USA > Pennsylvania > History of Pennsylvania volunteers, 1861-5; prepared in compliance with acts of the legislature, Vol. III > Part 79
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Sept. 23. '61.
3 Deserted November 15, 1861.
Conville, Patrick .. do
June 1, '64, 3 Deserted July 12, 1864.
Comford. Edward ..
Delaney, Luke .. do
Oct. 17, '61, Sept. 23, '61,
1, '61, 7, '61, 3 3 3 3 3
2S, '61, 3 Deserted-date unknown.
Deserted November 4, 1861.
410
NINETY-SIXTH REGIMENT.
NAME.
BANK.
DATE OF MUSTER INTO SERVICE.
REMARKS.
Hollin, John ..
Priv
Oct. 1, '61, 3 Deserted September 10, 1862.
Johnson, James
.do
Sept. 30, '61. 3 Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, Mar. 10, '62. Missing at Gaines' Mill, Va., June 27. 1862.
Kelly, John
.do
Oct.
9, '61, 3
Karney. James.
do
Oct.
1, '61, 3 Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, Dec. 12, '61. Deserted November 3, 1861.
Kelly, Wm., 2d
.. do
Dec.
15, '61.
3 . Deserted August 24, 1862.
Lawler, Daniel.
.do
Oct.
17, '61,
Lawler, John G
.do
Oct.
14, '61,
Laddie. Patrick
do
Oct.
10, '61,
Lawler, Thomes
.. do
Dec.
15. '61,
Lawler. John.
.. do
Sept. 17, '61,
Love, John ......
.do
Nov. 1, '61,
Moore. Thomas
do
Oct.
5, '61,
Mack, Michael
do
Feb. 24, '64,
Maley, Patrick
.. do
Oct.
4, '61,
Martin, Thomas
.do
Nov. 7, '61,
3
Mullin, Michael
do
Nov. 1, '61,
3
Moran. James
Feb. 3, '64,
Murphy, James
.. do
Feb. 23. '6-4,
Maley, Thomas.
do
Mar. 22, '64,
3
Muldowney, Mat'w
.do
Feb. 18, '64,
3
Murphy, Michael. do
Feb. 23, '64,
Mack, Richard
do
Sept. 20, '61,
M'Mullin, Michael ..
do
Sept. 23, '61,
M'Grath, Henry.
do
Oct. 25, '61,
M'Namara, Richard
.. do
Sept. 23, '61,
M'Namara, Michael
do
Feb. 24, '64,
3
Wounded in action - transferred to company G, 95th regiment P. V., October 18, 1865.
M'Monigal, Ber'd.
do
Oct. 15, '61,
M'Carty, Michael. do
Oct. 25, '61,
M'Alister, Patrick .. do
Oct. 1, '61,
M'Michael, Barney.
do
Sept. 25, '61,
3
M'Grath, John
do
Oct. 24, '61. 3
Deserted November 1, 1861.
M'Glenn, Patrick.
.do
Sept. 23, '61,
3
Deserted September 7, 1862.
M'Cahey, Francis
do
Sept. 23, '61, 3 Deserted July 15, 1863.
Nary, Edward
do
Oct. 7, '61. 3 Deserted November 5, 1861.
Nolan, Patrick ..
do
Oct. 29, '61,
3 Deserted November 1, 1861.
O'Neill, James
do
Feb. 24, '64, Oct. 4, '61, 3
Dec. 15, '61. 3
Purcell, John
Sept. 24. 61. 3
Purcell, John E.
do
Oct. 4, '61, 3
Quinn, John ... ..
do
Oct. 26, '61. 3
Reese, George do
Nov.
1, '61.
Ryan, Patrick.
do
Feb. 24, '64,
Reynolds, William ..
.do
Sept. 16, '62. 3
Rutledge, Joseph.
.. do
Sept. 23, '61,
Ryan, Michael. .do
Oct. 29, '61,
3 Deserted November 1, 1861.
Smith, Hugh.
.do
Oct. 1,'61.
Sullivan, John .. do
Mar. 28, '64,
3
Died at Fairfax, Va., Oct. 9, 1862-burial record, Alexandria, April 20, 1864, grave, 1,756.
