CHAPTER XXVII
POSITION OF THE ARMIES • OPENING OF GRANT'S CAMPAIGN • BATTLE OF THE WILDERNESS • BATTLE OF SPOTSYLVANIA COURT HOUSE • ENGAGEMENT AT GUINNEY'S STATION • ENGAGEMENT AT NORTH ANNA • TERM OF SERVICE EXPIRES • THE REGIMENT RESOLVES TO REMAIN • BATTLE OF BETHESDA CHURCH • THE PARTING • MARCHING HOME • RECEPTION IN HARRISBURG AND PHILADELPHIA • PRESENTATION OF MEDALS
AT this time our army was consolidated near Culpeper Court House, about ten miles north of the Rapidan, the Confederate army was mainly at Orange Court House, about ten miles south of the river, the outposts and pickets of both armies reaching that stream, on either side. On the morning of the 3d of May, orders for the advance of our army were issued. The crossing of the Rapidan was effected during that day and the following night, mainly at Germanna and Ely's Fords, twelve and eighteen miles east of Culpeper. Instead of marching directly south upon Lee's strong position at Orange, and the entrenchments on Mine River, a few miles distant, which Meade had found in November too strong to be assailed, and which were now doubtless still stronger. General Grant's plan was to turn them upon the right, that is, to the east, and thus throw himself between these positions and Richmond. The effect of this movement would be that Lee must either come out of his entrenchments, and defeat this advance upon open ground, or fall back towards Richmond. This line of advance would compel Grant to traverse the region locally known as the Wilderness.
The Wilderness is a broken, sterile tract of country, in Spotsylvania County, commencing not far from the south bank of the Rapidan, and stretching ten or fifteen miles in each direction. The region is intersected in every direction by gullies and ravines of no
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BATTLE OF THE WILDERNESS 245
great depth, but with steep sides, interspersed here and there with swamps. The low hills and swells are covered with a thick growth of stunted pines, dwarf oaks, and underbrush, hardly reaching the height of a man, but so dense as to be almost impenetrable. The roads which straggle here and there, crossing and recrossing, are, with one or two exceptions, mere paths, impassable for the rudest vehicle, even in good weather, and converted into quagmires by a few hours' rain. Here and there, at the intersection of these roads, is a tavern or store, with half a dozen rude dwellings grouped around it. Besides these, and here and there a solitary dwelling, the whole tract is almost bare of inhabitants. Across this desolate region Grant's army must pass in order to carry out the design of turning the works at Mine Run. That it would be attacked by the Confederates, whose intimate knowledge of the region would give them a decided advantage, was a probability which had to be taken into consideration in venturing upon the movement.
The army, under the immediate lead of General Meade - Lieutenant-General Grant, who accompanied it, taking the general direction of the whole series of combined movements - crossed the Rapidan in the course of Wednesday, May 4th. The passage was made mainly on pontoon bridges, which had been thrown across during the previous night. It was effected without opposition, apparently before the enemy, some miles distant, were aware of the intention. The Fifth Corps, under Warren, and the Sixth, under Sedgwick, crossed at Germanna Ford; the Second, under Hancock, crossed at Ely's Ford; the Ninth, under Burnside, being held in reserve, on the north bank. The army moved in light marching order, carrying six days' rations, leaving its train to follow after. That night the army encamped beyond the south bank of the Rapidan.
On the 4th, we broke camp and crossed the river about eleven A.M., and bivouacked on the Lacy farm. The next morning Companies A, D, E and H, under Captain Mealey, were detailed with a like number of the Sixth Regiment, as train and ambulance guard, and did not rejoin us until the 11th.
THE BATTLE OF THE WILDERNESS, May 5th, 6th, and 7th, 1864 - At three A.M., the line of march was taken up through the Wilderness. The enemy being within striking distance, it was necessary to assume and maintain a line of battle fronting towards him - to the west - while we at the same time moved slowly southward. Our line stretched from the northwest to the southwest, and moved left in front, Hancock holding the advance and left, Sedgwick the rear and right, with our corps - Warren's - in the centre. The move-
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ment had hardly begun, and before Warren's corps had got into position, before the enemy were discovered approaching in force, Lee evidently intending to repeat his favorite movement of hurling his troops in masses upon the weakest point of our lines. The attack was made by Ewell's and Hill's corps, first upon one point, and then in succession upon others. Some of these assaults were successful at the outset; in one, nearly a thousand prisoners and two guns were captured; but the enemy in the end was foiled in each, and utterly failed in his purpose to break our lines or force us to recross the Rapidan.
The battle extended far into the night, and the loss, which was heavy, was probably about equal on both sides; though they took some seven hundred more prisoners than we did. The battle was indecisive, and both armies rested upon their arms in their respective positions upon the field.
