. 39 by a vein of good humor and apt il- take the field, and even then, they lustrations. But beyond detailing are not what they should be ; but all the harassing incidents of our first long march to Sharpsburg, the weight, piece by piece, of our wet loads, the dreadful heat, which was 98° ; and stating as our belief that these things, which we were told to leave back near Rockville, were to be sent forward to us very soon in the teams ; their contents would be but a repetition of the other letters. They are, however, very amusing as an unanswerable argument from a soldier's standpoint to our non-com- batant, lawyer father, who was view- ing matters, as were many others, through glasses at a secure and com- fortable home station." Our brother in the forts now writes : " Fort Tillinghast, October 3, 1862. " I suppose you have, ere this, re- ceived long and interesting letters from Walt and Bob, giving you a graphic account of the horrid battles of Antietam. It was a dear bought victory, and will cause many a bitter tear at the North. As Gene or my other brothers never write to me, I shall expect, to hear from them through you at home. Night before last I was on guard for the first time since I returned from the hospital, and it was quite an exciting night, for nearly 25,000 troops took their departure to join the army of Mc- Clellan, and another large force went in the direction of Centreville. Regi- ments continually come over the bridge, but they are very green, and they have to keep them here for two or three weeks before they are fit to something has got to be done within the coming eight weeks, for by that time we shall be again wallowing in the mud, and another winter of inac- tivity would stare us in the face; but I think McClellan will be at them before long, and God grant that he may be victorious, and that this un- happy war may be. brought to a speedy close, for it is fast ruining the country. I lately found out that I had a relative in this regiment, Aus- tin Carter, a son of Uncle Henry's ; he made me a call to-day. About half of our company are sick with the same complaint I was troubled with, but in a lighter form ; yet they are not fit for duty. The doctor says it is owing to the manner in which we live. We have not been paid for four months; we have a company fund of ;^200, but the officer who has it in charge, spends it, as he has no money from the government, and when we try to get him to buy some- thing to eat for us, he makes all sorts of excuses, but we do n't see the grub. It is salt horse, bread and oak leaf gruel every day except Sundays, when we have a luxury, baked beans. I wish I had some of your ginger- bread and doughnuts; I do really hanker for something of that sort. We have got our tents stockaded for the winter, but we will not be allowed any fire in them, as we are in the fort, and it will not do to have fire near the magazines. We are having six additional guns placed in the fort, and a whole regiment of engineers are digging rifle-pits and breast- works between the forts. Secesh 40 FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. would stand a poor sight if they ad- vanced on the capital in this direc- tion. I saw a Salem paper the other day, which said that the Forty-eighth Regiment would be commanded by Colonel Carter, with E. P. Stone as lieutenant-colonel. Has it been de- cided upon, and can Gene get his leave .' I hope so. I am now pretty well, but I do not feel as I did be- fore, and am quite thin. Since I have been here, I have weighed nearly one hundred and fifty ; to-day I weighed one hundred and fifteen. . . . . I regret to tell you that Uncle William has been missing for a long time ; Lewis has not heard from him since June, and he is re- ported as missing. He thinks him either dead or a prisoner, as he prom- ised to write soon Some- thing has surely befallen him, yet Lewis still has hopes of hearing from him ; he used to write quite often to him What horrible work the rebels made in that Haverhill company. I am so thankful that Robert and Walter escaped ; but the poor boys have yet to meet the enemy ; but I have a sort of feeling that they are not destined to die by a butternut bullet." The two brothers in the Twenty- second Massachusetts now write : "October 5, 1862. "We did n't have baked beans to- day, for the reason that we could n't draw the pork ; but instead of that luxury, we had a most acceptable mail brought in, of which Bob and myself received a good share, letters and papers For them accept our best thanks, for they serve to while many of our weary hours away, as we pass in our weary pilgrimage Within three nights I have enjoyed an overcoat, a tent, and a woolen blanket. To-day I drew a blouse, and to-morrow the ponchos are coming, ' so they say,' and with this let me say that the doctor has taken me in hand, and under bis treatment I am almost well of my cough and cold, thanks to pills, etc. I have done duty always, never so used up but what I could do my share of work, and I never shirk un- der the plea of temporary ailment ; my diarrhoea is getting to be much better and I feel like my old self again. To-day I am on fatigue, and this holy forenoon has been alter- nately employed, the first half in digging a trench for slops, and the other in attending divine service in frontof Colonel Barnes's headquarters. I listened to a most eloquent and in- teresting address from the chaplain of the One Hundred and Eighteenth Pennsylvania. The opposite ex- tremes met there surely I hope we shall soon see a fight. I am anxious to show a little of my essence, for I believe I would never leave a good field and a fair show for victory, until death was my only al- ternative, and then I should hesitate. . . I think of poor J's death, and her sleeping in the quiet grave- yard, but such is life ; we are all des- tined sooner or later to pass from this world to another. It must be considered a great blessing to be buried at home, and if I am killed in battle, I should wish to be brought home, and buried according to the laws of civilization, not as I have seen them here, like dogs." FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. 41 Our brother at McClellan's head- quarters now writes : "Camp Near Sharpsburg, October 5, 1862. " October 9. " The regiment was ordered out without arms, and was marched a few rods to the left of the camp to "Enclosed, please find a group of clear up a piece of ground, for the Captain Frank, Lieutenant Worth, purpose of shifting camp. We had and your humble servant ; although the rocks well gathered up in heaps, not very good, you can form some when further progress was stopped idea how we look. I wish Lieuten- by the major of Berdan's Sharp- ants Andrews and Cooper were here, shooters frst). who came out, and No. 1. Group ot officers of the Bightli U. S. Infantry at General McClellan's headquar- ters, near Sharpsburg, Md ., October, 1862. Beginning on the left, as one faces the picture. No. 1, is First Lieut. Eugene Carter (sitting). No. 2. Capt. Royal T. Frank (now colonel First U. S. Artillery), standing. No. 3. Second Lieut. Wm. S. Worth (now lieut. -colonel Thirteenth U. S. Infantry). All are saying, " What (JO I want, John? " we then would have a group of the Light Infantry ; they went out riding this morning, and have not returned. I have just commenced my twenty- fifth year. Why do n't I hear from some of you .' It is very strange ; I receive no letters at all. I shall try to see Walt and Bob to-morrow. " We were inspected October 7 by Colonel A. S. Webb, inspector- general on General Porter's staff. Line was formed in four and one half minutes." claimed the ground ; so we went back to quarters to await further orders. Had our usual squad and company drill. Battalion drill was had in the afternoon, and dress parade. Just at sunset one of the batteries fired a few shots over the river, but received no reply." " October 10. "Drilled in the forenoon. Com- menced to rain towards night. No dress parade. In the afternoon a sutler came into camp with bread to 42 FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. sell. Not being able to deal it out this old yellow corn in an old iron fast enough, and charging exorbitant pan; it tasted good, and most of it rates, Colonel Barnes confiscated the reminded me of the leavings at home entire lot. October 1 1 and 12. Cold and rainy." The brothers, Walter and, Bob now say : "Sunday, October 12, 1862. " To-day has been a day of rest for me, and I cannot let it close without writing for once a short letter home. I have had a good quality of food to- day, and that has seemed to content me, for my stomach has been at ease, and not continually yearning for a fulness scarcely ever satisfied in this barren land. I have had a plate of baked beans for breakfast, and some soup made of the water in which our meat was boiled, and rice, beef, pep- per, etc., boiled in with the mess for dinner. Very rich living that ! The surgeon came to our company, and said that we must have food of that — the 'old maids ' in the bottom of the dish. They tasted even better than those at home, for Bob cooked them in pork fat and let them do brown and crispy. I got hold of some fresh bread and gingerbread that some of our boys cleaned out of a transient sutler, who had no license, and that went good between us. They do the same with every one who comes along, and declare they will continue to do so, until Uncle Sam comes along with his iron box. The boys are expecting him daily ; we recruits will not get a cent, as they left us out when the regiment was mustered. "We still continue in our daily duties of picket and camp guard, some drilling, fatigue duty for shoul- der straps, company police duty, kind, or else we would all die, so our cleaning up street, inspections, dress cook (Hazen Clements), . . pitched in and got up this savory dish. I have been to meeting twice in the open air, and heard very fine addresses delivered by Pennsylvania and Michigan chaplains; it was a rich treat. You ought to have seen these old veterans weep when the preacher alluded to the dear ones at home, whom they had not seen for years; and it affected me, I assure you, to hear the many tender allu- sions these two good men made about our relations with the dear home circles left so far behind. How I wish we had a chaplain ; but all sich, sutlers included, are denied us. Bob is on guard, and during the time of his relief, he has been popping parade, etc. Still there are many idle hours, and I try to improve them by writing to you at home, reading books, and other avocations. I often am ambitious enough to take my 'tactics,' and study it, but I find the finer senses of understanding are dulled by the influences around me, and it affects the mental powers, I do verily believe, as it does the physical. . . . Bob and I got a pass Saturday, and started for McClellan's headquarters to see Gene. We started in high glee, in bright anticipations of a pleasant visit and a good time, for we had worked hard for the pass, and three officers' names had to be affixed before we could start. r-32»g 5 O » S 05 " ■ f; D 03 1„«0::3 ft a fl ® a cars £ „ 0*30 tag go «. For the very same reason that Burnside now lies at Falmouth, and does not cross the river to Fredericksburg. "Crossing a river in the tace of the enemy is, you know, the most dangerous undertaking in warfare, and if once across without supplies, and then beaten, what would become of the army ? General Sumner's advance wished to cross the river and occupy Fredicksburg ; General Burnside would not allow it. One or two Rebel regiments then occupied the other side ; now they have an army. We are within four miles of our supplies, and get all the forage and rations we want ; we have been reinforced by General Sigel, and have now a large army. General McClellan did not have 80,000 man ; was almost a hundred miles from supplies, and the communication was not estab- lished. One word about quarter- masters' stores ; General Meigs said we had plenty, or at least he sent plenty. I went with my train for three weeks to Harper's Ferry, with one requisition for clothing. I never had it filled; I never got a single shirt for my command, and I was told that only six thousand had been sent by the quartermaster's department for the entire army. I saw whole division trains go away with not a tenth part of the articles required, and I will take my oath that I heard General (Rufus) Ingalls, ' chief quartermaster of this army,' give orders to Captain Bliss (issuing quartermaster at Harper's Ferry), to 'cut down the requisitions,' and as regards clothing being drawn and kept without issuing, the only case of the kind that could occur, is when we were ordered to move and had no time to issue. " If division quartermasters should issue to regimental quartermasters, how much clothing do you suppose three wagons would carry, besides regimental and company property, rations, etc. .' That story is simply foolish, and no one who knows any- thing about a quartermaster's duties whould circulate, it. " When McClellan was removed, he was advancing rapidly, and had gained two or three days on Lee's calculations ; we would have been in Culpepper or Gordonsville to-night if it had not occurred. There is not a military man in this army who does not regard McClellan as the best man for commander-in-chief of this army. Old Hooker, who won all under McClellan's directions, sneaked away from Manassas Junction in an ambulance, while the up train was waiting for the down train containing McClellan ; he was ashamed of the part he had taken, and sooner or later his conduct on several battle fields will get a sifting. " General Burnside I regard as a good man, a brave man, and a good soldier, but (I know what I say) he cannot be compared to George B. McClellan for an instant; he has not got the brains, the energy, the cool- ness of ' Little Mac' General Burn- side will be supported by all officers and men. You never saw a more disgusted man in your life than this same patriot at the news of the re- moval of McClellan ; he actually shed FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. 149 tears when McClellan turned over the command to him. He said he was not capable, and begged McClellan to remain until he had learned more about affairs ; McClellan said he would remain as long as possible, but he must obey his orders. Your story about Burnside's saying that he 'loved his friend, but his country better,' must have originated in the fertile brain of the ' Tribune reporter.' Per- haps the enclosed order will spread a little light upon why he accepted the command. (Encloses order relieving General McClellan). "As to McClellan's politics, I do not know or care what they are ; I do n't believe they ever influenced him a particle in the discharge of his duty. He has borne ' insult upon injury' with a patience like Job; he has been sacrificed for political capi- tal, and sooner or later he will triumph. If I thought for a moment his removal would benefit the cause for vvhich we are fighting, I would submit without a murmur, but more cogent reasons than those already given for his removal must be ex- plained to me before I will ever believe that he has been sacrificed for his country's good. " You may teach me politics, but you cannot strategy or tactics. I am in a position where I see, hear, and learn something about such matters. I hope I shall see the day when you will be convinced that what I have told you about McClellan is true. I never expect you to believe what I tell you about the imbecility, rascality, and cowardice displayed by some of our precious jewels, until some of your sons are numbered among the many victims of their incapacity and worthlessness. How many officers do you suppose are appointed out of merit .? . . . My fingers are cold, and it is late. The pontoon train will be here in the morning, and the ball will open." " November 24. — Pontoon train arrived early this morning ; the bridges were to have been built to- night, but some blundering fool did not send anchors and oars for boats, and did not send enough by fourteen. Sumner crosses first ; how the blood will flow." Our brother Walter now writes : " In camp near Falmouth, November 27, 1862. "After a long march from Warren- ton taking eleven days, we are at last in our position with the Third army corps, as the center division under General Hooker, on the banks of the Rappahannock, and are no longer considered a reserve corps, for ' Fight- ing Joe ' is our leader, and we shall have to buckle down to pure pugilis- tic qualities. We suffered terribly on the road, the rain being our greatest cause for complaint. I have a long letter which I commenced to mother in a mud hole back on the march which I shall finish and send as soon as possible ; in it I tell you all, and am now only writing a short note to relieve any anxiety as to our whereabouts in this blissful commu- nity ; it is almost too cold to write, and my fingers are as cold as can be; the weather is our greatest drawback now ; it rained all night, and I am damp all through, but still I am well^ so is Bob. " We received our first mail last 15° FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. night, and such a flow of good things never was received from a hcqipler couple. . . . Oh, our joy this festive day, over this Thanksgiving treat! How it tends to center all our love and affection around that table, which to-day shall be set in our dining- room, and be occupied by those most dear to us ; our allowance of salt pork, coffee, sugar and hard bread, {all we get on the march), will be seasoned to a delicate taste by those fond remembrances. . . . Your letters, so full of love and tender sympathy, are enough to make the day pleasant for us, and that we are thought of as you sit down to the feast, and are remembered all over old Massachusetts by its noble and patriotic Governor Andrew, as well as its generous-hearted, noble people, shall be our satisfying meditation, and shall we not have occasion to be thankful for it, even though we be far away from you all, and the horrid thought of war displaying itself in fearful reality at every step ? " How I wish I could be with you, but I know I cannot ; it is my first absence, but in spirit I am already in the ' straw cottage,' and I can seem to think that I am speaking to you all, and everything is as of old. . We had Governor Andrew's proclamation and his address to Massachusetts soldiers read to us last night on dress parade, and I think them most beautiful, in every respect so touching, and so well de- signed to awaken our better feelings ; they are the best productions of the time I have yet read from any gov- ernor. . . . Eugene is encamped about four miles from us, so I hear ; he will probably be over soon with your letter. I believe every word you say in your short letter, and I know that it is only the pro-slavery, ignorant, at home loafer soldiers that cling to McClellan now. There was a sort of something about ' Little Mac ' that deprived him of a fruitful victory ; I think him a great general, and I think they removed him at the wrong time, just in the midst of a campaign, thus occasioning a delay hurtful to the cause. McClellan and Fremont are of little consequence only as they affect the cause of our country, and I do think the former's removal at such a critical time, when the whole army adored him {Tribune correspondents to the contrary not- withstanding), has affected to some extent a good, loyal feeling in the army, and there is not so much fight in our ranks now, as there was be- fore, for we feel as if the fighting at home, the constant removal of gen- erals, the elections in New York, Philadelphia, and Ohio, and the prob- able quarrels in the approaching ses- sion of congress, all tend as a draw- back to the doings of the army. " I only hope his removal will set things right ; time will show. I think my opinion of ' McClellan at Antietam' is exactly set forth in a piece of that heading in the ]S[eu' York Tribune of a few weeks since ; I expressed myself to the same effect in letters home just after the fight. The talk about there not being much enthusiasm at McClellan's last re- view, is all bosh ; such a reception by the different regiments I never saw given to any man, and it is no more than true, that in no man will FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. 151 the army place that implicit con- fidence that it did in George B. McClellan. I cannot account for it, but his presence was magical. . . . We may be ordered to move at almost any moment; the ' rebs ' are over across the river, and we are over 100,000 strong ' en masse ' to the river on this side ; we have a commanding position, and Fredericksburg is at our mercy. There are many reports as to an order for its surrender, and an armistice granted for thirty days just afterwards ; also about the rela- tive strength of the batteries planted on either side, and our being ordered forward with twelve days' rations toward Richmond, and the commence- ment of our laying our pontoons, etc., etc., but not knowing anything about cannot get different in this, the enemy's country; as for forage, we are not allowed even that ; they guard all secesh property, rather than run the risk of having one Union Southern man (I have not seen them yet), lose a single chicken ; as for the weather being delightful, and stoves being in our tents, and the army being urgent to move forward, and everything be- ing lovely, as the 'army correspon- dents ' make it out, it is a base lie. '' When we first got here we were all out of grub, and the teams being in the rear, we could n't draw our rations, and for a day and a half I only had a cup of coffee, two hard- tack (which I bought), and some crumbs in the bottom of my haver- sack ; now I am flush again with our them, I shall say nothing peculiar line of provisions, and shall We had an awful disagreeable march, commencing Sunday night before we started, (Gene started Sunday morn), the day he was to come and see us. "We were wet through night and day, and slept in mud and water ; we suffered also from cold and want of food, teams not coming up until after our rations had expired ; the weather was so cold that we ate more, and indeed, what we get on the march is n't enough for us, twelve crackers a day, salt pork, (most of the time with us), and two spoonfuls of sugar and coffee each. Why, I ate twelve hardtack yesterday at dinner I was so hungry ; it takes a good deal of such stuff to keep the blood warm enough to engender sufficient bodily heat for existence, and you would laugh to see me eat raw pork, hard-tack, and drink black, pot coffee now ; I have had to come to it, for I celebrate to-day with a hearty dinner. " We may have some fresh meat, for they are killing over in the butcher's department ; Ed Morrill fell out of the ranks of his company with a sore foot (wounded at Antietam), and our regiment overtook him on the march, much to the pleasure of us all. He stayed with us two days, riding in an ambulance belonging to our corps. His foot is inflamed by a severe cold in it, and he will be obliged to go to the hospital again." "November 28, 1862. " Bob was sick last night suffering from headache and pain in his stomach ; while returning this morn- ing from the brook, he was seized with a violent cramp in his stomach? and while crawling into his tent, his breath Was almost taken away from him ; I turned around and saw him gasping, and by signs he told me IS2 FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. what was the matter; we got him out of the tent, and I rubbed his stomach with hot cloths until he re- covered, during which process he suffered excruciating pain. After- wards his stomach was sore, and he has had a dull headache until now, but at this time seems quite well, up and walking about as usual. . . . Captain T. is dismissed from the ser- vice ; dishonorably discharged. . . After finishing my letter to father yesterday. Bob and I thought of going to see Gene ; we procured a pass and started. After walking five miles on the railroad to Falmouth, (now com- pleted, and in running order, insuring a speedier delivery of both rations and mail), we passed to the left towards Sumner's headquarters and obtained a grand sight of Fredericks- burg ; could see their wagons and military works. After inquiry, got to Burnside's headquarters, a mile from Sumner's, and soon reached the provost guard, Eighth Infantry; Gene was gone, and Frank with him ; it was almost one o'clock, and our pass expired at four with provosts all about us to arrest jmt dch ; we waited until two o'clock, in the mean- time being politely treated by Gene's officers (and I notice this in the regu- lars, they are always very courteous to their friend's friends ; invite them to drink, etc., etc., a sort of etiquette with them), and was about to start for home, when Gene rode in ; he seemed so glad to see us ; got us bread and apples to eat, and gave me a shave, and made everything com- fortable for a short visit ; he had been over to General Sykes'. We read father's long letter over (on Gen- eral McClellan, etc.), and discussed it, I side with father, Gene obsti- nately hanging to his whims, Bob neutral. . . . " . . . . Gene urgently in- vited us to stay to dinner (at 5 o'clock, for Gene and Frank mess together, and have two meals, one at morn and at night), a Thanksgiving one too, but Bob and I dared not, think of the self denial just to obey orders, and at 3 o'clock, after a pleas- ant visit, started for camp. Gene gave Bob some smoking tobacco and promised to come and see us to- morrow, with sutler's stores with him. We were afraid to stay mainly for this, that we might get lost return- ing at night, having in our minds a new way to get to camp. " We came away loaded with hard- tack, which with our rations drawn now, makes us well off; we hated to leave but had to. On our way home we struck the Thirty-fifth (Mass.), and I saw W. N. and others ; I ate supper with Haze Goodrich. It was my Thanksgiving feast; very unex- pectedly I assure you ; it consisted of sardines, chicken soup, flapjacks^ hard bread and coffee. Well! we got home late, and everything is lovely now ; we expect Gene to- morrow .... Sunday." November 30, 1862. •'It is bitter cold to-day. Bob and myself were on guard last night, and being on the first relief, had to stand our relief altogether in the night; all the while I was on the first relief in front of the colonel's tent, I had many things to look upon that kept my mind in constant occupation. FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. 