Smyrna times., 1865-05-31
MISCELLAN EOUS.
The "ArmY Of the Potomac"

This gallant army has at last closed its long
career Of battle and Of toll. Its war-wOrn vete-
rams are again returning to their homes to re-
sumo the peaceful occupations from which
they were called at the first sound of their
country peril The grand review of it on
Tuesday, at Washington, is fitting close to
its trials, and public acknowledgment of its
triumphs Its reverscs and its successes have
been great, but its whole career will constitute
one Of the prOudest examples in our history,
to which the student in after years will turn
with interest and qualification to learn a lesson
in steady devotion amidst calamity, crowned as
such tried patriotism deserved with victory,
the highest reward of soldiers toll Four
years ago it went into the field an undisciphned
and hastily collected force, gathered from the
workshop, the fields, and counting houses of
the country, scarcely better than a mob in or
organlzauon out inspired by patriotism, ready
to face danger and confident OF victory. 1t re-
turns from the field Of its adventures and its
| trials, its enthusiasm chastened by reverses,
| but its confidence increased by its triumphs,
and its patriotism raised to a loftier height by
the sacrifices which the country demanded for
the sake of preserving it's liberties 1t was
once the fashion to underrate this gallant army,
and to speak even of its sacrifices contemp-
tuously. Mismanagement has often wasted Its
strength and defeated its hopes, but no i'm
DGClllIy Ill IHOoc WIN ulICOtOO lbo
could ever bring disgrace upon its reputation.
| The fiery ordeal it has passed through in the
last year from the Rapidan to Richmond,
would establish an historic name for it if Antie-
tam and Gettysburgh had not already embalm-
ed its reputation. Looking over the records OF
its past deeds, we see no less than one hundred
and twelve battles, engagements and sklrmlsh-
es, in which this veteran army has been IN du-
| ring the war, not including the battles fought
| Immediately around Richmond, which ended
in the surrender of Lee, and which were the
crowning achievements of all their previous
exertions. A list of these engagements, as fur
nished by official Orders, shows their particlpa'
ton in the following battles, all, with the ex
ception Of FIVE, fought in Virginia, whose sol
may, with truth, be said to be red with the blood
of these heroes:
First Bull Run, Ball s Bluff Yorktown, Lee
Mills, Charles City Crossroads, Williamsburg
Golding's Farm, Hampton Roads, West Point
Seven Pines, Hanover Court House, Gaines
Mills, Fair Oaks, Peach Orchard, Battle O
June 25th, 1862, Savage Station, Jordan
Road, White Oak Swamp, Champions Gap
Glendale, Mechanicsville, Haxalrs Landing
Malvern Hill (frst), Bristoe Station, Thorough
fare Gap, Winchester, Front Royal, Port he
public, Second Bull Run, Chantilly, Middle
town, Drainsvie, Harrisonburg Cross Cross Key; ff;
Cedar Mountain, Gainesville, Poolesvlile, Gnl
r onville, Piedmont, South Mountain, fTeuel
{ icksburg first and secondl, Barber 8 Cr1Ss
r road. Ashby' Gap, Annisyille, Mary Heig6ts
. Salem Heights, Hedgesville, Markham ota
!. ton, Philemont, Union, Suffolk, biaek"a'S'