USA > Pennsylvania > History of the First regiment infantry, National guard of Pennsylvania (Grey Reserves) 1861-1911, pt 2 > Part 8
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On the same day Private Harry J. Mehard, of Company C. was appointed first lieutenant and regimental inspector of rifle practice and commissioned accordingly.
Major Clarence T. Kensil after a lingering illness in health resort and hospital died in Philadelphia, August 20. 1897. Al- though of but the youthful age of thirty-nine, beginning as a drum- mer-boy of sixteen. he had seen twenty-three years of continuous service, all the while in the First Regiment, through every grade and rank from a private to a major. Ile was never absent from a tour of duty in riot, or otherwise, except when, a hopeless invalid. he missed the last annual encampment.
The well-deserved tribute paid him in the regimental general order announcing his death best recounts his career :
As an enlisted man he never missed a roll-call, and as an officer he was never absent from any military engagement or duty except when excused by proper authority by reason of severe illness, or for unavoidable absence from the city on important business. He frequently travelled hundreds of miles to report promptly for duty according to orders, and within the last year, although stricken with his fatal disease, and suffering therefrom, he trav- elled six hundred miles on one occasion to command his battalion rather than be absent. In the riots in Luzerne County in IS75 he served with the regi- ment as a drummer boy; in 1877 he was again with the colors of his regi- ment as a duty sergeant in the riots at Pitt-burg at 28th Street crossing and in the round-house; and in Scranton, Luzerne County, during the same year; and also in command of his company during the Homestead riots of 1892. displaying at all times the highest order of soldierly qualities, reliable and faithful in the discharge of every duty. Thus his record is complete for faithful. efficient. and enthusiastic devotion to duty. The best energies and efforts of his life were devoted to his regiment, and he always had a pride
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HISTORY OF THE FIRST REGIMENT. N. G. P.
1807
in its every achievement. and entered with an enthusiastic spirit into every work and service in which it was engaged. His untimely death therefore is a great loss not only to this Regiment but to the National Guard of Pennsylvania.
The field staff and line attended his funeral on Tuesday. August 24, at three o'clock in the afternoon, with interment at West Laurel Hill Cemetery: the second battalion, Captain William S. Allen commanding. paraded as an escort, the usual badge of mourning was worn for thirty days, and the flag on the armory was displayed at half staff for the allotted period.
The vacaney continued until January 3, 1898, when Captain William S. Allen, of Company B. was elected major, vice Major Clarence T. Kensil, deceased, and the election of First Lieutenant Charles S. Wood to the captaincy of Company B followed on February 23, 1898. Chaplain Samuel D. MeConnell, called to a parish in another city, resigned January 20, 1898.
In the rifle practice season of 1897 the First Regiment quali- fied 5 sharpshooters, 106 first-class, 484 second-class, and 11 third- class marksmen-a total of 606. Five only had failed to qualify. The sharpshooters fell off from the previous year from 9 to 5; owing not to any lack of interest, but to the more striet conformance to the requirements demanding higher capabilities and more indus- trious practice. For these reasons Colonel Bowman, deeming those who attained that grade in the First Regiment to be entitled to honorable mention previous to their recognition in the yearly reports from Harrisburg, named them in his general order as fol- lows: Private Theo. F. Shonert. Company C, score 70; Private H. J. Mehard. Company C, 70; Private James Stewart, Company E, 68; Sergeant Horace S. Lewars. Company E, 67; First Ser- geant Harry L. Cooper. Company C. 67.
The Thirteenth Regiment qualified every man. the Ninth every man but one. the Sixth all but seven, the Sixteenth all but ten; and including the First's all but five in his statement, the general inspector of rifle practice in his official report said : " These are all splendid records."
The First Regiment's team-II. J. Mehard. TS: James Stew- art. SS; C. Percy Smith. 86; Harry L. Cooper, $3; Theo. F. Shonert, SS: a total score of 423, 05 hits-won the Skirmish Match; Thirteenth Regiment second, seore 391; Sixteenth Regi-
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ANNIVERSARY PARADE
ment third, seore 379. The Regimental Match. " an exceedingly "love and exciting match," was won by the Twelfth Regiment with a score of 352. with the First Regiment fifth by a score of 312. The Brigade Match was won by the Third Brigade with a score of 1012 ; First Brigade second. 974; Second Brigade third. 984. The Mount Gretna and Sea Girt competitions ran coneur- rent. consequently there was no Pennsylvania team entered in the matches of the National Rifle Association for 1597 at Sea Girt.
