USA > Pennsylvania > Franklin County > Waynesboro > Waynesboro : the history of a settlement in the county formerly called Cumberland, but later Franklin, in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, in its beginnings, to its centennial period, and to the close of the present century > Part 14
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John E. Walker, L. S. Fisher. George F. Price, David Moorehead, George Walker, Henry Graybill, Columbus Lum. E. W. Washabaugh, John Hollinger, John Mickley, Jacob Funk, Joseph Little, Jackson Harne. Martin Maugans, W. A. Cassatt.
Waynesboro re- sponds.
News centers and agents.
The public meet- ings.
First volunteers.
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WAYNESBORO.
CHAPTER IX. Arrangements for recruiting.
Steps had already been taken at this time for the re- cruiting in the town of a regular company of infantry. The store of W. H. Brotherton was the first recruiting headquarters, as well as headquarters for supplying "Sharp's patent breech-loading repeaters to farmers and others who wish to arm themselves." Within an incred- ibly short time, a company of infantry, consisting of fifty men, was enlisted for three months' service, and was re- ported as officered as follows :
Infantry company.
May 9th.
Captain, W. H. Brotherton: first lieutenant, Samuel Hoeflick : second lieutenant. W. A. Tritle : first sergeant. W. H. Stoner : second sergeant, W. H. Brenneman ; third sergeant. Thomas J. Walker: first corporal, James B. French: second corporal. Samuel Gipe: third corporal. T. G. Pilkington, fourth corporal. W. S. Hollinberger : quartermaster, John H. Herr.
Home guard.
A large number of men was also enrolled at this time for service in the home guard, but during the earlier days of its existence this guard did not materialize into an armed force, owing to certain difficulties which arose with respect to giving bond to the State for the necessary arms. Later, however, individually and collectively. the members of the home guard did as good service for the cause as was rendered in any locality in the neighborhood.
First recruiting of- ficers.
During the first months of the war, before a regular systematic plan of recruiting had been adopted by the Government, many soldiers were inducted into the army from Waynesboro and neighborhood by regularly en- listed officers who were "to the manner born." and well acquainted with the people.
An effective orator.
On a certain day, which may still be remembered by old citizens for the stirring character of its events, Hon- orable Wilson Reily, a former resident who had become captain of a company called the "McClure Rifles." came from Chambersburg in the interests of his company, and in the evening. in front of Sibbitt's hotel, delivered a
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IN WAR TIMES.
brief but fervid address in his usual eloquent style. The next morning the following named individuals left town to join his command at Chambersburg : Wilson Pil- kington, John Russ and Courtney Young. One week later the McClure Rifles left for Camp Curtin, at Harris- burg, to join the Pennsylvania Reserve corps.
CHAPTER IX.
McClure's Rifles.
June 13th.
The first regiment from Franklin county was known as the Second regi- ment of Pennsylvania volunteers, and was commanded by Colonel Frederick S. Stumbaugh. Company A. of this re- Company A. giment, was commanded by Captain Peter B. Housum, of Chambersburg. CAPT. JOHN E. WALKER. and in his company John E. Walker, of Waynesboro, began his military service as a private, soon being promoted to the position of orderly sergeant.
Company B, in the same regiment, was commanded by Captain James E. Elder, and in his company were the following privates from Waynesboro: J. H. Funk, Cyrus Gossert, J. Mickley and D. Moorehead.
The next soldiers who went from Waynesboro to join the Franklin county regiment were Michael H. Stoner, George Davis, William Askwith, John R. Smith and J. McDonough. These men were enlisted in Chambers- burg.
In the early fall Sergeant John E Walker was detailed as a recruiting officer at Waynesboro to secure recruits for Colonel Stumbaugh's regiment, now being reorgan- ized for longer service. His headquarters were at the Continental Hotel. Within three weeks he reports hav- ing received twenty-two recruits. They were as follows: Daniel Young, William Gonder, John Perviance, Hiran Cease, William Wilson, Thaddeus Cook, Samuel Wade, Jacob Royer, David Ditch, Theodore M. Carbaugh, Henry Henicle, Samuel Wolf, John Wolf. Jere. Row,
First Franklin county regiment.
Company B.
More volunteers.
Sergeant Walker at home.
September 5, 1861.
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WAYNESBORO.
CHAPTER IX. David Martin, John Williams, Samuel Switzer, James J. Rouzer, John Row, Jeremiah Cooper, John Wetzel, Wil- liam Embly.
More recruiting.
October 16th.
