History of York County, Pennsylvania : from the earliest period to the present time, divided into general, special, township and borough histories, with a biographical department appended, Part 43

Author: Gibson, John, Editor
Publication date: 1886
Publisher: F.A. Battey Publishing Co., Chicago
Number of Pages: 1104

USA > Pennsylvania > York County > History of York County, Pennsylvania : from the earliest period to the present time, divided into general, special, township and borough histories, with a biographical department appended > Part 43

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After the withdrawal of the Southern troops arrangements were made for the recep- tion of patients from Gettysburg. A large number of teuts were put up. Every day brought trains filled with patients, as they were removed from the field hospitals. We had a few prisoners here from a North Caro- lina regiment. They were quartered in the Odd Fellows' Hall. We found them grate- ful, quiet and respectful in deportment, Great care was taken to preserve the limbs of the patients, and many a man left the hospital unmaimed, who would have been laid upon the amputation table but for the extreme caution of the surgeons. At one time seventy two men with compound frac- tures of the thigh were transferred to York from the field hospital at Gettysburg. They were treated by "conservative surgery "; in most cases the cure was complete, although the patient ever after bore the mark of his honorable wounds.

As the autumn winds again blew across the stubble fields the boys were again shut up in the hospital. Some who had left here in the spring, able for active service, were returned to swell the ranks of the wounded and invalid corps. The familiar scenes and well known faces of old friends in attendance upon the hospital wards, were greeted with pleasure by the poor fellows, and they exerted them- selves to make a home-like place of their quarters. Pictures, flags, and crayon sketches adorned the white-washed walls. Flowers and vines blossomed and thrived in the little casements, and a general air of comfort

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HOSPITAL WORK.

reigned throughout the premises. In Novem- ber, 1863, Dr. Blair returned to the work in York, and was made executive officer. After leaving Columbia he had gone to the Army of the Potomac, and while there had a severe attack of bilious fever, which rendered him incapable of duty for a time. Dr. Blair was born in Strasburg, Lancaster County. (His father shortly after left Strasburg for Har- ford County, Maryland.) He received a thorough education at the classical academy in New London, Penn. He was a student in the office of Dr. Theodore Haller for some time; was a graduate of the Jefferson Medi- cal College, at Philadelphia. In 1853, he commenced practice in York, with flattering prospects. He took a lively interest in com- mon schools and the cause of popular educa- tion. He was elected county superintendent in 1855, and continued to fill the office with general approval until 1862, when he resigned to enter the volunteer service as a sur- geon. He continued his work with unsel- fish devotion until the close of the war, when he resumed practice in York. In 1864 he married Cassandra M. Small, third daughter of Philip Small. As executive officer, Dr. Blair was most happy in resources to relieve the tedium of the monotonous life. His hands were sustained by an efficient corps of surgeons. Amusements and employments for the mind were provided for as carefully as for the healing of bodily diseases.

As time wore on, the constant demand upon the community for funds for the sani- tary commission, developed plans for raising them. A fair was held in the Odd Fellows Hall. It was a gratifying success. The whole was beautifully decorated with ever- greens and draped with flags of the national colors, and those of different nations. Por- traits of military and naval heroes, framed in laurel wreaths, adorned the walls. A pro- fusion of flowers and fancy work embellished the tables. Booths, representing various nations, with attendants in appropriate cos- tumes, contained curiosities to tempt the lover of bric-a-brac. The lunch and supper tables were supplied with the choicest viands, donated by the citizens. A grand entertain- ment of music and tableaux tirants was a popular feature of the week. (The county commissioners granted the use of the court house for the exhibition.) The fine amateur talent, for which York has always been cele- brated, was brought out, and the stage repre- sentations were fully equal to professional effort. The soldiers who were able, entered the work with great zeal, and made themselves generally useful. The proceeds of the fair amounted to $4,675.

In March, 1864, the first number of the Cartridge Box was issued, edited and printed by the soldiers. It was a spicy little sheet, brimming over with fun and patriotism. It was published weekly, and was continued until the close of the hospital.

In the month of April, 1864, many vacant places were left by the boys, who returned to their regiments. Those who were still unable for field duty, took great delight in improving the external appearance of their temporary home, and showed much pride in keeping the grounds neat. They had a fine garden with vegetables and flowers.

