USA > Pennsylvania > Dauphin County > History of Dauphin County, Pennsylvania > Part 17
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September 5, 1862, under General Robert E. Lee, the Confed- erate army crossed the Potomac river and advanced north through Maryland, threatening Harrisburg, among other important points. An invasion of Pennsylvania seemed imminent and great excitement prevailed. While the main army of the Confederacy remained at Frederick, Maryland, the cavalry portion entered Pennsylvania, but not in nearly so large numbers as was then supposed. It was believed that the entire army was moving upon the State and that Philadelphia and Harrisburg were doomed. Governor Curtin, antic- ipating the advance of the enemy northward, on September 4 issued a proclamation calling "the immediate formation throughout the Commonwealth of militia companies and regiments, in conformity with the militia act of 1858." In accordance with this recommenda- tion, the citizens of Harrisburg met in their respective wards on the afternoon of the 5th, for the purpose of organizing companies to aid in repelling the advance of the enemy. The places of business were generally closed to enable the employés to participate in the
movement. After an informal organization the companies from the different wards marched to the capitol grounds, where they assembled around the steps of the rear of the main building and were addressed by Governor Curtin, ex-Governor Porter, "Parson" Brownlow, and Rev. Francis Moore, of the Locust Street Methodist Episcopal Church. News of the invasion of Maryland reached Harrisburg on the night of Saturday, September 6th. The dispatch stated that the rebels had entered Frederick with forty thousand men, and were marching on Hagerstown. "This of course," said the "Telegraph," of September 8th, "aroused our citizens consid- erably, believing that the enemy might march undisturbed down
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HISTORY OF DAUPHIN COUNTY
through the Cumberland Valley." A dispatch contradicting this report was received on Sunday morning, and the people of Harris- burg were kept in a state of suspense throughout that day and part of Monday. On Monday afternoon, however, the "Telegraph" announced that it had direct information from several gentlemen who had left Frederick on the previous day that a portion of the Confederate army had reached that place. Further reports by tele- graph added that all the government stores had been removed from Hagerstown, Maryland, to Chambersburg, and that a large number of Union men had left the former town for places of safety in Penn- sylvania.
On the 9th of September the appointment was announced of A. K. McClure, assistant adjutant-general of the United States, with the rank of major, and detailed for special duty in Pennsylvania, where he was assigned the service of arranging such defenses in the State as the emergency demanded. In the mean time, in view of the threatened danger from the rebel advance, recruiting proceeded rapidly. The ranks of the Reserve Brigade and Home Guard soon filled up, and new companies were raised in nearly every ward in the city. On the 10th, Governor Curtin issued General Order No. 35, in which he stated that, "In view of the danger of invasion now threatening our State by the enemies of the government, it is deemed necessary to call upon all the able-bodied men of Pennsylvania to organize immediately for the defense of the State and be ready for marching orders upon one hour's notice, to proceed to such point of rendezvous as the Governor may direct." Organizations called into the field under this order were to be held for service for such time only as the pressing exigency for State defense continued. On the following day (September 11th) the "Telegraph" said, "We have the gratifying intelligence that the people are turning out en masse to defend the free soil of Pennsylvania. Dispatches from all the adjoining counties were received last night at headquarters, offering any number of troops for the defense of the capital of the State. General Wool takes command to-day. A number of competent engi- neers are here to complete the fortifications." In the same issue it was noted that "the train from Chambersburg brought a considerable number of passengers from beyond that town," from whom it was learned that "the excitement and panic in that direction are intense and fearful." On the same train came "a large number of contra- bands." On the afternoon of the same day Governor Curtin issued the following proclamation :
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HISTORY OF DAUPHIN COUNTY
"HEADQUARTERS PENNSYLVANIA MILITIA, "HARRISBURG, September II, 1862. "General Order No. 36.
"By authority of the President of the United States, fifty thou- sand of the freemen of Pennsylvania are hereby called for immedi- ate service, to repel the now imminent danger from invasion by the enemies of the country.
