USA > Pennsylvania > Berks County > History of Berks county in Pennsylvania > Part 62
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D. B. Bechtel, Co. H, 21st Pa. Cav.
Corp. Aaron Hull, Co. K, 151st Pa. Regt. Emanuel W. Harker, Co. K, 128th Regt.
Topton. Lewis Long, Co. K, 47th Regt.
Tulpehocken, Upper-Strausstown.
Sergt. Percival G. Reber, Co. H, 151st Pa. Inf. Washington-Catholic Church.
Sergt. A. P. Matter, Co. C, 116th Pa. Inf. Womelsdorf.
James Reifsnyder, Co. B, 55th Pa. Inf. Wm. Williams, Co. B, 55th Pa. Inf. John A. Fidler, musician, 90th Pa. Inf. John Krumbine, -
James Jennings, -
John L. Limmy, Co. B, 93d Pa. Regt.
SOCIETY OF EX-PRISONERS OF WAR. -- Certain enlisted men from Berks County, who were prisoners in Confederate military prisons during the Civil War, formed an association
for mutual protection and social intercourse, at Reading, and became an incorporated body on July 10, 1884. They have had an active or- ganization since. The following roll of mem- bers includes most of the men in service from Berks County who were prisoners of war. The members, including the officers of the society, are-
Robert Gerlach, president; U. R. Burkert, secre- tary ; C. A. Ziegler, treasurer ; H. R. Anthony (past president), J. S. Hendricks, Samuel G. Boone, J. V. Kendall, Thomas Watt, R. B. Jones, J. P. Becker, William H. Sands, H. A. Bingaman, H. R. Anthony, George Diefenderfer, B. F. Markley, Frank Breneiser, Ira U. Travis, Joseph R. Waid, William F. Dough- erty, F. L. De Gour, Daniel Moore, Phaon Kern, H. A. Mendenhall, John O'Neil, John Kraft, Adam Grim, William E. Ackey, Oliver C. Hatch, John Wilfort, Andrew Wilfort, John. Obold, Henry F. Yeager, D. A. Geiger, William H. Shick, Albert Thal- heimer, George H. Garrett.
GRAND ARMY POSTS.
THE MCLEAN POST, NO. 16, GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC, was organized at Reading, and chartered December 12, 1866, having been named after Lieutenant-Colonel Joseph A. McLean, of the Eighty-eighth Regiment of Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry. It has been maintained since, with a gradually increasing membership. In 1885 the roll included three hundred and fort -two members. Forty mem- bers have died since its organization.
Past Post Commanders .- Lorenzo D. Wilson, Mich- ael Walters, George W. Grant, Henry Beckhardt (two terms), John Teed, Henry D. Markley, George W. Durell, Henry C. Housum, B. Frank McCoy, J. Fred- erick Goodhart, Joel H. Schmehl, Horace D. Boone, J. Hiester Mcknight, Daniel J. McLean, William M. Wells, Robert Gerlach (two years), Lewis Crater, Mahlon Shaaber, Jonathan S. Ebling, Edward C. Eben, Andrew Mittower.
Officers for 1886 .- Commander, William T. Gorrell; Senior Vice-Commander, Henry J. Richards ; Junior Vice-Commander, Owen Hamilton ; Adjutant, Wil- liam H. German; Quartermaster, H. M. M. Richards ; Surgeon, Dr. Charles T. Reber; Chaplain, Edward C. Eben ; Officer of the Day, William Still ; Officer of the Guard, Augustus Lessig ; Quartermaster-Sergeant, Henry Beckhardt; Ordnance-Sergeant, Calvin B. Reedy ; Sergeant-Major, Mahlon Shaaber ; Trustees, Jonathan S. Ebling, John Scheifley, Oliver L. Edes ; Auditing Committee, J. Hiester McKnight, Henry Beckhardt, Mahlon Shaaber ; Delegates to Depart- ment Encampment, William H. German, Thomas
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MILITIA.
Hammer, John Schuyler, Thomas Watt, Jervice W. Edes, William H. Riland ; Alternates, Frank M. Coleman, H. M. M. Richards, Jonas Montgomery, Isaac W. Lewis, John H. Rice, Hiram Dickinson ; Librarian, F. Marion Jones.
GENERAL WILLIAM H. KEIM POST, NO. 76, G. A. R., was chartered February 22, 1878, with twenty-nine members. It was named after General Keim of Reading. In January, 1886, its membership was one hundred. Died since organization, five.
