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Gc 973.74 P38pes 1757945
REYNOLDS HISTORICAL GENEALOGY COLLECTION
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 01084 3206
Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2012
http://archive.org/details/historyofelevent00penn
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HISTORY
OF THE
Eleventh Pennsylvania
Volunteer Cavalry
TOGETHER WITH A
Complete Roster of the Regiment
AND
Regimental Officers
PHILADELPHIA : FRANKLIN PRINTING COMPANY 1902
4
-
1757945
COLONEL SAMUEL P. SPEAR.
F 8349 .839
Pennsylvania cavalry. 11th regt., 1861-1865.
History of the Eleventh Pennsylvania volunteer cavalry, together with a complete roster of the regiment and regimental officers. Philadelphia, Franklin printing company, 1902.
289 p. front., ports. 21cm.
Preface signed by John L. Roper, Henry C. Archibald and G. W. Coles, history committee.
==
1. U. S .- Ifst .- Civil war-Regimental histories-Pa. cav .- 11th. I. Roper, John L. u. Archibald, Heary C. III. Coles, George W.
4-11906
Rocat Library of Congress
£527.6.11th ($27e1]
166231
PREFACE.
AFTER the lapse of so many years since the formation of our Regiment, it is almost an impossibility to write a full history of its achievements, and we must rest satisfied with the meagre details supplied by surviving members.
Oi necessity conflicting statements will be furnished by different survivors, and it only remains for the committee to carefully analyze and select from matter furnished, such as bear indelible proof of accuracy.
In the preparing of this short history, we are indebted to G. L. Cruikshanks and his pamphlet, "Back in the Sixties," from which copious extracts have been taken; to Major John L. Koper. to whom the committee feels under deep obligations, and to Captain Stephen Tripps for much valuable data.
The roster of regimental officers was obtained from a publi- cation issued by J. B. Lippincott & Co .. and the complete roster of regiment was obtained from Bates' History of the Civil War.
All of the facts in this history are drawn from letters sent to the committee during the past six years, and if any apparent discrepancy exists, due allowance must be made.
The committee in charge of this work has tried to give, in an abridged form, a story of the regiment from its formation to its muster out. While it lauds no comrade above another, it feels that all have done their duty nobly for the cause which they hell so dear, viz .: the preservation of their country intact ; and while much matter of interest, no doubt, to many mem- bers of our command is left unrecorded, it is simply for the fact that such matter was not obtainable at the late date in which this history is written.
JOHN L. ROPER, Norfolk, Va. HENRY C. ARCHIBALD, M. D., Phila, Pa. G. W. COLES. Camden, N. J.
History Committee.
PHILADELPHIA, PA., 1902.
3
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER. PAGE. I .- Organization 9
II .- On the March and Camp Hamilton. 20 III .- Hampton Roads. 27 IV .-- White House Landing-Stuart's Raid. 38 V .- Rocket Battery-Battle of Deserted House. 50
VI .- Longstreet's Siege. South Anna River. Col. Spear's Promotion, 62
VII .- North Carolina Expedition. Camp Getty 8.3
VIII .- Cavalry Expeditions. Petersburg. 107
IX .- The Wilson Raid. 126 X .- Battle of Darbytown Road. Five Forks XI .- Appomattox 152
136
Sketches .- Brave Colonel Wetherill.
169
Captain James E. Fleming
175
Capture of Mosby's Horse, "Romeo" 183
Hein Young.
184
Colonel Spear and the Farmer. 187
The German Officer
188
Complete Regimental Roster-Field and Staff Officers. 100
Company A 193
B 201
C
209
D
217
E 223
F
232
G
2.40
H
2.47
I
254
K 261
L 269 275 Unassigned Men 283 Alterations among Commissioned Officers 286 Alterations among Enlisted Men. 286
ILLUSTRATIONS.
PAGE.
Colonel Samuel P. Spear. Frontispiece Colonel Samuel P. Wetherill. 17
Colonel James E. Fleming 33
Colonel James H. Skelly
49
Major A. J. Ackerley
65
Major John L. Roper
Captain E. P. Ring 97
Captain John Cassels
113
Captain Jolin B. Loomis
129
Captain Benjamin B. Mitchell 1.45
Captain C. W. Buttz 161
George E. Boyle
177
George W. Coles
103
D. S. Orcutt.
200
W. H. Townsend
225
Nelson W. Ward.
