History of Pennsylvania volunteers, 1861-5; prepared in compliance with acts of the legislature, by Samuel P. Bates.

1862 CAMP PIERPONT. 693
Reaching Washington on the the afternoon of the 24th it encamped east of the
Capitol, where the regiment was mustered into the United States service on the
27th, by Lieutenant Ellwood of the regular army. From thence it moved to
Tenallytown, where General M'Call had established his headquarters, and was
organizing his division of Pennsylvania Reserves. Here it was engaged in
performing guard and picket duty and assisting in the construction of forts.
About this time General M'Call, in his report to General M'Clellan, says of the
Sixth, " the regiment is very well drilled." The hardy y eomanry composing the
Sixth had thus far escaped the sickness and disease incident to camp life, but
the malaria arising from the low grounds about Washington, where they first
encamped, produced its effect, transforming it from a healthy regiment with no
sick list, to an invalid organization with a sick roll numbering hundreds.
The Sixth was assigned to the Third Brigade * of General M'Call's Division.
On the 9th of October, the regiment, with the division, marched across Chain
Bridge and encamped near Langley. A commendable degree of proficiency
in discipline was attained, which was severely tested upon many well fought
battle-fields. On the 19th, a reconnoissance was made for the double purpose
of driving in the enemy's pickets and securing forage. This accomplished, it
returned to camp on the 21st, but soon to go forth and confront the foe, who
was reported in force near Dranesville. The order was given on the 19th of
December to march at 6 A. M. of the following day, and leaving camp in
buoyant spirits, the regiment proceeded to the Leesburg pike, where the column was formed and speedily moved towards the field of battle. The Ninth
Reserve was posted on the right, the Sixth in the centre, the Kane Rifles on
the left and the Tenth and Twelfth in reserve.
While the position was being taken by the Reserves, the enemy opened fire
from a battery posted on the Centreville road, which was promptly responded
to by a section of Easton's Battery of the First Pennsylvania Artillery, the
first discharge eliciting cheers from the entire line. Immediately after the Sixth
then on the pike, with its right resting a short distance from the intersection
of the pike with the Alexandria road, was ordered forward, and after crossing
a field and ascending a gentle slope, entered a wood, into which it advanced a
short distance, when the Ninth was met slowly retiring, having encountered
the rebel force under such circumstances as to make it doubtful whether it was
the enemy or the Kane Rifles. His true character was not long in being developed and volley after volley was exchanged without an attempt by either
party to advance. At length a charge was ordered upon his battery. At the
word "forward" the regiment bounded the fence in front, crossed the open field
and in a moment had driven him from his position in confusion, capturing one
caisson and some prisoners. Thus the initial victory of the Reserves was won.
Privates Samuel C. Walter, of company A, and Daniel Darling, of company
C, were killed.
But little occurred during the next two months to vary the monotony of
camp life. Constant drill and guard, picket and fatigue duty were regularly
performed. On the 26th of February, 1862, Colonel Ricketts was discharged
*Organization of the Third Brigade, Colonel John S. M'Calmont, Pennsylvania Reserve
Corps, General George A. M'Call. Sixth (35th) Regiment Pennsylvania Reserves, Colonel W.
Wallace Ricketts; Ninth (38th) Regiment Pennsylvania Reserves, Colonel Conrad F. Jackson;
Tenth (39th) Regiment Pennsylvania Reserves, Colonel John S. M'Calmont; Twelfth (41st)
Regiment Pennsylvania Reserves, Colonel John H. Taggart.