CHAPTER IV.

ORGANIZATION OF THE SECOND, THIRD AND FOURTH RESERVES. DISSATISFACTION THEREWITH. ELECTION OF FIELD OFFICERS. WATCHED AND FANNED ALL NIGHT. DEPARTURE OF THE FOURTH AND THIRD REGIMENTS.

On the 14th of June, General McCall visited the camp to organize the regiments, supposing the independent companies had formed voluntary associations with one or the other of the three colonels who had parts of their regiments quartered there. Not finding such to be the case, however, after a consultation with Colonel Mann, the general issued an order for the organization of the camp, which order, after stating that "the best interests of the service demanded that the companies brought together at this camp shall be organized at the earliest day practicable," went on to say, "it would be desirable that the proposed organization should be arranged by the voluntary association of companies." He concluded by ordering that if such voluntary association could not be effected by the 19th inst., inclusive, the "organization would be conducted in the following manner: The ten companies which first arrived in camp and in the order they are now quartered, will constitute a regiment, to be known as the Second regiment; the next ten will form the Third regiment, and the last ten will form the Fourth regiment of the Pennsylvania Reserve Volunteer Corps. Each regiment so formed, will proceed without delay to elect their field officers." The companies, as quartered, were: First, eight of Colonel Mann's and two independent; next, five of Colonel De Korponay's; next, five independent; next and last, seven of Colonel Marsh's and three independent.

On the 20th, General McCall again visited the camp, and in the evening convened the captains at the commissary's building, and proceeded to organize the regiments.

As no voluntary associations had been effected, the order was read, when Lieutenant H. Clay Beatty arose and stated that as Captain Thompson's company did not arrive until several days after De Korponay's had, he should not be thrown into the first division. Against this the De Korponay companies earnestly protested, maintaining that as they were the companies assigned to the colonel by the Governor, they could not be taken from him, and as Captain Thompson's company had been accepted by the Governor as one of Colonel Mann's, he rightfully belonged to him, and that the mere fact of the delay of a few days in his arrival in camp, where quarters had been assigned, and kept for him, did not alter the case. After considerable argument, the General announced that the names of Captains Thompson and Sickel and four of De Korponay's captains be placed in a hat, and the question of which two companies should go to Colonel Mann, be decided by lot.

This gave two chances to one against Colonel De Korponay. Lieutenant Henry A. Scheetz, aid-de-camp to General McCall, drew the slips, and the first two names drawn were Captains G. A. Woodward and E. M. Woodward. This destroyed all hope of the De Korponay regiment. It cannot be denied, the officers and men were deeply attached to De Korponay, and the effect of this blow upon them was severely felt. A captain of one of the companies detached, threw himself upon his hands and wept like a child, and his company broke out in open mutiny, and attempted to seize a number of muskets in a neighboring officer's quarters. It was with the utmost difficulty the other De Korponay's companies could be kept quiet, and in fact it was deemed necessary to order out the whole camp for the purpose. Though defeated, the De Korponay companies desired to remain together, for which purpose, Captains Smith and Finnie of the Third regiment exchanged with Captains Thompson and McClure of the Second regiment.

The three regiments having now been formed, elec

tions were held in them the next day for Field Officers, which resulted as follows:

Second Regiment.-Colonel, Wm. B. Mann. LieutenantColonel, Albert L. Magilton. Major, Wm. McCandless. Third Regiment. Horatio G. Sickel. LieutenantColonel, Wm. S. Thompson. Major, Richard H. Wool. worth.

Fourth Regiment.-Colonel, Robert G. March. Lieutenant-Colonel, John F. Gaul. Major, Robert M.

McClure.

The four De Korponay companies of the Second Regiment, cast a unanimous vote for Colonel De Korponay and Lieutenant-Colonel A. L. Snowden.

Soon after, the men commenced receiving clothing from the State, the first instalment, consisting of twenty blankets and forty pair of shoes for each company, and some time after their complete outfit and arms came.

