The Historical Sketch, and Account of the Centennial Celebration at York, PA., July 4, 1876., Part 7

Author: Cenntennial Publicaton Committee
Publication date: 1876
Publisher: Democratic Press
Number of Pages: 186


USA > Pennsylvania > York County > The Historical Sketch, and Account of the Centennial Celebration at York, PA., July 4, 1876. > Part 7


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Tearney, lieutenant colonel, James A. Stahle, ma- jor, Noah G. Ruhl, adjutant, Jacob Emmitt, Jr. Company A, captains, John Fahs, James Tearney, Geo. J. Chalfant. Company B, captains, Jacob Det- weiler, Lewis Maish, Zeph. E. Hersh. Company C, Andrew J. Fulton, Murray S. Cross, Findlay S. Thom- as. Company D, James H. Blasser, Edgar M. Rubl. Company E, Solomon Myers, Charles J. Fox. Com- pany F, Wm. J. Martin, James Adair. Company G, V. C. S. Eckert, H. Morningstar. Company I, Thad- deus S. Pfeiffer, Wm. H. Lanius. Company H, Ross L. Harman, Wells A. Farrah. Company K, John Albright.


The first duty assigned them was the guarding of the railroad, relieving the 20th Indiana. On the 28th of May, 1862, the regiment was moved to Baltimore, and thence to West Virginia, and was kept actively employed and moving from point to point, under great fatigue and exposure, until it went into winter quarters with General Milroy's division at Winches- ter, about the Ist of January, 1863. Here they per- formed picket duty during the winter under very se- vere exposure.


In May, 1863, by the resignation of Colonel Hay, John W. Schall became colonel, James A. Stahle, lieutenant colonel and Noah G. Ruhl, major. Ma- jor Buehler was made colonel of the 166th.


If the army of General Patterson in 1861 ought to have engaged the enemy, it may be said that the command of General Milroy, in 1863, ought not to have hazarded an engagement. He was over san-


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guine of holding his position, and by the consent of General Schenck, disobeyed an order to retreat .- The advance of General Lee's forces for the invasion of the North, flushed with success, could not be check- ed by his comparatively small force.


On the 12th of June, 1863, the first of'a series of battles was fought by the 87th, at Middletown, ten miles distant from Winchester, with the advance guard of Ewell's army, and on the 13th and 14th they behaved with great gallantry in the battle of Winchester. On the 14th a brilliant charge was made by it at Carter's woods, in which Colonel Schall had a horse shot under him. Captain French and Lieutenant Slothower of company H. were killed .- The regiment joined the army of the Potomac in Ju- ly 1863, and was attached to the 3d corps, General French, and was in the battles of Manasses Gap, Bealton Station, Kelley's Ford, Brandy Station, Lo- cust Grove, and Mine Run.


Afterwards assigned to the 6th Corps, General Hancock, it was in the battles of the Wilderness, and at Cold Harbor where Colonel Schall was wounded and Captain Pfeiffer was killed, and the regiment sustained a loss in killed and wounded of nearly a third of its strength.


On the 6th of July, the battle of Monocacy was fought against superior numbers, the loss of the regiment being greater than in any other battle .- Among those who lost their lives at this battle were Adjutant Martin and Lieutenants Haak, Dietrich, Spangler and Waltemeyer. In September the regi-


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ment was with the army of Sheridan at the battle of Opequon, where the enemy were defeated, and on the 22d at Fisher's Hill where he was again routed. The next day the term of service expired and the remnant of the regiment returned home arriving at York on the 27th of September, 1864, where a recep- tion was awaiting them-their arrival announced by the ringing of bells. The old flag which they bore through all their battles was carried in the proces- sion torn in shreds. Few regiments saw more ac- tive service and work or suffered more.


' 'The veterans who had re-enlisted and the new re- cruits who remained at the seat of war, were consol- idated into a battalion of five companies, under com- mand of Captain Edgar M. Ruhl, who was killed while gallantly leading them. in the battle of Cedar Creek, October 19th, 1864. The regiment being re- cruited to its full strength, Captain Tearney was com- missioned colonel, ;and it participated in the charge upon the works before Petersburg, where Lieutenants Keasey and Nickle were killed. It was mustered out on the 29th of June 1865.


