As this issue of YANKEE SCOUT opens, Pvt. Calif Newton Drew,

Co. K, with the rest of his regiment, the Sixth Maine Inf., are still

encamped with the new volunteer recruits of the Union Army, about

6 miles out of Washington City, up the Potomac and just beyond the

borders of D.C. on the Maryland side: still near the Chain Bridge

across the river to the Virginia side…1

but now at Cabin John’s Bridge.

See, YANKEE SCOUT – Battle of Bull Run !!

At Chain Bridge, back on July 21, 1861, Pvt. Drew and the other

Volunteer Army troops in training were the startled eye-witnesses to

a panicky rout of the Union Army forces, from their humiliating

defeat at the Battle of Bull Run or Manassas: it was an uncoordinated

melee of a scram, more than a retreat, and almost completely without

discipline: the worst such display to possess either army during the

Great War of the Rebellion!! Union forces were set to flight in their

first major encounter with the Rebs!!

The Confederates call it the Battle of Manassas Junction – but

somehow -- BULL RUN seems more appropriate !!

Will the Union Army ever live it down?

That remains to be determined: Pvt. Drew only wished the 6th

Maine could have been there to hold the Union lines

and send the foe packing!! For the rest of the Army engaged – but soundly defeated -- at this point, it is sure that as

long as the war lasts they will never quite shed the stigma of this rout … But it’s possible, if they can be trained and

drilled into a real professional Army corps, they can recoup their morale and thereby hold their composure, and

maintain cohesion under fire! With such an objective in mind, President Abraham Lincoln has moved instantly

to restore Army discipline: he calls in Gen. George B. McClellan – a famed hero of the Mexican war. Much now

depends on the military managerial prowess of Gen. McClellan, who, in cooperation with Lincoln and his new

Secretary of War Edwin Stanton, initiates reforms at every level: there will be new divisions and brigades in the

army; stronger fortifications will be built all around Washington, and heavy artillery cast and emplaced. New, more

accurate and reliable weapons will be supplied, and a new tactics developed to match the new weapons. And, most

important to Drew and his comrades, there will be uninterrupted drilling of the troops under these new tactics, in

order to habituate unit competence and cohesion, so that that the men learn to move only on command.

In the meantime, despite the plastering given to the Union Army at Bull Run and Ball’s Bluff, the Confederates

have barely advanced their positions: having taken over only Centreville and Falls Church, etc. For the time being

Pvt. Drew and his companions in a newly formed brigade, are busy with the construction of heavy defensive

earthworks overlooking the Little River Turnpike and the access to Chain Bridge: the earthwork fort will soon be

crammed with artillery, and named in honor of one of the great military heroes of the American Revolution –

1

The original boundaries of the land set-aside for the United States federal capitol had been arranged through

Congress in 1801, and the land therefor was granted by the states of Virginia and Maryland. At ten miles on a side,

the 100 square miles ceded by these two states was more than ample. Thus, the 1846 Retrocession of the Virginia

portion of that 100 sq. miles, was a give-back totaling 32 sq. miles. So although it was once part of the District of

Columbia, this land across the Chain Bridge over the Potomac River has reverted, and is again, as Pvt. Drew would

say, “the sacret soil of Virginia.” And much of it it is now “Seceesh” to boot! Thanks for sharing.

New Brigade

[P. 24] Then soon after there was a shifting of troops, and the New

Brigade was formed:

The 5th

Wisconsin Inft. }

“ 49th

Pennsylvania Inft. }

“ 43rd

New York Inft. }

“ 6th

Maine Inft. }

“Was a 2-year reg’t. We had plenty to eat, plenty of hard work, lots

of drilling, no fighting.

“The fort we helped to build was named Fort Ethan Allen. And we helped mount the big guns and stow away the

first load of ammunition in the bombproof [bunker] Then the fort was turned over to some heavy artillery men.”

FORT ETHAN ALLEN on the Potomac --

guarding the old Chain Bridge Road to Washington, and

Chain Bridge too: the fort was one of a ring of Army forts

defending Washington, D.C. [Chain Bridge was

introduced in the Last Issue of YANKEE SCOUT ! ]

EDITOR’S NOTE

Pvt. Drew’s 6th

Maine Infantry Regiment, and the other volunteer regiments listed above, are all part of the 1st

Brigade

serving under General Winfield Scott Hancock. Hancock in turn is one of 4-5 brigades (the organizational structure

shifts) of General W. F. “Baldy” Smith’s 2nd

Division, which is under Gen. E.D. Keyes’ IV Corps. Part of the

process of the construction of a fort like Fort Ethan Allen, will be in training these all-volunteer forces building it,

to become familiar with some technical military vocabulary, and thus to start thinking and reacting according to

terms calculated to achieve a strictly military end. Thus for instance, the Army Engineers who will supervise

construction of Fort Ethan Allen, will direct construction of parts of the fort, in technical terms, for instance:

Traverse – parapets or mounds of earth thrown up between the guns in a fort as a fortification against the ricochet

shots of the enemy.

Bastion – a work at one or more angles of a fort having two faces and

two flanks

Gabion – a cylindrical bottomless basket filled with earth and stones,

used to reinforce parapets

Sap – a ditch about five feet wide approaching a defensive works, with

the earth thrown up to the inside

Abattis – a defensive array of slash or felled timber, often with

branches sharpened

Battery – a particular group or arrangement of artillery, usually aimed

in a common direction, and under a single command.

