USA > Pennsylvania > History of Pennsylvania volunteers, 1861-5; prepared in compliance with acts of the legislature, Vol. III > Part 6
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Wm. H. Murphy.
.. do
Nov. 6,'61,
3
Detailed on recruiting service-never returned to company.
Louis P. Gibson.
Corp ....
Oct. 12, :61. 3
Promoted to Corporal. July 19. 1864-mustered out with company, November 22, 1564.
James H. Miller 1
.. do
Samnel Liston
do
Oct. 12, '61, 3
James C. Bailey.
.do
Oct. 12, '61, 3 Captured Feb. 22, '64-died on transport North- ern Light, December 12, 1864.
Sykes Barnes
Nov. 6. '61, 3
John C. Brown.
do
April 1, 62, Nov. 6. 61, Nov. 6, '6i, 3
3
Henry C. Dean. .. do
Francis D. Morrison .do
Isaac Cossel ..
do
Nov. 6, '61, 3
Bailey, David S
Private Oct. 12, '61, 3
3 Died at Beaufort, S. C., November 22. 1863. Received a furlough, and never returned to Co. Received a furlough, and never returned to Co. Mustered out with company, Nov. 22, 1864.
3
Samuel Grim do
3 3
Calson Caughanour .do
Daniel Miller .do
1st Sgt.
Nov. 6, '61. 3 6, '61, 3 Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, April 7, '62. Wounded Angust 14. 1864-absent, on detached service, at muster out.
Sylvanus Heasson ..
Serg't ..
Reason Smurr ..
Andrew J. Gilmore
.. do
3
Woods, Abner. do
Nov. 11, '61,
3 3 Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, May 1. '62. Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, Oct. 21, '61. 3 Mustered out with company. Nov. 22, 1864. Dis. discharged-date nukaown.'
Sangston, John A.
.do
Oct. 14. '61,
TARM-YEARS .!
Oct. 12, '61, 3 Wd. Sept. 5, '63-promoted to Cor., July 19. '64- absent, on detached service, at innster ont. Promoted to Corporal. May 25, 1862 - mustered ont with company, November 22, 1864.
Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, Nov. 11, '62. Absent, on detached service, at muster out.
Oct. 16, '61, 3 Promoted from Set. Major, July 21, 1862 -- to Adj., September 1, 1862.
26
EIGHTY-FIFTH REGIMENT,
NAME.
RANK.
DATE OF MUSTER INTO SERVICE.
REMARK3.
Brown, William H
Private
Boyd, Archibald ..
.. do
Nov.
7, '61,
3 Absent, sick, at muster out.
Boyd, John
.. do
Nov.
6, '61, 3
Boyd, Andrew.
do
Nov.
6, '61, 3
Campbell, Matthew
do
Nov.
6, '61,
Collins, Henry F
do
do
do
Oct.
12, '61,
Daniels, David.
do
Nov.
6, '61,
Dick, Jonas
do
Feb. 14, '62,
Dean, Harrison
.do
Nov. . 6, '61,
Dare, John ....
do
do
Nov.
,'61,
Edwards, Thos. J.
do
Nov.
7, '61,
5,' '64, 3
Eichor, John B do
Feb.
14, '62,
3
Elder, Robinson.
.do
Nov.
6, '61,
3
Geiseki, Louis ..
.do
Nov.
6, '61,
3
Grim, Jacob W
... do
Nov.
6, '61, 3
Grum, John C
.do
Nov.
6, '61, 3
Graff, Jeremiah.
... do
Nov.
6, '61,
3
Grim, Simon.
.. do
Nov.
6, '61,
3
Grim. Paul
.. do
Nov.
6, '61.
3
Grim, Jonathan
... do
Nov.
6, '61,
3
Griin, George
.. do
Nov.
6, '61, 3
Hanger, Levi
do
Oct.
12, '61, 3 Mustered out with company, Nov. 22, 1864.
