History of Pennsylvania volunteers, 1861-5; prepared in compliance with acts of the legislature, Vol. I, Part 31

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 31

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).

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Their services were again tendered and accepted on the 11th of July, 1864, and were continued until the 17th, during another threatened invasion of the State. Appreciating the great importance of cavalry, and proper instruction in this branch of service, they, at their own expense, and without any assist- ance from either the City or the State government, built an Armory and riding school, at a cost of upwards of thirty thousand dollars.

The Troop is the oldest military organization in the United States, except the Ancient Artillerists of Boston. Aside from the Mexican war, they have always been in active duty when either the General, State, or City government, required military aid,

RECORD

PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS, FOL

THREE YEARS' SERVICE.

ELEVENTH REGIMENT.

THE Eleventh regiment, having tasted victory at Falling Waters, in the three months' service, and won the commendation of its superior officers for discipline and good soldierly qualities, became an object of pride and gratu- lation to all its members. The feeling generally prevailed, that so fine an or- ganization should not be broken up, and its services lost to the government at a time when they were greatly needed, and when, by a three months' campaign, the men had become inured to the duties and deprivations of the soldiers' life. Application was accordingly made to the War Department, for permission to continue the regiment in the service. This application was warmly seconded by the commander of the department of the Shenandoah, in which it was then serving, and on the 25th of July, 1861, notice was given by the Secretary of War, that it would be accepted for a period of three years, provided it was ready to march in twenty-one days. At the conclusion of its three months' service, on the 31st of July, the regiment was mustered out, and early in Au- gust, the men commenced re-assembling at Harrisburg. Upon the recommen- dation of Colonel Jarrett, its first commander, Lieutenant Colonel Richard Coul- ter was commissioned Colonel. Subsequently Thomas S. Martin was commis- sioned Lieutenant Colonel, and Henry A. Frink, Major.

During the autumn months the regiment remained at Camp Curtin, engaged in drill, where considerable sickness prevailed and eleven deaths occurred. Efforts were made to have it removed, but without success. On the 27th of November, in pursuance of orders from Governor Curtin, it proceeded by the Northern Central railroad to Baltimore, and was reported to Major General Dix, then in command of the department, by whom it was ordered to Annapolis, Maryland, to relieve the 21st Massachusetts, where, upon its arrival, it was quartered in the buildings of St. John's college. Its strength was nine com- panies, comprising thirty-one officers, and seven hundred and forty-three en- listed men present, and two officers and thirty-eight enlisted men absent, an aggregate of eight hundred and thirteen. The weather being very inclement, much suffering ensued, especially among the sick, of whom there were about one hundred and twenty. General Foster, in command at Annapolis, objected to the regiment with only nine companies; but an order having been procured from Governor Curtin, assigning to it an additional company, it was accepted as a satisfactory solution of the difficulty, though the company never reported.

Field and staff officers, regimental band, and detachments of companies D, F and H, which had not been mustered previous to leaving Harrisburg, were, on the 11th of December, mustered in, to date from November 27, 1861. Lieu- tenant Israel Uncapher was appointed Provost Marshal of Annapolis, and was succeeded by Captain J. J. Bierer. While stationed here, the sickness which

248

ELEVENTH REGIMENT.

1862

had prevailed in Camp Curtin continued, and seventeen more of the number died. The reports of an unusual amount of sickness induced the Governor of Pennsylvania to order an examination by the Surgeon General, and upon his re- port to the War Department, an inspection by the Assistant Inspector General of the United States Army was ordered. The result of this last inspection,* which seems to have been thoroughly made and impartially reported, showed that the hospital accommodations and supply were ample, the quarters of the men good, and that no unusual cause of sickness existed.

On Sunday, the 9th of March, while the men were at divine service, or- ders were received from General Hatch, commandant of the post, to detach a company from the Eleventh, to proceed by boat, and act as a look-out party, it being rumored that the rebel iron-clad Merrimac, which had that day encoun- tered the Monitor, had escaped, and was on its way up the bay. Great con- sternation prevailed at Annapolis ; the citizens removed their valuables ; the shipping was sent out of the harbor, and measures were taken to destroy the government stores. Company A, Captain Kuhn, was detailed for this duty. But the good services of the valiant little Monitor, robbed the monster of its terrors, and relieved the apprehensions of those in, and about the threatened waters. On the 9th of April, the regiment received orders to proceed to Wash- ington. During its stay at Annapolis, the duty had been arduous. It furnish- ed guard for the branch railroad ; provost guard for the city ; a greater part of the time, guard for the naval academy, and large details for fatigue duty. Soon after arriving at Annapolis, Chaplain Locke made arrangements with the au- thorities of the Methodist Episcopal church, for the use of their edifice each Sunday afternoon, and the regiment, in consequence, attended upon divine wor- ship, very generally and regularly.

