History of the counties of Dauphin and Lebanon : in the commonwealth of Pennsylvania ; biographical and genealogical, Part 35

Author: Egle, William Henry, 1830-1901
Publication date: 1883
Publisher: Philadelphia : Everts & Peck
Number of Pages: 1046

USA > Pennsylvania > Dauphin County > History of the counties of Dauphin and Lebanon : in the commonwealth of Pennsylvania ; biographical and genealogical > Part 35
USA > Pennsylvania > Lebanon County > History of the counties of Dauphin and Lebanon : in the commonwealth of Pennsylvania ; biographical and genealogical > Part 35

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On the 9th of September the appointment was an- nonneed of A. K. MeClure, Assistant Adjutant-Gen- eral of the United States, with the rank of major. and detailed for special duty in Penn-ylvania, where he was assigned the service of arranging -uch defenses in the State as the emergency demanded. In the mean time. in view of the threatened danger from the rebel advance, recruiting proceeded rapidly. The " The Provost Guard detailed for duty in this city are hereby directed . to take care that the above proclamation be enforced. ranks of the Reserve Brigade and Home Guard soon " War. H KI.PNER, " Mayor. " MAYOR'S OFFICE, HARRISBURG, September 12, 1862." filled up, and new companies were raised in nearly every ward in the city. On the Wth. Governor Cur- tin issned General Order No. 35, in which he stated that, "In view of the danger of invasion now threat- ening our State by the enemies of the government. it is deemed necessary to call upon all the able-bodied men of Pennsylvania to organize immediately for the . ontrage from the enemies of the government. By

defense of the State and be ready for marching orders upon one hour's notice. to proceed to such point of rendezvous as the Governor may direct." Organiza- tion- called into the field under this order were to he held for service for such time only as the pre -- ing exigency for State defense continued. On the fol- lowing day (September 11th) the Degraph said, " We have the gratifying intelligence that the people are Meanwhile the troops raised for the defense of the Cumberland Valley and Harrisburg were concen- turning out en masse to defend the free -oil of Penn- sylvania. Dispatches from all the adjoining counties , trating at Chambersburg under the command of

were received last night at headquarters, offering any number of troops for the defense of the capital of the State. . . . Gen. Wool takes command to-day. A number of competent engineers are here to complete the fortifications." In the same issue it was noted that " the train from Chambersburg brought a con- siderable number of passengers from beyond that town," from whom it was learned that " the excite- ment and panic in that direction are intense and fearful." On the same train came " a large number of contrabands." On the afternoon of the same day Governor Curtin issued the following proclamation :

" HEADQUARTERS PENNSYLVANIA MILITIA, "HARRISBURG, Sept. 11, 1-62.

" Generul Order No. 36.

" By authority of the President of the United States, fifty thou-and of the freemen of Pentisylvania are hereby called for immediate service, to repel the new inaninent danger from invasion by the enemies of the country.

" Officers in command of company organizations, as authorized by treneral Order No. 95, dated September 10th, will at once report by tele- graph the place of their headquarters, so that orders may be issued from these headquarters for transportation to Harrisburg for such companies as may be ordered to move.

" Further calls will be made for additional farces as the exigencies of the service may require. The formation of companies under the General Order of september loth should continue to be made a- rapidly pe pos- sible, until all the able-bodied, loyal men of Pennsylvania are enrolled and ready for service.

" By order of .

"A. G. CURTIN, " Governor and Commander-in-Chief. "A. L. RUSSELL, Adjutant- General, Pennsyly mia."

On the 12th Mayor Kepner issued the following proclamation :

"TO THE CITIZENS AND OTHERS NOW WITHIN THE CITY OF HARRISBURG. " In pursuance of the command of his Excellency A. G. Quitin, Gov- ernor of this commonwealth, dated this day, to me directed, I forbid every able-bodied man from leaving the bounds of this city upon the pain of being arrested and held in charge by the military authorities under the instructions given to them for that purpose by the Governor. " All railroad companies and their agents located at this city are also hereby notified and positively forbidden to carry off or furnish trans- portation for the purpose of carrying off any and all able-bodied men from this city.

At this date it was noted in the local press that the most active measures were being put in force to as- semble a large army to resist invasion, "and if pos- sible save the capital and State from devastation and this evening fifty thousand men will be in motion, All the rolling -tock of the different railroads in the State will be taken possession of For the purpose of conveying troops to this city. An engineer corps is at work on the other side of the river, surveying the ground in all directions, and arranging the plans for the erection of works."

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GENERAL HISTORY.

