USA > Pennsylvania > History of the First regiment infantry, National guard of Pennsylvania (Grey Reserves) 1861-1911, pt 1 > Part 22
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The heavy pressure on time and means incident to the many demands of the Centennial was to be no deterrent to a proper recognition of the regiment's fifteenth anniversary, as was demon- strated by the publication of a general order from regimental headquarters announcing a full-dress parade and review by Maj .- Gen. John P. Bankson, the division commander, and the Hon. Willam S. Stokley, Mayor of the city, at four o'clock, in the afternoon on Wednesday, the 19th of April, 1876, as commemora- tive of the occasion.
The first duty allotted the regiment was a preliminary, inci- dent to the opening ceremonies of the exhibition, when Major Ide with a battalion was assigned as an escort to conduct the Governor of Massachusetts, his staff, and escort, the Independent Corps of Cadets, Lieutenant-Colonel Edmonds commanding, on their ar- rival in the city at noon on the 9th of May, to their quarters at the Continental Hotel. The duty satisfactorily performed, the details were dismissed, to report to their several companies for the more onerous requirements of the following day.
The centennial anniversary of American independence, a
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HISTORY OF THE FIRST REGIMENT, N. G. P.
national event akin in importance as a commemoration as the event itself was as a creation, was at the same time an experience, a dis- appointment, a success. As an experience, the initiative of its own projectors. A disappointment, not alone in the financial failure it proved itself to be, but as well in the losses that fol- lowed the many individual ventures which its presence prompted. A further disappointment, too, when later on its experience proved but a profitless referendum to other enterprises of a like charac- ter, which, otherwise of advantage, mostly elosed with a money deficit. A success, which all creators, exhibitors, participants, the nation at large, might view with eminent satisfaction, as the first significant opportunity to exploit the wonderful development, the character, the strength, the manhood of the great American race.
Its opening ceremonies brought together a vast gathering- distinctive, representative, observant, an emperor, princess, poten- tates, rulers, diplomats, ministers, statesmen, scholars, men of science, business, the professions, commerce, finance, from all quarters, all zones, across continent and over sea. The day, though marred by a sultry, oppressive humidity and burdensome heat, was a great success, greater than attended the exhibition for many weeks afterward, seriously impaired as the attendance was by the unbroken continuance of a lengthy season of unusually high temperature. Indeed, it was not until the early days of the fall the greater and always increasing crowds removed all anxiety and restored to a substantial daily average the roll of visitors, before so seriously depleted.
The military demonstration was in charge of Maj .- Gen. John P. Bankson, commanding the First Division of the National Guard. The regiment, after its formation at Broad and Cherry Streets at an early morning hour, promptly joining the division, the column from Broad Street moved out Walnut, where at Twenty-second, the residence of Mr. George W. Childs, it was reviewed by the President of the United States, Ulysses S. Grant, and thence continued the march via Twenty-second, Market Street, Laneaster and Elm Avenues, to the site selected for the ceremonies on the grounds of the Exposition. There at noon diplomats, mili- tary and other dignitaries of high rank, rulers, and statesmen, notably the Emperor and Empress of Brazil, passed through the
205
FIELD RETURN
1576
two lines of troops drawn up to receive them, to their places on the platform. The exercises were not concluded until toward five o'clock, when the wearied soldiers were dismissed and the commands separately sought the readiest route to their quarters. The demonstration in all its features, eivic as well as military, was a pronounced success; the masses in attendance, restive even to outbreak at times, under the pressure of the erush, nevertheless repeatedly testified their appreciation by demonstrative applause. The regiment, in strength, personnel, deportment, and discipline, met every demand of so signifieant an oceasion.
The following notice is from the Sunday Republic of May 14, 1876:
FIRST REGIMENT .- This organization, under command of Col. R. Dale Benson, made a remarkably fine display on Wednesday. Their marching and battalion movements were up to the usual high standing, while their turn- out was numerically stronger than that of any other organization in line. The field return is as follows:
.
Field Return May 10, 1876.
