FOURTH REGIMENT INFANTRY.

The regiment in command of Colonel Woodbury left its rendezvous at Adrian for Washington, June 25th, numbering on the rolls 1,025 officers and men. In his order for the movement he said

Let each man remember that he has the honor of Michigan in his keeping.

The fine appearance of the 4th while passing through Cleveland brought from the "Leader" of that city the following general notice of Michigan troops

When we see the splendidly armed and equipped regiments from Michigan pass through here on their way to the seat of war, and compare their appearance with that of the regiments which recently left Camp Cleveland, It makes us almost ashamed of Ohio, and inclines us to inquire in the mildest and most collected manner, why it is that Michigan in the same length of time, sends regiments to the field prepared for service, while Ohio, who boasts of her enterprise and patriotism, sends from her camps as regiments, mere mobs of men, half uniformed, unarmed, and wholly without drill

A correspondent writes, on the arrival of the 4th at Harrisburg, "the question came from many of its citizens, Has Michigan sent another regiment equipped?" And in fact the troops now in Camp Curtain declared that "if Pennsylvania would only clothe her men like that, she would not have a single citizen left at home!"

The regiment arrived via Baltimore at Washington during the night of the 2d of July, and went into camp with the 2d and 3d Michigan, near the chain bridge above Georgetown.

Although not actually engaged at Bull Run, July 21st, it took part in the movements connected therewith. Under date of July 21st, 9.10 P. M., Woodbury telegraphed Colonel E. D. Townsend, Assistant Adjutant General, from Fairfax Court House

This regiment aided largely, as did also the 2d, 3d, 5th, in the construction of the defenses of Washington.

It encamped during the winter following on Miner's Hill, Va., and in the spring of 1862 formed part of McClellan's Peninsula army, being in Griffin's brigade, Morrell's division of Porter's corps, and was in the siege of York­town, and in the engagement at Williamsburg, losing at the former Captain A. R. Wood, commanding Company C, killed on Apri1 18th, while on picket duty.

In the first collision on the Chickahominy between the advance of McClellan's army and the rebels at Newbridge, on May 24th, the 4th, led by Colonel Woodbury, waded the stream under a heavy fire and gallantly assailed and drove off a superior force, losing only eight men, while it captured thirty-seven prisoners, of whom fifteen were wounded.

In this battle one Piper was killed, who had a brother in the same company, to whom an officer said, "Your brother has been shot, and if you want to see him alive hurry from here to where they have taken him." "I can't leave," replied the brother. "I have no time now to look after dying, brothers. My country has the highest claim on me."

"I might have shot you half a dozen times," said a prisoner, after the fight, to Colonel Woodbury. "Why didn't you?" asked the Colonel, coolly. "I took you for some d--d common orderly!" was the reply.

The affair at Newbridge was so brave and dashing as to be noticed in a dispatch from General McClellan to the War Department

Mr. Greeley, in his "American Conflict", says:

The first collision on the Chickahominy between the advance of General McClellan's army and the rebels occurred near New Bridge, where the 4th, Michigan, Colonel Woodbury, waded the stream and assailed and drove off a superior force, losing but eight men in all, and taking thirty-seven prisoners, of whom fifteen were wounded.

A correspondent of the N. Y. Herald, writing from Cold Harbor, Va., under date of May 24th, 1862, says of the affair at Newbridge:

The most Important skirmish that has occurred between our troops and the rebels in front of Richmond took place this morning. Engaged on our side was the 4th Michigan Regiment, Colonel Woodbury, who fought for two hours with desperate and heroic, courage an entire rebel brigade. We lost one man killed, two mortally wounded, and four seriously wounded, and did not lose a prisoner. The rebels lost one hundred killed and wounded and thirty-seven prisoners. The following is a detailed account of the affair.

