History of Pennsylvania volunteers, 1861-5; prepared in compliance with acts of the legislature, Vol. I, Part 205

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 205

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

Walberd, William .. do

Sept. 17, '61, 3 Died at New Orleans, La., April 30, 1864.

Zellner, Benjamin ..

.. do

Dec. 15, '63, 3

Mustered out with company, Dec. 25, 1865-Vet.

UNASSIGNED MEN.

Clewell, Joseph.

Privato

Nov. 4, '63, 3

Died-date unknown.

Dunn, Dennis

.do

April 24, '63, 3 Not on muster-out roll.

Gehle, William

July 9, '63,

3 |Not on muster-out roll.

Hanes, John ...

.do

Feb. 27, '64, 1

Not on muster-out roll.

Hartley, David.

Feb. 23, '65, 1 Deserted February 24, 1865.

Rogers. John.

Sept. 2, '61, 3

Not on muster-out roll.

Semer. Jacob.

.do

Jan.

Transferred from company F, 181st reg. P. V- not on muster-out roll.

Schuyler, James

Dee. 1, '63, 3

Not on muster-out roll.

Soek, Andrew.

.do

Oct. 19, '6-1, 3 Not on muster-out roll.

Wagner, Henry E ... ... do

Jan. 1, '64, [3] Not on muster-out roll.

1 Mustered out with company, Dec. 25, 1865. Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, June 3, '62. Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, Sept. 1, '62.

3 Wounded at Pocotaligo, S. C., Oct. 22, '62-mus- tered out, Sept. 18, 1864-expiration of term.

3 3 3 Mustered ont, Sept. 18, 1864-expiration of term. Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, July 4, '65. Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, July 19, '65. Discharged on Surg. certificate, Dec. 15, '64-Vet.

Smith, Franklin ...

Oct.

10, '64,

3 Oct. 29, 162. 29, '62, 3 Mustered out, Oct. 23, 1865-expiration of term. Mustered out, Oct. 23, 1865-expiration of term. Mar. 2, '64, 3 Dec. 15, '63, 3 Mustered out by General Order, Nov. 14, 1865. Killed at Cedar Creek, Oct. 19, 1864- buried in National Cemetery, Winchester-lot, 10.

Died at Hilton Head, S. C., Oct. 24, '62, of wds. received at Pocotaligo, S. C., October 22, 1862. Died at Key West, Fla., April 5, 1862. Deserted January 24, 1865.

Mustered out by General Order, July 8, 1865. Mustered out, Sept. 18, 1864-expiration of term.

Weil, James D.

Mar. 2, '64,

Mustered out with company, Dec. 25, 1865.

Mustered out with company, Dec. 25, 1865. Mustered out with company, Dec. 25, 1865-Vet.

Sept. 17, '61, 3

3 Wounded at Pocotaligo, S. C., Oct. 22, '62 -- mus- tered out with company, Dec. 25, 1865-Vet.

3 Mustered out with company, Dec. 25, 1865. Mustered out with company, Dec. 25, 1865.

Snyder, Jolın G.

.do

Feb. 15, '65,

3 Discharged on Surgcon's certificate, Apr. 11, '65. Died at Baton Rouge, La., August 18, 1861-Vet. 3 3 Died at Baltimore, Md., September 1, 1864.

3 Wounded at Pocotaligo, S. C., Oct. 22, '62-mus- tered out with company, Dec. 25, 1865-Vet.

Mustered out with company, Dec. 25, 1865-Vet. Mustered out with company, Dec. 25, 1865-Vet. Mustered out with company, Dec. 25, 1865-Vet. Mustered out with company, Dec. 25, 1865-Vet.

Reifinger, Martin

Sept. 17, '61,

3 Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, Nov. 26, '61.

3 Died of wds. rec'd at Pleasant Hill, La., Apr. 9,'64. Died at Fort Jefferson, Fla., Sept. 16, 1862.

TERM-YEARS.

1190

FORTY-EIGHTH REGIMENT.

