USA > Pennsylvania > History of the One hundred & sixth regiment, Pennsylvania volunteers, 2d brigade, 2d division, 2d corps, 1861-1865 > Part 20
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Early on the morning of the 4th, a body of skirmishers preced-
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ing us, General Ames, commanding the First Division, Eleventh Corps, marched the Regiment through the town of Gettysburg, and placed us in position on a slight eminence on the north of the town. Afterwards I was ordered to conduct the Regiment to our original position near the cemetery, where we remained until the morning of the 5th, when we were relieved by virtue of the follow- ing orders :
[Copy.] HEADQUARTERS IITH CORPS, ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. Gettysburg, Pa., July 5th, 1863.
Commanding Officer 106th Penna. Regiment.
By direction of the commanding General you are relieved from duty with this Corps, and will rejoin your Corps. The General commanding directs me to express his thanks for your kind sup- port.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant, T. A. MUYSENBERG, Assistant Adjutant General.
I will add that the two skirmishing companies detailed on the morning of the 2d did not accompany the Regiment to the right, but remained on the centre, and took an active part in the engage- ment on the afternoon of the 3d. I have already furnished you with a list of the killed and wounded. I take great pleasure in saying that every officer and man performed his entire duty, and evinced a determination which must ever be crowned with success.
Early in the engagement Adjutant F. M. Pleis was severely wounded, and Lieutenant John A. Steel was ordered to act as Adjutant. Adjutant Pleis, while in the field, by his coolness and courage, contributed greatly to the success of our efforts. His successor, Lieutenant Steel, also, by his daring disregard of danger, and promptness of action, rendered much valuable service on the field, and is entitled to more than passing notice.
I make special mention of Major John H. Stover, who by his coolness and daring, rendered me much valuable assistance.
I also bear willing testimony to the good conduct of Captains John J. Sperry, Robert H. Ford, James C. Lynch, and Lieutenant Charles S. Schwartz. In fact, the same may be said of every line officer in my command.
WM. L. CURRY, Lieutenant-Colonel commanding.
Colonel Curry, in a letter to a friend, speaking of the charge of the Regiment on the 2d, said :
We opened fire, and charged so determinedly, along with others, that we drove the enemy to their original lines, and would have
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spiked a six gun battery. had we not been ordered back. The carnage was terrible, the ground being covered with the dead and wounded. It was in this charge that Adjutant Pleis fell, being struck in the thigh by a piece of shell. I have fully made up for my capture, in June, 1862, as this Regiment took a Colonel, two Majors, a number of Captains and Lieutenants, and, at least, two hundred privates, prisoners, we had more swords than we could use I have one in place of the one taken from me at Richmond, and also a silver-mounted pistol.
We regret that there should be any conflict between the official reports of Colonel Curry, commanding the Regiment, and Gen- eral Webb, commanding the Brigade, as follows: Webb states, "Their line of battle advanced beyond one gun of Brown's Bat- tery". And Curry says: "In the charge we made, we secured three guns which had been abandoned; I sent them to the rear by hand". And again Webb says: "The One Hundred and Sixth and Seventy-Second followed them to the Emmitsburg road, cap- turing, and sending to the rear, about two hundred and fifty prisoners." And Curry says: "We pursued the flying enemy to the Emmitsburg road where perceiving we were separated from our line on our left, and having no troops on our right, except a remnant of the Eighty-Second New York:" * * * We also cap- tured and sent to the rear about two hundred and fifty prisoners."
We have no desire to take any of the glory or honors from the Seventy-Second, but we will not hesitate to give to the One Hundred and Sixth what belongs to them. They and they alone pursued the enemy to the Emmitsburg road, at that point, and they, alone, captured those prisoners, which were received by Captain Ford, with his Company I, at the Codori House, including Col- onel Gibson, five Captains and fifteen Lieutenants. And Colonel Gibson in his letter to Captain Ford, acknowledges the at- tention he there received from Captain Ford. We can only ac- count for this difference in General Webb's report, from the fact that he had only been in command of the Brigade a few days; was not well acquainted with his regiments; or, that his Assis- tant Adjutant General had directed that regiment to advance when the One Hundred and Sixth did; and naturally supposed they continued with them; and in making up his report, included them as part of the force that reached the Emmitsburg road, and
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therefore, assisting in the capture of those prisoners. These are the only ways we can now see that this error could then occur. In regard to the guns, retaken, if Colonel Curry directed his men to take three guns to the rear, it is pretty positive there must have been three, and Captain Lynch states that he was returning with his Company from the skirmish-line, after ammunition ; and pass- ed the Regiment at that point ; and there was more than one gun.
