History of Pennsylvania volunteers, 1861-5; prepared in compliance with acts of the legislature, Vol. I, Part 64

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 64

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In September there was a general forward movement of the army to the Rapidan, where the rebels were again met. The regiment remained at Rac- coon ford, daily skirmishing until the Eleventh and Twelfth Corps were detailed from the Army of the Potomac, and ordered, under command of General Hooker, to join the Army of the Cumberland, to aid in repairing the fearful disaster to our army at the battle of Chickamauga. The regiment took cars at Bealcton station and proceeded via Washington and the Baltimore and Ohio railroad to the Ohio river at Bell Air, thence through Columbus, Indianapolis, Louisville and Nashville, to Murfreesboro', where it was engaged in a fight with the rebel cavalry under General Wheeler, in which he was repulsed with heavy loss, and the railroad to Bridgeport was saved from destruction. It remained two weeks guarding the road from Murfreesboro' to Tullahoma.

431

LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN.

1863

The Second Division of the Twelfth Corps, being selected by General Hooker for his advanee movements towards Chattanooga, was relieved from guard duty by the First Division, and proceeded to the front at Bridgeport, Alabama. On the arrival of the Twenty-eighth, October 27th, (it having been detained by obstructions thrown by rebels upon the track,) General Geary, with the ad- vanee, had crossed the Tennessee river, and was one day's march ahead.

On October 28th, the regiment made a forced march of twenty-eight miles and reached Wauhatchie on the morning of the 29th, after the battle at that place had been fought and won by a portion of the Second Division not num- bering over fifteen hundred men, against a division of Longstreet's Corps, at least six thousand strong. After desparate fighting against such frightful odds for nearly four hours, the enemy was repulsed and fled in confusion, leaving his dead and many wounded on the field. One hundred and twenty-five pri- soners were taken. This was a highly important victory, as upon it depended the subsistenee of the Union army then at Chattanooga. Among the casualties none were more lamented or east a deeper gloom over the triumphant forees, than the death of a brave young officer, a youth of eighteen years, of brightest promise and universally beloved, Captain E. R. Geary, of Knap's Battery, and son of the General, who fell, whilst sighting his gun, piereed by a rifle-ball through his forehead. After the battle Generals Grant, Hooker, Thomas, Howard, and other distinguished officers, rode upon the field to personally con- gratulate General Geary and his command for this unsurpassed achievement, and subsequently General Sloeum wrote :- " I wish you and your command to know that I feel deeply grateful for their gallant conduct, and for the new laurels they have brought to our corps." To seeure the advantages gained, it was necessary to fortify, cover and corduroy the road from Kelly's ford to Brown's ferry, on the Tennessee. The Twenty-eighth, in conjunction with de- tachments of other regiments, labored industriously at this work under a bom- bardment of the enemy's artillery on Lookout Mountain.

On the 19th of November Colonel Ahl, who had been on detached duty for some time at Division Head-quarters, returned and took command of the regi- ment, which on the 24th, joined the division at Lookout ereek, near Wauhat- chie, and with it crossed the creek about three miles above the point of Lookout Mountain. On the 24th, the Second Division having been selected to storm the rebel stronghold on the mountain, a line of battle was formed and the troops moved gallantly forward to the assault, which, after a terrible struggle, was entirely successful. Besides heavy loss in killed and wounded on the part of the enemy, one thousand nine hundred and forty prisoners were captured, together with nine battle flags, two pieces of artillery, forty thousand rations, two thou- sand stand of small arms and eamp and garrison equipage sufficient for two divisions. Among his killed was General J. H. Lane. This was the famous " Battle above the Clouds." Firing was kept up all night, during which the enemy fled from the mountain, and when, on the following morning, the smoke, mist and elouds arose above its summit, and it was gilded by the rays of the rising sun, the stars and stripes with the beautiful and well known flag of the White Star Division, were seen floating in the breeze from the beetling cliff of Point Lookout, by the Union forces at Chattanooga, they simultaneously sent up loud and repeated shouts that reverberated over the hills and through the valleys for miles around. General Hooker hastened to compliment the Wearied troops for their gallant and glorious work.

1864

432

TWENTY-FIGHTHI REGIMENT.

