Centennial history of Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania, Part 38

Author: Stocker, Rhamanthus Menville, 1848-
Publication date: 1887
Publisher: Philadelphia, Pa. : R. T. Peck
Number of Pages: 1318

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DRAFT FOR THE WAR OF 1812 .- A company was drafted for the defence of Baltimore in the War of 1812 .- A class was drawn from each company in the regiment, making up one com- pany of nearly a hundred for the famous Dan- ville campaign ; being marched to Danville with companies drawn in like manner from other regi- ments of militia for organization, where, after a brief encampment, they were discharged, the danger to Bal- timore being over. In drawing for captain, the lot fell on the late Col. Frederick Bailey, of Brooklyn, who had then just been promoted to the colonelcy. The lieutenant and orderly sergeant happened also to be drawn from the same company.

MUSTER ROLL.

Officers.

Captain Fred. Bailey.

Lieutenant Cyril Giddings.

Ensign Hiel Tupper.

1st Sergeant Jesse Bagley.

2d Sergeant Samuel Baldwin.

3d Sergeant James Truesdell. 4th Sergeant Joseph Marsh.

Corporals Josiah Davis, Orange Whitney, John L. Travis.

Privates.

Asahel Adams.

Levi S. Agard.

Phineas Arms.

George Avery.

Roswell Bahcock.

Thomas Bagley.

Gideon Beehe.

Calvin Bell.

Richard Bill. Calvin Blasdell.

John Bullock.

Jacoh Bump.

Daniel Bump.

David Carpenter.

Levi Chamherlin.

Moses Chamberlin.

Isaac A. Chapman.

Harry Clark.

Gurdon Darrow.

Peter Davis.

James Dean.

Joseph Doolittle.

Eliphalet Elsworth.

John Fancher.

Jason Fargo.

James Farguson.

Joseph Fish.

Joseph Guernsey.

Hiram Guernsey.

Oliver Greatracks.

John Greek.

David Hale.

Jesse Hale.

Amasa Harding.

Stephen Harding.

William Harkius.

John Haywood, Jr.

David Holmes.

Nathaniel Ives.

Enos Jewell.

Eleazer Kimhall.

Zeh. Latlırop.

Dyer Lathrop.

Ebenezer Lines.

Ralph Lines.

Nathaniel Locke.

Josiah Lord, Jr.

Jonathan Miles.

Robert McCarty.

Huglı McCollum.

Alick McGee.

John Newman.

Thomas Oakley.

Corhett Pickering.

Noah Reed.

James Robinson.

William Rockwell.

Jesse Ross.

Elisha Safford.

Thomas M. Safford.

Sylvester Smith.

Joshua Smith, Jr.

James Steenhack.

Wells Stanley.

Ezra Sturdevant.

Daniel C. Thacher.

Nathan P. Thatcher.

Daniel Tingley.

Dalton Tiffany.

Lewis Tiffany. Bradley Thomas.

Noah Tiffany, Jr.

Jonathan Treadwell.

Michael Van Winkle. Samnel Ward.

Hiland Vickery.

Hiram Whipple.

Daniel P. Wiley.

Eseck Wood.

Jonathan Wood.

Jonathan Woodruff.

Josiah Woodworth.

1 Brooklyn.

2 In American and French Revolutions ; lived to be 104 years old, dying in 1826.

Willlamı B. Welsh. Latham Williams.

212

HISTORY OF SUSQUEHANNA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

Among others who were in the War of 1812, who either were residents at the time or afterwards became residents, are the following: P. Turner Baldwin, Daniel Brewster, Billings Burdick, Calvin Corse, Zeph. Eldred, S. B. Fessenden, Jonas Fuller, Martin Hall, Jonathan Howard, Joseph McKune, N. Norris, Eldad Loomis, Major Isaac Post, Philander Pepper,

Joseph Peck, Charles Payn, Samuel Pickett, A. H. Read, Enoch Smith, Luther Stanley, Saxa Seymour, Amos Tiffany, Tingley Tiffany, Job Tyler, Nathan P. Thatcher, Wareham B. Walker, Samuel Wilson, Lieut. J. B. Worden, Aaron Dewitt, Thos. Garland, Andrew Rogers, Erastus Caswell, Lodowick Bailey, Libbeus Rogers, P. G. Burch, Joshua Baker, S. B. Blake. Mexican War : James Johnson and William P. Carr.