When the enemy was first discovered advancing, our division was moving to its position, on the right of Hancock, and was immediately double-quicked and deployed into line of battle, our regiment being thrown out as skirmishers. In this formation we advanced to a clear piece of ground, bordering on the Wilderness, where the enemy's skirmishers were discovered on our left and front, with their main force to our right. Here General Crawford detached the Second, Seventh and Eleventh Regiments of our brigade, and ordered McCandless to move in upon the enemy. The Colonel filed the men to the right, until he had obtained his front, when he ordered them to advance. A most spirited and exciting fight now took place, we driving the enemy for about a half mile on to Wadsworth's division, who were before hardly pressed. Here a stubborn resistance was attempted by them, and McCandless seeing the critical position of Wadsworth, ordered a charge, heading it in person, and followed by Dr. Donnelly, Lieutenant Taylor, and other members of his staff and his orderlies. Animated by the heroic conduct of their commander, the brigade followed on the run with loud cheers. The enemy were soon broken, and driven from their position, but such was the impetuosity of the charge that most of the brigade staff, Captain Byrnes, and many others were captured; McCandless himself escaped by running the gauntlet of their fire, and passed out unscathed.
General Crawford having changed the position of the balance of the division, our battalions were in imminent danger of being captured, the enemy attempting to turn our left flank. This movement, however, was foiled by making a left half wheel to the rear, and then by doubling around a hill and woods for four miles, under an infantry and artillery fire, we were brought off, and rejoined the division
BATTLE OF THE WILDERNESS 247
near the Lacy farm. Here rifle pits were improvised, and we laid down for the night in line of battle.
The scene during the battle was of the most exciting nature, the underbrush taking fire and wrapping the Wilderness far and near in dense clouds of flame and smoke, through which the brave boys went, and in which many of their wounded comrades perished.*
On the 6th, both Generals Grant and Lee resolved to take the offensive, but Lee, who had been joined by Longstreet during the night, however, got the start, and repeated his tactics of the preceding day, with even more determination. Grant also tried the offensive, and the two lines of battle, irregularly formed among the dense thickets, swayed back and forth during the whole day, first at one point, and now at another. Upon several instances, the enemy succeeded in breaking through our lines, but in every case they were signally repulsed.
The last and most desperate of these attempts was made just at nightfall, when a furious dash was made upon the extreme right of Sedgwick's corps, which had remained for hours almost unassailed. Seymour's and Shalers's brigades were swept away, and both Generals captured. The whole right wing was in great peril, and if it had been crushed the entire army would have been severed from its supplies across the Rapidan, and unless the enemy had been checked a ruinous defeat would have been almost inevitable. Sedgwick, however, rallied his forces and checked the enemy. In the gathering darkness they were probably unaware of the extent of their success, and moreover, they were exhausted by the terrible struggle of the day, and withdrew under cover of the darkness.
At eight o'clock that morning, our brigade, in support of the Third, advanced about one mile, and met the enemy, who, with their skirmishers, we drove back some distance, when they took post in a ravine, which offered them protection equal to a breastwork. General Crawford, deeming the advantage to be gained by carrying it, would not warrant the heavy sacrifice it would require contented himself in holding them in their position, which he did until four o'clock, by laying the men down in front of it. About this time General Warren rode up, and after reconnoitring the position, ordered us to fall back to our old place, near the Lacy house.
About dark an aide came dashing down and ordered us to fall in, and in a moment we were double-quicking down the Plank Road to Sedgwick's relief. Upon arriving we were put into position, but soon after moved to the left, where we succeeded in reestablishing
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* See Appendix A.
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his lines. About ten o'clock we were relieved by his troops, and marched back to our old position, where we arrived about two the next morning.
The whole battle, like that of the day before, was a series of desperate assaults, successful at first, but finally signally repelled. The battle was a drawn one, yet we were edging a little out of the Wilderness on to ground where we could use artillery, the fighting heretofore being confined to musketry, resembling Indian bush-fighting on a large scale.
At daybreak on the 7th, our artillery on the right opened fire, but could not elicit any response. Skirmishers were thrown out, and the whole line advanced, but as no regular opposition was met with, it was evident that the Confederates were falling back. Our army was immediately put in motion, marching southward by a road nearly parallel with the enemy's, the aim of both being Spotsylvania Court House. Lee arrived there first, and took up a strong position, that had been previously fortified.
