Military: Civil War: Army Bands, : Taylor's Philadelphia in the Civil War, 1861-1865: PA

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                           PHILADELPHIA

                             in the

                            CIVIL WAR

                            1861-1865

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ARMY BANDS

The formation of the several Philadelphia regiments of the three-months'
service included the enlistment of many of the best military musicians
in the city. In some cases the pay for extra musicians was borne by the
regimental officers. Associations of patriotic citizens subscribed to
enable favorite regiments to keep numerically strong bands in the
field.[142] When the short term regiments came home and recruiting
became active for the three years' regiments, nearly all of the best
bandsmen re-enlisted. For a time Birgfield's excellent band enjoyed
almost a monopoly of local engagements, and was, in fact, in much demand
for all home parades and other demonstrations through the war.

   [142] By General Order No. 15, May 4, 1861, regimental bands were
   limited to sixteen musicians; additional men were at the expense of
   private subscription.

General Order No. 91, October 26th, 1861, provided that no more bands
for volunteer regiments were to be mustered in, and that vacancies
occurring in the bands should not be filled. All enlisted bands in the
army were discharged by General Order dated July 29th, 1862, to take
effect within thirty days. It was provided, however, that a band of
sixteen pieces should be allowed to each brigade.

The following list comprises the best known of the military bands:

Band of the 17th Regiment - Leader, J. Moosbruger
Band of the 21st Regiment - Leader, Conrad Hoffman
Band of the 23d Regiment - Leader, Theo. Herman
Band of the 27th Regiment - Leader, Theo. Artelt
Band of the 28th Regiment - Leader, William F. Simpson[143]
Band of the 29th Regiment - Leader, Daniel Repass
Band of the 31st Regiment - Leader, Josiah Wagner
Band of the 65th Regiment (mounted) - Leader, William Ziegler
Band of the 70th Regiment (mounted) - Leader, Philip Ehrmann
Band of the 71st Regiment - Leader, Edward Schemser
Band of the 75th Regiment - Leader, Rudolph Wittig
Band of the 82d Regiment - Leader, Alex. Anderson
Band of the 88th Regiment - Leader, E. Ermentrout
Band of the 90th Regiment - Leader, Jacob L. Bricker
Band of the 95th Regiment - Leader, Joseph Whittington
Band of the 98th Regiment - Leader, Christopher Storz
Band of the 106th Regiment - Leader, Fridoline Stopper
Band of the 114th Regiment - Leader, Frank Rauscher

   [143] It has been stated that this band was organized by Antrim C.
   Beck, one of the eight brothers of the famous Beck's Band, four of
   whom were enlisted in the band of the 28th.


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COLORED TROOPS - CAMP WILLIAM PENN

Seven years prior to the commencement of the Civil War the Washington
Union, organ of the administration of President Franklin Pierce,
asserted that "if the Union of the States is dissolved and war ensues
upon the question of a revival of the slave trade, while the slave
holders cannot hope to battle with success against the Northern States,
allied with England, they can and will place a great army of negroes in
the field and defy their enemies."[143] A lively commentary upon that
assumption is presented in the feat of a negro pilot of Charleston
Harbor, Robert Smalls,[144] who, early in 1862, with eight other colored
men, seized the armed steamer Planter and, running her safely past the
forts, delivered her to Admiral DuPont of the blockade fleet. This
incident strengthened the position of those who advocated the enlistment
of negroes in the Union army and navy.[145] Upon July 17th, 1862,
Congress enacted a bill authorizing the President "to employ as many
persons of African descent as he may deem necessary and proper for the
suppression of the rebellion, and for this purpose he may organize and
use them in such manner as he may judge best for the public
welfare."[146]

   [143] Out of the entire Southern white population but three in one
   hundred held a property interest in slaves. Of the slave-holding
   class but twenty percent owned more than one slave. A large
   proportion of the political and military leaders of the South were
   non-slave holders. Among them were Robert E. Lee, Joseph E. Johnston
   and A. P. Hill. ("Slavery and Abolition," Hart.)

   [144] Robert Smalls subsequently became a colonel of colored troops
   and after the close of the war was elected to Congress from South
   Carolina.

   [145] The first recorded suggestion for the employment of colored
   troops in the Northern armies is found in a letter written to Hon.
   Simon Cameron, Secretary of War, of April 16th, 1861, by Burr Porter,
   late major in the Ottoman Army. (Official documents.)

   [146] Soon after the occupation of New Orleans, in 1862, Major-Gen.
   Benjamin F. Butler, recruited colored troops and in South Carolina
   Major-Gen. David Hunter had formed negro regiments about the same
   time, this procedure being made the subject of Congressional inquiry.

The President made no haste to avail himself of this authority. He first
signed, as a war measure, the Emancipation Proclamation relating to the
slaves held in the disloyal States. This became effective upon January
1st, 1863, and it was not until then that the question of enrolling
colored troops was actively considered.[147] Upon February 13th, 1863,
Hon. Charles Sumner presented a bill providing for the enlistment of
300,000 colored troops. It was reported upon negatively. The State of
Massachusetts, however, proceeded to enlist the colored organization
famous as the "54th Regiment Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, Colored."
One company of this regiment (B) was raised in Philadelphia by James
Morris Walton, Esq., who became major of the 54th. Lieutenants Frank M.
Welsh and E. N. Hallowell were also active in securing Philadelphia
recruits. Nearly every company of the 54th contained Philadelphia and
Pennsylvania men. This was true, also, of the 55th Massachusetts Colored
Regiment, of which Norwood Penrose Hallowell, of Philadelphia, became
colonel. So deeply rooted was the old prejudice in Philadelphia against
the blacks, that recruits raised here for the two above designated
regiments were sent away at night in small squads by rail. Referring to
these colored recruits the Philadelphia Inquirer said, June 26th, 1863,
that "Pennsylvania has already lost fully 1,500 men who have enlisted in
Massachusetts."

   [147] President Lincoln, writing to Horace Greeley, date of August
   22d, 1861, said: "If there be those who would not save the Union
   unless at the same time they could save slavery, I do not agree with
   them. If there be those who would not save the Union unless they
   could at the same time destroy slavery, I do not agree with them."

At a meeting held in Philadelphia upon March 25th, 1863, for the
promotion of a colored brigade to be commanded by Col. William Angeroth,
a committee, including Messrs. F. C. Philpot, James Logan, Jacob Keefer,
Charles Angeroth, Jr., W. Henry Moore and William Frishmuth, reported
that the Secretary of War had promised immediate authority to
proceed.[148]

   [148] General Order No. 143, May 22d, 1863, provided for a bureau to
   be attached to the office of the Adjutant-General at Washington to
   record all matters relating to the organization of colored troops.
   Non-commissioned officers of colored regiments were selected from the
   ranks.

At another gathering of citizens held in Sansom Street Hall on the
evening of June 19th, 1863, the following persons were named to
constitute a general committee for raising black regiments: Thomas
Webster, Chairman; J. Miller McKim, William H. Ashurst, Evan Randolph,
N. B. Brown, Adolph E. Borie, William D. Kelley, George H. Boker, Caleb
H. Needles, William Rotch Wister, Thomas J. Megear, Henry Samuel, Henry
C. Howell, B. F. Reimer, George T. Thorn, Enoch R. Hutchinson, William
M. Tilghman, A. H. Franciscus, Cadwalader Biddle, Samuel S. White,
William P. Stotesbury, George M. Connarroe, George Truman, Jr., Charles
Wise, John McAllister, Abraham Barker and A. G. Cattell.

On the same date Lieut.-Col. Charles C. Ruff, U. S. A., notified the
Citizens' Bounty Fund Committee that, as mustering officer at this post,
he had "orders to authorize the formation of one regiment of ten
companies, colored troops, each company to be eighty strong, to be
mustered into the United States service and provided for, in all
respects, the same as white troops." A week later, as a rendezvous for
this class of troops, Camp William Penn was established outside of the
city limit, in Cheltenham township, Montgomery County. Lieut.-Col. Louis
Wagner (of the 88th Regiment, Pennsylvania Infantry), who had been badly
wounded at Bull Run, was appointed to command the camp.

Upon June 17th, 1863, during the emergency excitement preceding the
battle of Gettysburg, a company of colored men, under Capt. A. M. Babe,
appeared at the City Arsenal and applied for uniforms and guns. They
were fitted out without question and sent to Harrisburg, but were
promptly returned to Philadelphia. This company was accepted by the
Government and mustered upon June 26th, 1863, and was said to have been
the first company of colored troops of Philadelphia enrolled in the
United States service.

When the opportunity came to the free blacks of the north to enlist
under the flag of the Union, their leading men were prompt in appeal to
their manhood. In Philadelphia thousands of copies of a circular were
distributed, reading in part as follows:

"This is our golden moment. The Government of the United States calls
for every able-bodied colored man to enter the army for the three years'
service, and join in fighting the battles of Liberty and the Union. A
new era is open to us. For generations we have suffered under the
horrors of slavery outrage and wrong! Our manhood has been denied, our
citizenship blotted out, our souls seared and burned, our spirits cowed
and crushed, and the hopes of the future of our race involved in doubt
and darkness. But now the whole aspect of our relations with the white
race is changed. * * * * If we love our country, if we love our
families, our children, our homes, we must strike now while the country
calls. More than a million of white men have left comfortable homes and
joined the armies of the Union to save their country. Cannot we leave
ours and swell the hosts of the Union, save our liberties, vindicate our
manhood and deserve well of our country? * * * * Men of color! Brothers
and fathers! We appeal to you! By all your concern for yourselves and
your liberties, by all your regard for God and humanity, by all your
desire for citizenship and equality before the law, by all your love of
country, to stop at no subterfuges, listen to nothing that shall deter
you from rallying for the army. Strike now and you are henceforth and
forever Freemen!"

