USA > Pennsylvania > Our Campaigns: or, The marches, bivouacs, battles, incidents of camp life and history of our regiment during its three years term of service > Part 3
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
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
Among the first things that agitated the brains of the men, was to devise quaint names and mottoes to place over the doors of their quarters, and although they were not purely classical, some of them were typical of those who adopted them.
Commencing on the extreme south of the eastern side, was Captain McDonough's company, with " Fourth Ward, City of Philadelphia;" " Fort McCandless, Sergeant Dillon commanding ; " "Fort Mann, Lieutenant John J. Gill commanding ;" "Fort -, Lieutenant J. D. Schock commanding." On the right of this was "The Quaker City Head Quarters ;" "Camp McClure ;" "Fort Wm T.
35
QUAINT NAMES.
Blundin ;" "Quaker Bridal Chamber ;" "Calahan Hall;" " Live and let live." Next, "Fort James N. Byrnes ;" "Screws;" "Hibernia Fire Engine Company ;" "Bird in Hand ;" "Finney House." Next, "Continental Hotel," " The Rose Cottage ;" "Dart's Head Quarters:" " Hard Corner Sharps;" "The Old House at Home;" "Inde- pendent Rangers;" "Nailer's Head Quarters;" "Gay Rooster ;" "Diamond Hall;" "Don't Tread on me;" "Minerva Hall;" "Git up and Git;" "Old Lebanon Gar- den, Captain Mealey." 1758032
Next, "Happy Home of the Constitutional Rangers, Captain William Knox ;" " Punch Bowl Hotel ;" " Black Horse Hotel;" "Astor House ;" "Ellsworth Hotel;" " The Government keeps us, and we will keep the Go- vernment ;" "Cohocksink Hotel;" "District Attorney's Office ;" Notice, "Upon any liquors being brought in, the moral character of applicants to practice at the Bar, must be strictly inquired into." Next, "Bristol Boys, Captain Wm. S. Thompson ;" " Bower of Love ;" "Happy Crew ;" "The Old School House;" "The Old Spring House ;" " Hole in the Wall;" "Montgomery Guards;". Next, "Einwechter's Head Quarters;" "Tenth and Eleventh Street Depot, Exchange Tickets, Seven cents ;" " The Serious Family ;" "Out for a Day's shooting."
Next, " Ontario House, Captain Horatio G. Sickel ;" " Donaghy's Inn ;" "Bill Pool Club;" " We Respect all, and Fear none;" "Never Sink;" "Live Oak ;" "Ken- sington Boys;" " Hike out and Simmer down." Next, " Balmoral Castle ;" "Scotch Rifles, Captain J. Orr Fin- nie ;" " Wallace's Cave, Lieutenant J. B. Fletcher ;" " De Korponay ;" "Struther's Retreat ;" " Poney Hall." Next, "Penn Rifles, Captain George A. Woodward ;" "De Korponay ;" "The Flag Wyoming." Next, "Taggart Guards;" "De Korponay Bricks;" "Sunday Mercury, Captain E. M. Woodward ;" "Spicket's Head Quarters;" " Railroad House ;" "The abode of Virtue." Next, "Con- solidation Guards, Captain P. I. Smith;" " De Korpo- nay Pidgeon Box;" "Gay and Happy ;" "Fort Defi-
.
36
OUR CAMPAIGNS.
ance." Next, "Hatborough Guards, Captain I. W. Kim. ble;" "Free and Easy ;" "Happy Family."
Next, " Wide Awake Hall, Captain Wm. D. Curtis ;" "Long Island, of Reading;" "Keystone Hook and Lad. der Company ;" "Elephant Guards." Next, "The Star of North Birdsboro', Captain Jacob Lenhart ;" "Fort Sumter ;" "Japanese Hotel ;" " Arctic Circle;" " Death to Traitors;" "Jeff Davis at the Sheriff's Ball ;" "The Blue . Eyed Stranger ;" "Moonlight Assassinators;" "Mount Vernon ;" " Washington and Lincoln;" "Victory or Death ;" " White Hall, Newtown, Captain David V. Feaster ;" "Traitor Hunters;" "Love and Glory ;" "Game Chickens;" "Ellsworth Avengers;" "Rebel Killers;" "Hard Scrabble Rangers;" "Chester County Volun- teers;" "Never Surrender;" "The Wheat Field ;" "The Red Curtin ;" "Susquehanna Tigers;" "Gloria Dei;" "Ellsworth's Heart," etc.
