USA > Pennsylvania > Annals of the Sixth Pennsylvania cavalry > Part 2
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22
gift Penn. Volunteer Infantry, Col. Gregory.
90th
Col. Lyle.
67th
Col. Staunton.
58th
Col. Jones.
70th 6th Cavalry, Col. Rufh.
"Governor Curtin came upon the ground in an open barouche. He was accompanied by his ftaff, and a num- ber of invited guefts from Harrifburg, and other parts of the State. Among them were the following Pennfylva- nians: Col. Ruffell, of Pittfburg, Col. Biddle, of Phila- delphia, Col. Parker, of Carlifle, and Col. Potts, of Har- rifburg, ftaff; Gen. Keim; Gen. Irvin, Commiffary Department ; Gen. Hall, Quartermafter; Gen. Bart. Shaffer ; Capt. Anderfon, Ift Cavalry; S. B. Thomas, Deputy Secretary of State; Col. Meredith, commanding Camp Curtin, and O. W. Lee, of Harrifburg. The following citizens of Philadelphia were alfo on the plat- form: Maj. Gen. Patterfon, Brig. Gen. Frank Patter- fon, Morton McMichael, Efq .; the State Society of Cincinnati, compofed of feven members, each wearing a blue rofette; Mrs. Col. Rufh, and other ladies. On the left of the platform were the mounted aids of Gen. Patterfon, and on the right were Gen. Pleafonton and ftaff, and other officers of the Home Guard organiza- tions.
"The flags, confifting of the regimental ftandards for
29
PRESENTATION OF STATE FLAGS.
each regiment, and a number of guidons for the cavalry, 1861. were placed in front of the platform, unfurled. The Dec. 6th. troops were then clofed, en maffe, in front of the plat- form, and were addreffed in the following very appro- priate fpeech by Governor Curtin :
"'I appear before you in obedience to law, to prefent to you before your departure in the fervice of your coun- try, the regimental ftandards provided by the State. The duty is not new to me, nor have I grown weary from its frequent performance.
"""It is always impreffive to contemplate the feparation of our friends and fellow-citizens from their homes, but all the feelings which fuch occafions excite are intenfified when thofe about to leave are under arms, and prepared to encounter the viciffitudes and trials of actual war. We are, in Pennfylvania, truly a peaceful people. Our genial climate, our geographical pofition, and our vaft material refources, have led us to cultivate thofe arts and occupations, and thofe relations of focial life, which are not in harmony with military difcipline and purfuits, or with antagonifms or hoftilities.
"""Having fcarcely a military organization in the State, and our citizens having had no expectation of an attempt being made to difturb the Nation; and as we were at peace with all the world, this rebellion found us, in a meafure, without military preparation. But we have what is infinitely better than mere military training: a loyal people devoted to the Government, and ready, at any moment, to take up arms in its defence.'
"He then traced the caufes leading to the rebellion,
30
PRESENTATION OF STATE FLAGS.
1861. and the neceffity refting upon the Executive, and the Dec. 6th. feveral States, to put forth every effort for its immediate fuppreffion. 'You go to vindicate the hiftory of the paft, and make that of the prefent. And as you fhall fave our great Government from deftruction, to infure a ftill brighter page for its future, that liberty, civilization, and Chriftianity, may continue to grow and fpread in all the world. All mankind have an intereft in your fuc- cefs ; all loyal men will give you countenance and fup- port ; and all good men will fend up their conftant prayers for your profperity and ultimate victory. Thoufands and tens of thoufands of your fellow-citizens at home, will watch your progrefs from every part of this great Commonwealth ; from all its homes and its firefides ; from the family altar of the high and the low, the rich and the poor, will go up fupplications in the evening and the morning, that the God of battles may ftrengthen and protect you by His almighty power.'
