History of Butler County, Pennsylvania. With illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 24

Author: Waterman, Watkins & Co., Chicago, pub
Publication date: 1883
Publisher: Chicago, Waterman, Watkins & Co.
Number of Pages: 638


USA > Pennsylvania > Butler County > History of Butler County, Pennsylvania. With illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 24


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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Dodds, Win. L., m. leb. 13, 1964; died at City Point, Va., July 3, 1 ++ 4.


Danheuspeck, S. L., m. Feb. 18, 1864; wd at Wilderness, Va., May 5. 1961, killed at Petersburg, Va., April 2, 1865.


Davis, John, m. Sept. 2, 1861 ; wd. at Williamsburg, Va., May 1. 1. deserted May , 1862.


Fithean, John s., in. Feb. 21, 1864; m. o. w. c. June 28, 1565.


Fisher, Jacob, m. May 27, 1964, drafted ; deserted July 15 1 | Rent March 26, 1565, 11. n. w. e. June 25, 1867,


Fielding, Win., m. sept. 6, 1×64; wd. at cedar Creek, Va. thi 1 94 00 by general order Jan 20, 1967.


Fonzer, Win. J., m. Aug. 20, 1861: wd. at salom Heights, Va, May . B and at Wilderness, Va., May 5, 1864: 11 In V. R. C. JJan, 1, 1>55 VE1


Gibson, Geo. S., m. Aug. 20, 1501 wil, at Wilderness, Va, May 3. 16; 1 . w. c. June 25, 1865; vet.


Gardner, Win., m. Feb. 18, 1861; wil. at Wilderness, Va., May 5, 1- 1 1. 0 w. c. June 28, 1865.


Green, Geo. R., m. April 9, 154; m. n. w. c. June 25, 1955


Glaze, Jacub, m. Frh. 6, 1961, died at city Point, Va., July 7, 196il, of wounds received in action.


Hetzel, John, m. Aug. 20, 1861 : absent on delp hed service at m. o., vet.


Harbangh, Perry, m. Aug. 20, 1861, m. o w. c. June 25, 1565; vet.


Hamel, John C., mu. Feb. 15, 1964; m. o. w. 6 June 2s. ING ...


Hilliard, John M., m. Frb. 18, 1564; wil at Wilderness, Va., May , Il. m. o. w. c. June 2s, 19% ).


Holmes, Alfred C., m. Feb. 18, 1964; wd. at Wilderness, Va., May , isi : killed at Cold Harbor June 3, 186h.


Hays, Martiu P mu. Sept. 2, 1-61, wd at Salem Heights, Va., May #, 10 : tr to V R . Tolv 1 1:4


=


106


HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.


Hawk, Isaac A., m. Feb. 18, 1964; m. o. w. c. June 28, 1865.


Irwin, James, m. Aug. 20, 1861; m. o. w. c. Inue 25, 1565; vet.


Johnston, James, in. Ang. 20. 1861; killed at Wilderness, Va., May 0. 1964; vet.


Kaylor, Isaac, in. Feb. 18, 161; wd. at Wilderness, Va., May 5, 1864. m. o w. e. June 28, 1865.


Kirk, Elias, mu. Ang. 20, 1961 ; died at Point Lookout, Md., Sept. 9. 1862.


Katy, Alex., in. sept. 2, 1561; died on board steamer Vanderbilt May 19, 1862.


Kness, Lewis 02 .. m. Ang. 20, 1561 ; died at Tenallytown, D. C .. Dec. 14, 1561. Lavery, Joseph, m. Sept. 2, 151: wd. at salem Heights, Va .. May 3, 1965. in. o, w. c. ,Inne 28, 1965: vet.


Love. Robert, m. Feb, 9, IsGt; m. o. w. c. June 2s. 1945


Lowe. James M., m. Feb. 16, 1564: m. o. w e Jnie 25, loni


Lewis, Robert O., m. Feb. 15, 1564; m. u. w. c. June 2s. Ishi.


