History of Pennsylvania volunteers, 1861-5; prepared in compliance with acts of the legislature, Vol. II, Part 140

Author: Bates, Samuel P. (Samuel Penniman), 1827-1902. cn
Publication date: 1869
Publisher: Harrisburg, B. Singerly, State Printer
Number of Pages: 1386

USA > Pennsylvania > History of Pennsylvania volunteers, 1861-5; prepared in compliance with acts of the legislature, Vol. II > Part 140

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).

Killed at Antietam, Md., September 17, 1862.

Moore, Peter ..

Oct. 31, 61, 3 3 Deserted June 12, 1863.

M'Garvey, John ..

.do

Mar. 3, '64, Oct. 31, '61.

Mustered out with company, July 1, 1865-Vet. Absent, sick, at muster out-Vet.

Deserted-returned-pris. from June 22, 1864, to April 6, '65-disch. by G. O., June 27, '65-Vet. Discharged January 3, 1863, for wounds received at Antietam, Md., September 17, 1862.

Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, Apr. 23, '63. Wounded at Gettysburg, Pa., July 3, 1863-dis- charged on Surgeon's certificate, Sept. 26, 1864. Captured at Antietam, Md., September 17, '62- deserted-date unknown.

Died at Harrison's Landing, Va., July or Aug., '62. Captured at Savage Station. Va., June 29, 1862- wounded at Gettysburg, Pa., July 3, 1863-de- serted-date unknown.

May 16, '64, 3 Not on muster-out roll.

3 Drafted-missing in action, June 22, 1864.

Newman, Geo. W .. .do

O'Donnell, Jamcs. do July 12, '64,

Oct. 31, '61, 3 3 April 26, '63, Oct. 31, '61, 3 Weunded at Antietam, Md., September 17, '62- absent at muster out.

Kelley, George.

Kelley, James.

Kerns, John .. do .do

3 3 3

Feb. 9. '64, 3 3

Murray. James

M'Kelvey, Henry E do

740

SIXTY-NINTH REGIMENT.

NAME.

RANK.

DATE OF XUSTER IFTO SERVICE.

REMARKS.

Pierce, Henry

Private

Oct. 31, '61,

Paisle, Samnel R

Jan. 6, '65,

Quigley, Patrick

.do

Sept. 25, '63,

Rench, Angust

Sept. 25, '63,

Rhile, Henry

Feb. 21, '64,

Robinson, John H ..

.do

Oct. . 31, '61,

Deserted November 10, 1861-returned-absent, in arrest, at muster out.

Shermer, Chas. B.

Oct. 31, '61,

3 Absent, aick, at muster out-Vet.

Simpson, John S. H.

.do

Oct. 31, '61,

Schmidt, John. Slocum, Crosby

do .do

Sept. 26, '61, Mar. 8, '64,

3 3

Smith, Draper C.

Shields, Francis ..

.do

Oct.

Oct. 31, '61, 3 3 31, '61, Promoted to Q. M. Sgt., March 15, 1863 .- Vet. Killed at Antietam, Md., September 17, 1862 ..

Sullivan, Bernard. .do

Oct.

31, '61,

Story, Benjamin.

.do

Oct. 31, '61,

Sailor, S. H ..

.do

Oct. 31, '61, 3

Todd, James H

.do

Oct.

31, '61, 3

Welsh, Patrick

.do

May 31, '64,

Winters, Joseph A.

.do

Oct. 27,'64, 1

White, John

.do

Welsh, John

.do

Oct. 31, '61, Oct. 31, '61,

3 Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, Sept. 18, '62. 3 Diacharged January 16, '63, for wounds received at Antietam, Maryland, September 17, 1862.

Williams, Hugh G.

Jan. 4, '64,

Captured June 22, 1864-discharged by General Order, July 1, 1865-Vet.

Waters, John.

Oct. 31, '61,

3 3

Killed at Antietam, Md., Sept. 17, 1862. Died March 27, of wounds rec. at Hatcher's Run, Va., March 25, 1865-buried at City Point, Va. Captured June 22, 1864-died at Andersonville, Georgia, August 30, 1864-grave, 7,382.

