USA > Pennsylvania > History of Pennsylvania volunteers, 1861-5; prepared in compliance with acts of the legislature, Vol. I > Part 106
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Nathan Davis
.do
.do
June 6, '61, 3
John Little.
.do
June G, '61, 3 Died September 29, 1862, of wounds received at Antietam, September 17, 1862.
Thos. W. Rowland. Win. D. Mooncy.
.do
June
6, '61,
3
Joseph Stadden
Corp.
June
6, '61,
3 Promoted Corporal, May 28, 1862-mustered out with company, June 17, 1861.
Samuel Smedley
.do
June
6, '61,
3 Promoted Corporal, July 18, 1861-wounded and missing at Cloyd Mountain, May 9, 1864.
John K. Burnite ..
do
June 19, '61, 3 Promoted Corporal, Juno 1, 1863-wounded June 30, 1862 -- mustered out with Co., June 17, 1864. June 6, '61, 3 Promoted to Corporal, Feb. 6, 1863-mustered out with company, June 17, 1864.
Geo. Pennypacker ..
do
June 6, '61,
P. Wiley Reagan ....
do
June 6, '61,
3
John W. Schofield ..
.do
June 6, '61,
3
Charles Huffnagle ... ... do
Aug. 19, '61,
3
B. F. Williams.
Mue.
June 6, '61, 3 Mustered out with company, June 17, 1864.
B. F. Houck ..
.. do
June
6, '61,
3
Baker, James
.. do
June 6, '61, 3
3
Beran, Lycurgus.
do July 17, '61,
Bixler, Benj. F
.do
June 6, '61,
Brannan, Wm. H.
.do June 6, '61,
3
Buller, Charles.
do June 6, '61, 3
Buckwalter, John ..
do July 17, '61,
Bush, Uriah ..
.do Juno 6, '61, 3
Collier, James.
.. do
June 6, '61,
3
3
Crager, Homer
.. do
June 6, '61,
Collier, David.
.do
Juno 6, '61,
3
Caehus, William
do
July 17, '61,
3
Cochings, Janics.
do
Dee.
&, '62, 3
Dunahower, Geo.
do
June 6, '61,
Davis, John W.
do
June 6, '61, 3
Dailcy, Jeremiah
.do July 17, '61,
Fornwalt, Isaac ..
.do
June 6, 'G1,
Frederieks, Joshua
.. do
July 17, '61,
Fritz, John
do June 6, '61, 3
Fawks, Emanuel
.do
July 17, '61,
Foreman, William ..
.. do
June 6, '61,
Fratt, David R.
.. do
Aug. 19, '61,
Died at Belle Island of wounds rec. at Charles City Cross Roads, June 30, 1862.
Guest, Thomas L ....
.do
June 6, '61,
Henry, William H .. .do June 6, '61, 3
Mustered out with company, June 17, 1861. Mustored out with company, June 17, 1864.
Haddeman, Sam'l ... .do Hampton, Sam'l H .do Hill, Isaae B .do Nov. 3, '63, June 6, '61, 3 July 17, '61, 3 Discharged on Surgcon's certificate, Dee. 27, 1862. Tr. to Co. L, 54th reg. P. V., June 8, 1864-Vet. Hermacy, Wm. HI .. .do Ilines, Nelson F. .. do June 6, '61, 3 Sept. 20, '61, 3 Tr. to Co. L., 54th reg. P. V., June 8, 1864-Vet. Transferred to Vet. Reserve Corps, July 1, 1863 Irvin, David. .do June G, '61, 3 Died at Camp Tenally, D. C., Sept. 21, 1SG1. .do July 17, '61, 3 Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, Nov. 27, '61. Wd. at Charles City Cross Roads, June 30, '62- discharged on Surgeon's certificate, May 9, '63.
Johnson, Emile
Discharged on Surgcon's certificate, Jan. 16, '63. Died Aug. 9, 1862, of wounds received at Charles City Cross Roads, June 30, 1862.