241
H. C. Archibald.
257
HISTORY
OF ELEVENTH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEER CAVALRY.
CHAPTER I.
ORGANIZATION.
COULD the end be seen from the beginning, preparation for war would be more complete, and many a precaution would be taken which the future of events makes imperative. When in '61 the war clouds gathered, no dreamer fancied they would cast their shadows longer than a few months, though it might have been known that a fraternal strife is bitter and stubbornly fought. That cavalry should play a prominent part in the impending struggle seemed never to have occurred to the authorities at Washington, doubtless due to their underestimating the strength of the Southern Confederacy and their over-confidence in the power of Federal arms. When, finally, the real proportions of the war came to light, they then discovered a foe equally brave, and better equipped.
The first authority given by the War Department to re- cruit a regiment of volunteer cavalry was given to Carl Schurz (afterward major-general United States Volunteers), at that time a citizen of Minnesota, who, by a letter dated May Ist, 1861, from Simon Cameron, Secretary of War. addressed to the "Governors of the several States, and to all whom it may concern," was au- thorized to raise and organize a regiment of cavalry. The regi- ment was to be composed principally of men who had previously served as cavalrymen ; the Government was to supply the regi- ment with arms, the rest of the necessary equipment to be furnished by the States and private citizens. Evidently the regi- ment was to be a private affair, but soon after its organization it was ascertained that the order to thus raise and equip volunteer
9
IO
ELEVENTH PENNSYLVANIAA CAVALRY.
regiments was unwarranted, hence this one was transferred to the New York line, and throughout the war was known as the "First New York (Lincoln) Cavalry." The rule of the War Department in such cases was that the State having the greatest number of companies in a regiment should have the organiza- tion. This rule afterwards applied to the Eleventh.
Soon after receiving his commission to raise a regiment, Mr. Schurz was appointed minister to Spain, upon which Mr. Cam- eron endeavored to recall the authority given by him to raise a regiment, saying it had been granted to Mr. Schurz merely as a political favor, and that there was no need of volunteer cavalry. since the war would last but ninety days. A prompt appeal to the President resulted in Mr. Cameron's action being over- ruled, and the recruiting went on, but very slowly and with many annoying delays, so that the first company (which was re- cruited in the city of Philadelphia) did not arrive at Washington until July 22d, the day after the battle of Bull Run.
Military affairs at the national capital were then in an ex- tremely critical condition, and since there was an urgent need of more mounted men, the Government decided to furnish all the equipments for the newly organized company. On the 24th mounted drill was begun, and the company became so proficient that on August 18th it charged and routed a superior force of Confederate cavalry near Mt. Vernon, losing one man, Jacob Erwin, the first volunteer cavalryman killed in defence of the Union. This was the first charge made by volunteer cavalry on the Federal side. The other companies of the Lincoln Cavalry did not arrive at Washington until about September Ist, when the regiment was organized.
General Grant, in his memoirs, informs us that he reduced the light artillery twice between the Rapidan and James Rivers, even sending back one hundred pieces at one time: while on the other hand. a number of infantry regiments were changed to cavalry, and army commanders frequently had occasion to mount, temporarily, infantry regiments owing to the lack of cavalry. The cavalry did not attract much attention in the East until General Hooker took command of the Army of the Potomac. when he united the scattered cavalry companies into an army corps under competent commanders.
That was a rude shock which came to the Federal Govern- ment on that fateful Sunday afternoon, when the Confederate forces broke the bubble, "The war will be over in ninety days."
ORGANIZATION.
This forced upon the Government the truth that no sham battle was being fought, but that war to the bitter end was to be the arbiter of a principle. Then immediate preparations were made for the conflict. Sympathy had turned to earnestness, confidence to anxiety; then the recruiting of a goodly number of cavalry regiments was authorized, one of which became the Eleventh Pennsylvania Cavalry.
Soon after the battle of Bull Run, Josiah Harlan, a citizen of Chester County, Pa., was authorized by the Secretary of War to recruit an independent cavalry brigade. The following extract from a letter written by Colonel James E. Flemming, formerly captain of Company H, Eleventh Pennsylvania Cavalry, gives a clear account of the affair:
."About Harlan's Independent Cavalry Brigade, Colonel Harlan was authorized by General Simon Cameron to recruit it. Colonel Harlan sent circulars throughout the country and received applications from every part; and had he been allowed to proceed with his project, he would have had 50,000 horsemen instead of 5,000, as originally intended. But before his plan could be put into practical operation, General Cameron decided not to allow an independent command such as Colonel Harlan had in view, but to allow each State to furnish its quota of cav- alry. The recruits from the various States had gathered in Philadelphia, instead of Washington, as was first intended. Many of the detachments did not even reach Philadelphia, being stranded en route on account of lack of funds to pay for rations and transportation. Then the question arose, 'What shall be done with those already in Philadelphia, disband them or or- ganize a regiment?' The latter was decided upon.
