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 20
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And now as to how the regiment to which we belonged ac- quitted itself in the two great battles, Chancellorsville and Gettys- burg, the writer will simply refer the reader to General von Gilsa's words in his farewell address to the regiment on the 14th day of July, 1863, when the command was returned to be mus- tered out.
It will be remembered that the 153d Regiment was in the First Division of the Eleventh Corps, and on the day we reached the battlefield of Gettysburg was marching left in front. Thus bringing our regiment the first in the engagement, General Barlow, commanding the division, was ordered to join imme- diately on the right of Reynolds' Corps, whose forces were holding the enemy in check as our division advanced. Before this junction could be formed, General Early, in command of one of Ewell's divisions, coming up hastily from York, inter- cepted and prevented the junction. The enemy's force being so much greater than ours, and the situation such that we were being flanked, the command was given to fall back to a more favorable position. In the short conflict that day with an army greatly
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outnumbering our force, our division lost heavily. The writer recollects when he was looking as we stood on an eminence, close to where the monument of the regiment now stands, watching the enemy emerge from the woods, and send a volley into our thin ranks, our regiment forming little more than a good skirmish line. Here one of Company G's favorite men fell close by my side, also several others of the company were killed on the right and left. One of the men received a bullet in one leg and limping the best he could to keep up with the command, he called for help and I assisted him to a place of more security. This comrade still survives, and at one of our reunions of the regiment exhibited the bullet, which he had carried in lis limb for seventeen years, before its removal.
Like all good soldiers I and my company encountered some fierce domestic contests along the way on the march. The story of the onion patch has gone the rounds with the boys; the gravel-and-dirt-throwing-female in the protection of her gar- den; the interesting episode of the boys and the geese and chickens ; meeting the Rebel private with arm in sling who said he remembered our Corps badge, and that he had met us in the Chancellorsville fight, all make interesting reminiscence. Soon after the army crossed the Potomac and entered the well- tilled and productive parts of Maryland, we began to enjoy scenery which was homelike. The fields were beautified by the meadows and ripening grain. The cherry trees, of which there were many along our road, were loaded with their glistening fruit, and every object was in great contrast with the barren country we had passed through in Virginia. The story of the boys in blue, who alighted upon the cherry trees like flocks of birds, and the sudden disappearance of the luscious fruit, needs no repeating here.
A few days more brought us to the battlefield of Gettysburg.
And now surviving comrades, it is forty-five years since we re- ceived our honorable discharge from the great army of the Rebellion. The discharge paper we hold as a great and valued relic. Let us not forget we are still engaged in a great fight
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against all existing evils. While we are in the world let us be valiant as in the former contest until the end which will soon come to us all, and then receive our final discharge and receive the great reward according to the promise, 'Well done, good and faithful servant.'"
(Comrade Lieutenant Moore submitted the above narrative just a few months before his death. No man gave the historian more encouragement .- Ed.)
Since Comrade Jonathan Moore had written the interesting narrative and had sent it to the historian as a record of the regi- ment, he has passed away. The following obituary notice ap- peared in the Portland (Pa.) Enterprise, from which the writer has taken extracts: "Entered into rest. Mr. Jonathan Moore, Thursday, February 18, 1909, at his residence in Mount Bethel. . He was one of the most noble and best men who ever lived in Northampton county .... was born on the 27th of April, 1825, in Orange County, N. Y. He was a teacher of the public schools of the county ... . conducted the Williamsburg Academy for 12 years .... had a wide reputation for scholarship and tact in teach- ing, impressing as well his noble character upon his many pupils.
His war record appears as above indicated. At the close of the war Mr. Moore entered business and was for many years the agent of the D. L. & W. Railroad at Portland. He was also for many years a director of the First National Bank of Bangor. He was chaplain in the Grand Army Post of Portland for many years.
His funeral services were held in the Mount Bethel Presby- terian Church, with which he was honorably and usefully identi- fied for many years."
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HISTORY OF THE 153D REGT.
Interesting Items by Rev. Stryker A. Wallace, Co. G.
"I was enrolled at Easton, Pa., in the summer of 1862, and mustered into the service of the United States at Harrisburg with the regiment, and mustered out at Harrisburg July 24, 1863.
