USA > Pennsylvania > Northampton County > History of the One hundred and fifty-third regiment Pennsylvania volunteers infantry which was recruited in Northampton County, Pa., 1862-1863 > Part 11
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"After 12.30 Barlow's head of column appeared on the Emmitsburg road. Leaving my Chief-of-Staff to direct matters at headquarters at the cemetery, I took two or three of my staff and joined Barlow, and rode with him through Gettysburg."
This cavalcade of officers was particularly noticed by many of
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the boys. The wounding of General Barlow occurred soon after the death of Reynolds. The death of Lieutenant Beaver also occurred about the same time of the wounding of Barlow. The tidings of these serious losses flashed through the regiment in the evening of the first day. General Barlow was reported to be mortally wounded and his wife, who was at the headquarters on Cemetery Hill, was kindly notified through the courtesy of a rebel officer and she was conducted through the lines and ten- derly ministered to her husband. Similar instances of fraternal kindness are elsewhere reported by Lieutenant Jonathan Moore and Captain Geo. H. Young.
Narratives of the Comrades.
From the numerous and often divergent accounts of the battle of Chancellorsville rendered by officers and privates of many or- ganizations, it becomes an immense undertaking for the historian to get at the exact details of the battle. As it is the sincere desire of the writer to be perfectly truthful and candid, and to be in a measure relieved from the great responsibility of stating some things which would not reflect credit upon some men who are charged with dereliction, he has adopted the plan of allowing the individual, wherever possible, to speak for himself. It is, how- ever, very evident to the intelligent man that some discrimination must be allowed the historian and that he is in a strict sense the custodian of the integrity of the history as a whole.
The authorities of the State, who are charged with the respon- sibility of the propriety and authenticity of these histories, will require that the main facts which relate to the itinerary, service of the regiment, and roster, be well substantiated.
Colonel Chas. Glanz.
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Col. Charles A. Glanz.
Colonel Charles Glanz in command of the 153d Regiment was at the time of the organization of the regiment a resident of Eas- ton, engaged in the brewery business. He was of German birth, having received a College education at the age of 21, and occupied important positions in his native country. He came to this coun- try in the year 1845, preferring the advantages of our free in- stitutions to any office under a monarchical government. After spending some time in Philadelphia and Pottsville he came to Eas- ton, where he entered his business in 1852. In 1857 he received an appointment by President Buchannan, of consul to Stettin on the Baltic. On his return from Germany he was elected Cap- tain of the Company known in Easton as the Jaegers, his com- mission by Governor Packer dating June, 1859.
Raised to war fever at the firing of Sumpter he was among the first to respond to his country's call. To him belongs the honor of being the first Captain of uniformed militia, who ten- dered his services to the Government, and was accepted. On the 23d of April, 1861, he was commissioned Major of the Ninth Pa. Volunteers by Governor Curtin, at Camp Curtin, Harrisburg. Here he held the position of Assistant Commanding officer until the regiment was ordered to Winchester. He participated in the skirmish of Falling Waters, Virginia, with his regiment, and on August 20th, 1862, he received a letter from the Executive Office, Military Department, requesting him to raise a regiment for the nine months service. Such was his popularity and prompt action that on the 25th day of September, thirty-six days after receiving instructions, his regiment, nine hundred and ninety- one men, was on the way to Camp Curtin, and on the IIth of October was mustered into the United States Service. His Com- mand was attached to the IIth Corps, commanded by General Franz Sigel. Colonel Glanz was with his regiment in the battle of Chancellorsville, in which they suffered most severely, being attacked by the enemy in very superior force, abandoned by their support, the regiment was forced to retreat. In the great eagerness of the fight and not hearing the command to retreat on account of
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the noise of the fray, did not retire until completely flanked on riglit, rear and left, they barely escaped capture. The Colonel, not being able to move with the agility of the men, was taken prisoner together with two of his officers and thirty-three of his men. Being taken to Libby prison he was confined for a period of forty-five days, was finally exchanged at City Point and re- joined his regiment at Goose Creek on the 16th of June. His presence once more among the comrades was an hour of much joy.
From great debility occasioned by the prison treatment lie was unable to endure the march to Gettysburg. General Howard mean- time ordered him to Washington, where under kind treatment he sufficiently recovered to return home.
