USA > Pennsylvania > Washington County > History of Washington County, Pennsylvania : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men > Part 83
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From Atlanta, on the 16th of November, the regi- ment moved out with the other commands of Sher- man's army on the famous march to the sea. No battles were fought on the way, and on the 21st of December it entered Savannah. Immediately after- wards it went into camp a few miles from the city, and remained there until the 18th of January, when it moved northward on the march through the Caro- linas. No fighting of any moment took place in the passage through South Carolina, but on the 19th of March the enemy was found in heavy force and strongly posted near Bentonville, N. C., and a se- vere battle was fought, in which the Seventy-ninth was engaged, charging the strong works of the en- emy, though unsuccessfully, and afterwards receiv- ing and repelling a furious and most determined charge of the Confederates. Its loss on this day was fifty-nine killed and wounded. This was the last battle of the Seventy-ninth. From Bentonville it moved to Goldsboro', thence to Raleigh, and to a camp at a place. called Martha's Vineyard, where Johnston's surrender and the close of the war was announced. Then the men turned their faces home- ward, passing through Richmond, Va., to Washing- ton, D. C., where the regiment was mustered out of service on the 12th of July, 1865.
Following is a list of officers and enlisted men of the Washington County company of the Seventy- ninth, viz. :
COMPANY D.
John S. McBride, capt., must. in Sept. 21, 1861; com. maj. Dec. 20, 1864; not must. out with company July 12, 1865.
Brisbin Wall, Ist lieut., must. in Sept. 21, 1861 ; res. April 25, 1862.
J. D. V. Hazzard, Ist lieut., must. in Sept. 21, 1861 ; pro. from 2d to 1st lient. April 30, 1862; wounded, with loss of arm, at Perryville, Ky., Oct. 8, 1862; com. capt. Dec. 20, 1864; not must. out with company July 12, 1865.
Samuel P. Keller, 2d lieut., must. in Sept. 16, 1861 ; pro. from 1st sergt. May 1, 1862; res. Feb. 17, 1863.
Alex. O. Donovon, 2d lieut., must. in Sept. 7, 1861 ; pro. from sergt. March 29, 1863; disch. Oct. 14, 1863.
Luke P. Beazel, 2d lieut., must. in Sept. 16, 1861 ; pro, from sergt. to 2d lieut. April 23, 1865 ; com. 1st lient. Dec. 20, 1864; not must. out with company July 12, 1865; veteran.
Michael Berry, Ist sergt., must. in Sept. 2, 1861; disch. Oct. 3, 1864, at expiration of term.
John Myers, 1st sergt , must. in Sept. 7, 1861; must. out with company July 12, 1865 ; veteran.
William B. Brooks, sergt., must. in Sept. 16, 1861; must. out with com- pany July 12, 1865; veteran,
Christopher Galloway, sergt., must. in Sept. 7, 1861 ; must. out with com- pany July 12, 1865; veteran.
William Shields, sergt., must. in Sept. 11, 1861 ; must. out with company July 12, 1865.
--
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WAR OF THE REBELLION.
Hugh Pace, sergt., must. in Sept. 16, 1861 ; pro. to corp. April 1, 1865; to Bergt. June 14, 1865 ; wounded in action March 19, 1865.
John A. Watson, sergt., must. in Sept. 11, 1861; disch. Feb. 10, 1863, for wounds received in action.
Janthis Bently, sergt., must. in Sept 11, 1861 ; disch. on surg. certif. Feb. 26, 1863.
Samuel Jester, corp., must. in Sept. 10, 1861 ; must. out with company July 12, 1865 ; veteran.
Joseph W. Wolf, corp., must. in Sept. 2, 1865 ; must, out with company July 12, 1865; veteran.
John A. Long, corp., must. in Feb. 23, 1865 ; drafted ; must. out with company July 12, 1865.
William Miller, corp., must, in Sept. 16, 1861 ; pro. to corp. June 16, 1865 ; disch, by G. O. July 21, 1865 ; veteran,
Henry B. Hart, corp., must. in Sept. 7, 1861; disch. Jan. 6, 1863, for wounds received in action.
