(Qornell Unitteraitg Slibrarg 3tl)aca, Neui fofU THE JAMES VERNER SCAIFE COLLECTION CIVIL WAR LITERATURE THE GIFT OF JAMES VERNER SCAIFE CLASS OF 1B89 1919 Cornell University Library E 47263 B19 Hon. Edward D;,.Baker^a^^^^^ olin 3 1924 032 281 655 Cornell University Library The original of tliis 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/cu31924032281655 mm COLONEI. E. D. BAKER. U. S. Senate. HON. EDWARD D. BAKER U. S. SENATOR FROM OREGON, Amerina's Heroes, formerly in Cingress from Illinois, Colonel 4th Illinois Regiment and Commander of Gnneral Sliields' Brigade in the War with Mexico; Colonel 1st California or 71sl Penna. Yol. Regiment, Organizer and Commander in 1861 of the Philadelphia Brigade | Appointed Brigadier-General Tolunteers August 6th, 1861, to rank from May 17th, 1861, which he declined August 31st, 1861 ; Appointed Major-General Volunteers, September 21st, 1861, which he had neither accepted nor declined at the time of his death. General McClellan was then the only other officer in the Army of the Potomac holding the rank of Major-General. COLONEL E. D. BAKER'S Defense in the Battle of Ball's Bluff, fought October 2ist i85i, in Virginia, Slight Biographical Sketches of Colonel Baker and Generals Wistar and Stone. BY JOHN D. BALTZ, IvATE I^IEUTENANT. Formerly a Private, Co. H, 71ST Penna. Vols. PUBIvISHED FOR THB AUTHOR. INQUIRER PRINTING COMPANY, I,ANCASTER, PA. 1888.. Entered according- to Act of Congress, in the year 1888, by JOHN D. BAI,TZ, In the Office of the I^ibrariau of Congress at "Washington. CONTENTS. PAGE CHAPTER I. Biographical Sketch of Colonel E- D. Baker, United States Senate, Organizer of the ist California Regiment. His Service and Death. Dedication of Monument at Gettys- burg in the Presence of Pickett's Division 9 CHAPTER II. Biographical Sketch of Brigadier General Isaac J. Wistar, and Early History of the 1st California or 71st Penna. Volunteers 29 CHAPTER III. Biographical Sketch of Brigadier General Charles P. Stone, Colonel of the 14th U. S. Infantry 48 CHAPTER IV. Forecast of Colonel Baker's Defense. Topography of the Country. Stone's Means of Defense. He Prepares a Flotilla. His Advance upon Leesburg 53 CHAPTER V. Official Reports and Communications Previous to the Bat- tle. Charges Made Against Colonel Baker and Mis- statements Answered 68 CHAPTER VI. Stone's Official Orders and Instructions for the First Ad- vance. The Movement of Troops. The Hour Fixed when Colonel Baker took Command. His Orders. ... 95 (3) 4 CONTENTS. PAGE CHAPTER VII. The Movement of Troops — Their Condition, Number, and Orders at Edward's Ferry. A Commander Wanted. Testimony of Generals Lander and Dana, Colonel Tomp- kins, Majors Mix, Bannister, Dimmick, and Philip Hanger, with Comments 121 CHAPTER VIII. A Glimpse at the Confederate Forces and their Movements from Fort Evans and. Edward's Ferry to Attack Colonel Baker. General Evans' Report. Colonel Barksdale's Report. They take Prisoners, and Fire upon those in Retreat. Stone's Troops held by One Company, 13th Mississippi 146 CHAPTER IX. Colonel Baker and Lieutenant Colonel Wistar on the Bluff. Stone, in Command at Harrison's Island, Instructs Baker to hold the Bluff. Baker's Position very Perilous. "All was going well up to Baker's Death." General Banks' Testimony, Colonel Van Allan's Testimony, General Lander's Testimony, Colonel Devens' Testimony, and Captain Bartlett's Report. Colonel Baker's and General McClellau's Generalship Contrasted. Stone's Peculiari- ties. Colonel Cogswell Ordered to take charge of the Artillery. He gave the Order to Retreat. McClellau Exonerates Stone. McClellan's Subsequent Testimony. McClellan All-Potent 154 CHAPTER X. General Stone before the "Joint Committee on the Con- duct of the War. " His Arrest and Imprisonment. Tes- timony as to his Loyalty. The Committee's Opinion of Stone's Conduct. Orders to Colonel Baker Authenti- cated. Colonel Baker's Presentiment. Orders which Stone said were Spurious 183 CHAPTER XI. General Stone Released. His Arrest as Viewed in Halls of Congress. He does not Demand a Court of Inquiry. Plis Report of the National Casualties at the Bluff and Statement not Corroborated 200 CONTENTS. 5 PACE CHAPTER XII. General Stone again appears before tlae Committee. Sup- plies Omissions and Corrects some of his Mis-statements. General McClellan Approves of the Crossing. Transpor- tation Sufficient. Colonel Van Allan's Testimony. Mc- Clellan's and Stone's Dispatches. Stone's Opinion of McCall's Movements. His Reason for not Demanding a Court of Inquiry. He does not think the Committee Solicited his Arrest. Committee's Final Conclusion. Names of Senators and Representatives of whom the Committee was Composed 214 CHAPTER XIII. Concluding Comments and Testimony — General McClel- lan's Report, and his Testimony. McClellan's Position and Prospects. He Supplies the Missing Ivink. Stone Reduced, Resigns His Commission. General Grant's Opinion. General McCall's Testimony 229 ILLUSTRATIONS. Portrait of Colonel E. D. Baker (Frontispiece) 8 Cut of Regimental Monument at Gettysburg 25 Portrait of General Isaac J. Wistar 28 Map of the Battle Field and Position of Troops at Ball's Bluflf 94 Sketch of Cliff at Ball's Bluff, showing Troops Crossing . 157 PREFl^CE, Having looked anxiously during the past, but in vain, for a full account of the Baker tragedy in, and the Stone episode growing out of, the affair at Ball's Bluff, with conclusions definitely drawn from reliable data, clearing up the mystery surrounding that affair, aud feeling dissatisfied, not only with the published errors, so apparent to those who had been upon the field, but also with the meagre accounts that occur in many of our publications, while the ominous silence in other works seem to lend a deeper shade to the enigma, tending rather to sharpen an already keen desire to follow the principal actors, step by step, through the various de- tails of the whole affair, I concluded to delve into the National and Confederate ofl&cial reports, and the testi- mony taken by the "Committee on the Conduct of the War, ' ' for my personal gratification, hoping to find therein some convincing data, more in keeping with the views entertained by many of the participants. Aftfer having made a careful examination and study of the whole subject, from that and other sources, I found that errors much greater than I had anticipated had been given to the public, and were currently passing for truths, for want of a more thorough knowledge of the whole matter; therefore, I thought I might at least expose some of the errors by contrasting them with of- fical reports, despatches, and reliable testimony. With such thought in view, I finally commenced the ar- rangement of this data, with comments as contained in this publication, for the information of my comrades, and those most interested. Hoping that the views therein contained will prove to be jujt, if not pervaded , (vii) 8 PREFACE. with so much charitable silence as some might deem proper, I dedicate this volume to the survivors of the ist California Regiment, organized by Colonel E. D. Baker, whose life and reputation they hold most dear. In the preparation of this volume, I am indebted for some specific information to Comte de Paris' "Civil War in America," and other authorities therein named, and for some general information to ' ' Martial Deeds of Pennsylvania, " " Twenty Years in Congress, ' ' by Mr. Blaine, an address by General Wistar to the survivors of his old regiment, and the "Civil War in America," by lyossing. J. D. B. April 2, 1888. SLIGHT BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES OF SOME OF THE PRINCIPAL ACTORS IN THE BATTLE OF BALL'S BLUFF. CHAPTER L' COLONEL E. D. BAKER. Edward Dickinson Baker, late a member of the United States Senate, a soldier distinguislied in two wars, was bom in England about 1808, of poor but worthy parentage, members of the Society of Friends, who with their children sought the hospitable shores of America, landing at Philadelphia when Edward was about nine years old. After the lapse of a few years, by the death of his father, he became the sole depend- ence of the family, and thus while a boy his native force of character, and self-reliance marked his career. Among the earliest recollections of his youth by which he was impressed, was the splendid pageant . attending the funeral of Lord Nelson. With the surviving mem- bers of his small family, he removed to the then far "West, the land of hope and promise, and settled in Springfield, in the State of Illinois, then a fledgeling of the Republic, where at an early age he joined the sect of "Christians or Disciples of Christ," largely known as " Campbellites, " then in their infancy, whose only (9) lO BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF "book of doctrine or discipline is the Bible," and be- fore he attained to his majority, he became one of their most eloquent and renowned speakers. This quiet and peaceful profession failed to satisfy the restless activity and ambition of his youth. He turned his attention to the more stirring and lucrative profession of the law. Having fine natural gifts, which he improved by close attention to his profession and extensive reading, he soon attained eminence at the Illinois bar. He was not only well read in the law and general literature of the day, but he especially delighted in studying. the principal historical campaigns of the Old World — those of the most famous of the ancient Greek warriors, and of the more modem generals, Frederick the Great, Marlborough and Napoleon, all of whom he re-read carefully, and with whose historic marches and battles be was absolutely familiar. In 1846 he was elected from his district to Congress, where he became distinguished in debate. When war was declared against Mexico, he at once returned to his home and raised the 4th Illinois Regi- ment of Volunteers, with which he joined General Scott's army on its march to the City of