ance," the men being transferred to the other companies of the regiment, and the officers honorably discharged. There were some points in this order worthy of observation. The companies could not be "accepted," although they had been regularly mustered into the United States service nearly a month before, and the officers had been in the exercise and discharge of their duties during that time, and were recognized as such, they subsequently drawing their pay. Again, the officers were "honorably discharged" from the United States service, which the order stated they could not be "accepted" into. But the most important point in regard to the order is, that it was illegal, there being no authority to discharge an officer from the army, except by order of the President of the United States. This is distinctly stated in the Army Regulations of 1861, and was subsequently admitted to the author, by the Honorable Simon Cameron, Secretary of War. General Banks,, however, had but lately entered upon his military life, and doubtless was ignorant of the laws upon the subject, or else it is hardly to be supposed he would have assumed a power not vested in him, and that too, when he had received orders to send all the Pennsylvania Reserves to General McCall. General McCall entertained the same opinion of the illegality of the order, and protested against it, but Fitz John Porter was indirectly connected with the arrangement, and he, with General Banks, were favorites of Mr. Cameron, and their friends were pushing them for posltions, so the Secretary would not revoke an order he acknowledged to be illegal.

This was a gross act of injustice, as the officers were no more responsible for the loss of the men, than if they had been killed in battle, but the colonel finding his ranks greatly reduced, was unwilling to await the slow process of recruiting, and supposing the governor would immediately order four full companies to fill up the regiment, he sanctioned the act. But His Excellency could not be induced to assign companies in their place, and

so far from acknowledging the legality of the act, he soon after issued commissions to the officers. The officers discharged were Captains P. McDonough, T. Bringhurst, E. M. Woodward and William Knox. First Lieutenants John D. Schock, George W. Kite, John K. Brown and Thomas Weir. Second Lieutenants John Gill, William Edwards and John H. Jack. One lieutenant of the companies was not discharged, another discharged who had resigned a month before, and had not been mustered into the United States service, and another transferred to a company in which there was no vacancy. Captain McDonough raised another company, joined the regiment at Camp Pierpont, and was subsequently promoted lieutenant-colonel. Captain Woodward entered the ranks along with his men who remained true, was appointed sergeant-major of the regiment and at the battle of Antietam, promoted adjutant. Captain Knox was appointed sutler, and continued with the regiment until May, 1862. Of the lieutenants, John H. Jack returned with Captain McDonough, was wounded at the battle of Bull Run, and promoted captain for gallant conduct. John K. Brown for a year was connected with the brigade commissary. Wm. Edwards entered the Curtin Light Guard as orderly sergeant, and George W. Kite the Ninety-first Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers. About this time First Lieutenant Isaac J. Harvey, Company K, was detailed to the Signal Corps.

On the 28th, orders were received to draw provisions and prepare to march, and during the evening there was a busy time cooking and packing up. At three o'clock the next morning the reveille sounded, and soon the camp was all astir, and at seven we took up our line of march, the rain descending in torrents, drenching us to the skin. But onward the men pressed through the mud, and about four o'clock in the afternoon, after a tiresome march of only eight miles, went into camp about two miles from Darnestown. The next day Colonel Thomas was detached from the command of our brigade,

which devolved upon Colonel Charles J. Biddle, of the “Bucktails.” The regiment remained here until the 19th of September, when at eleven o'clock at night the "long roll" awakened the sleepers. Getting under arms and into line, we moved off in a southeasterly direction, and after a march of eight miles arrived at Muddy Branch, a tributary of the Potomac, where we were sent to guard a supply train. Here we remained until the 25th, when we again moved, marching fifteen miles, to Tenallytown, where we joined the Division of Pennsylvania Reserves, under Brigadier-General George A. McCall.

TENALLYTOWN.

CHAPTER VII.

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 pur

pose.

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 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 nine 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 Pennsylania 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 fellow-citizens 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 pic-nic style, in the grove fronting General McCall's headquarters. There were several ladies in the party-Mrs. Governor 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 was 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 Chain Bridge into Virginia, returned to Washington, via the Long Bridge. While we laid here heavy details were made daily