MILITARY: One Hundred and Fiftieth Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, Second Regiment, Bucktail Brigade, Chapter 16 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. 166 ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTIETH CHAPTER XVI. RETURN TO VIRGINIA - FROM PILLAR TO POST. THE great battle of the war, which proved to be the turning-point in the fortunes of the Confederacy, had been fought, and the Army of the Potomac remained in possession of the field, but with a loss of more than twenty thousand in killed, wounded and prisoners. Never were the wounded in any important engagement more tenderly cared for than were those of the Union forces after the close of the fight at Gettysburg. The Sanitary and Christian Commissions vied with each other in their attentions to the sufferers, and all that the plundered townspeople could offer was freely given to promote the comfort and ease the pain of the thousands who had here been maimed and lacerated in their gallant stand against the invader. Multitudes of citizens from every loyal State hurried to the scene to look after the welfare of friends who had been disabled, or lend a helping hand in the hospitals, and the spectacle of so much affectionate zeal did much to tone down the actual horrors of the struggle. As early as the 4th of July a large portion of the Union cavalry, including Buford's division, was in motion to harass the retreat of the enemy, and on the succeeding day the Sixth Corps was pushed forward on the Fairfield road in pursuit, while other corps moved by various routes leading through the mountains towards the upper Potomac. The First Corps remained at Gettysburg until the morning of the 6th, when it started for Emmittsburg, and, reaching that place early in the afternoon, encamped in the outskirts for the night. Captain Jones was in command of the 150th, as he had been since the evening of the 1st; and, owing to the numerous MAJOR-GENERAL JOHN NEWTON. [portraits] MAJOR-GENERAL JOSHUA L. CHAMBERLAIN. MAJOR-GENERAL LYSANDER CUTLER. MAJOR-GENERAL JAMES S. WADSWORTH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 167 casualties in the regiment, most of the companies were commanded by sergeants, and in one or two instances by corporals. Breaking camp at five A. M. on the 7th, the corps marched all day, bivouacking a little after sunset within two miles of Middletown. The march continued on the 8th, with a halt of some hours at Middletown, and the troops rested that night at South Mountain Pass. On the 9th breastworks of stones were hastily constructed, and the corps lay on the side of the mountain all day. Next day it advanced through Boonsborough and formed line of battle a mile beyond the village. On the nth, about noon, Dana's (previously Stone's) brigade was thrown some distance to the right, where it established itself behind strong breastworks and remained all night. About noon of the 12th the march was resumed, and in a heavy thunder-storm the column passed through Funkstown and constructed defences a short distance beyond, the rebels being at the time in close proximity. The lines were strengthened on the following day, and there was some skirmishing, but no regular attack. On the 14th the corps, now under the command of General Newton, advanced to Williamsport, on the 15th to the little village of Rohrersville, and on the 16th to the neighborhood of Berlin. On the morning of the 18th it crossed the Potomac on pontoons, and rested that night at Waterford, twelve miles from the place of crossing. To the national administration and to a majority of the loyal people of our country it was a great disappointment that General Lee and his army were allowed to slip back into Virginia without another battle north of the Potomac, the result of which, it was believed, could not have been otherwise than favorable to the Union arms, in view of the spirit of our troops after their recent success, and the probable shortage of ammunition and other supplies on the side of the enemy. There were many, indeed, who counted confidently on the complete crippling, if not capture, of the Army of Northern Virginia. 168 ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTIETH As it would have been necessary to attack General Lee in a position chosen by himself, and fortified as thoroughly as his time and circumstances permitted, such an undertaking must necessarily have resulted in a heavy sacrifice of life, with no positive assurance of a victory that would have satisfied the expectations of those who clamored for a battle. Later, no doubt, under similar conditions, General Meade, having his forces well in hand, would have risked an attack, whatever the outcome; but being still new to the command of an army, he was perhaps justified in postponing an encounter, and submitting the question to his generals. On this subject Sergeant Charles A. Frey, of Company D, in his reminiscences already referred to, ventures an opinion that has the merit of frankness, though it is very doubtful whether the many friends and admirers of General Meade would accept it as an adequate explanation of his inaction. He says:-"Meade, no doubt, felt a little like a