Mexico. While en route upon a transport a mutiny broke out in a Southern regiment, in quelling which he was se- verely wounded by a shot through the throat, from which he recovered and served in the field to the con- clusion of the war, winning great renown at Cerro Gordo, where General Shields was wounded, leaving Colonel Baker in command of his Brigade as Senior Colonel, which he led successfully against the Mexican position. Upon his return to Illinois at the close of the war, he was re-elected to Congress, where he served his State with great brilliancy and bade fair to become one of the leaders of the House. The Whigs of the Northwest presented Colonel Baker for a seat in the Cabinet of President Taylor, COLONEL E. D. BAKER. n upon whose death and over whose remains, he delivered an eulogy typical of the great soldier, which immedi- ately took rank as one of the most ornate, and classic orations delivered in the American Capitol. His failure to receive a Cabinet appointment was a sore trial to him, causing him to think that his politi- cal career in Illinois was broken; and in 1852, after the close of his service in Congress, he joined the throng who were seeking fortune and fame on the Pacific slope. When leaving Washington he said to a friend that he should never look on the Capitol again unless he came bearing his credentials as a Senator of the United States, with which he did return in eight years. After leaving Illinois he was attacked by fever on the Isthmus, narrowly escaping with life, which left him prematurely aged, and his rugged constitution per- manently impaired. At the California bar, at that time an exceptionally able one, adorned with remarkable men from nearly every State in the Union, he speedily took a leading place, and as a jury advocate had no superior, being continually sought for in most of the leading criminal cases of the day, some of which remain landmarks in the jurisprudence of the Pacific Coast. It was there he became acquainted with Senator Broderick of Cali- fornia, a supporter of Douglas, who was antagonized by the Democratic followers of William M. Gwin, his colleague in the Senate, which in the heat of the cam- paign of 1859 led to a duel with Judge Terry, a prom- inent Democrat of Southern birth, in which Broderick was killed in the first fire — at which the Nation was profoundly afiected, the excitement being greater throughout the country than ever attended a duel, ex- cept when Hamilton fell at the hands of Burr in 1804. The oration over the remains of the dead Senator was delivered by Colonel Baker in San Francisco, in 12 BIOGMAPHICAL SKETCH OF which he drew a realistic picture of the bloody tragedy and portrayed the characteristics of the participants so graphically, with irresistible power and eloquence, that violence was feared from the stirred multitude, which upheaving of the masses added greatly to the influence of the political party most concerned, and contributed in no small degree to Lincoln's triumph in California the ensuing year. Colonel Baker again changed his place of residence, locating in Oregon, where he was elected to the United States Senate, and spent the winters of 1860-61 in Washington, then overflowing with tareason, discord and turbulenjce. Though firm in his views, he was, by no means a bitter partisan, many of his, warmest per- sonal friends belonging to the defeated party. He gave full credit to the sincerity of Southern statesmen, and with his positive and ardent nature scorned the talk of peaceful adjustment, maintaining that the dif- ferences were unadjustable except by war, and that a great war was certain to take place upon the inaugura- tion of the new President, and earnestly advised the arming and disciplining of troops for the inevitable struggle. When the telegram startled the Nation with the announcement that the old flag had been dishon- ored and lowered from Fort Sumter, the upheaval of the Noi^th which followed met an enthusiastic response in the breast of Edward D. Baker, who was shortly thereafter commissioned by President I^incoln to raise for the service of the United- States a regiment of in- fantry, with himself as Colonel, which was recruited during the months of April and the early part of May, 1 86 1, at ^Philadelphia, for "three years or the war." This, regiment was the first enlisted of the three years' troops, being organized April 29th, 1861, under the immediate charge of Lieutenant-Colonel Isaac J. Wis- tar, and mustered into the service for ' ' three years or the war," the pay of some of the companies dating COLONEL E. D. BAKER. 13 from April i6th, although the authority for so long a muster is not clearly defined under the following order : War Department, 1 Washington City, May 8, i85i. / Colonel E. D. Ba.ker, Senate. Sir: You are authorized to raise for the service of the United vStates a regiment of troops (infantry) with yourself as Colonel, to be taken as a portion of any troops that may be called from the State of California by the United States, and to be known as the California Regiment. Orders will be issued to the mus- tering officer in New York to muster the same into the service as soon as presented- In case the proper government officers are not prepared to furnish clothing for the men of your regiment at the time you find' it necessary, you are authorized to purchase for cash their outfit of clothing, provided the same is properly charged in the muster-rolls of your command. I am, Sir, very respectfully. Your obedient servant, Simon Cameron, Secretary of War. Under this order Colonel Baker had his regiment furnished by purchase, with an excellent outfit of cloth- ing at their headquarters in Fort Schuyler, at the junc- tion of East River and Long Island Sound, where they were drilled eight to ten hours a day, and subjected to strict discipline and guard duty at the Fort, before marching into Virginia. Of the movements of this regiment, led by Colonel Wistar during the greater part of its early history, we will have occasion to speak hereafter. Colonel Baker was always solicitous for the welfare of Ms men, and by many kind and thoughtful acts endeared himself to them. On one occasion, just previous to the first battle of Bull Run, while the reg- iment was on the Peninsula, and before moving out toward Richmond on that side in co-operation with McDowell's movement, the men were addressed by Colonel Baker as follows : ' ' My men ! I want you all to listen to what I have 14 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF to say to you, for it may concern some of you, but I hope not many. I know that there are many men who enlist at times under excitement of different kinds, and after the excitement has passed they regret the step. Now if there is any one here who feels that he has not the courage to do a soldier's duty, let him give his najne to his Captain, who will bring him to my head- quarters to-morrow morning, and I will see that he is furnished free transportation to his home. And I warn any man who hoots at those embracing this offer, that he will be summarily punished. I love and respect the man who has the moral courage to acknowledge the truth, if he has not the physical courage to face the foe." The following day 35 out of 1500 men came forward and were sent quietly to their homes. This regiment was not recognized by the State of California, and was compelled at first to make its re- turns to the War Department, the same as the regi- inents in the regular service, but was finally placed upon the roster of the Keystone State as the 71st Reg- iment of the Pennsylvania line, having served several months, and lost a number of men in action before many of the regiments bearing prior numbers were in service at all, or had completed their muster. Colonel Baker, whose sagacity told him that the war could not be settled in three months' time, had the honor of commanding the first "three years' regi- ment ' ' that entered the volunteer service in the great Rebellion, to which he subsequently added the 69th, 72d and io6th Pennsylvania Volunteers, forming a brigade with himself as its Commander, shortly before he fell in battle, of whom Mr. Blaine writes : "On the ist of August, while performing the double and somewhat anomalous duty of commanding his regiment and representing Oregon in the Senate, Mr. Baker entered the chamber in the full uniform of a COLONEL E. D. BAKER. 15 Colonel of the United States Army. He laid liis sword upon his desk, and sat for some time listening to the debate. He was evidently impressed by the scene, of which he was himself a conspicuous feature. Breck- enridge took the floor shortly after Baker appeared, and made a speech, of which it is fair criticism to say, that it reflected in all respects the views held by the members of the Confederate Congress then in session at Richmond. Colonel Baker evidently grew restive under the words of Breckenridge. His face was aglow with excitement, and he sprang to the floor when the Senator from Kentucky took his seat. His reply, abounding in denunciation and invective, was not lacking in the more solid and convincing argument. He rapidly reviewed the situation, depitted the char- acter of the Rebellion, described the position of Breck- enridge, and passionately asked, 'What would have been thought, if in another Capitol, in a yet more martial age, a senator with the Roman purple flowing from his shoulders had risen in his place, surrounded by all the illustrations of Roman glory, and declared that advancing Hannibal was just, and that Carthage should be dealt with in terms of peace ? What would have been thought, if after the battle of Cannse, a Senator had denounced every levy of the Roman peo- ple, every expenditure of its treasure, every appeal to the old recollections and the old glories?' Mr. Fessen- den, who sat near Baker, responded in an undertone, ' He would have been hurled from the Tarpeian Rock.' Colonel Baker, with his aptness and