Abraham Fry, Jr., corp., must. in Sept. 2, 1861 ; trans. to Vet. Res. Corps Dec. 15, 1863.
William Woodward, corp., must. in Sept. 16, 1861 ; disch, Feb. 6, 1863, for wounds received in action.
James W. Downer, corp., must. in Sept. 12, 1861; died at Tennessee April 15, 1862.
John M. Gibbs, corp., must. in Sept. 16, 1861 ; disch. Jan. 13, 1863, for wounds received in action.
Amzi Eckels, corp., must. in Sept. 11, 1861; disch. Oct. 3, 1864, at ex- piration of term.
Privates.
William D. Abbott, must. in Oct. 7, 1864; must. out with company July 12, 1865.
James Allen, substitute, must. in Feb. 14, 1865; must. out with company July 12, 1865.
Christian Anderson, must. in Sept. 2, 1861; absent, sick, since July 8, 1862.
George B. Althouse, must. in Sept. 9, 1861 ; trans. to U. S. Eng. Corps Aug. 16, 1864; veteran.
John Anderson, must. in Sept. 16, 1861; captured; died at Anderson- ville, Ga., July 27, 1864 ; grave 4055.
Hiram H. Blain, must, in April 14, 1864; must. out with company July 12, 1865.
Ishmael Baer, must, in Sept. 7, 1864; must. out with company July 12, 1865.
William Baer, must. in Sept. 7, 1864 ; must. out with company July 12, 1865.
William Brown, must. in Feb. 4, 1865; must. out with company July 12, 1865.
Hiram Beal, must. in Sept. 1, 1864; must. out with company July 12, 1865.
Simon Brownewell, substitute, must. in March 9, 1865; must. out with company July 12, 1865.
Daniel J. Bussard, substitute, must. in March 9, 1865; must. out with company July 12, 1865.
Henry Blayer, substitute, must. in Feb. 14, 1865; must. out with com- pany July 12, 1865.
Michael Brauman, must. in Sept. 11, 1861 ; disch. Oct. 5, 1864, at expira- tion of term.
William Bageley, must. in Sept. 2, 1864; drafted ; absent, in arrest at muster out.
John Boyd, must. in Sept. 23, 1861 ; died at Columbia, Tenn., May 24, 1862.
James Buhanah, must. in Sept. 23, 1861 ; disch. on surg. certif. Oct. 29, 1863.
William Barringer, must. in Sept. 7, 1861; trans. to Marine Brigade May 1, 1863.
John Barringer, must. in Sept. 7, 1861 ; not on must .- out roll.
George Barringer, must. in Sept. 9, 1861 ; trans. to Vet. Res. Corps Sept. 5, 1863.
Francis Burgan, must. in Sept. 7, 1861; died at Munfordsville, March 5, 1862.
Vulkert Brooks, must, in Sept. 7, 1861; disch. on surg. certif. March 26, 1863.
William B. Butler, must. in Sept. 7, 1861 ; disch. Oct. 3, 1864, at expira- tion of term.
Benjamin Brubaker, must. in Sept. 11, 1861 ; captured; died at Ander- Bouville, Ga., Nov. 26, 1864; grave 12,168.
William Bennington, must in Sept. 12, 1861; disch. on surg. certif. March 20, 1864.
D. C. Betling, must. În 1×61 ; died at Perryville, Ky., Ort. 12, 1862, of wounde received in action.
Thomas Butchard, must. in 1861; disch. Dec. 30, 1862, for wounds re" ceived in action.
Samuel Bowermaster, must. in 1861; disch. Sept. 5, 1864, at expiration of term.
David F. Barkley, must. in 1861 ; disch. Sept. 24, 1864, at expiration of terni,
Bernard J. Conner, must. in Feb. 8, 1865 ; must. out with company July 12, 1865.
John Cusworth, must. in Sept. 13, 1861 ; disch. on surg. certif. Feb. 24, 1863.
