USA > Pennsylvania > History of the One hundred & sixth regiment, Pennsylvania volunteers, 2d brigade, 2d division, 2d corps, 1861-1865 > Part 39
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At the close of the war, Colonel Stover immigrated to Missouri. In 1868, he was elected to Congress ; in 1870, he was a candidate on the State ticket for Secretary of State, and in 1872, was the candidate for Lieutenant-Governor.
In 1876, he was one of Missouri's Commissioners to the Cen- tennial Exhibition at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where he again mingled freely with his former army friends. He lived at Aurora Springs, Mo., practising his profession as a lawyer until he died on October 27, 1889, leaving a wife and one daughter. The widow, Mary Ellen Hover Stover, died on April 19, 1904, and the daughter was married to Dr. J. C. Kamerly on February 27, 1901, and is living at Altoona Pa., having one child, Ellen Elizabeth.
Colonel Stover will be well remembered by the survivors of his old Regiment, to which he was warmly attached. Being over six feet high and weighing over 250 pounds, the very sight of
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COLONEL JOHN H. STOVER
him was calculated to give courage to less conspicuous marks. At various times he was placed in command of the Sixty-Ninthi and Seventy-Second Regiments, and by his uniform courtesy won the respect of all. Cautious and cool in action he never ex- posed his men to unnecessary dangers ; firm and determined he never undertook anything that he did not successfully accomplish. In quarters, or in bivouac he was the life of the camp; in the hos- pital his rough hand was as tender as a maiden's, and many a sick and suffering soldier felt better from his visit. Colonel Stover always had a warm spot in the hearts of the survivors of the One Hundred and Sixth Regiment, to which he is justly entitled, by proving himself to be a good soldier, a conscientious officer and faithful friend.
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THE ONE HUNDRED AND SIXTH REGIMENT
GENERAL JAMES CANNING LYNCH.
GENERAL JAMES CANNING LYNCH, the oldest son of Colonel James and B. Finette Lynch, came of military stock, his father having fought in the war of 1812 and in the wars against the Seminoles in 1818 and 1836, commanding a Regiment of Alabama Volunteers in 1836.
He was born in Waterbury, Connecticut, on January 16th, 1840, and removed with his parents to Philadelphia in 1842, where he received his education. He graduated from the Philadelphia High School in 1854, and entered the counting room of Boker & Brothers, where he remained until the breaking out of the Re- bellion, in April, 1861, when he left a lucrative position to enlist as private in the Henry Guards, for the three months' service. On August 8, 1861, he was commissioned Second Lieutenant of Company A, One Hundred and Sixth Pennsylvania, or Fifth California Regiment, as it was then known, which company he was mainly instrumental in recruiting. Was commissioned First Lieutenant of same company, November 1, 1861, and was pre- sent at all the actions in which the Regiment was engaged, ex- cept the battles of Fair Oaks, when this company was on detach- ed service. Commanded his company at Antietam. On January 4, 1863, he was promoted to Captain of Company B.
At Gettysburg, by his personal gallantry, he won the admiration of General Webb, then commanding the Brigade, who afterwards appointed him on his staff as Assistant Inspector General. His services at that battle were very important and ably rendered. He made a reconnoissance with his company on the morning of July 2d, west of the Emmitsburg road, uncovering a large force of the enemy in the woods, near Seminary Ridge. That same afternoon, with his company, he charged upon the Bliss House, held by Sixteenth Mississippi, and was repulsed, losing one officer and eleven men, and when four companies of the
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GENERAL JAMES CANNING LYNCH
Twelfth New Jersey were sent to his assistance, charged with them, and together they captured the house and many prisoners. On the 3d of July, he was selected by General Webb to command the Brigade picket line, or skirmishers,and so ably handled them during Pickett's grand charge, as to delay the advance of Gar- nett's Brigade, they thinking they had struck our advance line of battle, thus enabling General Webb to replace his two disabled batteries with others that greatly assisted in repulsing that charge. Captain Lynch was, during September, 1863, transferred to the Third Division staff as Division Inspector, and while serving there was wounded at Bristoe Station, Va., October 14, 1863, and finally in February, 1864, was transferred to the Second Division staff, displaying great ability as a staff officer, in whom his com- manding Generals imposed the utmost confidence, knowing that if Captain Lynch was told to do anything that it would be done, and if sent anywhere, no matter how perilous, he would go.
