USA > Pennsylvania > Westmoreland County > History of the County of Westmoreland, Pennsylvania, with Biographical Sketches of Many of its Pioneers and Prominent Men > Part 97
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1 CAPT. EDWARD H. GAY, born in Donegal township, Westmoreland Co., Pa., 29th October, 1842, was the son of John and Elizabeth Gay. In the year 1868 he entered the Republican printing-office at Greensburg, and on the next day after his apprenticeship had expired enlisted for the three months' service in Capt. Richard Coulter's company. At the end of this service he re-enlisted at Youngstown on the 27th November, 1861, under Capt. John B. Keenan, and was mustered into the United States service at Harrisburg. In January was appointed sergeant- major, in March he received the appointment of second lieutenant in Company F, and on the 15th of October (1861) he was commissioned as captain, all within eleven months, and when he was not twenty years of ago. During the last three years in which he was in the service he was in thirteen engagements and was wounded three times. The engage- ments and dates are as follows : Cedar Mountain, Aug. 9, 1862; Rappe- bannock Station, Ang. 21, 1862; Thoroughfare Gap, August 28; Bull Run, August 30; Chantilly, September 1; South Mountain Gap, Septem- ber 14; Antietam, September 17; Fredericksburg, December 13; with Burnside's advance, Jan. 20, 1863; Rappahannock, April 30 to May 2; Chancellorsville, May 2-6; Gettysburg, July 1, 2; Morton's Ford, Octo- ber 10; Mine Run, November 28 to December 1.
At Antietam he was twice wounded, in the arm and in the side, but
who received two gunshot-wounds, and most bravely passed the flag to Sergt. Henry Bitner, of Company E, who retained it until the close of the action. Dec. 12 and 13, 1862, at the battle of Fredericksburg, it was carried by Corp. John V. Kuhns, of Com- pany C, until he was three times severely wounded, losing his left leg. It was then borne by Cyrus W. Chambers, of Company C, who was killed, when it was taken by Corp. John W. Thomas, of Company C, who was also severely wounded. It was brought off the field by Capt. Benjamin F. Haines, of Company B. Corp. John H. Mckalip, of Company C, was next made color-bearer, who carried it April 30th to May 5, 1868, at Chancellorsville, and July 1st at Gettysburg, where he was severely wounded in a charge upon Iverson's North Carolina brigade, the flag falling among some bushes, where it was after- wards discovered by Private Michael Kepler, of Com- pany D, who carried it during the remainder of the engagements, July 1st, 2d, and 3d, and also at Mine Run, Dec. 1, 1868. In April, 1864, he being sick and absent, it was delivered to Corp. J. J. Lehman, of Company D, who carried it May 5th and 6th, in the Wilderness, and May 8th at Spottsylvania, where he was killed, and the flag was brought off the field by 2d Lieut. McCuthen, of Company F. The next color- bearer, whose name has not been ascertained, was severely wounded in the foot May 12th, at Spottsyl- vania. Corp. William Matthews, of Company C, car- ried it during the remainder of the engagement at Spottsylvania, and at North Anna, Cold Harbor, Bethesda Church, in front of Petersburg, Weldon Railroad, and bore it in the Hickford raid until December, 1864; Feb. 6 and 7, 1865, at Hatcher's Run and Dabney's Mills; March 28th, Quaker Road; March 30th, White Oak Ridge; April 1st, Five Forks; April 9th, Appomattox Court-House, and until May 28, 1865, when he was honorably discharged. John C. Scheurman, of Company A, then carried it until the regiment was mustered out of service, July 7, 1865. It was delivered to the State authorities at Harrisburg, and July 4, 1866, it was formally returned to the Governor at Philadelphia upon the occasion of the public return of all the State flags.
such was his interest in his men and in the engagement that his superior officer had to order him peremptorily from the field before he would go, though his wounds were severe. At Gettysburg he was badly wounded in the hand, and in the fight his sword was shot from his grasp and his hand very much shattered. He was only absent on leave twice, a period of ten days each time.
