USA > Pennsylvania > History of the First regiment infantry, National guard of Pennsylvania (Grey Reserves) 1861-1911, pt 2 > Part 2
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An election to fill the vacancy, with Col. John W. Schall, of the Sixth Regiment, to conduct it, was held August 22, 1502, when Major J. Lewis Good was unanimously elected lieutenant- colonel. As the commission of Major Good had expired on the 11th of August, the order for an election for major was included in that for lieutenant-colonel, and Captain Albert L. Williams, of Company G, was selected to fill the vaeant majority caused by not only the expiration of Major Good's commission by limitation, but as well by his advancement to the lieutenant-colonelcy. Cap- tain Gustavus K. Morehead was advanced from his first lieu- tenancy to be Company G's captain, September 13, 1892.
Captain Kirk W. Magill, of Company A, who had been a faithful, energetic soldier from his enlistment, January 1, 1876, and had risen in his company through all the grades in the end to be its captain, resigned June 6, 1802. He was succeeded by Captain Charles Evans Rodgers, July S. 1892, advanced from the first lientenancy to which he had been elected February 24, 1SSS. The commission of Captain William Ewing, of Company B, ex- pired August 81, 1892, and on the same day First Lieutenant William S. Allen, who had been promoted from his second lieu- tenancy to succeed First Lieutenant William Cairns, deerased, was elected captain. On November 30, 1891, Captain George Eiler, Jr., captain of Company F since November 30, 1885, and previously in its ranks and a subaltern since November 1, 1875, resigned, and was succeeded, January 4, 1892, by the advance- ment of William Brod from first lieutenant to captain. Captain Alexander J. Diamond resigned his captainey of Company K on October 4, 1591. He was succeeded by Frank M. Earle. his first lieutenant, who held his captainey only until June 6, 1892, when. he in turn resigning. Walter E. Torr was, on November 22. 1892. taken from the ranks of the company, where he had been both private and sergeant, and elected to the captaincy.
During the months of January, February and March of the
397
REMARKS OF BRIGADE INSPECTOR
year 1893, in accordance with directions contained in General Orders No. I, current series, from the headquarters of the Na- tional Guard, the brigade inspectors, under the direction of the inspector-general, made an inspection of the several organiza- tions at their respective armories, and subsequently, as instructed, made a detailed report of each inspection. The brigade in- spector of the First Brigade, Major Frank G. Sweeney, set apart the evenings from February 17 to March 1 for the inspections of the First Regiment, a company for each evening, and in his report, besides his tabulated ratings, spoke generally as follows:
The First Regiment made a very superior record at its inspection. Out of a total strength of 572 officers and men it paraded 551, thereby evidencing a state of discipline that reflects the highest credit upon the organization. While all the companies of this command made an excellent showing, I found it especially difficult to determine the relative standing of companies H. E, F, and I, the inspection of any one of which would have been altogether creditable to regular troops. Captain Kensil's command (H), however, de- serves special mention for attendance. in that it has presented at three suc- cessive inspections the full complement of officers and men.
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CHAPTER IX
1893-1595. INAUGURATION PRESIDENT CLEVELAND -- BATTALION MAJORS AUTHORIZED -ESCORT LIBERTY BELL FOR CHICAGO -- TRENTON BATTLE MONUMENT DEDICATION-MIDWAY PLAISANCE EXHIBITION-CHURCH SERVICES, ARMORY-ANNIVERSARIES -- ENCAMPMENTS-INSPECTIONS, ANNUAL AND SPRING-RIFLE PRACTICE, COMPETITIONS, RESULTS-GRANT MEMORIAL DEDICA- TION, NEW YORK-CINCINNATI WASHINGTON MONUMENT DEDI- CATION, FAIRMOUNT PARK-WAAR DECLARED-REGIMENT VOL- UNTEERS
In his General Order No. 1, issued from division headquar- ters, February 13, 1893, General Snowden announced that by direction of the governor and commander-in-chief the division would assemble at Washington, D. C., to participate in the parade of March 4, 1893, incident to the inauguration of the Hon. Grover Cleveland as President of the United States. Pursuant to this general order, transmitted through brigade headquarters. amplified with instructions in more specific detail. Colonel Bow- man's order followed, directing that the regiment, in full service uniforin, would form at 12.20 r. M. on Friday, March 3, 1893, at the armory, to proceed thence to Washington, D. C., via the Pennsylvania Railroad, from the depot, Broad Street and Wash- ington Avenue.
