USA > Pennsylvania > A brief history of the One Hundredth Regiment (Roundheads,) > Part 2
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The invasion of Maryland followed close upon the de- feat of Pope in Virginia. In the battle of South Moun- tain, on the 14th of September, the regiment participated, and in the charge up the mountain suffered severely, losing eight killed and twenty-eight wounded. In the battle of Antietam, on the 17th, having lost nearly all its line officers, it was not actively engaged. After advanc- ing as skirmishers until the battle had opened. it was relieved and held in reserve during the rest of the day. Its loss was one killed and four wounded. On the 18th. Morell's Division of Porter's Corps relieved Reno's late command, the latter retiring, and on the 19th encamping near the mouth of the Antietam Creek. On the 11th of October the brigade, which now consisted of the One Hundredth, the Forty-fifth Pennsylvania, and Thirty- sixth Massachusetts, was sent to Frederick City to inter- cept the rebel General Stuart on his raid to Chambersburg. but was unsuccessful. Soon afterwards Colonel Leasure,
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who had now returned from hospital, was sent to Wash- ington, by General Burnside, to bring up the absentees and convalescents of the Ninth Corps, assembled in camp near the city. About four thousand were thus added to its strength, two hundred of whom belonged to the One Hundredth Regiment. In November, soon after the return of the army to Virginia, General W. W. Burns was assigned to the command of the division, and Colonel Leasure, who had temporarily held command, returned to his brigade.
On the 19th of November, the corps arrived opposite Fredericksburg and went into camp. On the following day the regiment was sent to construct a corduroy road upon the way leading to Belle Plain, the base of supply, returning on the 25th. The Ninth Corps now formed part of the right grand division of the army, commanded by General Sumner. On the 12th of December the regi- ment crossed the river, and with the corps occupied the city of Fredericksburg. Burns' Division was assigned to the support of Hancock, and was afterwards sent to the assistance of Franklin, on the left During the progress of the battle on the 13th, the division lay in reserve awaiting the order to advance, which was momentarily expected. At midnight, Colonel Leasure was directed to move his brigade to position on the left of General Stone- man, which was promptly done, but at daylight returned again to its former position. The battle was not renewed on the 14th. At dusk, on the 15th, Colonel Leasure was ordered to send his most reliable skirmish regiment to report to General Sumner. The One Hundredth was select- ed. It was pushed forward towards the enemy, and deployed to cover the retreat. But so quietly and skil- fully was the withdrawal accomplished, that the suspic- ions of the enemy were not aroused, and the troops all crossed in safety without molestation. Near the close of the year, Lieutenant Colonel Leckey resigned, and was
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ONE HUNDREDTH REGIMENT.
succeeded by Major Dawson. Captain James H. Cline was subsequently promoted to Major.
Early in the year 1863, General Burnside was placed in command of the Department of the Ohio, and two divi- sions of his old corps were ordered to Kentucky to report to him. Rendezvousing at Fortress Monroe, these divi- sions proceeded via Baltimore, Parkersburg, and Cincin- nati to Lexington, Kentucky, where the One Hundredth arrived on the morning of the 28th of March. After re- maining in camp a week, the regiment moved to Camp Dick Robinson, and was subsequently at Middleburg and Columbia. While at the latter place General Welsh was assigned to the command of the division, and the brigade was re-organized and made to comprise the One Hun- dredth Pennsylvania, Seventy-ninth New York, Second, Eighth, and Twentieth Michigan.
Early in June the corps was ordered to the support of Grant at Vicksburg, and embarking at Louisville upon transports proceeded to Young's Point, on the Mississippi, but shortly after returned to Snyder's Bluff, and debark- ing, marched to Milldale Church, in rear of the besieging army, and took position facing towards the Big Black, where the rebel General Johnston had collected a large force, with the design of raising the siege and relieving the beleaguered garrison. As soon as the forces were set- tled in camp, details were made for fatigue duty in felling timber and intrenching the position. On the 29th the command moved some ten miles further out and took position at Flower Hill Church, to guard the fords of the Big Black, where it remained until the ever memorable 4th of July, when Vicksburg was surrendered. General Sherman immediately moved with a part of Grant's forces and the Ninth Corps to attack Johnston, who had fallen back to Jackson. Bridging the Big Black, the First Di- vision crossed at four o'clock on the afternoon of the 4th. On the 10th, the advance entered the enemy's picket
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lines near the Insane Asylum, just out of the city. Line of battle was formed, and advanced to within three hun- dred yards of the enemy's works. The brigade held the . extreme left, its left resting on the Pearl River, where it was exposed to an enfilading fire from the enemy's bat- teries. This position was held until the night of the 13th, when the brigade was relieved by the Fourth Brigade. The loss in the command during this time was considera- ble, the men being obliged to remain prostrate upon the ground, many a poor fellow being struck dead where he lay. On the morning of the 17th, it was discovered that the enemy had evacuated, when the city was quickly oc- cupied by the Union troops. On the morning of the 18th. the brigade marched to Madison Station, where it was engaged in destroying the railroad. Upon its return, it moved with the corps back to its old camp at Milldale. The campaign, though short, had been sharp, the heat of the weather added to the fatigue and anxiety experienced, and worse than all, the abominable water of the Yazoo and the Big Black, telling fearfully upon the health and spirits of the men.