MILITIA .- 1 "The earliest item found respecting mi- litary organizations in this section after its settlement is the appointment by the Governor, December, 1797, of Putnam Catlin as brigade inspector for Luzerne County. A year or two later, when it was feared the country was on the eve of a war with France, the in- habitants of this section were alive to the situation. In the Wilkes-Barre Gazette and Luzerne Advertiser, about this time, appeared a notice to attract the at- tention of 'ambitious, spirited and patriotic young men, tired of lounging about their fathers' houses, and who wish to exchange a life of tasteless indolence for that of glory,' offering them a chance to join the army.

" The first military movement within the limits of Susquehanna County appears to have been in 1806, when the first militia training was held at Parkevale. There is special mention of training there in 1807-8. In the spring of 1808 there was a 'muster and inspec- tion ' at Joseph Chapman, Jr's. Thomas Parke was then colonel, and Walter Lyon major of the 129th Regiment, Pennsylvania Militia. In 1811, at a mili- tary election, William C. Turrel was chosen lieuten- ant-colonel ; Isaac Post'and Asa Dimock majors ; Elias Bell, Hezekiah Leach, Hiel Tupper, Amos Tiffany, Seth Mitchell, Fred. Bailey, John Bard and Calvin D. Cobb were early captains in this regiment; and at some time, probably, Rufus Fish, Jeremiah Spencer and Jabez A. Birchard.

" The War of 1812 furnished practical reasons for military duty. An 'Appeal to Patriots,' published in the Luzerne County papers in 1813, offered a bounty of $16 (for enlistment for three years) and three months' pay at $8 per month, with one hundred and sixty acres of land. Those who enlisted for only eighteen months received no land.

"Complaint of taxes increased as hostilities con- tinued. May, 1814, bounty was raised to $124, be- sides 160 acres. In the summer a call appeared in the Luzerne County papers (none were then established in Susquehanna County) for a meeting immediately

after court, 23d August, at Edward Fuller's, 'friendly to a restoration of peace or a more vigorous prosecu- tion of the war.'

"The burning of the Capitol at Washington stimu- lated militia organizations. At a militia election, in the summer of 1814, Fred. Bailey was elected colonel, Joseph Burgess lieutenant-colonel, J. Slocum and Benjamin Lathrop majors.

"Isaac Post was appointed inspector of 2d Brigade. From his diary we learn that, October 23, 1814, he ' received orders for marching the militia, and set out for Wilkes-Barre on the 24th. Arrived at Danville, Pa., November 1; with detachment of militia on the 13th ; received orders to halt 19th; to dismiss the de- tachment 21st; the whole" discharged 24th and 25th, same month.' Colonel F. Bailey accompanied this expedition. It was held up to ridicule, while the militia were waiting for their pay until April, 1819, and afterwards for its fruitlessness. Ezra Sturdevant, drafted from Harford or New Milford, was left sick at Danville, died, and was buried with military honors. It is laughingly asserted that Major Post brought back one hand-rifle and one tin camp-kettle as the spoils of this expedition.

" After the war the old organization died out, and the 76th Regiment appears to have taken its place. Walter Lyon and Joseph Washburn were majors of this regiment, and Austin Howell, Job Tyler (after- wards colonel), Daniel Lathrop and John Comfort captains. In 1819 Daniel Lathrop was elected lieu- tenant-colonel of the same. I. Post declined a re- election as brigade inspector, and Samuel Thomas was chosen in 1823. The 2d Brigade, 8th Division, was composed of the 2d Regiment, Luzerne County, the 76th in Susquehanna, and the 70th in Wayne. Colo- nel Aden Stevens had command, very early, of a regi- ment composed of Bradford and Susquehanna men. At some time Francis Fordham was colonel of the 76th Regiment.

