History of the One hundred and fifty-third regiment Pennsylvania volunteers infantry which was recruited in Northampton County, Pa., 1862-1863, Part 1

Author: Kiefer, William R; Mack, Newton Heston, joint author
Publication date: 1909
Publisher: Easton, Chemical Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 462


USA > Pennsylvania > Northampton County > History of the One hundred and fifty-third regiment Pennsylvania volunteers infantry which was recruited in Northampton County, Pa., 1862-1863 > Part 1


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1800


Glass E 527 .5 Book 153 d K


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1800


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Class. E 527 . 5 Book 153d K


MAP OF THE BATTLEFIELD OF GETTYSBURG


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Battlefield Monument, 153d Regiment.


HISTORY


OF THE


One Hundred and Fifty-third Regiment


Pennsylvania Volunteers Infantry


Which was Recruited in Northampton County, Pa.


1862-1863


Written by Rev. W. R. Kiefer, Historian (One of the Musicians)


Assisted by Newton H. Mack Secretary of the Regimental Association


Easton, Pennsylvania 1909


PRESS OF THE CHEMICAL PUBLISHING Co. EASTON, PA.


E 527 .5 1531


CREDIT


Many of the pictures in the volume are from negatives loaned by Ethan Allen Weaver, son of Sergeant Wm. Henry Weaver of Co. A. The electros bearing the imprint of the Century Company are from "Battle and Leaders" published by them. Others by the Freedman's Aid Society of the M. E. Church. Geo. W. West, printer, of Easton, loaned us several cuts ; Bush and Bull furnished the cut of the Soldiers' Monument in Easton. Many others are from photos furnished by Newton H. Mack from his gallery.


Much valuable assistance was rendered by General Frank Reeder of Easton.


D. OF D. DEC 30 1900


DEDICATED


TO THE


RELATIVES


OF THE


COMRADES


OF THE


COMMAND


RESOLUTIONS


Resolutions of the Association of the One Hundred and Fifty-third Regiment of the Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry :


At a Special meeting of the Association of the 153d Regi- ment the following business was transacted :


The Secretary called the meeting to order, and stated the object of the meeting.


To take into consideration the advisability of having a com- plete History of our regiment, the 153d, written and published. Where upon the following resolution was offered :


RESOLVED,-I. That it is the sense of this meeting of the members of the organization of the 153d Regiment that we should have a more complete history than has yet been published.


2. That having been duly elected as the Executive Committee of the regiment, at its last reunion, June 5, 1907, and vested with the right to select the time and place of the next reunion, we would call an early meeting of the survivors of the regiment, and name June 6, 1908, as the time and Nazareth as the place, at which meeting we will ask for the authorization of the publication of the contemplated history.


3. As the State of Pennsylvania has made a special appropriation for the purchase of 400 volumes of such histories as may be satisfactorily written by Pennsylvania regiments, we recommend that our organiza- tion avail itself of the offer of the Commonwealth at the earliest practi- cable moment.


4. As Comrade Rev. W. R. Kiefer has by considerable labor, and correspondence, procured a large amount of material relative to our his- tory, we recommend him as historian of the work and gratefully commend his voluntary research and will give him our assistance in the further prosecution of the work, the matter of compensation to be left to the Society in June, 1908. Approved. NOAH DIETRICH, President.


NEWTON H. MACK, Secretary.


Easton, Pa., Jan. 24, 1909.


At a meeting of the publishing Committee in Easton, Jan- uary 9, 1909, the following resolution was passed :


RESOLVED, That the manuscript copy of the history of the 153d Regiment, Penna. Volunteer Infantry, be submitted to the State Com- mission for its examination with the view to its publication in book form, in pursuance of the resolution of the Regimental Association dated June, I908.


NEWTON H. MACK, Secretary.


Easton, Pa., June 24, 1909.


W. R. KIEFER, Chairman. GEO. W. RHOAD. WM. F. RADER.


---


Corporal Noah Dietrich, Co. E., Pres. Regimental Association.