Officers for 1886 .- Commander, Dr. S. C. Ermen- trout ; Senior Vice-Commander, Abram Briel ; Junior Vice-Commander, Isaac W. Bowers ; Quartermaster, H. J. Fink; Surgeon, Dr. H. M. Nagle; Chaplain, William Strawbridge; Officer of the Day, H. D. Boone; Officer of the Guard, R. H. Savage ; Adjutant, George W. Heilig; Trustees, R. H. Savage, P. M. Zeigler and Abram Briel.
GENERAL GEORGE G. MEADE CAMP, NO. 16, SONS OF VETERANS, was instituted October 30, 1881, and chartered November 11, 1881, with twenty-seven charter members. It is a branch of the Sons of Veterans, an organiza- tion which has its headquarters at Philadelphia. It is under the command of Colonel H. H. Hammer. The object of this association is to keep active the memory of the sacrifices of their fathers in the battles of the Civil War.
The roll of the camp numbers two hundred and seventy-seven members. This is a large increase since its organization. The present of- ficers of the camp are,-
Captain, C. E. Deifenderfer ; First Lieutenant, L. S. Ramsey; Second Lieutenant, Samuel Bechtel; Chaplain, G. W. Augee; Orderly-Sergeant, E. G. Cake; Quartermaster, Robert McLean ; Sergeant of Guard, J. McK. Durell; Color-Sergeant, N. Rothen- berger ; Corporal, E. L. Riffert ; Picket-Sentinel, J. G. Watt ; and Camp-Guard, U. Waid; Camp Coun- cil, James McK. Durell, W. J. Scheifly and J. Bachs.
READING LOYAL LADIES' LEAGUE, No. 6. -This organization is an auxiliary of the " Grand Army of the Republic." It is founded on and governed by the same principles of " fra- ternity, charity and loyalty," and has gained the kindly sympathy and affection of every soldier through the country. Only mothers, wives, daughters and sisters of honorably dis- charged soldiers or sailors of the Civil War are admitted into membership.
This league was instituted April 17, 1884, by Mrs. Laura McNeir, department president and Mrs. Annie E. Grubb, department secretary of William B. Hatch League, No. 2, of Camden, N. J. There were twenty-one charter mem- bers. It has now fifty active members.
Officers .- President, Anna M. Waid ; Senior Vice- President, Lizzie Hammer; Junior Vice-President, Rebecca Reber; Secretary, Mary A. Shaaber ; Treas- urer, Ellen Golding; Chaplain, Lucretia Root ; Con- ductor, Clara Hecker ; Guard, Mary Lott.
MCLEAN WOMEN'S RELIEF CORPS, No. 10, was chartered October 1, 1884, with one hun- dred and thirty-one members, as an auxiliary to McLean Post, No. 16, G. A. R. The ob- ject of the organization is to establish a perma- nent association for aiding and assisting Post No. 16.
Charter Officers :- President, Emma Moore ; Senior Vice-President, Sarah Millet ; Junior Vice-President, Susan Dougherty ; Secretary, Emma G. Wineland ; Treasurer, Emma Richards ; Conductor, Lizzie Les- sig ; Chaplain, Adaline Fry ; Guard, Malinda Sands.
Since being chartered this relief corps has held several fairs, bazars and camp-fires for the benefit of McLean Post, rendering thereby valuable pecuniary assistance to the post. Since its organization it has turned over to McLean Post over four hundred dollars to be added to the Post Memorial Fund.
Membership in January, 1886, was one hun- dred and sixty.
CHAPTER XIII.
MILITIA.
Legislative Provision-County Battalions of 1783-County Militia proffer Services to President Adams in 1798- County Military Division-Encampment at Reading in 1842-Battalion Day of 1843-County Militia Companies in 1856-State National Guard-Reading Artillerists --- Military Cadets.