The regiment was mustered out of service on July 24th, and on its arrival in Easton the Colonel shared in the great ovation. The occasion will long linger in the memory of the survivors. The pleasure of the reception was greatly increased by the incident of the presentation of a fine sword, the gift of the officers and mem- bers of the regiment. The Colonel died in the year 1880.
The following is a copy of a letter the Colonel wrote his wife during his imprisonment :
"Libby Prison, May 20, 1863.
My dear wife :
I wrote to you on the 11th and 17th this month, and I hope you received both letters. Do not think hard of my writing but a few lines, for our chances for writing are limited and the order is to write but 8 lines. Every letter is read. I understand that to-morrow a boat under a flag of truce will leave and I hurry to write a few lines. Perhaps we shall be sent off with it, but this is uncertain. A few captains and doctors will however leave, and I take this opportunity to send this letter with a heart full of true affectionate love for you my dear Elizabeth and our be- loved children. I am well so far, but my heart wishes it day and night that the hour of release and parole might soon come. As long as I am well I shall not complain but await with patience the time to leave this place. I wrote in both letters for a new suit to be made by Richards of Dorter's blue military cloth. A blouse with 2 pockets inside and one
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outside, and two rows of buttons. One vest with pocket inside, and a pair of pants as usual. I repeat this on account that you might not have received my letters. Whenever I shall telegraph for the suit, send a
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Copyright, 1888, by THE CENTURY Co.
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Libby Prison. As it appeared in 1865.
couple of woolen shirts along, made to fashion, so that I can wear them without vest on. My clothing I have on I have to bury (for reasons you can easily imagine). Did you hear from Henry? If you write to him will
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you ask him about my horses? I do not know what became of them, and whether they are safe with the regiment. Tell him to have them treated right ; and that Knowles should also know about them. I shall write to you as soon as we land at Annapolis, or somewhere else. I hope you will keep well, my beloved wife, and think often with a true heart of your Charles, who loves you so dearly. Kiss our dear Sarah and Edwin in my name, and be not troubled about me. Our Lord has taken me safely out of the danger of battle, and I trust will relieve me soon from this un- pleasant condition.
From your true, affectionate husband, C. GLANZ."
Lieutenant Colonel Dachrodt.
The inborn military spirit and patriotic impulses of Lieutenant Colonel Dachrodt prompted him to the organization of a Com- pany in response to President Lincoln's call for 75,000 men in the year 1861. This noble act of our Colonel had given him a prestige which gained for him the esteem and well-placed con- fidence of the men who early sought enlistment in the command of which he should become one of the distinguished leaders. Great honor will ever enshrine his name as it appears on the Ros- ter of the State of Pennsylvania and of the illustrious County of Northampton !
He never ceased his interest in the welfare and society of the veterans who for nearly a half century were proud of his record and name. He was a charter member of the Lafayette Post, No. 217, of the G. A. R. of Easton, having been its first senior Vice Commander in 1881. He was a member of the City Council in 1853, and was elected to the Legislature of the State in the year 1886. After retirement from the war he entered business, in which he had a long and successful career, having for all those years enjoyed the well-earned esteem of military men, and moved in society a noble specimen of patriotic citizen- ship of our loyal and historic city.
He died June 4, 1900, at his residence in Easton. He had
I.t. Colonel Jacob Dachtodt.
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been confined to his bed since January. He had attained the age of 81 years.
The Free Press of even date in a notice of his death says, "On April 20, 1861, he enlisted in Co. B, First Penna. Regt., of which Col. S. S. Yohe was Commander, and re-enlisted for nine months in the 153d Regt. of which he was Lieutenant Colonel, and that he was wounded at Chancellorsville on May 2, 1863."
Letter from Major Frueauff.
Headquarters of One Hundred and Fifty-third Regiment, Pa. Vols., Camp near Brooks Station, Va., May 16, 1863.
Colonel Samuel Yohe, Provost Marshal of Twenty-third Con- gressional District, Easton, Pa.
Colonel : Inasmuch as you are the power appointed to watch over the interests of the Government at home, and to sustain the army in the field, both by sending men forward, and by protecting those in the same from the slanders of traitors, and the lying tongues of misnamed friends, I take the liberty of sending you a truthful account of the doings of the One Hundred and Fifty- third Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers, during the unsuccess- ful reconnoissance across the Rappahannock.