After his return from the three month's service 107th Colonel Thomas A. Ziegle received author-


P. V. ity to recruit a regiment. One of the most experienced and accomplished volunteer officers in the service he assisted in the organization of troops at Harrisburg, and on the 5th of March, 1862, was given the commandof the 107th. Company A, Cap- tain Jacob Dorsheimer, had volunteers from York county-Oliver P. Stair, Ist lieutenant, George C.


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Stair, 2d lieutenant. On Sunday, the 9th of March, the regiment passed through York, for the seat of war, moved to Washington, and on the 2d of April crossed the Potomac, and was assigned to Duryea's brigade, Ord's division, of McDowell's corps. After the defeat of Fremont and Banks by Jackson in the Shenandoah Valley, the regiment reached Front Royal by forced march, on the Ist of June, where Jackson had retreated. The regiment encamped at different places and while near Warrenton, on the morning of the 16th of July, Colonel Ziegle died .- The whole regiment were devotedly attached to him and he was regarded as one of the most efficient of- ficers in the brigade. He had been identified with the military of York for so many years, that his ca- reer was regarded with expectations of unusual suc- cess. He has already been mentioned as one of the volunteers in the Mexican war from York, where he had displayed remarkable coolness and bravery, and became captain of his company. Immediately after that war he raised the military company known as the Worth Infantry, whose discipline and drill were not excelled by any corps in the Union. The Worth Infantry was the equal in their peculiar drill of the gallant Ellsworth's company of Zouaves. His readi- ness and that of his company on the breaking out of the war for the Union, their services, the organization of the 16th regiment and its service havealready been mentioned. His remains were brought home and were interred with impressive obsequies in Prospect Hill Cemetery, on the 20th of July, 1862.


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The 107th regiment became part of the army un- der General Pope and was first under fire at Cedar Mountain, on the 9th of August, 1862, and was in the second battle of Bull Run, and at Chantilly, South Mountain and Antietam. In October, 1862, it took position in General Franklin's grand division and was at Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville. It was in the first corps, General Reynolds, at Gettysburg, en- gaged the first day on Seminary Ridge, and on the 3rd to the right of Cemetery Hill, In February, 1864, nearly the entire regiment re-enlisted, and after the veteran furlough, was with Grant in his movement across the James, heavily engaged, and before Pe- tersburg. At Weldon station, Lieutenant George C. Stair was captured and with other officers made his escape through the enemy's lines. Oliver P. Stair was promoted to captain, and made brevet Major .- James Crimmons was wounded at Antietam, taken prisoner at Gettysburg and Weldon station, and was made a first lieutenant in July, 1865. The regiment was mustered out on the 13th of July, 1865.


In the summer of 1862, a company was raised in 130th York, by Colonel Levi Maish, and about the


P. V. same time companies by Captains Hamilton Glessner and Lewis Small, and a company in Hano- ver by Captain Joseph S. Jenkins, which were mus- tered into the service at Harrisburg, about the mid- dle of August. These, ¡with five companies from Cumberland county, and some recruits from other counties, were formed into the 130th regiment, Hen- ry J. Zinn of Cumberland, colonel, and Levi Maish of


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York, lieutenant colonel, and John Lee, of Cumber- land, major. Company B, Captain Glessner, lieuten- ants, William H. Tomes, Henry Reisinger; company C, Captain Jenkins, lieutenants, Benj. F. Myers, Wm. Bossler; company I, Captain Small, lieutenants, D. Wilson Grove, Franklin G. Torbet, Jere Oliver; com- pany K, Captains Maish, David Z. Seipe, lieutenants, James Lece, John J. Frick. The regiment proceed- ed at once to Washington and was moved across the Potomac. After the retreat of Pope it was assigned in September to French's division of Sumner's corps, and on the 16th, but one month after its formation, was in front of the enemy at Antietam, in the center.


The 130th were posted, on the 17th, upon the crest of a hill with a field of corn in front, and the enemy lay at the further edge behind a stone wall. Com- pany K was one hundred yards from where the ene- my lay in the rifle pits. The regiment held this ex- posed position for hours. "The shot and shell flew like heavy hail and the men became deaf from the roar of musketry and" cannon." General French said: "The conduct of the new regiments must take a prominent place in the history of this great battle. There never was such material in any army." The officers from York county wounded, were Colonel Maish, Captain, afterwards Major Jenkins, and Lieu- tenants Seipe and Tomes. Major Jenkins after- wards was attached to the 184th regiment and was killed in November, 1864, in front of Petersburg.