Intelligence having reached headquarters that quite a force of the enemy was near New Bridge, the 4th Michigan regiment, Colonel Woodbury, was sent to feel them, and if necessary interrupt their quiet. The regiment left camp at 7 A. M., their Colonel at their head, and all in splendid spirits at the prospect of a rencontre with the rebels. A secondary object of the expedition was to obtain information in regard to the roads and fords in the vicinity. Lieutenant N. Bowen of the Topographical Engineers went with the expedition; as also a squadron of the 2d regular cavalry, under command of Captain Gordon; a company of the 5th cavalry, Lieutenant Custer; a company of the 18th infantry, Captain Forsyth, and a company of the 2d infantry, Captain McMillan. New Bridge is four miles from camp. They went down the main road to what is called the old mill, and thence turned to the right through a piece of woods, keeping it till they came to an open field, commanding a view of the Chickahominy river. A portion of company A, 4th Michigan regiment, Captain Rose, was here sent forward as skirmishers, and the remnant of the company kept as reserves. The regiment filed out of the woods by flank, and formed in line of battle very nearly parallel with the river, the left extending across the main road. Here the rebels were seen lying behind a fence across the river. The right wing of Colonel Woodbury's regiment was ordered to cross the river, which at this point is about thirty feet wide. In the men plunged, all accoutered as they were, but contrived to keep their muskets in condition to use. In some places the stream, which had been swollen by the rain during the night and morning, was so deep that the men were obliged to swim, and none got over without wading waist-deep. The enemy, who had lain concealed be­hind a fence close to the opposite bank of the river, kept up an incessant fire upon them. Fortunately the enemy's shots passed harmlessly over their heads; but the shooting did not dismay the men in the least. Lieutenant Bowen attempted to cross the stream with his horse, but the latter was shot under him before he had advanced a third of the way across. This prevented field officers and the cavalry from attempting to cross the stream. All the companies but two passed the river. One of these remained behind to act as skirmishers in the woods on the right, and the other to keep an eye on the bridge and to the left beyond, to prevent being flanked on either side by the enemy.
As soon as our men crossed the river the work of firing commenced. Captain Rose's company discharged the first volley on our side. All the remaining companies had their muskets to their shoulders In double-quick time. The firing was brisk and continuous on both sides. The rebels had two pieces of artillery, from which they hurled shells at our men, but the shells, like their volleys of musketry, passed over the heads of our men. Their cannon were planted on a hill beyond, while the Infantry still kept position behind the fence, which in addition to having an embankment as a base in the style of old Virginia fences, had a deep and wide ditch in front. The shooting continued for nearly two hours. Our men drove the rebels behind the fence and their encampment at the left. They fled, leaving their dead and wounded behind them, taking refuge in encampments on the hill.
On our side the last shot was fired. It was not deemed prudent to pursue the retreating enemy. It was evident that they had mistaken our force, or else acted in retiring more intensely cowardly than we ever thought them to be. They had four regiments engaged, 4th and 5th Louisiana regiments, a Virginia and an Alabama regiment, besides their artillery, while on our side there were actually eight companies of the 4th Michigan who did the fighting. Under the circumstances, of course, it was not deemed prudent to follow the foe.
In the ditch were found to be twenty-eight dead bodies. Among the killed were two lieutenants. One was shot with two balls through the head, and the body of the other was completely riddled with bullets. Of the thirty-seven prisoners we took, fifteen were wounded. Our men brought them on their shoulders across the stream whence they were taken to a dwelling house near by, and every possible care given them by our surgeons. They all expressed astonishment at the care shown them, and stated that they had been told that if they ever fell into our hands they would be killed; and such fate they expected would be theirs.
Our men partook of the dinner the Louisiana Tigers had prepared for themselves. They captured their company books, and brought away rifles, muskets swords, sashes, etc. I might recount any number of narrow escapes, had I time.
General McClellan having received intelligence of the skirmish, rode toward the river and met the regiment on its return. He grasped Colonel Woodbury warmly by the hand, and said, "Colonel, I am happy to congratulate you again on your success. I have had occasion to do so before, and do so again with pleasure!" He also shook hands with Captain Rose, of the first company, and said, "I thank you, Captain. Your men have done well." To some of the men he said, "How do you feel, boys?" They exclaimed, "General, we feel bully!" "Do you think anything can stop you from going to Richmond?" he asked, and an enthusiastic "No!" rang from the whole line.
All the officers of the regiment behaved remarkably well. General McClellan telegraphed immediately to General Porter that the 4th Michigan had covered themselves with glory.

The 4th was engaged at Hanover Court House, May 27th, at Mechanicsville, June 26th, and on the 27th at Gaines's Mills, where it lost Captain R. G. Dupuy and Lieutenant Thos. J. Jones, killed, while Captain George Spalding, Lieutenants J. L. Smith, F. S. Earle, J. W. Beers, and S. B. Preston were wounded; the latter died of his wounds in a rebel prison.

The report of Captain Randolph, alluding to the battle of Gaines's Mills, states:

The regiment was also engaged at Savage Station, June 29th; at Turkey Bend, June 30th; at White Oak Swamp on the same day; and on July 1st at Malvern Hill, where it became conspicuously engaged, losing its colonel, Woodbury, who fell at the head of his regiment, and whose brilliant career in the service had been as bright and dashing as the record of his regiment, and had his life been spared but a little longer his military ability, energy, and dash would have placed him prominent in command with high rank and fame, as he was naturally gifted with all the characteristics to ensure success.

