History of Pennsylvania volunteers, 1861-5; prepared in compliance with acts of the legislature, Vol. III, Part 14

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 14

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).

Private

Mar. 2, '65. | 1

Not accounted for.

Christ. Amos B

Mar. 14, '65,

Discharged by Genoral Order, May 26, 1805.

Clevinger, Daw'n R

.. do

Mar. 7, '65.

1. Not accounted for.

Cairy, John M .. .do Feb. 14, '65,

Edwards, John

.. do

Mar. 22, '65. 1 Not accounted for.

Fixon, Fedde

do .do

Mar. 6. '65,

Fuiton, Jacob S

.do

Mar. 6, '65,

1/ Not accounted for.

Gifford, Samuel do

Mar. 8, '65,

1 Not accounted for.

Hoffman, Charles H .do

Mar. 14, '65,

1 Not accounted for.

Huber, Amos G do

Mar.

6. '65,

L Not accounted for.

Hooley, Thomas do

Mar. 3, 65. 1 Not accounted for. .

Hill, George ... do

Feb. 16, :65.

1 Not accounted for.

Haney, William. do

Aug. 5, '04.

1 Deserted February 25, 1864.

Johnson, William do

Feb. 27, '65,

1 Not accounted for.

Kelly, George .. do

Mar. 13, '65, 1

Not accounted for.

Reitzel, Henry L do

Mar. 6, '65, 1

Smith, Charles F. do. Feb. 2, '64, 1

Smith, George .. do

Mar. 5, '65,

Trump, Edward ..

Mar. 18, '65,

Not accounted for.

Unger, Samuel R ...

.do

Mar. 9, '65,

Upperman, Samuel .do

Mar. 6, '65,

1 Not accounted for.

Upperman, Joseph ...

.do. Mar. 6, '65, 1 Not accounted for.

Williams, Henry .... do

Jan. 19, '65, 1 Not accounted for.

Witman, Peter.

Mar. 13, 265,

1 | Not accounted for.

TERM -YBARB 111111 1 1 1 1 1

Not on muster-out roll.

Mustered out with company, June 29, 1865. Mustered out with company, June 29, 1865. Mustored out with company. June 29. 1865. Mustered out with company, June 29, 1865. Mustered out with company, June 29. 1865.

1 Discharged by General Order, June 28. 1865. 1 Mustered out with company, June 29, 1865. Mustered out with company, June 29, 1865. 1 Mustered out with company, June 29, 1865. | Mustered out with company, June 29, 1865. 1 |Died June 19, 1865-bu. in Mil. Asy. Cem .. D. C. 1 1 Discharged by General Order, June 5, 1865. . Mustered out with company, June 29, 1865. 1

Mustered out with company, June 29, 1865. 1 1 1 Mustered out with company. June 29, 1865. Mustered out with company, June 29, 1865. Mustered out with company, June 29, 1865. 1 1 Mustered out with company, June 29, 1865. Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, May 12. '65. Mustered out with company, June 29, 1865. Mustered out with company, June 29, 1865. 1 1

I 1 Mustered out with company, June 20. 1865. Mustered out with company, June 29, 1865. 1 | Mustered out with company, June 29, 1865. Mustered out with company, June 29, 1865. 1| Deserted April 7. 1865.

1 Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, May 12, '65. 1| Mustered out with company, June 29, 1865. 1 |Mustered out with company. June 29, 1865. 1 |Discharged by General Order, June 9, 1865.

Fix, Peter.

1 1 Not accounted for. Not accounted for. Not accounted for.

Germain, Charies do

Feb. 20, '65.

1 Not accounted for.

Holter, Lewis V. do

Feb. 13, '64.

Kenyon, Samuel do

Feb. 24, '65,

I Not accounted for. Not accounted for.

Keiler, Abraham .do Mosser, Robert. .do M'Kee, James A. do

Mar. 11, '65, 1 Not accounted for.

Not accounted for.

Rifel, Henry .. .... do

Deserted-date unknown.

