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Gc 973.74 P38pef 1760786
REYNOLDS HISTORICAL GENEALOGY COLLECTION
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 00825 1065
Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2012
http://archive.org/details/historyoffirstre00penn
HISTORY
OF THE
1760786
FIRST REGIMENT
INFANTRY,
NATIONAL GUARD OF PENNSYLVANIA.
COMPILED FROM THE OFFICIAL RECORDS, BY
EDWIN N. BENSON, R. DALE BENSON, THEO. E. WIEDERSHEIM, COMMITTEE OF THE VETERAN CORPS.
PHILADELPHIA, APRIL 19TH, 1880.
F 8349 .8098
Pennsylvania infantry. 1st regt., 1861- (Militia)
History of the First regiment infantry, National guard of Pennsylvania. Compiled from the official records, by Edwin N. Benson, R. Dale Benson, Theo. E. Wiedersheim ... Phila- delphia .W. H. Dole & co.'s printing house, 1880.
68 p. 233mm.
The 112th Pennsylvania volunteers, In U. S. service Aug. 1862-June 1865, was largely recruited from this regiment.
OKSUF CARD
The old organization was still maintained, and saw active service on Pennsylvania soll in 1962 as the 7th regiment, Pennsylvania militia, and again in 1863 as the 32d regiment.
1. U. S .- Ilst .- Civil war-Regimental histories-Pa. Inf .- 1st. (MI- litia ) I. Benson, Edwin North, joint comp. I. Benson, Richard Dale, 18-11-1920, joint comp. In. Wiedershelm, Theodore E., 1846-1916, joint comp.
1-5701 Revised
1 68955
Library of Congress
£527.5.1stP4 [34b2,
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PHILADELPHIA: WM. H. DOLE & CO.'S PRINTING HOUSE, No. 23 SOUTH THIRD ST. +
HISTORY OF
THE FIRST REGIMENT INFANTRY,
NATIONAL GUARD OF PENNSYLVANIA.
T HE late civil war in the United States is now a sad but a-glorious memory. The incidents of the great struggle, which appeared sectional in geographical character, but which was in reality a fight for the existence and preservation of a mighty Republic, are now forgotten by many, unless reminded by chairs that are still vacant, or old worn-out blue sleeves that are still empty.
The men of the present day who were too young to enlist in the war, discuss it carelessly and perhaps study it in the schools. Many of the active participants have been called away by death, and many of the organizations which partici- pated in the struggle are dying out or have a mere nominal existence. The Grand Army of the Republic and the Loyal Legion of the United States alone remain to keep alive the memory of the war and transmit to another generation the record of heroic deeds and honorable traditions. It remains
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for the National Guard of the United States, and especially for such Regiments as participated actively in the war for the pre- servation of the Union, in a greater or less degree, to put upon record deeds for which "they have no apology to make," as their great commander expressed himself for the part he took in the late struggle. This is the more important from the fact that such Regiments exist at the present time in a state of efficiency and discipline, and ready for any emergency in which their services may be legally required.
The Regiments of the National Guard in Pennsylvania, in common with her sister states, were prompt to offer their ser- vices to the National and State authorities, when danger threatened the Commonwealth and imperiled the National life. The first shell fired at Sumpter awakened a military ardor, cre- ated by a righteous indignation at the audacity of the act in which rebellion, for a long time threatening, sprang into an odious existence. Actuated by patriotic motives, an organiza- tion was then created, which has since vitalized into a powerful and popular military body, with a subsequent career of honora- ble usefulness, to which the Government, State and National, has several times expressed a formal indebtedness in unmistakable terms. To give a brief history of this Regiment, born in times of peril and continued through various vicissitudes of pros- perity and trials, the Veteran Corps believes it to be a duty and a pleasure. On the 19th of April, 1879, at a meeting of the Corps, a resolution was introduced by Colonel R. Dale Benson "that a committee be appointed for the purpose of compil- ing a History of the First Regiment Infantry, N. G. of Pa., from its organization to the present time," which was unan- imously adopted, and, in accordance with the resolution, Col. James W. Latta appointed as a committee Comrades Edwin N. Benson, R. Dale Benson and Theo. E. Wiedersheim.