THIS regiment was recruited by order of Governor Curtin, in response to President Lincoln's call for one hundred thousand men, to serve for three years, or during the war, issued in July, 1861. Colonel James Nagle, of Potts- ville, Schuylkill county, to whom the order was issued, determined to raise a regiment .composed exclusively of Schuylkill county men, and immediately associated with him Joseph A. Gilmour, James Wren, Henry Pleasants, Joseph H. Hoskings, Daniel Nagle, Daniel B. Kaufman, John R. Porter, H. A. M. Filbert, William Winlack and Philip Nagle, in the work of recruiting. Com- panies B, C, D, G and H, were recruited in Pottsville, company A, in Port Clinton and Tamaqua, company E, in Silver Creek and New Philadelphia, company F, in Minersville, company I, in Middleport and Schuylkill Valley, and company K, in Cressona and Schuylkill Haven. A number of the men had served through the three months' campaign, in the Sixth, Fourteenth, Six- teenth, Twenty-fifth, and other Pennsylvania organizations, those serving in the Twenty-fifth being the first to reach Washington. The majority of the men, however, had their first military experience in the Forty-eighth. Recruiting was commenced about the middle of August, and the place of rendezvous was Camp Curtin.

The following field and staff officers were commissioned : James Nagle, Colonel; David A. Smith, Lieutenant Colonel; Joshua K. Sigfried, Major; John D. Bertolette, Adjutant. On the 20th of September two stands of colors were presented to the regiment by Governor Curtin, one on behalf of the State, the other the gift of John T. Werner, Esq., a patriotic citizen of Pottsville, who desired it to be considered a county flag. Upon the blue field of this lat- ter flag were inscribed the words, "In the cause of the Union we know no such word as fail," a sentiment faithfully exemplified in the history of the regiment. The men were clothed and furnished with camp equipage immediately upon being mustered into the service, and on the 22d were armed with the Harper's Ferry muskets. The various companies of the regiment were drilled in light infantry tactics by their respective officers, and twice during its stay at Camp Curtin it was subjected to regimental drill. On the 24th, it moved via the Northern Central Railroad, for Washington city; but while on the way orders were received to proceed direct to Fortress Monroe. Reaching Baltimore on the 25th, it embarked on the steamer Georgia, and landed at Fortress Monroe on the morning of the 26th. Here regular military discipline began, which consisted of squad, company, and regimental drill. A school for officers was also established.

The regiment remained at this point until the 11th of November, when it sailed on the steamer S. R. Spaulding for Hatteras Island, North Carolina. Arriving on the 12th it encamped at Fort Clarke. Comfortable wooden barracks

1192

FORTY-EIGHTHI REGIMENT.

1862

were ereeted about five miles from the inlet, which were oeeupied by the regi- ment, with the exception of company B, which remained to garrison Fort Clarke. While stationed here it was thoroughly drilled, under the direction of Brigadier General Thomas Williams, to whose command it was attached. It was an estab- lished rule, during its entire term of service, whenever in camp for any length of time, to have a school for instruction of offieers. The striet military train- ing received at Hatteras was never lost. Sheltered from the winds by a wood, the regiment was better quartered than ever after, and while here constructed a large lunette fort, under the supervision of Captain Pleasants. Upon the resignation of Lieutenant Colonel Smith, on the 30th, Major Sigfried was com- missioned to fill the vaeaney, and Captain Daniel Nagle was commissioned Major.

