MILITARY: One Hundred and Fiftieth Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, Second Regiment, Bucktail Brigade, Chapter 13 Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by JRB & JP Copyright 2006. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/pafiles.htm Table of contents for the book with graphics, may be found at http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/1pa/military/cw/150-bucktails/150-bucktails.htm ________________________________________________ HISTORY OF THE ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTIETH REGIMENT PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS, SECOND REGIMENT, BUCKTAIL BRIGADE. BY LIEUTENANT-COLONEL THOMAS CHAMBERLIN, HISTORIAN OF THE SURVIVORS ASSOCIATION. REVISED AND ENLARGED EDITION, WITH COMPLETE ROSTER. PHILADELPHIA: F. McMANUS, JR. & CO., PRINTERS, 1905. 108 ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTIETH CHAPTER XIII. TO GETTYSBURG. ON the 12th of June the First Corps broke camp and, taking a circuitous route by way of Stoneman's Switch to avoid being seen by the enemy, struck the Warrenton road near Elk (or Hartwood) Church, and marched towards Bealeton. Colonel Stone being absent on leave, Colonel Wister had command of the brigade. At the church a deserter from the First Division (Wadsworth's) was led out, shot, and buried within sight of the road. The corps bivouacked that night in broad meadows about twelve miles from the Orange and Alexandria Railroad, having covered a distance of twenty miles. The march was very trying on account of the intense heat, the dust, and want of water, the column sometimes making four or five miles without encountering even a mud-puddle from which to allay its thirst. On the following morning, before day, the Third Corps took the lead, and the First, falling in behind it, moved rapidly towards Bealeton, passing detachments of the Fifth Corps (which at that time was guarding the fords on the Rappahannock) and reaching its destination late in the afternoon. The 150th acted as rear-guard of the corps, bringing up the stragglers, - a task which gave it plenty to do, but enabled it to set its own pace and come in with less fatigue than on the previous day. The distance was about fourteen miles. Bealeton Station is about four miles from the Rappahannock, and consisted then of a couple of deserted houses. Around it is a fine farming country, which for a year or two had been untouched by the plough and was absolutely denuded of fences. COLOR SERGEANT SAMUEL PEIFFER. (Killed at Gettysburg, July 1, 1863.) [photo] PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 109 The frame houses had been loop-holed and strengthened with thick planks by the railroad guards, rendering them admirable for defence. On the 14th the First Corps started for Manassas Junction, and made one of the most tortuous and torturing marches on record. The heat of the sun was withering. Not a breath of air stirred the leaves; the dust rose like a white cloud, powdering the hair and clothes of the troops and almost stifling them; and, to add to the general discomfort, not a drop of water was to be had at times for a distance of five miles. This can be easily understood when it is stated that no rain had fallen since the 5th of May. No man was allowed to fall out of ranks, under any pretext, without a pass from his company commander, approved by the regimental surgeon. Those who did were driven in again by the field-officer at the rear of each regiment, or "gobbled up" by the rear-guard and urged forward forcibly. This was a necessary precaution, as the whole country was open to the guerillas, who would have taken large numbers of prisoners if the men had not been kept in ranks so strictly. In this march of twenty-seven miles they began to get very footsore, and it was distressing to see them hobbling along, begrimed with dust and perspiration, their tongues almost lolling out from excessive thirst. Stagnant pools, on whose borders lay decomposing horses or mules, and which living animals would not touch, were gladly resorted to by the men in passing; but as they were compelled to run in order to overtake their commands, after drinking, they paid dearly for even this sorry luxury. Manassas Junction was at last reached about two o'clock in the morning, and the weary troops were instructed to lie down until seven. Punctually at seven the column started for Centreville, the sun as scorching as ever, but water, fortunately, more plentiful. At Bull Run a brief halt was made for rest, which many of the officers and men improved by bathing in the 110 ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTIETH stream. There was no longer any stench in the neighborhood, and the grass and grain, by their luxuriant growth, concealed the traces of the sanguinary conflicts of the preceding years. At eleven A.M. Centreville was reached, and the Bucktail Brigade encamped near two beautiful springs, which, after the trials of the three-days' march, were more precious than gold. After a few hours' rest the men of the 150th were instructed to prepare for dress parade, and at six o'clock appeared on the field in all the glory of polished shoes, glittering arms, and well-ordered uniforms, to exhibit their skill in the manual to a larger gathering of spectators than they had ever before known. Captain Widdis held command. Probably no other regiment in the Left Grand Division (First, Third and Eleventh Corps, commanded by General Reynolds) held dress parade that evening. On the morning of the 17th the troops were again in motion, heading towards Edwards Ferry, on the Potomac; but the course was changed en route, and the column proceeded to Herndon Station, on the Loudoun and Hampshire Railroad. Here Major Chamberlin was detailed to post the pickets of the First Corps and take charge of the