November
20, 1861
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A
grand review of the Army of the Potomac who were encamped on the
Virginia side of the river was had today. All the brigades marched
out of their camps at 5 a.m. with bands playing and flags flying.
Every gun, button and brass work was polished up and as many had
new uniforms lately issued [by] the army looked splendid. The ground
selected was a large plateau in the vicinity of Bailey's Cross Roads.
. . . It was a fine, though cold and windy day. Patches of snow
were on the ground when we arrived there about 10 a.m., which made
it muddy in places. Many regiments had overcoats on the men. Ours
had not as the colonel wanted to show off the fine uniforms. The
brigades were drawn up in columns while General McClellan and staff
with President Lincoln rode up and down the lines while the bands
played and a battery fired salutes.
There were thousands of citizens and
officials from Washington and elsewhere among the spectators, and
hundreds of ladies in carriages or on horseback. The French Princes
de Joinville, Duc de Chartes, [Comte] de Orleans, who were on McClellan's
staff, rode with him. The heavy and light artillery with cannon
polished up like gold, and the ugly looking black Parrott guns were
drawn up in a long line, while the cavalry were massed in squadrons.
Then about 2 p.m. all marched past in review. . . . About half of
the men had to stand in the cold wind for hours. Nearly everyone
was thoroughly chilled. Many soon filled up the camp hospitals.
. . .
The President with his body guard
. . . was cheered from end to end of the long lines of troops. As
the 40th Regiment marched past the reviewing point they were applauded
by the spectators for their fine martial appearance and correct
marching. The review lasted until 5 p.m. and all were not off the
ground until darkness had set in. As the men had brought no rations
and had been up and marching since five in the morning all were
hungry, thirsty, and cold. They got to camp much quicker than on
going out to the review. They were all much elated and no one ever
can forget the splendid military sight [it] afforded. All the cooks
in camp were at work for half of the night when we returned at 7
p.m. in a drizzling rain.
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December
4, 1861
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Some
skirmishing was had last evening near Anandale, on the Little River
Turnpike between thirty men of 3rd New Jersey under Colonel [George
W.] Taylor and forty Rebel cavalry. Taylor placed telegraph wires
across the road when the charging rebel horsemen were thrown. Seven
or eight killed and three captured, including a Rebel lieutenant.
We lost one man killed. An old camp peddler was seized by our men
and hung to a tree. He visited our camps selling hardware, etc.,
and made plans and estimates of the forces very accurately, which
were found on him. He was run up two or three times for a minute
or so and then let down before he confessed that he was a Rebel
spy. The last time he went up he stayed there.
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