USA > Pennsylvania > Martial deeds of Pennsylvania, Vol. 2 > Part 24
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After leaving Gettysburg, General Crawford took part in the operations at Falling Waters, Manassas Gap, Rappahannock Station, and Mine Run, and during the succeeding winter was posted on the line of the Orange and Alexandria railroad. In the reorganization of the army for the spring campaign he was given command of the Third division of the Fifth corps. In the Wilderness he had the advance of his corps, and on the second day had position on its right near the centre of the army. At even- ing he was sent to the support of the Sixth corps on the extreme right of the whole line, where the enemy had attempted a sur- prise. The operations at Laurel Hill, Spottsylvania Court House, and the North Anna were protracted from the 7th to the 30th of May, and were almost one ceaseless battle. On the latter date was the engagement at Bethesda Church, in which the Pennsyl-
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vania Reserves bore a conspicuous part. It was their last battle. Their term of service ended on the following day; the time of a part of them had already expired, and they were fighting for the love they bore the flag. The battle was severe, but the Reserves were triumphant. It was characterized by the Rich- mond papers as "sad and distressing."
The Union army crossed the James on the 16th of June, 1864, and found its old antagonist seated in front of Petersburg. On the 18th and 21st of August there was severe fighting at the Weldon Railroad, near the Yellow or Globe Tavern, in which Crawford was warmly engaged. He had advanced over rugged ground and received from General Warren, who commanded the Fifth corps, the following commendation of his conduct : "You have done well in getting forward through that difficult country. Make yourself as strong as you can, and hold on. I will try to reinforce you." But the line was too attenuated and too much concealed from observation, and the enemy, seeing his advantage, massed his forces and broke through, flanking the position and making considerable captures. To add to the confusion the Union artillery, seeing the rebel infantry in rear of the Union line, opened upon them, destroying friend and foe alike. It required a master hand to extricate the forces from this sad situation. But the lines were reformed, and advanced to the position from which they had been driven. A sharp action at Hatcher's Run on the 27th of October, and the raid to Sussex Court House and Hicksford on the 5th of December, closed the operations of the year.
The spring campaign of 1865 opened on the 5th of February, when Crawford moved with his division, in connection with a heavy body, to Dabney's Mills. The enemy had anticipated the move, and was in waiting to receive him. A sharp and protracted encounter followed, in which the rebel General Pegram was killed and General Sorrel wounded. For the good conduct of his division here he received the commendation of Generals Warren and Meade. After his return to camp he was offered the com- mand of all the cavalry of the Potomac army, which he declined. On the 30th of March General Crawford led his division out for the last time-a campaign then opening which ended in the sur-
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S. WYLIE CRAWFORD.
render of Lee with his entire army. At the White Oak Road, near Gravelly Run Church, he moved upon the rebel rear over difficult ground and promptly attacked while Griffin and Ayer pressed in front. The movement was opportune and skilfully executed. The fighting was severe but entirely successful. "A four-gun battery," he says in his report, "under Colonel Peg- ram, and the battle-flag of the Thirty-second Virginia infantry, were captured and the enemy routed in confusion. We were now within the enemy's intrenchments, and he was retreating before us. Here I met and joined Griffin's division, and, changing direction again under General Warren's orders, we moved in a southeasterly direction until dark, when all the enemy had fled. In this battle I lost over three hundred in killed and wounded." With relentless earnestness the pursuit was pushed, and on the 9th the surrender was made.
General Crawford returned to Washington, and during the succeeding summer his division was mustered out, but he con- tinued in the volunteer service until January, 1866. From that date until the 30th of July, 1867, he was on leave of absence awaiting orders, at the end of which time he joined his regiment and had command of the military post at Louisville, Kentucky. Upon the reduction of the infantry from forty-five to twenty-five regiments he was selected to command the Second, though the last Colonel . promoted. In April, 1869, he was transferred to Alabama, and placed in command of the post at Huntsville and of the troops in the State, besides performing important general court- martial duty. On the 21st of December, 1871, he was granted leave of absence on surgeon's certificate, and on the 19th of February was reported by the Army Board " incapacitated for active service by reason of a gunshot wound received at the battle of Antietam, September 17th, 1862, while holding the rank of Brigadier-General of volunteers, and exercising the command of a Major-General," and the President directed " that his name be placed on the list of retired officers of that class in which the disability results from long and faithful service, or from wounds or injury received in the line of duty." His attainments in science have earned for him merited recognition. He is a member of the Historical Socie- ties of New York and Pennsylvania, of the Geographical Society
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of New York, and of the Society of Natural History of Philadel- phia. The degree of LL.D. was conferred upon him by the University of Pennsylvania in 1870.