It, with the other regiments of the Eleventh Corps, broke camp on Monday, April 27th, and marched to the neighborhood of Hartwood Church. On Tuesday morning at four o'clock, after a short night's rest, moved on to Kelley's Ford, arriving there after noon. On this second day of the march, which you, as an old soldier, well know is always the most trying, the regiment did well, and the stragglers from it formed a very small number of those brought up in the rear by the provost guard. On the same evening at eleven o'clock, camp was broken, and in silence, our corps was the first to cross the pontoons, and penetrate the dark- ness and swamps of the southern side of the Rappahannock, where but a few hours rest were given, when we moved on, pro- ceeding, during Wednesday, to the Rapidan River, near Germania
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Mills. Again, in the night, between one and four, in a heavy rain, the Corps crossed upon a narrow and dangerous bridge, momentarily expecting an attack, having had, during the day, our rear harassed by some of the rebel artillery. Thursday, we advanced along the plank road to its junction with the turnpike at Peck's farm, about two miles west of Chancellorsville. Dur- ing Thursday night full rest was given, and on Friday General Howard made the disposition of our Corps in three lines of battle. To the First Brigade, First Division, Colonel Leopold von Gilsa commanding, was given the extreme right, and was posted as follows: On the left, in the line of battle behind some brush-heaps on the far side of the turnpike road, the Forty-first New York Volunteers in line of battle. Then the Forty-fifth New York Volunteers in the same line, and supporting a sec- tion of artillery commanding the road. From the cannon and the right of the Forty-fifth New York, at right angles to the turnpike, through the woods and across a road leading into the turnpike, supported on the right by the Fifty-fourth New York Volunteer Infantry, stood the One Hundred and Fifty-third Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, more as a close line of skir- mishers, than a regular line of battle, being ordered to stand three feet apart. In this position Saturday noon found them.
Information was brought that an attack was expected on the right flank, and skirmishers were thrown forward into the woods, who, about five o'clock in the afternoon, reported that the rebels were massing and approaching. Hardly had the information been brought in, and the line called into readiness, when the toot- ing of numberless small bugles was heard, the whizzing of balls began, and the explosion of shells over and alongside of every- body clearly demonstrated that the rebels were in force, a fact which the thirty-five cavalry men allowed for the protection of the extreme right of the whole Army of the Potomac had here- tofore not been able to discover.
The rebels advanced, closed in mass on the three sides of the right with their whole force concentrated on the one point of our long line, enfilading the brush barricade behind which the
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Chaplain Philip W. Melick.
Major John F. Frueauff.
Adjutant Henry Evans.
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brigade was placed, and rushing over the cleared space in front of the lines. After the first volley, the Forty-fifth New York, accompanied by the two pieces of artillery, sought refuge in a very rapid change of base, and soon after the Fifty-fourth New York also retired. After both supports had withdrawn in mass, the One Hundred and Fifty-third Pennsylvania Volunteers still stood and as a regiment gave a parting volley to the enemy, which rebel prisoners report to have fearfully mowed down the ranks of the advancing First Virginia Brigade. Then the order to retreat was given, and the One Hundred and Fifty-third certainly with- drew for the purpose of having men left to fight again. Several vain attempts were made to rally the retiring forces of the Eleventh Corps; but preceded on the retreat by the brigades and divisions farthest from the enemy, it was impossible to find the requisite cover behind a line of our own forces before arriving within the lines of the Twelfth and Fifth Corps. As soon as any, the First Brigade, and with it the One Hundred and Fifty- third Pennsylvania Volunteers was rallied, and spent the greater part of the night in throwing up rifle pits, and on Sunday morn- ing were moved again into the front line of entrenchments oppo- site the center of General Hooker's line of battle, where they remained until Wednesday morning, when our corps covered the withdrawal of his army to the other side. On Wednesday, in the midst of a terrible rain and natural condition of Virginia mud, we returned to our former camp near Brooks Station, where we are rapidly recuperating our much tired bodies. From the time we left Brooks Station until I rejoined the regiment I was Acting Assistant Inspector-General on the staff of General Devens, commanding the First Division. In my capacity of aide I had very frequent opportunities by day and by night of seeing every one of the regiments in this division. At all times and under all circumstances, I found both the officers and men of my regiment in the best of spirits, and no regiment in the corps went more gladly to battle, or more cheerfully submitted to pri- vations. During the engagement itself. I had but one distant glimpse of the regiment, as I ordered up the Seventy-fifth Ohio to the support of Colonel Gilsa, my position keeping me near
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Gen. Devens. Colonel Gilsa, however, himself every inch a soldier and a brave man, although early wounded and bruised by the fall of his horse, was during the greater part of the fight immediately behind the regiment, and to me, as well as to General Howard, in my presence, expressed the greatest satisfaction with the behavior of his 'new regiment,' as in every way brave and soldierly, and his only sorrow is so soon to lose us by the expira- tion of our time of service. On Sunday morning, hearing that Colonel Glanz was missing, and Lieutenant Colonel Dachrodt wounded so as to be unable to take the command, I asked leave to return to the regiment and share with it all further exposures and perils, and have since then been in command of the same. During Monday morning we had a very lively brush with a line of rebel skirmishers on an opposite hill, and I had every opportunity of seeing the coolness and determination nearly unanimously evinced, and feeling proud of the spirit animating our North- ampton County boys.
