History of York County Pennsylvania, Volume I, Part 63

Author: Prowell, George R.
Publication date: 1907
Publisher: J. H. Beers
Number of Pages: 1372

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paroled the prisoners, and the next day ad- vanced to Jalapa, which he captured, April 19. He continued his march to Puebla, which he occupied May 15th. At this place

35I

MEXICAN WAR

General Scott remained for drill and disci- pline of his army and reinforcements, until August 7. On that day he advanced on the City of Mexico and soon after attacked and captured Contreras and Cherubusco. An armistice was now agreed upon between the contending armies, during which time the American commissioner failed to nego- tiate a treaty of peace with the Mexi- cans.

His Army Victorious.

the southwest of the city, de- fended by 14,000 Mexicans oc- cupying Molino del Rey, and General Worth's loss was in storming Mol- ino del Rey before the attack on the wooded and strongly fortified eminence of Chapul- tepec. On September 8, General Worth with 3,500 men attacked Molino del Rey, capturing much material and more than 800 prisoners, but losing one-fourth of his com- mand, including 58 officers. On the 13th, Chapultepec was stormed and carried, and on the morning of the 14th, Scott's army marched into the city and occupied the na- tional palace.

And thus ended the war with

End of Mexico. Within six months the War. General Scott had stormed the strongest places in the coun- try, won

battles against armies double, treble, and even quadruple his own, and marched without a single reverse from Vera Cruz to Mexico. He had lost fewer men, made fewer mistakes, and caused less devastation in proportion to his victories than any invading general of former times. When the Duke of Wellington was asked and David Hays served in Ohio regiments. by a great soldier what he thought of Theodore D. Cochran, one of the editors Scott's Mexican campaign, his reply was, of the York Republican, was first lieutenant "It was a war of miracles !"

The treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo was concluded February 2, 1848. New Mexico and Upper California were ceded to the United States, and the western boundary of Texas was fixed at the Rio Grande del Norte. In return the United States agreed to pay fifteen millions of dollars, and to as- sume the debts due American citizens by Regular the Mexican government to the amount of three million five hundred thousand dollars. The war cost the United States about twenty-five thousand men (most of whom had died by disease) and one hundred and sixty million dollars.

Besides those mentioned as hay- York County Soldiers. ing enlisted from York County to serve in the Mexican War, were the following who served in the different commands : Emanuel Bates, James H. Ross, Jacob Pat- terson, George Johnston, George Smith, William Tinner, William Fray, David Harp, Samuel Semons, John Fields, Henry Stair, Edward Lay, Alexander McPherson, Lieu-

Operations were resumed on tenant Theodore D. Cochran, John Leaman, Colonel R. M. Russel, William Bair.

All the volunteer soldiers from York County who served in the Mexican War were in the army of General Scott. They took part in the battles of his brilliant cam- paign. William Eurick was killed at the siege of Puebla under General Scott on his march to the Mexican capital in 1847. Jacob Danner died of sickness. After be- ing discharged, five of their comrades each contributed ten dollars for the purpose of bringing the remains of the deceased sol- diers to York for burial, where they were interred with military honors. Jacob Sny- der and John Walters from York County, who served in Company C, Second Penn- sylvania Regiment, died of fever in the hos- pital at Puebla.

Colonel Albert C. Ramsey, a native of York County and a member of the bar, com- manded the Eleventh Infantry, in the Mexi- can War. There were some York County soldiers in his regiment which distinguished itself in the battle of Molino del Rey. George Johnston, of York, was killed in this battle. Weirich Pentz, Colonel Brough

of a company of cavalry connected with the Eleventh United States Infantry. His command did valiant service in the cam- paign under General Scott. During the Civil War, he commanded a company in the Sixteenth Pennsylvania Regiment.

A number of York Countians be- In the longed to the United States army and navy at the opening of the

Army. Mexican War. Richard E. Coch- ran, brother of Hon. Thomas E. Cochran, of York, and a captain in the regular army, served under General Taylor and was killed while leading his company at the battle of Resaca de la Palma.

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HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

General William B. Franklin, who com- manded two army corps at the battle of Fredericksburg and won distinction as a soldier in the Civil War, served as a topo- graphical engineer under General Taylor, during the first part of the Mexican War. He was a native of York and a graduate of West Point in the same class with General Grant, in 1843. His brother, Samuel R. Franklin, a graduate of the Naval Academy at Annapolis, served as a lieutenant on the frigate America, which formed a part of Admiral Conner's fleet, which guarded the harbor at Vera Cruz.

