USA > Pennsylvania > Montgomery County > Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, a history, Volume I > Part 10
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Among those recruited by Hartranft were fifty men in temporary camp at Zeiglersville, Frederick township. These men had been enlisted by John B. Adams, who was authorized to raise a regiment of infantry. Under the pressing circumstances in the month of August, 1862, an order was issued by the Secretary of War to consolidate regiments in process of formation and forward them at once to Washington for assign- ment to brigades. In the execution of this order the men enlisted by Adams and Ellmaker were organized into the 119th Regiment of Penn- sylvania Volunteers. Under this arrangement Peter C. Ellmaker was commissioned colonel. This gave offense to Adams, who failed to report the men to camp at Zeiglersville. Hartranft found these fifty men, who represented that the officer recruiting them had abandoned them, and they expressed their desire to join the company of cavalry then forming. They were accepted, fifty in number, and about August
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15th, the full company of one hundred men assembled at Zeiglersville, and, after a royal breakfast, provided by the kind people of the little village, the company took carriages, furnished by the farmers and busi- ness men, and drove to Pottstown, where they took the cars for Harris- burg. Upon leaving the county their officers were: First Lieutenant R. B. Rhoades; Second Lieutenant Joshua Houck. At Camp Curtin, having been physically examined, they were duly mustered into the U. S. service, September 17, 1862, to serve "three years or during the war." Theodore W. Bean (later colonel) was appointed first sergeant of the company. Clothing was issued to the men, and the work of squad and company drill was about to commence, when an order was received from the commandant of the camp to muster the men in the company street. The order required the men whose names were called to step two paces to the front. All of the Adams troops were called. They were declared under arrest, and escorted by the provost guard of the capital to quarters in the city of Harrisburg, there to await further orders from the Secretary of War.
The fact now became evident to the officers of the company that all the Zeiglersville recruits had been regularly "mustered in" under the order of Adams, and the rolls returned to the Secretary of War under the order to consolidate, and that therefore their men belonged of right to Colonel Ellmaker's command. The manner in which these men were claimed was felt to be humiliating, and the officers and men remaining felt it due to themselves and those under arrest to investigate the facts, and, if possible, have them restored to the command. It is just to the great and good war-Governor Curtin and his Adjutant General Russel to say that both offered every facility to fully investigate the facts and cir- cumstances of the case. Theodore W. Bean was designated by the offi- cers and men in camp and those detained to proceed to Washington to confer with the Secretary of War and Adjutant General of the United States army. Governor Curtin and General Russel united in a strong appeal to the Secretary of War for the restoration of these men to the cavalry service, and the gentleman bearing the dispatches pressed the request of officers and men and the appeal of the State authorities in terms the most considerate his address could command. The matter was referred to Adjutant-General Thomas, U. S. A., who, in a personal interview declined to change or modify their original muster-in roll, but at once relieved the men from the order of arrest, and directed them to be forwarded, under the command of a commissioned officer, to the regi- ment to which they originally belonged. Sergeant Bean returned from Washington and reported results to the men. They were promptly relieved from arrest, and accepted the situation without murmur or remonstrance. They were gallant and patriotic men, and their record in the noble regiment to which they subsequently became attached is highly creditable to themselves and to the county. Captain Hartranft
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still had fifty men in camp, but under the altered circumstances could not be mustered. About this time Lieutenant John Rees, with fifty men from Chester county, reported to Captain Tarbutton ; overtures were at once made for a consolidation of the two commands, and a new com- pany organization was effected. The Chester county men were at once transferred to the quarters vacated by the Zeiglersville recruits, and an election of officers was immediately held, which resulted in the choice of the following gentlemen: Captain, David B. Hartranft; First Lieuten- ant, John Rees; Second Lieutenant, Theo. W. Bean. The non-commis- sioned officers were then appointed, and the work of dismounted drill and discipline began. By the latter end of September the quota for the three cavalry regiments was in camp, and the organization of twelve companies into the 17th Regiment of Cavalry was effected. Captain Hartranft was promoted first major; Lieutenant Rees succeeded to the captaincy ; Second Lieutenant Theo. W. Bean was promoted to first lieutenant, and First Sergeant William H. Wright was commissioned second lieutenant ; Edwin A. Bean, of Company L, was appointed regi- mental quartermaster-sergeant. The regimental organization was effected on the 2nd of October, and completed by the muster of its com- manding officer, November 19, 1862. It immediately broke up its dis- mounted camp under Captain Tarbutton within the line of Camp Sim- mons, and established itself at Camp McClellan, about two miles north of Harrisburg, where the command received their horses, arms and equipments.
