USA > Pennsylvania > Montgomery County > History of Montgomery County, Pennsylvania > Part 49
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David Stanton, surg., must. in Aug. 27, 1861; pro. to surg. U. S. regt. army Nov. 24, 1862.
Gurdoo B. Ilotrhkin, surg., must. in Dec. 4, 1861 ; pro. from assist, surg. Nov. 24, 1862 ; nmist. out with regiment Sept. 9, 1864.
J. B. Finney, assist. surg., nist. in Aug. - , 1861 ; res. Sept., 1861.
Samuel Alexander, assist. surg., mist. in Aug. 27, 1861 ; killed at Dranes- ville, Va., Nov. 26, 1861.
S. W. H. Calver, assist. surg., must. in June -, 1862 ; res. Aug. 2, 1862. Iliram N. Kelly, assist. surg., must. in Dec. 17, 1862 ; res. Jan. 21, 1863.
L. E. Atkinson, assist. sorg., must. in Jan. 24, 1863 ; trans to batt. Sept. 3, 1864 ; disch. Sept. 5, 1864.
R. H. Tuft, assist. surg., must. in July 6, 1863 ; trans, to batt. Sept. 3, 1864 ; and to 21 Regt. Prov. Cav. June 17, 1865.
J. Harvey Beale, chaplain, minst. in Sept. 1, 1861 ; must. out with regi- ment Sept. 9, 1864.
Jacob Wolf, vet. surg., must. in Aug. 13, 1861 ; pro. from private Co I 1, 1863 ; minst. ont with regiment Sept. 9, 1864.
George W. Seigrist, sergt .- maj., minst. in Ang. 10, 1861 ; pro, from q.m .- sergt. Co. C to sergt .- maj. Sept., 1861 ; to 2d lieut. Co. 1 Nov. 23, 18G1. Henry C. Beamer, sergt .- maj. ; pro. to sergt .- maj. Feb. 17, 1862; to Ist lient. Co. G July 17, 1862.
William MeC'une, sergt .- maj. ; appointed sergt .- maj. May 8, 1x62 ; disch. on surg. certif. Sept 29, 1862.
George J. Geiser, sergt .- maj. ; pro. to sergt .- maj. Sept. 29, 1862; to 2d lieut. Co. G April 12, 1863.
John Hamilton, sergt .- maj., umst in July 25, 1861 ; pro. from sergt. Co. A May 1, 18G3 ; must. ont with regiment Sept. 9, 1804.
George W. Fincher, q.m .- sergt., must. in July 30, 1861 ; pro. from private Co. L Nov 1, 1862; trans. to batt. Sept. 3, 1864 ; pro. to 2d lient. Co. L, batt., Sept. 13, 1864 ; to Ist lieut. Co. F, batt., March 19, 1865 ; must. out by consolidation Inne 20, 1865 ; veteran.
Jobn McCahan, com. sergt., must, in Ang. 28, 1861 ; jiro, from private Co. G Feb. 28, 1862 ; must. out with regiment Sept. 9, 1804.
Joseph Deveney, hosp. steward ; appointed hosp. steward Sept. 6, 1861 ; transferred ; not on muster-out roll.
Ernest Conzier, hosp. steward must. out Ang. 28, 1861 ; pro. from pri- vate Co. ( Oct., 1861 ; trans. tu U. S. regular army Nov. 24, 1862.
Charles Gardner, hosp. steward, must. in Oct. 20, 1862; pro. from private Co. G Oct. 23, 1862 ; trans, to batt. Sept. 3. 1864.
William P. Lloyd, hosp. steward, must. in Sept. 1, 1861 ; pro. from pri- vate Co. G Dec. 18, 1862 ; to Ist lient. Co. E March 22, 1863.
William J. Jackman, hosp. steward, umst. in July 25, 1861 ; pro from sergt. Co. A Feb. 25, 1863; must. ont with regiment Sept. 9, 1864.
Thomas R. Starer, bugler, must. in Ang. 21, 18G1 : pro. from corp. Co. I Ort. 16, 1861 ; disch. by order of War Dept. Thet. 1, 1862.
James D. Landis, bugler, must. in Aug. 10, 1861 ; pro. from sergt. Co. C May 1, 1863 ; wounded June 9, 1863; trans. to batt. Sept. 3, 1864; must. out by special order June 20, 1865 ; veteran.
