USA > Pennsylvania > Dauphin County > History of the 127th regiment, Pennsylvania volunteers > Part 17
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While the regiment was at Camp Boas, and just before leaving for Camp Jennings, frequent complaints were made that some of the boys came into camp intoxicated. It was at first supposed that the girls and women who
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peddled pies and cakes, surreptitiously carried and sold liquor to the boys ; so they were closely watched, and their wares searched. Captain Greenawalt finally reported that he had discovered that some of the boys were getting liquor at the sutler's. Colonel Jennings quietly organized a raid upon the sutler, with Captain Greenawalt in com- mand. The captain was so fully determined on the suc- cess of his mission, that he gutted out the entire establish- ment, and the sutler was ordered to leave camp forthwith, which he did without hesitation, upon notice from Captain Greenawalt, that if he was seen in camp after daylight, that he must take the consequences of the severest pun- ishment. Captain Greenawalt was a very determined man, and when he set himself about to do a thing, he al- lowed nothing to prevent its accomplishment.
The chaplain, like all Methodist preachers, was fond of a good meal, and did not scruple or hesitate to invite him- self whenever a favorable opportunity presented itself.
One morning he looked into the dining tent at head- quarters, while the colonel and lieutenant-colonel were at breakfast. The colonel gave the lieutenant-colonel the wink, so that the chaplain was not invited to join them; but the lieutenant-colonel said, "Chaplain, I am awfully sorry that you were not here a little earlier to say grace." The chaplain replied, "It is not too late to say grace yet." The colonel replied that he was never in the habit of hav- ing grace said after he commenced his meal.
The chaplain looked at the breakfast, and his mouth evidently watered. He said, "You live well, what a nice breakfast you have." The colonel replied, "We always have a nice breakfast when we can manage to get nice things to eat." Then the chaplain commenced to enumer-
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ate what was on the table. "You have roasted oysters, stewed chicken, flannel cakes, fried eggs on both sides, Saratoga chips, and grapes." The lieutenant-colonel said, "Chaplain, you are as good as a menu." All this time the colonel and lieutenant-colonel were doing full justice to their breakfast, and the chicken was disappearing rapidly, while the eggs were diminishing in quantity. The chap- lain said, "How do you manage to have flannel cakes?" The colonel said, "Jim bakes them." The colonel then asked how many flannel cakes there were, and the lieuten- ant-colonel said there were about a dozen. The colonel then said, "I can manage half or two-thirds of them easily enough," and yet the chaplain waited. He said, "The eggs are very nicely browned on both sides, and I like eggs fried in that way. I am very fond of roasted oysters, and I am passionately fond of stewed chicken; but oh, I am so fond of flannel cakes." All this time the two offi- cers were despatching their breakfast with avidity, and the chaplain remained until the plates were emptied, when he was invited to "return thanks ;" but the chaplain replied that as for himself, he saw nothing for which to return thanks, and then with a downcast look walked away, evi- dently very much disgruntled that he was not invited to a place at the board.
Lieutenant Reed, of Company "I," always felt very grateful for his promotion, and after he was mustered out of the service, prepared a bowl of egg-nog, holding fully two gallons, which for safety was delivered at the office of Lieutenant-Colonel Alleman, on Third street, Harris- burg, intended for the Colonel and the Lieutenant-Colonel. As the Lieutenant-Colonel was a total abstainer, the Colo- nel had the full benefit of the egg-nog which he very gen-
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erously distributed to some of his friends. The bowl re- mained in his office for a couple of days, and the Colonel said that he felt entirely secure in leaving this precious delicacy with him, as he knew that Colonel Alleman was so scrupulously abstemious, that he would not even taste egg-nog when it had but a bit of spirits in it.
Colonel Jennings ordered a lofty guy-horse built close by the guard-house as a punishment to evil doers. The man who constructed the torture, while building it, laugh- ingly expressed a curiosity to see the first occupant. He was the first occupant, and the only man condemned to sit the buck.
OCCURRENCES.
(Taken from Major J. Rohrer's Diary.)
September 29th, 1862. Detailed for picket duty, as offi- cer of the day. Went to Langley with Company "H," Captain Shott, 127th Pennsylvania Regiment ; Company "F," Captain Cook, 127th New York Regiment; Com- pany "C," Captain Stokes, 40th Massachusetts ; J.W. Gun- ney, 127th New York. Pickets posted. Went over line about six miles, returned and had apple dumplings and short cakes for supper. Retired early (on the floor). Got up at 12.30 A. M., made grand rounds; returned at 4.30 A. M. and laid down until 7 o'clock.
