USA > Pennsylvania > Dauphin County > History of the 127th regiment, Pennsylvania volunteers > Part 19
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Sunday-schools were dismissing. Men insisted on carry- ing my bed on their shoulders, and in this way I was taken home, followed by great crowds of people anxious to hear from their own boys.
On April 9th I was ordered to rejoin my regiment, but I was still on crutches, and very weak. I went to Harris- burg to report myself to the provost marshal, who at once gave me my discharge. I went to Harrisburg again to meet Company "E," when it returned from the service, re- gretting that I had not been able to continue with them and be mustered out with them.
INCIDENTS OF CAMP LIFE.
(From Major Rohrer's Diary.)
The Fredericksburg campaign was not a success, but proved a failure. Major-General Burnside was not dis- heartened at the result, but made haste to replenish, and put the Army of the Potomac on solid war footing. Or- ders received constantly, and reports sent to headquarters daily. On the 20th of January, 1863, the Left Grand Di- vision (General Franklin) commenced to move to the right, and at sunset the rear of his division rested about half a mile to our right, and rear of the 127th Regiment. Raining ! raining ! General Burnside's plan of action was to move up the Rappahannock some miles, cross the river, and get in General Lee's rear, then Lee would evacuate Fredericksburg (his stronghold, or Gibraltar), and come out of the trenches and fight another battle. But the ele- ments were against Burnside; rain and cold. Our divi- sion received orders to be ready, with three days' cooked rations in haversacks, to march early in the morning.
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January 2Ist. Troops moving slowly. Mud! mud! The Center Grand Division, General Joe Hooker, com- menced to move; in the morning the Right Grand Divi- sion would move; but the pontoons, artillery and wagons were swamped in the mud. Such a sight I never beheld.
January 23rd. Troops coming back; no let up in the fall of rain. We did not move. Lucky boys we were! Colonel Jennings sent Cyrus Mclaughlin, his orderly, for my horse. He wanted to ride over and see the artillery, pontoons, etc .- in the mud. Of course he got the horse, as his two horses were nearly played out. In less than half an hour my horse came back, without the rider, snort- ing and blowing as if he enjoyed a good run. As the colonel was galloping along, the horse about-faced very quickly, and Colonel Jennings lay in a mud-hole. What a sight to see 175 pounds avoirdupois crawling out of that mud-hole, which was large and deep, and such a splash that several officers who were going the same way halted, and asked, "Are you hurt, colonel?" After the colonel had emptied his mouth of the muddy water, he said, "No, I think not." The officers did not laugh loud until after- wards, for the spectacle was ridiculous. A pontoon-wagon with boat had been drawn out of the same ditch that morn- ing by twenty horses. After dress parade the colonel came to me, (not laughing), but with a twinkle in his eye, and said, "That's a great horse of yours, major!" "Yes, he is the best in the regiment," I said. "If he belonged to me I would shoot him," said the colonel. I said, "What's the matter with the horse?" "What's the matter? You know ! Such a horse !" "Yes, I heard of the accident. Are you hurt?" "No, only jarred some." "Well, colonel, I am sorry that the accident occurred; it might have been worse. Suppose your neck had been broken; that would
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have been awful. It is well the mud was so soft, or there might have been a real accident. Do you know, that horse taught me to ride? His worst habit was to lope along, and in a moment he about-faced-that is, he turned his head where his tail should be-and the rider, if not on his guard, went over his head. He threw me twice on the pommel of the saddle, and you know that's harder than mud. Colonel, this is the best horse I have, and any time I don't use him, you can have him, for you can't kill him." He replied, "Thank you; I don't want him any more, as I have no use for that sort of a horse."
