to Alexandria, reaching that point on June 27th, encamping on a rise of ground immediately adjacent to the line of fortifications. The Third brigade was now composed of the Seventh, Fifth, Sixty-sixth, and Twentyninth Ohio regiments, in the order named. General Shields having resigned by reason of McDowell's misrepresentations in relation to the ill-advised battle of Port Republic, General Sturgis, who has recently received so much adverse criticism through the press of the country, for his brutal and inhuman treatment of his men, was placed temporarily in command. After lying at this point for nearly one month orders were received to move to the aid of General McClellan on the Peninsula, and we embarked on transports, but the order was countermanded and the Third brigade marched back to its old camp.

July 25th we were ordered to join the force of General Pope, then marching via Warrenton to the Rapidan river. Proceeding by rail to the former point the brigade was reorganized and attached to Banks' Second corps, afterwards changed to the Twelfth army corps, as the First brigade of General Augur's Second division. After a few days of "masterly inactivity" we marched in the direction of Luray. Debouching to the left on the road leading southward toward the Rapidan, we soon reached Little Washington and went into camp. While here the troops were reviewed by Generals Pope and Banks, who complimented our brigade very highly upon its perfection in drill and discipline. General Tyler was here ordered to Washington, and Brigadier-general John W. Geary, late colonel of the Twenty-eighth Pennsylvania infantry volunteers, was placed in command of our brigade. His regiment and Knapp's battery were also

assigned to the brigade. A forward movement in the direction of Culpeper Court House, Virginia (on the Rapidan), was begun on August 8th. Here the Confederates were preparing defences, and at Cedar Mountain, some seven miles to the southwest of our position, they were strongly fortified.

CHAPTER VI.

1862.

Cedar Mountain-Battle- Severe Loss of Life-Forward to Alexandria. August 8th, the regiment moved at 2 o'clock, advanced to Culpeper Court House, and went into camp; and at 10:40, on the morning of August 9th, moved forward in the direction of Cedar mountain. Halted a short time, and the Twenty-eighth Pennsylvania regiment was sent to the right on an eminence as signal guard. The remainder of the brigade soon advanced, halting at intervals, as the day was insufferably hot (several men died this day of sunstroke). At last, passing through a piece of timber, we approached the open field with a rolling country in our front, and at 1:30, while making preparations for dinner (near a fime spring of water), skirmishing and artillery firing was heard on our right, which continued at intervals until 3:45, when the rebels appeared in heavy force, ready for battle, and the Union lines were formed without delay: The Twenty-ninth regiment (commanded by Captain W. F. Stevens, of Company B,) was ordered to advance and take position in rear of a battery which had been placed on a ridge. Here the regiment took position, the right resting on the road, and the left extending into the field, covered from the enemy by the hill on which the battery was placed. The Twenty-ninth, with other regiments of the brigade, was about on the right of the left wing of the line in open field, while the right wing extended across the road, and into the timber. The regiment

remained in this position, supporting the battery, and receiving a heavy fire from the rebel artillery in our front. Here several men were wounded.

At 5 o'clock P. M., we moved over the crest of the hill, to a cornfield some distance in advance of our previous position. During the advance to this new position a terrific cannonade opened on us, dealing great destruction to our ranks. Apparently every cannon of the enemy was let loose against us, but we never faltered in this march of death, despite the terrible missiles that were tearing through our bleeding ranks. Comrades were falling, and brothers dying. The mangled and bleeding victims of the fury and violence of war were left thick around us, making the ground sacred on which they fell; but we wavered not. Reaching a low piece of ground, we halted, and were ordered to lie down and continue firing. We remained for one hour in the open field, exposed to this furious storm of grape and canister, shot and shell. Comrades gave up their lives so gently that it was scarce possible to tell the living from the dead. The fatal missile struck the victim, leaving the lifeless clay in the same attitude which the living body occupied. During the fatal period death assumed a real character while life seemed but a dream. The engagement had now become general. The brigade of General Prince came up, and formed on the left of our regiment. The Sixty-sixth, Fifth, and Seventh Ohio regiments were formed on our right, in the order named. (The Twenty-eighth Pennsylvania regiment was not with us in this engagement.)

At a given signal the brigade arose and, with defiant yells, rushed forward to the charge, Prince's brigade on the left moved forward with us. A sheet of flame and smoke burst forth from rebel batteries, musketry replied

to musketry, bayonet clashed with bayonet, and cheers rang out against cheers, as one side or the other gained the advantage in this deadly conflict. Daring warmed into rashness, and bravery into recklessness. Hurrah!

we force them back, their line is broken, a battery is almost within our grasp; when in this moment of seeming certain victory, fresh columns of rebel infantry rush upon us on the double-quick, masked batteries open on us at the same moment a most furious enfilading fire, causing our brave boys to reel and stagger. An order comes for us to retire, when three-fourths of our regiment have been placed out of the fight-dead or wounded. Slowly and sadly the remaining few obey the order, keeping our faces to the foe until fresh troops arrive to take our places, when we resume our position in the reserve near Telegraph hill. Each regiment of the brigade had done nobly, but all alike had suffered a loss so great that the four regiments together could not show a respectable facing front for one regiment. As night settled over the field of carnage and of death our entire army corps withdrew to the position it held early in the day, but our artillery kept up a desultory firing, with but short intervals during the night.

The casualties of this wounded, 26; missing, 12.

battle were: Killed, 11; Total, 49.

Private George Williams, company F, .came off the field with his third gun-two having been shot from his hands.

During August 10th and 11th skirmishing continued. In the afternoon of the last-named day the 29th regiment was inspected. Adjutant Storer reported eightythree men only present for duty.

The Union army remained on the field three days, retiring, on August 12th, to Culpeper Court House,