Upon the aceession of General M'Clellan to chief command, numerous ex- peditions were sent out to make a lodgment at different points upon the southern coast. General Burnside was intrusted with the command of one to possess and occupy the coast of North Carolina, of which the Forty-eighth formed part. Eseaping the dangers of shipwreck from the tempestuous weather encountered at Cape Hatteras, a signal vietory was won in the capture of Roanoke Island. Dr. Minis, Surgeon of the Forty-eighth, who had been detailed to aecompany the foree which made the capture, died from over exertion in attendance upon the wounded. His loss was deeply felt. General Burnside having occupied Hatteras and Roanoke Islands, and placed the forts in proper condition for de- fence, turned his attention to the occupation of Newbern, on the main land. Six companies of the Forty-eighth, A, B, C, D, H and I, formed part of the com- mand detailed for this purpose, and embarked on the steamer George Peabody on the morning of the 12th of March, 1862. Captain Winlaek, of company E, was left in command of the companies remaining at Hatteras, in the absence of Major Nagle. After some difficulty in passing what is known as the Swash, the forces landed on the banks of the Neuse River, four miles above Slocum's Creek. The rattle of musketry and booming of eannon were distinetly heard as the battalion landed. It was immediately detailed to escort, and, for lack of sufficient transportation, to carry the ammunition. Forty thousand rounds were transported by a single wagon, under guard of company B, and forty thousand more were carried upon the baeks of the remaining five eompanies a distance of over seven miles of muddy road. Although not participating in the engagement at Newbern, the serviees it rendered in bringing up the am- munition in good time, were so important that General Burnside directed "New- bern" to be inscribed upon its banner.

On the 11th of April it was attached to the First Brigade* of General Jesse L. Reno's Division. The four companies which had remained at Hatteras re- joined the regiment at Newbern on the 23d of May, when it was supplied with the English Enfield rifle in place of the Harper's Ferry musket. On the 2d of July it was, with the division, ordered to report at Hampton Roads; but upon its arrival at Hatteras the order was eountermanded, and it was directed to return to Newbern, where it remained until the 6th, when, in pursuance of or-

* Organization of the First Brigade, Colonel James Nagle, General Reno's Division, Depart- ment of North Carolina. Forty-eighth Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, Lieutenant Colonel J. K. Sigfried; Ninth Regiment New Jersey Volunteers, Lieutenant Colonel Abram Zabris- kie ; One Hundred and Third Regiment New York Volunteers, Colonel F. W. Von Egloff- stein ; Second Regiment Maryland Volunteers, Lieutenant Colonel J. Eugene Duryee.

1862

BATTLE OF BULL RUN.

1193

ders, it again embarked, and arrived off Fortress Monroe on the Stb. A change was here made in the organization of the brigade, whereby the Sixth New Hampshire was added to it, and the Ninth New Jersey, and the One Hundred and Third New York, were transferred to other commands. Captain Kaufman, of company A, was ordered on duty as Major, on the 28th, by General Burn- side, to fill the vacancy occasioned by the resignation of Major Nagle.

The evacuation of the Peninsula now became necessary to save the army of General Pope, which was being embarrassed by the rapid movements of Stonewall Jackson, and General Halleck ordered the withdrawal of M'Clellan's forces. Leaving Newport News on the 2d of August, the regiment arrived at Acquia Creek on the 4th, and immediately moved by rail to Fredericks- burg. The timely arrival of Burnside, with the Ninth Corps, which had just becn organized, doubtless did much to save the left of Pope's army from being turned, and entirely separated from its base of supplies. On the 12th, the Forty-eighth left Fredericksburg, moving up the north bank of the Rappa- hannock, and joined the army of General Pope on the 14th at Culpepper. It proceeded to Cedar Mountain on the 16th, where the regimental band, which had been attached to it since its organization, was mustered out.

