USA > Pennsylvania > History of the First regiment infantry, National guard of Pennsylvania (Grey Reserves) 1861-1911, pt 1 > Part 33
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The usual permission from brigade licadquarters followed the application to parade the regiment, and in accordance therewith in full-dress winter uniform, without arms or music, the regiment attended divine service on Sunday, February 21, 1886, at the Church of St. Matthias, the rector, Chaplain Robert A. Edwards, officiating.
There was also the usual commemorative recognition of the twenty-fifth anniversary. April 19, 1886, by a street parade of the regiment in full-dress uniform accompanied by the Veteran Corps. with Colonel Wiedersheim in command of the column, on the afternoon of that day.
312
HISTORY OF THE FIRST REGIMENT. N. G. P.
The annual State encampments for the year 1886, July 10 to July 17, were by regiments. That of the First Regiment. known as Camp Winfield Scott Hancock, in honor of that dis- tinguished soldier, a Pennsylvanian who had died during the year, was located near Devon, on the main line of the Pennsyl- vania Railroad, seventeen miles ont from Philadelphia on private- grounds, " generously granted," said Colonel Wiedersheim, as commander of the camp, " by their patriotic and public-spirited owner for the use of the regiment free of charge." Company commanders, as a fitting recognition of the favor, were enjoined to especial caution by the adoption of such measures for their care that when restored to their owner they would be in the same good order and condition as when they came into the regiment's keeping.
And it is altogether likely that they were, for in the annual report of his brigade for the year 1886 General Snowden said: " The camp of the First Regiment was a model of cleanliness and neatness." His report concludes as follows: "In their reports. herewith forwarded, colonels commanding approvingly speak of the superior advantages attained by the trial of the regimental encampment over those of the brigade or division system of en- campments." . .. "As an encampment," concludes General Snowden, " it was worth trial, especially in view of diminished expenses, but as a permanent feature of the service it has not shown sufficient excellence to warrant its adoption."
This was the last year of Adjutant-General Guthrie's four- year terin, and he sums up the conclusion of his service as follows : " The morale and esprit de corps of the Guard is of the highest. its commissioned officers of intelligence and ability, and the State has every reason to be proud of its National Guard."
At the annual muster and inspection on Saturday, the 17th. the last day of the encampment, with an aggregate of 558, 469 present, 89 absent, the percentage present was $1.4. There is no regimental rating reported, either in figures or in words. Those of the companies, under the several heads of " military bearing," " discipline," " school of the soldier," etc., with ratings in words, " superior," "very good," etc., alone are supplied.
313
INAUGURAL CEREMONIES
The following is a field return which stood for the average attendance at the encampment:
F. and S. Band
B
0 33
E F 2
3 3 40 G 43
46 H 43
3 41 46 1 39 K 2 31
The qualified marksmen for the year had increased to 138, with the highest scores, 48 each, accredited to Lieutenant C. W. Hathaway, Jr., and Geo. W. Coulston, Company F. Colonel Wiedersheim had made a seore of 31 and Lieutenant-Colonel Bow- man one of 33. In the matches for the State prize, shot for at Seranton, the regiment stood third: Thirteenth, 324; Sixteenth, 319; and First, 293.
Major John W. Ryan, commanding the State Fencibles Bat- talion, who carried with him the scars of battle and the honors of war as a soldier of the Sixty-first Pennsylvania Volunteers, and who, through his special aptitude as a tactician and disci- plinarian, had won for his battalion a nation-wide fame, died on the morning of October 22, 1886. His death was announced to the regiment in a general order of that day, and " as a mark of respect to his memory " the flag was directed to be displayed at half staff at the regimental armory until after the funeral. The officers of the regiment in uniform and with the usual badge of mourning were in attendance as a body at his funeral on the 25th inst.
The regiment was again a participant in inaugural cere- monics, this time on the occasion of the inauguration of Gen. James A. Beaver as governor of Pennsylvania, at Harrisburg, Tuesday, January 18, 18ST.
This year divine service was held at the regimental armory. Sunday, February 20, where the regiment was in attendance in full-dress uniform. The audience was strengthened and the gath- ering was a large one by the presence of soldiers from other com- mands and citizens generally.
