History of Company K
1st
(Inft,) Penn’a Reserves.
by
H.N. Minnigh
37
CHAPTER
1V.
The Work of the
Company.
WITH Chapter
fourth, we enter upon the Second division of our projected plan, viz., "The
work of the
company."
October 9th,
we crossed the Potomac river, and entered upon the “sacred soil of Virginia,"
and formed a winter camp at Langley; known as Camp Pierpont.
Here we tried
to be comfortable, but the severe exposure with constant camp and picket duty, wrought
upon the men who never knew else, than to live under the sheltering roofs of comfortable
homes, "up in the north-land."
November 26.
Jesse Shank, of York Springs, Pa, and December 4. Geo. W. Myers, of the same place, died,
and were sent home for burial. But the winter wore away, and weary of the monotonous
routine of duty, we waited eagerly for the spring-time, and the anticipated forward
movement.
March 10, we
broke camp and joined in the advance of the Army of the Potomac, under Gen'1 G. B.
McClellan, and on the evening of the first days march, camped at Hunter's Mill, Va.
38
On to the Rappahannock
We stayed here three days, and then moved in the direction of Alexandria, where we arrived, through rain and mud, and went into camp, the advance movement having developed the fact, that the confederate army had abandoned Manasses and gone southward.
April 9th, we
moved forward on the line of the Orange & Alex'a R. R. by way of Manasses and
Warrenton junctions, to Catlett's station, and finally down the north hank of the
Rappahannock river to Falmouth opposite Fredericksburg, where we encamped.
May 26th, we
crossed the river, and took possession of that city, encamping on the heights westward.
This and the former camp at Falmouth, were decidedly the pleasantest camps in our three
years service.
On June 8th,
the Division was ordered to join McClellan's forces on the peninsula. We accordingly
embarked at Bell's landing on the 9th, and after a voyage of 20 hours, disembarked at
White-house landing on the Pamunkey river. After various marches and counter-marches we.
finally encamped on June 18th, on the extreme right of the army, near Mechanicsville.
And now came
the famous Seven days Battles, the very thought of which, causes an involuntary tremor to
pass through the whole being, days of horror and bloodshed, of humiliation and death. We
cannot even hope to give an adequate portrayal of these horrors.
39
Battle of
Mechanicsville,
THE 26th of
June, found the command on the Picket line, from which we were hurriedly recalled, only
to find our camp had disappeared and our private property gone "where the woodbine
twineth," but in time to take our place in line with other troops. who were ready to
meet the confederates who were reported as advancing in our immediate front. We were ordered by special detail with our Regiment, to
support Cooper's battery. I need not write up this battle in full detail, for those who
were there, remember well, the onward rush of the enemy, how two whole divisions under
Gen'I Lee, (a fact developed more recently,) at 3 p. m. threw themselves upon our line,
only to be hurled back amid great slaughter, how amid the shriek of shell and flashing
musketry they still advanced, how our 69 caliber elongated balls now for the first time
were sent on missions of death, and with what
execution, how Craig Wisotskey fell, and in few moments expired, one limb being literally
torn from the body, when Hamilton and Siplinger were wounded and assisted from the field,
how at length the the shades of night fell, putting an end to the conflict.
40
Battle of
Gaines' Mill.
There was no
movement of troops in the Union lines, the men stood in their places and poured an
uninterrupted fire upon the enemy, while the artillery, fifty pieces, rained solid shot,
shells, canister and sharpnell, producing great slaughter. The total Union loss in this
Battle was eighty killed and two hundred wounded, while the Rebel loss was three thousand.
We slept on
our arms that night, and at the early dawn we were withdrawn, contrary to the wishes of
the Reserves who had held the ground against five times their number, but we did not then
know that Jackson had come from the Shenandoah with 40,000 men, and was in our rear.