Redoubt –- a small free-standing rectangular fortification, ditched about,

and having a gorge or covered entrance

Redan –- a small irregular fortification, ditched about; also a triangular

extension along a parapet

Lunette -- a small triangular or V-shaped fortification, ditched about

YOU NEVER KNOW !! A SOLDIER OR A GOOD SCOUT

MIGHT NEED TO DESCRIBE ENEMY FORTIFICATIONS …

AT A MOMENT’S NOTICE !!

The names, the memories, and the fighting legacies of the greatest heroes of the American Revolution were not far

removed in time, from this era of the Civil War, nor from the minds of the citizens – and they were invoked both

in the South and the North. Their heroic lore would have been familiar especially to the young men who, like

Pvt. Drew, answered Lincoln’s call for volunteers of April, 1861. See YANKEE SCOUT – Outbreak of War !!

Now, just as Washington City itself is being reinforced with battlements mounted with heavy artillery, so the morale

of the Army and the citizens is being reinforced, as the Union drags out its “big guns”: including the heroic name of

Ethan Allen. Indeed, even the action of building a fort to be named “Ethan Allen” will moralize and inspire the

soldiers, and hopefully also build their esprit de corps, around the memory of this great Revolutionary War hero …

Connecticut’s Ethan Allen - was a hugely built man, whom Melville

describes as “of patagonian stature.” With his Green Mountain Boys, he

had keyed up the revolutionary fighting spirit of the American colonials in

the weeks following the battles of Lexington and Concorde, when in May,

1775, urged by the Massachusettes Committee on Safety to help the cause

of the American Revolutionary movement, he had demanded the British

evacuation of their Fort Ticonderoga -- in Quebec !! The Brits just

handed over Fort Ticonderoga – without a fight. Allen was that imposing.

But later they would take their revenge !!

Probably the most vivid portrait of Ethan Allen in his defiant resistance

while under British guard, is to be found in Herman Melville’s Israel Potter – His Fifty Years of Exile (1855), in which Ethan Allen’s captivity

is glimpsed in the pulse-pounding account of Potter’s involvement with

American Revolutionary intrigues in England and France –including with

no less a figure than Benj. Franklin! And Capt. John Paul Jones !!

Copy here: https://archive.org/details/israelpotterhisf00melvrich Or, just

read Chapter XXI -- “Samson Among the Philistines”-- about Ethan

Allen’s captivity in Pendennis Castle, in Cornwall, England -- and you’ll

see why Melville never went back to writing those silly fish stories and

whaling travelogues !! However, in this original 1855 London edition,

pictured, the publisher was evidently trying to capitalize on Melville’s fame

as the author of Moby Dick -- hence the cover illustration, shows a raging

bull whale attacking a launch boat!!

“Early in October [1861] we moved camp out-close to Lewinsville, [Virginia] and made camp for the winter.”

Detail from “Topographical Map of Washington D.C. and Vicinity showing The Union Forts and Defenses Built 1861-63” (Library of Congress.) Lewinsville lies some 12-13 miles west of Fort Ethan Allen. The troops would

have taken the old Chain Bridge Road -- now Virginia Route 123 or Dolley Madison Boulevard, to reach it !! This

was just a short march, on roads that had not been improved – as in, with commuter lanes…

R. K. Sneden, View of Lewinsville, Virginia, October 30th, 1862 (Image: Virginia Historical Society)

Col. Hiram Burnham Gen. W. S. Hancock

“There was added to the Brigade Capt. Mott’s Battery of NY light-artillery. The 1st

Lieut. named Brig. General

Daggett -- a great temperance speaker who had lectured throughout the state of Maine in favor of the Neal Dow

Temperance Law – so I was told, he would get drunk and raise Cain whenever we [ conducted ] a sham battle.

“I heard he was killed in action at 7 Pines in front of Richmond.”

EDITOR’S NOTE

Drew may be referring to Aaron S. Daggett, whose cartes de visite is

shown here. Daggett was born in Greene, Maine, and, inter alia, was

well-known as a temperance speaker. Daggett however, was not killed

at Seven Pines, but was a successful officer, and was promoted to Major

the 5th

Maine infantry in 1863: the 5th

Maine fought side by side with

Drew’s 6th

Maine in a long string of major battles, including

Fredericksburg II, Mine Run, the Wilderness, and Cold Harbor.

Dagget eventually died at the ripe old age of 100 — the last surviving

general of the Civil War. That Drew could confuse the service record

of this officer is inexplicable …

However mistaken, the reference initiates what will become a running

theme in Drew’s Memoir, of concern by Drew himself, and other men

of the 6th

of Maine, with the prevalence of heavy drinking among the

officers, the debilitating effect it contributes to their command, and the

damage both to troop morale and battlefield effectiveness …. For

example, see YANKEE SCOUT – Mud Campaign !!

“After getting settled in our new camp [ Gen’l ] Hancock began to make Regulars of us. Drill eight hours a day in

heavy marching order. Co. Drill. Battalion Drill. Brigade Drill, and a sham battle every Saturday P.M., in

which all the Infry the Battery and Squadron of cavalry all took part – We mad[e] a racket – when four Reg’ts got

to shooting blank cartridges and the artillery opened up it was exciting especially when we changed positions on

the doublequick and got mixed up with the Cavalry & Artillery. Hancock always took Burnham with him and

Conol Buchanan always gave the orders. The whole Brigade would start at once.”

EDITOR’S NOTE

From Drew’s account, General Hancock appears to

be forming a close relationship, mentoring Col.

Hiram Burnham, commander of Pvt. Drew’s 6th

Maine Infantry Regiment of volunteers. The Sixth

Maine consists of __ companies…. What this special

coaching implies, is a good working relationship

between Burnham by Hancock, and mutual trust !! In

this context, Col. Burnham’s will be relaying any

“grassroots” intel to Gen. Hancock -- meaning, that

inter alia, if Col. Burnham judges that he has among

his men, any that are suited to special duties -- such as

scouting -- he is going to recommend those men for

assignment. And this is precisely what happens …

JUST READ ON !!!