Guard mounting in the morning was an interesting ceremony, the guard numbering one hundred and two men, which, with the band, made a fine display. Of course, it could not be supposed with so many young men in camp, many of whom were for the first time free from the restraints of home, they would all conduct themselves with the strictest decorum. In fact there were many of them who looked upon the arrangement as a grand pic-nic or excursion, and were bound to enjoy themselves as much as possible, and took particular de- light in dodging the guard. But four men from each company, inclusive of the old guard, were permitted to be absent from camp at a time, but quite a number more managed to get out without authority. Almost every bunk had its "rat hole" dug under the back partition, through which the boys made their exit despite the guard. Some of these gentlemen upon their return would be caught, and put in the guard house, but it being soon discovered that it afforded a most easy means of egress, Colonel Mann determined to build one of logs inside of the enclosure with only a small aperture for
37
WHISKEY IN A MUSKET BARREL.
ingress and egress. This was pronounced by the men to be a real " Black house of refuge," and served most admirably the purpose intended, but really it was quite amusing to see the artful dodges resorted to by some of the inmates to overcome the difficulties.
An "officer of the day," on one occasion, upon visit- ing the guard house, found the guard and one of the prisoners in a violent altercation, the guard with his musket between the logs trying to bayonet the prisoner. Complimenting the guard upon the zeal displayed, he was privately cautioned not to wound any of the prisoners, and advised to take no notice of the naughty names they called him. The officer afterwards was highly edified to learn that the guard having his musket barrel filled with whiskey, was engaged in treating the prisoner when surprised by him.
With the countersign an officer or private could enter the camp at any time of night, but it was seldom given to the men, yet some of them were cute enough to get it, when wanted. The most successful one in this arrange- ment was an eccentric genius in Company A, who managed to get in and out almost every night. His modus operandi was taking a musket and crawling up to one of the guards and telling him he was on the next post and had forgotten the countersign. Some times he would take half a company out with him, when they would go to town and have a grand time dancing. The men upon such occasions seldom went to excess or troubled the citizens, but were inordinately fond of sing- ing patriotic songs at unseasonable hours of the night, which disturbed the quietude of the town, but the borough watchmen never interfered with them. Colonel Mann, however, was not unmindful of his duty to the citizens, and sent out nightly patrols to pick up the boys who should be in bed, and they seldom had any trouble in persuading their comrades to return with them.
In fair weather the camp presented an animated ap- pearance, it being the fashionable resort of the neighbor-
38
OUR CAMPAIGNS.
ing farmers and the citizens of Easton, particularly on Sundays, when in addition to the evening " dress parade," the troops, headed by their band, passed in review before Colonel Mann, and marched around the race course. The female visitors to the camp were not always of the most refined and unexceptionble class, and although they pos- sessed much patriotism and love for the soldiers, it occa- sionally was found necessary to drum them out, and although it produced much merriment to the spectators, it was rather distasteful to the individuals themselves.
While laying at Camp Washington, the remains of John Lerch, of Captain Dachrodt's company, First Regi- ment Pennsylvania Volunteers (three months men) were sent to Easton for interment. The funeral obsequies was performed by the Taggart Guards, Lieutenant J. K. Brown, and the Constitutional Rangers, Captain Thomas Bringhurst, the battalion being under the command of Captain Woodward. The ceremony was very imposing, Pomp's Cornet Band, with muffled drums, playing the " Dead March in Saul."
