GREYBACK MOVEMENTS. 161 into fighting order again. The stragglers soon found their regiments. Upon inspecting the arms, it was found that in the various regiments were collected every calibre and pattern known in the service, the Harper's Ferry, Springfield, Sharpe's, Maynard's, Burnside, Enfield, Tower, Belgium, Richmond, Palmetto, etc.; all mixed promiscuously together among the men, who having lost their own, appropriated their neighbors'. These when not of the calibre of the regiment, were turned in, assorted and re-issued, so that each regiment, brigade and division, if possible, would be armed alike. Accoutrements, ammunition and clothing were likewise distributed, as fast as received, and in an incredibly short time the whole army was in as good condition as ever it was to meet the foe, and their morale increased by the consciousness of what they had achieved. To General Seymour was accorded the honor of being the first to get his division into proper trim. While these matters were occupying the serious attention of the general officers of the army, the great question that agitated the public mind, was the getting rid of the grey backs," whom, there was every reason to suppose, had domiciled themselves upon the persons of the patriots and held them in a ticklish position. As we had destroyed all our clothing except what we stood in, and as soap was an article that could neither be procured "for love or money," and as clothing was issued by piece meal, it was a task easier undertaken than accomplished. But by dint of washing, scrubbing, scouring and constant vigilance, the feat was accomplished, and the boys came out in their new uniforms as clean and bright as new dollars. It is a matter of impossibility for an army to pass through what we did in the summer without being overrun with vermin, and among soldiers one is not blamed for having them on, but for keeping them. So universal were they at that time, that no one thought of being ashamed of them, and we have even heard the boys declare that they knew all the bugle calls, and had become so expert in drill as to go through the battalion movements quite accurately, and to have their regular guard mountings and dress parades. If any of our delicate readers should feel shocked at this exposure of our private affairs, we must remind them that part of our task is to show up soldier life in its true light. A rather amusing incident occurred about this time, that was in strange contrast with the foregoing. Some months previous white gloves had been ordered for the men, out of the regimental fund, and when the boys were in the greatest need of underclothing, and even shoes and blouses, they arrived, and just in time to be distributed prior to the regiment going out on a general review of the division. The remarks of our friends of the other regiments in regard to the strange contrast in our clothing was quite amusing. On the 8th, His Excellency Abraham Lincoln, arrived from Washington on a visit to the army, and in the afternoon he rode along the lines of the different divisions who were drawn up to receive him. IIe was most enthusiastically received by the troops, who honored and respected the chief who had sworn to preserve and perpetuate the nation, at any cost or sacrifice. On the 10th, Captain William D. Reitzel's new company, raised in Lancaster county and Philadelphia, arrived in camp and was assigned letter "G." They were a fine set of young men and numbered sixty-eight rank and file. The Lieutenants were, First John L. Rhoads, and Second, Max Wimpfheimer. This made our ninth company, though one was detached from us. On the same day the promotion of Lieutenant-colonel William McCandless to a full colonelcy, to date from November 1st, 1861, was received. This was in acknowledgment of his gallantry during the late battles, more particularly at Mechanicsville, where he was honorably inentioned in the official report of General McCall. On the morning of the 14th, we moved our camp PAROLED PRISONERS. 163 about two miles down the creek to Evlington Heights on the right of our line. Here we occupied a broad open plain near the creek where the men could enjoy most excellent bathing. As good water was scarce, every regiment dug a fine deep well, from which they obtained a bountiful supply of good water. Sibley tents were issued, and our rations brought up to the full standard, with cabbage, beets, onions and other vegetables in addition. Division guard mountings, company and battalion drills, and dress parades were ordered. Several reviews by Generals McClellan and Seymour took place. The sutlers also arrived, and letters and newspapers were received daily. While here the United States truce steamer Louisiana came down the river with a load of paroled Union prisoners from Richmond, among whom were Major Woodward, Captains J. Orr Finnie, P. I. Smith, and Horace Neidé, and Lieutenant Hugh P. Kennedy, of our regiment, all wounded. Also a large number of our boys, most of whom were sent north to the hospitals. Doctor Donnelly, our efficient surgeon, who had remained with the wounded, also came and was welcomed. All bore testimony to the kindness of the privates and cruelty of the officials of the Confederate Government. Towards the latter part of the month orders were issued to hold ourselves in readiness to march at a moment's notice, with arms, accoutrements and blankets only. The balloons made daily reconnoissances. This was probably occasioned by Generals, Hill and Longstreet crossing the Chickahominy at Long Bridge on a reconnoissance in force. 1 CHAPTER XVI. MIDNIGHT SHELLING. A SPY. PROMOTIONS. RETURN OF GEN- A LITTLE after midnight, on the 1st of August, the enemy brought some light batteries to Coggin's Point and the Coles House, on the right bank of the James river, directly opposite Harrison's Landing, and opened a heavy fire upon our shipping and encampments. The shot and shell flew around our camp in the most lively manner, which occasioned a grand stampede among the "darks," who took to the swamps and hid themselves. The majority of the boys taking a philosophical view of the matter considered themselves about as safe in one place as another, and did not disturb themselves from their blankets, while others of a more excitable nature, after admiring the pyrotechnical display for a time, lit their candles and went to playing cards. In about thirty minutes our guns silenced their fire, and the next morning, three of their dead, a disabled caisson and flag were found. Our loss was ten killed and fifteen wounded. No harm of the slightest consequence was done to the shipping, although several of the vessels were struck. One of the dead had no wound or mark upon him whatever, which was probably occasioned by a ball rolling over his chest and pressing the breath out of him. The popular opinion that a cannon ball passing near one's mouth may take away the breath and produce death is erroneous. The next morning, the Coles House, which had been a rendezvous for the enemy, was destroyed, and four hundred men of our brigade were sent over the river under command of Colonel McNeill, of the "Bucktails," GENERAL M'CLELLAN'S SPY. 165 to fell the timber, and a picket guard of four hundred of the First Michigan were thrown out to protect them. They returned at night with an abundance of fruit, vegetables and berries. These details were continued daily, entrenchments were thrown up by contrabands, and some heavy guns put in position, giving us a safe debouche and securing us from further midnight cannonading. One day our detail brought in a man who attempted to run through our pickets. He was an intelligent young Virginian, who crossed the river with them in the morning, representing himself as being connected with the commissary department, and appearing perfectly at home th the men. When taken he was on horseback, and tried hard to escape. He showed considerable bitterness against the "Yankees," appeared indifferent as to what they might do with him, and although annoyed at his capture, an expression of concealed fun was, in unguarded moments, caught lurking in his bright eyes. He was turned over to the provost-marshal. The next day he crossed again with a squad of cavalry, from whom he managed to slip, and despite their efforts could not be recaptured. We afterwards learned that he was a spy in the employment of General McClellan. On the 3d, Colonel Averill, with three hundred men of the Third Pennsylvania and Fifth regular cavalry, marched to Sycamore Church, some five miles from Coles House, where they found and attacked a cavalry force of the enemy five hundred and fifty strong, whom they routed, and burned their entire camp and commissary and quartermaster's stores. On the 4th the following promotions were read out on dress parade: Major G. A. Woodward to be lieutenantcolonel, vice McCandless, promoted; Captain Horace Neidé, Company A, to be major, vice Woodward, promoted; First Lieutenant Daniel H. Connor, Company A, to be captain, vice Neidé, promoted; Second Lieutenant John J. Ross, Company A to be first lieuteuant, vice Connor |