November 25th, the battle of Missionary Ridge was fought, the enemy de- feated, and a large number of prisoners and three battle fiags were captured by the Second Division. On the 26th the enemy was pursued through Chick- amanga and Pea Vine valleys, losing many prisoners, with eannon and wagons; and on the 27th was again defeated at the battle of Ringgold, where the divi- sion captured three battle flags. In this latter confliet the regiment lost seven killed and twenty-seven wounded. Among the latter was First Lieutenant Peter Kahler, of company F, a brave and gallant soldier, who had served in the Mexican war, and whose body bore marks of wounds received in several previous battles. He died soon after the fight, mourned by all his comrades. In his official report of these recent engagements, General Hooker says :- " It has never been my fortune to serve with more zealous and devoted troops." On the 29th, General Grant, declaring that he wished to see the troops that fought the battle of Lookout Mountain, reviewed General Geary's Division in Wauhatchie valley, where it remained several days. He was accompanied by the members of his staff, and all the Generals of the combined armies of the Cumberland and Tennessee. No troops could have been more highly compli- mented than were those of the Second Division on this occasion.

The campaign ended, the division went into winter quarters at Bridgeport. In December the Twenty-eighth, with many other regiments, re-enlisted for three more years, and soon after took their departure, on veteran furlough, for their distant homes. Upon the expiration of this time the command again eon- centrated at Bridgeport, whenee it proceeded on that long and toilsome march and unparalleled career of military brilliancy which terminated only with the overthrow of the rebel army and annihilation of the Southern Confederacy.

On the 18th of March, 1864, Colonel Ahl resigned and was mustered out of the service, and on the following day Lieutenant Colonel John Flynn was com- missioned Colonel. In April the Twenty-eighth formed part of an excursion down the Tennessee river in the steamboat Chickamauga, of which General Geary took charge in person, his force consisting of eight hundred men, with eight pieces of artillery. The rebels were met at Guntersville, where a contest took place, during which the town was partially burned and finally captured, the enemy retreating in confusion. The next day superior numbers were en countered and defeated near Triano, and after destroying forty-seven seows with which the rebel troops purposed to cross the river, the expedition returned to eamp with but few and trifling casualties.

On the 4th of May the division marched twenty-two miles, the weather hot and sultry, through Whiteside and Lookout valleys and over Lookout Mountain, encamping in Lookout valley. On the 5th the march was resumed and con- tinued to the 8th, when it reached Mill Creek and Snake Creek gaps at the foot of the Chattoogata ridge. Here the skirmishers came upon the rebel cavalry pickets, and drove them from the mountain erest by the Dalton road. The enemy was in sight in large force and strongly fortified on Chattoogata, other- wise known as Kocky Faee Mountain. He was immediately attacked and the battle that ensued resulted in the capture of Snake Creek gap, a formidable mountain barrier through which the entire Union army passed. He was again encountered on the 15th, strongly fortified on the Dalton road, near Resaca, and after a hard day's fight, was defeated, though his numbers and advantages were vastly superior. Four pieces of artillery were captured by the division. On the 16th it pressed vigorously forward towards Atlanta, marching dai y

433

1864

BATTLE OF PEACH TREE CREEK.

until the 25th, when Pumpkin Vine creek was reached just in time to extinguish the burning timbers of the bridge which the enemy had fired. The bridge was immediately repaired, and the Twenty-eighth, being deployed as skirmishers, pushed forward on the double quick, and encountered the enemy in strong force, who was driven, after a hard fight, from his position which was immedi- ately occupied by the triumphant troops. On the same day an action com -. menced at New Hope Church, which continued for seven consecutive days, when the enemy was completely routed with heavy loss. During all this time , the troops were under fire night and day, without an hour's relief. The con- tending lines were in close proximity, which fact, together with the uneven nature of the ground, demanded incessant watchfulness, no opportunity being afforded for proper shelter, rest or subsistence.

On the 14th of June the division, still advancing, participated in the fiercely contested battles of Pine Knob, Pine Hill and Lost Mountain, at the commence- ment of which the rebel General Polk was killed by a shell from one of the guns of Knap's Battery. Constant skirmishes occurred through the following day, and on the 16th the battle of Muddy Creek was fought, on the 19th that of Noses Creek, 22d Kolb's Farm, 27th Kenesaw Mountain, July 3d, Marietta, all of which resulted in defeat and loss to the enemy. In the interim skirmishes and slight battles occurred until the close of the month. In all these engage- ments the Twenty-eighth Regiment bore a distinguished part. Still pursuing, our troops passed over a succession of works, elaborate and strong, consisting of breast-works, bastions, rifle-pits, abattis and palisades, from which the enemy was driven, and on the 5th of July, came in sight of Atlanta, to the speedy possession of which the troops looked forward with confidence.