" Luman Ferry was captain of an independent volun- teer company, formed in 1816. Several similar com- panies sprang up, among which we find the Harford Artillery, Captain Asahel Sweet and also Obadiah Carpenter; a Rifle Company at Great Bend, Captain Jonathan Treadwell; the Choconut Infantry, Captain Goodsell ; the Bridgewater Yeomanry Guards, Cap- tain Benjamin Sayre, and later, Bela Jones, A. C. Luce and Horace Smith ; the Brooklyn Infantry and the New Milford Infantry, Captain Seth Bisbee; the Montrose Artillery, Captain H. J. Champion; the Susquehanna Troop, of which Fred. Stephens was orderly-sergeant, and Samuel Gregory, Hyde Crocker, Samuel Bard, captains ; Montrose Rifle Grays, David Francis, captain ; Springville Rifle Company, and Captain Canfield's Infantry (Middletown ?).

"In 1824 nine companies united to form the 126th Volunteer Regiment, William Jessup, colonel ; Saxa Seymour, lieutenant-colonel; B. Jones, adjutant ; Stephen S. Jewett, and Simon S. Chamberlain, majors.

1 Blackman, p. 621.

213

THE REBELLION.

For a few years succeeding military trainings were great occasions. Then came a lull-a sort of dis- repute, while the question of temperance was promi- nent in the public mind. But the country was awake to the interests of the patriots of the Revolution, and many availed themselves of the benefits of acts of Congress on their behalf.

" In 1837 there was a revival of military matters. Colonel D. D. Warner was elected brigadier-general. Mention is made of the 76th and 136th Regiments-4 battalions ; the Washington Guards and Northern Guards Volunteer battalions, and 70th Regiment-2 battalions, Wayne County-with which Susquehanna was connected.

" May, 1852, the Montrose Artillery procured a can- non."

There were ten independent companies within the county, besides the Dundaff battalion, in Clifford. They met for drill three times per year, and were armed by the States. There were also a few cavalry companies. Asa Dimock, M. C. Tyler, C. M. Gere and others were colonels, and C. D. Lathrop was elected major-general by Wayne and Susquehanna Counties.

CHAPTER XVIII.

SUSQUEHANNA COUNTY IN THE WAR OF THE RE- BELLION (1861-65).

WRITTEN AND COMPILED BY CAPTAIN H. F. BEARDSLEY.

"The rolling seasons pass away, And Time, untiring, waves his wing ; Whilst honor's laurels ne'er decay, But bloom in fresh, unfading spring."

IT is eminently fitting and proper in this, the Cen- tennial year of our county's history that an effort be made to place in convenient form a permanent record of the names, at least, of the men who dared death for the flag, and whose brave deeds and achievements reflect so much credit and honor upon the county.

While it would be impossible in one chapter, or even one volume, to recount the part taken by the soldiers from Susquehanna County in the late Civil War, the writer has aimed to mention all by name, and, when possible to do so, has placed each soldier in the organization in which he served. The attempt to do this has entailed much time and research; and, after the lapse of a quarter of a century, the under- taking was beset with difficulties that at times seemed insurmountable. Susquehanna being a border county, many of her sons enlisted in New York and other States, and no " official " record of their service could be given-the writer having to depend on the per- sonal recollection of comrades. Of those who served in Pennsylvania organizations, their record of service,

as published by Bates, in his "History of the Pennsyl- vania Volunteers," has been followed; and, while in this compilation errors will doubtless be found, yet much care has been exercised to prevent them. Some names will be misspelled, some may be duplicated, and doubtless the names of a few soldiers are pub- lished who did not belong in the county, for, where a doubt existed, the name was retained.

