History of Pennsylvania volunteers, 1861-5; prepared in compliance with acts of the legislature, Vol. V, Part 248

Author: Bates, Samuel P. (Samuel Penniman), 1827-1902. cn
Publication date: 1869
Publisher: Harrisburg, B. Singerly, State Printer
Number of Pages: 1460

USA > Pennsylvania > History of Pennsylvania volunteers, 1861-5; prepared in compliance with acts of the legislature, Vol. V > Part 248

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

ORGANIZED SEPTEMBER 11, 1862-DISCHARGED SEPTEMBER 25, 1862.

Captain, Christian C. Faltz; First Lieutenant, Samuel F. Greenawalt ; Second Lieutenant, P. Henry Peiffer; First Sergeant, Tench M'Dowell; Sergeants, Thomas J. Hoskinson, Benjamin Cook, James M. Brown, Johnston M'Lanahan ; Corporals, George Bitner, John Fisher, James Anderson, John Weist, Abraham Senseny, Emanuel Fleagel, George Balsley, John Seibert ; Privates, Thomas Bard, Jacob S. Brown, John Brough, Samuel Brant, Thomas Cook, William S. Crevell, John Doctor, Daniel Finefrock, Arthur Flag, Franklin Gilinore, John Grier, David Hyssong, George Humelsine, Thomas B. Kennedy, Jacob Lightner, Peter Lightner, Martin Ludwig, William H. M'Dowell, Christian Peiffer, Samuel Reisher, James Reed, Alfred Stratton, Elias Shearer, George Smith, Daniel Stitzell, Edward Senseny, John Taylor, David Taylor, John W. Taylor, Charles H. Taylor.

ORGANIZED SEPTEMBER 9, 1862-DISCHARGED SEPTEMBER 26, 1862.

Captain, J. H. Wonderly ; First Lieutenant, Robert M. Foresman ; Second Lieutenant, J. Walker Hays ; First Sergeant, James H. Dore; Sergeants, William Lloyd, William Gheen, William G. Elliott, D. W. Foresman; Corporals, John Van Vorce, George W. Crane, George Gilmore, Hannan F. Mundy, H. H. Cummin, James Davidson, Cyrus M'Cormick, Nicholas W. Fulmer; Privates, Charles Bohart, Samuel S. Brown, Henry Colton, Charles Coryell, J. F. Carothers, George T. Cole, S. Dietrick, J. Dietrick, Joseph Eason, Albert Fisher, David R. Foresman, A. Glosser, Samuel Garman, R. T. Guise, B. F. Gortner, James Harrington, A. J. Henelly, John Hain, Aaron Keifer, Robert Martin, Alexander Martin, Richard Martin, William Marks, William Morgan, W. S. M'Cormick, M. C. Price, Jonas Sheip, David Shale, Allen M. Taylor, Frank Wright, A. C. Yarnell .. .

ORGANIZED SEPTEMBER 13, 1862-DISCHARGED SEPTEMBER 27, 1862.

Captain, Daniel H. Mulvany ; First Lieutenant, J. Kurtz Zook ; Second Lieutenant, A. Jackson Anderson ; First Sergeant, Fred. K. Haws; Sergeants, E. Channing Potts, John S. Shearer, George Peckin, A. Brower Longaker; Corporals, Thomas Humphreys, Solomon Gilbert, Archibald D. Thompson, Benjamin Custer, William W. Davis ; Privates, Lewis K. Beerer, John Coates, Josiah Culp, Frank R. Deeds, Lewis H. Davis, Hugh Dehaven, Philip Daniels, John Grant, George Garrett, John Graham, Jacob Gaus, Leonard Hendricks, Nathan R. Hughes, Lewis Hagey, Alexander Hanna, Samuel F. Jarrett, David S. Kulp, George Keys, George Longaker, William B. Logan, John Leedon, Edwin Moore, David M'Clure, Davis Roudebush, John Rigley, Charles Razor, William Stillwagon, David M. Stacker, John S. Temple, Spencer Thompson, William N. Walker, John A. Woodhus.

ORGANIZED SEPTEMBER 12, 1862-DISCHARGED SEPTEMBER 24, 1862.

