History of Bedford, Somerset, Fulton counties Pennsylvania, Part 32

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


USA > Pennsylvania > Bedford County > History of Bedford, Somerset, Fulton counties Pennsylvania > Part 32
USA > Pennsylvania > Fulton County > History of Bedford, Somerset, Fulton counties Pennsylvania > Part 32
USA > Pennsylvania > Somerset County > History of Bedford, Somerset, Fulton counties Pennsylvania > Part 32


Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).


Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107 | Part 108 | Part 109 | Part 110 | Part 111 | Part 112 | Part 113 | Part 114 | Part 115 | Part 116 | Part 117 | Part 118 | Part 119 | Part 120 | Part 121 | Part 122 | Part 123 | Part 124 | Part 125 | Part 126 | Part 127 | Part 128 | Part 129 | Part 130 | Part 131 | Part 132 | Part 133 | Part 134 | Part 135 | Part 136 | Part 137 | Part 138 | Part 139 | Part 140 | Part 141 | Part 142 | Part 143 | Part 144


At Cold Harbor on the 1st, 2d and 3d days of June, the regiment again behaved most gal- lantly - sustaining a loss of seven killed, fifty- four wounded and seven missing. Subsequently, after crossing the James river, the 3d division moved up to the Point of Rocks, and was as- signed a position in the trenches at Bermuda Hundred, but soon afterward it rejoined the corps in front of Petersburg, and near the close of June participated in the movement upon the Weldon railroad, assisting in the destruction of several miles of the road.


Early in July Ricketts' division was rapidly transferred by cars and transports via City Point and Baltimore to Monocacy, Maryland, and there awaited the advance of the enemy under Early, who, with a powerful division of Lee's army, was advancing on Washington. Ricketts'


division occupied the left of the line, the troops of Gen. Wallace, who commanded the depart- ment, occupying the right, and in the fight which took place on the 9th, the regiment lost thirty-nine men wounded, twenty-one captured and eight missing. The division retired to Baltimore and Early pushed on toward Wash- ington ; but he was met by the rest of the 6th corps and driven ingloriously into Virginia. The Union forces joined in pursuit and pushed him to beyond Berryville, in the Shenandoah valley, Ricketts' division having in the mean- time rejoined the corps.


Soon afterward a new military department was created and Gen. Sheridan assigned to its command. His army was composed of the 6th, 8th and 19th corps, with a force of cavalry detached from the Army of the Potomac. A vig- orous campaign was at once inaugurated, and in the actions which followed, near Smithfield, on August 29, at Opequan, September 19, and at Fisher's Hill, three days later, the enemy was routed and pursued to Harrisonburg. The Union army then returned and went into camp at Cedar creek, the enemy returning subse- quently with reinforcements and taking position in his favorite stronghold at Fisher's Hill. Thus far in the campaign the regiment had lost, four killed, thirty-nine wounded and three missing.


On October 19 was fought the memorable battle at Cedar creek, which began when Sheri- dan was "twenty miles away." The rebel army, under Early, stealthily approached the Union camp, at daybreak, turned the left of the line where the 8th corps lay, and taking it in reverse, swept it back, the rout soon communicating to the 19th corps, which stood next. The 6th corps had time to rally and offered some resist- ance, but was finally withdrawn to Middletown, where a new line was taken up and the corps effectively rallied. Here Gen. Sheridan came upon the field. A general advance was ordered, and in the severe conflict which followed this grand rally the men of the 138th were conspicu- ously brave and active. The loss was two killed and forty wounded. On November 2 the regiment, with other troops, was taken to Phila- delphia, where it remained in camp until the 11th, when it returned to Sheridan's army, then near Winchester. Early in December, however, the corps returned to its place in the army before Petersburg, and during the winter which


Digitized by Google


156


HISTORY OF BEDFORD, SOMERSET AND FULTON COUNTIES.


followed the regiment was stationed at Fort Dushane, an earthwork on the rear line of de- fenses near the Weldon railroad.


In the series of marches and battles which began on April 1, 1865, and closed by the sur- render at Appomattox on the 9th day of the same month, the regiment actively participated, sustaining a loss of three killed and twenty-three wounded. About two weeks after Lee's sur- render the 6th corps made a forced march of a hundred miles to Danville, Virginia, to the support of Sherman. But the latter's veterans were able to attend to the business in hand ; the cooperation of the 6th corps was not needed, and, with other troops, the regiment returned to Richmond by rail and thence marched to the vicinity of Washington, D. C., where, on June 23, it was mustered out of service.


