USA > Pennsylvania > Armstrong County > History of Armstrong County, Pennsylvania > Part 14
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Second Lieutenant Wm. M. Duke; res. Feb. 6, 1862.
Second Lieutenant Jefferson Truitt; pro. from Sergt. Oct. 30, 1862; killed at Bethesda Church, Va., June 3, 1864; buried in Nat. cem., Cold Harbor, Va., Sec. C.
First Sergeant Dan'l Swigart, pro. from Corp. to Sergt. Nov. 1, 1862, to 1st Sergt. May 5, 1864; m. o. with company.
First Sergeant M. M. Steel; not on m. o. roll.
Sergeant Sam'l M. Crawford, pro. from Corp. Feb. 7, 1862; m. o. with company.
Corporal Jas. J. Barrett, absent sick at m. o.
Corporal Jos. J. Callen, pro, to Corp. July 1, 1862; m. o. with com- pany.
Corporal David P. Truitt, pro. to Corp. Dec. 10, 1862; m. o. with company.
Corporal Wm. Turney, not on m. o. roll.
Corporal Arthur Cassedy, not on m. o. roll.
Corporal Martin N'Canna, not on m. o. roll.
PRIVATES.
Martin Aaler, Harrison Anthony, Wm. Bailey, Henry Baryerstock, Wm. G. Black, Geo. W. Blake, Alfred B. Barnhart, C. Bradenbaugh (died at Alexandria, Va., May 19, 1862, grave 8), James 1. Brown, J. Danghenbaugh, Richard C. Dodson, John M. Fleming, John Fleming, Jos. Foreman, Ezra Grinder, Josiah George (m. i. s. Nov. 29, 1861), Joshna M. George (m. i. s. Nov. 29, 1861), Peter C. George (m. i. s. Nov, 29, 1861), Robt. Gamble, Tho. M. Knhn (prisoner from July 2 to Sept- 29, 1863), Chas. G. Kuhn, H. Klingensmith (m. i. s. Nov. 29, 1861), Sam'l M. Myrtle (trans. to Co. A, 155th Pa. Vol., July 3, 1864-vet.). Wm. G. M'Sparnen, John M'Crea, Sam'l M'Knabb (m. i s. Feb. 27. 1864, trans. to Co. A, 155th Pa, Vol. July 3, 1864), Geo. W. Pontius (not on m. o. roll), G. W. Reesman, J. G. Schreckengost (died at Columbia College hos , D. C., Oct. 6, 1861), J. Schreckengost, Henry R. Sox- man, Peter A. Stockdill, Christopher Stuchell (vet.), Abraham Smelt-
zer (m. i. s. March 31, 1864, trans. to Co. A, 155th Pa. Vol., July 3, 1864), Wilbert Wilson (trans. to Co. A, 155th Pa. Vol., July 3, 1863; vet).
COMPANY G.
[Where the date of muster into service does not occur immediately after the name, it may be understood as August 1, 1861, that being the time when the company was mustered in. Unless otherwise noted, the men were mustercd out with the company August 1, 1864. This company was composed only in part of Armstrong county men. Charles W. McHenry was its first captain.]
OFFICERS.
Captain Isaac Moorhead, pro. from 2d to 1st Lt. June 27, 1862; to Capt. May 19, 1863 ; killed at Petersburg, Va., June 18, 1864. Sergeant John Cessna, pro. to Sorgt. June 1, 1864.
Sergeant John M. Thomas, pro. to Sergt. Feb. 24, 1863; wounded at Wilderness, Va., May 6, 1864; absent, in hospital, at m. o.
Sergeant Robert W. Martin, dis. Feb. 12, 1863.
Corporal John Pickel, wounded at Wilderness, Va., May 6, 1864. Corporal James N. Coulter, dicd 1864.
Corporal William M. Smith, dis. Sept. 17, 1862.
Corporal Benjamin H. Smith, pro. to Corp. Feb. 20, 1863; killed at Chancellorsville, Va., May 3, 1863.
Corporal Matthew A. Rankin, pro. to Corp. Feb. 1, 1864; killed at Petersburg.
Corporal Simon Steffey, killed at Fair Oaks, Va., May 31, 1862.
Corporal William J. Graham, pro. to Corp. Feb. 24, 1863; died May 25, 1864, of wounds received in action ; vet.
Corporal Thomas L. Martin, pro. to Corp. Feb. 1, 1864; killed at Wil- derness, Va., May 6, 1864.
PRIVATES.
Brown, Robert M.
