USA > Pennsylvania > Schuylkill County > History of Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, Vol. I > Part 15
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).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33
151
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY
part of the First brigade of cavalry, under command of Colonel Mintz. The regiment, with its command, was in the advance on Murfreesboro, in December, 1862, and in January following, it took part in several cavalry fights in the vicinity of Rover and Unionville. In an action at Shelbyville, the Seventh charged a rebel battery and captured it. In July and August, 1863, it joined in the pursuit of Wheeler's cavalry, and was scarcely out of the saddle during eighteen days and nights. The regiment reënlisted early in 1864, and on return from home at the expiration of the thirty days' furlough, with ranks recruited, it joined in the memorable campaign through Georgia, and the later march across the Gulf States, during all of which maneuvers it was actively engaged in skirmishing, guarding the flanks of the infantry columns, and in foraging for food for man and beast. On the 28th of April the regiment arrived at Macon, Georgia, and remained there until the following August, when it was mustered out. The Eighty- first regiment, organized in the autumn of 1861, had a representation of twenty-nine Schuylkill county volunteers when it started for the field of action. It served with the Army of the Potomac, and through- out the various campaigns and battles of Virginia and Maryland. The Eighty-ninth regiment was also armed and equipped as a cavalry organization, and was known as the Eighth cavalry. Forty-two Schuylkill county boys served in this regiment. The Ninety-third regiment, organized in September, 1861, went to the front with twenty Schuylkill county men in the ranks. Subsequently thirty-four re- cruits were sent to the Ninety-third from this county.
The Ninety-sixth regiment was another Schuylkill county organiza- tion, and, like the Forty-eighth, many of its survivors have been prominently identified with the business and social interests of the county since the war. The nucleus to the organization of this regi- ment was the National Light Infantry of Pottsville. It will be remem- bered that this was one of the two companies from Schuylkill county that were the first troops to answer the President's call in April, 1861. In August, after the expiration of the three months' term, Col. Henry L. Cake was authorized to recruit a regiment for the three years' service, and he at once established a camp near Pottsville. The organ- ization of the regiment was completed and started for' Washington on the 8th of November. The field service of this organization was altogether with the Army of the Potomac. It took part in the ad- vance on Manassas in the spring of 1862, and went to the Peninsula with Mcclellan's army, participating in the battles of that memorable campaign; returned in time to join in the fruitless struggles at Second Bull Run; went on the Maryland campaign, and fought at Crampton's
152
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY
Gap and Antietam; thence into Virginia and participated in the maneu- vers which culminated in the battle of Fredericksburg. During this engagement, the Ninety-sixth was with the reserve forces, and though under a severe fire, it was not actively engaged. In the spring of 1863, it went on the Chancellorsville expedition under command of General Hooker, and lost heavily in that engagement. Soon after this demonstration came the invasion of Pennsylvania by the vic- torious enemy, and the historic Gettysburg campaign was launched. Following this national success, and the simultaneous victory at Vicksburg, the cause of the Union began to look more hopeful, and the worn and weary veterans bore their hardships of forced marches, picket duty and constant vigilance, in the spirit of the true patriots which they were.
The Ninety-sixth went to Warrenton in September, and was out on the Rapidan campaign with General Meade until the 20th of Octo- ber. It camped on the Rappahannock during the winter of 1863-64, except during a reconnoissance, and an expedition to Mine Run, wherein the suffering was great from the intense cold. With the opening of the Wilderness campaign came arduous duties and con- tinual dangers, culminating only with the surrender of Lee. The regiment was in most of the general engagements of the final campaign and performed its whole duty on every field. It was mustered out on expiration of its three years' term, Sept. 22, 1864. The casualties were: Killed in battle, 66; wounded, 258; missing, 57; died of disease, 81; total losses, 462. Seventy-five men from Schuylkill county went to the front in the Ninety-ninth regiment, which met the enemy at Groveton, Fredericksburg, in the Wilderness campaign, siege of Peters- burg, and other raiding and scouting duties in that vicinity. A full company was sent to the 104th regiment from Schuylkill county in January, 1864, and three men from this county went out with the regiment in the fall of 1861. Forty-four men from this county went out with the 107th regiment, which left the state for the scene of action in the spring of 1862. Early in 1865, about forty men from Schuylkill county were assigned to the 108th regiment, which was then under General Sheridan, and with that renowned chieftain witnessed the agonies of the dying Confederacy. Company F of the 116th regiment was enlisted in Schuylkill county, in the spring of 1864, and joined that veteran regiment at the front. Though the term of service of this company was a short one, the members participated in thirteen gen- eral engagements, besides two raids, and very active picket duty in the immediate presence of the enemy. The losses in this company,
153
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY
were as follows: Killed in action, or died of wounds, II; died of dis- ease, 6; wounded, 17; captured, 29; total loss 63.