Sergeant Walker left with his recruits, and went with them to Pittsburg to see that they were properly in- stalled in their command, and afterwards returned to Waynesboro, and remained there for a while longer en gaged in recruiting. He was succeeded in this work by Lieutenant George W. Welsh, another Waynesboro boy, who came there to aid in filling up Colonel Mc Allen's regiment of infantry.
Lieutenant Welsh comes home. December 13th.
U. S. recruiting officers.
During the later years of the war recruiting was sys- tematically carried on not only in Waynesboro but at every other available point by officers detailed for the purpose by the United States Government.
Showing their colors.
"Village Record."
He was not considered a good, loyal citizen in those days who failed to make demonstration of his patriotism by the profuse display about his home and place of busi- ness of the flag. or the national colors in some shape. Waynesboro was not behind in this respect. The follow- ing communication to the local newspaper, which may, or may not, have been from the pen of its intensely patriotic editor, shows the state of feeling in the town on this sub- ject :
"It becomes every worthy citizen, and cach for himself, to show his colors openly to his neighbors and to the world by displaying at his own dear home the glorious old flag of his country, which has been bought by the patri- otic blood of our forefathers and bequeathed to us by their last wills, written and sealed in crimson gore. as an everlasting inheritance."
Pole raising.
During the first summer of the war the village was, so to speak. enwrapped in bunting. Public movement to set the example of flag flying was not wanting. An immense hickory pole was cut in the mountain, brought to town
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IN WAR TIMES.
and planted in front of Sibbitt's Hotel. From this pole, CHAPTER IX. later, a large flag was thrown to the breeze with appro- May 2, 1861. priate ceremony.
A week later another large pole, one hundred and forty May 9th. feet in length. was raised on the eastern hill of Main street. Some time afterwards another, one hundred and thirty feet in length, was planted on Mechanics street. The colors of Waynesboro were visible miles away, and the wayfarer upon the mountains, whether friend or foe. could read while running the story they told.
In war times, one event "doth tread upon another's Local happenings. heels, so fast they follow." but, unfortunately for this re- countal, very few of the interesting happenings about Waynesboro have been recorded. There were, doubtless, many incidents like the following which will now be in- teresting to recall :
On a certain Tuesday morning. W. H. Brotherton and 1861, October 16th. George Walker left Waynesboro, unwisely, as the sequel shows, and started for Martinsburg, West Virginia, to follow after the army with a two-horse wagon laden with sundry supplies useful to the troops. The next morning L. B. Kurtz and Joshua McCumsey, similarly equipped with wagon and contents, also left for the same point on a like mission. The first party had followed the army several miles when they broke a wheel. This detention Prisoners of war. was only the beginning of their trouble. Confederate scouts swept down upon them, and they were captured ; a short time afterwards, the two who had followed shared the same fate. All were taken to Winchester, Virginia, as prisoners of war.
The result of this unfortunate venture was made known to the home friends of the participants at an early day by the following letter to the father of George Wal- ker, written from Old Town, Allegany, Maryland, by one
Seen from the mountains.
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WAYNESBORO.
CHAPTER 1X.
who had been a fellow-prisoner, but was fortunate enough to escape :
"Dr. Thomas Walker :
July 22nd.
Your son, George, and William Brotherton are prison- ers of war in the Winchester jail; also L. B. Kurtz. If they should not get their release soon it may be they will be sent to Richmond.
From a war prisoner who was so fortunate as to get off from the infernal rebels.
Christopher Kelly."
After remaining some time at Winchester, Brotherton and his companions, in company with J. Allison Eyster. of Chambersburg, who had been arrested on suspicion of They go to Rich- mond. being a spy, were taken to Richmond, and there confined for a while in an old warehouse, and afterwards in the jail. August 15, 1861. The Waynesboro people were charged with furnishing the Federal army with supplies. Eyster was the first of September 28, 1861. the unfortunates to be released. The rest of the party were held as prisoners until near the close of the year, and Home again. January 28, 1862. it was not until the new year was well started on its way that they reached their homes in Waynesboro. Their welcome was a royal one. When Kurtz and McCumsey A royal welcome. arrived at Kurtz's Hotel they found a large crowd of people gathered there to welcome them. Captain Dock's band was present and serenaded the home-comers, and the hospitalities of the Kurtz house were extended to the assembled company.
A favorite of the ladies.