Tobin, James N. .do
Sept. 23, '61,
Tobin, James R do
Oct.
18, '61,
3
Tobin, James. .. do
Sept. 24, '61,
Wilson, James .do
Sept. 23, '61,
3 Discharged on Surgeon's certificate. Apr. 11, '63.
Wessner, Charles
do
Sept. 25, '61, 3 Died at Antietam, Md., March 5, 1862-buried in Nat. Cemetery, sec. 26, lot B, grave, 218.
Wadley, Patrick. do
Sept. 25, '61,
3 Deserted October 23, 1861.
Winikle, Patrick. ... do
Oct. 25, '61,
3 | Deserted October 28, 1861.
Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, Dec. 10, '62. Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, Jan. 20. '64. Discharged on Surgeon's certificate. Jan. 10, '63. Wounded-date unknown-deserted Aug. 29,'64. Transferred to Co. G, 95th reg. P. V., Oct. 18,'64. Wounded at Spottsylvania C. H .. Va., May 10, 1834-tr. to Co. G, 95th reg. P. V .. Oct. 18, '64. Captured at Spottsylvania C. H., Virginia, May 14, 1864-died at Andersonville, Ga., August 6, 1864-grave, 4,898.
Deserted August 1, 1864.
Not on muster-out roll.
Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, Mar. 10, '62. Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, July 8, '63. Deserted-returned-transferred to company G, 95th regiment P. V., October 18, 1864.
M'Gee, Patrick do
Sept. 25, '61.
Tr. to Co. E, 95th reg. P. V., Oct. 18. 1864-Vet. Transferred to Vet. Reserve Corps, Feb. 11, 1864. Killed at Crampton's Gap, Md., Sept. 14, 1862. Killed at Crampton's Gap, Md., Sept. 14, 1862. Died at Philadelphia, Pa., Jan. 20, 1S63 - burial record, January 13, 1863.
O'Donnell, James
do
O' Brien, Martin
do do
Tr. to Co. G, 95th reg. P. V., Oct. 13, 1864-Vet. Killed at Spottsylvania C. H., Va., May 12, '64. Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, Aug. 13, '62. Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, May 5, '63. Deserted June 7, 1863.
Discharged October 17, 1862.
Wounded at Spottsylvania C. H., Va., May 10, 1864-tr. to Co. G, 95th reg. P. V., Oct. 18, 1864. Deserted June 7, 1863- returned April 4. 1864- tr. to Co. G, 95th reg. P. V., Oct. 18, 1864. Tr. to Co. G, 95th reg. P. V., Oct. 18, 1864-Vet. Died at Annapolis, Md., Sept. 22, of wounds re- ceived at Gaines' Mill, Va., June 27, 1862.
3 Died at Washington, D. C., January 8, 1863.
3 Deserted July 12, 1864.
Tobin, James E .do
Oct. 16, '61,
Died at Glen Carbon, Pa., January 17, 1863. Deserted October 19, 1861.
3 Deserted July 5, 1863.
TERM-YRARB.
Kelly, Wm., 1st
.do
Oct.
16, '61, 3
3 3 Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, Mar. 18, '63. Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, Oct. 17, '62. Discharged December 7, 1864.
3 3 Killed at Spottsylvania C. H., Va .. May 10, 1864. 3 Died at White Oak Church, Va., March 11, 1863. Deserted June 9, 1863.
3 3 Mustered out with company, Oct. 31, 1864.
3 Discharged by General Order, June 15. 1865.
Tr. to Co. G, 95th reg. P. V., Oct. 18, 1864. 3
Ryan, John .... .. do
- Oct. 1, '61. 3 3
NINETY-SEVENTH REGIMENT.
