The 48th Pennsylvania Infantry. . .

The 48th/150th: The Death of Surgeon David T. Minis

2012-01-31T08:35:00.004-05:00

Currier & Ives~The Battle of Roanoke Island

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February 7-8, 2012, will mark the 150th Anniversary of the Battle of Roanoke Island, North Carolina. Although a relatively small battle in terms of numbers engaged and lost and especially when compared to what was to follow, this battle represented the opening shots of Ambrose Burnside's North Carolina expedition. Burnside's men, supported by a flotilla of gunboats under the command of Flag Officer Louis M. Goldborough, emerged victorious and the Union would have control of Roanoke Island for the duration of the war. Almost immediately, escaped slaves found refuge there, fleeing to freedom from the brutal bonds that kept them enslaved. By war's end, more than 2,000 African-Americans--escaped slaves--resided on Roanoke Island.

Of the 10,000 men Burnside took into battle at Roanoke, 37 were killed in action, 214 fell wounded, and 13 were listed among the missing. Confederate casualties numbered 23 killed, 58 wounded, 62 missing, and over 2,500 captured.

The 48th Pennsylvania Infantry did not participate in the Battle of Roanoke; they instead remained on Hatteras Island while Burnside's forces sailed past. However, the services of the regiment's chief surgeon, David T. Minis, Jr.,were needed and he was ordered to attach himself to the 9th New Jersey and accompany this regiment to Roanoke. Sadly, while administering to the wounded, Minis contracted disease and he passed away on February 14, 1862, at the age of thirty. The 48th was not unaccustomed to the death of their comrades; several had already died of various diseases while stationed at either Fortress Monroe or on Hatteras. However, the death of Minis shocked and saddened the regiment.

Minis was not a native of Schuylkill County. He was, instead, born in Beaver County on December 7, 1831. He attended medical schools at both Jefferson College and the University of Pennsylvania, before returning home to establish a practice in his hometown. With the outbreak of civil war in April 1861, Minis offered his services and was later appointed as chief surgeon of the 48th Pennsylvania. The History of Beaver County, Pennsylvania, states that "Dr. Minis never spared himself during the awful scenes of carnage and in the hospital hells which they created; and it was as the result of excessive labors and exposure in his ministry of comfort that he lost his life."

On February 22, Colonel James Nagle of the 48th Pennsylvania summoned the regiment's officers to his headquarters "for the purpose of taking some action in regard to the death of our late Surgeon, Dr. David Minis, Jr." At this meeting, Nagle read aloud General Orders No. 10, which was authored by Burnside two days earlier, and then adopted "warm resolutions of respect." Burnside's orders were as follows:

"The General commanding desires to render a tribute to the memory of Dr. Minis of the 48th Penn'a Volunteers. He was detached from his own Regiment and appointed to accompany the 9th New Jersey; then going into the field. He lost his life by disease, brought on by his untiring devotion to the wounded, during and after the action of the 8th. To the forgetfulness of self which kept him at his post at the Hospital, regardless of rest, the Department owes a debt of gratitude.

By Command of Brigadier General A.E. Burnside

The 48th/150th: Burnside Arrives!

2012-01-17T06:44:00.003-05:00

Burnside's Fleet Arrives From Fortress Monroe

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"On or about the 12th of January, 1862," said regimental historian Joseph Gould, the soldiers of the 48th Pennsylvania, stationed at Camp Winfield, Hatteras Island, North Carolina, "were surprised, on answering the Reveille Call, to see, far out upon the broad Atlantic, first one ship, then another and another, until the ocean seemed full of ships."

What the men of the 48th were seeing was the vast fleet carrying troops assembled by Brigadier General Ambrose Burnside to invade North Carolina by sea, and secure its coastline for the Union. Federal troops had already been stationed at Hatteras since August 1861, including the 48th Pennsylvania, which had helped secure the island since November. In late 1861, General-in-Chief George McClellan persuaded Lincoln to launch an amphibious effort to capture key Confederate forts on Roanoke Island and venture inland toward New Bern and he selected to lead the operation his good friend Ambrose Everett Burnside, who immediately began recruiting regiments for the undertaking. He focused on regiments from New England, and on men familiar with life at sea. In all, Burnside pieced together a force consisting of three brigades, led by Generals John Foster, Jesse Reno, and John Parke. This force was the genesis of what would in the summer of 1862 become the Ninth Army Corps, to which the 48th Pennsylvania would also be attached.

Brigadier General Ambrose E. Burnside

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In January 1862, the vast fleet carrying Burnside's force set sail from Fortress Monroe, heading south toward the Carolina coastline, where they were to land at Hatteras Inlet. Joseph Gould describe the fleet as it arrived:

"The coast of Hatteras at the best is stormy, dangerous and treacherous, even in fair weather; but, when this fleet arrived, the ocean was unusually stormy and anchorage was difficult, hence the individual ships were tossed about like toys, frequently dragging their cables, and, for safety, 'running before the gale.' With what interest, from our safety on shore, did we, from the roof of the barracks, watch the appearing and disappearing vessels and feel for the safety of the troops we knew to be on board. With the abatement of the storm, with what joy and pleasure did we watch their reassembling in something like naval order. At night, this large aggregation of ships, lit 'from stern to stern' with varied colored lights, resembled a large city in the midst of the ocean, the lights dancing with the rise and fall of the ships, reminding the beholder of so many 'Jack-O-Lanterns' or 'Will-O-The-Wisps.' Between the ocean and the Pamlico Sound a strong, shallow, and constantly shifting sand-bar exists, making it difficult and exceedingly dangerous for vessels to attempt to enter the sound, even at full tide, but impossible for ships of large draft at low tide.

"Many of the vessels grounded on the bar during the attempt. Thus, this beautiful sight lasted for nearly a week, gradually diminishing as ship after ship essayed the passage. At last, all had disappeared and the 48th saw the fleet pass up the sound to Roanoke Island, some of the regiments that had, with the 48th, garrisoned Hatters, accompanying the expedition. In a few days, the roar of the heavy guns was heard, as the gunboats bombarded the rebel forts, and soon the glad news reached us that 'Roanoke Island was captured.' The 48th had no individual share in this glory, except that the capture was effected by troops with whom our future lot was cast for four strenuous years."

The 48th/150th: Thoughts on General Thomas Williams. . .

2012-01-07T06:34:00.003-05:00

Brigadier General Thomas Williams
(www.generalsandbrevets.com)

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During first winter of the American Civil War, the 48th Pennsylvania found themselves encamped at either Fort Clark or Fort Hatteras on Hatteras Island, North Carolina. For these Pennsylvanians, this winter must have been much different than those they were accustomed to in Schuylkill County. At Hatteras, the volunteers learned the trade of the soldier, and overseeing the post was a non-nonsense U.S. Regular, Brigadier General Thomas Williams.

Williams was born on January 16, 1815, in Albany, New York, though his family soon moved to Michigan. His father, General John Williams, served for a time as mayor of Detroit. Following in his father's footsteps, young Thomas took an interest in military affairs and even served as a private in the Black Hawk War. He next entered West Point, graduating twelfth in a class of fifty, and alongside such future Civil War notables as Braxton Bragg, Jubal Early, William French, John Sedgwick, John Pemberton, and Joseph Hooker. Williams fought creditably in Mexico, earning several brevet promotions for gallantry in action, and after the war, advanced steadily to the rank of captain.

With the outbreak of civil war, Williams was made Major of the 5th U.S. Artillery then given the rank of brigadier general of volunteers. In that capacity, he was sent to Hatteras where he was named post commander. Afterward, he fought alongside Federal land and naval forces in the capture of New Orleans. On August 5, 1862, during the siege of Baton Rouge, Williams was shot through the chest at killed. His remains were taken back to Detroit, where they were laid to rest in Detroit's Elmwood Cemetery.

Williams's Final Resting Place
(www.findagrave.com)

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Williams certainly left an impression on the soldiers of the 48th during his tenure in command of Hatteras. Joseph Gould recorded his thoughts in his regimental history: "General Thomas Williams. . .came upon the scene to make our lives miserable, as we believed, by inaugurating five drills per day. Later we thought better of him as we grew older, and as we learned that the extra drills and discipline he enforced upon us did a great amount of good when we were called upon to assume the heavy work attending the life we had chosen, many were the expressions of sorrow from the boys of the regiment when news came of his death."

Oliver Bosbyshell had more to say about Williams, and recorded some memorable moments:

"The post was commanded by the veteran, Brigadier General Thomas Williams, U.S.A., and those who had the experience of serving under him, well remember his severe discipline. There probably was no one man ever more heartily hated than this same General Williams by the members of the Forty-eighth. He was abused roundly every day for his tyrannical orders, rigid discipline, frequent calls for duty, severe guard regulations, excessive drills, thorough inspections, and the like. He issued an order depriving the regiment of the every day use of its flags. This seemed so harsh and uncalled for that all the denunciatory terms in the dictionary were poured upon his head. When least expected he would turn up, and woe betide the soldier found derelict. It is easy to remember the constant vigilance of the old General as he paced the front of his quarters, one hand supporting his coat-tail, the other twirling his stiff, wiry moustache, whilst his watchful eyes would detect a slouchy sentinel, and then, 'Orderly, send the officer of the guard to me.'

"The senior captain of the Forty-eighth, making his report as officer of the day, with his arms folded majestically across his breast, broke down in the middle of his narration by General Williams' peremptory order, 'Put down your hands, sir!' Down they dropped, little fingers on the seams of the trousers. Seven days after arriving at Hatteras, whilst enjoying the ills of the island to its full extent, at Fort Clarke, a review of the regiment was ordered. As the maneuvering had to be made in sand ankle deep, it was a rather laborious undertaking, especially as the General required the review to be in heavy marching order. The eighth corporal of 'G' was a stout little fellow, noted for carrying the largest and fullest knapsack in the regiment. He bore the marching in review at common time, and then at quick time with some equanimity, but when the order came to 'Pass in review, double quick time,' his patience was exhausted, and as he trotted with gun at a 'right-shoulder-shift,' his left arm supporting his great knapsack, he gave vent to his feelings at every step, by hissing through his closed teeth, 'White-livered-son-of-a-_____,' 'White-livered-son-of-a______.'

