History of Bedford, Somerset, Fulton counties Pennsylvania, Part 22

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


USA > Pennsylvania > Bedford County > History of Bedford, Somerset, Fulton counties Pennsylvania > Part 22
USA > Pennsylvania > Fulton County > History of Bedford, Somerset, Fulton counties Pennsylvania > Part 22
USA > Pennsylvania > Somerset County > History of Bedford, Somerset, Fulton counties Pennsylvania > Part 22


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).


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* Morgan's command during the winter was composed in part of troops who had come from the East under Gen. Ice. and partly of men enlisted in the western counties, as advised in the proclamation of the commander-in-chief of November 8th, and authorized to the number of two thousand five hundred by an act of the assembly of the 29th of the same mouth. Of those thus enlisted Findley has said, that among them were men re- ported to have been among the most troublesome of the insur-


gents; "that many of them, for some time at first, demanded free quarters and such things as they stood in need of without pay, and that some of the officers committed indictable offenses; but when the persons against whom the offenses were commit- ted commenced prosecutions they settled the disputes amicably and behaved well for the future. And when the people took courage to refuse to submit to impositions, the soldiers ceased to demand free quarters, or to be otherwise troublesome."


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HISTORY OF BEDFORD, SOMERSET AND FULTON COUNTIES.


$7.83 ; privates, 86.66. Prior to the date of this muster for pay, however, and while at Mead- ville, Pennsylvania (October 21, 1812), en route for the seat of war on the northern frontier, an appraisement of arms, etc., carried by the mem- bers of the company was made. By scanning the results of this "appraisement " it appears that the captain, lieutenant and ensign, as well as the two musicians, carried rifles the same as the non-commissioned officers and privates. The most valuable weapon was owned by Samuel Smith. It was valued at $25. Capt. Sparks came next with one worth $23, while Solomon Holler shouldered a weapon worth but 88. The pouch and horn carried by each man were rated in value at from 75 cents to $2.50.


CAPTAIN FREDERICK HOFF'S COMPANY, OF SOMERSET COUNTY.


A pay-roll of Capt. Frederick Hoff's company of Pennsylvania volunteers attached to the Fifth battal- ion, Second detachment, Pennsylvania militia, under the command of Brigadier-General Richard Crooks, in the service of the United States. Commencement of service, October 2, 1812 ; expiration of service, April 16, 1813, fifteen days volunteering including.


Captain : Frederick Hoff. Lieutenant: Peter Huston. Ensign : Jacob Saylor.


Sergeants: William Cooper, William McGinhis, Henry Tant- linger, Jacob Anawalt.


Corporals: Mathias Swinehart, William Larkins, Jacob Fields, John Fox.


Drum Major: John Lint.


Privates: William Gruber, John Kritser, Levi Grible, Valen- tine Houpt, John Graft, Jacob Cover, Arthur Nelson, Jacob Bay- lor, Thomas Faith, George Kennedy, Samuel Jonos, Jacob Serley, Henry Gray, Samuel Gray, Rush Ganet, Adam Snyder, Philip Nedrow, Peter Nedrow, Andrew Hipsher, John Cramer, John Sterner, Michael Lingafelter, John Houpt, James Pennel, David Stahl, Jacob Hartzell, Tobias Johnston, George Woods, John Whysong, John McKnight, John Drury, Joseph Bosh, John Cum- mins, David Howard, Alexander Linn, Elijah Wright, Peter Henry and John Davis.


I do certify on honor that the within pay-roll is correct and the remarks set opposite the men's names are accurate and just. FREDERICK HOFF, Captain.


Of the foregoing list of members, Sergt. Henry Tantlinger and privates Jacob Serley, Samuel Gray, John Cramer and Jacob Hartzell were discharged at the expiration of six months' service. Private John McKnight died at Upper Sandusky, Ohio, January 22, 1813. The re- mainder of the company served fifteen days longer than the specified term of six months.


CAPTAIN JONATHAN RHOADS' COMPANY, OF SOMERSET COUNTY.


A muster roll of Captain Jonathan Rhoads' Rifle Company, attached to the First Battalion of the One Hundred and Twenty-eighth Regiment, who have


offered their services to the Governor in substitution of the drafted militia from the One Hundred and Twenty-eighth Regiment, of the First Brigade, Twelfth Division, Pennsylvania Militia.