153 "Thene were big fires in all the tents and candles in abundance, while the poor privates were without either. That furnished material for one hour's thoughts, and then I saw their supper carried into the tents for them, and smelt the savory odor of good things therein ; that was another comparison to the poor fellows who lay near me in their camp streets, eating their salt pork and hard bread, and on Thanks- giving day; while Acting-Brigadier 'Betty' Barnes and his staff were eating their dinners of geese, turkey and fixings, the privates of the Thirty-second Massachusetts were trying to buy hard bread at the brigade commissaries, within ten feet of their mess tent ; that is abominable, yet I do not mean to say our food is not suitable, for it is the best the government can give us, and of the best material and kind, when you remember the trans- portation and everything concerned; they can't possibly give us any other kind of gruh, although I never lose an opportunity to better it, when a chance presents itself. " But it is hard to cut us short, and keep us without hard-tack, when it is in abundance at the commissary to sell, while officers are faring like princes. " We are drawing beans, rice and molasses to-day, and candles are coming. It would make your heart bleed almost to see our poor fellows digging in the dirt, and getting wood for chimneys to officers' fireplaces, and to-day, Sunday, (the president's request to the contrary notwithstand- ing), a fatigue party is making a fireplace and chimney for the colo- nel's tent, and against their will too, for many of them, I observe, are Christian men, who attend regularly the prayer meetings and live a good life, and besides all the every day fatigue. " We are liable at a moment's notice to be called by the colonel and staff to cut wood for their com- fort. I imagine they have no right to do the latter, for they draw their full pay .... and are ex- pected to hire servants ; neverthe- less, we suffer by it, and contribute wholly to their pleasure. Even in bringing wood for them, we have to bring it up from the woods, while other regiments have it brought by their teams. In the Thirty-fifth, company wood is drawn by horses. I am my own horse and many a time have made an ox of myself in carry- ing prodigious loads on my shoul- ders .... "Many there are in this regiment who, if they follow out their Mc- Clellan ideas of right, and after talk- ing as they do, play the white feather on the field, will find my bayonet in them as quick as a reb'el private's. They must be patriotic, or else the day is lost, and one man playing false to his country is death to many a patriot's endeavor on the day of battle ; there are many such in our army, and it is almost a crime for an honest, freedom-loving spirit to speak itself forth at the camp-fire urging on for the cause, and for war to the knife. "He is then beset by men in authority, who are his inferiors in most every kind of knowledge and IS4 FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. together, they try to bear him down, " We were on guard from 5 to 7, and many are the epithets given to 11 to i, 5 to 7, and to-day, 11 to I ; him as he strives for the mainte- now we are at the guard house (the nance of his doctrine ; he is called open air), and I am writing on a an abolitionist, Charles Sumnerite, cracker box, sitting on a log; to- and even Massachusetts democrats morrow we go on fatigue, the usual seek to insult him by saying he is a custom. John Andrewite. Wait until the "Oh! if it wasn't freezing be- day of the fight .... I will tween the hours of 11 and i; I remember the foe in camp who hates believe I walked fifteen miles in my his country, and thinks her not three tours of two hours each ; I worth fighting for, and says that streaked it lively back and forth on nigger freedom is the object of this my beat, and this morning the war. ... I will remember him, ground was white with frost. Don't and if he falters from deliberate be alarmed about Bob, from my last cowardice, I will make him step up, letter to mother, of Friday's date ; or into him I go, bayonet first and he is quite well now, his attack being bullet afterward. only temporary ; when I first began ■' I am for Judge Holt and his to rub him, the pit of his stomach views as expressed to Collector Var- was sunken in, making a large ney in a recent letter, and you can't cavity, while just above there was a imagine how such letters from home hard bunch, just like rock, as big as serve to cheer us up; how often my head; it seemed as if his intes- would I despond were it not for kind tines were all bound up in a bunch ; words and ceaseless endeavors for however, he is cured now, and seems our comfort. Every letter is so full well. of love, and mother's pen seems to " I do pity any one sick here with- speak in every line of such inex- out friends ; I have weighed your pressible affection for us. It is words well ; that is the way it is, enough to make a stout heart melt, father, there is no sympathy for a and I can never read a message from poor sick man. At the hospital it is you without emotion. If it requires worse for him than it is in his tent, nothing but the elements to remind for there they use him shamefully, you of us, so steady and unceasing is LeRoy Kimball arrived to-day, and your thought of us. . . . although he is looking finely, I " .... If every soldier could think he says he has the diarrhoea ; see at home a friend like you, how we were glad to see him I assure their hearts would rejoice, and yet you. I shall never forget the night Governor Andrew is of the same we enlisted, and the speech you kind. I know full well that the made ; that speech will live with me senate has a soldier's friend in its forever, as it showed your regard for seats when you make your debut ; us, and every letter brings fresh would they were all as patriotic as proof of your anxiety for us. I hope you. we may live to return ; what a happy FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. '55 greeting it will be. I think your rebel wagons. Captain Frank was up letter to Gene, Bob, and myself sim- to Sumner's headquarters, and with ply perfect. ... I never read the aid of a glass, could see them at such a good letter from you before, work upon the redoubts ; I think we As soon as McClellan gets must move soon, and then for a cleaned out, why this stuff comes bloody fight. We are making every from their lips, and it leaks away in preparation, and for my part, I am streams, and is swallowed by the willing to risk my life in the encoun- humblest private who spits it out ter just to please the croakers at again. Just as soon as ' Mac' is re- home, who insist upon our, making a moved, all this talk about there ' winter campaign.' I want this being no fight in the array, abolition- thing closed up, and if it cannot be ists, etc., leaks out ; it must certainly done without fighting, I say fight ! have emanated from the fountain . . . till the quarreling, wrangling head. Your letter is most splendid ; politicians are satisfied that we can't it ought to be read all over the land, fight any longer. . . . One thing Rumor of a move. ... is certain, it can never be settled so Good-by." long as they conduct things as they Our brother Rob now says : liave been doing for the past year. Dec. 3, 1862. " There have been too many traitors "It is a cold, dismal afternoon. . . at home, too much fighting among Of course ere this reaches you, Walt ourselves, too much cheating, too will have communicated the news, much shoving out of generals, etc. rumors, etc., etc., as we get them. Of to ever hope to succeed. There our Thanksgiving visit to Gene, and never was a more intelligent, self- the Thirty-fifth, and our march to this sacrificing army in the world, but camp, lack of food, etc., so that I will how can it hope to succeed when it is not repeat. Gene seems to think held back by an unseen agency, as it more and more of us. . . . and were .? But I must hold my wind, seems to take pride in introducing us for lam cold and must finish Monday to his "West Point chums, and in vari- morning." ous ways shows his kindness and " On the morning of December ist, brotherly love for us ; yet he is sharp when a movement of any kind was and quick in his manner, having furthest from our minds, the call sud- changed greatly from the time when denly rang out. . . . '■ Pack up." we were brothers and sisters in the Down went our shelter tents, and we good old city of Portland. . . If were on the march in short notice, you could see him in the army, and Our destination, as usual, we did not the way he lives as a regular officer, know, but supposed we were going you would not wonder. ... I on picket. The entire brigade and passed my first Thanksgiving from a battery went. After marching home in a profitable and pleasant about five miles, at a very rapid gait, manner ; we could look into the we knew it was no picket detail. Still streets of p-redericksburg and see the we went on, going back to near our & iS6 FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. 'Mud Camp' at Hartwood Church. We moved into the woods. No noise was allowed, neither bugle calls nor fires, and we 'munched' our crack- ers in moody silence. "We lay at night, in a wet, marshy piece of woods, through which ran a ravine. Pickets were sent out, and our Cavalry brought in a prisoner. On the following morning, we had just got breakfast, when orders came to pack up with all possible despatch. "Some of the boys remarked that 'Old Betty B.' . . . had got frightened and was going back to camp, and so it proved, and such marching, mile after mile through woods and under brush, across mud- holes, almost at a double quick, before a halt was made. " Then we swung out again, and at a terrific pace, kept on until we reached camp, the entire command much ex- hausted. Many were the curses loud and deep, that trailed through the air that day. It was called a reconnoi- sance, and we let it go at that, but we have never understood to this day, what the home movement was, nor the necessity for such barbarous, up and down hill 'double quicking,' with but one halt in a march of nearly ten miles. "This movement was in support of a reconnoisance which Gen. W. W. Averell, commanding cavalry brigade, had been directed to make with two regiments of his command to Grove Church, Deep Run, and that vicinity, to reestablish the picket line which Captain Johnson of the Third Penn- sylvania cavalry is said to have per- mitted to be surprised, and a part of them to be captured near there on November 28th, and to attack and destroy any force of the enemy's cavalry found there, supposed to be- long to Gen. Hampton's command. " The man captured was an old Mexican war veteran, who belonged to a company of confidential scouts ; he stated that there was a system of signals established by men on horse- back so that information could be conveyed very rapidly from point to point. " The enemy had, however, by this method, or, perhaps, by the fires which some of our men had made in the woods, been frightened off, and were beyond reach. (Rebellion Rec- ords. Also History of Fifth Corps, W. H. Powell, P. 364-66.) Our letters say : " While on fatigue, the call came, ' pack up.' Down went tents, and we were on the march in a short time. Our destination we did not know as usual, but supposed we were going on picket; the whole brigade went. After marching five miles, we thought picketing was played out, and still we went, going way back 10 or 11 miles to the place where it rained so and was so muddy ; went into the woods ; no hugling, no fires, and nothing to eat but crackers ; lay that night in a wet, marshy piece of woods. Our cavalry brought in a rebel scout, captured about three miles from our position. The next morning, (yesterday), we went II miles through woods, across mud holes and brush, back to camp ; and such marching ! We never halted but once, a short stop of ten minutes. It seemed as if they could not make us go fast enough ; up hill and down as fast as we could. The boys swore FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. 157 dreadfully, I never heard such oaths. It was a shameful, cruel, and barbar- ous trick to march men so; worse than a drove of cattle ; but what does a Brigadier care for a private ? We got back tired, sweaty, dusty and used up ; just pitched our tents when Gene came riding up. He noticed my dirty face instantly ; told him to come (to- day) to-morrow, and I would shine as much as he. He asked after our wants, kindly told us there was a prospect of moving across soon, and after a short, but pleasant visit, left for headquarters. " I was on guard Saturday night ; it was awful cold, and as I paced my lonely beat in the midnight hours, oh ! how I did think and think of home. ... I thought of mother, who, although pale, care-worn and anxious for her soldier boys, now is bowed down with a new grief, that of the death of a brother. . . . Poor Mother! I sympathize with her in her loss, and as I tramped up and down that night, it seemed as if I could see her sitting up and waiting tor us to come. . . . Walt wants to write a few lines, and I will close." "December 3, 1862. " .... It is evening, and we have finished our supper, coffee, hard bread and boiled tongue that I bought from the butcher and coo"ked; are seated for the first time in this camp, in our tent, with a candle light, and a poncho covering in front, drawn to- day, and an extra occupant, LeRoy, who, as yet, has no tent, and we crowd him in with us. . . . Rest as- sured, in the tent to-night, we are all fondly thinking of you at home. Baked beans in the morning ; good times are coming at last, and we are living well after much tribula- tion." "December 4, 1862. "Verily, it needs not the rain, or the sunshine, the storm or the calm, to speak to you in words concern- ing us, for it seems one continual thought with you, to have an un- ceasing regard for our welfare, and always ' Wah and Bob ' are subjects of your own voluntary goodness. We could not feel it in our hearts to ask that which you do for us both in word and deed, we can scarcely acknowledge in fitting words ; we Can only thank you, dear father, as- suring you that although we some- times forget to mention it, we are susceptible to all its kind intent, showing as it does your love for your soldier hoys., which we can never repay. . . . Your few words in mother's letter have been read, and meaning noted. ". . . Our situation is still the same, in camp before Fredericks- burg ; the Lord knows when we shall advance, yet the greater part of the army, who are sick of strife, are satisfied to remain inactive, even in winter quarters, which are not yet officially announced. I am not; I want to go ahead, or else stop for winter ; we have poor shelter for the present cold weather, and I hate to to live in expectation ; if we are go- ing to stop. I want to build a winter shanty ; if not, I wish to see the enemy, and force from him his right (as he thinks) to secede, and there- by give freedom to the slave, and 158 FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. hereafter have a true land of liberty. What a lack of interest in the cause the privates in the arnny have. To their shame be it said, two thirds Bob's shoes are out, and he has drawn a pair of government bro- gans (gun-boats). Mine are like adamant. ... I have lost all would leave for home to-day, if they my Sharpsburg feeling of laziness. were allowed, and leave things as they are, and give the rebel govern- ment the victory, and a place among the nations of the earth, an estab- and languor, and can work with a will; cold weather agrees with me. . . . LeRoy is back ; has been making a bridge ; there is to be a lished revolutionary nation, in the grand review to-morrow by General face of the mighty north, and that, too, by force of arms. Burnside. We are all in our tent now with our new poncho up in "It is disgraceful and unworthy a front; we have eaten a dinner of civilized power, and yet I believe it beef soup and hard bread ; and how to be a fact, from what I have seen. How I wish every man was like Thomas Francis Meagher in the often we have spoken of home dur- ing our frugal meal. LeRoy talks continually of B. . . . longing army, and led by the ilnll of Mc- to get home. Webster has been Clellan (for I believe he was com- petent, only his politics and feelings detailed to go in a pioneer corps of the regiment, to form with de- made him go in for a do-nothing tails of other regiments in the bri- policy, or rather soft patriotism, in gade, a brigade pioneer corps, who the compromising line), and influ- carry with their other duds, axes, enced by the fighting spirit of Joe shovels, and picks, to clear the way, Hooker. I don't want 'Mac' at make bridges, etc., etc. ; he doesn't the head, but a man with his ability like the idea of it. . . . It has to do (if he chose), but different feel- commenced to snow now, and it ings. I am waiting for better things bids fair to be a long storm ; we soon. . . . Our quartermaster has are pretty comfortable though, for gone to Washington to look after all we are prepared in having our tents regimental and company boxes. The pitched before it came along." result of his labors is already at Ac- quia Creek Landing: all the boys are sending for boxes. I hardly think "December 6, 1862. " We had a hard day's march to our it will pay, for Gene says we shall °^^ "lud-hole, and a tough one back ; move soon surely. Yesterday two mince pies came hy mail ; they looked so tempting." Mother, be cheerful, and I suppose it was deemed necessary that we should have one more look at the place, or else it was thought advisable that we have exercise derive comfort from the assurance ^'"^ ^ '°^^ "" o"'' ^^"'^^ ' ^e went that your boys, a gallant quota from '^" ™|'^^ '" '^ree and one fourth the family, a quartette of heroes per- "°"''S- Jiaps still live, and loving her of old Our brother in the artillery now are fighting for the flag. . . . writes a short letter : FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. '59 "Fort Tillinghast, December 8, 1862. "Captain Sargent just received your letter, and as I am not sick, but very well indeed, I hasten to answer, but can only write a note, as I am on guard, and have to go on my beat shortly. I received the splendid box which you sent, and I have had a feast I can tell you. . . . I in- vited several Portland boys to dine with me Thanksgiving day, among whom was the sergeant-major of the Twenty-fifth Maine, and he gave me quite a puff in the Portland Argus. Do you hear from the boys now ? I have thought of them about all the time for a day or two, as it has been very cold, the snow being quite deep; I have suffered considerably in my tent from cold, and do n't know what I should have done if it had not been for the quilt which you sent me ; how must it be with them ? Lewis sends his love, and is very much obliged for his stockings." Our brother Walter now says : In Camp Near Falmouth, December 10, 1862. " To-morrow we cross the Rappa- hannock at daybreak, and you know what awaits us there ; I have only time left to write once more. Your messages were so good, and you were so thoughtful of your soldier brothers, that I cannot let this last opportunity pass unimproved, without acknowledging it all ; besides I want to let you all know at home that we start for the field with high hopes and anticipations, both for the cause and ourselves; I cannot believe that I shall never see you again, and yet I am counting the cost ; I wish to write once more before I go, and this is a good chance. Your letters were in every way calculated to cheer us. . . . That's the kind of let- ter that does us good, and we do thank you for them so much. . . . I hope I may in some way repay in the same coin by writing this letter, short though it may be, at this time, on the eve of starting on a great tour of great results, and of great concern both to ourselves and to those at those at home. ... I have no news to write, for I know of no great events. . . . Eugene rode up to-day to bid us good-by ; he is under orders to move, and Gen- eral Patrick said that the Eighth had got to make a dash, and if so. Gene will go in ; he said that he was under orders to move so soon that he might not see us for some time, and so he rode over to give us a parting word ; I hope no evil will befall him, or either of us, but that we may meet again as full of regard for each other as ever. "I was on guard last night at bri- gade headquarters, and as I stood on my heat at three o'clock this morn- ing, freezing with the cold, I couldn't help thinking of how comfortable you .are at home, and yet it is better that you should never know or see all that happens in this army, for if you did, you couldn't rest a single night, it would work upon your feelings so. Better be happy at home, not know- ing the miseries of this vast con- course of men, than to be miserable constantly over all the horrors of this life. " I saw things last night that would f 6o FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. have made your hearts freeze if you after a long march and hard battle? had been witnesses ; such sufferings The ground freezes as solid as it does I never beheld. Nightly the camp at home in Bradford. We have per- showeth forth the wickedness of men, feet spring days, thaws in the raorn- and the treatment of horses and ing, mud at noon, and winter at night, mules ; the condition of some of " The snow has all melted, and we these animals (I saw a mule with his had just commenced to get ready our right fore leg kicked all to pieces by winter quarters when this order another horse, and as the joint-water reached us; you ought to see the oozed out, he groaned with pain forests disappear by the soldier's axe ; most hideously; he was dead this Virginia will be cleared by the strong morning, — no one to help, and I could arms of Northern laborers if we con- not leave my post) ; the cattle-pen tinue much longer on its ' sacred full of poor oxen, cold and hungry, soil'; we will hope for the best on walking about in the midst of offal this active campaign. I am thankful and leavings of their dead comrades, that I enter upon it in perfect health, soon to be shot in the morn, before and I pity the man who does not, for the rest, and dressed in the same he is certain to (have) acute suffer- pen of butchery ; it is perfectly hor- ings. You will find many blunders rible; and the sick and care-forsaken in my letters ; lam getting uncivil- men who have no one to look after ized, and forgetting all I ever knew; them as they near their end; oh, how what wonder is it, in the midst of many they lie in their poor tents, such scenes as we are .'' If we are and have to rise and walk, when at perfect brutes, I shall not wonder, home they would be considered crazy . . . And now good-bye, father, to do it. mother, sisters ; to advance is neces- " But enough of this! I am not sary, and why delay.? It is sudden following your example. I will close to us at this time, for we have been the vielancholy story, rendered so deluded with vain hopes of staying ; much more awful by actual sight, by I know not when you will hear from hoping that you will never see the me again, but rest assured that every like of it, that a land of peace may opportunity shall be improved to in- be yours, and that war may be far form you all of my health and good away from your immediate vicinity, spirits, and you well know that my so that its horrors may be heard of face will be to the foe, and as I march but not seen. along to Richmond, my thoughts " We have days of severe trial to shall be with you all, and I shall go through now, for how can we always be as ever your loving son pitch our tents these cold nights, and brother, Walt." [TO BE CONTINUED.] FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. 