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 2
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19
3*
٦
30
HISTORY OF A CAVALRY COMPANY.
position of First Lieutenant. His name was Fitz Girls Noble. The company never saw him after- wards, he having been appointed an officer on the staff of Gen. Palmer, though still holding his rank in our regiment. Although he afterwards proved him- self a brave and gallant officer, the unusual procedure at the time occasioned some unpleasant occurrences, and not a little disappointment. Andrews and Moss entered at once upon the duties of their new posi- tions, but this act of Curtin's disarranged the whole affair. Andrews could still reoccupy his former place, but Moss, having had his position filled by another promotion, was left "out in the cold." Col. David Campbell, who had been transferred to the Fifth Pennsylvania Cavalry, in the meantime promised
Moss a commission in that regiment. In this too fortune frowned upon him, for after waiting anxiously during a long time, he was doomed again to disap- pointment. Not long after this, the non-commissioned staff of the cavalry department was re-organized and increased to three Quartermaster's Sergeants and three Sergeant Majors, instead of one of each to a regiment, as heretofore. Moss was then offered the position of Quartermaster's Sergeant, and accepted. When the company got to Washington, they had one man over the requsite quota, according to cavalry regulations (101 men), and private John Meyer was, in consequence, transferred to Company "B."
7
ar
31
THE DANGERS OF CITY LIFE.
CHAPTER II.
- -
THE DANGERS OF CITY LIFE.
0 UR organization, being composed mainly of young men, gay in spirits and full of animal vigor, and who, perhaps, had not yet sown their wild oats fully, was beset by all manner of tempta- tions, and enveloped in a perfect blaze of excitement while at the National Capital. The most of them had been accustomed, during the callow years of ad- olescence, to sights and sounds not more inspiring or seductive than are afforded by the simple, outward phases of country living. These indeed, to such a man as Wordsworth, may have been irresistible, espe- cially when he had crossed over into that sober realm of existence in which he could say of former days :
"Nothing can bring back the hour Of splendor in the grass ! Of glory in the flower!"
or
" And yet I know Where'er I go,
That there hath passed away a glory from the earth ;"
but to young men they strike the eye and ear with a degree of tameness, and the refined pleasures and
1
32
HISTORY OF A CAVALRY COMPANY.
even vices of a large city are far more powerfully enticing. When without care, and free, as the sweet Southwest
" At play,
Flies rustling where the painted leaves are strewn Along the winding way,"
they could perhaps enjoy the glorious changes of autumnal woods, the bursting freshness of the vernal lawn, and the voluptuous ripeness of summer beauty. But here they had already felt the restraints of military. discipline and duty, and the syren of a gay city in myriad transformations beckoned to the en- joyment of high-spiced pleasures. It was a dupli- cate strain, and the direction was fiercely similar. In spite of all the regulations, many of our men in this exuberance of unsophisticated animal spirits, continued to leave camp and spend much of their time in Washington City. They loitered about the halls of the Capitol, and gazed in mute and simple admiration on the works of genius which are there contained. They saw the great paintings, "West- ward Ho !" being perhaps the most natural to them ; saw the . Rotunda, with its emblematical ornaments, the busts of Webster, Clay, Calhoun, Benton and other worthies of a past generation, and also the very walls which reverberated the thunders of their powerful eloquence. The Patent Office, with its myriad embodiments of human ingenuity, was also replete with interest. And then there was the Washington Monument, which they silently could behold in imagination ! These, with the stirring
1
33
THE DANGERS OF CITY LIFE.
throngs of soldiers and citizens, could easily occupy the day. In the night the city was ablaze with ex- citement. In the Canterbury and Oxford a variety of amusement was nightly exhibited, from the sweet- ness and pathos of sentimental music, syllabled by the painted Cyprian, down to the grotesque grimace and patter of broad, flat feet in the essence of Ole Virginny. Then, too, the ballet-girls flaunted their charms in all the freedom of fantastic motion and of unencumbered personnel. But our young men, though they keenly enjoyed these occasions, were well-disposed, and comparatively free from vices. The effect of early training and of home influences was conservatively visible. Whether at Ford's or Grover's, at the Canterbury or in the camp, they seldom forgot that they were men. Beer, wines, and fiery liquors, cigars, and tobacco, had their fullest sway over the denizens of the Capital, and it was almost impossible to avoid indulging in some, more or less, if not largely in them all. In conse- quence of the proneness to absenteeism and its dangers a very strict system of discipline was now instituted. No intoxicating liquors of any descrip- tion were allowed to be brought into or near the camp, and none of the members were permitted to leave the encampment without the proper military authority. But so great was the temptation, and so sweet had been the cup of delight from which they had already sipped, that the regulations, were they made of bars of iron and cords of steel, might not have been fully adequate to the purpose. The
7
,
34
HISTORY OF A CAVALRY COMPANY.
