USA > New York > Ulster County > History of Ulster County, New York, with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers. Vol. I > Part 40
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MISSING, MANASSAS, AUG. 30, 1862.
Sergt. Andrew Dile, John Tracy, George Woolsey.
KILLED, ANTIETAMI, SEPT. 17, 1862.
Second Lieut. M. If. Swarthout; Sergi. Edwin Miles ; John P. Post, Thomas Price, If. I. Pollock, Peter P. Plass.
WOUNDED. ANTIETAM, SEPT. IT, 1862.
Capt. A. N. Baldwin ; Second Lieut. O. A. Campbell; First Sergt. M. J. C. Woodworth ; Sert. Patrick Griney ; Corp . Amos Travis, John Connery, John Tiemin, E. S. Hammond, Joha W. To'Lud, Weary M. Herring; Henry il. Logg, Calvin Sheeley, James Green, Patric !: Nolan. Edward Nolan, John Haynes, Isaac Cleaver, Jobn Haggerty, Daniel G, pensoo1, Jacob Cook, Aaron Rhodes, Jobn Joy, lease Lawrence, Michael O'Donnell, leary Rose, George H !. Barnard, Melvin Atkins, James Beers, Andrew Carney, Lewis Payne, J. M. Countryman, Thomas MeAvoy, John B. Barry, William C. Allen, P'. HI. Wagener, George L. Ilughson, Juhu B. Brush.
MISSING, ANTIETAM, SEPT. 17, 1862.
Ilugh Burns.
KILLED, NORMAN'S FORD, AUG. 21, 1862.
Serge. William R. Dodd.
WOUNDED, NORMAN'S FORD, AUG. 21, 1:62.
Sergts. Edward S. Leurett, Il. R. Dopp; Hiram Travis, Howard Joy, Adam Moore.
KILLED, FREDERICKSBURG, DECEMBER, 1SC2. Samuel J. White.
WOUNDED, FREDERIKSBERG, DECEMBER, 1562.
Capts. Abram S. Smith, W. Il. Cunningham ; First Lieut. G. H. Brank- stone : Sergis, Ilenry Williamson, Thomas Wallace, John Schwab, Michael Farrell, George W. Peet; Corp. George P. Fantors; Michael Kilroy. John R. Morgan, Lewis Lamoyard, Charles K. MeNiff, Ten Byek O. France, J. M. Ostrander, Samuel MeCune, William L. Ilanson, James Hooks.
WOUNDED, CHANTILLY, SEPT. 1, 1862.
Capt. Daniel MeMahon; Second Lieut. George North, Jr .; Sergt. Joseph Hill; Corps. Henry Williamson, Dubois Markle ; John II. Pierce, James Dykensan, Ona S. Payne, S. H. Lee, Charles Ilan- sell, William Hapenward.
WOUNDED, WARRENTON SPRINGS, AUG. 26, 1862. Sergt. Willinth Freeman; George Moore, Martin J. Deponai, Jobn Camaton.
WOUNDED, SOUTH MOUNTAIN, SEPT. 14, 1862. Edward L. Sealy.
KILLED, GETTYSBURG, 1863.
Capts. Joseph T. Corbin, 1. N. Baldwin ; First Lieut. George Il. Brankstoue; Sergt4. Jame. Craig. Luther W. MeClellan, Lucius Il. Decker, Minard Decker ; Corps. Theodore Wheeler, Walter S. Tyler, James E. Angevine, Joseph Leonard ; Albert Collier, Al- exander Tice. Leonard Van Gorder, John Tracy, Nelson Southard, Squire Flau lers, Dunne S. Bush, Henry Belcher, Charles C. Bab- cock, Francis 1. Lee, Dewitt C. Hamin, Ephraim Roen, Constan- tine Van Steinberg, Edward Coogan, Ebbin Higgins, R. C. Van. Lenken, Amos C. Treat, Jobn Luft, James L. Hallock, Ansel B. Picree, Thomas Hyatt, George H. Babcock.
WOUNDED, GETTYSBURG, 1863.
