Eleven days in the militia during the war of the rebellion Part 1

Eleven days in the militia during the war of the rebellion.

by A Militiaman.

INTRODUCTION.

Twenty years have pa.s.sed away since a band of hastily-gathered minute-men left their homes to defend the soil of Pennsylvania from the first threatened invasion of the State by the rebel army under General R.E. Lee. Viewed through the lapse of this long period, crowded as it has been with so many momentous events in the life of the nation, the incidents of that brief and comparatively unimportant campaign begin, nevertheless, from their increasing remoteness, to take upon themselves a degree of historic interest. In respect to both their significance and their adventure, they greatly exceed the occurrences which attended the march of the celebrated Advance Light Brigade to the defence of Philadelphia in the war of 1812-14, in which latter body of citizen soldiery the county of Berks had the honor to be liberally represented.

With many of the partic.i.p.ants in the movements of September, 1862, that minor undertaking comprises the sum total of their personal experience of military service during the entire ordeal of our country's conflict. To them, therefore, the memories of that period of excitement and alarm are invested with a peculiar interest--a sentiment which must to a degree continue to be shared by their descendants. In the belief that a narration of its details may serve to rekindle in the b.r.e.a.s.t.s of his surviving companions something of the enthusiasm which they originally inspired, the writer has been encouraged, after the lapse of nearly a generation, to undertake the pleasing and congenial task.

Fidelity to fact is at the least claimed for the present performance, which, devoid as it is of literary pretensions, may nevertheless be deemed not unworthy of an humble place among the contributions to the history of a stirring epoch in the annals of our good old Commonwealth at the trying period of the nation's struggle. The basis of the narrative is a personal journal of the service to which it refers, kept at the time it transpired, the entries in which were dictated by the feelings and impressions of the moment. These impressions, it is to be remembered, were those of a simple civilian--one who felt little interest in the details of military service apart from the cause in which it is undertaken. Yet the relation may, from this very fact, commend itself the more to the friendly regard of his comrades, most of whom were at that period equally inexperienced in the proper discipline of the soldier. On the other hand, should it attract the notice of the veteran, it will doubtless serve to amuse him by comparison with his own experience amidst the greater perils of "grim-visaged war," which he is even yet so pardonably fond of recounting.

From what has been already advanced, it will be unnecessary to place any special emphasis upon the disclaimer which it nevertheless remains to make, that any possible object of applause is sought to be a.s.sociated with the expedition which it is purposed to record. Very distinctly is the impression made at the time in the mind of the writer, preserved to the present, that in promptly proceeding to the scene of danger, the Pennsylvania militia were confronted with a more urgent incentive than that which animated the legions of brave men who had already gone forth to face the enemy on the distant battle-fields of the South. Our homes were threatened--the horrors of desolating war seemed likely to be brought to our very doors. The instinct of self-preservation effectually appealed to even the most unpatriotic hearts. No other honorable alternative was left but to go out to meet the hostile invader. Alarms often repeated, by night and by day, suggested the imminence of the danger. Others, with a more deliberate devotion to their country's cause, had volunteered for long periods of service. To fail to rally for the protection of our own firesides, with all their consecrated a.s.sociations, would have been unworthy of the very lowest requirements of patriotism. The most abiding sentiment of those who were called to no severer military duty than the militia campaign of 1862, or that of the following year, must always be a heartfelt appreciation of, and grat.i.tude for, the services of the brave veterans of the War of the Rebellion, to whose heroic deeds we are indebted for the preservation of our liberties, and the blessings of a reunited country.