"Officers in command of company organizations, as authorized by General Order No. 35, dated September 10th, will at once report by telegraph the place of their headquarters, so that orders may be issued from these headquarters for transportation to Harrisburg for such companies as may be ordered to move.
"Further calls will be made for additional forces as the exi- gencies of the service may require. The formation of companies under the General Order of September 10th should continue to be made as rapidly as possible, until all the able-bodied, loyal men of Pennsylvania are enrolled and ready for service.
"By order of
"A. G. CURTIN, "Governor and Commander-in-Chief.
"A. L. RUSSELL, Adjutant-General, Pennsylvania."
September 12, 1862, Mayor Kepner issued a proclamation for- bidding any able-bodied men from leaving the city of Harrisburg, as all were expected to be needed in defense of the city.
At this date it was noted in the local press that the most active measures were being put in force to assemble a large army to resist invasion, "and if possible save the capital and State from devastation and outrage from the enemies of the government. By this evening fifty thousand men will be in motion. All the rolling stock of the different railroads in the State will be taken possession of for the purpose of conveying troops to this city. An engineer corps is at work on the other side of the river, surveying ground in all direc- tions, and arranging the plans for the erection of works."
Meanwhile the troops raised for the defense of the Cumberland Valley and Harrisburg were concentrating at Chambersburg under the command of General John F. Reynolds, of the Regular army. Colonel Charles Campbell was appointed, with the rank of briga- dier-general, to the command of a force from the camps at Harris- burg, which was ordered to proceed up the Cumberland Valley. On the 13th it was announced that over two hundred companies had reported themselves to the Governor for service, and that Governor Curtin had left Harrisburg on the previous day to visit the forces in field at Chambersburg, and other points in the valley. A strong reserve was maintained at Camp Curtin, ready to march at a
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HISTORY OF DAUPHIN COUNTY
moment's notice. From the night of the 13th of September and all day Sunday, as fast as one train of cars on the Pennsylvania railroad, the Lebanon Valley and Northern Central lines could discharge its cargo, another steamed into the city filled with volunteers. Tents were erected on the Capitol grounds for the accommodation of the fresh levies, and the medical department had a large hospital tent immediately in front of the Arsenal, where the recruits were supplied with medicine.
Troops continued to pour into Harrisburg until, on the 16th, it was announced that there were volunteers in the city from every county in the State. Camp Curtin was overflowing and the Capitol grounds literally covered with tents. The Senate and House chambers were used as barracks; the vacant rooms in the court house were appropriated to the soldiers.
The First Regiment Pennsylvania Militia, under command of Colonel Henry McCormick, composed chiefly of residents of Har- risburg, left the city for Chambersburg on September 13 and went into camp at Camp McClure, and the Dauphin County Cavalry, commanded by Captain E. Byers, with Lieutenants Boyd, Peters and Murray, and Charles C. Rown, as orderly. Captain James Gowan also recruited a company of soldiers in Dauphin county at that time.
The battle of Antietam, fought September 16 and 17, 1862, resulted in the retreat of General Lee's army across the Potomac, and dissipated all apprehension of the Confederates advancing upon Harrisburg at that time. Upon the receipt of this news from the seat of war, General Reynolds issued an order that they should return to their border, and by the 23d of September they were moving homeward to various parts of the State. On the 24th Governor Curtin said in his proclamation :
"Although not required by the terms of the call to pass the borders of the State, our brave men, unused to the rigors of war and untrained in military movements, not only entered Maryland. but held Hagerstown against an advancing foe, pressed forward to the Potomac, and resisted the threatened movement of the rebels upon Williamsport, until troops in the United States service arrived and relieved them. Their timely and heroic action has saved the State from the tread of an invading enemy, whose necessities made even military strategy subordinate to plunder."
The brigade which held the position at Williamsport, referred to by Governor Curtin, was commanded by Colonel Henry McCor- mick, acting brigadier, and the First Regiment ( from Harrisburg) was stationed on the extreme left in the position of honor and danger.
