USA > Pennsylvania > Dauphin County > History of the 127th regiment, Pennsylvania volunteers > Part 15
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 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24
Captain Christian A. Nissley was promoted and trans- ferred to succeed Captain Shipley. He at once gave tone to the company, and proved himself a very efficient com- mander. He was industrious and zealous, took great pride in his company, and worked it up to a high standard. He was a refined gentleman, kind and considerate to his subordinate officers and men, a good disciplinarian, digni- fied and commanding, without the slightest show of of- fensiveness ; so he became, by genuine merit, the pride of his company, and a trusted officer by his superiors in rank. He was as courageous in battle as he was the affectionate master in camp, and made a brilliant name for both him- self and his company.
Prof. James S. Shoemaker became, by consolidation of his following with the Adams county company, the First lieutenant of Company "I." He was a gentleman of cul- ture, and worked hard for a military record. He was brave and met death like a hero at the battle of Freder- icksburg, where he was instantly killed, and afterwards identified by the burying party. He was buried where he fell, deeply lamented by his associate officers, and by the men he so gallantly led in the brilliant charge on the 13th of December, 1862.
Lieutenant Jerome W. Henry, of Company "I," was the second youngest officer in the Regiment. His youthful ap- pearance gave no indication of the sterling stuff of which he was made. His gallantry at Fredericksburg nearly cost
195
127TH REGIMENT, P. V.
him his life. He was severely wounded, and was pro- moted for his bravery.
Lieutenant William W. Reed was transferred from Company "F," and promoted to Second Lieutenant of Company "I." He, too, had a very youthful appearance, but dignified, polished in manners, energetic, and made a good officer, greatly esteemed by his company officers and men, and respected at headquarters for his manilness and soldierly qualities.
OFFICERS OF COMPANY "K."
Captain William Fox, of Company "K," was the only man in the regiment who had seen service in the Confed- erate army. He had been drafted, but took the first oppor_ tunity to escape, entered the Federal lines, went to Schuyl- kill county, Pennsylvania, and raised a company for the Union service. He was the first man in the regiment to fall in battle. He was affable, companionable, intelligent, and intensely patriotic. He was greatly beloved by his men, and esteemed by every officer and man in the regi- ment. His sad death was deeply mourned, as he gave much promise of a brilliant military record.
Captain Joseph W. Dougherty, of Company "K," was promoted immediately on the death of Captain Fox. He was distinguished, not only for his natty appearance, self- reliance and military accomplishments, but he was par- ticularly brave and collected, and handled his men on the battlefield with consummate ability and good judgment. He made a splendid record, and was popular with his command.
Lieutenant Daniel S. Long, of Company "K," was pro- moted by seniority of rank, and proved himself a good
196
MEMORIAL HISTORY
officer. Esteemed by his men, and respected by his su- perior officers, he caught the inspiration of his captain and behaved bravely in battle.
Lieutenant William J. Barr, of Company "K," was pro- moted from non-commissioned officer, and displayed abil- ity as an officer, and conducted himself with coolness and tact in battle. Like his fellow officers, he made a good military record for himself and for Company "K."
CHAPTER VIII.
Return of the Regiment.
W HILE the regiment occupied a special train of the Northern Central Railway at Baltimore, early on Saturday, the 16th of May, 1863, a telegram to that effect was despatched to Harrisburg, when the committee of twenty-one leading citizens of the capital and vicinity were summoned in accordance with previous arrangement, to meet at the ringing of the court house bell. This committee, of which Senator David Mumma was chairman, had been appointed at a mass meeting, to give the 127th Regiment a home greet- ing and public reception.
The committee went to York in the performance of their official duty. They had neglected to provide them- selves with official badges; and as they learned that the special train bringing the boys would not reach York for a full hour, the committee authorized its chairman to pur- chase red, white and blue ribbons, to decorate and dis- tinguish themselves; not knowing at the time that their chairman was color-blind, and he, either not aware of the fact, or disregarding it, went to a store in York, and bought a quantity of ribbons of all possible colors and hues ; and by the time he reported, there was no time left for exchange, so the committee was decorated in ribbons of a motley variety ; but notwithstanding the singular in- congruity, this was not particularly observable, as the en- thusiasm of the committee, at the sight of their returning
197
198
MEMORIAL HISTORY
friends-like charity-covered up all defects and over- sights.
