CAMPAIGNING IN THE STATE SERVICE

CAMPAIGNING IN THE STATE SERVICE.

The order to hold themselves in readiness to move, was received with mingled surprise and delight by the Bucktails. Throughout the length and breadth of the land, a growing recognition of the seriousness of the task laid upon the Government, if it would preserve the Union intact, was everywhere to be observed, and the men were anxious to do their part.

With the certainty of the severity of the coming contest, came an increased knowledge of the theatre of future operations. Kentucky was attempting her role of neutrality; the battle of Boonville, on June 17th, had secured Missouri to the Northern cause; and all things pointed to Virginian soil, as that doomed to sustain the fiercest struggle. Still, the Government failed to realize, even faintly, how desperate that struggle was to be.

Though Virginia had thrown in her lot with the secessionists, the hardy mountaineers, in her western districts, remained true to the affiliations of their forefathers. Already Colonel Lew Wallace, with his Zouaves,[1] had entered Virginia and on the zith of June defeated the Confederates at Romney; General Patterson was watching the enemy at Harper's Ferry; and General McClellan was preparing to cross the State line, and inaugurate the campaign, that was to save the Virginian loyalists to the Union, by the creation of a new State, and to bear him to the command of the army in the east.

Colonel Wallace remaining in the vicinity of Cumberland, Md., where he was in danger of being overpowered, General Scott asked Governor Curtin to forward two regiments to that point to support him. The wisdom of the Pennsylvania Governor was becoming apparent. Pennsylvania's troops, shortly before declined by the Government, were now urgently required. Though the men had not been sworn into the United States service, not the slightest hesitancy was manifested.

The Bucktails and the Fifth Regiment were selected, .supported by Battery A, First Pennsylvania Artillery; the entire battalion being placed under command of the Bucktail Colonel, ---the veteran of the Mexican War---Charles J. Biddle. The Fifth Regiment was under command of Colonel Seneca G. Simmons, and Battery A, under Captain Charles T. Campbell. The feeling of mutual friendliness and reliance, inaugurated during this campaign, between the men of these three commands, continued until the end of their terms of service.

Notified on the evening of the 21st, excitement ran wild, till a few hours later, at sunrise on the 22d, the battalion was put upon cars, opposite Camp Curtin.[2] The infantry regiments had been furnished with arms, haversacks, blouses, caps, cartridge boxes, knapsacks; but knew little how to manage such baggage. About to commence hostilities, they regretted intensely the inferiority of the weapons which they now receive . Most of the men, particularly those recruited by Lieutenant Colonel Kane and Major Stone, had brought their own rifles to Harrisburg but had been compelled to send them home. In exchange for guns, the value of which had been tested in their

native forests, they now carried old-fashioned Harper's Ferry muskets. These muzzle-loading flintlocks had been altered to percussion ones; but the bore being deeper than the tube, or nipple, formed quite a chamber behind it. The resultant kick knocked half the men off their feet the first time they fired them. Some genius discovered a simple remedy. Taking two or three silver dimes, he rammed them down, effectually filling the chamber and eliminating "back action." The usual load was three buck-shot and one ball---"three cheers and a tiger," as the men expressed it.

Moving over the Huntingdon and Broad Top Railroad a stop was made about noon at Huntingdon. The patriotic citizens, rejoicing in signs of activity on the part of the Government, and at the protection which such activity afforded to them, cheered the troops and served refreshments to them. Not only was an ample dinner provided, but sufficient remained to enable the soldiers to fill their haversacks with dainties. After dinner had been eaten, the troops again boarded the cars, leaving them in the evening at Hopewell.

The experience of the men on the first day, cheered by the people, fed by the women of the land, and carried on railroad trains without effort on their part, gave them but a poor idea of a soldier's life. At 2 A.M. the next day they were awakened. After breakfasting the march began. The roads were thick in dust and the day hot. Nor were the men used to carrying their own guns, cartridge boxes, haversacks, etc. Later, when campaigning had taught them the easiest way of carrying their heavy accoutrements and of husbanding their strength, the day's march of 23 miles would have been accomplished without much fatigue. But as yet they were green, and even those from the lumber and wild-cat districts found the task all that they could perform. At noon a stop was made

