USA > Pennsylvania > Berks County > School history of Berks County in Pennsylvania : by Morton L. Montgomery > Part 9
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ENGLISH WAR.
Cause .- After the Revolution, though peace had been declared to exist between the United States and Great Britain, the British government con- ducted itself persist- ently in an offensive manner towards the people of the United States, and their com- merce, etc., and to their great injury for nearly 30 years. The Nation- al government passed naturalization laws, whereby foreigners could be naturalized and become citizens; but the British government contended that a British subject could
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not be naturalized, and claimed the right of stop- ping United States vessels, searching for seamen of English birth, and impressing them into their service. In exercising this right, they stationed ships at harbors of the United States and searched every departing and arriving vessel. They were so vigilant that within a period of eight years they captured 900 vessels and impressed over 6000 sea- men into their navy. All this humiliation was borne with patience.
Declaration of War .- Finally the complaints be- came too loud, and the injuries too grievous to be endured any longer ; therefore President Madison made them the subject of a message to Congress on June 1, 1812, and war was then declared.
Anticipating this "Declaration of War," Gov- ernor Snyder of Pennsylvania issued an "Order," dated May 12, 1812, requiring the quota of troops from this State, 14,000, to be promptly raised and formed into two divisions. The first division in- cluded the troops from Berks County. A noble re- sponse was made to this call, the troops tendered exceeding three times the quota required.
Local Patriotism .- The naval battle on Lake Erie was fought on September 10, 1813, with bril- liant success. Commodore Perry then sent his famous despatch to General Harrison : "We have met the enemy and they are ours." The news reached Reading on the 27th of September following, and a grand illumination of the town took place in the evening from 7 till 10 o'clock, to signalize the glorious event. The destruction of the Capitol and
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public buildings at Washington, in August, 1814, and the threatened attack on Baltimore by the enemy shortly afterward, brought the war near Pennsylvania. The march of the enemy towards the interior, by way of the Potomac River and Chesapeake Bay, naturally stimulated the military spirit in the State, and a great number of men came forward in her defense.
Companies from County .- After Washington had been taken, and the news of its destruction by the enemy had reached Reading, the patriotic feeling of this community became thoroughly aroused. Twelve companies were organized in the county and left Reading in August, 1814, but they did not partici- pate in any engagement with the enemy. Their service was military duty at York, Pa., where some of the companies remained four months and others six months, after which they returned home.
Daniel Udree, of Oley, was major-general of the Second Brigade, and John Addams, of Reading, brigadier-general. Jeremiah Shappell, of Windsor, was lieutenant-colonel of the First Regiment; and John Lotz, of Reading, of the Second Regiment.
Eight companies from the county were in Shap- pell's regiment, which were commanded by the fol- lowing captains :
John May. George Marx.
John Mauger.
George Ritter.
Jonathan Jones. George Zieber.
Jacob Marshall.
Henry Willotz.
And three companies were in Lotz's regiment, commanded by the following captains :
John Christman. | Thomas Moore. 1 Gabriel Old.
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The twelfth company was under the command of Captain Daniel DeB. Keim. It was known as the "Reading Washington Guards."
Peace Declared .- Peace was concluded at Ghent on December 24, 1814, but it was not until Febru- ary 22, 1815, that the event became known at Reading; then the citizens signalized it by shoot- ing off cannon during the day, and at night by a grand illumination in which 1600 pounds of candles were consumed.
English Families at Reading .- During this pe- riod a number of foreign English families, resident at Philadelphia, left that city for the interior parts of the country, owing to a National law which re- quired them to move away from the sea-coast and ports at least fifty miles. Some of these families came to Reading, and took quarters at the Tyson Inn, at the head of Franklin Street (now Bechtel's Hotel). Whilst here the city of Washington was captured by the English. This news caused them to rejoice ; and to express their joy they carried on dancing, with the assistance of music. But they misconceived the temper of the German people of this inland borough, who were thoroughly patriotic and in sympathy with the government; and they soon found that their conduct wounded the National pride of the people. In the midst of their de- monstrations, they were suddenly attacked by a party of citizens, and the attack was made so earn- estly as to require the building to be closed and the performance to be stopped. If certain pro- minent English-speaking men of the borough had
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not interposed, they would have been driven out of the town.