The First Regiment carried upon its rolls at this time 202 officers and men who had qualified as veteran marksmen five years or over. 82 of them having qualified for ten years or over. Of the commissioned officers on revolver practice, 28 had qualified as marksmen and 3 as experts.
Honorable mention is also made in the regimental general order of those who had distinguished themselves by qualifying each year as mark-men, being therefore the recipients of the ten- year gold medal issued by the Commonwealth in recognition thereof, as follows: Second Lieutenant Albert P. MeDowell. Company D; Battalion Sergeant Major H. A. Mohr: First Sergeant G. C. Schoch : Sergeant James Walsh ; Corporal Herbert Brambley; and Corporal Frederick Zeyer.
The regiment made its last appearance before war was upon us on the evening of Tuesday, April 12. 1898, when it was paraded at the regimental armory for inspection. review, and the presentation of the medals and trophies won in the rifle practice season of 1897. On the 22d Congress authorized the increasing of the military establishment. on the 23d the President issued his call for volunteers, and on the 25th war was declared to have existed between the United States of America and the kingdom of Spain since and including the 21st.
On the 12th also was published the regimental order announe- ing for the 19th the parade in commemoration of the thirty-seventh anniversary, but the weather being altogether out of condition, the order was countermanded. and the celebration postponed until Saturday the 23d.
It was a forceful demonstration. The snap of war that had been in the air, now materialized to a stern reality, appreciably strengthened the ranks and gave get to the movement : heads were erect, shoulders square, pace accelerated. There was no need for
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HISTORY OF THE FIRST REGIMENT, N. G. P.
1895
eantion to quieken the step or elose the interval : every man was on his metal, alert with his energies, as quick to perceive as he was prompt to respond. The Veteran Corps led the column with a zeal as earnest, a purpose as intent, a gait, carriage, and bearing as soldierly, as was throughout the entire march so vigorously maintained by those who followed.
With war on the horizon, that the business centre might have opportunity for closer observation of a body of men of good repute who were soon to be with the colors in the field. the route was varied down Chestnut to Sixth, and thence back on Walnut to Broad. The swing was so perceptibly impressive, that the more rapid and still regular step attracted decided attention and elicited strenuous applause. A son of one of the members of the Veteran Corps occupying an office well up in one of the many-storied office buildings, knowing the column was in motion and that his father was with it, hearing the approaching music, hastened with all despatch to the sidewalk for a closer view. When he reached there, the rear was just passing out of sight. " Well," said he. turning away with a disappointed air, " I guess it don't make much difference anyhow. If the old man is with that column he's cer- tainly in the ambulance."
On Thursday the 28th the regiment was off for the war and its six months' active service in the field.
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حرية
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FIRST REGIMENT PENSA. INFANTRY, U. S. VOLUNTEER- SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR 1897
CHAPTER X
THE FIRST REGIMENT IN THE WAR WITH SPAIN 1
On the 15th of February, 1898, the United State battleship Maine was blown up while at anchor in the harbor of Havana. For some months before that time the relations between the United States and Spain had been greatly strained by reason of the tyrannical rule of Spain in the West Indies, where Amer- ican interests were extensive and important. The destruction of the Maine caused these hitherto smouldering flames of public disapproval in the United States to flash out into a wildfire of anger and excitement, and the voice of the American people called out in righteous indignation, demanding that the kingdoni of Spain relinquish its sovereignty over the island of Cuba.
The talk of war between the two countries continued from that time on until the tension became so great that the Congress of the United States, on April 20, 1898, " unloosed the hounds of war" and directed the President to use the land and naval forces of the United States to compel Spain to relinquish its tyrannical domination of the island of Cuba.
From that time on events moved quickly. On April 23 the President issued his proclamation calling for 125,000 volun- teers to serve "for two years, unless sooner discharged," and on the twenty-fifth day of April an act of Congress was passed and approved declaring " that a state of war existed between the United States of America and the Kingdom of Spain, and had existed since the 21st day of April, 1598."
On April 25, the very day war was officially declared, the governor of Pennsylvania, Hon. Daniel H. Hastings, through his adjutant-general, Brig .- Gen. Thomas J. Stewart, issued an order dirceting the mobilization of the entire National Guard of the State at Mt. Gretna, in Lebanon County, on Thursday, April 28.
1 By Fred. Taylor Pusey, lieutenant-colonel and A. D. C. staff, Governor and Commander-in-Chief; formerly captain and regimental adjutant, First Regiment Infantry. National Guard of Pennsylvania, and first lieutenant and regimental adjutant, First Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry; Spanish-Ameri- .can War.