On the 19th of July preparations were quietly and quickly made at Peach Tree Creek, to surprise the enemy and drive him from a prominent hill on the opposite side, which he held in force, being well protected with rifle-pits and breast-works. The creek was bridged and crossed by the Second Division, which threw up an extended Tete-de-Pont and rested for the night. The day following, the furious battle of Peach Tree Creek occurred, commencing with a. fierce charge upon the front of the division, continuing with unusual violence for several hours, and ending with the enemy's defeat. In this brilliant engage- ment another brave young officer fell-Captain Thomas H. Elliott, Adjutant General on the staff of General Geary. He entered the service in the Twenty- eighth Regiment as First Lieutenant of company H, and was promoted for meritorious conduct. He was a young man of fine literary attainments, a great favorite with his fellow-soldiers, fearless and courageous even to a fault. In his official report of this battle General Geary says :- "The appearance of the enemy as they charged upon our front across the cleared field was magni- ficent. Rarely has such a sight been presented in battle. Pouring out from the woods they advanced in immense gray masses, (not lines,) with flags and banners, many of them new and beautiful, while the General and Staff officers were in plain view, with drawn sabres flashing in the light, galloping here and there as they urged their troops on to the charge. The rebel troops also seemed to rush forward with more than customary nerve and heartiness to the attack. This grand charge was Hood's inaugural, and his army came upon us that day full of high hope, confident that the small force in their front could not withstand them, but their ardor and confidence were soon shaken."

From this period until the 25th of August, when an engagement at Pace's 55

434

TWENTY-EIGHTH REGIMENT.

1864

ferry resulted in another victory, and from that day to their victorious entry into Atlanta, the troops lay before that town, strengenthing their defences, ex- tending and advancing their pickets, receiving and returning the fire of the enemy's artillery, and punishing him severely in numerous battles and skir- mishes. On September 2d, completely exhausted and thoroughly beaten and . disheartened, the enemy sullenly evacuated Atlanta, and the conquering forces took possession, marching joyfully in, with colors flying, to the inspiriting strains of patriotic music, the White Star Division having the advance. A brilliant summary of the "hundred days' fight" of this eventful campaign is given in the following extract from General Geary's official report :- " Thus gloriously ended the campaign, unequalled for brilliant victories, over seem- ingly insurmountable difficulties, and unsurpassed in history-a campaign which will stand forever a monument of the valor, endurance and patriotism of the American soldier; four months of hard, constant labor, under the hot sun of a southern summer, scarce a day of which was passed out of the sound of the crash of musketry and roar of artillery; two hundred miles travelled through a country, in every mile of which nature and art seemed leagued for defence- mountains, rivers, lines of works-a campaign in which every march was a fight, in which battles followed in such rapid succession, and were so inti- mately connected by an unremitting series of skirmishes, that it may properly be regarded as one grand battle, which crowned with grander victory, attests the skill and patience of the hero who matured its plans and directed their execution."

From the date of its occupation until the 15th of November, the regiment remained at Atlanta, performing guard and fatigue duty, assisting to make reconnoissances, and taking part in foraging expeditions, the latter, not only feeding the garrison of Atlanta, but demonstrating the important fact that an army could move and subsist upon the resources of the country. On the 14th of November the troops under General Iverson, supposing Atlanta to have been evacuated, made an attack upon the Union lines, near the Whitehall road, (where the Twenty-eighth was stationed,) and was repulsed with severe loss in killed and wounded and some prisoners.

November 15th, the camp was broken up and Sherman's famous "March to the Sea" commenced. This bold undertaking was of such stupendous magni- tude, and encircled with so many and such tremendous obstacles, as to astonish the entire country and to strike terror into the heart of the confederacy. Many regarded it as an act of madness, whilst few dared contemplate its successful termination. Unincumbered with any superfluity of tents, baggage or provi- sion trains, the brave and well-tried army marched day after day, scarcely halting for needed rest and nutriment, through sunshine and storm, heat and cold, over hills, streams, swamps and morasses, bivouacking at night along the roads, and subsisting man and beast from the lands over which they passed, laying waste plantations of notorious rebel leaders and destroying immense depots of provisions intended for Lee's army, cotton, grain, cotton gins and mills and other rebel property, together with numerous bridges and many miles of railroad. Guerrilla bands and detachments of rebel cavalry that hovered about, were attacked and if not driven off, either captured or killed. The troops pushed forward with the utmost alacrity, enjoying the march as a grand triumphant passage through an enemy's country, rather than a severe and toil- some journey, full of privations, dangers and disasters. Onward they pressed

* *

435

MARCHI TO THE SEA.

