CHAPTER IV.

 

TENALLYTOWN-PIERPONT-DRANESVILLE.

 

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Camp instructions--General intelligence of the men-Position of the Reserve Corps--Alarms-Picket firing-Desire to meet the enemy in battle--The enemy driven from Upton's Hill--Grand Review by Presi­dent Lincoln and General McClellan--General McCall's order-Resignation of Captain McPherson--A negro informs General McCall of the approach of the enemy--Lieutenants Fisher and Wonderly detailed for duty in Signal Corps--Condition, strength and discipline of the Reserve Corps--The enemy reported to be advancing--Attack on pickets at Great Falls--Presentation of colors by Governor Curtin--Organization of brigades--Report on condition of the division--Colonel Magilton­ Advance into Virginia--Order of march--Langley-McCall's division the right of the army--Disasters in other divisions--The Reserves always successful--Reconnoissance to Dranesville--Ball's Bluff--Colonel Taggart tried by Court Martial--Reconnoissance to Gunnell's farm- -Cavalry reconnoissance to Dranesville--Battle of Dranesville--Mc Call's official report--Letter from Secretary Cameron--Governor Curtin goes to Camp Pierpont.

 

AT Tenallytown, General McCall established his com­mand in pleasant camps, and instructed the field officers to use all possible diligence in familiarizing their regiments with the battalion drill, and to teach the men the manual and the use of arms. The officers organized classes for mutual instruction in military tactics and army regulations. In these, all questions pertaining to military science were freely discussed, and points in doubt were referred to the officers who had graduated in the military academy at West Point, or to the commanding general. The zeal to acquire a knowledge of military duties and movements manifested by the officers, was equalled only by their efforts to instruct their men in the drills, the duties and the conduct of a soldier. Never, perhaps, was there so general a diffusion of intellience, extending through all the com-

 

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panies of a division of an army, as was the case in the Reserve Corps. A large number of students from colleges, academics, normal and high schools, many teachers in the public schools and in the higher institutions of learning, professional student, physicians, lawyers and preachers, were found, not only as officers, but in the ranks, associated with young men of equal intelligence. There were ser­geants who, but for their uniforms, might have been mis­taken for generals, and privates fit to command brigades. To make soldiers of citizens like these was not a didicult task. To command companies, regiments, brigades and divi­sions composed of men of so much intelligence, required officers possessing much executive ability and a thorough knowledge of the rights, privileges and duties of both officers and privates.

General W. F. Smith's division of the Army of the Potomac occupied a position on the Potomac river at the chain bridge; General McCall was ordered to form on the right of Smith's division with the Reserves. Sinith's regiments beyond the bridge, on the south side of the river, frequently came in contact with the enemy's pickets, and, in the exchange of shots, some of the men in his command were wounded. The reports of these encounters, repeated in the camps of the Reserve regiments, excited in the men a desire to cross the river and exchange the monotonous rounds of their picket duty for the more exciting lines of their associates on their left. On several occasions, the reports brought in induced the belief that the enemy was preparing to make an assault on Smith's lines, for the pur­pose of destroying the chain bridge and severing the right wing from the centre of the army. The Reserve Corps was called to arms, to await orders to march to the relief of Smith's division, if it should be attacked by a superior force. Twice they were marched out a short distance from camp, but were disappointed by being ordered to return to their quarters, without having soon the enemy. The day before the evacuation of Upton's Hill by tho rebels, a plan

 

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had been matured to capture it, in which the Reserves were to take an important part. On the night chosen for the attack, the troops were ordered under arms, and the whole command put iii readiness to march to the assault; but, about the time they were to leave camp, it was discovered that the enemy had evacuated the position i». precipitous haste, in order to escape the attack, of which be had been advised by the traitorous citizens, who, through the mis­placed confidence of a Government too generous to be severe, had been allowed to remain at their homes, within the lines of the National army.

On the 20th of August, the regiments were temporarily organized into two brigades. The First regiment of infantry, commanded by Colonel Roberts; the Second regiment, Colonel Mann; the Third regiment, Colonel Sickel ; the Fourth regiment, Colonel March; the Sixth regiment, Colonel Ricketts, and the Eighth regiment, Colonel Harvey; and battery A, commanded by Captain Easton; battery 13, Captain Cooper; battery D, Captain Flood, and battery F, Captain Matthews, were constituted the First brigade. The four batteries of artillery were commanded by Major Danforth.

The Fifth regiment of infantry, commanded by Colonel Simmons ; the Seventh regiment, Colonel Hays; the Ninth regiment, Colonel Jackson; the Tenth regiment, Colonel McCalmont; the Eleventh regiment, Colonel Gallagher; the Twelfth regiment, Colonel Taggart, and the Thirteenth regiment, Colonel Biddle; and battery C, commanded by Captain Simpson; battery E, Captain Barr; battery G, Captain West, and battery H, Captain Brady, were organ­ized into the Second brigade. The regiment of cavalry commanded by Colonel Bayard, remained unattached to either of the brigades.

On the 21st of August, the regiments of the corps, that had reached the camp at Tenallytown, were passed in review before the President of the United States and General McClellan, who had, a short time before that, been assigned

 

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to the command of the Army of the Potomac. After the review, General McCall issued the following order

" Soldiers of the Pennsylvania Reserves ! This day must be recognized as a propitious inauguration of your future mili­tary history. You have this day passed under the scrutin­izing inspection of the Commanding General of the Army of tile Potomac, in whose ability to successfully prosecute this war, the confidence of the country is reposed. You have passed in review before the President of the United States and his cabinet; both the General and the President have expressed to me their most unqualified approbation of your soldier-like appearance in review, and of the discipline thus manifestly shown to exist in the corps.

"It now rests with you, officers of the Pennsylvania Reserves, to carry out to perfection the work so well begun. Upon you devolves the care of your men; let that be unre­mitting. Let every attention to their wants, temper the rigid discipline necessary to the formation of a soldier, and with one heart we will uphold the flag of our State, and place her name among the foremost in the cause of our common country."

On the 21st of August, Captain Edward McPherson resigned his commission as captain of company Ii, First regiment, to take effect on the last day of that month. The people of the Seventeenth Congressional District of 1'enusyl­vania had chosen Captain McPherson to be their represen­tative in Congress, and earnestly desired him to take his seat in the House, at the opening of the session in December. Believing that he could not, without a violation of law, be mustered into the service of the United States, and at the same time hold his seat in Congress, he resigned Ills com­mission in the company; subsequently, he was appointed a volunteer aid on the staff of General McCall. His company parted with him reluctantly, and at a meeting, the men passed resolutions expressive of regret at his departure, and of respect for his ability as an officer and character as a gentleman.

 

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Lieutenant John F. Bailey assumed command of McPher­son's company, and on the 2d of September was promoted to the captaincy.

On the 28th of August, General McCall addressed a note to General McClellan, in which he stated that he had posted a detachment of cavalry and a battery of artillery at Great Falls, and that a report, just received from the officer in command, informs him that, at five o'clock on the previous evening, the enemy fired on his pickets at Sand Ferry; also, that later, a negro appeared at the water edge on the oppo­site side of the river, bearing a white flag, and said " a large force of the enemy bad just encamped half a mile from the river." The officer adds: " We have heard their drums and seen their fires." The report of the negro was in a short time verified by scouts sent out from the headquarters of the army.

The regiments in camp were ordered to be in readiness to march to the relief of the out-post at Great Falls, should the enemy attempt to cross the river. Finding, however, that the fords were guarded, the enemy's force retired without making any further demonstrations.

Lieutenant Benjamin F. Fisher, of company H, and Lieu­tenant David Wonderly, company K, of the Third regiment, having been thoroughly examined as to their qualifications, were, on the 29th of August, detailed on duty in the Signal Corps. These officers subsequently rose to great distinction in the signal service, and were attached to the headquarters of the army.