Blystone, George, m. i. s. Jan. 18, 1864; wounded at Wilderness May 5, 1864; trans. to Co. G, 99th reg. Pa. Vol.
Blystone, William, m. i. s. March 31, 1864; died June 25, 1864, of wounds received at Petersburg, Va., June 18, 1864.
Bleakney, John, m. i. s. July 17, 1863; drafted; wounded June 16, 1864; trans. to Co. G, 99th reg. Pa. Vol.
Boyer, Peter, dis., date unknown.
Blystone, Simon, m. i. s. Jan. 4, 1864; killed at Wilderness, Va., May 6, 1864; vet.
Cox, John R., dis. March 26, 1863.
Calhoun, William L., dis. Oct. 9, 1862.
Daily, Robert H., wounded at Wilderness May 5, 1864; absent, in hos- pital, at m. o.
Fulton, Joseph H., absent, sick, at m. o.
Fulton, Robert A., m. i. s. Sept. 9, 1862; dis. Feb. 14, 1863.
Frailey, Henry, dis. Sept. 26, 1862.
Frailey, John A., dis. April 26, 1863.
Frailey, William, killed at Fair Oaks, Va., May 31, 1862.
Gardner, Daniel M.
Gardner, Joseph.
George, David R., killed at Nelson's farm, Va., June 30, 1862.
Gardner, Jacob, killed near Pohick Church Nov. 7, 1861.
Gress, Henry R., died at New Haven, Conn., July 3, 1862, of wounds received in action.
Hoover, William C.
Henderson, John, absent, sick, at m. o.
Henderson, Andrew, m. i. s. July 18, 1863; drafted ; wounded May 24, 1864; trans. to Co. G, 99th reg. Pa. Vol.
Hoover, Ralston, died at Baltimore Cross Roads, Va., June 13, 1862. Jones, John F.
Kelly, Johu, killed at Chancellorsville, Va., May 3, 1863.
Klugh, Henry, m. i. s. July 18, 1863 ; drafted ; died at Washington, D. C., Feb. 24, 1864.
Keppel, Wm. R., m. i. s. Feb. 23, 1864 ; killed at Wilderness, Va., May 5,1864.
Martin, David C.
Martin, Geo. W., m. i. s. Feb. 15, 1864; trans. to Co. G, 99th reg. Pa. Vols.
Mulberger, Samuel, m. i. s. July 18, 1863; drafted; died July 15, 1864 ; buried National cem., Arlington, Va.
Martin, Thomas L., killed at Wilderness, Va., May 5, 1864.
Moore, Cyrus J., killed near Pohick Church, Va., March 6, 1862 ; buried at Alexandria, Va., grave 1,456.
Moore, Adam.
Moore, Andrew J., m. i. s. March 21, 1862; died May 15, 1864, of wounds received at Wilderness, Va.
Miller, Jacob, died March 6, 1863, near Falmonth, Va.
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HISTORY OF ARMSTRONG COUNTY.
McConnell, Hugh, killed at Fair Oaks, Va., May 31, 1862.
Rankin, Joseph P., Aug. 1, 1864.
Robinson, John A., wounded at Wilderness, Va., May 5, 1864 ; absent at m. o.
Rearick, Isaac L., m. i. s. July 18, 1863 ; drafted ; wounded at Wilder- ness, Va., June 18, 1865; trans. to Co. G, 99th reg. Pa. Vol.
Russell, Labin, dis., date unknown.
Rupert, Alexander, m. i. s. Feb. 23, 1864 ; died near Orange and Alex- andria railroad.
Sloan, William H. H.
Saddler, Jacob, wounded at Petersburg, Va., June 18, 1864.
Sell, John A., wounded at Petersburg, Va., June 1S, 1864.
Smith, Wm. C., m. i. s. Feb. 2, 1864; wounded at North Anna, Va., May 23, 1864; trans. to Co. G, 99th reg. Pa. Vol.
St. Claire, John, wounded at Chancellorsville, May 3, 1863; dis. Sept. 22, 1863.
Shiery, David, died near Yorktown, Va., May 25, 1862; buried at Citizens' Graveyard, Annapolis, Md.
Smeltzer, Andrew J., captured; died at Richmond, Va., date nn- known.
Thomas, William, m. i. s. July 18, 1863 ; drafted ; trans. to Co. C, 99th reg. Pa. Vol.
Thomas, David J., m. i. s. July 18, 1863; drafted ; trans. to Co. G, 99th reg. Pa. Vol.
