History of Pennsylvania volunteers, 1861-5; prepared in compliance with acts of the legislature, Vol. III, Part 107

Author: Bates, Samuel P. (Samuel Penniman), 1827-1902. cn
Publication date: 1869
Publisher: Harrisburg, B. Singerly, State Printer
Number of Pages: 1402

USA > Pennsylvania > History of Pennsylvania volunteers, 1861-5; prepared in compliance with acts of the legislature, Vol. III > Part 107

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).

558

1862

ONE HUNDREDTH REGIMENT.

were both killed. Seeing .that it was useless to attempt to hold the position against the overwhelming force that was bearing down upon him, he ordered Colonel Leasure to fall back before the way was completely cut off. The order was accordingly given, and as he was moving, the Colonel had his horse shot under him, and himself received a painful wound. Of the four hundred and fifty who had joined in this last charge, but one hundred and ninety-eight came back unhurt. Captains William F. Templeton, Simeon H. Brown, James S. Van Gorden, and Lieutenants Philo P. Rayen and E. J. R. Spencer were killed or mortally wounded, and Lieutenants John P. Blair and Thomas H. Curt were severely wounded.

Taking up a new linc, the command was soon after joined by the other bri- gades of the division, and rested on its arms during the night. Colonel Lea- sure and Major Dawson having both been wounded and sent to hospital, the command of the brigade devolved on Lieutenant Colonel Leckey, that of the regiment on Captain James E. Cornelius. Early on the morning of the 30th, the battle was renewed, and continued, with varying success, during the day ; bat the Union army was finally forced to retire before the overwhelming num- bers of the enemy, and at night fell back to Centreville.

The following day was the Sabbath. The fight was not renewed. Lee was too cautious to attack Pope on the heights of Centreville, but ordered Jack- son, with his corps, to pass around the Union army, and attempt to cut its com- munications with Washington. The objective point of the movement was Fairfax Court House, but Jackson's advance was met and hurled back at Ox Hill, near Chantilly, while yet several miles distant from that place. Pope, aware of Jackson's movement, had on Monday, September 1st, massed several corps in the vicinity of Fairfax Court House, and pushed Reno northward, to- ward Chantilly, in the direction of Jackson's advance. The One Hundredth had been hastily marched out of bivouac, and now at five o'clock formed, advancing in column through a meadow, then a wood, the Forty-sixth New York following, and the Seventy-ninth New York skirmishing in advance. Emerging from the wood into a field but partially cleared, the column encoun- tered a rapid fire of musketry from the enemy. General Stevens, dismount- ing, hastily formed his lines of battle in person, and promptly drove the enemy back beyond the partially cleared ground, and into the edge of a field of corn. In these two fields the battle was fought. Jackson's entire corps was in line of battle in front, Reno's Corps, now reduced to two slender divisions, being much inferior in numbers. General Kearny, however, with a part of his di- vision, was in the rear. In fifteen minutes after the action began, General Stevens, while forming the Seventy-ninth New York in line of battle, was instantly killed by a musket ball in the head. Shortly after, a furious rain began to fall, accompanied with thunder and lightning. By this time Gen- eral Birney, with four regiments of Kearny's Division, had been ordered in, and the enemy was driven back still farther through the corn. General Kear- ny, riding up to the One Hundredth, now without ammunition, asked sup- port for a battery. The men responded with a cheer. The battery (Ran- dolph's) was placed in position and brought to bear over the heads of Birney's men, though the darkness prevented any accuracy of aim. A few minutes later General Kearny, while reconnoitring, rode into the enemy's lines, and asking, " What troops are these," discovered his mistake, but received a fatal bullet after he had turned his horse's head and was galloping away. As he

559

1862

ANTIETAM AND FREDERICKSBURG ..

did not return, General Birney, presuming he had been captured, assumed command and gallantly maintained the action, pushing forward two fresh regi- ments, the Thirty-eighth New York and Fifty-seventh Pennsylvania. Our troops remained in possession of the field and kindled fires, which the cold rain had rendered especially necessary. The action was now over. Before day the field was evacuated by our victorious regiments, which with the entire army fell back upon Washington. Captain Cornelius, in command of the regiment, was severely wounded, and after suffering for a long time was discharged on account thereof. Captain R. J. Ross and Lieutenant Samuel R. Grace were wounded. The loss was two killed and thirty-four wounded.