Officers
Men
Aggregate
Field and Staff
7
5
12
A
3
35
3S
B
2
48
50
C
3
3S
41
D
3
69
72
E
3
60
63
F
2
39
41
G
1
38
39
H
2
33
35
I
2
43
45
K
2
40
42
Band
40
40
Total
30
488
518
The military event of national moment was the parade of the Centennial Fourth of July. Long in preparation, its details had been well thought out and their execution thoroughly provided for. The event as it happened was eonvineing testimony of a pur- pose well matured. The intolerable heat, that had so zealously maintained its aseendency sinee the opening ceremonies, was the only bar to the otherwise almost perfect day. Troops were in at- tendance from many States from New England to Texas. So decidedly was the event thought to be of imperishable historic
1876
206
HISTORY OF THE FIRST REGIMENT, N. G. P.
value and its participants entitled to a record well worth preserv- ing that the general order from regimental headquarters announe- ing it provided among other things that: " As this parade and review will be one of great import in the history of this Corps, and in order that the record of the same may be accurately pre- served among the archives of the organization, commandants of companies and the bandmaster are hereby ordered to forward to these headquarters on or before July 10, 1876, muster rolls in duplicate of the active and honorary members of their commands that participated in the review. Blanks especially prepared for the purpose, with the necessary instructions printed on them, will be issued from these headquarters. These rolls must be prepared with accuracy and neatness; one copy after examination will be returned to the company commanders for preservation among the company records, and one copy, with the roll of the field and staff and that of the ' Veteran Corps,' will be carefully preserved in the adjutant's office as part of the history of the regiment."
There were a number of preliminaries yet to be disposed of before everything was in readiness for the all-important day. The annual inspection and muster by the adjutant-general of the State had been in progress throughout the division during the week, and Friday afternoon, the 23d of June, was set apart for the First Regiment. 1 newspaper item states: "The condition of the arms, etc., of every company in line was faultless. Cap- tains Muldoon, Wiedersheim and Dunn carried off the palm in point of numbers and perfection of drill, and the few movements incident to the dress parade which followed the inspection were exceedingly well executed and universally applauded by the large crowd of visitors in front of the Union League." This pub- lic estimate of worthiness was fully confirmed by the highly credit- able official announcement made of the inspection as it appeared in the annual report of the adjutant-general for the year 1876 as follows: "Always recorded as Pennsylvania's best, and as such its unequalled standard being still maintained, further comment seems unnecessary, save to refer to it as an example, which right in their own midst it would serve her Philadelphia associates well to emulate. The attendance, though fair, should be improved. In an aggregate of 565, the average absent was 12, or 2114 per cent."
207
PRELIMINARY DUTIES
1576
Other duties preliminary, ineidental, and subsequent to the principal event were assigned the regiment. A battalion of 150 men, under command of Lieut .- Col. J. Ross Clark, was detailed to escort a battalion of the Twenty-second Regiment, National Guard of the State of New York, under the command of Lieut .- Col. John F. Camp, Monday, July 3, from the point of arrival to the quarters set apart for them during their stay over the parade. A battalion of the First Virginia Regiment of Volun- teers, Major Albert Ordway commanding, were escorted by a bat- talion of the regiment under command of Captain A. H. Walters from the regimental armory to the Philadelphia, Wilmington, and Baltimore depot on the 8th of July, the day of their departure after their participation in the ceremonies of the Fourth. The Albany Zouave Cadets, Company A, Tenth Regiment, National Guard, State of New York, Captain John H. Reynolds, were in special charge of Company D. Together they attended divine service at the Church of the Holy Trinity on Sunday, July 2. The sermon was preached by the Right Rev. Bishop Thomas A. Jaggars, a former chaplain of the regiment, then the Episcopal Bishop of the State of Ohio. An excursion on the Delaware and a promenade concert at Harrison Park followed on Monday, the Cadet Corps participating in the parade of Tuesday, the Fourth. Fitting acknowledgments of these courtesies were made by these organizations after they had returned to their homes, and the newspapers of their localities were profuse in recognition of the many attentions of which they had been the recipients. Phila- delphia, through her military at least, had preserved and enlarged her hitherto well-earned reputation for hospitality.
The Twenty-second Regiment, National Guard, State of New York, made special acknowledgments of the courtesies shown and escort furnished by the First Regiment, and said among other things, in relating their experiences for the New York newspapers. as follows: " On the arrival of the battalion at the foot of Market Street in Philadelphia it was received with military honors by the First Pennsylvania National Guard, and by that regiment escorted to its armory, where a very acceptable collation was spread. The hospitality was as unbounded as the supplies were in profusion, and the ' two-two's ' left the armory of the First with a high opin- ion of all three."
-
1876
208
HISTORY OF THE FIRST REGIMENT, N. G. P.