THE BATTLE OF SPOTSYLVANIA COURT HOUSE, May 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th, 18th and 19th - Our regiment, after considerable countermarching, was sent on picket, and did not move with the main body. In the afternoon a sprinkling fire took place between the lines, in which Captain Smith was slightly wounded. That night we were withdrawn, and on the 8th marched to Spotsylvania Court House, a distance of fifteen miles, passing over the ground cleared by Sheridan's cavalry, and acting as rear guard. Upon our arrival, we found our division engaged, and we went under fire about two P.M. The battle soon after became furious, but in spite of the burning woods, and the fire of the enemy, we broke, and then drove them nearly two miles, when finding we were going too far, we halted, and soon after returned to our original position and slept upon the field. Our loss was heavy, including Colonel McCandless, who received a painful wound in the arm.*
We believe that "The Blue Coats," are a good hearted, glorious set of boys, and that heaven was made for Blue Coats and pretty ladies, but it is with deep humiliation and sorrow that we are compelled to acknowledge that we cannot vouch for their honesty. Will you believe it, reader? - just think how cruel it was - after the innocent Second had marched fifteen miles, and fought a hard battle, some rascally Blue Coats stole all their meat and left them to go supperless to bed. We said our prayers a little, and then forgave
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* See Appendix A.
BATTLE OF SPOTSYLUANIA COURT HOUSE 249
them as they were Blue Coats - but if we had found out what regiment it was, and had once have laid eyes on their commissary stores, they would have had nothing to eat for a week. But fortunately for us, the trains arrived through the night, and rations were distributed to the whole army.
Colonel McCandless being wounded, and Colonel Talley having been taken prisoner, the command of our brigade devolved upon Colonel Jackson of the Eleventh.
The 9th opened comparatively quiet, but early in the afternoon, the enemy made an unsuccessful assault on Wilcox's division; and there was sharp skirmishing at various points of the line, in one of which the gallant General Sedgwick was killed. His loss was severely felt by the army. Towards dusk General Grant threw several divisions across one of the branches of the Mattapony. Through the day there were the usual charges and repulses, without any definite result, the Confederates holding a semicircular line around the Court House, and we closely confronting them.
Early in the day, we were ordered to the right, where we took a position, and threw up breastworks. Hardly had they been completed before our line was slightly changed, which rendered it necessary to throw up new ones. Soon after we moved to the right, and crossing a deep ravine, advanced to a road through a growth of scrub oaks, in which we received a heavy fire, but so high that the minies only tipped our bayonets. Crossing the road, we charged, driving the enemy before us, until within forty yards of a heavy woods, when we in turn were driven back by a new line that suddenly emerged from it. When we reached the road, the boys rallied and handsomely repulsed the enemy, who contented themselves with annoying us with a desultory and long ranged musket fire. Here we again threw up temporary intrenchments.
The morning of the 10th was opened by a sharp cannonade, preparatory to a general attack, which was to be made along the whole line. The contest through the day, though most furious, was indecisive in its results, though upon the whole strongly in our favor. In the morning we were engaged in building rifle pits, and afterwards our regiment was sent on picket. The enemy in our front became restive about noon, and soon we became engaged in a spirited skirmish, which was continued until dark, when it ceased by mutual consent.*
Before daybreak on the 11th, Hancock's corps was massed, and our division deployed to occupy the ground left vacant by them. It
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* See Appendix A.
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rained heavily throughout the day, and all remained quiet until the afternoon, when some slight skirmishing took place.
General Grant in an official report to the Secretary of War, dated this day, says: "We have now ended the sixth day of very heavy fighting. The result to this time is very much in our favor. Our losses have been heavy, as well as those of the enemy. I think the loss of the enemy must be greater. We have taken over five thousand prisoners in battle, while he has taken from us but few, except stragglers." *
During the night, the position of the corps were changed, Hancock, finding himself in front of the Confederate division, under General E. Johnson, who were strongly entrenched. At daylight on the 12th, these works were charged and carried with a rush, the whole division, with its commander, being made prisoners. During the day, there was hard fighting along the lines, we taking between three and four thousand prisoners, including two general officers, and over thirty pieces of artillery. The fighting was of the most obstinate nature, lasting until after dark, and being renewed about nine o'clock continued off and on with more or less vigor all night.
At one A.M., we moved into rifle pits, and at daybreak the enemy opened upon us a heavy fire of artillery, to which our guns promptly responded. Between us and the works occupied by the enemy, there was a valley, covered by a heavy pine and scrub underbrush, the pits of each party crowning the opposite crests. Through the morning our guns having silenced the fire of the enemy's, we leaped over the pits, and charging down through the valley, we went up to the breastworks, and planted our banners upon them, but such was the terrible fire of the enemy and the stubborn resistance that we were driven back to our own works. The boys were then laid down behind the pits and told to rest themselves and make coffee, after which we opened the fight again, charging twice over the valley and being driven back each time with heavy loss, Lieutenants Robinson, Company C, being severely, and Clark, Company F, mortally wounded. In the last charge, we maintained our position for a long while, and did not retire until relieved by Colter's brigade.*
The 13th passed in comparative quietness, the rain that had been falling for two days past still continuing. On the 14th, we advanced southward crossing the Po, and passing the 15th and 16th without any fighting. On the 17th, we marched some distance, and threw up intrenchments within sight of the Court House.