In June, 1864, at the request of General Hancock, he was com- missioned Colonel of the One Hundred and Eighty-Third Penn- sylvania, then in the First Brigade, First Division, Second Corps, and Governor Curtin, learning that the Regiment did not number sufficient men to allow his muster in that rank, at once sent him the commission of Lieutenant-Colonel of the same Regiment, and on June 24th, he took command of it. On July 19th, General Hancock, in order to give Colonel Lynch rank enough to com- mand a Brigade, transferred to his Regiment nearly 300 Veterans from the Seventy-Second Pennsylvania, and he was mustered in as Colonel.
This only gave more scope to his excellent military ability, and at the head of his Regiment, and frequently commanding the Bri- gade, he displayed gallantry unsurpassed, as well as ability, that drew from his Corps and Division Commanders the highest praise.
At Deep Bottom, Va., on July 27, 1864, with 232 men, he ad- vanced across an open plain, and attacked Kershaw's Brigade of 1300 men, with a battery of four twenty-pound Parrott guns, posted on the edge of a woods, behind strong works. This assault was witnessed by Major Camp, of the Tenth Connecticut, who, in a private letter to his family, published in H. C. Trum- bull's "Knightly Soldier", graphically described the part taken by
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THE ONE HUNDRED AND SIXTH REGIMENT
General Lynch as follows: Speaking of the first advance he says, "There are two or three mounted officers-one of them with a straw hat-cantering about among the men. That looks to us like recklessness. We are in the habit of seeing officers go into a fight dismounted ; but we can't help admiring their pluck". Then, after describing the failure of the first assault he continues : "The horseman with the straw hat gallops to and fro, waving his sword, pointing to the front, pressing them to come up once more. Some are ready to try it ; the color-bearer rushes forward, stands on the highest point of ground where the bullets must be flying like hail, turns and waves his colors to those behind. We can hardly help cheering the brave fellow, and that noble rider, who is in front of all, dashing on and calling them to follow. We expect every moment to see him go down, and strain our eyes with eager watching. How can men help following him? But no: too many hold back; and those who are willing are dis- couraged, and give way too. Yet the-straw-hat-man won't give it up so. He will try flanking them. He plants the colors in a sheltered spot, forms line there and moves off in this dir- ection approaching obliquely the rebel works, and his men start after him with a rush, and before long we hear that the works are taken and four Parrott guns with them. We met the officer with the straw hat within the works. Henry talked with him and learned that he was Colonel of the One Hundred and Eighty- Third Pennsylvania, commanding a Brigade in Barlow's Division of Hancock's Corps. A very fine-looking fellow, and modest as he is brave. His name was Lynch. His hat had been pierced by a bullet and his horse shot from under him; but he came out without a scratch".
Colonel Lynch was brevetted Brigadier General for his gal- lantry in this action, and the next day, July 28, 1864, took com- mand of the First Brigade, First Division, Second Corps, which he commanded until he resigned his commission in October, 1864, the Brigade being most of the time in the trenches in front of Petersburg, and on the extreme right of the army of the Potomac, a position requiring extraordinary vigilance.
At the battle of Ream's Station, August 25, 1864, so dis- astrous to the Second Corps, his Brigade was attacked on the left
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GENERAL JAMES CANNING LYNCH
flank and rear, and for a time the batttery on his front was in the enemy's hands, but he succeeded in a change of front with the Sixty-First New York, which was his right Regiment, led it in a gallant charge, which retook the guns and re-established his Brigade line. His was the only Brigade of the Corps which came off that field intact, in good order, and all the men with their colors.