The forces
north of the Chickahominy took up a new position at Gaines' mill, sometimes called Gaines'
hill, and by the rebels, Coal Harbor. Gen'I
Porter is in command with 40,000 men while Gen'l Lee is coming on with 70,000, he intends
to make a grand onset and sweep Porter into the Chickahominy. Three o'clock of the 27th,
has come and the attack is made, amid cannonry and the angry flashes of musketry, while
the battle cloud becomes thick and heavy. It
would take many pages to make a full record of the terrible battle. At 4 o'clock we were
ordered to the support of the Duryea Zouaves, which regiment had been almost
annihilated. We checked the enemy and held
the line
41
A terrible
situation.
until every
cartridge is gone, when we were relieved. Just behind the front line we halted, when a
charge by the enemy broke the Union line. And a mass of disorganized troops came rushing
back. It was at this juncture Gen'l Porter said, "Col. Roberts can't you form a
line and stop those flying troops?” to which our brave Colonel responded, "I can
Gen'I, but send me ammunition to stop the enemy." Steadily as if on dress parade, the
regiment faced fleeing friends. halted the disorganized mass, rallied them under its
colors, and then with fixed bayonet awaited the onset. But cheers are heard coming from
our rear, the tramp of some hotly of troops hurrying forward, and the famous Irish Brigade
push onward with long and steady step, they check the enemy and drive him back, the day is
won, and quiet is restored again.
We crossed to
the south side of the Chickahominy during the
night, and joined the general retreat toward the James river, the Division having charge
of all the ammunition and other trains. This consumed our time till the evening of the
29th, when the command is sent out on the road leading from Charles' city to Richmond,
west of our line of retreat, this being the most dangerous line of approach from the
confederate side. All remember that terrible night while on picket duty, for it was soon
discovered that a large force
42
Charles City
Cross Roads.
of the enemy
were quietly concentrating in our front. At day light we fell back to the line of battle
composed of the division of Penn'a Reserves, who were in advance of all other troops,
and awaited the onset.
Half-past two
o'clock came, and then Hill with six brigades of his own and six of Longstreets command ,
hurled the whole force upon our front. Brigade after brigade advanced, but recoiled under
the direct fire of the batteries, sustained by the infantry.
“Volley
after volley streamed across our front and in such quick succession that it seemed
impossible for any human being to live under it," writes a Rebel officer "Use
the bayonet only," is our standing order, as counter-charges are directed against the
enemy, and thus for three hours the battle rages, sustained wholly by McCall's division of
less than six thousand men, and Hill has not driven him an inch.
It was then
that J. Finley Bailey our brave Captain was last seen, and strange as it may seem, no has
ever been found who knew aught of his fate.
Lieut. Stewart was wounded while acting adjutant of the regiment, while nine
men were wounded and eight taken prisoner. The Irish brigade again carne to the rescue, at
about sunset, and under cover of the night, we fell back to the James river at Malvern
Hill, in a state of complete exhaustion and despondency.
43
Malvern Hill
and Harrisons landing.
At the battle
of Malvern hill, our command took no active part, but were held in reserve, the only time
in our recollection that we held such a position.
It may be
said here, and the statistics proves the fact that the Penn'a Reserves sustained a loss
during the seven days battles, of one-fifth of the total loss, while our strength was only
one-fifteenth of the total strength, and this fact does not find a parallel, in any
campaign or any battle, of any division of the federal army, east or west.
CHAPTER
Vl.
At Harrison's
Landing.
But the campaign is ended, and on July 3rd, we go into
camp at Harrison's landing, six miles flown file James river.
Here we
suffer many hardships on account of inferior rations and unwholesome water, producing
malarious and chronic diseases, and this we endured for forty-two days.
A regular
promotion of company officers took place here, as follows:--- W. W. Stewart to be Captain,
J. D. Sadler, 1st Lieut. and H. N. Minnigh, 2nd Lieut. Sadler was in command Stewart being
absent wounded.
44
Going to join
Pope's army.
August the
15th, we took the lead in the evacuation of the Peninsula, and embarked on the steamer
Rob't Morrison, for the avowed purpose of joining Pope's army before Washington. We landed
at Aqua creek, on the 19th,and proceeding thence by way of Fredericksburg, and at
Warrenton junction, we fell in with Pope's forces, hurrying back toward the National
capitol, with the repel horde at his heels.
