USA > Pennsylvania > History of the First Regiment Infantry, National Guard of Pennsylvania > Part 4
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and they marched about eight miles, between Nanticoke and Plymouth, in that position, taking 5 or 6 prisoners.
Upon arriving near Scranton, I was ordered to dis-embark my battalion, and advance into the town, which was done without interference. The regiment was quartered in the Valley Hotel, a vacant building ; guards were posted, all the duties of a post carried out, including battalion and company drills, dress parades and guard mount. The regiment took train at 10 o'clock P. M., August 4th; reached Philadelphia about 8 o'clock A. M., August 5th, and after a short march was relieved from duty, and proceeding to its armory, was dismissed.
Throughout the tour of duty the details from my command were very heavy, and the men much taxed; the rations, a large portion of the time, inadequate for the needs of the men, they frequently being compelled to purchase actual necessary rations; limited means of preparing these rations were received, but no tents; yet their duty was faithfully and uncomplainingly performed, with great credit to themselves comparatively.
There was but little sickness in my command. I have no hesitation in saying that both officers and men are deserving of the highest commendation for the discipline maintained throughout the tour of duty, and for the manner in which every duty assigned them was performed, often under trying circumstances.
The casualties in this battalion, all occurred at 28th street, Pittsburg, July 21st, were four : One man shot in calf of leg, one in head, and two wounded by stones, all of E company.
Private E. M. Baker, E company, shot in head and wounded with stone, remained on duty the entire time, and the ball was extracted upon return to Philadelphia, and he is deserving of special mention for gallantry. 454 officers and men of this regiment were actually on duty, not including those who failed to reach the regiment by loss of transportation, and who started from Philadelphia and failed to join from various causes.
Very respectfully, Your obedient servant, R. DALE BENSON, Colonel Ist Regiment Inf., N. G. P.
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HEADQUARTERS FIRST REGIMENT INFANTRY, Ist BRIGADE, Ist DIVISION, N. G. P.
Philadelphia, September 5th, 1877.
CIRCULAR.
The Colonel commanding takes great pleasure in publishing to the command the following expression from the Veteran Corps of the First Regiment Infantry, N. G. P., relative to the service performed by the regiment during the recent emergency in this State. Every officer and man will read with pride the estimate placed upon that service by those who organized this regiment, have ever fostered its interests, and have ever been alive to the necessities of our Nation, Commonwealth and City.
Not forgetful of their service in the past, and appreciating the recent emergency, they promptly tendered the services of their corps to the Mayor of this city, and sent to the aid of the State the 20th Regiment Infantry, N. G. P., largely officered and commanded by one from their ranks, which is still on active duty, with honor to its organization, its projectors, and the Commonwealth it is serving.
Philadelphia, August 20th, 1877.
To Col. R. DALE BENSON,
Comd'g First Regiment, N. G. Pa.
COLONEL :
At a meeting of the Board of Officers of Veteran Corps First Regiment, N. G. Pa., held this day, the following resolutions were unanimously adopted :
Resolved, That the Board of Officers of the Veteran Corps First Regiment Infantry, V. G. Pa., ever proud of its connection
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with the active command, and prouder still of the recent exhi- bition of superb courage and soldierly fortitude as displayed at Pittsburg, and elsewhere, by that active command whose name is a part of our own, sends to Colonel R. Dale Benson, his brother officers, and the enlisted men of the First Infantry, the warmest words of admiration, endorsement and approval that language can express.
Resolved, That this Board of Officers take the greatest pleasure in offering its congratulations that the casualties in action were comparatively so slight, when the ordeal was so terrible and the danger so great.
Resolved, That the Board of Officers would feel highly complimented if Colonel Benson would cause these resolu- tions to be read to the various companies of his command, to give evidence that the Veteran Corps, through its official Board, desires to give formal expression of its obligation, in return for the valued services that have just been rendered the Commonwealth.
Very respectfully,
Your obedient servant, (Signed) G. H. NORTH, Adjutant Veteran Corps Ist Reg't Infantry.
By order of COLONEL R. DALE BENSON.
JOSEPH B. GODWIN,
Adjutant.
At a meeting of the Board of Officers, held December 12th, 1877, Captain James Muldoon announced officially the ac- ceptance of the resignation of Colonel R. Dale Benson, and at a meeting held on January 10th, 1878, the following pre- amble and resolutions were unanimously adopted.
