USA > Maryland > Allegany County > Cumberland > History of Cumberland, (Maryland) from the time of the Indian town, Caiuctucuc, in 1728, up to the present day : embracing an account of Washington's first campaign, and battle of Fort Necessity, together with a history of Braddock's expedition > Part 28
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June 13 .- An election for a Congressman from this District took place, and Hon. Francis Thomas, the Unconditional Union candidate, was elected by an immense vote. The whole number of ballots cast was 2,908, of which Governor Thomas received 2,751. 51
402
HISTORY OF CUMBERLAND.
[1861.
June 20 .- Joseph Romiser, one of the members of a volunteer company of citizens from Frostburg, was badly wounded by the accidental discharge of a gun. The ball entered his head back of the right ear and came out near the right eye. He eventually recovered.
July 7 .- Colonel Wallace, with his regiment, left, and went East, to Martinsburg. The Kane Rifle Regiment, under Colonel Charles J. Bidwell, and the Second Regiment, under Colonel S. G. Simmons, both from Pennsylvania, arrived, and encamped on the ground vacated by the Zouaves. These troops remained here until the 27th of July.
In August, during the progress of a political meeting, on Baltimore street, one night, a disturbance arose by reason of Hon. Francis Thomas being interrupted in his speech, and a large crowd of men at once made a descent on the office of "The Alleganian," which was Southern in its sympathies. The office was wholly destroyed, the material being thrown out of the windows.
At this time Hon. Francis Thomas was authorized to provide for the organization of four regiments, to be composed of residents on both sides of the Potomac river, from Monocacy to the Western boundary of Maryland, who were to perform service in the vicinity of the Potomac river. Under this authority a full regiment of infantry was raised in Allegany county, and by the 1st of October was armed, equipped, and in camp, at Cumberland, as the Second Maryland Regiment Volunteer Infantry, Potomac Home Brigade. The organization of the regiment
.
403
1861.] SECOND MARYLAND REGIMENT, P. H. B.
at the date of its muster into the United States service was as follows :
Colonel, Thomas Johns .*
Lieutenant Colonel, Robert Bruce.
Major, G. Ellis Porter.
Adjutant, Orlando D. Robbins.
Quarter-Master, Kennedy H. Butler.
Surgeon, Dr. S. P. Smith. Assistant Surgeon, Dr. P. A. Healey.
Chaplain, Rev. J. H. Symmes.
Company A-Captain, Alexander Shawt; First Lieutenant, John Douglas ; Second Lieutenant, Andrew Spier.
Company B-Captain, J. D. Roberts ; First Lieutenant, James A. Morrow ; Second Lieutenant, A. S. Gallion.
Company C-Captain, John H. Huntley ; First Lieutenant, John Weir; Second Lieutenant, Richard C. Sansom.
Company D-Captain, B. B. Shaw ; First Lieutenant, Robert Powell ; Second Lieutenant, Mark Powell.
Company E-Captain, James C. Lynn ; First Lieutenant, Theodore Luman ; Second Lieutenant, George Couter.
Company F-Captain, Lewis Dyke ; First Lieutenant, Norval Mc- Kinley ; Second Lieutenant, George D. Somers.}
Company G-Captain, C. G. Mcclellan ; First Lieutenant, Robert Cowan ; Second Lieutenant, Lloyd Mahaney.
Company H-Captain, George H. Bragonier ; First Lieutenant, S. T. Little ; Second Lieutenant, George W. McCulloh.
Company I-Captain, J. F. McCulloh ; First Lieutenant, James M. Shober; Second Lieutenant, John F. Troxell.
Company K-Captain, P. B. Petrie; First Lieutenant, Jason G. Sawyer ; Second Lieutenant, Moses Bickford.
The promotions in this regiment during its three years' service were as follows: Robert Bruce to be Colonel ; G. Ellis Porter to be Lieutenant- Colonel ; Alexander Shaw and John H. Huntley to be Majors ; Theodore Luman to be Adjutant ; John Douglas, James A. Morrow, John Weir, and Norval Mckinley to be Captains ; Andrew Spier, Alexander Tennant, Lloyd Mahaney, Richard C. Sansom, and George Couter to be First Lieutenants ; James Thompson, Emory W. Pelton, David C. Edwards, George Wigley, and Moses Bickford to be Second Lieutenants.