""' It is the duty of all good and true men to maintain legitimate authority independent of difference of opinion or perfonal relations. It is for the maintenance of the Conftitution and the Government, and for the fupport of its duly conftituted agents in the difcharge of their duty, that you have taken up arms. It is for this that thoufands have gone before you, and thoufands will fol- low as demands are made by the Government, until peace and order prevail throughout the land, and the Government eftablifhed by our fathers, and under which we have been bleffed with fo many years of profperity, fhall be re-eftablifhed in all its original power. It is our duty to tranfmit to our pofterity the precious legacy given
31
PRESENTATION OF STATE FLAGS.
to us by our fathers perfect and unimpaired. Under it 1861. we have enjoyed feventy-three years of continued en- Dec. 6th. largement and profperity, of national power, and indi- vidual happinefs. If you, and the brave men affociated with you, fhall re-eftablifh and maintain it, future genera- tions will rife up and call you bleffed. . And it is in perfect harmony with all the proceedings of the day and the occafion, as with the memories and tradi- tions of the paft, that we are honored by the prefence of the remnant of the members of the "Society of Cin- cinnati," an affociation eftablifhed by the immortal W ASH- INGTON himfelf, and which conftitutes a link between the living and the dead, the prefent and the paft ; the dawn of liberty in the world, and the perfect unity of all good men to maintain it againft the combination of bad men to deftroy it.
""'The Society of Cincinnati, early in this ftruggle, prefented me with a fum of money to be ufed at my dif- cretion in arming and equipping the volunteers of the State. The fubject was referred to me by the Legifla- ture, then in feffion; they directed me to procure and prefent ftandards to the volunteers as they paffed into the fervice of the United States.
""'And now, as reprefenting the people of the State, I pray that that Providence, which has fo long upheld this generation, may maintain and fupport you in the conteft in which you are about to engage, and fhield you by His divine power, that you may fafely return to your friends and families.'
"During the addrefs of Governor Curtin, the colo-
32
PRESENTATION OF STATE FLAGS.
1861. nels of the different regiments took a pofition in front of Dec. 6th. the ftand. They were all mounted. The five regi- mental ftandards were then unfurled and placed in the hands of the colonels, who, upon receiving them, paffed them to their refpective color guards, and refponded in fhort fpeeches to the Governor. Col. Rufh, being the firft, fpoke as follows:
"'GOVERNOR: On behalf of the officers and men of the 6th Pennfylvania cavalry regiment, I thank you, and through you, the Society of Cincinnati, to whofe liber- ality we partially owe thefe colors, and to the people of the State of Pennfylvania. We have heard the eloquent, patriotic fentiments you have uttered. You have ex- preffed the hope that thefe colors will be reftored to the State, in accordance with the law, unftained and unful- lied, with the promife that thofe actions in which it may be the good fortune of my regiment to diftinguifh itfelf fhall be engraved upon the colors. I truft this hope will not be mifplaced. I truft that the regiment will be wor- thy of the wifhes expreffed for it in anticipation. Never- thelefs, I may be pardoned in faying that time is required to complete the thorough organization of a regiment of cavalry. The combination of horfe and rider is a diffi- cult tafk, and requires much training on the part of the foldier. If we do not, at an early day, give good ac- count of ourfelves in field fervice, due allowance fhould be made, and we not be judged too feverely. In time we hope to be able to fhow fuccefs. In behalf of the officers and men of my regiment, I again thank you.'
"He was followed by the other regimental command-
REPORT OF COLONEL RUSH. 33
ers in appropriate fpeeches; at the conclufion of which 1861. the whole force was reviewed by the Governor. Dec. 6th.
It is eftimated that there were not lefs than twenty thoufand perfons prefent.
The following report was made to General Stoneman, commanding the Cavalry Corps of the Army of the Po- tomac, in refponfe to a circular from him calling for in- formation in reference to the "organization of the regi- ment, and everything giving information that may lead to the improvement of the cavalry arm of the fervice," prefents a brief réfumé of our early hiftory :
"HEADQUARTERS SIXTH PENN'A CAVALRY, CAMP NEAR WHITE OAK CHURCH, VA., Feb. 27th, 1863.