boys soon learned to play " old soldier " on this score, and were often brought to grief by the admin- istration of severe corporeal penalties. The conflict between duty and temptation was so pronounced that some changes in the non-commissioned staff of the company naturally followed. The causes were, however, venial offences, under the circumstances, and their details possess neither interest nor attrac- tiveness to any one.
By this time another year had passed away. 1861, with all its dreary forebodings, its vicissitudes, its perils and its promises had been buried under winding sheets of snow, and had left the eye of man forever. On the first rolls of the new year appear the following promotions :- Orderly Sergt., Chris- tian Freeby ; Q. M. Sergt., Albert Karass; Duty Sergts., Albert Walton, Robert Boston, Benjamin S. Yonker, and A. G. HI. Row. Christian Freeby was promoted to Duty Sergeant, vice Loder; Albert Karass to Quarter Master Sergeant, vice A .O. Fahs ; Albert Walton to Sergeant, vice W. Siders, and B. - S. Younker to Sergeant, vice C. Freeby, promoted to Orderly. A. G. H. Row was reinstated as Ser- geant for further trial, but was finally reduced to ranks March 17th, 1862. The following privates were appointed Corporals in place of others reduced : Thomas Connor, Nathan Brelsford, James McLaugh- lin, John Fidler, Wm. Schmidt and Alexander Campsie. Bugler, Miller II. Brown, was promoted to Sergeant Major of the regiment, and Wm. Oswald was appointed bugler in his stead. Cornelius Demp-
7
n
3
اسلام كانية لادارة
35
THE DANGERS OF CITY LIFE.
ster was appointed Company Farrier, vice John Guth. 1758035
Our Company, with Company "B" of the same regiment (Fourth Pennsylvania Cavalry), was tem- porarily detached, Dec. 28th, 1861, as escort to Brigadier Gen. Keyes, and encamped near his head- quarters, under the personal surveillance of Major Doster, forming Camp Margarett, as it was after- wards named. Here the drill efficiency and discip- line of the company were perfected. In this duty Major Doster took such an interest that he made these two companies the best in the regiment. They attained to great proficiency in the manual of arms for the cavalry service, and in the sabre and eques- trian exercises. They became serviceable, reliable and skilled to a high degree. Their expertness and efficiency grew so apparent, that on the 25th of February, 1862, they were relieved from duty on Gen. Keyes' escort, and taken to Washington, where they were detailed as mounted Provost Guard of the city-Major Doster being appointed Provost Marshall of the Capital. This position he retained throughout the early stages of the war, during a period of nearly two years. It was a great compli- ment to his merits as a soldier, as a gentleman, and as an executive officer. A better disciplinarian or more diligent soldier the army could not produce, although he had just emerged from civil life. With rare rapidity he had mastered the most complicated details of the service, and bad filled every position with signal ability. Gallant, courteous, vigilant and
... .
1
M
36
HISTORY OF A CAVALRY COMPANY.
energetic, he was idolized by his men, and received the just meed of praise for perfecting our company as a military organization. He prided himself on this accomplishment, and never allowed his energies or interest to flag where improvements were possi- ble. His strict discipline was at first a little oner- ous to the men, but as the necessity for it grew more and more apparent, they manifested a corres- ponding gratitude.
1
சேர
7
37
OUR DUTIES AT THE CAPITAL.
CHAPTER III.
OUR DUTIES AT THE CAPITAL.
T IIE experience of the company while in Wash- ington was varied. They were obliged to check any violations of military regulations by the citizens, and often marched around, breaking up whisky saloons, and houses of ill repute. Many a night Lieut. Andrews was compelled to go at late hours and close these low groggeries, spilling their fiery fluids in the gutters. In consequence of like important and responsible duties, great efforts were made to bribe the officers and men. The company received and were entitled to much credit for resist- ing all these inducements. Any one who visited the Capital during the winter of 1861 and '62 will doubtless remember seeing our gay cavalry-men, con- spicuously stationed about the war offices and de- partments, well-mounted, well-dressed, and with drawn sabres, saluting every officer who passed. During their stay here the men had free passes to the theatres and other places of amusement. Indeed all the public entertainments were open to members of the Fourth Cavalry. Many of the boys availed themselves of this privilege. Owing to the regula- 4
.