12
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HISTORY OF DAUPHIN COUNTY
At the battle of Antietam, General Banks' Corps was in the command of General Mansfield, and early in the day of September 1 7th was led to the support of General Hooker, battling with a heavy force of the enemy on the extreme right of the line, across Antietam creek. Crawford's brigade was sent to the support of Ricketts' divi- sion, and advanced, carrying the woods to the right of, and beyond the cornfield, and maintained'its position until relieved by Sedgwick's division of Sumner's Corps. The Forty-sixth Pennsylvania Regi- ment was led by Colonel Knipe, although suffering from the effects of his wounds. The loss was six killed and three severely wounded. Captain George A. Brooks, of Harrisburg, was among the killed. Soon after the battle of Antietam, Colonel Knipe was promoted to brigadier-general, and assigned to the command of the brigade; Lieutenant-Colonel Selfridge was promoted to colonel; Major Mat- thews to colonel of the 128th Pennsylvania Regiment, which was assigned to Knipe's brigade; Captain William L. Foulke, of Com- pany B, to lieutenant-colonel; and Captain Cyrus Strouse, of Com- pany K, to major. Upon the inauguration of the Fredericksburg campaign, the Forty-sixth, which was then lying with the division at Fairfax, was ordered forward, but did not arrive upon the field in time to be engaged.
In the reorganization of the army, which was made upon the accession of General Joseph Hooker to the chief command, Knipe's . brigade became the Second of the First Division of the Twelfth Corps, the Division being commanded by General A. S. Williams, and the Corps by General Slocum.
On May 1, 1863, Knipe's brigade was sent to support General O. O. Howard, and some men were lost. Skirmishes continued a day or two, and early one morning a sharp conflict ensued, wherein Knipe's brigade was engaged, losing many in killed and wounded and a large number of prisoners. Here fell the gallant Major Strouse, his body riddled with bullets, when attempting to escape when called on to surrender.
In the various engagements at Dallas, Pine Knob, Kenesaw Mountain and Marietta, in all of which the Forty-sixth participated, the loss was fourteen killed and thirty-four wounded. Captain D. H. Chesbro and Lieutenant J. W. Phillips were among the killed.
After defeating the Union army under General Hooker, at Chancellorsville, May 2 and 3, 1863, General Lee determined if pos- sible to transfer the scene of hostilities north of the Potomac. His design having become apparent at the North, Governor Curtin, on the 12th of June, issued a proclamation announcing that the Presi- dent had erected two new departments, one in Eastern Pennsylvania,
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HISTORY OF DAUPHIN COUNTY
commanded by Major-General D. N. Couch, and the other in West- ern Pennsylvania, commanded by Major-General Brooks, and urging upon the people of Pennsylvania the importance of immediately rais- ing a sufficient force for the defense of the State. An engineer force began on the 15th the erection of earthworks and other defenses on the Cumberland side of the Susquehanna river, immediately opposite Harrisburg. To these the name of Fort Washington was given. Other works were erected at other points, both along the river and on the different railroads. On the same day Lieutenant-Colonel Romford, appointed assistant provost-general for the State of Penn- sylvania, arrived at Harrisburg and entered upon the discharge of his duties, and Governor Curtin issued a proclamation calling for fifty thousand troops to repel the threatened invasion of Pennsylvania. A meeting of citizens of Harrisburg was also held at the court house on the 15th to devise measures for the protection of the city. On motion, General Simon Cameron was called to the chair. After explaining the object of the meeting and urging immediate action, General Cameron suggested that committees be appointed to wait upon the Governor and General Couch and ask them to be present and explain what they desired the citizens to do and how to assist in the defense of the city. In accordance with this suggestion, George Bergner, Dr. A. Patterson, and Judge Mckinney were appointed the committee to wait upon the Governor; William Bostick, Sheriff Boas, and Hon. John C. Kunkel to wait on General Couch. A committee to wait on Major Romford was also appointed, consisting of Colo- nel T. C. MacDowell, D. J. Unger and Weidman Forster. On motion it was resolved that one hundred scouts be sent up the valley, and Colonel F. K. Boas offered the following, which was unani- mously adopted: "Resolved, That we individually and collectively pledge the last dollar and last man in defense of the State in its present emergency."
