History of Pennsylvania volunteers, 1861-5; prepared in compliance with acts of the legislature, Vol. II, Part 78

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 78

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On the 3d of February, 1863, the Sixty-first was chosen, together with four other regiments, the Thirty-first and Forty-third New York, Sixth Maine, Fifth . Wisconsin, and Harn's Light Battery, Third New York, to form the Light Division of the Sixth Corps, organized for special service, and designed to act in emergencies with great celerity. It was posted at Belle Plain until April 28th, when it broke camp and marched to the Rappahannock, near Fredericks- burg, the duty being assigned to the Sixth Corps of making a co-operative movement upon the rebel strongholds above the city, while Hooker, with the main body of the army, was moving upon Chancellorsville. A successful lodg- ment was formed on the south side of the stream, and the corps, under com- mand of General Sedgwick, passed over. Preparations were made for carrying Marye's Heights by storm. At eleven o'clock on the morning of May 3d, the troops moved to the assault, the Light Division in advance, the Sixty-first leading the right column. The ground was open, over which it must advance to reach the enemy's entrenched position, and was raked by his guns; but without faltering, it moved forward, and, though men were swept from the ranks at every step, his strong works were carried and possessed. Colonel Spear, while bravely leading in the assault, was killed. The loss in killed and wounded in this brief struggle was three officers and seventy-four men.

Pushing forward in pursuit of the flying enemy, he was encountered in heavy force at Salem Heights, and a short but bloody struggle ensued. Over- borne by weight of numbers, who had turned back from Hooker's front, the corps was forced to retire, and re-crossed the river at Banks' Ford. The Light Division, which had performed signal service in this campaign, and had been greatly crippled in the desperate fighting in which it had been engaged, was

411

1863

GETTYSBURG CAMPAIGN.

now broken up, and the regiments composing it were distributed among other organizations. The Sixty-first was assigned to the Third Brigade, Brigadier General Thomas H. Neill, Second Division, General Howe, Sixth Corps. Upon the fall of Colonel Spear, the command devolved on Major Dawson, in the absence of Lieutenant Colonel Smith, on account of sickuess. The latter was subsequently promoted to Colonel to date from May 4th; Major Dawson was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel, and Captain John W. Crosby, of company G, to Major.

Early in June it was discovered that the enemy's columns were in motion, but his plans were as yet undeveloped. Ou the 5th and 6th the regiment participated in a reconnoissance across the Rappahannock, to discover the sig- nificance of his activity. The usual routine of camp and picket duty, with occasional skirmishes, continued until the 13th of June, when it broke camp and moved with the corps towards Pennsylvania, Lee having faced his columns in that direction, and being now on the march. After a series of exhausting marches, for the most part performed beneath a burning sun, it reached Man- chester, Maryland, on the 1st of July, where, at evening, tidings were re- ceived of the opening of the battle of Gettysburg, and orders to move with all possible dispatch to the field. The corps was immediately put in motion. After a most wearisome march of upwards of thirty miles, it arrived in the midst of the desperate fighting of the second day, and the tired and footsore troops were hurried into action. The corps was broken, and detachments dis- tributed to parts of the field, where the lines were most sorely pressed, Neill's Brigade being sent to the Twelfth Corps, and posted on the right of the ine. The Sixty first was but slightly engaged, principally in skirmishing, and sustained only slight losses. After the battle the brigade was ordered to pursue one of Lee's columns, which was retreating through Fairfield Gap, and to push and harass its rear. This duty was performed with vigor until it reached Waynesboro', where the troops, completely exhausted by the previous five days of marching and fighting, went into camp and were suffered to rest for twenty-four hours. Following up the enemy's retiring columns, he was at length found entrenched upon the banks of the Potomac, and in a position so favorable for defense that it was deemed imprudent to attack.