From Vicksburg the corps, now under command of General Parke, was ordered to East Tennessee. Moving by boat to Cairo, the regiment proceeded by rail to Cin- cinnati, and thence to Camp Nelson, in Kentucky. While here, many of the men were attacked with a fever of a malarious congestive type, of which many died, among them Commissary Sergeant, James Henderson. When the division started on the 25th of September for East Tennessee, one fourth of the men in the regiment were left in hospital, and many of those who moved with the column were greatly enfeebled by disease. At Blue Spring the enemy was met, and a brisk engagement en- sued, in which his intrenched position was carried and his forces scattered. From Knoxville, to which place the troops soon after returned, the division marched to Lenoir
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ONE HUNDREDTH REGIMENT.
Station, on the East Tennessee and Virginia Railroad, where the regiment went into camp and erected comforta- ble quarters. It was hardly settled before Leasure's Brig. ade was ordered, by telegram from General Burnside, at Knoxville, to proceed thither without delay, the enemy having attacked and captured some troops of the Twenty- third Corps, and further trouble being anticipated. It was evening when the order was received, and at day- break on the following morning it had arrived and re- ported for duty to the commanding general. Its services, however, were not needed, and for four days, from the 6th to the 10th of November, the troops were held in waiting, exposed, to intense cold, without shelter tents. At the end of that time it returned to its camp at Lenoir, but on the morning of the 14th it was ordered to return, with all possible dispatch, to Knoxville, Longstreet hav- ing crossed the Tennessee at Kingston, and now threaten- ing to cut off the troops south of the city. Seven companies of the One Hundredth were detailed as escort to the divi- sion train, which was immediately put in motion, and the remaining three, A, F, and D, under Captain Hamilton. were detailed to remain and destroy government property at Lenoir. The Union troops reached Campbell's Station first, and a stand was made which enabled the trains to reach Knoxville in safety. Entrenchments were hastily thrown up for the defence of the city, and on the morn- ing of the 17th, the troops had all arrived and were in position. Longstreet laid siege and closely invested the place. Frequent charges and assaults were delivered by the enemy, but without advantage, and on the morning of the 29th. a grand assault on Fort Saunders, the princi- pal work, defended by the First Division. With deter- mined bravery his troops advanced, some of them reach- ing the ditch in its front, but were finally repulsed with great slaughter. The siege was continued until the 4th of December, when, learning that General Sherman was
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ONE HUNDREDTH REGIMENT.
coming up on his rear with a strong detachment from Grant's army at Chattanooga, Longstreet retreated towards Virginia, and the garrison, which was suffering for want of provision, was relieved.
On the 9th of December, the command marched to near Rutledge, and on the 18th to Blaine's Cross Roads. On the 1st of January, 1864, while subsisting on less than two ears of corn a day per man, the entire regiment, with the exception of twenty-seven, re-enlisted to the number of three hundred and sixty-six, for a second term of three years, and immediately started for home on a veteran fur- lough. The mid-winter march over the Cumberland Mountains was very severe, many of the men being bare- foot and without adequate clothing, no supply trains having reached Knoxville during the continuance of the siege. At Cincinnati the regiment was paid, and on the Sth of February reached Pittsburg, when the men were dismissed to return to their homes.
