At Harrison's Landing.
But the campaign is ended, and on July 3rd, we go into camp at
Harrison's landing, six miles down the James river.
Here we suffer many hardships on account of inferior rations and
unwholesome water, producing malarious and chronic diseases, and this
we endured for forty-two days.
A regular promotion of company officers took place here, as
follows:--W. W. Stewart to be Captain, J. D. Sadler, 1st Lieut. and H.
N. Minnigh, 2nd Lieut. Sadler was in command Stewart being absent
wounded.
August the 15th, we took the lead in the evacuation of the Peninsula,
and embarked on the steamer Rob't Morrison, for the avowed purpose of
joining Pope's army before Washington. We landed at Aquia creek, on
the 19th, and proceeding thence by way of Fredericksburg, and at
Warrenton junction, we fell in with Pope's forces, hurrying back
toward the National capitol, with the rebel horde at his heels.
We reached Bull Run on the 29th, and found that a portion of the rebel
army had beat us in the race, but by a flank movement we passed them,
took up a position on the old battle ground, skirmished back and forth
one whole day, and waited eagerly the coming of McClellan's army.
After a brave and obstinate contest, lasting all day on the 30th, in
which a victory should have been won, but was lost through the
defection and petty jealousies of some leading officers, the Union
forces yielded the ground and fell back toward Washington.
On the night of Sep't 1st, we picketed on the flank of the army camped
at Centreville, then joined in the general retreat and finally went
into camp at Upton's hill, near Alexandria.
September 6th, we moved across the Long Bridge, through Washington
city, to Leesboro, Md. where we went into camp.
The Rebel army under Gen'l Lee, has crossed the Potomac near Point of
Rocks, and it is his intention to "liberate Maryland, and invade
Pennsylvania."
His plan is to hold the gaps across South Mountain, and push his army
north through the rich and beautiful Cumberland valley, "cut his way
to Philadelphia, and dictate terms of peace in Independence Square."
On September 14th, the Union army found the enemy well posted on the
mountain twelve miles west of Frederick city, and four miles from
Middletown, and the Union veterans of the Peninsula, hurried up to
meet him. Reaching the foot of the mountain after a hurried march, we
file to the right, then face to the front, and begin the ascent of the
mountain. Onward, upward we sweep, like a great tidal wave, the foot
of the last acclivity is reached, then with a cheer, we cross the
stone wall in our front, and with a rush up through the corn field,
then a short, desperate, decisive struggle, and the battle of South
Mountain is won.
Lieut. J. D. Sadler in command of the company fell while gallantly
leading his men in this charge, and at the same moment Jere. Naylor
and Peter Miller, were killed, while Lieut. H. N. Minnigh and several
men were wounded, leaving the company without a commissioned officer,
Capt. Stewart still being absent, on account of wounds.
On September 17th, the command was at Antietam, and took its place in
line, though the company only numbered ten or twelve men for duty, and
were led by Serg't Kitzmiller, and fortunately no casualties occurred,
during that terrible struggle.