In the work entitled "Conduct of the War," Vol. I, pp. 28, 29, is found an interesting article to all Montgomery county people, even after a half century and more has rolled away. It is in substance as follows :
Only three regiments of cavalry, of which the 17th was one, moved with the columns of Hooker on the Chancellorsville campaign, the major part having been dispatched under Averell and Stoneman to cut the enemy's communications and harass his rear. When, on the evening of the 2d of May, the enemy under Jackson had driven the entire Eleventh Corps, and was pushing on victorious to sever the Union army, and gain its only line of retreat, few troops were in position to stay his course. At this juncture General Pleasanton, who had been out in advance of the line on the centre, in support of General Sickles, then demonstrating upon Jackson's flank and rear, happened to be returning with the 8th and 17th Pennsylvania regiments towards the centre, and had reached the breast-works just as hordes of Jackson's men, who were pursuing the routed Eleventh Corps troops, were approaching that part of the field. Divining the condition of affairs by the evidences of rout in the Union columns, Pleasanton ordered Major Keenan, of the 8th, to charge with all his force and impetuosity, which he knew was an element of the major's nature, full upon the head of the rebel advancing column, though he knew that the execution of the order would involve the sac- rifice of that gallant regiment. This he did in order that, by checking for a moment the rebel onslaught, he might gain time to bring his horse artillery into position, and thus interpose some more effectual barrier.
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"I immediately ran up," says General Pleasanton, "this battery of mine at a gallop, put it into position, ordered it unlimbered and double-shotted with canister, and directed the men to aim at the ground-line of the parapet that the Eleventh Corps had thrown up, about two hundred yards off. Our artillery, as a general rule, overshoots, and I ordered them to fire low, because the shot would ricochet. I then set to work with two squadrons of the remaining regiment (the 17th Pennsylvania) to clear this field of fugitives, and to stop what cannon and ammunition we could, and put them in position; and I managed to get twenty-two guns loaded, double-shotted, and aiming on this space in front of us for about a quarter or half a mile, when the whole woods appeared alive with large bodies of men. This was just at dusk. I was going to give the word 'fire.' I had ordered those pieces not to fire unless I gave the word, because I wanted the effect of an immense shock. There was an immense body of men, and I wanted the whole weight of the metal to check them. I was about to give the word fire, when one of the soldiers at a piece said: 'General, that is our flag.' I said to one of my aids: 'Mr. Thompson, ride forward there at once, and let me know what flag that is.' He then went to within one hundred yards, and those people cried out : 'Come on, we are friends.' He then started to move on, when the whole line of woods blazed with musketry, and they immediately commenced leaping over this parapet, and charged on the guns; and at the same time I saw from eight to ten Rebel flags run up along the whole line. I immediately gave the order, 'fire,' and the fire actually swept them away; and it seemed to blow those men in front clear over the parapet. * *
* We had this fight between musketry and artil- lery for nearly an hour. At one time they got within fifty yards of our guns. There were two squadrons of the 17th Pennsylvania Cavalry left. This remaining regiment I had was composed of raw men, new troops, and all I could do with them was to make a show. I had them formed in single line, with sabres drawn, with orders to charge in case the enemy came near the guns. They sat in rear of the guns, and I have no doubt the Rebels took them for the head of a heavy column, as the country sloped back behind them."
And thus was the mad onset of Stonewall Jackson's army checked by artillery supported by a single line of raw cavalry. It was a trying position for the regiment, but the firm front presented saved the day, and enabled Hooker to reform his shattered columns, and once more present a solid unbroken line. Early in the evening Sickles' troops came up and took position in support of the guns, and the regiment was relieved. In a general order issued by General Pleasanton, immediately after the battle he said: "The coolness displayed by the 17th Pennsyl- vania in rallying fugitives and supporting the batteries which repulsed the enemy's attack under Jackson, on the evening of the 2nd instant, has excited the highest admiration."
