USA > Pennsylvania > History of Pennsylvania volunteers, 1861-5; prepared in compliance with acts of the legislature, Vol. III > Part 55
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1
Not accounted for.
1 Not accounted for.
Goodwin, James .do Griffith. Thomas. .do
1 Not accounted for.
May 7, '64, Sept. 12. '64, 1 Not accounted for.
Harris, James .do
May June
9, '64,
Douglass, James T ..
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Sept. 27, '64,
11 Not accounted for. Not accounted for. Not accounted for. 3 1
Collins, George ..... do
Dollom, Daniel. .do
Diduin, John do
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Sept. 13, '64,
Brown, Andrew J ..
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Oct. 17, '64,
1
Bates, Hiram
.do
Mar. 14, '64,
Cumaker, John J .. .do
Dec. 12, '63, 3
Brown, Patrick
1 Not accounted for.
TERM-YRARS.
283
THREE YEARS' SERVICE.
JAME.
RANK.
DATE OF MUSTER INTO SERVICE.
REMARKS.
Kelly, Patrick
Private
Sept. 15, '64,
1
Not accounted for.
Keiser, William H
... do
Mar. 4, '64.
3
Not accounted for.
Love, William
.do
June 6, '64, 3 Not accounted for.
Murray, Charles A
.do
Sept. 24. '64, 1 Not accounted for.
Myers, Charles
do
Nov. 14, '64, 1 Not accounted for.
Morrow, Charles ... .do
Oct. 9, '64, 1 Not accounted for.
Merriman, Howell ..
do
Feb. 14, '64, 3 Not accounted for.
Moyer, Samuel A ..
do
Feb. 24, '64.
3 Not accounted for.
Morrison, John H ..
do
April 14, '64,
3 Not accounted for.
Montello. Clarence ..
.do
May 16, '64,
3
Not accounted for.
Myers, William ..
.do
Oct. 8. '64,
Not accounted for.
M'Guire, Frank .. .
do
Sept. 21, '64,
1
Not accounted for.
M'Creary. John F ..
do
Aug. 29, '64,
M'Laughlin, John ..
.do
Aug. 16, '64,
1 Not accounted for.
Nye, John.
.do
May 30, '64, 3
Not accounted for.
Norton, Henry ..
do
May 30, '64,
3
Not accounted for.
Noland, James ... do
Sept.
6, '64,
1 Not accounted for.
Oxrider. James V.
.do
Sept. 20, '64,
1 Discharged by General Order, Aug. 9, 1865.
O'Neil. William ....
do
Oct. 5, '64,
1
Not accounted for.
Osgood, Henry P ..
.do
Sept. 30, '64,
1
Not accounted for.
O'Marah, Michael ..
do
Aug. 16, '64,
1 Not accounted for.
O'Donnell, Alex'r .. .do
Aug. 16, '64,
1 Not accounted for.
Park, George N.
do
Aug. 11, '64,
Pink, John.
.do
Mar. 7, '64,
3
Not accounted for.
Riley, John
.. do
May 26, '64, 3
Not accounted for.
Richline. David
do
Aug. 10, '64, 1 Not accounted for.
Radler, Peter do
Sept. 16, '64, 1 Not accounted for.
Rauch, John .. do
May 7, '64,
3 Not accounted for.
Robinson, William dc
Apr. 28, '64,
3 Not accounted for.
Slifer. Joshua do
Aug. 15, '64,
1
Not accounted for.
Sullivan, John M. do
May 17, '64, 3
Not accounted for.
Spencer, Lewis. do
Sept. 15, '64,
1
Not accounted for.
Snyder. Abraham .. do Feb. 16, '64,
Stewart, George
.do
Oct. 27, '64,
1 Not accounted for.
Short, Myron ..
do
Dec. 29, '63, June 7, '64,
3
Not accounted for.
Steiger, Frederick ..
.do
Mar. 4, '64,
3 Not accounted for.
Turpin, John W. do
Jan. 9. '64,
3
Not accounted for.