Mar. 25, '65, 1

Not accounted for. Not accounted for.

11 Not accounted for.

Stako, Gideon.

Mar. 13, '65.

Feb. 27, '65, 1 Not accounted for.

Mar. 9, '65,

1 Not accounted for.

EIGHTY-EIGHTH REGIMENT.

0 N the 9th of August, 1861, George P. M'Lean, then Major of the Twenty- second Pennsylvania regiment, three months' service, received authority from the Secretary of War, Hon. Simon Cameron, to organize an infantry regiment, which was at first known as the Cameron Light Guards, subse- quently the Eighty-eighth. A camp was formed at Wissahickon, near Phila- delphia, recruiting actively commenced, and the regiment was scarcely filled before orders were received on October 1st, to report to General Casey, at Washington, for assignment to duty. The following were the field officers: George P. M'Lean, Colonel; Joseph A. M'Lean, Lieutenant Colonel ; George W. Gile, Major, and Benezet F. Foust, Adjutant.

Companies A, B, and H, were recruited in Berks county, and the remaining companies in Philadelphia. Immediately on its arrival in Washington, it was ordered into camp at Kendall Green. On the 12th of October, it moved to Alex- andria, Virginia, and was assigned to provost guard duty, in and around the city, relieving the Fourth New Jersey. Until this time the command was without arms, having left Philadelphia but partially uniformed, and without equip- ments. The regiment here received the State colors, which were presented by Hon. Galusha A. Grow, Speaker of the House of Representatives, and were received in behalf of the regiment by Hon. William D. Kelly, member of Con- gress from Philadelphia. Patriotic speeches were also made by Colonel M'- Lean, General Montgomery, in command of the district, and others. It was armed with the Enfield rifle. Guard duty was relieved of its monotony by company and battalion drills, and parades. The regiment continued on this duty, much to the satisfaction of the loyal citizens, until February 18th, 1862, when companies A, C, D, E and I, under Colonel M'Lean, were ordered to garrison the forts on the Maryland side of the Potomac. The remaining com- panies continued on duty in Alexandria, under command of Major Gile.

On the 17th of April, the regiment was re-united, both battalions baving been ordered to report to Brigadier General Duryea, at Cloud's Mills, near Al- exandria. Here it remained until the 23d, when it was detailed to guard the Orange and Alexandria Railroad from Bull Run to Fairfax Court House. Con- tinuing on this duty until May 7th, orders were received to report to Major Gen- eral M'Dowell, then in command of a corps near Fredericksburg, and upon its arrival, it was placed in General Ricketts' Brigade, composed of the Twenty- sixth and Ninety-fourth New York, Eighty-eighth and Ninetieth Pennsylvania, of Ord's Division.

On the 20th of May, the division was reviewed by General M'Dowell, and on the 23d, by President Lincoln. On the 25th, the corps received marching orders. Leaving camp in the afternoon, the regiment after a forced march ar- rived at Acquia Landing at midnight, and taking a transport next morning,

EIGHTY-EIGHTH REGIMENT.

1862

reached Alexandria and encamped on the night of the 26th, near Manassas. On the following day commenced a series of forced marches up the Shenan- doah Valley, passing through Thoroughfare Gap, White Plains, Salem, and Piedmont, arriving at Front Royal on the 31st.

On the 1st of June, heavy firing was heard in the direction of Strasburg, supposed to be between General Shields and the enemy. The regiment was formed in line of battle expecting an attack, but after remaining some hours, was ordered to go into camp at the Forks of the Shenandoah River. The weather was very severe, the rain falling incessantly for eight days, causing much sickness. On the 18th of June, the command left its unhealthy camping- ground, and moved by rail to Manassas, thence to Warrenton, and subse- quently to Culpepper. On the 4th of August, General Pope having assumed command, preparations were made for an active campaign, and on the 9th, while on the march, cannonading was heard in front, and the column was hur- ried forward towards Cedar Mountain. The Eighty-eighth, now in General Tower's Brigade, General Ricketts being in command of the Division, was immediately led to the extreme right of General Banks' Corps, to relieve troops which had been actively engaged during the afternoon. Darkness was coming on, but the regiment while getting into position, was discovered by the enemy, who immediately opened upon it with artillery, which was replied to by Cap- tain Hall's Second Maine Battery, the regiment being between the two fires. The enemy's guns were in a short time silenced, and the troops placed in po- sition to open the battle early next morning. But at day-break it was found that the enemy had fled, leaving his dead unburied.

