THE BATTLE OF NEW HOPE CHURCH.

301

siderable force, and had a long line of rifle-pits erected. During the night the enemy withdrew.

The next morning, the 8th, we reached Kelley's Ford, and about one P. M. crossed the Rappahannock, and massed in column of division, halted awhile, and then advanced about two miles and took possession of the fine winter quarters built by A. P. Hill's Corps, which we found much more comfortable than our own shelter tents. They were composed of log cabins with shingled roofs, ample chimney-places, and furnished with bunks, tables, and stools. Here were captured three thousand pair of drawers, a large lot of harness, muskets, horse-shoes, blacksmith's coal, etc.

On the 10th we marched to Mountain run, where we also found comfortable quarters, which the enemy had erected in expectation of enjoying a pleasant winter's rest. We remained here until the 24th, during which time we were paid off by Major Smith, had several inspections, and drilled continually.

On the 24th we broke camp, and marched in the direction. of the Rapidan, but on account of the violence of a rain storm that set in, we countermarched and returned to our quarters where we remained until the 26th.

On the 26th, we again marched from our quarters towards the Rapidan, which we crossed at Culpepper Mine Ford, and advanced on the Culpepper Plank road, and halted near its junction with the Orange Plank road, and bivouacked for the night within three miles of Chancellorsville.

On the 27th was fought the battle of Locust Grove, which resulted in the success of our arms and the retreat

of the enemy, with heavy loss. That morning we marched to New Hope Church, where we found Gregg's cavalry division, which we relieved, and then throwing out skirmishers, formed in line of battle, and laid down all day under a heavy shelling without pulling a trigger.*

* See Appendix A.

On the 28th, the enemy were pursued towards their defences on the west bank of Mine run, a small tributary of the Rapidan. Their position was a very strong one, the line being formed on a series of ridges with enfilading positions for batteries, while in front stretched an extensive marsh. That morning we moved to the right and halted at Robinson's tavern.

On the 29th, we advanced to Mine run, and formed a line of battle, and bivouacked there for the night. On the 30th, we were advanced to the right and deployed as skirmishers, and then moved into a woods where we laid until the 2d of December. The shelling on both sides was for a time very heavy, but little damage, however was done.* The men suffered severely from the cold, some being frozen to death, and others carried to the rear, totally benumbed. General Warren reported that the enemy's right could be carried, but after a careful examination of the position, General Meade concluded it could not be done without a fearful sacrifice of life. Accordingly a retrograde movement was decided upon, and on the 2d it was commenced, a large portion of the army returning to their old quarters at Brandy Station, while a portion was stretched along the Orange and Alexandria Railroad for its protection.

On the evening of the 2d, we commenced falling back, and crossed the Rapidan at five o'clock the next morning, when we took a couple of hours rest, marching again at eight o'clock for Brandy Station, where we bivouacked for the night. On the 4th, we moved across the Rappahannock, and arrived at Bristoe Station on the 5th.

During this movement, the army suffered much from cold, many times being in positions that forebade the building of fires. Yet they stood the fatigues and hardships with great fortitude, and were as rugged and hearty

as ever.

Our encampment laid on the south side of Broad run,

See Appendix A.

FLAG PRESENTATION.

303

on a hill overlooking the surrounding country. We had the good fortune to occupy the log cabins built by the One-hundred-and-forty-ninth regiment Pennsylvania volunteers, which we found quite comfortable, and regularly laid out in company streets. Surrounding all was a rifle-pit.

About two miles to the southeast laid the almost deserted village of Brentsville, the county town of Prince William. This village, like most others in Virginia, being deprived of all the active portion of its population and trade, was soon deserted by those that remained, who had no other alternative but starvation. Daily the soldiers entered the deserted village and carried off doors, windows, weather-boards, bricks, etc., to their camps, and soon but little was left of the village, except a few occupied houses, the chimneys and innumerable cats and dogs. Many of the latter were brought to camp, each mess having its pet, which, though very agreeable companions by day, sometimes made night hideous with their noise.

During the winter, the guerrillas became exceedingly bold and annoying, sometimes approaching quite near our picket lines, and several skirmishes took place with them. On the 28th of January, 1864, John Hoover, Company F, was ambuscaded by them, and wounded in the arm, which it was necessary to amputate.