On the 18th, the battle that had lulled for several days past, was renewed, Hancock attacking the enemy's right, carrying two lines of his intrenchments and capturing six guns. General Burnside
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* See Appendix A.
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at the same time attacked and drove the enemy's left some distance, but subsequently withdrew.
The 19th was passed in unusual quietness, until about six o'clock when a sharp fire of musketry was heard to our right, and well to the rear. It was evident that the enemy had attempted to turn our right, for the purpose of cutting off our supplies on the Fredericksburg Pike. Troops were immediately put in motion to meet them. A portion of General Tyler's division, consisting for the most part of raw recruits, being nearest, were the first to encounter them, and succeeded in recapturing the ambulances and wagons and driving the enemy back into the woods, but were in turn repulsed themselves and compelled to retire. The balance of the division however, coming up, the prize was again wrenched from their hands and the enemy signally repulsed. Our loss was only nine hundred killed and wounded, while that of Ewell's was one thousand two hundred and fifty, besides five hundred taken prisoners.
When the firing was first heard, our division was put in motion and double-quicked up the Plank Road to the field, but, as by the time we arrived, the battle was over, we returned to our position and rested for the night.
Everything was quiet on the 20th, and the enemy in our front showing a disposition of friendliness it was reciprocated on our part, the boys exchanging newspapers, etc. That night, General Grant began to manoeuvre to draw General Lee out of his intrenchments, for which purpose Hancock moved to the left, and in the evening advanced southward. He continued his march the next day, and in the evening occupied Bowling Green. Hancock's movement was discovered by the enemy and Longstreet an hour afterwards moved south also.
ENGAGEMENT AT GUINNEY'S STATION, May 21st - The next day, the 21st, at noon, our division marched to the crossing of the Fredericksburg and Richmond Railroad, at a stream three miles south of Guinney's Station, where we arrived about three o'clock in the afternoon. We crossed the stream and advanced some five hundred yards, when a terrific fire from some twenty pieces of artillery was opened us, but quickly advancing a short distance we lay down behind a gentle rise of ground, and let the missiles pass harmlessly over our heads. As we had not the slightest idea under these circumstances, of interfering with the enemy's arrangements, and as they did not in the least disturb us, we had a comfortable rest of nearly two hours, during which time there was a great deal of harmless wrath vented upon us. The enemy afterwards withdrew and we occupied the heights.
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ENGAGEMENT AT NORTH ANNA, May 23d - On the 22d we went on picket, and the next afternoon, at two o'clock, we marched down the Telegraph Road, past Mount Carmel Church, to Jericho Ford, where we crossed the North Anna River about five o'clock. There we found the enemy in force, and after the usual preliminary shelling, he advanced his infantry to a charge, but they were signally repulsed. The battle lasted with considerable spirit until night, our division taking over four hundred prisoners, most South Carolinians.
On the 24th, we moved to the left and intrenched ourselves, and remained inactive and quiet until the 26th. By this time Grant's entire army was between the North and South Anna Rivers, and within twenty-five miles of Richmond. On the north bank of the latter river was General Lee's new line of defence.
On the 25th, the three years term of service of our regiment expired, and General Crawford put the question to the boys, whether they would go home alone, or remain until the 31st, when the other regiments of the division would be relieved. They unanimously decided to remain with their comrades and see the old division through. This decision was highly gratifying to the General and all the officers.
On the same day, Lieutenant Justus, Acting Quartermaster, while out procuring forage for division headquarters, was captured by the enemy.
To all appearances, it was Grant's intention to assault Lee in his new line, as he did the former one along the Po. But, on the 26th, he commenced recrossing the North Anna, and on the 31st he had his whole army south of the Pamunky and within ten miles of Richmond, with a new base of supplies established at White House.
On the 26th, our corps, bringing up the rear of Hancock and Wright's, crossed the North Anna and marched for the Pamunky, which we crossed on the 28th, at Hanovertown Ford, Gregg's cavalry division skirmishing and driving the enemy's before them. On the 29th, we advanced to Hawes' shop, meeting with no opposition.