Trawitz, Simon .. do
Feb. 24. '64,
3 Not accounted for.
Thompson, Hugh .do
May 13, '64,
3 Not accounted for.
Taylor, Joseph. .do
June 10, '6+,
3 Not accounted for.
Williams, John .. .do
May 25, '63,
3 Not accounted for.
Warner, Wm. W do
Nov. 30, '61,
3 Not accounted for.
Wilson, James .. do
June 4, '64,
3
Not accounted for. Not accounted for.
Wilson, James J. .do
Sept. 14, '64,
1
Not accounted for.
Willis, Isaiah .do
Aug. 10, '64,
1
Not accounted for.
Williams, Geo. W .. do
Sept. 13, '64,
1 Not accounted for.
Warren, George. .. do
Sept. 22. '64. 1 Not accounted for.
Willard. John. .do ...
Aug.
6, '64, 1 Not accounted for.
Williams. Chas. B .. .do
May 10. '64. 13
Not accounted for.
1
1 Not accounted for.
M'Guinise, Bern'd .. do
Oct. 9, '64,
1
Not accounted for.
Naylor, Martin F. .do
Jan. 17, '64,
3
Not accounted for.
1
Not accounted for.
Slusser, Wm. A
do
3 Not accounted for.
Shilley, John do
Feb. 29, '64,
1 Not accounted for.
Thompson, Matt'w do
Oct. 31, '64.
3 Not accounted for.
3 Not accounted for.
Westley, Abraham .do
April 13, '64, 3
TERM-YEARS.I
NINETY-THIRD REGIMENT.
N the 12th of September, 1861, James M. M'Carter, a clergyman of the Methodist Episcopal Church, stationed at the time at Lebanon, and who had been Chaplain of the Fourteenth Regiment in the three months' service, received authority from the Secretary of War to raise a regiment of infantry. A call was published on the following day, and a camp of rendez- vous established at the Fair Grounds near the borough of Lebanon. In less than one month's time its ranks were full. A regimental organization was effected by the selection of the following field officers : James M. M'Carter, Colonel; John W. Johnston, Lieutenant Colonel; and John C. Osterloh, Major. On the 3d of November, a silk flag, a gift of citizens of Lebanon, was pre- sented, and on the 13th, the State colors were delivered by Governor Curtin. While in camp the regiment was supplied with everything that could contri- bute to the comfort of the men by the people of the town and county of Lebanon, and a liberal sum of money was contributed for the support of the families of those who enlisted. An excellent band was attached to the regi- ment.
On the 21st of November, the regiment struck tents, and proceeded to Washington, where, after a brief stay at the Soldiers' Rest, it went into camp at Kendall Green, and drill and camp duty was systematically commenced. Two weeks later it moved about two miles further to the east, and on the 2d of December across the East Branch, to near Fort Good Hope, Maryland. It was at first armed with Belgian rifles, but subsequently, and before the opening of the Peninsula campaign, with Springfield muskets. On the 22d of January, 1862, it moved to Tenallytown, and was here assigned to Peck's Brigade,* of Smith's, subsequently Couch's Division. On the 10th of March, it moved with the whole army on the Manassas campaign, and after remaining six days in bivouac at Prospect Hill, returned to the camp which it had left. On the 26th it embarked for the peninsula, and until after the evacuation of Yorktown by the enemy on the 4th of May, it was posted in the vicinity of Warwick Court House, where it was employed in constructing rifle-pits and forts, along the Warwick River. The command suffered severely while here from chills and fevers.
* Organization of Peck's Brigade, Couch's Division, Keyes' Corps. Ninety-third Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, Colonel James M. M'Carter; Ninety-eighth Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, Colonel John F. Ballier ; One Hundred and Second Regiment Pennsylvania Vol- unteers, Colonel Thomas A. Rowley ; Sixty-second Regiment New York Volunteers, Colonel John L. Riker; Fifty-fifth Regiment New York Volunteers, Colonel Regis De Trobriand. At the conclusion of the Peninsula campaign the Fifty-fifth New York was detached and the One Hundred and Thirty-ninth Pennsylvania was added to it.