Maj. W. A. Van Rensselaer ; Adjt. J. M. Schoonmaker ; Capts. John R. Leslie, Daniel MeMahon, Wm. II. Cunningham, Thomas Al- exander, J. D. S. Cook; First Lieuts. Andrew S. Schutt, George B. Mulks; Second Lieuts, James Flenning, George B. Wolcott, Abin. Merritt, John De Lacroy, Alfred Tanner, John M. Young; First Serg's. Isanc C. Buswell, Jehiel I. Judd, A. Mullen ; Sergts. John Hidings, Jr., Wainsboro Bloxam, James Yapde, Asa Bishop, Charles Eniffin, Watson A. Smith, Lewis E. Champaigne, Stephen L. CuJucy, John H. Wirise, James Iliggins, William Fuller, Michael Farrell, Moses Wbittaler, George Bossman, Joseph Hill, E. Becket, Asa Jones, James Bonestecl : Corps. George W. Par- dee, John H. Dunn, Charles K. MeKiff, Win. Risenberger, Jr., John H. Swert, John Cuduey, John Johnson, John Ovendori, Barney Fitch, John Chandler, John Swart; John Boyle, James Gannon, George A. Ackert, John Eilleman, Thomas Wells, Joseph Sehlightver, Jeremiah Kerdigan, Jonathan Du Bois, Abr. K. Van Buskirk. William Baker, James E. Doxie, John Donnelly, Wmn. A. Stockings, Frank Bent an, Morgan Deneger, James Keegan, Adams More, Jecob F. Tent. H. C. Van Buren, Jaines A. Wescott, Martin Jersenions, Wirhiata Fetterman, James Housfall, Lewis Snyder, John C. Parks, William L. Snyder, Morris Hein, James Larrie, John W. Pliudy, Henry Tompkins, Edward Wright, N. Van Valkenburg, James II. Buletter, William II. Parkinson, Em- erson Scott, Aaron Nichols, J. E. Pells, I. Burns, Charles Keegan, T. Croaks. William Shaffer, Jacob l'. Latimore, Dewitt Rose, Lorenzo B. Healy, Henry O. Irwin, Enos B. Vail, Peter If. Van Wagenen, Joseph Sickler, William Henson, Addison S. Hays, George Hood, Henry Schutt, Bernard Halstead, Charles C. Bab- cock, Samuel Norfolk, David E. Post, Ira B. Tait, Edward Ach- ley, T. Doyle, John Knighton, N. Rossman, Stephen Strong.
II .- ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTIETH REGIMENT.
This regiment was organized at Kingston, to serve for thues years. The companies of which it was composed were raised in the counties of Ulster and Greene, -- the Tenth* Senatorial District. It was mustered into the service of the United States the 22d of August, 1862, and was mustered
# Now the Fourteenth District.
161
ULSTER IN THE REBELLION.
out the 3d of June, 1865, in accordance with orders from the War Department.
This regiment took an active part in all the movements and engagements in which the Army of the Potomac fig- ured during the term of its regimental existence. It par- ticipated at Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville, was en- gaged at Spottsylvania and the battles of the Wilderness. and took part on the fields of North Auna, Tolopotomoy, Coll Harbor, Boydton Road, Strawberry Plains, Deep Bot- tom, Poplar Spring Church, Petersburg, and the never-to- be-forgotten Gettysburg. These names are inscribed ou the colors of this regiment, and form an honorable record of themselves.
The roster of this command presents the following names as its field and staff:
Colonel, George HI. Sharpe (brevet brigadier-general, U. S. V.), commissioned Aug. 21, 1862 .*
Lieutenant-Colonel, Cornelius D. Westbrook, conmis- sioned Sept. 10, 1862, and discharged Feb. 27, 1861. who was succeeded by J. Rudolph Tappen, commissioned March 8, 1864, and mustered out on expiration of bis terni of ser- vice, Dec. 3, 1864. Abram L Lockwood (brevet colonel U. S. V.) was commissioned as lieutenant-colonel of the regiment Jan. 10, 1865, to rank from Dec. 26, 1864; he served as such until the regiment was mustered out, in June, 1865.
Major, J. Rudolph Tappen, commissioned Aug. 13, 1862. Upon his promotion to the lieutenant-coloneley Abram L. Lockwood became major, commissioned March S, 1864, and when he, in turn, was promoted, Walter F. Scott ( brevet lieutenant colonel U. S. V.) succeeded to the rank, his com- mission bearing date of Jan. 27, 1865.