He had come home on a short furlough, but detailed on the recruiting service, he went at once to work without giving himself the necessary amount of rest from his arduous labors. In the midst of his duties be was taken sick with smallpox, two weeks before his death. He gradu- ally sunk under the disease, and on Saturday, the 12th of March, 1864, he died at Greensburg, aged twenty-one years, four months, and twelve days. His remains, accompanied by relatives, many members of his company and other companions in arms, and a vast concourse of citizens, were conveyed to the St. Clair Cemetery on Sunday afternoon, where, with other becoming services, they were interred with the honors of war. A fine marble shaft covered with appropriate emblems and in- scriptions rises over his remains.
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WESTMORELAND IN THE CIVIL WAR.
FOURTEENTH REGIMENT ( Three Months' Service).
This regiment was formed at Camp Curtin, of companies raised in various sections of the State. The men had been recruited, or rather accepted, for the outpouring everywhere was at the flood tide, at periods varying from the 15th to the 30th of April. John W. Johnston, of Youngstown, former captain of Company C, and who had been a captain of volun- teers in the Mexican war, was colonel. The regiment organized at Harrisburg, April 30, 1861, and was mus- tered out of service August 7th following. It served under Gen. Patterson in the region of Martinsburg, Charleston, and Bunker Hill, in which region it was when news was received of the battle of Bull Run. After its term of service, nearly all of its officers and men re-entered the service in various Pennsylvania organizations.1 Captain Johnston's company from Youngstown, for the most part, entered the Eleventh Regiment upon its organization, and are identified with its history.
TWENTY-RIGHTH REGIMENT ( Three Years' Service).
Early in June, 1861, Col. John W. Geary (who had served in the Mexican war, was a native .of this county, and afterward Governor of the State) ob- tained permission from President Lincoln to raise in Pennsylvania a regiment of volunteers to serve three years. He accordingly established a camp at Oxford Park, in Philadelphia, and on the 28th of that month the Twenty-eighth Regiment, which was uniformed and equipped at his own expense, was mustered into the service of the United States. It re-enlisted as a veteran organization, and was ·mustered out July 18, 1865, near Alexandria, Va. This regiment partici- pated in the battles of Bolivar, Front Royal, Second Bull Run, Cedar Mountain, Antietam, Gettysburg, Chancellorsville, Lookout Mountain, Peach - Tree Creek, and in Sherman's march to the sea, and achieved a name for its gallantry and services hardly surpassed by that of any other organization in the Union army. At Lookout Mountain, Capt. E. R. Geary (son of the old colonel of this regiment), of Knapp's Battery, attached to the Twenty-eighth, was killed while sighting his gun, pierced by a rifle-ball through his forehead. The officers and men from this county Were :
Colonel, John W. Geary, raak from June 36, 1861 ; pro. to brig .- gon., D. B. V., April 26, 1803; wounded at Bolivar, Cedar Mountain, and Chancellorsville; pro. to maj .- gen. Jan. 12, 1805.
Major, Robert Warden, must. in June 29th es capt. of Co. B; pro. to major April 26, 1803; died in Winchester, Va., June 30, 1862.
Assistant surgeon, Williami Logan, with rank from June 28, 1861; re- digaed Bept. 36, 1802.
FORTIETH REGIMENT-"ELEVENTH RESERVE"- ( Thres Yeard' Service).
The companies comprising this regiment were re- cruited, A in Cambria, B and E in Indiana, O and D
in Butler, F in Fayette, G in Armstrong, H and I in Westmoreland, and K.in Jefferson County. Most of them were raised for the three months' service, but failing of acceptance still preserved their organiza- tions, and when the call for the Reserve Corps was issued marched to the rendezvous at Camp Wright, near Pittsburgh. It was mustered in July 1, 1861, at the park, Washington City; where it had arrived June 26th. It was mustered out June 14, 1864, at Pitts- burgh, and its veterans and recruits transferred to the One Hundred and Ninetieth Regiment. It bravely participated in the following battles : Mechanicsville, Gaines' Mill, Charles City Cross-Roads, Malvern Hill, Second Bull Run, South Mountain, Antietam, Fred- ericksburg, Gettysburg, Williamsport, Bristoe Station, Rappahannock Station, New Hope Church, Mine Run, Wilderness, Spottsylvania, North Anna, Beth- esda Church, and other smaller engagements. It was assigned to the Second Brigade, Brig .- Gen. George G. Meade, of the Reserve Corps, Maj .- Gen. George A. McCall, and was thus associated with the Third, Fourth, Seventh, and Thirteenth ("Bucktail") Re- serve Regiments, which with it composed this cele- brated brigade. The field-officers from Westmoreland County were:'
Colonel, Thomas T. Gallagher, rank from July 2, 1861 ; disch, Dec. 12, 1863, for wounds received at South Mountain, Sept. 14, 1861 ; pro. brevet brig .- gen. March 13, 1865.