1
/
285
BATTLE OF WILLIAMSBURG.
1862
On Sunday, May 4th, the regiment moved rapidly forward in the direction of Williamsburg, and bivouacked at night by the roadside. Early on the fol- lowing morning the march was resumed, and at half past two P. M. it was ordered into position upon the middle front of the brigade, the right joining the One Hundred and Second Pennsylvania, and the left extending to the rear of the Fifty-fifth New York. "About two-thirds of the command," says Colonel M'Carter in his official report, "were in position when the charge of the enemy was made, and the fire of our right wing, under direction of Lieuten- ant Colonel Johnston, began. The enemy's charge was led by a squadron of cavalry. From the guns of Fort Magruder, and a smaller one on the extreme right of the brigade, from four pieces of artillery posted in front and not five hundred yards distant, and from cavalry and infantry, a perfect shower of missiles was poured upon our line. For three hours the answering fire of the regiment was incessant, commanding from its position the openings of two roads on either side of which were felled trees and bushes. At the end of this time the right and centre had expended forty-five rounds and were out of ammunition. The two companies on the left, company B, Captain Arthur, and company G, Captain Maitland, had been posted by me in rear of the left of the Fifty-fifth, under Captain Derr, acting Major, when the enemy made three attempts to flank them, but was as often driven back. The firing of the enemy on this flank having ceased, and these companies having still thirty rounds of unexpended ammunition to the man, I conducted them to a position on our extreme right, upon which the fire of the enemy was still hotly kept . up. Here our silence for some minutes had induced the belief that we had retreated, and these two companies had scarcely been posted, when the enemy was seen charging up the road at the distance of about one hundred yards. One volley from company G, deliberately delivered and aimed low, checked his advance; but he continued to fire rapidly and with fearful effect. At the end of thirty minutes he had been repulsed here, and along the whole front, and with the exception of scattering musketry fire from the bushes, and shells from Fort Magruder, we were little annoyed." The loss was six killed and twenty wounded. Captain Green B. Shearer was among the killed, and Lieutenant Colonel Johnston had his horse shot under him. In a congratu- latory order issued by General Couch, he says, "General Peck with his bri- gade had the good fortune to be in advance, and, arriving on the battle ground at a critical time, won a reputation to be greatly envied."
Moving on up the Peninsula in advance of the corps, the regiment, on the 13th of May, acted as a support to Colonel Russell of the Sixth Massachu- setts, engaged in picket duty along the Chickahominy. On the following morning, a part of the Sixth crossed at Bottom's Bridge, Colonels Russell and M'Carter being the first field officers over. Subsequently Keyes' Corps moved over, Couch's Division taking position and fortifying at Seven Pines, and Casey's further to the right, at Fair Oaks. Peck's Brigade was ordered to oc- cupy and guard the left flank of Couch's encampment. On the 30th, in con- sequence of an attack on General Casey's pickets, the brigade was thrown out upon Casey's left, and at the opening of the engagement on the following day, by direction of General Couch, the Ninety-third was sent to the support of Casey, taking position on his left. It was one P. M., when the regiment became engaged, companies A and F being at the time on picket, and narrowly es- caping capture. The ground was mostly swampy where it first stood, and it
286
1862
NINETY-THIRD REGIMENT.
was partially concealed by a low wood. Here for about two hours it re- mained under a heavy fire but without sustaining serious loss. It was then moved across an open field to a wood opposite. This opening was crossed at double quick and in open order, but the men were fearfully exposed, and many fell, the bullets raining in among them like hail. In this second position the enemy's fire was terrible, and here its principal loss was sustained. At night- fall the brigade retired to the breast-works which were strengthened and made secure. The loss in this engagement was twenty-one killed, one hundred and eight wounded, and twenty-one missing. Lieutenant John E. Rodgers was among the killed, and Captain Alexander C. Maitland mortally wounded. Colonel M'Carter, Captain Mark, and Lieutenants Ebur, M'Carter and Keller were among the wounded. Captain Dougherty was struck, but escaped in a most singular manner. He had upon his person a gold watch and a Bible. The watch was shattered, and the ball passed nearly through the Bible, in- flicting only a slight wound, leaving its last mark on this passage, " I charge thee, therefore, before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead, at his appearing, and his kingdom ; preach the word."