Lester, Geo. W., m. Ang. 29. 1862; wil. at Salem Heights, Va. May a, 1968, and at Wilderness, Va., May 5, 1864; ohs by general order June 20, 1965 Lavery, Benj. A., m. Aug. 20, 1551; wd. at Wilderness, Va .. M.g 1, 1964; tr. to V. R. C. Jan. 10. 1865 ; vet.


Miller, John, mu. Sept. 2, 18dl : m. o. w. c. Anny 25, Isab, vet.


Martin, James D. m. Aug. 20, 1861 ; re-enlisted ; wd, at Wilderness, Va., May 5, 1864 : absent at m. o., having been tr. to Invalid Cops ; dis, in June, 1865.


Moser, Walter L., in. Feb. 16, 1964; m. o. w. c. June 28, 1865.


Meals, samuel P., m. Feb, 16, 184; wd. at Spotsylvania 1. Il., Va., May 12. 1844, and at & edar & reek Det. 19, 1864, m. o. w. c. June 25. 1.


Malunnl, Alex., m. Feb. 18, 1864. wdl. at cedar Creek, Va., Det, 19, 1864; t. o. w. c. June 25, 1865.


Martin, David, m. April 9. 1964: wil. at Fisher's Hill, Va., sept. 21, 1961. m. u. w. c. June 25, 1965.


Miller, George, m. Feb. 15, 1864; wal. at Fisher's Hill, Va,, sept. 22, 1864; m. o. w. c. June 2s. 1Mi5.


Murtland, John S .. m. Feb. 18, 1861, m. o. w. c. June 25, 19i5.


Miller, Alfred. m. Feb. 18, 1864: wd. at Wilderness, Va., May 5, 1864, aml at V'edar t'reek Oct. 19, 1564, absent at m. o., was dis, June 20, 1965.


Mathews, Orin IL., m. Sept. 2, 1stil : wil. at Wilderness, Va., May 5, Psi4, ilis. ou surg. cert. May 26, 1-63; vet.


Mahood, James G., m. Sept. 6. 18H, wd. at Cedar Creek Del 13, 1564, is, by general order .June 20, 1865.


Martin, Wm., m. Ang. 20, 1561; captured at Warwick, Va .. April 14, Ist _; dis, by special order May 23, 1862.


Myers, Samuel, m. Sept. 2, 1861, died at Annapolis, Md , June 16 of wounds reprived at Fair Oaks, Va., May 31. 1562.


Mathews, N. H., m. Fel, 26, 1814, killed at Winchester, Va., Sept. 19, 1814. Mayes, Rinaldo L., mn. Feb, 22, 1864, killed at Wilderness, Va., May 5, 1864. Myers, James II., m. Aug. 16, 1961 ; dis, Ang. 4. 1961; vel.


M'Millen, Daniel, m. Feb. Is, 1564: 01. o. w. e. June 28, 1865.


M'Milleu, Thomas, in. March 7, 1soi; m. o. w. c. June 25, 1sia,


M'Kinney, T. W., m. Aug. 16. 1901 : wd. at Wilderness, Va., May 5, 1864 11. o. w. c. June 2, 1565; vet. M Collum, Andrew, m. Sept. 2, 1861 ; m o. w. c. June 2. 1sda,


M'Collough, J. M., mn. Feb, 5, 1864, wd at Fisher'- Hill, Va .. sept. 21, 1944; m. o. w. c. June 25, 1565 ; Vel.


M Naughton, J. W., m. Feb. 27. 1st, wil. at Wilderness, Na. May 5. Istit. dis, by general order July 24, 1-63.


M'Cune, Alex,, m. drafted ; dis. Feb ; returned April 21, Isis, In. o. w. r. June 29,.1865.


M'Kissick, Josiah, mn. Aug. 20, 1961, wd. at Fair oaks, Va , May dl. 1962, dis, Sept. 3, 1864, expiration of term.


M'Grill. John, m. Sept. 2, 1561; killed at Wilderness, Va , May 5, 1804.


Noel, Win. J., in. Sept. 2. 1861; wd at l'air Oaks, Va., May 31, 1862; m. o. w. c. June 25, 1865.


