Indiana County, Pennsylvania, her people, past and present, Volume I, Part 24

Author: Stewart, Joshua Thompson, 1862- comp
Publication date: 1913
Publisher: Chicago, J. H. Beers & co.
Number of Pages: 930

USA > Pennsylvania > Indiana County > Indiana County, Pennsylvania, her people, past and present, Volume I > Part 24

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In March, 1863, it was in the movement to- wards Manassas, experiencing all the discom- forts others did in this event.

Omitting the routine duties of camp life, we next note that the 12th was detached from its brigade and ordered on guard of the Orange & Alexandria railroad. On the way to join the brigade, which in the meantime

The imperfect company records of the had moved to Falmouth, Va., the regiment 190th cause us to fail in obtaining the record was aunoyed by guerrillas, whose business

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

almost always seemed to be to murder strag- a few minutes, I discovered them drinking glers from the main body. Company C and from a stagnant puddle in which was the Captain Bolar's company, H, were ordered putrid carcass of a dead horse. I to the rear and burned the farmhouse where the guerrillas made their headquarters, but Swamp, promised them good water at White Oak but as we arrived there we found it utterly unfit to drink." At night they found good water in a small stream, the next day reddened by their blood, for the next day the battle of Charles City Cross Roads was fought. The 12th was divided into de- tachments, and separated some distance, also widely separated from the balance of the division. The Rebels attacked in solid charge and in a few moments it was a hand to hand conflict, with one detachment, and it was com- pelled to fall back. The other detachment held its ground for a time, but the battery it was supporting, in its hurry to get away drove through the line in hot haste regard- less of the men in its support, trampling some of them underfoot in this mad dash to the rear. The regiment rallied in a body and continued in the fight till the close, that night moving to Malvern Hill. The reserve corps,

the villains escaped before these companies reached the place. The Reserve Corps was now ordered to the Peninsula to join Me- Clellan, the 12th debarking at White House, Va., May 14, 1863, and by the 18th was on duty on advance picket at the Chickahominy river, next day moving to Ellerson's Mills, on Beaver Dam creek. Ou May 25th it was sent on picket duty on the line from Meadow- bridge to Ellerson's Mills, remaining until next day, in the latter part of this time re- porting every hour to headquarters the move- ments of the enemy in front. When called in, it was assigned position on extreme left at the Mills. At three o'clock the battle opened at Mechanicsville, and the 12th held its position against all odds, hurling back each advance of the foe. During the night the Union forces, except the 12th, were with- drawn and it was to withdraw at daylight. being almost out of ammunition (some por- tions averaging but three rounds to the man), was held in reserve mostly. Still it partici- close proximity to the terrible onslaught of the evening of the day, moving to Harrison's Landing and subsequently to the south side of the James to guard against night attacks of Rebel artillery, which on one or two oc- casions had annoyed the camps at the landing.

The enemy discovering the condition attacked again, the 12th becoming more desperately engaged, if possible, than on the day before, pated as reserve, and some portions were in but retired in good order leaving the Con- federates, as their only trophy. the occu- pancy of the position. Tired and hungry, the regiment moved direct to the battleground at Gaines' Mill, and was placed on the front, in support of Griffin's battery, which during the day it gallantly supported at desperate cost of blood and life, successfully repelling the charges on the battery so, this day, the 12th may be said to have fought two distinct battles, first at Mechanicsville and next at Gaines' Mill. The next day, without food or water, it marched in guard of reserve artil- lery nearly eighteen miles. The reader will allow us the diversion here to say the asser- ton "no water" is literally true in regard to the whole army ; men would march on buoyed up by the hope of water somewhere ahead, to find only stagnant pools in swamps in which were the bodies of dead horses. Men and horses suffered beyond description for want of water to quench the feverish thirst.

From the Peninsula the 12th was moved to Falmouth, Va., thence to Bull Run battle- grounds, where it did creditable work, the first day being moved frequently under fire without opportunity of returning it, but on the second day not only served on skirmish line, and in the grand charge of the division, but late in the day was in line to receive and repel with terrible fire the charge of the Con- federates upon the Union left flank; after- wards moving to the support of troops on the right. Those in front at this point giving way, again the 12th was brought into action, holding its ground until ordered to fall back, and form a new position. It then marched into Maryland and occupied the center of the line in storming the heights at South Moun- tain, and on the 16th and 17th of September engaged the enemy on the bloody field of Antietam, where its loss. especially in wounded, was heavy.