Captain, William Gracey ; First Lieutenant, Charles H. Horn; Second Lieutenant, Henry S. Crider ; First Sergeant, Patrick G. M'Coy ; Sergeants, Daniel Miller, James H. Mathews, William L. Craighead, John Sharp; Corporals, Samuel E. Piper, James Ralston, Wilbert F. Sadler, Simon T. Hale, James M. Kyle, Joseph M'Cune, Conrad Farner, George Bushey ; Musician, James A. M'Cune ; Privates, George A. Bowers, David H. Bowers, Hugh Boyd, James A. Beattie, John S. Beattie, Michael Brandt, Acquilla Brandt, Thomas Brown, John M. Crider, Edward W. Fosnot, M'Lean E. Faughender, Matthew Gelvin, William E. Green, John Gracey, Edward W. Hefflebower, Joseph Hippensteel, Edwin Hays, William Heffle- bower, James D. Jackson, Isaac G. Koons, James C. Koons, Henry C. Keefer, Martin Kunkle, William H. Kendig, Samuel Kendig, David Long, William Long, . David Miller, Andrew Minnich, Jaines Moore, Leo M'Culloch, Isaac Newcomer, Isaac A. Quigley, John Row, Peter Row, Peter L. Rickabaugh, John H. Rhoads, Adam Ramp, Jacob Ramp, James Ragan, Peter Rif, George Rhea, William Runshaw, Elder W. Sharp, Samuel Smith, David Smith, Jacob Skelley, John Speck, John Skelley, George W. Seilhamer, Henry Scheoner, Andrew Scheoner, George Snoke, Charles W. Shaeffer, William Sharp, Robert E. Sharp, John Tritt, Solomon Wagoner, Isaac Wagoner, David Wagoner, George W. Waddle, Samuel M. Woods ..

1220

INDEPENDENT COMPANIES,

ORGANIZED SEPTEMBER 15, 1862-DISCHARGED OCTOBER 4, 1862.

Captain, William Mann, Jr .; First Lieutenant, Thomas Reed ; Second Lieutenant, John Hays, Jr .; First Sergeant, Howard M'Farland ; Sergeants, Edward Locke, Reynolds M' Don- nald, John Montgomery ; Corporals, Michael Buoy, Robert Rornig, Henry Taylor, William Wills ; Privates, Elijah Burns, James A. Carson, Thomas Ellis, Michael Garvin, Andrew Gaylor, John Garver, George Houser, Davis Henry, William Irwin, John Kerr, James Kyle, Jacob Kohler, John Langton, Luther Longwell, Joseph Latchford, John W. Lehr, Edward Moore, James Maybon, Samuel M'Dowell, James M'Farland, Edward M'Bride, James H. M'Clenahen, Samuel M'Nitt, Howard M'Dowell, A. J. Patterson, James J. Pelters, James W. Sterrett, John D. Snook, Samuel Shunk, Frederick Schaaf, Jacob Swabt, Isaac Strunk.

ORGANIZED SEPTEMBER 13, 1862-DISCHARGED SEPTEMBER 28, 1862.