On the arrival of the special train at York, the commit- tee gave the regiment a hearty and generous welcome, took it into their charge, and escorted it home; and on the departure of the train, wired that fact to Harrisburg, where the firing of a signal gun on Capitol Hill announced to the citizens that the regiment was speeding from York.
The Harrisburg morning newspapers had announced that the regiment would leave Washington City early in the morning, and that it might be expected to reach Har- risburg shortly after noon ; so the streets commenced fill- ing up early in the day with the friends and neighbors of the returning troops; and as the citizens universally decorated their houses in honor of the 127th Regiment, Harrisburg put on a gay, patriotic and holiday appear- ance, each neighbor vieing with the other in the profusion and elaboration of the outside decorations.
About every house displayed the American flag, and some were profusely and handsomely decorated with bunting and flowers, while the streets had banners and streamers displayed in lavish extravagance. Some of the banners crossing the streets had brave words of greeting to the gallant boys of the Dauphin county regiment. "Welcome home brave 127th Regiment." "Welcome ! welcome home our gallant citizen soldiers." "A hearty welcome to the brave boys of the 127th regiment." "We honor our boys for their gallant bravery." "The 127th Regiment forever." "Our boys are heroes." "Home Again." "Home, Sweet Home," and many other suitable and inspiring mottoes were hung across the streets ; while every window on Market street, Third street, State street, and Second street, along the line of march, was filled with
THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTOR, LENOX AND TILDEN FOUNDATIONS R L
CORPORAL JOHN REINOEHL. Co. "E, " 127th Regiment, P. V.
199
127TH REGIMENT, P. V.
persons, chiefly ladies, waving handkerchiefs, swinging hats or flags, and demonstrating in every conceivable way their unbounded delight at seeing their relatives or old friends return, covered all over with military glory. The shops and stores were closed in honor of the occasion. Not only the sidewalks, but the streets were thronged with the mass of people who had gathered from far and near to welcome back the gallant boys who had so promptly re- sponded to the call of the Government.
When the train reached the Cumberland end of the bridge, a salute of seventeen guns was fired from Capitol Hill; and simultaneously the court house bell, the church bells, the fire engine bells, the factory bells, and in fact all of the bells of the city commenced pealing, and continued ringing; while the factories, locomotives and .engines whistled and shrieked, and this ringing and incessant shrieking, and thundering clatter was kept up until the regiment disembarked at the station; when the wildest cheers were given by thousands upon thousands of the assembled crowd, who pressed forward to grasp the hands of the boys as they briskly stepped from the train. The regiment was soon formed, with Colonel Jennings and Lieutenant-Colonel Alleman on their horses in the front, preceded by the committee ;- and Major Rohrer in his place on the flank,-followed by the regimental band, the drum corps, and the survivors, all fresh from the battle- field. Many of the men late of Company "A," fell in the rear of Company "B," and participated in the grand and last march of the organization.
The contrast between those boys when they left for the front, the previous August, and on their return, was marked in the very strongest manner. They started with bright uniforms, pale faces, and inexperienced ; but with a
200
MEMORIAL HISTORY
determined look to do their duty. They returned bronzed, hardened, bearded, dirty ; but they marched with the pre- cision of trained, well-disciplined soldiers ; weighted down, but agile, with their blankets, their knapsacks, their cart- ridge boxes, and their trusted musket upon their shoul- ders. There were some with their heads bandaged, some with their arms in slings, others limping from wounded feet and legs, while those, less fortunate in their wounds, were conveyed in ambulances which brought up the rear. They went out with full ranks-they returned with deci- mated ranks, but covered all over with manly honor. As they briskly stepped forward, marching with the steadi- ness of experienced veterans, they were cheered to the echo by thousands upon thousands, as they were sev- erally recognized ; and Harrisburg never before witnessed such spontaneous and generous greetings of welcome as were given to the brave boys of the 127th Regiment. Fathers and mothers, wives and children, sisters and brothers, sweethearts and friends, seemed wild in their en- thusiasm at the sight of those returning heroes, who had so grandly and so nobly defended the flag and the honor of their country. The regiment marched out Market street, over other streets, and up Third street, and halted in front of the capitol, where they were received by Gov- ernor Curtin and his cabinet, the State officers, the Judges of the Supreme Court, the Judges of the Common Pleas Court, the Mayor and the Councils of the city, and passed in review before them.