But, justice to the minute-men of 1862 requires it to be said that, although in the light of subsequent events, the achievements of their brief campaign seem to sink into such comparative insignificance--so marked indeed that the very narration of them appears to savor more of humor than of valor--there were among their number mult.i.tudes who were animated by as warm a patriotism as that which burned in the b.r.e.a.s.t.s of their gallant comrades then already at the front--who were as ready as they to lay down their lives in defence of the dearest interests of freemen, and who, had the occasion presented itself, would have done equal honor to their country's service. It is not to be forgotten, moreover, that at the crisis when they marched to the rescue of the State, it could not be foreseen what was to be the issue of their mission, or how great the sacrifice which they might be called upon to make. It was cause for lasting gratification with them that their very presence upon the borders at the juncture when they appeared, and in the numbers in which they came, greatly contributed to encourage their brethren who were then pa.s.sing through the heat and fire of the conflict, as well as to deter the progress of the invading foe. Raw and undisciplined as they undoubtedly were, who can now say that their prompt rendezvous at the centre of military operations did not signally aid the successful efforts of the army to turn backward the march of the enemy after the terrific shock which he received on the memorable field of Antietam?

L.R.

READING, September, 1882.

ELEVEN DAYS IN THE MILITIA.

After the reverses to our arms at the disastrous battles of the Second Bull Run and Centreville, in the latter part of August, 1862, and the retrograde movements of the Union forces in Virginia in consequence, the purpose of the enemy to follow up his advantage by endeavoring to take the Capital, invade the Middle States, and thus strike terror into the hearts of the people of the North, became immediately apparent. In the early part of September, war meetings were being held in Pennsylvania to raise the quota of the State in lieu of the draft then impending, in pursuance of the requisition of the President of the United States for three hundred thousand men. The Reserves had been called away to succor the hard-pressed army of McClellan, and the borders were left wholly unprotected at the inviting season of harvest. As a measure of precaution against the impending danger, Governor Curtin on the 4th of September issued a proclamation recommending the immediate formation of volunteer companies throughout the State, in conformity with existing militia laws, for home defence, and suggesting the closing of all places of business at 3 o'clock P.M. daily, in order to afford due opportunity for drill and preparation. On the next day, Mayor David McKnight of Reading, who was acting in that capacity in the place of Mayor Joel B. Wanner, then in the field as Major of the 128th Regiment of Pennsylvania Volunteers, also issued a manifesto, in pursuance of the spirit of the Governor's proclamation, requiring the a.s.semblage of the citizens at certain places designated within their respective wards, for the organization of companies, and also the holding of daily drills from 4 to 6 P.M.

On the 5th, the rebel army under General Lee, comprising a force estimated at eighty thousand infantry, eight thousand cavalry, and one hundred and fifty pieces of artillery, crossed the Potomac at or near the Point of Rocks, and entered Frederick. Among its division commanders were Magruder, Walker, Anderson, A.P. Hill, Stuart, Longstreet, Ewell, and Stonewall Jackson. With the occupation of Maryland, matters reached an alarming crisis, and the imminent danger to Pennsylvania became at once evident. The boldness and celerity of the enemy's movements suggested the necessity for prompt action on the part of the State authorities. On the 10th of September, the Governor, acting under the direction of the President of the United States, issued another proclamation, as Commander-in-Chief of the militia, designated as General Order No. 35, calling on all the able-bodied men of the State to organize for its defence, and be ready to march to Harrisburg at an hour's notice, subject to his order. The companies were directed to be filled in accordance with the army standards of the United States, and as it was stated that the call might be sudden, the officers and men were required to provide themselves with the best arms they could procure, with at least sixty rounds of suitable ammunition, good stout clothing, uniform or otherwise; boots, blankets, and haversacks. The order further stipulated that the organizations would be held in service for such time only as the pressing emergency for the State defence might continue.

On the morning of the 11th, the rebel cavalry under Stuart entered Hagerstown, the southern terminus of the c.u.mberland Valley Railroad, six miles from the Pennsylvania line, the main body being about two-and-a-half miles behind, at Funkstown. The army of McClellan had in the meantime advanced to Poolesville. As soon as this intelligence reached Harrisburg, the Governor at 4 o'clock on the afternoon of that day issued General Order No. 36, calling into immediate service fifty thousand of the freemen of Pennsylvania, under the terms of the proclamation of the previous day, to repel the rebel invasion.

