USA > Pennsylvania > Montgomery County > Bridgeport > Hart's history and directory of the three towns, Brownsville, Bridgeport, West Brownsville also abridged history of Fayette county & western Pennsylvania > Part 6
USA > Pennsylvania > Washington County > West Brownsville > Hart's history and directory of the three towns, Brownsville, Bridgeport, West Brownsville also abridged history of Fayette county & western Pennsylvania > Part 6
USA > Pennsylvania > Fayette County > Brownsville > Hart's history and directory of the three towns, Brownsville, Bridgeport, West Brownsville also abridged history of Fayette county & western Pennsylvania > Part 6
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 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45
These operations and the submission of the Indians at Camp Charlotte, virtually closed the war. Governor Dunmore immediately set out on his return and proceeded by way of Redstone and the Great Crossing of the Youghio- gheny to Fort Cumberland, and thence to the Virginian capital. Major Crawford also returned to his home in the present county of Fayette.
52
The Revolutionary War
The "settlers' forts" and blockhouses, which by affording shelter and protection to the inhabitants prevented an entire abandonment of this section of the country in Dunmore's War, were nearly all erected during the terror and panic of the spring and summer of the year 1774, though a few had been built previously.
REVOLUTIONARY WAR.
Conspicuous as Fayette County has been in the history of Pennsylvania and in fact in the earlier periods of the nation, she stands out still more proudly when it comes to the defense of the nation against internal or external foes. When the news of the battle of Lexington, came across the Alleghenies, the hardy frontiersmen were not long in getting ready for action. Money was at once raised to equip troops and in an incredible short time. Capt. Michael Cresap of Redstone Old Fort, now Brownsville, had been commissioned to raise a company in Maryland, and about twenty young men from this section of the country marched across the mountains and joined his company. The names of these young men cannot be ascertained now but they were from Fayette County. The next body of troops that joined the eastern forces from west of the mountains, was raised in the Monongahela country. It was a battalion that was afterwards known as the Seventh Virginia. It was chiefly raised through the efforts of William Crawford whose headquarters for recruiting was at his home at Stewart's Crossing, on the Youghiogheny in what is now Fayette County. He afterwards became Colonel. The "West Augusta Regiment" was afterwards raised in the same section by Colonel Crawford. This regiment in the service was known as the Thirteenth Virginia. The fact that by the summer of 1777 two regiments had been raised and equipped, speaks well for the patriotism of this section of the country.
The Eighth Pennsylvania was perhaps the most famous in the Revolution. It was organized under a resolution of Congress, dated July 15, 1776, and was made up principally from Westmoreland County and largely from that part of Westmoreland that is now Fayette. It was under the command of Col. Ancas Mackey, sometimes called McCoy, and Lieut. Col. George Wilson of New Geneva, now in Fayette County. The conditions under which the regiment was organized was that they were to remain here in the west and defend this section of the country against the Indians, but, if it became necessary for them to go cast and join Washington's forces, they were to do so. On the fourth day of November, the regiment was ordered to march with all possible dispatch to Amboy, New Jersey, or to join Washington wherever he might be when they reached that section of the country. The regiment set out at once and many of them died during the winter from ex- posure, among them being both the Colonel and Lieutenant-Colonel. The roster of this and other regiments is found in Ellis' History of Fayette County, issued 1882.
53
The Whisky Insurrection
THE WHISKY INSURRECTION.
All readers of history are familiar with the difficulties experienced by the government in its carly efforts to collect a revenue on whisky and other spirits which finally culminated in what is known as the Whisky Insurrection. While all the territory west of the mountains was virtually in open rebellion against the collection of this tax, the chief depredations were committed in Washington County, where the revente officers were held up, stripped. tarred and feathered and submitted to all kinds of indignities.
