USA > Pennsylvania > History of Pennsylvania volunteers, 1861-5; prepared in compliance with acts of the legislature, Vol. I > Part 123
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3 Missing in action at Wilderness, May 5, 1864.
Wise, Joseph P. .do
May 15, '61, May 10, '61, [3
Killed at Gaines' Mills, June 27, 1862.
COMPANY K.
RECRUITED AT PHILADELPHIA.
Casper Martino.
Capt.
June 4, '61, 3 June 4, '61, 3
Dismissed January 27, 1862.
James M. Rice.
.do
Edward P. Zinn.
.. do
May 28, '61, 3
Pr. to Capt., Feb. 13, '62-dismissed July 11, 1862. Pr. fr. ist Lt. Co. I. to Capt. Co. K, Mar. 1, 1863- mustered out with company, June 16, 1864.
F. M. Shoemaker ... Ist Lt.
Feb. 30, '62, 3 Resigned July 11, 1862.
Daniel L. Sanders ... do
Killed at Antietam, September 17, 1862.
William H. Nehr .do
June 4, '61, 3 Pr. to Ist Sergt., May 1, '62-to Ist Lt., Sept. 17, :62-to Bv. Capt., Mar. 15, '65-captured at Wil- derness, May 5, '64-discharged March 11, 1865.
Henry C. Meeser ..
2d Lt
June 4, '61, 3 Resigned February 19, 1862.
Joseph L. Wright ...
.. do
June 4, '61,
3 Promoted to 1st Sgt., June 6, '61-to 2d Lt., Feb. 20. 1862-resigned July 15, 1862.
John Keen
.. do
July 27, '61,
3 Pr. to Ist Sergt., Sept. 15, '62-to 2d Lt., Nov. 25, 62-missing in actionat Wilderness, May 5, '64.
John Bermingham ..
1st Sgt ..
June
4, '61, 3 Transferred to Vet. Reserve Corps, Jan. 5, 1864.
Henry Mifflin
do
June 4, '61, 3 Promoted to Sergeant-discharged on Surgeon's certificate, July 19, 1862.
Griffin L. Baldwin .. William M'Manus ..
do
Mar. 17, '62,
3 Transferred to 190th reg. P. V., May 31, 1864.
.. do
June 4, '61,
3 Promoted to Sgt., April 1, 1863-Captured May 5, 1564-discharged February 4, 1865.
James A. Moody ..
.do
June 4, '61, 3 Promoted to Sgt., June 1, 1863-missing in action at Wilderness, May 5, 1864.
Howard Chapman
do
June 4, '61; 3 Promoted to Sgt., June 1, 1863-captured May 5, 1864-discharged January 31, 1865.
Fred'k M'Cready .. .do
June 4, '61, 3 Killed at White Oak Swamp, June 30, 1862.
Alex. M' Donald. do June 4, '61, 3
Deserted December 9, 1861.
Henry M'Bride .. do
June 4, '61, 3 Deserted May 1, 1863.
William Hera Corp ....
June
4, '61, 3 Promoted to Corp., January 1, 1862-discharged on Surgeon's certificate-date unknown.
Benj. Dickerson .... .. do
June 4, '61, 3 Died November 25, 1861, at Camp Pierpont, Va. 3 June 4, '61, Deserted September 12, 1862.
Peter G. King. .do June 4, '61, 3 Deserted October 11, 1862.
George Garman ... do
June
Henry Sparks.
Muc ....
June
Henry W. Mangar .. ... do
June
4, '61,
Alexander, Richard Private June
4, '61,
Ashley, Francis. do June
Armstrong, James. .do
June
Adamıs, Charles F ... do
June
4, '61,
Baird, John do June 4, '61,
Bartholamew, Fred .. do.