The Bedford county men who served in this regiment were as follows :


FIELD AND STAFF.


Lewis A. May, m. Aug. 29. 1862 ; pro. fr. maj. to It-col. Feb. 12, 1865; m. o. w. regt. June 23, 1865. James W. Curry, m. as chap. March 21, 1863; disch. by special order March 8, 1864. John W. Feight, pro. to chap. fr. capt. Co. F, Feb. 21, 1865; m. o. w. regt. Law. Deifabaugh, pro. fr. musician Co. E. to prin. mus. Feb. 3, 1864 ; m. o. w. regt.


COMPANY D.


COMMISSIONED OFFICERS.


Captains: John S. Stuckey, m. Sept. 2, 1862; disch. Feb. 3, 1865, for wds. rec. at Opequan, Va., Sept. 19, 1864. Oliver Horton, m. Aug. 29, 1862; pro. fr. Ist sgt. to 2d It. Dec. 16, 1862; to 1st It. Dec. 1, 1861 ; to capt. Feb. 20, 1865; m. o. w. co.


Fire Lieutenantx: Josiah Baughman, m. Oct. 30, 1862 ; killed by a deserter at Chaneysville, Bedford Co., Pa., Nov. 12, 1862. John A. Gump, m. Sept. 12, 1862; pro. fr. 2d It. Dec. 16, 1862; died Oct. 20 of wds. rec. at Cedar Creek, Va., Oct. 19, 1864; at the time he was wd. he was act. asst. adjt. genl., staff of Gen. Kiefer, late speaker U. S. House of Representatives. Emanuel Fisher, m. Aug. 28, 1862 ; pro. fr. 1st sgt. to 1st It. Feb. 22, 1865; m. o. w. co.


NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS.


First Sergeants : William Foster, m. Sept. 2, 1862 ; disch. by G. J. June 22, 1865. Simon C. Stuckey, m. Sept. 2, 1862; killed at Mine Run, Va., Nov. 27, 1863. Jonathan Snider, m. Aug. 29, 1862; wd. at Wilderness May 6, 1864; died Oct. 22 of wds. rec. at Cedar Creek. Va., Oct. 19, 1864.


Sergeants : William Ferguson, William 8. Sleek, John B. Ham. mer, Elias B. Stuckey, m. o. w. co. Henry McClary, wd. at Wil- derness May 6, 1864; disch. on surg. cert. May 12, 1865. George Baughman, captured; died at Andersonville, Ga., Sept. 13, 1864 ; grave 8635.


Corporals: John E. O'Neal, George Gillam, Isaac Ling. and Allen Kinton, all m. Aug. 29, 1862; were m. o. w. co. Job M. Blayle, m. Aug. 29, 1862 ; disch. on surg. cert. April 27, 1863. Hezekiah Barkman, m. Aug. 29, 1862; wd. at Cold Harbor, Va., June 1, 1864; disch. on surg. cert. Jan. 12, 1865. Josiah Huffman, m. Aug. 12, 1862: wd. at Wilderness May 6, 1864; disch. by G. O. May 15, 1865. William H. Lowery, m. Aug. 29, 1862; died at Brandy Station, Va., April 15, 1864. Erastus J. Hickson, m. Aug. 29, 1862: killed at Wilderness May 6, 1864. Joseph J. Price, m. Aug. 29, 1862; killed at Wilderness, Va., May 6, 1864. David Cook, deserted Jan. 16, 1863.


MUSICIANS.


Solomon R. Thorpe, m. Aug. 29, 1862; m. o. w. co. John W. Thorpe, m. same date; died at Philadelphia, Pa., Aug. 2, 1864.


PRIVATES.