With his back to the field and his feet to the foe!
And leaving in battle no blot on his name,
Looks proudly to Heaven from the death-bed of fame

A writer says:

The 1st day of July, 1862, was a gloomy day for the Army of the Potomac. Shattered, hard pressed, suffering from the effects of heat, thirst, and want of food, fatigued and worn down with fighting by day and retreating by night -- harassed but not conquered, the heroic men of that army still stoutly resisted the foe. Slowly, step by step they had fallen back from the Chickahominy to the base of Malvern Hill. Thousands of loved comrades were missing; some were cut off and captured, to be consigned to the cruelties of Libby Prison. Some, mangled and bleeding, suffered intense agony; while others, far from kindred and home, lay dead or dying in the forests and swamps through which they had retreated. The enemy in full force still pressed them hard, determined at one fell swoop to utterly destroy and capture all that remained of that proud army. Late in the afternoon fresh rebel troops were massed, and, confident of success, were hurled upon our jaded, wearied men. With death-defying determination three times they charged. They came, but only to be resisted and driven back, even as the granite rock hurls back the rushing, surging waves. There, in full dress, cool and collected, passing from rank to rank, 'mid death shots falling thick and fast, as lightnings from the mountain cloud,' was Woodbury. It is said that there was an unusual sadness in the expression of his face as he went into that battle, as though he had a premonition that his time had come; yet steadily he went forward as to a holiday parade. On the very eve of victory, when animating his men and gallantly cheering them on, a rebel bullet pierced his brain and stilled as brave a heart as ever throbbed. "On, my brave boys, on," and "good bye, boys," were the last words that passed from his lips. Without suffering or pain, unconscious of the shaft that death had sent, his body sunk to the earth, and his spirit passed to the God who gave it.

He had fought his last battle,
No sound shall awake him to glory again

With Woodbury fell Captain A. M. Rose killed, and Lieutenant J. A. Gordon, wounded, while from June 26th to July 2d the aggregate loss of the regiment was fifty-three killed, one hundred and forty-four wounded, and fifty-two missing.

In a report made by Captain Randolph immediately following the engagement at Malvern Hill, he says:

Surgeon Chamberlain of the 4th gives the following account of the death of the gallant Colonel Woodbury:

After the death of Colonel Woodbury, Lieutenant Colonel Childs was promoted to the colonelcy, Lieutenant Colonel Duffield having been previously promoted to the colonelcy of the 9th Infantry.

When the campaign on the Peninsula ended, the 4th returned with the army and entered on the "Pope campaign".

The regiment, in command of Colonel Childs, was in the engagement at Gainesville, August 29th, 1862; Bull Run, August 30th; and at Antietam on the 17th of September following. At Shepardstown Ford, September 20th, with its brigade, it forded the Potomac in face of a battery, killed and drove off the enemy, capturing the guns.

The regiment having returned again to the Potomac from the Maryland campaign, was also in the battle of Fredericksburg, December 13th and 14th, in command of Lieutenant Colonel Geo. W. Lombard, where its casualties were 9 killed forty-one wounded, and one missing. Among the killed was Lieutenant James Clark.

At the battle of Fredericksburg the regiment was in the 2d brigade, 1st division, 5th corps, which is mentioned by Colonel T. W. B. Stockton, of the 16th Michigan, who was then in command of the 3d brigade, same division. In that division were also the 1st and 16th Michigan, the former in the 1st brigade and the latter in the 3d. The extract from Colonel Stockton's report is as follows:

The 4th, having participated in the first battle of Fredericksburg, December 13th and 14th, 1862, returned to its old position on the north bank of the Rappahannock. On the 30th and 31st of December the regiment, was engaged in a reconnaissance to Morrisville, making a march of thirty-three miles on the latter day. It was engaged in a movement of the 20th of January, 1863, but marching only a few miles returned to camp near Falmouth, where it remained until May 1st. On May 4th, it participated in the battle of Chancellorsville with a loss in killed, wounded, and missing of thirty. May 26th the regiment was ordered on guard duty at Kelley's Ford, where it remained until the 13th of June. Engaging in the rapid and fatiguing marches northward through Maryland and into Pennsylvania, in command of Colonel H. H. Jefferds, who had been commissioned from November 26th, 1862, it participated in the battle of Gettysburg on the 2d and 3d of July, serving in the same brigade, division, and corps.

Its casualties were twenty-eight, killed, eighty wounded, missing, and prisoners.

The 4th bears a noble part in the great battle of Gettysburg, shares with the 5th corps the brunt of the fight, meets the enemy in a desperate encounter, their flag is in danger, the gallant Jefferds rushes to the rescue, he struggles for its safety, but falls by a rebel bayonet.

From his bosom that heaved, the last torrent was streaming,
And pale was his visage, deep marked with a scar!
And dim was that eye, once expressively beaming,
That melted in love, and that kindled in war!

