USA > Pennsylvania > History of the First regiment infantry, National guard of Pennsylvania (Grey Reserves) 1861-1911, pt 1 > Part 17
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1 " History of Company H, First Regiment, N. G. P.," published as a pamphlet by the Company, 1908.
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OFFICERS OF COMPANY H
1368
tain September 21, 1864; brevet major and lieutenant-colonel; mustered out July 1, 1865; on staff of Generals Ward and De Trobiand, Army of the Potomae; colonel Twentieth Emergency Regiment; major Battalion Artillery Corps, Washington Grays; colonel Third Regiment, National Guard of Pennsylvania ; colonel, retired, National Guard of Pennsylvania, 1892; Captain Albert H. Walters (captain Company II, November 18, 1872, to June 25, 1877), private, Twenty-third Pennsylvania Volunteers, August 2, 1867), first lieutenant, Company D, 115th; captain Company A, 115th; brevet major, honorably discharged February 13, 1863; Captain Wendell P. Bowman (captain Company H, June 12, 1878, to November 13, 1879), corporal Company K, 197th Pennsylvania Volunteers ; private Company C, Forty-fourth Regi- ment, Pa. Militia. August, 1863; Iowa Battalion November, 1564; captain Twentieth Emergency Regiment, National Guard of Pennsylvania ; colonel First Regiment Infantry, National Guard of Pennsylvania, and major-general of division, National Guard of Pennsylvania; Captain F. Amedee Bregy (eaptain Company H, March 14, 1850, to September 28, 1880), second lieutenant, Company E, 215th Pennsylvania Volunteers, President Judge Court of Common Pleas No. 1, County of Philadelphia.
There were company drills weekly and battalion drills at short intervals. The right and left wing were respectively assigned for supervision and instruction to the lieutenant-colonel and major, and inspections were held on prescribed occasions. Exeept for the 22d of February and Fourth of July demonstrations of 1868, for several years these events do not appear to have been observed by the usual military display. For the seventh and ninth year also the regimental anniversary seems to have dis- appeared from the schedule of observances; the eighth was re- membered, and again on April 19, 1871, the tenth anniversary, was revived by a street parade specially designed for its com- memoration and so announced in general orders. The prescribed route was also previously published : Arch to 18th, to Green, to Broad, to Chestnut, to Front, to Market, to 7th, to Walnut, to 12th, to Locust, to Broad, to Market. And " in further com- memoration of the tenth anniversary "- so read a circular that accompanied the order for the parade-" the officers of the com- mand will assemble at a banquet at the Union League House at
-
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HISTORY OF THE FIRST REGIMENT, N. G. P.
1868
7 p. M. on the 19th inst., and it is recommended that the several companies at their own quarters or elsewhere participate in a like celebration."
On February 24, 1868, Edwin N. Benson was appointed sergeant-major, vice C. Stuart Patterson honorably discharged. Subsequently, on September 12, 1871, Major Edwin N. Benson was announced as major and aide-de-camp on the staff of Maj .- Gen. Charles M. Prevost. First Lieutenant William D. HIast- ing, of Company A, detailed as acting adjutant upon the promo- tion of Major R. Dale Benson, was relieved, in a complimentary order thanking him for his efficiency, by the appointment of Brevet Major George H. North to the adjutantey on September 8, 1868. North had won his spurs in the field. Private Com- monwealth Artillery, April 24, 1861, to August 5, 1861, he was made first lieutenant and quartermaster, Fourteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry, November 3, 1862; captain, March 3, 1865; and honor- ably discharged July 17, 1865.
Colonel MeMichael, who in November, 1868, tendered his resignation, came from a parentage famous in the field of oratory. Himself a gifted man, he closely touched the splendid speech of his distinguished sire, and to the fame that had already come to an eminent lineage he added the valorous record of a soldier in war. Lawyer, soldier, orator, his name will ever be lustrous in the historic group of the first half-cen- tury of the regiment's distinguished dead. Colonel MeMichael survived his resignation many years, largely devoted to the successful practice of his profession in the city of New York. He will be heard from again as the story progresses. Upon the acceptance of Colonel MeMichael's resignation, Col. James W. Latta was commissioned as his successor, December 2, 1868. The promotion of Major R. Dale Benson to the lieutenant- coloneley, and Captain James D. Keyser, of Company A, to the majority followed within the month. His successor, Cap- tain George F. Delleker, was chosen about the same time. Captain William W. Allen, of Company C, and Captain J. Parker Martin, of Company I, had both resigned, and were succeeded. respectively by Captain Alex. C. Fergusson as captain of Com- pany C, and Captain David Buist as captain of Company I.
