History of Pennsylvania volunteers, 1861-5; prepared in compliance with acts of the legislature, Vol. III, Part 74

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 74

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* Moore's Rebellion Record, Vol V, page 29, Docs.

384

NINETY-SIXTH REGIMENT.

1862

early dawn it retired unassailed, leaving the relief to fight during the day, what was known as the battle of Golden's Farm.

Returning to camp near Strong Courtney's House, it re-joined the brigade, and with the entire division moved to a position on the right of Smith's Di- vision, between Lewis' Hill and the Chickahominy, the right resting near Duane Bridge, opposite the left of the Gaines' Mill battle-field. Here it remained until two o'clock, when Porter's forces being hard pressed in the battle, under orders, Newton's, then Taylor's Jersey Brigade, and shortly after Bartlett's, marched to his support, crossing the Chickahominy by the Woodbury Bridge. Previous to starting, a detail from the Ninety-sixth, with one from the Third Vermont, under Adjutant M. E. Richards, destroyed Duane Bridge. At twenty minutes past three the brigade reached the scene of ac- tion on the left of the line, moved past General St. George Cooke's Cavalry, occupying a sheltered position to the rear and left of Adams' House, and was immediately afterwards ordered to the relief of Sykes' command, which was engaged in supporting Weed's, Edwards', and Tidball's batteries, the latter on the extreme right of the position. The arrival of the brigade was opportune. The Fifth and Tenth New York, on the left of Sykes, driven back, had been re-placed by the First Pennsylvania Reserve, which in turn was re- lieved by a part of Newton's Brigade. Tho Regulars, hard pressed, were wavering. Instantly the Fifth Maine, then the Twenty-seventh New York, the Sixteenth New York, and shortly after the Ninety-sixth Pennsylvania, advanced across the field under a heavy fire, and took position along the crest of the hill, from the left of Griffin's-then supported by Newton's men-to the rear of Tidball's Battery. The Ninety-sixth was at first held in support. closed in mass in the open valley below, where it was fearfully exposed. To shield his men and save them from the destruction to which they seemed almost in- evidently condemned, Colonel Cake moved them close up on the side of the hill. The Sixteenth New York, which was ordered to advance, soon came under a fearful enfilading fire, and was driven in some confusion. The Ninety- sixth, which had in the meantime been deployed in line, was brought to con- front the enemy's line, and the word given to advance. It was answered with a cheer, and as by one impulse, the line dashed forward, re-took the lost ground, and held it until night. The boldness of this charge undoubtedly saved the right of the army from disaster. The loss of the brigade in this en- gagement was severe, that of the Ninty-sixth was thirteen killed, fifty-nine wounded, and fourteen missing. Lieutenant Ernest T. Ellrich was among the killed.

Retiring to its old camp beyond Woodbury Bridge, the brigade rested for the night, and on the following morning was moved to Fort Davidson, to the right of the line. Scarcely had it got into position, when the enemy opened a heavy artillery fire from the vicinity of Dr. Gaincs' House, on the opposite bluff of the Chickahominy, rendering the position untenable, and obliging it to retire, when, with the entire army, it about faced, and commenced the march for the James. After crossing White Oak Creek, it was posted to de- fend the passage, and in the battle of Charles City Cross Roads occupied a po- sition to the right of the line, in the vicinity of Glendale. During the night of the 30th, it retired to Malvern Hill, where, during the terrific fighting of the 1st of July, it was posted on the extreme left of the field, near Carter's Mill, and Colonel Cake was placed in command of the brigade. Retiring with

385

CRAMPTON'S GAP.

1862

the army to Harrison's Landing, on the morning of the 3d of July, the regiment pitched tents on the muddy plains of Westover Landing. From this it moved out on the Westover Road, and after two successive changes of camps, on the 15th moved with the brigade into the breastworks looking towards Malvern Hill, where it remained employed in picket and fatigue duty until the evacuation. While here the regiment received Enfield rifles in exchange for the Austrian muskets with which it had made the campaign. The Pottsville Cornet Band, which had been attached to the regiment from its organization, was by a general order of the War Department relieved from further duty, and returned home. On the 20th Lieutenant Colonel Frick resigned, to take command of the One . Hundred and Twenty-ninth Pennsylvania, Captain Joseph Anthony of com- pany F, to be Major of the same regiment, and Lieutenant Z. P. Boyer of company D, to be Lieutenant Colonel of the One Hundred and Seventy-third Regiment.