"The General had few friends those early days on Hatteras, but as the weeks went by each day developed the fact that beneath the rough exterior and austere demeanor, beat a heart of true devotion to the old flag, a heart overflowing with love and regard for his soldiers. His strict discipline made the regiment a body of well-trained soldiers. Revering the flag with a feeling akin to holy awe, he sought to inculcate the same reverential feeling in the men, and whenever the standard was brought out the ceremonies attending its reception were of the most dignified and lofty character.

"When he received his orders to proceed to Ship Island, the writer happened to be standing beside him on the ramparts of Fort Hatters. 'What,' he exclaimed, 'am I to go there and leave all these noble boys? What shall I do without them?' He was a true man and thorough soldier, and died where such a veteran would wish to die--on the field--at the battle of Baton Rouge. As the colonel of the Twenty-first Indiana was being borne severely wounded, from the front, General Williams rode up to that regiment and said: 'Boys, your field officers are all gone; I will lead you.' Almost immediately afterward a rifle bullet pierced his chest, and he fell a corpse.

"The War of the Rebellion brought so many men into prominence through great deeds, grandly accomplished, that there is danger of forgetting the patient, earnest, loyal soldiery of the regular army, whose trained officers did so much as schoolmasters in bringing the raw material, gathered from all over the North, into shape for such stern work as war.
"General Williams was one of these, and deserves a place upon the same plane with the most honored heroes of the great struggle."

The 48th/150th: A New Year's Flag For Company B

2012-01-01T06:17:00.004-05:00

New Year's Day, 1862, found the 48th Pennsylvania encamped along the sandy shores of North Carolina. The men had been soldiers for just over three months and had yet to experience any combat; however, the year ahead--1862--would witness some of the hardest action of the war for these Schuylkill County volunteers, beginning with a supporting role at New Berne, but continuing at 2nd Bull Run (which proved the costliest battle of the war for the 48th), Chantilly, South Mountain, Antietam, and Fredericksburg. For scores of 48th Pennsylvania soldiers who welcomed in the New Year at either Fort Clark or Fort Hatteras in North Carolina, 1862 would be their last year; hundreds more would fall wounded or be debilitated by diseases in the months ahead.

The soldiers of Company B, commanded by Captain James Wren, welcomed in the New Year in ceremonial fashion; having received a flag as a gift from the citizens of Schuylkill County, they gathered to raise it over the ramparts of Fort Clark. The ceremony was recorded in the Miners' Journal for the people of the county:

"Company B of the 48th Regiment, Penna. Volunteers, being the recipients of a handsome flag, furnished them by your generosity, set apart New year's day to the hoisting of it upon Fort Clark, which pleasing ceremony was performed in the presence of Col. James Nagle, Major Daniel Nagle, the Chaplain of the Regiment, and the members of Company D amid a multitude of cheers and cries of 'long may it wave.' After the flag had been spread to the breeze, Col. Nagle and our worthy Captain made some appropriate remarks, which were attentively listened to, after which the Chaplain led in a patriotic prayer. The committee on resolutions then withdrew and formulated the following resolutions, which were unanimously adopted:

Resolved: That we, officers and men of Company 'B,' to offer our sincere thanks to the citizens of Schuylkill County for their extreme kindness in bestowing upon us such a beautiful emblem of our country.

Resolved: That the members of Co. 'B' in gratitude to the donors, do hereby repledge their word of honor, that they will ever be true to the Flag of Our Country, which has so ruthlessly been trampled upon by rebellious feet, in defense of which they will shed their lifeblood if necessary.

Resolved: That the members of Co. 'B' will make this flag the special object of their pride and care, so long as it shall remain in their power.

Resolved: That a copy of these resolutions be sent to the Miners' Journal for publication, through which medium our friends may be made acquainted with our doings, etc.

Serg't Jno. Geo. Bossler

" Wm. Humes

Committee on Resolutions

[Photo: Captain James Wren, Company B, USAMHI]

Reading List. . .2012!

2011-12-28T06:13:00.009-05:00

Well. . .it's that time again. The time to look ahead--in eager anticipation--at all the books scheduled for release next year with that proverbial 'kid-in-a-candy-store' feeling. 2012 looks to be a promising year, especially with the Sesquicentennial of so many important events and major battles (announcement of the Emancipation Proclamation; Shiloh; Seven Days'; Second Bull Run; South Mountain and Antietam, of course, and Fredericksburg to name a few).

I am certainly looking forward to a years' worth of good reading. So, without any further ado and in no particular order, the following pending publications caught my attention and have made my must-read books's list for 2012. Whether I actually get around to reading all of them is another story, but the purchases will at least be made. Time to clear some space on the bookshelves. . . .

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America's Great Debate: Henry Clay, Stephen A. Douglas, and the Compromise That Preserved the Union
By Fergus Bordewich (Simon & Schuster, April 2012)

Description: The spellbinding story behind the longest debate in U.S. Senate history: the Compromise of 1850, which brought together Senate luminaries on the eve of the Civil War in a desperate effort to save the Union.The Mexican War introduced vast new territories into the United States, including California and the present-day Southwest. California appealed to join the Union, but would it and the other territories be admitted as slave or free? The Senate was precariously balanced with fifteen free states and fifteen slave. Southerners asserted that they would not tolerate any imbalance in their disfavor.
Henry Clay, one of the greatest figures in Senate history, tried to forge a compromise that would fulfill the dream of manifest destiny. At the same time a related crisis erupted over the boundary of New Mexico and Texas with the latter threatening to go to war. Clay’s efforts to resolve both problems failed. Instead a young senator from Illinois, the self-proclaimed new voice of “the West,” Stephen A. Douglas, devised a tortuous compromise that preserved the Union, at least for another decade. As Senate lions such as Clay, Daniel Webster, and John C. Calhoun exited, Douglas, Jefferson Davis, and William H. Seward replaced them. A new era dawned.
Riveting and dramatic, America’s Great Debate brilliantly recreates a critical moment when America fractured but did not break.

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Fateful Lightning: A New History of the Civil War & Reconstruction
By Allen Guelzo (Oxford University Press, May 2012)

Description: The Civil War is the greatest trauma ever experienced by the American nation, a four-year paroxysm of violence that left in its wake more than 600,000 dead, more than 2 million refugees, and the destruction (in modern dollars) of more than $700 billion in property. The war also sparked some of the most heroic moments in American history and enshrined a galaxy of American heroes. Above all, it permanently ended the practice of slavery and proved, in an age of resurgent monarchies, that a liberal democracy could survive the most frightful of challenges.In Fateful Lightning, two-time Lincoln Prize-winning historian Allen C. Guelzo offers a marvelous portrait of the Civil War and its era, covering not only the major figures and epic battles, but also politics, religion, gender, race, diplomacy, and technology. And unlike other surveys of the Civil War era, it extends the reader's vista to include the postwar Reconstruction period and discusses the modern-day legacy of the Civil War in American literature and popular culture. Guelzo also puts the conflict in a global perspective, underscoring Americans' acute sense of the vulnerability of their republic in a world of monarchies. He examines the strategy, the tactics, and especially the logistics of the Civil War and brings the most recent historical thinking to bear on emancipation, the presidency and the war powers, the blockade and international law, and the role of intellectuals, North and South. Written by a leading authority on our nation's most searing crisis, Fateful Lightning offers a vivid and original account of an event whose echoes continue with Americans to this day.

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The Revolution of 1861: The American Civil War in the Age of Nationalist Conflict
BY Andre Fleche (The University of North Carolina Press, March 2012)

Description: It was no coincidence that the Civil War occurred during an age of violent political upheaval in Europe and the Americas. Grounding the causes and philosophies of the Civil War in an international context, Andre M. Fleche examines how questions of national self-determination, race, class, and labor the world over influenced American interpretations of the strains on the Union and the growing differences between North and South. Setting familiar events in an international context, Fleche enlarges our understanding of nationalism in the nineteenth century, with startling implications for our understanding of the Civil War.Confederates argued that European nationalist movements provided models for their efforts to establish a new nation-state, while Unionists stressed the role of the state in balancing order and liberty in a revolutionary age. Diplomats and politicians used such arguments to explain their causes to thinkers throughout the world. Fleche maintains that the fight over the future of republican government in America was also a battle over the meaning of revolution in the Atlantic world and, as such, can be fully understood only as a part of the world-historical context in which it was fought.

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The Civil War in the West: Victory and Defeat from the Appalachians to the Mississippi
By Earl J. Hess (The University of North Carolina Press, March 2012)

Description: The Western theater of the Civil War, rich in agricultural resources and manpower and home to a large number of slaves, stretched 600 miles north to south and 450 miles east to west from the Appalachians to the Mississippi. If the South lost the West, there would be little hope of preserving the Confederacy. Earl J. Hess's comprehensive study of how Federal forces conquered and held the West examines the geographical difficulties of conducting campaigns in a vast land, as well as the toll irregular warfare took on soldiers and civilians alike. Hess balances a thorough knowledge of the battle lines with a deep understanding of what was happening within the occupied territories.In addition to a mastery of logistics, Union victory hinged on making use of black manpower and developing policies for controlling constant unrest while winning campaigns. Effective use of technology, superior resource management, and an aggressive confidence went hand in hand with Federal success on the battlefield. In the end, Confederates did not have the manpower, supplies, transportation potential, or leadership to counter Union initiatives in this critical arena.

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The Union Forever: Lincoln, Grant, and the Civil War
By John Y. Simon, edited by Glenn LaFantasie (The University Press of Kentucky, March 2012)

Description: John Y. Simon was a giant in the field of Civil War-era history whose groundbreaking work on Grant was at the forefront of his generation's reevaluation of Grant's wartime acumen and his controversial presidency, earning him a lifetime achievement award from the Lincoln Forum in 2004 and a Lincoln Prize in 2005. In The Union Forever: Lincoln, Grant, and the Civil War, editor Glenn W. LaFantasie brings together some of Simon's most significant work on two towering figures of their era.
The essays in The Union Forever explore the relationship between the two leaders and their influence on each other as well as their individual accomplishments and struggles. Simon illuminates Lincoln's emancipation policy and his struggles as commander in chief. Other essays explore General Grant's military career and leadership as well as the influence his wife had on his life. Drawing from Simon's most prominent work as well as his lesser-known writing, The Union Forever allows veteran scholars to revisit classic works and makes available to new generations of readers Simon's perspectives on America's greatest leaders during a time of crisis and change.