We quote from Colonel Taggart's report : "The White Oak creek which we crossed about noon, June 29th, was a complete quag- mire, from the thousands of horses, teams and artillery which were continually passing, and water to drink was not to be had. Some We next follow it to Fredericksburg, De- of the men became almost delirious from cember 13th, where on the right of Lee's thirst, and once, when I halted for a rest for fortified position, the reserve corps made a

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desperate fight, turning the position of the

43d Pennsylvania Volunteers, 1st Light Ar- enemy, and driving it from a portion of tillery, 14th Reserves .- Indiana county had its works. Supports not being sent forward thirty men in this regiment, one in Battery in time, the reserves reluctantly left the posi- tion taken at terrible cost of life.

The reserve corps, being much reduced in with the 5th United States Artillery, Battery numbers, was ordered to the defenses at Washington, where it remained until Lee's invasion of Pennsylvania, when it again joined the Army of the Potomac. The 12th reached the battleground at Gettysburg July 2nd, and was moved into position just as Gen- eral Sickles' corps was being forced back. Moving at once into position under fire from Confederate sharpshooters, the regi- ment hastily constructed cover of stone and such material as could be had, thus partly protecting it from the fire of the enemy.

At night it was moved into position on Round Top, and in the night constructed a stone wall for defensive breastworks, which it occupied most of the day, July 3d, not be- ing pressed forward in the charges made to- wards the center.

We next find the regiment engaged at Bris- toe Station, and again in the advance on Rappahannock Station, thence moving for- ward with the army to Brandy Station.

In the campaign against the Rebel posi- tion at Mine Run, it became engaged near New Hope Church.

After the return from Mine Run campaign, it was again sent to guard Orange & Alex- andria railroad, where, on account of sneak- ing, cowardly and murderous guerrillas, it was necessary to build blockhouses for the protection of its guards.

Returning to the army again it moved in the Wilderness campaign, being engaged in the Wilderness, Spottsylvania and Potomac river, near North Anna river and Bethesda Church, the fight at Bethesda Church occur- ring on the last day of its three years' of serv- ice. In the meantime, Captain Bolar, who had been wounded and taken prisoner at the Fredericksburg battle, had returned, being promoted to major of the regiment. Com- pany H lost a good many soldiers and citi- zens in killed, and others bear the marks of wounds on their bodies. We sum the battle record as follows: Drainsville, Mechanics- ville, Gaines' Mill, Charles City Cross Roads, Malvern Hill (slightly), Bull Run, South Mountain, Antietam, Fredericksburg, Gettys- burg, Bristoe Station, Rappahannock Station, .Mine Run, Wilderness, Spottsvylania, Jeri- cho, Ford and Bethesda Church.

"Honor to the brave!"

A, three in F, the balance in Battery G. Of those in Battery G, five were detached for duty L, and were attached to Averill's cavalry di- vision, participating in all the engagements, and many of the skirmishes beginning at Snicker's Gap, July 18, 1864.

William J. Fuller was killed at Winchester, July 24, 1864; was struck by a piece of shell on the left breast, tearing away almost the entire side and shoulder ; was still alive when last seen, but as it was the "skedaddle" from Winchester he fell into the hands of the Con- federates and without a doubt fills an un- known patriot's grave on the blood-stained plains of Winchester. The balance of the men of Battery G were never called into en- gagement, and the duties were the routine usual in fortifications, where for most of the time they were stationed, near Washington, D. C., Point of Rocks, and Maryland Heights, serving, armed with muskets, while at Point of Rocks, five months.

The three who served in Battery F were with Grant in the campaign of 1864, before Richmond and Petersburg, and Ricketts' bat- tery being so well and favorably known in history and by fireside we need no more than mention it.

The one in Battery A, who lost his life, was a good soldier; he had his leg so badly mangled by a piece of shell as to cause ampu- tation, which resulted in death. Our quota- tions are notes of Dr. W. S. Shields, of Mar- ion, whose name appears in the roll of Bat- tery G.