CONTENTS


Inceptive Chapter


Governor Curtin's Proclamation


Patriotism of Keystone State


Call to Arms-Bugle


Rev. Geo. W. Roth, Co. 161 13 Isaac E. Smith, Co. K 163


Itinerary of the Regiment


19


Comrade Theo. Keller 164


Distinguished 153d Regiment The Activities of Friday, ist


20 Rev. Anthony Straub 165


Chancellorsville Battle


24 Edward Young 167


Location of Eleventh Corps


27 David Moll and Henry A. Miller 168


Chancellorsville-Events of


28 Comrades Hillpot and Theo. Miller 170


Chancellorsville Battlefield


29 Captain Howell, Co. D 171


Hooker's Feint


31 Letter from David Knauss 172


The Fortified Rappahannock


Hooker's General Orders No. 49


34


Levi F. Walters, Co. Ę 176


What Hooker Found


35 Lieutenant Beaver


182


Sergeant Lantz 183


Sergts. E. J. Kiefer, Transue and


Account of Capt. Owen Rice


Causes of Hooker's Defeat


47


Geo. King, Co. F"


186


W. H. Marsteller, Co. F 187


Why Lee Did Not Pursue 53


Three Days Battle of Gettysburg 55


Gettysburg-The First Day


72


A. J. Benner and Men of Co. F 190


Defenses on Cemetery Hill That Memorable Second Day


79 85 The Badge of Welcome Home 228


88 Capt. Howard J. Reeder


230


Reminiscence-Lt. Moore 230


Items-Rev. Stryker Wallace 238 The Story of Wn. Armstrong 240


Comrade Hess, by Wallace 242


Theodore Hester 243


Capt. Young and Lt. Crawford 244


Letter-Reuben Stotz 245 Recollections-L. B. Clewell 246


Captain Johnson


248


Lieutenant Dutott 249


L. Fraunfelter and John Rush 250


126 Brief Narratives by the Boys 256


Thomas Quinn-The Band 258


Account of Dr. Stout


131


Thoughts on Memorial Day 258


Dr. J. P. K. Kohler 133


A Patriot's Monument


260


Quartermaster Knowles


Chaplain P. W. Melick 134|


WVm. Beidelman's Address 265


Captain Rice and Lieut. Shaum 1 37


Other Soldiers of the County 267


Lieutenant Clyde Millar 139 The Roster 27I


Comrade Kiefer, Co. A.


144


The Editor's (Author's) Farewell


352


Sergeant Wm. M. Shultz I44


90 100


The Operations of the Third Day


Observations by the Historian 107


Following Lee's Retreat 108


Welcome Home-Reception


109


Colonel von Gilsa's Address II1


The Regimental Flag I12


Cemetery Hill


I13


Generals' Testimonials 116


Narratives of the Comrades 122


Colonel Charles A. Glanz


Lieutenant Colonel Dachrodt


Letter from Major Frueauff


I27


Experience of Comrade Ruch 192


Cemetery Hill, the Great Center


Honor to Whom Honor is Due


42


The Wounding of Jackson 45 46 Romig 184


Extract: O. O. Howard


49


WVm. G. Tomer and John Kressler 188 Reuben Transue, Wm. H. Taylor 189


33 Comrade Strickland 174


The Enemy's Story


Page Page


I| Sergeant Wm. Henry Weaver 146 6 |J. L. Boerstler, Co. A. . 158 8 Geo. Beers and Peter Herman 159


123


134 Dedication of Monument 263


ILLUSTRATIONS


Frontispiece-Battlefield Monument


Lieut. Joseph T. Wilt, Co. B 160


Corporal Noah Dietrich


iv Sergeant David Moll, Co. B 168


Rev. W. R. Kiefer, Historian


1 Ilenry Kuester, Co. B 168


Abraham Lincoln


8 Captain Theo. H. Howell, Co. D 171


Winter Quarters of 153d Regt.


