USA > Pennsylvania > Montgomery County > Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, a history, Volume I > Part 7
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Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45
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land still further embarrassed American shipping interests. Napoleon, by his Berlin Decree of 1806, had forbidden the introduction of any English merchandise to the continent of Europe, even in neutral vessels that should touch at an English port. Great Britain retaliated by pro- hibiting the trade from port to port of neutrals belonging to the enemy, and, declaring the whole coast of Europe in a state of blockade, render- ing the vessels of all neutrals passing to European ports liable to capture. Upon learning of this measure, Napoleon issued his famous Milan Decree, confiscating not only the vessels that should touch at a British port, but such as should submit to be searched by the English. These measures were very injurious to American shipping interests, and in- duced the American Congress, in December, 1807, to pass an Embargo Act, prohibiting American vessels to leave their ports. This was admit- tedly a preparatory step in the direction of war with England, and a cautionary measure to call home all trading vessels and seamen in order to put the country in the best possible condition for the struggle that all sagacious minds saw to be near at hand. In March, 1809, the Em- bargo Act was repealed, and an act prohibiting all commercial inter- course with both England and France was passed.
The non-intercourse act expired by its own limitation in 1810. In anticipation of this event, the administration invoked France and Eng- land to remove their restrictive measures from American shipping. Napoleon promptly responded through his minister directing a suspen- sion of his decrees so far as they affected American interests. Encour- aged by this success, efforts were made to induce England to follow the example of France. The British diplomats of the period sought delay in skillfully devised dilatory proceedings, questioning the formal- ity of the seemingly friendly act of France. Mr. Pinckney, the American envoy in London, grew weary and impatient at "the shuffling behavior of the British government," and demanded his audience of leave. Con- tinuous breaches of national amity on the high seas by British naval officers, commented on by a free press, and made the subject of debate in and out of Congress, kept the public mind inflamed and strengthened the President and his Cabinet in their preparatory efforts for actual hos- tility. On the 20th of May, 1812, the "Hornet" arrived from London, conveying the intelligence that England refused to repeal or suspend her restrictions upon American shipping interests, and further insisting upon her right of search and impressment. This information brought public affairs to a crisis, and in the following June the President trans- mitted to Congress a special message, disclosing to the nation the unwar- ranted attitude of England, the necessity of protecting the rights of naturalized citizens, enumerating the grievances suffered, and submit- ting the question "whether they should be longer endured or immediate resource had to the ultimate resort of injured nations, a declaration of
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war." Congress deliberated on the measure with closed doors, and on the 18th of June passed an act declaring war against Great Britain.
The lapse of time and the many remarkable events that have inter- vened, including the War with Mexico, the Great Civil War, the War with Spain and the last great World War, in which this country became a powerful ally, have all had a tendency to forget the War of 1812-14, but it should here be stated that Pennsylvania and Montgomery county did well in supporting the administration and gave freely of money and men for that second struggle with England. The spirit of those times in Pennsylvania are well illustrated in the words of the Governor of this Commonwealth, Simon Snyder :
If ever a people had motives to fight, we are that people. Our Gov- ernment, the watchful guardians of our welfare, have sounded the alarm; they have called upon us to gird on our swords, and to be ready to go forth and meet our enemies. Let us hasten to obey the Government of our choice, and rally around the constituted authorities of the Union. Let an honorable zeal glow in our bosoms as we eagerly press forward to render our services. It would give the Governor inexpressible satis- faction if Pennsylvania would volunteer her quota. May each State ani- mate the others, and every citizen act as if the public weal, the national honor and independence rested on his single arm. The example of the heroes and statesmen of our Revolution, and the rich inheritance their courage and wisdom achieved, cannot fail to urge all who love their country to flock around her standard.