N EAR the close of July, 1861, Henry R. Guss, a citizen of West Chester, who had commanded a company in the Ninth Regiment of the three months' service, received authority from the Secretary of War to recruit a regiment for three years. Enrolling was immediately commenced, and in two months' time its ranks were full. Companies D and I were principally from Delaware county. The remaining companies were from the county of Chester. A large proportion of officers and men had served in the three months' campaign, and militia organizations. The companies rendezvoused at Camp Wayne, near the borough of West Chester, where an organization was effected by the se- lection of the following field officers : Henry R. Guss, Colonel; Augustus P. Duer, Lieutenant Colonel; Galusha Pennypacker, Major. Clothing, arms, and equipments were furnished from the arsenal in Philadelphia, and the drill and discipline of the command was commenced. An excellent Band, consisting of twenty-two members, was attached to it. A school for commis- sioned officers, conducted by Colonel Guss, was established, and also one for non-commissioned officers, conducted by line officers. The citizens of Chester county contributed freely of whatever could add to the health and comfort of the men. On the 12th of November, Governor Curtin, accompanied by his staff, visited the camp, and presented the State colors in presence of a great concourse of citizens, delivering an eloquent address, which was responded to by Adjutant H. W. Carruthers, in behalf the regiment.
On the 12th of November the command broke camp and proceeded to Washington, and upon its arrival went into camp a half mile north of the Capitol. After remaining here a week, in the meantime receiving new Spring- field rifled muskets in exchange for the smooth-bore which had originally been given, it proceeded via Baltimore to Fortress Monroe, and went into camp near the ruins of the village of Hampton. It was soon after ordered to Port Royal, South Carolina, and embarking upon the steamer Errickson on the Sth of December, arrived at the entrance of the harbor on the 11th; but a storm arising, it was obliged again to put to sea, and for three days, was buffeted by winds and waves, the men suffering from sea-sickness, and from the crowded condition of the steamer. Upon landing it was hospitably received by the Seventy-sixth Pennsylvania, which had preceded it, and marked the beginning of that close intimacy between the two regiments, which continued to the end of their terms of service.
On the 21st of January, a brigade, consisting of the Sixth Connecticut, Fourth New Hampshire, Ninth Maine, and the Ninety-seventh Pennsylvania, under command of General H. G. Wright, embarked on transports, accom- panied with gunboats, for an expedition to Warsaw Sound, Georgia, thirteen miles from Savannah, designed as a diversion in favor of troops secretly ope-
412
NINETY-SEVENTH REGIMENT.
1862
rating for the capture of Fort Pulaski. Heavy guns were landed on a low marshy island, and taken across it by a road which had been constructed in the night time, and brought within a few hundred yards of the fort, without attracting the attention of the enemy. The commandant was summoned to surrender, but not complying, the guns were opened, and so persuasive did one day's bombardment prove, that on the following morning a white flag was displayed, and the fort was delivered up with its garrison and armament. On the 9th of February the troops at Warsaw landed, and remained in camp until the 19th, when they again embarked, and on the 28th, the fleet, consisting of thirty-one vessels, twenty-six of which were gunboats, proceeded to St. Mary's River, the transports anchoring off the old town of Fernandina. On the 5th of March the Ninety-seventh landed and possessed the town, the enemy having abandoned it, together with Fort Church and other surrounding places. On the 9th company A, with a detachment of cavalry, made a scout to Harri- son's Landing, but found no enemy. On the 24th the regiment proceeded to Jacksonville to reinforce the troops already there, and were busily employed in throwing up fortifications and in repelling occasional attacks.
In March, General Hunter relieved General Sherman in command of the Department, and at once ordered the evacuation of Florida. The regiment, accordingly, embarked with General Wright's command, and returned to Hilton Head.
On the 19th of April it again struck tents and proceeded to North Edisto Island, where it was engaged in fatigue and guard duty until the beginning of June, when it crossed the Edisto with General Wright's command, and moved across John's Island to Legareville. With a squadron of cavalry it made a reconnaissance on the island on the 7th of June, and encountered a body of the enemy which was driven, taking some prisoners, and losing two wounded. Under cover of the gunboats, the troops commenced crossing the Stono River to James' Island on the following day. Two companies of the Ninety-seventh, G and H, under Lieutenant Colonel Duer, were left to occupy Legareville, the rest of the regiment encamping with Wright's Division in front of Secession- ville, where the enemy was intrenched. On the evening of the 10th the pickets of the Forty-seventh New York, the Forty-fifth and Ninety-seventh Pennsyl- vania, were attacked. Colonel Guss, who was in command of the picket line, promptly moved up with his reserve, and by great personal bravery succeeded in steadying his wavering force, and in holding the ground until a battery was brought into position, and the gunboats opened with their huge shells, when the enemy was driven back, leaving seventeen dead upon the field and eight wounded, who fell into the hands of the victors, reporting that many of their dead and wounded had been carried off. The loss in the Ninety-seventh was three killed and eleven wounded. In the battle of Secessionville, which was fought on the 16th of June, the regiment was much exposed and held its position with unflinching bravery; but fortunately escaped with only small loss. Engaged in picket and fatigue duty, and in the actions of the 10th and 16th of June, it remained upon the island until July 1st, when it returned with the Sixth Connecticut to North Edisto, and soon after to Hilton Head, Colonel Guss being assigned to the command of the post.