Quartermaster, Hugh A. Torrence, rank from June 21, 1861 ; pro. from. 2d Ment. Co. I to q.m. July 2, 1801; to 1st lient. March 1, 1863; to brevet capt. March 18, 1865.
Chaplain, Adam Torrence, from Rent, 8, 1802, to Nov. 10, 1863; ro- signed.
FORTY-FIRST REGIMENT-"TWELFTH RESERVE"_ ( Three Yeard' Service).
The companies raised for this regiment, raised primarily for the three months' service, but not ac- cepted, rendezvoused at Camp Curtin. It was organ- ized July 25, 1861, mustered into service Aug. 10, 1861, and mustered out June 11, 1864, and its veterans and recruits transferred to the One Hundred and Ninetieth Regiment. Its first colonel was John H. Taggart, of Philadelphia, who was succeeded July 8, 1862, by Martin D. Hardin, of the State of Illinois. Its chaplain was Rev. Obadiah H. Miller, of this county, appointed June 18, 1862, and who resigned June 9, 1868. It was first attached to Col. John B. McCalmont's Third Brigade of Gen. McCall's di- vision, in connection with the Tenth, Sixth, and Ninth Pennsylvania Reserve Regiments. Its gal- lantry was exhibited on many battle-fields, and particularly at Drainesville, Mechanicsville, Chicka- hominy, Charles City Cross-Roads, South Mountain, Antietam, Gettysburg, and in the campaign under Gen. Grant at Wilderness, etc., that led to the sur- render of Lee and the Confederate forces. For roster see Appendix "R."
1 For roster of the 'Westmoreland soldiers in this regiment, soo Ap- peadix " R."
" For list of men from this county serving in the Fortieth, see Ap- pendix "R."
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HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.
FIFTY-THIRD REGIMENT ( Three Yeard' Service). On Ang. 21, 1861, John R. Brooke, of Montgomery County, was commissioned colonel of this regiment. On November 7th it moved to Washington, and en- camped north of the Capitol. On the 27th it crossed the Potomac, went into camp near Alexandria, and was assigned to a brigade commanded by Gen. Wil- liam H. French, in the First Division of Maj .- Gen. Israel B. Richardson, Second Corps, Maj .- Gen. E. V. Samner. It remained here during the winter of 1861-62, and was with the army of the Potomac in its advance in March, 1862, arriving at Manassas June- tion, which had been evacuated by the rebels, the 12th. It participated in the battles of Fair Oaks, York- town, Gaines' Mill, Savage's Station, White Oak Swamp, Malvern Hill, Antietam, Bristoe Station, Chancellorsville, Fredericksburg, Gettysburg, Mine Run, Wilderness, Po River, Spottsylvania, North Anna, Tolopotomy, Cold Harbor, Strawberry Plains, Ream's Station, and Deep Bottom. It was organized Nov. 7, 1861, re-enlisted as a veteran organization, and was mustered out June 80, 1865, near Alexandria, Va. Lieut .- Col. George C. Anderson, promoted from second to first lieutenant, Sept. 17, 1862; to major, Sept. 20, 1864; to lieutenant-colonel, Nov. 10, 1864; mustered out with regiment.1
SIXTY-FOURTH REGIMENT-FOURTH CAVALRY- (Three Years' Service).