We reached
Bull Run on the 29th, and found that a portion of the rebel army had beat us in the race,
but by a flank movement we passed them, took up a position on the old battle ground,
skirmished back and forth one whole day, and waited eagerly the coming of McClellan's
army.
After a brave
and obstinate contest, lasting all day on the 3oth, in which a victory should have been
won, but was lost through the defection and petty jealousies of some leading officers, the
Union forces yielded the ground and fell back toward Washington.
On the night
of Sep't 1st, we picketed on the flank of the army camped at Centreville, then joined in
the general retreat and finally went into camp at Upton's hill, near Alexandria.
September
6th, we moved across the Long Bridge, through Washington city, to Leesboro, Md. where we
went into camp.
45
Battle of South
Mountain.
The Rebel
army under Gen'l Lee, has crossed the Potomac near Point of Rocks, and it is his intention
to “liberate Maryland, and invade Pennsylvania."
His plan is
to hold the gaps across South Mountain, and push his army north through the rich and
beautiful Cumberland valley, “cut his way to Philadelphia, and dictate terms of
peace in Independence Square."
On September
14th, the Union army found the enemy well posted on the mountain twelve miles west of
Frederick city, and four miles from Middletown, and the Union veterans of the Peninsula,
hurried to meet him. Reaching the foot of the mountain after a hurried march, we file to
the right, then face to the front, and begin the ascent of the mountain. Onward, upward we
sweep, like a great tidal wave, the foot of the last acclivity is reached, then with a
cheer, we cross the stone wall in our front,
and with a rush up through the corn field, then a short, desperate, decisive struggle, and
the battle of South Mountain is won,
Lieut. J. D.
Sadler in command of the company fell while gallantly leading his men in this charge, and
at the same moment Jere. Naylor and Peter Miller, were killed, while Lieut. H. N. Minnigh
and several men were wounded, leaving the company without a commissioned officer, Capt.
Stewart still being absent, on account of wounds.
46
Battle of
Antietam.
On September
17th, the command was at Antietam, and took its place in line, though the company only
numbered ten or twelve men for duty, and were led by Serg't Kitzmiller, and fortunately no
casualties occurred, during that terrible struggle.
CHAPTER
VII.
Forward once
more.
THE COMPANY
has now been in active service one year, and the ranks are reduced from 94 to a mere
guard of 30 present for duty, not one-third of the number is left, while the Penn'a
Reserves, by the fatalities of warfare are reduced from the original 15,000 to barely
4,000 for duty.
The command
went into camp near Sharpsburg, where 2nd Lieut. Minnigh was promoted to 1st Lieut. and
Serg't Kitzmiller to 2nd Lieut. and Capt. Stewart returned to the company from Gen'l
Hospital.
Breaking
cramp once more on October 30th, we recrossed the Potomac at Berlin ferry, going
southward, through Lovettsville, Warrenton, Rappahannock station, and finally go into
camp at Fredericksburg.
47
Detailed at
Brooks’ Station
While here,
and before the Fredericksburg campaign opened, Co. K, was detailed on special duty at
Brooks' station, on the Aquia creek rail-road, and as a consequence did not participate in
the Battle of the l0th of December, in which the Penn'a Reserves once more distinguished
themselves, making; a charge, that for clash and daring, has not a parallel in the entire
history of the war. Of this charge a distinguished writer says, “they broke through
two well entrenched lines of the enemy, and accomplished what was expected of them, but
for want of support they were compelled to retire."
The loss in this assault was 176 killed, 1197 wounded and 468 missing, a total loss
of 1841, out of a possible 4500, two-fifths of the total loss reported in said battle.
The detail of the company with the ambulance corps, did duty on the field.
On February
8th, the whole command was relieved from the front, and transferred to the defences of the
city of Washington, to afford an opportunity, it was said, to recruit our decimated ranks
and wasted energies, but as the event proved, in the 1st Regiment at least, to perform
more arduous duty than we had done when with the main army. Our camp was located on the
north bank of the historic Bull-run, and finally at Fairfax court-house. It was here the
famous Photo of company K. was taken, June 4th, 1863.
48
On to
Gettysburg.
