USA > Pennsylvania > Mifflin County > History of Mifflin County : its physical peculiarities, soil, climate, &c. ; including an early sketch of the state of Pennsylvania Volume I > Part 13
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the large portion of you here to-day performed gallant services in that grand and peerless army whose fame is cherished and is re- nowned the world over, and, of whose achievements we shall ever be proud-the gallant old army of the Potomac. Rendering to all others a full measure of praise for the glory of their achievements in the great struggle for the preservation of the life of the Nation, it must be conceded that as an instrumentality under Providence in sustaining the cause of the Union, in continuous successful re- sistance, glorious in defeat, as well as in victory, the army of the Potomac stands pre-eminent. For four long years that army stood as a wall of fire between the enemy and the National Capital. Again and again did it meet Lee and his legions, and hurl them back bleeding to the lines of the Rappahannock and the Rapidan. Its world renowned and historic fame are stamped indelibly upon the hotly contested fields of Antietam, Fredericksburg, Chancellors- ville, Gettysburg, the bloody struggles of the Wilderness, Spottsyl- vania, Cold Harbor, and the long siege and battle around Peters- burg and Richmond, and at last complete and final victory that perched upon its banners at the Appomattox Court House, in the surrender of Lee, and the termination of the war. *
"So, my fellow-soldiers, you see you did not fight in vain. No, verily, you fought for a grand, a glorious prize, and the God who giveth victory permitted you to win it. You have the right to meet and rejoice and congratulate each other. Having won this glorious prize, it becomes your duty, in the exercise of your citizenship, to preserve the precious boon and hand it down to posterity, to the millions that are to come after you that they may enjoy the pre- cious privileges of our free institutions, purchased by such great sacrifices of blood and treasure."
We have many productions of General McCoy's pen, showing lit- erary tastes and abilities of high order, which space prohibits an introduction of here. His annals of the late war; his reminis- cences of the Mexican war; his farewell to Mexico, and his series of letters from the steamer Germantown on the way to Mexico, from the ship America near Orleans; the camp near Palo Alto; from Haciendi San Jose, near the city of Mexico; the St. Domingo Convent in the city of Mexico, and many others, all replete with interesting matters of war history, told as only the pen of General McCoy could tell it.
A comment on his personal home influence would be a work of supererogation, in Mifflin county, where he was born and where a
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most commendable life of usefulness has been spent. And he has many years to stay yet, and to enjoy the reward that follows a life of usefulness in an appreciative community.
AMERICA TO THE WORLD.
"Tell them this union so great cannot sever, Though, it may tremble beneath the rude shock ;
As it hath lived, so shall it forever, Strong as a mountain oak, firm 'as a rock.
"Others have fallen-are falling around us, Dynasties tremble and sink to decay ;
But the great heart whose strong fetters have bound us, Never has throbbed as it's throbbing to-day.
"Let them not deem in a moment of weakness, We can surrender our birthright and name ;
Strike the old flag, and with patience and meekness, Bear the foul blot on our hardly earned fame.
"Dumb be the tongue that would tell the foul story, Blighted the beam, could conceive it in sin ;
Crushed be the heart that would tarnish the glory And honor our country hath striven to win.
"Ever and ever our flag shall be streaming, Adding new glories of stripes and of stars ;
Though the sword glancing and bayonet gleaming, Tell us of treasons, corruptions and wars.
"Soon shall our land to its old peace returning, Spring to the duties that make nations great ;
Awhile in the heart true valor is burning, Calmly and bravely her destiny wait "
"We live in deeds, not years ; in thought, not breath ; In feelings, not in figures ou the deal ;
We should count time by heart-throbs when they beat, For God, for man, for duty, He lives most Who thinks most, feels noblest, acts the best,. And he but dead, who the dronish life."