This regiment was recruited under the direction of David Campbell, of Pittsburgh, in compliance with authority granted by Governor Curtin, Sept. 4, 1861. Company A was recruited in Northampton County ; B, E, and G in Allegheny ; C and D in Westmore- land and Indiana; H, I, K, and L in Venango; and M in Luzerne. The State colors were presented by Governor Curtin, in person, at Camp Campbell, Sept. 20, 1861. It was organized at Harrisburg from August to October, 1861, re-enlisted as a veteran organiza- tion, and was mustered out of service July 1, 1865, at Lynchburg, Va. It took part in the Peninsula campaign, and participated in the following engage- ments: Gaines' Mill, Charles City Cross - Roads, Hedgesville, Antietam, Markham Station, Kelly's Ford, Middleburg, Gettysburg, Upperville, Shep- herdstown, Trevilian Station, Todd's Tavern, Sulphur Springs, Deep Bottom, St. Mary's Church, Ream's Station, Stony Creek Station, Boydton Roads, Wyatt's Farm, and Bellefield. At St. Mary's Church, June 24, 1864, the gallant Col. Covode, while issuing his orders and directing the fight, was shot down by a party of the enemy, whom, in their partial conceal- ment, he had mistaken for his own. He was carried from the field, and much against his own will, nearly three miles to the rear, but in a desperate final rally of the enemy he fell into their hands. His wounds were mortal, and he expired on the following day.
Darkness put an end to the contest, and enabled the division to retire in safety. This regiment here lost eighty-seven in killed, wounded, and missing. After crossing the James River, a scouting party, headed by Lieut. John C. Paul, penetrated the enemy's lines to ascertain the place of burial of the remains of Col. Covode. This having been discovered and reported to Gen. Gregg, he ordered a party of thirty with am- bulances to proceed under cover of darkness and bring in his body and any of our wounded who could still be found. Capt. Frank H. Parke volunteered to accompany the party, which successfully accomp- lished the object assigned it without molestation.
Colossi, George H. Osvoda, pro. from captain of Company D to mmajer March 12, 1883; to lieutensat-colonel Dee. 8. 1963; to colonel May 26, 1006 ; killed at &t. Mary's Church, Va., June 94, 1004.
Major, James H. Trimble, resigned Ang. 6, 1992. Major, James Y. Peale, pro. from captain of Company D to mejor Sept. 9, 1994 ; to brevet lieutenant-colonel March 13, 1885.
Major, M. J. Horreli, pro. from captain of Company O June 8, 1866. Adjutant, William B. Mellroy, pro. to sergeant-major June 14, 1806 ; veteran.
Chaplain, Heary Q. Graham, from Nov. 22, 1883, to Sept. 22, 1864.
SEVENTY-JOURTH REGIMENT ( Three Years' Service).
Early in the summer of 1861, when the government was in pressing need of troops, the design was formed of recruiting in Pittsburgh and vicinity a regiment to be composed of German citizens. A spirited appeal for pecuniary aid to prosecute the enterprise in an edi- torial in the Evening Chronicle so aroused the people's feelings that in a single day the requisite funds were secured, the Economy Society contributing, unasked, the sum of five hundred dollars. Having received the proper authority from the War Department, the committee in charge, headed by I. I. Siebuck, Joseph Abel, Joseph G. Siebuck, and Charles Mcknight, citizens of Pittsburgh, commenced recruiting, and in three weeks' time had a regiment of nearly the requi- site number ready for acceptance by the government. A portion of the regiment re-enlisted, seven new com- panies were assigned to it in March, 1865, and it was mustered out of service Aug. 29, 1865, at Clarksburg, West Va. It participated in the battles of Chancel- lorsville and Gettysburg, in the latter of which its loss was one hundred and thirty-six. It afterwards saw service in South Carolina, and was subsequently stationed at Forts Ethan Allen and Marcy, where it performed duty as heavy artillery.
EIGHTY-FOURTH REGIMENT (Three Years' Service).
This regiment was organized at Harrisburg from Nov. 22, 1861, to Oct. 1, 1862. Its re-enlisted men, recruits, etc., were transferred to the, Fifty-seventh Regiment Jan. 18, 1865, and mustered out of service with that organization June 29, 1865, near Washing- ton, D. C. It participated in the battles of Win- chester, Front Royal, Fort Republic, Second Bull Run, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Kelly's Ford, Mine Run, Wilderness, Spottsylvania, North Anna,
1 See roster in Appendix " R."
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WESTMORELAND IN THE CIVIL WAR.