The battle of
Chancellorsville, was fought on May 2d, and when the Army of the Potomac. followed on the
flank of Lee's forces which were moving northward, we rejoined our old comrades, in
pursuit of the enemy.
CHAPTER
V111.
Gettysburg
HAVING
crossed the Potomac at Edward's ferry a continuous march on June 28, 29, 30 and July 1,
and 2, brought us to Gettysburg our own native town, and HOME. Before reaching
Gettysburg we heard various rumors of the investment of our home by the enemy. One
incident may be related here; When approaching the familiar haunts of former days, and
some of the company began to recognize well known faces, though themselves unknown, it was
amusing to note the surprises of the citizens, upon hearing their names deliberately
called out by the unknown soldiers. One aged citizen when convined of identity of his own
nephew, said
“Vy Chon, for vat de defil you left dem repel soljers gum up heyr, Hey?"
John's reply was, “Why! Uncle Sam, it
was all planned out so that 1 could get home to see my Mammy."
To lay joking
aside, it was a serious matter to be
49
Fighting at
Home
thus summoned
in defence of our own homes. We had gone out two years before, to conquer the enemy on his
own soil, but were now returning, after two years of struggle, to meet him face to face at
our own door. What the feeling of each member oft the company was, under these
circumstances, may be better imagined than described, for we had seen enough of the
ravages of warfare in the south-land, to cause us to be anxious for the welfare of our
loved ones, now exposed in like manner.
As we neared
Gettysburg, in a number of instances we passed near the homes of relatives and friends,
but with the merest greeting, the boys kept their places in the ranks. Reaching the summit
of the hill east of the town, the members of the company, with a few exceptions, could
see their homes, in the village before them, in the immediate vicinity or in the distance,
and all of them within the enemy's lines.
We reached
Gettysburg on the morning of July 2nd, coming from the direction of Hanover, and moving to
the left went into bivouac: near the Baltimore pike, one mile east of Cemetery ridge.
Fatigued by the long and weary marches, we soon were oblivious to all surroundings,
wrapped in restful slumber, unbroken even by the terrible fighting at Culp's hill and
Cemetery ridge, on our immediate right and front.
50
Gettysburg
About 4
o'clock we were hurriedly called into line, and ordered to sling knapsacks, which command
to us always meant “get ready for quick and devilish work," as “Snap"
put it. We were hurried at a double quick to the extreme left, at the Round tops, to
re-inforce the 3rd Corps, which had met with reverses and was being driven by the enemy.
Gen. Sykes' Regulars had previously gone to the support of Sickles, but had also yielded
the ground. A terrible crisis was now seemingly inevitable. The Regulars were the last
to yield the ground, but being flanked on their left, they broke and fell back in
disorder. At this juncture, we came upon the ground. The First Brigade, formed hurriedly
in brigade front, as best they could, the nature of the ground compelling the regiments to
overlap each other to some extent, on the crest of Little Round top, facing the Wheat
field. As we thus formed, we looked down over the field of carnage, and could hear the
victorious shouts of the enemy, and when the smoke of battle lifted momentarily, we caught
glimpses of fleeing friends and hotly pursuing foes, the general outlook being anything
but assuring.
We
deliberately waited till the front was cleared of our retreating and vanquished troops,
many of whom passed pell-mell through our ranks, then at the word of command, with a
ringing cheer, peculiarly our own,
51
Charge of the
First Brigade
we swept down
the face of the hill, meeting the rebels as they came rushing forward, on the face of the
hill, (I can only speak for my own regiment.) There can be no doubt in any unprejudiced
mind, that a few moments delay would have lost to us the position on Little Round Top,
the key of the battle-field. The so called historian of the battle-field, asserts that
there were no rebels in our front when we charged forward. Nonsense! the evidence of those
who were there, we think, should have more weight than that of a mere citizen hundreds of
miles away from the field of strife. Well, with a quick dash we swept down into the
valley, across Plum-run swamp, over the valley and up to the stone fence, across this
fence and through a narrow strip of woods, (now removed,) to the eastern edge of the
wheat-field, where, by orders, we halted.
