MILITARY HISTORY: Part II - York Rifle Company, 1775-1908, York County, PA Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Judy Banja Proofread by Abby Bowman Copyright 2004. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/york/ ________________________________________________ Continued from Part I HISTORY OF YORK RIFLE COMPANY. 69 Immediately the Company began to make preparations to respond to any call that might be made upon it, and drilled daily in anticipation of coming events. On the 18th day of April, 1861, the Company received orders that their services were required and it was ordered to report at Harrisburg on Monday following. Great preparations for their departure were immediately commenced, and the ranks of the Company were soon filled with a sufficient number of men, and they were ready for the march. A large and enthusiastic town meeting was held in the court house on the same day. On the 20th of April, 1861, General Keim came from Washington and stopped at York. He found all the bridges destroyed from Baltimore to Cockeysville, and he at once ordered General George Hay to proceed with the York Rifle Company and the Worth Infantry along the line of the Northern Central Railroad, and prevent the rebels from further destroying the railroad and the bridges. The first intimation the soldiers obtained of this order was gathered from seeing General Hay riding along the streets of York calling upon the members of these companies to report at the armories in full uniform and ready to proceed along the railroad towards Baltimore. General Hay rode a black horse at the top of his speed through the town, calling upon the soldiers for speedy response to the summons. The members of these two companies responded readily and promptly, and in a short time arrived at their armories in Odd Fellows' Hall, where large tables were set in the centre of the rooms and men and women around them making cartridges, as the Companies were not fully equipped with ammunition. Bars of lead were procured at the hardware store of P. A. & S. Small, and were moulded into bullets at the blacksmith shop of John Deitch, on South George Street, and at the tin store of George Wantz, on East Market Street. When the ammunition was all prepared, the two Companies were ordered from the armories at 9 o'clock P.M. They were drawn up in line, - the York Rifle Company on King Street, their right resting on George Street, and the Worth Infantry on South George Street, their right resting on 70 HISTORY OF YORK RIFLE COMPANY. King Street. General George Hay gave the command to march about 10 o'clock. The thoroughfares were crowded with men, women and children. Farewell words were quickly spoken by husbands to wives and fathers to children, and by lovers to sweethearts, and it was with difficulty that the soldiers found their way through the surging mass of patriotic people assembled to witness the departure of the soldiers. The N. C. R. depot was reached, where cars were in readiness to convey the Companies to their destination. Amid many tears and tumultous cheering the Companies left for Cockeysville, Maryland. This place was reached after a slow and tedious ride, great caution having been exercised lest the train might run into some obstructions or destroyed bridge. Rain and sleet were falling as the soldiers alighted from the cars, and General George Hay at once dispatched pickets to guard against any possible surprise by the rebels, and squads of soldiers were immediately sent along the line of the railroad in both directions, with special instruction to guard well the bridges and to prevent the railroad from being torn up or destroyed in any manner. The Volunteers remained in the faithful discharge of their duties until Tuesday following, when they were ordered back to York, and for a few days were quartered in Odd Fellows' Hall and were subsequently stationed on the Fair Grounds, which were located on East King Street, east of Queen Street. The Camp at Cockeysville was called Camp Misery, and the camp at the Fair Grounds was called Camp Delight, and subsequently Camp Scott. On the third day of May, 1861, and while the Volunteers were quartered at the Fair Grounds, snow fell to the depth of four inches, and all the soldiers quartered there were ordered to York, and given comfortable quarters in the churches, school houses and other unoccupied buildings. The soldiers had not sufficient quarters upon the old Fair Grounds, and were poorly clad for the unseasonable weather, but were well cared for by the hospitable people of York. The Company, on the 27th of May, 1861, was called to Chambersburg, and while there were HISTORY OF YORK RIFLE COMPANY. 71 OFF FOR THE FRONT, 1861. [photo] 72 HISTORY OF YORK RIFLE COMPANY. quartered in the armory of Colonel Stambaugh's Company. The camp was called Camp Brady. And while encamped at Chambersburg, Pa., the Riflemen had target practice. Brigadier General Wynkoop remarked: "The York Riflemen are maintaining their predecessors' reputation; they are a wonder in marksmanship." Here the Company remained three or four days and then proceeded to a camp at Funkstown, and were quartered on the same ground where the Continental Army camped, and where there were some soldiers of the Revolutionary War buried. After leaving this camp, the march was made towards Williamsport. In the morning, before crossing the river, General Doubleday's Battery being planted on a small hill, near Williamsport, shelling the country on the opposite side, and while looking through his field glass, he noticed some Rebel sharpshooters located in the gate house along the Martinsburg Pike, about two miles distant. He ordered his gunner's to fire on the house; they did, but shot wide of the mark. He ran up to one of the guns and commanded them to load the gun; he leveled it, and the first shot struck the weather shield at the porch; the second shot entered the gable end of the house. General Abercrumbie's Brigade then started to cross the river, they being in advance; after crossing they had a skirmish with the Berkley Border Guards at Falling Water, five miles from Williamsport. On the second day of July, 1861, the Company crossed the Potomac River between five and six o'clock in the morning by wading the river, and was immediately deployed as skirmishers on the left of the Martinsburg Pike, and passed the Fourth of July at Martinsburg. After crossing the river a skirmish with the enemy occurred at Falling Water, which was one of the first skirmishes prior to the great war which followed, and the Company started in double quick gait and reached the battle ground just as the enemy retreated. The next Camp at which we find the Company quartered was in a grain field about two miles from Falling Water. Here it remained only one night, and on the day following HISTORY OF YORK RIFLE COMPANY. 73 took up the march and camped near the town of Martinsburg. Some of the soldiers being printers, took charge of the printing office of the Virginia Republican and published a paper called the American Union. From Martinbsurg, Va., the Company marched to Bunker Hill, Va., and remained there until July 17, when it left for Charlestown, Va. And how anxious, the boys were as they drew near the place, remembering, as they did, of the insurrection of a few years before (by John Brown and his com - patriots). How they watched and scanned every field to get a glimpse of the locust tree to which was fastened the gallows on which they were hung. A great many of the soldiers stood with bowed heads in sorrow, while others were striving to get a piece of the tree. Comrade William H. Smyser succeeded in getting a piece of the bark, which he brought home as a relic. On the 23d day of July they marched to Harper's Ferry, the place where John Brown and his men were located. The building he used for a fort, the arsenal and gun factories of the United States were located here, they being destroyed on April 19, 1861. It was a great sight to see thousands of muskets and a great deal of war material destroyed. After leaving this place, the Company went to Baltimore, Md., and from there to Harrisburg, Pa., and on the 27th of July, 1861, returned to York, Pa. One of the Company brought with him a rifle captured at Falling Water. This rifle was a novelty in its construction and measured nearly six feet in length. At the request of Captain George Hay, we joined the 2d Regiment, and were assigned to the 2d Brigade, 2d Division, thus preserving the same number of Regiment, Brigade, and Division as that held by the Riflemen during the Revolutionary War. 74 HISTORY OF YORK RIFLE COMPANY. ROSTER OF THE YORK RIFLE COMPANY, WHO ACCEPTED THE CALL OF GOVERNOR A. G. CURTIN FOR TROOPS IN DEFENSE OF THEIR COUNTRY, APRIL 20th, 1861, FULLY ARMED AND EQUIPPED AND ENTERED THE ENEMY'S COUNTRY TO PROTECT THE NORTHERN CENTRAL RAILROAD, WITHOUT BEING MUSTERED INTO UNITED STATES SERVICE. Captain - George Hay. First Lieutenant John W. Schall. Second Lieutenant - Jacob Emmett, Jr. First Sergeant - John Albright. Second Sergeant - Philip Peiffer. Third Sergeant - O. P. Stair. Fourth Sergeant - Emanuel Smith. First Corporal - E. F. Smith. Second Corporal - C. W. Stubbins. Third Corporal - W. C. Getz. Fourth Corporal - A. A. Welsh. Musicians. Samuel Simons, Zachariah Zimmerman. Privates. Benjamin Allison, Emanuel Foust, G. E. Barnitz, George Gressley, William Clapper, Lewis Hoffman, John Dennes, Peter Hubert, David Fox, Joseph Herman, Matthew Foose, R. V. Keech, Franklin Ginter, Jacob Lehr, J. W. Hughes, P. K. Myers, Charles Harkins, David Reese, John Kise, George Rudisill, Augustus Loucks, Robert Smith, John McIllvain, M. D. W. H. Smyser, Jeremiah Oliver, Jacob Smyser, William Ransom, G. C. Stroman, Jacob Smith, J. N. Taylor, C. P. Stroman, Charles Wolf, Charles A. Shetter, John Willy, Isaac C. Simmons, Joseph Zeudlick Henry Seipe, Ferdinand Buckingham, HISTORY OF YORK RIFLE COMPANY. 