Military: Civil War: Part Two: Chapters VI-XII: ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, 114th REGT. PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS, COLLIS' ZOUAVES Contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Judy Banja jbanja@email.msn.com and Barb Griffin griffibf@email.uc.edu ___________________________________________________________ USGENWEB NOTICE: Printing this file by non-commercial individuals and libraries is encouraged, as long as all notices and submitter information are included. Any other use, including copying files to other sites, requires permission from the submitters PRIOR to uploading to any other sites. We encourage links to the state and county table of contents. ____________________________________________________________ http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/1pa/milit.htm html table of contents to view graphics. MUSIC ON THE MARCH, 1862 - '65, WITH THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. 114th REGT. P.V., COLLIS' ZOUAVES. By FRANK RAUSCHER. PHILADELPHIA: PRESS OF WM. F. FELL & CO., 1220-24 SANSOM STREET. 1892 Copyright 1892, by FRANK RAUSCHER. CHAPTER VI. 104 WILLIAMSPORT - HARPER'S FERRY - SULPHUR SPRINGS. July 12. - Once more we are confronting the rebel army. After reconnoitering the position, General Meade, finding the enemy strongly intrenched, called a council of war of his corps commanders, who were almost unanimously against making an attack. Nothwithstanding this adverse feeling, he was desirous to assault the menacing rebels, and finally decided to do so on the morning of the 14th. By almost superhuman efforts the Confederates succeeded in reconstructing the bridges, and during the night of the 13th they accomplished the task of transferring their army, with their heavy trains and artillery, to the southern side of the Potomac. Our army soon followed and marched over the same ground they had occupied. This gave our men an opportunity to see the strength of the rebel position, and they were unanimously of the opinion that we could not have taken it; and they knew what they were talking about quite as well, and sometimes better, than their generals, as to what a strong position was. When morning came, however, the bird had flown, and the people, while perfectly satisfied in being freed from the invasion, at the same time expressed disappointment, as they expected the whole rebel army would be bagged. The Administration, too, found WISDOM OF GENERAL MEADE. 105 fault with Meade, whereupon he promptly offered his resignation, claiming that he did his duty to the best of his ability, and, if some one else could do better, he was ready and willing to get out of the way. The Government would not accept his resignation, at the same time disclaiming any intent to censure him, only meaning its censorship as an incentive to renewed energy. Such a watchful commander as Lee could not be easily bagged. He undoubtedly had arranged his line of retreat before the battle of Gettysburg begun, just as did Meade, in case the field had been finally turned against him. And then, too, our army was in no condition to attack a strongly intrenched line, such as Lee had at Williamsport; the men were really fought out, used up, and we had but a single corps, the 6th, in good fighting trim. In fact, it was compulsory for Meade to halt a day or two at Middletown in order to receive new supplies, for many of the men were actually without shoes and other indispensable articles. It required some time to have these necessaries distributed among our men, and this favored Lee with the opportunity to select and strengthen his very favorable position. It was afterward ascertained that the thoroughly fortified rebels wished for nothing better than to have been attacked at Williamsport; then and there Lee expected to atone for the Gettysburg defeat. They were heard to say: "Now we have Meade where we want him; let him come on; but the Old Fox is too cunning." The defeat to our army there would no doubt have rendered fruitless the great victory at Gettysburg, and at the same time have infused into the Rebellion a new lease of life. 106 MUSIC ON THE MARCH. A portion of the rebel army, consisting of Ewell's corps and a part of Longstreet's, waded the river at Falling Waters, just below Williamsport, where they were overtaken by our troops, and a sharp action was engaged in. Among the killed was the rebel General Pettigrew, and we captured about two thousand prisoners. General Lee then retreated southward, taking the south side of the Potomac, while our army continued in, pursuit on the other side of the river. July 15. - General French now assumed command of our corps, and on this day we marched through Sharpsburg, encamping a few miles beyond. We soon discovered that the new commander was extremely fond of the music of the band, and on this same day we tendered him our first serenade; he was almost captivated, if not captured, as he so expressed himself, by the stirring programme unfolded for him. Although at this time there was another band in our division, which we had thought would relieve us of some of our duties as musicians, it did not so happen, for the Zouave Band, on going through the towns, was uniformly directed to lead the line of march and play at headquarters in the evening. July 16. - Had reveille at 3.30 A.M., packed up in a hurry, and was soon on the march again, passing through Greenville, where we saw one thousand half-clad rebel prisoners, who were taken by our cavalry in the recent movements since the battle of Gettysburg. The march this day led mainly through shady groves, where we were also blessed with an abundance of good water and plenty of berries; in all of this march the one treat to the hardtack soldiers most keenly enjoyed and not soon forgotten. As soon as the JOHN BROWN'S FORT. 107 men made camp they rushed out with their tin cups to the inviting luxury, and so thick was the fruit on the bushes that each man soon returned with his cup full of ripe blackberries. With the help of a little sugar, which was always received as a part of the rations, every man was provided with a rich dessert to his monotonous bill of daily fare. July 17. - Under a relentless rain storm again we broke camp and went on foot, the water falling in pelting torrents as we continued the march, and our clothes being soaked to the wringing point. In this condition we reached the Potomac late in the evening, at Harper's Ferry, where we crossed the river on pontoons. Apparently in this town there was a stronger Union feeling among the inhabitants, in proportion to the population, than was found elsewhere in Virginia. This was owing, probably, to the fact that the adult residents were principally made up of Northern mechanics and their families, the most of whom were attracted there by the employment given them in the Government workshops, which were then in ruins. The impression among our men, who represented every branch of industry, was that Harper's Ferry, with its magnificent water power, ought to be a prominent manufacturing locality, and that such it would surely be if in a Northern section of the country. As we marched through that now historic place, and passed what was known as "Old John Brown's Fort," our band with more spirit than ever before struck up the popular air, "John Brown's body lies mouldering in the grave." Following a serpentine mountain path, which had to be made in single file, we finally reached the summit of Loudon Heights, 108 MUSIC ON THE MARCH. where an uninterrupted view of the surrounding country and charming landscape was had. Not many places in this country coming under our own observation present a grander scene than opens to the sight from the top of Loudon Heights, the endless panorama being of a most interesting character. The Virginians have christened this spot the "Switzerland of America," and its picturesque beauty renders it worthy of the comparison. Here the Shenandoah reaches a junction with the Potomac, and the combined waters of these rivers flow through a gap at the mountain ridge. Looking down from Loudon Heights, sleeping in the hollow is seen Harper's Ferry, and opposite the Maryland Heights rise to majestic proportions. From this point is also enjoyed a view of the beautiful Valley of Virginia. The waters of the Shenandoah, which appear to be very clear, may be distinctly traced in winding their way toward the dark and sluggish Potomac. July 19. - This is Sunday, but we break camp early, at 4 A.M., and go on the march until II o'clock, when we halt for dinner. Here we took the opportunity to serenade General Ward, who commanded the division during the temporary absence of General Birney. After dinner the band was directed to play for divine service, when the chaplain of Berdan's Sharpshooters officiated, and he preached an elegant and appropriate sermon. July 20. - Our march was resumed due south until we reached Ashby Gap, which was held by a force of rebels. Here we halted and made camp about 5 P.M., at Upperville. All along our march at this time we experienced a vast difference in the feeling and A CROOKED STREAM. l09 deportment of the people. The women fail to cheer us with a welcome in their smiles, as they did further toward the North; no waving of little flags as the army passes through towns and villages; instead of these signs of friendship, they look daggers at us, else make themselves invisible. There is no vegetable a soldier relishes more, to sandwich his salt pork with, than a fresh onion. While marching along I chanced to spy an onion bed in a patch of garden near by a house. The temptation was irresistible, and I ventured to jump the fence and help myself to a few of the luscious bulbs, when at that moment an elderly woman suddenly sprang to the door, crying as though her heart would break, and declared that the onions were all the edibles she had to eat. It was a touching story of distress, and, under the circumstances, dropping the luxuries at the feet of the woman, I hastened after my command. July 22. - Remained in camp until 2 P.M., then packed up and went on the march again, passing through Upperville, the road we were on leading over Goose Creek. This significantly named stream we crossed and recrossed at least a dozen times during the day, fording the mud and water sometimes up to our knees; still, we persistently kept on marching into midnight, when with a sort of aristocratic feeling we encamped on a large and beautiful plantation. As a rule, our generals, when such opportunities were afforded, took possession of and put up at the plantation houses, where, during the evening, the band played for the entertainment of the ladies, who often appeared to enjoy the music quite as much as the officers. Toward the close of our serenade, how- 110 MUSIC ON THE MARCH. ever, when "John Brown" or "Yankee Doodle " came in as an expected number on the programme, the sensitive fair ones would retire to the mansion, as if disgusted with that part of the performance. As these popular and patriotic selections seemed to annoy these Secesh ladies, we rarely failed to play our pranks, as it appeared to be particularly agreeable to the officers, who always enjoyed such innocent divertisement. July 23. - Reveille was sounded this morning at three o'clock, and. immediately all were up and soon on the march to Manassas Gap, which we found occupied by a force of the enemy. At this same point on the day previous our cavalry were driven back. Our regiment was promptly advanced on picket, and in a very short time we had the rebels fully engaged at Wapping Heights, where the rattle of musketry was very lively. The heights are on the right side of the gap, from which we obtained a clear view of the engagement from the left of the mountain. Here we found an abundance of sheep and swine running wild, and we were not slow in pressing them into the service, as we felt the need of a change to fresh meat. The trouble was that we had no salt to season the luxury; so, having had no graduates in fancy cookery with us, and no time to send home for a copy of Mrs. Rorer's Culinary Art, we improvised our own dietetic science by frying the fresh pork and mutton with our salt pork, which in a measure supplied the seasoning deficiency. Our division, however, drove the enemy out of the gap, and we encamped there for the night, on the mountain side. July 24. - Broke camp in the morning and started FOOTSORE AND WEARY. 111 on the march through the mountain gap, having an extremely hard day's tramp over a rough road, and frequently through the creek that here and there flooded its surface. We kept on until night came, then halted and encamped near Warrenton, the men being completely "played out;" so near, in fact, had we reached the end of the tether that when Division Headquarters called for music, for the first time in its experience had the band to be excused from performing on account of the wearied condition of the members. After a good night's rest, however, we were again ready for duty. July 26. - This was Sunday, according to the calendar, but we prepared for the march at 5 A.M., and at the request of General Ward the band took the head of the division and played on going through Warrenton. We halted several miles beyond the town and there encamped. Our regiment was ordered out on picket, the band escorting the men some distance out, but afterward we returned to camp. At this time we received news of the drafting going on at home, and our boys indulged in a deal of humor on reading the names of the lucky ones who were chosen to defend their country, as the lists recalled to their memory a great many patriots who were not inclined to enlist when they did. The idea of being compelled to enter the service against their will, the boys thought, would not be so honorable as enlisting as a volunteer; this gave them considerable comfort and satisfaction, and they also thought it right in the Government to make the draft. July 28. - A detail was sent home to bring in the drafted men to fill up the old regiments. At this 112 MUSIC ON THE MARCH. time General Birney returned to us as commander of our division, and our delight on seeing him was heartily reciprocated. On the first evening after his arrival we gave him a stirring serenade, when he expressed his pleasure at hearing the music of the band again. I took the liberty to acquaint him with the difficulties the band was laboring under, and of the hard campaign we had made; that the marching over difficult roads and often through woods and bushes at night had put a number of our instruments out of order. He promptly told me to make out a list of whatever was needed and he would see that we were attended to. Of course, the band was delighted to have in him such a friend; and he also ordered that we should have a furlough, or pass, for ten days, to go home and obtain what was wanted. At that time no furlough was good unless countersigned by the commander of the army, General Meade; but he proposed using his personal influence, and sent a staff officer with the request to explain. The necessary paper was at once made out, and it was started for approval at regimental headquarters, where it was approved; then it passed to brigade, division, and corps headquarters and was approved; but when forwarded to Army Headquarters it was disapproved, with the explanation that at that time no one could leave the army under any consideration whatever. I therefore forwarded the order for instruments given me by mail. July 31.-In the morning there was an inspection, after which we marched about five miles and arrived at Sulphur Springs. Here the army went into summer quarters and remained comfortably fixed for A SPLENDID ENCAMPMENT. 