THE BATTLE OF BETHESDA CHURCH, May 30th - On the 30th, General Warren pushed forward our division, the left of his corps, from Hawes' shop towards Mechanicsville, we passing Bethesda Church about noon, and reaching the neighborhood at Shady Grove church about two o'clock, where we met the enemy's skirmishers. It was about this hour of the day, and at this place, that we met the enemy under similar circumstances just before the battle of Mechanicsville, our first fight. Skirmishing soon commenced, and we fell back, making but little resistance until we reached the road running from Mechanicsville to Hanover Court House. Here we commenced throwing up breastworks, but had not worked more
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than half an hour before we were attacked on both flanks with great fury. From some of the prisoners taken, we ascertained that the attacking force consisted of Rhodes' division and one brigade of Early's division of Ewell's corps, and orders were given to fall back. We retired slowly for three-quarters of a mile, delivering so steady and heavy a skirmish fire that the enemy did not follow us up vigorously.
Reaching a favorable position, the division was halted, and the line of battle formed across the road and through some fields into the woods. The Third Brigade, Colonel J. W. Fisher, held the right of the line, the First Brigade, Colonel M. D. Harden, the centre, and Kitchen's brigade of heavy artillery, armed as infantry, the left, with two sections of a Michigan battery posted near the centre. Our whole force did not number over five thousand five hundred men. After the line was formed, the Second Regiment was moved to the rear and left, and posted to hold a piece of woods. The men immediately went to work throwing up breastworks, which were so formed as to enable us to deliver a cross fire. The artillery commenced shelling the woods in front at different points, feeling the enemy's guns, from which they soon received a response. Soon after, near sundown, the whole of Ewell's corps emerged from the woods, formed in three lines, and advanced to the charge. Scarcely had they moved, before the Third Brigade opened upon their flank a severe cross fire, which turned them over upon the First and Kitchen's brigades.
About twenty-five yards in front of the First Brigade's rifle pits was a fence and some bushes that concealed our pits and men from view. The enemy advanced to the fence in most excellent order, and as they reached it, our whole line, which had not fired a shot, opened upon them a crushing fire of musketry, while the artillery poured in canister and one-second fuse shells. Their repulse was instantaneous and complete. What were not killed or wounded of the first line threw themselves upon the ground, and the balance precipitately fled. Our men then slackened their fire, but whenever those who had laid down got up to run, they were shot. Finally, an officer called out to them, that if they would throw down their arms and come in, they would be spared, and about four hundred of them surrendered, including two Colonels, three Lieutenant-Colonels, one Major, and twenty line officers.
The enemy's loss was calculated to be very little short of one thousand men. General Ransom, of North Carolina, was left dead upon the field, and his sword was presented by one of the boys to General Crawford. Colonel Terrill, of the Twenty-Seventh Virginia, a brother of the Union General Terrill who was killed at Shiloh, was also killed. The Confederate Colonel Hoffman was cut in two by a
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shell. The color-bearer of the Fifty-Second Virginia came to the fence, when he was struck by a shell and literally torn to pieces. Some of his comrades, however, saved their flag. Our loss was not heavy, except in the first engagement on the Mechanicsville Road, where we were compelled to leave our wounded in the hands of the enemy. It amounted to fifteen killed, fifty-four wounded, and eighty-five missing, in all one hundred and fifty-four.
This signal repulse of Ewell's corps, with such slaughter, by a force of less than one-third of their number, and within a short distance of the victorious field of Mechanicsville, where we opened the "Seven days' battle," was a fitting close of the glorious career of the Pennsylvania Reserves. That night we slept victors upon our last field of victory.
he next morning we buried our fallen comrades, and those of the enemy, on the field of honor, and left them to "sleep their last sleep," peacefully, side by side, until the last trump "shall wake them to glory again."
In the course of the morning, the following orders were received and read to the division:
HEADQUARTERS, FIFTH ARMY CORPS,
MAY 3D, 1864.
Soldiers: - With this is the order for the return of the Pennsylvania Reserves, whose term of service expires today. The General commanding begs leave to express to them his great satisfaction at their heroic conduct in this arduous campaign. As their commander, he thanks them for their willing and effective efforts, and congratulates them that their successful engagement of yesterday, closing their term of service, and being the last of many battles bravely fought, is one they can ever remember with satisfaction and pride.
By command of
MAJOR-GENERAL WARREN
(Signed,)
A. G. MANN, A. A. G.
HEADQUARTERS THIRD DIVISION
PENNSYLVANIA RESERVE VOL. CORPS, FIFTH ARMY CORPS,
JUNE 1, 1864.
Soldiers of the Pennsylvania Reserves: - Today the connection which has so long existed between us is to be severed forever. I have no power to express to you the feeling of gratitude and affection that I bear to you, nor the deep regret with which I now part from you.