On the 16th of August the brigade moved from camp on the James, and -taking transports at Newport News, arrived at Alexandria on the 24th, and went into bivouac along the Little River Turnpike, below Fort Ellsworth. On the 27th it moved into Fort Lyons, but was relieved on the 29th, and followed the rest of the corps, joining it at Annandale. On the 30th the corps pushed for- ward through Fairfax and Centreville, crossed Cub Run, and arrived in time to join in stemming the tide of disaster, which was sweeping the Bull Run battle-field.

Returning to Alexandria, the regiment joined in the Maryland campaign, which was immediately after inaugurated. The army moved for the crossing of the South Mountain, by Crampton's and Turner's passes, each held by strong bodies of the enemy. Franklin's Corps arrived in front of Crampton's Gap, which debouches into Pleasant Valley in the rear of, and but five miles from Maryland Heights, opposite Harper's Ferry, at noon of the 14th of Sep- tember. The Ninety-sixth in advance of the column, entered Burkettsville early in the morning, driving out the rebel skirmishers, and drew the fire of his artillery upon the mountain developing his line of defence. Immediately forming with Slocum on the right, his line being composed of Bartlett's and Torbert's brigades, supported by Newton's, with Smith disposed for the protection of Slocum's flank, Franklin attacked. The pass was held by M'Laws' Division of the rebel army, under General Cobb, the position an excellent one for de- fence. The brigade was formed on the right of the line, and advanced to within a thousand yards of a stone wall, where the enemy was making a final stand. The Ninety-sixth, which had been engaged upon the left of the line, now came up, and the other regiments of the brigade, with ammunition ex- hausted, falling back, advanced upon the concealed foe, in line with Torbert's Brigade, which had the left. The path of the Ninety-sixth was across open fields, intersected by fences and hedges, where every man presented a fair mark for the keen eyed rebel sharp-shooter. But the line dashed forward, pausing at each fence to fire a volley, until it reached a thin strip of corn. As it approached this field the enemy's fire ceased, and while it was passing through it an ominous silence prevailed ; but the moment it emerged from this slight cover a perfect sheet of flame was poured upon it, and many of the bravest fell. But unflinching the survivors dashed forward with the bayonet, completely routed the enemy's line, and took many prisoners. The loss in the Ninety-sixth was twenty killed, seventy-one severely, and fourteen slightly

49-VOL. III.

386

NINETY-SIXTH REGIMENT.

1863

wounded, out of less than four hundred effective men who entered the en- gagement. Major Martin, and Lieutenant John Dougherty, were among the killed.

On the 17th, at Antietam, Franklin's Corps arrived upon the right of the field, where the fighting had been most terrific, at a time when the corps of Hooker and Sumner, broken and greatly thinned, were yielding ground, and immediately hurled back the foe, sweeping across the corn field, and holding firmly the gory ground, over which the firey bellows of the battle had been . sweeping to and fro, until the close of the contest. The position of Bartlett's Brigade was to the rear and left of the batteries of Porter, Walcott, and Wil- liston, where it remained throughout the day. Though exposed to a continu- ous and heavy artillery fire the loss in the regiment was only two killed. After the battle the corps was posted at the cross-roads north-east of Bakersville. General Slocum, who had been promoted to the command of the Twelfth Corps, was succeeded in command of the division by General W. T. H Brooks. Captain Peter A. Filbert was commissioned Lieutenant Colonel, to date from July 30th, and Captain William H. Lessig to Major, to date from Sep- tember 15th.

