USA > Pennsylvania > The volunteer's manual, or, Ten months with the 153d Penna volunteers : being a concise narrative of the most important events of the history of the said regiment > Part 1
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Gc 973.74 P38sim 1758064
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REYNOLDS HISTORICAL GENEALOGY COLLECTION
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ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 00824 9796 m
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THE VOLUNTEER'S MANUAL;
OR.
10 TEN MONTHS
WITH THE
153d PENN'A VOLUNTEERS,
BEING A CONCISE NARRATIVE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT EVENTS OP .
THE HISTORY
OF THE SAID REGIMENT.
BY WILLIAM SIMIMERS AND PAUL BACHSCHMID,
Late Lieutenants, 153d P. V.
EASTON. PA. D. H. NEIMAN, PRINTER. " SENTISEL (TICE." 1863.
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http://archive.org/details/volunteersmanual00simm
PREFACE.
Urged by numerous friends, and Inte fellow-soldiers, to write and publish a narrative of the principal events in the history of the regiment to which we had the honor to belong. it is with diffi lence, yet with a desire to comply with the repeated requests of the friends of our late organization, that the under- signed have the honor to present this little compilation to the public; in doing which they would beg the kind indulgence of the reader.
It being our aim to furnish none bont such facts as have come to our immedi- ate notice or observation, and, having at all times during our connection with the regiment, carefully voted all worthy of note, the incidents, dates, etc., etc., therein related, may be confi lently relied on as correct.
WILLIAM SUMMERS. PAUL BACHSCHMID.
ORGANIZATION.
HOW THE 153d REGIMENT WAS CALLED INTO BEING.
When, in the latter part of July or forepart of August, 1862. the President of the United States issued a call for three hundred thou- sand troops. in addition to those previously called for, it soon became evident that the quota of Northampton county could not be risul without some extra efforts on the part of her citizens. Meetings were accordingly called, ways and means devised to offer additional bonnties to those willing to embark in the enterprise, and in less than three weeks from the time the question of raising a regiment of volunteers in lieu of the draft. had first been agitated. the regiment, numbering 991 men, was ready to march. Here was success unprecedented. The bounties offered in the different rural districts varied between fifty and one hundred dollars. besides which the county had agreed to pay fifty dollars additional to cach volunteer.
Now large as these (the bounties to be paid) may they have ap- peared they were not the only inducements that caused men to exchange the quiet, peaceful pursuits of home for the. to say the least. arduous, und at no time very agreeable or enviable duties of the soldier. A desire to escape the odious draft, coupled with the popularity of the men designed to be the leaders of the regiment, were paramount to mercenary motives, and contributed more than aught else to fill its ranks.
The various company organizations (13) having been complete lihe week previous, the regiment assembled in the borough of Easton on Monday. September 22d. 1862. where they met with a tolerable recep- tion on the part of the inhabitants.
Having organized near the fair grounds, and. preceded by several bands, paradol the principal streets of the town, the different compa- uies were dismissed for the day. At night they were quartered in various localities, such as taverns. churches, storehouses, etc., etc .. where the members enjoyed. many of them for the first time in their lives. the sweet luxury of sleeping on the soft side of a plank or pine board. There remained yet tvo days. after which we were to transfer our quar- ters from the banks of the Delaware to the shores of the Susquehanna. Part of this time was devoted to regimental drill, while the remainder was passed in " expectation of the things to come." The 25th of Sep- tember arrived at last. The morning sun rose brilliantly in the sky, promising the departing volunteers a beautiful day. At an early hour the streets of the town began to wear a lively aspect. The people of the surrounding country were flocking in by the hundreds, to bid their
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parting friends a last and affectionate farewell. The preliminary ar- rangements being completed, the regiment formed into line ou South Third Street at eight o'clock A. M .; and, having once more paraded the principal thoroughtares, crossed the Delaware at half-past ten o'clock, followed by an immense escort of citizens. The process of embarkation was naturally slow. occupying the greater part of two hours. The twenty-four cars, furnished for the transportation of the. regiment, being at last filled. the road clear and all else in readiness. the "all on board" of the conductor. the ringing of the engine-bell and blowing of the steam-whistle, soon admonished us that the time of departure had arrived. A minute or two more and 991 human beings, in the very prime of youth at manhood were moving along to meet an unknown faite. As the train was slowly gliding onward the enthusiasm of the assembled multitude grew in intensity. Cheer fol- lowed cheer. while the waving of handkerchief, in the bands of thou- sands of the gentler sex bade flod-speed to the departing volunteers. The train conveying the regiment being an extra oue, and frequently obliged to turn off. in op lor to give the regular trains a chance to pass. our progress was greatly impeded. Nearly ten hours were consumed in the transit from Phillipsburg, N. J .. to Harrisburg, our point of des- tination, where we arrive lat ten o'clock P. 5L. of the same day. The evening being too far a lvaneed to proceed to camp. the only alternative left us was to spend the night in the cars, which, though far from offering the best of quarters, were preferable to lodgings on the pave- ment.
