USA > Pennsylvania > Berks County > Historical and biographical annals of Berks County, Pennsylvania, embracing a concise history of the county and a genealogical and biographical record of representative families, Volume I > Part 35
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179TH REGIMENT .- This regiment included two companies, I and K, from the county of Berks. It was organized in companies at periods ranging from the 23d of October to the 6th of December, 1862, at Philadelphia and Harrisburg ; and on the 8th of December a regimental organization was ef- fected. Soon after its organization, it proceeded to Fortress Monroe and thence to Yorktown, where it formed part of the garrison at the fort, and was encamped within its walls. It did little else than garrison duty until the last of July, when it was called out to join in the movement made by General Dix up the Peninsula. During the march to White House and thence to Baltimore Cross Roads, the regiment was prompt and ready, and always well in hand. In the return march the 179th Regiment crowned its reputation as a first-class organization by being always promptly in its place, whilst other regiments were scattered for miles along the road.
Upon its return to camp, it was ascertained that Lee had invaded Pennsylvania, and though it's term of service was about to expire, by the unan- imous vote of the men by companies, their further services were tendered to Governor Curtin as long as he should need them for the defense of the State. This offer was accepted; but by the time the regi- ment had reached Washington, en route to the front, the Rebel army had retreated to Virginia. It was accordingly ordered to Harrisburg, where it was mustered out of service on July 27th.
EMERGENCY TROOPS-1863
The triumph of the Rebel army at Fredericks- burg in December, 1862, and its success at Chan- cellorsville in May, 1863, emboldened its leader to again plan an invasion of the North. It becoming daily more evident that the enemy intended to cross the Potomac in force, the President on June 15th called for one hundred thousand men from Penn- sylvania, Ohio, Maryland and West Virginia, to serve for a period of six months, unless sooner dis- charged; and of this number Pennsylvania was to furnish fifty thousand. Governor Curtin then is- sued a proclamation, calling upon all men capable of bearing arms to enroll themselves in military organizations and encourage all others to afford as- sistance toward protecting the State. In pursuance of this call, many troops were raised throughout the State. The citizens of Berks county responded promptly and raised sixteen companies of men; ten of which were formed into one regiment called the 42d ; two of the 48th ; three of the 53d; and one of the 31st. They were mustered into service in July and moved to the front, but so rapid were the move- ments of the armies, and the decisive battle of Gettysburg was fought so soon after the call for the militia, that the men had scarcely arrived in camp before the danger was over. The Rebel army made its escape on the 13th and 14th of July, and then the campaign was at end. But the militia was, however, held for some time after this, having been employed on various duty.
138
HISTORY OF BERKS COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
With the close of this raid, the Rebel invasion of which spanned the creek, and the lines of railway. 1863 ended. Further service was no longer re- On the 1st of October it proceeded to Berkeley quired of the militia, and during the months of August and September the majority of the men were mustered out. With few exceptions, they were not brought into mortal conflict, but they, never- theless, rendered most important service. They came forward at a moment when there was press- ing need, and their presence gave great moral sup- port to the Union army.
The 31st Regiment was organized at Harrisburg on June 30, 1863, with Capt. David A. Griffith, of Reading, as lieutenant-colonel, and mustered out on August 8th.
The 42d Regiment was organized at Reading on July 6th, with Dr. Charles H. Hunter, of Reading, as colonel ; John E. Arthur, of Reading, as lieuten- ant-colonel; Bentley H. Smith, of Joanna, as major ; and Frank R. Schmucker, Esq., of Reading, as ad- jutant; and mustered out on Aug. 11-12th, at Reading.
In the 48th, Frederick R. Fritz, of Reading, was lieutenant-colonel, and William W. Diehl, of Read- ing, major. It was organized at Reading on July 6th, and mustered out on Aug. 26th.
In the 53d, Israel C. Becker was adjutant, and Jeremiah D. Bitting, quartermaster, both of Read- ing. It was organized at Reading on July 13th, and mustered out on Aug. 20th.
Enlisted in this service was the Independent Bat- tery commanded by Capt. William C. Ermentrout. It was organized at Reading on July 3d, and mus- on Nov. 17, 1864. tered out Aug. 26th.
ONE HUNDRED DAYS' SERVICE-1864
Four companies from Berks county were in the one hundred days' service, having been enlisted in 1864, to August, 1865.