16th Pennsylvania Volunteers .- The 46th Pennsylvania Volunteers, after the enlist- ment of Indiana county men, whose names we give, soon moved to the Western Army, under the immediate command of General Joseph Hooker, and in his 20th Army Corps, skirmished with the enemy near Dalton, Tenn., and was in the line attacked by General John- ston at Resaca iu his effort to break the Union lines. The regiment held its position and re- pelled the charge of the enemy. Under fire from the enemy, the regiment's temporary breastworks served as a partial protection, and the regiment's loss was slight. In the days subsequent to the battle, the regiment was in several skirmishes, and it was almost a continual skirmish on some part of the line, the principal ones in which the regiment was

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

engaged being at Pumpkin Vine Creek and New Hope Church. It was in the repulse of Gen. Hood's attack on McKnight's brigade at Culp's Farm, inflicting severe loss upon the enemy. The loss in the regiment in this en- gagement was near fifty men, killed and wounded. It also participated in the fights at Dallas, Pine Knob, Kenesaw Mountain and Marietta, Captain Stolzenbach, of Company C, in one of these engagements having his hand shot off. The 46th regiment occupied an exposed position at the battle of Peach Tree Creek, before Atlanta, suffering severe loss, making a successful charge upon the enemy's lines. It was among the first regi- ments into the city, suffering some loss in the capture of the place, the occupancy of which was still disputed by the enemy. It then marched northward, foraging for its supplies, until it reached Savannah. In the subsequent marches through North and South Carolina, the company had some skirmishes with the enemy, with which its active work ceased.

55th Regiment, Pennsylvania Volun- teers .-- The 55th Regiment, Pennsylvania Vol- unteers, was recruited in the summer and fall of 1861 by Col. Richard White, under au- thority of Governor Curtin. The regiment was made up of companies from different sec- tions of the State. Company F, Captain Nes- bit, from Indiana county. In November, 1861, it left Camp Curtin for the field of ac- tion with thirty-eight officers and seven hun- dred and fifty men. It was stationed at Fort- ress Monroe till December 8, 1861, when it was ordered to Port Royal, S. C., and from there to Hilton Head, doing general gnard duty till February, 1862, when it was ordered to Edisto Island, where it served in detach- ments at various points, widely separated. While on this island an attack was made on Companies E and F by a Confederate force variously estimated, probably five hundred strong. Company E retiring, the heat of the fight fell on Company F. Lieutenant MeEl- haney and eleven men were captured in the commencement of the assault, and were brought up and exposed to the fire of their own men, a devilish act, only to be thought of by demons. Corporal Cunningham was killed when the others were captured. The remainder of the company checked the ad- vance of the enemy, but were compelled to withdraw in the face of the largely superior force of Confederates, losing everything at the post except their guns. In escaping, some swam the river, while others improvised

a ferry by making a raft of such material as could be got hold of, and formed a rope by fastening gun straps together. They still had to wade and swim nearly one mile in overflowed swamp, reaching the main body of the regiment with guns filled with mud. clothes covered with the same, some without hats, and in a pitiful plight every way. Lieutenant Me Elhaney was kept prisoner for one year.

On October 21, 1862, the regiment was in the movement up Broad river, landing at Mackey's Point under cover of gunboats. An advance was made at Pocotaligo bridge, the object of which seems to have been the de- struction of part of the Charleston & Savan- nah railroad.

On the 22d, it met and drove the enemy at Caston, and again at Frampton, driving the Rebels across Pocotaligo bridge, which they burned in their retreat. A fight of several hours occurred here, the Union force with- drawing when nearly out of ammunition, the Confederates receiving support from Charles- ton and Savannah by trains every two hours. The 55th lost about thirty killed and wounded, Company F having but a slight proportion of the loss.

The regiment was next stationed at Beau- fort, S. C., for more than a year. serving as heavy artillery in the forts and picketing Port Royal ferry, ten miles away. Captain Neshit was in command at Port Royal ferry for two or three months, having two guns and supports for the same.

On January 1, 1864, the larger part of the regiment enlisted, and on returning from fur- longh brought recruits, increasing the regi- ment to nearly one thousand, five hundred men. In April it was ordered to Gloucester Point, Va., where it joined the 10th Army Corps, and thence to Bermuda Hundred, to operate against Richmond. While here, at one time, the regiment was armed with axes and put to work to fell timber in front of the works, with Captain Nesbit in command of the choppers. The Confederates kept up a constant fire by artillery and sharpshooters, getting so hot the officer of the day ordered the men back within the works. when Gen- eral Butler in person ordered them out again. They bravely returned to their work, and after the work of the day was over went on skirmish line on the front, remaining two or three days.