On the 14th of August, the line of march was taken up towards the Rapi- dan, halting near Pony Mountain. Large details were made for picket along the river bank, the rebel pickets being within hailing distance. On the 18th, orders were received to keep the camp fires brightly burning, and at midnight a retreat commenced. The enemy was endeavoring to flank the corps. A de- tail was made from the regiment to destroy a bridge near Mitchell's Station, to impede the progress of the enemy in his pursuit. A portion of it fell pre- maturely, crushing Lieutenant Henry Hudson of company C, a brave and valuable officer, killing him almost instantly. Being on rear guard the regi- ment was frequently drawn up in line of battle, as the enemy were in close pursuit. After a hard and laborious march, about midnight of the 19th, the Rappahannock was crossed, and a halt made on the north bank. The next day the artillery on either side was continually engaged, the Eighty-eighth supporting the Second Maine Battery, posted in an exposed position. During this engagement several men were severely wounded. Skirmishing continued daily until August 25th, when the whole command commenced falling back. After a severe march, the day being intensely hot, the regiment was about bi- vouacking at Warrenton, when a heavy cannonading commenced a few miles to the left, which continued without cessation for several hours. Orders were received to march in the direction of the firing. It was soon ascertained that Sigel's Corps was engaged. After marching about five miles the firing ceased, and the command returned, encamping just outside the town of Warrenton. On the 27th, a forced march was made, and on the evening of the 28th, a por- tion of the division encountered the enemy at Thoroughfare Gap. A fierce fight immediately commenced. The brigade was hurried forward, but being in rear, arrived as the rest of the division was actively engaged. Forming

BATTLE OF BULL RUN.

1862

immediately in line of battle, the Eighty-eighth was ordered to advance, but as the enemy disputed the passage in overpowering numbers, the whole corps was withdrawn to a position near Gainesville. arriving at midnight. On the following morning, the column continued on, passing Bristoe Station, and halt- ed in the afternoon near Manassas Junction. Rapid firing having commenced in front, the command advanced towards Bull Run, which was reached at nine P. M. About day-break of the 30th, the whole corps was formed in line of battle, the Eighty-eighth frequently shifting position during the early part of the day. Meanwhile a portion of the line had engaged the enemy, and the brigade was drawn up in rear of a wood on the extreme left of the line as a reserve. Orders were received about four P. M., to hurry forward the com- mand. It moved at a double quick, and while taking position, was attacked. . The regiment opened a withering fire and was at once actively engaged. Col- onel M'Lean being absent, sick, the command devolved upon Lieutenant Col- onel Joseph A. M'Lean, who shortly after the action opened was mortally wounded, the command devolving on Major Gile. The fire in front was in- cessant and very severe. Portions of the line on the left had broken, and batteries forced from their positions, had been driven through the ranks of the Eighty-eighth, when suddenly on their left appeared a heavy column of the enemy pouring in an enfilading fire. Meanwhile the battle raged with great fury. Captain Belsteriiug fell instantly killed. Captains Wagner and Stretch and Lieutenants Street and Patterson, were wounded. General Tower had fallen, and been carried from the field. Men were falling rapidly on every side under the withering fire, and the regiment was at length forced to fall back closely followed by the enemy. Re-forming, it again contested the en- emy's advance, but it was impossible to stand the fire of artillery and musketry which was centred upon it, and it was again forced to retire, crossing Bull Run Creek, and taking position near Centreville at midnight. The loss in this engagement was fifteen killed, one hundred and two wounded, and for- ty-eight missing. The body of Lieutenant Colonel M'Lean was left upon the field and never recovered.

