retire, at Harrison's landing, in August, 1862. His reviews of the decisions of courts-martial during this period were of great utility in correcting the practice in military courts, diffusing true notions of discipline and subordination, and setting before the army a high standard of soldierly honor. Upon the retirement of Colonel Gantt the duties of judge advocate were ably performed by Colonel Thomas M. Key, aidede-camp. General Porter was appointed Provost Marshal | aide-de-camp, until compelled by ill health to General of the army of the Potomac, and held that most important position until the end of the Peninsula campaign, when sickness, contracted in the untiring discharge of his duties, compelled him to ask to be relieved from the position he had so ably and energetically filled. The Provost Marshal General's department had the charge of a class of duties which had not before, in our service, been defined and grouped under the management of a special department. The following subjects indicate the sphere of this department: suppression of marauding and depredations, and of all brawls and disturbances, preservation of good order, and suppression of disturbances beyond the limits of the camps. Prevention of straggling on the march. Suppression of gambling houses, drinking houses, or bar-rooms, and brothels. Regulation of hotels, taverns, markets, and places of public amusement. Searches, seizures and arrests. Execution of sentences of general courts-martial, involving imprisonment or capital punishment. Enforce ment of orders prohibiting the sale of intoxicating liquors, whether by tradesmen or sutlers, and of orders respecting passes. Deserters from the enemy. Prisoners of war taken from the enemy. for Complaints of citizens as to the conduct of the soldiers. General Porter was assisted by the following named officers: Major W. H. Wood, 17th United States infantry; Captain James McMillom, acting assistant adjutant general, 17th United States infantry; Captain W. T. Gentry, 17th United States infantry; Captain J. W. Forsurth, 18th United States infantry; Lieutenant J. W. Jones, 12th United States infantry; Lieutenant C. F. Trowbridge, 16th United States infantry; and Lieutenant C. D. Mehaffey, 1st United States infantry The provost guard was composed of the 2d United States cavalry, Major Pleasanton, and a battalion of the 8th and 17th United States infantry, Major Willard. After General Porter was relieved, Major Wood was in charge of this department until after the battle of Antietam, when Brigadier General Patrick was appointed Provost Marshal general. SIGNAL CORPS. orders, invented and introduced into the service The method of conveying intelligence and by Major Albert J. Myer, signal officer United States army, was first practically tested in large operations during the organization of the army of the Potomac. Under the direction of Major Myer a signal corps was formed by detailing officers and men from the different regiments of volunteers and instructing them in the use of the flags by day and torches by night. his exertions to render his corps effective, and But it There was scarcely any action or skirmish in which the signal corps did not render important services. Often under heavy fire-of artillery, and not unfrequently while exposed to musketry, the officers and men of this corps gave information of the movements of the enemy, and transmitted directions for the evolutions of our own troops. The report of the chief signal officer, with accompanying documents, will give the details of the services of this corps, and call attention to those members of it who were particularly distinguished. of Mr. TELEGRAPHIC Potomac were superintended by Major Thomas The telagraphic operations of the army of the J. Eckert, and under the immediate direction Caldwell, who was, with a corps of operators, attached to my headquarters during the entire campaigns upon the Peninsula and in Maryland. The services of this corps were arduous and efficient. Under the admirable arrangements with all the material for constructing new lines, of Major Eckert they were constantly provided which were rapidly established whenever the army changed position; and it was not unfrequently the case that the operatives worked under fire from the enemy's guns; yet they invariably performed all the duties required of them with great alacrity and cheerfulness, and it was seldom that I was without the means of direct telegraphic communication with the War Department and with the corps commanders. From the organization of the army of the Potomac up to November 1, 1862, including the Peninsula and Maryland campaigns, upwards of twelve hundred (1,200) miles of military telegraph line had been constructed in connection with the operations of the army, and the number of operatives and builders employed was about two hundred (200.) To Professor Lowe, the intelligent and enterprising æronaut, who had the management of the balloons, I was greatly indebted for the valuable information obtained during his ascensions. I have more than once taken occasion to reoommend the members of my staff, both general and personal, for promotion and reward. I beg leave to repeat these recommendations, and to record their names