June
4, '61,
Banard, Joseph do June
, '61,
Bowman, Chas. W .. .do
Mar. 3, '62,
3
Bartholaniew, P. K .. do
June 4, '61, 3
Butterfield, Geo. H .. do June 4, '61,
Bartholamew, P. H .do July 17, '61,
Branson, William. do June
4, '61,
Collins, John J .... .. do June 4, '61,
3
Carr, James ... .do June 4, '61,
3
Carroll, Joseph .do June 4, '61,
3
Cooper, Jeremiah ... do June 4, '61, 3
Campbell, William do
June
4, '61,
3
Davis, John W .do
June
4, '61, 3
Mustered out with company, June 16, 1864.
Dickson, Wm. H .do June 4, '61, 3 Absent, sick, at muster out.
95
4
4, '61, 3 Promoted to Corporal, April 1, 1863-captured May 5, 1864-discharged January 31, 1865. 3 Mustered out with company, June 16, 1864. 3 | Mustered out with company, June 16, 1864. 4, '61, 3 Mustered out with company, June 16, 1864. 4, '61, 3 3 :, '61, Discharged on Surg. certificate-date unknown. Missing in action at Wilderness, May 5, 1864. Killed at South Mountain, September 14, 1862. 3 3 | Absent, sick, at muster out.
3 Mustered out with company, June 16, 1864. Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, May 12, '62. Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, Mar. 13, '63. Prisoner from May 5, to December 13, '64-dis- charged March 15, 1865.
3 3 Missing in action at Wilderness, May 5, 1864. Killed at White Oak Swamp, June 30, 1862. Deserted June 7, 1861. 3
Transferred to Vet. Reserve Corps, Oct. 7, 1863. Discharged June 25, 1861-minor.
Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, May 20, '63. Discharged Dec. 3, 1862, for wds. rec. in action. Not on muster out roll.
Thos. J. Cummings ... do
TERM-YEARB.
754
THIRTY-SIXTH REGIMENT-SEVENTH RESERVE,
NAME.
RANK.
DATE OF MUSTEK INTO SERVICE.
REMARKS.
Durkin, Thomas.
Private
June
4, '61,
Dager, Charles.
do
June 4, '61,
3
Diddlebaugh, Fred
... do
July
1, '61, 3
Davis, Edward.
do
June 4, '61, 3
Essick, George L ..
.do
June 4, '61,
3
Elfry, Samuel.
.. do
June
4, '61,
3
Prisoner, May 5, '64-died at Andersonville, Sept. 21, 1864-grave, 10,009.
Ehrman, Jacob
do
June
4, '61,
3 Missing in action at Wilderness, May 5, 1864.
Evans, William H ..
do
June
4, '61, 3 Mis. in action at Wilderness, May 5, '64-Vet.
English, Thomas .:
.. do
June 4, '61,
3 Died at Alexandria, Va., November 20, 1862- grave, 452.
Gorham, Willet E. do
Feb. 22, '62,
3
Garman, William.
.. do
June 4, '61,
3
Geiler, Charles.
.. do
June 4, '61,
3
Pris. May 5, 1864-died at Andersonville, Sept. 4, 1864-grave, 7,773.
Greenawalt, Rine't .. do
July 27, '61,
3
Killed at Antietam, September 17, 1862.
Gressinger, Fred'k .. do
July 27, '61,
3
Killed at Gaines' Mill, June 27, 1862.
Huntley, Arthur. do
June 4, '61, 3
Husband, Isaiah
do
July 19, '61,
3
Heath, George W
do
June 4, '61,
3
Hendricks, H. W .. do
April 15, '62,
3
Hunter, John A. do
July 27, '61,
3
Hughes, Patrick. do
June 4, '61,
3
Hutton, Thomas. do
June 4, ' '61, 3
Harmon, Jacob do
June 4, '61, 3
Johnson, Frank do
June 4, '61,
3
Kile, George W do
June 4, '61,
3
Deserted September 11, 1862.
