The National tribune., 1901-07-25

toned near the mouse OF the w lSnlnStOn
banker, Corcoran, large and splendid
mansion, on the right of Emmart's farm,
in semi-circle of dense woods; and never
was wood more thoroughly searched than
that one, which daily underwent a clean
securing, the commanders of regiments, in
the innocence of inexperience, thinking II
the secret depository of rebel guns, and
the general headquarters Of the big spirits
of the rebellioni
The residents in that vicinity treated
our soldiers with the greatest kindness;
and. in return, their property was care
fully guarded, and their rights. as citizens
duly respected. One of the principle rea-
sons which led us to suspect the near
vicinage of traitors, was the shooting of
two of the New York Fire ZOuave regi-
ment, which occurred near the house Of
Mr.. Corcoran. 1t was afterwards aScer-
tanned that they had been committing
deprg, u tonS on the property one night,
and Tx. owner, not knowing them To be
soldiers, shot them-a fate which they
richly merited.
One morning. shortly after the arrival
of the regiments at EmmartS farm, an
officer waS, with his company, engaged IN
drill, and in passing belt Of woods, two
two of the men fell one wounded in the
leg. and the other in the shoulder. Two
men were sent into the woods, but soon
returned, stating that they could see no
one, and giving it as their opinion that the
shots had come from the other side of the
wood from the camp of the 9th \. \.
(GermanS), who were out at target prac-
tice. As this seemed the most reasonable
view to be taken of the case, the officer
marched his company back to camp, and
reported the affair to the Colonel. But
Col CaSs would not divest his mind of the
idea that the shots had been fired by rebel
scouts, and as the Colonel was looked
upon by the regiment as the embodiment
of military wisdom, his opinion was ia
vorably received, and caused considerable
excitement. Before we left that camp,
however, the Colonel was compelled to ac-
knowledge that if we desired TO find rebels
We must move forward several miles
across the Potomac, and picket the
enemy's teTritOry-a movement we shortly
afterwards made.
The monotony of our life at Emmart's
farm was soon destined to be relieved,
for, upon the evening of July 90 1861,
orders reached our camp for the troops to
be in readiness TO move at Il moments
notice, with three days ratiOns in our
haversacks. OrderiieS and staff officers
could be seen riding rapidly in the diree-
tiOn of every regiment i'll our vicinity, and
very large force was encamped immedi-
ateiy around, for hours before we received
our marching CEders. Regiment after regi-
ment were under arms, and soon detiling
past our camp-Stately columns so soon
to be suEdered, broken, and beaten; fresh,
noble soldiers, soon TO be weary, diSpirited,
and defeated-passed Us all the afternoon,
and the last regiment we saw march away
was the I'd n. IL.
la gFopr. Tv~Q- riff Htrifh rs1rrF A
great battle was soon TO be fought, or
was already in progress. Little we knew
that the terrible and disastrous field of
Bull Run was already lost to our arms,
and that our magnificent legions were
even then flying before 4 victorious foe.
Rapidly the ID y. II. deiied from the
camp, ard the sun was already disappear
ing behind the hills when the left of the
regiment passed from view. AnxiouSly
the 9TH, standing armed and equipped in
their company streets, awaited the order
to march. Our fellows seemed animated
with deep enthusiasm; an intense long
ing to meet the foe peryaded their breasts.
Their uOstrils seemed TO scent the blood
of their dying coUntrymen, as it poured
vainly on the battlefield; and yet this en-
thusIasm was not vented in shouts and
cheers, but exhibited in the alaCrity which
animated their movements; in the firm,
solid grasp Of their weapons; in the rapid
obedience to orders as rapidly given; in
the patience with which, when everything
was ready, they awaited the order to
move. Night was upon us when the order
came, 1t was received with one wild, ring
ing cheer. and in another moment the
shadowy outline of the soldiers could be
seen moving swiftly from the camp. We
marched fast until late into the night
with the full conviction that ON the NOR
row we should fght-when suddenly
TyH "a hRF4 10. 4 1.
sired to speak 10. Col. CasS.
The result Of this communication was
that the regiment -'about-faced," and we
marched back TO our old camp by the light
of the moon, filled with chagrin and disap-
pointment. The regiment was then formed
in square, and Col. Cass expressed to them
his heartiest approval and the pride he
felt in commanding such men, whose Glac-
sity and enthusiasm in marching TO the
field verified his most sanguine expecta-
tons. The regiment was then marched
TO quarters, and in a little while the whole
command was buried in sleep. The regi-
ments which had marched away earlier
in the day did not return. Had Col. Cass
received the order a few hours earlier,
tie 9Th would have been precipitated into
the disastrous battle Of Bull Run. and
though they might have shared the general
defeat, they would have valiantIy re-
spOnded 10 the despairing cry Of the inn
mortal GJth: Where is the Irish Niuth?"
The gloomy morning Of Monday, July
%, broke upon Us. The sky, heavy and
dark with clouds. opened its reservoirs of
rain, which poured down without cessa-
ton, everything around looking dark and
dismal. The rain pattcred down-upon our
canvas houses until the very sound be
came irkSOme; as a relief, we went out
into the storm, and after getting well sat
urated, visited the quarters of Lieut.. To-
bin, and in company with him and Capt
hadigan, went down TO the camp lately
occupied by the I'd y. II.
We expected to see no one there, and
were surprised when we learned that
Capt. s. and some other officers Of that
regiment had just arrived. We called at
his quarters, and there learned OF the ter
rlbie defeat our arms had experienced
Capt. =. gave US q detailed account Of
that most fearful rOut, and portrayed, in
graphic language, the terrible scenes TO
be witnessed On the road TO CentorVile
and toward WaShingtOn-wagOn trains
deserted and destroyed; supplies of all
KINDS recklcSsly Hung away; wounded
men stretched about on every hand, under
the furious pelting Of the pitiless storm.
no one 10 care for them; fugitives, half
clad, without muskets or equipments Of
any kind, their faces expressing the terror
that ran riot in their hearts; weapons,
whole and broken, lying by the roadside,
the only idea animating- the flying and
frightened men being escape from the vic
tors-the broken wagons and dead horses
pointing the road TO the Capital. In Wash
ingtOn itself the excitement was fearful
the inhabitants fleeing 10 every place of