MEXICAN WAR.
Cause .- The Mexican War arose out of the ques- tion relating to the annexation of Texas to the United States. The constitution of Mexico pro- hibited slavery in Texas, and this provision was a sufficient reason why the Southern States wished to control it. President Adams and also President Jackson made fruitless efforts to buy the province ; and subsequently for some years the scheme of an- nexation was considered. One of the last acts of Jackson's official life was the appointment of an official agent to Texas, thereby acknowledging the independence of the province. This was looked upon as the first step towards obtaining possession of territory large enough for five new slave States. Henceforward, the project was urged with persist- ence but little success until 1842, when President Tyler gave it his encouragement. In 1844, John C. Calhoun became Secretary of State, who " believed in annexation at any cost ; " and President Tyler justified Calhoun's invitation to Texas to join the United States, because he thought Great Britain was engaged in a diplomatic intrigue to abolish slavery in Texas. At the close of Tyler's adminis- tration, a joint resolution was passed annexing Texas; but as Tyler went out of office with the scheme carried through Congress, Polk came into office with the certainty of war with Mexico.
Declaration of War .- In the beginning of May, 1846, the regular troops were intercepted along the 10
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Rio Grande River by the Mexican troops, and the battles of Palo Alto and Resaca de la Palma ensued. Before the news of these events reached Washing- ton, Congress had declared war on the 13th of May, and had authorized the President to call for 50,000 volunteers for one year. After carrying on war for nearly two years, the Mexicans were conquered, and a treaty of peace was signed in February, 1848, at the City of Mexico, whereby the United States acquired not only Texas, but also Arizona, New Mexico, and California.
Patriotism at Reading .- During the excitement, a great patriotic feeling was developed at Read- ing. In May, 1846, a town-meeting was held, at which appropriate resolutions were adopted, ap- proving the course of President Polk. A promin- ent prevailing sentiment was-"Our country, our whole country ; our country right or wrong." The volunteer companies of Reading-Reading Artillerists, Washington Grays, and National Grays -held meetings and tendered their services to the President.
Reading Artillerists .- The Reading Artillerists, commanded by Captain Thomas S. Leoser, were accepted. They left Reading for Philadelphia on December 26, 1846, and arrived in the afternoon of the same day. After their examination, Dr. Wurtz, U. S. Surgeon, pronounced them the finest body of men he had yet passed into the service. Previous to their departure, the officers received numerous testimonials of regard ; and the Town Council and the County Commissioners each appropriated $1000
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for the comfort of the soldiers and the relief of such of their families as needed assistance.
Departure for Mexico .- The Artillerists proceed- ed by railroad to Harrisburg and Chambersburg, then walked to Pittsburgh, accompanied by three large 6-horse teams with provisions which had been furnished by the citizens of Reading. They arrived on January 5, 1847, and were mustered into service as Company A, in the Second Regiment of Penn- sylvania Volunteers. There were two regiments from Pennsylvania. The Reading company, with other companies, left Pittsburgh on the 8th of Janu- ary in the boat "Anthony Wayne," and proceeded by way of the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers to New Orleans, arriving there on the 15th. They encamped on the old battle-ground of 1812-15, 7 miles below the city. There they laid all night in the rain without tents ; and, owing to the negligence of cer- tain government officials, they were without provi- sions for thirty-six hours. This caused much dis- satisfaction in the ranks, and, as a consequence, 12 men of the company deserted. Such was their be- ginning in active military service.
Battles of Company .- The company served with distinction throughout the war and were particularly recognized and complimented for their bravery. They were engaged in the following battles : Vera Cruz, March 19th to 28th ; Cerro Gordo, April 18th ; Chapultepec, September 12th ; Belen Gate, Sep- tember 13th. The City of Mexico was taken on September 14th, and the troops, including Com- pany A, were stationed in that famous city until
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December 18th, when they were removed to San Angel ; and there they continued until peace was declared.