At such times to particularize would be improper ; suffice it to say that no "officer was shot by a private, and no private cut down by an officer." Those who have fallen-and, alas! we mourn a number of such-have fallen in the noble discharge of their duties, slain by the hands of traitors; those who have been wounded, have received honorable wounds by the shots of rebels ; and those who are prisoners are now in the hands of "our South- ern brethren," not in consequence of their own faults, but by the fortunes of war. Hoping this exposition may set to rest all slan- ders, and assure every true and loyal patriot that he need in no- wise be ashamed or should sneer at 'Colonel Glanz's regiment of Pennsylvania volunteers,' and desiring you, for the sake of jus- tice to your fellow-citizens now in the front rank of the army, bravely battling for all they hold dear at home, to publish this letter in all the newspapers of Northampton county.
Very Respectfully, J. F. FRUEAUFF, Major Commanding 153d Pa. Vols.
Taken from "Moore's Rebellion Record," Page 589, Volume 6.
Dr. Abrahamı Stout Assistant Surgeon.
Dr. Henry K. Neff Chief Surgeon
Dr. John P. K. Kohler Assistant Surgeon
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Account of Dr. Stout.
Dr. Abraham Stout, a native physician of Bethlehem at the outbreak of the Rebellion, offered his service, and became assist- ant surgeon of the regiment, associated with Dr. Neff and Dr. Kohler. Dr. Stout was popular with the boys, and always had a kind word for all of them. In sickness he was faithful to them to the last degree. In battle he was at his post. The account of his efficient service is best told by the many comrades who knew him well. We have asked him for some account of the battles and have the following: "At Chancellorsville our Hospital Tent was about 200 yards in the rear of our regiment. When we re- treated we left the wounded in the Hospital Tent and the rebels took tent and all. We then established a Hospital in a brick house on the Chancellorsville side of the river. On the 3d we moved our wounded across the United States Ford to a farm house back a short distance from the river. At this place the enemy shelled our ammunition train, but their shells fell short and the train moved out of range.
Dr. Neff was taken prisoner at Chancellorsville, was in Libby prison, was with the regiment only a short time, went home on sick leave to Hollidaysburg, and did not return to the regiment. I was the only surgeon with the regiment after Chancellorsville, and at Gettysburg I was taken prisoner.
Our regiment fought the Louisiana Tigers in the first day's battle beyond the Poor House, and were driven back through the town, and took a new position on Cemetery Hill. I was captured between the Poor House and the town. Colonel D. B. Penn, of the 7th Regiment of the Tigers, saw me and dismounted. He walked by my side and asked me who I was and then told me I was his prisoner, taking me to the German Reformed Church, when he said to me : 'You ought to take this church for a Hospital.' I said, 'Yes, if it is not locked.' 'Well,' said the Colonel, 'if it is we can soon open it.' But we found the doors unlocked, and took possession. In less than half an hour it was filled with wounded men, mostly Union men. I was in attendance there three days. John Balliet of Company F and Charles A. Yoch of Company E
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were detailed to assist in the care of the wounded. After the battle we removed the wounded to the public school building back of the church. The Union men occupied the first floor and the Con- federates the second floor. Dr. Tate of Gettysburg had charge of the upper floor. I remained there for about three weeks, then had orders to remove all patients to Harrisburg, where they were put in the improvised hospital in a cotton factory.