ARRIVAL AT CAMP CURTIN.
Having spent a worry geht, everyone was anxiously scanning the eastern horizon, watching for the book of day as the herald of his release from confinenis. The Bist ravs of the rising sun found the cages emptied, and the misority of their late occupants leisurely per- ambulating the streets of the et. At six o'clock breakfast was to be taken at the Soldier's Relief" aufil which hour all were at liberty to go where they che o ingted hour the companies were formed and march ! ! ind. where all hands partook. for the first time. of the in Ties of Uncle Sam. The breakfast dispatched, the regnets Bumet juto line. and at half-past nine o'clock A. M. took api- Tue of march for Camp, Curtin, where it arrived at ten.
With the THE men's 400, Curtin our dificulties and vexations were also Red-tapei'm soon made itself known and folt. W Bere. We vet had to stand, for five long hours, beneath the broy as before it pleased Uncle Sam's officials to issue unto us the things friesary to at least comparative comfort. Augen General M'Clure, who ordered Colonel Glanz tong aber i amtp d'artin. had omitted to notit'y the conim nelis e of the mme in regular red-tape style, of our arrival. T. rom sont without this was a thing not to be choazht of The rtwhile been adjusted the necessary articles of cuny apagar awedge tents. Markets, cooking
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utensils. axes. etc., etc .. ) were at last issued and a camping ground as- sigued to us. It was now three o'clock. In less than an hour's time the tents were pitched, the fires lighted. and ere wight had fairly set. in all hands were regaling themselves with hard-tack, bacon and coffee. Thus ended our first day's experience at Camp Curtin.
FINAL ORGANIZATION OF THE REGIMENT.
It will be remembered that upon the arrival of the regiment at Harrisburg it numbered thirteen distinet company organizations, but one or two of which, however, huistered the standard number of men. Now. as according to the regulations of the War Department, a regi- ment can only consist of ten companies, numbering at least $1 men each, it became necessary, in order to have the regiment mustered into the service of the United States, to consolidate the thirteen companies into ten. To accomplish this was neither an easy nor a very pleasant task ; still it was accomplished without any serious consequences to the regiment. as the majority. for the sake of harmony. readily acquiesced in the measures taken. By this arrangement somne officers were obliged to surrender their commands. while others, more fortunate. succeeded in obtaining positions in some of the consolidated companies. It was also owing to this arrangement that Captain G. F. Fruauf was sub- sfitated #s Major of the regiment. vice Valentine Mutchler. Esq., who had been previously designated for that position. The dispositions here referred to were made on the 29th day of September. 1862.
All necessary preliminaries having now been completed, it was but rea- conable to suppose that the regiment would be speedily mustered in. Red- type. however, did not think so. for nearly two weeks more were suffered to pass before the last muster-in took place. Why this was so we have never been able satisfactorily to explain to ourselves. but think that red- Tape was the only obstaele in the way of its more speedy consumna-
Darin, the interval between our arrival at Harrisburg and the final minster-in of the regiment. the position of the commanding officer was anything but a pleasant one. The men were daily becoming more canoreus for the bounties promised to them. while most of the com- witte holding the funds refused to pay the same before the muster-in could have taken place. Thus had Colonel Glanz to contend not only with the Unis I Settes .dicias but also with his own men. Eventually, Iolever de dobry arrangements were arrived at -- the various com- wit'ves alvering to pay the bounties at once. By the 7th of October the bounties were all paid as promised. On the same day six compa- Live were received into the service of the United States, and had their estir issued to them. Once began. the master-in was soon consum- noted. On the 11th of October the regimented organization was com- on by th tr of the field an I staff.