Captain : Jonathan Rhoads. Lieutenant : Peter Bowman.


Ensign : Philip Zimmerman.


Privates: James Alexander, John Alexander, William Alex- ander, Christian Berkey, Daniel Bisacker, Frederick. Bisacker, George Barron, Jacob Baunbrack, Henry Brucker, David Dinning, John Dinning, Joseph Emmert, William Faith, Peter Fleck, Henry Flout, John Frownhizizer, Peter Gardner, John Gohn, George Hess, Daniel Horner, Samuel Horner, David Howard, Philip Hoffman, Conrad Keiser, Henry Metzler, Adam Mowser, Jacob 'Rhoads, Elias Bittner, John Seese, David Shayer, Jacob Shoemaker, David Showman, Robert Smiley, Jacob Stahl, Mat- thias Stern, William Storm, David Tomm, Frederick Wright, George Youngman and William Yautzler.


We, the subscribers, officers of the above company, do respectfully offer our services to his excellency Simon Snyder, Governor of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, as above stated. Witness our hands at Stoystown, Brigade Inspector's Office, June 15, 1812. JONATHAN RHOADS, Captain. PHILIP ZIMMERMAN, Ensign.


During the war with Mexico Bedford county furnished one full company of volunteers, namely, Co. L, of the 2d regiment, besides a con- siderable number of men who were recruited for the regular army by Lieut. Crittenden, at Bed- ford, in the summer of 1846. Somerset county had a few representatives in Co. L, of the 2d regt. Penn. Vols., also in Ringgold's, Bragg's and the Washington (Carlisle) artillery com- mands.


The company styled the " Independent Greys" of Bedford, was recruited in the spring of 1847. "This fine company," said the editor of the Bedford Gazette, under date of May 21, 1847, "is now full and will march tomorrow for Pitts- burgh, from. which' place they will proceed directly to the seat of war. Enrolled in this company are many of Bedford county's noblest sons and bravest men. The company numbers about eighty men besides officers. It is useless to eulogize the officers of this company, suffice it to say they are of the very best material. The officers are Capt. Samuel M. Taylor [then county treasurer *], First Lieut. Levi W. Smith, Seo- ond Lieuts. David H. Hofius and John Keeffe." On Saturday morning, May 22, 1847, the "Greys " left Bedford en route for Pittsburgh. Seated in wagons and carriages and escorted by a large number of their Bedford friends, the "boys" reached Stoystown, Somerset county, the same day. From that point thev journeyed


. Lawence Taliaferro served as treasurer ad interim, durty's what proved to be the absence for all time of Capt. Taylor.


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SOLDIERS DURING WAR OF 1812-15, AND MEXICAN WAR.


on foot to Pittsburgh. A river steamer con- veyed them to New Orleans in due time, and during one of the last days in June they landed at Vera Cruz, Mexico. After an arduous march from that city under the scorching rays of a July sun, meanwhile skirmishing daily with Mexican guerrillas, the command reached Puebla, and joined the main body of Gen. Scott's army but the day before the march on the city of Mexico commenced. The "Greys" were then designated as Co. L, 2d regt. Penn. Vols., Col. William B. Roberts in command, of Quit- man's division. . At Contreras and Churubusco, the 2d regiment occupied positions of much honor and no little peril, but its losses were trifling. In the storming of Chapultepec, however, and at the Gareta de Belen (Belen Gate) the 2d regi- ment was in the foremost of the fight. It won imperishable renown, and was the first regiment to enter within the walls of the Mexican capital. Afterward it was stationed at San Angel.