Gen. John F. Reynolds, of the regular army. Col. Charles Campbell was appointed with the rank of brigadier to the command of a force from the camps at Harrisburg, which was ordered to proceed up the

The First Regiment Pennsylvania Militia, under command of Col. Henry McCormick, composed mainly of residents of Harrisburg. left the city on September 33th for Chambersburg, and went into Cumberland Valley. Capt. G. D. lland was acting , camp at a point about two miles above Chamber -- adjutant-general, Capt. Elbridge Met'onkey acting . burg, on the Franklin Railroad, the military station being known as Camp MeClure. assistant adjutant-general, Maj. R. HI. McCoy, chief quartermaster. On the 18th it was announced that The Dauphin County cavalry, commanded by Capt. E. Byers, with Lieuts. Boyd. Peters, and Murray, and Charle- C. Rawn, as orderly, accompanied the regi- ment. Capt. James Gowan also recruited a company of cavalry in Dauphin County at this time. over two hundred companies had reported themselves to the Governor for service, and that Governor Curtin had left Harrisburg on the previous day to visit the forces in the field at Chambersburg and other point- in the valley. A strong reserve was maintained at Camp Curtin, ready to march at a moment's notice. From Saturday evening. September 13th, in the night which followed and all day Sunday, a- fast as one train of cars on the Pennsylvania Railroad, the Leb- anon Valley, and the Northern Central could dis- charge its living cargo another steamed into the city filled with volunteers. Tents were erected on the capitol grounds for the accommodation of the fresh levies, and the medical department bad a large los- pital tent immediately in front of the arsenal, where the recruits were supplied with medicine and medical advice. Gen. Reynolds arrived in the city on Satur- day evening, September 13th, and immediately or- ganized his staff and issued his first order as follows :

"HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF PENNSYLVANIA, " HARRISBURG, Sept. 13. 1862. " General Order No. 1.

"I. In pursuance of orders from War Department and His Excel- Iency, Governor Curtin, the undersigned Assumes command of the forces a-sembled for the defense of Pennsylvania.

Il. The following-named officers are announced as the staff of the general commanding, and will be obeyed and respected accordingly :

" Capt. C. Kingsbury, Jr., assistant adjutant-general.

" Edward McPherson, volunteer aide-de-camp.

" Lieut. C. Sinboru, andle-de-camp.

" Lieut. William Biddle, aide-de-camp.

" JOHN F. REYNOLDS. " Brigadier-General Volunteers.

" Official.

"C. KINGSBURY, JR., " Assistant Adjutant-General."

Troops continued to pour into Harrisburg until, on the 16th, it was announced that there were volunteers in the city from every county in the State. "Camp Curtin," it was stated, "is full to overflowing : the capitol grounds are now literally covered with tents: the Senate and House of Representatives are used as barracks; every room in the capitol. not occupied for other purposes, is now filled with troop- : the vacant rooms in the court-house are appropriated to the sol- diers; wherever there is a -pot that will accommo- date a weary soldier it is seized upon and used accord- ing to 'the articles of war.' The hotels are like bee-hives, swarming; private houses are open, their accommodations at once cordial and free to all who choose to enter ; and thus the State capital is one vast camp, where the soldier is at liberty to bivouac on the street-corner, in our most elegant mansions, the capitol grounds or the capitol buildings."

On the 17th it was announced that the troops were in possession of every public building in Harrisburg. Churches, schools, ho-e- and engine-houses, and the capitol buiklings, the depots, and.in fact every acces- sible edifice which could be used for the shelter and accommodation of troops was secured by the author- ities or voluntarily given up for the purpose. A> fast as transportation could be secured the troops were moved off in the direction of the Cumberland Val- ley. During this critical period the duties of pro- vost gnard in Harrisburg were performed by the First City Zouaves, Company A, One Hundred and Twenty-seventh Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, Capt. F. Asbury Awl. The Harrisburg Greys Ex- empts), Valentine flaminel, Jr., captain, also re- mained in the city, prepared to render their services should occasion arise.

On the 1Sth of September the following card from the Secretary of the Commonwealth was telegraphed to the principal postmasters in the State, with the request that they would place it in some conspicuous position :

" HARRISBURG, Sept. 18, 1-62. "The number of wounded in Gen. Mcclellan's recent battles is very large; most of them will probably be brought into Pennsylvania. The surgeon-general appeals to the ladies for the immediate contribution of such articles as are needed for their comfort. All packages should have contents markel outside, and be addressed to Geu. Ilale, Harrisburg. " ELI SLIFER,

"Secretary of Commonwealth."