The Thirteenth cavalry, or "Irish Dragoons," was organized in August, 1862, and was in the famous battle of Winchester, and the pre- liminary scouting and skirmishing leading up to that historic engage- ment. It was also in the cavalry battle at Culpepper Court House, where it lost heavily. Scouting and picket duty occupied the time, principally, until the engagement at Hawes' Shop, in which the regi- ment was hotly engaged. In June, 1864 they joined the army in front of Petersburg, and was often in action on the flanks and rear of the army, in defending it against the incursions of the enemy's cavalry and raiding parties. In February, 1865, the regiment was ordered to Wilmington, N. C., and soon opened communications with General Sherman, who was then crossing the Carolinas. It was after- ward in an action with Hampton's cavalry, and was engaged in sup- pressing guerilla warfare in the vicinity of Fayetteville. Sixty-two men from Schuylkill county were members of this regiment. They were discharged in July, 1865.
Company K of the 127th regiment was organized, principally, in Schuylkill county, and entered the service under command of their own captain and several non-commissioned officers. Fifty-eight men were enlisted from this county, of whom twelve were wounded in the battle of Fredericksburg. They also participated in the battle of Chancellorsville during the term of nine months. Five companies of the 129th regiment were enlisted from Schuylkill county, these being companies A, B, E, G and H. The term of service was nine months. The regiment was organized in August, 1862. It partici- pated in the battles of Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville, losing 130 men in killed and wounded. The 137th regiment, nine months' men, had twenty-seven men from this county in its ranks, and was in action at Crampton's Gap, Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville, but did not suffer serious losses. Company I of the 15ist was a Schuylkill county organization, having its own company officers and sixty-three men from the county. This was a nine months' regiment. It entered the service in November, 1862. The only important battle in which it took part was at Gettysburg, in which engagement the regimental losses were twelve officers and 127 men killed and wounded, and 100 missing. Under the call of December, 1864, eighty-four men were enlisted in Schuylkill county for the 161st. regiment, and they were assigned, chiefly, to companies A and B. These men joined their regiment while it was in winter quarters near Hancock's Station, Virginia. In the spring of 1865, they entered upon
-
154
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY
a campaign which was short but decisive, participating in the battles of Hatcher's Run, Dinwiddie Court House, Five Forks, Amelia Springs, Sailor's Creek and Farmville. After the surrender of Lee's army the regiment (which was known as the Sixteenth cavalry), went to the sup- port of Sherman, then in North Carolina, and later was sent to Lynch- burg, where it remained until discharged from the service. The 162d regiment, or the 17th cavalry went to the front in November, 1862, and shared in the arduous duties of the Virginia campaigns, as seen from the standpoint of the cavalry. This regiment did valiant serv- ice at the battle of Chancellorsville, and a detachment of it accomp- anied General Kilpatrick on his perilous raid on Richmond, inside of the enemy's lines. It was in the Gettysburg campaign and battle, and in the brilliant maneuvers of Sheridan in the Shenandoah valley, and elsewhere. Company H, consisting of ninety-three men (and later reënforced with sixty-one recruits), was enlisted in Schuylkill county. Fourteen recruits from this county were also assigned to Company F of this regiment in the fall of 1864. The 173d regiment, drafted militia, went out in 1862; Companies A, D, F and H were drafted in this county, for a term of nine months. The term of service was spent on guard and patrol duty, mostly at Norfolk. Schuylkill county furnished twenty-six men in Company F of the 184th regi- ment, which was organized in May, 1864. It saw hard service, and suffered great losses during its brief term from the battle of Tolop- otomy Creek until the close of the war. Sixty-seven men of this regiment died in Andersonville prison, others at Salisbury and Florence prisons, and many wounded prisoners died in Petersburg. Companies A and F of the 194th regiment were enlisted in this county. This was a one-hundred-day regiment, organized in July, 1864. It did not reach the front, but the term of service was spent in doing guard duty, principally in Baltimore. The 210th regiment contained one company from the county. Company E was Schuyl- kill's representation; also the first sergeant of Company H was enlist- ed here. Thirty-seven men from this county were members of the 214th regiment, organized in March, 1865, for one year. The regi- ment did not reach the front, and guard and patrol duty for a few months was the military experience under this enlistment.