SIGNERS:-- E. D. Bassett, William D. Forten, Frederick Douglass, William
Whipper, D. M. Turner, James McCrummell, A. S. Cassey, A. M. Green, J.
W. Page, L. R. Seymour, Rev. J. Underdue, John W. Price, Augustus
Dorsey, Rev. Stephen Smith, N. W. Depee, Dr. J. H. Wilson, J. W. Cassey,
P. J. Armstrong, J. W. Simpson, Rev. J. B. Trusty, S. Morgan Smith,
William E. Gipson, Rev. J. Boulden, Rev. J. Asher, Rev. J. C. Gibbs,
Daniel George, Robert M. Adger, Henry M. Cropper, Rev. J. B. Reeve, Rev.
J. A. Williams, Rev. A. L. Stanford, Thomas J. Bowers, Elijah J. Davis,
John P. Burr, Robert Jones, O. V. Catto, Thomas J. Dorsey, I. D. Cliff,
Jacob C. White, Morris Hall, James Needham, Rev. Elisha Weaver, Ebenezer
Black, Rev. William T. Catto, James R. Gordon, Samuel Stewart, David B.
Bowser, Henry Minton, Daniel Colley, J. C. White, Jr., Rev. J. P.
Campbell, Rev. W. J. Alston, J. P. Johnson, Franklin Turner and Jesse
Glasgow

White officers for the colored troops were selected with great care,
generally from regiments of white troops in the field. The committee for
the supervision of recruiting of colored regiments opened a school of
instruction at 1210 Chestnut street, where, under the direction of Maj.
George A. Hearns, U. S. A. Commissioner, Col. John H. Taggart (late an
officer of the 12th Regiment, Veteran Reserve Corps), instructed
applicants for commissions. Upon October 3d, 1863, the 6th Regiment and
four companies of the 8th Regiment, colored troops, were paraded in the
city under the command of Col. John W. Ames, and escorted by Lieut.-Col.
Louis Wagner and staff. These regiments were reviewed at the Union
League Club and provided with a dinner at the Union Volunteer
Refreshment Saloon. The soldierly bearing of these troops won for them
and their officers great praise from the newspapers and the public.[149]

   [149] For the assistance of these volunteers the Colored Women's
   Sanitary Commission was formed, with headquarters at 404 Walnut
   street. The officers wee Mrs. Caroline Johnson, President; Mrs. Arena
   Ruffin, Vice President; Rev. Stephen Smith, Treasurer; Rev. J. Asher,
   Secretary.

The colored regiments mustered at Camp William Penn were numbered the
3d, 6th, 8th, 22d, 24th, 25th, 32d, 41st, 43d, 45th and 127th, and as
they were rated as part of the regular force of the United States Army,
they were not credited upon the quota of Philadelphia or the state of
Pennsylvania.

The records for bravery under fire and efficiency in the campaigns in
which they were employed, to the credit of the colored soldiers in the
Union Army, were shared by the ten thousand nine hundred and forty rank
and file, and nearly four hundred white officers commanding them, all of
whom were originally assembled at Camp William Penn.

Upon a pillar of the Court of Honor erected in honor of the 33d Annual
National Encampment of the Grand Army of the Republic, September 4th to
9th, 1899, was inscribed the name, for distinguished heroism, of Sgt.
Arthur Harold of Company A, 8th Regiment, United States Colored Troops,
who was killed at Petersburg.

In a general order of October 11th, 1864, Maj.-Gen. Benjamin F. Butler,
referring to a charge made by these troops at New Market, wrote: "Better
men were never better led, better officers never led better men. A few
more such charges and to command colored troops will be the post of
honor in the American armies."

Ever since the Civil war colored regiments have been a part of the
military arm of the nation.


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THIRD REGIMENT INFANTRY
(U. S. Colored Troops)

Colonel Benjamin G. Tilghman

Organized at Camp William Penn in August, 1863, this regiment was
attached to the Fourth Brigade, Tenth Corps, and was stationed at Morris
Island, Charleston Harbor, S. C., at Hilton Head, S. C., and in
February, 1864, transferred to Vogdes' Division, District of Florida.
With this and other commands its subsequent service was confined to the
State of Florida. The 3d participated in the assaults on Forts Wagner
and Gregg, and in operations at Charleston, S. C.; also in a series of
expeditions and actions in Florida. For a considerable period the
regiment served as heavy artillery. The command was retained in the
service for garrison duty at Jacksonville, Fernandina and other points
to October 21st, 1865, when it was mustered out.

BATTLES, ETC.
Operations on Morris' Island, S. C., including Forts Wagner and Gregg,
expedition to Florida, expedition to Lake City, Fla., expedition to Camp
Milton, Fla., expedition to Bryant's plantation


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SIXTH REGIMENT INFANTRY
(U. S. Colored Troops)

Colonel John W. Ames

Leaving Camp William Penn on October 14th, 1863, the 6th joined the army
at Fortress Monroe and was, in the course of its history, attached to
the Eighteenth, Tenth and Twenty-fifth Corps. In the two years of
service the regiment had a more active part in a field of operations
covering a large portion of two States than any other colored regiment
originating from Pennsylvania. With its camp at Yorktown, Va., the
regiment accompanied expeditions into North Carolina and to various
points on the peninsula, joining the colored division under Gen. B. F.
Butler on the James River in May, 1864, and participating in battles and
operations incident to the siege of Petersburg and Richmond. Its most
notable record was gained at the battle of Chaffin's Farm (New Market
Heights), where it lost most heavily. Here a company, led by Capt. John
McMurray, went into the charge with thirty-two men and returned with but
three. This was the greatest average company loss recorded of any troops
in the course of the war. It was in this charge that Capt. Robert B.
Beath, subsequently commissioned lieutenant-colonel, lost his leg.

With the Twenty-fifth Corps in the operations on the North Carolina
coast at the beginning of 1865, the 6th was in the advance upon and
capture of Fort Fisher, and in the following campaign, which cleared
eastern North Carolina of the enemy and finally led to a junction with
Gen. Sherman's army at Raleigh and the capitulation of Gen. Johnston,
after which the 6th performed garrison duty at Wilmington, N. C., to its
muster out on September 20th, 1865.

The chaplain, Rev. Jeremiah W. Asher, lost his life at Wilmington
through attendance on men suffering from malignant fever.

TOTAL LOSSES
Killed or mortally wounded - 8 officers; 79 men
Died of disease - 5 officers; 132 men
Wounded, not mortally, and missing (officers and men) - 168

BATTLES
Expedition against Richmond, skirmish near Williamsburg, expedition from
Yorktown to New Kent Court House, City Point, Petersburg (June 9th,
1864), Butler's operations against Petersburg and Richmond, Petersburg
(assault June 15th, 1864), Petersburg (June 16th, 18th, 1864), Dutch
Gap, Chaffin's Farm (Fort Harrison), Fort Fisher (December, 1864), Fort
Fisher (January, 1865), Sugar Loaf Battery, N. C., occupation of
Wilmington, N. C., skirmish, Phillips Cross Roads, N. C.


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EIGHTH REGIMENT INFANTRY
(U. S. Colored Troops)

Colonel John W. Fuller

This regiment was ready for the field in December, 1863, and left
Philadelphia for Hilton Head, S. C., on January 16th, 1864, from which
point it was ordered to Jacksonville, Fla. At the battle of Olustee, a
point about fifty miles westward from that city, on February 20th, the
8th met with disastrous losses. Among the wounded was Capt. (afterward
Lieut.-Col.) George E. Wagner, brother of Gen. Louis Wagner. After
months of further campaigning in Florida the regiment was sent to the
Tenth Corps, operating in front of Richmond and Petersburg. The 8th was
engaged in the battles of Chaffin's Farm (Fort Harrison), Darbytown Road
and the second Fair Oaks. After wintering in the trenches before
Richmond the regiment participated in the final struggle around
Petersburg, and was present at the scene of the surrender at Appomattox.
After several weeks of duty at Petersburg the 8th was sent by transport
to Texas, serving there until November. The regiment was mustered out on
the 10th, and finally discharged at Philadelphia December 12th, 1865.

TOTAL LOSSES
Killed or mortally wounded - 4 officers; 115 men
Died of disease - 132 men
Wounded, not mortally - 245 men
Captured or missing - 72 men

BATTLES
Olustee, Bermuda Hundred, Chaffin's Farm, Darbytown Road, siege of
Petersburg, Hatcher's Run, fall of Petersburg, pursuit of Lee,
Appomattox Court House.

NOTE:-- This regiment is included in the well-known and oft quoted list
of "Three Hundred Fighting Regiments." Fox.


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TWENTY-SECOND REGIMENT INFANTRY
(U. S. Colored Troops)

Colonel Joseph B. Kiddoo

This regiment proceeded from Camp William Penn to Yorktown, Va., at the
end of January, 1864, and as a part of Hinck's Division, Eighteenth
Corps, participated in Butler's demonstrations against Petersburg and
Richmond, and was engaged in the attack on Fort Powhattan incident to
Grant's advance to and across the James River. The 22d was active in the
heavy siege operations beginning in June, 1864, and ending with the fall
of Petersburg and Richmond, fighting in many notable battles incident to
that period of the war. It was honored by selection as one of the first
Union regiments sent into Richmond. It was detailed as part of the
escort at the funeral obsequies of President Lincoln at Washington,
after which it was sent to the Eastern Shore of Maryland in pursuit of
the assassins. The 22d was now transported to Texas as part of the
Twenty-fifth Corps, where it was kept on patrol duty along the Rio
Grande River for four months. The regiment was mustered out October
16th, 1865.

TOTAL LOSSES
Killed or died from wounds - 2 officers; 70 men
Died of disease, etc. - 1 officer; 144 men

BATTLES, ETC.
Engaged on duty near Yorktown, Butler's operations, Bermuda Hundred,
Fort Powhattan, Dutch Gap, assault at Petersburg, Chaffin's Farm (New
Market), Fair Oaks (October 27th, 28th, 1864), Chaffin's Farm (November
4th), in trenches before Richmond, occupation of Richmond, duty in Texas
to end of enlistment


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TWENTY-FOURTH REGIMENT INFANTRY
(U. S. Colored Troops)

Colonel Orlando Brown

This regiment was moved from Camp William Penn to Washington May 5th,
1865. After a brief stay at Camp Casey it was assigned to guard
prisoners at Point Lookout, Md., and subsequently to patrol and provost
duty at Richmond, Va., and points in Virginia, with headquarters at
Burkeville. It was mustered out at Richmond October 1st, 1865.


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TWENTY-FIFTH REGIMENT INFANTRY
(U. S. Colored Troops)

Colonel Octavius A. Scroggs

The right wing of this regiment left Philadelphia March 15th, 1864, and
was assigned to garrison duty at Beaufort, N. C., later joining the left
wing at New Orleans. In October the command was sent to Pensacola, Fla.,
in which State it was garrisoned at Forts Pickens and Barrancas to the
conclusion of its service, December 6th, 1865.


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THIRTY-SECOND REGIMENT INFANTRY
(U. S. Colored Troops)

Colonel George W. Baird

Organized at Camp William Penn in the spring of 1864, the 32d was
ordered to Hilton Head, S. C., arriving there on April 27th. A few weeks
later the command was sent to Morris Island, joining the troops then
operating against Charleston. Here and at points along the South
Carolina coast the regiment was on duty throughout its term of service.
It was mustered out August 22d, 1865.

TOTAL LOSSES
Killed or died of wounds - 2 officers; 35 men
Died of disease - 113 men

BATTLES, ETC.
Duty at Hilton Head, Morris' Island, siege operations, expedition to
Boyd's Neck, Honey Hill, raid on Savannah Railroad, Devaux Neck, James'
Island, occupation of Charleston, Potter expedition, Dingle's Mills,
Statesboro, Camden, Boydkin's Mills, Beach Creek, Denken's Mills


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FORTY-FIRST REGIMENT INFANTRY
(U. S. Colored Troops)

Colonel Llewellyn F. Haskell

This regiment left Camp William Penn October 18th, 1864, proceeding to
the vicinity of Richmond, there being attached to Hinck's Division,
Tenth Corps. The regiment remained with the Army of the Potomac until
May 25th, 1865, being then sent by sea to join the Twenty-fifth Corps in
Texas[150], where it was engaged on guard and patrol duty. In September,
1865, the 41st was reduced to a battalion of four companies. It was
mustered out at Brownsville November 10th, and disbanded at Philadelphia
on December 14th, 1865.

