USA > Pennsylvania > Pennsylvania, colonial and federal : a history, 1608-1903, Volume Two > Part 30
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but not checking the mad rush of the survivors. On they came. even to the cannon's mouth, and Pickett's division succeeded in carrying the intrenchments in the center, and for a brief time the colors of the confederacy were planted on the spot where Han- cock's men held their position. The victory, however, was brief, as the infantry under the gallant Hancock drove the rebels back and turned them down the hill. In the meantime Howard's IIth corps batteries had driven Pettigrew's column from the slope, and Sykes' 5th corps artillery had broken Wilcox's lines and scattered his men in disorder over the field.
General Meade quickly followed up the advantage his officers had gained over the attacking confederate columns, and at once ordered General Doubleday's division to reinforce the 2d corps, strengthened his lines at every point, and ordered Hancock to attack Pickett's brigades. The orders were promptly executed, Pickett was driven back before the fierce onslaught of the now victorious Union men, and even Lee's attempt to protect with his artillery the retreat of his broken infantry columns was without material success. When Meade discovered that his victory was complete he ordered an advance of his whole line, and the famous Pennsylvania Reserves had the pleasure of driving the enemy from the position in the woods they had occupied during the early part of the day.
The day was now turning into night, the battle was ended and the Union army had achieved a splendid success. According to authenticated accounts the confederate loss amounted to 5,500 killed, 21,000 wounded, and 13,621 prisoners, a total loss of 40,12I men. On the Union side the losses were 2,834 killed, 13.709 wounded, and 6,743 missing, a total loss of 23, 186.
On the night of July 3d, the broken and defeated columns of Lee's army withdrew from Gettysburg and retreated rapidly toward the Potomac. It was followed by Meade's army, but the pursuit was slow owing to the exhausted condition of the men and the serious lcsses sustained during the three days' fighting.
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In itself the most important contest at arms waged between the North and the South during the Civil war; in itself the most momentous and far-reaching in consequences in that it was the turning point in the fortunes of the confederacy, the battle of Gettysburg also was the immediate cause of bringing into public view several of the most distinguished military characters known to the country during the war period. Indeed, Gettysburg has been called the developer of military genius, and among Pennsyl- vanians in particular there appears to have been an especial bestowal of deserved military honors as a result of the achieve- ments of that occasion. It is not the purpose of this chapter to refer to the personal valor of any officer who fought and helped to win at Gettysburg; all fought, and fought well, and as the result of their united efforts a great victory was won. That vic- tory was not the result of the individual valor of a single com- manding officer, but of all of them from General Meade down to the regimental commanders; nor was it a battle of officers alone, for they outlined the plans of attack and defence and their orders were faithfully executed by the men in the ranks, the private soldiers and artillerymen, who shoulder to shoulder handled their muskets and cannon with such telling effect, and who without flinching withstood the repeated assaults of the enemy. The victory at Gettysburg belongs to the splendid army of the Potomac that General Meade brought into Pennsylvania territory on that eventful occasion, and also in fair part to the loyal emergency militia volunteers who left their homes and work to defend the honor of the State and save its people and property from the ruth- less arts of an invading army.
And Gettysburg even to this day is not forgotten, nor are its memories dimmed with the lapse of time. In the same year in which the battle was fought steps were taken to establish on the site of the three days' engagement a Soldiers' National Cemetery, and each State, which was represented by soldiers in the battle, was invited to participate in the formal proceedings looking to.
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that end. This work was ultimately accomplished and to-day the Soldiers' National Cemetery at Gettysburg is one of the most fre- quented localities in the entire country. According to the plans of the commission that established it, the State of Pennsylvania
William Maclay
First United States senator from Pennsylvania, 1789-1791. Engraved especially for this work from an original miniature
purchased the tract for the cemetery and holds title to the land in trust for the States having soldiers buried there, and the legis- lature has created a corporation, consisting of one trustee ap- pointed by each of the Governors of such States as desire to be represented in the corporation, to control its affairs.