223 homesick. I have never been heard after Johnston. Some of the One by a single person to utter one word Hundred and Thirty-seventh New of complaint. I have been perfectly York came into our tent ; they seem contented, and now I long to get to be very fine fellows. Bread- back to my compan}'. Next to selling has commenced again. To- home, that is the place to be. I bacco is quite cheap. The prison- am not glad that there is a prospect ers ha\'e had no rations whatever, of laying in camp parole. Only July 22. — Very warm to-day; one meal to-day. about eight hundred more came in. July 21. — About four hundred Some of the Fourth Maine ; among men from Pennsylvania and Mis- them was Bill Collins. He looked the sissippi and Tennessee arrive, same as ever, — the same old rough- Grant has driven Johnston out of hewn block. About dark we left Mississippi into Alabama. Rose- Belle Isle and went over to Libby. cranz on the move, and a very busy I tell you it was a happy night, time in the southwest. The ac- Twenty-seven days have I been in counts of those from Grant's army Richmond, and I tell you it was are very interesting. Vicksburg the dreariest four weeks I ever surrendered at 10 o'clock, the 4th, spent. Can buy bread along the and at daylight the 5th, Grant was streets, and blackberrj' pies. FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. By Captain Robert Goldthwaite Caj-ter, U. S. Army. The Battle of Fredericksburg, of Fredericksburg, by war corres- pondents, who were in the streets Moral and Physical Status of the Army ^ , . , . -Thanksgiving-Patriotic Letters— of the City, or on the north side of The Advance— On the Plains of Staf- the Rappahannock river ; by histo- ford-Cheerful Gleam on a Dark ^..^^^ ^^^ ^^^^ -^^ neither place ; Night— Raid ON Tobacco— Crossing THE • , „ , PoNTooN-A Bleached-out Coon-In by " our artists on the spot, who Knight's Brick Yard— A Solid Shot were not on the Spot, and by offi- -" Left Fkont into Line! "-The Charge ^^^.^ ^^ ^^^, ^ .^^^ ^^^^ — Foraging Amongthe Dead— Shelter!?) ■'. , , for skedaddleks-Enough is as Good the commanding general down to as a Feast— Night upon the Battle junior subalterns, in print and out, Field-Sunday in Line of Bati-le- ^Q^gj-ing every possible point, from Breastwork of Dead Bodies— The , _ °. {■ r . Night Carnival-Scenes and Incidents the first inception of the campaign, —A Jewelry Store— An Anxious Night with subsequent plan of battle, to -A Terrible Storm-The Retreat. ^^ minutest tactical manoeuvre; Much has been said, sketched, giving the dispositions of corps, and written about the great Battle divisions, brigades and battalions- 224 FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. all valuable, and contributing in no small degree to the future historian's labors, who is _vet to sift this mass of material, so that it shall be a truthful and accurate account, em- bodying all that shall be useful to the military student, and rejecting whatever may smack of misrepre- sentation, high coloring, or exag- geration. It is the purpose of the writer, however, to give some per- sonal incidents of the Battle of Fredericksburg, with no embellish- ments ; not as coming from the com- manding general, the war corres- pondent, the artist, or historical critic ; nor even covering the plan of battle, the tactical or strategical points, but a plain, unvarnished statement of facts, given from the standpoint of a private soldier. General McClellan had been re- lieved ; General Burnside had as- sumed command ; the " nine days" wonder," that had come upon every- body, even General McClellan himself, like a thunderbolt, had been freely discussed fro and con around the camp fires during tiiose cold, frosty, or drizzling November nights of 1862. The president never knew wliat a strain was put upon the loyal Army of the Poto- mac ; commanding officers of corps, divi.'^ions and brigades, and officers of high rank, never knew, perhaps tlie country will never know. It was certainly a most danger- ous move, as many who were in the ranks can even to-day testify, and no act of the government tested the loyalty and devoted patriotism of the majority of our noble army to the last notch as the relieving of George B. McClellan at White Plains, Va., on November 7, 1862. He himself says: "The order depriving me of the command cre- ated a deep feeling in the army, so much so that many were in favor of my refusing to obey the order, and of marching upon Washington to take possession of the govern- ment." " The half has never been told ! " Night after night about the bivouac tires, the bitter debates and rancor- ous discussions ran high. It was not understood in the ranks, and the sequel could not be foreseen. The advent of extreme cold weather now upon us, and the pros- pects of a winter campaign ahead, failure to secure the fruits of Antie- tam, with its negative results, and the jealousies and heart burnings of the Pope campaign, all had combined to contribute their demor- alizing effects to the rank and file, and were among the chiet causes of dissatisfaction, discontent, and ominous growling which occurred then and later. Much bad blood had been engen- dered, not infrequently resulting in personal encounters, in a general scattering of coffee dippers, and ends of rails, the fire being put out, and the men going to their cheerless bivouacs in the mud sul- len and almost disheartened. Vol- umes could be filled with the hard words, grumbling, growling, the heat and passion of arguments, and useless bickerings at the bivouac fires about Warrenton, but at last, FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. 225 discipline, loyalty, and a better gone into its camps about Fal- feeling prevailed. mouth, Va. Ours, near Stofie- All these active forces had now man's Switch on the west side of the set the private soldiers in ranks to railroad. It was known as "Smoky thinking for themselves, and there Camp." The almost coundess was a strong division of opinion as camp fires made of green oak and to whether McClellan could longer cedar, caused great volumes of acrid be set up as the idol of the army, smoke to constantly hang over us, which from that time on, induced a and so near the ground that it made more healthy reaction from the old one's eyes smart night and day. Peninsula days. There was no air stirring, and General McClellan says: "My the smoke shifted without rising, chief purpose in remaining with the from point to point, and drove us army as long as I did after being about on the arc of a circle, until relieved was to calm this feeling, in daylight welcomed us with a return- which I succeeded." ing warmth of the sun and the The writer desires to diverge for busy duties of camp made us partly a brief moment, and state that while forget our miseries. General McClellan's personal influ- We were still in our little " dog " ence may have stayed the insubor- tents, pitched on the hard frozen dinate feeling that was prevalent ground. They are airy without be- about headquarters, it was, never- ing spacious. They hold three men ; theless, the intelligent action of the ours held four by expansion out of college and school boys, the rank charity to a poor fellow just from and file of the volunteer regiments the hospital who was sick and had about those bivouac fires, that no tent. There were no telephones quelled the mutinous sentiment in and, if in the night one forgot his the ranks, and not all of that army promise and turned over, a nudge •would have moved on Washington or thump, started from the outside at the command oj any military man, indicated that all were to ac- dictator. The republic was safe in cept the inevitable and " lop over." the hands of such intelligent patri- The shelters were filled with otism. A careful reading of our cedar boughs; a log was rolled to letters, will, he thinks, bear him each side, pegged in place, and ■out in this assertion. The early banked with earth; the blankets and violent snow storm had be- were spread, the rubber on cedar numbed our bodies; the march boughs, the woollen on top, as far through the mud and rain of that as they would' go, the outside men ever rhemorable stormy season had getting little indeed, especially in taken out some of the fire and spirit the haste and scramble of a " turn of the rank and file, and the Army over." of the Potomac had floundered out If a man was too cold during the on comparatively dry land and night, he quietly arose, left his bed. 226 FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. and unbuttoning the front poncho, covered the plain, froze hard and hastened to the cook-house b}' the stiff at night, only to be thawed by fire, where he was sure to find sev- the next day's sun into a vast skat- eral midnight ghouls, as boon com- ing-rink, over which we skated, panions who, like himself, had lost slipped, and slid, in our efforts to overcoat or blanket, and were at- move from one camp to another, tempting to down their misery at the collecting as we went, much valu- fire, and gain a little comfort by able Virginia soil, which we did smoking, growling, and casting re- not scruple to deposit wherever and flections upon the government, the whenever convenient, commanding general, the "con- Many were suffering from chronic traband," or somebody, they cared diarrhoea, caused by eating so much little whom, who had placed them raw pork on the march, and drink- in such a " d d miserable fix ing water from the hard limestone as this." springs about Sharpsburg, adding These midnight grumblings gen- greatly to the burden of discom- erally wound up by one or two forts which would naturally unfit burning their well-worn blue pants us mentally and ph3'sically for a to a rich brown, as a puff of wind Thanksgiving feast, or the great blew a stray flame their way, and campaign about to open, they crawled back to bed more mis- The weather was still raw, cold, erable than ever, for their tent gloomy, and disagreeable. The mates had generall}' managed to nights spent in our thin, inadequate appropriate the absentees' share of shelter, now filled with the almost the blankets, leaving them to the unendurable smoke referred to, were tender mercies of the outside of the keenly and most bitterly uncompro- tent, with no cover. mising. Drills, guard and picket duty, The new base of supplies was with an occasional reconnoissance to Acquia Creek. The Richmond the river fords, filled up the time and Fredericksburg railroad had during our three weeks' sojourn in been torn up, and while it was be- this camp. ing repaired, and for a few days November 27th was Thanksgiv- after we had arrived, our rations ing Day in the Army of the Poto- were non est. mac. It had rained, snowed, sleeted. Tired out with long marching, frozen and thawed alternately, near- pinched with cold, tortured with Iv ever}' day since our departure from smoke night and day, and almost Sharpsburg on the night of October famished with hunger, we. were in 31st. no mood to enjoy this glorious an- We were daily expecting to hear niversary day of our New England the welcome order to build log huts forefathers — of turkeys, geese, and make ourselves comfortable in mince-pies, etc., and of stomach- winter quarters. The mud, which stuffing and general good cheer. FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. 227 The kungry men were collected blessed influences of it, or a master- on their parades, shouting "Hard stroke of Burnside's may ease the tack! hard tack?" or fishing about North; I want a battle-cry and a in the mud, among the mules' feet, waking up, an enthusiastic survey and under the wagons, for the few of the whole field ; a rush, a tri- crumbs that might have jarred from umph, as shall gladden you all the empty wagons through the who love the flag, even though it cracks. cut the heart-strings of many fond A well picked and polished pork mothers as you, and break as dear bone, boiled with some of these a circle as ours. . . . muddy crumbs, comprised the sum . . . '^ It is a fact , father , that total of the writer's luxurious (?) if half the energy and go-ahead that dinner, followed by no dessert, nuts, is fut to the wheels of the officers' or raisms. -pleasure- and comfort-coach were Life at this period for the private directed to the great end for which soldier was indeed a burden, and a we are here, victory to our fag and great strain upon our youthful and dismay to our enemies would be the patriotic ardor. glorious result. . . . Such was the status, moral and . . . "The mud is deep, and it physical, of the gallant old Army is most uncomfortable both inside of the Potomac a few daj-s preced- and outside our tent; still we are ing the Battle of Fredericksburg; patriotic, and I am disgusted with yet extracts from our letters, even the poor dupes in our army, rank under this pressure of cold, hunger, and file, who curse the army, damn sickness, and adversity, have the the Abolitionists, and who think the true ring. fight has been won by the enemy " November 23d, Sunday eve, by when our little George B. McClel- camp-fire. — We are near to Fal- Ian lett us. I am for the cfl?^5e, and mouth and Fredericksburg, and unless the army is for it we shall have our fighting position. Our never be victorious. The whole tent is pitched, and for want of miserable twaddle comes from offi- candle light I am beside a flicker- cers first, and is sifted down to the ing fire, with my thoughts on two privates ; it may come direct from grand extremes, — my home, and headquarters ; I know it is abroad my country and her enemies. We as soon as ' Mac ' leaves, marched this morning from our last " I only wish for victory ; and to mudhole, and have paddled along gain it we must have a principle to the awful roads slowly, only eight fight for. miles to-day ; yet we have reached . . . " I am for pushing this mat- our base, and the enemy is on the ter ahead, and never faltering un- other side; I long to grapple with til, if necessary, every rebel hearth- him in deadly conflict, so that God stone is desolate, to secure our for- may give us the victory and the mer prosperity and bring about 2 28 FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. peace ; and my bones may moul- a small compensation for one's siif- der in Virginia if thereby one 'jot ferings. or one tittle ' is added to the good "I hate the life, and who does of the Federal army; and in view not among the private soldiers? of all these, my ideas, I say it is dis- And who of us ever dreamed we couraging to see things go on as should like it? Not one! On the they do. contrary, it was well represented to "Taking every difficulty into us before we left our dear homes, consideration (and I am no enthusi- how we might be compelled to un- ast on the subject of a fight ; I hate dergo all that we have now, and the sound of bullets as much as any much more besides; and while I other man, and I dislike strife of would much rather be at home, this kind as much as anyone; and with peace all over the land, and besides all this, I have had stories attending to my studies, yet now I of suffering and anguish poured am out here, such is our cause that into my ears, such as is harely pos- I want to fight it through to a vic- sible for the imagination to picture, torious, righteous ending, much less to be actually true; I "So far, I believe, I am a true have also seen sights most sicken- patriot, and I have taken m}' life in ing, and have heard prisoners re- my hands to meet the foe, and for late their Richmond trials, and sto- Freedom and the Old Constitution ries of horror), yet, with all these I will battle on. ills, as likely to be my lot in the "If an arm off or a leg shattered train of earthlj^ circumstances as increases one's value to that of ' a anyone's, I am for zfar and an im- Bank of England,' then indeed are mediate advance on the enenivs we four boys, \vitli such a father ■works'. Oh, for a Bonaparte to and motlier, a patriotic family, and lead us on, that thunder-bolts might it is enough to spur anyone to high fall upon the stricken enemj' ! Oh, aims and noble deeds." for a campaign like his memorable Such was the youthful spirit of one of six days on his first Italian enthusiasm, yet truly patriotic sen- campaign ! Oh, that it were just timents of a bo}' in blue, a private as much an honor to belong to the soldier, one of four brothers in the •Army of the Potomac' as to the Army of the Potomac. It breathes proud 'Army of Italy ! ' and yet I fourth a spirit of high resolve and have confidence in General Burn- lofty purpose, in the midst of the side, if the morale of the army is depressing gloom which had settled improved. . . . upon the arm\', most wonderful by . . . "I believe I am patriotic; contrast, else why did I come out here? The pontoons arrived at last, so Surely, money could have been no had the enemy, and our pickets in object compared to the treasures I full sight of each other, were in left behind. And again, money is daily conversation, exchanging hard FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. 229 bread, coftee, and sugar for to- bacco, sent across the river on boats made of boards, propelled by paper sails. They told us the army was all there, and invited us to come over, which we politely declined until we were ready- Several times had we been notified to be ready to move at a moment's notice ; but they were camp rumors, and a blissful igno- rance of movements with which every private of that army was at all times endowed, deluded us with the vain hope that we would not Heights announced that the bom- bardment of Fredericksburg had begun. The column was soon moving in silence and darkness, over the hard, frozen ground, and two hours later, we were on the large plain, over- looking tlie river and city, near General Burnside's headquarters, where we lay under arms, the can- nonading becoming more and more terrific as the da\' advanced. The sun came out, thawing the mud as usual, and soon the plain was a huge, pasty quagmire, tram- sion have a fight after all. False delu- pled and kneaded by the thousands of troops moving hither and thither. About 4 p. m. we moved back nearl)' a mile, into some woods, wliere we bivouacked for the night, and being within a few hundred On Wednesday night, December loth, we received positive orders to hold ourselves in readiness to move in the morning. We had now been told this so many times, that we yards of headquarters, we started " turned in," taking perhaps, a for our brollier's tent, little more precaution that our car- A bright log fire blazed in the tridges (one hundred rounds per stone fireplace, a good hot supper, man) were all right, and our hav- withplent}' of hot biscuits and cof- ersacks, canteens, etc., were placed fee, cheered us up. The tent, after where we could readily reach them roming from the gloom, brightly in the dark, if chance should this lighted with candles, was cosy and time decree that we were to break comfortable, and added much to camp. Peaceful slumber reigned in our midst. There was about three inches of light snow on the ground. At 3 a. m., on the nth, the long drawn out and dismal '-general" or "pack up" call was sounded, and as the shivering men gathered about the innumerable fires in the keen, frosty air, to draw their cof- our general morale and good spirit. Our brother Walter sa3's : " In Gene's Tent, " Thursday Evening, "December 11, 1862. " We started from our old camp- ing ground at 3 o'clock this morn, and have been under arms all dav fee, sugar, hard bread and pork, long before Fredericksburg; the the boom ! boom! of the guns at cannonading has been perfectly aw- Falmouth and along Stafford ful. . . . Some of our troops 230 FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. are across ; we shall go in the morn. Some think a great fight will take We have been all day in the mud, place to-day. Eugene." and to-night have come to a piece Shortly after midnight, we of woods near Gene's quarters, and wended our way in the darkness Bob and myself are here. . . . through the lines of sleeping forms. We have had a good supper, and stepping softly as possible, that the have been sitting beside a fire and crackling sticks might not awaken talking about home. ' the wearied men, and took our " Gene has got your letter, and places among them in the silent we got three last night, with a bivouac. But not to sleep. ration of whiskcv. . . . We Our thoughts dwelt upon the are trained, father, and I have the morrow, with its fateful future. On animus to take me through. It is the following morning, the 12th, tough on the march, but we are we moved a little nearer the river, bound to put it through, best foot where we remained inactive all day. forward. If our general hard We had witnessed at a distance, all times were only enlivened by such the preliminaries of the day before ; pleasant intervals as the present, heard the deafening cannonading, oftener, with what a stout heart I could see the smoke, and liear the should go forward. But we are cheers and yells, and were told of well, and at this time full of good the call for volunteers to lay the ^fod.' Bob is better of his di- bridges in the face of a terrific fire arrhea, and is as happy as a clam from the sharpshooters. Our biv- to-night ; we are in for whatever is ouac while waiting for the order to before us to-morrow, and I bid you move, was on the farm of Mary, a last good night, assuring you of the mother of George Washing- our good cheer and well being, so ton. good-by, father and mother! All At dark the last round of mus- will be well with us, I feel confi- ketry had died away, and only the dent. Gene sends love, and so do occasional shot of some picket was we all ; I wish John was with us heard, and when we learned that to-night; wouldn't we have a jolly the gallant Nineteenth Massachu- quartette? .... Captain setts, and Seventh Michigan, had Frank is now in the tent; he is cap- crossed in the pontoon boats, and ital ; I don't wonder Gene likes were even now in the streets of the him." city, our enthusiasm broke forth in Our brother at headquarters adds ringing cheers : the following note : ^, . , ^ Cheer after cheer we sent them, " December 12. As only armies can, "We occupy Fredericksburg; Cheers for Old Massachusetts, Walt was over this morning before Cheers for Young Michigan. I was up, but he woke me ; he Saturday the 13th came, misty crosses the river this forenoon, and foggy, but at 9 or 10 a. m., it 232 FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. broke, the sun came forth, and it gain, asserted itself. Box after box proved a beautiful da}'. Soon we was fisiied out, some pretty wet on heard General Franklin's guns top, but the middle layers were still down the river, then skirmishing undamaged, and the stream of men across at the city, followed by the seen during the entire day with roar of our heavy guns on Stafford arms full of " Army and Navy Heigiits in their endeavor to reach Plug," was thus accounted for. the enemy's batteries, in rear of They were at once subjected to a Fredericksburg. running cross fire of criticism and The battle had commenced, "chaffing" which invariably' in- Sumner's Corps was all across, eluded tiie following category of being the first to gain a foothold, questions: "I sa}', partner, \\'here While lying on this muddy flat, and did you get that?" "How much listening to the turmoil of battle, did you give for it?" "Where's expectant and ready for our turn at the sutler?" " How much will an}' moment, our attention was at- ^•ou take for the whole lot?" etc., tracted to men passing our com- and occasionally some individual mand in regular procession, loaded bolder than his companions, and to the chin with large plugs of to- his mouth watering for that luxuiy bacco. of luxuries to an oldchewer, would The eves of our chewers grew shout, " Oh, don't be mean part- large, their faces wistful, and soon ner, give us a plug;" some was men might be seen stealing off in generously given away, some was the direction of the coveted treasure, sold, and eventuallv many hearts A short time before the bombard- and mouths made happy, ment, some of the large tobacco About two o'clock the order rang dealers in F , fearing that out " fall in ; " we knew what it they could have no facilities for meant. It took some time to reach transporting their stock to Rich- the pontoon bridge. Tiie enemy mond, in case of the occupation of turned their guns on our relieving the city, broke open large boxes of column, but somewhat sheltered by the precious weed, and tumbled the houses, we suffered no loss, them off the wharves into the river. Our heavy batteries played over determined to so bur}- it that the our heads. When crossing the " Yanks " should not have the ben- river a man rushed by us, just efit of it, at all events. coming out of the fight. He was Many thousand dollars' worth bareheaded, his face ghastly white, thus found a watery grave. Our both hands clutched his throat, and pickets had noticed this, and through his fingers the blood could marked that watery oTavc in their be seen fairly spurting. He grew iiiiiufs eye. No sooner was Sum- paler, weaker; he staggered and ner's advance across, than the fell upon the edge of the bridge, al- Yankee spirit and natural love for most into the water, and by the side FOUR BROTHERS IN. BLUE. 233 of our hurrying, anxious column, around the corner at full speed. Not one dared lend him the assist- At any other time this would have ance which he needed and be- called for the shouts of our men. seechingly implored. He must We crossed the canal on a bridge have run nearly a mile from where without knowing it, as we could he was shot, a strong illustration of not see the water. After a number man's tenacious hold