History of Pennsylvania volunteers, 1861-5; prepared in compliance with acts of the legislature, Vol. I, Part 197

Author: Bates, Samuel P. (Samuel Penniman), 1827-1902. cn
Publication date: 1869
Publisher: Harrisburg, B. Singerly, State Printer
Number of Pages: 1360

USA > Pennsylvania > History of Pennsylvania volunteers, 1861-5; prepared in compliance with acts of the legislature, Vol. I > Part 197

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General O. M. Mitchell assumed command of the Department of the South on the 16th of September, and an expedition was soon after fitted out to pene- trate Florida, and remove the obstructions in the St. John's River. The force selected consisted of the Forty-seventh Pennsylvania, Seventh Connecticut, First Connecticut Battery, and one company of the First Massachusetts Cav- alry, all under the command of General Brannan. Landing at Maysport Mills, on the 1st of October, the campaign was opened by operations directed against St. John's Bluff, a strongly fortified point, five miles from the mouth of the St. John's River. Moving on the 2d through swamps and pine woods, by a circuit of twenty-five miles, the Forty-seventh in advance, constantly skirmish- ing with, and driving the enemy as they went, the command bivouacked at night, in rear of the fort, in sight of the rebel works. The gunboats were con- tinually exchanging shots with the fort during the night. In the morning, the brigade was formed, and moved to the assault, but found that the rebel General Finnegan, who was in command, had evacuated under cover of darkness, leav- ing eleven pieces of artillery, in excellent order, and an immense quantity of ammunition. Companies E and K, under command of Captain Yard, were sent in pursuit of the retreating foe, and, after a sharp skirmish, took posses- sion of Jacksonville, Florida. Thence the two companies proceeded, on the 6th, by steamer Darlington, two hundred miles up the river, where the rebel steamer Governor Milton was captured, and safely conveyed within the Union lines. The artillery, ammunition and materials captured at St. John's Bluff,

1152

FORTY-SEVENTH REGIMENT.

1862

were placed upon steamers, and with the command were taken to Hilton Head, where they arrived on the 7th, the object of the expedition having been accom- plished, with a loss to the Forty-seventh of only two wounded.

On the 21st the command proceeded to destroy the railroad bridge over the Pocotaligo, and sever communication between Charleston and Savannah. A landing was effected at Mackey's Point, and it proceeded without delay, the Forty-seventh in advance, towards the bridge. The brigade was commanded by Colonel Good, Lieutenant Colonel Alexander commanding the regiment. Advancing a few miles, and debouching upon an open, rolling country, it sud- denly received a heavy fire from a rebel field battery. The brigade was deployed to the front, passing the artillery, and drove the enemy from his position. At Frampton the rebels were found posted in a wood with infantry and artillery. The approach to their position was over an open cotton field. The brigade was formed in line of battle, with two companies thrown forward as skirmishers, and charged upon the enemy in the face of a terrific fire. This bold movement had the desired effect. The affrighted enemy fled in precipitation. Pursuit was immediately given, and after an exciting chase of four miles. he was found in force at Pocotaligo Bridge, under command of General Walker. A ravine here ran between our line and the enemy. The Forty-seventh was ordered to relieve the Seventh Connecticut, and forming upon the edge of the stream, for two hours kept up an uninterrupted fire. The enemy being strongly posted behind works, and receiving reinforcements, poured forth a murderous fire upon our line, frustrating every attempt to eross the ravine. The ammunition of the artillery was entirely exhausted, and night coming on, the command was withdrawn, and returned unmolested to Mackey's Point. Captains Mickley and Junker, and eighteen enlisted men were killed, and one hundred and four- teen wounded. Both officers and men were complimented in general orders for their gallantry. On the 23d it returned to Hilton Head. On the 30th General Mitchell, the commander of the Department, died. The Forty-seventh was detailed as escort at the burial, and fired the salute over his grave.