"Colonel Harlan, who had had some cavalry experience in the service of Dos Mahomed, Sultan of Afghanistan, as chief of his cavalry, applied for permission to recruit an independent regi- ment of cavalry, which was granted. Since there could be only twelve companies in a cavalry regiment, some of the partially recruited companies were disbanded. It was Colonel Harlan's intention to have his regiment composed of companies from as many States as possible. Under his authority, companies were raised in different States. Colonel Harlan wrote to Samuel Wetherill at Bethlehem, Pa., who raised the first squadron of the regiment, which was mustered in by General Ruff, then colonel, at Philadelphia, August 19th, 1861.
"Company A was from Iowa; portions of companies E an 1
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ELEVENTH PENNSYLVANIA CAVALRY.
F from New York; a part of company I from New Jersey; com- pany M from Ohio. But Harlan, being a Pennsylvanian, with his headquarters in Philadelphia, the majority of the com- panies were from his own State. The recruiting camp of 'Har- lan's Light Cavalry,' as it was then designated, was established at Hestonville, a suburb of Philadelphia, about the 15th of August, and active recruiting immediately began. Companies with full ranks, arriving at Philadelphia, were mustered in by Captain Starr, of the regular army, and were sent at once to Camp Harlan, near Washington. The remaining companies were sent as soon as their ranks were filled. General George Stoneman added four companies of Allen's Cavalry to the eight companies which had been forwarded by Colonel Harlan, and appointed Colonel. Campbell, afterwards of the Fifth Pennsyl- vania Cavalry, to command the regiment, ruling out the com- panies formed at Hestonville; while the colonel who had acted under the authority of the Secretary of War was set aside and four companies were left without regimental organization. But upon Colonel Harlan's showing to the Secretary of War that he had obeyed the order of July 20th, and had raised thirteen companies toward a brigade, it was ordered that the four com- panies of Allen's Cavalry and Company A, Captain Doster, should march out. and the regiment be commanded by Colonel Harlan.
"Camp Harlan was pleasantly located in a grove on Seventh Street, half a mile north of the Park Hotel. About the middle of September, Colonel Harlan and Lieutenant-colonel Spear ar- rived at Washington. Lieutenant-colonel Spear was placed in command of the camp and the chaotic state then existing soon yielded to better discipline, and continued to improve until the regiment became one of the best disciplined organizations in the volunteer service.
"During the month of September and the early part of Oc- tober, several elections for field officers were held. At each election Adjutant Spear was the unanimous choice for lieutenant- colonel, and finally Captains Doster, of Company A, and Stetzel, of Company D. and Runyon, of Company M. were chosen as majors. On the ninth of October Samuel Wetherill arrived at Camp Harlan with a major's commission from the Governor of Pennsylvania. This displaced Doster, who, the next day, with- drew his company and joined the Fifth Pennsylvania Cavalry.
"The Eleventh then consisted of Company A, of Iowa:
13
ORGANIZATION.
Company B, of Chester County, Pa .; Company C, of Philadel- phia. Pa .; Company D, of Frankin County, Pa .: Company E. of Philadelphia, Pa .; Company F, of Tioga, Pa .; Company G. of Cambria County, Pa .; Company H, of Northampton County. Pa .; Company I, of Lancaster County, Pa., and New Jersey; Company K, of Luzerne County. Pa. ; Company L. of Clarion County, Pa., and Company M, of Ohio.
"The regiment bore the title of Harlan's Volunteer United States Cavalry until Governor Curtin, of Pennsylvania, insisted upon the whole regiment being accredited to the State and issued its commission to Josiah Harlan, Pa., colonel, July 23d, 1861 : S. P. Spear, Pa., lieutenant-colonel, September 25th, 1861: George Stetzel, Pa., first major, October 9th, 1861; Samuel Wetherill, Pa., second major, October Ist, 1861; N. M. Run- yon, Ohio, third major, October 9th, 1861.