Immediately after the publication of the proclamation of Wednesday, September 10th, the work of forming militia companies in Reading was begun in earnest, the efforts that had been previously made in that direction not having been attended with much practical result. In the evening, the court-house bell was rung, and the building was rapidly filled. Mayor McKnight presided over the meeting. Dispatches were read indicating the approach of the enemy to the borders, and resolutions were adopted to organize companies forthwith in each of the wards.

Many went directly from the meeting to the different places of rendezvous, and enrolled themselves for the State defence. There was not at the time a single full military company in Reading, all the troops enlisted for stated terms of service having already gone to the front. The night was one of much activity and excitement. Drilling was done in Penn Square to the inspiring accompaniment of fife and drum, which gave the town a decidedly warlike appearance. This exercise was continued daily and nightly until the militia had marched, and at no period during the entire war did the military enthusiasm of the people reach a greater height.

In the instruction of the troops, the manual of arms had to be omitted, for there were no guns. Officers had been hastily selected, and the commands in most cases given to experienced soldiers, whose services were in sudden and great demand. The fidelity of the men was accepted without any suggestion of the test of an oath. The companies recruited rapidly, and were not long in filling up to the standard.

Their evolutions, which were conducted to a large extent in the open square, under the cover of darkness, were at times edifying to witness. As the battalions marched with st.u.r.dy tread up and down on either side of the central market-houses, collisions would now and then derange the symmetry of the forces. Frequent resort to unmilitary language on the part of the commanders was necessary to bring up the laggard platoons, and movements were habitually executed for which no precedent could have been found in either Scott or Hardee. But it was patriotism and not tactics that was uppermost in the minds of all, and trifling imperfections of military discipline were, for the moment at least, sunk out of sight in the sense of common danger.

Arms of all kinds were in urgent demand. Rifles and shot-guns, single and double-barreled, old and new; pistols of all designs, long and short, ancient and modern, together with some other uncla.s.sified implements of war, were brought out from their hiding-places, hastily cleaned and put in working order. Some of the men, when equipped for the march, were walking armories of miscellaneous weapons. The hardware stores were invaded in search of powder, shot, and ball. A gum blanket, with which in most cases an army blanket, or in default thereof, a pair of ordinary bed blankets, were rolled up; a haversack of canvas or oil-cloth, hastily put together at the saddler's, a tin cup, knife and fork and spoon, made up the rest of the equipment.

But it was the composition of the forces which lent to them their chief dignity and formed their most notable feature. There was no volunteering by proxy. No one at all able to contemplate military service thought of stopping to suggest the duty of his neighbor. Each felt the personal application of the call, and even to doubt one's fitness for duty was to expose himself to suspicion. All claims of business, public or private responsibilities, or professional or official duty had to yield to the necessities of the hour. Every interest was alike threatened, and no balancing of individual excuses could for a moment be tolerated. The women n.o.bly seconded the appeal to arms, and a.s.sisted in the work of preparation. Personal and social distinctions were levelled, and in response to roll-call there appeared the lawyer, the physician, the preacher, the magistrate, the banker, the merchant, the manufacturer, and the railway official in his multifarious forms, side by side with the humbler civilian--all animated with patriotic zeal in the common cause.

Mayor McKnight, who subsequently himself joined a company named in his honor and commanded by Captain Nathan M. Eisenhower, on the 11th sent William M. Baird, Esq., to Harrisburg to keep the home authorities informed as to the arrangements for the calling out and reception of the Reading militia. On the evening of the 12th, Mr. Baird telegraphed that the companies should hold themselves in readiness to march, and a little later communicated an order from headquarters to Captain Franklin S. Bickley, who was in charge of the first company organized, and the only one then ready, for his command to leave for Harrisburg the next morning by the first train.