Hall, Isaac L
.do
Oct.
12, '61,
3
Hart, George H
do
Nov.
1, '61,
3
Hann, Jeremiah ..
.do
Oct.
18, '61,
Hiles. George.
do
Nov.
6, '61,
Hough, John N
do
Nov.
6, '61, 3
Harbaugh, Elijah.
.. do
Nov.
6, '61,
Hopkins, Richard ..
.do
Nov.
6, '61, 3 Not on muster-out roll.
Inks, John
.do
Nov.
6, '61,
Immel. Samuel H.
.do
Jan.
5, '64,
3
Johnston, Sam'l K.
.do
Nov.
6, '61,
3 3
Johnston, Charles ..
do
Jan.
5, '64.
Kimmel, Ludwig A .do
.do
Oct.
1, '62, 3
Kerns, David
do
do
Oct.
26. '61,
3
Keefer, Benjamin ..
do do
Nov.
6, '61, 3
3
Lytle, Charles.
do
Oct. 12, '61.
3 3
Lower. Isaiah O.
do
Nov. 6, '61,
Leonard, James.
do
Nov. 6, 61, 3
Lowrie, Isaiah D.
do
April 11, '64, 3 Tr. to Co. K, 185th regiment P. V., June 28, '65. Mustered out with company, Nov. 22, 1864.
Morrison, Perry do
Oct. 12, '61, 3
Morrison, Isaian .....
do
Nov. 6, 61, 3
Morrison, Thomas ..
do
Nov. 6, '61, 3
Miller. Amzi.
do
Mar. 23, '64, 3
Mountain, Harris'n
.do
Nov. 6, '61, 3
M'Millen, Jacob. .do
Oct. 12, '61, 3
Nicholson, Samuel .. do
Nicholson, David .. do
New, Barthel do Mar. 21. '64, 3
Phillipi, Josiah .. do
Phillipi, Jacob. do
Oct. 12, '61,
Reynolds, James. .do
Riteunaur, W. .. do
Repport, Jobu ..
Mar. 21, '64, 3
Rankin, Paul .do
Romesburgh, H. .do ...
Nov. 6, '61, 3 Died at Fortress Monroe, Va., June 13, 1862.
Rowan, Leonard .. .
Nov. 6. '6.,
Rankin, Alexander ... do Mar. 23, '64,
Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, Aug. 7, '62. Discharged on Surgeon's certificate. Aug. 29, '62.
3 Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, Mar. 2, '64.
April 13, '64, Jan.
3
3 Tr. to Co. K, 188th regiment P. V., June 2%, '65. Tr. to Co. K, 188th regiment P. V., June 28, '65. Mustered out with company. Nov. 22, 1864. 3
3 Discharged on Surgeon's certificate. April 1, '63. 3 Absent, on detached service, at muster out.
3 Captured-died at Richmond, Va., Sept. 25, '64. Killed at Morris Island, S. C., Sept. 2, 1863.
Eichor, Isaac
do
Jan.
5, '64, 3
3 3 Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, Sept. 28, '62. Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, Jan. 17, '63. Tr. to Co. K, 188th regiment P. V., June 28, '65. Discharged by General Order June 30, '65-Vet. Died at Fortress Monroe, Va., January 10, 1863. Promoted to Hospital Steward-date unknown. Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, April 11,'62. Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, June 19,'62. Discharged on Surgeon's certificate. Jan. 30, '63. Wounded at Petersburg. June 17, 1864-absent, sick, at muster out-Vet.
Died at Suffolk, Va., November 3, 1862 Died at Suffolk, Va., November 9, 1862. Died at Beaufort. S. C., December 6, 1863.
Killed at Morris Island, S. C., August 22. 1863.
Wounded at Petersburg, June 18, 1864-absent, sick, at muster out.
Absent, by sen. of Gen. Court Mar., at mus. out. Absent, sick, at muster out.