On the 9th of May, Ames' division moved out and destroyed a portion of the Richmond & Petersburg railroad. the 55th regiment

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

claiming to have been in this movement as Captain Nesbit was wounded while getting early as the 8th of May. In all the movements following this towards Petersburg, at Swift creek, in the change of direction towards Richmond at Proctor's creek and Drury's Bluff, the regiment participated, fighting al- most constantly from May 8th to 16th. At Proctor's creek, May 16th, the 55th held its ground firmly until nearly surrounded, when a forlorn hope charge was made by three com- panies of the regimeut, led by Colonel White. They found the enemy too strong for them, and Colonel White, having his horse shot un- der him, was taken prisoner with some of his men in the effort to fall back, or rather fight out of their surroundings, the loss to the regi- ment in the eight days being fifteen officers and three hundred men, the colonel captured, lieutenant colonel wounded and captured, surgeon and adjutant captured. Captain Shearer then took command of the regiment, falling back to Bermuda Hundred.

On May 20th. the regiment was attacked when in support of the picket line, and here again held its position until the line on both sides fell back, and it had to fall back to es- cape capture. Lieutenant Adair and a por- tion of Company F were cut off from the be taken prisoners, but fought their way out before night.

On September 28th, in the night, the regi- regiment, and for two hours were supposed to ment crossed the James river and moved to

The regiment was next in detached force sent to General Grant, before Richmond, then moving on Cold Harbor. It reached Cold Harbor June Ist, and immediately moved to the front, participating in the constant fight of days at that point.

On June 3d, the regiment charged on the Confederate works en masse, taking the first line of works and almost reached the second when the line gave way and the regiment was ordered to fall baek. In the meantime Cap- tain Shearer had fallen wounded and Cap- tain Nesbit assumed command.

his regiment to change position in the pits, exposing himself to the fire of the enemy in so doing. Captain Hill then took command. The 55th remained deployed in the pits as rear guard, while the division withdrew from the works a few days later, and when it withdrew went via the Pamunky, York and James rivers to Point of Rocks, Va., and on the 15th was in assault upon the enemy's works at Peters- burg, some of which were taken with sixteen guns and three hundred prisoners; the loss on our side was about six hundred men. Next morning the 55th was ordered forward as skirmishers, getting close up to the enemy's lines, the detachment under Lieutenant Adair using all its ammunition and begging for more, the men holding the position for some time with ammunition carried to them by drummer boys in their caps. This is prob- ably true with regard to the whole regiment, but it is not certain that all the regiment was on the skirmish line.

A day or two later the regiment was again ordered to charge the line and in this charge lost severely, its loss being estimated at three offieers and eighty men.

the support of troops that stormed Fort Har- rison on the 29th, and in the afternoon was detailed to storm a portion of the enemy's works beyond, supported by other regiments. It advaneed over a quarter of a mile of open ground to Chapin's Farm, subject to a con- centrated fire from the enemy's works, dis- abling so large a proportion of the already decimated ranks it was compelled to fall back, leaving the dead and wounded in the hands of the enemy. Lieutenant Adair and Cap- tain O'Neil fell mortally wounded; the loss in killed, wounded and missing was one half of the force in the charge.

In December, by consolidation of the 10th to the 4th Brigade, 1st Division, 24th Corps, and on December 10th was attacked feebly by Confederate cavalry at Signal Hill. The regiment was under cover and easily repulsed the attack.

When the order came to fall back, it was and 18th Army Corps, the 55th was assigned mistaken by the regiment for order to lie down. A portion of the regiment, with Cap- tain Nesbit, lay down immediately under the Confederate works, and the portion that fell back was rallied by Captain Hill, who, in the face of a terrible fire from the enemy's line The latter part of. March, 1865, the regi- ment crossed the James river, marched to Hatcher's Run, Va., and was on the skirmish line in the general advance of March 31st, at that point, losing in killed and wounded about twenty men. It was next engaged in the of works, took the flag of the regiment and mounting the line of works already taken, with it in his hand, called on his men to rally. The men in front with Nesbit were getting back to detachments, creeping back most of the way to escape the terrible fire they would charge on Fort Baldwin, being the first regi- have had to suffer if they got upon their feet. ment to occupy it, suffering only slight loss.