This company had its rendezvous in the second story of the building at the southwest corner of Fifth and Washington streets. Its roll originally contained 94 names, but the number of men who actually marched was but 64. Sergeant William H. Strickland was left behind to recruit the company up to the standard, and afterwards brought a few additional men to Chambersburg. The commanding officers were all of them men of some experience in military affairs, and proved themselves worthy of their positions. Captain Bickley had been a commissioned officer in the Pennsylvania Reserves; First Lieutenant Lewis H.

Wunder was a veteran of the Mexican War; and Second Lieutenant Charles H. Richards, though never in actual service, had had a long connection with the militia before the war. In the ranks of the company were a few old soldiers, who were generally to be recognized by the coolness of their bearing.

At this point it will be appropriate to give the names of the seven companies which were raised in Reading, or its immediate vicinity, and left in response to the Governor's call, with the dates of marching and their regimental a.s.signments. Several other companies were in course of organization in the city and county, but the emergency had pa.s.sed before they were ready to respond to the call:--

Fifth Ward Guards, Captain F.S. Bickley, 70 men, Company G, 2d Regiment; September 13.

Nicolls Guards, Captain Charles H. Hunter, 104 men, Company E, 11th Regiment; September 15.

McKnight Guards, Captain Nathan M. Eisenhower, 95 men, Company I, 11th Regiment; September 15.

Liberty Fire Zouaves, Captain William Geiger, 70 men, Company G, 20th Regiment; September 17.

M'Lean Guards, Captain Samuel Harner, 45 men, Company H, 20th Regiment; September 17.

Halleck Infantry, Captain Frederick S. Boas, 92 men, Company I, 20th Regiment; September 17.

Berks County Cavalry, Captain Samuel L. Young, 67 men, Independent; September 17.

At a meeting of Captain Bickley's Company, held on the evening of the 12th, the marching order was read, and it was directed that the company meet at the armory at 10 o'clock the next morning in readiness to leave. Its subsequent movements during the campaign are detailed in the journal which follows, and to which what has already preceded is but a necessary preliminary.

_Sat.u.r.day, September 13._ According to orders, the company met at the rendezvous at 10 o'clock A.M. equipped for the march. The morning had been busily occupied in getting ready for the departure. The leave-taking with our friends had not been unmingled with feelings of solemnity, in view of the possibility that we might never see them again. The day was fine, and a large crowd of people congregated in the streets to see us off. On Penn Square, in front of the Provost Marshal's office, at the old Bell mansion, the pavement was blocked, as it had been for several days past, with applicants for exemption from the draft. The medical examinations were then in progress. We marched to the lower depot, headed by a band, and accompanied by the crowd. The company itself was wholly unprovided with music of any sort. Left by the regular morning pa.s.senger train for Harrisburg. In another car there was also a militia company from Pottsville, commanded by Captain David A. Smith, which had left home the same morning. All the men were in good spirits. Some amus.e.m.e.nt was afforded by a comparison of our accoutrements. The majority of the company were unarmed, and the only insignia of a regular military organization were the swords and sashes of the officers. The news by the morning papers still continued exciting. The army was said to be preparing to engage the rebels in Maryland, as no time was to be lost in checking their advance.

The trip was without incident. Arriving at Harrisburg at 1- P.M., we were formed and marched to the State Capitol grounds. A scene of great activity was here presented. The people seemed everywhere to be flocking to arms. The Governor and the Adjutant-General were personally superintending the organization of the militia. Secretary Slifer and Colonel A.K. McClure were also actively engaged in the same work. We were much relieved to find that we were to be furnished with arms and equipments by the State, as our force was far from effective in its present shape. At the State a.r.s.enal, on the Capitol grounds, we were supplied with Springfield muskets, knapsacks, haversacks, and canteens. Delivered up our old guns to be returned home. The muskets and bayonets, on first introduction, were handled with some curiosity.

As there were no scabbards provided for the latter, the bayonets had to be carried fixed to the pieces. Of ammunition there was none on hand at present, but it was stated that a supply would be sent after us. Nothing was said about swearing us into service. The day was likely to be consumed in regimental organization, and it was probable we should not get off before the morrow. Some of our men had expected to meet the rebels before night. Fortunately for us, we still had some eighty miles the advantage of them.

