The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1872-05-31

the nrSt troops 10 the nel0. On lne
morning of the 18th of April handful
of gallant Philadelphians reached
Washington and announced themselves
as ready for duty.
Out of the chaotic mass of soldiers
around Washington the skilful han d
of General Mcclellan soon brought or
der and organized the Army of the Pc.
tomac-historic name-complete and
perfect itself. Our Division was given
the post of honor-the right of the line
and at Drainesville the first victory of
the Army of the Potomac was achieved
by portion of the Reserve Corps. The
disasters of Bull Run and Balls Bluff
had thrown gloom over the North, and
the result of this minor engagement cast
a gleam of sunshine upon our dark
ened prospects.
After the transfer of the army to the
Peninsula, the Reserves were again
placed on the right of the line, on the
Chickahominy, and in a short time
plunged into the terrible "Seven Days
Battles" The first of these was the hot
ly contested action at Mechanicsville,
where after untiring exertion and
heavy loss, the enemy, largely superior
in numbers, by your stubborn resistance
was prevented from turning the right
of our line. That night and the next
morning we fell back to Gaines Hill,
where the Reserves under General Fitz
John Porter were fiercely engaged. To
give you little rest it had been deter
mined to hold the Division in reserve,
but hardly had the battle commenced
before you were in the thicke5t of the
fight. For the time engaged this was
the iiercest and most sanguinary battle
of the war, and in the mind of every
soldier the name Gaines Hill is the sym
onyme for slaughter. Without rest or
respite succeeded the engagement at
New Market Cross Roads. Here, as in
the preceding days, your loss was
great. The attempt of the enemy to
drive our army very nearly proved sue.
cessful. Divisions were disorganized,
ed men fought side by side without
Columns formed under the banner ofthe
Union, and charged wherever an officer
led. But, their lines shattered and de-
unable to contend against the
fire ofdouble theirnumber,
they sullenly fell back over the field
which had been tn eirs.
The remnant of our exhausted army
next made a stand at Malvern Hill. The
resultof this contest was undoubtedly a
complete, though unavailing victory for
our army, but we were in no condition
to take advantage of the demoraliza-
ton of the enemy: During those seven
days and nights the sons of Pennsylva-
mia bore themselves as heroes should,
and covered themselves and our Com
monwealth with lustre. The Reserves
lost nearly one-fOurth of their number,
and the remainder were worn out and
exhausted from over-eXertion and hum
ger. Our line of march and halts for
battle made one vast pestilent cemetery.
Men and horses dropped down from ex-
haustion. Wounds were fatal which
elsewhere would have been harmless
Scorching heat, poisonous marshes,
thirst and hunger, Joined with the bullet
ofa powerful and ever.present enemy
to magnify the horrors of that week Of
death and disaster.
AT Harrison's Landing, the harvest
Of sickness and death was pitiful. To
die for ones country may be sweet, but
to be racked with fever, palsied by dis
ease, are forms ofdeath for ones country
which reasonable beings, although he
roes, would not select. You bore your
selves as became the sons Of those who
suffere d at Valley Forge.
The longed for change soon came
Gen Lee Rad advanced down tho Sbnn.
andoah. and the ARMY of The poton,oo
was recaIIed from the penincuIa tointor-
cent him. Won met yonr old enemv in
an artillery skirmisH near Gainesyilia
and the neyt dav Won yera nInnnnd in
fo fhe fieroe enoaGenent of SncoSd RuIl
RIM. In this action ali the aveilabIe
forces of both sides were fully engaged.
Our army had been mar ching for DAYS
without rest, and with but little to eat.
The artillery and cavalry horses had
been in harness and saddled for two
weeks, and were in no condition to give
battle to our confident opponent. The
fate of the battle was still against US,
and the Army of the Potomac had anoth-
or page of fruitless heroism to add to its
history. viii, can any member of the
Reserve Corps forget the inspirating ac.
ton of our gallant and fearles command
er, General Reynolds, when the troops
on our right gave way in confusion ? AT
that critical instant he grasped the flag
of the Second Regiment and dashing to
the right rode up and down the line.
The effect upon you was electrical. EV-
cry man put forth renewed energy and
in short time the thinned ranks of the
enemy gave evidence ofyour earnestness.
Vain effort of the Reserves! The for
tune of war still frowned upon our arms.
Death had held carnival in our ranks,
and our wasted and bleeding columns
withdrew from that field just as the rays
of the setting sun tinted the armament
with a ruddy glow, as if the reflection
of the scene of blood beneath.
Three days after. the Army of the Po
tomac was encaIuped within the lines
of defense arouud Washington. and we
were 0Ioddrnrd bv the retnrn ofour old
commandpr. Almost Immediately Inv
his mnstprly ability. he collected them
into the wIll. .djscipiined army it had
haen hefore his removal. Nv this time
General Lee with his whole army had
crossed the Upper Potomac, and was de.
vastating MARYLAND man threatening
Pennsvlyapia, Gen, Mcclellan. collect,
inc and organizing his forces as he went
adysnced to meet him, and two weeks
after M orr inpIorious defeat AT Bull Run
81 norton Of the Army of the Poto
mac stormed and carried South Noun
tain as Won fought your way up the east
ern side of the mountain. Iuch by incl
thn anpmv combattpd vour ascent anf