TACTICS AND MORE TACTICS

True to the perspective of the foot-soldier, the daily duty of drilling recurs throughout Pvt. Drew’s Memoir. The

last time Drew mentioned drilling, the routines were dictated by the “classic” text on American Infantry tactics,

General Winfield Scott’s “Militia Tactics; Comprising the Duty of Infantry, Light-Infantry and Riflemen…” which

had been established by Congress for tactical training just like this. See YANKEE SCOUT – Outbreak of War !!

There, Pvt. Drew mentioned that after being mustered into the Volunteer

Militia of Maine, his first tactical drills at Fort Sullivan near Eastport,

Maine, were ordered according to the “old Scott” manual. For more on

General Scott, see p. 22, below.

However, the Maine volunteers are now under the command of General

Hancock and other regular West Point Army officers – so the tactics being

drilled must be more up-to-date than the “old manual” that was lying

around in the cupboards at Fort Sullivan, perhaps since the War of 1812!

It might appear that the troops should now be drilling according to

Hardee’s Rifle and Light Infantry Tactics, which had been approved for

use by the U.S. Secretary of War in 1855, and so was quite current –

shown here in an edition from 1861.

The only PROBLEM was, that the Secretary of War who had approved

adoption of Hardee’s Tactics was none other than Jefferson Davis himself

– now President of the Rebellious Confederated States of America; and

to make matters worse, the author of this tactics, Brevet Lieut Col. W. J.

Hardee, had also gone Confederate ….

So, as Drew says elsewhere (see YANKEE SCOUT – Mine Run!! ), “The

Union must have its own tactics.”

Meanwhile, it appears that it will

not be until another year has

elapsed, that the United States

Army will publish the tactics of General Silas Casey, approved by

President Lincoln and ordered by Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton,

to be adopted by all Army – regulars and volunteers -- as of August 11,

1862 – but shown here in a printing from 1863. And yet, Pvt. Drew

mentioned in the Last Issue of YANKEE SCOUT – Bull Run !! that his

infantry was already being drilled by Casey’s Manual in 1861. How?

It is a larger question, whether, after the humiliation of Bull Run, the

Union Army would have ever recovered its cohesion and won the Civil

War, without the discipline of rigorous routine drilling of its tactics –

whether infantry, cavalry or artillery. However, that the South may have

lost the war because it failed to develop a reliable infantry tactics, is

carefully considered in McWhiney and Jamieson, Attack and Die: Civil War Military Tactics and the Southern Heritage , University of Alabama

(1982). Perhaps the best discussion of Union Army infantry tactics, is

Jamieson’s own, Crossing the Deadly Ground, Unites States Army Tactics, 1865-1899 (1994) which picks up in the post-war era, with useful

discussion of the tactical innovations of Col. Emory Upton – an insightful

tactician and drillmaster whose talents are … “brought to bear” later in

the war, under Gen. Grant !! See, YANKEE SCOUT – Spottsylvania !!

[P. 25] Winter Quarters

Image: Another detail from “Topographical Map of Washington D.C. and Vicinity showing the Union Forts and Defenses built 1861-63” -- showing here the area of the location of the regimental Winter Quarters (1861) near

Lewinsville, Virginia. The map shows “U.$. Cavalry Head Qa.” – but the map dates from later in the war, in 1863,

and also shows the Rebel Picket for that year marked in purple. NOT SHOWN: at upper right, the nearby

acreage of a gentleman farmer, name of Langley.

“Rain, snow, mud, ice [n]or nothing else could prevent the drill. A man had to be in a hospital near Washington

to escape and if a man was caught with a light knapsack on, [Well …]

One [man] of Co. K got some wire and made a form [frame] to make his knapsack look as if packed. Hancock

happened along the man looked fresh he rode up behind him and lifted his knapsack. They was punished by

having to walk a beat 2 hours on and 2 hours off for 24 continual hours, under guard, knapsack loaded with

bricks, a rail across his shoulders, his wrists strapped to the rail, the weak ones was soon thinned out. Some went

to the Dr. to get excused stating the mud got into their shoes and made their feet soer. In a few days we were

given white canvas leggins.”

“One day the Conal [Hiram Burnham ]sent for me, he told me some scouting was wanted. 2

“I was to take two more men the next morning go out and find the rebel pickets was not to bring any engagement

– look out not to be captured. We were still wearing the [ grey ] Maine uniform being allowed to wear them out.

So Dan [Bagley] [George] Brown and I left camp the next morning before it was light – in light marching order

(no arms) we found the Rebel picket lines – they were at home near Falls Church.”

2

Drew writes modestly here, in the passive voice, that “some scouting was wanted…” But the request for a scouting

party came down from Brig.-Gen. Hancock, Col. Burnham’s superior officer. And while it’s conceivable that

Hancock has already requested Drew’s services, at this stage, its more probable that Col. Burnham’s familiarity with

Pvt. Drew’s marksmanship -- and some of his other rather wiley traits -- have recommended him for the assignment.

On both points, see, YANKEE SCOUT – Bull Run !! As the story unfolds, Pvt. Drew is all of fifteen years old …

EDITOR’S NOTE

To reconstruct this sequence of

Pvt. Drew’s memoir, the Editor is

following this scouting party as it

moves out along the Confederate

picket line, and wades through long

field-grass in the area marked again

at left: north of the Loudon &

Hampshire Railroad line, after it

intersects the Alexandria Turnpike

( which is now called the Leesburg

Turnpike) then turns south as it

approaches a southern bend in the

course of Pimmit Run -- an area

northwest of Falls Church by about

2-3 miles.