The other prisoner. George W. Walker, came home some time later. He had fared much better than his com- panions in his imprisonment. He had been fortunate enough to be detailed as a clerk in the quartermaster's department. at Richmond. Before his departure he was presented with a gold chain by friendly ladies, who took occasion to express their Union sentiments in this brief note which accompanied the present :
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IN WAR TIMES.
"Mr. Walker :
Please accept this chain as a token of our regard. May the parts in the great chain of our States be more securely linked than they have been since their formation as a Union.
"Respectfully,
Much has been written and spoken about the self-sac- rificing work done by the loyal women of the North dur- ing the war for the preservation of the Union, but the theme is exhaustless, and no story of the part played in the war by any locality is complete without particular mention of woman's part therein.
As elsewhere, so in Waynesboro, the women were earnest and active. At an early day a meeting was held in the old town hall, and a woman's aid society was formed, which was officered as follows: President, Mrs. R. Amberson : vice-president, Mrs. W. Lechler; secre- tary, Mrs. E. Downey; treasurer, Mrs. E. Tritle.
The history of the capable work done by this society, individually and in its co-operation with kindred societies elsewhere, may not now be written, but, be assured, among the sweetest memories still cherished by certain old soldiers now in the sunset of life is the recollection of what the woman's aid society of Waynesboro did for them when they were its beneficiaries in the days that were lonely and weary during the war.
When the tide of war first turned northward, when the army of Lee came to meet the forces of the Union on the very threshold of the border, and the wail of the tempest of battle was heard along the quiet banks of the Antie- tam, almost to the fountain heads of its waters, the days to the people of Waynesboro were one long suspense. and the nights a constant vigil. As one, who stands upon the beach when a storm is raging in fury upon the mighty
CHAPTER 1X.
February 13, 1862.
Woman's work.
Woman's Aid Society.
September 23, 1861.
Their work appre- ciated.
At Antietam.
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WAYNESBORO.
CHAPTER IX.
1×62, Sept. 16 and 17.
Days of suspense.
Nights of vigil.
deep, hears the sullen roar of the breakers as they dash landward, and notes the relies of wrecks and other float- ing objects driven to the shore. so the people of this quiet town awaited the issue, while the waves of the great con- flict advanced and receded. Small bodies of troops, cour- iers, messengers and scouts, all riding on hasty missions. an occasional wagon train, bearing supplies for the army, a returned citizen scout, who had gone as far as he had been permitted to advance upon a tour of investigation. were the flotsam and jetsam which told of the great storm, born of the passions of men, which was raging near.
On the eve of the battle.
Intense exeitement.
The two weeks and more prior to the battle of Antie- tam were a period of the intensest excitement along the border. It was known that Lee's army was moving northward, and it was of the gravest importance that Pennsylvania should be defended against invasion, and that the objective point of the Confederate commander should be known by the Federal authorities as early as possible.
Review of the sit- uation.
A brief review of the situation which confronted Goy- ernor Curtin in his endeavors to defend the State, and, at the same time. aid the general government, may be prop- erly here presented.
Troops in the val- lev.
There were at this time a few regular troops at Car- lisle, and a somewhat greater number of men in incom- plete organization at Harrisburg and scattered at dif- ferent points throughout the valley. Captain Hastings had command of the regular troops at Carlisle barracks.
Captain William J. Palmer was exerting himself to get into proper shape the AAnderson cavalry to aid him in his scouting operations along the border. A small body of troops lay at Gettysburg, and a company of cavalry was raised, but unsupplied with arms, at Mercersburg.
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IN WAR TIMES.
Colonel A. K. McClure was assistant adjutant-general of the United States, assigned to duty at Harrisburg, but as Chambersburg was military headquarters for most all Union troops in the valley, as well as the home of Colonel McClure, he operated chiefly from that point, and ren- dered most valuable aid to both the State and the Federal governments.
It is impossible to read the correspondence between the State and Federal authorities during this period with- out being impressed by the fact that they were acting at cross purposes with each other. Governor Curtin firmly believed, and there is evidence to show that General Mc- Clellan shared the belief with him, that the State of Penn- sylvania was about to be invaded by the Southern army.
On the other hand. Secretary Stanton and General Halleck, apprehensive of an attack upon Washington, re- fused to see the wisdom of a policy that would divert any portion of the Army of the Potomac from a position be- tween the enemy and the national capital. Governor Curtin and his military assistants pleaded in vain for a single regiment of disciplined troops to form a nucleus for the green militia army that was being called out for the defense of the border, and to act in concert with Gen- eral McClellan. General Halleck had but one reply to all these urgent demands: "We have no troops in Wash- ington or Baltimore to send to Harrisburg, it being sup- posed that the best defence of Harrisburg is to strengthen the forces now marching against the enemy under Gen- eral McClellan."