Kent, Pensly, Jr.
do
June 4, '61,
3
Transferred to Vet. Res. Corps, Aug. 7, 1863
Kelly, Lewis. do
June 10, '61,
3 Died at Philadelphia, July 13, 1864.
3 Discharged June 25, 1861-minor.
Kerrigan, Willianı .. .do
June 4, '61,
3
Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, Feb. 24, '63. Transferred to Vet. Res. Corps, Sept. 30, 1863
Long, Francis W .... do
June 4, '61, 3 Absent, in arrest for desertion, at muster out.
Leadbeater, James .. do
June 4, '61, 3
Prisoner May 5, '64-died at Andersouville, July 21, 1864-grave, 3,734.
M'Gonigal, John .. do
July 27, '61, 3
Mayberry, David ..
do
June 4, '61,
3
Mathews, Wm. H ... .do
June 4, '61,
3
Mount, Charles C ... do
June 4, '61, 3
Matsinger, John .... do
June 4, '61, 3
Milligan, Matthew ..
do
July 19, '61, 3
3
Mealy, Thaddeus .. do
June 4, '61,
Missing in action at Wilderness, May 5, 1864. 3
Moore, John.
do
July 17, '61,
3
Morris, Wm. H. do
June
4, '61, 3
Mayberry, Robert. do June 4, '61, 3 Killed at Fredericksburg, December 13, 1862. Deserted July, 1861.
Mullen, James.
.do June 4, '61, 3
Quinn, Andrew .do
June 4, '61,
Reed, Edward .. do
June 4, '61,
3
Rankins, James L .. do
July 19, '61, 3
do June 4, '61, 3
Severence, James. .do Feb. 20, '62, 3 Styer, George do June 4, '61, 3 3 Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, April 29, '62. Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, June 19, '62. Captured May 4, 1864-discharged Feb. 25, 1865. Scott, John C do June 4, '61, 3 3 Stelts, Whitfield .do Feb. 20, '62, Speiler, William .... do June 4, '61, Mis. in action at Wilderness, May 5, 1864-Vet. Killed at Antietam, September 17, 1802. Sherry, John. do June 4, '61, 3 Killed at White Oak Swamp, June 30, 1862.
Scingley, Thomas .. do June 4, '61, 3 Deserted June 7, 1861.
Terry, Robert B., .do
June 4, '61, 3
Templeton, Hugh ..
do Mar. 1, '62,
3
Tubbs, Joseph .. do
Mar. 27, '62, 3
Timony, Michael. do June 4, '61, 3
Verlander, Theo ... do June 4, '61, 3
Wellington, John ... do June 4, '61, 3
Ward, John. .do July 19, '61, 3
Wilson, Samuel T ... do June 4, '61, 3 Prisoner from May 5, 1864, to Feb. 26, 1865-dis- charged April 10, 1865.
Wilson, William .. .do June 4, '61, 3
Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, Nov. 13, '62. Absent, in arrest, at muster out.
Transferred to Vet. Res. Corps, Dec. 1, 1863.
Prisoner May 5, 1864-died at Andersonville. Aug. 12, 1861-grave, 5,458.
3 Deserted October 1, 1862.
Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, Aug. 1, '62. Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, Dec 2, 1862. Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, Nov. 11, '62. Transferred to Vet. Res. Corps, Oct. 7, 1863.
Captured May 5, 1864-discharged Feb. 8, 1865. Deserted Oct. 19, 1861. Deserted June 27, 1862.
Not on muster-out roll.
Transferred to 190th reg. P. V., May 31, '64-Vet. Deserted September 11, 1862.
Kelly, Daniel do
June 4, '61,
3
Killian, William do
June 4, '61,
Keck, Christopher .. do
April 15, '61, 3
M'Guigan, Henry C
do
June 4, '61,
Absent, sick, at muster out.
Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, Feb. 12, '62. Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, Mar. 23, '62. Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, June 16, '62. Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, Jan. 29, 1863. Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, Feb. 4, 1863. Prisoner May 5, '64-died at Andersonville, Aug. . 26, 1864-grave, 6,925.