Captain, Wayne M'Veagh ; First Lieutenant, Daniel B. Hinman; Second Lieutenant, Davis W. Entriken ; Third Lieutenant, Charles B. Lee; First Sergeant, Jefferson Shaner ; Sergeants, George Brinton, Robert P. Hulme, H. Heber Bull, Wilmer Miller; Corporals, Harry Williams, Washington Cox, Sharpless Hickman, Ephraim Slack, Torbert Ingram, H. Cliff. Hemphill, Joseph E. Hickman, Jesse J. Bennett ; Musician, Jesse Kirk; Privates, Phineas T. Aitkens, Titus Bennett, Cheyney J. Bennett, James Baily, William Baldwin, Harry M. Bowman, John H. Biles, Elwood Brinton, John H. Babb, Olif S. Bates, Joseph G. Bennett, Charles Brinton, Joseph W. Barnard, Joseph Brinton, David E. Chandler, William Cloud, Frederick M. Camp, Samuel E. Davis, George W. Downing, Isaac L. Dutton, Thomas H. Darlington, Harry Dutton, Emmor W. Entriken, Abram M. Garrett, Jonathan R. Gheen, Alfred C. Grubb, Kennard Gould, William H. Glenn, William Greve, Charles Gheen, John F. Hickey, William Heck, George B. Hickman, Frederick Hewitt, Samuel G. Hickman, Robert Hamill, Lamborn Hall, Walter Hibbard, Jr., William Higginbottom, Jacob Hoopes, B. Tevis Hoopes, William Ingram, Bennett Johnson, William Kent, Charles E. Kelley, Carlton Kenny, Edward Long, George Little, B. Frank Lewis, Charlton Lack, William P. Mancile, Gheen Morgan, Euniund Manley, Alfred Moulder, William Miller, Joseph Morgan, Joseph P. Massey, John E. Miller, Julius B. Miles, George T. Matlack, Eber Priest, Wilmer Priest, Mitchel Painter, Richard H. Plank, Wellington F. Priest, Strickland Pitt, Charles Paiste, David M. Rennard, Morgan Reed, William B. Reid, Richard Strode, William O. Stephens, James W. Sweney, William Sheperd, George B. Stainrook, John A. Shultz, Enos Seeds, William H. Sager, Eber Samples, William Shaw, B. Frank Sharpless, William H. Speakman William P. Samples, Davis S. Steele, Mordecai T. Steele, Edward Steene, Alfred Smedley, David H. Taylor, Charles Temple, P. Lewis Taylor, Llewellyn Taggart, Marshall J. Taylor, Cyrus L. Webb, Cooper Wetherell, Joseph G. Williams, Joseph S. Woodward, Enoch T. Williams, Anthony Williams, Thomas H. Whisler, Chalkley Williams, William M. Webb.

INDEPENDENT ARTILLERY COMPANIES.

ORGANIZED SEPTEMBER 13, 1862-DISCHARGED SEPTEMBER 24, 1862.

Captain, E. Spencer Miller ; First Lieutenant, Henry S. Lowber; Second Lieutenants, Edward R. Miller, Charles W. Hare ; First Sergeant, George Fulmer ; Sergeants, Thomas Barnhurst, Horace B. Hare, Edward B. Moseley, Frank A. Mullikin, John Ware ; Corporals, Benjamin F. Carter, George E. M'Laughlin, Isaac R. Roberts, James B. Sweetwood, Charles Wentzel ; Privates, Charles Asch, Alpheus Bigelow, James H. Bryson, J. Henry Bryson, Daniel H. Buck, Charles W. Budd, Howard Campbell, Clemens Clay, John H. Clay, David Clegg, Henry Cobaugh, Charles A. Cox, Peter Cox, A. J. DeArmond, Ernest H. Diver, Thomas S. Dubbs, Charles N. Dunham, Clifford Fife, Henry Freed, F. Gordon, John P. Gordon, Paul C. Griffith, Charles Hammer, A. Hancker, Hobart Hare, Ambrose Harkins, George H. Helmbold, George V. Henrie, Alfred Hicks, Charles Higgins, Charles W. Higgins, John Homer, John P. Hunter, Charles E. Hurley, William D. Kelley, James N. Kern, William Kline, Charles H. Kurtz, Enos Y. Landis, J. W. Lemaister, William Main, Jr., J. P. Milner, George J. Mitchell. Harvey Mitchell, H. Mixsell, Joseph M'Morris, James E. M'Kinley, Richard B. Neal, Richard R. Neill, Edward O Neill, Theodore G. Oram, Edward J. Post, William Promie, Robert Ritchie, Jr., Aaron Rittenhouse, George W. Shepherd, R. N. Shields, Joseph Smith, Joseph W. Smith, Theodore Spangler, Thomas Stewart, A. W. Straub, C. L. Street, James G. Thayer, Benjamin Thornton, Philip S. White, Charles Williams, James Wilson, George P. Young, John M. Young.

ORGANIZED SEPTEMBER 11, 1862-DISCHARGED SEPTEMBER 27, 1862.

