USA > Pennsylvania > Dauphin County > Middletown > The chronicles of Middletown : containing a compilation of facts, biographical sketches, reminiscences, anecdotes, &c., connected with the history of one of the oldest towns in Pennsylvania > Part 20
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In 1889, a building committee was appointed: A. J. Lerch, H. S. Michaels, J. S. Hipple, S. H. Nusky, James P. Hipple. A substantial brick building was erected and dedicated July 4th, 1891.
In 1901 the steam fire engine was sold and a chemical engine was purchased in Baltimore from the makers. The committee for the pur- chase of the chemical was H. A. Lenhart, J. S. Kennard, W. E. Ray- mond, J. P. Seitz and O. M. Swartz.
In 1902 a bell tower and hosedrier was erected. The assembly-room is handsomely furnished and the building provided with all the modern appliances.
THE NORTH WARD HOSE COMPANY.
That portion of Middletown lying above Water street and formerly known as the North ward, is at some distance from the center of the borough, and in case of fire, comparatively unprotected. Appreciating this condition of affairs, a number of the property holders met together in the North ward schoolhouse, March 18th, 1886, and organized the North Ward Hose Company, with the following officers: President, William A. Croll; vice-president, Samuel Singer; secretary, Edward L. Croll; treasurer, D. W. Stehman; foreman, E. S. Baker; first as- sistant foreman, S. S. Selser; second assistant foreman, J. H. Horst. A committee was appointed to solicit money by subscription to purchase a carriage and hose. The citizens responded liberally; a hose-carriage was made by H. Saul, the necessary quantity of hose was purchased, and the company was ready for active service by June 3, 1886. A bell
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was donated by Raymond & Campbell. The total cost of the building was over $1,000. The carriage was kept in Nissley's barn, but shortly afterwards a piece of land was leased from Frey estate and a neat two- story frame building was erected on Pine street north of Union. This building was afterwards moved to a lot purchased by the company on the north side of Water street.
The company was reorganized June 3rd, 1889, and assumed the name of the old Union Hose Company (whose constitution is now in their possession) and was incorporated August 30th, 1897.
February 2nd, 1903, at a regular meeting of the company, it was resolved to erect a new edifice, and a building committee was appointed consisting of E. O. Hendrickson, W. J. Roop and Frank Winnaugle. The old structure was sold in May, 1904, contract for new building awarded July 15th, 1904, ground broken in the same month and the present handsome brick structure was completed March 6th, 1905.
THE RESCUE HOSE COMPANY.
At the request of W. G. Kennard, a meeting of citizens of the South (now the First) ward was held July 16th, 1888, at the colored school- house, chairman, Dr. J. C. Lingle; secretary, H. H. Rakestraw. An organization was effected and the following officers elected: President, Wm. G. Kennard; vice-president, Dr. J. C. Lingle; secretary, H. H. Rakestraw; assistant secretary, H. W. Myers; treasurer, B. F. Brandt ; foreman, John Core; assistant foreman, David Brandt; second assistant foreman, James P. Hipple; third assistant foreman, W. Hickernell, Jr .; trustees, F. B. Hampton, Chas. Gottschall, Elijah McCreary, Sr., J. H. Welsh, and J. J. Norton. The name of the company adopted was the Rescue No. 3. On Monday following adopted constitution. A com- mittee consisting of W. G. Kennard, Elijah McCreary, Sr., John Fish- burn, Dr. J. C. Lingle, H. H. Rakestraw, B. F. Brandt, A. Baumbach, Charles Ulrich, Jr., H. Welsh, and H. W. Myers appointed to raise means to purchase carriage and build a hose house.
The first lot selected was on property of McCreary Brothers on Mud Pike. Afterwards a lot on State street was bought from Colonel James Young. After the foundation trenches were dug the canal company claimed a portion of the ground, making the lot too short. The com- pany then purchased the present site on South Union street from George Fisher.
On motion of J. J. Norton the resolution appointing a building com- mittee was rescinded and the president and trustees were empowered to act.
The first fair to raise money was held in September, 1888, and cleared $544.75.
The company was incorporated October 3rd, 1888.
In December a second fair was held, and the company purchased five hundred feet of hose from Eureka Co.