3 Deserted-date unknown.
Absent, in arrest for desertion, at muster out. Discharged on Surgeon's certificate. Jan. 20, 1863. Missing in action at Wilderness, May 5, 1864.
Prisoner from May 5. 1864, to March 1, 1865 -- dis- charged April 27. 1865.
Mis in action at Wilderness, May 5, 1864-Vet. Killed at Bethesda Church, May 30, 1864-Vet. Discharged June 25, 1861-minor.
TERM-YEARS.
Mustered out with company, June 16, 1864. Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, Jan. 29, '63. Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, Aug. 26, '62. Missing in action at Wilderness, May 5, 1864. Discharged April 4, 1863, for wounds received in action.
3
Transferred to 190th reg. P. V., May 31, '64-Vet. Pris. from May 5, 1864, to Feb. 18, 1865-disch. April 12, 1865.
Greenawalt, Wm do
June 4, '61,
Nativit
Missing in action at Wilderness, May 5, 1864. Captured May 5, 1864-discharged Mar. 9, 1865.
Rice, Barnard ..
755
THREE YEARS' SERVICE.
UNASSIGNED MEN.
NAME.
RANK.
DATE OF MUSTER INTO SERVICE.
TERM-YEARS.
REMARKS.
Brown, John C.
Private
Feb. 29, '64,
3 Not on muster-out roll.
Burke, Thomas
do
April 12, '64,
3
Deserted April 13, 1864.
Brown, Thomas .do
April 18, '64,
3 Not on muster-out roll.
Connars, John do May 12, '64, 3 Not on muster-out roll.
Dore, John W do April 13, '64,
3 Deserted April 18, 1864.
Gelmyer, Charles. .do
June 26, '64,
3 Not on muster-out roll.
Garland, Franklin .. .do
April 18, '64,
3
Not on muster-out roll.
Howe, Edward do
April 12, '64,
3
Not on muster-out roll.
Lawyer, George W do
May 10, '64,
M'Cartney, Henry .. do
Feb. 29, '64,
3
Not on muster-out roll.
Martin, James do
April 18, '64,
3 Not on muster-out roll.
Rehm, Anthony. .do
Mar. 1, '64, 3 Not on muster-out roll.
Stevens, Zeperiah. do
April 20, '64, 3 Not on muster-out roll.
Stony, John .... do
April 12, '64, 3 Not on muster-out roll.
Smith, James do
April 12, '64, 3 Not on muster-out roll.
Wilson, James. .do
Mar. 4, '64, 3 Not on muster-out roll.
Young, Robert C. .. do
Feb. 29, '64,
3 Not on muster-out roll.
Kelley, Barnard. do
Feb. 29, '64,
3
Not on muster-out roll.
Ludwig, James ... do
Feb. 29, '64,
3 Not on muster-out roll.
3 Not on muster-out roll.
3 Not on muster-out roll.
M'Govern, Patrick .. .do
April 4, '64,
3 Not on muster-out roll.
Huchinson, Wm. .do
April 20, '64,
.
THIRTY-SEVENTH REGIMENT, EIGHTH RESERVE.
T THE Eighth Reserve Regiment was formed from companies recruited for the three months' service, but not accepted, which had rendezvoused at Camp Wright, twelve miles above Pittsburg, on the Allegheny River. Forty- three companies were here assembled, of which only those belonging to the Erie Regiment had a regimental organization. The camp was under the command of Colonel John W. M'Lane, was pleasantly located, and kept in a neat and healthy condition. Early in June it was visited by General M'Call, and the companies selected to form the Eighth Regiment were ordered to Camp Wil- kins, near the city of Pittsburg, where on the 28th it was organized by the choice of the following field officers: George S. Hays, M. D., of Allegheny county, Colonel; S. D. Oliphant, Lieutenant Colonel; and J. B. Gardner, Major. Colonel Hays was possessed of considerable military knowledge, having com- manded the "Duquesne Greys," a Pittsburg company of some renown, during the three previous years. Drill by companies without arms had been practiced at Camp. Wright. It was now armed and uniformed, and drilled by battalion, the camp being under command of Colonel Hays.