person often does in pitching quoits. If he makes a 'ringer' the first throw, rather than try to make two, and perhaps spoil both, he will throw a cowardly quoit. Meade had made a 'ringer' at Gettysburg, and the country applauded. Had he made another on the banks of the Potomac, he would have been the greatest general of the war. Had he failed in the second attempt, he would have been denounced the world over". On the 18th the column of Union prisoners, including from two- to threescore of the 150th, reached Staunton, Virginia, after many hardships on the long tramp. Here they were searched and relieved of nearly everything of value. From this point they were sent by railroad, in instalments, to Richmond, where they were placed in camp, under a strong guard, on Bell Island. The march of Newton's corps continued from day to day, via Hamilton, Middleburg and White Plains, to Warrenton, PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 169 which point was reached on the 23d. Here it rested until the 25th, when it proceeded to Warrenton Junction, where the 150th was detailed for guard duty on the line of the Orange and Alexandria Railroad. As the regiment was sadly reduced in strength, counting scarcely more than one hundred for duty, Captain Jones and Lieutenant Kilgore were now detached and sent to Philadelphia on recruiting service. It may be stated that they were reasonably successful in their mission, and a number of recruits joined the ranks during the autumn. On the 1st of August, Buford's cavalry crossed the Rappahannock to ascertain the whereabouts and distribution of Lee's forces, and a good portion of the army was put in motion. On the 2d the 150th marched to Bealeton, whence, after guarding wagon trains at that point for two days, it advanced to Rappahannock Station on the 4th. Here the sound of cannonading could be distinctly heard in the direction of Brandy Station, giving evidence of a cavalry encounter in that neighborhood. The infantry was held in readiness to move, but no occasion for its services arose. Comparative quiet now reigned "at the front", and there is little of interest to note for some weeks. Captain Sigler, of Company I, upon whom the command devolved after the departure of Captain Jones, had ceded the place to Captain Reisinger, of Company H, on the return of the latter, who, in turn, handed over the command of the regiment to Captain Bell, of Company G, when that officer reported for service, after an absence of some weeks on account of sickness. Lieutenant George Bell, of Company H, occupied the position of acting adjutant. The number of commissioned officers present was still very small. Details of men were made from time to time to construct rifle-pits beyond the river or cut away the woods to give the artillery a better range. 170 ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTIETH On the 12th of August, Company A, with a slight addition from F, was sent to Bealeton to act as provost guard at the station. Large bodies of troops were taken away on the cars on the 14th and following days, five trainloads leaving on the 16th, their destination unknown. Drafted men began to arrive about the same time in considerable numbers, consigned to various Pennsylvania regiments, but none found their way to the 150th. The return of Colonel Wister, on the 10th, was hailed with pleasure by his old comrades and subordinates, and, being the ranking officer of the brigade, he relieved Colonel Dana of the command, which the latter had held since July i. Major Chamberlin returned on the 26th and assumed command of the regiment, which was then encamped in a pleasant grove above the line of the railroad, about a mile from Rappahannock Station. The strength of the regiment was still below two hundred, and little or no attention having been paid to the clothing and equipment of the men since the great battle in Pennsylvania, they presented a motley and brigandish appearance. On the following day the major was summoned to division headquarters to meet General Kenly, then in command, who informed him that he understood the 150th had formerly enjoyed the reputation of being the best uniformed and disciplined regiment in the division, but in the absence of its field-officers it had fallen off sadly in both particulars, and needed immediate and judicious handling. He added that on the following Sunday he would personally inspect the entire division, and hoped to see the 150th in such creditable condition that it might soon be expected to resume its former status. Assuring him that he might rest easy on that score, the major returned to his camp and instantly took measures to realize the general's expectations. Inspecting each company of the regiment separately, the same afternoon, accurate note was taken PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 171 of everything that was needed, and requisitions were pushed in to the quartermaster's department before sunset with such a plea of urgency that the supplies were forthcoming on the following morning. Two feverish days of drilling and polishing succeeded, white gloves were unearthed somewhere, and on Sunday morning, August 30, no regiment in the division