upon life. of halts, we found ourselves in a We had crossed atthelower bridge, large brick-yard, called then and after passing down a deep-cut road that skirts the Washington farm. It is where the old ferry used to run, and a short distance above the steamboat wharf, at the lower end of the town. To the west of the end of the pontoon bridge was a rocky street leading up through two stone-faced walls. It is very nar- row, and is called " Rocky Hill." Taking the street next to the north, we soon reached Caroline (now Main) street. Filing right, we then moved to Princess Elizabeth street. As we turned this corner, filing left, we were immediately brought under a sharp fire from the enemy's guns controlling the cross streets. The first spherical case burst accu- rately in Company " F," but ten feet ahead of us. Three men went down as though by a lightning stroke, one shot through the lungs. An officer's servant, so black that char- coal would make a white streak on now Knight's brick-yard. The mud was thick, glutinous, and churned into the usual shape and consistency. Many piles of burnt brick were all about. Gen- eral Charles Griffin, that gallant and accomplished soldier, the origi- nal commander of the "WestPoint" Battery at the first battle of Bull Run, the skilful artilleryist who commanded a brigade at Malvern ,Hill, now commanded our division. He was omnipresent, cool, quick, magnetic, and inspiring. The en- emy had our range ; the bricks fiew ; the mud spirted ; the missiles came thick and fast. There was no room for deployment. A solid shot passed between our ranks ; a man next on our left (Stephen Fitts) sank like a log into the mud, with a groan, and the writer fell as if struck by the flat side of a board. Looking at him for a brief mo- ment, it flashed across me that he was shot through the body, while I his shiny face, was carrying a bas- got the effect of the wind. Taking ket on the sidewalk. This shell to a long breath, and satisfying my- him was 2i genuine sjirprise, for he self I was not hurt, I sprang to my was partly loping or shambling feet and pressed on. Now the knap- along, with no thought of danger, sacks and roils began to be cast Instantly he dropped the basket, off. sometimes a haversack heavy his sable countenance became a with precious food. We scrambled dirty, ashen hue, his eyes rolled in out of the yard, crossed the rail- his head, and he shot back again road and then the railroad cut, now 234 FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. a narrow-gauge road running to Orange Court House, through scores of wounded and dying men, bum- mers and stragglers, who had taken refuge there from the terrible fire, which now swept everything, and scrambling up the gravel embank- ment, debouched upon the plain. We were immediately subjected, for the first time, to t\\^ full effects of the most murderous fire the en- emy could concentrate. It seemed to have been especially renewed for us. The crest of the gravel bank was swept, and half blinded by dust and gravel thrown directly in our faces by the tempest of iron, we swept forward. Now the men commenced to fall. ment; he turned to the next man, who said, "This is awful; we better go forward 1 " We started up, expecting to receive some re- sponse, or at least to see him follow us, for the whole left of our line was now up and advancing with ringing cheers. The writer glanced at him. He had sprung up, but a thud, and his brains covered his face and were spattered about us. In that short interval (a brief sec- ond) a ball had penetrated his brain. He was gasping in that pe- culiar, almost indescribable way, that a mortally wounded man has. I shall never forget the pleading expression, speechless, yet implor- ing. We reached the next slight rise We were next to the left of a ' ("ow marked by a white board brigade of seven regiments. The command was given : " Fix bayo- nets ! " "Left front into line!!" "Double quick!!!" The right flank regiment was the pivot, and under this terrific fire we were fence), the line half crouching as it ran, and moving sideways., as though breasting a "blizzard" or a wind- and hail-storm in bluff" old New England. This slope was black with lines called upon to describe nearly the of battle lying flat on the ground, arc of a circle. We gained a slight over which hung the dense smoke rise, and as if by a common im- of battle. We moved quickly pulse, every man on the left sank through these masses, until we to the ground exhausted. met such a withering fire directly We hugged Mother Earth closely in our faces, from the stonewall on for a brief period, to gain our wind, the lower slope of the heights, just From here we could see Marye's below the Marye house, as to cause Heights, crowned with smoke and the line to recoil, then to break, flame, could hear the constant swish and finally, after one or two more and screaming, grating sound of the projectiles, as they burst accurately in front and over our line, knock- ing the dirt and sand into our very efforts, to fall back to the front line, where we were soon employed loading, firing, and cheering. There was hardly a thought for eyes. The writer was perfectly the dead and d3-ing lying every- rigid and cool from nervous excite-' where thickly about us. Some 236 FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. rebels had got into the houses over- •relieve j'our men," he quietly re- looking our position, just to our joined. It was Colonel Adelbert front, and from the second-story Ames, who afterwards commanded windows their sharpshooters were a division, and subsequently became now dealing death to our ranks, governor of, and United States sen- We directed nearl}'^ all of our shots ator from, Mississippi. He was in towards those windows. the class at West Point next pre- As the smoke lifted, the flashes ceding our brother's. We fell back •came thick and fast, and the heads through the lines a few yards. The popped in and out. The writer's Twentieth Maine swept forward, rifle soon became hot and foul from and as it was its first engagement rapid firing, and the rammer stuck, the rattle and roar instantly grew I could get it neither up nor down, furious. and without thinking whether the Our position was now along a rifle would burst, as soon as I saw board fence, skirting a sunken some heads I fired, rammer and all, road. This road cut our line of into the open window. The idea battle, and steep gravel banks struck me at the time, while wait- sloped down on either side. Our ing for another rifle, as supremely officers had crossed the road to at- ridiculous, this long rammer whiz- tend to a wounded brother officer, zing through the opening, per- and we were without a company chance impaling some astonished commander. The firing had lulled "Johnny '' to the wall, and I laughed somewhat, when suddenly a most aloud a nervous laugh. Once I terrific fire opened, with a blaze looked over my shoulder. I saw which dispelled the now fast ap- the Twentieth Maine, which was in proaching darkness. This was fol- our division, coming across the lowed by loud cheering and yelling, field in line of battle, as upon pa- We were in a very exposed po- rade, easily recognized by their sition, subjected to a terrible cross- new state colors, the great gaps fire. The shells, shot, and can- plainly visible as the shot and shell ister tore through the fence and tore through the now tremulous line, into the gravel bank directly in It was a grand sight, and a striking front of us. One shell burst in the example of what discipline will do road, directly on or near a mess- for such material in such a battle. kettle. The pieces of shell and Shortly after, a tall, slim colonel kettle came tearing up the bank coolly walked over our bodies, and into our ranks, carrying gravel " Who commands this regiment? " and splinters enough to almost he asked. Our colonel responded, cover our little band, now spread " I will move over your line and out in a vile spot, which had been * This cut road is shown on most maps, but three visits to the field, one in October, i8S6, another in October, i88g, and a third in 1895, failed to discover it, and my guide, who was a boy of fourteen at the time ■of the battle, did not seem to know its location. FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. 237 used frequently by distressed men in the midst of liiis uwful field of attending calls of nature. blood and suffering. Except an Many of our men were shot occasional heavy gun from the through the clothing. Our broth- Heights, a spluttering of muskety, cr's haversack was cut away, his or the occasional crack of a sharp- canteen was bored through and shooter's rifle, the hitherto inces- flung upon my body ; the water poured out over me, and in the blaze of the explosion, terrific noise and confusion, I suspected it was blood. For a moment mv heart choked in my mouth, mj' hand stole quietly down, I felt the water gurgling from the -perforated can- teen, and I again devoted all my energies to my making mj'self //;zV^- ner. " Who commands the company ?" came in precise, but sepulchral tones from the midst of the filth, debris, splinters, gravel, etc. The owner of the voice was Webster, frequently mentioned in this story ; he had been a schoolmaster falter- wards killed at Mobile, while gal- lantly charging with his command, a colored regiment). "I motion the ranking non-commissioned offi- cer take us out of here, or we will all be killed," slowly added the well modulated,buthalf smothered voice. "Blank! blankety blank!! lay down ! ! ! you d — d fool ! " said our first sergeant. A fresh bursting of sant roar had ceased. Those who had thrown away tlieir haversacks in the charge now proposed to go out " foraging," which meant a search for blank- ets, ibod, etc. We started, stum- bling over dead bodies and the wounded, every few steps. A hav- ersack belonging to an officer of the Twelfth Rhode Island, its for- mer possessor now stiff' and ghastly beside it, was the first trophy. We drew out pieces of hard bread, some silver spoons, and then in the bot- tom, a handful or two of hard bread crumbs, closely mixed with granu- lated sugar, which we thought a surprise. We commencd to eat for the first time since early morning. The first mouthful was enough to satisfy the most ardent admirer of all saccharine sweets. We sneezed, coughed, choked, spluttered and spit, until it seemed as though our tongues were on fire, and our throats burned out. Red -pepper had been a part of that officer's ra- tions. The package had broken, shrieking missiles, another shower and freely mingled with the sugar, of o-ravel, and a perfect roar of I went to where I had seen a lot of cheers drowned the schoolmaster's bodies lying by a well-curb near a voice, and as nobody responded, small house, in and behind which we still " held the fort." We had many skulkers from the fight had been under a perfect blizzard of fire met with terrible slaughter. It was for three hours. As darkness came literally torn to pieces with shell, on, we settled down quietly to rest and bodies, blood, hair, brains, 238 FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. and flesh strewed the floors and lines ambulances were rumbling; walls.* men were groaning, imploring, I found a full haversack, its own- screaming out for assistance, as they er's bod}' upon it. In the darkness slowly chilled. and stiffened to death. I rolled the cold, stiff' corpse away. Hundreds of dead and wounded lay thrust my hand in eagerly, and to thicklj' about us. No help for them mv horror, encounteied — not hard as they lay in the cold, clammy bread, but a paste of hard, clotted mud fast freezing about them. Not blood, mingled with flour. My for them affection's soothing hand, hand had plunged into the wrist, orlhe many nameless attentions of A large wound in the man's side loving hands. Several nearest us had been over the opening, and the were in the last agonies of death, blood pouring in had soon con- their harsh, distressed death-rattles, gealed-. A chill almost froze the sounding strangely on the midnight marrow in my bones ; mv teeth air. Drearily, with faint hope for came together with a snap, my hair the morrow ; exhausted, bleeding, slowly rose on end. I was all alone dying b}' inches, they must lie, with the dead, in utter darkness, their heroic efforts wasted in a upon the battle-field, and my hand useless sacrifice, dripping with cold, clotted life- In a little shed doorway, not ten blood. Hastily dropping my treas- feet from us, propped against the arc (?), I fled from the spot; I for- side, sat a man, his leg barely aged no more, for / was not huii- hanging by the skin, the blood fast gry again that night. We lay flowing from the untied arteries, down among the dead, upon the Life and hope were strong within cold, mire-trodden, death-strewn, him. He begged as I never knew and anguish-laden field that bitter, mortal man, for some one to take black December night, but not to him into the city. He said he knew sleep. he could be saved if we would only The scenes of horror, of dark carry him in. "Do for Heaven' s despair, and gradual death, in the sake cdLXvy me in, and not leave me piercing cold and darkness, can to die b}- inches ! I am freezing to never be described. Imagination death ! I will give filtv dollars, shrinks even from such a picture. 3es, one hundred dollars to any The actual, bare realiiy as we saw man." The long, cold night of it, can never be known or described, waiting, wishing, of hope and and scarcely approaciied. A low despair, wore his life away, for in murmur was at all times heai^d the gray morning, his body, stiff about us, and along the irregular and lifeless, still occupied the little * Tliis house was a small square brick building and no trace of it now remains. 1 am informed tliat it was an ice-house, used for storing ice for use in the city. The whole ground has been built over with small houses, fenced, and gardens planted with small trees. It had been used as a fair ground, and the high fence about it has been torn down. FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. 239 doorway, a look of almost savage hopelessness about the eyes antl half-closed mouth, in which his teeth were clinched, for a final struggle with the Great Unknown. Our bivouac was among the dead of the Twelfth Rhode Island (Na- gle's Brigade). The first ser- geant, Charles F. Knowles (after- wards killed at Gettysburg), went about distributing cartridges for a renewal of the fight. Those most sleepy, he moved with his foot, and a ^'' get u^ for your cartridges." His foot came against one obstinate fellow, who seemed deaf to his command. He was completely covered up with a blanket, and in the midst of our company. " Get up!" he did not stir. A repeti- tion of the foot movement, and still no motion. Cold and shivering, the sergeant stooped, a little out of patience, pulled off the blanket, and at great risk, struck a match and held to his face. The glassy eyes, fixed and stony in death, the rigid, ashy face, told him the truth. He had attempted to issue cartridges to the dead, and compel him to answer to the roll-call. He had answered hours before, his duty to his country in the ranks of the army was done ! Who shall know who that stranger comrade in our company was? How he died? or what were his last thoughts and wishes, on that bitter cold night? Our brother of the regulars writes : " Camp Near Falmouth, " December 13, 1862. " I have just returned from the battle-field, where I have been act- ing as aid to General Patrick all day ; we commenced this morning about II o'clock to storm their bat- teries, and have made no headway as yet. I feel terribly, for I saw Walter and Bob's division go gayly into action, and I know the carnage has been awful ; I could not see them, as I was riding with the gen- eral, but tears came to my eyes as I saw Hooker's Grand Division pass me. I pray God to save them, for they are brave good boys ; I shall never live a happ}' moment if they are killed. " I gave them both instructions to come to me immediately if they were wounded. How gaily I could go into action myself, if it were not for these boys. I think of them all the tjme ; but, dear father, do not worry ; I will let you know the worst as soon as possible. General Griffin is wounded slightly ; Gen- eral Bayard mortally ; General Wilcox reported killed. Geweral Meagher's brigade has one hundred men left. A report has just come in that General Franklin has whipped ' Stonewall ' Jackson, and now holds their railroad communi- cation. Old Hooker is as sour as he can be ; Sumner smiles as usual ; Burnside is in consultation with Sigel who has just arrived with his corps ; a report that Slocum has arrived with his corps from Har- per's Ferry. 240 FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. This is the battle of the rebellion, and might have been stopped (pre- vented) if Burnside had crossed the river at first. Regular infantry were sent forward, but did not get in : will go in to-morrow. As day began to dawn, Sunday the 14th, we pushed noiselessly for- ward on the Ime. Soon the sun rose, and the shots which had, in the earlier hours, been only occa- sional, now came thick and fast. The cold, misty fog drifted slowly away. Shadowy forms now be- came distinct, in the quickening light, and the deadly contest was renewed. We had absolutely no shelter. To the front, lay extended the Heights with its tiers of batteries frowning down upon us. The low, grey stone wall, was clearly visible, from which we received such a murderous fire the day before. By raising ourselves slightly on our elbows, we saw the rebels stir- ring, and busily moving to and fro like angry bees. The houses but a few hundred yards distant, were alive with sharpshooters, overlook- ing our prostrate bodies, which stretched in a blue, irregular line, to conform to the ground. The dead lay in full view all about us, and many a poor, wound- ed fellow, who, too weak to call out, had been passed by the am- bulances for dead. The sharp- shooters were now at work picking off any man who dared stir an inch. To do so was almost certain death. Behind lay the city, every avenue under fire, and controlled by the rebel light batteries. We could clearly trace the weary and danger- ous course of the dav before, across the plain, but now it was deserted. Not a living thing could pass over it unnoticed. Many attempted to regain the line, by dodging, crawling, feigning dead, etc., but few succeeded, and many fell vic- tims to their zeal. For some time our minds were diverted by watch- ing their futile efforts. Just to our right, a little in ad- vance of where we lay, were two dead bodies, one disemboweled by a solid shot, the other with a leg shot off, and dangling, the mangled flesh in shreds, and the bones and sinews exposed to view. We were in a direct line with the small shed already referred to. Men con- stantlj' darted from the line and ran behind it. The bullets tore and sung all about us and our position was a deadly one. Something must be done. We, our brother and the writer, crawled up, seized the bodies, piled one on top of the other, placed our rolls against them, and tucking our heads under the rolls, and against these human bodies, now rapidly undergoing decomposition, we wore out the livelong da}' of four- teen hours, vinder a constantly de- structive fire, during which we never moved but once from a pros- trate position. The fixed and glassy eyes stared us in the face, and the stench from our comrades of clay, became re- pulsive to the last degree. We dragged ourselves painfully on our FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. 241 stomachs to the rear, not daring to bodies, when a low hum, steadily raise our heads, got some loose increasing as it neared us, indicated ponchos and rubbers, and soon the unmistakable tramp and mur- covered them from view. This mur of a column, and a division of breastwork of the dead saved our the Ninth Corps (Sturgis') crept lives more than once during the up and relieved us. day, as they were struck several Gladly, impatiently, we fell in, times at least, as denoted by that and swiftly moved towards the city, peculiar dull thud in the dead flesh ; the memory of our ghastly com- and a shiver ran through our spinal rades haunting us at every step, column at every fresh clip. We passed through the streets. Our colonel wore glasses; he What a relief from our painful and was industriously hugging the prolonged suspense, and to the ground. His curiosity, like ours, severe tension upon the over- prompted him occasionally to lift wrought nerves. The houses were his head, a z-i-p — pi-i-i-n-g, in- lighted to the brightness of day. stantly warned us, and the men The groups of men upon the side- dropped or hastily scrambled like walks, in the gutters, inside the crabs to their places. " Boys, houses, and on the galleries, or don't dodge so," said the colonel, balconies, were indulging in a with a nasal twang ; his head came huge picnic or carnival. Fires up to emphasize it. Wh-i-i-iz-z-z, were built on the pavement, illu- pi-i-i-ng and a bullet by his ear minating the streets as if a torch- caused his head to go down with a light procession were in motion, spasmodic, and rather comical, un- Groups of men were mixing graceful jerk, throwing his glasses bread or flapjacks, frying pork or off, and he was at once greeted with making coffee. The ruddy light a hearty shout for his kind advisory shone upon their faces, and showed speech. There were many laugh- the eagerness and delight with able incidents and adventures dur- which, even in the midst of danger ing the day. £ind death, they were carrying on Night began to approach. Still their culinary designs, we lay. The fire slackened. The Kitchen stoves were in full blast ; mud again began to stiffen. Our Hghted candles were extravagantly bodies, cramped by the long posi- placed upon the tables. All hinds tion in the one place, in the very of music sounded upon the air. jaws of death, were stift' and sore. Cracked fiddles, with tcwsonorous We roused ourselves, and ea- notes, under the hands of most un- gerly looked for our relief, or dark- skilful performers. Flutes, fifes, ness to come, and had almost and untuned pianos, accompanied resigned ourselves to another by most ?<«melodious voices, added wretched night on the field, a cold to the uproar, chill creeping over our hearts and Some were dancing, while others 242 FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. played cards, or vainly endeavored General Burnside was to lead an to write, or laughing, told their attacking column in person, and eventful experiences of the past General Sumner another : the whole fateful hours. All were engaged long and short of the matter is this : in some kind of occupation, which We have butted our heads against to us, just from the darkness, a stump, and men have been mur- gloom, and dreadful ordeal, almost deredin cold blood to the amount of despair, of that Sunday line of twent}' thousand ; we have not ac- battle at the front, presented the complished a single thing, and the strangest, most novel mixture of enemy's loss, here in the center, is grim-visaged war and his strange comparatively nothing. If you can satellites, that it had yet been our understand the following you will fortune to observe. know something about it (En- But there was a warm cheerful- closes a pencil sketch.) : ness that had its effect. It smoothed "The enemy had an enfilading the hard lines of anxiety and sus- fire upon us with very heavy guns, pense from our faces. It thawed Under Iiill number one, was a very the chill from our sorrow-stricken, high stone wall, behind which was hardened hearts, and compelled rebel infantry, and their own guns man}' a half-suppressed smile to playing over their heads at us. break forth into ripples of heart}' Franklin was some few miles down laughter. the river with fifty thousand men We halted in a vacant lot; a sigh fighting Jackson, Hill, and Long- of relief went up. Before resum- street, he had some advantage, but ing our bivouac on the hard, frozen lost it again; he, however, holds ground, some of us went to a de- his own. serted house nearby, and finding a "All of Hooker's grand division piano within, one of our number, would have gone in, but darkness an accomplished musician, volun- came to our relief. From all that I teered to cheer us up by plaving can learn, Walter and Bob were not some of his most lively selections, engaged, although under fire; I It proved to be a most delightful may be mistaken about their divi- diversion to our tired minds and sion. Humphrej's's division of But- bodies. terfield's corps was engaged, but I Our brother at headquarters now ^^^"'^ ^^^^^ ^"'^ ^"^" ^^'"^ "o'- ^,.;^gg . Two divisions of Hooker's grand division were sent to Franklin, and "Camp near Falmouth, ^j^ j^^ ^^^^^ Uj^^ ^ ^j^jl^ ^^^^^ " December 14, 1862. jt. " Nothing has been done to-day, "Humphreys's division acted bad- although it was planned to storm ly, but all of Sumner's corps acted the enemies' works again at 2 very bravely ; they were under fire o'clock, and in case of a failure, for ten long, mortal hours, and FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. 