Of Capt. Taylor and his company a corre- spondent then wrote : "He has gained himself a name for bravery and coolness in battle which might be envied by any officer in the army. * The Bedford men acted throughout the battles in which they were engaged with great credit, especially John Murray, a son of William Murray, of Bloody Run." Dr. Samuel D. Scott, of Bedford, then serving as assistant surgeon with one of the Pennsylvania regi- ments, in a letter addressed to his wife and dated city of Mexico, October 10, 1847, said : ". The Bedford company was in the storming party at the battle of Chapultepec and gained great credit for its bravery and promptness. Capt. Taylor acted gallantly and has proved himself one of the bravest of the brave. Lieut. Keeffe was wounded slightly in the right shoulder, but is now almost well. Lieuts. Smith and Hofius are well, as also Sergts. Davis and Harman. Alex. Jones, from Schells- burg, lost a leg, but is doing well. Sergt. Far- mer was also wounded and is since dead. John Harman was shot through the knee at Churu- busco and died a few days since. * Lieut. Wm. Findlay Mann is at Puebla, where his company was left when we took up the line of march for this city." On the 16th of the same month Dr. Scott again wrote, saying :


"The Bedford company, officers and men are doing well. There is not a more gallant and intrepid company in the army, and none are more esteemed for their deeds of daring at Chapultepec. *


* None from about Bed- ford were killed in the battles except poor John Harman, who lingered nearly two months in the hospital. * * * This is a great city, but about the meanest inhabitants that you could possibly conceive of. They are lazy, cowardly, thievish, Jewish, rascally, murderous scoundrels ; these terms you may think too uncharitable, but I can assure you that as severe as they may ap- pear, they will give you but a poor idea of this degraded people."


Col. Roberts died of disease in the city of Mexico on the 3d of October, 1847, and the command of the regiment devolved upon Lieut .- Col. John W. Geary, afterward governor of Kansas, major-general in the Union army, war of 1861-5, and governor of Pennsylvania. On the 6th of December, 1847, Capt. Taylor died in the city of Mexico after a brief illness. On the following day Nathan McMullin, in a letter addressed to his father, after mentioning the death of Capt. Taylor, said, "everything looks sad and gloomy-we are almost without officers, and I do not know how things will end. Every one is downhearted for the loss of our brave commander, and well we may be, for he was as kind to us as a man could be, and as brave in action as any man in the army. Lieut. Smith is getting him embalmed and will send him home to his friends. Dr. Scott will return home with the first train that leaves. Capt. Moore's company arrived here today. Samuel Minnick, David Over and George Leader are well. Biven Davis will be lieutenant.


Lieut. Keefe reached home on Sunday, De- cember 19, 1847, and on the 8th of January following he was the chief guest at a banquet, and the recipient of a handsome sword pre- sented by his old friends and neighbors. Of the members of the Bedford company, be men- tioned that besides his own injuries, Corporal A. J. Jones had his right leg shot off, and died of his wounds. William Grubb was killed, Yarn missing, private Smith died of his wounds, Thomas Davis wounded badly in head, Joseph Lutz in shoulder ; Christ. Malone, James Stewart and Bishop wounded slightly ; Eli Friend and George Reed had died of diar- rhea.


. According to the recollections of Lieut. Keeffe the Bedford company bad but about thirty men in ranks at Chapultepec (the others having been detailed, temporarily, on some other duty), of whom nearly one-half were killed or wounded.


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HISTORY OF BEDFORD, SOMERSET AND FULTON COUNTIES.


Lieut. Hofius arrived in Bedford December 29, 1847, and Dr. Scott on Friday, January 14, 1848. During the same month Biven Davis wrote home that he had become second lieuten- ant, and Lieut. Smith captain, of Co. L. On the 29th of February, Abraham E. Schell, in writing from San Angel said : "Our company has been much reduced by disease and battles since we came to Mexico. We now number forty-five, including non-commissioned officers and privates. We report twenty-four men fit for duty." Five days later the same writer added, " We have lost fifteen of our men since we landed at Vera Cruz. To tell you who in our company of the rank and file distinguished themselves would be impossible. All who were in the charge acted most gallantly. Somerset county may be proud of the noble conduct of her sons in our company. The motto of our little band was honor or death - honor to the last. Pennsylvania was at stake and gloriously did we see her through."


The regiment, with Col. Geary in command, reached Pittsburgh, via the Gulf of Mexico, the Mississippi and Ohio rivers, on July 10, 1848. A few days later many citizens of Bedford drove out to Stoystown, there met the worn and weary survivors of Co. L, stopped the further progress of their march, and brought them home in triumph in wagons and carriages. Since that eventful day in the history of Bedford county, thirty-five years have elapsed. The sur- viving heroes of the "Greys" are now old men, and so few in number that they can be enumer- ated almost upon the fingers of one's hand.