Major-General Joseph Hooker


32


General Meade


56


George Siegfried, Co. D 17 2


General Reynolds


64


Lieutenant Wm. H. Beaver, Co. D .. 175


General Howard 72


General Slocum


74


Curtis V. Strickland, Musician, Co. D 175 Captain John P. Ricker, Co. Ę 176


Major-General Franz Sigel 76 Lieutenant Paul Bachschmid, Co. E 176


Brevet Maj .- Gen. Adelbert Ames


Maj .- Gen. Carl Schurz


General Leopold von Gilsa 80


General Hancock 92


The Jennie Wade Home 104 108 W'm. H. Taylor, Co. F 184


List of Drummer Boys


Colonel Chas. Glanz


123


Abraham J. Benner, Co. F 188 Philip R. Halpin, Co. F 188


128|John Kressler, Co. F 188


Reuben F. Ruch, Co. F 192


Adjutant Henry Evans I28 Captain IIenry J. Oerter, Co. C 200


Dr. Abraham Stout, Asst. Surg. 131


Lieut. Benj. F. Boyer, Co. C 200


Dr. Henry K. Neff, Chief Surg. 131 Lieut. Geo. H. Fritchman, Co. K 204


Dr. John P. K. Kohler, Asst. Surg. 131


Sergt. Maj. George G. Beam 1 34


Philip D. Wirebach, Quart. Sergt. 134


Quartermaster S. H. Knowles 134


Captain Owen Rice, Co. A 1 37


2d Lieut. Clyde Millar, Co. A 137


ist Lieut. Benj. F. Shaum, Co. A 137


Band Leader Eugene Walter 140


Robt. H. Wilson, Musician, Co. A. 140


Corporal Valentine Heller, Co. A .. 140 Sergeant Wm. M. Schultz, Co. A .. 144


Sergeant Wm. M. Schultz-wartime .. 144


Sergeant Wm. H. Weaver, Co. A. 146 Officers of the 153d Regiment 152 Captain Joseph A. Frey, Co. B 16c


I,ieut. Laurence Dutott, Co. K 204


Captain Howard J. Reeder, Co. G 230 Lieut. Jonathan Moore, Co. G 230 Lieut. Wm. Simmers, Co. G 243


Theo. Hester, Co. G 243


Captain George H. Young, Co. H 244 Lieut. George W. Walter, Co. H 244 Captain Joseph S. Myers, Co. I 246 Lieut. Reuben J. Stotz, Co. 1 246 Lieut. Wm. H. Crawford, M. D., Co. I 246 Captain Isaac Buzzard, Co. K 248 Captain Isaac I .. Johnson, Co. K 248 The National Cemetery, Gettysburg. . 258 Newton H. Mack, Musician, Co. K .. 272


76 Lieut. Henry Barnes, Co. F 180 Lieut. Wm. Beidelman, Co. F 180 Sergeant Edward J. Kiefer, Co. F 184 Chas. M. Shively, Co. F 184


Lt. Colonel Jacob Dachrodt 1 26


Chaplain Philip W. Melick


Major John F. Frueauff 128


Page Page


16 Lieutenant Wm. H. Houser, Co. D 171 David Knauss, Co. D 172


76 Captain Lucius Q. Stout, Co. F 180


INTRODUCTION


The task of writing the history of a regiment after the ex- piration of more than forty years from the time of its muster- out is far greater than many at first thought would imagine. Many incidents of an instructive and entertaining nature must of necessity be omitted, owing to the death of those who could have vouched for the accuracy of the same.


In the preparation of the present work the historian labored under many disadvantages ; at no time, however, did he manifest discouragement, but faithfully and diligently toiled on deter- mined to do his best. From the scant authentic material to which he had access he has submitted to the survivors of the regiment and their descendants a most truthful and valuable history of the organization from the time of its formation to the day of its muster-out, and justly deserves the thanks of all its members.


