History of Bedford, Somerset, Fulton counties Pennsylvania, Part 125

Author: Waterman, Watkins & Co.
Publication date: 1884
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 967

USA > Pennsylvania > Bedford County > History of Bedford, Somerset, Fulton counties Pennsylvania > Part 125
USA > Pennsylvania > Fulton County > History of Bedford, Somerset, Fulton counties Pennsylvania > Part 125
USA > Pennsylvania > Somerset County > History of Bedford, Somerset, Fulton counties Pennsylvania > Part 125

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).

September 27, 1813.

Fulton county, though one of the smallest political divisions of the great commonwealth of Pennsylvania, was nobly and well represented in the federal army during the rebellion of 1861-5. The calls for volunteers, supplemented by the drafts, drew from her borders almost the entire strength available for the service. These troops were scattered throughout scores of com- mands, so that there was scarcely an important movement in all the war in which men from Fulton county did not participate. The county itself, like many another territory bordering on Mason and Dixon's line, felt the shock of civil warfare, and many times its citizens had cause to fear for the safety of their homes and fire- sides. Happily, nothing more than mental anxiety, coupled with small losses of property, befell those at home.

McConnellsburg was badly scared many times by the reports, often false, of rebel raids in the vicinity. On Sunday, September 14, 1862, such a report set all the bells ringing for hours, and caused an improvised force of militia to be hastily formed. The sound of drums and "the hurrying tread of marching feet " broke the sabbath stillness. On Friday, October 10,

* Died March 10, 1818.

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Stuart's rebel cavalry crossed the Potomac and moved to Mercersburg, thence to Chambers- burg, where they occupied the town, then passed toward Gettysburg and, as was afterward ascer- tained, back into Maryland. The near approach of the rebels sent a fever of intense excitement through McConnellsburg. On the Monday fol- lowing, Gen. Averill's cavalry arrived at McCon- nellsburg in pursuit of the rebels, and remained over night.

MCCONNELLSBURG TAKEN.

In the latter part of June, 1863, McConnells- burg was the scene of memorable events. In the Fulton Democrat, July 10, 1863, appears the following account of the rebel invasion :

A brief notice of the appearance of a force of rebel cavalry in our town appeared in our issue of the 19th ult. After taking what horses they could gather up in a hurry, and what they wanted out of the shops and stores, they left, and nothing more was seen of the enemy until Wednesday night of the next week. About nine o'clock on that evening a force of cavalry came down the Mercersburg pike, accompanied by the Ist Md. Inf., under command of Col. Herbert. When about half a mile above town they formed in line of battle, and the cavalry dashed into town on a charge, expecting, as they alleged, to find Milroy's forces here. In this they were disappointed, the sinall force which was here during the day having moved westward about dark, after having a slight skirmish with the rebel advance on the top of the mountain. In this skirmish some of the militia infantry participated, and the company of Capt. Wallace stood their ground well, doing, it is said, some execution.

The invaders placed the town under guard, or- dered the citizens to remain in their houses, and took up and placed under guard for the night several citi- zens who were found on the street. Nothing was dis- turbed during the night. On the next day they en- tered the stores and took such things as they wanted, in most instances, we believe, offering to pay in Con- federate money. All our store and shop keepers lost heavily by them. After remaining in town, and at their camp about a mile distant, until Friday morning, they finally moved off in the direction of Chambers- burg. During all the balance of the week our valley and the whole of the lower end of the county were most effectually scoured by Imboden's guerillas. They swept off the stock of the farmers, and in some in- stances entered private houses and carried off private property. Mr. H. H. Dietrich, of Ayr township, lost heavily in this way. The stores of Robinson and Patterson were stripped of their contents, and articles that were of no use to the plunderers were destroyed wantonly. We can scarcely hear of a citizen who has not lost more or less in some shape. On Sunday a company of the 12th Penn. Cavalry were surrounded

on the other side of the Cove mountain, and a num- ber of them captured.

