Louis Richards

“ It was generally agreed that the most desirable way of marching was by railroad. Dusk deepened into night, and at about 9 o'clock Chambersburg was reached. Proceeded a mile or two below the town, when the train halted in a wood brightly illuminated with camp-fires, and resonant with the cheers of soldiers. Disembarked and went into camp. Rigged the tents, built fires, mounted the large cooking kettles with which we had been furnished at Harrisburg, boiled coffee and got our supper—"grub" is the military term for it. No news of any account from Maryland. ”

“ To fail to rally for the protection of our own firesides, [6] with all their consecrated associations, would have been unworthy of the very lowest requirements of patriotism. The most abiding sentiment of those who were called to no severer military duty than the militia campaign of 1862, or that of the following year, must always be a heartfelt appreciation of, and gratitude for, the services of the brave veterans of the War of the Rebellion, to whose heroic deeds we are indebted for the preservation of our liberties, and the blessings of a reunited country. ”

“ The Conococheague Creek ran within a few hundred yards of the camp, and the men had several good baths in it. Regiments were continually arriving from the railroad, and the shrieks of the steam-whistles, the blasts of bugles, clatter of drums, and the cheering of the troops enlivened the day. Among the accessions were the Blue Reserves, of Philadelphia, a uniformed organization, which made a handsome appearance. Before night there were said to be ten thousand men on the ground. A large force of militia was evidently intended to be concentrated at this point. ”

“ Reaching the open country, we marched at random. The afternoon was warm and the roads exceedingly dusty. About dusk, the line between Maryland and Pennsylvania was crossed, and three hearty cheers were given for the Keystone State. Stopped half an hour in the little village called Middleburg, or "State Line," at which point the Anderson Cavalry passed us on their way to Carlisle, raising a suffocating dust. At dark the march was resumed, and having proceeded a short distance, we were ordered to discharge our muskets, which had been loaded for the rebels. ”

“ Governor Curtin was here looking after the welfare of the Pennsylvania troops. By the Williamsport pike, a number of our wounded soldiers were still being brought in from the battle-field, a distance of ten miles. The sight of these sufferers was touching. Some were in ambulances, while others lay in the bottoms of ordinary farm wagons, with little or no shelter from the hot sun. Their wounds had been dressed, [36] and the heroic courage which they manifested was something inspiring to witness. Many bodies of the dead had been sent in for transportation. ”

“ Tobacco, in all its forms, seems indispensable, by reason of the moral courage with which it is supposed to inspire alike the soldier and the civilian. This article is laid in by the men whenever and as often as occasion presents. In our great country it has all sections for its own. It is certain that the war is going to give an immense permanent stimulus to the consumption of this standard narcotic. Alcoholic beverages also are stored away in flasks against cases of emergency, which, in military affairs, as is well known, are of constant occurrence. ”

“ Reconnoitred the outskirts of the camp, and found a large covered coach just outside the grounds, which I got into, and having wrapped myself in my blanket, slept tolerably for several hours. The night was quite cool, and these new accommodations proved comfortable only by comparison. Got out at daylight, washed my face at a pump, answered to roll-call, and then consulted my bag of provisions. This first night's experience in "camp" suggests how few and simple are the wants of man in a military state. ”

“ Those who have the fairest reputations at stake, display the greatest degree of firmness, and vice versa. This criterion, it is evident, will hold good when the severest test shall be applied. H.V.R., a member of the Bar, cares little for the details of military discipline, but is a model of fidelity to the idea of duty, as is also his brother J., who is a layman. Dr. M., a bank officer, is punctuality itself, probably from long force of habit, and shrinks from no service, even the humblest. His former connection with military companies makes him a highly intelligent soldier. ”

“ It would take a better soldier than myself to tell what would have been the result of a serious collision at this moment, to the body of this force, whose chief misfortune was that it was entirely undisciplined. The plan agreed on was to receive the advancing enemy with the bayonet, in case a fire should be found ineffectual to check his progress. Many of our comrades made leagues with each other, offensive and [45] defensive, and examples of coolness and determination inspired confidence in the main body of the men, who, I am satisfied, would have followed orders and done their duty. ”

“ The curiosity of the men to see a live rebel—in a captured condition—is very great. The wagons were guided by contra bands, who did not, however, look as if they belonged to the numerous class called "intelligent," who figure so largely as news-bearers in the army [26] dispatches. The train, as well as the prisoners, was under the escort of the Anderson Cavalry, which was doing scout duty between the lines. ”

“ The road grew rougher as we advanced, and many of our comrades now and again stumbled and fell in the darkness. After having marched twelve miles, and arrived within some three miles of Greencastle, we were halted about half-past eight o'clock, and went into camp in the woods. ”

“ In another car there was also a militia company from Pottsville, commanded by Captain David A. Smith, which had left home the same morning. All the men were in good spirits. Some amusement was afforded by a comparison of our accoutrements. The majority of the company were unarmed, and the only insignia of a regular military organization were the swords and sashes of the officers. The news by the morning papers still continued exciting. The army was said to be preparing to engage the rebels in Maryland, as no time was to be lost in checking their advance. ”

“ Came up with the camp at length, and found the men engaged in clearing the ground and pitching the tents, which work was continued until dinner time. Toward the middle of the afternoon, great interest began to centre upon the road, occasioned by the frequent and furious galloping up and down of cavalry pickets and aids, and the report spread that a considerable body of rebels was advancing up the pike in the direction of Hagerstown. The long roll was beat, and the command to fall in was given. ”