The invasion of Maryland followed close upon the defeat of Pope in Vir- ginia. In the battle of South Mountain, on the 14th of September, the regi- ment participated, and in the charge up the mountain suffered severely, losing eight killed and twenty-eight wounded. In the battle of Antietam, on the 17th, having lost nearly all its line officers, it was not actively engaged. After advancing as skirmishers until the battle had opened, it was relieved and held in reserve during the rest of the day. Its loss was one killed and four wonnded. On the 18th, Morell's Division of Porter's Corps relieved Reno's late command, the latter retiring, and on the 19th encamping near the mouth of Antietam Creek. On the 11th of October the brigade, which now consisted of the One Hundredth, the Forty-fifth Pennsylvania, and Thirty-sixth Massachusetts, was sent to Frederick City to intercept the rebel General Stuart on his raid to Chambersburg, but was unsuccessful. Soon afterwards Colonel Leasure, who had now returned from hospital, was sent to Washington, by General Burn- side, to bring up the absentees and convalescents of the Ninth Corps, assem- bled in camp near the city. About four thousand were thus added to its strength, two hundred of whom belonged to the One Hundredth Regiment. In November, soon after the return of the army to Virginia, General W. W. Burns was assigned to the command of the division, and Colonel Leasure, who bad temporarily held command, returned to his brigade.

On the 19th of November, the corps arrived opposite Fredericksburg and went into camp. On the following day the regiment was sent to construct a corduroy road upon the way leading to Belle Plain, the base of supply, returning on the 25th. The Ninth Corps now formed part of the right grand division of the army, commanded by General Sumner. On the 12th of De- cember the regiment crossed the river, and with the corps occupied the city of Fredericksburg. Burns' Division was assigned to the support of Hancock, and was afterwards sent to the assistance of Franklin, on the left. During the progress of the battle on the 13th, the division lay in reserve awaiting the order to advance, which was momentarily expected. At midnight, Colonel Leasure was directed to move his brigade to position on the left of General Stoneman, which was promptly done, but at daylight returned again to its former position. The battle was not renewed on the 14th. At dusk, on the 15th, Colonel Leasure was ordered to send his most reliable skirmish regi- ment to report to General Sumner. The One Hundredth was selected. It was pushed forward towards the enemy, and deployed to cover the retreat. But so quietly and skilfully was the withdrawal accomplished, that the suspicions of the enemy were not aroused, and the troops all crossed in safety without molestation. Near the close of the year, Lieutenant Colonel Leckey resigned,

560

1863

ONE HUNDREDTH REGIMENT.

and was succeeded by Major Dawson. ' Captain James H. Cline was subse- quently promoted to Major.

Early in the year 1863, General Burnside was placed in command of the Department of the Ohio, and two divisions of his old corps were ordered to Kentucky to report to him. Rendezvousing at Fortress Monroe, these divi- sions proceeded via Baltimore, Parkersburg, and Cincinnati to Lexington, Kentucky, where the One Hundredth arrived on the morning of the 28th of March. After remaining in camp a week, the regiment moved to Camp Dick Robinson, and was subsequently at Middleburg and Columbia. While at the latter place General Welsh was assigned to the command of the division, and the brigade was re-organized and made to comprise the One Hundredth Penn- sylvania, Seventy-ninth New York, Second, Eighth, and Twentieth Michigan.