On Sunday afternoon a company of Imboden's men dashed into town. There was no force present except a few of our pickets, who retired on the approach of the rebels. They did not dismount. The captain of the gang rode up to our office [the editor, Henry G. Smith ], and inquired where we were to be found. Some one pointed out where we were standing. He rode up, and put some questions with regard to the force in town, the reported arrest of Milroy, etc., to all of which we refused to give him any reply. * * * On Monday morning a company of the 1st N. Y. Cav- alry and a company of newly-organized militia cavalry rode into town about nine o'clock. The New York men came from Bloody Run, and the militia from Mount Union. While they were in town a body of rebel cavalry was seen coming down the pike from the direction of Mercersburg. The militia had not yet dismounted, and the New York boys were speedily in the saddle. The rebels rode boldly in at the upper end of town, while the New York company slowly retired down the street. The rebels and New Yorkers both stopped and stood facing each other at a distance of about two squares. The rebel captain ordered his men to charge, but they evidently thought discretion the better part of valor, and hesitated to obey the command. Just at this instant an officer of the militia company rode from the court-house square, where his men were, down to the main street. The rebels at once concluded they were surrounded, and wheeled about. While in the act of doing so, the captain of the New York boys ordered his men to charge, and they did it most gallantly and fiercely, gaining on the rebels at every stride of the horses. The result was the capture of thirty-two men and horses (nearly as many men as there were of the New Yorkers), and the killing of two of the rebels. The dead rebels were buried where they fell by our citizens. While this was being done, a rebel force came down the Mercersburg pike, and another body, having made a circuit below the town, filed out on the pike, about half a mile west of the town. Thus McConnellsburg was again surrounded and in the possession of the enemy. This force was composed of Imboden's men, and was some three hundred strong. They had with them two brass mountain howitzers, and their object was the capture of any force that might be here. Find- ing no force to oppose them, after searching the houses for concealed soldiers and arms, they left at dark, about two hours after their entrance. Since that time we have seen nothing of the rebels, and we do most heartily hope they are effectually cured of any desire to invade Pennsylvania.

In the same paper in which the above account appears is published "General Order No. 72" of the rebel army, copies of which the employés of the Democrat office were compelled to print for the raiders. The order relates to the con- duct of the soldiers in the enemy's country, for-

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bids the destruction of private property, etc. Though posted up in McConnellsburg, its com- mands seem to have been totally disregarded.

MC CAUSLAND'S RAID,

After the burning of Chambersburg by Mc- Causland, his command moved west on the Chambersburg and Bedford turnpike. On Saturday, August 30, 1864, the rebel troops, numbering nearly three thousand, entered Mo- Connellsburg, where they remained over night. Upon their arrival they made demands for twenty-six hundred rations, which the citizens supplied as far as they were able, as threats of burning the town in case of non-compliance were freely offered. Then the plundering of stores and private houses commenced. The rebels demanded the key of Dr. Duffield's drug- store, which was given to prevent them from breaking open the door. They took what they pleased, and wasted much of the remainder by emptying the contents of drawers and cases in heaps upon the floor. The stores of J. W. Greathead, Cahill & Thompson, Hohe & Nace, and A. & E. Shoemaker received like treatment. All of the merchants suffered considerable losses, except Hohe & Nace, who, much to the disgust of the rebels, had removed most of their drygoods before the raid was made.

Private houses were entered and robbed of articles of clothing and valuables. Citizens were stripped and robbed in the streets. In almost every instance money was demanded and secured through threats of burning, or by a cocked revolver pointed at the citizen's head. The farmers of the cove also suffered great losses. Squads of rebels scouted the valley, visiting nearly every house, and stealing all such valuable articles as they could seize or carry.

Sunday morning the rebels departed hastily for Hancock. Gen. Averill was close upon their rear, his pickets driving them from the mountain and harassing them through the valley. Only his timely proximity averted the destruction of McConnellsburg and the utter devastation of the cove.

Saturday, November 12, 1864, McConnells- burg was set in commotion by a dispatch announcing that rebel spies had crossed the Potomac near Shepardstown, and were prowling about in the border counties. Another official dispatch Sunday caused more excitement, and

the military stationed in McConnellsburg sent out scouts, pickets and reconnoitering parties. Tuesday a dispatch was received from Chambers- burg ordering that home guards be organized. Gen. Ferry notified the commanding officer in McConnellsburg that he should concentrate his command and be ready to march at a moment's notice. Additional excitement was caused by the news of one hundred and thirty-two men drafted in Fulton county. Demoralization ensued. The command to organize was disre- garded, and citizens began to gather their valu- ables and prepare to move northward. The same evening, a man passing through the town with a load of goods caused great terror by stating that his load was powder. The next day all excitement was allayed by the receipt of trustworthy news from Bedford and Hancock, announcing that everything was quiet in those places.

THE KILLING OF LIEUT. FORD.

An unfortunate occurrence of the war times gave rise to the most noted case ever tried in the courts of Fulton county. The sad affair resulted from civil and military law being in conflict, and imperfectly understood. The main facts in the case were these : John Forney, of Tod township, having been drafted, claimed exemption on the ground that he was over forty- five years of age ; and, on the day of appeals, appearing before the commissioner for draft and, submitting his evidence, was declared- ex- empt.