Juhn W. Forney, saddler, must. in July 25, 1861 ; trans, to batt. Sept. 3, 1864 ; must. out by special order June 20, 1865; veteran.
COMPANY B.
RecruiterI at Athensville, Montgomery C'o.
Owen Jones, capt., must. in Ang. 8, 1861 ; pru, to maj. Ang. 5, 1861.
Jacob L. Stadelman, rapt., must. in Aug. 8, 1861 ; pro. from Ist lieut. Aug. 8, 1861 ; res. March 26, 1862.
Joseph C. Roberts, rapt., must. in Ang. 8. 1861 ; pro. from sergt. to 2d lient. Nov. 25, 1861 ; to 1st lient. Dec. 30, 1861 ; to capt. March 26, 1862 ; res. May 8, 1862.
William Litzenberg, capt., must. in Ang. 8, 1861 ; pro. from sergt. May 20, 1862; wounded ut Deep Bottom. Va., July 28, 1864 ; disch. Sept. 9, 1864, exp. of term.
Theodore Streck, Ist lieut., minst. m Aug. 8, 1861 ; pro. from Ist sergt. to Ist lient. Aug. 8, 1861 ; to capt. Co. 11 Nov. 25, 1861.
Richard R. Corson, Ist lieut., must. in Ang. x, 1861 ; pro. from sergt. to 1st lient. and q.m. Sept. 17, 1861.
John Kline, Ist lieut., must. in Aug. 8, 1861 ; pro. from 2d to lat lieut. Nov. 25, 1861 ; res. Dec. 30, 1861.
William Buzby, Ist lient., must. in Aug. 8, 1861 ; pro. from corp. to 1st sergt. ; to 2d lient. Jan. 3, 1862 ; to 1st lieut. March 26, 1862 ; died at Washington, D. C., May 1, 1864.
George II. Baker, Ist lieut., must. in Aug. 8, 1861; pro. from corp. to q.m .- sergt. Sept. 28, 186] ; to 1st lient, and q. m. May 5, 1862.
Robert S. Lawsha, 2d lient., must. in Ang. 8, 1861 ; pro. from sergt.
March 26, 1862; wounded May 28, 1864; must. oot with company Sept. 9, 1864.
Juhn It. Bevan, Ist sergt., must. in Ang. 8, 1861 : pro. from corp. to 1st sergt. April 1, 1862 ; must, out with company Sept. 9, 1864.
W. F. Chrisman, q. m. sergt., must. in Aug. 8, 1861 ; pro. to corp .; to q.m .- sergt. Feb. 1, 1863 ; wounded at Culpepper, Va., Sept. 13, 1863 ; minst. out with company Sept. 9, 1864.
Daniel H. Titlow, com. sergt., must. in Ang. 8, 1861 ; pro. from corp. to sergt. April 5, 1862 ; inust. out with company Sept. 9, 1864. .
Lewis M. Thomas, sergt., must. in Ang. 8, 1861 ; disch. on surg. certif. Feb. 1, 1863.
Adolphus S. Edler, sergt., must. in Ang. 8, 1861 ; must. out with com- pany Sept. 9, 1864.
Martin Mars, sergt., must. in Aug. 8, 1861 ; pro. from corp. to sergt. Jan. 14, 1862 ; must. ont with company Sept. 9, 1864.
Lem. A. Patterson, sergt., must. in Aug. 8, 1861 ; pro. to sergt. ; disch. on surg. certif. March 20, 1863.
Juseph Prire, sergt., mumst. in Ang. 8, 1861 ; pro. from corp. to sergt. Feb. 1, 1863 ; must. out with company Sept. 0, 18ft.
David W. Terrence, sergt., must. in Ang. 8, 1861; pro. from corp .; wounded May 25, 1863 ; disch. on surg. certif. July 8, 1864.
John J. Creighton, sergt., most. in Ang. 8, 1861 ; pro. to sergt. ; trans. to batt., 1st Pa. Cav. ; veteran.
Sammel Jago, sergt., must in Ang. 8, 1861 ; pro. to sergt. ; trans. to batt. Sept. 9, 1864; must. ont as sergt. Co. M, batt., June 20, 1865 ; veteran.