At daylight, on the 1 1th of December, the regiment moved to within sight of the spires of Fredericksburg,


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at night, assisted in laying a pontoon bridge opposite the upper end of the city, and on the following morn- ing crossed with the division and bivouacked in the streets of the city, part of which was still burning, and at night occupied the ruins of a large brick building on Caroline street. The great battle began on the morning of the 13th by the firing of the artillery on both sides, and when the infantry was put in motion, the division of General French was in advance, which was exposed to a terrific cross fire of shot and shell, but pressed on with broken and thinned ranks, until it was compelled to fall back. Among the killed were Colonel Zinn, commanding the regiment, and Lieutenant Torbet, of this county.


Levi Maish was promoted to colonel on the 3rd of February, 1863. When the command of the army devolved upon General Hooker, the regiment was moved to Chancellorsville, and it was engaged in the furious battle of the 3rd of May, 1863, where Colonel Maish was again wounded.


On the 12th of May, the regiment was relieved from further duty. The special order of Major General French relieving the 130th and 132nd, said: "The General Commanding the division takes pleas- ure in promulgating, in orders, their gallantry, soldier- like bearing and efficiency, during their entire term of service." And after referring to the great battles in which they had been engaged, said: "Soldiers you re- turn to your native state which has received luster from your achievements, and by your devotion to your country's cause. This army and the division


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to which you are attached, although they lose you, will always retain and cherish the credit which your military bearing on all occasions reflected on them."


On the announcement of their return, a town meeting was held for their reception, and on Satur- day, the 23rd of May, 1863, they received a handsome and hearty welcome. The bells were rung, business suspended, a procession formed under a military and civic escort to the U. S. Hospital, where a collation was served by the Ladies' Aid Society, and speeches of welcome were made and responded to by the Col- onel, in praise of the bravery of his men in their great battles.


In all great wars, as was remarked in noting the


The events of the Revolution, the first volunteers Draft. are not sufficient to the conduct of a prolong- ed war, and especially in the recent war, carried on upon such an immense scale, a draft was necessary. On two occasions there was a draft in York, on the 16th of October, 1862, and in August, 1863. There were other calls, and partial drafts, but, generally, on the announcement of the quota for any district it was filled either by volunteers or by means of subscriptions for the purpose. Many took their chances of the draft and went in person when drawn. It is the ex- perience of army officers that men raised by this means are as steady and efficient as any other troops.


The 166th regiment was formed, in large part, by 166th men raised under the draft of 1862. It was P. V. organized on the 29th of November in that year, on the fair grounds, named Camp Franklin,


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after Major General William B. Franklin, with the following field officers: Andrew J. Fulton, late cap- tain of Company C of the 87th, colonel, George W. Reisinger, lieutenant colonel, and Joseph A. Renaut, major. The troops comprising this regiment were exclusively from York county, and proved them- selves to be good soldiers. On the 8th of November, the regiment proceeded to Washington, and from thence to Newport, and under General Peck, to Suf- folk, which place was besieged by General Longstreet for more than three weeks, who failed to reduce it. While there, companies of the 166th were engaged in heavy skirmishes with the enemy and sustained considerable loss in killed, wounded and prisoners. Companies D and I had a severe conflict on the 14th of May, near Carnsville. After further service in the destruction of railroads leading north, during which they were exposed to the fire of the enemy, especially at Hanover Junction, while engaged in destroying the Richmond and Fredericksburg railroad. At the expiration of their term of service, on the 28th of July, 1863, they were mustered out. The regiment left with over eight hundred men and about six hun- dred and fifty returned-nine were killed, about twenty-five died, and others were left sick at Fortress Monroe.


In the meantime, events at home gave our people U. S. work to do; and in all cases when called upon Hospital. to furnish provisions or giveaid to the sick and wounded, they were ready with abundance, and with sanitary help. The 2nd regiment of the Ira Harris


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cavalry (6th N. Y.) took up winter quarters here about Christmas, 1861. In the course of the winter barracks were erected on the commons for their ac- commodation. This regiment had occasion to ex- press their appreciation of the hospitable attention they received from our citizens. General Havelock, a distinguished British officer, a volunteer on the staff of General McClellan, as Inspector General of Cavalry, visited York, in March. 1862, for the purpose of superintending the transportation of the New York regiment, which soon after left us. The barracks erected for them were converted into a military hos- pital, in the course of the summer, in which many hun- dreds of soldiers were placed. The ladies of the bor- ough formed a society for the relief of sick and wounded soldiers, Mrs, C. A. Morris, president, which was perfect in organization and effectiveness, and the attention, sympathy and aid afforded by it have been gratefully remembered.