July, 1864 :
county, W. Va., and was posted along the line of the Baltimore and Ohio railroad, with headquarters at North Mountain station, where it remained till the expiration of its term of service. Three hun- dred of the men re-enlisted to serve for one year and they were consolidated in three companies. They remained on duty under the command of Capt. Henry D. Markley, of Company A. Subse- quently seven other companies were recruited, and they together were reorganized as the 195th Reg- iment with Captain Markley as major. It per- formed guard duty at Kabletown, Berryville, and Staunton. At the latter place, the three veteran companies were mustered out in the middle of June, 1865.
196TH REGIMENT .- This regiment was recruited under the auspices of the Union League at Phil- adelphia, to serve for one hundred days, and it was known as the 5th Union League Regiment. It included Company I, of Berks county. It was organized at Camp Cadwalader, Philadelphia, on July 20, 1864, and a week later proceeded to Camp Bradford, near Baltimore. About the middle of August, it was ordered to Chicago, Ill., where it performed guard duty at Camp Douglas, a large number of prisoners of war having been confined there. Early in November, it returned to Phil- adelphia, and was thence ordered to duty at Fort Delaware. It was mustered out at Philadelphia
ONE YEAR'S SERVICE-1864-65
Six volunteer companies from Berks county were in the service for one year from September,
83D REGIMENT .- After the battle of Hatcher's 194TH REGIMENT .- This regiment was recruited Run on Feb. 6, 1865, this regiment went into camp in ten counties of the State, Company I having been from Berks county. It was organized at Camp Cur- tin on July 22, 1864, with Richards McMichael, of Reading, as lieutenant-colonel. On the day of its organization, it moved to Baltimore. About the 1st of September, it moved to Camp Carroll, a mile southwest of the city, on the line of the Baltimore and Ohio railroad. Company I and five other com- panies of the regiment were stationed at various points in the city for provost duty. At the expira- tion of its term, it proceeded to Harrisburg, where, on the 6th of November, it was mustered out.
at Hampton station, and while there four full com- panies were assigned to it, including Company I, recruited at Harrisburg for a service of one year. There were a number of men from Reading in this company.' The concluding efforts of the great strife were started on March 29th, and in quick suc- cession this regiment was engaged in the battles of Jones' Farm, White Oak Road, Gravelly Run, Five Forks, Sutherland Station, Jeffersonville, and Ap- pomattox Court-House. It was mustered out of service on June 28th at Washington and thence it proceeded to Harrisburg, where it was finally dis- banded on July 4th.
195TH REGIMENT .- This regiment was principally recruited in Lancaster county in July, 1864, to serve 192D REGIMENT .- In July, 1864, a regiment was recruited in Philadelphia, for a service of one hun- dred days, and mustered in as the 192d. It was mustered out of service in November following. One of the companies re-enlisted for one year, and in February, 1865, nine new companies united with it, which were mustered in as a second regiment of the same number. One of the nine companies was for a period of one hundred days. It included two companies, A and B, from Berks county. It was organized at Camp Curtin on the 24th of July. Oliver C. James, of Reading, of Company B, was elected major, and Dr. Harrison T. Witman, of Reading, as assistant surgeon. On the day of its organization it proceeded to Baltimore, thence to Monocacy Junction, where for a period of two Company F, recruited at Reading. The regiment months, it was engaged in guarding the bridge
was organized at Harper's Ferry, and when the
139
WAR PERIODS
spring campaign opened, it moved up the valley to fenses, where it continued until Nov. 18th, when it Staunton and Lexington. It was retained in the was mustered out of service. Company D was re- cruited in Berks county. department and engaged in various duties till Aug. 24th, when it was mustered out of service at Har- per's Ferry. MISCELLANEOUS ENLISTMENTS
195TH REGIMENT .- Three companies of the
About 225 men from the county were enlisted in 195th Regiment in the one hundred days' service other companies but not enough of them in any were re-enlisted in the one year's service, which in- company to be classified in the foregoing list. cluded Company A, commanded by Capt. Henry 5TH U. S. ARTILLERY .- Battery H included D. Markley. It was classified with other companies seven men from Marion township, Berks county.
which became the 195th Regiment. Captain Mark- 19TH U. S. INFANTRY .- Company G, commanded ley became the major ; and Dr. H. T. Witman, the by Capt. Edmund L. Smith, of Reading, included assistant surgeon. It was organized on the field in seven men from Berks county.
February, 1865, at Martinsburg, Va., and Com- pany A was mustered out at Summit Point, Va., on June 21, 1865.
MILITARY ASSOCIATIONS
A number of associations have been organized
On April 1, 1865, the regiment was sent to guard since the close of the Civil war by the survivors the fords of the Shenandoah river; and on the 22d or their sons: it was ordered to Berryville.