The funeral of young Moyer of the same regiment, also took place; the escort consisting of the " Williams- burg Legion," Captain F. Burger; the "Quaker City Guards," Captain R. M. McClure; the " Harmer Guards," Captain Thomas F. B. Tapper ; the "Hatborough Rifles, Captain I. W. Kimble; the "Governor's Rangers," Lieu- tenant George Young; the "Dickson Guards," Lieuten- ant J. B. Baker; the "Reed Guards," Lieutenant P. M. Davis; the "Able Guards," Lieutenant Thomas G. O'Hara ; the "Governor's Guards," J. D. Edwards, the "Governor's Rangers," Lieutenant John D. Schock; the battalion being under the command of Captain Ellis. It was many years since Easton had witnessed such funeral ceremonies.
.
39
ORGANIZATION OF RESERVES.
CHAPTER IV.
ORGANIZATION OF THE SECOND, THIRD AND FOURTH RESERVES. DISSATISFACTION THEREWITH. ELECTION OF FIELD OFFICERS. WATCHED AND FANNED ALL NIGHT. DEPARTURE OF THE FOURTH AND THIRD REGIMENTS.
ON the 14th of June, General McCall visited the camp to organize the regiments, supposing the independent companies had formed voluntary associations with one or the other of the three colonels who had parts of their regiments quartered there. Not finding such to be the case, however, after a consultation with Colonel Mann, the general issued an order for the organization of the camp, which order, after stating that "the best interests of the service demanded that the companies brought to- gether at this camp shall be organized at the earliest day practicable," went on to say, "it would be desirable that the proposed organization should be arranged by the voluntary association of companies." He concluded by ordering that if such voluntary association could not be effected by the 19th inst., inclusive, the "organization would be conducted in the following manner: The ten companies which first arrived in camp and in the order they are now quartered, will constitute a regiment, to be known as the Second regiment; the next ten will form the Third regiment, and the last ten will form the Fourth regiment of the Pennsylvania Reserve Volun- teer Corps. Each regiment so formed, will proceed with- out delay to elect their field officers." The companies, as quartered, were: First, eight of Colonel Mann's and two independent ; next, five of Colonel De Korponay's; next, five independent; next and last, seven of Colonel Marsh's and three independent.
On the 20th, General McCall again visited the camp, and in the evening convened the captains at the commis- sary's building, and proceeded to organize the regiments.
.
40
OUR CAMPAIGNS.
As no voluntary associations had been effected, the order was read, when Lieutenant H. Clay Beatty arose and stated that as Captain Thompson's company did not arrive until several days after De Korponay's had, he should not be thrown into the first division. Against this the De Korponay companies earnestly protested, maintaining that as they were the companies assigned to the colonel by the Governor, they could not be taken from him, and as Captain Thompson's company had been accepted by the Governor as one of Colonel Mann's, he rightfully belonged to him, and that the mere fact of the delay of a few days in his arrival in camp, where quar- ters had been assigned, and kept for him, did not alter the case. After considerable argument, the General an- nounced that the names of Captains Thompson and Sickel and four of De Korponay's captains be placed in a hat, and the question of which two companies should go to Colonel Mann, be decided by lot.
This gave two chances to one against Colonel De Kor- . ponay. Lieutenant Henry A. Scheetz, aid-de-camp to General McCall, drew the slips, and the first two names drawn were Captains G. A. Woodward and E. M. Wood- ward. This destroyed all hope of the De Korponay regiment. It cannot be denied, the officers and men were deeply attached to De Korponay, and the effect of this blow upon them was severely felt. A captain of one of the companies detached, threw himself upon his hands and wept like a child, and his company broke out in open mutiny, and attempted to seize a number of muskets in a neighboring officer's quarters. It was with the utmost difficulty the other De Korponay's companies could be kept quiet, and in fact it was deemed necessary to order out the whole camp for the purpose. Though defeated, the De Korponay companies desired to remain together, for which purpose, Captains Smith and Finnie of the Third regiment exchanged with Captains Thomp- son and McClure of the Second regiment.
