USA > Pennsylvania > Berks County > The story of Berks County (Pennsylvania) > Part 5
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At Elizabethtown they learned that General Washington had marched to Long Island. Some of his company declared that they would not march any further. Hiester called the men into line, made them an effective speech, pleading with them and asking that the entire company march forward with him to join Washington and fight for freedom. All but three responded. When the march began these three could not refrain from going with the company. : They marched to Long Island and joined in the battle, where some were killed and others wounded. Hiester himself was captured and con- fined for six weeks on board the prison ship "Jersey."
He was removed to another prison ship and later was put on board the ship "Snowmentor." On these prison ships his food was poor and his treatment exceedingly cruel. He became sick and was so feeble that he was compelled to crawl upon his hands and knees to go up and down the stairs. He was deprived of all of his clothing and money. He was exchanged in December, and then returned
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THE STORY OF BERKS COUNTY
to Reading. After he had regained his strength he rejoined the army of Washington and remained with his troops until the term of service had expired. When the attack upon New York was over General Joseph Read requested him to raise additional volunteers. Hiester secured six hundred and fifty men and joined Read's army , in New Jersey. For this action he was highly complimented by Read. He received an honorable discharge at the close of the war . and returned to his home. His unselfish conduct in the service of his people, his devotion to the best interests of his country and his willingness to sacrifice his own welfare for the men of his company made him one of the most popular men of the county.
Hessian Prisoners at Reading. Many of the prisoners who were taken at the battle of Saratoga as a result of the surrender of Burgoyne were sent to Massachusetts and Connecticut. From there they were taken to Maryland and Virginia. On March 3, 1781, they
HESSIAN LOG HOUSE.
were ordered from these states and sent to Pennsylvania. President Read, the chief authority of the state, requested Congress not to send them to Reading.
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BERKS COUNTY RECORDS IN THE NATION'S WARS
His request, however, was not heeded. On May 13, they ar- rived at Lancaster and by the 16th about ten hundred and fifty of them reached Reading. Some of them were accompanied by their wives. Three persons were appointed to select a location for plac- ing these soldiers and a place about one-half a mile to the east of the city was selected. Here the prisoners were quartered in log huts. The place has since been known as "Hessian Camp." On February 23, 1782, a lieutenant of the county was ordered to call out the militia to guard the prisoners at Reading. Nothing remains of these huts but a very near reproduction of one of them may be seen in the rooms of the Historical Society at Reading. It is a well known fact that many of the prisoners were hired out in various parts of the county to serve in the farming or manufacturing communities.
Conway Cabal. While the British Army was living its gay life in Philadelphia and Washington's army was suffering the pangs of cold and hunger at Valley Forge, affairs in Reading were considered reasonably safe and many families went there to avoid falling into the hands of the British. Besides its regular citizens and those who had come for safety there was generally a group of visitors and gentlemen from the army who came to have a season of gaiety with their friends. The dissipations of cards, sleighing parties and balls, were numerous .. General Mifflin at this time was at his home in Reading, complaining because he did not seem to be in favor with Washington. He seemed to feel that Green had the favor of Wash- ington which he did not bestow upon others. Gates, who had been placed at the head of the army of the north about the time when Schuyler had prepared everything for victory, was doing everything he could to take advantage of the laurels which Schuyler had won. Gates, Mifflin and Conway engaged in a plot to remove Washington from command. The plot was conceived at Reading. Some his- torians locate the place of meeting in a low one-story building on the south side of Penn street and others in a two-story building for many years called the "Fountain Inn."
Captain Wilkinson was on his way from Saratoga to York, where Congress was then assembled. with despatches concerning the surrender of Burgoyne. It is reported that he repeated to Gen-
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THE STORY OF BERKS COUNTY
eral Sterling the substance of one of the letters which Conway had written to Gates. Lee had been exchanged and returned to Valley Forge about the same time. He also shared in the scheme. Just how Washington was to be removed is not known.
Sad indeed is the picture. While the British in Philadelphia danced and gambled these mischief makers were plotting and dis- cussing the ruin of their chief. They had a personal grudge against Washington and were willing to do anything to place Gates in his place.