243 General Couch lost nearly two after a three hours' search, I found thirds of his corps. You may call their regiment ; but, as I knew posi- this generalship, but I call it mur- tively that it had been in action, I der ; as to our troops lighting, they rode up to it with a trembling fight like devils, but no human be- heart; Walt soon appeared, fol- ing can stand in front of such for- lowed by Bob. They are both in tifications, ' not a rebel to be seen ;' good spirits, and looked very clean. \ivXo\.\\-?, did stand d^wA get slaught- I understand that the rebels have ered like sheep. We have got to given us a certain number of hours abandon our attack on the center, to remove our wounded from the and aid Franklin. General Sigel town, for they intend shelling it. was at Dumfries, twenty miles from Sumner's and Hooker's grand di- here, at two o'clock this morning, visions are in the streets ; Sigel and and I understand General Slocum Slocum will be here to-night, is thirty miles from here. The Don't believe newspaper reports ; gallant Bayard is now probably we have not gained a single inch ; breathing his last; he was with the enemy still hold their fortifica- General Franklin standing by a tions, and we have lost fifteen tree, when a round shot glanced thousand men." and mashed his thigh. 1 have been Our brother Walter writes a short busy all day paroling prisoners, pencil scrap as follows : and could not go over to the battle- <. December 15, 1862. field, but to-morrow I shall go over >. j ggnt in a short note a moment and look up the Twenty-second, if ^go, as the doctor came round for I have to go into action to find it ; I the letters, and this wasn't finished, connot eat or sleep without thinking j must close now." of them : we cannot get at our dead Note, Monday Morning—" We to bury them." still live both of us, though hav- The next morning, the 15th, after j^g passed through a storm of a short march, we reached the bank jg^d and iron; we have done our of the river, where we washed ofl" juty, and fought bravely, for the powder, sweat, and accumulated Bob was a noble, fearless boy dirt of forty-eight hours. throughout, and I know I never While thus engaged, and before flinched. I had a bullet put we had hardly completed our ablu- through my canteen and another tions, we heard a shout, and our cut my haversack strap, spoiling brother, mounted, appeared before both. LeRoy says : ' Tell them I us. am safe ;' not one of our gallant He says : band from B. are injured. I will " Camp Near Falmouth, write as soon as possible." "December 15, 1862. During the almost unaccountable "Walter and Bob are safe; I cessation of hostilities we took our- went over to town this morning, and selves to the streets of the city, and 2 44 FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. to find our wounded at the hospitals. No one could better understand what actual war was, than by trav- ersing the alleys and by-ways of this almost destroyed city. Had there been a wind during the bom- bardment, nothing could have saved it from total destruction. Whatever now remained, was in the hands of the men, who for a time, held a i.igh carnival, and paraded the streets in the cast-off apparel of past ages, and the old bell-crowned, long-haired beaver hats, poke bon- nets, hoop skirts, huge umbrellas, etc., convulsed all with laughter, until checked by the provost guard. We found our division hospital located in a shell-shattered, bullet- ridden mansion, whose frescoed walls, and adornments indicated that it had been the abode of some wealthy person, who had hastily vacated it before the bombard- ment. The first man I saw among tlie dead and dj'ing scattered about on the floor, was our comrade, who, when next to me in John P. Knight's brick yard, had been knocked over b}' a solid shot, the wind from which had also sent me sprawling upon my back. He was propped up against the wall, and was stripped to the waist while the surgeon examined him. Strange to say, the skin was not broken. He had been picked up unconscious, but the extent of his injuries was a arge contusion, which was black, blue, and yellow, and stood out from his breast like a hard lump, and about the size of a canteen. He could talk with difficulty. He never recovered, and was dis- charged on account of this singular wound. The next man to him was from Company "F" (W. H. Mud- gett), who had a spherical case shot through his lung, but after- wards recovered. We did not stay long. At night, we were moved cautiously into Caroline, now called Main, street, and after much march- ing and countermarching, to avoid halting across streets in line of the enemy's fire, formed line of battle ; it was rumored that the division was to compose an assaulting col- umn to be led by General Burnside in person. It was dark and cloudy. We stacked arms, and while some sought the sidewalks for a little rest, others entered the shops and houses for shelter from the raw wind, whicli now rose to a gale. Fires were ordered to be put out by the provost guard. No matches could be lighted. We entered a lamp and jewelry store, tiie show cases having been stripped of the latter, but with all the shelves lined with the former, and amused our- selves, by the aid of a fire which we iiad started in a fireplace, for a brief period, by throwing lamps at a target we had set up on the man- tel. It was on the north side of the street, not far from where the Ex- change Hotel now stands at the corner of Princess Anne and Main streets. There was no sleep for anybody ; the loose windows loudly rattled, the signs creaked, the blinds THE LAST DAYS OF SHERIDAN'S CAVALRY. 2 45 slammed. Mounted aids and or- We knew then we were the rear derlies continually galloped over the guard of the Army of the Potomac pavement, and the rain, which which, as soon as the pickets were until midnight came in occasional whisperingly withdrawn, crossed drops, now increased to fitful gusts, the upper pontoon (which had that chilled all to the bone. We been strewn with hay to muffle the steadil}' looked forward for the sound), in a drenching, pouring command, which we felt quite cer- rain, the storm now at its height, tain was to send us to our doom. General Burnside rode by us. The At three a. m. loud raps on the stillness of death reigned over the doors were heard, and word was column ; not a murmur from the passed along, " Make no noise : get ranks of disapprobation; not a up; get up; fall in ! fall in-n-n ! " cheer or shout of joy or relief. and we were instantly in line with His hat was slouched over his our arms. These -were moments face, which bore a saddened and for quick and sad reflection. In a disappointed look. Our vast think- few moments, we would be moving ing machine, each man intent upon, towards those murderous heights and industriously chewing the cud again. The morning approached, of bitter reflection, floundered. The dark clouds scudded. The plodded, limped, and dragged itself strong wind, laden with rain now into the old " Smoky Camp," and soaking us to the skin, drove wearily sought the soaked ground down the streets. It was anxious for rest and relief, from the dangers, suspense for the word — forward, fatigues, and privations of these The order came, but the aid said long, bitter nights and days during aloud — " Which brigade. Gen- the campaign and battle ofFreder- eral?" and the agony was over, icksburg. [to be continued.] THE LAST DAYS OF SHERIDAN'S CAVALRY. By Henry Edwin Tremain, Major and A. D. C. Brevet-Brigadier-General, U. S. V. [continued.] DINWIDDIE. The narrative in the April Call closed with Major Charles Treichel reporting to Sheridan the informa- tion that the enemy had forced above where Smith held, and in trying to communicate with Devins and Davies he encountered the rear of a rebel infantry line of battle, and that Sheridan bristled with fire the crossing of Chamberlain's bed and energy on learning the fact. 246 THE LAST DAYS OF SHERIDAN'S CAVALRY. Gregg's and Gibbs's brigades were who unwittingly ventures. Many quickly ordered to follow the same an eager courier was unhorsed and path, and to charge the rebel rear; half buried by these hidden ene- and away they rode to seek it. mies. Appreciating the unfavor- The country was hill\' and wooded, able character of the ground for not favorable to a cavalry charge ; mounted operations and the but the rebels were soon found, and strength of the opposing forces, as their attention diverted from the well as the importance of holding further pursuit of Devins in his movement toward the Boydtown plank road. Thus annoyed, the enemy faced about, and were de- Dinwiddie, where so many roads converged, officers examined their watches with impatient anxiety to determine how many hours of day- terred from a movement which, had light might remain for this unequal it been long continued, would have seriously endangered the main lines of the army (or, as Sheridan expresses it, "taken in flank and rear the infantry line of the Army of the Potomac"). Now occurred another hardly- contested fight. The forces against Sheridan comprised the best infan- try division (Pickett's) of Lee's army, Wise's independent brigade of infantry, and Fitzhugh Lee's, Rosser's, and W. H. F. Lee's cavalry commands ; while in the immediate front of this formida- ble array the Union forces now contest. It was hoped that by skill- ful manoeuvring Sheridan might hold out until dark, when fighting would cease and new dispositions be made for the morrow's work. No other course could now be at- tempted. Accordingly every nerve was strained ; all was life, activity, and industry. Sheridan seemed to have infused his own indomitable spirit among his subordinates. New lines across the main road were quickly established, where the troops on retiring were ordered to halt, and a slight barricade of rails mustered but three small brigades speedily constructed for its defence one of which — Smith's — had been engaged for several hours. It was quite late in the afternoon ; the sun was shining pleasantly, and the field of battle was now in an open country, favorable to observa- tion, but filled with treacherous quicksands. by Sheridan's own escort, under the personal direction of Colonel Forsyth of Sheridan's staff". Here the troops were ordered to rally, and here Smith's gallant but ex- hausted brigade was directed to re- tire when the brigade could no longer be of service in the defence To the careless observer the sur- of Chamberlain's crossing, faces of such localities, so common If the enemy could not be con- in Virginia, bear no peculiar marks quered to-day, at least he must be of distinction from the ground about overawed. A few pieces of artil- them ; but woe to the horseman lery, which, on account of the char- THE LAST DAYS OF SHERIDAN'S CAVALRY. 3" his battalion. As our horses' feet rattled on the hard streets the men broke out with a yell. The horses caught the spirit of the charge, which almostbecame a race. I re- member a sergeant, whose horse gaining on the others, came abreast of me, and we complimented each other's horses as we galloped side by side. All at once our street turned sharp to the left, along the base of a wooded hill ; barracks were to our right, and this hill to our' front and left. From its top came a shower of leaden hail that dropped man and horse as we turned the corner. I remember contemplating the situation a mo- ment, and solving the question by seeing one of the men, whose horse had fallen in the middle of the street, spring behind him and com- mence firing with his carbine. A brick house, destroyed by 'fire, stood with its walls fallen low, and its cellar on our immediate right where the street turned. In hot haste the leading company of the regiment was placed dismounted in that cellar and behind those walls with orders to spare not their am- munition, but to make a noise if nothing else ; and the guns that wound up Saturday night to shoot all the week, unloaded themselves in a manner that was sweeter than music. The firing in front became less frequent, and the rebel force receiving this fire in front and seeing Major Hall on a road lead- ing to their rear, soon left the top and we took possession of it. The' whole place lay under our carbines and control. A fortunate, nice, enjoyable thing. Done with slight loss of men, and we felt happy." By this time the remainder of Crook's cavalry had come up and were marching into the town. Da- vies' brigade arriving as a support to Smith, had taken charge of the place, while the latter was pursuing the enemy to a safe distance and recalling and reforming his regiments. Guards and patrols were placed about the streets and, while the troops were pass- ing through, the bands played, colors waved, and the soldiers were filled with contentment and enthu- siasm. But there was no answering sympathy among the people. Stores were shut up, houses closed, frightened women peeped through dilapidated doorways, .sullen men lolled about the porches, obsequious and venerable negroes attempted to bow in respectful salutation to each individual soldier of the line, while others,- less reverent, attired in such dazzling colors as their own or their former proprietor's limited ward- robe might afford, sauntered care- lessly through the streets, as if they were celebrating a holiday and the arrival of 'the blessed Yankees, which they innocently believed be- stowed, finally and forever, upon them that complete and practical freedom which their crude intelli- gence conceived as the only result of emancipation. The infantry of the Army of the James and the head 'of the Sixth Corps now appeared and massed on the neighboring hills, while 312 FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. Humphreys with his Second-Third * burn about one hundred and thirty Corps had pushed on after the re- treating enemy from High Bridge on the direct road to Lynchburg, sending Barlow's Division, how- ever, towards Farmville, as a mat- ter of judicious precaution and to intercept any part of the enemy who might yet remain there. This excellent disposition of Humphreys greatly accelerated the retirement of Lee's forces from Farmville and its vicinity, and a large portion of them narrowly escaped capture. Barlow had considerable skirmish- ing, but the enemy was well posted on commanding hills and was ena- bled to check an advance u'ntil his main body from Farmville, had re- tired well on the road before- him. Barlow's attacks, however, more than annoy.ed the enemy. In abandoning the town and its envi- rons the rebels were compelled to [to be continued.] of his wagons which he was unable to get away. Retiring, then, be- fore Humphreys' main column, as well as Barlow's detachment, the enemy fell back to a well-chosen position, some three miles from Farmville. During these operations,, Briga- dier-General Smythe, commanding one of General Barlow's brigades, a gallant young officer who had risen rapidly in the service and whose Irish extraction had only added notoriet}' to a well-earned reputation, was mortally wounded while conducting in person the op- erations of his skirmish line. Gen- eral Humphreys mentions in his of- ficial report that the fall of General Smythe "led to the loss of some part of our skirmish line." It is claimed that he was the last Union officer killed in the war. FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. By Captain Robert Goldthioaite Carter., U. S. Army. After the Battle. Reflections and Comments — "Camp Gove" — Building Log Huts — A -Cold Recon- NOissANCE— Confederate Hard Tack — A Wounded Woman — The Icy Bath — A Terrible New Year's March — "Burn- side's Mud March" — The Whiskey Riot — The Reward (?) of Virtue — General Hooker in Command— Snow, Rain and Mud — Winter Picket Duty — The " Biled Owl" — Visits to Headquarters — Hook- er's Body Guard — Reviews by the Pres- ident — Hooker " Stuck in the Mud " — A Laughable Picture. After the battle of Fredericks- burg we naturally indulged in many allusions to the campaign, comments, reflections, and criti- cisms, and while some references to, and extracts from, these letters may seem like repetition, it will be seen b}' the reader that the princi- pal object in their introduction is, as was stated in the first paper, to closely connect them with the inci- dents and details of these cam- paigns- in such a way as they shall be our statement alone, and reflect our opinions and no others. FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. 313 Our brother Bob now says : "Camp Near Falmouth, "December 18, 1862. " It is now some time since we occupied our present camp again, and I wrote you, but know- ing that Walt was writing so often, I thought he would do as well as myself, and for a week I have had no chance to write owing to a grand forward movement, which, ere this, you have read about. "I suppose you have seen by the papers that we have had terrible weather, two inches of snow and ice, and so cold that we could scarcely keep from freezing, yet, as you say, it is now ' a question of endurance,^ and as the old sailor said, so say we ' I'll be plagued if I'll freeze! ' " I would not tell half the suffer- ings we went through, for it would only make mother feel worse, and increase j'our anxiety, but any man of sense can see that we suffered beyond description, for wood and water was to be got, and the com- pany is so small it all comes on us few recruits ; and this we have to do without axes, picking up small stuff, and pieces of brush off the snow, and then great iron pails of water ; this we have to do con- stantly. "Gene came over, and seemed very anxious to make us comforta- ble and in good condition. " Wednesday night we knew we had got to start at midnight ; we heard the heavy guns, and at reveille, three o'clock, it was quite brisk. We started at five for the river and after marching we reached the plain that overlooks Fredericksburg, where we halted. The sun came out quite warm, and soon the snow and ice was a nasty mess of aiud, which stuck like wax ; we stayed here all day ; at night we moved back about a mile into some woods, and were very near Gene. We crossed the field into the woods, where he was en- camped, apd as Walt has told you, enjoyed ourselves hugely, having a good chair, fireplace, floor to the tent, etc. Gene lay on his bed, with his grey sleeping cap on, while we ate biscuits, the first I have tasted since I came out here ; we left about twelve o'clock, much pleased at our good time ; slept in the woods until morning, when we started for the river again, this time much nearer than before. Burn- side had succeeded in laying his bridges the day before, raising the ' Old Harry ' with the city, and Sumner's corps crossed that night; we didn't move that day. Hooker crossed most of his men but us ; that night we slept without shelter, as it was not a decent place to pitch (tents) on, being hubbly and muddy. " Saturday morning came along, and with it the usual shelling, but we dreamed not of the work in store for us. I thought I could write, but about nine o'clock, we began to hear skirmishing, and then quite a volley, and soon the guns began to roar, and then I knew the 3'4 FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. battle had commenced ; after that it was one incessant roar. " Franklin began first, and his firing was very heavy, but did not begin with the firing on the right. We saw two or three charges, and could hear them cheer (remember we had not crossed the river, but could look over across, and see them back of the city). About two o'clock we ' fell in ' and started for the battle ; I felt as cool as a cucumber, and marched as if on review. After crossing tbe river we stopped to breathe a moment, then loaded and marched out a side street, under a heavy shelling, we gave seemed to be drowned in the terrible noise. " I kept my bundle on all the time, and it did seem as if I should die, I was so exhausted carrying such a load ; yet I remembered what you said about throwing away my things, and I stuck to them. They got an enfilade fire on us as we went, and the way the dirt did fly was a caution, and I naturally went sideways, with my head curled into my collar, the same as I would go through a storm of hail and wind. " When we got to a small hill we stopped for a moment, and then I which knocked out two ahead of thought I was gone through with. me, and one at the side of our com- pany. We crossed the railroad under a tough fire, and as we scrambled up the embankment I heard the order 'charge!' given, and saw the whole brigade ' t7tto line'' charging; the Eighteenth on the right, the New York regiments next. " One hundred and Eighteenth Pennsylvania, First Michigan, then The shells burst right over, in front, behind, in fact all over us, throwing the dirt into my face and eyes ; at the same time, the bullets sounded like a huge swarm of bees, going between my legs, brushing my clothes, and everywhere but into me, killing and wounding at the side of me, and yet ' your Uncle Dudley' was not hurt. " Give us credit then, father, for ours : being the next one to the left keeping our rolls on, for the boys we had the hardest chance to keep up, and then our company is the left flank company, and of course we had to run like the ' Old Nick ' to come into line. I fixed my bay- onet on the run, and we went across that field under the most murderous fire of the day ; it was nothing but one roar ; the bursting of the shells ; the swishing of the canister; and the singing, buzzing sound of the bullets, was all that could be heard ; even the cheering slung them ofl^, and came back without a thing, and have suffered, some of them, considerably. Walt kept his on all the time, so did I mine, and now I thank God that I kept mine, for I should have suf- fered awfully these cold nights without them ; but I don't see now how I ever charged with it on. Well ! to continue. We thought it a ' leetle ' too hot behind the rise in the ground, so we rose up and cut for the next rise which was FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. 3'5 larger and came in good style on the left of the regiment. Thought it was about time to com- mence firing. . . My gun miss- ing, . .. . drew the charge, got daylight tlirough my rifle, loaded, and the way I pitched in then was a caution. " Walt and I stood side by side, the sweat rolling off our faces in great streams, and the powder, dirt, and smoke all over them, and we loaded and fired, cheering and yelling, ' Here' s for B ! give it to them! -put the into them! ! ! " Our regiment behaved splen- didly. The Second Maine, which was on the extreme left, tried three times to cross over the ground, and could not come until dark, such was the fire. When such a regiment as the Second Maine falters, then you may think there was hard work. The Twentieth Maine, Colonel Ames, came in gallant style, and after we were exhausted, both in body and cartridges, the Twelfth Rhode Island relieved us, and they behaved so cowardly that their offi- cers went to Ames, and requested him to relieve them, which he did at dar^^ "We had fallen back by the fence, and had jiist laid low when the 'Twentieth Maine and Ninth Massachusetts opened a terrible fire on the rebels, who were creep- ing up for a charge. " By Jingo ! did n't the balls fly? We were in an exposed position ; our company and the lieutenant got cut off just as we fell back, and could not get to us for some time ; Walt got his haversack carried away, and his canteen had a bullet put through it, which knocked him over on to me ; three shells exploded so near my head that I was all cov- ered with mud ; soon darkness came on, and all firing ceased except an occasional shot,*when we fell back from the hill and were relieved. " Walt grasped mg by the hand, and the tears almost came into his eyes, as he said, ' Bob, we are safe and sound, are n't we ? ' That night seemed worse to me than the battle, for we had to lie down among the dead and dying. The groanings and moans of the wounded were awful ; sometimes they would al- most shriek for some one to take them off the field ; most of them were taken off before morning. " Sunday, all day we lay exposed to the fire of their sharpshooters. Walt and I lay in range of a shed, about twelve feet wide, and some of the boys kept passing by for wa- ter, and they (the enemy) put . . . many bullet-holes through the side, ... all of them only a few inches over our heads, and we flat on our backs in the mud. . . . We never so much as put up our hands for four- teen hours. Walt and I had two dead men for a shelter of work, one with his whole back up to his neck scooped out with a solid shot, the other with his leg shot away. " Sunday night we were relieved, and marched noiselessly back to the city, where we bivouacked all day Monday on the wharves, eat- ing flapjacks and raising the " Old Nick." . . . Fredericksburg is a 3i6 FOUR BROTHEAS in BLUE. Ruins at Fredericksburg. mere wreck ; you never saw such a sight ; we completely gutted the whole concern. Some houses beau- tifully frescoed and furnished in- side, were literally stove into kind- ling wood, and the boys got hold of rocking-chairs, looking-glasses, sofas, even to dresses and bonnets, beaver hats, pans, kettles, clocks, and in fact everything. . . . We were all powder from head to foot, and after scrubbing up, had quite a rest. " Gene came riding along the lines in the afternoon, and when he saw us his eyes watered and he grasped us by the hand. He had been looking . . . hours for us ; ... he thought one of us must have been killed. Monday night we were started up into the main street again, and manoeuvred around in a strange manner until ten o'clock. marching backwards and forwards . . . until we were tired almost to death. We then stacked arms, and slept on the sidewalk, with the ex- ception of a few of us, who went into a store, and slept on the floor until two or three o'clock, when we were ordered into Hue and no noise to be made. "We started back to the wharf, crossed the -pontoon, and the rear- guard of Burnside's army was across the Rappahannock, for we did not know until then that our brigade covered the evacuation." Note. — The regular division crossed after we did. "The bridge was taken up as soon as we had crossed, and the wind blew, the rain descended in torrents, and we marched back to our old encampment, with the FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. 