They were welcomed by General A. L. Roumfort, the Mayor of the city of Harrisburg, in the following grace- ful and eloquent speech :
"Nine months ago, at the call of your country, you promptly rallied around the standard of your regiment,
20I
I27TH REGIMENT, P. V.
and marched to the post of danger. Since that period you have endured, with heroic fortitude, the toils, the hard- ships and the dangers of an active campaign, in defence of your Government, and the integrity of the Union. You forgot every privation, every personal danger, and hailed with joy the thunder of battle, which to your fearlessness was but a relief from the monotony of the bivouac. You have proved yourselves true, devoted, patriotic soldiers, worthy of the noble old State of Pennsylvania, which in war as well as in peace, has ever proved herself the sheet- anchor of our republican institutions.
"Soldiers of the 127th Regiment ! Every drop of blood you have shed, every life you have lost upon the field of honor, shall henceforth stand as a lasting record of your patriotism and military fame. Whilst away on the tented field, many a heart in this city throbbed with anxiety for your welfare, and your safety ; and now, that you have re- turned to our midst, to the enjoyment of your hearth- stones, and the genial influence of your household gods, I, in the name of an unanimous population, greet you with a most hearty welcome.
"The services which you have rendered to your country have fervently strengthened the ties which unite you to this community ; and the laurels which you have won, will be ever green in the hearts of your grateful fellow citizens.
"Once more, welcome to your homes, brave soldiers of the 127th Regiment ! When your first military obligations have been fulfilled, your fellow citizens hope to meet you at the festive board, where they may express to you their personal esteem, and enjoy with you the "feast of reason and the flow of soul."
To this beautiful and deserved tribute of praise, Colonel W. W. Jennings replied briefly, but tersely ; and the regi- ment responded by three times three cheers.
n
202
MEMORIAL HISTORY
The Governor grasped each officer by the hand and bade him a hearty welcome home, assuring them that they more than fulfilled his great expectations, and that he was proud of the gallant services which had been so bravely per- formed by the patriotic heroes of the 127th Regiment.
Harrisburg had witnessed many demonstrations of re- turning troops from the War of 1812; the Indian Wars, and the Mexican War, and of the tens of thousands of troops of the great Civil War, but the demonstration on behalf of the "Dauphin County Regiment," exceeded them all in spontaneous outbursts of genuine welcome, and in enthusiastic demonstrations of the wildest joy.
The boys were given a furlough until Monday, to re- port in Camp Curtin, where the muster-out rolls were pre- pared; and, on completion, the men and officers were paid, mustered out of the United States service, and each received his honorable discharge on the 29th day of May, 1863.
Summary.
HE following summary was prepared by Comrade George D. Rise, in his notes and historical sketch of the regiment.
The 127th Regiment was complimented by Major-General Abercrombie, in whose Division it servea for nearly four months, as one of the best drilled and most orderly regiments in the service; and far above the average in intelligence, education and moral deportment. Like high encomiums were pronounced upon it by Major- General D. N. Couch, our venerated Corps Commander.
In discipline it had no superior, for which great credit is due to our grand colonel, W. W. Jennings, a strict dis- ciplinarian, but lovable and kind, and beloved by every member of the regiment.
A like credit is due to both Lieutenant-Colonel H. C. Alleman, and Major J. Rohrer, who so ably assisted him, and who were each highly esteemed by the whole regiment for their sterling qualities and devotion to their official duties, knowing them, they performed them unhesitating- ly, intelligently and in the most commendable manner. Each, at various times, commanded the regiment, and proved themselves eminently worthy of that great honor and fearful responsibility.
The line officers deserve much praise for the admirable manner in which they so ably and willingly performed their company duties. Their correct deportment, and sol- dierly conduct, reflected their character upon their respec- tive commands. They obeyed and carried out their orders with scrupulous care, and without a murmur, suffering
203
204
MEMORIAL HISTORY
the privations, the fatigues and the exposures of the ele- ments on the marches, the picket line, and assigned duties, and never shirked the dangers of the battlefields.
The non-commissioned officers were selected for merit, and were intelligent men, who obeyed and carried out their instructions punctually, intelligently and creditably, al- ways with good cheer, and in a patriotic spirit.