113 about six weeks. It was a great relief, to all, giving opportunity for needed rest after the severe and constant marching. >From all appearances, Sulphur Springs must have been a splendid place for the Southern aristocracy. Along the road had been a large hotel, called Bachelors' Hall, but then in ruins. There was a beautiful park, adorned with pretty shade trees, and on each side was a number of cottages for boarders. The spring, which was under a pavilion, is about one hundred yards from the hotel. Grouped with these were also a billiard hall and ten-pin alley. In fact, there were indications that Sulphur Springs had been a popular and first-class resort for the chivalry of the South. Close to the springs is a fine stream of clear water, called the North Branch of the Rappahannock. It was there General Birney established his headquarters and detailed the band for duty. By permission we took possession of two of the best cottages and at once went to housekeeping; and we who until then had only the cold and damp ground for a bed, and sometimes a stone for a pillow, therein were provided with comfortable bedsteads. We improvised tables and chairs, and ere long had our "at home" cards among the camp society. As it did not seem altogether right, to us, in General Birney making this exclusive use of the band, by detailing us away from our regiment, he subsequently detailed the regiment to duty also at his headquarters, and their camp was established inside the grounds. Our time there was pretty well occupied, as we had orders to perform three times every day at headquarters, and, besides, we played for guard-mount in the 8 114 MUSIC ON THE MARCH. morning and dress-parade in the evening. The place now began to attract officers from all parts of the army, who were often accompanied by lady visitors. Everybody had free access to the Sulphur Springs, the water of which was as clear as crystal. Our doctors told the men to indulge as freely as they wished in drinking the water, for if it did them no good it would do no harm. They followed the advice, and before they had been there two weeks boils appeared on the bodies of many of them. On making the affliction of job known to the doctors, they jokingly said it was all right, as the medicated water was driving the salt pork out of their systems. The North Branch of the Rappahannock afforded the men excellent bathing, and a plenty of fine black-, berries could be gathered along its banks. Being in easy communication, with our supplies, we now received fresh bread, potatoes, onions, and beans. So we fared very well at this place, for, after the oppressively hot weather and continuous marching necessitated by the Gettysburg campaign, every man was greatly in need of rest and milder treatment, and it is unnecessary to say that this season of relief was duly appreciated throughout the camp. Notwithstanding this respite from hostilities, our regiment at this particular time, I think, was in a worse condition than it had ever been before or was afterward. The corps was reviewed the first week in September, but our regiment did not participate, as it would have made a sorry show. Very few of the men were in full uniform; some had blue pants and Zouave jackets; others wore red pants and regulation coats, and their caps were as THE SOLDIERS' BANKER. 115 varied as their clothing. So, instead of going on review they were sent on picket duty, but the battle-worn regiment was represented by the band being assigned at the head of the line. While in camp at Sulphur Springs, besides furnishing the instrumental music, as before stated, it also fell to the lot of the band to supply vocal music on certain occasions. Several members of the band, before organizing as such, belonged to a Germantown glee-club. On discovering this fact General Birney requested our services, when a vocal quartette was formed which he and his company were well pleased with. Soon after getting our voices in trim General Terry paid us a visit, and, expressing a wish to hear us sing, General Birney sent for us, but unfortunately we could not comply, on account of our leading tenor being sick We, however, serenaded General Terry with the band music. He was greatly pleased and said: "I don't wonder General Birney likes your music." He further said that he knew what good music was, as he played an instrument in a band in his younger days. I told him of our being short several instruments, and he laughingly replied: "You will have to do like myself, under the circumstances - stick the closer to the work." Altogether, we found General Terry a very agreeable man and formed a very high opinion of him. The sutler is also here, with whom the boys usually spend all the money they receive and what they expect the coming pay-day. Wherever there is a sutler the soldiers, with rare exceptions, are always in debt to him, and yet he is one of the necessary evils of war times; they lose a great 116 MUSIC ON THE MARCH. deal of money, but still they manage to grow rich on the reckless spendings of the men. August 16. - On this day Colonel Collis, who, it will be remembered, was compelled to return home on account of illness just as we reached Aquia Creek, came back to the regiment and was tendered a warm reception. The regiment was drawn up in line, after which the Colonel was presented with a beautiful sword as an appropriate symbol of his soldierly bearing, and in evidence of the esteem in which he was held by the rank and file. All were delighted to see Colonel Collis come back to his command and restored to good health. After the formal ceremony had concluded he came to our quarters, shook hands all around, and complimented us on our comfortable cottages at such an aristocratic resort; at the same time he expressed the opinion that it was rather too nice to last long, and it so proved. September 14. - Some of us had gone to wash our clothes in the creek. We had just succeeded in bringing the water up to the boiling point in our kettles and dumped the soiled garments therein, when the division bugles sounded " Pack up." We could scarcely credit our ears. There we were with our clothes boiling hot and compelled to go on the march without delay, and in a few minutes we were actually in line, although the march only continued for a few miles. Our sutler, whom it took much longer than ourselves to pack up, was forced to stay behind to finish and follow us. No sooner had the division left than the bushwhackers surprised him, took all the greenbacks he had - about $1600 - confiscated all his LEFT IN THE LURCH. 117 goods, horses, and wagons, and then made him their prisoner. Fortunately, some of our cavalry surprised them, when they destroyed the goods and escaped, but the sutler was saved. He received very little sympathy from the men of the regiment, as he was regarded as an extortionist. CHAPTER VII. 118 CULPEPER - FIRST SERENADE AT ARMY HEADQUARTERS - RETREAT FROM CULPEPER. The second day's march was very hard on us, after our prolonged rest at Sulphur Springs. We made twenty-five miles, and this brought us to the vicinity of Culpeper, where we went into camp and were given to understand that we would remain there for some time. We pitched our tents, and as it was threatening rain, we dug little ditches around the base of them to serve as canals in preventing the water from inundating our habitations. Instead of being fixed for prospective emergencies, however, the next morning found us marching through Culpeper, and we encamped some distance out on the pike, on the right, while the 6th Corps pitched their tents on the left of the road. Nearly the whole of our army had been congregated in this locality. The road was soon crowded by our teams bringing supplies to our troops, and the whole surroundings were made quite lively. Comrades of different corps were going here and there hunting old friends and relatives, but the corps were too widely separated for such anxious interchanges. On the day we left Sulphur Springs our new instruments, which we were so much in need of, it was learned, had arrived at Bealeton Station, and when we were so suddenly moved for our safety they were taken back to Washington. Being again in railroad THE ARMY HEADQUARTERS. 119 communication with Culpeper, on September 20th we were informed that they had safely arrived there. They could not have come to hand at a more acceptable time to improve our musical condition, for we were being taxed to a most painful and discouraging degree in the rendition of our scores. The first serenade from the new instruments was given General Birney, who was more than pleased with their appearance and the music coming from them. It would be difficult to find an officer in the whole army who could enjoy good music better than Birney. The next night we were called on to perform for General French at the Corps Headquarters. When we returned to camp, to our surprise, we found General Meade's trio of coaches in waiting for us, the band being wanted at Army Headquarters, several miles away. In going that distance the coaches passed a dozen or more bands, most of them having nearly double the number of our instruments. We could not help wondering why one of these larger bands was not selected for this special occasion instead of our own. At all events, we could not but accept this call from General Meade as a high compliment and an exceptional honor. Our regiment, also, shared the pride of their band, and at the same time thought, just as we did, that others were deriving more benefit from the band music than themselves. As matters stood, however, we had determined to do our best not to disappoint their expectations, and at all times endeavored to be a credit to the regiment whose fortunes we had enlisted to follow. Army Headquarters consisted of some thirty commissioned officers, beginning with the Commander-in-Chief, General Meade. Then followed his Chief of 120 MUSIC ON THE MARCH. Staff, General Humphreys; Adjutant-General, Seth Williams; Provost Marshal General, General Patrick; Chief of Commissary, General Ingalls; Chief of Artillery, General Hunt. Each of these officers were entitled to a number of staff officers, which made up a large and distinguished military family, nearly all of them having been what are known as "West Pointers." Such were the educated and cultured men before whom our band was called to perform-a critical audience, to say the least. The Headquarters train itself was an imposing affair, and when on the march it combined to make a long line and carried important baggage, which included documents connected with the army; the telegraph with all its appliances; the engineering department and its various accessories, besides the Chief of Commissary, having in charge the supply of rations for 100,000 men. A company of cavalry and a regiment of infantry were always present for guard duty in camp and on the march. The spot selected for this camp is usually within a grove or on a nicely located field, and the tents are pitched in the form of a semicircle. The commanders are always in the centre of the circle, the chief of staff on the right, the adjutant on the left, and the remainder of the retinue have positions according to their rank. When the band arrived here for the first time, it was assigned a position in the centre of this circle. It was soon evident that our presence was very acceptable, for we were at once surrounded by most of the staff officers, who made themselves very sociable, and especially after we had played for them a few pieces. According to my diary, I find that on this occasion A SAMPLE MUSICALE. 121 we rendered the following programme, the initial number having been selected just to introduce us and give the event a good send-off: HEADQUARTERS PROGRAMME. I. HELL ON THE RAPPAHANNOCK. 2. POTPOURRI FROM "TROVATORE." (Introducing all the gems of that popular opera.) 3. BILD DER ROSE. 4. OVERTURE TO NEBUCHADNEZZAR. 5. SELECTIONS FROM LUCIA. 6. TRAP-TRAP GALOP. Such a selection as the above had probably never been given at the Headquarters in the field by any of the army bands, and any musician familiar with this class of music for brass instruments will know precisely the difficulties our band of only fourteen pieces had to encounter, and at the same time do the intricate arrangements justice. And then, too, it should be considered that a few candles in the open air afforded all the light we had in reading difficult manuscript. Our debut here, however, was regarded as quite a success, and the officers expressed themselves as highly pleased with the performance and the music, declaring that they had never had the pleasure of having such a musical treat in camp. Even the spectators and our candle-bearers noticed the attention paid us, and informed- us of other bands having been there every night; but they came and went with no marked impression being made upon their hearers by their class of music. General Collis, who was with us on this occasion and in General Meade's tent while our band was playing, was also complimented, and the music was 122 MUSIC ON THE MARCH. praised by the latter. Altogether, our appearance at the Army Headquarters was a most pleasing event in the record of the Zouave Band. We returned to our camp about 2 A.M., and though having put in a trying night, we cheerfully crept into our dog-tents, and with pleasing memories fell soundly asleep. There were numerous bands in the army, by far better equipped than ours of the 114th Regiment; they had a larger number of instruments and more artistic performers, but they failed to gain the popularity that we did. The reasons for this may be found in the style of the music, and doubtless much may be attributed to the uniformly good deportment of our members. The members of some of the bands often drank to excess, and thus rendered themselves disreputable and at the same time incompetent to perform their music in a proper manner. Such things never occurred to bring into disrepute the band of the 114th Regiment; its discipline and standard of sobriety was always maintained, notwithstanding the opportunities nightly presented for participating in the social glass. It was this regard for decency and moderation that enabled our members to always be fit for duty and do justice to their respective parts. This much for the band, while passing on to matters of more serious importance. Some who have pretended to write history, in making a record of the events of these stirring times, after graphically describing the battle of Gettysburg and the campaign incident thereto, make a sudden leap, and at a single stride start in again at the coming of General Grant. Here we simply ask the reader to march behind the band for the three years, 1862 and THE ENEMY'S ADVANTAGES. 123 1865, and we will endeavor to fill in the blank by narrating in a brief and homely way the intervening events, some of which are of great importance. In the beginning of October, 1863, the contending armies lay opposite each other along the Rapidan River. Our army was stretched out along the Orange and Alexandria Railroad, extending from Culpeper to Raccoon Ford. We also had a signal station on Thoroughfare Mountain, which was on the south side of the Rapidan. The high ridge on that side of the river screened the movements of the enemy from us, while they had good positions for observation and could clearly see what was transpiring on our side. It was currently reported that General Meade contemplated a movement on their line, and whether General Lee from his observation anticipated this or not it was hard to conjecture, but he suddenly made a move by flanking our army. This compelled us to retreat from our position, in order to protect our line of communication. The enemy approached us with great secrecy by keeping up a strong picket line in our front and blazing numerous camp-fires to deceive us, while the main portion of their army was moving northward behind the wooded hills, which effectually screened their purpose. Their movements, however, were observed from our signal station on the 9th of October and reported, which showed that Lee was making his way to the right of our line. Meade at first seemed not to comprehend the meaning of this activity; whether or not it was only a feint to cover some other important move on his line. He sent the cavalry to reconnoitre on the tenth, and, as a precaution, he ordered the wagon 124 MUSIC ON THE MARCH. train to the rear and across the Rappahannock, and also ordered the 3d Corps, to which we belonged, and the 2d Corps, to protect the train, and prevent, if possible, the rebels from attacking it. This, General Meade thought, was the main object of the enemy's movements. In order to be prepared for any emergency the whole army was ordered to fall back behind the Rappahannock, and the cavalry, which was bringing up the rear, was continually engaged with the rebel cavalry under Stuart. General Kilpatrick found the cavalry of the enemy strongly posted at Brandy Station, or near by, and he was hotly engaged with Stuart at that point. We had an excellent view of the cavalry, as our division was marching on a road to the left, where we could overlook the whole field. We could distinctly see our daring horsemen charging the stubborn rebels with fury, cutting, shooting, and tramping them down. Our troops halted at the thrilling sight and General Birney sent an orderly to ask General Kilpatrick if he wanted assistance, but the dashing cavalryman sent word that all was right and he could take care of himself. On the receipt of this encouraging response we moved on until the Rappahannock was crossed, when the cavalry soon followed us as a protection to our rear. The following day, the 12th, appeared to be involved in uncertainty, and General Meade determined to make a reconnoissance back to Brandy Station by the cavalry, when it was found the rebels were in motion, in strong force, west of them. Meade also pushed out a small force of infantry toward Jeffersonton and Little Washington, and they had great difficulty in getting back, having encountered the enemy in superior num MEADE'S STRATEGY AND LEE'S PURPOSE. 