Upon leaving the army, General Lynch returned to Philadel- phia and engaged in the Real Estate business, with which interest he is still identified, having successfully accomplished several large building enterprises. He married Miss Matilda Sprogell, daughter of the late Marshall Sprogell, and has a family of three children, two sons and one daughter.
General Lynch died on April 12, 1901, at Philadelphia, and was buried with full military honors, and memorial services were held at Post 2, G. A. R. Rooms. He left a widow and three children, the youngest son, Ralph A., having served as an officer through- out the Spanish-American War.
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THE ONE HUNDRED AND SIXTH REGIMENT
COLONEL JOS. R. C. WARD.
COLONEL JOSEPH RIPLEY CHANDLER WARD, third son of Col- onel George W. and Matilda W. Ward, was born in Philadelphia, Penna., June 27, 1845.
He came of a long line of military men, his great grandfather was Captain of the Massachusetts Regiment during the War of the Revolution, his grandfather was Colonel of the Massachusetts Militia, and his father Colonel of the Militia of Pennsylvania and an aide on the staff of Governor James Pollock, and he began his own military career quite young when in July, 1859, he accom- panied his uncle, by marriage, Lieutenant R. V. Bonneau, of the United States Army, to the frontiers, crossing the plains from Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, to Fort Union, New Mexico, the trip occupying nearly two months, and remained with him in Albu- querque and Santa Fe, New Mexico, until the summer of 1860, when he accompanied the detachment of five companies of the Third Infantry, Lieutenant Bonneau commanding Company H, to Texas, by the Rio Pecos, a new route, never travelled before by white men, except a surveying party. They were then stationed at Fort Clarke, Texas, until the secession of that State in March, 1861 and the United States Troops were ordered out of the State. When the troops left there, he accompanied them to Indianola, and was placed on the United States Transport, the "Empire City of New York." They sailed from Indianola with five companies of the 3d U. S. Infantry and four companies of the Ist U. S. Cavalry on board the transport under escort of the only United States War Vessel then in that locality, the "Mohawk," the day before the Rebel General Van Dorn landed and captured the remaining U. S. Troops, arriving in New York some time in April, 1861. Here he separated from his army friends and re- turned to his family in Philadelphia, where he found all excite- ment, consequent upon the departure for the war, of the three months' regiments, and became imbued with that spirit of loyalty
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COLONEL JOS. R. C. WV ARD
which prompted so many to rush to arms. As soon as the recruit- ing began for the three years' regiments he made application at nearly every recruiting office only to meet the same answer: "too small;" "we don't want boys."
He still persisted in his efforts to enlist, each refusal only urging him to more determined efforts, until he was finally, through the intervention of friends, accepted by Colonel More- head, and mustered into the United States' service as musician of Company I, of what was then the Fifth California Regiment, afterwards the One Hundred and Sixth Pennsylvania, and on the morning of September 30, 1861, the Regiment started for the front.
In the spring of 1864, when General Grant assumed command of the Armies of the United States, to increase the strength and efficiency of the cavalry force, he ordered all details serving as orderlies at the different headquarters, to rejoin their regi- ments and infantry men to be mounted to take their place. Musician Ward at once made application for the appointment, and when ordered to report to Brigade Headquarters, the Assistant Adjutant General, Captain Seabury, upon learning that he was a musician, declined to accept him and ordered him back to his regiment ; but Ward persisted and told him, "that he was tired of being nothing but a drummer boy, and wanted to be something else". This caused the Captain to question him closely and he finally told him to return to his Regiment, and he would notify him if accepted; in a few days he was notified to report to Bri- gade Headquarters and was sent to Division Headquarters, where the Assistant Adjutant General, Major Norval, also objected, principally on account of his size, but finally accepted him, and on April 15, 1864, he reported there for duty.
