USA > Pennsylvania > History of the twenty third Pennsylvania volunteer infantry, Birney's zouaves 1861-1865; comp. by the secretary > Part 25
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" Devil's Den," where the party alighted and were photo- graphed. While resting in the shade, under the camera, one could not help but recall the desperate work that raged around and amid these great boulders twenty-five years before ;
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'" and such boulders they are," piled upon each other, full of crevices, just the place a sharpshooter would be at home; and it was worked for all it was worth by the Johnnies during their stay, in picking off all that ca'me under their fire on little Round Top. Passing through the Valley of Death across Plum Run, full of boulders of all sizes, between Little and Big Round Top, we ascend to the summit of the key to the posi- tion "Little Round Top." It was here that Warren, then Engineer Officer, on Meade's Staff, discovered the flank move- ment of Hood-that Hazlett, Colonel O'Rourke, Generals Weed and Vincent Strong, were killed in holding the position. The lecturer described the repulse of Longstreet, on the evening of the second day, pointing out across the Run, where the Pennsylvania Reserves charged; Colonel Taylor, of the Bucktail's lost his life, and away off to the Werntz Farm, where (Buck) McCandless' Brigade halted in their charge, the night of the 2d. From here a grand view is had of the field ; some climbed up the ascent of Big Round Top, to the left of which where Farnsworth, of Kilpatrick's Cavalry, was killed leading his charging squadrons. Here was another 6th Corps Brigade (Russell's) holding the extreme left.
The party was then driven down the slopes of the Tops, along the battlefield drive, passing the Headquarters of old General Sedgwick, the Commander of the Sixth Corps, in the clump of trees on the front line, to the right of Little Round Top, where his advance brigade-Nevin's-went in, just in time to assist in driving Longstreet back. To the rear of this where our brigade (Shaler's) lay (its first position) on arrival on the field, on the afternoon of the 2d. On reaching the left centre, a vivid description was given of the artillery duel on the afternoon of the third day, where one hundred and twenty guns of the Confederates and eighty of the Union ex- changed shots for nearly two hours-a prelude to the grand charge and magmficent repulse of Pickett's fourteen thousand. Here Hancock, Gibbon, Doubleday, Webb, Stannard, Hall, Brooks, Hayes, Harrow, Dana, Rowley, Arnold, Brown, Cush- ing and Cowan performed distinguished services. At this point is the Umbrella clump of trees ; along this front is known as the "high-water mark of the rebellion." Along the low stone . wall lay the gallant Sixty-ninth Pennsylvania, of the Philadel- phia Brigade, who never left it during the charge, while to
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PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEER INFANTRY.
their right was the Fourteenth Connecticut, Fourth Delaware and Twelfth New Jersey, who did such terrible execution. To the left of the clump of trees was pointed out where Stan- nard's Vermont Brigade advanced . beyond the lines, and, wedged between the right and centre of Pickett's charging columns, and forming line of : battle front and rear, took both lines on the flank. Here we again found the Sixth Corps mark-that of Cowan's Bat- tery ; the brave Confederates coming so close to his guns that he used double-shotted canister at ten paces. In the fields, to the immediate left and rear, lay our brigade- Shaler's-(our third position) in support as the charge was broken. From here over on JOHN LAPP, Corporal Co. C. the Taneytown Road, in rear, was pointed out the old shell-stormed house, where General Meade had his headquarters during the action. As we near the town it was shown where the Eighth Ohio and troops from Zeigler's Grove got on the left flank of Pickett's charge, send- ing back Pettigrew's Division, badly demoralized. Thence past the battlefield hotel, where the sharpshooters held the ex- treme out-post of the Union line at the cemetery, during the second and third days ; past the house where Jennie Wade was killed while baking bread, on the evening of the first day's action, reaching the hotels in time for supper-dusty, tired, but well pleased with the trip around the field.
The drive was an interesting one, giving the opportunity of viewing the many magnificent, unique and costly monu- ments erected along the lines, as well as one of instruction of the story of the action.