In a report of the condition, strength and discipline of the command, made on the 2d of September, 1861, to General McClellan, commanding the Army of the Potomac, General McCall says:

The First regiment, Colonel R. Biddle Roberts, reports an aggregate of nine hundred and twenty men; two of the companies are below the minimum standard of number; all are armed with the old altered flint­lock musket, against which the feelings of prejudice and distrust are almost universal. The flank companies have been promised the Belgian rifle, within a short period.

 

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The Third regiment, Colonel Horatio G: Sickel, is armed with the modern musket; the flank companies having rifles. The aggregate number on the rolls is eight hundred and ninety-seven men. An officer has been detailed to recruit. The men are well equipped, and the con­dition of the regiment is good.

The Fourth regiment, Colonel Robert G. March, with an aggregate list of eight hundred and forty-seven men, is variously armed; the flank companies have rifles; company lit, has the Harper's Ferry musket; the other companies, the old altered flint-lock musket. This regiment, when encamped near Baltimore, was drilled in street firing to the neglect of the battalion drill, which is now being steadily practiced.

The Fifth regiment, Colonel S. G. Simmons, numbering nine hun­dred and thirty-two men, is armed with the Springfield rifles and Har­per's Ferry muskets. The colonel complains of the uniform as being inferior, and reports that there is need of full equipments of regular uni­form. He has not yet drawn overcoats. His regiment is very well drilled.

The Sixth regiment, Colonel W. W. Rickets, numbers nine hun­dred and fifty-four men. An officer will leave to-morrow on recruiting service. Some of the companies have rifles; the others the Harper's Ferry muskets; one hundred and sixteen members of this regiment are sick. Most of the cases are of typhoid fever, the type of which is becoming milder ; the fever is attributed to the unhealthiness of their location when encamped around Washington City. The colonel and lieutenant-colonel are both disabled by sickness. The regiment is very well drilled.

The Seventh regiment, Colonel E. B. Harvey, is performing picket duty at Great Falls. It numbers nine hundred and two men, and is armed with improved rifles and muskets. The internal condition of the regiment is good. It is very well drilled.

The Eighth regiment, Colonel George L. Hays, numbers eight hun­dred and ninety men, armed with rifles and muskets of improved patterns. An officer is out recruiting for it. The men are well equipped and well drilled.

The Ninth regiment, Colonel Jackson, lacks sixty-three men of its complement. Company A, has Sharp's breach-loading rifles without bayonets, which were furnished by the men. Company B, has Spring­field rifle muskets; the other companies have the altered flint-locks. The men have no overcoats, and the colonel says, that after sending several requisitions for them, to Harrisburg, he, this morning, sent one to the proper bureau in Washington. They are also short of blankets. The colonel reports, that the men have great distrust of their guns, and that that will be a source of weakness in case of active operations. The drill and discipline are very good.

The Tenth regiment, Colonel John S. McCalmont, have the altered flint-lock, except the flank companies, which have rifles. Complaint is

 

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made that requisitions for overcoats and blankets have not been filled. The regiment consists of nine hundred and fifty-two officers and men. It is well drilled.

The Eleventh regiment, Colonel T. F. Gallagher, nine hundred and forty-two strong, is armed with the altered flint-locks, except the flank companies,, which have rifles. The supply of blankets cover the origi­nal number of men enlisted, but recruits are unsupplied. The members of this regiment have great aversion to their old muskets. They are very well drilled.

The Twelfth regiment consists of nine companies, with a total of eight hundred and sixty-two men; the flank companies have the Minnie rifles, and the other seven, the Harper's Ferry muskets. There are several vacancies in the company officers, caused by resignation and sickness, which impairs the efficiency of the regiment.

Captain Easton's battery consists of four guns, two of which are twelve pounders, and two are twenty-four pounders. Captain Cooper has four guns, of which two are six pounders, James' rifled, and two are six pounder smooth-bore ; a section of this battery is on detached duty at Great Falls. Captain Matthew's battery consists of four guns, six pounders.

In addition, there is a company of cavalry from New York, attached to the brigade. It consists of seventy-five men.

The aggregate force of the brigade is not up to the maximum fixed bylaw, but the work of recruiting is going on. The command is in good condition, The sick list is larger than at any former period, being five hundred and ninety-eight out of an aggregate of ten thousand four hundred and sixty-five; of the sick nine are commissioned officers, and seventy-three non-commissioned officers. The proportion of deaths is small. The discipline of the camp is good, the absentees few, and the promptness, whenever in the discharge of duty, commendable.

 

Information was received from General Smith, that the enemy was moving to the right and would appear in force on the river. To meet this movement, General McCall issued an order to his command; early in the morning of the 4th of September, to be in readiness to move at a moment's notice, with two clays' cooked rations in their haversacks. A despatch from General McClellan was read at dress parade, which informed General McCall, that he would cer­tainly be attacked within forty-eight hours. The officers and men received the report with joy and exultation; they put themselves in readiness for battle and impatiently waited for the order to march. The Seventh regiment with a de­-

 

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tachment of cavalry and a section of artillery, was sent to Great Falls on the 24th of August, and remained there guarding the fords. Several times during the week, the pickets were fired on by the enemy's scouts, but with no effect. At half-past eight o'clock on the morning of the 4th of September, the enemy opened on the picket station with two twenty-four pound howitzers, and three rifled carrion, from the Virginia side of the river. The section of artillery was at once trained on the enemy, the distance, however, being beyond the range of the guns, the shots fell short of the enemy's position. Colonel Harvey immediately reported the facts to General McCall, who sent forward two Whit­worth rifle guns of great range, and the Eighth regiment of infantry, to support the Seventh. The enemy, however, after throwing about fifty shells, without doing any damage, ceased firing at eleven o'clock and withdrew frorn the river. The reinforcements were ordered back to camp, where, with their companions, they grieved because all prospects of a battle had now vanished.

The Reserves constructed a square redoubt at Tenally­town, mounting twelve guns, which was named Fort Penn­sylvania; they also built two lunettes and named them Fort Gaines and Fort Cameron; these works formed part of the fortifications for the .defense of Washington.

On the 10th of September, Governor Curtin, presented to the regiments of the Reserve Corps, the stands of colors provided in accordance with a resolution passed by the Legislature of Pennsylvania, appropriating funds donated by the " Cincinnati Society" of Philadelphia, for the purchase of flags for the Pennsylvania volunteer regiments. The ceremonies of the presentation were the most imposing that, up to that time, had been witnessed in the army. The regi­ments were formed at nine o'clock in the morning, on the division parade-ground, in the following order, commencing on the right: The Fifth regiment, Colonel Simmons; the First regiment, Colonel Roberts- the Eighth regiment, Colo­nel Hays; the Third regiment, Colonel Sickel; the Seventh

 

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regiment, Colonel Harvey; the Eleventh regiment, Colonel Gallagher; the Tenth regiment, Colonel McCalmont; the Sixth regiment, Colonel Ricketts, and the Twelfth regiment Colonel Taggart. The Fourth regiment, Colonel March, gild the Ninth regiment, Colonel Jackson, were on picket duty. The Second regiment, Colonel Mann, and the Thirteenth regiment, Colonel Biddle, were in General Banks' army.