Return of Company .- The inen were ordered home about the middle of June, 1848. They then marched to Vera Cruz-consuming about a month in the journey-and took transportation on the bark "Florida " for New Orleans. Thence they pro- ceeded up the Mississippi and Ohio Rivers to Pitts- burgh, and were mustered out of service on July 2Ist. The men took packets and traveled by canal to Harrisburg, and thence by railroad to Philadel- phia and Reading. Some of them went by stage to Reading from Pittsburgh. Upon their arrival, on July 29th, they were given a brilliant military recep- tion. Numerous buildings and streets were hand- somely decorated with flags and wreaths.
The company numbered altogether 102 men ; of these I was killed in battle, 4 died of wounds, and 22 of disease.
CIVIL WAR.
Cause .- The Civil War in the United States broke out in April, 1861. The direct cause was the agita- tion of the subject of slavery. After 1850, the ex- tension of slavery on the one hand, and its restric- tion on the other, became thoroughly National ques- tions, and their animated discussion resulted in a terrible struggle of political leaders for the suprem- acy. Until that time, the South had the general control of political affairs through leadership and legislation ; but the Southern statesmen then saw
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that their political power was in reality passing away through the wonderful growth of the North in population and wealth, and in political represen- tation in the National government. A similar growth could not be effected in the South; so its leaders desired to extend the rights of slavery. This was particularly apparent upon the admission of Kansas as a State. The Republican party-the expo- nent of restrict- ing slavery to territory then occupied-became an active political factor in the country in 1856 ; but its Presidential candidate was defeated. Threats of secession by the Southern States had been made about that time, and it was thought that if the Republican party had been successful, secession would then have been at- tempted.
Lincoln Elected .- For four years this ques- tion was prominent above all other questions. Buchanan preserved the peace during his ad- ministration, but he could not preserve the bal- ance of power. Public opinion grew more favor- able towards the Republican party, and in 1860 this party appeared before the people with renewed
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strength. During that time, the Democratic party agitated the question of slavery to such an extent that two branches of the party were created, -one, the Douglas branch, for submitting the question to the people of a new State upon its erection, and the other, the Breckenridge branch, for submitting it to the Supreme Court for adjudication under the National Constitution, -and in the Presidential campaign of 1860 their political power was divided. The party was still strong enough, as a whole, to elect a candidate ; but it was not strong enough to bear a division, especially such a division as Doug- las was able to create by the support which he had won through public discussion; and Abraham Lin- coln, the Republican candidate, was therefore elected.
Secession .- From the sentiments of the Republi- can party-especially of its ultra-leaders, who were styled "Abolitionists"-the Southern leaders felt constrained to take earnest steps towards secession ; and these steps were taken between the day of the election in November and the day of Lincoln's in- auguration in March, not only vigorously, but suc- cessfully, without the slightest hindrance on the part of the National government. Prominent Cab- inet officials, Senators, and Representatives with- drew from their respective positions and caused their several States to pass ordinances of secession, declaring the contract between them and the Na- tional government broken. When Lincoln took possession of the government, the status was not only discouraging but very alarming. In his
-
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inaugural address he stated that apprehension seemed to exist among the people of the Southern States that, by the accession of a Republican ad- ministration, their property, peace, and personal security were to be endangered, but that there never had been any reasonable cause for such ap- prehension ; and he declared that he had no pur- pose, directly or indirectly, to interfere with the institution of slavery in the States where it existed.
Call to Arms .- Notwithstanding his plain and direct language to perform the duties of his office according to the Constitution and laws, without any mental reservations or any purposes to construe them by hypercritical rules, and his expressed sen- timents for peace and inseparable union of the States, the Southern leaders persisted in secession and disunion ; and when he endeavored to protect National property they rose up in arms and com- mitted treason. In April, 1861, Fort Sumter was bombarded from the fortresses and batteries at Charleston in such a furious manner that the com- mander was forced to surrender it. This was the signal for war, and the people in the North arose with a grand, patriotic impulse to punish the out- rage. The President issued a requisition for 75,000 troops, in order to quell the disturbance in the in- surrectionary States, and the response was prompt and noble. The National government had not, as yet, done anything to cause the South to feel alarmed ; but this hostile demonstration required it to show some positive action towards defending its property and enforcing its laws. The excitement at
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Reading, as everywhere else in the North, was in- tense.