The twenty-sixth anniversary was commemorated April 19. 1887. by a street parade of the regiment in full-dress uniform, accompanied by the Veteran Corps. The regiment, with Colonel
Com. of. .. 5
3 3
En. Men . . 3 27 3× 50
436
10
-
36
48
41 43 467
3 27 41 53 36 Đ 34
313
INAUGURAL CEREMONIES
The following is a field return which stood for the average attendance at the encampment:
F. and S. Band .1 B
Com. of. 5
3 3
En. Men 27 38 50 33 34
436
10
46
46
41 43 467
3 2 27 41 53 36 DE 46
3 36 F 37 48
3 3 43 40 GH = 43 I 39
K 2 31
-
The qualified marksmen for the year had increased to 138, with the highest scores, 48 each, accredited to Lieutenant C. W. Hathaway, Jr., and Geo. W. Coulston, Company F. Colonel Wiedersheim had made a seore of 31 and Lieutenant-Colonel Bow- man one of 33. In the matches for the State prize, shot for at Scranton, the regiment stood third: Thirteenth, 324; Sixteenth, 319; and First, 293.
Major Jolm W. Ryan, commanding the State Feneibles Bat- talion, who carried with him the scars of battle and the honors of war as a soldier of the Sixty-first Pennsylvania Volunteers, and who, through his special aptitude as a tactician and disei- plinarian, had won for his battalion a nation-wide fame, died on the morning of October 22, 1886. His death was announced to the regiment in a general order of that day, and " as a mark of respect to his memory " the flag was directed to be displayed at half staff at the regimental armory until after the funeral. The officers of the regiment in uniform and with the usual badge of mourning were in attendance as a body at his funeral on the 25th inst.
The regiment was again a participant in inaugural eere- monies, this time on the occasion of the inauguration of Gen. James A. Beaver as governor of Pennsylvania, at Harrisburg, Tuesday, January 18, 1887.
This year divine service was held at the regimental armory. Sunday, February 20, where the regiment was in attendance in full-dress uniform. The audience was strengthened and the gath- ering was a large one by the presence of soldiers from other com- mands and citizens generally.
The twenty-sixth anniversary was commemorated April 19, 1887, by a street parade of the regiment in full-dress uniform. accompanied by the Veteran Corps. The regiment, with Colonel
314
18ST
HISTORY OF THE FIRST REGIMENT, N. G. P.
Wiedersheim in command, numbered about 430 officers and men, and the Veteran Corps, Colonel William W. Allen commanding, about 80. Opposite the Union League building the column was reviewed by Mayor Edwin H. Fitler, President Edwin N. Benson, of the Union League, Governor Orisby, of Vermont, and staff, who made a brief stop in Philadelphia on their way to Gettys -. burg, and others of military and civic prominence. In the even- ing the Veteran Corps, Colonel Allen presiding, held its annual reunion and banquet in the annex of the Union League. The several companies of the regiment observed the occasion by like gatherings and festivities in their quarters and elsewhere.
On May 25, 1887, a regimental order was published announce- ing that on May 31 the Chicago Zouaves, Company E, Fourth Regiment Infantry National Guard of Illinois, would visit Phila- delphia after the national encampment at Washington, D. C., and be the guests of the First Regiment. A detachment of five men from each company, with the requisite complement of commis- sioned and non-commissioned officers, under the command of Cap- tain James Muldoon, was detailed as an escort and directed to proceed to the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad station and receive the command on its arrival.
This company, Captain Ford commanding, better remembered as the Ellsworth Zouaves, had in a competitive drill at Washing- ton won the first prize, and on this, their return trip to Chicago, were bearing with them the treasured trophy-the " clean sweep " trophy, as they jocularly styled it. The Union League in their honor displayed its flags, Mayor Fitler reviewed the column at Fifth and Chestnut Streets, the sidewalks were crowded, and an enthusiastic greeting followed through the entire route. A sumptuous entertainment at the armory was followed by an exhi- bition drill with the introduction of many apparent complications from which the Zouaves speedily untangled themselves. "The scaling of the ten-foot fence brought the exhibition to a close with the heartiest applause for this feat of physical strength and endurance."
After a protracted hearing in the forum of his own conscience whether the overwhelming pressure of his private interests should command or his desires and inclinations persuade, Colonel Wie- dersheim on May 27. 15$7, reluctantly tendered his resignation.
315
RESIGNATION OF COLONEL WIEDERSHEIM
ISST
In resisting the urgency put upon him for its recall, he eon- fronted a more formidable obstaele, disappointing the dearest friends of his manhood, than any he had encountered when in the forum of his conseience persuasion had almost overcome com- mand.
