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WAR SERVICE REGISTER
Artillery Corps Washington Grays OF THE City of Philadelphia 1861-1865
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GEN
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY
3 1833 01855 6255
GC 973.74 P38FN
Ana. Pn B. Stevenson /2. 1 Crington . Por
Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2012
http://archive.org/details/registerofmembe00foer
REGISTER
OF THE MEMBERS OF THE
"Artillery Corps, Washington Grays" OF THE
City of Philadelphia
Who served in the War of the Rebellion
1861-1865
COMPILED BY BREVET CAPTAIN JOHN O. FŒERING U. S. VOLUNTEERS
Published by resolution of the surviving members of the Old Guard of the A. C. W. G. By J. T. Palmer Co. S.W. Cov. 5Th & Locust 1912
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ARTILLERY CORPS, WASHINGTON GRAYS MONUMENT IN WASHINGTON SQUARE, PHILADELPHIA
LIEUTENANT COLONELS THOMAS S. MARTIN HENRY C. WHELAN GEORGE W. HAWKINS THOMAS M. HALL
MAJOR
GEORGE W. F. WOOD
CAPTAINS
CHARLES P. WARNER CHARLES L KNEASS ALBERT C. WALKER WASHINGTON AIRE
LIEUTENANTS
MAJORS JOSEPH S. CHANDLER ANDREW CAL SUPLEE
ERECTED BY THE ARTILLERY CORPS WASHINGTON GRAYS. ON THE STREET AT THE WEST SIDE OF THIS SQUARE WAS FORMED THE IT~ PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEER REGIMENT, OF WHICH THE ARTILLERY CORPS WASHINGTO N GRAYS WAS A PART, THE FIRST TO ARRIVE IN WASHINGTON FULLY ARMED AND EQUIPPED FOR ACTIVE SERVICE.
TABLETS SHOW THOSE WHO DIED IN THE SERVICE.
WILLIAM J. SILL GODFREY M. BRINLEY ARCHIBALD H. ENGLE WILLIAM K. POLLOCK
WALTER SCOTT WILLIAM BOWEN
FOREWORD
As a matter of duty to those whose names are hereinafter recorded, as well as to those who may be related by ties of blood to those who are dead, this list of members of the "Artillery Corps, Washington Grays" who served in the Union Army during the War of the Rebellion, 1861-1865, has been compiled.
To those who are conversant with the history of the City and State for the last fifty years and more, no word of explanation will be necessary, but as this volume may fall into the hands of some one to whose mind the query may present itself: "Who were the Washington Grays?" a single note of interpretation may be useful and welcome.
Being fully convinced of the utility of a well regulated Volunteer Corps in a republican government, as well in time of peace as in war, some members of the Second Company of Washington Guards, Captain John Swift, which had served during the War of Eighteen Hundred and Twelve, in the Brigade of General Thomas Cadwalader, met together at the public house of Daniel Rubicam, No. 20 S. Sixth Street, Philadelphia, on April 19, 1822, with the view of forming a body of picked men, whose perfect drill, thorough organization, absolute discipline and uniform gentlemanly deportment in and out of uniform would claim and deserve the support and respect of a discriminating community, and establish for themselves a reputation of an "easy first" in the particular line of its justifiable ambition.
The names of those who agreed to inaugurate and carry out this project, were John Swift, Andrew Donaldson, John Banks, Robert Steele, D. Alkins, L. A. Lyon, W. H. Hay, Samuel Davies, Cephas G. Childs, Charles Goodman, Henry Leeman, C. E. Harrison, Jacob R. Beidelman, P. P. Gaskill, Samuel C. Rogers, Henry Bird, J. A. Hayes, J. Y. Davis, George M. Eyre, Charles Lukens, Henry Billington,
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Stephen Desgranges, Joseph Worrell, Jr., Joseph W. Taylor, Joseph Rumsey, Jr., Benjamin E. Carpenter, Francis P. MacCalla and John Y. Clark. Charles Goodman presided and Charles Lukens was secre- tary.
They resolved to form a Volunteer Corps of Light Infantry, the color of the uniform to be gray and of domestic manufacture. Meet- ings were held in taverns, as hotels were then called, drills were had in the public squares or in the streets, as armories were considered too expensive luxuries; uniforms were procured and owned by the members, the arms were loaned by the State, and a receipt taken therefor.
John Swift, who became Mayor of Philadelphia, was elected the first Captain, he was supported by competent and painstaking subordi- nates, whose pride it was to contribute in every manner possible to the avowed laudable ambition of the Company.