The first year of this war saw many British ships captured or destroyed on the Great Lakes, but no positive proof of victory. In the spring of 1814 the invading army was apprised of the poor defense had of Washington, our national capital. The English knew of our raw recruits there standing guard duty. It was a tempting prize, and Gen- eral Ross was quick to enter the Potomac river with his fleet and pressed his way up to Washington, where about eight thousand militia were guarding the new Republic's interests. Ross had five thousand men, and they easily disembarked and made an attack on the capital buildings. The hasty retreat made by our forces under General Winder left the city without defense. Not being able to get money as a ransom from those in charge of the government buildings, the British took torches and burned the capitol and the President's mansion, and destroyed the equip- ment of the Navy Yard, and a late war frigate about completed, and ruthlessly destroyed by fire public archives, library, and works of art. All this on account of the incompetency of General Winder, the com- mander, whose conduct no historian ever seeks to excuse. Baltimore was better protected and did not suffer as Washington City did.
The pacification of Europe, resulting from the overthrow of Napoleon in 1814, and the joy that pervaded all classes of the people, were shared by the rulers, and had a happy influence upon England in inducing that country to relinquish the right of impressment of American citizens.
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This point gained, the object of the war was practically accomplished, and the commissioners concluded a treaty of peace at Ghent on the 24th day of December, 1814, the same being ratified by the Prince Regent of England on December 27th. The news of this event did not reach this country until the following IIth of February (1815), the treaty being ratified on the 27th of the same month by the President and Senate. It will thus be seen that the great battle of New Orleans, that made Gen- eral Jackson the hero of the war, was fought and won after the treaty of peace had been concluded with England. Truly, an Atlantic cable and telegraphic communication with the British army and navy in the Gulf at this time would have saved that nation from the humiliation of the most disastrous battle of the war, and thousands of lives would have been preserved for the better service of peace.
The population of Montgomery county at this period of the war was about 30,000. The constant apprehension of the enemy's attack upon Philadelphia, and possible incursions into this and the adjoining coun- ties of Delaware and Bucks, kept the people in a state of anxiety. Dis- cussions in political and social circles upon the principles involved in the struggle were animated. Democrats warmly espoused the cause as maintained by the administration of James Madison, while the Feder- alists boldly criticised many of the leading measures of those in author- ity, and the manner of conducting the war. The Democrats evinced considerable sympathy towards Napoleon, and looked upon his opera- tions against England at that time with favor. On the other hand, the Federalists proclaimed the French Emperor an adventurer, tyrant, and a leader dangerous to all forms of government and the peace and stabil- ity of society.
The stage was the only means of public travel in those days, only two weekly papers were published in the county, mail facilities were limited, and news from the capital and the remote points of active hostil- ities found its way to the country post office with its weekly newspaper once, and, in some favored localities, twice a week. Volunteer and militia troops, organized in the interior and northern counties of the State, and ordered to report at Marcus Hook, passed down our main highways to Philadelphia, followed by long trains of supplies and muni- tions of war. The same iron-works on the Manatawny and Schuylkill that supplied the American army during the Revolution were busily em- ployed from 1812 to 1815 in furnishing supplies of common shot and shell, while powder mills and establishments for the manufacture and repair of small-arms were operated at many places in the county. The troops appear to have been militia, dressed in home-spun clothing, and officered by men who seemed to exercise but a limited control while in the line of march. The "stragglers," or that class of men who habitually "fall out by the way," are vividly recalled by an aged friend, who, then a girl twelve years old, lived near the Perkiomen bridge. She says her
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father, a miller, fed scores while passing, and that sick, bare-footed and weary soldiers were slowly passing the point for several days after the officers and main body of men had gone by.
It is not known how many soldiers from Montgomery county served in the War of 1812-14, as many enlisted from Philadelphia and were not properly credited to Montgomery county, but suffice to say this county furnished many hundred men and in all ways aided in conquering the British the second time, standing as true supporters of President Madi- son and Governor Simon Snyder.