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George Henry Thomas: As True As Steel
By Brian Steel Wills (University Press of Kansas, March 2012)

Description: Although often counted among the Union’s top five generals, George Henry Thomas has still not received his due. A Virginian who sided with the North in the Civil War, he was a more complicated commander than traditional views have allowed. Brian Wills now provides a new and more complete look at the life of a man known to history as “The Rock of Chickamauga,” to his troops as “Old Pap,” and to General William T. Sherman as a soldier who was “as true as steel.”
While biographers have long been hampered by Thomas’s lack of personal papers, Wills has drawn on previously untapped sources—notably the correspondence of Thomas’s contemporaries—to offer new insights into what made him tick. Focusing on Thomas’s personality and motivations, Wills contributes revealing discussions of his style and approach to command and successfully captures his troubled interactions with other Union commanders, providing a particularly more evenhanded evaluation of his relationship with Grant. He also gives a more substantial account of battlefield action than can be found in other biographies, capturing the ebb and flow of key encounters—Chickamauga and Missionary Ridge, Chattanooga and Atlanta, Stones River and Mill Springs, Peachtree Creek and Nashville—to help readers better understand Thomas’s contributions to their outcomes.
Throughout Wills presents a well-rounded individual whose complex views embraced the worlds of professional military service and scientific inquisitiveness, a man known for attention to detail and compassion to subordinates. We also meet a sharp-tempered person whose disdain for politics hurt his prospects for advancement as much as it reflected positively on his character, and Wills offers new insight into why Thomas might not have progressed as quickly up the ladder of command as he might have liked.
More deeply researched than other biographies, Wills’s work situates Thomas squarely in his own time to provide readers with a more thorough and balanced life story of this enigmatic Union general. It is a definitive military history that gives us a new and needed picture of the Rock of Chickamauga—a man whose devotion to duty and ideals made him as true as steel.

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The Peninsula Campaign and the Necessity of Emancipation: African-Americans and the Fight for Freedom
By Glenn David Brasher (The University of North Carolina Press, April 2012)

Description: In the Peninsula Campaign of spring 1862, Union general George B. McClellan failed in his plan to capture the Confederate capital and bring a quick end to the conflict. But the campaign saw something new in the war--the participation of African Americans in ways that were critical to the Union offensive. Ultimately, that participation influenced Lincoln's decision to issue the Emancipation Proclamation at the end of that year. Glenn David Brasher's unique narrative history delves into African American involvement in this pivotal military event, demonstrating that blacks contributed essential manpower and provided intelligence that shaped the campaign's military tactics and strategy and that their activities helped to convince many Northerners that emancipation was a military necessity.Drawing on the voices of Northern soldiers, civilians, politicians, and abolitionists as well as Southern soldiers, slaveholders, and the enslaved, Brasher focuses on the slaves themselves, whose actions showed that they understood from the outset that the war was about their freedom. As Brasher convincingly shows, the Peninsula Campaign was more important in affecting the decision for emancipation than the Battle of Antietam.

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September 2012, of course, will mark the 150th Anniversary of the Maryland Campaign and its Battles of South Mountain, Antietam, and Shepherdstown. As the focus of my study for the past six years, I am certainly looking forward to what will no doubt be an exciting time for scholarship pertaining to this critical campaign. Although not listed below but still on the radar for publication in 2012 is Volume Two of the Ezra Carman book, edited by Dr. Thomas Clemens, to be published by Savas-Beatie. Volume Two will cover the action at Antietam and we of the battlefield Park staff are very much looking forward to its release.

I am also very happy to see another South Mountain study coming out. . . .even if it has a familiar cover image ;)

Unholy Sabbath: The Battle of South Mountain, September 14, 1862
By Brian Matthew Jordan (Savas-Beatie, February 2012)

Description: Many readers of Civil War history have been led to believe that the battle of South Mountain (September 14, 1862) was but a trifling skirmish, a preliminary engagement of little strategic or tactical consequence overshadowed by Antietam's horrific carnage just three days later. In fact, the fight was a decisive Federal victory and important turning point in the campaign, as historian Brian Matthew Jordan convincingly argues in his fresh interpretation Unholy Sabbath: The Battle of South Mountain in History and Memory, September 14, 1862.Most authors of the Maryland Campaign brush past South Mountain in a few paragraphs or a single chapter. Jordan, however, presents a full-length study based upon extensive archival research, newspaper accounts, regimental histories, official records, postwar reunion materials, public addresses, letters, and diaries. Readers will come away with a full understanding of the strategic results of the fighting in general, and a keen appreciation of the tactical actions at Fox, Turner, and Crampton's gaps in particular. The Northern victory provided a substantial boost for the downtrodden men of the Union army who recognized the battle for what it was: a sharp, hours-long combat that included hand-to-hand combat and resulted in nearly 5,000 casualties. Indeed, South Mountain was the first conclusive victory for the Army of the Potomac-the first time the men of that army maintained possession of the field and with it the responsibility of burying the dead.Jordan goes well beyond the military aspects of the battle to better understand and explain how and why South Mountain faded from public memory. He chronicles how and why former Confederates, true to the Lost Cause, insisted they were outnumbered while proud Union veterans remembered South Mountain as a full-scale engagement-wholly distinct from Antietam-where they outfought and defeated their Rebel opponents.About the Author: Brian Matthew Jordan graduated in 2009 with a Bachelor of Arts in History and Civil War Era Studies from Gettysburg College. The native of northeastern Ohio discovered a passion for history at an early age. He is a frequent speaker at Civil War Round Tables nationwide, delivers popular tours for Gettysburg College's Civil War Institute and the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History, and conducts seminars for various Teaching American History grant recipients. His published work has appeared in multiple journals including Civil War History. Jordan is currently working on a Ph.D. in History at Yale University.

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The Long Road to Antietam: How the Civil War Became a Revolution
By Richard Slotkin (Liveright, July 2012)

Description: A masterful account of the Civil War's turning point in the tradition of James McPherson's Crossroads of Freedom.In the summer of 1862, after a year of protracted fighting, Abraham Lincoln decided on a radical change of strategy—one that abandoned hope for a compromise peace and committed the nation to all-out war. The centerpiece of that new strategy was the Emancipation Proclamation: an unprecedented use of federal power that would revolutionize Southern society. In The Long Road to Antietam, Richard Slotkin, a renowned cultural historian, reexamines the challenges that Lincoln encountered during that anguished summer 150 years ago. In an original and incisive study of character, Slotkin re-creates the showdown between Lincoln and General George McClellan, the “Young Napoleon” whose opposition to Lincoln included obsessive fantasies of dictatorship and a military coup. He brings to three-dimensional life their ruinous conflict, demonstrating how their political struggle provided Confederate General Robert E. Lee with his best opportunity to win the war, in the grand offensive that ended in September of 1862 at the bloody Battle of Antietam.

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The Maps of Antietam: An Atlas of the Antietam (Sharpsburg) Campaign, including the Battle of South Mountain, September 2-20, 1862
By Bradley Gottfried (Savas-Beatie, January 2012)

Description: The Maps of Antietam: An Atlas of the Antietam (Sharpsburg) Campaign, including the Battle of South Mountain, September 2 - 20, 1862 is the eagerly awaited companion volume to Bradley M. Gottfried's bestselling The Maps of Gettysburg (2007) and The Maps of First Bull Run (2009), part of the ongoing Savas Beatie Military Atlas Series.
The Maps of Antietam breaks down the entire operation (and all related actions) into 21 map sets or "action-sections" enriched with 124 full-color original full-page maps. These spectacular cartographic creations bore down to the regimental and battery level and include the march into Maryland, the Harpers Ferry Operation, the Battle of South Mountain, the battle at Antietam, the retreat, and the fighting at Shepherdstown, as well as important marches and events. At least two-and as many as ten-maps accompany each "action-section." Opposite each map is a full facing page of detailed, footnoted text describing the units, personalities, movements, and combat (including quotes from eyewitnesses) depicted on the accompanying map, all of which make the story of Lee's raid into Maryland come alive.
This original presentation masterfully leads readers on a journey through the campaign that many historians believe marked the beginning of the end for the Confederacy. Gottfried begins with the position of the opposing armies after the Second Bull Run Campaign before detailing their joint movements into Maryland. Readers will stand with D. H. Hill on top of South Mountain as General McClellan tries to force his way through the mountain passes; surround, lay siege to, and capture Harpers Ferry (and ride with Col. Benjamin Davis's cavalry on its breakout); fight blow-by-blow outside the small town of Sharpsburg (53 maps) through the bloodiest day in American history; retreat from the battlefield; and revisit the final bloodshed at Shepherdstown.
Perfect for the easy chair or for walking hallowed ground, The Maps of Antietam is a seminal work that, like his earlier Gettysburg and First Bull Run studies, belongs on the bookshelf of every serious and casual student of the Civil War.
About the Author: Dr. Bradley M. Gottfried holds a Ph.D. in Zoology from Miami University. He has worked in higher education for more than three decades as a faculty member and administrator. He is currently President of the College of Southern Maryland.
An avid Civil War historian, Dr. Gottfried is the author of nine books, including: The Battle of Gettysburg: A Guided Tour (1998); Stopping Pickett: The History of the Philadelphia Brigade (1999); Brigades of Gettysburg (2002); Roads to Gettysburg (2002); and Kearny's Own: The History of the First New Jersey Brigade (2005). He is currently working with Theodore P. Savas on a Gettysburg Campaign Encyclopedia.

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And, of course, I am looking forward to this one from fellow blogger Kevin Levin. . . .

War As Murder: Remembering the Battle of the Crater
By Kevin Levin (The University Press of Kentucky, June 2012)

Description: The Battle of the Crater is known as one of the Civil War's bloodiest struggles -- a Union loss with combined casualties of 5,000, many of whom were members of the United States Colored Troops (USCT) under Union Brigadier General Edward Ferrero. The battle was a violent clash of forces as Confederate soldiers fought for the first time against African American soldiers. After the Union lost the battle, these black soldiers were captured and subject both to extensive abuse and the threat of being returned to slavery in the South. Yet, despite their heroism and sacrifice, these men are often overlooked in public memory of the war.
In Remembering The Battle of the Crater: War is Murder, Kevin M. Levin addresses the shared recollection of a battle that epitomizes the way Americans have chosen to remember, or in many cases forget, the presence of the USCT. The volume analyzes how the racial component of the war's history was portrayed at various points during the 140 years following its conclusion, illuminating the social changes and challenges experienced by the nation as a whole. Remembering The Battle of the Crater gives the members of the USCT a newfound voice in history.