George L. Lyle, sergt., must. in Ang 8, 1861 ; pro. to sergt. ; killed at Malvern Hill, Va., July 28, 1864 ; veteran.
Wmt. Stadelman, bergt., must. in Aug. 8, 1861 ; pro. to sergt. ; to q.m .- sergt. May 5, 1862.
John Anderson, corp., must. in Ang. 8, 1861 ; disch. on surg. certif. Oct. 9, 1861.
Adon. J. Stanley, corp., must. in Ang. 8, 1861 ; disch. oo surg. certif. Jan. 19, 1863.
John R. Styer, corp., must. in Aug. 8, 18G1 ; killed at Hawes' Shop, Va., May 28, 1864.
William H. Edler, corp., must. in Aug. 28, 1862; wounded June 21, 1864 ; trans. to batt., Ist Pa. Cav.
George B. Rambo, corp., must. in Ang. 8, 1861 ; must. out with com- pany Sept. 9, 1864.
Crawford Yorum, corp., must. in Aug. 8, 1861 ; must. out with company Sept. 9, 1864.
Kline A. Graver, corp., must. in Aug. 8, 1861 ; must. out with company Sept. 9, 1864.
.
W'm. Il. Ramsay, corp., must. in Aug. 8, 1861 ; must. out with company Sept 9, 1864.
Joel L. Davis, corp., must. in Aug. 8, 1861 ; must, ont with company Sept. 9, 1864.
Mark R. Hagner, corp., must. in Aug. 8, 1861 ; must. out with company Sept. 9, 1864.
Henry H. Pyott, corp., must. in Ang. 8, 1861 ; must. ont with company Sept. 9, 1864.
Henry %. Lair, bugler, must. in Aug. 8, 1861 ; trans. to brigade band Jan. 1, 1863.
Franklin Snyder, bugler, must. in Aug. 8, 1861; must. out with com- pany Sept. 9, 1864.
Morris M. Mattson, bugler, must. in Ang. 8, 1861 ; must. out with com- many Sept. 9, 1864.
Prirates.
Theo. T. Asheufelter, must. in Aug. 8, 1861 ; disch. on surg. certif. Feb. 26, 1863.
William Adair, umst. in Ang. 26, 1862; trans. to batt. Sept. 9, 1864; must. out in Co. M., batt., June 6, 1865.
Lorenzo D. Black, must. in Ang. 8, 1861 ; minst. out with company Sept. 9, 1864.
Allen 1 .. Bevan, must. in Ang. 8, 1861 ; must ont with company Sept. 9, 1864.
Jacob S. Bisson, most. in Ang. 8, 1861 ; must. out with company Sept. 9, 1864.
203
THE GREAT REBELLION.
Wm. II. Bowden, must. in Aug. 8, 1861 ; disch, on surg. certif. 1802. John Black, must. in Ang. 8, 1861 ; trans. to batt. Sept. 9, 1864 ; veteran. Charles Bennet, must. in Aug. 8, 1861; trans. to batt. Sept. 9, 1864 ; veteran.
Francis Blehl, must. in Oct. 15, 1861; trans, to batt. Sept. 9, 1864.
Amos Baxter, must. in Aug. 3, 1863 ; trans. to U. S. navy ,July 5, 1864. Fleming Campbell, must. in Ang. 8, 1861 ; inst. ont with company sept. 0, 1864.
Patrick Connell, must. in Ang. 8, 1861; wounded in l'a. July 5, 1863, and at Cold llarbor, Va., June 1, 1864; must, ont with company Sept. 9, 1864.
Edgar W. Collins, must. io Aug. 8, 1861 ; must. out with company Sept. 9, 1864.
Jos. S. Cornman, must. in Ang. 8, 1861 ; must. ont with company Sept. 9, 1864.
James Conrad, must. in Aug. 8, 1861 ; disch. on surg. rertif. 1862.
Charles Cramer, must. in Ang. 8, 18til ; not on muster-out roll.
Peter Davis, must. in Ang. 8, 1861 ; must. ont with company Sept. 9, 1864.
Charles Davison, must. in Aug. 8, 1861 ; must. out with company Sept. 9, 1864.