With the corps the regiment moved back into Virginia, and followed the army in its subsequent manœuvers, until, under Burnside, it entered on the Fredericksburg campaign, Colonel Cake in the meantime being placed in com- mand of a mixed force of infantry, cavalry, and artillery, which was in posi- tion at Thoroughfare Gap, and subsequently in command of the brigade. On the 12th of December, after having first assisted in laying the pontoons at Franklin's crossing, it moved over the Rappahannock, and after some skir- mishing took position with the brigade along the Bowling Green Road at a point above where it is crossed by Deep Run. Here it remained, under an almost continuous shower of shot and shell without becoming actively engaged except upon the skirmish line, until the night of the 15th, when it re-crossed the river, the army at the same time retiring, and went into camp near White Oak Church. Late in December, Lieutenant Colonel Filbert was honorably discharged, Major Lessig being subsequently promoted to succeed him.

On the 16th of January, 1863, the regiment moved to Belle Plain Landing on fatigue duty, retiring on the 19th, and on the 20th joined the column in its movement upon the Mud March. Returning to the old camp grounds of the brigade near White Oak Church on the 25th, the regiment remained until the 1st of February, when, with the exception of companies C and K, it was de- tached, and sent to Woodmill Point on heavy fatigue duty. Here, subject to the orders of General Patrick, Provost Marshal General of the army, it was engaged in constant service until the 1st of March, when it again re-joined the brigade. Colonel Cake received his first leave of absence since entering the service, in January, 1863, resigned March 12th, and his resignation was accepted on the 2d of May following. The command of the regiment then devolved on Lieutenant Colonel Lessig.

Towards the close of April, the army having been thoroughly re-organized under General Hooker, stood ready for the order to advance on the Chancel- lorsville campaign. To the Sixth Corps, now under command of General Sedgwick, was assigned the part to advance by way of Fredericksburg and Marye's Heights. At two o'clock on the afternoon of the 28th of April the brigade occupied Stafford Heights. On the night of the 29th, following closely

387

SALEM CHURCH.

1864

Russell's Brigade, it passed over the Rappahannock at Franklin's Crossing, and with slight loss occupied the enemy's works on the Bernard Farm. On the morning of the 3d of May, the regiment was sent out by General Brooks to clear the front of the enemy's sharp-shooters, who were annoying the Union artillerists posted beyond the Bowling Green Road, in front of the Bernard Mansion. This order was successfully executed, but not without stubborn resistance, the regiment losing five killed and eighteen wounded. After the capture of Marye's Heights-which was handsomely accomplished by Newton's and Howe's divisions-Brooks' Division, which had been held in reserve, now ad- vanced,-with the exception of the Twenty-seventh New York, left behind for guard and observation,-and took the lead in pursuit of the retreating enemy. In the vicinity of Salem Church, Bartlett's Brigade was drawn up, and ad- vanced in line of battle on the left of the road, Torbet's Jersey Brigade on the right, Russell's Brigade, with the artillery, moving upon the road in reserve, ready to act as occasion might require. It was known that the enemy was in the woods beyond, but it was supposed to be the rear guard of his retreating column, and the information had been derived from rebel deserters, doubtless sent back to mislead the Union generals, that his trains had fallen into hope- less confusion and could be easily captured. Without stopping to shell the woods or develope the enemy's strength, Brooks' Division was pushed forward, on the very heels of the skirmishers, until it came suddenly upon three di- visions of the rebel army,-most of which had been sent back from Chancellors- ville,-drawn up in ambush, awaiting the advance of the Union column. The surprise was complete, and the division with its support was driven back, suffering grievous slaughter. The loss in the regiment, including that at the Bowling Green Road, was sixteen killed, fifty-seven wounded and twenty missing. Lieutenant Alexander Allison was among the mortally wounded. Unable to hold the ground the corps retired by Banks' Ford, and at midnight of the 4th of May, the regiment bivouacked on the heights overlooking the ford. The Twenty-third New Jersey having been left to cover the ford and remove the pontoons, unable to accomplish the work, the Ninety-sixth was sent to take its place, and successfully performed the duty. Relieved by the cav- alry on the 8th, it re-joined the brigade, and again went into camp near White Oak Church. About the middle of May, the term of service of the Six- teenth and Twenty-seventh New York regiments having expired, they were mustered out, and the Ninety-fifth Pennsylvania and Thirty-first New York, of Russell's command, were transferred to the brigade. A few days later General Brooks was ordered to the command of the Department of the Alle- gheny, headquarters at Pittsburg, and General H. G. Wright succeeded him in command of the division.

