USA > Pennsylvania > Clearfield County > History of Clearfield County, Pennsylvania : with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 12
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Further mention will be found relating to the several railroads of the county in the various chapters of township history, and with that in view no more than an outline sketch of them need be given here.
CHAPTER XII.
CLEARFIELD'S MILITARY HISTORY.
W HEN, in 1861, the iron lips of Moultrie's gun spelled upon our sky in letters red as blood, " civil war," the sons of Clearfield, breathing a spirit of patriotism as pure as the atmosphere of the hills around them, rushed to the Nation's capital to uphold the honor of the flag, and preserve intact the
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HISTORY OF CLEARFIELD COUNTY.
republic. It was not a question with them what battles were to be fought, what graves filled, or what altars shivered ; but donning the blue, vowed, no matter what the cost, that the serpent of secession should find an eternal grave, and gasp its last amid shrieking shell and hissing bullet.
The "mystic cord of memory stretching from every battle-field and pa- triot grave " brings before us, with meteoric brillancy, the important part per- formed by Clearfield county in that great struggle. Loyal citizens only knew that men were needed, and they hastened to respond ; they exchanged the rippling music of the mountain stream for the thunder of deep mouthed cannon and the deafening musketry volley ; they went out from the roof-tree of home to camp on southern soil, and stand guard in the pitiless night beneath sorrowing stars ; they went out to be shot to death, if need be ; to be fired at by a concealed foe ; to struggle in delirium in hospital, or starve or shiver in loathsome pens, with stones for pillows and vermin for companions, that the flag might be preserved unsullied. This was the spirit that controlled the volunteers of Clearfield as they sprang into the arena where Titans struggled.
Remembering the beautiful sentiments of Colonel Stuart Taylor, it may well be asked : Fathers, mothers, brothers, and sisters of Clearfield county, can you look up to see the morning furrow all the orient into gold without thinking what sacred graves it gilds ? Or, can you watch the slow declining day without wishing it could be always sunlight on the silent mounds of Clearfield's patriot dead ? Do you ever see spring time daisy, or purple violet, unless you think what darling dust it is which feeds the wild flowers of the Wilderness, of Malvern Hill, of Gettysburg, of the crimsoned banks of the Chickahominy, and other fields where loved and lost are sleeping ?
DAYS OF THE MILITIA.
The martial spirit of Clearfield county does not date from the outbreak of the great rebellion; it existed in the days when the sturdy woodsmen felled the forest, that prosperous towns might spring up, agricultural interests be enlarged, and mechanism add to the wealth of its progressive inhabitants. It came with the pioneers, and slumbered until the grand old days of " general training " (to use a down-east phrase) dawned - the days when the farmer, the mechanic, and the woodsman abandoned toil, and hied away to the " muster " for a sea- son of jollification, to eat Yankee gingerbread and drink new cider, and boast of the prowess of the American eagle.
In 1840, under State law, there was organized a volunteer battalion, com- manded by George R., afterward Judge Barrett, who had been commissioned major. So much interest was manifested, and so successful was the first year of its existence, that the commencement of the second year found the com- mand with a sufficient complement of men to form a regiment. There were six companies, of about sixty men each. Upon the formation of the regimental
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organization, Major Barrett was elected colonel, and E. W. Wise, major. They had " muster" and "review " days, and these were also holidays with citizens, who admired the music of the fife, the beat of drum, and the tread of uniformed men. But it was not a season of recreation to the militia. State encampments were attended annually at various places, and as there were no railroads at that time, it frequently became necessary to march forty or fifty miles to camp - rivaling some of the historic marches of the Army of the Potomac, with the exception of the bitter infantry fight, and occasionally a hurried retreat. This regiment drilled on the flats opposite where Judge Barrett now resides. The organization remained in existence six or seven years. There also existed a section of State militia, under the colonelship of William Bigler, who was, in 1851, elected governor of the State.