Norris, Win. H., m. Aug. 20, 1861 ; died at Washington, D. 6,, Ort 26, 1siil. Usenbaugh, John R., m. Feb, 23, 1861, killed at Winchester, V ... Sept 19. buried in pat. cem., Lot 14


Orr, Jobu P., in. March 2, 1-64; wd. at spotsylvania ( H , May 12, 1964, tr. to V. R. V. Jan. 15, 1565.


Parker, Win. 11 , mn. Feb. 11. 1964; wd. June 15. 1561, absent in hospital at in. 0.


Putts, Robert, m. Feb, 5, 1964; m. o. w. c. Inne 25, 1967.


Petit. Daniel, m. April 9, 1864; killed at Wilderness, Va .. May 5, 1864.


Pettigrew, Andrew J., m. Sept. 2, 1861: died at Washington, D.C. Anz 2. 1864. of wond- received in action; vet.


Park, Win. Il., m. Feb, 27, 1864; killed at Winchester, Va., sept 19. 1964. Riley, Robert, m. Ang. 21, 1861; m. o. w. v. June 25. 1965, vet


Rigby, Hamilton P. m. Ang. 20, 1561; absent with leave at m. o ;; Vet.


Riggles, Matthew, m. Sept. 20, 1364; drafted ; deserted Sept 20, Ist4; return- ed March 26, 1965; m. o. w. e. June 2%, 1565,


Reno, John G., in. Ang. 20, 1-61 ; dis, Sept. 3, 1-62.


Reddick, Jos. G., m. Sept. 2, 1861 ; killed at Fair Oaks, Va., May #1, 1562.


Robb, Franklin, m. Ang. 20, 1561, dis Aug. 10. for wounds received at Fair faks, Va., May 31. 1-62.


Robb, Lysander, m. Sept. 2. 1961 ; killed accidentally at Tonallytown, D. C', .Jan. 28, 1-62


Rops, Istar N . m. Ang. 16, 1só1 ; killed at Wilderness, Va., May 5, 1564.


Renfrew, Sammel R., m. Feb, 1, 1964; killed at Winchester, Va. Sept. 19, 1564. buried in nat. com .. Lot 6.


Bra. John K . m. Feb, s, 1961: ched at Alexandria, Dre. 1, of wounds received at spottsylvania( H1 . Va .. May 12. 1564; grave 2. 500.


Randolph, John I1., m. Aug. 20, 1861 , wd. at Fair Oaks, Va., 31, Pil : kilhd at salem Heights, Va., May 3. 1565,


Scott, Thomas, m. Ang., 1961; in o, w. c. June 2s, 1565; vrt


shira, David, in sept. 2. 156l. m. a. w. r. June 25, Ist; vet.


Shryork, Win. R. m. Feb, 22, 1864; wd at spotteylvania C. H . Va., May 12. 1×64. to. o. w. c. Inne 28, 1565.


Smith, Wm. A., m. April 2, 1564, wd, at Fisher'- Hill, Val, sept. 21. 1961. 20


Sumany, John, m. Feb. 18, IsGl, m. o. w. v. June 28, 1867.


Shay, John, mt. July 18, 1563: drafted, m. u. w. e. Inne 25, 1-65.


Smithson, Dantel, in June 14, 1864; drafted : deserted Jime 2s, Isil; return- ed May 27, 1965; m. o. w. c. June 25, 1865.


Strouje, Win., m. sept. 2, 1561: wil. at Fair Oaks, Va., May 31, 1862; dis. on Surg. vert. Ang. 29, 1862.


Seaton, Herman, m. Ang. 20, 1861: wd. at Fair Oaks, Va., May 31, 1562: dis. Vn ware. vert, Sept. 23, 1862.


Shira, Rold , to Sept. 2, 161 ; wd. at Fair Oaks, Va., May 31. 1502; dis. on surg. cert. Jan. 5. 1-65.


