USA > Pennsylvania > Lebanon County > Lebanon County's emergency volunteers at Gettysburg : paper read before the Lebanon County Historical Society, August 18, 1905 > Part 3
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Here our. guide left us, after giving directions as to pathis, bearings and distances. The balance of that day was passed in crawling through bushes, stumbling over old roots, losing ourselves, and again finding the trail, until, about the middle of the afternoon, we plumped right out of the woods into a : clearing where stood a log house. Here was a quandary. We were surely enough outside of the house, but who was 'in it. Finally; I declared that there was no use for both of us to be captured, and decided to go to the door, by myself, and knock, while my brother stood ready to aid me, if possible, or to escape if necessary .*
A knock, followed by a kick, brought no response save a movement within of no very assuring character. A further sick, by which time my brother had joined me, resulted in . the opening of a door and the appearance of an Irish woods. man, evidently in no very comfortable frame of mind himself.
LEBANON COUNTY'S EMERGENCY VOLUNTEERS. 191
A short conversation brought out the fact that, but a few minutes ago, the rebels had chased his son and fired at him, and he was in fear of their putting in another appearance at any moment.
He showed us the location of Prosser's mill, then in sight, but doubted our ability to get there. Nevertheless we were bent on trying. so. after parting from our host, we were soon in the road, where we noticed many fresh tracks of horses. We both stooped down to see in which direction the party had gone, and were about rising again when we sudden - ly discovered a knot of men in grey before us. The sight so electrified my brother that, as a result of the previous day's drill, he at once jumped over a fence to get behind a rock or tree. In the meanwhile I had noticed that the muen ahead . were as much surprised and frightened as ourselves, so I stood still, but, happening to glance at my brother, I found him shaking his fist at me while beckoning me to hide, and the whole thing seemed so ludicious that I could not help sitting down in a fence coruer and roaring with laughter. It is need- less to say the men were farmers, and, so soon as they had re- · covered their equanimity, one of them advanced to us. Hay- ing explained our situation to him we were told that it would be impossible to reach the mill by the road, although distant but a quarter of a mile and in plain sight. Fortunately for us, the road made here a turn like the letter U, we being at the top of the letter to the left, and the mill directly opposite to the right. Between these points there ran, by chance, a dry ditch, through which our friend volunteered to guide us.
By crawling stealthily along this ditch the mill was finally reached, where we found the rest of the farmers await - ing us. We had barely got our breath, and asked were the rebels were. when we saw a squad of their cavalry coming for us at a gallop. We jumped for the first protection which offered itself and proved to be an opening in the side of the mill which led to the water wheel. Here we stationed our- selves on a narrow plank, I being next to the opening, knife in hand. ready to stab the first man who showed himself, and
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my brother next to que with-his revolver .. It did seem, for a little while, as though we had as much work before us as we could well handle. What, then, was our intense surprise and gratification to find that, probably owing to their great haste, they seemed unwilling to force the issue, but quickly departed without coming to further close quarters, doubtless to regain their command.
After the coast was again clear the farmers demanded a change of our clothing before extending further aid to us. For a I'nion soldier to disguise himself in the midst of the enemy's troops was an undesirable risk, to say the least, but we, ourselves, were forced to acknowledge its necessity, and, in a few minutes found ourselves clad in grey homespun, and looking as though we had been born and bred in Dixie land itself.
We immediately changed our entire tactics, made no at- tempt at secreting ourselves, but walked about as though we were "to the manor born." The next day we visited Dills- burg, which we found frequently occupied by scouting parties of Confederates, to whom, however, we paid no attention, -. and, better still, received none. To the credit of these men I must say that. I saw no instance of injury to private property, except the confiscatiou of horses, provender, etc., for which, however, it would hardly be fair to blame them. In addition, the poor shop keepers were forced to take Confederate scrip for anything the soldiers saw fit to "purchase" from them.
All the world over human nature seems to be the same, and everywhere does it appear to contain numerous streaks of selfishness. While; returning to Mr. Prosser's on the afternoon of Monday, June 29th, we were surprised to learn that some one, anxious to curry favor with the enemy, had given infor- mation as to our whereabouts. We accordingly resolved to leave early next morning. During that night large numbers of the Confederates passed the house, along the road immedi- ately in front of our bedroom window, distant from us but a few feet. . This was the beginning of Early's retrograde march to Gettysburg.
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LIBANON COUNTY'S EMERGENCY VOLUNTEERS. 146
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Having partaken of breakfast we started, as arranged, for Harrisburg, by way of Mechanicsburg, which was be- leved to be the safest route, while, in fact, it was probably " the most dangerous. As we drew near the latter place we learned it was occupied by large bodies of the rebels, and were in quite a quandary as to what we had better do. We finally determined to push ahead, trust to our disguises, and run the risk. It was about 10.00 a. m. of Tuesday, June 30th, we tramped into Mechanicsburg, just after the Confederate rear- guard had evacuated it. The people were beginning to hang ont their I'nion flags, and, once more, to fill up with patriot- ismi. So much so, in fact, that we were promptly arrested for rebels, and, it was only with difficulty we succeeded in proving our innocence. The disguises we wore were just a httle bit too good.