Horatio Gates Gibson, brother of John Gibson, president judge of York County Courts, served as second lieutenant in the Third Artillery, in Scott's army, and be- came a brigadier-general during the Civil War. His brother, William Gibson, served on the gunboat Reefer, in the Gulf of Mexico, and was present at the attacks on Alvarado and Tabasco. Lieutenant George P. Welsh, son of Henry Welsh, of York, was present at the bombardment of Vera Cruz, and in the expeditions against Tam- pico and Alvarado.

Granville O. Haller, a native of York and a graduate of West Point, served during the Mexican War, as first lieutenant of Company C, Fourth United States Infantry. He was in command of his company on the March to the Mexican capital. Ulysses S. Grant was second lieutenant and quarter- master in the same regiment. On the 12th of September, Grant asked permission of General Worth to place a mountain howitzer in the steeple of a Catholic Church which stood on an eminence over- looking the city. With this small cannon he sent solid shot which landed in the grand plaza or centre square in the City of Mexico. For this achievement, Grant re- ceived the commendation of General Worth before his entire division. Three days before this event, General Grant issued an order to Lieutenant Haller. This order shows that the Fourth United States Infan- try at that time was using flint-lock rifles. The order, which was presented to the York County Historical Society by John B. Welsh, reads as follows :

Invoice of Ordnance and Ordnance Stores this day turned over to Lieutenant G. O. Haller, commanding Company C. 4th Infantry, by Lieut. U. S. Grant, 4th Infantry. Viz. :

3212 Three thousand, two hundred and twelve ball and buck shot cartridges.

Two hundred and fifty Flints.

Tacubaya, Mex.,

Sept. 9, 1847. Signed Duplicates.

U. S. GRANT, 2d Lient. 4th Infantry, Regimental Q. M.

The famous Ringgold Battery from Read- ing, Pennsylvania, which afterward won such high laurels in the Civil War, passed through Hanover, in an overland route, on the way from Baltimore, where they had landed.

In 1906, Colonel R. M. Russel and Wil- liam Bair, both 82 years of age, were the sole survivors of the Mexican War, then residing in York County.

An enthusiastic reception was

Welcomed given to the Mexican soldiers

Home. on their return to York, July 31, 1848. When the news ar- rived that these veterans had reached Balti- more, a committee of York citizens went down to meet them and escort them home. The soldiers were accompanied by Captain William F. Small, of Harrisburg, under whose command some of them had served in the war.

A procession had been formed in centre square with Major George Hay as chief marshal. In the line of march were three local military companies, the Independent Blues, the Washington Greys and Pennsyl- vania Guards. They were commanded by Captain Daniel Motter. The procession moved up George Street to Centre Square and then proceeded to a position in front of the Court House. The military companies were drawn up in line facing the Court House steps. At this juncture, James Buchanan, of Lancaster, who afterward be- came President of the United States, ad- dressed the veterans of the Mexican War and paid tribute to the fine military appear- ance of the local companies. Speeches, on behalf of the returning soldiers, were made by Sergeant Thomas A. Ziegle and Captain W. F. Small.

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353

THE CIVIL WAR

CHAPTER XXIII THE CIVIL WAR.

Fort Sumter-Call for Troops-Camp Scott - Local Patriotism - Regimental Muster Rolls-Confederate Invasion of 1862-Invasion of 1863-Battle of Get- tysburg.

The Civil War was the result of the dif- ference of opinion between the North and the South in reference to the questions of slavery and the individual rights of states. The national constitution was not clear and definite in its reference to these subjects, and the fathers of our republic left these puzzling questions to be settled by their descendants.

Soon after the year 1800 the southern statesmen proclaimed the doctrine of state sovereignty. In 1820 Henry Clay, of Ken- tucky, who in 1815 had been one of the commissioners to sign the treaty of peace which closed the second war with England, brought into the United States Senate what is known as the Missouri Compromise. This bill which became a law admitted Mis- souri as a slave state. About the same time the southern statesmen permitted the ad- mission of Maine as a free state without dissent. From that time forth until the opening of hostilities in 1861 there was a contest in the United States Senate and in the halls of the House of Representatives in reference to the admission of states to the Union. As soon as any territory south of Mason and Dixon's line became a part of the Union, one was added in the North in order to balance the power in the Senate.

in the great war which lasted four long years.

