called Gaines' hill, and by the rebels, Coal Harbor. Gen'l Porter is in command with 40,000 men while Gen'l Lee is coming on with 70,000, he intends to make a grand onset and sweep Porter into the Chickahominy. Three o'clock of the 27th, has come and the attack is made, amid cannonry and the angry flashes of musketry, while the battle cloud becomes thick and heavy. It would take many pages to make a full record of the terrible battle.

At 4 o'clock we were ordered to the support of the Duryea Zouaves, which regiment had been almost annihilated. We checked the enemy and held the line until every cartridge is gone, when we were relieved. Just behind the front line we halted, when a charge by the enemy broke the Union line, and a mass of disorganized troops came rushing back. It was at this juncture Gen'l Porter said, "Col. Roberts, can't you form a line and stop those flying troops?" to which our brave Colonel responded, "I can Gen'l, but send me ammunition to stop the enemy." Steadily as if on dress parade, the regiment faced fleeing friends, halted the disorganized mass, rallied them under its colors, and then with fixed bayonet awaited the onset. But cheers are heard coming from our rear, the tramp of some body of troops hurrying forward, and the famous Irish Brigade push onward with long and steady step, they check the enemy and drive him back, the day is won, and quiet is restored again.

We crossed to the south side of the Chickahominy during the night, and joined the general retreat toward the James river, the Division having charge of all the ammunition and other trains. This consumed our time till the evening of the 29th, when the command is sent out on the road leading from Charles' city to Richmond, west of our line of retreat, this being the most dangerous line of approach from the confederate side. All remember that terrible night while on picket duty, for it was soon discovered that a large force of the enemy were quietly concentrating in our front. At day light we fell back to the line of battle composed of the division of Penn'a Reserves, who were in advance of all other troops, and awaited the onset.

Half-past two o'clock came, and then Hill with six brigades of his own and six of Longstreets command, hurled the whole force upon our front. Brigade after brigade advanced, but recoiled under the direct fire of the batteries, sustained by the infantry.

"Volley after volley streamed across our front and in such quick succession that it seemed impossible for any human being to live under it," writes a Rebel officer. "Use the bayonet only," is our standing order, as counter-charges are directed against the enemy, and thus for three hours the battle rages, sustained wholly by McCall's division of less than six thousand men, and Hill has not driven him an inch.

It was then that J. Finley Bailey our brave Captain was last seen, and strange as it may seem, no has ever been found who knew aught of his fate. Lieut. Stewart was wounded while acting adjutant of the regiment, while nine men were wounded and eight taken prisoner. The Irish brigade again came to the rescue, at about sunset, and under cover of the night, we fell back to the James river at Malvern Hill, in a state of complete exhaustion and despondency.

At the battle of Malvern hill, our command took no active part, but were held in reserve, the only time in our recollection that we held such a position.

It may be said here, and the statistics proves the fact, that the Penn'a Reserves sustained a loss during the seven days battles, of one-fifth of the total loss, while our strength was only one-fifteenth of the total strength, and this fact does not find a parallel, in any campaign or any battle, of any division of the federal army, east or west.

CHAPTER VI.
At Harrison's Landing.

But the campaign is ended, and on July 3rd, we go into camp at Harrison's landing, six miles down the James river.

Here we suffer many hardships on account of inferior rations and unwholesome water, producing malarious and chronic diseases, and this we endured for forty-two days.

A regular promotion of company officers took place here, as follows:—W. W. Stewart to be Captain, J. D. Sadler, 1st Lieut. and H. N. Minnigh, 2nd Lieut. Sadler was in command Stewart being absent wounded.

August the 15th, we took the lead in the evacuation of the Peninsula, and embarked on the steamer Rob't Morrison, for the avowed purpose of joining Pope's army before Washington. We landed at Aquia creek, on the 19th, and proceeding thence by way of Fredericksburg, and at Warrenton junction, we fell in with Pope's forces, hurrying back toward the National capitol, with the rebel horde at his heels.

We reached Bull Run on the 29th, and found that a portion of the rebel army had beat us in the race, but by a flank movement we passed them, took up a position on the old battle ground, skirmished back and forth one whole day, and waited eagerly the coming of McClellan's army.

After a brave and obstinate contest, lasting all day on the 30th, in which a victory should have been won, but was lost through the defection and petty jealousies of some leading officers, the Union forces yielded the ground and fell back toward Washington.

On the night of Sep't 1st, we picketed on the flank of the army camped at Centreville, then joined in the general retreat and finally went into camp at Upton's hill, near Alexandria.

September 6th, we moved across the Long Bridge, through Washington city, to Leesboro, Md. where we went into camp.

The Rebel army under Gen'l Lee, has crossed the Potomac near Point of Rocks, and it is his intention to "liberate Maryland, and invade Pennsylvania."

His plan is to hold the gaps across South Mountain, and push his army north through the rich and beautiful Cumberland valley, "cut his way to Philadelphia, and dictate terms of peace in Independence Square."

On September 14th, the Union army found the enemy well posted on the mountain twelve miles west of Frederick city, and four miles from Middletown, and the Union veterans of the Peninsula, hurried up to meet him. Reaching the foot of the mountain after a hurried march, we file to the right, then face to the front, and begin the ascent of the mountain. Onward, upward we sweep, like a great tidal wave, the foot of the last acclivity is reached, then with a cheer, we cross the stone wall in our front, and with a rush up through the corn field, then a short, desperate, decisive struggle, and the battle of South Mountain is won.

Lieut. J. D. Sadler in command of the company fell while gallantly leading his men in this charge, and at the same moment Jere. Naylor and Peter Miller, were killed, while Lieut. H. N. Minnigh and several men were wounded, leaving the company without a commissioned officer, Capt. Stewart still being absent, on account of wounds.

On September 17th, the command was at Antietam, and took its place in line, though the company only numbered ten or twelve men for duty, and were led by Serg't Kitzmiller, and fortunately no casualties occurred, during that terrible struggle.

CHAPTER VII.
Forward once more.

The company has now been in active service one year, and the ranks are reduced from 94 to a mere guard of 30 present for duty, not one-third of the number is left, while the Penn'a Reserves, by the fatalities of warfare are reduced from the original 15,000 to barely 4,000 for duty.

The command went into camp near Sharpsburg, where 2nd Lieut. Minnigh was promoted to 1st Lieut. and Serg't Kitzmiller to 2nd Lieut. and Capt. Stewart returned to the company from Gen'l Hospital.

Breaking camp once more on October 30th, we re-crossed the Potomac at Berlin ferry, going southward, through Lovettsville, Warrenton, Rappahannock station, and finally go into camp at Fredericksburg.

While here, and before the Fredericksburg campaign opened, Co. K, was detailed on special duty at Brooks'