The following is Colonel Wiedersheim's farewell letter to the regiment :
PHILADELPHIA, JUNE 14, 1887. TO THE OFFICEES AND MEN OF THE FIRST REGIMENT INFANTRY, N. G. PA .:
Comrades: In severing my connection with the Command, I do so with much regret, for the ties and associations formed during a period of twenty- five years cannot be broken without a feeling of sadness; although I will not be actively with the regiment, I shall always take the deepest interest in its welfare and never lose my affection for the individual members of the organization.
With your aid, support and co-operation we have not retrograded during the past eight years, but it has been one of the most prosperous periods in its history, we have accomplished much, and the First Regiment has merited the confidence of the military authorities and received the support and en- couragement of all law-abiding citizens, and enjoys the enviable reputation of being an organization, "always to be depended upon."
I have ever appreciated the honor of being your commanding officer. and for the evidences so often manifested of your regard and kind feelings I must always be truly grateful.
Continue in the good work and the Command will maintain its high position and go on in its career of usefulness as a conservator of the public peace, so that you will feel a pride in being connected with the National Guard of Pennsylvania, and especially so that you are members of the First Regiment.
Very respectfully,
THEO. E. WIEDEESHEIM.
A newspaper comment, with headline, " The First Regiment to Lose Its Capable Colonel," closed as follows:
Colonel Wiedersheim's administration has marked the most prosperons period in the history of the regiment. Through his untiring efforts the com- mand has attained a military, social, and financial standing which reflects the greatest credit upon the colonel's management, and the general regret manifested at his determination to withdraw is a fitting token of the appre- ciation of his services.
The officers of the regiment parted with their retiring colonel at a banquet given in his honor at the Hotel Bellevue. All the surviving ex-colonels, Ellmaker, Kneass, Prevost, McMichael, Latta, and Benson, with Lieutenant-Colonel Bowman and the
316
HISTORY OF THE FIRST REGIMENT, N. G. P.
field, staff, and line almost entire, were in attendance. All the speeches were in hearty unison, regrets at the parting, recognition of the untiring energy, intelligent zeal, and earnest purpose of Colonel Wiedersheim, and the success that had at all times fol- lowed his management, pride in the past, hopefulness for the future. Among the many excellent addresses, Colonel Ellmaker's, who knew so much of the past and had followed closely the pres- ent, happily has been in part sufficiently well preserved to justify insertion here.
So long [he said] as I live I will stand by the First to the end. I ought to be familiar with the toast [" The Gray Reserves "] to which I am to respond because I was the first man to organize the meeting that re- sulted in the organization of the Gray Reserves. This regiment was a mag- nificent organization. In one year's time, although raw recruits, they could perform any movement better than any regiment that exists in the Con- monwealth except the First. This perfection was brought about by the united efforts of both offieers and men. At the time of the trouble in the coal regions, with but a few hours' notice the men were ready to march to Schuylkill Haven. In 1862 and IS63, when Pennsylvania was about to be invaded, it marched with full ranks to the defence of the country. No one regrets more than I do the necessity that compels Colonel Wiedershein to withdraw. I know of no man who has worked as hard from the time he took command as he has. It won't do for you to mourn his loss with- ont looking to the future. You have in Colonel Bowman a man who has been tried and not found wanting. With the experience he has had I think you have nothing to fear. All I ask is that you stand by him to a man.
The regular June session of the Board of Officers had gone by before the State Headquarters had taken formal action on the resignation, but at that of July 2, 1887, the following preamble and resolutions were unanimously adopted :
WHEREAS through the imperative demands of eivil life, Colonel Theo -. dore E. Wiedersheim, after nearly twenty-five years of continuous service as a soldier and officer in the Volunteers and National Guard of Pennsyl- vania, has resigned as Colonel of the First Regiment; and
WHEREAS. we. the officers of said regiment, at this our first board meet - ing assembled since his retirement, desire to place on record our high regard and great respect for him as our faithful comrade and gallant commander.
Therefore be it Resolred, That we point to the record of Colonel Theo- dore E. Wiedersheim with pride and admiration; and when we recall his entry into the service of his State and country as a volunteer soldier while a mere boy, nearly a quarter of a century ago, during the darkest and most perilous period of the late Civil War, and that he has been in faithful, con- tinuons service in his regiment thereafter to the time of his resignation. always prompt in obeying every order and answering every call of his Com. monwealth. participating in every campaign and tour of duty in which this
317
RESOLUTIONS
regiment served during those long years,-working his way from the ranks to the coloneley,-we cannot refer to him otherwise than as one of our regiment's most distinguished sons, and a typical soldier of the National Guard of Pennsylvania.