Thomas Marcus Hulings,
Colonel of the Forty-ninth regiment, was born in Lewistown, Pennsylvania, on the 6th of February, 1835. He was a son of David and Maria (Patton) Huling. His paternal grandfather was one of the first white settlers on the Juniata River, and his ances- tors were soldiers in the revolutionary army. He was fond of
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military life, and when troops were summoned to defend the capital, went as first lieutenant of the Logan Guards, one of the first companies that reached Washington, having successfully passed through the infuriated mob at Baltimore. At the close of the three-months' service, during which his company remained in Washington, or twelves miles below the city, at Fort Washington, he returned to Pennsylvania and was appointed major of the Forty-uinth regiment. With this he went to the Peninsula with McClellan's army, being attached to Hancock's brigade of Smith's division. He was first under fire in a reconnoisance made by Smith at Young's Mills, in April, 1862, where a sharp skirmish ensued, iu which Major Hulings exhibited remarkable coolness and bravery. At Williamsburgh, Hancock led a brilliant charge in which Hul- ings bore himself with such gallantry as to win the favor and fast friendship of that able and accomplished soldier. He also took part in the action at Golding's Farm, Savage Station and White Oak Swamp, "displaying throughout those terrible seven days," says Colonel Irwin, " the same cool bravery and resolution which on all occasions of dangers distinguished him." He was also at second Bull Run, though his regiment was not engaged, vieing with the stoutest acts of valor, and subsequently at Crampton's Pass on the 14th of September, and at Antietam on the 17th, having his horse shot under him in the latter battle, while perform- ing a hazardous duty. He had previously, in February, 1862, been ap- pointed captain of the Twelfth United States Infantry, but so much was he attached to his men of the Forty-ninth Pennsylvania, that he chose to remain with them. In October following, he was pro- moted to lieutenant-colonel. In the battle of Frederickshurgh, which was really a part of Chancellorsville, his regiment was one of those selected to cross the Rappahannock in boats, in open face of the enemy and storm the rifle pits that lined the southern bank of that stream.
This duty was heroically performed under a galling fire of mus- ketry, and here Colonel Hulings was especially distinguished, being among the first to spring to the enemy's shore. During the pas- sage of the river some of those who were rowing the boat in which he was crossing, became terrified and commenced backing water, but drawing his pistols upon them he compelled them to go for- ward. His conduct on that occasion was spoken of by all who witnessed it, in terms of universal praise. Col. Irwin was severely wounded while leading his men up the bank of the river, and Colo-
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nel Hnlings succeeded to the command of the regiment. The Gettysburg campaign followed in which he participated; making long and wearisome marches, arriving on the field on the afternoon of July 2d, 1863, and going to the support of the Fifth corps and the defense of the left wing of the army which was hard pushed. At Rappahannock Station, he led his regiment in the storming col- umn consisting of Russel's division, and though the ground was open and swept by the enemy's artillery and small arms from an en- trenched position, he carried their works and captured more men than were of the assaulting force. When the gallantry of this bri- gade was described to General Hancock, he remarked : "They never failed in anything they undertook." The wounds of Colonel Ir- win necessitated his resignation, and Lieutenant-Colonel Hulings was promoted to the rank of colonel before the opening of the spring campaign in 1864. It was at this period that General Han- «cock wrote of him: "He is a brave and faithful officer, and has been twice recommended by myself for brevets, for good conduct in action." With his usual daring he passed unscathed through the terrible ordeal of the battle of the Wilderness, of the 5th, 6th and 7th of May. On the 10th, the brigade to which his regiment was attached, was ordered to join in an assault on the enemy's works in front of Spottsylvania. A heroic attack was made under a terrible and sweeping musket and artillery fire. Carried forward by the chivalrous courage of their leader, his command rushed upon the enemy, and after a desperate and bloody contest with clubbed mus- kets penetrated the enemy's entrenchments and drove them out, capturing several pieces of artillery, but losing frightfully in the combat in gallant soldiers and officers. Shortly after the works were thns stormed, Colonel Hulings received orders to withdraw his regiment to the grounds held previous to the assault. As soon as this movement commenced, the enemy perceiving it, advanced to recover the entrenchments, opening a scathing fire as they came forward. It was at this moment, while standing with his hand upon a captured piece of artillery giving orders to the men and cautioning them, with, his accustomed coolness in times of danger, to retire without haste and disorder, that he received his death from a mus- ket ball which pierced his head. He sank instantly into the arms of one of his men, and his soul passed from earth.
Charles Kenedy.
The above named gentleman became a resident of Kishacoquillas
9
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Valley in 1799, removed there from the State of Maryland. His daughter, now Mrs. Davis, residing on Third street, Lewistown, was then a child three years old, hence she is now four-score and three, and the most aged resident of that Valley we have met. Her recollections of the early incidents of the pioneer inhabitants of that Valley are quite vivid, and her descriptions thereof are ex- ceedingly interesting. At her advanced age she enjoys a state of health that forebodes yet many years a blessing to her family and friends.
Dr. JJoseph Henderson, M. D.
It is with unusual feelings of interest that we introduce the sub- jeet of this biography. No man in Mifflin county was ever more identified in all its varied interests than Dr. Henderson. His high scientific attainments ; his unselfish interest in the good and well- being of others without regard to his own pecuniary interest; his position in the war of 1812, and in the war of the rebellion ; his home reeord, and his literary tastes and abilities, all render him a man whose varied tastes and unnsual abilities it is hard to describe .. As a proof of his high tone of thought, and his literary ability and tastes, we insert the following productions of his most elo- quent pen :
"WINTER AND SPRING."
