Local History: Chapters XVI - Part I: The Fourth and Fifty-first Regiments: The Great Rebellion: Bean's 1884 History of Montgomery Co, PA
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BEAN'S HISTORY OF
MONTGOMERY COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
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COMPANIES ORGANIZED AND ACCREDITED
TO MONTGOMERY COUNTY, PA.
NOTE: See Table of contents to find which part of this chapter the unit
is listed in.
Fourth Regiment, Companies. A, B, C, D, E, I, K, 90 days' term.
Forty-fourth Regiment (First Pennsylvania Cavalry), Company B, 3 years' term.
Fifty-first Regiment, Companies A, C, D, F and I, 3 years' term.
Fifty-third Regiment, Companies A and B, 3 years' term.
Sixty-eighth Regiment Company H.
Ninety-third Regiment, Company G, 3 years' term.
Ninety-fifth Regiment, 3 years' term.
One Hundred and Sixth Regiment, Company G, 3 years' term.
One hundred and Twenty-ninth Regiment, Company I, 9 months' term.
One Hundred and Thirty-eighth Regiment, Companies A, C, I and K, 3 years' term.
One Hundred and Sixtieth Regiment (Anderson Troop), 3 years' term.
One Hundred and Sixty-second Regiment, Company L (Seventeenth
Pennsylvania Cavalry), 3 years' term.
One Hundred and Seventy-fifth Regiment, Companies A and H, 9 months' term.
One Hundred and Seventy-ninth Regiment, Companies A and G, 9 months' term.
INDEPENDENT CAVALRY COMPANIES.
Captain Samuel W. Comly's company, organized Sept. 15, 1862; discharged
Sept. 26, 1862.
Captain Daniel H. Mulvany's company, organized Sept. 13, 1862; discharged
Sept. 27, 1862.
Captain Samuel W. Comly's company, organized June 17, 1863; discharged
July 30, 1863.
INDEPENDENT CAVALRY BATTALION,
Company B, Captain Frederick Haws, organized July 2, 1863; discharged
August 21, 1863.
PENNSYLVANIA MILITIA.
Eleventh Regiment, Companies C, D, G and H.
Seventeenth Regiment, Companies B and G.
Nineteenth Regiment, Company E.
Twenty-sixth Regiment, Company F.
Thirty-fourth Regiment, Companies B, C, E, H, I.
Forty-first Regiment, Company B.
Forty-third Regiment, Company I.
One Hundred and Ninety-seventh regiment (one hundred days' men).
Companies F and G.
SIXTH REGIMENT NATIONAL GUARD OF PENNSYLVANIA.
Headquarters located at Norristown.
195
CHAPTER XVI. PART I
THE GREAT REBELLION.
The violent conflict of political opinion which culminated in a
breach of the public peace on the 19th of April 1861, was sectional in
its character. The cause which evoked the long and acrimonious
discussion involved a system of civilization with questionable
commercial values, and the overthrow of domestic institutions to which
the people of the Southern States had become attached by interest,
inclination and climate. An irrepressible conflict suddenly became an
"impending crisis," followed by the shock of arms. Northern statesmen of
rare sagacity and long experience in public life were blinded by their
delusive hopes, and predicted a short struggle and easy triumph over the
insurgents. The haughty and impetuous spirit of Southern leaders
underrated the sturdy manhood and marvelous resources of the North, and,
with more zeal than prudence, precipitated hostilities, the magnitude of
which awakened the civilized powers of the world to the importance of
the conflict. Both sections sadly failed in their estimate of the
relative strength and endurance of the combatants. The South obtained
an early advantage in the first battles fought, and entitled themselves
to the rights of belligerents, compelling the national government to
treat with them as equals in war.
The doctrine of a peaceable dissolution of the national government,
intended by its founders to be perpetual, was strangely confounded.
With the rights of revolution, and dissenting minorities, to fatally
obstruct the popular will as expressed by the national legislature,
naturally took refuge behind the indefinite reserved powers of the
States. A well-marked difference of opinion always existed in reference
to the Constitution of the United States, and interpretations of the
fundamental law by courts of last resort were not always accepted by the
people as final.
Early instances of the spirit of revolt, incident to all new forms
of government, were experienced in the Shay Rebellion of 1784, in the
Whiskey Insurrection of 1791, the Hartford Convention of 1814, and the
attempted nullification of 1833. Slight wrongs, real or imaginary, such
as induced violence and resistance to the existing government, readily
yielded to wise councils and the prompt suppressive measures of the
national government.
But when a great evil, such as the enslavement of four millions of
human beings, became a subject of political controversy, sectionalizing
thirty millions of people, the North uncompromising in its hostility
to the institution, the South wedded to it; the North insisting, by
its majorities upon union and universal freedom, the South fiercely
maintaining the right to peaceably secede and establish a rival republic,
-these conflicting theories, agitated by astute statesmen through a
formation period of fifty years, without significant or well settled
precedent, -in view of such a contention, it will not, perhaps, be the
subject of historical amazement that amicable adjustment defied the best
efforts of political economists, and that brutal and terrible agencies of
war were necessarily invoked to settle the dispute and vindicate the
right.
The part taken by the people of Montgomery County during the four
years' hostilities will possibly never be fully told. The novel and
exciting experience of those who responded to the first call of
President Lincoln for three months' troops was memorable, if not so
important as that which resulted from the long terms of enlistment
following the disaster at Bull Run on the 21st day of July, 1861. The
great uprising of the North which quickly succeeded the fall of Fort
Sumter was a national impulse, and the movement of men to the defense
of the capital was through an excited and indignant populace. Great as
the perils of war were known to be, they were extravagantly magnified at
the time and the anxiety and solicitude for those who were the first to
march was shown by every household in the county. Few among those who
witnessed the memorable scene of the departure of the Fourth Regiment of
Pennsylvania Volunteers from Norristown, on the morning of April 20,
1861, will ever forget the event. The several companies from the
borough had been hastily recruited to their maximum. Many of the
members being residents of the rural districts, had hastened to town,
signed the roll, and, returning to bid the dear ones good-by, thoroughly
aroused the plain, country folks, hundreds of whom came trooping into
town, "to see them off."
Fort Sumter had fallen, its brave defenders had, gallantly resisted
the skillfully devised preparations made for its reduction, the flag of
our country had been shot down, and although not a single man of the,
garrison had been killed, yet the loyal manhood of the North felt that
the great wrong and insult must be promptly avenged. No response to
country's call was ever more promptly made by more patriotic men than
those who filled the first quota of seventy-five thousand troops. True
it is, in the light of the terrible struggle that subsequently ensued,
the service, now seems inconsiderable, but history will always accord to
those who were first in the field of peril a
196
distinguished honor. Those who were present when the regiment was in
line in front of the court-house surrounded by thousands of our best
citizens and the families of those in the ranks, will recall the intense
excitement that prevailed. The painful solicitude of the hour was
deepened as the impassioned and eloquent words of the Honorable Daniel
Smyser, then president judge of the district, fell upon attentive ears
from the steps of the court yard.
The word "country" had a new and deeper significance for the men of
that generation than was ever felt before. The beautiful flag presented
to these gallant men by the ladies of the county was felt to symbolize
hopes and interests paramount to all other considerations, and for the
time being all difference of political opinion was subordinated to an
exalted love of country. Men of all political opinion were requested to
"put out their flags," and it is due to truth to say that in deference to
public sentiment that stood not upon trifles, the request was complied
with. The youth and manhood of the county were well represented in the
rank and file of the command, and after receiving the public
assurance of magistrate and people that their conduct was commended, and
come what might, they would receive the hearty support of their friends,
they wheeled into column, and to the quick time of stirring martial
music, amidst the ringing of bells, the cheers of thousands of men, and
tokens of love and admiration of their devoted countrywomen, they
marched through the town to Bridgeport, where they took the cars for
Harrisburg. The following condensed statement contains the material
facts of the short experience of the organization:
FOURTH REGIMENT PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS.
The Fourth Volunteer Regiment originated in the First Regiment,
Second Brigade, Second Division of the State militia, organized under
the militia, act of 1858. It consisted of six companies and had a fall
regimental organization, the officers holding State commissions. In
response to the call of the President, a public meeting was held at
Norristown, Montgomery County, on the 16th of April, at which the
feeling of patriotic devotion to the cause of the government was
emphatically displayed, and resolutions were passed pledging assistance
to the families of such as volunteered.
On the following day the services of the militia regiment were
tendered to the Governor for the term of three months, and were accepted
on condition that the command would report in Harrisburg within four
days. The officers immediately commenced the enrollment of recruits,
and at the expiration of the time appointed some six hundred men from
Montgomery County and vicinity were ready to move.
The excitement and gloom incident to their departure can only be felt
by a people unused to war All business was suspended, and the whole
population appeared upon the streets. Flags were provided by the ladies
of Norristown, which were presented with appropriate ceremonies. On Saturday,
April 20th, the command proceeded by rail to Harrisburg, and reached Camp
Curtin at two o'clock P.M. It was the intention to have remained in camp
till a sufficient number of men could have been procured from Montgomery
County to fill the regiment to its maximum number; but the urgent necessities
of the government rendered this purpose impracticable. And orders were
issued to form a regiment immediately from such companies as were in
camp. This order had the effect to change the command from a militia to
a volunteer organization.
An election was accordingly held, which resulted in the choice of
the same field officers as those holding the militia commissions, which
were as follows: John F. Hartranft, of Norristown, colonel; Edward
Schall, of Norristown, lieutenant-colonel; Edwin Schall, of Norristown,
major. Charles Hunsicker was appointed adjutant.
PICTURE OF GENERAL JNO. F. HARTRANFT, APPEARS HERE.
Scarcely was the organization completed when marching orders were
received. Leaving Camp Curtin on the evening of the 21st of April, the
regiment proceeded by rail to Philadelphia, where it was ordered by
General Patterson to report to Colonel Dare, of the Twenty-third.
Taking one company of his own and the Fourth Regiment, Colonel Dare
proceeded by rail to Perryville, Md., and took possession of the town,
making such disposition of the troops as would prevent a surprise.
On the following day General Patterson ordered the regiment to
proceed without delay to Washington. Immediate application was made to
Colonel Dare for transportation by steamer to Annapolis. The route by
Baltimore being then closed. Not feeling secure from capture, Colonel
Dare only gave transportation for one wing of the regiment, which
embarked under command of Colonel Hartranft. Arriving at Annapolis, the
troops were disembarked and quartered in the buildings belonging to the
Naval Academy, by order of Major-General Butler, then in command of the
town. The left wing, under command of Major Schall, was detained
several days at Perryville for the security of the port.
It was expected that the men would be fully clothed, armed and
equipped at Harrisburg before marching. But when the urgent appeals
came from Washington for troops, it was not the time for the patriotic
citizen soldier to hesitate, and the regiment marched without uniforms
or equipment, the men being armed with muskets, and provided with
ammunition, which they were obliged to carry in their pockets. Clothing
was sent to the regiment on the 28th of April, but not until some time in
June were proper uniforms supplied.
In pursuance of orders, the regiment proceeded, on the 8th of May, to
Washington, and was quartered in the Assembly buildings and in a church
near by. Transportation and camp and garrison equipage not having been
supplied by the State or national government, the regiment was prevented
from going into
197
camp. The close confinement of the men in crowded quarters soon
produced its legitimate results. Sickness, which, up to this time, had
been scarcely known in the regiment, now began to prevail to a
considerable extent. As soon as tents were received it was at once
established in camp, about two miles from the city, toward
Bladensburg. When the necessary equipage was furnished regimental
drills and inspections were commenced and vigorous measures taken to
make the regiment effective. On the 24th of June it was ordered to
Alexandria, in anticipation of an attack by the enemy, and was soon
after placed in camp on Shuter's Hill, where the regular drills and
inspections were resumed.
On Sunday, June 30th, at two o'clock in the morning the pickets of
the regiment, stationed on the old Fairfax road, under command of
Lieutenant M.R. McClennan, were attacked by about thirty of the enemy.
They were repulsed by our pickets, only three in number, who killed
Sergeant Haines, previously a clerk in the Treasury Department at
Washington. Three others of our pickets on the outer post, intending to
go to the, rescue of their comrades, came in contact with the enemy's
force, in which Thomas Murray was killed and Llewelyn Rhumer was
severely wounded. The third, dropping upon the ground, escaped without
injury, the enemy, in the excitement and darkness, passing over him.
The trails of blood, discovered in the morning, showed that they had
likewise suffered in the encounter.
The evidences on every hand pointed unmistakably to an early advance
of the army. Inspections were careful and minute. All surplus baggage
was sent to the rear, together with knapsacks and overcoats, the men
retaining only their blankets. The Fourth Regiment was assigned to the
First Brigade, Third Division [SEE NOTE 16-1.] of McDowell's army.
The division moved from camp by the Fairfax road, reaching Sangster's
Station on Thursday evening. The enemy set fire to his store, and
retreated, as the column advanced.