Kesolred, That his distinguished success as a soldier and Guardsman is due to the courage and fidelity which characterized him in the di charge of rvery duty. being ever vigilant for the welfare of his command, and the honor and the dignity of the service.
Resolved, That in his long term of over eight years of faithful service a. Colonel, our regiment not only maintained its high reputation for organi- zation, drill, and discipline, but undertook and successfully carried through the erection and completion of the first regimental armory in our Common- wealth. That in this great work he wis ever foremost in unceasing activity and industry, never surrendering his zeal and commission until all was fin- ished and crowned with marvellous success.
Resolved, That in his retirement from service the National Guard suffer the loss of one of its most useful and distinguished officers, and our regi- ment a devoted, successful and beloved commander.
Resolred, That we deeply regret his loss, but shall always claim him " as one of our own," a boy of the First Regiment, grown to perfect military manhood.
May God speed him in the pathways of civil life, and there crown him with like success.
Resolved, That the Secretary be directed to record these resolutions and transmit a copy thereof to Colonel Wiedersheim.
Colonel Wiedersheim was in every sense a product of the First Regiment. With it from the commencement of his and almost from the beginning of its career, he knew no other instructor, and the knowledge he thus acquired he imparted to no other pupil. That from that knowledge so imparted there has followed a fruitage rich and productive has been at all times conceded. In the ranks in a erncial test under the fire of the enemy at Car- li-le, of the line at a critical moment, when mob violence for the time had the law at bay in the round-house at Pittsburgh, his man- hood developed with the emergency and an all-abiding confidence sharpened his energies, strengthened his fortitude, quiekened his judgment.
He never sought preferment : preferment sought him. When his company needed a captain, upon him the choice fell, without caneus, canvass, or convention. When the regiment was in search of a colonel, a like spontaneity marked him for the place. The necessary intervention of a perfunctory election in no way dis- turbed what was indeed akin to a natural selection.
Retirement did not weaken his interest, nor impair his ener- gies. Summoned to the executive charge of the celebration of the
318
HISTORY OF THE FIRST REGIMENT, N. G. P.
1887
Centennial Anniversary of the adoption of the Constitution of the United States, then fast approaching, the superintendence and management of its great civic and military demonstrations fell largely to his keeping. His ever-continuing zeal for and adapta- bility to the application of the principles and purposes of its or- ganization has so broadened the scope of influence of the Veteran Corps as to enable it not only to strengthen its own substantial standing, but to render a more material support to the best in- terests of the regiment.
The First Regiment. organized originally largely from the men of business, finance, and the professions, has always so main- tained itself as to be within the zone of that all-essential influence from which it originally sprung. Besides the reputation it has secured of its own energies, the men who were with it and of it, in their ever-enlarging sphere-all, indeed, who have had touch with it-have always lent it their countenance, encouragement, and support. In winning a recognition for this prestige, in re- taining this influence, enlarging its scope so that it include the new men, whom the new methods of business have made of so much importance in the new business world, none have had more to do, both themselves a part of and much respected and honored in this new community of business, than two of the former colonels of the regiment-Col. Theodore E. Wiedersheim and his imme- diate predecessor, Col. R. Dale Benson.
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CHAPTER VIII
1887-1892 COLONEL BOWMAN ELECTED-CENTENARY OF CON- STITUTION - ANNUAL ENCAMPMENTS - MEADE EQUESTRIAN STATUE DEDICATION-INAUGURATION PRESIDENT HARRISON 1889 -- CENTENARY WASHINGTON'S INAUGURATION, NEW YORK RIFLE PRACTICE AND INSPECTION-SCORES-AVERAGES- HOMESTEAD RIOTS-DEDICATION HARTRANFT MONUMENT- FIGURE OF EFFICIENCY-FIRST REGIMENT'S RIFLE RANGE- NEW DRILL REGULATIONS
The military art had undergone material change-radical, thorough, revolutionary. Increased accuracy, rapid fire, spread of the zone of execution, had largely disposed of the line, the column, the mass for field exercises only. For troops in action there had been substituted the movements of the " extended order " and other kindred new necessities. Problem, demonstration, solution, manœuvres, tactics, strategy, marksmanship, evolutions, the practice march, the endurance test, stood for the passing of the old and the coming of the new. Step, cadence, soldiery bear- ing, drill with the squad, company, battalion, discipline, obedience, a few days of target practice, and the man in the ranks began to think himself the soldier. The basis of the thorough had had its beginning; time alone must do the rest. These essentials are now, indeed, but the shadows; the substance is yet to come. What before required but practice only to retain, now demands study to acquire, and still more study to keep.