in the history of the army of the Potomac, as gallant soldiers, to whom their country owes a debt of gratitude still unpaid, for the courage, ability and untiring zeal they displayed during the eventful campaigns in which they bore so prominent a part. CHAPTER II. On the 15th of October the main body of the army of the Potomac was in the immediate vicinity of Washington, with detachments on the left bank of the Potomac as far down as Liverpool point, and as far up as Williamsport and its vicinity. The different divisions were posted as follows: Hooker at Budd's Ferry, Lower Potomac; Heintzelman at Fort Lyon and vicinity; Franklin near the theological seminary; Blenker near Hunter's chapel; McDowell at Upton's hill and Arlington; F. J. Porter at Hall's and Miner's hills; Smith at Mackall's hill; MoCall at Langley; Buell at Tenallytown, Meridian hill, Emory's chapel, &c., on the left bank of the river; Casey at Washington; Stoneman's cavalry at Washington; Hunt's artillery at Washington; Banks at Darnestown, with detachments at Point of Rocks, Sandy Hook, Williamsport, &c.; Stone at Poolsville; and Dix at Baltimore, with detachments on the Eastern Shore. On the 19th of October, 1861, General McCall marched to Drainesville with his division, in order to cover reconnoissances to be made in all directions the next day, for the purpose of learning the position of the enemy, and of covering the operations of the topographical engineers in making maps of that region. On the 29th, acting in concert with General McCall, General Smith pushed strong parties to Freedom hill, Vienna, Flint hill, Peacock hill, &c., to accomplish the same purpose in that part of the front. These reconnoissances were successful. On the morning of the 20th I received the following telegram from General Banks's head that point. The general desires that you will keep a good look-out upon Leesburg, to see if this movement has the effect to drive them away. Perhaps a slight demonstration on your part would have the effect to move them. "A. V. COLBUrn, "Assistant Adjutant General. 'Brigadier General C. P. STONE, Poolsville." Deeming it possible that General McCall's movement to Drainsville, together with the subsequent reconnoissances,might have the effect of inducing the enemy to abandon Leesburg, and the despatch from Sugar Loaf appearing to confirm this view, I wished General Stone, who had only a line of pickets on the river, the mass of his troops being out of sight of, and beyond range from, the Virginia bank, to make some display of an intention to cross, and also to watch the enemy more closely than usual. I did not direct him to cross, nor did I intend that he should cross the river in force for the purpose of fighting. The above despatch was sent on the 20th, and reached General Stone as early as 11 A. M. of that day. I expected him to accomplish al! that was intended on the same day; and this he did, as will be seen from the following despatch, recieved at my headquarters in Washington from Poolsville on the evening of October 20: afternoon, and at the same time started a re"Made a feint of crossing at this place this rison's island. The enemy's pickets retired to connoitring party towards Leesburg from Harintrenchments. Report of reconnoitring party not yet received. I have means of crossing one hundred and twenty-five men once in ten minutes at each of two points. River falling slowly. C. P. STONE, "Brigadier General. "Major General MCCLELLAN." As it was not foreseen or expected that General McCall would be needed to co-operate with Whereupon I sent to General Stone, at Pools- General Stone in any attack, he was directed to ville, the following telegram: fall back from Drainsville to his original camp, near Prospect hill, as soon as the required reconnoissances were completed. "CAMP GRIFFIN, October 20, 1861.. "General McClellan desires me to inform you Accordingly he left Drainsville, on his rethat General McCall occupied Drainsville yester-turn, about 8 A. M. of the 21st, reaching his day, and is still there. Will send out heavy reconnoissances to-day in all directions from old camp at about 1 P. M. In the mean time I was surprised to hear B. GEorge from General Stone that a portion of his troops were engaged on the Virginia side of the river, and at once sent instructions to General McCall to remain at Drainsville, if he had not left before the order reached him. The order did not reach him until his return to his camp at Langley. He was then ordered to rest his men, and hold his division in readiness to return to Drainsville at a moment's notice, should it become necessary. Similar instructions were given to other divisions during the afternoon. The first intimation I received from General Stone of the real nature of his movements was in a telegram, as follows: "EDWARDS'S FERRY, October 21-11.40 a. m. "The enemy have been engaged opposite Harrison's island; our men are behaving admirably. "C. P. STONE, "Major General MCCLELLAN." At 2 P. M. General Banks's adjutant general sent the following: "DARNESTOWN, October 21, 1861-2 p. m. "General Stone safely crossed the river this morning. Some engagements have taken place on the other side of the river-how important is not known. "R. M. COPELAND, "Acting