Alacrity in absorbing the instruction offered, bore its desired result, and as the Corps grew in reputation, its friends increased in numbers, and it was not long before the young men in the community for whom military matters had an attraction were anxious to become identified with an organization whose high aims and resolves were being realized, and had already attracted the favorable attention of all classes of citizens.
It was the practice of the "Grays" to undergo a tour of duty about the Fourth of July, going to some nearby town in our own or a neighbor- ing State, or into camp in some convenient locality, amid pleasant and congenial surroundings, near to a good hotel, where meals could be procured.
It may excite no little surprise that such excursions should con- sume a matter of ten days; but we must consider that in the then limited transportation facilities, great delay was encountered, for instance, in going to the City of Reading, the Corps marched to the west side of the Schuylkill River, then took the inclined plane rail- road, thence by canal to within a few miles of Reading, and then marched into that place. No matter where the Corps went the result was invariably the same, the press and the people delighted to do them honor, and in a number of instances their presence and deportment enkindled a spirit of emulation which resulted in the formation of military companies founded upon the same lines, which not only created pride and ambition in the individual, but also reflected credit upon its locality which gave it birth, and in more than one instance the "Grays" had the pleasure to receive a visit from and entertain some of its foster children.
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On June 29, 1826, the Corps left Philadelphia with the intention of proceeding to Newark, N. J., expecting to remain over the Fourth of July. They took steamboat to Trenton, N. J., then marched to New Brunswick, where they were met by a committee consisting of Colonel J. Munson Clark and Captain J. L. Dickinson, of the Four- teenth Regiment of N. Y. S. Militia, who offered such inducements that the trip to Newark was abandoned and they proceeded to New York, crossed the North River to Hoboken and went into camp upon the private grounds of Colonel John Stevens, until the morning of the Fourth of July, when they crossed to New York and participated in the parade, with the usual result, unbounded respect and admiration was accorded them, and the papers exhorted the young men of the City to form a similar organization, which should be the equal of any in the country. This resulted in the formation of the "Tompkins Guard," which afterward achieved a national reputation; so it cannot be denied that these excursions, expensive as they were, entailing a severe tax upon the members as they did, resulted in invaluable ultimate good to the country inasmuch as it was the means of creating a desire for military knowledge in widely separate localities which become a source of instruction and benefit in a time of greatest need in the country's crisis. It was not so much men, for they offered themselves in great numbers; but the instruction, as to how and what to do, in a manner that would result in the greatest benefit to the country at large.
As for the Corps itself, no matter in what aspect it appeared, individually or collectively, it was always creditable, as citizen soldiers or in the quieter walk of private life, they conducted them- selves in a manner that produced a lasting effect, satisfactory to themselves, and a source of just pride to the community to which they belonged; at home or abroad they excited the liveliest admiration and respect, and created a desire for the establishment of similar bodies that in turn should disseminate a like reputation and influence.
In whatever civic function, where there was the least degree of military flavor the Grays were always expected to perform its distinc- tive part, and for over fifty years it stood unrivalled in this respect.
The Corps made its first parade July 1, 1822, with four (4) officers and forty-two (42) men, under command of Captain John Swift.
September, 1824, it paraded three (3) officers and sixty (60) men, under command of Captain Cephas G. Childs, as escort to General Lafayette, on the occasion of his visit to America, accompanying him as far as Chester, Pa., on his journey to Washington, D. C.
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General Lafayette was elected an Honorary Member of the Corps, October 24, 1824.
On June 27, 1827, the title was changed to "Light Artillery Corps, Washington Grays."
February 22, 1832, the one hundredth anniversary of the birth of General George Washington, the Corps, under the command of Captain Cephas G. Childs, with three (3) officers and thirty-seven (37) men, made a pilgrimage to Mount Vernon, taking with them a sarcophagus, in which the remains of General Washington were placed. At the time of this visit they secured a lock of his hair, which was placed in a medallion, the same being now in the possession of the Corps.
When General Andrew Jackson, President of the United States, visited Philadelphia on June 5, 1833, the Corps paraded as his escort.
The Corps participated in the Buck Shot War in December, 1838. On June 3, 1843, the title was again changed to that of "Artillery Corps, Washington Grays."
It participated and did good service in the Native American riots January, 1844, and in the Kensington and Southwark riots in May and July of the same year.
In 1846 the Corps tendered its services, through the Governor of Pennsylvania, to the President of the United States, as United States Infantry during the Mexican War. The tender was not accepted but five (5) members of the Corps went out as officers in the Regular and Volunteer Army.