The color companies were formed in line in front, with the colonel of each regiment at the head of the company. The parade ground was surrounded by a line of guards to exclude the vast multitude of soldiers and civilians, that had collected to witness the presentation. At eleven o'clock, President Lincoln, accompanied by Honorable Simon Came­ron, Secretary of War, drove into the enclosure; a few minutes later General McClellan arrived, escorted by the McClellan Rifle Guards of Chicago, and accompanied by Adjutant-General Lorenzo Thomas, General Butler, and General Mansfield. Half an hour later, the sound of artil­lery, firing the appropriate salute, announced the arrival of His Excellency, the Governor of Pennsylvania. Governor Curtin, accompanied by the members of his staff, Surgeon­-General Henry H. Smith, Judge Maxwell, paymaster-gen­eral, and many distinguished citizens, soon appeared on the parade ground. Colonel Simmons, Fifth regiment, which had marched to Washington to escort the Governor to Tenallytown, moved into position at the right of the line, and General McCall reported his command in readi­ness to receive the colors. After receiving most cordial greetings from the President, the Secretary of War, the General-in-Chief, and the General Commanding, His Excel­lency, the Governor, proceeded to formally present the colors to the colonels of the several regiments, at the head of their color companies. Attended by his staff' and Gene­ral McCall, he commenced at the right of the line and placed in the hands of each colonel, the beautiful flag pro­vided by the State of Pennsylvania, saying at the same time, that he was authorized to do so by a recent Act of the

 

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Legislature. After having received the colors, the compa­nies wheeled by platoons and marched around the right and left of the line to the rear, and took their places in the line with their new colors unfurled to the breeze. The flags were made of blue silk, fringed with yellow; in the centre was embroidered the coat of arms of the State of Pennsylvania, surrounded by thirteen golden stars; the number of each regiment also, appeared on the flag it received. Having passed along the entire line and deliv­ered the badges of honor to the regiments, Governor Curtin returned to his carriage, and, standing upon the seat, thus addressed the soldiers

GENERAL MCCALL AND MEN OF PENNSYLVANIA :---Were it not for the surroundings, one might be struck by the novelty of this scene. Large assemblages of the people of Pennsylvania, on any occasion which calls them together for deliberation on subjects touching the general welfare and the public good, are always attended with a charm that fascinates. But when I look over the thousands of Pennsylvanians away from the soil of their State, in arms, there is inspiration in the occasion.

I came here to-day on a duty enjoined by the Legislature of Penn­sylvania. The remnant of the descendants of the heroes and sages of the Revolution, in the Keystone State, known as the Cincinnati Society, presented me with a sum of money to arm and equip the volunteers of Pennsylvania, who might go into public service in the present exigency.

I referred the subject to the Legislature. They instructed me to make these flags, and to pay for them with the money of the Cincin­nati Society. I have placed in the centre of the azure field the coat-of­arms of your great and glorious State, and around it a bright galaxy of stars. I give these flags to you to-clay, and I know you will carry them wherever you appear, in honor, and that the credit of the State will never suffer in your hands.

Our peaceful pursuits in Pennsylvania have been broken. Many of our people have abandoned those arts of industry which lead to development and progress, and have been forced to bear arms. They have responded to the call of the National Government, and while you are here in obedience to that call, your fellow-citizens at home are occupying the camps you have lately vacated. All our material wealth, and the life of every man in Pennsylvania, stands pledged to vindicate the right, to sustain the Government, and to restore the ascendancy of law and order. You are here for that purpose, with no hope of acquisition or vengeance, nor from any desire to be enriched by the shedding of blood. God forbid ! Our people are for peace.

 

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But if men lay violent hands on the sacred fabric of the Government, unjustly spill the blood of their brethren, and tear the sacred constitu­tion to pieces, Pennsylvania is for war-war to the death !

How is it, my friends, that we of Pennsylvania arc interrupted in our progress and development ? How is it that workshops are closed, and that our mechanical and agricultural pursuits do not secure their merited reward ? It is because folly, fanaticism, rebellion, murder, piracy, and treason prevail over a portion of this land; and we are here to-clay to vindicate the right, to sustain the. Government, to defend the Constitution, and to shed the blood of Pennsylvanians, if it need be, to produce this result.

It will do no harm to repeat here, in the presence of so many Pennsylvanians in arms, that in our State the true principles of human liberty were first promulgated to the world ; and there also the Con­vention met that framed the Constitution ; and Pennsylvania, loyal in the Revolution, now stands solidly and defiantly to arrest the treason and rebellion that would tear into pieces the sacred instrument of our Union of States.

My friends, one might regret to see so many men of Pennsylvania here in arms to-day. But there is a pleasure in the recollection that you have been willing to volunteer your services in the defence of the great principle of human liberty. Should the wrong prevail, , should treason and rebellion succeed, we have no government. Progress is stopped, civilization stands still, and Christianity in the world, for the time, must cease-cease forever. Liberty, Civilization and Christianity hang upon the result of this great contest.

God is for the truth and the right. Standby your colors, my friends, this day delivered to you, and the right will prevail. I present to you, to-day, as the representative of the people of Pennsylvania, these beautiful colors. I place in your hands the honor of your State. Thousands of your fellow-citizens at home, look to you to vindicate the honor of your great State. If you fail, hearts and homes will be made desolate. If you succeed, thousands of Pennsylvanians will rejoice over your success, and on your return, you will be hailed as heroes who have gone forth to battle for the right.

They follow you with their prayers. They look to you to vindicate a great Government, to sustain legitimate power, and to crush out rebellion. Thousands of your friends in Pennsylvania know of the presentation of these flags to-day; and I am sure, that I am authorized to say that their blessing is upon you.

May the God of Battles in His wisdom protect your lives, and may Right, Truth and Justice prevail.

 

General McCall responded

 

GOVERNOR CURTIN :---Permit me, in the name of the Pennsylvania Reserve Corps, to return, through your Excellency, to the State of our

 

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birth, the thanks with which we receive the splendid banners that, in accordance with an Act of the State Legislature, you have this day presented.

The bestowal of these noble banners devolves upon the regiments of this division, a responsibility they cheerfully accept; and they- trust, with the aid of the God of Battles, to bear these Stars and Stripes proudly in the conflict, and to place the banner of our State amongst the foremost in the cause of the Constitution and the Union of our common country.

 

At the close of the ceremonies, the distinguished visitors repaired to General McCall's tent and partook of a bounteous collation, prepared for them by the commanding general.

In compliance with instructions received from the head­quarters of the Army of the Potomac, the regiments of the Pennsylvania Reserve Corps, were on the 16th of September organized into three brigades, and the brigades into a di­vision, to be known as " McCall's Division." The First brigade was composed of the regiment of cavalry, and the Fifth, First, Second and Eighth regiments of infantry, com­manded by Brigadier-General John F. Reynolds. The second brigade was composed of the Thirteenth, Fourth, Third, Seventh and Eleventh regiments, and was commanded by Brigadier-General George G. Meade. The Third brigade was composed of the Tenth, Sixth, Ninth and Twelfth regi­ments; Colonel McCalmont of the Tenth regiment was as­signed to the command of this brigade until the arrival of the general who should be appointed to that position.

To complete the organization of the departments, General McCall appointed Captain Chandler Hall, division quartermaster; Captain James B. Clow, commissary of subsistence; Lieutenant Estruries Beatty, ordnance officer, and Dr. An­thony E. Stocker, surgeon at division headquarters.

General Reynolds appointed on the staff of the First brigade, Charles Kingsberry, assistant adjutant-general; Charles B. Lamborne, and Henry S. Spear, aides-do-camp; Captain Chandler Hall, who acted as division quartermaster, was quartermaster of the First brigade, and James B. Clow, though discharging the duties of commissary for the divi-

 

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sion, had been appointed, and continued the commissary on Reynold's staff; Dr. James B. King was appointed brigade surgeon.

General Meade commanding the Second brigade, ap­pointed Edward C. Baird, assistant adjutant-general ; J. Hamilton Kuhn, and William W. Watmough, aides-de­camp; Captain Samuel Ringwalt, quartermaster; James P. Fredericks, commissary of subsistence, and Anthony E. Stocker, surgeon.

In November, Brigadier-General Edward 0. C. Ord, re­ported for duty in McCall's division, and was assigned to the command of the Third brigade. He appointed on his staff; Captain Placidus Ord, assistant adjutant-general ; Samuel S. Seward, and A. Brady Sharp, aides-de-camp; Captain Wil­liam Painter, quartermaster; Captain James M. Tillapaugh, commissary of subsistence, and Dr. W. G. Lowman, surgeon.