Wednesday, October Ist. Two prisoners brought in, one Ist Pennsylvania Cavalry (no horse), the other 4th New York Cavalry (with horse). Examined, both dis- charged. M. Lieutenant-Colonel Alle- man and Chaplain J. C. Gregg, 127th Regiment P. V. called. They wanted to see the country about here.
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Chaplain Gregg lead, my horse ready, and we followed the chaplain. He rode down the cross roads from Hodges, about half a mile, then turned towards the Louinsville road, among briars and bushes, the chaplain well in the lead. Cavalry vidette appeared, saluted us, stated that Captain Page, of the 10th New York Cavalry, was on the hill and would be glad to see us. Colonel Alleman re- plied that we were only going down the road and would stop on return. The orderly rode off, then captain and an- other vidette appeared. We halted on the road and wait- ed their arrival. We saluted each other, exchanged com- pliments and became acquainted. Captain invited us to go to Louinsville, headquarters of his cavalry. We start- ed for Louinsville. Chaplain Gregg, who was some dis- tance ahead, taking in what was going on among us five. Lieutenant-Colonel Alleman said to Captain Page, "Yon- der is our chaplain ; send your men to arrest him." Cap- tain Page immediately dispatched his two videttes to ar- rest the chaplain. They started at full gallop, arrested the parson and ordered him to "surrender." He nervously said, "I will," watching us with a troubled look. As we approached him we all burst out laughing, and the secret was out. The chaplain rode ahead, stopped at a farm- house, Miss Crocker's. Only one girl there. Crossed the field, where there were three girls. Both families from Pennsylvania ; former from Bradford county, latter from Blair county. After talking and joking about the Metho- dists (for Chaplain Gregg was a Methodist), Captain Page said that his parents were determined to make a Methodist preacher of him, but he was determined not to be one. He said his parents were of the old-time Methodists, who sing and pray all over the house. I no- ticed that the girls talked more to the Chaplain than to
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anyone else. One of them turned to me and said, "Your chaplain is very sociable." I said, "Do you know him?" "Oh, yes, he comes out here to Langley and has services in the church." I was astonished that he would venture outside of our picket line. After a good country dinner, made for the chaplain, we left for Louinsville, leaving the chaplain to make his "church arrangements." Met major of the Ioth New York Cavalry, and after taking a drink- of water, etc., we left for Langley, the chaplain joining us on our return. Returned 2 P. M. Lieutenant-Colonel Alleman and Chaplain Gregg (both bachelors), left for Camp Boas. After stewed chicken dinner, passed over picket line to the Potomac, on foot, tired of riding, accom- panied by Captain Shott and Lieutenant Schreiner. Cap- tain Page, Ioth New York Cavalry, with two orderlies, galloped to my headquarters, and wanting to know where our picket lines commenced. After a few words, a drink- of pump water, etc., they galloped away. Countersign, "Rome." Made the grand rounds at midnight, return- ing at 4 A. M.
Saturday, October 4th. Reported to General Aber- crombie at 9 A. M. Took charge of the 400 men. All supplied with axes, pick-axes, and such tools as are neces- sary for the work. Two hundred men for digging out stumps and clearing away brush, and two hundred for felling trees. Small trees cut off four feet from ground, large trees about two or three feet from ground. This is military rule and is done for the purpose of preventing cavalry and artillery passing through the line. Returned to camp at 4 P. M. and assisted raising a pole eighty feet long at Colonel Jennings' headquarters.
Sunday, October 5th. Flag raising at 10 A. M. Regi- ment formed into hollow square, facing inward. Band
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played, after which Lieutenant-Colonel Alleman made a very appropriate speech. Then the band played "The Star Spangled Banner." The flag was raised to the breeze, and when at half-mast, three cheers were given. The chap- lain closed the ceremonies with a prayer. At I P. M. Colonel Jennings, Lieutenant-Colonel Alleman and my- self rode to Fort Alexandria in Maryland, several miles up the river. Paid our respects to the lieutenant-colonel and major, the colonel being absent, and returned to camp. Dress parade at 5 P. M.
October 7th. As usual, I took my fatigue party to work. Six hundred men. Major Brua Cameron and wife, Captain Shott's wife, and several others visited camp. Mrs. Shott remained until next day. Major Cam- eron (paymaster) and wife left for Washington. After leaving camp, near Chain Bridge, Major Cameron sud- denly took sick. Our surgeon was on hand and so the Major was soon on his way rejoicing. Artists on the ground taking a photograph of Camp Boas.