"GENERAL :
"In compliance with your communication of January 24th, I have the honor to fubmit the following report :
"This regiment was raifed by authority given to me by the War Depart- ment, on the 27th of July, 1861, and was to confift of ten companies, or troops; but as the plan propofed was to clothe, equip, and mount the regi- ment in Philadelphia, before it fhould be reported ready for fervice, there was confiderable delay in procuring neceffary orders to accomplifh it, and it was not until Auguft 18th, that the full authority afked for was granted, and a general recruiting ftation and barracks were hired in Philadelphia. By this delay much good material was loft, which would have been fecured from regi- ments of the three months' fervice, that had juft difbanded. In the forma- tion of the firft companies, many recruits were loft from the fact that we were not permitted to mufter them into fervice until a firft lieutenant's command was recruited ; the refult of which was, that for every man muftered at leaft two were enrolled ; as proof of which two hundred names were enrolled for the ninety-two muftered in as the firft company. This difficulty was after- wards removed, and the men were muftered in as faft as the defective fyftem adopted by the United States muftering officers would permit. Had this been lefs imperfect, the regiment would have been raifed much fooner than it was. In confequence of the privileges given by the Department, the com-
5
..
34
REPORT OF COLONEL RUSH.
1861. panies were each, with but little delay, fupplied with clothing, camp, and Dec. 6th. garrifon equipage, from the United States depot in Philadelphia, as foon as the minimum number was raifed. A camp of inftruction was formed about three miles from Philadelphia. The firft four companies encamped on the 3d of September, 1861; the tenth company went into camp in November. The arms and horfe equipments were furnished from the Frankford arfenal, and the horfes by the Quartermafter in Philadelphia, as rapidly as they were required for, except towards the completion of the regiment. The complete equipment of the regiment, before leaving Philadelphia, had been announced in the advertifements and pofters as part of the programme of its organization ; and as many regiments had been hurried off unarmed and unclothed, this was confidered a great inducement. When the fuccefs of the regiment feemed fure, numerous companies, already organized and officered, under the State militia fyftem of election, were offered; and by the time the tenth company was completed, fuch applications to the number of fifteen were made; but all refufed, the regiment being officered in a very different way. One ex- ception, however, was made in favor of a company from Reading, raifed by Captain George Clymer, who was one of the original appointees in the in- terval between the firft authority given me by the Department, July 27th, and the full authority given Auguft 18th, as before mentioned, he having re- ceived authority direct from the War Department to recruit an independent company. The regiment was recruited under the name of the 'Philadel- phia Light Cavalry,' and was to be armed with fabre and piftol, but at the fuggeftion and requeft of Major General George B. McClellan, then com- manding the Army of the Potomac, the lance was adopted, and added to thefe weapons. The piftols were Colt's army fize; the fabres were the light cavalry, but defective in temper, and, I think, of objectionable pattern. The lance being a new weapon to our fervice, and the Department having none to iffue, a careful ftudy of the weapons, as ufed in foreign fervice, was neceffary, and great attention was paid to their manufacture. Valuable ad- vice and affiftance in this matter was received from the Duc de Chartres, Compte de Paris, and Major Von Hammerftein, all then on General McClel- lan's ftaff, and refulted in the adoption of the Auftrian pattern. It is about nine feet long, with an eleven inch three-edged blade; the ftaff is of Nor- way fir, about one and a quarter inches in diameter, with ferule and counter- poife at the heel; the whole weighing four pounds thirteen ounces, with a fcarlet fwallow-tailed pennon. They were furnifhed by the Ordnance De- partment, under contracts which they made from patterns fubmitted by me.