The brigade moved from Cedar Mountain via Stevensburg, Kelly's Ford, White Sulphur Springs, Warrenton and Manassas Junctions, to Bull Run, where it did its really first fighting on the 29th. It reached the field at one P. M., the action having already begun, and was ordered to attack the rebels in a thick wood near the extreme right of the army. At three it formed in line of battle, with the Second Maryland on the right, the Sixth New Hampshire on the left, and the Forty-eighth in rear of the latter, and moved across a cleared field towards the dense wood occupied by the enemy. The wood was skirted by a fence, which had scarcely been passed, when his infantry opened with a brisk fire upon the advancing column. The Forty-eighth marched with the steadiness of regulars, and when the battalions in front, obliquing to right and left, permitted it to advance and occupy the intervening space, it promptly opened with telling effect, and with fixed bayonets advanced a quarter of a mile, driving him from two ditches, from one of which, an old railroad cut, a brigade had previously failed to dislodge him. Receiving a volley of musketry from the rear, and supposing that some of the Union troops were firing by mistake, Colonel Sigfried ordered it back to the nearest ditch. The fire on the Sixth New Hampshire, and Forty-eighth Pennsylvania, from front, left, and rear was most terrific. The colors were raised and spread out to the view of the sup- posed friends, but hotter and more deadly grew the fire. At last rebel regi- ments made their appearance, and when discovered were greeted with a volley from the left companies of the Forty-eighth, but their strong force, and raking cross fire compelled it to retire in rear of the Excelsior Brigade, and the forces of General Kearny, which quickly advanced to the fight. The regiment lost seven killed, sixty-one wounded, ten prisoners, and seventy-four missing, an aggregate of one hundred and fifty-two. The troops engaged were part of Jack- son's Corps .*

Reno's Division was also engaged in the action of Saturday, the 30th, the

* The First Brigade of General Reno's own division, composed of the Forty-eighth Penn- sylvania, Sixth New Hampshire and Second Maryland, was conspicuous on this day for the persistence with which it held its ground when assailed, and the gallantry with which it ad- vanced to the attack .- Burnside and the Ninth Army Corps, Woodbury, page 112.

150

1194

FORTY-EIGHTH REGIMENT. 1862

brigade being posted in support of batteries and often moved during the day. Toward evening it was ordered into a dense wood, where it relieved the Second Brigade, which had lost heavily. But darkness put an end to the strife before shots were exchanged with the foe. The division retired from the field between nine and ten o'clock at night, and on the following day held an advanced posi- tion in front of Centreville. It was now the intention of General Lee to force his army between our position at Centreville and the fortifications around Wash- ington. Reno's command was moved to prevent him from accomplishing his purpose, and a sharp engagement ensued at Chantilly. The Forty-eighth formed the right of the brigade, which occupied the right of the entire line. It was exposed to a heavy fire during the engagement, but escaped with a loss of two slightly wounded. The contest ended amidst rain and darkness-a victory to the Union arms, inasmuch as the enemy's plans were entirely frustrated.

Thwarted in his purpose to destroy the army of Pope and capture the National Capital, the enemy crossed the Potomac at three different points, near Point of Rocks, invaded Maryland, and threatened Pennsylvania. Remaining on the battle-field until three A. M. of the 2d, the division moved through Fairfax to Alexandria, where it arrived at six P. M., nearly exhausted by excessive march- ing and fatigue. Starting immediately upon the Maryland campaign, it marched rapidly through Washington, Leesboro', Brookville, Haymarket, Kemptown and Frederick City, and reached Middletown on the 13th. On the following day the Forty-eighth occupied the right of the First Brigade on that part of South Mountain known as Fox's Pass. It was posted in the rear of a rail fence, where it did good execution, exhausting its full supply of ammunition, and strewing the ground in its front with rebel slain. Its loss was eleven wounded and one missing. On the 15th it moved westward over the battle-ground, fol- lowing up the retreating enemy, and on the 17th participated in the battle of Antietam. Early in the day it was engaged at Burnside's Bridge, over Antie- tam Creek, and during the balance of the engagement on the bluffs immedi- ately beyond the bridge and around Sharpsburg. The Second Brigade had charged and carried the bridge at one P. M., when the First was thrown forward to the top of the bluff, the Forty-eighth in advance, as skirmishers. The artil- lery fire concentrated on these troops was terrific, and soon the infantry became hotly engaged. The ammunition of the Second Brigade being exhausted, the First relieved it, the Forty-eighth occupying the ground held by the Fifty-first Pennsylvania, which, by direction of its brave commander, Colonel Hartranft, remained immediately in rear with fixed bayonets, determined to resist all attempts of the enemy to gain possession of the hill. It was the only support of the Forty-eighth, and of the brigade, and with a tenacity rarely paralleled did these two Pennsylvania regiments hold the ground under a withering fire of infantry and artillery until re-inforcements came to their relief." The aggre- gate loss of the regiment was sixty; eight killed, fifty-one wounded and one missing. Colonel Nagle received his commission as Brigadier General of Vol- unteers on the battle-field of Antietam, from the hands of General Cox. Lieu- tenant Colonel Sigfried was promoted to Colonel, Captain Henry Pleasants, Lieutenant Colonel, and Captain James Wren, Major.

