that officer. When he fell at Gettysburg, leading the advance, I lost not only a lieutenant of the utmost importance to me, but I may say that I lost a friend, aye, even a brother. I miss other faces which were familiar to me in your midst-Bayard, of the cavalry; Jackson, of the Third brigade; Simmons, of the Fifth; McNeil and Taylor, of the Rifles; young Kuhn, who came from Philadelphia to assist me in the field; Dehone, and a host of others whose memories you all cherish.

"It is oppressive, gentlemen, to me to go over the list of these officers who have been sacrificed; but if I could remember and name every soldier of your division that has fallen, what a long list, and what a trying recital it would be to us all! How many men who once belonged to the Pennsylvania Reserve Corps now sleep in the grave, or are lingering on earth, joyfully expecting death to end their sufferings.

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"I thank you, General Crawford, for the kind manner in which you have conveyed to me this elegant testimonial, and I also thank these gentlemen who have come so far to be present. I trust, sir, this sword will be required but a short time longer. Affairs and events now look as if this unhappy war might be brought to a happy termination. I have to request of you, gentlemen, who are in civil life, that, when you return home, you will spare no efforts to make the people understand that all we want are men to fill up our ranks. Send these to us. Give us the numbers, and the war will soon be concluded. I think the Confederates are now satisfied that their struggle is only a matter of time, as we have the force on our side, and that as soon as they see that we are bringing out that force in earnest they will yield. Permit me, before I close, to mention what I intended to refer to before this, but it escaped my memory. intended to express my delight, sir, on hearing that at Gettysburg, under your command, the Reserve Corps enacted deeds worthy of their former reputation, showing that they had lost none of their daring, and could

always be relied on in the hour and post of danger. I expected that this would be the case, it was particularly gratifying to me to hear it from your immediate commander on that occasion. Thanking you for your gal lantry there, and again thanking you for your kindness, I will conclude."

The general was followed by Governor Andrew G. Curtin, in a patriotic and soul-stirring speech, in which he paid a touching tribute to our dead, and spoke with the highest admiration and deepest regret of the lamented Reynolds. After his Excellency followed Colonel R. Biddle Roberts, late of the First Reserves, the Honorable Morton McMichael and Colonel John W. Forney after which all retired to the banquet hall, where was spread all the delicacies that a refined taste and epicurian palate could suggest. After passing a most happy evening, about ten o'clock the mirthful party broke up, the civilians taking the cars at Bealton Station, and the officers dispersing to their various camps.

The day following the banquet, the execution of five substitute deserters took place in the presence of the Fifth Corps, to which they belonged. The spot chosen was well fitted for the occasion, the troops being drawn up on the slope of a hill from which all could witness it. A death procession, composed of the culprits, a priest, a rabbi, the guard, the firing party, and the band, to the most beautiful and solemn dirges, passed down the line ́and halted in front of the graves. The prisoners seated themselves upon their coffins, were blindfolded, a short prayer was said, the orders, "ready"—"aim"- -"fire"given, and the culprits fell back dead. Their graves were filled up, and the troops marched back to their camps with their bands playing merry tunes. Men who sell their blood for money and then desert, deserve no sympathy.

On the first of September Lieutenant-colonel G. A. Woodward left us, he having been transferred to the Invalid Corps, on account of wounds received at Glen

dale, which incapacitated him for field service, although in his crippled condition he served through the Pennsylvania campaign.

The command of the regiment dévolved upon Major McDonough.

On the 15th orders were received to march, and the next morning at eight we moved, crossing the Rappahannock at Beverly's Ford, and halted for the night near Mountain run. Early the next morning we moved on, passing through Culpepper, which is a fine town and encamped about four miles beyond. Beyond the town the country was more hilly and wooded, and on an elevated range we found the marks of the artillery fight of the preceding Sunday. The trees were torn and shivered, and the carcasses of numerous horses emitted a most intolerable stench. Some of the rascally rebs took the trouble, and that under fire, of driving some of their wounded horses to the neighboring wells and tumbling them in, to spoil the water for us. On the outskirts of the town is a soldiers' burial ground, containing about a regiment, formed in column of companies, with the graves neatly sodded and marked with head-boards.

About this time Adjutant Woodward was honorably discharged the service on account of disability, and Lieutenant John L. Rhoads, commanding Company G, appointed his successor.

CHAPTER XXVI.

То

LEE'S ATTEMPT TO FLANK. BACK TO THE RAPPAHANNOCK. BRANDY STATION. THE BATTLE OF BRISTOE. To CENTREVILLE AND FAIRFAX COURT HOUSE. VICTORIES AT RAPPAHANNOCK STATION AND KELLEY'S FORD. REBEL CABINS. CROSSING THE RAPIDAN. BATTLE OF MINE RUN. WINTER QUARTERS AT BRISTOE. FLAG PRESENTATION. REORGANIZATION OF THE ARMY.

NOTHING of importance occurred while we laid here until early in October, at which time the contending forces occupied opposite banks of the Rapidan river, our line extending from near Falmouth on the left to Robertson's and Hazel rivers, beyond Thoroughfare Mountain on the right, the centre being in front of Culpepper Court House. On the 9th it was discovered that the enemy had commenced advancing northward, evi dently with the intention of interrupting our line of communication with Washington. A corresponding movement was necessary on our part, and orders were issued that night to the army to be prepared to move at short notice. At two o'clock the next morning, our division moved towards Culpepper, and then turning to the left marched around Poney Mountain and bivou-. acked at Racoon Ford, where we remained until two the next morning, when we marched back to our old camp. Early in the morning we were again in motion, acting as the rear guard of the army and passing through Culpepper moved in the direction of Rappahannock Station, where, upon our arrival, we were drawn up in line of battle, in which position we remained until night, when we crossed the river and bivouacked in our old camp of August and September last. The enemy followed us up closely through the day, and at Brandy Station a smart fight took place between our and their cavalry, in which the latter was handsomely repulsed.

On the 12th, General Meade, for the purpose of ascertaining the true extent of the enemy's demonstration, sent several corps back across the river. Early in the morning we crossed the river at Beverly's Ford, and formed in line of battle and laid there until near sundown, when we advanced to Brandy Station. Our cavalry commenced skirmishing about ten, A. M., and by night drove the enemy back to Culpepper. At midnight we marched for the river again, but in the darkness getting separated from our corps, we did not arrive at our old camp until three o'clock on the morning of

the 13th.

In this movement General Meade was successful, and on the same night Lee crossed the river further up. At seven o'clock on the morning of the 13th we moved towards Warrenton some distance, and then inclining to the right, marched for Catlett's Station, near where we bivouacked.

The two armies were now pushing forward on parallel lines, the intention of General Lee being to seize the heights of Centreville with a portion of his army, and with the remainder to fall upon our flank and rear, hoping by a sudden and determined attack to rout our army.

THE BATTLE OF BRISTOE STATION, OCTOBER 14TH, 1863. At four o'clock on the morning of the 14th we took up our march, moving nearly abreast of the Second Corps, and halting for rest after crossing Broad run. On the Second Corps reaching Bristoe Station, they found Hill's corps drawn up in line of battle. The troops which had advanced on the left of the railroad were double quicked to the right, and the cut and embankment, which Hill had neglected to occupy, were taken possession of. General Warren hastily formed his troops under cover of the cut and embankment, and the enemy making an impetuous charge upon his left flank, the men rose from their cover, and at close range, poured volley after volley into them. During the short but

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