On the 15th of November, the regiment was ordered to Key West, Florida, and arrived at that post on the 18th. Here a detachment of five companies, under command of Colonel Good, was ordered to garrison Fort Taylor, and the remaining five, under command of Lieutenant Colonel Alexander, to garri- son Fort Jefferson. The military importance of these positions was at this time very great. A strenuous effort to secure foreign intervention was being made by the rebel government with some probability of success. In his instructions to Colonel Good the General commanding says: "It is hardly necessary to point out to you the extreme military importance of the two works now en- trusted to your command: suffice it to state, that they eannot pass out of our hands withont the greatest possible disgrace to whoever may conduct their defenee, and to the nation at large. In view of difficulties that may soon cul- minate in war with foreign powers, it is eminently necessary that these works should immediately be placed beyond any possibility of seizure by any naval or military force that may be thrown upon them from neighboring ports. * *

* * Seizure of these forts by coup-de-main may be the first aet of hostilities instituted by foreign powers, and the comparative isolation of their position, and their distance from reinforcements, point them out (independent of their national importance) as peculiarly the object of such an effort to possess them." Recognizing the imminent peril to which they were exposed; without a moment's

1864

BATTLE OF SABINE CROSS ROADS.

1153

delay, the entire available force was employed to place the forts in the highest possible condition of defence, and the efforts were unremitting until every means at command were brought into requisition to render them impregnable. In these positions, with Colonel Good in command, the regiment remained until the 25th of February, 1864. In the mean time five hundred men of the regi- ment had re-enlisted, and received a veteran furlough. It was highly compli- mented at various times during its occupation of Key West for its efficiency, and continually enjoyed the confidence of the commander of the Department.

On the 25th of February orders were received to proceed to Louisiana. Embarking upon the steamer Charles Thomas it arrived at Algiers on the 28th, and moving by rail to Brashear City was conveyed by steamer up the Bayou Teche to Franklin, its destination. It was here assigned to the Second Brigade* of the First Division, Nineteenth Army Corps. An expedition was here fitting out, under command General Banks, to proceed up the Red River, and on the 15th of March it moved, infantry, cavalry, and artillery, via New Iberia, Ver- millionville, Opelousas, and Washington, to Alexandria, at which place it was joined by the command of General A. J. Smith, and a fleet of gunboats under Commodore Porter.

After a few days rest it again moved forward, following, in the main, the course of the Red River to Natchitoches. The point of attack was Shreve- port. The line of march from Natchitoches was through a barren, sandy coun- try, with little water and no forage. On the night of the 7th of April, the regiment encamped at Pleasant Hill, and on the following day marched until three P. M., when the column halted. Firing in front had been, for some time, heard in the direction of Sabine Cross Roads. The Forty-seventh was hur- riedly formed and advanced at double-quick, passing the Second Division of the Nineteenth Corps. As it approached the front, cavalry, infantry, and artil- lery were met in confusion seeking the rear. The brigade was brought into position on a small elevation. Scarcely had the line been formed, when the pursuing and victorious enemy came pressing on. A well directed volley sud- denly checked his course, and he was driven back in dismay. Again he at- tempted to break the line, and again was repulsed. Darkness intervened, and the men lay down in line of battle. t Shortly after midnight the command was withdrawn. The wounded of both armies had, during the night, lain between the lines, and their groans and cries for water were heart-rending. The com- mand, wearied and worn, returned to Pleasant Hill on the 9th. The loss was near sixty men killed and wounded; among the former was Lieutenant Swoyer, of company K.

* Organization of the Second Brigade, Brigadier General James W. M'Millan, First Divi- sion, General William H. Emory, Nineteenth Corps, Major General W. B. Franklin. Forty- seventh Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, Colonel T. H. Good; Thirteenth Regiment Maine Volunteers, Colonel Henry Rust, Jr .; One Hundred and Sixtieth Regiment New York Volun- teers, Liutenant Colonel John B. Van Petten; Fifteenth Regiment Maine Volunteers, Colo- nel Isaac Dyer.

The Nineteenth Army Corps had been ordered to stop and form its line of battle; the re- treating Union troops passed through this line and formed in the rear. The rebels, thinking they had repulsed our whole army, dashed impetuously on, and through the line ; but half visible through the wood before them, was another feeble, but desperate stand of a few men. General Emory commanded this force, consisting of two full brigades, and he ordered the fire to be reserved until the rebels were within short range, when from both infantry and the artil- lery posted thickly along his line, a storm of iron and lead was hurled upon the foe that liter- ally mowed them down, The rebels halted in amazement, but still they fought, and bravely; 145

1154

FORTY-SEVENTH REGIMENT.