Colonel Latta published his first general order on December 8, assuming command. and announced the reappointment
James W. Latta.
157
CAPE MAY SUMMER ENCAMPMENT
1869
of the staff: George H. North as first lieutenant and adju- tant, William A. Rolin as first lieutenant and quartermaster, George A. Smith as quartermaster-sergeant, and Heury L. Elder as commissary sergeant. William S. Stewart, M.D., was an- nouneed as surgeon on February 25, 1869; and subsequently James 1. Buchanan. M.D., and Alonzo L. Leach, M.D., as assistant surgeons, and Rev. Wallace Radcliff as chaplain. Frank V. Robinson, of Company E, appointed sergeant-major, January 1, 1869, on March 16, 1869, was relieved at his own request, and on March 22, 1869, Henry H. Groff, also of Com- pany E, was appointed in his stead.
The regimental strength about this time, as it appears from the records, was: A Company, 60 men; B Company, 30 men; C Company, 45 men ; D Company, 62 men ; E Company, 66 men ; F Company, 30 men ; H Company, 28 men ; I Company, 45 men. Total, 366 men.
Much activity prevailed throughout the command; schools of instruction at regimental headquarters at prescribed intervals . were in vogue with the usual drills and inspection. As had not been usual heretofore, with the orders announcing battalion drills, the attention of company commanders was directed by numbers and headings to the paragraphs describing the movements in- tended to be performed. Parade and display were for the time in a measure abandoned for the more substantial requirements.
A visit to Washington to attend the inaugural ceremonies of General Grant's first induction into the Presidency, on the 4th of March, 1869, which had been for some time in active preparation, was on February 3, 1869, by vote of the Board of Officers reconsidered, and it was declared to be inexpedient to take any further action in the premises. At the same session an invitation to attend the dedication at Harrisburg on May 26, 1869, of a monument commemorative of the soldiers from Penn- sylvania who had lost their lives in the war with Mexico, at first received with some favor, was. after closer thought. declined. All other enterprises weakened and every energy seemed now to be bent upon a prospective summer encampment at Cape May, New Jersey. that had its official conception at this same meeting.
This was something of a new departure, and in the general order announcing the encampment, published as early as May 5, 1869, particular attention was directed to its purpose, in the
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HISTORY OF THE FIRST REGIMENT, N. G. P.
hope that it might prove an incentive to follow and a stimulant for betterment. "A seaside encampment," so read this para- graph of the order, "having never before been undertaken by any of the troops of this Division, the success of this measure will forever establish an enduring reputation for the command and enure largely to the benefit, credit and permanent establish- ment of a force of Pennsylvania militia."
The time selected for the encampment was from the 16th to 23d of July, both days inclusive, and the site chosen was known as Miller's Farm, situated a quarter of a mile from the city of Cape May on the right-hand side of the road leading to the steam- boat landing. The ground had considerable slope, was well drained, and was about an eighth of a mile from and in full view of the ocean; in the rear was quite a growth of timber, on the right flank a copse of wood, and in front there was a small pond of fresh water. The name given the encampment, " Camp Upton," was in honor of Maj .- Gen. Emory Upton. General Upton, besides his national reputation as soldier and scholar, had made the acquaintance of most of the officers in a visit he had paid the Board a short time before, when on the occasion of one of its monthly sessions he had happened in the city of Philadel- phia.
Gen. Ulysses S. Grant, then President of the United States, was for a short period a guest at Cape Island while the encamp- ment was in progress. That the camp was what it was intended to be, a camp for military instruction, and that the gaieties and festivities incident to a seaside watering-place in the height of the season had not interfered with the observance of the hours and the proper discharge of the duties and service prescribed by the camp regulations, is best attested by the reference made to this visit in the general order of congratulation issued by the com- manding officer at the conclusion of the encampment. The order is General Order No. 27 of the current series of 1869, and is dated from the regimental headquarters at the City Armory, July 24, 1869, and the reference is as follows: " The fact that upon seven minutes' notice a body of citizen soldiery was twice paraded with full ranks, and in full dress uniform for review by the President of the United States, at a time when they had been dis- missed, with neither drill nor roll-call to follow for at least three hours, conclusively establishes the fact that there prevailed a readi-
CAMP UPTON, CAPE MAY, NEW JERSEY, JULY, 1869, FIRST REGIMENT, N. G. P. COL. JAS. W. LATTA
159
LETTER OF GENERAL UPTON
1869
ness for duty at all times and a promptitude of action that would have done credit to troops whose business and support it is to serve as such." The same order concludes as follows: " The com- manding officer congratulates the command upon the pre-eminent success which attended the entire undertaking. It has greatly enured, as was designed, to the permanent establishment and more complete appointment of the volunteer militia forces of this Commonwealth, and tended largely to increase the efficiency, discipline, and numbers of our own organization."