WM. M. SHULTZ.


Officers of the Regimental Association


President-NOAH DIETRICH. Vice President-GEO. W. RHOAD. Secretary and Treasurer-NEWTON H. MACK.


Advisory Board


Lieutenant Colonel-JACOB DACHRODT .* Sergeant-WM. F. RADER. First Lieutenant-WM. H. CRAWFORD, M. D.


Publishing Committee


APPOINTED JUNE 6, 1908.


REV. WM. R. KIEFER, Chairman.


GEORGE W. RHOAD.


WILLIAM F. RADER.


. .


NEWTON H. MACK, Secretary and Treasurer.


* Col. Dachrodt died June 4, 1909.


Rev. W. R. Kiefer, Ilistorian.


Inceptive Chapter.


HE historian of the regiment approaches the delightful task of writing up the deeds of the soldiers of the One Hundred and Fifty-third Regiment with peculiar pride, and yet with feelings of sadness since the worthiness of the comrades whose service he is to record, and the honorable and heroic service they rendered their country, deserve so much more commendation than he is com- petent to bestow.


The service of our men was short :- but ten months, but in some respects a more unique career was not found in the annals of the Federal troops of the war. Though the term of enlist- ment was under the call for nine months, the exigencies at the time for the muster-out having come while on the road to the battle field of Gettysburg, when the safety of our nation was threatened, they cheerfully consented to remain and help decide the destiny of our army and State.


Our regiment enlisted with those who shared the highest honor of the nation in her defense. They came on the scene at the time of the Proclamation of Lincoln read before the Cabinet, on the 22d day of September, 1862, and saw Emancipation be- come a fact on the Ist of January, 1863. Standing in line of duty they obeyed the most immortal moral edict known to any nation. Henry the IV gave religious freedom to France ; Wash- ington took the yoke of monarchy from three million Colonists, but Lincoln caused the shackles to drop from the arms, intellects and souls of about four millions of American citizens.


The fixed policy of Lincoln primarily was the preservation of the Union, the dissolution of which was to him, (and to every true American), the greatest calamity which could befall the nation. The men who voluntarily composed the 153d Regi- ment were as a reserve force, moved by the momentous issue in the campaign which ended in the election of the great Eman-


I


2


HISTORY OF THE 153D REGT.


cipator to the Presidency. They had helped to elect him; they knew how he stood on the great moral question of human slavery ; for largely the men were religious in practice or at least in pro- clivity. Probably the majority had imbibed the anti-slavery sen- timent which had become the burning sectional issue. Many of them sealed their convictions with their blood on the sacred soil of Gettysburg.


The origin of the Civil War is well known, having been graphically and well related by many authors, but to give our forthcoming history proper setting the description of the part that the One Hundred and Fifty-third Regiment took should be accurately and faithfully prefaced by such antecedent history, of the origin and causes that led up to the Rebellion, as will properly introduce the record we are about to write. Neither can brevity be employed in a work of such interest and perma- nent value to the casual reader and military student. There is no place for fiction in a work of this sort, where authenticity is of such great value. The preservation of the Union ranks among the great epochs of any nation or empire of the world.


The writer was eye-witness to two of the most pivotal cam- paigns of the war-battles in which his Regiment fought- having faithfully preserved in Diary form, a perfect itinerary of the army, the movements and battles in which he, with his regiment participated, and of such incidents as occurred during the term of enlistment, which extended from September 22, 1862, to July 24, 1863.


In writing up the history and deeds of heroism of one thousand men the historian faces a most difficult and laborious task. First, for want of the detailed and perfect reports by com- manders respectively ; Second, for want of narratives from the different Companies, by comrades of them respectively, so as to spread the interest of the individual over the larger field of reminiscent record.


