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 8
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I saw a map of this field, and the location where Col. Childs was killed. It was very correct all but the spot, and it was in the rear of the regiment where we formed on the left of the road. Howe Childs had the map and he wanted to locate
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the spot where his father was killed. He took two men and went there, the place where they located it, I claim it is not correct. Conversed with several of the comrades and they did not know the exact spot.
Referring to recollections of Comrade Crawford, relative to the death of Col. Childs, I would say that I concur heartily in his statement, and that writers that claim that he was under cover of the hill, pleasantly chatting with companions, are in error. When the fatal missile struck him he was near the crest of the hill, on horseback, returning to the command, after reconnoitering the position in front, and accompanied by a member of his staff, Capt. H. M. Hughes, of Co. K. The Adjutant, who was temporarily in command of Co. G., sup- porting the battery, saw the Colonel at the moment he was stricken down, and the sad news soon spread, and he remem- bers with one impulse "G" started to the rescue of their beloved leader, and it was with the utmost difficulty they where restrained from breaking away from their position. The sad- ness of that hour was only equaled by that, of when the news of the death of Lincoln came to us. Of commanding presence, courteous and affable, he won the hearts of officers and men alike .- Adjutant.
L. C. DARTE, OF CO. M., CONTRIBUTES THE FOLLOWING RELATING TO COLONEL COVODE.
WILKES-BARRE, PA:, March 10th, 1890.
I have often thought that if Colonel Covode had not been so utterly regardless at all times of his own personal safety, he might have passed through the war. This of course is only one of those suggestive thoughts that will arise in one's mind under circumstances past. I recall in my own memory the regard he had for others by a little incident which I, myself. recollect "awful well" as the little girl would say.
It was sometime in May 1864, I think the very day of the fight at "Yellow Tavern," the day that Gen. Jeb. Stuart was
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killed, that I was acting as one of Col. Covode's "orderlies," I rode after him and with him all that day. Our brigade was confronted, I think, by the rebel Gen. Gordon's cavalry.
Col. Covode rode away from where our regiment was drawn up in line, out to the edge of the proverbial "clump of trees" which skirted an open field, and I, as "orderly," of course followed. It was some distance from the regiment, right before us, and within three or four hundred feet-possibly it was some distance more than three or four hundred feet- one or Gordons' regiments was just forming into line of regi- mental front. We looked at them as they posted their guidons and galloped into line. Of course Col. Covode had halted as soon as he discovered them and there he sat on his horse and I on mine, a little to his rear and side. It did not appear to be but a minute or two since we had halted our horses, when zip, zip, zip, sung the bullets as they whizzed passed us.
The zip, zip, of the little missiles came in quick and con- tinuous succession. The firing was from another quarter and not from the men of the regiment fronting us. Col. Covode never moved. It suggested to my mind at the time that the rebel regiment opposite us were on dress-parade and Col. Covode as its commanding officer was reviewing them. The firing became so hot that the horses themselves grew restless under it, especially mine. Possibly its rider was just a little restless too; but the Col. showed not the slighest inclination to get away from the position. I looked at him very earnestly and very intently. He had on his face htat peculiar but pleas- ant looking smile, which to this day is as vividly fixed in my memory as if it was but yesterday I had seen it. The zipping sounds of the little leaden messengers seemed to increase every moment, yet Col. Covode remained in the exposed posi- tion watching carefully every movement of the rebel regiment in our front.
As the firing directed to us seemed to increase he turned his smiling face to me, and never thinking of himself, said "Darte, it's a hot place here for you, you can fall back if you choose." Darte didn't fall back, for the order was somewhat qualified, but was awfully willing to "get out of that" soon as possible all the same.
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Just about this time, however, one of our light battery guns-I think Capt. Robinson's battery-opened up from a point on our left on that little rebel regiment in front of us and the rapidity with which they "got out of that" was both gratifying and amusing. Col. Covode smiled, for he had re- viewed a rebel regiment apparently on dress-parade, and apparently dismissed them. Of course all this is only a little incident, and possibly uninteresting in detail, but together with other like matters connected with the character of Col. Covode, gave to me an insight into his character which will always remain with me.
I have the highest regard for his memory, in his every way of doing things, as I recollect them, in the years gone by.
COPY OF LETTER FROM GENERAL D. MCM. GREGG,. DECEMBER, 1889.