Killed at Antietam, September 17, 1862.
Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, Feb. 7, '63. Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, Jan. 16, '63. Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, Mar. 17, '63. Transferred to Co. L, 51th reg. P. V., June S, 1864. Died July 3, 1862, of wounds received at Charles City Cross Roads, June 30, 1862.
3
Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, Feb. 24, '62. Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, Dec. 4, '62. Wd .- disch. on Surgeon's ecrtificate, April 9, '62. Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, Feb. 7, 1863. Promoted to Corporal, May, 1863-transferred to company L, 54th regiment P. V., June 8, 1864.
3 Discharged, to date June 17, 1864.
Anderson, E. N.
Private
Juno 6, '61,
George W. Rapp ....
.do
June 6, '61,
3
Killed at Charles City Cross Roads, June 30, '62. Died May 12, 1864, of wounds received at Cloyd Mountain, May 9, 1864.
Joseph M. Connor ..
do
June 19, '61,
June 6, '61, 3 Promoted to 2d Lt. Co. F, 33d regiment P. V. Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, Jan. 10, '63.
Jos. Louderback
Harry S. Willauer .. .. do
June 6, '61,
Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, Dec. 16, '61. Discharged September 26, 1863, for wounds re- eeived at Charles City Cross Roads, June 30, '62. Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, April 24, '63. Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, Oct. 2, '62. Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, Mar. 18, '62. Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, Mar. 7, '62. Died at Camp Pierpont, Va., December 10, 1861. Killed at Cloyd Mountain, May 9, 1864.
Wounded at Fredericksburg-mustered out with company, June 17, 1864.
Mustered out with company, June 17, 1864. Wd .- disch. on Surgeou's certificate, Aug. 16, '62. Transferred to Co. L, 54th reg. P. V., June 8, '64. Killed at Cloyd Mountain, May 9, 1864.
Johnson, Samuel. .do June 6, '61, 3 |Deserted August 22, 1861.
TERM-YEARS.
.do
663 ....
THREE YEARS' SERVICE.
NAME.
RANK.
DATE OF MUSTER INTO SERVICE.
REMARKS.
Jester, George W ...
Private
June 6, '61, 3
Transferred to United States Regular army, No- vember 20, 1862.
James, Joseph M ...
.. do
July 17, '61,
Transferred to company L, 54th regiment P. V., June 8, 1864-Vet.
Kuglar, John Kuglar, Joseph
.do
Kungle, Johu B. ... do
Kelly, James S.
.. do ....
.. do ..
do
June 6, '61,
Lacy, Joseph. .. .. do June 6, '61,
Lewis, Jonathan M Lindsay, John do
.do.
June 6, '61,
June 6, '61,
Lewis, Enos R .. .. do
.July 17, '61,
Lock, William, .do
June 6, '61,
Manning, Wm .. do
July 17, '61.
Monday, John C ... do
Juno 6, '61,
Morgan, Joseph W do
June
6,' 761,
Morgan, John .. do June 6, 161,
Murray Charles.
do
Feb.
3, '62,
Mood, William do
Juno 6, '61,
Morrison, Isaae do
June 6, '61,
3
Wd .- mustered out with company, June 17, '64. Mustered out with company, June 17, 1864.
M'Glaughlin, Jos ... .do
June 6, '61,
M'Glaughlin, J. A .. do
Oct. 21, '61,
M'Chesney, R. W .. .do
O'Brain, Matthew.
June 6, '61,
Peck, Abraham .do Juue 6, '61,
Peck, Thomas T .. do June 6, '61,
Ponnypaeker, Jos ... .. do Aug. 19, '61,
Rhoades, Preston S .do June 6, '61,
do June 6, '61,
Regester, David .. Ritner, George W .. .. do Rossiter, Striker C .. .. do
June 6, '61, 3
S
Regester, Daniel. .. do June 6, '61,
3
Rossiter, B. F., Ist.
do July 17, '61,
3
Reese, John ..
do July 17, '61,
Rossiter, B. F., 2d ...
do
July 17, '61,
3
Rossiter, P. K.
