The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1893-09-05
A JOINT CAMP FIRE.

The Army Of the James and tho Naval Vet
erans ut The First Baptist
The Army lof the James and the naval
veterans held q joint camp fire ct the First
Baptist Church last evening. Other at
fractions about the city and the early
meeting of this camp conspired to tighten
the attendance, and the church audience
room was only partially filled, when the
organ. in charge of Professor Newland.
pealed forth the opening number on the
programme promptly at O'Clock.
At the conclusion OF the organ
recital. Rev. DR.. Taylor. pastor of
the church. opened the exercises
with prayer. He was followed By Gen. II.
s. Foster. who presided over the camp fire.
He welcomed the joint organizations to tho
city. After reading q roster OF the officers
of the Army of the james" he then
lated some war history in connection with
she movements Of thut impregDablo army
during the rebellion. He recounted the adj
vance of the Army of the Potomac
and the crossing OF the Rap,dsn river
carly OIL the morning of Msy 4. 1n64.
On the 5th of May they met and attacked
the rebel army at Mine Run. whore a stub
born fight ragged all day long. snd succeed
ing this csmo the battle of the Wilderness,
and SDOttsylysnis.
The Army OF the James moved in trans
ports up the James rIver on the 4th Of May,
and occupied City Point and Bermuda
Hundred. which they entered ana held az
q base of supplies icr the armies operating
on the south bank OF the James. On tho
5th advanced. destroying the railroads be-
tween Richmond and Petersburg. and at.
tackled the rebel works IN front and around
Fort Daring. and succeeded III carrying
the enemy's outer line of works on tbo
evening OF the 18th and morning OF the
l4th.
On tho morning of the 10th, under cover
OF dense overhsEging fog. tho enemy at
tackled the right line, forcing IL back, 8nd
the army was com peiied TO retire in some
confusion TO an Intrenched line In Iront of
Bermuda Hundred, which was being fortl.
fed between the James and ApponattOX
rivers. Here it remained for some time,
being engaged almost daily in skirmIsh or
battle with the enemy. no were strongly
lntrenched in the immediate front.
About the cath of May a portion of the
Ar ~ of the James, nnder command Of
Ge w. +. Smith was sent TO rein force and
Ops ate with the Army of the Potomac.
Thss reached the right of the Army OF the
Pot mac by way of the Pamunkey river
aud White House" and were engaged In
the attack of the Union troops on the
rebels entrenohed position at Cold ii ar Dor.
aud together with the other troops, met
with bloody repulse. On the night of
the goth and morning of the 2lst of May q
portion Ol tEo ARMY OF the J3Uoe were &C.
cupied In an expedition 20 take possession
OF u point on the north bank of the james
river at Deep Bottom. The troops COM
prisinc the expedition were tiOatet down
the James river TO a point near Four Mile
creek and made successful landing
laid the pontOon bridge crossed the
artillery and infantry with such
secrecy and so quietly as To have COM
pletely surprised the enemy and were emil
nently successful IN every respect estab-
lishing foothold and subsequent base of
supplies about eight miles from Richmond
which point all Subsequent movements
against the rebel capital from the north
side of the James were made, and the posi-
tion was successfully held. with the assist
anco of the gallant navy. against repeated
and deperate assaults of the enemy to cap.
ture il.
He concluded by saying: 1T is useless
and u waste OF time TO enumerate all tho
engagements and campaigns In which the
Army OF the James was actively engaged.
Among them may mention the siege. the
assault and final capture of Petersburg and
Richmond. the capture of Fort Fisher and
the pursuit and capture of Appomatt0x.
These were among the closing scenes in
the eventful career of the Army of the
James. Some troops may have accom-
plIshed more, but few saw and endured
more h8rdships. and fatigue. anu expos
ure than the troops of the Tenth.
Eighteenth. Twenty fourth and Twenty
fifth corps. composing tue Army OF the
James
Lang's orchestra followed with some
stirring orchestral music. after which little
q recitation. exoellentiy rendered for girl