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The Petersburg Campaign: Volume 1: The Eastern Front Battles, June-August 1864
By Edwin Bearss with Bryce Suderow (Savas-Beatie, March 2012)

Description: The wide-ranging and largely misunderstood series of operations around Petersburg, Virginia, were the longest and most extensive of the entire Civil War. The fighting that began in early June 1864 when advance elements from the Union Army of the Potomac crossed the James River and botched a series of attacks against a thinly defended city would not end for nine long months. This important-many would say decisive-fighting is presented by legendary Civil War author Edwin C. Bearss in The Petersburg Campaign: The Eastern Front Battles, June - August 1864, the first in a ground-breaking two-volume compendium.
Although commonly referred to as the "Siege of Petersburg," that city (as well as the Confederate capital at Richmond) was never fully isolated and the combat involved much more than static trench warfare. In fact, much of the wide-ranging fighting involved large-scale Union offensives designed to cut important roads and the five rail lines feeding Petersburg and Richmond. This volume of Bearss' study of these major battles includes:
• The Attack on Petersburg (June 9, 1864)• The Attack on Petersburg (June 15, 1864)• The Battle of the Jerusalem Plank Road (June 21 - 24, 1864)• The Battle of the Crater (July 31, 1864)• The Battle of the Weldon Railroad (August 18 - 21, 1864)• The Battle of Reams' Station (August 24, 1864)
Accompanying these salient chapters are original maps by Civil War cartographer Steven Stanley, together with photos and illustrations. The result is a richer and deeper understanding of the major military episodes comprising the Petersburg Campaign.
About the Authors: Edwin C. Bearss is a world-renowned military historian, author, and tour guide known for his work on the American Civil War and World War II. Ed, a former WWII Marine wounded in the Pacific Theater, served as Chief Historian of the National Park Service from 1981 to 1994 and is the author of dozens of books and articles. He discovered and helped raise the Union warship USS Cairo, which is on display at Vicksburg National Military Park.
Bryce A. Suderow is a Civil War writer and researcher living in Washington, D.C. He received his B.A. at Knox College and earned a Masters in American History at Sonoma State University. His Masters' Thesis, Thunder in Arcadia Valley, was published in 1985 (Univ. of Missouri). Bryce has also published many articles in a number of Civil War periodicals and is recognized as one of the finest archival researchers working today.

The Petersburg Campaign: Volume 2: The Western Front Battles, September 1864-April 1865
By Edwin Bearss with Bryce Suderow (Savas-Beatie, June 2012)

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I am certain there will be many more must-read titles published next year. . .those listed above are just a few.

As for me, my Gettysburg title for the History Press will be coming out sometime in the summer (late summer) of 2012. I am currently in the midst of this one, finding it quite the challenge to tell the story of this campaign and battle within just 50,000 words. . . but, gotta keep moving on.

Also, I am happy to say that Ten Roads will soon be publishing Our Boys Did Nobly: Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, Soldiers at the Battles of South Mountain and Antietam sometime soon. I wrote this one several years back and printed up only three hundred copies. It has been out-of-print for some time now and I am thrilled that Jim and Eric at Ten Roads have decided to pick it up. It has been revised a bit and trimmed down.

The 48th/150th: Hatteras~Part Two

2011-12-27T05:12:00.005-05:00

Union Soldiers Drill at Camp Winfield~Hatteras, North Carolina

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"Our first impressions of Hatteras were not favorable," wrote regimental historian Joseph Gould. "When we relieved the 20th Indiana Regiment, which had previously occupied the post, and saw their deplorable condition, heard their tales of woe and had some experience with the troops--of bugs and things they left to our care--we certainly felt despondent, and 'many a time and oft' wondered 'why we came for a soldier.' However, after spending some weeks on the sandy shores, the soldiers of the 48th, spending their first Christmas and New Year's Day in uniform, far from Schuylkill County, they grew to love Hatteras. Said Gould fondly, "we learned to love the old place in time, and often in our after experience we wished we were back. . . ."

While Company B, commanded by Captain James Wren, remained at Hatteras Inlet to garrison Forts Hatteras and Clark, the remaining nine companies enjoyed more comfortable wooden barracks quarters at Camp Winfield, a few miles further up the island, which was constructed by the men of the 48th shortly after their arrival. "A large earthwork had been erected by the regiment," said Gould, "and it was a very formidable looking structure. We never had any occassions to use it, and our idea at the time of its construction was that it was done to keep us employed."

Drills became more frequent as the days continued to pass on Hatteras. In charge of the area was General Thomas Williams, a career soldier, afterwards killed at the battles for Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Williams was a tough, no-nonsense officer. He "came upon the scene," remembered Gould, "to make our lives miserable. . .by inaugurating five drills per day." But his work in transforming the volunteers into soldiers paid off. "Later we thought better of him as we grew older," admitted the regimental historian, "and as we learned that the extra drills and discipline he enforced upon us did us a great amount of good when we were called upon to assume the heavy work attending the life we had chosen." When the soldiers of the 48th learned of his death, there were "many expressions of sorrow."

Brigadier General Thomas Williams

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Wallking In The Footsteps of the 48th. . .With Mr. Siegfried

2011-12-10T05:06:00.004-05:00

One of the most memorable highlights of this past year at Antietam. . .my sixth, if you count my first year as a volunteer. . .was walking in the footsteps of the 48th Pennsylvania with Mr. David Siegfried, a direct descendant of the regiment's commander at Antietam, Lt. Col. Joshua K. Sigfried.

Brevet Brigadier General Joshua Sigfried

Born on July 4, 1832, in my own hometown of Orwigsburg, Joshua Sigfried attended school at the Pottsville Academy then found work with the coal business in neighboring Port Carbon. In the pre-war years, Sigfried organized the Marion Rifles, a militia company that would later serve under Colonel James Nagle in the three-month 6th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry. With the expiration of this initial term of service in late July 1861, Sigfried helped in raising what would become the 48th Pennsylvania, recruiting many of the members of the Marion Rifles plus more volunteers from the Pottsville/Port Carbon area. When the 48th was organized in September/October 1861, Sigfried was the regiment's major but the resignation of Lt. Col. David Smith would soon elevate Sigfried to that rank, making him the regiment's second-in-command. When Colonel Nagle was elevated to brigade command in April 1862, Sigfried assumed command of the 48th, which he would lead until the spring of 1864, and at such places as 2nd Bull Run, Antietam, Fredericksburg, and during the regiment's campaigns in Kentucky and Tennessee. In April 1864, Major General Ambrose Burnside, recognizing the leadership qualities of Sigfried, named him a commander of a brigade of United States Colored Troops (U.S.C.T.), a brigade he would subsequently lead during the Battle of the Crater.

With Mr. Siegfried at the 48th PA Monument

This fall, I had the distinct privilege of taking one of General Sigfried's descedants on a tour of the 48th's actions at Antietam. We spent three hours walking in the footsteps of the 48th, from their supporting operations during the attacks on the Burnside Bridge to their movement to the front late that afternoon to help stem the tide following A.P. Hill's flank assault. Meeting descendants of 48th PA soldiers is always, always a great thrill for me, and after spending years conversing by letter, it was great to finally Mr. David Siegfried and an honor to stomp the battlefield of Antietam with him and his wife. Just like meeting the Dentzer siblings last summer, whose ancestors fought and died as soldiers in Company K, 48th PA, this will rank among my most memorable experiences at Antietam.

Antietam's Memorial Illumination. . .Few Things Are More Profound

2011-12-03T04:53:00.004-05:00

Tonight, a candle will burn on the Antietam National Battlefield in honor of George Dentzer, a twenty-five-year-old private in Company K, 48th Pennsylvania, and a one time railroad laborer from Cressona. On September 17, 1862, Dentzer was killed in action near the Burnside Bridge.

Private George Dentzer, Co. K, 48th PA

Another will burn in tribute to Private Alexander Prince, a nineteen-year-old laborer from St. Clair, just outside of the Schuylkill County seat of Pottsville. Prince survived the carnage on September 17, only to be struck down and killed the following day while trying to save the life of a wounded comrade. The soldiers of the 48th spent most of September 18 on the firing line, subjected to a sometimes heavy skirmish fire. In between shots the cries of the wounded rent the air. The pleas from one soldier were too much for Prince to bear. At 12:15, he crawled forward on his hands and knees despite the protests from his fellow soldiers in order to take water to a grievously wounded man. Prince delivered his canteen, turned around, and began to crawl his way back to the skirmish line when the wounded soldier begged to be carried back. Prince’s comrades on the skirmish line watched as the young soldier turned back and lifted the man on his back. Suddenly, a shot rang out and Prince fell dead. “Whilst humanely trying to give a wounded comrade just over the skirmish line some water for his parched lips,” recorded Bosbyshell, “a minie ball pierced his heart. His death cry as he leaped into the air, and fell to rise no more, is still heard in the ear of imagination.” Captain Wren concluded that “through his kindness [Prince] lost his own life.”
Prince’s comrades were stunned; most of them no doubt outraged that he had been shot down while trying to save a wounded man. As the hours passed that afternoon, Prince’s body lay just to their front. “We dare not go into to him as the enemy had range on that ground & we was very ancious to get his Body,” wrote Wren. Unable to stand looking at the young soldier’s corpse, some members of the regiment finally crawled forward and were able to bring it in. “I had [the body] taken down to the Bridge & had it Buried in the field near the Bridge,” said Wren, “whear we had the struggle for to get across.” The following morning, Captain Wren met with Alexander Prince’s brother, an artilleryman in the Ninth Corps. “He told me he saw his Brother before he was Buried & I was glad he had seen him, even if he was dead. I gave him his pocket book, which contained $1.30 Cents in money & 3 rings & 5 buttons which I gave to him & also the Bible, he showed me a few days ago & he got his Knapsack yesterday & he being his nearest friend, is entitled to it.”

