USA > Pennsylvania > History of a cavalry company. A complete record of Company "A," 4th Penn'a cavalry, as identified with that regiment in all the campaigns of the Army of the Potomac, during the late civil war > Part 10
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ment ! The measure of despair contrasting with the happy reality, which unseated and usurped its place in a frenzied joy ! The wild and bewildering remembrance of past sorrows and forecastings, which came thronging back, as the tempest-billows rush on rocks which bear the wrecked mariner in safety ! The release from the dungeon, to the brightest liberty on the footstool of heaven ! The crown of all our hopes and prayers-the goal of all our weary, perilous struggles at last secured !
These conflicting emotions over, we gazed with proud admiration on our surroundings. We were in- deed, then, among our friends at last. A sense of most profound and holy serenity came upon us, and made every pulse-beat thrill softly with a tender enjoyment ..
But nature had been overdone, and a physical reaction was rapidly developing. We wilted under the unusual sunlight. Our strength palpably left us. We sank exhausted to the ground. The pow- erful mental and emotional stimulus, had dragged our wasted bodies, long after their inherent energies had been paralyzed.
When the relief came around, they being cavalry pickets, it was found that we were unable to proceed further. The Sergeant of this force, himself, then kindly dismounted, and also ordered one of his men to give Welton his horse. Placing us on these, wo were conducted into the city to the Provost Mar- shall's headquarters. Arriving there we were questioned and cross-questioned. The Captain, being
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an officer in the 1st N. Y. Mounted Rifles, and somewhat familiar with our own regiment, soon satisfied himself that our story was correct. He then pro- cceded to do everything he could, to refresh us, and relieve our sufferings. There was no hard-tack or army fare for us that night ! He kindly had hot biscuits and boiled eggs ordered from his own mess, together with strong, warm coffee, the first that we had tasted since our capture. Besides this we had abundance of spirits, from canteens of the famous commissary, all of which tended to relieve our sor- rows and revive our drooping energies.
Being provided with pleasant quarters, we slept with fearful soundness. Never did slumber wrap the faculties of exhausted nature, with more balmy wings, or more assiduously accomplish that secret and mysterious alchemy, which from the wretched dross of tired brain, aching limb and relaxed nerve, brings out the better than refined gold of renewed strength and cheerfulness. In the morning, whether actually or by contrast, we curiously enough felt quite well. But, on account of sore limbs, Welton could not rise and move about. On the following day, we were conveyed in an old army ambulance to Fort McGruder-the headquarters of the post. There we received every attention and care that our cases demanded. We would have been supplied there at once with fresh supplies of clothing, had it Leun desirable, but we and the officers commanding, thought it better to wait another day, until we arrived at Fortress Monroe, and made our report to the Gen-
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eral Officers, and were supplied from the United States Quartermaster's Department at that place. After remaining at Fort McGruder a couple of days, and rapidly recuperating through excellent care, abundant rations, and refreshing sleep-prominent among our luxuries and comforts, receiving a large supply of fresh oysters-we were conveyed to York- town. Taking a steamer here, we proceedled on our way, under the direction of the Provost Marshall's Department, to Fortress Monroe, where, on arriving in the evening, we were at once taken to Gen. Mer- edith's headquarters, to whom we reported in per- son. All that we had seen, and heard, and endured, we related to him in detail, a story which he listened to with deep interest. We also gave him all the in- formation that we had picked up on the way. IIe toll us we had brought in some very valuable intel- ligence, and that we would be remembered from the war department. He said it was one of the best escapes, under the circumstances, which the war had yet brought to light. He supplied us with every- thing necessary from the Quartermaster's Depart- ment at Fortress Monroe, in the line of clothing and army supplies generally, giving us an entire new outfit of uniform gratis-with the other needful ac- cessories of a solder. After the benefit of a thor- ought bath and serubbing, we ventured to don the new garb, and appear once more outwardly, as we Had always been inwardly, unmistakable Union cav- alry-men. We not only made a more presentable appearance, but we appeared more singly (?) than