The following named privates, except Robert H. Lease, James Moore and J. B. Summerville, who enlisted in 1864, were mus- tered into service Aug. 29 and Sept. 2, 1862. Those who were present at muster out of service with company are marked with an asterisk : Noah Allison. Joseph Allison: John A. Belts," wd. at Cedar Creek, Va., Oct. 19, 1864 ; George W. Beals ; Isaac Burket and John Burket, disch. by G. O. June 29, 1866; James W. Bivens ; Nicholas H. Beals, wd. at Cold Harbor June 1, 1864, disch. by G. O. May 20, 1865; David Barkman, deserted 1863; William Corl, John 8. Deacon : Elisha Devens, deserted 1868; Harvey Evans, deserted 1862; George Hellman, wd. at Wilder- ness and at Petersburg, Va: Emanuel Harbaugh, capt'd at Wil- derness, ab. at m. o .; John A. Hochard," wd. at Mine Run and at Wilderness; Daniel Hellman, George Ickes," George W. Ickes: Nathaniel James, deserted Sept. 19, 1864 ; Thomas Kurtz; John H. Kenard," wd. at Mine Run, Va .; John B. Kinsey, Will- lam H. Ling," pris. fr. July 9, 1864, to Feb. 21, 1865; Emanuel Lowery, wd. at Cold Harbor; Robert H. Lease," wd. at Sailor's Creek, Va .; Wm. F. Lucas, wd. at Opequan, Va .; Josiah G. Leasure, wd. at Cold Harbor; John E. Lowery, John Layton; Jackson Lape and Nathaniel Leasure, deserted; Thomas Miller ;* Aaron Mock, wd. at Mine Run, pris. fr. May 6 to Dec. 16, 1864, disch. by G. O. June 20, 1865; James Moore," John Mullin; Emanuel Mock, wd. at Cold Harbor June 1, 1864, disch. Feb. 10, 1865; Thomas J. Miller; William McVicker, ab. sick, at m. 0; James Naugle," Bernard Nycum," Frederick Neff, John Nycum, Emanuel O'Neal," Hezekiah O'Neal, John Oaks; Philip Porter, deserted 1863; Joseph Risling, William W. Ramsey, James 8. Radcliff; Henry. Roland, deserted 1862; Wilson H. Stuckey," Frederick A. Sellers; Moses Shroyer, wd. at Opequan Sept. 19, 1864, ab. in hos. at m. o .; J. B. Summerville," Philip H. Steck- man." David Snyder; Charles Summerville, missing in action at Wilderness, Va., May 6, 1864; Matthew P. Taylor, wd. at Mine Run, disch. Nov , 1863; Jacob Thorpe, Jacob Witt, Philip Wentz, John Yarnell," Jesse Yarnell.


Killed: Noah Allison, at Cold Harbor, Va., June 5, 1864 ; Daniel Hellmaif and Philip Wentz at Mine Run, Va., Nov. 27, 1863.


Died: Joseph Alltson, at Brandy Station, Va., Jan. 26, 1864. John S. Deacon, at Annapolis, Md., March 30, 1864. George W. Ickes. at Relay House, Md., Nov. 14, 1862. John E. Lowery, Nov. 28, of wds. rec. at Mine Run, Va., Nov. 27, 1868. John Layton, at Winchester, Va., Oct. 6, 1864. Thomas J. Miller, capt. at Wilderness, Va., May 6, 1864; died at Andersonville, Ga., Sept. 15, 1864. John Nycum, at Washington, D. C., June 28, of wds. rec. at Cold Harbor, Va., June 1, 1864. Hezekiah O'Neal, Dec. 4, of accidental wds. rec. Nov. 21, 1863. James 8. Radcliff, at New York July 24, 1861. Jesse Yarnell, at Philadelphia, Pa., July 22, 1864; bu. at Chester, Pa.


COMPANY E.


COMMISSIONED OFFICERS.


Captain : Simon Dickerhoof, m. Aug. 30, 1862; pro. byt .- maj. April 6, 1865; com. major June 28, 1865; not mus. ; m. o. w. co. June 23, 1865.


First Lieutenants: John Getty, m. Aug. 30, 1862; dis. on surg. cert. April 18, 1864. Thomas A. Prideaux, m. Sept. 6, 1862; pro. fr. 2d It. July 1, 1864; m. o. w. co.


Second Lieutenant: Reuben W. Cook, m. Aug. 29, 1862; pro. fr. Ist agt. July 1, 1864 ; 1st It. and bvt .- capt. April6, 1865; com. capt. June 28, 1865; not mus .; m. o. w. co.


NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS.