Such friendly-like confrontations,

encounters and skirmishes as Pvt.

Drew is about to relate, were

common here during the early

years of the war, as both armies

made frequent reconnaissance of

the landscape, to assess the

presence and strength of the foe.

More frequently such engagements

were among cavalry. Of course,

serious & larger battles occurred

sporadically around the

countryside …

In fact, Capt. Bishop relates in his

handy volume, Concise History of the War, (1864) at p. 33, and

incident that could almost have

been this encounter: for on Oct.

15, 1861, “An affair took place on

the Leesburg turnpike, between

Falls Church and Lewinsville – two

rebels were killed.” Likewise for

November 18th

, later that year,

Bishop reports: “Skirmish at Fall’s

Church, Virginia.”

1st Encounter with Rebs.

“While working along its front to get on a hill from which we thought we might see their camp we came to a large

field; I didn’t want to go across but the others said yes so we started – about midway we saw a squad of Rebel

cavalry com galloping down from a farm house.

“We had no chance to get to the timber so we stood still and was soon surrounded. “Surrender you damn Yankees, We’uns got you tight! ”

“Who you calling dam Yankee? Get off that Critter [p. 26] and I’ll swell that head for you, for you to be

insulting Gentlemens” He and some others had dismounted was busy talking and looking us over. Then the

Capt. Caught hold of my waist belt, “What for that V.M.M. stands?” he asked.3

“Virginia Minute Men, sir,” I answered.

“Didn’t know we’uns had minute men…”

“Yes, I heard we ‘uns had,” said one of the men on

horseback.

Up on a distant mountain there was a flashing like the

suns rays was striking a small looking glass.

“Well, not only got the men, but we’ve got a signal

station on that hill.” I pointed, “And that is far enough

inside of our lines to prove we is not Yanks.”

The flashing [continued] and all the Rebs were looking.

“The Conal is signaling us -- catch the word Dan - ” I said and Dan began saying numbers and words – “It’s not

for us,” I said.

“What do it speak?” asked the reb leader.

“It says ‘Watch stance [? sic ] the Yanks are up to something,” I answered.

“All right, I’ll take your word for it and let youes go.” One of the Rebs looking at Dan, said, “You look like a Yank….”

“I am from Maryland, my friend,” he answered.

“The Capt. mounted, gave the order “Form fours!” “March!” – and we were safte [sic] and was not long getting

into the timber and there we were captured good and strong by some of the 43rd

N.Y. [ Of their own brigade ! ]

A reconnoitering party had been ordered out and two companies of that Reg’t had been choosen. We went

home with them that evening. I told the Gen’l and Burnham all about it: what we saw on the mountain.4

“None of the men nor the rebs had no glasses, so it will never be known [ what was stationed on the hilltop ] but

we got out of the Rebels clutches.

3

The initials V.M.M. on the belt buckle were Maine volunteers – aka the Volunteer Militia of Maine. In addition

to the ambiguous lettering on his belt buckle, as noted above, Pvt. Drew and his colleagues from Maine are still

wearing their grey Maine State Militia volunteer uniforms!! Remember, that they were mistaken for “Virginia Greys”

while having breakfast in a Washington City restaurant … See, YANKEE SCOUT – Outbreak of War !! They

could readily pass for Confederates. On the term, YANKEEING: “In the Confederate ranks, such trickery [by

Union prisoners of war ] was known as ‘Yankeeing.’” Edwin C. Fishel, The Secret War for the Union, (1996) p.

170. Fishel’s is an excellent text, demandingly detailed, covering military intelligence in the first years of the war.

4 Note that Drew is reporting back to Col. Burnham and Gen. Hancock together –suggesting not just the informality

of Hancock’s command, but indicating the fact that Drew’s scouting party had been requested by Hancock.

Gen. W. S. Hancock

Stocks5

“Then when the nights were frosty, and the persimmons and

wild grapes were good to eat [P. 27 ] I [was given] a new outfit

complete and was dressed up in the Union Blue.6

New

everything even to “the stocks”: a leather band is put around

the neck to keep the chin up.

“On a Sunday morning inspection our leggins7

had become so

colored with mud we could not get them white so blacking

being plenty we polished them with shoe polish – and putting

on the stocks – dog collars we called them – they were very

disagreeable, we got a lot of light roap and strings which we tied

to collars of the fill/file closers on every man in the front rank

had a string to the man in the rear rank --

“The knapsack we had on every way but right and everything

was as bad as we could make it, our guns were dirty. The line

was forming on the parade groun[d] waiting for Co. K - the

Capt. was sick 1st

Lieut. scratched duty, 2nd

Lieut. was officer of

the camp guard, leaving the 1st

Sergeant in command of the Co.

“The Adjutant called for the Co. – we started, there never was

heard such

barkings, howling snarling [s]triking [?] and whineing while all the names ever given to dogs were

used in coaxing and calling them along. Co. C was waiting for

us to take our places in the line to see what [ was ] the matter.

“My but Burnham was mad – he began to swear as only an

old bull-puncher can, I thought we were in for it good and

strong – but Hancock was laughing – one of them [boys] sang

out “Here you, Jeff Davis ! Stop your biting!”

“He [Hancock} said to us “Gentlemen, we are having lots of

fun with each other. The Co., will be excused from

inspection No punishment for this little dogerell, Conol.”

We jumped into line presented arms, then ordered arms, and

gave [P. 28] three cheers for the Genl.

“He lifted his hat as he walked out to the line.”