readiness, turned the interruption to still further indictment of Breck- enridge - ' Are not the speeches of the Senator from Kentucky,' he asked, 'intended for disorganization? Are they not intended to destro3' our zeal? Are they not intended to animate our enemies? Sir, are they not words of brilliant polished treason even in the very Capitol of the Republic?' It is impossible to realize 1 6 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF the effect of the words so eloquently pronounced by the Oregon Senator. In the history of the Senate, no more thrilling speech was ever delivered. The strik- ing appearance of the speaker, in the uniform of a sol- dier, his superb voice, his graceful manner, all united to give the occasion extraordinary interest and attrac- tion. The reply of Mr. Breckenridge was tame and in- effective. He did not repel the fierce characterizations with which Colonel Baker had overwhelmed him. He did not stop to resent them, though he was a man of unquestioned courage." The course of Mr. Breckenridge was in direct hos- tility to the prevailing opinion of his State. The Leg- islature of Kentucky passed a resolution asking that he and his colleague, Lazarus W. Powell, should re- sign their seats, and in the event of a refusal, that the Senate would investigate their conduct, and if it were found to be disloyal, expel them. Mr. Breckenridge did not wait for such an investigation. In the autumn of 1 86 1 he joined the Rebellion, and was welcomed by the leaders and the people of the Confederacy with ex- travagant enthusiasm. Among the earliest acts of the next session was the expulsion of Mr. Breckenridge from the Senate. It was done in a manner which marked the full strength of the popular disapprobation of his course. Of the surroundings, and the scene attending the death of Colonel Baker, General "Wistar spoke substan- tially as follows, in addressing the survivors of his old regiment : "Baker constantly traversed the line, watch- ing for an opportunity for a movement. Twice wounded myself, he was the first at my side on both occasions. He was not then touched, although a small bush was cutoff between us as we talked."* When the "fire *"The enemy's fire iucreased as their reinforcements con- tinned to arrive. For us there could be no reinforcements, and it was almost certain death to bring up ammunition." COLONEL E. D. BAKER. 17 of the enemy had enveloped three sides of your posi- tion," while on the fourth was the turbulent and swift- flowing Potomac, movements were almost impossible; ' ' nothing remained but the exaction of all, and more, than the position no longer tenable was worth, but to surrender, of which no one thought, ' ' although cfBcers and men were falling, as leaves of atitumn, before the bullets whistling around them, like driving sleet from a winter's sky. "But in looking back to those stirring scenes, whatever we may think of the plan or object of that enterprise, none ever doubted Baker's signal cool- ness and gallantry on the field of battle. His courage kindled as he saw the end approach, and knew it must be disastrous. Several incidents during the heat of the action showed that he fully understood the situation. One of his remarks was : ' The ofiicer who dies with his men will never be harshly judged.' " The idea of leaving the field seems never to "have entered his mind, preferring death to retreat. In this sublime temper the warrior feels invulnerable — he heeds not sword or missile, nor the on-rushing steel of the foe. He has already conquered death ; and while resolved to die on the field, fights like one of the immortal gods of old. Under favorable conditions such courage, such a victory over death, would bear along with it the pres- tige of success, and carry an army with the shout of triumph, conquerors over the hard-fought field. ' ' After it seemed to both of us that ruin was certain, in response to a remark that a quick and easy death was the best thing left us, he replied : ' The bullets are kindly seeking for you, but avoid me.' That generous and noble heart, sympathetic with all around him, had abandoned hope, although resolved upon duty to the last, while calmly anticipating the stroke which alone should separate him from his men. But I believe that you, who are the survivors of that and many other bloody fields, will agree that if Baker had lived until 1 8 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF the last man, suA was the affection and confidence he had inspired, he would have continued to hold your line firmly while there remained a soldier to mark it and a cartridge to fire. ' ' When I was at last personally disabled by the third shot, it was Baker who picked me up and had me con- veyed to the boats. It was their last trip. Immedi- ately afterward, Baker, sword in hand and face to the foe, fell dead ' ' pierced with several balls while encour- aging his men, and by his own example sustaining the obstinate resistance they were making. Under the heavy and continuous fire of the enemy the line re- ceded, "and after your successful counter charge in which you brought off Colonel Baker's body, our troops were forced over the bluff, and though for a long while afterwards a desperate resistance was made as skirmishers, the cohesion as a manageable line was lost. ' ' Colonel Baker had told a number of the men of his old regiment, that if he should fall, and he evi- dently thought he would, in the battle then imminent, not to let the Confederates have possession of his body, They recovered his lifeless form after his coat had been stripped from his person ; raising the precious burden in their arms, they bore it away amid a shower of bullets. The brave and loved commander, who was a model in camp, genial without familiarity, dignified without stiff formality, maintaining the profoundest respect and winning the warmest admiration of all, was voice- less. His body was safely and tenderly carried to the river's brink, and thence over to the opposite shore. After crossing the river to Harrison's Island, and clam- bering up the bloody bank, wet and slippery, the scene was a more orderly one of death, but more profoundly sad. The wounded and dying strewed the ground, among whom the surgeon's knife, by the weird light of the tallow candle, was busy severing the shattered COLONEL E. D. BAKER. 19 limb or extracting the ball from tbe maimed, while the nurses were applying bandages and staying the flowing of blood, from many to whom the tumult of battle was almost hushed, while the wild thrill of the strife was fast ebbing away in the death echoes along the shore. As the limp form of the venerable Baker, was borne along the line of his Brigade, they looked upon the blood-stained corpse with tearful eyes, and with sup- pressed voices and sorrowful hearts they whispered : ' ' Father Baker is dead ! His" brigade loved him. ' ' The indignation, the intense and general emotion, excited in all classes of society by the death of Baker as the sad event of the bloody tragedy suddenly flashed •upon them, was an instinctive and with many an in- voluntary homage to his distinguished loyalty and eminence. "The falling of the column revealed the largeness of the space it had occupied in the public eye," and the Nation was startled as it viewed the magnitude of the void in the fore-front of its resolute defenders. A great calamity had befallen the Nation ; one of the most charming of orators and ablest of statesmen of the time, ' ' who thoroughly comprehended the great issues and the horrible crime of the conspirators," was forever silent — ^having proven upon the field, that he had the courage to die for his country, among the first of the 750,000 which he predicted upon the rostrum, in his eloquent and prophetic speech, might fall, delivered by the side of President I!= "Why these reminiscences of other fields than Get- tysburg? My farewell order enjoined strict adherence to discipline. ' The god of war did not, like Minerva, spHng full equipped from the head of Jove. You were preparing for the culminating test of discipline. You were destined to fill a space in a line of battle with the world for spectators, where the typical elan of the cav- alier was to hurl its momentum against disciplined 24 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF courage — the staying qualities of the cooler North — where the waves of the highest tide of war were to dash upon the rocks of the Union, that echoed in the roar, ' Thus far, no further; ' and the mighty ocean of strife was to ebb back into the bed of peace. Pickett's charge will live in song, and its sad requiem will echo 'the Philadelphia Brigade.' 'When Greek meets Greek, then comes the tug of war.' Here upon this historic field Americans can say the same of Ameri- cans. Which can claim superiority, when perhaps chance turned the scale? Had some other brigade been here, without your staying qualities — had not the prescience of your colonel seized upon the guns loaded and capped, left by the dead and wounded of the day before, and piled here opportunely at hand, whereby he multiplied the force of your fire many times your numbers, and by so placing his right be- hind walls as to enfilade the advancing mass — had not the one piece of cannon been seized by the aid of your infantry, and run into the angle of wall to be loaded to the muzzle with broken shells, balls, and bayonets, hurtling its deadly contents into the stagger- ing mass at close range — had not your brothers of the 69th wheeled to face the breach opposite, and take the foe in flank, while the 7 2d and a part of the io6th ad- vanced to meet his front — what might have been the result at that weak centre ? ' ' These unique and terrible resources might well ha\-e astonished and broken the hearts of exhausted- manhood. They exhibited the genius of war in con- centrating on strong points, and opeiaing a trap to choke in a defile. The God of battles alone can know why the centre of our army was not pierced on that da)'. But we now know that it was the second time in the history of the war, that the Army of the Potomac owed to the Philadelphia Brigade the safety of its centre. The fact that less than a hundred Confeder- IN MEMORY OF THE FALLEN. COLONEL E. D. BAKER. 