In May, preparations were ordered for the reception of 1,500 patriots. One hundred additional tents were put up. At that time there were 2,500. patients with twenty-two surgeons. The ward committees redoubled their exertions in behalf of the suffering mul- titude. The liberal citizens always were equal to the emergency. The farmers in the vicinity and the neighboring towns of Lan- caster and Columbia sent timely contribu- tions of clothing, bedding, old linen, band- ages and lint, and a great abundance of dried fruit, vegetables, butter, eggs, in fact, every . thing needed by the patients requiring special diet. The demand upon the general hospital fund was much less than in any other hospital. A large surplus fund was accumulated and sent to supply the deficien- cies in other hospitals.

The bloody battle of the Wilderness fur- nished many recruits to the invalid ranks. They reached here in a most deplorable con- dition, many of them were reduced with chronic diseases, and in some cases, gangrene had appeared. A marked improvement was soon apparent. The high situation and pure . atmosphere of the hospital in York had a sal- utary influence upon the health and spirits. In June a thousand additional patients were sent. Under the excellent management of the officer, the condition had continually improved. The mess table seated 800. and was filled three times at each meal. A track was laid through the center of the table, with miniature cars to convey the food ; this model invention was much admired by the visitors. But few deaths occurred during the summer. Some hopeless cases appealed to our sympathies. and day by day we saw the night approaching, which would end the last struggle of the gallant boys.

In July. 1864, the border towns were in imminent danger of another invasion, and droves. of cattle, and wagons piled with household goods, and farming implements, continually passed through the town on their

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way to safe regions beyond the river. The military authorities at the hospital called on the citizens to defend their homes from the invaders. The call was answered by 500 men. Three hundred and fifty were sent to Glen Rock to guard the Northern Cen- tral road. A dispatch from Gen. Couch to the surgeon in charge at the hospital. expressed his great satisfaction at this prompt and patriotic action on the part of the citi- zens of York, and his desire that the organi- zation might be kept up, and thus constitute a reliable force for any future emergency.

In September, Surg. Palmer was grant- ed a furlough of sixty days to recruit his health. Before leaving. Dr. Palmer addressed the following circular to the officers and attendants under his command.

United States Army. General Hospital, York, Penn., Sept. 7.

To the officers and attendants of the United States Army General Hospital, York, Penn.

In taking my leave of absence for sixty davs, allow me to express to you my sincere thanks for the energetic, faithful manner the duties assigned you have been performed. since we have been asso- ciated together at this hospital.

The duties you have been ordered to perform have been laborious, and at times unpleasant, but the promptness and cheerfulness with which every order has been obeyed; your hearty co-operation in every movement to relieve the sufferings and increase the comfort of your sick and wounded fellow soldiers, entitles you to the confidence and esteem of those who have been under your care. and the thanks of the surgeon in charge. HENRY PALMER

Surgeon United States Army.

Drs. Blair, Smyser, Rouse and Ker were included in the corps of physicians. Dr. Palmer was succeeded by Dr. St. John Min- zer, who continued the improvements of the buildings and grounds. He laid out regular streets, planted trees, erected a fountain, and beautified the grounds with flower and foli- age beds.

On the 27th of September, the Eighty .sev- enth Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers returned. This regiment was principally recruited from the town and county ; the men were royally welcomed with a grand proces- sion, speeches, and a sumptuous dinner served in the chapel, which was hung with flags. In January, 1865, the beautiful chapel was dedicated. The library was removed to the eastern part, which was used as a reading room, and furnished with con- veniences for writing. The west end was utilized as a school room. Competent teachers were employed, the head-master was a grad- mate of Yale college. The curriculum embraced the full English course, and a class in German. The school was fully attended by the boys, many of whom had left their studies to enter the service, and who gladly

improved the opportunities to make good their lost advantages.

Divine service was held on Sabbath morn- ing and evening, and on Tuesday evening. In the interim the chapel was used for public entertainments, which were largely patron- ized by the citizens as well as soldiers. The best orators of the day were procured to deliver lectures.

The hospital was a minature world in itself, with postoffice, printing office, cabinet, car- penter, paint and tinshops. All the work of of the various departments was done and the grounds kept in order by the convalescents, without one dollar of additional expense to the government, and not a man was employed who was fit for field duty.

In the spring of 1865, the number of patients was greatly reduced, the term of enlistment of many of the men expired, and they gladly exchanged the blue uniforms for the citizen's dress.