At the expiration of the three years for which this regiment was enlisted, four companies of veterans were re-enlisted, and organized into a battalion, the officers being : Lieutenant-Colonel, James C. Lynn ; Captains, J. Floyd McCulloh, P. B. Petrie, H. H. Hartsock and Robert Cowan; First Lieutenants, Charles H. Thayer, James A. Howard, LouisN. Gondon and A. Brown Lynn ; Second Lieutenants, Levi Shaw, JamesA. McKee, Jacob H. Buckey and Richard T. Browning.
At the general election in November, the candidates were run on "Union" and "Peace" tickets, the Union ticket being successful. Thomas G. McCulloh was
*Resigned January 1, 1862; succeeded by Colonel Robert Bruce; G. Ellis Porter was at same time promoted to Lieutenant Colonel.
fCaptain Shaw was promoted to Major, January 1862, and resigned March 31, 1862, his succes- sor being Major John H. Huntley.
#Promoted to Captain; killed in action at Summit Point, Va., October 7, 1863.
404
HISTORY OF CUMBERLAND.
[1862.
elected Sheriff; Delegates to the Legislature, George A. Pearre, Lloyd Lowe, C. W. White, A. Chamber- lain. County Commissioners, Wm. ' R. McCulley, Daniel Duncan, David Kent, Ashford Trail, David Compton. Surveyor, William Brace.
The canal and railroad were much damaged, by freshets and by incursions by the enemy. Both were put under military supervision, and protected as well as possible, but the railroad was so badly damaged in June, 1861, that for almost a year it was useless.
Early in 1862, by orders from the War Department, extensive hospitals were established in Cumberland, for the reception of the sick and wounded from points both East and West. The citizens, especially the ladies, were constant in their kindness and attention to the sufferers who were brought here. In February, 1862, there were 57 deaths, mostly of men from Ohio and Indiana.
May 12 .- Mayor, C. H. Ohr; Councilmen, Joseph Hughes, Jacob Wickard, M. L. Rizer, V. A. Buckey, George W. Hoover, William Hoblitzell.
In May the Third Regiment Maryland Volunteer Infantry, Potomac Home Brigade, was mustered into service. A large proportion of this regiment was composed of men enlisted at Cumberland, the remain- der coming from Baltimore, Hagerstown and Ellicott's Mills. The officers were as follows :
Lieutenant-Colonel, Stephen W. Downey .*
Major, Charles L. Graflin.+ Adjutant, N. M. Ambrose.
Surgeon, C. E. S. McKee ; Assistant Surgeon, Jesse Beerbower.
Company A-Captain, James S. Inskeep; First Lieutenant, John Coles ; Second Lieutenant, William A. Cross.
*Owing to some misunderstanding in regard to filing the regimental rolls at Annapolis Colonel Downey was not commissioned, and he resigned November 8, 1862.
fResigned January 16, 1863; succeeded by Major Crawford Shearer.
1
405
THIRD MARYLAND REGIMENT, P. H. B.
1862.]
Company B-Captain, Wm. F. Cardiff; First Lieutenant, Moses Whitford ; Second Lieutenant, John K. Whitford.
Company C-Captain, Harry C. Rizer; First Lieutenant. Wm. R. Jarboe ; Second Lieutenant, Charles F. McAleer.
Company D-Captain, Michael Fallon ; First Lieutenant, Joseph L. Forsyth ; Second Lieutenant, John M. Armstrong.
Company E-Captain, Henry B. McCoy ; First Lieutenant, John W. Dodson ; Second Lieutenant, Theodore Goff.
Company F-Captain, Robert Maxwell; First Lieutenant, Peter J. Mayberry ; Second Lieutenant, Wm. H. Foreman.
Company G-Captain, Jacob Sarbaugh *; First Lieutenant, Wm. H. Hipsly ; Second Lieutenant, Joseph K. Pitman.
Company H-Captain, Wm. A. Falkenstine; First Lieutenant, Fred- erick Pringey *; Second Lieutenant, Hanson B. Friend.