A writer at the time Says:

What deeds of valor were performed! There were many heroes that day. A rebel officer seized the colors of the 4th Michigan. Colonel Jefferds seized his revolver, shot him, and regained the flag. A rebel soldier with a bayonet-thrust ran the Colonel through the body, inflicting a mortal wound; but as he fell he held the flag he loved so well with a firmer grasp, clasping it in his arms and pressing it to his heart. The rebel soldier, too, went down, his brain pierced by a bullet from Major Hall's (4th Michigan) revolver.

Note here that in the writings of the Quartermaster Campbell, that Jeffords had earlier given the revolver to Campbell as he had yet to use it in battle.

The struggle in which the regiment was engaged at Gettysburg may be inferred from the following notice of the services of its corps (the 5th) as stated by Mr. Greeley in his "American Conflict":

Sickles's new position was commanded by the rebel batteries posted on Seminary ridge in his front scarcely half a mile distant, while magnificent lines of battle a mile and a half long swept up to his front and flanks, crushing him back with heavy loss, and struggling desperately to seize Round Top at his left. Meade regarded this hill as vital to the maintenance of our position, and had already ordered Sykes to advance the 5th corps with all possible haste to save and hold it. A fierce and bloody struggle ensued, for the enemy had nearly carried the hill before Sykes reached it, while Humphreys, who with one of Sykes's divisions had been posted on Sickles's right, was in turn assailed in front and flank, and driven back with a loss of 2,000 out of 5,000 men.

After the death of Colonel Jefferds, Lieutenant Colonel Lombard assumed command of the regiment.

Pursuing the enemy from Gettysburg, the 4th marched to Williamsport on July 12th The enemy having crossed the Potomac, the regiment proceeded to Berlin thence, on the 17^th, it marched to Warrenton via Manassas Gap, then proceeded to Beverly Ford, where it remained until September 16th; thence to Culpepper, remaining there to the 9th of October. Again crossing the Rappahannock, it encamped near Beverly Ford. Recrossing on the following day it assisted in driving the enemy, who were advancing, back to Brandy Station, the 4th acting as "flankers" for the 5th Corps. On the 12th the regiment recrossed the Rappahannock, and fell back with the army via Bealton, Warrenton Junction, and Centerville, to Fairfax Station, where it remained until the 18th, when it marched forward to Three Mile Station near Warrenton Junction and went into camp.

Following is an extract from the report of Colonel Lombard, covering in detail the services of his regiment from November 1, 1862, until November 1, 1863:

I respectfully submit the following report: The regiment is attached to the 2d brigade, 1st division, 5th army corps, Army of the Potomac. November 1st, 1862, the regiment was on the march from Sharpsburg, Maryland, to Warrenton, Virginia, and then to Falmouth, Virginia, where it arrived November 22d, under the command of Colonel J.W. Childs, who resigned November 25th, 1862, when I assumed command. We remained near Falmouth until December 12th, when the army moved towards Fredericksburg, Virginia. On the 13th of December we crossed the Rappahannock river and participated in the battle of Fredericksburg; casualties, killed and wounded fifty two. On the 14th of December recrossed the Rappahannock and returned to our old position. On the 30th of December the regiment went out on a reconnaissance towards Morrisville, Virginia, and camped near Grove Church. Next day advanced to Morrisville and returned to camp the same day, performing a march of thirty-three miles in one day. The next move of the army was made January 20th, 1863, under the command of General Burnside. When but a few miles from camp the order was countermanded and the army resumed the position as before. The roads and bad weather prevented the army from moving. We were in camp near Falmouth until May 1st, 1863, when the army moved under the command of General Hooker. The regiment was commanded by Colonel H. H. Jefferds, who was lately promoted; the command carried eight days' rations in haversacks and knapsacks, and moved to Chancellorsville, Virginia, via Kelly's Ford. The campaign lasted eight days. May 4th, 1863, the regiment participated in the battle of Chancellorsville, supporting batteries of our corps, and was sent by order of General Hooker to feel the enemy's position. In presence of the main body of the army, the regiment was highly praised by the commanding general for executing the order as he desired. No engagement occurred after the position of the enemy was felt, and the army recrossed the Rappahannock at United States Ford, and returned to the old position as before near Falmouth, Virginia. The casualties of the regiment were, killed, wounded, and missing, thirty. The 2d brigade covered the retreat from Chancellorsville. We were in camp until May 26th, 1863, when the brigade was ordered as guard at Kelly's Ford, where we remained until the 13th of June, when we commenced our march northward. The enemy were now marching into Maryland and Pennsylvania. We continued our march via Centerville arid then to Aldie, Virginia, remaining there a few days, and on the 28th of June resumed our march through Leesburg, and crossing the Potomac into Maryland at Edwards Ferry the 29th of June we were at Frederick, Maryland, and on the 1st of July marched into Pennsylvania and camped near Gettysburg. The regiment participated in the battle of Gettysburg, July 2d and 3d, losing our brave Colonel Harrison H. Jefferds, who was mortally wounded and bayoneted on the 2d, and died of his wounds on the 3d. I assumed command on the 2d. The enemy having retreated, the army of the Potomac was soon in pursuit. The casualties of the command at the battle of Gettysburg were-killed, twenty-eight; wounded, eighty; missing and taken prisoners, eighty; total, 188. The Army of the Potomac formed lines of battle near Williamsport, Virginia, July 12th, and on the l3th the enemy crossed the Potomac, under the cover of the night. The 5th corps was ordered to Berlin, Maryland, and remained there a few days to clothe the troops, and on the l7th crossed the Potomac at Berlin, and marched to Warrenton via Manassas Gap. Arrived at Warrenton July 27th, remained here for four days, arrived at Beverly Ford, Virginia, on the Rappahannock, August 2d, 1863, remaining here until September 16th, when we marched to Culpepper, arriving there on the 18th, and remained there until October 9th, 1863, when the army moved to the rear and crossed the Rappahannock and camped near Beverly Ford, Virginia; next day recrossed the Rappahannock, and drove the enemy back to Brandy Station. The 4th was flankers of the 5th corps. No casualties occurred. At 1 A. M. on the l2th again crossed the Rappahannock, continuing our march northward via Bealton, Warrenton Junction, Bull Run, and Centerville, then Fairfax, where we remained a few days, and on the 18th we advanced from Centerville to Three Mile Station, near Warrenton Junction, Virginia, where we are stationed November 1st, 1863.
The regiment has participated in all the movements of the Army of the Potomac, and the foregoing is a very brief history of its movements during the year.
I have not mentioned the many reconnoissances, and the number of times the regiment has been on small skirmishes with the enemy.
The regiment has marched during the year over 700 miles.

The 4th, in command of Colonel Lombard, who had been commissioned as Colonel to rank from July 3d, then in the 2d brigade, 1st division, Griffin's of the 5th army corps, advanced, on the 7th of November, 1863, with the Army of the Potomac, from its camp near Three Mile Station, On the 0.&A.R.R., to the Rappahannock river, and on the same day participated in the engagement at Rappahannock Station. On the 9th the regiment, with its brigade, was ordered to keep open the communications of the army from Bealton to Kelly's Ford, and was engaged in that duty until the 19th, when the command rejoined its corps near Kelly's Ford. Breaking camp on the 26th, the command moved toward the Rapidan river, which it crossed at Germania Ford. On the 28th the regiment moved to the right of the position at Mine Run, but did not become engaged, and on the night of the 3Oth it fell back across the Rapidan. The 5th corps being ordered on guard duty along the Orange and Alexandria railroad, the regiment arrived at Bealton on the 1st of December, where it remained until the 30th of April, 1864, when it broke camp and marched to Rappahannock Station. On the 1st of May the regiment crossed the Rappahannock river, and camped near Brandy Station, and thence on the 3d marched to Culpepper. On the morning of the 4th, it started from Culpepper to participate in the summer campaign, crossing the Rapidan at Germania Ford. On the 5th, 6th, and 7th, the regiment participated in the battles of the Wilderness.

Greeley says:

At noon General Griffin, whose advance had been driven in, was ordered to push forward the 1st division of the 5th corps to the right and left of the turnpike and feel the enemy. An advance of less than a mile, stretching across the turnpike, brought them in contact with the enemy, under Lieutenant General Ewell, posted on a wooded declivity. A sharp engagement ensued for an hour, when the pressure of the enemy could no longer be resisted. General Griffin's division was driven back, leaving two pieces of artillery in the hands of the enemy.

In this engagement Colonel Lombard fell while gallantly leading his regiment. His death is mentioned in the regimental report as follows:

A flash, of the lightning, a break of the wave,
Man passes from life to his rest in the grave.

In the same engagement Captain W. H. Loveland was wounded and died of his wounds on the 31st of the same month.