Assistant Adjutant General. "General R. B. MARCY." General Stone sent the following despatches on the same day at the hours indicated: same position as last night, save the loss of many good men. "C. P. STONE, "Brigadier General. "Major General MCCLELLAN." Although no more fully informed of the state of affairs, I had, during the afternoon, as a precautionary measure, ordered General Banks to send one brigade to the support of the troops at Harrison's island, and to move with the other two to Seneca mills, ready to support General Stone if necessary. The 9.30 P. M. despatch of General Stone did not give me an entire understanding of the state of the case. Aware of the difficulties and perhaps fatal consequences of recrossing such a river as the Potomac after a repulse, and from these telegrams supposing his whole force to be on the Virginia side, I directed General Stone to intrench himself, and hold the Virginia side at all hazards until re-enforcements could arrive, when he could safely withdraw to the Maryland side, or hold his position on the Virginia side, should that prove advisable. General Banks was instructed to move the rest of his division to Edwards's ferry, and to send over as many men as possible before daylight to re-enforce Stone. He did not arrive in time to effect this, and was instructed to collect all the canal-boats he could find, and use them for crossing at Edwards's ferry in sufficient force to enable the troops already there to hold the opposite side. On the 22d I went to the ground in person, and reaching Poolsville, learned for the first time the full details of the affair. The following extract from the evidence of General Stone before the "Committee on the Conduct of the War" on the 5th of January, 1862, will throw further light on this occurrence. "EDWARDS'S FERRY, October 21, 1861-2 p. m. "There has been sharp fighting on the right of our line, and our troops appear to be adGeneral Stone says he received the order vancing there under Baker. The left, under from my headquarters to make a slight demonGorman, has advanced its skirmishers nearly stration at about 11 o'clock A. M. on the 20th, one mile, and if and that, in obedience to that order, he made e movement continues successful, will turn the enemy's right. the demonstration on the evening of the same day. "C. P. STONE, "Brigadier General. "Major General MCCLELLAN." "EDWARDS'S FERRY, October 21, 1861-4 p. m. Nearly all my force is across the river. Baker on the right; Gorman on the left. Right, sharply engaged. "C. P. STONE, In regard to the reconnoissanee on the 21st, which resulted in the battle of Ball's Bluff, he was asked the following questions: "Question. "Did this reconnoissance originate with yourself, or had you orders from the general-in-chief to make it?" To which he replied, "It originated with myself the reconnoissance." Question. "The order did not proceed from General McClellan?" Answer. "I was directed the day before to make a demonstration; that demonstration was made the day previous." Question. "Did you receive an order from the general-in-chief to make the reconnois "General MCCLELLAN." "EDWARDS'S FERRY, Oct. 21, 1861-9.30 p.m. "I am occupied in preventing further disas ter, and try to get into a position to redeem. We have lost some of our best commanders-sance?" Baker dead, Cogswell a prisoner or secreted. The wounded are being carefully and rapidly removed; and Gorman's wing is being cautiously withdrawn. Any advance from Drainsville must be made cautiously. "All was reported going well up to Baker's death, but, in the confusion following that, the right wing was outflanked. In a few hours I shall, unless a night attack is made, be in the Answer. "No, sir." Making a personal examination on the 23d, I found that the position on the Virginia side at Edwards's ferry was not a tenable one, but did not think it wise to withdraw the troops by daylight. I therefore caused more artillery to be placed in position on the Maryland side to cover the approaches to the ground held by us, and crossed the few additional troops that the high wind permitted us to get over, so as to be "HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, as secure as possible against any attack during "Washington, September 6, 1861. the day. Before nightfall all the precautions "SIR: I have the honor to suggest the folwere taken to secure an orderly and quiet pass-lowing proposition, with the request that the age of the troops and guns. The movement was commenced soon after dark, under the personal supervision of General Stone, who received the order for the with I refer to General Stone's report of this battle, furnished the War Department, and his published testimony before the "Committee on the Conduct of the War" for further details. The records of the War Department show my anxiety and efforts to assume active offensive It is operations in the fall and early winter. only just to say, however, that the unprecedented condition of the roads and Virginia soil would have delayed an advance till February, had the discipline, organization, and equipment of the army been as complete at the close of the fall as was necessary, and as I desired and labored against every impediment to make them. While