And the New York Seventh, in its General Order No. 16, Par. IV, a copy of which was furnished Colonel Benson, expressed its appreciation and acknowledgment of its Philadelphia recep- tion by the First Regiment as follows: " IV .-- The commandant desires to express to the inembers of this Regiment his high ap- preciation of their soldierly and gentlemanly deportment during the recent encampment at Philadelphia." ... "This Regiment and its officers are indebted and grateful acknowledgment is hereby made." . .. "To Colonel Benson, First Regiment, National Guard of Pennsylvania, for the tender of his fine command as an escort to this Reginient to the Union League of Philadelphia for the courtesies of the League House." I
Also concerning the Seventh New York, the following circular was published from National Guard Headquarters:
HEADQUARTERS NATIONAL GUARD OF PA. Philadelphia, July 4th, 1876.
CIRCULAR
The sad and sudden death of General Marshall Lefferts commanding Veteran National Guard of 7th New York Regiment en route to join in the Grand Centennial Military Pageant casts an unfortunate gloom over the New York troops who are to-day the representatives of their Commonwealth in the nation's celebration of our liberty's birthday.
In view of the long services and distinguished record of this gallant officer it is but a fitting recognition of his soldier comrades that their appre- ciation thereof be thus announced in this publication.
The Commander-in-Chief directs that the circular be read to-day to all regiments, battalions, and independent companies joining in the procession.
By Command of JOHN F. HARTRANFT, Governor and Commander-in-Chief.
JAMES W. LATTA, Adj .- General.
The Albany press devoted columns to a detailed story of the participation of that city's highly respected military organization, " The favorites of Albany," the Zouave Cadets, in the Inde- pendence centenary. Their homecoming was referred to in The Argus as their return " from the City of Brotherly Love, where your [their] presence graced the only national celebration of the centenary of American independence." And its account con- cluded with this commendatory acknowledgment of appreciation and remembrance: " We cannot conclude without stating that the
1 See Appendix Seventh's encampment, Col. Clark's history.
209
COMMENDATORY RESOLUTION
1876
members of this command are unanimous in their expressions of praise for the hospitable manner in which they were entertained by Company D, First Regiment, National Guard of Pennsyl- vania, and to Philadelphians generally they feel under great obli- gation." And the Albany Press in a similar vein concluded what it had to say of the " Cadets Campaign of Pleasure," as its head- lines styled it : " It will be seen [it said ] that they were constantly occupied, and they feel that they cannot extol too highly the hos- pitable kindness, the courtesy, and the untiring attentions ex- tended to them by Captain Wiedersheim, the officers and mem- bers of Company D." ... "Philadelphia brieks are not hotter under a warm sun than are Philadelphia hearts."
The " First Virginia Regiment of Volunteers," in a neatly engrossed and handsomely framed set of resolutions dated Rieh- mond, Va., July 19, 1876, among other laudatory expressions of appreciation, " Resolved, That we, the members of Companies A, B, and C, of the First Virginia Regiment of Volunteers, do hereby express to you, our fellow-soldiers of the First Pennsyl- vania, our sincere appreciation of that unparalleled courtesy, warm hospitality, and, far more enduring still to our memory, that true brotherly affection with which you honored us during our short but delightful sojourn among you." And the resolutions con- elnde: "Strangers we eame among you, but strangers we did not depart ; as cheerfully as we surrendered to you on the night of our departure, alike as cheerfully would we have remained forever captives in such welcome bonds." The guests had been enter- tained at the regimental armory by a banquet of fairly pretentious proportions, accompanied by that ever-important presence, speech, song, and story, so universally in attendance on all such occasions. The resolutions, by direction of the Board of Officers, reduced in size, were photographed on cardboards and copies supplied the several companies of the regiment.
The Military Academy at West Point had an unbending rule, rarely relaxed : When a eadet entered the Academy, he was there to stay, save for his two months' mid-term furlough. Ulysses S. Grant was the first West Point graduate who had ever attained the honors of the White House. The corps was in attendance at Washington on the occasion of his second inauguration as Presi- dent of the United States, on March 4, 1873. Popular senti- 14
210
1876
HISTORY OF THE FIRST REGIMENT, N. G. P.
ment, the nation's pride in its two academies, military and naval, has induced the authorities to be less exacting in a steadfast en- forcement of their hitherto inflexible rule. A conspicuous in- stance of this yielding was when, in response to the patriotie sen- timent everywhere awakened by the commemorative ceremonies attendant on the national eentenary, the Cadet Corps, under eom- mand of . its commandant, Gen. Thomas H. Neill, Lieutenant- Colonel Sixth United States Cavalry, on June 27, 1876, trans- ferred its encampment for a week from the grounds of the military academy at West Point to the grounds of the Centennial Exhibi- tion at Philadelphia. On the right of the infantry column, eight subdivisions of twelve files each, with its celebrated band and drum corps, it was everywhere recognized-and appreciative applause so testified-as a distinctive feature of the parade and review of the Fourth of July.