The first charge was upon our bags of provisions. My haversack had been bountifully stocked by my good landlady at home, Mrs. B., whose liberality as a provider and kindness of heart will always be held in grateful remembrance by her guests. The foresight of the Governor in mentioning in his proclamation the subject of rations, was generally commended, as little or nothing eatable seemed to be obtainable in this town since its occupation as a militia camp.

Our company was a.s.signed quarters on the east side of the Capitol grounds, upon the lawn in the rear of the public buildings. Pa.s.sed the afternoon in watching the arrival of several additional companies, strolling around the Park, and looking through the Capitol buildings.

Several of us climbed the stairway to the dome. Another charge on the haversacks about 5 P.M. Began to wonder where or how we were to pa.s.s the night. Our efficient Quartermaster, L.M.; at length solved the problem. He procured a lot of shelter tents, which were distributed, and the work of setting them up commenced. A little straw was brought from somewhere and put in for a bottom. Took a stroll through the town in the evening with Messrs. G., E., S., and others, visiting the railroad depots, which were just then scenes of particular activity.

Stopped on the way at a lager beer saloon, which powerfully recalled home a.s.sociations. Returned to the grounds and answered to roll-call about 10 P.M. Crawled into a tent with Dr. B. and J.R.K. A regiment or two was encamped around us. No military rules were as yet promulgated, and it was very evident that none were to be observed that night.

Chaos reigned supreme. Singing, speech-making, and practical jokes of all kinds filled in the hours usually devoted to sleep, while the arrival of fresh companies, from time to time, appeared to stimulate the orgies as the night advanced. Slept a couple of hours, and until 2 A.M., when the general discomforts of the situation moved me to seek more desirable quarters. Reconnoitred the outskirts of the camp, and found a large covered coach just outside the grounds, which I got into, and having wrapped myself in my blanket, slept tolerably for several hours. The night was quite cool, and these new accommodations proved comfortable only by comparison. Got out at daylight, washed my face at a pump, answered to roll-call, and then consulted my bag of provisions. This first night's experience in "camp" suggests how few and simple are the wants of man in a military state.

_Sunday, September 14._ Went down town with Dr. B. to look after something to replenish our depleted commissary stores. The Doctor was acquainted with a family named Feger, in Walnut Street, near the river, whose son was a student of medicine, and suggested a call. We accordingly visited them, and were kindly provided with a good meal and a quant.i.ty of cigars. The young student conducted us to a bakery, where we laid in a supply of crackers. Returned to camp. Our company had been attached to the Second Regiment of Militia, as Company "G."

The Colonel was John L. Wright, of Columbia. There were ten companies, mostly full, from Columbia, West Chester, Reading, Pottsville, and Lancaster City and County. The First Regiment, commanded by Colonel Henry McCormick, and containing companies from Harrisburg, Philadelphia, and Chester and Lebanon counties, had already been sent off down the c.u.mberland Valley Railroad to Chambersburg. At 11 o'clock we received marching orders for the same place, and about 1- P.M. the regiment proceeded out to near Camp Curtin and got aboard a train of freight cars, which had been provided with seats for the transportation of troops. A long delay, with the explanation of which we were not furnished, ensued; but about 3 the train started. A halt of an hour or more was made in town. A tremendous and enthusiastic crowd was out to see us off. Moved over the Long Bridge and stopped another half hour west of the Susquehanna. Chambersburg, our destination, was fifty-two miles distant. Pa.s.sed successively through Mechanicsburg, Carlisle, and Shippensburg, at each of which places short stops were made. Were struck with the great natural beauty of the c.u.mberland Valley region. Crowds of people came out to the stations to meet us, and black and white, old and young, all joined in the heartiest demonstrations of welcome. Were also greeted from the houses and roadsides all along the line by people waving their handkerchiefs and swinging their hats. At Mechanicsburg a whole girls'

school was out to see us. This was a specially engaging sight to some of our number, who thought that that village would be a good place to camp. At Carlisle I met Mr. R.S., whom I knew. The _elite_ of the town were at the station, and S. pointed out to me the leading beauties of the place--I mean the ladies. Soldiers of a day, we already began, in the midst of these inspiring scenes, to feel like real veterans.