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we had done for weeks before, there having been all along too many of us for the comfort of any one. We were then quartered in camp at Hampton, until Gen. Meredith was ready to send us North. This he did on the following day, when we took the regu -. lar daily steamer for Baltimore. On arriving in the beautiful Monumental City, not having any papers with us on account of some neglect in the Provost Marshall's Office at Fortress Monroe, we were not recognized in the character which belonged to us, and were forwarded to a Camp of Distribution, com- posed in a great measure of skulkers from the army, bounty-jumpers, recaptured deserters, etc. The fol- lowing day we applied for a leave of absence, to either proceed to our homes on a short furlough, or to be forwarded at once to our regiment. Receiving no satisfactory answer, and being refused an audi- ence even with the Colonel commanding, we deter- mined to waylay him, or force an interview as he entered camp. We wished to learn what this treat- ment meant. Accordingly on the subsequent day, we met him as he was coming into camp-boldly accosting him, and relating, briefly, our story. He seemed to discredit it, and think it was some subter- fuge, such as the class of men under his charge wouldl resort to, but said he would inquire into the facts. This he did, and the next day came up to camp, with a furlough for each of us for twenty days. Welton, however, refused to accept this furlough, preferring to rejoin the regiment at once. He had been home just before having been captured, at the
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time he had received his severe wounds. But I had not been home since leaving when the war began, and was naturally anxious to make a visit there. Besides, I was still in sorry plight, and wished to see my friends for a short time. I did not know whether my family knew where I was at the time or not. As I afterwards discovered, they had considered me dead all along, until they had received a few lines scrawled on the leaf of a diary, which I had written while in prison at Richmond, and enclosed in a rebel envelope, directing through the care of the commissioners for the exchange of prisoners. Wonderful to relate, it had found its way to Mauch Chunk, and there gave a clue to my whereabouts, my condition, and pros- pects, which at that time were gloomy enough. I had, before, been reported killed in action. Capt. Tombler, of the company, had even gone so far as to call at my father's house, while on leave of absence from the army, and give the details of my supposed death. He related that parties had seen me fall dead from my horse, from a wound through the head, and that my horse had returned riderless to the Company's ranks. Some of the men had seen me while motionless, on the ground, with the blood streaming from a wound, where a rifle ball had ap- parently passed through my brain. I was considered dead, and mourned as such. My obituary was pub- lished in the papers at Mauch Chunk. I had the rare and peculiar pleasure of reading it on my visit home. It was couched in the usual vocabulary of eulogy on the death of a soldier. On receiving my
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leave of absence, I went to the Quartermaster's De- partment in Baltimore by direction, and was fur- nished with transportation as far as Philadelphia, which was charged to me on the pay-rolls. On ar- riving there, I again applied to the Quartermaster's Department, but was informed that transportation could not be furnished, since troops going home were not entitled to it by the regulations, they allow- ing it only to troops returning to the army. This again placed me in a rather bad predicament, as I was totally destitute of means at the time. But after working on the sympathies of the Lieut. Colonel and Quartermaster of the department, I managed to induce him to grant me transportation home on furlough. I had nothing, of course, but my own story as a basis on which to claim the privilege, which it was optional with them to believe or not. I immediately started for the depot, but before reach- ing there I met many former friends, any one of whom would have cheerfully rendered the necessary assist- ance. I arrived in Mauch Chunk at 10 o'clock that night, which was the evening before Thanksgiving day, according to Presidential and Gubernatorial proclamations. My appearance greatly surprised my relatives. They looked on ine as if I had just arisen from the grave. It was the occasion of great rejoicing, even at that late hour of night. The " fatted calf" was brought forth, without further ceremony, and over its slaughtered remains hilarious enjoyment reigned supreme. They had, it is true,
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received a letter, which proved that I had not per- ished in battle, but knowing that I was incarcerated in Libby Prison, and having learned to what priva- tions and sufferings the prisoners were there sub- jected, they had reasonably concluded that I had per- ished.
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CHAPTER XVIII.
BATTLE-FIELDS BY MOONLIGHT.