Tr. to Co. K, 188th reg. P. V., June 28, '65-Vet. Died June 5, 1862-burial record, June 23, '62- bu. in Cypress Hill Cemetery, L. I., grave, 108. . Deserted November 15, 1861.
Died at Yorktown, Va., June 1, 1862-buried in National Cemetery, section D, grave, 319.
Killed near Deep Bottom, Va., Aug. 14, 1864. Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, Sept. 28, '62. Absent, on detached service, at muster ont. Mustered out with company, Nov. 22, 1864. Wounded Aug. 16. 1864-absent at muster out. Killed at Morris Island, S. C., Aug. 24, 1863. Killed at Deep Bottom, Va., Aug. 16, 1864. Deserted-date unknown.
Not on muster-out roll.
Mustered out with company, Nov. 22. 1864. Discharged on Surgeon's certificate. Feb. 16, '63. Died at Sutfolk, Va., September 8, 1862.
Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, Feb. 12, '63. Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, Jan. 18, '63. Tr. to Co. K, 18sth regiment P. V., June 28, '65. Died at White House, Va., June 10, 1862-buried in Nat. Cern., Yorktown, section A, grave, 32. Mustered out with company, Nov. 22. 1864.
Nov. 6, '61, 3 Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, Oct. 8. 1862. Nov. 6, '61, 3 Discharged on Surgeon's certificate. Sept. 30, '63. Absent, on detached service, at muster out. Mustered out with company, Nov. 22. 1864. Wounded Aug. 16, 1864- discharged Feb. 13,'68, Oct. 12, '61, 3 3 to date Nov. 22, 1864-expiration of terin. Nov. 6, '61, 3 3 Nov. 6. '61, Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, Oct. 16, '62. Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, Nov. 16, '61. Nov. 6, '61, 3 Tr. to Co. K, 188th regiment P. V., June 2-, '65. Wounded Aug. 14, 1864-transferred to company K, 188th regunent P. V., June 28. 1865-VAt.
3 Died at Harrison's Landing, Va .. June 18. 1862. 3 Died at Point of Rocks, Va., July 23, 1864-bu. in Nat. Cem., City Point, sec. A, div. 2. grave, 117.
6,
'61. 3
Edwards, James
Elder, Julius R do
Jan.
5, '64,
Campbell, James R Devan, John.
TERM-YEARS.
Oct. 12. '61, 3 Mustered out with company, Nov. 22. 1864. Oct. 12, '61, Mustered out with company, Nov. 22, 1864. 3
Boyd, Lorenzo D. .. do
Nov. 6, '61,
Kerns, James
Oct.
12, '61, 3
Keefer, Henry ..
Nov. 6, '61, 3
Kerns, Abraham.
Nov.
27
THREE YEARS' SERVICE.
NAME.
CAKE.
DATE OF MUSTER INTO SERVICE.
REMARKI.
Rowan, James ..
Private Nov. 6, '61,
3 Not on muster-out roll.
Ragger, Henry L.
.do
Nov. 6, '61,
3 Not on muster-out roll.
Stuck. Thomas .. do
Oct .. 12, '61,
3 Mustered out with company, Nov. 22, 1864.
Shaw, William S. .. do
Nov. 6, '61, 3 Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, Jan. 8, '63.
Sees, George ..
do
Stull, Joseph.
do
Solomon, Enoch.
.do
Nov. 6, '61, 3
Stull, Charles.
do
Nov.
6, '61,
3 Killed at Morris Island, S. C., Sept. 6. 1863.
Stull. Isaiah P.
do
Feb.
1, '64, 3 Died at Hampton, Va., May 7, 1864-Vet.
Taylor, Benjamin .. .. do
Nov. 9, '61, 3 Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, Jan. 17, '63.
Taylor, Jeremiah.
.do
Nov. 6, '61, 3
Absent, on detached service, at muster out- Vet.
Tower, Isaiah
.do
April 11, '64, 3 Absent, on detached service, at muster out- Vet.