On the 8th of March the veterans rendezvoused at Camp Copeland, near Pittsburg, and with them a sufficient num- ber of recruits, who had been gathered in during the brief furlough, to raise its combined strength to nine hundred and seventy-seven men. A few days later. the regiment proceeded to Annapolis, Maryland. the rendezvous of the Ninth Corps, where it was brigaded. with the Twenty-first Massachusetts, and the Third Maryland, forming the Second Brigade of the First Division, and Colonel Leasure placed in command. Leaving Annapolis, the brigade reached Bealton Station on the 2d of May, and having moved with Grant's army to the Wilderness, on the night of the 5th was placed on picket. At daylight on the follow- ing morning it was relieved and ordered to duty as guard to the corps artillery. The Ninth Corps was an independent command. and was regarded as a reserve to the army ; but the enemy attacking in great force, it was ordered in. and the brigade, which was in rear of the artillery, was
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directed to pass it, and report to General Hancock, of the Second Corps. It was posted by General Mott, of that corps, in breast-works thrown up near the Brock Road ; but soon afterwards, Colonel Leasure was directed to lead his brigade over the works, into the dense woods in front, find the enemy's position, and if possible, attack him in flank. The first onset of the day was now over, and each side seemed content to rest on its arms and re-adjust the shattered lines. As the brigade moved over the recently contested ground, the dead and wounded of both sides lay thickly strewn on every hand. The forest had been fired, the flames, consuming and devouring the dry leaves, were rapidly approaching them. The skirmish line, which was a few paces in front of the line of battle, ad- vancing at a trail arms, discovered the enemy approach- ing, but before the command could deliver its fire, his line about faced and moved rapidly out of sight. The brigade immediately changed front to the left, and marched to meet a flank movement of the enemy in that direction, but on discovering our troops advancing, he again fell back, and it moved on in the original direction. After pushing a half inile through the dense underbrush. it was discovered that the enemy had retired to his earth- works, where he was awaiting an attack. The object of the reconnoissance having been accomplished, it returned and was warmly complimented by General Hancock for its efficient service. Much exhausted, it was led back a little in rear of the line of breast-works, where it rested. At four o'clock in the afternoon, the enemy suddenly opened a furious attack upon the line a little to the left of the point where the brigade was lying. In a short time the breast-work, which was made of dry logs and rails, was fired by the enemy's shells, and instantly blazed up, making the ground untenable, and the troops occupy. ing them fell back. Seeing this, other troops further to the right were seized with a panic, and retreated in con-
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fusion, the enemy occupying the abandoned works. At this juncture, Colonel Leasure ordered the One Hun- dredth, and the Twenty-first Massachusetts, to charge, and following up with the Third Maryland, routed the enemy and re-captured the lost works, securing many prisoners and several stands of colors. The losses in the One Hundredth were fortunately light; Captain J. H. Pentecost was severely wounded in the final charge. The brigade remained in possession of the captured works until the following afternoon, when it was relieved and re-joined the division.
On the 9th, the corps crossed the Ny River, and took position in front of Spottsylvania Court House, where General Stevenson, in command of the division, was killed. Colonel Leasure was directed to assume command and push the enemy back towards the Court House, which was accomplished with only small loss. On the 12th, the fighting was renewed, and continued during the entire day and far into the night, falling heavily upon the Ninth Corps, the One Hundredth Regiment sustain- ing considerable loss. In the severe engagements at the North Anna, on the 28th of May, and at Cold Harbor, on the 2d of June, the regiment participated, and in the lat- ter, Lieutenant David J. Gilfillan was killed.
After crossing the James, the regiment was warmly en- gaged in a series of battles in front of Petersburg, prelude to the siege, in which Captain Leander C. Morrow was killed, and Lieutenant Colonel Matthew M. Dawson was mortally wounded. The mine, which was exploded on the 30th of July, had been excavated within the lines of the Ninth Corps, and in the movements which were im- mediately inaugurated the regiment participated, in which Captain Walter C. Oliver, and Lieutenants Richard P. Craven and Samuel G. Leasure were killed, and Major Thomas J. Hamilton, in command of the regiment. was mortally wounded and taken prisoner.