, How well I remember the gallant Colonel Covode. At the moment we were compelled to abandon him, I was with the rear guard, and in falling back came upon the party bearing their Colonel on a stretcher. His great weight and the intense heat made it impossible for the men to carry him-farther. I dismounted, and from a small flask gave him some brandy, but the rebels were close upon us, and the Colonel, careful of the safety of others, had bade me leave him else I would be captured. At the last moment I quit him most sorrowfully. He was a grand soldier.
"DEEP BOTTOM, AUGUST 16, 1864."
LEAVES FROM THE DIARY OF MAJ. J. B. MAITLAND, A. A. G.
Orders at a few minutes after midnight to march at 4 .1. M. In accordance with the same, the regiments and section of battery were notified, and at 5 A. M. moved in the following order: 16th Penn'a; Ist Maine; Section 8th Penn'a; 13th Penn'a; the 4th and 2nd Penn'a on picket duty.
We struck the Charles City road at an early hour, with- drew 4th and 2nd Penn'a from picket line, and the 4th Penn'a
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previously ordered on Central Road, was halted and awaited the coming of the brigade. Arriving within gun-shot of the enemy's rifle-pits at Deep Run. The 2nd and 4th were thrown across the stream and dismounted, completely routing the enemy. The 16th Penn'a. then charged, and the A. A. G. was directed to bring rapidly forward, one gun; which did not arrive in time to open on the retreating foe. The entire com- mand was moved forward and the advance led in person by Col. Gregg, became warmly engaged. The Colonel was wounded in the wrist while in the extreme advance. His loss at that time was keenly felt; not only by the members of the staff, but by the entire brigade, as his place could not be well filled, he having the whole plan of battle well matured.
The command devolved on Col. Kerwin, of the 13th, being the senior officer present. As the head of the column moved on to the attack, Col. Gregg said, (pointing to the wounded arm) "tell the boys to avenge this."
Soon after, the body of Gen. Chambliss was brought back. Truly, we thought, is our brave leader avenged. Afterwards the body of the Rebel General was sent under flag of truce, within the rebel lines.
The enemy were driven, with but slight resistance, to a point on the road about one and one-half miles from White's where they were found strongly entrenched and in some force. Soon they opened a brisk fire, principally on the road, to pre- vent our further advance. Only two shots from their battery. We soon found they were outflanking us in a movement to our left, which caused our line to fall back.
Although closely pressed and under a severe fire, we formed in an open space and held the enemy in check. Here was wounded the gallant Lieut. Mattson, seriously; also Lieut. Cutler, slightly; and Col. Kerwin's life saved by a diary; the ball intended for his heart, penetrating the diary which he had in a side pocket. The shock, however, was sufficiently severe to disable him from further service, and for the second time on that eventful day, we were without a leader.
Forming a second line, we gradually withdrew from the first. The second line we were directed to maintain at all hazards, and nobly the Cavalry did it.
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Although mounted and formed on the crest of a hill, receiving volley after volley of musketry, still they stood until the welcome orders came to fall back to yet another line, which was accomplished in good order under an artillery as . well as musketry fire. The 2nd Penn'a. had formed a line in the edge of the woods fronting the plain on the banks of Deep Run, behind which we formed. Soon our skirmishers were driven in upon the main body and finding our position unten- able-the enemy having gained posession of the woods-we again fell back, crossing the swamp, and taking posession there we held it during the remainder of the day. We lost heavily in this action. Among the fallen brave, none were more deeply lamented than Geo. McCoy, Co. L., 4th Penn'a. His comrades brought off the body, exposing themselves to a severe fire while doing so; and burried it on Charles City road in the presence of many who dearly loved him for his many soldierly qualifications and manly virtues. Lieut. Geo. L. Bragg, fell by a stray bullet, a noble, brave officer, ever at his post, and unlike some others, filling a like position, usually accompanied his command to the front. Among the wounded were Lieut. Col. Wilson, Maj. W. A. Corrie, Lieut. Orton Reed, Lieut. Nellis, Lieut. Robeson and Capt. Hall.
A number of narrow escapes, a number of officers having their clothing riddled with bullets, yet receiving no serious harm; no special mention can be made where all behaved with the most praiseworthy coolness and gallantry. At a late hour we were relieved by the first brigade, when we returned to camp, drew three days rations and a supply of amunition.
August 17th, in camp, except a detachment sent on scout to Turkey Bridge and Malvern Hill. August 18th, heavy skirmishing along Steadman's line. 4th Penn'a dismounted and marched to the breastworks. Two men killed by a shell which passed through the column. Loss heavy in men and horses since crossing the James River, August 14th. August 19th, in camp. August 20th, withdrew pickets at dark and re-crossed the James and Appomattox Rivers.
