The National tribune., 1901-07-25

particular messes donned the most pecu-
liar cognomens The Cow Bell" or
Our Mess situated in Co. Cs Street,
was the headquarters of the wags and
practical jokers. There Capt. Madigan
fiourished, wit and every inch a gentle
man; brave soldier, who perished gal
lantly lighting, at the battle of the Chick
ahominy.
Madigan was a punster and n vocalist;
could tell pleasrn = story, or perpetrate i
good joke. He wds greatly beloved by
his brother officers, and his death, noble
and patriotic though it was, filed them
with profound sorrow.
Lieut.. Ned McSweeney was another
member of the Cow Bella dashing,
handsome young oficer-and the life of
our circle. lie fell bravely fighting at
Malvern Hill. His name is well pre-
served in the regiment, and he will ever
be remembered for his genial qualities.
Lieut.. John Rafferty,, as brave, gener-
Gus, OTen-hearted n man as ever drew
sword, often made the Cow Bell' ring
with laughter at his quaint humor and
pleasant stories. He was full of eccen-
tric notions. He, too, is with the gallant
dead-struck down i'll his prime, in the
midst of battle, ut Malvern Hill; but he
leaves behind him u memory which Is
proudly cherished by his comrades, who
mourn his glorious, but, alas! too speedy
end.
The furious battles of the Peninsula
depleted many Il joyful mess, left many
vacant chair. The tent that resounded
with jocund mirth tonight would be 81
lent and lonely tomorrow.
Among the men, some OF the tents re-
joiced in names expressive, humorous, and
even diabUlical.-
One company had, among others, one
called The Devils Kitchen" and from
the loud conyiviality which at times ema-
mated from it, we would almost conclude
that his Satanic majesty was the presl-
dent of the assembage.
One of the many comical characters at
tached to our regiment was Balls Hamil-
tCn:" and he indeed, was cOmical guy.
When he first called on Capt Madigan, he
stated to him that he had been told that
he Capt. Nadigan) commanded the col
Ored" company, and that he was desirous
of being servant to the commander. Mad
igan told him that he did indeed command
the color company and if he wished to
join he might do 50. first getting the con-
sent OF the Chaplain, whose servant he
BALLS then was.
Balls was too comical character for
the worthy father, and he readily gained
his consent to attach himself to the col
orcd company"
Great was Hamilton's astonishment
when he found the members of the "col-
ored company" were as white as the rest
of the regiment. The reader will readily
understand the black boys mistake; the
company always carried the coiors of the
regiment, and were therefore called the
color" company. Hamilton, however,
soon recovered from his disappointment.
We afterwards christened him "TousSaint
I.Ouverture;" in fact, we imagined him ii
fair resemblance of that distinguished
character. Mr.. Balls Hamilton re-
mained with the mess a long time. He
was originally hired as cook in which
capacity he ofIiciated for a few days. and
was so remarkably expeditions in his
profession that we concluded it would be
preferable to detail white man to sup
ply his place. This was done; and in a
few DAYS Balls proved himself more
competent to superintend the white cook
than to perform the labors himself.
Poor Madigau! How he would make
that old mess tent ring with the favOrite
drinking song
.'Come, let every old bachelor fill up his
Vive Ia compagnie!
And drink to the health of his favorite
Vive la compagniei
Then rolled out medley of voices
'Yive la, viye la, viye ramour,
Vive famour,
Vive Famour,
Nive la compagniep
We cannot look back upon the history
of Our regiment without recalling these
pleasant scenes.
The few that remain Of our original
regiment will look back with emotion to
the hills of Arlington, where they grad
uated as soldiers, and from whence they
went forth TO work out their desperate
and bloody future upon the Peninsula, |
where among the great of the magnificent
Army of the Potomac, they were held |
in warm esteem, and always occupied the
front position.
There we received from the boys of the |
Eliot School that distinguished mark of |
their young regard-the National flag
which led us into every battle we were
engaged in on the Peninsula, and in de
Tending which many standard bearers fell |
it always ffuttered proud |
ly in front of the fight, side by side with |
our Irish green" If our gallant fellows |
faltered before the desperate onslaught of
the enemy, the cry, Rally round the |
and, with Il genuine Irish cheer, they |
would dash down upon the foe, hurting |
him back with superhuman strength.
ORGANIZATION OF THE ARMY.
The organization of the Army of the |
IOtO1nac was c0InmenceQ at Arlington, IN |
and around which the grand army" was
under the military supervision |
Of Gen. George 4. Mcclellan. Order |
came from chaos; brigades, divisions and |
grand divisions spranS into existence, and |
with them the different departments nee
assary 10 pay, clothe and feed them. The |
grand army, though thus divided, was as |
a unit in all military manuvers; like |
ponderOus machine of innuInernble parts, |
Il was so cleyerly united, that, by the will |
Of one, the whole of the immense fabric |
could be moved; and this stupendous work
Of military genius was but the labor of
l few weeks; for Gen. Mcclellan soon I'M
derStOOd the qualities OF the men at his
disposal He found intelligence, patriot
ism and military ardor; his wishes were
his plans Of organization rap
dly effected; and soon. very soon, he had
the qualification Of presenting to the peo-
pie of America that mighty indicator of
heir power, the grand army of the Po-
.omac."
This achieved, brigade drills and bri-
sade division reviews became the order
IF the day, and gradually the perfection
1f military discipline was attained; the
rough wheels of the machine became pol
shed, and soon the gigantic fabric moved
with surprising accuracy and unequaled
success. At the reviews Gen. Mcclellan
was usually present, and was always re-
,eived with wild enthusiasm. We shall
leyer forget the grand review of the whole
lrmy, which took place at Bailey's Cross
roads, about two miles from Arlington
flights, in August, 1861. 1t was a most
magnificent sight Nearly 100,0 men
were under arms with heads erect their