I FOUND my native town at this time the head- quarters of a regiment, which had been sent into the mining regions of Eastern Pennsylvania, to suppress riots, and enforce drafts. On the follow- ing day, Thanksgiving, a dinner was tendered this command by the citizens of Mauch Chunk. Upon learning that I had arrived the night before, I was visited by several committees, and urgently requested to be present. Feeling still very miserable, how- ever, from the effects of my late trials, and also on account of my wound, which now needed all possible care and attention, I declined the invitation, and re- mained at home. I continued under the best of care, until my furlough expired, and still further during an extension of my leave of absence.
The time having at last expired, I again proceeded to rejoin my Company and regiment, which was then encamped at Bull Run Station, on the Orange and Alexandria Railroad, guarding the bridge at that point. This road was then used, as one of the mili- tary avenues, for the conveyance of troops and sup-
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plies to the army. On January 25th, 1864, I re- joined the Company and regiment, at Bull Run Bridge, where they were still guarding the railroad and station. About the time I reached the Com- pany, they had been acting under an order from the War Department in reference to veteran re-enlist- ments.
On reaching my old comrades, they were sur- prised and delighted to see me, but they had been already apprised of my escape from the rebel dun- geons .: Most of the remaining members of the Com. pany were still present, they having re-enlisted for three years longer, or during the war, from January Ist, 1864. My first duty then was to go and do likewise, which I accordingly did, and was duly enrolled and mustered in as a veteran volunteer, of Company A, Fourth Pennsylvania Cavalry, now commanded by Capt. Joseph Andrews, Capt. Tombler having been transferred to the Veteran Reserve Corps.
But we must now return to the time I was last with the Company, and endeavor to trace up its history during my absence from its ranks. On the 13th of October, 1863, the day after our fight at Sulphur Springs, our little band was engaged with the enemy near Bristow Station, where Warren, with portions of the 2d and 5th Army Corps, succeeded in defeating the enemy, and really in dealing him the blow, that caused him to abandon his intentions, whatever they were-in. his flank movement on Washington. To take Washington by surprise, they found out was a
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rather more difficult task than they had imagined. General Meade, having penetrated their designs, was ready for them at all points. The enemy, finding their plans baffled, at once retired, and moved back gradually to their old position on the Rapidan. Gen. Meade followed them closely, and in fact forced them to some extent. By a dexterous movement on the 7th of November, he succeeded in capturing a large number of prisoners, with several officers of high rank, at Rappahannock Station and Kelley's Ford, on the Rappahannock. The enemy immediately after- wards beat a hasty retreat, and by the 8th of Novem- ber was safely in their works at.the Rapidan. After our army had been located again in their camps, north of the Rapidan and around Culpepper, our regiment was divided, and detachments of companies and squadrons were placed along the line of the Orange and Alexandria. Railroad, to protect that line of communication with the enemy. Our Company was detailed with Company F, and sent to Bull Run Bridge, our regimental headquarters being at Bris- tow Station. While the enemy were retiring, the regiment had been in camp a few days at Fayette- ville, Va., where the pay and muster rolls were made out, and the Company was mustered for the months of September and October, 1863. All the changes that appear on these rolls, we have detailed in the course of our narrative. Our men, recently absent on recruiting service, had now returned with Capt. Andrews.
On account of the preponderance of western in-
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fluence in our regiment, no First Lieutenant was commissioned for upwards of a year after Capt. An- drews had been promoted, although several had been recommended from our regimental headquarters. The company had used all the influence they could command to counteract these recommendations, and succeeded in staying them until members from our own ranks had been recommended. We remained quietly in camp at Bull Run Bridge, making occa- sional scouts towards Gainesville and Aldie, until the latter part of January, 1864.