THE Revolution closed successfully, but the military spirit of the people continued to pre- vail. It was encouraged by the State govern- ment. Legislation required it to be exercised for the purpose of maintaining familiarity with its affairs. This was not only sensible, but also
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HISTORY OF BERKS COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.
prudent. Companies, regiments and brigades were organized and drilled at certain fixed times and places within the county. The meeting was commonly called " Battalion Day." It preserved a strong general interest in public affairs, especially in public defense. This in- terest enabled the several organizations to respond promptly to calls for their services. Their promptness was a distinguishing char- acteristic. And it has ever been so. Fortunately for them and especially for the country, their services were not needed frequently. Not to mention the " Whiskey Insurrection " and " Northampton Affair " as of any military consequence, there were bnt two occasions for a period covering over sixty years in which their services were required, one having been the English War of 1812-15, and the other the " Mexican War " of 1846-48, each, by a strange coincidence, successively apart about thirty years. These military exercises were continued till the beginning of the Rebellion, when they were pnt to practical account ; but this outbreak of the southern section of the country against the northern was of such a serious, long-con- tinued and costly nature, in respect to loss of property and life, that the spirit for a return to military exercise had come to be entirely ex- hausted. But, as an institution during the history of the county previous to 1860, it is worthy of special mention. It was a conspicu- ous feature from 1783 till that time-a period covering nearly eighty years. It certainly relieved the monotony of political, commercial and social life, and afforded the citizens much merriment, if not much practical benefit.
LEGISLATIVE PROVISION .- The Convention of 1776, in framing the first Constitution of the State, made provision for the establishment of a military system. The Constitution provided as follows : "The freemen of this common- wealth and their sons shall be trained and armed for its defense under such regulations, re- strictions and exceptions as the General Assembly shall by law direct, preserving always to the people the right of choosing their colonels and all commissioned officers uuder that rank." The Revolution was then raging ; and a State sys- tem was not necessary, owing to the general sys-
tem provided by the government of the United States. Without any training in the " military art," the freemen were at once thrown into actual practice, in which they met an enemy face to face. Their encounters were not "sham hat- tles," and they afforded no " fun and frolic." In this practice many paid the price of life for liberty. After the close of the Revolution, the State adopted a system in order to keep the free- men trained, the Constitution of 1790 having made the following provision : "The free- men of this commonwealth shall be armed and disciplined for its defense. Those who con- scientiously scruple to bear arms shall not be compelled to do so, but shall pay an equivalent for personal service."
This system was modified by repeated legis- lation, and its provisions were carried out year after year till the Rebellion, which, owing to its serious character, suspended their operation during its continuance. By it, the State was divided into sixteen military divisions. Each division comprised two brigades, and each bri- gade as many regiments as could be arranged within the bounds of the division.
COUNTY BATTALIONS. - Immediately after the conclusion of the Revolution, the system of militia throughout the State was thoroughly or- ganized. It was active and successful in Berks County. It embraced six battalions, the officers and location of which were as set forth in the following statement. The regimental officers were appointed on April 19, 1783, excepting Jacob Bower, major of First Battalion, who was appointed on Jannary 3, 1784, and also the offi- cers of the Fourth Battalion, who were uncom- missioned in September, 1784 :
FIRST BATTALION.
Nicholas Lutz, lieutenant-colonel.
Jacob Bower, major.
Heidelberg, Company 1 .- Adam Hain, captain ; Pe- ter Kole, lieutenant; John Hain, ensign. Number of men, 115.
Reading, Company 2 .- Peter Nagel, captain ; Chris- tian Madery, lieutenant ; Ernst Gross, ensign. Num- ber of men, -
Cumru, Company 3 .- John Weidner, captain ; Chris- tian Bechtel, lieutenant; David Punzins, ensign. Number of men, 106.
Reading, Company 4 .- Conrad Geist, captain; Henry
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Brown, lieutenant; Jacob Leitheuser, ensign. Num- ber of men, 101.
Heidelberg, Company 5 .- Sebastian Miller, captain ; Adam Ruth, lieutenant; John Gernand, ensign. Num- ber of men, 81.
Alsace, Company 6 .- Henry Wax, captain ; John Keen, lieutenant ; Ludwig Bausler, ensign. Number of men, 129.
Cumru and Breeknock, Company 7 .- Peter Gower, captain ; Adam Spoon, lieutenant ; Daniel Panne- becker, ensign. Number of men, 102.
Reading, Company 8 .- John Strohecker, captain ; John Kendall, lieutenant; Hartman Leitheuser, en- sign. Number of men, 103.
SECOND BATTALION.
Baltzer Gehr, lieutenant-colonel. Martin Kaercher, major.
Brunswig, Company 1 .- Conrad Minnich, captain ; Nicholas Haller, lieutenant ; Martin Dreibelbis, en- sign. Number of men, - -.
Bern, Company 2 .- Jacob Shartle, captain ; George Albrecht, lieutenant; Christian Albrecht, ensign. Number of men, - -.