GRAND ARMY POSTS .- McLean Post, No. 16, G. A. R., was organized at Reading and chartered Dec. 12, 1866, having been named after Lieut .- Col. Jo- seph A. McLean, of the 88th Regiment. It has maintained a successful organization since then.
198TH REGIMENT .- This regiment was recruited at Philadelphia during the summer of 1864, under the auspices of the Union League, to enter service for one year, and included Companies D and G from Berks county. It was organized Sept. 9th, It has collected an extensive library of military lit- and September 19th following it proceeded to join erature.
the Army of the Potomac in front of Petersburg. Upon its arrival it was assigned to the 1st Brigade, 1st Division of the 5th Corps. It participated in the battles of Peeble's Farm, Hatcher's Run, and White Oak Swamp. At the last named Capt. Isaac Schroeder was mortally wounded. It was mustered out at Arlington Heights June 3, 1865.
Keim Post, No. 76, G. A. R., was chartered Feb. 22, 1878, also at Reading. It has also maintained its organization since, with separate quarters. It was named after Gen. William H. Keim.
Meade Camp, No. 16, Sons of Veterans, was instituted Oct. 30, 1881, being a branch of the Sons of Veterans at Philadelphia, and designed to keep active the memory of the sacrifice of their fathers in the Civil war.
Loyal Ladies' League, No. 6, was instituted April 17, 1884, at Reading. Only mothers, wives, daugh- ters and sisters of honorably discharged soldiers and sailors of the Civil war are admitted to mem- the Republic.
205TH REGIMENT .- Companies B, E and H of this regiment were recruited in Berks county. They rendezvoused at Camp Curtin, where, on Sept. 2, 1864, field officers were selected, including William F. Walter, captain of Company E, as lieutenant- colonel, who had served in the 104th Regiment. On the 5th, the regiment left Harrisburg, proceeded bership. It is an auxiliary to the Grand Army of
to Washington, crossed the Potomac, and went in- to camp at Fort Corcoran. Afterward it was en- McLean Womans Relief Corps, No. 10, was gaged in picketing from the left of the army line instituted Oct. 1, 1884, as an auxiliary to Post No. to the James, and in building forts and earthworks for the defense of City Point. On Oct. 9th, it was ordered to the Army of the James. With the ex- ception of occasional marches in support of aggres- Ex-PRISONERS OF WAR .- Certain enlisted men in the Civil war from Berks county, who were pris- 16, G. A. R. It has held a number of fairs and camp-fires for the benefit of the Post and thereby contributed much pecuniary aid. sive movements, the regiment remained in camp, near Fort Prescott on the Army Line railroad dur- oners of war, also formed an association for mu -. ing the winter, where it was engaged in drill and tual aid and social intercourse on July 10, 1884, fatigue duty. On March 25, 1865, it participated in and they too have maintained an active organization the retaking of Fort Steadman, and afterward in since then.
the siege of Petersburg. It was mustered out of service at Seminary Hill on June 2, 1865.
SPANISH WAR-1898
The war of the United States with Spain grew
213TH REGIMENT .- This regiment was recruited at Philadelphia, and in Berks, Chester and Juniata out of the oppression of the people of Cuba by the counties, with the assistance of the Union League. Spanish government, which extended through a long period of time, and the repeated efforts of the people toward establishing a republican form of government elicited the earnest sympathy of our republic. The conduct of our own government was always reserved and guarded, but when our battle- It was organized on March 2, 1865, and two days afterward transferred to Annapolis, Md., to guard Camp Parole. Part of the regiment was sent to Frederick, Md., for duty on the line of the B. & O. railroad. In April, it was concentrated at Washington, and posted along the northern de- ship "Maine" was blown up in the harbor of Havana
140
HISTORY OF BERKS COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
John C. Hintz, the First Lieutenant of Company
.on Feb. 15, 1898, causing the loss of 266 sailors, the feeling of our people, incited by the metropoli- A, died June 26th, in Leiter Hospital, in Chicka- tan newspapers, became so intense against Spain mauga Park, while the company was lying there awaiting orders to march and his remains were forwarded to Reading and buried with an impos- ing ceremony. that it culminated in a proposed declaration of war in Congress on March 29th, and in the recognition of the independence of Cuba on April 19th. Two days after this recognition, our Minister to Spain Company G, of the 9th Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, recruited at Reading, was also was unceremoniously dismissed from Madrid; four days afterward President Mckinley called for 125,- enlisted in the service. This regiment was mustered in at Mt. Gretna on May 11, 1898, and encamped at Chickamauga Park, on May 20th. On May 25th,
000 volunteers ; and six days afterward, a formal declaration of war was passed by Congress. When
this signal was given, the military operations be- the President issued a second call for seventy-five came immediately very active and determined, and thousand men, and four additional companies were within a week more the great naval battle in Manila added to the regiment, one of these being Company G, commanded by Capt. Henry D. Green, of Read- ing. harbor had taken place, with unprecedented success to the American fleet of battleships under the com- mand of Admiral Dewey, and the total destruction of the Spanish fleet.