Early in June, great activity bring manifested by the rebel army, the Sixth Corps was again ordered to cross the Rappahannock, for a reconnoissance in force. At two P. M. on the 6th, the brigade occupied Stafford Heights, and at evening passed over at Franklin's Crossing. Extensive earthworks were thrown up all along the line of the Bernard Plantation, from Deep Run Ra- vine to a point beyond the ruins of the Bernard Mansion. Continuous skir- mishing was kept up with occasional artillery practice. From supporting the Fifth U. S. Battery, the regiment was sent on the 7th to picket the Deep Run Ravine. Here it remained under a continuous fire until relieved by the Forty- ninth, and One Hundred and Nineteenth Pennsylvania regiments, and late

1864

388

NINETY-SIXTH REGIMENT.

at night on the 10th it returned to Stafford Heights, where, on the following day, in presence of nearly the entire division, a beautiful silk flag, the gift of friends in Schuylkill county, was presented by a committee of citizens. Early on the morning of the 12th, the brigade was sent out on picket, covering the country from the Rappahannock nearly to the Potomac. At nine o'clock on the evening of the 13th the regiment was withdrawn from the picket line, and re-joining the brigade at White Oak Church, started on the ever memorable Gettysburg campaign. With only short intervals of rest the movement con- tinued until the afternoon of July 2d, when at the moment of great peril in the battle, as the veterans of Longstreet, massed upon the extreme left, were doubling up and driving the corps of Sickles, it arrived upon the field. Foot sore and weary, the men were at once formed, and with scarcely a moment's rest, were pushed forward upon the right of the road leading out to the Peach Orchard, to a slight elevation, on the right and front of Little Round Top, and took position behind a stone fence which it held with slight loss until the close of the battle.

On the morning of the 5th of July the Sixth Corps started in pursuit of the enemy. Prisoners were taken at every turn, and the enemy's rear guard was closely pressed, compelling him to open frequently with his artillery. The sufferings in this pursuit were intense. The crossing of Cotoctin Moun- tain, along a by-road, at night, and in the midst of a terrific thunder storm, will ever be remembered for its hardships. On the 10th the regiment, with two companies of the One Hundred and Twenty-first, skirmished in the advance along the Funkstown Road, and drove the rear of the enemy, after stubborn resistance, across the Antietam at Claggett's Mills. In this skirmish, and sub- sequently, while upon the picket line in front of Hagerstown, the regiment lost several wounded.

Without coming to battle the enemy escaped into Virginia, and the Union army followed. After successive marchings and countermarchings, the brigade, in the latter part of July, was detached from the division and sent to New Baltimore, where it was employed in picketing and scouting, and the usual rounds of drill and parade. On the 4th of September rebel guerrillas made a midnight descent upon General Bartlett's headquarters. The regiment was at the time on picket, and in the encounter three of its number were wounded, the enemy being quickly routed. On the 15th of September the command left New Baltimore, and moved to Warrenton, where it entered on Meade's Rapidan Campaign, returning from Centreville to the vicinity of Warrenton on the 20th of October. Here it remained until the 7th of November, when, with the command, it moved to Rappahannock Station, the brigade support- ing Russell in the battle which ensued. The loss was one severely, and sev- eral slightly wounded. The command went into camp near the confluence of the Aestham with the Rappahannock, and with the exception of the move- ment to Mine Run, and in support of the cavalry in the reconnoissance to Robertson's River, it remained in quarters here during the winter, a consid- erable number of the regiment re-enlisting, in the meantime, as veteran vol- unteers.