“ While in our present position I cannot restrain a feeling of admiration for the earnestness of many of the members of our organization. Among them are some of Reading's most considerable citizens, men who occupy important stations, and carry weighty responsibilities. Strange figures, indeed, they make here, in far-off Maryland, resting upon their arms, and keeping watch for the invading foe. ”

“ Hagerstown is an antiquated looking place, and is, at the present time, the seat of unusual activity, owing to its proximity to the centre of military operations. The population was said to be about equally divided in its political sympathies. ”

“ It was understood that the parley at this juncture was with reference to the arrangements for transportation, a subject which, as usual, appeared to be involved in much intricacy. The period of our stay in this situation was therefore uncertain, and after dinner had been served, the remainder of the day was given up to relaxation and amusement. Under the latter head came in performances of blanket-tossing and elephant parades—tricks which most of us had never seen before, but which we learned were well known among old soldiers. ”

“ In the belief that a narration of its details may serve to rekindle in the breasts of his surviving companions something of the enthusiasm which they originally inspired, the writer has been encouraged, after the lapse of nearly a generation, to undertake the pleasing and congenial task. ”

“ He is very often justly ruffled when his functions are usurped, or undue dictation is attempted on the part of those bearing higher official authority. He is specially incensed at times when stratagems are employed by the men to steal the sugar, over which latter article he finds it necessary to maintain a vigilant guard. We are now down to regular army fare, our bill consisting of rations of bread, meat, coffee, and that well-known item of camp necessaries called "hard tack," which is a host in itself, being made to go a great way by reason of the degree of mastication which it requires. ”

“ The Gray and Blue Reserves of Philadelphia, supported by a battery, constituted a portion of the right wing on the other side of the road, and the Maryland Brigade, a uniformed body of three years' men, five thousand strong, commanded by General Kenley, were posted on our extreme left. A regiment of skirmishers were in a wood a little in advance of the brigade. Some twelve or fifteen thousand men were thus concentrated in several lines, and the whole force was so disposed as to afford a converging fire upon the road. ”

“ It is not to be forgotten, moreover, that at the crisis when they marched to the rescue of the State, it could not be foreseen what was to be the issue of their [7] mission, or how great the sacrifice which they might be called upon to make. It was cause for lasting gratification with them that their very presence upon the borders at the juncture when they appeared, and in the numbers in which they came, greatly contributed to encourage their brethren who were then passing through the heat and fire of the conflict, as well as to deter the progress of the invading foe. ”

“ I could not help observing how strikingly the predominant characteristics of men are developed in critical emergencies. In our mutual concern for [41] the common safety, it is in the strongest characters that we feel our chief reliance is to be placed. ”

“ His avoirdupois has greatly increased since the garments were made, and his harness is so tight that he finds marching very uncomfortable. He stands upright a large part of the time from force of circumstances, and sits down with caution. Our orderly, J.G.S., a harum-scarum young attorney, is a singular mixture of discipline and drollery. Lieutenant R. is an exceedingly modest [43] man, who is not without knowledge and merit as an officer. Lieutenant W. is an old soldier, of quick eye and firm bearing. The utmost reliance can be placed in his intelligence and courage. ”

“ As a gigantic shooting excursion he is probably best reconciled to the present expedition, and since we have now secured our ammunition, is doubtless anxious to sight the game. L.B., a merchant, is a model civilian, and a man of recognized high character. He has left home with a purpose, which he will stand to, come what may. D.E., the candidate for office to whom I have before referred, was never born to be a willing subject of rules in any sphere of life, and makes an erratic soldier. ”

“ Fidelity to fact is at the least claimed for the present performance, which, devoid as it is of literary pretensions, may nevertheless be deemed not unworthy of an humble place among the contributions to the history of a stirring epoch in the annals of our good old Commonwealth at the trying period of the nation's struggle. ”

“ Arriving at Harrisburg at 1-1⁄2 P.M., we were formed and marched to the State Capitol grounds. A scene of great activity was here presented. The people seemed everywhere to be flocking to arms. The Governor and the Adjutant-General were personally superintending the organization of the militia. Secretary Slifer and Colonel A.K. McClure were also actively engaged in the same work. We were much relieved to find that we were to be furnished with arms and equipments by the State, as our [19] force was far from effective in its present shape. ”

“ This company had among their number a comical genius named Gable, irreverently dubbed the "Chaplain," whose sallies afforded a never-ending source of amusement to his comrades, as well as to some of the field and staff officers, who frequently formed a portion of his admiring auditory. ”

“ A forward movement down the road had been ordered. The intelligence had been brought in that a body of the rebels had recrossed the river at Williamsport, and the subsequent official dispatches explained that this force was a detachment of Lee's cavalry under Stuart, with a regiment of infantry and some pieces of artillery, whose evident design was a raid upon Hagerstown, where a large quantity of military stores had been received for McClellan's army. ”

“ Before the company moved from the lane, I had been detailed, with a squad, to go to a certain farm-house, about two miles out of town, for the purpose of impressing a team for the conveyance of the regimental luggage. Went to the place designated, but found that the farmer's wagons were already in service—at least he so informed us. Lieutenant William P. Brinton, of Company H, and myself then proceeded half a mile further upon the same errand, and found a man plowing in a field. ”

“ About 11 o'clock last night the beating of the ominous long roll aroused [30] us from our peaceful slumbers, and the word quickly passed that we had received marching orders for Hagerstown, and were to be ready to leave at 12. The accoutrements having been collected by the light of the fires, the regiment marched to the railroad, a mile off, where it was expected a train would be in waiting for us. Alas! ”