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On April 15th and 16th, 1861, the following Special Notice was published in the North American and U. S. Gasette :
Retired and contributing members of the Light Artillery Corps of Washington Grays, over the age of 45 years, are requested to meet at the Wetherill House, Sansom Street above Sixth, on Wednesday Evening, 17th inst., at 7.30 o'clock, for the purpose of organizing a
"RESERVED GUARD"
for the protection of the city and support of the Constitution and laws of the United States of America.
(Signed)
CEPHAS G. CHILDS. JOSEPH M. THOMAS. P. C. ELLMAKER.
GEORGE W. WHARTON. JACOB BENNETT.
To the surprise of all who had signed the call nearly eighty citizens were present at this meeting. The intention originally was merely to form a company, but the applications to become members being so numerous, in order to make the parties eligible, it was decided to amend the call by inserting the words "other citizens." An agreement was then drawn up and signed by about eighty persons, and the meeting adjourned to re-assemble at Sansom Street Hall on Friday evening, the 19th inst.
An adjourned meeting of the retired members of the Wash- ington Grays, and other citizens, over the age of 45 years, was held at Sansom street Hall on April 19th. Mr. Chas. S. Smith presiding.
There were no regular speeches delivered, the proceedings being entirely of a business character. A few remarks, how- ever, were made by P. C. Ellmaker, Morton McMichael, Joseph M. Thomas and Jacob Laudenslager, all of which were enthu- siastically received.
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The following report was read by the secretary, P. C. Ellmaker:
PLAN OF ORGANIZATION.
"The President of the United States having, on the 15th inst., issued a proclamation announcing that a portion of the people were in open rebellion against the laws and the Constitution, we, the undersigned, retired and contributing members of the Washington Grays, and other citizens of Philadelphia, over 45 years of age, hereby agree to form a Regiment of at least 800 men, for the purpose of defending the city, and do hereby adopt and mutually pledge ourselves to be governed by the following
RULES AND REGULATIONS.
I. The organization shall be known as the " First Regiment of Gray Reserves of the City of Philadelphia," and shall con- sist of ten companies of not less than eighty men each.
2. The officers shall consist of a Colonel, Lieut .- Colonel, Major, Adjutant, (who shall act as Secretary), Paymaster, Sur- geon, Assistant Surgeon, and Quarter-Master. The Colonel · Lieut .- Colonel and Major shall be elected as hereinafter provi- ded, and the Adjutant, Paymaster, Surgeon, Assistant Surgeon and Quarter-Master shall be appointed by the Colonel.
3. The Company officers shall be a Captain, one First and one Second Lieutenant, four Sergeants, who shall be denomi- nated first, second, third and fourth, and four Corporals, who shall be designated in like manner, and rank accordingly.
4. The uniform shall conform as nearly as practicable to that worn by the United States Infantry when in actual service, except that the color of the coat and pants shall be cadet gray.
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5 .. Applications for membership must be submitted to the Regiment, and, if any objection be made, referred to a com- mittee for investigation; all elections for members to be by ballot, unless otherwise ordered.
6. The Companies shall be designated according to the first ten letters of the alphabet, and as soon as the requisite number are obtained to form six Companies of forty men each, they shall proceed to organize and choose their officers; and as soon thereafter as practicable, an election for field officers shall be held.
7. Each Company, with the approbation of the Colonel of the Regiment, shall fix the time and place for drill, and make such rules and regulations for the government of the Companies respectively, not inconsistent with the rules and regulations, as they may deem necessary and proper.
8. The officers of the Regiment, together with the Captains and Lieutenants of Companies, shall constitute a Regimental Board, who shall determine when it may be necessary to con- vene the Regiment, either for the purpose of business, parade or drill-provided that in case of emergency the Colonel may order a parade of a part or the whole of the regiment at any time.
9. The object of the organization being for the defence of the city of Philadelphia, the members shall not be required to march beyond the limits of said city, but shall at all times hold themselves in readiness for service within such limits; and any refusal to perform such duty as may be required, or any insubordination, shall subject the member to immediate expul- sion.