That same day, Captain Wren also sent John Robinson’s knapsack to Robinson’s father in Pottsville, “Just as he had it packed when he was shot.” Like Prince, Private John Robinson, also just nineteen years of age, was shot on September 18. He suffered for a while but finally succumbed to his wounds in the weeks ahead.

Dentzer, Prince, and Robinson were three of the fifty-nine casualties suffered by the 48th Pennsylvania Infantry at the Battle of Antietam and tonight--December 3, 2011--at the twenty-second annual Memorial Luminaries, a candle will burn, lighting the darkness, for each of these fifty-nine soldiers either killed or mortally wounded.

Luminaries burn near the Maryland Monument at Antietam (NPS/Keith Snyder)

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More than 23,000 other luminaries will be lit, one for each of men, Union or Confederate, who fell either killed or wounded or went listed among the missing, during this costliest single-day battle of the American Civil War.

Tonight's event will be the seventh luminary I have had the pleasure to participate in, if only helping to park the vast procession of vehicles. Still, there are few more incredible sights to see than the night sky lit up over this hallowed ground by 23,110 candles. It is a number I say everyday at the battlefield, in my interpretation of the fight. It is an easy one to say, but an impossible number to imagine. Antietam's luminaries reveal just how tremendous a figure 23,110 actually is.

If you have not yet seen Antietam's luminaries for yourself, make it a point, one of these years, to do so.

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There were a total of fifty-nine casualties sustained by the 48th Pennsylvania at Antietam. Eleven of these men were killed or mortally wounded while the remaining forty-eight sustained non-fatal injuries. The names of these men follow:

Killed/Mortally Wounded :
Alexander Prince, Co. B
John Robinson, Co. B
Alva Jeffries, Co. D
John Sullivan, Co. D
Lt. William Cullen, Co. E
John Broadbent, Co. E
Charles Timmons, Co. G
Cpl. Lewis Focht, Co. I
Cpl. Daniel Moser, Co. K
George Dentzer, Co. K
Peter Boyer, Co. K

Wounded:
Company A:
Cpl. Henry H. Price
Charles Krieger
B.F. Dreibelbeis
George Betz
John Whitaker

Company B:
Matthew Hume
Frederick Knittle
Laurentus Moyer
John R. Simpson

Company C:
Sgt. William Clark
Sgt. Edward Monahan
Cpl. Samuel Wallace
Cpl. James Gribons
Robert Rodgers
James Horn
Henry Dersh
John Doughtery
John Shenk

Company D:
Cpl. Henry Rothenberger
George Artz
Walter Aimes
James Evans
George Stillwagon
Samuel Stichter
Franklin Hoch

Company E:
Sgt. John Seward
Sgt. William Trainer
Cpl. John McElrath

Company F:
Sgt. John Jenkins
Sgt. William Taylor

Company G:
Cpl. Charles F. Kuentzler
John Pugh
John Rodgers
Henry Nagle

Company H:
Richard Forney
Jacob Witman
Daniel Ohnmacht
William Davis
Samuel Fryberger

Company I:
Lt. Michael M. Kistler
Charles Millet
Peter Keller
Matthew Fireman

Company K:
David Fenstermaker
Edward Payne
Francis Simon
John Shaw
Sgt. Patrick Quinn

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Henry Rothenberger, Co. D

Daniel Ohnmacht, Co. I

Samuel Fryberger, Co. H

Henry H. Price, Co. A

The 48th/150th: Hatteras~Part One

2011-11-27T05:02:00.003-05:00

150 years ago, the 48th Pennsylvania Infantry was encamped at Hatteras, North Carolina, after having spent several weeks garrisoned at Fortress Monroe. One can imagine the impact made on these Schuylkill County boys when setting sail down the coast and then arriving on the shore; for most, it was their first visit to the beach! It was not long, however, before the realities of camping on a sea shore became all too apparent.

[U.S. Soldiers Land at Hatteras]

Below are several letters, penned by soldiers of the 48th, describing the journey to Hatteras and their experiences trying to live on the storm-swept beaches. The first comes from Oliver Christian Bosbyshell to the editors of the Pottsville Miners' Journal; the second from Lieutenant George Gressang to his family in Pottsville; and the third from a soldier known as "G.W.H.," again to the Miners' Journal.

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1). Fort Clark, Near Hatteras Inlet, N.C.
18th November 1861

Messers. Editors:--Well, here we are—the 48th, I mean—at the famous Ft. Clark, made famous by the gallant manner in which it was captured from the secessionists. It is a rude structure, but very substantial, as it would take a ball a long time to pierce the breastworks, they being made of matted sod, and some twelve feet thick. In the centre is a large mound, made of some material, which is used for a magazine. But I am anticipating—I [?] we were here; now it’s a question of how we got here, and I will proceed therefore to state how.—Last Sunday, the 10th inst., Col. Nagle received orders from headquarters to march his command to Fort Hatteras, N.C. On Monday afternoon, about five o’clock, we broke camp near Fortress Monroe, and succeeded in getting ourselves stowed snugly away on the steamer “S.R. Spaulding,” and at seven o’clock we bade adieu to Fortress Monroe, and steamed pleasantly out of the Chesapeake Bay into the broad Atlantic. We had a most delightful trip down the ocean, which was remarkably smooth—not a case of sea sickness occurred on board.
—At 8 o’clock Tuesday morning, we dropped anchor off Ft. Hatteras, and successed, after considerable difficulty, in getting a plank attached to the bulk of an old wreck.—Down this plank, which had an elevation of at least 45 degrees, our Regiment landed—one man at a time. Having, at last, reached shore, we formed on the beach and took up our line of march for Fort Clark, about three quarters of a mile further up the beach. When we accomplished over half the distance, the Regiment halted to make preparations to wade a narrow inlet, separating us from Fort H. In ten minutes we were moving again, and such a looking set of men—some without breeches in their drawers—others sans drawers, breeches, or anything else. It was a laughable scene and the men enjoyed it hugely. We halted on the other side to rearrange our disordered clothing, after which we marched on, and stacked arms on the beach between the Fort and the ocean. We were obliged to make several trips back to the boat, before we got all our things here. Immediately after we arrived, three companies of the New York 92nd Regiment vacated this post, and joined their regiment, encamped at Camp “Wool” two miles further up. Col. Nagle is now the commander of Fort Clark, his being a separate command from that of Fort Hatteras. This military department is under Brigadier General Williams, U.S.A.
The two Forts are built of the same material. Fort Clark mounts some four 32-pounders and one Dahlgren gun; these have been placed in charge of Co. B, Capt. Jas. Wren, and every evening at sunset a gun is fired.—Outside of the Fort, in different places, earthworks have been thrown up, behind which the companies are drilled every morning, after reveille, at simulating a defence—practiced in firing, standing and kneeling, from behind these fortifications. The field pieces, of which there are a number here, Co. H., Capt. Jos. Gilmour, has been detailed to take charge of. They are placed behind breastworks, and, in case of an attack, would prove most effective. This morning a grand review of the New York 92nd came off on the beach. The New York 92nd occupied the right of the line, and the 48th the left. We were reviewed by Brigadier General Williams and staff, and it was almost impossible not to notice with what pleasure the General surveyed the brilliant display before him. Indeed, who could help being pleased; each company filing by looking their best and doing their best, and you may be assured, the 48th made a most creditable appearance.

Last Thursday a rebel steamer made its appearance away off in Pamlico Sound, and approached this way with an evident intention of making observations, but one of the Federal steamers stationed here gave chase to it, exchanging several shots, and it is said three took effect—anyhow, the rebel vessel made tracks and had not been seen since. Yesterday our first mail on this lonely isle arrived, brining many letters to many anxious recipients. But few Journals were received—those that did reach here were eagerly sought after, and here and there could be seen large crowds of men gathered around some one who was fortunate enough to procure one, and who was obliged to read the news aloud.

We also had a very interesting religious service yesterday afternoon. Our Chaplain, the Rev. Mr. Holman, delivered a very good and appropriate sermon, and the men listened to it with marked attention. The general health of the men is good—very little sickness, and none of a serious nature prevails. Of course, we have some hardships to encounter, and have no delicacies in the shape of food, being obliged to go it on army fare alone. Some are quartered in wooden shanties, while the greater majority prefer the tents, which are floored nicely.
We are getting along very well, considering the nature of our abiding place, of which a better description can not be given than by citing an extract from one of the men’s letters home, as follows: “A great deal of sand and a great deal of water, and if I have anything more to add, it is a little more sand and a little more water.”
Very Respectfully,
O.C.B.
[Oliver Christian Bosbyshell]

[Fort Hatteras]