[NOTE 16-1.]
Organization of First Brigade; Colonel W. B. Franklin, Third
Division, Colonel S. P. Heintzelman (the three brigades of the
division were commanded respectively by Colonel W. B. Franklin,
0.0. Howard and O.B. Wilcox) -Ricket's Battery of the First United States
Artillery; Fifth Regiment Massachusetts Volunteers, Colonel Lawrence;
Eleventh Regiment Massachusetts Volunteers, Colonel Clark; First Regiment
Minnesota Volunteers, Colonel Gorman; Fourth Regiment Pennsylvania
Volunteers, Colonel Hartranft.
[FINIS NOTE 16-1.]
Firing was heard in the direction of Blackburn's Ford, occasioned by
Colonel Richardson's reconnoissance in that direction. On Friday the
division moved to Centreville, where the entire army of McDowell lay
encamped. On Saturday the 20th of July, the question of muster out was
freely agitated, the term of enlistment expiring on the following day.
Desirous of retaining the regiment in his command till the anticipated
battle should be fought, General McDowell issued an order, making the
following, appeal:
"The General commanding has learned with regret that the time of
service of the Fourth Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers in about to expire.
The service of the regiment have been so important, its good conduct so
general, its patience under privation so constant, its state of efficiency
so good, that its departure at this time can only be considered an
important loss to the army. Fully recognizing the right of the regiment
to its discharge and payment. At the time agreed upon, the agreement of
the government in this respect, the General commanding, nevertheless,
requests the regiment to continue in service for a few days longer.
Pledging that the time of muster out of service shall not
exceed two weeks, Such members of the, regiment, as do not accede to
this request will be placed under the command of proper officers, to be
marched to the rear, mustered out of service, and paid, as soon as
possible, after the expiration of the term of service."
Differences of opinion prevailed in the regiment upon the question
of compliance with this request. While many were willing to re-enlist
for two weeks longer, some were desirous of being mustered out in
accordance with their contract with the government. When it was
ascertained that unanimity of sentiment was not likely to be secured, it
was decided by the commanding general that to break up the organization
and to take a fragment of the regiment into battle would not be
prudent; orders were accordingly issued for its muster out of
Service. Several causes conspired to create a diversion to remaining.
The regiment had been subject, during its service, to hardships which
are perhaps, inseparable from new and hasty organization, but which bore
somewhat heavily upon the men, a detail of which it is unnecessary hereto
give. It was at a time, too, when great activity prevailed in the
organization of new regiments for the three years' service, the officers
of this regiment having already taken steps for making new organizations,
in which considerable strife was manifested to get the trained men.
Their decision was, accordingly, made more with reference to their own
advantage and that of their officers than to any ulterior results.
General McDowell, when he found himself defeated in the battle which
ensued, looking about for some causes to which he could attribute his
failure, toward the close of his official report drags in this regiment
for a share of blame, to whose service he had no more rightful claim, and
whose conduct he could no more justly censure, than that of the regiment
a week or a month earlier discharged.
The subsequent history of the men composing this regiment dispels
any doubt that may, at the time, have been raised of the rectitude of
their intentions. Under the command of the lieutenant colonel, it marched
to Washington, from whence it was taken by rail to Harrisburg, where it
was soon after mustered out of service. But measures were immediately
taken for the organization of new regiments, in which the men
immediately enlisted for the war, and fully attested on the bloody
fields of Frederiksberg and Antietam, and in numberless hard-fought
battles of the war, their patriotism and their valor.
The colonel of the regiment (since major general), John F.
Hartranft, desiring to remain with the army of McDowell, offered his
services, and was assigned to duty on the staff of Colonel Franklin,
commanding the First Brigade. In the terrible ordeal to which the
division of Heintzelman was exposed, and when the
198
regiments were broken and disorganized by the heat of the enemy's fire,
Colonel Hartranft rendered invaluable aid in holding the men to their
duty, and in rallying the regiments which had been thrown into confusion.
Captain Cook, of Company K, also remained, serving on the staff of
Colonel David Hunter, and was officially commended for his gallantry.
FIELD AND STAFF OFFICERS.
John F. Hartranft, col.;
Edward Schall, col.;
Edwin Schall, maj.
Charles Hunsicker, adjt;
W. H. Yerkes, q.m.;
James B. Dunlap, surg.
Charles, W. Rodgers, assist.-surg;
T.W McDaniels, chapl;
Martin Malony, sergt.-maj;
William M. Mintzer, q.m.-sergt.
REGIMENTAL BAND.
D. H. Stubblebine (leader);
Edmund Smith,
Alfred Caldwell,
Samuel Weis,
George Evans,
Daniel Ruch,
Ephraim Hale,
James Lougan,
Jacob F. Ganger,
Alpheus Mixell,
John Peterman,
Andrew Peterman,
Hammond Winters,
William Gibson.
COMPANY A.
Recruited at Norristown, Montgomery Co. mustered in April 20, 1861.
William J. Bolton, capt;
Joseph K. Bolton, 1st lieut;
William S. Ensley, 2d lieut;
Abraham L, 0rtlip,3d lient.;
George W. Guss, 1st sergt;
John A. Wills, 2d sergt;
Thomas P. Garner, 3d sergt;
William T. Roberts, 4th sergt;
Samuel S. Fries, 1st corp.;
George Keen, 2d corp;
C. Jones Iredell, 3d corp;
Charles A. Yost, 4th corp;
William A. Lambert, Samuel G. Doud, musicians.
Privates.
Samuel Aikens,
John Brookes,
Edwin Boyer,
David D. Bath,
Benjamin Banks,
George T. Carpenter,
George Culp,
John Deem,
James M. Doud,
George W. Dehaven,
William C. Ensley,
William P. Earle,
Jonathan T Ely,
Jonathan B. Ellis,
Augustus Feather,
John P. Fitzgerald,
Charles H. Fitzgerald,
Sylvester Garner,
Theodore Gilbert,
Abraham Hartranft,
Joseph Holt,
John Jordan,
John M. Johnson,
Major L. Jenkins,
John Jones,
Benjamin F. Kulpe/Knipe(?),
Henry S. Kelley,
John S. Kelley,
Thomas Kelley,
Abraham H. Kirkbride,
John Kanause,
George H. Kulp,
Elijah Lewis,
Michael Lightcap,
John S. Moore,
William L. Mather,
Joseph R Moyer,
William McCoy,
James McCartney,
William B. Nungesser,
Reese Pugh,
John Richards,
Robert Roberts,
George M. Randall,
Thomas J Reiff,
Jacob Robbins,
John Shoffner,
George W. Shoffner,
John Y Shainline,
Mifflin Smedley,
James C. Saylor,
Josiah Saylor,
Charles Sutch,
Henry H. Shainline,
Abraham B. Sutch,
Jacob R. Stephens,
James Spencer,
Henry S. Smith,
Adam R. Slemmer,
Theodore Selah,
Isaiah Smedley,
Valentine Schrack,
Mathias T. Server,
William H. Shainline,
Benjamin Thompson,
Henry Tippen.
COMPANY B.
Recruited at Norristown, Montgomery Co. Mustered in April l2, 1861.
Robert R. Taylor, capt;
Thomas Magee, 1st lieut;
M. Robert M'Clennan, 2d lieut;
Lane S. Hart, lst sergt.;
William H. Griffith, 2d sergt;
Lorenzo D. Shearer, 3d sergt;
George M. Coler, 4th sergt;
Joseph C. Reed; David W. Roberts, 1st corp;
Thomas C. Simpson, 2d corp;
John H. Kirkbride, 3d corp.;
Israel W. Hart, 4th corp.
Privates.
Geo. F. Altemus,
Jacob Alker,
James Ashburn,
Howard Bruce,
Jeremiah W. Buck,
Isaih B. Buck,
Egbert B. Buzby,
Jno M. Boyer,
Harrison Bikle,
Daniel W. Clemer,
John H. Coulston,
George N. Corson,
Samuel H. Detweiler,
Charles Earls,
John E. Essick,
Charles B. Evans,
Thomas. Ewing,
Allen H. Fillman,
J. Isett Freedley,
Charles E. Frease,
Jacob Fitzwater,
Robert Grimes,
Ellridge G. Griffith,
James W. Hahn,
Philip Hahn, Jr.,
Ivens R. Hansell,
James B. Heebner,
John Heenan,
Frank A. Hart,
Edward Hocker,
Henry C. Hughes,
Dennis Hunsicker,
George W. Henderson,
John R. Jacobs,
Henry Jacobs,
Ferdinand P. Kirkbride,
Samuel A. Kugler,
Charles A. Keyser,
Daniel Linker,
Enos Mowder,
Samuel Markley,
Samuel Miller,
J. Benton Major,
William Montgomery,
Courtland McCarte,
Marshall McCarte,
Samuel C. McCombs,
William Neiman,
William W. Owen,
John Rodenbaugh,
George A. Reiff,
Charles A Reiff,
William S Rapine,
Samuel P Stephens,
John Spencer,
Adam J Schrack,
Samuel R Shupe,
Lewis J. Syckle,
Samuel J. Shearer,
Paul A Smith,
Barelay Thomas,
John M H Tomlinson,
James H. Wilson,
Benjamin Young.
COMPANY C.
Recruited at Pottstown, Montgomery Co. Mustered in April 20, 1861.
John R. Brooke, captain;
William S. Hollert, first lieutenant;
Joseph Umstead, second lieutenant;
Charles Malsberger, first sergeant;
William B. Stanford second sergeant;
Mahlon S. Ludwig, third sergeant;
Henry F. Butz, fourth sergeant;
Benjamin F. Guest, first corporal;
John H. Root, second corporal;
George Sheets, third corporal;
William M. Rankin, fourth corporal;
Edmund Guest, William Antrim, musicians.
Privates
John Auchey,
George W. Butz,
Lewis H. Bickle,
Octavius S. Bull,
John A. Beadencup,
Jacob Bower,
Samuel Buckwalter,
John Corbett,
Esler G. Dawson,
Samuel Dehart,
Abraham Dearoff,
Myers Daly,
Jacob W Dechant,
James M. Engle,
Jacob L Fitz,
Michael Fryer,
Evan Fryer,
Frank Fair,
Paul Frick,
David I. Geiger,
Charles L. Geiger,
William M. Hobart,
Abraham Hesser,
John Hendricks,
John Heft,
Albert Hoffman,
Enos Hoffman,
William Hunsicker,
William Kirkpatrick,
Abraham Kirst,
John L. Kupp,
Adam Lessig,
Samuel Lacey,
William G. Lesher,
Washington H. Lachman,
Thomas Mauger,
Andrew Missimer,
Jonah M. Neiman,
Nathaniel Potts,
William S. Potts,
John T. Potts,
David M. Phillips,
John Reinard,
Dewees W. Roberts,
John J Scholl,
Peter E. Skean,
Charles Simpkins,
Joseph Spong,
Jacob Schanely,
George W. Seigfried,
Charles C. Smith,
John R. Sample,
Rees B. Thompson,
George Vandersyde,
James Walters,
Abraham H. Weir,
Henry Wamback,
William H. Willauer,
William S. Wells,
Daniel B. Weand,
Isaac L. Yergey,
William Yergey,
Thomas Yergey,
Leidy J. Yohn.
COMPANY D.
Recruited at Norristown, Montgomery Co. Mustered in April 20, 1861.
Reuben T. Schall, captain;
Charles Hansell, first lieutenant;
David Schall, second lieutenant;
Hiram Lysinger, first sergeant;
Samuel Painter, second sergeant;
Samuel Fair, third sergeant;
John Fair, fourth sergeant;
Jesse S. Batchelder, first corporal;
Andrew Fair, second corporal;
Joseph Bell, third corporal;
Henry Foreman, fourth corporal
A. D. Earl, Adam Zinnel, musicians.
Privates
John H. Bond,
John Boaz,
John Brant,
John Beal,
Francis Burk,
Samuel Cloward,
James Conway,
Patrick Cumming,
Irvin Craighton,
A. P. Custer,
Freeman Davis,
Isaac Dehaven,
John Dougherty,
John Earl,
John R. Fleck,
James M. Griffith,
Jacob Gauss,
Joseph Garess,
William Geist,
James R. Griffith,
Theodore Gratz,
Charles Griffith,
John Gever,
Joshua Hollowell,
William Jenkins,
Jesse Keeler,
Samuel Kay,
Thomas A. Kelly,
James Kulp,
David Lougherty,
George Lightcap,
Andrew Leedom,
David R Markley,
Thomas McDuefus,
John McCoy,
Alexander McCrea,
Samuel Mills,
Harry McVaugh,
Levi B. Nail,
N Harry Nail,
Nathan Orner,
John F. Parker,
Samuel Peters,
Thomas Smith,
Thomas Shuck,
Bernard Sherdin,
Calvin Schall,
Henry Stitler,
James Seaman,
William Sutch,
Charles Stewart,
William Shine,
Owen Tompkins,
Isaac Tolan,
Jacob Tompkins,
George Tippen,
Arnold Vanfossen, Jr.,
Mills Williamson,
Philip Wampold,
John Wildsmith,
Henry White,
Charles A. Wentz,
J. E. Wagner,
A. G. Wright.
COMPANY E.