Before moving from Tenallytown, the command was re­ported by General McCall to be in the following condition

" Seven companies of cavalry numbering seven hundred and sixteen men, are in camp; they are well-mounted, and I have high hopes for the efficiency of the regiment. Captain Bay and of the regular army has been elected colonel; the other three companies are in Pennsylvania, not yet fully recruited.

“Of the eight artillery companies belonging to this corps, as organized by the State of Pennsylvania, three are still in the city of Washington; Captain Barr is with Brigadier­ General Smith, beyond chain bridge; Captain Matthews is with the column commanded by Major-General Banks, and Captain Cooper is at Great Falls with two sections of his battery. Captain Barr and Captain Matthews, have been transferred since the date of my last report, leaving in this camp but two batteries and one section; Captain Easton's battery of four guns, Captain West's battery of four guns, and a section of Captain Cooper's battery of two guns, in all, ten guns, of which two are twenty-four­ pounders, two twelve-pounders, and six are six-pounders.

 

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We have also eight parrot-rifle ten-founders, of which six are mounted and ready for service. These are part of the outfit of the corps furnished by the State of Pennsylvania and it is proposed to distribute them among the batteries.

" The First infantry regiment is now well armed; men complain of the weight of the cartridge boxes from want of shoulder-belts, which they have thus far been unable to procure. The health of this regiment is good. It has been in camp and field nearly four months, and has not lost a man from accident or disease.

"The Second regiment is with Major-General Banks, also the Kane rifle regiment; the latter will join this division in a day or two.

"The Third regiment has been unable to procure cross­belts, the only thing necessary to their complete equip­ment. The condition of this regiment is very good.

" The Fourth, though badly armed, is progressing in the drill.

" The Fifth is in admirable order.

" The Sixth is unfortunate in the sickness and absence of its colonel and lieutenant-colonel. The former went home feeble, after severe illness; the latter who was furloughed, has not yet returned; one captain and two lieutenants are sick; and one captain and a lieutenant are on signal duty.

" These causes contribute materially to weaken the effi­ciency of the regiment. Two of the men have died during the week, one in the hospital in Washington and the other in camp.

" The Seventh regiment, which has been on picket duty at Great Falls for two weeks returned last evening. It has rendered valuable service, and is in promising condi­tion.

" The Eighth regiment is at present on picket duty; it is well-armed, well-equipped and well-drilled.

" The Ninth is now on picket duty. Since last report this regiment has received new arms and a partial supply of overcoats.

 

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"The Tenth regiment has received cross-belts and blankets, and is newly-armed with the exception of three companies.

"The Eleventh regiment has received overcoats from the State. This is a well-drilled regiment and with the im­proved arms, with which it is now supplied, would be very effective.

"The Twelfth regiment is suffering very much from the number of vacancies in its company officers. In but three of the nine companies, are all the offices filled, and the officers present on duty. The regiment is well-armed and the drills are regularly maintained.

"There are five hundred and fifty-two on the sick report. The command consists of eleven thousand two hundred and fifty-five men, making the proportion of sick about one-half of one per cent. The regiment principally afflicted is the Sixth, whose sick report shows an increase of ten within the last week.

" The general condition of the command is good. Disci­pline is maintained and duties are performed with prompt­ness. When the command was suddenly ordered to chain bridge, to support Brigadier-General Smith, the men res­ponded with great alacrity, and in a spirit evincing a readiness to meet every emergency"

To fill the vacancy in the Fourth regiment, caused by the resignation of Colonel March, Lieutenant-Colonel Magilton, of the Second regiment, was elected colonel, on the 4th of October, 1861.

Albert L. Magilton was born in New Castle county, Delaware, on the 8th of July, 1826. Soon after his birth his parents removed to Philadelphia. Albert was educated in the public schools of the city, and, in May, 1842, on the recommendation of Professor A. D. Bache, principal of the Central High School, was appointed to a eadetship at `Vest Point. He graduated in June, 1846, and was immediately appointed brevet second lieutenant in the Fourth United States artillery, stationed at Fortress Monroe. In October, Lieutenant Magilton sailed, with a part of the regiment to which he was attached, from Hampton Roads for Brazos

 

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Santiago, Texas. Soon after arriving in Texas, the regi­ment was sent to Tampico, and was assigned to the second brigade of General Twiggs' division, in Scott's army, at Vera Cruz. Lieutenant Magilton was engaged with his command in all the battles in the Mexican war, from the battle of Vera Cruz to the taking of the city of Mexico, and was brevetted first lieutenant for gallant and meritorious services in the battle of Contreras, on the 20th of August, 1847. In August, 1848, he returned to the United States, and was stationed at Fortress Monroe until October, when he was ordered to New Orleans, and accompanied the greater part of the Fourth regiment to Florida, and was actively engaged in. the war against the Seminole Indians. In May, 1850, he was transferred to a battery stationed at Fort Leavenworth, in the Indian Territory, where he was employed in service on the plains until 1853, when he received orders to proceed to Fort Brady, in Michigan. In October, 1855, he was sent to Boston, and thence by steamer to Florida, to serve in the second war against the Indians fighting under Bowlegs. In June, 1856, he was promoted to the rank of captain, and, in October, was sent with his regiment to Kansas, as a part of the force sent into that Territory to enforce the laws and prevent disturbances among the settlers. On the 31st of December, Captain 11Sagilton resigned his commission in the army and retired into private life in the city of Philadelphia.

At the beginning of the Southern rebellion, in the sprint of 1861, Captain Magilton called upon Governor Curtin, and informed him that, though then a private citizen, he had received a military education, and would be pleased to make his knowledge and experience available to the government in any capacity it should be deemed most serviceable. Accordingly, when Colonel Mann was sent to Camp Washington, at Easton, Captain Magilton was requested by Governor Curtin to accompany him, and to instruct the officers and privates in the companies how to establish and organize the camp. When the Second regi-

 

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ment was formed, Magilton was elected lieutenant-colonel, and served in that position with the regiment until the companies in the Fourth elected him to the colonelcy of that regiment.

Early in the morning of the 9th of October, General Smith advanced with his whole division from the vicinity of chain bridge to Langley; he pushed forward a brigade on the Dranesville road and occupied Prospect Hill ; with the main body of his command, he turned southward from the Dranesville turnpike, and marched towards Lewinsville, and took possession of that village and Smott's and Minor's Hills. In order to preserve the unity and strength of the line, General McCall was ordered to move his command on the sane day, from his camp at Tenallytown to Langley, a village in Fairfax county, Virginia, two miles west from the chain bridge.

In marching into Virginia, the Rifle regiment moved in the advance; the Artillery followed this regiment, and the

Third, Second, and First brigades, marched in successive order. The men were ordered to carry in their haversacks

two days' cooked rations, and sixty rounds of ammunition in their cartridge boxes. This, to the citizen soldier, unworn by

severe marches and unscarred in battle, was active service. They broke camp and marched across chain bridge into

Virginia, as soldiers going to battle. The cheerful spirit and the delight with the change was universal; the bands of

music played " Dixie's Land," and the men rent the air with patriotic cheers. The only sad hearts in the division were

those of the men left behind in charge of the camps. The command arrived at a point on the Leesburg turnpike, half

a mile west from Langley, in the evening, and bivouacked till the following morning. A line of pickets was estab­lished, commencing at the right of General Smith's line, and extending northward, crossing the turnpike in front of the command at Prospect Hill, and resting with the right on the Potomac, During the next day, the transportation and equipage were removed from Tenallytown; and Camp

 

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Pierpont, named in honor of the loyal Governor of West Virginia, was established near Langley. McCall's Division was thus made the right of the Army of the Potomac, which position it held until the close of the Peninsular campaign.