Trump, Harrison
.do
Nov.
6, '61,
3 Not on muster-out roll.
Vanticue, Levi. .. do
Nov.
6, '61,
Killed at Morris Island, S. C., Aug. 30, 1863.
Vanticue, Ephraim .do
Nov.
6, '61, 3 Not on muster-out roil.
Vaux, John ..
... do
Nov. .
6, '61,
3
Died of wounds received at Morris Island, S. C., September 5, 1863.
Whipkey, William.
do
Nov.
6, '61,
3
Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, Feb. 24, '63. Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, Feb. 17, '63. Not on muster-out roll.
Zebley, Thomas
.do
Nov.
6, '61,
3
Died at Washington, D. C., May 10, 1862.
Zebley, Perry C.
.do
Nov.
6, '61,
3 |Killed at Deep Bottom, Va., August 16, 1864.
UNASSIGNED MEN.
Adams, Isaac
Private!
Jan. 20, '64,
3
Not accounted for.
Cady, Nelson E
.. do
Feb. 20, '64,
3
Tr. to Co. C, 188th regiment P. V., June 28, 1865.
Earnest, John .....
.do
Jan. 20, '64,
3 Discharged by General Order, August 28, 1865.
Garrett. Henry.
do
Feb.
1, '64,
3 Tr. to Co. E, 188th reg. P. V., June 28, '65-Vet.
Garrison, Eli.
.do
Feb.
6, '64,
3
Tr. to Co. H, 188th regiment, P. V., June 28. 'ti5.
Wilson, Perry B .. .do
Nov.
6, '61,
3
Whipkev. Samuel .. .. do
Nov.
6. '61,
3
...
TERM-YEARS.
Nov. 6, '61, 3 Discharged on Surgeon's certificate. Aug. 18, 62. Mar. 21, '64, 3 Tr. to Co. K, 188th reg. P. V., June 28, 1865. Died at Portsmouth, Va., July 22. 1862.
1
EIGHTY-SEVENTH REGIMENT .*
N the 19th of August, 1861, George Hay, a citizen of York, and previously Captain of a volunteer rifle company, received a'commission as Colonel, and was authorized to recruit a regiment. Recruiting was immediately com- menced. By the 12th of September five companies had been mustered into service, and on the 16th, under command of John W. Schall, who had been selected as Lieutenant Colonel, were sent to relieve the 20th Indiana, then guarding the Northern Central Railroad, from the Pennsylvania line to Balti- more. The regimental organization was completed on the 25th of September by the election of Captain Charles H. Buehler, Major. Eight of the companies were recruited in the county of York, and two, F and I, in Adams. The regi- ment entire was employed in guarding this line of road, and was scattered over a distance of more than thirty miles, some companies covering a space of six miles, being divided into from six to twelve squads, under command of a non-commissioned officer. Notwithstanding the disadvantages to drill and discipline in being thus scattered, daily practice in the manual of arms, and in squad drill, werc rigidly enforced, and the companies were frequently brought together and exercised in field evolutions.
On the 26th of May, 1862, the whole force having been united a few days previous, marched to Baltimore and encamped. On the 23d of June it was ordered to proceed by rail to Martinsburg ; but while on the way further orders were received to continue on to New Creek, West Virginia, on the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad. It was on duty here during the heat of Summer, and through the care of the surgeons, and the observance of the strict sanitary orders of the Colonel, the health of the regiment was well preserved, the mor- tality being much less than that of other regiments encamped about it. In the latter part of August it was ordered to Rowlesburg, where General Kelly in command led it in person in pursuit of bands of the enemy under Imboden and Jenkins. After a fruitless chase across Laurel Hill and Rich Mountain, through Beverly to Elk Water, it turned back, on the 12th of September, moving through Philippa to Webster, and thence by rail to Clarksburg. While here a number of recruits were received.