For a period of fifty years the United States Senate and the affairs of the govern- ment had been controlled by the statesmen of the South. The crisis in public affairs came after the passage of the Kansas- Nebraska Bill, leaving to the voters of the territory of Kansas to decide whether it should be admitted as a slave or a free state. This doctrine became known to American history as "Squatter Sover- eignty." The great contest, in 1858, in Illinois between Abraham Lincoln and Stephen A. Douglas for the control of the State Legislature and the . election of a United States senator brought forth Mr. Lincoln as the candidate of the Republican party for President of the United States. After his election in November, 1860, the affairs of the Government were no longer in the control of the southern statesmen. South Carolina seceded from the Union De- cember 20, 1860, and six other southern states followed her example. At first there was a disposition among some northern people to give consent to the secession of these states, and at this time Horace Gree- ley published in the "New York Tribune" his famous editorial, "Wayward Sisters go in Peace." This sentiment did not prevail. President Lincoln refused to recognize the right of secession and prepared to defend the Union.

The Confederate Government was organ- ized at Montgomery, Alabama, on February 4, 1861, by the election of Jefferson Davis, of Mississippi, president and Alexander H. Stephens, of Georgia, vice-president. This was a temporary organization until the Confederate capital had been removed to Richmond in February, 1862. Abraham Lincoln was inaugurated President of the United States on March 4, 1861. His in- augural address is one of the masterpieces of American literature. It intended to pacify the south, but the sentiment of se- cession had spread over that region like a tornado. Maryland and Kentucky were still in doubt but they were saved to the

John C. Calhoun, of South Carolina, be- came the leader of his countrymen who ad- vocated state sovereignty. Daniel Web- ster, of Massachusetts, the ablest orator of his time and the great expounder of the con- stitution, was the leader of the northern statesmen who opposed the extension of slavery and the individual rights of states. His eloquent words "not liberty first and union afterwards, but liberty and union now and forever, one and inseparable," were echoed and re-echoed throughout the Union. Before the inauguration of Lincoln northern states until the opening of the all the national forts in the seceded states, except Sumter at Charleston, South Caro- lina, and Pickens at Pensacola, Florida, had been surrendered to the state authorities. war. It was this sentiment that stirred up the patriotism of the northern people and caused the noble defense of the Union

354

HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

At this period only seven states had se- every section of the state tendering their ceded, but others threatened to go if the services.

Federal authorities used force to compel the return of those states to the Union.

On April 8, President Lincoln

Fort stated in a public document that

Sumter. Fort Sumter would be provi- sioned by force, if necessary, or- ders having been given to send a fleet to its support. It was then garrisoned by Major Robert Anderson, commanding eighty Fed- eral troops. On April 12, before the fleet could reach its destination a battery had been planted along the shores of Charleston Harbor by the Confederates and fired upon Fort Sumter. Major Anderson replied to this fire and the contest continued for twen- ty-four hours without the loss of life. After having exhausted his ammunition, and the fort being on fire, Anderson surrendered but with the honors of war was permitted to sail for New York.

The effect of the news of this engagement was marvelous. Up to this time most of the northern people had not believed that the South was in earnest. They thought that the questions were political, and like similar ones in the past would somehow be settled as heretofore. When the news of the fall of Sumter was received, the people of the free states seemed to be of one mind and everything else was forgotten. When President Lincoln, on April 15. two days after the surrender, issued his call for 75,000 volunteers, "to maintain the honor, the in- tegrity, and the existence of our national union," the answer was prompt. Thou- sands more than were called for volun- teered, and provisions, money, arms and supplies of all kinds were tendered by states and by individuals.

Pennsylvania was to furnish 14,- Call for On the night of April 16, the Troops. 000 of the troops, in all sixteen regiments, called for by President Sixth Massa- Sixth Massachusetts Regi- chusetts. ment, left Lowell under com- mand of Colonel Jones for the defence of Washington. These troops were all armed and equipped for war. When they reached Philadelphia, they were joined by a regiment of 1,000 men under Colonel W. F. Small, who had commanded a company in the Mexican war, in which Lincoln. Andrew G. Curtin, who had been elected governor of the state in October, 1860, was an ardent Union man. His inaugural address, in January, 1861, re- ferred to the unfortunate condition of the country. Soon after hearing of Lincoln's proclamation. he called upon volunteer com- panies in the state to assemble at Harris- burg and prepare for the defense of the na- our York County troops served. His sol- tion. Even before this call telegrams came diers were all unarmed. When the Sixth Massachusetts was approaching Baltimore, to him from uniformed companies from