.. do
July 17, '61,
3
Reaver, Jacob.
Transferred to Vet. Res. Corps, July 1, 1863.
Ruthren, Henry. .. do
Nov. 29, '61,
Roberts, Benj. H. .. do
June 6, '61,
3 Died at Camp Pierpont, Va., January 28, 1862.
Signett, Wm. H. .do
June 6, '61, 3 Transferred to United States Regular army, Oc- tober 9, 1862.
Snyder, John .do
Tr. to Co. L, 54th reg. P. V., June 8, 1864.
Speakman, Thos. .do Nov. 21, '63,
Tr. to Co. L, 54th reg. P. V., Juno 8, 1861.
Springer, Isaac. .do July 17, '61, 3 Tr. to Co. L, 54th reg. P. V., Juno 8, 1861.
Smith, Elijah J .do Aug. 19, '61, S Killed at Charles City Cross Roads, Juno 30, '62. Smith, William F ... .do Died at Georgetown, D. C., Nov. 7, 1861-buried Aug. 19, '61, 3 in Military Asylum Cemotery.
Thomas, Isaae P. ... do
July 17, '61,
Townseud, Mor'n H ... do Jnne 6, '61, 3
Vanskite, Lewis H .. .do June 6, '61, 3
Weller, B. F do
June
Williams, David B .. .. do
June 6, '61, 3
Williams, Edmund Wall, Philip
.do
Aug. 19, '61, 3
.. do
Aug. 19, '61, 3
Walters, Reuben H .do June 6, '61, 3
Wise, William .. .. do
July 17, '61,
Wollerton, Nel'n T .. do
June 6, '61, 3
Wilson, William .do
3 Deserted July 4, 1861.
Young, Joseph G ... .do.
June 19, '61, .. | June . 6, '61,
-----
3! Mustered out with company, June 17, 1864
TERM-YEARS. 3 3 3335
3
M'Clure, Patriek. .do June 6, '61,
M'Cabe, Barney. .do July 17, '61,
3.
3 Transferred to Co. A, 30th reg. P. V., Feb. 3, '62. Transferred to Co. A, 30th reg. P. V., Feb. 3, '62. Died October 13, '61-buried in Military Asylum Cemetery, D. C.
Mustered out with company, June 17, 1864. Mustered out with company, Juno 17, 1864. Wounded-disel. on Surgeon's certificate, 1863. Pr. to Quartermaster Sergeant, Jan. 1, 1863.
3 3
3 3 Mustered out with company, June 17, 1864. Mustered out with company, June 17, 1864. Mustered out with company, June 17, 1864. Mustered out with company, June 17, 1864.
Wd .- disch. on Surgeon's certificate, Dee. 1, '62. Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, Feb. 7, '63. Tr. to Co. L, 54th reg. P. V., Juue 8, 1864-Vet. Tr. to Co. L, 54th reg. P. V., June 8, 1861-Vet. Wounded at Cloyd Mountain, May 9, 1864-tr. to company L, 54th reg. P. V., June 8, 1864-Vet.
do Aug. 19, '61, 3 3 Died at Bello Plain, Va., January 12, 1863.
Aug. 19, '61, 3 3
Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, Feb. 7, '63. Disch. on Surgeon's certificate-dato unknown. Mustered out with company, June 17, 1864.
6, '61, 3 Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, Mar. 24, '63. Diseh. on Surgeon's certificate-dato unknown. Disch. on Surgeon's certificate-date unknown. Discharged Feb. 10, 1863, for wounds, with loss of arm, received at Antietam, September 17, 1862. Tr. to Co. L, 54th reg. P. V., Juno 8, 1864-Vet. Tr. to Fort Delawaro to serve unexpired term. Died July 28, '62, of wounds recoived at Charles City Cross Roads, June 30, 1862.