Tolopotomy, Cold Harbor, Petersburg, Strawberry Plains, Deep Bottom, and Poplar Spring Church.1
COMPANY O.
The following sketch of Company C of the Eighty- fourth Regiment, the only company of Westmoreland troops in that command, has been specially prepared for this volume from materials in possession of some of its surviving members :
When the call came for volunteers and every com- munity manifested that restlessness incident to war, no place was more moved than the western portion of Ligonier Valley, comprising Ligonier, Cook, and Donegal townships. J. J. Wirsing and W. Logan concluded to raise a company, and rode through the country and solicited enlistments. This canvass re- sulted in the enlistment of forty men. James J. Wirsing was offered the captaincy in consideration of services in securing the enrollment, but on account of his youth he would not accept, and W. Logan was chosen captain, A. Douglass first, and J. J. Wirsing second lieutenant. Before the company, however, had seen active service J. J. Wirsing became its com- manding officer.
The following is a full list of the members of Com- pany O at its organization : Captain, William Logan, resigued. Lieutenant, A. Douglass, resigned.
Lieutenant, J. J. Wirsing, promoted to captain, and mustered out a pris- oner of war.
SERGEANTS.
William Haya, promoted to second lieutenant; wounded; discharged. Joseph MoMasters, promoted to second lieutenant ; wounded; returned with company. John Stone, promoted to second sergeant; wounded ; discharged. Robert R. Roberts, discharged. Charles McCleeve, diecharged. Matthew Campbell, transferred to Invalid Corps; returned. Harman Hines, discharged.
CORPORALS.
John Tolgaf, returzied. Moses Clark, returned. Jacob B. Barrone, wounded; discharged. George Hoffer, returned with company. Peter J. Kesler, transferred to Veteran Reserve Corps. Kli Johnston, returned with company.
Jeremiah Wirsing, disabled and discharged.
Joseph 8. Hood, discharged.
DRUMMER.
Austin Ringler, returned with company.
WAGONER.
Michael Fry, discharged. PRIVATES.
Norman Ankeny, returned with company. William Akers, transferred from Company A ; killed. Aaron Brougher, wounded and returned. Jacob Binkey, wounded and discharged. Josiah Baldwin, returned. Adam Bales, returned. Isiah Campbell, discharged. John E. Campbell, returned. John Cramer, returned. Reed A. Douglass, returned. John Douglass, returned.
George 8. Freeman, killed at Chancellorsville. Michael Fry, Jr., discharged.
1 See roster in Appendix " R."
John Geisey, returned.
Jesse Hoffer, transferred to Veteran Reserve Corps.
Eli Herman, returned. George Hays, killed at Chancellorsville.
Clement H. Haya, discharged.
Jeremiah Hoffer, killed at Spottsylvania. John Heins, wounded; returned. Samuel Hoffer, returned. John Jobuston, returned. Jacob Johnston, killed before Richmond.
Uriah Johnston, discharged.
James Kesler, died. Samuel Kunkle, returned. Daniel Kuhns, transferred to Veteran Reserve Corps.
Henry Knox, transferred to Veteran Reserve Corps.
Jacob M. Knox, discharged.
George Kiesell, discharged. Daniel Kern, discharged. Imac A. Moore, returned. Robert McLevain, died. George A. Miller, died. Robert C. Moore, discharged. Edward Montecue, returned.
William Miller, returned.
Martin Miller, killed at Fredericksburg.
Josiah Moore, returned.
Adam Moul, died.
Noah Miller, returned. Daniel M. Miller, died. James Martheny, diecharged.
Marshall Moody, died.
John Mickey, died. John Matthewa, died.
Henry Nedrow, returned.
Edward Nickola, died. William O. Payne, returned.
William Paden, discharged.
William Queer, wounded and returned.
Perry H. Roadman, discharged.
Thomas Richards, wounded and discharged.
George D. Reece, died. Henry H. Smith, returned.
Heury Stone, wounded and died at Chancellorsville.
Paul Shawley, discharged.
Jonathan Shawley, wounded at Chancellorsville; returned.
