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

786 THIRTY-EIGHTH ECEGIMENT-N-I TH RESERVE. 1862
urging.' The enemy was soon routed and the victory was complete. General
M'Call, who came upon the field in the midst of the engagement, says, "Here
was the Ninth Infantry, Colonel Jackson, who had gallantly met the enemy at
close quarters, and nobly sustained the credit of the State. * * The
number of killed found in front of the position occupied by the Ninth Infantry,
Colonel Jackson, is, in my estimation, proof enough of the gallantry and discipline of that fine regiment." The loss was two enlisted men killed, and two
officers and eighteen enlisted men wounded. General Ord mentioned in his
official report as worthy of notice for gallant conduct Colonel Jackson, and
Captains Dick and Galway, and recommended a list of seventy-one officers and
privates "for reward for their gallant conduct."
Upon the return of the regiment to camp it was ordered to erect permanent
winter quarters. The ground was unfavorable, but by thorough draining and
grading the quarters were made comfortable. The winter passed with the
usual routine of duty and schools of discipline, and without any further collision with the enemy-beyond occasional picket rencounters. On the 15th of
March the regiment broke camp and marched to Falls Church, where it met the
entire division, and thence turned back towards Alexandria, the enemy for
whom the army was in search having withdrawn from its position at Manassas.
It finally halted at Bailey's Cross Roads. The camping ground here was unpleasant and the water bad. The Reserves were now attached to the corps
commanded by General M'Dowell, under whom they remained until they were ordered to the Peninsula. After remaining sometime at Bailey's, the regiment
moved to Manassas and occupied quarters vacated by the enemy. On the 18th of
April, it moved to Catlett's Station, where it encamped, the whole division
being again united. Remaining until the first of May it was ordered to move
in the direction of Fredericksburg, and arrived at Falmouth on the 4th. While
here Colonel Jackson was ordered to take charge of the parties detailed to rebuild the bridge which the enemy had fired and destroyed, when he withdrew.
Preparations were made by M'Dowell's Corps for marching overland to join
the army operating in front of Richmond, and the cavalry and a portion of the
Reserves were already on the way; but the appearance of a heavy force of the
rebel army in the Shenandoah Valley iunder Jackson, rendered this movement
impracticable. A part of MIDowells Corps was retained for the protection of
the Capital, and the Reserves were ordered to proceed to the Peninsula by
water. In compliance with this order the Ninth broke camp on the 10th of
June, and embarking on the steamer Georgia, proceeded to White House,
whence by easy, marches it moved to Mechanicsville, arriving on the 19th.
Here the division was assigned to the corps commanded by General Fitz John
Porter. On the morning of the 20th, the regiment was ordered on picket
duty, and was posted along the Chickahominy, within speaking distance of the
rebel lines. For three days it remained in position without relief, and on the
23d was under arms until one o'clock P. M., when it was ordered to Mechanicsville. The noise of the enemy at work in a thick wood, concealed from view,
excited apprehension. Accordingly companies C and G were ordered to cross
the creek and ascertain the purpose of their activity. A sharp skirmish ensued, in which the enemy was driven back to his reserves. The two companies
then retired and rejoined the regiment with a loss of one wounded.
* General Ord's Offcial Report.-Ex. Does., H. R., No. 59, p. o.