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ONE HUNDREDTH REGIMENT,
On the 19th of August, the enemy attacked the Union forces while occupying a position upon the Welden Rail- road, and pushing his way through between the lines of the Fifth and Ninth Corps, achieved some success. In this encounter the One Hundredth was engaged, and again on the 21st, when the enemy made a determined effort to dislodge the Fifth Corps, but was finally foiled in his attempts. On the 30th of September the lines were again extended to the left, and at a point near Pop- lar Spring Church two strong forts, a mile and a half of rifle pits, and two guns, were captured. The enemy finally flanked a division of the Ninth Corps, and a severe struggle ensued. The regiment fortunately sustained only small loss. In the movement upon Hatcher's Run, on the 27th of October, it was again engaged, in which some prisoners were taken, but the enemy was found strongly posted. During the winter, the regiment re- mained in quarters with the corps. At the moment when the Union forces were about to move on the spring cam- paign, the rebel leader massed his troops, and before light on the morning of the 25th of March, made a sudden at- tack upon Fort Steadman, with the design of breaking the lines and destroying vast military stores at City Point. The fort was captured and considerable advantage gained, but was promptly met by forces of the Ninth Corps, and the effect of the blow inflicted quickly repaired. In this encounter the One Hundredth was engaged, and Lieuten- ant Colonel Joseph H. Pentecost was killed. The final assault upon the city of Petersburg, on the 2d of April. closed the long list of engagements in which the regi- ment, during its four years of service, had participated. It soon after returned to City Point, and thence to Wash- ington and Harrisburg, where, on the 24th of July, it was mustered out of service.
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Chattain Robert Studley
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ONE HUNDREDTH REGIMENT.
1755362
COLONEL DANIEL LEASURE.
Daniel Leasure, Colonel of the One Hundredth (Round Head) Regiment and Brevet Brigadier-General, was born in Westmoreland county, on the 18th of March, 1819. His great-grand-father, Abraham Leasure, emigrated to Pennsylvania from the borders of Switzerland, near France, whither the ancesters of the family had fled after the massacre of St Bartholomew, they being Huguenots of Navarre. He studied medicine and graduated at Jef- ferson Medical College. He was married in September, 1842, to Isabel W., eldest daughter of Samuel Hamilton, for several years a member of the Pennsylvania Legisla- ture.
He had served in the militia, and at the opening of the Rebellion, raised a company and was made Adjutant, and also acting Assistant Adjutant-General of the brigade upon the staff of General Negley. At the close of the three months' term he was authorized to raise a veteran regiment. Lawrence county, where he had taken up his residence, had been largely settled by the descendents of those who had followed Cromwell in the struggles of the English people for liberty, and from among these he drew recruits, appropriately designating it the Round Head Regiment. Colonel Leasure was first sent to the Depart- ment of the South, where his command formed part of the brigade of General Isaac I. Stevens. In the attack upon the Tower Fort near Secessionville, on the morning of the 16th of June, 1862, Colonel Leasure led the brigade, and won the commendation of General Stevens. In the battle of Second Bull Run, Colonel Leasure, while leading his brigade, had his horse shot under him, and himself received a severe wound. He recovered in time to take
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ONE HUNDREDTH REGIMENT.
part in the battle of Fredericksburg, and soon after went with two divisions of the Ninth Corps, to which he was then attached, to Kentucky, and thence to Vicksburg, where, and at Jackson, he participated in those triumph- ant achievements which opened the Mississippi and really broke the backbone of the Rebellion.
From Vicksburg he proceeded with his troops to East Tennessee, and was active in the operations of the Union arms in that region and in the siege of Knoxville. At the battle of the Wilderness on the 6th of May, where he commanded a brigade, he led in a charge which hurled the rebels from works which they had captured from Union troops, and re-established the broken and disorgan- ized line, receiving the thanks of General Hancock on the field. At Spottsylvania Court House, Colonel Leasure was wounded. At the conclusion of his term on the 30th of August, 1864, he was mustered out of service. He was brevetted Brigadier-General in April, 1865. Upon his return to civil life he resumed the practice of his pro- fession, first at New Castle and subsequently in Allegheny, And is at present practicing at his profession in St. Paul, Minn.
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CHAPLAIN ROBT. AUDLEY BROWNE.
Robert Audley Browne, D. D., for nearly three years Chaplain of the One Hundredth Pa. Vols., was born De- cember 3rd, 1821, in Steubenville, Ohio. He was reared in Pittsburg, graduated from the Western University of that place, at the age of nineteen; and was licensed to preach at the age of twenty-one. When the first shot was fired on Fort Sumpter in April 1861, he came forward promptly, and by his speeches, sermons, and prayers as- sisted in the raising of troops in defence of the old flag.