Mr. Bergner, from the committee, introduced the Governor, who explained the state of affairs and urged all to prepare at once for self-defense. General Couch was then introduced, and spoke in a similar strain. Colonel Kunkel offered a roll which he had pre- pared, the signers of which pledged themselves to defend the city to the uttermost. The roll was at once signed by a large number, headed by General Simon Cameron. Mr. Snyder had prepared a roll calling upon the young men to organize, which was also numer- ously signed. A call was immediately issued, as follows :
"All loyal men who desire to enter the service with the under- signed will form companies at once and report at my residence, No. 43 North Second Street, in this city, immediately.
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HISTORY OF DAUPHIN COUNTY
"Remember there is no time to lose, as the rebels are now at Hagerstown, and are pushing for this city. Let there be no delay, unless you wish to see the capital of the State and your own firesides laid in waste by the invading rebels."
Troops flocked in again from all over the State, ready to do battle against invaders. New Jersey and New York also sent men to Harrisburg to join the home forces. On June 19, 1863, the follow- ing proclamation was issued :
MAYOR'S OFFICE, "HARRISBURG, June 18, 1863.
"For the preservation of peace and good order in the city it is enjoined on all keepers of retail liquor establishments and lager beer shops to close their bars precisely at 5.00 p. m. until 5.00 a. m. the next morning. The Mayor expects from every god citizen a faithful and cordial observance of this order. A. L. ROUMFORT."
On the 24th of June news came that the rebels were in the vicinity of Shippensburg, forty-five miles from Harrisburg, and that General Ewell with six brigades was about to march on the latter city. "The farmers in Cumberland Valley," it was added. "are bringing their horses, cattle, and everything movable across the river, and, unless matters change within the next twelve hours, we presume our non-fighting population will again be on the move." On the 25th Captain Brisbin established a cavalry camp east of the city, at the residence of A. Boyd Hamilton, which first was known as Camp Couch and later as Camp Brisbin. On the 30th it was reported that skirmishing was going on five miles from Harrisburg.
July Ist news came that the Southern troops had retreated from the vicinity of Harrisburg, and were rapidly concentrating between Carlisle and Gettysburg. This rebel movement found its culmination in the awful battle of Gettysburg, July 1, 2 and 3, 1863, after which Harrisburg was no longer in danger from General Lee's army. Hence the freely shed blood of Dauphin county soldiers was spilled outside her own borders. The war of four long years' duration virtually ended with the surrender of General Robert E. Lee to General U. S. Grant, at Appomattox Court House, in April, 1865.
The reader will find many thrilling historic incidents connected with the part Dauphin county took in the Civil War, under the quo- tations from the "Harrisburg Telegraph" in the chapter on Harris- burg city history, in this work.
For Military Rolls, see Appendix.
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HISTORY OF DAUPHIN COUNTY
SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR.
Dauphin county has kept good her military record, even down through the last conflict the United States has been engaged in- the War with Spain, over the Cuba difficulty. No sooner had Presi- dent William McKinley called upon the States for troops, than the State of Pennsylvania, including Dauphin county, freely responded. The greater part of the men serving in that war from this county were volunteers from the Pennsylvania National Guard, and were members of either one of the three following commands: The Gov- ernor's Troop, the Fourth and Eighth Pennsylvania Regiments.
The Governor's Troop was a cavalry organization of the National Guard of Pennsylvania, located at Harrisburg. In com- pliance with the Governor's orders they proceeded to Mount Gretna, April 28, 1898, for the purpose of volunteering as a part of the quota of volunteers to be furnished by the Commonwealth in the war with Spain. They were mustered into the United States service on May 13, 1898, with a total strength of three officers and sixty enlisted men. On June 13, the same year, forty recruits were added, making the strength three officers and one hundred enlisted men. The following is a list, as published in the State records, as soldiers from Dauphin county in this command :
Anthony. Mark (Sergt.)