It has always been a source of amusement to the “boys" who chased many a rabbit all over these hills, and gathered berries in these valleys, played “hide and seek" among these rocks and boulders, to be told by strangers and pretenders, where we were, on the evening of July 2nd, when the enemy had almost seized this strong-hold, at the Round Tops.
The comrades
will remember the commander of the battery in our immediate front; who raved and swore,
when it seemed as if his guns would be taken.
52
The Third day
at Gettysburg.
Dunder and
blixen, don't let dem repels took my batteries," were his earnest words of appeal, as
the enemy hurried up to the position occupied by his battery, and how, the next morning
he came over to the stone wall and said, “the Pennsylvania Reserves saved mine
pattery, by ---. I gets you fellers all drunk mit beer."
During the
night of the 2nd, and all day of the 3rd till Pickets' charge ended, we remained at the
stone wall, being compelled all the while to “lay low" on account of rebel
sharp-shooters in our immediate front.
Pickets
charge having failed, Gen. Meade ordered Crawford to clean out the woods in our front, and
Mc Candles’s (our) brigade at the word of command, leaped over the wall and
deliberately dressed their lines. Skirmishers were deployed to the front, right and left,
and the charge was made diagonally over the wheatfield to the southwest, to the woods on
the west side, then half-wheeled to the right, then on up through the woods to the crest
of the hill, driving the enemy out of the woods in the direction of the Peach-orchard. The
rebels at this juncture threatening our left flank, the column changed direction by left
flank to the rear, and in this new direction we charged forward again. Down through the
low land, then up through the woods east of the Rose house, surprising and capturing
53
many prisoners,
over three thousand muskets, and the colors of the Fifteenth Georgia regiment.
We bivouaced
at night in the edge of Rose's woods, and about noon being relieved, we moved back to the
stone wall, and then to the rear of little Round Top, where we went into bivouac, the
battle being ended.
A few of the
boys of Co. K, now went hone, with or without leave, and who will blame them, each one
returning in tirne to join in pursuit of the rebel horde as they fled southward from
Gettysburg.
CHAPTER
IX.
In pursuit of
the rebels.
WE FOLLOWED
the enemy closely in his retreat, keeping on his flank, and on July 11th, found him
entrenched at Williamsport, Md. on the Potomac River.
On the 14th.
when an advance was ordered upon these works, they were found abandoned, the enemy having
re-crossed the river on the night of the 13th.
We followed
on in due time, and soon found ourselves once more; back on the old line of the
Rappahannock in Virginia, where after a most wearisome campaign, we went into camp.
54
The Mine-run
campaign.
About the
middle of October, the enemy made an attempt to get between the federal forces and
Washington city, but Gen. Meade defeated his purposes, and Lee went back to his old
haunts beyond the Rapidan river.
November 6th,
the Mine-run campaign opened, but beside constant skirmishing and several brisk battles,
by portions of the army, nothing of importance was accomplished, and we returned to our
old position on December 2nd.
During the
balance of the winter of '63. '64, we were encamped at Bristow station, on the Orange and
Alexandria Rail-road, and guarded well a portion of the line of communication.
CHAPTER
X.
The Wilderness
campaign.
APRIL, 29th,
we pulled up stakes again, and entered upon our last campaign. We broke camp and marched
to,Warrenton, a distance of thirty miles, and on the next morning continued on in the
direction of Culpepper, and rejoined our old comrades of the main army, in the evening of
that day.
55
An important
movement
We all knew
that we were on the eve of an important campaign, and one that would in all probability
close the war, The soldiers were very enthusiastic, and had the utmost confidence in the
two great commanders who were to lead them.
On the 3rd of
May there was great excitement in camp, and all anxiously waited for orders to move. The
army had been reinforced, and everything now appeared to be in readiness to commence the
campaign that was to end the war.
