Hagerstown.—Martinsburg.—A New Campaign.—Return of Colonel
Taylor.—Crossing the river at Berlin.—Appearance of the
Country.—Loyal Quakers.—Removal of General McClellan.—His
Farewell Address.—Causes of his Popularity.
Saturday, October 11th, the Thirty-third left the vicinity of Bakersville
and encamped near Hagerstown, which is a thriving village of some four
thousand inhabitants. It is the county-seat of Washington County,
Maryland, which has sent 1,600 men to the war. The _Herald and Torch_,
a staunch Union paper, is published here, and the people, with but few
exceptions, are thoroughly loyal. During the first year of the rebellion
a secession sheet was issued, but the people becoming exasperated,
compelled the editor to remove to Dixie. When General Lee occupied the
place a few weeks since, he returned and coolly taking possession of the
Torch Office, resurrected his paper. He was, of course, obliged to retire
with the rebel army.
One of the most noticeable features of the place was the numerous bevies
of fair maidens, who, in accordance with the southern habit, sallied out,
after tea, without shawls or bonnets, on moonlight walks. These rambles
gave rise to many pleasant acquaintances, at least on the part of the
soldiers.
There is a daily stage running from Hagerstown to Williamsport and
Martinsburg, two other thoroughly loyal places. Martinsburg is situated
on the Virginia side, thirteen miles back from the Potomac. When the vote
on the ordinance of secession was taken, it gave an overwhelming Union
majority, though rebel bayonets were bristling at the polls. Through all
the vicissitudes of this unhappy struggle, the people have remained true
to their first faith.
On the same day that the Regiment reached its new encampment,
General Stuart started on his famous detour round our lines, and
Lieutenant-Colonel Corning was despatched with the Thirty-third and
Seventy-seventh New York, and two pieces of artillery, to the Cavetown
Turnpike bridge. His instructions were to watch vigilantly for the
rebel cavalry, and intercept any of them who might return that way
from Chambersburg, where they had gone. But, instead of taking the
backward track, Stuart kept on round our army, and passing by Frederick,
crossed back into Virginia near Edward’s Ferry. This was considered a
wonderful feat at the time, but has since been cast into the shade by the
operations of General Stoneman.
Saturday, October 18th, the Third Brigade passed through Hagerstown, and
arrived at Clear Spring on the following morning. The Thirty-third was
immediately stationed along the Potomac to guard Nolan’s Ferry, Dam No.
5, the “Fiddle-String,” and various other points on the river and canal.
The weather now began to grow cold, and a northeast wind blew much of the
time, which occasioned some discomfort to those who were not provided
with tents.
On the 27th, the Regiment again proceeded on picket for three days,
during which time a company of Maryland cavalry forded the river, and,
surprising the rebel pickets, captured several of them.
Six weeks had how elapsed since the battle of Antietam, during which time
our army had been posted along the Potomac for the distance of twenty
miles or more, guarding the various fords and recuperating their energies
for another campaign. The rebels, in the meantime, having harvested all
the rich cereals of the Shenandoah Valley, and destroyed the Baltimore
and Ohio railroad, began to fall back to the interior of the State. This
retrograde movement commenced during the third week of October. General
McClellan immediately detected it, and prepared for an advance. Instead
of following directly after the enemy, he decided upon marching down the
Loudon Valley, lying parallel with the Shenandoah, and separated from it
by the Blue Ridge; the army to proceed in two columns, one, consisting of
the troops around Harper’s Ferry, to march along the southern base of the
Blue Ridge; the other, comprising those about Williamsport, Sharpsburg,
and in Pleasant Valley, to cross the river at Berlin, and pursuing the
various turnpikes, unite with the first in the vicinity of Warrenton,
about forty miles from the Potomac.
Friday, October 24th, a detachment of the Fiftieth New York, Engineers,
under Major Spaulding, was sent to Berlin, six miles below Harper’s
Ferry, and constructed a bridge 1,500 feet long, consisting of sixty
pontoons. On the following Tuesday, October 28th, General Franklin’s
Corps received marching orders. The next day the Third Brigade took up
the line of march, and was joined at Shafer’s farm, on Thursday, by the
Thirty-third, which had returned from picket duty. Proceeding through
Boonsboro and Turner’s Gap, the Regiment reached Berlin on Saturday,
where it was joined by Colonel Taylor and Lieutenant Corning, returned
from recruiting service. Colonel Taylor had been very successful in his
labors, having secured more than two hundred new men, who were sent on at
Hagerstown.