Finding his plea for a body of disciplined troops from Washington or Baltimore of no avail, Governor Curtin addressed a request for authority from the Secretary of War to use the regular cavalry and their officers then at Carlisle barracks, and such of the "Anderson troop" as may be needed for immediate service in the valley; his purpose being to place the forces under the command of
CHAPTER 1X.
Military head- quarters.
Off. Rec., Union and Confederate Armies, ser. I, vol. XIX, part II.
Governor Curtin's view.
Note 47.
General Halleck's view.
Sept. 7th and 8th.
September 9th.
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WAYNESBORO.
CHAPTER IX.
Captain William J. Palmer for scouting service south of the State line. as desired by General Mcclellan.
To this written request, the general-in-chief, to whom it had been referred by the Secretary of War, still fixed in his determination with respect to furnishing the Gov- ernor of Pennsylvania with troops, made answer that he did not deem it advisable to assemble troops at so many different points, expressing himself positively against the retention of troops at Harrisburg, or the sending of any others there.
Halleck does not understand.
Governor Curtin explains the mat- ter.
In reply to this the Governor gave the general-in-chief to understand that he did not comprehend what had been requested of him, that what the Governor wanted was only to be permitted to use the unemployed forces at Carlisle. At this time he also requested of the Washing- ton authorities that they would definitely define the du- ties of General Andrew Porter.
General Andrew Porter.
September 7th.
Halleck's reply. September 10th.
General Halleck, in reply to the Governor's inquiry about General Porter, informed him that the General "was sent to assist him in raising and organizing troops. He was not assigned to any command. It is of vital im- portance that all troops be sent here while communica- tions are open."
Then follows the reiteration of the Washington policy that "the best way to defend Pennsylvania is to send troops to Washington."
The Governor is promised, however, that an officer of high rank will be sent to Harrisburg to act as exigencies required, and on the same day Major General John E. Wool, who had been in command of forces at Baltimore. was assigned to the duty of organizing forces north of the
A commander is promised.
General Wool ap- pointed.
Now. General Andrew Porter, at an earlier day, on the suggestion of General McClellan, had been ordered to re- port to Governor Curtin, and was assigned to duty in Pennsylvania, but without authority to assume command of any particular undertaking.
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IN WAR TIMES.
Susquehanna. He was assigned to this duty while efforts were on foot to secure the appointment of Major General John F. Reynolds to Harrisburg.
General McClellan was asked if he could spare Rey- nolds. His reply to the inquiry was: "General Reynolds is now engaged in an important service.
I cannot see how his services can be spared at the present time." On the same day the matter was settled by this order from General Halleck: "General Reynolds' division can be commanded by some one else. He has been desig- nated for other duty, and must report here immediately." Reynolds, who was then twenty-five miles from McClel- lan's headquarters, was ordered by him to report to Gov- ernor Curtin at once. On the same day General Wool was relieved of his Pennsylvania command at his own re- quest.
When General Hooker learned of the withdrawal of Reynolds from the command of a division in his corps, he paid his compliments to the "scared governor" of Penn- sylvania, and to the general-in-chief, in a letter to Assist- ant Adjutant General Williams, which was more forcible than either polite or politic.
It was thus under difficulties that the assistance of an able commander in Pennsylvania was finally secured.
By persistent efforts, Governor Curtin at length se- cured permission from Washington to utilize the troops at Carlisle and in the valley as scouting parties, thus creating the most reliable medium of obtaining actual information about the movements of the enemy which General McClellan, or the authorities at the Federal capi- tal, possessed The scouts were under the command of the intrepid William J. Palmer, who, time and time again, in disguise, entered the camps of the enemy for the in- formation which his expert telegrapher, William B. Wil- son, from his improvised offices in woods, thickets and fence corners, forwarded to Governor Curtin and Colonel
CHAPTER IX.
General Reynolds wanted.
Reynolds assigned. September 11th.
Note 48.
Governor Curtin's work.
The valley scouts and news gatherers.
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WAYNESBORO.
CHAPTER 1X.
Honor to whom honor is due
September 16th.