Wheedon, Edward .. do

Oct. 31, '61, 3 Deserted November 10, 1861.

Wheelan, Edward ..

Oct. 31, '61,

3 Deserted January 25, 1862.

Wilson, John

Oct. 31, '61,

3 Deserted October 31, 1861.

Zepp, Thomas.

.. do

Feb. 5, '64,

3 Captured June 22, '64-discharged on Surgeon's certificate, June 14, 1865.

UNASSIGNED MEN.

Black, John

Private

Sept. 26, '64,

I Not on muster-out roll'

Dugan, Hugh

.do

April 8, '64, June 3. '64,

3 Not on muster-out roll.

M'Graw, Patrick.

Aug. 20, '64,

3 Not on muster-out roll.

Thompson, James .. .do

Sept. 26, '64,

1 . Not on muster-out roll.

'Williams, John ...... 1. .. do

April 2, '64,

Deserted April 4, 1864.

TERM-TEARS.

Prisoner from June 22, 1864, to April 28, 1865- discharged by General Order, June 13, '65-Vet. Discharged by General Order, June 13, 1865. Drafted-captured June 22, 1864-mustered out with company, July 1, 1865.

Drafted-captured at Ream's Station, Va., Aug. 25, 1864-mus. out with company, July 1, 1865. Captured June 22, 1864-mustered out with com- pany, July 1, 1865-Vet.

3 Wounded at Cold Harbor, Va., June 3, 1864- mustered out with company, July 1, '65-Vet. Mustered out with company, July 1, 1865-Vet. Captured June 22, 1864-mustered out with com- pany, July 1, 1865-Vet.

3 Deserted October 15, 1862.

3 Deserted July 2, 1863.

Died at Portsmouth Grove, R. I., July 26, 1862. Killed at Gettysburg, Pa., July 2, 1863.

3 Drafted-wounded in action, March 25, '65-ab- sent at muster out.

Wounded at Hatcher's Run, Va., Mar. 25, 1865- mustered out with company, July 1, 1865.

Wallace, Wm. M

June 2, '64,

Webb, Joseph S

.. do

July 28, '62,

3 Not on muster-out roll.

Hopkins, George .. .. do

SEVENTIETH REGIMENT, SIXTH CAVALRY.

0 N the 27th of July, 1861, Richard H. Rush, of Philadelphia, a graduate of the Military Academy at West Point, and late a captain of artillery in the regular army, received authority from the War Department to recruit a volunteer regiment for three years' service. Recruiting stations were imme- diately opened in different parts of the city, and on the 3d of September a camp was established on Second street, known as Camp Meigs. On the 7th dis- mounted drills were commenced, on the 20th the first horses were received, and on the 25th mounted drills. With the exception of company G, which was recruited in Berks county, and a few squads brought in from different parts of the State, the men were from Philadelphia. The following were the field offi- cers : Richard Henry Rush, Colonel; John H. M'Arthur, Lieutenant Colonel ; C. Ross Smith, 1st Major ; Robert Morris, Jr., 2d Major.

In recruiting the regiment the officers received substantial aid from promi- nent citizens of Philadelphia, and on the 30th of October, a stand of colors and a set of guidons, a gift from ladies of Germantown, were presented at the hands of William Rotch Wistar, Esq. The companies were supplied with clothing, camp, and garrison equipage, from the United States Depot in Phila- delphia, and the men armed, at first, with Colt's army pistols and light cavalry sabres. Subsequently General M'Clellan suggested that the regiment be armed with the lance, and the suggestion was accepted by a vote of the officers. This weapon was new to our service. The Austrian pattern was adopted. It was nine feet long, with an eleven inch, three edged blade ; the staff was Norway fir, about one and a quarter inches in diameter, with ferule and counterpoise at the heel, and a scarlet swallow-tailed pennon, the whole weighing nearly five pounds. Subsequently twelve carbines to a company was added to its arms for picket and scont duty. On the 4th of December, the State colors were pre- sented by Governor Curtin, in the midst of imposing ceremonies. The regi- ment paraded on the occasion on the streets of Philadelphia, and attracted much attention. The lance was new and highly burnished, and the scarlet pennon, bright and attractive; the new uniforms, and tidy appearance of the men, and the well groomed and trained horses, made it a beautiful and impos- ing pageant. The presentation was made in a large field, near the Odd Fel- lows' Cemetery, on Islington Lane. Five regiments of infantry, and this of cavalry, participated in the parade, and received their colors on this occasion. His Excellency, surrounded by his staff, and distinguished officers of the State and National government, and of the army and navy, made an eloquent and patriotic speech, which was responded to by the commanding officers as they received the flags.