When the provost guard came into Fulton county to look up deserters and delinquents, Forney's name was reported on the list of de- linquent drafted men. He was accordingly arrested. A writ of habeas corpus was then taken out in his behalf, and after a hearing before one of the associate judges of the county, Forney was discharged. Afterward, Lieut. E. N. Ford, of the provost guard, went to Forney's house to re-arrest him. As he was leaving the house he was shot by Forney, and, as it proved, mortally wounded. This was on Wednesday, January 21, 1863.

Forney gave himself up to the civil authori- ties and was lodged in. jail ; but the provost guard forcibly removed him from the jail a day or two later. He was taken to Chambersburg, and thence to Washington, where he was lodged in the Old Capitol prison. On application of the district attorney of Fulton county (Henry

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G. Smith) to Gov. Curtin, arrangements were made whereby Forney was delivered by the military authorities to the courts of Fulton county for trial. At the August term of court the grand jury found a true bill against Forney for murder in the first degree. But in the meantime, the rebels, during their invasion of McConnellsburg in June, had broken open the jail and carried Forney away with them. Being released, he returned to jail in September. Tried at the January session of court, 1864, before Judge Nill, he was acquitted, the jury returning a verdict of not guilty. Special district attorney I. H. McCauley, assisted by HIon. Alexander King, of Bedford, had charge of the case. The counsel for the defense were Hon. F. M. Kimmell, Hon. John Cessna, J. McDowell Sharpe and George A. Smith, Esq.

ROSTER OF SOLDIERS.

The remainder of this chapter includes a list, so far as obtainable, of Fulton county soldiers, with histories of the commands to which they belonged. Great care has been exercised in the preparation of this roster; but, as both the volunteers and drafted men of the county were widely scattered, serving with various com- mands, to ascertain the name and record of service of every Fulton county man in the war would prove well-nigh an impossible task. The editor of this volume has put forth every effort and used every available means to make this record complete.

The following extract from a letter, written by an ex-officer in the Union army from Fulton county, explains the cause of the wide scatter- ing of Fulton county soldiers :

I have always believed that, in proportion to popu- lation, " Little Fulton " furnished more men for the Union army than any other county in the state, and for this reason : The several townships were too poor to pay local bounty for volunteers to fill the quotas required of them, while the wealthy townships of many of our sister counties could, and did, offer large bounty for recruits. With this we of Fulton county could not compete. The result was that large num- bers.of our armsbearing men, whose purpose it was to enlist, availed themselves of the tempting offers of large local bounties elsewhere and entered the service, to the credit and on the quotas of districts in other counties.

The names of all these men were borne on the en- rollment in Fulton county. Part of the quota of several townships was supplied by volunteers who preferred to serve their own township for little or no bounty ; but the deficiency had to be supplied by

draft. Many of the names of those who enlisted elsewhere were drawn from the wheel after the persons named were in the service as volunteers, and could not answer to the credit of Fulton county. This made a deficiency, and "deficiency drafts" followed one after another until the quota was filled. Thus was the quota demanded of us, on each call for sol- diers, filled to the last man by volunteering and draft- ing, while large numbers from among us scattered off and enlisted in organizations in other counties, and even in other states; so that, besides filling her own quota every time, on every call, Fulton county con- tributed many men to help fill the quotas of other counties.

Abbreviations used in this chapter: m., mustered into ser- vice ; m. o., mustered out ; pr., promoted ; tr., transferred ; dis., discharged; wd., wounded; bu., buried; g. o., general order, and others, the meanings of which are obvious.

INDEPENDENT COMPANY.

Capt. Cardiff's company was raised in Ful- ton county. It was mustered into the service December 2, 1861. Afterward it was transferred to the 3d Md. regt. We have no means of ascertaining its subsequent history.

Officers: Capt., William E. Cardiff; 1st It., Wm. H. Hipsley ; 2d It., Moses Whitford; Ist sgt, John K. Whitford; agts., George Weaver, John W. Cook, Bethel Covalt, John H. Barney ; corpls., Samuel Hendershot, Joseph K. Pittman, Felix Foreback, James A. Cook, Jacob Hull, George W. Sponsler, Noah Hedding, John H. Divelbiss.