Elisha P. Davis, must. in Aug. 8, 1861; disch. on surg. certif. Jan. 4, 1802.
Jacob 11. Dettra, must. in Ang. 8, 1861 ; lisch. on surg. certif. Feb. 3, 1863.
John Dales, must. in Sept. 6, 1861 ; disch. on surg. certif. 1862.
John L. Dougherty, must, in May 25, 1863 ; disch. on surg. certif. Dec. 8, 1863.
Charles Ford, must. iu Aug. 8, 1861 ; disch, on surg. certif. Jan. 4, 1862. Cbalkley F. Greger, must. in Ang. 8, 1861 ; must. out with company Sept. 9, 1864.
Alex. Gotwalls, must. in Ang. 8, 1861 ; disch. on surg. certif. March 20, 1863.
John S. Grant, must. in Ang. 8, 1861 ; must. out with company Sept. ! , 1864.
Jacob W. llaines, must. in Aug. 8 1861 ; minst. out with company Sept. 9, 1×64.
Thos. P. Hoffman, must. in Ang. 8, 1861 ; inst. ont with company Sept. 9, 1864.
W'm. S. Hampton, minst. in Aug. 8, 1861 ; minst. out with company Sept. 9, 1864.
Matthias llafner, must. in Ang. 8, 1861 ; must. ont with company Sept. 0, 1864.
Win. Hutchinson, must. in Jan. 17, 1864 ; trans. to batt. Sept. 9, 1864. Samuel A. Ilaws, must. in Ang. 8, 1861 ; killed at Hawes' shop, Va., May 28, 1864.
George Hampton, must. in Ang. 8, 1861 ; desertedl May 25, 1862.
Enos Jacobs, must. in Aug. 1, 1863 ; trans. to butt. Sept. 9, 1864.
Justice W. Lutz, must. in Ang. 8, 1861 ; must. out with company Sept. 0, 1864.
Perry H. Levering, mst. in Aug. 8, 1861 ; must. out with company Sept. 9, 1864.
Robert Lowry, minst. in Aug. 8, 1861; trans. to batt. Sept. 0, 1804 ; veteran.
James McFagne, tuinst. in Ang. 8, Isol ; must. out with company Sept. 9, 1864.
Lewis Moore, must. in Ang. 8, ING] ; wounded July 2x, 1864 ; absent at muster out.
Washington Miller, must. in Ang. 8, 1861 ; disch. on surg. certif. Jan. 4, 1862.
Nathan Miller, must. in Ang. 9, 18GI ; discb. on surg. certif. Jan. 4, 1862.
James MeClellan, munst. in Ang. 8, 1861 ; disch. on surg. certif. 1862.
Joseph F. Moore, must. in July 23, 1862 ; wounded at Culpepper Sept. 13, 1863, and Barker's Mills Anne 2, 1864; trans, to batt. Sept. 9, 1864; pro. to Ist lient. Co. A, batt., Dec. 13, 1864 ; must. ont June 29, 1865.
Henry C. Moore, mist. in Feb. 27, 1864 : trans, to batt. Sept. 9, 1864.
Matthew Michael, minst. in Ang. 8, 1801 ; trans, to batt. Sept. 9, 1864 ; veteran.
Thomas Mylan, must. in May 13, 1863 ; trans, to batt. Sept. 9. 1804.
John Miles, Jr., must. in Ang. 26, 1862; trans, to batt, Sept. 0, 1864 ; disch. in Co, MI, batt., May 27, 1865.
Robert Maxwell, must. in Aug. 8, 1861 ; died at Alexandria, Va., April 4, 1862 ; burial record Dec. 16, 1863, grave 1192.
Howard MeAfec, must. in Ang. 8, 1861 ; killed at Auburn Mills, Va., Oct. 14. 1863.
Philip A. Mower, must. in Aug. 26, 1862; died July 3, 1864, of wounds received at l'old Harbor, Va., June 2, 1864 ; buried at Philadelphia. Conrad Maiser, must. in Aug. 8, 1861 ; must. ont with company Sept. 9, 1864.
James J. McFayne, not on muster-ont roll.
John O'Connel, must. in March 28, 1864; trans., date and place un- knowu.
Evan J. Paxson, minst. in Ang. 8, 1861 ; trans. to batt. Sept. 9, 1864.
