Our Colonel next rode along in front of the regiment, observing to us that we must not mind if we found a little hail coming over in our direction soon. The preparations were now complete, and the decisive moment seemed to be rapidly approaching. But—tamely enough to relate—hours were passed in the same situation without any further developments whatever. Meanwhile the beautiful autumnal afternoon wore gradually away, and the sun went down behind the Cumberland Mountains, throwing a flood of golden light over the really picturesque landscape. Virgil's charming line involuntarily crossed my mind:—
"Sol ruit interea, et montes umbrantur opaci."
The singular beauty of the scene, and the absorbing interest of the situation, with its profound and alternating emotions of hope and apprehension, painted a picture upon the memory which time can never obliterate. Dusk thickened into night, and we remained in a standing posture until nine o'clock, when we were permitted to rest our pieces upon the ground and stealthily eat our rations. Some neighboring grain-stacks were invaded, and a few sheaves brought, which we unbound and strewed along the clods. Upon these we were at length allowed to lie down to rest—not to sleep—still grasping our cocked pieces, and ready for an instant alarm. About one o'clock the report was circulated, which proved to be the fact, that the forces of McClellan had driven the enemy across the Potomac into Virginia; but it was stated that some detached bodies of the latter had been cut off, and that the services of the militia were desired in order to capture them. The proposition was discussed—a debate being admissible under the peculiar circumstances, since it will be remembered we were not sworn into service—and it was resolved that we would go as far as the Potomac. Before we could move, however, the order was countermanded, and the summons was now suspected to be a stratagem to test our mettle. But contemporaneous events justify the conclusion that it was otherwise, and that no ruse was designed to be attempted in this affair, at the expense of the gallantry of Pennsylvania's home defenders.
Saturday, September 20. At daylight we were allowed to break ranks and stack our arms. No very definite information could be obtained during the morning as to the probable developments of the day, but, so far as appearances indicated, the situation of affairs was unchanged.
While in our present position I cannot restrain a feeling of admiration for the earnestness of many of the members of our organization. Among them are some of Reading's most considerable citizens, men who occupy important stations, and carry weighty responsibilities. Strange figures, indeed, they make here, in far-off Maryland, resting upon their arms, and keeping watch for the invading foe. Could their loved ones see them at this moment, what moral heroes would they appear in their eyes! I could not help observing how strikingly the predominant characteristics of men are developed in critical emergencies. In our mutual concern for the common safety, it is in the strongest characters that we feel our chief reliance is to be placed. Those who have the fairest reputations at stake, display the greatest degree of firmness, and vice versa. This criterion, it is evident, will hold good when the severest test shall be applied. H.V.R., a member of the Bar, cares little for the details of military discipline, but is a model of fidelity to the idea of duty, as is also his brother J., who is a layman. Dr. M., a bank officer, is punctuality itself, probably from long force of habit, and shrinks from no service, even the humblest. His former connection with military companies makes him a highly intelligent soldier. Mr. G., also a lawyer—I waive the military titles—moves cautiously, deliberates and debates, but perseveres. As a gigantic shooting excursion he is probably best reconciled to the present expedition, and since we have now secured our ammunition, is doubtless anxious to sight the game. L.B., a merchant, is a model civilian, and a man of recognized high character. He has left home with a purpose, which he will stand to, come what may. D.E., the candidate for office to whom I have before referred, was never born to be a willing subject of rules in any sphere of life, and makes an erratic soldier. He has become tired of the slow progress we have been making toward the battle-field, which, in a spectacular sense, he is impatient to look upon. J.W.B., a light-hearted old time captain of a troop of horse, is true game; and the same may be said of our Quartermaster, L.M., who keeps the command in good humor by the jokes which he is constantly bandying with the Captain. J.K.S., printer, is remarkable for his intelligence as to the object of those military manœuvres which the rest of us regard as inexplicable. J.P. is a sturdy fellow, of clear grit, who would be a good neighbor in a perilous moment. B.O. is a serious man, distinguished for the quiet regularity of his bearing and steadiness of his movements. Not so Dr. B., a waggish apothecary, whose skill as a forager I have all along had occasion to mark, and who seems, when an advance is made, to be at all points of the camp at the same time. J.H.F., an ex-country justice of the peace, enjoys the distinction of being the only man in the company in regimentals, having donned a uniform made for him some years ago, when he was orderly sergeant of a company which belonged to the Kutztown battalion. His avoirdupois has greatly increased since the garments were made, and his harness is so tight that he finds marching very uncomfortable. He stands upright a large part of the time from force of circumstances, and sits down with caution. Our orderly, J.G.S., a harum-scarum young attorney, is a singular mixture of discipline and drollery. Lieutenant R. is an exceedingly modest man, who is not without knowledge and merit as an officer. Lieutenant W. is an old soldier, of quick eye and firm bearing. The utmost reliance can be placed in his intelligence and courage. Private K., bank teller, before mentioned, and myself, though separated in the ranks by reason of a difference in inches, have taken a liking to each other, and have formed a solemn league of mutual assistance when matters come to the worst. As he is armed with a pistol and a dirk, in addition to his musket, I feel that the advantage of the covenant is largely on my side.