A correspondent of the New York Tribune, in his admiration of the disci- pline, and the sterling soldierly qualities displayed by the regiment on this sanguinary field, says, "Take the case of the Ninety-third Pennsylvania. This thoroughly trained body of troops fought, were driven back from their position, but not broken, halted at word of command, wheeled, fired, retreated, halted, loaded and fired again, and again, and came off the ground in perfect order, with their two colors flying-a striking proof that the success of battles is in the discipline of troops." After the battle the regiment returned to its former camp on the left, and remained during the month of June, engaged in guard and picket duty.
In the movement of the army from the Chickahominy to the James, the Ninety-third acted as guard to the trains, and in the battle of the 1st of July, at Malvern Hill, under command of Captain Long, held a position on the ex- treme right of the line, and fronting a ravine and wood impassable for artil- lery and cavalry, but favorable for the approach of infantry. The enemy first opened with artillery, and finally sent forward his infantry under cover of the wood, in numbers greatly superior to those opposed to them. But the advan- tage of the position and the determination evinced to hold it against all odds, proved triumphant, and the enemy was beaten back at every point. The loss of the Ninety-third was about twenty.
Retiring to Harrison's Landing with the army, it remained in camp until the evacuation of the Peninsula, when it moved by transport from Yorktown to Alexandria, and thence marched to Chantilly. It supported a battery dur- ing the fierce engagement at that place on the evening of the 1st of Septem- ber, and on the following morning retired with the army to Chain Bridge. Upon the opening of the Maryland campaign, it moved along the Potomac towards Harper's Ferry, making a reconnoissance as far as Sandy Hook. It was then hurried to the Antietam battle-field, but took little part in the en- gagement, being held in reserve. When the Union army again crossed the Potomac in pursuit of the retiring enemy, the regiment was in the advance and followed closely to the banks of the Rappahannock. In the battle of Fredericksburg, on the 13th of December, the regiment, now in the Sixth Corps, under General Smith, of Franklin's Grand Division, crossed the river
1863
287
CHANCELLORSVILLE.
at the lower bridge, and was held in reserve during the engagement. At the conclusion of the action, it returned to its former camp, where it went into winter-quarters.
The spring campaign, under General Hooker, opened on the 27th of April, when the movement upon Chancellorsville commenced. To the Sixth Corps, under General Sedgwick, was assigned the duty of attacking the heights above Fredericksburg, and of advancing up the right bank of the river, to form junction with the main body. Moving from its quarters, the Ninety- third, under command of Captain Long, crossed the Rappahannock on the morning of the 2d of May. At daybreak of the 3d, the regiment advanced from its position near Fredericksburg and formed line on the left of the One Hundred and Second Pennsylvania, which, with the Sixty-second New York, had preceded it. The assault upon the heights was made by the light bri- gade, at the extreme right of the line, and as soon as they were carried, the brigade moved forward, and seized the works in front, where it was exposed to a heavy fire from the enemy's artillery.