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When the One Hundredth Regiment, then known as "Round Heads" was organized, he joined it as their Chap- lain, sharing in all hardships and perils by land and sea. Although he carried no weapons he was in the front in every fight, and when some rebel sharpshooter singling him out as the one in command, sent his leaden message, -saving "beware" the Chaplain would simply say to one of our boys, "I wish some of you would reply to that fel- low, I do not know why he wants to hurt me." I well remember in the battle of Chantilly during a terrible storm of thunder and lightning, just as the big rain drops commenced falling. only a little more thickly than the rebel bullets were flying, the Chaplain's tall slim figure passed along in front of the line, and in as calm a tone as if be had been reading one of David's Psalms he said, "Boys, remember Cromwell. Trust in God and keep your powder dry." It had its effect. Although nearly all had their minds made up to run, we concluded if he could stand it, we could. We held our ground, repulsed the rebel charge, and thus prevented Jackson from getting entirely in the rear of Pope's Army, but not without the loss of many a good man, among which was General Isaac I. Stevens, commanding our division, and General Phil. Kearney who brought his division in just at the close of the fight. I often think it was Chaplain Browne's cool courage and magnetic influence that prevented our brig- ade from running, and thus gave us the first and only victory in that disastrous campaign.
INCIDENT
FURNISHED BY ROBERT ADLER, OF COMPANY F.
In the first engagement we got into on the James Island we lost our captain and sixteen men taken prisoners, one
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of whom, John C. Sampson, died in prison in South Car- olina.
This reminds me of a little circumstance that occurred that morning, June 3rd, 1862. About three hundred offi- cers and men of the One Hundredth were marched out from camp to some negro shanties to reconnoitre. Here an aid-de-camp rode up, ordered a halt, and directed Captain Cline to pick out sixteen good men and advance them as far as they could go in the direction of Fort Sumpter. Half the number were taken from D, and half
from F. I was then a Sergeant, and put in charge of the squad. I thought it a foolish errand, and such it proved. After marching nearly a mile I ordered a halt, and climb- ed a small tree, from which I had a clear, but not long view of Fort Sumpter, for I had scarcely taken the Fort well in, when a noise caused me to look back. It was a lively sight. A line of Johnnies were advancing from the cover of a wood directly upon our troops about one- half a mile away. I thought my squad and I were doom- ed to have our home in "Dixie" for a while, to avoid which no time was to be lost. I don't think I was very dignified in my orders to retreat. It was "git, boys?" I set the example, dropping at once out of the tree and mak- ing a "Muud S" speed for the negro shanties, bringing away my gun and all my accoutrements, minus my cap. and if I do say it myself, getting in ahead of the men, two-thirds of whom threw away guns, cartridge boxes. and everything else. My opinion always was that the whole James Island expedition was a failure, unless we get credit for killing a vast number of the largest kind of mosquitoes while we were there.
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ONE HUNDREDTH REGIMENT.
POEMS
BY DR. HORACE B. DURANT,
Who served as a Private in Company A, from August 5th, 1861, to March 23d, 1864, when he was promoted to Assistant surgeon, in which capacity he served until the Regiment was mustered out of the service.
A NIGHT AT SEA.
The night came down in murky gloom ; the winds grew shrill and loud, And swept like wail of human pain, through spar, and sail, and shroud ; The ebon clouds, like trampling steeds, fled o'er the wrathful sky, While crowned with crest of fiery foam, the waves rolled mountain high.
On board the noble "Ocean Queen," full fifteen hundred men Were rocking on the tossing deep, from far-off glade and glen, And Pennsylvania's throbbing heart went forth in fervent prayer For all her noble, patriot sons, that hour imperiled there.
O, yes ! full many a prayer went up, yet little did they know The tempest wing that flapped above, the surge that yawned below ; Or that we paced careening decks with calm yet hopeless tread, That hollow sounded 'neath our feet, like coffins for the dead !
We were not all alone upon the ocean wild and dark ; For well we knew that by our side sailed many a gallant bark, And well we knew if we should meet together on the wave, The fathomless abyss would close above our mutual grave !
'Tis vivid in our mem'ry still, how, all that fearful night, We stood aloft and tried to pierce the gloom with straining sight ; While ever and anon the lightning's red and blinding flash Came, swiftly heralding the leaping thunder's awful crash ; And, mingled with the hissing spray, down came the slanting rain, That swept across the trembling decks, and smote the cheek with pain '
Ah ! it was painful, list'ning there, to hear the timbers creak- Creak all the long, long night, as though they suffering strove to speak ; "L'was sad to hear the lab'ring wheel turn with a plunging groan, Within the hollow trough of waves, amid the tempest's moan.
