USA > Pennsylvania > History of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania volunteer cavalry which was recruited and known as the Anderson cavalry in the rebellion of 1861-1865; > Part 51
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 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73
George Q. Allen, Company L; Samuel Kneass, Company K; George Howard, Company L; and Frank Taek, Company L, were detailed at Headquarters under the direct charge of the Chief of Staff. During the Atlanta campaign, in addition to their usual duties, they had clerical charge of all orders to different com- manders for the movements of the Army of the Cumberland, which work usually occupied most of the night.
A copy of the agreement of the final capitulation of General Joe Johnston to General Sherman was written by one of the "Fif- teenth," Arthur O. Granger, of Company C, as also the famous "armistice" which was disallowed by our government. To General Corse, at Altoona, was wigwagged the message to "hold the fort" by A. D. Frankenberry, of Company K, detailed from our ranks to the signal corps. The War Department at Washington called on General Geo. H. Thomas for the best clerk in his army and John Tweedale, Company I, was sent. His abilities earned for him
598
History of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.
continuous promotions and he has lately retired with the rank of Colonel U. S. A. and Military Secretary. Many of the re- sponsible subordinate positions in all the various departments of the army were filled by our men. It was a positive gain to the cause but a loss to the Regiment in the field, for they were of that quality that makes the intelligent soldier-the kind we needed for our work. It was this quality in the men that caused General Geo. H. Thomas to indorse on the application of the regiment to re-enlist that "The Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry is the best regiment of cavalry in my Department." A further proof of the rank in which our organization was held is found in the volumi- nous report of Lieut. General U. S. Grant detailing the operations of all the armies during the last eighteen months of the war. In this report he specially mentions only four regiments and one of these is the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.
Forty years have passed since our muster out in June, 1865, and the positions held in the business world attest the excellent qualities of those who made up our rank and file. Soon after the Regiment was disbanded an association was formed of those who had seen service in it and it has been the custom to meet once a year to talk over the events that bound us so closely and to renew old friendships. The proceedings of these meet- ings have always been printed in pamphlet form and a copy sent to each member, so that all could, in a way, participate in our annual gathering. Probably no regimental association has been like it in the care that has been taken to keep up the interest and accurately report the proceedings. Our Survivors' Association is certainly unsurpassed in this respect by that of any regiment.
There is hardly an honorable profession but what has some members of our command in it. The law called many, and two, Capt. H. K. Weand, Company H, and James W. Over, Company G, are judges in the courts held in their respective counties. Quite a large number have entered the ministry in different churches, and are laboring earnestly that this world may be better for their work in it. Among those the writer recalls are Edward Cornes, Company E; John H. Sharp, Com- pany G; Johnson Hubbell, Company A; David Clark, Company B; W. H. Graff, Company F; Charles B. Newton, Company F; Eugene Reed, Company M; and there are no doubt others. Six of the Regiment entered the regular army and obtained rank from
599
Our Regiment-in War and Peace.
that of Captain up to Lieutenant Colonel; these are Samuel J. Hamilton, Company B; John Tweedale, Company I; Charles B. Thompson, Company K; H. C. Fisher, Company C; Adam Kramer, Company M, and Jno. G. Bourke, Company E. Three have been Colonels of regiments in the National Guard of Pennsylvania : A. L. Hawkins, Company I; Norman M. Smith, Company D, and W. A. Kreps, Company G.
Our peerless organizer and leader, General Wm. J. Palmer, has been a pioneer and builder up in that part of this grand con- tinent, which, forty years ago, was known as the great American desert. His has been a strenuous life and the only encouragement he seemed to have had was the pleasure of surmounting diffi- culties, which looked insurmountable to others. He has been directly interested in the building of over five thousand miles of railroads and millions have been benefited by the work he did and no one, whoever trusted in him, has been the loser by it.
Three of our members, A. J. Minor, Company H; Jas. E. Negus, Company M, and Wm. H. Carpenter, Company C, have been or are presidents of banks or trust companies, while many others have served as directors or employees of fiduciary institu- tions, and not one has ever been delinquent to the trust reposed in him. In the list of physicians are found M. P. Frassoni, Com- pany B; M. J. Paulding, Company G; Geo. C. Laws, Company C; Perle J. Aiken, Company F; E. L. Palmer, Company G; E. G. Shortledge, Company G; P. C. Newbaker, Company K; John S. Cooper, Company E, and our Assistant Surgeon, Geo. F. Mish; the Hospital Steward, W. G. Stewart, and James W. Alexander, Surgeon of the Regiment.