It is not the purpose of the writer to attempt to picture or embellish the part taken by the soldiers from this county in the war; but, as citizens of the old Keystone, we have a just and pardonable pride in the part taken by our grand old commonwealth in that terrible struggle with treason that commenced with the firing on Sumter and ended at Appomat-

tox. It was Pennsylvania soldiers who first marched to the defense of the imperiled Capitol; and the five companies of Pennsylvanians that arrived there the morning of April 18, 1861, were the head of the grand column of two millions of men that were afterwards mustered, and of which number Pennsyl- vania furnished nearly one-fifth.

It is not our purpose to recapitulate and recall the events that transpired immediately preceding the war, or attempt to follow the footsteps of our " boys in blue " through that sanguinary and bloody strug- gle. In its patriotic efforts in defense of the Union Susquehanna County bore well and manfully her part with her sister counties in the State; and the devo- tion and sacrifices of her sons, together with the record of their brave and heroic achievements, forms one of the brightest and most interesting chapters of her one hundred years of history.

We regret that the space at our disposal will not admit of our giving a brief résumé of the service, of other organizations, many of which made noble records, and in which the " boys" of the county have a just pride. There were many who belonged to the " scattering " organizations, who were among the first to enlist in 1861. We have already alluded to the fact that many enlisted outside of the county and State, and, being scattered among scores of different organ- izations, it has been difficult to establish their iden- tity correctly or to credit them to the place of their en- listment.

The actual number that enlisted from the county can never be definitely fixed ; but, from the best in- formation at our disposal, the number is ascertained to be a little more than thirty-one hundred.

Comrades of this county, I am indebted to a num- ber of you for valuable assistance in the prosecution of this difficult task, which was undertaken with many misgivings. Its labors have been lightened by the interest you have manifested, and if the result shall prove reasonably satisfactory to the soldiers of the county and their friends, I shall feel that my efforts have not been in vain.

THE PENNSYLVANIA RESERVES .- No body of troops, whether great or small, that participated in

214

HISTORY OF SUSQUEHANNA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

the War of the Rebellion, earned greater distinction or covered themselves with more deserved and last- ing renown than did the "Pennsylvania Reserve Corps." It is proper in this connection to briefly review the history of its formation.

It is known that previous to the breaking out of the Rebellion many of the Southern people and some Southern sympathizers believed that if war resulted from secession, it would be on Northern soil. As early as February, 1861, Jefferson Davis, in a speech at Jackson, Miss. declared :- " If war must come, it must be upon Northern and not upon Southern soil." The national authorities were not oblivious to this threatened contingency, and early in April, 1861, took measures to co-operate with Governor Curtin in . protecting the Pennsylvania border from invasion. But the killing of the Massachusetts soldiers in the streets of Baltimore on the 19th of the same month, and the severing of all communication between Pennsylvania and Washington served to increase the apprehension already felt. Finding that under exist- ing laws there was no provision whereby the military power of the State could be used for its protection, Governor Curtin, on the 20th of April, 1861, issued his proclamation, convening the Legislature in extra session ten days thereafter. In his message to the Legislature he said : "The time is past for tempor- izing or forbearing with this rebellion, the most causeless in history. *

* * The insurrection must now be met by force of arms. *

* A quarter of a million of Pennsylvania's sons will answer the call to arms, if need be, to wrest us from a reign of anarchy and plunder, and secure for themselves and their children, for ages to come, the perpetuity of this government and its beneficent insti- tutions. * *

* To furnish ready support to those who have gone out, and to protect our borders, we should have a well regulated military force. I, there- fore, recommend the immediate organization, dis- ciplining and arming of at least fifteen regiments of cavalry and infantry, exclusive of those called into the service of the United States."

This message was at once referred to a select com- committee of seven of the House, and two days thereafter, in compliance with the recommendations of the Governor, a bill was reported, creating a loan and providing for arming the State, and on the 15th of May it received the signature of the Governor and became a law. Among other provisions, the act authorized and directed the commander-in-chief (the Governor) to organize a military corps to be com- posed of thirteen regiments of infantry, one of cavalry and one of light artillery, to be enlisted in the State service for three years, or during the war, and to be subject to muster into the United States service upon requisition of the President.