317 mud half way up to our knees, in a raging cold rain-storm, where we arrived wet, cold, and hungry, and where we are now pretty well used up, — I only won- der not dead, for to-night is a week since we started, and we have laid without shelter in the rain and mud, through the battle, with nothing to eat but crackers and pork, and yet I am still kicking, and hoping you will accept this letter as a rough account of myself. I am forever your loving son." Our brother Walter adds : "December 20, 1862. "I am not well, so I shall not write a letter now ; I shall as soon as I feel better, and it will.be a rich one. I shall tell you all in it. . . . I could not sit in my tent and fail to acknowledge in some way your continued thoughtfulness of us. "As soon as we got back here, cold, wet, hungry, and used up (for we had nothing but hard bi-ead to eat the whole time — five days, no fires for cofltee being allowed, and it made me sick to eat in view of such sickening sights as- were before me), we found the things awaiting us. My feeling's of gratitude for all these blessings that have been shown me during the perils of battle, bursts the bands of sickness, and I speak forth feebly my heartfelt thanks ... " . . I am not cast down. I want another chance, then ' up guards' and at ^em. It is awful cold ; I can hardly write. I have not been well for the last thirty-six hours, in consequence of our ex- citement, fatigue, and exposure ; I was wet through with rain and mud on our march to this place on that memorable morning that we, as reai'-guard to our retreating forces, marched across the pontoon bridge. It was a time I never shall forget, for the wind howled and the rain poured ; the roads were awful, and I visited Mother Earth enough to make impressions more lasting upon my mind than upon my clothes and body. We waded in Virginia mud way back to this, our old camping ground, and yet, when we were routed from our soft ( ?) beds in the houses of Freder- icksburg (they were all cosy, even if it was a hard floor, for we had been on the cold ground too long), where we were ordered after I wrote mother, from the banks of the river, we all thought it was to meet the foe. We were not greatly mistaken. "What can I say, father, about the battle and its results? When I consider the stupendousness of the issue, and the great cause at stake, I could exclaim, almost in agony : ' Oh, how have the mighty fallen ! ' How disastrous are the ways of man ! God plows deep furrows in the homes of Northern freemen, but the great sheaves still grow in the Southern rebel's hus- bandry. "The worth of liberty is shown in the gallant fighting of our men ; the price is seen in the ghastly corpses we have left behind. The fault is in our generals and head 3i8 FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. officials. We fought well, except in a few instances. Our division had over a thousand men strag- gling in the streets of Fredericks- burg when we went into the fight. Our colonel has fined all those in our regiment $13, and reduced all non-commissioned officers to the ranks. Our company numbers six in disgrace — all old fellows ; those who have doubted our pluck, and I rejoice to see the cozvards hum- bled. " I went so far ahead when I fired, that I was ordered back by our major and lieutenant. I was mad, 3'et calm ; how I itched for a hand-to-hand struggle. If I would n't have been some in that case. I believe I could have whipped my weight." Our brother of the regulars now writes : " December 21, 1862. "You keep remarkably quiet about our late disaster in front of this place ; why is it? Can j'ou in- form me why the Army of the Poto- mac does not advance, or seek a new scene for its operations ? We have had a terrible battle, and yet it does not compare with Antietam, for at the latter place it was fought by both parties, face to face. "The rebels had the superiority in numbers and position of ground. Almost all of our troops were engaged ; here not half, yet our loss exceeds that at Antietam. It amounts to this : The recent battle was only a murder, for which the commander-in-chief and A. E. Burnside are responsible. ' Little Mac ' will have to be called upon again, even if he comes at Secre- tary Stanton's and General Hal- leck's expense. When George was commander-in-chief, everything went as merry as we would wish to have it, but from the moment they commenced to interfere with him, we have had nothing but disaster. " McDowell is coming out all straight, and I wish they would send him down here to command a corps ; if George B. McClellan should come here again in com- mand of this army, I believe the soldiers would go crazy with joy. I tell you he has more military tal- ent than any other man in this country. "The secretary of war's appro- val of Captain Frank's nomination of First Lieutenant Eugene Carter as regimental quartermaster, came last night, so I am now a full blooded quartermaster. I was de- tailed 3"esterday to inspect the First brigade of regular infantry ; Gen- eral Sykes and Colonel Buchanan were -there, and after I got through, I was invited to dine with the col- onel who commands the brigade. I considered it quite an honor to in- spect a brigade of regular troops, and I only a first lieutenant. " I have not seen Walter and Bob since the armj^ recrossed the river ; I should have gone over this morning but we were expecting orders to move camp, and I did not like to be absent." Note : — First Lieutenant Eu- FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. 319 gene Carter, Eighth United States Infantry, was appointed regimental quartermaster, December 10, 1862 ; relieved February 2, 1864. The weather continued bitterly cold, and there was much suffering among the men. About the 22d of Deceniber we moved across the railroad from " Stoneman's Switch " about a mile, and here laid out and built our winter quarters. It was but a short half mile from where the bridge (railroad) crossed. Poto- mac creek, and was located upon a steep side hill, in the midst of a growth of small timber and under- brush, which we had to clear awa)^. There was but one ax in the com- pany, and at night, with a borrowed shovel, and a candle stuck on a log, we worked, with "the candle dimljr burning," until nearly mid- night, digging our cellar. Every soldier had his own ideas and tastes to display in the erection of these edifices, and as none of us had been educated for architects or builders, many were crude indeed. Each seemed to vie with the other, however, as to who should get up the best "coop," and perhaps it was this generous spirit of rivalry that enabled us to succeed as well as we finally did. We dug into the side hill, about six feet for width , and ten or twelve in length, by about four in depth on the upper side. We then logged up with spruce and cedar, notching the logs at the ends, so that they would fit into each other, leaving a doorway. A fireplace was dug out of the hard clay, which was merely a hole with another smaller one leading to the surface, about which we (those who were fortunate enough) placed a pork barrel, or if not, sticks, built up cob-house fashion, and profusely plastered with the red clay mud. Slim cedar poles were tacked on the top logs for rafters, with as steep a pitch as possible. A ridge- pole completed the superstructure. Six ponchos, buttoned together, and thrown over the frame, two more at the back and front, all closely cleated down, completed this curious " dug-out." A bunk of cedar poles was made "by driving upright stakes with crotches, and laying stout horizon- tal poles in them, then covering closely with springy poles first, and cedar tips (laboriously gathered in rubber blankets) afterwards, and over all our rubbei and woolen blankets. It proved a bed not to be despised, and surprisingly comfortable to one who had slept upon boards, in fur- rows, on rocks, etc. Here we lived and performed the ordinary routine of camp life, and extra work of all kinds, hardly to be ex- pected or required of a soldier, such as ornamental board fences leading to officers' quarters, fancy arbors, etc. The camp was named " Camp Gove " — after Capt. Jesse A. Gove, formerly Captain Tenth United States Infantry, appointed to suc- ceed Senator Henry Wilson as col- onel of the Twenty-second, and killed at the battle of Gaines' Mills. 320 FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. We debated as to whether we should work on Sunday, and looked on with dismal faces to see the houses of the wicked undergoing rapid completion, while ours were yet in the incipient stages. We had already learned to make coffee, fry and broil meat, boil " scouse," which consisted of pork and cracker boiled together to the con- sistency of a thick soup and sea- soned with pepper, and go through with the coarser kinds of cooking, but it was here in this camp that we mastered the intricate modes of making puddings, biscuits, "flip- pers," etc. Our brother Walter writes as follows : "In Camp, Christmas Eve, "By Cand-le Light, "December 24, 1862. " Since I wrote you last we have moved camp, and are nearer Burn- side's headquarters than before ; we have orders to build log huts for winter quarters, and have com- menced operations already. I hadn't time to get sick, for the word was ' u-p and gol' Weak as I was, I kept up, and after a few days at a new business, I feel as if I must rouse myself and be -perfectly well, else things will work bad in my tent ; but, father, I have n't been well since I came back from Fred- ericksburg ; I am all unstrung, and have a cold all through me ; I have no appetite for the common ration, and scarcely eat three hard bread a day ; I did not while I was gone either. "The whole tote gave me a se- vere shaking both outwardly and inwardly, and then to be defeated is enough to make one sorely grieved, and all on account of in- ability of high officials, who still ride the waves of ease, while we suffer, and have been made to see death at our very footsteps. We ■poor recruits do not see much to encourage us : we have seen defeat every time so far ; we have met the jibes and sneers of the old soldiers, doubting our ability to go through a battle, and now we hear those very ones talk infinitely worse than ever before about the war, and especially do the fined stragglers swear and curse against the cause. I know that it is all empty, spent wind, for the cause will yet be tri- umphant ; but it troubles me to see the spirit worse than it was before, particularly among the ardent ad- mirers of ' Little Mac,' and it cer- tainly does not inspire us to hear men say they will never fight when they can ' skedaddle.' I never want to myself again, when my life hangs by a thready and the pros- pect of success is so poor ; although rely upon me when duty calls, for my sense of right, and love of country and its glorious cause would impel rae forward to death, even if my poor, weak nature hung back, and human feelings gained control over me. ... I never lose self-control ; I care not for my- self, I only shuddered for Bob (the boy hero). I can only thank God that my body does not lie on Vir- ginia soil on the banks of the Rap- FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. 321 pahannock. When I had my can- teen pierced I was thrown over on my side, but kept cooler still and hugged Mother Earth all the closer. While we were firing, I advanced every time . . . pre- senting a splendid mark for the ' rebs,' and Bob would sing out: ' Did you hit 'em, Walt? ' I would retreat back and answer, ' Guess so, that time ! ' How the bullets whistled by my head ; it was one of my c».re\&ss,_fortvard inove?nenls , reckless, yet full of the right pluck, and I gloried in it. I was ordered back by our Lieutenant Baxter ; he has been so good to us ever since ; he seems to be proud of us, and says so. We like him better than ever, and he is a brave man ; he is with us constantly on company grounds, and when he buys a paper, sits by our fire and reads to us the general news of the day and items of interest. " He said he was going to write to the Triweekly about the fight ; whether he has or not, I do not know. Bob and myself are going over to see Gene to-morrow. Many thanks for all; every day brings fresh memorials of your goodness to us. If we could only repay, but oh, father, — if love of home, con- stant heed of all your good advice, and good motives for the future will suffice at present, I desire to assure you of it all, and may He who knows all distant, future time, keep us safe, so that we may be able to balance all when we meet again, happy and joyous in our own dear home, with peace as the heritage of our tributary endeavors out here in the wilderness. " When we went into the battle, the fire on Griffin's division was terrible, and when I remember how the bullets flew, and the shells ex- ploded right among us, I wonder more and more how we escaped. Griffin was in a brickyard, trying to get one of his batteries into play, when ours, his first brigade, passed, and he said : ' There goes one of my brigades to hell, and the other two will soon follow ! ' "Even that 'old war horse,' proof against bullets, saw our posi- tion, and spoke as he did : he could n't get his battery to work the fire was so severe ; unusual for him, the best artilleryman in the service. " How can we measure the dam- age done to the cause? Instead of being victorious, and in pursuit toward Richmond, we are now in- active, and have received a check. No matter whether it could have been otherwise or not, it is as it is now, and the deed cannot be al- tered. If the pontoons had arrived sooner, and a position for batteries gained, we might have succeeded ; we surely would have stood a bet- ter chance. " I think if more men had been given to Franklin, and operations in front had been confined merely to holding position and keeping the enemy occupied there, we might have done better, for Franklin gained the earthworks on the left, but was forced to relinquish them, on account of his meeting fresh bodies of rebel infantry, and his 322 FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. Dead at i'REDEKICKSBUKG. force being fatigued and inade- quate ; and yet old Joe Hooker raved because he had one of his divisions detached to help Sumner and Franklin. He is reported to have said when his two corps went in, ' Now I'll fix this thing ! ' " . . . It is idle to specu- late ; the battle was gained and thousands of brave men fell, while the rebs suffered but little, and we have not the wherewith to show for the bravery of our troops. It is a cruel, a sad result : Why can the Almighty permit it? Henry Wilson was here for a day ; has gone to Washington. I guess this will do for war matters." " Sunday, December 28, 1862. " It is a magnificent day. We are situated in such a way that if a rain should descend we would be totally submerged and washed down into the valley. We are now building winter quarters on the woody side of a hill, and while our log structures are in process of building, we are living any way as regards shelter, and how fortunate we have been in having good weather. It seems as if Heaven had smiled on us in this particular. . All our fond hopes, how- ever, to escape safely until our shanties were built, seemed ready to go down deej[> last night, the clouds were so fierce in their exte- riors, and I expected nothing else but a rich bath, clothes, poncho, household furniture generally reck- oned in, before this morning. Con- trary to expectations, we still swim FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. 323 dry, and have been led to suspend operations on our houses on this Holy Day. " . . . . We had quite a discussion last evening about the propriety of working on our huts to-day, provided it rained during the night; all our Bradford boys, with one or. two from Haverhill, de- clared that we would not, and the old fellows said they should. It is a most lovely day, and they are at work, while we still cling to the good advice of Mr. McCollum (Congregational minister), and in every way possible, ' strive to be men.' But you little know the dif- ficulties we meet with, and how often we are tried both in mind and body ; the army is the greatest place for human nature to display itself, and we all display our several faults immediately upon entering its enclosure, subject until dis- charge therefrom to all its vile in- fluences. • " We shall yet weather the storm, and won't it be a blessed day when we return to you all, as pure and honorable as when we bade you a long farewell at the Bradford depot. God grant that it may be so in his own good future. We have hard work to get up our huts, only having one ax in the company to cut down trees with, and a borrowed shovel at night. Ed. Walton, LeRoy Kimball, Bob, Edgar Holt, and myself are going to keep house to- gether ; we worked night before last until ir o'clock, digging in our cellar ; it was an odd sight to see us there at dead of night with ' can- dle dimly burning.' "You ought to see the different kinds of houses that we soldiers put up ; every kind of taste is displayed, and all sorts of original inventions practised, each one seeming to vie with the other to see who gets up the best coop. We are now living much better than formerly, and are in a warmer place. We draw fresh meat regularly, and have soups, rice, and good hard bread : we go into a little private cooking on our own expense. Sam Apple- ton and myself made a pudding yesterday, as good as any I ever ate at home ; if we had had raisins and eggs, it would have been a perfect plum pudding. I bought crackers (good home kind), con- densed milk and butter, while Sam had clove, nutmeg, and cinna- mon ; we mixed pounded cracker (pounded on a stump) with all these ingredients, sweetened with sugar, and put the sum total into a gi-eased dish, and baked it in hot ashes, covered over with a plate, coals on top. It was baked splen- didly, and we all agreed upon its being the pudding of the season. I havfe got so that I can cook quite decently. ". . . Of course . . . you have heard all about the battle of Fredericksburg, and know by our letters home how your brothers went through it all ; how we were baptized in lead and iron ; how they fought with noble men against odds, and how we were all de- feated and cast down. 324 FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. " I need not repeat it, that cam- paign of six days, the horrid sights we saw, how we suffered for food, how we lay the whole of one day upon the ground with the bullets whistling through our ranks, and we were wet, cold and tired, cov- ered with 'mud from head to foot, etc., etc. "We could not even spread our blankets nights, for fear of a for- ward movement. It was an awful experience, and I don t care to see another of- the same kind, although I am always ready to fight ; if I could only meet ' Johnny Reb ' at the point of the bayonet at close quarters, I would be satisfied, even if I were used up in the scrape. I want just one good skozv, one hack at them, where I can reach them ; when our army can be victorious ; and that 's what we want — a vic- tory ! / Oh ! what a shout would go up from the United North, over one grand triumph ; it would hush forever these vile home croakers, who ' knew it would be so,' and who ought to be crushed. I am still patriotic, and full of hope ; I have never faltered yet, and I know I fought the best I could in the late battle, so did Bob, the young hero. Midst a perfect storm of shot and shell, he kept at my side • double quick,' for more than a half mile, his blankets on him, and scores falling around him, mangled terri- bly. . . . You can scarcely realize the horrors of the field, and all that Saturday night, as I went about giving water to the wounded ; everything testified that ' man was made to mourn.' I shall never for- get the scenes of that night. " . . . The army don't seem to be in very good spirits ; as Sumner said, 'I can't explain it, but there is a lack of confidence, and the old fellows who talked bad before the fight, now talk worse.' I am acting corporal in the place of one of the old veterans in our company who skedaddled at Fred- ericksburg. . . . Bob went to see Gene a day or two since ; he is all down at the heel and dreadfully blue over Burnside's defeat." " December 29, 1862. "It is quite warm here to-day, and Walt is writing. I feel it my duty to add a few lines, which opportunity I have not had since the battle, as we have been chang- ing camp, cold weather, etc., but now the weather is delightful, and you would be surprised to see the ground with no snow and the warm sun, so different from home, where there is sleighing, skating, etc. ; it does not seem like winter at all. " Of course, ere this reaches you, you will have been apprized of our safety in the recent battle. We (First brigade) went in . . . under the most terrible fire of the day. They got a cross fire upon us, and the way the shot, shell, grape, and canister and bullets flew was a caution ; yfet I never thought of fear during the whole of it. My face was all covered with powder and sweat, and shoulder to shoul- der Walt and I stood and fired, the FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. 325 shells bursting over our heads, strik- ing and throwing the dirt into our eyes and mouths, the bullets brush- ing our clothes. Three shells ex- ploded so near me that I was almost stunned, and my mouth was plugged with dirt ; yet I never thought of but two things — home and the rebels. "Yes, even in the terrible fire I thought of home, and father, mother, and rny dear sisters came up before me as distinctly as if they were there in the smoke and noise. You may thank God . that we ever lived to come out of it safely. I always thought that the dying and wounded would be the worst of it, and as I lay on the battle-field that night it proved to be so. . . .1 hope I shall not witness it again. I dread it worse than the fight. It is all humbug about their being so com- fortably taken care of; that cold night I went around and talked with them, and the poor fellows begged and begged to be carried off'." Our cousin in the defences of Washington now writes : " Fort Tillinghast, Va., "New Year's Eve, 1863. " I was glad to receive a letter from you, also to learn that Walter and Bob were safe, also Eugene. In regard to father's death, the first communication, which was 'dated November 9th, in answer to one previously written by me, gave me to understand that he was killed in front of Vicksburg. This was from James F. Richardson, commanding the United States gunboat yudge Torrence. The next one I received was written previous to this (but for some unknown reason I did not get it) by the paymaster's clerk of same steamer,- dated above Vicks- burg, on the Mississippi river, July 17th. He says : ' Your father died quite suddenly on the night of July 14th.' Also his account at the auditor's office in Washington cor- roborates this statement. He had no connection with the Third Maine regiment, as he was transferred from that regiment into the navy sometime in February last. "If 3^ou should wish to communi- cate with the commander of the boat you can do so by directing to Caii'o, 111., as it may become nec- essary to use those letters in Wash- ington. ... I am at present very comfortably situated : also same with the men. I have a room 12X12; I have a fireplace, and my room is papered all over, top and all, with little birds ; I have a good kerosene lamp, also a bed- room, and taking everything into consideration, live quite easily. John comes in occasionally and sits with me ; can do so whenever he chooses. ... I have got me a pretty little mule at my com- mand. I gave $25 for him ; to- day was offered $80. This after- noon I rode out into the country, and called upon some young ladies who reside in the vicinity, who were not foolish enough to go oflf with the secesh. They brought on the cider and egg-nog in true 326 FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. Virginia style. phiz ' in this." I will send my It was from this camp that we emerged on the 30th of December, to go upon a reconnoissance, con- nected with a forward movement of the army, to Richard's ford, on the Rappahannock river, and when we "packed up" it was with the thought that we would never see the old camp again. Upon the first night out, a drunken aid, who had directed us on the wrong road, caused us much hard running after dark, to catch up with the rest of the command, which was miles ahead ; while we were halted an hour or two by his stupidity, bringing down much hard language from "the boys." After this impromptu and chilly bivouac, about 8 a. m. the next morning we moved slowly and with painful steps down a road badly blockaded with fallen trees, which was cleared by our pioneers, to the ford. The water was skimmed over with ice, and wading, slipping upon wet stones, and shivering with cold, we crossed, breaking the ice as we forded. Berdan's Sharpshooters, with the advance as skirmishers, soon cleared the way for the cav- alry, and during this brief skirmish a woman, Mrs. Richards, was ac- cidentally wounded in the thigh, while hastening into her house near the ford. A cavalry vidette, be- longing to the First South Carolina, and whose horse had been wounded, was captured. When passing through our lines in the woods, with a kind of oil-skin tarpaulin hat on his head, and two greasy cloth haversacks upon his hips, he was asked by one of our wags : "What have you got in there, Johnny?" at the same time lifting the flap of the haversack. The Confederate smiled grimly, then scowled, and replied: "Con- federate hard-tack, by G — d ; " while our bummer extracted a hard, sour, indigestible flour pone, which seemed to our astonished eyes as large as a cart wheel. A very rapid march of about six or eight miles, on the arc of a cir- cle and through a strange country, brought us to "Ellis'' ford. We were now reeking with perspiration. There was one small, flat boat, which accommodated about ten or twelve of those who did not care to get any wetter. The rest of us plunged into the cold, black, icy waters up to our breasts, and push- ing up to the slope on the other side, near a house and some large out-buildings owned by Mr. Ellis, were informed that " without fires" (which, of course, meant without coffee), we would " picket the river at night." There was a large gar- den filled with half-frozen turnips and cabbages; some of the latter we ate raw. Our clothes froze stiff on our backs that cold, bitter night (it was reported that some men died), and back from the river's bank we saw the bright reflections of the huge fires of our brethren in the woods, at the top of the hill. Jan- uary 1st (New Year's), it was FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. 