10. The discussion of political questions, upon all occasions, is hereby discountenanced, and positively prohibited at the
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meeting of Companies or of the Regiment, under penalty of immediate dismissal.
II. Until the Regiment shall be recognized by the consti- tuted authorities, the officers shall be invested with the same power and authority as though they were duly commissioned by the Governor of the Commonwealth.
Resolved, That in the organization of the Companies the first forty on the list shall constitute Company "A," the second forty Company "B," and so on to the completion of all the Companies of the Regiment. Any surplus after the formation shall be distributed among the several Companies.
Resolved, That in view of the necessity of an immediate organization, and the importance of electing persons of experi- ence in military matters as officers, the Chairman of the meet- ing is hereby authorized to appoint a committee of nine to select suitable persons to fill the positions of Colonel, Lieut .- Colonel, Major, Captains and Lieutenants, to serve until all the Companies are full.
Resolved, That the pattern of the hat and coat, and the mate- rial proposed for coat and pants, be approved, the cost of the total equipments for coat, pantaloons and cap, not to exceed fourteen dollars."
A committee of nine was appointed to select officers for the Regiment, namely: Morton McMichael, Robt. P. King, Chas. Gilpin, Jos. M. Thomas, Sam'l Branson, Jas. Lefevre, E. C. Markley, Samuel Welsh, Albert R. Foering.
The committee retired, and on returning reported that it was expedient to appoint only a part of the officers ;. Mr. McMichael submitted the name of P. C. Ellmaker for Colonel, and the following for Captains:
Company A. Charles S. Smith.
B. Jacob Laudenslager.
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Company C. Joseph N. Piersol.
D. George W. Wood.
E. William H. Kern.
F. Thomas Kirkpatrick.
G. George W. Briggs.
H. Charles M. Prevost.
I. Beaton Smith.
K. Jacob Bennett.
The report was unanimously adopted; the committee requested to be continued, and also that the officers appointed be added thereto, which was agreed to.
It was stated that 825 men were already enrolled towards the formation of the ten companies.
On April 20th the Committee on Organization met at the office of Joseph M. Thomas, No. 303 Walnut street, and the resignation of Captain Beaton Smith of "I" Company was accepted, and Charles P. Warner was elected to fill the vacancy.
The first parade of the Regiment was on May 27th, 1861, fully uniformed but without arms, with the following Roster of Officers :
Colonel-PETER C. ELLMAKER.
Lieut .- Colonel, RICHARD H. RUSH. Major, NAPOLEON B. KNEASS. Adjutant, Jos. T. FORD. Quarter-Master, Jos. M. THOMAS. Paymaster, R. P. DESILVER. Quarter-Master Sergeant, A. R. FOERING. Surgeon, W. L. ATLEE, M. D. Ass't Surgeon, THOMAS M. DRYSDALE.
LINE OFFICERS.
COMPANY A-Captain, CHARLES S. SMITH. · Ist Lieutenant, JAMES D. KEYSER. 2d GEO. F. DELLEKER.
COMPANY B-Captain, WILLIAM H. KERN. Ist Lieutenant, CHAS. F. HUPFELD. 2d BENJ. K. RIPPERGER.
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COMPANY C-Captain, CHAS. M. PREVOST. Ist Lieutenant, ATWOOD SMITH. 2d C. P. HERRING.
COMPANY D-Captain, J. Ross CLARK. Ist Lieutenant, EDW. WATSON. 2d W. T. MARTIEN. COMPANY E-Captain, JACOB LAUDENSLAGER. Ist Lieutenant, JULIUS C. STERLING.
COMPANY F-Captain, JOSEPH N. PIERSOL. Ist Lieutenant, WM. W. WAGNER. 2d JOHN G. MURPHY.
COMPANY G-Captain, GEORGE W. WOOD. 2d Lieutenant, HARRY GORMAN.