38
HISTORY OF A CAVALRY COMPANY.
tions, however, requiring all such places to be vacated by the soldiers after nine o'clock, a great many subterfuges were resorted to in order to pro- long their stay, until the dramatic or minstrel exhibition had drawn to a close. They endeavored very carefully to keep themselves out of the hands of the infantry provost, which patrolled the streets continually, and arrested every soldier found out after nine o'clock. Many of the boys attired them- selves in citizens' clothes, which they could hastily don, sometimes behind the scenes of the theatre. In return for such favors, the horses of the men were occasionally used by the attaches of these places.
While on duty in Washington the company were quartered in a large brick mansion on Maryland Ave- nue, with stabling attached for horses. They changed but once while there, removing to another brick man- sion, where but a transient stay was made. These quarters and duties were not materially different from what they had been before. The company was never located in a house after that, but always lived in tents, and was ever after in active service. After being relieved from duty in the Capital, the company never being on detached service again, always oper- ated actively in front until the last days of the war. In the mean time while these companies were on provost and patrol duty in the city, the balance of the regiment moved with the Army of the Potomac to Falmouth, opposite Fredericksburg, being tempo- rarily attached to Gen. McDowell's command during
39
OUR DUTIES AT THE CAPITAL.
4.
the first movements of the army, in the Centreville Quaker-gun episode of the war. Some of our own men were among the first to detect the fraudulent character of these engines of war ! The regiment was then under the command of Col. Childs, who was afterwards killed at Antietam, at the head of his men. We cannot go on in this desultory and hasty sketch without a passing tear to this gallant officer. IIe united to the sterner qualities of the military hero the more elegant traits of a true gentleman. The company remained on provost and patrol duty in Washington, until the 10th of May, 1862, when all the armies having been removed, it was deemed no longer necessary to retain a Cavalry Provost-guard in and around the city. The companies were accord- ingly relieved in order to rejoin the regiment in active service under Gen. McDowell at Fredericks- burg. Maj. Doster still remained on duty as Provost Marshall. While the company was at Camp Marga- rett, the following named men were discharged for disability : Andrew Schimp, Thomas Paxton, John Broadback, and Charles Patterson. We regret to say that during provost duty in Washington, two members of the company deserted; a young man having been induced by an Englishman, an old sinner, and John Swallow by name, to abandon the ranks of the company and desert the service of the United States. In justice to the younger one, it is necessary to state that immediately afterwards he re-enlisted in another branch of the service, and served out his entire term with credit and distinction .. The first
40
HISTORY OF A CAVALRY COMPANY.
casualty that occurred at the Capital was the death of Q. M. Sergt. Albert Karass, who was killed by a fall from a vicious horse, April 28th, 1862. His body was interred in the Soldiers' Home Burial Ground, with suitable military honors, by the com- pany. This loss of a generous and beloved brother in arms, who was likely to have made his mark in the future history of our regiment, produced a profound sense of sorrow and regret. It was our first sacrifice on the altar of our country. The company gained some recruits while on duty in Washington-the first being Wm. Kane, of Weissport, who enlisted March 1st, 1862.
About this time, also, happening to find my way to the seat of war, impelled by a sense of curiosity, and a desire to participate in some of the stirring events of the day, I was thrown into the company of es and companions. My intention of entering the service having heretofore always been frustrated by untoward circumstances at home and by objections emanating from domestic sources, still being uppermost in my mind, and being naturally attracted by the cavalry branch of the service, in which too I found my old friends, I could not resist the temptation to join the service along with my former companions. Accordingly I enlisted in their company May 1st, 1862, and became another recruit to swell the grand army of the north ; another atom . of that flood-tide of power which was destined to sweep down the defences of treason, and to destroy the traitor wherever he could be found. I can yet
.