327 said that some officers had made a private bet, that the brigade would arrive in camp at a certain .hour. We always thought it must be true, for at early daylight we started at a rapid gait, and without halts of any consequence, marched neai'ly thirty miles in about ten hours back to our old camp, where the men (those who did not "fall out" inside the picket lines near Hart- wood church) arrived chafed, sore, and blistered, and cursing every thing and everybody, from the commanding general down, for such inhuman methods. The brigade afterwards enjoyed the title of " Betty Barnes Cav- alry." The plan of General Burnside was to cross the river six miles below Fredericksburg, at a point opposite the Seddon House a sl»ort distance below Hayfield, and to make a feint abo-ve the town ; this latter to be converted into an assault, if discovered below, and if not, to throw the entire army across at the point opposite the Seddon House,- or points near by, where bridges could be built. Positions for artil- lery to protect the crossings were selected, roads surveyed, and cord- uroy necessary to prepare the road cut. In connection with this, a cavalry expedition, under General Averell, was organized of picked men who were to cross the river at Kelly's and Raccoon Fords, cut the Virginia Central railroad, cross the James, and then cutting the Lynchburg also the Weldon roads, 'destroying all bridges, canal locks, etc., was to join General Peck at Suffolk. To insure the success of this expedition. Griffin's division of the Fifth Corps with a battery were detailed to accompany it and secure the passage of the Rapidan river. An extra brigade was to go with it and cross the river, then, turning to the right with five hundred additional cav- alry, it was to attack any and all forces in the direction of Culpeper Court House, returning by crossing further up the Rappahannock. The expedition was organized the Mon- day before New Year's and was completed the next day, and Tues- day the 30th we were on the road as narrated. (Rebellion Record). Here jealousy, or something worse, again thwarted General Burnside's plans. Two well-known officers of the army notified the president of this contemplated move and Gen- eral Burnside was directed to sus- pend operations by the following order : " War Department, "Washington City, D. C. " December 30, 1862, 3 130 p. m. " I'have good reason for saying that you must not make a general movement of the army without let- ting me know. (Signed) A. Lincoln." Letters now describe this re- connoissance as follows : " We waited and watched in vain for a word from home in an- swer to our battle letter, and a.word of comfort and good cheer, after doing our whole duty, and I must 328 FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. say for the first time since we have been on this perilous mission, I felt as if I was neglected. Every night after taps we sat up for the mail, yet no word ; at work hard at night and during the day on our log cabin, and not a single word from the ' clearing; ' all a wilder- ness, and for our lives we could not assure ourselves of the facts of the case. . . . Close upon this, an order came last Tuesday to move ; where we knew not. . . "We started in a cold rain- storm, and marched until midnight, and such marching, almost a run, in this slippery clay and mud. All this was the mistake of a drunken aid to Butterfield. We were al- lowed no fires, and we were squatted on the ground and mud, wet, cold and sleepy, expecting to move every minute. ". . . If that giant evil (whis- key) could be removed from the officers' grasp, how little we should suffer comparatively, and how soon would rebellion be ' non est.' I say we suffered; aye ! we agonized, for just that order given without authority from the lips of a man who was sweltering under the effects of strong drink. We re- mained there about an hour before the true situation of things was dis- covered, and then our brigade was . . . miles behind ; our colonel did not know what road they had taken, and it was dark. Things looked dubious, but he started us and we double-quicked it for about two miles and then streaked it at a fast walk until we caught up, about ii o'clock ; . . . only fifty men in in the regiment then ; they had all fallen out from sheer exhaustion. It was the hardest march I ever experienced. I was all perspira- tion, my shoulders were cut with straps, and I was nearly gone up, when we caught the rear guard of our brigade. Bob hung to it, and only nine or ten more of the com- pany got up in time. . . . I went to bed with dry feet ; I was determined to do that, for well I remembered my last experience at Sharpsburg ; I shall never be likely to do that thing over again if I know myself. " We were allowed no fires. We started again about 2 a. m. and marched seven miles further and waited for the morning ; marched about 7 without anything to eat but crackers and pork (no coffee), and then, cold as we were, that raw, windy moraing, we forded the river halfway up to our waists. The water struck like an icicle to our very vitals. Cold ! how cold ! ! "We skirmished with their cav- alry, took three prisoners, marched eight miles further, crossed the river again — this time up above our waists — almost swimming, then had to picket the ford all night (our regiment), and wet and cold, and my legs full of rheumatism, I waited for the New Year to dawn upon us, fearing, for the worst was to come. In the morning, we started for camp, twenty-four miles, and marched, and I believe such marching the brigade" never had. ., . .1 believe youf eyes FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. 329 would have filled with tears to see the poor boys limp along, for we actually dragged ourselves along, groaning at every step. We actually got into camp, loaded as we were, at 4 a'clock, then hu- man endurance gave in, and we lay down, and some could scarcely stir. . . . We dropped right down on the muddy ground, equip- ments still on, and many of our boys fell asleep. " , . . . Bob was all jaded out ; had the rheumatism in his left leg terribly. Le R. had his feet blistered in five different places, and suffered much. Edgar was perfectly gone, and Webster, Day, Morrison, and six of the old fellows we left way back on the road. I determined to fall out sev- eral times, and come in easy, for it seemed a shame to march men so hard when they were most home. I guess old Barnes tried to win a name for his brigade on the walk- ing part of that famous reconnois- sance. " . . . It was far into the night when I awoke, and it seemed as if I slept the sleep of death. I could not move ; a coffin in the grave could not have bound me down closer. I was sore, stiflf, and lame, and the frost was thick upon me. I dreamed of home while I was sleeping, and I shall never forget all of your faces as I rushed into the house that night, with all the horrors of that march upon me, my . face dirty, hair uncombed, clothes muddy, gun rusty, and equipments soiled ; tired, hungry. and utterly used up. I found you in the sitting-room, and when I walked in you all raised your hands, and as if amazed and thun- derstruck at such a strange ap- pearance, said not a word; you did not know me, your own son, and before I could announce my- self I awoke, and to my surprise found myself still on the ground where I had laid myself when I got into camp. Note. — January 6th the Twen- tieth New York (Eightieth), " Ulster Guards " was assigned to the headquarter provost guard by S. O. No. 6, Headquarters Army of the Potomac, and stationed at Acquia Creek for the purpose of preventing deserters from getting away. "January 7, 1863. " I am very busy now. . . I have been doing all the company writing, making muster and pay rolls, and 3'esterday the quarter- master sent for me to do some writ- ing. I have been doing some of his quarterhr return writing to-day ; I may be his clerk. The adjutant also sent for me, and wanted me to help him . . . our house is not finished yet, and we can't find time to complete it ; we have moved in, and have a fire every night; quite comfortable. " . . . I have a corporal's warrant ; my name was read out at dress parade last night : one step on the ladder, but my ambition "is higher yet. I consider it an honor though, for I am the first recruit ad- vanced, and there is many an old veteran who is yet a private. 33° FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. "January 13, 1863. • " I, too, am in hopes that ere this you have received some of my letters since the reconnoissance across the R. ; that awful march did not delay my writing ; never so long as I can move a finger, shall my hardships keep me from send- ing you word as to our health and general condition, for too well now am I aware with what anxiety and increasing watchfulness do you think of us. . . . Your last letter . written in the senate cham- ber ... is amply significant of the place we hold in j'our best affections. To be ' first in one's I promised him that we would come over in a few days, intending then to go over last Saturday, but Bob did n't get in from picket, so I de- ferred it until Sunday, so that he could go too ; again I was disap- pointed in Bob's not coming, and started off alone. I wrote a short letter to Bob telling him where I had gone, and left him your letter, and also yours to Gene. "I visited the Thirty-fifth on my way to Burnside's headquarters, and saw Ed. M., Haze G., and rriany other friends. When I got to the Eighth Infantry, I found Quartermaster Gene gone to Wash- thoughts' while sitting in halls of ington ; I felt badly enough, I can honor, with your mind overbur- dened with business, is enough for us ; we need no better manifesta- tions than the every-day, practical showings forth of your goodness for us, and what can we do? Filled vvith a sense of unworthiness, I can only write and tell you how we thank and assure you that we are true to every home teaching, and turn anxiously to the future time when all these troubles will cease, and we shall be returned to you all, ever to remain in peace until our earthly pilgrimage is over. Bob has n't written, for he has had no chance. " I think I told you in my last that Gene was over to see me, Bob being out on picket ; he said that he and Frank were to have a leave of fifteen days, and were going home, and to Maine. He wanted assure you. I wrote him a letter, and his man, Barrett, showed me every attention (he thinks the world of Gene) possible ; I saw Captain Frank, who invited me to a magnificent supper, and I spent the evening with him, enjoying every second of the time, listening to his details of Mexican curiosities, and of his experiences when in command of Fort Fillmore, near Santa Fe, New Mexico. "It was very instructive and amusing, and he is such capital company ; he treated me so politely that I can never cease to remember him for a future return if it lies in my power. I stayed all night, and slept in Gene's nice bed, and or- dered one of the same dimensions immediately upon rising; I appre- ciated that night's rest, I can assure you. In the morning I made a fire ; Bob and myself to be sure and get got up early, and started for home, over to see him before he went, and having lived an officer's life for FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. 331 writing for the quartermaster, and am looking for a permanent Job ; if so, I shall mess with the non-com- missioned staff, and 7nay ride a pony. Adjutant has gone to Wash- ington, and Lieutenant Steele is acting ; pretty good for him ; quar- termaster sergeant gone to Acquia Creek, and I am lord of this realm." half a day, just long enough to know its pleasures. They know how to live better than these volun- teers ; besides, they have a better chance. A man who caters for headquarters also sells to them chickens, turkeys, oysters on half shell, game, and every kind of high 'fod' with all the common etceteras, such as pies, cake, bread, butter, cheese, ham, eggs, and all kinds of meat and preserves. " However, this will do for such things. When I got home I found Bob ; he had had a hard time on picket, got out of rations, been in the rain two nights, and had seen rough usage generally ; his duties in the company are more severe than ever before; he has fatigue, guard, picket, and provost duty constantly, and gets no chance to write. I only get what I steal. Our house is n't finished yet, and I do n't know when it will be. . . We thought we were going to the front when we started on our tramp, and I never expected to see this camp again ; I felt bad enough I can tell yox:, for our houses had just begun to assume a degree of comfort that was too inviting to leave for a cam- Andrews and Cooper get back we Our brother, the regular, now says : "January 15, 1863. "I returned from Washington last night; I was ordered there on duty just for one day ; I had no time for anything. I saw Colonel Willard, Frank Fessenden (the first time since I entered West Point), and several of my young friends. Lieutenants Andrews and Cooper are away on a fifteen days' leave. Captain Read is now in command of the regiment, and I have a second lieutenant with my company, but he does not know- much about military matters. Captain Read asked me if I would still command my company, and 1 could not refuse. As soon as paign. We were reviewed by our new corps commander and General Burnside the other day. I admire General Meade's appearance, but Burnside looked as though he had just crawled out of bed ; he is a splendid looking man, but dresses rather slouchy. We had to march five miles and back to the review ground ; that is always the way when we are reviewed. I am still will have nine officers with us, and Frank and I are to have a leave if we can get it. ... I do not want one until I can be spared, and can ask for one with a clear. con- science ; then it must come.* I shall go over to see Walter to- morrow, but I may not see him or Bob, for I understand that Hooker is under marching orders ; we are to have a big fight here soon. . 332 FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. " . . . What do you think of the recent fight, the Banks ex- pedition, etc.? Poor Gwynn, who was killed at Vicksburg, I knew very well, and a greater loss we could not have sustained. I buried a man of my company this morn- ing." Our brother Bob now says : "January 17, 1863. " I'have tried in vain to write for the past two weeks. . . . We now have to keep stirring continu- ally ; reveille at six o'clock, and drill at seven ; company drill at 9.30, battalion at 2.30, dress pa- rade and guard mounting ; then between, lugging water, wood, fatigue, etc., so that it gives one no chance at all. " When you think you have a chance then comes two or three days' reconnoissance, or four days' picket . . . the company is so small that it takes what few there are left to do guard duty and nig- ger work. I am as well as usual except the rheumatism. Ever since that reconnoissance I have had re- peated attacks of it. I suppose that you, upon reading that little para- graph, thought you had some idea of it, but I tell you, father, you can never form any idea of the awful suffey-ing endured during those two days. If I should attempt it, I should fail. "- . . Since then I have been on picket for four days, and was out in a tremendous rain- storm, which drenched me through, and again brought on the rhe-uma Liz . . . We received two letters last night from you. ... in our hard situation, no matter how cold or how tired, a letter or a bun- dle from home makes us happy, and fatigue and exhaustion are for- gotten in the pleasure they afford us." Old R- was a character in camp, who went to make up the sum total of our many and varied phases of human nature. He had been enlisted for our regiment when nearly sixty years of age, by some recruiting officer -who ought to have been hung or dismissed from service for such an inhuman act, for it was manifest the poor old man was totally unfit for the service. On the Fredericksburg campaign he had slipped and stumbled along, and unable to keep up had been left behind, and was consequently out of the fight. On every reconnois- sance, tour of picket duty, and, in fact, every march, or military ser- vice of any nature whatsoever, except ordinary camp guard, he had been found unable to perform. Every morning at surgeon's call, he crept out of his miserable " dug- out," and repaired to the. hospital to get excused from duty. He spent his days in the dark, gloomy, smoky hole, never leaving it except to " fall in for soup," etc., in which he failed not. The army was a cruel place for a sick man, and worse for a man who, by reason of age, incapacity, or disability, still remained about camp, without j>er- f arming his share of duty. FOUR BROHTERS IN BLUE. 333 There was little pity, true sym- pathy, or commiseration, therefore, for the misfortunes of this "non- hewer of wood." The company got "down on him," and from cer- tain men he got nothing but curses and abuse, and by them was dubbed, the " Biled Owl," "Old Hell pestle," etc. He became th'oroughly discour- aged at the slow process that prom- ised, at some future date, to release him from this dreadful life. He neglected himself, and sitting over the smoke and ashes of the small fire, which he scarcely manifested enough energy to replenish, his face became pinched, smoke-be- grimed, dirty and repulsive ; his hair long, tangled, and matted. Soon it was discovered that he was alive with vermin, and as the spring approached it became evident that old R would die from nostal- gia (homesickness) or lice unless something was speedily done to set him upon his feet again. A detail was made. He was carried to the creek. His head and face were ""lathered and shaved," his clothes stripped from him and burnt, and he was then scrubbed from head to foot with a blacking brush, and a new, clean change of clothes placed upon him. The metamorphosis was complete, and for a week or so he was quite spruce; but he soon began to relapse into his old ways again, which so disgusted the men, that whatever pity they had enter- tained before was now changed into positive dislike, which soon found vent in mischief and num- berless jokes. Among these was smoking him out, by dropping a blanket over the low chimney to his ranch, which always brought him out in the most hasty yet com- ical manner, crawling on all fours like a crab. His favorite expres- sion was : " Oh ! thunder boys, — take k-e-e-er ; " when his tormentors would set up a roar of laughter. Another favorite trick on the poor fellow was dropping cartridges down the chimney into his fire. A puff, a dull explosion, and the agil- ity which the old man displayed when he darted out of the low mud doorway of the " shack," was re- markable. Again, watching when he was frying his pork, some deviltry-loving wag would steal up quietly and shake a lot of red pep- per down the chimney, part of which going into the fire, and the rest into his fry-pan, down his neck and into his nose, would cause him to splutter, sneeze, and cough, when his tormentors would shout down, "C/?, thunder, you old dead beat, take k-e-e-er!" The rumor at last came that his discharge papers were at brigade headquarters, and when we moved out, one bright sunny morning, for a tour of picket duty, " Old R " had scarcely got half a, mile from camp, before he stubbed his toe, went down on his knees with his immense bureau and load of ra- tions, was ordered back to camp, got his discharge, and we never saw him more. Our brother Walter now writes : 334 FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. "January i8, 1863. ". . . We were to move yesterday, but now it is delayed until to-morrow. We are having a real day of rest to-day, and we are enjoying it hugely ; a fire is in the fireplace ; Bob and LeRoy are fry- ing 'flippers ' (flap-jacks) ; Edgar is writing on the bunk; and Ed. W. is quietly sleeping ; our house looks quite clean, too. We are very- nice for soldiers, but we don't live up to some of John R's advice, a la Hall's Health ; it can't be done in the army ; no time, no conveniences, liable to interruption, and as a whole, utterly impossible. It is wholly played out. If we move I do not know whether I shall have to shoulder a gun and '■frog if with the company or not. The quartermaster said he wanted to keep me with him, and thought he could get me a horse, etc., but still I shall be out of my element to be thinking of Bob as under fire, and I not at his side. Rely upon it, though, all of you, .... that wherever I am, I shall do my whole duty, never flinching. If I go into battle again, I am in for a prize. Our successes are about divided elsewhere, and it seems as though we ought to give the pre- ponderating stroke, one that shall give us the victory, amid the ap- plause of the word." Our brother Walter says : "January 19, 1863. "This is our last night in our winter quarters, and it may be the last chance I shall have of writing home for some time. I therefore, avail myself of this evening's leis- ure to speak a word or two con- cerning our prospects in the move now pending. We are going for a fight, and I am reckoned in ; we have bitter cold nights, and our march is to be a long one, for Hooker and Siegel are going up the river and come down upon the enemy's left flank. I have been thinking of what we shall have to endure, and lest we • cave in' on this campaign I write just before starting. If it continues as cold as to-night, some of us will freeze while asleep, and in the approach- ing battle I fear some of us must fall. ... I wrote for the col- better chance and taller fighting onel to-day, and the adjutant got than at F. If I remain behind, I shall look out for Bob most faith- fully. We are certainly going to move for a fight, and Heaven only knows what will be the result. "I wish there was more confi- dence in Burnside among our offi- cers ; he does not seem to inspire the army like McClellan. I hope it will be a grand, successful move, and that Richmond will be the me to pen a paper for him. Col- onel Tilton told me I would have to march with my company, as the regiment is so small ; quartermas- ter does not like it ; he says I shall have extra pay for what I have done, and when I stop at a camp he shall want me again, and will try to have me detailed ; we will see about that. " Now I am in for a fight, and the FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. 355 Lord protect and defend any poor, toon boats might as well have been miserable rebel who may happen unloaded and floated to their posi- to cross my path; if I don't settle tions on the river's bank, where the Fredericksburg's account with him. "Johnnies," with kind invitations Good-by, dear mother; I "to come over," tacked to the hope it may be my lot to write trees, were exultantly waiting for again soon; sweet thoughts of the " picnic " to commence. Bradford days spent at home serve We marched a mile or more, to cheer our lonelier hours, and halted three hours, started again, make us wish more and more for marched two miles and went into the wished'-for day of welcome camp rather disgusted at our slow return." progress. The plan General Burn- On the 20th of Jaimary, 1863, at side had in view was much the one p. m. we again emerged from same as before described — a flank- " Camp Gove," and traversing the ing movement, both up and down old road across the railroad at the the river, one a feint ; the other "Switch," and by Sykes's division proved 2, faint before we got of regulars, made that famous through. Our route was the same '^ mud ma?