At the beginning of September the regiment was detailed for duty on Broad River, and was distributed as follows : Companies A, F and I, under command of Major Pennypacker, at Seabrook Point; B, G and K, under Lieutenant
.
413
1863
CAMPAIGN IN SOUTH CAROLINA. .
Colonel Duer, at Stoney's Plantation ; H and E, at Drayton's Plantation ; C and D, under Captain Price, at Spanish Mills. A week later the regiment was relieved and returned to camp, when a handsome sword and sash, in ac- knowledgment of his worth, was presented to Colonel Guss by the line officers. In September fevers prevailed to an alarming extent, so much so that all drill and unnecessary labor was dispensed with. By the middle of October there were five hundred cases of intermittent fever, and frequent cases of yellow fever, many of which proved fatal. Every precaution was taken to improve the sanitary condition of the camp, but to little purpose. On the 20th of November the regiment, with the exception of company C, was removed to St. Helena Island, where the health of the men rapidly improved.
Early in April, 1863, the second expedition against Charleston left Hiltou Head. The First Brigade, First Division, Tenth Corps, consisted of the Eighth Maine, and Seventy-sixth and Ninety-seventh Pennsylvania, and was under command of Colonel Guss. It landed at Folly Island, where it remained during the bombardment of Sumter. The attack not proving successful the fleet drew off, and the land forces again returned to Hilton Head. On the 21st of April the Ninety-seventh was detached from the First, and ordered to the Third Brigade, commanded by General T. G. Stevenson, then occupying Seabrook Island.
About the middle of June General Gilmore assumed command of the De- partment, and at once began preparations for active operations against the approaches to Charleston. Terry's Division, the First, was sent to James' Island for a diversion, where, on the 16th of July, the enemy made a spirited attack, but was signally repulsed. Abandoning James' Island, Terry pro- ceeded to Folly Island, where he landed, and marching up to Light House Inlet, passed over, and joined the forces which had already effected a lodg- ment upon Morris Island. Forts Wagner and Gregg, upon the upper end of the island, covering Sumter, were held by the enemy. General Gilmore de- termined to carry Wagner by assault. General Strong's Brigade, supported by Putnam's, formed the storming party, while Stevenson's Brigade, to which the Ninety-seventh belonged, was held in readiness to advance in case the assault proved successful. At dusk the order to advance was given, and the Fifty-fourth Massachusetts (colored) leading the way, the assaulting column moved forward. A fierce fire of artillery was poured upon it as it advanced, and on reaching the fort a deadly storm from small arms. Without faltering it passed the obstructions, and gained the slopes of the works; but here the slaughter was appalling; and the remnant, unhurt, recoiled and turned back. Putnam's Brigade followed, but shared a like fate. Stevenson's Bri- gade was ordered forward but was almost immediately re-called, the failure of the assault being but too apparent. Two companies, A and F, under Lieu- tenant Colonel Duer, were ordered to the abattis on the beach, whence they were to advance as skirmishers, as near to the fort as possible, and cover the parties detailed to pick up the wounded. Companies C, D, E and I, under Captain Price, were ordered to stack arms and proceed upon this latter duty, in which they were engaged during the entire night. General Stevenson remained upon the ground until the last, superintending in person the removal, manifesting the greatest anxiety that no colored soldier should be left to fall into the hands of the enemy, saying to the officer in command, " You know how much harder they will fare at the hands of the enemy than white men."