41
OUR DUTIES AT THE CAPITAL.
remember my first ludicrous efforts to play the dash- ing cavalry-man, loaded down with all the implements and accoutrements of " grim-visaged war," on a high- mettled charger, who possibly knew more about the service in the ranks than I did myself. Yet I was not discouraged. Not wildly ambitious either. I did not survey sabre and steed, and revert to the bril- liant men of the Napoleonic wars, to the Durocs, the Poniatowskis and the Neys. I knew perfectly well that I was never born to " sway the rod of empire," or " wade through slaughter to a throne !" Indeed my aspirations, although those of a very young man, were not of this expansive nature. But I knew there was fighting to be done, in order that the country might be saved, and I knew, too, that on the military rank and file the burden of the conflict would repose. If I could not marshall armies to victory I could do a man's duty in the ranks, and when the time came for a life to be yielded in the cause of liberty, mine would be ever ready for the sacrifice. I was not afraid to brave the dangers of the fiery field, nor afraid to perish in such a cause, upon the soil of such a country. So I determined to perform my duty humbly, and to help to fight the nation's enemies wherever they might be met. The clouds of war were visibly growing darker and darker, and there was sore need of loyal hearts and loyal hands in the ranks of the army.
Shortly after my enlistment, the company being ordered to rejoin the regiment at Fredericksburg, the men were marched forth in detachments as 4*
4h
Tiens
42
HISTORY OF A CAVALRY COMPANY.
escorts to trains and cattle. On the 10th of May, Lieut. Joseph Andrews, with the first detachment of thirty men, marched from Washington as escort to a wagon train on its way to join the army under McDowell. On arriving there they rejoined the regiment under Col. Childs, and encamped near Falmouth. The remainder of the company was re- lieved from duty in Washington, May 17th, and marched to Falmouth via the scenes of Bull Run, Manassas Junction, and Cattle Station, where they
. rejoined the balance of the company. They in this way passed over ground which had been made historic. The grass was now green with its vernal freshness, and the verdurous lawns, the glades and glens, were stippled with the golden chalices of - buttercup and daisy. The trees were seemingly unharmed as ever, standing rigidly out, gnarled and roughened by contact with seasons and storms, but apparently unscarred, and boughed and stemmed amid May leaflets and odorous blossoms. 'The peaceful plough alone had since torn up the soil, and occasionally here and there the brown fields lay in furrows, awaiting the action of sun and shower on their freightage of seeds. Since then, armies have again marched and countermarched on these hill- slopes and vallies, and dashed together with almost infinite bloodshed. The ground has been more than once torn by bursting shell and speeding ball. The sod has been soaked, with a sad frequency, in the blood of patriot and traitor. And over the carnage the loyal standards have been borne to higher and
.
السادة
43
OUR DUTIES AT THE CAPITAL.
yet more decisive contests. But the earth, here wounded and colored with human gore, has again healed up and closed, perhaps, forever. In the re- turning springs, now, as before, the lawns are uncut by violence, and the hills and dales are unshaken by the terrible discord. From the "leaf-tongues of the forest to the flower-lips of the sod," all is bloom and beauty, and alone the warble of the bird or voice of cheerful reaper is heard about the fields. As Byron wrote :
"Once this soft turf, this rivulet's bed, Were trampled by a hurrying crowd,
And fiery hearts and armed hands Encountered in the battle cloud ! Ah! never shall the land forget How gushed the life blood of the brave !"
But now, as in the early stages of the war, of which we have just spoken, there is nothing to disturb the quiet and serenity of the scene.
" Alone the chirp of flitting bird, And talk of children on the hill, And bell of wandering kine is heard."
We cannot indeed, avoid the still further vanity of quoting some of our own lines, on these historical arenas. We have been guilty occasionally of verse- writing, but only to please Mrs. Grundy, or to deco- rate the snowy pages of a lady's album.
Ay ! once the thundering voice of war Roared on the quiet of this scene, And bayonets clashing pierced the core Of the hearts that are dust now under the green. =
44
HISTORY OF A CAVALRY COMPANY.
And strong limbs clenching struggled long
In the blinding, frenzying smoke of battle, Till anger thinned the slaughtering throng, With its shot and shell and musketry rattle. Then the red tides gushed through the matted grass, From the fountain hearts of the quivering dead, Wavelets of blood that strove to pass
To the trembling stream with their blushing red. And the hoof of the charger tore the ground,
And the hand of the gasping grasped the sod, Till the smoke curled sullenly round and round, And vanished, ashamed, in the eye of God.
1
45
"ALAS! THE WEARY HOURS PASS SLOW."
CHAPTER IV.
"ALAS! THE WEARY HOURS PASS SLOW."