The citizen soldiers of Montgomery county responded promptly to the call of the Governor when the strong arm of the commonwealth was required to repress the lawless spirit that rendered the civil authorities and the city of Philadelphia powerless in the summer of 1844. The fire and smoke of burning churches and adjoining buildings in the alarmed city could be plainly seen from the hills in our county, and many of the living still remember the sense of fear that was felt in all the towns in the Schuylkill Valley. The military moved promptly to the scene of danger, and by their presence, discipline, courage and good conduct soon restored order and confidence in the city and surrounding country. The record of their public service is a part of the history of Montgomery county.
At this late date it is not of general interest to give a long roster ot names in military affairs that were enacted nearly a century ago, hence this summary is appended : First Troop Cavalry, two officers, 44 men ; Second Troop Cavalry, three officers, 48 men; Union Grey Artillerists, three officers, 31 men ; First National Dragoons, three officers, 20 men ; New Hanover Artillerists, three officers, 21 men ; Goschenhoppen Grays, three officers, 22 men; Washington Gray Artillerists, two officers, 34 men; Montgomery Guards, three officers, 27 men; Sumneytown Artil- lerists, two officers, 14 men; Lafayette Blues, two officers, 38 men ; Pennsylvania Defenders, two officers, 26 men; Union Rifle Company, three officers, 24 men. The total number of officers was thirty-one and the number of men three hundred and forty-nine.
The Mexican War-The war with Mexico from 1846 to 1848 did not demand a large army, hence there was no company formed in Montgom- ery county. The list of names of those who did enter that war from this county has never been properly filed, and cannot be here listed. It is known that a few found their way into the army and aided in sub- duing the Republic of Mexico. Among these was Andrew H. Tippen, who was commissioned a first lieutenant in the Eleventh Regiment of United States Infantry, and served with distinction. He survived the conflict, and served as a colonel in a Pennsylvania regiment during the Civil War. Two brothers, George and Henry Lower, of Springfield township, served as volunteers. Henry Lower died the first day of the
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battle of Cerro Gordo, of brain fever, and was buried at Plano Del Rio. His remains were later brought home by his brother George, and now rest in St. Thomas' Episcopal Church Cemetery, Whitemarsh. Joseph Cleaver and Michael Dougherty were enlisted in the Mountain How- itzer Battery. Benjamin Ehler enlisted in the Eleventh regular infantry, from Springfield township; Louis Monsert enlisted in the Second Penn- sylvania regiment; he resided in Norristown many years after the Mex- ican War; he enlisted from Reading, Berks county. Albert Arthur en- listed and served in the same command with George and Henry Lower, above mentioned.
The Civil War-Public opinion had been divided in this country for many years over the question of States Rights, especially as it related to human slavery. One element, both in the North as well as in the South, declared the right to hold men and women in bondage, while the opposing element (confined very largely to the Northern States), declared against slavery, and against a State within the Union having the constitutional right to withdraw from the Union, or to enact and enforce laws not in accord with the Constitution and decisions of the Supreme Court, as the extension of slavery into the Territories, and into such States as were opposed to such a system. The war cloud became dark and foreboding with the election of the first Republican President in the person of Abraham Lincoln, who was seated March 4, 1861, and whom it was known was by his very nature bitterly opposed to slavery. The North by its majorities insisted upon universal freedom; the South fiercely maintained the right to peaceably secede and establish a rival republic. South Carolina had "gone out of the Union" as she supposed, in December, 1860, but before 1865 found she was still a part of it. Fort Sumter, within her borders, fired upon, was the signal for the opening of what was destined to be a long drawn out and bloody civil strife in which brother fought against brother and father against son. Now that fifty-eight years have gone by since Lee's surrender, it need not be further referred to; but the part taken in this never-to-be-forgotten con- flict by the citizens of Montgomery county should not be omitted in a history of the county.
The part taken by the people of this county during the four long years of hostilities can never be but half told. From various military records, together with Bean's and other local histories, the statements found herein concerning the Civil War may be relied upon as true, hence freely drawn from by the author of this Montgomery county's latest history.