The fall of Richmond, successive surren- ders of the Confederate commanders ended the war, and the mission of the York military hospital was fulfilled. Although a score of years have passed since its close, the recol- lections of its benefits still live in many a grateful heart.

It has, perhaps, the most gratifying records of any general hospital in the coun- try. Of 1,500 inmates during the three years of its existence, but 200 deaths occurred, and the general health was remarkably good. The barracks have long since been taken away. The scenes which were once a vivid reality, are now but a memory of the past.

GEN. STUART'S DETOUR THROUGH YORK COUNTY .*

ENGAGEMENT AT HANOVER.

O N Tuesday morning, June 30, 1863, the sun rose bright and clear, and began to send forth his gentle rays over the quiet and inter. esting town of Hanover, but not a citizen then thought that day was to be the most eventful one in the entire history of the borough. The second northern invasion of Gen. Lee's army was anticipated, after the disastrous defeat of the Union Army at Chancellorsville, Va., in May, but the position of neither army was generally known to the citizens of southern Pennsylvania on

* By George R. Prowell.

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GEN. STUART'S DETOUR.

the day of the engagement at Hanover. For several days before this event, trains of wag- ons and many people with valuable household articles and horses passed through town on their way beyond the Susquehanna River to a place of security from the invading foe. On Saturday, the 27th of June, Col. White, commanding about 250 Confederate cavalry- men, came into town from the west. In the Public Square they halted a few minutes; he made a brief speech to the citizens who had collected and inquired of them if there were any Union soldiers about the town. He seemed to be an excitable, impetuous sort of personage, of large build and auburn com- plexion. In his brief address, he claimed that his soldiers were gentlemen, and would be inoffensive to private citizens. His lan- guage, however, was more forcible than elegant. Visiting stores and obtaining articles of clothing, cutlery, etc., they went to Hanover Junction, and destroyed the bridges on the Northern Central Railway, and from thence went toward York, where they joined Early's army.

On the 28th of June, Maj. Gen. Kil- patrick left Frederick, Md., leading the advance of the Union Army; passing through Taneytown, and Littlestown, he en- tered Hanover about eight o'clock on the morning of the 30th, at the head of his army, consisting of the Eighteenth Pennsyl- vania, First Virginia, Fifth New York, First Vermont, Fifth, Sixth and Seventh Michigan, and other cavalry regiments, and two batteries of artillery. The entire division numbered about 5,000 men, brave soldiers, who had participated in many a hard-fought battle south of Mason and Dixon's line. Tired and weary of their long and tedious marching, their spirits were much enlivened by the en- thusiastic welcome they received from the people of Hanover, who for several days were kept in anxious suspense, on account of having no telegraphic communication with the outside world. Regiment after regiment passed up through Frederick Street, and halt. ed a few minutes in Center Square, where they were generously fed by patriotic citi- zens. Few of the soldiers dismounted, but partook of the proffered food as they sat on their horses. They were not retreating from a dangerous foe, but, on the contrary, search- ing for him, and were courageously led by a bold, impetuous and skillful commander, in whom every soldier had implicit confidence. Gen. J. E. B. Stuart, the Confederate cav- alry commander of Lee's army, with Gen. Fitz Hugh Lee, second in command, had crossed the Potomac River, at Seneca, with

8,000 cavalry, on June 28th, at the same time that Gen. Kilpatrick left Frederick for Hanover. Stuart moved northeast to the right of our army as far as Westminster, Md., burned seventeen canal boats, robbed and burned 168 Union Army wagons, and cap- tured a number of straggling soldiers. From Westminster his army moved toward Hanover; the main body encamped for the night of June 29tb, at Union Mills, Maryland. The ad- vance had moved farther northeast and en- camped a few miles southwest of Hanover. On the evening of the 29th, from the hills a distance south of the town, the Confederate advance caught sight of the Union cavalry, but the Union troops were unaware of the near approach of the enemy. About nine o'clock the next morning, a Union sharp- shooter by deliberate aim picked off a Con- federate officer, about three and one-half miles south-west of the town. This was the first blood shed on free soil during the civil war in an engagement, and was the first victim of the day. The Eighteenth Pennsylvania Cav- alry formed the last detachment of Gen. Kilpatrick's army. They were at first attacked in the rear by a squad of Confederate soldiers, dressed in the national uniform, and carrying an American flag. This occurred at the union of Westminister and Littletown roads and utterly demoralized the regiment, which extended from the point of first attack to Center Square. The advance of this regi- ment were in the center of the town, some of them dismounted, enjoying the hospitable bounties of generous citizens. The square and streets were lined with people, to feed and welcome the Union soldiers, unconscious of the fact that the enemy were attacking the rear. At this instant, Major Hammond, of the Fifth New York, mounted on a black charger, rode across the Square and in loud and measured tones exclaimed, "The citizens will please go into their houses; the rebels are about to charge into town." Confusion and consternation followed, and in an instant there was a clash of arms on Frederick Street, and the enemy came dashing forward with a terrific yell, capturing a number of the Eighteenth Pennsylvania in the square; the rest, becoming utterly demoralized, were driven as far north on Abbottstown Street, as the railroad.