1864

At Pleasant Hill the regiment was posted on the right of the linc, with its right resting on a high bluff. The enemy, under command of Dick Taylor, attacked at midday, and the battle raged with great fury until five P. M. At three o'clock the Forty-seventh was ordered from the right to the left of the line. While passing by the flank in the rear of the One Hundred and Sixty-fifth New York, an impetuous charge was made by the enemy, causing that regiment to retire before him. The Forty-seventh repelled the charge and delivered a counter-charge in force. A desperate encounter ensued, in which the rebels were driven and several pieces of artillery captured. Lieuten- ant Colonel Alexander was severely wounded. Color Sergeant Walls,* the oldest member of the command, was wounded, when Sergeant Pyers, of com- pany C, immediately took the colors and was also soon after wounded.

Notwithstanding the victory at Pleasant Hill, Banks, from the want of sup- plies, was obliged to retreat to Grand Ecore. The place was immediately put in condition for defence and was strongly fortified. Here the army remained until the 22d, when the retreat to Alexandria was commenced. At Cane Hill the enemy was encountered and routed, with but small loss to the Union forces. After long and wearisome marches they arrived at Alexandria on the 25th. During the progress of this memorable expedition, the regiment marched eight hundred miles, and lost by sickness, killed, wounded and missing, two hundred men. It remained some time at Alexandria, assisting in the construction of a dam across the channel of the Red River, for the purpose of passing the fleet over the falls. This work was under the supervision of Lieutenant Colonel Joseph Bailey, an eminent engineer belonging to the Nineteenth Corps. On the 13th of May the last of the gunboats successfully passed the rapids.

On the 16th the command reached Simmsport and crossed the Atchafalaya on a bridge of steamers. At this point company C, Captain Gobin, was de- tailed to proceed on the steamer Dunleith to New Orleans, as guard to pri- soners. The balance of the regiment marched to Morganzia, where company C rejoined it, and it remained until the 20th of June, when it moved by steamer to New Orleans.

The Nineteenth Corps was now ordered to Washington, and on the 5th of July, the regiment embarked on the steamer M'Clellan, and arrived at the capital on the 12th. The corps was immediately assigned to the command of General Hunter, which it joined near Snicker's Gap, and was engaged in the defence of the National capital, and in expelling the rebel army from Maryland. General Sheridan was soon after placed in command of the forces here concen- trated, and at once proceeded to re-organizet what was thence forward known

volley after volley was discharged from each side full into the ranks of their opponents, but neither gave signs of yielding, and night charitably threw her mantle over the ghastly scene, and enforced a cessation of hostilities .- Moore's Rebellion Record, Vol. 8, pages 555-6.

* Benjamin F. Walls, of company C, was sixty-five years old when he enlisted; was a farmer of considerable means, from Juniata county. When examined at Harrisburg, the Surgeon pronounced him too old for the service. "By the Lord !" exclaimed the Squire, "I have yet. to learn that a man ever becomes too old to serve his country !" He was passed, was made Color Sergeant, was wounded severely at Pleasant Hill, Louisiana, but afterwards returned to his regiment and served out his three years. He desired to re-enlist, but the Surgeon refused to pass him. He died in the summer of 1867-one of the bravest of the brave, universally re- spected .- Colonel Gobin's Incidents of the War.

t Organization of the Second .Brigade, General James W. M'Millan, First Division, General William Dwight, Nineteenth Corps, General William H. Emory. Forty-seventh Regiment

1155

BATTLE OF CEDAR CREEK.

1864

as the Army of the Shenandoah. On the 19th of September was fought the battle of Opequan. The regiment was posted upon the extreme right of the corps. At two A. M., General Sheridan drew out his entire force, determined to carry the enemy's works by assault. The First Division of the Nineteenth Corps, to which the Forty-seventh was attached, fought with great gallantry, and suffered heavy loss. The grand charge of General Crook's forces, and the cavalry under Averill, was made through the line held by the Forty-seventh.