On the 20th of October, with the command of General Milroy. it marched to Buckhannon, occupying the place, and remaining in camp until the 31st, when it moved on to Beverly. After a week's delay, it again set forward, crossed the Cheat and Allegheny Mountains, and on the 12th of November ar- rived at Franklin. From thence it proceeded through Beverly and Philippa to Webster, whence it returned by rail to New Creek. This march was very tiresome, leading over rugged mountains and swollen streams, and a portion of the time in face of snow and rain.
* The troops recruited for the Eighty-sixth regiment never effected a regimental organiza- tion, and were, consequently, assigned to other commands.
29
MIDDLETOWN AND WINCHESTER.
1863
1
On the 6th of December, the Eighty-seventh, with Milroy's command, took up the line of march for Petersburg, and after three days' continuous march- ing through a deep snow, arrived and went into camp. A week later the com- mand moved to Moorefield. On the 18th of December, the Eighty-seventh, with a detachment of Milroy's troops, under command of General Cluseret, started with five days' rations on a scout in the direction of Wardensville, where Imboden's men were supposed to be lurking. Instead of returning at the end of five days, as was expected, the scout was continued through War- densville, Capon Springs, and Strasburg, to Winchester, arriving on the 21th. Milroy's Division reached Winchester via Romney on the 2d of January, 1863, bringing up the trains and baggage of the entire command, where it went into winter-quarters. The picket duty during the winter was very severe. The cavalry force was too small for the service required, and scouting parties of infantry had to be kept out constantly on nearly all the roads leading to the town, rendering the service, while in winter-quarters, equal in point of hard- ship to active campaigning.
In May, 1863, the regiment was sent to Webster, on the Parkersburg branch of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, to look after straggling bands of the enemy, who were committing depredations on friend and foe alike. While here, Colo- nel Hay, who had been physically disabled for further field service, and had some time previous tendered his resignation, was notified of its acceptance. Lieutenant Colonel John W. Schall was elected to succeed him as Colonel, Captain James A. Stahle, (who had been elected Major to fill the vacancy oc- casioned by the promotion of Major Buehler to Colonel of the One Hundred and Sixty-Sixth,) Lieutenant Colonel, and Captain Noah G. Ruhl, Major.
On the 20th of May the regiment returned to Winchester, leaving compa- nies G and H on the way at Bunker Hill. On the 12th of June Colonel Schall, with four hundred men of the Eighty-seventh, two hundred of the Thirteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry, and a section of Battery L, Fifth United States Artil- lery, was ordered on a reconnoissance in the direction of Strasburg. Milroy was still in command in the valley, and there was now beginning to be con- siderable activity on the part of the enemy, who was about starting from his winter camping grounds on the Rapidan, for his invasion of Pennsylvania. After proceeding about ten miles, Schall's advance reported the enemy in its front. The command was immediately halted and drawn up for action. Five companies of infantry were sent forward, two hundred yards, to the brow of the hill, and formed in the field to the right of, and facing the pike in a position screened from view of the rebel cavalry, as it would advance. The artillery was posted to command the brow of the hill, where it is crossed by the pike, with the remaining infantry in support. The cavalry, except the advance guard, was massed on the pike in rear of the artillery. The dispositions had scarcely been completed, before the advance guard, which had been sent out as a decoy, made its appearance on the hill, coming in on the run, closely pur- sued by the rebel cavalry, charging with furious yells. When the enemy's column was well across the hill and in the very teeth of the Union force, the artillery opened a raking fire, and the infantry poured in deadly volleys, creating confusion, and at the opportune moment the cavalry charged, com- pleting his discomfiture, and driving him in rout towards Strasburg. He lost fifty killed and wounded, and thirty-seven prisoners, together with small
*
30
EIGHTY-SEVENTH REGIMENT,
1863
arms and horses. After collecting the arms and caring for the wounded, Colo- nel Schall returned with his command to Winchester.