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HISTORY OF THE TWENTY-THIRD REGIMENT
Complimentary Ball and Reception by the Twenty-third Pennsylvania Volunteers' Association in Honor of the Reunion
FTER supper, on the evening of Wednesday, the 13th, the A G. A. R. Band, of Gettysburg, under the charge of Com- rade James Spence, of Philadelphia, were taken on a serenad- ing tour-visiting the newspaper offices of The Truth, The Com- piler, The Star and Sentinel, who had done so much in their columns to honor the event, in their many kind expressions concerning the brigade reunion-and thence to the Globe Inn, where the One Hundred and Twenty-second New York were quartered ; from there to the McClellan House, the head- quarters of the Sixty-fifth New York; and then to the City Hotel, where the Eighty-second Pennsylvania made their home -back to the Eagle Hotel, headquarters of the brigade. At each place choice selections of music were tendered, as com- pliments of the Brigade Association.
In the meantime, the McKnightstown Band, in charge of the Twenty-third Committee, were tendering the General a serenade, and comrades were calling upon him and visiting each other's headquarters-recounting the stories of old times and the many pleasantries of the reunion occasion-and at 9 P. M. all wended their way from headquarters to the Rink Building, a large, commodious structure, where was being held the grand Complimentary Ball and Reception, tendered by the Twenty-third Pennsylvania, in honor of the event. The ball- room was appropriately decorated for the occasion, with two stages erected at opposite sides of the room, for the bands ; while, from the front of the building was a transparency, em- blazoned with the legend, "The Twenty-third Pennsylvania Welcomes Shaler's Brigade and their Friends." One hundred and fifty written invitations had been sent to the good people of Gettysburg, inviting "Yourself and ladies " to the Camp- fire, the Dedication and the Complimentary Ball and Recep- tion, and when Colonel John F. Glenn, as Grand Conductor of the Ball, led off in the Grand March, with his good wife, there followed at least twelve hundred people-some four hundred ladies being in the line; the G. A. R. Band, of Gettysburg,
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playing the dancing music, while the McKnightstown Cornet Band gave the promenades, so that music was in the air at all times. An original, unique and very appropriate ball program was distributed, containing thirty six dances, wherein are the names of the regiments of the brigade, its winter camps, and actions in which it had parti- cipated were embraced, as a souvenir of the occasion ; the ladies receiving a specially decorated one in silken corded pencil and bow of ribbon. Everybody got one to carry home, while two thousand handsome programs proper, containing the dances and pro- menades, were passed around for use in the festivities.
There was but one round of refreshments-but it was a GEO. W. FRALEY, Co. G. continuous one, of ice-cream in all flavors, pound, sponge and other cakes, lemonade, etc., and it kept the volunteers to their Commissary Committee busy ; but they enjoyed it, all the same, to be permitted to cater to such guests.
The dancing was kept up until midnight, the old and young joining in the festivities with mirth and zeal, it being expressed by the people of Gettysburg as one of the grandest and most enjoyable balls in the history of the town. Everybody seemed to enjoy the occasion, from the General and his good wife, to the Secretary and his " little " daughter.
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HISTORY OF THE TWENTY-THIRD REGIMENT
. The following is a copy of the ball program souvenir : COMPLIMENTARY BALL AND RECEPTION OF THE SURVIVORS' ASSOCIATION TWENTY-THIRD REGIMENT PENNA. VOLUNTEERS TO THE SURVIVORS OF SHALER'S BRIGADE (SIXTH CORPS) AT THE
RINK BUILDING, GETTYSBURG, JUNE 13, 1888.