The directions for the movement were promptly executed. and at 12.30 the regiment left the armory, with Col. Wendell P. Bowman in command, in its usual creditable strength. Adjutant Robert G. Stinson and a complete staff on duty with him. Lien- tenant-Colonel Good. with First Lientenant Charles P. Hunt. of Company E, as acting adjutant, and First Sergeant George C. Shoch, of Company F, as acting sergeant-major, was in com- mand of the first battalion ; and Major Williams, with First Lieu- tenant Charles F. Hoss, of Company K. as acting adjutant, and First Sergeant Theodore Lammot. of Company D. as acting ser- geant-major. of the Second.
The journey was completed with no more than the delays un- 38%
1Ă—93
CLEVELAND INAUGURATION
avoidably attendant upon the movement of great crowds, and the regiment lauded within a convenient distance of the post- office building, the one of the public buildings with several others designated for the quarters of the troops of the First Brigade. Assembling in front of the building at 11.15 on the morning of the 4th of March. the command moved thence to A Street, N. E., where with its right resting on Front, the First Brigade had been directed to form. Pending the inaugural ceremonies, the troops were permitted to stack arms and be dismissed. .. A violent snow-storm accompanied by an intensely cold wind made the parade, and especially the delay of waiting for it, a severe trial." It was a relief then when the bugles sent echoing through the gloom the welcome notes of the assembly that started the column on its route, despite the fact that there was a long wait still in store for the far-off rear.
The column moved west on Pennsylvania Avenue to Washing- ton Circle, where it was dismissed. It was reviewed by the President from his stand, marked by the national flag's on the south side of Pennsylvania Avenue in front of the White House; at Twenty-second and Pennsylvania Avenue by the grand mar- shal : and on the west side of Washington Circle the division was reviewed by the governor and commander-in-chief and the division commander.
Colonel Bowman's order that directed the movement to the Capitol and made provisions for what was to be done while there concluded with the paragraph: " The regiment will leave Wash- ington, D. C., at 7.30 o'clock p. M., March 4. 1893, to return to its home rendezvous." Through a railway management and military manoeuvring that had profited by experience the direc- tion as to the hour of departure was carried out as explicitly as it had been given, and the home rendezvous was reached with but a reasonable delay and with inconveniences due almost solely to the weather's inclemency.
Official comment from superior headquarters was as follows, by General Dechert in his annual report :
The brigade took part with the division in the parade in honor of the inauguration of the President of the United States on March & last. The troops were vati-factorily transported to Washington and return and pre- sented a creditable appearance in the parade, although the weather was inclement. While on this tour of day the command was quartered in dif-
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390
HISTORY OF THE FIRST REGIMENT, N. G. P.
1893
ferent public buildings of the U. S. Government, as assigned by the local committee, and under the circumstances it received the best accommodations that could have been furnished.
And General Snowden said in his:
The division assembled in Washington to attend the inauguration of the President on the 4th of March last. It was concentrated and the parts returned to their several stations without incident, other than again proving a capacity to assemble at any feasible place within a few hours without difficulty. . . . While a movement of that kind is attended by more or less fatigue and inconvenience, it is an exercise of great value, in affording useful training to commanding and staff officers, and as an object-lesson of much importance. No other State can with such case mass a force approach- ing the division in size so far from home and the Federal Government cannot rival the movement without vast expense and considerable delay.
In addition to the usual and regular company drills during five nights in the week, the companies were instructed in bat- talion drills on five occasions with three companies to a battalion, and on ten with two, fifteen in all. And again on ten separate occasions, with two companies at a time, special instructions were given in guard mount and sentinel duty. On six different even- ings, two, three. and four companies each, special drills and in- struction were given non-commissioned officers, and they were also on two others drilled in both company and battalion move- ments. On every Monday, as announced on the anniversary day, until further orders the commissioned officers were directed to assemble at the armory at S.30 o'clock "for the purpose of securing a uniform interpretation of the new drill regulations and manual of guard duty."
On March 24 there was published a regimental order that paraded the regiment in full-dress uniform on Wednesday even- ing, April 5, at the armory at S.15 o'clock for inspection, the presentation of trophies and medals won at rifle practice during the season of 1592, and other ceremonies.