In addition to the foregoing record of enlistments from Schuylkill county, the following is presented as a fitting finale to the grand total of the county's contribution of men to the civil war: Four hundred and ninety-three men enlisted in eighty regiments from the state, not included in the above mentioned military organizations; sixty men enlisted in independent organizations, and sixty-eight served
1
155
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY
in organizations from other states. The latter represented the states of New Jersey, New York, Maine, Virginia, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, Wisconsin, Kentucky, Tennessee, Missouri and Cal- ifornia. Enlistments in the regular army, in the navy, and in the U. S. hospital service, equaled three hundred and eighty-five. Twenty- six negroes enlisted from this county. Of this total of one thousand and thirty-two men, eighty-seven were killed in battle, or died of wounds.
A handsome monument has been erected to the memory of the fallen and in appreciation of the services of the living, as appears more fully in the chapter relating to the borough of Pottsville. Schuylkill coun- ty's contribution of more than thirteen thousand soldiers to the sup- pression of the great Rebellion, is as great a sacrifice to the cause of the Union as can be found in the annals of any county in the state. A greater proportion than one person in seven, of the entire population in 1860, responded to the country's call at some period during the continuance of the Civil war.
THE SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR.
The destruction of the Battleship Maine was the "call to arms" among the patriotic young men of the nation. This act of vandalism, whether committed directly by the Spanish authorities, or through collusion with private adventurers, was regarded by the people as a flagrant insult to the United States which the citizen soldiery of the nation would not tolerate. Strained relations had existed be- tween the United States and Spain for some time previous to the de- struction of our battleship, this feeling being engendered on the part of Spain by the attitude of the United States in espousing the cause of Cuba, a dependency of Spain, in her struggle for independence. The presence of the Maine in Havana Harbor was regarded as a menace to Spanish dignity, and the vessel was blown up by the ex- plosion of a hidden mine, and that explosion was the death-knell to Spanish power on the American continent.
A wise conservatism was inaugurated by the government at Wash- ington, and a thorough investigation was commenced to fix the respon- sibility for the terrible disaster; but the spirit of patriotic resentment could scarcely be controlled. People of all political parties censured the administration for tardiness and inactivity. The cry went abroad that the opportunity was given to Spain to prepare for the war which was recognized as inevitable, and that she would bring her "powerful navy" to our shores and crush us at a single blow! But two naval
156
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY
battles settled the Spanish navy question, and put it out of the con- sideration during the war.
The sons of the North and of the South, with wonderful unanimity, offered their services to the government, and when a call for troops was made, the quotas for the different states were filled within a few hours, and thousands of disappointed applicants were turned away. Schuylkill county responded with her usual promptness, and sent seven companies to the front, while hundreds were in readiness for a second call. The regular army and the navy also received liberal accessions from this county, Shenandoah contributing about three hundred to the latter.
