USA > Pennsylvania > Adams County > Gettysburg > A brief history of the Fourth Pennsylvania Veteran Cavalry, embracing organization, reunions, dedication of monument at Gettysburg and address of General W. E. Doster, Venango County Battalion, reminiscences, etc > Part 6
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hundred prisoners, three cannon, with arms, equipments and stores, were captured. The loss was considerable. Capt. Francis M. Ervay was among the wounded."
The following correspondence was afterwards furnished by the President for incorporation in the minutes, as con- tributing to establish our claim:
OIL CITY, October 26, 1890.
MR. F. D. GARMAN, Mifflingtown, Pa .:
DEAR SIR AND COMRADE :- I was very much inter- ested in the history of the Sixteenth Cavalry, read at the reunion at Franklin, on the 24th inst., especially in that refer- ring to the action at Stony Creek, in which I think your claims too strong, as well as the language imputing an attempt on the part of another regiment to steal your honors. I hope that sentence will be expunged from your forthcoming history, and that you will allow the credit due the Fourth Pennsyl- vania Cavalry, who, with the Sixteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry, jointly achieved a splendid victory. The casualties in the Fourth denote sufficiently clear the part borne by that regi- ment.
Yours in F., C. & L.,
J. B. MAITLAND.
MIFFLINTOWN, October 1, 1890. MAJOR J. B MAITLAND, Oil City:
DEAR SIR AND COMRADE :- The intention of my story of the regiment was neither to give the record of another regiment, nor to reflect on it, but simply to give ours. As you will recollect, our regiment charged dismounted, and crossed the creek on the railroad bridge, stepping from tie to tie. This, too, in front of the fort. The smallness of our loss was due to the fact that a large gun, trained to sweep the bridge, could not be fired because of the fact that the charge. as it was being rammed home, stuck, and before this could be remedied our boys were upon them. All you say about the "Gallant Fourth" is true, and I join in any enconiums you give them. They were to the left, and of course our efforts without them, as theirs without us, would have been futile.
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There have been efforts made to take from us not only . what we did at Stony Creek, but also at Trevilian Station and St. Mary's Church, but not by yourself or the Fourth Pennsyl- vania Cavalry Association, for whom "our boys," as well as myself, retain the kindest remembrance.
Yours Fraternally, F. D. GARMAN.
HEADQUARTERS 2D BRIGADE, 2D DIV., -
CAVALRY CORPS, ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, BEFORE PETERSBURG, VA., DEC. 3, 1864.
GENERAL ORDERS ) No. 16. 1
The Colonel commanding takes this opportunity to con- gratulate and compliment the officers and men of the Second Brigade, on their conduct in the brilliant affair at Stony Creek Station. The rapidity of your advance, and the impetuosity of your attack, called forth remarks of approbation from all who witnessed your assault upon the enemy's works, and places the capture of Stony Creek Station amongst the most brilliant achievements of the war. You have demonstrated to the world your ability to successfully assault well constructed earth works-with artillery in position and fully manned-even when situated between a deep and wide creek. Your previ- ous history has won for you the name of the "Fighting Brig- ade." Stony Creek will add to that, the name of the "Dash- ing Brigade."
(Signed) J. IRVIN GREGG, Col. and B't Brig. Gen. Comdg. Brigade.
JOHN B. YOST writes :- " Stony Creek Station was my last fight in the war. Was wounded in the right shoulder in that engagement and went to Lincoln Hospital, and was discharged May 12, 1865." He justly claims for the regiment the honor of being the only mounted body that charged a fort, and for him- self the distinguished honor of being the first man to reach the works, although wounded when about forty yards from them, and his horse killed at the fort. The gallantry of the men in that charge was conspicuous. (See " Tobie," and notes from the diary of the A. A. G.)
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The President also furnished from his Diary the record of the votes of the Fourth for President of the United States in 1864:
COMPANY.
MCCLELLAN.
LINCOLN. A
12
B
2
29
C
8 18
D
5 .
24
E
I.
30
F
9
20
G
7
43
H
I9
8
I
8
24
K
6
28
L
4. 31
M
12
8
Total 107
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Corresponding Secretary Collingwood called attention to inaccuracies in Bates' History, and stated that many casual- ties were not reported, and that many comrades, who had served long terms in the regiment, were not recorded, and suggested that company organizations be formed for the pur- pose of completing company and individual records, and com- piling and recording facts for regimental history.
Comrade Hon. M. A. Foran, Co. E, now of Cleveland, O., was called on and made a very interesting address, with reminiscences of our last campaign in the Spring of 1865 up to Appomattox.