“The next day the dog collars was collected and we saw them

no more.”

5

This sort of leather stocks for the neck, gave the U.S. Marines their nickname, “Leathernecks.” The

accoutrement dates back to the late eighteenth century. 6 At last the volunteers are rid of their gray Maine State militia uniforms, and have been issued Union Army blues. 7 Drew mentioned the white leggings issued earlier, at p. 8 above.

Col. Hiram Burnham

Gen’l Baker Killed Oct. 21st

“The latter part of October, the fought at Ball Bluff came off. We stood in line of battle all day expecting to go.

It was only a few miles up the Potomac. Colon. E. D. Baker of Oregon was killed – we had seen him often, a fine

looking man, a member of Congress at the time.

Gen. Edward Dickinson Baker – an Englishman, was a Senator

from the State of Oregon, who was a close friend of Abraham Lincoln,

who named his second son after Gen. Baker. His sacrifice at Ball Bluff

was another early tragic and catastrophic defeat for the Union Army at

the hands of a brigade of the Confederate States Army of Virginia under

the masterful command of Brig- Gen. Nathan “Shanks” Evan. Pvt.

Drew goes on to observe that the northern papers and radical

Republicans were continually egging on President Lincoln, to draw

Confederate blood, and he blames them for Sen. Baker’s death, and the

disaster that befell his troops. Below, Union troops bear Baker’s body

away after the Ball’s Bluff defeat.

“The continued cry by the Northern papers and the radical politicians, “Why don’t they Army move?” had

moved Genl. Stone to the battle of Ball Bluff and another Union defeat. “

“We were kept busy drilling, cleaning land for brigade drill. We built a fort for the battery named it Fort Griffin;8

2nd Vermont Regiment camped at Camp Griffin, Va., Winter 1861-62 -- National Park Service Collection

A number of Vermont regiments moved from Chain Bridge, also set up camp at Camp Griffin. The Editor has

not found any photographs of the fort for the battery. Events around Gen. McCall’s Division left picket line, lead

to Pvt. Drew’s next assignment – in Death on the Picket Line !!! Coming up … !!!

Dan & I got out of a lot of it scouting. We got to know the country around pretty well. We had traded guns and

had a couple caps lock Springfields9

and a lot of combustible cartriges requiring no ramrods in loading no caps in

firing we held that ammunition in reserve for a tight place.

“Our picket duty was three days duration and came around every three weeks. Occasionally the rebs scouts

would come in sight to see if we were at home—then we would do some shooting.

Our Pocket-Knives

“Dan & I each had bought a pocket-knife from the sutler.10

They [were] fine 3-bladed German-silver mounted,

pretty to look at and had cost $3.50 each Green-back, but the first we used them on a peace of wood the blades

dubled up and the edge rolled up. They were no good whatever as a knife. One day when we were between the

lines looking for something to shoot at, Dan said, “Let’s put up them god-damn knives – you shoot at mine and

I’ll shoot at yours.” So we stuck them into the trees [P. 29] at 75 paces.”

We were without knives.11

8 Cf. Camp Griffin, below, p. 15 9

For more on the issuing of the innovative Springfield repeaters, see YANKEE SCOUT – Bull Run !! 10 The MS here could almost read “cutler. ” 11

The vignette is another suggestion by Pvt. Drew that he -- as well as the other member of his unit – were no mean

marksmen. See the discussion of a shooting competition in the Last Issue of YANKEE SCOUT !! Uundoubtedly

the signal success of the 6th

Maine Infantry hung on their marksmanship. We can find out, from his “post-war”

Memoir, “The Next Cruise,” that after the war, Drew was indeed a crack shot in hunting, a long-range marksman,

and had a knack for identifying excellent firearms, and modifying them to suit.

Visit to 11th Maine

“It was getting that time of year that people at home were getting ready for thanksgiving. I got a pass to visit the

11th

Maine camped near the Maridian Hill,12

North of Washington for a couple of days. [ This Army camp was

known as Camp Cameron – Ed.] I wanted to see my Brother-in-Law, and many of the men of Co. C were from

my home town.

“When I got there Company C and most of the Regt. were in a circle on the parade grown. One of our town boys

was champion wrestler and was waiting for a victim. Bro. Charles saw me coming and came to meet me and told

me what was doing. As we got to the crowd he sang out, “Here come the boy that can do it.”

“It was jolly to see the men from home the old school mates we were busy with the greetings for half an hour or

so, when the Bully stumped for a wrestle. He was 18 years old and some 20 lbs heavier. I had whipped him many

times at home, collar & elbow the clinch two out of three falls, was to be a base. He was slow, I took three straight

falls out of him. Then he was mad and wanted to fight, I was ready for that but the men would not allow it.

“There was a tall fine looking man without a coat or hat standing on the head

of an empty barrel. He was so pleased he jumped up and when he came

down the barrel’s head gave way & he went to the grown. Some of the men

had to help him out of the barrel.

“Conal J[oshua] Chamberlain afterwards Govr. of the State of Maine came

and shook hands and wanted to know all about the 6th

. I stoped two days

[with the 11th

Maine at Meridian Hill]. I saw no drilling only the dress-parade each

afternoon no picket only a camp guard & had a fine visit and it was the last time I

saw many of them.”

EDITOR’S NOTE

It’s unclear from the text whether the man who fell through the barrel–

head was also the Col. Joshua Chamberlain, referenced -- who was also

himself a “tall, fine looking man!”

Before he was elected to become the 32nd Governor of the State of

Maine, Col. Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain was to be promoted to the

rank of a Brigadier General and achieved everlasting fame and no little

amount of glory for the 20th

Maine regiment -- at Gettysburg in particular.