October 8th. Took my fatigue party to work as usual. We have completed over three thousand yards of rifle pits. About IO A. M. an elderly Virginian, in company with another man, probably his son, called on me. He said he was told that his wood about the house was to be cut down. I said, "Where is your house?" (We were then standing in Fort Marcy.) He pointed diagonally across the Leesburg pike, about three-fourths of a mile from where we stood. I told the man that I had not heard and know nothing about it. He said he had protection from General Wadsworth, of Washington; that he had three and one-half acres and would not take $3,000 for it. He evidently was dressed for the occasion, wearing a blue swallow-tail coat, high collar, and brass buttons. He
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talked like the old stock of Virginians, as if he had his mouth full of mush. I told him I had no orders to cut his trees, but if I received such orders I would certainly cut them down, for we must obey orders. He left in dis- gust. In the evening the lieutenant of engineers, in charge of this work, called at my tent. He said, "Major, the general-in-chief of engineers was here today and said, 'There is that wood still standing, which I three times or- dered cut down. Now, if it is not cut down by the next time I come here, I will know why.'" I told him about the old Virginian who called on me today, what was said, etc. "Well, you cut that wood down. Back of it is a high hill, clear, and if the enemy should get on that hill their artillery could command Fort Marcy and Fort Ethan Al- len." I replied, "All right, I will cut it down tomorrow." That evening Lieutenant Morgan and Lieutenant Sample, of Company "F," called on me, that company being de- tailed for tomorrow. Lieutenant Morgan said, "I heard that wood out there at the old Sesesh is to be cut down. Now, you give us charge of that job. I will take Company "F" and we will clean it up." Lieutenant Sample said, "We will do it right."
October 9th. Next morning, as usual, took the men on fatigue duty. I gave the woodland in charge of Lieuten- ant Morgan, Lieutenant Sample and Company "F." Men all at work on pits, stumps, felling trees, etc. If I had the same men to work with every day, it would save much labor and time for me, but every morning I have different men from different regiments. About II o'clock all were at work. I looked across the country and saw trees fall- ing at a lively rate about my friend's house, and Lieuten- ant Sample was the progressive officer making things de- cidedly lively. I rode over (no fences anywhere along
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the road). When I came near the house the old man was there, but walked away when he saw me, looking as sour as vinegar, for Lieutenant Sample felled a tree across the corner of his house, and spoiled the coveted shade for many years to come.
October 10th. On fatigue duty, as usual. Only 350 men today. Fortieth Massachusetts Regiment struck tents and left for Miner's Hill. Cut heavy oak timber around the old man's house. The women cried ; no mat- ter, the orders must be obeyed. I have not been well for some days. Had charge of this fatigue party for two weeks, until the 18th of October, when I was too sick for duty. I reported to General Abercrombie and asked to be relieved until I get better ; that I was too sick to work. He said, "You are relieved until you get better, then re- port." But I never reported. When I got better the regi- ment was somewhere else. I had much experience in building rifle pits. A rifle pit is dug two feet deep and twenty inches wide, the earth being thrown on a bank fac- ing the enemy. This bank is called the parapet. From the bottom of the ditch to the top of the parapet is three feet eight inches, so that the rifle-men can rest on their knees and fire at the enemy over the parapet. The back of ditch is sloped from bottom up, so the men can lie back to load their guns. A rifle pit may be dug on level ground, but better on high ground, the slope of a hill, or on the sum- mit of high ground. If on the side of a hill, drains can be made to drain out the water, for it is very unpleasant, after a rain, to be in a pit of water a foot deep. How many hundreds of acres of timber were cut down I never estimated. But what a sight ! So much timber cut down, and all the stumps, from three to four feet high, standing long after the timber was removed !
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127TH REGIMENT, P. V. CAMP FIRES.
BY CAPTAN JAMES B. KEENE.
Whether on the march, in camp, or on picket, the "camp fire" was the "corner grocery," or the "club" of home life, where the comrades would meet, gossip and enjoy them- selves, as soldiers only, know how to accommodate them- selves to circumstances.
They would cluster around the camp fire, and discuss the problems of the day, the mistakes of the past, and the hopes of the future. They would sing old songs, and were particularly happy when they could find new songs in which to indulge their musical tastes. They would enter at times into heated discussion, and state their opin- ions freely, regarding the best methods of planning and executing army movements to bring about the best re- sults. They were very free in condemning the mistakes of superior officers, and never scrupled to state, that if they had occupied those superior posts of duty, many dis- asters might have been averted, and many victories have taken the place of inglorious defeat. At times, the more forcible debaters grew positively eloquent, and displayed more than ordinary wisdom and tact, which would have done credit to those higher in authority.