Captain, James D. Dougherty ; First Lieutenants, William C. M'Fadden, William E. Dougherty ; Second Lieutenants, Robert R. Barr, Benjamin L. Forster; First Sergeant, Osan D. Forster ; Sergeants, George L. Black, Oliver Rodier, John Lowrie, Joseph Cunkle; Corporals, David Lichty, William Halleck. Michael S. Nachtrib, Jacob Cunkle, Hummel Vance, William Floyd ; Musicians, George Fiest, Willia'r. Cruickshank; Privates, George Anderson, Jonas Books, Peter Becker, William Buch, Richard Brown, Lewis Breminger, Daniel A. Barr, Patrick Campbell, Thomas Connelly, Theodore Dickman, Levan Dougherty, William Erhman, Richard Fitzpatrick, Thomas Gillner, Thomas Herdler, Seldon Hetzel, Jesse H. Hipple, Jacob Knabb, George Kelly, Michael Maloney, Samuel Miller, William M'Coy, William M'Kibben, Michael M'Culloch, Alexander Orth, Charles Osman, Samuel Oswald, Isaac Porter, George Phillips, James Ryan, James Reainshart, Thomas D. Reeme, Joseph Strominger, John A. Sands, Charles Stoner, Henry Shellenberger, William Small,

1221

MILITIA OF 1862.

James W. Sanford, Henry Steese, John Tomlinson, Henry Welsh, Daniel Webber, Jackson Wennel, George Walters, Alonzo Updegraff, George Zellers.

ORGANIZED SEPTEMBER 15, 1862-DISCHARGED SEPTEMBER 26, 1862.

Captain, Henry D. Landis; First Lieutenant, Samuel C. Perkins; Second Lieutenant. Samuel Wilcox ; Quartermaster Sergeant, John H. Wheeler ; First Sergeant, Edwin C. Bul- lard ; Sergeants, Howard Richards, Richard L. Willing, John S. Powell, Clement B. Penrose; Corporals, William H. Rawle, Charles Vezin, Thomas Hart, Jr., Andrew Wheeler, Albert S. Letchworth, Edward S. Kelly, Robert Burton, William K. Ramborger ; Privates, Edward P. Adair, James M. Arrison, Duffield Ashmead, Reginald Alter, John H. Atwood, Samuel Bunting, William Brobson, Clement Biddle, Samuel C. Brinckle, Thomas A. Bronson, Jere- miah N. Bodine, George W. Biddle, Frederick Brown, Jr., Jonathan Chapman, John W. Clarkson, James S. Cox, George V. Cresson, Philip S. P. Connor, James H. Castle, John B. Coxe, Samuel Dixon, Elwood Davis, (killed in action, Oct., 1863,) William H. Eisenbrey, George Emlen, Frederick Engle, Edward H. Foster, Benjamin W. Frazier, Jr., Thomas Gamon, George Griscom, William B. Hanna, William Hill, William P. Hallowell, Thomas Hockley, Charles H. Hutchinson, John G. Johnson, John E. Kane, Edmund Lewis, Joshua W. Lippincott, James M. Longacre, Charles D. Lamb, James H. Little, William L. Mactier, Edwin D. Mullen, Charles M'Crea, Charles F. Noble, Albert A. Outerbridge, Martin Powell, Charles C. Pettit, Christopher S. Patterson, Henry N. Paul, Joseph R. Rhoads, Frederick Reichenbach, Theodore H. Reakirt, Frank Rosengarten, Theodore D. Rand, Joseph Rochin' Theodore W. Siddall, Joseph J. Sellers, William S. Stewart, Lorenz Schnarr, Thomas N. Stokes, Edwin L. Stokes, Franklin Stokes, Aubrey H. Smith, Joseph T. Thomas, Henry C. Thompson, John B. Thayer, Thaddeus W. Webb, Theodore Wernwag, Joseph K. Wheeler, Alexander M. Wetherill, James P. Young, John M. Zinn.

ORGANIZED SEPTEMBER 12, 1862-DISCHARGED SEPTEMBER 24, 1862.