On the night of the 7th the 4th, then commanded by Lieutenant Colonel J. W. Hall, moved toward Spottsylvania, arriving at Laurel Hill on the morning of the 8th. It here became engaged with the enemy and again on the 9th. On the 10th it assisted in a charge upon and capture of the enemy's rifle pits, losing twenty killed and wounded. On the 11th and 12th the regiment was in the advanced lines of the corps, and on the 13th and 14th was engaged as skirmishers. On the evening of the latter date the command moved to the left of the army near Spottsylvania Court House, and remaining here until the 19th, it then took part in the movement to the North Anna River, which it crossed on the 24th near Jericho Mills, the regiment participating In the engagement at this place. On the night of the 26th it recrossed the North Anna and marched to Hanovertown, crossing the Pamunky River on the 28th. On the 29th, 30th, and 31st of May and 1st of June, it was engaged as skirmishers and on the 3d it participated in the capture of the enemy's line of works near Bethesda Church. In the engagement Lieutenant Jas. N. Vesey was killed. On the 5th the regiment marched to Bottom's Bridge, and on the 14th crossed the James River at Wilcox's Landing, whence it proceeded to the lines in front of Petersburg, where it arrived on the 16th. On the next day the regiment was engaged as skirmishers, and on the 19th took part in the engagement of that date, losing eight killed and wounded.

During the engagements, from November 1, 1863, to June 19, 1864, the regiment lost three officers and 37 men killed or died of wounds, with six missing in action. Although this loss seems small, yet it was about 15 per cent of its whole strength.

The regiment participated in engagements with the enemy at Bull Run Va., July 21, 1861, not actually engaged, but took part in movements connected therewith; New Bridge, Va., May 24, 1862; Hanover Court House, Va., May 27, 1862; Mechanicsville Va., June 26, 1862; Gaines's Mills, Va., June 27, 1862; Savage Station Va., June 29, 1862; Turkey Bend, Va., June 30, 1862; White Oak Swamp Va., June 30, 1862; Malvern Hill, Va., July 1, 1862; Harrison's Landing, Va., July 2, 1862; Gainesville, Va., August 29, 1862; Bull Run, 2d, Va., August 30, 1862; Antietam, Md., September 17, 1862; Shepardstown Ford, Va., September 20, 1862; Snicker's Gap, Va., November 14, 1862; Fredericksburg, Va., December 13, 1862; Morrisville, Va., December 30, 31, 1862; U.S. Ford Va., January 1, 1863; Chancellorsville, Va., May 1 - 5, 1863; Kelly's Ford, Va., June 9, 1863; Ashby's Gap, Va., June 21, 1863; Gettysburg, Pa., July 2 - 4, 1863; Williamsport, Md., July l2, 1863; Wapping Heights, Va., July 21, 1863; Culpepper, Va., October 13, 1863; Brandy Station, Va., October 13, 1863; Bristo Station, Va., October 14, 1863; Rappahannock Station, Va., November 7, 1863; Cross Roads, Va., November 26, 1863; Mine Run, Va., November 29, 1863; Wilderness, Va., May 5 - 7, 1864; Laurel Hill, Va., May 8, 1864; Po River, Va., May 10, 1864; Spottsylvania, Va., May 12, 1864; Ny River, Va., May 21, 1864; North Anna, Va., May 23, 1864; Jericho Mills, Va. May 24, 1864; Noel's Turn, Va., May 26, 1864; Tolopotomy, Va., May 30, 1864; Magnolia Swamp, Va., June 1, 1864; Bethesda Church, Va., June 2, 1864; Petersburg, Va., June 18, 1864.

The total membership of the Fourth had been during its service 1325, while its losses were 273, of which eight officers and 115 men were killed in action, four officers and fifty men died of wounds, and one officer and ninety - five then of disease.

Their brows bear many a gory stain,
Their white lips press not ours again,
And eyes that once our life light were,
Give back a cold, appalling stare.

An incident related by Alexander D. Patrick, Company B, 4th Infantry, who served a long time as mail carrier to the brigade in which his regiment belonged