As the historian is fully aware that it is not in keeping with the work committed to him to write up matters in which the 153d


3


INCEPTIVE CHAPTER


Regiment had no part, nevertheless, he feels it imperative to relate such parts of the general engagement with which his regi- ment was associated, that a clearer view may be obtained of the achievements of the regiment itself.


To one not acquainted with the philosophy of military his- tory, divergent and often contradictory records have the sem- blance of positive falsifications; but with the candid reader authenticity is not determined alone by the reports of individual observations of witnesses who occupied different positions and view points of the same general engagements. A great battle over long and complicated lines over ground of varied configura- tion and many natural impediments, and, as is sometimes the case, fought at night, cannot be faithfully and accurately de- scribed by any one man; but must depend on the reports of many.


The true historian gathers facts from every source, even from the enemy who can often furnish valuable information. It is our own good fortune that the Reports of both sides are accessible from the published Records of the Government.


Many of the histories which came under the observation of the writer, while affording valuable data respecting the move- ments, battles and issues of the campaign, have been so heavily tainted with odium cast upon certain officers; others of them written in such partisan style; that the accounts given by them must of necessity be omitted if the peculiar narrative the histor- ian is expected to present to the greatly diversified readers of the book, is to meet general acceptance. Often incidents occur in the numerous diaries, presented by the friends of comrades which contain personal matters which would not be pleasant reading by surviving friends. We have, therefore, eliminated much that would otherwise have added relish to the stories.


Nothing is so vital and interesting to the friends of the veter- ans as the relation of scenes of a battle, and yet many of the horrors of the battle field if related in all their true vividness would be most harrowing to those friends who mourned the loss


4


HISTORY OF THE 153D REGT.


of dear ones, and from whom there comes but the lone, sad report-buried with the "Unknown."


Any attempt at depicting the timely retreat of the Eleventh Corps, on the fateful Second of May at Chancellorsville, would be a mere wasting of words. The battle which was overtaken with darkness must for all time to come remain shrouded in confusion worse confounded. Both armies became entangled in the wilderness as the darkness covered the scene. About 500 of the 700 men of the 153d Regiment that were in line at the opening of the battle at 5.30 p. m., were widely scattered in the dense woods ; many of them did not find their command until the next day. About 300 of them were rallied before midnight near the Chancellorsville House. The pursuing rebels were equally confused and scattered, one of the divisions having lost all organization in their mad rush. The scenes of that weird, trackless, forest were truly appalling. The roar of cannon, and bursting shell, crackling of broken boughs, the rattle of musketry, and the shouts and yells of men, mingled with the groans of the dying made the awful night hideous.


No part of the army engaged in the Nation's defense deserves more of the commendation of their countrymen and to hold a warmer place in the memory of the future generations, than our own Northampton County Regiment.


The stirring times incident to the enlistment and departure of our boys to the war, is still fresh in the memory of many living, while the vast majority of those then alive have long since departed this life.


A nobler and more soldierly body of men did not go out to defend the Union. The Officers proved themselves leaders who won the esteem of the men whom they commanded.


The 153d was composed in large part of young men. They were chiefly of the farming class, yet many of them were mechanics and professional men. Loyalty to the Union was their watchword as they marched under the Stars and Stripes on that


5


INCEPTIVE CHAPTER


ever memorable September day. How well they acquitted themselves on the field of battle we confidently hope their pub- iished history will fully show. Many of them were descendants of the patriots of the Revolution, and the spirit of "76" stirred their Teutonic blood. They were true sons and ready for the heroic service of the hour-the auspicious period in the prog- ress of the war.


The troops of the eastern portion of the Keystone State were noted for bravery in Colonial days. In the storming of Stony Point-the most daring strategic military movement of the Revo- lution-the two officers who led the 20 picked men under Wayne, were Gibbon and Knox, both Pennsylvanians. The hero Gen- eral of the Assault, was also a native of the State of our pride. Colonel Hays and Colonel Febiger who led the forlorn hope were natives of our State. The writer's grandsire, a Sergeant and a native of old Northampton, died in the battle of Long Island.