   [150] The Twenty-fifth Corps was composed of colored troops of the
   Tenth and Eighteenth Corps. It was created December 3d, 1864, and the
   entire corps was transferred to Texas in May and June, 1865. It was
   commanded by Major-Gen. Godfrey Weitzel.

BATTLES AND SERVICES
Deep Bottom, before Richmond, Fair Oaks (October 27th, 18th, 1864),
picket duty at Chaffin's Farm, Hatcher's Run, Fall of Petersburg,
pursuit of Lee, Appomattox Court House, on duty at Edenburg, Texas


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FORTY-THIRD REGIMENT INFANTRY
(U. S. Colored Troops)

Colonel Stephen B. Yeoman

Organized at Camp William Penn, this regiment was stationed at Annapolis
April 18th, 1864. It was attached to the Ninth Corps from September to
November, being then transferred to the Twenty-fifth Corps, and
participated in the active campaigns incident to the siege of Petersburg
and Richmond, being often engaged. After the conclusion of hostilities
in Virginia the regiment was dispatched to Texas. It was mustered out
October 20th, and discharged at Philadelphia November 30th, 1865.

TOTAL LOSSES
Killed or died of wounds - 3 officers; 48 men
Died of disease - 188 men

BATTLES AND SERVICES
Campaign from the Rapidan to the James River, before Petersburg,
operations against Richmond, mine explosion, Weldon Railroad, Poplar
Grove Church, Boydton Plank Road, Hatcher's Run, before Richmond through
the winter, Hatcher's Run, fall of Petersburg, pursuit of Lee,
Appomattox Court House, duty at Petersburg and City Point, duty on the
Rio Grande River to end of enlistment


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FORTY-FIFTH REGIMENT INFANTRY
(U. S. Colored Troops)

Colonel Ulysses Doubleday

This regiment was recruited during the summer of 1864. Four companies
were ordered from Camp William Penn in July for garrison duty at
Arlington Heights. Six companies left Philadelphia late in September and
were assigned to the Tenth Corps. These companies experienced the
fighting with which the command is credited, being engaged in several of
the battles incident to the investment of Petersburg and Richmond. The
battalion from Arlington joined the later companies in camp at Chaffin's
Farm and shared with them in the Appomattox campaign, after which the
regiment was ordered to Texas along with other colored regiments and
employed there on guard and provost duty. The 45th was mustered out at
Brownsville November 4th, 1865.

BATTLES AND SERVICES
Guard duty at Arlington (four companies), movements around Richmond,
Chaffin's Farm, Fort Harrison, Fair Oaks (October 27th, 28th, 1864),
winter in the trenches before Richmond, Hatcher's Run, fall of
Petersburg, pursuit of Lee, Appomattox Court House, guard duty at City
Point, duty on the Rio Grande to end of enlistment


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ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-SEVENTH REGIMENT INFANTRY
(U. S. Colored Troops)

Colonel Benjamin F. Tracy

This regiment was the last to leave Camp William Penn. It was ordered to
City Point, Va., in September, 1864, and there attached to the Tenth
Corps. Its movements and engagements were identical with those of the
left wing of the 45th Regiment, including the transfer after Lee's
surrender to further duty in Texas. It was mustered out upon the Rio
Grande river October 20th, 1865.


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SOME OF THE FIGHTING REGIMENTS

An oft-quoted list of three hundred regiments, selected from the entire
Union force for superior fighting records, by Col. William F. Fox[1]
includes the following commands identified with Philadelphia: Cavalry -
11th Regiment. Infantry - 26th, 28th, 61st, 71st, 72d, 81st, 95th,
116th, 118th, 119th, 121st, 150th Regiments, 6th and 8th U. S. (Colored)
Regiments. In qualifying his selections, Col. Fox says: "It is not
claimed that these are the three hundred fighting regiments of the army,
but that they are the three hundred fighting regiments which evidently
did considerable fighting during the war."

An impartial study of the records made by a number of Philadelphia
regiments not included in the above list must awaken a sense of regret
that their achievements as effective fighters were not duly considered
in the compilation thus set forth.

     PHILADELPHIA REGIMENTS WHICH SUSTAINED A LOSS
            IN KILLED AND MORTALLY WOUNDED
       EXCEEDING TEN PERCENT OF TOTAL ENROLLMENT
                IN ACTIVE SERVICE[151]

   [151] "Regimental Losses in the American Civil War"

                        Total

61st Regiment............237............11.9 percent
69th Regiment............178............10.3 percent
72d Regiment...... ......193............12.9 percent
81st Regiment............208............12.9 percent
106th Regiment...........104............10.3 percent
118th Regiment...........141............11.0 percent
119th Regiment...........141............11.5 percent
121st Regiment...........109............12.5 percent
188th Regiment...........103............10.3 percent
150th Regiment...........112............10.3 percent


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FORT DELAWARE AND FORT MIFFLIN

Fort Delaware, the chief defensive work for the Port of Philadelphia,
was building, according to the original plan, in 1850.[152] At this time
historic Fort Mifflin, within sight of the present Navy Yard at League
Island, was the only point of protection afforded Philadelphia. During
the Civil War a garrison was maintained at Fort Mifflin, where large
supplies of ammunition were stored. Here, also, was the execution ground
for deserters and "bounty jumpers."[153] Fort Delaware, located in mid-
stream, upon an island of one hundred and twenty-five acres, is a
massive structure, its ground plan forming an irregular pentagon. In
1861, its armament consisted of nineteen columbiads, fourteen eight-inch
guns and a large number of smaller cannon. The range of gun-fire was
three miles. This place was admirably adapted for a military prison
camp. The post was placed in the command of Brig.-Gen. A. Schoepf, U. S.
A. In April, 1861 a single company of seventy regular artillerymen
guarded the fort.[154] On April 24th the Commonwealth Artillery,
volunteers from Philadelphia, reinforced the garrison. A guard-boat, the
Hero, was employed as a patrol. The space outside of the fort was
gradually covered with barracks for the prisoners of war who were
guarded here at a later time.

   [152] In 1851 the construction work on Fort Delaware was in charge of
   Capt. George B. McClellan, of the Corps of Engineers, U. S. A. He was
   subsequently sent by Jefferson Davis, Secretary of War, to study
   military science in the Crimea. He resigned from the army in 1857 to
   enter the field of railroad construction and operation. In 1859, when
   a member of the Inquirer staff visited the fort, it was far from
   completion, and no guns had been sent for emplacement. The work at
   that period was under charge of Captain John Newton, U. S. A.

   [153] In the winter of 1863-64, the crew of the bark A. I. were
   imprisoned at Fort Mifflin. This vessel, laden with heavy cannon from
   the Navy Yard, shells from ordnance stores and powder from the Dupont
   Mills was, it has always been thought, destined to voluntary capture
   by the Confederates. The ship was finally released by orders from
   Washington, but the mystery of the disloyalty in high places revealed
   in this strange transaction was never cleared up. The case of the
   owners against Provost Marshal Gen. George Cadwalader was only
   settled by a verdict for the defendant five years later. The story
   has been recorded in "A True Romance of the Rebellion," by A. A. Gen.
   Cyrus S. Haldeman.

   [154] It is stated in Sharf & Westcott's history that, on April 19th,
   175 men proceeded to garrison Fort Delaware. The Commonwealth
   Artillery and Pennsylvania Guards left for Fort Delaware on the night
   of April 24th. Fort Mifflin was garrisoned by the Richmond
   (Philadelphia) Artillery and the Kensington Rifles with a detachment
   of police on the morning of April 23d, 1861.

The weakness of the forts of the Delaware River and Bay was a cause of
much anxiety to the civil and military authorities of Philadelphia and
to the State Government, and while, in the course of the war, much was
done to strengthen the armaments of old Fort Mifflin and Fort Delaware,
these works were not made secure against the danger of reduction,
especially by "foreign" fleets, of which there was, much of the time,
good reason to be afraid. This reasonable apprehension was reflected in
repeated representations from the Pennsylvania Legislature to the United
States Government.[155]

   [155] Joint Resolution approved February 26th, 1862 (Pamphlet Laws,
   1862, page 550), relative to the defences of Delaware River and Bay.
   WHEREAS, New exigencies have arisen to force upon the attention of
   Pennsylvania the unprotected condition Be it Enacted, etc., That,
   moved by the deepest solicitude in view of the continued delay of the
   United States Government, we urge upon our Senators and
   Representatives in Congress the exertion of the most strenuous and
   immediate efforts to secure a system of adequate defence for the
   Delaware River and Bay. The Governor of this Commonwealth is
   requested to confer with the Governors of New Jersey and Delaware to
   secure co-operation of these States in the furtherance of this
   important object, alike indispensable to the interests of these
   States. Again, by Joint Resolution of May 26th, 1862, the
   Pennsylvania Legislature urged insistently and impressively that the
   Government should provide such defensive works "as shall remove all
   apprehension from the sudden invasion of either domestic or foreign
   foes." The State authorities offered to pledge the credit of the
   Commonwealth, if necessary, to the extent of one million dollars for
   this purpose.

Among the Philadelphia troops stationed at Fort Delaware, following
those of the Commonwealth Artillery, were Segebarth's Marine Artillery,
two companies, and also Independent Battery A, Heavy Artillery, Capt.
Frank Schaffer. From March 1st, 1862, the battery was commanded by Capt.
Stanislaus Mlotkowski. This command, enlisted for three years, was
stationed here from September 19th, 1861, to the conclusion of the war,
having been reorganized at the end of its enlistment, in September,
1864. It was finally discharged from service June 30th, 1865.

A battalion of four companies of the 157th Regiment, Lieut.-Col. Edmund
T. Tiers, was stationed at the fort in December, 1862. Companies D, G
and H, 3d Heavy Artillery, were stationed here in the early part of
1862.

Companies L and M, of the 2d Heavy Artillery (112th Regiment), were on
duty at the fort two months, in the summer of 1863. The 196th Regiment,
Penna. Vols. (5th Union League Regiment), was located here in November,
1864.

The 215th Regiment (9th Union League Regiment), Col. Francis Wister,
served at the fort from June to August, 1865.

The prisoners were generally, if not altogether, conveyed to Fort
Delaware through Philadelphia. The largest single party of Confederates
arrived upon June 9th, 1863, and came from Vicksburg.[156] They numbered
twenty-four hundred. As a rule, the prisoners, as well as their guards,
were given a hearty meal at the refreshment saloons before taking
steamers at the foot of Washington avenue. This kindly treatment was a
surprise to the captives.