But the movement failed and Washington gained the love and admiration of mankind. He retained the confidence of the nation and reached that exalted pedestal which makes him "First in war, first in peace, and first in the hearts of his countrymen."
WASHINGTON IN PRAYER AT VALLEY FORGE.
The veterans. A number of the men who had gone to war from Reading returned home in safety. In 1823, they held a public
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BERKS COUNTY RECORDS IN THE NATION'S WARS
meeting for the purpose of introducing Andrew Gregg as a candi- date for governor. There were then thirty-nine of them. In 1840 the census report showed that there were living in Reading nine soldiers of the Revolution.
. Washington Visits Berks. After the defeat of Washington at Brandywine in 1777, he retreated to Pottstown. It is said he asked a Quaker the road to Reading, but there is no record that he visited the Berks Capital at this time.
In November, 1793, he visited Lebanon to inspect the canal that was being built between Philadelphia through Reading to Lebanon and Middleton. Upon returning he spent the night of November 13th at Womelsdorf. On the next day "The Reading Unparthey- ische," the first German newspaper in the county, had this article : "Yesterday evening the inhabitants of this town had the pleasure of entertaining the President of the United States, George Washing- ton." After tendering him an address lauding him for his work, he made the following reply : "The attention which you show me and your approval of my efforts afford me the greatest pleasure." In front of the house where he was stopping the people congregated, fired guns, and shouted in German, "Lang lebe, George Washing- ton." He passed through Reading the next day and remained about two hours inspecting the city and commenting upon its ex- cellent location.
The next year, 1794, the inhabitants of Western Pennsylvania resisted the collection of tax on distilled liquors, an important in- dustry in that part of the state. An army was collected from Penn- sylvania, New Jersey and Maryland which was to gather at Carlisle. Since the new government was brought to a severe test Washington decided to accompany the expedition. He, his private secretary, Bartholomew Dandridge, and Secretary of the Treasury, Alexander Hamilton, started from Philadelphia in a carriage and came to Read- ing by way of the Trappe.
On October 1, he wrote in his diary the following :
"Left the Trappe early and breakfasted at Pottsgrove, 11 miles. We reached Reading for dinner, 19 miles farther, where we found
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THE STORY OF BERKS COUNTY
CHAIR IN WHICH WASHINGTON SAT.
several detachments of infantry and cavalry preparing for the march to Carlisle." From Pottstown he came by the way of the old Philadelphia Road, along whose course can yet be seen the milestones marking the distance to Philadelphia. He passed through Douglassville, Amityville, Weavertown, Friends' Meeting House, Stonersville and Black Bear. Many people from Oley and vicinity joined his party to Reading He stopped for a day and a night at the Federal Inn, now the Farmers' Bank. This building was erected in 1763 by Adam Witman. Michael Wood was the landlord. After the visit the inn was known as the "Sign of Washington."
While at Reading, Washington visited a former comrade-at-arms, Daniel Rose, the clockmaker, whose house, with its beautiful flower garden, stood near the inn. The rush-bottomed arm-chair on which he sat while at the Rose house is carefully treasured by the Daugh- ters of the American Revolution at Reading. It can be seen at the Historical Society's quarters on Court street. They also have a settee from a house at Sinking Spring upon which the General sat and par- took of refreshments while making a short call on his friend, Dr. Palm.
His diary of October 2, has the following: "An accident hap- pening to one of my horses occasioned my setting out later than was intended. I got off in time, however, to make a halt at Womelsdorf, 14 miles and to view the canal from Myerstown, towards Lebanon and the locks between the two places which seemed admirably constructed. Reached Lebanon at night, 28 miles." From Lebanon he went to Carlisle and accompanied the army to Chambersburg, Cumberland and Bedford. The insurrec- tionists seeing the determination of Washington were ready to
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BERKS COUNTY RECORDS IN THE NATION'S WARS
sue for peace and the matter was settled. Washington left Bed- ford for home October 21.
Fries' rebellion. During the early part of Adams' administra- tion a tax was imposed which required the assessors to measure and register the panes of glass in windows. This was called a house tax and was very unpopular. John Fries, an auctioneer and soldier in the Revolution, wearing a plumed hat and carrying a pistol and a sword at his side and with Whiskey, his little dog. running after him marched from place to place to the sound of fife and drum and addressed the Germans upon the injustice of the house tax.
