MILITARY: One Hundred and Fiftieth Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, Second Regiment, Bucktail Brigade, Chapter 5 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 An html version of 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. PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 43 CHAPTER V. SOCIAL AND OTHER MATTERS. ON account of the fragmentary condition of the command, the field-officers were by no means overburdened with work, and found abundant time-particularly in the evenings-for social enjoyment. Each had his circle of acquaintances in the city, into which the others were duly introduced; and many an exhilarating gallop from the camp to town, in the twilight, was followed by pleasant hours of intercourse with interesting people, paving the way, in some instances, to life-long friendships. Quite a number of visitors of both sexes found their way to the camp, to call on one or another of the officers, and these were received with uniform courtesy and regaled with the best that the limited stores of the mess-chest afforded. "Small cheer and great welcome make a merry feast", and some of the callers were so well pleased with their entertainment that an offer of civilities in return was a natural sequence. Thus invitations to one or two small evening gatherings were extended to the field and staff and promptly accepted. Among those who had tasted the hospitality of the camp, and desired to reciprocate the attentions there received, was a family from the interior of Pennsylvania, which had drifted to Washington at or before the beginning of the war, its head having, through political influence, obtained a comfortable clerkship in one of the government departments. The husband and father was of a type not infrequently encountered, smallish in stature, but of expansive girth at the waist, with a broad, unctuous face, and a crown marked by a Sahara of baldness which extended from brow to cerebellum, offering unlimited possibilities for water-color or other decoration. His eyes were hardly large 44 ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTIETH enough for a head of such generous mould, but had a merry twinkle about them which lent him an air of good-nature, emphasized to a certain extent by a striking expanse of white waistcoat and immaculate linen over a liberal area of chest and aggressive stomach. His manner was that of one who "knows it all", and jokes and stories of a pungent flavor adorned his conversation, furnishing at all times visible satisfaction to the speaker, if not to the listener. His wife was a spare, delicate-looking creature, who, in the service and companionship of such a master, had lost whatever claims she may have had to beauty, and in her timid ways bore evidence of her bondage. Two daughters, just grown to womanhood, had blessed their union, and were attractive enough with the comeliness of youth; but, sharing in the disposition of the father rather than in that of the mother, they were self-asserting beyond their years. These persons appointed an evening on which they should "esteem it an honor to entertain the principal officers of the 150th, and introduce them to a few friends". The invitation was accepted, and at the designated hour those included in the summons, in full regimentals, entered an appearance, arriving early, as requested. They found the house largely illuminated and wearing a festive air, but as the other guests had not yet arrived, they were first ushered into the "library", whose claim to that distinction was apparently founded upon the entire absence of books. Here they were cordially received by their host of the civil service, who, it was evident at a glance, was in an advanced state of exhilaration. The "honor" had proved too much for him. After a profusion of compliments, wine and more substantial tipple were produced, the old story of the general and the field-glass and corkscrew gaily aired, and the success of the regiment duly toasted. With many smiles and significant winks the host enumerated the various liquors which he had provided for the occasion, and would have insisted on having them all "sampled" on the spot had not his guests PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 45 broken away to the "drawing-room", at the suggestion of the young ladies, who announced the arrival of the "few friends". The head of the house must have indulged in the sampling process on his own account, for above the noise of conversation his voice could be heard from time to time, growing constantly louder in its utterances, indicating a rapidly rising degree of intoxication. Nearly an hour had passed when his swaying form appeared in the door-way of the drawing-room, where, by a series of ludicrous winks, gestures, and grimaces, he endeavored to entice his military friends to the library, to join him in his potations. He was put off, however, by the words "a little later", and returned to his solitary cups. Presently sounds of grumbling came from his direction, suggestive of disappointment; then exclamations of impatience, with a suspicion of profanity in them; and finally everybody was painfully conscious that the head of the house was hopelessly drunk. The young ladies strove bravely to drown the objectionable noise by lively conversation, and a loosely strung piano lent its assistance to the same desirable end; but the disturbing ejaculations continued with greater violence, until embarrassment was painted on every face and the small talk ceased altogether. Then the timid wife plucked up courage enough to remonstrate firmly, and, by arguments whose tenor could only be conjectured, the boozy member was persuaded that he was "out of order", and induced - with necessary support - to go to bed. For the ladies of the family, as well as for the guests, the pleasure of the evening was shipwrecked, and as soon as the inevitable "refreshments" had been served the military portion of the company pleaded the necessity of an early return to camp, and promptly took its leave. On the 16th of October, Captain B. F. Janney, of Company E, resigned from the service, and Lieutenant William S. Pine was commissioned captain, of the same date. 46 ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTIETH Under the pretence of wishing to enlist in the regiment, but really for the purpose of plundering, one of the numerous "sharps" who then infested the national capital came to the camp and attached himself to one of the companies. Before the time for his muster arrived he was detected in some act of thievery and promptly dragged to the guard-house for safe-keeping. It was decided that he should be drummed out of camp, and one pleasant afternoon in October, a little before sunset, bareheaded, with his jacket reversed, and decorated in front and rear with large placards on which were painted the word "THIEF", he was escorted by the drum-corps, to the tune of the "Rogues' March", through the open ranks of the regiment, beyond the limits of the grove, with the admonition never to show his face in the neighborhood again. The jeers and laughter of the men followed him until he was out of sight, and the salutary lesson thus taught him by the 150th doubtless cured him of any desire to practise his profession further in military circles. On the afternoon of October 21, several companies of the 150th marched to the camp of the 149th, where the two regiments were drawn up in line to receive the long-delayed State colors. Secretary Thomas made the presentation speech on behalf of Governor Curtin, which was chiefly remarkable for its length, while the replies of Colonels Stone and Wister were brief and appropriate. After the presentation of the flags, three vigorous cheers were given for Governor Curtin, and the troops returned to their quarters.