General Pope in his official report of the battle, thus refers to the action of the brigade: "The conduct of Tower's Brigade, Ricketts' Division, in plain view of all the forces on the left, was especially distinguished, and drew forth hearty cheers. The example of this brigade was of great service and infused new spirit into all the troops who witnessed their intrepid conduct."

About noon of September 1st, the regiment was advanced some distance in the direction of Chantilly. The brigade was filed into a wood and placed in line of battle. In a few moments rapid musketry firing commenced some dis- tance in front of the regiment, which proved to be a portion of the division en- gaging the enemy. Remaining in line until next day, the fighting being over, the regiment moved through Fairfax, to Upton's Hill, near Washing- ton, and remained until the Sth. The command then broke camp, and cross- ing the Potomac at Aqueduct Bridge, passed through Georgetown, Wash- ington, New Market and Frederick City, where the regiment was detailed as guard to a wagon-train. On the 14th, hearing heavy firing in the direction of South Mountain, Major Gile left the train, and hurried forward, but night com- ing on, and unable to find the division, he was compelled to remain at the foot of the mountain. Early next morning it re-joined the brigade and continued the march, reaching Sharpsburg on the night of the 16th. About three P. M., next

EIGHTY-EIGHTH REGIMENT.

1862

day, it crossed the Antietam Creek, where the command was at once drawn up in line of battle. After frequent changes of position, the regiment finally bivou- acked about midnight in a wood. At day-light next morning, heavy musketry opened in front. Moving rapidly to the right, which afterwards proved to be the right of line of battle, General Hooker having command of the corps, the brigade was advanced under a heavy artillery fire. Arriving on the advanced line of battle, which was then hotly engaged, it immediately opened with rapid volleys, which was continued for two hours. The enemy endeavored to flank the command, but was met by stubborn resistance, the men standing firm in the face of his repeated assaults. Major Gile and Captain Stecples were se- verely wounded early in the fight. Captain Carmack assumed command, but he also was soon wounded, and the ranks were becoming rapidly decimated. The enemy having been re-inforced, with renewed zeal again charged and suc- ceeded in driving the regiment through the woods, but not without receiving a heavy fire in return. Re-inforcements now came up, and the ammunition being exhausted, the command was conducted to the rear, where a fresh supply was issued, and preparations made to return to the front. 'About three P. M. the regiment advanced under a heavy fire, but night coming on, the firing gradu- ally died away and the men, after their hard fought battle, threw themselves upon the ground for rest. The loss during this engagement was ten killed and sixty-one wounded.

On the 19th the regiment marched a few miles and halted on the Hagers- town road, near the Potomac, where clothing and fresh supplies were received. On the 29th it crossed the river at Berlin, remained a few days at Waterford, and on reaching Warrenton was ordered into camp. Only a few days were allowed for rest, when the march was continued in inclement weather, over muddy roads. Stopping to destroy the bridge at Rappahannock Station, it reach- ed Stafford Court House, November 22d, and afterwards encamped at Brooks' Station. While here notice was received of the resignation of Colonel M'Lean, whereupon Lieutenant Colonel Gile was promoted to Colonel, Captain Louis Wagner to Lieutenant Colonel, and Captain David A. Griffith to Major. On the 10th of December orders were received to be ready at a moment's notice to cross the river at Fredericksburg. Before day the brigade, now commanded by General Taylor, of the division of General Gibbons, Franklin's Grand Di- vision, started for the river. Resting near the banks of the stream until the morning of the 12th, under cover of the artillery, the regiment, under Major Griffith, crossed on the pontoon bridges, which had previously been laid. On reaching the opposite bank, skirmishers were thrown out, and prepa- rations made to attack. Advancing to the Bowling Green Road, the regiment bivouacked for the night. At daylight of the 13th orders were received to ad- vance the brigade, which was promptly done. General Taylor ordered the Eigh- ty-eighth to go forward to the brow of a hill to silence a battery which was an- noying the troops by a flank fire. On reaching the hill it poured in a volley, but in return received a severe fire of canister, by which a number of men in the color company were wounded, causing the regiment to fall back under cover of the hill. Again forming on the right of the brigade, the whole line moved forward, making an effective charge and taking a large number of pri- soners. The fighting now became general and other brigades of the division charged, the Eighty-eighth keeping in position on the right after the balance of the brigade had gone to the rear. The ammunition having been exhausted

FREDERICKSBURG AND GETTYSBURG.