The three regiments having now been formed, elec-
41
FOURTH OF JULY IN CAMP.
tions were held in them the next day for Field Officers, which resulted as follows:
Second Regiment .- Colonel, Wm. B. Mann. Lieutenant- Colonel, Albert L. Magilton. Major, Wm. McCandless.
Third Regiment .- Horatio G. Sickel. Lieutenant- Colonel, Wm. S. Thompson. Major, Richard H. Wool. worth.
Fourth Regiment .- Colonel, Robert G. March. Lieu- tenant- Colonel, John F. Gaul. Major, Robert M. McClure.
The four De Korponay companies of the Second Regi- ment, cast a unanimous vote for Colonel De Korponay and Lieutenant-Colonel A. L. Snowden.
Soon after, the men commenced receiving clothing from the State, the first instalment, consisting of twenty blankets and forty pair of shoes for each company, and some time after their complete outfit and arms came.
The Fourth of July in due course of time rolled round, and was duly celebrated with the usual festivities appro- priate for the occasion. Of course the liberty of the camp was much enlarged, and the number of passes to town largely increased, while a still larger proportion of "absent without leave," managed to get out. Although many of the patriots' brains became in a highly inflam- matory state, every thing passed off in good humor, and taking all things into consideration, they had a very happy and jovial time. As a precautionary measure, heavy details were sent from camp to patrol the town and collect the disabled, who were conveyed to camp and carefully stowed away in their bunks, until they became refreshed with sleep.
For the better accommodation of the sick, a large hospital was erected near the centre of the race course, in a wooded grove, to which was attached a laboratory, kitchen, washing and dining rooms. This building was appropriated to the Second Regiment, the hospitals of the Third and Fourth Regiments being located at the Head-quarters of their respective colonels.
E
42
OUR CAMPAIGNS.
One day upon the arrival of the Philadelphia train at South Easton, a young soldier who was "slightly inebri- ated," fell through the trestle work upon a coal pile below, a distance of twenty feet, and his Captain and one of the Surgeon's being there, immediately went to his assistance, but before their arrival he had got up and started for camp. Fearing he was internally hurt, they started in pursuit, and soon overtaking him, detained him until an ambulance could be sent for. Night came, but no ambulance, so he was put in a carriage, conveyed to camp, stripped, examined and lapped up in warm blankets and put to bed in his bunk. In the meantime the ambulance came down the street in search of the wounded soldier, and finding a " green shirter," stretched upon a cellar door, he was carefully picked up and con- veyed with brotherly care to the Camp Hospital, where two of his comrades were detailed to watch over and fan him through the night.
Through the long and weary hours, faithfully did they perform their charge, with a love and watchfulness known only among comrades. The morning came, but the soldier still slept, until at last the Surgeon approach ing him, gently woke him up. " Andy, my boy, how do you feel ?" "Feel," replied the bewildered boy, as he gazed upon the strange scene around him, "feel, why where am I? what has happened to me ?" " Ah, Andy,' replied the Surgeon in a kind and gentle voice, as he stripped off the bed clothing to examine him, "I fear you are seriously hurt; you fell through the tressel work at South Easton, and the only wonder is, it did not kill you instantly. Draw your leg up and stretch it out." Andy with some misgivings, slowly obeyed. "Draw up the other one-now stretch out your arms." "Does that hurt you," said the Surgeon as he pressed his ribs and breast. "No, sir," replied Andy.
"See here, young man," said the Surgeon, beginning to smell a rat, "I guess you were drunk last night, get up out of that bed and travel." " Well," replied Andy
43
REVIEWED BY THE GOVERNOR.
as the truth flashed upon him, and a comical expression came over his face, "I think you guess right, but Doctor, hadn't you better set those broken bones of mine first?" As Andy passed down the ward, a tittering was heard among the patients, and some unable to repress their smiles, covered their heads with their blankets, and gave vent to hearty laughter. A quiet old gentleman who witnessed the scene, called Andy to one side as he passed through the laboratory, and gave him a drink of brandy, remarking, that "that would set his bones all right." Andy enjoyed the arrangement wonderfully, and was always afterwards on the best terms with the Surgeon. The young man who fell through the tressel work, was on drill the next morning as sound as ever.