Great apprehensions were excited by the retreat of the army under General Pope, in Septem-


Alarm, 1862. ber, 1862, and still further increased by the crossing of the Potomac by the rebels in large force, and the occupation of the city of Frederick. In con- sequence of the reported advance of the enemy to- wards the Pennsylvania line, a meeting of the citizens of the borough was called, on the 8th of September, 1862, and it was resolved to form companies in the respective wards, and voluntary organizations were thereupon immediately formed, in the first, second, third, fourth and fifth wards, two in the fourth, and an


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independent company being the seventh, called the Keystone Guards, and a cavalry company called the Videttes. The captains of these companies secured seven hundred stand of arms and necessary accoutre- ments. Places of business were closed at 6 o'clock, to give an opportunity for drilling, and to acquire proficiency in case the companies were needed .- They were all mustered into the service on the 12th of September, 1862, and were not discharged until the 24th. The Keystone Guards were fully armed and equipped ready to march when the order to move was countermanded. The reception of the news of the battle of Antietam, and of the retreat of Lee across the Potomac, quieted the country.


In June, 1863, our people were again thrown into a state of excitement from an apprehended


Alarm, 1863. rebel invasion. Two military departments were erected and General Couch was given command of the eastern department, and orders issued for the formation of the army corps of the Susquehanna, but the enemy , moved with more rapidity than was ex- pected. Dr. Palmer, surgeon in charge of the U. S. Hospital, received orders to remove the patients and stores to a place of greater security, the rolling stock of the Northern Central Railway was removed- north- ward, and citizens were warned to take care of their valuables, especially their horses. A large meeting was held on the 15th of June, and a committee of safety formed. Major Granville O. Haller, 7th U. S. Infantry, who was in York at this time, was placed in command of military preparations here by order


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of General Couch. General William B. Franklin, U, S. A., was also present in York. These officers met in consultation with the safety committee. Large bounties were offered by the borough and county authorities. A company under Captain Seip was organized and sent to Harrisburg, and a company of horsemen acted as scouts. But before any further organizations could be effected, the rapid movements of the enemy brought him to our doors. They came nearer and nearer, heralded by flying fam- ilies, and horses and cattle, removed by the orders of General Couch, to the east of the Susquehanna. On the 26th of June, Gettysburg was occupied by a large force. Late at night the Philadelphia City Troop ar- rived with jaded horses and reported that they had been chased several miles this side of Gettysburg. Major Haller arrived at midnight, having narrowly made his escape from that place. The enemy were reported the next day, Saturday, at Abbottstown. The troops here, consisting of the Patapsco Guards, about sixty men, and two hundred convalescents of the hospital and some citizens, the City Troop, a cav- alry company from Gettysburg, in all about three hundred and fifty men-companies of citizens were not ordered out-were at first moved westward, but it was deemed that such resistance as they might make would likely result in disaster to the town, and they were moved towards Wrightsville.


On the 28th of June, 1863, the rebel army entered Occupation York. They marched into town about ten of York. o'clock, on Sunday morning, entering the


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west end of Market street; the church bells had com- menced ringing and the citizens crowded the streets. Ladies on their way to church stopped on the porches and sidewalks. The whole population soon thronged the streets, and men, women and children, looked with curious eyes, mingled with undefined apprehensions, upon the motley procession of cavalry, infantry and artillery marching up Market street, the soldiers look- ing curiously from side to side, astonished not less at their observers than their observers were at them. The people were in holiday or Sunday costume-the ladies in all their fashionable finery, and the men look- ing well dressed and comfortable, in strange contrast with the ragged and worn appearance of the invading army. These first troops that entered the town were General Gordon's brigade of twenty-five hundred men who marched up Market street, and on towards Wrightsville. The Union flag was floating in the centre square and was taken down and carried off by them.