Wilhelm, Ang. A. G., prisoner from May 12, 1864, to March 1, 1865; m. o. March 7, 1865.
Wilhelm, A. W., died at Philadelphia Nov. 11, 1862, of wounds re- ceived in action.
THE SEVENTY-EIGHTII REGIMENT, P. V. I.
The 78th regt. Pa. Vol. Inf. was recruited and or- ganized by Col. William Sirwell, at a rendezvous on the Allegheny river, immediately above the town of Kittanning, in Armstrong county, Penn- sylvania. This rendezvous was called "Camp Orr," in honor of Gen. Robert Orr, a distinguished citi- zen of Kittanning, who had also rendered his coun- try efficient service in the field in the war of 1812.
The companies composing the regiment came into camp in the following order: August 14, 1861, a company from Kittanning, Armstrong county, Pa., in charge of. James S. Hilberry; August 27, 1861, a company from Indiana county, Pennsylva- nia, in charge of William Cummins; August 29, 1861, a company from Clarion county, Pennsylva- nia, in charge of John M. Brinker; August 29, 1861, a company from Apollo, Armstrong county, Pa., in charge of Robert D. Elwood; September 3, 1861, a company from Freeport, Armstrong county, Pa., in charge of Dr. Charles B. Gillespie; September 5, 1861, a company from Armstrong county, Pennsylvania, known as the "Buffington Blues," in charge of John Jordon; September 6, 1861, a company from Cherry Tree, Indiana county, Pa., in charge of Michael Forbes; September 10, 1861, a company from Clarion county, Pennsylva- nia, in charge of James N. Hosey; September 11, 1861, a company from Armstrong county, Penn- sylvania, in charge of Rev. De Witt C. Hervey; September 17, 1861, a company from Butler county, Pennsylvania, in charge of William S. Jack. These ten organizations remained in "Camp Orr," drill- ing and recruiting, until October 12, 1861, when they were mustered into the service of the United
States as the 78th regt. Pa. Vol. Inf., by Capt. H. B. Hays, U. S. A., mustering officer, on duty at Pitts- burgh, Pennsylvania.
On October 11 and 12, 1861, the government of the United States issued clothing, arms and accou- terments to all the companies except that com- manded by Capt. Charles B. Gillespie. On Octo- ber 14, 1861, the regiment was transferred to Pitts- burgh by the Allegheny Valley railroad, where all the clothing, arms, equipments, camp and garrison equipage yet required were drawn. On October 18, 1861, the field and staff of the regiment were mustered into the service of the United States by Capt. II. B. Hays, as follows : William Sir- well, Armstrong county, Pennsylvania, colonel; Archibald Blakeley, Butler county, Pennsylvania, lieutenant-colonel; Augustus B. Buffington, Alle- gheny county, Pennsylvania, major; Richard C. Cristy, Butler county, Pennsylvania, chaplain; Joseph W. Powell, Clarion county, Pennsylvania, adjutant; Adam Lowry, Indiana county, Pennsyl- vania, quastermaster. The surgeon, William J. Mark, and assistant surgeon, William Morrow Knox, did not join the regiment until some time in November, at Camp Nevin, Kentucky.
On the afternoon of October 18, 1861, the regi- ment, accompanied by the 77th regt. Pa. Vol. Inf., commanded by Col. Stambaugh, and the 79th regt. Pa. Vol. Inf., commanded by Col. Hambright, and the 26th Pa. Batt. commanded by Capt. Muller, all under command of Brig. Gen. James S. Negley, of Pittsburgh, embarked on steamboats, and pro- ceeded to Louisville, Kentucky, and debarked there on October 22.
On October 24 the brigade, then known as the Pennsylvania or Negley's Brigade, was transferred by rail from Louisville to Nolin Station, near Nolin creek, Hardin county, Ky., on the line of the Louisville & Nashville railroad. At this place the division, known as the Old Second Division of the Army of the Cumberland, under the command of Gen. A. McD. McCook, was encamped, and the brigade of Negley was assigned to that division. The encampment at this place was called "Camp Nevin." The regiment remained here doing rogu- lar field and camp duty until November 24, when it with the brigade marched to the south side of Nolin creek and established "Camp Negley." The mortality of the regiment at Camp Negley was very great, owing to the wet weather and the bad condition of the ground on which the troops were encamped.
On December 12 the regiment with the brigade marched south wardly to Bacon creek, and remained there until December 17, when it again moved
71
REGIMENTAL HISTORIES AND DESCRIPTIVE ROSTER.