While other sciences have been punctured, disturbed. if not in a measure disrupted, their identity is still preserved. Like the others, the military art, though disturbed and punctured, has never been diverted out of its identification. While much of it may have found its way to the scrap-heap, its basic principles, its blessed memories, its ancient glories, its mighty achievements. yet remain ; it is still the science of war. What the soldier learned of the old, instead of a hindrance was of vast avail in his acquisition of the new. His knowledge of the past was no incum- branee. ITelpful as an aid to a better acquaintance with the 319
320
HISTORY OF THE FIRST REGIMENT, N. G. P.
1887
present, it is a means still of service for what the future may demand.
Through all the thirty-three years of Colonel Bowman's active service in the National Guard, two as captain, six as major, two as lieutenant-colonel, twenty as colonel, three as a general officer, this evolutionary process, in all its orderly sequences, was in grad- ual progress, until before his retirement it had reached its present perfected culmination.
First Lieutenant and Quartermaster II. C. Roberts resigned June 28, 1887. Chaplain Robert A. Edwards, consistent in the discharge of every duty incumbent on his saered office, resigned May 27, 1887, and First Lieutenant and Adjutant H. Harrison Groff, faithful and efficient through his many years of military usefulness, surrendered his commission by resignation and was honorably discharged June 14, 1887. Lieutenant Gustavus K. Morehead was announced by Lieutenant-Colonel Bowman to fill the place as acting adjutant.
On Monday, July 4. 1887, the First Brigade was paraded in the early morning in celebration of the one hundred and eleventh anniversary of American independence. The First Regiment, with Lieutenant-Colonel Bowman in command, appeared in State blouse, white helmets, and white trousers.
At an election held at the regimental armory on the even- ing of Friday, July 15, 1887,1 at 8.30 o'clock, with Col. John W. Schall, of the Sixth Regiment, presiding. Col. Wendell P. Bowman, by the unanimous vote of the line officers, was elected to the coloneley of the First Regiment. He accepted the office in the following modest announcement: " In assuming command of this regiment by the unanimous vote of the line officers at the election held this evening the Colonel Commanding fully appre- ciates the high honor conferred upon and the confidence reposed in him."
" Colonel Bowman's commission, as it appears from the " Register of the National Guard." in the annual report of the adjutant-general, bears date .July 1, 1887. Upon examination, it was disclosed that the endorsement npon the election return which certified that the election had been held July 15, when it was referred by the adjutant-general to the secretary of the Commonwealth mistakenly requested "that a commission issue to date from July 1, ISST." The records in both offices have now been made to read aright.
321
STAFF APPOINTMENTS
The same order relieved Lieutenant Morehead from duty as acting adjutant and returned him to his company, and the para- graph that so directed concluded as follows : " The Colonel Com- manding recognizes the efficient and soldierly manner in which Lieutenant Morehead discharged his duty."
Announcement was at the same time made of the staff appoint- ments as follows: Adjutant, Pearson S. Conrad; Quartermaster, Frederick P. Koons; Inspector of Rifle Practice, George W. Coulston; Surgeon, J. Wilks O'Neill; Assistant Surgeons, Alexis Dupont Smith and Edward Martin; Quartermaster-Sergeant, Thomas H. Gallagher; Commissary-Sergeant, George L. Walker, Jr .; Hospital Steward, Charles Ouram; Drum-Major, William T. Baker, and Bandmaster, S. IT. Kendle. Subsequently, on August 4, 1887, George M. Post, having been honorably discharged as sergeant-major, Samuel N. Ware, Jr., of Company F, was named as aeting sergeant-major in his stead, and in place of Thomas H. Gallagher, also honorably discharged, Frank Bingham, of Com- pany A, was appointed quartermaster-sergeant.
Two of these appointees, other than those reappointed, Adju- tant Conrad and Quartermaster Koons, had already made hand- some records with the regiment: Adjutant Conrad as captain of Company C and in other responsible capacities, and Quartermas- ter Koons, a war soldier in the 119th, as captain of Company I, where his commission had expired by limitation.
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