125 ber. Their return was accomplished by hard fighting and at a heavy loss. So far our men could not understand the meaning of all this marching; wandering, as it were, for days here and there; doing nothing, apparently, but being drawn up in line-marching a few miles, halting, forming, and then returning. The officers and men were perplexed; it looked as if Meade was afraid to fight, and endeavoring to get away from the hounding by Lee. The men were anxious for the fray and were asking with eagerness: "Why don't Meade stand and fight them?" But they were really in ignorance of what General Meade was endeavoring to get at-he was by strategy unfolding the real object of General Lee. At last he became satisfied that it was Lee's purpose to get in his rear with his whole army and concentrate it in an advantageous position between our army and Washington. He made the most determined and energetic efforts to thwart the great and daring Confederate, and therefore the marches made by our army, such, probably, as have scarcely ever been equaled by any other. We marched two days and three nights incessantly, sometimes making a stand in line of battle, then off again. The rebel army had one day's start of us, and the objective point of both armies was as to which of the two should first reach the strong position at Centreville. This was the outer line of fortifications for the defense of the capital; it was naturally very strong, and by the science of military engineering had been made almost impregnable. Both armies actually raced for it, but the Army of the Potomac, on ascertaining the strategy of Lee, won the prize. 126 MUSIC ON THE MARCH. The trains and artillery moved over the roads, flanked on both sides by the infantry, with muskets charged and ready for immediate use. We were thus prepared to repel any attack on our wagon trains, and should any have been made on either side of the road the enemy would have met a ready line of battle. The band and other non-combatants moved along the roads with the trains and artillery, wearily, indeed, strolling along on the march. On the second night a number of the band tramped along with a battery of thirty-two Parrot guns, immense affairs. It was pitch dark, especially where the primitive road passed through a woodland region. Our only guidance at times was by placing our hands on the heavy guns, and sometimes stepping along more asleep than awake. Suddenly, during this night, one of the wheels under the heavy gun we were following sank deep in a rut, and the weight of the cannon caused it to topple over, our escape from being crushed to death being almost miraculous. Some of the members of the band declared that it was simply impossible to continue, without some rest, and they laid themselves by the roadside, using their knapsacks for pillows. When the rear of the corps passed, the officers in charge of the rear guard observing them, cried out: "If you can possibly move along, do so, or you will see Libby Prison again!" He further remarked that there would be "hell in the rear in a few minutes." This admonition, it is hardly necessary to say, put new life and locomotion into their tired limbs, and they up and at it again, and by persistent effort soon reached us. Sure enough, not long after the officer thus forcibly gave the warning, there was heavy firing in the rear. WARREN PUNISHES HILL. 127 The 2d Corps, under General Warren, brought up the rear of our army, and it was constantly skirmishing with the rebels, who were in command of General Ewell, the latter having his entire corps with him. This was done to impede Warren's progress, while Hill's Corps, which was in light marching order, was pushing on to head off our army at Bristow Station, but all except the 2d Corps, which was the rear guard, had passed that point; so General Hill posted his corps in a strong position on the left of the railroad, where they were drawn up in line of battle, parallel with the railroad. When Warren arrived he saw at a glance that Hill had blundered in not taking possession of the railroad, the embankment of which would have formed a ready breastwork for his men. General Warren, taking advantage of the opportunity, ordered his corps on the double quick and poured a raking fire of musketry into the close ranks of the advancing rebels, which staggered them and they fell back. They re-formed for another advance, but Warren bad his batteries charged with grape and canister, with which he plowed terrible furrows through their ranks. Again and again the desperate rebels attempted to make an impression upon Warren's corps, but their sacrifice of life was in vain, and finally Hill gave up the impossible and retreated back to Catlett's Station, and there he joined Ewell's Corps, while Warren continued his march during the night and came up with the other portions of our army at Centreville. Hill was badly punished by Warren, losing one of his best batteries, of six guns, besides 500 men in killed and wounded. Our army was now strongly posted at Centreville 128 MUSIC ON THE MARCH. Heights, where it waited for and invited an attack, but Lee was too shrewd to venture an assault against us there. The only trouble our corps had with the enemy on this march was when it approached Auburn. General Birney and his staff were just ahead of us on the march, our brigade leading the division on this day, and Our regiment leading the brigade. From the left, without warning, the rebels sent us a shell from a light battery, which came rather close to General Birney. He halted the column, and immediately our brigade was thrown out in line of battle, and for a time there was a lively fire of musketry with the enemy, but they were soon driven away. In this contest our regiment had a number of men wounded. We then resumed our march, which they no doubt hoped to delay, but in this they were not very successful, as the whole affair was over inside of half an hour. General Stuart, on this march, was probably in the tightest place with his cavalry during his whole career, having been hemmed in a woods between two roads. Our infantry were marching on, and as it was night, the rebel game was not perceived by our men. His close proximity, therefore, was unknown to us, and had his fix been discovered he and all his force would have been captured. How to get out of the scrape he was in was a conundrum to him; but he solved it by selecting six of his troopers, on whom he put Yankee uniforms and armed them with muskets to correspond. These spies fell in line with us and at an opportune moment crossed the road and sneaked off, making their way to General Lee, whom they informed of Stuart's perilous position. His chief soon REBEL SPIES IN DISGUISE. 129 determined what to do, in ordering an infantry attack on that part of our line near where Stuart was, and during the excitement the rebel cavalryman and his troopers slipped through and made sure their escape to Lee. CHAPTER VIII. 130 CENTREVILLE - GENERAL SICKLES VISITS HIS OLD COMMAND - FOLLOWING LEE - ACTION AT KELLY'S FORD - MINE RUN. We were tired and "played out" on arriving at Centreville, and as soon as we reached our destination simply fell asleep, without bothering about rations, for, hungry as we were, "nature's sweet restorer" was the greater need. Rest was the one thing yearned for; never more a physical necessity. The next day there was an event that put new life into the whole army. About noon a horseman rode into camp, and it was soon sounded in every ear that General Daniel E. Sickles, our old commander, was on the grounds. All of the valiant General's former self, of course, was not there, for he had left one leg on the battle-field of Gettysburg. If ever a brave man received a soldier's hearty reception it was General Sickles, and he is no doubt proud of it down to this day. What General Lee expected from his flank movement was hard to understand. It certainly did not pay him, nor did it prolong the life of the cause for which he was fighting. He failed completely in outgeneraling Meade; failed in obtaining possession of Centreville Heights, and, if he was endeavoring to capture our trains, he also failed. He remained in the vicinity of Bristow Station until October 18th, in the meantime keeping his army busy in destroying THE RETREATING REBELS. 131 the railroad, which his men, as well as our own, knew how to do effectually when it answered a purpose. They tore up the sleepers and laid the rails across them, then set the former on fire, and when the rails became red hot in the centre the extreme weight of the ends would bend them into bows and thus destroy their usefulness for relaying. As General Lee's army was now retreating southward again, our army retraced its steps, and the first day's march brought us to Bristow Station, on October 20th. The following day we made a long roundabout march to reach Catlett's Station, covering about twenty-five miles and yet advancing only a distance of six miles: As the railroad was destroyed, we halted there. Details from the different regiments were made up each day to work on and rebuild the railroad, the army being badly in need of supplies. All along our march there were evidences of the enemy's retreat - dead horses worn out on the march, cast-off rebel clothing scattered by the wayside, broken wagons, etc. As we advanced the railroad was rebuilt, and on November 1st we encamped near Bealeton Station. There we laid over for one week and were mustered for pay, but when the list was completed it caused a great deal of dissatisfaction and grumbling among the men, as many of them were brought in debt to the Government. Their allowance of forty-two dollars for clothing they had overdrawn, and it had to be made good out of their pay; so, instead of receiving some hard cash to cheer the sutler, they got nothing, and had to wait until the paymaster came round again. This unexpected deprivation soured the unfortunate ones very much, when they compared 132 MUSIC ON THE MARCH. their lot with the fancy soldiers who were having an easy and indolent time around the forts of Washington and Baltimore. This, they said, is the kind return, "after going on wearisome marches, almost shoeless, and sleeping in our clothes on the cold ground, and to keep up with the line often being compelled to lighten our knapsacks by casting away needful articles; while the men hanging around the forts can take care of their clothing, act the dandy soldier, and receive the same pay." This is simply a reflex of the feeling among the fighting men in the army. There were other things to grate harshly upon the minds of battle-worn men. By the army regulation rules the Government allowed each soldier going on the march to have six days' rations in his haversack. If each man had received his full allowance mules would have been required to carry the burden. As the men did not receive in quantity in accordance with the regulations, what became of the excess was a source of constant anxiety to the men in camp, when they usually had their studying caps on. But when "Pack up" sounded these little matters of ways and means for the time were dispelled. While in camp here, our regiment was largely reinforced from Camp Parole, mainly by those who were captured at the battles of Chancellorsville and Gettysburg having been exchanged and returned to us. We also received a number of new recruits, among them being several young Frenchmen, who were procured in France by agents, or persons who were engaged to furnish substitutes for patriots here who did their fighting by staying at home. These bright young recruits, who were imitating the zeal of Lafay- YOUNG FRENCH SOLDIERS. 133 ette, informed us that they were paid only one hundred dollars each, while at that period of the war substitutes everywhere in this country were paid from one thousand to twelve hundred dollars. One can hardly imagine the money that was made in this sort of war brokerage, this barter inhuman life, during those dark days, when the purses of men as well as their loyalty and courage of convictions were sorely tried. In conversation with these soldierly Frenchmen, I also learned why they came to our regiment. It had been represented to them that it was a French Zouave regiment, and they were surprised after being with us that there were only a few of their new comrades with whom they could hold conversation. They were not particularly pleased with their experience in camp at that time and complained bitterly about the rations, and especially of the hard bread. I endeavored to cheer them in a vein of pleasantry by assuring them that after becoming accustomed to the daily bill of fare they would grow fat on it. November 7. - Broke camp and advanced toward the Rappahannock again, where we found the whole rebel army entrenched in rifle pits and behind strong breastworks, and they appeared to be snugly encamped for the winter, but General Meade did not mean to have things so comfortably and permanently arranged. Before the retreat of Lee oar army occupied the line of the Rapidan, and to stop here would indicate that we were unable to proceed. Our corps, with the 2d, therefore advanced on Kelly's Ford, and the rebels were taken by surprise. Preparations were at once made to capture their position and cross the Rappahannock. On our side we had a 134 MUSIC ON THE MARCH. good position for artillery, where a 32-pound calibre battery was planted, and in support of which our regiment was sent. Our battery soon opened a brisk cannonade on the enemy south of the river. During this lively and constant fire the pontoons were laid, our corps rushed over, drove the rebels back, and captured over four hundred prisoners. The movement was well planned, as its success proved, and the action was an exceptionally brilliant one. The prisoners here taken were better clothed than any we had before seen; all were provided with overcoats and jackets of much better material than our own. They were of English manufacture, a much darker blue than the United States uniforms, and they furnished conclusive evidence of successful blockade running. While our action at Kelly's Ford was a success, the experience at the right of our army, consisting of the 5th and 6th Corps, was even more favorable. In advancing they found the enemy well prepared for a contest, in a strong fort, with redoubts and rifle pits, on the northern side of Rappahannock Station. At first General Sedgwick was somewhat baffled, but by his native dash and cautious action he succeeded in finding a good position in the rear of the fort, and with his batteries he bombarded the stronghold all day, and just before dark he stormed the position and carried it, capturing fifteen hundred prisoners, besides a battery and eight battle-flags. After this we crossed the Rappahannock and the whole army advanced toward the Rapidan. Our corps, with the 2d, forming the left of the army, advanced to Brandy Station, where, on November 8th, there was some skirmishing with the rebel cavalry, but they were DISTINGUISHED ENGLISH GUESTS. 