Leading incidents and prominent happenings make April of 1803 a busy month for the chronicler.
On April 4 the regiment lost the very valuable services of First Lieutenant Thomas D. MeGlathery as inspector of rifle practice. his resignation forced upon him by reason of the urgent demands of his private business. The position remained vacant until February 19. 1894, when the energetic and capable Pear- son S. Conrad was restored to his old place and named as first
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391
THIRTY-SECOND ANNIVERSARY
lieutenant and inspector of rifle practice in MeGlathery's stead. On March 2, 1893, Assistant Surgeon Edward Martin was pro- moted to be surgeon of the Third Regiment, and on March 17 Assistant Surgeon Norton Downs resigned. Walter D. Green was on the 11th of April appointed assistant surgeon to succeed Martin promoted, and on the same day Lawrence Savery Smith was named as assistant surgeon, vice Downs resigned.
The regiment celebrated the thirty-second anniversary of its organization on Wednesday, April 19, by a street parade in full- dress uniform. The first call was sounded at 3.40, the assembly at 3.45, and the command, accompanied by the Veteran Corps, field and staff mounted, with band and field music, left the armory at four o'clock on the afternoon following the route usually prescribed. the parade concluding with a dress parade in front of the Union League.
In Order No. 17. of April 22. " the colonel commanding with profound sorrow" announced the death of Col. William Mc Michael, which occurred in the city of New York on the 21st of April.
Thus [so read the order] the regiment is called upon to record the death of another of its distinguished and patriotic commanding officers. Colonel McMichael served his country with distinction as an officer in the Union Army during the War of the Rebellion and was no less renowned as an eminent citizen and able lawyer. As the commanding officer of this regiment his administration was eminently successful and we revere his name and memory.
Out of respect for the patriotic dead the flag on the armory will be placed at half staff until after the burial of the deceased. and the regimental colors will be draped in mourning for a period of thirty days.
In response to the request of the Joint Special Committee of the Select and Common Council of the City of Philadelphia on the "World's Fair." the regiment in full-dress uniform paraded with the brigade on the afternoon of April 24, 1893, to participate in the ceremonies incident to the removal of the old Liberty Bell from Independence Hall to the Pennsylvania rail- way station at Thirty-second and Market Streets on its way for exhibition at the World's Fair at Chicago, Illinois,
There seems neither suggestive incident nor announced com- memoration that should have brought the attendance of the First Regiment at divine worship at St. Stephen's Protestant Episco- pal Church in full-dress uniform, with side-arms only, field music
392
HISTORY OF THE FIRST REGIMENT, N. G. P.
1898
without instruments, on Sunday, April 30, 1893, at four o'clock in the afternoon, into any special prominence, but the journal- of the next day gave the demonstration heavy di-play headlines and a column or so of matter. There was, to be sure, accom- panying the regiment and adding to the impressiveness of the occasion. the Veteran Corps, the division commander, Maj .- Gen. George R. Snowden, with his staff, and the brigade commander. Brig .- Gen. Robert P. Dechert, with his, and the governor had been expected.
Then the regimental chaplains had all been of genuine force in their calling. not the least of whom in strength was the pres- ent chaplain and rector of St. Stephen's Parish, the Rev. Samuel D. MeConnell. D.D., who on this occasion ocenpied the pulpit. Besides there was no other chaplain of the regiment who in the " Register of National Guard " could carry such a record in the column of " Service in other States and of the United States " as did Dr. McConnell : " Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry Vol- unteers, September, 1862, until June. 1865; chaplain Second Connecticut National Guard. September 30, 1578, to December 31, 1881." His sermon was of unusual power, was pretty fully reported, has been in part preserved through the newspapers, and seems entitled to a more accessible perpetuity.
The following extract is from the Philadelphia Press of May 1, 1893:
DR. MCCONNELL'S SERMON
Dr. McConnell's sermon was characteristic of the man. It was brilliant. and the entire regiment followed him closely in his address. His sermon was an answer to two leading questions: What is the function of the National Guard in the political, social. and economic life of the United States? and what manner of men ought they to be who are called upon to discharge sich function» ?