COMPANY H-Captain, SILAS WILSON. Ist Lieutenant, JOHN M. Ross. 2d JAMES BROWN. COMPANY I- Captain, GEO. W. BRIGGS. Ist Lieutenant, EDW. DEWEES. 2d BENJ. W. HAYS.
COMPANY K-Captain, CHAS. P. WARNER. Ist Lieutenant, H. D. WELSH. 2d J. S. HESS.
and numbered 1000 men. A short time after this, the Regi- ment was armed and by its drill and discipline was made a valuable adjunct to the City authorities, as well as a military school of instruction; its services were not required until the following spring, when in May, 1862, Schuylkill County was the scene of a disturbance and threatened riot, owing to dis- satisfaction among the coal miners, who were on a strike for higher wages. On the 7th of May, on the requisition of the Governor, a force of about 160 men, comprising Companies A and C, and details from Co's B. E and H, under command of Captain Charles S. Smith, of "A" Co., left the City by the 3.15 P. M., train to proceed to Schuylkill Haven and report to the Sheriff of said County; upon arriving there, arrangements had been made to move the Battalion at once to Minersville,
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and upon arriving there reported to the Sheriff, who had pro- vided rations for the command ; after remaining a short time, were marched to Forestville, about three miles distant, and then to Heckscherville, on the opposite side of Thomas Moun- tain.
The difficulties between the employers and employees being satisfactorily adjusted, owing in a great measure to the presence of the militia, the Battalion left Heckscherville, and on arriving at Schuylkill Haven they found Companies D and F, under command of Capt. J. Ross Clark, of D Company, in waiting; the whole command then left Schuylkill Haven for Philadelphia, arriving without accident.
The 118th Regiment Infantry, P. V., raised by means fur- nished by the Corn Exchange of Philadelphia, drew largely for its officers from the Ist Regiment. Prominent among them was Colonel Charles M. Prevost and Major Charles P. Herring, both of whom were severely wounded, and brevetted Brigadier General for gallantry in action. The 118th Regi- ment was mustered into the service of the United States August 30, 1862, and took part in all the great battles with the Army of the Potomac, earning for itself a record "second to none," and was mustered out of service June Ist, 1865. The following extract from the Eleventh Annual Report of the Corn Exchange Association will show the part that the 1ISth Regiment took in the battle of the Wilderness:
" May 5th, early in the morning, found the enemy in front. At 8 A. M. built breastworks. At 12.30 P. M., moved for- ward and charged the enemy, Colonel Gwyn in command of the second line of the brigade, Twentieth Maine and One Hundred and Eighteenth, Lieut .- Colonel Herring command- ing the regiment. Engagement very sharp, heat oppressive. At 1.30 P. M. obliged to retire to the breastworks, by reason of the enemy moving on our flanks in force. Colonel Gwyn wounded and carried off the field. At 5 P. M. moved to the
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front again, and at 7 P. M. retired to the breastworks to bivouac for the night. Killed, two; wounded, twenty-six; miss- ing twenty-seven. May 6th, at 3.30 A. M. moved out to the front, formed line of battle in the woods near the enemy. Brigade in three lines, Sixth Corps connecting on the right. Under sharp fire all day. At 6 P. M. retired to breastworks and rested for the night. May 7, at 6 A. M., attacked by the enemy, who was repulsed. At 10 A. M. Lieut .- Colonel Her- ring, in command of three regiments, including the One Hun- dred and Eighteenth, charged the enemy, pressed him back to his works, and established a picket line. At 8 P. M. army moved toward Spottsylvania. Wounded, ten; missing, one. May 8, moved at I A. M. with a detachment under Lieut .- Colonel Herring; withdrew pickets and acted as a rear guard. At 10 A. M. reached Laurel Hill, near Spottsylvania Court House. Found the enemy engaged, and was sent to support a part of Crawford's division. At 5 P. M. moved forward with Crawford and became hotly engaged. Killed, five; wounded, twenty-four; missing one. May 9, retired quietly at 3 A. M. Rejoined the brigade at 8 A. M. and bivouaced for the day. May 10, moved at 4 P. M. out to front of breast- works at Peach Orchard, to make a charge. Orders for a . charge countermanded. Bivouaced at 8 A. M. Lieutenant Coane wounded. Killed, one; wounded, one. May 11, under fire of the enemy's artillery. Lieutenant Thomas wounded and sent to the rear. May 12, moved at 3 A. M. to the extreme right of the army, to act as skirmishers on the flank. Crossed the River Po, in conjunction with the army. Exposed to artillery fire. Killed, one; wounded, three; missing, one."