August 2Ist, breakfasted near Prince George, C. H., then moved to left of army on Jerusalem plank road. After a few
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hours rest, at early moonlight moved to Gurley House and bivouacked, 4th Penn'a on picket, relieved afternoon of 22nd by 13th Penn'a. August 23rd, marched at 8 A. M. in direction of Ream's Station, on Weldon R. R. and found infantry busily engaged destroying rails and ties.
A high compliment, and appreciated accordingly :
HEADQUARTERS 2D BRIGADE, 2D CAVALRY DIV., CAVALRY CORPS, ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, NOVEMBER 20TH, 1864. - GENERAL ORDER, L NO. 109.
At the Sunday inspection of Quarters, the camp of the Fourth Pennsylvania Cavalry exhibited so marked a superior- ity in the arrangement of company quarters, general police of camp, neatness and cleanliness of the men, as to indicate a commendable attention to the details of the service on the part of the officers.
(Signed) J. IRVIN GREGG,
JOHN B. MAITLAND, B't. Brig. Gen. Com. Brigade.
Capt. and A. A. G.
HEADQUARTERS 2ND BRIGADE, 2ND DIV., C. C., ARMY OF THE POTOMAC,
1 BEFORE PETERSBURG, VA., NOV. 23RD, 1864. ) GENERAL ORDER, ¿ NO. 14.
SOLDIERS OF THE 2ND BRIGADE, 2ND DIVISION CAVALRY CORPS :-
Your fellow citizens of Pennsylvania have presented to you through me, as a testimonial of their appreciation of your services to your country, a battle flag.
It was my desire that the flag should have been presented direct to you, but the exigencies of the service required your services, and you could not be assembled as a brigade. The flag has been presented to your officers for you, and I feel confident that you will recognize the necessity which forbade its presentation to you direct.
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The history written upon its standard, is your history. All the honor or glory that may attach to the names inscribed upon the standard is your glory, for you have made these names memorable by your endurance and your chivalric courage.
Confidently, then, it is committed to your care, with the proud assurance, that whilst your strong arms can strike, it will be carried from victory to victory until the hideous mon- ster of rebellion is annihilated, and peace again reigns supreme over our once happy land.
(Signed) J. IRVIN GREGG,
(Official.) Col. Com. Brigade and B't. Brig Gen. JOHN B. MAITLAND,
Capt. and A. A. G.
HEADQUARTERS 4TH PENN'A CAVALRY, 1 PITTSBURGH, PA., JULY 8TH, 1865.
OFFICERS AND MEMBERS OF THE FOURTH PENN'A. CAVALRY :-
In parting with you, who have gallantly performed your duties in defence of the Union, your commanding officer deems it necessary to say it is with reluctance. From the organization of the regiment he has officiated with you in various capacities. His positions have been such, that his acquaintance with each one as a soldier in camp as also in the field, has been personal, creating an attachment, that is now about to be severed, but never forgotten. For four years your life has been his, the privations and hardships which you have suffered, he has also endured, but the recompense has been a full compensation. By your gallantry and daring, on every battle field, you have won the admiration of the whole country. You have wrested from the hands of arch traitors, the proud emblem of liberty.
You have once more opened the doors of the free institu- tions of a powerful people, and firmly established the great fundamental principle that there is no such thing as secession. but by hydra-headed treason, and punishable to the full extent
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by millitary law; and not only that, but you have also estab- lished the supremacy of "The Star Spangled Banner" above all nations of the world.
Among the officers of this command, your commander sees none in the same capacity in which they entered the ser- vice. You have been promoted to your present respective grades for gallant and meritorious services rendered on many fields of "gore." You have by your deportment won the full confidence and esteem of your commander. And for your assistance and obedience to all orders, he thanks you.
And now that your country no longer requires your ser- vices, beat your swords into plow shares and your spears into pruning hooks, that the clanking of arms may no longer salute the ear, but be superseded by the busy hum of industry. Let your deportment hereafter be in accordance with your military life, and prove to the world that a soldier can be a good citi- zen; that he who raises the arm to establish law, also raises it for its maintenance.
You will soon gather around your hearth-stones, and re- count your perils, privations, hardships and sufferings, to the loved ones at home, but your bosoms will always heave with emotions of pride in the exclamation, I was a soldier of the Union. Your name will be revered by the loyal, the great and the good.