"During the stay of the regiment at Camp Harlan, a few of the companies were armed with sabers and pistols, but the majority of them were not armed until after their arrival at Camp Hamilton, at Fortress Monroe, in the meantime, while on guard, they used clubs for weapons. To transform citizens without any idea of military life into disciplined soldiers is a well-nigh hopeless task. It takes months of drill and faithful ap- plication before the rudiments of warfare replace the fixed habit of civil life, meanwhile much is lost, especially patience.
"But the American youth, whose soul was aflame with pa- triotism, was there to learn, which he did; so that at the opening of the second year of the war, the regulars, who at the beginning had stood out so prominently, were almost eliminated from the army to be replaced by the volunteers. The American volun- teer soldier has ever upheld his country's honor, and to whom it may be safely entrusted for the future. The enthusiasm, hero- ism, self-sacrifice, which has marked their warfare in other years. is an American heritage, and when the flag is endangered, at the first, trumpet call, volunteers will respond, ready to duplicate the illustrious deeds of former years.
"Human nature is curious. When the men had been al- lotted horses, each man was anxious to find out all he could about his particular horse, so many saddled and bridled their horses and rode out of camp to try them. This brought Colonel Spear thundering down, inquiring by what authority the men were out of camp on horseback. The officer would reply that he had given the men permission to go out, or that they were out
14
ELEVENTH PENNSYLVANIA CAVALRY.
on their own hook. Then a scene would follow in which the officers would learn that no one should leave camp with his horse, except by the order or permission of the commanding officer of the camp.
"The first mounted drills were a mixture of comedy and tragedy. Those first mounted drills -- will they ever be for- gotten so long as any one lives who saw them? Most of the horses had never been ridden before, and most of the men knew as little about it as did the horses.
"There was kicking and rearing, running and jumping, ly- ing down and falling down on the part of the horses; swear- ing and yelling, getting thrown and being kicked. getting hurt in various ways by the men.
"There was crowding in the ranks, and striving to get back into place, pushing forward and hanging back, going backwards and sideways, and all sorts of ways except the right way. There were all sorts of haps and mishaps, which, though amusing to look back upon (and amusing at the time to all but the un- fortunate ones). were anything but pleasant."
Sergeant Cruikshank says, concerning the first appearance of Harlan's Light Cavalry: "On the first Sunday we were ordered to saddle up for inspection and parade. It was the first time we had put saddles and curb-bits on our horses. We had ridden them to water bareback, using the ordinary bridle. We mounted and marched out to an open field not far away from the camp. The regiment was formed in open columns of companies, Com- pany A on the right. Colonel Harlan, who had his headquarters in the city, rode out in a carriage. He took his station a few rods in front of the column, and his first order was, 'Draw sabers.' The horses were green-so were the men. The rat- tling of scabbards and the flash of sabers frightened the horses; some went forward, and some backward in utter confusion. The colonel had to flee for his life. We got back into line again, but that ended the parade for that day."
It took a long time for the men to know how to challenge the grand rounds at night, to turn out the guard for the officer of the day and field officers, and to salute properly the different grades of officers. Colonel Spear and Major Stetzel, both having served as non-commissioned officers in the Regular Army, would become incensed when they passed a sentry who would look at them with stolid indifference, forgetful of military cour- tesy. The average American must be taught these habits of
-
15
ORGANIZATION.
special deference, for he regards every other man an equal. The traditions of the fathers favor such democracy; hence, though meaning no disrespect. he is often ill at ease when special recog- nition is demanded.
Water for cooking and drinking purposes was obtained from wells in the immediate vicinity of the camp, and at these springs guards were placed to preserve order. The thought of a good square meal is very appetizing. They say a tramp's real sentiment is in his stomach, but all have a good share of such sentiment, and the sense of smell is very keen when savory odors are in circulation. The people at whose homes these guards were stationed, usually fed them well, hence these posi- tions became very desirable, and many were ready to barter with the chosen ones.
The sanitary conditions of Camp Harlan soon became bad: change of climate, of water, of diet, of habits were soon felt. The camp was crowded with vendors of all sorts of indigestible truck, pleasing to the taste but harmful to health, and the men largely lived upon such stuff so long as their money lasted. Sometimes the change of locality improves the condition of troop's, the very excitement incidental to such a change is often beneficial.