Adjutant, Selah O. Tuthill, commissioned Sept. 10, 1862, resigned Feb. 18, 1863, and was succeeded by Caut. Ed- inund MeC. Russell, July 27, 1863, he serving until the regiment was ministered out.
Quartermaster, Uriah H. Coffin, commissioned Sept. 10, 1862, and served to the end.
Surgeon, James O. Van Hovenburgh, commissioned Sept." 10, 1862, resigned Dec. 22, 1862; Edward _1. Brown, com- missioned Jan. 9, 1863, resigned Feb. 23, 1863 ; Warner Van Steenburgh ( brevet lieutenant-colonel N. Y. V.), com- missioned March 12, 1863, and served until the regiment returned home.
Assistant Sargeon, Henry A. Collier, commissioned Sept. 10, 1862, died Jan. 23, 1883; Edward K. Hogan, com- missioned March 31, 1863, discharged Aug. 11, 1864; John N. Miller, commissioned Sept. 10, 1562, was pro- moted to be surgeon of the Sist Regiment. New York Volunteers, March 15, 1865; Gustavus J. Ackley, com- missioned March 30, 1865, was transferred to the 73d New York Volunteers, June 2, 1865.
Chaplin, Foster Hartwell, commissioned Sept. 10, 1862, discharged Dee. 10, 1863, and succeeded by Henry Hop-
$ Gen. George H. Sharpe serve ! on the staffs of tien. Hooker and Gen. Meade, in 1863, aud on the staff of Ger. Grant, in 1>64: was brevetted brigadier general, and afterwards major-general. He was designated to parole Lee's army at Appomattox. Since the war he has hell many important civil and political po: itions, for which see sketch in chapter on the " Bench und Bar," in this work.
kins, who was commissioned May 18, 1864, and continued . with the regiment until its muster out.
The line-officers, when the regiment left for the front, were :
CAPTAINS.
Abran: L. Lock wood,
T. F. Overbmugh, t
Simon S. Westbrook, Walter F. Scott,
Jacob L. Snyder, Charles MeEntee. t
Lansing Hollister, t Francis W. Reynolds.j
Daniel Gillett, James M. Pierson.
FIRST LIEUTENANTS.
James H. Lock wood, Gilbert Pettit,
Rodney B. Newkirk, t Edmund MeC. Russell.t
Jobu B. Krom. James K. Holmes,
Miner A. Greene, Alexander Austin,
Oliver B. Gray, Ayres G. Barker.f
SECOND LIEUTENANTS.
EIward HI. Ketcham, t Joseph S. Oakley,
Dumont Fimendorf, t James A. Hyde,
William A. Norton, Michael E. Creighton,t
Einery S. Turner, John R. Burhans,t
Frederick Freelewich. James II. Everett.
During the three years' service there occurred many changes in the company officers, occasioned by the casual- ties of war, resignations, etc., which we shall not attempt to give in detail ; we give, however, a list of the line- officers as they were at the tiure of the return of the regi- ment, in June, 1865 :
CAPTAINS.
James A. Hyde,
Gilbert Pettit,
Rodney B. Newkirk, Ira Swart,
Richard W. Clark, James K. Hohnes,
Arthur W. Thomas, Ambrose M. Barber, Jr.
Alonzo It. Cole, Jaines II. Everett.
FIRST LIEUTENANTS.
Louis B. Van Wagenen, Henry Fauk,
Marquis MM. Drake. William Plinley,
Warren Kimball, George P. Barber,
John J. Spoor,
Thaddeus C. Brooks.
SECOND LIEUTENANTS.
Levi Roosa. Putnam B. Diekerman,
James If. Wood. Silas W. Deyo,
John S. Motlit, William J. Holines,
Philander Cook, Engene F. Hayes.
Orville A. Ross.
In the " roll of honor"-the list of those whose lives were sacrificed in their country's cause-we find but one staff-officer, Surg. Heury A. Collier, who died Jan. 23, 1873. But among the line-officers of the regiment there is quite an array of names of those who went down in the carnage of battle or fell the victims of disease :
Cant. Lansing Hollister, killed in action, July 2, 1863.
Capt. James Chambers, killed in action, Oct. 27, 1864.
Capl. Charles Me Entee, died Dec. 2, 1862.