Two regiments of infantry, with ten pieces of artil- lery, followed, and with them, Major General Early, commander of the division. This last brigade took possession of the hospital grounds-the commons. General Early established his headquarters in the court house. York was the only place of any consid- erable size and wealth they had had in their grasp. They saw the rich valley, and the evidences of prosper- ity all around us, and made their demands according- ly. Although the men were restrained from violence and citizens were treated with respect, the iron hand


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of an enemy was felt. A requisition was made for provisions and articles of clothing and one hundred thousand dollars in money. Our prominent business men, by their efforts, partially filled the requisition- raising some twenty eight thousand dollars. Threats were made of burning the railroad buildings and car shops, and prudence dictated compliance as far as possible.


Four brigades were in York and vicinity, com- manded by Generals Gordon, Hayes, Smith and Hoke. The brigade of General Gordon marched to Wrightsville, reaching there about six o'clock, in the evening. The few Union troops there retreated across the bridge, after the exchange of a few shots with the enemy. The bridge was fired about mid- way, and soon the whole was enveloped in flames. The invading troops left hastily on the morning of Tuesday, the 30th of June, between four and five o'clock.


There were some incidents connected with the rebel invasion of the Borough of York, which gave rise to much excitement and misrepresentation at the time and afterwards, and as a part of the res gestae, as the lawyers say, cannot pass unnoticed. Sufficient time has elapsed since the war to view the pro- ceedings calmly. A visit was made to the camp of the enemy, on the evening preceding his entry into town, by the request of the committee of safety, in order to assure the alarmed citizens of the safety of person and property-an assurance which ac- counts for the calm manner in which the presence


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and control of a hostile foe was viewed by our people the next day; and the flag, in centre square, was left flying to show that the town was not surrendered. It was soon after replaced by another flag, presented by W. Latimer Small, Esq., to the borough.


At Hanover, the first battle of the war inPennsyl- Battle of vania, was fought on Tuesday, the 30th of Hanover. June, 1863, an artillery and cavalry fight which lasted the greater part of the day-the cannon - ading was distinctly heard in York. The third divi- sion of the cavalry corps of the Army of the Potomac under General Kilpatrick, one of the brigades of which was commanded by General Custer, reached Littlestown on the 29th, and Hanover on the 30th, in pursuit of General Stuart, who was known to be moving through Pennsylvania. The 18th Pennsyl- vania Cavalry was of the rear guard of Kilpatrick's column, and while halting in the streets of Hanover, was suddenly attacked by the head of Stuart's col- umn, the 18th was at first driven through the town, but rallying with the 5th New York, drove the enemy back, when his artillery opened fire. The roar of guns brought Kilpatrick to the rescue. He formed his line of battle on the hills south of Hanover, and the enemy held the heights to the north, the 18th Pennsylvania occupying the town and barricading the streets. The fight, with artillery firing and skirmish- ing, continued until dark, when the enemy retired. A large body of them came as far as Dover, and about two hundred and thirty prisoners were paroled there. Thirteen Union men were killed and fourteen


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wounded, four rebels killed and nine wounded. Stuart was prevented by this engagement from joining Lee until after the battle of Gettysburg, and his absence was greatly deplored by the Confederate leader.


Among the most renowned and effective branche


11th of the service were the cavalry regiments.


Penn'a


Cavalry The 11th cavalry, (108th P. V.) was organ- ized at the commencement of the war. It received recruits here who were attached to company I, Capt. Wm. I. Reisinger and Daniel H. Shriver, lieutenant. This regiment was employed in continuous and ar- duous cavalry service for four years, with the army of the Potomac and with Sheridan. In one of its raids Lieutenant Shriver was killed, at Flat Creek Bridge, on the 14th of February, 1864.


During the months of June and July, 1863, the


21st 2Ist cavalry, (182 P. V.) was recruited, under


Penn'a. a call for cavalry for six months' service, Cavalry. during which it was on scouting duty in the Shenandoah valley. Company A, Captain Hugh W. . McCall, lieutenants, S. Nelson Kilgore and Samuel N. Manifold, was raised principally in the lower end of York county. In January, 1864, it was re-organi- zed for three years' service. This regiment was en- gaged at Cold Harbor, on the Ist, 2d and 3d of June, 1864, and in the assault on Petersburg, on the 18th. Again, at Jerusalem Plank Road, Weldon Railroad, at Poplar Spring Church, where it was compli- mented for its gallantry by General Griffin, and at Hatcher's Run. Afterwards it was in other engage- ments, and, in the final assault upon the defences of




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