On the evening of April 16, a military camp was organized at Harrisburg, com- posed of five companies which had already reached that city and tendered their services to defend the state and nation. These were the Logan Guards of Lewistown, the Ring- gold Battery of Reading, the Allen Rifles of Allentown, the Washington Artillerists and the Light Infantry from Pottsville in

Schuylkill County. On the morning of April 18, these companies left Harrisburg over the Northern Central Railroad. The city of Baltimore was then divided in senti- ment. A large number of her citizens favored secession. Although the Pennsyl- vania troops in their passage through that city were insulted by a mob, they were not fired upon, and they reached Washington at 7 o'clock on the same evening. The Logan Guards had rifles but no ammuni- tion. Most of the men in the other com- panies were unarmed, expecting to be armed and equipped when they reached the capital. Accompanying these first defend- ers of the nation to Baltimore were forty- five troops of the regular army under the command of Lieutenant Pemberton who af- terward joined the Confederacy and sur- rendered to Grant at Vicksburg.

These regular troops were sent to Fort McHenry. The Logan Guards of Lewis- town, contained one hundred men, four of whom afterward became brigadier generals by brevet, four colonels, four lieutenant colonels, six majors, eighteen captains, and thirty-two lieutenants in the volunteer ser- vice of the United States. The Ringgold Battery and the Washington Artillerists had served with distinction in the Mexican War under Scott.

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355

THE CIVIL WAR

Colonel Jones informed his men that they from the northern states passing through were in danger of being attacked by a mob the dominion of Maryland.

while passing through Baltimore. He or- On the evening of April 20, General \\. H. Keim, commanding the militia of Penn- dered them to load their muskets and pre- pare for an attack, but not to fire unless the sylvania, arrived at York from Washington. mob had first fired upon them. These early Because of the destruction of the bridges, he was driven to Cockeysville in a carriage, and reached York on a locomotive. He gave authority for the Worth Infantry and the York Rifles to proceed to Parkton for the purpose of guarding the bridges at that point. They left York at II o'clock on the night of the 20th. Before leaving these companies molded bullets and were fully armed and equipped for the military ser- vice. defenders of the nation were travelling in thirty-five cars, drawn by three engines. When they reached the station at Balti- more, they began to move across the city in cars drawn by horses to Camden station, of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad. At this time, locomotives did not pass through the city. As Colonel Small's troops were un- armed, they remained at the station for a time and then by order of the governor, re- turned to Philadelphia.

Four companies of the Sixth Attacked Massachusetts marched through by a Mob. the city. These were attacked by a mob, throwing stones and brickbats and firing upon the soldiers who quickly returned the fire, killing seven citi- zens of Balitmore and wounding several others. Two of the Massachusetts soldiers were killed. This event occurred on April 19, the anniversary of the battle of Lexing- ton and Concord in the Revolution. In- tense excitement prevailed in Baltimore, and the news of the mob attacking the troops, was telegraphed all over the north- ern states. It aroused the patriotic ardor of the loyal people.

As early as January 15, 1861, a Union meeting had been held in the Court House at York, to discuss the condition of affairs in the country. When the news of the at- tack on Fort Sumter reached the town, the Camp Worth Infantry, Captain Thomas A. Ziegle, Scott. and the York Rifles. Captain George Hay. offered their services to the government. These companies were both armed with rifles which had been furnished them two years before by the secretary of war. On April 17, the governor accepted their ser- vices and they awaited the call to duty.

Governor Curtin organized the First, Second and Third Regiments of Pennsyl- vania Volunteers, at Harrisburg, and sent them late in the night of April 20, to Cock- eysville, to defend the bridges and the American flag. These troops were all armed with twenty rounds of ammunition. They were provided with rations for two days only and it soon fell to the duty of the citizens of York to slaughter bullocks on the Public Common and gather together other provisions and send them to the troops at Cockeysville and Parkton. Meantime, Mayor Brown and two prominent citizens of Baltimore, called upon President Lincoln at the White House, and asked that these Pennsylvania troops be sent without the state of Maryland in order to prevent blood- shed, because of the secession sentiment in Baltimore.