We would further add, that a portion of the Regiment advanc- ed beyond the Emmitsburg road, and took possession of a six gun battery, there abandoned by the enemy in their retreat ; but before they had time to attempt their removal, or even spike the guns, they were ordered to withdraw and join the Brigade. These are the guns Colonel Curry speaks of in his letter.
SERGEANT RUDOLPH A. W. OESTMANN. Aug 28, 1861. Sept. 10, 1864
Wounded at Wilderness, Va., May 6, 1864. Mustered out with Company, Sept. 10, 1864.
COMPANY E.
MUSICIAN GUSTAVUS JOSEPHS. Aug. 28, 1861. Sept. 10, 1864. Mustered out with Company, Sept. 10, 1864.
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CHAPTER XVII.
BACK TO VIRGINIA.
E ARLY on the morning of July 7th, about 4 o'clock, we were awakened and told to get ready to move at once, and be- fore we had time to get anything to eat, we started, and soon bade farewell to our own State, Pennsylvania, and crossed the line again into Maryland. At 10 o'clock we reached Taney- town, tired and hungry, and being without rations, could not appease our hunger ; but in the afternoon, we received three days' rations, and by night, having consumed about one-half of them, we went to bed satisfied.
We were up before daylight on the 8th, and soon on the march, in a heavy rain ; passed through Taneytown, turning to the right, passed through Bruceville and Pine Creek, and arrived at Woods- boro. Here a halt was made, and General Webb addressed the men, and informed them of the successes of General Grant in the Southwest, and the capture of Vicksburg, Mississippi, on the 4th. This was received with cheers, and we started on in little better spirits, though still tramping through mud and rain. We left the road on account of its bad condition, and marched through the fields, which soon became as bad, as the rain came down in perfect torrents ; during the afternoon it ceased and soon cleared off. Passed through Walkersville, and about 4 o'clock went into camp near the Monocacy Creek, about five miles from Frederick. Many of the men availed themselves of the opportunity of a good bath in the Monocacy, and a wash and clean up, which after that muddy march of about twenty miles was necessary as well as re- freshing. Left camp next morning about 6 o'clock, crossed the Monocacy, and about 8 o'clock, passed through Frederick, with colors flying and bands playing. We arrived at Jefferson about noon, rested for about an hour, then continued and arrived at Burkittsville about 5 o'clock, and camped. But in an hour were ordered forward again, and about dark, crossed over the South
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Mountain at Turner's Gap, and soon after camped for the night near Rohrersville, having marched about twenty-two miles.
Leaving camp at 10 o'clock, on the 10th, passed through Ro- hrersville and Locust Grove, still marching in the fields, then through Keedysville, crossed the Antietam Creek on the stone bridge, and rested a while near the old battlefield; and about 4 o'clock, moved on and camped on the Hagerstown road, near Tilghman, having marched about twelve miles.
On the IIth, passed through Tilghman, and had only gone about a mile further towards Williamsport, when we struck the rear guard of the enemy and skirmishing began. The Seventy- Second Regiment was immediately sent to the support of our skirmishers, and we were formed in line of battle on the right of the road. The firing ceased, but we remained in that position until about midnight, when we were moved, in quick time, about two miles and reformed our line in the road. Here we remained until after daylight, when we were moved back about a mile, near Jones' cross roads, and formed in the woods on the right of the road facing it. About 2 o'clock it commenced to rain and rained in torrents, the roads became creeks, and the fields were one vast mud-puddle ; yet three different times that afternoon were our positions changed. We were finally formed on the left of the Third Division, with the First Division on our left. There was continual skirmishing all day and evening, earthworks were thrown up on the 13th, and towards evening we were moved forward and occupied them; the next day were again advanced, marching for about three hours through the muddy fields to near Falling Waters. In the rations issued that afternoon, whiskey was included. which was of great value to the men in their wet and exhausted condition.