As many years have passed since the people of this section of the State so strenuously opposed the government in this revenue measure, it may not be out of order to state briefly here the grounds on which this resistance was based. It was argued that this law bore more heavily on the people west of the mountains than on any other section of the State or of the Union. Here at that time a principal part of the product of the farmers, was rye. For this there was little home demand, and it could not be transported across the mountains at a profit except in the form of whisky. A horse could carry but four bushels, but he could carry the product of twenty-four bushels in the shape of alcohol. Whisky therefore was the most important item of re- mittance to pay for their salt, sugar and iron. As a result of these peculiar circumstances, there was in this section of the State a greater number of stills and a larger amount of whisky made than in any other region of the same population in the whole country. A large per cent. of the population of this section of the country was Scotch or Scotch-Irish or of that descent, whose carlier homes or the homes of their ancestors had been in a land where whisky was the national beverage and where excise laws and excise officers were con- sidered the most odious of laws or of officers, and the very embodiment of tyranny. These and various other causes to mention all of which we have not room, account for the bitter opposition to the collection of taxes on whisky. The revenue laws were cnacted and repealed time after time but the continued efforts to collect these taxes finally resulted in open revolt. The first step toward this open revolt was a meeting held at Redstone Old Fort near Brownsville, July 27, 1791. At this meeting it was resolved that county committees should be formed in each of the four counties, Fayette, Westmoreland. Washington and Allegheny, to meet at the county seats of each county to take steps to the end of successfully resisting the law. These steps were carried out and everybody who accepted a position under the government to collect these taxes or had anything to do with their collection in any way, was placed under a ban. Each of the four counties appointed three members of the committee to meet with others at Pittsburg in the following September for the purpose of expressing the sense of the people of the four counties in an address to Congress on the subject of the excise law and other grievances. The meeting was held at Pittsburg on the 7th day of September, 1791, and Fayette County was represented by Edward Cook, Nathaniel Breading, and John Oliphant. A series of resolutions were passed at this meeting, censuring Congress for passing the law. The result was that the law was modified shortly afterward but it was still far from
54
The War of 1812-15
satisfactory to the people, the revenue officers were still subjected to all kinds of indignities, and on the 21st and 22d days of August, 1794, following the passage of the new and modified law, there was another meeting held in Pittsburg to further remonstrate against this, to the people, obnoxious law. Fayette County was represented at this meeting by Edward Cook, Albert Gallatin, John Smilie, Bazil Bowel, Thomas Gaddis, and John McClellan. All this finally led to armed rebellion against the government, the robbing of the mail and destruction of property, notably that of General Neville's and Major Kirkpatrick's at Pittsburg. The leaders of the opposition to the excise laws, called a meeting at Braddock's Field of the militia officers and their men on the first day of August, 1794. They were instructed to come with their arms and accouterments, with ammunition and provisions, which though the order came from no recognized authority, they did. And while Fayette County was represented at Braddock's Field, it is to her everlasting credit to say that her representation was small. Pittsburg was also repre- sented at Braddock's Field more, it is thought, to conciliate the insurrection- ists than anything else, as it was feared the mob, for it was little less, would march to that city and burn it because General Neville lived there. It afterwards transpired that their fears were well founded, for after various harangues by the leaders the force was organized after a manner, David Bradford and Edward Cook were chosen generals, other officers were ap- pointed and the next day the troops, if that name may be applied to the assembly, marched to Pittsburg. There they were filled up with whisky to conciliate them and some of the leaders who it seems joined them more to get control of them and if possible prevent them from doing devilment, than from any sympathy they had with the movement, succeeded in getting them over onto the South Side where after all they succeeded in burning a barn belonging to Major Kirkpatrick. Other depredations were committed in Pittsburg, but through the efforts of Col. Edward Cook, they were pre- vented from burning Kirkpatrick's and Gibson's residences in Pittsburg. The result of all this was that the government sent troops into this section to quell the insurrection, though the frenzy seems to have died out before the troops got here. General Lee, the Governor of Virginia had charge of the troops and with his division camped for a time at Uniontown. In the end a general pardon was issued for all offenders except a few of the ring- leaders and in fact none were severely punished for the part they took in the whisky insurrection. Various committees met at Brownsville during the negotiations between the representatives of the government and the insur- rectionists, and it was here that the first and last meeting of the leaders of the insurrection were held. The result of course was that the people at last submitted to the collection of the whisky tax.
THE WAR OF 1812-15.
Again when the war of 1812 broke out, Fayette County responded promptly and nobly. Twelve companies were raised and at once hustled to the front. They were commanded by Captains Thos. Collins, John Phillips, James
55
War of the Rebellion
Whaley, Andrew Moore, Joseph Wadsworth, Peter Hertzog, James Mc- Clelland, John McClean, William Craig, Isaac Linn, James Piper and Valentine Giesey. Captain Giesey and most of his men were from Brownsville and the immediate vicinity and just before they went to the front, Rev. William Johnson, pastor of the Presbyterian church preached a patriotic sermon from the text: "Cursed be he that doeth the work of the Lord deceitfully; and cursed be he that keepeth back his sword from blood."
THE WAR WITH MEXICO.