On the 7th of October, the regiment moved to Pleasant Valley, where it remained, enjoying all the comforts of a camp delightfully situated, until the 27th, when it marched down the Potomac, crossed into Virginia at Berlin, and went into camp near Lovettsville. On the 29th it proceeded via Bloomfield,

1195

SIEGE OF KNOXVILLE.

1863

Upperville, Piedmont, and Orleans, to the Rappahannock River, and crossed on the 9th of November. On the following day the brigade moved east of Amissville, and was deployed as skirmishers, where it was attacked by Stuart's Cavalry, with infantry and artillery, sent from Culpepper to retard M'Clellan's march to that place. On the 19th, the division reached Falmouth, and en- camped near the Lacy House.

On the 11th of December, the regiment broke camp preparatory to partici- pating in the assault on Fredericksburg. On the 12th it passed over the pon- toon bridge which spanned the Rappahannock immediately under the Lacy House, and bivouacked in the streets on the right of the city. The brigade was formed in line, and moving to the river bank halted for the night. On the following morning it moved to the left, just below the old railroad bridge. Here it remained until midday, when it marched to the support of General Ferrero, who was already engaged. The Forty-eighth was held in reserve until two P. M., when it was ordered forward, and went gallantly into the fight .* It oc- cupied the summit of a knoll, south of the railroad cut, its right resting near a small frame house, fronting the most precipitous declivity of Marye's Heights. At the suggestion of Lieutenant Colonel Pleasants, ten men were detailed from each company to pick off the rebel artillerymen from the batteries immediately in front, which were sweeping the Union ranks with fearful effect. The result of the disposition was soon evident, and in half an hour the batteries were almost silent. The regiment remained on the hill until the ammunition was exhausted, when it was relieved by the Twelfth Rhode Island. In a letter dated December 16, 1862, Colonel Sigfried says : "Too much praise cannot be given to all the soldiers for their gallantry during the entire engagement. Their line was steady - and unbroken while advancing under the most murderous shelling of the enemy, and their fire deliberate, well aimed, and effective."

On the 11th of February, 1863, the Ninth Corps was detached from the army of the Potomac, and proceeded to Newport News, where it remained until the 26th of March, when it was ordered west. Embarking on the steamer John A. Warner, the Forty-eighth proceeded to Baltimore, and thence via Harrisburg and Pittsburg to Cincinnati, where it arrived on the morning of the 30th. It was kindly received and entertained at various points on the route, and sump- tuously feasted at Cincinnati. Crossing the river to Covington, Kentucky, it proceeded the same day by rail to Lexington, where it was detailed for pro- vost guard duty. While here Major Wren resigned, and Captain Joseph Gil- mour was promoted to Major.

On the 10th of September the regiment was ordered to East Tennessee, and proceeded thither under command of Major Gilmour, Colonel Sigfried being in command of the brigade,t and Lieutenant Colonel Pleasants serving on the staff of Major General Hartsuff, as Provost Marshal of the Twenty-third Army

* " All these troops," says General Wilcox in his report of the battle, " behaved well and marched under a heavy fire across the broken plain, pressed up to the field at the foot of the enemy's sloping crest, and maintained every inch of their ground with great obstinacy until after night-fall; but the position could not be carried."-Burnside and the Ninth Army Corps, Woodbury, pages 223-4.

t Organization of the First Brigade, Colonel J. K. Sigfried, Second Division, Colonel J. F. Hartranft, Ninth Army Corps, Major General John G. Parke. Forty-eighth Regiment Penn- sylvania Volunteers, Major Joseph A Gilmour; Twenty-first Regiment Massachusetts Volun- teers, Colonel William S. Clark ; Second Regiment Maryland Volunteers, Colonel Thomas B. Allard.