HARLES ALBRIGHT, Colonel of the One Hundred and Thirty- second regiment and Brevet Brigadier-General, was born on the 13th of December, 1830, in Berks county, Pennsylvania. He was the son of Solomon and Mary (Miller) Albright. He was educated at Dickinson College, and studied law at Ebensburg with Robert L. Johnson. He subsequently removed to Mauch Chunk, where he acquired a commanding influence both in his profession and in politics. He was married in 1852 to Miss Na- omi E. Wingard, daughter of Valentine Wingard. In stature he is above the medium height. He is methodical and temperate, eschewing altogether tobacco and spirituous liquors. In 1854 he went with Governor Reeder to Kansas, where he was involved in the troubles of that infant State, allying himself actively with the Free State party, and contending, as was the right of citizens, for the consecration of that virgin soil to the cause of freedom forever.
Returning to his native State he became absorbed in the great questions overshadowing every other, which finally culminated in civil war. Ilis interest in the safety of the incoming administra- tion led him to Washington on the occasion of the inauguration of President Lincoln in 1861, and though seeing this happily accomplished he could discern the low mutterings of the coming storm, and remaining at the Capital attached himself to the Clay battalion for its defence. He was subsequently appointed Major of the One Hundred and Thirty-second regiment, and after the battle of Antietam, when the Colonel was killed, he was promoted to Lieutenant-Colonel. At Fredericksburg nearly one-half of this gallant body was either killed or wounded. In January follow- ing he was made Colonel, and was assigned to the leadership of a brigade in the Second corps, distinguishing himself in the battle of Chancellorsville.
In June, 1863, he was assigned to the command of Camp Muhlenburg, at Reading, and in the emergency occasioned by the invasion of the State by the rebel army was appointed Colonel
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CHARLES ALBRIGHT. .
of the Thirty-fourth militia, with which he was sent to Philadel- phia in apprehension of trouble from the enforcement of the draft. The turbulent elements were greatly excited, and riot and blood- shed seemed imminent. Colonel Albright went fully determined to maintain order. To avoid the appearance of a challenge he halted his column in Chestnut street, and ordered an inspection and a discharge of all loaded arms. Moving to camp where dis- turbance was feared, by a free conference with persons having great influence with the masses he gave assurance of his pacific desires, but of his resolute intentions if put to the test. His reasonable temper had the effect to allay excitement. Peace was . preserved throughout the city, while at New York, where a less judicious course was pursued, riot and civil strife reigned su- preme. His temperate management here drew upon him the favorable regard of the Government, and when troubles arose in the coal regions he was sent among the miners to quell a threatened uprising. By rare tact he discovered the ringleaders, had them arrested, and soon brought the entire section to a peace- able condition. In August, 1864, he was commissioned Colonel of the Two Hundred and Second regiment. Soon after taking the field he was detached and sent to quell troubles existing in Co- lumbia county, where lawless men, inspired by crafty leaders, were defying authority. Speedily were the operations of the band discovered, their evil machinations brought to light, and further trouble averted. Returning, he resumed command of his regi- ment, and was sent out upon the Manassas Gap Railroad in- fested by numerous bands of guerillas bent upon interrupting trains employed in transporting stores to Sheridan in the Valley. Ile here succeeded to the command of a brigade. A warm engage- ment occurred near Fairfax Station, in which Moseby was routed and the disposition to attack broken. When no longer needed for this purpose the road was abandoned and his command went into quarters at Fairfax Station. Against this isolation he pro- tested, being eager to join the Grand Army before Petersburg ; but the Government refused to listen to his appeals.