The novel and exciting experience of those who responded to the first call of President Lincoln for three months' troops was memorable, if not so important as that which resulted from the long terms of enlist- ments following the disaster at Bull Run on the 21st day of July, 1861.
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The great uprising of the North which quickly succeeded the fall of Fort Sumter was a national impulse, and the movement of men to the defense of the capital was through an excited and indignant populace. Great as the perils of war were known to be, they were extravagantly magnified at the time, and the anxiety and solicitude for those who were the first to march was shown by every household in the county. Few among those who witnessed the memorable scene of the departure of the Fourth Regiment of Pennsylvania Volunteers from Norristown, on the morning of April 20, 1861, will ever forget the event. The several companies from the borough had been hastily recruited to their maxi- mum. Many of the members being residents of the rural districts, had hastened to town, signed the roll, and, returning to bid the dear ones good-by, thoroughly aroused the plain country folks, hundreds of whom came trooping into town, "to see them off." Those who were present when the regiment was in line in front of the court house surrounded by thousands of our best citizens and the families of those in the ranks, will recall the intense excitement that prevailed. The painful solicitude of the hour was deepened as the impassioned and eloquent words of the Hon. Daniel Smyser, then president judge of the district, fell upon attentive ears from the steps of the court yard. The word country had a new and deeper significance for the men of that generation than was ever felt before. The beautiful flag presented to these gallant men by the ladies of the county was felt to symbolize hopes and interests para- mount to all other considerations, and for the time being all differences of political opinion were subordinated to an exalted love of country. Men of all political opinions were requested to "put out their flags," and it is due to truth to say that in deference to public sentiment, that stood not upon trifles, the request was complied with.
On Saturday, April 20th, the command proceeded by rail to Harris- burg, and reached Camp Curtin at two o'clock p. m. It was the inten- tion to have remained in camp till a sufficient number of men could have been procured from Montgomery county to fill the regiment to its max- imum number; but the urgent necessities of the government rendered this purpose impracticable, and orders were issued to form a regiment immediately from such companies as were in camp. This order had the effect to change the command from a militia to a volunteer organization. An election was held, which resulted in the choice of the same field officers as those holding the militia commissions, as follows: John F. Hartranft, of Norristown, colonel; Edward Schall, of Norristown, lieu- tenant-colonel; Edwin Schall, of Norristown, major. Charles Hunsicker was appointed adjutant.
Scarcely was the organization completed when marching orders were received. Leaving Camp Curtin on the evening of the 21st of April, the regiment proceeded by rail to Philadelphia, where it was ordered by General Patterson to report to Colonel Dare, of the Twenty-third. Tak-
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ing one company of his own and the Fourth Regiment, Colonel Dare proceeded by rail to Perryville, Maryland, and took possession of the town, making such disposition of the troops as would prevent a surprise.
On the following day General Patterson ordered the regiment to pro- ceed without delay to Washington. Immediate application was made to Colonel Dare for transportation by steamer to Annapolis, the route by Baltimore being then closed. Not feeling secure from capture, Colonel Dare only gave transportation for one wing of the regiment, which embarked under command of Colonel Hartranft. Arriving at Annapolis, the troops were disembarked and quartered in the buildings belonging to the Naval Academy, by order of Major-General Butler, then in command of the town. The left wing, under command of Major Schall, was detained several days at Perryville for the security of the port.
It was expected that the men would be fully clothed, armed and equipped at Harrisburg before marching. But when the urgent appeals came from Washington for troops, it was not the time for the patriotic citizen-soldier to hesitate, and the regiment marched without uniforms or equipments, the men being armed with muskets, and provided with ammunition, which they were obliged to carry in their pockets. Cloth- ing was sent to the regiment on the 28th of April, but not until some time in June were proper uniforms supplied.