Having at last beer received into the fionily circle of Uncle Sam, undlang orders were not long in reaching us; and. heartily disgusted with the restraints imposed upon every one at Camp Curtin, they were Carted with hearty cheers by all concerned.
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Before narrating the particular- of the trip to, and subsequent ar- rival at, Washington, however, we shall once more briefly revert to our twenty-two days sojourn at Camp Curtin.
Any oue acquainted with the routine of camp life knows that it is a monotonous one-irdeed much more so iu camps of rendezvous thou in those nearer the scene of active operations. "The latter are places of constant bustle and excitement, while the former present no exciting fea- tures whatever. In the former, tine resolves itself into so many weary particles that resort must be had to the process of " killing time" in order to escape ennui; while in the latter, the constant flow of excite- inent causes time to pass. not only pleasantly but almost imperceptibly. This being the case. need we wonder that our " boys." during their stay at Harrisburg should try their hands at the " killing process?" How. with but a few hours of drill per day, and but few duties to perform, could they be expected to pass their time, except at play? And how various and many were the ways in which the "killing pro- cess" was attempted. There were a party at play with bat and ball; yonder a group of gymnasts; while, seated within their teuts, were parties .... o. despising noisy or violent pastimes. quietly practiced with the ace of spades and consorts. There were the nightly bands of sere- naders: and who of us has not witnessed and langhed at the ridiculous farce of the elephant and orang-outang? Yes, those were merry times, and a blithesome crowd were we; and not only we, who participated in the grosser enjoyments, but also those of our comrades who sought different ones. How gloriously happy they apparently felt. and how well they used to enjoy themselves when met for evening prayer !
On the whole. the time of our sojourn at Harrisburg passed without any incidents worthy of special notice. Jury, as already stated, we had very little to perform; and, as hardly more than two or three hours per day were devoted to drilling. there rommined ample time for jollification ; but for which our sojourn at the State Capital would have been intolerable.
Judging that an account of our bloodless campaign, fought on the 11th and 12th days of October. Anno Domini 1-62, on board of the railroad cars. might prove interesting to our readers we shall endeavor briefly to relate the particulars of the case. after which we will bid good-bye to the Capital of the Keystone State and their myriad of soldier-swindling patriots, to accompany the 153A on their excursion to Washington. and their subsegment pilgrimage to the " sacred soil" of Dixie.
Who of our readers does not remember the momentary panic which was caused by Stuart's cavalry raid .into Pennsylvania. in the autumn of 1-62? It was in the dead hour of night. on the 10th of October, when all were fast asleep, that the first tidings of this second edition of rebel andarcity reebed us. The promulgation of the start- ling intelligence was speedils followed by marching orders, to carry out which the necessary dispositions were at once taken. Three days rations of hard-tack, sugar and coffee, were immediately issued to the men. while the rocks were busily attending to their enlinary operations. Camp Curtin had sud lenly changed its aspect. Its wonted quiet was
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turned into a scene of bustle and excitement rarely witnessed. The troops, exultant at the prospect of a speedy deliverance from confine- ment, were cheering lustily, and, in spite of the drenching rain, the best of spirits prevailed.
At 8 o'clock on the morning of the 11th, final marebing orders were at last received, when five companies of the regiment loft camp; and, having been supplied with arms, accoutrements, and ammunition at the Arsenal. proceeded to the cars, destined to convey them to the "seat of war." Of the remaining five companies, some were still unequipped, while several hadn't oven been mustered into the service of the United States. These particulars, however, having been attended to during the day, and they, too, having been furnished with the necessary paraphernalia of war. were ready to join the companies that had preceded them. But as it was known that the Cumberland Valley Railroad Company would be unable to furnish the requisito Dicons of transportation that night they were again returned to camp, there to remain until further orders. The latter were received by Colonel Glanz at noon on Sunday, October 12th, and, all things - being in readiness, the column was soon in motion. It was now three o'clock. The majority of the regiment were already sougly seated in the cars, when our departure was unexpectedly countermanded ! Thes ended, (as the boys called it) the battle of Carlisle.
It waswith sour fares and many imprecations, that the men returned to the atmosphere of Camp Curtin. where they were doomed to spend another week.