Lieutenant-Colonel Stephen W. Downey, resigned September 1, 1862; and Charles Gilpin was mustered in as Lieutenant-Colonel Septem- ber 2, 1862; and promoted to Colonel April 16, 1864, having recruited two additional companies, thereby making up a full regiment; and re- mained in service until the regiment was reduced to a battalion, by the expiration of the term of service of three companies. Afterwards, the battalion was commanded by Harry C. Rizer, who was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel, the following officers remaining in command of com. panies : Captains, Wm. A. Falkenstine, N. M. Ambrose, John W. Dod- son, James E. Garrahan, Gustavus Valois, Samuel T. Eck, and Charles Pratt ; First Lieutenants, Ephraim C. Hedding, John W. Cook, Wm. J. Donahoe, James W. White, Wm. H. H. Friend ; Benjamin F. Cook, R. Q. M .; Frank A. Penny, Adjutant ; Wm. H. Foreman, Augustus Robinett, and Daniel C. Shriver ; Second Lieutenant, Theodore Goff.
In the summer of 1862 the President issued a call for 300,000 troops. The leading Union men of Allegany County took steps towards securing the voluntary enlistment of a sufficient number of men to fill her quota. A "war mass meeting" was held on the 13th of August, for the purpose of adopting measures whereby volunteers might be secured. General C. M. Thruston was made President of the meeting; Lloyd Lowe and F. A. Mason, Vice Presi- dents, and William R. McCulley and William Hoblitzell, Secretaries. Messrs. Charles H. Ohr, S. P. Smith, M. Sherry, G. E. Porter and Hopewell Hebb, a committee, submitted resolutions, declaring it to be the duty of the people to maintain the gov- ernment, and requesting the County Commissioners
*Killed at Bolivar Heights, September 14, 1862.
406
HISTORY OF CUMBERLAND.
[1862.
to appropriate $50,000 to be applied to the payment of bounties to volunteers. The Commissioners con- sidered this proposition in September, but declined to take such action at the time.
Several recruiting offices were opened in the city, and under the inducements of large bounties many enlisted.
A number of young men whose sympathies were with the South left, to join the Confederate army. Amongst them were :
Peter Devecmon, H. A. Higgins,
Richard L. Clary,
John G. Lynn, Jr,
Jos. A. Cahill.
Thad. W. Clary,*
Sprigg S. Lynn,*
W. H. Cahill,*
Wm. Armstrong,*
David Lynn,
J. Henry Shriver,*
Joseph Pennington, Jr.
J. B. Fay,
John H. Shriver, Anthony Shriver,
Winters, James Briscoe,
Jacob Gassman,*
W. W. Mckaig, Jr,
Albert Rice,f
Theodore Dawson,
J. V. L. McKaig,
Lamar Sprigg,
James A. Mason,
Thomas I. McKaig, Jr, Van Lear Perry,
Walter Chisholm,
Edward Bryan, John Palmer,
Charles Nichols.
Peyton Tabb,
Harry Osborn,
Walter Bruce,
C. James Dailey,*
Dr. Thomas A. Healey, James R. Annan,
Ed. Browning,*
M. A. Healey,
Roberdeau Annan,*
George Ritter,
James Taylor,
Roger Annan,
William D. Hoye,
Harry C. Black,
Duncan McBlair,
Samuel Hoye,
Matthew Coffey,
Captain C. H. McBlair, Peter Chisholm,
John Calvin,
Charles McBlair,* Thos. M. Healey,
Fetter S. Hoblitzell,
John D. Moundz,
Thomas W. West,
Lloyd L. Clary,
Wm. Lamar,
H. P. Tasker,
John Hadley,
John McClafferty,*
Malcolm G. Harmison, f James R. Higgins,
John Dermody,
James Pollock, Thomas Goldsborough,
*Wounded. ¡ Killed.
Apprehending a visit from the small Confederate forces in the bordering counties of West Virginia, the city authorities secured the organization of a City Guard. Three companies were formed of volunteer citizens, and were officered as follows :
First District .- Captain, Casper Kassen; First Lieutenant, Joshua Steiner; Second Lieutenant, James A. Buckey ; Orderly Sergeant, D. B. Myers.
Charles Bruce, i
Harlan Tabb,
407
1862.1 INCIDENTS OF THE WAR.
Second District .- Captain, Jacob Wickard; First Lieutenant, William R. McCulley; Second Lieutenant, J. M. Koerner; Orderly Sergeant, Charles A. Seay.
