Waterbury evening Democrat., 1904-10-24


 as September. One Badger regiment, the Second, whose men lorded 1t some what over their fellows because they had been all through Bull Run and, despite fairly heavy losses, retired in good order-had even obtained the quaint, stiff, Kossuth hat, looped up on one side and garnished with cord and brasses and feathers-the headgear of the regulars at the time-and were dubbed the "Black Hats" by envious comrades of other commands. Their original field officers had disappeared somewhere about the time of that ini- . tial battle, and in their place had come stocky little black-bearded West Pointer as colonel, with most sol- dierly ex-captain of state militia as his second, and then the whole brigade had to be fitted out with white gloves. and some nearby regulars were de- tailed to show them how best to polish their belts and boxes, and great was the competition among the four regf- ments to win the honor of headquar- ters guard and orderlies.
 Then, as freezing weather set in with December and it became possible for carriages to come pumping and sway ing over the icy powders and ridges into which the almost liquid mud had been transformed, many generals of rank, and statesmen by the score, and even the president himself, began pay ing visits to Arlington and bringing curious and distinguished foreigners with them.
 There was one visitor who could not come too often. He came, however, only twice or thrice. He never left his carriage, but sat there lounging comfortably on the back seat, usually with Secretary Seward by his side, just as he used to come to nearer Kalo- rama, and. after he had chatted with the general while. he would drive through the regimental camps to re- ceive the tumultuous greeting of "the boys" to wave his hat and smile at them. and sometimes, when they crowded about him. to stop and shake hands with the nearmost, and once or twice to tell some whimsical story that would set his hearers shouting with glee.
 But if the rugged features beamed with kindliness and sympathy early in the December days and had ever a smile in return for the greeting of the shouting boys in blue, senior officers who best knew him became aware of a growing anxiety and impatience on his part ere Christmas came in, and the crowded camps were jubilant with feasting and good cheer. The beloved little commanding general had been taken ill with fever and confined to his bed. The president to whom he owed his appointment had as yet no information as to that generals plans, and, strange as it may seem, the two or three men in his. McClellan's. con- fidence were strangers at the white house and the departments. When, 1 in his anxiety and sympathy, the pres ident called in person at the invalid's { house, he was neither asked to the bed- side nor given information as to when the general, would be able to resume duty As consequence the president had to turn to other sources. and Fred's division commander, McDowell was the first he sought. He was for ever asking questions as to the con- dition of the roads, the possibility of moving guns and trains, and, showing not little eagerness when told that through January. at least, they ought to be hard and firm. but rough.
 And yet, save for more drills and ceremonies. and in spite of the clamo1 of the nation, the press and the gov ernment, the army moved not, and the fine weather of December was gone and January came, and stories went from fire to fire that the president and the people had become irritated at the long delay, and that Little Mac was being urged and importuned and ever blamed. Let Little Mac alone" saie 1 the boys. ''He knows what he's about" for even in their impatiencs l nothing could shake their loyalty.
 At last the president took the law into his hands and issued his first or, der directing the advance of an army in the field. And at last, it's corps or, ganization completed now-thougl with generals not of McClellans choice l ito the glorious music of the innumer t aDl0 DduQS, III SplSAuIu WGdIHCT anu II 1 splendid spirits, the long blue columns filed out from the shelter of the cir cling Notifications and took the roae to Centreville.
 Promotion had by this time carried Fred's division commander to the heat
 of corps and his brigade commando
 to the head of the fine division, il l which until now the wild western
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