Two days after the establishment of the camp in Vir­ginia, the enemy attacked and drove in the pickets near Lewinsville ; the whole corps was ordered under arms and marched out to meet the enemy. It was afterwards learned, however, that the rebel General Beauregard had simply ordered a reconnoissance to learn the new line occupied by the Army of the Potomac. Frequent reconnoissances were made in front of the entire line, extending from Alexandria, in a semi-circle around Washington, to a point on the Poto­mac, four miles above chain bridge. In all of these sallies, conflicts with the enemy more or less severe ensued; it is noteworthy, that while the commanders of other divisions had frequently the mortification to report the loss, in cap­tures by the enemy, of wagons, artillery, horses or men, the general commanding the Pennsylvania Reserve Corps was in every expedition successful, and on no occasion reported a reverse in his command or an accident to his troops.

On the 18th of October, while in Washington, General McCall received an order from General McClellan, directing him to move his command on the following day to Dranes­ville, and to thoroughly reconnoitre the country, and map the roads and topography as -,ccurately as possible. In giving the order, General McClellan stated to General McCall, that the enemy had left Leesburg, and that there need be no fear of an attack from that direction, but cautioned General McCall to keep a vigilant guard on his left, and to be prepared to resist an attack from the direction of Cen­treville.

Early on Saturday morning the troops moved from Camp Pierpont, with two days' cooked rations in their haversacks, and at six o'clock in the evening the head of the column halted on a hill a mile and a half bevond Dranesville, in

 

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the direction of Leesburg. General Reynolds' brigade was in the; advance, with a squadron of Colonel Bayard's cavalry sent forward as scouts; this was followed by General Meade's brigade ; Colonel McCalmont's brigade marched in the rear. Having spent Saturday in making examinations of the country to the right and left of the road, and for several miles beyond Dranesville, General McCall was convinced that lie could not complete the work satisfactorily, and return on the following day, in compliance with orders; he therefore despatched a messenger, on Sunday morning, to the headquarters of the army, to report this fact to General McClellan, who sent an order to General McCall, direct­ing him to return to his camp, immediately after the object of the expedition shall have been accomplished, on the fol­lowing Monday.

General McCall having fully completed his work, in obedience to orders, put his troops in motion at ten o'clock on Monday morning, to return to Langley. When the General, with his staff, reached Camp Pierpont, at one o'clock on Monday afternoon, before dismounting, he received a despatch from General McClellan, requesting him, if he had not yet moved his command, to remain at Dranesville until he received further orders. Two brigades had already reached camp, and the third was arriving in close order.

General McCall immediately telegraphed to General McClellan that his command had already reached Camp Pierpont, and asked, " What shall I do?" General McClcl­lan replied "that he should let his command rest, and be prepared to move at a moment's notice, if required."

The arms were stacked, rations were immediately issued, the artillery horses were re-harnessed, and the command was held in readiness until three o'clock in the afternoon of the next day, when General McCall received orders from General McClellan to dismiss his troops.

At four o'clock, three hours after McCall's troops had arrived in camp at Langley, Colonel Baker, commanding taco thousand one hundred men, who had been sent across

 

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the Potomac, without facilities for re-crossing, was sud­denly attacked by five thousand rebel troops at Ball's Bluff; and was overwhelmed and defeated with heavy loss. Colonel Baker, a distinguished Senator from Califor»ia, and a man of rare military genius, was killed, while rallying his brave band for another desperate charge, with the hope of cutting through the enemy's lines to escape capture; two hundred and twenty-three of his men fell dead by the side of their gallant commander; two hundred and sixty-six were wounded, and four hundred and fifty-five were made prisoners. Had General McCall been ordered to remain at Dranesville on Monday, thirteen thousand well-ordered troops thrown on the flank and rear of the rebel force in front of Colonel Baker, would have saved the lives of the noble men, who fell a needless sacrifice to that illy-advised advance, and would have spared the nation the disgrace of Ball's Bluff:

Colonel Bayard was sent with his regiment of cavalry on a reconnoissance to Dranesville on the 26th of November, for the purpose of learning the position, of the enemy's out­posts. The regiment reached a position near Dranesville at five o'clock in the morning, and by dividing the regiment into two squadrons, and moving to the right and left, Colonel Bayard surrounded the village with his troopers and captured the enemy's pickets; two cavalrymen belonging to Colonel Stuart's " Virginia Horse" were captured by Cap­tain Stadlemann, of company B. Colonel Bayard also arrested six citizens of Dranesville, who were "known to be secessionists of the bitterest stamp." As the regiment was returning with the prisoners, seven miles cast of Dranesville, it was fired upon by the enemy concealed. in a dense pine thicket. The first volley was aimed at the head of the column and mortally wounded Assistant-surgeon Alexander and Private Houghtaling. Colonel Bayard's horse was shot, and two balls penetrated his coat and slightly wounded him; Surgeon Stanton also had his horse shot twice, and received a rebel bullet in his clothes. The

 

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regiment immediately surrounded the woods, and the carbineers dismounted and entering the thicket, drove the enemy from his hiding place. Two of the enemy were killed and four were captured. Colonel Bayard, in his report, says: "We killed or captured all we saw."

A general court-martial was convened in McCall's divi­sion on  the 4th of December, for the trial of Colonel John H. Taggart, commanding the Twelfth regiment, on a charge preferred against him by Captain Gustin, of company C, and Lieutenant Harding, of company B, of his regiment. The charge was that of "conduct unbecoming an officer and a gentleman." The specifications set forth, that Colonel Taggart had "shamefully beaten" and otherwise ill-treated three privates in the companies commanded by the officers who arraigned him; and also that he had obtained money from the companies by false promises. The evidence taken by the court established that the men fired their guns in the cars while passing from Baltimore to Washington, and that it was necessary to use violent measures to reduce them to obedience of orders. On another occasion, some five or six of the men left the ranks to enter an orchard, and when asked to return to their companies, refused to do so, and force was employed to maintain subordination. The finding of the court, of which General Ord was presi­dent, was that, of the charge and specifications Colonel Taggart was “not guilty;" and that, "the court does there­fore honorably acquit him; and in the opinion of this court the charge and specifications are frivolous and vexatious."

On reviewing the proceedings, General McClellan issued the following order:

“The Major-General Commanding is surprised that the charge and specifications against Colonel Taggart were ever brought to trial, resting as they do upon evidence which is so complete a vindication of his conduct. It appears that the men whom, in the enforcement of good order and military discipline, he was obliged to punish,

 

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were contumacious and insubordinate---were, some of them, engaged in pillaging and pilfering, in which they persisted after admonition, and others were guilty of firing their guns in the cars to the terror of the passengers, contrary to positive orders. In order to reduce them to obedience, it was necessary to act with promptitude and energy. They resisted his authority, and if much severer punish­ment had been necessary to restore order, it would have been fully justified. The proceedings of the court-martial are confirmed. Colonel Taggart will resume his sword and his duties."

On the 6th of December, General McCall sent General Meade's brigade, Kern’s battery, and a squadron of cavalry, commanded by Major Jones, to Gunnell's farm, two miles and a half northeast from Dranesville, with instructions to capture two young men, nephews of Gunnell, and spies and murderers; also to bring in all the forage found on the farm. General Ord's brigade marched out and halted in supporting distance, in case Meade should be attacked. General Meade fully complied with his orders. He cap­tured the spies and three of their associates, and brought in fifty-seven wagon loads of grain, seven horses, two oxen, one wagon, one fowling piece, and two negroes, which, with the five white prisoners, were sent to McClellan's head­quarters.

During the day, General McCall rode to the front, and found Meade's command in most perfect order. In his report to General McClellan, he said: " It is with pleasure I refer to the very exemplary conduct of all the troops on this occa­sion; I can commend, from personal observation, the good discipline maintained.; there was no straggling or lagging behind during the march out or returning."