Capt. Ayers G. Barker, killed in action, July 2, 1863.
First Lieut. Edgar Simpkins, lost at sea, on military transport "Gen. Lyon," March 51, 1865.
First Lient. Michael E. Creighton, killed in action, July 2, 1863. first Lient. John J. Lockwood, killed in action, May 5, Istit. Second Lieut. Edward H. Ketchat, killed in action, July 3, 1563. Second Lient. Frederick Freelewich, killed in action, July 2. 1863. Second Lieut. Jason Carle, killed in action, July 2, 1863.
t Died during or since the war.
U
162
HISTORY OF ULSTER COUNTY, NEW YORK.
Second Lieut. Win. J. Cockburn, died fromu wounds received at. Get- tysburg, July 22, 1-62.
Second Lieut. William H. Diederick, killed in action, Sept. 20. 1864. Second Lieut. John R. Burhans, killed in action, July 3, 1863.
Lieut .- Col. C. D. Westbrook was among those severely wounded at Gettysburg. Lieut. Coekburn, " who had but lately exchanged the chevrons ou his sleeve for the lien- tenant's strap, was one among the hundreds left upon the field, wounded beyond recovery."
Seven of the ten companies of the regiment were from Ulster County, viz. : Companies A, B, C, E, G, H, and I, containing an aggregate of six hundred and fifty meu.
No complete record of the exploits of this command has ever been made up, and, as there are but few papers which might be considered official, it is difficult to give a satisfae- tory statement of its movements, ete. The regiment ar- rived at Washington and went into quarters at Camp Casey only a few days before the second Bull Run fight occurred. On the 20th of August, during that battle, this regiment, without having had time to drill or become perfect in the manual of arms, was ordered to the front ; the rebels, how- ever, passed on up the Potomae, and the regiment had no engagement. In the fall it moved with the army to Fred- erieksburg, in which disastrous battle the regiment took part, though not in the brunt of the fight.
In the month of May the battle of Chancellorsville was fought, and the 120th went to the front ; the regiment, al- most under its first fire, showed great bravery. There the regiment lost many in killed and wounded.
Nothing of great prominchee occurred, with the excep- ception of a few skirmishes, in which this regiment took part, until the battle of Gettysburg, where the men covered themselves with glory. They were placed on the left of the line, where the grand charge was made by the rebels aud the severe fighting of the two days was had. Lieut .- Col. Westbrook was twiee wounded, and finally carried from the field, Maj. Tappen succeeding to the command. The regiment fought desperately, a portion of the time being in the famous peach orebard, until Lee withdrew his discomfited army. Here some of the best men of the regiment were among those who fell. Referring to the ac- tion of this command at Gettysburg. Gen. Gco. H. Sharpe says,-
" Their serviees were brilliant and beyond any rivalry. the loss of the 120th being two hundred and eighteen officers and men, -- a greater proportionate loss than that of any other regiment in the army, except one of the regular regi- ments in the 5th Corps.
" Col. Westbrook received his first wound early in the action, but he remained on the field, delivering well-consid- ered and intelligent orders for a considerable period after- wards, until the fighting became very severe, when he was again desperately wounded by the ball which ouly lately was removed from his person. He was then carried from the field.
"The regiment being now in the famous peach orchard, Tappen was left in command, and, being driven back to the ravine, he stubbornly held his ground, seeking for an oppor- tunity to advance. This was accomplished with very serious fighting. Soon after cause the movement by Barksdale's
Mississippi brigade, by which it was intended to flank our line. To meet this Tappen changed front, and it is interest- ing to state that this was done by a left wheel of the regi- ment, the simplest and most effective manœuvre by which it could be accourplished, and it could be successfully done under an incessant fusilade on account of our then depleted ranks. Other troops, however, had replaced Barksdale's ou the previous front, and the fire which had there slackened was now renewed, so that the brigade was exposed to a ter- rible fire on its front and right flank.
" Lieut. Ketcham, of Company A, was the first officer killed, by the bursting of a shell. Jason Carle, of Sauger- ties, soon fell with half a dozen wounds ; then John R. Burhans, of Wiltwyek ; then Capts. Hollister and Barker, both of Greene County; then Lient. Creighton, of Port Ewen ; then Freilewich, of Ellenville; and lastly our own Willie Cockburn was carried from the field, mortally wounded, to send reassuring messages to his mother and bravely die.