FAREWELL TO THE RESERVES 255
As a division you have ever been faithful and devoted soldiers, and you have nobly sustained me in the many trying scenes through which we have passed with an unwavering fidelity.
The record of your service terminates gloriously, and the Wilderness, Spotsylvania Court House and Bethesda Church, have been added to the long list of battles and triumphs that have marked your career.
Go home to the great State that sent you forth three years ago to battle for her honor and to strike for her in the great cause of the country.
Take back your soiled and war-worn banners, your thinned and shattered ranks, and let them tell how you performed your trust.
Take back those banners sacred from the glorious associations that surround them, sacred with the memory of our fallen comrades who gave their lives to defend them, and give them again into the keeping of the State forever.
The duties of the hour prevent me from accompanying you, but my heart will follow you long after your return, and it shall ever be my pride that I was once your commander, and that side by side we fought and suffered through campaigns which will stand unexampled in history. Farewell.
S. W. CRAWFORD
Brigadier-general Commanding Division (Signed,)
R. A. McCOY,
Lieutenant-colonel and A. A. G.
After the reading of these orders, an order was issued for all those whose term of service had not expired, and those who had reenlisted to report to Colonel Carroll at headquarters. From our regiment there were Companies B, Lieutenant Cullin; F, Captain Clark, and G, Captain Woodward, with some fifty veterans and recruits. They were got together and marched over, where they stacked arms and returned to spend the day with us.
The next morning, June 1st, we were up and in line early, and those who were to remain came over to bid us good-bye. It was one of the saddest and most trying hours of our lives. We had read of comrades parting, and we had parted with friends of childhood's days, but we could not realize the strong attachment that had grown up between us, until the hour of separation came. It was the parting of those who had shared their last cracker, who had slept under the same blanket, who had picketed together through many weary hours of the night, and who had stood side by side when the storm of death
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was sweeping by - it was the parting of brothers. Not an eye was dry. From our General down, the tears gushed out in spite of strife to conceal them. But the hour came. From "Home sweet Home," the bands changed to patriotic strains, and the air was rent with the loud cheers of the boys as they shouted their last good-bye.
But there were other sad memories that clustered around our hearts as we marched along. We were near the fields of "The Seven Days' Battles," upon which the bones of many of our comrades lay bleaching. How vividly those scenes of strife, of glory and disappointment, arose in our vision! How we recounted the names of our dead! But their spirits still cluster around the old flag, and they are happy, at least with the consciousness that they met death gloriously and had fallen in a sacred cause.
We took up our march for White House, following closely the general course of the Pamunky, and arrived there on the afternoon of the next day.
On the morning of the 3d, we embarked, and passing down the Pamunky and York Rivers, entered the Chesapeake Bay and steamed up the Potomac to Washington, where we arrived on the evening of the 4th, and disembarking marched to the Soldier's Rest, where we slept for the night.
At noon the next day, we took passage by rail to Baltimore, and at the depot formed and marched through the city to the depot of the Northern Central Road. On our passage through we were received with cheers and other demonstrations of joy by the citizens who thronged the thoroughfares. We arrived at Harrisburg about ten o'clock on the morning of the 6th, and marching to the Volunteer Refreshment Saloon, partook of an excellent collation that had been generously prepared for us.
The church bells of the city were now merrily ringing out a welcome to us, and the citizens were closing their stores and gathers to receive us. The State guns were thundering forth a salute from Capitol Hill; and the different furnace and factory signals sent up one continual din and roar. The procession to receive us arrived, and we wheeled into line, they marching in the following order:
Chief Marshal William H. Kepner and Aides. Band of Music. Military escort, Captain Bate's battery, First New York Artillery. Pennsylvania Reserve Corps. Assistant Marshal. Governor and Cabinet Officers in carriages. Mayor and President of Common Council in carriage. Clergy. State Officers. County Officers. Judges and Members of the Bar. Common Council of the City of Harrisburg. Assistant Marshal. Band of Music. Officers of the Army and Navy sojourning in Harrisburg. Strangers sojourning in Harrisburg. Civic
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Societies. Assistant Marshal. Citizens of Harrisburg. Assistant Marshal. Band of Music. Fire Department. Assistant Marshal.
As we passed along, cheer after cheer was given and bouquets and flowers thrown, until the boys were literally covered with the richest floral offerings of June. About noon we reached Capitol Hill, where was collected a vast concourse of citizens, who made the welcoming with loud huzzas. Reaching the main edifice, the corps was massed in front of the Capitol portico, and Mayor Roumfort mounting the stand improvised for the occasion, delivered the following address:
"Hail, brave soldiers of Pennsylvania! In the name of the citizens of Harrisburg, I greet you with hearty, most hearty welcome to the Capital of your State. During the last three years, by flood and by field, in the valleys and upon the mountain tops, you have, like gallant and noble soldiers, bravely fought, bled and died for our common country, carrying the old flag from victory to victory. You have been on every battlefield, and in the extreme front of every battle and grand contest east of the Allegheny Mountains, and immortalized yourselves, winning laurels of renown unsurpassed.