1864

regardless of labor, and in defiance of every obstacle, until, on the 10th of De- cember, they approached the outer works of the enemy at Savannah, and en- camped at a distance of three miles from the city, which was at once besieged. During the succeeding ten days the time was chiefly occupied in throwing up breast-works and erecting fortifications, the troops being under fire from the enemy's batteries and a number of gun boats stationed in the river. Shot and shell were poured in upon them from sixty-four and thirty-pounder siege guns and many pieces of light artillery. Still the work progressed steadily, the men laboring earnestly and with cheerfulness.

On the night of the 20th, General Geary discovered that the enemy was evacuating Savannah, and at one o'clock in the morning of the 21st, he pushed forward to intercept the retiring forces and take possession of the town. Just outside of the city limits, he was met at two o'clock, by the Mayor and a dele- gation of the Board of Aldermen, bearing a flag of truce, who formally sur- rendered to him the place, presenting him with the following document :

" SAVANNAH, December 21, 1864. To General JOHN W. GEARY,

Commanding U. S. Military Forces near Savannah :

SIR :- The city of Savannah is being evacuated by the Confederate military and is now entirely defenceless.

As Chief Magistrate of the city, I respectfully request your protection of the lives and private property of the citizens, and of our women and children.

Trusting that this appeal to your generosity and humanity may favorably influence your action,

I have the honor to be your obedient servant, R. D. ARNOLD, Mayor of Savannah."

General Geary accordingly entered the city with his command, and just as the sun first gilded the morning clouds, the national colors, side by side with the White Star standard, were unfurled from the dome of the Exchange, and over the United States Custom House. The part assigned the Twenty-eighth, was the capture and occupancy of Fort Jackson. In the afternoon, other troops began to enter the town. Immense piles of cotton and other property, as well as several gun-boats in the river, had been set on fire by the retreating rebels, to the extinguishment of which the troops early and industriously applied them- selves. Millions of dollars worth of property and seven vessels were saved to the Government, by their persevering exertions, pursued whilst under continued fire from the rebel gun-boat Savannah, which was subsequently driven ashore and blown up. In consideration of the services of his division on this occasion, General Geary was appointed Military Governor of Savannah.

Being relieved by General Grover's division, General Geary, on the 19th of January, 1865, received orders to join, with his command, the other divisions of Sherman's army, which had crossed the Savannah river and advanced to Perrysburg; but in consequence of a severe storm which overflowed the country, and rendered the roads impassable, he was detained in Savannah until the 27th, when, leaving the city at eight o'clock in the morning, by the Augusta turn pike, he started upon the "war path through the Carolinas."

Innumerable obstacles, both natural and artificial, were hourly encountered and. overcome. Streams and swamps were waded or bridged, and miles of indescribably bad roads corduroyed, before the troops could pass, whilst at every

436

TWENTY-EIGHTH REGIMENT.

1865

available point they were annoyed by the desultory firing and obstructions thrown in the way by squads of the enraged and now desperate enemy. Fre. quent skirmishes occurred. Severe ones took place at the crossings of the North and South Edisto, and at Congaree and Black rivers, at all of which places the Twenty-cighth Regiment was among the first to cross. At North Edisto, Colonel Flynn and several of his men were wounded. General Geary in his official report says :- " This campaign, although in its general features of the same nature as that from Atlanta to Savannah, was one of much greater labor, and tested most thoroughly the power of endurance and elasticity of spirits among American soldiers. The distance marched was much farther, through regions presenting greater natural obstacles, and where a vindictive enemy might naturally be expected in force sufficient to harass our troops and interfere frequently with our trains. The season was one of unusual inclemency, during which the roads were in the worst condition. Yet my command marched from Savannah to Goldsboro', without very serious opposition and without a single attack upon the trains under my charge. The spirit of my troops throughi- out was confident and buoyant, expressive of that implicit trust in the Com- mander-in-chief and belief in themselves, which are always the presages of military success. It was their common experience to march at dawn or earlier, corduroy miles of road, exposed to drenching rains, or standing waist decp often in swamps, lifting wagens out of mire and quicksand, where mules could not obtain a foot-hold ; and when the day's work was through, encamp late at night, only to repeat the process with the next day. Through this all they' evinced a determination and cheerfulness which has added greatly to my for- mer high appreciation of the same qualities shown by them upon so many battle- fields of the past four years."