could compare with the 150th in the precision of its movements, the neatness of its uniforms, the polish of its arms and accoutrements, and the striking "swellness" of its whole appearance. The eyes of the nervous little general sparkled with pleasure as he passed between the ranks, and his words were full of compliment; while Major Baird, his assistant adjutant-general, who was on especial terms of friendship with the field and staff of the regiment, seemed ready to execute a hoe-down from sheer satisfaction. From that time forward there was no further complaint of the condition of the 150th. High festival was held at the headquarters of the Pennsylvania Reserve on the evening of August 29, on the occasion of the bestowal of a costly sword, belt and sash on General Meade, its former commander. Many prominent officers were in attendance, as well as many distinguished civilians, including Governor Curtin, the "Father of the Reserve", who presented the sword in an eloquent speech bubbling over with patriotic sentiment. A banquet followed, with ample provision of beer, wine and more substantial drink; and with toast and song and story, interspersed with orchestral music, the hours passed merrily until midnight, when the assemblage promptly dissolved. It was a genuine military "Commers", and the spectacle of one of the governor's staff, a veteran high up in the sixties, mounted on a table, like an enthusiastic Corps-Bursch, lining out patriotic verses to the air of "Villikins and his Dinah", and conducting the singing with all the fervor and action of a band-master, was supremely ludicrous. 172 ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTIETH While these festivities were going on, the stores of one or two sutlers in the vicinity of the camp of the 150th were badly raided by a mixed force of artillery and infantry-unarmed, of course-whom it was found necessary to disperse with a squadron of horse. On the 3d of September the regiment moved to a point about a mile and a half below the railroad, and pitched camp in the open fields immediately in the rear of the 2d Maine Battery, which it had been detailed to support. Having no other duty, the camp was first put in perfect order, and for nearly two weeks the command was thoroughly drilled in company and battalion movements, enjoying in the intervals the most uninterrupted quiet. Writing to a friend, on the 8th of September, the major says, "It is the first time since the regiment came into service that we have had no guard or picket duty to perform, and altogether we find it very pleasant. Our men are the most docile, easily governed soldiers I ever saw, and I have not had to speak a sharp word to a single soul since taking command. Small as they are in numbers, and long as they have been without pay, they are in the best possible spirits, and remind me constantly of a country school turned out to play. Lieutenant Thomas, of the battery, tells me he never had so well-conducted a regiment near him, and Dr. Carter, of the 4th Maryland, who is acting surgeon for us in the absence of Dr. Strauss, is so well pleased that he wants to remain with us". Lieutenant Fisher, of Company A, who had passed through a severe attack of sickness, beginning before the battle of Gettysburg, reported for duty on the 6th, and on the following day took charge of his company at Bealeton. By the i 5th trains were running through to Culpeper, which thereafter became the distributing station for supplies. On September 16, Company A rejoined the regiment, which with the rest of the First Corps crossed the river and marched PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 173 to Stevensburg, near Culpeper, and encamped. At this time some disaffection existed in the 150th towards its sutler, which on the 18th culminated in the presentation of the following paper, signed by the commanding officers of all the companies except D:- CAMP OF THE 150TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS, September 17, 1863. To MAJOR CHAMBERLIN, COM'D'G 150TH P. V. SIR-The undersigned commanders of companies of this regiment respectfully represent to you that in their opinion the interests of the officers and men of your command would be promoted by dismissing our present sutler, Frank Spyker, and appointing one who is more competent to do a fair and straightforward business. We do not deem it necessary to state in detail our reasons for taking this action, believing them to be well understood by the regiment. JAS. W. H. REISINGER, Capt. Co. H. W. S. PINE, Capt. Co. E. J. W. SIGLER, Capt. Co. I. G. B. PERKINS, First Lieut. Co. C. HORATIO BELL, Capt. Co. G. C. W. SEARS, First Lieut. Co. F. HARVEY FISHER, First Lieut. Co. A. S. R. BECKWITH, Second Lieut., com'd'g Co. B. On the following day, while the matter was in process of investigation by the regimental commander, a second paper was received by him, which read as follows:- We, the undersigned, respectfully ask that the memorial presented this day, calling for the dismissal of Mr. Spyker, our sutler, be retained at your headquarters without further action for the present. J. W. SIGLER, Capt. Co. I. MILES F. ROSE, First