I can remember often riding over Bull Run Battle Field, on moonlight nights, and hearing the horse's feet kicking the skulls of soldiers who had fallen there, during the memorable battles of two years before. Here and there human bones, singly and in heaps, lay white and glistening in the dew and moonlight- a ghastly memorial of struggles, on the fiery front of war. Yet all was calm and still now, the skies deeply azure, starry, and unclouded, the trees stark and bare, lifting their skeleton forms against the horizon, and no sound save the trample, on stone or skull, of horse-hoofs, and occasionally the light skirr and clatter of fantastic icicles or crisp leaves, hurried along the frozen pools, as frosty winds arose and whirled a moment, subsiding then into utter calmness. Here and there on forest limbs a single leaf lingered, attached by the spiral of a dry and brittle stem. There was not tumult enough now, to even shake this frail thing from its parent hold -- a very " metaphor of peace." Yet beneath this hallowed ground were
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thousands upon thousands of heroic dead-the re- mains of a patriotism and valor, which were prompt and foremost at the nation's call of danger. Their blood has soaked this soil, and their bones lie under its frozen sod, where "they will remain forever !" Peace and honor, through all time, to their heroic ashes.
Although a very serious and inappropriate subject for humor, I will mention here a circumstance, which is certainly very novel. One night, while returning from a guerilla scouting tour, we were crossing these historic grounds, when a rather eccentric comrade in our command, gathered a number of these skulls, strung them together on a wire, and threw them across his saddle. They knocked and clattered together, making a doleful chime, as he galloped along.
On the 25th of November, occurred the memorable movement of the Army of the Potomac-the crossing of the Rapidan and attack of the enemy's lines at Oak Woods and other places. On the 27th, pretty heavy fighting ensued. The enemy were found in strong position at Mine Run. After feeling the rebel condition, and satisfying himself, that his post could not be taken without great slaughter, Gen. Meade, on the 28th inst., concluded to withdraw his army from before the enemy's works, which he ac- eordingly did, recrossing to the north side of the Rapidan, and moving into camp for the winter, in and around Culpepper, Va. This movement of Gen. Meade's has been strongly criticized by a great many, but it is sanctioned, too, by large numbers.
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On the whole it was probably better to risk the chances of censure, than to attempt the re-enactment of the terrible scenes of Fredericksburg, under Burnside.
On the 31st of December, 1863, the company had been mustered for pay on the November and Decem- ber rolls. On these we find the following promotions, changes, etc .: Private John Fiddler, promoted to Quartermaster's Sergeant, vice Wm. E. Thomas, de- ceased. This soldier, having been greatly reduced through sickness in hospital, was granted a furlough to return to his home in Carbon County, to conva- lesce and recuperate. While I was at home on fur- lough, after returning from the rebel prison, I was notified of the presence of a soldier at the American House, Mauch Chunk, who desired to see me. I called on him, but could not recognize the features of my old friend Thomas, he had been so emaciated and reduced. He was scarcely able to speak. I re- mained with him. during the night, and the next day accompanied him to his home at Jeansville, where, after arriving, he almost immediately expired, in the arms of his mother and sister.
Private Simon Dreisbach and Private Chas. Keck were discharged for disability in October.
On the 31st of December, 1863, those men who had re-enlisted for three years, were discharged un- der their first enlistment, and on the Ist of January, 1864, were mustered into service again as veteran volunteers. There were thirty-four of these, in all. On the 16th of January, more members of the Com-
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pany rejoining us, from hospitals, detached service, etc., the most of these also re-enlisted, and were mustered in on January 17th. Six were received at this time, and two some time afterward, when I re- enlisted, making in the Company, forty-two veterans, whose names are in a table annexed. These men, after two years of hard cavalry service in the field, which was now becoming the most active and ardu- ous branch, willingly enrolled themselves again in their country's service, to fight its battles in the ranks for three years longer. Many of these fell in the subsequent campaigns against the enemy, to whose ashes be all honor and peace forevermore. The Company remained at Bull Run Bridge, until January 20th, 1864, during which time I had rejoined its ranks.