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I. Grand March 6th Corps-from Manchester to Gettysburg
2. Quadrille Queens Farm
3. Polka Yorktown
4. Lancers Williamsburg Fair Oaks
5. Glide and Schottische "The Chasseurs," 65th N. Y. Vols.
7. Octagon Charles City X Roads
8. Polacca White Oak Swamp
9. Waltz-Danish Turkey Bend
IO. Varsouvienna Malvern Hill
II. Lawn Tennis Chantilly
12. Our Absent Friends, The Ist Long Island-67th N. Y. Vols.
13. Saratoga Lancers Fredericksburg
14. Varieties Mud March
15. Redowa Marye's Heights
16. Quadrille-Robinson Salem Church 17. " The Nation's Mecca"
Gettysburg
18. Syracuse's Delight Our 122d New York Vols.
19. Cotillion
Funkstown
20. Virginia Reel
21. Stephinie Gavotta Mine Run
22. Irish Jig
Brandy Station Johnson's Island
23. College Lancers
24. Shaler's Brigade Delight
25. Mazourka
26. Caledonian
27. Polo
28. Plain Cold Harbor
29. Loomis Lanciers
. Rappahannock Station
Another Reunion Wilderness
Spottsylvania Hanover Court House
Petersburg
6. New York City's Delight,
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30. Philadelphia's Delight Old 82d Pennsylvania Vols.
31. Schottische Fort Stevens
32. Galop Opequan
33. Highland Fling Cedar Creek
34. Medley . Sailor's Creek
35. All Hands Around Appomattox
36. The 23d Penn'a Vols. Delight, Hope all Enjoyed Themselves.
PROGRAM PROPER OF THE DANCES AND PROMENADES AT THE BALL.
GRAND MARCH
GUARD THE FLAG
I. Quadrille Promenade
Riverdale. Minstrels.
2. Quadrille Lanciers.
Promenade
Erminie. Schottische.
3. Quadrille Promenade
. Merry War.
4. Waltz Congress. Promenade Popular Airs.
INTERMISSION
. 5. Quadrille
Leap Year. Gladiator March.
Promenade
6. Waltz Queen Anne. Promenade Mikado. 7. Quadrille Promenade Polka. Black Hussar
8. Waltz Victor
Promenade
Fairest of the Fair.
9. Quadrille
Plain.
Promenade
Falka. Ida May.
Io. Waltz
Promenade
II. Quadrille Promenade
12. Galop
Promenade
Nanon. Lanciers. Trip to Africa. Amazon. Good Night.
Dancing Music . Promenade Music
Gettysburg Band. McKnightstown Band.
INTERMISSION
행복한 부품위:
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HISTORY OF THE TWENTY-THIRD REGIMENT
A Visit to the Battlefield of the First Day's Action
A T 9 A. M., of Thursday, June 14th, carriages were taken again at brigade headquarters, for a visit to the scene of the first day's action, many tramping it all along the lines. At Barlow's Knob a description was given by Colonel Long, the guide and lecturer, from that portion of the field, showing the gap that existed between the left of the Eleventh Corps and that of the right of the First Corps, caused by the arrival of the Confederates, under Early, along the York Road, which threatened the extreme right and rear of the Eleventh Corps, necessitating the withdrawal of the entire line from that part of the field- the troops falling back through the streets of the town, secur- ing positions on Cemetery Heights; the lecturer describing the terrible scenes enacted in the retreat to take up the rear position. Passing along the Mummasburg Road and along the lines to the Railroad Cut, where a Confederate brigade was corralled during the action and taken prisoners ; along these lines the Johnnies had an enfilading fire, but the old First held up their end until the right gave way.
From there the party was driven to Oak Ridge, where raged the action of the First Corps. Here Reynolds, Mere- dith, Doubleday, Paul, Wadsworth, Custer, Hoffman, Fair- ·childs and others did such distinguished service. Thence, to Reynolds' Grove, where stands the monument erected by the State of Pennsylvania, on the spot where her distinguished son, General John F. Reynolds, was killed. In this grove the Iron Brigade of Meredith, in the course of the engagement, cap- tured the Confederate brigade of Archer. Here Custer's Brigade and Hall's Battery were forced back to Seminary Ridge by the overwhelming numbers of Hill's Corps, where a new line was formed, Rowley's and Robinson's Divisions and the Bucktail Brigade, of Pennsylvania, distinguishing them- selves in holding it against repeated attacks. The drive was continued across Willoughby Run, where General Buford, with his cavalry, brought on the action of Gettysburg, fighting dismounted for two hours against superior numbers, winning
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for himself and command meritorious praise from the Com- manding General, for his gallant resistance to the advance of Hill's Corps of Lee's Army. This cavalry action and the stubborn resistance of the glorious old First Corps, under Reynolds, and that of the unfortunate Eleventh Corps, under Howard, gave the opportunity for the Army of the Potomac to concentrate on the lines the second and third day, that gave to the nation "Gettysburg."