Third District .- Captain Horace Resley; First Lieutenant, J. J. McHenry ; Second Lieutenant, J. F. Troxell; Orderly Sergeant, George M. Read.
Horace Resley was afterwards elected Lieutenant Colonel, to command the City Guard.
The Eighty-Fourth Ohio Infantry, a regiment of three-months' volunteers, under command of Colonel William Lawrence, had been stationed here in June. Upon the expiration of their term, in September, they were mustered out of the service, and the Second Regiment Maryland Volunteers, Potomac Home Brigade, under Colonel Robert Bruce, was assigned to duty in their place.
In response to the call for volunteers, Allegany had outstripped every other county in the State, and when the draft was ordered, in October, 1862, she had already furnished 1,463 volunteers. Her quota being but 872, there was no necessity for the enforce- ment of the draft within the county limits.
It having been ordered that all the militia in the State should be enrolled, the Governor appointed Chas. Gilpin Commissioner of Enrollment in Allegany county. The number enrolled by him amounted to 4,714, the work being completed early in September.
A raid was made about the middle of September, by the Confederates, and both the railroad and canal again badly damaged, some twenty miles of the latter being almost destroyed.
On the 1st of October, George T. Knorr commenced
408
HISTORY OF CUMBERLAND. [1862-63.
the publication of a weekly newspaper. in Cumber- land, entitled "The Union." It was discontinued in 1868.
In October the hospitals at Clarysville were trans- ferred to Cumberland, under the direction of Dr. George H. Oliver, Medical Director. The Belvidere Hall, the old Presbyterian Church and the "Old Mill," on South Mechanic street, were amongst the buildings taken for the purpose.
Gen. B. F. Kelly, in command of the Department of West Virginia, established his headquarters in Cumberland. Captain George W. Harrison was appointed Depot Quartermaster, and Captain W. H. Hosack, Depot Commissary.
January 10 .-- The Cumberland City Bank was established, in the old Cumberland Bank building, with Alfred Spates as President, and William E. Weber Cashier.
April 1 .- Dr. C. H. Ohr was appointed Examining Surgeon, by the Commissioner of Pensions.
The conflict of opinion as to all matters pertain- ing to politics, the conduct of the war, the right of secession, and the policy of the administration, was not in the slightest degree diminished by the progress of events; on the contrary, the opposing elements became more and more embittered, but the Union sentiment, supported by the Government, steadily prevailed. On the 23d of April, 1863, a county mass meeting of Union men was held at the Court House, on which occasion a series of resolutions was adopted expressing full confidence in the admin- istration, and urging the election of a Legislature
1
1863.]
SEVEN PEOPLE BURNED TO DEATH. 409
which should take immediate steps toward the abolition of slavery in the State. The officers of this meeting were as follows : President, Joseph Shriver; Vice Presidents, William Shaw, Elijah Friend, M. Sherry, Lloyd Lowe, John Mantz and 'Ephraim Browning.
On the 26th of April, some unknown wretch set fire to the dwelling of Mr. Joseph Sprigg, and also to the stable on his premises. Mr. Sprigg was at the time confined to his bed by sickness. Fortunately his house was saved, with but little damage, but the stable was burned to the ground, the inmates, seven colored people, who occupied the second story as sleeping apartments, being consumed in the flames. These were the servants of Mr. Sprigg. and consisted of one man, one woman, and five children. The soldiers from the hospital, near by, rendered every service in their power, but the heartless work of the incendiary had been so effectively accomplished that it was impossible to rescue from the burning stable a single one of the unfortunate victims therein.
May 11 .- Mayor, James Smith; Councilmen, A. J. Ryland, John McFerran, Henry Shuck, John T. Shuck, Thomas McKee, and V. A. Buckey.