Chamberlain’s gallant service was held in such high regard, that at the

end of the war, he was tapped by General Grant to receive the surrender

of all arms at Appomattox. The Army had no higher honor ….

IN RESERVE?? It is a common misconception that the 6th Maine

was HELD IN RESERVE from the fighting at the Battle of

Gettysburg!! This is simply not so, and Pvt. Drew will correct that

injustice and inaccuracy when given the chance – and also correct

the position of the 6th Maine’s Battlefield Memorial monument as

well! He should know after all, as he was on the battlefield for this unique

and pivotal moment in American military history. For more, better check out

YANKEE SCOUT – Gettysburg!! PLUS: Brandy Station !!

12

Meridian Hill -- so-called because one of the famous Washington Meridians runs through it !!

“Report [from Camp Griffin] a picket had been found dead his throat cut on the left of McCalles

division picket line.”

Camp Griffin -- Camp of the 6th

Vermont Infantry – near McLean, Va. ( Library of Congress )

EDITOR’S NOTE

With the Confederates concentrated around Centreville and Falls Church, Camp Griffin, the camp for the 6th

Vermont Infantry, or the Vermont Brigade, was also located north near Lewinsville, Virginia.

As Pvt. Drew opens the story, he and the troops are hearing rumors from over at Camp Griffin, that the Vermonters

are being harassed by a nocturnal assailant, who has somehow managed to sneak up on the Union soldier on picket

duty “on the left of McCall’s division picket line,” and had slit his throat before the picket could sound an alarm.

Although for Drew the rumor is unconfirmed, picket duty of course meant exposure to enemy fire, and the danger

here is official: “A couple of weeks later, on December 19, McCall learned that “the enemy’s pickets had advanced

to within 4 or 5 miles of our lines and carried off two good Union men” and that “their reserve was in the

neighborhood of Dranesville.”13

– Meanwhile, camp life proceeds routinely enough, with shenanigans and pranks

interspersed between the tiresome drills. Finally, when a second picket is killed on the same line, Gen. McCall

seeks assistance: Drew is again called in by his brigade commander, Col. Burnham, and tasked with this duty.

[P. 30] “ We had lots of music in Co. K. – two violins,14

a banjo, picklo, fife & drum. There were a number of

good singers, we formed a glee club. On fine evening serenaded the officers and we most always got a drink so

we done what we could to make life pleasant.”

13 War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I,

Vol. 5, 474 (Washington, 1881). 14

Pvt. Drew was one of the two violinists, as we learned in YANKEE SCOUT – Outbreak of War!!, where, while

stationed at Fort Sullivan in northern Maine, Drew sent home for his violin in order to provide music in the barracks.

“Then came a requisition for men to go into the navy. A examining board was establish[ed] at Brigade

headquarters – nearly all the men of Co. K. was examined and passed as able seamen, only four were alowed to

go. They were old sailors and had to much of a roll to learn to march well, they was in the capture of Island No.

10 in the Mississippi.

[ 6th

& 7th

Maine join Vermont Brigade troops organized to act as reserves at the Battle of Dranseville 15

-- Ed. ]

“Then Christmas Dec. 25th, 1861 came. The bugler gave

the breakfast call at sunrise. Inspection, and a review by

Division Commander Gen’l W. F. Smith we had not seen

much of him, he and Hancock was much pleased with the

show the Brigade made.

“Then the days sport began. The two best shots from each

regiment contested for a prize. The 4 swiftest runners a ½

mile race, then dinner call came. Co. K. had plun [ Text

missing – Ed.] Duff a half a gill of whiskey before eating.

The 1st

thing after dinner was a greased pole 15 foot high a

$20 gold peace on top very smooth every time a [man]

tried to climb it a new coat of greace was put on.

“No one got that money. Then a small greased, shaved pig

was to be caught and held on minute, boxing, wrestling,

jumping, lifting, throwing, the handspike, handspring, &

[Text missing – Ed.]

”When the main event of the bare back mule race & the jumping the ditch at the end of the race – 30 mules with

their riders tore down the sloap toards the ditch -- one mule with its rider jumped over, 29 men were

floundering in the mud and we and some of the mules went in ..

“One Co. at a time formed at the base of a small steep hill a barrel of apples was sent rolling [Text missing .. –

Ed.] [P. 31] down the [Hill – Ed.] A man was to have all he could capture with his hands and put in his

haversack the rest went to the Co. cook.

“The cooks got their share.” 15

Pvt. Drew’s Memoir does not even mention this march, but on Christmas Eve, 1861, the 6th

Maine, together

with the 7th

Maine, were assigned to McCall’s division to provide reserve forces at the battle of Dranesville:

“On Thursday last, Gen. McCall had a fight with some 8000 of the enemy. About one o'clock, on that day,

our brigade was drawn up, together with Gen. Hancock's brigade, the batteries of [Capt. Thaddeus] Mott

and [Capt. Romeyn] Ay[res], also some Maine regiments, [ The 6th and 7th

Maine Infantry ] for the purpose

of proceeding to the scene of action and if possible to flank the enemy on their retreat. We marched at a

rapid pace some ten or twelve miles in the vicinity of Hunter's Mills and Drainsville [sic], but come to a

sudden halt on account of a bridge being burnt. ("A March," Vermont Journal (Windsor), Jan. 4, 1862.

