The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-11-21


road and soon after the division Of General Smith began
70 enter the grounds from tho direction Of Falls Church.
General Fitz John Portcr the ground bring
ing his forces by s,li another road The troops now
poured In from oil directions those under General Hent
xelman following General Franklin's division and the
column Of General Mccall succeeding that Of General
smith, and continued without cessation until halfpas.
eleven O'Clock.
For the last hour the scene was snlivcning and bril-.
liant beyond description The whole immense area Of
the review grounds covered with moving OF
men, Moro than twenty generals, commanding divisions
and brigades with nvo times the number Of sta ofccrs
mounted upon high metted and richly caparisoned
horses, were dashng through tho grounds every drec
tion experimenting tho placing in position Of the
various divisions, brigades and regiments. Bri-
gades are marching towards every possible point
OF tho compass-soms slowly, somo In double
quick time, some wheeling into line, others standing
In position. Here comes regiment Of cavalry, moving
towards It's designated station, wheeling the right
this point and 70 the left At that avoid coming in con-
tact with the moving Of infantry. There goes
column OF artillery. mile Ia length pursuing its way 70
ts destination through bodies Of infantry cavalry
And 50 the movements 60 on, seemingly in confusion,
and yet, under the admirable management OF General
MCDOWELL who directs everything In most perfect order
until here have arrived and taken the various positions
assigned not loss than seventy thousand men, Including
regiments Of cavalry numbering some eight thou
sand men, and twenty batteries Of artillery numbering
hundred and twenty pieces
At quarter past eleven O'Clock the President or .he
United States entered the grounds in his carriage fol
lowed by the Secretary Of State also his carriage and
by the Secretary Of War and Postmaster General
panied by Mrs. Gen. Mcdowell and by two daughters OF
Gen. Taylor horseback. Tho party ~ere escorted to
slight elevation near the centre Of the area marked by
white fag where they were joined by Gen. McClel-
Ian and his staff The cavalry formed in line
on the left The seven regiments Of volunteer cavalry
and the entire artillery present, placed the outer
margin Of the grounds. The infantry were formed into
columns by divisions in mass Everything being now in
readiness, sayo to the President and General Chief
fred by four batteries artillery designated for that
purpose.
In the meantime the President and Secretary of State
Secretary Of War and Assistant Secretary Of War aght
cd from their carriages mounted horses and prepared to
accompany General Mcclellan in his review Of tho lines
All the generals present and star officers. with tho
Prince dc Joinville and some distinguished civilians
headed by tho President Secretary OF War and General
Mcclellan, and numbering in ALL perhaps hundred and
fifty, then dashed forward at full galop along the mas
sve columns. On reaching the division Of General
Smith the party were greeted by three enthusiastic
cheers which repeated by each brigade successive
~ as It approached. The ride occupied about an
hour and half Tho horses in covered with foam
After little interval preparation made for march.
ing the troops in review The honor of leading tho
column assigned to the First rife regiment Of Penn
syvania reserve, famiiarly known as the "Bucktan
Regiment" This regiment was with General Mcclellan
in Western Virginia, and particularly admired for
the steadness and regularity Of its movements and the
soldisrke bearing Of the Some three hours were
occupied by the troops passing The divisions passed
in the following order:--
Fiyyt-Gsneral NcCalls division, composed OF the
brgsdes OF Generals Meade, Reynolds and Ord
Second-Gencral Hcntzelman's division, composed OF
the brgades Of Generals Sedgwick Jamson and Richard
son.
Taird-General Smiths DIVISION composed Of the bri
gades Of Generals Hancock, Brooks and Benham
Fourth-Genera Franklin's DIVISION composed Of the
brigaaes or Generals slocum, Newton and Kearney.
BYhThe division Of General Benker composed OF the
brigade OF General stah and Of two brigades commanded
by senior CcloDels.
Siuh-The division Of General Fitz John Porter. COM
posed OF the brgades Of General More and
Butterfeld.
Seuend-TbA division Of General Mcdowell, composed
Of the brisaes OF Generals King and wadsworth and
brigade now commanded by Colonel Frsbe.
The passage Of this large army OF volunteers elected
the strongest praise from the very formidable body
old army officers who sat in review General Sumner
| who now for tie first time since his return from
] the Pacific witnessed exhibition of the progress
drill Of the volunteers, expressed much surprise that
taken from civil life should, in short period
have been able to compete in soldery appearance with
| the veterans of the regular army.
From the fact that General Order was issued by Gen.
Mcclellan, commencing especially the proficiency drill
| Of the divisions of Generals Fitz John Porter and
/ IN aofh
| column looked for with than usual interest
many doubts expressed whether praise could
bestowed higher than OF the preceding divisions
deserved but when the named had passed the dis
elimination of Gen. Mcclellan in this particular seomed
| meet with commendation by all.
One OF the most interesting features OF the day to many
was the martial music, which was most eloquently dis
coursed by than hty bands, most Of which were
the FIRST order In two or three instances the bands
the whole brigadcs consolidated The consolidated
band in General ButterfeldH brigade numbered hunoe
and twenty pieces, and played with excellent effect
while the brigade was passing In review. quickstep
entitled, "The Standard Bearer Quckstep composed fo
and dedicated to General B.
| Tho whole review most admirably conducted. In
fni,e credit is due TO General Mcdowell who was tic
commander of the review for the promptness with which
his vast column moved There hardly an inter
mission Of two minutes between the passage Of the yar
/ GUS divisions before the General commanding and al
passed of with precision and regularity and order that
surprising to ALL and not the least those who ac
witnessed the most Splendid reviews and military opera
ons in Europe. Among those who were present on the
fed were many who had military displays in E,l
rope and ali surprised at this exhibition of the mill
tary spirit Of people who were totally unused to war
Among the foreigners present Monsieur Hermann
the popular agican, who has seen armies under the
most advantageous circumstances the grand review al
Posth and IN the Crifnca. He, In common with others
surprised that in few months could gather to-
geher arm, equip, discipline and drill to such state OF
1 perfection, such m army OF volunteers.
The regiments marched for the part like old and
long drilled regulars, and elected from the Commands np
General frequent encomrms upon their excellence and
Soldery appearance. The members Of his staff we're in
scsaces and the general impression was that If be
| not win with such an army there s no use to fight
/ The whole world may be challenged to produce The
sana number Of well disciplined soldiers in the sau,e
space Of time When 1t Is remembered that all this
kasbeen created from volunteers since the Ars, day q
August, the display to-day appears almost ncredible
was without doubt the grandest military exhibition eve,
wnessedon this continent. General Mcclellan uas .,