Now as to that horse of mine. He was a bay, a well put up horse, heavily built, large breast and strong legs; the best horse in the regiment for all purposes, being careful of himself, thoroughly selfish, and always having an eye on the lookout. He was a natural trotter, and had some speed. I was told he could trot one mile in two minutes, or two miles in one minute, I forget which; for I never tried his speed. But any man who rode him five miles on a trot would feel as if he had his liver jolted out of him. I found that out when I first rode him. Horse- back riding is recommended for dyspepsia, and one ride on this horse was a sure cure for the malady, and I was not troubled with it. Now, to teach him to lope was a ques- tion. He could trot and walk, but nothing else, and he would not be led. I gave him to David Campbell ( quar- termaster-sergeant) to break him, as he had business in Washington every day. (This was while we were at Camp Boas.) In about a week, after breaking a pair of spurs, the horse could lope, but he never made a loper. It was hard work for him to get out of his natural gait. This horse was always fat. Sometimes he had no hay for a week; and at other times no oats or corn for days, and
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often a week or more at a time. But when he fasted too long, and the bark eaten from the stumps, he would get , loose and go foraging, generally to the 59th New York, across the way. They had altogether about eight horses. My horse would go over and force mmself among the horses, for rations, and salute them with his hind legs : then a free fight took place. After kicking some of them loose, and out of the shed, he helped himself to what was left. Then the guards gathered up the stray horses and drove mine home. It was dangerous for a horseman to ride past him fast. He would let drive with those heavy hind legs of his, and if he struck, great damage would oc- cur. Coming from picket one morning, after reporting to General Howard, I was galloping along slowly. I no- ticed my horse kept looking back with one eye, and his left ear would waggle, and I knew something was coming on behind. In a moment an orderly, or aide, came up on a full run; without stopping, my horse let drive at the rider as he passed. I thought he knocked the orderly's leg off, but I never heard what, if any damage was done. After Burnside's "stick in the mud" we built stables. Quarter- master Orth and I built on posts, the front, sides and roof being closed, and open behind. Another stable was put up by Colonel Jennings, Lieutenant-Colonel Alleman, Chaplain Gregg, and I think John, the sutler. (Where the boards came from I don't know ; probably our teams brought them from Acquia Landing. All officers must buy their horses, and put up stabling at their own ex- pense.) This new stable was built at the end of our sta- ble, and extended back at right angles. The chaplain's horse was third, and about opposite the rear of our stable. When all was completed, I walked up to see the improve- ments. I noticed, above the trough, a wide board was left
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off, so the horses could look out, and also see what kind of feed they were getting. I also noticed the chaplain's horse would put his head out of the opening sideways and reach toward my horse, playfully. Of course my horse was of a playful nature, especially with his hind legs. As the chaplain's horse came nearer, my horse backed slowly, until within reach, when he let drive with a right-hander at the head of the chaplain's horse; but the head was drawn in very abruptly. A few days later, the chaplain came to see me. He was very much excited. "Major, your horse is a vicious horse ; he kicked my horse about the head so that he fell back on his haunches, and broke the halter in several places." "When did this happen?" I said. "Just a while ago, and I don't like it at all." I re- plied, "I am sorry, and hope your horse escaped injury. You know, chaplain, horses are playful, and they were just playing." "That's all right, but I don't like that kind of
playing." "Well, what's to be done? Suppose you have Jim nail a strip across the opening. That will stop it. You brought my horse with yours from Harrisburg, and they are old friends, and only mean play." "Yes, great play that is !" The chaplain and I were good friends. The first month in service he, Quartermaster Orth, and myself messed together, but the chaplain complained about the expense of the table, that he had an old mother to sup- port, and could not afford it, etc. One day I got tired of this complaining and told him to take Jim (his darkey) and keep house. He (Jim) has nothing to do but attend to the horse and do your cooking. We dissolved and took Adjutant Chayne in our mess. No more grumbling af- terwards.
Shortly after the horse fracas, after midnight, there was a free fight at the 59th New York stables. The horses
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got loose and squcaled, and such a kicking against the boards that awakened the neighborhood. Presently my horse came running home with great speed, snorting and kicking, as if to finish up the spree. Our guards called "Ho! ho!" but he would take another run and report to the guard again, who would call "Ho! ho!" One guard said, "Whose horse is this?" The answer was, "The ma- jor's." I got up and opened the door. I never saw a darker night in my life than this one. Very cold and raining. I was satisfied not to go out ; so I let the horse go. But in the morning he was at his post, none the worse for the carousal. The guards about the stable knew him well ; he never kicked any of them, but scared a few who did not know of his tricks. We had some good riding horses in the regiment. Among the best riders were Lientenant-Colonel Alleman, and mis cream-colored horse, being a pretty horse, was a good and fast loper. Quarter- master Orth's gray, single-footed racker, was another fine saddle horse. On solid road you could hear his horse coming along, "clippe-clappe," "clippe-clappe." He was fast, and you rode as easy as in a rocking chair. Chap- fain Gregg had a pretty bay horse, and often talked about selling him and buying a cheaper horse, which would answer his purpose just as well. About this time the chaplain knew of all the horses that were for sale or trade in the Army of the Potomac. His time was mostly occu- pied in riding from regiment to regiment and talking "horse" with the clergy. Some of them called on him nearly daily, so he could tell you where a horse could be had and at what price. At one time the chaplain talked very bravely. He showed me two revolvers one day, and said, "Major, the first battle we get in I will take these re- volvers and get behind a tree and bang away at the
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enemy." But when the first battle, or any other danger was at hand, the chaplain had much business with the teams and hospitals. I was satisfied that a chaplain in a regi- ment is about as much good as five wheels to a wagon.
