CHAPTER XLVIII

THE 79TH HIGHLANDERS.--THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC

The Highland Guard, a New York city militia battalion, volunteer as the 79th Highlanders--Splendid material--Severe losses at Bull Run--Promised to be sent home to recruit--Disappointed-- Colonel Stevens takes command--Breaks unworthy officers--The mutiny and its suppression--Colonel Stevens enforces discipline--Marches through Washington with band playing the dead march--Removes camp guards and appeals to honor of the regiment--Crossing the Potomac into Virginia--Colonel Stevens's brief speech at midnight--Building Fort Ethan Allen--Digging forts and felling forests--Picket alarms--The reconnoissance of Lewinsville--General McClellan meets returning column; his anxiety to avoid a general engagement-- Colonel Stevens deprived of his brigade and given three green regiments--President Lincoln reminded, directs appointment of Colonel Stevens as brigadier-general; says delay is owing to General McClellan's advice--Hazard Stevens appointed adjutant 79th Highlanders--Colonel Stevens appointed brigadier-general-- Moves forward four miles to Camp of the Big Chestnut--The recusant wagon-master--The unexpected rebuke--McClellan's passive-defensive--General Stevens ordered to Annapolis--Bids farewell to the Highlanders--Whole line cries, "Tak' us wi' ye!"--Secures appointment of his son as captain and assistant adjutant-general--Condemns McClellan's management--Predicts disaster--Reaches Annapolis--Applies for Highlanders--McClellan objects, but President Lincoln overrules him and sends them 321