Lieut. Co. I. LIEUT. C. W. SEARS, Co. F. Wm. P. DOUGAL, Capt. Co. D. JoHN BREDIN, Second Lieut. Co. C. W. S. PINE, Capt. Co. E. LIEUT. S. R. BECKWITH, com'd'g Co. B. LIEUT. G. B. PERKINS, com'd'g Co. C. LIEUT. HARVEY FISHER, com'd'g Co. A. 174 ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTIETH This "tempest in a teapot" was thus suddenly allayed, and, the sutler having been privately interviewed and admonished by the commander, no whisper of dissatisfaction was heard for a long time. Orders were received on the 22d to draw eight days' rations and be in readiness to move, but camp was not struck until two days later, when the corps advanced nearly to the Rapidan. On the 25th a soldier of the Maryland Brigade, Third Division, was "shot to death with musketry", in accordance with the sentence of a court-martial, which had found him guilty of deserting to the enemy. To add to the enormity of his crime, he had practised "bounty-jumping" before coming to the field. The entire division was paraded to view his execution, which was conducted with great solemnity. The writer, who was present, recalls a vision of long lines of troops forming three sides of a vast square, around which a melancholy cortege, whose principal figure was the convict, dressed in dark trousers and white shirt, with his arms securely pinioned, slowly wound its way to the notes of a funeral march. Before the eyes of the prisoner swayed a rude pine coffin in the hands of stalwart bearers, while on his heels came a firing-squad of twelve men, whose rifles held his passport to eternity. These were followed by the provost guard, marshalling a group of hardened offenders upon whom it was supposed an object-lesson of so impressive a character could hardly fail of good effect. In the middle of the open side of the square a grave had been dug, and here the procession halted, a chaplain exhorting and encouraging the doomed man while the coffin was placed in position. Then the chaplain's voice was heard in prayer, the prisoner's eyes were bandaged, the commands, "Ready-Aim-Fire!" rang out in quick succession, and simultaneously with the sharp report of the guns the unhappy deserter fell dead without a tremor. PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 175 Marching past the corpse in columns of companies, the troops, to lively strains from the bands, returned to their quarters to meditate on this unusual occurrence. On account of the inflamed condition of his recent wound, which completely disabled his right shoulder and arm, Major Chamberlin was ordered-on the recommendation of competent medical authority-to report to Georgetown Hospital for treatment, and, being provided with the necessary pass and transportation, left on the morning of the 26th. The Eleventh and Twelfth Corps started for Tennessee on or about the same day. During the latter part of September and the early days of October both armies were very much on the alert, and slight changes of position were made by every portion of Meade's command almost daily. On the 27th of September the 150th was located near Culpeper. On the 28th and 29th a portion of it was picketing at Raccoon Ford, and George Dixon, of Company A, entered in his diary, "Rebels on the other side in middling good strength and well fortified". On being relieved from picket, the companies forming the detail found the regiment in a new location. For a week or ten days no incident occurred worth chronicling. On October 9, Lieutenant Fisher was ordered to duty with the ambulance train. On the following day Lee's army was in motion, evidently with a view to flank General Meade, whose force was known to be seriously reduced, and bring him to an engagement in a disadvantageous position. The latter was, however, well informed of the enemy's intentions, and instantly began a retrograde movement. The 150th, guarding the division train, crossed the Rappahannock at Kelly's Ford on the afternoon of the 11th, and encamped. Starting again at midnight of the 12th, the retreat was continued, with occasional halts for observation or rest, until the 4th, when the entire Union army was securely posted in front of the fortifications at Centreville. The Second Corps, which constituted the rear-guard, was 176 ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTIETH attacked by General Stuart not far from Bristoe Station, but repulsed the enemy handsomely, capturing two colors, a battery of five guns, and several hundred prisoners. General Meade has been much criticised for falling back from the line of Culpeper, where-it is maintained-he might have chosen his own position for fighting a battle, and, with forces superior in numbers to those of the enemy, would have had more than an even chance of success. Into the merits of this controversy it would be unprofitable to enter. It may be remarked, however, that the selection of a battle-ground by no means carries with it the assurance that the shock of arms will take place there, the enemy usually having an opinion of his own about the matter. As no harm befell the Union army, and its morale was unshaken by this hasty retreat, its commander has claim to generous indulgence for doing what seemed best to him at the time.