The Corps acted as guard of honor to the remains of ex-President John Quincy Adams, while lying in state in Independence Hall, March 7, 1848.
In April, 1848, the Honorable Henry Clay was elected an Honor- ary Member of the Corps. The Corps escorted his remains and acted as special guard of honor while they were lying in state in Independence Hall, July 2, 1852.
The Corps paraded March II, 1857, at the funeral of Dr. Elisha Kent Kane, the noted Arctic explorer, and acted as special guard of honor. And many similar occasions found them in the foremost place.
The last and most important event in which the Corps partici- pated, just before the breaking out of hostilities in 1861, was the firing of the salute at the raising of the first thirty-four star flag over Inde- pendence Hall, by President-elect Abraham Lincoln, on the morning of February 22, 1861.
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Standing in front of the Hall upon a temporary platform, hat and coat off, he pulled the halyards raising the flag to the peak of the staff above the roof of the building. As the sun just rising kissed the quivering folds of the national emblem, a cheer arose from thousands of loyal throats that was an earnest of the unflinching devotion of the City of Brotherly Love, a devotion which was never relaxed until the echo of the last gun had died away, and the rebellion had sunk like Lucifer, never to rise again.
Fort Sumter was fired upon on Friday, April 12, 1861, and capitulated on Sunday the 14th. The President issued his proclama- tion calling for seventy-five thousand men to defend the Union. The Grays held a meeting and resolved to offer its services at once and recruit the Company to its full strength. No sooner were the books opened than hundreds poured in eager to serve with the Grays. So much excellent material offered, it was determined to form two Companies, and there would have been no difficulty experienced in getting treble the number in the two companies which were attached to the Seventeenth Pennsylvania Volunteers, commanded by Colonel Frank E. Patterson. There was delay in starting, owing to the fact that the government insisted that no troops should be allowed to leave for Washington unless fully equipped and able to success- fully repel a brutal attack similar to that made upon the Sixth Massachusetts Regiment while going through Baltimore in April, 1861.
Forming on the west side of Washington Square on May 8th, 1861, the regiment marched to the railroad depot at Broad and Prime Streets and started for Washington, arriving at Perryville the same afternoon, remained there all night, and the next morning were loaded on five transports, the railroad bridges between the Susquehanna River and Baltimore having been destroyed, reaching Baltimore early in the afternoon, were confronted by a formidable mob, and the battery which had joined the column at Perryville was rushed upon the wharf unlimbered for action, the two companies of the Grays supporting. In the face of this show of force and determination the courage of the rioters seemed to vanish for there was no offensive demonstration. The regiment took train for Washington, where it arrived late that night, slept in vacant stores, and the next day was marched to and quartered in the Capitol until the following Sunday, when it went into camp at Kalorama. After remaining here about two weeks, took up the march into Virginia via Williamsport, thence to Charlestown and Martinsburg, in the vicinity of which it remained until the termination
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of its first enlistment, when it returned to Philadelphia and was mustered out.
The companies were not re-enlisted as units, but the men sought positions where they could be found in Pennsylvania organizations or those of neighboring states. The knowledge and experience these men carried with them made their services of infinite value, and no matter where circumstances placed them, not one of them ever proved unworthy of the school in which they had been reared, and on every battlefield on which the fierce passions of men had unbridled sway, where death claimed its victims by the thousands, some Gray proved himself worthy to represent the corps by chivalrous conduct or glorious death.
While the first enlisted men fought no fierce battle, it preserved the patriotic line of defence, which said to deliberate treason, "thus far and no farther shalt thou go," while behind its unbroken line was enrolled, recruited and equipped the finest army the world has ever seen.
As soon as it became certain that the two companies A and F recruited as a part of the Seventeenth Regiment would be actively engaged in the field, there appeared in the morning papers a notice calling upon the honorary and contributing members of the "Artillery Corps Washington Grays" over 45 years of age to meet at the Wetherill House, on Sansom Street west of Sixth, on the evening of the 17th of April, 1861, for the purpose of forming a reserve Corps to suppress riot or sedition and aid the lawfully constituted authorities in preserving the peace and upholding the majesty of the law, during the absence of the active command. This notice was signed by Cephas G. Childs, Peter C. Ellmaker, Joseph M. Thomas, George M. Wharton and Jacob Bennett.