2). Hatteras Inlet, N.C., 15th November 1861

Dear Father:--As you no doubt will be very anxious to hear from me and to have a slight description of this place, I will endeavor to give you an outline of it. We left Fortress Monroe on Monday evening, the 12th, and after a sail of some 13 hours in the fine steamer S.S. Spaulding, we arrived here. We had already heard of the place from the Indiana boys and we found that the assertions they made to us were but too true. If Columbus had first landed here when he discovered America, he would have went back in disgust. The heavy storm they had here last week washed away part of the Fort; but I will first describe the place to you. As we arrived here on board the boat, we were wondering how we were to land, as the vessel could not get near the shore and our only way was to wade over in water up to our waist; but we watched the movements of the Colonel, who had to land first, and the way he proceeded was to go part way in a small boat, and the balance of the way, we saw him mounted on the back of a contraband darkey, amid the shouts of the boys. . . . . After we had orders to land from Gen. Williams, we had a kind of bridge made from the boat to the schooner, and from there we waded to land. We then marched past Fort Hatteras to Fort Clark, where, by the way, we had to wade water again almost up to our neck, and we are now in camp. The boys call it Camp Misery, and well they may, for it is a miserable place. When the tide is up, we have about ¼ of a mile of Island, and when it is down we have about 3 miles. We cannot eat anything without there is sand in it; in fact we have sand in our mouths, sand in our teeth, in our eyes and hair, on our floors, and sand, nothing but sand everywhere else. Water is very bad here. We can’t drink it unless we hold our noses shut, for it smells bad enough to knock one down. I would rather give 25 cents for a glass of water out of the Schuylkill than drink this [?], and it had already given the diarrhea to a great many. Fish and Sea Shells are plenty here, and that is about it. We have to live on crackers, bacon and coffee here, and we can’t go to bed at night with the hope of getting up dry in the morning, as the sea rises very high here. Sometimes it is known to be two feet high all over the shore, and we can’t make the tents stand, for there is always a high wind, and the stakes will not hold in the sand. We are, however, quartered in some small wooden sheds which the rebels had erected for their accommodations, but which have got plenty of holes in from the shells of our fleet the time they captured the place. The way pieces of shell lay about here looks as if they came down like hail. Drilling goes very hard here, as we are always up to our knees in sand, and Gen. Williams is not liked at all, as he is entirely too hard on the men. He has them up at 4 o’clock in the morning, and in bed at 8 o’clock P.M., and then has drills every hour in the day. The guard must stand under arms from 6 A.M. to broad daylight, and the strictest observances must be held here, as the enemy are continually annoying us. They send the steamer Fanny which they captured up here in Pamlico Sound, to watch our movements, but she takes care not to come within gun range. I saw the fleet exchange shots with the enemy yesterday afternoon. Two of our gun boats had up the Chickamimico yesterday morning to scout, and in the afternoon the rebel steamer Cerlew came up, no doubt thinking the place was abandoned, and when about three miles off the Fort they fired a shell at us, but it was quickly responded to by a 32 pounder from the Fort. They exchanged shots several times, but they all fell short. The Rebels are in a bad way, as we have them entirely closed up, and the Inlet is entirely is our possession. But for all this I think 4 good gun boats could hold the place, and that the Government ought not to keep two regiments in such a miserable place. Men who are here and have been for the regular service say that this is the worst spot that exists, and if we stay here two months and they send us to the next worse place it will be a perfect Paradise. So if we once get used to this we will be able to stand any hardships whatever. What you read and hear about Hatteras Inlet, you can put down for true, as they can’t make the place worse than it is. Our health so far is pretty good, but I am afraid it will not last long with such water and living. Gen. Wool says he will not keep us here longer than six weeks or two months, and I hope he will keep his word. We don’t know whether we will go back to Fortress Monroe, or further South. The weather here in the daytime is as hot as it is on the 4th of July in Pottsville, but the nights are rather chilly. People that live here are fishermen, and the men and women are a long, lanky, dirty looking set. They say they are all Union, but they do that to keep from starving. We have not received the Journal for last Saturday, the 9th, yet, and a steamer only enters here once in ten days, so when the news comes it will be old. In fact we get no papers of any kind, and we would be very thankful to our friends if they would send them to us even if they were old, if it would be inconvenient.
Geo. H. Gressang

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3). Fort Clark, Hatteras Inlet, N.C.
Wednesday, Nov. 18th 1861

Messers. Editors:--E’re this reaches you, you will no doubt have been informed of our destination. We arrived here safe about half past eight yesterday morning. We landed at Fort Hatteras about a mile and a half from here. They threw a plank from the steamer to a wreck, and then landed us one at a time, and after laying on shore a couple of hours, we took up our march to this place. We were obliged to ford a channel that was washed by the recent freshet here. Some went in clothes and all; others took off their shoes, etc. Well, we have come to the conclusion that we will be satisfied wherever we are sent after this, for this is pronounced by sailors, and by us to be the worst place on the face of the globe. One to see us here would say we were shipwrecked. We could not have been sent to a worse place if the Government had tried. Where we are is nothing but a sand bar.—The fort here is nothing but sand banks. There are 4 guns mounted here. Fort Hatteras is built the same way. They have 9 guns mounted, and there are regulars quartered there. Both Forts and guns and everything else are liable to be washed away at any time by the sea, which has already washed part of both Forts away. The sand is about six inches deep, and in the moonlight night looks like snow. You can form an idea how it is here if you ever had snow to blow in your face off of the houses in winter. The boys say we have got to the jumping off place at last. We have just done breakfast, and everything is literally covered with sand. We trust we are not to remain here long, as I believe a letter came here to the Lieut. Col. of the New York Ninth Regt., which is encamped about three miles from here, stating that they were going to abandon this place. If such is the case, I suppose we will take another sea trip. We are not afraid of anybody troubling us here, for we see nothing but water all around us. The Band is quartered in a one story shanty. We made bunks and the whole party sleep together. It is about 50 feet long, and was built by the secessionists. The bunks that were in the shanties were about 4 feet from the floor, for when there is a heavy gale blowing, it washes all over the whole place. We expect to wake up some morning and find ourselves floating around in our bunks.
We had a delightful trip down here. The sea was rather calm. We did not see much, as it was nearly dark when we left Fort Monroe; but we all enjoyed the trip. The steamer we came in was the S.R. Spaulding. The men were packed in pretty close between decks, but they seemed to enjoy it. We were quartered on deck. Just before leaving Camp Hamilton one of Capt. Pleasants’ men died. His was name was Richards, and I believe he lived in Hamburg. [Daniel Reighard, Co. C, died 11/11/1861, 25 yrs. old, died at Fortress Monroe].
We will get no regular mail here, and of course, will miss our newspapers, but we hope you will endeavor to keep us posted up. The men are now busy carrying the boxes and other things from the vessel. She returns this afternoon, and this letter goes with her. There are some quantities of shells here, and quite handsome ones. Some of the men have gathered quite a number already. There is nothing however, but shells and sand here. One important thing we are deprived of here, and that is good water. The water is very offensive. Some of the boys have headed their letters Camp Misery, Sandy Bottom, etc., as yet we have not received our pay. All however, seem in as good spirits as can be expected. Hoping to have something more pleasing in my next,
I remain yours, respectively,
G.H.W.

Talking Head Gig. . .WVIA's "The State of Pennsylvania: The Civil War at 150."

2011-11-18T11:33:00.003-05:00

Yesterday--November 17--I had the pleasure of participating in a panel discussion on Northeastern Pennsylvania's role in the American Civil War for a live call-in program entitled "The State of Pennsylvania: The Civil War at 150." The producers of WVIA, a local PBS affiliate here in Pennsylvania, asked if I'd be willing to participate speaking mainly on Civil War topics related to my native Schuylkill County.

Follow the link below to watch the program. . .

http://wviaondemand.org/contusvideo/?vid=60

The 48th/150th: Setting Sail For Hatteras

2011-11-08T05:29:00.003-05:00

The Steamer S.R. Spaulding Carried The 48th Pennsylvania To Hatteras, N.C.

150 years ago, and after spending more than six weeks near Fortress Monroe, the soldiers of the 48th Pennsylvania Infantry set sail for Hatteras, North Carolina and the next chapter of the regiment's history was about to unfold.

The orders arrived on Sunday, November 10, 1861 and as regimental historian Joseph Gould remembered: "immediately all was bustle and excitement amid the packing and cooking of rations for the journey." The orders stated that the 48th was to relieve the 20th Indiana at Hatteras and, as Oliver Bosbyshell recalled, "it cannot be said that a very large degree of enthusiasm was manifested over this assignment."

The 48th set out the following morning--November 11, 1861--aboard the S.R. Spaulding, which Gould remembered as "a staunch, comfortable vessel." Bosbyshell described it as "a fine ship, only two years old, delightfully fitted with the best appliances and most comfortable conveniences." Bosbyshell also left a vivid account of the trip south:

"Very agreeable was her graceful motion as she steamed out of the Roads and into the broad bosom of the Atlantic. The unexpectedly warm and balmy atmosphere, combined with the bright radiance of the silvery moon, made the journey down the coast delightful in the extreme; few of the members of the regiment sought repose until long after midnight. Many had their first glimpse of a sunrise at sea on the morning of the twelfth and enjoyed its glories to the full, out of a cloudless sky."

It was a short journey and "a very pleasant" one; the regiment reached their destination anywhere between 8:00 and 9:00 a.m. on November 12. What they were about to experience on Hatteras, however, differed markedly from the generally "pleasant days" at Fortress Monroe.

The 48th/150th: A Field Glass For Colonel Nagle

2011-10-18T06:45:00.004-04:00

In early October 1861, as the 48th Pennsylvania continued to occupy its camp near Fortress Monroe, a Sergeant Patterson arrived from Pottsville, bearing a gift for Colonel James Nagle. The gift was a "fine field glass" paid for by the former members of the 6th Pennsylvania Infantry, a three-month organization, which was Nagle's first command (April--July 1861); a field glass, boasted the Pottsville Miners' Journal that enabled Nagle to see a sergeant's chevrons, at nighttime, from thirty yards.

Accompanying the gift was a letter addressed to the colonel, which was prepared and signed by a number of officers who had served under Nagle in the 6th. This letter speaks of the personal and military qualities and characteristics that endeared Nagle to his men and won the respect of his superior officers.

Col. James Nagle,
Dear Sir:- A number of your friends, officers, and privates of the late Sixth Regiment, P.V., commanded by you during the time it was in service, desire to present the accompanying field-glass, for your acceptance, in token of our high personal esteem, and the exalted opinion we entertain of your military knowledge and capacity.
Though your characteristic modesty may shrink from any public eulogy of your conduct and services, our gratitude and admiration will not permit us to pass them by, without this tribute of affection and respect.
For many years past the military spirit and organization of Schuylkill County have been chiefly sustained by your exertions. When the Nation’s honor was to be maintained on the plains of Mexico, you with a well disciplined corps under your command, sprang to arms and hastened to the field of conflict; in Cerro Gordo’s terrific fight you stood calm and unmoved amid the leaden storm of death which fell on every side, and by your presence of mind and courage saved many gallant men from the fearful carnage.
During the long season of peace which followed the closing of that war, in your own quiet and happy home, you faithfully discharged the duties of a husband, father, and citizen, endearing yourself both to your family and the community in which you dwelt.
But now the tocsin of war sounds through the land, and her valiant sons are called to defend her against foul rebellion’s deadly blows. Speedily a regiment of your fellow citizens take the field, and confer upon you the command. During the three months we served together, though inflexibly firm and persistently industrious in the performance and requirement of every camp and field duty, yet such was the kindness of your demeanor, and your tender regard for the health, safety, and comfort of your men, that we regarded you rather as a friend and father, than a mere military commander.
And now, that you have, at the head of a Schuylkill County Regiment—Pennsylvania’s 48th—again taken the field at your country’s call and may soon be in the thickest of the most eventful battle the world has ever witnessed, on the issue of which the destiny of human freedom and progress is suspended, we present you with the accompanying glass, as well in token of our esteem and admiration, as that your eye which never dimmed with fear as it gazed upon a foe, may more readily perceive his approach and prepare for victory.
Praying that God of Battles may preserve you in the midst of danger, and return you unharmed to your family and friends, when our glorious Union shall be firmly re-established, and covered with still more illustrious renown,
We remain, yours truly,
Capt. C. Tower,
Lt.Col. Jas. J. Seibert,
Maj. John E. Wynkoop,
Capt.H.J. Hendler,
Lieut. Theo. Miller,
Lieut. D.P. Brown,
And many others.