The enlisted men of the company, except privates Cook, Joseph Carrell, Fleegle and William R. Smith, who enlisted in 1863, and privates Burge, Daniel Imler, Jackson and Jacob Ritchey, who enlisted in 1864, were mustered into service Ang. 29, 1862.


First Sergeant : Francis M. Slack, wd. at Petersburg, Va., April 2, 1865; dis. by G. O. June 13, 1865.


Sergeants : William T. Filler. Daniel Beard (who was wd. at Cedar Creek, Va., Oct. 19, 1864) and William Line, m. o. w. co. George W. Gray, wd. near Petersburg, Va., April 2, 1865; dis. by G. O. May 81, 1865. William B. Amick, killed at Wilderness, Va., May 6, 1864.


Corporals : James E. Over, Abraham Carpenter, Samuel Bark- ley, Andrew Cobler, Samuel Ridenbaugh, m. o. w. co. George


Digitized by Google


157


WAR OF THE REBELLION-CONTINUED.


W. Barkley, dis. by G. O. June 13, 1865. John Claar, dis. by G. O. June 9, 1865. Harrison H. King, wd. at Wilderness, Opequan and Sailor's Creek, dis. by G. O. June 7, 1865. William Ake, killed at the Wilderness, May 6, 1864. Francis Steckman, died June 5 of wds. rec. at Cold Harbor, Va., June 1, 1864. Martin L. Conley, missing in action at Cold Harbor, June 1, 1864.


MUSICIANS.


John A. Boughman, m. o. w. co. Law. Deifabaugh, pro. to prin. mus. Feb. 3, 1864.


PRIVATES.


John G. Ake, wd. at Wilderness ; John Benner, Nicholas Beaver," John W. Bailey," William Bailey ; David Burket," wd. at Min: Run; Joseph Burge, Jacob Breigle ; Andrew Biddle, wd. at Wilderness ; Moses G. Bagley, wd. at Cold Harbor; Levi Blackburn, Joseph Blackburn, Adam Beltze, James Crawford,* Harry Couch ;* John H. Cook," wd. at Wilderness : Conrad Clay- comb, wd. at Wilderness ; Joseph Carrell, wd. at Wilderness ; Al- len Cobler," wd, at Cold Harbor: Jacob Carl," Franklin Carl,* Jacob C. Claar," Abraham Carl, David B. Craine ; Samuel M. Clark, missing in action at Opequan ; Daniel Carrell, wd. at Mine Run, missing in action at Monocacy : Samuel Crichfield, Valentine Dull; William Delfabaugh, missing in action at Wilderness; Henry H. Feight,* John Fait;+ George W. Fleegle, wd. at Cold Harbor; Simon M. Feather, wd. in action May 19, 1864 ; George W. Feather, Abraham Feight, Isaac Gordon,* Charles Gardner, Josiah Glenn, James A. Gilchrist, F. B. Hoenstine, Daniel G. Helzel, Simon Helzel, David Hoenstine, William Helzel, Elph. Y. Imler, George R. Imler, Daniel Imler, John Jackson; Nathaniel Kegg," wd. at Wilderness; George Long ;* John D. Leonard,* wd. at Wilderness; Henry N. Leonard," William Leommon :* Joseph Lay, missing in action at Wilderness ; Lewis Mock : Biven D. Meloy," wd. at Wilderness; Malachi Mock," Tobias Miller, Isaac Nicodemus, Jacob Price ;* Daniel J. Price, wd. at Spottsylvania C. H. : Abraham Price ; William Riffle," wd. at Opequan; William J. Robinson, wd. at Wilderness; Matthias Rieghard,* Jacob Richey," John Richey, William H. Rea, James Rollins, Jacob B. Stevens," William Stineman, Nathaniel Stiffler," James Saupp ;* Henry Speck," wd. at Mine Run, and at Cedar Creek; John Stiffler : Miles N. Smith, wd. at Wilderness ; William R. Smith, wd. at Wilderness; Andrew H. Wise and Samuel Ward.


Killed : Adam Beltze, at Cold Harbor, Va., June 5, 1865; bu. in nat. cem. sec. A. David B. Craine, at Cedar Creek, Va., Oct. 19, 1864.


