Three Years in the Sixth Corps | Page 5

George T. Stevens

and first baptized in blood at the decisive battle of Bemis Heights,
which resulted in the surrender of Burgoyne and the virtual success of
the Revolution.
We had already a beautiful national flag, the gift of the patriotic young
ladies of Mr. Beecher's seminary, at Saratoga.
The hour for departure arrived, and we crossed to Amboy by ferry. We
were in New Jersey. We had heard disparaging things of the railroad
management of this State, but we were now to realize the beauties of
monopoly. We learned afterwards to respect New Jersey's soldiers,
many of whom fought shoulder to shoulder with us, and were among
the bravest of the brave, but we never forgave her railroads. The men
were crowded into a number of shaky old cars, reeking with filth, and
redolent of most noisome odors. It was in vain that we protested that
these vehicles were unfit for transporting men; we were offered by the
agent of the road the alternative to take these cars or remain where we
were. We concluded to go on.
At four o'clock we had passed over the whole of the Camden and
Amboy road. Another ferry crossed, and we were in Philadelphia.
Glorious, generous, enlightened Philadelphia! Many of our men were
sick when we left Saratoga, and the unaccustomed hardships, with the
cold and rain thus far on the route, had greatly prostrated them. Many
others had also been seized with violent illness, so that our single
medical officer had been taxed beyond his strength in looking after the
wants of the sick, while the little case of medicines with which we

started from Saratoga was exhausted. Among the first acts of kindness
of these excellent people was the care of our sick. A gentleman, with
countenance beaming with benevolence, said to the doctor, "If you will
get your sick together, we will conduct them to comfortable quarters,
and see that they are well cared for." The heart of the surgeon leaped
with joy at finding some one who could and would help to care for the
poor fellows.
The sick being collected, our friend mounted a barrel and called to the
soldiers to hear him a moment. "You are welcome," said he, "to
Philadelphia, and to show you that we are glad to see you, it gives us
pleasure to invite every man of you to partake of a warm breakfast
which will be ready for you in a few minutes." This speech was greeted
by three hearty cheers for Philadelphia.
The doctor soon had his sick removed to the Soldiers' Retreat, a place
fitted up by the noble-hearted people of Philadelphia for the
entertainment of soldiers passing through their city. The upper part of
the building was arranged with exquisite taste and order for a hospital.
Here were many sick men left by the various regiments which had
passed through the city. Our sick boys were placed in beds, with
expressions of gratitude that, notwithstanding their illness, their lot had
fallen in pleasant places.
Presently the men were marched into the long saloon, where all took
their places at the well spread tables. The repast being over, Colonel
McKean called upon the men for three cheers for the Philadelphians;
remarking that there need be no fear of raising the roof, for even should
such an accident occur he doubted not these generous people would
willingly replace it. Then came the cheers; and such cheers! only to be
surpassed by the three more and then three more that followed.
The long years of our campaignings never diminished the lively
feelings of gratitude we experienced that morning, and to this day our
veterans never speak of Philadelphia but with pleasing recollections of
the friendly reception given them by the goodly inhabitants of the
Quaker city.

The sun was up when we resumed our journey, and again we were met
with surprises. All along the track of the railroad, men, women and
children, filling the windows of the houses and thronging the wayside,
cheered us on our way, shouting and waving flags and handkerchiefs.
Children in the arms of their nurses waved little flags from the
windows in great glee, while gray haired old men in piping tones cried
"God bless our soldiers." This unlooked for, and to us surprising
ovation continued until we had passed the limits of the city, and indeed
did not cease till we had left the station many miles behind. In the train,
the men kept up a continuous cheering; tears stood in the eyes of many,
and the most enthusiastic expressions passed from lip to lip.
The experience of our regiment was only that of others who passed
through this noble city, and often during our long campaigns, the
soldiers of different regiments would gather round their camp fires, and
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