On this first charge, a number of men were killed and wounded on the streets of the town, but providential it must have been, not a single citizen was injured, even though balls were flying in all directions, and most of them did not heed the advice of the officer who requested that they should go in their

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HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY.

houses. Brig .- Gens. Farnsworth and Custer, who had gone through town, soon came to the rescue. A part of Gen. Farnsworth's brigade, consisting of the Fifth New York, the Eighteenth Pennsylvania, the First Vir- ginia and the Tenth Vermont Regiments, quickly countermarched, and with great cour- age and impetuosity drove the Confederate Army out of the town, and amid the shouts of the other Union soldiers, pursued them in hot haste to the Confederate artillery force, a short distance out on the Westminster road. There was then a lull of about half an hour. In the meantime, Gen. Kilpatrick, who with the advance guard of his army had gone as far as Abbottstown, and when within a few rods of the toll gate on the York turnpike, east of that town, received a message that Gen. Stuart had attacked the rear of his army. At this instant the booming of the guns was heard at Hanover, when, quick as a flash, the intrepid officer took in the whole situation at one grasp; ordered his lines to countermarch, and he, at the head of a small band of heroic followers, to avoid the con- fusion of returning to his rear on the turn- pike, which was filled with soldiers and wag. on trains, dashed across the fields; his spirited charger, by jumping the fences and ditches, and passing through fields of full-grown wheat and grass, conveyed his master with inconceivable rapidity to the scene of action. The faithful animal, though he perfomed an important act, never afterward recovered from the fearful strain. Kilpatrick in the midst of the confusion located his headquar- ters in room 24, of the Central Hotel, while Gen. Custer was in the house of the late Jacob Wirt (now Robert Wirt's home), and Gen. Farnsworth in the house of William Wirt (now owned by William Boadenhamer). In the meantime, the Eighteenth Pennsyl- vania occupied the town, and were barricad- ing York and Baltimore Streets to impede the progress of the enemy in advancing on another charge. A rebel cannon or two were planted at a lime-kiln to the rear of Karl Forney's barn, and a number of shots were fired into town. At the expiration of half an hour from the time of the first charge, another charge was made by the Confederates, many of them coming from the direction of Stuart's headquarters, west of the cemetery. They entered the town through the alleys and by- ways, and a confused hand-to-hand en- counter again took place on the streets and in Center Square. Farnsworth's brigade, above mentioned, including two Michigan regiments and the First Vermont, did valiant service in repelling the Confederate troops

and driving them for the last time out of town. During this charge many thrilling and exciting hand to hand encounters took place. The guns of the Union Army were placed to the northwest of town, and the Con - federate artillery on the Baltimore turnpike and west of the cemetery. For a short time rapid cannonading took place, exchanging shots between the two batteries which caused only a few casualties. The conflict continued from 10 A. M., to about noon, when Stuart gave up the contest, taking with him his wounded, whose number cannot accurately be given, but was not less than the Union loss. Leaving his dead lying scattered in the town and surrounding country, he went south and then east, crossing the Baltimore turnpike at the Brockley farm, about three aud one-half miles south of Hanover. Here with some Union citizens as prisoners, and captured sol- diers, he marched toward Jefferson, from thence to New Salem (Neffstown), arriving there at S P. M., and remaining one hour, long enough to receive the news from some citizens, that Early and his Confederate Army had left York and was on his way to join Lee, but Stuart did not know where his commanding officer was. From New Salem the army slowly plodded along, the last arriving in Dover at sunrise next morning. At this point all the Union prisoners were pa- roled and they marched to York. It was now the first day of July, the event of the first en- . gagement at Gettysburg. Stuart, however, still uninformed as to the true situation of affairs, and of the whereabouts of Lee, moved on northwest through Warrington Township, taking from the farmers all the horses that could be captured, as they had done all along the whole route. The number of captured animals now numbered over a thou- sand. He continued forward through Dills- burg toward Carlisle, only to hear that it was evacuated by the Confederates. He then turned southward in time to take but a small part in the great conflict of Gettysburg, where his commanding general so much need- ed help, a fact which Gen. Lee often lamented. It will thus be seen that the engagement at Hanover, which was the first battle in the State of Pennsylvania, since that at German- town in 1777, was really the beginning of the great conflict at Gettysburg, and as such should go into history. It had much to do in deciding that great contest. Gen, Lee many times said that what he so much need- ed the first days of the battle of Gettysburg was his cavalry. Stuart's absence, and Gen. Lee's not knowing of his whereabouts, caused much uneasiness on the part of the command- ing general.