A United States marshall arrested twelve of his men and con- fined them in the Sunn Inn, at Bethlehem, and Fries, with a num- ber of followers went to their rescue. When he appeared at the inn with somewhat more than one hundred and twenty followers the marshall had to give up his prisoners and Fries came out vic- torious. By order of President Adams, Gov. Mifflin called out the militia and Fries was captured in a swamp south of Allentown. He was tried in Philadelphia for high treason, convicted and con- demned to die, but President Adams pardoned him.
Among the troops called out to quell the above insurrection was Captain Montgomery's company of Light Dragoons, of Lan- caster. Their way to the place of excitement was through Read- ing. Upon arriving here they insulted a number of people and cut down certain "Liberty Poles." These ungentlemanly deeds caused a correspondent of the Reading Adler to publish a letter" criticising their conduct. Upon their return they heard of the letter which made fun of them. In their anger, they took the proprietor forcibly to the market house and gave him a number of lashes. -
The county militia. There were mustered into service from Berks County two battalions of militia in 1777; one under the command of Colonel Daniel Hunter, containing 348 men, and the other under Colonel Daniel Udree, containing 297 men, making a total of 645 men. These men were called out by Colonel Jacob Morgan, the principal military officer of the county, at the direc-
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THE STORY OF BERKS COUNTY
tion of the Executive Council. They were placed under General Armstrong, who at the battle of Brandywine commanded the left wing which was stationed down the river to protect the fords sev- eral miles below Chadd's Ford.
After the battle of Brandywine, Howe returned to capture the military stores at Reading. Immediately two additional battalions of county militia were mustered into service. One was commanded by Colonel Michael Lindermuth, containing 283 men, and the other by Colonel Joseph Heister, containing 258 men.
Militia at Valley Forge. At the battle of Germantown General Armstrong was sent near to the mouth of the Wissahickon Creek, where Washington expected to drive the British and compel them to surrender. It so happened, therefore, that, as at Brandywine, the Berks County militia did not take part in the actual battle.
There were present 1,016 men from Berks County. When Washington was at Valley Forge most of these men were stationed about one and one-half miles east of Barren Hill.
The War of 1812. After the Revolutionary War, the United States Government passed laws whereby foreigners could become naturalized. The British Government, however, contended that a British subject could not be naturalized, and claimed the right to stop all United States vessels and search for British seamnen. It is said that within a period of eight years they captured nine hundred vessels and impressed over six thousand seamen , into their navy. This continued until, finally, affairs got to the point where it could be endured no longer, and war was declared. Governor Schneider issued an order requiring that four thousand troops should promptly be raised to carry on the war.
Companies from Berks. When the news of Perry's victory on Lake Erie reached Reading, the citizens celebrated the event by a grand illumination. After Washington had been taken twelve com- panies were organized in the county and left in August, 1814, but after six months' service they returned home, having participated in no engagement. Daniel Udree, of Oley, was major-general of the second brigade. Eight companies served under Lieutenant-Colonel Jeremiah Schappell, of Windsor, three under Lieutenant-Colonel
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BERKS COUNTY RECORDS IN THE NATION'S WARS
John Lotz, of Reading, and one, the Reading Washington Guards, under Captain Daniel De B. Keim.
English families at Reading. During the war a law was passed which required Englishmen to remove into the interior part of the country at least f.fty miles from the seacoast. A number of these families left Philadelphia, came to Reading and stayed at the Tyson Inn. The city of Washington was taken during their stay at the inn and this news caused them to rejoice and to express their satisfaction by holding a festival and dance. The people of Berks County, how- ever, were heartily in sympathy with the war and they did not like this reveling and rejoicing. In the midst of their carnival they were suddenly attacked by a party of citizens and it is said that if a num- ber of English-speaking men of Reading had not come to their assistance, they would have been driven out of the city that night.
The Mexican War. When the excitement, due to the annexa- tion of Texas, began, the discussion soon reached Reading. On the 20th of May, 1846, a town meeting was held at which the course of President Polk was commended. Three volunteer companies offered their services to the President. One was the Reading Artillerists; another the Washington Grays, and the third the National Grays.