Privates : Abdon B. Shafer (musician), John H. Abbott, Isaac Barney, Henry Betty, John Brakeall, Wm. Booth, Henry D. Betz, Jas. A. Cooper, Josiah K. Cooper, John Clevenger, Harrison Clev- enger, Fred. Divelbiss, Jos. Divelbiss, Sam'l Divelbiss, George Decker, Elliott Dishong, John Foreback, Abednego E. French, Harvey Fonner, Henry Gillhart, Ephraim G. Hedding, Dan'l Hepner, Fred. Hepner, James E. Hughes, Harrison Hull, Wm. C. Hull, John Harr, Reuben Hand, Valentine Hagy, John A. Harsh, Jacob Hess, Wm. Harmison, Rowland A. Hockensmith, Lewis Hampton ; Jobn Hockensmith, died at Cumberland, Md., Dec. 31, 1861 ; Caleb Hockensmith, Jabez Karns, John Lowery, Jos. Lowery, Hugh Linn, Reily Linn, Wm. Linn, Jacob C. Leighty, James M. Lamp, Wm. Lee, Sam'l Lambertson, Whitten Lafferty, Joshua Mann, John Miller, Wm. Myers, Lewis Myers, Peter Mellott, Fred. Mellott, Wm. Mellott, Henry Metzler, David R. Mumma, Sylvester Moss, Abrm. Powell, Bazil M. Powell, Sylves- ter Pittman, John W. Potter, Josephus Reckner, Thos. Rash, John G. Shafer, Nathan P. R. Smith, Geo. E. Shipway, John C. Ship- way, Geo. W. Sipes, Thos. Simmons, Solomon Sponsler, Sam'l Slayman, John Shetrompf, Jas. A. Sipes, Dan'l Sipes, Jas. Stevens, Fred. Stevens, Geo. Shetrompf, Jas. Steckman, David Stump, Jos. Smith, Wm. Truax, Harman Winsor, Patrick Wilson, Nath'l Wilt, Wm. Warnee.

SEVENTY-SEVENTH REGIMENT.

This organization consisted originally of eight companies of infantry and one of artillery. It was recruited for three years' service under the direction of Frederick S. Stumbaugh, of Cham- bersburg, in the fall of 1861. The camp of rendezvous was at first at Chambersburg, and subsequently at Camp Wilkins, near Pittsburgh. Co. F was mainly recruited in Fulton county. Regimental organization was effected in October, 1861, with the following officers : Frederick S.

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Stumbaugh, colonel ; Peter B. Housum, of Franklin county, lieut .- colonel ; Stephen N. Bradford, of Luzerne county, major.

After being drilled at Camp Wilkins, the command was assigned to a brigade under com- mand of Brig .- Gen. James S. Negley. On October 18 the regiment moved by transport for Louisville. It was encamped for some time in Kentucky, and while at Camp Negley, near the Nolin river, was detached from Negley's brigade and assigned to Wood's, thus becoming a part of the second division of Buell's army. Pro- ceeding leisurely, and spending considerable time in camp, the regiment reached Nashville March 2, 1862, two weeks after the capture of Forts Donelson and Henry by Gen. Grant. After these successes Grant moved up to Pitts- burg Landing. On the morning of April 6. the confederates attacked the Union army at Shiloh church, a short distance from the river. The first day of the bloody contest closed and the conflict was undecided. Three of Grant's five divisions had been routed and two forced back. But aid was at hand. Buell's forces began to arrive during the evening and night. The morning of the 7th, the 77th (the only Pennsyl- vania regiment in the battle) arrived. It was far back when the battle began, but by a forced march of twenty miles it reached Savannah at midnight, and waited in a drenching rain until morning for transportation. At eight the regi- ment was at the Landing. During the early part of the day it was held in reserve, but exposed to a severe fire. The enemy's cavalry once charged upon it and were repulsed. Finally it was assigned a position on the right of Rousseau's brigade, where the enemy's sharp- shooters, concealed behind trees, exposed it to much danger. Two companies were deployed as skirmishers to ward off this source of peril. In the final charge the 77th was in the front, and took many prisoners. It lost but three killed and seven wounded.

The regiment remained on the field, in almost continuous rain, until the 14th. The horrid stenches of that terrible field produced many fatal fevers. Marching and skirmishing occu- pied the regiment until the opening of the win- ter campaign. The command was then near Nashville. Buell meantime was superseded by Rosecrans ; and, Col. Stumbaugh having re- signed, the regiment was led by Lieut .- Col. Housum. The 77th moved forward toward

Murfreesboro on December 26. At Murfrees- boro the regiment was in the thickest and hottest of the fight. The first day of the battle Col. Housum was killed. Gen. Rosecrans, while reviewing the army in March following, halted in front of the 77th and said : " Colonel, I see that your regiment is all right. Give my compliments to the boys and tell them that I say it was the banner regiment at Stone River. They never broke their ranks."