The result exceeded the greatest expectations, young men presented themselves in such numbers that it was found necessary to adjourn, to meet at Sansom Street Hall on the evening of April 19th, when a regimental organization was effected and a committee appointed to select officers for the various subdivisions. When the committee reported, it was found every field, line and staff officer with but one exception, had been at some time connected with the "Artillery Corps Washington Grays," and the exception was a "Philadelphia Gray."
The first Colonel was Peter C. Ellmaker, and the name adopted was "Washington Gray Reserves," which the popular tongue soon corrupted into "Gray Reserves."
( The Corps, while being largely represented at the front during the war, still maintained its organization at home, and in the fall
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PUBLIC
LEDGER.
101. 11-4 21.
PHILADELPHIA, WEDNESDAY, APRIL, 17, 1961.
PRICE ONE CENT.
Jau, alvill Auuu street. The members of the Light Artillery Corps of Washington Grays, over 45 years of age, are requested to meet at. the Wetherill House, this evening, for the purpose of organizing a Re- serve Guard, for the protection of the city and support of the Constitution and the Laws of the United States of America. Signed by Ja. cob Bennett, C G. Childs, J. M. Thomas, P. O. Ellmaker and Geo. W. Wharton.
April 17th, 1861.
Meeting of Veteran Soldiers -- A number of gei tlemen who were formerly connected with the artillery corps of Washington Grays haid & meeting lait evening, at the Wetberili House, for the purpose of organizing a Reserve Guard for the protection of the city. . The meeting was called to order by appointing Mr. Charles S Smith Obair man.
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Ool E. G. Childs said that there was a sacred legacy, the most valuable one of all, the old In dependence Hall, the birthplace of our Ilberty, which should be defended against all assaults of those traitors who were contemplating the capture of Washington.
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The Reserve Corps contemplate raising a force of 5000 men, who are to be held in roa- diness to defend the city against all attacks that may be made upon it.
A committee of five, composed of the follow- ing gentlemen, were appointed to draft a serles of resolutions expressive of the sense of the meeting :- Ool. Childs, Morton McMichael, Jos. M. Thomas, Peter E. Eimaker and Charles Gilpin.
April 18th, 1861.
The following was then submitted for the signatures of those who wished to join :
" The President of the United States having, on the 15th inst., issued a proclamation an- nouneing that a portion of the people are in open rebellion against the laws and the Constitution, we, the undersigned, retired and contributing members of the Washington Grays, and other citizens of the city of Philadelphia, over 45 years of age, hereby agree to raise a regiment of at least 800 men, for the purpose of detending and protecting the city of Philadelphia, to be designated as the " Reserve Corps," who pledge themselves to each other to maintain the laws, and uphold the constituted authorities of the courty in her hour of trial. This document was signed by over forty gentlemen who were present, and among the first residents of the city.
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The committee was continued, for the pur- pose of reporting a plan of organization on Friday evening, A drill meeting will be held this evening, at Sansom Street Hall.
- & communication -
April 20th, 1861.
The Old Washington, Grays -- An adjourned meeting of the metabera of the ' Home Guard," tormed out of this organization, was held last evening at Cansom Street Hall. It was stated that 825 men were already enrolled, and they. are forming in companies. It was decided upon to adopt the Army regulation-felt hat and a gray freck coat, with pantaloons of cor- responding color.
of 1862, during the invasion of Lee's rebel army into Pennsylvania, organized a company of one hundred and twenty-five (125) men, which became Company "A" of the 2Ist Pennsylvania Militia, and dur- ing Lee's second invasion in 1863, on June 30, organized a full Company "A", and part of Company "B", for the 49th Pennsylvania Militia.
The Corps was incorporated April 15, 1867. Participated in the railroad riots at Pittsburgh and Scranton in 1877.
February, 1878, when the National Guard of Pennsylvania was being organized, the Corps was increased to a battalion of four com- panies. Company "A", the original company, was divided, part of it forming the nucleus of Company "D".
On July 31, 1879, the battalion was consolidated with the Wec- cacoe Legion Battalion" and formed the Third Regiment N. G. of Pa.
The older members, knowing that the Corps had been incorporated by the Legislature of the State, and that every succeeding military law that had been passed had excepted the Grays from its provisions, and had carefully stated that the Grays were not to be deprived of its vested rights, theld a company meeting and protested, but as time passed and no relief was afforded, and realizing that it was im- possible to maintain its separate organization and remain in the State service, application was made to the Governor of the State for a transfer to the First Regiment N. G. of Pa., and on December II, 1879, the Governor issued an order consolidating companies "A" and "D" of the Third Regiment, and assigning the consolidated company to the First Regiment N. G. of Pa., as Company "G", and the "Artillery Corps, Washington Grays," disappeared from history as a separate and independent military organization.