Early on the morning of the 15th we left camp, turning back through the fields, making for Harper's Ferry, passing through Downsville and Bakersville, and in the afternoon through Sharps- burg, then struck the canal and continuing along the tow-path for about seven miles halted for the night about 5 o'clock, having marched about seventeen miles. Starting about 7 o'clock the next morning, marching about four miles, we came in sight of Harper's Ferry, but passed on and through Sandy Hook, and went
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into camp about a mile beyond. In the afternoon we were sup- plied with a very limited amount of clothing and the usual rations. We remained in camp all day the 17th ; raining nearly all the time.
About 2 o'clock on the morning of the 18th, the assembly sounded and orders were promulgated to move at once, but did not leave camp until 6 o'clock ; passing through Sandy Hook and crossed the Potomac on a pontoon bridge, thence over the Shen- andoah on a suspension bridge and around Loudon Heights to the valley, and went into camp at Hillsboro about 2 o'clock. On the 19th, pressed forward about five miles. On the 20th our Bri- gade was detailed as wagon guard or escort to the wagon train and marched about fifteen miles, passing through Woodgrove and Bloomfield. Remained in camp the 21st. On the 22d, moved about six miles, passing to the right of Upperville and camping near Paris ; protecting Ashby's Gap until the 23d, when, without time to get breakfast, we pushed on to Markham Station on Manassas Railroad, where, we halted for an hour, then pushed on to Manassas Gap to the support of the Third Corps, which was engaged with the enemy ; we having marched about fifteen miles. On the 24th, were withdrawn from the Gap about six miles to Markham Station. On the 25th, marched about twelve miles and camped near White Plains. Leaving camp about 5 o'clock on the 26th, passed through White Plains and New Baltimore and camped within three miles of Warrenton Junction, having marched about twenty miles ; here we remained until the after- noon of the 30th.
On the 27th, Major Stover, with a detachment of the Regiment, went home on recruiting service. On the 30th, left camp about 5 o'clock in the afternoon, and marched until about II o'clock at night, going about ten miles to Elk Run. On the 3Ist, moved about six miles further. We shifted camp on August 4th, and remained quiet during the entire month of August ; camped near Morrisville, about six miles from Kelly's Ford on the Rappa- hannock; we had then' marched about four hundred and fifty miles since leaving Falmouth on June 15th. We were then doing picket duty, being relieved every twenty-four hours, and on the 6th, Captain Farr, returning from picket, brought in three pris- oners captured that night; they were taken to Lieutenant-Col-
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onel Curry, who sent them to General Webb at Brigade head- quarters. On the 13th, Captain Breitenbach, absent on account of wounds received at Gettysburg, returned and reported for duty. On the 17th, Lieutenant-Colonel Curry assumed command of the Brigade ; General Webb going to Division headquarters, leaving Captain Breitenbach in command of the Regiment. The pay- master paid us a visit on the 18th, and we were paid off on the 19th.
On the 21st, the whole division was drawn up in line to witness the execution of a member of the Seventy-First Regiment, who was sentenced to be shot for desertion; and on the 28th, two others, belonging to other regiments of the division, were also shot for the same offence. Yet some might well be justified in being "absent without leave" if not while in action, as for over seventy days had we been marching day after day, with hardly any rest, on short rations, scarcely any clothes ; some in our Bri- gade actually marching in their undershirt and drawers, many barefoot or with only an apology for a shoe; tramping, as has been said, over four hundred and fifty miles in mud and rain, heat and dust, night as well as day; and here we were, back again within a short distance from where we started in June. We had fought and won the greatest battle that was fought throughout the whole war, in fact the greatest battle ever fought on this continent, severely punished the enemy and gained a glorious victory, but at a terrible sacrifice. They resisted and prevented our advance as they did when here last and we are no nearer their capital than before we started, but with the great victory we had won and the triumph of General Grant at Vicksburg, we felt that the backbone of the Rebellion was broken, but leaving much yet to be done.
On August 3Ist, we again began our march, leaving camp be- fore daylight, passed Grove Church, and arrived at Hartwood Church about II o'clock, and shortly after pushed on to Banks' Ford, on the Rappahannock River, where we arrived about 4 o'clock, having marched about nineteen miles. Here we re- mained until September 3d, when we returned to our old camp, arriving there about midnight. Colonel Curry returned on the 5th and assumed command of the Regiment.