Recruited at Norristown, Montgomery Co. Mustered in April 20, 1861.
George Amey, captain;
Richard T. Stewart, first lieutenant;
James P. Butler, second lieutenant;
David Knipe, first sergeant;
Henry Nuss, second sergeant;
William Eastwood, third sergeant;
John Gilligan, fourth sergeant;
William R. Wager, first corporal;
William Biggs, second corporal;
George F. Fisher, third corporal;
Charles Jones, fourth corporal;
Thomas Lounck, John Childs, musicians.
Privates
Samuel Augge,
George W. Baker,
Charles Barnes,
George Bright,
Jacob Basin,
William Carey,
John F. Carroll,
Edwin C. Custard,
Joseph Crady,
Robert Docherdy,
Michael Delaney,
Thomas Doud,
Denny Dimond,
William Enos,
John F. Fisher,
Charles Ford,
Jacob F. Fisher,
Hiram C. Fisher,
Henry Furlong,
William Grew,
Nathan Grew,
Thomas Gardner,
John Gardner,
Joseph P Henricks,
Isaac Hucheron,
William Hallman,
David Henan,
James Hollinger,
Benjamin Johnson,
Owen Lear,
David Lysinger,
Joseph Larrison,
Thomas Lockard,
Albert List,
Charles K Lookens,
John McDaid,
William McDaid,
F McFadden,
Thomas McEwens,
George W Miller,
Aaron Moore,
Michael Mooney,
Thomas Murray,
Antrim Master,
Jonas Moyer,
Charles O'Neele,
James Powers,
John Quinn.
William Quinn,
David Reily,
Francis Ruch,
Llewelyn Rhumer,
Charles Rhumer,
Mathias Shoemaker,
John Smith,
Elias Springer,
Robert Steward,
Francis Tomany,
William Uncuffler,
Patrick Vaghn,
Isaac Varney,
George Workiser,
John Welsh,
John Williams.
199
C0MPANY I.
Recruited at Norristown, Montgomery Co. Mustered in April 20, 1861.
William Allabaugh, capt;
Lewis Ramsey, 1st lieut;
Charles S. McGlathary, 2d lieut.;
Joseph Rylands, 1st sergt;
Thomas Jones, 2nd sergt;
Daniel Streper, 3d sergt;
George Y. Hansell, 4th sergt;
George H. Smith, 1st corp.;
Charles Durham, 2d corp;
John H White, 3d corp;
Benjamin Uelele, 4th corp;
William Hinkle and
Edwin R. W. Sickles, musicians.
PRIVATES.
John Badman,
William Barry,
John Bennet,
Edward Router,
James H. Buck,
Charles Carn,
James Carter,
Thomas Chilling,
Wm. R. Cox,
Simon Clinberger,
Harry Davis,
Samuel Deen,
George Dehaven,
Henry Dehaven,
Michael Dillon,
John Dougherty,
George Emory,
George J. Eckhorn,
Jacob Erney,
Nathan Fornwalt,
Jacob Fulner,
Christian Geicel,
Jacob W. Geiger,
William M. Geiger,
William R. Gilbert,
Christian Gancer,
Alexander Gotwalt,
John Graham,
Samuel Hallman,
Jacob L. Hoover,
Edward C. Jones,
David Kane,
Patrick Keven,
John W. Lamsbach,
William Lath,
George Lowry,
Sylvester Makens,
Allen Martin,
William H. Martin,
George Mercer,
John Meris,
Hugh McClane,
Nathan McColly,
Joshua McCool,
Patrick McDade,
Jones Munshower,
William B. Nichols,
James Phillips,
Abraham Printz,
Nathan H. Ramsey,
Andrew J. Reed,
Charles Rodebaugh,
George Rodebaugh,
Samuel Rodebaugh,
George K. Roberts,
William Robinson,
Patrick Rogan,
David Schrack,
J. W. Shuttleworth,
Samuel Slingluff,
Benjamin R. Still,
William F. Thomas,
Thomas B. Vanfossen,
George W. Whishlar,
George W. White.
COMPANY K.
Recruited at Norristown, Montgomery County. Mustered in April 21, 1861.
Walter H. Cook, capt;
Henry K. Weand, 1st lieutenant;
Charles Y. Fisher, 2nd lieutenant;
David R. Connard, 1st sergeant;
Noah B. Brown, 2nd sergt;
Peter A. Brown, 3d sergeant;
Sidney Brown, 4th sergeant;
Frank L. Wagner, 1st corp;
Joseph K. Corson, 2d corp;
Frank Hart, 3rd corp;
Daniel M. Yost, 4th corp;
William M. McGowen and
Samuel Moore, musicians.
PRIVATES.
Philip Badman,
Silas Baker,
John Beckwith,
George W. Bush,
Bernard Canney,
John A. Carr,
Thomas M. Carr,
George F. Chadwick,
Isaac Conway,
William Corner,
Charles T. Dager,
Reuben Dehaven,
Henry Edwards,
Augustus Fye,
Francis Flanigan,
James Gilmer,
John Grundy,
George Harkins,
Samuel Hart,
Joseph H. High,
Richard Kelly,
Enoch B. Kirby,
George Kutz,
Terance Landy,
John Marple,
Thomas Mars,
Archibald McCorkle,
Stephen McCloskey,
William McGlathery,
John McGowen,
William McMain,
James Maiden,
John Miller,
John Moore,
Thomas Magee,
John S. Nuss,
William Ogden,
John O'Neill,
Joseph Palmer,
Hiram Phipps,
Stephen Phipps,
James Pierce,
William W. Potts,
Allen Quarmby,
Ivens Rambo,
Nathaniel Rhoads,
Robert W. Scarlett,
Tobias Schruearer,
Walter Scott,
John Sheetz,
Charles Sidders,
David Signet,
Richard Street,
Charles Styer,
John Styer,
Jonathan Swallow,
John Ward,
William B. Weaver,
Charles A. Weland,
Clarence W. Wills,
William W. Wills, Jr.,
Abraham Wood,
James Wood.
NOTE--- "Colonel Hartranft, of the Fourth Pennsylvania Regiment, . . .
accompanied me to the field as aid-de-camp. His services were
exceedingly valuable to me, and he distinguished himself in his attempts
to rally the regiments, which had been thrown into confusion. -Col. W. B.
Franklin's official report, First Brigade, Third Division, series i. vol.
ii., "Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies," p. 406.
For the greater convenience of reference, the history of the
military organizations identified with 'Montgomery County will be
continued in the chronological order of their formation and departure
for the seat of the war. When, companies have been organized and become
attached to regiments, it is due to those accredited to the county that
an-account of their services be related, as the same has been officially
preserved in the history of the regiments of which they were a part. They
appear as follows:
THE FORTY-FOURTH REGIMENT (OR FIRST PENNSYLVANIA CAVALRY) entered
the service for the three years. Company B was recruited in Montgomery
County, and was trained for the distinguished service which it
experienced by Colonel George D. Bayard, [See NOTE 16-2.] a graduate of
West Point United States Military Academy, class of 1856. He early
distinguished himself as a fearless cavalry leader, and would
undoubtedly have become a division and corps commander had he not fallen
mortally wounded at the battle of Fredericksburg, Va., in December, 1862,
while in command of a brigade of cavalry. Of the twenty-two regiments of
cavalry organized in Pennsylvania during the great Rebellion, not one
regiment was Wholly recruited and accredited to a single city or
county. Men volunteering for this arm of the service were of a class
accustomed to the use of horses or had a fondness for them.
Some excellent troops were formed of young horsemen from our large
cities and inland towns, but most of the companies were recruited in the
country districts. As a general rule, the men of this arm of the service
were of the best material and made excellent soldiers. But in the mass
of men who were hastily recruited and sent forward as substitutes in the
latter part of 1863 to 1865 there were many unfitted for the cavalry
service. Under the rules and regulations of the War Department in force
at the time, the maximum number of men for a troop or company of cavalry
was one hundred.
Twelve companies composed a regiment. These companies were further
organized into squadrons of two companies each, and the six squadrons
were formed into three battalions. Three regiments generally formed a
brigade, though sometimes four and even five regiments were united in
the same brigade, but this was only in cases where commands had become
decimated. Two brigades generally formed a division, and the three
divisions operating with the Army of the Potomac constituted the cavalry
corps. Major-General Joseph Hooker first organized this branch of the
public service when he assumed command of the Army of the Potomac in the
winter of 1863. [See NOTE 16-3.]
[NOTE 16-2.]
George D. Bayard, appointed at large by the President a
cadet to the United States Military Academy, West Point, July 1, 1852.
Graduated July 11 1856, and assigned to duty as second lieutenant, First
Calvary. Served on frontier duty, and in the Kansas disturbances;
wounded in the face by a poisoned arrow in an engagement with the
Indians near Bent's Fort, Col., July 11; 1861; assigned to duty at the
Military Academy as assistant instructor of cavalry, March 16 to
September 3, 1861; promoted to first lieutenant, First Cavalry, March
16, 1861; captain, Fourth Cavalry, August 20, 1861 appointed colonel,
First Pennsylvania cavalry Volunteer, September 14, 1861: promoted
brigadier-general, United States Volunteers, April 28 1862 assigned to
command of cavalry brigade, Army of Potomac; participated in all the
operations of the army in front of Washington (hiring the summer and
fall of 1862, and fell mortally wounded at the battle of Fredericksburg,
December 13, 1862. He died the following day, aged twenty-seven years.
[FINIS NOTE 16-2.]
[NOTE 16-3.] ORIGINAL ROSTER OF THE CAVALRY CORPS A. OF P.
Brig.-Gen. George Stoneman.
FIRST DIVISION.
Brig.-Gen. Alfred Pleasanton.
First Brigade (Col. Benjamin F. Davis. -8th Illinois, 3rd Indiana, 8th New York,
9th New York.
Second Brigade (Col. Thomas C. Devin) -1st Michigan (Co. L), 6th New York, 8th
Pennsylvania, 17th Pennsylvania.
Artillery. -New York Lt. Art, 6th Bat'y.
SECOND DIVISION.
Brig.-Gen. William W. Averell.
First Brigade (Col. Horace B. Sargent) 1st Massachusetts, 4th New York, 6th
Ohio, 1st Rhode Island.
Second Brigade (Col. John B. McIntosh) 3d Pennsylvania, 4th Pennsylvania, and
16th Pennsylvania.
Artillery. - 2d U. S. Artillery, Battery A.
THIRD DIVISION.
Brig.-Gen. David McM. Gregg.
First Brigade (Col. Judson Kilpatrick) 1st Maine, 2nd New York l0th New York.
Second Brigade (Col. Percy Wyndham) 12th Illinois, 1st Maryland, 1st New Jersey,
1st Pennsylvania.
Regular Reserve Cavalry Brigade (Brig.-Gen. John Buford.) -6th Pennsylvania, 1st
United States, 2nd United States, 5th United States, 6th United States.
Artillery (Capt. John M. Robertson) - 2nd U. S. Artillery, Batteries B and L; 2nd
U. S. Artillery, Battery M; 4th U. S. Artillery, Battery E.
[FINIS NOTE 16-3.]
200
The artillery assigned to the cavalry were mounted and known as
"Horse Artillery, and, with the exception of Martin's Independent
Battery of New York, Were detached from the regulars. The proportion of
artillery was one battery to each brigade. The guns used were
twelve-pounder Napoleons and the Griffin Six-pounder rifled guns. Most
of the latter were made at Phoenixville, Pa. The cavalry were armed
with sabre, Colt's revolving pistol and Sharp's carbine. Many of the
troops in 1864 were supplied with the Spencer carbine,
"seven-shooters." They were the most destructive arms of the kind in
use.
In the campaigns of 1864-65 the cavalry frequently fought
dismounted, and owing to the superior arms in use, they were uniformly
victorious, inflicting a heavy loss of life upon the enemy. Company B
of the First Pennsylvania Cavalry was the pioneer organization of
horsemen from Montgomery County. It was composed of a class of men
representing the intelligence and patriotism of the Schuylkill Valley,
and left the county under the command of Captain Owen Jones, of Lower
Merion. The regiment was one of the most distinguished of Pennsylvania
Reserves, and always ranked among the best in the famous cavalry corps
of the Army of the Potomac. The public service of the regiment from its
muster in to the surrender of shared by Company B. It is therefore due
to the men who composed it, and their descendants, that the essential
facts of history connected with the regimental organization be preserved.