During the terrible campaigns that followed, beginning at the Wilderness, and ending at Petersburg, he made every effort to discharge his onerous and difficult duties to the satisfaction of General Gibbon commanding the division and his staff of officers, and has the satisfaction of knowing that he was successful, as not only Major Norval, and Captains Lynch, Embler, Palmer and ·Gail, had frequently so expressed themselves to him, but General «Gibbon also, as on June 10th, at Cold Harbor, he called Ward to
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THE ONE HUNDRED AND SIXTH REGIMENT
him, inquired his full name and regiment, and then said: "I am very well pleased with the manner in which you have discharged your duties since you have been at these Headquarters," subse- quently had him released from all other duty but to go with him when he went out. During the fight at Spottsylvania Court House, Va., May 12, 1864, Ward was slightly wounded in the right shoulder, but remained on duty.
Upon arriving at Petersburg, for some carelessness, the General ordered the Corporal in charge of the Orderlies at Headquarters to be sent back to his Regiment, and the next day had Ward ap- pointed Corporal, and gave him charge over all the Orderlies at Division Headquarters. On July 20th, when he requested General Gibbon to be relieved that he might return home with his Regiment, as his term of service was about expired, the Gen- eral said he was sorry to have him go, and urged him to stay, promising him further promotion; but he was anxious to get home after three years' service, and was finally mustered out with his company at Philadelphia, September 10, 1864.
Corporal Ward received the following testimonials as to his- efficiency and faithful discharge of his duties :
HEADQUARTERS 2D DIVISION, 2D CORPS,
Near Petersburg, Va., September 3d, 1864.
JOSEPH R. C. WARD, late a Corporal in the One Hundred and Sixth Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, having applied to me for a recommendation, I take great pleasure in stating that he acted for some time as orderly at my headquarters, and that I found him active. intelligent and persevering. His conduct was such as to elicit my special attention. and I obtained his promotion to a corporalcy, for the intelligence and promptness with which he attended to his duties. JOHN GIBBON, Major-General Vols., commanding Division. Also
Philadelphia, September 8th, 1865.
CORPORAL Jos. R. C. WARD,
Company I. 106th Regiment Penna. Volunteers :
I take great pleasure in bearing testimony to your efficiency and uniform promptitude in the performance of your duty as a soldier. You frequently came under my eye, in action. whilst serving as Chief of Oderlies on General Gibbon's staff, and by your personal.
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. COLONEL JOS. R. C. WARD
gallantry commanded my respect, and my commendation when- ever opportunity offered. I received an order from Division Headquarters through you, which I do not think would have reached me otherwise, as I was at the time hotly engaged with the enemy.
I wish you full success in your future, and always believe me to be your friend,
JOSHUA T. OWEN, Brigadier-General Volunteers, Com. 2d Brig., 2d Div., 2d Corps.
And the following :
Philadelphia, Oct. 3d, 1880.
MY DEAR COLONEL WARD :
It affords me much pleasure to be able to testify to the value of your services in the field.
Although a mere boy in 1864, and enlisted as a musician, you abhorred the duty in and about the hospital during an action, and chose rather to be at the front in the arduous and dangerous posi- tion of staff orderly.
You served at the Headquarters of the 2d Division. 2₫ Corps during the Campaign from the Rapidan to Petersburg, and when- ever I required the services of the bravest and most willing order- ly at Headquarters I took you with me and you always performed the most dangerous duty cheerfully and well.
Yours very truly,
JAMES C. LYNCH, late Brvt. Brig. General U. S. V. To Colonel Joseph R. C. Ward.
While in Philadelphia waiting to be discharged, he received an appointment as Paymaster Steward on board the U. S. Receiv- ing Ship, "Wyoming", at the Navy Yard, in the latter part of August, 1864, and soon after the ship was ordered away, and as he had not been mustered out of the Army, he could not leave Philadelphia, so he was discharged after two weeks' service.