35
REPORT OF COLONEL RUSH. ·
Experience in their ufe has fuggefted improvements in their pattern. By the 1861. ufe of hickory, the ftaff might be made lighter with equal ftrength, and the Dec. 6th. blade of the pattern of the bayonet would alfo decreafe the weight. The regiment places all confidence in this weapon, if applied to its legitimate ufe, and only regrets that an opportunity has not offered which would enable them to fhow that this confidence is not mifplaced. Recently twelve car- bines to a company has been added to the armament, the neceffity for which has been proven by the large amount of picket and fcout duty which the regiment has been required to perform. The officering of the regiment, which is the all-important part of its organization, was as follows: The ap- pointments were made chiefly upon invitation from myfelf, and the appointees were felected from men whofe pofition in life, previous character, and educa- tion, would infure difcipline in camp, courage and judgment in the field, a good example to the men, and a careful execution of the many refponfibilities of their feveral offices. Towards the clofe of the organization of the regi- ment, applications for pofition were very numerous, and many, well fitted for, but who could not obtain office, enlifted in the ranks. Many of the officers had already feen fervice in the three months' volunteers. The Quar- termafter of the regiment had formerly been Quartermafter-Sergeant of the 2d U. S. Cavalry, and by his experience and judgment, rendered the moft val- uable affiftance. He has fince become an officer in the 5th U. S. Cavalry,- Captain Maley. By this plan of officering, there was no connection between the officers and the men, no affiliations whatever, and no relations but thofe incident to military fervice. The lift of officers was nearly filled before the Central Recruiting Station was opened, and the whole force was ufed to re- cruit the firft company, and each fucceffive company had the fervices of the remaining officers. This was rather unfavorable to the laft companies, but they had the advantage of the fact that the exiftence and equipment of the regiment was eftablifhed. In November, the regiment was ordered to report to the Governor of the State of Pennfylvania, and received the defignation of the Seventieth Pennfylvania Volunteers, or Sixth Pennfylvania Cavalry. Between the 5th and 16th of December, the regiment, nine hundred and twenty ftrong, moved to Wafhington, and encamped on Meridian Hills where it remained during the winter, going through fuch drilling as the unfavorable ftate of the weather and ground would permit.
1242246
ORIGINAL OFFICERS.
"The regiment being fully organized, armed, equipped, and mounted,
36
REPORT OF COLONEL RUSH.
1861. awaited marching orders. At this time the officers of the regiment were as
Dec. 6th. follows :
FIELD AND STAFF.
Colonel-Richard Henry Rufh. Lieutenant-Colonel-John H. McArthur. First Major-C. Rofs Smith. Second Major-Robert Morris, Jr. Adjutant-Ift Lieut. F. C. Newhall. Surgeon-William Mofs. Afiftant Surgeon-Charles M. Ellis. Quartermafter-Thomas E. Maley. Chaplain-Wafhington B. Erben.
LINE OFFICERS.
A.
F.
Captain-W. P. C. Treichel. Ift Lieut .- H. P .. Muirheid, 2d Lieut .- J. Newton Dickfon.
B. Captain-John H. Gardiner. Ift Lieut .- R. Walfh Mitchell. 2d Lieut .- W. W. Frazier.
C. Captain-H. C. Whelan. Ift Lieut .- Charles L. Leiper. 2d Lieut .- Edwin L. Tevis.
D. Captain-Jofeph Wright. Ift Lieut .- Samuel Hazzard, Jr. 2d Lieut .- Emlen N. Carpenter.
E.
Captain-J. Henry Hazeltine. Ift Lieut .- G. Irvine Whitehead. 2d Lieut .- Charles B. Davis.
Captain-Robert Milligan. Ift Lieut .- Charles E. Richards. 2d Lieut .- J. Hinckley Clark.
G. Captain-George E. Clymer. Ift Lieut .- Auguftus Bertolette. 2d Lieut .- - Call.
H.
Captain-Benoni Lockwood. Ift Lieut .- Chas. E. Cadwalader. 2d Lieut .- Wm. Odenheimer.
I. Captain-James Starr. Ift Lieut .- Ofwald Jackfon. 2d Lieut .- Frank Furnefs.
K. Captain-Howard Ellis. Ift Lieut .- John W. Williams. 2d Lieut .- Thomas W. Neill.
CHAPTER THIRD.