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On March 4th, 1889, building committee reported building complete and all bills paid.
W. G. Kennard was president until his death in October, 1898, when J. H. Welsh, the vice-president, was elected and has filled that office till the present time.
In 1898 the company joined the Fire Association.
In September, 1899, erected a hose tower, and moved bell-tower into it at a cost of $350.00.
In May, 1900, committee appointed to confer with the other two com- panies, and form a fireman's relief association-was organized and in- corporated November 12th, 1900.
In December, 1900, organized a drum corps, John Core, leader, under direction of the trustees.
In April, 1903, added a bath room complete.
In 1904, put in steam heat and added a kitchen.
May, 1905, joined fire department.
XLV.
WAR RECORD.
THIRTY-FIFTH REGIMENT.
Sixth Reserve. (Three years' service. )
It is a remarkable coincidence, that although recruited in different sections of the State, six of the ten companies of this regiment were organized on the same day-April 22nd, 1861-as follows: The "Iron Guard," Company A, in Columbia county; "Northern Invincibles," Company F, in Bradford county ; the "J. D. Cameron Infantry," Com- pany G (Middletown), Dauphin county ; the "Tioga Invincibles," Com- pany H, Tioga county; the "Towanda Riflles," Company I, Bradford county ; and the "Susquehanna Volunteers," Company K, in Susque- hanna county. The remaining companies, B, C, D, and E, were from Snyder, Wayne, Franklin and Montour counties respectively. The men, with but few exceptions, had no previous military experience.
On the 22nd of June the regimental organization was effected. On the IIth of July the regiment received orders to march to Greencastle, Pa .; it arrived there on the following day and was placed in Camp Biddle, where it remained drilling until the 22nd, when it moved by Cumberland Valley and Northern Central Railroads, via Baltimore, to Washington.
In its passage through Baltimore one of its members was wounded by the accidental discharge of a musket, the men supposing they were at- tacked, as their predecessors had been on the 19th, were with difficulty kept from firing on the mob in the streets. The command was halted, the cause of the accident ascertained, and the march quietly resumed. The regiment reached Washington on the 24th, encamped east of the
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Capitol, and was mustered into the United States service on the 27th. It then moved to Tenallytown, where General McCall had his headquar- ters, and was organizing his division of the Pennsylvania Reserves. Here it was engaged in performing guard and picket duty and assisting in the construction of forts. General McCall, in his report at this time, to General McClellan, says of the Sixth: "The regiment is very well drilled. The malaria arising from the low grounds about Washington soon transformed the hardy healthy men of the regiment into an invalid organization with a sick roll numbering hundreds."
The sick were assigned to the Third Brigade of General McCall's Division. On the 9th of October it marched, with the division, across Chain Bridge and encamped near Langley. A commendable degree of proficiency in discipline was attained, which was severely tested on many well-fought fields. On the 19th, a reconnaissance was made for the double purpose of driving in the enemy's pickets and securing forage. This accomplished, it returned to camp on the 21st, but soon to go forth and confront the foe, who was reported in force near Dranesville. The order was given on the 19th of December to march at 6 a. m. of the fol- lowing day, and leaving camp in buoyant spirits, the regiment proceeded to the Leesburg pike, where the column was formed and speedily moved towards the field of battle. The Ninth Reserves was posted on the right, the Sixth in the center, the Kane Rifles on the left, and the Tenth and Twelfth in reserve.
While possession was being taken by the Reserves, the enemy opened fire from a battery posted on the Centreville road, which was promptly responded to by a section of Easton's Battery of the First Pennsylvania Artillery, the first discharge eliciting cheers from the entire line. Im- mediately after, the Sixth then on the pike, with its right resting a short distance from the intersection of the Alexandria road, was ordered for- ward, and after crossing a field and ascending a gentle slope, entered a wood, into which it advanced a short distance, when the Ninth was met slowly retiring. Volley after volley was exchanged with the enemy, without an attempt by either party to advance. At length a charge was ordered upon his battery. At the word "forward" the regiment bounded over the fence in front, crossed the open field, and in a moment had driven him from his position in confusion, capturing one caisson and some prisoners. Thus the initial victory of the Reserves was won .*
During the next two months but little occurred to vary the monotony of camp life, constant drill and guard, picket and fatigue duty, were regularly performed. Remaining in Camp Pierpont until the Ioth of March, when the Army of the Potomac advanced upon the rebel forti- fications at Centerville and Manassas, it marched sixteen miles to Hunt- er's Mills, remaining there until the 14th, when ordered to Alexandria, where it arrived on the 16th, after one of the most fatiguing marches,
*Jacob A. Embich, now high constable, beat the first long roll for the regiment after this first victory of the Army of the Potomac.