On the 25th of March, 1865, he was appointed and confirmed Brigadier-General by brevet. He continued in service until August, when he returned to his home at Mauch Chunk and re-
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sumed the practice of his profession, where he has also been largely engaged in iron, slate, and mining interests, and as Presi- dent of the Second National Bank. He is known and esteemed as a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, in which he has been an active worker for many years, and was one of the two lay delegates from the Philadelphia Conference to the General Conference which convened in Brooklyn in 1872. He was a delegate to the Chicago Convention which put in nomination Mr. Lincoln for the Presidency, and also to that which sat in Phila- delphia and renominated President Grant, where he acted as chairman of the Committee on Permanent Organization. At the general State election held in the fall of 1872 he was chosen one of the representatives at large to the United States Congress, in which capacity he is now serving.
RA AYER, JR., Colonel of the Tenth Reserve regiment, was born in Erie county, New York, on the 14th of July, 1836. He was the son of Ira and Julia M. (Wadsworth) Ayer. At the opening of the Rebellion he was a student of Allegheny College. Without waiting for authority he called together his fellow- students, and having had some training in the Sixty-seventh militia, of which his father was Colonel, commenced drilling them. Though earnest in his appeals his company failed of acceptance, until the Reserve corps was authorized, when it was mustered as Company I of the Tenth. He was first in action at Dranes- ville. He seems to have had a poetic appreciation of valor ; for when General Ord, who commanded in the battle, came galloping forward, leading Easton's battery into action, he thus records his impressions : "Just then Ord came dashing up. 'Make way for my artillery,' he shouted, and without slackening his speed dashed by, while his 'war-dogs' followed close behind. The General was an old artillerist, and knew well how to value this arm of the service. The scene was, I think, the most animated that I witnessed during the war. He was mounted on a beautiful bay, and as he rode up, his eyes flashing fire and every lineament of his countenance betokening courage, his presence inspired all with confidence."
In the battle of Beaver Dam Creek he was sent forward with
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IRA AYER, Jr.
his company to occupy the skirmish line, and remained in this advanced position during the entire engagement, the regiment acquitting itself in the most gallant manner. " About ten o'clock," he says, "the roar of artillery had ceased. In our advanced position we could hear distinctly the movements of the enemy, and the cries and shrieks of the wounded and dying, as they lay where they had fallen or were being moved from the field." In the battle of the following day, at Gaines' Mill, he received a gunshot wound in the right side and a severe con- tusion of the right arm. "Colonel Warner," he says, "mustered the regiment on the 30th, and I shall never forget the glow of soldierly pride with which he commended the company's bravery, and viewed its thinned but still compact ranks." And now came the change of base, with infinite discomfort to the wounded and worn-out soldiers. But a place of rest had not been gained before the enemy attacked, now at Charles City Cross Roads. The Reserves felt the first shock and were terribly scourged, but suffered no diminution of gallantry. In the Seven Days of this contest Captain Ayer's company lost more heavily in killed and wounded than any in the division. As it was the representative of one of the most prominent colleges in the State, the fact may be regarded as significant.
At Bull Run, Captain Ayer received a severe wound. Passing over this field nearly a year afterwards the recollections of the battle were brought vividly to his mind and he thus wrote to a friend : "A little farther on we came to the scene of our last year's operations. There is the very field where we lay, Thurs- day night, August 28th, all day under a hot sun, covered a little from the enemy. This was near Groveton. Yonder is the wood where our regiment made a charge to take a rebel battery, but without success, and there is the field where they shelled us after dark, throwing their missiles very accurately, but, as it happened, without effect. That was Friday evening, the 20th; and there is the field where our regiment stood picket the same night. Passing on a little farther we come to the house near which we lay Saturday, before we were ordered into the engagement. But here to the right is the very spot where the regiment fought. There fell Captain Hinch-
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man, of Company A, and it is said that he is buried in that little rail enclosure. Here, too, fell Tryon and Pearl; and Phelps, our Lieutenant, a bold and dashing officer, was here shot through the breast. No better men graced the ranks of the Union army. On this same ridge the rebel. bullet struck my arm, and another ' went through my hat. The former made a sad hole in my can- teen, causing all my cold coffee to run out. The boys in going over the field to-day found what they asserted to be the self- same canteen ; but they were mistaken, for I carried it off with me." His wound was a severe one, fracturing the left fore- arm. At Gettysburg, while reconnoitring, he was fired at by two sharpshooters from an unexpected quarter, but was not hit. Turning suddenly back, a third shot was fired, which just grazed his side, making a deep abrasion, and would have done certain execution had it not been fired at the instant of his turning away, carrying him out of aim after the missile had actually left the piece.