line for the night, with instructions to keep a sharp lookout for Mosby and his men, who were reported to be in the vicinity. A single alarm occurred about midnight, caused probably by the movement of some wild animal through the bushes, which flatly declined to halt and give the countersign. On the 18th the First Corps moved up four miles, to Broad Run, and encamped in the open fields. The sound of artillery was heard during the day in two directions, indicating cavalry encounters in the passes of the mountains. In a letter of about this date Lieutenant-Colonel Huidekoper says, "We are near the Potomac . . . . waiting for some definite movement of Lee's army. The raids into McConnellsville, Gettysburg and Chambersburg have been extremely PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS pleasing to us, as we think it will aid the draft and arouse the people once more. . . . The men have found a flock of sheep, which are fast disappearing. We do not see them, as we are writing or reading". About the same time officers of his staff reported General Reynolds (whom they were in the habit of terming "the old man") to be very much preoccupied and in anything but an amiable mood. Doubtless the uncertainty of the military situation worried him, or, foreseeing Lee's intentions more clearly than other commanders, he chafed under an inaction which he feared might have ruinous consequences. The writer, who had the good fortune to enjoy the notice and, to some extent, the friendship of General Reynolds from the time he took command of the First Brigade of the Pennsylvania Reserve, cannot refrain from expressing his admiration of that distinguished officer and testifying to his many good qualities. To those who knew little of him he may at times have appeared stern and unnecessarily exacting; but those who, in the course of their duty, were frequently brought near him, and knew him more intimately, soon found that beneath a cold and somewhat haughty exterior was hidden a personality of wonderful attraction, and that he was not without those traits which inspire friendship and invite confidence. His whole life had been that of a soldier, and, being unwedded, his ruling passion seemed to be devotion to his country and his calling. From the very outset he appeared to grasp the magnitude of our civil struggle, and the prospect of years of conflict and endless flow of blood and treasure doubtless helped to leave on his countenance an impress of seriousness which was often mistaken for unbending severity. Recognizing to the fullest extent his own responsibility as a commander, he looked for an equal measure of earnestness on the part of both superiors and subordinates; and while he was chary of commendation for duty well performed, believing that the govern- 112 ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTIETH ment had a right to the best efforts of all its servants, he never criticised or condemned without ample cause. An instance of his natural kindness was observed by the writer near Belle Plain, in April, 1863, when, in returning from a review of Wadsworth's division, and galloping with some scores of officers in a breezy ride across the country, the general had the misfortune to crowd a private soldier off a bank into a sunken road eight feet below. The man was thrown headlong, but not hurt in the slightest, for Virginia mud is very soft; but the general, instantly turning his horse's head, leaped into the road and, expressing his profound regret at the occurrence, inquired most feelingly of the soldier whether he was injured. On being assured that no damage was done, the general drew out his pocket-book, and, handing the man a five-dollar bill, begged him to believe that the matter was purely accidental. Then, touching his cap in soldierly fashion, he hastened to rejoin the cavalcade. Although the serious lines of his face rarely unbent in a smile, the general was not without a keen appreciation of humor. One day, on this very march towards Gettysburg, when the 150th was moving left in front at the head of the column, and the men were so much exhausted that some of them were falling to the rear, Private Rodearmel (better known as "Rody"), of Company B, called out to his captain, "Captain Jones, we're left in front, aren't we?" "Yes, Rody; why?" "Because if we don't soon get a rest, I'm thinking most of us will be left behind." General Reynolds, who, with his staff, was immediately in advance of Captain Jones's company, heard the witty sally, and almost immediately ordered a halt; whereupon "Rody", figuratively patting himself on the back, remarked, "Well, boys, the general and I have given you a rest, anyhow". PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 113 On the 21st the adjutant writes, "We are under orders to be ready to march at any moment. There is heavy firing towards Aldie, where Meade is. Sickles is about six miles from him, and we are about five miles farther back. We seem to be pounding away heavily, and I suppose our corps will be sent for, if needed. We think now that most of the enemy's force is in the Shenandoah Valley.. . . All the regiment is in fine order here,-much better than in that pestilential place, Falmouth and its vicinity. Beckwith is sick and is to go to the Georgetown Hospital". On the 22d he continues, "We have just received news that the firing we heard yesterday was a very successful attack of our cavalry under Pleasonton, supported by Barnes's division of Meade's corps, on the rebel cavalry under Stuart. We learn that they drove them from Upperville to Snicker's Gap, taking many prisoners, two cannon and three caissons .. . . We were inspected this afternoon and made a fine appearance. Did you see in the Tribune, some two or three weeks since, a letter from Sheppard, the correspondent for our army, in which the 150th is