-ch" of General Burn- as in the reconnoissance, toward side, which shall go down to his- the fords. On the 21st, General tory, as one of the most remarkable Griffin in person roused Colonel movements ever made by the Army Tilton and ordered him to get the of the Potomac; when the bottom regiment ready to march imraedi- literally dropped out of the whole ately. We were soon in line ; and immediate country, and men floun- without coffee, remained for four dered uj5 to their knees in the long hours until Humphreys's and liquid filth, and mud-puddles, which Sykes's divisions had filed past us. had been churned by the artillery. The rain, which had poured in tor- cavalry, and infantry of the entire rents during the entire night, had command. not ceased, but, accompanied by an Rain descended by day and east wind, penetrated and sought nio-ht. Wagons were stalled, never our bones. We marched about to be resurrected. Mules stuck fast, half a mile further, then halted in only to lie down and die, and were a bleak field where we made cofl^ee completely submerged, with ears and felt better. In an hour or only faintly visible over the sea of more we again moved, going two mud. Guns and caissons became miles further toward Hartwood inextricably confused and mixed church. We bivouacked in a fine up in their oozing beds, where they old forest of oak, and got ready for lay with the mud in the muzzles of the night. The way was blocked the pieces, until the road could be ahead. The floods descended ; all corduroyed for their relief, and con- was a sea above and beneath. Jan- veyance to a place of safety. Pon- uary 20th, the provost guard struck 3S6 FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. camp and started on the " mud march," but returned on the 2ist. On the 22d, Thursday, we lay still. The one incident worth re- lating as occurring on this day, was the unfortunate whiskey riot. The rain was still descending in torrents. The men were chilled through and through. Under these conditions it was deemed advisable to issue the usual whiskey ration. Some of our men procured more than one ration of the ardent fluid ; in fact, one or more canteens, on orders from the officers, in some cases raising the orders from one to ten until there were several can- teens to each company, enough to start the noisy and quarrelsome ones. A fight commenced in one of our best companies, C, by one Murray. In attempting to quell what was at first a slight matter, the officers from other regiments came over and fanned the flames, and soon the One Hundred and Eighteenth Pennsylvania (our old friends), the Twenty-second, Sec- ond Maine and First Michigan were inextricably mingled. It now became a " Donny brook Fair." Hit wherever a head could be seen, as it came up smiling from the depths of the clayey mire. The major of the One Hundred and Eighteenth (O'Neil) was threaten- ing our boys with instant death if the fighting did not cease at once. He was backing up his threat with the display of two cocked six-shoot- ers, one in each hand. This was whom stole up behind him, and sent him sprawling in the mud by a dexterous blow behind the ear. The only wonder is that the pistols did not go olT and kill somebody. The giants of the Second Maine soon cleared the field, and the whiskey having given out, and the effects somewhat worn off, quiet soon reigned over the battle-ground, no more sanguinary than a few blood}' noses and black eyes. Friday, the 23d, we turned out at daybreak to corduroy the roads back to camp, under the impression that it was to enable sup)plies to be pushed out to us. The sun came out on the morn- ing of the 24th, and the commands were set in motion for their old camps, wallowing, sliding, and slip- ping at every step ; the artillery being gathered in the next day. To describe this movement with its gloom, rain, cold, mud, and dispir- iting, demoralizing, and humiliating scenes, would be beyond our power ; we are content that it was a part of the history of that army in which we suffered, and that we did our entire duty there as upon the more bloody battle-fields. Whole volumes might be written upon it, the exposure and suflerings of the men, whereby many a poor fellow laid down his life ; the sea of mud ; the ropes bent to the pontoon trains, artillery, caissons and lim- bers, in vain efforts to move them from their oozy beds ; the dead mules and horses by the roadsides, too great a temptation tor some of more than half buried where they our whiskey-laden pugilists, one of fell ; the deluge of cold, penetrating FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. 357 rain that constantly soaked us to the skin. It is beyond description ; all things have their end, and_ we were glad when this had its end, as we floun- dered and waded back again, partly over the corduroys, which we were compelled to build for our relief, especially the writer, who for not being drunk, was rewarded (?) by being detailed to go into our old camp, and bring out axes to cut logs for corduroying. It woulcf be hard to tell which was the meanest, or, as the Western boys express it, the most " ornery " time the Army of the Potomac ever had, but for mud, rain, cold, whiskey drowned-out men, horses, mules, and abandoned wagons and batteries, for pure unadulterated demoralization, Kilkenny fighting and downright cussedness, " this took the cake." All these scenes have been de- scribed, drawn, and vividly painted for the new generation of military readers and students ; and yet it proved in the end a very long one, over hill and valley, through briers and brambles, and a very dense growth of saplings and scrub trees, after which we halted ; but once more in motion, we kept on until about noon, when we found our- selves just one eighth of a mile from the spot we had left. After Sykes's and Humphreys's divisions had passed us, our march was re- sumed again on a '■'■short cut^' through every muddy corn-field that could be found, and within two miles of our old camp, we struck off into a "cow path," exactly in the wrong direction, and again we ascended and descended. Oh! suck hills as we explored ; and -what brooks and small streams we waded, with our wet luggage Upon our broken backs, only to find our- selves about one half mile nearer our old camp than when we left the main road. The ■whiskey having finally lost its grip we arrived in "Camp Gore," about four p. m., and would be hard for the boy reader of again pitched our ponchos upon to-day to fully realize those scenes, or what suffering and sacrifices were endured by our brave boys, and what treasure was poured out by our country to redeem it from the curse of human slavery, and to establish the supremacy of the Union. On the 24th, at eleven a. m., upon our return,' somebody too drunk to know a road from a " hole in a blanket," led us at right angles from our proper course, and we were marched by a short cut, which the rain-soaked ground we had left five days before. Our brother Bob says : "January 25, 1863. " I have just read your letter. If you could only know how such letters serve to raise the drooping spirit, of your soldier brothers, you would never hesitate a moment between pleasure and writing a letter to them ; and to have them come at this time of all others, when the Army of the Poto- 358 FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. mac is most despondent and dis- work at anything, and I felt badly couraged, just come in from the when I heard he was wounded, last grand forward movement, wal- " If we had crossed the river you lowing in the mud and water, sleep- would have had a good prospect of ing in mild, eating and drinking it ; seeing me at home, for we would in fact for four days we have been have .had a great battle, and I wet through, and had to sleep so, would have been wounded, or for there has not been a dry day worse, killed ;....! am since we started; cannon, teams, spared perhaps to be the victim ambulances, pontoons, everything of the next engagement ; but know stuck fast, and to crown all the this one thing, that wherever my * rebs ' are in position across the body is, there is one who never river at the ford, where we were to shirked from the fight, and if Walt cross with cannon planted, etc., all is not with me by my side, I will do ready to give us Hail Columbia my best, and fight alone, although when we were crossing. it is hard for me to have him away. "Oh! the misery of this move. He has been for the second time The men were wet, tired, hungry,- promoted, this time to be sergeant- and desponding. They gave out major of the regiment. Tell mother whiskey, and the whole brigade I suffered badly frojn the rheuma- got drunk, and got into a regular tism on the last march, and as to riot, or nearly that, and when a being careful about getting cold, it detail came for four men from our is out of the question ; you can't company to go into camp for axes, wade through mud and water in a I being about the only one sober, cold rain storm, sleep in woods, had to go. Wet and tired as I was, raining all night and the next day ; I waded seven miles into camp, got sleep in wet blankets the next night, axes and started back, but had to then sweat under a load that a good stop on the way and corduroy the sized jackass can't begin to carry ; roads. We worked hard the next have to wade into camp ' double day, and then were ordered ahead quick,' and yet lie careful about to the regiment, where we arrived getting cold; neither will all the all used up ; the next day we came medicines that ever were given cure into our camp, as usual on the run, one, for as soon as he is well of it, and had just got our ponchos up, a he has to go right through the same fire built, and had sat down to rest, performance, and the most discour- when who should come in but Sam aging tiling about it is, that it never Hopkinson. seems to be of any good. " I am glad mother saw Fletcher, " This army?ieems to be fated : if and enjoyed his description of our I could only sit right down with journey together; he was a first-rate father, and talk to him, I could man, full of life and good humor, soon-convince him, and let him into always willing to take hold and the reasons of the failure of the FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. 359 Army of the Potomac, but paper will not suffice ... I don't think we shall move from here for sometime ; the army is demoralized to a great extent, and something will have to be done to restore order in it before it movas again; they have no confidence in Burnside." Burnside was relieved. Hooker assumed command. We were better fed, better clothed, desertions grew less frequent, furloughs were granted in homeopathic doses..; grumbling was reduced to a mini- mum. The president wrote his famous letter to General Hooker, and vis- ited the army. Inspections, reviews,' and discipline were the order of the day. The army picketed nearly forty miles of line on its front, it is said. We thought sometimes it must have been eighty. Our brig- ade line was between Hartwood Church, and Stafford Court House, near " Stafford Corner." Several times we marched nearly seven miles in cold, wet snow storms, which soon soaked us through, and with slush and mud half up to our knees, and after wading several deep brooks, with our papery flimsy shoes, we arrived * at the picket posts, in anything but an enviable condition of body, or cheerful frame of mind, to perform such important duties. We wore out the nights about the huge, sparkling, white oak log fires, at the picket reserve, with our backs arched up, to shed the fast falling snow, roasting our faces and freezing our backs. Lost in a protracted deliberation. whether we would take our chances on the slushy, sloppy, mire-trodden ground, with the rest of the curi- ously hunched-up, blanketed forms in that picket-circle, or "take it out," in '■'■pinning down the log" until time to go on post again. Or, after being conducted by the corporal along the dark, gloomy forest path to the edge of the tim- ber, we were posted for two or four hours. We strove to chew the c,ud of bitter reflection, nurse up our patriotism and, after trying the '■ red-pepper " scheme in our stock- ings, to keep us awake, briskly moved up and down the beat, pinching ourselves to establish our identity. Vainly did we try to throw off our imaginative minds, during the cold, gray hours of the early morning, the groups of stumps in the open space between the lines, that had so often assumed the shapes of men, and " bug-a- boos " to our bewildered eyes. Such was the dark side of our picket duties, during the winter of 1862-3. Note. — Company G, Ninth New York (Hawkin's Zouaves) were re- lieved from duty at general head- quarters, January 26. Our brother Walter writes : " Sunday Evening, "January 26, 1863. " I am just back from Gene's headquarters. ... I learned upon my arrival in camp that I am promoted to the berth of sergeant- major of the Twenty-second Mas- sachusetts regiment. . . I wrote 360 FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. to Gene from his camp to-day, and he will probably get it before you get this, and will hear from that about our last move. In getting my pass signed at headquarters, I was somewhat surprised to see Ho- ratio Staples' name signed A. A. A. General ; I inquired and was shown the individual, and behold it was the old Portland boy a first- lieutenant in the Second Maine regiment. . . I am writing with no candle light." "January 30. . When I got back to camp I was accosted with many congratu- lations and salutations of our noble little tent's crew, in regard to my promotion, which was read on dress parade during my absence. I was ordered to report that very evening to the adjutant, with no instructions as to my duties, etc. Our quartermaster said to me when congratulating me upon my good luck ' brains are wanted be- sides.' Our surgeon said to me yesterday : ' I am glad you got promoted. -When I first saw you I thought you would be higher than a private soon. I can tell a man at first sight,' said he. . . I have an easy berth as soon as I know my business ; I assist the adjutant at all times, guard mounting, dress par- ade, etc. ; do all the detailing, and do writing in the office. . . I rank all the non-commissioned offi- cers, and live with the non-commis- sioned stafl"; we live pretty well. I have been out on guard mounting several times ; the first time I made several blunders and was a little nervous ; the regiment • en masse ' almost, turned ovit to see the new sergeant-major perform. . . I found it a little hard to use a sword gracefully, but I improve daily. . The regiment is out on picket, and the snow is eight inches deep ; they will doubtless have a hard time of it, not taking their ponchos, which are fast to the log huts. I pity poor Bob, and think of him continually ; trust to it, his lot shall be easier in the future ; good cheer awaits him on his return ; I will have a warm fire in his tent, and will contrive to have bread, butter and doughnuts on hand. . . I am so glad that Gene is at home. I send a paragraph in regard to our late move ; I have no time to describe our hardships in that stick in the mud. . . Hooker is now in command ; now for a move : I onl}^ wish he was a great general ; his fighting qualities would do great things for us. I fear he will be rash." "January 31, Bob is just in from picket, and he with the rest of the boys reports a hard time ; they have been out in all the storm, and the mud mixed with snow has been almost unendurable. They took no fents with them, and the first night were aw^ake, sitting beside fires up to their knees in snow and mud. The second night they were on post, and third (last) night, was passed very comfortably by them. "Yesterday they sent in word for some rations, being all out of grub. I sent Bob some coff"ee, sugar, hard and soft bread, butter, cheese, doughnuts and pork, with two boiled potatoes ; he seemed so FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. 361 thankful for it upon coming in. I had a nice fire for them, plenty of wood cut, and we are going to be happy to-night. " You want to know about the forward movement, and how we are on account of it ; I have already written about it briefly, perhaps as extended as it deserves. We suf- fered from mud and wet and as usual were defeated in our plans ; it is so discouraging to us raw re- cruits. Still I have faith in the ulti- mate success of the Army of the Potomac, and when I consider your words of truth in regard to the out- side pressure brought to bear upon this army, I must say that the army is terribly deceived ; the men do not understand ; they do not look ahead. They are discouraged, and forget to reason in love of self. I am still confident ; I can seem to see a light beaming way ahead through this deep darkness ; I am sure we will yet win. " General Hooker is now in com- mand, and truly, father, I have more faith in him than in Burnside, for he does n't acknowledge himself incompetent, but asseits that he can whip them all out and out. He does n't wish the people to think of him as ' Fighting Joe Hooker,' a ■dashing, harum scarum, foolhardy fighter, but would have them trust in him as a wise and able general. Hurrah for him, I say, and on to ■victory ! " If he can make ihe gi-and divi- sion plan work better than Burnside did, then I am in for it ; but, after all,, the true Napoleonic plan of thorough detail in the commander's knowledge is the best. " Poor Burnside ! what a pity it is that he couldn't have retired upon his Newbern and Antietam laurels, instead of being permitted to spoil his good name for a general in the late disaster ; but history will accord to him his rightful due, that he was a noble man, and did the best he could, and only went down when he was overwhelmed by a position he could not fill. " We all wait now for future events, and the horizon casts its shadow before. May everything be full of glory for our country. I only hope this army may be fortu- nate in the future. . . To-night we are to be paid off", and the camp is in a jubilee. Saturday night. — We have just been paid off for jil- most three months, up to the first of November, and your letter to Bob, with enclosed letter from Senator Sumner, has been handed him. ' In view of all things,' we are ' g^y '^'^d happy still.' ' Now let the wide world wag as it will. " . . . Tell Gene we still prosper." Our brother of the artillery now writes : " Fort Tillinghast, February i, 1863. ". . . I have neglected writ- ing you for some time. . . If I had been sick and unable to write, Lewis would have informed you, so I knew you would not worry on that account. I have had a very bad cold for the past two or three weeks, and I cough myself almost 362 FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. to death, but I hope to be better soon if this mud dries up. I have not had dry feet for three weeks, for when you step out of a tent the mud and water is knee deep, so you. can judge what beautiful times we are having ; but I suppose it is nothing to what poor Walt and Bob have to endure. I am so glad that Walter is so much liked in the regiment, and that there is a prospect of his being promoted ; he is, and always was a good boy, and deserves it. We have recently' received our pay for four months, where they owed us seven ; this is the way we have been served. We lost everything we had when we advanced, and on our return had to draw everything over again, even to knapsacks. It is a custom to settle our clothing ac- count every year, and we settled last July ; but this year an order came out for us to settle every quarter, and all this extra clothing was deducted from our pay. Sol- diering is a gay life ! I suppose I have to draw a new dress coat, as the rats with which our tents are swarming, gnawed the collar oft' mine a night or two since. I have had such a cold that I have not been on duty lately, and consequently have not needed it, but it will not do to come out without any collar on my coat. "I had rather a thousand times be in the field (I have changed my mind) , than where we are now, for the officers have nothing to do, are continually fighting among them- selves and ' issuing orders ' to the men. " There have been about a dozen resignations of officers in the regi- ment during the past month, all on account of our new colonel, who is very unpopular with both officers and men. Have you heard from Gene lately, and when do 3'ou ex- pect him home ? When I last heard from him he thought of starting soon, but letters I received, said that he had not yet arrived ; he promised to call on me. You should see the jackass that Lewis got ; he is a fine animal. Do you think there is any prospect of the war closing within a year? It has commenced to rain again, and I have to pass another night in a wet bunk, for our tents are old and leak badly. It is not now as it was last winter, for then we had good quarters. There are two companies at the fort com- manded b}' a major, and the offi- cers need a good deal of room, con- sequently we have to suffer." Our brother Bob now says : " February 2, 1863. " Since Walt has been promoted,. I miss him. . . We have alwaj^s been together on marches and on picket, doubling- blankets, etc. . . he is up to' headquarters about all the time, so> I see little of him compared to what I did. I had just returned from ■ four days' picket duty in a tough snow storm when your first letter,, enclosing mother's, • came, and sweaty, and plastered with mud, I sat down to read them. . . We had a hard time on picket, as j^oui FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. 363 must imagine ; we marched seven miles in a cold, wet snow storm, which soon wet us through, and the mud was awful ; the only way I can describe it was that we waded in running, sloshy mud up to our knees, and also waded one or two brooks, and then to make ourselves comfortable for the night, went into the woods and chopped wood, started a lire, and cold and wet, and snowing like the ' Old Nick.' We sat up all night with the snow on our backs two inches thick ; we would get up and shake, then re- sume our seats : quite a picture. The next day we got quite decently dry, after which a soldier can keep quite comfortable with a rousing fire. " You were quite right in sup- posing us in the last ' forward move- ment ; ' mud and rain were predom- inant, but as I have described it pretty well in K's letter, and the papers also give a pretty good ac- count of it, I will not attempt it again ; we had a rough time. I send a good description of a soldier on the march ; it is pretty good. you were mistaken in my mean- ing when you thought that I said the papers bragged about our defeat at Fredericksburg ; I was speaking with reference to our reconnois- sance, and said that the papers bragged about our regiment per- forming it so well and so quickly, etc. We hate to have them do so as it reminds us too forcibly of the sufferings we had to undergo to accomplish it. . . I get into dis- cussions very often at the guard house and elsewhere. . . Such a demoralized set they, the old ones, were after the battle you never saw, and they would talk about lay- ing down their arms, and were dis- loyal ; I would do all I could to discourage it, and even get them ' huffy ' ; they would say : ' You d d two hundred dollar men can well afford to talk patriotism to us ; you have not seen as much as we have.' Yet, mind you, they all say they have not suffered so much as they have in the past three months, all owing to the winter catnpaign. When I write home to you, I don't mean it in a grumbling way, but to describe to the best of my ability, our marches, movements, etc. It is as you say, the new ones have, to a great extent, caught the spirit, and it is awful discouraging to see the undercurrent at work, if you were only here to see it all ; cheating \yy the quartermaster, the drunken officers, removal of the generals, etc. . . We have had more to discourage us than, most of them ; I have crossed two rivers to fight, and had to leave in a hurry. . Yet I am willing to try ' y.ohnny' again. . . If they would only stop this quarreling among the cabinet and politicians at home, hang off a few traitors like Wood, Seymour, Van Buren & Co., and take hold with a will to help the president and army, then the boys would feel encouraged ; but they know that is what is pull- ing back the Army of the Potomac, therefore they do feel despondent, and some of them grumble consid- 364 FOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. erably. . I hear that Burnside lias been removed ; also Franklin and Sumner ; Hooker takes com- mand, Meade the (grand) division, and Griffin the corps ; they better stop such fooling. . . We were paid three months' pay night before last at midnight, (by Paymaster Holman). . . with the paymas- ter comes the sutler, who is in camp as large as can be. I have just been out on dress parade ; Joe Hooker is in command of the Army of the Potomac ; look out for great things. As it is getting ^?