We were now ordered to unite with the regiment at Bristow Station, which was at the time being con- eentrated again at that point. After doing picket and scouting duty in the vicinity of Bristow for Gen- eral Crawford, commanding the Pennsylvania Re- serves, with whom our little force was now temporarily detached from the brigade, we scouted the country far around on both sides of the railroad. Frequent- ly we reached as far as Warrenton, and met parties of guerillas, occasionally, with whom we had some sharp skirmishes. During the winter we captured several of these. On two different occasions we entered Moseby's camp, but found it vacated both times-the wily rebel having almost miraculously got wind of our intention. He was a singularly
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active, vigilant and subtle foe. It was impossible to even surprise him, to say nothing of effecting his capture. In the darker crimes of the rebellion, he evinced the merits of a military Claude Duval or Dick Turpin. General Lew. Wallace denominated him, in some respects, the smartest and most remarkable man the war had produced. I do not agree with such a judgment, although I am assured of the fact, that he acted more brilliantly in this sneaking kind of warfare, than others whose names are blatant from the horn of fame. But this kind of ability is very common, and is at once associated with, and evoked by reckless and corrupt morals-the large mushroom of skilled villainy which the dung-hill of destructive- ness sometimes surprisingly displays in war. Almost any common felon, who has been educated into vigi- lance and alertness by depredations on the laws of society, will make so many escapades from and suc- cessful depredations on just law, as to startle himself even, as much as he astonishes any body else. But in times of peace these rogues, having an indefinite plane on which to operate, and their career being shortened sooner or later, but certainly in the end, by the penitentiary or the gallows, their only public ap- pearance is one of defeat and shame, and consequent- ly the glory of their secret but dashing success is obliterated at one fell swoop. Fortunately for Mose- by the war was a very definite plane, and circumstan- ces thus prevented the possibility of that inevitable denouement which would have turned the serious splendor of his record, into the joke of such locality
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and attachment, as might have been effected for his name, by cross beams and hemp.
Under the order governing veteran re-enlistments, we were all entitled to a thirty days' furlough. As we had not yet received it, many of the men were becoming anxious to obtain it, before the opening of the Spring campaign-the most of them not having been home since their first enlistment. They natural- ly wished to visit their friends and families. On the 17th of February our regiment was relieved from duty with the Pennsylvania Reserves, and ordered to join the brigade at Turkey Run, near Warrenton. General Crawford issued a very complimentary order concerning the manner in which we had performed the duty assigned us, while under his command. After the reading of this order to the regiment, we marched forward and joined the brigade, who were doing picket duty in the vicinity of Warrenton, and making reconnoissances for many miles around.
On the 28th of March, 1864, one hundred picked inen were detailed from our regiment, together with like detachments from other regiments in the cavalry corps, to enter the command of Major Taylor of the First Maine Cavalry, and join General Kilpat- rick's force at Stevensburg, which was there organi- zing. With this force we started on a raid into the enemy's country. Our little band numbered about 2000 men, representing all the cavalry regiments in service, in the Army of the Potomac. Crossing the Rapidan at Ely's Ford, by a bold manœuvre, we captured all the rebel pickets at that place, fifteen
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in number, and proceeded rapidly to Spottsylvania Court House by way of Chancellorsville. From there we marched to Beaver Dam Station, on the Richmond and Gordonsville Railroad, where we found a large quantity of supplies. These, with the water-tank, station, etc., we destroyed by burning. We tore up the track for a considerable distance-a few of the enemy maintaining a little skirmishing at a safe dis- tance. From Beaver Dam, we proceeded rapidly to the Brook's Turnpike, which enters Richmond. On the 1st of March, in the afternoon, we appeared be- fore that city. We managed to move inside of two lines of fortifications, into the immediate suburbs of the city, but found the third or inner line, well manned by this time, as the city had been alarmed of our approach, and soldiers and citizens alike, were rushing to the defence. After a short skirmish, and having thrown a quantity of shells into the city, Kilpatrick, from all he could learn, concluded that it was useless to further attempt entering the rebel stronghold. But this he had actually contemplated doing-his intention having been to release the Union prisoners there confined. It was a bold and terrible raid-having been remarkable for its rapidity of movement. Probably the simple truths which we and others had recently related of the untold suffer- ings in those dungeons and jails, impelled this daring and desperate attempt. Concluding that it was use- less to proceed further, we at once deemed it prudent to withdraw, which we accordingly did, returning in the direction of the White House on the Pamunkey-
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