mentioned with special honor for beautiful appearance, in dress parade particularly?" On the 25th of June, refreshed by a week's idling, the First Corps broke camp and marched to Barnesville, crossing the Potomac on pontoons about noon, and passing through Poolesville on the way. A heavy rain set in towards evening and the troops had a bad night of it - all the more dismal from their inability to cook supper, and the incessant braying of some hundreds of mules belonging to the wagon trains which were parked close by. Next morning the march was resumed in clearing weather, and of necessity foregoing the temptation to indulge in ripe cherries, which abounded on every hand, the column passed over Sugar Loaf Mountain and bivouacked near Jeffersonville, having made a distance of fifteen miles. Soon after leaving 114 ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTIETH Barnesville, the 150th overtook a straggler from a New York regiment, who, forgetful of the strict order which had been issued in regard to keeping in ranks, was plodding leisurely along, diligently munching cherries plucked from a tree by the wayside. "Why are you not with your regiment?" asked Colonel Wister. The youth made an impudent reply, when the colonel's sword flashed in the air, and in a moment would have descended on the head of the offender, if he had not fallen on his knees and begged for mercy. The colonel administered a sharp reproof, and at his bidding the straggler started on the double-quick to overtake his command. At six A. on the 27th the troops passed through Jeffersonville, and, notwithstanding the early hour, witnessed a cheering demonstration of loyalty. The entire population - old and young - was gathered in the main street, waving miniature flags, and the ladies were profuse in their bows and smiles. Regiment after regiment, as they came up, rent the air with hurrahs in acknowledgment of this friendly disposition. Reaching Middletown after an easy march of seven miles, the corps rested in the fields for the remainder of the day, and many a poor farmer in the neighborhood witnessed with dismay the rapid disappearance of his fences. At this period the regiment was very short of line-officers. Captains Fay, Reisinger, Bell and Pine, and Lieutenants Fisher and Beckwith were sick, and either absent or unfit for duty, while Captain Widdis and Lieutenant Keyser were seriously indisposed, leaving but twelve present in the line. Lieutenant Keyes resigned on the 17th of June. On Sunday, June 28, the column moved at four in the morning, and, crossing the Catoctin Range, reached Frederick at eight P.M. Here the news was spread that General Hooker had retired from the command of the army, and that General Meade had succeeded him in the position. The change created no especial enthusiasm in the 150th, which retained its confi- MAJOR-GENERAL GEORGE G. MEADE. [photo] PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 115 dence in its old commander, and was averse to "swapping horses in the middle of a stream". Beyond the reasonable pride which every Pennsylvanian felt in having a Pennsylvanian at the head of the Army of the Potomac, it is doubtful whether the announcement afforded any satisfaction to the Bucktail Brigade, which, in its unchanging devotion, was ready to do its best under any commander. At five o'clock on the following morning the First Corps left Frederick, and marching through Lewistown, Mechanics-town, Franklinville and Emmittsburg, encamped on high ground beyond the last-named place about seven o'clock in the evening. Twenty-six miles were accomplished that day, and although the road was heavy in places, on account of the almost continuous rains of a week, such was the buoyant feeling in the ranks at the thought of approaching the border of a "free" State, that the troops gave less evidence of fatigue than on any of the previous marches. It was a veritable "triumphal progress". In passing through the towns and villages, whose streets were lined with welcoming people, the colors were unfurled, the bands and drum-corps struck up, and, quickly taking the step, with muskets at a shoulder, the regiments treated the delighted citizens to an exhibition scarcely less stately and impressive than a grand review. At Mechanicstown several young ladies appeared in dresses made of the national colors, waving diminutive flags, and were enthusiastically cheered. Coffee, tea and milk were tendered to the men as they passed, and fresh bread, cakes and pies easily found the way into their capacious haversacks. All that blessed day the hills and woods resounded with patriotic lays which were taken up by regiment after regiment, until the whole army seemed to have been metamorphosed into a vast singing society. Soon after the corps came to a halt for the night, some practical joker quietly spread the report that the Mother Superior of the convent in the outskirts of the town had in- 116 ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTIETH vited all the commissioned officers to a reception, with suitable refreshments, to be held in the main building of the institution that evening. Most of those who heard the story instantly recognized its absurdity; but not a few were foolish enough to go back to the town and prowl around the convent, which of course they found shrouded in darkness. On the 3oth the First Corps advanced three or four miles to Marsh Creek, and was put in position to receive an attack, if any part of Lee's army should be in the neighborhood. The 150th occupied a wood on the left of the Emmittsburg road, the foliage sheltering it from the rain which fell intermittently during the day. The night, contrary to expectation, passed quietly, and the troops enjoyed an undisturbed rest, little dreaming of the draft that would be made on their courage and endurance on the morow.