Sept. 19, 1962, the appointment was announced of Brig .- Gen. Ilarry Longnecker to the command of a brigade composed of a portion of the regiment- called out by Governor Curtin for the defense of the border, with Col. John J. Patterson as aid. The battle of Antietam, which was fought on the 16th and 17th of September, resulted in the retreat of ffen. Lee's army across the Potomac, and dissipated all apprehensions of a Confederate advance upon Harrisburg at that time. During the morning of the 16th, Capt. George Brooks, of Harrisburg. of the Forty-sixth PenusI- vania Regiment, was shot and fatally wounded.

After the result at Antietam orders were telegraphed to the various military headquarters throughout the State that the militia companies then organizing in the different localities need not march to Harrisburg. as the exigency which made it necessary to call out the militia had been surmounted, and all danger of

144

HISTORY OF DAUPHIN COUNTY.

invasion passed. On the 20th of September, Gen. Reynolds issued an order that the Pennsylvania mili- tia should return to their own border, and on the 21st orders were issued to break up the military camps on the capitol grounds at Harrisburg. In a short time the men were on the march to the depot, and train- soon began to depart with the troops on their way home. On the 23d, Mayor Kepner was instructed by the Governor to remove the restrictions on travel, and persons were once more free to leave the city without passes.

Ou the 24th the Harrisburg companies, forming part of the First Regiment, which had arrived the evening before, marched through the principal streets of the city, under the command of Lieut .- Col. Robert A. Lamberton. On the same day, Governor Curtin issued a proclamation, thanking the troops, congrat- ulating them on the character of the service they had rendered, and discharging them from further duty. In this proclamation the Governor said, --

" Although not required by the terms of the call to pass the borders of the State, our brave mien, unused to the rigors of war and untrained in military movement-, not only entered Maryland, but held Hagers- town against a'l advancing foe, pressed forward to the Potomac, and resisted the threatened movement of the rebels upon Williamsport, utitil troops in the United States service arrived and relleved them. Their timely and heroic action has saved the State from the tread of :so invading enemy, whose necessities made even military strategy subor. dinate to plunder."

The brigade which held the position at Williams- port, referred to by Governor Curtin, was commanded by Col. Henry McCormick, acting brigadier, and the First Regiment (from Harrisburg) was stationed on the extreme left in the position of honor and danger.

After defeating the Northern army under Gen. Hooker at Chancellorsville, May 2 and 3, 1863. Gen. Lee determined if possible to transfer the scene of hostilities north of the Potomac. His design having become apparent at the North, Governor Curtin, on the 12th of June, issued a proclamation announcing that the President had erected two new departments,. one in Eastern Pennsylvania, commanded by Maj .- Gen. D. N. Couch, and the other in Western Penn- sylvania, commanded by Maj .- Gen. Brooks, and urging upon the people of Pennsylvania the importance of immediately rai-ing a sufficient force for the defense of the State. An engineer forec began on the 15th the erection of earthworks and other defenses on the Cumberland side of the Susquehanna River, immedi- ately opposite Harrisburg. To these the name of Fort Washington was given. Other works were erected at other points, both along the river and on the different railroads. On the same day Lieut .- Col. Romford, appointed assistant provost-general for the State of Pennsylvania, arrived at Harri-burg and en- tered upon the discharge of his duties, and Governor Curtin issned a proclamation calling for fifty thousand troops to repel the threatened invasion of Pennsyl- vania. A meeting of citizens of Harrisburg was also . Governor for men to repel the threatened invasion of our State."

held at the court-house on the 15th to devise meas- ures for the protection of the city. On motion, Gen. Simon Cameron was called to the chair. After ex- plaining the object of the meeting and urging imme- diate action, Gen. Cameron suggested that committees be appointed to wait upon the Governor and Gien. Conch and ask them to be present and explain what they desired the citizens to do and how to assist in the defense of the city. In accordance with this sug- gestion, George Bergner, Dr. A. Patterson, and Judge MeKinney were appointed the committee to wait upon the Governor; William Bostick, Sheriff Boas, and Hon. John C. Kunkel to wait on Gen. Couch. A committee to wait on Maj. Romford was also ap- pointed, consisting of Col. T. C. MacDowell, D. J. Unger, and Weidman Forster. On motion it was re- solved that one hundred scouts he sent up the valley. and Col. F. K. Boas offered the following, which was unanimously adopted :

" Resolved, That we individually and collectively pledge the last dollar and last man in defense of the State in its present emergency."

Mr. Bergner, from the committee, introduced the Governor, who explained the state of affairs and urged all to prepare at ouce for self-defense. Gen. Couch was then introduced, and spoke in a similar strain. Col. Kunkel offered a roll which he had pre- pared, the signers of which pledged themselves to defend the city to the uttermost. The roll was at once signed by a large number, headed by Gen. Simon Cameron. Mr. Snyder had prepared a roll calling upon the young men to organize, which was also numeron-ly signed.