Early in June the corps was ordered to the support of Grant at Vicksburg, and embarking at Louisville upon transports proceeded to Young's Point, on the Mississippi, but shortly after returned to Snyder's Bluff, and debarking, marched to Milldale Church, in rear of the besieging army, and took position facing towards the Big Black, where the rebel General Johnston had collected a large force, with the design of raising the siege and relieving the beleaguered garrison. As soon as the forces were settled in camp, details were made for fatigue duty in felling timber and intrenching the position. On the 29th the command moved some ten miles further out and took position at Flower Hill Church, to guard the fords of the Big Black, where it remained until the ever memorable 4th of July, when Vicksburg was surrendered. General Sherman immediately moved with a part of Grant's forces and the Ninth Corps to at- tack Johnston, who had fallen back to Jackson. Bridging the Big Black, the First Division crossed at four o'clock on the afternoon of the 4th. On the 10th, the advance entered the enemy's picket lines near the Insane Asylum, just out of the city. Line of battle was formed, and advanced to within three hundred yards of the enemy's works. The brigade held the extreme left, its left resting on the Pearl River, where it was exposed to an enfilading fire from the enemy's batteries. This position was held until the night of the 13th, when the brigade was relieved by the Fourth Brigade. The loss in the command during this time was considerable, the men being obliged to remain prostrate upon the ground, many a poor fellow being struck dead where he lay. On the morning of the 17th, it was discovered that the enemy had evacuated, when the city was quickly occupied by the Union troops. On the morning of the 18th, the brigade marched to Madison Station, where it was engaged in de- stroying the railroad. Upon its return, it moved with the corps back to its old camp at Milldale. The campaign, though short, had been sharp, the heat of the weather added to the fatigue and anxiety experienced, and worse than all, the abominable water of the Yazoo and the Big Black, telling fearfully upon the health and spirits of the men.

From Vicksburg the corps, now under command of General Parke, was ordered to East Tennessee. Moving by boat to Cairo, the regiment proceeded by rail to Cincinnati, and thence to Camp Nelson, in Kentucky. While here, many of the men were attacked with a fever of a malarious congestive type, of which many died, among them Commissary Sergeant, James Henderson. When the division started on the 25th of September for East Tennessee, one fourth of the men in the regiment were left in hospital, and many of those who moved with the column were greatly enfeebled by disease. At Blue

561

SIEGE OF KNOXVILLE.

1864

Spring the enemy was met, and a brisk engagement ensued, in wbich his in- trenched position was carried and his forces scattered. From Knoxville, to which place the troops soon after returned, the division marched to Lenoir Station, on the East Tennessee and Virginia Railroad, where the regiment went into camp and erected comfortable quarters. It was hardly settled be- fore Leasure's Brigade was ordered, by telegram from General Burnside, at Knoxville, to proceed thither without delay, the enemy having attacked and captured some troops of the Twenty-third Corps, and further trouble being anticipated. It was evening when the order was received, and at day-break on the following morning it had arrived and reported for duty to the com- manding general. Its services, however, were not needed, and for four days, from the 6th to the 10th of November, the troops were held in waiting, ex- posed to intense cold, without shelter tents. At the end of that time it re- turned to its camp at Lenoir, but on the morning of the 14th it was ordered to return, with all possible dispatch, to Knoxville, Longstreet having crossed the Tennessee at Kingston, and now threatening to cut off the troops south of the city. Seven companies of the One Hundredth were detailed as escort to the division train, which was immediately put in motion, and the remain- ing three, A, F, and D, under Captain Hamilton, werc detailed to remain and destroy government property at Lenoir. The Union troops reached Camp- bell's Station first, and a stand was made which enabled the trains to reach Knoxville in safety. Entrenchments were hastily thrown up for the defence of the city, and on the morning of the 17th, the troops had all arrived and were in position. Longstreet laid siege and closely invested the place. Fre- quent charges and assaults were delivered by the enemy, but without advan- tage, and on the morning of the 29th, a grand assault on Fort Saunders, the principal work, defended by the First Division. With determined bravery his troops advanced, some of them reaching the ditch in its front, but were finally repulsed with great slaughter. The siege was continued until the 4th of December, when, learning that General Sherman was coming up on his rear with a strong detachment from Grant's army at Chattanooga, Longstreet retreated towards Virginia, and the garrison, which was suffering for want of provision, was relieved.

On the 9th of December, the command marched to near Rutledge, and on the 18th to Blaine's Cross Roads. On the 1st of January, 1864, while subsist- ing on less than two ears of corn a day per man, the entire regiment, with the exception of twenty-seven, re-enlisted to the number of three hundred and sixty-six, for a second term of three years, and immediately started for home on a veteran furlough. The mid-winter march over the Cumberland Mountains was very severe, many of the men being bare-foot and without adequate clothing, no supply trains having reached Knoxville during the continuance of the siege. At Cincinnati the regiment was paid, and on the 8th of February reached Pittsburg, where the men were dismissed to return to their homes.