Speaking of Chancellorsville, I carried Dr. Neff's instrument case in and out of battle,-carried it out more rapidly than I carried it in. I did it successfully, however, by making good use of my legs. When the Johnnies came rushing in on our flank, there was no time to be lost. I took Reuben Hess from the field to the operating table, when the surgeon declared that amputation was necessary. I witnessed the operation and took a piece of the bone which was badly fractured and showed it to Mr. Hess, and it satisfied him that operation was necessary. ] was a convoy to Major Freuhauff, who was wounded, and brought him across the Rappahannock river when we retreated from the field. We crossed under the cover of darkness. The camp fires of the enemy were burning all around us. We ar- rived at the hospital early in the morning, but found every- thing full. The major suggested that we lie down on the ground. No sooner had we touched the ground than we fell asleep, worn out. About 7 or 8 o'clock I felt the point of the major's elbow in my side, when he said, 'Look here.' I looked and the army was passing by, banners flying and the troops in full retreat for Falmouth and the old camp grounds. After we had crossed on a pontoon, there was a high hill up which we climbed, and looking back we had a view of most of the army ; a grand sight it was. It was approaching in three columns, each headed for one of the three pontoon bridges. The serpentine movements of the troops with their flying flags was a beautiful sight.
There were many incidents of the camp and march, some amusing and some historical. Upon the resignation of Captain Joseph Reimer, of Company G, Adjutant Howard J. Reeder became captain of our company. I regret two things, first that so many of the commanders are gone from us, and second that I cannot meet and see those who remain. I would like very much to be with you at your reunion. I thank you for the invitation.
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I shall be glad to hear from you again. I am cordially and truly yours."
The above letter was addressed to the Secretary, N. II. Mack, Subsequently the writer received the following from Comrade Wallace :
Dear Mr. Kiefer: "So busy have I been that I have just reached your letter and am so pressed now that I cannot give to it the attention I would like. I think the regiment returned to a position on Cemetery Hill after the first day's fight in which we were defeated. General Howard took up position on Cemetery Ridge, and the part of the line which fell to our regiment was on Cemetery Hill, and behind the stone wall to shield the men from the sharp-shooters stationed in and on the buildings in the town of Gettysburg. The battery (of which you speak) was planted on the rising ground just back of our regiment. We lay in front of the battery.
Our men made good account of themselves in repulsing the Louisiana Tigers, who were immediately in front of our regi- ment. It was against them we were pitted. Our regiment was to the right of the well, and of the Cemetery Gate, of which you speak. Of all the men most capable, that I know of, to tell you about these matters is Lieutenant Jonathan Moore. I will write you about Comrade Hess later. I will be glad to help you all I can."
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HISTORY OF THE 1530 RECT.
The Story of Wm. Armstrong-By Rev. Stryker A. Wallace, Co. G.
"Things were quiet at Gettysburg after the contending lines were well formed, succeeding the fighting of the first day. The 1530 Regiment of Pena. Volunteers was lying behind a stone wall on Cemetery Hill for protection from the sharp-shooters in the buildings in the town. In the meantime a Rebel headquarters was established in a field in full view beyond and opposite our lines. One of our batteries was stationed on the brow of the hill just back of us. A staff, or, general officer, came riding along and said to the captain of the battery, 'Captain, can't you give them a shot?' The captain following the suggestion, sighted a piece and the first shot went in the door of the Rebel headquar- ters. A Rebel battery responded and a duel succeeded between the two batteries.
Win. Armstrong, ( commonly called Bill) a large, sturdy man, accustomed to work on the railroad, from which and his Irish ancestry, he had a powerful frame, stood up against the wall leaning on his elbow watching the contest between the batteries. A shell from the Rebel gun exploded over his head and a piece of the shell about as large as the two front fingers, struck him over the left eye, scooping out a hole in his forehead about an inch and a half deep. Two of our men were ordered to carry him to the rear ; which they were doing when a general riding by said to the men, 'don't you see that the man is dead?' 'They laid him down. In the meantime the battle was raging all along the line, the engagement having been brought on by the duel between the batteries.