Re-crossing the Potomac with the army, it moved forward until it reached a permanent camp, about the middle of July, at White Sulphur Springs. After being engaged in the usual camp and picket duty here for a month, the regi- ment moved on the 16th of September to Culpepper, and thence on the 5th of October to the Rapidan, the division acting as a corps of observation. The movement of the enemy north, and his crossing of the river having been dis- covered and his purposes divined, the division was ordered to move rapidly north ward, commencing the march in the midst of a furious storm, and without a balt making twenty-nine miles in fifteen hours. At Rappahannock Station, the troops were drawn up in line in expectation of an attack; but the enemy declining battle, the columns again moved on towards Washington. The regi- ment reached the neighborhood of Fairfax Court House on the 15th of October, whence after a few days rest, it again marched through Gainesville, New Bal- timore, to Warrenton, where it went into camp. On the 7th of November it participated in the brilliant action at Rappahannock Station, but suffered little loss. Crossing the river soon after, it proceeded to Brandy Station, where winter quarters were established. Here the strength of the regiment was con-

412

SIXTY-FIRST REGIMENT.

1864

siderably increased by the return of the men from hospitals, and the assign- ment of new recruits. On the 16th of April, 1864, Lieutenant Colonel Dawson was honorably discharged, and Major Crosby was promoted to succeed him, Captain Robert L. Orr, of company H, being subsequently commissioned Major.

On the night of the 4th of May, the regiment, five hundred strong, crossed the Rapidan, and at noon of the 5th met and engaged the enemy in the dense thickets and underwood of the Wilderness. In the face of a hot fire of mus- ketry, it advaneed, driving him back for half a mile. At dusk the enemy attacked in heavy force, with the design of turning the right of the line, and struggled hard to push the regiment from its position, but failed of his pur- pose, and was successfully repulsed. The loss in this first day in the Wilder- ness, was twelve killed and thirty wounded. Lieutenant Colonel Crosby was of the latter.

. At daybreak on the morning of the 6th, the battle was renewed and the regi- ment was hotly engaged, suffering severely, Captain Robinson, Lieutenant Brown and fifteen enlisted men being killed, and Lieutenants Dawson, Hager, Stewart and Kærner, and forty men wounded. Late at night the enemy again attacked with considerable show of strength, but was easily repulsed with slight loss to the regiment. During the following day the men were engaged in digging rifle pits and at night marched by the left towards Spottsylvania. On the night of the Sth, whilst advancing through a wood to gain its position in the new line, company A, Lieutenant Price, and company I, Captain Greene, holding the right of the regiment, encountered a body of the enemy, who were attempt- ing, under cover of darkness, to gain its rear by a gap which had been left between it, and the troops upon its right, and a hand to hand.engagement en- sued, in which the enemy was repulsed, losing two officers and six men captured with several killed and wounded. The loss in the regiment was one killed, several wounded, and Lieutenant Caldwell captured. The latter was re-cap- tured at Beaver Dam Station, by the cavalry under Sheridan, and soon after returned to his command. During the following day the men hugged closely their riffe-pits under a heavy artillery fire. Five enlisted men of company D were killed, and one wounded, by the explosion of a single shell. On the 10th the regiment moved to the front, and from eleven A. M. until six P. M. was engaged in skirmishing, when, with the First and Second Brigades, it charged upon the enemy's works, capturing a battery and a line of riffe-pits; but sup- ports failing to come up in time, it was obliged to retire, losing the advantage gained. The loss in the Sixty-first was eight killed, wounded and missing. Lieutenant Lippincott was among the wounded. Remaining in rifle-pits until the morning of the 12th, the regiment, with the exception of three companies, which had been sent ont upon the picket line, moved to the left, near Spott- sylvania, to the position captured from the enemy at early dawn, by the Second Corps. During the day he made repeated assaults to recover his lost works, pressing with desperate valor to possess the part known as "the angle," but was handsomely repulsed in all his efforts. Iu repelling a single one of these assaults, the Sixty-first lost ninety in killed and wounded, and during the entire day one hundred and forty. Colonel Smith, Captains Taylor and Donnelly, and Lientenants Clausen, Dean, Parsons and Ryan were numbered among the wounded. Until the night of the 17th, the regiment was constantly employed in digging rifle-pits and moving gradually to the left, when it was ordered to march back to the position fought over on the 12th, and at daylight of the fol-