On the 10th of April, upon its arrival in Washington, it reported to Gen- eral Wadsworth, and was quartered at the Soldier's Rest. New uniforms were received on the 13th, and on the 15th it marched to the Executive Mansion, where it was reviewed by President Lincoln. In pursuance of orders from General Wadsworth, it proceeded, two days later, by boat, to Alexandria, and thence by rail to Manassas Junction, where it reported to General M'Call, and

* INSPECTOR GENERAL'S DEPARTMENT, Washington, D. C., February 14, 1862.

GENERAL :- I have the honor to report the result of my inspection of the Eleventh (11th) Pennsylvania volunteers, stationed at Annapolis, Maryland, made in conjunction with Sur- geon C. F. H. Campbell, volunteer service, from the 11th to 13th instant, inclusive. * * * The examination of this regiment, with regard to the physical and sanitary condition of the men has been quite satisfactory. Generally, they are young and physically a fine body of men. On the 13th instant, there were reported in hospitals, but twenty-eight, (28,) many of whom were convalescents and nearly fit for duty. The hospital accommodations are most ample, many rooms being unoccupied, and the supply of stores and bedding adequate to the wants of the sick. The police and ventilation of the wards of the sick were very fair, although the for- mer, in some respects, was not quite what it should have been in some parts of the hospital building. One of the buildings of the United States naval school is used for the hospital of this regiment. * * * The records and books of the Adjutant's office were systematically and weil kept and posted. *

* * Very respectfully, Your obedient servant,

N. H. DAVIS, Assistant Inspector General.

General S. WILLIAMS,

Adjutant Generol, Headquarters Army Potomac, Washington, D. C.

219

MARCH TO THE SHENANDOAH VALLEY.

1862

was ordered by him to relieve the Fourth regiment of the Pennsylvania Re- serve Corps, which was posted along the Manassas Gap railroad, and of which he was then in command. Regimental Headquarters were established at the Junction; company A was posted about three miles down the road; company Fat Gainesville ; company H at Haymarket; company I about two miles be- yond ; company K at Thoroughfare Gap; company E at Broad Run station; and companies B, C, and D, under Major Frink, at White Plains.

On the 3d of May, two soldiers belonging to a Wisconsin regiment, who had previously been taken prisoners and had escaped, came to a farm house 'within the lines. Being encountered by an armed party belonging to the neigh- borhood, Robert E. Scott, a noted Virginian, and another prominent citizen were killed. One of the soldiers in attempting to flee, was shot down, the other escaped without injury.

On the 10th of May, on being relieved by the Twenty-eighth Pennsylvania, 'Colonel Geary, it was ordered to move to Catlett's station, on the Orange and Alexandria railroad, and report to General Hartsuff. Concentrating at the Junction, the regiment marched on the 12th, and arrived at the station at mid- night. General Hartsuff's brigade* having gone to Falmouth, the march was continued, arriving two days later. Much difficulty was experienced in moving the trains on the march, the frequent rains rendering the roads next to impas- sable. On the 23d of May, the Division was reviewed by President Lincoln, accompanied by General M'Dowell and staff and the French minister. Stone- wall Jackson having entered the Shenandoah valley via Gordonsville, was me- nacing the army of General Banks. Ord's Division was ordered to join Shields and proceed to his relief. Moving to Acquia Creek, the Brigade proceeded by steamer to Alexandria, and from thence by rail to Manassas Junction, en- camping near the former Headquarters of General Beanregard. Proceeding via Haymarket, White Plains, and Salem to Piedmont, the regiment drew three days' rations and stripped to light marching order. From thence it proceeded to the neighborhood of Front Royal, where the divisions of Generals Ord and Shields were concentrated.