Troops were converging at this point from all directions, waiting for
their turn to cross over into Dixie, and long trains of ammunition and
supplies extended back into the country for miles. At sunset, on the
evening of the 2d of November, the army commenced crossing. The crescent
moon shone brightly over the heights of Loudon, and, seemingly far
up in the heavens, a red signal light glimmered on the summit of the
neighboring mountain. Scattered along the Maryland hillsides for miles,
were camp fires, lighting up the picturesque scenery and shimmering on
the clear and sparkling waters of the Potomac. Seated at one of them was
the brave General Reynolds, since killed at the battle of Gettysburg,
dressed in a turban and loose gown, conversing with his staff. The cries
of boatmen, coming up from below with supplies, were mingled with the
clatter of horses’ hoofs, whose riders galloped down the tow-path from
Pleasant Valley with dispatches for the various Corps Commanders. The
occasional booming of a gun could be heard in the west, indicating that
our cavalry were in proximity to the enemy.
[Illustration: Crossing at Berlin.]
All night long a steady stream of men poured over, cheering lustily
as they reached the opposite shore. The Thirty-third marched over the
bridge about six o’clock in the morning (Monday), and passing through
Lovettsville, encamped about ten miles from the river. The route lay
through a most fertile and productive region, which had not been ravaged
by either army, and the boys, with Stuart’s raid fresh in their minds,
_foraged_ on an unparalleled scale. Unmindful of Gen. McClellan’s order
against “jayhawking,” they scoured over the adjoining farms, and from
every direction were heard, through the stillness of the night, the
piercing wail of expiring pork, the plaintive lowing of stricken bovine,
or suppressed cry of unfortunate gallinaceous. No details of guards were
made to protect the rebel inhabitants, as was the case on the Peninsula,
and the next day found many of the men mounted upon horses and loaded
down with booty of every description. Not far from this camp was the
scene of Lieutenant-Colonel McVicar’s brilliant exploit, where, a few
days before, he had gallantly led a charge upon the enemy. He rode far
in advance of the charging party, captured several prisoners, and, in
addition to having his horse shot under him, received five bullets
through his clothing. One of the captured horses was presented to him by
the commander of the expedition, and since his death has been sent home
to his widow at Rochester.
Tuesday we resumed the march at daylight, and proceeding fifteen miles,
near by a Quaker settlement, encamped beyond Union. With hardly an
exception, these Friends have remained staunch Unionists, and, what is
more, have not hesitated to proclaim their anti-slavery sentiments when
the rebel minions have been all around them.
Mr. Yardly Taylor, the leading man in the society, is widely known among
the Quakers of the Northern States. He possessed a magnificent estate,
beautified with groves, arbors, gravel walks, and gardens abounding in
every variety of exotics. We found him a very genial, affable gentleman,
upwards of 60 years of age, and willing to do anything for the Federal
soldiers. This Union settlement was like an oasis in the desert of
rebellion.
The road from Union to Philamount presented numerous evidences of the
severe cavalry fights which had taken place between Gens. Pleasanton and
Stuart. There were also several Federal and Rebel wounded scattered among
the farm-houses. A few fresh graves were likewise observed. We remained
in camp until two o’clock, Wednesday afternoon, and then marched five
miles to a point, where the various columns of the army could be seen,
extending up and down the valley for many miles, and presenting a fine
spectacle. Heavy cannonading was heard all day from the front.
Thursday we marched seven miles more. As we proceeded further into
Virginia, the country grew very desolate, exhibiting all the ravages
and evils of war. Gens. Geary and Blenker with his German Division, had
both been through here in the spring, and the rebel army had since come
along and destroyed what they left. It seemed as though the hand of the
destroying angel had swept over the land, withering as it went.
Owing, however, to the absence of nearly all the men in the army,
the game in this region had not been hunted down, and was found in
abundance. The fur, fin and feather tribes held almost undisputed sway in
the forests and streams.
Friday we marched at 6 A. M., and arriving at White Plains, waited for
supplies. A dreary snowstorm prevailed all day, covering the ground to
the depth of several inches. Many of the men, who had imprudently thrown
away their overcoats or blankets, suffered severely from the cold.