at Bloody Run, where the two regiments were again fed by the appreciative townspeople. When it is remembered that the brigade numbered about 1500 men, the effort requisite to this deed of kindness becomes apparent. Night found the regiments a short distance from Bedford. Here it was necessary to establish the regiment's first "Field Hospital;" many of the command being completely exhausted. The night proved rainy, and this exposure to the rain, to those unaccustomed to it, was far from beneficial. The camp was named "McCall," and two days were spent in it. Then, on the 26th,.a march of 15 miles was made to Centerville; followed by one on the next day of 8 miles, to within a quarter of a mile of the State line, where they went into camp. Company F had been presented with a flag by the loyal women of Mauch Chunk, upon their organization as the "Irish Infantry." As the regiments neared the line Lieutenant Bitterling seized the flag and, accompanied by some members of the company, carried it across the border and thrust its staff into the soil of Maryland. From the north and south sides, the men discharged their muskets in salute. Thus the colors of the Bucktail "Irish Infantry" were the first of those of the Pennsylvania Reserves to pass the border of the Keystone State. Though at first the men called their new place, "Camp Mason and Dixey," they soon changed its appellation to "Camp Misery and Despair." Its location made it unsuitable for the purpose to which it was put. Situated between two hills, the ground was almost marshy. The surrounding country was rough and hilly, and the water supply inadequate. The few houses in the immediate vicinity were of a poor type. Sickness was unwarrantably prevalent and rations exceedingly scarce. Later the men would have remedied the latter trouble themselves; but at this time they were

ignorant how to go about it, so that the Fourth of July was celebrated by a fast---and three guns fired at noon.[3]

The real conditions of army life, first surrounded the men at this time. Drills of some sort took place three times a day,

guard was religiously mounted, the camp policed and "sick"calls" responded to. Colonel Biddle labored unweariedly at instilling the fundamentals of drill into his men. The first regimental drill was held on the morning following the establishment of the camp upon a rough, stony hillside, and the efforts made to execute movements but partially understood were ludicrous. After that, company commanders devoted two or three hours each day to drill, rapid improvement rewarding their efforts.

Some members of Colonel Wallace's Zouaves visited the camp in their picturesque costume of grey trousers, short grey jackets and grey caps with red centerpieces. More fortunate than the Bucktails, some of them were armed with Minnie rifles.

By July 7th, Colonel Wallace having moved his camp towards Romney, Va., the citizens of Cumberland, Md., deprived of the protection which his proximity had afforded to them, became nervous. , A report was circulated that a body of rebel cavalry was about to make a raid on the town, and a deputation visited Colonel Biddle, begging him to advance with his brigade, to protect both their lives and property. The distance was not far, but the movement involved the actual performance of the before tacitly accepted duty. Troops in the State service, paid by the State, were, in aid of the National Government, to enter the territory of a sister State. Colonel Biddle was not a man to stand on technicalities if the needs of a

moment required that he ignore them. At 9 o'clock in the evening the column was formed. Two hours later it entered the endangered town.

The Bucktails were much disappointed at the air of quiet that pervaded Cumberland, for the rumors that had been rife had led them to expect that active hostilities would be practically simultaneous with the crossing of the border. Colonel Biddle, however, perceiving that no immediate attack was to be apprehended, camped his men in the woods outside the town, the next morning moving the brigade to the camp formerly occupied by Colonel Wallace's command. This camp was on an elevated piece of ground, pleasantly situated, dry and healthy. The Bucktails enjoyed the change, and also a shooting match on the 9th for a prize of 50 cents.

Cumberland, Md., is situated on the border of Virginia;[4] twenty miles southwest of Cumberland, and also on the State border, is Piedmont; and twenty miles southeast of Piedmont is Romney. Thus a line from Cumberland to Piedmont and from Piedmont to Romney may be said to represent two sides of a square. If a line be drawn from Cumberland to Romney, a triangle is formed which will include nearly all the territory covered by the Bucktails during their present expedition. On the line from Piedmont to Romney, about five or six miles from the former, is a place called New Creek.[5]

Not being attacked by the enemy, Lieutenant-Colonel Kane was desirous of seeking him out. With the acquiescence of Colonel Biddle, he organized a body of scouts. This body of men was composed of three commissioned officers; LieutenantColonel Kane, Captain Irvin and First-Lieutenant Hartshorne

of Company K, and sixty men selected from the various companies in the regiment. No sooner was the organization effected than actual service commenced. On the morning of the 10th of July the "Kane Scouts" left camp, returned the next day, but only to leave and return again. On the morning of the 12th the scouts boarded the train, passed through the Cumberland mining region, up over the Switchback, on through the tunnel under the town of Frostburg, Md., and camped that night by an old stone grist mill on a small stream, a few miles from Piedmont.[6] It was raining very hard when the scouting party arrived at the mill, and the darkness was intense. Each of the scouts, supposing he was in the heart of the enemy's territory was on the alert. Pickets were posted, but the thick growth of bushes on each side of the creek made it difficult, during the prevailing weather conditions, to find them after they were posted. The commander of the scouts, kept the Corporal of the Guard busy during the entire night looking after the pickets.