. President Maitland read blank forms with notice that copies would be sent to comrades asking for personal inform- ation as to facts and experiences, for use in preparing regi- mental history, and urged each survivor to fill the blanks and mail them to the Historian.
Comrade Edwards being called for sang a song, "Let Me Like a Soldier Fall."
Rev. Turner, son of the first Chaplain of the Regiment. was introduced, and in a short address told of his being, when
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a very small boy, with the regiment in Camp Sprague, Wash- ington, D. C. in 1862, and of the return in poor health, and the death of his father in 1864.
Capt. Beatty furnished a complete record of the names of Co. H. Capt. Boggs, who came from the far west, 1500 miles, to attend the reunion, suggested that in consideration of his long march, the haversack and canteen furnished by the Com- missary should be well filled and contain what any Commis- sary of the Fourth should know would be a requisite after a long march. President Maitland called attention to the faith- ful and efficient work done by Comrade Collingwood, and the Association gave him a most hearty vote of thanks. Colling- wood being called for, made one of his most effective speeches to prove that the Association was being taken in, and that he hadn't done much.
Comrade Robert Painter introduced his aged mother, who gave three sons to Co. E, all good soldiers and faithful to the end. She was greeted by the Association and invited to attend the banquet.
The election of officers was then proceeded with, result- ing as follows : President, J. B. Maitland ; Vice-President, Thos. J. Edwards ; Chaplain, H. Q. Graham ; Corresponding Secretary, W. H. Collingwood ; Recording Secretary, Wm. K. Gillespie ; Treasurer, J. R. Grant ; Executive Committee, B. M. Duncan, Co. G ; David Cupps, Co. E. ; A. M. Borland, Co. G .; Geo. D. McFarland, Co. G .; Auditing Committee, R. J. Phipps, David Cupps.
Suggestions for place of next reunion, including Philadel- phia, Greensburg, Leechburg and Butler were made and But- ler was decided upon by a large majority.
Comrade Cupps pledged Butler for a hearty reception and entertainment, and offered a resolution thanking the committee of arrangements for the manner of conducting their work, preparatory to the reunion. Thos. J. Edwards offered remarks and resolution advocating the interest of the mem- bers in the commutation of Capt. G. W. Moss' death sentence. President Maitland sketched his soldier life, Collingwood
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reported many of his acts of bravery, and said that his record was without one unfavorable trait. Comrade Cupps offered the following:
Resolved, That a committee of five, familiar with the life and services of Capt. G. W. Moss, be appointed to represent this Association, in doing all that can be done to secure the commutation of sentence of our comrade.
The committee appointed was as follows: Chairman, A. M. Beatty, R. J. Phipps, J. B. Maitland and M. A. Foran.
Comrade Edwards sang a song, and Chaplain Graham pronounced the benediction, and the Association adjourned to meet at the banquet hall at 8 P. M.
BANQUET.
About 8:15 P. M., the veterans, with their wives, fell in line, and keeping step to the sound of the sweet music furn- ished by the Cathedral Band, they were ushered into the large banquet hall, where an elaborate supper had been prepared by- the host, Mr. B. C. Wilson. After all had taken seats at the various tables, a prayer was offered by the Chaplain, Rev. H. Q. Graham.
, DR. C. P. SEIP arose and said :-
COMRADES, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN :- We have with us to-night nearly every comrade whose address we could find to meet with us to partake of this banquet. Among others, we have invited a few of the infantry and artillery forces, without whom our organization was never perfect. It was our pleasure frequently to open an engagement in order to get the infantry and artillery to fight. We have them with us to- night, and they will fight their battles here as they did in olden times. I now introduce to you our Toast Master, Major J. B. Maitland.
MAJOR MAITLAND, who was greeted with applause, said :-
COMRADES, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN :- The Fourth Penn- sylvania Cavalry never claimed to have secured the great vic- tory and peace achieved alone. It was in connection with the other arms of the service, and therefore, we are very glad to meet those to-night who represent these other arms of the
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service. We promise you now a rare treat furnished by our host; and later on, at the last of the feast, we will have, we trust, the best of the wine.
While beautiful strains of music floated through the ban- quet hall, the veterans and their guests partook of the follow- ing elegantly prepared
MENU.
BLUE POINTS.
CONSOMME PRINTANIERE.
CALIFORNIA SALMON, STEAMED, SAUCE HOLLANDAISE. POTATOES, A LA JULIENNE. QUEEN OLIVES. CELERY. FROZEN SHERBET, AU CHARTREUSE.
SLICED TOMATOES.