On September 12th we left camp about II o'clock, and, march-
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ing very fast, soon reached Bealton Station, and arrived at Rap- pahannock Station about 4 o'clock. On that day Colonel Curry again left us, this time to take command of the First Brigade, and Captain Breitenbach was again in command of the Regiment. This was another very warm day, and many of the men were sunstruck or overcome with the heat. In the afternoon a very heavy thunderstorm came up, but we continued our march in the drenching rain and had to sleep all night in it, but the next morn- ing brought out the sun to dry us. Leaving camp about 6 o'clock, going a short distance down the river, crossed on a pontoon bridge, and arrived at Brandy Station before noon. Our Cavalry under Pleasanton, having effected the crossing, became engaged with the enemy, and fought the Battle of Brandy Station, and after a hotly contested fight, gradually drove them back towards the Rapidan. We waited a long time while they were forcing their way, distinctly hearing their firing. While so waiting some of the men went foraging, and, in a house near by, captured a box of tobacco, a five-gallon keg of whiskey, and a lot of small arms. They also took the man under guard to headquarters against the protests and tears of wife and children, and thus, for a long while, put an end to his guerrilla warfare. In the after- noon we pushed on, closely following the cavalry over their con- tested ground; there had been hard fighting in some places, as was shown by marks on the trees and the number of dead horses ; arrived at Culpepper at 5 o'clock and camped. The Cavalry was still in charge of the town, and, as a result of their heavy skirmish, had a large number of prisoners confined in a large church; they also captured several pieces of artillery. Our Brigade was sent forward to relieve the cavalry and occupy the town; the rest of the corps was then stretched along Virginia Midland Railroad form Brandy Station to Culpepper. Early next morning, Septem- ber 14th, we pushed on to Raccoon Ford, on the Rapidan river, relieving the Cavalry pickets of Kilpatrick's Division. This was by no means a very pleasant duty, the rebel pickets from their rifle pits plainly seen on the other side of the river kept up an incessant firing, shooting as soon as any of our pickets showed themselves, so that they had to be relieved at dark, and keep all day within the small rifle pits, hastily constructed for their protec-
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tion. In a day or two after our arrival, the firing stopped by mutual consent, for as soon as the Rebs found that the cavalry had been relieved by infantry they agreed to cease unnecessary firing. It was only caused by the cavalry, who had had so little chance to try their new seven-shooting carbines at the enemy, that they practised by firing at every one they saw while on picket, so near to the enemy's line; this compelled the Rebs to do the same, hence it was dangerous work to be on picket under those circumstances, but things changed when those accustomed to such picket duty came opposite each other, and soon were on friendly terms, and indulged in the usual exchanges, coffee for tobacco, and daily papers. One day, after we had been paid off, on the 25th, an invitation was extended to the Rebs to come over and take dinner with us and one accepted our invitation and came over. He was stuffed with fresh meat, potatoes, bread and butter, cheese and coffee; it did us good to see "Johnny" enjoying it, and he expressed great surprise, and was very anxious to know if we always lived so well, and we, taking advantage of his in- nocence, carelessly told him we had only just brought these few things out on picket, never once admitting that they were almost as much of a luxury to us as to him, and only obtained by us on account of the recent visit of the paymaster. When finished he returned in safety to their lines, to no doubt make his comrades envious of his good fortune.
While on duty there, a joke was played on one of our officers that might well be included here. On September 17th and 18th, it rained nearly all the time. The wagons had not been allowed to come so near the front, so that the officers, who had not carried their "house and furniture" with them, as the men had done, were in no very comfortable condition, those cool nights of early fall, and the cold rainstorm made even the days very uncomfort- able. Three officers, a Captain, and First Lieutenant, of one company, and a Second Lieutenant of another, who were almost inseparable during their stay with the Regiment, were tramping up and down a narrow path in the woods, to keep up the animal warmth, bemoaning the storm and their condition. We will only name them by the nicknames they were familiarly known by; "Muncy" was the Captain: "Turkey" and "Sunflower" the
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Lieutenants. The latter were frequently alluding to the equinoc- tial, and remarking, "if it was raining now, what would it do when the sun crossed the line?" "Muncy", like a great many others, had heard of the equinoctial, but knew not what it meant, and inquired ; when explained to him, in their own way, was anxious to take in the sight of "seeing the sun cross the line". His companions, ever ready to enjoy a joke, told him that on the 21st, if a clear day, he could gratify his desire.