25 ates crossed that stone wall, proves that the force of the charge was broken by the cross-fire beyond, and these could well be cared for by the reserve of the brigade. Batchelder's map shows the great space between your brigade and that on your right, the thinnest of the line. You claim only to have done your duty, but the time, place, and opportunity were yours> God, in his all-wise providence, decided events. We are now united, never again to be divided; our Union is cemented with our blood. Those who fell are honored as heroes; those who remain are brothers in arms, dedicating here mementoes of valor, not of strife. "The Philadelphia Brigade fraternizes with Pick- ett's Division. They recognize each other's braverj', and respect each other's fame. The world will ap- plaud both alike, and history will record their deeds together. This memorial of a regiment's deeds is a memento-mori of those who fell on both sides, and will be a guide-mark on the route of fame fojr the future American soldier. ' ' The fortunate few who fought here that day, must wear the wreath of greatest glory, for the most conspic- uous hand-to-hand encounter. That honor is shared by the 71st Pennsylvania Volunteer, as a member of the Philadelphia Brigade, which received the force of the gallant charge of Pickett's Division. It is not invidi- ous to speak of this regiment and that brigade, for it was the key of the position, and it was the fate of war. "Other regiments and other brigades did their duty, and assisted in the fight; but here was the point of attack, here the rain of shot and shell centered, and fell in torrents long before the charge. Here is the historic spot, and around it a halo of glory will ever cluster, and the aureole encircle the brows of those who here fought, with the light of undying fame. "It i-A fiat justitia that Pennsylvania's sons should here defend their native .soil." 26 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF The tablet on tlie front of the monument has ia- scribed upon it: Seuenty-First Pennsylvania, Commanded by COLONEL R. PENN SMITH, Carried into action : 24- officers, 307 enlisted men. Casualties: killed, 2 officers, 19 men: wounded, 3 officers, 55 enlisted men ; missing, 3 officers, 16 enlisted men. Total, 98. On the left tablet: file Seventy-first Pennsyluania participated in all of the principal ■battles of the Army of the Potomac, and most of the minor ones untii^ mustered out at the expiration of its term of seruice, July 2d, 1864. it numbered during its service nearly 2300 men, the total loss during that period being about 1800. On the rear tablet: To the left of this point, on July 2d, the 71st Pennsylvania assisted in repulsing the famous attacl< of Wright's Georgia Brigade, During the terrific cannonading of July 3d, the regiment occupied a position sixty yards In the rear of this spot, a ttiiiilber of tlw men volun~ taril/f/ 7i,elpinf/ to ^vovli Cnsliinf/'s ilistfhleti hattery. As the enemy emerged from Seminary R-ldge the reglmeht was ordered forward, the left wing to this point, the right wing to the wall in the rear. When Pickett's Diuision rushed upon the left wing in overwhelm- ing numbers. It fell back Into line with the right, thus bringing the whole regiment into action, with the additional use of a large number of loaded muskets gathered from the battlefield of the oreulous day. The regiment captured a large number of prisoners and three flags. On the right tablet: This regiment was organized April 29, 1861, being the first three yenvg rcr/lment to eomplete its organ h^'ition. It was en- listed In Philadelphia by Senator E, D. Baker and Isaac J. Wlstar, by special authority from the War Department, to be accredited to the State of California, and was known as the "California Regiment." After the death of Colonel £. D. Baker at Ball's Bluff, October 21, 1861, it was claimed by Its native State and became the Seventy-first Pennsylvania. Of Colonel Baker and the service of his regiment, General Wistar said, in the address alluded tn "TTr,w COLONEL E. D. BAKER. 27 his heart would have swelled, and his eye kindled, could he in his last moments have foreseen the future career of the regiment he loved so well — that it was destined to stand the peer of any in the glorious Second Corps, to cover the retreat of Pope's routed columns, charge Jackson's veterans at Antietam, receive on its steady bayonets the shock of Pickett at Gettysburg, and that after blazoning on its standard the historic names of the Peninsula, Fredericksburg, Chancellors- ville, Spottsylvania, and innumerable minor engage- ments, it should, after the acknowledged expiration of its term, and before re-enlistment, volunteer at the call of its corps commander to assault the works at Cold Harbor, where you lost 100. men actually ordered home for discharge; and finally, that of the 2200 men who, from first to last fought under your flag, 119 was the remnant for the last muster out. That look into the future was denied him. But who shall say that during those after years his memory, precept and example, were not mustered under your flag when it led the ad- vance, and cheered the last moments of dying comrades who fell out of your ranks forever in the shock of battle." A still more glorious scene, in which his old regiment participated, of peace and reconciliation over the grave and burial of the dead feuds and issues of the war, in which he would have delighted, was also ' 'denied him. ' ' At the same time, and upon that historic spot, the late Confederates, survivors of Pickett's grand Divi- sion, clasped hands with the survivors of the " Phila- delphia Brigade," where they had glared at and met each other in the deadly conflict of July 3, 1863, the healing and mellowing effect of time, having not only obliterated and covered all traces of blood and carnage upon the field, but also effaced from the hearts and minds of the surviving actors all thoughts and feelings of hatred. They met as friends, as kinsmen, beneath the 28 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF ample folds of the old flag, without ' ' one star bldtted' out" or "one stripe obscured," and there extended and received across the old stone wall, shattered and riven by shot and shell, the right hand of brotherhood, and thus by greetings of peace, concord and good- will, showed that all enmity had been buried with the dying flash of the last gun from the South, and there proved to the nations abroad, that they were one in name, one in heart, of one nation, with one govern- ment, and but one flag, which gracefully waved over "the whole land, purchased by the patriotic valor and blood of their forefathers, by whom their homes and their land were made free and independent. This heroism and noble. magnanimity, which mu- tually attracted conqueror and conquered, is truly the greatest in historic annals. What an imperishable cap-stone, what a crowning of glory, the blessings of an enduring and heartfelt peace, following the baptism of blood not shed in vain! How momentous the event in its relation to future history! What a revela- tion to hand down to posterity, to be hallowed in per- petuity by the ages to come! That reconciliation and fraternal greeting, of the magnanimous and brave will be cherished, a sacred legend, around the camp-fires that shone brightly upon the blue of the North, and the grey of the South, long before the dying embers have smouldered away and quite gone out, and ever after rise from the ashes, in odorous incense an oblation to the God of peace. If the spirits of the illustrious departed, participate in the affairs of this world, will there not be traced upon this scene, with a pen of re- fined gold, the benediction of the venerated Father of our country, who ' ' was first in peace, first in war, and first in the hearts of his countrymen?" "He whose patriotic valor uuiversal homage won, He who gave the world the Union, the immortal Washino-ton." BRIGADIER GENERAL WISTAR, U. S. V. CHAPTER IL BRIGADIER-GENERAL WISTAR. General Isaac Jones Wistar, the youthful trap- per, frontiersman, commander of Indian rangers, and distinguished soldier, was born on the 14th of Novem- ber, 1827, in the city of Philadelphia. His father, Cas- par Wistar, M. D., also born in Philadelphia, was a lin- eal descendant of Caspar Wistar, of Heidelberg, Hesse Cassel, who came to this country in 1696, and pur- chased large tracts of land in Philadelphia county, and throughout the Province of Pennsylvania. His mother, Ivydia Jones, was also a native of Philadelphia. Their son Isaac was educated at Westtown boarding-school, Chester countj^, and at Haverford College; who, from his early youth, showed great fondness for manly sports, especially those of hunting and fishing,, over mountain and stream, and at the age of sixteen crossed the Rocky Mountains, to the far Pacific, then almost a trackless wilderness, inhabited only by Indians and frontier settlers, where he remained until about 18S0, witnessing many changes and struggles for supremacy over the red man, and the primeval solitude, spending part of the time trapping in the territory of the Hud- Bay Company in the Arctic regions, and in the Rocky mountains. In 1850 and 1851, then but 23 years of age, he com- manded a body of Indian rangers and scouts, with whom he fought the hostile tribes of savages on the borders of California and Oregon, and gained consider- able experience in the warfare incidental to the early settlement of the Pacific coast, after which he studied law, and was admitted to practice at the California (29) 30 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF bar, composed of able jurists from nearly