   [156] The siege of Vicksburg began upon May 18th. The surrender
   occurred on July 4th. These prisoners were captured during the
   intervening assaults conducted by Gen. U. S. Grant.

It was reported that on July 1st, 1863, the prisoners at the fort
numbered three thousand five hundred and seventy-six. Prior to and
during the battle of Gettysburg these prisoners confidently expected
speedy release at the hands of the advancing Confederate army. Much
anxiety existed, with regard to them, in Philadelphia, and the guards
were greatly increased. During July and August, following the battle, in
excess of nine thousand additional prisoners arrived at the fort. This
accession necessitated more extensive hospital facilities. In September,
1863, a new hospital, containing six hundred beds, and in every way
sanitary and comfortable, was opened for the use of both the prisoners
and their guards, without distinction. As a story had been spread abroad
that the prisoners were being ill-treated, a number of Confederate
surgeons, confined at the fort, united in a communication to the
Philadelphia newspapers denying the report and testifying to the very
low death rate among the prisoners. At this time there were many among
the prisoners who realized that the Confederacy was destined to fail and
were glad to avail themselves of an opportunity to enlist in the Union
army.[157]

   [157] To the West Philadelphia police is due the credit of capturing
   the only lone invader, of the four dreaded northward forays of the
   Confederate hosts, who succeeded in entering this City save as a
   prisoner of war. On July 22d, 1864, George Bane, of Moseby's Cavalry,
   was picked up at Grays Ferry. Clad in his dusty uniform, he
   disclaimed any credit as a deserter. Having been left in the rear of
   Early's raiders, he "just thought he would like to see what
   Philadelphia looked like," so he toured northward. he was registered
   at Fort Delaware.

One detachment of two hundred recruits from among the prisoners was
taken to Baltimore and attached to a Federal cavalry regiment.

At a time when many thousand of our ill-fated Union volunteers were
being starved to death at Salisbury, N. C.; Florence, S. C., and at
Andersonville, Ga., the bill of fare served in the hospital, to
Confederates, in the prison camp at Fort Delaware, was as follows:

Sunday:
Breakfast - bread and butter, cold meat, coffee. Dinner - beef soup,
potatoes, bread pudding. Supper - bread and butter, tea, stewed fruit.

Monday:
Breakfast - bread and butter, hash, coffee. Dinner - Irish stew, bread.
Supper - mush and milk, coffee.

Tuesday:
Breakfast - fried mush and molasses, coffee. Dinner - soup, roast beef,
vegetables, bread. Supper - cold beef, bread and butter, tea.

Wednesday:
Breakfast - two eggs, bread and butter, coffee. Dinner - pork and beans,
potatoes, bread pudding. Supper - mush and milk, bread and butter, tea.

Thursday:
Breakfast - bread and butter, mush and molasses, coffee. Dinner -
chicken soup, potatoes, bread and rice. Supper - cold beef, bread and
butter, stewed fruit, tea.

Friday:
Breakfast - two eggs, bread and butter, coffee. Dinner - mutton stew,
vegetables, bread. Supper - mush and milk, coffee.

Saturday:
Breakfast - fried mush and molasses. Dinner - roast beef, potatoes,
bread and butter, coffee. Supper - cold beef, bread and butter, coffee.

Two books, written by Confederate civilians, furnish interesting side-
lights upon experiences of prisoners of war held in northern military
prisons during the Rebellion period. The first of these, John A.
Marshall, author, entitled "The American Bastile," was printed in
Philadelphia in 1869, and purports to set forth the sufferings of about
one hundred northern men arrested and immured upon various charges of
treasonable conduct. Of the list five persons, Charles and Edward
Ingersoll, William H. Winder, John Apple and John E. Robinson, were
Philadelphians. The pages of this work are strongly tinctured with the
wrath of the "unreconstructed" and cannot be regarded as impartial
testimony. The other, entitled "United States Bonds, or Duress by
Federal Authority," was penned by the Rev. Isaac W. K. Handy (father of
the late Moses P. Handy, journalist), a minister of Portsmouth,
Virginia. Dr. Handy's book deals entirely with prison life at Fort
Delaware, where he was detained over a period of fifteen months,
beginning July 21st, 1863. This volume[158] is a valuable and temperate
journal of "inside" experiences at the great prison camp, dealing, as it
does, with all fairness, concerning the routine of the prison and the
incidents of which he was a witness, and testifying, in a modest way, to
the religious influence he was able to exert over a large proportion of
his fellow prisoners. The book contains the names of six hundred
Confederates who were removed from Fort Delaware on August 20th, 1864,
by transport to Morris Island, S. C., as a measure of reprisal.

   [158] A copy of Dr. Handy's book may be seen at the Philadelphia
   Library.

Dr. Handy's estimate of the commandant at Fort Delaware is suggested in
the following quotation (page 272):

"I was passing a sally-port when I heard my name called by the
Commandant, and before I could cross over he said, 'You will be released
in a few days.' As I was approaching General Schoepf (who was walking
with General Jeff. Thompson) the Commandant said, pointing to me, 'He is
a Rebel, too.' I inquired of General Thompson how he happened to be at
Fort Delaware. 'He came here,' said General Schoepf, 'to be well
treated. We know how to treat the soldier here, don't you think so?' I
very cordially assented to this remark. The General continued, 'You must
not abuse me when you leave here.' 'I shall not be disposed to do so,' I
replied. 'You have always treated me with great kindness. I think you
have the good feeling of all the prisoners.'"

It is further related that the famous guerrilla chief had been invited
to dine with the commanding officer and was visited, a little later, by
his reverend acquaintance, who found him comfortably roomed and "seated
in front of a good coal fire."


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THE NAVY

Pennsylvania was well represented in the navy register of the Civil War
period. The most notable figure, native of Philadelphia, in the service
was Capt. Charles Stewart. This fine old sea fighter was born when the
British occupied Philadelphia in 1778. In 1862 he was promoted to the
rank of rear admiral. For a long term he was the senior retired officer
of the navy, and was only retired after seventy-one years of service. He
died, at the age of ninety-one, in 1869. Other distinguished naval
officers, natives of the State and all Philadelphians by birth or
residence were:

Rear Admirals: James L. Lardner, David Dixon Porter, Sylvanus W. Godon,
John A. Dahlgren, John C. Howell, Elie A. F. Lavalette, Clark H. Wells,
James McQueen Forsyth, Lewis Wood Robinson, Henry Kuhn Hoff, Edward York
McCauley, George Wallace Melville, John Marston, George Campbell Read.

Commodores: William McKean, Joseph Beale, Edward Rees Thompson, Garrett
J. Pendergrast, John C. Febiger, William Talbot Truxton, James H.
Watmough, William J. McCluney, William Ronckendorf.

Captains: Benjamin Franklin Garvin, George Cochran, Albert Carpenter
Gorgas, William Rawle Brown, Henry S. Steelwagen, H. A. Adams.

Commander: Abner Reed.

Lieut. Commanders: A. Boyd Cummings, John Livingston, D. Borthwick,
James Patterson Robertson, Clarke Merchant, Henry Douglas McEwan, George
H. White.

Lieutenants: Frank M. Ashton, Harrison Allen, Henry Clay McIlvaine.


U. S. MARINE CORPS

Brig.-General Jacob Zeilin, Col. Charles Grymes McCawley, Col. James
Forney, Major John C. Cash, Lieut. James Black Young.

Surgeons: Edward F. Carson, Samuel H. Peltz and William Whelan.


NECROLOGY

Of the above officers, those who were killed or died during the war
included:

George Campbell Read, U. S. N., Rear Admiral. Died August 22d, 1862.
Garrett J. Pendergrast, U. S. N., Commandant, U. S. Navy Yard at
   Philadelphia. Died November 7th, 1862.
Abner Reed, Commander. Died July 12th, 1863, from wounds received in
   action.
Edward F. Carson, Surgeon. Died July 22d, 1864.
Samuel H. Peltz, Surgeon. Died January 15th, 1865.
William Whelan, Surgeon, Chief of the Naval Medical Bureau. Died June,
   1865.


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WORK AT THE OLD PHILADELPHIA NAVY YARD AND IN PRIVATE SHIPYARDS

The first United States Navy Yard at Philadelphia was located in the
First Ward, just south of Washington avenue, and fronting upon the
Delaware River. The entrance was on Federal street. It included, in an
irregular quadrangle, eighteen acres, which were enclosed upon the land
sides by a high brick wall. The principal buildings were two great ship-
houses, moulding lofts, machine shops and barracks. A sectional floating
drydock was also a part of the equipment. In the antebellum days the
average number of men employed was eight hundred. These civilian
employees very generally lived, with their families, in the
neighborhood.

The Navy Yard occupied the site of the pre-Revolutionary Association
Battery, where, at a later period, Joshua Humphries had a shipyard. This
leading naval architect built the frigate United States here, in 1797,
and in 1799, launched the famous frigate Philadelphia, which was
presented to the Government by the State of Pennsylvania, a ship forever
associated with the brilliant exploit of Stephen Decatur in the harbor
of Tripoli.[159] The Government established the Navy Yard in the year
1800, and it became the chief building and outfitting plant of the Navy.
The ship of the line North Carolina was launched here in 1820, and in
1837 the frigate Pennsylvania, the largest ship ever constructed, up to
that date, was completed. The Vandalia, Dale, Germantown, Wyoming,
Raritan, Wabash, Lancaster, Mississippi and Susquehanna were all built
at this yard by Philadelphia workmen. The Princeton, fastest ship of her
time, famous in the annals of the Kane Arctic Expedition, was turned out
here. Of these Philadelphia ships the Pennsylvania, Germantown and
Raritan were burned April 20th, 1861, at the Portsmouth, Va., Navy Yard.

   [159] Joshua Humphries was appointed First Chief Naval Constructor,
   and was succeeded by his son, Samuel Humphries, who held the position
   in 1846.

The Civil War gave employment at this Navy Yard to a force of mechanics
numbering, at times, 2,500 to 3,000 men. A remarkable achievement was
the building of the sloop of war Tuscarora, which was constructed in
fifty-eight days and launched on August 24th, 1861. This feat had never
been equaled in naval history. Upon December 7th this fine ship was
taken to New York for her armament, and in a few months was busy hunting
down Confederate privateers in European waters. Constant repair and
outfitting work throughout the war left scant time for new construction.
In February, 1861, the workmen were busy outfitting "Water Witch,"
Jamestown, Pawnee and St. Lawrence. In the course of the war, however, a
number of notable sea fighters were built "of good Delaware white oak"
at this historic yard. Of the forty United States warships upon the seas
at the beginning of 1861, the Brooklyn, Crusader, Falmouth, Mohawk,
Macedonian, Pawnee, Pocahontas, Powhattan, Sabine, St. Louis, Wyandotte
and Supply were enrolled in the home squadron. The balance were in
distant parts of the world, and as they gradually reported upon the
coast they were assigned to the various navy yards for refitting and
recruiting. The Philadelphia Navy Yard had, of these, its full quota.