He had been promoted to the rank of Major on the 18th of October, 1862, and on the 18th of December, 1863, was advanced to Lieutenant-Colonel and placed in command of the regiment. When it entered the Wilderness campaign it went with the free step and the resolute mien of the best trained and organized soldiers. It had not penetrated far before the old foe was met. In a letter dated May 6th, the second day of the battle, he says : "Our division had been rapidly ordered forward, preparatory as was supposed to a charge upon the enemy's works. I was leading my regiment into line when hit by a bullet from one of the enemy's sharpshooters, which passed through the large bone of my leg, causing a very painful though I hope not dangerous wound. I was compelled to leave the field at once, which I did after exhorting my men to do their duty.".
For more than a year after the Reserve corps had completed its period of service and been mustered out he was disabled. He was brevetted Colonel for this action, and was warmly com- plimented by Generals Crawford and Fisher. Only by wounds. however, was he kept from the field, possessing a good constitu- tion and actuated by real patriotism. In person he is six feet in
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HENRY J. SHEAFER.
height, well formed, and of fair complexion. At college he mani- fested a strong liking for mathematics and natural science, and later in his course for lingual studies. Strictly temperate-of tobacco and spirituous liquors abstemious-he was little affected by temptation, as the habits of youth are strengthened and con- firmed by time. .....
Colonel Ayer was married on the 21st of December, 1863, to Miss Jennie James, whose mother had, during the war, minis- tered at the bedside of many sick and dying soldiers, evincing & patriotism as sincere and fervid as the man who bore the musket and met face to face the foe. She watched at the side of one of the brave men of Ayer's company, Edwin B. Pier, a scholar of promise, and after his death wrote a most touching letter, de- scriptive of the Christian fortitude of the departed young soldier. When Ayer next visited Washington, he called upon the family to tender his acknowledgments for the kindness shown his beloved companion-in-arms, and then for the first time met the daughter. The acquaintance ripened into esteem, and finally resulted in their marriage. At the close of the war, Colonel Ayer settled in Virginia, and now resides at Norfolk, where he holds a responsible position in the civil service of the General Govern- ment.
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ENRY JACKSON SHEAFER, Brevet Colonel of the One Hundred and Seventh regiment, was born in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, on the 21st of May, 1826. His grandfather, George Sheafer, emigrated to this country from Alsace, France. His maternal ancestors were Scotch. His opportunities for edu- cation were limited. At the age of fifteen he was apprenticed to a druggist. At twenty he went to South Carolina, but return- ing north two years later, engaged in mercantile business in Milton, Northumberland county, and was united in marriage to Annrica O. Wood, daughter of Nicholas B. Wood, of Harrisburg. In 1856 he removed to Minnesota, where he was largely em- ployed in the lumber trade. In 1858 he was elected a member of the Minnesota Legislature from Dakota county.
Returning to Pennsylvania at the opening of the war he recruited a company for the One Hundred and Seventh, of which
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he was Captain. He remained with McDowell during the Penin- sula campaign, and was at Thoroughfare Gap, and in the Second Bull Run battle. At South Mountain, and again at Antietam, he particularly distinguished himself, in the latter engagement commanding one wing of the regiment, and holding it on the hottest part of the field until every cartridge had been spent. He was again sharply engaged at Fredericksburg. At Chancellors- ville, after the Union army had retired to its more contracted position, he was sent upon the skirmish line with four companies, where he was obliged to stand for forty hours without relief, and where the officers were obliged to use harsh words and even resort to blows to keep the men awake. He had some time pre- vious been commissioned Major. In the battle of Gettysburg he was severely wounded on the first day.
In the subsequent campaign of 1863, and in the Wilderness campaign of 1864, Major Sheafer was constantly at the post of duty, a considerable portion of the time having command of the regiment, and in all places proving himself a cool, brave, and reliable officer. He served through the siege of Petersburg, and was mustered out at the expiration of his term, in March, 1865, having been brevetted, in the meantime, Lieutenant-Colonel and Colonel. On retiring from the army he engaged in an active business life in Harrisburg. In 1872 he was elected Sheriff of Dauphin county, which position he now fills.