On August 20th, the regiment as a part of the 3d Division, 1st Army Corps, was ordered to Lexing- ton, Ky., and on the 25th it was encamped at Camp Hamilton, about five miles from Lexington. It re- mained at that place until Sept. 18th, when it was ordered to Wilkes-Barre, Pa. There it was given an enthusiastic reception and then furloughed for thirty days. It arrived at Reading on Sept. 20th, and on the evening of the 22d, a public reception was extended to it similar to that extended to Com- pany A, but the parade could not be made on ac- count of a severe rain.
While these events were transpiring, the patriotic spirit at Reading was aroused, and the "Reading Artillerists," under the command of Capt. Samuel Willits, responded to the President's call, and pro- ceeded to Mt. Gretna, where it was mustered into service on May 9th, with the 4th Regiment of Penn- sylvania Volunteers. The regiment was transferred to Chickamauga Park, in Georgia, arriving there on May 16th ; and after having been quartered at several other places, it finally reached Guanica, in Porto Rico, on Aug. 2d, and thence it proceeded Both companies participated in the "Peace Jub- ilee" at Philadelphia on Oct. 27, 1898. to Arroyo, the hills near by being shelled by the American troops while the disembarkment of the Company E of Hamburg, of the same regiment, was mustered in on May 10, 1898, at Mt. Gretna, and participated in the same services as Company A; and it was mustered out of service on Nov. 16, 1898. It was also in the Peace Jubilee at Phil- adelphia. It was commanded by Capt. William Kummerer. men took place. The regiment participated in the movements which led up to the battle and the capture of Guayama without becoming actually engaged ; and shortly afterward it constituted part of the 1st Battalion and wagon-train which marched toward Guayama to support the advancing army. The enemy was endeavoring to execute a flank movement when the regi- ment was ordered to occupy a commanding position MILITIA SYSTEM-1776-1909 and while engaged in this important work the news The Convention of 1776, in framing the first Con- stitution of Pennsylvania, made provision for the establishment of a military system; and in pursu- ance of this provision, the General Assembly es- tablished the necessary regulations. The county of Berks, under the direction of the designated officer (called a "lieutenant," with the assistance of "sub- lieutenants"), was enabled to supply promptly and successfully all the orders made by the government for troops during the progress of the Revolution. of the "Peace Protocol" was circulated, which caused further operations to cease. Then the regi- ment was directed to withdraw to a point on the Ponce Road, near the town, and there it remained on outpost duty until August 28th, when it marched about fifty miles to the city of Ponce, and thence to the Port de Playa. It then took passage on the transport "City of Chester" for New York City, where it arrived on Sept. 6th, and was then fur- loughed for sixty days. It was mustered out of Previous to this system, the military affairs were governed by "Articles of Association." The men who associated together for purposes of defense were commonly known as "Associators," and those who acted in opposition either openly, or secretly, were called "Non-Associators." service on Nov. 16th. The company reached Read- ing on Sept. "th, at + a. m., and many persons were at the railroad station to extend a cordial welcome to the men. A public reception was tendered to the company in the form of a large parade in four divisions, with one thousand men in line, and a RETURNS FOR 1775 .- The following officers had banquet in Rajah Temple, on Wednesday evening, been chosen for the several battalions of the Asso- Sept. 15th. Penn street was crowded with many thousand enthusiastic people who witnessed the parade.
ciators of Berks county for the year 1775-76, the company rosters having been published in that con- nection :
WAR PERIODS
141.
Ist Battalion-Central Section Lieut-Col., Henry Haller. Major, Gabriel Hiester.
2d Battalion-Southern Section Lieut .- Col., .Mark Bird. Major, John Jones.
3d Battalion-Central Section Lieut .- Col., Nicholas Lotz. Major, John Old. 4th Battalion-Northern Section
Lieut .- Col., Balser Geehr. Major, Michael Lindemuth. 5th Battalion-Western Section Lieut .- Col., John Patton. Major, John Thornburgh. 6th Battalion-Eastern Section
Lieut .- Col., Daniel Hunter. Major, Conrad Leffler. 7th Battalion-Northeastern Section
Ist Battalion: Officers-Major, Gabriel Hiester; Lieu- tenant, Philip Cremer; privates, John Hartman, Peter Filbert.