"The purposes of our commanding officers had by this time been accomplished by the unparalleled sacrifice of the 3d Corps. The Round Top had been reinforced and was secure, and the corps was enabled to withdraw somewhat to the rear to a safer and more tenable line.
"The 120th Regiment was the last of the brigade to leave, and as it did so it was enthusiastically cheered by the scattered remains of the other regiments, which had drawn themselves together, the cheering being led by Maj. Burns, of the 4th Excelsior.
" We followed Lee's army slowly back through Virginia to Bealion and Culpepper. There was one excursion in the rear to Centreville, and a rapid return to Culpepper, and in November, 1863, we crossed the Rapidan to fight the battle of Mine Run.
" In going into position, the 3d Corps was the only corps engaged, and experienced a heavy loss. Tappen handled our regiment extremely well, husbanding the men as he had opportunity to do, in the woods, but not sparing them in attack. The loss bere was comparatively small (three killed and eight wounded), which was in a great measure due to the skillful management of the command.
" Who of us that were there can forget that night of ter- rible cold and suffering, when all fires were forbidden for fear of exposing our line of battle to the enemy ? and who can fail to remember how our ntteranee was fairly choked as in the morning we deseried the almost impregnable posi- tion the enemy had taken? Another impossible task was before the Army of the Potomac, but, fortunately for the honor of its commanders, they recoiled from demanding the sacrifice. The assault on the enemy's works was abandoned, and Tappen, in writing about it afterwards, says,-
"'A. the approaching daylight revealed the strength of the one- my's position and the character of the fortifications to be stormed, I must confess I envied the " home guard." We were advanced in three lines, ours being the second. I received my orders as to the distance to be preserved, and it was intimated that at eight o'clock the ball would open. As the hour approached I could not help but admire the promptness with which every man stepped into bis place to under- take sy desperate a work, and, although all realized the danger, not a man flinched, but each one seemed ready to go forward as far as he could.'"
163
ULSTER IN THE REBELLION.
After the heavy recoanoissance of Mine Run, the Union army recrossed the Rapidan and remained quietly until the spring of 1864, when the battles of the Wilderness were fought, May 5th and 6th. " Col. Westbrook, having made efforts to return to duty, which not only were unsuccessful, but seriously interfered with his restoration to health, was finally most unwillingly compelled to retire, and Tappen assumed the lieutenant-coloneley, Capt. Lockwood succeed- ing him as major. Col. Tappen did not reach the regiment until the 6th, the command having in the mean time de- volved on Maj. Lockwood, who immediately evinced those admirable soldierly qualities which we afterwards had so many occasions to remark. He reached the regiment about noon of the 6th, and was received with cheers as it lay in line of battle, facing the enemy. He had missed some fighting on that and the previous day, but was soon to be allowed to recover his lost time; for at half-past four the enemy advanced upon our men, who, in the mean time, had prepared some rude works. and repelled the attack after an hour and a half of exceedingly hard fighting, during which our men fired away every cartridge in the regiment, and the inusket barrels became so hot they could not be handled.
" The fighting was continuous from the Rapidan to the James, and I can only glance at salient points.
" On the 10th of May, at Spottsylvania, at five o'clock in the afternoon, the regiment, with the rest of the division, charged the enemy's works, and captured the first line, but subsequently retired. In this brilliant action, in which many regiments were said to have greatly distinguished themselves, the 120th was highly complimented for their conduet in the charge; by special orders, Col. Tappen being particularly mentioned. After the action he volunteered to pieket the lines until other regiments, which were dis- ordered, could be re-formed, and made fit for service.
" During the campaign Tappen's services were asked for with unusual recurrence as division officer of the day. and on May 11th, when the division moved to the right, leav- ing nothing but the picket line, which was composed of the Sith Pennsylvania, the 6th, 7th, and 11th New Jersey regiments, he was in command, and such great confidence was felt in his judgment that ou his application two more regiments __ the Sth New Jersey and 26th Pommsylvania- were ordered to report to him. At twelve o'clock he re- ceived orders to advance the picket line. and, if necessary, to charge his whole force, to get possession of a command- ing position in his front. He charged once, and failed. He then re-formed his line and charged again,-as everybody who knew him knew he would do,-and carried the position. It should be added that the point was so difficult a one that our forces were unable to hold what Tappen had gained for them.