In compliance with the act of Assembly, Gov- ernor Curtin immediately issued his call for men to compose this corps, apportioning them to each county

according to population, in order that each section of the State might have due representation in it. Enlistments were rapid and great enthusiasm was felt to enter its ranks. Four camps of instruction were established-one at Easton, one at Westchester, one at Pittsburgh, and one at Harrisburg. Geo. A. McCall, a West Point graduate, who had distin- guished himself in the war with Mexico, was appointed a major-general to command the corps, and he entered upon the duty of organizing and pre- paring it for the field with the zeal of a volunteer and the skill of a veteran.

The First Regiment of the corps were organized on the 19th of June following, and became the Thir- tieth in the line; and while the whole corps was principally recruited during that month, owing to delays in a few of the regimental formations, notably the First Cavalry, the corps was not fully organized until September 1st. But the angry tide of rebellion did not stay its onward course, and long before the last " Reserve " regiment was in the field, the timely wisdom of the Executive and loyal people of Penn- sylvania, in thus forming the nucleus of a reserve army, was widely noted and commended. The camps of instruction became such only in name, for many of the regiments were ordered into active ser- vice almost immediately upon their organization.

The disasters at Bull Run, that culminated on the 20th of July in the defeat of the Union army. caused the government to call loudly for troops. Fortunately for the country, and to the lasting honor and glory of Pennsylvania, she had an organized body of troops ready for duty. We have thus briefly noted the inception and formation of this corps, which was designated by the act of Assembly creat- ing it, the "Reserve Volunteer Corps of the Com- monwealth;" but the name that struck terror to its foes, and which will go down in history side by side with its glorious achievements, was "Pennsylvania Reserves," in the formation of which, Susquehanna County promptly furnished her full quota, and more. This was composed of Company H, Fourth "Re- serves," and thirty-third in the line; Company K Sixth "Reserves," and thirty-fifth in the line, and parts of Batteries A, F and H, First Pennsylvania Light Artillery, which was forty-third in the line.

Fourth Pennsylvania Reserves ( Thirty-third Regi- ment) .- The companies composing the Fourth Regiment were recruited, one from each of the counties of Chester, Monroe, Montgomery, Lycoming and Susquehanna, and the remaining five from the city and county of Philadelphia. The companies were ordered to rendezvous at the "re- serve " camp at Easton, where they assembled early in June. On the 20th of that month a regimental organization was effected by the election of the fol- lowing field officers : Colonel, Robert G. March ; Lieutenant-Colonel, John F. Gaul; Major, Robert M. McClure.

215

THE REBELLION.

The regiment received clothing and equipments early in July, and on the 16th it was ordered to Har- risburg, proceeding thither by rail, and the following day it was mustered into the United States service. On the 21st of July, in obedience to orders from Washington, it moved by rail to Baltimore and was on duty in that city, under command of Gen. Dix, until the last of August, when it was ordered to the general camp of rendezvous of the Reserves at Tenallytown, Md. Upon the organization of the division, the Fourth was assigned to the Second Brigade, commanded by Brigadier-General Geo. G. Meade, which, besides the Fourth, was composed of the Third, Seventh and Eleventh Regiments of the Reserves. On the 9th of October, in company with the whole division, the Fourth broke camp and cross- ing the Chain Bridge, first stepped foot on the "sacred soil " of Virginia, and became an integral part of the Army of the Potomac, so soon to become the object of deepest solicitude to every loyal heart, and destined to win a place in history second to no army of ancient or modern times. On the 20th of Decem- ber occurred the brilliant little victory at Drainsville, which was won by General Ord's brigade (the Third), but the Second Brigade marched rapidly to its sup- port, but arrived too late to take part in the action.