When war was declared with Mexico the response was just as prompt but not so many men were needed. Capt. William B. Roberts who afterwards became Colonel of Co. H 2d Regiment and Lieut. William Quail who was promoted to Captain of Co. HI, went to the front in the Mexican War, with a company of Fayette County boys, and a part of Capt. P. N. Guthrie's company was made up of Fayette County boys.
WAR OF THE REBELLION.
If prompt response to the call for troops marked the course of Fayette County in previous wars, Lincoln's call for troops in the spring of 1861, was met still more promptly. Within six days after the call for 75,000 men, the "Fayette Guards," the first company organized in the county, was made up and on its way to Pittsburg.
The commissioned and non-commissioned officers of the "Fayette Guards" were Capt., S. Duncan Oliphant; First Lieut., Jesse B. Gardner: Second Lieut., J. B. Ramsey; Third Lieut., Henry W. Patterson; Sergeants: First, John Bierer; Second, Henry C. Dawson; Third, James H. Springer; Fourth, Peter Heck; Corporals: First, B. L. Hunt; Second, O. P. Wells; Third, J. O. Stewart; Fourth, Joseph White. The company was afterwards reorganized and mustered in for three years as "G" Company of the Eighth Reserve Regiment.
When the President's call was made there were in existence in Fayette County several militia organizations, armed and equipped, viz: The Union Volunteers, Dunlap's Creek Cavalry, Georges Creek Cavalry, Springfield Blues, Youghiogheny Blues, and Falls City Guards. A meeting of the officers of these companies was held at the courthouse in Uniontown, where it was voted unanimously to tender their services to the Governor. This was done, but the offer was declined, for the reason that the quota of the State had already been filled.
During the six or seven weeks next following the President's call a company of cavalry was raised by Capt. William A. West, of this county, a veteran of the Mexican war. Of this company sixty-seven were Fayette County men, and the remainder were raised principally in Morgantown and Clarksburg, W. Va. As the Pennsylvania quota was filled, the company could not secure acceptance in this State, and was therefore joined to the First Cavalry Regiment of West Virginia, Colonel Sansel, afterwards commanded by Colonel Richmond. The officers of this company were Captain West; First
56
War of the Rebellion
Lieut., H. N. Mackey; Second Lieut., Isaac Brownfield; Ord. Sergt., Dennis Delancy.
In May and June a company of infantry was recruited in Fayette County, principally in Wharton, Henry Clay, and Stewart Townships, and was for the same reason as mentioned above, incorporated with the Third Regiment of West Virginia. The officers of this company were Capt., C. E. Swearingen ; First Lieut., H. C. Hagan; Second Lieut., C. B. Hadden. On the organi- zation of the regiment at Clarksburg, W. Va., July the 4th, 1861, Captain Swearingen was elected Major and Lieutenant Hagan promoted to the captaincy.
Fayette County furnished during the war large numbers of troops for the armies of the United States. They served in various commands, but were most numerous in the Eighth and Eleventh Reserves, the Eighty-fifth, One Hundred and Sixteenth, and One Hundred and Forty-second Infantry Regiments, the Fourteenth and Sixteenth Cavalry, and the Second Ilcavy Artillery of Pennsylvania.
Besides the soldiers serving in the organizations above mentioned, there was also raised principally in Fayette County a company of men who joined the Sixth Artillery (Two Hundred and Twelfth Pennsylvania Regiment). Of this company the captain was Joseph Keeper and the First Lieut. Thomas M. Fee, of Connellsville, at which place thirty-four men of the company were enlisted.
The Eighth Reserve, or Thirty-seventh Regiment of Pennsylvania was raised in the counties of Fayette, Washington, Allegheny, Greene, Armstrong, Butler and Clarion. Two of its companies were enlisted from Fayette County These were Companies D and G, the former under Capt. C. L. Conner of Brownsville and the latter under Capt. S. D. Oliphant of Uniontown, who later became a brigadier-general. This famous regiment did valiant service all through the war taking part in many of the most terrible battles, among them being Mechanicsville, Gaines' Mill, Charles City Cross Roads, Malvern Hill, South Mountain, Antietam, Fredericksburg, Spottsylvania, and others equally as bloody.
The Eleventh Reserve or Fortieth Pennsylvania was also partly made up of Fayette County men and was in the heat of the fray from the beginning of the war to its close. This regiment was captured at Gaines' Mill while fighting away unconscious of the fact that the right and left wings of the army had retreated or fallen back. It was thus surrounded and amid the smoke of battle did not know it till a galling fire commenced to pour into it from the left and right. Major Johns who supposed that the fire came from some of the Union troops who in the smoke of battle had mistaken them for the enemy, rode quickly to the left to stop the fire when he found that he was surrounded and there was nothing to do but surrender. They were after- wards exchanged and returned to the ranks.