The rank and file of each company were very far supe- rior to the ordinary run of the common soldier. They came from good families, were educated, and, besides be- ing able-bodied, they were imbued with high moral prin- ciples, and were thoroughly patriotic in feeling. They felt a pride in both their company and regiment ; while their earnest friendship and good feeling for each other was rather remarkable. They exhibited not only respect, but profound esteem-bordering on affection for their of- ficers -- who relied implicitly on them; and in the many severe tests and terrible ordeals through which they pass- ed, found that their confidence was not misplaced.
For superior intelligence, a high sense of honor, a dig- nity of character, and excellent discipline, the 127th Regi- ment stood second to none in the figthing Army of the Potomac.
The official decision fixed the expiration of service on May 14th, 1863, and, in pursuance of orders, the regi- ment was relieved, and ordered to report at Harrisburg, to be mustered out of the service.
During its term of service, it did much arduous picket duty ; great and valuable fatigue duty, and was engaged in two battles-unsurpassed in severity-and lost an ag- gregate of four officers killed and mortally wounded, thirty-nine men killed and died of wounds ; thirteen officers and 264 men wounded, besides fifty-four slightly wound-
205
127TH REGIMENT, P. V.
ed, who failed to go to the hospital, or report disability to the adjutant; sixteen men died in hospitals; thirty-eight men were discharged, and eleven men were captured. Four officers resigned ; one officer and three men were trans- ferred, and twenty-seven officers were promoted.
CASUALTIES.
Killed,- 4 officers
39 men
Wounded,- . 13 officers
318
Died in hospital,. .
I6
Discharged
38
66
Captured,
II
66
Loss 17 officers 422 men
Resigned,-4 officers.
Transferred,-I officer and 3 men.
Promoted,-27 officers.
CHAPTER IX.
INCIDENTS OF THE SERVICE.
M ANY happenings during the term of the regiment occurred, of more or less interest, and some of them of sufficient importance to become matters of record ; and as some of these were prepared by comrades and afterwards read at the annual reunions of the Association, or narrated at the annual campfires, it was concluded to embody a few of them in a separate chapter as "Incidents of the Service."
A COMMUTED SENTENCE.
When the regiment left Washington, it was followed by a couple of detectives, and, on reaching Camp Welles, one of the men was arrested for desertion and repeated bounty-jumping. He was court-martialed, convicted and sentenced to be shot. The severity of the sentence in- duced the Lieutenant-Colonel, who was then in command of the regiment, to prepare an application to have the sen- tence commuted ; and after signing it, in order to avoid the usual delays in forwarding it through the regular channels, he secured the approval of Colonel Jennings, who was in command of the brigade, of General Aber- crombie, who was in command of the division, and so on up to the commander of the Army of the Potomac. He went to Washington, called on General McClellan, and after some difficulty, secured a personal interview. He
206
207
127TH REGIMENT, P. V.
made a strong appeal to the General, who listened patiently and attentively, and then asked the question, "Have you any doubt in your own mind of the guilt of this man?" The lieutenant-colonel replied frankly, "None in the least." General McClellan then expressed with some warmth : "And you, Colonel Alleman, have the assurance, being fully satisfied of this man's guilt, to ask me to com- mute his sentence? The court-martial evidently wished to make an example of this man, and he surely deserves the punishment of his sentence." The lieutenant-colonel replied, "The poor devil may deserve the sentence-he is not a Pennsylvanian, he is only a foreigner-but I am not pleading for him, and candor compels me to admit that I keenly feel the disgrace which the deserting bounty- jumper has cast upon his fellow comrades-but I am pleading for his one thousand Pennsylvania comrades- all brave and true men; I am pleading for the honor and good name of the regiment! If this sentence should be carried out, the news would be heralded all over the coun- try that a member of the 127th Regiment has been shot for desertion and bounty-jumping." The earnestness of the lieutenant-colonel made a strong and favorable impres- sion, and General McClellan took up the paper, and wrote, "Sentence commuted to three years imprisonment with ball and chain, in the Dry Tortugas," and handed the pa- per to the lieutenant-colonel, who, on reading it, exclaim- ed, "My God, General ! that is as bad as the sentence, as it is certain death." With a smile the General then said, "Write what you want." The lieutenant-colonel then wrote, "Sentence commuted for daily police duty, and confinement in the guard house of his regiment for the term of his enlistment." The General good-naturedly smiled and stated, "That is no punishment commensurate
208
MEMORIAL HISTORY
with the crime;" but the lieutenant-colonel argued that it was "hell upon earth," as it would be a daily mortifica- tion to be so humiliated in the daily presence of his com- rades. The change was made and officially signed, and the prisoner was returned to his regiment to have the changed sentence executed. When he was brought before the commander of the regiment, and his commuted sen- tence read to him, he prostrated himself and licked the boots of the lieutenant-colonel, to show him the gratitude he felt for saving his life. He was ordered to the guard- house, after a gentle admonition to do his duty and alı would be well.
