"The Irish Ninth in Bivouac and Battle" by Michael H. Macnamara   CHAPTER VIII. We occupy the Heights. -- Fort Cass. -- The Cow Bell. -- Pleasant Society. -- "Balls Hamilton." -- We are presented with Colors. -- McClellan organizes the Army. -- Grand Review. AT an early hour next morning a number of men were detailed to proceed to the Heights and clear a sufficient space in the dense woods for camping purposes.  A few hours' labor and it was done.  About noon the tents of the different companies were pitched, roads from the camp to the main road cut, and a bridge constructed under the superintendence of Lieutenant-Colonel Rowell.   The bridge was named after him, and still exists.  After laboring the whole day to perfect the camp, the men, who were pretty well tired out with marching and hard work, retired to their quarters, and slept comfortably and soundly till morning.  Next day the usual duties of a camp were resumed, and the regiment, with the exception of those retained for camp guard and picket duty, commenced to clear the wood preparatory to forming an abatis on our front, to obstruct the passage of the enemy's cavalry should they succeed in forcing our pickets.   About this time picket duty was becoming a serious affair, the rebels being in force about two or three miles on our front, having a large camp of infantry and cavalry in the immediate vicinity of Falls' Church.  The utmost vigilance had to be maintained in order to secure us from the enemy's incursions; but by this time our men were thoroughly posted in their various duties, and we anticipated good and vigilant service. It took but a short time to complete the abatis upon our front and flank; and when this was done, a new and more stupendous work presented itself, which was no less than the erection of a large fort on our left, constructed to mount five guns.  To green troops this was no ordinary undertaking; but the officers and men entered into the work with great spirit; space for a magazine was cleared; the breastworks gradually arose; the embrasures speedily appeared; then quarters for officers and men; till, in the space of two months, that noble work now known as "Fort Cass," in memory of our lamented and gallant colonel, arose in frowning defiance -- one of the strongest defences upon that side of the Potomac.   It is a lasting monument of industry (being completed in less than six weeks) and mechanical skill, and will bear lasting credit to our gallant and industrious soldiers.  A detachment from our own regiment garrisoned the fort for a few weeks, when, after it was fully mounted and thoroughly completed, it was turned over to a Wisconsin regiment, which permanently garrisoned it.   These were the principle labors of the Ninth while at Arlington Heights; and we are glad to say, they received the highest encomium from the general officers of the divisions, and the regiment was highly complimented for the engineering skill which it exhibited. While encamped at Arlington the usual number of practical jokes were perpetrated; convivial parties convened, as at our other camps; but it was here that, for the first time, streets were named, and particular messes donned the most peculiar cognomens.   The "Cow Bell," or "Our Mess," situated in Company C's Street, was the headquarters of the wags and practical jokers.  There Captain Madigan flourished, a wit and every inch a gentleman; a brave soldier, who perished gallantly fighting, at the battle of the Chickahominy.   Madigan was a punster and a vocalist; could tell a pleasing story, or perpetrate a good joke.  He was greatly beloved by his brother officers, and his death, noble and patriotic though it was, filled them with profound sorrow.  Lieutenant Ned McSweeney was another member of the "Cow Bell," -- a dashing, handsome young officer, -- and the life of our circle.   He fell bravely fighting at Malvern Hill.  His name is well preserved in the regiment, and he will ever be remembered for his genial qualities.  Lieutenant John Rafferty, as brave, generous, open-hearted a man as ever drew a sword, has often made the "Cow Bell" ring with laughter at his quaint humor and pleasant stories.   He was full of eccentric notions.  He, too, is with the gallant dead, -- struck down in his prime, in the midst of battle, on Malvern Hill; but he leaves behind him a memory which is proudly cherished by his comrades, who mourn his glorious, but, alas ! too speedy end.   Three out of the six members of the "Cow Bell" mess alone remain -- we among them.  But a halo of glory surrounds the memory of those who are gone, -- "There's a tear for all that die, A mourner o'er the humblest grave;    But nations swell the funeral cry,    And triumph weeps above the brave." The furious battles of the peninsular depleted many a joyful mess, left many a vacant chair.  The tent that resounded with jocund mirth tonight would be silent and lonely to-morrow. Among the men, some of the tents rejoiced in names expressive, humorous, and even diabolical.  One company had, among others, one called "The Devil's Kitchen;" and from the loud conviviality which at times emanated from it, we would almost conclude that his Satanic majesty was the president of the assemblage. One of the many comical characters attached to our regiment was "Balls Hamilton;" and he, indeed, was a comical guy.  When he first called on Captain Madigan, he stated to him that he had been told that he (Captain Madigan) commanded the "colored" company, and that he was desirous of being servant to the commander.   