Directly
after midnight, May 4th, the reveille was beat, and was heard echoing and re-echoing all
along the line of camps, and soon after the great movement against the rebel capitol had
begun. Our corps (the Fifth) moved in the direction of Germania ford on the Rapidan river,
and having crossed at that point, we marched until four o'clock in the afternoon, when we
halted for the night, having marched fully thirty miles. Our camp for the night was in the
vicinity of the Wilderness tavern. About sunrise on the 5th we continued the march but
had not gone fair, when we found the enemy in our front. Preparation was immediately made
to give them battle. Our position was on the Lacy farm, until ten o'clock, when we moved
to Parker's store and formed line of battle, our regiment and the Bucktails being on the
extreme left.
56
In the
Wilderness.
John W. Urban
in his “Battle field and Prison pen" says, "Capt. Wasson of Co. D, was
ordered to take his company and move through the woods beyond for the purpose of
reconnoitering the enemy's lines." This is an error. The party was made up of a
special detail of twenty men, two from each company in the regiment. Captains Minnigh
and Wasson were in charge, and the actual mission was entirely unknown to Capt. Wasson,
who was ordered to take charge of the men and assist
Capt. Minnigh in the duty which had been secretly communicated to him. Wasson, nor
any of the men knew what was to be done. Fortunately, I have in my possession the order, delivered to me, at
Division Head-quarters, on said occasion. This order reads as follows:---
“Captain,
You will proceed, at once, to the front bearing slightly to the left, to the Plank-road,
and (if possible,) find out what troops are moving on it & in which direction they are
moving."
It was
intimated at the same time, that the mission was of a peculiar character and that Capt.
Wasson, would obey my orders.
Comrade
Urban's description of our advance, is in the main correct, but when we found the enemy
before us, I asked Capt. Wasson to withdraw a few paces into the woods through which we
had advanced, then and
57
A Scouting
party
there informing
him of the orders placed in my hands. He began at once to put on airs, (a habit of his,)
and positively refused to obey my orders. He advanced the detail out into an open field,
when one single shot stampeded the party, and they returned to our line, with the enemy on
their heels.
I abandoned
the detail hastily, and moving toward the left parallel with the Plank-road, soon
discovered the enemy on that road, moving toward the extreme right of the position
occupied by the Union army, which movement culminated in the attack on the outpost
position occupied by the Penn'a reserves, and upon the Sixth corps later on.
Having accomplished my mission, I had no trouble in getting back to our line, and reported to Headquarters, when the advance at the Parker house had been forced back to the main line, and when the Seventh Reserves had been captured. My impression has always been, that if Capt. Wasson had heeded my advice, the enemy would not have made the advance on our front at Parker's, and the Seventh regiment would not have been taken prisoners. I do not fear to speak upon this point, as the question has been considerably agitated, as to what led to the capture referred to.
If Co. D, was
sent out on a reconnisance, as stated by Urban, I am unacquainted with the fact.
58
That Scouting
party.
Urban also
says, that subsequently “Lieut. Wilder, (we presume he means Weidler,) and ten men
were sent on a reconnoisance in the same direction, and encountered the enemy, and after
being driven back, Companies C and K were sent to dislodge them; but finding the enemy in
strong force, fell back in haste to our lines."
It is not our
object to contradict this last quotation, but it does seem to us, that this jumble of
details from one single regiment; out of a whole division, needs an explanation at least.
A single
proof of the correctness of the statement 1 have here made, is this:--- Gen'l Crawford was much surprised when I reported
to him, all begrimmed with dirt and smoke, having passed through the burning woods on my
return to our line. Having reported, he said, "We never expected to see you again, .
. . . . but, your service shall be duly reported to the Secretary of war." This may
account for the peculiar wording of the Commission as Brevet-Major, now in my
possession, which reads as follows:---“ for gallant and meritorious services in
the Wildernesx campaign, Virginia, May 5,. 1864." Here we leave this subject.
Safely back
to the Lacy farm we rested for the night, waiting anxiously for the dawning of another
day, that the terrible conflict might be continued.
59
The Battle
still undecided
Early on the
morning of the 6th, the rebel forces were concentrated against Hancock on the left, where
a terrible battle raged nearly all day. Such a continuous roar of musketry, inasmuch as
artillery could not be used, we never heard in all our experience before.
During the
heavy fighting on the left, we became engaged with the enemy in our front, driving them
back, and in the evening started to the aid Hancock, but not being needed we returned to
our old position.