Another organization was the "Guards," of which Hon. William A. Wallace, in 1854, was captain. They were well uniformed and had parade days. Cap- tain Wallace, laying aside the epaulettes, transferred his services to the political host, and through force of talent, adaptability, and knowledge of national af- fairs, became one of the foremost men in the State, honored with a seat in the United States Senate.
Here, too, it was that Hon. John Patton acquired his military title of "Gen- eral" of the militia in his county.
CLEARFIELD IN THE CIVIL WAR.
The history of the volunteers of Clearfield county from the first blaze of hostile cannon, until secession was buried at Appomattox by the surrender of Lee's sword, forms one of the most brilliant chapters of the Commonwealth's history. To faintly picture their services it will be necessary to refer to the records of the regiments to which they were attached, which forms an un- broken chain of testimony to demonstrate the patriotism of Clearfield's soldiery. It is not to keep alive sectional animosity that the historian recites the acts of a victorious host. Would the Athenians meeting in the Angora listen to a propositon that no man should hereafter speak of Marathon ? Would Romans teach nothing but philosophy, and refuse to tell the rising generation how Scipio conquered Hannibal, or Horatius held the bridge ? It was not Mara- thon, but the memory of Marathon, which fixed the home of civilization in Europe instead of in Asia. It was not the surrender at Appomattox that binds in iron bands the States of this Union, but it is the memory of its cost kept alive in the hearts of the people which gave to civilization its grandest on- ward step, and which some future Guizot, in tracing the pathway of human advancement, will declare secured for the world the fullest enlargement of human liberty. And as other generations read the pages recording the services of the sons of Clearfield, from 1861 to 1865, it will inspire them to preserve sacred the patriotic idea of " country first, the citizen afterward."
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HISTORY OF CLEARFIELD COUNTY.
THIRTY-FOURTH REGIMENT-FIFTH RESERVES.
Company C of this regiment was ordered to Camp Curtin, and organized into a regiment June 20, 1861. Governor Curtin, upon receiving a telegram from Lieutenant-General Scott for troops, sent the Fifth Reserves, together with the Bucktails, to the relief of Colonel Lew Wallace, at Cumberland. On July 13th they were ordered to Bridge 21, on the Baltimore and Ohio Rail- road, which had been burned by the rebels. From that point they moved to New Creek, where, under Colonel Kane, they aided in dispersing the rebels. July 22, they were sent to Piedmont to protect the Unionists, who were sub- jected to cruel treatment at the hands of Southern sympathizers. It was soon after the Bull Run battle, which occurred on Sunday, July 21, that they were ordered to Washington, and from the National Capital they were dispatched to Harrisburg, and bivouacked in the vicinity of Camp Curtin. The enemy at this time had closed in around Washington, and fears were entertained that Maryland would be invaded and the soil of Pennsylvania be made a battle- ground.
It was on the 8th of August, that they proceeded to Washington, and went into camp at Tennallytown. On the 14th of September they escorted Gov- ernor Curtin to camp, where, with President Lincoln, General McClellan, and others, the famous "war governor" reviewed the division. On the 19th of October, a reconnoissance was made to the vicinity of Dranesville, and on De- cember 20th, the regiment was ordered there, but did not arrive in time to take part in the handsome victory achieved by the Third Brigade.
The 9th of April, 1862, found the Thirty-fourth occupying the barracks deserted by the rebels at Manassas. May 7 Colonel Simons reported at Falmouth, and on the 25th of that month was ordered across the Rappahan- nock. June 9 the regiment embarked for the Peninsula, moved to White House, thence to Dispatch Station, and from there to Mechanicsville, the right wing of McClellan's army, five miles from Richmond.