A T Falmouth we were initiated into the mysteries of active service in the field, by performing outpost duty of every description -making scouts, reconnoissances, etc., from Fredericksburg into the surrounding country. In this manner we became inured to the general duties and hardships of war. We had, however, little opportunity during these times, of meeting the enemy in force or even at all, with the exception of an occasional guerilla, numbers of whom infested the country around our lines. Being now in this species of service, however, our imagination did for us sometimes what it would have puzzled any one to find realized. We fancied that the country must be full of lurking spies and hidden enemies. Many a twilight when the day had receded far with most of its light, some shrub or tree-stump, darkly limned against the horizon, has been made to do the service of a genuine guerilla, beyond musket range, and perhaps only a little in advance of innumerable hosts of assassins. But these were the freaks of a wild conceit, which had not been tamed and directed yet by actual dangers.
5
1
46
HISTORY OF A CAVALRY COMPANY.
We never met with any serious casualty from any of these guerilla dangers, the only occurrence being the shooting of Corp. Mickle's horse, while he with a companion was leisurely riding along outside of our picket lines. This was done by several mounted men in rebel uniform, who were found in close prox- imity to our lines, and with whom several shots were exchanged. Our two men were chased briskly by these guerillas, but succeeded in finally evading the hot pursuit and in returning safely to camp. While on duty here, we made many scouts up and down the Rappahannock. We continually reconnoitered on ground that afterwards became memorable, and that will be remembered for all future time. The soil on which the future battles of Chancellorsville, Spottsylvania, Fredericksburg and the Wilderness were decided, was then a quiet rural landscape, bear- ing the appearance of a primitive scene, here and there alone modified by the hand of civilization. How little we then dreamed of these events while scouting along the Rappahannock ! how far from our thoughts was the conception, while lounging under the green maples, and smoking the pipe of idleness and revery ! And yet the very spot where we slum- bered away an hour of mid-summer heat, or perfumed the air with the fragrant odors of burning tobacco, is now a charnel for the corpses of patriot soldiers. The " blood-red blossom of war, with its heart of fire," has bloomed and brought its deadly fruition there. The most fatal enginery of war which the mind of man, impelled by the genius of destruction,
47
"ALAS! THE WEARY HOURS PASS SLOW."
could contrive, has here labored with hot and fiery fury, until lives have been crushed by the thousands.
Then the soft winds murmured among the forest leaves, the sweet-voiced throstle leaped from bough to bough, breathing a simple lay, and the sun peace- fully shimmered on field and river and sent its col- umns of golden light aslant among the forest aisles. In these still recurring bright summers the bird is yet there, the bough, bullet-pierced it may be; the grove with its horrible rents healed over, and the sun as brilliant and generous as ever-but between the times there is a chasm, an abyss, and down its awful depths thousands of lives and millions of treasure have disappeared forever. Out of the ruins, however, has grown a redecmed and regenerated na- tionality, and even at such a cost, God be praised for the sacrifice.
On being apprised that the enemy had been seen in the neighborhood of our camp, a force from the regiment were sent in pursuit of them, but were un- able to overtake them. On arriving at Spottsylvania Court House, we discovered the party to have been a detachment of the enemy making reconnoissances. Here we captured a rebel major, whom we brought in and sent to Washington-being the first capture of a prisoner of war which we had yet made. We kept up the pursuit of the rebels until a late hour in the night, and did not return to camp until far into the next day. This was our first experience on the track of the enemy, and we felt considerable zest in the undertaking. The company continued to make
48
HISTORY OF A CAVALRY COMPANY.
many scouts along the Rappahannock towards Cul- pepper, and along the Rapidan, and only ceased in this work on June 14th, 1862, when we broke camp at Falmouth, under orders to join the Army of the Potomac in front of Richmond. In consequence of obstructions in the Rappahannock below Fredericks- burg, transports could not ascend the river in close proximity to our encampment. The regiment there: fore marched to Belle Plaine Landing, on the Rap- pahannock below Fredericksburg, and encamped there temporarily, while awaiting the transports. During our stay here the regiment was paid off for the two preceding months, and Capt. Tombler, who had been on duty at Washington up to this time, was now re- lieved, and rejoined the company and the regiment. Two others of our men, who had been on detached duty, here rejoined us to enter active service. After being paid the regiment was forwarded in detach- ments on the transports, horses and all the parapher- nalia of the service, to White House Landing on the Pamunkey-which was McClellan's base of opera- tions and supplies for awhile. It was from this point that the celebrated change of base was made to Harrison's Landing. We embarked on the 16th
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.