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Whereas, Colonel R. Dale Benson, after a faithful service of nine years as an officer of the First Regiment, has been honorably discharged from the National Guard service, thus severing his connection with this Board, we desire to give ex- pression to our feelings of regard for him as a man, our ad- miration as a soldier and our regret in losing a beloved Com- mander ; therefore be it
Resolved, We feel proud in having served under one who was always the soldier and gentleman, who inspired respect with- out causing fear, and discharged the duties of every position with signal ability and in a manner which reflected credit upon himself and brought honor to our corps.
Resolved, That every officer and man in the First Regiment wishes for Colonel Benson a life of undiminished prosperity and happiness.
From December, 1877. until September, 1878, the First Regiment was without field officers, but was ably commanded by Captain James Muldoon, of E company, whose thorough knowledge of the duties of a soldier enabled him to maintain the regiment up to the standard in drill and discipline. The following resolution offered by Colonel R. Dale Benson at the regular meeting of the Veteran Corps, October, 1878, was unanimously adopted:
Resolved, That in the service rendered the First Regiment Infantry by Comrade James Muldoon during the year that he was called to its temporary command, amidst the embarras- ment incident to the year, in the National Guard service of the State, this corps recognizes the soldierly ability and quali- fications exhibited by Comrade Muldoon, and desires to place upon record its recognition of that service to the active command, and congratulate him upon the successful issue of his temporary administration.
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On September 26, 1878, Captain Theo. E. Wiedersheim was elected Colonel and Captain W. H. Gilpin was elected Lieut .- Colonel.
On the Ist of Ocotober, 1878, the following order was issued by Col. Theo. E. Wiedersheim :
HEADQUARTERS FIRST REGIMENT INFANTRY, N. G. P. FIRST BRIGADE, FIRST DIVISION.
GENERAL ORDERS, No. 18.
Philadelphia, October Ist, 1878.
By virtue of election by the line officers, as prescribed by law, the undersigned hereby assumes command of the Ist Regiment of Infantry, N. G. of Pa.
Appointments of Regimental Staff Officers will be announced in future orders.
(Signed) THEO. E. WIEDERSHEIM, Colonel Ist Reg't Inf., N. G. P.
On October 4th, the Colonel in G. O. No. 19, announced his staff appointments, among them as Adjutant, W. S. Poulterer.
On Sept. 24th, 1878, the Adjutant-General of the State issued Circular No. I, directing that the officers and men of the National Guard of Penna. must equip themselves in the uniform as prescribed for them by the State authorities. In conformity therewith, the regiment was duly equipped and made their first parade in the regulation uniform at the annual muster and inspection, on November 7th, 1878, by Brig .- Gen'l James W. Latta, Adjutant-General of State. of Penna.
On the 20th of January, 1879, the regiment proceeded to Harrisburg, to participate in the ceremonies attending the in-
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auguration of General Henry M. Hoyt as Governor of the Commonwealth.
On December 11th, 1879, the Artillery Corps, Washington Grays, the source from which the Ist Regiment originated, was united to the Regiment under the following order:
HEADQUARTERS NATIONAL GUARD OF PENNSYLVANIA.
ADJUTANT GENERAL'S OFFICE. Harrisburg, December 11, 1879.
SPECIAL ORDERS, No. 38.
I. "G" Company of the Ist Regiment Infantry is hereby transferred to and consolidated with "B" Company of that Regiment.
II. "A" and "D" Companies, 3d Regiment Infantry, (Artillery Corps, Washington Grays,) are hereby consolidated and transferred to and will be known as consolidated as "G" Company, Ist Regiment Infantry.
III. Captain Eugene Z. Kienzle` is assigned to the com- mand of "G" Company, of the Ist Regiment, and Second Lieutenant Gustavus K. Morehead is transferred to it as its Second Lieutenant.
IV. The enlisted men rendered supernumerary by these consolidations will be furnished with proper discharges by the company commanders of the companies to which they are as- signed, subject to the approval of the commanding officer of the Ist Regiment of Infantry.
.
By command of HENRY M. HOYT,
Governor and Commander-in-Chief.
JAMES W. LATTA,
Adjutant General.
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Thus after an honorable service of more than a half century in the militia and National Guard of the State, it was consoli- · dated with the organization it originally created, and became a part of the Ist Regiment as Company " G."
On the 16th of December, 1879, the regiment paraded in the reception of General U. S. Grant, ex-president of the United States; the number of men in the regimental line was greater on this occasion than the command had paraded for a period of nearly sixteen years, and the appearance and soldierly bearing never better; number of officers and men on parade being 670.
The regiment has paraded on each anniversary of its organ- ization, viz: April 19th, for numbers of years past, and has also attended divine service yearly to listen to a discourse from the chaplain of the regiment.