75 W. H. Tomes, Charles Busey, H. C. Wiest, Charles Z. Denues, Daniel Zellers, G. W. Feistell, John Bush, Ambrose Foust, Adam Bein, Andrew J. Gotwalt, Daniel Cookes, S. R. Haugh, John A. Epply, C. F. Haack, J. A. Heidler, Martin Selak, Daniel Landis, Henry Smallbrook, Franklin Morgan, William Seyfert, Henry Marks, J. F. Williams, Samuel Ruth, A. C. Ward, W. A. Reisinger, Henry Young, Daniel Spangler, Franklin Ziegler. On the 19th day of August, 1861, the Company reorganized and went into the service of their country for three years. It was commanded by John W. Schall, Captain; John Albright, First Lieutenant, and Jacob Emmett, Second Lieutenant, and joined the 87th Regiment, P. V., as Company K. Captain George Hay was promoted to Colonel of the 87th Regiment, P. V., August 19, 1861, and resigned May 9, 1863, on account of ill health. In the history of the 87th, we find the following: "He instituted regulations which soon made his regiment quite proficient in drill and discipline. He looked with zealous interest after the health and comfort of his men, and carefully watched the sanitary condition of the camp and winter quarters." The York Riflemen, always ready and willing to do their duty when necessity called, at once made preparations to re-enlist, after returning home, and, as you will see, their officers being of the very best, were authorized to raise a Regiment for three years, and in a few days organized the 87th Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, Captain Hay being made Colonel, John W. Schall, Lieutenant Colonel, and Jacob Emmett, Adjutant. John Albright was elected Captain of the Rifle Company, and was attached to Regiment as Company 76 HISTORY OF YORK RIFLE COMPANY. CAPTAIN JOHN ALBRlGHT. [portrait] K, retaining the same position as that held in three months' service in the 2d Regiment. The Company participated in the following battles: Bunker Hill, Carter's Woods, Bealton Station, Brandy Station, Mine Run, Spottsylvania, Po River, Newton, Winchester, Manassas Gap, Kelly Ford, Locust Grove, Wilderness, Laurel Hill, Weldon Railroad, Monocacy, Charlestown, Fisher Hill, Kernstown, Sailor's Creek, North Ann, Cold Harbor, Petersburg, Snicker's Gap, Opequan, Siege of Petersburg, Cedar Creek. HISTORY OF YORK RIFLE COMPANY. 77 The following is a list of the Company as formed, August 24, 1861: John W. Schall, Captain, promoted to Lieutenant Colonel. John E. McIlvain First Lieutenant, to Assistant Surgeon. Charles F. Haack, First Lieutenant. Jacob Emmett, Jr., Second Lieutenant, to Adjutant. Charles P. Stroman, Second Lieutenant. John Albright was elected Captain September 11, 1861. Charles Bussey, First Sergeant. Lewis R. Haack, Sergeant. Franklin Ginter, Sergeant. William H. Schriver, Sergeant. George W. Welsh, Sergeant. William Markley, Sergeant. Peter S. Baum, Corporal. Jerome Heidler, Corporal. Michael S. Deringer, Corporal. Samuel Decker, Corporal. M. Morningstar, Corporal. Cornelius Fecker, Corporal. George Gibson, Corporal. Christian List, Corporal. Lawrence Kerber, Corporal. John A. Weakly, Corporal. John Holder, Musician. Charles J. Barnitz, Musician. Privates. Eli Brown, Henry Kisner, Henry Billmyer, Daniel G. Keasy, Ulrich Blockinger, Jacob List, Dennis Crimmins, Charles Odenwalt, Jacob Clopper, Hugh Quinn, Henry Dobbins, Simon Roth, Samuel Fox, Lewis Rasch, John W. Filler, Harrison Spangler, Alex. Gleason, Isaac Sweeney, John B. Hanson, Benjamin Tyson, David Hoffman, John Wilson, Conrad Kissinger, John Berry, Jacob Koons, John V. Beck, Jacob Lish, John W. Carey, William Monaghan, Jacob Diehl, Thomas Paley, William H. Eppley, 78 HISTORY OF YORK RIFLE COMPANY. William Ranson, William Emenheiser, Martin Roucher, G. R. Eichelberger, Henry Stratmyer, Matthew Foose, E. Shanebrook, Nicholas A. Hahn, Benjamin Snyder, Joseph A. Heidler, Nathaniel Thompson, William A. Knudson, John Blockinger, John C. Koons, George H. C. Brant, John Kindig, Thomas Z. Burse, John List, William H. Dixson, Rudolph Patterson, Josiah Diehl, John Rauk, Jacob Dobler, Samuel Ruth, Nathaniel Foust, Frederick Rehm, Jacob Foose, Henry C. Spangler, John Glosser, George W. Seachrist, Joseph H. Helker, Thomas J. Taylor, William H. Ilgenfritz, John J. Wolf, Jacob Emmett. JACOB EMMETT. [portrait HISTORY OF YORK RIFLE COMPANY. 79 Colonel Hay received notification that his resignation had been accepted on account of ill health on a sergeant's certificate dated May 9, 1863. A meeting of the officers of the Regiment was presided over by Lieutenant Colonel Schall, when resolutions were adopted regretting that Colonel's Hay's physical condition necessitated his retirement from the service, and commended him for his courage and patriotism, for his courtesy and kindness, for his skill and ability, and for his personal interest in the comfort and welfare of his officers and men. Captain John W. Schall was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel of the 87th Regiment, August 19, 1861, was promoted to Colonel May 9, 1863, and was mustered out on October 13, 1864, when term of service expired. General James B. Ricketts, commanding the Third Division of the Sixth Corps, wrote him the following commendation: "Your term of service having expired, with that of your gallant regiment, I cannot part with you without some expression of my high appreciation of your faithful service. Always zealous and reliable, you have shown the best quality of a soldier which would bring certain promotion had you determined to remain in the Corps, which you have ornamented by your distinguished conduct throughout the arduous campaigns since crossing the Rapidan On May 1st. "I particularly recall your gallantry at Cold Harbor, when commanding a brigade, and wounded, you nobly refused to leave the field, and in the valley when you shared in our glorious victories at Opegnon and Fisher's Hill. I part with regret from so good a soldier, and wish you every success in your future life." Colonel John W. Schall commanded the Sixth P. V. in the War with Spain, and was in command of the Second Brigade, Second Division, Second Army Corps, for five months. The York Rifle Company during the Civil War furnished 80 HISTORY OF YORK RIFLE COMPANY, the following officers in the various Companies and Regiments: John E. McIlvain, Assistant Surgeon, 68th Regiment. George Hay, Colonel, 87th Regiment. John W. Schall, Colonel, 87th Regiment. Jacob Emmett, Adjutant, 87th Regiment. G. C. Stroman, Adjutant, 87th Regiment. G. C. Stroman, First Lieutenant, Co. B, 87th Regiment. G. C. Stroman, Second Lieutenant, Co. B, 87th Regiment. Isaac Simmons, First Lieutenant, Co. B, 87th Regiment. John Albright, Captain, Co. K, 87th Regiment. Charles F. Haack, First Lieutenant, Co. K, 87th Regiment. John E. McIlvain, First Lieutenant, Co. K, 87th Regiment. C. P. Stroman, First Lieutenant, Co. K, 87th Regiment. Oliver P. Stair, Captain, Co. A, 107th Regiment. Wm. I. Reisinger, Captain, Co. I, 108th Regiment. W. H. Tomes, First Lieutenant, Co. B, 130th Regiment. Jeremiah Oliver, Second Lieutenant, Co. I, 130th Regiment. Jeremiah Oliver, Second Lieutenant, Co. A, 200th Regiment. W. H. Smyser, Second Lieutenant, Co. H, 200th Regiment. Emanuel Smith, First Lieutenant, Independent Company. Charles Z. Denues, Captain Emergency Co. Augustus Loucks, Second Lieutenant, Emergency Co. John N. Taylor, First Lieutenant, Co. G, 166th Regiment. Robert Smith. Wm. Seiffert, Second Lieutenant, Co. G, 2d Dragoons. Henry Smallbrook, First Lieutenant, 114 Collis Zouaves. At the expiration of the three months' service, July 27, 1861, they were welcomed home by ringing of bells, firing of cannon, public speeches and a banquet. We find in the history of the 87th Regiment, P. V., the following: "The York Rifles, an organization which was noted for its fine appearance and good training." These brave volunteers participated in many of the principal battles for the maintenance of the Union, and a number HISTORY OF YORK RIFLE COMPANY. 81 were killed in battle with the enemy, and others were captured and thrown into prisons throughout the South and suffered untold miseries. Seventy-nine men - "York Riflemen" - went into service and nearly all of them returned and are useful, honored and respected citizens of this and other communities. At the close of the war the survivors returned and followed their chosen business or occupation. The Company preserved its organization, and occasionally on Independence Day or Washington's Birthday, would parade through the streets of our present city. Meetings were held from time to time. The following is a list of members of the Rifle Company in the late War of the Rebellion, who died, were killed, wounded or taken prisoner: Corporal William C. Getz, died of typhoid fever. Jacob Smith, killed in battle of Antietam. Charles A. Shetter, killed in battle of Antietam. H. Clay Wiest, wounded in battle of Antietam, died from wound. Charles P. Haack, killed at battle of Monocacy. Robert Smith, lost arm at battle of Antietam. S. R. Hough, wounded at Antietam. Jacob Smyser, taken prisoner, died at Saulsbury. Captain John Albright, taken prisoner at Winchester, Va. Charles Z. Denues, taken prisoner at Winchester, Va. Charles P. Stroman, taken prisoner at Winchester, Va. General John W. Schall, wounded at Cold Harbor, Va. The following members are unaccounted for, never returned: William Ranson, Henry Marks, Adam Bien, A. C. Ward, Franklin Morgan, J. F. Williams. The career of the York Riflemen of the Revolution and that of the Riflemen of the Civil War affords many points of similarity. 