1864

IN FRONT OF WASHINGTON. 413

lowing day, charged across the very ground which had then been so stubbornly contested, moving under a heavy artillery fire. Meeting with little success here, the regiment was ordered to the extreme left of the army, where for sev- eral days it was engaged in picketing and throwing up rifle-pits. In the suc- cessive movements of the army by the left, carrying it across the North Anna, the Pamunkey, and the Chickahominy, the regiment actively participated, being uninterruptedly employed in digging, picketing, marching, and skirmishing, and almost daily sustaining some loss. From the crossing of the Rapidan on the 4th of May, when the Wilderness campaign opened, until the regiment halted near Fort Powhattan on the James, where it closed, the loss in killed, wounded, and missing was about thirty officers, and four hundred enlisted men.

On the 16th of June, the regiment crossed the James, and marched to the neighborhood of Petersburg, where it was immediately employed in the operations of the army for carrying the defences of the city by assault. These failing, the slow operations of the siege were commenced, and the regular fatigue and picket duty succeeded. On the 29th the brigade marched to Ream's Station, on the Weldon Railroad, to open a line of retreat for the Cavalry Divisions under command of Generals Wilson and Kautz, who, having made a raid on the South Side Railroad, in attempting to regain the Union lines, were intercepted by a heavy force of the enemy. On the following day, the cavalry having escaped by making a detour, the regiment returned to its former position and was engaged in destroying the railroad, picketing, and constructing earthworks.

On the 9th of July, the regiment broke camp at the front, and marched to City Point, whence it proceeded, by transports, to Washington, the Sixth Corps now under command of General Wright, having been ordered to the defence of the capital, menaced by the enemy. Arriving at three o'clock P. M. of the 11th, it marched through the city, encamping near Fort Massachu- setts, and on the following day, met the enemy in front of Fort Stevens, where a sharp and sanguinary battle was fought, resulting in his complete discom- fiture and rout. Lientenant and acting Adjutant Laughlin, and six men were killed, and Lieutenant Colonel Crosby and twenty-five men wounded. The loss fell heavily upon the brigade, every regimental officer being either killed or severely wounded. The pursuit was immediately commenced, the line of march leading through Poolesville and across the Potomac at Conrad's Ferry, through Leesburg and Snicker's Gap to the Shenandoah River. On the 20th it crossed and continued the pursuit, but failing to overtake the enemy, Wright fell back to Washington, and the regiment encamped near Fort Gaines. The enemy again showing a bold front, and returning towards Maryland, the corps re- traced its steps and from this period until the 18th of August, the regiment was kept constantly engaged marching and countermarching through Maryland and the Shenandoah Valley, when it finally encamped near Charlestown. Three days later the brigade, together with the Second Brigade, was attacked by Rhode's Division of Ewell's Corps, and in the engagement which ensued the force was obliged to yield, the Sixty-first losing Captain Redenback and six men killed, Lientenant Price mortally, and Captain Glenn, Lieutenant Cald- well and fifteen men wounded. On the night of the 22d the regiment moved back to Halltown, and a week later took up its old position near Charlestown.

On the 3d of September, the original term of service of the regiment having expired, leaving the veterans and new recruits in camp at Berryville, the men whose term was now completed under command of Colonel Smith, pro-

414

SIXTY-FIRST REGIMENT.

:1864

ceeded to Philadelphia where they were mustered out of service. In compli- ance with an order issued from the headquarters of the army, the men remain- ing in the field were consolidated into five companies, known as the Battalion of the Sixty-first Regiment, and placed under command of the senior captain, Charles S. Greene, Major Orr being on staff duty. On the 27th Colonel Smith was re-appointed and returned to service.