Upon June 18th, 1862, the City Councils had undertaken a movement to
induce the Government to establish a new navy yard at League Island.
Eventually the city presented the site to the Navy Department, and the
Government began the preparatory work. After removal to that location
the old Navy Yard was sold at auction upon December 2d, 1875.[160]

   [160] Report of 1862, Gideon Welles, Secretary of the Navy: In March,
   1861, the navy had only 42 vessels in commission. Only 207 men were
   available as recruits at all of the naval stations. The entire number
   of seamen was 7,600. Upon December 1st, 1862, the navy had 427
   vessels in commission and building, the average strength of the naval
   force for the year being about 20,000.


THE NEW IRONSIDES

By far the most important vessel built at this port for war purposes and
the most formidable ship of the navy was the New Ironsides, the contract
for which was awarded to William Cramp & Sons. This fighting monster was
launched, armed and in service eleven months after the work was
commenced. She was a distinctly new type, having a displacement of 5,080
tons, ship-rigged, 1,800 horsepower, and carried sixteen 2,200 pounder
Dahlgren guns and two Parrott rifled guns on pivots. The broadside
weight was 1,100 pounds. Her wooden framing was the heaviest ever placed
in a ship. She was sheathed with four-inch iron plates backed with
fourteen inches of oak. The plating covered the ship from the spar deck
to a line four feet below the water level. Length, 232 feet; beam, 57
feet 6 inches; draught, 15 feet. The New Ironsides, being intended for
coastwise service, was barque rigged. The plates for the ship were made
by Bailey, Brown & Co., of Pittsburgh, and at the Bristol (Pa.) Iron
Works. The engines were built by S. V. Merrick & Sons, Philadelphia.
This new type of sea fighter was launched upon May 10th, 1862, being
christened by the venerable Commodore Charles Stewart, and soon
afterward became the flagship of Admiral S. F. DuPont.

In the course of the war the New Ironsides participated in twenty
battles, including that of Fort Fisher, where she engaged the heavy
Confederate batteries at short range, and through it all sustained but
slight injuries. While laid up at League Island in 1866 she was
destroyed by fire.

In other private shipyards hundreds of skilled mechanics wee busy upon
Government ship construction and repair throughout the war, and at the
Neafie & Levy plant many of the engines were built for naval use. This
firm built the boilers for the ponderous iron submarine battery which
was constructed at Bordentown, N. J., by E. A. Stevens. A gunboat was
also launched at Bordentown on March 15th, 1862, which is said to have
been the first warship ever built in New Jersey. In the summer of 1862
two monitors, the Sangamon and Lehigh, were completed at Chester, Pa.,
by the firm of Reaney, Son & Archbold. This firm also built the steamer
Wateree. Several gunboats wee also built at Wilmington, Delaware.


SHIPS OF WAR BUILT AT THE PORT OF PHILADELPHIA DURING THE WAR

At the U. S. Navy Yard:

Sloop-of-War "Tuscarora." Launched August 24th, 1861. Machinery, S. V.
   Merrick & Sons.
Sloop-of-War "Juniata." Launched March 20th, 1862. Machinery, Pusey,
   Jones & Co., Wilmington.
Sloop-of-War "Swatara." 1862. Machinery, Washington.
Steamer "Miami." Launched Nov. 17th, 1861. Machinery, S. V. Merrick &
   Sons.
Sloop-of-War "Yantic." 1864. Machinery, S. V. Merrick & Sons.
Sloop-of-War "Monongahela." Launched July 10th, 1862. Machinery, S. V.
   Merrick & Sons.
Sloop-of-War "Shenandoah." Launched Dec. 8th, 1862. Machinery, S. V.
   Merrick & Sons.
Gunboat "Kansas." 1863.
Steam Frigate "Neshaminy." Launched Oct. 5th, 1865.
Steamer "Tacony." 1863. Machinery, Morris, Towne & Co.
Ironclad double turret Monitor "Tonawanda." 1864. Machinery, S. V.
   Merrick & Sons.

In Private Ship Yards:

Gunboat "Kittanning." Launched Oct. 1st, 1861. Simpson & Neill.
Gunboat "Itasca." Launched Oct. 1st, 1861. Hillman & Streaker.
Machinery, J. P. Morris & Co.
Gunboat "Wissahickon." Launched Oct. 2d, 1861. John W. Lynn.
Gunboat "Sciota." Launched Oct. 15th, 1861. Jacob Birely. Machinery, J.
   P. Morris & Co.
Ironclad Frigate "New Ironsides." Launched May 10th, 1862. Wm. Cramp &
   Sons.
Machinery, S. V. Merrick & Sons.
Transport "Wyalusing." Launched May 12th, 1863. Wm. Cramp & Sons.
Machinery, Pusey, Jones & Co., Wilmington.
Gunboat "Pontiac." Launched May 16th, 1863. Birley, Hillman & Co.
Sloop-of-War "Chattanooga." Launched Oct. 13th, 1864. Wm. Cramp & Sons.

The downtown river wards furnished a large percentage of the men who
formed the crews of the Philadelphia-built warships, and later, when
drafts impended in some of these wards, this fact and the employment of
thousands of men in the shipyards and machine shops along or near the
Delaware River was urged as a valid reason for the deficiency found in
filling their quotas of volunteers for the army.[161]

   [161] At the close of the war the United States navy had in service
   51,500 seamen and 7,500 officers. The total number killed during the
   war was 4,647 officers and men. The value of the captures made by the
   navy was estimated for ships and cargoes at $31,000,000. The sailors
   and marines enlisted from Pennsylvania during the war numbered
   14,307.

Numerous prize ships were brought to this port, and our ship owners lost
many merchant vessels at the hands of Confederate privateers. The packet
ship "Tonawanda," of the Cope Line, Capt. Theodore Julius, was captured
upon October 9th, 1862, by the famous "Alabama" and bonded for $80,000.
This bond was never enforced.[162]

   [162] While the English-built Confederate privateers, largely manned
   by British crews, were capturing and burning American merchant ships,
   Philadelphia filled a ship - the barque Achilles - with food to the
   value of $30,000 for the relief of the starving operatives of British
   mills. New York City sent the ship George Griswold with supplies to
   the same sufferers. Soon afterward this ship was captured by the
   privateer Georgia and bonded for $100,000.


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WAR SERVICE OF OUR SHIPS

Records of the war service of some of the Philadelphia-built vessels of
the Civil War have been furnished for this book by the Navy Department.
They are as follows:

"Itasca," gunboat, 507 tons. Served during Civil War with West Gulf
Squadron; engaged in operations against Forts Jackson and St. Philip,
April 20th-24th, 1862; actively engaged on Mississippi River, sharing in
a number of captures; took prominent part in Battle of Mobile Bay, Aug.
5th, 1864. Sold in New York, November 30th, 1865.

"Juniata," sloop-of-war; 1240 tons. Commissioned December 4th 1862;
served with the North Atlantic Squadron, cruising on coast, and taking a
number of prizes; took part in attacks on Fort fisher, December 24th,
1864, and in January, 1865; cruised on coast of Brazil and west coast of
Africa, 1866; out of commission, 1867-68. Sold, March 25th, 1891.

"Sciota," gunboat, 507 tons. Served with West Gulf Squadron; took part
in engagement with Forts Jackson and St. Philip. April 24th, 1862; made
the passage of Vicksburg batteries, June 28th, 1862; engaged Ram
"Arkansas" as she passed the fleet; engaged batteries at Donaldsonville,
October 4th, 1862; captured and destroyed a number of schooners in the
Rio Grande; sunk in a collision in Mississippi River with "Antonia" July
14th, 1863; floated and repaired; co-operated with troops in Matagorda
Bay, December 29th, 1863; engaged batteries in St. Bernard River,
February 8th and 9th, 1864, capturing several schooners; sunk by torpedo
in Mobile Bay, April 14th, 1865; raised and repaired. Sold at New York,
October 25th, 1865.

"Shenandoah," sloop-of-war, 1375 tons. Served with North Atlantic
Blockading Squadron; captured several blockade runners; took part in
attacks on Fort Fisher, December 24th, 1864, January 13-15, 1865;
cruised in search of the Confederate vessel "Florida," July, 1864; 1865,
in South Atlantic Squadron; 1866-69, in Asiatic Squadron; 1870-71, at
Boston Navy Yard; 1872-73, on the European Station; 1874-75, laid up in
ordinary at New London; 1876-77, laid up in ordinary at New York; 1878-
79, repairing at New York, 1880-82, flagship, South Atlantic Squadron;
1883, repairing at Boston; 1884-86, on Pacific Station. Sold July 30th,
1887.

"Wissahickon," gunboat, 507 tons. Commissioned November 25th, 1861;
served with West Gulf and South Atlantic Blockading Squadrons; on active
duty in Mississippi river, below Forts Jackson and St. Philip, passing
forts with fleet, April 24th, 1862; engaged batteries at Grand Gulf,
June 8th to 10th, 1862; passed batteries at Vicksburg, June 28th, 1862;
engaged Ram "Arkansas," July 15th, 1862; engaged Genesis Point Battery,
November 19th, 1862; engaged Fort McAllister, January 27th, 1863 and
February 1st, 1863; assisted in the destruction of the Confederate
Steamship "Nashville," February 28th, 1863; again attacked Fort
McAllister, March 3d, 1863; engaged batteries on Cumming's Point, July
1st, 1863; engaged Fort Morgan, July 12th, 1863, and Fort Sumter, August
17th and 18th, 1863; took part in operations against Savannah in
December, 1864. Sold at auction in New York, October 25th, 1865.

"Miami," double-ender, 730 tons. Commissioned January 29th, 1862; took
part in operations against Forts Jackson and St. Philip, April, 1862;
actively employed in operations on Mississippi river in June and July,
1862; actively engaged with North Atlantic Blockading Squadron in 1863,
at Plymouth, N. C., and in the Sounds of North Carolina, and engaged
enemies' batteries in James river. Sold at auction in Philadelphia,
August 10th, 1865.

"Monongahela," sloop-of-war, 1378 tons. Commissioned January 15th, 1863;
served with West Gulf and North Atlantic Squadrons; actively engaged
with Admiral Farragut's fleet at passage of Port Hudson, March 14th-15th
and 20th, 1863; was Farragut's flagship from May 23d to June 22d, 1863;
active operations against Port Hudson and Vicksburg, June 8th-23d, 1863;
took part in Battle of Mobile Bay, August 5th, 1864; rammed the Ram
"Tennessee," 1865, with West Gulf Squadron and undergoing repairs; North
Atlantic Squadron, 1866-67; carried by tidal wave on St. Croix Island,
November 18th, 1867; repaired and placed in service again; used as a
training ship for midshipmen, and for several years as a storeship;
while serving as station ship at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, this ship was
totally destroyed by fire on the night of March 17th, 1908.