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southwardly to Mumfordville, Hart county, Ken- tucky, on the north bank of Green river, where it was halted, and with the division encamped at " Camp Wood." The time here was spent in field and camp duty, drilling and picketing on the south side of Green river to hold the south bank, and to protect the workmen engaged in rebuilding the railroad bridge across the river at this point.
On February 14, 1862, the spring campaign com- menced. On that day the 78th regiment with Mc- Cook's division marched from the camp at Green river northward, with the view of taking boats at West Point, on the Ohio, and joining in Grant's ad- vance on Fort Donelson, but on arriving at Upton Station, on the Louisville & Nashville railroad, the division was halted over night, and on the fol- lowing morning countermarched for Nashville.
Passing the old encampment at Mumfordville, and crossing Green river, the line of march was mostly along the line of the Louisville & Nash- ville railroad. Halting a few days at Cave City, and again in front of Bowling Green, until the Barren river was pontooned, the regiment ar- rived at Edgefield, opposite Nashville, on March 2, and on the 7th it crossed the Cumberland river, marched through Nashville, and encamped two miles south of Nashville, at "Camp Andy John- son."
When Gen. Buell moved his army forward and joined Grant at Pittsburgh Landing, he left Neg- ley's brigade in the rear to guard the communica- tions from Nashville to the front. The 78th was detailed to guard the railroad from Nashville to Columbia, Tennessee, with headquarters at Frank- lin, Tennessee. This duty was performed from March 24 to May 1, 1862, when the regiment rendezvoused at Columbia, Tennessee, and was then ordered to Pulaski, Tennessee, and garrisoned that place until May 12, 1862. On May 12 Gen. Negley passed through Pulaski, on an expedition to drive the rebel cavalry across the Tennessee river, and in this movement the 78th joined, and after severe skirmishing drove the enemy across the river at Rogersville, Alabama, May 16, 1862, the expedition commenced the movement back to Columbia, arriving there May 21. The 78th was again ordered to Pulaski, and arrived there May 23; held the garrison till the 25th, and was then ordered to Rogersville, Alabama, and stationed there to guard the passage of the Tennessee river at Lamb's ferry. While at this place the 78th made several excursions across the Tennessee, capturing a considerable amount of rebel property with several prisoners. June 18 the regiment was relieved from duty at Rogersville and ordered to
guard the Tennessee & Alabama railroad, from Columbia to Elk river, with headquarters at Columbia. On August 31 the regiment was again assembled at Columbia, and on September 1 com- menced the march northward to Nashville, consti- tuting a portion of the rear guard of Gen. Buell's army, then on the race to Kentucky with the rebel army of Bragg, either moving on a line parallel to that of the other. September 2 the regiment encamped five miles south of Nashville, at " Camp Lucinda," and on September 10 the regiment moved into Nashville, and became a part of the force which garrisoned that city during the siege oc- casioned by the movement of the body of the army into Kentucky. During this siege the 78th was as- signed to the 7th brigade, composed of the 78th Pa. Inf., the 21st Ohio Inf., the 74th Ohio Inf. and the 37th Ind. Inf., the brigade being com- manded by Col. John F. Miller, of the 29th Ind. Inf.
During the siege the 78th had many engage- ments with the enemy, at that time surrounding the city, and making strenuous efforts to capture it. In an engagement at Lavergne the 78th cap- tured about one hundred prisoners, including two commissioned officers of the 32d Alabama, and 100 stand of arms. Also at Neeley's Bend, White's Creek, Charlotteville, Franklin Pike and other places, the 78th engaged the enemy, and always with success. These engagements were
principally brought on by the movement of the troops against the rebel forces around Nashville, or in the marches into the country for the sup- plies necessary to feed the starving garrison. While besieged in this city affairs wore a gloomy aspect. Shut out from the world; no news from the main army or home for months; surrounded by an enemy vindictively resolved to capture the capital of the state, with Andrew Johnson, who was then in Nashville, and the military governor of the state.
Although compelled to fight for every mouth- ful of food, no one was discouraged, but all seemed determined to stand by the city, and with full faith that all would be well the city was success- fully defended, and early in November the banners of the old army of the Cumberland were seen en- tering the groves of Edgefield, and on the follow- ing day the army, now under the command of Gen. Rosecrans, entered the city and the siege was raised.
The 78th regiment remained in the city doing provost-guard duty until December 12, 1862, when it moved with the army to " Camp Hamilton," six miles south of Nashville, on the Franklin pike.