Lewis Chester, must. in Sept. 7, 1861; not on muster-out roll.
Ephenetus Craven, must. in Sept. 7, 1861 ; trans. to Vet. Res. Corps Dec. 6, 1863.
William S. Cooper, must. in Sept. 9, 1861; disch. Oct. 3, 1864, at expira- tion of term.
Hezekiah D. Cooper, must. in Sept. 11, 1861; trans. to Vet. Res. Corps Dec. 6, 1863.
Sylvester Collins, must. in Sept. 11, 1861 ; killed at Perryville, Ky., Oct. 8, 1862.
Lafay Culbertson, must. in Sept. 16, 1861 ; disch. Oct. 3, 1864, at expira- tion of term.
William Caldwell, must. in Oct. 12, 1861 ; disch. Oct. 29, 1864, at expira- tion of term.
Daniel Donaghy, must. in Feb. 24, 1864; must. out with company July 12, 1865.
John M. Ducas, substitute, must. in Feb. 17, 1865; must. out with com- pany July 12, 1865.
James Dutton, must. in Sept. 11, 1861 ; wounded at Perryville, Ky., Oct. 8, 1862; absent at muster out.
Joseph Demott, substitute, must. in Feb. 17, 1865 ; absent, on furlough, at muster out.
William Devlin, must. in Sept. 5, 1861 ; not on muster-out roll.
Michael Dougherty, must. in Sept. 16, 1861 ; disch. Oct. 27, 1864, at ex- piration of term.
John C. Evans, must. in Aug. 9, 1864 ; must. out with company July 12, 1865.
August Enders, substitute, must. in Feb. 13, 1865; must. out with com- pany July 12, 1865.
Alfred Eckels, must. in Sept. 13, 1861 ; absent, sick, at muster out.
Samuel Flowers, must. in April 2, 1864; must. out with company July 12, 1865.
William Fundston, drafted, must. in Feb. 22, 1865; must, out with com- pany July 12, 1865.
John Flowers, must. in Sept. 7, 1861 ; absent, sick, at muster out ; veteran. Henry Fry, must. in Sept. 16, 1861; Oct. 1, 1862 : not on muster-out roll. Thomas Fry, must. in Sept. 10, 1861 ; died at Louisville, Ky., Feb. 9, 1862; buried in National Cemetery, section A, range 6, grave 25.
Malcomb Furgason, must. in Sept. 14, 1861 ; died at Perryville, Ky., Oct. 13,1862.
Edward Fuller, must. in Aug. 11, 1864; not on muster-out roll.
Jacob Fox, must. in -, 1861 ; disch. Oct. 26, 1864, at expiration of term.
James A. Green, substitute, must. in March 7, 1865; must, out with company July 12, 1865.
Jeremiah Gossert, drafted, must. in Feb. 22, 1865 ; mustered out with company July 12, 1865.
William P. Gilmer, must. in Sept. 16, 1861 ; paroled prisoner ; absent at muster out.
John Gilmer, must. in Sept. 7, 1861 ; absent, sick, at muster out.
Phineas Green, drafted, must. in Feb. 23, 1865; disch. by G. O. July 14, 1865.
William H. Graham, must, in Sept. 7, 1861 ; died March 18, 1865; buried in Cypress Hill Cemetery, Long Island; veteran.
William Galbraith, must. in March 17, 1865; disc!ı. Oct. 3, 1864, at ex- piration of term.
John H. Gundy, must. in Sept. 7, 1861; died at Cincinnati, O., Dec. 14, 1861.
George W. Gibson, must. in Sept. 7, 1861 ; disch. Oct. 3, 1864, at expira- tion of term.
Benjamin F. Hoch, substitute, must, in Feb. 16, 1865; must. out with company July 12, 1865.
Samuel Heller, drafted, must. in Feb. 22, 1865; must. ont with com- pany July 12, 1865.
James Hook, drafted, must. in Sept. 21, 1864; must. out with company July 12, 1865.