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HISTORY OF THE FIRST REGIMENT, N. G. P.
IS98
The gallant First, with its motto " Paratus " ever before it, was, true to its name and its traditions, " ready" almost to a man to go forth in defence of its country and its country flag.
The order for mobilization was received on April 26, 1898, and on the afternoon of that day Col. Wendell P. Bowman, com- manding the regiment, issued the following order:
HEADQUARTERS FIRST REGIMENT INFANTRY, FIRST BRIGADE, N. G. P., PHILADELPHIA, April 26, 1898.
GENERAL ORDERS NO. 5.
In compliance with General Orders No. 6, C. S., from Head- quarters First Brigade, N. G. P., this regiment will report at the Armory at 7 o'clock A.M. Thursday. April 28, 1898, to proceed to Mt. Gretna, Pa. First call will be sounded at 7: 10 A.M .. Assembly at 7:20, and the Regiment will leave the Armory at 7:30 in service uniform, heavy marching order, with regimental gray shirt. regimental shoes, and campaign hats for enlisted men, and new regulation fatigue cap will be worn by commissioned officers. Company commanders will provide two days' cooked rations for their men. Books, papers, financial accounts, and vouchers will be taken by each com- pany sufficient for delivery of such rolls, reports, and returns as may be called for in camp, and daily morning reports will be forwarded to these headquarters before ; o'clock A.M. Field music will consist of two musicians to a company, and companies will report with the maximum number of men and no more. Field and staff officers will report prepared to be mounted upon arriving in the field, and their horses must be reported at the Pennsyl- vania Railroad, Thirty-second and Market Streets. at 7:45 o'clock A.M., for loading. All camp baggage must be ready to be loaded at the Armory not later than noon of the 27th inst. Baggage will be restricted to cooking utensils, mess tents, books, and papers.
By order of COLONEL BOWMAN.
FRED. TAYLOR PUSEY, Adjutant.
The war was on. From that time until the evening of the next day all was bustle and rush at the armory of the regiment, at Broad and Callowhill Streets, arranging equipment and bag- gage for field service. On the morning of Thursday, the 25th, the bugle call was sounded in the armory, assembling the regiment for its movement to Mt. Gretna, the place of mobilization.
What soldier of the First Infantry who responded to that bugle call of war will ever forget that day! Although it was almost the month of May, that morning was bleak and raw, and wet and chill-portentous indeed of war, and significant of what war might mean to a soldier. Amid all the snow and sleet and rain the good and stolid "First Foot." firm of step and stern of mien. marched down Broad Street, led by its trusted com-
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CAMP HASTINGS
151
mander, Colonel Bowman, to the Broad Street Station of the Pennsylvania Railroad, to entrain for Mt. Gretna. Thousands of Philadelphia's citizens, under cover of their umbrellas and storm coats, in silent meditation, watched that brave regiment of sturdy, loyal, and patriotie boys march by, going where, they knew not -- but from home, from wives and parents, brothers and sisters, from friends, from business pursuits, to return- perhaps ; perhaps not.
The regiment arrived at Mt. Gretna during the day while the storm of sleet and rain continued. Temporary shelter was found in one of the large pavilions in the grove until tents were erceted and "Camp Hastings " was established.
Maj .- Gen. George R. Snowden, who was in command of the division, subsequently reported :
The troops arrived in the midst of snow and rain and mud. No previous camp had offered so many or so great difficulties and hardships. It was intensely cold, followed by weeks of rain. From the difficulty of procuring enough wagons and the impossibility of keeping them at work, the men were obliged to carry on their backs for long distances tents, rations, and other supplies. The experience and training of camp life and the lessons of taking care of themselves, however, had been well learned and enabled them to meet the emergency with fortitude and success. Privations and hardships, unavoidable under the circumstances, were cheerfully borne and resulted in little sickness.
As soon as the camp was established, drills were commenced, when the weather permitted, and instructions in guard duty and other requirements of the service were given.
But the regiment was not vet in the volunteer service of the United States, although it was subsequently determined by the War Department that the service and pay of all soldiers who volunteered should date from the time of leaving their "home stations," which would be considered the time of "enrolment." The qualification of a soldier in the National Guard of Penn- sylvania, under the law as it existed at that time, and his oath as such, did not require or obligate him to enter the United States service in time of international war. Every officer and man in the regiment, therefore, was given the opportunity to say whether or not he would volunteer in the service of the United States for the term of two years, unless sooner discharged.