W'm. Armstrong lay for two days on the field, and was picked up the third day by the ambulance corps, and taken to the Eleventh Corps Hospital-to the barn used for the hospital, but after being looked over by the surgeons, was ordered carried ont, as it was thought there was little or no hope for him. The writer found him at the corner of the barn, with a big flat stone for a pillow, his overcoat having been fokled and placed under his head. A blanket was thrown over him. But in the meantime he had lost his coat out from under his head, and his
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blanket had slipped from him. Blood was running from the wound and from his eyes and nose. His lips were so swollen he could not speak. He was conscious, recognizing my voice, and by prying open his mouth with a spoon 1 fed him some soup. The first food he had taken since he entered the battle four days before.
I went to the chief surgeon, told him of this man, that it had been supposed he would die, but that he had not died, and that he onght to have medical attention. He went out with me and looked at him and said, 'that is a very interesting case; he is a big, strong fellow, he can pull through,' or words to that effect. He sent an assistant surgeon to dress his wound. While the poor fellow had been lying there, without food, drink or shelter, it had rained, and the cavity in his head was half full of water. Dr. Neff afterwards said, that probably the rain had saved his life, as it kept down inflammation. I asked the Chief Surgeon what I should do with the man. He replied, 'Put him wherever you can.' That meant a great deal or it meant nothing, as every place was full. I got a stretcher and another soldier, and seeing a large tent going up about one hundred yards away, I remarked to my comrade, that I suppose is a regimental tent, but the surgeon says we shall put him wherever we can. We will take him right in and lay him down. He is too badly hurt for them to throw him ont. If they protest we will tell our orders. And so we did, there being a sort of protest, but the condition of the patient and the order of the surgeon prevailed. In this way poor Bill Armstrong found a temporary resting place, and needed attention, till he could be removed to the general hospital.
He was restored to his family with a hole in his head and the loss of an eye, but otherwise as hale and hearty as ever. When I afterwards saw him in Pennsylvania he suddenly grabbed me and drew me to his bosom and lifted me clear off my feet for joy. He recognized that I had probably saved his life, and was grateful for the service to him."
16
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Comrade Hess, Company G, By S. A. Wallace.
"Comrade Hess was struck by a minie ball above the knee. 'The ball went straight through, carrying the bone away with it, or splitting the bone as it crashed through it. He was lying in a little tent opposite and apparently unconcerned, and without pain. When I found him I said, 'Well, you must go to the hospital, to the operating table, to have your wound examined." We had hoped the ball had gone around the bone, but it looked bad. The holes were opposite each other. He was afraid to go to the table for fear the surgeon would take off his leg, perhaps unnecessarily, so lie wanted me to speak to the surgeon about it. I cheerfully assented to do so. The doctor gave me the most hearty assurance that he would do no wrong to the patient. After placing the man under chloroform he ran his little finger into the wound and taking a pair of pincers from his vest pocket he pulled out a splintered bone several inches long, showing that the bone was badly fractured, and in fact carried clear away. I took a long piece of the bone and showed it to Mr. Hess to show him that the amputation of the limb was an absolute neces- sity. He seemed to be satisfied. He recovered from the opera- tion and returned to his home.
There was another of the Hess boys who was also wounded in the leg, but which proved to be only a flesh wound. The doctor cut the ball out, Young Hess pluckily refusing to take chloro- form. The operation took place in the little tent which he occupied. I witnessed this operation. I think the names of these comrades were Reuben and Abraham, but cannot tell with any degree of certainty."
Lieutenant W'm. Simmers, Co. G.
Theo. Hester, Co. G.
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Theodore Hester, Co. G.