Until the middle of February, 1863, the regi- ment was employed in guard, scout and forag- ing duty. Then, going into camp at Murfrees- boro, it was engaged in erecting fortifications until the opening of the summer campaign. Meantime Capt. Thomas E. Rose became colonel. On June 24 the regiment, breaking camp and proceeding by the Shelbyville pike with the rest of the army, Cleburne's division of the rebel army was encountered at Liberty Gap. Col. Miller, of the 29th Ind., commanding the brigade, formed his forces on the right of Wil- lich's, which was in advance, and was first engaged. The 77th, with the . 29th Ind., charged and carried the hights occupied by the enemy, driving him to the next elevation, a mile beyond. In the morning the Union forces . moved forward to attack the enemy, who had been re enforced during the night. The 77th was obliged to cross a muddy plowed field, exposed to a heavy fire. Here Col. Miller and many others fell, and Col. Rose succeeded to the command of the brigade. The enemy was only routed after two hours of raging battle. One-third of the effective strength of the regi- ment was lost in this fight.

When the rebel leader afterward began re- treating toward Chattanooga, Rosecrans pur- sued. On December 17 the brigade, passing along the summit of Lookout mountain, de- scended into Mclemore's cove and went into line on the enemy's front. On the 19th, moving rapidly to the left for several miles, where the fighting was heavy, it was ordered into position, and charged, driving the rebels nearly two miles. The 77th, occupying the extreme right, had reached a position considerably in advance of the remaining troops. Col. Rose sent out a detachment to ascertain the distance between his troops and the next of the line on the right, and found it to be a mile and a quarter. Gen. Willich ordered the position to be held. The gap was not filled, and at nightfall a heavy

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column of rebel troops attacked with great violence. The 77th Penn. and the 79th Ill., with flanks exposed, were left to battle with the overpowering forces of the enemy. With ad- mirable bravery the men held their ground, when, at length outflanked and the lines enfi- laded, the officers seized the colors and by their daring example inspired the men to hold the ground. The contest became desperate, hand to hand. Friend and foe were scarcely dis- tinguishable. But the odds were too great ; the heroic band was compelled to yield at last. All the field officers, seven line officers and seventy men of the 77th fell into the enemy's hands. Those who escaped during the night took part in the action of the following day under the command of Capt. Lawson.

In January, 1864, many members of the command re-enlisted and were given veteran furloughs. When they returned to the front, Sherman was preparing for his Atlanta cam- paign. Engagements with the enemy took place at Tunnel Hill, May 7; at Rocky Face Ridge, May 8 to 13; at Resaca and Kings- ton ; at New Hope Church, on the 25th, a three days' fight began. On June 4, three miles to the left, there was another hot contest. At Ack- worth, June 6, Col. Rose, having been released, resumed his command of the regiment. From the 19th to the 23d, lying close to the base of the Kenesaw mountain, it was hotly engaged and lost heavily from a terrible artillery fire. On the 24th, moving with the corps to the right, the fighting was resumed and continued for four days. Then an unsuccessful assault was made upon the enemy's fortifications. The lines held their place, close to the enemy's works, until July 3, when he retreated. The enemy made a stand at Smyrna, and the brigade, assault- ing his works, carried and occupied them. There was skirmishing at the Chattahoochee river and a hot engagement at Peach Tree creek on the 20th and 21st.

The regiment was now busied for a month about Atlanta. In the latter part of August and the first of September it was employed in destroying the Montgomery railroad and Macon road. At Lovejoy, from September 2 to 5, the regiment was warmly engaged.

After the fall of Atlanta, there was no severe engagement in which the regiment participated . until the battle of Franklin, November 29. The 77th, here employed as skirmishers,

fought nobly, against overwhelming strength, until nearly surrounded, and then succeeded in cutting its way back to the breastworks, bringing in its wounded. At Nashville, on De- cember 15, the regiment was engaged with the troops on the right, which stormed the hights and first broke the rebel lines. Moving at night three miles on the Franklin pike, at daylight, with other troops, it attacked the enemy in the new position which he had taken. Though exposed to terrible fire, it pushed for- ward undaunted and carried both lines of the enemy's works. The rebels were routed with heavy losses.

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History of Bedford, Somerset, Fulton counties Pennsylvania, Part 125

Author: Waterman, Watkins & Co. Publication date: 1884 Publisher: Number of Pages: 967

Author: Waterman, Watkins & Co.
Publication date: 1884
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 967