P. S .- About eighteen years later, who should walk into my store, at Lancaster, but Chaplain J. C. Gregg, as big and fat as ever. "Why, chaplain, where do you hail from? I have not seen you for so many years." "On, I have lived here for six months. I have charge of the Second Methodist church, down South Queen street." "Is that so? I did not know that." "Yes, I have a good congrega- tion. Come and see me." Some time afterwards, a friend of mine and I passed the church, just as the people were going in for the evening service. I said to my friend, "Let us go in and hear Chaplain Gregg preach. He was chaplain of my regiment, but I don't think I ever heard him preach." We took seats pretty well front, in an outer tier of pews, next to the aisle. In front of me sat Mr. Cookson, a large man, having no hair on his head except about his ears. The chaplain preached loud, and with force. When about half through, he touched on military experiences, pointed directly toward me, and said, "You know, major, how we suffered. You know, major, how so and so." The congregation looked to where he pointed. I never was so much ashamed in my life; but the people did not know me, and they looked at the bald head in front of me, same as I did. In about a week the chaplain called at my store, grinning all over his face. I greeted him, "Chaplain, I never was as much ashamed in my life as I was the other night. I never will go to your church again." He laughed heartily. The chaplain had a large congre- gation, was a good beggar, and collected and paid the debts of the church and the parsonage. He did a great
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deal of good in the few years he was in Lancaster. Peace to his ashes !
FRANK.
Frank was neither an officer nor an enlisted private, and yet he was a feature, if not an important factor of the 127th Regiment.
He was the favorite of the trio, endowed with a su- perior instinct, bordering very closely upon intelligence ; and as he is well remembered by each and every member of the regiment as the Dun, with white mane, feet, and star on his forehead-playfully named "butter and cream," a few incidents connected with the service, in which he was the central figure, might be worth recounting.
Like a dog, he was warmly attached to human beings, and showed this part of his nature by refusing to tread upon the body of a human being, whether dead or alive; and in galloping over the battlefield, he would pick his way, in order to avoid treading upon a human corpse. He was ot an affectionate nature, and gentle as a lamb; but withal, a nervous and spirited animal; and was, to his master, what Bucephalaus was to Alexander the Great.
If he was timid or cowardly, he never gave any evi- dence of such weakness; he seemed to be fearless-with bullets whistling past him, at the roar of cannon, or the bursting of shells-he neither faltered, flinched nor quiv- ered. He even had no fear of crossing a pontoon bridge. Alongside of Colonel Jennings on his horse, he headed the regiment in crossing the Rappahanock at the battle of Fredericksburg, and seemed to enjoy the thundering roar of cannon, the rattle of musketry, and the frightful noises incident to a terrific battle.
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At the battle of Chancellorsville, when his rider was un- horsed by a shot from the enemy, he galloped over the field, and returned to the regiment, as if in search of his fallen master. It was at this time that Major Rohrer, who was on picket duty, and knew nothing of the regiment having suddenly crossed the Rappahanock on the morning of the 3rd of May, 1863; on hearing the roar of cannon and the incessant sharp cracks of musketry at Fredericks- burg, and the Heights beyond, from his line of pickets on the northern side of the Rappahanock, leveled his field glasses on Marie's Heights, where the battle was raging, and saw Frank running up the hill riderless, with the sad- dle stirrups flying in the air. He quickly recognized the horse, and at once joined his regiment, which was then en- gaged in the great battle.