82 HISTORY OF YORK RIFLE COMPANY. Both responded to their country's first call. If the record of the latter soldiers was not as brilliant as that of the earlier ones, it was owing to change of circumstances. Both were enthusiastic, and welcomed any duty or opportunity assigned them. Soldiers do not always have the same opportunity to achieve victory and glory at the cannon's mouth. However, they gain greater merit by obedience to the orders given by their superior officers, which obedience alone renders success possible. And this was the case in the latter's success. The Riflemen served under the following commanders: From 1775 to 1865. General George Washington, Colonel William Thompson, Lieutenant Colonel Edward Hand, Major Robert Magaw, Chaplain Rev. Samuel Blair, Adjutant David Ziegler, Surgeon William Magaw, Quartermaster Frederick Hubley, Captain Michael Doudel. In 1781. General Marquis de Lafayette, Brigadier General Anthony Wayne. Colonel Walter Stewart, Captain Joseph McClellan. In 1812 and I814. General Henry Dearborn, General Wilkinson, Major General Nathaniel Watson, Brigadier John Adams, Colonel William Hamilton, Captain Thomas Schriver. In 1861, Three Months' Service. General Winfield Scott, Major General Robert E. Patterson, HISTORY OF YORK RIFLE COMPANY. 83 Major General Wm. H. Keim, Brigadier General Geo. C. Wynkoop, Colonel F. S. Stambaugh, Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Welsh, Major James Givens, Adjutant Isaac S. Waterberry, Captain George Hay. Three Years' Service. General Halleck, General U. S. Grant, Major General Phil Sheridan, GENERAL P. H. SHERIDAN. [portrait] 84 HISTORY OF YORK RIFLE COMPANY. Major General John Sedgwick, Major General Benjamin F. Butler, Major General George B. Meade, General Wright, General Milroy, General Schenck, General Cuserett, General Ricketts, Colonel George Hay, Colonel John W. Schall, Colonel James Terney, Lieutenant Colonel James Stahle, Major Noah G. Ruhl, Major Charles Buehler, Adjutant Jacob Emmett, Captain John Albright. In 1893, Gerard C. Brown, being State Senator from York County, Pennsylvania, offered a bill in the State Senate in recognition of the service, it being Act 136, and is as follows: "In order to commemorate the valor and patriotism of the York Rifles, a Military Company from York, York County, Pennsylvania, which took part in helping to suppress the late Rebellion: "SECTION 1. Be it enacted, that the sum of three hundred dollars or so much thereof as may be necessary, is hereby especially appropriated for the purpose of procuring a suitable medal with commemorating device for each of the surviving members or their heirs, of the York Rifles, of York, Pennsylvania, who went from the State of Pennsylvania into active service fully armed and equipped, on the 19th day of April, A. D. 1861. "SECTION 2. That the Auditor General, the Adjutant General, and the State Treasurer, of the State of Pennsylvania, be and are hereby authorized and directed to secure a medal of honor, with suitable device, to be presented to each soldier, at such time and place as may be determined on within HISTORY OF YORK RIFLE COMPANY. 85 one year from the passing of this Act, and the State Treasurer is hereby authorized to pay on a warrant of the Auditor General, the cost of the same out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated. "Approved the thirty-first day of May, 1893. "(Signed) ROBERT E. PATTISON, Governor." The medal selected for the York Company was a bronze Greek Cross-the Sixth Army Corps Badge-surmounted by a keystone on which is raised a laurel wreath. Within its circle is a stack of muskets, and surrounding the wreath is the legend: "FOR VALOR AND PATRIOTISM, APRIL 19th, 1861." The cross bar above the pendant Keystone shows the State escutcheon and a crossed musket and sword held in place by a horse shoe and a stirrup. On the reverse side of the keystone are engraved these words: "PRESENTED BY THE STATE OF PENNSYLVANIA." OF THE YORK RIFLES per Act of May 31, 1893. MEDAL PRESENTED BY THE STATE OF PENNSYLVANIA. [illustration] 86 HISTORY OF YORK RIFLE COMPANY. No unusual event occurred until the 26th day of October, 1893, when the surviving members of the Company were presented with medals for their patriotism and valor as among the "first defenders" at the outbreak of the late Civil War. The presentation of these medals took place in the Court House, and the presentation address was made by Governor Robert E. Pattison. The meeting here was followed by a banquet at the Colonial Hotel. The event was so recent and is so well remembered, that it is sufficient here to state, that the ceremony of presentation, the addresses and the personnel of the attendance, were in every respect worthy of the occasion. Since the organization of the York Rifle Company, by Captain Michael Doudel, in June, 1775, they had on their rosters the following officers and privates: One Major General, three Brigadier Generals, five colonels, fifty-five Captains and Lieutenants and 709 Privates, or a total of 773. At a meeting held March 22, 1894, the following members of the Company of 1838 were elected honorary members of the present organization, and an invitation extended to them to be present at the banquet, April 19th, 1894. Edwin C. Eppley, Henry Lehman, Emanuel Hoke, John E. Beard, Henry Koch, Edward Faber, William Kellar, Ephraim Smith, Israel Shenberger, George V. Metzel. On the 19th of April, 1894, the Company held their reunion and banquet at the City Hotel. Addresses were made by Mayor Geo. W. S. Loucks, H. L. Fisher, Esq., Hon. E. D. Ziegler, Hiram Young, and R. J. Lewis, Esq. The old 87th band furnished music and played some old time pieces, such as "The Star Spangled Banner," "Yankee Doodle," "The Girl I Left Behind," "Marching Through Georgia," and "My Country, "T'is of Thee," etc. HISTORY OF YORK RIFLE COMPANY. 87 The following members were present: Gen. John W. Schall, Henry Smallbrook, Augustus Loucks, Wm. H. Seifert, C. Z. Denues, Ferdinand Buckingham, Chas. Harkins, George Rudisill, Chas. W. Stubbins, Benjamin Allison, Daniel Spangler, William H. Smyser, John Bush, Franklin Ginter, William Clapper, Franklin Ziegler, Andrew J. Gotwalt. Members of the York Rifle Company of 1838 present: Emanuel Hoke, Henry Lehman, Henry Koch, Ephraim Smith, William Kellar, George V. Metzel, Edward Faber. MEMORIAL PRESENTED TO CONGRESS July 6, 1894. To the Honorable, the Senate and House of Representatives, Washington, D. C. We, the undersigned Committees of the York Rifle Company, and Worth Infantry Company, respectfully memorialize your Honorable bodies and declare as follows: That the YORK RIFLES and WORTH INFANTRY, of York, York County, Pennsylvania, are ancient and historic Military Corps, having performed specially honorable service and achieved exceptional renown in each War of the United States since their several organizations; that their fame is the cherished heritage of a patriotic neighborhood, whose citizens have ever been foremost in their country's cause; that in the Revolution, in the second War for Independence, in the War with Mexico, and in the War of Secession, the people of York, Pennsylvania, and vicinity were among the foremost to meet every call to duty in the field; that one of the Companies, namely, the York Rifle Company, is no other than the continuation of that famous Company of Riflemen which, in 1775, 88 HISTORY Or YORK RIFLE COMPANY. made the rapid march from Yorktown, Pa. (now York), to Boston, and were the first of the Southern Volunteers to report to General Washington; and that, in view of these historic services, we feel, as do the people from whom we were drawn, that we have claims upon the generous attention of the legislative body of our country, when a proposition is made to deprive us of the position in history which we believe we fairly won in the late Civil War. Your memorialists respectfully ask that the passage of House Bill 638o, introduced March 20, 1894, and referred to the Committee on Military Affairs, authorizing the Secretary of War to procure medals for Pennsylvania soldiers, who were the first to arrive on April 18, 1861, for the defense of the City of Washington, D. C., would do grave injustice to the YORK RIFLES and WORTH INFANTRY. Your memorialists would be the last of all men to ask that any just reward or distinction be withheld from any of their brethren in arms, and we will be especially happy if your honorable bodies shall devise and award some appropriate memorial of the worth and service of the Pennsylvania Companies for whose benefit House Bill 638o is intended. But in justice to our people and our children, we cannot permit them to take, without our solemn protest, the honors which belong to ourselves, which we fairly earned in the field and which heretofore have been undisputed. The Companies named in the Bill may have been the first to arrive at the Capitol, but they were not the first in its "defense," nor the first in service from the State. They were unarmed at the time and were not placed in active service for many weeks thereafter. On the contrary, the YORK RIFLES and WORTH INFANTRY, being in a perfect state of discipline, fully equipped for the field and armed, the WORTH INFANTRY with latest improved Springfield muskets, and the YORK RIFLES with Enfield rifles of the latest pattern, tendered their services to the Governor of Pennsylvania, on the 16th day of April, 1861, were accepted the same evening, were then, that is to say on the 17th, in active ser- HISTORY OF YORK RIFLE COMPANY. 