135 easily driven off. The next day we encamped at Brandy Station, where was presented abundant evidence of the enemy having contemplated going into winter quarters in this vicinity, as they had erected good shanties for the purpose. It looked as if their abandonment of the place had been very sudden, for they attempted to destroy the buildings so that the Yankees could not have the benefit of them, but in this they were only partially successful. The chimneys they toppled over were soon rebuilt, and, as cooler weather was expected, we felt thankful in no small degree for the comfortable quarters thus left for us. While at Bristow Station our former brigade commander, General Graham, who was wounded and captured at Gettysburg, paid us a brief but pleasant visit, and the men were exceedingly glad to see him, although he could not remain with us, as he had been appointed to a command in North Carolina. He was greatly respected and appreciated by the whole brigade. November 16th we had a review, and a number of distinguished British officers were present as visitors, for whom the event had been arranged. After review, the band, of course, was called to Corps Headquarters, where the lordly guests were entertained. We selected a number of the choicest operatic gems and overtures to please them, but they did not evince any special interest in the programme. However, when we complimented them by playing their national air, "God save the Queen," that seemed to captivate them, and they came out in acknowledgment of the favor and declared that they had rarely ever before heard it sound so well. Under the circumstances, no doubt, it proved pleasing to them. 136 MUSIC ON THE MARCH. At this time the rebel army was encamped on the south side of the Rapidan and in a very strong position. General Meade made a careful reconnoissance and pronounced it unassailable, yet there was an interval of six miles between Hill's and Ewell's Corps. Having ascertained these facts, he determined on a decisive and short campaign, his plans being clearly and skilfully laid out; and had they been faithfully executed, there can be no doubt that the rebel army then and there would have been disastrously defeated. Meade's intent was to concentrate his army in this gap or interval of six miles, and by a rapid march defeat one-half before the other could make a junction with its counterpart. Our army started with ten days' rations. Each corps had its line of march mapped out, and each had orders to move with celerity and unite at the ridges, west of Mine Run, the point of junction designated being in the vicinity of the Robertson Tavern. General Warren, with the 2d Corps, was prompt and almost in position, but our corps, in command of General French, brought about a miscarriage, and which was the cause of defeat of General Meade's well- designed plans. We crossed the Rapidan on November 26th and encamped for the night, which was the first of the blunders. Then, on resuming our march, we took a road leading through the country, instead of following the river road. In doing so, after marching a few miles, we came in contact with Johnson's division of Ewell's Corps, when a hot engagement took place between our corps and Johnson's division. To us the encounter was a great surprise. The country there is a perfect wilderness, and CROSSING THE RAPIDAN. 137 we did not become aware of the enemy's presence until we were on them. In this engagement we lost many killed and wounded. The 5th Corps, hearing the firing, came to our assistance. These incidental mishaps seriously delayed us and prevented the rapid concentration of our army, as General Meade had intended. And this was not the worst of our misfortune, for it gave the key of General Meade's plan of campaign to Lee, and afforded him ample opportunity and time to concentrate his army on the very position we were preparing to occupy. In spite of all this discomfiture, however, to General Meade, he did not give up the one purpose in view. At last, with his army at hand, he, confronted the rebels at the Mine Run position, which was in their possession. In front of their line the marsh along the run was an obstacle to attack. The position was thoroughly reconnoitred. On our left General Warren reported his confidence in the ability of his men to take it, when he was strengthened by two divisions of our corps and one division of the 6th Corps. During the night of the 29th General Warren made a more extended examination and found the position much stronger than it was at first reported, and so advised General Meade, which caused him to postpone the attack. In the meantime the weather became dreadfully cold and men were frozen on picket. It was the coldest spell of weather our army had experienced in Virginia. General Meade concluded, as his original plans had been thwarted, and with the prospect of a still greater loss of life without due compensation and substantial results, to withdraw leis army across the Rapidan and to its former position. The most unfor- 138 MUSIC ON THE MARCH. tunate event during the week was the loss in our corps, which amounted to between 500 and 600 killed and wounded, and all to no purpose. As soon as we learned of the army going to fall back across the Rapidan, the band reported at the wagon train, which was already moving the sick and wounded. We accompanied them and about dark crossed the river at Culpeper Ford and encamped there for the night. The troops did not begin retreating until dark, but they marched all night and reached us in the morning, completely worn out. After getting our breakfast and resting a few hours we went on the march again, under orders to return to the place of encampment we left just one week before, which we made before dark. It may be stated here that it was not the intention in speaking of General French to criticise him from a military standpoint or as to his soldierly qualities. We had always been very kindly treated by him; still, it was the general impression that he did not at times act in full sympathy with General Meade. In fact, our frequent presence at his headquarters gave us opportunity to hear staff officers speak in such manner as was not at all complimentary to the Commander of the Army of the Potomac. Had General French's feelings not been in accord with their own, it was' but reasonable to suppose that they would not have dared to express themselves as they did of Meade, their superior in command. CHAPTER IX. 139 [See photo facing page 139] The Band at Brandy Station BRANDY STATION - ATTACHED TO ARMY HEADQUARTERS - DUTIES OF THE BAND AND REGIMENT. Now that we were in our own shanties, or winter quarters, again, we concluded that we would be permitted to remain for the remainder of the season, and accordingly made arrangements for our comfort and convenience. Brandy Station was now made the base of supplies for the whole army, and buildings were erected to receive the varied stores. We had flattered ourselves that we were fixed for some time at least, when orders carne to move our camp some distance beyond, as another corps had been assigned to occupy our grounds. Reluctantly we packed up and encamped about a mile nearer the station, where we began to build new quarters and prepare for the hard weather. At this time gambling was rife in the army, to a demoralizing extent. Looking over the field could be observed dozens of groups of soldiers squatted on the ground, playing what was called "sweat-box." One of the group was selected as banker, and sometimes they would break hire, but oftener the banker would break them. Hundreds of dollars would often change hands in a short time, and even our Marie, the cantiniere, was tempted to try her luck. Looking on at a party playing, she saw a soldier win a large sum of money in almost no time, so she thought to go and do likewise, and invested with the banker; but instead 140 MUSIC ON THE MARCH. of winning, Marie soon lost, and was fifty dollars poorer by reason of her experience. She was too sharp to be caught again, and being thoroughly disgusted she played no more. General Birney, to his credit, determined to break up the "sweat box," and whenever gambling was discovered he ordered the guard to charge on the players and drive them from the field. In this way the public display of the pernicious practice was finally broken up. Being now to all appearances in permanent camp for the winter, and a great many ladies coming in to visit the different generals, the band was engaged every evening at one or another of the several headquarters, rarely ever returning to camp before the next morning. At this time there was some talk of having the band detached from the regiment and making it a brigade band, the respective commanders desiring to have the music at their headquarters. One evening, some time previous to this, happening to be at the 3d Brigade headquarters of our division, the brigade then being in command of General De Trobriand, after the band had performed a short programme, he invited me into the house, where he occupied a room in the second story. In broken English he informed me that he desired to see me for the purpose of complimenting the, band on its music, at the same time saying that he had heard no music in the service he had been so well pleased with. He also said that he was a musician himself, and then asked me how the band would like to be attached to his headquarters. My reply was that I could not see how that could be done; but he thought it could and said he would see about it, and there the matter dropped A VEXED QUESTION. 141 between us. Nevertheless, the project was agitated, and the more it was talked over the greater the difficulty of its accomplishment became. The men of our regiment began to seriously consider the proposition, when it was found they were unanimously opposed to the movement and declared that it should not be permitted. The peremptory decree was that the Zouave Band should not belong to any other than the regiment that brought it to the field. In the midst of all this we continued to perform as though we were disinterested parties to the vexed question under discussion. When, the third time, we had been called to Army Headquarters, to entertain the officers commanding with our music, it was whispered that the regiment and its band would be called for permanent duty thereat; the regiment to be headquarters guard and the band to be honored by a like distinction. Soon the order came to report at headquarters of the army, and this cleverly adjusted the differences respecting our separation from the regiment. Ever since the battle of Gettysburg our regiment was commanded by Major E. R. Bowen, Colonel Collis being in command of the brigade. The duties here were never very severe, and we were saved from many hard marches and dangerous picket duty. We were really glad of this temporary exemption, for our regiment was merely a skeleton compared with its former strength; the battles in which it participated having played sad havoc among its ranks, and the brief respite allowed was only what it richly deserved. It must not be understood that we had been transformed into holiday soldiers, for the 114th was engaged in active and dangerous work, and even met with 142 MUSIC ON THE MARCH. severe losses down to the close of hostilities, as will appear in subsequent recitals. While the band did its best to maintain its reputation while having an abundance of work to do, thereafter we were not subject to calls for music from a diversity of official sources, which made our service more pleasant, as it was confined, as a rule, to this particular headquarters. On the evening of December 16th, the band received a special invitation from Colonel Collis to make him a call at his brigade headquarters. We cheerfully responded, and on arriving there the generous Colonel had prepared an excellent treat for us. While being in a quandary as to what it all meant, he informed us that it was to celebrate an event that occurred just one year before - the separation of the band from its regiment by our capture. In one of his veins of grim humor, he asked us if we, still remembered the mishap, which we did, of course, and a trifle too well. After passing a delightful evening, in the enjoyment of sprightly music and genial intercourse, we retraced our steps to camp, in good spirits and feeling the better for the thoughtful hospitality of our friendly Colonel. The festal season was now approaching and our letters from home indicated that we would have a rare luxury sent us in the form of a splendidly prepared dinner for Christmas, and, in anticipation of which, our appetites were whetted accordingly. Christmas Day came as the calendar unfolded, but the looked-for boxes did not come. We made trip after trip to the railroad station in great anxiety, meeting every train as it arrived, but there were no boxes with the good things in store for us. Were we all to be disappointed again, as during the previous Christmas- THOSE CHRISTMAS PRESENTS. 143 time? We were assured that our big dinner was on the road somewhere, and in charge of a lady, Miss Jones, of Germantown. We had almost given up the idea of a Christmas celebration in a homelike way. The following week, however, while strolling about the camp, I perceived a lady with difficulty making her way over the rough road toward our tents. She recognized me and called, when she proved to be Miss Jones, and with her came our long-delayed dinners; too late, of course, for Christmas Day, but still in good time to appease the sharpened appetites that had been worked up. Whilst our hearts were overflowing with gladness on receipt of the presents, this kind young lady was even more so. She had worried more over the treasure in her charge than ourselves, although she was in nowise to blame for the delay, which was caused by an accident on the road. On her arrival at camp we soon procured an army wagon and brought the boxes from the railroad station, and the weather having been continuously cold everything forwarded to us was in a good state of preservation. It would be impossible to imagine our feelings on receiving this change of diet, save those having had the same hard experience; men who the year round had lived on hardtack and salt pork, then suddenly confronted with a roast turkey, mince pies, and other good things common to a Christmas feast. All these evidences of affection and regard, too, coming direct from our homes and the loved ones whom we had tendered an uncertain farewell on parting for the camp, battlefield and prison pen. Nothing could possibly have done our men more good, or 144 MUSIC ON THE MARCH. added so much to their pleasure, as that sumptuous Christmas dinner. In the first week of January, 1864, our old division was required to move its camp from where most of the men had already put up comfortable winter huts, and they were considerably enraged about it, officers and men alike. The trouble arose from being encamped on Miner Botts's property, who professed to be loyal to the cause of the Union. He, therefore, proceeded to Washington, for the purpose of making complaint to the Government because of our, troops being located thereon, and he returned with an official order for the division to vacate his premises. Had Botts been a sincere Union man, he would not have complained of having our army encamped on his grounds, for he had over 1000 acres, and, being what he professed, it was very strange the rebels exempted him in that particular. Our boys at headquarters had their hands full, having at all times to make a good appearance in keeping cleanly and genteel, and at the same time their fatigue duties consisted in looking to the cleanliness of the whole camp, besides cutting wood for headquarters; from the fact that wood was becoming very scarce around the camp, our labor was considerably increased in having to go a long distance for it, in all kinds of weather, during the winter. Otherwise, the duties of the band were: guard mount in the morning, dress parade in the evening, besides performing every evening, when the weather permitted, in front of General Meade's tent, where no clap-trap music was in order, our choicest pieces being always REGULAR RELIGIOUS SERVICES. 