"Of twenty thousand men who marched into the field an unbroken front three years ago, you now return the broken, battlestained, shattered remnants of two thousand men. May your departed companions, whom you have left behind you in Southern graves, who have fallen in defence of our country's liberties, receive that crown of immortality which has become their heritage, as bequeathed to glory and to fame. And not only the fallen of the brave ones, whose untimely end we so deeply deplore, but at your feet, brave soldiers-in-arms, cast we our garlands of flowers. Never shall your deeds be forgotten.
"It was the intention of the citizens of Harrisburg to give you upon this very ground a reception dinner, but you are as sudden with your friends as with your enemies; you took us unawares and by surprise. You outflanked us. But, my gallant soldiers, the citizens of Harrisburg do not despair of entertaining you. They have all agreed to invite you into the sanctity of their homes. They will receive you there as part of their own loved families, around their tables and hearthstones. They will remind you of the old times when you used to sit at home by the smoking hot dinner; and you can relate to them your gallant charges, your narrow escapes, and the circumstances of your glorious victories through which you have passed since you marched from your homes to the battlefields of Rebellion. We will be glad to hear your voices in our homes, as we will be most happy and proud to entertain you. And after you have partaken of this fore-
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taste of our gratitude, you will be permitted to go home to the dear ones there, in whose hearts your memory has become enshrined as holy in the history of our Commonwealth. My good friends, my gallant friends, I welcome you again! and when the alarums of war have ceased may you enjoy that peace you so well deserve under your own vine and fig tree, with your household gods around you. In that day it will be merely necessary for you to say, `I was a member of the Pennsylvania Reserve Corps,' and the answer will come from bystanders, `Bless the brave man!'
"My friends, I expect that next Wednesday, at two o'clock in the afternoon, you and we will participate of the dinner which will be provided for you."
The Mayor was most heartily cheered, and after something like silence could be produced, Governor Curtin stepped upon the platform.
The Governor spoke substantially as follows:
"I thank you, Mr. Mayor of Harrisburg, and you the people of this city, for this your hearty welcome to these brave men. It has been through you, brave soldiers, that the hearts of the people have been stirred. Your presence here again, my fellow-citizens (the Reserves), has stirred up emotions in our hearts, deep and glorious as our feelings are today, that we will never forget. I cannot find language to adequately express to you the sentiments and feelings of Pennsylvania, and when I say, as we all say, `You have done your whole duty,' I but faintly convey to you the universal verdict of the whole people of this commonwealth. It is now nearly three years since you left this city a mighty army. Nearly that period of time has elapsed since I had the honor of handing to you these standards which you are about to return to the State, unstained with dishonor and covered with laurels of brightest martial renown. You have never set foot upon the soil of your homes since then, save once. Once you came back to Pennsylvania, and then we all heard of your deeds, that spoke in thunder tones with your cheers. `Round Top' at Gettysburg will ever live as a watchword of glory and victory. When nearly all the rest gave way before the bayonets of the enemy we heard your shouts around the hills of that devoted country, in the face of the enemy, and to you belongs the honor of driving him from our soil.
"I would speak of your gallant deeds, but they have passed into history. I have not time to enumerate the battles you have been in. History will record all you have done for your country. The record of the Pennsylvania Reserve Corps is without blemish and spotless. I am not qualified to speak of the heroic dead you have left upon nearly every battlefield of the Republic. Upon their graves centres the grati-
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tude of this great people. But I can welcome you, who have returned with sunburnt faces and tattered flags to your homes. From the North
and the South, and the East and the West, the voice of welcome is wafted towards you from the old Keystone State.
"We did not know three years ago that you would remain so long in the public service. But I can say that I refer with pride and pleasure to the part the great State has borne in this contest, from the battle of Drainesville, where you were the first to strike, until last Monday, where you struck your heaviest blow at Bethesda Church. May you all find a happy welcome at your homes! May you be all marked as brave men who served their country in times of greatest peril. May you never regret that you belonged to the Pennsylvania Reserve Corps and were in every battle of the Republic! With this welcome I bid you farewell."
At the close of the Governor's speech loud cheers were given for his Excellency, Grant, Meade and the Army of the Potomac.