Company F, of the Fourth regiment, Pennsylvania volunteer infan- try, was the first to enroll for service from this county, and the Fourth was the first regiment mustered into the United States service from the state during the war with Spain. This company was enrolled on the 28th of April, 1898, and was mustered in on the morning of May roth, at the regimental rendezvous at Mount Gretna, Lebanon county, Pennsylvania. The regiment was sent to Chickamauga Park, in Georgia, and there became a part of the Second brigade, First division of the First army corps, under command of Maj. General Brooke. The regiment, consisting of 600 enlisted men, was subsequently re- cruited to the maximum of 106 men to a company, and four com- panies were added to the original eight, thus creating a third batta- lion. This regiment was sent to Porto Rico, and took part in the skirmishes attendant upon the capture of Guayama. Its services were mostly in marching and maneuvering in preparation for active service, for which it was amply qualified. It was mustered out Nov. 16, 1898. There were two companies from this county in the Fourth regiment, Company F, of Pottsville, and Company G, from Pine Grove.
Fully half of the Eighth regiment were Schuylkill county men. These comprised Companies B, of Tamaqua; E, of Mahanoy City; F, of Girardville; H, of Pottsville, and K, of St. Clair. The regiment was mustered into the service with forty-three officers and 596 en- listed men. It was subsequently recruited to the maximum of eighty men to each company, this being the limit allowed under the state's quota. This regiment established Camp Alger, near Falls Church, Virginia, this being one of the old camping grounds of the Civil war. It was assigned to the Third brigade, First division of the Second army corps, the brigade being under command of Brigadier-General J. P. S. Gobin.
In November, 1898, the regiment was ordered south, and went into camp near Augusta, Georgia, at Camp Meckenzie, where it remained
157
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY
until the last of January, 1899. It was mustered out on the 7th of March, after a continuous service of about ten months.
Assuredly it is no reproach upon the soldiers of the Spanish-Amer- ican war that they did not all see active service, for a better drill- ed, better organized or better equipped army never enlisted in any cause. A more formidable foe would have tested the mettle of the sons of the veterans of the great international strife, wherein more men were lost in a single battle than were sacrificed during the whole Spanish-American war.
That they performed their whole duty, and were prepared for, and constantly expecting, greater achievements, is a characteristic of the American volunter soldiery. One of the grandest achievements in modern ages was accomplished through the medium of this war, yet without great loss of human life. A weak and struggling little repub- lic was established on American soil, and became the ward of a nation devoted to the principles of freedom and equality among men.
CHAPTER XI.
LABOR TROUBLES-ORGANIZATION AND OPERATION OF LABOR SOCIETIES-CRIMES AND SUPPRESSION OF THE MOLLIE MAGUIRES -- STRIKES AND "TURN-OUTS."
For many years the just relation which labor and capital should sustain to each other, has engrossed the attention of political econo- mists of two continents, with constantly increasing interest. Dur- ing the early history of this county and the adjacent mining districts, public sentiment was strongly opposed to every feature of legislation which bore a resemblance to monopoly in the interest of capitalists, who sought in vain to obtain chartered privileges which could come in competition with individual industry and enterprise. But this opposition yielded by degrees, and the present condition of affairs has come to exist among capitalists, while labor has sought to oppose what they deem exactions of combined monopolists. This effort has been made, principally, through labor organizations, under various names, and the wage workers of all classes, and in every locality, have systematic organizations through which their demands are presented to their employers.
The first labor trouble in Schuylkill county was the boatmen's strike, in 1835. This originated in the demands of the owners or operators of canal boats asking higher rates for transporting coal to the markets. The crews of about fifty boats joined in the "turn-out," and succeeded in coercing the crews of passing boats either to join their ranks or contribute to their expenses. Hamburg was made the center of operations and the base of supplies, as well as the field of obstructive measures against the movement of the coal traffic. Almost a complete suspension of canal business was continued for about three weeks, when the rioters were subdued by the operation of the law.