Here the Reserves inaugurated that memorable struggle of the Peninsula, known as the " Seven Days' Battle." It had been arranged between Generals Longstreet and Jackson, in the absence of General Lee, to attack Mechanics- ville (which means the battle of Beaver Dam Creek or Ellerson's Mills) on the 26th day of June. Jackson commenced the march of his troops from Mount Meridian, in the vicinity of Port Republic battle-field, on the 18th of June, with the intention of flanking the right wing of McClellan's army, but he was delayed by cavalry and felled timber, and consequently did not arrive at the time fixed upon for a general advance upon the Federal lines. The order had gone forth, and with the expectation that Jackson would arrive to take part, the battle commenced. When it opened, and the fact was heralded at Con- federate headquarters that Jackson had been delayed one day, Lee found that
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it was necessary to fight the battle at Beaver Dam Creek, which proved so disastrous to the Confederates who faced the Pennsylvanians on that memora- ble day.
The Position .- The position selected was a strong, defensive one. The banks of the valley were steep, and forces advancing on the adjacent plains presented their flanks, as well as their front, to the fire of both infantry and artillery, safely posted behind entrenchments. The stream was over waist deep and bordered by swamps. Its passage was difficult for infantry at all points, and impracticable for artillery, except at the bridge crossing at Ellerson's Mills, and at the one above, near Mechanicsville.
To quote from General Fitz John Porter: "Early in the day I visited Gen- eral Reynolds, near the head of the creek, and had the best reasons, not only to be contented, but thoroughly gratified with the admirable arrangements of this accomplished officer, and to be encouraged by the cheerful confidence of himself and his able and gallant assistants, Seymour on his left, at Ellerson's Mills, and Simmons and Roy Stone in his front. Each of these officers com- manded a portion of the Pennsylvania Reserves-all under the command of the brave and able veteran, McCall. These troops were about to engage in their first battle, and bore themselves then, as they did on trying occasions immediately following, with the cheerful spirit of the volunteer, and the firm- ness of the veteran soldier-examples inspiring emulation in these trying ' Seven Days' Battles.'
" About two o'clock P. M. on the 26th, the boom of a single cannon in the direction of Mechanicsville resounded through our camps. This was the signal which had been agreed upon to announce the fact that the enemy were cross- ing the Chickahominy. The curtain rose; the stage was prepared for the first scene of the tragedy. Tents were struck, wagons packed and sent to the rear, to cross to the right bank of the Chickahominy. The divisions were promptly formed and took the positions assigned them. General McCall assumed com- mand at Beaver Dam Creek; Meade joined him, taking position behind Sey- mour; Martindale and Griffin, of Morrell's Division, went respectively to the right and rear of Reynolds; Butterfield was directed to support General Cooke's, and subsequently Martindale's right, while Sykes was held ready to move when needed. Reynolds and Seymour prepared for action, and con- cealed their men.
" About three o'clock the enemy, under Longstreet, D. H. and A. P. Hill, in large bodies commenced rapidly to cross the Chickahominy, almost simulta- neously at Mechanicsville, Meadow Bridge, and above, and pushed down the left bank, along the roads leading to Beaver Dam Creek. The outposts, watch- ing the access to the crossings, fell back, after slight resistance, to their already designated position on the east bank of Beaver Dam Creek, destroying the bridges as they retired.
15
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HISTORY OF CLEARFIELD COUNTY.
" After passing Mechanicsville the attacking forces were divided, a portion taking the road to Ellerson's Mill, while the larger body directed their march into the valley of Beaver Dam Creek, upon the road covered by Reynolds. This force moved on with animation and confidence, as if going to parade, or engaging in a sham battle. Suddenly, when half-way down the bank of the valley, our men opened upon it rapid volleys of artillery and infantry, which strewed the road and hill-side with hundreds of dead and wounded, and drove the main body of the survivors back in rapid flight to and beyond Mechanics- ville. So rapid was the fire upon the enemy's huddled masses, clambering back up the hill, that some of Reynolds's ammunition was exhausted, and two regiments were relieved by the Fourth Michigan and Fourteenth New York of Griffin's Brigade. On the extreme right a small force of the enemy secured a foothold, on the east bank, but it did no harm, and retired under cover of darkness.