While the command was in camp at Tenallytown the cavalry regiment was drilled and exercised in the move­ments on the field; after the corps crossed the river the men were trained as scouts and soon became one of the most efficient regiments. in the service. One of the scouts

 

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from this regiment returned to camp on the 19th of December and reported to General McCall that the enemy would be at Dranesville on the following day, with a strong foraging party and a wagon train, for the purpose of carry­ing away all tho forage and grain in the country in front of the camp of the Reserves: General McCall was unwil­ling to allow the country from which he drew large supplies of forage, to be plundered by the enemy; he at once deter­mined to dispute the right to the property between the lines of the hostile armies, and accordingly ordered his division to be ready to march on the morning of the 20th. The Third brigade, commanded by General. Ord, whose turn it was on the roster for armed service, was ordered to move out the Dranesville road at daylight. The First brigade, commanded by General Reynolds, was ordered to march at eight o'clock; and the Second brigade, com­manded by General Meade, was held in reserve, with orders to be in readiness to follow if required to reinforce the brigades in front. The Thirteenth regiment, commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Kane, was temporarily assigned to the Third brigade, to act as skirmishers. A detachment of cavalry commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Higgins, and Briton's battery, consisting of two twenty-four-pound howitzers and two twelve-pounders, was ordered to accom­pany the brigade. In his instructions to General Ord, General McCall said: "The object of the expedition is two-fold. In the first place, to drive back the enemy's pickets, which have advanced within four or five miles of our lines, and have carried off two good Union men and threatened others; and secondly, to procure a supply or forage." The forage train was placed in charge of Captain Hall, who was instructed to "procure forage, at Gunnell's or some other rank secessionist's farm."

At six o'clock in the morning, the air cold and a thin frost covering the ground, the men were in position and ready to march. The Bucktails were placed in the advance of the infantry, and were preceded by the cavalry scouts

 

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thrown forward to discover the position of the enemy's pickets. Each regiment threw out two companies of flankers on each side of the column to scour the woods and prevent a surprise. The march of the command was as regular and as prompt as that of a body of veterans. At Difficult creek there was an alarm given by some of the scouting parties, and the brigade was ordered to halt. General Ord, upon investigation, found no enemy in the immediate vicinity and ordered the men to refresh them­selves with a lunch from their knapsacks. The march was then continued until the head of the column reached Dranesville soon after eleven o'clock. While waiting in Dranesville for the regiments in the rear to come up, Gene­ral Ord posted the cavalry and artillery, supported by the Ninth regiment, commanded by Colonel Jackson, and a portion of Kane's Rifle regiment, so as to cover the ap­proaches to the village. The presence of the enemy's mounted men on the slopes behind a wooded hollow south of the road, and also the appearance of a broad mass of smoke in the direction of Centreville, convinced General Ord of the presence of the enemy. To meet an attack from the Centreville road, the brigade was faced southward and Lieutenant-Colonel Kane was sent with his regiment to occupy the woods in the rear, on which it was believed the enemy had a considerable force. The Tenth regiment Colonel McCalmont, followed by the Sixth, commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Penrose, and the Twelfth, commanded by Colonel Taggart, which formed the rear guard, closed up promptly.

While this disposition of the troops was being made on the right and front to meet the enemy, Colonel Taggart's flankers discovered the enemy on the south side of the Leesburg pike, and reported that, from a hill, a large force of rebel troops was seen moving northward on the Centre­ville road. On other portions of the line, the flanking companies came in contact with the enemy's scouts, and it was evident that a considerable body of rebel troops was

 

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in the neighborhood. General Ord had early in the day despatched a, messenger to General McCall to inform him of the situation in the front; immediately on receiving the message, General McCall proceeded to Dranesville and arrived there soon after the battle had commenced. Gene­ral Ord in the meantime had so admirably disposed his regiments that his conduct received the approval of the commander of the division.

Believing the enemy would attack simultaneously on both sides of the turnpike, General Ord directed Colonel McCalmont to place his regiment on the north side of the road in the woods, to bring it forward into line and attack the enemy if lie advanced on that side of the road. Colonel Jackson was ordered to occupy a corresponding position on the south side of the road. The Bucktails were placed between these two flanking regiments with orders to defend the column against an attack in the rear. The cavalry formed in the road west of the Bucktails; the artillery was placed in the centre, and the Sixth and Twelfth regiments were on the turnpike, and when the brigade faced the south towards the Centreville road, formed the left of the line.

General Stuart, who commanded the enemy, having discovered that General Ord's brigade was passing beyond the intersection of the Centreville road with the Leesburg and Dranesville pike, determined to seize the intersection and cut the communication of the brigade with Camp Pierpont. His command included the Eleventh Virginia regiment, commanded by Colonel Garland; the Sixth South Carolina, Lieutenant-Colonel Secrest ; the Tenth Alabama, Colonel Forney; the First Kentucky, Colonel Taylor; the Sumter Artillery, Captain Cutts, and Ransom's and Radford's Cavalry. General Stuart placed the Eleventh Virginia and the Tenth Alabama regiments on the right of the Centreville road; and the Sixth South Carolina, and the First Kentucky regiment on the left; the artillery was advanced in the road between the columns of infantry, and

 

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the cavalry regiments covered the flanks. In this order the rebel general pushed forward his command until the advance of the Eleventh Virginia came in contact with the flanking company of Colonel Taggart's regiment; at that moment hearing the firing of the skirmishers he opened fire with his artillery intending to enfilade the road and prevent the return of the regiments that had already passed the intersection. Colonel Taggart brought his regiment into line to meet the enemy and immediately sent his adju­tant, Lieutenant S. B. Smith to General Ord, who was at the right of the line, to report that the enemy was advan­cing in force on the Centreville road. General Ord immediately ordered the cavalry to the left flank, and selecting a commanding position for the artillery directed Captain Easton to open on the enemy's battery. The battery came down the pike with a galloping speed that carried it beyond the position and capsized one of the guns; the three remaining guns were posted as directed by the general, and Captain Euston opened on the enemy's position and shelled the woods; the gunners taking aim at the rising smoke as the enemy's battery was invisible. The third discharge exploded one of the enemy's caissons; the dead horses and men, and fragments of broken limbers and exploded caissons found in the Centreville road after the battle, showed with what remarkable precision Captain Easton's battery had been served.

Though General Ord had, at first, supposed the enemy would attack on both sides of the road, and moved his infantry to meet such an attack, he was soon convinced that the whole force of the enemy was on the south side of the road ; and proceeded at once to make the necessary change in the disposition of his regiments. Neither McCal­mont nor Jackson had yet had time to come into line under the first order, but were moving by the flank; Colonel McCalmont was ordered to move to the support of the battery which was now raking the road occupied by the enemy.

 

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Colonel Jackson faced his regiment to the front and with Kane’s Rifles on his left was put in the woods on the right, west of the Centreville road, and pushed up the hill; the men required no urging forward, but were with difficulty restrained by the officers, from rushing upon the enemy in a double-quick charge. Captain Easton's gunners had already demolished the rebel battery and were now ordered to cease firing to allow the infantry to close the battle with the bayonet.

The Ninth regiment came close upon the enemy in the woods, but the dense undergrowth rendered it impossible to distinguish foe from friend; the men were anxious to fire, hat an officer having informed Colonel Jackson that the troops in his front were the Bucktails, he reserved his fire until just as Captain Galway was in the act of reporting them to be the enemy he received a volley from the First Kentucky regiment; the Ninth promptly returned the fire, and charging upon the enemy, who made a stubborn resis­tance, finally drove them from the woods. Had Colonel Jackson been perfectly satisfied at the onset that the troops in his front were rebels, he would have driven them from their position. with the bayonet before they would have had time to fire on his regiment.

