New-York tribune., 1888-08-27
NEW PUBLICATIONS.
THE CORN EXCHANGE REGIMENT.

THE CORN EXCHANGE REGIMENT.
HISTORY OF THE CORN EXCHANGE REGIMENT
ulsth Pennsylvania volunteers) From tho nrs'
engagement at Antietam to Appomat.oA. 10
which Is added Record OF its Orgamha.ion enu
a complete Roster. Fully illustrated. with maps.
Portraits and over ono hundred illustrations py
the survivors, Association llsth Corn Exchsnse'
Regiment p. v. Philadelphia: J. L. smith.
This portly volume contains full history OF the
Philadelphia Corn Exchange Regiment SO called
because it was oIsanized by the members o. inc
Corn Exchange, who also supplied many OF It's
officers and who watched over 1t generously
enron rbout the war. The llSth Pennsylvania
Volunteers made for itself proud record having
at the close Of the Rebellion taken part in thirty
nine importaut engagements, ranging from Antie-
,am to Appomattox. 1t had its baptism Of fire
at the first named battle, and at Shepherdstown it
distinguished itself at great cost by engaging
greatly superior Rebel force and holding its ground
until nearly cut to pieces Few young regiments
have had rougher initiation to the horrors Of war,
and none could have behaved more calamity IN
sbe circumstances The present history is an un-
vanished, simple, but deeply interesting chroni-
ole. compiled from the recolections Of the sur
vivors and from official records and other sources
Il is emncntly q regmental history. Not mere
colorless narrative of the engagements in which
the organization took part with special notices OF
the deeds done by officers and generals, but a
lively story of the war from the point OF view oil
the rank and file.
We do not know any publication In which the
actual life of regiment in the field is more vividiy
and comprehensvely described. The various bat
les marches picket affairs camping, ETC., arc fully
and carefully narrated, and also the intimate life OF
the boys in blue, their ways in camp and on the
march, their humors and foibles. their amusements
and troubles. All the privations and annoyanccs OF
war times are clearly portrayed; all the indl-
vidual deeds of heroism rashness which
furnished topics for discussion by the campfire.
The American volunteer soldier is in these pages
photographed in his every attitude and analysed
In all his moods The Corn Exchange Regiment
figured we'll at Gettysburg and there is a stirring
and realistic account of that great battle, in de-
scribing which the splendid charge of Pcketts
Brigade receives generous appreciation. The rcgl-
ment did great deal OF picket duty in the course
Of its career and the pictures of this often most
difficult and pcrilous business are among the most
thrilling In the volume. Sometimes in pro-
eactcd cement in a heavily timbcred country
regiments would get turned round SO that they
had great difficulty in restoring their connections.
Occasionally mistakes would be made as when n
Confederate staff officer calmly walked into the
troops The comments OF the rank and file upon
the progress of the campaign are given quite
fully and are often remarkable for their shrewd
and grasp of the situation, for these were all
thinking bayonets.
The history furnishes abundant evidence OF the
eheerfulness, endurance, patience and indomitable
Sesolution Of the brave Pennsy1vanians, and Incl
1entaly Of many other regiments. After few
months of seasoning, nothing came amiss to them
They jokcd over their misfortunes, starved. shiv-
bred, frozc, stolIdly, and were always ready for
/ fight when the enemy appeared The regiments
losses were generally heavy when it had fair
thance to " sail in,' and comparatively, few who
brst enlisted present at the final parade
Not all, however, bad the fortune to die on the
6cd. The Southern military prison-pens claimed
their share of the missing, and a narrowing account
Is given of the experiences Of many OF the sur
sivors who were too tough for even Libby and
Andcrsonville to vanquish. Among the curious
stories told two about presentiments, and they
cannot be said, when taken together, to throw
much light on the subject In one case an officer
had distinct premonition Of death. 1t was so
ttrong that he made his tcstamentary dispositions
md went into battle perfectly convinced that he
would not come out of it. But nothing happened
10 him he was not even wounded, and he is alive
10 this day. In the other case a man had the
ame kind of presentiment He even predicted
The day when be was to be killed, and as the
regiment was advancing to the attack, he pointed
10 rise in the ground ahead and told his comrade
Mat be would receive fatal wound Just on the
Ithcr side Of that declivity. His warning was
fulfilled, and he fell Just where he had said he
should be struck down.
The volume is enriched with many portraits
md a large number of illustrations and maps
full roster has been added to it. and it Is as CON-
plete, interesting and valuable resimental his
Ory as could be produced, and highly creditable
70 all who have taken part in the labor Of love.