Windsor, Company 3 .- Godfrey Seidle, captain ; Si- mon Kreusher, lieutenant; Anthony Billich,.ensign. Number of men,
Bern, Company 4 .- Francis Umbehacker, captain ; Jacob Runkel, lientenant; Jacob Heck, ensign. Num- ber of men, -.
Windsor, Company 5 .- Jacob Shappell, captain ; George Reber, lieutenant; Andrew Smith, ensign. Number of men, ---.
Brunswig, Company 6 .- Jacob Wetstone, captain ; Michael Moser, lieutenant ; George Orwig, ensign. Number of men, -
Albany, Company 7. - Michael Brobst, captain ; George Poh, lieutenant ; Philip Glick, ensign. Num- ber of men, -.
Bern, Company 8 .- Jacob Eppler, Jr., captain; Val- entine Moser, lieutenant ; Nicholas Lieb, ensign. Number of men, -
THIRD BATTALION.
Samuel Ely, lieutenant-colonel. Stephen Baldy, major.
Longswamp, Company 1 .- Charles Krause, captain ; Jacob Miller, lieutenant; John Fenstermacher, en- sign. Number of men, -.
Longswamp, Company 2 .- Valentine Haupt, cap- tain ; Peter Klein, lieutenant; Henry Christ, ensign. Number of men, -
Mazatawny, Company 3. - Michael Hinterleiter, captain ; Jacob Siegfried, Jr., lieutenant; --- , en- sign. Number of men, -.
Richmond, Company 4 .- Christian Merkle, captain ; Philip Klein, lieutenant; Conrad Stenger, ensign. Number of men,-
Maxatawny, Company 5 .- Jacob Sweyer, captain ;
Henry Sweyer, lieutenant; Jacob Christ, ensign. Number of men, -.
Greenwich, Company 6 .- Peter Smith, captain ; Jost Soder, lieutenant; Henry Fisher, ensign. Number of men,
Richmond, Company 7 .- Jacob Baldy, captain; John King, lieutenant; Leonard Snyder, ensign. Number of men, -
Muiden Creek, Company 8 .-- George Weidenham- mer, captain ; - , lieutenant ; - , ensign. Num- ber of men, -.
FOURTH BATTALION.
George Ax, lieutenant-colonel. Benjamin Talbert, major.
Caernarvon, Company 1 .- John Robeson, captain ; Aaron Rettew, Jr., lieutenant; John Harper, ensign. Number of men, -
Robeson, Company 2 .- Matthias Kaler, captain ; Joshua Stephenson, lieutenant ; Peter Moyer, ensign. Number of men, --.
Robeson, Company 3 .- Adam Beard, captain ; Elias Redge, lieutenant ; Christopher Kinsman, ensign. Number of men, -----.
Exeter, Company 4 .- John Ludwig, captain ; Abra- ham Griffith, lieutenant; Conrad Teeder, ensign. Number of men, ---.
Douglass, Company 5 .- Samuel Sands, captain ; Sam- uel Avenshine, lieutenant; Henry Manger, ensign. Number of men, -
Amity, Company 6 .- David Weidner, captain; Adam Betz, lieutenant; Matthias Keyler, ensign. Number of men, --.
Exeter, Company 7 .- John Snyder, captain ; John Hider, lieutenant; Daniel Schneider, ensign. Num- ber of men, -
Union, Company 8 (late Colonel Ax's company) .- -- , captain ; - , lieutenant; - , ensign. Num- ber of men, -.
FIFTH BATTALION.
Henry Spyker, lieutenant-colonel. Christian Lower, Jr., major.
Bethel, Company 1 .- Michael Wolf, captain ; Fred. Seybert, lieutenant ; Christian Walborn, Jr., ensign. Number of men,
Tulpehocken, Company 2 .- John Anspach, captain ; Nicholas Seybert, lieutenant; John Lesher, Jr., en- sign. Number of men, 107.
Heidelberg, Company 3 .- Philip Filbert, captain ; George Knopp, lieutenant; John Klingler, ensign. Number of men, 70.
Heidelberg, Company 4 .- Daniel Graeff, captain ; Joseph Deppen, lieutenant; Jonas Eckert, ensign. Number of men, -.
Tulpehocken, Company 5 .- John Riegel, captain ; Christopher -, lieutenant ; John Walter, ensign. Number of men, 127.
Pine Grove, Company 6 .- Philip Hedrich, captain ;
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HISTORY OF BERKS COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.