One of our First Sergeants, Wilmon W. Blackmar, Company K, after the Chickamauga battle, received a commission in a West Virginia regiment, continuing with it to the end of the war and winning well-earned promotion from time to time. Since then his success has been continuous in every thing he undertook and at the National Encampment of the Grand Army of the Republic, held in 1904, he was chosen Commander-in-Chief. That organi- zation never had a more capable and strenuous commander. The task he set for himself was greater than he could carry out and on July 15, 1905, at Boise City, Idaho, he was taken sick and died, just as he would have wished to go, "in the harness." On July 22d, his city-Boston-gave him a public funeral and thousands followed him to the grave.
600
History of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.
The foregoing list could be made much longer by adding to it those of others who have achieved successes in the particular spheres of life-work they have chosen, but it is sufficient to show that no more reputable body of citizens can be found than those who served in the Anderson Cavalry.
CHAS. M. BETTS, Lieut .- Colonel 15th Penna. Cavalry.
PLAN OF THE FORMATION OF THE ANDERSON TROOP.
T HIS plan of the formation of the "Anderson Troop" and the letter following it were received from Isaac H. Clothier, Esq., a life-long friend of General Palmer's. Similar letters and plans were sent to prominent men throughout the State and they show the care taken to secure the best and most suitable men to make up the organization. When the Regiment, which grew out of "The Troop" was recruited, it was the members of the latter command who were the recruiting officers and took pains to see that the men they secured were the equal of those who were al- ready in the field .- EDITOR.
PLAN. "THE ANDERSON TROOP."
A picked body of light cavalry from Pennsylvania-composed of young men of respectability, selected from nearly every county of the state.
The men to be light, active and hardy and more or less ac- quainted with horses-and to be chosen for these qualities, and for their intelligence, good character and patriotic spirit.
Each man to pledge himself not to touch intoxicating liquor (except for medical purposes) during the term of enlistment.
Particular attention to be paid to drill, the ambition of each member of the company being to make it as soon as possible, a model light troop, as the "Chicago Zouaves" were a model light infantry company. It is believed that this may be accomplished in a comparatively short time, with good instructors, from the su- perior intelligence and entthusiasm of the men.
The special duty of the troop ( in addition to service on the field of battle) will be to perform detachment service of all kinds in Brigadier General Anderson's Department-to serve as escort or Body Guard to the General when desired-make reconnoissances -escort trains and convoys-make arrests-seize Railroads, etc. -perform advanced-post or patrol duty; and generally, to be at- tached to the General for the performance of any special service required by him involving delicacy or danger.
601
602
History of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.
If desired a squad of men from the railroads of Pennsylvania with telegraph operators, etc., will be included in the company to expediate the transportation of troops and supplies, and repair and operate railroads that it may be necessary to seize or control in the prosecution of the campaign in Kentucky and Tennessee.
The advantages of such a corps for the various duties above specified, would be unusual intelligence, trustworthiness on duty, nervous energy and courage, and patriotic spirit. While the members would be gentlemen, they would be of the kind who would feel proud to submit to the strictest military discipline, liard drill, and any hardships uncomplainingly for the sake of their country. they will go determined to take everything roughly, and nothing like dandyism or dissipation will be tolerated.
Arms-to be a light sabre, Colt's revolver worn on the person, and (in consequence of the detached character of the service) a rifled carbine slung to the shoulder.
Accoutrements so arranged that sabre can be hung to saddle, when trooper dismounts to serve on foot.
The horses to be got in central Kentucky and to be light, active and hardy.
The command to be given to such person (of cavalry experience if possible) as General Anderson may select. The remaining offi- cers and non-commissioned officers to be elected by the company after it shall have been filled up.
Respectfully submitted, WM. J. PALMER, of Philada.
Approved by Brigadier General Robert Anderson at Louisville, Sept. 20, 1861.
OFFICE PENNSYLVANIA RAILROAD COMPANY, Philadelphia, Sept. 24, 1861.