Comrade Hester was a drummer boy and was an interesting chum, a fine specimen of the young men who enlisted from Mt. Bethel. He relates the following: "Winfield S. Snyder and I were the musicians of Company G. The regiment assembled in Easton September 22, when transportation was made ready for Harrisburg, where we encamped until we went to Wash- ington, D. C., and encamped on Arlington Heights after which we were removed to the camp we named Camp Glanz, in honor of our colonel. Our next move was by boat to Alexandria, on the shore of the Potomac. We spent the winter at Brooks Station, and about the last of April marched to the battleground of Chancellorsville, where our regiment became engaged in its first battle. The fight commenced on Saturday, May 2, our regiment being posted on the extreme right of the line of the Eleventh Corps. The enemy having become aware of weak points of our army, made a circuit and completely enveloped our line. In those days I was an expert runner, and I was not long deciding what disposition to make of my 'worldly goods,' but left them all be- hind and made my way through the dense thickets, escaping with my life. There was but one point of the compass which suggested personal safety, and that was due north. The next day was Sunday. I continued to use my athletic abilities until I reached the Rappahannock river. Here I stopped long enough to take account of stock, and investigate the surroundings. I finally concluded to go back and see how many of the boys of Company G I could find. I followed the line of breastworks of the different regiments and finally came where they were, and they were glad to see me. I missed a few comrades of the com- pany and learned of personal friends who were killed at the opening of the battle, among them were Peter Kunsman and Jacob Rambel. Henry Dunbar told me that he assisted one of them to lean against a tree, others were captured. I crossed with the band of an Ohio regiment. On arrival at Falmouth I took a train for Brooks Station. I reported at headquarters and was assigned to hospital duties in charge of Wards Nos. 29 and 30, with 12 to 14 wounded in each ward. We were subsequently
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transported to Washington, D. C. Among the patients I attended and brought with me to Washington were Samuel Carlton and John Holmes, of a Massachusetts regiment. Our return to Har- risburg for the muster-out and the reception in Easton were joy- ful events. The memory of our meeting with friends at home will ever abide."
Captain Geo. H. Young, Co. H.
The Captain occupied a conspicuous place in both battles and was wounded on the first day at Gettysburg. He was a fine type of soldier and commanded his Company with great ac- ceptability. His experience in the engagement of Chancellors- ville, and the terrible sufferings on account of his wound at Gettysburg would make an interesting chapter. He still re- sides in the city, enjoying the well earned honors of his military and civil life.
Lieutenant Wm. H. Crawford, (M. D.) Co. I.
"In the evening of the first day I had charge of a detail of men before the cannon. We remained in this position protected as well as we could during all night of the first day and until the evening of the second day. Up to the time of the charge by the Louisiana Tigers on the evening of the 2d, we were asso- ciated with a skirmish detail of the 33d Massachusetts. After the charge was made and the enemy repulsed we followed them down to the stone fence and lane. Here we remained on these low grounds until the 4th day."
Captain George H. Young, Co. H.
Lieutenant George W. Walter, Co. H.
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Letter of Lieut. Reuben J. Stotz, Co. I.
"Camp near Brook's Station, Va., June 2, 1863.
Dear Sister :- Having a few leisure moments I thought I would address a short letter to you. You may perhaps think that I have forgotten you, but if you do I hope you will be convinced that it is not so. I had com- menced a letter for you a short time ago, but was too lazy to finish it. I hope you will forgive me. I am, thank God, in good health and spirits, hoping this will find you in the same state. We have to drill every day, the weather is very hot and we have to go it double-quick, which as you can imagine, makes us sweat very much. The balance of the time we spend in lying in our tents. Soldier life is a very lazy life in summer time and I am getting a little tired of it, and should be glad if we were taken out of this stinking Virginia. Tomorrow we will move our camp. The general issued orders that we had to remove our camps every 10 days, the object being to prevent sickness as much as possible. I think it a very good plan, although I think it unnecessary for us, for we have a very healthy place. I don't like to leave it to exchange for another. It is the most beautiful camping ground I have yet seen in these diggings. We expect to return to our homes the beginning of next month. Won't that be a joyous time for us, if permitted to do so? I saw in the papers that the people of Northampton are making preparation for our reception.