Ringgold Light Artillery .- Captain James Mc- Knight offered his company of Ringgold Light Artillery, and it was the first military organization . that responded to the call and moved to the defense of the coun- try. It was hoped that this simple mani- festation of ex- ecutive au- thority would restore peace; but the organization at the South was too thorough, and its purpose to establish, if possible, a confederation by itself, too premeditated. Men rushed to arms and were forced into dreadful warfare; call after call for troops was made ; and thousands of lives were sacrificed, and millions of dollars were expended, in the two sec- tions, for a right which each claimed, -the one to establish a confederation and the other to maintain constituted authority, -and . this terrible contest continued four years before peace was restored.
Patriotism of County .- The feeling here for maintaining the Union was strong and continuous from the beginning to the close of the war; and this was exhibited by Democrats and Republicans alike. Breckenridge had received a majority over Lincoln, exceeding 2000 votes ; but the sentiment for the Union was general in all our districts, espe- cially at Reading. Companies were raised rapidly and mustered into service-numbering 93, almost
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entirely enlisted in the county. They went to the rescue freely, moved by the highest patriotic im- pulse. Public meetings were numerous ; and earn- est sympathy for the cause was manifested at all of them. The prominent men took the lead, for our judges, lawyers, merchants, and business men gen- erally, without respect to party affiliations, united to encourage and sustain the National administra- tion. Their pronounced opinion in the matter created and preserved a proper spirit in the commu- nity, and through them the county and city gov- ernments were constantly liberal in appropriations of money towards encouraging volunteer enlist- ments.
Partisan Protest .- The methods of conducting the war, however, received a degree of criticism amounting to condemnation. This was natural from partisans who entertained political opinions opposed to those of the administration in power. Our county contained a large majority of people who were against the war, if we interpret their opinion from the exercise of their political suffrage at elections ; but they were submissive, -they caused no trouble, no riotous demonstration. This reflects great credit upon them as a law-abiding com- munity. Our National and State governments, by enactinents, required these things to be done, and therefore they bore them. They went to the war by the thousand ; they endured conscription with- out opposition ; and they permitted the assessment of burdensome taxation. They encouraged appro- priations of money, amounting to nearly a million
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of dollars, expressly for the enlistment of men ; and they invested large sums of money in the National securities. These, taken together, truly constitute significant evidence of devotion to their country.
Social Excitement .- During this period the ex- citement throughout the county was ever active. Several times, when the State was invaded by the rebels, and our own county was threatened with the horrors of war, it became alarming. This was par- ticularly the case at Reading. Penn Square was daily, more or less, in com- motion with the en- listment of men, the formation and exer- cise of companies, and their departure to the seat of war or their return from it. The music of fife and drum, and the march- ing of men-fathers, husbands, brothers, and sons - thrilled the entire community time and time again. These were, indeed, events that made a lasting im- pression upon that generation. Two encampments -one in the northern part of Reading in 1862, and the other in the eastern part in 1863-attracted much attention. They afforded the people an op -.
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portunity of forming a proper conception of camp- life and military discipline. The "Union League," a Republican association at Reading, organized after the great "Union League" at Philadelphia, was very active in enlisting men for military service ; and so were the various secret societies, especially the "Junior Sons of America."
Local Enterprise .- In the midst of the great excitement, our local energy displayed itself to a remarkable degree in every department of bus- iness. Trade was both active and profitable, and it stimulated various enterprises. Railroads were projected, and substantial improvements were made in every section of the county, especially at Read- ing ; and matters pertaining to education and relig- ion were directed with earnestness and success. The prices of all kinds of materials were high; but inoney was abundant and a spirit of increased lib- erality kept it moving about actively.
Appropriations .- The city of Reading appro- priated altogether for war purposes, in bounties, relief, etc., $373, 179 ; and the county of Berks the sum of $452,389 ; the total amount being $825, 568. Besides this sum, the boroughs likewise appropri- ated and raised moneys for the same purpose.