"Pontiac," double-ender. Put in commission July 7th, 1864; cruised in
search of Confederate Steamship "Florida;" took part in joint expedition
in Broad river, S. C., November 29th, 1864, and in operations against
Savannah, December, 1864-January, 1865. Sold October 15th, 1867.

"Wyalusing," double-ender. Commissioned February 8th, 1864; took active
part in action with Ram "Albemarle" and two steamers in Albemarle Sound,
May 5th, 1864, running into and taking one of the steamers, the
"Bombshell;" took part in bombardment and capture of Plymouth, N. C.,
October 30th, 1864; captured several blockade runners. Sold at
Philadelphia, October 15th, 1867.


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THE NAVAL HOSPITAL AND HOME

The Naval Home and Hospital, maintained at Philadelphia by the United
States Government, at Gray's Ferry avenue and Bainbridge street, was
established in 1826. It occupies ground once the homestead of a noted
Tory of the Revolution, James Pemberton. For seven years, dating from
1838, the United States Naval Academy was located here. The property was
paid for by an assessment of twenty cents per capita upon the sailors of
the American Navy and Merchant Marine. The beautiful grounds include
twenty-five acres. The main building, constructed in 1831, is of marble,
three stories high and three hundred and eighty feet long. It is flanked
by the Governor's and Surgeon's residences and a number of lesser
structures. This attractive "snug harbor" was crowded throughout the
Civil War with wounded, sick and retired officers and sailors from the
war fleets of the National Navy.

Fifty years after the opening of the Civil War, veterans who fought
under Farragut, Porter, DuPont and other great Admirals of that period
were still living at the Naval Home. The present average number of
occupied rooms in the Naval Home is eighty-six.


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THE REFRESHMENT SALOON MOVEMENT IN SOUTHWARK

When, in the spring of 1861, the troops from New England, New York State
and New Jersey began to move southward, the one available rail route
brought them to Tacony or Camden, N. J., from which steamboats conveyed
them to the foot of Washington avenue, Philadelphia, where trains of the
Philadelphia, Wilmington and Baltimore Railroad awaited them. From the
beginning of this movement of hurrying soldiery, the patriotic families
living in the vicinity of the navy yard offered refreshments to the
extent of their limited abilities. The evident need of systematic
handling of food and coffee led Barzilai S. Brown, a grocer and fruit
dealer, to act as a medium of distribution, and this presently resulted
in the lease of a small boat-shop owned by James Crim, upon Swanson
street, below Washington avenue, as a "free refreshment saloon for
soldiers." This was at first referred to as "Brown's," being so called
in letters written to their home newspapers by some grateful volunteers.
The enterprise was organized, however, upon May 27th, 1861, as the
"Union Volunteer Refreshment Saloon," and under that title was
maintained until December 1st, 1865.

The Committee was composed of the following persons:

Arad Barrows, Chairman; J. B. Wade, Secretary; B. S. Brown, Treasurer;
J. T. Williams, Steward; Dr. E. Ward, Surgeon; Isaac B. Smith, Sr.,
Erasmus W. Cooper, John W. Hicks, George Flomerfelt, John Krider, Sr.,
Isaac B. Smith, Jr., Charles B. Grieves, James McGlathery, John B.
Smith, D. L. Flanagan, Chris. Powell, Capt. W. S. Mason, Curtis Myers,
Chas. M. Clampitt, Richard Sharp, James Carroll, Robert R. Corson,
Samuel B. Fales, John T. Wilson, Charles N. Young, John Savery, L. M. J.
Lemmens, Chas. H. Kingston, Mrs. Mary Grover, Mrs. Hanna P. Smith, Mrs.
Priscilla Grover, Mrs. Margaret Boyer, Mrs. Eliza J. Smith, Mrs. Mary A.
Cassedy, Mrs. Elizabeth Horton, Miss Annie B. Grover, Miss Mary D.
Grover, Mrs. Helen B. Barrows, Mrs. Mary L. Field, Mrs. Annie A.
Elkinton, Mrs. Martha V. R. Ward, Mrs. Eliza A. Helmbold, Mrs. Mary
Green, Mrs. Emily Mason, Miss Martha B. Krider, Mrs. Mary Davis Wade,
Miss Sarah L. Holland, Miss Amanda M. Lee, Miss Catharine Baily, Miss
Annie L. Field, Mrs. Eleanor J. Lowry, Mrs. Sarah J. Flemington, Mrs.
Kate B. Anderson, Mrs. Eliza G. Plummer, Mrs. Hannah F. Baily, Mrs. Mary
Lee.

Buildings were gradually added, as funds permitted, until full regiments
were promptly provided with washing facilities and bountiful meals at
the hands of the hospitable men, women and maids of old Southwark. The
meals usually served consisted of beef, ham, bread and butter, sweet and
white potatoes, pickles, tea and coffee and sometimes cake or pie. Seven
barrels of coffee and 15,000 cooked rations were often made in one day.
The hungry soldiers of well-filled regiments from the northeastern
states had a way of swarming from the transfer boats at Washington
street wharf at most inconvenient hours, but the good people of
Southwark were always ready for them. The Second Maine Infantry, for
instance, arrived at one o'clock upon the morning of May 31st, and found
the hot coffee, beef and bread all ready for them, much to their
surprise and delight, as had the 8th and 9th New York Regiments and
Garibaldi Legion, which had preceded them.

Facilities were provided in the shape of writing paper and envelopes,
enabling soldiers to write home. All letters were stamped, free of cost
to the writers, and mailed by their entertainers. Some of these old
envelopes bear the "frank" of Congressman Leonard Myers. The gratitude
of volunteers for the splendid treatment thus given them was expressed
in thousands of these hurried missives, many of which were printed in
distant newspapers, and the fame of patriotic Philadelphia soon spread
all over the East. In September, 1861, the needs of sick and wounded
soldiers left by their commands, many of them being cared for in private
homes, led to the establishment of a small hospital upon the east side
of Swanson street, close to the north wall of the navy yard. This modest
hospital was placed by the Committee in charge of Dr. Elias Ward. It
contained, at first, but fifteen beds, and was the first military
hospital opened in the city. Later, more roomy quarters were occupied
upon the Opposite or west side of Swanson street. Dr. Ward continued at
the post of duty throughout the war, and it was due to his efforts that
this hospital, which ministered to thousands of sick and wounded
soldiers, was recognized as a regular Government establishment. He was
also actively interested with others in the purchase of a burial lot for
such soldiers as died here and were not claimed by relatives.

A "Soldiers' Guide," published by Robert R. Corson, State Military
Agent, was distributed freely by the Committee of the Union Volunteer
Refreshment Saloon. It contained local addresses of army officials of
the several departments, places of interest, railroad stations and
timetables and similar information.

Out upon Washington avenue, at the foot of a lofty flagstaff, a small
cannon was placed, covered when not in use, by a box embellished with
patriotic devices. When a troop train left Jersey City a telegram was
sent to the "Union" and the gun was fired to notify the housewives,
often busy at their own domestic cooking, to hurry to the big sheds and
make ready. It was the business of the small boys, full of the ardor of
the time, to watch up river for the coming of the boats. When they were
seen, thronging with hungry men, every youngster rushed headlong up the
tracks and the second gun was fired. This lusty little cannon was
credited by contemporary newspapers with a remarkable record. Cast at
the Springfield Armory, it went with the American Army to Mexico, was
captured by the Mexicans at Vera Cruz, remounted at the ancient fortress
of San Juan d'Ulloa, recaptured from a Mexican gunboat, sent to
Philadelphia, sunk upon the receiving ship Union in the Delaware River,
recovered and placed among the curios of the navy yard. When the war
began it was used for the defence of the railroad bridge at Perryville,
and was finally loaned to the Committee of the Union Volunteer
Refreshment Saloon. It was popularly dubbed, at this period of its
service, "Fort Brown." It was the first, it is claimed, to thunder out
the news of the surrender of Gen. Lee, upon the night of April 9th,
1865. It is now preserved among the priceless trophies of Capt. Philip
R. Schuyler Post, No. 51, G. A. R., in this city.

The first of the despatches from the approaching commands came upon the
morning of May 27th, 1861, followed, in due time, by the 8th New York
Volunteer Infantry, Col. Blenker's sturdy German command, and the next
day, along with the 2d and 9th New Yorkers, the stunning Garibaldi
Regiment came, eleven hundred strong, clad in their picturesque Italian
uniforms. Close behind them were the heavy, grim regiments of Maine,
contrasting with Col. Cameron's 79th New York Highlanders, more than a
thousand of them, their kilted legs swinging to the drone of bagpipes.
Those were gloriously inspiring days down in old Southwark, and there
was plenty of work in the old navy yard and outside among the soldiers
to help in saving the nation. All through June and July the troops
poured through the city, infantry, cavalry and artillery, hussars,
zouaves and voltiguers; whole brigades of less showy but quite as
resolute regiments in the plain blue of the citizen volunteers. In July
the "Union" fed 22,000 men, but that was light work compared with later
records. The newspapers at first printed glowing columns in description
of favorite regiments, but as time wore along the eye and mind tired of
the constant pageant. Through the hot summer days and nights the men and
women in the kitchens and dining sheds of the "Union," many of them of
advanced age, assisted by their aides, worked unceasingly. At this time
the three-months' regiments were returning, adding greatly to the almost
daily demands upon the Committee and its workers.

In the first eighteen months of its operation the "Union" supplied meals
to two hundred and twenty-four regiments, having an average of nine
hundred men each.

In February, 1863, a large building was added to the "Union"
establishment, thus increasing the dining facilities and providing
hospital space upon the second floor. The work and materials for this
structure were nearly all contributed by a large number of business
concerns and individuals.

In the autumn of 1863, the captured Confederate Ram Atlanta was loaned
to the Union Committee and exhibited to the public at the foot of
Washington avenue, the admission charge adding greatly to the funds of
the saloon.[163]

   [163] The Ram Atlanta was converted into an ironclad from an English
   blockade runner named the Fingal. This work was done at Savannah at a
   reported cost of $1,500,000, the money, it was stated at the time,
   having been derived from the sale of jewelry by Southern ladies. The
   Atlanta was captured in fifteen minutes, with but five shots, by the
   U. S. Monitor Weehawken, in the Savannah River, upon June 17th, 1863.
   This craft was afterward repaired at the navy yard and sent out in
   the following February as a war ship of the United States.