On one occasion, while Frank's master was General officer of the picket line, in the wilds of Virginia, going his rounds, on a dark and dreary night, while wolves were howling, and there was danger from their attack, his mas- ter, while approaching the sentinels was in each case halted and ordered to dismount and give the counter-sign to the vigilant sentinels. As the horse was trained and accustomed to stand without being hitched, he unhesita- tingly dismounted, leaving Frank standing alone, while he approached the sentinel, gave the proper counter-sign, made the necessary inspection and then returned ; but on one occasion unfortunately he was unable to find his horse, as Frank took it into his head to make an independent in- spection, on his own account, and took to his heels. The sentinel very kindly offered to go in search of the horse, and the rider took the musket and stood sentinel for up- wards of an hour, before the sentry returned with his horse. This long delay naturally enraged his master, who,
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on the impulse of the provocation, deliberately kicked the horse, which affront Frank remembered, and at the very first opportunity which presented itself, he made a des- perate attempt to kick his master, in evident reciprocity, fortunately, however, without success; but this was the only time his master can recollect of his ever showing the slightest feeling of resentment, and never afterwards made any attempt to revenge himself for the impulsive injury.
Frank was exceedingly fond of music, and was happiest when he could follow the drum corps or regimental band ; and would keep step to the music with unfaltering precis- .ion, and sometimes even danced playfully when certain musical airs seemed to please or excite him.
Frank had wonderful powers of endurance, and was al- ways ready for the march, happy under the saddle, and seemed happiest with his master in the saddle. While on special service, and after a very fatiguing journey of up- wards of eighty miles, with the master continuously in the saddle for fifteen hours, both the horse and the rider were worn out, hungry and sleepy. The master dismounted, bid his horse lie down, and Frank seemingly comprehend- ing the command, laid down by the roadside, stretched himself upon the ground, and his master laid down by the horse, using Frank's neck for a pillow. Both being com- pletely exhausted, they fell simultanteously asleep. For hours they slept without waking, and when the master awoke and rose to his feet, and not until then, Frank raised himself, neighed with delight at a recognition from his master, and seemed refreshed, when they resumed their journey.
This was only one of many instances when Frank and his master slept side by side with the master's head rest- ing on the horse's neck; and never once did this gentle
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beast ever disturb his master's slumber, or attempt to raise his head while his master was resting by his side, and using his neck for a head-rest.
Sometime after the return and muster-out of the regi- ment, his master being too fond of him to think for a mo- ment of selling him, presented him to a friend, who prom- ised to take good care of him for life. The warm attach- ment between master and horse was manifested upon an occasion a few months subsequent to his disposal. His master was promenading on Third street in the city of Harrisburg, with his friend, Major Detweiler, when he was suddenly surprised by a horse's head rubbing up against his shoulder, and a horse neighing in a most de-
lighted manner. He looked around and recognized Frank, who had refused to obey the guiding reins of the boy on his back, when he recognized his former master, and springing to the sidewalk, came gently up behind him, and affectionately rubbed his head against his master's cheek ; and when his master petted him and called him by name, he danced for joy, and gave every exhibition of un- bounded delight; while the unbidden tears coursed down the master's cheeks, at this remarkable demonstration of devoted affection.
H. C. ALLEMAN.
FATIGUE DUTY.
Each and all of the field officers were subject to detail duty of various kinds, including picket duty, court-martial duty and fatigue duty. While each of the officers of the 127th Regiment was both willing and ready for duty at all times, the orderly from Division Headquarters never
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made his appearance in camp without some little flutter or anxiety, to see what the little three-cornered billet detail meant. Officers detailed for special duty were exempt from regimental duty during the term of the detail, and sometimes it was very pleasant to be assigned to court- martial duty ; and while it meant exposure and great re- sponsibility, no objection was made for picket duty, not- withstanding the fact, that while the picket line was some- times as much as five miles long, requiring the officer in charge to go over its entire length and inspect it closely three times in each twenty-four hours, twice during the day, and once after midnight, this duty was generally looked upon as a compliment showing the confidence of the Major-General commanding.