Captain, F. Robert Pollock; First Lieutenant, Daniel F. Stair; First Sergeant, William Beard ; Privates, Samuel Allewelt, David Auer, William Bair, Henry Bair, Bonaparte Carver, Abraham Erisman, Samuel Flickinger, Robert Hockey, George House, Michael Lawrence, Clay Metzger, Henry Retzel, Augustus Swartz, Jerome Smith, James Smith, Louis Smith, William Wolf, George Wilson, John Wittemyer.

ORGANIZED SEPTEMBER 12, 1862-DISCHARGED SEPTEMBER 23, 1862.

Captain, Archibald M'. J. Robertson ; First Lieutenants, Charles F. Haseltine, John T. El- liott; Second Lieutenants, Horace Fritz, Frederick R. Kent; First Sergeant, Frederick Schuelleman; Quartermaster Sergeant, William Goodall ; Sergeants, William Potts, Henry F. Guyer, George W. Moulds, George Blandy ; Corporals, Alfred S. Clay, Charles T. Murphy, Henry L. Benkert, John Culin, Alferd H. Hample, John M. Edgar; Privates, Frank Ashby, Jr., Thomas Armstrong, Isaac S. Atkinson, Frank S. Baker, Isaac P. Baird, Willian L. Bickham, Isaac F. Buck, Edward S. Brooks, Thomas Calver, William S. Campbell, James S. Clark, Wm. P. Clement, Edward Connelly, Wm. D. Curry, Wm. J. Davidson, John DeBoos, William P. Devine, Manuel Dewitt, William H. Dugan, Wm. H. Dunlap, John D. Elkinton, John B. Earle, Chester H. Farr, John L. Fisher, Samuel A. Fite, Nisane D. Foote, George B. Fox, Robert A. Gordon, Charles M. Griffiths, Jr., Robert Gunniss. Thomas B. Hahn, John J. Hare, Thonias H. Hayes, Thomas Heath, William Heeren, Edward Hinkle, Lewis Hopkins, Henry C. Howett, Joseph Hutchinson, George Janney, Louis Johns, Guier F. Jones, Joseph Jorgenson, Neonean N. Laad, Alexander M. Marshall, Frederick T. Meeke, John A. Miller, William H. Mills, Peter Moran, John M'Donald, John J. M'Farlane, John A. North, Joseph S. North, Henry Parkins, Joseph E. Parkinson, Henry Peterey, James Pugh, Job Pngh, George W. Reeves, George C. Rodgers, James Rodgers, Oliver G. Royer, Ulyses C. Smith, George Stanbridge, John Sword, William F. Thacher, Charles Thackard, John Wagner, James C. Walter, William B. Warne, John Weild, Edward J. Williams.

EMERGENCY AND STATE MILITIA TROOPS OF 1863.

NHE triumph of the rebel army at Fredericksburg, in December, 1862, and the still more signal success on the field of Chancellorsville, in the begin- ning of May, 1863, emboldened the rebel leader to again plan the invasion of the north. The purpose, though obscurely hinted at in rebel organs, was veiled in secrecy. When that army, flushed with two victories, and recruited to giant proportions, withdrew from the Union front on the Rappahannock, and began to move into the Shenandoah Valley, much solicitude was felt to learn its destination, and serious apprehensions were entertained for the safety of the border States. To add to this solicitude, mutterings of discontent were heard among a turbulent class in northern cities.