About this time Lieutenant James C. Manton, of Company B, while being conveyed home, died at Alexandria. He was a brave young officer of much promise, and had been in command of his company for a long while. He was buried in Philadelphia.

On the 17th of February, First Lieutenant Robert R. Smith, Company D, joined us, he having recovered from his wound received at Antietam.

Nothing of interest occurred until the 14th of March, when a Committee of the Cooper Shop Volunteer Refreshment Saloon, consisting of Messrs. Joseph Megary, Philip Fitzpatrick, E. S. Cooper, William Cooper, Jr.,

Samuel W. Nichols, Charles McDonough, William Dougherty and Joseph T. Packer, visited camp, charged with the presentation of a beautiful silk flag and markers to the regiment. The day was a beautiful one, and the presentation ceremony took place in the presence of the brigade, which was formed on three sides of a square, with the Second as the base.

About two o'clock, the Committee, accompanied by Colonel McCandless, commanding the division, and Colonel Talley, commanding the brigade, their respective staffs, and a number of ladies, rode to the centre of the square and dismounted, when Mr. Megary stepped to the front with the flag, which he presented in a neat and patriotic speech, which was responded to on behalf of the regiment by Colonel McCandless. The color-guard then advanced, and the Color-sergeant, Joseph F. Sweeton, received it, amid the loud cheers of the boys and patriotic strains of the band. The colonel and the com mittee then took position and the brigade passed in review, after which they repaired to the camp of the Second, where a handsome collation had been prepared in a large tent, beautifully decorated with evergreens. After the removal of the cloth, toasts were drunk, and patriotic speeches, abounding in wit and humor, were made, and at taps all retired to their quarters.

About this time the reorganization of the Army of the Potomac was commenced, some of the army corps, divisions, and brigades, being broken up and consolidated with others. The three brigades of the First division of the Fifth Corps were consolidated into two brigades, and the Second Division was consolidated into one brigade, all designated as the First Division, Fifth Corps, commanded by Brigadier-general Charles Griffin.

The Second brigade of the Third Division, First Corps, was transferred to the Second division, First Corps, and this division was designated the Second Division, Fifth Corps, commanded by Brigadier-general J. C. Robinson.

The old Third Division (Pennsylvania Reserves) Fifth

RELIEVED BY BURNSIDE.

305

Corps, was retained as the Third Division, Fifth Corps, commanded by Brigadier-general S. W. Crawford.

The First brigade of the Third Division, First Corps, was transferred to the First Division, First Corps, and this division was designated as the Fourth Division, Fifth Corps, commanded by Brigadier-general J. S. Wadsworth.

The command of the Fifth Corps was assigned to General Warren, General Sykes being relieved.

From this time every thing passed off comparatively quiet until the 29th of April, when we were relieved by Burnside's Corps. At ten A. M., on that day we broke camp, and marched one mile beyond Warrenton Junction, where we bivouacked. The next morning we marched at five o'clock, crossed the Rappahannock and encamped about a mile to the east of the Culpepper Court House, where we remained until the 4th of May.

CHAPTER XXVII.

POSITION OF THE ARMIES. OPENING OF GRANT'S CAMPAIGN. THE BATTLE OF THE WILDERNESS. THE BATTLE OF SPOTTSYLVANIA COURT HOUSE. ENGAGEMENT AT GUINNEY'S STATION. ENGAGEMENT AT NORTH ANNA. TERM OF SERVICE EXPIRES. THE REGIMENT RESOLVES TO REMAIN. THE BATTLE OF BETHESDA CHURCH. THE PARTING. MARCHING HOME. RECEPTION IN HARRISBURG AND PHILADELPHIA. PRESENTATION OF MEDALS.

At this time our army was consolidated near Culpepper Court House, about ten miles north of the Rapidan, the Confederate army was mainly at Orange Court House, about ten miles south of the river: the outposts and pickets of both armies reaching that stream, on either side. On the morning of the 3d of May, orders for the advance of our army were issued. The crossing of the Rapidan was effected during that day and the following