It is generally recorded in the many eulogies of the work performed at
the "Union," that at various times its Committee sent clothing, food and
hospital supplies to soldiers in distant parts of the country. For
instance, ten large packing boxes were filled and shipped to sick and
wounded men at Rolla, Missouri, and supplies were forwarded to
Annapolis, Maryland, for the relief of destitute and suffering soldiers
exchanged from Belle Isle, Richmond.[164]

   [164] In 1862 much-prized certificates were given to children for
   picking lint. So great was the zeal of the boys and girls in the
   schools that the Secretary of the United States Sanitary Commission
   sent out word late in the year that no more lint could be accepted.

Religious services were usually held on Sunday afternoons at the
refreshment saloons, being attended by large numbers of citizens and
soldiers. Music was provided by regimental bands and by the choirs from
downtown churches.

Perhaps the most trying period of the war to citizens generally was that
immediately preceding the battle of Gettysburg. Under the stress of
great anxiety the ladies of the "Union" addressed the soldiers who had
returned to their homes all over the East in the following words:

"The ladies of the Union Volunteer Refreshment Committee, on many a
wintry night, when they have waited to welcome, with kind words, the
nation's defenders, and to serve food to revive their weary frames, have
been repaid for their labor by the grateful thanks and 'God bless you!'
of the noble patriots, and these soldiers have without exception,
exclaimed, 'If ever Philadelphia needs defenders she will find them in
the men whom their kindness has succored!' Ever have the ladies replied,
'If the hour of danger ever threatens we will remember your promise.'
Soldiers, that hour has come. Shall they not find you to have forgotten?
Shall they welcome you again to our city as the defenders of their homes
and fire-sides, or shall they wait in vain?"

One of the first of the regiments to whom this appeal was made to come
to the defence was the famous New York "Seventh." With the retreat of
Gen. Lee's shattered army from Pennsylvania soil after the battle of
Gettysburg, the danger was soon forgotten in the care of the thousands
of the wounded brought to the city from that scene of carnage.


THE "COOPER SHOP"

The Cooper Shop volunteer Refreshment Saloon was established upon May
26th, 1861, its projectors having taken for the purpose buildings upon
Otsego street, south of Washington avenue, previously used as a
cooperage by the firm of Cooper & Pearce. Emulating its neighbor, the
"Union," its Committee was actively engaged from the date of its opening
in the patriotic work of the time as it cam, day by day, to their hands.
The stirring scenes witnessed at the one saloon were equally experienced
at the other.

Those active in this enterprise were:

William M. Cooper, H. W. Pearce, A. M. Simpson, W. R. S. Cooper, Jacob
Plant, Walter R. Mellon, A. S. Simpson, C. V. Fort, William Morrison,
Samuel W. Nickels, Philip Fitzpatrick, T. H. Rice, William M. Maull, R.
H. Ransley, L. B. M. Dolby, William H. Dennis, L. W. Thornton, T. L.
Coward, C. L. Wilson, R. G. Simpson, Isaac Plant, James Toomey, H. H.
Webb, William Sprowle, Henry Dubosq, G. R. Birch, Christopher Jacoby,
James Tosing, E. S. Cooper, Joseph Coward, J. T. Packer, Dr. A.
Nebinger, R. Nebinger, Capt. A. H. Cain, Capt. R. H. Hoffner, Joseph E.
Sass, E. J. Herrity, Rev. Joseph Perry, Mrs. William M. Cooper, Mrs.
Sarah Ewing, Mrs. Catharine Vansdale, Mrs. Susan Turner, Miss Catharine
Alexander, Mrs. Grace Nickels, Mrs. Elizabeth Vansdale, Mrs. Jane
Coward, Mrs. Sarah Mellon, Mrs. Mary Plant, Mrs. Capt. Thos. Watson,
Mrs. E. Deaney, Mrs. M. Haines, Miss C. T. Cooper, Miss E. Whetstone,
Mrs. Louise P. Turnbull

The Cooper Shop Hospital was in charge of Dr. Andrew Nebinger, who with
his volunteer staff continued in service throughout the war, ministering
to the thousands of sick and wounded brought here in that trying period.

>From the funds available the Committee purchased a burial lot at Mt.
Moriah Cemetery. In its report of May 10th, 1864, are found the names of
a General Committee of citizens, which includes many patriotic persons
not specified in the above list of the managers.

The two saloons were in constant receipt of large quantities of
supplies, coming not only from merchants and other individuals but from
special relief organizations formed for the purpose in the surrounding
counties of Pennsylvania and New Jersey. In the later years of the war
successful fairs were held in the refreshment buildings in order to
raise money.

Among those who came hungry and departed satisfied were 15,000 Southern
refugees and freedmen and not a few Confederate prisoners.

There is a touch of grim humor in an announcement printed in the "Fair
Record" issued by the managers of the "Union" in which the public is
informed that visitors to the fair (then in progress) would see some of
the large numbers of Confederates from Vicksburg, then being guarded
through the city en route to Fort Delaware. These unfortunates were,
however, well fed upon reaching the ever-bountiful refreshment saloons.

Among the great and constant inflow of contributed supplies for the
refreshment saloons were large numbers of Bibles, prayer books and
tracts from the Presbyterian Board of Publication and daily papers from
the several newspaper offices of the city.

Near the close of the war Messrs. William Welsh, Frederick Fraley and J.
G. Rosengarten constituted the active committee of an organization
entitled "An Association to Procure Employment for Rebel Deserters who
have taken the Oath of Allegiance to the United States." For this
purpose the sum of $2,875.00 was raised.

Green meal tickets to be presented at the Union Volunteer Refreshment
Saloon were issued to many of these refugees, but the larger part of the
fund was finally turned over to the latter institution.

There was rivalry between the two refreshment saloons, but it was the
kindly competition of devoted men and women actuated by the highest of
motives. The stories of the two are inseparable. Neither sought nor had
Government, State or City aid; each had its hospital annex; each endured
to the end of the war. The money outlay of the "Union" amounted to about
$100,000, and that of the "Cooper Shop" was about $70,000. The "Union"
fed nearly 900,000 soldiers; the "Cooper Shop" provided meals for
400,000 men. Not less than 20,000 soldiers were cared for in the two
hospitals.

Of the ladies who served faithfully several died during the war, and
others never recovered from the exhaustion incident to the work.

With impressive ceremonies at the Academy of Music the two refreshment
saloons were closed upon August 28th, 1865, but it is stated by Mr.
Samuel B. Fales that the latter institution was reopened and supplied
meals to some 30,000 more returning soldiers before finally ending its
splendid work upon the following 1st of December.

Thirty-five years after the close of the war, during the memorable 33d
Annual National Encampment of the Grand Army of the Republic, in
Philadelphia, thirty survivors of the Refreshment Saloon workers were
the honored guests of the Executive Committee. But few of them now
remain to rehearse the oft-told story of how Philadelphia fed the
soldiers of the Union.


A SOLDIER BOY'S LETTER[165]

Washington, June 1, 1863

"DEAR PARENTS:-- I will endeavor to give you a faint description of our
reception in Philadelphia, but I know that my pen cannot half do justice
to the subject, but I do know that the remembrance of it will live in
the hearts of our brave artillery boys as long as they are able to train
a gun or draw a sword in the defence of their country. As soon as we
reached the city we marched to the dining saloon, about ten or fifteen
rods from the ferry. As soon as we got there we entered the wash-room, a
room large enough to accommodate sixty or seventy men to wash at a time.
Then we were marched into a splendid hall, with room enough to feed five
hundred men at a time. There were gentlemen to wait on us, and they
would come around and ask if we had plenty and urge us to eat more. We
had nice white bread, beautiful butter, cold boiled ham, cheese, coffee,
with plenty of milk and sugar. After we had eaten our fill, which was
considerable, for we had eaten nothing since morning, we returned to the
streets. Our knapsacks on the sidewalk were left without a guard, but
they were almost covered with little children who were watching to see
that no one disturbed them. One little fellow found a tin canister and
he was hunting around from rank to rank until he found the owner. We
were allowed a little time to rest, during which little girls in white
went all around through the ranks giving the men flowers and saying kind
things to them. It seemed that the people could not do us enough honor.
One little girl, about ten years old, came up to me and gave me a half-
blown rose, and stayed and talked with me until we started, and then she
put her little face up for a kiss with as much confidence as she would
to a brother. I never saw so many handsome girls in my life. We had
nearly a mile and a half to march, and of all the sights I ever saw,
that march beats them all. The sidewalk on each side was lined with old
men and matrons, young men and maidens, girls and boys, and every one
was trying to see who could shake the most soldiers by the hand. It was
the very best class of people who were out to meet us. In some places
the streets were completely blocked with them. It was like so many
people bidding good-bye to their own sons and brothers. Anyone who
thinks there is any lack of support for the war has only to march
through Philadelphia.

(Signed) FOSTER, Company B."

   [165] This boyish message home was written by Foster Dealing, of the
   10th New York Heavy Artillery. It was printed in the Jefferson County
   News (N. Y.), in June, 1863. The writer was living when this book was
   published.


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THE COOPER SHOP SOLDIERS HOME AND THE SOLDIERS HOME IN THE CITY OF
PHILADELPHIA

Throughout the war Philadelphia was constantly thronged with soldiers
who had been discharged from the army, many of them destitute and
helpless. This condition became more serious as the struggle of the
Union was prolonged. Soldiers from other States were often the victims
of robbery and violence. It was to remedy, in some degree, this evil
that the Cooper Shop Volunteer Refreshment Committee established a
retreat at Race and Crown streets, called the "Cooper Shop Soldiers
Home." This was opened upon December 22d, 1863. The buildings occupied
had formerly been used as a Government hospital, and were the property
of the city. The principal structure was the old Pennington residence.
The beneficiaries of this home were "soldiers and sailors who had been
honorably discharged." This is said to have been the first institution
of its kind established in the United States.

Board of Officers

President: Dr. Ellerslie Wallace; Vice-President: Wm. M. Cooper;
Treasurer: Wm. Struthers; Secretaries: E. S. Hall and George R. Birch.

Managers: Robert P. King, Dr. Andrew Nebinger, H. W. Pearce, H. R.
Warriner, Thos. H. Rice, Caleb Cope, John F. Lewis, Philip Fitzpatrick,
William M. Maull, R. H. Ransley.

Lady Managers: Mrs. M. C. Grier, President; Miss Anna M. Ross[166],
Vice-President; Mrs. Wm. Struthers, Mrs. J. Horner, Mrs. R. P. King,
Mrs. C. Gibbons, Mrs. J. W. Paul, Mrs. H. Brooks, Mrs. T. H. Powers,
Mrs. E. A. Souder, Mrs. W. S. Boyd, Mrs. W. D. Bispham, Mrs. J. Floyd,
Mrs. D. Haddock, Mrs. H. Davids, Mrs. Dr. Wallace, Mrs. J. Eckel, Mrs.
C. S. Rutter, Mrs. E. S. Hall, Mrs. Dr. Knorr, Mrs. B. H. Moore, Mrs.
Dr. Spooner, Mrs. T. Budd, Mrs. W. Gillespie, Miss E. Elmslie.

