The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1884-01-10
THE I0ssrs

After the battie-how sad are the after-bat-
ties, even TO those who conqueri ! would be
glad to be rid of the dreadful pictures they
have left imbedded in my memory-after the
battle our people buried fifty-three of our men
and about 200 of the enemy's dead they were
principally North Carolinians and Georgians,
of Branch's division, and some of Andersons.
Mcclellan makes our loss ffty-three killed,
and 344 wounded aud missing.
On the 2Sth he visited Hanover C0urt-House.
From that place he wrote: Porter's action OF
yesterday was truly glorious victory Too
much credit cannot be given TO his magnificent
division and its accomplished leader.
Prisoners are constantly coming in; two COM
panies have this moment arrived with excel
lent arms. The real issue is in the
battle about TO be fought in front OF Richmond.
All our available troops should be collected
here e. not raw regiments. bit well-drilled
troops. 1T cannot be ignored that desperate
battle is before as. If any regiments of good
troops remain unemployed it viii be an irrep-
arabic fault committed"
My own letters, written Just before the OPEN
ing of the conflict on the 3Ist, echo the same
feeling. l was making all possible preparation,
so far rs my humble part was concerned, for
a terrific struggle. 1t probably would be my
last battle, 50 tried 10 warn my wife and chill
dren, and commit them to the care of Him who
would IN His own time and His own way pro-
others around me. ] endeavored cheerfnlly to
lay all that had and ali that / was upon the
altar Of sacrifice.
But while the pressure of near future began
to dawn upon most OF US with glimD3erings of
evil, sofne comrades were gay and feasting.
They were like party of soldiers that ! met
in the streets of Fredericksburg, after the first
bloody skirmish there who effected the cross
ing into that city. They were singing and
playing and dancing. ] spoke inquiringlg TO
one who appeared leader in the fun, How
is this, on the eve OF. battle ?" He replied
"Ah, General. let US sing and dance tonight;
we viii fight the better for il tomorrow
Thomas Francis Meagher's ininitahle bril-
gade hai inst had hnrile-race and were pre-
paring for more amusements-to some wonder
full exhbition-at their encampment. The in
vitatons 10 neighboring officers were already
given for a day fixed 'npon, and that day,
] believe, became the first bloody day of Fair
Oaks Quite another exhibitions dire, sad
tragedy-Teplaced our Irish generals antici-
pated hilarity.
NoTE.-Warren's brigade-5th New York, 18th
New York. Isl Connecticut artillery acting as in
faniry, 9Th Pennsylvania cavalry, and Needon's
Rhode Island battery
Aforolps Dirisicn.
Bufterfieid's bsigade-f2th New York 18th New
York, SD Pennsylvania. 10th Michigan, 44ih
New York. and Aliens Massachusetts battery.
Marlindae's brigade - 18th Massachusetts,. I'd
Name, 18th New York. 22d Massachusetts, Ber-
dams sharpshooters, and Martins Massachusetts
battery.
McQuade's brigade-Isth New York. 4th Michi-
gan, SIN Massachusetts. cd Pennsylvania, and
Griffin 5 regular battery K, Of the 5ih.
Emory Pennsy ivauia regiment %, 9Th Regu-
lar cavalry, 9th Regular cavalry, and Bensons
horse battery.