Died : Levi Blackburn, at Relay House, Md., Nov. 19, 1862; Joseph Blackburn, at Frederick, Md., of wds. rec. at Monocacy, Md., July 9, 1864 ; Abraham Carl, May 10, of wds. rec. at Wilder- ness, May 6, 1864; George W. Feather, at Relay Honse, Md., Oct. 25, 1862 ; Abraham Feight, at Relay House, Md., Nov. 13. 1862; Daniel G. Helzel, at Relay House, Nov. 1, 1862; Simon Helzel, at Relay House, Nov. 9, 1862; David Hoenstine, at Relay House, Md., Nov. 4, 1862: Daniel Imler, at Washington, D. C., Jan. 4, 1865; Abraham Price, at Relay House, Md., Oct. 19, 1862 ; William R. Smith, at Washington, D. C., Feb. 11, 1865, bu. at Philadelphia, Pa .; Samuel Ward, captured at Mine Run, died at Andersonville, Ga., July 30, 1864, grave 4338.


COMPANY F.t COMMISSIONED OFFICERS.


Captains : Lewis A. May, pro. to maj. Sept. 8, 1862. Martin S. Bortz, wd. at Cedar Creek, Oct. 19, 1864; pro. fr. 1st sgt. to last lt. Dec. 1, 1864; to capt. Feb. 21, 1865; m. o. w. co. John W. Feight, pro. fr. 1st. It. Jan. 24, 1863; wd. at Opequan, Sept. 19, 1864 ; pro- to chaplain, Feb. 21, 1865.


Fira Lieutenants : C. P. Mclaughlin, pro. fr. 1st sgt. Jan. 19, 1863 ; killed at Cold Harbor, Va., June 1, 1864. Christ. P. Cal- houn, pro. fr. 1st sgt. Feb. 22, 1865 ; m. o. w. co.


NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS.


First Sergeant : Levi Cook, wd. at Wilderness; com. 2d It, May 5, 1865; not mus .; m. o. w. co. as sgt.


* Mustered out with company.


t The members of this company, except privates Armstrong, Geller, Henderson and May, who enlisted in 1863; private Simon Smith, who enlisted in 1864, and private Western, who en- Listed in 1865, were mustered into service from August 29 to September 14, 1862.


Sergeants : Joseph Barkley, who was wd. at Cedar Creek; Jesse Miller, Harry Shaffer, who was wd. at Monocacy, and Jobn W. Mauk, were m. o. w. co. Frederick Mowery, disch. on surg. cert. May 2, 1864. John Geller, wd. at Cedar Creek ; disch. on surg. cert. April 6, 1865. Jacob Whip, died Dec. 3, of wds. rec. at Mine Run, Nov. 27. 1863. Jackson Miller, killed at Wilderness, May 6, 1864. Samuel May, tr. to Md. Home Brigade, March 30, 1863.


Corporals: Jeremiah Moser, wd. at Cold Harbor; absent at m. o. Daniel Wolford, Marcus May, Joseph Cobler, Henry C. Ritchey and Marion Statler, m. o. w. co. Ephraim C. Miller, wd. at Cedar Creek ; m. o. w. co. Joseph Shroyer, wd. at Opequan ; m. o. w. co. John W. May, wd. at Wilderness ; disch. on surg. cert. Oct. 25, 1864. Fred. G. Ritchey, wd. at Opequan ; disch. on surg. cert. May 12, 1865. John B. Steckman, died at Relay House, Md., Dec. 23, 1862. Martin T. Foor, capt .; died at Danville, Va., March 20, 1865. Shannon E. M'Coy, missing in action at Cold Harbor, Va., June 1, 1864.


PRIVATES.