John Quinn, inst. in Ang. 8, 1861 ; inst. out with company Sept. 9, 1864.
Charles Quinley, must. in Ang. 8, 1801; disch. on surg. certif. Jan. 20, 1862.
William H. Rhoads, must. in Ang. 8, 1861 ; must. out with company Sept. 9, 1864.
John Ritter, must. in Ang. 8, 1861 ; must. ont with company Sept. 9, 1864. ! Charles Robinson, must. in March 16, 1864; trans. to batt. Sept. 9, 1864. George Rodebangh, must, in Ang. 8, 1861 ; disch. on surg. certif. 1862.
Wesley A. Solely, must. in Ang. 8, 1861 ; must. ont with company Sept. 9, 1804.
Edward B. Smoyer, must. in Ang. 8, 18tl ; mist. ont with company Sept. 9, 1864.
Joseph Smith, must. in Aug. $, 1861 ; must. out with company Sept. 9, 1864.
Michael B. Staub, must. in Ang. 8, 1861 ; must. out with company Sept. 9, 1804.
Isaac W. Smith, must. in Ang. S, Is61 ; disch. on surg. certif. April 15, 1×64.
Theodore Shaffer, must. in Ang. 8, 1861 ; died at Washington, D. C., Oct. 17, 1861.
John Smith, must. in Ang. 8, 18Gt ; killed at Auburn Mills, Va., Oct. 14, 1863.
Samuel §. Staiger, must. in Ang. 8, 1861.
Thomas Swift, minst. in Ang. 8, 1861 ; disch, on surg. certif., date un- known.
Hamilton Vanghn. must. in Ang. 8, 1861 ; must, ont with company Sept. 0, 1864.
John V. Vanderslice, must. in Ang. 8, 1861 ; lisch. on surg. certif. April 20,1863.
Edward J. Warnock, must. in Aug. 8, 1861; must. ont with company Sept. 0, 1864.
John Yocum, must. in Aug. , 1801 ; killed at Hawes' Shop, Va., May 28, 1864
George W. Zinn, inst. in Ang. 8, 1861 ; must. ont with company Sept. 9, 1804.
Fifty-first Regiment Pennsylvania Volun- teers. - Some time previous to the first battle of Bull Run Colonel Hartranft, who commanded a regiment in the three months' service, applied for and received authority to recruit one for the three years' service. Calling about him many of his old officers and men, the ranks of the new regiment were soon filled with a body rarely excelled for qualities essential to good soldier». With the exception of a few enlistments, Companies A, C, D, F and I were recruited in Mont- gomery County ; E, HI and K in Union and Snyder ; G in Centre; and B in Northampton. The companies rendezvoused at Camp Curtin, and the regiment was organized by the selection of the following officers : John F. Hartranft, of Montgomery County, colonel ; Thomas S. Bell, of Chester County, lieutenant-colonel ; Edwin Schall, of Montgomery County, major.
On the morning of the 18th of November the regi- ment left Camp Curtin, and proceeded by rail to Annapolis, Md., where, beneath the venerable elms of Saint John's College, it was for the first time formed in line, its details made and its arms stacked. Burnside's expedition to North Carolina was now being fitted out, and the best drilled and most re- liable of the volunteer regiments were selected for
204
HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.