Mustered out with company, June 17, 1864.
do
June 6, '61,
3 Juno 6, '61, 3 July 17, '61, Discharged on Surgeon's certifieate, Nov. 12, '62. Wounded at Cloyd Mountain, May 9, 1864-tr. to company L, 54th reg. P. V., June 8, 1864-Vet. June 6, '61, 3 3 3 June 6, '61, Tr. to Co. L, 54th reg. P. V., Juno 8, 1864-Vet. Killed at Charles City Cross Roads, June 30, '62. Mustered out with company, June 17, 1864.
Kirkner, Stephen .. Loekard, William.
S | Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, Oet. 19, '62. 3 3 3 Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, Dee. 16, '62. Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, Jan. 23, 1863. Transferred to Co. L, 54th reg. P. V., June 8, '64. 3 Tr. to Co. L, 54th reg. P. V., June 8, 1864-Vet. $ Transferred to Co. L, 54th reg. P. V., Juno 8, '64. Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, Jan. 17, '63. 3
3 Tr. to Co. L. 5-1th rog. P. V., June 8, 1864-Vet. 3 Tr. to Co. L, 54th reg. P. V., June 8, 1864-Vet. Tr. to Co. L, 54th reg. P. V., June 8, 1864-Vet. Killed at Charles City Cross Roads, June 30, '62. 3 | Deserted August 22, 1861.
3
3 3
June 6, '61,
664
THIRTY-THIRD REGIMENT-FOURTH RESERVE.
UNASSIGNED MEN.
Ackerman, Newlin H Private.
Ackerman, Stephen .. .do.
Andrews, George W .do.
Acker, Abraham do.
Howard, Henry. .do.
Hall, Robert. .. do.
Hatcher, John W .do.
Bretzman, George do.
Clapp, Dennis. .do.
Carter, Charles A do. Corey, George ... do.
Clush, William .do.
.do.
Correll, Charles
.do.
Messon, Thomas.
Murphy, John .. .do. Clark, Charles ... do.
Crawford, Joseph do.
Osterhout, Henry
do.
Conner, Wesley do.
Osterhout, Philip
.do.
Darrow, James H .. do.
Swackhammer, Alden H do.
Elder, John. do.
Frederick, Lewis .do.
Ford, John .... do. Smith, Joseph do.
Gates, Charles S. .do.
Sitz, Andrew W ..
.do.
Gallaher, John. .do.
Gallaher, James A. Private.
Garrett, Christian. .do.
Holley, Daniel ... .do.
Buchanan, Jackson .do.
Bright, Charles .do.
Iluffa, Joseph .. do.
Kline, Lewis .do.
Kreamer, Matthias do.
Knowles, John W
.do.
Lewis, Hanford S .do.
Cooper, Thomas
Morris, Peter .do.
.do.
Sterens, Jesse N. .do. Shadduck, Thomas E. do.
Woolworth, James. do.
THIRTY-FOURTH REGIMENT, FIFTH RESERVE.
THIE companies comprising the Fifth Regiment were recruited in the coun- L ties of Centre, Lancaster, Huntingdon, Lycoming, Northumberland, Clear- field, Union and Bradford. They were ordered to report at Camp Curtin, where on the 20th of June the regiment was organized by the choice of the following field officers: John I. Gregg, from Captain of company E, Colonel, Joseph W. Fisher, from Captain of company K, Lieutenant Colonel, and George Dare, from Captain of company I, Major. On the following day, Colonel Gregg was appointed a Captain in the Sixth United States Cavalry, when he resigned his commission in this regiment, and Captain Seneca G. Simmons, of the Seventh United States Infantry, a soldier of long experience and great merit, was chosen to succeed him.