In the spring of 1862, upon Mcclellan's departure for the Peninsula, the Reserves were left with the First Corps under command of General McDowell ; but early in June the plan of the campaign was changed; the Reserves were detached from McDowell's Corps, and ordered to proceed by water to White House, and thence march and form a junction with McClel- lan's army. The Fourth reached the vicinity of Mechanicsville on the 20th of June, and on the 26th a severe battle was fought. In this engagement the Fourth was held in reserve, and although not actively engaged, was under fire during the entire battle. During the night following the division was with- drawn to Gaines' Mill, when the next day the rebel army, sixty thousand strong, commanded by its most skillful and trusted generals, attacked the single corps of Fitz-John Porter. In this engagement McCall's division was held in reserve until three o'clock P. M., when it was ordered in and imme- diately became desperately engaged. The Fourth, supporting Duryea's Zouaves, drove the encmy from the woods, after which it was ordered to the extreme left, where it charged the rebel line; but they were met by the overwhelming numbers of the enemy and were forced to fall back with much loss.

Following on the heels of this desperate engage- ment came, on the 30th, the battle of Charles City Cross-Roads, that was to prove to the Fourth even more desperate and bloody. The Fourth was posted in the front line on the right, in support of Randall's battery. General McCall says in his official report : " The most determined charge of the day was made upon Randall's battery by a full brigade, advancing

in wedge shape, without order, but with a wild reck- lessness that I never saw equalled." After referring to other charges that had been made by single regi- ments upon Cooper's and Kern's batteries, which had been gallanted repulsed, the general continues: " A like result appears to have been anticipated by Ran- dall's battery, and the Fourth Regiment (as was subsequently reported to me) was requested not to advance between the guns, as I had ordered, as it interfered with the cannoneers, but to let the battery deal with them. Its gallant commander did not doubt, I am satisfied, his ability to repel the attack, and his guns fairly opened lanes in the advancing hosts." But nothing daunted, the rebel column closed up, and with trailed arms came on at a run to the very muzzles of the guns, where they pistoled and bayoneted the cannoneers and attacked their supports (the Fourth) with such fury and in such overwhelming numbers that they were broken and thrown into confusion. But the regiment rallied and held their ground with the most determined ob- stinacy. General McCall, continuing, says : "It was here my fortune to witness, between those of my men who stood their ground and rebels who advanced, one of the fiercest bayonet fights that perhaps ever occurred on this continent. Bayonets were crossed and locked in the struggle; bayonet wounds were freely given and received. I saw skulls crushed by the heavy blow of the butt of the musket, and, in short, the desperate thrusts and parries of a life-and- death encounter, proving indeed that Greek had met Greek when the Alabama boys fell upon the sons of Pennsylvania."

The enemy was successfully held in check, and during the night the Reserves retired to Malvern Hill. During the battle that followed McCall's division was held in reserve and was not called into action. The casualties in the Fourth Regiment, during the seven days of battle, were upward of two hundred. But weary marches and fierce fighting were still in store for the Fourth before the begin- ning of a new year. From Malvern Hill to Harri- son's Landing, to the Rapidan, to the plains of Manassas it marched, and here, on the 29th and 30th of August, it again met the enemy at the second battle of Bull Run, where the Reserves were under the command of General John F. Reynolds-Gen- eral McCall having resigned. On the 14th of Sep- tember the Fourth again encountered the enemy at South Mountain and was heavily engaged, that battle resulting in the retreat of the enemy. On the evening of the 16th the Reserves crossed Antietam creek, with the Fourth in the advance, and opened that important and bloody battle. They slept that night on the ground where they fought, and at day- break renewed the battle, which raged with great fury for five hours, when the Reserves were relieved. The enemy retreated, leaving substantial evidence of victory in the hands of the Union army. At the

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Centennial history of Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania, Part 38

Author: Stocker, Rhamanthus Menville, 1848- Publication date: 1887 Publisher: Philadelphia, Pa. : R. T. Peck Number of Pages: 1318

Author: Stocker, Rhamanthus Menville, 1848-
Publication date: 1887
Publisher: Philadelphia, Pa. : R. T. Peck
Number of Pages: 1318