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through rain and mud, shelterless and hungry, experienced during its whole term of service. The regiment changed its camp on the 27th, to a beautiful grove near Bailey's Cross Roads, and had secured comfort- able quarters by appropriating the tents of an unoccupied camp in the vicinity, when orders came on the Ioth of April to march to Manassas. Moving through Fairfax Court House and Centreville and crossing Bull Run at Blackburn's Ford, the command reached Manassas Junction on the 12th. These points were full of interest to the men, in consequence of being the winter quarters of the rebel army.
On the 18th, the command marched, following the line of the Orange and Alexandria Railroad, to Catlett's Station. Remaining there until the 2nd of May, it advanced with the division through Hartwood to Falmouth, where it arrived on the 3rd, and encamped a mile north of the town. Comfortable and pleasant quarters were constructed of lum- ber obtained from an adjoining mill. Extensive preparations were being made for an advance upon Richmond from Fredericksburg, the troops being clothed and equipped for the campaign in the best possible manner. But these plans were all frustrated by the advance of Stonewall Jackson down the Shenandoah Valley, and his defeat of Banks. It was then de- termined to send the Reserves, by water, to the support of Mcclellan's army operating on the Peninsula.
On the 13th of June the regiment embarked for White House, where it arrived on the following day. Here had been accumulated vast stores for the supply of McClellan's army. The First and Second Brigades had already arrived and had moved forward. Upon the arrival of the Third Brigade the post was in a state of considerable alarm, Stuart having, on the night previous, made his famous cavalry raid in Mcclellan's rear, temporarily cutting his line of supply. The Sixth Regiment was de- tailed to remain behind, when the brigade marched to join Mcclellan's column, and was stationed at Tunstall's Station, four miles from White House, on the Richmond and York River Railroad. On the 19th, five companies were ordered to fall back to White House, and the companies remaining at Tunstall's were set to work throwing up earthworks for their protection. The advance of the rebels on the right flank of the Union army rendered the White House no longer tenable as a base of supplies, and preparations were hastily made for its evacuation. On the evening of the 28th, everything wore a gloomy aspect. Railroad and telegraph communication with the front was severed, and Dispatch Station was in possession of the enemy. Innumerable transports, laden to their fullest capacity with government stores, were moving away, and huge piles, remaining for want of transportation, were prepared for de- struction by surrounding them with hay and saturating them with whiskey. The dense clouds of black smoke grandly rolling up towards the sky, at length indicated the nature of operations at White House.
At four p. m., Colonel Sinclair, in command of the companies at Tun- stall's Station, received orders to march to White House without delay. On the way he was twice urged forward by orders from General Stone-
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man, and finally directed to throw away everything except arms and cartridge boxes, and move at double-quick. The enemy followed closely, but made no demonstration. Upon its arrival at the landing, the com- mand immediately embarked, the other five companies having already departed. The view of the shore was inexpressibly grand, and in strong contrast with the appearance it presented a few days previous. Where everything had been one busy scene of action-the whole plain a vast storehouse, was now swept by the destructive flames.
Proceeding via Fortress Monroe and James river, the regiment, pass- ing on the way the wrecks of the Congress and Cumberland, vividly recalling the struggle of these two noble crafts with the powerful iron- clad Merrimac, arrived at Harrison's Landing on the Ist of July. During the night the wagon trains from McClellan's discomfited columns began to arrive, and towards morning brigade after brigade came pouring in. A sad spectacle was presented as the worn and thinned regiments, just from the fields of the seven days' battles, many not larger than a full company, came toiling in through the mud. The wounded, barely able to walk, yet eager to escape capture, dragged themselves along and reached the landing in a state well nigh to death. The meeting of the Sixth with its comrades of the division was touching indeed, their greatly reduced numbers enabling the regiment to fully realize how dreadfful had been the late contest before Richmond.