Still retaining his preference for military life, he enlisted as a member of the Gray Reserve Regiment of Philadelphia, after- wards the First Regiment National Guards of Pennsylvania, early in the spring of 1865, and for over four years served as an enlisted man in Company C, of that Regiment. In September, 1869, was elected Second Lieutenant of Company K, of the Seventh Regi- ment, and in May, 1870, was appointed Adjutant of the Eighth Regiment, until called to higher station in July, 1871, by being elected Colonel of the Thirteenth Regiment, N. G. of Pennsyl-
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THE ONE HUNDRED AND SIXTH REGIMENT
vania. Here, by hard labor and persistent effort, he brought his Regiment to a state of proficiency and discipline that was recog- nized, and received special notice from his superior officers. Upon the reduction of the National Guard, and the consolidation of command, Colonel Ward declined the command of a Battalion, and was mustered out in September, 1873, and was afterwards appointed Major and Assistant Adjutant-General of the Third Brigade, which position he was compelled to resign on account of his preparations for attending college. He became active in the suppression of the Railroad Riots in 1877 and organized a com- pany. He was again mustered into the State service as Captain of Company C, Twentieth Veteran Regiment, N. G. Pa., and for two months did active and hard service at Pittsburg, Scranton and Wilkes-Barre, and when his services were no longer needed, was mustered out with the Regiment at Philadelphia. Since then he has taken no part in military life except as a member of the Veteran Corps of the First Regiment, N. G. Pa., of which he was First Lieutenant, until the breaking out of the War with Spain, when he tendered his services to both the State and National Government. He was finally selected by Hon. John Wanamaker to organize a regiment, that he offered to equip for the Govern- ment. Colonel Ward as the Commander of that regiment re- cruited over thirteen hundred men, organized twelve full com- panies, and gave it his undivided attention for over four months, with two companies drilling each night and battalion drill each week, he brought the regiment up to fine state of drill and disci- pline, but the war ended before their services were accepted, so that neither Colonel Ward or the regiment were mustered into the service of the Government. Colonel Ward is now retired with the rank of Colonel, and has been placed upon the roll of Retired Officers of the National Guard of Pennsylvania.
In 1886 Colonel Ward was elected Military Instructor at Girard College, Philadelphia, and for over seven years filled that responsible position, having under him a battalion of four com- panies containing over two hundred and fifty boys, and main- tained the reputation of that battalion as being the finest drilled battalion of cadets in the United States outside of West Point and Annapolis, until the United States Government took charge and
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COLONEL JOS. R. C. WV ARD
detailed one of its officers, Lieutenant Edward C. Brooks of 7th U. S. Cavalry, to take charge and relieve Colonel Ward.
Colonel Ward took great interest in the Grand Army of the Republic, joining it in January, 1868, and for over eleven years filled the offices of Quartermaster, Adjutant and Post Com- mander of George G. Meade Post No. I, of Pennsylvania, and for years, unaided, kept the Post together by his own personal efforts and labors, infusing into it new life, until now it has become one of the finest and largest Posts in the order, and to no one is it more indebted to-day for its success, than Past Commander Ward. He also joined the Union Veteran Legion as member of Encampment No. 73 of Philadelphia.
He is a member of the Pennsylvania Society of the Sons of the Revolution.
In 1872 he married Mayde H., daughter of John and Sarah (Levis) Williams, of Media, Delaware County, Pa., having no children.
INDEX.
ABBOTT, Major Henry L., 282. Abraham, Gunner Francis, 208. Achuff, Captain Francis H., 3, 22, 56, 146, 170. Adams, Lieutenant-Colonel, 130.
Alabama, Thirteenth, 194.
Allabachs, Colonel Peter H., 141; Brigade, 141.
Allen, Captain R. W. P., 3, 17, 22, 41, 105, 170.
Ames, General Adelbert, 203, 209, 210, 263. Anderson, General Richard H., 98, 106, 11I, 182; Division, 164, 191, 400, 403.
Anderson, General Geo. B., 111.
Anderson, General George T., Brigade, 242, Anderson, Major, 277, 278.
Anderson, Private John, 22.
Anderson, Private John R., 112, 277.
Arbuckle, Samuel W., 112, 419.
Armistead, General Lewis A., 200, 201, 203, 207, 404. Armstrong, Private Samuel K., 277.
BAILE, Corporal Francis, 112.
