William G. Murray, Blair County, was selected as the Colonel of the 84th;
William D. Lewis, of Philadelphia, as Colonel of the 110th; and
——Curtis, of Philadelphia, as Colonel of the third regiment.
Whatever was done toward the building up of the last-named regiment came to naught by the promulgation of an order transferring its recruits to the 110th, and making transfers from the 110th to the 84th. While the reason for this double transfer has been intimated, it is not so certainly correct as to justify its statement as altogether fact.
The brigade feature failed of accomplishment. Cavalry nor Artillery put in an appearance; and James, the proposed Brigade Commander, did not identify himself with either regiment.
But, while James did not become commander of the Mountain Brigade, the attempt to so locate him did place in the field two of the most efficient among all the regiments that entered their country's service in the War of the Rebellion, whether in the Army of the Shenandoah, the Army of Virginia, the Army of the Potomac, or any other of the armies of the Union.
Recruiting for the 84th commenced early in the month of August, the first enlistment date on the roll being the 16th of that month.
I do not venture the name of the first soldier of the Regiment, lest, like to the naming of the youngest boy in the army, I might afterwards be met with scores of avowals that the record does not show strictly correct. Then, again, the serenity of manner, and mildness of word, with which a soldier is wont to put a criticism, makes it desirable to avoid placing such a necessity before him, if a simple omission will save his feeling upon the particular point, and the service be in no way injured thereby.
On the 23d of October, the Regimental organization was effected.