Albert Armstrong,* wd. at Wilderness: Franklin Baner, wd at Wilderness, in hos. at m. o .; Daniel M. Ball, wd. at Monocacy Linton W. Bingham, John A. Boor, John Deal; William Earnest,' wd. at Monocacy ; Lewis Elder ; William Feight, wd. at Ceda) Creek, in hos. ut m. o ; George Geller,* wd. at Monocacy ; George W. Holler, wd. at Wilderness ; John Holler : * then follow Samuel Hunt, John T. Hunt, James Heckman, Francis H. Hay. man, Calvin Harden, Robert F. Henderson, David Kingsley Peter Reighard, Noah Tipton and James R. Vickroy, all men. tioned as deserters ; James Kellerman," wd. at Monocacy ; William Kelly, wd. at Cedar Creek ; Henry Kelly, missing in action at Cold Harbor ; Oliver Lowry," wd. at Opequan ; Abra- ham Miller, wd. at Cedar Creek ; Hiram May. wd. at Cold Har- bor, ab. in hos. at m. o. ; Henry Miller ; Chauncey Owens, ab., wd. at m. o .: Samuel Robb ; * David Rush, wd. at Cold Harbor ( George W. Robb, George Smith ; . Jacob Smith,* wd. at Mine Run and at Wilderness ; John W. Smith ; * Tobias Shaffer, wd. . at Fisher's Hill, ab., in hos. at m. o; Thomas Shaffer, Simon Smith, Adam Smith, Conrad G. Steuby, David Smith, George W. Troutman ; John Valentine," wd. at Opequan ; Frederick Wolford,* William Waggerman, John Western.


Killed : George W. Robb, at Mine Run, Va., Nov. 27, 1863.


Died : John A. Boor, Aug. 17, 1863. Henry Miller, at Washing- ton, D. C., May 20, of wds. rec. at Wilderness May 6, 1864. David Smith, at Baltimore, Md., of accidental wds. rec. Sept. 20, 1862. George W. Troutman, at Relay House, Md., Nov. 29, 1862. Will- iam Waggerman, at Alexandria, Va., Dec. 8, 1863; grave 1142.


ONE HUNDRED AND FORTY-SECOND REGIMENT.


Of the ten companies comprising this regi- ment, C, D and F were composed of men from Somerset county. They were recruited in the summer of 1862, and rendezvoused at Camp Cur- tin, where, during the last week in August, they were mustered into service for a term of three years.


On September 2, under the command of Col. Robert P. Cummins, of Somerset county, the regiment was ordered to Washington, and upon its arrival was employed in the construction of Fort Stevens, digging rifle-pits, and clearing away the forest in front. About the middle of the month it moved to Frederick, Maryland, where it was employed in guarding the town, erecting hospital tents, and in caring for the wounded from the bloody fields of South Moun- tain and Antietam. Early in October, however,


* Mustered out with company.


Digitized by Google


158


HISTORY OF BEDFORD, SOMERSET AND FULTON COUNTIES.


the regiment was ordered to report to Gen. Meade, in command of the Pennsylvania re- serves, which then formed the 3d division of the 1st corps, and was by him assigned to the 2d brigade, composed of the 3d, 4th, 7th and 8th regiments.


In the movement which resulted in the disas- trous battle at Fredericksburg, the reserves formed part of Franklin's grand division. The Rappahannock was crossed on December 12, and early on the following morning the line of battle was formed. A few moments later Col. Cummins appeared upon the field. He had been sick in hospital at Washington, but, learning that a battle was imminent, though not yet re- covered, proceeded to the front and arrived in time to lead his regiment in this its first battle. The regiment and division fought desperately, but without avail, and after a charge in which the 142d lost two hundred and fifty men killed and wounded of the five hundred and fifty who stood in ranks in the morning, the troops of Meade's division retired to the position which had been occupied on the previous day, where they remained until the army recrossed the river on the night of the 15th. Two days later win- ter quarters were established at Belle Plain landing.


When Gen. Hooker assumed command of the army in February, 1863, a complete reorganiza- tion was made .. By these changes the 142d became associated with the 135th, 151st and the 121st Penn. regiments, which constituted the 1st brigade of the 3d division. During the Chancellorsville campaign this command performed some heavy marching in a diversion made in favor of Hooker, but did not reach the field of battle until after disaster had befallen the Union arms. Three days later, it, with the rest of the army, recrossed the river and returned to the old camping-ground.


Before the beginning of the march which ended at Gettysburg, Gen. Doubleday succeeded to the command of the 1st corps, Gen. Rowley to that of the 3d division, and Col. Biddle of the 1st brigade. Upon the arrival of the brigade at Gettysburg, on July 1, it was formed to the left of the wood where Gen. Reynolds fell, and soon became the target of the enemy's batteries in front and right flank. Its position was fre- quently shifted to avoid the fire, but it stub- bornly held its ground. Finally, in the terrible conflict which followed the advance movements