During the afternoon of the 13th of October, orders were received to march next morning. At three o'clock the men were routed out, and from that time until 8 A. M., there was all the hustle and bustle and excitement natural to a first change of camp. The regiment was gotten into the semblance of a line, and at eight o'clock took up the line of march along Seventh Street, attended by the usual amount of speculation among the men concerning where they were going; but it soon became clear, for when the White House was reached, the column turned to the right, crossed the Potomac, over the Long Bridge, into Virginia and into the enemy's country. Arlington Heights. one of General Lee's estates, was passed en route, but it created no curiosity. for the general had not as yet become the formidable opponent subsequent years proved him to be. Some distance beyond Arlington Heights the regiment was formed in line, it wheeled into column by companies, the men were dismounted, the wagons came up, tents were pitched-the regiment had made its first march. The following afternoon another short march was made, and the regiment went into what was supposed to be a permanent camp for the winter near Ball's Cross Roads.
AL
16
ELEVENTH PENNSYLVANIA CAVALRY.
Here it was attached to a cavalry brigade commanded by Briga- dier-general James N. Palmer.
The horses were young and green for such service, and a halt was made to rest the men, all of whom dismounted. One of the color-bearers bore too heavily on his staff and wore out the socket. The staff suddenly fell to the ground and, as the flag unexpectedly fell upon his back he kicked, which threw out the staff behind, forming a tripod until the staff broke and let him down. The affair was amusing while it lasted.
While stationed at Camp Palmer, it was necessary to dig in the ravine at the foot of Upton's Hill and sink barrels to collect water for watering the horses. While some were digging in the ravine near the road they struck an insulated telegraph wire. within eight or ten inches of the surface. At once there was somewhat of excitement; one of the men said, "Wait till I cut it: there may be some devilment going over this wire now." The men took hold of the wire and pulled it up for several hun- dred feet, when an officer came along and stopped the pro. ceedings. A party was put at work to trace the mysterious wire, which was traced to the Potomac River, across which it ter- minated at a frame shanty in Georgetown, where two men were arrested in the act of endeavoring to communicate with Rich- mond.
On November 2d Major Wetherill reported with his battalion to Major-general O. O. Howard, at Bladensburg, Md., for duty at the Maryland elections on the western shores. As General Howard's body escort, he was sent forward with the battalion cavalry to St. Leonards with the following instructions:
"It has been reported that certain individuals who have been under arms against the Government in Virginia, have returned to their homes and intend to take part in the coming election. It is understood, also, that other individuals, residents of Mary- land, have been in sympathy with the aforesaid individuals to obstruct the freedom of the coming elections, and control votes in favor of their revolutionary schemes. In view of these facts. and in pursuance of my instructions, you will hold your com- mand in the town of St. Leonards, or its immediate vicinity and take such measures as will insure free and independent action at the polls. You will promptly arrest any man who talks open treason and hold him until the next day; any one you find who has been in open arms against the Government, you will keep a prisoner. You will preserve the strictest order in your own
COLONEL SAMUEL P. WETHERILL.
17
ORGANIZATION.
command. not allowing the slightest depredation. You must hold your officers individually responsible, as I hold you, for the sobriety and good behavior of the men. Remember that yours is a friendly commission in a friendly country.
"O. O. HOWARD, "Brig .- gen. Vols."
On the march from Lower Marlboro toward St. Leonards, it was reported that a large party of gentlemen had assembled at a small village to resist the advance. Strengthening the advance guard. the column was prepared to charge the body, if there. On arriving, two men were found in front of a store, leaning against a dry goods box, and it was learned from conversation with them that the meeting was merely a political one, which had rapidly dispersed upon hearing of the advance. Proceeding to St. L.conards, which was reached about dark, the command bivouacel in front of a gentleman's house with whom the major had an interview, and was told the two candidates, Union and Democratic, were storekeepers in the town. On being sent for they affirmed that the Government had been misinformed con- cerning the existence of a conspiracy as mentioned in General Howard's orders. The Union candidate feared the presence of the troops would arouse feeling against him to such an extent that a clash might result between the citizens and the troops during the progress of the election. The major told them if they would close their stores and sell no whiskey between sun- rise and sunset there would be no trouble; that he would not enter the town unless there was an attempt to arrest or prevent a Union man from exercising his legal right to vote; that a picket would be established in the neighborhood overlooking the town and the entire command would be in readiness to prevent all disturbances.
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