Upon receipt, Nagle penned the following reply:

Head Quarters 48th Regt., P.V., Camp Hamilton
Near Fortress Monroe, October 11th, 1861.

Gentlemen and Brother Officers, Soldiers, and Friends:-- Your favor of the 8th inst., came to hand yesterday, with the beautiful field glass you saw proper to forward for presentation, to me. I can assure you it affords me much pleasure and satisfaction to receive and accept this tribute of affection and respect, coming from those whom I had the honor to command in the three months’ service. I always tried to discharge my duties faithfully, to the best of my ability, and am led to believe that you were all satisfied with my conduct. I therefore, accept the token of respect you send me, with feelings of gratitude and thankfulness, and hope I may be able to gain the confidence of the 48th to the extent you, gentlemen of the 6th, have expressed in your letter, and manifested in your beautiful present. It is a source of great pleasure and gratification to me to know that my services have been appreciated by the officers and soldiers of the 6th Regiment. In conclusion, allow me agin to return you my most sincere thanks for this valuable gift, praying with you, that the God of Battles may preserve us in the midst of danger, and return us unharmed to our families and friends, after our glorious Union shalle have been firmly re-established, and the Stars and Stripes shall again be floating proudly over the whole of our country,
I remain, Gentlemen, Very Respectfully,
Your Obedient Servant,
James Nagle
Colonel commanding 48th Regt., P.V.

The 48th/150th: "Pleasant Days at Fort Monroe"

2011-10-15T05:13:00.003-04:00

One hundred and fifty years ago, the volunteer soldiers of the 48th Pennsylvania--just one month into their service with the United States army--were still getting accustomed to military life but enjoying their stay at Camp Hamilton, near Fortress Monroe, Virginia, nonetheless.

On September 28, 1861, having settled into camp life, Corporal Curtis C. Pollock of Company G recorded the following observations in a letter to his mother in Pottsville:

". . . got up in the morning and saw the sun rise out of the sea. We arrived here about 6:00 o’clock in the morning and saw any quantity of “contrabands” running around and some fishing for crabs others loafing around and looking at us. We waited about a half hour until Col. Nagle reported to Gen. Wool and then got off and were marched about a mile back and inspected the camp. He is a small man not much taller than Uncle Robert or Joseph and not near so stout. I have been appointed corporal. Capt. Nagle appointed some sargents and corporals over me who were never out before and are almost as dum as they can be. We have commenced drilling and have about six drills a day. I have just come in from a regimental drill and in about half an hour will have to go out on a company drill. We are kept busy pretty much all the time and have not much chance to run around."

Oliver Bosbyshell, also of Company G, remembered well these days at Camp Hamilton: "On the third of October, the regiment, having been flooded out the previous night, moved to higher ground, occupying a camp vacated by one of the regiments that had been ordered away. The ninth of October was made memorable by the arrival of Sutler Isaac Lippman, with a great, unwieldy tent, which the boys pitched in indefinite delight, although a heavy storm of wind and rain prevailed. On the eleventh, Shaw made himself famous by shooting in the leg a Massachusetts soldier, who attempted to pass his picket post--thought he was 'secesh.'"

While the war seemed distant to many of the troops at this time, Bosbyshell could not help but notice the preparations underway for an anticipated amphibious campaign further south. "Great interest was felt in the grand expedition fitting out here for the South Atlantic coast. Hampton Roads was crowded with vessels waiting to join the Armada, and a large force of troops was being gathered at this point."

Remembering the days spent at Fortress Monroe some forty years later, regimental historian Joseph Gould wrote: "We enjoyed every minute we spent at this place. We were pleasantly situated, having plenty of army rations and luxuries in lavish abundance. Fish, oysters, clams and crabs could be had with little effort, and despite a few rain-storms, accompanied by wind, which blew our tents down, and obliged some to sleep in a few inches of water, we were comfortable and happy." Like Bosbyshell, though, Gould was also impressed with the build-up of forces there. "Along about the 13th of October vessels began to arrive laden with troops destined for Port Royal, South Carolina, until about thirty-thousand were collected at this point, amongst them the 4th Rhode Island, 1st Delaware and 55th Pennsylvania Regiments."

It would not be long until the 48th itself received its 'marching orders.' On October 22, the regiment was at last equipped and armed; their weapons were the Harpers Ferry muskets, with the "buck and ball" cartridge. "Our first uniforms," wrote Gould, "were of very ordinary quality, and it took but a few weeks of service to develop the weak spots in their make-up."

On Sunday, November 10, 1861, the regiment received orders that it would be heading out. . . their destination: Cape Hatteras, North Carolina.

Review: "Grant's Final Victory: Ulysses S. Grant's Heroic Last Year," by Charles Bracelen Flood

2011-10-05T12:38:00.004-04:00

Grant's Final Victory
Charles Bracelen Flood
(Da Capo Books)

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After leading the United States to victory during the Civil War and twice serving the nation as president, the greatest challenge faced by Ulysses S. Grant may have very well been the one he confronted during what proved to be his final year on earth. Shortly after losing his and his family's fortunes to unscrupulous Wall Street bankers in May 1884--to those he considered close family friends--Grant, at age sixty-two, was diagnosed with terminal throat and mouth cancer. With this as the backdrop, Grant then set about fighting the greatest battle of his life and, as author/historian Charles Bracelen Flood makes clear, here again the victor of Shiloh, Vicksburg, and Appomattox emerged triumphant. With the assistance of William Underwood Johnson of the Century Company as well as Grant's good friend Mark Twain, the dying warrior put the pen to paper and began recording his personal memoirs. The result was a work Twain--his publisher--and many others since have regarded as a true classic. As Twain later wrote, "General Grant's book is a great, unique and unapproachable literary masterpiece. There is no higher literature than these modest, simple Memoirs. Their style is at least flawless, and no man can improve upon it."

In Grant's Final Victory, Charles Bracelen Flood, author of a number of other notables titles, including Grant and Sherman: The Friendship That Won The Civil War, 1864: Lincoln at the Gates of History, and Lee: The Last Years, has again written another excellent history; one that tells of Grant's heroic efforts to write his memoirs and rescue his family (and his reputation) from ruin. Flood tells the story masterfully; it is a story that is at once tragic and inspiring. In increasingly unbearable pain, Grant began recording his life with a focus on his wartime service. He wrote with simple honesty and produced a true American classic. Grant succeeded in completing his two-volume memoirs in less than one year, writing an average of 750 words "every painful day." Not only does Flood recount this herculean effort, but also demonstrates that when word spread of Grant's terminal illness, it served to further reunite the nation as people--both North and South, and even former Confederate soldiers--came together to offer their sympathy and support to a man who began the process of conciliation twenty years earlier with his magnanimous terms to Robert E. Lee and his vanquished Army of Northern Virginia at Appomattox.

Grant--His Final Days--At Work On His Memoirs

Flood writes in such a clear and easy-to-read manner that it took but two sittings for me to read through this 250-page book. He does a masterful job in recounting those sad but inspirational last days, focusing on Grant, of course, but also examining his family and his close friendships with the likes of Twain, William Vanderbilt, and others who helped support the general and his family during those trying times. Flood's treatment of Grant's death and funeral were superb. In the end, even though he passed away, mercifully, just three days after setting down his pencil for the final time, Grant's Memoirs netted his family more than $600,000.

I have no doubts that this book will appeal to a wide audience, but especially those interested in the Civil War and one of its most legendary figures. Civil War enthusiasts will also find in here much discussion of other wartime figures as William T. Sherman--Grant's closest military friend, who wept openly and uncontrollably at Grant's funeral--Phillip Sheridan, Simon Bolivar Buckner--who was one of the last to see Grant alive--Winfield Scott Hancock--who made all the arrangements for and led Grant's funeral procession in New York City--and James Longstreet--cousin to Grant's wife Julia and the best man at their wedding. In hearing of Grant's death, Longstreet, after a few moment's to compose himself, said "He was the truest and bravest man who ever lived. . . .he was the highest type of manhood America has produced."

Grant's Final Victory is a book I truly enjoyed reading and one I highly recommend. This is more than just the story of Grant's final year; it is also a story of hope in the face of adversity, and inspiration in the face of tragedy.

For more information on this book, click here.

Grant's Funeral Procession--August 8, 1885--in New York City

The 48th/150th: Fortress Monroe & Jake Haines's Encounter With General Joseph K.F. Mansfield

2011-09-28T05:16:00.003-04:00

Fortress Monroe, Virginia

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Having been mustered into state service, the soldiers of the 48th Pennsylvania received orders to proceed to Washington, D.C. Departing Harrisburg on September 24, 1861, the regiment boarded the cars of the Northern Central Railway and headed south. Along the way, Colonel James Nagle received a telegram directing him to instead take his regiment to Fortress Monroe.

Within just a few miles from Baltimore, "a fiendish attempt" was made to throw the train from the track but, as Joseph Gould noted, "Only two of the cars were thrown off, and beyond a few bruises, none of the members of the Regiment were injured."

At last reaching Baltimore, many members of Companies B & G who had passed through the Charm City in mid-April on their way to Washington as members of the Washington Artillerists no doubt recalled those tense moments when their small band came under attack by a mob of Confederate-leaning Baltimoreans. There would be no repeat of hostilities this time; instead, the 48th marched through the city to the harbor where they boarded the steamer Georgia, which Oliver Bosbyshell described as "a precarious old craft, likely to fall to pieces." Bosbyshell further recalled the nerve-wracking trip down the Chesapeake: "The captain wisely crept along close in to shore, not knowing what moment the timbers of the old hulk would separate. He was all anxiety, and his constant call admonishing to 'trim ship' kept the boys moving. The night moved slowly away, the somnolent regiment unmindful of danger, although ever and anon through its weary hours the cry of 'trim ship' caused a shifting of position."