A call was immediately issued, as follows :

" All loyal men who desire to enter the service with the undersigned will form companies at once and report at my residence, No. 43 North Second Street, in this city, immediately.

** Remember there is no time to lose, as the rebels are now at Hagers- tuwu, and are pushing for this city. Let there be no delay, unless you wish to see the capital of the State and your own firesides laid in waste by the invading rebels."

The following notice- were is-ned at the same time :

** All persons who wish to join a cavalry company are requested to meet at the livery office of Frank Murray, in Fourth Street near Wul- nut, this evening at seven o'clock, for the purpose of organizing a com- pany."

"The members of the Fourth Ward company of Pennsylvania nii- Itin are earnestly urged to meet promptly this evening at seven o'clock at the Hope Engine house to prepare to defend our homes.

" E. CURZON, Captain. " June 15, 1863."

"Attention, firemen and citizens of the Fifth and Sixth Wards! A meeting will be held at the Good Will Engine house this evening at Seven and a half o'clock to form a military company to fight in defense of Harrisburg.

"W K. VERBEKE, " President of the Good Will Fire Company."

" Attention, Russell Guards! A meeting of Company F, One Hundred and Twenty-seventh Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, will be heid at the Hope Engine house this evening at seven o'clock."

" The members of Company B. One Hundred and Twenty-seventh Remirent Pennsylvania Volunteers, are requested to meet it the ra; - tin's othce this evening it siv o'clock to take action on the call of the

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GENERAL HISTORY.

" First City Troop of Harrisburg will meet at the public-house of Quartermaster l'eters, Farmers' Hotel, this ( Wednesday) evening at seven o'clock. J. B. Royd, ntst lieutenant."

"The young men of the city of Harrisburg desirous of connecting themselves with an organization for state defense will meet at Wag- ner's Ilotel, corner of Second and Chestnut Streets, this evening at seven o'clock."

"First City Zouaves .- The old members of this corps, and all others desirons of joining the same, are requested to repair to the headquarters at once. . . . Company B, One Hundred and Twenty-seventh Regiment, is also cordially invited to join with us in a comun n cause."

"Capt. Val. B. Hummel, latte a member of the Anderen Body-Guard, which did such effectual service under Gen. Rosecrans during the year and a half they were with him, is raising a volunteer cavalry company in this city. . . . A meeting will be held at the Exchange this evening at seven o'clock for the purpose of organizing the company."

" This morning a ell was made by Capt. E. i' Wilson, assistant quar- termaster, U.S.A., at this post, for one thousand men to assist in throw- ing up the intrenchments on the opposite side of the river. The en- gineers have already selected the ground for the-e defenses, and the men as soon as employed are sent over the river and jait to work."

" Geu. Cameron miblicly declared to-day that he was willing to pledge his entire fortune in defraying the expenses of a regiment to assist in repelling thi- invasion. Ife mide this offer in good faith to pay the One Hundred and Twenty-seventh Regiment at least as long as it would be required for the present emergency."

After this offer had been received from Gen. Cam- eron the following notice was issned :

"ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-SEVENTH REGIMENT PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS.

" HARRISBURG, PA., " June 15, 1863.

"To the men composing the late One Hundred and Twenty-seventh Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, and all others who desire to aid in the defense of the State in the present emergency :

" The enemy are in force at Hagerstown, M.l., and are hourly expected to invade the State and destroy by fire and sword our property an.l lives. Every volunteer and citizen capable of bearing arms i- required to come to the resene forthwith and defend our State from the intruder. Arrangements have been made for the payment of the troops coming forward uuder this call, and they will only be required to serve during the present emergency. All are requested to bring with them all the accontrements they may have, and be uniformed as far as pos-ille. The men will elect the company offireis, and the captains will elect the field officers.

" WILLIAM W. JENNINGS. " Late Colonel One Hundred and Twenty-seventh P. V."

Harrisburg was the general rendezvous of the troops, who, on arriving at the capital, were organized inte regiments by Gen. Couch, as part of the army corps of the Susquehanna, which was composed of men who had volunteered " for the protection and defense of public and private property" in the department, to serve during the pleasure of the President or the con- tinuance of the war. On the 18th it was announced that Gen. Milroy had arrived in Harrisburg, and was in consultation with Gen. Couch.