of the enemy in overwhelming force, the 1st brigade, with ranks thinned and broken, was forced to yield its position. Col. Biddle, seizing a stand of colors, gallantly rode forward, and the line instinctively about-wheeled and fol- lowed him. The horse of Col. Biddle was shot. Col. Cummins fell mortally wounded (his horse had been killed a few minutes previously), and near him fell the acting-adjutant of the regi- ment, Lieut. Tucker. The regiment fell back slowly toward the seminary, joining a mass of men from various brigades and divisions who, though in some confusion, were holding and continued to hold the position until the bat- teries were withdrawn, and until the enemy, moving along the road south of the seminary, had completely flanked the position. As the troops retired through the town they were sub- jected to a severe fire from a flanking column, which was sheltered by fences and buildings. On the 2d the regiment was held in reserve just back of the cemetery, on the Tarrytown road, and on the 3d it was posted midway between the cemetery and Round Top, but, although ex- posed to a heavy fire from the enemy's artillery, its losses were slight after the first day's fight- ing. The loss to the regiment in the entire battle was fifteen killed, one hundred and twenty- six wounded, and eight-four missing and pris- oners.


Subsequently, the regiment, with the army, participated in various manœuvres, marches and counter-marches, and finally passed the winter in the vicinity of Culpepper, Virginia. While stationed there it was assigned to Stone's brigade, and soon after, upon the breaking up of the 1st corps, it became part of the 5th corps. With this corps during the year 1864, it was engaged in the battles in the Wilderness, at Spottsylvania C. H., North Anna, Bethesda Church, Tolopo- tomy creek, the passage of the swamps of the Chickahominy and James rivers, siege of Peters- burg, the construction of Fort Hell, two raids upon the Weldon railroad, and the action at Peeble's Farm.


With the exception of a sharp fight on February 6, 1865, at Dabney's Mills, in which the regiment suffered considerable loss, it remained in quar- ters near Petersburg from December until the opening of the spring campaign. This began on March 30, and closed ten days later by the surrender of the rebel army under Lee at Appo- mattox. After the surrender, the brigade of


Digitized by Google


159


WAR OF THE REBELLION-CONTINUED.


which the regiment formed part was placed in charge of rebel property, which it escorted to Burkesville station. From thence, after a two weeks' rest, it marched via Petersburg and Rich- mond to the vicinity of Washington, where, after participating in the grand review, the regiment was mustered out of service on May 29.


Its members from Somerset county were as follows :


FIELD AND STAFF.


Robert P. Cummins, col., m. Sept. 1, 1862; died July 2, of wds. rec. at Gettysburg, Pa., July 1, 1863.


Joseph E. Mason, hos. st., pro. fr. pri. Co. F, May 1, 1868 ; m. o. w. regt. May 29, 1865.


COMPANY C.


COMMISSIONED OFFICERS.


Captains : John H. Boyts, m. Aug. 27, 1862; disch. on surg. cert. Feb. 22, 1863. Henry G. Elder, m. Aug. 27, 1862; pro. fr. 1st lt. Feb. 22, 1868; bvt .- maj. Mar. 8, 1865 ; bvt. It .- col. April 2, 1865; wd. at Five Forks, Va., April 1, 1865 ; com. maj. May 16, 1865 ; not mus .; m. o. w. co. as capt. May 29, 1865.


First Lieutenant : Jacob R. Walter, m. Aug. 27, 1862; pro. fr. 2d It. Feb. 22, 1863, com. capt .; not mus .; wd. at Gettysburg, Pa., July 1, 1868 ; m. o. w. co.


Second Lieutenant: Nathaniel O. Hinchman, m. Aug. 26, 1862; pro. fr. agt. June 2, 1863 ; disch. Mar. 28, 1864.


NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS.


First Sergeant: Charles F. Hunter, m. Aug. 25, 1802; pro. to 1st agt. Mar. 1, 1864, com. lat lt .; not mus .; m. o. w. co.


Sergeants : Franklin Boyts, wd. at Wilderness, Va., May 5, 1864; ab., in hos., at m. o. Daniel Young, com. 2d lt .; not mus .; disch. by G. O. May 25, 1865. Jacob Phillipi, m. o. w. co. Benja- min F. Harcomb, disch. Feb. 26, 1863. Augustus Davis, disch. for wda. rec. at Gettysburg, Pa., July 1, 1863. Samuel H. Brougher, died at Philadelphia, Pa., April 4, 1865.




Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.