Chapter I: Preface

This narrative was originally written without the least idea of publication, but to gratify the oft-repeated requests of my children. During the work, the ubiquitous newspaper reporter learned of it, and persuaded me to permit its publication in a local paper, where it appeared in weekly instalments. Since then the demand that I should put it in more permanent form has been so persistent and wide-spread, that I have been constrained to comply, and have carefully revised and in part rewritten it. I have endeavored to confine myself to my own observations, experiences, and impressions, giving the inner life of the soldier as we experienced it. It was my good fortune to be associated with one of the best bodies of men who took part in the great Civil War; to share in their hardships and their achievements. For this I am profoundly grateful. Their story is my own. If these splendid gray-headed "boys"--those who have not yet passed the mortal firing-line--shall find some pleasure in again tramping over that glorious route, and recalling the historic scenes, and if the younger generation shall gather inspiration for a like patriotic dedication to country and to liberty, I shall be more than paid for my imperfect work. In conclusion, I desire to acknowledge my indebtedness to Major James W. Oakford, son of our intrepid colonel, who was the first of the regiment to fall, and to Mr. Lewis B. Stillwell, son of that brave and splendid officer, Captain Richard Stillwell, Company K, who was wounded and disabled at Fredericksburg, for constant encouragement in the preparation of the work and for assistance in its publication.

SCRANTON, PA., April 5, 1904.

CONTENTS

CHAPTER PAGE

I.--FIRST LESSONS; OR, DOING THE IMPOSSIBLE 13

II.--THE ORGANIZATION AND MAKE-UP OF THE FIGHTING MACHINE CALLED "THE ARMY" 22

III.--ON THE MARCH 35

IV.--DRAWING NEAR THE ENEMY--BATTLE OF SOUTH MOUNTAIN--PRELIMINARY SKIRMISHES 46

V.--THE BATTLE OF ANTIETAM 55

VI.--THE BATTLE OF ANTIETAM--CONTINUED 68

VII.--HARPER'S FERRY AND THE LEESBURG AND HALLTOWN EXPEDITIONS 79

VIII.--FROM HARPER'S FERRY TO FREDERICKSBURG 94

IX.--THE FREDERICKSBURG CAMPAIGN 108

X.--THE BATTLE OF FREDERICKSBURG--CONTINUED 120

XI.--WHY FREDERICKSBURG WAS LOST 132

XII.--LOST COLORS RECOVERED 141

XIII.--THE WINTER AT FALMOUTH 158

XIV.--THE WINTER AT FALMOUTH--CONTINUED 179

XV.--THE BATTLE OF CHANCELLORSVILLE 200

XVI.--THE BATTLE OF CHANCELLORSVILLE--CONTINUED 220

XVII.--THE MUSTER OUT AND HOME AGAIN 239