.On the 14th, His Excellency, Andrew G. Curtin, Governor of the State arrived, and a review of the troops was ordered. The men were dressed in their light blue pants, neat dark blue blouses, and fatigue caps, with their muskets and brasses as bright as new dollars. Being thrown into column of companies, they passed in review before His Excellency, who was surrounded by his staff. The affair was very creditable for newly organized troops, and the Governor expressed himself much pleased.
The next day, Major H. D. Maxwell, the Paymaster- General of the State of Pennsylvania, arrived in camp and commenced paying off the Second Regiment, but when he got through with two companies, orders were received for the Fourth to prepare to march, so the pay- ment of the Second was suspended, and that of the Fourth commenced and got through within a short time.
On the 16th, the Fourth, Colonel March, left the camp and proceeded by rail to Harrisburg. The payment of the Second and Third Regiments was resumed and soon completed, and on the 22d, the Third, Colonel Sickel, was ordered to Harrisburg.
44
OUR CAMPAIGNS.
CHAPTER V.
DEPARTURE OF THE SECOND. ITS ROSTER. CAMP CURTIN. LEAVE THE STATE WITHOUT BEING MUSTERED INTO THE UNITED STATES SERVICE. MARCHING WITHOUT ORDERS. BALTIMORE. SANDY HOOK. DISCONTENT AMONG THE MEN. REFUSAL TO TAKE THE OATH. SENT HOME IN DISGRACE. STRANGE MISMAN- AGEMENT. MARCH TO BERLIN.
THE news of the disastrous battle of Bull Run being received, orders were issued for the Second Regiment to prepare to move on the morning of the 24th of July, and accordingly about nine o'clock, they bid farewell to the camp, and marched through Easton across the Lehigh to the depot. Pomp's Cornet Band escorted them, the bells were rung, the citizens cheered, and the ladies waved their handkerchiefs. The organization of the Regiment was as follows:
Colonel, Wm. B. Mann. Lieutenant-Colonel, A. L. Magilton. Major, Wm. McCandless. Adjutant,
Quartermaster, Charles F. Hoyt. Surgeon, Thomas B. Reed. Assistant Surgeon, J. W. Lodge. Sergeant Major, Augustus T. Cross. Quartermaster Sergeant, Wesley S. Mann.
Company A .- Captain, G. A. Woodward. First Lieu- tenant, R. H. Loudon. Second Lieutenant, Horace Neide.
Company B .- Captain, P. McDonough. First Lieu- tenant, John D. Schock. Second Lieutenant, John J. Gill.
Company C .- Captain, James N. Byrnes. First Lieu- tenant, John B. Robinson. Second Lieutenant, Frank Fox.
Company D .- Captain, R. Ellis. First Lieutenant, John Curley. Second Lieutenant, George Young. . Company E .- Captain, J. Orr Finnie. First Lieu- tenant, J. Baxter Fletcher. Second Lieutenant, Alex- ander Black.
45
DEPARTURE.
Company F .- Captain, Thomas Bringhurst. First Lieutenant, George W. Kite. Second Lieutenant, Wil- liam J. D. Edwards,
Company G .- Captain, E. M. Woodward. First Lieu- tenant, Henry A. Scheetz. Second Lieutenant, John K. Brown.
Company H .- Captain, Timothy Mealey. First Lieu- tenant, Peter Summers. Second Lieutenant,- -
Company I .- Captain, William Knox. First Lieu- tenant, Thomas Weir. Second Lieutenant, John H. Jack.
Company K .- Captain, P. I. Smith. First Lieutenant, Isaac J. Harvey. Second Lieutenant, James C. Justus.