145 selected. It did not take long to learn of the style of music that pleased the General; any pretty flowing melody, smoothly arranged, whether operatic or ballad, had a great charm for him. When he was not familiar with any selection we played for him, he would send his orderly to be informed of its name and who was the composer. This, while showing his interest in the band, enabled us to become acquainted with his particular taste, and also to play such pieces as were agreeable to him. Whether for this or other reasons it is not presumed to know, but we were assured by those very near to General Meade, then and since, that he cared for no other music than our own in camp, so long as he could hear it. Being now in winter quarters, arrangements were made for religious services on Sundays, for which a neat chapel was erected and where eminent divines preached for the distinguished military family at headquarters. General Seth Williams, Adjutant General, had charge of the parish arrangements, and he sent for me to consult as to the musical parts of the service. He requested the band to play a suitable piece in front of the chapel, prior to the hour of service, to call the congregation together. For this purpose I proposed "Der Dag des Hern" (The Day of Our Lord), or "The Kapelle" (The Chapel). Any one familiar with these compositions would approve either for the purpose suggested. General Williams was then in trouble about the singing, remarking that he knew of no officer at headquarters who could be counted on to take part in the singing. The band again came to his relief by venturing to supply an impromptu quartette choir. I informed him that one 10 146 MUSIC ON THE MARCH. of my men had formerly been the leader of a church choir. He seemed very much pleased and said he would at once send an order to Washington for hymn and music books, and he even contemplated sending for a cabinet organ, but this part of his enthusiastic project did not carry, on account of the bulk in transportation of the instrument. It was therefore arranged that the band would furnish both the instrumental and vocal music for the Sunday services. This was in the winter of 1863-4, at the Army Headquarters. Albeit our little chapel was never consecrated, so to speak, by the usual formalities, yet, in the presence of these distinguished men, whose lives had been offered in testimony of their devotion to a righteous cause, this modest sanctuary was virtually dedicated to the service of both God and their country. Every Saturday evening General Williams would send for me to receive the hymns selected for the morrow's worship, which came from the pastor or rector engaged to preach, so that we could be prepared to supply our part of the service with appropriate music. The great Generals of the army were often in attendance, also Cabinet Officers, other eminent men and visitors from the North. In the front seats usually sat General Meade, with his serious, anxious, and meditative countenance, surrounded by his staff officers. At the first of these services the Rev. Dr. Dorr officiated, a learned and retired Episcopal clergyman who lived at that time in Price Street, Germantown. Bishop Whipple, of Minnesota, preached the following Sunday, a most eloquent and patriotic sermon. He was in full Episcopal vesture and every word spoken seemed to impress deeply his own ani- VISITING DISTANT CAMPS. 147 mation and veneration upon the hearts and minds of his audience. Every listener in that little congregation of the tented field appeared to be benefited by his exceptionally eloquent discourse. As the winter season slowly and drearily dragged along, we occasionally paid a visit to some friends in our old corps, and also to other corps. It was in the latter part of February when we determined to make a call on the 15oth regiment, P. V., in the 1st Corps. This regiment did us a great favor at Gettysburg, such as could never be forgotten, and the band took this opportunity of making a slight acknowledgment of the kindness in a special call. Their camp was about ten miles away from ours, so we took the railroad and reached them about 10 P.m. We had a great many acquaintances and some relatives in this regiment, and, when we struck up in their camp, the men all rushed from their shanties to receive us. After playing for nearly an hour we were escorted to General Stone's headquarters. Music was very scarce in the 150th, and it was almost impossible to give them enough of it. There we remained over night and having a splendid time with our friends who were so near to us and yet so far away. The next day the 1st Corps was reviewed by General Meade, and we were induced to remain and take part in the event. It was proposed that the band take the head of the division, but Major George W. Jones, of Germantown, who was in command of the 150th, objected, unless the regiment was assigned to the head of the line. He claimed that the band was for the time being the regiment's guest, and did not want to be separated from it. The Major's point was so strong that he held the fort, and the band 148 MUSIC ON THE MARCH. With the 150th took the head of the division. General Meade was the reviewing officer, and when he saw the band from his own headquarters heading a division of the 1st Corps he was really astounded, and could not be reconciled to it until the why and wherefore had been explained. Immediately after review we bade our friends a comrade's goodbye and took the cars for our camp. Such incidents served to add a spice of pleasure to the tithe of these otherwise wearisome and dreary winter months. During our stay there a boy of 13 or 14 years of age would often come to our camp and be with us in our tents, remaining sometimes two or three weeks; then he would be absent for several weeks, and during this time he would be inside the rebel lines. Again he would return, always making sure to visit the band, when he had some story to tell of having seen the instruments taken from us when we were captured. Every time he came back he repeated the affirmation, and even named the instruments. He was employed by General Meade as a spy and appeared to be well suited for the purpose, as he was a very sharp and bright lad for one of leis years. This lasted for a considerable time, when he was finally caught as being a rebel spy; and to carry out his purposes the better he actually engaged to act the spy for our army. From that time, however, he disappeared and we never saw him again. Our regiment at this time was well initiated in its routine of duties at Army Headquarters, and gave great satisfaction, thus showing that General Meade's confidence and appreciation of its services were not misplaced. The regiment was now in command of MORAL TONE OF THE ZOUAVES. 149 Major Bowen and remained so until after the surrender of Lee. Major Bowen was especially suited to have charge of the exacting duties required of his men, as he was a strict disciplinarian and kept the Zouaves in fine martial trim, and, besides this, both he and his command were greatly respected by the headquarters officers. As a rule, the regiment looked as cleanly and prim as if they had just come into the service. Our dress parades were always admired and witnessed by large numbers of military officers and other spectators. On the 14th of April there was quite an event at Army Headquarters in the presence of a French military officer of distinction, who came to witness one of the dress parades. Everything went off like clockwork, and he was delighted with the evolutions of our men, saying that the precision of their movements was as near perfection as possible. It was a part of the duties of the regiment to send details as a guard to rebel prisoners on their way to Washington, in which the "red legs" took great pride. They would shine up and look their best, and always surprised the people at the Capital, as they had not been used to seeing troops come from the battle-front in such scrupulously prim condition. Their conduct, too, was in keeping with their genteel appearance, for, to the great credit of the regiment, no breach of discipline was ever reported against any of the men in Washington. On the contrary, former guards coming there were often in trouble, as many took the opportunity to go on sprees, and while in an intoxicated condition were arrested for disorder and locked up for the day or night, to their own disgrace, by the Provost Marshal of the district. 150 MUSIC ON THE MARCH. In anticipation of the approaching spring campaign a brigade was formed at headquarters, embracing all the troops connected therewith, which was to be used in case sudden and unlooked-for events demanded, and it was placed in command of Colonel Collis, who so distinguished himself that soon after he was promoted to be a brigadier. CHAPTER X. 151 REORGANIZATION OF THE ARMY - COMING OF GENERAL GRANT - CROSSING THE RAPIDAN - BATTLE OF THE WILDERNESS - DISCOMFITURE OF A NEWSPAPER CORRESPONDENT. Early in March, General Meade recommended to the Government the desirability of reorganizing the army and reducing it to three corps, which was accepted and the work at once accomplished. By this consolidation our old corps was added to the 2d Corps, but retaining the original corps mark, while making it the 3d Division in the 2d Corps. By this arrangement General French was left out, with no command, and the 1st Corps was made a part of the 5th Corps. This reorganization of the army under General Meade, and the changes resulting, created considerable dissatisfaction in the corps that were disbanded. In the army there was apparent everywhere a deal of honest corps pride; the men were deeply absorbed in the achievements and history thus associated; but their esprit de corps was wounded and partially destroyed by this new and mysterious move, although they were known thereafter by their former corps designations among each other. General Grant having been promoted to the rank of Lieutenant General, with complete control of all the armies, on the 10th of March paid General Meade a visit at Brandy Station. The band had been prepared to receive him, and as he approached we welcomed 152 MUSIC ON THE MARCH. him with "Hail to the Chief!" He remained but a short time; still, the indications everywhere were that sharp work and important events were on the programme. In the latter part of March he paid us another visit, during a heavy snow storm, and the men said that "he could see for himself why the army did not move." About the middle of April Our chapel was taken down; the Army Headquarters' winter tents were also removed, and in place of them field tents were substituted. The railroad was worked to its fullest capacity and trains were running all day and all night, bringing supplies to the army. There were cracker boxes piled up in rows a hundred yards in length, also salt pork, sugar, and coffee in enormous quantities. All extra or unnecessary baggage was packed up and sent to the rear, and the sick from the hospitals and all unfit for duty were forwarded to Washington. Indications of an early action were seen in every movement. Every day new troops were coming down; some of them regiments that had never seen service in the field, others were raw recruits for old regiments; many, too, were veterans who had reenlisted, and having had thirty days' furloughs were coming back to test their fate on the field again. During the month of April the army was reinforced to such an extent that it was made stronger than it had ever been before. It was generally observed and commonly expressed that the coming of General Grant produced no unusual enthusiasm in the Army of the Potomac. The men were well satisfied with Meade, had great confidence in him, and felt that in his hands the army was safe, and that he would never permit the slaughter of his BEGINNING OF THE END. 153 soldiers unless the results were such as to atone for the sacrifice. At the same time, however, these veterans had the satisfaction of knowing that the army in the field was no longer to be commanded by a general at Washington. They knew, too, that when active work was once commenced and reinforcements needed they had now a man who possessed not only the will but the power to call for unlimited and unqualified resources to accomplish the task of subduing the Confederates. Our army was mainly composed of thinking and intelligent men, and these facts, with the knowledge that General Meade would remain in command of the Army of the Potomac, put them in high spirits and made them eager to participate in the final blow. The first time Grant paid a visit to Meade the latter thought the Lieutenant General might desire another to take his place, and he unhesitatingly offered to step aside, having the impression that General Sherman was probably desired; but Grant assured Meade that he was in the right place, and so was Sherman. General Meade therefore continued in command down to the end of the war. The whole army, as previously stated, since reorganization consisted of only three corps, namely: the 2d, under command of Major General Hancock; the 5th, under General Warren, and the 6th, under General Sedgwick. The 9th Corps, however, was held in reserve and encamped at Annapolis, which consisted of 40,000 men and was in charge of General Burnside. The cavalry, which was in better fighting condition than ever before, was placed in command of that brilliant officer, General Phil. Sheridan. 154 MUSIC ON THE MARCH. General Grant at this time made his headquarters with us, and on the 4th day of May, 1864, the whole army was put in motion. The whole country, too, was likewise in great expectancy and excitement as to the result of the coming campaign. The rebel army had also been strongly reinforced and reorganized for the supreme contest by that skillful commander, Robert F. Lee, in whom his battle-scarred host had implicit confidence; in fact, he was regarded by his men as invincible, especially when fighting on their own soil. Our army crossed the Rapidan on pontoons at Fly's and Germania Fords, the whole affair being easily accomplished and without opposition. Grant expected not quite so smooth a passage in getting across the river, and was agreeably surprised that Lee did not attempt to intercept the movement. As soon as our army had gained the other side, however, it found itself in the Wilderness, properly so called, for the whole region thereabouts was covered with a forest and dense undergrowth, with an abundance of brambles and a deal of marshy soil. Here signal stations were out of the question, artillery of no account, and infantry movements very difficult. General Grant's purpose evidently was to manoeuvre the army so as to draw the enemy out of the Wilderness. The cavalry division, under General Gregg, patrolled the plank road to Chancellorsville, while Wilson's division of cavalry guarded the locality of Parker's Store and Orange Court House; every precaution, in fact, was taken against a surprise; there was to be no repetition of the former unfortunate event. Hancock's 2d Corps was thrown out A SHARP ENGAGEMENT. 155 to our extreme left and encamped on the old battlefield of Chancellorsville, while the 5th Corps was at the Wilderness Tavern. The 6th Corps took the extreme right of the army, extending toward the Rapidan. Doubtless Grant expected Lee to attack him there and throw his army between Hancock and Richmond. In that case our whole army would have marched to Hancock's assistance and have been outside the Wilderness; but as a skillful general rarely does just what his adversary would desire, Lee made his preparations to attack other points of the line, thus compelling Grant to recall Hancock. So far, however, our army was unmolested. Early on the morning of the 5th of May reveille was beaten before daybreak, and soon our army began to move southward, and it was not long before General Lee interfered with our march by attacking Griffin's division of the 5th Corps, which had to fall back; but just then General Warren threw in Bartlett's and Ayres' division of regulars, who soon became hotly engaged with Ewell's Corps, and after fighting desperately for an hour at least, our. troops had to retire, losing two guns on account of the horses having been killed. Following this, two divisions of the 5th Corps, Wadsworth's and Robinson's, were ordered in, and they succeeded in holding the rebels in check after another hour or more -of incessant musketry, when the enemy in turn fell back. It was evidently their design to break our right centre, which they failed to do. This encounter no doubt compelled, or prompted, General Grant to recall the 2d Corps from the vicinity of Chancellorsville. 