A town meeting was held in the Court House for the purpose of providing means to aid the soldiers. . G. A. Nicolls, of the Philadel- phia and Reading Railroad Company, offered them free passage over the railroad. The town council authorized a loan of $1,000 and appropriated that sum to provide the soldiers and to furnish relief to their families. The same amount was given by the County Com- missioners on the recommendation of the Grand Jury.
The services of the Reading Artillerists, numbering 102 men, were accepted. Doctor Wurts, United States Surgeon, pronounced them the finest body of men who had yet passed into the service. They traveled by railroad to Harrisburg, thence to Carlisle and Chambersburg. They had hardly succeeded in having their arrange- ments for the camp completed, when one night at one o'clock they found fifteen inches of water all over their camping ground. There was no other shelter nearby, so they had to endure the water until they were ordered into a transport ship called "Ocean," which took
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THE STORY OF BERKS COUNTY
them to higher ground on Lobos Island. They were on the island for three weeks, when they started for Vera Cruz. The company was engaged in the following battles: Vera Cruz, Cerro Gordo, Chapul- tepec and some minor engagements. When the war was over they were ordered home about the middle of June, 1848. Their march to Vera Cruz, where they took boat and sailed for New Orleans, took about a month. They proceeded by the Mississippi and Ohio rivers to Pittsburgh, from which place they traveled by canal to Harrisburg and thence by railroad to Reading. Upon their arrival at home they were given a brilliant reception. So great was the enthusiasm, it is said, that some of the people in the parade carried Captain Leoser from the station to his residence upon their shoul- ders. Twenty-two of the men of Berks County died in Mexico from sickness contracted there. Four died from wounds and one was killed in battle.
THE CIVIL WAR.
The county militia. The experience of the Revolutionary war taught the lesson that it was necessary to have trained soldiers in readiness at all times. As early as 1776, Pennsylvania adopted a sys- tem of military training which was carried out until after the Civil War. Every able-bodied male citizen, between the ages of 18 and 45 years was obliged to serve in the militia. In 1856 Berks County had 24 companies. These were arranged in six battalions.
Whit-Monday was observed as "Battalion Day" when these militia; men were brought together and drilled in military tactics. These events were held at prominent places in the county. especially in Reading. They were great annual attractions and stimulated patriotism in the heart of the young. Vast crowds gathered to witness the drilling and to participate in the festivities and amuse- ments of the occasion.
As the relations between North and Southi became more and more strained Battalion Day became a more serious occasion and the militia men were given an opportunity of forming a better con- ception of camp life and military discipline. Reading had two com- panies of artillery: the Reading Artillerists and the Ringgold Light Artillery.
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BERKS COUNTY RECORDS IN THE NATION'S WARS
Berks county responds to the call. For years there was a great contention between the North and the South as to the exten- sion of slavery, and when Lincoln became president, the
FIRST DEFENDERS MONUMENT. (City Park).
southern states commenced to seccde. Fort Sumter was captured and Lincoln called for 75,000 troops to defend the Union, for in his inaugural address he had said that "the Union must and shall be preserved."
The call for troops created great excitement in Reading. Captain James McKnight promptly offered his company of Ringgold Light Artillery. This was the first body of men to respond to Lincoln's call. Each man of 'his company was a hero indeed. They were the . first to offer their services as well as their lives if necessary for the preservation of the union. The citizens of Berks County may well be proud of this record. No response to their country's call was ever made more promptly or more generously.
The feeling for maintaining the Union, and upholding the Con- stitution was strong. Berks sent to the front ninety-three companies
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THE STORY OF BERKS COUNTY
and five regimental bands. In the public meetings that were heid party lines were disregarded and prominent men of all parties were the leaders who upheld Lincoln and his administration.
Among the people of the county who opposed the way the war was carried on, none could be found who were unwilling to do their part in maintaining the Union.
When it was feared that the county might be invaded Penn Square presented an animated scene. Men were enlisted, drilled, and marched to the tune of the fife and drum which thrilled the com- munity to its very center. Two encampments, one in 1862, and an- other in 1863, in Reading, afforded a chance to learn what prepara- tions were being made. Large and enthusiastic meetings were held to prepare for protection against invasion. The county raised over $800,000 for war purposes.