On the 8th of March the veterans rendezvoused at Camp Copeland, near Pittsburg, and with them a sufficient number of recruits, who had been gath- ered in during the brief furlough, to raise its combined strength to nine hun- dred and seventy-seven men. A few days later, the regiment proceeded to Annapolis, Maryland, the rendezvous of the Ninth Corps, where it was bri- gaded with the Twenty-first Massachusetts, and the Third Maryland, forming the Second Brigade of the First Division, and Colonel Leasure placed in com- 71-VOL. III.

562

ONE HUNDREDTH REGIMENT.

1804

mand. Leaving Annapolis, the brigade reached Bealton Station on the 2d of May, and having moved with Grant's army to the Wilderness, on the night of the 5th was placed on picket. At daylight on the following morning it was relieved and ordered to duty as guard to the corps artillery. The Ninth Corps was an independent command, and was regarded as a reserve to the army ; but the enemy attacking in great force, it was ordered in, and the brigade, which was in rear of the artillery, was directed to pass it, and report to Gen- eral Hancock, of the Second Corps. It was posted by General Mott, of that corps, in breast-works thrown up near the Brock Road ; but soon afterwards, Colonel Leasure was directed to lead his brigade over the works, into the dense woods in front, find the enemy's position, and if possible, attack him in flank. The first onset of the day was now over, and each side seemed content to rest on its arms and re-adjust the shattered lines. As the brigade moved over the recently contested ground, the dead and wounded of both sides lay thickly strewn on every hand. The forest had been fired, the flames, consum- ing and devouring the dry leaves, was rapidly approaching them. The skir- mish line, which was a few paces in front of the line of battle, advancing at a trail arms, discovered the enemy approaching, but before the command could deliver its fire, his line about faced and moved rapidly out of sight. The bri- gade immediately changed front to the left, and marched to meet a flank move- ment of the enemy in that direction, but on discovering our troops advancing, he again fell back, and it moved on in the original direction. After push- ing a half mile through the dense underbrush, it was discovered that the enemy had retired to his earth-works, where he was awaiting an attack. The object of the reconnoissance having been accomplished, it returned and was warmly complimented by General Hancock for its efficient service. Much exhausted, it was led back a little in rear of the line of breast-works, where it rested. At four o'clock in the afternoon, the enemy suddenly opened a furious attack upon the line a little to the left of the point where the brigade was lying. In a short time the breast-work, which was made of dry logs and rails, was fired by the enemy's shells, and instantly blazed up, making the ground untenable, and the troops occupying them fell back. Seeing this, other troops further to the right were seized with a panic, and retreated in confusion, the enemy occupy- ing the abandoned works. At this juncture, Colonel Leasure ordered the One Hundredth, and the Twenty-first Massachusetts, to charge, and following up with the Third Maryland, routed the enemy and re-captured the lost works, securing many prisoners and several stands of colors. The losses in the One Hundredth were fortunately light; Captain J. H. Pentecost was severely wounded in the final charge. The brigaderemained in possession of the captured works until the following afternoon, when it was relieved and re-joined the di- vision.

On the 9th, the corps crossed the Ny River, and took position in front of Spottsylvania Court House, where General Stevenson, in command of the di- vision, was killed. Colonel Leasure was directed to assume command and push the enemy back towards the Court House, which was accomplished with only small loss. On the 12th, the fighting was renewed, and continued during the entire day and far into the night, falling heavily upon the Ninth Corps, the One Hundredth Regiment sustaining considerable loss. In the severe engage- ments at the North Anna, on the 28th of May, and at Cold Harbor, on the 2d of

563

FORT STEADMAN.

1865

June, the regiment participated, and in the latter, Lieutenant David J. Gilfil- lan was killed.