156 MUSIC ON THE MARCH. Our army being still disconnected, as Hancock had not yet reached us from the left, General Lee then tried the left centre of our line by charging with great desperation, in the hope to break through between Warren's 5th Corps and Hancock. The attack came about 3 o'clock P.M., from A. P. Hill's Corps. Our 5th Corps had been reinforced by Getty's division of the 6th Corps, which was put in the gap on the left of Warren. The stubborn fighting of these troops gave time for the 2d Corps to reach them by hard marching, and soon after Hancock burst upon the enemy with a raking fire of musketry. Our old corps, now a division of the 2d Corps, fought under Birney, our former commander, and the men acted, as they always did, with great credit to themselves and to the corps. Barton's and Gibbon's divisions of the 2d Corps also joined in the desperate effort to hold this part of the line. The fighting was of the most stubborn character possible, and such unbroken rattling of musketry had not been heard, it was said by the gallant men, since the war began. There was a continuous volley from the infantry on both sides, no end to or intervals between the discharges; so unlike other battles, in which artillery nearly always played an important part. Here the infantry had the contest for supremacy to themselves, the field was theirs, and the battle raged for hours. It seemed almost impossible for human life to survive it. The enemy appeared in great force and sorely pressed our veteran corps, and, in order to relieve our noble fellows who so heroically were bearing the brunt of battle, an advance along the whole line was ordered, albeit darkness was just gathering as a PAINFUL SCENES. 157 mantle to cover the bloody scene from view. Sedgwick, with the 6th Corps, pushed Ewell on the right back some distance, but the conflict went on until late at night, and with this slight gain only on the right the first day's fighting ceased. The loss in killed and wounded on each side was fearfully large and supposed to be about equal, but the enemy showed about 1000 prisoners to our 300. The headquarters of our army being on the Plank Road, during the whole day and until dark we could see thousands of wounded, in every imaginable condition, making their way down the road as best they could in search of the field hospitals. This sight alone was a painful one, never to be effaced from memory. The fighting, desperate as it was, led to no decisive results, and both armies ceased the slaughter only to look with uncertainty to the coming day. During the night our army was reinforced by the arrival of Burnside's corps, and the rebels were also strengthened in the coming of Longstreet and his veteran corps. In this campaign General Grant depended chiefly on the telegraph for communication and needed information; therefore, as soon as the line of the army was thrown out the wires of the telegraph accompanied it. The arrangements for this very important service were as near the point of perfection as possible. The mules carried the wires on their backs, which were coiled on reels, one animal starting to the right and another to the left. In this way, under the guidance of trained men, the wires were made to reach the desired destination without much difficulty. A wagon containing a number of long poles accompanied the wire-mules. On these poles the wires were elevated, 158 MUSIC ON THE MARCH. excepting, of course, where trees were convenient, when the limbs or trunks were substituted. Sometimes it took only a few minutes to establish a complete line of communication from right to left. General Grant remained with us, but General Meade was always on the field and in constant intercourse over the telegraph wires with the former, who was thus enabled to be promptly posted of every occurrence of importance claiming the attention of General Meade. Having been near the presence of General Grant every day, from morning until night, from the Rapidan to the James Rivers, during the most serious actions, and when the life of the Government was trembling in his hands, we do not remember of ever noticing a change in his countenance. He seemed immovable by the hazardous events taking place in the field; always the same rigid features chiseled upon his browned face, and never without a cigar between his lips. On Tuesday, May 6th, as soon as day broke the rebels made a vigorous attack on our right, which was held by Sedgwick's 6th Corps, in the hope of breaking his line, but our men repulsed them and advanced several hundred yards. A second time the assault was made and again it failed, both sides losing heavily in killed and wounded. Our troops now, at every opportunity, used their spades to good advantage in throwing up breastworks, while on the left Hancock advanced and drove Hill's corps about two miles, but Longstreet came to the help of Hill and they held their ground. Subsequently they attacked our whole line with such strength and desperation as to throw some portions into confusion, but Burnside's A TERRIFIC STRUGGLE. 159 corps coming in fresh and reinforcing our line, the rebel army was held in check. The enemy fought with the greatest tenacity possible, and the thickets were strewn with the killed and wounded of both sides-dead and dying lying together as the line swayed backward and forward during the progress of the terrific struggle. In this battle General Wadsworth, commanding a division of the 6th Corps, was mortally wounded and taken prisoner. In the afternoon the battle was renewed. Our line was more concentrated, but they made the most determined assaults against our centre and left, and finally our line had to yield, and was forced to fall back some distance. Stevenson's division of the 9th Corps, after holding out heroically for a long time, gave way, but Hancock sent Carroll's brigade, of his own corps, who made a. gallant charge, and the infuriated rebels were checked. General Lee, being convinced that he could not destroy this part of our line, now turned his attention to the right of our line again, and towards evening, by a sudden and furious attack, he broke the brigades of Seymour and Shaler, on the extreme right, and both Generals were captured, together with a large portion of their commands. Notwithstanding this succession of reverses, General Sedgwick finally succeeded in establishing his line and holding his position. Had Lee known how near he came to breaking our line, he would not have stopped where he did. It looked extremely dark for a time on our side; so serious, in fact, that we had hurried orders to take the headquarters train back to the Rapidan, but not cross the river. We then made a night march through the 160 MUSIC ON THE MARCH. Wilderness and encamped on the Rapidan, not crossing. Here was clearly demonstrated the necessity of a reliable guard for our valuable train. Had a cavalry dash been made upon it by the enemy, it would have been defended to the life of the last man; but this was only a precautionary move, and everything having turned out right, we made our way back to the former position, near the line of battle. It was this move, doubtless, that prompted the army correspondent of a newspaper to have had- published an article in which General Meade was detractively referred to, declaring that "If it had not been for General Grant, Meade would long ago have retreated across the Rapidan," or to that effect. When the paper containing that statement was read at headquarters every one became enraged. The offending correspondent was arrested and handed over to the tender mercy of General Patrick, the Provost Marshal, who at once procured a drum corps and a bugler. A card was then pinned on the back of the correspondent, having the words "Libeler of the Press" boldly inscribed thereon, after which he was placed in position, the bugler loudly calling attention to his humiliation and the drum corps playing the "Rogue's March." In this way the offender was paraded along the whole line, causing a deal of merriment and odious remarks among the soldiers. After passing through this ordeal, he was sent off and forbidden ever to come within the lines of the army again. General Grant himself gave this man a personal permit, or pass, to accompany the army as special correspondent of the press, and he appealed to him to reverse the decision of General Meade, but the Lieutenant Gen- WILLING SACRIFICES. 161 eral refused to interfere, and that was the last seen of this "libeler of the press" with our army. The losses on the last day of battle were fearfully large, the result indecisive, and all the wounded coming back reported the rebels in larger numbers than ourselves, and that we were being everywhere overmatched. The wisdom of General Lee was afterward made clear to all, in not accepting Grant's strategic invitation to throw his army between Hancock and Richmond and there attack him. In that event the balance of our army would have followed Hancock, and the Wilderness battles not have taken place. The country below Chancellorsville is mostly clear, and at that place also there are good positions for artillery, and the chances would no doubt have been in our favor. While he was posted here Lee could move his army unperceived by us and hurl heavy masses of men against almost any favorable portion of our line with success, which probably left the impression upon our soldiers, as previously stated, that we were greatly outnumbered in every contest. The determination and spirit of the enemy may be inferred from the repeated intercourse we had with rebel prisoners, who affirmed that they intended fighting at the stand they had taken to the bitter end, and the only regret they felt in being captured was that they could not be at the front helping their comrades to test our strength and courage; if they had a dozen lives each to sacrifice, they declared that they would gladly offer them to the Confederacy. Such was the spirit and mettle of the men our unyielding army was determined to conquer. At no time since the beginning of the war did the 162 MUSIC ON THE MARCH. Sanitary Commission do so much good and efficient service as during this bloody campaign; it was then equipped and provided with everything needed to assist and relieve the sick and wounded; rebel and Union alike were cared for with the same consideration and tenderness; wherever the Commission was, there were helping hands, consoling words, and hearts feeling that it was "barbarous to insult a fallen foe." At Gettysburg this merciful assistance did not arrive until the army had left the battlefield, and had its corps of assistants been there during the progress of the several days' fighting, many lives would doubtless have been saved through their assistance among the wounded who were scattered over a broad expanse. In this campaign they were on the spot in advance, and at a time when they could do the most good. The service of the Sanitary Commission was such as can never be told. The destruction that came of the vollied thunder and clashing steel they labored earnestly to repair. CHAPTER XI. 163 SPOTTSYLVANIA - DEATH OF GENERAL SEDGWICK - REINFORCEMENTS FOR THE ARMY - A DRUMMER BOY'S SAD FATE - THE BLOODY ANGLE - LUDICROUS INCIDENTS AT HOSPITAL - GUINEY'S STATION. On the morning of the seventh day of May Lee did not renew his attacks, concluding, probably, that they did not pay for the losses sustained; for the lives sacrificed fell severely upon his limited resources. Our army, however, found the enemy too strong to venture an attack, although it looked as if they had determined to experiment on the defensive. Grant, therefore, resolved to move on the first flank by the left to Spottsylvania, and to this end our trains were put in motion early in the afternoon. This was at once anticipated by Lee, who, learning of Grant's purpose and having the inside track, put his army in motion and reached the objective point before we did. In the meantime our cavalry were warmly engaged with the rebel cavalry, and with great success. At one time General Hooker was reported to have sneeringly offered a reward for a dead cavalryman, but on this march we saw any number of them; in fact, this dashing branch of the army did most efficient work under General Sheridan, one of its most brilliant and calculating leaders. This department of the service had to clear the way for the infantry and. protect the immense wagon trains. On this march we passed a 164 MUSIC ON THE MARCH. locality where the woods were on fire, probably from the musketry in the engagement. The smoke was dense and the odor in the atmosphere stifling. In these burning woods many wounded soldiers, who had fallen or crept there, died from the effects of the raging flames and smoke, and their bodies were consumed. As we made this march at night, on account of the flames and smoke we frequently were compelled to turn off the road to avoid the annoyance. This march over fields brought our headquarters close to a road on which Longstreet's corps was in motion, but by midnight we reached the vicinity of Todd's Tavern, where the 5th Corps had already made camp; the 2d Corps, having been delayed along the road, did not arrive until 9 o'clock on the morning of the 8th. At an early hour on this morning the 5th Corps pushed ahead, General Robinson on the lead, and the same obstacles as in the Wilderness were encountered - scarcely anything but thick woods and undergrowth to pass through and over. But these were emerged from at Alsop's, where there was a clearing and which is only about two miles from Spottsylvania Courthouse. As Robinson's corps advanced it was suddenly saluted by a hot musketry fire that fairly staggered the men, but other troops coming up just then they all became engaged, and by 12 o'clock at noon Warren had pushed the enemy back to Spottsylvania. Soon after this the 2d Corps joined the 5th Corps, and by evening our whole army confronted Lee. It was ascertained that the position of the enemy was a very strong one, the line being mostly protected in front by woodland that was slashed, and where the line was open they were defended by abattis and every favorable DEATH OF SEDGWICK. 