"Throned on his palace of Cerulean ice, Stern winter holds his unrejoicing court. "Thompson."
"Throned on the mountain high stern winter stands, Amid the ice built cliffs and towering rocks
His robes the curling mists and hoar his locks, He holds the avalanche in his mighty hands. The tempest's voice proclaims his loud commands, To subject hosts of hail and sleet and snow, Recalling from afar their scattered bands, O'er Arctic lands or icy seas ; but lo ! Borne on the balmy breeze there comes a power Milder, but mightier far, the gentle spring, To seize his sceptre and his banners lower ; And hurl him from a throne, yet still a king, To Southern climes, to which his legions soar He takes his flight upon the whirlwind's wing."
KISHACOQUILLAS, MIFFLIN COUNTY, P.A., April, 1846.
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"CLOUDS AND SUNSHINE."
"The winds are hushed among the silent hills, How deep the solemn stillnsss of the woods; Lulled in the music of the soft-voiced rills, Or drowsy murmur of the distant flood. How calm is nature's sleep-the gentle breeze Scarce stirs a leaf, or bears a lonely sound
When pearly raindrops from the dripping trees, Like stealing tears fall quietly around.
"Lo ! on the vault of heaven the radiant arch, Bright as when bent by the Almighty hand
The bar and boundary to the tempest's march, And seal of promise to a stricken land.
Till time shall fold his wings on that dread shore Eternity-and end the rolling years ;
Till earth itself with time shall be no more ; The storm shall cease-drenched nature calm her fears Look on the covenant cloud and smile against her tears.
" The pure, azure fields the herald ray, The parting clouds in rosy clusters curled,
Proclaims the coming of the king of day, To scatter smiles upon a joyous world.
In brighter hues the varied landscape glows, Like sparkling gems each flower a radiance yields,
Save where a passing cloud its dim shade throws, In phantoms flitting o'er the waving trees.
"The clouds of stern adversity may lower Around life's pilgrim on his weary way ;
And bodings of despair in evil hour May prompt a doubt of an overruling sway.
But faith's bright beams will all such doubts control And fell despair's dark presages repel, And hope's celestial Iris of the soul, Beneath the cheering influence of thy spell The pilgrim sleeps in peace, assured that all is well."
KISHACOQUILLAS, MIFFLIN COUNTY, PA., 1846.
Dr. Joseph Henderson, the author of the above, was born in 1791, in Shippensburg, Pennsylvania, and came to Centre county at the age of eleven years. His natural bent of mind was to the sciences, and he prepared himself for the medical profession and engaged in the practice thereof, in Lewistown, and at the "Forge," now the Logan Iron and Steel Works, and it is superfluous to add that in all his undertakings he was very successful. He married a Miss Maclay, sister of Judge Maclay, of Kishacoquillas Valley, and re-
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moved to the valley, and there continued his practice until 1850, when he returned to Lewistown, where he died December 25th, 1863, at the age of seventy-two years. After his return to Lewistown, his wife preceded him to the spirit land, and being without descenants, he married, on January 28, 1852, Miss Margaret Isenberg, a most pleasant and intellectual companion, who was some years his junior, and still survives him in their beautiful seqnestered home in Lew- istown. The result of this union was James L., born 1853, Joseph, born 1857, and William B., born 1860, James L., is now a promi- nent physician in Putman county, Ohio, Joseph is in Indiana, and William B., is at home with his mother. Having thus briefly out- lined the life of Dr. Henderson, we will now proceed to detail some of the varied experiences that checker and diversify human exis- tence, but few, however, have had the varied experiences of him of whom we now write. One peculiarity marks his life, namely : he aimed to live for the good of those by whom he was surrounded and associated with, and not for self. Was this more the charac- teristic of the people of this world, how much happier it would be. In the war of 1812, he was in the recruiting service of the United States Army, and belonged to the Twenty-second regiment while thus engaged. Before us lies a memorandum headed, " Abstract of contingent expenditures made by Captain Joseph Henderson, of Twenty-second Regiment of Infantry, whilst on the recruiting ser- vice." The dates run from March, 1813, January, 1813, December, 1812 December 8th, 1812, seeming to be the earliest, and August 30, 1814, the latest of those dates. The items for which the money are carefully noted, also whom paid to, and in all cases receipts were taken, and under the head of remarks are notes of those receipts, which show that they were nearly all signed by the recipient of the money, making his mark. The following are some of the items : January 15, 1813, wood, $3.78; January 31, house rent for two montlis, $12.00 ; December 8, 1812, music, $16.50; February 17, 1813, medical attendance at rendezvous from 27th of November, 1812, to 3d of February 1813, $120.39, then camp equipage, $2.75; expenses after a deserter, $1.00 ; jail fees, $4.62 ; broom, brush, &c., $1.25; music, $4.50; carrying sick man to hospital, $1.00, and a large proportion of the whole bill was music ; total, $294.48. We make the following extracts frem a letter written by Dr. Joseph Henderson to Dr. John Henderson, Huntingdon, Pennsylvania, after the battle of Chippeway :
1
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" QUEENSTOWN, July 11, 1814.
