The Somerset reporter., 1903-12-03
For the REPORTER.
The Great Review.

Nov. 20, 1861, Il years ago, occurred
the first general review Of the A my II
the Potomac, after General Me leIlAu
had taken command. II went 700 hi =
tory as 1.-THE great review and took
place at Bailey's cross roads about Fix
miles from Alexandra. The fl i'd wa-
well adapted for the purpose, giving
ample space for the movement Of a large
body OF troops. With the exception Il
the picket lines and camp guards the
entire army was ordered to concentrate
at this point and early in the morning
the divisions OF infantry, cavalry and
artillery were moving deliberately and
msjestically toward the great plain
where they were to display 10 assembled
thousands their military discipline ana
solderly bearing.
The first men Of the nation were there.
The president, members Of the cabinet,
senators, representatives, governors, Ill
came to see the largest body Of soldier
that previous to that time had ever been
marshalled on ole field in this country.
In round numbers there were preseLt
20 900 infantry, 1000 cavalry ana 20
batteries OF artillery. Ia order to uti.-
ze all the space possible the troops were
formed in close column by divisions.
which means that in each regiment TWO
companies tormed IN lines, making five
lines so compact that there was no waste
space. IL was my good fortune TO lie
10 the front rank of the first column and
was not over two rods from the officers
IN RI fArf ,isof,s ,frr44 H..
the lines to review the troops. First
came President Lincoln aud Gen. Nc
Clellan riding side by side, the pres.-
dents tall, bending form contrasting
greatly from the thick-set and well
rounded form Of the commander in chief
Mcclellan was superb rider and sat
upon his horse like a knight OF old,
while Lincoln appeared awkward and
not in the least at home on horse back.
But they were both grand men and not
a soldier in that mighty host looked
upon them with aught but the highest
love and respect. Following the presi-
dent and Mcclellan came the division
commanders, staff officers, aids, order
lies and civilians. After riding the Ell
tire lines they returned and taking q
position on slight eminence awaited
the army TO pass 10 review. The infan-
try took the lead, followed by the cav.
airy and artillery. II required three
hours to pass given point, marching at
rapid pace and in compact lines. After
the review was over the different com.
mands returned to their respective
camps, hungry and wearIed because OF
the long days marching and standing
which always accompanied a review.
We wonder as we look back over
these forty-two years what proportion
of these 1000 men, then in the pride
and strength of early manhood, are liv
ing. We should say not over one fourth
and possibly less than that number
The army at that early date had moi
been organized into corps, but all the
division commanders are gone. Gen
John Sedgwick, afterward killed in bat.
tie at the head of the sixth corps, wa.
in command of our brigade, consisting
of the 81 and 4th Maine, Ssh and 40tt
New York. Gen. S. P. Heintz lemap
who was In command of the Sd corp.
during the Peninsular campaign, led oui
division. Gen. o. O. Howard had q
brigade In that review and | do moi
know Of any other brigade commander
now living. Thus are the veterans Of
the civil war passing away.
S. F. EMERSON