On the 20th of July it was ordered to Washington, and proceeded by rail to Harrisburg, where it received additional equipments, from thence to Balti- more, where it encamped and received tents, arriving in Washington on the 23d, and encamped on Meridian Hill. Remaining here until the 2d of August it was ordered to the Reserve Camp at Tenallytown, where it was assigned to the First Brigade,* commanded by Brigadier General John F. Reynolds. The Seventh Regiment, having been posted on picket duty at Great Falls, on the Potomac, was vigorously shelled by the enemy, and, in anticipation of his cross- ing in force, a call was made for reinforcements. The Eighth was promptly sent to its support, and remained several days on duty in this vicinity. The enemy made no further demonstrations. General M'Call, in reporting the con- dition of the Eighth at this time, says: "It numbers eight hundred and ninety men, armed with rifles and muskets of improved patterns. An officer is out recruiting for it. The men are well equipped and well drilled."
From Tenallytown the Eighth moved, on the 9th of October, across the Potomac to Langley, Virginia, where it took position, with the division, in line with the army of the Potomac, and where subsequently it went into winter quarters. Picket lines were established on a long line of hills running at right
*Organization of the First Brigade, Brigadier General John F. Reynolds; Pennsylvania Reserve Corps Major General George A. M'Call. Fifth (34th) Regiment, Pennsylvania Volun- teers, Colonel Seneca G. Simmons; First (30th) Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers, Colonel R. Biddle Roberts; Second (31st) Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, Colonel Wm. B. Mann, Eighth (37th) Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers, Colonel George S. Hays.
1
757
1861
BATTLE OF MECHANICSVILLE.
angles with the pike, and with the Potomac, a mile and a half in front of the camp. Here the regiment was thoroughly drilled and instructed by the regi- mental officers, and joined in brigade drill conducted by General Reynolds, when the men were required to carry their knapsacks with at least their blank- ets. On the morning in which the Third Brigade encountered the enemy at Dranesville, the First Brigade marched to Difficult Creek, five miles away. At the sound of the enemy's guns General Reynolds started on the double- quick for the field, but only arrived in time to see the rebels scatter before the steady fire of Ord's advancing columns .*
Upon the breaking up of winter quarters, the regiment moved with the di- vision, first to Hunter's Mills, and thence to Alexandria, where the army was ordered to concentrate for embarkation to the Peninsula. Here it encamped, and before its turn for moving came, the division was attached to the First Corps under General M'Dowell, and ordered to remain in front of Washington. From Alexandria it moved to Manassas and thence to Warrenton Junction, where the men made frequent excursions to the Bull Run battle-ground, and for a time occupied the quarters of the rebel troops. Following up the advance of the First Cavalry, and King's Division, the Reserves marched, Reynolds' Brigade in advance, to Falmouth. On the 24th of May, Reynolds crossed the river and occupied the town of Fredericksburg, and soon after commenced an advance upon the Richmond and Potomac Railroad. This route being deemed impracticable, the brigade was recalled and the division was sent by water to the Peninsula. Debarking at White House, the regiment marched to Gaines' Mill, where it joined M Clellan's army.
On the 23d of May Major Gardner resigned, and Captain S. M. Baily, of company I, was elected to succeed him ; Acting Adjutant John M. Kent was elected Captain of company I, and Lieutenant Wetter, of company H, was ap- pointed Adjutant.