On the 1st of June, cannonading was heard in the direction of Strasburg, occasioned by the skirmishing of Fremont's advance with the rear guard of Jackson, now returning from his discomfiture and route of Banks. Hartsuff's brigade moved at noon of the 2d in the direction of Strasburg, and crossed the Shenandoah river ; but, after proceeding about four miles, was halted by order of General M'Dowell, who was directing the movements of the army. The mareh was resumed, crossing a second fork of the river and camping at Water Lick station. During the afternoon and night it rained almost inces- santly, and the command was destitute of provisions, with the exception of beef. Fortunately, twelve barrels of flour, found in a mill on the line of march, were seized and distributed to the brigade, affording temporary relief. On the 4th of June, the brigade was ordered to return to Front Royal. The streams were so swollen that the fords had become impassable, and the bridges were endangered. Great difficulty was experienced in crossing the baggage trains,

* Organization of 3d Brigade, Brigadier General George S. Hartsuff, 2d Division, Major Gen- eral E. O. C. Ord. Eighty-third Regiment New York Volunteers, (Ninth militia,) Colonel J. W. Stiles ; Twelfth Regiment Massachusetts Volunteers, Colonel Fletcher Webster ; Thirteenth Regiment Massachusetts Volunteers, Colonel S. W. Leonard; Eleventh Regiment Pennsyl- vania Volunteers, Colonel Richard Coulter. Colonels ranked in the above order. 32

250

ELEVENTH REGIMENT.

1862

cattle herds, and artillery. Colonel Coulter, with a portion of the Eleventh regiment, was left behind to secure their safe passage. The only way left for withdrawing them, was by the railroad bridge, the ford by which it had ad- vanced being now a raging torrent. The bridge consisted of trestle-work with- out flooring. With the necessary material taken from an old mill in the vi- cinity, Colonel Coulter prepared the bridge for crossing, and during the night the trains, artillery, and herds, together with the trains of General Bayard's cavalry brigade, were brought off safely. Scarcely was the last of the detach- ment over, when the turnpike and railroad bridges were both swept away. From Front Royal the brigade, with the exception of company F of the Elev- enth, detailed as guard to the train, moved by rail to Manassas Junction.

M'Clellan's Chickahominy campaign having proved abortive, the scattered corps of Fremont, Banks, and M'Dowell were concentrated, being designated respectively 1st, 2d, and 3d corps of the army of Virginia, and placed under the command of Major General John Pope, to meet the enemy now advancing from Richmond. The Eleventh regiment thus became a part of the 3d Bri- gade, 2d Division of the 3d corps,

From Manassas Junction, the brigade marched via Gamesville to Warren- ton, and thence moved to the neighborhood of Culpepper Court House. The battle of Cedar Mountain opened on the afternoon of the 9th of August, the forces of Stonewall Jackson encountering those of Banks. The 3d Division arrived about dark, and in taking position was exposed to a severe artillery fire, and remained under arms during the night. On the following day, the positions were several times changed, in anticipation of a renewal of the fight. Neither party manifesting a disposition to attack, on the 12th both engaged in burying their dead, and on the 13th the enemy fell back across the Rapidan. In this engagement the Eleventh had three wounded.

Learning from his scouts that Lee's army was assembling in full strength in his front, Pope commenced on the 18th, a retrogade movement from the line of the Rapidan. At tattoo, that night, all the drum corps and bands were brought into requisition, with a view to deceive the enemy as to the movements in pro- gress. Proceeding through Culpepper, the brigade took position on the 19th, on the left or north bank of the Rappahannock, and the enemy, following up the retreat, soon appeared and commenced skirmishing with the cavalry. About noon of the 20th, the Eleventh, with a section of Matthews' battery, (F, First Pennsylvania artillery,) under Lieutenant Casey, crossed the river and took po- sition on Graveyard Hill, about five hundred yards beyond the bridge. During the succeeding night, an additional bridge was built. The detachment being hotly shelled by the enemy, the Twelfth Massachusetts and Thompson's Inde- pendent Pennsylvania battery of four guns, were sent to its support, and the remainder of the brigade was pushed across. Entrenchments were commenced on the hill, at which the men worked vigorously during the day and night of the 22d. A sudden rise in the river swept away the newly constructed bridge, and the brigade was ordered to retire to the north bank, which was done under a heavy fire in safety, and the railroad bridge destroyed. The loss of the Elev- enth in this engagement was one killed, three wounded, and one missing, Ma- jor Frink and Adjutant Uncapher having their horses shot under them.