Lieut. William Findlay Mann, already re- ferred to, with his brother, B. Franklin Mann, Esq., enlisted in the "Du Quesne Greys," at Pittsburgh, in 1846. This command ultimately became Co. K, 1st regt. Penn. Vols. After the capture of Vera Cruz, Franklin Mann became very ill. He recovered sufficiently to return home, but died soon afterward. Lieut. W. F. Mann, son of Hon. David Mann, and a grandson of Capt. Andrew Mann, of revolutionary fame, is still a respected resident of the town of Bedford.


.----


CAPTAIN SAMUEL M. TAYLOR'S COMPANY.


-


This company was enrolled at Bedford, Penn- sylvania, by Capt. Taylor, May 6, 1847; was mustered into the United States service by Lieut. Fields, at Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, May 26,


1847, and was mustered out at Pittsburgh, Penn- sylvania, July 14, 1848, by Maj. G. S. Wright, of the 4th U. S. Inf.


Following is a list of its members (deserters excepted) as shown on a muster-out roll now on file in the office of the state auditor general:


COMMISSIONED OFFICERS.


Captains : Samuel M. Taylor, enrolled at Bedford, Pennsyl- vania, May 6, 1847; mustered into service at Pittsburgh, Penn- sylvania, May 26, 1847. Died of disease in the City of Mexico, December 6, 1847. Levi W. Smith, mustered out with company.


First Lieutenants: Levi W. Smith, promoted to captain after the death of Capt. Taylor. Biven R. Davis, mustered out with company.


Second Lieutenants: David H. Hofus, resigned November 1, 1847. John Keeffe, resigned February 11, 1848. Abraham E. Schell, appointed to take effect from December 7, 1847; mustered out with company. Nicholas Harman appointed to take effect frum February 11, 1848; mustered out with company.


NON COMMISSIONED OFFICERS.


First sergeant : James A. Sipes. Second sergeant : Jacob Picking. Third sergeant: George Leader. Fourth sergeant : William Bishop. All mustered out with company.


Corporals: John Feather, Allen Sieek, Robert Taylor and James Stewart. All mustered out with company.


MUSICIANS.


Drummer: William Nulton, mustered out with company Fifer : Nathan McMullin, mustered out with company.


PRIVATIS.


Archibald Bellville, Jacob Baker, James Cowan, A. J. Carney, Charles Daniels, Thomas Davis, Jesse Eckart, David Fore, Christopher Fable, William Faddick, Russell Findley, George Gardner, William Gates, Levi Hartman, Henry Helsell, George Linn, Joseph Luts, Chris Malone, Solomon Miller, Daniel Miller, Paul Mock, Samuel Minnich, John Miller, Levi Miller, Peter Morts, William Martin, David Over, Stephen Sigel, Jacob Smith, Nicholas Bleek, Solomon Snare and Henry Stifler, all of whom were mustered out with the company.


DISCHARGED.


A. W. Mower, drummer, at Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, May 29, 1847. John McMullin, private, at Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, May 29, 1847. Thomas Campbell, private, on surg. cer. of dis., at Perote, Mexico. John M. Gilmore, sergeant, by Adjt .- Gen. Jones. De- cember 1, 1847. Joseph P. Reed, gergeant, on surg. cer. of dis., at New Orleans, Louisiana, March 19, 1848. George W. McCullob, corporal, on surg. cer. of dis., at New Orleans, Louisiana, March 6, 1848. William Windus, private, on surg. cer. of dis., at San Angel, Mexico, April 11, 1848. - McKillip, date and place not stated.


DIED.


Eli Friend, private, in hospital, San Augustine, August 30 1847. George Donahoe, private, in hospital, City of Mexico, October 6, 1847. William Grubb, private, killed at Gareta de Belen, September 18, 1847. A. J. Jones, corporal, died October 16, 1847, from wounds received at Chapultepec. George Reed, private, at San Augustine, September 5, 1847. William Smith, private, October. 10, 1847, from wounds received at Chapultepec. Casper Lambert, private, in hospital, City of Mexico, November 4, 1847. John Yarn, private, in hospital, City of Mexico, December 25, 1847. John, Waskeller, private, in hospital, City of Mexico, November 20, 1847. Frederick Gabe, private, in hospital at Vera Cruz, time not mentioned. Francis Kittle, private, in hospital at Perote, Mexico, time not mentioned. Jacob Kuhle, private, in hospital at Perote, Mexico, time not mentioned. William Kegg, private, in hospital at Puebla, Mexico, time not mentioned. John Smith, private, drowned at New Orleans, Louisiana, in June, 1847.