THE VICISSITUDES OF A SOLDIER.
BY CAPTAIN JAMES B. KEENE.
There is a vast difference between a fire in camp, a "campfire," and a fire at home. A fire always creates ex- citement. The destruction of business enterprises, and the desolation of homes, excite a universal sympathy ; and when an appeal is made, substantial aid is almost invari- ably the consequence from a generous public ; but on the tented field, the result is different. While there is no lack of excitement, and really no lack of sympathy, a conflagra- tion in camp is a calamity, notwithstanding the fact that the destroyed temporary home is only a little white tri- angular A house of canvass, and sometimes only a shelter tent, of but trifling intrinsic value, but it deprives the sol- dier of his shelter, and the result is calamitous, and it is almost always caused by carelessness in the use of matches, or of sparks from the pipe, while the soldier is enjoying the luxury of a smoke.
209
127TH REGIMENT, P. V.
When the chilly atmosphere renders a fire necessary, he sometimes indulges in a stove, but the stove of a soldier is very primitive in character, consisting of a hole dug in the ground about a foot deep, at the rear end of the little tent, upon which is placed two or three barrels, if the same happen to come in the way of the confiscator. These barrels are placed on top of each other, and plastered in- side with mud. Barring the discomfiture of occasional volumes of smoke which adverse winds would drive back into the limited quarters, causing the emblems of sorrow to trickle down the brawny cheeks of the occupants, and not infrequently driving them into the open air, a good deal of warmth comes from a fire built in this improvised stove, making the occupants comparatively comfortable. This stupendous chimney would frequently catch fire, and sometimes, when least expected, and even while the occu- pants were interested in a social game or chat, a cry of "fire" would arouse the camp, and bring to the scene a host of volunteer firemen; and notwithstanding their sympathy, they would always express the greatest delight in assisting to prevent the destruction of these soldier chimneys, which were not so tall, but that the top could be reached without the aid of a ladder.
Old Wilhelm Leiser, of Company "D," was a character in his way, and enjoyed the distinction of having served in the Prussian army-a distinction of which he was ex- ceedingly proud. His manner and habits gave unmistak- able evidence of thorough discipline and soldierly training, which was at all times particularly noticeable in the care of his person, uniform, equipments, and particularly of his gun, which he always presented to the inspector with a look of unbounded satisfaction, and assurance that not a single fault could be found under the scrutinizing eye of
210
MEMORIAL HISTORY
the inspecting officials. But poor Wilhelm came to grief one day. He was off duty, strolling leisurely about the camp, and by some misfortune, his tent, which contained all of his earthly treasures, caught fire and was mostly consumed. The amateur firemen as usual, were on hand, and the fire was extinguished, but not before the soldierly Wilhelm's polished gun stock was entirely ruined. With a forlorn look of despair, and eyes filled with tears, he stood embracing his ruined pet. He, of course, had the sympathy of his comrades, for he was a kind-hearted old fellow, with a very limited command of the English tongue, which made his utterances difficult of comprehen- sion ; but in his mother tongue, he was very voluble, and would, in his natal language, spin yarns by the hour of his many and thrilling experiences in the Prussian army ; and as he approached Captain Keene and unburdened his woes, he expressed his great, great grief sorrily ; but in broken English, very difficult to understand, "Mein Gott, keptang, mein peutiful gun ish tet kilt, and I ish yust so gut as kilt too. Dot fire dun de pizness ; vot shall I do, vot shall I do? I don't got no gelt to get me annutter gun, and I might yuslit so good be det myself ennymore."
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.