In pursuance of orders, the regiment proceeded, on the 8th of May, to Washington, and was quartered in the Assembly buildings and in a church near by. Transportation and camp and garrison equipage not having been supplied by the State or national government, the regiment was prevented from going into camp. The close confinement of the men in crowded quarters soon produced its legitimate results. Sickness, which, up to this time, had been scarcely known in the regiment, now began to prevail to a considerable extent. As soon as tents were received it was at once established in camp, about two miles from the city, toward Bladensburg. When the necessary equipment was furnished regimental drills and inspections were commenced, and vigorous meas- ures taken to make the regiment effective. On the 24th of June it was ordered to Alexandria, in anticipation of an attack by the enemy, and was soon after placed in camp on Shuter's Hill, where the regular drills and inspections were resumed.
On Sunday, June 30th, at two o'clock in the morning, the pickets of the regiment, stationed on the old Fairfax road, under command of Lieutenant M. R. McClennan, were attacked by about thirty of the enemy. They were repulsed by our pickets, only three in number, who killed Sergeant Haines, previously a clerk in the Treasury Department at Washington. Three others of our pickets on the outer post, intend- ing to go to the rescue of their comrades, came in contact with the enemy's force, in which Thomas Murray was killed and Llewelyn Rhumer was severely wounded. The third, dropping upon the ground,
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escaped without injury, the enemy, in the excitement and darkness, passing over him. The trails of blood, discovered in the morning, showed that they had likewise suffered in the encounter.
The evidences on every hand pointed unmistakably to an early advance of the army. Inspections were careful and minute. All surplus baggage was sent to the rear, together with knapsacks and overcoats, the men retaining only their blankets. The Fourth Regiment was assigned to the First Brigade, Third Division of McDowell's army. The division moved from camp by the Fairfax road, reaching Sangster's Station on Thursday evening. The enemy set fire to his stores and retreated, as the column advanced. Firing was heard in the direction of Blackburn's Ford, occasioned by Colonel Richardson's reconnaissance in that direc- tion. On Friday the division moved to Centreville, where the entire army of McDowell lay encamped. On Saturday, the 20th of July, the question of muster out was freely agitated, the term of enlistment expiring on the following day. Desirous of retaining the regiment in his command till the anticipated battle should be fought, General Mc- Dowell made an urgent appeal to the regiment to remain in service at least two weeks longer, saying he could not afford to do without such men. But differences of opinion prevailed in the regiment upon the question of compliance with this request. While many were willing to reënlist for two weeks longer, some were desirous of being mustered out in accordance with their contract with the government. When it was ascertained that unanimity of sentiment was not likely to be secured, it was decided by the commanding general that to break up the organiza- tion and to take a fragment of the regiment into battle would not be prudent ; orders were accordingly issued for its muster out of service. Several causes conspired to create an aversion to remaining. The regi- ment had been subject, during its service, to hardships which are, per- haps, inseparable from new and hasty organizations, but which bore somewhat heavily upon the men, a detail of which it is unnecessary here to give. It was at a time, too, when great activity prevailed in the organization of new regiments for the three years' service, the officers of this regiment having already taken steps for making new organiza- tions, in which considerable strife was manifested to get the trained men. Their decision was, accordingly, made more with reference to their own advantage and that of their officers than to any ulterior results.
General McDowell, when he found himself defeated in the battle which ensued, looking about for some causes to which he could attribute his failure, towards the close of his official report drags in this regiment for a share of blame, to whose service he had no more rightful claim, and whose conduct he could no more justly censure, than that of the regiment a week or a month earlier discharged. The subsequent history of the men composing this regiment dispels any doubt that may, at the time, have been raised of the rectitude of their intentions. Under the
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command of the lieutenant-colonel, it marched to Washington, from whence it was taken by rail to Harrisburg, where it was soon after mus- tered out of service. But measures were immediately taken for the organization of new regiments, in which the men immediately enlisted for the war, and fully attested on the bloody fields of Fredericksburg and Antietam, and in numberless hard-fought battles of the war, their patriotism and their valor.
For ready reference, the account of the various organizations from Montgomery county will appear in the order of their formation or departure into the service. They appear as follows:
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