742

SEVENTIETH REGIMENT-SIXTH CAVALRY.

1862

About the middle of December the regiment moved to Washington and went to Camp Barclay, on Meredian Hill, near Columbia College. It was soon afterwards inspected by General Stoneman, Chief of Cavalry of the Army of the Potomac, and on the 1st of January, 1862, paraded through the Capital, eliciting much admiration. On the 10th of March it crossed the Potomac and taking position in line, moved upon the Manassas campaign, which was sud- denly cut short by the discovery that no enemy was in front. Returning again to Camp Barclay it remained until the 3d of May, when it embarked at Alex- andria upon transports, and proceeded to Fortress Monroe. A few days later it moved to New Market Bridge, where it was brigaded with the Eighth Penn- sylvania Cavalry. Near the close of the month it was assigned to the Second Brigade, General Emory, composed of the Fifth and Sixth United States and Sixth Pennsylvania, of General Philip St. George Cooke's Division, known as the Reserve Brigade.

On the 4th of May the regiment marched to Yorktown, and upon its arri- val Major Morris with a squadron was sent to Mulberry Point on a reconnois- sance. Leaving Yorktown on the 9th, it proceeded by easy marches to the neighborhood of Old Church. Here the regiment was temporarily detached from the brigade, and was employed for some days in picketing and reconnoi- tring towards Hanover Court House. On the 23d of May a reconnoissance with the Fifth New York Infantry, and First Connecticut Artillery, all under Colonel Warner of the Fifth New York, discovered the enemy in some force near the Court House, as if to demonstrate npon the right rear of our army. Accordingly, General Porter was ordered with the Fifth Corps to drive him away, which he did. On the 25th, Lieutenant Leiper, with a part of com- pany C, charged the enemy's advance cavalry pickets with the lance and drove them in upon their infantry supports. In the battle of the 27th the regiment, which had been for several days acting independently of the brigade, was sent to the extreme right of the line for the purpose of attracting the attention of the enemy, and was under fire during the day. Upon the discomfiture of the rebels it followed up the retreating foe, captured eighty of his men and two commis- sioned officers, and burned the bridge over the Pamunkey, when the pursuit was staid. On the 4th of June the regiment re-joined the Reserve Brigade.

On the 13th of June news was brought into camp of Stuart's start on his first ride around the Army of the Potomac. Owing to unaccountable delays the column of pursuit was not fairly started until after sunset. Major Morris of this regiment with one squadron overtook the successful raiders as their last men were crossing the Chickahominy, and were the sole pursuers who had a shot at them. On the 18th two squadrons, consisting of companies B, G, C, and H, under command of Captain Clymer, were detached and ordered to re- port to General M'Call. They were posted to picket and patrol the roads and approaches to the Chickahominy from Mechanicsville northward to Atlee's Station. On the same day two squadrons under Lieutenant Colonel C. Ross Smith, companies A, D, I and K, were sent to Hawes' Shop to picket the right and rear of the army. Here they were undisturbed until the evening of the 26th, when Jackson made his sudden attack which cut them off from the main army, and they retired with General Stoneman's flying column, sent by M'Clel- lan to destroy the depot at White House. They escorted the wagon train to Yorktown, and thence marched to Fortress Monroe, where they remained until July 10th, when they re-joined the regiment at Harrison's Landing.

743

PENINSULA CAMPAIGN.