Following the retirement of Lee's shattered and defeated army from Pennsylvania after the battle of Gettysburg there was little
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occasion for excitement within the State during the later months of the year, and the people soon returned to their accustomed pur- suits. Had the result been different untold misfortunes would have been visited upon the people and the whole country would have suffered through the transformation of one of the most loyal States into the theatre of war ; but owing to the determined brav- ery of the splendid army of the Potomac, and the hearty co- operation of the Pennsylvania, New York and New Jersey troops, the dreaded calamity was averted and peace once more reigned within its borders.
The year 1864 opened auspiciously for the Union cause, and in no locality was the changed situation more fully appreciated or more sincerely welcomed than in our own State; yet the troublous period was not ended, nor was the State to be exempt from fur- ther rebel invasion, although in his inaugural address in January, 1864, Governor Curtin was able to give assurance to his people that the war was approaching its end. He carefully reviewed the whole situation, faithfully reported all that had been done and all that was required to be done by the State, and he urged upon the people the necessity of patience and a willingness to furnish still more men should the exigencies of war demand further assistance in support of the government. Let us quote from his utterances
on this occasion :
"Three years of bloody, wasting war and the horrible sacrifice of a quarter of a million lives attest the desperation of their (the confederacy ) purpose to overthrow our liberties. Mourning and sorrow spread over the entire nation, and defeat and desolation are the terrible trophies won by the traitors' hand. Our people have been sorely tried by disasters, but in the midst of the deepest gloom they have stood with unfaltering devotion to the great cause of our common country. Relying upon the ultimate tri- umph of the right, they have proved themselves equal to the stern duty, and worthy of their rich inheritance of freedom. Their fidelity has been well rewarded. In God's own good time, He
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has asserted His avenging power; and as this war is now per- sisted in by the leaders of the rebellion, it has become evident that slavery and treason, the fountain and stream of discord and death, must soon share a common grave.
"In this struggle for our honored nationality Pennsylvania has won immortal fame. Despite the teachings of the faithless and the hesitation of the timid, she has promptly and generously met every demand made upon her, whether to repel invasion or to fight the battles of the Union, wherever and whenever her people were demanded. Upon every field made historic and sacred by the valor of our troops, some of the martial youth of Pennsyl- vania have fallen. There is scarce a hospital that has not been visited by our kind offices to the sick and wounded; there is not a department in which brave men do not answer with pride to the name of our noble State, and while history endures loyal hearts will turn with feelings of national pride to Gettysburg, when the common deliverance of Pennsylvania and the Union will stand recorded in the unsurpassed glory of that bloody field."
The demands upon the State for men in 1864, in addition to the great number then in service, aggregated 91,704, and they were furnished in answer to the President's calls and the necessi- ties of the war department, about as follows: Three years men, regiments 181 to 191, inclusive, 9,867; under call of July 6, for one hundred days' service, 7,675 ; under the President's authority to recruit ten new regiments under the call of July 18, for 500,000 men for one year's service, 16,094; recruits forwarded by the superintendents of recruiting service at Philadelphia and Harris- burg, 26,567; drafted men and substitutes, 10,651 ; enlistments in the regular army, 2,974; volunteers re-enlisted, 17,876.
In the early summer of 1864 there was rumors of another in- vasion of Pennsylvania by the Confederates, and so threatening was the situation in and about Washington that on July 5 the Governor issued a proclamation calling for 12,000 volunteers to serve at and in the vicinity of the national capital for a period of
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one hundred days. Again, on July 6 the Governor issued a proclamation calling for 12,000 men to repel the invasion of a large Confederate force which had been detached from Richmond and soon afterward was found to be within the borders of the State.
However, it was not until the latter part of July that the rebels invaded the State in force and threatened serious damage to per- son and property. The ostensible purpose of this invasion was retaliation for the destruction of property by the Union army in the Shenandoah valley, but in fact the real purpose was wanton pillage and the hope of capturing the large quantity of military stores kept at Chambersburg. The events of this incursion into the State are well described by the Governor in his message to the Assembly convened in extraordinary session, and are as fol- lows :
"On Friday, the 29th of July, the rebel brigades of Johnston and M'Causland, consisting of 2,500 to 3,000 mounted men, with six guns, crossed the Potomac at Clear Spring ford and marched direct upon Mercersburg. There were but 45 (Union) men pick- eted in that direction, and as the enemy succeeded in cutting off communication, no information could be sent to General Couch, who then was at Chambersburg. The head of this column reached Chambersburg at three o'clock Saturday morning, July 30.