Peter Bressler, lieutenant; Jacob Stein, ensign. Num- ber of men, -
Tulpehocken, Company 7 .- Henry Spang, captain ; Jacob Smith, lieutenant ; Jacob Shaffer, ensign. Number of men, -
Bethel, Company 8 .- John Folmer, captain ; Daniel Kramer, lieutenant; Andrew Daniel, ensign. Nnm- ber of men, 93.
SIXTH BATTALION.
John Cunnins, lieutenant-colonel.
Nicholas Hunter, major.
Oley, Company 1 .- Daniel Leinbach, captain; John Kerlin, lieutenant; John Hunter, ensign. Number of men, 70.
Ruscomb-manor, Company 2 .- Jacob Rodarmel, cap- tain ; Jacob Price, lieutenant; Frederick Bingeman, ensign. Number of men, 44.
Rockland, Company 3 .- George Bieber, captain; Adam Zwoyer, lieutenant; Jacob Seybert, ensign. Number of men, 103.
Colebrookdale, Company 4 .- Adam Rhoads, captain; George Gilbert, lieutenant; George Fronheiser, ensign. Number of men, 92.
Earl, Company 5 .- David Schall, captain; Jacob Keen, lieutenant ; Balser Behm, ensign. Number of men, 51.
Oley, Company 6 .- Jacob Hill, captain ; John Lesher, lientenant; Abraham Lesher, ensign. Nuin- ber of men, 70.
Hereford, Company 7 .- John Miller, captain ; John Goodman, lieutenant; Henry Gibson, ensign. Num- ber of men, 109.
East District, Company 8 .- Peter Kieffer, captain ; Christopher Frey, lientenant ; Matthias Reichert, en- sign. Number of men, 104.
Total number of men in Sixth Battalion, 643.
COUNTY MILITIA PROFFER SERVICES TO PRESIDENT ADAMS,-The militia of the county were always ready to offer its services to the national government for the purposes of main- taining its dignity and enforcing its authority. In 1798 a misunderstanding arose between our government and the French government. The representatives of the latter, whilst at Philadel- phia, were arrogant and insulting in their de- portment, and a blow was given to our com- merce on the sea by seizing and detaining many of our vessels (said to have been nearly a thou- sand) for examination to ascertain whether or not we, as a neutral government, were carrying any English commodities. Such vessels were regarded as good prize, and all French ports were ordered to be closed against all neutral vessels which had touched ports under the Eng-
lish flag. President Adams appointed three envoys to visit France and adjust the difficulties ; but, instead of being properly received, they were unofficially met by three agents, who as- sured them that they would not be received until they had offered suitable bribes to the of- ficers of the government. They rejected the humiliating proposal, and were ordered to leave the country. Upon their return they presented their report, which was published in this coun- try and republished in England and France. This treatment of our envoys aroused the coun- try to indignation, and Congress ordered an en- largement of the standing army by twelve regi- ments. Some conflicts arose on the sea, but Napoleon, upon taking control of the French government, soon established a cordial under- standing between the two countries, American vessels were no longer molested, and two years afterwards Louisiana was ceded to the United States. During this excitement the officers of the Berks County Brigade met at the court- house in Reading on June 30, 1798, and ad- dressed a patriotic letter to President Adams, offering their services to assist in resenting the insult of the French to our government. The President gave them the following reply :
"To the General of the Division composed of the Berks and Dauphin County Brigades of Pennsyl- vania Militia, and the officers of the Berks County Brigade.
"Gentlemen :
"This vigorous address from a long list of respecta- ble Officers is the natural Consequence of your ab- horrence of French Principles and indignation at the infamons Conduct of the French Republick towards this Country.
"I thank you for your assurance that you will be incessant in your endeavors to put the Berks County Brigade of the Militia of Pennsylvania in such a Sit- nation as will enable it to turn out with Promptitnde and Effect, and for your engagement that yon will march with alacrity against either Foreign or Domes- tick enemies whenever called upon, and defend your Constitution and Independence or perish in the At- tempt; The Solemnity with which you promise this will admit no doubt of your Sincerity-your Enemies will do well to consider it.
"I return with Gratitude yonr Sincere wishes for my temporal and eternal Welfare. "JOHN ADAMS.
"Philadelphia, July 13th, 17.98."
COUNTY MILITARY DIVISION -- In 1807 Berks
.
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MILITIA.
and Dauphin Counties comprised the Sixth Div- ision. In 1814 two new counties, Schuylkill and Lebanon, were added to this division, Dau- phin and Lebanon forming the First Brigade, and Berks and Schuylkill the Second ; and in 1849, Dauphin, Lebanon and Berks comprised the Fifth Division. The last act before the Rebellion was passed in 1858, by which Berks was still a part of the same division.