1862

During the battle of Beaver Dam Creek, the two squadrons serving with M'Call were posted upon the right of the line, and were under fire but not brought to close quarters. On the following day, the Union forces having fallen back to the neighborhood of Gaines' Mill, were drawn up in position to meet the enemy's attack. The cavalry, under command of General St. George Cooke, was posted on the left of the line under cover of a hill, between Doctor Gaines' House and the Chickahominy. By noon the troops were all in position. As the battle opened, stragglers began to make their appearance, directing their course towards the bridges in the rear ; but were stopped and held by the cavalry. At six o'clock in the evening, the Union lines having been driven back, the enemy made his appearance rushing forward in pursuit. The bugles sounded attention. The First and Fifth Regular Cavalry charged, but were driven back, losing heavily. At this juncture, Robinson's United States Bat- tery, the Third, began to move from the field ; but, at the request of General Cooke, unlimbered, and again poured in deadly volleys, checking the foe and giving our lines time to retire. In this last encounter, Robinson was supported by the remaining squadrons of the Sixth, under command of Major Morris. Their steadiness and gallantry under the galling fire to which his battery was subjected in the repeated attacks of the enemy, is fully attested by the Cap- tain in his official report of the battle. Major Morris was wounded in the hand. They bivouacked on the field, and at two o'clock on the following morn- ing crossed the Chickahominy.

On the 28th, companies C and H, Captains Whelan and Lockwood, were ordered to report to General Kearny, for duty at his headquarters. On the following day, company F, Captain Milligan, was ordered to report to General Sumner, and was with him in the engagement at White Oak Swamp, being exposed to a heavy fire for over five hours. During the night of the 30th, it moved to Malvern Hill, and was afterwards engaged in escorting the heavy siege artillery to Harrison's Landing. After leaving the Chickahominy, the remaining companies served, by detachments, with Porter, Keyes, and M'Call, and were almost constantly exposed to the enemy's fire. The companies with Kearny, were of his rear guard in his movement to Malvern Hill, and received his commendation for their gallantry. Several of the regiment were taken prisoners in the various encounters of the Seven Days' Battles, were marched to Richmond, and incarcerated in the enclosure upon James Island. While in camp at Harrison's Landing the regiment furnished five detachments daily for guard and scout duty; but aside from this performed little active service. On the 31st of July, the enemy made a night attack with artillery from the opposite side of the James, in which one man of the Sixth was killed. The fevers peculiar to the Peninsula prevailed, and many of its members were stricken, some for the grave.

Upon the evacuation of the Peninsula, companies C and H moved with General Porter's column, and with it embarked on transports at Newport News. Company F, under Captain Milligan, moved with General Heintzelman. The remainder of the regiment, under Lieutenant Colonel C. Ross Smith, marched with the headquarters of the army to its old camp at New Market Bridge, from whence on the 3d of September it was shipped to Alexandria, and on the 6th went into camp on Seventh street, Washington, where the detached com- panies reported after the Second Bull Run battle.

The Sixth moved with the army on the Maryland campaign under Colonel

744

SEVENTIETH REGIMENT-SIXTH CAVALRY.

1862

Rush, and at Rockville, on the 7th of September, Major Clymer, with compa- nies B, G and I, was ordered to report to General Franklin, with whom they served during the battles of the 16th and 17th. When near Frederick, on the 13th, Lieutenant Charles L. Leiper, in command of company A, came upon a body of dismounted rebel cavalry. Though greatly outnumbered, he boldly charged upon the foe and quickly put him to flight. The cavalry, now under command of General Pleasanton, was posted in rear of the centre of the line, from which it could descend to any part of the field. Four batteries of horse artillery, Robertson's, Tidball's, Gibson's, and Haines' were posted with it. The stone bridge upon the extreme left was carried by Burnside's infantry on the morning of the 17th, and at four P. M. his entire corps had crossed and taken position on the heights above. The whole movement, even after the bridge was gained, had to be executed under a heavy artillery fire. As the cavalry advanced, the Sixth was sent by the Keedysville and Sharpsburg road to take position on the left of the line above the bridge. The brigade was composed of the Fourth and Sixth Pennsylvania, and the Third Indiana, under command of Colonel Childs. The enemy's artillery, which had for several hours resisted the crossing of the stone bridge, still held its position and completely enfiladed the road leading up from the river. The command dashed across at a gallop, and with the assistance of Tidball's Battery drove the rebels, successfully held its position until evening, when it bivoucked upon the field. The loss in the Sixth was only slight.

