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ΤΟ
HIS EXCELLENCY,
HON. ANDREW G. CURTIN,
GOVERNOR OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA,
THE EARNEST PATRIOT AND THE FRIEND OF THE SOLDIER,
THIS RECORD OF DISTINGUISHED SERVICES,
AND ROLL OF HONOR
IS INSCRIBED
BY
THE AUTHOR.
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER I.
INTRODUCTION.
Threats of Southern leaders-Secret preparation for war-Treachery
of Buchanan's Cabinet-Conduct of Floyd-Shipment of arms
and ammunition to the Southern States-Seizure of Government
property by the rebels-Dispersion of the Navy-Secession of
South Carolina-The Government in possession of the Conspira-
tors-The inauguration of President Lincoln-Official declaration
that force will be used to defend public property-The conspira-
tors attack Fort Sumter-The effect in the South-The uprising
of the North-The condition of the War Department-Response
to the call for 75,000 troops-Washington threatened-Treachery
of Virginians-Harper's Ferry and Gosport Navy Yard destroyed
-Riot in Baltimore-The route to the Capital re-opened............ 24
CHAPTER II.
PREPARATIONS FOR WAR IN PENNSYLVANIA.
The People of Pennsylvania respond to threats of Secession-
Governor Curtin pledges the power of the State-The Legislature
resolves to sustain the Union-The War excitement in the State
-Mayor Henry's Address to the People-Pennsylvania Troops
at Washington in advance of all others-Response of the People
to the President's Call for Troops in April, 1861-Camp Curtin
established at Harrisburg-Action of Public Men-Hon. Simon
Cameron, Secretary of War-Hon. Thaddeus Stevens advises an
Army of a million of men-Governor Curtin convenes the Legis-
lature His Message-Recommends the organization of a Reserve
Corps-Patriotism of the People-Soldiers' Aid Societies-Re-
freshment Saloons-Gen. Patterson's Call for Twenty-five Regi-
ments-Act authorizing the Pennsylvania Reserve Corps-George
A. McCall appointed Major-General-Companies ordered into
Camps of Instruction-Col. Mann at Easton-Captain McIntire
at West Chester-Organization of First Regiment-Col. Roberts
-John A. Wright, Chief of Ordnance, &c.-Organization of
(7)
the Kane Rifle Regiment-Col. Biddle—Organization of the Fifth
Regiment-Campaign of Biddle's Brigade to Western Virginia-
Skirmishes at New Creek and Piedmont-Forced March to Ridge-
ville-Return of Brigade to Harrisburg.
CHAPTER III.
ORGANIZATION.
Regiments organized in Camp Washington, Easton-Colonel Mann
--Colonel Sickel-Colonel March—Organization of the Sixth regi-
ment, Camp Curtin-Organization of the Seventh regiment,
Camp Wayne-Regiments organized in Camp Wilkins-Colonel
Hays-Regiments in Camp Wright-Colonel McCalmont-Colo-
nel Gallagher-Twelfth regiment in Camp Curtin-Colonel Tag-
gert-McDowell's advance-Battle of Bull Run-Call for the
Reserve Corps-Marching of regiments-Passage through Balti-
more-Arrival at Washington-Camp formed at Tenallytown-
First regiment at Annapolis-Artillery regiment—Organization
of the Fifteenth regiment, cavalry......
CHAPTER IV.
TENALLYTOWN-PIERPONT-DRANESVILLE.
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-Lieu-
tenants 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 Mar-
tial-Reconnoissance to Gunnell's farm-Cavalry reconnoissance
to Dranesville-Battle of Dranesville-McCall's official report-
Letter from Secretary Cameron-Governor Curtin goes to Camp
Pierpont......
44
78.
107
CHAPTER V.
OPERATIONS OF THE ARMY EAST AND WEST.
The effect of the battle of Dranesville-Blockade of the Potomac-
Resignation of General Scott-McClellan appointed General-in-
Chief of the National army-Situation on the Potomac-Other
Departments-Capture of Hatteras Inlet-Battle of Carnifex
Ferry-Operations in Missouri-Change of Commanders in the
West-Formidable preparations by Army and Navy-Capture of
Port Royal-Burnside's expedition-Battle of Logan's Cross
Roads-Capture of Fort Henry and Fort Donelson-Battle of
Pea Ridge-The Merrimac-Naval engagements in Hampton
Roads-The Monitor-Repose of the Army of the Potomac—
Spirit of the people-Mistaken policy-Army corps-President
Lincoln's War Orders-The Army of the Potomac ordered to
advance-Choice of route to Richmond-Evacuation of Manassas
by the rebels-Advance of the Army of the Potomac-Embarka-
tion for the Peninsula-Advance on Yorktown-Siege and
Evacuation of Yorktown-Battle of Williamsburg-Advance to
Chickahominy-Battle of Fair Oaks-Detachment of McDowell's
Corps-March of the Reserves to Hunter's Mills-"Smoky Hol-
low"-March to Alexandria-Hard march and stormy night-
Preparations for a new Campaign-The First Corps moves to
Manassas-Scenes on the Bull Run battle-field-Paymaster and
sutler in camp-Tricks of trade-Advance to Catlett's Station-
Capture of Fredericksburg-Colonel Taggart's treatment of
guerrillas-McDowell desires to advance from Fredericksburg-
Promotion of Colonel Bayard and Lieutenant-Colonel Owen
Jones The First Corps ordered to march on Richmond-Presi-
dent Lincoln at Fredericksburg-McDowell's advance within
eight miles of McClellan's army-The recall-Jackson's raid—
McDowell's troops sent to the Shenandoah-Bayard's Cavalry
and the Bucktail battalion pursuing Jackson-Harrisonburgh-
Gallant conduct of Bucktails-Capture of Lieutenant-Colonel
Kane and Captain Taylor-Battle of Cross Keys-Escape of
Jackson..... 142
CHAPTER VI.
PENINSULAR CAMPAIGN-MECHANICSVILLE-GAINES' MILL.
The Reserves in camp at Fredericksburg-Condition of brigades-
General Reynolds military governor-General Ord, promotion,