The following is the Roster of the Field, Staff and Line Officers of the First Regiment Infantry, N. G. P., April, 1880.
Colonel: Theo. E. Wiedersheim. Licut .- Colonel: Washington H. Gilpin. Major: Wendell P. Bowman. Adjutant: H. Harrison Groff. Quarter-MMaster: L. C. Tappey, Jr.
Commissary: Henry L. Elder. Paymaster: Wm. H. Taber. Surgeon: Alonzo L. Leach, M. D.
Assistant Surgeon: J. Wilks O'Neill, M. D. W. W. Valzah, M. D.
Chaplain: Rev. Rob't A. Edwards. Sergeant Major: Henry Avery, Jr. Quarter-Master Sergeant: J. Dallett Roberts.
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Thus after an honorable service of more than a half century in the militia and National Guard of the State, it was consoli- · dated with the organization it originally created, and became a part of the Ist Regiment as Company "G."
On the 16th of December, 1879, the regiment paraded in the reception of General U. S. Grant, ex-president of the United States; the number of men in the regimental line was greater on this occasion than the command had paraded for a period of nearly sixteen years, and the appearance and soldierly bearing never better; number of officers and men on parade being 670.
The regiment has paraded on each anniversary of its organ- ization, viz: April 19th, for numbers of years past, and has also attended divine service yearly to listen to a discourse from the chaplain of the regiment.
The following is the Roster of the Field, Staff and Line Officers of the First Regiment Infantry, N. G. P., April, 1880.
Colonel: Theo. E. Wiedersheim. Lieut .- Colonel: Washington H. Gilpin. Major: Wendell P. Bowman. Adjutant: H. Harrison Groff. Quarter-Master: L. C. Tappey, Jr.
Commissary: Henry L. Elder. Paymaster: Wm. H. Taber. Surgeon: Alonzo L. Leach, M. D.
Assistant Surgcon: J. Wilks O'Neill, M. D. W. W. Valzah, M. D.
Chaplain: Rev. Rob't A. Edwards. Sergeant Major: Henry Avery, Jr. Quarter-Master Sergeant: J. Dallett Roberts.
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Commissary Sergeant: Fr'd Davis. Hospital Stewart, Charles Ouram. Drum Major: W. T. Baker. Band Master: J. G. Stevenson Beck.
"A" COMPANY.
Captain: Charles A. Rose. Ist Lieutenant: George A. Deacon. 2d J. F. Smith. "B" COMPANY.
Captain: J. Lewis Good.
Ist Lieutenant: William Ewing. 2d Louis K. Opdyke.
"C" COMPANY.
Captain: Wm. S. Poulterer.
Ist Lieutenant: Henry L. Townsend.
2d Peace S. Conard. "D" COMPANY.
Captain: Jos. H. Burroughs. Ist Lieutenant: Harry O. Hastings.
"E" COMPANY.
Captain: James Muldoon. Ist Lieutenant: Wm. H. Dole. James A. Filley.
"F" COMPANY.
Captain: Thos. E. Huffington. Ist Lieutenant: Fred'k P. Koons. 2d A. L. Beck.
55 "G" COMPANY.
Captain: Eugene Z. Kienzle. Ist Lieutenant : Gustavus K. Morehead. 2d A. L. Williams. "H" COMPANY.
Captain: F. Amedee Bregy. Ist Lieutenant: Clarence T. Kensil.
"I" COMPANY.
Captain: Geo. K. Snyder, Jr. Ist Lieutenant: H. P. Duncan. 2d Fred'k Wm. Weightman.
"K" COMPANY.
Captain: Horace See. Ist Lieutenant: J. Campbell Gilmore. 2d 66 Edward S. Barnes.
REGIMENTAL ARMORY.
The want of suitable armory accommodations has been sadly felt by the command for many years; the ten companies being quartered in four different buildings, at inconvenient distances from each other, and the matter of bringing the entire organization under the same roof, has been considerably agi- tated and discussed by the members and its many friends, as well as by officers of large corporations, merchants, manufac- turers, and all citizens, in fact, who are interested in the pre- servation of law and order, for every prudent man must acknowledge "that an ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure." A Regimental Armory was the subject of discussion among the officers for a long time, but no definite action actually taken until October 23, 1878, when the Colonel commanding called a special meeting of the Board of Officers of the First Regiment, at which there was present, by invita- tion, the trustees of the Regimental Fund, the trustees of the State Fund (money returned by State of Pennsylvania, being the amount advanced by the citizens of Philadelphia for equipping the Twentieth Regiment, and by direction of the subscribers to the same placed to the credit of the First Regi- ment Armory Fund), and members of the Veteran Corps. After the chairman had stated the object of the meeting to be the consideration of a plan to erect a suitable armory, the matter was fully and freely discussed, and the chairman was directed, by resolution, to appoint "a Committee of Thirteen,
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to consist of representatives of the Board of Officers, Veteran Corps, and of the Trust Funds, to whom the subject of the erection of an Armory should be referred, and the committee to report such suggestions as they deemed proper and neces- sary in the matter."
