USA > Pennsylvania > Montgomery County > Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, a history, Volume I > Part 8
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The 44th Regiment (or First Pennsylvania Cavalry) entered U. S. service for a term of three years. Company B was recruited in Mont- gomery county, and was trained under that gallant and well versed military man, Colonel George D. Bayard, a West Point graduate of 1856. He fell mortally wounded in December, 1862, at Fredericksburg, Virginia. The second colonel was Owen Jones, of this county, a splen- did type of a soldier. This company was recruited at Athensville, in August, 1861, and served three years, having seen much service in the Army of the Potomac.
The 51st Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers-Some time before the battle of Bull Run, Colonel Hartranft, who commanded a regiment in the three months' service, received authority to recruit one for the three years' service. Calling around him many of his old officers and warm friends, the ranks of the new regiment were soon filled up with a body rarely excelled as first-class soldiers. With the exception of a few enlist- ments, companies A, C, D, F and I were recruited from Montgomery county. The companies went into quarters at Camp Curtin, and the regiment was organized by selecting the following officers: John F. Hartranft, of Montgomery county, colonel; Thomas S. Bell, of Chester county, lieutenant-colonel ; Edwin Schall, of Montgomery county, major. On November 18th the regiment left camp and proceeded by rail to Annapolis, Maryland, where beneath the venerable elms of St. John's College it was the first time formed in line, its details made and its arms stacked. Burnside's expedition to North Carolina was now being fitted out, and the best drilled and most reliable of the volunteer regiments were selected for that service. The 51st Pennsylvania was early desig- nated as one. Upon its arrival at Annapolis it was at first quartered in the buildings of the college, and subsequently went into camp on the old French burying-ground. On the Ist of December the camp was moved two miles beyond the city, and for six weeks it was subjected to contin- uous and laborious drill, during which its efficiency and discipline were rapidly improved, and a foundation laid for its future renown. In the final organization of the corps it was assigned to Reno's brigade, and of which General Reno made the following report :
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On the 6th of January, 1862, the regiment embarked, and on the 9th the fleet, in three squadrons, set sail from Annapolis, and with sealed orders passed out to sea. No sooner had it reached the open ocean than it was overtaken by a succession of violent storms. It seemed as though a tempest had been lurking in the waste of waters ready to burst upon it the moment it should appear. For nearly two weeks, staggering beneath the giant waves, it was swept about at the mercy of the ele- ments. Braving successfully the tempest, it finally passed Hatteras Inlet, and came to anchor in Pamlico Sound. On the morning of the 5th of February the flag-ship "Philadelphia" was anxiously watched as it moved, followed by the fleet, and it soon became evident that Roanoke Island was the destination. At early dawn on the 7th a landing was effected and the movement commenced. The enemy was found strongly posted in earthworks on the northwestern corner of the island, nearly surrounded by an impenetrable swamp, approached in front by a single causeway, which was swept by the guns of the fort. Upon arriving at the edge of the swamp, Reno's brigade was sent to the left to cut off the enemy's retreat south, while Foster was directed to penetrate the swamp to the right of the road, and attack the enemy upon that flank. Hart- ranft soon found his way completely blocked, and returned upon the track of Foster, leaving two companies of the 51st, which had the advance, still groping in the mire. But before he had reached the lines Foster had already opened upon the enemy with infantry and artillery, and as the regiment came into position on the right of the line, Foster ordered a final charge, and the enemy was driven from his works, and fled in confusion. The demonstration upon the left seemed to heighten the confusion, as he anticipated that his way of retreat was effectually broken. A hot pursuit was immediately made, and the entire force, with numerous heavy guns and small-arms, was captured.
On the 3d of March the regiment embarked for the expedition to Newbern, and on the 4th changed its muskets for Enfield rifles. The fleet sailed on the IIth, and entered the Neuse river on the 12th, anchor- ing off Slocum's creek, fifteen miles from Newbern, where, on the fol- lowing day, the regiment debarked. A portion, under command of Lieutenant-Colonel Bell, was detailed to assist in moving the artillery. The rain was descending in torrents, and the roads were soon trodden into a stiff mud, which rendered the movement of the pieces next to im- possible. Many of the men lost their shoes, and went into battle on the following day barefoot. But without faltering or pausing by the way, they toiled on over the weary miles, and brought up the pieces in time for the attack. For this important service General Burnside personally thanked Lieutenant-Colonel Bell. In the meantime Colonel Hartranft, with the remaining companies, pushed on with the advance column. Upon its arrival in front of the enemy's earth-works, dispositions for attack were made, Foster occupying the right, Reno the left and Parke in support upon the centre. The enemy's line upon the left was masked by timber, and in the thick fog which prevailed the extent of his works was undiscovered. They proved to be of great strength, consisting of "thirteen finished redans" bristling with cannon, protected in front "by an almost impassable morass filled with fallen timber," and stretching away far beyond the railroad, where his right was supposed to rest. Foster attacked upon his left; but the enemy concentrating his strength, proved too much for him.
