"On To The Front."
Camp Wayne was left behind, on July 21st, when the First regiment with
other Reserve troops, were ordered to rendezvous at Harrisburg, on
their way to the front.
All along the way, from the latter place, the people were in the rage
of excitement, owing to the disaster at Bull-run, the previous day,
(21st,) and when we reached Baltimore, a delegation of the city
authorities and police, waited on Col. Roberts, who was in command of
all troops then moving to the front, and urged him not to attempt a
passage through the city. Our commanders characteristic reply was,
"Gentlemen! we have not come down here hunting for safe places, my men
are thoroughly equipped, and will march through the city."
On the morning of the 23rd, we advanced through the city, the only
peculiarity, noticeable, being the scarcity of Baltimore fire-eaters
and plug-uglies.
Having passed through the heart of the city without any disturbance
whatever, we camped on Carroll Hill, in the suburbs, and here on the
24th of July, we were mustered into the U. S. Service, for three years
or during the war.
July 26th, the non-Commissioned officers were increased to 5
sergeants, and 8 corporals, A. L. C. Woods being appointed 5th
sergeant, and S. A. Young, I. N. Durboraw, I. M. Brandon and H. W.
Caufman, 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th corporals, respectively.
On the 28th, we left this camp, and marched toward Washington D. C.
but at Annapolis Junction we, with three other companies of the
regiment, went into camp, while the ballance of the regiment went to
Annapolis.
Lieut. Herron resigned on the 14th, and Capt. McPherson on the 24th of
August; an election was accordingly held, and resulted in the
promotion of W. W. Stewart, to 1st Lieut. and J. D. Sadler, to 2nd
Lieut. while Lieut. Bailey was made Captain in the regular line of
promotion.
On August 30th, we moved with the regiment, to camp Tennally, north
west of Wasington city, and at no great distance from the same.
Here a general promotion of non-commissioned officers took place, and
when finished, they stood in the following order on the company
rolls.
H. N. Minnigh, Orderly Serg't, J. J. Duey, P. H. Henry, A. L. C. Woods
and P. L. Houck, Sergeants in the order named. S. A. Young, I. N.
Durboraw, I. M. Brandon, H. W. Caufman, C. Z. Tawney, Geo. E.
Kitzmiller, H. Knox Danner and Jacob Resser, Corporals.
Eight recruits joined the company and were mustered in Sep't 3rd,
beside these, only six others ever joined the company, and they came
and were mustered in on Sep't 4th, 1862. (See roll.)
September 16th, the Penn'a Reserves, were fully organized as a
Division, with Gen'l Geo. A. McCall as Division commander, and Gen'l
Jno. F. Reynolds, in command of the First Brigade, to which Brigade
our Regiment was attached.
And now followed many weary days, consisting of Company, Regimental
and Brigade drill, also, daily details of men, who assisted in
building Fort Pennsylvania, erected by the Reserves, an occasional
review or "F A L L I N," which merely meant an exhaustive standing in
line for hours together, "the divil knows phwat fore," said Barney,
none of which was much enjoyed by the boys, who were eager to cross
the Potomac, whip the Jonnies, and then go home. Many amusing things
transpired at this camp, of which we may speak later on.