In the morning Lieutenant-Colonel Kane divided his command into two parties,[7] commanded respectively by himself and Captain Irvin. Making an early start the scouts crossed the Potomac river and entered Virginia at Piedmont, where the Confederate cavalry, under Colonel McDonald, had been the day before. Guards were stationed at the various approaches of the town, while Lieutenant-Colonel Kane, with about forty

of his men, proceeded to reconnoiter the surrounding country. He had not gone far before he became convinced that a force of the enemy was encamped in the vicinity of New Creek, on the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad. Sergeant Kratzer, on a horse, suddenly "pressed into service," was sent back to the Sergeant at the Guard House, with an order commanding him to advance with his men, at the double quick, towards New Creek, taking cover if attacked, on the right. The Sergeant obeyed orders, and with his men trotted along in the hot sun for a mile or so, when coming across what he considered suspicious appearances, he sent out flankers on each side. Nothing dangerous being discovered, the jog-trot was resumed, and the Sergeant with his ten men, hot, dusty and perspiring, reported to his Colonel.

Lieutenant-Colonel Kane had ordered that Sergeant Kratzer remain in Piedmont with ten men; so that he had but fifty men, and Captain Irvin, with him. At New Creek was a brick house, known as the Armstrong House, and of this he took possession.

At this house a red-headed Presbyterian preacher was captured. Being an ardent secessionist, he was sworn by the Lieutenant-Colonel to carry his compliments to Colonel McDonald, with a message that though he had but fifty men, he would be delighted to have him, Colonel McDonald, pay him a visit. The preacher despatched, the command turned in for the night.

A youth, by the name of Kelly, whose home was in Cumberland, had accompanied the scouting party as guide. Shortly after daybreak, the pickets reported the sound of horses cantering on a hard road. Then it was remembered that the guide had stayed at the Station, and Captain Irvin was ordered to take a squad of men, armed with rifles borrowed from Captain Kelsey, of Cumberland, move across the lane, and fire into the

flank of the advancing party. The measure was taken too late, for the rebels coming upon the guide had cut his throat without awakening him. The fire of Irvin's squad, however, attracted the attention of the enemy's cavalry to it, and the men had hardly time to reach the house, running as fast as they were able. Inside Kane ordered his men to withhold their fire till he gave the order. The house stood some 75 feet back of the road or lane, and one of the men in Captain Irvin's squad, failing to reach it, threw himself into some grass and bushes.

As the Confederates swept down the road, they commenced firing two hundred yards away. For the first time the Bucktails were under fire, and for the first time heard the Confederates' yell. Lieutenant-Colonel Kane had tremendous difficulty in restraining his men from firing. He knew, that could he only inspire his raw command with confidence to wait till he gave the order, the enemy would pay heavy toll for his imprudence in advancing against a brick house in such order. But in many cases green soldiers under fire cannot be restrained from answering. When the cavalry reached a point level with the house, a private discharged his musket, and Lieutenant Boughton, of the Third Virginia, who was in the advance, dropped from the saddle. Hardly had the report of the solitary gun rung out than the entire party fired. The cavalry wheeled and retreated. With empty guns, the lust of battle upon them for the first time, the Bucktails rushed from the house to the pursuit. At the same time, ,the man who had taken refuge in the grass, rose to his feet and discharged his rifle at the retreating mass.

As soon as he could gain control of his men, Kane ordered them to bury the dead bodies of Lieutenant Boughton and Privates Bosley and Miller, which the Confederates had left behind them. Undoubtedly, though there was much to criti-

cise in the conduct of his men, the victory was extremely beneficial to them. Though they had fired before he gave the order, thus discarding their opportunity to inflict the maximum of damage on the foe; and though they had rushed from the house with empty guns, deaf to his commands, to charge an enemy armed with sabres and double-barrelled shot guns and mounted on horses; yet they had been victorious and had escaped without a single man being either killed or wounded. When called upon to face the enemy again, they would do so with the courage and coolness that is born of victory.

Of the enemy, several of those wounded died subsequently. The attacking force must have been slightly over a hundred, and their loss in wounded about twenty.[8]

On the 13th, Colonel Biddle moved his brigade to the vicinity of the bridge across the Potomac that had been burned by the Confederates; and on the 14th, a detachment under Captain A. J. Trout, of Company F, of the Fifth regiment, consisting of Companies A and F, of the Fifth regiment, and Company B, of the Bucktails, was ordered to occupy Piedmont. This Captain Trout did, placing Captain Wister in a stone house owned by a Mr. Hendrickson. The town was in a ferment, and the arrival of Confederate troops was expected momentarily. The Bucktails set to work to fortify the house. They even secured a five-pound cannon, in some way, and loaded it to the muzzle. Its discharge would have been somewhat disastrous to the defenders of the house, however, as it was not properly fastened. Shortly after dark, on the evening of the 15th, the picket station was attacked, but held its position

obstinately. The enemy after losing five men retired, just as some troops, destined for Rosecrans in Ohio, arrived in the town.