In the battle of Mechanicsville, on the 26th of June, the Eighth occupied the centre of the line stretching along the left bank of Beaver Dam Creek, with the Tenth Reserve on its left, and the First on its right. On the brow of a ridge descending to the mill-race and swamp in front, was posted Easton's Battery, and at the margin of the swamp the regiment was deployed, four com- panies, A, D, F, and I, under command of Lieutenant Colonel Oliphant, being thrown forward as skirmishers. A brief artillery contest, in which the shells burst in rapid succession in the very midst of the infantry, was followed by the advance of the rebel columns, and the battle became general. A charge of the enemy below the swamp, with the design of capturing Easton's Battery, caused the skirmishers to be recalled, and the regiment moved to its support. But the enemy being repulsed by other troops, it returned to its former position. Three times the close columns of the enemy charged down the opposing slope with determined valor, but were as often repulsed and driven back. At night the
* EXTRACT FROM GENERAL M'CALL'S OFFICIAL REPORT .- Early in the day, not know- ing what force might be thrown forward from Centreville to support the troops we had en- countered, I had called forward Brigadier General Reynolds, First Brigade, and Brigadier General Meadc, Second Brigade, from Camp Pierpont, to the support of the Third Brigade. Both these distinguished officers promptly brought forward their commands, and I only re- gretted that the fine dispositions of the regiment and battery of Ord's command, together with the gallantry of Colonels Jackson, M'Calmont, and 'Taggart, and Lieutenant Colonels Kane, Higgins, and Penrose, and Captain Easton, had left nothing for Reynolds and Meade to do .-- Executive Document, No. 55, p. 13.
1862
758
THIRTY-SEVENTH REGIMENT-EIGHTH RESERVE.
men rested upon the ground where they had fought. The dead were col- lected, wrapt in their blankets and consigned to the earth, and the wounded were sent to the rear. The loss in killed, wounded and missing was nearly ouc hundred. Company F being upon the skirmish line, and not comprehending the order to withdraw, remained at its post and fell into the hands of the enemy.
Though the enemy was successfully repulsed with comparatively small loss to the Reserves, yet it was deemed prudent to abandon this position,* and early on the morning of the 27th, the division was quietly withdrawn, and marched in good order to Gaines' Mill. Here the Eighthi was posted in the second line of battle, on a road which was graded, the cut in the hill where it lay affording some protection. With it was the Second Regular infantry, and on the bank in the rear was posted a battery of four Parrott guns and two brass howitzers. In front was the Fifth New York (Zouaves) armed with Sharp's Rifles. As the battle opened the shells from the rebel guns, directed upon the battery in the rear, became very troublesome. A percussion shell struck in the midst of com- pany A, lying where the bank was too low to afford much protection, killing three and wounding four.t When the rebel infantry appeared, they were treated to rapid volleys from the Zouaves. At four o'clock there was a lull in the storm of battle, and the troops in the road were informed that the enemy was pre- paring to make a vigorous demonstration on that part of the line. At five o'clock the enemy in heavy masses made his appearance, advancing from the woods. The Second Regulars were first ordercd forward to meet him. Soon the Eighth was summoned to their support, and at the word "forward" every musket was grasped firmly, and the line dashed away in the face of a shower of bullets, Colonel Hays gallantly leading in the advance. The enemy was swept back into the woods, where he made a stand under partial cover, and for some time the conflict was desperate, the men, with great rapidity, loading and firing at will. Overborne by superior numbers the regiment was at length forced back, but retired in good order, and was loudly cheered as it passed the regiments in reserve. Early in the advance Major Baily was wounded and borne insensible from the field. Captains Johnson, Wishart, Gallupe and Car- ter were also wounded. The loss in killed was very heavy, numbering twenty- four; eighteen were severely wounded.
At night the regiment crossed the Chickahominy, and rested upon its arms on Trent's Hill. During the entire day succeeding, the Eighth lay near Savage Station, but the weather was intensely hot and the men got little rest. When night came they slept two hours, and were then aroused and commenced
* EXTRACT FROM GENERAL M'CLELLAN'S OFFICIAL REPORT .- The position on Beaver Dam Creck, although so successfully defended, had its right flank too much in the air, and was too far from the main army to make it desirable to retain it longer.