After a visit to the Springs, to enjoy the Katasalyn waters, CPP the story being told of their discovery as medicinal proper- ties by wounded men crawling to the springs to bathe their wounds in the waters, we started back to town over the Chambersburg Road, passing the Seminary where General 'Lee made his headquarters, after the withdrawal of our troops to the Cemetery, until his army retreated back to Vir- ginia. Along the road was pointed out the fields over which the gallant First Corps, in well-preserved lines, fell back, fighting all the way, be- yond the town. Viewing the P old whitewashed home of the ELY MEDAL, Marye's Heights. late John Burns, the citizen of the town, who, while fighting on his own hook with the First Corps, received the wounds that caused his death. As we enter the town, houses are pointed out where the Confederate sharpshooters fired on the guns at Cemetery Hill, and the old Church Building, where the chaplain of the Ninetieth Pennsyl- vania Regiment was killed on its steps as he was about to enter to minister to the spiritual welfare of the wounded ; reaching our hotels in time to pack up gripsacks for the homeward trip.
We found the dead in the National Cemetery at Gettys- burg, are buried in Sections of States : United States Regu-
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HISTORY OF THE TWENTY-THIRD REGIMENT
lars, 138; Connecticut, 22; Delaware, 15; Indiana, 80 ; Illi- nois, 6; Maine, 104; Massachusetts, 159; Maryland, 22 ; Michigan, 171 ; Minnesota, 52; New York, 867 ; New Jersey, 78; New Hampshire, 49; Ohio, 131; Pennsylvania, 534; Rhode Island, 12; Vermont, 61 ; Wisconsin, 73; West Vir- ginia, II ; unknown, 979. A massive monument, sixty feet in height, surmounted by the Goddess of Liberty, rises from the centre of the plot. It was erected by the National Govern- ment in memory of its dead on the field.
GEORGE F. PEIFER, Corporal Co. B. Taken in 1862.
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PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEER INFANTRY.
Homeward.
T' HE One-hundred-and-twenty-second New York was the first to leave for home, taking the 9 A. M. train on Thursday, June 14th, quite a number of the boys going to the depot to give it a send-off. After many hand shakes, and promises to be with us on all future reunions of the Brigade, they bid adieu to Gettysburg, and after an uneventful but very enjoyable ride, they reached old Onondaga County and their home, Syracuse, on schedule time-a tired party of pilgrims, but rejoiced at their successful and enjoyable trip.
Headquarters party, Sixty-fifth and One-hundred-and- twenty-second New York contingent, Eighty-second and Twenty-third Pennsylvania, departed on their special at 1 P. M., of the 14th, with many hand shakes and "come and see us again " from the good people of the town. Orders had been given for no dinner, and we were getting to feel quite hun- gry, when the Commissary Committee of the Twenty-third passed through the train with churns of hot coffee, iced milk, sandwiches, fruits, etc., boxes of cigars and lots of commis- sary, and it kept us busy get- ting away with the supplies, from the time we pulled out of Gettysburg until Broad Street MATHEW SPENCE, Corporal Co. C. Station, Philadelphia, was reached, as the Committee didn't seem to tire and their stores of hospitality were inexhaustible.
The Brigade Committee held a meeting on the train, closing up all its affairs, and directed the Secretary to compile all the proceedings of the reunion for publication in book form, and instructed General Shaler, as President of the Asso- ciation, to send a letter of thanks to the Twenty-third Penn- sylvania Association for their hospitality and soldierly interest, so well manifested in the success of the brigade reunion. The sentiment on the train was that in the near future the Brigade should reune at home or on some of the other battlefields
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السادة لحد
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HISTORY OF THE TWENTY-THIRD REGIMENT
· and thus keep alive the comradeship of the survivors and friendship of our friends, which had been so enjoyable, renewed at our first reunion.