89 vice. They afforded the only protection to the N. C. R. R. between Harrisburg and Baltimore, and on the 20th, under orders of Major General Keim, marched into the State of Maryland to meet the advance of the enemy Northward and to preserve from interruption an absolutely vital and necessary line of communication between the Capitol and the North and West. This service they performed and whilst they were performing it, the five Companies named in House Bill 6380 were billeted in Washington, D. C., unarmed, and among those to whom the YORK RIFLES and WORTH INFANTRY were affording actual protection by their disposition in the field. Far be it from us to cast any reflection upon our gallant comrades because of these undeniable circumstances. It was not their fault that they were unarmed or that they were not in defense of the Capitol at that time as we were. But the facts are the facts. We were organized, disciplined, armed, accepted and ordered into the field prepared to perform the service at that date, and did actually perform it. We, therefore, humbly pray your Honorable bodies if a medal or other distinction is to be awarded to the Pennsylvania troops first in the field, or first in "defense" of the Capitol, fully armed and equipped, it be awarded according to the truth of history to the YORK RIFLES and WORTH INFANTRY and your memorialists will ever pray: AUGUSTUS LOUCKS, WILLIAM I. REISINGER, CHARLES HARKINS, WILLIAM H. ALBRIGHT, CHARLES Z. DENUES, S. H. SPANGLER, York Rifle Committee. Worth Infantry Committee. CHARLES A. STRACK, Secretary. At a joint meeting of the York Rifles and Worth Infantry, Samuel H. Spangler and Augustus Loucks were appointed a Committee to go to Washington, D. C., and present their claim to the Committee on Military Affairs. On July 6, 1894, they left York about 8 o'clock in the morning, but the train being two hours late, on which they were to leave, they 90 HISTORY OF YORK RIFLE COMPANY. did not arrive at Washington until noon. They were met by General John W. Schall. Together they hastened to the Capitol, where they met General Black of Illinois, a member of the Committee, and he informed them the Committee were sitting all morning waiting, and had adjourned. Congressman Irwin P. Wanger, of Norristown, Pa., however took great interest in the Yorkers' cause, and after diligent search succeeded in locating General Joe Wheeler, the chairman of the Committee, and induced him to call a special meeting. The Committee met at 2 o'clock and the York claims were at once heard. The files of the York Gazette, and all other evidence was at once laid before them; the Gazette files were read by one of the Committee and all listened very attentively. General Wheeler expressed himself very much in favor of the York Rifles and Worth Infantry, and said in his address "The movement of these two companies certainly drew the attention of the mob in Baltimore, and gave the government time to fortify and protect the city. And also protected the N. C. R. R., the only road leading from the North to the National Capitol, which was very important." But the Committee could not agree and nothing further was accomplished at this session. The following taken from the Philadelphia North American will substantiate our claim in the above Memorial: To the Editor of the North American. Mr. W. H. Gibson, of Reading, suggests that for the sake of history the question should be settled whether or not the first five Companies of Pennsylvania troops to respond to the President's call on the opening of the Civil War were armed when they passed through Baltimore. At that time I was stationed at Governor Curtin's office in a confidential capacity as military telegrapher, and made copious notes of passing events. The five Companies referred to, comprising 482 officers and men accompanied by 45 regulars of the Fourth United States artillery under command of Captain J. C. Pemberton, afterwards Lieutenant General of HISTORY OF YORK RIFLE COMPANY. 91 the Confederate army, en route to Fort McHenry, left Harrisburg at 9 o'clock in the morning of April 18, 1861, over the Northern Central Railway. On account of the hostile attitude of a considerable part of the population of Baltimore, the troops were disembarked at Bolton and marched for two miles to Camden station, on the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad to re-embark for Washington. The march was a most perilous one. From the time it began the little band of patriots was followed and attacked by as desperate a mob as ever passion raised. This patriotically inspired march was one of the most fearless incidents of the Civil War. With the exception of 34 muskets for which there was no ammunition, the arms of the officers, the sabres of the artillery and one box of percussion caps, the command had no means of defense except their manly courage and self-control as they made their march through what was practically a hostile camp. Governor Curtin and a few of his military family and friends, with almost breathless impatience, hung over the telegraph instruments drinking in every word relative to the movement. When, to their great relief, it was announced that the command was safely out of Baltimore and speeding toward Washington, Governor Curtin vowed that no more Pennsylvania troops should move to the front unless they were properly armed and equipped to defend themselves. That vow was never broke. (Signed) WILLIAM BENDER WILSON. Holmesburg, May 7, 1905. On the evening of April 19, 1895, the Company held their re-union and banquet at Mrs. Chas. Welsh's restaurant, East Philadelphia Street. A letter was read from Hon. C. F. Black, stating his inability for not being present on account of a previous engagement. Ad- 92 HISTORY OF YORK RIFLE COMPANY. dresses were made by Colonel James A. Stable, Hon. E. D. Ziegler. The soldiers gave quite an interesting talk on army life, and a very enjoyable argument was held between Daniel Spangler and Henry Smallbrook on the two old Fire Companies, viz: Bull's Eye (now Vigilant), and the Owls (now Laurel). The following members were present: Gen. John W. Schall, Henry Smallbrook, Augustus Loucks, William H. Seifert, C. Z. Denues, Ferdinand Buckingham, Charles Harkins, Franklin Ginter, Charles W. Stubbins, William Clapper, Daniel Spangler, John Bush. November 10, 1896, an invitation was received from the Yorktown Chapter of the American Revolution for the Riflemen to participate in the unveiling of the Hartley tablet in the Episcopal Church, North Beaver Street, York, Pa., and on the 19th of November, 1896, were present at the unveiling. York has always been noted for its patriotism, and military spirit, and in every contest, from the French and Indian War down to the late War with Spain, it has been represented by a goodly number of men and officers. Among the latter may be named: Ewing, Doudel, Miller, Clark, Matson, Hartley, Cross, McClelland, Schriver, Grier, Smith, Gibson, Smull, Hay, Ziegle, Schall, Franklin, and Captain Garver. Reunion of the York Rifle Company held at Parkton, Md., April 20, 1896, at the same place they were stationed, doing guard duty, April 20, 1861, (being 35 years before), along the Northern Central Railroad. As they left the cars in '61, it was raining and snowing. The following members were present at the Re-union: John Bush, Augustus Loucks, Charles Harkins, Daniel Spangler, C. Z. Denues, William Seifert. February 25, 1897, meeting called to order by Vice President Charles Z. Denues; members present: Rudisill, Harkins, HISTORY OF YORK RIFLE COMPANY. 