¡ Suddenly I heard an explosion a little to my right, that pierced to my very brain. I na- turally turned in the direction, and saw a sight that is before my eyes yet. Twenty or thirty feet from me, where the banks were not high enough to afford much protection, I saw a cloud of dust and smoke in the very midst of company A. I saw a man throw his hands wildly above his head, and fall backward, covered with blood. A moment he lay quivering convul- sively, then ho lay still-perfectly still. He was dead. Another stooped and picked up his own arm, which had been torn off by the shell as it descended, and rushed wildly towards a small hospital some distance to the rear, flourishing his dismembered limb above his head and shouting in the broad tongue :- "Och, docther, me airm's off, me airm's off!" A percussion shell had struck fairly among the boys, killing three outright and wounding four .- Our Boys, Hill, page 299
.
759
BATTLE OF GAINES' MILL.
1862
the march towards the James River. The trains so blocked the way that the march was greatly interrupted. It was past noon when the regiment arrived at White Oak Swamp, and sundown when it reached Charles City Cross Roads, and stacked arms in anticipation of resting for the night. It was already pitchy dark, a thunder storm prevailing in the distance, when the regiment with a bat- tery was ordered to proceed on the road leading to Richmond on picket; but although in the immediate presence of the enemy they were not molested, and returned in the morning to the position of the previous evening.
At one o'clock P. M. the regiment was called into line, and soon the battle opened, the First Brigade, since the capture of General Reynolds at Gaines' Mill, being in command of Colonel Simmons. In the formation of the line the First Brigade was held in reserve, but as the struggle became desperate, the Eighth was ordered in. Its position fell opposite the Sixth Georgia, which was upon the point of charging, when General M'Call gave the order for the Eighth to charge upon it, and Colonel Hays leading the way, with a shout that rang out above the deafening roar of the conflict, it dashed forward, scattering the Georgians and driving them beyond the marsh in front. A few prisoners were taken. Later the enemy pressed heavily upon that part of the field, and the line was forced back, the Eighth gradually retiring until it reached a new line which had been established, where it remained until darkness put an end to the contest. The loss in this engagement was sixteen killed and fourteen se- verely wounded. Colonel Hays had his horse killed under him and was con- siderably injured by the fall.
Dropping upon the ground for a little rest the men were suffered to sleep for a few hours, when they were aroused and hurried away to Malvern Hill. Here the division was posted in reserve, and while the battle was raging fiercely around, so great was their exhaustion that the men dropped down upon the field and slept. The loss in the regiment in killed, wounded and missing, dur- ing the series of engagements commencing at Mechanicsville, was two hundred and thirty.
On the following day it moved to Harrison's Landing, where the army was secure and abundance of supplies was received. Here, on account of ill health, Colonel Hays and Lieutenant Colonel Oliphant resigned, and Major Baily still suffering from his wounds and unable to keep the field, the command of the regiment devolved on Captain William Lemon. Major Baily was subsequently commissioned Colonel, Captain Lemon, Lieutenant Colonel, and Captain Robert E. Johnston, Major.
From the Peninsula the Eighth moved by water, on the 11th of August, to Acquia Creek, whence it proceeded to join the army under General Pope. At Warrenton it came up with the corps of Sigel, M'Dowell and Burnside, and marched thence in the direction of Washington. On the 27th, the troops moved in column with batteries ready to be thrown into position, and a strong line of skirmishers thrown out on left and front. The same order of march was con- . tinued on the 28th. At ten o'clock A. M. the column emerged from the cover under which it had been marching, and was obliged to pass an open space at an elevated point in the road, when it was suddenly opened upon by a rebel battery. Captain Cooper's Battery of ten pound rifled Parrott guns was soon in position, and by a few well directed shots silenced his fire. But in the mean- time a shell had struck in the midst of companies B and G, killing two men instantly, wounding six others and killing one horse. One of the wounded,
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