It made the heart grow still with awe to hear the billows smite, Like giant blows against the bow, and thunder by in might ; And one could not but feel, the while, that He alone could save Who rules supreme upon the land, and calms the tossing wave.
Long years may pass, and other scenes from memory fade away, Yet, "Roundheads," ye can ne'er forget that night of storm and spray ; And oft in summer twilight still ve'll sit within the door, And to an eager list'ning band relate your perils o'er ; Or, when the drifted snows lie deep, on upland, glade and lea, We'll tell, beside the blazing fire, that night upon the sea !
Company A, 100th Reg. P. V., Beaufort, S. C., Nov. 20th, 1861.
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ONE HUNDREDTH REGIMENT.
AM
A SOLDIER'S MUSINGS.
Five months have gone, I did not think they'd pass so soon away ; For time, though short, at best seems long, when far from home we stray, And ah ! to lead a soldier's life, 'mid weariness and pain Makes absence often seem to be a heavy galling chain.
The southern sky bends bright above, the trees wave green below. And hero beside me as I dream the ebbing waters flow ;
The prospect all around is fair where'er the eye may roam,
And soft airs fan my thoughtful brow, but, ah ! this is not 'not home.
Oh ! for my native hills again, the vales, and brooks, and streams, Where I have strayed in autumn time, amid its golden dream. Oh for the voice of the loved, the eyes that looked on me, The hands so often clasped in mine, beneath the vine clad tree.
Ah! well do I remember still, that last. long lingering look. Which, turning around upon the hill, with swelling heart I took, The evening shades were falling fast, around the dear old spot- While there I bade a fond farewell unto my father's cot.
Me thinks I feel my mother's kiss, still warm upon my cheek - The kiss she gave at parting there, -I strove but could not speak. I see my sisters bow their heads, to hide their flowing tears, While standing by in sad calm thought my father's form appears.
God grant we all may meet again, when battle storms shall cease, And this fair land shall gladly smile within the light of peace. Then shall we talk in summer eve, of all the thrilling past, Or paint in scenes by blazing fire, lulled by the wintry blast.
Beaufort, S. C., May 25th, 1862.
A MIDNIGHT SCENE AT VICKSBURG.
By Mississippi's mighty tide, our camp-fire's flickering glow, O'er weary, slumbering, tented men, are burning dim and low. Calm be their rest, beneath the shade of whispering forest bough, And soft the night wind, as it creeps across the sleeper's brow ; The hot glare that to-morrow shines, within the Southern land, May drink its draught of crimson life, that stains the burning sand ! While some, alas ! of this brave band, their mortal race shall run, And be but shrines of pulseless clay, ere sets to-morrow's sun !
"Tis midnight lone, the moon has climbed high up the Eastern steeps, While in her holy, pensive gaze, the tren:bling dew-drop weeps ! Across the river's misty flood, the bold, gray bluff's arise, Like bank of rugged, slumb'ring clouds, against the sapphire skies ; There, Vicksburg stands upon the slope, and on the frowning height, While spire and dome gleam strangely out, upon the fearful night.
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ONE HUNDREDTH REGIMENT.
Ave, there is fear within the gloom, such fear as guilt may know, When it has drawn upon its crimes the swift, avenging blow ; There is no slumber to the eyes, that gaze with horror dread, Upon the upturned, ghastly face of all the mangled dead ! There is no peace to those, who list the shriek of woe and pain, That never ceasing, rises from the weeping and the slain ! Proud one. thy hour of doom is traced upon yon burning wall; And, girt around with armed hosts, thy boasted strength shall fall. See, where the smoke of battle hangs, above the water's breast ! Look, how it wreathes von trodden heights, and winds along their crest ! Around, above, both friend and foe, the dead, the dying -- all- It floats, and wraps the awful scene in one vast funeral pall !
Look there-that blinding flash, close by the dim and winding shore ! See how the burning shell mounts up! list to its awful roar ! The shell ! up-higher, higher still! the zenith reached at last, Down, down it goes in fiery curve, in thunder bursts -- 'tis pust- Another-there, and there ! with seream, and circling orb of fire, They shoot athwart the skies! look there, it bursts above that spire ! List ! list ! did ye not hear that cry, that shrieking came away, Where fell that dreadful, blazing bolt. to mangle and to slay ? Did ye not hear that awful crash of shivered timbers, then, As bursting down thro' roof and dome, 'mongst children, women, men, Amid the cow'ring throng it fell, and with sulphurous breath, Spread fiery ruin all around, within that place of death ?