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To understand fully the term slight loss eyes and straggling cheers, the farewell was as we apply it to old regiments of the Armies given, and the "boys were off for the war." of the Potomac and Virginia, the reader of Fifty-four of the sixty men were accepted their history must bear in mind that the and mustered into the United States service, number of men was small; the 55th at this attached to the 56th Regiment, Pennsylvania time possibly did not have more than two hundred effective men.

The regiment served in the closing move- ments, and afterwards in detachments under orders from the Freedmen's Bureau till Ang- the company roll contained about eighty-five ust 30, 1865.

Of Colonel Richard White, whom we may claim for Indiana county, his men say of him he was a kind man, a good soldier, an ex- cellent drill officer, and a commander who, at all hazards and without regard to popularity, insisted upon his men getting good clothing, the best rations the government could furnish ; all they wanted in reason, that could be ob- tained.

Company B, 56th Pennsylvania Volun- teers .- In response to the call for three hun- dred thousand men to serve for three years, or during the war, a company under the name of Blairsville Guards, led by Captain William MeIntire, left the railroad depot at Blairs- ville October 24, 1861, for Camp Curtin, Harrisburg. Previous to this, two companies had gone from Blairsville and vicinity, and many citizens entertained the opinion that the community had been drained of its fight- ing material; so that the third effort to raise more men had less of enthusiasm in it than the former two, yet not less of the spirit of sincere devotion to the flag.

Volunteers, Colonel S. A. Meredith command- ing, and given the second position of honor, Company B. During its stay in Camp Cur- tin, from time to time recruits arrived, until

names. William McIntire, of Saltsburg, was tendered the captaincy, solely on account of supposed military knowledge acquired from service in the Mexican war. The entire labor of recruiting the company was borne by J. A. Cunningham, and the necessary funds fur- nished by the firm in which he was a part- ner.

On March 8, 1862, the regiment left Camp Curtin for Washington City, encamping a short time on Meridian IIill, thence moving to Fort Runnion. An earthwork was thrown up to protect Long Bridge. The few days spent here were fully occupied with practice on heavy artillery to the great dissatisfac- tion of the men. They insisted all the while that they did not come out to train siege guns under the very shadow of the Capitol, when the post of danger was in the front. In army parlance, "the company was spoiling for a fight."

April 4th found the regiment, with other troops, aboard transports, steaming down the . Potomac to Budd's ferry, on the Maryland side. April 24th it crossed the Acquia creek, in Virginia, and was assigned to the duty of guarding the railroad from this point to Fred- ericksburg. This was not dangerous work, as the whiz of the Rebel bullet never was heard, yet the deadlier malaria prostrated many of the men with sickness and laid num- bers in the grave.

In about two months from the first signa- ture, sixty men had expressed their willing- ness to go, and impatiently awaited the order to. rendezvous. The day of departure drew on .- From early dawn till the evening of October 23d, squads of men were constantly arriving in town, and found entertainment in the homes of the hospitable citizens, or On August 9th the regiment was attached to the 2d Brigade (General Abner Double- day's), 1st Division (General King's), in command of General McDowell, forming part of the Army of Virginia defending Washing- ton City. Early in this month the scattered forces of the Army of Virginia centered at Cedar Mountain, where General Pope gave battle to Stonewall Jackson. were lodged for the night at the hotels. By daylight next morning the town was all astir, as busy hands and anxious hearts prepared the last article of comfort for the soldier, or crowded the streets to drown their suppressed sorrow in the excitement of the hour. At the request of Robert Hummil, Esq., the com- pany assembled in the United Presbyterian Church for religious services, conducted by King's division arrived too late to take part in the battle, which resulted in Jackson's withdrawing his forces in the direction of Gordonville to unite with General Lee's army, now moving toward Washington. In turn, Pope's army withdrew to the north bank Revs. William Connor and George Hill, after which the line was formed in front of the drill room, on Main street, and every man that desired it was presented a copy of the New Testament. . From here they marched to the cars at the depot, where with tearful of the Rappahannock, hotly pursued by the

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Indiana County, Pennsylvania, her people, past and present, Volume I, Part 24

Author: Stewart, Joshua Thompson, 1862- comp Publication date: 1913 Publisher: Chicago, J. H. Beers & co. Number of Pages: 930

Author: Stewart, Joshua Thompson, 1862- comp
Publication date: 1913
Publisher: Chicago, J. H. Beers & co.
Number of Pages: 930