The National tribune., 1895-04-25

flrSb DrlgaQe-cln, ilst, anu oCbH
n. Y. Militia; Second Brigade-13th
and 2Sth n. Y. Militia; Third Brigade
23d, SD, and 56th n. Y. Militia ;
Fourth Brigade-11th, 22d, and 37th
n. Y. Militia; Fifth Brigade-2Sth, SD,
and 33d Pa. Militia; Sixth Brigade
9th and 31st Pa. Militia; two compa-
nies of cavalry; Landis's battery, six
pieces, and Miller's battery, four pieces.
This was an aggregate Of 6,723 men
and 10 pieces of artillery.
We proceeded joyfully from Boones-
boro to Frederick, distance Of % miles,
on one Of the hottest days in that hot
month of July. At Frederick we were
detained a whole day without proper
rations, awaiting transportation. They
finally packed us in freight cars, and we
arrived in New York on July Is, being
enthusiastically received by the author
ities and our friends; but we were not
allowed to go to our homes, but were
kept under arms at our armory for fear
of the renewal of the draft riots. The
next day we were sent to the State Arse
nal and then to the Reservoir, where we
did guard duty until Aug l, when we
were finally discharged and mustered
out of the United States service.
And so ended our short but
VIGOROUS CAMPAIGN.
Every credit is due to those citizens of
New York who, at moments notice,
left their offices, banks, stores and work
shops Bidding good-by to family and
friends, in a few hours were on their way
to help drive back the rebel hordes that
had invaded Pennsylvania. These citi-
zen soldiers were fully uniformed at
their Own expense, as the State had not
as yet adopted the measure of furnishing
militia with uniforms. They spent much
of their private means for subsistence
and supplies that the Government, in
the excitement of the time, could not
supply at once and on demand.
The advance force of Gen. Smith
the 22d and 37th n. Y. S. NJ, of which
this sketch is mostly history-had left
their tents and supplies at Bridgeport ON
the morning Of june %, when they went
on a reconnaissance, expecting TO return,
but they were ordered On, and these tents
and camp equipage did not reach us
again until we were about to return to
New York on July IL.
1t had been a 80 days campaign of a
constant, active movement; it was march
and march; every day day of excite
ment and skirmishing. We did not
cover many miles in day, for the ma
ture-of the roads on the South Mountain
would not admit of it-in fact, most
Of the roads were mere paths of mud
and stone. At night these citizen sol
diers lay down to sleep in mud and rain
LIKE VETERANS,
and many of them were, having had ex-
perience in 1861 and 1862; and within
a few months many of them had enlisted
again and gone to the front to take part
in the Wilderness, Petersburg and Ap-
pomattox.
All the Union troops of whatever
branch of service are deserving of the
greatest honom in helping to achieve
the glorious victory Of immortal Gettys
burg, the great battle that demonstrated
that the Union soldier was at least
the equal in bravery and proves with
his Confederate brethren. And Gettys-
burg was the beginning Of the end.
In fact, many now believe that the
rebellion should have been finished there
and then, and that the whole Of Lees
army should have been destroyed. capt
ured, or dispersed; and had our Gen.
erals the knowledge then as they have
now of the weakness of the rebels they
would have pushed the pursuit more
vigorously and destroyed them before
they could have fortified at Williams
port, and thus keep us at bay until they
crossed the Potomac again. But, how
ever the opinions may be, Lee was al
lowed to run away and to fight several
more severe battles.
The Government at the time acknowl-
edged the meritorious services of these
emergency troops, as can be seen by the
following order:
WAR DEPARTMENT. !
ADJUTAHT-GEHERAL's OFFICE,
WASHINGTON, ID. C., June %, 1853.
General Order, No l59.
The Adjntant- General will provide oppro-
pirate medal of honor for the troops who. after
the expiration OF their term, have offered their
services 10 the Government in the present
emergency. and also for the volunteer troops
from other States that have volunteered their
temporary services in the State of Pennsylva-
nia and Maryland.
BY order Of the Secretary OF War.
+. ID. TOWNSEND,
Assistant Adjutant-General.
In accordance with this promise, the
Committee on Military Affairs of the
House of Representatives at the last
session reported favorably resolution
requesting the President to have such
medal made and presented to the sur
viving members Of the troops designated,
about 10000. The report Of the com
mittee came up for adoption, but some
objection being made TO Its considera-
ton at that time, it went over, and was
on the calendar Of the House when Con-
crroee og;ourynd L. a. 20 la lo,,ol .I,o.