Under cover
of the night, Lee rapidly moved a heavy column forward, and hurled them on our extreme
right. Our division was ordered to the support of Sedgwick, whose communication had been
severed from the main army. In the darkness we felt our way cautiously, but our services
were not needed, as the Sixth corps had stopped the advance of the enemy, so we returned
to our former position.
And now one
of the peculiar movements, from the right to the left flank commenced, preserving all the
while an unbroken front.
We moved
slowly during the night of the 6th, but as the new day dawned we moved faster, and by nine
or ten o'clock it was a double-quick. It was said to have been a race between Grant and
Lee for position at Spottsylvania Court House, and Lee won the race, securing the
position, having had the inside track.
60
CHAPTER
XI.
Spottsylvania.
THE CAVALRY
struck the rebel column, and skirmished until the advance troops (5th corps) arrived, and
took their place.
It was with
difficulty that our division was brought into line, owing to the shattered condition of
our ranks, caused by the double-quick, but a critical moment had arrived, and with a cheer
the men dashed forward, re-taking the ground lost by Robinson's division. But in the
charge, as usual, we advanced too far, and were in danger of being flanked, so we were
ordered back to our line, where we lay on our arms till six o'clock.
The whole
army had now arrived, and the order war given to advance. The enemy yielded, and the first
line of entrenchments was carried, and they fell back to a strongly fortified position,
from which they could not be driven. Soon after our brigade made a dash upon the enemy in
our front, (unauthorized, it is said,) but there being no co-operation by other troops, we
skerried back again, Col Talley commanding the brigade, and several hundred men having
been taken prisoners,
61
Battle of
Spottsylvania
At 8 a. m. on
the 9th, we moved to the right-centre of the line, and were ordered to throw up
Rifle-pits, which Pensyl, in the emphatic language he generally used, said, were
“d__d beautiful works for somebody else to fight behind." George uttered
truthful words, if they were a little profane, for, while we built many defensive works of
various kinds, I do not remember that we ever actually fought in such works,
Skirmishing.
with an occasional undecisive struggle for the mastery, now continued for several days,
during which we were called upon to charge on certain works in our front, but owing to the
fact that every man understood that the charge was ordered as a mere feint to cover some
other movement, it was not pressed.
On the 18th,
we swung round to the left, and were sent forward on the skirmish line. Just in our front,
possibly fifty yards off, the rebel skirmishers occupied an excellent line of rifle-pits,
while we had no cover except that afforded by nature. An order was given to advance the
line, which order was intended for other points on the line and not for us it seems, when
John W. Shipley in the attempt to obey orders, was struck by a rebel ball, and was
instantly killed. We had the satisfaction of knowing a moment later, that the same rebel
was killed by Shipley's especial friend Geo. W. Pensyl, We hurried Shipley near where he
fell,
62
North Anna
river.
GEN. LEE
withdrew his forces to a strong position south of the North Anna river, and Gen'I Grant
followed with the Union army in quick pursuit. We reached the river and crossed at Jericho
ford on the 23rd, and spent three days in reconnoitering the position of the enemy, and
then by a flank movement to the left, compelled Lee to abandon the strong position he had
taken.
The Union
army crossed the Pamunky river on the 28th of May, the Fifth and Ninth corps crossing at
Hanover Ferry, thus bringing us once more near the locality where the terrible scenes of
1862 were enacted. Communications were opened with White-house Landing, and a new base
of supplies thus secured .
Our Brigade
on the ,30th of May was sent out on the Mechanicsville road, near Bethesda church, to
prevent a possible surprise by the enerny from that direction. Having advanced a short
distance we were formed in brigade front and ordered to throw up a barricade. Company K.
soon did the work that fell to their lot, and every man soon was seeking to get what rest
he could, under the shade of a convenient hedge fence.
63
Bethesda
church,
We were
aroused by the sharp rattle of musketry on both flanks of the brigade, and discovered
further, that the position had been abandoned, while we mere sleeping, (an unheard of
thing, but easily explained,) and we were seemingly, alone on the line of breast-works.