Off for Washington-Camp " Barclay"-Provost Duty- Sword Presentation to Colonel Rufh-Profpelt Hill-Mud March-Off for "Dixie"-Stormy Paffage to Fortress Monroe-Hampton.
C YOMPANIES "A" and "B," and "C" and "F," 1861. under command of Lieutenant-Colonel McAr- Dec. Ioth. thur, left Camp Meigs on the 10th, and marched to the Baltimore Depot, where they packed camp and garrifon equipage and horfes into cars provided for their convey- ance, and at 8 P.M. ftarted for Wafhington. At 7 o'clock on the morning of the IIth, they arrived at Bal- timore, and after breakfafting at the "Soldiers' Refrefh- ment Saloon," near the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Depot, took cars again, and arrived at Wafhington about noon. Meals were taken at the "Soldiers' Reft," where they remained until the following morning, when they eftablifhed camp out Fourteenth Street, near Co- lumbia College, on Meridian Hill.
Four more companies joined them on the 14th. Col- Dec. 14th. onel Rufh, with the balance of the regiment, arrived on the 16th. This encampment was called, in honor of our faithful Philadelphia friend, CAMP BARCLAY, and
38
CAMP BARCLAY.
1861. was about three miles north of the city. The place was December. not unfavorable to health, compared with the furround- ing country, though two circumftances combined to counteract its natural advantages : Ift. Our camp was pitched on a fpot juft vacated by another cavalry regi- ment that had occupied it for feveral months; 2dly. A fucceffion of heavy rains converted our entire camping and parade ground into a deep clayey bog, in which the horfes fank to their knees, and through which the men muft wade in paffing about the camp. This neceffitated fuch conftant labor to fecure proper drainage, that many of the command were unavoidably expofed to the feverity of the weather, and much ficknefs refulted.
On the 20th, the regiment was infpected and re- viewed by General Stoneman, Chief of Cavalry of the Army of the Potomac.
1862.
The regiment paraded through Wafhington City, at- tracting great attention, on the Ift of January.
Jan. 8th.
Company "B" was placed on Provoft duty in the city, where it remained with Company "A," fent in the day following, interchanging with each other on duty until the 12th, when both companies were placed on this duty.
Feb. 5th.
Companies "A" and "B" returned to camp on the 5th of February, being relieved from duty in the city by the 4th Pennfylvania Cavalry.
Feb. 6th.
On Thurfday, the 6th, the monotony of camp life was varied by the interefting ceremony of a fword pre- fentation to Colonel Rufh, by the non-commiffioned offi- cers of the regiment.
The fword was one of the fineft of Philadelphia work-
39
SWORD PRESENTATION.
manfhip, and was richly ornamented on the blade with 1862. beautiful defigns and mottoes of fterling patriotifm. The grip is of folid filver, bound with gold lace; leaves of gold adorn the fheath, and the initials "R. f). R." in raifed filver, with the infcription, "Prefented to Colonel R. H. Rufh, of the Philadelphia Light Cavalry, by the non-commiffioned officers of his regiment."
The men prefenting the weapon formed on the parade ground, and marched to the Colonel's headquarters, preceded by the regimental band. On arriving there the Sergeant-Major, Eugene P. Bertrand, made a neat prefentation fpeech. The Colonel replied in his ufual happy manner. After mufic by the band, other officers were called upon, and fhort fpeeches were made by Lieutenant-Colonel McArthur, and Majors Smith and Morris.
Mrs. Harris, of Philadelphia, vifited our hofpitals to- Feb. 18th. day, bringing pillows, bed-quilts, blankets, and other hofpital comforts and luxuries, fent by kind friends for the fick of the regiment.
In the Philadelphia papers of the 19th, appeared the Feb. 19th, following item, taken from communications fent them in reference to the matter then mentioned.