On the 15th of June, in consequence of the defeat of General Milroy's command at Winchester, orders were issued by the commandant of this department for the evacuation of Cumberland, and the concen- tration of the Union forces at New Creek, whereupon the provision and supply trains were immediately sent off, together with all the horses, &c. The Fif-
52
·
410
HISTORY OF CUMBERLAND. [1863.
teenth Virginia Regiment, and the Second Regiment, P. H. B., both of which were on duty in this vicinity, followed, and Cumberland was left wholly unpro- tected. A thousand rumors were soon afloat, and the streets were filled with excited people, who were in momentary expectation of the appearance of the Confederates. Their apprehensions were still further excited by the removal of the rolling stock, moveable machinery, &c., of the railroad company. On the 16th it was reported that the enemy was rapidly approaching the city in force, whereupon a number of citizens retired with considerable precipitancy in the direction of Pennsylvania, and merchants began to cast about for means whereby they might save their goods from confiscation by the expected visitors. Night came, however, and brought with it no enemy. But the early dawn discovered a small squad of strange looking men on the brow of the hill, east of the city, on the Williams Road. Several of the es- caped cavalrymen, from Milroy's command, advanced to ascertain whether they were friends or foes, and were saluted by the discharge of two small field pieces, the shells from which dropped in the vicinity of McKaig's foundry, whereupon the aforesaid cav- alrymen retired with commendable speed. The presence of the enemy was quickly heralded through- out the city; a few more citizens took refuge in flight, while the merchants generally closed up their stores, and joined the excited groups that gathered on the streets. In a little while two representives of the Confederacy rode into town, with a flag of truce. Shortly afterwards acting Mayor V. A. Buckey, head-
411
CONFEDERATES TAKE CUMBERLAND.
1863.]
ing a deputation of citizens, with a similar flag, met the emissaries of the Confederacy, and a consulta- tion was held, the result of which was that the town was surrendered, with the understanding that private property was to be respected, and no depre- dations to be permitted.
The following is the correspondence on the occa- sion :
To the Commanding Officer of Cumberland :
You are surrounded by a superior force, and as an act of humanity, I demand the surrender of the city. The bearer, Captain R. B. Muses, is authorized to negotiate as to terms of surrender.
G. W. IMBODEN, Colonel Cavalry Brigade.
This letter was handed Mayor Buckey, and the following response made :
G. W. Imboden, Colonel Commanding Confederate Forces :
SIR : Your note addressed to officer commanding at this point has just been handed to me, and as there is no force here to resist you, and no officer in command, I, as Mayor, for the time being, do as far as I can, surrender the city as demanded, upon the following terms, viz : that private persons and property, and the property of the State of, Maryland be respected. V. A. BUCKEY, Mayor pro tem of Cumberland.
Colonel Imboden accepted the terms in the follow- ing note:
To the Acting Mayor of Cumberland :
SIR : I will receive a surrender of the City of Cumberland, and will respect all private property except such property as the Quarter Master may desire for the Confederate States. No public property except of the State of Maryland will be respected.
Very respectfully your obedient servant,
G. W. IMBODEN, Colonel Cavalry Brigade.
About 350 of Imboden's cavalry, with two pieces of artillery, presently appeared, and after securing such horses as they could find, induced some of the merchants to open their stores. The Confederates then purchased pretty freely such articles as hats, boots, shoes, clothing, &c., paying for the same in Confederate money, a species of currency which had then a rather limited value. No damage was done
412
HISTORY OF CUMBERLAND.
[1863.
to either public or private property, beyond the destruction of a portion of the telegraph lines. The Confederates were ill at ease while in town, knowing that a considerable force of Union troops was at New Creek, and might at any moment put them to flight. After a few hours, spent about the streets, they departed, being accompanied by several young men who concluded to cast their lot with the South.
General Kelly and staff had arrived in town, from Pennsylvania, on Tuesday night, and left for New Creek about the time of the arrival of Imboden's men next morning. Finding a portion of the Balti- more and Ohio Railroad torn up, a short distance from town, the train upon which they had embarked was brought back, and taken over the Cumberland and Pennsylvania Railroad, to Piedmont, and thence to New Creek. On the following day a force of cavalry, from New Creek, came to Cumberland, and captured several of Imboden's command who had remained with friends in town. In a few days the excitement subsided, and the routine of business, pleasure and gossip was resumed.
The raiders did no violence to person, except in the case of Griffin Twigg, Sr., living near Murley's Branch. The particulars are not exactly known, but the old man was killed; not, however, until he had killed two of the enemy and wounded another.
The railroad and canal, as well as the telegraph lines, were badly damaged, and communication was not restored for more than a month.