For our comrades who have fallen, we shed a tear ; our sympathies go forth to the house of mourning, and would con- dole with the afflicted.
Their loss has been in a glorious cause, the propitiation of freedom to you and to all posterity.
We shall soon separate, perhaps never to meet again, but your memories will be the proudest of my recollections, to be erased only by the soul's exit.
S. B. M. YOUNG,
B't. Brig. Gen. Vols. and Col. 4th Penn'a. Cavalry.
A complimentary letter to the Fourth Penn'a Cavalry :
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LYNCHBURG, VA., JULY IST, 1865.
OFFICERS AND SOLDIERS OF THE FOURTH PENN'A CAVALRY :
After four years of war, the most terrible the world ever saw, you are about to return to your homes, your friends and - your families, with the object for which you left your fields and your workshops, your pleasant homes, your wives and your little ones, accomplished. Peace again spreads her wings over our entire country, and let us hope it will be over a united and a happy people. Soldiers, soon to become citi- zens, carry with you to your homes, and into your various occupations and pursuits, the lessons you have learned, of courage, of endurance, of fortitude, of generoisity, of magnan- imity. Let no unworthy views contract or occupy your minds. Show to your recent enemies that the contest for the past four years has not embittered your hearts.
Bear in mind that your comrades sleep, side by side in a common grave, with a gallant but mistaken foe; that what we have done was from a sense of duty and justice, and not in a spirit of wanton aggression or of unbridled passion. Go, soldiers of the Fourth Pennsylvania Cavalry, to be happy with, and to render happy, those whom you love and cherish. We may never meet again, but the rememberance of your gallant deeds and heroic endurance will never fade from the memory of him who has had the honor to lead you through the trials and dangers of the past, and he trusts that you will carry with you kind memories of one, who, whatever may have been his faults or his failures, has striven to do his duty, and gloried in the leadership of a command whose achievements are second to none. May God bless you, and keep you as pure citizens as you have been faithful soldiers. J. IRVIN GREGG,
Brev. Brig. Gen. Vols.
Extract from letter of General J. IRVIN GREGG in response to invitation to Gettysburg Reunion :-
It will afford me pleasure to meet again on the memorable battle-field of 1863, the officers and men of the Fourth Penn'a. after so many years. Doubtless we will all see changes that time has brought to each of us in personal appearance, but the
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affections will always remain green, for who can forget the friendships formed amid the stirring scenes through which we have passed, on the march, in the bivouac, and in the deadly strife of many a hotly contested field. Yes, my heart goes out toward the men of the Fourth Cavalry, and I wish for them the fullest measure of prosperity in this life and happi- ness of the future.
NOTE .- Truly time had wrought changes in personal appearance, for the General failed to recognize his old A. A. G., and when made known to him, said: "Well old man, how are you ?" It is tough, boys, to be designated an "old man;" but we, or many of us, must recognize its appropriateness.
The deeds of the regiment recited in verse by J. A. Mor- rison, (120 verses) is unfortunately too lengthy to be given in full, but we append a sample :-
"Come all surviving comrades, and listen while I tell About the many battles in which we fought so well, From eighteen hundred and sixty-one to eighteen sixty-five, With many who are "missing" and some who are alive.
Commencing May the seventeeth, in eighteen sixty-two, When we were "recent" volunteers and everything was new, · We were ordered out of camp to guard the Crowning Ridge, And our glory thus began at the battle of Bottom's Bridge. *
* * ** * *
The ninth of April, sixy-five, heard shouts of freemen rise Far above Lee's veterans in the Appomattox skies, For, at last the end had come, and long to be remembered, When Robert E. Lee to U. S. Grant had surrendered."
COMRADE H. D. HACKNEY, (Co. D,) Walton Post, 243, Department Kansas, G. A. R., April 10, 1891, writes as follows:
I am an outcast, as it were, from members of my regi- ment, having come West in 1868, and have seen but two or three since. I am one of Uncle Sam's pensioners from injuries received at Hawes' Shop and Warwick Swamp. I had the honor to capture and disarm the officer, (a Major, I think,) who commanded the Fort at. Stony Creek Station, December Ist, 1864, where our regiment did a good breakfast job!
I often wish I was where I could mingle with my old comrades, and recount the scenes of those days,-for while we have, no doubt, as brave and genial "boys" here-still, "as Si says of Shorty,-he was my pard.
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A PITTSBURGHER'S DIARY.
Senator Hill, of Georgia, Confronted by a Diary Record of - Life in Libby Prison.