1863

and supports failing to come up, with the entire corps, it was forced back to the Bowling Green Road. Here the line was re-formed, and marched a short dis- tance to the left, where it remained until midnight, and was then placed on picket. A little later it was quietly withdrawn from the picket line, and on marching to the rear, found that the whole army had re-crossed the river. It quickly followed, and at daylight the bridges were removed. The loss during . the battle was seven killed and forty wounded. Among the killed was acting Lieutenant George H. Fulton, and among the wounded Lieutenant James A. Napier. The next day the brigade marched to White Oak Church, and from thence to Fletcher's Chapel, where it went into winter-quarters. Log huts were built, a neat camp formed, and all were in a few days comfortably housed.

On the 18th of January, 1863, orders were unexpectedly received to move, when the regiment, under command of Lieutenant Colonel Wagner, was marched towards United States Ford, but owing to the inclemency of the weather and the condition of the roads, it ended in the famous "Mud March," and the command returned to its old camp. After the resignation of Major Griffith, on the 31st of December, Adjutant Benezet F. Foust was promoted to Major, and Cyrus S. Detre to Adjutant.

Upon the initiation of the Chancellorsville campaign the brigade, on the 28th of April, was marched to the Rappahannock below Fredericksburg, to support the First Division of the corps, which had effected a crossing. Tho enemy concentrated a well directed fire upon the regiment, which caused it to change its position for shelter. Early next morning a forced march was made from the extreme left to the extreme right of the line, a distance of thirty miles, reaching Chancellorsville at midnight, and relieving the Eleventh Corps, where the regiment threw up a line of earthworks, in anticipation of an attack. Remaining there until the night of the 5th of May, orders were received to withdraw. Before moving, Lieutenant Sylvester H. Martin, with a number of men was sent out between the lines to gather up the abandoned entrenching tools, which he successfully accomplished without loss. Marching towards the river, in a drenching rain and over muddy roads, the regiment re-crossed the Rappahannock and proceeded to White Oak Church, where a handsome camp was formed.

On the 12th of June it was again on the march, under command of Major Foust, starting for the Gettysburg campaign. After forced marches, march- ing in one day thirty-two miles, it arrived on the field on the 1st of July. The brigade was commanded by General Baxter, of Michigan, Robinson's Divi- sion, Reynolds' Corps. A portion of the corps having encountered the enemy, the brigade which had been on picket the previous night, was hurried forward, and filing to the left of the town, passing in the rear of the seminary, was brought into position on a ridge to the right of the line beyond the railroad cut and in readiness for an attack ; but it had been only a few minutes in line when the enemy was discovered advancing on the left flank. To about-face and right half wheel was the work of a moment, and immediately heavy volleys of musketry were given and received at short range. The fight raged furiously, and the enemy succeeded in gaining a hollow within easy musket range. After two hours of severe fighting, his lines having been repeatedly re-inforced, or- ders were given to charge, when the brigade dashed forward across an open field in the face of a heavy fire, taking nearly the whole of one of his brigades prisoners, the Eighty-eighth capturing the colors of the Sixteenth Alabama

EIGHTY-EIGHTH REGIMENT.