On the arrival at Aquia, Creek from the Peninsula campaign of the 4th Infantry, the company with their division (Porter's), we proceeded to and pitched our camp at Kelly's Ford, on the Rappahannock river. My position at this time was bugler for General Griffin, and had immediate charge of the mail for the brigade to and from Washington. After arriving at Kelly's Ford I asked and obtained fifteen days' furlough for the purpose of taking a rest. having been continuously on the road day and night in my line of duty since the battle of Malvern Hill, The postmaster of the 63d Pennsylvania was detailed to take my place. He had two large bags of mail matter and some important letters for General Burnside, then commandant at Aquia Creek. He was mounted on a fine gray horse, and was well armed having two large Colt's revolvers and a carbine. I gave him his instructions and away he went, but he never got to the end of his Journey. He, horse, nor mail were ever heard from. A few days after this circumstance Chaplain Sage, of my regiment, was going to Washington, and volunteered to take the mail to Aquia Creek. When the reverend old gentleman took the road, well mounted we thought at least his sacred cloth would be safe front our rapacious foe; but he had only been gone a few hours when his horse came bounding back with our priest severely wounded, almost riddled with rebel irreligious bullets. Several days after this occurrence, my furlough not having yet expired, our general sent for me and requested that I should start next morning for Aquia Creek. I thought a great deal of the hazardous expedition, but only replied: 'All right, sir; but I would like to have Captain Mirvin's horse' (Assistant Adjutant General). The General complied with my request at once, but the Captain objected, saying I he did not want to lose his horse just yet;' but the General said, sharply : Patrick, you take that horse and get out of this at daylight.' I replied. 'All right, sir.' 'That night long after tat-too had sounded in the camp the flickering light of the tallow candles in nearly every tent could be seen burning but a dead silence prevailed, for most all were writing letters to their loved ones at home The mail bag hung on the center-pole of my tent, and the early morning saw it nearly filled. When reveille sounded I had passed our outposts and trod the ground where the enemy roamed at will. I proceeded unmolested till I got about half way to the creek. On the top of a hill to the right of the road, distant about 150 feet, was a fine large Southern mansion, where I was somewhat acquainted, which acquaintance came about as follows: In all Southern houses there were generally plenty of women and children (but no men); these were almost all naked and with no shoes on. My plan, which was for self-protection, was to sympathize with their unfortunate condition and especially the children. I always offered my services to get shoes, stockings, calico. etc., having an old chum in the Washington post office who made up my mails. It was an easy matter for him to send them in my bags, which they were always ready and willing to pay for. In this manner I got the good will of all the people whom it was my lot to pass to and fro among, and that friendship stood me in good need many times. Such was the friendship that existed between the inmates of this Southern plantation and your humble servant. The gentleman's name who owned this mansion was Sol. Taylor. He was then in the rebel army, with three of his sons. He left to guard his property his wife, an old lady, four daughters, aged 21, 19, 17. and 7 years, and two sons, aged 10 and 12 years. As I rode up to the gate I put the reins of my horse over a post and walked up to the house meeting at the door Jennie, aged 19, who came out to meet me. I greeted her with, 'Hallo Jennie, good morning.' The reply she made was 'Hush,' placing her finger on her lips. I inquired what was the matter, -- anybody here? She replied. 'Yes, lots Of them, and no friends of yours, and whom we have no control over. They are a lot of new fellows, come over two weeks ago.' We were standing on the front porch, which run the whole length of the house. Jennie Says, 'Where are you going?' I said, 'To the Creek. And I must be going, as this is no place for me, and that I was coming back that night.' She begged me not to come back, that I would never get through; but I said 'I must.' She then instructed me that when coming back to take the road running to the river, half mile west of the house, then take the first bridle path to the right, and she would have a light in the gable window. While she was giving me these instructions, Mary, the oldest daughter, opened the front door. As she did so, I looked in and saw four or five gray-coats, and they at the same time saw my blue coat. Mary says, 'Jennie, what are you keeping Mr. Patrick here so long for?' and gave me a shove on the shoulder, saying, 'Mr. Patrick, fly for your life!' I could hear them running to and fro in the house. Mary held the front door after shutting it behind her, and by the time they got back through the house I was on the back of my horse; but on their going back through the house they got to their horses, and started after me and kept on for about two miles, but I had too much the start of them. I arrived at Aquia Creek and reported to General Burnside, giving him the first information he had received in eight or ten days from Pope's army or the scattered remnants of McClellan's battalions.
About 11:30 P. M. I started back from General Burnside's headquarters, with two large bags of mail and my saddle bags full of headquarters' mail matter. My progress was necessarily very slow, on account of darkness. I got to the road as directed, going towards the river, but had some difficulty in finding the bridle path. Just as I was thinking I ought to be near the house a quiet voice said, 'is that you, Aleck?' at the same time a person stepped into the path in front of my horse. I said, Yes; is that you Ely?' The reply was. 'No 'tis Jennie.' I jumped from the horse and asked why she had not the light in the gable window. She replied, that was what brought her here; that in conversation with Mary, Annie, and her mother they thought it not best to put the light, as it would be observed by those who should not see it; so the three girls took turns to watch for me, with the above result. But it was impossible for me to go up to the house, as over a dozen gray-backs were in and around the house; so I contented myself in the orchard till Jennie went to the house to bring me some warm milk and biscuits. Mary, Annie, and Ely came down with her. After eating, resting, and talking half an hour, I again took the road, with Ely as guide till I should get clear of the woods. He then left me, after directing me which way to go. But in the dark I soon lost the path and let my horse go at will, knowing that he would soon find the road, and so he did, but a little too quick, as I knew by a large oak tree that grew in the middle of the road just where I was, and which was the main road between Aquia Creek and Kelly's Ford. My horse had just got well on the road when a stern voice said 'Halt! who goes there?' Not knowing in the dark whether they were friends or foes, just as I said a friend, a voice said, 'That's that Yankee son of a b----.' The sound of my pistol rung out on the midnight air, and with the action I plunged the spurs in the flanks of my powerful horse. With one bound he knocked over and tumbled my challenger to the earth, and with the crack of a dozen carbines, whose balls came whizling very uncomfortably near, we went bounding down the road with the speed of the wind, I almost lying on the neck of my horse. But we were not alone. The gray devils were but a short distance from our heels, and the bullets from their repeating carbines showered around my head like hail. Stretching myself along my horse, my head on his neck and my heels against his flanks, with the mail bags pressing the rowels of my spurs deep into my horse's sides, made him wild, so that he bounded along the road at a rapid gait, with my pursuers close behind me. I led them in this race for life seven or eight miles, when we came to our pickets. I gave the password, and four or five of my pursuers followed me through the pickets into our lines and were made prisoners. I got into camp at gray daylight, With nothing more serious than a few bullet holes through my mail bags and a severe flesh wound on the hip of my faithful horse. In a very short space of time it was known throughout our camp that Patrick was back from the Creek with the mail, and great was the rejoicing, especially of those who received letters.