" MY DEAR SIR :- You have no doubt seen before this can reach you, the account of the movements of our army since it left Buffalo with a detail of the action near Chippeway, yet a few particu- lars from me will be interesting. We embarked at Buffalo about 12 o'clock at night, for the purpose of attacking Fort Erie, which was supposed to be garrisoned with about fifteen hundred men. We completely surrounded the fort at daylight, which capitulated in a short time afterwards, surrendering 100 men. Six hundred troops had left it two days previously. On the following day we marched for Chippeway, and arrived under their batteries which opened a heavy fire of bombs, canister and grape, by which 100 of my men were wounded, and finding the bridge had been torn away, we were obliged to. retreat and encamped one-half mile up in the rear. Chippeway Creek is broad and so deep as to admit of vessels of considerable burden. On the night preceding the battle I commanded the advanced guard which was attacked by the Indians and riflemen with whom I kept up a bush fight until about 10 o'clock. I had one man slightly wounded, the enemy lost several ; an Indian had two desperate shots at me, at a distance of about 100 yards, the last of which wounded a boy who was stand- ing by me, in the leg. About noon the British force advanced upon ns, their Indians had got nearly on our rear before they were discovered, but were repulsed with great loss by our Indian volunteer militia and some regulars consolidated, 9th and 22d, of which I commanded the left flank, were obliged to meet the "Royal Scotts," and advance in a column through a lane one-fourth of a mile against a most a tremendous fire of twenty-four pound bombs, grape and canister, where we formed under a heavy fire of musketry in the open plain, against a force of twice our number, and veterans, boasting that they had never turned their backs. Here we made a stand with General Scott and Major Leavingsworth at our head, when the enemy ordered to the charge. We distinctly heard Gen- eral Real say : "Charge the damned Buffalo Militia," which they supposed from our numbers and our men, all wearing round jackets. We waited until they had advanced sufficiently for our musketry to do execution when we opened such a deadly fire upon them that they were unable to withstand it, and retreated in dis- order. My company was directly opposed to their centre, and suffered the most. The other part of the brigade under Major McNeal had nearly reached their right flank in solid column, when
-
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a few minutes before their retreat opened a destructive oblique fire. We pursued them again under their batteries, but they effected their retreat, and threw down the bridge. The next day we commenced erecting a bridge six miles up the creek, under cover of the field pieces. Before it was completed the enemy evacuated the place, and we immediately persued them to this place. We could discover their rear guard ; they are now in Fort D., or Niagara, from whence we anticipated an attack. In the action, we had five men killed and fourteen wounded." Then follows a part of the letter mutilated by age, and it closes as follows : " They acknowledge to 600 killed and wounded, and that they were completely and fairly flogged. I am completely worn out and sick too, for the want of sleep. Give my love to all. Send this letter to mother.
" Yours affectionately,
"J. HENDERSON.
"P. S .- Please write soon, and direct your letter to J. H., Buffalo Army. Excuse haste, and blunders, as I have to write upon my knee."
There is also among the papers before us, a general order from General Scott, issued, Buffalo, May 29, 1814, signed " W. Scott, Brigadier-General Commanding." This paper is the original manu- script of the order. Another old document before us is a letter to " General Brady of the 22d regiment of the United States Infantry, or the commanding officer of the 22d regiment United States In- fantry, at Sackett's Harbor," written from "Chester, in Delaware county, in the State of Pennsylvania, January 2d, 1815," signed, " Burbeck, Brigadier-General Commanding." We copy the follow- ing order from the original manuscript :
" PITTSBURGH, 11th April, 1814.
"SIR :- You will proceed to Carlisle Barracks and take imme- diate command of the 22d at that place. Attend to their wants as far as is in your power.
"You will introduce most rigid discipline. Drill your men at least four hours each day. In this employ all the officers of the regiment at that place. It is not in my power to give you the day that I will be in Carlisle, until I arrive. I know that you will do your best.