AMES GETTYS ELDER, Colonel of the One Hundred and Twenty- sixth regiment, was born on the 13th of February, 1822, in Franklin county, Pennsylvania. He was the son of James and Rachel (McAfee) Elder. He received a common school education, and learned the trade of a saddler, but engaged in mercantile pursuits. For a period of twenty years he served in the militia, holding the ranks of Captain, Major, and Brigade Inspector. He served as Captain in the Second regiment for three months' ser- vice. He was afterwards active in forming the One Hundred and Twenty-sixth regiment for nine months, of which he was com- missioned Colonel. He first led his command into battle on the disastrous field of Fredericksburg-doubly disastrous to Colonel Elder. He was in Tyler's brigade of Humphrey's division which
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JAMES G. ELDER .- JAMES F. WEAVER .- P. H. ALLABACII.
was led against Marye's Heights, at a point where the rebel line was impregnable, and against which the Union forces dashed in fiery waves. In one of these Colonel Elder led his command, and when the storm of battle was at its height was struck by two musket balls in the thigh, inflicting dangerous and ghastly wounds. He was carried from the field and his wounds dressed ; but for many months was unable to move, and when, after great suffering, he came forth from the hospital where his life had been in peril he came with one limb permanently shortened. Previous to the war Colonel Elder had served as a justice of the peace, and after its close he was elected Treasurer of Franklin county. He has richly earned the title of a defender of his country.
AMES F. WEAVER, Colonel of the One Hundred and Forty- eighth regiment, was born on the 6th of November, 1830, near Bellefonte. He was the son of John and Elizabeth (Poor- man) Weaver. He received a common school education, and at the age of seventeen was apprenticed to the business of printing, and became editor of the Centre Democrat. He was married in December, 1851, to Miss Mary M. Hall, daughter of T. M. Hall, of Milesburg. He displayed untiring zeal in recruiting troops for the One Hundred and Forty-eighth regiment, and was commis- sioned Captain of Company B. He participated in the battles of Chancellorsville, Po River, Spottsylvania, and in the actions be- fore Petersburg. He was struck by a fragment of shell at the Po, but not disabled. For his conduct at Ream's Station he was complimented upon the field by General Miles, commander of the division. He received the successive promotions of Major, Lieutenant-Colonel, and Colonel. He commanded the regiment in the final campaign, and returned with it to be mustered out of service. In person he is six feet in height, slender but erect, and of manners affable and courteous.
ETER HOLLINGSHEAD ALLABACH, Colonel of the One Hundred and Thirty-first regiment, was born on the 9th of Sep- tember, 1824, in Luzerne county, Pennsylvania. He was the son of Peter and Elizabeth (Van Camp) Allabach. At the age of fifteen he was apprenticed to a millwright, where he remained
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three years. On the 25th of November, 1844, he enlisted as a private in the regular army, serving in the Third infantry. In July, 1845, he went to Texas under General Taylor, and in the war with Mexico took part in the battles of Palo Alto, Resaca de la Palma, Monterey, Vera Cruz, Cerro Gordo, Contreras, Cherubusco, Chapultepec, Garita de Belen, and street fights in the city of Mexico. He displayed great gallantry at Cherubusco, placing the flag of his regiment on the ramparts, for which he was recommended for promotion. In 1849, after a service of five years, he left the army. In 1851 he was married to Miss N. Gertrude Blanchard.
When the One Hundred and Thirty-first regiment was formed, he was appointed Colonel. The five years of service in the regular army now proved of signal benefit, and when his regi- ment reached the field he was placed in command of a brigade, which he continued to exercise until the expiration of the nine months for which his regiment was enlisted. At Fredericksburg, he took the lead of his brigade in the charge on Marye's Heights, where the earth was slippery with patriot blood. But he was unable to effect more than those who had gone before, and was recalled to give place to other victims. The heroism of his troops was tested, as it has rarely been in the history of warfare, and they were not found wanting. At Chancellorsville, his brigade met the enemy in his first advance on the 1st of May, and again on the 3d, when the army was struggling to gather up its strength after the fatal blow of Stonewall Jackson. The fighting was desperate, and it was only by the most determined courage that the army was saved from destruction and brought behind a new fortified line. When the term of the regiment had expired, he was mustered out of service and returned to private life.
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