In the meantime, the wagons had been allowed to come up, and along with them, the sutler of the Seventy-First Pennsylvania, bringing a supply of the things the men needed, and plenty of whiskey for the officers; not that they needed it any more than the men, but because they were officers they could get it. And our trio were able to get what they needed. That settled the business for them to carry out the joke on their comrade; and, as the morning of the 21st ushered in a beautiful, bright and clear day, they told "Muncy" they would accompany him to see the sight ; and equipped with their canteens well filled, they started through the woods to select a spot with a clearing, through which they could have a good view ; and one, to see the greatest sight of his life. Many places were passed before one that suited them in every particular could be found; at last, after passing the picket reserve, they came upon a spot, free from underbrush, to which no objection could be offered, or fear of any intrusion. They sat down, sampled their canteens ; "Muncy" was rather im- patient, and inquired, "How are we going to see it?" "Not with your ears", shouted "Sunflower"; this provoked a good laugh, and gave the opportunity for another drink. He was assured that high noon was the proper time; but, ere that time, too frequent sampling of their canteens made them oblivious of all earthly things, or. of each other ; and they were only aroused from their slumbers about 2 o'clock, by a servant that had been sent after them with their dinners, and the information that an ispection was ordered for 3 o'clock. This rather disturbed their equilib- rium; all knowing full well they were in no condition to appear in camp. However, after consultation, it was found that "Turkey" had secured a pass for the day from Colonel Curry, before leaving camp; so, it was decided, that the other two were
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to return to camp, and leave "Turkey" in charge of the "instru- ments", to await their return. Towards evening, the woods were resonant with the calls of "Jimmy !" "Jimmy !" who, on being left alone to overcome his loneliness, made frequent use of the "instru- ments", and again slumbered; and on awakening, found that during his sleep, he had unconsciously rolled from place to place to keep out of the sun as it changed, until he was far away from where his companions had left him ; the trio were soon united and again enjoying themselves, and in a short while started for camp, "Muncy", in no very pleasant frame of mind at having missed the great sight of his life, and humiliated to think it was all on account of that canteen.
After supper "Muncy" was missing, and "Turkey" and "Sun- flower" started out to hunt him up. Well into the night they found him lying asleep in a large field at the foot of an old stump of a tree, with his arms around the stump tugging away and crying, "More kiver". So disappointed that he had gone off by himself, had lain himself down and gone to sleep ; the temperature of the night being such as to make him mindful that he needed his blanket, and he was trying to convert that stump into one ; he was kindly taken in charge by "Sunflower", who took him to camp and put him to bed. So ended that private transit expedi- tion.
On September 21st, Captain Ford, wounded at Gettysburg, returned and assumed command of his Company. On October 5th we were relieved by the First Division of the Sixth Corps and Cavalry ; the next morning marched back to Culpepper and went into camp about two and one-half miles from town, where we remained until the 10th, when we left in the afternoon and marched about six miles. At 3 o'clock the next morning, the IIth, we left camp and crossed the river at Rappahannock Sta- tion : our Division on the railroad bridge and the Third Division on the pontoon bridge below. We arrived at Bealton about dark, having marched about eighteen miles. Lee, having determined on another northward movement, had turned our right flank, hence our backward march to the north side of the Rappahannock.
On the morning of the 12th, the Division was called upon to
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witness the disgrace and punishment of another man for deser- tion ; this time he was "drummed out of camp", that is to have one-half of his head and beard shaved off, branded with the letter D, then placed between the guards and marched through all the camps with a drum corps behind him playing the Rogue's March.
Upon our falling back, Lee immediately occupied the ground and took possession of Culpepper. Meade, not knowing Lee's in- tentions, concluded to recross the river and give him battle. So about noon on the 12th, we started back, recrossed the Rappa- hannock, and forming in line of battle advanced towards Brandy Station.
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