Our company's health is very good, only one being sick at present, viz., Jeremiah Resh, who has typhoid fever. He is, however, rapidly recover- ing. There are two in the general hospital, and as far as I can find out, are doing well. Two prisoners who were taken in the battle of Chancel- lorsville were paroled and are in Convalescent Camp, near Alexandria, Va. One, I think, is still on the other side of the river. The Rebs retained him to attend to our wounded. He may, however, have been paroled since and sent up to our camp. I had the good luck to come out without a scratch. I did not think it possible that a man could get out of such a place un- hurt, the way the balls whizzed around our heads. Our regiment was posted at the extreme right of the line, and was the first attacked, and that by an overwhelming force. After giving the Rebs five volleys we were ordered, by our commanding officers, to retreat. Our boys stood remarkably well (and as the brigade general said) gave the enemy a parting volley which they did not expect. The Eleventh Corps is censured very much, but I know that some regiments fought bravely, and no blame
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should be put on such. Our army is lying quiet and there is no indica- tion of any forward movement, nor attack from the enemy. You can get more information through the papers than I can give you. If God grants me the privilege to return and spend a few days with you we will have a long conversation, which will be of more satisfaction than writing. Give my love to Jacob and the children, and keep a share for yourself. Wish- ing you health and happiness in abundance, I remain as ever your affec- tionate brother, REUBEN."
Recollections of Lewis B. Clewell, Co. I.
"Three members of Company I, James Engle, George Fritz and myself, were captured at Chancellorsville on the evening of May 2, 1863. We, in company with a large number of prisoners from the 153d and other commands, were taken to Jackson's headquarters, where we spent the night in an old shed (or, as many as could get in, the rest outside). On Sunday morning, May 3d, we marched about two miles from the battlefield, where we were halted, drawn up in line, and the able or stronger- looking men were detailed to go with the ambulances and pick up the wounded. Those selected for this work were not sent to Libby. Comrade Fritz of Company I was one of the number detailed. He afterward stated that many of the wounded were found on the field still living on the second and third days after the battle, and that many were supposed to have been burned to death in the high grass which was burning.
The sights and odors sickened him at first, but soon got used to it. We continued our march, arriving at Spottsylvania Court House, where we spent the night. May the 4th we marched to Guinea's Station. Up to this time no rations had been dealt out to us. I had about three days' rations in my haversack, and while it lasted I divided with the less fortunate comrades. While here the Rebs rolled in a number of barrels of wheat flour, from which we were allowed to help ourselves. The prospect of making a meal of raw flour, without salt or water, was not very cheering,
Captain Joseph S. Myers, Co. I.
Lieutenant Renben J. Stotz, Co. I.
Lieutenant Wm. H. Crawford, M. D .. Co. I.
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but as is said, 'necessity is the mother of invention.' We set our Yankee wits to work and in a few minutes were drawing water. This we did by digging small holes in the sand, into which the water would filter. Then dipping it out with our tin cups, we added sufficient flour to make a stiff batter, pressing it into flat cakes with our hands and placing thiem on the end of sharpened sticks, we held them near the fire until baked. The rest was easy. Prisoners were added to our number daily. May 7th we marched to near Milford Station, camping for the night. May 8th we con- tinued our march, arriving in the evening at Hanover Station, where we spent the night, and had very good crackers dealt out to us, which were not so hard as our hard-tack.
During the evening we were calling for one of our men, Jacob Senseman, a member of our Regimental Band. The Rebel officer in command of the guard, hearing the name called, approached us, asked if we were calling Senseman. We said yes. He then asked us where he was from. We replied from Nazareth, Pa. He said, 'I would like to see him. I was a student at Nazareth Hall and was well acquainted in Nazareth.' He made inquiry about many of his old acquaintances and was friendly, allowing us to communicate with the guard, who treated us very kindly. May 9th, arriving at Richmond, we were placed in Libby prison, second floor. The officers occupied the first floor. Our colonel, Charles Glanz, being one of the first floor occupants. We found a knot hole in the floor, through which we passed messages on slips of paper. The room assigned to us was in charge of a de- serter from the Union army and he was the worst man we had thus far to deal with. Our prison fare was two meals a day, and for the first time good soft bread was served, for the sec- ond, poor weak bean soup. The water came in through pipes from the James River, was muddy after a shower. Troughs running around two sides of the room, flushed with the waste water from the pipe were used for all closet purposes. The filthy water from the trough in the room above us leaked through into our apartments and was very offensive, and in these days would be considered quite unsanitary. The Richmond Inquirer was
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