On the 4th the Sixth was transferred to the First Brigade. The regiment at this time exchanged its arms for the Springfield rifles, and did skirmish duty alternately with the Kane Rifles. The band which had hitherto been connected with it, was on the 10th, mustered out of ser- vice. From the Peninsula it moved by water on the night of the 14th of August, reached Acquia creek on the morning of the 16th, and the same day was sent by rail to Falmouth. At dark on the evening of the 2Ist, with the division, it marched towards Kelly's Ford, on the Rappa- hannock, but by attempting to take a short route, the command became detached and scattered, so that nearly the whole night was spent in fruitless wanderings. The next day a long and unusually severe march was made, reaching Kelly's Ford at dark. The march was resumed on the following day in the direction of Rappahannock Station, which place was reached just in time to see a column of rebels beat a hasty retreat under a galling fire from Captain Matthew's Battery, First Pennsylvania Artillery. On the 24th, it reached Warrenton and encamped on the Sul- phur Springs road, remaining several days.
The regiment was sent out on the 26th to guard a signal station on a neighboring mountain, but finding no trace of the signal party, returned to camp. The contending forces were preparing for a desperate en- counter upon the field of Bull Run. On the 27th, the division marched on the Alexandria and Lynchburg pike, crossed the line of the enemy's march, and encamped at New Baltimore. On the morning of the 28th, as the command approached Gainsville, it was suddenly brought to a halt by a rebel battery, which opened fire from a wood some distance to the
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left of the Centreville pike. A line of battle was immediately formed and Captain Cooper's Rifled Battery replied with telling effect, soon silencing the enemy's guns. A portion of the Sixth was deployed as skirmishers, and moved forward across the open fields. No further demonstrations were made, and the command reached the Alexandria pike, where it bivouacked for the night.
On the morning of the 29th, the command was early under arms, and moving towards the enemy's positions near Groveton. Advancing some distance it came upon an open plain where it took position on the ex- treme left of the Union line, and pushed immediately out through a piece of wood. A rebel battery which had been posted on an elevation about a half mile to the left and a little to the rear of the line of the division, now opened fire upon it. With a view of getting upon the enemy's right flank, the division was immediately faced about and marched a short distance to the rear, remaining in no single position any length of time, but making a demonstration first at one point and then at another, con- stantly under the enemy's fire, but not firing a single shot in return. Late in the afternoon an attack was made on the right by General King and at the same time a demonstration was made on the left by General Reynolds. Moving forward through the wood, across the cornfield in front, under a galling fire from the battery occupying a high position only a few hundred yards distant, the Reserves reached the base of the elevation upon which the rebel force was stationed. This position was so completely under the hill that the rebels could scarcely depress their guns sufficiently to affect the lines of the Reserves. The Sixth advanced up a ravine to the right flank of the battery, with orders to capture it if possible. After reconnoitering the position and becoming satisfied that the battery, which was supported by a heavy infantry force, could not be taken, the fact was reported to General Reynolds, who speedily with- drew the division to the rear, and afterwards to the same grounds occu- pied the evening before. During the night the position of the division was very imprudently disclosed by the kindling of fires in the rear, for the purpose of making coffee; seeing which, the rebels opened fire from one of their batteries, which became very annoying. Singularly enough one of the first shots fired struck one of the men who had been its cause and carried away his arm.