"The rebel brigades of Vaughan and Jackson, numbering about 3.000 men, crossed the Potomac about the same time, at or near Williamsport, Md., and part of the command advanced on Ha- gerstown, the main body moving on the road from Williamsport to Green Castle. Another rebel column of infantry and artillery crossed the Potomac simultaneously at Shepardstown and moved toward Leitersburg. General Averill, who then commanded about 2,600 men, was at Hagerstown, and, being threatened in front by Vaughan and Jackson on his right, and by M'Causland and John- ston in the rear, and on the left by the columns which had crossed at Shepardstown, he fell back upon Green Castle.
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No. 84L-
TTHIS Ticket entitles the Bear- er to the Lot in the Town of NEWCASTLE on Shenongo, which may be drawn againft its Number.
WILLIAM ELLIOT. JOHN C. STEWART.
New Castle Lottery Ticket-obverse and reverse
In 1796 John Carlisle Stewart made a plotted map of a part of "Stewart's Vacancy," and tickets like the above were used in raffling the lots. The illustration was made for this work from an original ticket in possession of Oscar L. Jackson
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"General Averill was under the orders of General Hunter, but was kept as fully advised by General Couch as was possible of the enemy's movements on his right and in his rear. General Couch was in Chambersburg with sixty infantry, forty-five cav- alry and a section of artillery, in all less than one hundred and fifty men. The town of Chambersburg was held until daylight by the small force under Couch, during which time the govern- ment stores and train were saved. Two batteries were then planted by the enemy, commanding the town, and it was in- vested by the whole command of Johnston and M'Causland. At seven o'clock, six companies of dismounted men, commanded by Sweeney, entered the town, followed by mounted men under Gilmor. The main force was in line of battle, and a demand was made upon the town for one hundred thousand dollars in gold, or five hundred thousand dollars in government funds, as ransom, and a number of citizens were arrested and temporarily held as hostages for its payment. No offer of money had been made by citizens of the town, and even if they had any intention of paying a ransom, no time was allowed to do so, as the rebels began immediately to burn and pillage the town, disregarding the appeals of women and children, the aged and infirm, and even the bodies of the dead were not protected from their brutality.
"General Couch's force was too small to successfully defend the town, but he held on and made every possible attempt to re- tard the work of the enemy until the latter had actually entered. General Averill's command being within nine miles of Cham- bersburg, it was hoped he would arrive in time to save the town, and efforts were made to communicate with him; and while so waiting Couch's force held the enemy in check. At length Averill's force came, but too late for the best results, as the town had then been sacked and burned and the enemy had retired. Averill pursued and overtook them at McConnellsburg in time to save that place, and he at once gave battle and. drove them to Hancock, across the Potomac."
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This was the last invasion of Pennsylvania territory by the confederates during the period of war, but the authorities were afterward on the alert to guard against similar invasions. On August Ist the Governor convened the legislature in extraordi- nary session to make the military power of the Commonwealth immediately available for the State as well as the national defence, and such measures were adopted as would best protect the people and property against future invasions. At the same time the work of recruiting and organizing regiments was prosecuted with dispatch, and the ranks of the depleted organi- zations then at the front were kept supplied with new men.
In 1865, the last year of the war, Pennsylvania furnished 25,840 men for the service of the government in addition to those already in the field. At the beginning of the year it was evident that the confederacy was doomed to downfall before the season was far advanced, yet there was no relaxation in energy or work necessary to hasten the end. On April 4th the Gover- nor was gratified to issue a proclamation upon the occasion of the fall of Richmond, and he said: "The last center of treason has fallen. Richmond is ours; our armies entered it amid the cheers and general joy of its rescued inhabitants so long ground under the heel of ursurping oppressors. The beaten rebel host is fleeing, pursued by our victorious cohorts, to be soon captured or dispersed."