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As soon as he could gain his position on the left, Reno attacked and the battle soon became general, raging with great fury for three and a half hours. The 5Ist had been held in support, and though exposed to a severe fire had not been allowed to return a single shot. General Reno becoming impatient at the delay and at the losses he was sustaining, ordered up Colonel Hartranft for the decisive charge. Forming within a short distance of the rebel intrenchments, the regiment was led forward through the ranks of the 51st New York, which cheered the column as it passed to a little hill beyond. General Reno in person, his face beaming with an expression seen only in battle, ordered the charge. With deter- mined valor the regiment rushed down a ravine choked with felled timber, up the opposite bank and, without a falter, carried the redan in front, planting the old flag upon the ramparts. "All this," says General Reno, in his official report, "was gallantly executed, and the enemy fled precipitately from all their entrenchments. Some fifty prisoners were captured in these works, many severely wounded. Upon reaching the rebel intrenchments I was rejoiced to see our flag waving along the entire line of the enemy's works." After setting fire to the railroad bridge and a number of factories, the rebels abandoned Newbern.
On August 12 Burnside hastened with his command to the support of Pope, and landed at Fredericksburg, whence he pushed forward two divisions to Cedar Mountain, where they formed a junction with General McDowell. Four companies were detailed for a rearguard, and held the enemy at bay until so far separated from the main body as to excite serious apprehension for their safety ; but they succeeded in bringing in their gun with which they had been entrusted and crossed the river in safety. The 5Ist supported the batteries. On the afternoon of the first day of the battle, the 29th, Lieutenant-Colonel Bell, with part of his regiment, was detailed to advance to the picket line in Kearny's front, and there remained until the morning of the second day. Towards evening, says Reno's report, our forces had been driven back and then began to move from the field. The road was completely blocked with the artillery trains and much confusion followed. It was a critical mo- ment. Graham's pieces were admirably posted for its protection, and were already dealing death blows in constant volleys upon the advancing foe ; but should his support fail him all was to be lost. Ferrero saw the necessity of holding these guns at all hazards and keeping them in full play. Undaunted by the masses of the foe hurled against him, he clung to the ground, and poured in double-shotted canister and rapid rounds of musketry until the enemy lines were broken and driven in confusion from the field. But they reappeared stronger than ever, yet Ferrero's column withstood the shock, finally routing the foe. Now Ferrero, with the 21st Massachusetts, moved off, and was separated from the rest of the brigade. The command of the two remaining regiments devolved on Colonel Hartranft.
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Retiring across Bull Run, the two regiments filed into the fields to the right of the pike, and bivouacked for the night. In the morning they moved on to Centreville, and rejoined the army. It was soon after dis- covered that the rebels were in motion to strike the Union column by a movement upon its right and cut off its retreat. Reno's corps was immediately put in motion, with the cavalry in advance, and was soon joined by Stevens and Kearny. Hartranft had the rear of the column, and was moving with two batteries, though under no orders to support them, when he suddenly found himself confronting the enemy. The two armies were moving on convergent roads, and the lines were here first struck. Seeing that these batteries were in peril, he instantly ordered them into a commanding position on the left of the road, and drove back the foe. It was nightfall, and a terrible thunder-storm prevailed ; but Kearny and Stevens and Reno, three impetuous leaders, immedi- ately formed, moved upon the foe, and fought in the darkness. They knew nothing of his strength and little of the ground, and contended to a great disadvantage; but the enemy was beaten back, which was the principal point, though Kearny and Stevens both yielded up their lives.