The enemy retreated, and the corps, as soon as it could be formed, moved on in pursuit towards Chancellorsville. "The Corps," says General Wheaton, who commanded the brigade, "was formed with the greatest expedition, and pushed on to a point called Salem Heights. Here the First Division, which was in advance, found the enemy strongly posted at a cross road near Morris- town, earthworks in timber on both sides of the road, and the undergrowth filled with rifle-pits and abattis, which rendered the position to our force quite impossible. The First Division being all engaged, I. was ordered by General Newton to move with two regiments to the right of the road, and to take gen- eral direction of the operations on that portion of the battle-ground; a deep ravine, with a stream in it, beyond the Morrison House, was soon crossed by the Ninety-third Pennsylvania, Captain Long, and One Hundred and Second Pennsylvania, Colonel Kinkead, (the One Hundred and Thirty-ninth Pennsyl- vania, Colonel Collier, being left supporting a battery, but came up soon after,) . and crossing the ridge beyond, they were soon engaged under a terrific fire of musketry from a hidden foe. To sustain this fire many minutes was evidently impossible, and I immediately dispatched staff officers to the rear to bring up troops with which to form a second line, and others to assist in delaying the retirement of the One Hundred and Second, and Ninety-third, which was soon anticipated. Before they were pushed back, the troops on the left were driven towards us in confusion by overwhelming odds, and by the time a second line was formed, the battalions of the enemy were rushing up the ravine we had just crossed, and for a few moments it seemed hardly possible to hold our po- sition ; but the rebel regiments could not keep formed under our heavy fire, and gradually retired with heavy loss, while our most advanced line moved off in good order by its right flank, and formed in rear of the batteries behind our second. As the enemy retired, our lines advanced ; but to attempt the woods again, with our present force, was not deemed possible, and we held the crest this side. Night came on, and we turned our attention to procuring am- munition and aid for our many wounded." The rebel forces now began to appear in fresh strength upon Sedgwick's front, and to work their way around upon his left flank towards Fredericksburg. He was accordingly forced to with- draw towards Banks' Ford, where a pontoon bridge had been previously laid. On the afternoon of the 4th, Wheaton's Brigade was attacked, but easily re-
:
288
NINETY-THIRD REGIMENT.
1863
pulsed the assailants, taking nearly two entire regiments prisoners. During the night the command retired across the river .. The loss in the engagement was six killed, among whom were Lieutenants Washington Brua and William D. Boltz, forty-four wounded, and twenty-one missing.
Until the 18th of May the regiment remained in the neighborhood of Banks' Ford, when it moved to a new camp, four or five miles north of Falmouth, where it remained, with the exception of a brief period in the Mud Campaign, until the opening of active operations in the spring. On the 8th of June it moved up the Rappahannock, and crossing the stream on a pontoon bridge, was detailed for fatigue duty on a tete du pont, the enemy displaying much activity, and the Union cavalry, supported by infantry, being on the point of crossing for the purpose of a strong reconnoissance. After a hard day's work the regiment was withdrawn at night, receiving a vigorous shelling as it retired. The next day it again crossed, but not until near evening, and spent the whole night at work, withdrawing in the morning. The same day it again crossed, apparently with the intention of staying. On the 11th the regiment was sent on picket near the centre of the line and was under an annoying fire all day, though further to the right the pickets could be seen exchanging newspapers. A mutual withdrawal of pickets took place on the 13th, and then it became evident that the anticipated conflict was to be far away, and on Northern soil. The march for Pennsylvania now commenced, and on the 1st of July it reached Manchester, Maryland. At eight in theevening intelligence was received of the opening of the battle at Gettysburg, and orders to march immediately to the field. The corps was promptly put in motion, the Ninety-third leading the column. At nine on the following morn- ing the booming of cannon from the distant field was distinctly heard, and at ten the regiment crossed the State line. The men were worn out with fatigue, the day was excessively hot, and the roads dusty; but when the colors were unfurled and the drums beaten in token of entrance upon the soil of their na- tive State, they came to a quick step, with arms at a shift, and marched on gaily, singing " Pennsylvania again." At two P. M. the regiment arrived at Rock Creek, by the Baltimore Pike, just in rear of the line of battle at the Cemetery. At three, General Sedgwick was ordered to send a brigade to the support of the Third and Fifth Corps, then hard pressed on the left. ' Whea- ton's Brigade was ordered to go, the Ninety-third being in advance, (the first regiment of the Sixth Corps to get into action,) Major Nevin in command. General Sedgwick in person led the brigade, and formed it on the brow of a low, rocky knoll, covered with scattering trees, just to the right of Little Round Top, the left of the brigade joining with the Pennsylvania Reserves. It got into position just as the troops which had been contesting the ground in the open fields along the Emmittsburg Pike, broken, and almost annihi- lated, were coming back in disorder, followed by the exultant enemy. The command was ordered to lie down, and to withhold its fire until the enemy was close upon it. Had this command been heeded the whole rebel line could easily have been captured. But impatience got the better of obedience and discretion, and a premature fire was opened from a part of the line, which checked his advance, and caused him to be wary. Further attempts at con- cealment being useless, the whole brigade advanced, and after a short contest the rebel line was driven in tumult. In this charge the Ninety-third took twenty-five prisoners. Just before nightfall the Ninety-third was ordered for-
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.