SPRING CHICKEN BROILED, A LA MAITRE D' HOTEL. ASPARAGUS, WITH DRESSING.
SWEETBREAD IN CASE. FRENCH PEAS.
DEVILED CRABS, BALTIMORE STYLE.
SWEET POTATOES, FRIED.
CHICKEN SALAD. SHRIMP SALAD.
TUTTI FRUTTI ICE CREAM. ORNAMENTED CAKE. ASSORTED CAKES. FRUIT. DEIDSHEIMER WINE JELLY. CONFECTIONERY. PINEAPPLE CHEESE.
CRACKERS. TEA AND COFFEE.
At the close of this delightful feast, Comrade T. J. Edwards, Co. A, was introduced, who favored the audience with a medley which was received with hearty applause.
MAJOR MAITLAND: We have with us to-night one whom it is not necessary for me to introduce to you, for his name is well known to all of us-our guest, Gen. A. L. Pearson. After the applause had subsided,
GEN. PEARSON said :-
MR. CHAIRMAN, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN :- Many years ago I had the pleasure of forming the acquaintance of very many members of the Fourth Pennsylvania Cavalry, because we were thieves together, or very nearly so. I am here to acknowledge that I was at that time the receiver of stolen goods. Even to-night, as I came into the banquet hall, Com- rade Frazier, who is sitting in the near neighborhood, remarked to me, "I think the last horse you got was a stolen sorrel that I gave you." He is a little mistaken as to that being the last
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horse I got from the Fourth Pennsylvania Cavalry. The last one I got was a miserable affair. An hour or two before the battle of Preble's Farm, I had the misfortune to have a very valuable animal shot, and, as usual, I sent a note over to "Col. Young of the Fourth to loan me a horse. He did. It was shortly afterwards shot, and I sent a second note to the worthy gentleman, and he sent me a three-year old black colt that had never been shod, and never had a bridle bit in his mouth. I had to have a horse; it was necessary at that time; so I mounted and did the best I could. I think Young intended that which came very near happening, namely, to get me into the hands of the enemy. I wanted the horse to go one way, he wanted to go the other. I am sorry to say he wanted to go toward the enemy, and I didn't. [Laughter.] That was bad enough ; but two or three years ago I heard from Col. Young in Texas. He had the impertinence to send me an itemized bill, in which he charged for every horse that he had ever loaned me, and expected payment. Well, I knew very well that he hadn't bought the horses, because the Fourth Pennsylvania Cavalry never was noted for purchasing horses, [Laughter] and it was the best mounted cavalry regiment con- nected with the Army of the Potomac. I paid for the horses -I sent him a three-cent postage stamp, and got a one-cent . stamp in return. Young and I are at least square to-day. I have very many pleasant recolections of the Fourth Pennsyl- vania Cavalry. I remember very distinctly when they were out with the Fifth Corps on a little reconnoisance toward, I think Lynchburg.
A voice: Apple-jack raid.
Gen. Pearson : I stand corrected ; it was the apple-jack raid. I remember that the cavalry was in front. I remember distinctly that we found the empty casks lying about when we got up. The Fourth Pennsylvania Cavalry, as usual, had been there ahead of us ; and there were the casks, marked "Apple Jack," but "Jack" was gone. [Laughter.]
I remember upon that occasion, just at noon, there was a halt, and many of the Fourth Cavalry went out skirmishing- not for the enemy. Some came in ladened with geese ; a
-
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number had pieces of boards upon their heads ladened with honey, and piled up in pyramidal shape. It was a rather warm day, and the honey ran down ; the bugle sounded, and they moved up near us with handfuls of feathers dropping off them. ' Well I don't know whether they looked like cavalry or geese ; [Laughter] but they had the honey and goose too.
I remember distinctly a few things that were not so bright and pleasant. I remember the Fifth Corps standing under arms when you men fought at Ream's Station. I remember leaving my command and going towards Ream's Station and getting there just about the heat of the battle when one of your officers, Frank Parke, received the wound that afterwards killed him. I remember that terrible conflict. I remember the action of the Fourth Cavalry, and I remember many actions in which they were engaged, a number of which I saw myself ; and I say to-night, as I have said many, many hundreds of times before, that no better men ever mounted the back of a horse ; no better men ever drew the sabre in battle ; no better men did more to sustain the grand old Government and keep the old flag afloat, than you men here to-night, and the dead comrades that have gone ; and I hope and pray that this, your fourth annual reunion, will be but one of very many ; and I hope and pray that when next you meet the man that stands to-day acknowledged as one of the finest cavalry officers in the regular army, Col. S. B. M. Young, will be with you. [Applause.]