Steel, Amos, mn. Aug. 29, Isi, wd. at >pottsylvania C. H , Va .. May 12, 1964: dis, sept 6, 1864. expiation of ferit.


Shorts, Cornelius, in sept , fast, we at Cedar Creek, Va., sept. 22. 15til: die. by general midler June 20, 1807.


Spunee, Robt .. mn Aug. 20, 1501. dis, on ourg. cert. Dee. 13, 1561.


Smith, David, m. sept. 2, 1561, wd. at Fair Oaks, Va., May 31, 1982; killed at Falem Heights, Va., May &, 19is.


Storey, James H., m. Feb, 15, 1964; killed at Wilderness, Va., May 6, 1864. Shakely, sol. W., m. Feb. Is, 1564, killed at Petersburg, Va, June 19, 1864, buried in Popular Chose, nat, rem., Ins. D. See. (', grave 38.


Shakely, Fred'k. m. Feb. 16, 1964, killed at Winchester, Va., sept. 19, 1561. Stewart, Jos. W., m. Ang. 20, 1861 ; died at Chickahomony, Va., June 7, 1462. Shira, Robt. O, m. Feb. 21, 1864, pro. to 20 Lieut. Battery B, Two Han- dred and Twelfth Regiment P. V., Sept. 14, 1864.


Smith, Jacob, m. Feb, 8, 1865 ; sub, not on m. o. roll.


Thompson, W. P. m. Sept. 2, 151 ; dis. on borg. cert. April 21, 1813.


Taylor, James L., m. Feb, 16, 1864; dis, Jan, 16, 1865, for wounds received at Spettylvania 6. 11., Va , May 12, 1864.


Thornburg. R. I. m. Ang. 20, 1861, died at Tenally town. D. (', Nov. 27, 1961. Thompson, James, m sept. 2. 1961 : died at Washington, D. 6 , June 4, 1882. bu. in Military Asy Imm Com.


Trimble, Som'l J. in Ang. 20, 1961, killed at salem Heights, Va., May a. 1×6 ;.


Thorn, Wm., m. Feb, 16, 1964, Jed April 13. 1961; bu. in Allegheny Com Wally, Alex. ( . m. Sept. 2, 1sol , mi o w. c. June 25, 19; vet


Wiles. Adam, m Feb, to. 1; m. 0, 8 8. June 25, 1565.


Wade, Nixon, i Ang. 20. 1561. dis. Aug. 28. for wounds received at Fair Daks. Va .. May 31. 1862


White, John M . m. Sept 2. 1961 : dis, Sept. 1s. 1962. for wounds received in action.


Wally, James s. m. sept. 2, 1%, die, sept. 1 1564; exp. of term.


Wasson, W. H. H., m Sept. 2. 1261, 3d. at Fair Oaks, Va., May 31, 1962, and at Could Harbor, Va , June 4, 1961, pro, to First Lient, Battery B, Two Hundred and Twelfth Regiment P. V. sept. 14. 1864; was die, at Fort Ethan Allen, Va., June 15, 1865.


Weller. Jacob, in. Feb. 9, 1561; killed at Wilderness, Va., May 3, 1864. Wiles, Fred'k. m. Sept. 2, 1861; wd. at Coll Harbor, Va., June 3, 1864; died at Baltimore, Md. Det. of wounds received at Cedar Creek, Va., det. 19. 1964; vet.


Young, Watson J., m. Ang. 20, 1s61; wil at Fair Oaks, Va., May 31, 1562 ; dis. sept. 3, 1911. exp. of term


ONE HUNDRED AND THIRD REGIMENT.


The men comprising this regiment were recruited, chiefly, in the counties of Armstrong. Allegheny, Butler, Clarion and Indiana. Recruiting was com- ienced early in the autumn of 1861, but the ranks of the command were not filled until in January. 1862. Meanwhile, those of the various companies who had joined early, and were stationed at Camp Orr. the regimental rendezvous, near Kittanning, suffered many hardships by reason of the failure of


107


HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY


the proper authorities to furnish adequate supplies of clothing, camup and garrison equipage. However, in response to an appeal for supplies, the members of the First Lutheran Church of Pittsburgh. and many peo. ple in the county surrounding the camp, sent in gen- erous contributions promptly. and the conditions of the volunteers were made more cheerful.