Ladies' Aid Society .- Just as the "Ringgold Light Artillery " were preparing to take the Leb- anon Valley Railroad train on the afternoon of April 16, 1861, to proceed to Harrisburg, certain influential ladies of Reading assembled and formed a society, which they entitled "Ladies' Aid So- ciety." Its object was to supply the soldiers with
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clothing and materials useful whilst in military service away from home. It was active during the entire period of the war, collecting and forwarding tons of materials. A "depot " was established at Reading, to which all the goods were carried and from which they were consigned. The country dis- tricts were encouraged to co-operate in this benevo- lent work, and the ladies responded nobly by for- warding materials to Reading. This was the first society of the kind organized in the country. It took an active part in the "Sanitary Fair," which was conducted with great success at Philadelphia in 1863, for the purpose of raising funds to relieve the wants of the soldiers.
Reading Hospital .- A "Military Hospital " was fitted up at Reading during the middle of June, 1862, in the main exhibition building of the Agri- cultural Society, on the "Fair Ground " [Com- mons], with cots sufficient to accommodate 130 patients, and successfully conducted until the Spring of 1863. The "Ladies' Aid Society " of Reading took an active interest in the welfare of the sick and wounded soldiers, and performed admirable service during the continuance of the hospital.
Draft in County .- During the progress of the war, requisitions for troops became so frequent that the government was compelled to resort to the con- scription of men for the purpose of enabling it to ยป prosecute the war with success. Numerous volun- teers enlisted from Berks County ; and the citizens of this district responded nobly to the several calls for troops, but nevertheless here, as elsewhere, the
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draft had to be made. There were four drafts, one in each of the years 1862, 1863, 1864, and 1865.
Companies from County .- Ninety-three compa- nies of men, and five regimental bands of music were enlisted from Berks County and mustered into the service. Eight of the companies included men from other districts. Reckoning all the men together in the companies mentioned and those enlisted else- where, 8500 men of our county were engaged in the great struggle for the preservation of the Union.
THREE MONTHS' SERVICE, 1861.
Regt. Co. Name. Captain.
25th, A -Ringgold Light Artillery . James McKnight.
25th, C .- Ringgold Light Artillery Henry Nagle.
Ist, G .- Reading Artillerists. . George W. Alexander.
5th, H .- Union Light Infantry. . Frank M. Cooley.
7th, C .- Washington Artillery. Isaac Schroeder.
7th, D .- Pennsylvania Artillery . George S. Herbst.
7th, G .- Reading Rifles. . Albert F. Rightmyer.
14th, A .- Union Guards. . . David A. Griffith.
14th, E .- Keystone Infantry.
. John A. Shearer.
Regimental Bands.
5th, -Reading City Band E. Ermentrout, leader.
25th, -Ringgold Band .. . John A. Hoch, leader.
THREE YEARS' SERVICE, 1861-64.
Regt. Co. Name. Captain.
32d, A .- Reading Artillerists . Jacob Lenhart, Jr.
32d, D .- Mechanics' Infantry. . William Briner.
32d, F .- Washington Guards. Washington Richards.
36th, I .- Berks and Lebanon Counties. . Joseph G. Holmes.
44th, L .- Reading Troop. J. C. A. Hoffeditz.
44th, M .- Reading Cavalry.
Thomas S. Richards.
46th, E .- Reading Rifles .
Cornelius Wise.
48th, D .- Berks and Schuylkill Counties. Daniel Nagle.
50th, B .- Ellsworth Zouaves. . Hervey Herman.
50th, E .- Reading Light Infantry. . William H. Dieh1.
50th, H. - Union Light Infantry. .
Thomas S. Brenholtz.
55th, B .- Washington Legion. John C. Shearer.
59th, K .- Cavalry, Berks and Philadelphia. . Stephen H. Edgett.
70th, G .- Reading Dragoons. . George E. Clymer.
74th, G .- Berks and Adams Counties William J. Bart.
80th, L .- Cavalry, Berks and Northumberland. . Charles C. McCormick.
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83d, I .- Reading and Harrisburg Robert W. McCartney.
88th, A .- Junior Fire Zouaves. George W. Knabb
88th, B .- Neversink Zouaves Henry R. Myers.
88th, H .- Union Guards. . David A. Griffith.
93d, B .- Union Zonaves . . John E. Arthur.
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