DESERTERS.


During its brief term of service this company lost heavily by deserters, no less than seventeen privates being thus reported on the muster-out roll now before us. Some of them are still living.


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WAR OF THE REBELLION.


We believe that the major portion of them have since led honor- able, upright lives; have, in some instances, occupied positions of trust and honor, and, in a great measure, have outlived the crime of desertion. We have no desire to arouse dormant rec. ollections in this particular, hence, for obvious reasons, we omit mention of the seventeen men referred to.


CHAPTER XIII. WAR OF THE REBELLION.


Introductory Remarks-Company G of the Thirteenth Regi- ment - Thirty-seventh Regiment - Thirty-ninth Regiment -Fifty-fourth Regiment - Fifty-fifth Regiment-Seventy dixth Regiment- Eighty-fifth Regiment.


TN the great conflict of 1861-5, known as the I


war of the rebellion, nowhere in the State of Pennsylvania was more patriotism and prompt- ness displayed in sending forward men for ser. vice in the volunteer armies of the United States than in the counties of Bedford, Somer- set and Fulton. The men who sprang to arms, while deeply imbued with love of country, liberty, and national unity' (marked features, usually, among those who dwell in mountainous districts), were, besides, noble specimens of phy- sical manbood. Direct descendants of the hardy pioneers of these counties, of the heroes of the French and Indian, the revolutionary, war of 1812-15, and Mexican war periods, they but proved themselves, 'tis true, when found bleeding upon all the great battle-fields, true scions of a brave ancestry. They performed the duties assigned them well and most thor- oughly, however, and as a means of perpetuat- ing their names and their deeds to the latest generation these chapters* are devoted to various accounts of battles, marches, etc., in which they participated.


THE FIRST COMPANY.


The command soon afterward known as Co. G, 13th regt. Penn. Vols., by promptly respond- ing to President Lincoln's first call for troops, earned the honor of being the first body


of men to move forward to the seat of war from either county. Its officers and enlisted men were as follows :


Captain : John H. Filler.


Ist lieutenant : Edward 8. Mopps. 2d lieutenant: William P. Barndollar.


Ist sergeant : John B. Helm. 2d sergeant : Alexander C. Mower. 3d sergeant: William Bowman. 4th sergeant : William H. Nulton.


Ist corporal: Henry H. C. Kay. 2d corporal: Oliver H. Ram- sey. 8d corporal : John W. Barndollar. 4th corporal : George W. Wentling.


Privates : Thomas Armstrong, John Bowers, John W. Boehm, Borchiel Bartholomew, William A. Boor, Jeremiah Brown, Alex- ander Bradley, Zachariah Borland, John F. Cook, James W. Davis, Richard Davis, Harrison Defabaugh, David 8. Elliott, Samuel Elder, William T. Filler, Theophilus R. Gates, Robert Guy, Just- ice Golipher, Frederick Hornig, Josiah Hissong, William Hafer, Alexander H. Hafer, Aaron Hill, Alexander Hildebrand, Edward Jacoby, David Kerchner, John Kreiger, Jacob Kegg, William Karder, John T. Kelly, Ezra Kay, Samuel Lowry, Augustus Lightningstar, George W. Munshower, Clement R. Miller, John H. Miller, Thomas R. Mellen, Washington Mullen, John Moore, William Medley, Hiram McQuillen, Matthias McGirr, Frederick Mohn, Richard Pilkington, James Pilkington, Jacob B. Peck, Franklin H. Poorman, William J. Penn, Eli B. Ramsey, Frederick W. Rabe, James Saupp, David 8. Steel, Francis M. Slack, William Shellar, William Statler, Samuel B. Tate, Samuel Tobias, William Washabaugh, Richard Williams, William Wilson, Hugh Wilson and Michael Wonech.