At 4 P.M. artillery firing was renewed in our front, and an hour or so later the long roll was again beat all along the line, and the command to fall in was given. A forward movement down the road had been ordered. The intelligence had been brought in that a body of the rebels had recrossed the river at Williamsport, and the subsequent official dispatches explained that this force was a detachment of Lee's cavalry under Stuart, with a regiment of infantry and some pieces of artillery, whose evident design was a raid upon Hagerstown, where a large quantity of military stores had been received for McClellan's army. General Couch's division had been sent up to drive him back, and it was the exchange of compliments between the two which we now heard, though of this explanation we were for the time being ignorant.
In the march down the road, the cavalry took the advance, and were followed by the Maryland Brigade. The militia then closed in, and the successive lines gradually dissolved into a single column. The musicians were sent to the rear. After proceeding half a mile or so, the column was halted, and came to a rest in the road, in which position it remained for an hour or more. By this time it was dusk, and the artillery discharges in the front had become really formidable. The firing was principally from the rebel guns. Signal rockets now and then illuminated the sky, and a brilliant panorama was presented to the view, the complexion of which was decidedly warlike. Aids galloped up and down the column at a rattling pace, and things rapidly assumed an air of confusion. I draw a veil over the scenes presented at this juncture among a portion of the reserves of General Reynolds. It would take a better soldier than myself to tell what would have been the result of a serious collision at this moment, to the body of this force, whose chief misfortune was that it was entirely undisciplined. The plan agreed on was to receive the advancing enemy with the bayonet, in case a fire should be found ineffectual to check his progress. Many of our comrades made leagues with each other, offensive and defensive, and examples of coolness and determination inspired confidence in the main body of the men, who, I am satisfied, would have followed orders and done their duty.
The firing presently ceased, and from some mounted officers the intelligence was communicated that General Couch's division was now immediately upon our front, and that our pickets were in correspondence with his. At about eight o'clock we were ordered to quarters in a stubble-field alongside the road, having been previously cautioned by the Colonel not to build large fires, which injunction, it is unnecessary to state, was faithfully obeyed. The roll was called by the orderly, and the guards posted for the night. Did guard duty from eight to ten, and from three to five. During the night, as the sequel showed, the enemy, finding their design anticipated, and perceiving the preparations on all sides to intercept them of so thorough a character, abandoned their project on Hagerstown, and, under the cover of darkness, quietly recrossed the Potomac, and escaped safely into Virginia—horse, foot, and dragoons! Thus virtually ended the militia campaign in Maryland.
Sunday, September 21. Moved our camp into a very desirable location in the adjoining woods recently occupied by our skirmishers. As it was now generally understood that all immediate danger was at an end, signs of the relaxation of military discipline began to appear, and we returned to the easy habits which had characterized our band of civilian soldiery before it arrived in the vicinity of the late scene of conflict between the hostile armies. The tents were leisurely put up, and, the strain of the past two days being taken off, we prepared to spend a pleasant day of rest in the cool shade of the woods. Some of the members of an adjoining regiment began a promiscuous firing of their pieces, which it was said came very nearly drawing down the fire of General Couch's guns upon our peaceful camp, it being supposed for the time being that some straggling bands of the enemy might still be lurking in the neighborhood. The chaplain of the regiment held religious services, while some of the men stretched themselves under the trees, and others made haste to write letters home, giving accounts of the perilous scenes through which they had passed. These missives, as it turned out, they had the gratification of delivering in person. The Quartermaster, with his accustomed forethought, had made a requisition before daylight on a neighboring hen-roost, and preparations for serving dinner had already been begun, when, at eleven o'clock, marching orders for Greencastle, Pa., arrived. This was an agreeable surprise, as it suggested a homeward journey. The authorities evidently regarded the emergency for which we had been called out as at an end, and since this fact was assumed, a longer sojourn in Maryland appeared undesirable.
We now packed up our traps and moved up to our former camping ground at the Agricultural Park, near Hagerstown, where the interrupted dinner of rice soup and chicken was most thoroughly appreciated. At two P.M. the regiment started off in light marching order, the baggage wagons following. We now took leave of the 11th, a portion of whom had been making themselves useful that morning in the town in unloading the military stores that had been sent here by rail for the army. As we passed through the streets, we put on our best appearance, the men struck up a song, and we were cheeringly greeted by the population. Reaching the open country, we marched at random. The afternoon was warm and the roads exceedingly dusty. About dusk, the line between Maryland and Pennsylvania was crossed, and three hearty cheers were given for the Keystone State. Stopped half an hour in the little village called Middleburg, or "State Line," at which point the Anderson Cavalry passed us on their way to Carlisle, raising a suffocating dust. At dark the march was resumed, and having proceeded a short distance, we were ordered to discharge our muskets, which had been loaded for the rebels. This made a continuous blaze of light along the whole line. Some of the men charged and fired again, to keep up the sport, but the Colonel put a stop to this. The road grew rougher as we advanced, and many of our comrades now and again stumbled and fell in the darkness. After having marched twelve miles, and arrived within some three miles of Greencastle, we were halted about half-past eight o'clock, and went into camp in the woods. Sleep came without courting. I had never before felt its influence so insinuating, so benumbing, so irresistible!