It should be borne in mind, that most of the men who carried muskets during the late Civil War, were men of superior intelligence, who left the busy walks of life to discharge a duty which they owed to their government, and involved the life of a great nation ; and they did it at the expense of everything that was near and dear to them in life. Many of those comrades were well educated, and the rank and file bristled with those whose influence in the
p
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peaceful avocations of life was only excelled by their ability. These comrades could be heard discussing their home environments, and going minutely into the details of their past experience; laying out plans for the future, swapping stories, smoking pipes, or boiling their cup of coffee. Such were some of the scenes in active service around the camp fires at the front, when the boys were young. Though years have passed, the "camp fire" con- tinues to burn sanctified by all the hallowed memories of those never-to-be-forgotten days which "tried men's souls," surrounded by the survivors, though many of them are growing old and gray ; but age has no tendency to diminish the enjoyment of these camp fires, where they can recall the past, and live over the active and thrilling life in the early sixties. Comrades are passionately fond of relating and hearing the old, old stories; and singing the old, old songs, which used to enthuse and brace them up on their weary marches, and when time hung heavily upon them while in camp, and they felt blue on thinking of the dear ones they left behind them.
Time mellows the acerbity of youthful indiscretions, and cools the passions of younger days ; so the comrades meet, forgetful of their past differences, and remember only the bright side of army life, and the pleasant company and regimental associations when they daily answered roll-call.
FORLORN HOPE.
During the bombardment of Fredericksburg, December IIth, 1862, a hurry call was made on the 3rd Brigade of the 2nd Division of the 2nd Army Corps for "volunteers"
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to man pontoons to cross the Rappahannock and silence sharpshooters who were firing upon the pontoniers and preventing the completion of the pontoon bridge.
If the call had been made on the 127th Regiment, they would probably have volunteered to a man; but it ended with the 7th Michigan Cavalry of the brigade, so that only a few men from the regiment were permitted, through their persistency, to join in the "forlorn hope." Of these volunteers were three men of Company "D," Henry Bidding, John Lentz and Elias Leitzel-the two latter of whom where killed in battle two days later. These brave men, accompanied by a few others of the regiment, were led by the gallant Porter Buchanan, of Company "F," who, having been successful in their heroic mission, returned and were wildly cheered by the whole brigade. Henry Bidding secured a bouquet of artificial flowers in the raid on Fredericksburg, and presented it to Lieuten- ant-Colonel Alleman, who rode along the lines exhibiting it as a trophy of the heroism of those brave boys who vol- unteered and accomplished the silencing of the Mississippi sharpshooters, to inspire their fellow comrades in like acts of bravery.
GRATITUDE.
On the first night that Colonel Jennings, as provost marshal, and Lieutenant-Colonel Alleman in command of the regiment, occupied a mansion on Caroline street, in the city of Fredericksburg, they were quietly enjoying a much needed sleep, occupying sofas in the parlor, which was on the first floor. Shortly after midnight a patrol brought in an old man, with a young girl clinging to his
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arm. The guard awakened Colonel Jennings, and the case was stated to him. The noise awakened Colonel Al- leman, who listened attentively to the charge, and noted the distress of the young girl. Either his judgment, that the case had no merit, or a sympathy for the young lady in distress, prompting him, he volunteered to defend the old gentleman, and did so successfully, inducing the pro- vost marshal to discharge him. The young lady, who was very comely in appearance, and refined in manners, simply gave Colonel Alleman a cold slight bow, and left the par- lor, holding on to the arm of her father. Colonel Jen- nings remarked the coldness and apparent ingratitude of the young lady, and said, "Colonel Alleman, you got scant courtesy for your success, and evidently made no impres- sion upon the young lady," laughing at the same time; but Colonel Alleman made no response, beyond saying that he simply did his duty, and he wanted no thanks. When the discharged prisoner passed the guard, the young lady inquired the name of the provost marshal and the officer who spoke in her father's defence. Their names and rank were noted, and the party passed on. The offi- cers were worn out, and almost immediately fell asleep. Early in the morning, probably an hour before daylight, a young slave brought a note to headquarters with in- structions to deliver it to Colonel Alleman "in person." The note was from the young lady, daughter of the dis- charged prisoner, inviting Colonel Alleman to breakfast that morning, with request to bring with him Colonel Jen- nings, provost marshal. After reading the note, he handed it to Colonel Jennings, who, reading it said, "What do you intend doing?" Colonel Alleman replied, "I move that we accept the invitation." To which Colonel Jennings re- plied, "Agreed ;" but how to get there was the question.
