---- Curtis, of Philadelphia, as Colonel of the third regiment.
Whatever was done toward the building up of the last-named regiment
came to naught by the promulgation of an order transferring its
recruits to the 110th, and making transfers from the 110th to the 84th.
While the reason for this double transfer has been intimated, it is
not so certainly correct as to justify its statement as altogether fact.
The brigade feature failed of accomplishment. Cavalry nor Artillery put
in an appearance; and James, the proposed Brigade Commander, did not
identify himself with either regiment.
But, while James did not become commander of the Mountain Brigade,
the attempt to so locate him did place in the field two of the most
efficient among all the regiments that entered their country's service
in the War of the Rebellion, whether in the Army of the Shenandoah, the
Army of Virginia, the Army of the Potomac, or any other of the armies
of the Union.
Recruiting for the 84th commenced early in the month of August, the
first enlistment date on the roll being the 16th of that month.
I do not venture the name of the first soldier of the Regiment, lest,
like to the naming of the youngest boy in the army, I might afterwards
be met with scores of avowals that the record does not show strictly
correct. Then, again, the serenity of manner, and mildness of word,
with which a soldier is wont to put a criticism, makes it desirable to
avoid placing such a necessity before him, if a simple omission will
save his feeling upon the particular point, and the service be in no
way injured thereby.
On the 23d of October, the Regimental organization was effected.
In November, the Regiment was ordered to report at Camp Curtin, which
most Pennsylvania soldiers remember so well as overlooking Harrisburg.
Here the enlistments were continued, and on the 23d of December the
officers and men were mustered as a regiment into the service of the
United States for three years, there being at the time nine companies,
"H" omitted.
Two days previous to the muster, the Regiment was presented by Governor
Curtin, on behalf of the State, with the Colors.