On July 16th Colonel Biddle moved the entire brigade across the Potomac to Piedmont. The bridge having been destroyed, it was necessary to transport the baggage on the men's backs, a task that proved exceedingly laborious. Still by nightfall the operation was nearly completed, when a messenger from Lieutenant-Colonel Kane arrived, reporting his present position, which was somewhat an alarming one.

The Lieutenant-Colonel, ever seeking an opportunity to fight, had, with his scouts, advanced to within a few miles of Romney, fifteen or twenty miles from support.

Passing Ridgeville in the afternoon, the "Kane scouts," moving over the top of a small hill, had noticed a party of horsemen ride out into the open plain beneath. A moment later a series of white puffs of smoke, followed by sharp reports and the whiz of the rifle balls, had caused their commander to order them to fall in. The horsemen had not waited for this movement to be completed, but disappeared. Flankers having then thrown out the scouts had proceeded, while a messenger was sent back reporting the situation to Colonel Biddle. Halting near Romney, Kane had then taken possession of a stone house, despite the vigorous protests of its owner, and ordered his men to tear down a hewn log building, in its immediate vicinity, and use the timber thus obtained for barricades. The doors and windows being reinforced in this manner the Lieutenant-Colonel had drawn from his saddle bags a small United States flag, which was mounted over the house. A salute was fired over it, and after three cheers had been given, and pickets posted, the men had laid down to rest.

It was his duty to report his position to his commanding

officer; and he had done so. He had not retreated, however, but proceeded farther towards Romney. He hoisted his flag and waited for the attack which he expected at any moment. As some of his pickets heard artillery moving, they did not regard the situation in the same light as he did. They felt that a stone house was ample protection against rifles, but the introduction of artillery altered the case.

Colonel Biddle at Piedmont, upon the arrival of Kane's messenger, put the brigade in motion, and before midnight, arrived to find his Lieutenant-Colonel comfortably ensconced in his improvised fort, while the scouts greeted his arrival with three cheers for the "Colonel and his men." Though Captain Campbell, of the artillery, wanted to try a few shots, Biddle was obdurate and the entire brigade moved back to Piedmont.[9]

During their entire stay in this vicinity, daily scouting parties were sent out from the various companies.

On the 15th Lieutenant-Colonel Fisher, of the Fifth, proceeded with Company C, of the Fifth regiment, and Companies A and G, of the Bucktails, to New Creek: Companies C and H, of the Bucktails were out on the 19th, and Company K on the 14th. When not scouting or doing picket duty the men were put through drills, and the combination of actual campaigning and severe drill tasks developed the regiments with extraordinary rapidity. The "Kane Scouts" had one other ,rather curious experience. One night they arrived at a large Virginia plantation, the proprietor of which had retired for the night. No necessity existing for disturbing the planter, the men made themselves comfortable. At day-break Kane sent

a Sergeant to waken the inhabitants of the house. The Sergeant knocked but received no response. "Kick," said Kane. The Sergeant applied his heels but without avail. "Break it "in," said Kane. The planter soon made his appearance, and was informed by the Lieutenant-Colonel, that a more prompt response in future would save him trouble, adding, "We have "had the pleasure of camping on your premises over night, and "merely called to say good morning-Good morning, Sir."

While at Piedmont, some members of the Fifth regiment seized a printing office, and on the 18th issued "The "Pennsylvania Reserves." The printing office was that of A. S. Trowbridge, editor of the "Piedmont Independent," who had been driven from his home by the secessionists. It was almost certainly the first, of the many papers issued during the war, by printers and editors who had enlisted in the army.

A large shoe making establishment furnished employment

to many of Piedmont's citizens. Before the battalion left its stock was considerably depleted, while it does not avnear that its bank account was greatly increased.

That as a whole the regiments were not beyond hope, is proven by a naive remark. A grand ball was given at the principal hotel, the occasion being made delightful by the presence of the better of the ladies resident in the town. After the affair had been in progress for some time, one of them was heard to remark, "Really, the soldiers are not such a rough "set of fellows after all."

The State authorities sent down a pay-master, and thus the men obtained a little pocket money. They also received blue. pants and white flannel shirts.[10] The town was owned by them.

The companies had been originally restricted to 79 men,

now it had been decided to recruit them up to 101. So recruits commenced to arrive.

Then came the report of the Union disaster of Bull Run. The regiments were ordered back to Harrisburg. Camp was broken on July 27th, and on July 31st the troops arrived at Camp Curtin.[11] They returned by the same route that they pursued a few weeks earlier, and at Huntingdon, were again the recipients of a dinner from the enthusiastic citizens. Having slept in the cars, they left the train, on the morning of July 31st, and thus ended their first campaign.