The Bucktails engaged the enemy on both sides of the road, and seizing a brick house, which the enemy was en­deavoring to reach, the riflemen speedily converted it into a fortification against the enemy. As they drove back the rebels the Bucktails hotly pursued them, led on by Lieutenant-Colonel Kane, who soon after passing beyond the house, was shot in the face and fell to the ground, but immediately rising again he bound up his wound and re­sumed his place at the head of his regiment. Meantime the Sixth regiment commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Penrose, acting in conjunction with bane's Rifles, moved forward between the Centerville road and the Alexandria pikes, and vigorously engaged the rebel regiments that were advancing to turn the left of General Ord's position.

 

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The Twelfth had been thrown round the enemy's left flank, for the purpose of capturing the battery, by cutting off its retreat on the Centerville road. In order that he might be able to remain close to his men, General Ord directed Colonel Taggart to dismount and accompany his regiment on foot into the dense woods covering the enemy's left. The Twelfth received the order to advance with cheers, and promptly entered the dense woods torn by rebel shells and rattling with rebel musketry ; but the enemy finding himself out-flanked, hurriedly withdrew his battery beyond the reach of the advancing regiment.

Soon after the beginning of the battle, General Ord moving to the left with cavalry, discovered a position from which the road occupied by the enemy could be enfiladed, and ordered Captain Easton to right the capsized gun and to open an enfilading fire on the enemy's position; the order was promptly executed, and had the double effect of breaking the enemy's lines, and also of leading him to believe that reinforcements had arrived and opened a battery on his right flank.

Colonel McCalmont believing the enemy would attempt to turn the left, sent out Captain Thos. McConnell with a platoon of skirmishers from Company B, of the Tenth regiment, with orders to approach the enemy's cannoneers and discover whether there was any movement to turn the left of the brigade. Captain McConnell soon reported that the enemy had given way under the fire of artillery and the musketry on the right, and was retreating in a southerly di­rection. It was now nearly one o'clock, and General McCall ordered the whole line to advance against the enemy, who was giving way in every part of the field; the retreat soon became a rout, and the enemy fled precipitously, leaving his dead and wounded, and large quantities of arms, ammu­nition and clothing on the field, and victory honored the banners of the Reserves in their first battle.

Up to this time reverse had suceeded reverse in all of the encounters with the enemy by the Army of the Potomac.

 

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It was left for the Pennsylvania, Reserve Corps, a body of men recruited, officered and organized by the State of Pennsylvania., to redeem the honor of the National Arms, to encourage the people of the North, and to restore confi­dence in their armies.

The battle raged furiously during an hour and a half. General McCall arrived on the field-soon after twelve o'clock ; and having stopped at Difficult creek, he directed General Reynolds to hold his brigade in readiness to march. When he approached the battle field, General McCall heard the report of the enemy's artillery open on Ord's brigade and immediately sent a messenger back to Reynolds with orders to move forward. The brigade came up and was ordered to take a position on the left and move against the enemy's right flank, while Ord's brigade would charge in front. The hill in front of Reynolds was densely covered with a pine thicket, which caused so much delay in the movement, that the charge was ordered by General McCall and the enemy routed before his troops came up.

The casualties in the Reserve Corps in the battle of Dranesville were, six killed and sixty-one wounded; two were reported missing. The killed were Samuel C. Walker and Daniel Darling of the Sixth regiment ; John Sexton and John W. Stockdale of the Ninth; G. Raup, S. Galbraith and G. Cook of the Thirteenth regiment. Among the wounded there were five commissioned and two non-com­missoned officers.

In the Sixth regiment there were two privates killed, one officer and twelve privates wounded; in the Ninth, two privates were killed, two commissioned officers one corporal and seventeen privates wounded; in the Twelfth there was one private wounded; in the Thirteenth there were two ­privates killed, two officers, one sergeant and twenty-five privates were wounded. The Cavalry regiment lost one horse killed; there were no casualties in the Tenth regi­ment, and in the Artillery but one man received a slight wound.

 

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The enemy reported the engagement as having been very severe ; and placed his loss at forty-three killed, one hundred and forty three wounded and forty-four missing.

After the battle was ended, the dead and wounded placed in ambulances or on stretchers to be carried by the men, for the department at Washington had not yet furnished a sufficient number of ambulances to the corps, and the enemy's wounded who could not be removed, placed in houses, the command returned to Camp Pierpont with forage, trophies and victory; having in one day marched twenty-two miles, fought a battle, won a victory, and col­lected sixteen wagon loads of hay and twenty-two of corn.

General McCall made the following report of the battle to General McClellan:

 

HEADQUARTERS McCALL’S DIVISION,

CAMP PIERPONT, December 22, 1861

 

GENERAL ;---I have the honor to present, for the information of the general-in-chief, a more detailed account of the affair at Dranesville on the 20th instant, together with reports of Brigadier-General E. 0. C. Ord, commanding third brigade of my division, and the commanders of the Sixth infantry, Lieutenant-Colonel W. B. Penrose; of the Ninth infantry, Colonel C. F. Jackson; of the Tenth infantry, Colonel J. S. McCalmont ; of the Twelfth infantry,. Colonel J. H. Taggart; of the First rifles, Lieutenant- Colonel T. L. Kane; of two squadrons of the First cavalry, Lieutenant-Colonel J. Higgins, and Easton's battery, Captain H. Easton, Pennsylvania Reserve.

On the evening of the 19th, having learned that tile enemy's pickets had advanced to within four or five miles of our lines, and carried off two good Union men, and plundered and threatened others, and that their reserve was in the neighborhood, at Dranesville, I gave written instructions (a copy of which is marked A) to Brigadier-General Ord to move with his brigade at six A. 1K. on the 20th, to surround and cap­ture this party, and at the sane time to collect a supply of forage from the farms of some of the rank secessionists in that vicinity. Brigadier­General J. F. Reynolds, with the first brigade, was directed to move on to Difficult Creek, to be ready to support Ord in the event of his meeting a force stronger than his own.

At half-past ten on the 20th, I received a despatch from General Ord, written on the march, informing me that the guide had learned on the way that there was a full brigade, but without artillery, at Hern

 

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don's Station, five hundred infantry and cavalry at Hunter's Mill, and two hundred infantry between Dranesville and the Potomac. I imme­diately mounted my horse, and, with my staff and an escort of cavalry, moved rapidly forward to overtake, if possible, Ord's brigade. I stopped for a few moments with Brigadier-General Reynolds at Difficult Creek, and, having directed him to be in readiness to move forward rapidly in case he should be required to support Ord, I rode on.

When within about two miles of Dranesville, I heard the first gun fired by the enemy. It was soon answered by Easton's battery, which imparted to me the fact that the enemy had artillery with them. A rapid ride soon brought me to the field, where Ord was hotly engaged. I found Easton's battery judiciously placed and in full blast upon the enemy's battery about five hundred yards in front, on the Centreville road. Here I stopped to observe the practice of our battery, while one of my staff rode off to ascertain where General Ord was.

While here, admiring the beautiful accuracy of the shot and shell thrown by this battery upon the battery of the enemy, a force of infantry and cavalry made their appearance from cover on the enemy's right, moving in a direction to turn our left. Colonel McCalmont, whose regiment was on the left, was notified of this movement; but a few shell from our battery; skillfully thrown into their midst, checked their advance, and drove them back ignominiously to cover.

Not hearing any thing of General Ord, I set out in search of him on our right, where brisk firing was at the time going on. Here was the Ninth infantry, Colonel Jackson, who had gallantly met the enemy at close quarters, and nobly sustained the credit of his State. By this time Captain Sheets, of my staff, reported that lie had found General Ord near the centre front. Proceeding there, I found the rifles and a part of the Sixth Infantry Pennsylvania reserve engaged under a brisk fire with the enemy. Having met General Ord, we moved forward, and the position where the enemy's battery had been placed was soon gained, and here we had evidence of the fine. artillery practice of Easton's battery. Tile road was strewed with men and horses; two caissons, one of them blown up; a limber, a gun-carriage wheel, a quantity of artillery ammunition, small-arms, and an immense quantity of heavy clothing, blankets, &c.