On the 24th of February. 1862. the regiment was ordered to Harrisburg. where the following field ofti- cers were chosen : Theodore F. Lehmann, Colonel: Wilson C. Maxwell, Lieutenant Colonel; and Audley W. Gazzam, Major. It was soon afterward ordered to Washington, D. C .. where, upon its arrival, it was assigned to a brigade in Gen. Casey's Division. With MeClellan's army it was transferred to the Virginia Peninsula during the spring of 1562. and participated in the arduous. yet disastrous campaign which fol- lowed. As part of Keim's brigade, Casey's division, Keyes' corps. it was engaged in the battle of Williams- burg, May 5. and captured one of the enemy's flags. Moving forward after the Williamsburg fight, Casey's division, in advance of the army. the Chickahominy . was crossed, the field of Fair Oaks reached, where. on the 31st of May, it became hotly engaged. De- scribing the performances of the One Hundred and Third in the battle of Fair Oaks, Bates says:


"A portion of the One Hundred and Third had bees posted on the picket line on the previous day. and in the skirmishing which ensued had one killed and several wounded. As soon as it became evident that the enemy was present in force, the main body of the regiment was ordered forward by Gen. Casey, to the support of the pickets, and directed to report at a picket station to the right of the Richmond road. where further orders would be received. On arriving at the designated point, Maj. Gazzam. failing to re- ceive orders, posted his men in rear of the clearing, back of and to the right of the station, behind a ditch partially filled with water, with the exception of Com- panies B and G, which were directed to take position, under command of Capt. George W. Gillespie, to the left of the road. Learning that the enemy's sharp- shooters were felling the trees in Gillespie's front, he ordered that office to advance and clear them. This order was gallantly executed, and only when over- powered by numbers, and after having suffered severe loss, did Capt. Gillespie fall back to the main tine.


" While forming these companies on the left of his command, Maj. Gazzam was thrown from his horse and stunned by the falling of a tree crushed by a cannon ball. Recovering himself. he regained his position in line. when a volley from the enemy ad- vancing in its front, was received. and the flag staff severed. It was now discovered that the enemy was advancing on the right. Lient. Schott was ordered


to half wheel his company and protect that flank ; but the enemy was coming also on the left, and was being re-enforced in front. Seeing that with his small foree unsupported. it was impossible to hold his ground longer. Maj. Gazzam gave the order to fall back slowly. Retiring through the woods, it came to a stand on a small cross-road, and poured in a steady fire : but, in heavy force. the enemy con- tinned to press forward, his battle fags plainly visible on front and flank. To add to the horrors of its situ- ation. the Union guns, posted in the earthworks, opened fire. and, in seeking to get the range of the enemy, threw their shot and shell full upon its ranks, doing fearful execution. Maj. Gazzam, seeing that his men. between two fires, were fast falling. en- deavored to lead back the rear rank remaining. in order ; but as fast as formed they were picked off. and, yielding to a stern necessity, he was obliged to allow them to retire as best they could through the slashings.


"On reaching the hne, a portion of the men were rallied to dispute the enemy's passage to the right of the road, in front of the fortifications. and others joined the Ninety-second New York. Late in the day, those of the One Hundred and Third Pennsyl- vania, who were tit for duty, were placed in rifle-pits to the left of the road, where they remained until nightfall. The colors came near falling into the enemy's hands, the color gnard being nearly all either killed or wounded. They were finally given to Capt. MeDowell, who brought them off the field. The loss in the engagement was eighty-four killed and wound- ed. Among the killed were Capt. George Gillespie and Lieut. George D. Schott."