The following letter from General Upton, a treasure care- fully preserved among the regimental archives, together with a series of resolutions adopted by guests of the hotels, sojourners and others, at a meeting specially called to pass upon the event, furnishes abundant cotemporaneous proof that the encampment not only bettered the organization, as it was designed it should, but supplied, as it was hoped it would, a tonic for the whole system.
WILLOWBROOK, AUBURN, N. Y. August 19th, 1869.
My dear Colonel :
I regret exceedingly that your letter of July 7th, apprising me of the proposed encampment of your regiment at Cape May and your purpose to name your camp after me, did not reach me in time to elicit a suitable response. Although apres coup, it is not too late to express my appreciation of the honor you conferred upon me, and now that your encampment is ter- minated I heartily congratulate you on the success attending your efforts.
Commendations of the appearance and discipline of the Gray Reserves, while at Cape May, have reached me from various sources and of such a nature as to in-pire the hope that, under your command, assisted by your zealous and efficient officers, the regiment will place itself in the front rank of the militia of the United States.
Your commencement has been most auspicious. Your regiment has been reviewed by his Excellency, the President, and received such marks of his dis- tinguished approbation as to make it conspicuous before the country. This position you must hold. The Gray Reserves constitute the First Regiment of Infantry of Pennsylvania. You and your officers should be content with nothing less than making it the first in drill and discipline not only in your State, but, if possible, in the country. I shall ever take a deep interest in your regiment, and if you but continue to display the high soldierly qualities which distinguished you in the field. its success will be assured.
With high esteem, very truly yours,
E. UPTON, Bvt. Maj .- General, U. S. A.
TO COL. JAMES W. LATTA,
Commanding Gray Reserves.
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HISTORY OF THE FIRST REGIMENT, N. G. P.
1869
STOCKTON HOTEL, July 23, 1869.
A large number of the guests of the Hotel having met in Parlor A, amongst whom were the following gentlemen: Gen. J. T. Owen; Matthew Baird; A. W. Maikley; John J. Thomas; W. W. Harding; H. B. Ashmead; H. B. McCauley; Saml. R. Phillips; Jas. J. Mullin; Geo. J. Presbury, Jr .; John B. Sexton; Thomas Dolan; Samuel B. Thomas; M. Hall Stanton; Jos. W. Page; Arthur Thatcher, Jr .: Thomas T. Tasker, Jr .; Wm. F. Hughes; Gen. Wm, MeCandless; John L. Bispham; John Penrose; George H. Colket; Col. John Clark; C. Jones York; Theo. Megargee; Lewis Waln Smith; Thomas Sparks: Gen. H. H. Bingham; Col. P. C. Ellmaker; Raymond Dam- man; John C. Bullitt; Gen. W. J. Sewell; James H. McKee; J. L. Stichter ; G. W. Lauman; Peter Gardner; H. T. DeSilver; and many other gentlemen, on motion L. Waln Smith, Deputy Attorney-General, State of Pennsylvania, was called to the chair, and Captain Harrison T. DeSilver appointed secre- tary.
General Owen, in presenting the resolutions hereto attached, premised by eulogizing the excellent conduct of officers and men of the Gray Reserve Regiment and of the marked success of the Reception Ball given at this house, as well as the great pleasure afforded the people of the island by the various entertainments given by Camp Upton.
WHEREAS, We have, in common with the other houses on Cape Island, enjoyed for the week ending to-day, a series of entertainments given under the auspices or in behalf of the Gray Reserve Regiment, Pennsylvania Mili- tia, under command of Col. James W. Latta, which has been performing a tour of duty at Camp Upton: therefore,
Resolved, That we express to the Field, Line and Staff Officers, the con- missioned and non-commissioned Officers and Privates, Druin Corps and Band of the Regiment, our sense of obligation and high appreciation of the uniform courtesy and soldierly bearing of officers and men of the command during their sojourn at Cape May.
Resolved, That the result of our observation of the rounds of camp duty performed by this command, the beneficial effect of camp discipline, the opportunity for prolonged squad, company and battalion drills, leads us to recommend the citizen soldier " camping out " as the best method within their reach of learning the art of war, as well as improving their physical health.