Every free, able-bodied, white male citizen who was a resident in the State for six months previous to the time of his enrollment, of the age of eighteen years and under the age of forty-five years, was required to be enrolled in the militia -- certain official and other persons excepted.
The militiamen were paraded and trained in May of every year, first in companies, on the first Monday, and then in battal- ions, on the second Monday. These services and parades were very useful. But beyond their utility, they provided great amusement for the people. Many persons set apart this day as a "holiday," if they did not set apart any oth- er in the entire year. This day was held at the several boroughs, even at certain prominent towns in the county, but especially at Reading.
ENCAMPMENT AT READING .- A large and successful encampment of militia was held at Reading during May, 1842. It was arranged along the base of Penn's Mount, and continued from May 18th for one week.
The following officers and troops attended :
Officers .- Commander-in-Chief, Major-General John Davis, Bucks County; Aid, Colonel David Marple; Commander Berks County Brigade, Brigadier-General Wm. High, Berks County ; Brigade-Major, Colonel J. K. Murphy, Philadelphia; Brigade-Adjutant, Colo- nel C. F. Jackson, Reading ; Brigade-Quartermaster, Lieutenant Joel Ritter, Reading; Assistants, Colonel W. M. Hnddy, Phila. ; Lieutenant W. F. Small Phila .; Brigade-Surgeon, Dr. John G. Marshall, Read- ing; Assistant, Dr. Eichholtz ; Commander Reading Battalion, Major W. H. Keim; Commander Ham- burg Battalion, Major J. A. Beitenman ; visitor, Gen- eral Gratz, of Lancaster.
Troops .- Reading Troop, Captain J. W. Burkhart, 30 men ; National Troop, Oley, Captain Henry Shaf- fer, 45 men; Schuylkill County Cavalry, Pottsville, Captain George C. Wyncoop, 28 men; Hamburg Troop, Captain Wm. Miller, 30 men ; Reading Artiller- ists, Captain Thomas Leoser, 52 men ; Hamburg Ar- tillerists, Captain Reeser, 52 men ; Washington Le-
gion, Womelsdorf, Capt. Brownewell, 46 men ; Wash- ington Grays, Reading, Lient. David McKnight, 40 men ; National Light Infantry, Pottsville, Captain Dean, 44 men ; National Grays, Orwigsburg, Captain John Bickel, 40 men ; Harrison Guards, Allentown, Captain Jacob D. Boas, 34 men ; National Grays, Reading, Captain A. C. Hoff, 35 men ; Berks County Rifle Rangers, Captain Heinly, 54 men; Bernville Rifle Grays, Captain Renno, 65 men.
Instructor .- Captain Alden Partridge.
On Thursday night, May 19th, a heavy shower of rain fell upon the encampment, ac- companied by storm. Several tents were blown down.
The daily duty at the encampment was simi- lar to army regulation during actual war. It was as follows: .
Morning gun at daybreak. Grand parade, 10 A.M.
Reveille. Dinner, 12 M.
Roll-call. Regular parade, 4 P.M.
Morning parade.
Evening gun, 6 P. M.
Breakfast. Tattoo and countersign, 10
Detail of guards. P.M.
Inspection. Light extinguished 11 P.M. And from 11 P M. to daylight " the sentry walked his lonely round."
A review of the troops was held on Satur- day, May 21st. The day was fine, and thou- sands of persons were in attendance.
General Winfield Scott, accompanied by his aids, arrived at Reading on the day of the re- view. He was met at the " depot " (Seventh and Chestnut Streets) by a detachment of mili- tary and escorted to Herr's Hotel (United States, north side of Penn, between Fourth and Fifth), followed by many citizens. He spent Sunday at Reading. On Monday, 23d, he re- viewed the troops at the encampment. During this day the medals were shot for. The " In- fantry Medal " was won by William Yerger, of the " Reading Washington Grays;" the "Rifle Medal, " by a member of the " Harrison Guards," from Allentown ; and the "Cavalry Medal, " by William Glassmyer, of the "Pottsville Troop." General Scott expressed himself as highly pleased with the discipline and appear- ance of the encampment. He paid a special compliment to the "Reading Artillerists. " He left Reading on Tuesday to review an encamp- ment at Danville, Pa. Whilst here he very kindly presented each of the Revolutionary
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