On the 10th of October, on the occasion of the rebel cavalry raid to Cham- bersburg, Colonel Rush, who was lying in camp near Frederick, received orders from General Buford to send ont patrols on all the roads to the north, and report promptly. Four small companies were sent towards Emmittsburg, but got no intelligence of the hostile force. An hour after passing the town, it was ascertained that the enemy was in possession of it in force, but no means of ready communication with headquarters was now open. One company of the Sixth, the only one remaining, and a company of the First Maine were sent out, one to Woodsborough, and the other to Johnsville, with instructions to scour the country from the vicinity of Creagersville, Woodsborough, New Windsor, and Westminster, and to promptly communicate to General Pleasan- ton and to headquarters any information obtained. At Woodsborough they found the head of the rebel column passing through towards Liberty. This information was quickly given to Pleasanton, at Mechanicstown. But before " a sufficient force was concentrated to stop him, Stuart had made his escape.

In conformity with an order from the War Department directing that all regiments of cavalry should consist of twelve companies, Lieutenant Leiper, with a number of non-commissioned officers, proceeded to Philadelphia and recruited two new companies, L and M, which were added to the regiment. On the 2d of November the three companies with General Franklin were re- lieved, and companies E, F and K substituted in their place. On the 29th companies A, D, C, H and I, under command of Lieutenant Colonel Smith, broke camp at Frederick and marched to re-join the army now on the Rappa- hannock, arriving at General Franklin's headquarters on the 7th of December. A week later came the battle of Fredericksburg. The command crossed the river with Franklin's Grand Division, and was placed in charge of the bridge, acting also as provost guard, to whom all prisoners on the left were given. It was exposed to artillery tire during the entire day, but was not called into action.

745

BATTLE OF ANTIETAM.

1863

On the 18th a part of company A was detailed for duty with Charles M. Bache, chief engineer on the staff of General Franklin. One company was posted for guard duty along the river, a corporal's guard being stationed at each house below Falmouth for four miles. One squadron was detailed for duty at army headquarters. Two companies were ordered to duty with Gen- eral Reynolds, one with General Newton, three remained with General Frank- lin, and the rest went into camp at White Oak Church. Colonel Rush, with companies B and G, moved from Frederick in company with the Soventeenth Pennsylvania and joined the regiment on the 24th. On the way the force fell in with a party of the enemy near the town of Occoquan, routing it and taking some prisoners and arms. After the second move of Burnside, in Jannary, 1863, which was arrested by the impassable roads, the army went into winter- quarters in the valleys and along the southern slopes of the hills, stretching: away from Acquia Creek to Falmouth. About the first of March the camp of the Sixth was transferred from White Oak Church to Belle Plain Landing. Here, in a dense wood, well located, a camp was established and fitted up in a style of convenience and comfort rarely excelled. On the 6th of April the cavalry corps was reviewed by President Lincoln. The perfection in drill and discip- line exhibited on this occasion by the Sixth, with its nevel arms and fine uni- forms and accoutrements, attracted the especial attention and commendation of the reviewing party.

On the 11th an order was issned directing the cavalry to prepare for an expedition, and for that purpose to reduce baggage to light marching order. The entire corps rendezvoused at the headquarters of General Stoneman on the 13th, and proceeded in three divisions, under Buford, Gregg, and Averell, the Sixth, Colonel Rush, forming an independent command, towards the Rap- pahannock. The Sixth had been selected for special duty on which it was to start early on the following morning. After crossing the river with the main command, it was to proceed rapidly to the vicinity of Richmond, destroy rail- roads, canals, telegraph lines, and by forced march, to join the Union columns at Suffolk or Fortress Monroe. A few hours before starting a heavy storm set in, and upon approaching the ford of the river at which it was to cross, the stream was found to be so much swollen as to render a passage impracticable. From the 15th to the 20th the rain continued to descend almost incessantly, preventing any movement. On the morning of the latter day the regiment moved in the direction of Warrenton. The town was reported to be in pos- session of the enemy. Captain Treichel with company A was sent to recon- noitre and charged through, unopposed, holding it until the command came up. . At Warrenton Junction, on the 27th, Colonel Rush took leave of the regiment, the exposure of the last three weeks having revived a chronic disease contracted while serving in Mexico, and forced him to leave active service. The discipline attained by the Sixth was in no small degree due to his zeal and skill as an organizer. The command of the regiment now devolved on Major Morris, Lieutenant Colonel Smith being on detached duty on the staff of General Stoneman.