MAJOR MAITLAND :- Comrade Seip will now read a letter from our Comrade S. B. M. Young.
COMRADE SEIP :- This letter was just received this even- ing, and reads as follows :
SEPTEMBER 25th, 1890. MY DEAR DOCTOR :
I regret that I cannot be with the veterans of my old regiment, but you know that I always obeyed orders when in the field with you, and I have never forgotten that the first duty of a soldier is to obey. My orders here are of such a character that I am compelled to remain in the city with the command, but I assure you that in spirit I will be
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with the old boys of the gallant Fourth Pennsylvania Cavalry. May my old comrades who meet with you live long to fight their battles over. Say to all of them that my prayers will be with them. God bless them all.
Ever yours and their friend,
S. B. M. YOUNG.
COMRADE C. P. SEIP :- The reason why this letter came too late to be read at the business meeting this afternoon was from the fact that it was sent with another communication to Gen. Pearson, and, as usual, he delayed handing it over. That is characteristic of the man; he always keeps the best things for the last. As to his story about the cavalry horses, I know that he never gave you the remotest idea of the number of horses that were procured for him by our regiment. Why, I was detailed many a time to go out and steal a horse for the General, [Laughter] and I venture to say there are many men in the regiment to-day that stole more than one horse and took it over to the 155th Pennsylvania. Gen. Pearson reported many horses killed; how he killed them I don't know. The colt he referred to, which Col. Young sent him last, was the only effort we ever made that we thought would succeed in getting him into a fight. [Laughter.] I am very glad he has reformed since he came here. He doesn't steal any now because he doesn't get a chance. Yet, he has told the truth; we can all vouch for the fact that he did get into that fight, and that his horse did go ahead, and it was on that occasion that his regiment performed the most glorious deeds in its whole career.
General Pearson :- I want to say-
Major Maitland :- General, the comrades are all busy with Dr.Seip, and there will be no attention paid to anything else said.
Gen. Pearson :- I can only say, Mr. Chairman, I know why this is done. I have convicted them half a dozen times of stealing hogs. [Laughter.]
Major Maitland :- These personalities, comrades, will not be allowed in our own command; but as between men of dif- ferent commands they are permitted.
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Col. Gallupe was introduced, and greeted with applause. (Cries of " Heavy Artillery.")
COL. GALLUPE :-
I had the honor and pleasure of commanding all arms of the service, so that the heavy artillery is only a portion.
MR. PRESIDENT, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN :-- I am not at all accustomed to addressing audiences of any kind, more especially an audience of this kind, and after the amusing and very interesting address of Gen. Pearson, for me to assume to say anything of a serious character would be decidedly out of place. Of course, I know a good deal of the history of your ' regiment-the Fourth Cavalry, it having been raised here and officered by a great many officers from this neighborhood, whom I met on many occasions, being connected with the Fifth Corps from its organization until the close of the war. The record of this regiment I had the honor and pleasure of placing on file in Washington City in 1869. I was detailed in the War Department for eleven months, and I wish to give you a little information, something you have probably never heard before, in regard to that matter. The cavalry regi- ments are all placed on file in one part of the War Depart- ment by themselves. The remarks of company officers and regimental officers are placed on each of the final muster-out rolls, and in going over these and making up the book in which a brief history of each regiment is entered, taken from the final muster-out rolls, there is but one regiment of cavalry I believe, in Pennsylvania, whose record is at all brighter than yours, if it is possible to be, and that is the First Pennsylvania Cavalry, or was originally the First Pennsylvania Cavalry. That regiment and your regiment stand pre-eminently among the first regiments of cavalry in the Army of the Potomac. That is a true record. The Harris Light Cavalry also has a remarkably good record; also, the Eighth Illinois Cavalry and the First New Jersey Cavalry. Those regiments stood very high; but your regiment and the First Pennsylvania Cavalry had the cleanest and best military record. I believe, if I remem- ber aright, of any of the regiments of cavalry in the Army of the Potomac during the war.
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I wish to say just one word in regard to one of your Col- onels, who fell at the battle of Antietam. I was very well and intimately acquainted with him-Col. Childs. I had carried him an order, I think, about twenty minutes before he fell by the bridge-you gentlemen remember the place very well. An order had been sent on three different occasions by Gen. McClellan to Gen. Burnside to charge across the bridge. He made excuses, and gave three different and distinct reasons for not charging, and failed to do it, as you remember, until late in the afternoon. Had the charge been made when it was ordered first, Col. Childs would probably be alive to-day. It was on account of this delay that Col. Childs was there ; it was "not intended that the cavalry should be there at that time, and on account of this delay Col. Childs happened to be in that particular locality. Hence, his death. He was a man who stood remarkably high in the estimation of his superior offi- cers, and I am sure, in the estimation of all who ever met him or knew him.