The Eighty-fifth Regiment of Infantry was raised by Joshua B. Howell of Uniontown. The Regiment rendezvoused at Camp LaFayette near Uniontown. Of this Regiment, three companies, C .. I and K werc Fayette County men. Part of Companies E and G were also Fayette County men.
57
The Ringgold Cavalry
Joshua B. Howell was made Colonel; Norman Giffin, Lieutenant-Colonel; Absalom Guiler, Major, and Andrew Stewart, Adjutant. Adjutant Stewart was a son of "Tariff" Andy Stewart who served in Congress from this district for many years.
Battery K of the Second Artillery, 112th Regiment enlisted from Fayette County, as did also Co. K 116th Regiment of Infantry. One Company of the 142d Regiment likewise enlisted from Fayette County.
The Fourteenth Cavalry or the 159th Regiment of the Pennsylvania Line under Col. James Schoonmaker was largely from Fayette, three companies being wholly made up from this county. They were Co. B, Capt. Zadock Walker; E, Capt. Ashbel F. Duncan; F, Capt. Calvin Springer.
Cos. B and G of the Sixteenth Cavalry or 161st Regiment, Pennsylvania Line, Capts. John F. Hurst and John K. Fisher, were also Fayette County men.
Col. A. J. Greenfield
THE RINGGOLD CAVALRY.
No history, sketch or synopsis of the Rebellion would be complete without reference to the famous Ringgold Cavalry many of the members of which were Fayette County boys and a few of whom still live to tell of the terrible conflicts through which they passed.
58
Dies Rescuing a Comrade
For several years before the outbreak of hostilities between the North and South there had been a cavalry company composed of young men from Fayette and Washington Counties, under the command of Capt. John Keys. As this company usually assembled for drill at Beallsville, it was commonly known as the "Beallsville Company." Captain Keys was a fully competent leader and under his direction the company soon acquired a high degree of efficiency in tactics, and became the pride of this entire section. The mem- bers were mostly young men from the farm-the material from which good soldiers are made. They furnished their own horses, and entered into the spirit of the exercise with a vim and enthusiasm which ahvays assures suc- cess. While the quarrel between the two sections was becoming more bitter, and while each side was struggling in Congress to secure an advantage over the other Captain Keys' Company was quietly training, little dreaming then that the time was close at hand when they would be called upon to test their military accomplishments on the battlefield, in defense of country and flag.
The news of the bombardment of Fort Sumter thrilled the North like an electric shock; party lines vanished and Democrats and Republicans alike rallied to the defense of the flag. Next day Lincoln called for 75,000 vohin- teers. This call was responded to by 300,000 men.
Captain Keys at once tendered his company to the United States Govern- ment. The offer was promptly accepted and Co. A was mustered into service as an independent company, being one of the very first cavalry companies to enter service in defense of the flag. Shortly after this Lieutenant-Colonel Greenfield received permission to organize another company in the vicinity of Beallsville, and Company B also entered the Army of the United States as an independent company.
In June, 1862, Captain Keys was directed by Secretary of War Stanton to come home and raise a battalion, according to instructions he raised five other companies which after enlistment were assembled on the Island of Wheeling as a camp of rendezvous, and on the 13th of September, 1862, were mustered into service as the Ringgold Battalion, U. S. Vol. Cavalry. This battalion became part of the Army of West Virginia and at once did valiant service in preserving that section of the Union. In April 1863 the Ringgold Bat- talion was consolidated with another battalion, raised in the eastern part of Pennsylvania by Col. Jacob Higgins. This union of the two battalions formed a regiment known as the 22d Reg. Pa. Vol. Cavalry, and occurred on Cemetery Hill near Cumberland, Md.
When we state that the Ringgold boys took part in 47 battles and heavy skirmishes it is scarcely worth while commenting on the service they did for the country.
DIES RESCUING A COMRADE.
The first soldiers from this section to lay down their lives upon the altar of their country were Samuel Drum and William Hartranft. Young
Greater Love Hath No Man
59
"GREATER LOVE HATH NO MAN."
By W. H. BRIGHT.