414
NINETY-SEVENTH REGIMENT.
1863
The search was pushed to the moat and slopes of the fort, the men crawling, prostrate upon the ground, under cover of darkness, listening as they went for the groans of the wounded, and when found, dragging them away to a point where they could be taken up and carried back. At daylight these companies, with the two on the skirmish line, were relieved, and joining the rest of the regiment, went to the rear, where they were established in camp. The siege of Fort Wagner by regular approaches now commenced, in which the regiment participated, furnishing regular details for fatigue and guard duty, losing some men almost daily from the enemy's missiles, but more from sickness caused by fatigue and exposure. The seventh and last parallel was at length completed, and on the evening of the 6th of September, the com- manders of regiments were summoned to General Terry's headquarters, to receive their instructions, preparatory to making an assault on the following morning. During the night a rumor was circulated that the enemy had evac- uated his works, and two men who volunteered to enter them, found them aban- doned.
The forts were immediately occupied, and the engineers were set to work to change their fronts. Fatigue parties were regularly detailed, and under a continuous fire from the surrounding forts, labored incessantly until the works were completed, and the heavy siege guns were mounted, bearing upon Sumter.
On the 2d of October the regiment was ordered to Fernandina, Florida, to garrison that fort, and the works at Fort Clinch. Early in October, two hun- dred and fifteen conscripts were added to the regiment, some of whom proved good soldiers, but many worthless and troublesome. On the 9th of February, 1864, a detachment of the regiment, consisting of two hundred and ninety men, under Major Pennypacker, crossing the river, moved up with the design of attacking the enemy at Camp Cooper, near Baldwin Station, on the Florida Railroad, fourteen miles distant. Cautiously approaching, the proper dispo- sitions were made, and a charge ordered ; but the camp was found unoccupied, and the command returned by the same route to Fernandina, Major Penny- packer having communicated to a company upon a gunboat, which had run up the river for a co-operative demonstration, the result of the expedition. A week later Major Pennypacker with three hundred men was sent to the Wood- stock and King's Ferry Mills, on the St. Mary's River, to secure lumber and mill-fixtures for use in the Department. The Naval Schooner Para accom- panied the party as an escort. Several transports were loaded with lumber and rafts prepared for floating down the river, in the meantime keeping the enemy at bay, who made his appearance on the opposite shore. On the 22d Major Pennypacker was ordered to return with all possible dispatch, the en- gagement at Olustee having proved disastrous to our arms. Subsequently a reconnoissance was made up the St. Mary's, on the steamer Island City, with company F, under Captain Lewis, in which the enemy's pickets were encoun- tered and driven, and some rebel property and machinery captured.
On the 16th of March three hundred and thirty-seven of the regiment re- enlisted, and departed for home on veteran furlough, under command of Captain Mendenball. They were accompanied by Colonel Guss and Adjutant Carruthers, their first absence since taking the field. On the 3d of April Lieutenant Colonel Duer, who had for some time been suffering from disease contracted in the service, resigned. and Major Pennypacker was promoted to succeed him, assuming command of the regiment. Captain Price was pro-
1864
1
415
ADVANCE UPON RICHMOND.
moted to Major. On the 23d of April, the Ninety-seventh having been re- lieved at Fernandina by the One Hundred and Fifty-seventh New York, was ordered to Hilton Head, where, upon its arrival, it joined the Tenth Corps in its movement to Fortress Monroe to reinforce the army of the James under General Butler. At Gloucester Point, where Butler's forces were being pre- pared for an active campaign, the Tenth Corps was re-organized, the Ninety- seventh being assigned to the First Brigade, Third Division, composed of the Fifty-fifth and Ninety-seventh Pennsylvania, Fourth New Hampshire, and the Eighth and Ninth Maine, commanded by Colonel Richard White of the Fifty- fifth, General Ames commanding the division, and General Gilmore the corps.