The enemy fell back to Fisher's Hill, eight miles south of Winchester, where, on the 21st, he was found strongly posted. Occupying a position on the left of the rebel line, the regiment deployed as skirmishers, and charged upon the enemy's works. Owing to the abruptness of the ascent, the rebels were unable to depress their guns, and the men suffered little loss. The pursuit of the re- treating foe was continued during the entire night, and until it reached Port Republic. The command soon after returned, and encamped at Cedar Creek. Colonel Good and Lieutenant Colonel Alexander, were here mustered out of service, their term having expired, and Major Gobin and Captain Charles W. Abbott, of company K, were promoted .to fill the vacancies thus occasioned. Captain Levi Stuber, of company I, was promoted to Major. .

On the 17th of October, the regiment proceeded on a reconnoissance to Strasburg, and on the 19th, participated in the battle of Cedar Creek. The brigade occupied a position in the centre of a semi-circle, formed by a curve in the channel of the creek, and in rear of the line of works. When the Army of West Virginia, under Crook, was surprised and driven from its works, the Second Brigade, with the Forty-seventh on the right, was thrown into the breach to arrest the retreat. The line was formed while vast bodies of men were rushing past it. A heavy fog prevented objects from being visible at a distance of fifty yards. Scarcely was it in position before the enemy came sud- denly upon it, under cover of the fog. The right of the regiment was thrown back until it was almost a semi-circle. The brigade, only fifteen hundred strong, was contending against Gordon's entire division, and was forced to retire, but in comparative good order, exposed, as it was, to a raking fire. Repeatedly forming as it was pushed back, and making a stand at every available point, it finally succeeded in checking the enemy's onset, when General Sheridan suddenly appeared upon the field, who "met his crest-fallen, shattered battal- ions, without a word of reproach, but joyously swinging his cap, shouted to the stragglers, as he rode rapidly past them-"Face the other way, boys! We are going back to our camp! We are going to lick them out of their boots!"

The lines were re-formed, and the first charge of the enemy, at one P. M., fell upon the Nineteenth Corps, and was handsomely repulsed. The force of the blow fell heavily upon the Forty-seventh, but it stood firm, and was compli- mented on the field by General Thomas. This success cheered the hearts of all and the army began to take courage. When the final grand charge was made, the regiment moved at nearly right angles with the rebel front. The brigade charged gallantly, and the entire line, making a left wheel, came down on his flank while engaging the Sixth Corps, when he " went whirling up the val- ley" in confusion. In.the pursuit to Fisher's Hill the regiment led, and upon

Pennsylvania Volunteers, Colonel J. P. S. Gobin; Eighth Regiment Vermont Volunteers, Colo- nel Stephen Thomas; Twelfth Regiment Connecticut Volunteers, Lieutenant Colonel Frank H. Peck; One Hundred and Sixtieth Regiment New York Volunteers, Lieutenant Colonel Henry P. Underhill.

1156

FORTY-SEVENTH REGIMENT.

1865

its arrival was placed on the skirmish line, where it remained until twelve o'clock M. of the following day. The army was attacked at early dawn, and no respite was given to take food until the pursuit was ended. Captain Minnich was killed, Major Goebel mortally, and Captain Oyster severely wounded. The loss was one hundred and seventy-six, killed, wounded and missing. In this action Chaplain Rodrock rendered effective service, and received a bullet through his hat. In every battle in which the regiment was engaged, save that at Pocotaligo Bridge, where he was detailed to take charge of the wounded, the Chaplain was at the post of duty.

The corps fell back to Camp Russell, five miles south of Winchester, and went into winter quarters. Much care and labor was given to the construction of the log huts, and arranging the camp in perfect order to withstand the blasts of winter but when completed had to be abandoned for the march. On the even- ing of the 20th of December, in the midst of a snow storm, the regiment moved through Winchester, along the Charlestown and Winchester Railroad, until two o'clock of the following morning, when it bivouacked until daylight, the guide having lost his way.