93 Clapper, Buckingham, Loucks, Smallbrook and Allison. Letters were read from President-elect William McKinley, Hon. Mark Hanna, and General Cecil Clay, Chairman of Inauguration Committee, extending an invitation to the Company to be present on the 4th of March at the inauguration of President McKinley. It was unanimously accepted providing satisfactory arrangements could be made with the Northern Central Railroad. Adjourned to meet on February 27th, to hear the report as to the railroad arrangement. February 27, 1897, met at Alderman Augustus Loucks' office. After reading the Minutes of the last meeting, the Secretary reported that he could not make satisfactory arrangements with the Railroad Company, and on motion of F. F. Buckingham, the following was sent to President William McKinley, Hon. Mark Hanna and General Cecil Clay: "On account of the age of the members of the York Rifle Company, and a number of them being crippled, and the Secretary not being able to make any special arrangement with the Railroad Company, we are compelled to decline the invitation. "Wishing you all a pleasant and happy inauguration is the wish of the members of the York Rifle Association." Letter from Cecil Clay, Chairman of Committee on Military Organizations: "Washington, D. C., February 16, 1897. "To Augustus Loucks, Esq., York, Pa. "York Rifle Association. "Sir:--Please inform me how many members will be in line, also what uniform will be worn. Such matters as cannot be stated definitely now, should be sent by mail at the earliest possible moment. If the hour of arrival cannot be determined until after you start, please telegraph it to me while on the way. "Very respectfully, "CECIL CLAY, "C. C. on M. O. In the Washington Star of March 4, 1897, Page 14, the photographs of General John W. Schall, President, and Au- 94 HISTORY O1 YORK RIFLE COMPANY. gustus Loucks, Secretary of the Company, appear, and the article in the paper is headed: "An Organization of Particular Interest to Pennsylvanians." April 19, 1897, the York Riflemen held a re-union at Alderman Augustus Loucks' office, and after the routine of business was transacted, they marched to the City Hotel, where a specially prepared oyster supper was ready for them, which they enjoyed very much. Members present: John Bush, Augustus Loucks, Charles Harkins, Henry Smallbrook, F. F. Buckingham, Charles Stubbins, C. Z. Denues, William Seifert, Daniel Spangler, William Clapper. From 1897 to 1904 the Company had no special banquet. They would meet at Alderman Augustus Loucks' office on the memorable eve and talk of war recollections and army life. On the evening of April 19, 1904, the Company held their re-union and banquet at Stambaugh's Cafe. A letter was read from Augustus Loucks, he being sick and unable to be present. Members present: Henry Smallbrook, Daniel Spangler, Charles Harkins, Charles Stubbins, George Rudisill, Charles Z. Denues, William Clapper, William Seifert, April 19, 1905. Re-union and banquet held at Samuel Welsh's Cafe North Penn Street. Minutes of last meeting read and approved. General John W. Schall presided, and after the business of the Company was transacted, they sat down to a specially prepared supper. The table was loaded with all the delicacies of the season, which the Company did ample justice to. Addresses were made by General Schall, Benjamin Allison, George Rudisill, and a history of the York Rifle Company was read by Augustus Loucks. HISTORY OF YORK RIFLE COMPANY. 95 Star taken from flag carried in 1861 [photo] Colonel George Hay William Clapper William H. Smyser Henry Smallbrook George Rudisill Wm. H. Seiffert Daniel Spangler Benjamin Allison Charles Stubbins Charles Z. Denues Gen John W. Schall Augustus Loucks Charles Harkins Officers and surviving members of York Rifle Company in 1861, one of the first fully armed and equipped companies to respond to the call of President Lincoln. 96 HISTORY OF YORK RIFLE COMPANY. Members present: John W. Schall, Norristown. Daniel Spangler, York. Charles Z. Denues, York. William Seifert, York. Charles Stubbins, York. William Clapper, York. Wm. H. Smyser, Philadelphia. Charles Harkins, York. Henry Smallbrook, York, Augustus Loucks, York. Benjamin Allison, York. George Rudisill, York. Evening of April 19, 1906, re-union and banquet held at John Stambaugh's restaurant. John A. Epley, of Baltimore, Md., presided. After reading the Minutes of the previous reunion, they were approved as read, after which letters were read from General John W. Schall, Norristown, Pa.; William H. Smyser, Philadelphia, Pa., and John W. Hughes, Lewistown, Pa., of their inability to be present on account of business engagements. They then sat down to a specially prepared menu. Members present: John A. Epley, Baltimore, Md. Charles Stubbins, York. Charles Denues, York. William Seifert, York. Charles Harkins, York. Daniel Spangler, York. Augustus Loucks, York. William Clapper, York. Toastmaster John A. Epley called on Charles Stubbins for an address on Army Life. Charles Z. Denues' subject was Three Months' Service; Charles Harkins, While in the 130th Regiment; Daniel Spangler, The Girl I Left Behind. The addresses were very much enjoyed by all present. The hour growing late, they all left for their homes, wishing each other many returns of the re-union. MEMORIAL AND PETITION PRESENTED TO THE LEGISLATURE OF PENNSYLVANIA. To the Honorable, The Senate and House of Representatives, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania: We, the undersigned members of the "York Rifle Company," of York, York County, Pennsylvania, respectfully memorialize your Honorable bodies and declare as follows: HISTORY OF YORK RIFLE COMPANY. 97 That the "York Rifle Company" is an ancient and historic Military Company, having performed special honorable service and achieved exceptional renown in each war of the United States since their organization; that their fame is the cherished heritage of a patriotic neighborhood, whose citizens have ever been foremost in their country's cause; that in the Revolutionary War, in the second war for Independence of the United States, in the War of 1812 and 1814, in the War with Mexico and in the War of the Rebellion the people of York, Pennsylvania, and vicinity were among the foremost to meet every call to duty in the field, and the "York Rifle Company" is a continuation of that historic: company of "Pennsylvania Riflemen" which, in 1775, made the rapid march from Yorktown, Pa., (now York), to Boston and was the first of the Southern volunteers to report to General George Washington at Boston. In view of these historic services, we feel, as do the community from which we were drawn, that we have claims upon the attention of the legislative body of our State. The "York Rifle Company" was fully armed and equipped with "Enfield Rifles" of the latest pattern at that time and tendered its services to the Governor of Pennsylvania on the 16th day of April, 1861, and were accepted the same evening. They were then, on the 17th day of April, 1861, in active service. They afforded protection to the N. C. R. R. between Harrisburg and Baltimore, all other communication having been cut off from Washington by the destruction of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad and the Baltimore, Wilmington and Delaware Railroad having been destroyed by the mob from Baltimore, Maryland. On the 20th of April, 1861, under orders of Major General Keim, of the State Militia, it marched into the State of Maryland to meet the enemy then marching Northward, and to preserve from interruption an absolutely vital and necessary line of communication between the United States Capitol and the territory of the United States, North and West. Thus we were organized, disciplined, armed, accepted and ordered into the field prepared to perform the service of the 98 HISTORY OF YORK RIFLE COMPANY. United States and the State of Pennsylvania at that date, and did actually perform it. We, therefore, humbly pray your Honorable bodies that proper resolutions be passed recognizing this service, and your Memorialists will ever pray. Augustus Loucks, Charles Z. Denues, George Rudisill, Charles Stubbins, Charles Harkins, William H. Smyser, John A. Epley, John W. Schall, Franklin Ginter (X) his mark. Benjamin Allison, William Clapper, (X) his mark. William Seifert. State of Pennsylvania, )ss: York County, ) Personally appeared before me, a Notary Public, the undersigned, Charles Harkins, Charles Z. Denues, William H. Seifert, Charles Stubbins and Augustus Loucks, all of the City and County of York and State of Pennsylvania, who upon their solemn oath say that the following memorial is true and correct to the best of their knowledge and belief. Affirmed and subscribed (Signed) Charles Harkins, to before me this eleventh (Signed) Charles Z. Denues. day of February, A. D. 1907. (Signed) William H. Seifert, (Signed) Thos. B. Loucks, (Signed.) Charles Stubbins, Notary Public. (Signed) Augustus Loucks. To the Honorable, the Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania: The undersigned citizens of the City of York, in the County of York and State of Pennsylvania, respectfully represent: THAT, WHEREAS; the "YORK RIFLE COMPANY" has, by a memorial of its members, declared a synopsis of its valuable service rendered to the State of Pennsylvania and the United States at the beginning of the War of the Rebellion, and prayed for resolutions acknowledging its service. NOW THEREFORE, we, the undersigned citizens as aforesaid, knowing the facts set forth in their memorial and HISTORY OF YORK RIFLE COMPANY. 