See, http://dclawyeronthecivilwar.blogspot.com/2012/12/baldy-smiths-division-and-dranesville.html

Gen. W. F. “Baldy” Smith

Col. Hiram Burnham

Drew’s view north down Scott Run –

approximated

Xmas Present and Another Picket Killed

“The Bands furnished the music. Each regiment had a band. There was a number of stage dances in the

evening in open air. I got a X-mas present from sister, a pair mittens with a finger knit on the right-hand one –

knit-them herself. That night when I laid down to sleep I was 16 years of age. [C.N. Drew was born on

Christmas Day, December 25, 1845. – Ed.]

“The next morning word came, that another picket had been

killed on his post at the end of McCall’s line. We thought it

only a story to keep out pickets from becoming slack. But one

evening at the Conolon’s [Colonel Burnham’s headquarters.. --

Ed ] he asked what I thought about the men being murdered on

the picket lines (McCall’s Div. found /forced [?] on ours.) [Sic]

I asked, “Is it true,?”

“Not a bit of doubt about it,” he answered.

“I said I thought I could take a couple of men and stop it, but I

would [need – Ed.] a day perhaps two for looking over the

ground. He said they wanted to catch the men, but when there

were 3 or 4 men on the post they were not molested.”

“It was the 29th

of Dec., 1861. Dan, Brown & I were up the

River. [ This would be Scott’s Run – Ed .] We was heavily

armed, Rifles, revolvers, Hatchets and big knives, a lot of small

strong cord. The Adjutant went with us so to have [ to warn –

Ed] the picket line there were scouts out in front of them and

that they would be on that dangerous post one night or more.

“We found the place to be nearly 50 yards in front of the lines

of the picket line, on a Point much higher than the land in front

[of] the low land. Extending on each side in a vally in front was

a clear open meadow nearly a mile wide terminating in a thick

woods where the rebels pickets were. On top of the Hill back

from the point 20 yards was a larger [P. 32] Oak tree, from the

top of the tree could be seen some of the rebel camp. It was a

good lookout but a poor picket station.

“But probably some fool of a regular right out of West Point wanted to test the courage of some of the green

volunteers. There should have been a dozen men on that post all the time. We had done all scouting on our

hands and knees leaving only one man on post at a time …. ”

Image: Detail from “Night Scout in the Southwest -- Surprise of an Outpost and Survey of the Rebel Guns,”

Harper’s Weekly, April 4, 1863

Bloodhound “As soon as it got dark we went to work. We set trigger lines in front and on each side , I put my gun covering a

trail we found coming out of the run 16

on the left flank as we faced to the front. Dan set his on the right. Brown

held his. We put a line of rails high enough to lay behind, close to the tree, we struck up a few markers ranged

[?] to some rocks & two bunches of bushes [ creating an artificial horizon to silhouette by night – Ed.] in such

shape that if anything new came upon the scene we could tell it at ounce.

“Then we went back behind the picket line, cooked coffee and took a lunch, laid down took a nap till midnight,

when we were awaken by a sergeant of the guard and we went out to the lone tree. After a close examination

and arranging our signals we took our stations to await results. Dan on right. Brown on the front, I on the left.

How still it was, you could feel the silence, a fog had enveloped everything I rooled the colar of my overcoat

around my neck and button the coat over the ends. The morning star must have been in sight – but no stars

was seen – waiting, watching, listening for something we [knew – Ed.] not what.

“ The strain was becoming to tell, when the stillness of the night was broaken by the low yelp of a dog. It was

not a good honest bark, bur more like a dog held in leash had been given a smart jerk. We exchanged signals.”

16

Scott’s Run again – or so the Editor thinks.

[P. 33] Death of Bloodhound

“Darkness just before dawn made objects just indistinct when boath rifles on the line went off almost together.

Then Brown fired, and Dan pulled off two shots from his big revolver at the same time some one jumped

upon my back. Oh Lord what a shoc[k -- Ed.] -- he was feeling for my throat. I felt his grip tightening on the

back of my neck, a savage shake, a growl … “

“The fright was gone – drawing my knife I struck a backhanded blow the knife went home with a whine it let go.

Before it could move I [had – Ed.] him under my knee and was cutting his throat. Brown heard the yelp, came

to me in a hurry.

“He said, “I got something in front what in hell have you got here –[?]”

“Daylight came creeping on we could see thrugh a bunch of bushes in front [had – Ed.] moved, was thrown over.

“ That’s the bunch I shot into said Brown,” it was a Reb badly wounded.

“Dan said, “I could swear that the gray thing I shot at was moving.”

“Then our adjutant and three men from the picket line came on the scene. Upon examination the gray object

was a dead Reb. with a canvas cover, the bunch of bushes was a Reb, badly wounded, and Dan’s Rifle had got

another on the side of the hill. The wounded Reb they took prisoner, the dog we hung in the tree. We went to

the Regt” with the Adjt. getting there before noon.”

EDITOR’S NOTE:

MANHUNT !!

The tracking of runaway slaves using teams of bloodhounds was standard business practice for slave-owners and

slave-hunters in the South, to impress upon Negro slaves something of the terrors to which an escape attempt

might subject them. But such teams were also used throughout the South by prison wardens, as a necessary

measure for a successful “all-terrain” manhunt of escaped convicts. And so it was no revolution for the

Confederate Provost Guard to maintain or hire out for teams of trained bloodhounds, to hunt down escaped

Yankee prisoners of war, as in the picture above.