Colonel Fisher, in behalf of the corps, responded briefly, as follows: -
"Mr. Mayor, Governor and citizens of Harrisburg. In the name of the remnants of what was once a mighty division, I thank you for the reception you have given us here today. The people of Harrisburg, represented by their Mayor, have overwhelmed us with their kindness. In reply to these kind expressions, the only response I have to make is the speech familiar to the Pennsylvania Reserves. So, my gallant boys, let us have three cheers, and let them be such thundering cheers as you gave at Bethesda Church before we left the army."
And in response the whole corps joined in three cheers, that made the old State House tremble from dome to foundation.
Colonel McCandless, who was severely wounded, being called for, made a brief speech in thanks for the Keystone's welcome. "He had only to say, and he did himself honor in saying, that they (the Reserves), in their consciences felt that they had done their whole duty. And we are willing for as many years as our lives shall last and our blood flow in our veins to continue to sustain the old flag which we have carried in triumph in many an engagement.
"We stand upon a sure record. We fought the first battle at Drainesville; at Malvern we were there, and whenever and wherever the Reserves were called, they were there. It shall always be my pleasure to stand by you and lead you where you wish to be led."
Colonel R. Biddle Roberts being called for, addressed the corps in a few eloquent remarks, which were vociferously applauded by the corps. He remarked that a hot dinner had been promised them;
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but he remembered the time when they had a hot dinner, a very hot dinner, with no ladies around to grace it with their smiles.
The corps then marched to Camp Curtin, where we spent the night.
Although the citizens of Harrisburg had generously offered us a reception dinner, and pressed us to stay and partake of it, we were constrained to decline, as all were anxious to get home to receive that welcome that comes from the heart alone, without any pomp or ceremony. Therefore, the next morning our regiment accompanied by the First and Seventh, under the command of Colonel Talley, proceeded to Philadelphia, where we arrived early in the afternoon of the same day. The First and Seventh did not belong to the city but were ordered there to be mustered out.
Upon arriving at West Philadelphia a salute was fired and a Committee of Councils and other organizations were in attendance. As the battalions alighted from the cars and formed into line, loud cheers arose from the crowd and bouquets of flowers were presented to the men. The line of escort was formed on Market Street, east of the bridge, and took up the march in the following order: -
Band. Committee of Councils. Committee of Citizens. Committee of Refreshment Saloons. Liberty Band. Veteran Reserve Corps. The Provost Guard. Douglas' Band. Discharged Officers and Men of the Division. The First, Second and Seventh Regiments of Pennsylvania Reserves. The wounded and convalescent soldiers of the Reserves. Mechanics' Band. The Fire Department. Ambulances.
The procession proceeded to the National Guard's Hall where the Reserves were welcomed by Colonel Small on behalf of the city, which was responded to by Colonel Talley. The line of march was again taken up from the Hall to the Cooper Shop Volunteer Refreshment Saloon, the streets through which it passed being densely packed with citizens, who at various points gave hearty cheers. The public buildings and many private houses were decorated with flags and patriotic devices, and a handsomely decorated archway was erected across Third Street, at Evelina Street by the Hibernia Engine Company, bearing the inscription, "Welcome, Brave Reserves." The bells of the fire companies were rung as the procession passed, and St. Peter's bells chimed forth a merry welcome. At the Refreshment Saloon a handsome entertainment was spread, after partaking of which the boys were dismissed to their homes.
Companies C, "Hibernia Target Company," and D of the Northern Liberty, were taken in charge by the members of their respective companies and marched to their halls where a warm reception awaited them.
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As the boys marched along they were not only greeted by strangers but by friends and relatives who rushed to grasp their hands. But all was not joy and happiness that day, for there was the fond mother, the affectionate father, the devoted wife, the gentle sister and the true-hearted brother, who gazed with sadness upon the shattered ranks and thought of those - their own dear ones - whom we had left to sleep upon the battlefield. Sad indeed were their thoughts when they remembered the bright eye and flushed cheek, so full of hope, of love, of glory, that bid them farewell as they marched off to battle for the Union and Liberty, and that now are dimmed and faded away. But peacefully sleep their dead, for their blood arises like sweet incense from the altar of their country.
A few days afterwards the members were called together at the hall of the Hibernia Engine Company, to receive the medals that had been prepared for them by a Committee of Citizens. The medals which are one inch and an eighth in diameter, have on one side the Pennsylvania coat of arms inside of a wreath of laurel, with the words "Second Regiment P. R. V C., June, 1864." On the other side are the words "Honor to the Brave," "Presented by the Citizens of Philadelphia." Colonel James Page made the presentation in behalf of the citizens, and Colonels McCandless and McDonough of the regiment responded.
Shortly afterwards the regiment was mustered out of service, and now the name and the glory of the Second Reserves is all that remains.
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