Awl, Frank A.
Baer, Cameron L. (Corp.)
LeVan, Oscar R.
Barker. Wilbur S.
Lyter, Wm. E.
Bass, Franklin O.
Maior, John M. (First Lieut.)
Bell. George W. (Teamster).
Marshbank, Wm. T.
Bricker, John McHenry
McLaughlin, Hugh L. (Corp.)
Bruker, Francis W.
Moffitt, Robert H., Jr.
Burg, Chas. H.
Neiffer, Solomon H., (Sergt.)
Burk, John D.
Palmer, Albert S.
Commings, George (Farrier).
Reist, Jonas K.
Crossman. J. Heron (Corp.)
Riley, Ed. L.
Dean, James L.
Schreck, John L.
Delaney, LeRoy B.
Shank, Henry H.
Dutton. John A.
Shumberger, John C. (Corp.)
Egenrieder. Augustus
Slaybaugh, Wm. W.
Foster, Warren O.
Smith, Henry M. (Wagoner.)
Frey. Albert
Sparrow, Frederick
Frasell, Chas. J. Fry, Chas. N.
Thomas, Wm. H.
Fulton Ross A. (Corp.)
Unger, John T.
Gemperling, Wm.
Vogel, Samuel H., (Sergt.)
Gerdes, Jo. H. (Corp.)
Weaver, John W.
Good, John A. (Sergt.)
Werrick, David E.
Greene, Chas. A.
Wert, Chas. F. (Corp.)
Haas. John A.
Williams. Albert L. (Saddler).
Herman, Chas. S.
Hynicka, Ed. O.
Yingst, Robert M. Zoll, Addison M.
The Fourth Regiment-On April 28, 1898, pursuant to Gen-
Jack, George C. Kline, Benj. W.
Caveny, Reuben F.
Parsons, Wm. H. (Blacksmith.)
Steele, John D.
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HISTORY OF DAUPHIN COUNTY
eral Order No. 7, A. G. O., the Fourth Regiment Infantry, National Guard of Pennsylvania, reported at Mount Gretna, Lebanon county, Pennsylvania, for the purpose of volunteering in the United States service in the War with Spain. May 11th they had orders to pre- pare for movement to New York City, and there to take transports to Key West, Florida. On the evening of the 12th this order was countermanded, and on the evening of the 14th of May they were ordered to Chickamauga Park, Georgia, arriving there May 16th, and were assigned to the Second Brigade, First Division, First Army Corps. Later the Third Battalion was determined upon, and com- panies for it began to arrive, Company I, of Harrisburg, Captain Calder's, being the first to arrive. This company went with the regiment to South Carolina, starting July 4, with fifty rounds of ammunition. They finally embarked on the "City of Washington" and "Seneca" for Porto Rico, arriving there August 2, 1898. They weighed anchor about five miles off shore and sailed for Ponce, Porto Rico, and from there to Arroyo, fifty miles to the east, where their disembarkation was effected while the "St. Louis," "Cincin- nati" and "Gloucester" were shelling the hills back of the town. It was near midnight before all the regiment was landed.
Company I, Captain Calder's, was detached for provost duty at Arroyo, and remained there until relieved to join the regiment to proceed home for muster-out. October 27, 1898, the regiment, over one thousand strong, participated in the Peace Jubilee at Phil- adelphia, and was finally mustered out of service November 16, 1898. The following is the list of men from Dauphin county in this regiment, and nearly all were members of Company I:
Beach, G. W.
Bailey, Samuel
Baker, Arthur
Gastrock, Wm. B.
Billig, Earl
Gilbert, John H.
Bitner, John
Goodyear, Wm. M.
Black, Ramsey S.
Gruber, Raymond C.
Bahlen, Charles T.