The intelligence received on Saturday, that Gen. McClellan had been
removed, added still more to the gloom. The order for his removal reached
his headquarters at Rectortown, a small village to the right of White
Plains, about 11 o’clock on the previous evening. Gen. Gorman and several
members of his staff were present at the time. He continued conversing
in a cheerful manner, and was apparently the least affected one of the
number. Gen. Burnside, to whom the command was turned over, soon made his
appearance, and spent the greater portion of the night in consultation
with him, after which Gen. McClellan penned the following farewell
address to his troops:
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, CAMP NEAR
RECTORTOWN, VA., November 7th, 1862.
_Officers and Soldiers of the Army of the Potomac_:
An order of the President devolves upon Major General Burnside
the command of this army. In parting from you I cannot express
the love and gratitude I bear you. As an army, you have grown
up under my care. In you I have never found doubt or coldness.
The battles you have fought under my command, will probably
live in our nation’s history. The glory you have achieved;
our marches, perils and fatigues; the graves of our comrades
fallen in battle and by disease; the broken forms of those whom
wounds and sickness have disabled; the strongest associations
which exist among men, unite us still by an indissoluble tie.
We shall ever be comrades in supporting the Constitution of our
country, and the nationality of its people.
GEORGE B. McCLELLAN,
_Major-General United States Army_.
On the Sunday evening following, he gave an informal reception at his
tent, where several hours were spent in conversation. Upon one of the
guests remarking to him, “General, we shall see you back again in a
fortnight,” he replied, “If I never return to the Army of the Potomac,
may I live to write its history. It is a task to which I shall devote
myself.”
To another he remarked, “I feel as if the Army of the Potomac belonged to
me. It is mine. I feel that its officers are my brothers, its soldiers
my children. This separation is like a forcible divorce of husband and
wife.” Of his successor, he said: “Burnside is the best and honestest of
men. He is no Mr. Pope, he will do a great deal better than you expect.”
Monday he rode among the troops, accompanied by a large retinue, and
took an affectionate adieu of all of them. History fails to present, if
we except the parting of Napoleon from his soldiers, so affecting and
imposing a spectacle as was this farewell of Gen. McClellan to the army,
whose leader he had been for eighteen months. After visiting the troops
at Warrenton and vicinity, he rode out to New Baltimore, where Smith’s
Division had arrived. The various Regiments were drawn up in line, with
bright uniforms and burnished arms, and as their late Chief passed slowly
before them, rent the air with cheers. It was a great ovation, shrouded
in the gloom of a funeral occasion.
Gen. McClellan’s connection with the soldiers of the Army of the Potomac
was ended, but nothing could sever the bonds of friendship and affection
which united him to them. To many the secret of this great popularity has
ever been a mystery. It arose from a variety of causes. It is rarely the
case that a Regiment does not become attached to its Colonel, a Brigade
to its Brigadier, and a Division or Corps to its Major-General. In the
same manner the army became attached to its commander. Long connection
increases this attachment, and General McClellan had been associated with
these soldiers for nearly a year and a half.
Gen. McClellan possessed a physique and address calculated to excite
admiration. Indeed, it was proverbial in the army that no one could doff
his hat so gracefully as “Little Mac.” In addition to being Napoleonic
in his appearance, he was Napoleonic in his speeches and orders, which
equally won their hearts. He was likewise free from that boasting spirit
which had made Pope so unpopular.
He visited frequently among his troops—an important means of winning
popularity. His Generals, appointed and promoted through his influence,
thoroughly infused a McClellan element into their commands. An army
of Generals bear very much the same relation to their Chief that
office-holders do to the head of their party. By maintaining him in his
position, they ensure their own, and in promoting his interests, they
promote themselves. Especially is this true under a Democratic form of
Government, where politics exert such an undue influence in the army.
Gen. McClellan’s troops were, furthermore, of the opinion that his plans
had been interfered with by the Washington authorities, and promised
reinforcements withheld at the very moment he most needed them. Finally,
they believed that he could lead them to victory.
When we speak of this enthusiasm for General McClellan, we do not,
however, imply that it was universal. Not only Burnside, but his whole
Ninth Army Corps, began to question his military capacity, when he failed
to “push the enemy to the wall,” on the day succeeding the battle of
Antietam. The troops who had previously been attached to the Department
of Virginia proper, as well as the new levies, were to a certain extent
indifferent as to who might be their leader.