Governor Hastings was anxious to have the National Guard
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HISTORY OF THE FIRST REGIMENT. N. G. P.
1998
of Pennsylvania make a good showing in response to the Pre-i- dent's call for volunteers, and he was particularly anxious that the First Regiment, in offering its men for the volunteer ser- vice, should set the example for the rest of the division. The morning of the ed of May was designated as the time when the regiment should assemble on the parade ground for inspection by the governor, and inspector-general, Col. Edward DeV. Morrell. and every officer and man was then asked whether or not he would enter the service of the United States. Colonel Bowman. whose inspiration had set the whole regiment aglow with patriotic impulse, had canvassed the regiment and knew by that morning that practically 95 per cent. of his command would volunteer.
Before the hour designated for assembly, Governor Hastings sent for the colonel to ascertain what the First would do, and Colonel Bowman, accompanied by his orderly, Sergeant Kenney. in response to this summons, rode over to the governor's quarters. and reported that the First Infantry almost to a man would respond to the President's call for volunteers. The governor was delighted with this report of patriotic loyalty on the part of the gallant First, and, the conference concluded, Colonel Bow- man galloped off on his horse to rejoin his regiment, when a serious and painful injury occurred to him by the vicious bucking of his horse, necessitating his immediate removal home on a special car for surgical treatment necessary to save his life. This sad injury disabled Colonel Bowman for many months. and long after the war was over and the regiment had returned home from the service he was just commencing to get about on crutches. This accident not only deprived the First Regiment of Colonel Bowman's services as its commanding officer during the war, but also, no doubt, changed entirely the part the regi- ment would have otherwise taken in the field, as the command of the regiment devolved upon Lieutenant-Colonel Good, then a junior officer, the regiments which subsequently had foreign ser- vice in the war being those commanded by senior colonels, viz .: the Tenth Regiment, under Colonel Hawkins, which was sent to the Philippines, and the Fourth, Colonel Case, and the Six- teenth, Colonel Hulings, which were sent to Porto Rico.
Notwithstanding this sad loss of its colonel, the good old regiment promptly steadied from the shock, and, with its brave and loval lieutenant-colonel. J. Lewis Good. in command, marched
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MUSTERED INTO C. S. SERVICE
out on the field for inspection that morning, and, almost to a man, volunteered for service under the United States Govern- ment for two years, unless sooner discharged. This display of courageous patriotism was indeed an inspiring example, not only to the rest of the National Guard Division of Pennsylvania, but to the entire militia of the United States.
The other regiments in succession followed the First in offer- ing to volunteer, and then came the medical examinations by the surgeons before the muster rolls were completed and the several companies were ready to be sworn into the service of " Uncle Sam." This surgical examination was a severe process and weeded out many a loyal and patriotie fellow who had expressed his willingness to volunteer, but who, on account of physical defects, was rejected by the surgeons and required to return home.
Among these patriots was dear old Captain James Muldoon, of Company E, who had fought for his country during the war with Mexico in 1847-45 ; through the great Civil War in 1861-65 : during the Pittsburgh riots of 1877, and who at one time was in command of the regiment (though a captain). Although Captain Muldoon could not be accepted into the service on account of his advanced age, he bravely and loyally volunteered. and with tears in his eyes he bade the boys of his company a fond farewell, to return sadly to his home.
The first officers of the regiment to be mustered into the United States volunteer service were: First lieutenant and regi- mental adjutant. Fred. Taylor Pusey: first lieutenant and regi- mental quartermaster. Frederick P. Koons; major and surgeon. Lawrence Savery Smith: first lieutenants and assistant surgeons. Joseph P. Tunis and William G. B. Harland -- who took their official oaths on May 5, 1598.
On May 10 and 11 all of the several companies of the regi- ment had completed their quota of enrolment of three officers and seventy-five enlisted men each, and. together with the field officers of the regiment, were mustered into the United States service. forming the " First Regiment Infantry, Pennsylvania Volunteers."
The companies were sworn into the service by Major Thomp- son. United States Army mustering officer. It was indeed an impressive occasion. As each company was ready to enter the service the mustering officer administered in impressive tones this solemn oath :
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HISTORY OF THE FIRST REGIMENT, N. G. P.
Do you solemnly swear that you will bear true faith and allegiance to the United States of America, and that you will serve them honestly . and faithfully against all their enemies whosoever, and that you will obey the order of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over yon. according to the rules and articles of war?
To which every officer and man, with his right hand uplifted, responded earnestly, " I do."