DEAR SIR :
I take the liberty of inclosing to you herewith a plan for the organi- zation of a picked company of light cavalry composed of Pennsyl- vanians, which Brigadier General Anderson has requested the War De- partment to accept ás an independent corps for special service in the "De- partment of the Cumberland." The company will be called the "Ander- son Troop," and will be under the immediate eye of the General Com- manding-its special duties being those of a Body Guard to General An- derson, to make reconnoisances, escort trains, make arrests, and perform such other service of a detached character as he may assign it.
In the letter which he has furnished me to the War Department, the General says "I particularly desire the acceptance of this Company, and I will be obliged if the Department will give such facilities to Mr. Palmer as will enable him to perfect its organization in the shortest possible
FIRST LT. JOHN F. CONAWAY
FIRST LT. CHAS. S. HINCHMAN
FIRST LT. CHAS. H. KIRK
CAPT. H. K. WEAND
CORP. SMITH D. COZENS
HISTORICAL COMMITTEE Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry, 1862- 1865
FIRST LT JOHN F. CONAWAY
FIRST LT. CHAS. S. HINCHMAN
FIRST LT. CHAS. H. KIRK
CAPT. H. K. WEAND
CORP. SMITH D. COZENS
HISTORICAL COMMITTEE Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry, 1906
603
Plan of the Formation of the Anderson Troop.
time. Such a corps will be almost indispensable to me in conducting the campaign which is already opened in my Department."
After this earnest statement of his wants, it is not doubted that the Department will unhesitatingly accept the company. I shall proceed immediately to Washington to secure this result, and to procure the requisite orders for the mounting, arriving, and equipping of the men, but not to lose any time I have addressed this note to you as a gentleman of influence, and one well acquainted in your section of the State to ask that you will aid me in making this corps one that will fairly represent the intelligence, respectability, and patriotic spirit of the young men from Pennsylvania. The honor and fair name of the State will be in its keeping in the campaign in Kentucky and Tennessee-it is therefore desired that its ranks should be filled with the very best of our youth, taking physical as well as moral considerations into view. The troop will be commanded by an officer to be appointed by General Anderson-the Lieutenants and non-commissioned officers to be elected by a fair vote of the company after it shall have been formed. It will be as much a matter of pride however to be a private as an officer in this troop-and no member will be bound by his acceptance, unless he chooses, until after he has seen his comrades, and been mustered into service.
As soon as eighty-five men have been accepted, they will be sent to Louisville, Ky .- the remainder of the troop to be selected from the coun- ties of the state which may not at first have responded, and for which more time will be admissible.
It is not expected however that more than a week or ten days will be required for the enlistment of 110 men in the State of Pennsylvania, of the character referred to, in response to this call and most flattering compliment from the gallant hero of Fort Sumter. And let Pennsyl- vania show by this little contribution, if in no other way, her apprecia- tion of and desire to repay the debt which the West has put us under by the recent detachment of several regiments from Fremont's command to reinforce the army of the Eastern Coast.
I have therefore to request that you will nominate for the county in which you reside, and for each of the adjacent counties, five young men, or any less number, aged between eighteen and thirty years (the younger the better) who may in your opinion answer the description given above and in the inclosed plan; and who may be willing to go from a patriotic motive solely, and with a determination to submit to the strictest drill and military discipline, and to endure any hardships for their country's sake.
The men to be light, active and hardy-and more or less accustomed to riding-and the names to be mentioned on your list (with their ad- dresses) in the order of your preference, so that in case all the counties respond, the best may be taken from each.
I will personally see, or address a note similar to this, to influential and well-known gentlemen in nearly every section of the state, and make no doubt but that they and you will heartily co-operate in this en-
604
History of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.
deavor to furnish General Anderson a mounted Body Guard from Penn- sylvania worthy of him and of the state.
Please let me hear from you with as little delay as practicable, at the office of the President of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company, Phila- delphia.
Yours respectfully. WM. J. PALMER.
P. S .- In order to comply with the existing legal form, the troop, if accepted, will be commissioned by the authorities of the State of Pennsyl- vania in obedience to a requisition made upon them by the War Depart- ment for such a company.
THE ANDERSON TROOP.
LIEUT. THOS. S. MAPLE, PITTSBURG, PA.