At Camp Fairview, two miles from Charlestown, the command again went into winter quarters, and was on constant active duty, guarding the railroad and constructing works for defence against the incursions of guerrillas. The regiment participated in a number of reconnoissances and skirmishes during the winter The command was ordered to proceed up the valley to intercept the enemy's troops, should any succeed in making their escape in that direction. It accordingly moved on the 4th of April through Winchester and Kernstown; but the army with General Grant had forced the enemy under Lee to surrender on the 9th. The fighting was ended. The regiment moved by rail to Washing- ton, and encamped near Fort Stevens. Here it was clothed and equipped, and participated in the grand review on the 23d and 24th of May. On the 1st of June it was again ordered to duty, and embarked for Savannah, Georgia, where it arrived on the 6th. In July it proceeded to Charleston, South Carolina, and relieved the One Hundred and Sixty-fifth New York, on duty in the city. Here its head-quarters were in the beautiful mansion of the rebel Secretary of Treasury; company E garrisoned Fort Moultrie; and a detachment of company G, Fort Sumter. Many fell victims to disease, and their remains now repose in Magnolia Cemetery. At length the long wished for day of muster-out arrived. On the morning of the 3d of January, 1866, it embarked for New York, where, after a stormy passage, it arrived safely, and proceeded by rail to Philadelphia. It had seen service in seven of the Southern States, participated in the most exhausting campaigns, marched more than twelve hundred miles, and made twelve voyages at sea. It was the only Pennsylvania regiment that participated in the Red River expedition, or that served in that Department until after the surrender of Lee. On the 9th of January, after a term of service of four years and four months, it was mustered out at Camp Cadwalader.

1157

FIELD AND STAFF OFFICERS.

NAME.

BANK.

DATE OF MUETER INTO SERVICE.

REMARKS.

Tilghman H. Good .. J. P. Shindle Gobin

Col

Sept. 24, '61, Sept. 2, '61,

3 3 Mustered out, Sept. 24, 1864-expiration of term. Promoted from Captain company C to Major, July 24, 1864-to Lieutenant Colonel, Novem- ber 4, 1864-to Colonel, January 3, 1865-to bv. Brigadier General, March 13, 1865-mustered out with regiment, December 25, 1865.

G. W. Alexander ... Charles W. Abbott .. ... do

Lt. Col.

Sept. 24, '61, Sept. 17, '61,

Mustered out, Sept. 23, '64-expiration of term. Promoted from Captain company K to Lieuten- ant Colonel, Jan. 3, 1865-mustered out with regiment, December 25, 1865.

Wm. H. Gausler.

Major .. do

Sept. 24, '61, Aug. 30, '61,

3 Discharged by S. O. of War Dep't, April 15, '64. . Promoted from Capt. Co. I to Maj., May 22, '65- mustered out with regiment, Dec. 25, 1865.

J. W. Fuller, Jr.

Adj

W. H. R. Hangen

.. do

W. S. Johnston

... do

James Van Dyke ...

Q. M ..

Sept. 2, '61. 3

Francis Z. Heebner

.. do

Sept. 14, '61. 3

Aug. 30, '61, 3 Promoted from Sergeant of company F to Adju- tant, October 30, '61-resigned January 9, 1862. Dec. 13, '62. 3 Aug. 5, '63, Dismissed by order of War Dep't, April 15, 1864. Promoted from private company E to Ist Lieu- tenant and Adjutant, September 1, 1864-mus- tered out with regiment, December 25, 1865. Promoted from 1st Lt. company C to Quarter- :master, Sept. 24, 1861-resigned Jan. 16, 1862. Promoted from private company B to Quarter- master, January 20, 1862-prisoner from Octo- ber, 1864, to March, 1865-mustered out, June 1, 1865-expiration of term.

W. H. Ginkinger ...

Sept. 14, '61, 3

Promoted from private company B to Commis- sary Sergeant, September 18, 1861-to Quarter- master, June 23, 1865-mustered out with regi- ment, December 25. 1865-Vet.

Elisha W. Bailey

Surg.

Sept. 24, '61, 3

Mustered out, Sept. 23, 1864-expiration of term. Mustered out with regiment, Dec. 25, 1865.

S. B. Sturdevant

.. do

Mar. 1, '65,

Lewis H. Adler

As.Sur.

Aug. 1, '62,

3 Resigned September 27, 1862.

Jacob H. Scheetz.