The troops were astir as early as five o'clock. The regiment, which had formed on Broad Street, right resting north of Areh facing east, moved at 6.55 o'clock to its place with the First Bri- gade, which had been directed to form on Loeust Street, right resting on Broad Street, faeing north. The privilege had been extended the visiting troops, if they so desired, to parade with the special home command that had them in charge. The head of the column, which had rested at Broad and Chestnut, delayed some- what by unavoidable hindranees, took up its line of march down Chestnut to Fourth, to Pine, to Broad. Moving into Broad, the First Division troops formed on each side of the street, and, the visiting soldiers passing through, the parade was dismissed. A grand arch covered Broad Street from Walnut to Chestnut, and another, constructed by John Wanamaker & Co., covered Chestnut Street between Juniper and Thirteenth. At Independence Hall the column was reviewed by Gen. William T. Sherman, command- ing the Army of the United States. Besides his staff there were with him Prince Oscar of Norway and Sweden, Hon. J. Donald Cameron, Secretary of War, Governor Conner, of Maine, Gov- ernor Lippitt, of Rhode Island, General Hawley, President of the Centennial Commission, foreign legations, and others of promi- nence and position, military and civic, of our own and distant lands.
211
FOURTH OF JULY PARADE
14,0
It is fortunate that an event of sneh national import, after all these years of rest and obscurity in the neglected, forgotten, and not readily attainable files of a public newspaper, has now an opportunity for readier reference and more secure preservation. Adjutant Joseph B. Godwin comes to the rescue, and from his well-selected clippings in his all-important scrapbook permits a republication of the story, in the text of this volume, as follows:
MUSKETRY
THE PARADE AND REVIEW ON TUESDAY
The military demonstration in commemoration of the one hundredth anniversary of American independence on Tuesday last was by far the largest and handsomest display of the militia forces of the United States that has ever taken place in this eonntry. Although the number in line was not up to what had been expected, the best corps, North and South, were represented. In the multitude of corps there was not a single bad company to destroy the harmony of the march. The day was favorable, and the arrangements. under the direction of Governor Hartranft, Adjutant-General Latta, and Major- General John P. Bankson, were perfect in every detail. The latter officer had charge of the formation of the line, and his experienee as inspector-general in the army during the war came well into play. The line was formed on Broad Street, the right resting on Chestnut, in the following order:
Governor John F. Hartranit and staff.
Major General John P. Bankson, commanding First Division, N. G. of Pa., and staff.
First City Troop. Captain Rogers, 45 men 45
Black Hussars, Captain Kleinz, 30 men, and mounted band 30
Keystone Battery, Captain Poulterer, 48 men with 6 pieces of artillery 48 Brigadier-General Thayer, commanding 2nd Brigade, and staff.
West Point Cadets, Gen. Thomas H. Neill, commandant; 8 commands of 12 files, with West Point band and drum corps 242
Marines from League Island and seamen from United States steamer Congress; in all, about 125 men, with band 125
3rd Regiment, Colonel J. F. Ballier, 225 men, with band 225
Gth Regiment, Colonel John Maxwell, 340 men, with band and drum corps 340 Gray Invincibles (colored), Captain A. Osear Jones, 50 men, with band 50
Veteran Guards (eolored ), of New York, 60 men 60
Brigadier-General Robert M. Brinton, commanding First Brigade and staff. 2d Regiment, Colonel Peter Lyle. 330 men, with full band and fife and drum corps 330
United Train of Artillery, of Providenee, R. I., Colonel Clark, 60 men, with band 60
Detroit National Guard, Captain O'Keefe, 55 men, with band 55
Ist Regiment, Colonel R. Dale Benson, 440 men, with full band and drum eorps 440
212
HISTORY OF THE FIRST REGIMENT, N. G. P. 1876
Battalion of 22d Regiment, N. G. S. N. Y., Lieut .- Col. Camp, 170 men, accompanied by Gilmore's 22d Regiment band 170
City Grays, of Harri-burg, Captain Maloney, 50 men 50
Albany Zouave Cadets, of Albany, N. Y., Captain Reynolds, 55 men, with band 55 The Centennial Legion, compo-ed of troops of the thirteen original States, under command of General Henry Heth, of Richmond, Va., in the absence of General Burnside, came next, as follows:
First Light Infantry Regiment, of Providence, R. I., Colonel Goddard, 225 men, with band 225