W HEN asked to write a history of the Anderson Troop, to be published in the same volume with the history of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry, I thought at first it might not be appropriate. However, as the Regiment was recruited and organized by the Captain, First Lieutenant and others of the original company, it seems very fitting that the two histories should be combined. Therefore, as the only commis- sioned officer left in the old troop, I consider it my duty and privilege to place on record some of the data in my possession respecting the events of its eighteen months' service at the head- quarters of the armies of the Ohio and the Cumberland.
The Anderson Troop, an independent company of Pennsylvania Volunteer Cavalry, was organized at Carlisle, Pa., in October, 1861, under special authority granted by the Secretary of War, enlistments being made for three years.
The formation of a company of cavalry for special service at headquarters of the Army of the Ohio was conceived and brought about by William J. Palmer, private secretary of J. Edgar Thom- son, of Philadelphia, President of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company.
Mr. Palmer's object was to form a company of active, intelligent young men, of good standing in their respective communities, throughout the State of Pennsylvania, who would be capable of performing any military service that might be required of them. To this end Mr. Palmer corresponded with prominent men throughout the State, chiefly those known to him from his railway position, and had them recommend young men for membership.
Out of the lists sent him from the different counties he made his selections, and directed the men to rendezvous at Carlisle, Pa., in a field immediately adjoining the United States Army Barracks.
This Company, being intended for special service under Gen.
605
606
History of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.
Robt. Anderson (the hero of Fort Sumter, to whom had been assigned the command of the Army of the Ohio, at Louisville, Ky.), was given the name of the Anderson Troop.
Before the men were fully organized, drilled and equipped for service, and while yet at Carlisle, changes had been made in com- manders of the Army of the Ohio. General Anderson, on ac- count of ill health, gave place to Gen. Wm. T. Sherman, who, in turn, was relieved by Maj .- Gen. Don Carlos Buell. The troop was accepted by each of these commanders in order, as his escort, and for duty at headquarters.
Before the troop was mustered into service, an election for officers of the company was held, which resulted as follows: Wm. J. Palmer, of Philadelphia, was elected Captain; Sergeant Wm. Spencer, of Carlisle Barracks, First Lieutenant, and Thomas S. Maple, of Pittsburg, Second Lieutenant. Sergeant Spencer had been for fifteen years in the regular cavalry service.
The organization being completed, the troop left Carlisle on December 2, 1861, arriving at Pittsburg the same evening, and was escorted to the Scott House, now Hotel Boyer, where a num- ber of patriotic Pittsburgers had ordered a good supper for them. A considerable number of citizens were guests at the banquet. After the supper was over, Mr. Jno. H. Hampton arose, and in an eloquent address welcomed the troop to Pittsburg, as Penn- sylvanians, and bade them God-speed on their journey. Captain Palmer replied briefly, stating for what purpose the troop was formed, and that it was then under marching orders to report to General Buell, at Louisville, and closing with warmest thanks, in behalf of himself and the company, to those who had so kindly entertained them, and to Mr. Hampton for his cordial words of welcome and good-will.
The company then marched to the wharf and embarked on the steamer "Argonaut," leaving Pittsburg at 5 P.M., December 3d, and reaching Maysville, Ky., at about noon on December 5th. As we left Maysville, the ladies, at one house along the river, brought out a beautiful silk Union flag and waved it. The troop saluted and sang "The Star Spangled Banner," winding up with three cheers for the "Flag," three cheers for the "Ladies" and three more for "Old Kentucky."
All along the Ohio River we were greeted with the same enthu-
607
The Anderson Troop.
siasm. At Marietta, Portsmouth, Ripley and other points cannon salutes were given. The mere sight of a body of soldiers on their way to the front seemed enough to throw the populace into the wildest state of excitement.
The night of December 5th was spent at Cincinnati, Captain Palmer going on by rail to Louisville.
The trip down the river was marked by many amusing inci- dents. At one beautiful country seat some ladies rushed out and fired off a cannon; this, of course, bringing forth hearty cheers from the troop.
We arrived at Louisville on the night of December 6th, but did not disembark until the next morning, when the men paraded in full dress uniform through the city and encamped in Oakland Park Race Course, a charming spot in the suburbs, where, on December 13th, they received their horses.
At a short distance on either side of their quarters were the camps of several regiments from Ohio and Indiana, and still further on many other camps. On the 9th of December the body- guard of Gen. Jas. S. Negley arrived from Pittsburg, and pitched tents between us and the railroad, a few rods off.