289
GETTYSBURG.
1863
- ward in conjunction with a regiment of the Reserve Corps, to re-take a battery which had been lost in the early part of the day. But it was soon discovered that the guns had been removed, and it returned to its place on the right of the brigade. At night the men slept for a few hours in line of battle, but spent the greater part in removing the wounded who strewed the fields in . front. Since eight P. M. of the evening previous it had marched thirty-nine miles, had fought three hours, and passed an almost sleepless night without food. During the terrible cannonade of the 3d the men hugged closely the ground, and sought shelter behind rocks and trees, and at the conclusion of the charge on the left centre, renewed the picket firing and kept it up until dark. During the night the regiment was engaged in burying the dead and bearing off the wounded. The 4th of July was celebrated at the front, the regiment being ordered upon the skirmish line on the extreme left, where it suffered some loss. At two in the afternoon it was relieved, and thus ended its part in the battle. The loss was eight killed and twenty-one wounded.
On the 5th it was ascertained that the enemy had retreated and the pursuit was at once commenced. The Ninety-third was detailed to guard the corps artillery, and assist in taking it across the mountains. This duty proved an onerous one, the men suffering much from the hardships it imposed. On the 10th it was ordered to picket and skirmish duty at the front, near Funkstown. After several days' delay, the men eager for a final issue, it was discovered that the enemy had escaped, much to their chagrin, heartily dreading another campaign in Virginia. In the campaign which was soon after entered on, the regiment participated, and at its conclusion, in the movement upon Mine Run, returned with the army to the neighborhood of Brandy Station, where it went into winter-quarters in substantial log huts. A Christmas gift, in the form of a beautiful silk fiag, with the number of the regiment inscribed, was received to re-place the tattered ensign which had been originally presented, and which had been borne in triumph in frequent fiery contests. On the 30th of Decem- ber Wheaton's Brigade was detached from the main body of tho army and sent by rail to Washington, and thence to Harper's Ferry. Loaded upon open freight cars, without fire, the men suffered intensely from cold as they were borne on through the frosty night air. The feet and hands of many were fro- zen, rendering amputation necessary in two cases, and in one proving fatal. The brigade marched to Halltown upon its arrival, but soon afterward re- turned and went into camp at Harper's Ferry. The object of the movement was to repel an anticipated demonstration of a body of the enemy under Gen- eral Early.
On the 7th of February two-hundred and eighty-four of the men, upwards of three-fourths of the entire regiment, re-enlisted, and were given a veteran furlough. Upon their arrival home at Lebanon, they were received in a man- ner befitting men who had for upwards of two years maintained a reputation for courage and endurance unsurpassed. Nearly the entire population came out to meet them, and at the Court House a bountiful banquet was given. General Wheaton, who was not present at their departure, sent a letter to Lieu- tenant Colonel Long, in which occurred this passage: "The great Keystone State has sent few regiments to the field who can return showing as handsome a record as the one you command."
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