The Governor also called upon all the people of the State to assemble in their respective places of worship on the following Sunday, and "render thanks to Almighty God for all his mercies, and especially for that He hath been graciously pleased to look favorably upon us and make us the instruments to establish the right, to vindicate the principles of free government, and to prove the certainty of Divine justice." On April 19th, scarcely more than two weeks later, Governor Curtin felt called upon to issue another proclamation, of a character less enjoyable than that which announced the fall of Richmond, for now the Presi-
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dent had fallen under the death blow of an assassin, and the Gov- ernor asked his people to suspend all business pursuits and pay a mark of respect in connection with the passage through the State of the remains of Abraham Lincoln. On the 20th another proclamation announced an offer of a reward of $10,000 for the capture within the State of J. Wilkes Booth, the slayer of the
Fort Le Boeuf, Erie County, built 1796
From a sketch made especially for this work
President ; and on the 26th still another proclamation set apart a day of humiliation and mourning for the death of the late Presi- dent. However, the proclamation of June 10 was of a less mournful character in that it was a congratulatory address to the people of Pensylvania upon the close of the war.
In his annual message in 1866, the Governor says "that not- withstanding the large expenditures by the State for military purposes since the breaking out of the rebellion, the condition of the treasury is now $2,555,579.13 better than it was then, and
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I am proud to be able to state that on the Ist of last December ( 1865) the State debt was less than on January 1, 1861." Cer- tainly this was reassuring to the people and was only another evidence of the wonderful strength of the financial resources of the Commonwealth. In some other States the close of the war found the treasury almost drained of funds while the indebted- ness created by the war threatened serious embarrassment.
In the message the executive reviewed at some length the military history of the State during the war, and, among other things, he said : "It is our proud privilege to have it remembered that the first military aid from the loyal States, which reached Washington, was the force of four hundred and sixty Pennsyl- vanians who arrived there on the 18th day of April, and that when the capital of the nation was the second time threatened after the battle of Bull Run, the regiments of the Pennsylvania Reserve corps were the first troops sent forward ..... From the beginning of the war to its close, the State has never faltered in its support of the government ..... Our armies were sustained and strengthened in the field by the patriotic devotion of their friends at home; and we can never render full justice to the heaven-directed, patriotic christian benevolence of the women of the State ..... It is with a sense of unfeigned gratitude that I acknowledge how cheerfully and promptly the legislature and the people acted on my suggestions, whether for the support of the government, the enlistment and organization of troops, or for the comfort of our people already in the field."
After the close of the war the remaining years of Governor Curtin's administration were devoted to the work of re-estab- lishing the economy of the State government, and the care and maintenance of those interests which had suffered most during the eventful period just passed. This work called for the joint and earnest endeavors of the executive and legislative branches of government, and often perplexing questions were brought before the official bodies for settlement. But they were all fairly dealt
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with, and when the Governor retired from office at the close of his six trying years of labor, he carried with him the gratitude and esteem of the whole people of the State; and there was full meaning and sincerity in his words when in his last annual mes- sage he spoke as follows :
"I cannot close my last annual message without renewing the expressions of my gratitude to the freemen of the Commonwealth for the hearty approval with which they have cheered the labors of the executive office. To have earned such approval by my official conduct during the last six years must always be a source of pride to myself and children. Without the consciousness that I was endeavoring to deserve their approval, and without the hope that I should succeed in attaining it, I must have sunk under the responsibility of my position. It was only a reliance on Divine Providence and the active, resolute and hearty support and zeal of the people and their representatives that encouraged me during the dark and terrible crisis through which the country has passed. I tried to do my duty to my country, and I know that I was at least faithful to her in her deep distress, and I conceived that duty not to be limited to the merely putting of men into the field to suppress treason and rebellion, and maintain the national life, and doing of everything in my power to sustain the just war forced upon us. I also felt bound, as far as I could, to protect and pro- mote the rights and comforts of our volunteers, after they had left the State, to aid and relieve the sick and wounded, and to care for the transmission to their bereaved families of the precious bodies of the slain, and the maintenance and education of their orphans as honored children of the country."