On the same day the following notice appeared :

" Rally, old men ! All persons over forty years of age not attached to other nulitary organization-, and willing to defend their homes and families on the Cumberland side of the Susquehanna, will meet in front of the Morgan House, corner of Second and Pine Streets, at ten o'clock A M. on the 19th inst., to organize and aj point their officers and be ready to march at a moment's warning.

" A SOLDIER OF ISI2."

idly as possible. In addition to the troops from various portions of Pennsylvania which now began to pour into Harrisburg, regiments from other States, notably New Jersey and New York. also came to take part in re- sisting the threatened invasion. At 9 A.M. on the 18th, Capt. Dodge, chief mu-tering officer, commenced mustering the troops at Harrisburg. Those at Camp Curtin were sworn in there, and all others were sworn in on Capitol Hill.

On June 19th, at a meeting of citizens too old to be enrolled in the militia, but anxious to do something in defense of their homes and families, at which E. M. Pollock presided, it was

" Resolved, That in order to carry out our intention we proceed to elect officers."

Maj. John Maglanchlin was elected captain, James Porter first lieutenant, and George Krichbaum sec- ond lieutenant.

It was also resolved that we hold our-elves in read- iness to march at the call of the captain,-at one mno- ment's warning.

On the same day the following proclamation was is-ned :

" MAYOR'S OFFICE. " HARRISBURG, June 12, 1563. " For the preservation of peace and good order in the city it is en- joined on all keepers of retail liquor establishments and lager beer shops to close their bars precisely at 5 P.M. until 5 a.M. the next morning. The mayor expects from every good citizen a faithful and cordial ob- servance of this order.

A. L. ROUSIFORT, " Mayor."

The commandant of Camp Curtin was Gen. James A. Beaver. The Twenty-third New Jersey Regiment was encamped at Camp Yahoo, in Harris' Park. The police of Harrisburg were reinforced by a company of police from Philadelphia, who were armed with muskets in addition to their other weapons. On June 22d a local journal said, "Troop, are con- tinually pouring into this city ; Camp Curtin, Capi- tol Hill, the court-house, and every available avenue is filled with men." On Tuesday, June 16th, the Harrisburg Telegraph did not issue a paper, owing to the enlistment of its compositors. It resumed publi- cation, however, on the following day. On June 224, Capt. James S. Brisbin was appointed chief of cavalry in the Department of the Susquehanna, and established bis headquarters at Camp Curtin. A company known as the Curtin Horse Guard, Capt. Jones, was re- cruited at Harrisburg, and on June 22d was reported a- being nearly full. The Twenty-sixth Pennsylvania Volunteer Militia completed it, organization on the 23d, and was the first in the field from Camp Curtin under the Governor's call.

On the 24th of June news came that the rebels were in the vicinity of Shippensburg, forty-five miles from Harrisburg, and that Gen, Ewell with six bri- gades was about to march on the latter city. "The farmers in Cumberland Valley," it was added. "are bringing their horse-, cattle, and everything movable

The Twenty-sixth Regiment of militia, largely com- posed of Harrisburg companies, was organized as rap- , across the river, aud, unless matters change within 10

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HISTORY OF DAUPHIN COUNTY.

the next twelve hours, we presume our non-fighting population will again be on the move." On the 25th Capt. Brisbin established a cavalry eamp east of the city on the residence of A. Boyd Hamilton, which was known at first as Camp Couch, and afterwards as Camp Bri-bin.

The 25th was a day ot excitement in Harrisburg, owing to the ingress and egress of people from the Cumberland side of the river, who passed through the city and hurried to a place of safety with their valuables. Their numbers were increased by acces- sions of refugees from Harrisburg. In view of the popular agitation, Mayor Houmfort issued another proclamation closing the taverns and shops of retail dealers, and forbidding the -ale of intoxicating liquor until further notice. On the same day the veterans of 1812 ealled upon Governor Curtin, and tendered their services through Capt. Goslin. The Governor accepted their offer with grateful acknowledgments.

On June 26th, Gen. W. F. Smith was in command of the volunteers on the west bank of the Susque- hanna, and it was stated that the fortifications were progressing favorably. On the same day Capt. Ed- ward De Rue announced that he had been requested by a number of persons residing in Harrisburg to raise a company to be the flank company of any regi- ment to which the members might wish to attach themselves, and stated that he would proceed to do so at onee.

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History of the counties of Dauphin and Lebanon : in the commonwealth of Pennsylvania ; biographical and genealogical, Part 35

Author: Egle, William Henry, 1830-1901 Publication date: 1883 Publisher: Philadelphia : Everts & Peck Number of Pages: 1046

Author: Egle, William Henry, 1830-1901
Publication date: 1883
Publisher: Philadelphia : Everts & Peck
Number of Pages: 1046