Gentlemen, as I said before, I am not acustomed to mak- ing speeches and addresses, and I know that a speech to be at all interesting to old soldiers must be full of wit and humor. That is something I do not possess. Therefore, hoping that you will meet again and frequently, is the sincere wish of your humble servant. Good night.
MAJOR MAITLAND :- I can say we are very much gratified at the statements you have made to-night. We are striving at our reunions to make history for our regiment, and the statements you have given us to-night are new to us, and we are very much obliged.
Those who were at our business meeting this afternoon cannot doubt, 'if they ever did, the kindly feeling existing between soldiers, and especially between soldiers of the same regiment. Where all have done so well, it would be invidious to make any comparisons at all ; and yet, in our work as a reg- iment, beginning back fifteen years ago (our first regimental reunion being held in this city) we began then to make the history of our regiment. Many of our comrades have con- tributed largely to this end, but there is one among them
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ยท
especially, who has given much time, and time that he could not well spare from his business. This regiment has twice taken occasion to honor that comrade; first, at Gettysburg, by a unanimous resolution of the comrades, thanking him for the arduous labors performed in connection with the erection of our monument; and again, for the pleasure of the present reunion we are largely indebted to this same comrade. He has taken time that really did not belong to him, time that should have been devoted to sleep, in order that he might further your interests and your pleasures at this reunion. There is no one, after what I have said, who will not fully understand whom I mean-Comrade W. H. Collingwood, [Applause) a man who has ever been true to the interests of the regiment. I will not say that I desire to cane him. We all love him too much for that; but, until very recently, we believed him, with one exception, to be the youngest member of the regiment. We have found out that he has been deceiv- ing us somewhat, because another was reported to-day who joined us in 1865, who was only 15 years of age. But we for- give him, and will not withhold the cane on that account. Comrade Collingwood, I now have the pleasure on behalf of the Fourth Pennsylvania Cavalry, of bestowing upon you this their gift. [Applause.]
W. H. COLLINGWOOD :-
MR. PRESIDENT AND COMRADES :-- This is a complete sur- prise to me, and I cannot express in fitting words my appre- ciation of your gift. So far as my work for the regiment is concerned, I would say that I simply did my duty, as best I could, as Corresponding Secretary; just as every member of the Fourth Cavalry has done his duty, if not more than his duty, heretofore. There is no organization with which I am connected, nor is there any person, from whom I appreciate a gift so much as from the regiment in which I served, from comrades whom I love, and with whom I stood side by side on the battle-field. The feeling with which soldiers who stood elbow to elbow in battle regard one another can not be imparted to, nor can it exist in those who were not in the
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army. This gift, be assured, comrades, shall be cherished as long as I live. I thank you. [Applause.]
The cane is of ebony, handsomely mounted with gold. inscribed as follows:
W. H. COLLINGWOOD, FROM HIS COMRADES OF THE FOURTH PENNSYLVANIA CAVALRY, OCTOBER 1, IS90.
Comrade Edwards, by special request, then sang "The Old Canteen."
MAJOR MAITLAND:
The word "Antietam " has peculiar significance to mem- bers of the Fourth Pennsylvania Cavalry. It has been referred to here to-night, and I am reminded of it as I look out upon the audience and see the wife of our old member, Capt. Hughes, and his son and daughter in the audience. I am reminded also, that on that day I was in command of the car- bineers of Co. G, (I believe a Pittsburgh company), and when the word passed through the regiment that Col. Childs had fallen, it was almost impossible to hold those men to their posts of duty. Every man was ready to spring forward to the relief of Col. Childs, Our Comrade C. S. Mark will talk for a few moments on the subject of Antietam.
COMRADE MARK: -
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, COMRADES :- I do . not know- that I have anything special to say, or of interest to the com- rades, with reference to Antietam. You doubtless all remem- ber the 17th day of September, 1862. If there is any one battle in which I had the honor to participate during my term of active service in the field that I remember distinctly. it is Antietam. I remember that early in the morning while we lay on the opposite side of the creek awaiting orders, all ready at a moment's notice to enter the engagement, the order finally came. You all remember with what haste the regiment crossed the Stone Bridge upon that morning. You also remember the regiment deploying to the left of the road and forming at the base of a hill upon the crest of which a battery was planted, and our purpose of forming there was to support
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