"The forces which were directed against Seymour at Ellerson's Mills made little progress. Seymour's direct and Reynolds's flank fire soon arrested them and drove them to shelter, suffering even more disastrously than those who had attacked Reynolds. Late in the afternoon, greatly strengthened, they renewed the attack with spirit and energy, some reaching the borders of the stream, but only to be repulsed with terrible slaughter, which warned them not to attempt a renewal of the fight. Little depressions in the ground shielded many from our fire, until, when night came on, they all fell back beyond the range of our guns. Night put an end to the contest.
"The Confederates suffered severely. All night the moans of the dying and the shrieks of the wounded reached our ears. Our loss was only about 250 of the 5,000 engaged, while that of the Confederates was nearly 2,000 out of some 10,000 attacking."
Thus reports the commanding general on the left bank of the Chickahom- iny. From official reports it is learned that the Union forces engaged con- sisted of eleven regiments and six batteries; Confederate forces engaged, twenty-one regiments, eight batteries. Other reports differ with General Porter as to the loss, and put the total Union loss at Mechanicsville 361, but little more than that of the Forty-fourth Georgia alone (335). The Confed- erate loss, exclusive of Field's and Anderson's brigades, and of the batteries, is reported at 1,589, although William Swinton, on the authority of General Longstreet, puts the aggregate Confederate loss at between three and four thousand.
It is evident, from Confederate accounts, that they were deceived as to the ground, and marched cooly into the jaws of death. This is evidenced from the published articles of Generals Hill and Longstreet. In General D. H. Hill's account a pathetic scene is described. The Forty-fourth Georgia, emerg- ing from the blaze of the Pennsylvanian's fire, attempted to re-form in the rear
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CLEARFIELD'S MILITARY HISTORY.
without officers. "It was pitiable to see the skeleton line," says one writer. An officer rode up and exclaimed, "Good heavens ! Is this all of the Forty- fourth Georgia ?"
The writer of this sketch occupied a position upon a Union earthwork on the Richmond side of the river, and with field-glass in hand watched Confed- erate troops up the valley moving down to the Mechanicsville bridge, and crossing the stream to participate in the fiery carnival of death. Often the remark was made, "Fear not. The Pennsylvanians are enough for them." It more than proved true. No prouder record is emblazoned on the banner of volunteer soldiers than that written on the colors of the Reserves in letters of blood, " Beaver Dam Creek;" and, as General Fitz John Porter expressed it, " troops about to engage in their first battle," it added brilliancy to the patriot- ism of the Keystone State, and taught the enemy that when they measured bayonets with the Reserves they could count on no idle power in the conflict.
All along the crimsoned pathway of the Potomac Army, from Mechanics- ville to the James River, in the memorable seven days' battles under McClel- lan, the Thirty-fourth, as well as the entire Reserves, exhibited the same courage as at Beaver Dam Creek. The laurels they won in that inaugural battle of the Peninsula remained green and untarnished until the famous retreat brought them underneath the cover of the Federal gunboats.
Not a single soldier has forgotten the midnight bombardment, when the Confederate batteries on the south side of the James River sent their solid shot and shell into the Federal shipping and the army camps; green in memory will remain the stirring incidents of the seven days when the fate of the nation hung upon the safety of that grand old Army of the Potomac.
Remaining for a time where the hot sun beating upon the sandy plain reminded the volunteer that he was encamped in the hottest portion of Vir- ginia, there came intelligence that Washington was in danger ; that the Con- federates might march northward. An order was issued to withdraw the army to Acquia Creek, against the judgment of General McClellan, who believed that such a move would prove disastrous ; that the army was in excellent dis- cipline and condition, holding a debouche on both banks of the James River, and free to act in any direction ; that the distance to Richmond was but twenty-five miles, and that a battle would not be likely to occur until within ten miles of that city ; that the line of transportation would be short, with gunboats to aid in forwarding supplies to the army, while Acquia Creek was seventy-five miles from Richmond with land transportation all the way. But the order was imperative, and the Thirty-fourth returned in front of Wash- ington, participating in the Second Bull Run. They continued to follow the fortunes of the army, taking part in the battle of Antietam, and the engage- ment at Fredericksburg.