FOURTH INFANTRY (REORGANIZED)

The 4th Infantry was reorganized under orders of July 26th, 1864, Colonel Jairus W. Hall, late lieutenant colonel of the regiment, taking command of its camp at Adrian. Eight new companies having been completed, they were mustered in as a regiment October 14th, having on the rolls the names of 726 officers and men, in addition to those of the old organization. On the 22d the command left Adrian in command of Colonel Hall, arriving in Nashville, Tenn., on the 25th, and at Decatur, Ala., on the 28th, in time to participate in the defense of that town, which had been attacked by the rebel army under General Hood. The casualties of the regiment at Decatur were one killed and four wounded.

This regiment was stationed at Whitesboro, Ala., November 1st, 1864, and on the 19th and 20th was engaged with the enemy at New Market. Soon after it was sent to Murfreesboro, and during the month of December, and until January 15th, 1865, was in the fortifications at that point, engaged on picket duty, guarding supply trains, and skirmishing occasionally with the enemy. At that date it moved by rail to Huntsville, Ala.; arriving there on the 18th was assigned to the 3d brigade, 3d division, 4th army corps. The regiment remained at Huntsville until the 23d of March, when it took up a line of march by rail, through East Tennessee reaching Knoxville on the 25th. The next day they proceeded to Strawberry Plains, and on the 27th marched to New Market, and to Painter's Springs on the 29th, and then to Russelville on the day following, and on the morning of the 31st reached Bull's Gap, and was there until April 4th, when it passed through Greenville during that day, and Rayton on the 5th, reaching Jonesboro on the 7th, and there remained until the 20th, when it returned to Nashville on the 27th. Encamping at that point until June 16th, it went by rail to Johnsonville, where, with its corps, it took steam transports and proceeded, via the Tennessee, Ohio and Mississippi rivers, to New Orleans, arriving there on the 24th. At that point the detachment of the old 4th infantry joined the regiment. The regiment encamped at New Orleans until July 6th, when it embarked on board steam transports for Indianola, Texas, and arrived there on the 10th, and marched for Green Lake, reaching there on the following day after a very fatiguing march, the men having suffered much from the effects of heat and scarcity of water, some having died from sun-stroke, and others being severely injured. It remained in camp at that place for two months, and during that time the command lost many men by disease occasioned by the extremely hot weather and bad water, and a great number were in ill-health. On the 11th Of September it commenced its March for San Antonio, one hundreded and seventy miles, and after a hard march of fourteen days reached the Salada Creek, about eight miles from San Antonio, on the 24th. There it encamped for two months and was then ordered into the city on provost duty. The regiment remained in Texas doing duty at various points, until May 26th, 1866, when it was mustered out of service at Houston, and proceeded to Galveston, and thence by steamer via New Orleans to Cairo, where it took rail for Michigan, arriving on the 10th of June at Detroit, where it was paid off and disbanded.

This regiment participated in engagements at Decatur, Ala., October 28, 29, 30, 1864; New Market, Ala., November 19, 20, 1864; Murfreesboro, Tenn., November, 30 to December 20, 1864.

The enrollment of the regiment was 1,300, and its losses 148, being one man killed in action, six died of wounds, and 141 of disease. This is a very large loss in view of the shortness of the term of service; but the service of the regiment in Texas subjected it to long and severe marches in a hot climate, while its encampment at Green Lake was a most unhealthy point, causing much of the loss.