165 position had a battery planted thereon. Our army formed in front, sharp skirmishing ensued, and sharpshooters were active on both sides. This was on the morning of the 9th, and we met with a great and sad loss in the death of General Sedgwick, who was picked off by a rebel sharpshooter on the right of the line. The brave and greatly esteemed commander had been cautioned by some of his staff as to the dangerous position he occupied, but he knew of no such thing as fear, and thus his invaluable services in defense of the Union came prematurely to a close. When his body was brought to our headquarters there was an indescribable silence and sadness that took possession of every one. At this time of the war the terms of service for which many of the men enlisted had expired, and some of them were put in action after their time was up. Every day squads of veterans were bidding farewell to their comrades, and, of course, they were usually in excellent spirits. To an appreciable extent these withdrawals reduced our efficiency, and, with the losses in action, it began to tell seriously upon the physical force to do battle with, but General Grant now employed the unlimited power conferred upon him as Lieutenant-General of the Armies, and reinforced our army by calling on the regiments stationed around the forts at Washington and Baltimore. There were heavy artillery regiments among them, and some had been stationed around those cities since the breaking out of the war. It was this comparative ease that induced a great many to enlist in them, and many of these regiments swelled to mammoth proportions. Now, to the great disgust of the men, they were 166 MUSIC ON THE MARCH. brought down to us as infantry, to reinforce the Army of the Potomac. Some of these fancy regiments numbered not less than five thousand men; really, one of them put on a more formidable appearance, as to strength, than some of our fighting divisions. The bringing of these regimental garrisons from silent fortresses to learn something of the "art and misery" of war tickled the veterans immensely, and whenever they met them the teasing salutation would pass: "How are you, Heavy Artillery? How do you like it?" After this infusion of raw material into our army, the old soldiers saw something of a very practical turn in Grant, and began to praise him as they had never done before. A few words will suffice to illustrate the greenness of these heavy artillerymen as soldiers, and I may here narrate something that occurred at headquarters to which I chanced to be a witness. Some of them really picked up several loaded shells to set their camp kettles on. They started a fire around them for the purpose of boiling their coffee, and in a very short time one or more of the bombs exploded, prostrating seven men around their kettles on the ground, and two of the former artillerymen were mortally wounded. It was a wonder that no more serious damage was done, as there were many soldiers standing around, and some very near the explosion; even Army Headquarters was endangered by the fragments of the destructive missiles. These men had been doing guard duty for two years in the cities named. Very soon, however, they were to see and feel what real soldiering meant, and it came to them much sooner than they had expected. A NOBLE DRUMMER BOY. 167 As these new arrivals all reported at headquarters, and from there were assigned to such brigades as most needed them, from personal observation I am enabled to say that not less than thirty thousand men were thus added to our army, which went far toward replenishing its severe losses. One of these regiments soon after its arrival was encamped along the road a short distance to the right of headquarters. The rebels saw an opening in our line in front of them and charged the breach. This "heavy artillery," opportunely, was the only force at command to meet the assault, and it was of. necessity thrown in. To their credit, however, although never having been in action before, they fought well and held the enemy in check until our old corps, now the "Flying Division" of the 2d Corps, came on a double-quick to relieve them. During this campaign a drummer boy, about thirteen years of age, usually made his camp with the band, and became endeared to us by reason of his genial disposition and winning manners. His father belonged to a battery, and here at Spottsylvania the guns of the battery were just in front of us on a hill. The boy, being aware that his father could not boil his coffee, as they were forbidden to make a fire, the affectionate lad boiled his father's coffee over our fire, and with some salt pork and hardtack he would regularly take the meal to him. He was admonished not to remain on the hill for any time, as our men expected the rebels to open on them at any moment; but the faithful boy bad reached his father, and wanted to wait and bring his coffee kettle with him for future use. Contrary to his father's warnings, he waited until the coffee was drank, and just as he was ready 168 MUSIC ON THE MARCH. to leave the rebels opened their batteries on that position, the first shell striking the brave boy and killing him on the spot. There were many death scenes of a most touching character in those days, but none were more affecting than this, and it was a long time before it could be erased from our minds. Tuesday, the 10th of May, proved to be the most sanguinary day of the campaign. It was unlike the contest in the Wilderness, as there were more commanding positions for our artillery, and the action opened by a terrific cannonade against the rebel line. Charges were made by the 9th Corps, under Burnside, and a division of the 2d Corps, on the left, while Gibbon's and Birney's divisions of the 2d Corps, on the right of them, supported the 5th Corps. For several hours the fighting was of the most stubborn character on both sides. Our men drove the rebels up to their works, but it was impossible to take them. General Rice, who commanded a brigade in the 5th Corps, was here killed. Toward evening another effort was made by an advance of the whole line, but the only advantage gained was by two brigades of the 6th Corps, Russell's and Upton's, who led the charge, and while moving forward firmly received a murderous fire; but unflinchingly they pressed on, without firing a shot, and scaled the rebel works, capturing more than one thousand prisoners and several guns. As they were not properly supported for such an effort, they had to fall back with their dearly purchased victory and the prisoners. Thus night closed upon the hard-fought field without any decisive result. Wednesday, May 11th was a comparatively quiet day, with the exception of a reconnoissance on our HANCOCK'S SPLENDID ACHIEVEMENT. 169 right. In the afternoon there was a heavy rain, the first we had since crossing the Rapidan. It was on this day that General Grant sent his famous dispatch to the Secretary of War, which read as follows: - "We have now ended the sixth day of very hard fighting; the result at this time is much in our favor; our losses have been heavy, as well as those of the enemy. I think the loss of the enemy must be greater. We have taken over 5000 prisoners in battle; while he has taken from us but few except stragglers. I propose to fight it out on this line if it takes all summer." When the soldiers read this dispatch in the newspapers, it excited a deal of concern and discussion among them as to what it actually meant; but the general conclusion was that General Grant had found more fighting than he expected and that a great deal more was to be done. However, one thing was certain, that the hardest was yet to come. During the night of the 11th Hancock had orders to bring his corps from the right to the left, so as to be unnoticed, if possible, by the enemy, and at a very early hour the following morning, under cover of a heavy fog, he quietly moved toward the angle in the line held by Johnson's division, and as soon as they beheld the rebel line they gave a terrific cheer and rushed through without firing a single shot, though receiving a scathing fire of musketry, but the rebels were unable to recover. Our men moved steadily on and captured the angle, taking 4000 prisoners, including Major Generals Johnson and Stewart, besides twenty guns. As soon as they carried the first line they charged, and the whole line advanced in order to 170 MUSIC ON THE MARCH. prevent Hancock from being crushed, and the most desperate fighting possible took place. The rain now carne down in torrents, but it did not dampen the ardor of the men. About nine o'clock: the beaten rebels, seemingly exasperated to the point of reckless desperation by their great loss, made almost superhuman efforts to regain the position and drive the 2d Corps, but by this tune the 6th Corps was supporting the former on the right, while it was impossible for them to push us back. This prevented our army making any further advance, nor could we take the twenty captured guns away; they were ours, but could not be touched, as they were completely covered by the firing of the enemy, and the firing on both sides was incessant by artillery and musketry. While the fighting was in progress the rebels constructed a new line and also fortified it. Both armies were now in such positions that neither could advance. The wedge that Hancock drove into the rebel line was not sent home. At the west angle the contest was simply murderous. The contending forces were separated only by the earthworks, and the men could reach over with their bayonets and kill and fall back, but as soon as one rebel was dispatched another would take his place, and frequently one was seen to pull the other over the embankments. It was here that the oak tree, twenty-two inches in diameter, was literally cut off by bullets from the musketry of the contestants, as it fell during the night and killed several men who had sought shelter where, during the day, the leaden hail did such marvelous work. This terrible conflict and wholesale taking of life continued all day and a portion of the night; it was an WHOLESALE SLAUGHTER. 171 awful picture of carnage, and, as Byron has written, "All that the devil would do, if run stark mad, was here let loose." The new line in the rear that the enemy had formed was very strong, and when our army advanced it was found to be impregnable. This, although the most successful day since crossing the Rapidan, still left the final outcome in doubt. Lee, however, by fighting as he did for the angle, gained sufficient time to secure a strong line in the rear. When the rebel generals, Johnson and Stewart, were brought as prisoners to General Hancock, the latter having been an old acquaintance of both in the regular army, Hancock extended his, hand, saying, "How are you, Stewart?" The proud and defiant rebel responded, "Under the circumstances, I reject your hand." Hancock as promptly replied: "Under any other circumstances I would not have offered my hand to you." The losses in this sanguinary contest were very large on both sides. Our loss in killed and wounded aggregated 17,722, and, including those of the Wilderness, since crossing the Rapidan a total of 37,335 was reported. After all this hard usage, and the rebels getting a full share of it, it was evident that both armies required absolute rest. When it is considered that the marching by our army was mostly done at night, and demanded constant watchfulness on the part of the men in the face of the enemy, it can hardly be realized to what extent the consequent loss of sleep and mental strain taxed both officers and men; really, the full measure of endurance had nearly been reached. During this severe campaign the duties of the band, as musicians, were of necessity light; there was no 172 MUSIC ON THE MARCH. time for guard-mounts and dress-parades; the chief duty consisted of a serenade in the evening at Army Headquarters, where Grant and Meade and their staffs were assembled. As field hospitals were located all around us, we had an opportunity of listening to a large number of bands; many of them, however, were of an indifferent character, both as to the class of music and its performance. One thing was particularly observed, that these organizations were all under a certain kind of military discipline, and were required to assist the doctors and act as stretcher-bearers, duties which most of them had previously shrank from. At Gettysburg, where so much help was constantly needed, the Zouave Band of the 114th Regiment, P. V., was the only one that assisted at the hospital, and so it did at other battles. At this time, and rightly, too, all bands were required to report to the surgeons for duty. Having a brief season of leisure, we took occasion to visit the different field hospitals, and even there, in the midst of extreme suffering and mental agony, it was a study of human nature to observe how the ludicrous, or love of humor, would often break through the stern features of wounded soldiers. Seeing a man with a singular wound in his face, the ball having taken away a portion of his cheek and nose, curiosity prompted an inquiry as to the injury. He said it was done by a dead rebel. Asking for an explanation, with a deal of hesitancy and concern on our part, he cheerfully informed us that he was on picket duty and that 11e and a dead rebel were each other's target, both being behind trees and firing at each other whenever an opportunity was presented. Finally, he said, HUMEROUS HOSPITAL INCIDENTS. 173 he had a good chance at the Johnny, just as he uncovered himself, when he fired, and the rebel picket threw up his hands and soon lay stretched out on the ground. This made him careless, as he thought there was no more to fear from that particular picket, so he began to stroll leisurely on his round, when suddenly the supposed dead rebel sprang up, stood erect, and fired, with the sadly disfiguring effect that we noticed on his cheek and nose. "This time," the wounded man jocularly remarked, "the dead rebel had come the Yankee over him." Another soldier, a German, had a different experience. A minie ball passed through the fleshy part of his arm and struck a large watch in his pocket, which, on account of its size and strength, certainly saved his life. This man, however, appeared to be in great agony; not by reason of his wound, but because his watch was spoiled and would run no more. The timepiece his father gave him before leaving the Faderland, telling him always to be careful with it. The dispirited man was beyond consolation, and moved about swearing at the rebel who broke his watch. Whether walking or sitting, the plaintive cry was heard: "Mine watch! Mine watch!" An Irishman, also in hospital, who heard the German mourning over his irreparable loss, ridiculed him about his "confounded watch," and said he had met with a far greater misfortune. This son of Erin was the possessor of a highly prized smoking pipe; it was an inheritance; and from which, while on picket, a rebel ball cut clean off half the cup and drove the fragment into his cheek. His pipe was done for and his face indelibly scarred. He, too, thought more of 174 MUSIC ON THE MARCH. the pipe and its loss than of his peculiar injury. With a deal of Celtic good humor, at the expense of the German, he said: "My misfortune is far greater than yours; for you can't smoke a watch, and about the time of day for soup these buglers and drummers are enough for me." At this period of the campaign the army was short of rations, and while standing by the roadside doing my best to devour a hardtack, a division of the 2d Corps happened to be moving from the right to left. Quickly a soldier rushed toward me and offered a dollar for the biscuit I was trying to master, declaring that he had nothing to eat that day. I hastened back to our camp and made known the incident to my comrades, and in a few minutes we had a dozen haversacks filled with biscuits for these hungry soldiers, although the tender to them was only as a drop in the bucket. Soon after this, however, the men received a fresh supply. On the 18th of this eventful month our army made another attempt against the left of the rebel line, it having been thought they had weakened that part of their line to strengthen the centre, and the effort cost some hard fighting for the 2d and 6th Corps; but it was a failure, and in the struggle our loss was about 2000 men, killed and wounded. Now, baffled in every heroic endeavor to break any portion of the rebel line, General Grant determined to make another move on the left flank. It was thought that by sending a corps off toward Richmond, General Lee would interpose his army between the two, and then, before he could intrench, our army would have a fair chance to crush him. Accordingly, on the night of the 20th, Hancock, A VERY NARROW ESCAPE. 