After this battle, the brigade was stationel at White Oak Swamp, on the estreme left of the Union army, where, exposed to the heats of summer by day and the miasma of the swamp by night, without blankets and but half clothed, it was held to serve duty. Many became sick, and so much was the com- mand reduced that it was difficult. at times. to find men well enough to perform picker service. It finally participated in the seven days' fight, and fought its last battle in Virginia ai Malvern Hill July 1, 1962. During the following night. the army commenced re- tiring to Harrison's Landing, Wessoll's brigade (Gfon W. H. Wessell having succeeded to the command of the brigade upon the death of Gen. Keim), covering the retreat and repelling frequent attacks of rebel cavalry. On the 4th, it " was reviewed by the Com- manding General, who was received with enthusiastic cheers by all, save Casey's division, which remained silent as he passed. having no heart to cheor the man who had most unjustly heaped reproaches upon it for its part in the battle of Fair Oaks.


108


HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.


During the Peninsular campaign, the regiment had lost, by casualties and sickness, nearly half its origi- mal strength. When Mcclellan's army was ordered to join Pope upon the Rapidan. Wessell's brigade was included : but, when about to depart, the order including it was countermanded, and it was directed to embark upon transports and proceed to Norfolk. whereby it was separated from the Army of the Poto- mac. never again to rejoin it. Arriving at Norfolk. it was hastened forward by rail to Suffolk. in exper tation of meeting the enemy : but the latter. learning that the Union forces had been re-enforced, deemed it prudent not to attack. In fortifying and making occasional expeditions to Franklin, the time was passed, until December 5. when the brigade ( Wessell's), marched to the Chowan River, and thence embarking in transports proceeded to join Gen. Foster's forces in North Carolina. At Kingston, the regiment forced a passage through a swamp considered impassable. and assaulted and carried the enemy's work- captur- ing, besides. an entire North Carolina regiment of rebels.


Returning to the vicinity of New Berne after this battle, the winter was passed in pleasant quarters. During April. 1863. the regiment assisted to raise the siege of Washington. N. C., and afterward. with the brigade, now under command of Col. Lehmann. proceeded to Plymouth, N. C. The work of fortify- ing the town was at once commenced. The timber surrounding it was cut away to a distance of 1,200 yards, and alterations deemed necessary made in the works. The only avenue of supply was by water. To keep this open one company from each regiment. or five in all, was sent to Roanoke Island. in Albe- marle Sound, and stationed in strong works which had been captured by Gen. Burnside in 1862. On account of the low grounds, extending for many miles around Plymouth, the continuation of the Great Dismal Swamp of Virginia. the avenues of approach by land were few, most of them next to impassable These were all held by the enemy, and at Williams- town, some distance above, on the Roanoke River, he had a considerable force, and two miles higher up, at Rainbow Bluff. had erected a fort which commanded the river and effectually prevented the Union gun boats from ascending farther. At Tarboro, within supporting distance, a division of the rebel army was posted under Gen. Pickett. The enemy had also been busy constructing a ram. the Albemarle, on the Upper Roanoke, with which he threatened the do. struction of the fleet in front of Plymouth, and. as a consequence, the capture of the garrison.


" Frequent rumors had reached the headquarters of Gen. Wessells' of the readiness of the ram to move. accompanied by a powerful land force. The Union


force at Plymouth at this time consisted of about sev- enteen hundred men of Wessells' brigade, of whom at least six hundred were in hospital or sick in camp, 120 men of the Twelfth New York Cavalry, 200 men of the Fourth New York Battery and one company of the Second Massachusetts Heavy Artillery. In March. a deserter from the enemy, a carpenter who had worked on the Albemarle, reported the guns on board and the craft ready to sail. He also reported a large land force in readiness to make an attack npon Plym- outh simultaneously with the attack of the ram on the Heet. This was reported to Gen. l'eck, in com- mand of the department. and to Gen. Butler. in com- mand of the army, with a request for re-enforcements, but the messages were lightly received. and no aid sent. "On the 17th of April. the land force and the rams were both reported in motion, and a troop of cavalry sent out to reconnoiter. returned, confirm. ing the report. At 3 o'clock in the afternoon. an outer fort. about two miles above the mam works, was attacked by the enemy's land forces. This fort was held by a detachment of the Eighty fifth New York, which made a stubborn defense, and the enemy was driven off. On the following morning, the attack was renewed. The enemy determined to capture the work. but was again repulsed with great slaughter. During the succeeding night, a redoubt three-fourths of a mile in advance of the line of fortifications of Plymouth, was attacked under cover of darkness, and fell into his hands, and its guns at daylight were turned upon Fort Williams, the main fort below. During the day, these were silenced by the thirty-two pounders at Fort Williams. This work had been mainly constructed by Company A of the One Hun- dred and Third, under Capt. Alexander, and was at this time occupied by that company and a company of the Second Massachusetts Artillery.