At two o'clock A. M. of the 19th of September, the army of the Shenan- doah, now under command of General Sheridan, moved in the direction of Winchester, with the purpose of giving battle, and at daylight met the enemy at the Berryville Crossing of the Opequan. The contest was maintained until midday with unabated fury, when Sheridan, who, having his men well in hand, and inspired with his own fiery zeal, ordered a general advance, and the enemy was swept from the field. In this engagement known as the battle of the Ope- quan, or Sheridan's battle of Winchester, the battalion suffered severely. It went into the fight with three officers and one hundred and twenty-five men, and of this number lost twenty-two killed and wounded. Among the latter was Captain Greene, who received a shot in the right eye causing also a frac- tare of the jaw.

The battalion joined in the pursuit of the fleeing enemy, and on the 22d, the division to which it belonged, now under command of General Getty, car- ried the famous position at Fisher's Hill, the Sixty-first sustaining considerable loss in the assault. The pursuit was continued to Mount Crawford, which was reached on the 29th. After various movements up and down the valley, which continued until the 14th of October, the division finally encamped at Cedar Creek, and here, before light on the morning of the 19th, General Early, who had brought his army into position under cover of darkness, and a dense fog which completely masked his movements, suddenly attacked the Union troops upon either flank, at a moment when they were reposing unsuspicious of dan- ger, and their leader "twenty miles away." In the tumultuous action which ensued, in which the army was driven, and in its turn routed and almost anni- hilated its adversary, the battalion, now numbering bnt about one hundred men, lost in killed the only two remaining officers, Captains D. J. Taylor and John Barrett, and fourteen men killed and wounded. For its gallantry in this engagement, it was highly complimented by the commanding general. After the battle, the division to which it was attached, was pushed forward consider- ably in advance of the main body, and was posted near the town of Strasburg. While here, one hundred and eighty drafted men were assigned to the com- mand, who were organized in two new companies, raising the number to seven, and officered by the veteran sergeants. Many of the wounded returned to the ranks, bringing its effective strength to about three hundred and fifty men. Remaining in camp at this point until the Sth of November, it moved down the valley to the neighborhood of Kernstown, where it encamped and continued until the 3d of December. In pursuance of orders, it broke camp on that day, and proceeded to re-join its old companions of the army of the Potomac, in front of Petersburg, and was assigned a place in the besieging lines on the Squirrel Level Road, which it continued to hold during the remainder of the siege.

On the 2d of March, 1865, two new companies, fully armed, equipped, and officered were sent to the battalion from Harrisburg, increasing the number to nine, and restoring it again to the proportions of a regiment. In the January

1864

ADVANCE UPON THE FORTIFICATIONS OF PETERSBURG. 415 preceding, a beautiful flag* had been presented to the battalion by citizens of Philadelphia.

On the morning of the 25th of March, the enemy under General Gordon made a sudden attack upon, and succeeded in breaking through the lines of the Ninth Corps. General Grant immediately ordered an advance along the entire lines, and the Second Division of the Sixth Corps, to which the Sixty- first belonged, attacked and carried the outer lines of the enemy's fortifications in its front. The loss in this assault was eighteen killed and wounded. On the night of April 1st, the regiment was ordered to be in readiness to again assault at daylight. At four o'clock, the word was given for the advance, and the Sixty-first in the front brigade, moved with intrepidity against the frowning works, which for many mouths it had faced, and vainly sought to carry. The struggle was short but severe, and the enemy was driven in confusion from his intrenchments. Pursuit was immediately given, and the regiment during the day captured two rebel colors, a wagon train, fifty-two men, sixteen horses, and three brass twelve-pounders with caissons. Colonel Crosby, who had lost an arm from the effects of the wound received at Fort Stevens, near Washing- ton, was killed, and Lieutenant Colonel Orr wounded. On the morning of the 3d, it moved with the army in pursuit of Lee, whose rear guard, Longstreet's Corps, was brought to bay at Sailor's Creek, where the Sixty-first fired its last shot at the enemy, who surrendered three days thereafter, April 9th, at Appo- mattox Court House.