The camps were visited by large numbers of the people of Louis- ville, who favored the men with many kind attentions. On Decem- ber 17th Mr. Alex. Semple invited a number of our company to dine with him at his home in the city, and on other occasions members of the troop had the pleasure of enjoying his hospitality and that of other residents during our sojourn near this hospitable city. Many of the men attended service on the Sabbath Day in the different churches.
While in camp here Lieutenant Spencer bought himself a big black horse, which stood several hands higher than some of the other horses in the troop, giving him something of a bird's-eye view of the company. He named him "John Noble," after a friend of his at Carlisle. Shortly after he was agreeably surprised by a visit from a committee, which presented him, in the name of the troop, with a sum of money, for the purpose of purchasing a handsome saddle for his new charger.
On the 24th of January, Dr. A. J. Comfort, of Philadelphia, having passed the necessary examinations of the Army Medical Board, was engaged as Company Surgeon.
608
History of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.
After two months of camp drill and discipline, the troop em- barked with a part of General Buell's staff, on board the steamer "Prioress," for Nashville, Tenn., General Buell having gone with two of his staff, six of the Anderson Troop and the rest of his command overland, expecting that the enemy would have witlı- drawn or been driven to the south of Nashville before we should join him there.
On February 26th the "Prioress" arrived at Smithland, Ky., at the mouth of the Cumberland River, and passed on up the river, where she was beaten in a race with the gunboat "Conestoga."
At Clarksville, Tenn., the steamer landed, and some of the com- pany found, on looking over the hotel register, that the rebel General Beauregard and staff and many other officers of the Confederate army had been there on the 8th of February, one week before the battle of Fort Donelson. The site of this battle- field was passed on the way up the river. A few miles below Nashville we came in view of a battery the rebels had deserted, tumbling some of the pieces down the river bank, after burning the cotton breastworks. Near Nashville we saw some of the work ci destruction that the rebels had accomplished in their retreat from General Buell's army. The cables of the wire suspension bridge over the Cumberland River had been cut, the railroad bridge destroyed and two steamboats burned. The troop reached Nash- ville at 3 P.M., February 27th, three days after its occupation by our army.
General Buell had established his headquarters at the St. Cloud Hotel. A few of our troop were with him there and the rest had their quarters at the Planters' Hotel. The proprietor of this hotel having gone with the rebels, taking what he could with him, the owner of the building rented it to the troop for its use. The horses were quartered in a large stable adjoining.
Nashville presented a most forsaken appearance. Nearly all the stores were closed, and those that were open (many of them) had nothing in them. The city looked as though one-half of the inhabitants had left.
Near our quarters was the old family mansion of ex-President Polk, on the front lawn of which was his grave and monument. The widow of ex-President Polk still occupied the old homestead and gave a cordial invitation to any of the officers to call.
The Anderson Troop. 609
The necessaries of life were very scarce in the city and market prices correspondingly high ; as, for example : coffee, $1 per pound ; sugar, 25 cents per pound ; candles, 15 cents each, and bituminous coal, 75 cents per bushel. By the Ist of March the people came to their senses or began to. The secessionist inhabitants, finding no reason to fear the Union troops, returned to their homes, and quiet and order reigned supreme. The people seemed to be sur- prised at the difference in the behavior of the Union troops and that of the Confederates who preceded us. They informed us that the rebel soldiers raided the stores at will, helping themselves freely to whatever they wanted without any idea of paying. Under General Buell's military rule every citizen and all private property were safe.
March 2d a great many Union troops from across the Cumber- land River came over and encamped on the outskirts of the city.
Obtaining a pass from the Provost Marshal, Lieutenant Maple and Private Sproul visited the deserted capitol building, which stood on high ground, and gave one a fine view of the movements of the army. While there they improved the opportunity to take a look inside. In the room where the House of Representatives met there was great confusion, books and papers were scattered all about, drawers of desks were pulled out and the contents tumbled out, bottles of mucilage had been upset and the sticky fluid had spread far and wide. On the speaker's desk were some memoranda, written in pencil, bearing on the subject of war, such as these, "If you assume tax you make the war very unpopular," "pay this tax as you purposed and the people will not know they have paid it," "there is disaffection," "the cry is relief," "we will respond to the call of the Government," etc.
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.