· Crossing the Rappahannock at Kelly's Ford on the 29th, and the Rapidan at Morton's and Raccoon fords, the command proceeded without much opposi- tion to Louisa Court House. Here the telegraph line and the Virginia Central Railroad was struck. An operator was soon placed in the telegraph office and received telegrams from Richmond, informing the command of the success of

746

SEVENTIETH REGIMENT-SIXTH CAVALRY.

1863

Hooker in getting his army to Chancellorsville. The track of the railway was torn up, bridges and culverts destroyed, and stations and water tanks burned. Commands were sent out in different directions, capturing and destroying con- traband property, breaking up railroads and canals, and scattering the rebel forces encountered. The work of the expedition having been effected, General Stoneman called a council of war on the evening of the 4th, in which it was decided to return, no intelligence having been received of the fate of Hooker, and Averell having failed to communicate with the balance of the corps. The Sixth marched with Buford's Division, and when near Louisa Court House made a circuit to near Gordonsville. The enemy were met at different points on the return ; but as it was the policy now to avoid an engagement, the command moved rapidly and succeeded in shunning his columns.

Until the Sth of June the regiment was engaged in scout and picket duty, frequently meeting irregular bands of rebels, and losing some men. On the morning of that day it moved with the entire corps, now under command of General Pleasanton, to Beverly Ford. The enemy's pickets were on the oppo- site side, but pushing boldly across, before dawn of the 9th, they were sur- prised and captured. Buford's Division, consisting of the First, Second, Fifth, and Sixth Regulars, and Sixth Pennsylvania, had the advance. * "General Buford having driven the enemy's pickets and skirmishers in the open fields on the right of the road, sent in the Sixth Pennsylvania, supported by the Fifth and Sixth Regulars, to charge this line on the flank. The Pennsylvanians came up to their work in splendid style. This is the regiment formerly known as the Lancers, and they had a matter of pride to settle in this charge. Steadily and gallantly, they advanced out of the woods in excellent order, and then dashed across the open field in an oblique direction towards the enemy's guns. They went up almost to their very muzzles, through a storm of canister, and would have taken them, when suddenly there dashed out of the woods on their right flank, in almost the very spot from which they themselves had issued, two whole regiments of the enemy on the full charge. Retreat was almost cnt off, but the regiments, now subjected to a fire in front and on both flanks, charged back, cutting their way out with considerable loss. The Sixth Regulars came to the rescue, but the fire was so severe that even these veterans could not stand it, and they fell back with some loss." The demonstration of the regulars caused the enemy on the right to move to receive them, and thus a way of escape was opened. The regiment was withdrawn across the field through the woods, but all the time exposed to a heavy fire from a battery within fifty yards. Buford maintained an unequal contest until joined by Gregg, when the enemy was ? driven and his camps were in possession of Pleasanton; but it was now found that the rebel cavalry was supported by heavy forces of infantry. Pleasanton accordingly withdrew. In this engagement the Sixth lost nearly half of its effective force. Major Morris was captured and soon after died in Libby Prison. Captain Charles B. Davis was among the killed. Captain Leiper and Lienten- ant Ellis were among the wounded.

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History of Pennsylvania volunteers, 1861-5; prepared in compliance with acts of the legislature, Vol. II, Part 140

Author: Bates, Samuel P. (Samuel Penniman), 1827-1902. cn Publication date: 1869 Publisher: Harrisburg, B. Singerly, State Printer Number of Pages: 1386

Author: Bates, Samuel P. (Samuel Penniman), 1827-1902. cn
Publication date: 1869
Publisher: Harrisburg, B. Singerly, State Printer
Number of Pages: 1386