From the earliest years of the war the honor of the State was pledged to the maintenance of those who were incapacitated for accustomed employments as a result of their service, and also those who were widowed or orphaned or made charges upon the public by reason of loss of parental care. This pledge has been fully kept, and as early as 1863 a plan was adopted for the edu-
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cation and maintenance of destitute orphans of soldiers, although the generous pension system established by the national Congress has relieved the State of much of its direct obligation to extend support to those who were made to suffer through their service to the government. However, in the fulfillment of its voluntary offer, the State in 1885 established and now maintains at Erie the Pennsylvania Soldiers' and Sailors' Home, where are supported nearly five hundred dependents on the bounty of the Common- wealth; and in addition thereto there are likewise maintained at the expense of the State three Soldiers' Orphan schools, located, respectively, at Scotland, Franklin county, Chester Springs, Ches- ter county, and Uniontown, Fayette county.
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CHAPTER XVIII.
GEARY'S ADMINISTRATION-1867-1873
T HE close of Curtin's administration marks the end of the war period in Pennsylvania history. The State had borne an honorable and conspicuous part in the great struggle between the two sections, and her own soil was rendered conse- crated ground by the blood of heroes. Promptly did the soldiers of Pennsylvania answer their country's call, and promptly did they sheathe their swords when the battle's din was over. With the return of peace, there followed unusual activity in business; and the energies of the people were all directed towards the develop- ment of the great resources of the Commonwealth.
Governor Curtin retired from the executive chair, honored by all parties as a zealous defender of the constitution. He was suc- ceeded by John W. Geary, one of the heroes of the war, a native of Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania. General Geary was nom- inated by the Republican party in the spring of 1866, while his Democratic opponent was Hiester Clymer. Geary's candidacy was everywhere received with favor and he was elected by a ma- jority of over seventeen thousand votes. He was inaugurated on January 15, 1867. Re-elected for a second term, his administra- tion continued until January 21, 1873.
General Geary became Governor of Pennsylvania with a wide experience in both civil and military affairs. Born in Westmore- land county in 1819, he received his education in the common schools, and finally graduated from Jefferson College. He then ₡ 2-28 433
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began the study of law and was admitted to the bar. While in college he became proficient in civil engineering studies, and he afterwards passed some time in engineering work in Kentucky. In 1844 he was appointed assistant superintendent and engineer of the Allegheny Portage Railroad ; but on the declaration of war with Mexico in 1846 Geary enlisted a company, and soon received a commission as Lieutenant-Colonel. He was slightly wounded at Chapultepec ; but, continuing in the service, became Colonel of a regiment after the surrender of the city of Mexico. He then as- sisted in organizing civil institutions in California. In 1849 he was appointed postmaster of San Francisco and mail agent for the Pacific coast. In a few months he was elected First Alcade of the city, his duties including those of Judge of First Instance with wide civil and criminal jurisdiction. In 1850 Geary was elected Mayor of San Francisco, but declined a re-election. Returning to Western Pennsylvania, he took up a farm, and entered upon the business of stock raising. In 1855 he was again urged to accept public office, the governorship of Utah, which he declined. A year later, at the earnest solicitation of the President, he be- came Governor of Kansas, then a scene of strife and bloodshed. He was soon able to establish the supremacy of the law, and he held this office until the accession of Buchanan to the presidency, when he resigned and returned to his Pennsylvania home. On the outbreak of the rebellion, Geary promptly responded to the call to arms. He raised a regiment, the 28th Pennsylvania, and was commissioned its Colonel. In 1862 he was promoted Brigadier- General of volunteers. He was wounded at Cedar Mountain ; but on his return to duty he was assigned to the command of the sec- ond division of the Twelfth Corps. He was present at the en- gagements of Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, and Lookout Mountain. He participated in Sherman's march to the sea, and was appointed Military Governor of Savannah. After the grand review at Washington, he was mustered out of service, and returned to his farm in Pennsylvania. He was not permitted
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