that service. The Fifty-first Pennsylvania was early designated as one. Upon its arrival at Annapolis it was at first quartered in the buildings of the college, and subsequently went into camp on the old French burying-ground. On the 1st of December the camp was moved two miles beyond the city, and for six weeks it was subjected to continuous and laborious drill, during which its efficiency and discipline were rapidly improved, and a foundation laid for its future renown. In the final organization of the corps it was assigned to Reno's hrigade.1
On the 6th of January, 1862, the regiment em- barked, and on the 9th the fleet, in three squadrons, set sail from Annapolis, and with sealed orders passed out to sea. No sooner had it reached the open ocean than it was overtaken by a succession of violent storms. It semed as though a tempest had been lurking in the waste of waters ready to burst upon it the moment it should appear. For nearly two weeks, staggering beneath the giant waves, it was swept about at the mercy of the elements. Braving suc- cessfully the tempest, it finally passed Hatteras Inlet, and came to anchor in Pamlico Sound. On the morning of the 5th of February the flag-ship "Phila- delphia " was anxiously watched as it moved, fol- lowed by the fleet, and it soon became evident that Roanoke Island was the destination. At early dawn on the 7th a landing was effected and the movement commenced. The enemy was fonnd strongly posted in earthworks on the northwestern corner of the island, nearly surrounded by an impenetrable swamp, approached in front by a single causeway, which was swept by the guns of the fort. Upon arriving at the edge of the swamp, Reno's brigade was sent to the left to cut off the enemy's retreat south, while Foster was directed to penetrate the swamp to the right of the road, and attack the enemy upon that Hank. Hartranft soon found his way completely blocked, and returned upon the track of Foster, leaving two companies of the Fifty-first, which had the advance, still groping in the mire. But before he had reached the lines Foster had already opened npon the enemy with infantry and artillery, and as the regiment came into position on the right of the line, Foster ordered a final charge, and the enemy was driven from his works, and fled in confusion. The demonstration upon the left seemed to heighten the confusion, as he anticipated that his way of retreat was effectually broken. A hot pursuit was immediately made, and the entire force, with numerous heavy guns and small- arms, was captured.
On the 3d of March the regiment embarked for the expedition to Newbern, and on the 4th changed its
muskets for Enfield rifles. The fleet sailed on the 11th, and entered the Nense River on the 12th, an- choring off Slocum's Creek, fifteen miles from New- bern, where, on the following day, the regiment debarked. A portion, under command of Lientenant- Colonel Bell, was detailed to assist in moving the artillery. The rain was descending in torrents, and the roads were soon trodden into a stiff mud, which rendered the movement of the pieces next to impos- sible. . Many of the men lost their shoes, and went into battle on the following day barefoot. But without faltering or pausing by the way, they toiled on over the weary miles, and brought up the pieces in time for the attack. For this important service General Burn- side personally thanked Lieutenant-Colonel Bell. In the meantime Colonel Hartranft, with the remaining companies, pushed on with the advance column. Upon its arrival in front of the enemy's earth-works dispositions for attack were made, Foster occupying the right, Reno the left and Parke in support upon the centre. The enemy's line upon the left was masked by timber, and in the thick fog which pre- vailed the extent of his works was undiscovered. They proved to be of great strength, consisting of "thirteen finished redans" bristling with cannon, pro- tected in front "by an almost impassable morass filled with fallen timber," ? and stretching away far beyond the railroad, where his right was supposed to rest. Foster attacked npon his left; but the enemy concentrating his strength, proved too much for him.
As soon as he could gain his position on the left Reno attacked, and the battle soon became general, raging with great fury for three and a half hours. The Fifty-first had been held in support, and though ex- posed to a severe fire had not been allowed to return a single shot. General Reno becoming impatient at the delay and at the losses he was sustaining, ordered up Colonel Hartranft for the decisive charge. Form- ing within a short distance of the rebel intrenchments, the regiment was led forward through the ranks of the Fifty-first New York, which cheered the column as it passed to a little hill beyond. General Reno in person, his face beaming with an expression seen only in battle, ordered the charge. With deter- mined valor the regiment rushed down a ravine choked with felled timber, up the opposite bank and, without a falter, carried the redan in front, planting the old flag upon the ramparts. " All this," says General Reno, in his official report, " was gal- lantly executed, and the enemy fled precipitately from all their intrenchments. Some fifty prisoners were captured in these works, many severely wounded. Upon reaching the rebel intrenchments I was rejoiced to see our flag waving along the entire line of the en- emy's works." After setting fire to the railroad bridge and a number of factories, the rebels aban- doned Newbern.
1 Organization of the Second Brigade (Brigadier-General Jesse L. Reno, of Burnside's Corps) .- Fifty-first Regiment Pennsylvania Volun- teers, Colonel John F. Hartranft ; Fifty-first Regiment New York Volunteers, Colonel Robert B. Potter ; Twenty-first Regiment Massa- chusetts Volunteers, Lieutenant-Colonel Albert C. Maggi ; Ninth Regi- ment New Jersey Volunteers, Colonel J. W. Allen.
2 General Reno's official report.
205
THE GREAT REBELLION.
