CHAPTER XII.

REORGANIZATION.

THE preceding chapters of this regimental history have recorded the story of the year of preparation and discipline, and the year of trial, suffering, and winnowing. We now approach what may well be called the year of sacrifice and martyrdom. We are to recount the story of the organization so dear to all our hearts, so much, in fact, a portion of our very existence, which was now to undergo its most fearful trials, and, by the sacrifice of its noblest blood, to maintain and enhance a reputation for courage and devotion which had been won in summer's heat in the fields and swamps of Mississippi, and in the winter's cold in the mountain wilds of East Tennessee.

At Annapolis we found a large force encamped, the post being commanded by Colonel Hartranft, of the Fifty-first Pennsylvania Volunteers, as Provisional Commander. The Ninth Army Corps, relieved from duty in the Department of the Ohio, had been ordered to rendezvous at this place for reorganization. On the 7th of January, soon after his departure from East Tennessee, General Burnside was reassigned to the command of the Ninth Corps, with instructions to "recruit and fill up the old regiments," and to increase the strength of the corps to fifty thousand men, for such service as the War Department should especially designate. The great popularity of General Burnside in New England, and the other States represented in the old Ninth Corps, secured the cordial coöperation of the authorities, and recruiting was carried forward with gratifying success. Massachusetts

pledged her four veteran infantry regiments, already in pro- . cess of organization, and all the New England States, Pennsylvania, New York, and Michigan, sent forward many new regiments which had been recruited during the winter under the personal supervision of General Burnside. Although the destination of this force remained a mystery, it was confidently expected throughout the corps that General Burnside was to be assigned to an independent command, and that a coast expedition was to be organized. The general impression prevailed that the corps was to be sent to North Carolina, or to the Virginia peninsula to coöperate with the Army of the Potomac in the campaign about to open. prospect in view the men were highly elated.

With this

The camp at Annapolis was delightful, and revived the pleasant memories of Newport News and Camp Dick Robinson, the only places where we had ever "played soldier." It was laid out with military precision, in accordance with army regulations. The company streets were wide and wellpoliced, the new white A tents were decorated with evergreen and holly, and the grounds, laid out in tasty squares and centre-pieces, presented a beautiful appearance. Contrasted with what had preceded, and what was about to follow, if was a genuine holiday camp, -a bright oasis in the desert of a soldier's life. The burning sun of Mississippi, the deadly malaria of the Yazoo, the freezing cold and corncob rations of Tennessee, were soon forgotten in the general happiness and comfort of this delightful camp. Following those long and rigorous campaigns, the rest and abundant rations were gratefully enjoyed. Many of the "absent sick" who had been left in general hospitals in Kentucky and Ohio to recover from the effects of the former severe campaigns, returned to duty. New clothing and equipments were issued, and the regiment soon regained something of its familiar appearance. Company and regimental drills, inspections, parades, and reviews, together with the work of reorganizing and equipping the regiment, caused the time to pass rapidly

and pleasantly. We were also visited by many citizens of Massachusetts,-friends of the regiment,-who brought with them, not cheering words only, but many substantial tokens of the good-will and affectionate remembrance of the dear ones at home. Here, also, many of the officers and men received furloughs for a few days' visit home; and the fact is worthy of record, that all the men who were accorded this privilege returned promptly and cheerfully to duty.

In obtaining these furloughs some amusing incidents occurred. One member of Co. B, impatient at the long delay attending his application, determined to see "Old Burnie," as he called him, in person, and plead his own cause. By a little shrewd management, or strategy, as it was termed, he surprised the General at his breakfast one Sunday morning. Being outflanked, the General listened patiently to the veteran's story, then called for the papers and endorsed on the application, "Approved for seven days. A. E. Burnside,” in characters that defied forgery, doubtless little dreaming that this man was only a skirmisher from quite a line of men outside, waiting to "see how the thing worked." The happy soldier "retired in good order," and, as soon as the success of his daring attack was known, the General's house was besieged by many others who could not wait for "red tape" and "regular channels." There were but few general officers against whom it would be prudent or safe to advance a second such line; but the boys said they knew their man, and that "Burnside remembered Knoxville !”