On April 23, the three regiments at Cockeysville, numbering in all 2,400 men, and the two York companies at Parkton, were sent to York and went into camp on the Fair Grounds, south- east of the town. On Sunday, April 21, a company had arrived from Gettysburg, to- gether with the Hanover Infantry, Captain Cyrus Diller, and the Marion Rifles, Cap- tain H. Gates Weiser, and were quartered either on the Fair Grounds or at Odd Fel- lows Hall, which was then used as an ar- mory. The place of rendezvous on the Fair

Immediately after the attack on the troops at Baltimore had occurred, Governor Hicks, of Maryland, ordered the bridges of the Northern Central Railroad north of the Grounds was named Camp Scott. city and the bridges on part of the road Early in May, 1861, there were six full regiments stationed at Camp Scott. In the from Baltimore to Wilmington, to be burned. He claimed to be in favor of the brigade under Brigadier General G. C. Wyn- Union and ordered this destruction of the koop were the First Regiment, Samuel Yohe, commander; Lieutenant Colonel bridges for the purpose of preventing troops

356

HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

Tilghman Good, and Major Thomas W. Soon afterward the Department of Mary- Linn; the Second Regiment, Colonel F. S. land was created. General John A. Dix, of Stambaugh, Lieutenant Colonel Thomas New York, was placed in charge.

Welsh, Major James Givens; the Third Regiment, Colonel Francis P. Miner, Lieu- tenant Colonel John M. Power, Major Oli- ver P. Irvine: the Sixteenth, Colonel Thomas A. Ziegle, Lieutenant Colonel George A. Higgins, Major Frank T. Ben- nett. All the companies in the Sixteenth except the Doylestown and the four York County companies were from Schuylkill County.

In the brigade under Brigadier General J. S. Negley were the Twelfth Regiment, under Colonel David Campbell, Lieutenant Colonel Norton McGriffin, Major Alexander Hay ; the Nineteenth, Colonel T. A. Rowley, Lieutenant Colonel J. N. Purviance, Major IV. S. Millinger.

The stock stalls, sheds and buildings on the fair grounds being insufficient for the accommodation of so large a number of troops, board sheds were erected for many of them. The main building was turned into a hospital. The fences around the race track were removed to make room for drills. Captain Campbell's battery of artillery from Chambersburg formed part of the camp.

On May 3, snow fell to the depth of sev- eral inches and was followed by warm weather. This caused the camps to be very uncomfortable for several days when many of the troops were quartered in different buildings at York. These six regiments re- mained in camp at York until June, when they were sent to the front and joined the army in the field. Meantime affairs at Bal- timore were in an exciting condition.

Local

On April 20, soon after receiv- ing the news of the attack on

Patriotism. the troops passing through Baltimore, large flags were floated to the breeze from the offices of the York Gazette and the York Republican, and also from the Tremont House, later the National Hotel, which was the stopping place for military officers. Other flags were displayed from the private residences of many citizens. On Monday, April 22, a tall pole was erected in Centre Square and a bunting flag unfurled to the breeze. Dur- ing this ceremony, the Worth Infantry Band played the Star Spangled Banner. Hon. Robert J. Fisher delivered a speech on this occasion. In the afternoon of the same day, a flag pole, one hundred feet high, was erected in front of the lumber yard of H. Small & Sons, on North Duke Street, when patriotic speeches were delivered by Henry L. Fisher, John Gibson and John W. Bit- tenger. The Continental Club also un- furled a flag. There was a universal senti- ment of patriotism in York and throughout the county and a few days later a flag, thirty-five feet in length, made by the pa- triotic ladies of York, was unfurled from the top of the pole in Centre Square. This was the flag that was taken down by the Con- federates when they entered the town June 28, 1863.

At the meeting of the court on Monday, April 22, the president judge, Robert J. Fisher, in charging the grand jury, referred to the distracted state of the country, and urged upon them the necessity of providing for the comfort and support of those who had so promptly obeyed their country's call. He stated that the citizens of York had sub- scribed several thousand dollars, and that the borough authorities had appropriated $1,000, and recommended the grand jury to request the commissioners to make a liberal appropriation for the same purpose out of the county funds, and said that he had no doubt the appropriation would be legalized by the Legislature. Several members of the bar also addressed the grand jury. The

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History of York County Pennsylvania, Volume I, Part 63

Author: Prowell, George R. Publication date: 1907 Publisher: J. H. Beers Number of Pages: 1372

Author: Prowell, George R.
Publication date: 1907
Publisher: J. H. Beers
Number of Pages: 1372