At Gettysburg, this regiment, being under General Buford, was saluted with shouts and patriotic songs as they marched toward the place, June 30th, and encamped near the Pennsylvania College. Pleas- anton's report says: "At a distance of a mile and a half from town he met the enemy in force. Dispositions were immediately made to resist
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his further advance, and for four hours, and until the arrival of the First Corps, Buford held at bay a third of the entire rebel army. Buford, with his four thousand cavalry," says General Pleasanton, "attacked Hill, and for four hours splendidly resisted his advance, until Reynolds and Howard were able to hurry to the field and give their assistance. To the intrepidity, courage and fidelity of General Buford and his brave divi- sion the country and the army owe the field of Gettysburg."
The regiment saw active service in 1864 at Spottsylvania ; was with Sheridan on numerous cavalry raids toward Richmond ; at Yellow House fought manfully ; was at Cold Harbor, dismounted and fought as infan- trymen with final success. At Charles City Court House it met with considerable loss. Sheridan took command of the Army of the Shen- andoah Valley in August, 1864, and it was not long before the 17th was ordered to charge and they drove the rebels toward Winchester.
Sheridan reached the army just as it was moving on its last cam- paign, and he at once took the van. At Stony Creek the cavalry became engaged, and the Second Brigade was hastened forward to the support of Davie's division, which was forced back, the 17th losing a number wounded and missing in the engagement. At daylight of the Ist of April fighting was renewed, the Union lines charging the enemy in his works, the division capturing 600 prisoners and two battle-flags. The loss in the 17th was severe, Captain James Ham being among the killed, and Captains English, Donehoo, Reinhold and Lieutenant Anglun among the wounded. Rapid marching and hard fighting continued until the 6th, when General Ewell, with one wing of the rebel army, was captured. From that point the cavalry kept up a running fight with the enemy's advance until he reached Appomattox Court House, where the whole rebel army was forced to lay down its arms. In securing this joyful result the cavalry, led by Sheridan, contributed largely, the 17th sus- taining its hard-earned reputation for gallantry to the last.
From the Appomattox the regiment returned to Petersburg, and after a week's rest marched to the neighborhood of Washington, where it remained in camp until its final muster out of service, on the 16th of June. A detachment of this regiment was consolidated with parts of the Ist and 6th Pennsylvania Cavalry Regiments, forming the 2nd Pro- visional Cavalry, and remained in service until the 7th of August, when it was mustered out at Louisville, Kentucky. In his farewell order to the 17th, General Devine says: "In five successive campaigns, and in over threescore engagements, you have nobly sustained your part. Of the many gallant regiments from your State, none has a brighter record, none has more freely shed its blood on every battlefield from Gettys- burg to Appomattox. Your gallant deeds will be ever fresh in the mem- ory of your comrades of the Iron Brigade and the First Division. Sol- diers, farewell !"
The 175th Regiment, drafted militia, nine months' men, was composed
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of eight companies from Chester and two from Montgomery county. The camp of rendezvous was in West Philadelphia, where the companies assembled in November, 1862, and a regimental organization was effected with the following field officers: Samuel A. Dyer, of Delaware county, colonel; Francis C. Hooton, of Chester county, lieutenant-col- onel; Isaac McClure, of Chester county, major. On the Ist of Decem- ber the regiment broke camp and moved via Washington to Fortress Monroe, and thence to Suffolk, Virginia, where it was made a part of the brigade commanded by Colonel Alfred Gibbs. After a month's inces- sant drill the regiment was transferred to the brigade of General F. B. Spinola, and moved, with other troops, during the closing days of the year, to Newbern, North Carolina, and went into winter quarters. Spin- ola's brigade here became the First of the Fifth Division (General Henry Prince), Eighteenth Corps (General Foster).
In March, 1863, when the enemy was threatening Newbern, the 175th threw up a strong line of earthworks on the south side of the river Trent and joined in repelling the attack which was sluggishly made on the town. It also made several expeditions in search of Colonel Woodford's guerrillas, but never succeeded in inducing them to risk a fight. After retiring from Newbern the enemy proceeded to Washington, on the Tar river, and laid siege to the town. The defense was directed by General Foster in person, the little garrison consisting of only about 2,000 men. From Newbern to Washington direct was about thirty miles, but by water one hundred and twenty. Prince's division at once moved by water to the relief of Foster. Eight miles below the town Prince found his way impeded by obstructions in the river, here a mile wide, and by heavy guns in earthworks on either side. It subsequently marched to Sandy Hook, where it was attached to Colonel Wells' brigade, of the Eighth Corps. With it the regiment assisted in laying a pontoon bridge over the Potomac to the town of Harper's Ferry, and, crossing, had a brisk skirmish with the 12th Virginia Cavalry, which was driven and the town occupied. Its term of service had now expired, and, returning to Philadelphia, it was, on the 7th of August, mustered out.