On the 27th of August, Lieutenant Andrew G. Happer, with a detachment of fifty-one men for company G, arrived in camp. Authority had at length been given to Captain John B. M'Grew, of Allegheny county, to recruit the

251

1862

DEFENCE OF THOROUGHFARE GAP.

company needed to complete the organization of the regiment, and this was the first detachment. Marching through Warrenton to Haymarket, the com- mand was joined by the cavalry brigade of General Bayard. Stonewall Jack- son had already passed through Thoroughfare Gap, and taken position in the rear of Pope, and Longstreet was preparing to follow him. To stop the ad- vance of the latter until a decisive battle could be fought with Jackson, Rick- ett's (formerly Ord's) division of M'Dowell's corps, was ordered to seize and hold Thoroughfare Gap. On account of its familiarity with the ground, gained during the previous summer months, the Eleventh was ordered to take the ad- vance. At three o'clock in the afternoon of the 28th, it formed and advanced in line on the north side of the turnpike, company H of the Twelfth Massa- chusetts being deployed as skirmishers. At the same time, the Twelfth and Thirteenth Massachusetts, with company A, Captain Kuhn of the Eleventh, deployed as skirmishers, advanced on the south side of the turnpike. The enemy's skirmishers, after slight resistance gave way, ten of whom were taken prisoners. On reaching the summit of the hill to the right of the Gap, the column met a heavy fire, but succeeded in establishing a line a little beyond, the left resting near the road leading through the Gap. Owing to the nature of the ground, it was impossible to advance farther. Repeated attempts were made to force thie position, but in each case the enemy was repulsed with evi- dent loss. An attempt to turn the right flank was met and prevented by the Eighty-fourth Pennsylvania, Colonel Bowman. The enemy, having gained a sheltered position in Chapman's stone mill, and on the hill in its rear, kept up a galling fire, inflicting severe loss, which fell heavily upon the left wing, com- posed of companies B, D. E, and G, of the Eleventh. After holding the po- sition under a hot fire with great steadiness for upwards of an hour, the force was withdrawn. The loss of the regiment in this engagement was two officers and sixteen enlisted men killed, and three officers and thirty-seven enlisted men wounded, with two missing, one of whom was thought to have been killed. Company G, composed entirely of recruits, having joined the regiment only the day previous, although suffering severely, behaved with great gallantry.

While the engagement was in progress at Thoroughfare Gap, General King's division of M'Dowell's corps was fighting Jackson at Groveton. Early on the morning of the 29th, Rickett's division took up the march for Bristoe station, arriving in the afternoon upon the field where Hooker, the day previous, had defeated the enemy, and where the dead lay scattered over the ground as they fell. Continuing the march, it passed Manassas Junction, and arriving on the first Bull Run battle-field, late at night, took position in line early on the fol- lowing morning. At noon the brigade, with Captain Thompson's Pennsyl- vania battery, was sent to the right with orders from M'Dowell to pursue the enemy ; but, soon encountering him firmly posted, the brigade was withdrawn and being temporarily attached to General Tower's (2d) Brigade, was sent to the left. With the Twelfth Massachusetts on the right, the Thirteenth on the left, and the Eleventh Pennsylvania in centre, the brigade advanced to the at- tack. The action soon became very warm, the Union lines being thrown into considerable confusion, and, in about an hour, all the troops of M'Dowell's corps engaged at this point, were in retreat. In the heat of the action, Colo- nel Fletcher Webster, of the Twelfth Massachusetts, was killed, leaving Colo- nel Coulter in command of the brigade. General Tower, being soon after se- verely wounded, the command devolved on Colonel Coulter, who held his po-

252

ELEVENTH REGIMENT.

1862

sition until overpowered by the masses of the enemy hurled upon him when he was forced to yield ; reinforcements arriving from Sigel's corps, he renewed the engagement, but the weight and impetuosity of the enemy's attack was so overwhelming, that they soon melted before it. Retiring to the neighborhood of Cub Run, the fragments of these shattered brigades bivouacked for the night. On this hotly contested field, the Eleventh regiment lost fifty-two killed, sixty-seven wounded, and seventy-five taken prisoners; of the latter, the greater portion were wounded. Lieutenant Colonel Thomas S. Martin was killed early in the action, and Major Henry A. Frink, after having his horse shot under him, was severely wounded, and fell into the enemy's hands. Colonel Coul- ter's horse was also struek by a musket ball in the neck. Several color-bear- ers were shot down, but the State flag was saved. Sergeant Fightner, bear- ing the flag presented to the regiment while in the three months' service by the Union ladies of Martinsburg, was wounded and fell with that flag into the hands of the enemy. The struggle was short, the regiment being but about an hour under fire, but the losses it sustained attest the terrible ordeal to which it was subjected, and the nature of the onset by which it was overpowered.