McClure, and they to the commander in the front. When the details of the true history of the military operations along the border during this period are written they will unquestionably show that it was not certain know- ledge that the enemy did not con- template an invasion on Pennsyl- vania, but undue apprehension of disaster in another quarter which prompted the policy at Washington to withold rightful protection from WILLIAM B. WILSON. Pennsylvania. There is every evi- (lence that the authorities at the Federal capital up to the President must have appreciated the value of the in- formation received from the Governor of Pennsylvania, and the estimate placed upon the situation by him. When the President sent the following message to the war governor of Pennsylvania in the midst of the newsless suspense of the early hours of that first day of Antietam. he was confident that he was asking information from a source wholly reliable :
"What do you hear from General Mcclellan's army? We have nothing from him to-day? "A. Lincoln."
Within the next hour the following message flashed over the wires in reply :
"Our telegraph operator at Hagerstown reports a bat- tle as progressing near the Potomac between Sharpsburg and Williamsport.
"A. G. Curtin."
Who shall say to what extent the military demonstra- tion made along the border by Governor Curtin's little army of undisciplined men, with the gallant Palmer al- ways in the forefront, may have been potent in stemming
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IN WAR TIMES.
the tide of invasion at the vital point, and turning the cur- CHAPTER IX. rent of battle to the banks of the Antietam.
"Harrisburg, Pa .. October tenth, 'sixty-three.
Hon. E. M. Stanton :
The people have surrendered Chambersburg. A. G. Curtin."
These were the words of the brief message of the war governor of Pennsylvania, which announced to the Fed-
THE FIRST CON- FEDERATE RAID INTO PENNSYL- VANIA.
SENDING NEWS FROM THE BORDER.
eral authorities at Washington the culminating success of one of the most remarkable military expeditions in the war between the States. The free soil of Pennsylvania. which, in its southern border, was destined later to be- come such an important theater of operations in the great conflict, had now been marked with the first footprints of the war. Consternation reigned supreme among the people no less along the entire southern border of the State than in the actual presence of the great cavalry captain of the South, whose intrepid daring had made it possible for him to successfully carry out the orders of
J. E. B. Stuart's expedition.
Consternation in the north.
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WAYNESBORO.
CHAPTER IX.
his commander-in-chief, and to penetrate with his com- mand into the very heart of the enemy's country, far to the rear of that great army of the north. upon the success of which in the river country below the hopes of the Union were then centered.
Dismay at the capital.
The consternation of the people found a counterpart in the dismay which followed the suddenly disconcerted plans of the Federal military leaders at the capital and in the field. As best could be under the circumstances, the entire marching force of the army was put into motion to compass the capture or destruction of the band of invad- ers, with what success history tells.
Purposes of the raid.
1862. October 8.
At Scotland.
Official records 17. & C. armies, series 1. vol. XIX, part II, 55.
Appreciating the salutary moral ef- fect upon the Southern people at home of the late notable success achieved by that dashing cavalry com- mander, J. E. B. Stuart, and desirous of stimulating him to still further ac- tivity in this line of operations that ad- ditional success might be followed by Major-General J. E. B. STUART. renewed encouragement of the peo- ple, General Lee charged his cavalry commander with the execution of this design, which he had long held in con- templation. of carrying the war into Africa. Stuart was ordered to cross the Potomac above Williamsport, leaving Hagerstown and Greencastle on his right. proceed to the rear of Chambersburg. and endeavor to destroy a railroad bridge over the branch of the Conococheague creek. He was also ordered to inflict upon the enemy and his means of transportation whatever damage he could.
To gain all information of the positive forces and prob- able intention of the Federal army that might be obtain- able, the cavalry commander was enjoined to keep his movements strictly secret : to arrest all citizens of Penn- sylvania holding State or Government offices, and such as were suspected of giving information to the enemy, and to
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IN WAR TIMES.
bring them with him as hostages or means of exchange for citizens of the South who were held in captivity.
General Lee plainly expressed the reliance that lie placed upon General Stuart's skill and judgment in the successful execution of this plan. Stuart was directed not to jeopardize the safety of his command nor to go any farther than good judgment and prudence might dictate.
As has been stated, the ostensible object of this expedi- tion was to destroy a bridge on the Cumberland Valley Railroad, spanning the Conococheague creek at Scot- land, east of Chambersburg, and, thus, to cripple the enemy's means of transportation of supplies between the capital of Pennsylvania and the southern border of the State. It is doubtful whether this object alone would have justified the risk of so dangerous an undertaking. which, had it proved a failure, would have been disas- trous, indeed. There was a larger purpose, undoubtedly. in the mind of the Confederate commander-in-chief, and there was method underlying the order which made Chambersburg the objective point of the first Confed- erate raid into a Northern State.
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