COLONEL OWEN JONES, who, from early manhood, until his death, was
one of the most prominent and honored citizens of Montgomery County and
of the State of Pennsylvania, was a son of Jonathan and Mary (Thomas)
Jones, and a descendant of Edward Jones, who was a native of Wales, and
came thence to Pennsylvania nearly two centuries ago, settling on lands
purchased from William Penn and which forms part of the estate that has
been held in the Jones family from that time until the present. A
larger portion of the property which descended through successive
generations to Colonel Owen Jones came into possession of his ancestors
through the marriage of a son of the original settler, Edward Jones,
with a daughter of Thomas Wynne, Speaker of the first Colonial Assembly
of Pennsylvania, who took up lands adjoining those of Edward Jones. By
that marriage the Wynne and Jones lands became united in one estate,
which, in honor of the Wynne family, received the name which it still
bears, - Wynnewood.
In the Wynnewood mansion, on this estate, Owen Jones was born,
December 29, 1819. On reaching the proper age, and having passed through
a preparatory course of study, he entered the University of Pennsylvania,
where, in due time, he was graduated, and commenced the study of law in
the office of William. M. Meredith, of Philadelphia. At the conclusion
of his law course he was admitted to the bar in Philadelphia and soon
afterwards (May 19, 1842) was also admitted to practice in Montgomery
County. But having a preference for the pursuit of agriculture, rather
than for the practice of his profession, he gave his attention chiefly
to the former, becoming deeply interested in the raising of fine stock
and in everything tending to the promotion of improvement in methods of
farming. In 1845 he became the purchaser of property in West
Philadelphia belonging to the Warner estate, which afterwards had a
remarkable rise in value, and been known as the "drove-yard property."
In 1856 Mr. Jones received the Democratic Congressional nomination
for the Fifth District, which then embraced Montgomery County and some
of the northern wards of Philadelphia. He was elected and served in
Congress from December 1857, to March 4, 1859. Prior to his election to
Congress he had served, under appointment by Judge Thomas Burnside, as
member of a commission charged with the duty of adjusting the basis of
State taxation for the district composed of the counties of Montgomery
and Bucks.
On the breaking out of the Great War of the Rebellion, in April
1861, he immediately became prominent as one of the most earnest and
active supporters of the government and, the Union. Under the
legislative act of May 15th of that year, providing for the formation of
the "Reserve Volunteer Corps of the Commonwealth," to include one
regiment of mounted men, he at once commenced the raising of a company
of cavalry, which he recruited almost entirely at his own private
expense. The company, which was made up of men of Lower Merion and
adjoining townships, was soon filled and moved to the rendezvous at Camp
Curtin, Harrisburg, where it became Company B of the First Pennsylvania
Cavalry. It was afterwards designated as the Forty-fourth Regiment of
the State volunteers forces and placed under command of Colonel George
D. Bayard. Prior to this (August 5, 1861) Captain Owen Jones, of
Company B, had been promoted to the grade of major. In September
PICTURE OF COLONEL OWEN JONES, APPEARS HERE.
201
the regiment moved from Camp Curtin to Tenallytown, Md., whence, on the
10th of October, it crossed the Potomac River into Virginia. A few
weeks later it first saw actual service in the battle of Dranesville,
where it took a leading part in the attack, which resulted in the
complete rout of the enemy.
On the 3d of January 1862, upon the resignation of
Lieutenant-Colonel Jacob Higgins, Major Owen Jones was advanced to the
higher grade, and in the following May he was promoted to the colonelcy of
the regiment, Colonel Bayard having been made a brigadier-general.
While under command of Colonel Jones the First Cavalry performed
severe and continuous service, and fought gallantly in a great number of
engagements, among the principal of which were those of Hartwood Church,
Woodstock, Harrisonburg, Port Republic, Front Royal, Cross-Keys,
Groveton, Robertson's River, Strasburg, Cedar Mountain, Chantilly,
Second Bull Run, Falmouth and finally the great battle of Fredericksburg
(December 11 to 13, 1862), where Colonel Jones, acting as
brigadier-general, commanded a full cavalry brigade, occupying a
position on the extreme left and in the advance of General Franklin's
corps. In that battle General Bayard was killed.
In January, 1863, about one month after the battle of
Fredericksburg, Colonel Jones, with his regiment, took part in the
famous, but profitless, "Mud March" of General Burnside's army up the
Rappahannock, and then, after three days of severest toil, along
impassable roads, back to their former position. This was the last of
the military operations in which Colonel Jones participated. On the
30th of January 1863, he resigned his commission and left the service.
To his country he had done his whole duty, and had done it well. From
the officers and men who served under him he had won the full measure of
that respect and love which soldiers always give to a brave, generous and
humane commander. On all the muster rolls of Pennsylvania, or of the
great Union army, there could not be found the name of a truer patriot
or a more gallant and conscientious officer than Colonel Owen Jones.
Returning from the army to his beautiful home at Wynnewood, Colonel
Jones resumed the peaceful vocations, which had been interrupted by his
departure for the field of war. In these pursuits and in the enjoyments
of domestic life he continued through a further period of nearly fifteen
years, which brought him to the close of his honorable and useful
career. Early in the evening of December 25, 1878, he set out from his
home alone and on foot, intending, in company with his near neighbor,
Mr. Wister, to spend the evening in a social way at the house of their
mutual friend, Dr. George Gerhard. On leaving home he directed his
coachman to call for him at the doctor's house at ten o'clock. At that
hour the man went with the carriage, according to directions, but, on
reaching Dr. Gerhard's, was told that Colonel Jones had not been
there. He then proceeded to the house of Mr. Wister, where he inquired
for the colonel, but received the same answer. A search was then made
along the way that Colonel Jones was supposed to have taken, and about
all hour later his body was found, lying face downward, lifeless and
cold, within fifty yards of Dr. Gerhard's residence. His death bad
evidently been instantaneous and the result of apoplexy. The remains
were interred in the family vault at Laurel Hill. The funeral was
attended by a large concourse of people, among whom were a number of
those who had been his companions-in-arms, and many of the leading men
of Pennsylvania. His death was deeply mourned by all who knew him, and
by none outside the family more sincerely than by the worthy poor, to
whom he had always been a friend and liberal benefactor.
Colonel Owen Jones was married, November 4, 1841, to Mary, daughter
of Isaac W. Roberts. Their children were four in number, Emily R., Owen
Glendower, Annie and J. Aubrey Jones, the last named being now the only
survivor. He resides with his mother in the Wynnewood family mansion,
where his father was born and which was his home during all the years of
his life.
FIELD AND STAFF OFFICERS.
George D. Bayard, Col., Must. in Aug. 27, 1861; wounded at
Dranesville, Va., Nov. 22, 1861; pro. to brig. gen. May 5, 1862;
killed at Fredericksburg, Dec.13,1862.
Owen Jones, col., must. in Aug. 8, 1861; pro. from capt. Co. B to maj. Aug.
5,1861; to lieut-col Oct. 1861; to col. May 5 1862; res. Jan. 30, 1863.
John P. Taylor, col., must. in Aug. 10,1861; pro. from capt. Co. C to lieut.-col.
Sept. 15, 1862; to col. March 2, 1863; to brevet brig,-gen.
Aug. 4, 1865; must. out with regiment Sept. 9, 1864.
Jacob Higgins, lieut.-col., must. in Aug. 28,1861; pro, from capt. Co., G
Aug. 18,1861; res. Oct. 8,1861.
Sylv. D. Barrows, lieut col., must. in Aug. 11, 1861; pro. from 1st lieut.
Co. D to maj. Nov. 13, 1861; to lieut.-col. May.5, 1862; res. Sept. 15,1862.
David Gardner, lieut.-col., must. in Sept. 27, 1861; pro. from capt, Co. G to
maj. Nov. 23, 1862; to lieut.-col. Feb. 10, 1893; must. out with regiment
Sept. 9, 1864.
Thomas S. Richard maj., must. in Aug. 5, 1861; pro. from capt. Co. M May 5,
1862; res. Nov. 22,1862.
Josiah H. Ray, maj., must. in Aug. 16, 1861; pro. from Co. F March 1, 1862;
res. Feb. 23,1863.
William T. McEwen, maj., must. in Aug. 10, 1861; pro. from capt. Co. C Feb. 23,
1863; wounded at Brandy Station, Va., June 9, 1863; res. Oct. 17, 1863.
Richard J. Falls, maj., must. in Jan. 3, 1862; wounded July 28, 1864; trans. to
batt. Sept. 3, 1864; com. lieut.-col., Nov. 11, 1864; not mustered;
disch. Jan. 3,1865).
James M. Gaston, maj., must. in Aug 1861; pro. from capt. Co I March 1, 1833;
must. out Aug., 1864.
Charles C. Townsend, adjt., must. in Nov. 22, 1862; pro. from hosp. stew.
Nov. 22, 1862; res. June 14, 1863.
William P. Lloyd, adjt, must. in Sept. 1, 1861; pro. from 1st lieut. Co. E
Sept. 1863; must. out with regiment Sept. 9, 1864.
C. L. Buffington, bvt. adjt., must. in Aug, 12,1861; pro. from 2d lieut.
Co. E to Batt. adjt. Feb. 19,1862; must. out Sept. 10, 1862.
William S. Foster, bvt. adjt., must in Sept 6, l86l; pro. from sergt Co. K
March 3, 1862; must. out Sept. 9, 1862.
William Bayard, bvt. adjt., must. in March 1, 1862; disch. Sept 1, 1862.
Job H. Cole, bvt. adjt., must. in Aug. 5, 1861; pro. from 1st sergt. Co. M
May 5, 1862 must. out Sept. 11, 1862.
202
Richard R. Corsan, q.m., must. in Aug. 8, 1861; pro. from sergt. Co. B
to q.m. Sept. 17, 1861; to capt. and assist. q.m. May 23, 1862.
George H. Baker, q. m., must. in Aug. 8, 1861; pro. from Corp. Co. B to
q.m.-sergt. Sept. 28, 1861; to q.m. May 5, 1862; must. out with regiment
Sept. 9, 1864.
William Shadelman, c. s., must. in Aug. 8, 1861 pro. from sergt. Co. B to
q.m.-sergt. May 5, 1862; to 1st lieut. and c. s. Oct. 22, 1862;
res. Jan. 28, 1863.
Henry A. Wood, c. s., must. in Aug. 16, 1861; pro. from private Co. F to com.
sergt. June 22, 1862; to 1st lieut. and c. s. Jan. 27, 1863; must. out with
regiment Sept. 9, 1864.
David Stanton, surg., must. in Aug. 27, 1861; pro. to surg. U. S. Reg. army
Nov. 24, 1862.
Gordon B. Hotchkin, surg., must. in Dec. 4, 1861; pro. from assist. surg.
Nov. 24, 1862; must. out with regiment Sept. 9, 1864.
J. B. Finney, assist. surg., must. in Aug. , 1861; res. Sept., 1861.
Samuel Alexander, assist. surg., must. in Aug. 27, 1861; killed at
Dranesville, Va., Nov. 26, 1861.
S. W. H. Calver, assist. surg., must. in June 1862; res. Aug. 2, 1862.
Hiram N. Kelly, assist. surg., must. in Dec. 17, 1862; res. Jan. 21, 1863.
L. E. Atkinson, assist. surg., must. in Jan. 24, 1863; trans to batt.
Sept. 3, 1864 disch. Sept. 5, 1864.
R. H. Tuft, assist. surg., must. in July 6,1863; trans. to batt.
Sept. 3, 1864; and to 2nd Regt. Prov. Cav. June 17, 1865.
J. Harvey Beale, chaplain, must. in Sept. 1, 1861; must. out with regiment
Sept. 9,1864.
Jacob Wolf, vet. surg., must. in Aug. 13, 1861; pro. from private Co I
1, (sic) 1863; must. out with regiment Sept. 9, 1864.
George W. Seigrist, sergt-maj, must. in Aug. 10, 1861; pro. from q.m. sergt.
Co. C to sergt.-maj. Sept., 1861; to 2d lieut. Co. I Nov. 23, 1861.
Henry 0. Beamer, sergt. maj.; pro. to sergt. maj. Feb. 17, 1862; to 1st. lieut.
Co. G July 17, 1862.
William McCune, sergt-maj; appointed sergt-maj. May 8, 1862; disch on surg.
certif. Sept 29, 1862.
George J. Geiser, sergt.-maj; pro. to sergt.-maj. Sept. 29, 1862; to 2d lieut.
Co. G April 12, 1863.
John Hamilton, sergt. maj., must in July 25,1861; pro. from sergt. Co. A
May 1, 1863; must. out with regiment Sept. 9, 1864.
George W. Fincher, q.m.-sergt., must. in July 30,1861; pro. from private Co. L
Nov 1, 1862; trans, to batt. Sept. 3, 1864; pro. to 2d lieut. Co. L, batt., Sept
13, 1864; to 1st lieut. Co. F, batt. March 19, 1865;
must. out by consolidation June 20, 1865; veteran.
John McCahon, com. sergt., must. in Aug. 28, 1861; pro. from private Co. G
Feb. 28, 1862; must. out with regiment Sept. 9, 1864.