Looking back over the Corps History of more than half a century, considering its formation, the excellent material of which it was composed, its laudable ambition, its great achievements, and its incomparable record, it must be conceded without question to have been the parent and pattern of the militia of the City and State, as well as the foundation upon which was erected the magnificent National Guard of Pennsylvania if not of the entire country.
On October 21, 1871, a communication was received by the Trustees from Mr. Edwin N. Benson, an honorary member of the Corps, tendering "the sum of Two Thousand Dollars to defray the expenses of erecting a granite monument, in a proper place, to the memory of the gallant comrades who fell in the war for the Union," suggesting it be completed and dedicated on the occasion of the semi- centennial Anniversary of the Corps.
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The monument was unveiled at the intersection of Broad Street and Girard Avenue, with impressive and appropriate ceremonies on Friday, April 19th, 1872, at 3 o'clock P. M., and the day concluded with a banquet of which three hundred persons partook, at the Continental Hotel. The monument was subsequently removed from the place of its dedication to the centre of Washington Square. At a meeting of the "Old Guard of the Artillery Corps, Washington Grays," held February 22nd, 1906, a committee consisting of the Trustees and Comrade Captain John O. Foering was appointed to procure and have erected upon the base of the monument in Wash- ington Square a bronze figure of a "Washington Gray" in the old uniform. The Committee reported at the meeting of May 4th, 1908, that they had attended to the duty assigned them, and defrayed the entire cost out of the Treasury of the old Guard without assistance from any other source whatever, and that the figure had been un- covered without ceremony in the presence of the few surviving mem- bers of the old Guard at 7 o'clock on the morning of Saturday, April 18th, 1908.
Let us hope it may be permitted to remain there undisturbed, while the uncounted years go silent by.
It is a figure of a gentleman become a soldier, one who has turned his back upon the charms and allurement of peaceful life, resolved to do, to dare, perchance to die for his country in obedience to the instinct of patriotism imbibed in the first moments of life, while he lay a helpless babe listening to the beating of his mother's heart. If the lesson it teaches be properly learned, love of country will be immortal, and untold generations will accept as truth, "greater love than this hath no man, that he giveth his life for his brother."
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REGISTER
ABERCROMBIE, JOHN JOSEPH, JR.
Volunteer Aide-de-Camp on staff of Brigadier -General John J. Abercrombie January 22, 1862; Second Lieutenant Co. I 127th New York Infantry January 12, 1863; First Lieutenant Co. G March 1, 1865; honorably mustered out June 30, 1865.
ADAMS, JAMES HOWE
Corporal Co. F 20th Penna. Militia Infantry September 18, 1862; honorably discharged September 30, 1862.
Private Co. A 49th Penna. Militia Infantry July 2, 1863; honorably discharged September 3, 1863.
AGNEW, JAMES B.
Private Co. A 2Ist Penna. Militia Infantry September 15, 1862; honorably discharged September 30, 1862.
Private Co. B 49th Penna. Militia Infantry July 2, 1863; Commissary Sergeant July 14, 1863; honorably discharged September 3, 1863. Died November 21, 1898.
AIREY, WASHINGTON
Private Co. F 17th Penna. Infantry April 18, 1861; honorably mustered out August 2, 1861.
Private Co. C 15th Penna. Cavalry August 22, 1862; Sergeant, October 31, 1862; Sergeant Major November 1, 1862; Captain Co. L March 1, 1863. Captured at Dandridge, Tenn., December 24, 1863; held a prisoner 16 months; honorably discharged May 18, 1865.
Died from exposure, effects of capture, June 12, 1865.
AIREY, WILLIAM
Private Co. F 17th Penna. Infantry April 18, 1861; honorably mustered out August 2, 1861.
ALBERTSON, SAMUEL M.
Private Co. A 2Ist Penna. Militia Infantry September 15, 1862; honorably discharged September 30, 1862.
Died April 1, 1874.
ALEXANDER, THOMAS B.
Corporal Co. A 17th Penna. Infantry April 18, 1861; honorably mustered out August 2, 1861. Died March 16, 1908.
ALLEN, JOHN B. A., JR.
Private Co. F 17th Penna. Infantry April 18, 1861; honorably mustered out August 2, 1861.
Acting Third Assistant Engineer U. S. Navy December 3, 1861; Acting Second Assistant Engineer November 14, 1862; honorably discharged October 5, 1865. Died July 15, 1897.
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