Clinch Rifles, of Augusta, Ga., Captain Ford, 70 men 70
Phil Kearney Guards, of Elizabeth, N. J., Captain De Hart, 75 men, with band 75
American Rifles, Wilmington, Del., Captain Wood, 60 men, with drum Corps 60
Battalion of 5th Maryland Regiment, Colonel H. D. Loney, 100 men, with band of regiment 100
Boston Light Infantry, of Boston, Mass., Captain Noyes, 60 men, with band 60
Washington Light Infantry, of Charleston, S. C., Major Gilchrist, 65 men, with band 65
Old Guard, of New York, Major McLean, 45 men, with band 45
Light Infantry, of Fayetteville, N. C., Major Haigh, 50 men 50
Amoskeag Veterans, of Manchester, N. H., Major Edgerly, SO men, with band 80
New Haven Grays, Captain Gessner, 45 men, with band 45
State Fencibles, of Philadelphia, Captain John W. Ryan, 80 men, with band 80
Light Artillery Blues, of Norfolk, Va., Captain Hodges, 75 men, with 6 pieces of ritled cannon, and band 75
The above was the thirteenth and last Company in the Legion, following which came the:
Weccacoe Legion, Captain .Tolin P. Denny, 55 men, with band 55
Battalion of First Regiment N. G. of Washington, D. C., 100 men with band 100
Washington Grays, Lieutenant Lazarus, 45 men, McClurg's Liberty Cor- net Band 45
Pierce Light Guard, of Boston ( Boston Tigers), Captain Clapp, 60 men, with band 60
Battalion of First Virginia Regiment of Vol., N. G., Major Ordway. 120 men, with band. ( The Augusta Guards, of Staunton, Va., were attached to this command) 120
23d Regiment N. G. S. N. Y., Colonel Rodney C. Ward. 510 men, with full band and drum corps 510
7th Regiment N. G. S. N. Y., Colonel Emmons Clark. 470 men, with full band and drum corps of SO pieces 470
Battalion of First Regiment Vermont N. G., Major Newton, 110 men, with band 110
Pelouze Cadet Corps, of Detroit, Mich., Major Rogers, 150 men, with drum and bugle corps 150
Company B 6th Regiment N. G. N. J., Captain Austin, 72 men 72 Corps of Spanish Engineers.
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COMMENDATORY LETTER
1576
The Texas Division numbered about 300 men, and included a battery of eight pieces from Galveston, the Fannin Light Guards, the Lamar Ritles, the Lavacca Grays, the Texas Old Guard, of Houston, and the Smith County Guard, of Tyler 300
The Girard College Cadets, 125 men, with band 125
Soldiers' Orphans from the Northern Home for Friendless Children, 70, with band 70
Total 55442
I'rom the Sunday Republic, July 9, 1876:
FIRST REGIMENT .- This command has passed through another memorable era in its history. From yesterday a week ago until Friday night last the Regiment has been on the qui rire, parading, entertaining, etc. The dis- play of the First on the Fourth was most commendable; in fact, one of the best ever made by the command. Company D has been especially busy look- ing after the A. Z. C., and it is unnecessary to say that the hosts did their duty in a most satisfactory and acceptable manner.
An after-happening of moment, confirmatory, as it is, from the highest of military sources of favorable comment often here- tofore made by those of lesser authority, rating the militia as well up to the regular army standard, must not be overlooked. Such favorable comment has not infrequently been made of the stand- ing of the First Regiment. General Osborne, it will be remem- bered, in one of his official reports, referred to the regiment as a perfect military organization and added that there were "regi- ments in the regular service less efficient and not so reliable." This opinion was viewed by some as rather overstated. Now comes a confirmation, indirect, of course, but inelusive, in a meas- ure, of the entire service. The opinion is embodied in a letter from Gen. Wm. T. Sherman to Maj .- Gen. John P. Bankson. The letter speaks for itself:
PHILADELPHIA, July 5, 1876.
GEN. J. P. BANKSON Ist Div. l'a. Vols.
My Dear General: One of the morning papers states that at the time your horse fell yesterday morning. I made the ungracious remark that you were of the "Volunteers," not " Regulars." I cannot imagine how any per- son near me could have reported such a thing; for, on the eontrary, I said your horse fell by reason of the slippery pavement, expressed sympathy, and openly applauded as you mounted your horse and rode on at the head of your Division. The street pavement was so slippery that three horses fell in front of the reviewing stand, and one of the officers of artillery was so dis- abled that he could not mount his horse again.
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