Nor do the men deserve all the credit for the prompt and patriotic response they made to Lincoln's call. Just as the Ringgold Light Artillery were preparing to take the train to proceed to the front in response to Lincoln's call, a number of ladies of Reading met in the parlor of Mrs. Dr. Diller Luther, at No. 530 Penn Street, and formed what was called the "Ladies' Aid Society." It was the aim of this society to supply the soldiers in actual service with clothing and such other things as they might need. They selected a place at which materials were gathered and then sent to the front. This activity was continued during the entire war and tons of material were forwarded. This was the first society of the kind organized in America, so that Berks County has the honor and distinction not only of having sent the first soldiers to the front, but also of having been the first to provide for the comfort and welfare of those that were sent.
A military hospital was fitted up in Reading in the main building of the Agricultural Society and the Ladies' Aid Society took an active part in providing for the needs of one hundred and thirty patients whom it was possible to accommodate.
Drafting soldiers. When the call for troops became too fre- quent, and the response by volunteers no longer supplied the number of men needed, the government was compelled to resort to the draft.
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BERKS COUNTY RECORDS IN THE NATION'S WARS
A draft had to be made each of the following years: 1862, 1863, 1864 and 1865. In the first 1, 242 men were drafted from the county ; in the second, 1,554. The third draft, 52 men, was made in Ruscomb- manor only, the other districts having volunteers enough to supply the needed number of men. In 1863 Berks County was required to supply 1, 560 men. Reading, Upper Bern, Bernville, Cumru, Wom- elsdorf, supplied their share by volunteers and a draft was used to get the required number in the other districts.
Excitement at Reading. When Lee invaded Pennsylvania, and captured York, Carlisle and other towns west of Harris_urg, the people became thoroughly alarmed. Many families from the Sus- quehanna Valley with some of their belongings passed through Reading toward Philadelphia, but after the battle of Gettysburg they returned to their homes. It was at this time that the Mayor of Reading, Joseph B. Hoyer, sent the following appeal to the peo- ple of the county :
"Arouse! Freemen !
"Whereas, we have reliable information that a large rebel army is now near Harrisburg, and have possession of York, Carlisle and other towns west of Harrisburg, and will soon be in Berks County if not checked, at a meeting held in the Court House June 27, 1863, in Reading, it was resolved to call a meeting on Sunday morning at 9.30 o'clock, on Market Square to begin forming and enlisting men, and continue to do so, we therefore urge all able-bodied men, rich and poor, to come forward from the county, early on Monday morning, to meet us in Reading, and at once proceed to Harrisburg to check the invaders."
The Veterans. The war covered the period from 1861 to 1865 and many of the 8,500 men who were furnished by this county were either killed in battle or died in southern prison pens. Many wlio returned were crippled for life.
The citizens vied with each other in doing honor to the vet- erans who had endured the hardships of battle. Many of the dead were brought to their homes and buried with honors, while the living were welcomed in a manner fitting the splendid work they had performed.
THE STORY OF BERKS COUNTY
On the 30th of May in each year since then the people of each community have gathered in the cemeteries of the county and held exercises commemorating the valor of the soldiers. Annually a flag is placed upon the grave of each departed soldier by the sur- viving veterans or by some society in the community designated by them.
Almost every cemetery in the county has its quota of soldier graves. The most prominent burial place is Charles Evans ceme- tery, Reading, where a splendid monument was erected in 1887 by two grand army posts of the city.
COMPANIES FROM BERKS. Three Months' Service, 1861.
Regt. Co. Name Captain.
25th, A-Ringgold Light Artillery James McKnight
25th, C-Ringgold Light Artillery Henry Nagle
1st, G-Reading Artillerists. . George W. Alexander
5th, H-Union Light Infantry Frank M. Cooley
7th, C-Washington Artillery. George S. Herbst
7th, D-Pennsylvania Artillery Albert F. Rightmyer
7th, G-Reading Rifles Isaac Schroeder
14th, A-Union Guards. David A. Griffith
14th, E-Keystone Infantry
John A. Shearer
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
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