In dealing with the first question Dr. MeConnell said :
" We stand at the end of a long process which reaches back many con- turies. That whole process we call the achievement of liberty. It is not generally borne in mind what achievement of liberty means. It means oppor- tunity to settle serious questions of life according to our own judgment. Our War of Independence was not a rebellion against any specific oppre -- sion. Our forefathers were not oppressed. What they fought for was simply the opportunity to settle the affair- of life in whatever way they might think best. They won that opportunity. All that they achieved was a clear field, but not to sit down and do nothing.
"The question then arises-which has been in process of solution over since-how shall free men live together in society? How shall each class of men live together and have his equal share? Much has been developed
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393
FOURTH OF JULY PARADE
in the settlement of this question. Then what has the National Guard to do? What does it stand for? Lord Derby said that when a strike occurs the tu-mes of society is simply to form a ring and see that each party gets hur play. This view is too narrow. Society has something more to do. l'he ' citizen-soldiery' i- society's last word. It stands for the principle of prace. It is the machine of the State to prevent such quarrels among mem- bers of a community as would interfere with the community's work. Now. in the nature of the case the National Guard is called upon to act when passions are intense.
Must Be of High Character
"To what manner of men are such high and delicate duties to be intrusted. I reply not simply to brave men. Bravery is one of the common- et and the cheapest of all virtues. Physical courage is part of the endow- ment of our race. It must be assumed as a possession so common that it must not be boasted of. Nor again is it simply to well-drilled men. With mercenary soldiers the drill is everything. It is their whole stock in trade. The citizen-soldiery is compo-ed of bayonets which think. The qualities that ht men for such high duties must be much nobler and much rarer than any of these.
" The National Guard must not be political partisans. They must act. with parties, but must adhere loosely to their party. They are the trusted agent- not of a party but of society. They are called upon to act as mediators between classes of society. They belong to one or the other, but must act with either where it may be deemed wise for the interests of the whole. The National Gnardsman must be a clean man. Such high and important duties must not be intrusted to men whose personal character is such as not to ensure respect. The power in their hands is too great to be intrusted to others than men of high character."
After the services the regiment marched back to the armory and was dismissed.
Pursuant to an arrangement made by the Joint Committee of Select and Common Council for a commemoration by the city of Philadelphia of the one hundredth and seventeenth an- niversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, to include a military display, the regiment paraded with the bri- gade on the Fourth of July, 1893, in full-dress uniform, white trousers, at. 7.20 o'clock in the morning, field and staff mounted. Colonel Bowman in command.
In order that the newly elected additional majors, one in each regiment, as authorized by the Act of Assembly approved June 10, 1893 (the three it provided for at the discretion of the com- mander-in-chief. he had limited to two), might all take rank from the same date, the adjutant-general directed that cach regiment, in the division should hold an election for its additional major on the first day of July. Pursuant to these instructions Lient .-
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1893
394
HISTORY OF THE FIRST REGIMENT, N. G. P.
Col. J. Lewis Good was directed by brigade headquarters to hold such an election in the First Regiment at the armory on the even- ing of Thursday, July 6, at eight o'clock, and the commissioned officers were summoned thereto through the proper order from regimental headquarters. Major Clarence T. Kensil was elected, and to fill the vaeaney thereby created in the captaincy of Com- pany HI, at an election held in Camp Zook on July 20 the choice fell upon the first lieutenant, Eugene J. Kensil. On July 14 George B. Zane, promoted from a duty sergeant in Company G. was appointed second lieutenant and adjutant of the first bat- talion; Corporal John B. Maull, of Company E, named as ser- geant-major, and Corporal Frank L. Mueller, of the same com- pany, as commissary-sergeant.
As early as June 15 it had been announced from the adjutant- general's office in general orders that under the provisions of the Act of Assembly, approved April 13, 1887, the several brigades of the National Guard would encamp by regiments designating the time for the First Brigade from July 15 to July 22. inclu- sive. The plans and purposes designed for the encampments of the previous year, the execution of which were interrupted by the Homestead disturbances, were repeated for this.
Following these directions, supplemented with such details as intermediate headquarters deemed essential to supply, chang- ing last year's location but still retaining the name-Colonel Bowman announced the site of the year's camp as on the range of hills bordering the eastern slope of the Chester Valley at a point near Ship Road Station on the main line of the Pennsyl- vania Railroad about 28 miles from Philadelphia. And added that the camp would be known as before as " Camp Zook," in honor of Brig .- Gen. Koscuiszeo Zook, whose family for several generations had lived in that immediate vicinity and who was killed at the battle of Gettysburg.