In the 179th Regiment, drafted militia, nine months' men, the men were from the counties of Berks, Lancaster, Montgomery, Pike, and Wayne, and the city of Philadelphia. They were organized in companies at periods ranging from the 23rd of October to the 6th of December, 1862, and on the 8th of December a regimental organization was effected, with the following field officers: William H. Blair, colonel; Daniel M. Yost, lieutenant-colonel; William H. Yerkes, major. Colonel Blair was at the time serving as captain in the 51st Regiment, and did not join his new command until January, 1863. Before leaving Philadelphia, Com- pany E was detached and sent for duty to Chestnut Hill Hospital, where with the exception of a short period at Gettysburg, after the battle there, it was retained until the end of its service.
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Soon after its organization the regiment proceeded to Fortress Mon- roe, and thence to Yorktown, where it formed part of the garrison at the fort, and was encamped within its walls. Upon assuming command, Colonel Blair commenced a thorough discipline of his men, with the most flattering results. Colonel Robert M. West, chief of artillery and ord- nance at the fort, says of it: "It improved rapidly, and eventually became a first-class regiment, remarkable for its proficiency in drill, the cleanliness and good order of its camp, and the quiet, orderly demeanor of the men. I never saw improvement more marked and rapid than in this case." It did little else than garrison duty until the last of July, when it was called out to join in the movement made by General Dix up the Peninsula. "When the movement upon Richmond was made," says Colonel West, in the document above quoted, "by General Dix, in the summer of this year. I was in command of the 'Advanced Brigade' of the forces that moved up the Peninsula. It became necessary to strengthen my brigade with an additional regiment, and the command- ing general authorized me to designate any one I chose. I immediately named the 179th, and, accordingly, Colonel Blair reported to me with his regiment, and became a part of my command. During the march to White House, and thence to Baltimore Cross-Roads, where my brigade was engaged upon two occasions, Colonel Blair's regiment was prompt and ready, and always well in hand. A peculiarity about his command was that it never had a straggler. During the return march-the most severe, on account of a drenching storm, of any I ever performed-the 179th crowned its reputation as a first-class organization by being always closed and promptly in its place, whilst other regiments were scattered for miles along the road."
Upon its return to camp it was ascertained that Lee had invaded Pennsylvania, and though its term of service was about to expire, by the unanimous vote of the men, by companies, their further services were tendered to Governor Curtin as long as he should need them for the defense of the State. This offer was accepted; but by the time the regiment had reached Washington, en route to the front, the rebel army had retreated to Virginia. It was, accordingly, ordered to Harrisburg, where, on the 27th of July, it was mustered out of service.
The 197th Regiment, hundred day men, was recruited at Philadel- phia and in neighboring counties by the assistance of the Coal Exchange Association of that city, to serve for a period of one hundred days, and was known as the Third Coal Exchange Regiment. It was organized at Camp Cadwalader on the 22nd of July, 1864, with the following field officers: John R. Haslett, colonel; Charles D. Kenworthy, lieutenant- colonel ; John Woodcock, major. Colonel Haslett had served as captain in the 66th, and subsequently in the 73rd, of which he had been for sev- eral months the acting major ; Lieutenant-Colonel Kenworthy had served on the Peninsula, in the 3rd United States Infantry, where he was
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severely wounded ; and Major Woodcock had just been mustered out of a nine months' regiment. A large proportion of officers and men were well-schooled soldiers. Soon after its organization it proceeded to Camp Bradford, at Mankin's Woods, near Baltimore, where it remained for two weeks. At the end of that time, and when well drilled and in full expectation of being led to the front, it was ordered to Rock Island, Illinois, and upon its arrival there was charged with guarding a camp for prisoners of war. The guard provided was insufficient for the duty required, and the service bore heavily upon this regiment. At the close of its term it returned to Philadelphia, where, on the IIth of November, 1864, it was mustered out.