During the continuance of the war that portion of Cumberland known as the "Devil's Half Acre," em-
413
1863.] INCIDENTS OF THE WAR.
bracing Bedford street between Liberty and Mechanic, and that portion of Mechanic immediately adjoining, was a most disreputable locality, being a congrega- tion of saloons and low houses. Disturbances and riots were of almost nightly occurrence. On the night of the 13th of August a fight occurred there between some soldiers, in which William Frazier, a private in Company K, First Virginia Cavalry, was cut to pieces with knives and almost instantly killed, by James Quick in company with Jacob Krissinger, of the Second Maryland, P. H. B. Quick was after- wards convicted of manslaughter, and Krissinger was acquitted.
Amongst the soldiers located here was a part of a regiment known as the Ringgold Cavalry. One of · their number being confined in jail, on some charge, a party of them went to the jail on the night of the 19th of September, and released him by force.
November 4. - Hon. Francis Thomas was re-elected to Congress; State Senator, Dr. C. H. Ohr; Delegates, A. C. Greene, Hopewell Hebb, Henry Brown, and William Shaw; Clerk of the Court, Horace Resley; Register of Wills, George W. Hoover; Sheriff, B. T. Garlitz; State's Attorney, George A. Thruston; Judges of Orphans' Court, J. B. H. Campbell, A. M. L. Bush and Douglas Percy; County Commissioners, John Bell, Charles Ridgeley, J. L. Townshend, John H. Stallings, and Elijah Friend.
November 18 .- General Kelly returned to Cum- berland, and established his headquarters in the Barnum House.
In March, 1864, General Franz Sigel was as-
-
414
HISTORY OF CUMBERLAND. [1864.
signed to the command of the Department of West Virginia, and made his headquarters in Cumberland, at the Revere House. In the latter part of March · he ordered the erection of earth-works on McKaig's Hill, and a fort on the hill near Williams Road. These were constructed under the supervision of his engineers, and are still in existence, though much dilapidated.
The question of emancipating the slaves in Mary- land was one which was warmly discussed in 1863-64, and the Legislature ordered a vote to be taken in April as to whether a State Convention should be held for the purpose of amending the Constitution. The Convention was ordered by a large majority of the voters, there being 61 dele- gates elected in favor of unconditional emancipation, and 34 opposed to emancipation. The emancipation candidates in Allegany were A. C. Greene, Hopewell Hebb, Jacob Wickard, G. A. Thruston and J. Robi- nette. The opposition candidates were William Browning, J. W. Robinette, Henry Hanekamp, J. B. Widener and Israel Thompson. The emancipa- tion candidates were elected by 1,170 majority, the vote in favor of holding a Convention being 2,307 for, to 1,135 against.
April 13 .- A Sergeant of the First New York Cavalry shot and killed Charles Clause, of Company C, Second Maryland P. H. B., the ball passing through his heart. The tragedy occurred on Balti- more street.
May 9 .- Mayor, Dr. Charles H. Ohr; Councilmen J. B. H Campbell, William Armbruster, John Kolb,
415
1864.] INCIDENTS OF THE WAR.
George Martin Rizer, Josiah Engler and Henry B. Bruce.
General Sigel took his departure, for active service in the field, and General B. F. Kelly was again assigned to the command of the Depart- ment.
July 1 .- The Cumberland Bank of Allegany was converted into the First National Bank of Cumber- land, and continued business with the same officers as heretofore, President, Joseph Shriver; Cashier, Edwin T. Shriver.
At this time about one hundred men were drafted for three years' service to make up the county's quota under the last call, and 170 were drafted for the one hundred days' service.
July 7 .- Francis Gillespie, of Co. B, Fifteenth Regiment New York Cavalry, while on the cars, en route from Parkersburg to Cumberland, deliberately murdered Lieutenant William Shearer. Gillespie was brought here under arrest. On the Saturday following he was tried before a Court Martial, con- victed, and sentenced to be hanged on Monday, on which day he was taken to the gallows, near Rose Hill Cemetery, at 5 o'clock P. M., and executed. He ascended the scaffold with a firm step, and at the last moment said : "I forgive everybody from the bottom of my heart, and I pray God to forgive me. May the stars and stripes never be trampled on." Gillespie was but 24 years of age, and left a young wife, in Syracuse, New York.
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