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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.
Samuel Hendrickson, must. in Sept. 9, 1861 ; wounded at Resaca, Ga., May 13, 1864 ; absent at muster out; veteran.
Daniel Hobaugh, must. in Sept. 11, 1861 ; absent, sick, at muster out.
John Hamilton, substitute, must. in March 7, 1865; disch. by G. O. Aug. 1,1865.
James P. Hill, drafted, must. in Feb. 22, 1865; disch. by G. O. June 2, 1865.
John A. Harry, drafted, must. in Feb. 22, 1865; disch. by G. O. June 20, 1865.
John Hodge, must. in Sept. 10, 1861; disch. Oct. 3, 1864, at expiration of term.
Ludwig Harding, must. in 1861; disch. Oct. 26, 1864, at expiration of term.
Thomas Jester, must. in Sept. 16, 1861; disch., date unknown; re-enl. April 2, 1864; must. out with company July 12, 1865.
Adam S. Johnston, must. in Sept. 16, 1861 ; disch, Sept. 24, 1864, at expi- ration of term.
Lewis Jester, must. in 1861; disch. Oct. 3, 1864, at expiration of term.
H. Knabenshur, must. in Jan. 25, 1865 ; must. out with company July 12, 1865.
Lewis Kintz, substitute, must. in March 9, 1865; must. out with com- pany July 12, 1865.
William Kauffman, drafted, must. in Feb. 22, 1865; must. out with company July 12, 1865.
Charles King, must. in Aug. 20, 1864; absent, sick, at must. out; never joined company.
Wilson Karnes, drafted ; must. in Feb. 23, 1865; disch. by G. O. June 20, 1865.
Henry Kelly, must. in Sept. 7, 1861 ; trans. to Marine Brigade Jan. 1, 1863.
W. C. Louderback, must. in Sept. 10, 1864; must. out with company July 12, 1865.
George Lackens, drafted, must. in Feb. 22, 1865; disch. by G. O. May 30, 1865.
John A. Miller, must. in April 24, 1864; must. out with company July 12, 1865.
Joseph L. Mohler, substitute, must. in March 8, 1865; must. out with company July 12, 1865.
David Mentzer, drafted, must. in Feb. 22, 1865; must. out with com- pany July 12, 1865.
Frederick Moore, substitute, must. in Feb. 8, 1865; disch. by G. O. June 15, 1865.
Abraham Morgrett, drafted, must. in Feb. 23, 1865 ; died June 21, 1865; buried in National Cemetery, Arlington, Va.
William S. Mellinger, must. in Sept. 2, 1861 ; pro. to maj. Oct. 18, 1861.
John J. Morris, must. in Sept. 2, 1861 ; trans. to Vet. Res. Corps Oct., 1863.
John H. Miller, must. in Sept. 14, 1861; disch, on surg. certif. May 6, 1862.
William H. Mortimer, must. in Sept. 16, 1861; disch, on surg. certif. May 20, 1862.
Charles Miller, must. in July 11, 1864; not on muster-out roll.
John Morland, must. in Sept. 8, 1864; not on muster-out roll.
Henry McCain, must. in Sept. 16, 1861; disch. Feb. 6, 1863, for wounds received in action.
Hugh McGreevy, must. in Sept. 10, 1861; trans. to Vet. Res. Corps.
Patrick McGreevy, must. in Sept. 7, 1861; disch. Dec. 3, 1862, for wounds received in action.
Jacob Ostrander, must. in Sept. 7, 1861; must. out with company July 12, 1865 ; veteran.
Jacob Potts, drafted, must. in Aug. 26, 1863; must. out with company July 12, 1865.
William H. Pope, drafted, must. in Feb. 22, 1865 ; must. out with com- pany July 12, 1865.
Commodore Price, drafted, must. in Dec. 8, 1864 ; must. out with com- pany July 12, 1865.
John Parkinson, must. in Sept. 14, 1861; absent, sick, at muster out.