   [166] The death of the devoted worker for the creation of this Home,
   Miss Anna M. Ross, due to her unremitting efforts at the Refreshment
   Saloon, is still a sad memory with the few survivors among her
   associates. Post 94, G. A. R., Department of Pennsylvania, bears the
   name of this martyr to duty, and a city park in the Forty-third Ward
   also perpetuates her memory. Her grave is in Monument Cemetery.

"The Soldiers Home in the City of Philadelphia" was incorporated upon
April 9th, 1864. This charter resulted in the merger of two "Soldiers'
Home" movements.

In furtherance of the purpose by the incorporators to establish the
"Home" upon a permanent basis, a great fair was held at the Academy of
Music, opening October 23d, 1865. This resulted in a profit of
$107,166.00. Many public and private donations considerably increased
this amount.

In the spring of 1866 the managers secured from the Legislature the
large new State Arsenal building at the southeast corner of Sixteenth
and Filbert streets for their purposes. This structure had been used by
the Government as a convalescents' hospital. It was three floors high
and built of pressed brick. In 1866 the soldier occupants numbered an
average of about two hundred. A school for the instruction of maimed
inmates in avocational education and a hospital were the leading
features.[167]

   [167] Among the humbler occupations adopted by the returned soldiers
   after the close of the war was that of messengers. The men employed
   by the "Soldiers' City Messenger Company" wore red military caps. The
   charge was one cent per block.

The Soldiers Home continued at this site until June 11th, 1872.
Following the closing of the Soldiers Home the Board of Managers turned
its attention to the care of soldiers' sons. A house at 3947 Market
street was taken for this purpose. Upon December 22d, 1873, this
establishment was closed and the thirty-five inmates were transferred to
the Educational Home for Boys, together with the sum of $36,000 for
their maintenance and education covering a period of ten years, the
beneficiaries being placed in care of the Lincoln Institution upon
arriving at the age of twelve years. A number of girls were also
provided for through an arrangement with the West Philadelphia Home, at
Forty-first and Baring streets. Upon May 12th, 1884, the managers of the
Soldiers Home dedicated a Soldiers Monument at Mount Moriah Cemetery,
upon the lot owned by the Association, which contains the graves of
sixty soldiers. The corporation was finally dissolved in 1886. The funds
and burial lot were transferred to the Pennsylvania Commandery of the
Loyal Legion July 2d, 1889.

Soldiers Home, Southeast Corner Sixteenth and Filbert Streets

Board of Officers

President: Ellerslie Wallace, M. D.[168]; Vice-President: Andrew
Nebinger, M. D.; Recording Secretary and Treasurer: E. S. Hall;
Corresponding Secretary: H. R. Warriner.

   [168] From Report of the Managers, Soldiers' Home, Sixteenth and
   Filbert streets, Philadelphia, 1867. (p.3)

Managers: Wm. Struthers, Robert P. King, John R. Baker, James C. Hand,
Daniel Haddock, Jr., Jas. G. Hardie, H. C. Howell, George Trott, A. H.
Franciscus, C. L. Desauque, W. H. Kern, E. C. Knight, R. H. Ransley, E.
A. Souder, S. S. White, Charles J. Stille, Henry D. Moore, E. Tracy,
Jos. Jeanes, Robert M. Lewis.

Surgeon: J. A. McArthur, M. D.; Assistant Surgeon: Walter W. Wilson;
Steward: Capt. S. V. Odekirk; Matron: Mrs. Catharine Sprigman.

Board of Lady Visitors

President: Mrs. Daniel Haddock, Jr.; Vice-President: Mrs. Robert P.
King; Treasurer: Mrs. James C. Hand; Recording Secretary: Mrs. H. C.
Townsend; Corresponding Secretary: Miss E. P. Eakin; Mrs. Jno. Carrow,
Mrs. M. M. Hallowell, Mrs. R. G. Chase, Mrs. R. R. Corson, Mrs. W.
Allison, Mrs. T. McCaulay, Miss E. Elmslie, Miss M. Hardie, Miss R.
Wetherill, Mrs. Jas. G. Hardie, Mrs. Chas. S. Ogden, Mrs. Elliston
Perot, Mrs. S. P. Godwin, Mrs. J. Haseltine, Mrs. T. M. Perot, Mrs. E.
S. Field, Mrs. A. E. Jones, Mrs. M. Kelley, Miss A. M. Peters.


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BEFORE ANTIETAM

With the departure of the new regiments, which had been in camp at the
beginning of September, 1862, the city lost much of its martial stir,
but recruiting, in order to fill the quota, continued active. Several
regiments were still in a formative condition. On September 8th twenty-
four large Sibley tents were placed in Independence Square, extending
from the rear entrance of the sacred "Cradle of Liberty" along either
side of the walk to Walnut street. That evening the scene presented was
one never to be forgotten. Myriad lights were festooned from the
beautiful old trees and among the tents. Birgfeld's famous band rendered
inspiring patriotic music, but far louder was the roar of the drums
calling for recruits. Crowds surged through this exciting, tumultuous
"Midway of War" and in every tent officers were busy writing down the
names of volunteers. Old men and young, inspired by the impending need
of defense, hurried to enroll. Within three days 295 recruits were
enlisted at this Camp Independence, 251 of them going to regiments
already in the field. Never since the reading of the "Declaration had
these hallowed acres witnessed such a wonderful scene.

>From day to day the crowds hung about the bulletin boards. From the
fields of Cedar Mountain, Kelly's Ford, Bristoe, the second Bull Run and
Chantilly, the guns of the determined enemy were roaring northward.
McClellan's brigades disputing the pathway, but in vain. On the 11th of
September Governor Curtin telegraphed to Mayor Henry: "Stir up your
population to-night, form them into companies, send us 20,000 to-
morrow."[169] The call of the War Mayor Philadelphia was instant. He
summoned the whole citizenship to rally at the precincts of the twenty-
five wards, and act for the defense of the State and city. The
editorials of morning papers added to the overwhelming excitement. The
12th brought a furious drenching storm, but everywhere were little
groups of those who had responded, ready and willing, but lacking in
leadership. It was stated that comparatively few of those thus gathered
actually left the city. In the workshops better progress was made. At
Baldwin's, the alarm bell rang at nine o'clock A.M., and within an hour
two companies were marching to Independence Hall, the men carrying their
dinner pails. At the Whitney Car Works, at the establishments of Bement
& Dougherty, Mallack & Co., Furbish & Gates and Moore & Co., companies
were quickly gathered. A fully equipped company reported from the works
of William Sellers & Co. Employers generally agreed to continue the
wages of their men during their absence in the field.

   [169] An enrollment of the City of Philadelphia made on September
   14th, 1862, showed a total of 106,806 persons liable to military
   duty, including 29,194 already in the army service and 1,744 sailors
   and marines. (Scharf and Westcott, Vol.1)

 Companies and squads gathered, from the outlying districts and from the
centers of banking, around the depot of the Pennsylvania Railroad
Company, some in uniforms and some in overalls, some armed and others
empty-handed, some sworn to service in due form, but others free of this
formality, and so the trains were filled and sent speeding to help the
Government in the saving of the capital city, and while this outpouring
still progressed and the city sat sleepless, the bulletins proclaimed
the battles of South Mountain and Antietam. Records showed that in
seventeen months the old local militia had furnished more than 2,000
men, enlisted for three years, and nearly 400 officers. A new militia
had been created, and this body stood ready to respond at any time to
the call of the Governor of the Commonwealth, for service within the
State or beyond the borders. The authority of the Governor to call upon
these troops was based upon the following provisions of the State
Military Law:

"SECTION 1. - The militia of this Commonwealth may be called into
service by the Governor thereof in case of a rebellion or an actual or
threatened invasion of this or any neighboring State, but no part
thereof shall be detained in service at any time longer than three
months, under the mere requisition of the Governor, without the
direction of the President of the United States."

"SECTION 2. - Whenever any part of the militia of the Commonwealth shall
be required for the public service by the President of the United
States, if no particular description of troops shall have been required,
the Governor shall detach the number of men demanded in such proportions
of the several descriptions as he may think proper."

Major-Gen. A. J. Pleasonton telegraphed to Governor Curtin, in response
to his urgent call for troops to defend the State borders, offering
5,000 men of the Home Guard organization. Considerable confusion
resulted from the announcement from Harrisburg that troops would be
accepted by companies only, these to be formed into regiments and
brigades after reporting to the State Capital.

Through the active efforts of the Committee on City Defence 23
companies, numbering nearly 2,000 men, were sent to Harrisburg within
forty-eight hours, and within seventy-two hours 4,000 men had been sent.
The 1st Regiment (Gray Reserves) and the 2d Regiment (Blue Reserves)
reached Harrisburg on the 15th and were sent on to Chambersburg. The
hastily formed companies, largely composed of working men, were
furnished with overcoats and other items of equipment from the supply in
the hands of the Committee of Defence.

>From the nearly two hundred and fifty companies gathered at Harrisburg
from every part of the State a number of provisional regiments were
hastily formed. The Gray Reserves became the "7th Regiment," the second
Blue Reserves became the "8th Regiment," the Philadelphia companies of
Captains Birney, Anderson, Binder, Price, Kemouth, Levering, Johns,
Keen, Corrie, Horn and Heisler were formed as the "9th Regiment." Those
of Captains Smith, James, Marshall, Hartranft, Steele and Taylor became
part of the "20th Regiment." The companies of Captains Rockafellow,
Flynn, Murphy and Claghorn were attached to the "21st Regiment." As
rapidly as these organizations were perfected the troops were pushed
southward to, and in many cases beyond, the southern boundary of the
State.[170] A large number of companies were yet to be grouped into
regiments when the occasion for their services passed, and within a few
days nearly all of the militia organizations and emergency volunteers
were returned to their homes. The number of men who went from
Philadelphia to Harrisburg in response to the call of the Governor was
placed by the newspapers at 6,197. To this enumeration should be added
the 3d Regiment, Reserve Corps (militia) under Col. C. M. Eakin (five
companies), which had been sent to Camp Brandywine, DuPont powder works,
Delaware. This brief, but instructive, experience illustrated the
inadequacy of the military machinery of the State. It also stirred up
the city fathers. On September 12th, despite the protests of an
opposition element, Councils had conferred upon the Mayor extraordinary
powers and had voted the sum of $500,000 for the further equipment of
local soldiery. Companies were then forming in all sections of the city,
but these were not called upon for service at that time.[171]

   [170] In a subsequent report Governor Curtin estimated that he had
   15,000 men at Harrisburg and Boonsboro, 10,000 at Greencastle and
   25,000 more on the way.

   [171] On September 25th, 1912, a semi-centennial celebration was held
   at Altoona, Pa., to commemorate the conference there of the War
   Governors of the loyal States, upon invitation of Governor Andrew G.
   Curtin, for the purpose of sustaining President Lincoln with money
   and troops.


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