175 with his "Fighting Corps," took up the march by way of Guiney's Station on the Fredericksburg and Richmond Railroad, which point he reached in the morning, then proceeded to Milford Station, where he met an infantry brigade and drove them across the Mattapony. Hancock followed and intrenched. The next day the remainder of our army withdrew from in front of Spottsylvania and marched in the direction of the 2d Corps. Headquarters were removed to Guiney's Station, and while there it made a very narrow escape from being totally captured by Fitz-Hugh Lee's cavalry, who made a charge on us, and which was only saved by the gallantry of our regiment, the 114th, which made a most brilliant charge and succeeded in driving back the daring rebel raiders. This splendid effort was witnessed by both Grant and Meade, and the Zouaves d'Afrique were highly complimented by them for the bravery and spirit displayed. The regiment being off to make the charge, the band was ordered to pitch in to fold up headquarters tents for the wagons in waiting. A captain, a Swede, who was one of the staff, swore that he would not move until he had his coffee. "My coffee!" he called, while his colored cook was a half mile away, and still running with all his might. CHAPTER XII. 176 MOVEMENT ON NORTH ANN - GRANT BAFFLED - NARROW ESCAPE OF GRANT AND MEADE - MOVEMENTS OF THE CAVALRY - COLD HARBOR - CROSSING THE JAMES RIVER. At five o'clock on the morning of the 22d, orders were given for the army to move on a hunt for the enemy, as it was discovered he had crossed the North Ann River. The roads leading in that direction were but few and in bad condition, the troops frequently taking the farm or plantation roads. The banks of the river were high, but our army soon had pontoons in position, and General Warren at once pushed his whole corps and artillery over. Hill's corps soon after attacked him and with some success, but our artillery interposed. The 6th Corps came to the assistance of the 5th Corps, but did not cross the river until the 24th, In the meantime Warren held his position and intrenched. General Hancock, with the 2d Corps, came up on the left and found the rebels strongly intrenched on the south side of the river. Here the telegraph road bridge was strongly held by works to protect it, but Birney's division made a gallant charge and drove them across the river, thus preventing them from destroying it. The next morning. it was found that the enemy had abandoned their position, and the 2d Corps crossed the river, and, when reconnoitred, it was seen that they had been well fortified. Here again they were prepared to GRANT AND MEADE SURPRISED. 177 baffle our best efforts. Their right rested on a deep swamp, their left on a small river, and their centre thrown forward, thus partly separating our right from the left, and in a short time they could easily reinforce any part of their army. General Lee had shown his wisdom in selecting this position. On the other hand, we could not reinforce from right or left without crossing the river twice. In a position like that which they held the enemy was secure against a force triple their own strength. Here General Grant pondered and planned, but all to no account; in fact, so far he had failed, but he determined on another move, this time to the left, and General Meade received orders on the 26th to withdraw the army, and as soon as darkness dropped its curtain the movement began. The order was to cross the Pamunkey River in the vicinity of Hanovertown, the distance to be marched being about thirty-two miles over the shortest roads. Army Headquarters did not move until morning, at an early hour; had just finished breakfast; all were ready to go on the march; the wagon train was in motion, with the Zouaves accompanying as guard. All had left save Grant and Meade and their staffs, who were just getting ready for the march, when unexpectedly a line of rebel pickets appeared on the opposite bank of the river, not more than fifty yards from us, and within a hundred yards of the Generals. As quick as thought, both Grant and Meade jumped on their horses, and when in the stirrups it did not take long for them to pass beyond the bounds of danger. They galloped over the fields and soon joined the train on the road, about a mile in advance. In the meantime the rebels planted a battery, but they 178 MUSIC ON THE MARCH. were too late to do any harm and only succeeded in damaging the rear wagon of the train. Had they known what was within their grasp at that moment, they could have captured both Grant and Meade, and by sending one hundred men, or even a less number, across the stream, a short distance above, all of us could have been taken prisoners before the least assistance could have been rendered. As it was, the rebel pickets could have shot both Grant and Meade, the distance between them being so narrow. It was afterward said that the cause of this perilous state of affairs, by which the commanders of our army were placed in imminent danger, was in some misunderstanding as to the time our line in front was to have been removed, General Meade contending that the order was put into effect an hour earlier than directed. The cavalry, in command of General Sheridan, were sent forward, as usual, to clear the way for the advance and find the enemy, and by nine o'clock on the morning of the 27th he was at Hanovertown, where he crossed the Pamunkey and met a brigade of the rebel cavalry, which were soon pushed out of the way. On the following day General Sheridan was ordered to make a demonstration toward Richmond, beyond a place known as Harris's Shop. In this, General Gregg came across the enemy's cavalry, when a sharp and long fight took place. Gregg was outnumbered, but continued the contest tenaciously until reinforced by Curtin's brigade, who, with their repeating rifles, made it so hot for the rebel troopers that they were compelled to retire. About four hundred were killed and wounded on each side. In the meantime our infantry were pressing forward and had A GENERAL MOVEMENT ORDERED. 179 found the enemy on the south side of the Talopotomey Creek. The proximity of out- army now to Richmond determined General Lee to prevent us crossing, if possible. On the morning of the 30th a strong attack was made on our skirmishing line and it was driven in, and in the afternoon Warren, who was on the Mechanicsville Road, was fiercely attacked by Ewell's corps and driven back some distance. General Meade now ordered a general movement on the whole rebel line, and by nightfall the enemy was driven at every point, leaving their dead and wounded in our hands. At this time our army was reinforced by the 1 8th Corps, under General W. F. Smith, from the Army of the James. This corps was already moving on the enemy's right in conjunction with the 6th Corps. Many of the soldiers now began to fear that the next move would take our army to the Chickahominy region, which was only some ten miles south of the Pamunkey. The veterans keenly recollected the miasmatic swamps that proved so pestilential to the army in 1862, under General George B. McClellan. Would the army encamp in these deathdealing marshes and make gradual approaches toward Richmond, while General Butler would do the same south of the James River? Such were the tormenting speculations the men were now burdening their minds with. There were a number of engagements along the line during the night of the 30th, a sharp one taking place in front of Burnside's corps, but it did not continue a long time. The following day there was a brilliant action, in which Birney's division carried a 180 MUSIC ON THE MARCH. breastwork and tools many prisoners. There were also desultory engagements at various points of our line, which now extended a distance of about six miles. General Grant had sent Torbert's division of Sheridan's cavalry in the vicinity of Cold Harbor; to hold that place for the infantry, where they had hard fighting with Fitz Hugh Lee's cavalry, supported by Hoke's infantry. Our men managed to hold the position, but with great difficulty. Next day the cavalry fighting, against artillery, was harder still, as Lee had shown a determination to hold Cold Harbor, while Sheridan had positive orders to secure it. Longstreet's corps coming to the rescue of Lee's cavalry, and soon after our 6th Corps putting in their appearance, this relieved the cavalry. About 3 P.M. the 18th Corps also came up, and, though wearied by a long and rough march, formed in line, and a vigorous charge was made. For a distance of two-thirds of a mile, on open ground, our brave men were swept by the rebel artillery, but the line pressed forward with almost superhuman courage and rushed over the earthworks of the enemy, holding the first line of their rifle pits and securing six hundred prisoners. But the rebels still held the line on their right and which enfiladed the rifle pits. Our troops, however, held Cold Harbor, and the enemy could not be driven from his position. Our loss here was about two thousand - much heavier than that of the rebels, for they had the advantage of fighting behind well-constructed breastworks. On the 1st day of June General Hancock, with the 2d Corps, took up the line of march for Cold Harbor. TERRIBLE SLAUGHTER. 181 It was between twilight and dark when he started, and on the next morning he reached in safety the objective point. The roads were in bad condition, the heat and suffocating dust oppressive, and as a result the corps on its arrival was not in a condition for immediate action and no attack was made that day. The 3d of June, however, was decided upon for a general attack, to be made by the 2d, 6th, and 18th Corps. At 4.30 P. M. the line advanced under a heavy artillery and musketry fire and carried the advanced rifle pits, but the storm of lead and iron hail became hotter and heavier as our troops advanced, and cross- fires also swept the whole line from the extreme right to left. In the face of all this our brave men pushed on close to the main line of the enemy, but it was impossible to carry it, and they quickly, put themselves under cover within a short distance of the main works, where they remained. The contest here lasted only for an hour, but at a fearful loss to us in both men and officers. In that short hour our army lost between 6000 and 7000 men. Conversing with some of our soldiers who participated in this struggle, they said that, no matter in what direction they looked, the rebels had batteries to enfilade our line, and it was simply an unpardonable sacrifice of life to attempt another charge, unless the raking batteries could be silenced. Grant and Meade wanted to make another assault, but such fighting generals as Hancock and other corps commanders were emphatically opposed to the useless slaughter. We had no positions for artillery to silence their guns. Our commanders were therefore ordered to hold the position they occupied, and steps were taken for regular approaches. The army laid there 182 MUSIC ON THE MARCH. until the 12th day of June, when it was withdrawn to cross the James River. It would be impossible to describe, or even imagine, the extent of suffering endured by those who were in the front line. Every day there was sharp skirmishing, and even during the night there would be heavy firing. The men in the front line had to keep close down in narrow trenches, the least exposure of their bodies being a target for rebel bullets. They had no water, save a trifle to quench their thirst occasionally, and that was of the worst kind possible. During the day the sun broiled down upon them, and all around were dead horses and mules, besides the decomposing bodies of comrades who could not be buried. There were horrid sights and sickening odors in the air. The surrounding country was low and marshy, and sickness of a malarial type was rapidly increasing in the army. Therefore preparations were being made for another move, this time across the James River, as previously stated. The total loss the army sustained in battle since crossing the Pamunkey aggregated about 18,000 in killed, wounded, and missing. After the fighting had ceased on the 3d of June, a great many of the dead and wounded remained on the field between the two lines, and our men, at the risk of their lives, brought a large number in; many died, however, who would have been saved could they have been reached with the hope of returning with them. General Grant requested a truce in order to bring in the dead that were scattered between the lines. This was on the 5th of June, but there was some cause for delay until the 7th, when two hours were allowed from 6 to 8 o'clock P.m. This important and humane WITHDRAWAL FROM COLD HARBOR. 183 work was promptly commenced by a large force of men, and during the brief interval thus occupied all the dead were buried, but very fee of the wounded were found alive. At this time we had at headquarters about a dozen of rebels, who claimed that they had been captured contrary to the rules of war, while the flag of truce was in force. Generously on our part their plea was accepted, but they appeared to be in no hurry of returning at the first opportunity under the little white symbol of temporary peace. They were hospitably treated while with us, and greatly enjoyed our good coffee, an article then unknown as part of their rations. In order to facilitate our army in withdrawing from Cold Harbor, our engineers, on the 9th, began to intrench a line in the rear of that place, which was completed on the 11th. To transport such a large army across a wide and deep river was a difficult task, particularly in the face of a keen and vigilant enemy. It was not only the mass of men composing the army, but all that belonged to it-artillery and ammunition trains; subsistence, quartermaster, hospital, and ambulance trains, and various other accessories only known to the field and camp. All, however, was skillfully and successfully accomplished, the point of crossing having been Wilcox Landing. The march from Cold Harbor to the landing, on the James River, was a distance of nearly forty miles, the greater portion of the march being made at night-time. During all this campaign the duties of the band were by no means onerous, and headquarters as a rule being located in the centre of the line, we had a plenty of time and abundant opportunities for personal observation. We 184 MUSIC ON THE MARCH. could see every move made in the rear, from any portion of the line. Pontoons had to be laid over the Chickahominy Creek, and on the 13th the 5th Corps and cavalry crossed as an advance to secure the passage of the, remainder of the army and continued in the direction of Charles City. General Warren was soon after attacked and had sharp skirmishing with the enemy, losing 300 of his men. But this move deceived General Lee, who from it was under the impression that we were advancing on Richmond in that direction. The 2d Corps followed the 5th Corps and reached Wilson's Landing on the evening of the 13th, the other portions of the army arriving at the James River on the morning of the 14th. Our engineers immediately began to lay the pontoons, and by midnight they were completed. The artillery and trains were the first to cross, the infantry following, and on the morning of the 16th the whole army was on the south side of the James River. General Grant was severely criticised for this campaign of slaughter from the Rapidan to the James Rivers, and it was believed and openly declared that he could have brought his army intact to the south of the James without the loss of a man ; but in doing so he would have exposed Washington to possible seizure. By crossing the Rapidan to fight the enemy wherever he found him, he adopted the hammering principle, for which he had acquired renown. He knew well that the losses he inflicted could not be repaired as easily as the terrible losses he sustained. Grant could afford the loss of life, for he had unlimited resources to draw upon; Lee could not, for THE HAMMERING PRINCIPLE. 185 he had reached the summit and was going down the other side. Therefore Grant's determination and apparent disregard of Human life. His purpose was the one thing he kept in mind. It was this that astonished the rebels. Some of them repeatedly affirmed that they had felt confident of defeating our army; but this man, Grant, would not be defeated, although he failed from the Rapidan down in gaining a single decisive victory. It is well known that in after times Grant expressed his regrets respecting the sad events at Cold Harbor, where in so short time our army lost so heavily, as compared with that of the enemy. Army Headquarters reached the James River on the 15th of June. It was a pleasing sight to the whole army, after the Wilderness experiences, and but lately marching through the swamps and marshes of the Chickahominy region. It was really a treat, a transformation of things generally, to see this river, with its steamboats and gunboats steaming up and down, and the Stars and Stripes streaming above them. We crossed the river on the 16th, at 8 A. M., and after making the landing we kept on marching all day, and a trying tramp it was, under the burning rays of the sun, but toward evening we reached the vicinity of City Point, where we encamped and rested for the night. End Part II.