Buckaloo, Frank H.
Promoted to Corporal July 20, 1898, and to Sergeant July 20, 1898. Burns, Frank
Hoover, Nelson O.
Jeffries, Chas. A.
Carpenter, Wm. A.
Kaercher, Adam A.
Christian, Wm. P.
Kammerer, Pedro J.
Collier, Wm. J. (Corporal)
Krohl, Frank J. Laufle, Albert G.
Crown, Shield B. F. (Q. M. Sergt.) Davis, Morris M. DeMoss, Wm. E.
Lee, John G. Leedy, L. B.
Dunn, Albert (Sergt.)
Lehman, Ellwood E.
Linard, Eugene V.
Longenecker, Louis
Fisher, John B. (First Lieut.)
Forney, Henry C.
Frymire, Theodore
Gamble, Robert (First Sergt.)
Bell, Warren S.
Harm, Paul W. F. Hartman, Wm. Herr, Robert W.
Calder, Howard (Captain)
Jones B. B. (Sergt.)
Edwards, Ellsworth E. (Corporal) Engle, George A.
Longenecker, Wm. G.
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HISTORY OF DAUPHIN COUNTY -
Lynch. John M.
Pye, Samuel H. B.
May, James (Wagoner)
Scott, Elmer
McAlicher, Harper L.
Snow, Earl C.
McFarlan, Chas. A.
Snyder, Wm. M.
McGonigal, E.
Spicer. Rudolph K. (Corporal)
Miller, Chas. H.
Stairs, Robert
Miller, Chas. K.
Stauffer, Frank W.
Miller, William G. (Corporal)
Steever. George W.
Minnich, J. O.
Stine, Henry M. (Second Lieut.)
Morgan, Frank W. (Corporal)
Shock, Wm. H.
Morton, Wm. C. (Corporal)
Swartz, Ed. A.
Moyer, Frank C.
Taylor, John A.
Napier, Robert W. (Sergt.)
Theurer, Wm.
Nebinger, Ralph S.
Weaver, Harry A.
Newman, David B.
Whitcomb, Frank P.
Oliver, Henry B.
Wilson, Charles A.
Orner, Henry A.
Wilson, Frank
Otto, Edgar (Cook)
Wilson, Harry M.
Perkley, John I.
Wissler, Christian (Corporal)
Peters, Henry
Wolf, John L.
Price, Wm.
The Eighth Regiment-Pursuant to General Orders No. 7, A. G. O., the Eighth Regiment, Pennsylvania National Guard, reported at Mt. Gretna on April 28, 1898, for the purpose of volun- teering in the United States service, in the War with Spain. The severely inclement weather prevented the regiment from erecting camp until Friday, April 29. The strength of the regiment was forty-three officers and 586 enlisted men; total, 639. The minimum per company was fixed at eighty men. Theodore Hoffman was com- missioned as colonel of the Eighth Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, and all but Company G were mustered into the United States service, May 12, 1898, Company G having been mustered in the day prior.
May 13 the regiment had orders to proceed to Chickamauga, Georgia, with ten days' rations. This order, was, however, coun- termanded on May 15, and on the 16th the regiment was ordered to proceed to Washington, D. C., with ten days rations. On the morn- ing of the 18th of May, the regiment broke camp at Mount Gretna and arrived at Dunn Loring Station, Virginia, at six o'clock p. m. This was the first regiment to locate at what came to be known as Camp Alger. They were assigned to the Second Army Corps. June 16, 1898, in accordance with orders from the War Department, the companies were ordered to be recruited to one hundred and six men each, and Majors Hutchinson and Holmes were detailed as recruiting officers. July 20th the regiment was presented with a beautiful silk United States flag by the ladies of Shippensburg, Penn- sylvania, August 30th the regiment proceeded to Camp Meade, Middletown, Pennsylvania, arriving there early August 31st. On October 26th the regiment left Camp Meade and proceeded via the Pennsylvania Railroad to participate in the Peace Jubilee in Phil-
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