Caldwell's brigade (of Richardson's division) also came to the support of Couch between five and six p.m., the 5th New Hampshire supporting a battery on the right and the other three regiments engaging the enemy on the extreme right of Couch's division, under the immediate command of Colonel Barlow, fighting steadily and pouring a most destructive fire on the enemy until their ammunition gave out, and then held their position without flinching, receiving the enemy's fire though unable to return it.

A portion of Birney's brigade (the 4th Maine and four companies of 3d Maine) held the wooded ravine in front of Kearny's division, and when Couch's right flank was in danger of being driven back by a furious onslaught of the enemy, gallantly came to the rescue and aided him in driving them back.

The positions occupied by the divisions of Sedgwick, Hooker, Richardson (his brigades sent to Couch's assistance have already been mentioned), Peck, Slocum (with exception of Caldwell's brigade already mentioned), Smith and the Pennsylvania Reserves, were not assailed by the infantry of the enemy, although at times the artillery fired at them, doing little damage. The flotilla also poured a deadly fire of shells into the enemy's reseryes and advancing columns.

During the day the heavy artillery on the line of Sykes' division, ranging far up the valley toward the enemy, assisted greatly in holding them at bay, and toward night Buchanan's and Lovell's brigades marched on to the field. These brigades were posted to cover the left of the line, and were not discovered by the enemy, who were advancing for a last attack on the Union lines, until their left. flank was completely exposed, when they poured into them a well-directed and effective fire, which so completely shattered their lines that they were thrown into confusion and retreated precipitately and in disorder. This ended the battle, leaving the Union troops in possession of the field, the Confederate forces not again attacking McClellan in force while he remained on the Peninsula.

Between the 25th of June and the 2d of July the Union losses were, in killed, wounded and missing, 15,849, while the Confederate losses were 16,872.

From this time forward to the 24th of August, McClellan's army was engaged in reorganizing, recuperating and being forwarded to Alexandria and Aquia Creek, McClellan himself arriving in, and taking charge of the forces around, Alexandria on the evening of August 26, where we will leave him for the present.

CHAPTER IV.

FROM THE FIRST TO THE SECOND BULL RUN.

OUR defeat at the first battle of Bull Run was the

signal for the retreat of our armies to the front of Washington, and the news spread over the North and filled it with consternation. This result, so unexpected, shattered the hopes of many who were watching the battle with · great anxiety, while it suddenly awoke the Government to the pressing needs of the hour. One of the first of these was the selection of a new commander, on whose ability and courage the country could rely, to relieve the National Capital of its new dangers. It was well understood that if the Confederates captured the city, though they held it no longer than the British in 1814, the effect on the loyal States might be disastrous; and in addition, it might furnish the coveted opportunity to certain European powers to interfere in the Union cause at the outset, or to recognize the Confederacy.

General Scott seemed favorable to McClellan; and Schuyler Hamilton, Scott's military secretary, who had to go to the White House probably two or three times during the night, concurred in Scott's opinion. McClellan was accordingly called to Washington by telegraph a few days after to assume command of the defeated army which required a man at its head who had confidence in himself, and was able to imbue the men who were to serve under him with his own spirit.

At that time Washington had but one railroad connecting with the North, viz, the Baltimore and Ohio; while Baltimore had three, viz, the Baltimore and Ohio; the Northern Central; and the Philadelphia, Wilmington and

Baltimore. New regiments, however, came pouring into the city and neighborhood for "three years or during the war;" and the work at once began of organizing that grand army into brigades and divisions. The locations of these troops as they arrived cannot be given with any certainty, and even if they could it would be of little value to history, as their positions were so rapidly changed. But some of the regiments became a part of the history of the places where they were, stationed. Pleasonton's headquarters were at the Park Hotel, on 7th Street, just north of the city; there also the famous cavalry general prepared his command for future service.

The 2d, 6th and 7th Wisconsin and the 19th Indiana, lay on Kalorama Heights, then a quiet place north of Washing- . ton. The heights occupy a bend in Rock Creek, on the east side of the stream, and are deeply fringed with a forest of oaks, presenting a beautiful picture to the visitor. There these regiments were formed into a brigade, and Genl. Rufus King, of Wisconsin, was placed in command as brigadier general. This was afterwards known as the "Iron Brigade," and served in the First Corps until that corps was abolished by Meade.

General Augur's brigade lay at Upton's Hill, Virginia, nearly four miles from Washington, and in the vicinity of Munson's Hill and Bailey's Cross Roads. McClellan had a review of the troops where the pretty village of Mount Pleasant now stands. It is to Washington what Glendale is to Cincinnati.

Of the number of generals present there were McClellan, McDowell, Marcy, King, and probably "Baldy" Smith; this was the first time the soldiers had the privilege of seeing a general, and they were much interested in the review, although it was a rainy, miserable day. Then came the drill-squad, company, regimental, brigade and division.

In the mean time a circle of fortifications had to be built around Washington for its safety. There were only

two before the war, and these were at the south end of the Long Bridge, which leads into Virginia, but neither was manned.

Necessarily the army was kept busy and, when not employed at drill, men were put to work on the forts which pressed for completion. King's brigade was marched across the Chain Bridge into Virginia and was first under General Hancock. Here an exciting event occurred. A soldier named Scott, of the 3d Vermont, fell asleep on his picket post, which was supposed to be near the enemy. His commanding officer preferred charges against him; he was court-martialed and sentenced to be shot.

He was

confined in a little, old log house, perhaps a smoke house, only a few rods from where the 19th Indiana lay. He was a short, thick-set boy, of somewhat stolid disposition, though an honest, noble youth. Being new to the service, it was very exciting to see a soldier bound hand and foot while preparations were being made for his execution. Finally the hour came to remove him to the place where he was to be shot. Lieut. D. B. Castle, Co. B, 19th Indiana, had charge of the guard. Young Scott was taken out, seated upon his coffin, with his hands clasping a Testament. Three sides of a hollow square were formed. The charge and findings of the court-martial, as well as the order for his execution, were read. The guns were handed to the guard, half of them being loaded, so that no one knew whether he was to fire a blank cartridge or a ball. The order was given to "shoulder arms," and in less than a minute more he would have been in eternity. In the mean time a devoted sister had come from Vermont to plead with the President for her brother's life. President Lincoln was not the man to turn a deaf ear to

the maiden's prayer. He listened favorably and signed a reprieve, which was given to a courier mounted on a fleet horse. When the order was given to the guard “shoulder arms!" the head of the courier's horse could just be seen coming up the hill. He was forcing the animal to its