2d Battalion: Officers-Colonel, Mark Bird; Major, John Jones; privates, David Morgan, Benjamin Tolbert. 3d Battalion: Officers-Lieutenant-Colonel, Nicholas Lotz; Captain, George Riehm; privates, Henry Spohn, Matthias Wenrich.
4th Battalion: Officers-Major, Michael Lindemut; Captain, George May; private, Michael Moser.
5th Battalion: Officers-Colonel, John Patton; Lieu- tenant-Colonel, John Rice; privates, Jacob Seltzer, Chris- tian Winter.
6th Battalion: Officers-Major, Conrad Leffler; Lieu- tenant, John Miller; privates, John Hill, Henry Lark. 7th Battalion: Officers-Colonel, Sebastian Levan ; Ad- jutant, Samuel Ely; privates, Philip Wisters, Casper Smeck.
RETURNS FOR 1777 .- Col. Jacob Morgan and his sub-lieutenants met at Reading, on April 25, 1777, for the purpose of receiving returns of the inhabitants of Berks county between the ages of eighteen and fifty-three years. The number then returned was about four thousand. These were arranged in six districts, and meetings were or- dered to be held on the 5th and 6th of May follow- ing, for the purpose of electing officers and form- ing companies. Morgan reported that he had for- warded to the Executive Council an exact list of the field officers, captains, subalterns and court-mar- tial men, comprising the six battalions of the Berks county militia, or one battalion for each district. This list appears in the Pennsylvania Associators, Vol. 2, pp. 257 to 276. The several battalions were returned on May 16, 1777.
.
Battalion
Section of County
Colonel
1st Eastern Daniel Hunter
2d
Northeastern Daniel Udree
3d Northern Michael Lindenmuth
4th
Central Nicholas Lotz
5th Southern Jacob Weaver
6th Western Henry Spyker
NEW SYSTEM .- After the foregoing returns had been made, the Assembly deemed it necessary to provide a new militia system, because the Associa- tors had lost their effectiveness. Shortly after the numerical order.
battle of Princeton, whole companies deserted. In: this behalf, a law was passed on June 13, 1777.
Oath of Allegiance .- One of the first require -. ments was the taking of an oath of allegiance, .. which had to be done before July 1, 1777. This was allowing only seventeen days; but in this time- its provisions had become thoroughly known in. Berks county for the time for deliberation or hes -. itation had passed, and prompt action was neces -- sary.
Persons who neglected or refused to take this.
Lieut .- Col., Sebastian Levan. Major, Samuel Ely. RETURNS FOR 1776 .- Seven battalions were oath were declared to be incapable of holding any organized in the county, as appeared by the office; serving as jurors; suing for debts; electing" delegates sent to the election at Lancaster on July 4, 1776, for two brigadier-generals. The meeting comprised the officers and privates of fifty-three battalions of Associators. A full ratio of men was sent by the militia of Berks county. The following delegates represented the county at that meeting :
or being elected; buying, selling, or transferring." real estate ; and they were liable to be disarmed by the county lieutenants and deputies. If they were not provided with passes, they were liable to be arrested as spies, upon being found out of the: city or county away from their immediate residence ; and forgery of a certificate was punishable with a flogging and a fine of £50.
In pursuance of the Act, over forty-nine hundred men took the oath of allegiance in Berks county during the years 1777 and 1778, before the justices of the peace in the several sections of the county. The greater number was taken from June to Oc- tober in 1777.
County Districts Established .- This law directed the counties to be divided into districts, and each district was to contain not less than 440 men, nor more than 680, fit for duty, to be arranged in eight companies. The officer in charge of a county was called a "lieutenant"; and of each district, a "sub- lieutenant." It was the duty of the "lieutenant" to enlist the people, collect the fines, and execute the details of the law.
Battalions, Companies and Classes .- Each dis- trict was subdivided into eight parts, with due re- gard to the convenience of the inhabitants, and elected its officers from lieutenant-colonel down to subalterns. The term of service was three years. A company was set apart for each subdivision, and this was also divided by lot into eight parts, called classes, as nearly equal as possible, and the. several classes were numbered from one to eight in numerical order. Berks county was divided into six districts. Accordingly, the county had six bat- talions, or forty-eight companies.
The rank of the battalions and their officers, also of the captains and subalterns was determined by lot. The precedence of the officers of the sev- eral counties, as to rank, was arranged according to the seniority of the counties, Philadelphia being first.
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