On the same day, Governor Curtin received a telegram from Lieutenant General Scott, requesting him to send a force immediately to the relief of Colonel Lewis Wallace, commanding the Eleventh Indiana, at Cumberland, Maryland. The Fifth, together with the Bucktail rifle regiment, and Captain Easton's battery of the First Artillery, was at once dispatched, the whole un- der command of Colonel Biddle, of the Bucktails. Proceeding by rail to Hope- well, it marched to the neighborhood of Bedford Springs, where it was halted for a few days, whence it again marched to the State line, where it encamped, remaining until the 8th of July, when it proceeded to Cumberland, six miles distant, and relieved Colonel Wallace.
On the morning of the 13th, the Fifth was ordered to move on the Baltimore and Ohio railroad to bridge Number 21, about twenty miles above Cumberland, which had been burned a short time previous by the rebels. After a short de- lay here, the regiment moved on to New Creek, to the support of a detachment of the Bucktails which had been attacked. Lieutenant Colonel Kane, in com- mand of this detachment, dispersed the forces of the enemy before his supports could arrive, and pursued them in the direction of Romney; but on arriving at Ridgeville, finding himself threatened by a superior force, he sent back for re- inforcements, when the Fifth and the main body of the Bucktails proceeded to his relief, marching the whole distance on the double quick. On the following morning, the Fifth returned to New Creek, where the troops were quartered in deserted houses about the town. On the 22d, the regiment proceeded to Pied- mont, where it was stationed to afford protection to Union people, and to foster the sentiment of patriotism.
Soon after the Bull Run disaster, fears being entertained of an attack by the enemy on Washington, the Fifth was ordered to proceed thither via Har- risburg. Bivouacking for a few days in the neighborhood of Camp Curtin, it 84
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666
THIRTY-FOURTH REGIMENT-FIFTH RESERVE.
1862
was hurriedly recruited and equipped, and on the Sth of August, taking up the line of march, nine hundred and eighty-four strong, proceeded to Washington, and thence to the camp established for the Reserves at Tenallytown. Here the drill which had been constantly practised since its organization was resumed, and every effort was made by the accomplished soldier who commanded it, to bring it to the highest state of efficiency. On the 14th of September, it was detailed to proceed to Washington and escort Governor Curtin to eamp, where in company with President Lineoln, General M'Clellan and other distinguished civilians and soldiers, he reviewed the division and presented cach regiment with a State flag.
In the organization of the Reserves which ensued, the Fifth was assigned to the First Brigade, commanded by Brigadier General John F. Reynolds. On the 10th of October, the whole division was ordered across the Potomac, and encamped near Langley. Schools were here opened for the instruction of commissioned officers, which were in session on two days in each week at regi- mental head-quarters, where they were examined and instructed in tactics, army regulations, and camp and picket duty. Company commanders were also re- quired to hold similar schools for the instruction and discipline of non-com- missioned officers.
On the 19th of October, the First Brigade made a reconnoissance to the neighborhood of Drauesville, where it bivouacked for forty-eight hours, re- turning on the 21st with teams laden with forage. On the 20th of December, the brigade again marched to Dranesville, but did not reach the field in time to participate in the handsome victory which the Third Brigade there achieved.
On the 10th of March, 1862, the regiment broke camp, with a force of nine hundred and eleven strong, and joining in the general forward movement of the army, marched to Hunter's Mills, where it bivouacked until the 14th, when it was ordered to Alexandria. Here it remained until the 9th of April, when it moved to Manassas and occupied the deserted quarters of the rebels, A few days later it was detailed to guard the Orange and Alexandria railroad, from Alexandria to Catlett's Station. On the 7th of May, Colonel Simmons was or- dered to report with his regiment to Falmouth, where it encamped and remained till the 25th, when the First Brigade was ordered across the Rappahannock, and occupied Fredericksburg, picketing the country in the rear of the town and along the river.