On the morning of the 13th, the battle in front of the town opened, and throughout the day the Eighty-seventh was engaged on the skirmish line be- tween the Front Royal and Strasburg roads. Immediately after dark, it was posted in the streets, at the southern extremity of the town, where it remained until two o'clock in the morning. It was then moved back to the fortifications on the north-western side of the town. Soon after day-break on the 14th, it was discovered that the rebels had effected an entrance to the town on the eastern and southern sides. The Eighty-seventh and the Eighteenth Con- necticut were ordered to drive them out and hold the town, which was suc- cessfully done.
Companies G and H, and two companies of the One Hundred and Sixteenth Ohio, in all about two hundred men, stationed at Bunker Hill, were attacked by Jenkins' Cavalry, fifteen hundred strong, on Saturday the 13th, at five o'clock P. M. After a short resistance outside the town, they fell back, taking position in two old churches, near the Martinsburg and Winchester Pike. The fighting continued until nine o'clock, when the enemy fell back in the direction of Smithfield. About midnight, these companies retired to Winchester and re- joined their regiments. The two companies of the Eighty-seventh had one officer and one man killed, and three wounded.
At four o'clock in the afternoon of Sunday the 14th, the regiment was re- lieved by the Sixty-seventh Pennsylvania, and returned to the fortifications. At dusk it was posted in the rifle-pits around the outside of the main fort, and at eight o'clock assisted in repelling an attack made by the enemy on the fort. In the retreat, which commenced soon after midnight, it was the third in the order of march, the One Hundred and Tenth and One Hundred and Twenty- second Ohio regiments preceding it. When the head of the column was at- tacked from Carter's Woods, four miles out, with artillery and infantry, it im- mediately formed and charged, but was repulsed. Three times it moved upon the enemy's lines, but could not break them, and in the last charge Colonel Schall had his horse shot under him .* Organized resistance being at an end. the regiment succeeded in eluding the enemy, and retreated by Smithfield and Charlestown to Harper's Ferry. Among the killed were Captain Wells A. Farrah, and Lieutenant Michael S. Slothower, both of company H.
On the 16th, with the infantry stationed at Harper's Ferry, it crossed the Potomac and encamped on Maryland Heights. On the night of the 1st of July the Heights were evacuated, and with other troops, the Eighty-seventh
* EXTRACT FROM GENERAL MILROY'S OFFICIAL REPORT .- "About the time the con- test commenced on my left, by my orders, the Eighty-seventh Pennsylvania Volunteer In- fantry, Colonel Schall, advanced against the enemy's left, but was soon driven back. I then supported the Eighty-seventh by the Eighteenth Connecticut, and the two regiments, under Colonel Ely, again advanced into the works, but were again driven back. I then supported * Colonel Ely with the One Hundred and Twenty-third Ohio, and again advanced the line, but it was repulsed with considerable loss, the range of the enemy's guns being so elevated as to render his artillery inefficient. At this time a signal gun. fired at Winchester, announced the approach of the enemy in my rear. Colonel Ely's command was again rallied and formed in line of battle west of the Martinsburg road, and that officer again directed to engage the enemy. At this time the One Hundred and Tenth, and One Hundred and Twenty-second Ohio were still maintaining their fire on the left with unabating energy. I then gave instructions that my forces unengaged, and trains, should retreat under cover of the contest."-Moore's Rebellion Record, Vol. VII, p. 33.
.
31
1863
MONOCACY, OPEQUAN AND FISHER'S HILL.
:
was detailed to guard the boats which carried the ordnance and quarter-mas- ter's stores to Georgetown. It arrived on the 4th of July, and immediately marched out and encamped at Tenallytown, where intelligence of the victory at Gettysburg was received. On the morning of the 6th it moved by rail to Frederick city, on the following day joined the army of the Potomac at Middletown. With the Third Brigade, Third Division of the Third Corps, to which it was here attached, it participated in the engagement at Manassas Gap, July 23d, at Bealton Station, October 26th, Kelly's Ford, November 7th, Brandy Station, November 8th, Locust Grove, November 27th, and at Mine Run, November 30th.