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The young slave replied, "Misses' compliments, I am to show you the way to the house." Both officers followed the slave, who took them to a rather pretentious house, which had been severely damaged by the Federal shells during the bombardment, several of them passing through the stone walls, causing great disorder ; and they learned, on presenting themselves, that the family had taken re- fuge, during the bombardment, in the cellar of the build- ing. The young lady hostess received the officers in a very cold but dignified manner, and stated that she wanted to show her gratitude for voluntary kindness rendered; and while she was unable to provide a suitable breakfast, she ordered one prepared, which was the best that the house could afford-at the time. It was a plain break- fast, and the hostess did not preside at the table ; but dis- missed the servant, and stated that she would wait upon her guests, which she did with infinite grace, coupled how- ever, with a very great deal of haughtiness. Her two sis- ters were present ; but she did not introduce the officers to them. After they finished their breakfast, they were very warm in their praise and thanks for the tendered hos- pitality ; and each extended his hand, and the young lady said, "Gentlemen, I will be very glad to have you call and see me when you come to Fredericksburg again; but I tell you frankly, that I hope you will never be able to en- ter Fredericksburg again." The officers bowed them- selves out, the young slave guided them back to their headquarters, which they reached before daylight.
In a few hours afterwards they were in the thick of the battle; and all recollection of this little episode was completely knocked out of their memories.
On the 3rd of May following, Colonel Alleman, suffer- ing severely from fractured ribs, from a wound received
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in battle that day, was carried back from the battlefield to the city, and a vacant cottage was seized, where he was made as comfortable as possible, refusing to be taken to a hospital, or carried across the river. During the after- noon, while seated in an arm chair on the front stoop, and suffering intense pain, he glanced diagonally across the street, and noticed a fine stone building, which was evi- dently the home of well-to-do people. He noticed persons peering through the slats from the parlor windows, and afterwards an old gentleman came out of the house, crossed the street, bowed to him, and inquired whether he had the honor of addressing "Colonel Allen." Colonel Alleman in his agony replied, "That is not my name." He bowed himself away, returned to the house, and noticed again the moving of slats, and an apparent conference. After a little while the old gentleman reappeared, and stated that he was possibly mistaken in the name, but that his daughters thought that they recognized his face as the same gentleman whom his elder daughter entertained at breakfast on the morning of the great battle. The recol- lection of the circumstance immediately flashed across his mind, and he admitted that he and Colonel Jennings were entertained by a young lady ; but said he did not recollect the name of his hostess. The old gentleman then stated that he was the prisoner, and that through the kind inter- vention of Colonel Alleman he had been discharged. He then bowed across the street, the shades were drawn up, and three young ladies stood at the windows and bowed to him. He reciprocated the kind recognition with a mil- itary salute, and the old gentleman asked to be excused for a moment, and returned to the house. In a very few minutes he came back with a message of compliments from his daughter, and requested that he permit himself
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to be carried over to the house and made their guest. This he declined with thanks, stating that he was made as com- fortable as possible under the care of his orderly, and servant, and in charge of his surgeon; but thanked him very kindly for their generous offer of hospitality. The old gentleman then returned, and asked permission to have some delicacies brought over, which would be pre- pared by his daughter, which he also declined ; but finally agreed that if he felt well enough on the following day, to be carried over to the house, that he would be only too pleased to dine with them. The next morning at early dawn he was carried out again on the stoop. In the mean- time his horse was saddled and bridled, and brought up to his quarters by his orderly, who was also mounted. In looking down the street, he observed the glitter of mus- kets, to which he called the attention of his orderly, and inquired whether he could distinguish whether they were friends or foes? He however satisfied himself that they were Confederates, and requested to be placed upon his horse at once, ordering his orderly to mount, and servant to follow hin1; and, although suffering great pain, he put spurs to his horse, and with the enemy only two squares away, galloped at full speed down the street, and down upon the pontoon bridge, with his orderly and servant, and finding the last of the 127th Regiment already upon the pontoon bridge before him, notified them that the enemy were pursuing them, ordered the cables to be cut ; and just then a dense fog enveloped them, so that it was impossible to recognize anything a few feet distant. The pontoon floated down the river, with the tide, and the whole party were safely landed on the northern bank of the Rappahannock. When the fog dispelled, great forces of the enemy were seen on the south side of the Rappahan-
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