After the surrender the regiment returned with a considerable portion of the army to Burkesville Junction, where, on the 17th, it was honored by being chosen to escort the captured flags of the division to army headquarters. General Johnston, in command of a rebel army in North Carolina, still held out. Grant accordingly put his columns in motion to assure its capture should it continue in hostile attitude. In four days the regiment marched one hundred and six- teen miles, reaching Danville on the 27th, where it was detailed for provost duty. After remaining here until the 21st of May, Johnston having in the mean- time laid down his arms and surrendered to Sherman, it moved by rail to Rich- mond. Marching through the rebel capital on the 24th, it crossed the Pamunkey on the 25th, passed Fredericksburg and Marye's Heights on the 20th, Fairfax June 1st, arriving at Ball's Cross Roads, near Washington, on the 2d. On the Sth the corps was re-viewed iu the National Capital, which for four years had

* The regiment received its first colors, an offering from citizens of Pittsburg, before proceed- ing to the field in 1861. At the battle of Fair Oaks, May 31, 1862, this flag was torn to shreds by the enemy's fire, and was sent, with the body of Colonel Rippey to Pittsburg, his foriner bome. The second flag was presented on behalf of the State, and was carried in all the rough service of the regiment until September, 1864, when having become much torn and mutilated, it was sent to Harrisburg, and immediately received from the Governor, a new one to supply its place. This, together with the one presented to the battalion as noted above, was carried until the close of the war. A cotemporary newspaper, notices the latter as follows: "A num- ber of citizens have had manufactured a magnificent flag for presentation to the new battalion. It is made of heavy silk; one side contains an elaborate painting of the coat of arms of Penn- sylvania, and the reverse a beautiful representation of an American Eagle. The flag contains the following inscription, "PRESENTED BY THE CITIZENS OF PHILADELPHIA TO THE SIXTY- FIRST REGIMENT PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS FOR GALLANT CONDUCT THROUGHOUT THE WAR." The names of the principal battles in which the regiment took an active part, are in- scribed on the flag. Among which are Marye's Heights, Fair Oaks, Washington, D. C., Mal- vern Hill, Winchester, Antietam, Cedar Creek, and Wilderness. This flag is safe from dishonor . in the hands of the Sixty-first."

416

SIXTY-FIRST REGIMENT.

1865

been menaced, and which, by its opportune arrival, it had preserved in its direst extremity. On the 28th of June the regiment under command of the following field officers: Colonel Robert L. Orr, Lieutenant Colonel Charles S. Greene, and Major Oliver A. Parsons, was mustered out of service, and ordered to Pitts burg for payment. Upon its arrival there it was publicly received by the Mayor. and citizens, and entertained at a grand banquet. Two days thereafter the organization which had been maintained for four years, at length "its warfare o'er," ceased to exist.

FIELD AND STAFF OFFICERS.

XIME.

RANK.

DATE OF MUSTER INTO SERVICE.

REMARKS.

Oliver H. Rippey George C. Spear

Col .. do

July 24, '61, Mar. 6, '62,

Promoted from Lt. Col. to Col., June 1,'62-killed at Chancellorsville, May 3, 1863.

George F. Smith

.. do

...

Mar. 15, '62,

Promoted from Maj. to Lt. Col., June 1, 1862-to Col., March 21, 1864 - mus. out, Sept. 7, 1864 -- expiration of term-re-com., Sept. 29, 1864-dis- charged by special order, April 20, 1865.

Robert L. Orr

.do

Aug. 21, '61,

Promoted from Capt. company A to Maj., Dec. 18, 1864-to Lt. Col .. April 18, '65-to Col., May 14, '65-mus. out with regiment, June 23, 1865. ..

John W. Crosby

Lt. Col. Sept. 2, '61,

Pr. fr. Capt. Co. G to Maj., Apr. 22. 1864-wd. at Fort Stevens. July 11, 1864-mustered out, Dec. 15, 1864-re-com. Lt. Col., Feb. 22, 1865-killed at Petersburg, April 2, 1865.