Quickly arousing the men, each hurriedly took in the situation, then, such skedadling to
the rear was never seen before, “every man for himself, and the de'il take the
hindmost." All soon were gone except five. H. C. Elden, Cal. Harbaugh, A. H. Blocher,
G. W. Pensyl and Capt. Minnigh, the three last named running the risk of capture, in their
efforts to induce Harbaugh and Elden to run the gauntlet as their comrades had done. This
they refused to do, saying “I'll not do it; and be shot down like a dog." The
situation was of course an awful one, for the rebels were now in our works on both flanks,
and the race for liberty must necessarily be in the range of every rebel musket. Turning
to Pensyl, as the two men threw themselves on the ground, thus deciding the question, I
said, “Now let us skip out." Geo.
W do you remember that foot-race? Hey? Do you mind the fence, all grown up with red
briars, the “durned old haversack" filled with potatoes, that you wanted to get
rid of, and could'nt? Well, we all got out safe, while Harbaugh and Elden were transferred
to an awful southern prison.
64
Our Last
Battle.
The Brigade
now took up a new position, threw up a barricade, and awaited the advance of the enemy,
who soon was seen, in a well dressed line of battle, emerging from the cover of the woods,
two-hundred yards to the front. Orders were given not to fire one shot until the enemy
reached the line of an old fence halfway across the open space between us. We never saw so
deliberate an advance by the enemy, in all our three years experience, as this was. Brave
specimen of American soldiery they were, consciously facing death, they came on. Two
sections of a divided battery, one on the right the other on the left, with enfilading
fire, opened on them, then the infantry added their missiles of destruction ; they come no
further, a few turn and flee to the cover of the woods, the firing ceases and an advance
is ordered, when the only enemy we find are the torn and shapeless forms, that literally
cover the ground, they were “annihilated." (Rebel records.)
65
Homeward bound.
HURRAH ! FOR
HOME. This was the glad greeting, on the morning of
June 1st, when the order was issued for our return northward.
We
accordingly bade farewell to the Army of the Potomac, and to the comrades of the company
who had veteranized, who were now assigned to the 190th Penn'a Veteran Volunteers, to
serve their unexpired term of service.
On the 2nd of
June, we reached White house landing, and went aboard the transport George Weems at 10
a. m, on the 3rd, and at 12 m. with three
hearty cheers, started northward, and landed at Washington, D. C. on the 4th, at 4 o'clock
p. m.
On Sunday 5th
at 11:30 a. m. we left the National Capitol, and on the 6th arrived at Harrisburg, Pa. the
Capitol of our native State
66
A Royal Welcome
home.
We were the
recipients of a Royal welcome when we disembarked at Harrisburg, but the joyous greeting
can only be measured by the deep sorrow of many who received not back their loved ones.
Three years
before we as a Division of State troops, had gone forth fully 15.000 strong, and now we
were merely a hand-full, then, full of life and buoyancy, now. war-worn and battle-scarred
veterans.
We proceeded
to Philadelphia, and were finally mustered out of the service, on the 13th of June 1864.
Company K as a body returned to our native town Gettysburg,) where a Banquet welcome, had
been prepared for us, but owing to the fact that it was deferred untill evening, only a
few remained to partake of the bounteous banquet, preferring the more humble spread that
awaited them, in the homes where loved ones surrounded the board.
Of the 110
who had gone forth, three years before, only 24 now returned.
Some sleep
peacefully in the unmarked graves of the south-land ; no tender hand wreaths flowers over
these unknown graves, but the gentle zephyrs chant requiem4 continually, and around them
the wild flowers bloom more beautiful and fragrant, because the soil was enriched by
their blood. Others after a manly struggle fur life, yielded to disability from wounds and
disease.
67
Closing
remarks.
We cherish
the memory of our fallen comrades, and as one by one we are summoned to join the great
majority, we hope to meet them again, and to stand side by side, in nobler array, with
the brave and true and tried who were our comrades here, and who so well performed their
work on the battle-fields of this life.
And when the
trumpet shall be heard, not calling to fields of conflict, but to rewards for deeds well
done, may we all be found sharing the victory won by Him, «who died that we might
live."