The Fourth of July in due course of time rolled round, and was duly celebrated with the usual festivities appropriate for the occasion. Of course the liberty of the camp was much enlarged, and the number of passes to town largely increased, while a still larger proportion of "absent without leave," managed to get out. Although many of the patriots' brains became in a highly inflammatory state, every thing passed off in good humor, and taking all things into consideration, they had a very happy and jovial time. As a precautionary measure, heavy details were sent from camp to patrol the town and collect the disabled, who were conveyed to camp and carefully stowed away in their bunks, until they became refreshed with sleep.

For the better accommodation of the sick, a large hospital was erected near the centre of the race course, in a wooded grove, to which was attached a laboratory, kitchen, washing and dining rooms. This building was appropriated to the Second Regiment, the hospitals of the Third and Fourth Regiments being located at the Head-quarters of their respective colonels.

One day upon the arrival of the Philadelphia train at South Easton, a young soldier who was "slightly inebriated," fell through the trestle work upon a coal pile below, a distance of twenty feet, and his Captain and one of the Surgeon's being there, immediately went to his assistance, but before their arrival he had got up and started for camp. Fearing he was internally hurt, they started in pursuit, and soon overtaking him, detained him until an ambulance could be sent for. Night came, but no ambulance, so he was put in a carriage, conveyed to camp, stripped, examined and lapped up in warm blankets and put to bed in his bunk. In the meantime the ambulance came down the street in search of the wounded soldier, and finding a green shirter," stretched upon a cellar door, he was carefully picked 'up and conveyed with brotherly care to the Camp Hospital, where two of his comrades were detailed to watch over and fan him through the night.

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Through the long and weary hours, faithfully did they perform their charge, with a love and watchfulness known only among comrades. The morning came, but the soldier still slept, until at last the Surgeon approach ing him, gently woke him up. "Andy, my boy, how do you feel?" Feel," replied the bewildered boy, as he gazed upon the strange scene around him, "feel, why where am I? what has happened to me?" Ah, Andy,' replied the Surgeon in a kind and gentle voice, as he stripped off the bed clothing to examine him, "I fear you are seriously hurt; you fell through the tressel work at South Easton, and the only wonder is, it did not kill you instantly. Draw your leg up and stretch it out." Andy with some misgivings, slowly obeyed. "Draw up the other one-now stretch out your arms." "Does that. hurt you," said the Surgeon as he pressed his ribs and breast. "No, sir," replied Andy.

"See here, young man," said the Surgeon, beginning to smell a rat, "I guess you were drunk last night, get up out of that bed and travel." 'Well," replied Andy,

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as the truth flashed upon him, and a comical expression came over his face, “I think you guess right, but Doctor, hadn't you better set those broken bones of mine first?" As Andy passed down the ward, a tittering was heard among the patients, and some unable to repress their smiles, covered their heads with their blankets, and gave vent to hearty laughter. A quiet old gentleman who witnessed the scene, called Andy to one side as he passed through the laboratory, and gave him a drink of brandy, remarking, that "that would set his bones all right." Andy enjoyed the arrangement wonderfully, and was always afterwards on the best terms with the Surgeon. The young man who fell through the tressel work, was on drill the next morning as sound as ever.

On the 14th, His Excellency, Andrew G. Curtin, Governor of the State arrived, and a review of the troops was ordered. The men were dressed in their light blue pants, neat dark blue blouses, and fatigue caps, with their muskets and brasses as bright as new dollars. Being thrown into column of companies, they passed in review before His Excellency, who was surrounded by his staff. The affair was very creditable for newly organized troops, and the Governor expressed himself much pleased.

The next day, Major H. D. Maxwell, the PaymasterGeneral of the State of Pennsylvania, arrived in camp and commenced paying off the Second Regiment, but when he got through with two companies, orders were received for the Fourth to prepare to march, so the payment of the Second was suspended, and that of the Fourth commenced and got through within a short time.

On the 16th, the Fourth, Colonel March, left the camp and proceeded by rail to Harrisburg. The payment of the Second and Third Regiments was resumed and soon completed, and on the 22d, the Third, Colonel Sickel, was ordered to Harrisburg.