After crossing the James, the regiment was warmly engaged in the series of battles in front of Petersburg, prelude to the siege, in which Captain Le- ander C. Morrow was killed, and Lieutenant Colonel Matthew M. Dawson. was mortally wounded. The mine, which was exploded on the 30th of July, had been excavated within the lines of the Ninth Corps, and in the movements which were immediately inaugurated the regiment participated, in which Cap- tain Walter C. Oliver, and Lieutenants Richard P. Craven and Samuel G. Lea- sure were killed, and Major Thomas J. Hamilton, in command of the regiment, was mortally wounded and taken prisoner.

On the 19th of August, the enemy attacked the Union forces while occu- pying a position upon the Weldon Railroad, and pushing his way through be- tween the lines of the Fifth and Ninth Corps, achieved some success. In this encounter the One Hundredth was engaged, and again on the 21st, when the enemy made a determined effort to dislodge the Fifth Corps, but was finally foiled in his attempts. On the 30th of September the lines were again extended to the left, and at a point near Poplar Spring Church two strong forts, a mile and a half of rifle-pits, and two guns, were captured. The enemy finally flanked a division of the Ninth Corps, and a severe struggle ensued. The regiment fortunately sustained only small loss. In the movement upon Hatcher's Run, on the 27th of October, it was again engaged, in which some prisoners were taken, but the enemy was found strongly posted. During the winter, the regi- ment remained in quarters with the corps. At the moment when the Union forces were about to move on the spring campaign. the rebel leader massed his troops, and before light on the morning of the 25th of March, made a sud- den attack upon Fort Steadman, with the design of breaking the lines and de- stroying vast military stores at City Point. The fort was captured and consid- orable advantage gained, but was promptly met by forces of the Ninth Corps, and the effect of the blow inflicted quickly repaired. In this encounter the One Hundredth was engaged, and Lieutenant Colonel Joseph H. Pentecost was killed. The final assault upon the city of Petersburg, on the 2d of April, closed the long list of engagements in which the regiment, during its four years of service, had participated. It soon after returned to City Point, and thence to Washington, where, on the 24th of July, it was mustered out of service.

FIELD AND STAFF OFFICERS.

NAME.

RAKE.

DATE OF MUSTER INTO SERVICE.

TERX-YEARS.

BSMAKE3.

Daniel Leasure

Col

Aug. 31, '61, 3 Wounded at Bull Run, Va., August 29, 1862 promoted to breves Brig. Gen., April 18, 1865- mustered out, Aug. 30. '64-expiration of term.

Nor'n J. Maxwell.

... do

Aug. $1, '61,

3| Pr. fr. Capt. Co. E to Maj., Dec. 11. '64-to Col., April 18. '65-to Bv. Brig. Gen., April 1S. '65- mustered out with regiment, July 24. 1865.

James Armstrong .. Lt. Col. Aug. 27, '61, '3: Pr. fr. Capt. Co. A to Maj .. Sept. 10. 1861-to Lt.

Col., Oct. 9, 1861-resigned July 12, 1862.

364

ONE HUNDREDTH REGIMENT,

NAME.

RANK.

DATE OF MUSTER INTO SERVICE.

REMARKK

David A. Leckey ....

Lt. Col.

Sept. 5, 461, 3

Math. M. Dawson ...

... do

Aug. 31, '61,

Pr. from Capt. Co. M to Maj., Oct. 9, 1861-to Lt. Col .. July 12, 1862-resigned Dec. 30, 1862. Pr. fr. Capt. Co. B to Maj .. July 12, 1862-to Lt. Col., Dec. 30, '62-died June 30, of wds. rec. at Petersburg, Va., June 17, 1864-buried in Na- tional Cemetery, Arlington.

Jos. H. Pentecost.

.. do

Aug. 27, '61, 3

Pr. from Capt. Co. A. Oct. 16, 1864-to Bv. Col., March 25, 1865-died March 26, of wounds re- ceived at Petersburg, Va., March 25. 1865.

Charles Wilson

James H. Cline

Major ..

Aug. 31, '61, 3 Promoted from Capt. Co. H, April 18, '65-mus- Aug. 31, '61, 3 tered out with regiment, July 24. 1865-Vet. Promoted from Captain company F, March 18. 1863-resigned May 3. 1864.

Thos. J. Hamilton ..