WWEHAM
SAMUEL
-
SON OF C SE.HARTRANET
SON OF MAY. DRU MM A MEMBER OF "VE WASHINGTON NE/"TCYXEV."1. NOV. 3.1351. WHILE HONORABLY SER VING HIS BELOTES COUNTRY IN THE27YEAR OFY'S :33
SINGOLE CAN WAS SHOT VC'S
EVERY THEISDY CF MIR FELLOW' SCI.CIEN WHO SLEEPS DY X13 CISE IV -HE24YEAR OFTHIS AGE.
Two soldiers sleeping side by side, our country's pride were they, Who bravely fought and early fell amidst the bloody fray. Some forty years or more ago, near Romney both were slain And by their comrades carried from the sodden battle plain. Brave Samuel Drum was first to die, pierced by a Minie ball Then William Hartranft gave his life in answer to the call ; For when Drumm fell, Hartranft returned his fallen friend to shield And with the brother of that friend, to bear him from the field. Tenderly upon the brother's steed, they placed the fallen brave And sought to bear him from the fray, perchance his life to save ; But ere the task was half complete, Hartranft was shot and fell To die with him he sought to save and whom he loved so well. Comrades returned and bore them thence and sent them home to rest, And side by side they shumber now, by all their country blessed ; Year after year as time rolls on, each Thirtieth day of May, Old comrades strew with flowers, the graves of those who fell that day.
3
60
Fayette County Veterans' Association
Drum was a member of the Washington Cavalry and Hartranft belonged to a Ringgold Company. On November 13, 1861, there was severe fighting near Romney and the boys in blue were compelled to retreat before the fierce and fatal fire of the enemy. Just as the Union forces began to withdraw, Samuel Drum was struck by a musket ball and fell from his horse; his brother saw him fall and at once wheeled his horse and rode back to carry him from the field. William Hartranft had also seen his friend fall from his saddle and at once rode back in the face of the enemy's fire. The brother and the friend reached the fallen trooper at about the same time. Hartranft dismounting, picked up the body and attempted to place it on the horse in front of the brother, while in the aet he was struck by a bullet and fell dead. The bodies were brought to Brownsville. They were the first soldiers brought back from the field and the whole community turned out to pay the last token of respect to the young soldiers.
Hundreds were present, representing this entire community. After im- pressive services the bodies were laid side by side in Bridgeport Cemetery, their resting place being marked by the stone shown in our cut. On cach 30th of May, the G. A. R. and patriotic people generally assemble about the graves of these young martyrs for the principal Memorial of the day.
FAYETTE COUNTY VETERANS' ASSOCIATION.
This Association was organized on Thursday, October 17, 1901, at a meeting held at the courthouse at Uniontown. Judge E. H. Reppert and Burgess Frank Rutter delivered addresses of welcome, and Col. C. S. Reed of Vanderbilt made the response.
Short impromptu talks were made by Judge Edward Campbell of Union- town, Capt. T. M. Fee of Connellsville, Samuel G. Brown of Lock No. 8, J. A. Rankin of Smithfield, J. J. Barnhart of Dunbar, and others.
A Committee on Resolutions was appointed consisting of Col. Edward Campbell, J. B. Wiggins and J. J. Barnhart. It was decided to hold the next meeting of the organization in Uniontown, October 16, 1902.
A permanent organization was effected by the election of W. T. Kennedy of Uniontown as president; Lieut. Solomon G. Krepps, Sr., of Bridgeport and Capt. Ed. Dunn of Connellsville vice presidents; Joseph O. Miller secretary; A. I. Ellis of Uniontown, treasurer; Rev. T. M. Cunningham, chaplain.
A long list of names were sent in by soldiers who were unable to attend requesting that their names be placed on the roll, which was done.
61
Will Soon Answer Taps
WILL SOON ANSWER "TAPS."
BY W. H. BRIGHT.
"After the din of the battle's roar," The valiant soldiers meet once more: But many a time the sear leaves fell Since they faced the hissing shot and shell.
Their ranks are thinned and other men Are filling the places they filled then, While those who still survive today, Rehearse with comrades, the bloody fray.
They tell of deeds of valor done, Of marches made and battles won, 'Till they seem to be in the ranks once more. As in the turbulent days of yore.
They neither remember scars nor years, Decrepit age with its train of fears, Nor one of the ills they have to bear, But step with the old-time martial air.
But, alas! their thinning locks of gray, Tell of the years that have passed away, And soon, as the young men fill the gaps, The last old soldier will answer "Taps."
62
Roster Company D, Eighth Pennsylvania Reserve Corps
EIGHTH REG. CO. D PENNSYLVANIA RESERVE VOL. CORPS.
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.