The regiment as thus sworn into the service consisted of the field and staff officers, ten companies of 3 officers and 75 enlisted men each. aggregating 40 officers and 754 enlisted men, or a total of 794.
The roster of officers at the time of muster-in is as follows:
Colonel, Wendell P. Bowman (injured and awaiting muster ) .
Lieutenant-Colonel. J. Lewis Good.
Major, First Battalion. Albert L. Williams. .
Major, Second Battalion. William S. Allen.
Major and Surgeon. Lawrence S. Smith.
First Lieutenant and Regimental Adjutant. Fred. Taylor Pusey.
First Lieutenant and Quartermaster. Frederick P. Koons.
First Lieutenant and Assistant Surgeon, William G. B. Harland.
First Lieutenant and Assistant Surgeon. Joseph P. Tunis.
Second Lieutenant and Battalion Adjutant. Augustus D. Porter.
Second Lieutenant and Battalion Adjutant, John L. Conaway.
Company A.
Captain, Clarence HI. Staley. First Lieutenant. William C. Knox. Second Lieutenant, T. Watson Walker.
Company B. Captain, Charles S. Wood. First Lieutenant. Edwin W. Lynch.
Second Lieutenant, Thomas B. Ellis.
Company C.
Captain. Louis F. Stres. First Lieutenant, Charles C. Allen. Second Lieutenant. Augustus D. Whitney.
Company D. Captain. Artemas W. Deane. First Lientenant. Thomas B. Thomas. Second Lieutenant. Frank A. Sinnickson.
Company E. Captain, Charles P. Smith. First Lieutenant, Horace S. Lewars. Second Lieutenant, George H. Halstead.
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MOVEMENTS OF THE REGIMIENT
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Company F.
Captain. William Brod. First Lieutenant, Henry E. Pear-on.
Second Lieutenant. George C. Shoch.
Company G.
Captain. George C. Von der Lindt. First Lieutenant. George B. Zane.
Second Lieutenant, Henry F. Campbell.
Company H.
Captain. Eugene J. Kensil.
First Lieutenant, David Il. DaCosta.
Second Lieutenant, Walter M. Hotz.
Company I.
Captain. Thomas H. P. Todd.
First Lieutenant. Joseph P. Boyd.
Second Lieutenant. Carl A. Wettenhall.
Company K.
Captain. Walter E. Torr. First Lieutenant. Charles F. Hess. Second Lieutenant, Samuel A. Martin.
Under general orders issued by the governor of Pennsylvania officers of the National Guard entering the United States service were given leave of absence from the State service during their tour of duty, and enlisted men were given honorable discharges by the State, with the privilege of reenlisting after the war and being credited with continuous service.
For some four or five days after its muster into the United States service the regiment remained at Mt. Gretna, completing its equipment for field service, drilling and receiving instructions in the art of war, while awaiting further orders, until on May 16, 1898, it was ordered to proceed to the great mobilization camp, known as Camp George H. Thomas, at Chickamauga Park, Georgia.
Arriving at Chickamauga on May 15. the regiment was as- signed to the Third Brigade. Second Division, First Army Corps. The regiment was brigaded with the Fourteenth Minnesota Regi- ment. Colonel Van Duzce, and the Second Ohio Regiment, Colonel Kuert. The brigade was first commanded by Colonel Van Duzee, the senior colonel present, and later by Colonel Kuert, when Colonel Van Duzve assumed temporary command of the division.
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HISTORY OF THE FIRST REGIMENT, N. G. P.
Later on, Brig .- Gen. Thomas L. Rosser was assigned to the per- manent command of the brigade. Gen. John S. Poland was assigned to the permanent command of the division, relieving Colonel Van Duzce, who had been in command temporarily. Dur- ing the summer General Poland was taken ill while on duty at Chickamauga, and, after lingering a few days, died, and was sue- ceeded by Brig .- Gen. W. J. MeKee. The corps commander was Maj .- Gen. John R. Brooke, U. S. A., a Pennsylvanian. General Brooke subsequently assumed command in Porto Rico and Maj .- Gen. J. V. Wade became the commanding officer at Camp Thomas, being later relieved by Maj .- Gen. J. C. Breckenridge.
The days spent at Camp Thomas were busy and exciting days for the men of the First Pennsylvania Volunteers. Every day was one of expectancy to be ordered to the " front." The quarter- master and ordnance departments were indeed kept busy in en- deavoring to complete the equipment of the regiment as required for field service, and the officers of the field and line were daily schooling the men in long drills and difficult manœuvres and exer- cises in preparing for real fighting-in Cuba, or Porto Rico, or the Philippines.
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