At his own request Pope was now relieved of the command of the Army of the Potomac, and McClellan was restored. On the 3rd of Sep- tember the Ninth Corps moved through Washington, and on the 11th reached New Market, on the Maryland campaign. The passage of the Monocacy was not disputed. On the 12th the command entered Fred- erick, and had a brisk skirmish with the cavalry which was covering the withdrawal of the rebel army, now concentrating in the passes of the South Mountain, which it was determined to hold. Before reaching the mountain Ferrero's brigade moved by a country road leading up to the summit on the left of the Sharpsburg pike. Upon encountering the enemy's lines the 17th Michigan, a new regiment, full of enthusiasm, but little schooled in those cardinal virtues of the soldier imparted by veteran discipline, made a most gallant charge diagonally across the road from left to right, in the face of murderous fire, which swept the ranks at every step, and soon disappeared in the woods beyond. General Reno coming up soon after, and supposing that his regiment had established a line in the woods and was holding the ground it had so gallantly won, ordered Colonel Hartranft to lead his regiment across the open field in the rear of the supposed line, and close up to the edge of the woods. While the regiment was thus moving and was stretched out upon the march unsuspicions of danger, the enemy suddenly opened upon it from the wood a most withering fire. The 17th Michigan had advanced and driven the enemy, but had neglected to hold its advantage, and the rebels returning, had awaited until the 5Ist was upon their bayonet ends, when they deliberately opened fire. The column was instantly drawn under cover of the wall that flanks the road, and soon after was deployed to the left of the road, under a fence that stretches at right angles to it.
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Fire was immediately opened upon the enemy, which was kept up until the ammunition was spent, when it was relieved by the 51st New York, Colonel Potter, lying in close supporting distance. Returning again to the contest, fire was continued until the enemy, finding himself hard pressed on all sides and his position rendered insecure, fled under cover of darkness, and in the morning the columns advanced without opposi- tion. General Reno was killed early in the contest.
The battle of Antietam opened on the afternoon of the 16th of Sep- tember, General Hooker crossing Antietam creek and attacking the enemy's left with great impetuosity and the most triumphant success, and was followed up on the morning of the 17th with even greater impetu- osity by the commands of Mansfield and Sumner. In the meantime the left and center of the Union line, stretching away towards the Potomac on the left bank of the creek, remained quiet spectators of the desperate encounter on the right. At nine o'clock on the morning of the 17th, when the struggle upon the right had been four hours in progress, Gen- eral Cox, in command of the Ninth Army Corps since the fall of Reno, was ordered to advance and carry the stone bridge on the extreme left of the line, firmly held by the enemy. "The bridge itself is a stone structure of three arches, with stone parapet above, this parapet to some extent flanking the approach to the bridge at either end. The valley in which the stream runs is quite narrow, the steep slope on the right bank approaching to the water's edge. In this slope the road-way is scarped, running both ways from the bridge and passing to the higher land above by ascending through ravines above and below, the upper ravine being some six hundred yards above the bridge, the town about half that dis- tance below. On the hillside immediately above the bridge was a strong stone fence running parallel to the stream; the turns of the road-way were covered by rifle-pits and breastworks made of rails and stone, all of which defenses, as well as the woods which covered the slope, were filled with the enemy's infantry and sharpshooters. Besides the infantry defenses, batteries were placed to enfilade the bridge and all its approaches." [General Cox's Official Report, Moore's "Rebellion Rec- ord," Docs. Vol. V, p. 454-455.]
Against this position, strong by nature, rendered doubly strong by art, the IIth Connecticut and Crook's brigade, supported by Sturgis' division, were ordered to the assault. As this force advanced up the open valley by the road which leads along the river bank to the bridge, it was exposed to so warm a fire from the opposite heights, alive with the enemy, that it was forced to halt and reply. Sturgis' troops reached the head of the bridge, and the 2nd Maryland and the 6th New Hamp- shire charged at double-quick with fixed bayonets ; but the concentrated fire of the enemy upon it forced them to fall back. After repeated efforts these regiments were withdrawn. Burnside, nettled at the failure of this attempt and the consequent delay of his columns, and knowing full
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well in whom he could trust, ordered forward the 51st. General Ferrero dashing up to the regiment, said, "General Burnside orders the 5Ist Pennsylvania to storm the bridge." Hartranft, avoiding the road by the river bank, led his men in rear of the heights overlooking the river until he arrived opposite the bridge, when he moved boldly down the slope for the crossing. The instant his men came into the open ground in the valley they received a withering fire from the enemy's well-posted infan- try, and many fell. A fence skirting the road proved a serious impedi- ment, and in crossing it the men were particularly exposed. Here fell Cap- tains Bolton and Hart, severely wounded, a serious loss at this juncture. Unheeding the enemy's bullets or the obstruction by the way, the col- umn moved forward with a determined front, and made straight for the bridge. As they entered, a storm of missiles swept it, but no danger could stay that tide of living valor. Hartranft, who led the way, paused in the midst, and was hasteneing on the rear of his column when he was joined by Colonel Potter, with the gallant 51st New York. With a shout that rang out above the noise of the battle the two columns rushed for- ward, and were soon firmly established on the thither bank. The bridge was carried !