Accordingly, as a precautionary measure, and that the north might be pre- pared for the worst, by order of the War Department of the 9th June, 1863, two new military departments were established; that of the Monongahela, em- bracing that portion of Pennsylvania, west of Johnstown and the Laurel Hill range, and portions of West Virginia and Ohio, with headquarters at Pitts- burg, to the command of which Major General William T. H. Brooks, was as- signed; and that of the Susquehanna, comprising the remaining portion of Pennsylvania, with headquarters, at Harrisburg, to the command of which Major General Darius N. Couch was assigned. These officers were authorized to organize Departmental Corps, and on assuming command, they issued or- ders calling upon the people of the State to volunteer. To aid in this work, Governor Curtin issued his proclamation on the 12th, inviting the attention of the people to the orders of these officers, and urging the importance of raising a sufficient force for the defense of the State. It would seem from the word- ing of this proclamation, and the order of General Couch, that a serious inva- sion was not at that time anticipated. "Information," says Governor Curtin, " has been obtained by the War Department, that a large rebel force, composed of cavalry, artillery, and mounted infantry, has been prepared for the purpose of making a raid into Pennsylvania;" and General Couch says: "to prevent serious raids by the enemy, it is deemed necessary to call upon the citizens of Pennsylvania, to furnish promptly, all the men necessary to organize an army corps of volunteer infantry, cavalry, and artillery, to be designated the Army Corps of the Susquehanna." It was announced that the troops so organized, were intended for service in these two Departments, but that they would " be mustered into the service of the United States, to serve during the pleasure of the President, or the continuance of the war." This call was made at a time when the care and gathering of the growing crops was imperative, and when

1223

EMERGENCY AND STATE MILITIA OF 1863.

every employment and walk of life had been depleted of men by frequent de- mands for troops. So many rumors of invasion had been raised in the early months of the summer of 1862, when Stonewall Jackson illustrated his enter- prise and daring in the Shenandoah Valley, and later, when Lee made his campaign in Maryland, that the sound had grown familiar, and the cry of " wolf," had come to be regarded with suspicion.

But the rebel army, in the meantime, was pushing forward, though skilfully masking its movements behind the lines of its cavalry, and by the middle of the month, had struck and brushed away the Union forces posted at Winchester and vicinity, under General Milroy. It becoming daily more evident, that the enemy intended to cross the Potomac in force, on the 15th, the President called for one hundred thousand men, to serve for a period of six months, unless sooner discharged, from the States of Pennsylvania, Ohio, Maryland, and West Virginia-fifty thousand from the first, thirty thousand from the second, and ten thousand from each of the latter. This call was heralded by a proclamation from Governor Curtin, calling upon all men capable of bearing arms to enroll themselves in military organizations, and to encourage all others to give aid and assistance to the efforts to be put forth for the protection of the State and of the country. Still, the realization of the fact, that the State was to be in- vaded by a powerful and hitherto triumphant foe, was slow in reaching the masses.

At a little before midnight of the 15th, a rebel brigade under General Jen- kins, entered Chambersburg, on the southern border of the State, and on the following day, General Ewell, with a part of his corps, crossed the Potomac at Williamsport. But still, the belief seemed to prevail that an invasion of the State in force was not meditated. The leading editorial of the Philadelphia Press, of the morning of the 17th, contained the following view : " As we un- derstand the situation, as it appears at midnight, there is less ground for alarm than prevailed during the day. The rebels have occupied Chambersburg, but beyond that point, no force is known to be advancing. The wires were work- ing through to Shippensburg and Carlisle at midnight, although the rumor on the street was, that those towns had been abandoned to the enemy. This sug- gests to us that the rebels have too great a dread of Hooker, to divide them- selves in his front, and that, while they might rejoice in the opportunity of occupying and holding Pennsylvania, they would not dare to do so, with a powerful army on their line of communications."

· Troops, however, began to arrive at the Capital, and were being organized at Camp Curtin. A large fort was laid out on the heights just opposite the city of Harrisburg, covering the bridges of the Susquehanna, and rifle-pits to command the fords just below, and numbers of men from the Pennsylvania and Northern Central railroads, and laborers wherever they could be found, were employed on these works. A number of earth-works were also thrown up, under the direction of General Brooks, for the defense of Pittsburg. That there should be no question about the speedy return of the troops, if their ser- vices were not actually needed for the defense of the State, Governor Curtin visited the camp, at Harrisburg, on the morning of the 18th, and is reported by the Philadelphia Press as saying: " He was very sorry that there was some dissatisfaction about this call. He would tell the troops that they were called out only while this emergency lasted, and when that was over, they would be returned to their homes. He (the Governor) was to be the judge when that