OFF FOR WASHINGTON.
When on Friday. Cetober 17, inthantions were received from official quartas that our days et Wamislune were numbered, speculation. Were naturally excited as to our ultimate destination ; and when, on the following morning. it was ascertained that we were to proceed to the National Capital, the enthusiasm among the men tose in propor- tion as the time of one departure nayed. The appointed time for starting having arrived, we left Harrisburg, without any feelings of regret, on the afternoon of Saturday, October 12th, 1862. The thin conveying the regiment consisted of thirty-two old, rickety. Hottout cars, from which, greatly to our surprise. all were safely Linded at Baltimore, at eight o'clock. P. M., where we were well received.
The sunper, gratuiton dly given to us by the " Union Relief Associ- wtion " of the city of Baltimore, plainly evidenced that Unele Sam's subop linates were in un wise connected with the management of the Hesitation. The victuals issued to us were of the best quality, and & nb red with a grace and in a profusion truly astonishing. Indeed. terrassed anything one might have expected from the inhabitants To cry which. as many of us hal been led to believe. could only be in the Union by the presence of Federal bayonets! After the wants of all had been satisfied. the regiment resorted to the 1. . builling known as the Depot of the Baltimore and Ohio area of which they took possession, and where the night was
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spent as comfortably as could be expected. At early dawn there was a general rush to the hydrants of the surrounding streets, where the sons of Northampton could be seen by the hundreds arranging their " toilettes." while those accustomed to having their " morning bitters," would stray off in small squads in search of the "ardent." Whether or not they were successful in their efforts, we will leave to the reader to guess. At seven o'clock A. M. all hands were ordered to "fall in for breakfast." for which we were again indebted to the liberality of the Baltimore Union Relief Association. This finished. the mon were permitted to perambulate the city, with orders to report at the place of rendezvous at 11 o'clock A. M. That every one improved the liberty granted to him. is superfluous for us here to state, as sight- Seeing is one of the characteristics of the American people. The principal streets, the wharves. fort ". Federal Hill." and many other places bore ample evidence that our " brethren-in-arms" made good use of the privilege accorded to them. The order to report at 11 o'clock A. M. was very generally observed ; in fact, better than might have reasonably been expected from raw recruits.
At noon we were once more compelled to appeal to the generosity of the Relief Association. Transportation having meantime been provided. we left Baltimore, ca route for Washington City. at three o'clock. P. M .. arriving at the latter place at 8 o'clock. P. M.
Our sojourn at Washington City was not destined to be of long duration, for already on the morrow we were ordered to report at " Covap Seward." whence, having stayed three days, the regiment recrossed the Potomac (Det. 23d) to go into camp near fort " Barker." D. C. On the 25th we removed to camp near fort " Meigs," and while there. on the 30th of October, the order assigning the regiment to duty in the 11th Corps was received.
According to the tenor of the order. it would have been the duty of the commanding officer to report with his regiment to General Sigel without delay ; but conscious that the arms then in the posses- sion of this command (old altered flint lock muskets) were unit for any use whatever, he did not leave until more suitable ones were furussland him. This was dene on the evening of the second of November. Early on the morning of the 4th. we were en route for Gainesville, Prince Williama county, Vas then the headquarters of the 11th Corps.
During our brief stay near Fort Meigs, four hours daily were devoud to company ant battalion drills; large fatigue parties were daily furnished, and discipline, until then somewhat loose, was more rigidly enforced. We began to feel the liberty. in our case, belonged to the things that were, and that submission to the commands of our superiors was duty.
It was while here that we had the first practical foretaste of the dark side of camp litt. when we were visited by a terrible storm of wind and rain, which listed nearly forty-eight hours.
FROM FORT MEIGS TO GAINESVILLE.
It was as already stated, early on the morning of the fourth of November, that we entered upon our march to Gainesville, each man
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carrying. in addition to the outfit furnished him at Harrisburg, a shelter-tent. (or dog-kennel, as they were familiarly styled. ) and three days' rations.