Joseph Deveney, hosp. steward; appointed hosp. steward Sept. 6, 1861;
transferred; not on muster-out roll.
Ernest Conzler, hosp. steward must. out Aug. 28, 1861; pro. from private Co. G
Oct., 1861; trans. to U. S. regular army Nov. 24, 1862.
Charles Gardner, hosp. steward, must. in Oct. 20, 1862; pro. from private Co. G
Oct. 23, 1862 trans. to batt. Sept. 3, 1864.
William P. Lloyd, hosp. steward, must. in Sept. 1, 1861; pro. from private Co. G
Dec. 18, 1862; to 1st lieut. Co. E March 22, 1863.
William J. Jackman, hosp. steward, must. in July 25, 1861; pro from sergt.
Co. A Feb. 25, 1863; must. out with regiment Sept. 9,1864.
Thomas R. Starer, bugler, must. in Aug. 21, 1861; pro. from Corp. Co. I Oct.
16, 1861; disch. by order of War Dept. Oct. 1, 1862.
James P. Landis, bugler, must. in Aug. 10, 1861; pro. from sergt. Co. C May 1,
1863; wounded June 9, 1863; trans. to batt. Sept. 3, 1864; must. out by
special order June 20, 1865; veteran.
John W. Forney, saddler, must. in July 25, 1861; trans. to batt. Sept. 3, 1864
must. out by special order June 20, 1865; veteran.
COMPANY B.
Recruited at Athensville, Montgomery Co,
Owen Jones, Capt., must. in Aug. 8, 1861; pro. to maj. Aug. 5, 1861.
Jacob L. Stadelman, Capt., must. in Aug. 8,1861; pro. from 1st lieut. Aug. 8,
1861; res. March 26, 1862.
Joseph C. Roberts, Capt., must. in Aug. 8,1861; pro. from sergt. to 2d lieut.
Nov. 25, 1861; to 1st lieut. Dec. 30, 1861; to capt, March 26, 1862;
res. May 8, 1862.
William Litzenberg, Capt., must. in Aug. 8, 1861; pro. from sergt. May 20, 1862
wounded at Deep Bottom. Va., July 28, 1864 disch. Sept, 9, 1864 exp. of term.
Theodore Streck, 1st lieut, must. in Aug, 8, 1861; pro. from 1st sergt. to 1st
lieut. Aug. 8, 1861; to capt Co. H Nov. 25, 1861.
Richard R. Corson, lst lieut., most. in Aug. 8, 1861; pro. from Sergt. to
1st lieut. and q.m. Sept. 17, 1861.
John Kline, 1st lieut., must. in Aug. 8, 1861; pro. from 2d to 1st lieut.
Nov. 25, 1861; res. Dec. 31, 1861.
William Buzby, 1st lieut., must. in Aug. 8, 1861; pro. from Corp. to 1st sergt.
to 2nd lieut. Jan. 3, 1862; to 1st lieut. 3 March 26, 1862; died at Washington,
D. C., May 1, 1864.
George H. Baker, 1st lieut., must. in Aug. 8, 1861; pro. from Corp. to q m sergt.
Sept. 28, 1861; to 1st lieut. and q.m in. May 5 1862.
Robert S. Lawalut(?), 2d lieut., must. in Aug. 8, 1861; pro. from sergt.
March 26, 1862; wounded May 28, 1864; must. out with Company Sept. 9, 1864.
John H. Bovan, 1st sergt., must. in Aug. 8, 1861; pro. from corp.; to 1st
sergt. April 1, 1862; must. out with company Sept. 9, 1864.
W. F. Chrisman, q. m. sergt, must. in Aug. 8, 1861; pro. to corp; to q.m.
sergt. Feb. 1, 1863; wounded at Culpepper, Va., Sept. 13,1863;
must. out With Company Sept. 9, 1864.
Daniel H. Titlow, com. sergt., must. in Aug. 8, 1861; pro, from Corp. to sergt.
April 5, 1862; must. in with company Sept. 9, 1864.
Lewis M. Thomas, sergt, must. in Aug. 8, 1861; disch. on surg.
certif. Feb. 1, 1863.
Adolphus S. Edler, sergt, must. in Aug. 8, 1861; must out with company
Sept. 9, 1864.
Martin Mars, sergt., must. in Aug. 8, 1861; pro. from Corp, to sergt.
Jan. 14, 1862; must. out with company Sept. 9, 1864.
Lem. A. Patterson, sergt, must. in Aug. 8, 1861; pro. to sergt.; disch. on surg.
certif. March 20, 1863.
Joseph Price, sergt., must. in Aug. 8, 1861; pro. from corp. to sergt. Feb. 1,
1863; must. out with company Sept. 9, 1864.
David W. Terrence, sergt., must. in Aug. 8, 1861; pro. from. Corp. wounded May
24, 1863 disch. on surg. certif. July 8, 1864.
John J. Creighton, sergt., must. in Aug. 8, 1861; pro to sergt; trans. to batt.,
1st Pa. Cav; veteran.
Samuel Jago, sergt., must in Aug. 8, 1861; pro. to sergt; trans. to batt.
Sept. 9, 1864; must. out as sergt. Co. M, batt., June 20, 1865; veteran.
George L. Lyle, sergt must. in Aug 8, 1861 pro. to sergt.; killed at Malvern
Hill, Va., July 28, 1864; veteran.
Wm. Stadelman, sergt., must. in Aug. 8, 1861; pro to sergt; to q.m.sergt.
May 5, 1862.
John Anderson, corp., must. in Aug. 8, 1861; disch. on surg.
certif. Oct. 9, 1861.
Adon. J. Stanley, corp., must. in Aug. 8, 1861; disch. on surg. certif.
Jan. 19, 1863.
John R. Styer, corp., must. in Aug. 8, 1861; killed at Hawes' Shop, Va.,
May 28, 1864.
William H. Edler, corp., must. in Aug. 28, 1862; wounded June 21, 1864; trans.
to batt, 1st Pa. Cav.
George B. Rambo, corp., must, in Aug. 8, 1861 must out with company
Sept. 9, 1864.
Crawford Yocum, corp, must. in Aug. 8, 1861; must out with company
Sept. 9, 1864.
Kline A. Graver, corp., must. in Aug. 8, 1861; must. out With company
Sept. 9, 1864.
Wm. H. Ramsey, corp., must. in Aug. 8, 1861; must. out with Company
Sept 9, 1864.
Joel L. Davis, corp., must. in Aug. 8, 1861; must. out with company
Sept. 9, 1864.
Mark R. Hagner, corp., must. in Aug. 8, 1861; must. out with company
Sept. 9, 1864.
Henry H. Pyott, corp., must. in Aug. 8, 1861; must. out with company
Sept. 9, 1864.
Henry Z. Lair, bugler, must. in Jan. 1, 1863; trans. to brigade band
Jan. 1, 1864.
Franklin Snyder, bugler, must. in Aug. 8, 1861 must. out with company
Sept. 9, 1864,
Morris M. Mattson, bugler, must. in Aug. 8, 1861 must. out with company
Sept. 9, 1864.
PRIVATES.
Theo. T. Ashenfelter, must. in Aug. 8, 1861; disch. on surg. certif.
Feb. 26, 1863.
William Adair, must. in Aug. 26, 1862; trans. to batt. Sept. 9, 1864; must. out
in Co. M., batt., June 6, 1865.
Lorenzo D. Black, must. in Aug. 8, 1861; must. out with company Sept. 9, 1864.
Allen L. Bevan, must. in Aug. 8, 1861 must out with company Sept. 9, 1864.
Jacob S. Bisson, must. in Aug. 8, 1861 must. out with company Sept. 9, 1864.
203
Wm. H. Bowden, must in Aug. 8, 1861; disch. on surg. certif. 1862.
John Black, must. in Aug. 8, 1861; trans. to batt. Sept. 9,1864; veteran.
Charles Bennet, must. in Aug. 8,1861; trans. to batt. Sept. 9, 1864; veteran.
Francis Blehl, must, in Oct. 15, 1861; trans. to batt. Sept. 9, 1864.
Amos Baxter, must. in Aug, 3, 1863; trans. to U. S. Navy July 5, 1864.
Fleming Campbell, must. in Aug. 8, 1861; must. out with company Sept. 9,1864.
Patrick Connell, must. in Aug. 8, 1861; wounded in Pa. July 5, 1863, and
at Cold Harbor, Va., June 1, 1864; must. out with company Sept. 9, 1864.
Edgar W. Collins, must. in Aug. 8, 1861; must. out with company Sept. 9, 1864.
Joe. S. Cornman, must. in Aug. 8, 1861; must. out with company Sept. 9, 1864.
James Conrad, must. in Aug. 8, 1861; disch. on surg. certif. 1862.
Charles Cramer, must. in Aug. 8, 1861; not on muster-out roll.
Peter Davis, must. in Aug. 8, 1861; must. out with company Sept. 9, 1864.
Charles Davison, must. in Aug. 8, 1861; must. out with company Sept. 9, 1864.
Elisha P. Davis, must. in Aug. 8, 1861; disch. on surg. certif. Jan. 4, 1862.
Jacob H. Dettra, must. in Aug. 8, 1861; disch. on surg. certif. Feb. 3, 1862.
John Dates, must. in Sept. 6, 1861; disch. on surg. certif. 1862.
John L. Dougherty, must. in May 25, 1863; disch. on surg. cert. Dec. 8,1863.
Charles Ford, must. in Aug. 8, 1861; disch. on surg. certif. Jan. 4,1862.
Shalkley F. Greger, must. in Aug. 8, 1861; must. out with company
Sept. 9, 1864.
Alex. Gotwalls, must. in Aug. 8, 1861; disch. on surg. certif. March 20, 1863.
John S. Grant, must. in Aug. 8, 1861; must, out with company Sept. 9, 1864.
Jacob W. Haines, must. in Aug. 8, 1861; must. out with company Sept. 9,1864.
Thos. P. Hoffman, must. in Aug. 8,1861; must. out with company Sept. 9,1864.
Wm. S. Hampton, must. in Aug. 8,1861; must. out with company Sept. 9, 18654.
Matthias Hafner, must. in Aug. 8, 1861; must. out with company Sept. 9,1864.
Win. Hutchinson, must. in Jan. 17, 1864; trans. to batt. Sept. 9, 1864.
Samuel A. Haws, must. in Aug. 8, 1861; killed at Hawes' Shop, Vs., May 28, 1864.
George Hampton, must. in Aug. 8, 1861; deserted May 25, 1862.
Enos Jacobs, must. in Aug. 1, 1863; trans. to batt. Sept. 9, 1864.
Justice W. Lutz, must. in Aug. 8,1861; must. out with company Sept. 9, 1864.
Perry H. Levering. must. in Aug. 8, 1861; must. out with company Sept. 9, 1864.
Robert Lowry, must. in Aug. 8, 1861; trans. to batt. Sept. 9, I863; veteran.
James McFague, must. in Aug. 8, 1861; must. out with company Sept, 9, 1864.
Lewis Moore, must. in Aug. 8, 1861; wounded July 28, 1864; absent at muster out.
Washington Millar, must. in Aug. 8, 1861; disch. on surg. certif. Jan. 4, 1862.
Nathan Miller, must. in Aug. 9, 1861; disch. on surg. certif. Jan. 4, 1862.
James McClellan, must. in Aug. 8, 1861; disch. on surg. certif. 1862.
Joseph F. Moore, must. in July 23, 1862; wounded at Culpepper Sept. 13, 1863,
and Barker's Mills June 2, 1864; trans. to batt. Sept. 9, 1864; pro. to 1st
lieut. Co. A, batt., Dec. 13, 1864; must. out June 29,1865.
Henry C. Moore, must. in Feb. 27, 1864; trans. to batt. Sept. 9, 1864.
Matthew Michael, must. in Aug. 8, 1861; trans. to batt. Sept. 9, 1864; veteran.
Thomas Mylan, must. in May 13, 1863; trans. to batt. Sept. 9, 1864.
John Miles, Jr., must. in Aug. 26, 1862; trans. to batt. Sept. 9, 1864; disch.
in Co. M, batt., May 27, 1865.
Robert Maxwell, must. in Aug. 8, 1861; died at Alexandria, Va., April 4, 1862;
burial record Dec. 16, 1863, grave 1192.
Howard McAfee, must. in Aug. 8, 1861; killed at Auburn Mills, Va., Oct. 14, 1863.
Philip A. Mower, must. in Aug. 26, 1862; died July 3, 1864, of wounds received
at Cold Harbor, Va., June 2, 1864; buried at Philadelphia.
Conrad Maiser, must in Aug. 8, 1861; must out with company Sept. 9, 1864.
James J.McFayne, not on muster-out roll.
John O'Connel, must. in March 28, 1864; trans., date and place unknown
Evan J. Paxson, must. in Aug. 8, 1861; trans. to batt. Sept. 9, 1864.
John Quinn, must. in Aug. 8, 1861; must. out with company Sept 9, 1864.