every State in the Union, and it was there he became the law partner of Honorable E. D. Baker, in 1853. During the winter of 1860-1861, while the subject of our sketch was in at- tendance on the Supreme Court of the United States, he was called to the staff of General Cadwalader, in Philadelphia, and was busity employed in organizing the militia for three months service; but agreeing with Senator Baker that the war was not to be settled in a three months' campaign by the militia, he turned his attention to recruiting and organizing in the city a regiment of volunteers for three years service, which Colonel Baker had been specially authorized to faise by President I,incoln, to be called the ' ' First California Regiment, ' ' and to be accredited to that State in case of a call for troops from the Pacific coast, whose militia was not called upon for the three months service. The major part of this regiment was recruited during the month of April, 1861, it being organized as a regi- ment, on the 29th of the month with E. D. Baker, Colo- nel; Isaac J. Wistar, l,ieu tenant- Colonel; and Robert A. Parrish, Jr., Major; being sent by companies dur- ing the month of May to Fort Schuyler, on lyong Island Sound, to be drilled and perfected in discipline. After they had been drilled and thoroughly disci- plined as a regiment, they were ordered to Fortress Monroe by the way of Philadelphia to reinforce General Butler, who had been repulsed at Big Bethel. As the regiment marched in column through the city of Phil- adelphia, it reflected the greatest credit on its ofiicers, and elicited the heartiest applause from the citizens, who crowded the line of march. In every step and move- ment they gave evidence of fine drill and discipline. Notwithstanding the captured rebel grey suits in which they were uniformed, and the name of the State of the far Pacific on their regimental flag, the Phila- delphians recognized in the regi::ient marching to the BRIGADIER-GENERAL WISTAR. 31 seat of war, hundreds of 5roung men from the Quaker City. They took cars for Baltimore, and upon nearing that city, received ball cartridges for the first time. Placing their baggage under special guard, they ar- rayed themselves in light marching order, then called California style, consisting only of pants and shirt, with the tails outside, over which the cartridge boxes were strapped, with muskets loaded ready for use. This precaution was thought necessary on account of their being the first regiment to march through the city of Baltimore by that route since the 6th Massa- chusetts had been fired upon.* They marched through the crowded streets, and reached the boat on the Pa- tapsco without being molested, and embarked for Fortress Monroe, where thej^ arrived early the next morning, and debarked upon the sacred soil of ' ' The Old Dominion. ' ' The regiment marched out toward Hamp- ton Village, and encamped on the Peninsula, where they scouted and did picket duty, in the vicinity of Big Bethel, preparatory to an advance on Richmond from Fortress Monroe. When General McDowell was or- dered to advance upon Manassas, General Butler pre- pared to move his small force up the Peninsula toward Jlichmond. Artillery was brought from the fort, rations prepared and issued, and an advance made to- ward Little Bethel, waiting on the way for word that all was going well with McDowell at Manassas; but in- stead of receiving word to advance farther, they were ordered to Washington, to help turn the insetting tide of Confederates after the defeat of the three months men at Bull Run, who had disintegrated, and no longer existed as an army. The regiment embarked at Fortress Monroe, regretting the loss of at least one of their number, f who had been mortally wounded * The three months men having passed through Maryland by other routes after the riot. t Corporal Joseph Sargster, Co. ''H." 32 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OP while on guard. After arriving at Washington, they learned more of the details of the defeat and retreat of General McDowell's army, which had been composed largely of the bravest and truest patriots of the North, and also of some indifferent material who had volun- teered under the firm conviction that there would be no serious fighting. Some of the regiments, principally three months' men, were badly oiEcered; many of whom gave way, and scattered or fled to their homes just when they were most needed, thus disorganizing and causing confusion throughout the whole army, which ended in dire disaster. ' ' Never before had so black a day as that black Monday lowered upon the loyal hearts of the North" as was witnessed when the crowds of fugitives from the grand army were pouring into Washington, a heedless, worthless mob, who had thrown away their arms and equipments, and aban- doned all semblance of military order and discipline. It seemed as though the accumulating forces of the en- emy encompassed the National capital darkly as the horizon of despair. But still there were some few effective batteries and solid battalions that had marched back in good order, depressed, but unshaken and dauntless, one of which was afterwards affected by the contagion. The men of the , a two years' regiment, after re- turning from the battle field, where they had suffered in killed and wounded, encamped on Meridian Hill, in the suburbs of Washington, and there became discour- aged and demoralized. When they were ordered to march into Virginia again, they positively refused, and broke out in open mutiny. No persuasion could induce them to return to duty, until they were finally sur- rounded by Regular infantry, cavalry and artillery, with orders to open fire upon them. They then, see- ing that resistance was useless, reluctantly obeyed, and moved across the river, iscorted by the Regulars, where BRIGADIER-GENERAL WISTAR. 33 they performed good service, and became one of the best regiments in the army. The contagion was not confined to this regiment alone, of the two years' men in McDowell's army; but it was there more pronounced. Great dissatisfaction having existed as to the general- ship displayed in the short campaign they had just gone through. The California Regiment, led by Colonel Wistar, marched through Georgetown, and crossed the Chain Bridge, to the south bank of the Potomac, where the toils and hardships of war were met and endured afresh;* at times under fire on the picket lines.finretal- * While companies H, I, and P, were on picket duty, some firing was heard along part of the line, and rifle shells were fired from our batteries in the rear, after which Captain Strong, of an Indiana regiment, came in through the California posts wounded and bleeding freely. He claimed to have encountered several of the enemy, and to have.killed two and wounded one of them, and was himself shot through the cheek and some part of the body. This detail from the California regiment was relieved the next day by the 79th New York, and returned without loss. t The firing of small arms in the direction of Lewiusville, was explained cue morning by the return of a detachment of the 79th New York, under Captain Ireland, consisting of 160 officers and men, who had marched at i a. m. by various by-paths, without disturbing the enemy's pickets, to a designated point, where they arrived at day-break. The command was divided into two wings, and lay in ambush for a force of the enemy that were likely to fall back from Lewinsville after a night's foray upon our pickets. They did not wait long: soon a body of cavalry endeavored to pass the ambuscade, when they were fired upon and put to flight. Previous to their retreat, the enemy fired upon the left wing of the ambuscade, killing one private — John Dowee. The lowest estimate of the en- emy's loss was 4 killed, 2 wounded, and i prisoner; and they left in the hands of the right wing a major of Colonel Stiiart's Cavalry, who fell wounded. The alarm having been sounded in all of the enemy's camps in the neighborhood, the National- ists retired, and arrived in camp at 10:30 a. m., bearing in a litter the body of John Dowee. 34 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF iation of incursions upon the enemy, where fell Cap- tain Ivingerfelder, of the 2d Battalion, then called to the support of the masked battery; or moving off on the double-quick, while the Confederate shells were burst- ing around, to reinforce General Smith's reconnais- sance,* attacked by the Confederates under Colonel Stuart, t at Lewinsville, where the Nationals lost 6 * General Smith ordered about 2000 troops of all arms "to cover and protect a reconnaissance of the village of Lewins- ville and vicinity, to determine all the facts requisite for its permanent occupation and defence," which movement was commenced at 7:30 a. m., and the reconnaissance was com- pleted about 2:15 p. m., at which time the National forces were ordered to retire; when about moving to the rear, were at- tacked by Colonel J. E. B. Stuart, with cavalry, infantry, and artillery, who opened a brisk fire upon the retiring forces, which was replied to principally by Captaiu Griffin's Battery, from different positions while retreating. In the afternoon, while the California Regiment was busily plying the pick and shovel in the intrenchments, they were startled by the scream- ing and bursting of shells near by. Then a courier rode into camp in great haste with orders, and the bugle sounded the as- sembly. The men dropped the picks and shovels and ran to their pieces, kept stacked in line ready for use, and were hastily formed, and double-quicked by Lieutenant-Colonel Wistar in their shirt sleeves toward the bursting shells. As they reached the direct road, they met the driftwood from the field that spoke plainly of the encounter — first the inhabitants fleeing for their lives, then some wounded men limping to the rear in advance of the ambulances. The California Regiment reached the line held by the 7gth New York and 19th Indiana, in support of Captain Mott's battery, which had just come into action. They passed on to the front and deflected to the left, forming line of battle along a picket fence skirting a cross-road, which they held un- til the National batteries, by a well-directed fire of shells, had silenced the Confederate guns, and scattered some of their forces — when the National forces again retired, after which the California Regiment marched leisurely back, (covering the rear) to their work in the intrenchments. t General Stuart, the most famous cavalry General of the Confederacy, who was killed in 1864, while resisting one of General Sheridan's raids. BRIGADIER-GENERAL WISTAR. 