The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1885-02-05

preserved Nlt.5 GplpE 10 iAS iihe'N'i'
but why were not Pence Commissioners sent out
10 interview the Mormon leaders before the
army? There was no lesson in taetics or
strategy taught by the Utah expedition. Gen.
Albert Silacy Johnston, the commander, may
have had al the elements of a great General
as was claimed by his friend Jefferson Davis,
but like many other Generals intrusted with
large and important commands, had no oppor-
tunity to display them till the great civil war
had continued for nine months when he fell
at Shiloh.
The entire regiment, for the first time in the
eight years TO which / had belonged TO it. was
concentrated 1t Fort Bridger in August or Sep
tember. SO. and we took up our
MARCH FOR CALIFORNIA,
to which Department the regiment was ordered
after the settlement of the Mormon troubles
Marching Via Soda Springs TO Humboldt River
we made oar regular stage of 20 miles day
sometimes more if necessary to find a good
camp-grouud Crossing Humboldt Desert and
ascending Carson River TO Carson City we
reached the fist white settlement not count
ing Forts kearney aud Bridger, through which
we had passed since leaving Fort Leavenworth
in May. Oar route took us through Carson
Valley to Genoa, and a few miles above that
village. where we encamped. At this camp
heavy snow storm fell and covered the Sierra
Nevada Mountains TO depth of about two feet
But we were compelled to strike ont and climb
p the mountains without regard to snow, and
very hard and laborious ascent it was. 1t was
a great relief. however, after marching through
deserts and treeless plains and mountains, to
plunge into the magnificent forests on the sum-
nit of the Sierra Nevada 1t was so miles over
this range from the eastern base TO Placerville,
the first town we reached in California, and the
first where the people gave us cordial wei
come Passing a week in camp near Placer
ville we proceeded on to Sacramento, and
seemed TO be iii 4 new world, so soft and balmy
was the atmosphere of California. About the
18th of November we reached Benicia Barracks,
our temporary destination, just six months
after leaving Fort Leavenworth. From this
point the companies of the regiment were scat
tered-some TO Arizona, some remaining at
Benicia. and mine to the head of Russian River
and Round Valley, Cal. Passing
A DULL AND SOLITARY WINTER
in camp at the head of Russian River till April,
1859, my company, excepting detachment of
80 men under command of Second Lieut.. Ed
ward Dillon, were ordered west to Fort Bragg,
on the Mendocino Indian Reservation, which is
directly on the Pacific coast, in sight of the sea
lions, gulIs and whales that disport themselves
along that coast. Oh, how lonely was life at
both those stations! was the only officer for
the greater part of the time at the camp and at
Fort Bragg. There were no civilians, no one
with whom I could hold a moments converse
tion. unless | went some miles away to find
somebody. But l endured it calmly. hoping
Sat my leave for general recruiting service
would come, as ii did, in May, 1860, and never
received an order with more pleasure than that
which detailed me for two years on the general
recruiting service and directed me to report to
the Superintendent of that service ct Governors
Island \. Y. Harbor. When relieved of my
responsibilities at Fort Bragg by Lieut. Dillon,
! boarded little lumber schooner at the mouth
g LaI tol-n ot
McPherson's Mill, and went bounding over the
pillows to San Francisco. This was the first
experience had ever had at sea.
1t was necessary to pass week in San Fran
ssco before the sailing Of the ship on which l
had taken passage for Panama, en- route for
New York. This week in San Francisco was
comparatively pleasant, as l met few old
friends in civil and military life. Among the
latter was Lieut. James B. Mcpherson, of the
Engineers who was then finishing off the
works on Alcatraz Island. He took me over
to the island from the city in his little sal-bOat
and showed me the works he was constructing.
There, as everywhere else, Mcpherson was
beloved by men and women. The voyage
from San Francisco to Panama, the railway
trip across the Isthmus of Panama and the
voyage TO New York were pleasant and I'M
eyentful, except in this: At Aspinwall the
NEWS WAS RECEIVED
had broken up by the withdrawal of Douglass
supporters, and that Breckenridge had been
nominated: also that Abraham Lincoln had
been nominated by the Republicans. From
that moment / never ceased to regard the
election of Lincoln, the attempt to dissolve the
Union in consequence thereof and great civil
war as inevitable.
Soon after the attack on Fort Sumter, being
then stationed at Buffalo, n. Y, on recruiting
service, / requested authority from the Secre-
tary OF War 10 take command In the volunteer
service which was refused On the ground that
/ was needed Oh recruiting service.
After the FIRST call of President Lincoln for
10000 volunteers, | mustered into the service
ct Buffalo two regiments of infantry. 1t was
one beautiful Sunday in July, when people
were returning to their homes from church,
news was received of the defeat of the Union
army under Mcdowell at the first battle of
Bull Run. Such excitement humiliation and
grief in all classes / had never witnessed. The
only event approaching it during the long and
bloody struggle was the assassination of Lin
coin: but the people had become SO accustomed
TO horrors that that great crime did not humble
them as did the first defeat Of the Union army.
But IN a short time they recovered from the
shock and became more resolved than ever to
persevere in the purpose of supprcssing the
rebellion, gigantic as il was. and obscure and
uncertain as was the result. But there was
SeDeGai CDEIAcic6 IIiaG Ino NOEtUcfu states
possessed the men, the ability and the courage
requisite TO complete the task and ultimately to
overrun the entire South.
ENTERING THE VOLUNTEER SERVICE.
In the month of August, 1861, Gov. Richard
Yates, Of Illinois, rendered ME the Colonelcy of
regiment Of Illinois volunteers which j &C
cepted gladly on the condition that the War
Department would grant the necessary per-
mission. At this time Capt. Amos BeckwIth, a
classmate of mine at West Point, had great in
fuence with the authorities at Washington l
telegraphed him my wishes in the matter, and
soon received a favorable reply. Setting out at
once for Springfield. H., / reported to Gov
Yates and received my commission. A reg-
ment was organized and designated the 3Sth
H., and | was its Colonel. The officers and
men Of this regiment were good citizens of
Illinois, many of them SONS of farmers in that
part of the State called Egypt" / had every
reason TO be pleased with the regiment. The
officers and men seemed eager to learn their
duties and 10 discharge them faithfully, which
they never failed 10 do on the march, in battle,
in camp-eyerywhere / would not wish better
men or better soldiers than they became in a
very brief period
After very brief stay at Camp Butler near
Springfield, the regiment was ordered TO re-
port to Maj.-Gen Fremont, then commanding
the Department of Missouri. On arriving at
his headquarters in st. Louis, it was impossi-
ble to reach the General or any one of his many
staff officers who seemed to know what should be
done with nay regiment. / was directed first
TO one and then another for instructions. A
Col j. c. Woods was the first with whom
could get an interview; then he referred me
10 Capt. Castle. Finally / received orders to
proceed 10 Pilot Knob No, on the Iron Noun