The run was a delightful one, only one stop of five min- utes at Harrisburg, where our western contingent bid us good- bye, with the promise to be with us on the next occasion, reaching Philadelphia forty-five minutes ahead of time, like the "Twosters," a tired but one of the most happy parties of veterans and friends possible.
The Twenty-third re-stocked the "Yorkers" with sup- plies, so as to bridge them over to their destination-Mrs. General Shaler being presented with a large pound cake to carry home to the grandchildren. Thus ended a most glorious, happy and decidedly successful reunion of Shaler's Brigade, in which all the commands contributed their share in the honors.
WASHINGTON VIA BALTIMORE
ONE OF THE CUSTOMARY CUTS ON SOLDIERS' LETTERS-1 61.1.6.
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PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEER INFANTRY.
Letters and Other Documents Appertaining to the Reunion.
Letter from Major-General H. G. WRIGHT, late Commander 6th Army Corps. Read at Dedication.
WASHINGTON, June 7, 1888. } 1203 N Street, N. W. S
Dear General Shaler :
Your kind invitation to be present at the meeting of the Survivors of your brigade of the good Old Sixth at Gettysburg, on the 12th to 14th inst., gave me profound pleasure, and I should be glad to join you on that occasion, and meet so many of the Survivors of the gallant Corps we all loved so well; but I am forced to accept the fact that my days for such undertakings are over, and that I must leave such Reunions to younger men who do not feel the weight of years bearing somewhat heavily upon them.
As I cannot be with you, I must beg that you express to my old comrades my most hearty good wishes, not only for this occasion, but for all things connected with their welfare-good wishes which they have earned, not only from myself but from the country, by their gal- lant, efficient and successful services.
I am my dear General,
Very sincerely yours,
·H. G. WRIGHT.
General ALEXANDER SHALER,
Ridgefield Park, N. J.
Letter from Major-General JOHN NEWTON, late our Division Com- mander. Read at Dedication.
NEW YORK, May 26, 1888.
My Dear General :
It would give me great pleasure to be with your brigade in their celebration at Gettysburg, and I tender my best thanks for the cour- tesy ; but the fact is, I don't expect to be able to get out of the city at the date of the Reunion, which I would greatly enjoy. With best wishes for a glorious time, I am
Very truly yours, JOHN NEWTON.
General ALEXANDER SHALER.
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HISTORY OF THE TWENTY-THIRD REGIMENT
Letter from Major-General D. N. COUCH, late our Division Commander. Read at Dedication.
NORWALK, CONN., May 25, 1888.
My Dear General Shaler :
Very many thanks for the invitation to join the brigade in its Re- union at Gettysburg ; but, by reason of having made arrangements to be absent from home at the time, I cannot accept your kindness.
Permit me, however, to wish for the Gallant Old Brigade, an en- joyable trip to the field of its former glories.
With many good wishes,
I am respectfully,
D. N. COUCH.
General ALEXANDER SHALER,
Ridgefield, N. J.
Letter from General MARTIN T. McMAHON, late Chief of Staff, 6th Corps. Read at Dedication.
NEW YORK CITY, June 4, 1888. 2 93 Nassau Street.
Dear General :
I would be only too glad to go with you to Gettysburg, and say a few words to the Survivors of your old brigade. No one knew better than I how much they did, and how well it was done. One of the best brigades in the Sixth Army Corps-having but two rivals as Brigade Organizations in what I may certainly be pardoned as de- scribing as the best Corps of the Army of the Potomac. Your brig- ade made a record which could in- spire even as dull a speaker as my- self almost to eloquence. It is not, therefore, the task of preparing an address suitable to the occasion, which deters me from accepting your kind invitation ; but, unfor- tunately, I am obliged to be in the city on the dates named for your JOHN HAHN, Co. C. Reunion by engagements which I cannot forego.