"As yet. the ram had not made its appearance, though it was reported to be lying five miles above on the river. Preparations had been made by the fort. to give it a warm reception when it should make its appearance. but at 2 o'clock on the morning of the 19th it succeeded in running past the fort without discovery, and escaped without receiving a shot. It immediately attacked the Southfield. a large steamer, which was sunk. Lieutenant Commander Flusser, of the Miami, was killed by the rebounding of a shell which he had tired at the ram, and the gunboat Bomb- shell was sunkat the wharf. The force in the fort was now exposed to attack by the land force from front and flank and from the ram in the rear. Im- mediately throwing up a breastwork near the river, the garrison fought on the entire day, though against hope, as the place was being invested by a force of 15,000 men, under Gen. Hoke.


109


HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY


" Before daylight on Wednesday. the 20th, the enemy succeeded in working his way through the swamp below Plymouth, and proceeding along the river bank, protected by the ram. threw a large de. tachment into the town. The troops stationed on that side found themselves surrounded and assailed from a quarter in which they had anticipated protection from the gunboats. They were compelled to fall back: bnt Col. Lehmann. unaware of the force of the enemy occupying the town. taking the One Hundred and Third, which had held the center, advanced at daylight with the intention of re-taking it. He soon discovered his mistake. and returned to the fort. In the meantime, the Sixteenth Connecticut and One Hundred and First Pennsylvania had been compelled to surrender. The enemy finding that the fort could not be carried by assault, opened with his artillery upon it, the shells falling at a fearful rate among the men, and his riflemen picking off the gunners. While the ammunition lasted. the guns of the fort were able to keep the rebel artillery at bay; but that soon bw- came exhausted. There was then but one alternative. and at 11 o'clock on the morning of the 20th of April. 1864. the remaining forces surrendered.


"Of the One Hundred and Third Regiment there were at the time of the surrender about four hundred, rank and file, many of whom had been enlisted since the organization of the regiment. One company was on duty at Roanoke Island, and a few men absent in hospital and on furlongh. The officers were imme- diately separated from the men, not again to be united. the latter being sent to Andersonville, to starve and die by scores. the former to Macon, Ga .. and subsequently those of this highest grade. including Col. Lehman. to Charleston. S. C .. where they were placed under fire of the powerful Union batteries. then engaged in bombarding the city. The wounded. of whom there were thirty five, were left with the Surgeon at. Plymonth. in the hands of the enemy. Of the men who entered Andersonville Prison, one hundred and thirty-two died while in confinement there. Many died in the prisons to which they were subsequently removed, and while on their way to and at Camp Parole at Annapolis, and many more after lingering siekness. When the regiment was mus- tered into the service, there were twenty-two men up- ward of six feet in height. of whom not one was pres- ent at the final muster ont.


" The officers of the regiment, after their release from confinement at Charleston. were paroled and re turned to duty. Col. Lehmann resuming command of the district of the Albemarle. The company. which had not been included in the surrender, with the few men who were absent at the time. in all about eighty. were still on duty in the district. and was


known as the One Hundred and Third Regiment. In the months of March and April. 1865, eight new companies, fully organized and officered, were as- signed to the regiment. But as some of the officers of the original companies were on duty, these new com- panies, though serving as part of the regiment, were reported as unassigned mon. The command was finally mustered out of the service, at Now Berne, N. C .. on the 25th of June, 1865. but eighty one of the original men being then present."




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