Detachments were frequently sent out by General Burnside to reconnoitre and hold important points upon the coast. One was intrusted to Colonel Hart- ranft, who moved with his regiment into the interior and acquired valuable information. On the 16th of April a force was sent out consisting of the Fifty-first Pennsylvania, Ninth and Eighty-ninth New York, Sixth New Hampshire and the Twenty-first Massa- chusetts, which proceeded by transports to a point four miles below Elizabeth City, where it landed. Pushing inland about twenty miles, the weary troops came upon the enemy strongly posted. Two com- panies of the Fifty-first, A and F, Captains Boulton and Hart, were considerably in advance of the main column, and when they had arrived within an eighth of a mile of the rebel line they were suddenly opened upon from the enemy's guns. They were ordered to shelter themselves as best they could and to hold their position. General Reno now led the Twenty- first Massachusetts and the balance of the Fifty-first Pennsylvania through the woods to the right, bring- ing them into position upon the enemy's left flank, where they immediately opened fire. In the mean- time the Ninth New York had taken position on the enemy's left centre, and had prematurely charged upon his guns. The ground was open and, being fearfully exposed, the Ninth was repulsed with con- siderable loss. The Sixth New Hampshire advanced upon the left, and, with the two companies of the Fifty-first holding the road, kept the enemy well employed upon that part of the line. The Fifty-first had now turned his left flank and was pouring in most deadly volleys. " In the mean time," says Gen- eral Reno, "the Fifty-first Pennsylvania and the Twenty-first Massachusetts kept up an incessant fire upon the rebels, who had now withdrawn their artil- lery and had commeneed to withdraw in good order. The Sixth New Hampshire had steadily advanced in line to the left of the road, and when within about two hundred yards poured in a most deadly volley, which completely demoralized the enemy and ended the battle. Our men were so completely fagged out by the intense heat and their long march that we could not pursue them. The men rested under arms until about ten o'clock P. M., when I ordered a return to our boats, having accomplished the principal object of the expedition, conveying the idea that the entire Burnside expedition was marching upon Nor- folk." The loss in the regiment was three killed aud twenty-one wounded. The brigade was here com- manded by Lieutenant-Colonel Bell, and the regiment by Major Schall. On the 30th of June the regiment embarked for Fortress Monroe, but was detained until the 5th of July, when it set sail with the rest of the command, and arrived on the 8th. Here General Burnside commenced organizing the Ninth Corps destined to win an enviable place in the national armies, and the regiment was assigned to the Second Brigade of the Second Division, composed of the
Fifty-first Pennsylvania, Fifty-first New York and the Twenty-first Massachusetts, commanded by Gen- eral Edward Ferrero.
On the 12th of August Burnside hastened with his command to the support of Pope, and landed at Fredericksburg, whence he pushed forward two divisions to Cedar Mountain, where they formed a junction with General McDowell. The enemy had already made his appearance on the Rapidan, and Ferrero's brigade, under Colonel Ilartrantt, was sent to gnard the fords from Mitchell's Station to Raccoon Ford. Lee's columns soon after arrived in force on the opposite hank, and began to press heavily to gain a crossing, when the brigade was withdrawn, and returning through Stevensburg, recrossed the Rappa- hannoek at Kelly's Ford. Four companies of the Fifty-first were detailed for the rear-guard, and held the enemy at bay until so far separated from the main body as to excite serious apprehension for their safety ; but they succeeded in bringing in the gun with which they were entrusted and crossed the river in safety losing only a few stragglers. Pope's army, manœuv- ring for several days, finally formed in line on the old Bull Run battle-ground. Kearny held the right, with Reno on his left. Several batteries were posted on a commanding ridge, and away to the right was a wood in which the enemy was coneeutrated in heavy foree. The Fifty-first supported these batteries. On the afternoon of the first day of the battle, the 29th, Lieutenant-Colonel Bell, with a portion of the regi- ment, was detailed to advance to the picket line in Kearny's front, and remained in this position until the morning of the second day, when it rejoined the regiment, which had been withdrawn during the night. Towards evening our forees, having been driven back, began to move from the field. The line of retreat was along the Centreville road to the right of the position held by Graham's battery. This road was soon completely blocked with the artillery and trains, and much confusion prevailed.
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