General M'Clellan, with the grand army, had advanced up the Peninsula, and was confronting the rebels near Richmond. He was now ealling for re- inforcements, and the Reserves were ordered to his support. Embarking on the 9th of June, it moved by transport to White House, on the Pamunky, and thence marched along the Richmond and West Point railroad to Dispatch Sta- tion, and a few days later moved to Mechanicsville, bivouacking in sight of the enemy's lines. On the morning of June 26th, the Fifth was ordered to cross Beaver Dam Creck, and to picket the line along the left bank of the Chickahominy. At one o'clock P. M. the enemy erossed the river in large numbers, when the pickets retired across the creek and took up a position
* Organization of the First Brigade, Brigadier General John F. Reynolds; Pennsylvania Reserves, Major General George A. M'Call. First (30th) Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, Colonel R. Biddle Roberts; Second (31st) Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, Colonel William B. Mann; Fifth (34th) Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, Colonel Seneca G. Simmons ; Eighth (37th) Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, Colonel George S. Hays.
667
BATTLE OF MECHANICSVILLE.
1862
which had been selected for the battle, along its left bank. The First Brigade was posted on the right of the line, the Fifth occupying the left centre. Four companies, under command of Lieutenant Colonel Fisher, were thrown forward as skirmishers. Scarcely had the regiment gained its position, when the enemy opened with his artillery, which was vigorously replied to by our batteries; soon after his infantry came on in force, and the battle opened in earnest. The skir- mishers fell back on the line of battle in excellent order, when a terrific fire was opened on the approaching foe, which never ceased nor slackened until he withdrew from the confiict, leaving the field strewn with his dead and wounded. 'The Fifth lost in this engagement fifty killed and wounded.
Early on the following morning the regiment was ordered to fall back and take position on Gaines' Hill, the position at Beaver Dam Creek being out- flanked by the enemy. This order was executed with eminent skill and suc- cess. It was the intention of the commanding general to have held this divi- sion in reserve in the ensuing battle, on account of the severe fighting in which it was engaged on the previous day; but at two o'clock P. M. of the 27th, our line was so hard pressed by the enemy that he was obliged to order in all his available force, and the Fifth advancing to the front was soon hotly engaged, maintaining its position under a most withering fire until sundown, and until its ammunition was completely exhausted and the pieces of the men had be- come unserviceable .* General M'Call and General Reynolds both made in- effectual efforts to get troops to relieve them, but the men nobly held their ground until ordered back to prevent capture. t General Reynolds was cap- tured towards the close of the day, and the command of the brigade devolved upon Colonel Simmons, that of the regiment upon Lieutenant Colonel Fisher. Retiring a short distance, the men slept on their arms for a few hours, when they where aroused and taken across the Chickahominy. Here the regiment lay under arms until the evening of the 28th of June, when it marched via Savage Station, and crossing the White Oak Swamp, arrived on the evening of the 29th at Charles City Cross Roads. The Fifth and a battalion of the Bucktails were thrown forward close up to the enemy's line. Lest in the dark-
* Previous to the arrival of Slocum's brigade, Reynolds having repulsed the enemy in his front, and hearing the tremendous contest on his left, had, acting under a true maxim, and with the generous spirit of a soldier, moved to the sound of cannon, and led his men, regi- ment after regiment, where our hard pressed forces required most assistance. As each regi- ment entered the woods to the relief of their exhausted companions, the effect was imme- diately shown by the enemy being driven before them, as evidenced by the sound of mus- ketry growing more and more distant. Some regiments which had been withdrawn, after having exhausted their ammunition, reformed, replenished their boxes, and returned, in one case even for the third time, to this unequal contest. For each regiment thrown into action, there seemed to be two or three fresh regiments brought up by the enemy; but our men maintained their own and successively repulsed them, until the last regiment had been ad- vanced; as if for a final effort, just as darkness was covering everything from view, the enemy massed his fresh regiments on the right and left, and threw them with overpowering force" against our thinned and wearied battalions .- General Porter's Official Report.