1863

and Twenty-third North Carolina regiments. Discovering a heavy skirmish line of the enemy, supported by lines of battle advancing, the command fell back to its first position. It now became painfully apparent that the ammuni- tion was nearly exhausted. The enemy soon began to press heavily upon front and upon both flanks. The only alternative left was to fall back, and the order was accordingly given. The enemy followed in close pursuit, driving the division through the town, pouring in a constant fire. No opportunity was given to re-form until it reached Cemetery Ridge, where light breast-works of rails were thrown up. After reaching it, darkness soon closed in and all sounds of battle ceased. During the night other corps of the army arrived and were posted in readiness to open the struggle. The First Corps had lost its commander, General Reynolds, killed early in the fight, and heavily in prisoners. The next day the regiment was moved to a position in support of a portion of the Eleventh Corps. It remained in reserve until evening, when a portion of it was placed on picket. On the afternoon of the third day, during the heavy artillery fire from the enemy, it was led across the cemetery under that terrible cannonade, by Captain Whiteside, Major Foust having veen wounded on the first day, to a position on the right centre, where it was immediately put to throwing up breast-works. It was detailed for picket the . next morning, and occupied an advanced position until the morning of the 5th, when it was found that the enemy had withdrawn. The regiment lost seven killed, thirty wounded, and about forty prisoners, among whom were Captains Mass and Schell, and Lieutenants Grant, Boone and Beath.

On the 6th the regiment joined in the pursuit, passing through Emmitts- burg and Middletown, crossing South Mountain, and reaching Shepardstown on the 12th, where fortifications were thrown up. On the 14th it advanced to Williamsport, where it was found that the enemy had escaped across the river. Marching down the Loudon Valley, and passing through White Plains, War- renton, and Bristoe Station, it arrived at Rappahannock Station on the 31st of July. It now had but two hundred men fit for duty. On the 16th of Septem- ber it advanced to Culpepper, thence to Stevensburg and Mitchell's Station, and established a picket line at Raccoon Ford, on the Rapidan. On the 12th of October the whole army commenced falling back rapidly, the regiment crossing the Rappahannock at Kelly's Ford, and marching to Centreville. It advanced to Thoroughfare Gap on the 19th, and returning moved along the Orange and Alexandria Railroad, to Bristoe Station, where it was engaged for several days in re-building the railroad.

At the commencement of the Mine Run campaign, on the 23d of November, the regiment crossed the Rapidan at Culpepper Mine Ford, and after long and tedious marches reached Mine Run on the 27th. Here it was ordered to join in charging the enemy's works, and the men were about unslinging knapsacks in readiness to move, when the order was re-called, and the regiment sent on picket. While out upon the line, exposed to intense cold, on the night of De- cember 1st, the whole army was withdrawn. It was called in near daylight, and marched rapidly, overtaking the brigade at the river bank. It was or- dered into winter-quarters at the town of Culpepper. During the winter a large proportion of the regiment re-enlisted and left the front on a thirty days' furlough. Upon its arrival in Philadelphia, it met a warm reception. At the expiration of the furlough, with a number of new recruits, it returned to the front, arriving at Culpepper on the 7th of April.

MINE RUN AND WILDERNESS.

1864

Remaining in camp until May 3d, the regiment under command of Captain Rhoads, received orders to report at midnight to the Corps Quartermaster, to guard the wagon-trains on the march to the Wilderness, and remained on this duty until the morning of the 6th. It then re-joined the brigade and was posted on the Plank Road near Todd's Tavern, until the evening of the 7th, when it joined in the movement to the left, marching all night, and on the morning of the 8th, suddenly confronted the enemy near Spottsylvania Court House. Charging upon him, he was soon routed, and the pursuit was continued about two miles, where he was found well posted and fortified. The order to charge was given, and the command endeavored to carry his entrenchments, but met with a murderous fire in front, and an enfilading fire from the left. After a half hour's fruitless struggle, finding it impossible to withstand the destruc- tive fire, it fell back a short distance and threw up a line of works. General Robinson, commanding the division, was severely wounded. The loss was ten killed and thirty wounded, Lieutenants Nichols and Donnelly being of the latter.

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History of Pennsylvania volunteers, 1861-5; prepared in compliance with acts of the legislature, Vol. III, Part 14

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