. The march to Washington was soon accomplished, whence. after some delay, we proceeded per steamer " Hero" to Alexandrin, where we arrived at four o'clock P. M. The regiment remained until the following morning, when, placed on board of two gravel trains. we were expedited, per rail, to Manassas Junction, whence we were safely landed at one o'clock, P. M. Having rested an hour or more, and eased our haversacks of a portion of their contents. we. greatly refreshed, resumed our line of march. leaving officers' baggage, ammunition and commissary stores, in charge of a guard detailed for that purpose. The march was continued until the weariness of the men, and the fast increasing darkness induced the commanding officer to bring the column to a halt. A small clearing, of several acres, almost entirely surrounded by dense woods, where we might safely betale ourselves to rest. without fear of a surprise by the enemy's cavalry. was then selected as a suitable camping place for the night, and taken possession of. And need we tell yon, that, weary and foot- sore as we were. we enjoyed a sweet night's rest ?
Early on the morning of the sixth of November, long before the . first streaks of daylight had yet tinged the eastern horizon. we were again on the march. The pestilential steuch infesting the atmos- phere, and the numerous carcasses of horses strewn along the road, soon convinced us that we were passing a battle-field and. upon inquiry, found that we were upon the historical feld of " Bull Run." With every step the evidences of the terrible nature of the scenes so lately enacted here, multiplied. The numerous little mounds covering the ground, now singly, then in groups, were like so many living wituesses of the carnage here inflicted. The scene around us was alike impressive and melancholy. While passing by the final resting-places of the slain, the deepest silence pervaded our ranks; not a sound. except the tramp of the marching column, interrupting the death-bike silence by which we were surrounded. On We Went-over hill and dalo. through meadow and forest. uutil weicht o'vl. . k. A. M .. we were brought to a halt. Greatly to the satisfaction of all concerned. our place of destination was reached at last. Colonel Glanz, having duly reported at headquarters. was merel to report with his command to Col. Leopold von Gila. the commanding oficer of the First Brigade, of the First Division, a member of which the regiment had the honor to remain during the remainder of its tom of service. At the time of our incerpo- ration into the brigade aforesaid, the latter consisted of the fol- lowwing commands: The Eighth Regiment. N. Y. S. V .. ( Blenker's ni regiment.) commended by Colonel Felix Prince Salm-Salm, Mentoring 500 men: the Forty-fire Regiment, N. Y. S. V. (other- w. known as the " De Kalb Regiment,") commanded by Lieut .- Coban ) Hohostede, numbering 600 men: the Forty-fifth Regiment, Y. S. V., communded by Colonel George von Amsberg. num- 'vong 700 men: the Fifty-fourth Regiment. N. Y. S. V .. com-
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manded by Lient .- Colonel Ashby, numbering 300 men; and one battery of rifled six-pounders, commanded by Captain Dickman. Our regiment, numbering 9Sb men, (six having deserted since our departure from Harrisburg. ) the numerical strength of the Brigade was then as follows :
Infantry 3.085 men
Artillery. 80
Making a total of. 3,165 ..
and six guns. Brigadier, afterwards Major-General Julius Stahel, was then in command of the Division, while the idolized Major-Gen. Franz Sigel commanded the Corps. A camp-ground having been assigned to us, and the appearance of the sky indicating the near approach of rain, our first care was to ercet our frail dwellings. This accom- plished. the next problem with many was: how to satisfy the cravings of their stomachs. True. all had been supplied with three days' rations before leaving camp near Fort Meigs, and though we had 'been out but two days, the haversacks of the majority were already cased of their contents. Economy in the use of food was a lesson yet to be learned by our men. All along this route most of them had nibbled until they had now nothing left to nibble at. Those who had the "ready" were able to purchase supplies, but what were their more undortanto emurades to do? An appeal to the generosity of their more fortunate companions, either in our own or other regiment, was ab the wes iott them. The destitution cf the " boys" having at last come to the knowledge of the Acting Brigadier. he, with a senere in rarely equalled, ordered supplies and cooking utensils to be issued to ne at once. thanks to which the impen ling fimhe wa loudly avorted, and when. in the course of the day. the generous heart & Brigade commander honored the regiment with his pro-en are received with the most enthu- siastic donan stration- o And how could it be otherwise? Ilis kindness, held in stated remembrance. had already won him the hearts of the mpen. Inte jo the evening of the same day march- ing orders were received by the brig de, which orders, however, were countermanded the foll .... ing. after the different regiments had already been formned ban it 1 firston- snow-form was then
raging. and no sooner We
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