Between stops the men beguiled the time singing, jesting, smoking, etc., and every one was in the best possible humor. Private T.H., among the rest, favored the company with a curious song in Pennsylvania Dutch called "Babbel Maul," which performance his delighted auditors compelled him frequently to repeat. It was generally agreed that the most desirable way of marching was by railroad. Dusk deepened into night, and at about 9 o'clock Chambersburg was reached. Proceeded a mile or two below the town, when the train halted in a wood brightly illuminated with camp-fires, and resonant with the cheers of soldiers. Disembarked and went into camp.

Rigged the tents, built fires, mounted the large cooking kettles with which we had been furnished at Harrisburg, boiled coffee and got our supper--"grub" is the military term for it. No news of any account from Maryland. My two comrades of the night before and myself constructed a sort of crib with fence rails put up between adjoining trees, and, after a smoke, laid ourselves up in it to sleep. The arrangement worked well, and we slept comfortably in this rustic bedstead until 5 A.M.

_Monday, September 15._ After roll-call wrote letters home, and carried some water for the cook. The latter, W.P.D., is a character in his way, and deserves mention. Under a rough exterior he carries a kindly heart. In his particular sphere, the importance of which we all recognize, he is somewhat of an autocrat. In the distribution of the eatables he is governed by the strictest principles of equity, and shows no favoritism. He is very often justly ruffled when his functions are usurped, or undue dictation is attempted on the part of those bearing higher official authority. He is specially incensed at times when stratagems are employed by the men to steal the sugar, over which latter article he finds it necessary to maintain a vigilant guard. We are now down to regular army fare, our bill consisting of rations of bread, meat, coffee, and that well-known item of camp necessaries called "hard tack," which is a host in itself, being made to go a great way by reason of the degree of mastication which it requires. There can be no complaint as to the strength of the coffee, since there is no milk to dilute it, but the color of the sugar might afford ground of exception on the part of the over-fastidious. Soups of rice, meat-bones, and occasionally poultry, when there happen to be any hen-roosts in close proximity, make a substantial dinner.

Soldiers' appet.i.tes are uniformly good, and little defects in the system of cookery are not ordinarily closely criticised. Tobacco, in all its forms, seems indispensable, by reason of the moral courage with which it is supposed to inspire alike the soldier and the civilian. This article is laid in by the men whenever and as often as occasion presents. In our great country it has all sections for its own. It is certain that the war is going to give an immense permanent stimulus to the consumption of this standard narcotic. Alcoholic beverages also are stored away in flasks against cases of emergency, which, in military affairs, as is well known, are of constant occurrence.

During the morning we were gratified with the first sight of the enemy's paraphernalia, consisting of a train of captured baggage wagons, taken from Longstreet, and which were being driven in the direction of Harrisburg, whither, it is said, some hundred or more of prisoners from the same corps are being conducted. With a view of the latter we were not rewarded. The curiosity of the men to see a live rebel--in a _captured_ condition--is very great. The wagons were guided by contra bands, who did not, however, look as if they belonged to the numerous cla.s.s called "intelligent," who figure so largely as news-bearers in the army dispatches. The train, as well as the prisoners, was under the escort of the Anderson Cavalry, which was doing scout duty between the lines. A slight change in the position of our quarters was ordered during the day, and tents were struck about 4 P.M. and the company marched about two miles further to the south, halting in a large stubble field west of the railroad, in a position which had been dignified by the t.i.tle of "Camp McClure." Had an attack of my old adversary, the sick-headache, and was soon forced to surrender. Was very kindly waited upon by several of the men, especially P.E. and his brother D., who is a candidate at home for District Attorney, but not on that account any the less unselfish in his friendly offices on the present occasion. The former made me some tea from pennyroyal, gathered upon the ground, which shortly operated as an emetic. On a bed of blankets and straw, arranged by sympathetic hands, with my knapsack for a pillow, and the open vault of heaven for a canopy, I soon became, as is usual with sufferers from this severe complaint, utterly indifferent to surroundings. A good night's rest brought a happy relief.