1224

EMERGENCY AND STATE MILITIA OF 1863. -

emergency was over. He said our 'soil has been invaded, and we want to drive the invaders from it. You (addressing the troops) are called for this emergency and no longer.' * * * ' If' said the Governor, ' I have kept faith heretofore with the volunteers, you can trust my promise now.'" On the same day, the Governor telegraphed to Colonel Samuel B. Thomas, at Phila- delphia, the following directions: " Please have your men mustered for the present emergency, and I will, as Governor of the State, determine the matter, and return them to their homes at the earliest date, consistent with the safety of the border. There should be no hesitation on the part of the men. Send them here at once, so that an organization can be perfected." On the 20th, he again telegraphed to the Honorable Henry D. Moore, at Philadelphia: "The troops may elect to serve six months, or during the existing emergency. In either case, they must be mustered into the service of the United States, the time being specified at the time of muster, whether for six months, or 'for the emergency.'" Troops were rapidly enrolled, and assembled at Harrisburg, where eight regiments were organized for the "Emergency," and were mus- tered into the United States service, besides several independent companies of infantry, cavalry, and artillery. These regiments were the Twentieth, the Twenty-sixth, to the Thirty-first inclusive, and the Thirty-third. Meanwhile, the portents of a real invasion thickened, and the air was freighted with ru- mors of the rebel advance. Even the aged veterans of the war of 1812, were stirred to action, and a company of seventeen members, carrying a tattered flag · that had been borne by Pennsylvania troops at the battle of Trenton, under Washington, the youngest of whom was sixty-eight, marched to the Governor's room, and tendered their services .*

# The Harrisburg correspondent of the Philadelphia Press, of the 24th, gives the following graphic and touching account of the appearance of this company : " I was about to commence this letter, when I heard the sound of a drum and fife. Looking out of the window, I saw a small company of men marching up the street, and bearing three colors; one, a small, worn, and tattered silk flag, and the others new and fresh. As they approached nearer, I discovered that they were very old men, and my curiosity being excited, I ran out and followed them to the Capitol, whither they were marching. And here is what I learned : They were seventeen in all, members of the Soldiers' Association of 1812, of Harrisburg. The oldest was seventy-six, and the youngest sixty-eight. Every man had served in the war of 1812, and had belonged to a regiment commanded by General Foster, who has lately died, and who is remembered with respect and affection as one of the best citizens of this county. They were reviewed by General Scott, at Baltimore, after he was wounded. He rode up and down the ranks with his arm in a sling. The tattered flag was borne by a Pennsylvania regiment, at the battle of Trenton, in 1777, and has been cherished in Harrisburg ever since that time. These veterans marched up to the Governor's room, and tendered their services for the emergency. They wished to be put behind entrenchments, but if any other and harder service was required of them, they would cheerfully attempt it. In a few appropriate words, they addressed the Governor, and he accepted them. The only favor they asked, was to be armed with the old flint-lock mus- kets, such as they used to carry when they were young. It was a grand and inspiring sight ! those old men, scarcely hoping to live through the war, their locks white with the frosts of many winters, their frames bowed by age, and long toil in the journey of life, marched as briskly and as accurately to the drum and fife, as any of their grand-sons could. They seemed almost carried back to the olden time, so inspiriting was the occasion. When they came out of the Governor's room, they marched, according to the old fashion, in single file. They were halted on the green. It was curious to modern ears to hear the orders of the Captain - so different from our tactics. It was: 'by sections of two, march;' instead of 'file right,' or 'left,' it was 'right,' or 'left wheel;' instead of the sharp, short, peremptory 'front,' it was 'left face.' 'So they marched down in the town, carrying the old tactics of the revolution with them. They kept their places, and kept step and obeyed orders with a precision that showed that the drill they had gone through in those stirring times, had gone not merely to the ear,

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

History of Pennsylvania volunteers, 1861-5; prepared in compliance with acts of the legislature, Vol. V, Part 248

Author: Bates, Samuel P. (Samuel Penniman), 1827-1902. cn Publication date: 1869 Publisher: Harrisburg, B. Singerly, State Printer Number of Pages: 1460

Author: Bates, Samuel P. (Samuel Penniman), 1827-1902. cn
Publication date: 1869
Publisher: Harrisburg, B. Singerly, State Printer
Number of Pages: 1460