" Yours respectfully,
" H. BRADY, Colonel 22d Regiment.
" Captain J. HENDERSON,
" 22d Infantry."
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We have also, in its original manuscript, a letter from Wm. Duane, Adjutant-General, dated, Adjutant-General's office, 12th of November, 1813, to Captain Joseph Henderson, requesting him to recruit and add to his company all he can, and come immediately to Washington ; an urgent, strong appeal. Also one from Colonel H. Brady, Fort Forsyth, dated, 13th of April, 1813, to J. Hender- son, at Carlisle Barracks ; another from Colonel Brady, at Fort George, August 15th, 1813, to J. Henderson, at -; one from General Irwin, dated, " Commanding General's office, Philadelphia, December 13, 1813," stating " that the order for clothing and camp equipage for your company, shall be immediately issued. Appli- cations for arms and accoutrements must be made to the command- ing general of ordnance, at Washington. You will therefore trans- mit your requisition for arms, &c., to Colonel Wadsworth, without delay. Swords are embraced in the order from this office." "To Captain Jos. Henderson, Province Island Barracks." We have also a most interesting letter from H. Brady, dated, Carlisle, May 6th, 1814, to Mr. Henderson, giving instructions as to an expected future march. It is written in the most explicit confidence, and proves, were proof necessary, the high degree of confidnece and esteem in which Mr. Henderson was held, by both officers and men of those times. Did space permit, we should be glad to lay the substance of all these old documents before our readers.
" ADJUTANT-GENERAL'S OFFICE, " WASHINGTON, June 17, 1812.
" In order that the rank officers of the main army appointed under the act of Congress passed the 11th of June last, may be settled upon just principles, every officer having any pretensions from former services, whether in the armies of the states, in volun- teers or militia, will forward them to this office without delay.
"By command of the Secretary of War,
" ALEXANDER NEWCOMBE, "Assistant Adjutant-General."
"LIEUTENANT HENDERSON :- The above you will please transmit to such officers in your part of the country, as you will not have opportunity of seeing immediately."
The muster rolls and monthly returns of Colonel Henderson's regiment are also in a good state of preservation, bearing date different months in the summer of 1814.
From the above documents, and others not qoted from, we find the following facts : That Dr. Joseph Henderson was ordered on
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the recruiting service in Philadelphia, in the fall of 1812, and spent the winter of 1812 and 1813, in that eity recruiting. He then hield a lieutenant's commission. The commission is preserved; also of- ficial communications from the third auditor's office, in relation to the same ; also orders from Colonel Bradgin, spring of 1813, direet, ing him to take his recrnits and proceed to Sackett's Harbor, which he did; also orders from General Izard, all these orders were ad- dressed to him as Lieutenant Henderson. There is an order from Adjutant-General Duane to Captain Henderson, informally con -- gratulating him upon his appointment to captain, November 12th, 1813. Orders from Colonel Brady, to Captain H., to proceed to. Carlisle Barracks, we copied above. His letter to his brother after the battle of Chippeway, is also very full and complete. His first lieutenant was John Culbertson, second lientenant, Samuel Brady, Captain Rutland and Captain Foulk, were officers in the same regi -- ment. His commission as captain, is not preserved, was perhaps lost in the service. In a later communication than any of the above, from a Colonel Jones, he is addressed Major Henderson, but we have no evidence that he was commissioned a major. His dis -. charge is not preserved. The above documents prove that he was in the service as early as the fall of 1812, and as late as 1814. Of his official life and experiences we will now treat. We have be- fore us private correspondence addressed to him, signed, James Buchanan, dated, Senate Chamber, 31st of Angust, 1842, addressed on the outside in the handwriting of Mr. Buchanan, and under his frank, to " Dr. J. Henderson, Brown's Mills, Mifflin county Penn- sylvania." This confidential letter treats of Mr. Buchanan's chances for the nomination for the presidency, &c., &c. The manuseript of Colonel Jones, dated January, 1835, on the workings of the brevet system, is a very interesting document. One from the Treasury Department, Auditor's Office. July 30, 1834, on subject of pensions,. and one from a gentleman in Detroit, Michigan, dated January 15, 1836, asking his influence, and also to secure the influence of Gen- eral Cass, to secure him an official appointment. There is also a letter complimenting him for favors received by Martin Van Buren,. and other gentlemen of the highest standing and influence in the . Senate and House. The parents of Dr. Henderson, were Matthew and Margaret H. Henderson, residents of Cumberland county, and as before stated, his father was a resident of that county as early as 1769, and perhaps earlier.
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