Captain Stout of Company F was prostrated with typhoid fever while in camp at Brooks Station, and was not with the regiment in either battle. He was a year or two recovering, and in consequence his mind was somewhat affected, for a short time after."
Dr. Stout states : General von Gilsa was wounded in the neck and that he dressed his wound. He also saw General Devens at the Hospital near U. S. Ford. The general's wound was so severe that he was not able to accompany the Division to Gettys- burg. At the opening of the battle of Chancellorsville Colonel Glanz, Lieutenant Colonel Dachrodt and Major Frueauff and Chaplain Mellick were immediately in the rear of Company F. The medical tent and Hospital were very nearly behind the line. One hundred men were selected from the regiment for stretcher- bearers, and were in charge of Dr. Yoch. The medical mule was in the care of William Stoneback of Company F. When the fire opened there was no time to remove the Hospital tent nor any of its contents. On short notice the mule with his panniers was led out of the woods, but was wounded and captured by the enemy. Seeing that the animal could not run on account of his wound, the driver seized a quantity of the medicines and destroyed them.
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Dr. J. P. K. Kohler.
Doctor John Peter Kern Kohler was born at Egypt, Pa., in Lehigh county, in 1841. At the age of nine years he was sent to Doctor Vanderveer's Preparatory School at Easton, Pa. He en- tered Franklin and Marshall College at Lancaster, Pa., where he graduated at the age of 17 years. He graduated in medicine from the University of Pennsylvania at the outbreak of the Civil War, and like all young men at that time whose first thought was duty to his country, he entered the service. He made application at Harrisburg. Out of twenty-two applicants but three passed the examination, and young Kohler was one of the three. He was made contract surgeon and had charge of all the hospitals at Camp Curtin and Camp Capitol, and was in charge of three bri- gades. He afterwards enlisted in the 153d Regiment as assistant surgeon and served in hospitals under the command of the Medical Director, and was given charge of all the hospitals of the IIth Corps encamped at Aquia Creek. He spent very little time with his regiment, which was then made a subject of com- plaint, but the Medical Director it seems had authority to detain hiim. After the battle of Fredericksburg he was stricken with ty- phoid fever and was sent to his home in Egypt. He recovered in time to rejoin his regiment and assist in the care of the wounded at Gettysburg, and was mustered out with his command at Har- risburg. His death occurred in 1866, from a recurrence of the same infectious disease he had been afflicted with three years before.
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Quartermaster S. H. Knowles.
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Comrade Knowles was born in Mauch Chunk, Pa., June 7, 1838. He was the son of Wm. H. Knowles, Superintendent of the Lehigh Coal and Navigation Company.
He received his early education in Wilkes-Barre and Easton, Pa., at the Academy of Dr. Vanderveer. Before the war he was employed in the Prothonotary's office in Easton. He served with the regiment in the battle of Gettysburg, after which he con- tracted a fever which left him in poor health during the rest of his life. He was subsequently returned to the position in the office of the Prothonotary, when in 1871 he was appointed Deputy Prothonotary in Sunbury, Pa. Later his health broke down and he returned to Easton, where he served as town clerk and assistant librarian until his death February 20, 1875.
Comrade Knowles was of a literary turn, and was a regular contributor to the daily papers of that day. The above brief sketch was furnished by his sister. Mrs. George H. Bender.
Chaplain P. W. Melick-Gleanings from Diaries.
Diary of Chaplain P. W. Melick .- "March 8, 1863, Lieutenant Simmers was in my tent a while. He said, 'I believe two-thirds of the boys would re-enlist :' he did not know that as he would go home at all; he thought the matter of the war could have been settled by peace measures, but that he now believed the South did not want peace. On March 13 there occurred an episode which might have had a serious ending, but for the intervention of Cap- tains Oerter and Reeder. It arose over the incident of the Chaplain's refusal to take a social glass with the officers, who, with him, had been invited to the Colonel's tent. It was an important meeting, being the occasion of the inauguration of some new c commissioner. As the drinks were served (a custom which was popular among the officers) the Chaplain refused to accept that feature of the hos- pitality extended, whereupon he was invited to take a glass of
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