In July, 1862, Colonel Peter C. Ellmaker, commanding the Ist Regiment, received authority from Governor Curtin to raise a regiment for three years' service. Nearly all the offi- cers and a large number of the men were members of the Ist Regiment, and the regiment was known as the 119th P. V. (Gray Reserves) and was mustered into the United States service August 5, 1862, participating in all the great battles of the Army of the Potomac from Antietam to the surrender of the Confederate Army at Appomattox Court House, April 9, 1865. After the surrender of Gen'l Jos. E. Johnston, the com-
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mand returned to the neighborhood of Washington, and on the 6th of June proceeded to Philadelphia, when on the 19th of June, 1865, it was mustered out of service.
The record of the II9th Regiment will compare favorably with any regiment enlisted from Pennsylvania. Recruiting commenced on the 5th of August, 1862, and on the 31st, before the organization had been perfected, it was ordered to Wash- ington. It proceeded thither on the following day, eight hundred strong, and was assigned temporarily to duty at the Arsenal. It was here joined by a company of one hundred and thirty men recruited by Captain John B. Adams, and the organization was completed with the following Field Officers: Peter C. Ellmaker, Colonel; Gideon Clark, Lieut .- Colonel; Charles C. Knight, Major.
On the 19th of September, two days after the battle of An- tietam, it was ordered to fatigue duty on the northern defences of the Capital, and was employed in the construction of Forts Mansfield and Reno. A month later it joined the Army of Potomac, still in camp in the neighborhood of the Antietam battlefield, and was assigned to the First Brigade, Second Division, Sixth Corps. Though suddenly thrown among veterans of two campaigns, it was prepared, by its thorough training, to hold its place with credit. During the first Fredericksburg campaign the regiment had five men wounded, among them Major Knight. During the battles that were fought between April and June, 1863, prominent that of Salem Church, the regiment had twelve killed and one hundred and twelve wounded out of four hundred and thirty-two present for duty. Captain Peter Rodgers was among the killed, and Captains Charles P. Warner and Andrew T. Goodman and Lieutenant John M. Cook among the wounded.
The 119th Regiment took part in all the battles of the Army
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of the Potomac that were fought after June, 1863, and at the battle at Rappahannock Station the regiment lost seven killed and forty-three wounded. Captain Cyrus M. Hodgson and Lieutenants Edward Everett Coxe and Robert Reaney were among the killed.
This regiment was with General Grant in the spring cam- paign of 1864; at the battle of the Wilderness had seven killed and sixty-three wounded, Lieutenant Geo. G. Lovett mortally ; four color bearers were either killed or wounded at Spottsyl- vania. Lieutenant Edward Ford, Jr., was killed during a charge May 10, 1864.
May 12, 1864, Major Henry P. Trufelt was killed, and almost immediately thereafter Captain Charles P. Warner, who succeeded in command, was also killed near Spottsylvania Court House. The scene of this struggle was known as the "Bloody Angle," or the "Slaughter Pen." In the series of engagements up to this time, commencing on the 5th of May, out of an aggregate for duty of four hundred, the regiment had lost two hundred and fifteen.
On the 18th of May, Lieut .- Colonel Clark assumed com- mand, (Col. P. C. Ellmaker having resigned January 12, 1864, and was honorably discharged), the regiment having been led since the fall of Warner by Captains Gray and Landell; at the battle of Cold Harbor Lieutenant George C. Humes, acting Adjutant, was among the killed.
On April 2d, during a picket skirmish preparatory to storm- ing the enemy's works near Fort Steadman, the One Hundred and Nineteenth, unaided, dislodged him from a formidable interior work, capturing many prisoners, with artillery, small arms and stands of colors. .