Charles Quinley, must. in Aug. 8, 1861; disch. on surg. certif. Jan. 20, 1862.
William H. Rhoads, must. in Aug. 8, 1861; must. out with company Sept. 9, 1864.
John Ritter, must. in Aug. 8,1861; must. out with company Sept. 9, 1864.
Charles Robinson, must. in March 16, 1864; trans. to batt. Sept. 9, 1864.
George Rodebaugh, must. in Aug. 8, 1861; disch. on surg. certif. 1862.
Wesley A. Solely, must. in Aug. 8, 1861; must. out with company Sept. 9,1864.
Edward B. Smoyer, must. in Aug. 8, 1861; must. out with company Sept 9,1864.
Joseph Smith, must. in Aug. 8, I861; must. out with company Sept 9, 1864.
Michael D. Staub, must. in Aug. 8, 1861; must. out with company Sept. 9, 1864
Isaac W. Smith, must. in Aug. 8, 1861; disch. on surg. certif. April 15, 1864.
Theodore Shaffer, must. in Aug. 8, 1861; died at Washington, D. C, 0ct. 17, 1861.
John Smith, must. in Aug. 8,1861; killed at Auburn Mills, Va., Oct. 14, 1863.
Samuel S. Staiger, must. in Aug. 8, 1861.
Thomas Swift, must. in Aug. 8, 1861; disch. on surg. certif., date unknown.
Hamilton Vaughn, must. in Aug. 8, 1861; must. out with company Sept. 9, 1864.
John V. Vanderslice, must. in Aug. 8, 1861; disch. on surg. certif.
April 20, 1863.
Edward J. Warnock, must. in Aug. 8, 1861; must. out with company Sept. 9, 1864.
John Yocum, must. in Aug. 8,1861; killed at Hawes Shop, Va., May 28, 1864.
George W. Zinn, must. in Aug. 8, 1861; must out with company Sept. 9, 1864.
FIFTY-FIRST REGIMENT PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS. -Some time previous to
the first battle of Bull Run Colonel Hartranft, who commanded a regiment
in the three months' service, applied for and received authority to
recruit one for the three years' service. Calling about him many of his
old officers and men, the ranks of this new regiment were soon filled
with a body rarely excelled for qualities essential to good soldier.
With the exception of a few enlistments, Companies A, C, D, F and I were
recruited in Montgomery County; E, H and K in Union and Snyder; G in
Centre; and B in Northampton. The companies rendezvoused at Camp Curtin,
and the regiment was organized by the selection of the following
officers: John F. Hartranft, of Montgomery County, colonel; Thomas S.
Bell, of Chester County, lieutenant-colonel; Edwin Schall, of Montgomery
County, major.
On the morning of the 18th of November the regiment left Camp
Curtin, and proceeded by rail to Annapolis, Md., where, beneath the
venerable elms of Saint John's College, it was for the first time formed
in line, its details made and its arms stacked. Burnside's expedition to
North Carolina was now being fitted out, and the best drilled and most
reliable of the volunteer regiments were selected for
204
that service. The Fifty-first Pennsylvania was early designated as
one. Upon its arrival at-Annapolis it was at first quartered in the
buildings of the college, and subsequently went into camp on the old
French burying-ground. On the last of December the camp was moved two
miles beyond the city, and for six weeks it was subjected to continuous
and laborious drill, during which its efficiency and discipline were
rapidly improved, and a foundation laid for its future renown. In the
final organization of the corps it was assigned to Reno's brigade.
[See NOTE 16-4.]
On the 6th of January 1862, the regiment embarked, and on the 9th
the fleet, in three squadrons, set sail from Annapolis, and with sealed
orders passed out to sea. No sooner had it reached the open ocean than
it was overtaken by a succession of violent storms. It seemed as though
a tempest had been lurking in the waste of waters ready to burst upon it
the moment it should appear. For nearly two weeks, staggering 'beneath
the giant waves, it was swept about at the mercy of the elements.
Braving successfully the tempest, it finally passed Hatteras Inlet, and
came to anchor in Pamlico Sound.
On the morning of the 5th of February the flagship Philadelphia was
anxiously watched as it moved, followed by the fleet, and it soon became
evident that Roanoke Island was the destination. At early dawn on the
7th a landing was effected and the movement commenced. The enemy was
found strongly posted in earthworks on the northwestern corner of the
island, nearly surrounded by an impenetrable swamp, approached in front
by a single causeway, which was swept by the guns of the fort. Upon
arriving at the edge of the swamp, Reno's brigade was sent to the left
to cut off the enemy's retreat south, while Foster was directed to
penetrate the swamp to the right of the road, and attack the enemy upon
that flank. Hartranft soon found his way completely blocked, and
returned upon the track of Foster, leaving two companies of the
Fifty-first, which had the advance, still groping in the mire. But
before he had reached the lines Foster had already opened upon the enemy
with infantry and artillery, and as the regiment came into position on
the right of the line, Foster ordered a final charge, and the enemy was
driven from his works, and fled in confusion. The demonstration upon
the left seemed to heighten the confusion, as he anticipated that his
way of retreat was effectually broken. A hot pursuit was immediately
made, and the entire force, with numerous heavy guns and small arms, was
captured.
On the 3rd of March the regiment embarked for the expedition to
Newbern, and on the 4th changed its muskets for Enfield rifles. The
fleet sailed on the 11th, and entered the Neuse River on the 12th,
anchoring off Slocum's Creek, fifteen miles from Newbern, where, on the
following day, the regiment debarked. A portion, under command of
Lieutenant Colonel Bell, was detailed to assist in moving the
artillery. The rain was descending in torrents, and the roads were soon
trodden into stiff mud, which rendered the movement of the pieces next to
impossible. Many of the men lost their shoes, and went into battle on
the following day barefoot. But without faltering or pausing by the
way, they toiled on over the weary miles, and brought up the pieces in
time for the attack. For this important service General Burnside
personally thanked Lieutenant-Colonel Bell. In the meantime Colonel
Hartranft, with the remaining companies, pushed on with the advance
column. Upon its arrival in front of the enemy's earth-works
dispositions for attack were made Foster occupying the right, Reno the
left and Parke in support upon the centre. The enemy's line upon the
left was masked by timber, and in the thick fog which prevailed the
extent of his works was undiscovered. They proved to be of great
strength, consisting of "thirteen finished redans" bristling with
cannon, protected in front by an almost impassable morass filled with
fallen timber," [NOTE: General Reno's official report.] and stretching
away far beyond the railroad, where his right was supposed to rest.
Foster attacked upon his left; but the enemy concentrating his strength,
proved too much for him.
As soon as he could gain his position on the left Reno attacked, and
the battle soon became general, raging with great fury for three and a
half-hours. The Fifty-first had been held in support, and though
exposed to a severe fire had not been allowed to return a single shot.
General Reno becoming impatient at the delay and at the losses he was
sustaining ordered up Colonel Hartranft for the decisive charge.
Forming within a short distance of the rebel entrenchments, the
regiment was led forward through the ranks of the Fifty-first New York,
which cheered the column as it passed to a little hill beyond. General
Reno in person, his face beaming with an expression seen only in battle,
ordered the charge. With determined valor the regiment rushed down a
ravine choked with felled timber, up the opposite bank and, without a
falter, carried the redan in front, planting the old flag upon the
ramparts. "All this," says General Reno, in his official report, "was
gallantly executed, and the enemy fled precipitately from all their
intrenchments. Some fifty prisoners were captured in these works, many
severely wounded. Upon reaching the rebel intrenchments I was rejoiced
to see our flag waving along tile entire line of the enemy's works."
After setting fire to the Railroad Bridge and a number of factories, the
rebels abandoned Newbern.
[NOTE 16-4.]
Organization of the Second Brigade (Brigadier-General Jesse L. Reno, of
Burnside's Corps).
-Fifty-first Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, Colonel John F. Hartranft;
Fifty-first Regiment New York Volunteers, Colonel Robert B. Potter;
Twenty-first Regiment Massachusetts Volunteers, Lieutenant-Colonel Albert C. Maggi;
Ninth Regiment New Jersey Volunteers, Colonel J. W. Allen.
[FINIS NOTE 16-4.]
205
Detachments were frequently sent out by General Burnside to
reconnoitre and hold important points upon the coast. One was intrusted
to Colonel Hart ratify who moved with his regiment into the interior and
acquired valuable information. On the 16th of April a force was sent
out consisting of the Fifty-first Pennsylvania, Ninth and Eighty-ninth
New York, Sixth New Hampshire and the Twenty-first Massachusetts, which
proceeded by transports to a point four miles below Elizabeth City,
where it landed. Pushing inland about twenty miles, the weary troops
came upon the enemy strongly posted. Two companies of the Fifty-first,
A and F, Captains Boulton and Hart, were considerably in advance of the
main column, and when they had arrived within an eighth of a mile of the
rebel line they were suddenly opened upon from the enemy's guns. They
were ordered to shelter themselves as best they could and to hold their
position. General Reno now led the Twenty-first Massachusetts and the
balance of the Fifty-first Pennsylvania through the woods to the right,
bringing them into position upon the enemy's left flank, where they
immediately opened fire. In the meantime the Ninth New York had taken
position on the enemy's left centre, and had prematurely charged upon
his guns. The ground was open and, being fearfully exposed, the Ninth
was repulsed with considerable loss.
The Sixth New Hampshire advanced upon the left, and, with the two
companies of the Fifty-first holding the road, kept the enemy well
employed upon that part of the line. The Fifty-first had now turned his
left flank and was pouring in most deadly volleys. "In the mean time,"
says General Reno, "the Fifty-first Pennsylvania and the Twenty-first
Massachusetts kept up an incessant fire upon the rebels, who had now
withdrawn their artillery and had commenced to withdraw in good order.
The Sixth New Hampshire had steadily advanced in line to the left of the
road, and when within about two hundred yards poured in a most deadly
volley, which completely demoralized the enemy and ended the battle.
Our men were so completely fagged out by the intense heat and their long
march that we could not pursue them. The men rested under arms until
about ten o'clock P.M., when I ordered a return to our boats, having
accomplished the principal object of the expedition, conveying the idea
that the entire Burnside expedition was marching upon Norfolk."
The loss in the regiment was three killed and twenty-one wounded.
The brigade was here commanded Lieutenant-Colonel Bell and the regiment
by Major Schall. 0n the 30th of June the regiment embarked for Fortress
Monroe, but was detained until the 5th of July, when it set sail with the
rest of the command, and arrived on the 8th. Here General Burnside
commenced organizing the Ninth Corps destined to win an enviable place
in the national armies, and the regiment was assigned to the Second
Brigade of the Second Division, composed of the Fifty-first
Pennsylvania, Fifty-first New York and the Twenty-first Massachusetts,
Commanded by General Edward Ferrero.
On the 12th of August Burnside hastened with his command to the
support of Pope, and landed at Fredericksburg, whence he pushed forward
two divisions to Cedar Mountain, where they formed a junction with
General McDowell. The enemy had already made his appearance on the
Rapidan, and Ferrero's brigade, under Colonel Hartranft, was sent to
guard the fords from Mitchell's Station to Raccoon Ford. Lee's columns
soon after arrived in force on the opposite bank, and began to press
heavily to gain a crossing, when the brigade was withdrawn, and
returning through Stevensburg, recrossed the Rappahannock at Kelly's
Ford.
Four companies of the Fifty-first were detailed for the rear-guard,
and held the enemy at bay until so far separated from the main body as
to excite serious apprehension for their safety; but they succeeded in
bringing in the gun with which they were entrusted and crossed the river
in safety losing only a few stragglers. Pope's army, maneuvering for
several days, finally formed in line on the old Bull Run battleground.
Kearny held the right, with Reno on his left. Several batteries were
posted on a commanding ridge, and away to the right was a wood in which
the enemy was concentrated in heavy force.
The Fifty-first supported these batteries. On the afternoon of the
first day of the battle, the 29th, Lieutenant-Colonel Bell, with a
portion of the regiment, was detailed to advance to the picket line in
Kearny's front, and remained in this position until the morning of the
second day, when it rejoined the regiment, which had been withdrawn
during the night. Towards evening our forces, having been driven back,
began to move from the field. The line of retreat was along the
Centreville road to the right of the position held by Graham's
battery. This road was soon completely blocked with the artillery and
trains, and much confusion prevailed.
It was a critical moment. The enemy, exulting in his successes, was
pushing on to break in upon the column while impeded by its trains, and
to crush it in its crippled condition by a single blow. Graham's pieces
were admirably posted for its protection, and were already dealing their
death-laden volleys upon the advancing foe; but should his support fail
him, his guns would be lost, and our whole left flank exposed. Ferrero
saw the necessity of holding these guns at all hazards and of keeping
them in full play. Undaunted by the masses of the foe hurled against
him, clung to the ground, and poured in double-shotted canister and
rapid rounds of musketry, until the enemy's lines were broken and driven
in confusion. Again and again they returned to the contest with fresh
troops and with renewed zeal; but no valor could withstand the shock of
Ferrero's column, and the enemy finally retired, leaving our lines
intact and our trains safe. Ferrero, with the Twenty-
206
first Massachusetts, now moved off, and had become separated from
thereat of his brigade. The command of the two remaining regiments
devolved on Colonel Hartranft.