William Phelan, must. in Sept. 10, 1864; died at Chattanooga, Tenn., Oct. 19, 1864; buried in National Cemetery, grave 11.
George W. Potts, must. in Sept. 12, 1861; disch. Oct. 3, 1864, at expira- tion of term.
Thomas Prichard, must. in Sept. 9, 1861 ; not on muster-out roll.
John B. Powell, must. in June 25, 1864; not on muster-out roll.
John P. Ritter, must. in Jan. 23, 1865; must. out with company July 12, 1865.
George Remley, drafted, must. in Dec. 8, 1864; must. out with company July 12, 1865.
Patrick Rodan, must. in Feb. 7, 1864; wounded and prisoner March 19, 1865.
James Rose, must. in Sept. 11, 1861; disch. Oct. 3, 1864; at expiration of term.
Benjamin Rollison, must. in Sept. 14, 1861; disch. on surg. certif. Oct. 12, 1861.
John Rinhard, must. in Sept. 16, 1861; disch. Feb. 6, 1863, for wounds received in action.
John W. Sterling, must. in March 23, 1864; must. out with company July 12, 1865.
Thomas R. Storer, must. in March 6, 1865 ; must. out with company July 12, 1865.
Thomas A. Schram, must. in Sept. 12, 1864 ; must. out with company July 12, 1865.
Michael Stern, substitute, must. in March 9, 1865; must. out with com- pany July 12, 1865.
George H. Stickel, substitute, must. in Feb. 22, 1865; must. out with company July 12, 1865.
Lewis Starner, substitute, must. in Feb. 16, 1865; must. out with com- pany July 12, 1865.
William G. Smith, drafted, must. in Feb. 22, 1865; must. out with com- pany July 12, 1865.
Daniel Stoops, drafted, must. in Feb. 22, 1865; must. out with company July 12, 1865.
Adam R. Stoler, drafted, must. in Feb. 22, 1865; must. out with company July 12, 1865.
Franklin Simpson, returned, absent at muster out.
John M. Stewart, must. in Sept. 16, 1861; absent, sick, at muster out.
William T. Smith, must. in Sept. 16, 1861 ; disch. Feb. 6, 1863, for wounds received in action.
Aaron Sutman, must. in Sept. 16, 1861 ; disch, on Burg. certif. Oct. 15, 1861.
George Swanger, must. in Sept. 11, 1861; died at Louisville, Ky., May 1, 1862.
Frederick Schick, must. in Sept. 21, 1864 : disch, by G. O. July 14, 1865. John C. Trout, drafted, must. in June 4, 1864; absent, in arrest, at muster out.
William Wood, must. in June 3, 1863; wounded at Jonesboro', N. C., Sept. 1, 1864; absent at muster out.
Philip Wilkinson, substitute, must. in March 7, 1865; absent, sick, at muster out.
Joseph P. Wilson, substitute, must. in March 10, 1865; disch. by G. O. July 12, 1865.
William Wilkinson, drafted, must. in Sept. 21, 1864 ; died at Newberne, N. C., May 18, 1865.
William Wallace, must. in Sept. 2, 1861; disch. on surg. certif. Oct. 2, 1862.
John Warren, must. in Sept. 7, 1861; killed at Perryville, Ky., Oct. 8, 1862.
John Wood, must. in Sept. 11, 1861; trans. to Vet. Res. Corps March 4, 1864.
John H. Watson, must. in Sept. 11, 1861; disch. Jan. 19, 1863, for wounds received in action.
Michael Walter, must. in July 11, 1864; not on must .- out roll.
John Wistler, must. in July 11, 1864; not on must .- out roll.
William K. Wise, must. in -, 1861; disch. Nov. 3, 1864, at expiration of term.
William Young, must. in Sept. 9, 1861 ; died at Louisville, Ky., May 2, 1862.
John M. Yohe, must. in Sept. 11, 1861 ; disch. Oct. 3, 1864, at expiration of term.
CHAPTER XXIV.
WAR OF THE REBELLION .- ( Continued.)