There were noble men in our organization who were hindered by force of circumstances from taking part with us. Our sym- pathy for them is the deeper since we know how well they would have assisted in the defense of home and native land. Our men had the honor of belonging to a State than which none in the Union had more to fight for. The Keystone State had become the pivotal one of the nation. Its protection was fraught with incalculable consequences. What' transcendent honor that the high water mark of the Rebellion should be reached in our grand old Commonwealth, and that so many of her noble sons should have been permitted to cast the fatal dart at the tottering "Lost Cause."


It is the higher honor that our boys did not enlist in a war of aggression, or grasp of empire, but for a great and pure cause. For this their deeds will ever stand out in bold relief on the page of history, be an enduring legacy to all their pos- terity, and live long in the memory of their grateful country. Their gallant impulses, resulting in glorious achievements, have


6


HISTORY OF THE 153D REGT.


contributed a noble part in the restoration of the Union upon a perpetual basis of national peace.


Of all the soldiers of the eastern part of the State, our regi- ment was the only organization that was wholly composed of Northampton men.


Proclamation of Governor Curtin.


C. P. Buckingham, Brigadier General and Assistant Adjutant General, Dispatched Governor Curtin July 7, 1862, asking him to raise twenty-one Regiments as early as possible, in order to fill the quota required by the President. The Proclamation issued by the Governor is as follows :


"To sustain the government in times of common peril by all his energies, his means, and his life, if need be, is the duty of every loyal citizen. The President of the United States has made a requisition on Pennsylvania for twenty-one new regiments, and the regiments already in the field must be recruited. Enlistments will be made for nine months in the new regiments and for twelve in the old. The existence of the present emergency is well understood. I call on the inhabitants of the counties, cities, boroughs and townships throughout our borders to meet and take active measures for the immediate furnishing of the quota of the State. I designate below the number of companies which are expected from the several counties in the State, trusting the support of her honor in this crisis, as it may be safely trusted, to the loyalty, fidelity and valor of her freemen.


Given under my hand and the Great Seal of the State, at Harrisburg. this 21st day of July, in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and sixty-two, and of the Commonwealth the eighty-second.


By the Governor :


A. G. CURTIN.


ELI SLIFER, Secretary of the Commonwealth."


7


PROCLAMATION OF COVERNOR CURTIN


The President's call


Response


April 15, 1861


75,000


3 months


93,326


May 3, 1861


82,748


July 22 and 25, 1861


500,000


3 years


714,231


May and June, 1862


15,007


July 2, 1862


300,000


3 years


431,958


August 4, 1862


300,000


9 months


87,588


June 15, 1863


100,000


6 months


16.361


October 17, 1863


300,000


2 years


February I, 1864


200,000


2 years


374,807


March 14, 1864


200,000


3 years


284,021


April 23, 1864


85,000


100 days


83,652


July 18. 1864


500,000


1, 2, 3 years


384,882


December 19, 1864


300,000


1, 2, 3 years


204.568


Total


2.942,748


2,690,40I


Once this vast army moved about over the wide arena of bat- tle like waving grain over a great harvest field ready for the reaper. The panorama of those mighty surging columns abides real as life to those who were participants in the great national conflict or those who are still living under the shadow of sor- row over the untimely death of a beloved one in the distant battle field long years ago.


In the Pension Building, Washington, in Sculpture design is shown the marching columns of the men in blue as real as in the days we bore arms in the defense of the Union. Those en- graved, familiar scenes speak more eloquently than the sabried friezes of the Parthenon in Athens, or the Pantheon of Rome, which is dedicated to all the gods. With lavish art are here pictured the brave defenders of the nation for the study and in- spiration of the soldiers of all coming generations.


All language is lame, and the most eloquent description of demonstrations of rejoicing over the victory fall short of de- picting the emotions of the men when they saw and heard that their side had won the day. Even amid the din, and strife of




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