99 petition to be true, and knowing the object of the memorial and petition to be a patriotic one for the honor of the organization and the community in which it exists and has existed for so many years in the past, join in the petition of the members of said "YORK RIFLE COMPANY" and pray your Honorable body to grant the prayer in said memorial and petition presented. John W. Bittenger, Charles A. Hawkins, Nevin M. Wanner, S. N. Hench, James St. Clair McCall, W. A. Dromgold, Richard E. Cochran, S. M. Manifold, Smyser Williams, John A. Stover, John Fahs, B. W. Miller, John W. Dehoff, M. D. Edw. F. Adams, D. F. Lafean, Adam Hamme, R. J. Lewis, H. L. Keiser, Geo. E. Neff, Frank Warfel, Jos. R. Strawbridge, Adam Evert, George P. Smyser, William Aubitz, W. H. Lanius, Frank V. Frey, E. J. Loucks, E. A. Dempwolf, A. B. Farquhar, W. H. Younker, Jas. G. Glessner, J. F. Blasser, N. Sargent Ross, E. A. Fickes, E. F. Wiest, G. W. Householder, J. Jessop, B. C. Julius, C. T. Culp, B. Claude Stouch, G. P. Spangler, Walter S. Rohrbach, H. C. Adams, T. F. Wolf, H. S. Wiest, Geo. D. Beeler, Henry M. Smyser, Geo. W. Gross, H. B. Beard, Wm. H. Wagner, M. D,, Jacob Stair, Geo. W. Brose, M. D., R. A. Stair, Fred. W. Kottcamp, Chas. S. Weiser, E. W. Spangler, J. P, Julius, Wm. F. Loucks, Herman Noss, Edgar D. Ziegler, Robert S. Spangler, Chas. H. Strathmeyer, A. J. Brenneman, W. L. Smyser, Robert C. Bair, John Rebert, J. M. Ebbert, D. P. Klinedinst, John J. Bollinger, S. Fahs Smith, 100 HISTORY OF YORK RIFLE COMPANY. Alfred M. Kell, Eli Z. Zinn, John F. Kell, J. H. Sheffer, E. M. Grass, Milo Glassick, W. B. Gemmill, Thos. B. Loucks, John B. Gemmill, M. V. Brillhart, Harvey A. Gross, H. L. Fink, Allen C. Wiest, J. L. Menough, F. M. Bortner, Horace Croll, S. F. Glatfelter, Robert D. Croll, John A. Hoober, Howard. D. Baer, J. Warden, Chas. F. Baer, Harris Smith, R. Wm. Ziegler, J. Morris Gable, D. Albert Smyser, Joseph Beck, Eli G. Leathery, Calvin Deardorff, Wm. Kindig, C. C. Frick, D. G. Smith, R. H. Shindel, B. R. Kindig, W. F. Bay Stewart, Howard Gise, A. R. Brodbeck, Jacob F. Jacobs, A. F. Gotwalt, Charles Oerman, Chas. W. Sayres, Peter E. Stough, J. R. Ernst, W. E. Pickett, J. G. Strawinski, W. F. Kleffman, Lehmayer Bros., Dr. I. H. Betz, Frank DeHuff, Chas. H. Sieker, Louis R. Lehmayer, D. Philip Heckert, Jacob Lafean, Andrew Stough, Geo. Graybill, J. S. Black, C. Ed. Hantz, H. K. Free, Peter A. Brickner, Ralph A. Free, Jos. S. Harman, John F. Patton, Jno. W. Green, D. P. Shultz, Horace Keesey, Jacob R. Spangler, Jere Carl. PRESENTED APRIL 23d, 1907. A record of the services of the Worth Infantry and of the York Rifles, the first defenders at the opening of the Civil War, has been made in the Adjutant General's office, following a petition from those York organizations presented in the Senate by Senator D. P. Klinedinst and favorably reported by HISTORY OF YORK RIFLE COMPANY. 101 the committee on military affairs. Governor Stuart approved the resolution this week and the record is now among the state archives, as prayed for by the members of the famous old organizations. The resolution as adopted by the legislature is as follows: "Whereas, Two companies of militia of York, Pennsylvania, known as the 'Worth Infantry' and the 'York Rifles,' on April 15, 1861, on receipt of the news of the firing upon Fort Sumter, which marked the opening of the War of the Rebellion, offered their services to the Secretary of War of the United States and 'His Excellence, Andrew G. Curtin, Governor of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania,' and "Whereas, The said services were accepted by 'His Excellency, Andrew G. Curtin, Governor of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania,' and the said 'Worth Infantry' and 'York Rifles' were instructed to hold themselves in readiness to move at the call of their respective captains, and "Whereas, on April 20, 1861, after the Sixth Massachusetts regiment, while passing through the streets of Baltimore, had been attacked by a mob, upon orders from Generals Keim and Cadwallader the said 'Worth Infantry' and 'York Rifles,' fully armed and equipped, left York, Pennsylvania, at 11 o'clock P. M. for Parkton, Md., which point they reached on April 21, 1861, at 2 o'clock A. M., and immediately proceeded to do picket duty and to guard the bridges of the Northern Central Railroad, which were being destroyed, so as to prevent the transportation of Union troops to the seat of war; and "Whereas, a careful investigation of the records and files of the Adjutant General's office discloses the fact that there is no record of the services, rendered at the opening of the War of the Rebellion by the said 'Worth Infantry' and 'York Rifles,' but which services were recognized by the legislature of Pennsylvania by an act of assembly approved the 31st day of May, A. D. 1893, appropriating the sum of $300 for the purchase of appropriate medals, with commemorating devices, to 102 HISTORY OF YORK RIFLE COMPANY. be presented to each surviving member of the said 'Worth Infantry' and 'York Rifles,' which medals were presented to the then surviving Members of the said 'Worth Infantry' and 'York Rifles,' at York, Pennsylvania, by 'His Excellency, Robert E. Pattison, Governor of Pennsylvania,' therefore, for the purpose of preserving a record of the said services of the said 'Worth Infantry' and 'York Rifles' at the opening of the War of the Rebellion, be it Resolved, (if the House of Representatives concur), That the Adjutant General of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania be and is hereby authorized and directed to file in his office a record of the movements of the said 'Worth Infantry' and 'York Rifles' at the opening of the War of the Rebellion, taken from the minutes of the meetings of the said 'Worth Infantry' and 'York Rifles,' properly authenticated by affidavit and accompanying this resolution (together with a roster of the members of the said 'Worth Infantry' and 'York Rifles'), and that the said Adjutant General be and is hereby authorized and directed to incorporate in his next annual report a copy of this resolution." The above bill was approved April 29th, 1907. EDWIN S. STUART, Governor. SENATOR KLINEDINST PRAISED BY YORK RIFLE ASSOCIATION. York, Pa., May 3, 1907. At a meeting of the York Rifle Association, held at T. B. Loucks' office, South Newberry Street, the following resolution, offered by Augustus Loucks, was passed unanimously: Resolved, That the York Rifle Association takes great pleasure in thanking the Hon. D. P. Klinedinst, state senator from this district, for the interest he has taken in having resolutions passed by the senate and house of representatives, and signed by the Governor of Pennsylvania, authorizing and directing the Adjutant General of the State, to place on record HISTORY OF YORK RIFLE COMPANY. 103 CAPTAIN CHARLES Z. DENUES. [portrait] the services rendered by the York Rifle Company, of York, Pa., on April 20, 1861. And that the Association feels proud in having a senator who has the interest and welfare of the city and community at heart, so that true history may be handed down to future generations. "AUGUSTUS LOUCKS, Vice President "C. Z. DENUES, Secretary. "CHARLES HARKINS, Treasurer." April 19, 1907. Re-union and banquet held at Harlacker's Cafe in commemoration of the 132d anniversary of the original old York Rifle Company and the 46th Re-union and banquet of the present York Rifles. The banquet was held in a private dining room on first floor, the room was tastefully decorated with American flags, the table formed a Maltese cross; in the centre were three muskets stacked and an iron pot hung by a chain in the centre, while underneath was an electric light and strips of red blotting paper, and wood piled around it, which resembled fire. It was to imitate the boiling of bean soup in the army; at a distance it was taken for reality. 104 HISTORY OF YORK RIFLE COMPANY. The invited guests present were: Jere Carl, Robert C. Bair, Prof. George W. Prowell, Dr. I. H. Betz, Captain John Fahs and Alexander Klinedinst. Letters of regret were read from Hon. D. P. Klinedinst, Hon. A. B. Farquhar, Horace Croll and Comrade William H. Smyser. A telegram was received at 8 P. M. from General John W. Schall, he being unable to be present on account of business. MENU. Army Bean Soup, Celery, Olives, Planked Shad, Lemon Sauce, Julian Potatoes, Braized Sweet Bread, Green Peas, Tenderloin Beef, Mushrooms, Roast Stuffed Turkey, Giblet Sauce, Mashed Potatoes, Stewed Corn, Cheese and Banquet Wafers, Ice Cream and Cakes, Coffee. Hon. Jere Carl was selected as toastmaster. He introduced Robert C. Bair as the first speaker. Mr. Bair spoke on what the York Rifles did during the Civil War, and predicted that the day would soon come when the service rendered by the Company would be spread on the records of the State and the history handed down to future generations. The next speaker was George W. Prowell who said he was glad to be present as he was present at the military encampment on the 24th day of September, 1860, and saw the York Rifles, which was an organization of young men, as fine HISTORY OF YORK RIFLE COMPANY. 