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HISTORY OF ARMSTRONG COUNTY.
The 7th Brigade was then assigned to the 8th Division, center, the division being commanded of Brig. Gen. James S. Negley, and the center by Maj. Gen. George H. Thomas. The regi- ment remained here until December 26, 1862, when the memorable campaign commenced which ended in the bloody battle and victory of Stone River. In this battle the 78th regiment led the charge across Stone river to the elevated ground beyond-the key to the battle-field, and from which the Union artillery enfiladed the lines and entrenchments of the enemy-and drove them from the field. During the entire engagement the 78th bore itself honorably and gallantly, and was, in consequence, accorded the honor of first entering Murfreesboro and hoisted the Stars and Stripes over the dome of the Rutherford court-house, on January 5, 1863. During this battle and cam- paign the 78th lost 190 men in killed and wounded. Among the killed were Lieut. Halsted, of Com- pany K. Capt. Jack, of Company II, was mortally wounded, and soon afterward died of his wounds in the hospital at Nashville. Lieut. J. H. Anchors, of Company E, was also wounded and lamed for life.
From January 5 to April 20, 1863, the 78th had charge of and did provost-guard duty at Murfrees- boro, around which town the victorious Army of the Cumberland was encamped.
While the army lay at Murfreesboro Gen. James A. Garfield joined it as chief-of-staff, and the or- ganization was changed from "center," "right " and " left," to three corps, the 14th, commanded by Gen. George H. Thomas; the 20th, commanded by Maj. Gen. Alex. McD. McCook; and the 21st, commanded by Maj. Gen. Thomas L. Crittenden.
The 78th was assigned to the 3d brigade, consist- ing of the 78th Pa. Inf., the 21st Ohio Inf., the 74th Ohio Inf. and the 37th Ind. Inf., under command of Col. John F. Miller, of the 29th Ind. Inf., and to the 2d division, commanded by Maj. Gen. Negley, and to the 14th corps, commanded by Maj. Gen. Thomas. On April 20 the 78th was re- lieved from provost-guard duty, and took position with its brigade in camp, and went vigorously to work to prepare for the summer campaign.
On June 19, 1863, Col. John F. Miller was re- lieved from the command of the brigade and as- signed to duty elsewhere, when the command of the brigade devolved on Col. William Sirwell, and the command of the 78th regiment on Lieut .- Col. Archibald Blakeley.
On June 24, 1863, the summer campaign of the Army of the Cumberland commenced by the move- ment south against the intrenched position of the rebel army under Gen. Bragg, at Tullahoma.
The 78th participated in many of the engage- ments of the campaign without any considerable loss, and July 8, 1863, sat down in camp with the balance of the corps at Decherd, Tennessee, the position of the enemy at Tullahoma having been turned and the rebel army driven across the Cumberland mountains and the Tennessee river.
The time from July 8 to August 16, was spent in general field and camp duty, and organizing and drilling for the fall campaign against Chattanoo- ga, the chosen position of the enemy, which began August 15, by the movement of the whole Army of the Cumberland. The 78th regiment followed mostly the line of the Nashville and the Chatta- nooga railroad, rising out of the elevated plateau which forms the eastern portion of Middle Ten- nessee, crossing one of the loftiest ranges of the Cumberland mountains, then descending into and down the valley of the Crow creek and on to Cave spring, near Stevenson, Alabama, where it halted and rested a few days, then across the Tennessee river on the beautiful moonlight night of September 7, 1863, and up the south side valley of the Tennessee to a point opposite Bridgeport, then outward to the south and east from the valley until the Sand Mountain range was reached, then upward and across its lofty heights, and when the power of the horse and the mule failed to haul up the artillery and the provisions, the strong arms of these hardy sons of Pennsylvania supplied the needed strength. The top of these heights was gained, and in passing over to the eastern slope a mountain gorge was encountered, one hundred feet wide and fifty feet deep, impassable, and the whole army was stopped. Company C, of the 78th, under command of Lieut. David R. Brinker, was immediately thrown for- ward and to work, and by morning the gallant company constructed across this chasm a bridge over which the whole army of Gen. Rosecrans crossed. Descending the eastern slope of the Sand mountain, they came to Lookout valley, Dade county, Georgia. On Lookout creek there was a mill, and Col. Blakeley was ordered to take charge of it with his regiment, and to gather surplus grain in the valley, grind it, and turn the flour and meal over to the passing army.