The first strike among the miners in Schuylkill county commenced ,on the 7th of July, 1842. This occurred at Minersville, where a meeting of miners and laborers was held for the purpose of discussing their grievances, and adopting measures of redress. It does not appear that any conference was held with their employers, or any complaint entered by the committee preliminary to inaugurating forcible meas-
158
159
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY
ures. Through the influence of somne turbulent spirits who swayed their councils, they were incited to violence, intimidation and outrage as a first resort. About fifteen hundred men joined in this demonstra- tion, their grievance being based upon their objections to receiving their pay for labor in "store orders" instead of in cash. In the opinion of the employers, this system was rendered necessary by reason of the financial depression upon the country at that time, and the conse- quent sluggish coal market. Wages had been reduced almost to the starvation point, being but $4.20 per week for laborers, and $5.25 for miners, all payable in merchandise. Men employed in other lines of labor were driven away from their work, and many acts of violence were committed during a period of several weeks of idleness. The military companies in the vicinity were called to the scene of trouble to guard the people from threatened violence, and to protect the collieries from destruction. The strike ended without any con- cessions being made, and the strikers returned to work on the former basis.
During a depression in the coal market in 1849, a suspension of work was decided upon by the mine operators, and no coal was mined for a period of seven weeks, this being the decision of a large meeting of operators held at Pottsville. These represented the pro- ducers of three-fourths of the tonnage of the preceding year. When they were ready to resume operations on the 2d of May, they were confronted by an organized strike of the miners and laborers who demanded an advance in wages. The self-constituted "leader" was again in evidence, and a prompt adjustment of the difficulty was pre- vented through inflammatory advice; but the difficulty was adjusted by the 21st of May, and the collieries were again in operation.
The Workingmen's Benevolent association was organized on the 23d of July, 1868, and here was the nucleus of all the labor organiza- tions which have succeeded it. This organization came into exist- ence during a strike which began on the Ist of July, and continued until early in September, 1868. The point in controversy was the application of the eight-hour day, which had recently been provided for by act of the legislature, to the miners employed at the Girard collieries, at Girardville: Conferences were held with miners at other collieries throughout the region, and many were induced to join the strike. This, and previous experiences of a like character had, no doubt, convinced the miners of the necessity of organization, and the association above named was established during the pendency of this strike. The founder of this society was a shrewd and intelligent English miner and blacksmith named John Parker, who was assisted
160
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY
by a labor agitator named John Siney. They conceived the idea of harmonizing the discordant elements which existed in the anthracite regions, and arraying them against the millions of organized capital and hundreds of shrewd and courageous capitalists and employers. The "Workingmen's Benevolent Association of Hyde Park" was made the basis of the new movement, and the rapidity with which the idea of organization spread throughout the anthracite region is unques- tioned evidence of its popularity. The counties of Schuylkill, Colum- bia, Dauphin, Northumberland and a portion of Luzerne were speed- ily organized. During the years of its activity, this society almost controlled operations in the anthracite coal fields, and made its influ- ence felt in other localities. The name was subsequently changed to the "Miners'. and Laborers' Benevolent Association." Both names were perhaps inapt in that the association was not a "benevolent" society as that term is understood, its only benevolence being the dis- tribution of funds accumulated during work to prolong the strikes to the period of satisfactory settlement with the employers. This fund was accumulated by means of regular assessments levied upon the miners, and the money was placed at the disposal of officers elected or appointed for the purpose, in accordance with the apparent needs of the recipients.
The strike of July, 1868, for the application of the law providing for the eight-hour day for ten hours' pay, did not result favorably to the miners, though it had the effect of securing a slight advance in wages, by reason of an advance in the price of coal during the period of inactivity at the mines. The strikers adopted the policy of driving men from work who did not join their ranks, stopping collieries, and coercing non-strikers. This strike included the miners employed at the Girard collieries, and some neighboring collieries, but was not general in its extent.
On the 29th of April, 1869, the executive committee of the Working- men's Benevolent association ordered a general suspension of work to take place on the 10th of May. The design was to suspend opera- tions through all the coal regions embraced within the field of the organization; but the ininers in the Lackawanna region did not at first join in the movement, the result of which was to prolong the suspension for a greater period than was at first designed. The pur- pose of the suspension was to exhaust the surplus coal then on hand, and then demand a readjustment of the wage scale, on the basis of the prevailing price of coal. This was a shrewd scheme to secure an increase of wages, and it proved a success in most of the territory involved, but failed in the Lackawanna region, after a prolonged con-
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.