In this desperate encounter Colonel Clark, Lieutenant Geo. W. Shriver and Adjutant John D. Mercer were severely
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wounded, the latter mortally, the command devolving on Lieut .- Colonel Gray, under whom it returned to Philadelphia, and was mustered out on the 19th of June, 1865.
On the eleventh day of September, 1862, acting under authority of the President of the United States, Governor Curtin called for fifty thousand men, directing them to report by telegraph for orders to move, and adding that further calls would be made as the exigencies should require.
In response to this call of the Governor, the Ist Regiment was mustered into the Service of the State on the 12th day of September 1862, as the 7th Regiment Penna. Militia, and was ordered to Harrisburg on the 15th inst., reaching there on the morning of the 16th, and was reviewed by the Governor, after which the Regiment proceeded by rail to Chambersburg.
It remained all night in that town, and on the morning of 17th, according to orders, marched to Camp McClure. No sooner had they halted when orders were received from Head-Quarters, directing the Regiment to re-embark in cars and proceed to Hagerstown. En route ball cartridge was issued each man ; arrived at Hagerstown, Md., in the evening, and marched to Boonsboro' same night, halting on the way at Funkstown for an hour. On the morning of 18th returned to Funkstown and prepared to encamp. The arrival of a courier from General Reynolds, at Hagerstown, was the cause of a prompt march to that point and thence for a mile on the Clear Spring road. On reaching this place the Regiment was drawn up in line of battle, as the enemy were in its immediate front, Company C being detailed for picket duty, and so remained until morning of 19th without being attacked. At 7 P. M. Igth inst., orders were received to strike tents and prepare for a march.
Everything being in readiness, the Regiment marched
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through Hagerstown, towards Green Castle, Pa., resting a short time on the way, and reaching the town on the morning · of the 21st. The regiment then went into camp (Rest). The emergency having passed, the militia regiments were ordered to return to Harrisburg, and in accordance with the conditions upon which they had been called into service, they were, on the 24th, mustered out and disbanded; the regiment arrived in Philadelphia on 25th.
The following officers were in command during the tour of duty :
FIELD AND STAFF: Colonel, Napoleon B. Kneass; Lieut .- Colonel, Chas. H. Graeff; Major, Joseph N. Piersol; Adjutant, William H. Keys; Quarter-Masters, Alfred R. Foering, Alex- ander P. Colesberry; Surgeon, Wm. C. Byington; Assistant Surgeon, Silas Updegrove; Sergeant Major, Benj. H. Dusen- bery; Quarter-Master Sergeant, Edwin Watson; Commissary Sergeant, Cauffman Oppenheimer; Hospital Steward, John H. Pratt.
COMPANY A-Captain, Chas. S. Smith; Ist Lieutenant, Jas. D. Keyser; 2d Lieutenant, George F. Delleker.
COMPANY B-Captain, C. Fred. Hupfeld; Ist Lieutenant, William Hart, Jr .; 2d Lieutenant, Charles S. Jones.
COMPANY C-Captain, Atwood Smith ; Ist Lieutenant, Wm. W. Allen; 2d Lieutenant, Jno. W. Powell.
COMPANY D-Captain, J. Ross Clark; Ist Lieutenant, Chas. K. Ide; ed Lieutenant, Charles E. Willis.
COMPANY E-Captain, Jacob Laudenslager; Ist Lieutenant, Julius C. Sterling; 2d Lieutenant, Thos. Allman.
COMPANY F-Captain, Harry C. Kennedy; Ist Lieutenant, Harry A. Fuller; 2d Lieutenant, Robert M. Banks.
COMPANY G-Captain, George W. Wood; Ist Lieutenant, Geo. W. Mackin ; 2d Lieutenant, John Rutherford, Jr.
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COMPANY H-Captain, Francis P. Nicholson; Ist Lieutenant, William W. Keys, (promoted to Adjutant); 2d Lieutenant, - Geo. W. Kern.
COMPANY I-Captain, George W. Briggs; Ist Lieutenant, Edward A. Adams; 2d Lieutenant, Joseph A. Speel.
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