Resolved, That a copy of these proceedings, signed by the president and secretary, be forwarded to the commanding officer of the regiment.
LEWIS WALN SMITH, Chairman. H. T. DE SILVER, Secretary.
A medal of suggestive design and appropriate inscription commemorative of the event was cast at the United States Mint under the supervision and direction of Government officers. Of the twenty east, one was allotted to each of the companies, A, B, C, D, E, HI, and I, to be shot for and held for the first year by the best marksman, to be annually contested for and held in the same manner and " to be known as the Cape May medal." One struek off in solid gold was, in recognition of his visit, pre- sented to Gen. Ulysses S. Grant. The medal passed into the care
FIRST REGIMENT INFANTRY 'GRAY RESERVES PENNA. MILITIA 1869-1870
161
THE " BAILEY MEDAL "
1869
and custody of the general government, as did his many other relies of inestimable value, after his decease, and now has an honored place in the National Museum at Washington.
On the 23d of July, 1869, Major George H. North was an- nounced as brigade inspector and Captain George A. Smith as brigade quartermaster. " The services of these officers " -- so - reads the regimental order announcing their advancement -- " have been valuable and efficient, and the colonel commanding parts with them regretting that their well-deserved promotion has com- pelled the severance of his official connections." First Lieu- tenant Charles K. Ide was appointed adjutant and Caspar H. Duhring, of Company A, quartermaster-sergeant.
The stimulant incident to the encampment was made mani- fest in various ways. It drew increased public attention, pro- duced substantial recognition, and nerved the entire command to renewed activities for recruitment and betterment. "A medal of gold, of costly and handsome design " was presented to the regi- ment by the prominent and long-established jewelry firm of Bailey and Company. It was designated in orders as the " Bailey Medal ;" was assigned for parade occasions to be worn by the best shot, to be determined by competitions among the nine, who had won the first prize for marksmanship in their respective companies, and was to be so disposed of annually.1 Other disposition was after- wards made of it. As was originally intended by the donors, it was to be allotted each year to the member of the regiment who had secured for his company the largest number of recruits. Lists of the men in competition for it were to be submitted to the Board of Officers, and from these lists the successful competi- tor was selected and the " recruiting medal " assigned him for the year.
A new dress uniform followed. The proposition first sub- mitted by the Board of Officers to the several companies and adopted by a majority vote of the men included a complete out- fit. The cost, which was to be borne by the men themselves, was $31.50 for the uniform, with $3.65 additional for epaulettes, body and breast plates. The uniform consisted of a dark blue dress coat, trimmed and stamped with white cloth and gold lace, and
1 It was first won by Corporal W. H. Gilroy, of Company C, at regimen- tal target practice at Media, June 25, 1870.
11
1870
162
HISTORY OF THE FIRST REGIMENT, N. G. P.
light blue trousers with white cloth stripe trimmed with gold lace. The contract for the manufacture of the uniforms was made with Evans & Leach, 628 Market Street, and for the epaulettes, body and breast plates with Horstmann Brothers and Company, Fifth and Cherry Streets.
The Board of Officers, not wholly satisfied with the stimulant from the encampment, prompted largely by the well-devised measures submitted by Lieutenant-Colonel Benson, directed their energies to work within the regiment itself, looking for an en- couragement from without the ranks, a firmer public confidence, that might induce recruiting, by a correction of abuses and evils prevalent within them. Their circular letter, signed by the en- tire Board, submitted a code of laws for adoption by the com- panies, intended to increase efficiency and promote discipline. The circular specially directed attention to the fact that there was need that the regiment should make its own laws, as there was but little to be expected from the enforcement only of those prescribed by the State. "As the laws of the State," so reads a paragraph of the circular, " do but little to aid us in our desires after excellence, it becomes us ourselves to make such as are needed, and it is to some new laws to help us or our object that your Board urges your attention, and a speedy adoption." These laws to " which they pledge their hearty cooperation to carry into effect," were adopted by all the companies. The Adjutant-Gen- eral's report for the year 1870 had not then appeared. In it there is to be found in a single paragraph full confirmation of and ample justification for this conclusion of the Board. The paragraph reads as follows: " It is humiliating to admit that our State government gives comparatively little encouragement to those who feel it their duty to keep alive and vigorous the military spirit of the people."