The battle was now over, and the victory won. With my consent General Ord made an advance of about one-half mile, but nothing further was to be done, as the enemy, in full flight, had passed beyond our reach. I then recalled Ord and prepared for the return of my com­mand. I ordered the harness to be taken off the enemy's horses which lay dead in the road, and to be put upon horses of my escort, and brought away the perfect caisson and the limber.

Early in tile clay, not knowing what force might be thrown forward from Centreville to support the troops we had encountered, I had called forward Brigadier-General Reynolds, First brigade, and Brigader-Gene-

 

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ral Meade, Second brigade, from Camp Pierpont, to the support of the Third brigade. Both these distinguished officers promptly brought forward their commands, and I only regretted that the, fine disposition of the regiments and battery of Ord's command, together with the gal­lantry of Colonels Jackson, McCalmont and Taggart, and Lieutenant-­Colonels Dane, Higgins and Penrose, and Captain Easton, had left nothing for Reynolds and Meade to do. The rout of the enenny was complete. But as I did not consider it justifiable to bivouac at Dranes­ville; when my ammunition was much exhausted, and the enemy might easily throw ten or twenty thousand men between me and my camp during the night, I ordered every arrangement to be promptly made for the return march. Some tune was required to prepare our wounded, (sixty officers and men,) to be transported to camp, and it was very nearly dark before I got the column in motion. Our killed and wounded as well as so many of the rebel wounded as could be moved, were brought away.

The troops we had engaged and defeated were the First Kentucky regiment, Colonel Tom Taylor, about eight hundred strong on the field; the Tenth Alabama, Colonel Forney, nine hundred strong; a South Carolina regiment, whose colonel was not known to the prisoners in our possession, who informed me that no intercourse between different regiments was ever allowed, and a Virginia regiment. The Kentucky prisoners informed me they believed a fifth regiment was present, as two or three regiments had left Centreville at three A. :K., and they, the Kentucky and Alabama regiments, together with Captain Cutt's Georgia battery, and Stuart's Virginia regiment of cavalry, left at five a. iai. The whole were under command of Brigadier-General Stuart,

General Ord reports as worthy of notice his personal staff, and also Colonels McCalmont and Jackson, Lieutenant-Colonel Kane, Captain Easton, First Pennsylvania artillery; Captain .Niles, First rifles; Cap­tain Bradbury, Sixth infantry P. R.; Captains Dick and Galway, Ninth infantry, P. R.

The number of killed found in front of the position occupied by the Ninth infantry, Colonel Jackson, is, in my estimation, proof enough of the gallantry and discipline of that fine regiment; but where ,ill behaved nobly it is difficult to discriminate. I must, however, call your attention more particularly to Brigadier-General E. O. C. Ord, commanding Third brigade, for whose able disposition of his regiments and battery, and personal exertions to encourage and urge on his men, too much credit cannot be accorded him.

To Captain H. J. Biddle, assistant-adjutant general of my staff; Lieu­tenant H. A. Sheets, aide de-camp ; Captain Clow, brigade commis­sary, acting aid. de-camp, and Lieutenant E. Beatty, ordnance officer, acting aid-de-camp, my thanks are due for their gallantry in carrying orders under fire, and for encouraging and urging on the men; and also

 

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to Captain Chandler Hall, brigade-quartermaster, who was energetically employed in collecting forage.

It is proper to mention that, deeming it necessary to leave one of my staff at head-quarters to superintend the telegraph, and to order forward the reserve, viz. : the Second brigade and three squadrons of cavalry, if required, the lot fell upon my aid-de-camp, Lieutenant Elbridge Maconkey, who discharged the responsible duty entirely to my satis­faction.

Seven prisoners were taken, whose names, &c., are as follows: Cor­poral Ferris, E. Long, and privates William Nelson and Patrick Hughes, of the First Kentucky regiment, and privates Robert R. Moss, Ira Chan­ney, William Morris, and J. Williamson, of the Tenth Alabama regi­ment.

The want of ambulances was felt on this occasion, and I would re­spectfully suggest that a few more be ordered to each regiment of my division, as I was unable, for want of transport, to bring froze the field all the wounded prisoners taken in the affair. Those left I had placed in comfortable quarters in Dranesville, where they can be well attended to; but owing to this deficiency of transportation for the wounded, I was compelled to leave in the hands of the enemy some of my prisoners.

Last, not least, I brought in sixteen wagon loads of excellent hay, and twenty-two of corn.

The following list of killed and wounded on our side is, I regret greater than I at first reported, viz : seven killed and sixty-one wounded, including one lieutenant-colonel and four captains, and three missing. From what I have gathered from various reliable sources, I am satisfied that the loss of the enemy was, at the very least, ninety killed left on the field, besides those carried off, amongst whom was, certainly, Colonel Tom Taylor, commanding the First Kentucky regiment, whom the Kentucky prisoners in my custody state they saw fall from his horse. Colonel Forney is also said to have been killed; this, however, is not so satisfactorily ascertained. General Stuart is reported, by one of the prisoners to have been killed or wounded.

I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

GEO. A. McCALL,

Brigadier-General Commanding Division.

Brigadier-General S. WILLIAMS,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

 

The authorities at Washington were so much elated with the conduct of the Reserve Corps, and with the result of the engagement at Dranesville, that the Secretary of War addressed the following letter to General McCall:

 

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WAR DEPARTMENT,

December 28, 1861.

BRIGADIER-GENERAL G. A. MCCALL,

Commanding Division, Camp Pierpont, Virginia.

 

GENERAL :---I have read your report of the battle of Dranesville, and although no reply is necessary on my part, yet as a citizen of the same Commonwealth as yourself and the troops engaged in that brilliant affair, I cannot refrain from expressing to you my admiration of the gallant conduct displayed, both by officers and men, in this their first contest with the enemy. Nearly all your command upon that occasion are either my personal friends or sons of those with whom for long years I have been more or less intimately associated. I feel that I have just cause to be proud that, animated by no other motive than patriotism, they are among the first to revive the glory shed upon our country by the men of the Revolution and soldiers of the War of 1812. It is one of the bright spots that give assurance of the success of coming events; and its effect must be to inspire confidence in the belief that hereafter, as heretofore, the cause of our country will triumph.

I am especially gratified that a Pennsylvania artillery corps, com­manded by officers who have necessarily had but limited systematic instruction, have won not only the commendation of their friends, but an unwilling compliment from the enemy, for the wonderful rapidity and accuracy of their fire.

I wish I could designate all the men who, nobly discharging their duty to the country, have added to the glory of our great commonwealth. Other portions of the army will be stimulated by their brave deeds, and men will be proud to say that at Dranesville they served under -McCall and Ord.

I am, General, very respectfully; your obedient servant,

SIMON CAMERON,

Secretary of War.

 

As soon as the report of the battle was received at Har­risburg, Governor Curtin proceeded to Camp Pierpont to provide for the care of the wounded soldiers, and to con­gratulate the corps for the horror it had conferred on the State. He issued the following order, which was read to the regiments

 

" The gallantry of our troops in the late affair at Dranesville, demands a public acknowledgment. Their courage, conduct, and high discip­line are honorable to the corps and to the Commonwealth by whose forecast it was raised and formed, in anticipation of the exigencies of the country, and whose sons fill its ranks.

 

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General McCall and Brigadier-General Ord, and the officers and men who were engaged under their commands, may be assured that Penn­sylvania is not insensible to their martial virtue, and from them and their fellows, confidently looks for as many further illustrations of it as there shall be opportunities afforded them." By order of

A. G. CURTIN,

Governor of Pennsylvania.

A. L. RUSSELL,

Aid-de-Camp.

 

General McCall published a congratulatory order, and caused to be read to his division the letter from Secretary Cameron and the order from Governor Curtin. The colors of the regiments that were engaged in the battle, were taken to Washington, and on each flag "Dranesville, December 20, 1861," was painted in golden letters.

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