A regiment was quickly advanced, and took position on the heights commanding the bridge and its approaches, driving out the enemy and rendering the crossing for infantry secure. The whole corps now ad- vanced rapidly, took position on the heights above the bridge, and imme- diately advanced to the attack. The 5Ist was posted on the second range of hills overlooking the creek, some distance below the bridge. Here it was soon hotly engaged with the enemy under cover of a stone wall and in a cornfield on its left. Its ammunition was soon exhausted, and a fresh supply failing to arrive as ordered, the men held their position with the bayonet until relief came. But all this struggle and costly sac- rifice was vain. The enemy, relieved by the slackening of the battle on the left and the arrival of a fresh corps from Harper's Ferry, was enabled to concentrate an overwhelming force upon this single corps, and it was forced to yield. The loss of the regiment was 125. Among the killed was Lieutenant-Colonel Bell, a most vigilant officer and most estimable man, and Lieutenants Beaver and Hunsicker. Of the wounded were Captains Bolton and Hart, Adjutant Shorkly, Quartermaster Freedly and Lieutenant Lynch. Upon the fall of Lieutenant-Colonel Bell, Major Schall was promoted to fill the vacancy, and Captain William J. Bolten, of Company A, was promoted to major.
In the subsequent operations of the brigade the 51st, under command of Colonel Bolton, participated, engaging the enemy at Poplar Spring Church, at Ream's Station, at Hatcher's Run and in the final attack on the 2d of April, which resulted in the evacuation of Richmond. On the 27th of July, after four years of arduous service, extending over the whole
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line from the Atlantic to the Mississippi, it was mustered out of service at Alexandria, Virginia. This regiment took part in a majority of the greatest battles in the Civil War; it traveled a total of 10,439 miles; marched 1,738 miles ; by water, 5,390; by rail, 3,311.
The history of the 51st Pennsylvania contains this bit of pleasantry worthy of becoming a permanent record, and is appreciated by the few remaining veterans of the Civil War, whether of the Confederate or Union forces. The following episode between the pickets on the line of the Rappahannock by men of the 5Ist illustrates the fact :
The best of feeling was expressed by both parties, and if a stray hog should by chance come within sight, both Reb and Yank would start off in pursuit of the porker, and catch and slaughter it, and then divide it equally between them with many jocular remarks about the mode of living that each army was subject to. The commencement of cessation of hostilities by both sets of pickets began with hallooing to each other, then with the poking up of heads above their rude breastworks, and then by exposing themselves outside of the works, finally feeling some confi- dence in each other, and no shots being fired along either line, they began by advancing towards one another. Between the two picket-lines flowed a stream of water; this was the Rappahannock of the two parties; when both parties met near the stream the following introductory remarks took place, the Rebs asking: "Hallo, Yanks, what regiment?" Yank- "The Fifty-first Pennsylvania." Reb-"D- good boys, too." Yank- "Say, Johnnies, what regiments?" Reb-"Eighty-eighth Tennessee, Second Georgia and Fourth Mississippi." Yank-"We've met you chaps before." Reb-"Yes, several times; come across the creek." Yank- "Can't see it; will you reach your hand out?" Reb-"Yes, here; give us your hand ; now, jump!" and over one went, and in a few minutes the Fifty-first boys were on the rebel side, and in return the rebels came over to our side, and all the civilities of an enlightened race were extended to one another.
The pickets of both lines made a treaty between themselves not to fire a gun at each other during that relief, which would be until four o'clock the next morning, and with true faith was it carried out, although the flag of truce expired at 5 p. m. There was not a solitary shot fired until the next relief was put on the next morning.