Madigan told him that he did indeed command the color company, and if he wished to join, he might do so, first getting the consent of the chaplain, whose servant he (Balls) then was. Balls was too comical a character for the worthy father, and he readily gained his consent to attach himself to the "colored company." Great was Hamilton's astonishment when he found the members of the "colored company" were as white as the rest of the regiment.  The reader will readily understand the black boy's mistake; the company always carried the colors of the regiment, and were therefore called the "color" company.   Hamilton, however, soon recovered from his disappointment, and occupies a prominent part in a large picture of the "Cow Bell" by Brady, in which appear all the members of that famous mess -- the dead and the living.  In the picture Hamilton is "passant" upon the ground, with the long, thin sword of a sergeant in his hand; an expression of "beautiful serenity" is upon his face, derived, principally, from the expansion of his tremendous mouth, and the comical roll of his immense eyes.   He looked so warlike, with the sword in his hand, that we afterwards christened him "Toussaint L'Ouverture;" in fact, we imagined him a fair resemblance of that distinguished character.  Mr. "Balls Hamilton" remained with the mess a long time.  He was originally hired as cook, in which capacity he officiated for a few days, and was so "remarkable expeditious" in his profession that we concluded it would be preferable to detail a white man to supply his place.   This was done; and in a few days "Balls" proved himself more competent to superintend the white cook than to perform the labors himself. Poor Madigan !  How he would make that old mess tent ring with the favorite drinking song, -- "Come, let every old bachelor fill up his glass, Vive la compagnie ! And drink to the health of his favorite lass;  Vive la compagnie ! Then rolled out a medley of voices, -- "Vive la, vive la, vive l'amour, Vive l'amour, Vive l'amour, Vive la compagnie !" We cannot look back upon the history of our regiment without recalling these pleasant scenes. The few that remain of our original regiment will look back with emotion to the hills of Arlington, where they graduated as soldiers, and from whence they went forth to work out their desperate and bloody future upon the peninsular; where, among the great of the magnificent army of the Potomac, they were held in warm esteem, and always occupied the front position. There we received from the boys of the Eliot School that distinguished mark of their young regard, -- the national flag, -- which led us into every battle we were engaged in on the peninsular, and in defending which many standard-bearers fell, notwithstanding, it always fluttered proudly in the front of the fight, side by side with our "Irish green."   If our gallant fellows faltered before the desperate onslaught of the enemy, the cry, "Rally round the green flag, boys !" brought them together, and, with a genuine Irish cheer, they would dash down upon the foe, hurling him back with superhuman strength. The organization of the army of the Potomac was commenced at Arlington, in and around which, the "grand army" was encamped, under the military supervision of General George B. McClellan.  Order came from chaos; brigades, divisions, and grand divisions sprang into existence, and with them the different departments necessary to pay, clothe, and feed them.   The grand army, though thus divided, was as a unit in all military manœuvres; like a ponderous machine of innumerable parts, it was so cleverly united, that, by the will of one, the whole of the immense fabric could be moved; and this stupendous work of military genius was but the labor of a few weeks; for General McClellan soon understood the qualities of the men at his disposal.   He found intelligence, patriotism, and military ardor; his wishes were understood, his plans of organization rapidly effected; and soon, very soon, he had the gratification of presenting to the people of America that mighty indicator of their power, "the grand army of the Potomac." This achieved, brigade drills and brigade and division reviews became the order of the day, and gradually the perfection of military discipline was attained; the rough wheels of the machine became polished, and soon the gigantic fabric moved with surprising accuracy and unequalled success.   At the reviews General McClellan was usually present, and was always received with wild enthusiasm.  We shall never forget the grand review of the whole army, which took place at Bailey's Cross Roads, about two miles from Arlington Heights, in August, 1861.   It was a most magnificent sight.  Nearly a hundred thousand men were under arms, with heads erect, their arms and equipments almost rivalling the sun in brightness; themselves models of cleanliness and uniformity that would have satisfied the most fastidious military critic; everything was regularity, and every movement made with that precision and perfection which is only attained by close attention and observance of good discipline, while their stalwart forms and healthy smiling faces could not fail to gratify the beholder.   These were the children of the republic, the devoted sons of the nation, assembled in their might to smite the traitors that would trample on the integrity of its constitution.  Never before was such a sight seen upon this broad continent, and, once seen, will never be forgotten. General McClellan was pleased to compliment our regiment on its appearance on this occasion, with whom he has always enjoyed great popularity.   Go to Chapter 7 Table of Contents Go to Chapter 9 Return to Home Page