Amidst the cheers of the crowd the cars moved off, and the day being excessively warm, the boys soon pro- ceeded to produce ventilation by knocking the sides out of the freight cars, with the butts of their muskets. Although the tops of the cars were crowded, and the bridges on the road were very low, but one man was hurt during the passage, he receiving a severe contusion on the back of the head, that set him so wild, that it re- quired several men to hold him down to prevent his jumping off. Along the route flags were displayed from the houses, and at the villages the populace turned out en masse to welcome our passage. About four o'clock in the afternoon we arrived at Harrisburg, and marched out to Camp Curtin, where we enjoyed the novelty and romance of sleeping upon the soft green grass, with nothing but the vault of heaven above us, from which descended a copious shower of rain during the night.
All the regiments of the Reserve, we believe, with but one exception, were mustered into the United States ser- vice before leaving the State, and it was Colonel Mann's desire we should also be, but as it would cause a delay of some days, the Colonel was induced by Lieutenant- colonel Magilton, and with the consent of the Governor, to proceed to Baltimore without its being done. Ac- cordingly, at two o'clock the next afternoon we marched
46
OUR CAMPAIGNS.
to the railroad, and at dark took the cars and proceeded on our way several miles, where we laid on a sideling until near daybreak the next morning, when moving on, we arrived at Baltimore early in the afternoon, and slept that night upon a common opposite the depot.
Upon the regiment being reported to General Dix, who commanded the Department, and he ascertaining we came there without any orders, he declined having any thing to do with us, until he telegraphed to Simon Cameron, the Secretary of War, upon the subject. Mr. Cameron, probably vexed at such unauthorized proceed- ings, and being on bad terms with Colonel Mann, on account of his defeat in the gubernatorial convention, replied in a very unsatisfactory manner, when it was de- termined to move the regiment to Sandy Hook, which point was then reported to be threatened by the rebels under General Jackson.
Early on Sunday morning, July 23th, our regiment marched through the city to the depot of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, where we took cars for Sandy Hook. It numbered one thousand and one, officers and men, and were as fine a body of soldiers as ever passed through the city. Their neat new uniform, their steady tramp and well-dressed lines, with their martial bearing, at- tracted the attention of all, and many were the inquiries as to what regiment it was. At the depot they were met by the Union Relief Committee, who supplied them with an abundance of ice-water. On the route to Sandy Hook many American flags were displayed, and at Ellicott's Mills unmistakable signs of loyalty were shown by the waving of handkerchiefs and the cheers of the people. We arrived at the " Point of Rocks," about four P. M., where we found two companies of Vermont three months volunteers, guarding that point. The bridge at this place was burnt by the rebels on the 8th of June, and a huge rock, many tons in weight, tumbled upon the track. The rebels may have been picketing on the opposite bank of the Potomac, but whether they were or
47
SANDY HOOK.
not, the boys had the satisfaction of imagining they saw them. After an hour's delay, we started on, finding the road picketed for twelve miles up, the distance to Sandy Ilook, where we arrived after dark, and found many of the three months men on their way home, their time having expired, and all the army having that day crossed to the Maryland shore of the Potomac, except a few left to occupy Harper's Ferry, about two miles above. It had been raining hard through the afternoon, the night was exceedingly dark and unpleasant, and after remain- ing a long while awaiting orders, the men laid down along the road and went to sleep.
The next morning was oppressively hot, and after making coffee, we formed and marched to Pleasant val- ley, a table-land plateau, about a mile back from, and some four hundred feet above, the Potomac. This valley lays between the mountains known as Maryland Heights, abutting opposite Harper's Ferry, and a spur of the Blue Ridge, terminating on the Potomac, at the vil- lage of Knoxville, on the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, overlooking Harper's Ferry, Sandy Hook, and Knoxville, and commanding the country roads running from the former place towards Hagerstown and Frederick. The location was unassailable, except from the opposite Virginia or Loudon Heights, which would really com- mand the position, but for the existence of obstacles almost insuperable to the placing of any battery there. Here we encamped in a wheat stubble-field, and received our camp equipage and tents.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.