Charles S. Greene ..

.. do

Aug. 21, '61, 3

Promoted from Capt. company C to Lieut. Col., May 15, 1865-wd. at Winchester, Va., Sept. 19, 1864-mustered out with regiment. June 23,'65. Promoted from Capt. company C to Maj., Dec. 1. '62-com. Lt. Col., May 4, 63-not mustered- discharged April 16. 1864.

Oliver A. Parsons ...

.. do

Sept. 2, '61. 3

Promoten from Capt. company D to Maj., May 14, 1865-mus. out with regiment, June 2S, '65. Promoted from 2d Lt. company E to Ist Lieut. and Adj., Sept. 7, 1861-disch. March 11, 1863.

Woolman G. Miller

Adj

Aug. 1, '61,

George W. Wilson ..

... do

Augustus R. Seiler

.. do

Sept. 2, '61, 3 Promoted from Ist Lt. company H to Adj., Mar. 11, 65-killed at Spottsylvania C. H., May 9,'64. Sept. 4, '61, 3 Promoted from 2d Lt. company F to Ist Lt. and Adj., April 6, 1865 - mustered out with regi- meot, June 28, 1865.

Benj. W. Baldwin .. Chas. F. Kennedy ...

Q. M .... .. do

Aug. 1, '61,

3 3

Mustered out, Sept. 6, 1864-expiration of term. Promoted from Ist Lt. company C to Q. M., Dec. 18, 1864-mustered out with reg., June 29, '65. Resigned August 19, 1865.

Robert M. Tindle.

Surg ..

Sept. 14, '61,

Geo. R. Lewis

... do.

Aug. 1, '62,

3 Promoted from Asst. Surg. 54th regiment P. V., Sept 18, 1863-mus. out with reg., June 28, '65. 3 Promoted to Surg. 6Sth reg. P. V., Sept. 13, '62. Resigned January 11, 1865. S

J.s. B. Freeland.

As. Sur. .. do

Sept. 7, '61, Sept. 17. '62,

John W. Riddle.

.. do

Sept. 12, '62,

3 Mustered out, Sept. 7, 1864-expiration of term. Mustered out, Sept. 7, 1864-expiration of term.

Wm. W. Kirfin

... do

Dec. 18, '64, 3 Mustered out with regiment, June 28, 1865.

W. R. Stockton

Chap'n Sr. Maj.

Aug. 1, '61,

Israel Gray

.do

Aug. 22, '61.

David M'Clain

.. do

Aug. 1, '61,

R. R. Lippincott

.. do

Sept. 4, '61,

William Lathrop.

.. do

Sept. 2, '61. 3

Jer. H. Murphy.

.do

Aug. 21, '61,

John Caldwell ..

Aug. 1, '61,

Robert Dickson

Q. M. S.

Sept. 2, '62,

3 Promoted to Quartermaster Sergeant. Dec. 22, 1864-discharged by G. O., June 20, 1865.

Chas. F. Kennedy .. do

George K. Lutz.

.. do

Aug. 21, '61. Aug. 21, '61,

3 3 Promoted to Ist Lt. company C. Oct. 1, '64-Vet. Promoted to Ist Lt. company G, Dec. 22. '64-Vet. . 3 |Promoted to Ist Lt. company F, Nov. 27, 1862.

Wm. H. Rogers .. do

Aug. 1, '61.

Promoted from Sergeant company E, January S, 1865-mus. out with reg., June 23, 1865-Vet. Mustered out, Sept. 7. 1864-expiration of term. Promoted to 1st Lt. company K, January 1, '63. Promoted to Ist Lt. company I, Sept. 12, 1863. Promoted to 2d Lt. Co. D. Jan. 8, 1865-Vet. Killed at Cedar Creek. Va., Oct. 19, 1864-Vet. Promoted to 2d Lt. Co. F, April 19, 1864-Vet.

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History of Pennsylvania volunteers, 1861-5; prepared in compliance with acts of the legislature, Vol. II, Part 78

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