Retiring across Bull Run, the two regiments filed into the fields to
the right of the pike, and bivouacked for the night. In the morning they
moved on to Centreville, and rejoined the army. It was soon after
discovered that the rebels were in motion to strike the Union column by
a movement upon its right and cut off its retreat. Reno's corps was
immediately put in motion, with the cavalry in advance, and was soon
joined by Stevens and Kearny. Hartranft, had the rear of the column,
and was moving with two batteries, though under no orders to support
them, when he suddenly found himself confronting the enemy. The two
armies were moving on divergent roads, and the lines were here first
struck. Seeing that these batteries were in peril, he instantly ordered
them into a commanding position on the left of the road, and drove back
the foe. It was nightfall, and a terrible thunder-storm prevailed. But
Kearny and Stevens and Reno, three impetuous leaders, immediately
forming, moved upon the foe, and fought in the darkness. They knew
nothing of his strength and little of the ground, and contended to a
great disadvantage; but the enemy was beaten back, when was the
principal point, though Kearny and Stevens both yielded up their lives.
At his own request Pope was now relieved of the command of the Army
of the Potomac, and McClellan was restored. On the 3rd of September the
Ninth Corps moved through Washington, and on the 11th reached New Market,
on the Maryland campaign. The passage of the Monocacy was not
disputed. On the 12th the command entered Frederick, and had a brisk
skirmish with the Cavalry, which was covering the, withdrawal of the
rebel army, now concentrating in the passes of the South Mountain, which
it was determined to hold. Before reaching the mountain Ferrero's
brigade moved by a country road leading up to the summit on the left of
the Sharpsburg pike.
Upon encountering the enemy's lines the Seventeenth Michigan, a new
regiment, full of enthusiasm, but little schooled in those cardinal
virtues of the soldier imparted by a veteran discipline, made a most
gallant charge diagonally across the road from left to right, in the
face of murderous fire which swept the ranks an every step, and soon
disappeared in the woods beyond. General Reno coming up soon after, and
supposing that his regiment had established a line in the woods and was
holding the ground it had so gallantly won, ordered Colonel Hartranft,
to lead his regiment across the open field in the rear of the supposed
line, and close up to the edge of the woods. While the regiment was
thus moving, and was stretched out upon the march unsuspicious of
danger, the enemy suddenly opened upon it from the woods a most
withering fire.
The Seventeenth, Michigan had advanced and driven the enemy, but had
neglected to hold its advantage, and the rebels returning, had awaited
until the Fifty-first was upon their bayonet ends, when they
deliberately opened fire. The column was instantly drawn under cover of
the wall that flanks the road, and soon after was deployed to the left of
the road, under a fence that stretches at right angles to it. Fire was
immediately opened upon the enemy, which was kept up until the
ammunition was spent, when it was relieved by the Fifty-first New York,
Colonel Potter, lying in close supporting distance. Returning again to
the contest, fire was continued until the enemy, finding himself hard
pressed on all sides and his position rendered insecure, fled under
cover of darkness, and in the morning the columns advanced without
opposition. General Reno was killed early in the contest.
The battle of Antietam opened on the afternoon of the 16th of
September, General Hooker crossing Antietam Creek and attacking the
enemy's left with great impetuosity and the most triumphant success, and
was followed up on the morning of the 17th with even greater impetuosity
by the commands of Mansfield and Sumner. In the mean time the left and
centre of the Union line, stretching away towards the Potomac on The
left bank of the creek, remained quiet spectators of the desperate
encounter on the right. At nine o'clock on the morning of the 17th,
when the struggle upon the right had been four hours in progress,
General Cox, in command of the Ninth Army Corps since the fall of Reno,
was ordered to advance and carry the stone bridge on the extreme left of
the line, firmly held by the enemy.
"The bridge itself is a stone structure of three arches, with stone
parapet above, this parapet to some extent flanking the approach to the
bridge at either end. The valley in which the stream runs is quite
narrow the steep slope on the right bank approaching to the water's
edge. In this slope the road-way is scarped, running both ways from the
bridge and passing to the higher land above by ascending through ravines
above and below, the upper ravine being some six hundred yards above the
bridge, the town about half that distance below. On the hill-side
immediately above the bridge was a strong stone fence running parallel
to the stream; the turns of the road-way were covered by rifle-pits and
breast works made of rails and stone, all of which defenses, as well as
the woods which covered, the slope, were filled with the enemy's
infantry and sharp shooters. Besides the infantry defenses, batteries I
were placed to enfilade the bridge and all its approaches." [NOTE:
General Cox's Official Report, Moore's, "Rebellion Record," Docs, vol.
v. p. 464-455.] Against this position, strong by nature, rendered
doubly strong by art, the Eleventh Connecticut and Crook's brigade,
supported by Sturgis' division, were ordered to the assault. As this
force advanced up the open valley by the road
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which leads along the river-bank to the bridge, it was exposed to so
warm a fire from the opposite heights, alive with the enemy, that it was
forced to halt and reply. Sturgis' troops reached the head of the
bridge, and the Second Maryland and the Sixth New Hampshire charged at
double-quick with fixed bayonets; but the concentrated fire of the enemy
upon it forced them to fall back. After repeated efforts these regiments
were withdrawn. Burnside, nettled at the failure of this attempt and the
consequent delay of his columns, and knowing full well in whom he could
trust, ordered forward the Fifty-first. General Ferrero dashing up to
the regiment, said, "General Burnside orders the Fifty-first
Pennsylvania to storm the bridge." Hartranft, avoiding the road by the
river bank, led his men in rear of the heights overlooking the river
until he arrived opposite the bridge, when he moved boldly down the
slope for the crossing. The instant his men came into the open ground
in the valley they received a withering fire from the enemy's
well-posted infantry, and many fell. A fence skirting the road proved a
serious impediment, and in crossing it the men were particularly
exposed. Here fell Captains Bolton and Hart, severely wounded, a
serious loss at this juncture. Unheeding the enemy's bullets or the
obstruction, by the way, the column moved forward with a determined
front, and made straight for the bridge. As they entered, a storm of
missiles swept it, but no danger could stay that tide of living valor.
Hartranft, who led the way, paused in the midst, and was hastening on
the rear of his column when Colonel Potter, with the gallant Fifty-
first New York joined him. With a shout that rang out above the noise
of the battle the two columns rushed forward, and were soon firmly
established on the thither bank. The bridge was carried!
A regiment was quickly advanced, and took position on the heights
commanding the bridge and its approaches, driving out the enemy and
rendering the crossing for infantry secure. The whole corps now
advanced rapidly, took position on the heights above the bridge, and
immediately advanced to the attack. The Fifty-first was posted on the
second range of hills overlooking the creek, some distance below the
bridge. Here it was soon hotly engaged with the enemy under cover of a
stone wall and in a cornfield on its left. Its ammunition was soon
exhausted, and a fresh supply failing to arrive as ordered, the men held
their position with the bayonet until relief came. But all this struggle
and costly sacrifice was vain. The enemy, relieved by the slackening of
the battle on the left and the arrival of a fresh corps from Harper's
Ferry, was enabled to concentrate all overwhelming force upon this
single corps, and it was forced to yield. The loss of the regiment was
one hundred and twenty-five.
Among the killed were Lieutenant-Colonel Bell, [See NOTE 16-5] a
most vigilant officer and most estimable man, and Lieutenants Beaver and
Hunsicker. Of the wounded were Captains Bolton and Hart, Adjutant
Shorkly, Quartermaster Freedly and Lieutenant Lynch. Upon the fall of
Lieutenant-Colonel Bell, Major Schall was promoted to fill the vacancy,
and Captain William J. Bolten, of Company A, was promoted to major.
[NOTE 16-5.]
"After crossing the bridge I took the regiment to the right and
halted. When the regiment was re-formed I moved it from the bed of the
road towards the creek, and rested while several other regiments passed
up the road. Colonel Bell here came up to me, saying that more troops
should be sent over. I replied, 'I will go and see about it.' He went,
but no farther than the bridge, and soon I saw him coming back on the
bed of the road (which was now clear of troops), a few feet from the
edge of the road nearest the water. When about thirty yards from the
bridge I saw him struck on the left temple, as I at that time thought
and now believe, by a canister shot. He fell backward and rolled off
the road to within six feet of the water. He spoke freely, saying 'I
Never say die, boys;' 'Stand by the colors;' 'Take care of my sword.'
He was immediately taken back to the Barn Hospital and examined by some
surgeon (our own surgeons being at another hospital), who pronounced his
mound not dangerous. Bleeding soon stopped. I directed Sergeant-Major
Stoneroad to remain with him and take charge of his effects. I was
under orders at this time to move forward, and could not leave the
regiment. In little less than an hour after I received permission to go
back to the hospital to see the colonel. I saw him (sergeant-major with
him but he did not recognize me. In an hour after he passed off
calmly." -Letter of General Hartranft.
[FINIS NOTE 16-5.]
Moving leisurely from the field of Antietam, the army crossed and
again proceeded to the Rappahannock. General Burnside, now in chief
command, determined to cross the river at Fredericksburg, and seek the
foe beyond. Much delay was experienced in bringing up the pontoons, and
when they were at length at hand, the enemy had concentrated in his
immediate front, and stood ready to dispute the passage and contest the
ground on the impregnable heights beyond. General Wilcox was now in
command of the Ninth Corps, and on the afternoon of the 13th of
December, the day on which the troops under Franklin had attacked on the
left, it crossed the river upon the pontoons in front of the town, and
advanced by the road leading to the left towards the heights. At a
point intermediate between the heights and the town, the brigade,
consisting of five regiments, under command of General Ferrero, was
deployed to right and left under partial cover. Upon emerging front the
town the troops were at once met by the enemy's fire. A steady fire was
returned but with little effect, his lines lying close and securely
behind his entrenchments. A lime-kiln marks the position where the
brigade was deployed, whence it advanced gallantly, in face of a
murderous fire, to a position on the left of the line occupied by the
Second Corps. On the evening of the 14th, Sunday, one regiment, the
Eleventh New Hampshire, was ordered forward on picket, and was hardly in
position when Colonel Hartranft received orders to proceed with the
remaining four regiments and relieve a division upon the skirmish
line. On passing the neighborhood of a hospital some entrenching tools
were discovered scattered about, and the men were ordered to take them
forward. Arriving upon the
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line they were directed to throw up a breast-work for their
protection. This they at first refused to do, digging not having at
this time become fashionable. The command was renewed and the men fell
to work, and when they began to see the fruits of their labor they
prosecuted it with a will, and by morning of Monday had a good line of
works formed. This was the first experience of digging by the
Fifty-first. Here the line was under a fierce infantry and artillery
fire, and the men wore obliged to hug closely their cover. But the
enemy manifested no disposition to attack, and after remaining in
position until the morning of Tuesday the brigade was withdrawn, and
recrossed the river upon the pontoons, which were soon after taken up.
The advantages in this engagement were all on the side of the enemy, the
attacks in front of the town providing futile; but nevertheless the
history of the war furnishes few instances where the mettle of the
troops was more severely tested than in the blows aimed at the
fastnesses of those frowning heights. The loss was twelve killed and
seventy-four wounded.
On the 25th of March 1863, the regiment was ordered to Fortress
Monroe, where it joined the brigade, now consisting of the Fifty-first
Pennsylvania, Fifty-first New York, Twenty-first Massachusetts and the
Eleventh New Hampshire, and thence proceeded, with two divisions of the
Ninth Corps, to Kentucky. At Cincinnati General Burnside met the
troops, welcoming them to his new department and encouraging them to
deeds of patriotic devotion. The regiment moved by rail to Paris, and
was posted successively at Winchester, Lancaster, Crab Orchard and
Stanford, principally engaged in holding the interior of the State
against the invasions of the raiders Wheeler, Morgan and Pegram.
From Kentucky the corps, under the command of General Parke, was
ordered to the support of Grant at Vicksburg. The Fifty-first broke
camp on the 4th of June, and arrived in the rear of the great stronghold
of the Mississippi on the 14th. Its camp was established in Mill Dale,
where little of interest occurred until the 23d, when it was detailed to
dig rifle pits and cut away the woods for the protection of the rear
against a rebel army under Johnston, now assuming a threatening
attitude. Working-parties were relieved every two hours, and the duty
was diligently prosecuted until miles of pits and field-works were
constructed and whole forests slashed away. On the morning, of the 29th
the division was ordered to Oak Bridge, where it relieved a portion of
McPherson's corp, and was again employed in fortifying. At ten o'clock
on the morning of the 4th of July came intelligence of the fall of
Vicksburg, and with it twenty one bags of mail matter for the division,
of not less interest, for the moment, than the surrender.