When I refer to the Sixth Corps as the best Corps of the Army of the Potomac ; and, therefore, of the best army of the world, I expect to hear from many of our good brothers of the Second, the Fifth and the others, who will vigorously dispute the claim, and with such good
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reason that I fear posterity will have much difficulty in agreeing upon a verdict even if they take the trouble to consider the question. We will stand stubbornly by our own, however, and maintain as persist- ently with or without reason the supremacy of the Greek Cross, whether of red, white, or blue, as we did in the days when Shaler's Brigade under Cochrane, yourself or dear Joe. Hamblin, bore it firmly to the front under more adverse circumstances, and met arguments that silenced, even if they did not convince, and held it there like men who deserved well of their country.
God bless them all who are with you, and God's peace to the souls. of them whom you are there to honor.
Faithfully yours,
M. T. McMAHON, Chief of Staff, 6th Corps, Army of the Potomac.
General ALEXANDER SHALER.
Letter of General COCHRANE, declining to accept as Orator of the Day.
To SHALER'S BRIGADE ASSOCIATION, SURVIVORS OF THE SIXTH ARMY CORPS :
Gentlemen :
I was apprised unexpectedly of my selection to address your Asso- ciation on the occasion of your Reunion on the field of Gettysburg, at a time when physical disorder forbade my acceptance of the proffered honor.
Gettysburg battle, enshrined in the common heart, reflects a glory upon its humblest participant. Thither repair the pilgrims of freedom, and thither the pride and the hopes converge that illustrate the Ameri- can name. No record of man's design is needed to tell the story of that day, and when cenotaph and monument shall have crumbled to decay, still will its deeds stir and its echo thrill every American bosom. Here death assailed the hero and here deluged the ranks where shiftless and moanless thousands lay bleeding a sacrifice to country. And now, in the bloom of the vernal year, come the survivors of Shaler's Brigade, to recall the incidents of the deadly conflict they waged, and to sol- emnly dedicate monuments to commemorate them.
Though not suffered to share with them their perils, nor to partake of the glory that is theirs, yet must my heart be insensible, indeed, when Shaler's Brigade shall fail to remind me that it was once my own, and life's current have ebbed when its deeds and its destiny, its living
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HISTORY OF THE TWENTY-THIRD REGIMENT
and its dead, are no longer borne on the tables of memory. Comrades, it was a sore day when, in time of war, bodily distress dictated to you my farewell address. Equally sore is the day when bodily infirmities restrain me from your peaceful Reunion.ª
The glory anticipated for you then you have reaped, and "your victories past were in hail of your victories to come," for your stand- ards are gilded with the name of Gettysburg. Comrades, adieu.
JOHN COCHRANE, Brigadier-General U. S. Vols.
NEW YORK, JUNE 4th, 1888.
Letter from General ELISHA H. RHODES, of the Gettysburg Battlefield Association.
PROVIDENCE, R. I., June 11, 1888.
W. J. Wray, Sec'y, &c.
Dear Comrade :
I regret exceedingly that I shall be unable to attend the services held by the survivors of Shaler's Brigade, at Gettysburg. I remem- ber the days of old, when this brigade was a near neighbor of mine, and have not forgotten their deeds of valor in defence of the old flag. Please remember me to General Shaler and Comrades, and accept my thanks for the invitation.
Yours very truly, ELISHA .H. RHODES, 2d. R. I. Vols.
General COCHRANE's Farewell Address ; read at the Camp-Fire, . by Captain ROBERT M. MOSES, 122d New York Volunteers. HEADQUARTERS FIRST BRIGADE, 3RD DIVISION, 6TH ARMY -
CORPS, ARMY OF POTOMAC. February 27, 1863. Soldiers of the First Brigade :
My command over you has terminated. Serious physical mala- dies, induced by the unaccustomed experiences of two years of military life, constantly in the camp, on the march, or in the field, have unfitted me for the duties of an active campaign.
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