In February, 1863, they were ordered to Washington, where they en-
II2
HISTORY OF CLEARFIELD COUNTY.
camped at Miner's Hill, and afterwards were assigned to duty in Washington. They took part in the battle of Gettysburg, and their after service was as fol- lows: Did guard duty along the Orange and Alexandria railroad, and at Alexandria acted as train guard. In February, 1864, they had a skirmish with guerillas near Brentzville, where Major Larimer was killed. During the winter and spring of 1864 the regiment was recruited, and Captain Smith was promoted to major. May 4, under Grant, they crossed the Rapidan and engaged in the Wilderness fight. In the battle near Fredericksburg and Orange Pike, Lieutenant-Colonel Dare, of the regiment, was mortally wounded and died. Major Smith succeeded him, and soon after was commissioned lieutenant-colonel for gallant conduct. The regiment participated in the en- gagements which followed, until May 31, 1864, when their terms of service expired, and leaving the banks of the Tolopotomy on the IIth of June, were mustered out at Harrisburg.
FIELD AND STAFF.1
Colonels .- Seneca G. Simmons, June 21, 1861; killed at Charles City Cross Roads, June 30, 1862.
Joseph W. Fisher May 15, 1861 ; promoted from lieutenant-colonel Au- gust 1, 1862, brevet brigadier-general November 4, 1865 ; mustered out with regiment June II, 1864.
Lieutenant-Colonels .- George Dare, June 21, 1861 ; promoted from major August 1, 1862 ; killed at Wilderness May 6, 1864.
Alfred M. Smith, May 15, 1861 ; promoted from captain company C to major February 22, 1864, to lieutenant-colonel May 7, 1864, to brevet colonel March 13, 1865 ; mustered out with regiment June 11, 1864.
Majors .- Frank Zentmyer, June 21, 1861 ; promoted from captain com- pany I August 1, 1862 ; killed at Fredericksburg December 13, 1862; burial record, died at Richmond, Va., December 31, 1862.
J. Harvey Larimer, May 15, 1861 ; promoted from captain company E May 1, 1863 ; killed at Bristow Station February 14, 1864.
James A. McPherran, June 17, 1861 ; promoted from captain company F May 7, 1864, to brevet lieutenant-colonel March 13, 1865 ; mustered out with regiment June II, 1864.
Adjutants .- A. G. Mason, June 21, 1861 ; discharged March 27, 1863, to accept appointment on General Meade's staff; brevet major August 1, 1864, brevet lieutenant-colonel March 13, 1865.
John L. Wright May 15, 1861 ; mustered out with regiment June II, 1864; brevet captain March 13, 1865.
Quartermaster .- Samuel Evans, June 21, 1861 ; commissioned captain
1 The muster roll of officers and men is taken from Bates's work on Pennsylvania Volunteers, and should any errors have occurred therein, they are undoubtedly copied here.
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CLEARFIELD'S MILITARY HISTORY.
May 7, 1864, not mustered ; brevet captain March 13, 1865 ; mustered out with regiment June 1I, 1864.
Surgeons .- John T. Carpenter, June 21, 1861 ; promoted and transferred to Western army as brigade surgeon.
Samuel G. Sane, September 16, 1861 ; promoted surgeon of enrollment board, 16th district Pa., March 10, 1864; to assistant surgeon-general, Pa. ; to brevet lieutenant-colonel March 13, 1865.
Henry A. Grim, April 16, 1862; promoted from assistant surgeon 12th regiment P. V. R. C. ; mustered out with regiment June 11, 1864.
