The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1872-09-14

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The regiment came on at a fast gal
lop, and as they dashed past and sa,
their wounded comrade feebly waving
his cap, they took up the shout:
"Hurrah hurrah hurfah Tiger-r
Yah ! whoop" "
They were portion Of Gregg's com
mand sent on in advance of the Sixtl
Corps, which had now begun to marcl
into town, They came along the roat
from New Windsor, and marching t.
the other end of town, proceeded ou
the York road towards Manchester
without making halt. Sedgwick him
self came into town about three clock
aud was greeted with hearty cheer
whenever he was recognized Some o
the regiments marched by in silence
others sang familiar ballads as tue,
moved along. A few, riotously Disposed
shrieked, whistled, aud choered. fh,
flags were nearly all folded the drum,
did not mark time the orders were
few and short, aud there was an entire
lack Of that pomp aud pageantry which
all expected to see in an army. 1t was
very evident that these men meant
business" aud not play. Although
fifteen thousand men comprised the
whole corps, each of its brigades seemed
as numerous to a novice; and many
there wore who believed it to be the
whole army of the Potomac. Most Of
the men kept up their usual company
and regiment formation, and were as
particular about their alignment as
though on review; but there were also
many stragglers, and these filed the
sidewalks on both sides Of the street.
The men 10 the ranks generally had
but little to say to our citizens, but the
stIagglers never tired Of talking to any
who approached them, aud kept up a
running fire of comment upon every
thing that seemed to strike them as
being in any wise peculiar.
"Look there, Bill, | say !" said one
with a great grin on his face; "did you
ever, nov! l swan, if they don't call
that thing farm wagon down here ~
"Deyiishest people ever | see p said
Bill, "stick their houses plum on the
street and kiver them over with porch
es ! Have their lawns in trout Of the
stables instead of before the houses
Build their wagons SO big the horses
cant pull EN-; and never think of
plantin' decent tree ~
They sauntered along by twos and
threes, iutruding their noses into all
the stores, prying into back yards and
cellars, looking at the horses 10 the
street, peeping on tiptoe into the win
dows of dwellings, aud occasionally
yenturing into kitchen to purchase
something to eat.
Ayerse to discipline, eccentric in
their habits, entertaining profound
contempt for everything that they did
not consider "up to snuff" always
struggling out Of ranks, and yet, when
the battle came on, the very first in the
fight.
When the sun went down on the Both,
the town was once more clear of soldiers,
and our citizens had witnessed another
day Of war.
Westminster was now made the base
of supplies for the army, and early on
the morning Of the LIST Of July long
trains OF ears began to arrive from Bal
timore, laden with provisions and am
muuition. These were distributed
among the miles of wagons, that had
made their appearance during the night,
and were sent of to the different parts
of the line. So numerous were these
wagons that the country, for a great
distance around, was black with them
and yet miles Of them were continually
going and coming. Long trains would
come in from weary drive, 90 into
encampment, rest, reload, and start off
again, followed by others continually
going through the same process. This
continual driving to aud fro, aided by
the rain that fell heavily and unccas
ingly, made our street literally sea of
mud, through which the poor mules
iloundcred and splashed with their
heavy loads, 10 manner wonderful to
see. The teamsters were the worst
part Of the army, aud seemed to have
as little of the ''human" in thom as the
mules they drove. They invariably
selected for their encampment the best
and most convenient wheat field, and
then tearing down the fences to cook
their own supper, turned the mules
into the wheat for theirs. Thus in
short time, they converted the surroun.
ding country, which but a little while
before, with its riponed grain folds,
looked like golden sea, into an ocean
Of liquid mud and taught our peaceful
people fearful lesson Of the calamity
Of war.
II was on the morning Of this day,
the LIST Of July, that General Reynolds,
by marching Into Gettysburg, brought
On the great battle at that place, Until
noon our arms were successful, but
rictory was changed into disaster by
he arrival Of Ewelps corps at one o'clock.
Dur men were hard pressed through |
Ill the afternoon, and when night came, |
1 found them, defeated yet not dis.
'pirited, encamped upon Cemetery Ridge |
far in the rear oftheir regular position. |
General Meade arrived at Tancytowu |
1t three o'clock, and ordered Hancock |
o Gettysburg to inspect the position
md report if it was favorable for fight. |
Hancock immediately galloped to the |
ront, aad his experienced eye took 10
Il glance the splendid position which |
'ur men had nccidently, as il were, |
aiken up. He was in Taneytown again
'eiore night with his report to Meade,