105 as the country could produce, and as good a drilled Company as any in the State. Dr. I. H. Betz, Captain John Fahs, Charles Z. Denues and others made addresses, and part of the history of York Rifles was read by Augustus Loucks. As the hour was growing late, they all left for their homes well pleased with the evening entertainment. Captain Fahs in his address, said it gives him great pleasure that he is present at this re-union and banquet, as he has had a warm heart for the old York Rifle Company, and especially for the officers, from whom he had received the most of his military training. Committee of Arrangements. Augustus Loucks, Charles Stubbins, C. Z. Denues, Charles Harkins, The following members were present: Augustus Loucks, William Clopper, Charles Z. Denues, Franklin Ginter, Charles Harkins, John A. Eppley, Charles Stubbins, Daniel Spangler. *MEMORIAL AND PETITION PRESENTED TO CONGRESS DECEMBER, 1907. To the Honorable, the Senate and House of Representatives, Washington, D. C.: We, the undersigned members of the "York Rifle Company," of York, York County, Pennsylvania, respectfully memorialize your Honorable bodies and declare as follows: That the "York Rifle Company" is an ancient and historic Military Company, having performed special honorable service and achieved exceptional renown in each war of the United States since their organization; that their fame is the cherished heritage of a patriotic neighborhood, whose citizens 106 HISTORY OF YORK RIFLE COMPANY. have ever been foremost in their country's cause; that in the Revolutionary War, in the second War for Independence of the United States, in the War of 1812 and 1814, in the War with Mexico and in the War of the Rebellion, the people of York, Pennsylvania, and vicinity were among the foremost to meet every call to duty in the field, and the "York Rifle Company" is a continuation of that historic Company of "Pennsylvania Riflemen," which, in 1775, made the rapid march from Yorktown, Pa., (now York), to Boston and was the first of the Southern volunteers to report to General George Washington at Boston. In view of these historic services, we feel, as do the community from which we were drawn, that we have claims upon the attention of the legislative body of our State. The "York Rifle Company" was fully armed and equipped with "Enfield Rifles" of the latest pattern at that time and tendered its services to the Governor of Pennsylvania on the 16th day of April, 1861, and were accepted the same evening. They were then, on the 17th day of April, 1861, in active service. They afforded protection to the N. C. R. R. between Harrisburg and Baltimore, all other communication having been cut off from Washington by the destruction of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad and the Baltimore, Wilmington and Delaware Railroad having been destroyed by the mob from Baltimore, Maryland. On the 20th day of April, 1861, under orders of Major General Keim, of the State Militia, it marched into the State of Maryland to meet the enemy then marching Northward, and to preserve from interruption an absolutely vital and necessary line of communication between the United States Capital and the territory of the United States, North and West. Thus we were organized, disciplined, armed, accepted and ordered into the field prepared to perform the service of the United States and the State of Pennsylvania at that date, and did actually perform it. We therefore, humbly pray your Honorable bodies that HISTORY OF YORK RIFLE COMPANY. 107 proper resolutions be passed recognizing this service, and your memorialists will ever pray. AUGUSTUS LOUCKS, CHARLES HARKINS, WM. SEIFERT, C. Z. DENUES, GEORGE RUDISILL JOHN W. SCHALL; WM. H. SMYSER, BENJ. ALLISON (X) his mark. CHARLES STUBBINS, WM. CLOPPER, (X) his mark. FRANKLIN GINTER (X) his mark. Witness to mark of Franklin Ginter, B. R. Paxton. State of Pennsylvania, ) SS: County of York, ) Personally appeared before me, a Notary Public in and for said County and Augustus Loucks, Wm. Seifert, Charles Harkins, and who upon their solemn oaths say that the above memorial is true and correct to the best of their knowledge and belief. Affirmed and subscribed to before me this 18th day of AUGUSTUS LOUCKS, October, A. D. 1907, WILLIAM SEIFERT, B. R. PAXTON, Notary Public. CHARLES HARKINS, Commission expires April, 1911. Since the close of the Civil War this Company has kept up its organization by holding meetings at stated times and banqueting on the anniversary of that memorable day, April 20th, 1861. 108 HISTORY OP YORK RIFLE COMPANY. The following members, living, constitute the organization: President-General John W. Schall. Vice President-Augustus Loucks, Secretary-Charles Z. Denues. Treasurer-Charles Harkins. Members. William H. Smyser, William Clapper, Charles W. Stubbins, Benjamin Allison, Daniel Spangler, William Seifert, George Rudisill, John A. Eppley, John W. Hughes, Franklin Ginter. To the Honorable, the Senate and House of Representatives, Washington, D. C. The undersigned citizens of the City of York, County of York, and State of Pennsylvania, respectfully represent: THAT WHEREAS, the "York Rifle Company" has, by a memorial of its members, declared a synopsis of its valuable service rendered to the State of Pennsylvania, and the United States at the beginning of the War of the Rebellion, and prayed for resolutions acknowledging its service. NOW, THEREFORE, We, the undersigned citizens as aforesaid, believing the facts set forth in their memorial and petition to be true, and knowing the object of the memorial and petition to be a patriotic one for the honor of the organization and the community in which it existed for so many years in the past, join in the petition of the members of said "York Rifle Company," and pray your Honorable body to grant the prayer in said memorial and petition presented: A. B. Farquhar, Wm. P. Fraley, Arthur S. Keller, Wm. H. Gable, Francis Farquhar, Leo M. Beecher, H. P. Goodling, H. F. Shive, Henry F. Fisher, H. C. Williams, W. B. Gemmill, R. B. Gross, HISTORY OF YORK RIFLE COMPANY. 109 John W. Bittenger, H. H. Heltzel, J. B. Groetsch, C. B. Altland, W. C. Throne, W. E. Stabley, Nevin M. Wanner, H. W. Wonch, William L. Ammon, P. W. Fraley, Harvey A. Gross, A. W. Hilliker, E. S. Brooks, Geo. H. Werner, John A. Hoober, E. Ed. Hantz, E. S. Cramer, Dan'l W. Witmeyer, Jr. H. L. King, Chas. C. Kelly, John F. Rudisill, Norman R. Chronister, W. F. Durr, Solomon S. Coff, David P. Klinedinst, Clarence Bixler, H. G. A. Oberdick, Howard D. Baer, J. Warren Lease, Joseph Wardell, John L. Rouse, Chas. F. Baer, Harry L. Nichol, John Fahs, Frank DeHoff, E. A. Rice, John C. Seamon, Wm. F. Loucks, Lehmayer & Bro., Andrew Stough, Jesse L. Brenneman, Eli G. Leathery, C. H. Smith, M. D., Geo. W. Gross, C. E. Brenner, Horace Croll, William Gruver, Robert D. Croll, Wm. H. Eichelberger, B. A. Stouffer, S. N. Hench, E. S. Hugentugler, T. E. Dromgold, Charles E. Hose, Milton Lauer, Geo. W. Kable, Allen C. Ziegler, Wm. H. Wagner, C. B. Pennypacker, G. I. Spangler, H. E. Kottcamp, J. Frank Small, Thomas Heberly A. J. Brenneman, F. W. Porter, Robert S. Spangler, J. O. Gohn, W. L. Smyser, Wm. J. Fisher, Chas. H. Strathmeyer, Harry Fetrow, B. R. Paxton, N. D. Stewart, James St. Clair McCall, E. S. Kirk, D. G. Dierdorff, H. M. Stefler, E. F. Moore, W' A. Hollinger, D. J. Lau, W. A. Bosserman, R. J. Lewis, W. Roy Miller, McClellan & Gotwalt, Wm. J. Reichley, John M. Weigle, Ezra Spangler, Jacob Lafean, 110 HISTORY OF YORK RIFLE COMPANY. E. W. Mummert, Adam Ebert, J. L. Menough, John J. Logan, Frank Bond, J. E. Vandersloot, N. F. Gross, Geo. W. Brenner, C. W. Creager, Chas. W. Myers, E. W. Spangler, Dr. R. F. Strayer, Henry F. Oberdick, James A. Dale, H. E. Shane, J. R. Ernst, J. McCoy, Dr. Roland Jessop, Amos Geiger, John A. Stover, D. N. Lookinbill, John Berkheimer, Justin M. Strevig, Jacob Warfel, J. F. Grabill, Frank Warfel, C. J. Sweigert, Adam Keesey, S. G. Grove, James G. Glessner, Elwin Walker, C. E. Ehrehart, Luther B. Test, E. D. Ziegler, D. A. Gresly, N. Sargent Ross, J. Edwin Seitz, Smyser Williams, W. E. Allison, S. M. Manifold, C. H. Seiker, Wm. M. Eisenhart, F. S. Morey, Chas. E. Small, Fred. W. Kottcamp, Z. B. Heindel, Levi J. Eisenhour, Ed. Chapin, John F. Kottcamp, R. L. Shellenberger, H. L. Kottcamp, J. Howard Manifold, Adam Seifert, Robert Witmeyer, J. B. Truett, Albert L. Williams, J. H. Baumgardner, Wm. H. Haker, John M. Horn, Frank Hovis, Geo. J. Garver, Emanuel Hartman, H. C. Brunner, R. G. Kessler, H. L. Fink, C. B. King, Adam S. Kauffman, J. L. Fitzpatrick, Wm. A. Warner, W. L. Ammon, Andrew J. Guyer, Robert C. Bair, Wm. J. Keyser, Jonathan Jessop, J. Henry Miller, E. L. Forry, Wm. T. Miller, Chas. S. Weiser, Chas. Messersmith, L. A. Small, Wm. T. Williamson, Geo. B. Neater, Wm. Reinhart, Harry F. Shenberger, Ross P. Treadway, Vincent K. Weaver, John J. Small, Richard E. Treadway, HISTORY OF YORK RIFLE COMPANY. 111 A. R. Frantz, J. V. Jones, Thos. Shipley, E. W. Heckert, T. A. Stubbins, David S. Meisenhelter, W. H. Myers, E. A. Dempwolf, C. A. Ehrman, Thomas Powell, H. G. Williams, Charles Rhine, G. M. Brenner, J. W. Brunhouse, F. O. Metz, E. F. Drawbaugh, C. H. Soone, Daniel W. Weaver, E. W. Swords, A. B. Wallick, April 20th, 1908. The 47th re-union and banquet was held at Stambaugh's Cafe, the following members being present: Augustus Loucks, Chas. Z. Denues, Charles Harkins, John A. Eppley, Charles Stubbins, Franklin Ginter, Wm. Clapper. William Seifert. Augustus Loucks called the meeting to order. The minutes of April 19, 1907, were read and approved. On motion of John A. Eppley the old officers were elected to serve the coming year, after which the members gave their war experience. The most interesting was William Clapper, he being in the army and also in the navy. Charles Harkins read a very pretty poem on the York Rifles. After spending two hours feasting they adjourned, hoping all to meet one year hence. Poem Read by Charles Harkins at the 47th Anniversary of the York Rifle Company. But when I think that since the gun Rebellion fired in Sixty-one, O'er forty years have fled, I know Why locks are white and steps are slow. Your ranks today are not so strong As when in youth you marched along The dusty roads, to rattling drum And lusty shout, "We come! We come!" 112 HISTORY OF YORK RIFLE COMPANY. I need not here in humble verse, The story of your deeds rehearse; They're written in that mighty tomb, Which Freedom treasures in her dome- Where each immortal, historic page, Glows with the valor of the age. Today the summer gladly weaves For you her crown of golden leaves; The cannon's rut with dew is wet, There's rust upon the bayonet; The saber of its strength is shorn, The blades of peace are blades of corn; The plowshare turns the yellow mold, The year today is growing old, And so are you who marched away With young hearts ready for the fray. Where are the comrades, tried and true, Who marched beside you clad in blue? Where are the boys beloved of yore Who came from battle never more? I ask the warm and balmy breeze That kissed Southland's orange trees; I ask the rivers as they run, Thro' land of shade to seas of sun, Methinks that ere my words are fled I hear the roll call of your dead; Methinks I hear each gallant name Proclaimed by Freedom's trump of fame. They sleep in long and ghostly lines Beneath Virginia's spreading pines; They've pitched their tents forevermore Among the sands of ocean's shore, And over many a gallant breast The Southern blue bird builds her nest; These are the comrades who today Are sweetly dreaming far away- These are the boys of camp and march Who rest beneath the starry arch. HISTORY OF YORK RIFLE COMPANY. 