As a further incentive to increase the regimental strength and infuse energy and spirit into the rank and file, Major Edwin N. Benson, so frequently helpful with his personality, his influence, and his means, liberally opened his purse and provided a fund for the payment of the sum of one hundred dollars to each com- pany that should within a given period of three months by re- cruitment and muster increase its ranks with ten additional men. And a further sum of one hundred and fifty dollars was to be paid to each company that should within the same period, in
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NUMEROUS CHANGES IN PERSONNEL
1870
excess of twenty-five recruit and muster the largest number of additional men, and to the company next below the largest and beyond the prescribed minimum there was to be paid the sum of forty dollars.
Captain J. Ross Cark, of Company D, the last of the original captains to retain his captainey, resigned October 20, 1870. All were earnest, sincere men, notably Captains Smith and Prevost promoted, and Captains Londenslager and Clark, who served the longest terms. Company D had but the one captain for the first decade of its existence; but Company E, with Captain James Muldoon, who on the resignation of Captain Loudenslager, December 5, 1868, succeeded him, and remained until his retire- ment, August 29, 1899, had but two in forty years. Captain Charles K. Ide, promoted to the captainey of Company D by elce- tion on November 7, 1870, thereupon resigned his adjutaney, and Captain Frank A. Donaldson, who had served as eaptain of Com- pany H from February 24, 1869, to June 27, 1870, and was out of the service, was on January 2, 1871, announced as first lieu- tenant and adjutant vice Ide promoted, First Lieutenant Sylves- ter Bonnaffon, Jr., of Company H, having meanwhile been de- tailed as acting adjutant. At the same time William P. Atkin- son was named as quartermaster-sergeant vice Caspar H. Duh- ring, but on April 5, 1872, William P. Atkinson having been honorably discharged, Caspar H. Duhring was reappointed. Captain Frank 1. Donaldson, after effective and honorable ser- viee in both war and peace almost continuously from May 26, 1861, resigned his adjutancy in April, 1872, and on April 10, 1872, Benjamin P. Wilson was appointed first lieutenant and adjutant to sueeeed him.
There were numerous changes in the line. Captain George F. Delleker, of Company A, resigned March 28, 1872, and Cap- tain Washington H. Gilpin succeeded him on July 1, 1872. Cap- tain C. G. Cadwalader, of Company B, resigned February 15, 1571, and after several intermediate changes-Captain Louis Wilhelmi, June 14, 1871, to November S, 1871,1 and Captain
1 Wilhelmi Louis-Born in Prussia, apptd. from Penna. Cadet Mil. Academy, 1 July 1872, to 29th December, 1873-2nd Lieut. Ist Infantry 15th October 1875-1st Lieut. 16th March ISSO-Regt. Adjt. 16 March ISSO to April 19, 1ss6 __ Died 19th April. 1886 .- ( Heitman', Register and His- torieal Dictionary C. S. Army, 1789-1903.)
ISTO
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HISTORY OF THE FIRST REGIMENT, N. G. P.
Robert M. Robinson, December, 1871, to May 25, 1872-Cap- tain Thomas J. Dunn was commissioned October 9, 1872, to re- main through a more lengthy service. Captain A. C. Fergusson re- signed his eaptaincy of C June 29, 1871, to be succeeded on Oeto- ber 7, 1871, by Captain C. M. O'Callaghan. Captain Frank C. Benson, elected captain of Company F, April 25, 1870, resigned December 10, 1570, and Captain John S. Dovey was made his successor on June 14, 1871. Company H, of the Fourth Regi- ment Infantry, National Guard of Pennsylvania, as originally or- ganized with its captain, F. W. Kretschmar, and his subalterns, was on February 19, 1872, transferred to, and was thereafter to be known as Company G, of the First Regiment Infantry, absorb- ing what there was of the then existing company in that regiment. Captain David Buist, of Company I, resigned August 12, 1870, and after the intermediate succession of Captain Louis Gullager, October 9, 1871, to February 7, 1872, was ultimately succeeded on November 4, 1872, for a more secure term, by Captain Rudolph Klauder.
The 22d of September, 1871, was the day set apart for the dedication of the bronze statue of Abraham Lincoln in Fairmount Park, well selected as the ninth anniversary of the first emanci- pation proclamation that the great emancipator had promised himself, biding his own time, refusing to heed the improvident. clamor for immediate action, should follow the next victory his armies might achieve. Antietam was fought on the 17th of September, 1862. Lee's Maryland invasion was foiled, and the promise he had made to himself he redeemed to the bondman, with his proclamation of the 22d.
The civic demonstration drew the best talent to the rostrum, leading public men of the country to the platform, with a vast concourse, its confines beyond the reach of human voice, as par- ticipants.
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