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GEN. STUART'S DETOUR.

Gen. Kilpatrick after the engagement moved northward, to intercept the retreat of Gen. Early toward Gettysburg to join Gen. Lee. He struck the rear of Ewell's division by the village of Hampton, about ten miles north of Hanover, where a few shots were exchanged. He then proceeded west, and on the second and third days of the battle of Gettysburg, located southwest of the town on the extreme left of Gen. Meade's army. Gen. Farnsworth, one of his division commanders at Hanover, was killed at Gettysburg.

ARRIVAL OF THE SIXTH CORPS.

On the evening of the 30th a messenger bearing dispatches from the forces at Han- over to Gen. Schenck, then in command at Baltimore, was killed by mistake about 12 o'clock at night, in Codorus Township, on his way to Baltimore. He was mistaken for a Confederate straggler or spy. On the even- ing of June 30th, the Sixth Army Corps, under command of Gen. Sedgwick, and the Fifth Corps, under Gen. Stykes, encamped at Union Mills, eight miles southwest of Han- over. On the following night Sedgwick's corps encamped a few miles west of Hanover and Stykes' corps, which occupied the ex- treme right of Gen. Meade's army, moved toward Hanover. He had 15, 400 men, with an immense train of wagons, containing pro- visions, munitions of war, and artillery. He encamped for a short time on the meadows, west of town, and on the level fields ad join- ing Plum Creek, intending to rest his horses and soldiers, when a dispatch-bearer brought a message to him from Gen. Meade, asking him to hasten to Gettysburg as soon as pos- sible, which he accordingly did, arriving on the field of battle at 3 o'clock P. M., on July 2nd.

CAREER AND FATE OF SOME OF THE OFFICERS.

Gen. Sedgwick was killed in the battle of the Wilderness, in Virginia, in May of the next year, as was also the aged veteran, Gen. James S. Wadsworth of New York. Gen. Farnsworth, whose military bearing and courtly manners had won the hearts of many citizens at Hanover during his brief stay there, was killed at Gettysburg. The country's salvation claimed no nobler sacrifice. He significantly said to the barber at Hanover, when he shaved him, " my days of fighting are nearly over." Gen. Kilpatrick, who was but twenty-seven at the time of the battle of Hanover, afterward did valiant service while in command of the cavalry on Gen. Sherman's famous"March to the Sea." He died a few years

ago of Bright's disease of the kidneys, while representing the United States as minister in the Republic of Chili, South America. From him many of the facts of the engagement at Hanover were personally obtained. Gen. Custer, who after the war closed remained in the regular army, while commanding the Seventh United States Cavalry on a march against the Sioux Indians, in Montana, fell a victim to a horrible butchery on June 25, 1876, in the hands of the savages who greatly overpowered him in numbers. After a struggle, equalling in desperation and dis- aster any other Indian battle ever fought in America, he and his entire command were killed. It was generally believed that he was the last to fall.

The surgeon in charge of the Hanover hospital of the army of the Potomac, made the following official report to the government of the engagement of Hanover:

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History of York County, Pennsylvania : from the earliest period to the present time, divided into general, special, township and borough histories, with a biographical department appended, Part 43

Author: Gibson, John, Editor Publication date: 1886 Publisher: F.A. Battey Publishing Co., Chicago Number of Pages: 1104

Author: Gibson, John, Editor
Publication date: 1886
Publisher: F.A. Battey Publishing Co., Chicago
Number of Pages: 1104