CHAPTER VII

 

 

TENALLYTOWN • VISIT FROM THE PRESIDENT AND GENERAL McCLELLAN • PRESENTATION OF FLAGS • A HAIL-STORM • THE REGIMENTS BRIGADED

 

TENALLYTOWN is situated at the junction of the Rockville and Poolesville Roads with the Georgetown Road, three miles from the latter town, and one mile and a half from the Chain Bridge. Here was erected Fort Pennsylvania, a most important and formi­dable earthwork, with a broad and deep ditch, heavy abatis, and guns mounted barbette. It was built by the Reserves, details being made from all the regiments for that purpose.

Prior to our arrival several interesting ceremonies took place, among which was a grand review of the Division by His Excellency Mr. Lincoln, attended by his Cabinet, and Major-General George B. McClellan, commanding the Army of the Potomac. The next day the following order was issued and read at the head of the regiments of the Reserves on dress-parade:

 

HEADQUARTERS PENNSYLVANIA RESERVE VOLUNTEER CORPS,

Camp Tenally, August 21st, 1861.

 

Soldiers of the Pennsylvania Reserve! 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 the 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; and both the General and the President have expressed to me their unqualified approval of your soldierlike appearance on review, and of the discipline thus manifestly shown to exist in the corps.

It now rests with you, officers of the Pennsylvania Reserve, to carry out to perfection the work so well begun. Upon you devolves

 

40        - OUR CAMPAIGNS -

 

the care of your men; let that be unremitting; let every attention to their wants temper the rigid discipline necessary to the formation of the 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.

GEO A. McCALL,

Brigadier-General Commanding

On the 10th of September, the presentation of the flags, the gift of the Society of the Cincinnati, of Pennsylvania, to the Reserves took place. But the regiments were present, which were drawn up in a large field adjoining the River Road. The color companies of each regiment were marched to the front with their Colonel on their right. Soon the swelling notes of a fine band were heard far away in the distance, and as the music approached the guns of Fort Pennsylva­nia and Campbell's batteries of the First Reserve Artillery thun­dered forth their salutes, which echoed from hill to hill, and reverberated through the valleys until it seemed like the roar of battle. Ere the sound had died away, the First Reserve, Colonel Simmons, and a procession of carriages appeared in view, contain­ing His Excellency, the President of the United States, accompanied by his Cabinet, Governor Curtin and General McClellan, with a host of Government and Pennsylvania officials, reporters, &c. The flags were produced, and Governor Curtin commenced the presentation, and as each Colonel received his regimental flag, he briefly returned thanks for the gift. The presentation being over, the Governor ad­dressed the troops. When he told them that they were his fellow­citizens and Pennsylvanians, and that the honor and faith of Pennsylvania, to the last drop of her blood, and the last dollar of her resources, were pledged to the support of the Government, and the maintenance of our beloved institutions, he mounted the back seat of the carriage, and declaring that he was in, full view of thousands of her citizens assembled to carry that determination into effect, the enthusiasm was unbounded, and cheer after cheer went up from thousands of manly throats.

General McCall briefly replied to the Governor, thanking him for the gifts, and giving the assurance that the colors would never be dishonored.

The presentation over, the regiments wheeled into columns of companies and passed in review before the Governor. After this the company attending the President and Governor partook of a colla­tion, in picnic style, in the grove fronting General McCall's head­quarters. There were several ladies in the party -- Mrs. Governor

 

THE REGIMENTS BRIGADED         41

 

Curtin, Mrs. General Maxwell, and others, whose presence added greatly to the pleasure of the occasion. The greatest sociability prevailed, and all present enjoyed themselves. President Lincoln wa: in his happiest mood, and was the life of the company. Wit and sentiment ruled the hour, without stiff formality. Through with the repast, they stepped into their carriages, and passing over the Chair Bridge into Virginia, returned to Washington, via the Long Bridge

While we lay here heavy details were made daily for picket cattle-guard, or working parties on the fort, besides which Colone Mann was indefatigable in his efforts to discipline the regiment b; constant battalion and company drills. Several demonstrations o the enemy's pickets created alarms in camp, and caused us to ge under arms, all of which were pleasant little excitements for the men. On the 7th of October, we were visited by a violet hail-storm accompanied with a high wind. Some of the stones were of the siz, of bullets, cutting through the tents, and almost driving the horse wild. The storm lasted about a half hour, leaving the atmosphere quite cool. The next day the fall election taking place in our State the Reserves exercised their right of casting their vote, each company voting at its Captain's quarters. About this time Lieutenant Colonel Magilton resigned.

While we lay here the organization of the regiments into brigades took place.

            The First Brigade, Brigadier-General John F. Reynolds, was comprised of the First Rifles, "Bucktails," Colonel Charles J. Biddle the First Infantry, Colonel R. Biddle Roberts; the Second Infantry,  Colonel William B. Mann; the Fifth Infantry, Colonel Seneca C Simmons; and the Eighth Infantry, Colonel George Hays.

The Second Brigade, Brigadier-General George Gordon Meade was composed of the Third Infantry, Colonel Horatio G. Sickel; the Fourth Infantry, Colonel A. L. Magilton; the Eleventh Infantry, Colonel T. F. Gallagher; and the Seventh Infantry, Colonel E. B. Harvey.

 The Third Brigade, Colonel J. S. McCalmont, was composed of the Sixth Infantry, Colonel W. W. Ricketts; the Ninth Infantry, Colonel Conrad F. Jackson; the Tenth Infantry, Colonel J. S. McCalmont and the Twelfth Infantry, Colonel John H. Taggart.

The First Reserve Cavalry, Colonel George D. Bayard, and the First Reserve Artillery, Colonel Charles F. Campbell, although attached to the division were not brigaded.