On the 21st of August, 1861, John R. Brooke, of Pottstown, was commissioned colonel of the 53rd Regiment. He had served as captain of the 4th (three months') Regiment. Recruiting was immediately com- menced, and on the 28th of September the first company was mustered into the service of the United States. Company A was recruited in Pottstown, B in Chester and Montgomery counties, C in Blair and Huntingdon, D in Centre and Clearfield, E in Carbon and Union, F in Luzerne, G in Potter, H in Northumberland, I in Juniata and K in West- moreland. During the period of its organization it occupied Camp Cur- tin, and while here did provost guard duty in Harrisburg. The follow- ing field officers were selected : John R. Brooke, colonel; Richard Mc- Michael, of Reading, Berks county, lieutenant-colonel: and Thomas
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Yeager, of Allentown, Lehigh county, major. Charles P. Hatch, of Philadelphia, was appointed adjutant.
On the 7th of November it moved to Washington and encamped north of the capitol. On the 27th it crossed the Potomac, went into camp near Alexandria, and was assigned to a brigade commanded by General William H. French. It remained here during the winter of 1861-62, and was constantly drilled and disciplined in the routine of a soldier's duty. It participated in the general advance of the Army of the Potomac in March, 1862, arriving at Manassas Junction, which had been evacuated by the rebels on the 12th. On the 21st it was marched to Warrenton Junc- tion to support a reconnoissance of Howard's brigade, which was being pushed towards the Rappahannock. The object having been accom- plished, on the 23rd it returned to Manassas and from thence to Alex- andria. Upon the reorganization of the army the regiment was assigned to the Third Brigade, First Division, Second Corps. April 3rd it was transferred with McClellan's army to the Peninsula, and formed a part of the reserve division during the siege of Yorktown. It had numerous and fierce engagements, including those at Peach Orchard, White Oak Swamp, Malvern Hill, then moving via Yorktown to Newport News, it embarked for Alexandria, encamped on the Lee farm, and heard the roar of the guns at Bull Run. At Centerville the regiment did duty in line of battle. When General Burnside assumed command of the Army of the Potomac and projected the movement upon Fredericksburg, the regiment proceeded to Falmouth, performed guard duty until in Decem- ber, then took quarters opposite Fredericksburg, in support of the bat- teries. They took an active part in the battle of Fredericksburg, and at eventide after the conflict was ended and the day lost to our forces, what remained of the regiment retired silently from its position and returned to the city. It went into battle with 283 men, and of these 158 were either killed or wounded. Among the former were Lieutenants Cross, McKiernan and Kerr, and the latter, Captains Coulter and Eichholtz, and Lieutenants Potts, Root, Hopkins and Smith.
In April the regiment entered upon the Chancellorsville campaign, and saw hard fighting until the 2nd of July, 1863, when it arrived and took position at Gettysburg at eight o'clock in the morning. Later that day it moved to Little Round Top. It fought bravely, but being much exposed its loss was necessarily heavy. Three companies were still on detached duty, and the remainder had but 124 men ; of this number, only 45 escaped uninjured, six were killed, 67 seriously wounded, and six missing.
After many a long march and weary campaign, in December, 1863, the men were granted a veteran furlough and proceeded to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, but on their return in the spring of 1864 they broke camp again and went into active service, including Chancellorsville, Chicka-
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hominy, the James river country, also Petersburg, where in a charge it lost 70 men and met with repulse.
On the 28th of March, 1865, the regiment moved on its last campaign, proceeding directly to the Boydton Plank-Road, where, on the 31st, it was briskly engaged. The Fifth Corps was now actively employed in pushing the enemy from his foot-hold about Petersburg, and in this the Second Corps was called to its aid. In the operations at Five Forks the regiment joined, charging the enemy's lines, driving him in confusion, and taking possession of a portion of the South Side railroad. In this engagement Major Pifer led the 53rd, Colonel Mintzer having been placed temporarily in command of a detachment skillfully deployed to deceive a division of the enemy and prevent him from changing his posi- tion. For the success attained in this service Colonel Mintzer was pro- moted brevet brigadier-general. Following up the retreating enemy, the regiment participated in the capture of his wagon-trains at Deep Creek, on the 6th of April, and was at the front on the day of the surrender of the rebel army. Encamping for a short time near Burkesville, it pro- ceeded from thence, through Richmond and Fredericksburg, to Alex- andria, participated in the grand review of the armies at Washington, on the 23rd of May, and was finally mustered out of service on the 30th of June, 1865.
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