Proceeding to Centreville on the morning of the 30th, Colonel Stiles rejoined and assumed command of the brigade. Ammunition was distributed, and preparations were made to muster the brigade, which was prevented by orders to march. On the following day General Kearney's division was hotly engaged at Chantilly, and the 3d Division was ordered to move, at two o'clock, P. M., to his support. Forming in the rear of Kearncy, the line was exposed to the enemy's fire without the opportunity of returning it. The enemy were at length repulsed and withdrew during the night. In this engagement two brave Union Generals, Kcarney and Stevens, were killed. The Eleventh had one wounded.

Retiring to Hall's Hill, near Washington, the regiment encamped, and, in pursuance of an act of Congress dispensing with regimental bands, the band of the Eleventh was mustered out of service. The well modulated blasts of these masters of the horn had cheered the heart of the soldier and lightened his step on many a weary march, and it was with sincere regret that they parted com- pany ; but the rough campaigning of the last few weeks doubtless rendered the order a welcome one. On the night of the 6th of September, the regiment. marehed through Georgetown and Washington, and bivonacked at Silver Spring, Maryland.

In the campaign now opening, which terminated in the battle of Antie- tam, General M'Clellan was placed in command of the consolidated Union army, and General Hooker was assigned to the corps heretofore commanded by General M'Dowell, which, in the re-organization, became the 1st. Moving by rapid marches to the vicinity of Turner's Gap, in South Mountain, where the enemy were posted to dispute the passage, the action to dislodge them com- menced. Riekett's division had rested the night previous in the neighborhood of Frederiek City. Reveille was sounded at three, A. M., and at five the troops were in motion. Arriving in the vieinity of the battle-ground, knapsacks were deposited on the old Braddock road, and the line formed with the 1st Brigade on the right, the 3d in centre, and the 2d on the left. At about four P. M., the division moved forward up the mountain, on the right of the turnpike, to the support of General Meade's division. The action at this time was very severe, but the enemy's fire was principally concentrated on the Pennsylvania Reserves. Rushing up over very rugged and precipitous ground, the crest of the moun-

253

BATTLE OF ANTIETAM.

1862

tain was carried, and the command remained on the field in front of, and very near to the enemy during the night. The loss during the day in the Eleventh was two wounded. At daylight on the 15th, the line moved forward over the mountain with skirmishers advanced; but the enemy had retired, leaving many prisoners, mostly stragglers, in our hands. Halting on the west side of the Gap long enough to receive a fresh supply of hard bread, the march was re- sumed, passing through Boonsboro' and encamping at midnight on Antietam creek, one mile from Keedysville.

As soon as the two armies began to confront each other, Hooker was or- dered to move on our extreme right, and flank and attack the enemy's left. The division broke camp at three o'clock on the afternoon of the 16th, crossed Antietam creek, moved towards Sharpsburg, and at dusk took position under a heavy artillery fire. During the night the men remained under arms, the Eleventh resting in a corn field, the fire of the enemy's artillery being kept up through the early part, and a brisk musketry fire nearly the entire night.

At daylight on the 17th, the brigade moved forward in line, with two compa- nies of each regiment deployed as skirmishers, companies E and K skirmishing in front of the Eleventh. The enemy were soon encountered in a commanding position, well covered. General Hartsuff, who had gone forward to examine the ground, was severely wounded and taken from the field, early in the engage- ment. Upon his fall, the command of the brigade devolved upon Colonel Coul- ter, and that of the Eleventh regiment upon Captain Cook, of company F. Moving steadily forward, the left was made to connect with Seymour's brigade of the Pennsylvania Reserves, when the engagement became general. The cnemy were driven back, contesting every inch of ground with great firmness, until re-inforceed, when our line was compelled to retire, losing a part of the ground already gained. A position was finally taken, and held by the brigade, until re-inforced by a part of General Sumner's corps, when the enemy were again compelled to give way. At nine o'clock in the morning, the brigade was relieved, and retiring a short distance re-formed, and received a fresh supply of ammunition .* Going into action at about five o'clock in the morning, and retiring at nine, it was, during two hours of that time, subjected to a most galling and destructive fire. At two o'clock in the afternoon, the division moved to the right near Sharpsburg pike, to the support of batteries there en- gaged, where it remained under arms through the following evening and night. On the 18th, the enemy placed batteries in position to command the Union guns, with the design of compelling the abandonment of the position, but were forced by the precision and accuracy of the fire, to abandon the attempt. As soon as the firing ceased, details were sent out to bury the dead, and the enemy began sullenly to retire. In this battle, the Eleventh lost one officer and twenty-six

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History of Pennsylvania volunteers, 1861-5; prepared in compliance with acts of the legislature, Vol. I, Part 31

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