Eighty-fifth Regiment .- The Eighty-fifth, a three years' infantry regiment, was raised in the summer and fall of 1861, under an order from the War De- partment, dated August 1st. The regimental rendez-
323
WAR OF THE REBELLION.
vous was established at "Camp La Fayette," at Uniontown, Fayette County. Recruiting was com- menced immediately, and completed in less than three months. The companies composing the regi- ment were recruited as follows: Three companies in Washington County, one company in Washington and Fayette, one company in Washington, Fayette, and Somerset, three companies in Fayette, one com- pany in Greene, and one company in Somerset. The three Washington County companies were " A" com- pany, Capt. Harvey J. Vankirk ; "B," Capt. Morgan W. Zollars; and "D," Capt. William H. Horn; the re- cruiting names of these companies being respectively " Union Guards," " Ellsworth Cadets," and " Lafay- ette Guards." The Washington and Fayette com- pany was first known as the " Washington Guard," but designated in the regimental organization as " E" company, Capt. Harry A. Purviance. The company recruited in Washington, Fayette, and Somerset was known as the "Independent Blues," afterwards "C" company of the regiment, and mustered in under command of Capt. John C. Williamson.
The regiment was organized at Camp La Fayette on the 12th of November, under the following-named field- and staff-officers, viz. : Joshua B. Howell, colo- nel; Norton McGiffin, of Washington, lieutenant- colonel ; Absalom Guiler, major ; Andrew Stewart, Jr., adjutant; John Murphy, Jr., of Washington County, quartermaster ; John Laidley, surgeon ; Rev. John N. Pierce, chaplain.
About the 25th of November the regiment broke camp, and proceeded under orders to Washington by way of Harrisburg, where it received the State colors, presented by Governor Curtin. Soon after its arrival at the national capital it was moved across the Ana- costia Bridge, and encamped at " Camp Good Hope," where it remained during the succeeding winter, en- gaged in the construction of earthworks for the de- fense of Washington.
In March, 1862, the Eighty-fifth was brigaded with the One Hundred and First and One Hundred and Third Pennsylvania and the Ninety-sixth New York Regiments, forming the Second Brigade (Gen. Keim's) of Casey's (Third) division of the Fourth Army Corps, under command of Maj .- Gen. Erasmus D. Keyes. With that corps the regiment embarked at Alexan- dria on the 29th of March, and proceeded down the Potomac and Chesapeake Bay to Fortress Monroe, arriving there on the 1st of April, and joining the Army of the Potomac, which then lay encamped on a line extending from the Fortress to Newport News, preparatory to the march up the Peninsula. The movement commenced on the morning of the 4th, and in the evening of the following day Keyes' corps con- fronted the enemy's lines at and in the vicinity of Warwick Court-House. There it remained until the morning of Sunday, the 4th of May, when it was found that the enemy had during the previous night evacuated his works at Yorktown, and along the line
of Warwick River, and the Union army at once moved on in pursuit.
On the morning of Monday, May 5th, the Con- federate forces were found strongly intrenched at Williamsburg. They were attacked soon after day- light, and the battle raged through the entire day, resulting in victory to the Union arms, the enemy retreating during the night, leaving his wounded on the field. In this, its first battle, the Eighty-fifth was but slightly engaged, and suffered a loss of only two wounded.
Moving up from Williamsburg towards Richmond in pursuit of the retreating enemy, the regiment, with its brigade, crossed the Chickahominy at Bottom's Bridge on the 20th of May, and marched thence to a position in the army line at Fair Oaks, within about five miles of Richmond. There at a little past noon on Saturday, the 31st of May, Casey's division was suddenly attacked by an overwhelming force of the enemy, and though fighting most stubbornly, was forced back with great loss and in some disorder. The battle continued through the afternoon of the 31st, and the attack was renewed by the enemy on Sunday morning, but resulted in less success to him than that of the previous day. In the battle of Satur- day the Eighty-fifth occupied rifle-pits and held them bravely, but was driven from them by assaults from superior numbers. "To be brief," said Gen. Casey, in his report, "the rifle-pits were retained until they were almost enveloped by the enemy, the troops with some exceptions fighting with spirit and gallantry."