Assistant Surgeons .- N. P. Marsh, June 21, 1861 ; promoted surgeon 4th regiment Pa. Cavalry, 64th regiment P. V.
E. Donnelly, June 21, 1861 ; promoted to surgeon 3Ist regiment P. V. April 28, 1862.
W. H. Davis, June 27, 1862 ; promoted to surgeon 33d regiment P. V. December 20, 1862.
J. M. Groff, August 2, 1862 ; discharged on surgeon's certificate July 21, 1863.
O. C. Johnson, March 9, 1863 ; discharged on surgeon's certificate Sep- tember 28, 1863.
H. T. Whitman, September 16, 1863 ; wounded at Bethesda Church May 30, 1864; mustered out with regiment June II, 1864; brevet major March 13, 1865.
Chaplain .- S. L. M. Consor ; mustered out by special order of war de- partment November 1, 1862.
Sergeant- Majors .- E. L. Reber, June 21, 1861 ; transferred to 19Ist P. V .; veteran.
R. M. Smith, June 21, 1861 ; promoted to second lieutenant August 8, 1862; transferred to company G.
G. P. Swoope, June 21, 1861 ; promoted to first lieutenant March 4, 1863 ; transferred to company I.
Quartermaster-Sergeant .- Harry Mullen, June 21, 1861 ; transferred to 19Ist P. V .; veteran.
Commissary-Sergeant .- J. W. Harris, June 21, 1861 ; transferred to 19Ist P. V .; veteran.
Hospital Steward .- John H. Johnson, July 21, 1861 ; transferred to 19Ist P. V .; veteran.
Principal Musicians .- E. L. Scott, June 21, 1861 ; mustered out with regiment June 11, 1864.
W. L. Smeadley, June 21, 1861 ; transferred to 19Ist P. V .; veteran.
COMPANY C.
Recruited in Clearfield County.
Captains .- J. Oscar Loraine, June 21, 1861 ; resigned November 7, 1861.
II4
HISTORY OF CLEARFIELD COUNTY.
Alfred M. Smith, May 15, 1861 ; promoted from sergeant to first lieuten- ant July 25, 1861, to captain November 15, 1861, to major February 22, 1864.
David McGaughey, June 21, 1861 ; promoted from sergeant to first lieu- tenant November 16, 1861, to captain March 22, 1864, brevet major March 13, 1865; wounded at Wilderness May 9, 1864; mustered out with company June II, 1864.
First Lieutenants .- J. Harvey Larrimer, May 15, 1861 ; promoted to cap- tain company E July 12, 1861.
John E. Potter, June 21, 1861 ; promoted from corporal to second lieu- tenant August 15, 1862, to first lieutenant March 22, 1864; mustered out with company June 11, 1864.
Second Lieutenant .- John W. Bigler, June 21, 1861; resigned June 22, 1862.
First Sergeant .- Wm. A. Ogden, June 21, 1861 ; commissioned captain June 4, 1864, not mustered ; mustered out with company June 11, 1864.
Sergeants .- Thos. H. Wilson, June 21, 1861 ; mustered out with company June II, 1864.
James C. Miller, June 21, 1861 ; mustered out with company June II, 1864.
James L. McPherson, June 21, 1861 ; mustered out with company June II, 1864.
George B. Hancock, June 21, 1861 ; mustered out with company June II, 1864.
John Huidekoper, June 21, 1861 ; promoted to second lieutenant company E, 150th regiment P. V. October 30, 1862.
Martin Mullen, June 21, 1861 ; killed at Fredericksburg December 13, 1862.
Corporals .- Wm. C. McGonagle, June 21, 1861 ; mustered out with com- pany June II, 1864.
Oliver Conklin, June 21, 1861 ; absent, wounded, at muster out.
Smith B. Williams, June 21, 1861 ; mustered out with company June II, 1864.
Jos. W. Folmer, June 21, 1861 ; mustered out with company June II, 1864
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