+ EXTRACT FROM GENERAL M'CALL'S OFFICIAL REPORT .- Here I found General Rey- nolds coming from the woods with the First and Eighth regiments of his brigade, he having relieved them and brought them out of action, in consequence of their ammunition being ex- hausted. He reported to me that the Fifth regiment had likewise nearly expended all its ammunition and ought to berelieved. On hearingthis I at once directed my Assistant Adjutant General, Captain H. J. Biddle, to ride down the line and, if possible, to bring up a regiment (of Morell's division, I think) that I had seen in reserve as I rode along the line .- Moore's Rebellion Record, Comp. Vol., p. 666.
E:
668
THIRTY-FOURTH REGIMENT-FIFTH RESERVE.
1862
ness friend should be mistaken for foe, the men were directed to bare the right arm to the shoulder. The pass word was "Buektail," and the answer "five."
On the following morning, the brigade was withdrawn, and dispositions were made for repelling an attack from the direction of Richmond, and to protect the junetion of the New Market and the Quaker or Turkey Bridge road. By half-past three in the afternoon the battle had fairly begun, the rebels attaek- ing with great fury. Soon after the contest opened, the enemy moved a heavy column to the right and came down with great impetuosity upon Seymour's brigade. Colonel Simmons was immediately ordered to move with the Fifth and the Eighth regiments to its support, the Fifth gallantly led by Lieutenant Colonel Fisher. This order was promptly obeyed, the men moving forward at a double quick and charge bayonet, but not a moment too soon; for a furious attaek with infantry and artillery was met just in time to stay and repel it. In this eharge the Seventh and Seventeenth Virginia regiments were nearly annihilated, the greater portion being either killed, wounded or taken prisoners. Shortly afterwards the enemy issued from the woods in front in great foree, and for nearly two hours the battle raged fiereely, the enemy making desperate efforts to break our lines and gain the road, on which were passing the im- mense supply trains of our army; but without sueeess. In the heat of the struggle, Colonel Simmons, leading his men with determined bravery and un- equalled skill, fell mortally wounded and died in the hands of the enemy. A soldier by profession and a man of the strictest honor, a patriot from principle and brave to a fault, the Reserve Corps lost no more trusted leader, nor loved companion in arms. Here fell, too, Captain Taggart, of company B, an exeel- lent soldier, whose loss was severely felt. In the three battles, at Mechanics- ville on the 26th, Gaines' Mill on the 27th, and Charles City Cross Roads on the 30th of June, the regiment lost eighteen killed, one hundred and fifteen wounded, and one hundred and three taken prisoners.
Resting upon the field until two A. M. of the 1st of July, the regiment pro- ceeded to Malvern Hill, where was fought the last grand battle before Rich- mond, in the Peninsula campaign. The Fifth was under fire, but not actively engaged, and on the morning of July 2d, moved with the army to Harrison's Landing, where it went into camp. The vaeaney oeeasioned by the death of Colonel Simmons, was filled by the promotion of Lieutenant Colonel Fisher; Major George Dare was appointed Lieutenant Colonel, and Captain Frank Zentmyer, Major.
General M'Clellan's Peninsula campaign was now at an end, and General Pope, in command of the Army of Northern Virginia, was beginning to feel the weight of the enemy's foree concentrating on his front. The troops under M'Clellan were accordingly ordered forward to his support. Pope finding the line of the Rapidan untenable with his meagre foree, withdrew to the Rappa- hannoek, where, upon his arrival, he was joined by Reynolds with the Reserve Corps. Finding Jackson in his rear, Pope hastened with his little army to meet, and if possible overpower him before he could be reinforeed. The Re- serves moved via Warrenton and Gainesville to the First Bull Run battle- ground, arriving on Thursday, the 28th. On the following day, the Fifth was deployed as skirmishers and was under a heavy fire of artillery during the entire day. On Saturday, August 30th, it engaged the enemy at four o'clock P. M., and the fight was maintained until six with unabated fury, when it was relieved. In this engagement the regiment, being reduced by excessive fatigue
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