Very few men, says the New York Press, came out of Libby prison with a diary in which were recorded the daily events of prison life from the day of their incarceration until the period of confinement closed. The Press happened to come upon one of the few exceptions last week in the person of John Fulton, Jr., of the drug importing firm of Stallman & Fulton on Gold street, this city. He started a diary after his capture and faithfully recorded every-day experiences during an imprisonment of seven months in Richmond.
Mr. Fulton is a native of Pittsburgh, and was for many years engaged in the wholesale drug house of B. L. Fahnestock & Co., on Wood street. He left the employ of the firm when the war broke out, and enlisted in Company G, Fourth Penn- sylvania Cavalry, first commanded by Col. Campbell, and after- ward by Col. Childs, both of Pittsburgh, the latter was killed at Antietam. The regiment was subsequently commanded by Col. George H. Covode, who was killed at St. Mary's Church.
The small memorandum book kept by Mr. Fulton is highly prized by the owner, as it not only refreshes his memory con- cerning the eventful past, but it has played an important part in a heated discussion between James G. Blaine and the late Senator Hill on the floor of the United States Senate, as will be seen by the following account given by the New York Press.
General Morgan, the celebrated confederate raider, while a prisoner in Columbus, O., had heard considerable complaint about the treatment of Union prisoners at Richmond, and he resolved to see justice done at the first opportunity. After his escape from the penitentiary, in the latter part of 1863, he commenced an investigation, and would not be satisfied until the leading representatives of the Confederate government
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accompanied him on a tour of the southern prisons. The commission of investigation was composed of himself, Jefferson Davis, General Ben Hill. John Mitchell, the famous Irishman and then editor of a Richmond daily paper, and several other prominent persons.
Mr. Fulton was acting as ward master of the prison hos- pital, on Cary and Twenty-second streets, which was in charge of Dr. Hopkins, who had the title of major. When the dis- tinguished visitors called on their tour of investigation Janu- ary 9, 1864, it devolved upon Mr. Fulton to escort them through the hospital. Gen. Morgan made earnest inquiries about the treatment of patients, and the latter invariably asked for more food, which provoked Jeff Davis to remark : "Did you ever know a Yankee to be satisfied ?" It was found that the hospital had been without fire or fuel during the en- tire season and that the inmates had been living on one-third of the required rations. At that time the James river was nearly frozen over, and the weather was said to have been the coldest for 20 years.
Gen. Morgan preferred charges against the commissary department as a result of the tour, and the subsequent official inquiry disclosed the fact that the quarter master had appro- priated to his own use the money paid by the confederate government for the care of Union prisoners. He was relieved from duty, and when a senate committee visited the Richmond prisons the improvement was very noticeable.
At the time that Senator Hill had a wordy tussle with James G. Blaine, and the latter found it necessary to make his famous speech in the senate, the circumstances, as related above, proved to be good ammunition in the hands of Mr. Blaine. The little bit of history was transcribed from Mr. Fulton's diary, sworn to before a notary, and given in charge .of Hon. Amos Clark, Jr., who was then serving his second terin as congressman from the Third New Jersey district. He carried the affidavit to Washington and tendered it to Mr. Blaine, who was profuse in his thanks for such valuable mate- rial, as it answered his opponent better than any other argu- ment.
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Senator Hill did not expect to see an eye witness to come forward to testify to the result of the tour made by the investi- gating committee through the Richmond prisons, and having been a member of that commission his fiery speech failed to have the desired effect when Mr. Blaine secured a reading and read a few lines from his tell-tale diary. Hon. Amos Clark, who performed the mission for Mr. Fulton, is a prominent resident of Elizabeth, N. J. He was a great admirer of Gen. Grant, and was itimately associated with him during the latter's adminstration in Washington.
Mr. Fulton was sergeant of Co. G., Fourth Pennsylvania Cavalry, and was captured on October 12, 1863, at Jefferson, near Culpepper, Va. by Maj. Jones, of the Twelfth Virginia Cavalry, during the retreat of Gen. Meade to Manassas for new lines of defence. His first recollection of Libby prison was, when in a line of unfortunates waiting for a description to be taken, the newcomers where greeted with a cry of "fresh fish" from comrades then in confinement at Mayo's tobacco factory on Main street, where the cavalry were assigned, the infantry going to Belle island. When Gen. Mosby's men were captured and shot for their inhuman depredations it was announced that the confederacy would retaliate by shooting the same number of prisoners.
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