The regiment accompanied Sherman in his campaign to Jackson, and on
the 11th arrived upon the enemy's front. It was immediately placed in
position on the left of the line in support of the Second Michigan,
Colonel Humphrey. At eight o'clock on the morning of the 12th a heavy
cannonade was opened on both sides, which was kept up during the entire
day, the regiment suffering considerable loss. During the night the men
were busy digging rifle pits, at many points within a few yards of the
rebel sentries.
On the morning of the 14th, after three days and two nights of
constant skirmishing and fatigue duty, the regiment was relieved and
withdrawn to the rear of the Insane Asylum. On the 15th detachments
from several regiments, embracing two companies, F and H, of the
Fifty-first, all under command of Major Wright, of the Fifty-first New
York, were sent to reconnoitre the left as far as the Pearl River, and
ascertain if a crossing could be effected. By accident, the command
struck the river opposite to the point where the enemy's trains and
reserved artillery were parked. The appearance of our troops in this
quarter was reported to Johnston, who, supposing it to be a
demonstration in force, and fearing for the safety of his army, at once
commenced a retreat. [See NOTE 16-6.] The city was occupied on the
18th, the regiment stacking arms in front of the State-House. Remaining
two or three days to complete the work of destruction, Sherman marched
back to Vicksburg.
[NOTE 16-6.]
"All night Sherman beard the sound of wagons, but nothing that
indicated evacuation, for the picks and shovels were at work till
midnight; but at the dawn of day it became evident that the enemy had
withdrawn across the Pearl River. The rebels had burned all the bridges
in retreating and placed loaded shells and torpedoes on the roads leading
out from the river. All the materials of war had been removed, in
advance of the retreat, by means of the railroad running east. --
"Military History of U. S. Grant," Badeau, vol. i. p 396.
[FINIS 16-6.]
The Ninth Corps now returned to Burnside's command, and went into
camp in Kentucky, the Fifty-first leaving the railroad at Nicholasville,
and taking post at Camp Nelson. Here it rested and refitted. The
service in Mississippi had been very severe, digging, felling forests
and making forced marches under the burning suns of the south had broken
down the health of many a strong man, and had induced fevers peculiar to
that region. Colonel Hartranft fell a victim to their influence, and
was for a long time prostrated. From Camp Nelson the regiment moved to
Crab Orchard, where it received recruits, and thence marched across the
mountains, via Cumberland Gap, to Knoxville.
Soon after its arrival it was ordered down the valley to London,
where preparations had been made for going into winter-quarters; but
scarcely had it arrived when it was ordered back to Lenoir, where it
remained several days. Here Colonel Hartranft, who had so far recovered
as to take the field, rejoined the regiment, and immediately assumed
command of the Second Division of the Ninth Corps. His arrival was
opportune. Longstreet, cutting loose from Bragg at Chattanooga, was
threatening Burnside with a force
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thrice his number, and had already arrived in the neighborhood of
London. Perceiving his advantage, the rebel chief pushed across the
Tennessee, and put his columns in motion for Campbell's Station, a point
where several important roads centre, with the design of reaching it in
advance of Burnside's forces, and thus cutting off and capturing his
whole command. In this he had the advantage of the shortest and most
direct road. Burnside discovered his danger just in time to avert it.
The Fifty-first was charged with moving Benjamin's heavy battery. The
mud was very deep, and the roads, badly cut up by the trains, were next
to impassable. All night long the regiment toiled through the mire to
bring up the guns. The station was reached in advance of the enemy, and
immediately proceeding out upon the Kingston road, Colonel Hartranft
deployed his division across it, with his left thrown forward to cover
the London road, along which our army and trains were moving. Before
these dispositions had fairly been made the head of the rebel column
appeared. Held back for awhile by a few mounted infantries, Longstreet
soon brought up heavy columns and opened a furious attack. This was met by a
destructive and continuous fire from Hartranft's lines, which caused the
enemy to recoil in confusion. Steadfastly holding his ground
until the remainder of the army and all the trains had safely passed the
threatened point, Hartranft withdrew his troops, regiment by regiment,
and took position on the left of the new line of battle, which had been
formed on a low row range of hills beyond the station. In the mean time
Benjamin's battery, which had been brought safely in, took position and
did most effective service, engaging and driving the enemy's artillery
wherever it made its appearance. So much were the Union forces
outnumbered, that the contest was waged with no hope of victory, but
only to save the army and its material. Accordingly, successive lines
of battle were taken up in advantageous positions, and each was held
until forced from it, when the troops retired behind fresh troops that
had occupied the next. In this way the enemy was held at bay until
dark, when he rested, and Burnside's columns, under cover of darkness,
were all brought off safely into Knoxville.
Here the troops were immediately put to fortifying. Ferrero, with
the First Division, held the left of the line, with the river upon his
flank, and Fort Sanders, an earthwork mounted with Benjamin's guns, in
the centre. Hartranft held the right, his line crossing the principal
road leading from Cumberland Gap to Knoxville. Upon his right was a
mill fed by a small stream. Across this a heavy dam was built, which
flooded the ground for a considerable distance around. Upon this lake
the right of the line rested securely. For many days the work of
fortifying was prosecuted without cessation. Fortunately, Longstreet
delayed his attack until the works were completed and the army was
secure. But the troops were exposed to a danger more imperious and
fatal than rebel bullets. It was hunger. During all the hardships of
the siege the men had been compelled to subsist on meagre rations of a
quality hardly capable of sustaining life. The days were counted when
even these would fail. Fortunately, before they were numbered, Grant,
having relieved the army at Chattanooga from its toils, sent a powerful
force under Sherman to the support of Burnside, and the siege was raised.
Trains soon after arrived with provisions, and pursuit of the enemy
was at once commenced. In this the Fifty-first joined, and came up with
the rebel rear-guard at Rutledge, in the valley of the Holsten, where
skirmishing ensued. Here the pursuit was stayed, and the regiment retired
to the neighborhood of Blaine's Cross-Roads, where it went into winter
quarters. Still only meagre supplies of food and clothing were
received, and the troops suffered much.
On the 5th of January the regiment re-enlisted for an additional
term of three years, and received orders to commence the homeward
march. Poorly clad and short of rations, the men braved the perils of a
winter march across the mountains of East Tennessee, and after enduring
untold sufferings and hardships by the way, finally arrived at Camp
Nelson, where abundant supplies of food and clothing were received.
Pausing a few days at Cincinnati for the preparation of the company
rolls, the regiment proceeded to Harrisburg, where it received a veteran
furlough. Upon his arrival at Norristown, Colonel Hartranft and the five
companies from Montgomery County received a flattering ovation, in which
the speaker upon the occasion, Mr. B. E. Chain, said: "It is to you,
colonel, that the regiment owes the character it bears. Your discipline
in the camp, your foresight on the march, your coolness, bravery and
judgment on the battlefield, have won the confidence and love of your
men, and made them heroes in the fight. They knew that you never ordered
where you did not lead."
So popular was the regiment at home that it was soon recruited to
more than the maximum strength, and-upon the expiration of the veteran
furlough rendezvoused at Annapolis, Md., where the Ninth Corps was
assembling. It was here assigned to the First Brigade of the First
Division, consisting of the Fifty-first Pennsylvania, the One Hundred
and Ninth New York and the Second, Eighth, Seventeenth and
Twenty-seventh Michigan, Colonel Hartranft in command, Lieutenant-
Colonel Schall leading the regiment.
Upon the opening of the spring campaign under Grant the Ninth Corps
broke camp, and moving through Washington, where it was reviewed by the
President, joined the army, and on the 5th of May crossed the Rapidan.
It immediately moved to the front and took position between Hancock and
Warren. Hartranft's brigade was upon the centre of the line, and it was
with considerable difficulty that it could be got into position. Captain
Hart, who was
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now serving upon the staff of the colonel, was ordered to go forward
until he found the enemy's skirmishers. Pushing through the thick
growth of pines, the first intimation he received of an enemy's presence
was a rebel bullet whistling by his ears. The brigade wag now led in by
regiments, the men creeping through the dense undergrowth as best they
could. "The advance was made," says Colonel Hartranft in his official
report, "with great difficulty, on account of the woods and underbrush,
which were on fire. I formed my line, making nearly a right angle
facing south and east. The enemy was in force in front of my left.
While in this position I received orders from Major General Burnside to
advance and carry the enemy's works. I ordered the advance at ten A.M.,
holding the Second Michigan in reserve and directing the Seventeenth
Michigan to watch well the right flank. The lines moved forward, and I
carried the enemy's works and held them for a moment, until a panic
seized the left, which brought the whole line back in confusion. I
immediately advanced skirmishers, from the Second and Seventeenth
Michigan, also moved the Seventeenth more to the left, and on these
regiments re-formed my line. In this charge many prisoners were taken
from the enemy, but lost perhaps an equal number." In the afternoon the
brigade again advanced, but encountered stern resistance, and lost many
in killed and wounded. On the 7th the line was again moved forward,
breast-works were thrown up and considerable skirmishing ensued.
On the morning of the 9th the brigade was withdrawn and moved to the
Ny River, where the enemy was soon found. A crossing was effected on the
12th, and the rebels, after a stem resistance, were driven back. In this
engagement six companies of the Fifty-first were deployed as skirmishers,
supported by the remaining four, and gallantly carried the wooded heights
in their front, compelling the enemy to burn a house in which he had
taken shelter, and retire. To date from this battle, Colonel Hartranft
was promoted to brigadier-general, Lieutenant-Colonel Schall to colonel,
Major Bolton to lieutenant colonel, and Captain Hart to major.
From the 12th to the 18th the line of the brigade remained
substantially unchanged, the enemy hugging closely their works, ready at
any moment to repel an attack. Upon the withdrawal of the brigade from
the position occupied on the 27th a few men, belonging to the
Fifty-first, engaged upon the picket line, could not be brought in, and
fell into the hands of the enemy. A succession of movements by the
left flank brought the brigade to Cold Harbor on the 1st of June. At
six o'clock on the morning of the 3d the brigade advanced with orders to
retake the line from which the enemy had driven our troops on the
previous day. Potter's division advanced at the same time on the right.
In the face of a terrific fire-of infantry and artillery, the lines
rushed forward, routed the enemy, and were soon well established within
two hundred yards of his main line, where, in a re-entrant angle of his
own works, he had four guns. These proved of little value to him, as
they were so closely watched by our sharpshooters that it was impossible
for the gunners to work them. In this charge, at the head of his column,
Colonel Schall was killed, and was succeeded in command by
Lieutenant-Colonel Bolton. The loss here, as in the preceding battles
of the campaign, was very heavy, but for want of data cannot be given.
Crossing the Chickahominy and the James, the Ninth Corps arrived in
front of Petersburg on the 17th, and at once engaged the enemy. General
Hartranft's brigade made a most gallant charge in face of a galling fire
of the rebel artillery, suffering heavy loss.
On the following day it was again engaged upon the railroad cut in
front of the locality afterwards selected for the mine, and gained a
position in close proximity to the enemy's works, which was held and
fortified. So close to the rebel line was this position that it
required unceasing vigilance to hold it, and for seventeen successive
days and nights an unceasing fire of musketry was kept up, one-third of
the men being constantly employed. After a few days respite it was
again returned to the vicinity of its old position, where it remained
until the explosion of the mine. On the day previous it was relieved
and ordered to form part of the storming column. When the explosion
took place it advanced, and two companies had reached the brink, when
General Hartranft, who was in the crater, finding that more troops were
already in than could be used, ordered it back. In this perilous
advance Colonel Bolton was severely wounded, and the command devolved on
Major Hart. The brigade was again put upon the line fronting the
crater, where it remained for a few days, when it was relieved and
passed to the rear out of harm's way. Here it remained in camp until
the 19th of August, when it was ordered to the support of Warren, on the
Weldon Railroad. Crawford's division formed the connecting link between
Hancock and Warren, a distance of a half-mile. Upon this the enemy fell
in heavy force and captured the greater portion of it, making a dangerous
gap, and exposing Warren to imminent peril. Hartranft, who was lying in
supporting distance, and judging by the sound of battle that our forces
had been dispersed, though not under orders, magnanimously moved to the
rescue, and by interposing his brigade and by stubbornly holding his
ground, saved the day. A permanent lodgment was thereby made upon the
Weldon road, which had been one of the enemy's chief lines of supply.
In the subsequent operations of the brigade the Fifty-first, under
command of Colonel Bolton, participated, engaging the enemy at Poplar
Spring Church, at Ream's Station, at Hatcher's Run and in the final
attack on the 2d of April, which resulted in the evacuation of
Richmond. On the 27th of July, after four years of arduous service,
extending over the whole
211
line front the Atlantic to the Mississippi, it was mustered out of
service at Alexandria, VA.
End XVI Part I Next section is the Roster of the Fifty-first Regiment