35 killed, 12 wounded, and 3 prisoners. At another time on tlie skirmish line and foraging expedition,* driving '''The Calif oi-nia Regiment, under Colonel Baker, accompau- ied General Smith, who marched from his camp at 9 a. m., on a foraging expedition toward Lewinsville — the right wing under Colonel Taylor — leaving on the hill commanding L,angley, one section of Captain Mott's battery, supported by three companies of the 19th Indiana, advanced on the road to I/ewinsville — on a knoll covering the right, the centre section of the same battery, with four companies of the 2d Wisconsin — and one mile farther on the remaining section, under the immediate command of Captain Mott, the 33d New York, and a company of Kentucky Cavalry, all at Mackall's house. The 3d Vermont and the re- mainder of the 19th Indiana being thrown out as skirmishers on the left, supported by a reserve formed of Captain Barr's Penn- sylvania battery and five companies of the 5th Maine, about 300 men ; and in advance to their right one section of Captain Grif- fin's battery, with three companies of the 5th Wisconsin, and in the edge of the woods th? 2d battalion of the California Regi- ment, under Major Pan'ish. Captain GriflSn's remaining sec- tions occupied the hill about one and a half miles from Lewins- ville, covering the country to the left and the road in front with the ist battalion of the California Regiment, under Colonel Baker. Five companies of the 5th Wisconsin, the Berdan sharpshooters, two companies of the Philadelphia Zouaves, and Lieutenant Drummond's Regular Cavalry forming the centre ; six companies of the 79th New York half a mile in advance as skirmishers, supported by the two remaining companies of the 79th and the 2d Vermont; in all, 5100 infantry, sixteen pieces of artillery, and 150 cavalry. There being at that time no sign of the enemy, with the exception of a few cavalry scouts, the quartermaster loaded his wagons, 90 in number, all of which was accomplished by 3 p. m., and the National forces were being drawn in, when word was received that the enemy were approaching from over the hills from Fall's church road. Then, in full view, what seemed to be a large regiment march- ing rapidly in close column, and others deployed as skirmishers with the apparent intent of turning the National flank. At the same time they opened fire with apparently but one gun on our extreme left, when the centre section of Griffin's Battery came back to the California Regiment in the woods. At 4:30 they had placed two guns in position on our right, and opened on 36 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF back the Confederates and silencing their guns ; while taking their farm products, and occupying much of the ground lost by the Nationals after the disaster at Bull Run, almost without a casuality. Then again in the stealthly night march and skirmish before Mun- son's Plill,* causing the Confederates to withdraw Mott's section at Mackall's, which was at once replied to by Griffin's and the rifle piece of Mott's section. After firing' some thirty rounds, some of the shells exploding right among the enemy, they limbered to the rear, the dust marking their line of retreat. General Smith reported, "The conduct of the troops was all that I could desire, standing with perfect cool- ness while the enemy's shot was falling, as it did at one time, all about them; one shell bursting over the California Regiment wounded one man slightly iu the arm, and their cheers must have been heard by the enemy every time our shells seemed to reach their mark. ' ' After the Confederates retired, the Nation- als shortly thereafter fell back with all their forage and some prisoners. The California Regiment, forming the rear guard on their front, did not arrive in camp until about 8 p. m. After dusk the Confederates brought a piece of artillery to the cross- roads, and fired four or five shots into Langlej', and after de- livering this parting salute, fell back again. * The 1st battalion of the California Regiment relieved the 19th Indiana from picket duty, but were recalled at 4 p. m. the next day, and ordered to camp for rest preparatory to a night's march, so accurately described by Lieutenant-Colonel Wistar to Colonel Baker commanding brigade, dated September 29, 1861, "In compliance with orders received last evening from General Smith, dtiring your absence, I marched with my regiment about 9:30 p. m., arriving opposite Vandeburgh's house about II p. m. Here I was detained about two hours from the neces- sity of clearing away a number of trees felled across the road. During the interval, / took the head of the column as directed by General Smith, with the ist battalion of my regiment, consist- ing of nine companies: I was followed by a battery of four guns, and then by my 2d battalion of seven companies, under Major Parrish. My instructions from General Smith were to proceed without advance guards or flankers until I should pass Colonel Burnham, who, with his regiment, was near the next cross- roads, and after passing him, he being the most advanced of BRIGADIER-GENERAL WISTAR. 37 from that much dreaded and supposed stronghold, with a loss to the right battalion of the ist California of 4 our forces, to throw out three companies, deployed as skirmish- ers across the road, and follow them with my column at a dis- tance, say one hundred and fifty yards, connecting the head of the column with tlie centre of the skirmishers by a file of men at inter- vals of ten paces. This had just been accomplished when General Smith, with his staff, overtook me, and the command was put in motion. After proceeding a short distance, I was surprised to find a picket guard of a New York regiment, having supposed we had passed all of our out posts. At the first turn to the right, which occurred within a quarter of a mile, after the de- ployment of my skirmishes, they began to come in collision with picket guards, who said they belonged to the 4th Michi- gan. The road at this point was lined with thick woods on both sides. At the turn of this road there was stationed a picket of about 20 men, thirty yards beyond was another of about 6 men, and the head of the column had not progressed more than fifty yards past the latter when a. regular volley was fired into the 2d and 3d companies (H and N) of my line from immedi- ately behind the fence which lined the woods on my left. The head of the column having now passed the woods on our right, the latter was replaced by open fields, exposing us to the light of the rising moon, while from the woods on our left, whence an invisible enemy continued to pour his fire, was in deep shade. Nothing was visible in the woods but the flashes of their guns ; convinced the firing was the mistake of friends, I rode between my men, who had instantly faced towards the woods whence the firing proceeded, vainly calling upon all parties to cease firing. At that moment my horse was shot and rendered nearly un- manageable. Notwithstanding my exertions, a fire was de- livered by my own men, who could bear it no longer, and con- tinued perhaps, for a few minutes, when the party in the woods retired. I now ordered my killed and wounded to be carried to the rear and dressed my line, and was endeavoring to reassure all parties when the parties in the woods having re- turned suddenly, threw in another volley, from not less than forty pieces, which my men instantly returned without ordersf, the distance being tlie width of the road, say six yards. This time the firing extended nearly as far back in the road as the rear of my ist battallion, producing a panic among the artillery horses, which turned and dashed off to the rear, breaking loose 38 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF men killed and 14 wounded, and finally in the role of the sapper and miner, making secure for those to come, by earthworks, the ground thus gained at Camp Ad- vance, which stood as a lasting monument to their comrades fallen in deadly strife during this short but active campaign, whom they laid to rest with the honors of war on the pine-clad hills of old Virginia. While the ist California and other regiments were from the guns, and producing great confusion in my 2d battal- ion, by rusbing over them at full speed. A number were shot, and the remainder were turned off the road, and order was soon restored. After sending my killed and wounded to the rear, I put my cominand in the woods, which concealed the firing party, whoever they may have been, thoroughly scoured and took possession of it, and with the aid of Adjutant Newlin, formed line of battle along its front to hold the road, and at the same time stationed my 2d battallion, under command of Major Parrish (who was of vei-y great assistance during the whole uight, and whose perfect coolness during such general confusion was very gratifying,) in the woods at the right, so as to cross fij'e with the ist battalion, on the road in front, and then after rallying my skirmishers, and distributing them as pickets all around our front, reported these dispositions to General Smith, who was pleased to approve them. On the following afternoon at 4 p. m., I left the position by General Smith's order, and marched back to camp, where I arrived without further incident at dark. My loss was 4 killed { Sergeant Phil- son, Company N, privates Pascoe, Payran, and White, of company H) and 14 wounded. Major Parrish prevented further loss of life by restraining the captain of a battery, who was about firing his guns heavily charged with grape and canister, upon the ist battalion of tlie California Regiment, then dressed in grey uniforms, while moving to take the woods from which they had been fired upon. While this blundering scene was being enacted in the hear- ing of the enemy, they silently retired from Munson's Hill, which was taken possession of by the Nationals. Colonel Baker reported, "As the California Regiment was most exposed, I deem it proper to speak in terms of high com- mendation of Lieutenant-Colonel Wistar commanding, who evinced peculiar coolness and intrepidity." BRIGADIER-GENERAL WISTAR. 