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Once more we started for. Harrisburg, feeling more easy in mind, if not in body, over our bright prospects in speedily rejoining our comrades once more. On the outskirts of Me- chanicsburg we noticed, with surprise and suspicion, two men driving towards us in a carriage: with suspicion because every horse in the country had suddenly disappeared, being either "gobbled up" by the enemy or secreted by the farmers. In turn, we saw them eyeing us carefully, and prepared, accord- ingly, for such emergencies as might arise. Sure enough, as we niet they reined up and halted us, with pistol in hand, de- manding that we should give an account of ourselves. Feel- ing sure that they were for, rather than against, us, we did so, and learned that they were two of our own scouts. To them we imparted details of the Confederate movements, and then proceeded until we struck our cavalry vidette, who allowed us to pass after considerable questioning.
By this time my brother's feet had become so tender, from the unaccustomed work to which they had been subjected, that he found it necessary to walk in the soft ground of the field adjoining the road. As we proceeded slowly along we saw an engine approaching cautiously, on the railroad near
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by, drawing a platform car loaded with soldiers. From the manner in which they advanced we could see they were on a scout to feel the enemy's position. We presently noticed that they were carefully examining our apparently suspicious movements and, in a moment more, the train stopped, a ser- geant and squad of men leaped off, ran towards us, and, once more, we found ourselves under arrest as rebe! spies. After all the trouble we had experienced in getting through the en- emy's lines, we found that sort of work to be decidedly weari- some. To our great joy, however, it turned out to be a de. tachment of our own regiment, so, before many minutes, we were recognized and found ourselves once more at home. Upon our representation of the condition of affairs to the officer in command he immediately ran the train - up to Me- chanicsburg to corroborate our report, and then returned to Harrisburg.
I claim that my brother and myself were the first to bring reliable news to Harrisburg of the retrograde movement of the Confederate troops on Gettysburg, and the abandon- ment of their design to capture the capitol city of Pennsyl- vania, which they had approached within three miles, and which they would otherwise have attacked that same day. .
We found our regiment in the extreme advance, encamped behind an abattis, expecting momentarily to be engaged with the enemy. I can hear yet the yell of laughter with which we were greeted as they realized who were inside of the "Johnnie" uniforms that hove in sight, and still remember the hearty welcome accorded us.
Thus euded the experience of the 26th regiment, and its Lebanon "boys, " at Gettysburg. . Our further campaigning and advance on the retreating enemy is not strictly a part of this story.
They were all a fine set of fellows. Lebanon, today, is proud of their survivors. many of whom occupy prominent places in the community. Of my old company (A), besides. those who became distinguished citizens of the State they had
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LEBANON COUNTY'S EMERGENCY VOLUNTEERS. 198
lielped to save, many others became distinguished leaders in the Army of Christ: others, after doing their full duty here, have peacefully crossed over the river, and are now encamped with their.comrades on the other side; while still others per- formed the full measure of duty to their country by laying down their lives for it.
ROSTER OF COMPANY E, 26TH EMERGENCY REG- IMENT. PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS.
COMMISSIONED OFFICERS.
Captain. John C. Brooks. First Lieutenant, Lemuel Moyer. Second Lientenant, David S. George." -
NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS.
First Sergeant, Samuel H. Bentz.
SERGEANTS.
W. H. Harrison Embich. Cyrus S. George,
Samuel 1 .. Hughes, Cyrus Boger.
CORPORALS.
Mason Weidman, Lucien R. Warren,
Franklin Byle,
Conrad G. Gerhart, -
Jacob C. Redsecker, Henry C. Grittinger,
Isaac Stout, Casper Shunk.
PRIVATES:
Jonathan Allwine, Henry Louden,
Emanuel Biecher.
Henry C. Light,
James T. Brooks,
Edwin Light,
Jonathan %. Bruce,
Peter B. Louden,
George Leininger.
John Brunner, Charles W. Beck,
Milton Mark,
Reuben Barto,
Ezra Meyer,
Milton Magnire,
William S. Bordlemay, John Byle, l'enrose Barto,
James H. Moore Israel McConnel.
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LEBANON COUNTS HISTORICAL NONIETY.
Jacob Coffman. Edgar Darrach. .
Cyrus G. Derr,
Anthony W. Dampman, Jacob J. Embich ..
George Embich .. Luther F. Eggers, William Few.
William Neber. George Pfleger. Cyriis W. Reinoehi. Jabob Roedel. Titus H. Rank,
Stehman Forner John Fernsler. George Gleim
Andrew H. Rohrer.
Cyrus Rentz,
Henry Garrett.
Franklin G. Strickler.
Benjamin F. Garrett.
Henry W. Sohaler.
Joseph W. Geary
Daniel Steinman,
Henry H. Geiger.
Henry J. Sthrop.
Daniel B. Holsberger.
Allen Shuey,
Jacob J. Harter.
William C. J. Smith.
Adam .A. Hecker.
1. Stanley Ulrich,
David C: Hostetter.
John E Chher
George W. Howard
W. Morris Weidman,
Ismal, Hay, Isaac Kahle,
Armand Weaver, Martin We't, .
Franklin Kurtz,
William J. Wentz. John - Wilhelm.
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James M. Karmany,
Reuben Krumbine
Henry K. Vordy. Percival Zimmerman.
. Jacob W. Kline. Abiah C. Light.
H. M. M. RICHARDS.
Lebanon. Pa .. August .S. 1905. ·
Williani McAdami, Simon McConnel, Edward MeGinley. Robert Nesbit .
HECKMAN
BINDERY, INC. Bound-To-Please"
APRIL 04
N. MANCHESTER, INDIANA 46962
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