"We are requefted, on behalf of the officers and men of Colonel Rufh's regiment of Lancers, to offer their thanks to the ladies and gentlemen of Philadelphia, who fo generoufly contributed the funds neceffary to purchafe the new pennons for their lances. Thefe, one thoufand in number, of fcarlet cloth, have been finifhed with great neatnefs, and reflect great credit upon the tafte of
40
PROSPECT HILL.
1862. the donors. They were much needed, and thankfully received."
About the 8th of March, the fick of the command were transferred to permanent hofpitals in the city, and arrangements were made for a fhare in the active efforts of the approaching Spring campaign.
Mar. 10th.
On the 10th, the effective men of the regiment, under orders from General McClellan, ftarted from Camp Barclay, to take pofition with the Army of the Potomac, then lying near Manaffas. The regiment prefented a fine appearance as, with colors flying, and band playing, they paffed through the city, and ftarted out for active fervice. The men were in buoyant fpirits as they bid farewell to winter quarters, and took the field for earneft work.
As they croffed Chain Bridge and paffed to the Vir- ginia fide, the band, riding in the advance, ftruck up "Dixie's Land," exciting great enthufiafm among the troops. We marched out fome ten miles on the road to Manaffas, halting at Profpect Hill, Virginia, where we reported to General Keyes, then commanding the 4th corps, on the right of the army. We were engaged in fcouting to Hunter's Mills and vicinity.
Mar. 15th.
On the 15th, a large part of the army moved back toward Alexandria, and our regiment, with General Keyes' corps, marched to near Chain Bridge, moving all day through wretched roads, and encamped at night in a denfe pine wood. During the night it rained heavily, and continued the entire day of the 16th. We remained in our uncomfortable bivouac, unfheltered from the
41
PROSPECT HILL MUD MARCH.
fevere ftorm, which prevailed without intermiffion, all 1862. day. Early in the evening, the men difpofed themfelves for reft around large fires, and under their gum blankets had fettled themfelves for the night, when about 9 o'clock they were aroufed by the bugles founding "boots and faddles." The regiment was foon in the faddle, and in line of march, in the heavieft ftorm and worft roads through which they had ever marched,-paffing over Chain Bridge, through the city, to Camp Barclay again, where they were rejoiced to find tents ftill ftanding, and dry fhelter awaiting them.
Mar. 16th.
This being our firft trip to "Dixie," was a very rough introduction to field fervice, and has been remembered in the regiment as the Profpect Hill "Mud March."
We left Camp Barclay finally, about 10 o'clock on Mar. 30th. the morning of the 30th. Croffing Long Bridge, we marched to Alexandria, and encamped near Fort Ellf- worth. Since the 15th, a large portion of the army had embarked from this point, on tranfports, for Fortrefs Monroe. We were here encamped four days, awaiting conveyance for the regiment.
On the 3d, we embarked at Alexandria. Seventeen fchooners and feveral fteam tugs were required to con- vey the command. An eafterly ftorm of great violence broke upon us when out but a fhort time, which fcat- tered our fleet moft effectually. Several of the veffels failed as far as Acquia Creek, where they put in at 8 P.M. on the 4th. They left this anchorage about funrife on the 5th, and made about twelve hours' fail to St. Mary's
April 3d.
6
42
EMBARK FOR THE PENINSULA.
1862. Harbor. On the 6th, we left St. Mary's, and failed to Fortrefs Monroe, where we anchored at 92 P.M.
The fchooner conveying Company "A," grounded near the Fort; her anchor chain parted, rudder broke, and becoming unmanageable, the Government fteam tug "Tempeft" was fent to her affiftance. A heavy north- eaft ftorm prevailing all night and the following day, it was found impoffible to effect a landing. For feveral days they were compelled to remain in their uncomfort- able quarters, and were heartily thankful when difem- barked on the 10th. After feeding horfes, and diftrib- uting rations, they ftarted in fearch of the companies that had previoufly landed. A part of the regiment was found encamped near the ruins of the once beautiful little town of Hampton, where Colonel Rufh, with the headquarters and balance of the regiment, arrived on the 12th.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.