1196

1863

FORTY-EIGHTH REGIMENT.

Corps. The march was made with ease, owing to the well devised plan of Colonel Sigfried, allowing a quarter of an hour for rest in each hour's march, and three full hours in the middle of each day. Proceeding via Nicholasville, Crab Orchard, Cumberland Gap, and Tazewell, it arrived on the 28th at Knox- ville. Remaining here until the 4th of October, the brigade moved by rail to Bull's Gap, and on the 5th marched to Lick Creek. On the 10th it proceeded to Blue Springs, Kentucky, and was the first regiment of infantry ordered for- ward in the battle at that place. The fighting here consisted of a series of skir- mishes, and continued during the entire day. On the 11th, the enemy having retreated, he was pursued to De Pew's Hill. Here the pursuit was stayed, and the corps began its return to Knoxville, marching to Morristown, and from thence proceeding by rail and arriving on the 15th.

The enemy was now threatening the safety of Knoxville from the direction of Chattanooga. Accordingly the Union force moved to Lenoir, a point on the East Tennessee Railroad, near its crossing of the Tennessee River, and estab- lished a camp, where it remained undisturbed until the 13th of November, when the pickets were attacked and driven in. Burnside now rapidly withdrew, and the Forty-eighth skirmished with the enemy upon the retreat. Upon being relieved, it moved, with the brigade, to the front, and took position on the Kingston Road, near Campbell's Station. Reaching the ground designated, Colonel Sigfried, temporarily in command of the Second Division, and to whom the task of preventing the enemy's approach in this direction had been assigned, had scarcely thrown forward his cavalry skirmishers half a mile, when they became engaged. It was a vital point, and was stubbornly held by the brigade, although severely pressed on all sides. The engagement continued during the entire day-beginning early and ending when darkness rendered it no longer possible to distinguish the foe. In this encounter a fine military pagcant was presented. The field was elear for many miles around, and con- sisted of an undulating surface, interpersed with small knolls, so that the opposing forces could view each other's movements without difficulty. Few battles are fought which involve so many, or such skillful evolutions, as were executed in this. It consisted of a grand series of movements, each com- mander watchf .I for an advantage. In every attempt the enemy was baffled, and at night 1 td gained nothing The loss in the Forty-eighth was one killed, one wounded, one prisoner, and one missing. The retreat to Knoxville was resumed after dark, and the command arrived on the morning of the 17th, with- out materiai loss. Having arrived in the town, preparations were vigorously made to defend it. The pick and the shovel were now vigorously plied. The brigade occupied the high ground overlooking the railroad depot on the north- western part of the town, with the Twenty-first Massachusetts on the right, the Second Maryland in the centre, and the Forty-eighth on the left. The most arduous duty was that of picketing. As Longstreet gathered his forces about the town, and regularly invested it, so elose did his sharpshooters approach that it became unsafe for a head to appear above the intrenchments. On the night of the 23d the picket line in front of the brigade was attacked and driven in by a strong column of the enemy. It was necessary to re-establish it, and the Forty-cighth and the Twenty-first Massachusetts were selected by Colonel Sigfried to execute the task. At day-light on the morning of the 24th they made a gallant charge, the Forty-eighth led by Major Gilmour, and drove the rebels back in confusion, killing and wounding a number, and taking some

1864

THE WILDERNESS CAMPAIGN.

1197

prisoners. On the 5th of December the siege was raised, and the brigade was sent out to pick up stragglers.

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History of Pennsylvania volunteers, 1861-5; prepared in compliance with acts of the legislature, Vol. I, Part 205

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