39 thus engaged at Camp Advance, General McClellan was organizing and disciplining the Grand Army of the Potomac, which was ever thereafter standing an impassable barrier between the Confederate and Na- tional capitals, or thundering at the defences of Rich- mond until the Confederate capital fell, and with it the Army of Northern Virginia. As an evidence of the strict discipline enforced in the new army, the troops at Camp Advance, during the early part of »September, were called upon to witness the death of Private Wil- liam Scott, of the 3d Vermont Regiment, for sleeping on picket post, having been tried by court-martial, and ordered to be shot to death by musketry. He was taken from the guard-house to the place appointed for his execution, and while kneeling upon his coffin, by his newly-dug grave, facing the firing party, ready to fall — an example of military severity — a carriage drove up in haste, bearing a pardon from the Secretary of War, and thus a really brave soldier was saved, to fall a few months later under fire from the enemy — so graphically described b}^ Francis de Haes Janvier: THE SLEEPING SENTINEL. 'Twas iu the sultry summer time, as War's red records show, Wheu patriotic armies rose to meet a fratricidal foe — When from the North, and East, and West, like the upheaving sea, Swept forth Columbia's sons, to make our country truly free. *********** Where, dwelling in an humble cot, a tiller of the soil. Encircled by a. mother's love, he shared a father's toil — Till, borne upon the wailing winds, his suffering country's cry Fired his young heart with fervent zeal, for her to live or die. Then left he all — a few fond tears, by firmness half concealed, A blessing, and a parting prayer, and he was in the field — The field of strife, whose dews are blood, whose breezes War's hot breath, Whose fruits are garnered in the grave, wLo3e hiisbandman is ■ death! 40 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF Without a miirmur, lie endured a service new and hard ; But, wearied with a toilsome march, it chanced one night, on guard, He sank, exhausted, at his post, and the gray morning found His prostrate form — a sentinel, asleep upon the ground! *********** And this poor soldier, seized and bound, found none to justify, While War's inexorable law decreed that he must die. *********** Within a prison's dismal walls, where shadows veiled decay — In fetters, on a heap of straw, a youthful soldier lay: Heart-broken, hopeless, and forlorn, with short and feverish ■ breath. He waited but the appointed hour to die a culprit's death. **-;!■******«* 'Twas morning — on a tented field, and through the heated haze. Flashed back, from lines of burnished arms, the sun's effulgent blaze ; While, from a sombre prison-house, seen slowly to emerge, A. sad procession, o'er the sward, moved to a muffled dirge. And in the midst, with faltering step, and pale and anxious face In manacles, between two guards, a soldier had his place. A youth — led out to die — and yet, it was not death, but shame, That smote his gallant heart with dread, and shook his manly frame! Still on, before the marshalled ranks, the train pursued its way Up to the designated spot, whereon a coffin lay — His coifin! And, with reeling brain, despairing — desolate- He took his station by its side, abandoned to his fate! Then camt;, across his wavering sight, strange pictures in the air — He saw his distant mountain home ; he saw his parents there ; He saw them bowed with hopeless grief, through fast declining years ; He saw a nameless grave ; and then, the vision closed — in tears! Yet, once again. In double file, advancing, then, he saw Twelve comrades, sternly set apart to execute the law — But saw no more — his senses swam — deep darkness settled round — And, shuddering, he awaited now the fatal volley's sound! BRIGADIER-GENERAL WISTAR. 41 .Then suddenly was heard the noise of steeds and wheels ap- proach — And, rolling through a cloud of dust, appeared a. stately coach. On, past the guards, and through the field, its rapid course was bent. Till, halting, 'mid the lines was seen the nation's President ! He came to save that stricken soul, now waking from despair; And from a thousand voices rose a shout which rent the air! The pardoned soldier understood the tones of jubilee, And, bounding from his fetters, blessed the hand that made him free.* With the advent of the invigorating month of Octo- ber, 1 86 1, the California Regiment left their booths at Camp Advance, beyond Chain Bridge, Virginia, bearing with them the proud distinction of having been honor- ably mentioned and especially commended by their superior officers for their coolness and soldierly conduct while in action. The regiment marched out to picket the fords of the upper Potomac for the winter, which was fast approaching, as indicated by the cold nights and depicted by the beautiful but fast-falling foliage. They took up the line of march from Fort Ethan Allen (afterward called Fort E. D.. Baker), a work of their own construction, bivouacking in the fields adjacent to the roadside by huge fires of rails from the neighbor- ing fences, which made a cheerful warmth and light in the gloaming, and lulled the weary and foot-sore sol- diers into deep slumber at their different bivouacs, until they reached their destination, by the way of Chain Bridge, Great Falls, Rockville and Seneca Mills. October 3d they reached a point about four miles be- yond Poolesville, Maryland, and went into camp, having arrived at their objective point without being shelled * During the siege of Yorktown, the 3d Vermont charged across the Warwick river, to the enemy's works, and Scott was among the first who crossed, and there fell mortally wounded, and died with his face to the foe. 42 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF or meeting with opposition, and reported to Brigadier- General Charles P. Stone, who was about forming a special corps of observation, on the right flank of the Army of the Potomac, with his headquarters at Pooles- ville, a short distance from Conrad's and Edward's ferries, on the Potomac river, in the department of Major-General Banks, whose troops were holding the Maryland side of the river, from Darnestown to Wil- liamsport. Near Conrad's ferry, on the Virginia shore, were the heights of Ball's Bluff, distant about three miles from I,eesburg, the capital of Loudon county, Vir- ginia, where the Confederate left, under General N. G. Evans, who had figured quite conspicuously on the bat- tle-field of Bull Run, was strongly intrenched, com- manding the approaches to the village of Leesburg, at the terminus of the Alexandria, lyoudon and Hampshire Railways. The troops under General Stone confronted these forces of the Confederate ariny under General Evans. Edward's ferry was about five miles down the river from Conrad's ferry, and between them was Har- rison's island dividing the river, where some thrilling events took place before October had faded into the more sterile November. A short distance from the river the 6gth, 72d and io6th Pennsylvania were brigaded with the California Regiment, forming the third brigade of the Corps of Observation, where they settled down under canvas, picketing and guarding Conrad's ferry and other points along the Potomac, at times encoun- tering the fire of the Confederate pickets so fittingly expressed in the " Picket's Last Watch:" "All quiet along the Potomac," they say, "Except now and then a stray picket Is shot as he walks on his beat to and fro By a rifleman hid in the thicket." 'Tis nothing— a private or two, now and then, Will not connt in the news of the battle. BRIGADIER-GENERAL WISTAR. 