Of the selections for the several sites for the encampments of the troops of the First Brigade, General Dechert in his an- nual report said : " The various sites of encampments were admir- ably adapted for the purpose, easy of access, with plenty of water. and in general complete in a sanitary way: and the selection3 reflect great credit upon the commanding officers."
There was nothing to take this encampment out of the usual.
1893
395
CAMP ZOOK
The routine roll-calls, guard mount, parades, drills, were all an- nounced in the customary exactitude of detail and the details were carried out with the care, precision, and effect that made the tour as resultful as had been its predecessors. Of it in his an- nual report, which is exhaustive, instructive, and valuable, Colo- nel Bowman, among the many references, conclusions, and sug- gestions which he presents, submits :
The conduct and discipline of the men were as satisfactory as any com- manding officer could ever desire. The regiment worked like veterans, and every duty was performed with a zeal and spirit which entitle the officers and men alike to the grateful appreciation and commendation of their commanding officer.
Wednesday, the 1sth, was set apart for the governor, and his arrival at 9.45 in the morning summoned the regiment to the color line for his formal reception. The annual muster and in- spection by the adjutant-general and inspector general followed, and the day closed with the commander-in-chief's review. Gen- erals Snowden and Dechert, with their respective staffs, were also present.
The regiment, so near the highest attainable last year, this year reached the " possible "-a " percentage of attendance " of 100. It carried on its rolls 39 officers and 548 enlisted inen, a total of 587, and, figuratively, every officer and man answered to roll-call. The " present column " of the fall inspection report, 1893, is complete with its footings, officers 39, enlisted men 54S, total 587, the " absent column " is a blank. The regiment's general average was $9.10, and its figure of efficiency with its 100 per cent. for attendance was also necessarily $9.10. But again it did not lead. This time it was third, the Eighth Regi- ment outstripped all others with a general average of 92.80 and a figure of efficiency of 92.80, with the Thirteenth a close second with a general average of 92.31 and a figure of efficiency of 92.31. As the same figures in both ratings indicate, both regi- ments had the 100 percentage of attendance; the Eighth, ten companies, with an aggregate of 586, and the Thirteenth, eight companies, with an aggregate of 471.
The following extracts from the report of the regular officer detailed by the War Department to superintend the inspections of 1893, Captain Alex Rogers, Fourth United States Cavalry, in-
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HISTORY OF THE FIRST REGIMENT. N. G. P.
1892
dieate progress. improvement, efficiency, with the still encontr- aging approval, endorsement, and support of those in authority in the permanent establishment :
As the encampment was held this year by regiments, but one day could! he spent with each command, and the governor instructed me to accompany him while he made his visit to each of the camps. This prevented my seeing day after day the working of any command, but it enabled me to see each regiment serving under its own colonel and supplied by its own staif officers.
The police of camp, including kitchens and sink, was in almost every ease excellent. I saw not more than half a dozen kitchens in which the entire general condition was not first-class. There were no regular troops encamped with the National Guard.
The ceremonies of parade, review, and inspection were well performed. although there were some errors, due principally to the lack of experience. The steadiness of the men in ranks was very remarkable, and although they were in heavy marching order very few men were seen to gaze about in ranks, raise their hand, or stand on one leg. There was at all drills and formations an evident desire on the part of all present to do the best possible and to reflect credit on the organization to which they belonged. Formation of companies was in many cases slow.
The regimental drills were generally very good. the colonels. almost without exception, being thoroughly conversant with their duties and steady- ing those battalion commanders who lacked confidence at battalion drill -. Some battalions did better at regimental than at battalion drill.
The discipline, so far as I was able to observe, was generally very good : the men were prompt and obedient and the spirit of discipline was very apparent. As the enlistments are only for three years, a great many men were in camp for the first time, and were necessarily not well posted in mat- ters of etiquette. Sentinel- were extremely particular about saluting, but many of the men seemed to have an idea that a soldier out of the ranks wa- not on duty. Their failure to salute was not due to di-respect, but seemed to come from lack of instruction, which could be easily overcome by some effort on the part of the company officers. This was shown by the fact that in some companies all the men were extremely careful about saluting. The discipline is of the kind that would give the best results under trying circumstances.
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