Amid great enthusiasm and after listening to stirring patriotic speeches from Hon. John Cessna, William Hartley, Esq., Maj. Tate and others, this company, known then as the "Tay- lor Guards," left Bedford on the morning of Thursday, April 25, 1861 ; reached Camp Curtin, near Harrisburg, the same day, and was immedi- ately mustered into the service of the United States for three months, as Co. G, 13th regt. The regimental officers, whose commissions bore the same date, April 25, 1861, were Thomas A. Rowley, colonel ; John N. Purviance, lieuten- ant-colonel and W. S. Mellinger, major.


On the morning of the 26th the regiment was transferred to Camp Scott, near the town of York, where it remained until June 4. On that date it moved to Chambersburg, and on the 11th to Camp Brady, south of the town, reporting to Col. Dixon S. Miles, commanding the 4th brigade (composed of detachments of the 2d and 3d U. S. Inf., 9th, 13th and 16th Penn. Vols.) 1st Div. of Patterson's corps. On the 14th the troops began moving forward, the 13th reaching Green- castle, Pennsylvania, the same night. This was the first actual march under arms and full equipments. The following day the march was continued to Camp Reily, near Williamsport, Maryland.


Sunday the 16th of June, the 13th was assigned to the advance of the column, and, pass-


.In compiling these chapters the following abbreviations have been used: M. for mustered into service; m. o., mustered out; m. o. w. co., mustered out with company; dis. or disch., discharged ; ab., absent ; fr., from; pro., promoted or promotion ; com., commissioned; wd., wounded; wds .. wounds; tr., trans- ferred; vet., veteran; surg. cert., surgeon's certificate ; P. V., Pennsylvania volunteers: V. I., volunteer infantry ; V. C., vol- unteer cavalry ; Art., artillery ; V. R. C., veteran reserve corps ; G. O., general order; 8. O., special order ; res., resigned ; nat. cem., national cemetery ; bu., buried; also, where it is not other- wise pointed out, the printing of private names with italic let- ters indicates that they were veterans, or men who after serving one or more terms had re-enlisted for another.


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HISTORY OF BEDFORD, SOMERSET AND FULTON COUNTIES.


ing through Williamsport about noon, just as the worshiping congregations were dismissed, forded the Potomac, and were the first vol- unteers from the North to reach Virginia on this line. Advancing a few miles, the division encamped in a position well selected for defense, which was designated Camp Hitchcock. Re- maining until the 18th, the cominand was ordered back to the Maryland shore, all the regular troops belonging to the corps, with the cavalry and artillery, having been ordered to Washing- ton, D. C. On the return march the 13th was again assigned the post of honor, that of rear guard to the column. Returning to the neigh- borhood of Williamsport, it encamped in a po- sition to command the principal ford. Details were furnished, chiefly from this regiment, for fatigue duty in constructing a permanent field work, or redan, for Capt. Doubleday's battery. When completed, three siege guns of heavy caliber were placed in position, and their range tested by a shot from each, which, ricochetting on the hard turnpike on the opposite side of the river, caused sundry rebel horsemen, who were intently watching the operations, to beat a hasty retreat.


When Patterson's army again advanced, on the 2d of July, the 13th and the 8th Penn. regts. were detailed to garrison Williamsport, and to protect communications with the base of supply. Cut off, thus, from the position at the front which they coveted, the men were deter- mined to show their prowess, if not in arms, with the pen. Procuring the use of the Will- iamsport Ledger office, they commenced the publication of the Pennsylvania Thirteenth, devoted to the patriotic sentiment of the camp, and to the more elevated tone of wit and humor prevalent in the ranks. The first number was issued on the 4th of July, 1861, and was con- tinued, at intervals, until after the battle of Antietam, in September, 1862, a portable print- ing-press and materials having been purchased, and moved with the regiment. The establish- ment, however, was finally lost amidst the con- fusion on that hotly contested field. Early on the morning of July 4th the regiment was ordered to escort the Rhode Island battery, be- longing to Col. Burnside's command, to Mar- tinsburg. The pieces were moved with difficulty across the ford, but were safely reported to the commander early in the evening. The regi- ment was then engaged in picket and fatigue




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