still in command only of the army of the Potomac, namely, in early September, I proposed the formation of a corps of New Englanders for coast service in the bays and inlets of the Chesapeake and Potomac, to co-operate with my own command, from which most of its material was drawn. On the first of November, however, I was called to relieve Lieutenant General Scott in the chief and general command of the armies of the Union. The direction and nature of this coast expedition, therefore, were somewhat changed, as will soon appear in the original plan submitted to the Secretary of War, and the letter of instructions later issued to General Burnside, its commander. The whole country indeed had now become the theatre of military operations from the Potomac to beyond the Mississippi, and to assist the navy in perfecting and sustaining the blockade, it became necessary to extend these operations to points on the sea-coast, Roanoke island, Savannah and New Orleans. It remained also to equip and organize the armies of the west, whose condition was little better than that of the army of the Potomac had been. The direction of the campaigns in the west, and of the operations upon the seaboard, enabled me to enter upon larger combinations and to accomplish results, the necessity and advantage of which had not been unforeseen, but which had been beyond the abi ity of the single army formerly under my command to effect. The following letters, and a subsequent paper addressed to the Secretary of War, sufficiently indicate the nature of those combinations to minds accustomed to reason upon military operations: necessary authority be at once given me to carry it out: to organize a force of two brigades of five regiments each, of New England men, for the general service, but particularly adapted to coast service-the officers and men to be suffi ciently conversant with boat service, to manage steamers, sailing vessels, launches, barges, surf-boats, floating batteries, &c. To charter or buy for the command a sufficient number of propellers, or tug-boats, for transportation of men and supplies, the machinery of which should be amply protected by timber; the vessels to have permanent experienced officers from the merchant service, but to be manned by details from the command. A naval officer to be attached to the staff of the commanding officer. The flank companies of each regiment to be armed with Dahlgren boat guns, and carbines with water-proof cartridges; the other companies to have such arms as I may hereafter designate; to be uniformed and equipped as the Rhode Island regiments are. floating batteries with timber parapets of sufficient capacity to land or bring into action the entire force. Launches and "The entire management and organization of the force to be under my control, and to form an integral part of the army of the Potomac. "The immediate object of this force is for operations in the inlets of Chesapeake bay and the Potomac; by enabling me thus to land troops at points where they are needed, this force can also be used in conjunction with a naval force operating against points on the sea-coast. This coast division to be commanded by a general officer of my selection; the regiments to be organized as other land forces; the disbursements for vessels, &c., to be made by the proper department of the army upon the requisitions of the general commanding the division, with my approval. "I think the entire force can be organized in thirty days, and by no means the least of the advantages of this proposition is the fact that it will call into the service a class of men who would not otherwise enter the army. "You will immediately perceive that the object of this force is to follow along the coast, and up the inlets and rivers, the movements of the main army when in advances. "I am, very respectfully, "Hon. SIMON CAMERON, "Secretary of War." Owing chiefly to the difficulty in procuring the requisite vessels, and adapting them to the special purposes contemplated, this expedition was not ready for service until January, 1862. Then in the chief command, I deemed it best to send it to North Carolina, with the design indicated in the following letter: "HEADQUARTERS OF THE ARMY, "Washington, January 7, 1862. "GENERAL: In accordance with verbal instructions heretofore given you, you will, after uniting with Flag-officer Goldsborough at Fort Monroe, proceed under his convoy to Hatteras inlet, where you will in connexion with him take the most prompt measures for crossing the fleet over the Bulkhead into the waters of the sound. Under the accompanying general order constituting the department of North Carolina, you will assume mmand of the garrison at Hatteras inlet, and nake such dispositions in regard to that place as your ulterior operations may render necessary, always being careful to provide for the safety of that very important station in any contingency. 