On the 4th of May, 1864, the brigade broke up winter-quarters and crossing the Rapidan, joined in the Battle of the Wilderness. It was almost constantly engaged in skirmishing during the five succeeding days, and on the 10th of May took part in the charge of the twelve picked regiments of the Sixth Corps

389

1864

WILDERNESS CAMPAIGN.

on the enemy's works. The loss in the command was very heavy, Captain Edward Thomas being among the mortally wounded. On the 12th, at the . salient known as the Slaughter Pen, in front of Spottsylvania, the fragment of the regiment remaining, with the division decimated as it was, held the position from early dawn until late at night, exposed during the whole time to a fire of musketry, which for severity, has few parallels in the history of warfare. So incessant was the shower of missiles, that trees over a foot in diameter, were cut off by the constant stroke of bullets. The loss in this series of engagements was thirty-three killed, one hundred and thirteen wounded, and thirty-nine missing, of whom the greater part were subsequently ascer- tained to have been killed. Remaining in the vicinity until the 14th, under almost continuous fire, the command moved to Bleak Hill, where, as at Salem Church, the division was pushed against the enemy in force; but soon finding itself overpowered, rapidly retired, some of the general officers making a nar- row escape.

Upon reaching Cold Harbor, the brigade, to which the Second Connecti- cut Heavy Artillery had been added, stormed and carried a portion of the enemy's works in front of the Cold Harbor House, sustaining heavy loss. It was here that acting Adjutant John T. Hannum received his mortal wound. From Cold Harbor the brigade moved to the James, bivouacking on Tyler's Plantation, and moving thence by water to Bermuda Hundred. Crossing the Appomattox it moved up to the Petersburg front, arriving on the 19th of June. Here the regiment was employed in building breast works, picketing, sharp- shooting, with occasional charges upon the enemy's works, involving sharp fighting. On the 29th it took part in the descent upon the Weldon Railroad, in which a considerable portion of the track was completely destroyed.

Remaining in front of Petersburg until July 10th, the brigade, in company with a part of the corps, marched to City Point, whence it moved by trans- port to Washington. Upon, it's arrival it was at once put upon the track of Early, who, with a considerable body of the rebel army, was threatening Washington. With the Army of the Shenandoah the regiment participated in all the operations in the Valley up to September 22d, when, its term of service having expired, leaving a battalion composed of the veterans and re- cruits, which was subsequently consolidated with the Ninety-fifth Regiment, it withdrew from the front at Strasburg, and took up the line of march for Harper's Ferry, convoying thither a train of ambulances filled with the wounded. Proceeding by way of Baltimore and Harrisburg it reached Pottsville on the 26th, and on the evening of that day received at the hands of the citizens, a most flattering public welcome. On the 21st of October, at Hestonville, in West Philadelphia, it was paid and finally mustered out of service.

390

NINETY-SIXTH REGIMENT,

FIELD AND STAFF OFFICERS.

NAMB.

RANK.

DATE OF MUSTER INTO SERVICE.

REMARKS.

Henry L. Cake

Col

Sept. 23, '61. Sept. 23. '61,

Peter A. Filbert.

Sept. 23. '61.

William H. Lessig.

Sept. 23, '61,

Lewis J. Martin

Major .. .do

Sept. 23. '61,

S 3

M. Edgar Richards

Adjt ...

Sept. 23, '61,

3 A. D. C. to Gen. Bartlett fr. June 14,'62. to Sept. 22, 1864-mus. out with reg .. Oct. 21, 1864.

John T. Hannum

.do

Sept. 23, '61,

3 Pr. from Ist Lt. Co. D, Dec. 27. 1862-died June 7, 1864, of wounds rec. at Cold Harhor, Va. 3 Resigned July 14, 1862.

Daniel W. Bland.

Surg.

Oct. 12, '61,

3 3 3

William H. Egle

Oct.

18, '63,

Samuel F. Colt.

Chap'n. Sgt. Maj

Sept. 23, '61,

Promoted to 2d Lt. Co. A, Sept. 28, 1862.

Joseph F. Dengler .

.. do

Sept. 23, '61,

Edward J. Philips ..