On the 13th of April the entire corps then in camp was reviewed by Generals Grant and Burnside. The day was delightful, and, as they rode in front of the long, imposing lines, greeted by cheers and strains of martial music, and the waving of tattered and blood-stained banners, the enthusiasm of the men was unbounded.

On the 15th, Lieut.-Col. Goodell, who had been with the regiment during the journey from Cincinnati, was obliged, on account of the troublesome nature of his wound, to

return to Massachusetts, receiving leave of absence for fifteen days, leaving the regiment in command of Major Draper.

On the 19th the corps was reorganized. The old First Division, with which we had been identified during all our service, was almost entirely broken up. General Ferrero, our former commander, was assigned to command the new Fourth Division, composed entirely of colored troops, and most of the regiments were assigned to the new Second and Third Divisions. The new First Division was composed chiefly of regiments recently organized, and those not previously connected with the corps. The Seventy-ninth New York, One Hundredth Pennsylvania, and Seventeenth Michigan, were sent to the Third Division, commanded by General Willcox. It was a severe disappointment to be thus separated from the brave men with whom we had shared a common danger and won a common glory; but, as if to compensate us for this trial, and to render the separation less painful, we were not parted from our old, well-proved, and dearly beloved comrades, the Forty-fifth Pennsylvania. These two regiments. the Forty-fifth and Thirty-sixth, henceforth to be more closely attached, and more than ever brothers, were assigned to the First Brigade, Second Division. Major-General John G. Parke was announced as Division Commander and Brigadier-General Robert B. Potter as Commander of the brigade, consisting of the Forty-eighth and Forty-fifth Pennsylvania, Thirty-sixth Massachusetts, Seventh Rhode Island, Fifty-first New York, and Fifty-eighth Massachusetts, -the latter not yet reported, six regiments, numbering, present for duty, one hundred and seven officers, and two thousand five hundred fifty-one enlisted men. With the exception of the Fifty-eighth Massachusetts, all these regiments had served long in the Ninth Corps, and had made enviable records. The Fifty-first New York had been commanded by Generals Ferrero and Potter as Colonels, and at Antietam Bridge, with the Fifty-first Pennsylvania, had won a reputation for dis

tinguished bravery and soldierly bearing second to none in the army. Of our division and brigade commanders we were justly proud. They had been identified with the corps during its entire existence, and both had commanded the corps, reflecting credit upon themselves, the corps, and the service.

At the date of the reorganization of the division both Generals Parke and Potter were absent, on account of sickness; and that portion of the order relating to commanders in the Second Division was never carried into effect. Colonel S. G. Griffin, Sixth New Hampshire Volunteers, commanding the Second Brigade, was placed in temporary command of the division, and Colonel Joshua K. Sigfried, of the Fortyeighth Pennsylvania Volunteers, assumed command of our brigade. Both these officers were able and distinguished soldiers. Upon his return to duty, at the close of the month, General Potter was placed permanently in command of the division, and General Parke returned to duty to be assigned as chief of the Ninth Corps staff.

Under date of April 21st, Surgeon James P. Prince was assigned to duty as Chief Medical Officer of the Fourth Division; Captain Raymond as Inspector of First Brigade, Second Division, on the staff of General Potter; and Lieutenant Emory as Assistant Commissary of the Fourth Division. On the 23d of April, Captain S. C. Warriner, Company E, and First Lieutenants Samuel A. Goodspeed and John A. Rice, tendered their resignations, which were accepted, and they left for Massachusetts, much to the regret of their commands and their comrades in the regi

ment.

The work of reorganization went forward very rapidly. Although the destination of the corps remained as great a mystery as ever, it was evident that preparations for an important movement were being perfected, and that we might be ordered suddenly to leave. On the evening of the 22d the command was ordered to be in readiness to march, and