_Tuesday, September 16._ Part of the morning was devoted to foraging at the neighboring farmhouses, but little or nothing could be procured, the ground having already been pretty well covered by advance parties. Apples, however, were abundant, as there were many fine orchards in this vicinity. Was detailed to attend Dr. S., the Company Surgeon, who was sick, and had taken refuge in an adjoining wood, into which our quarters were presently moved. Here, under the direction of the Quartermaster, a sort of wigwam was constructed, built of fence-rails and cornstalks, and floored with straw. It was long enough to accommodate the entire company, and formed a very tight and really comfortable tenement. The Conococheague Creek ran within a few hundred yards of the camp, and the men had several good baths in it. Regiments were continually arriving from the railroad, and the shrieks of the steam-whistles, the blasts of bugles, clatter of drums, and the cheering of the troops enlivened the day. Among the accessions were the Blue Reserves, of Philadelphia, a uniformed organization, which made a handsome appearance. Before night there were said to be ten thousand men on the ground. A large force of militia was evidently intended to be concentrated at this point. Met a number of acquaintances among the new arrivals. Had several squad and company drills, and expected, from the arrangements we observed in progress, to remain some time in this situation. While out for exercise we could hear the noise of distant artillery proceeding from the direction of Sharpsburg and Harper's Ferry. The anxiety increased to hear something from the army. Occasionally a newspaper, a day or two out of date, was brought in from the railroad, and its contents eagerly devoured. It was said that Hagerstown had been abandoned by the rebels, and that telegraph and railroad communication had been re-established with that point. Reports circulated, which were afterwards verified, that fighting had commenced between the corps of Generals Hooker and Reno and the rebels, and that General Reno had been killed. When the camp-fires were lighted, after nightfall, the woods resounded with martial music, song, and cheers, and the scene was a highly animating and inspiring one. Such sights are seldom witnessed, and are not to be soon forgotten. Before turning into our hut, seated myself on a bank a little distance apart from the rest, in company with my friend K., and we took a quiet smoke and talked of home, whither our thoughts continually turned. Enjoyed the best night's rest of the campaign, owing to the comfort of our quarters.

_Wednesday, September 17._ Drilled in the morning in the adjoining fields, and while thus engaged observed a renewal of the reports of artillery towards the south, heard on the day previous, and with still greater distinctness. These proceeded, as we afterwards learned, from the battle-field of Antietam, some thirty miles off. A dull gruff belch, at irregular intervals, accompanied by a sense of concussion, told the story of the distant conflict. This inspired strange and solemn feelings. Human lives were being offered up as a sacrifice upon the altar of our country, and thousands of homes would sit in dread suspense until it should be known upon whom the fatal blows had fallen. The result, too, was of great concern to us, who were mere auxiliaries in reserve against an untoward crisis. The evolutions now a.s.sumed a significance they had not heretofore possessed. Their object seemed no longer to be skill merely, but preparation. The zeal for duty was quickened, and it was the idea of responsibility which was uppermost in the minds of all. Additional regiments meanwhile arrived, among others two of the Gray Reserves and Home Guards of Philadelphia, which left Harrisburg yesterday. With drilling, guard mounting, and the usual routine of camp duties, the day wore slowly away. Another picturesque scene at night. After roll-call crawled again into our comfortable domicil of cornstalks, with every reason to expect another good night's sleep. This idea, however, was a grievous delusion, as the sequel will show.