In this case of Pvt. Drew’s story, of the “Death on the Picket Line,” we have a rare case of a single bloodhound

brought to the front-lines, and maintained as pet – but doubling as a “stealth weapon.” Pvt. Drew himself adopts

his own hound puppy, named “Spot” -- in YANKEE SCOUT – Mud Campaign!! -- a less aggressive canine,

trained to field fly balls during regimental baseball games. But, a likely surmise here, is that this Reb bloodhound

had been specially trained by some young Confederate soldier - who, when he volunteered, also volunteered the

services of his dog. This dog was evidently kept on leash while approaching the Union soldier on picket duty --

at which point, once scented by the bloodhound – at the right moment the master will give the attack command,

and “let slip the dog of war!” – a famous line from some old play. Paraphrased …

New Years [ Eve ] 1862 “We had pork and beans cooked Maine fashion, warm light-bread and butter for dinner ( Butter $1.50 per lb. at

the suttlers 17

--) .

“In closing the old year, we wonder what the New Year will bring. No one has any idear what the war will cost in

money or lives or how long it will last. May the 3d 1861 – a call for 42,000 volunteers [P. 34 ] for 3 Years at the

present time it is estimated that there are from 180,000 to 310,000 men enlisted. On October 31, 1861, Gen’l

W[infield ] S. Scott resigned and Gen’l G.B. McClelland [sic][ was put in command of the U.S. troops.

EDITOR’S NOTE

In a Memoir expressly dedicated to providing the grunt’s eye view, nevertheless, in these last sentences Pvt. Drew

is making a rare effort at a “big picture” history, summarizing the development of the Army of the Potomac since

Lincoln’s call for volunteers , way back on May 3rd

, 1861: looking at its size, cohesion and competence as the year

ends. The catastrophic Union Army defeat at the First Battle of Bull Run has obliged the President to look long

term, to the creation of a semi-professional army, and adopt a policy devoted to more systematic professional

training, through incessasnt tactical drilling of all three components of the Army: Infantry, Cavalry and Artillery ….

In casting his eye back over the year that was, Pvt. Drew also picks out this most significant change in power, in the

transfer of the command of the United States Army, from General Winfield Scott, to General George McClellan.

It is a standout development: a peaceful (if not amicable) transition and transfer of military power, during war-time,

by the civilian leader of an embatteld republican government …. It is a huge factor in cementing the morale of the

Army and the nation, behind the Republican Party cause. For more see YANKEE SCOUT – Bull Run !!

17 The Sutler was a private merchant vendor granted a concession by the Army to sell groceries and useful

merchandise directly to the troops, from a wagon or cart which travelled with them. The troops could pick up

necessaries or tobacco products – or, as in this case, turn decent rations into a luxury, with fresh churned butter !

Col. Hiram Burnham

“Dan and I are no better or smarter of braver than the other men of the Reg’t. many times when we thought we

was close to the Reb’s pickets we would gain a point – when we would get a good view and see men in blue ahead

forging. We did not put down the Rebellion alone but we done in the humble positions we occupied the best we

could to perform the duties assigned us.

Army Formation

“Colon Burnham allowed me many privileges and gave me many useful instructions.”18

“ The 1st

duty of a soldier is obedience – it matters not if it be a Gen’l or a corporal that gives the order, you may

ask for fuller instructions, but never but never argue the matter, even if you know it to be wrong. Military

discipline is the glory of a soldier – to be a good Soldier a man must be able to grasp commands quickly and to

carry them out accurately.

3 or 4 Regiments make 1 Brigade

3 or 4 Brigades a Division

3 Divisions a Corps.

“A corps may contain from 30 to

60,000 men with artillery &c. Such a

command is a big burden and few

men [are] capable to manage the

corps in action on a battlefield

successfully.

“In all the Brigade drills Conol

Burnham he rode beside Gen’l

Hancock and repeated his orders –

he could be heard by all the men – he

has often drilled the Brigade, when

Hancock was away and is able to

command a Brigade but he is a

volunteer, has not been to West

Point. 19

18

Following that narrow escape from a band of Rebs, and effective

dealing with the bloodhound attacks on Union pickets, you can bet

that Pvt. Drew is now being cultivated as a potential first rate scout –

hence, the privileges being granted are in recognition of the extra

duties he is being asked to undertake, although not necessarily the

increased risk. “Extra duty demands extra privileges,” is the Union

Army policy expressed by “Dr. Khayme” to the Yankee spy “Berwick

Jones” in B.K. Benson’s novel, Who Goes There? This careful

training will soon reap a reward for the Army of the Potomac. See

YANKEE SCOUT --- Battle of Williamsburg!! But first ……

19 Pvt. Drew references once more the relationship developing

between volunteer regimental commander Col. Hiram Burnham,

and the Brigadier Hancock. The officers’ cooperation and

camaraderie is building troop morale – which could come in handy,

as for instance, on a reconnaissance of YORKTOWN defenses – in

the UPCOMING issue of YANKEE SCOUT – Siege of Yorktown!!

Gen. W. S. Hancock

“And now we will move on into 1862.”20

20

For this “The Making of a Scout” issue of YANKEE SCOUT, the Editor wishes to thank some of those who

have themselves assisted in “the Making of a Scout” -- by making this research possible, including the CITY OF

FOREST GROVE PUBLIC LIBRARY http://www.forestgrove-or.gov/city-hall/library/library.html -- its reference

librarians, librarians and library staff, for assistance, esp. in obtaining inter-library loans & rare texts.

The Editor also wishes to acknowledge PACIFIC UNIVERSITY, in FOREST GROVE, OREGON http://www.pacificu.edu/ and the PACIFIC UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES http://www.pacificu.edu/libraries

LIBRARY ARCHIVES http://www.pacificu.edu/libraries/archives as well as the relentlessly helpful, professional

and patient librarians and excellent library staff for assistance with this research. I must especially thank the

excellent doctors and internists of the PACIFIC UNIVERSITY COLLEGE of OPTOMETRY, http://www.pacificu.edu/future-graduate-professional/colleges/college-optometry