At the close of the campaign the regiment went into winter-quarters near Brandy Station. While here one hundred and eighty of the men re-enlisted, and in the month of April, 1864, were given a veteran furlough. Upon the breaking up of the Third Corps the Eighty seventh was assigned to the First Brigade, Third Division of the Sixth Corps, composed of the One Hundred and Sixth, One Hundred and Fifty-first New York, Tenth Vermont, Fourteenth New Jersey, and Eighty-seventh Pennsylvania, and with it bore a part, upon the opening of the spring campaign, in the battles of the Wilderness and Spottsylvania, but without serious loss.
In the battle of Cold Harbor, on the 1st of June, the Eighty-seventh and One Hundred and Fifty-first New York, formed the second line in the charging party, with orders to cross the rebel works, the first line having orders to give place to the second on reaching them. The order was gallantly executed, the works carried and held until the force was withdrawn just before daybreak. Though attaining a position in advance of the troops on the right and left, it sustained a smaller proportionate loss than other regiments of the brigade. The valor displayed by the division in this charge called forth a congratulatory order from General Meade. In the advance on the 3d, Colonel Schall, while in command of the brigade, was wounded in the arm, and Captain Thaddeus S. Pfeiffer, in charge of the picket line, was shot through the body, and died a few hours after. In the actions of the 1st and 3d the regiment sustained a loss, in killed and wounded, of nearly a third of its strength.
With the corps it withdrew from the position at Cold Harbor, and crossing the Chickahominy, marched to the James. Taking boats at Wilcox's Landing' it moved to Bermuda Hundred, where debarking it remained for three days with General Butler's command. It then crossed the Appamattox and took position in front of Petersburg, on the extreme left of the army. On the 23d of June, General Wright, with a portion of the Sixth Corps, of which the Eighty-seventh formed part, moved upon the Weldon Railroad, and tore up the track for a considerable distance. The enemy attacked, but was repulsed and driven back.
At four o'clock on the morning of the 6th of July, Ricketts' Division was ordered to City Point, where it took transports and moved to Baltimore, to the support of Wallace, in command of the Department, who, with his slender force had gone out to meet the enemy under Early. Ricketts moved immedi- ately by rail to Frederick, where Wallace was already confronting a heavy rebel force. Retiring across the Monocacy, he prepared to offer stubborn re- sistance upon the line of that stream, Tyler having the right, covering the Baltimore Pike, and Ricketts with the only brigade of his division which had arrived, the left, covering the high road to Washington. Each had three small
32
EIGHTY-SEVENTH REGIMENT.
1864
guns, while Early confronted them with sixteen heavy pieces, with a force of infantry of proportionate superiority. The battle soon opened and the fighting in front became very warm. Sending a heavy body of his troops to cross the river below, and out of range of our guns, he came in upon Ricketts' flank. Changing front to meet the threatened danger, Ricketts formed a single line without reserves, but was unable even then to present a front equal to the ap- proaching foe. The enemy's first line charged, but was handsomely repulsed ; his second line advanced, but was also beaten back with great slaughter. Ricketts' other brigade was momentarily expected, and in,hope of speedy ar- rival, the weakened line continued for an hour to hold its ground, when, no help coming, after having maintained a heroic struggle for over five hours, against vastly superior numbers, it was ordered to retire, and sullenly with- drew, leaving three hundred of the enemy's slain stretched on that gory field. The loss in the regiment was greater in this than in any other battle in its en- tire term of service. Among the killed were Adjutant Anthony M. Martin and Lieutenants Charles F. Haack and Daniel P. Dietrich, and Lieutenants John F. Spangler and Henry F. Waltmeyer, mortally wounded.
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