But of all the detailed duty imposed upon field officers, fatigue duty was considered the most onerous, and the least in the line of dignity and soldierly qualification. Ma- jor Rohrer seemed to have his full share of this detail, not, however, because it was inferior or looked upon as objec- tionable and disagreeable ; but because of the high compli- ment which was paid him, as the best field officer in the brigade for handling working parties, and superintending the work of digging trenches, building embankments, clearing hill tops and all that sort of thing in the line of civil engineering. He was not only proficient, but a genius in this line of duty, and his work was so thoroughly mas- terly that he was continued week in and week out in com- mand of a large working force ; and he continued to do his work so thoroughly well, and with such good cheer, that General Abercrombie came to look upon him as about the only officer in the brigade who could intelligently master this sort of work. He was not only thoroughly competent, but he took a very great interest in the work ; and while he
r
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was exacting, no complaints were made by his men, be- cause they felt that while they were doing hard manual labor, the Major was constantly busy in superintending the work, and intelligently instructing the men in the per- formance of their duties.
Without complaining, and never once entering a protest against this constant detail for special duty, he at last, from constancy and over-work became prostrated, and not until then, was he relieved of this onerous duty; but he was very highly complimented by the commanding Gen- eral for the admirable, intelligent and uncomplaining man- ner in which he performed the duty assigned him.
CORPORAL LEMUEL MOYER.
Among the many acts of heroism performed by both officers and men on the thirteenth of December, 1862, on the bloody field of Fredericksburg, the gallantry of Cor- poral Lemuel Moyer, of Company "E," stands out in bold relief.
In the panic, caused by the retreat of the Tammany Regiment in their wild rush to the rear, crying, "Retreat !" "Retreat !" "the whole of Lee's army is charging us." They carried with them a portion of the 127th Regiment, who were forced by them to the rear. The color sergeant was shot down while carrying and bravely maintaining the flag. Corporal Moyer, observing the absence of the flag, voluntarily ran up the declivity, to the position which had been occupied by the regiment, searched out the dead color sergeant, seized the flag where it had fallen, and in tri- umph brought it back to the color guard. It was a bold and daring act, reflecting the highest credit upon him for his stalwart heroism and patriotism.
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FROM MAJOR ROHRER'S DIARY.
December 16th, 1862. Back to our old camp. Received orders to be ready for inspection at 8 o'clock. Many of our men lost their tents, blankets, etc., by putting them in a house, and when they came back they were gone. Also many guns broken by shot and shell. Inspected by Gen- eral Howard, who said the 127th Regiment, on Saturday, made the charge towards Marie's Heights as straight as in dress parade. Disturbed about midnight. Order canie for sixty men and two lieutenants to bury the dead. Re- quired to report at headquarters at 4 A. M.
December 17th. Colonel Jennings, Lieutenant-Colonel Alleman, Adjutant Chayne and myself reported to Gen- eral Sully's headquarters explaining why the 127th Regi- ment fell back, without orders, on the 13th. Colonel Jen- nings and Lieutenant-Colonel Alleman gave testimony, and the regiment was exonerated from blame. General Howard said no regiment in the field did better than the 127th, up to 4 P. M., when the 42nd Regiment of New York, and 19th and 20th Massachusetts passed through our line, and shortly came back pell-mell over our line, tramping our men and crying "Retreat! Retreat"! The men were misled by these cries as orders, and were carried away but at the foot of the hill formed into line again for action.
December 19th. Last night a detail of 100 men was called to load pontoon boats. The men returned to camp at daylight.
December 20th. Cold, clear morning. No horse feed. Lieutenant J. Hoyer, of regular cavalry (nephew of Gen- eral Simon Cameron ) called on us. Quite a number of offi- cers from other regiments were to see us. Got horse feed
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at last ; had no hay for a week. It is reported that our loss on Saturday, the 13th of December, was 13,505 killed and wounded.
December 22nd. Started on picket (the whole regi- ment) about two miles to the line near the Rappahan- nock river. Our line run from the Harwood road to the river. Headquarters at Rev. Greeves' house. Rev. Greeves was dead. Had willed his property of 300 acres to his son (about 17 years old), and a negro slave. The boy said the Confederate cavalry ate all his corn, 500 bar- rels, which is five bushels shelled to a barrel, worth $10 per barrel, before the Federal army came to Fredericks- burg. Flour $20 per barrel.
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