John Shults, wounded ; discharged.
Joseph Showman, discharged.
Jno. W. White, discharged.
William G. Wissinger, discharged.
Harrison Wiseinger, returned. Edward Walters, returned.
The company was ordered to Harrisburg, but re- ported too late to be accepted in the call. Lieut. Wirsing called on Hon. H. D. Foster, of Greensburg, and secured his aid in getting the company passed into service. Mr. Foster telegraphed A. G. Cur- tin, then Governor of Pennsylvania, who answered that the company could not be received. He then sent to the Secretary of State with the same result, then telegraphing to the Secretary of War the com- pany was accepted and allowed to recruit its number to the maximum, eighty men. Mr. Foster, for this kind service, not only gratuitously but cordially ren- dered, was kindly remembered, for by a unanimous vote Company C was named the " Foster Guards."
Company C then pitched its first tents near the grounds of a religious camp-meeting at Stahlstown, Westmoreland Co. Here the company received en- listsments rapidly, and soon numbered seventy men. There it was that the first march was taken, viz., from
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HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.
Stahlstown to Ligonier. After an additional increase within fifty yards. Finding it impossible to hold the position, in attempting to move the enemy captured at least half of the Eighty-fourth, but with the aid of some troops the enemy was taken prisoners, and when being marched off the rebels were reinforced, and in a hand-to-hand conflict the rebels captured their own men which had been captured by the Union troops, besides taking many prisoners. This was a disas- trous conflict for the Eighty-fourth, going into the of twenty men the company was taken to Latrobe in wagons furnished by the kind citizens of Ligonier. At Latrobe the company took the cars for Harris- burg, the rendezvous of Pennsylvania troops. Here the company was drilled and became soldiers of the camp. The duties of camp life, the drill, and, most of all, a soldier's diet, worked a change ; home-sick- ness, after the excitement wore away, made the boys ! long for the front, and it was the universal wish of battle with four hundred men, and coming out with less the members of this company to join an old regiment which had seen active service, and they concluded to join the Eighty-fourth Pennsylvania Volunteers, which had fought under Pope and Shields. than one hundred and fifty. Company C had several killed, two officers and five men wounded, and nine taken prisoners. After this battle, which lasted sev- eral days, the army found itself on the north side of The regiment was originally commanded by Col. Murry, of Hollidaysburg, Pa., who was killed at Win- chester in an engagement with the rebels under Gen. "Stonewall" Jackson. At this time the regiment was lying at Arlington Heights, opposite Washing- ton City, and. at the former home of the illustrious rebel chieftain, Gen. Robert E. Lee. The regiment as well as the entire army presented a dilapidated ap- pearance as it lay scattered over the Heights. It had just returned from Pope's retreat from Winchester without half of the necessary clothing for comfort, and if any one entertained an opinion that a soldier's life was a round of pleasure, he modified that opinion without notifying his comrades. the Rappahannock, and in a short time set out for Pennsylvania, marching through Virginia, crossing the Potomac River at Edmunds' Ferry, marching at night up the tow-path. During all this time it was raining incessantly, and when the regiment arrived at Menohessy Creek, at about 2 o'clock P.M., the men nearly all had "given out," and only twenty were there to stack arms when the regiment stopped. After resting at this place for some time, they marched with the army through Frederick, Md., and then to Taneytown, and at Gettysburg, Pa., the regiment was selected to guard the wagon-trains of the great army, the regiment being one of the smallest, having lost so heavily at Chancellorsville. A month prior to this the commanding officer had ordered the regi- ment to guard the train, and this was almost disastrous to the men. A spy came into the camp near Man- chester, Md., and, after surveying the ground, was just in the act of leaving to bring the rebel cavalry, who were posted at South Mountain, to destroy the train, when he was discovered, and on being arrested passes from General Lee were found under a secret bottom of his tin cup. A court-martial was hastily convened, he was tried, found guilty, and sentenced to death. He was hung on an apple-tree west of Frederick City, where he was still hanging when the army marched back into Virginia. He confecsed his guilt, and said that all the time he wanted was five hours, and he would have had the entire train of the Army of the Potomac destroyed.
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