Moving up the James with his army, Butler landed on the 7th of May at Bermuda Hundred. and marched over towards the Richmond and Petersburg Railroad, halting at Foster's Plantation, where a line of earth works was thrown up. This was subsequently extended from the James above, to the swamps and tide waters of the Appomattox below. On the 9th Generals Gilmore and Brooks advanced upon the railroad, and the Ninety-seventh was sent forward to tear up the track and cut the wires of the telegraph. This work was effec- tually accomplished, the enemy's cavalry watching the operations at a distance, .but not attempting to interfere in the work. On the afternoon of the 9th the regiment took part in the action at Swift Creek, near Petersburg, and early on the morning of the 10th was ordered to support General Terry in his move- ment upon Richmond, being subsequently engaged in the action at Drury's Bluff. Soon afterwards Colonel Guss and the veterans returned, the Colonel being assigned to the command of the brigade.
On the morning of May 16th Beauregard, in command of the rebel forces, having concentrated his troops, attacked at daylight, under cover of a heavy fog, striking the right wing. The Ninety-seventh was at the time on duty at General Butler's headquarters. It was immediately ordered to join the Thir- teenth Indiana, and to take position at the Wier Bottom Church Road, and hold the enemy in check on that side until the forces on the left could be withdrawn. As soon as the line was formed, company F was thrown forward as skirmishers. At two P. M. the enemy opened with artillery, his infantry being in force in front, but was held steadily in check by these two regiments. At dusk they withdrew to the intrenchments. The loss was two wounded and five captured.
On the morning of the 18th, General Beauregard's forces having advanced to within a short distance of the picket line, assaulted a portion of it near Green Plain, from which the pickets of the Eighth Maine were driven. At eight A. M. the Ninety-seventh was ordered to the front to re-take it. Four companies were deployed by Lieutenant Colonel Pennypacker, and advanced under his command in a skirmish line, supported by the rest of the regiment under Major Price. In the face of a hot fire of musketry, the command ad- vanced, routing the enemy and occupying his line.' An uninterrupted fire of musketry was kept up on both sides during the rest of the day. At ten P. M. the regiment was relieved. In this daring charge the regiment lost nine- teen killed and thirty-eight wounded. Among the latter were Captains Francis M. Guss and Samuel V. Black, and Lieutenant Abel Griffith.
On the evening of the 19th of May, one hundred and fifty men, comprising companies A, B, C and E, were detailed for picket duty, under command of Major Price, to occupy the same line held on the previous evening. Soon
1
416
NINETY-SEVENTH REGIMENT.
1864
after getting into the rifle-pits, the enemy charged, but was repulsed with con- siderable loss. Twice during the night, the enemy attempted to drive in the left of the Ninety-seventh and the right of the Ninth Maine, but was as often driven by the steady fire of our well trained marksmen. He could be dis- tinctly heard moving his artillery and giving his orders, evidently massing for a determined attack. This was reported to the officer in command, and reinforcements asked for, but none came. Picks and shovels were distributed, and the works strengthened, the men working industriously all night. During the morning a fog prevailed, preventing satisfactory observations ; but when it lifted, a rebel earth-work on a knoll in front, with embrasures for three guns, less than a mile distant was revealed, and a heavy force of infantry, as sub- sequently ascertained, Pickett's whole division. His skirmishers were several times advanced, evidently to develope the strength in bis front. The little puffs of blue smoke at regular intervals of three paces, the intervals at which Price was obliged to distribute his men, but too plainly disclosed its weakness. The peril of the position without reinforcements, and without the prospect of having any, was made painfully manifest as three rebel regiments, with ban- Gers flying, marched out, en echelon, to the right, across the front, and the rebel batteries opened. When the rebel infantry had reached a piece of wood opposite the left, it suddenly veered, and with a yell charged the Ninth Maine, holding that part of the line, driving it back in confusion. A gap was thus opened through which the enemy poured, and having gained the shelter of the abandoned works, opened a galling flank fire upon the Ninety-seventh. Just then the Thirteenth Indiana, in three skirmish lines, came up for support, but was subjected to so severe a fire that nearly the entire force was either killed or wounded. Outflanked and confronted by overwhelming odds, Major Price severely wounded, the only alternatives were, retreat under a fire that was almost certain destruction, or surrender. The former was chosen, and the fragment of the command remaining, made its escape as best it could.
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