The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1872-05-31
COL. DEM. -.- VOL. XXXVI.. NO. l5,

of leaders, and Gen. Mcclellan was re-
moved. In the wisdom of this change
/ hardly think the mass of our army
agreed, and without thinking to urge
our sentiments upon the convictions of
the country, for obedience and not crit
icism is the duty of the soldier. Gen.
McClellan's successor, however, was one
of the most gallant of men. If unfor-
tunate, it was rather from the conjunct-
ure of adverse circumstances than the
want of merit in himself, and the
name of Burnside is worthy of the roll
of commanders Of the Army Of the Po-
tomac
AT the battle of Fredericksburg our
| Division-now numbering little more
than brigade-was selected to make
the attack, on the left, that was to break
Gen. Lees line. You advanced 9nd
drove the enemy from his entrenched
| line and occupied his camps beyond,
securing a substantial advantage. The
issue of the battle turned upon the re-
serves holding the position they had
been ordered to gain and had gained
Gen. Lee knew this and concentrated
his every effort to recover that portion
of his line. Massive columns in gray
closed around that devoted band of Re-
serves yet you stood an unshrinking tar.
get for the pitiless fire of your powerful
adversary, hoping to the last that you
would not be left unsupported. Still
no assistance came, and when ammuni-
tlon and hope itself had failed, you re-
tired step by step to the ground left two
Der. The other Divisions had vainly
thrown themselves against the strength
ened heights back of the town and af
ter fearful slaughter the army withdrew
from that field Certain demagogue5
and newspapers, by distance secured
from danger, had clamored for action.
! In obedience to the outcry Gen. Burn
side fought this battle against his bet.
terjudgment, and it terminated, as he
dreaded, in disaster, a further lesson of
the bitter fruits of incompetent dicta.
ton.
| Another change of commanders was
followed by another defeat, and Chan.
cellorsville was added to the list of re.
verses to our arms. In this battle only
portion of the artillery of our Division
was engaged. The Secretary of War
acceded to the personal appeals of Gov.
Curtin and the infantry had been order
ed to return to the vicinity of Washing
ton, there to fill up your depleted ranks.
During the whole of June, (63) from
| lilOi lhullOu IcCtlNtu ny pClI' llOOhSl,
| it was evident that Gen. Lee meditated
a movement that was to strike terror to
the hearts of our people, and revive the
hopes of the confederates. When
therefore, you heard that the Potomac
had been crossed with the unmistakable
intention of invading Pennsylvania,
| you promptly petitioned for permission
to rejoin the Army of the Potomac and
assist in defending your threatened
homes, families and firesides. Could
this request be granted you felt that you
would rot diminish, if you could not in.
crease, the lustre that already attached
to the name of the Reserve Corps. In
response to these appeals the necessary
orders were issued and with lightened
hearts and springing steps you sped
lied commonwealth each muscle nerved
by the singing memories of Gaines Hill
and Fredericksburg, and every eye
glancing mingled hope of revenge and
JOY at the opportunity. You were at.
tached to the Fifth Corps then com.
manded by one who had been your i'm
mediate commander from the time you
entered the service. You felt that under
his eye you would be invincible.-
But on the march you heard the
Army of the Potomac hailed a new
| lIO hunu vi
was to guide it in the approaching con-
flict. And he was a leader worthy of
this mighty trust. He had entered the
struggle like ourselves, and as comman-
der of brigade, division and corps he
had shared the fortunes of the Army of
the Potomic in its victories and de.
treats. He was Pennsylvania, and a
Reserve like ourselves, our comrade
a soldier trained to the pursuit of arms,
in the study, as in the field. He had
fought under the flag of his country on
the plains of Mexico. An accomplished
gentleman ; man Of thought as well
| as action.
"a sage in council
An Achilles in the field"
need I speak his name? Recognition of
the picture CLEANS in the eye CT every
soldier within sound of my voice. Gen.
Meade was the chosen of the heroes to
lead the veterans of the Army of the
Potomac to battle. 1t was an appalling
responsibility from whose weight it was
no disgrace for any soldier to shrink.
Leader after leader had successively
grasped the ill-fated baton, but under
each defeat and disaster had been our
portion. When he ascended to that
deadly eminence therefore, the heart of
each Reserve felt thrill of pride with
mingled apprehension, for it seemed as
if Fate itself had pre- determined that
our arms should be for a sport and
mOckery. But the bloody splendors of
the battle field were t. be unfolded on
our own soil, and it wa fitting that the
honor of our State and the defence of
our homes should be Committed to his
hand. With equal fitness the gal liant
Reynolds, and the knightly Hancock,
| nj ( y, M on IL lfh hppa h -
chief lieutenants aud Pennsylvanians
led the van in the deliverance of Penn
sylvania.
When the battle of Gettysburg was
fought | was on recruiting duty iu the
Interior of our State, and was not per-
mitted to participate in the glory you
had won. What l have to say of this
battle Is not drawn from personal obser-
walton, but from the relation of my
comrade', and what has passed into his
tory.
When General Meade assumed conf
mand Of the Army of the Potomac, the
enemy was marching up the Cum
berland Valley, one hundred thousand
strong, flushed with success. Large de-
tachments already occupied York and
Carlisle, while Others menaced Column
bia and Harrisburg. General Meade in.
tended movement of his whole army
to engage the enemy and force him to
fight whenever and wherever he should
encounter him. In the execution of this
plan General Reynolds was sent for
ward to occupy the heights at Gettys-
burg, while at the same time Hill's
Corps followed by the whole of the con-
. federate army, assumed a line of march
for the same place. Two miles from Get
tysburg the combatants met. Gen
Reynolds found our cavalry already
f engaged. That impetuous hero hesita
ed not an instant. He sent for no in
| structions, knowing it was General
Meade's intention to fight the first op
pOrtunity, and here was the opportuni.
/ ty. lie hurried forward the First Corp
to occupy hill ON the west. The enemy
charged our batteries. General Rey
} nolds placed himself at the head o
Wadsworth's Division and ordered 1
countercharge. The men sprang forward
as III In Spasm of enthusiasm. Tht