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We left this place on the 18th of May, moved only a few miles and encamped in a wheat field. However this day we passed through New Kent C. H. which in truth is nothing but a Court House and jail. and miserable things they both are. Nevertheless there is one object of interest even in this insignificant county seat. I allude to an oat tree. I have seen several larger oaks. What then is interesting about this oak tree? Nothing but the unparalleled spread of its branches. We all agreed that it could not be less than 100 feet from the extremities of one limb to the extremities of its opposite neighbor. Its top seemed nearly round resembling an umbrella. Its leaves and branches were very thick forming a delightful shade in which our entire Regt. 800 rested while they talked of its grandeur. I said we camped in a wheatfield. Here it was that the boys of our regt. first begun that trade which afterwards was brought to great perfection, viz. making pipes of laurel root. Upon this amusement of the soldiers I got up (if I may be allowed the expression) the following sentiment. "The pipe of peace, is carved by the sons of Liberty, from the root of the tree of victory." Here also I heard a prophecy that our army would enter Richmond before the 1st of June. I demurred but my battery was quickly silenced by the steady fire of the readers of the N.Y. Herald though I must say it was not a votary of the Herald that first made the statement. And here let me say that had the Herald said less about what Gen. McClellan would accomplish in a few days, it might have been better for that officer. But that contemptable sheet took our General and his army, marched over the entire Confederacy, and finally, threw them against the invaders of Mexico, dethroned Napoleon and shook the center of all European monarchies, in the remarkably short space of one month. | We left this place on the 18th of May, moved only a few miles and encamped in a wheat field. However this day we passed through New Kent C. H. which in truth is nothing but a Court House and jail. and miserable things they both are. Nevertheless there is one object of interest even in this insignificant county seat. I allude to an oat tree. I have seen several larger oaks. What then is interesting about this oak tree? Nothing but the unparalleled spread of its branches. We all agreed that it could not be less than 100 feet from the extremities of one limb to the extremities of its opposite neighbor. Its top seemed nearly round resembling an umbrella. Its leaves and branches were very thick forming a delightful shade in which our entire Regt. 800 rested while they talked of its grandeur. I said we camped in a wheatfield. Here it was that the boys of our regt. first begun that trade which afterwards was brought to great perfection, viz. making pipes of laurel root. Upon this amusement of the soldiers I got up (if I may be allowed the expression) the following sentiment. "The pipe of peace, is carved by the sons of Liberty, from the root of the tree of victory." Here also I heard a prophecy that our army would enter Richmond before the 1st of June. I demurred but my battery was quickly silenced by the steady fire of the readers of the N.Y. Herald though I must say it was not a votary of the Herald that first made the statement. And here let me say that had the Herald said less about what Gen. McClellan would accomplish in a few days, it might have been better for that officer. But that contemptable sheet took our General and his army, marched over the entire Confederacy, and finally, threw them against the invaders of Mexico, dethroned Napoleon and shook the center of all European monarchies, in the remarkably short space of one month. Our soldiers to do them justice were not quite so badly infatuated as to accompany Field Marshall Bennet on this Quixotic expedition#. But I have heard them say time after time that there never was a general equal to McClellan. But I must return to my story. | ||
#Horace Greely has been honored with the title of general for his renowned home strategy, tactics, grand tactics and engineering skill. But I think Bennet excels him as a carpet knight. Therefore I have promoted him as I think he deserves. | #Horace Greely has been honored with the title of general for his renowned home strategy, tactics, grand tactics and engineering skill. But I think Bennet excels him as a carpet knight. Therefore I have promoted him as I think he deserves. | ||
Latest revision as of 20:44, 26 December 2019
30 We left this place on the 18th of May, moved only a few miles and encamped in a wheat field. However this day we passed through New Kent C. H. which in truth is nothing but a Court House and jail. and miserable things they both are. Nevertheless there is one object of interest even in this insignificant county seat. I allude to an oat tree. I have seen several larger oaks. What then is interesting about this oak tree? Nothing but the unparalleled spread of its branches. We all agreed that it could not be less than 100 feet from the extremities of one limb to the extremities of its opposite neighbor. Its top seemed nearly round resembling an umbrella. Its leaves and branches were very thick forming a delightful shade in which our entire Regt. 800 rested while they talked of its grandeur. I said we camped in a wheatfield. Here it was that the boys of our regt. first begun that trade which afterwards was brought to great perfection, viz. making pipes of laurel root. Upon this amusement of the soldiers I got up (if I may be allowed the expression) the following sentiment. "The pipe of peace, is carved by the sons of Liberty, from the root of the tree of victory." Here also I heard a prophecy that our army would enter Richmond before the 1st of June. I demurred but my battery was quickly silenced by the steady fire of the readers of the N.Y. Herald though I must say it was not a votary of the Herald that first made the statement. And here let me say that had the Herald said less about what Gen. McClellan would accomplish in a few days, it might have been better for that officer. But that contemptable sheet took our General and his army, marched over the entire Confederacy, and finally, threw them against the invaders of Mexico, dethroned Napoleon and shook the center of all European monarchies, in the remarkably short space of one month. Our soldiers to do them justice were not quite so badly infatuated as to accompany Field Marshall Bennet on this Quixotic expedition#. But I have heard them say time after time that there never was a general equal to McClellan. But I must return to my story.
- Horace Greely has been honored with the title of general for his renowned home strategy, tactics, grand tactics and engineering skill. But I think Bennet excels him as a carpet knight. Therefore I have promoted him as I think he deserves.