Wm. F. Reiber

.. do

.do Sept. 24, '61, 3 Mustered out, Sept. 23, 1864-expiration of term. Oct. 30, '62, 3 Resigned January 23, 1865.

C. F. Weiland

.do

Feb. 27, '65,

3 Promoted from priv. Co. K to Asst. Surg., Dec. 13. '64-mustered out with reg., Dec. 25, 1865. Mustered out with regiment, Dec. 25, 1865. 3

W. D. C. Rodrock ..

Chap'n

Feb. 25, '65, Aug. 14, '61,

Chas. H. Martin

Sr. Maj.

Mar. 1, '62, 3

W. M. Hendricks.

.. do

Sept. 2, '61, 3

Charles H. Small.

Q.M.Sr

Mar. 1, '62, 3

H. J. Hornbeck

... do

Sept. 18, '62,

Jacob Beck

.. do

Jan. 9, '62,

Charles Backman ..

Com. Sr Aug. 20, '61, 3

H D. Wharton.

.do

Sept. 2, '61, 3

Emory Lindster ..

Hos. St.

Aug. 24, '61,

NOTE .- The following abbreviations have been used in the preparation of remarks :

Ab. absent.

Cor. Corporal.

Fr. from. Pl. principal. Surg. Surgeon.

Asst. Assistant.

Com. commissioned or Forl. furlough.

Priv. private.

Sgt. Sergeant.

Adj. Adjutant.

commissary. Hos. hospital.

Reg. regiment.

Sub. substitute.

Bu. buried. Cert. certificate. Lt. Lientenant.

Red. reduced.

Stew. steward.

Bv. brevet.

Dis. dismissed. Mus. mustered.

Bd. band.

Dis'y. disability.

Mne. musician.

Rem. removed.

Vet. veteran volunteer ..

Capt. Captain.

Disch. discharged.

Mis. missing.

Chap. Chaplain.

Exp. expiration.

Pr. promoted.

Sen. sentenced. Serv. service.

Wd. wounded. Wds. wounds.

3 Commissioned Chaplain, Oct. 31, 1861-re-mus., Sept. 18, '64-mus. out with reg., Dec. 25, 1865. Promoted from private Co. B to Sgt. Maj., Sept. 1, 1864-mus. out with reg., Dec. 25, 1865-Vet. Promoted from company C to Sergeant Major, Sept. 17, 1861-discharged Sept. 12, 1864-Vet. Promoted from company H to Q. M. Sgt., June 2, 1865-mustered out with reg., Dec. 25, 1865. 3 Promoted from company G to Quartermaster 3 Sergeant, April 15, '64-discharged June 1, '65. Promoted from Corp. Co. A to Quartermaster Sergeant, March 1, 1862-deserted April 1, 1864. Promoted from company B to Com. Sgt., Nov. 1, 1865-mustered out with reg., Dec. 25, '65-Vet. Promoted from company C to Commissary Ser- geant, July 1, '65-discharged Oct. 12, '65-Vet. 3 Promoted fr. Co. H to Hos. Stew., Aug. 25, '61- mustered out with reg., Dec., 25, 1865-Vet. .

John Y. Shindle.

.. do

Levi Stuber ..

... do

TERM -YEARH. I co co

THREE YEARS' SERVICE.

Res. resigned. Tr. transferred.

1158

FORTY-SEVENTH REGIMENT,

REGIMENTAL BAND.

NAME.

PANK.

DATE OF MUSTER INTO SERVICE.

REMARKS.

Wm. A. Heckman ..

P'l Muc Ang. 14, '61,

3 Promoted to Principal Musician, Sept. 1, 1863- mustered out, Dec. 8, 1865-Vet.

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History of Pennsylvania volunteers, 1861-5; prepared in compliance with acts of the legislature, Vol. I, Part 197

Author: Bates, Samuel P. (Samuel Penniman), 1827-1902. cn Publication date: 1869 Publisher: Harrisburg, B. Singerly, State Printer Number of Pages: 1360

Author: Bates, Samuel P. (Samuel Penniman), 1827-1902. cn
Publication date: 1869
Publisher: Harrisburg, B. Singerly, State Printer
Number of Pages: 1360