113 "Though they are dead today, I know You see their forms as long ago; You feel again the hand you took Perhaps beside the bloody brook, And said, "Farewell," whilst far and wide Around you rolled the battle's tide; You hear and feel, despite time's flow, The voice of "Bill," the hand of "Joe." BIOGRAPHY OF OFFICERS. Captain George Hay was born in York, Pa., August 1, 1809, of Scotch-Irish and German ancestors. He received his education in the schools of his home town, and afterward learned the trade of cabinetmaker and undertaker, which he followed with success for many years. He became interested in military affairs in his boyhood days, and from close attention, he became proficient in drilling militiamen, which, in those days, were the military arm of the government, and when but twenty-five years of age, became Captain of the York Pennsylvania Riflemen, which position he held for twenty-seven years, when he became Colonel of the 87th Regiment, P. V., during the Civil War. During the fall and winter of 1862, he commanded his Regiment in the hard marches across the hills and mountains of West Virginia in pursuit of Imboden's Guerillas. This overtaxed his physical energy, and he was compelled to rest for a time at Beverly, when he was put in command of that post. He was temporarily in command of a brigade of Milroy's Division while the Regiment was in camp at Clarksburg, West Virginia. After spending a month in rest at his home in York, Colonel Hay returned to his Regiment December 6, 1862. During the encampment at Winchester, Virginia, in the spring of 1863, he succeeded General Cluseret in command of the First Brigade, Second Division, 8th Army Corps, and in May, 1863, owing to impaired health, he tendered his resignation, which was accepted, and he returned to his home in York, Pa. He 114 HISTORY OF YORK RIFLE COMPANY. was so deeply interested in the Regiment, that he made three visits to it in the field. He died May 24, 1879. Lieutenant John W. Schall was born in Berks County, Pa., June 22, 1834. He is a descendant of French Hugenots. He received his education in private schools at Trappe and Norristown, Pa., and then took an extended course of advanced studies in the Military Academy at Norwich, Vermont, after which he was employed by an engineering corps under John C. Trautwine. Later he went into the dry goods business in York, Pa., where he became a member and Second Lieutenant of the York Rifles. This Company enlisted at the opening of the Civil War, for three months. After the expiration of their term, Lieutenant Schall returned to York, Pa., and organized a Company for three years. The Secretary of War authorized Dr. Alexander Small to raise a Regiment at York, and at the same time appointed John W. Schall, Colonel, which position he declined in favor of George Hay, and accepted the Lieutenant Colonelcy, and on May 9, 1863, was commissioned Colonel, upon the resignation of Colonel Hay. He was in command of all the troops in the engagement at Newtown, June 12, 1863, and while bravely riding at the head of his Regiment in a charge on the enemy at Carter's Woods, June 15, had his horse shot under him. He participated in the following engagements: Bealton Station, Kelley's Ford, Brandy Station, Wilderness, Spottsylvania, Cold Harbor, Charlestown, Opequon, Fisher Hill, etc. The term of three years having expired, Colonel Schall returned with the Regiment to York, Pa., and was mustered out October 13, 1864. After the war Colonel Schall engaged in the iron business at Norristown, Pa., where he has since resided. He served as Colonel of the Sixth Pennsylvania Volunteers in the War with Spain, and was in command of the Second Brigade, Sec- HISTORY OF YORK RIFLE COMPANY. 113 ond Division, Second Army Corps for five months, since which time he has been Brigadier General of Negly Guards of Pennsylvania. Lieutenant Jacob Emmett was born at York, Pa., December 15, 1830, son of Jacob and Julia (Eichelberger) Emmett. He obtained his education in the public schools and York County Academy, and entered the service as Second Lieutenant of Company K. and served for three months. After returning to York, Pa., he re-enlisted, and on September 25, 1861, he was appointed Adjutant of the 87th Regiment P. V. He remained with the Regiment until October 14, 1863, when he resigned and returned to York, Pa. He died in Minneapolis, Minnesota, November 1, 1881. John Albright was born in Baltimore, Md., in 1826 and moved to York, Pa., with his parents when he was ten years old. At the age of eighteen, he engaged in the cigar trade, which he followed as his occupation. In April, 1861, he enlisted with the York Rifle Company in the three months' service and became First Sergeant. After the return to York, in July, he assisted in recruiting men for Company K, 87th Regiment P. V., of which he was chosen Captain when John W. Schall was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel. He commanded the Company in the West Virginia campaign, and until June 15, 1863, when he was captured at Winchester, Va. He was then sent with other officers to Richmond, where he was held in Libby Prison for eleven months, and was then transferred to Macon, Ga.; afterwards taken to Savannah, Charleston and Columbia. He was then paroled, He was mustered out of service March 12, 1865, and returned to York, Pa., where he was engaged in the tobacco business until the time of his death, May 5, 1896. 116 HISTORY OF YORK RIFLE COMPANY. Captain Michael Doudel was born in Germany, November 29, 1732, and when a young man emigrated to America and located in Yorktown (now York, Pa.); the exact date could not be learned. He became a very prominent citizen, and when the great struggle for Independence started, he was commissioned Captain of the York Pennsylvania Riflemen. His commission was dated June 26, 1775. He resigned from the Captaincy October 15, 1775, on account of ill health. After returning home and regaining his health, he followed his usual occupation, that of tanner. He died on February 18, 1803. Henry Miller was born in Lancaster County, Pa., in 1751. Early in life he read law. He came to York in 1769. In June, 1775, he joined the York Pennsylvania Riflemen as First Lieutenant, and marched from Yorktown to Boston. He became Captain of the Company October 15, 1775, and Major of the Regiment November 12, 1777. In 1778 he was made Lieutenant Colonel of the Second Regiment. He was looked upon as one of the most proficient officers. In 1779 he resigned from the army. Later he held many public offices. He served as General of a Brigade in the Whiskey Insurrection of 1794, and again at Baltimore in the War of 1812. He died at Carlisle, Pa., in 1824. John Clark was born in 1751. He went as Third Lieutenant with York Riflemen to Boston, July 1, 1775. Later he became an aid-de-camp to General Greene. After returning from the War, he studied and practiced law at York, Pa. He died in 1819. HISTORY OF YORK RIFLE COMPANY. 117 MAJOR CLARK - Pen Drawing by Lewis Miller 118 HISTORY OF YORK RIFLE COMPANY. A FEW PRESIDENTIAL SAYINGS. Washington said, "None but Americans on guard tonight." Jefferson said, "We wished that an ocean of fire were between this country and England, so that no correspondence could be had." Jackson said. "It is high time that the American people became more Americanized." Lincoln said, "You can deceive some people all the time, but you cannot deceive all the people all the time." WASHINGTON'S FUNERAL HYMN. (The following funeral hymn was sung at Hartford, on the death of General Washington, in 1799.) What solemn sounds the ear invades! What wraps the land in sorrow's shade! From heaven the awful mandate flies- The Father of his Country dies. Let every heart be filled with woe, Let every eye with tears o'erflow, Each form oppress'd with deepest gloom, And clad in vestments of the tomb. Behold that venerable band I The rulers of our mourning land With grief proclaim from shore to shore- Our Guide, our Washington's no more. Where shall our country turn its eye! What help remains beneath the sky! Our Friend, Protector, Strength and Trust, Lies low and mould'ring in the dust. HISTORY OF YORK RIFLE COMPANY. 119 Almighty God, to Thee we fly, Before Thy throne above the sky, In deep prostration humbly bow, And pour the penitential vow. Hear, 0 Most High ! our earnest prayer, "Our country take beneath Thy care; When dangers press and foes draw near, May future Washingtons appear."