" The fighting and firing were incessant. At Tolopoto- moy Creek, Col. Tappen had the opportunity of paying his respects, among the earliest, to Breckenridge's troops, which had just arrived from West Virginia; and it is a cause of congratulation to all of' us that at. Cold! Harbor, for the first time, the regiment was not called upon to participate in the battle, and was spared that fearful slaughter.
" We crossed the James River on the 11th of June, and sat down to that long siege of Petersburg and Richmond,
during which our line of battle was sometimes extended the enormous distance of twenty-five and thirty miles. On the 18th of June, to the left of Petersburg, there was some heavy fighting of the whole division to which the regiment belonged, during which two men attempted to pass to the rear. The lieutenant-colonel and Adj. Russell stopped the men in such a marked and menacing manner, and created such a profound impression, that never afterwards was the regiment known to waver in line of battle.
" From late in June to the latter part of July the regi- ment received the unequivocal distinction of being assigned to the support of that most desperate point in our lines which was named ' Fort Hell;' and on July 27th, when a part of the Army of the Potomac was sent over to assist in the attack made below Richmond by Gen. Butler and the Army of the James, the 120th Regiment was selected as one that could best be depended upon.
" The periods of fighting and rest were alternated with more or less regularity until late in September, when an action took place which made Lieut .- Col. Tappen's name well known throughout a large portion of the army. He had been ordered to report with the 120th Regiment to Gen. Pierce, and on his way the enemy opened fire on him. He halted, faced to front the enemy, and, on reconnoitering, discovered a fort about a quarter of a mile distant. The fire he had received came from houses on his left, and, rightly conjecturing that it was the garrison of the fort which was deployed in the woods near the houses, he threw out the left wing of the regiment as skirmishers, under command of Capt. Snyder, directing them to advance to- wards the bonses, lie down, and keep up a slow fire to di- vert the enemy, while with the other wing he performed a flank movement in order, if possible, to reach the fort. The woods aided bis strategical manoeuvre, as he was en- abled to keep his men partially concealed. He then led his wing through a ravine and a thick growth of underbush until he arrived within a few hundred yards of the fort. Soon emerging into the open field, he rushed forward with all his men cheering, driving out the small force that held the fort, and in less time than it has taken me to tell it hoisted the 120th Regiment flag on the parapet. It was instructive to see the enemy whom Capt. Snyder had been amusing when they discovered Col. Tappen so near the fort. They started pell-mell in the same direction. It was a downright race between the contending troops; but, as described, Col. Tappen reached the fort first, and gave the rebels several volleys from their own works. The brigade commander arrived, and, as might be expected, was de- lighted with the exploit of the regiment, and named the captured work . Fort Tappen,' after our lieutenant-colonel, who had, with characteristic generosity, already christened it 'Fort Clark,' in honor of a young lieutenant who first renched the parapet.
" I think it was October 27th we had that severe conflict which was known as the Boydton Plank-road battle. During the progress of it Col. Tappen became convinced that it would be more prudent for him to dismount, and, having committed bis horse to the care of an orderly to be led to the rear, the horse was an instant afterwards abso- lately crushed by a cannon-ball, and Tappen's first thought
16.4
HISTORY OF ULSTER COUNTY, NEW YORK.
was expressed in ringing laughter at his luck in having quitted the horse in time.
" The part assigned to the regiment in the Boydton Plank-road fight was a very important one, and for the official account of the battle the general commanding the brigade relied on Col. Tappen, and complimented him in his report.
"Soon after the 1st of December, when all the military operations were necessarily suspended for the winter, and having remained ou the front a little more than three months beyond the thue of his enlistment, in obedience to the often-expressed wishes of his family and friends, he ap- plied to be mustered out. It was a sad seene when he took his leave. The regiment was formed in line, amt Col. Tappen, who had probably prepared himself for it, attempted to address them. A great silence prevailed, which no one was able to break. As he attempted to speak he became choked and utterance was refused. and, with tears rolling down his face, he uttered the simple words, 'God bless you all!' and then returned hurriedly to his quarters.
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