To this work the 78th assiduously devoted itself, gathering in also large supplies of beef cattle until the army had passed, when it marched up the valley to Johnston's crook, where it again became the pioneer regiment in crossing the Lookout Moun- tain range, on September 9, and down the eastern slope to McLemons' cove, in the valley of the Chickamauga. It yet being in the advance, set out for Lafayette, Georgia, on the 10th, and at
73
REGIMENTAL HISTORIES AND DESCRIPTIVE ROSTER.
Dug Gap was met by the enemy in force, and the division of Negley was surrounded by overpower- ing numbers.
The position, however, was skillfully and heroic- ally maintained until the arrival of other forces enabled the division to retreat to the base of Lookout Mountain, on the evening and night of September 11, 1863. In this engagement, at Dug Gap, sixty- eight men of the 78th, under command of Lieut. Brinker of C company, and Lieut. Anchors of E company, held in check for over two hours a heavy massed force of the enemy, in which engage- ment the 78th lost but four men killed and wounded. From the night of the 11th to the 17th the regiment lay at the base of Lookout range of mountains waiting for the corps of McCook to recross the mountain at Valley Head and to join the corps of Gen. Thomas. On September 17 it marched six miles in the direction of Chattanooga, where it bivouacked until 4 o'clock on the morning of the 18tlı, when it marched four miles eastwardly, where it halted and lay on its arms in an open field until 11 o'clock at night, when a staff officer from Gen. Thomas came to Col. Blakeley, and, pointing out a star, said he assumed it to be directly west, and ordered that the regiment be moved one mile and a half in the direction of the star, then faced and deployed south, and moved on a line to the south until the Chickamauga river was reached, where it was assumed there was a fording, and that if the fording was not struck as the river was reached, it was to be found and held against the enemy, who it was feared would break through that night to strike the corps of McCook in flank as it was passing to position in the impending battle.
Although the night was pitch dark, with scarce a star to be seen, except the one to which the march was directed, the 78th executed the movement, the distance from the point at the change of direction being quite as long as the movement before the change, and the fording was struck by a company next to a flank company, and the ford was held until the corps of McCook had passed. This movement, executed through an almost impene- trable jungle, the night being quite cold and dark, was highly commended by Gen. Thomas, being, as he said, a severe test of its well-known bravery through drill and discipline.
On the morning of the 19th the men were nearly frozen, and the heavy firing on the left indicated that the enemy was heading for Chattanooga. In the afternoon the 78th was withdrawn from the river and moved in the direction of Crawfish Springs, and went into line against the enemy, and
after a severe skirmish held the position assigned it, on the left of the 21st Ohio Inf., that being the only force within view on the right or left.
During the night of the 19th the line was per- fected and filled with troops, and a substantial breastwork was thrown up by the men of the 78th, and the morning of the 20th found them in splen- did condition and ready for action. On that morn- ing the general engagement was resumed, and a terrific battle raged till nightfall.
The position of the 78th and Negley's division on the night of the 19th and morning of the 20th was far to the right of the battle front of Thomas' corps, to which Negley's division be- longed. In the forenoon of the 20th Negley's division, including the 78th, was withdrawn by order of Gen. Roseerans from the position it had occupied to that time, and moved to the left by the rear of the general battle line to reinforce the flank of Thomas' corps.
The division of Gen. Wood was to have taken the place in line vacated by Negley, but owing to a misunderstanding of orders the movements were not simultaneous, and after Negley left and before Wood got in the enemy broke through at this point, and cut off and drove back all the troops on our right, being the larger portions of the corps of McCook and Crittenden, including the command- ers of these corps and the commanding general of the army. Thomas, however, maintained his posi- tion and his fight, and Negley's division, being caught en passant in flank and rear, was fearfully shattered. The brigade, of which the 78th consti- tuted a part, was weakened by the withdrawal of the 74th Ohio Inf. to another portion of the field, but the remaining three regiments, under the skill- ful supervision of its commander, Col. Sirwell, re- mained for a time intact, and were brought into line at what was supposed to be the right of the line of Gen. Thomas, and in front of the Chicago Board of Trade Battery. The 78th regiment was finally left alone, but was very strong and occupied a commanding position, possibly seeming to the enemy much stronger than it really was. While occupying this position Maj. Bonnaffan approached Col. Blakeley and asked what he was going to do ; the answer was, " Hold our line till we die unless ordered back." Bonnaffan's characteristic reply was, "Then we'll all go to hell, for there is no one within reach to order us back." Maj. Bonnaffan never counted on anybody going to heaven.
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