Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 21.djvu/112

 104 Southern Historical Society Papers.

[From the Richmond, Va., Star, December 7, 1893.]

THE FIRST VIRGINIA INFANTRY IN THE PENINSULA CAMPAIGN.

Reminiscences of Sergeant Charles T. Loehr.

The following graphic paper was read before Pickett Camp of Confederate Veterans, at Richmond, Virginia, on the night of Mon- day, December 4, 1893 :

Comrades of Pickett Camp :

In referring to the campaign on the Peninsula a few preliminary remarks may not be amiss.

After the battle of Bull Run Johnston's army remained inactive in front of Washington. Instead of gaining in numbers and efficiency it was sadly depleted by details and discharges for the War Depart- ment. It cannot be denied that both Johnston and Beauregard urged the Confederate authorities to concentrate the whole Confederate force for an aggressive move, but the President and his advisers thought otherwise, and the army was condemned to inactivity when the chances for success were almost certain. Meanwhile, as the months passed away, the Federal authorities were not idle. A large army was placed in the field under the able management of General Mc- Clellan. More than 150,000 were ready to pounce down on the Con- federate force at Centreville, which had been reduced to less than 40,000 by the policy of the Confederate Government.

In March, 1862, the Northern army was in readiness to move. Johnston, unable to oppose the overwhelming numbers, did the best he could under the circumstances, retreated to the Rappahannock. McClellan, instead of following the Confederates, concluded to trans- fer this army to Fortress Monroe and push " on to Richmond " from the Peninsula.

April 3d we left Orange Courthouse ; after a very fatiguing march through mud knee deep, during a continued rain, snow, and hail storm, we reached Louisa Courthouse on the yth. The i2th found us encamped at Young's mill-pond, near this city ; that is, the