Upon reaching Raleigh, negotiations were entered into between Generals Sherman and Johnson, which resulted, on the 26th of April, in the surrender of the latter with his army. General Lee had already surrendered to General Grant, and soon after, Generals Kirby Smith and Dick Taylor laid down their arms, and the rebellion was crushed. Peace soon followed, and the troops of the Twentieth Corps, to which General Geary's division was then attached, were marched to Washington by way of Richmond, and disbanded.

During the four years' service of the Twenty-eighth Regiment, its casualties were about equal to the number of its original muster; and, although in its organized condition it served in twelve different States of the Union, and was engaged in as many skirmishes and battles as any regiment in the United States army, it never lost a single wagon or ambulance or any other description of property, by allowing it to fall into the hands of the enemy. The officers were frequently changed in consequence of deaths, resignations and promotions, the regiment having had four Colonels, four Lieutenant Colonels and nine Majors. It also produced one Major General and three Brigadiers, viz :- Hector Tyn- dale, Ario Pardee, Jr., and John Flynn.

1 The members of the regiment who remained at the close of the war were mustered out of the service on the 18th of July, 1865, and were heartily wel- comed home, their privations, sufferings, labors and gallant services having endeared them in the warmest affections of the highly gratified and truly grateful loyal people of the country. Their soiled, torn and tattered flags, carried triumphantly through so many bloody battle-fields, attesting the nn- failing courage of the men who bore them, have received a hallowed place in

$15

THREE YEARS' SERVICE

437

the archives of the Commonwealth, whilst the brave and noble soldiers who fought beneath and around them, have returned to the peaceful pursuits of life and the enjoyment of the multiform blessings their struggles and triumphs have secured to their country and the world.

FIELD AND STAFF OFFICERS.

NAME.

RANK.

DATE OF MUSTER INTO SERVICE.

TERM-YEARS. ]

REMARKS.

John W. Geary

Col

June 28, '61,

3 Promoted to Brig. Gen. U. S. V., April 25, '62- wounded at Bolivar, Cedar Mountain and Chan- cellorsvile-promoted to Maj. Gen., Jan. 12,'65. Promoted from Lt. Col. to Col., April 25, 1862- disch. on Surgeon's certificate, March 26, 1863. Promoted fr. Capt. company H, to Colonel, Mar. 15, 1863- resigned March 18, 1864.

Thomas J. Ahl.

.. do

July 11, '61, 3

John Flynn.

.do

July 1, '61,

Wd. at Gettysburg, July 3, 1863, and at North Edisto river, S. C .. Feb. 12, '65-promoted to Lt. Col., Dec. 12, 1863-to Col., June 9, 1864-to Bv. Brig. General, May 13, 1865-discharged Nov. 3, 1865-Vet.

Hector Tyndale.

Lt. Col. June 28, '61, 3 Promoted to Lt. Col., April 25, 1862-wounded at Antietam, Sept. 17, 1862-promoted to Brig. June 28, '61, 3 Gen. Vols., Nov. 29, 1862-disch. March 18, 1863. .do Promoted to Major, Mar. 27, '64-to Lt. Col., Aug. 9, 1864-wounded at Antietam, Sept. 17, 1862, at Mill Creek Gap, May 8, 1864-mustered out with regiment, July 18, 1865.

Ario Pardee, Jr

Major ..

June 28, '61, 3 Promoted to Major, Nov. 1, 1861-to Lt. Colonel 147th regiment P. V., October 9, 1862.

William Raphail.

.. do

July 3, '61, 3 Promoted to Major, July 1, 1862-resigned Jan- uary 15, 1863.

Robert Warden. do

June 28, '61, 3 Promoted to Major, April 25, 1862-died at Win- chester, Va., June 30, 1862.

Lans'd F. Chapman

.do

July 6, '61, 3 Promoted to Maj., Jan. 22, 1863-killed at Chan- cellorsville, May 3, 1863.

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History of Pennsylvania volunteers, 1861-5; prepared in compliance with acts of the legislature, Vol. I, Part 64

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