Baker, General Edward D., 1, 2, 5, 7, 10, 11, 12, 13, 15, 21, 122, 158; Brigade, 17.
Banes, Colonel Charles H., 10, 17, 37, 44, 51, 95, 119, 198, 207, 208, 229, 238, 239, 247, 266, 271. Banister, Lieutenant Joseph T., 3, 74. Banks, General N. P., 25, 28, 86, 95; Corps, 76, 86, 95. Barclay, Private Robert, 146.
Barlow, General F. C., 106, 237, 248, 260, 265, 266, 276, 278, 293, 294; Division, 184, 241, 245, 248, 259, 260, 264, 278, 286, 288.
Barnes, General James, Division, 190.
Barnes, Sergeant Jonathan C., 41, 231.
Bartleson, Captain Lewis, 3, 22.
Baxter, Colonel D. W. C., 2, 38, 80, 118, 127, 143, 158, 159, 206, 222. Baxter, Colonel Harry, 130, 282; Brigade, 183.
Baxter's Brigade, 183. Bayard's Cavalry, 129.
Bean, Colonel, 183.
Beaureguard, General G. T., 262.
Beckley, Private Joshua, 112.
Bell, Corporal William, 205.
Berry's Division, General Hiram G., 165, 166. Biggs, Lieutenant James C., 150, 170.
Binker, Private James, 204.
Birney, General D. B., 129, 189, 190, 237, 241, 242, 243, 248, 257, 258, 259, 275, 276, 277, 278, 280, 281, 288; Division, 136, 240, 241, 242, 245, 246, 248, 253, 254, 257. 264, 274. Blackburn, Private William, 79.
Blair, Sergeant Henry P., 252.
Blanc, Private Louis, 205. Blenker, General Lewis, 32; Division, 38. Bliss, Colonel Z. K., 287.
Bobbs, Private John, 79.
Bogan, Private George, 205.
Brady, Private Wm. H., 204.
Breitenbach, Captain John R., 3, 179, 205, 216, 217, 275. 280, 407.
Brooke, Colonel John R., 64, 65, 67. Brooks, General W. T. H., 106, 263. Broughton, Lieutenant, 196. Brown, John, 26.
Brown, Private William, 21.
Bryan, Lieutenant Wm., 3, 112, 423.
Bryant, William Cullen, 78, 125, 157, 168, 272, 281.
Buford, General John, 182, 183. Burial Association, 21.
Burns, General Wm. W., 3, 15, 22, 38, 52, 53. 54, 55, 57, 58, 62, 63, 64, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72. 74, 75, 76, 77, 80, 85, 95, 96, 118, 121, 128, 158, 388, 389, 390; Brigade, 31, 69, 70, 75, 76, 77, 78, 121; Division, 129.
Burnside, General A. E., 22, 95, 110, 123. 124, 127, 128. 130, 147, 148, 151, 152, 155. 156, 158, 164, 242, 250, 258, 281, 28 ;; Corps, 95, 147, 254, 259, 260, 264, 287.
Butler, General B. F., 262, 273. Butterfield, General Daniel, Corps, 138. Battery, Ayers', 69.
Bartlett's, 70. Bramhall's, 78.
Brown's, 188, 190, 191, 192, 206, 211, 400, 404.
Cooper's, 69.
64 Cowan's, 198, 199, 207.
66 Cunningham's, 69.
66 Cushing's, 188, 196, 198, 205, 207, 404. De Russey's, 78
Dietrich's, 69.
Frank's, 62.
66 Hazzard's, 64, 69, 78, 145.
Keen's, 69.
.. King's, 70.
66 Kirby's, 52, 53, 54, 55. 64, 70, 73.
McKnight's, 280, 289.
Osborn's,. 68, 78.
46
Owen's. 70.
Pettit's, 64, 68, 69, 78, 127. Randall's, 69. Rickett's, 53, 195.
Rorty's. 404.
Thompson's. 70.
Weidrick's, 195.
Wheeler's, 198, 199, 207.
BIOGRAPHIES.
General Turner G. Morehead, 428-431.
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