43 Not au oflicer lost, only one of the men, Moaning out all alone, his death-rattle. ***** All quiet along the Potomac, to-night; No sound save the rush of the river. While soft falls the dew on tlie face of the dead. The picket's off duty forever. Colonel Baker acting as Brigadier-General, in com- mand of the brigade, left lyieutenant-Colonel Wis- tar in command of the regiment. About midnigh-t October 20, 1861, Colonel Baker received, at brigade headquarters, the following order, and directed Colo- nel Wistar to put it into execution: J HEADQtTARTERS Corps of Observation, Edward's Ferry, Oct. 20, '61, 11 p. m. Coi,ONEnv: You -will send the California Regiment (less the camp guard) to Conrad's ferry, to arrive there at sunrise and await orders. The men will take with them blankets and over- coats and forty rounds of ammunition in boxes, and will be followed by one day's rations in wagons. The remainder of the brigade will be held in readiness for marching orders (leav- ing camp guards) at 7 o'clock a. m., to-morrow, and will all have breakfasted before that hour. Very respectfully, Your most obedient servant, Chas. p. Stone, Brigadier-General, commanding. Colonel E. D. Baker, commanding Third Brigade. This order was delivered by Captain Candy, Assist- ant Adjutant-General, and was followed by a verbal one, by the hands of Dr. J. ly. Mackie, volunteer aid- de-camp, cautioning Colonel Baker to have the march conducted as silently as possible, with unloaded arms. Colonel Wistar, commanding the California Regiment, acted p*)mptly in carrying out this order. While his encampment was wrapped in deep slumber, the silence unbroken save by the resolute tramp of the alert sentinel as his footfall echoed upon a chance wakeful ear, the 44 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF shrill, clear peals of the bugle sounded the call "To arms, ' ' which suddenly aroused and animated every sol- dier to action. Every man grasped his gun, hurried on his equipments, and the once sleeping host was armed and in martial array awaiting orders. After partaking of hot coffee and hard tack, and receiving one day's rations, with cartridge boxes refilled, they moved off the field and disappeared in the darkness. As the cold, grey haze of morning broke on the horizon, the road on which they marched and various objects were faintly revealed. The first battalion, consisting of A, C, D, G, H, L,, N and P, all the companies that were in camp at that time (the second battalion under Major Parrish being then on picket duty along the Monocacy river), reached Conrad's ferry about 7 a. m., and reported their arrival to General Stone by a mounted ofiicer, and were or- dered there to await further orders unless heavy firing was heard across the river, in which event to cross and support the Massachusetts troops on the Virginia shore. On the opposite side of the river, beyond Harrison's island, loomed tip the gigantic heights of Ball's Bluff to be scaled, with the treacherous Potomac flowing swiftly but noiselessly at its base; and everything seemed wrapped jn silence and mystery, at first broken only by the word of command, the marching of com- panies to their assigned positions for crossing, followed by the distant reports of small arms and the occasional echo of a bursting shell thrown from our guns on the island, as the low, sullen boom reverberated across the river. Of the crossing and the action that fol- lowed we will have occasion to speak hereafter. At the battle of Ball's Bluff, Colonel Wistar was twice wounded; when he received his third wound, he was carried from the field, and was so near th^borders of death that the bed sheets under him could not be changed for several weeks, considerable time elapsing before he was convalescent. BRIGADIER-GENERAL WISTAR. 45 Upon his recovery, he was commissioned Colonel, for gallantry in action, although previous to that time the command of the regiment had devolved principally upon him. When General McClellan advanced up the Peninsula, in 1862, Colonel Wistar was again with his regiment, although not fully recovered from his wounds. When the regiment moved out from the woods, in which they had been held all night, facing the enemy's works at York town, as many supposed, with orders to charge the. works at the first dawn of light, Colonel Wistar was helped upon his horse, and led the regi- ment in full view of the enemy's works, and continued on duty during the siege, and until after the battle of Williamsburg. While still suffering from his old wounds, he was taken down with the Peninsula fever, and remained in a critical condition for some time. He was able to i-ejoin his regiment in time to take part in the battle of Antietam, where he led his men into the action, on the right of the line, about 10 o'clock on Monday, the 17th of September, in the neighborhood of the Dunkards' church, where the carnage became fearful, and death's harvest most bountiful, in the midst of which he fell seriously wounded, while ad- vancing with his regiment to drive the enemy from a strong position. For hours afterward, the battle raged furiously over this ground, the contending troops sway- ing back and forth with varying success. Colonel Wistar was at three different times within the enemy's lines, but was finally rescued by our forces gaining ground, and was carried off and cared for, having previously received both kind and question- able attention from some Confederate officers, then un- known to him, but whose names have since been learned. While lying upon thS field, losing blood freely, a lieutenant from a Georgia regiment demanded his sword. Colonel Wistar informed him that his sword 46 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF was in the possession of one of our officers, and that if he wanted it, he had better join his regiment, and as- sist in capturing it. The lieutenant then demanded his parole, and this the Colonel also refused to give, stating that it was very possible he would again fall into the hands of his friends. At that moment Generals James A. Walker and J. E. B. Stuart, accompanied by their staff, rode up, and Colonel Wistar beckoned to the officers for assistance, when General Walker ordered a young captain on Stuart's staff to go to his aid. The young captain gave the tourniquet on the Colo- nel's arm an extra twist to stop the flow of blood, and endeavored in other ways to make him comfortable, and when he had learned how the Georgia lieutenant had annoyed the Colonel, he reported it to General Walker, who immediately ordered the lieutenant to his regiment, accusing him of skulking. The young cap- tain who so kindly offered this assistance was Mosby, who afterward became notorious as a guerrilla. Colonel Wistar was again promoted for gallantry, this time to the rank of Brigadier- General, and, al- though both his arms were pennanentj.y crippled from wounds, he continued in the service of his country. In February, 1864, he commanded a column of cav- alry and infantry, about 1500 strong, with orders to raid upon Richmond, and release the Union prisoners there. He pushed rapidly northward from New Kent Court House to the Chickahominy, intending to cross that stream at Bottom's Bridge, which he found too strongly guarded, while beyond there appeared too many evidences of strength to warrant him in attempt- ing to cross — the enemy having been warned by a culprit, who escaped from prison by bribery. He re- turned to New Kent without loss, his infantry having marched eighty miles within fifty-six hours, and his cavalry one hundred and fifty miles in fifty hours. In the operation before Petersburg, he led a brigade, BRIGADIER-GENERAL WISTAR. 47 and in the bloody battle at Drury's Bluff, his brigade formed the only part of General Butler's line, composed of the loth and i8th Corps, which was able to hold its ground against Beauregard's sorties, and finally, when it retired, it did so under orders leisurely, with all its guns and colors. He participated in all the operations of his corps down to and including the capture of Richmond, and was always at the post of duty. During the whole war few officers showed more skill and determined bravery, and but few suffered more from wounds received in battle. CHAPTER III. GENERAL STONE. Brigadier- General Charles P. Stone, a gradu- ate of West Point MiHtary Academy, from the State of Massachusetts, was accomplished and scholarly, a scion of the Puritan stock of that commonwealth, which had been honorably represented in every war in which the American people had engaged. He, having served as a lieutenant in the Mexican War with high credit, was brevetted captain for meritorious service on the field. In 1855 he resigned his commission, and became a citi- zen of the State of California. In the latter part of 1 860, while mutterings were loud and angry, just befoi'e the breaking out of the Rebellion, we find Captain Stone in Washington City, and in response to a request from his old commander, General Scott, he rallied around him the, loyal men of the District of Columbia, in de- fense of the Capitol, then thought to be in -imminent danger, especially so after the demonstration of the mob in Baltimore. As early as. January, 1861, he was made Inspector- General of the District, and at once commenced organ- izing and instructing volunteers. When Fort Sumter was fired upon, he had under him not less than 3,000 well-organized troops fit for service, and on the 2d of January, 1861, he had the honor of being the first man mustered into the sendee for the defence of the Capitol, commanding all the troops in Washington during the dark days at the close of April, when the city was cut off from the loyal people. During those seven days, he slept but three hours in his bed, all other rest being taken in his military cloak. All the outposts around (48) GENERAL STONE. 49 Washington were under his command, until the pass- age of a portion of the army into Virginia in May, in which some of his troops were the first to encounter the pickets of the enemy. His management and conduct was so warmly approved by the Presideiit that, when he directed the organization of eleven new regiments in the regular army, he appointed Captain Stone to the colonelcy of the 14th United States Infantry, and he afterward commanded a brigade under General Robert Patterson in his advance through the Shenandoah Val- ley in July, 1 86 1, while General McDowell was advan- cing upon Manassas. After General McClellan had been called to the active command of the Army of the Potomac, General Stone, then commissioned Brigadier- General of volunteers, was selected to command a division of the army, to occupy the valley of the Poto- mac above "Washington as a corps of observation. His orders from General McClellan contained the following expression of confidence: "I leave your operations much to your own discretion, in which I have the fullest confidence." He made his headquarters at Poolesville, Maryland, near Edward's Ferry, opposite to General Evans' headquarters at I^eesburg, Virginia, where we find these two commanders guarding their respective sides of the Potomac, dividing their forces before the battle of Ball's Bluff. 4 DEFENSE OF COLONEL E. D. BAKER. IN THE BATTLE OF BALL'S BLUFF, FOUGHT OCTOBER 21, 1 86 1, IN VIRGINIA. CHAPTER IV. A BRIEF FORECAST OF COLONEL BAKER'S DEFENSE. IN DEFENSE OP THE I