After many changes, caused by declinations and inability to give it proper attention, a committee was finally selected, con- sisting of: Colonel Theo. E. Wiedersheim, Chairman; Captain Geo. K. Snyder, Jr., Secretary ; Lieut .- Col. W. H. Gilpin, Major Wendell P. Bowman, Captains James Muldoon, Wm. S. Poulterer, Joseph H. Burroughs, E. Z. Kienzle, Henry L. Elder, W. H. Taber, Lieutenants L. C. Tappey, Jr., Wm. H. Dole and Pearce S. Conard, to which was added an energetic committee of the Veteran Corps, viz: Col. P. C. Ellmaker, Major Wm. H. Kern, Major W. W. Allen, Lieutenants Chas. J. Field and Henry S. Field; subsequently the Veteran Corps, at the meet- ing in January, 1880, appointed a special committee to aid in furthering the efforts of the General Committee and assist in procuring funds for the purpose ; this committee consisted of Comrades Jas. W. Latta, Wm. B. Smith, H. C. Miller, A. W. Taylor, Joseph W. Lewis, Thomas Marsh, D. Stanley Hassin- ger, James C. Wray, J. Parker Martin and James A. Moss.
The General Committee issued a circular address to the citizens of our city, and in response thereto Major Edwin N. Benson and the Board of Directors of the Pennsylvania Rail- road subscribed $5,000 each; Messrs. Drexel & Co., Mr. Geo. W. Childs, Philadelphia National Bank, Philadelphia Saving Fund, and Philadelphia Contributionship, $1,000 each ; Mr. Wm. M. Singerly, First National Bank, Mutual Assurance Company, Phila. W. & B. R. R., Fidelity Insurance and Trust Company, and Pennsylvania Company. $500 each, to which contribution were added a large number from the banks,
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insurance companies and mercantile and manufacturing com- munity and the several companies of the regiment, until at this time over $50,000 are in the fund, and it will require at least $150,000 additional to carry out fully the desires of the committee and the necessary wants of the regiment. A lot at the S. E. corner of Broad and Callowhill streets has been purchased for $80,000, but no attempts will be made at build- ing until sufficient funds are pledged to enable the committee to erect an armory and deliver the same to the command free of debt.
The committee is holding weekly sessions, and it is hoped that their efforts will be seconded by the receipt of additional subscriptions from all sources, so that their labors may not be in vain.
The following editorials from our leading newspapers fully express the sentiments of those interested in the project, and are the best evidences that the public fully appreciate the services of the regiment.
(Public Ledger.)
THE NEW ARMORY FOR THE FIRST REGIMENT, N. G. P .- For some time past there have been strong efforts on the part of a number of prominent citizens, look- ing to the erection of a suitable armory for the First Regiment, N. G. P., Colonel Theo. E. Wiedersheim, and the contributions for that purpose have been liberal and numerous. The project has now assumed a definite shape, and steps have now been taken for the erection of an armory at the southeast corner of Broad and Callowhill streets. The work of building will soon commence. The committee of the First Regiment having the matter in charge purchased the lot at the corner named from Mr. John Wanamaker for $80,000. The ground has a frontage on Broad street of 140 feet, and a depth of 220 feet. The lot was offered to the com- inittee by Mr. Wanamaker, some time since, for $70,000, but the purchasing parties were only willing to give $00,000, and negotiations cea-ed for a time. Mr. Wanamaker then gave notice that it was his intention to erect handsome stables on the lot, and that if the First Regiment desired to purchase it hereafter, they would have to buy the stables as well. Negotiations were then reopened and they culminated in the committee securing the lot for $80,000, which, it is said, is about $20,000 less than prominent real estate meu consider the lot to be really
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worth. The new armory will cost $150,000, and it is intended that it shall be an ornament to that part of the city. Over $50,000 have already been subscribed. but it is understood that work will not commence until $1oo,000 have been raised, and Colonel Wiedersheim says that the indications are that that sum will soon be obtained. The new armory will be large and substantial and contain all the re- quirements of a first-class regimental armory, including a large drill room, ten company rooms, an officers' room and an apartment for the Veteran Reserve Corps. It is also contemplated to have a rifle range in the basement. Several plans for the armory have been submitted, but none has yet been selected.