The ramparts answer ! flash on flash, run all along the line ! And many a hissing, gleaming track, athwart the heavens shine! "Tis all in vain ! their shot and shell fall short of every mark, Or, wildly erring, sullen plunge beheath the waters dark. "Fis all in vain ; our marksmen true, with an unerring aim, Behind those very ramparts lie, and bathe them red with tlame! No foeman bold, above those works, may show his daring form ; Down sentry, gunner, soldier, go, before our leaden storm !
Those frowning battlements, the dark rebellion's trust, With all its hopes. the strength and pride, must topple to the dust! These waters mingling from afar, as they sweep to the sea. Proclaim that they must still be ours-that they must still be free ! The time'll come, when these proud hills, no more shall quake with dread, Beneath their grassy breast shall lie these heaps of gory dead ; Redeemed from slav'ry's blighting eurse, the battle's war shall cease, And all Columbia's wide domain, shall smile with thrift and peace. June 16, 1863.
BATTLE OF FORT SAUNDERS.
The battle-smoke hangs dim beneath November's morning sun, Half veiling with its circling wreath, a scene of viet'ry won. Ah, what a scene ! the gory ground is strewn with mangled heaps, While like the autumn leaves around, the stricken warrior sleeps ?
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ONE HUNDREDTH REGIMENT.
See, in the trenches where they lie, and 'neath the parapet, How hundreds madly rushed to die, with deadly vengeance met. Behold that look of grim despair, left on that face of stone! Methinks, death's hand has painted there, the very dying groan ! Scarce has the sun, with rising beam, looked on a scene so dread ; Scarce has the slumb'rer's midnight dream, at morn so awful fled ! What are they now, but lifeless clay, with all their hope and pride ; Their very names shall fade away, none care that they have died.
See where the pit yawns wide and deep-this is their only grave ! Such is their last, dishonored sleep, by rapid Holston's wave. Mark how they place them, tier on tier,-a mingled pyre of woe! Hark ! 'tis the moist red earth ye hear, that falls on earth below.
Poor wretches! they have died in vain, foes to their native land, And treason's blot shall darkly stain their names while time shall stand. For them shall flow no nation's tears-no monument shall rise, To proudly mark, through future years, the spot the traitor lies.
Fort Saunders, let thy honored height be sacred evermore, That backward rolled the rebel might, like waves from rock-bound shore. Let hist'ry tell, with glowing page, of those who bled for thee ; Their monument from age to age, thy battlements shall be !
Dec. 9, 1863.
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The only Soldiers' Paper published in Western Pennsyl- vania, and none west of us nearer than Chicago or India- napolis. Every old Soldier should consult his own interest by sending us their names with $1.50 enclosed, which will give them the paper for one year. Also, a beautiful G. A. R. Certificate, 16 x21, printed in five colors, worth the price of the subscription.
The Reveille is devoted to the interest of the "Boys of '61 to '65," the Grand Army of the Republic, the Union Prisoners of War Asso- ciation, und all other organizations tending to the interests of the ex- Union Soldiers, their widows and orphans.
PUBLISHED EVERY WEDNESDAY.
We are desirous of having an agent in every Post, and are prepared to make liberal terms with them. To any one who will act as correspondent and send us at least one communication a month, of what is transpiring in the way of interest to the old Soldiers, we will send them the paper regular, free. We invite any one to write us who so de- sires, any incident of the war either personal or otherwise. We will be glad to publish them. Sample copies sent on application. Address
F. A. M. KREPS, Manager, PITTSBURGH, PA.
PROHIBITION
CAMPAIGN SONGS !
WRITTEN BY DR. HORACE B. DURANT, ENTIRELY .. NEW . AND · ORIGINAL,
CAN · BE · SUNG - TO · FAVORITE · AIRS NORTH AX
The Most Complete Book of the Kind ever Offered, MUSIC EDITION, 75C. OCTAVO, 30C. Address MRS. H. ABRAHAM DURANT, Publisher,
CLAYSVILLE, PA
1
THOMAS
THE PRINTER>
New Castle, Pa.
: BEST WORK: AND LOWEST PRICES.
Special Facilities for the Execution of Secret Society Printing.
IKONS
1
"If any man atteinpts to haul down the American Flag shoot him on the spot."
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F 8349. 863
5676
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