On the morning of the 30th, the sun rose cloudless, and everything was quiet and calm upon that field soon to be made the scene of carnage and death. Troops began to move early, preparatory to the day's work. The Reserves marched to the left of the Warrenton pike, near Groveton, where the Sixth was ordered to the support of Cooper's Rifled Battery of the First Pennsylvania Artillery. In the meantime the skirmishers proceeded on past Groveton, and met the rebel skirmishers in the woods beyond. The regiment was then moved to the left and forward to a position slightly in the rear of the advanced line of skirmishers, covering the left flank of the division. This position was held until relieved by the advance of Porter's Corps, when the division was marched to the rear about two
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hundred yards, and massed on the top of a hill from which the opera- tions of Porter's troops were plainly visible. Steadily the enemy was compelled to retire, until reinforced, when Porter was driven back with loss. The Reserve Division was ordered to form across their line of retreat, behind which they might rally and re-form. The First and Second Brigades had scarcely moved from their position, when the ene- my appeared immediately to the left, and the Third Brigade, of which the Sixth was a part, was compelled to resist its advance. Gallantly did it perform its duty, but was obliged to retire before superior force. At this time General Reynolds was ordered to take position to the right of the Henry house, on the hill south of the Warrenton pike, a short dis- tance from its junction with the Manassas road. The artillery was formed on the brow of the hill, and the division drawn up in column of brigade for its support. A brisk artillery duel lasted for some time, when the enemy in well dressed lines started forward, evidently intent on securing the road which lay between the contending forces. Imme- diately the word "forward" was given, and the Reserves swept down the hill with headlong impetuosity, reaching the bank at the upper side of the road, as the enemy was approaching the fence on the lower, and sprang down the bank into the road before them. The rebels, dismayed at the rapidity and success of the movement, turned and fled in confu- sion, under a terrific fire from the charging column. Thus was the ene- my repulsed and an important position retained. In this charge the flag of the Sixth was shot from the staff while in the hands of Major Madill. It was instantly taken by the gallant Reynolds, who, holding it aloft, dashed along the line, the wind catching it about his noble form. The sight inspired the men to deeds of greater valor, and for an instant they paused in the midst of battle and gave a tremendous and soul-stirring cheer for their commander. Returning again to the hill, after resting an hour, night coming on, the division marched toward Centreville and bivouacked at Cub Run. The loss in this sanguinary battle, extending through three days, was six killed, thirty wounded and eight missing.
On the 3Ist it moved to Centreville, where, for the first time since the 24th, full and adequate rations were issued. The regiment was placed on picket near Cub Run, and remained through the following day. At 5 p. m. of September Ist, it was relieved and followed the divi- sion to Fairfax Court House, rejoining it at nine. The march was re- sumed on the following morning, the command passing through Annan- dale and Bailey's Cross Roads, to Hunter's Chapel, where it encamped for the night. Subsequently it removed to Munson's Hill.
On the evening of the 6th of September the regiment marched with the division across Long Bridge, through Washington, Leesboro', Pop- lar Springs and New Market, and shortly after noon on the 13th en- camped on the west bank of the Monocacy creek. The following morn- ing it moved via Frederick City and Middletown (Md.) to South Moun- tain, where the enemy was posted in large force, and took position in column of companies on the extreme right of the army. The line of bat-
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tle advanced a considerable distance toward the summit, the enemy be- ing compelled to fall back upon its supports. An attempt was made at this point by the Sixth to dash up the mountain side, with a view of getting on his flank. The movement was, however, discovered and the rebel lines again yielded without affording the regiment an opportunity to open fire. It then moved forward to a piece of woods near cleared land, on which the enemy hotly contested its advance. The time for earnest work had now come. The top of the mountain was only a few hundred yards distant, and when reached, would end the battle on that part of the field. Night was fast approaching and the battle raged furi- ously for many miles to the left. Five companies of the Sixth were or- dered to seize and hold the knob of the mountain immediately in front. They marched from the wood, passed the enemy's flank and firing into it one volley made straight for the mountain top. When within one hundred yards they received the fire of the enemy protected by a ledge of rocks which capped the summit. The numbers of the enemy were largely in excess of this attacking force, but the men of the Sixth, who had been restrained in the earlier part of the battle, dashed like steeds released from the curb, against the very muzzles of their guns. The ene- my, staggered by the impetuosity of the charge, yielded the first ledge of rocks and retreated to the second, from behind which he delivered a most galling fire, causing the advance to reel under the shock and threatening its annihilation. The rebel line to the left, which had been passed by these companies, had in the meantime been compelled to yield to the persistent hammering of the other regiments of the Reserves. The cheers of the brigade were distinctly heard by both, when the rebels broke in spirit by the severity of their losses and the determined front presented by the Reserves, fled down the mountain side. These five companies had performed an important service and driven before them in confusion the Eighth Alabama Regiment. The loss was twelve men killed, two officers and thirty-nine men wounded.
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