In order that no organization accredited to Montgomery county should be overlooked (as some of the regiments are not given a descrip- tive account in the published works), the subjoined list is given :
4th Regiment, Companies A, B, C, D, E, I, K, 90 days' term.
44th Regiment (Ist Pennsylvania Cavalry), Company B, 3 years' term.
5Ist Regiment, Companies A, C, D, F and I, 3 years' term.
53rd Regiment, Companies A and B, 3 years' term.
68th Regiment, Company H.
93rd Regiment, Company G, 3 years' term.
95th Regiment, 3 years' term.
106th Regiment, Company G, 3 years' term.
129th Regiment, Company I, 9 months' term.
138th Regiment, Companies A, C, I and K, 3 years' term.
160th Regiment (Anderson Troop), 3 years' term.
162nd Regiment, Company L (17th Pennsylvania Cavalry), 3 years' term.
175th Regiment, Companies A and H, 9 months' term.
179th Regiment, Companies A and G, 9 months' term.
Independent Cavalry Companies-Capt. Samuel W. Comly's com- pany, organized Sept. 15, 1862; discharged Sept. 26, 1862. Capt. Daniel H. Mulvany's company, organized Sept. 13, 1862; discharged Sept. 27, 1862. Capt. Samuel W. Comly's company, organized June 17, 1863; dis- charged July 30, 1863.
Independent Cavalry Battalion-Company B, Captain Frederick Haws, organized July 2, 1863 ; discharged August 21, 1863.
Pennsylvania Militia-IIth Regiment, Companies C, D, G and H. 17th Regiment, Companies B and G. 19th Regiment, Company E. 26th Regiment, Company F. 34th Regiment, Companies B, C, E, H, I. 4Ist Regiment, Company B. 43rd Regiment, Company I 197th Regiment (100 days' men). Companies F and G.
The Grand Army of the Republic-After the end of nearly every American war, its surviving soldiers very naturally and befittingly form societies and hold their reunions. Especially is this true since the close of the Civil War that closed in the spring of 1865. The veterans of that con- flict organized that well-known and well-sustained order known as "The Grand Army of the Republic." Since then have been organized the
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Spanish-American and the World War posts, and American Legion Posts. It seems appropriate to close this Civil War chapter with a brief account of the Grand Army of the Republic.
The citizens and veterans of the Civil War from Montgomery county emphasize the statement that the first organization of its kind in the entire country was in this county. It embraced within its membership all honorably discharged soldiers and sailors who served in the United States. Army societies, composed of surviving commissioned officers and their descendants, followed the Revolution, one of which still exists, the Society of the Cincinnati; army and corps organizations of the War of 1812 and the Mexican War have existed for social and convivial pur- poses, but none of these have been based on the principle of mutual aid in time of need or comprehended purposes so exalted, as these embraced in the declarations of the Grand Army of the Republic, viz .: "Charity, Fraternity and Loyalty."
Like many popular movements, the inception or original organization is involved in some obscurity. It is clear, however, that its origin was in the West. Adjutant-General N. P. Chipman, in his report to the National Encampment at Cincinnati, May, 1869, says that the originator of the Grand Army of the Republic was Colonel B. F. Stephenson, and that the first post was organized in the city of Decatur, Illinois, in the spring of 1866. Posts increased rapidly among those who had then but recently returned to their homes, and with whom the associations of army life were fresh in mind. A State Department Encampment was organized in Illinois on the 12th of July, 1866. In the month of Novem- ber, the same year, a National Encampment was organized at Indianap- olis, with representatives present from Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Wis- consin, New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Iowa, Kentucky, Indiana and the District of Columbia.
The exact time of the formation of the first post in Pennsylvania is a matter of dispute, and will likely so remain, four posts having claimed the distinction of being No. 1-Posts 1, 2 and 19, of Philadelphia, and No. 3, of Pittsburgh. The organization of the Boys in Blue, in 1866, brought many of the rank and file of the army together, but, as this movement had a partisan significance, it was found to be too narrow for the muster of comrades who, differing in political convictions, had fought side by side through the long conflict and were now desirable companions in the fraternal union of all loyal soldiers. Quickened by the martial friendships formed during years of warfare, it was natural that the survivors should come together to recount their remarkable experiences and unite in kindly offices towards each other.
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