In the series of engagements known as the Seven Days' battles, commencing at Mechanicsville, on the Chickahominy, on Thursday, the 26th of June, and ending at Harrison's Landing, on the James, on Wednesday, the 2d of July, the Eighty-fifth was not actively engaged and suffered but little. Its total loss during the Peninsula campaign was eighty-seven killed and wounded, the principal part of this loss being sustained in the battle of Fair Oaks.
When the Army of the Potomac evacuated the Peninsula in August, 1862, the corps of Gen. Keyes was left stationed at Fortress Monroe. From that place the Eighty-fifth with other troops was moved to Suffolk, Va., and remained there until the commence- ment of winter. At this time its brigade (to which the Eighty-fifth and Ninety-second Regiments had been added) was under command of Gen. Wessells. On the 5th of December this brigade left Suffolk under orders to move to Newberne, N. C., to reinforce Gen. Foster's (Eighteenth) Corps. It was embarked on transports on the Chowan River, and reached its destination on the 9th. It remained in North Caro- lina about seven weeks, during which time it was sev- eral times engaged,-at West Creek, Kinston, White Hall, and Goldsboro',-the Eighty-fifth sustaining slight loss.
In the last part of January, 1863, the regiment with its brigade and others of Foster's command was
324
HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.
transported from Newberne to Hilton Head, S. C., where it arrived on the 1st of February. The brigade was then under command of Col. Howell. Early in April it was moved to Cole's Island, and thence across Folly River to Folly Island. There the men witnessed the bombardment of Fort Sumter by Admiral Dupont, and after its unsuccessful close, the brigade of Col. Howell was left to garrison the works on the island, the other troops as well as the fleet being withdrawn. It remained on duty on Folly and Morris Islands through the remainder of the spring and the entire summer and fall. During this time the Eighty-fifth Regiment suffered very severely, both from the mis- siles of the enemy and the excessive heat of the weather. From the 20th of August, when it was placed in the advanced trenches in front of the rebel Fort Wagner (which Gen. Gillmore was attempting to take by regular approaches), until the 2d of Sep- tember its losses were fifty-six killed and wounded by the enemy's shells, and the losses by sickness were still greater. It went on the outer works (August 20th) | ing fourteen heavy guns. with an aggregate strength of four hundred and fifty- one, and when relieved (September 2d) it could mus- ter but two hundred and seventy fit for duty. Imme- diately after this Fort Wagner was subjected to a bombardment of forty hours' duration, which com- pelled its evacuation by the enemy and the abandon- ment of the entire island, which was then at once oc- cupied by the Union troops. There the Eighty-fifth remained until about the 5th of December, when it was transported to Hilton Head, and went into camp near Port Royal, S. C. During its stay of more than four months at that place and its vicinity the health of the men was greatly improved, and the effective strength of the regiment largely increased. It was not called on to take part in any engagement, but sus- tained a loss of two wounded and one made prisoner in a skirmish at White Marsh, near Savannah, in February, 1864.
In April following, three divisions of Gen. Gill- more's troops were ordered to the James River, Va., to reinforce the army under Gen. Butler. The divisions designated were Ames', Turner's, and Terry's, in which last named was Howell's brigade, containing the Eighty-fifth Pennsylvania. On its arrival in Virginia its strength was increased by the return of the veterans of the regiment, who had been home on furlough, also by the accession of a considerable num- ber of conscripts. It was removed to Bermuda Hun- dred, and there went into position in the army line. Its first engagement with the Army of the James was on the 20th of May, when in an assault on the enemy's rifle-pits in its front it sustained a loss of twenty-three killed and wounded.
On the 14th of June the Army of the Potomac, under Gen. Grant, began crossing the James from the Peninsula. Two days later the Confederate army of Northern Virginia, under Lee, crossed the same river above Drury's Bluff, and the opposing forces at once
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