( The Times.)
THE FIRST REGIMENT ARMORY .- The First Regiment has purchased the large lot at the southeast corner of Broad and Callowhill streets, and as soon as pos- sible will erect an armory suitable to the wants of the organization. The Regi- ment has long been in want of suitable armory accommodations, and in order to establish a more thorough system of discipline and be in position to render more efficient service in time of need, it has been their aim to secure a recognition from our citizens in the way of subscriptions, in order to enable them to erect a build- ing. It is hoped by having the ten companies under one roof to secure more effici- ency, at all events to be better prepared at short notice to any call to service. The regiment has received on. the annual inspection by the Adjutant General of the State the highest rating for drill and discipline, and is deserving of public support. It is designed to erect a plain, substantial building, without show or unnecessary ornamentation, but one perfectly adapted for military purposes.
(North American, March 27, 1880.)
THE FIRST REGIMENT. The First Regiment National Guards, which has long felt the need of a new armory, has at last succeeded in securing a suitable site, and proposes to begin building with as little delay as possible. Just how long a time must elapse before this programme can be carried out depends in great mea. sure upon the public. Every one agrees that the lot purchased, which is situated at the south-east corner of Broad and Callowhill streets, is a bargain at the price. but the price was eighty thousand dollars. It is estimated that the erection of a proper armory will cost half as much again, so that the First Regiment has en- tered upon an enterprise which will involve the outlay of two hundred thousand dollars. It is not to be expected that its treasury should be equal to such a de- mand as that. It must look to our business men for assistance; and it can do so with a better grace and a greater confidence because it has a reasonable claim to the help which it invites. Were it not that past services are so soon forgotten, it would be quite unnecessary to recall the splendid work done by the First Regi- ment during the troublous times of 1877. Promptly and in full force it took the field in the interest of law and order. Fortunately there was no necessity upon that occasion for the regiment to show it, mettle in actual comlict. But there can
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be no question that the demonstration which it made had a very salutary and per- suasive influence upon the would-be rioters. There does not seem to be much danger at the present time that the First Regiment will again be called upon to keep the peace, but it is impossible to tell what day may bring forth. Our mer- chants and manufacturers and corporations cannot afford to run any risks. It is their policy to take care that the valuable property which they have at stake is at all times efficiently protected against any possible outbreak of lawless violence. The best way for them to secure this protection is by combining to maintain the effectiveness of the First Regiment. It is upon these grounds that the First Regi- ment deserves to be liberally supported. Every large holder of property should, for his own sake, make a regular contribution for its maintenance. Corporations especially, which have the most to lose and are the first to be attacked when the public peace is broken, ought to make generous and regular donations for its sup- port. They may be sure of getting full value for their money.
(Press.)
THE FIRST REGIMENT'S ARMORY .- A committee of the Ist Regiment Infantry, National Guard of Pennsylvania, has purchased the lot of ground at the southeast corner of Broad and Callowhill streets, and will erect in a short time an armory suitable to the wants of the organization. The proposed building will be erected on strict military principles and will be so disposed as to be readily capable of defence by a corporal's guard, the ground floor to have one entrance and exit, the door of which will be fashioned on the old plan of a portcullis raised and dropped, as occasion may require, by suitable mechanical means. The companies, ten in number, will each have a separate room on this floor, with necessary adjuncts for the coinfort and convenience of the officers and men, in addition to which rooms will be provided for the quartermaster's and commissary departments, the Veteran Corps and the regimental armorer. In the basement of the armory will be arranged a rifle range, to be enlarged beyond the depth and width of the building by excavations under the three streets-Broad, Callowhill and Carlton- which give it frontage. The second floor will be used as a drill room for com . pany and battalion movements. Rough-hewn masonry, without attempt at unnec- cessary ornamentation, will characterize the building, which will combine strength and solidity. The committee having the matter in charge will in a short time be in position to receive plans for the building thus outlined as the idea they have in view, and a fair on a gigantic scale, patterned after that held by the 7th Regiment of New York last year, is in contemplation to help the building fund.
This regiment is in a thorough condition. and is held ready for active service at short notice. Arms, accoutrements and supplies of every description being in possession of the command. Of the amount, $80,000, paid for the ground, a lot. 140 feet by 220 feet, the sum of $50,000 has been already subscribed by prominent citizens and others, and is in the hands of the treasurer of the fund. All desiring to aid in the erection of an armory for practical military purposes, should do so at once, as this command is and has always been ready to perform any duty re-
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