.. do

Aug. 13, '61, 3

James W. Bard

.. do

Aug. 27, '61, 3

Pr. fr. Capt. Co. D, May 21, 1864-died Aug. 14. of wounds rec. at Petersburg, Va., July 10, '64. Promoted from Capt. Co. A, April 18, 65-mus- tered out with regiment, July 24, 1865-Vet. Resigned July 3, 1862. 3

William H. Powers Samuel G. Leasure

Adj .. .. do

Aug. 28, '61, Aug. 31, '61, 3

Promoted from 2d Lieut. Co. K, July 12, 1862- killed at Petersburg, Va., July 30, 1864.

Henry M. Dongan ..

.do

Sept. 13, '61, 3

Pr. from private Co. A, Nov. 26, '64-mustered out with regiment, July 24, 1865-Vet. Discharged January 25, 1862.

Alva H. Leslie. Jefferson Justice ....

Q. M .. do ....

Aug. 28, '61, Aug. 31, '61. Oct. 18, '61, 00

Promoted from Ist Sergt. Co. H, Feb. 1, 1862- discharged Jan. 31, 1865-expiration of term. Pr. from priv. Co. C to Q. M. Sgt., Nov. 13, '62- to Quartermaster, March 14, 1865-mustered out with regiment, July 24. 1865-Vet.

Ferdinand H. Gross Horace Ludington .. Abraham Maas

Surg .. .. do

Sept. 1, '61, Oct. 30. 61. Sept. 16, '62,

3 Promoted to Surgeon U. S. Vols., Oct. 17, 1861. Discharged Sept. 1, 1864-expiration of term.

Joseph P. Rossiter .. Wm. C. Shurlock ..

As. Sur. do

Sept. 9. '61, Aug. 2, '62, Aug. 27, '61,

James C. Card .do

April 5, '65, 3

Resigned December 28. 1863.

Robert Dickson

David Critchlow .....

Sgt. Maj .do ...

Aug. 31, '61,

Promoted to 2d Lieutenant Co. C, Nov. 1, 1861. Pr. from Sgt. Co. C to Sgt. Major, Nov. 1, 1862- to 2d Lieutenant Co C, March 4, 1863.

John W. Morrison ..

.do

Aug. 31, '61,

3 Promoted from company E. March 18, 1863-to 2d Lieutenant company E, May 14, 1863.

David J. Gilfillan ...

.do

Sept. 19, '61.

O. O. Sutherland. .. do

Aug. 31, '61, 3

James W. Bard.

.do

Aug. 27, '61,

John C. Moore.

.. do

Aug. 31, '61, 3

Robert B. M'Clain ..

Q. M.Sr| Aug. 31, '61, 3

John S. Stanger. Isaac Cline.

.do Com. Sr

Aug. 31, '61, Aug. 31, '61,

3 3

Andrew B. Patton .. do

James Henderson .. ... do

Aug. 28, '61,

Mustered out with regiment, July 24. '65-Vet.

REGIMENTAL BAND.

William Gordon.

Pl. Muci Ang. 28, '61, 3

Promoted from company K. May 1, 1864-dis- charged by General Order, July 15, 1865-Vet. Transferred to Co. K-date unknown-Vet.

John B. Nicklin do .. ..

Cublison. D. Milton Muc .....

Aug. 28, '61, 3 3 Discharged by General Order, 1862.

Campbell. David do

Emory, John N. .. do ....

Aug. 28, '61, Aug. 28. '61, Aug. 25, 61, 3

3 Discharged by General Order. 1862. Discharged by General Order, 1862.

3 3 Promoted from Asst. Surgeon, Oct. 30.'64-mus- tered out with regiment, July 24, 1865.

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History of Pennsylvania volunteers, 1861-5; prepared in compliance with acts of the legislature, Vol. III, Part 107

Author: Bates, Samuel P. (Samuel Penniman), 1827-1902. cn Publication date: 1869 Publisher: Harrisburg, B. Singerly, State Printer Number of Pages: 1402

Author: Bates, Samuel P. (Samuel Penniman), 1827-1902. cn
Publication date: 1869
Publisher: Harrisburg, B. Singerly, State Printer
Number of Pages: 1402