'Your first point of attack will be Roanoke island and its dependencies. t is presumed that the navy can reduce the batteries on the marshes, and cover the landing of your troops on the main island, by which, in connexion with a rapid movement of the gunboats to the northern extremity, as soon as the marsh battery is reduced, it may be hoped to capture the entire garrison of the place. Having occupied the island and its dependencies, you will at once proceed to the erection of batteries and defences necessary to hold the position with a small force. Should the flag-officer require any assistance in seizing or holding the debouches of the canal from Norfolk, you will please afford it to him. "The commodore and yourself having completed your arrangements in regard to Roanoke island, and the waters north of it, you will please at once make a descent on Newbern, having gained possession of which and the railroad passing through it, you will at once throw a sufficient force upon Beaufort, and take the steps necessary to reduce Fort Macon and open that port. When you seize Newbern, you will endeavor to seize the railroad as far west as Goldsborough, should circumstances favor such a movement. The temper of the people, the rebel force at hand, &c., will go far towards determining the question as to how far west the railroad can be safely occupied and held. Should circumstances render it advisable to seize and hold Raleigh, the main north and south line of railroad passing through Goldsborough should be so effectually destroyed for considerable distances north and south of that point, as to render it impossible for the rebels to use it to your disadvantage. A great point would be gained, in any event, by the effectual destruction of the Wilmington and Weldon railroad. "I would advise great caution in moving so far into the interior as upon Raleigh. Having accomplished the objects mentioned, the next point of interest would probably be Wilmington, the reduction of which may require that additional means shall be afforded you. I would urge great caution in regard to proclamations. In no case would I go beyond a moderate joint proclamation with the naval commander, which should say as little as possible about politics or the negro; merely state that the true issue for which we are fighting is the preservation of the Union, and upholding the laws of the general government, and stating that all who conduct themselves properly will, as far as possible, be protected in their persons and property. "You will please report your operations as often as an opportunity offers itself. "With my best wishes for your success, I am, &c., &c., "GEO. B. MCCLELLAN, "Major General Commanding in Chief. แ "Brig. Gen. A. E. BURNSIDE, "Commanding Expedition." The following letters of instruction were sent to Generals Halleck, Buell, Sherman, and But ler; and I also communicated verbally to these officers my views in full regarding the field of operations assigned to each, and gave them their instructions as much in detail as was necessary at that time: "HEADQUARTERS OF THE ARMY, "Washington, D. C., Nov. 11, 1861. "GENERAL: In assigning you to the command of the department of Missouri, it is probably unnecessary for me to state that I have intrusted to you a duty which requires the utmost tact and decision. "You have not merely the ordinary duties of a military commander to perform; but the far more difficult task of reducing chaos to order, of changing probably the majority of the personnel of the staff of the department, and of reducing to a point of economy, consistent with the interests and necessities of the State, a system of reckless expenditure and fraud, perhaps unheard of before in the history of the world. "You will find in your department many general and staff officers holding illegal commissions and appointments, not recognized or approved by the President, or Secretary of War. You will please at once inform these gentlemen of the nullity of their appointment, and see that no pay or allowances are issued to them until such time as commissions may be author ized by the President, or Secretary of War. "If any of them give the slightest trouble, you will at once arrest them and send them, under guard, out of the limits of your department, informing them that if they return, they will be placed in close confinement. You will please examine into the legality of the organization of the troops serving in the department. When you find any illegal, unusual or improper organizations, you will give to the officers and men an opportunity to enter the legal military establishment under general laws and orders from the War Department; reporting in full to these headquarters any officer or organization that may decline. "You will please cause competent and reliable staff officers to examine all existing contracts immediately, and suspend all payments upon them until you receive the report in each case. Where there is the slightest doubt as to the propriety of the contract, you will be good enough to refer the matter, with full explanation, to these headquarters, stating in each case what would be a fair compensation for the services, or materials rendered under the contract. Discontinue at once the reception of material or services under any doubtful contract. Arrest and bring to prompt trial all officers who have in any way violated their duty to the government. In regard to the political conduct of affairs, you will please labor to impress upon the inhabitants of Missouri and the adjacent States that we are fighting solely for the in |