.. do

Sept. 28, '61, 3

Smith Dalrymple

.do

Aug. 2, '62,

Promoted from private company F, Jan. 9, '64- tr. to company F, July 25, 1864.

James M. Treichler

... do ..

Sept. 24, '61, 3

Promoted from Sgt. company H, July 25, 1864- tr. to 95th regiment P. V., Oct. 18, 1861-Vet. 3 |Promoted fr. Corporal Co. C, July 15. '62-mus- tered out with regiment, Oct. 21, 1864.

Jonas J. Dampman Com. Sr Sept. 23, '61. 3 Mustered out with regiment, Oct. 21, 1864. Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, Dec. 4, 763. 3

John Rodgers ..... Hos. St| Sept. 23, '61,

Nicholas .J. Rehr. PI. Muc

3 Discharged by General Order, July, 1862.

Hor'e G. Walbridge John P. Brennan ... do

Aug. 27. '61. Aug. 27. '61, sept. 25, 61,

3 Discharged by General Order, July, 1862. Promoted fr. private Co. E, April 10. 1864-tr. to 95th regiment P. V., Oct. 18, 1864-Vet.

REGIMENTAL BAND.

Bodman, Christian .. Muc ..

Aug. 27, '61. 3

Discharged by General Order, July, 1862.

Bodman, Henry .do Aug. 27, '61, $

Boedefeld, John .do Downing, Henry K .do Aug. 27, '61,

Ferg, Christian do Aug. 27, '61, 3

Fisher, Fidel. do

Aug. 27, '61,

Hoffman. Henry do Kepley, Joseph do 3 Aug. 27, '61. Aug. 27, '61, 3 Law, Heister M .. do Aug. 27, '61, 3 Discharged by General Order, July, 1862. Discharged by General Order, July, 1862. Discharged by General Order, July, 1862. Discharged by General Order, July, 1862.

Lauer, John N. do Aug. 27, '61, 3

Morgan, John W. ào

Aug. 27, '61, 3 Discharged by General Order, July, 1862.

M' Daniel, Winfield do Aug. 27, '61, 3 Discharged by General Order, July, 1862.

Oberlies, Charles Aug. 27. '61. Parker. Samuel H. do Aug. 27, '61,

Palsgrove, Augus's do Aug. 27, '61,

3 Discharged by General Order, July, 1862. 3| Discharged by General Order, July, 1862. 3 |Died April 19, 1862.

Roehrig, George V .... do Aug. 27, '61, 3 | Discharged by General Order, July, 1862.

TERM-YEAR8 | 3333

Promoted to Col. 129th reg. P. V., July 29, 1862. Pr. fr. Capt. Co. B, July 30,'62-disch. Dec. 22,'62. Pr. fr. Capt. Co. C to Major, Sept. 15, 62-to Lt. Col., Dec. 23, 1862-com. Col., Mar. 13, '63-not mustered-mus. out with reg., Oct. 21, 1864. Killed at Crampton's Gap, Md., Sept. 14, 1862. Promoted fr. Captain company B, Jan. 18, 1864 -- mustered out with reg., Oct. 21, 1864.

Charles Sailor John A. Schweers.

Q. M do

Sept. 23, '61, Sept. 23, '61,

3 Promoted from Q. M. Sergeant, July 15, 1862- mustered out with regiment, Oct. 21. 1864. Mustered out with regiment, Oct. 21, 1864. Pr. to Surgeon 126th reg. P. V., Sept. 12, 1862. Resigned August 12, 1863.

Wash'n G. Nugent .. John R. Shamo

As. Sur.

Oct. 12, '61, July 15. '62,

Samuel B. Light.

.. do

Sept. 23, '61,

3 Resigned July 11, 1862.

Pr. fr. Sgt. Co. A, Sept. 28,'62-disch. Jan. 20,'63, for wds. rec. at Gaines' Mill, Va., June 27, '62. Promoted from private company C, Jan. 20,'63- to Captain company F, Jan. 6, 1864.

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History of Pennsylvania volunteers, 1861-5; prepared in compliance with acts of the legislature, Vol. III, Part 74

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