The Georgia landed at Fortress Monroe on the morning of September 26. The 48th disembarked, stretched their legs, and marched around the walls of the fortress and across the narrow land bridge that connected to Hampton. There, they settled in at Camp Hamilton. "Here we settled down into a soldier's life," wrote Joseph Gould, "as naturally and contentedly as though we were old veterans."

In command of Camp Hamilton and Fortress Monroe at this time was an "old veteran," General Joseph King Fenno Mansfield, fifty-years-old with four decades worth of service. The soldiers of the 48th came to appreciate Mansfield, a professional soldier's soldier. "His mild disposition and benevolent heart, that caused him to be ever on the lookout for the welfare of his soldiers, combined, however, with a firm, just discipline," said Oliver Bosbyshell, "endeared him to all with whom he came in contact."

General Joseph Mansfield

In an effort to demonstrate how easy it was to access the campsite of the 48th, Mansfield got into the habit of walking into the camp "night after night," each time dropping by Colonel Nagle's tent, letting him know that he was there. This surely embarrassed the colonel. "Day after day," said Gould, "while on regiment drill, Colonel Nagle formed the regiment in 'hollow square' and told of Mansfield's nocturnal visit to his quarters. He was greatly displeased at this seeming lack of vigilance on the part of the guards, and demanded greater care by officers and men; but the nightly invasions continued, though not so frequently."

During one of Mansfield's visits, he was able to slip past Private Jake Haines, who was on guard duty, without challenge. Mansfield instructed the officer of the guard to have Haines reprimanded, but Haines, as Bosbyshell described him, "was as deaf as a post," which most likely accounted for his lack of vigilance. Colonel Nagle understood and though he did reprimand Haines, he did so in a "low squeaking voice which the Colonel sometimes adopted." Nagle walked away and Haines turned to a comrade and asked, "What did he say?"

At last, Mansfield was stopped one night trying to get into the 48th's camp; a soldier named Rogers yelling to the aged warrior, "halt, or I'll prog ye!" Rogers, with bayonet forward, escorted Mansfield to the Officer of the Guard, who then walked with Mansfield to Nagle's quarters. There, Mansfield at last congratulated Nagle and his regiment. "This episode," summarized Gould, "occurring in the formative period of the regiment, the impression remained, and vigilance on camp and picket guard became a marked characteristic of the command. . . ."

Less than one year later, on September 17, 1862, General Mansfield was struck down with a mortal wound while leading the Twelfth Corps at the Battle of Antietam.

The 48th/150th: Becoming A Regiment & Receiving Its Flags

2011-09-25T04:32:00.005-04:00

Soldiers Drill At Harrisburg's Camp Curtin

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

One hundred and fifty years ago, the 48th Pennsylvania officially became a regiment.

Organized during the summer of 1861 from throughout Schuylkill County, the volunteers--1,010 of them--rendezvoused at Harrisburg's Camp Curtin where, on September 20, 1861, the regiment was mustered into state service (they would then become United States soldiers of October 1, 1861).

The soldiers of the 48th were presented two stands of colors on that same September 20. One flag was presented by Governor Andrew Curtin--Pennsylvania's "War Governor"--which he presented on behalf of the state. Curtin, said regimental historian Joseph Gould, "made a very eloquent speech to the boys, and was heartily cheered at its close." Oliver Bosbyshell of Company G agreed, writing that "the glowing words of his speech made a deep impression upon the command."

The second flag--the National flag--was presented by John T. Werner, a Pottsville attorney, described by Gould as "a grand old patriotic citizen--one of those men whom it was a pleasure to know and be associated with." Werner's eighteen-year-old son, J. Frank Werner, was at that time serving in the ranks of Company D. By war's end, the young Werner, a clerk before the war, was the company's commanding officer. Werner traveled to Harrisburg and presented the flag on behalf of the grateful people of Pottsville. It was a silk flag and upon its blue canton was a fitting inscription: In The Cause Of The Union, We Know No Such Word As Fail.

Later that evening, an appreciative Colonel James Nagle wrote a letter for publication in Pottsville's Miners' Journal:

"I desire to acknowledge through your valuable journal, the receipt of a beautiful flag, forwarded and presented to my regiment by our fellow townsman, John T. Werner, Esq. We feel very grateful to him, and return our most sincere thanks for the beautiful National Flag he saw fit to present to us-the flag we all swore to protect and defend, and I have every reason to believe that the 48th will do its duty, knowing our cause is just."

Oliver Bosbyshell later proudly wrote that throughout the conflict these flags "were gallantly defended, and although shattered and torn by bullet and shell, were safely returned to the State. . . ."

The 48th would receive new stands of colors in 1864 to replace these first ones, which were, as Bosbyshell attested, torn and shattered by war.

Being mustered into service, the regiment received orders to depart Harrisburg on September 24, 1861. They were on their way to war. . .

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

The First Flags of the 48th!

This is all that remains of the 48th's first "state" flag, presented to the regiment on September 20, 1861, by Governor Andrew Curtin. Despite its condition, it is still in much better shape than the regiment's first "national colors," by presented by John T. Werner, on behalf of the people of Pottsville. . .

It is a real shame there is so little left of this. . .I would have loved to see that inscription:
In The Cause Of The Union, We Know No Such Word As Fail

“Here is a paper with which I will be bashed and vilified for for generations to come:” Some (generally rambling) Thoughts on Special Orders No. 191

2011-09-09T10:49:00.004-04:00

A Clipping Of Special Orders No. 191. . .penned on September 9, 1862, and used to bash McClellan ever since.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

September 9 is an important date for students of the September 1862 Maryland Campaign, for it was the date on which General Lee dictated what became Special Orders No. 191, his plan of operations for the continuance of the campaign after first crossing the Potomac and moving north to Frederick. Following the instructions spelled out in 191, the Army of Northern Virginia began evacuating Frederick the following morning—September 10—then began spreading out across western Maryland and portions of northern Virginia (today West Virginia) in order to both continue with the movement northward and force the evacuation of the Federal garrison at Harpers Ferry. Several days later, of course, and just hours after the final elements of Lee’s army left town, George McClellan’s Army of the Potomac arrived in Frederick and on the morning of September 13, Corporal Barton Mitchell of the 27th Indiana happened upon the famous—or infamous—lost copy of Special Orders No. 191. Making its way up the chain of command, 191 ultimately landed in the hands of George McClellan.

Ever since this document has been used as even more ammunition for generations of historians and "Monday moring quarterbacks" to further bash McClellan for his supposed failure not to immediately capitalize upon this “amazing” discovery and not to achieve a “decisive” win during the campaign.

But Special Orders No. 191 contained outdated and inaccurate information that may have hindered McClellan more than it helped him. And, 191 or not, the fact of the matter was that McClellan and his men did emerge victorious during this consequential campaign.

Less than two weeks earlier, McClellan had been called upon (again) to take the helm of the Federal forces gathering in Washington in what was perhaps the darkest days of the Union war effort. . .and for a general typically characterized as slow and cautious, he immediately went to work, consolidating and organizing a new Army of the Potomac, which now included John Pope’s Army of Virginia and Burnside’s Ninth Corps, and setting off north and west from Washington in pursuit of Lee’s invading columns. A master strategist, McClellan realized that Lee’s overriding purpose of the invasion was to draw the Army of the Potomac to battle, and not to capture Harrisburg or Baltimore nor to attack Washington, as so many of the nation’s leaders feared were Lee’s intentions. Satisfied that Lee was heading west from Frederick, McClellan moved quick. . .so quick, in fact, that he caught General Lee entirely off-guard and unaware, ultimately forcing Lee onto the defensive at South Mountain. Even before McClellan was handed 191, his plan was to continue pushing west from Frederick and across the South Mountain range. Portions of army, including his cavalry and the Ninth Army Corps, were already advanced west of Frederick, and inching their way toward South Mountain with orders to continue their way across the following day.

George McClellan's Triumphant Arrival in Frederick, MD, September 13, 1862

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Special Orders No. 191 placed Jackson’s command at Martinsburg, (West) Virginia, and Longstreet’s command at Boonsboro, Maryland, at the western base of South Mountain. There was nothing in the document that dictated that either Jackson move toward Harpers Ferry--which he did after the Federal garrison retreated there from Martinsburg--and Longstreet take his command to Hagerstown, which Lee directed on the morning of September 11. As far as McClellan was concerned, and as was spelled out in 191, Longstreet’s entire command was still at Boonsboro along with D.H. Hill’s Division, which is why he ordered the bulk of his army toward Turner’s Gap, which traversed South Mountain just east of Boonsboro.

Special Orders No. 191 also stated that Lee wished his entire operation to be concluded and his army reunited by the afternoon of September 12, the day before McClellan received 191. It was only necessary, then, that he determine whether or not the Army of Northern Virginia was still following this timetable, or whether they had fallen behind schedule. Finally, Special Orders No. 191, of course, made no mention as to Lee’s numbers; it only told McClellan that Lee had ordered the wide separation of his army across many miles of largely unfriendly territory, an order, believed McClellan, that only confirmed the reports he had been receiving that he was up against tremendous numbers.

History always mentions this paranoia of McClellan’s—that he was outnumbered. Seldom is the tremendous pressure that was resting on McClellan’s shoulders discussed. Of course, we know the outcome of the war—that in the spring of 1865 the Union emerged triumphant. But in mid-September 1862 things were very much undecided and had Lee won another victory following a summer’s worth of success, who's to say but the Confederacy might have very well prevailed, especially with a victory fought on Union territory and with Great Britain at that point leaning very close to recognizing the Confederacy as a sovereign nation. It would have at least brought them one step closer to victory. . .

Still, despite the tremendous pressure he was under, the fact was, McClellan moved aggressively throughout the entirety of the Maryland Campaign and within two weeks—following a lamentable season of defeats—led the Union army to victory at both South Mountain and Antietam, drove Lee out of Maryland, wrestled the initiative from his opponent (who firmly held it since the Seven Days’ Battles in late June-early July), and kept Washington and Pennsylvania safe. As my friend and historian Tom Clemens often points out, from September 14-September 19, George McClellan planned and executed three offensive actions (South Mountain--Antietam--Shepherdstown), two of which resulting in victory.

This does not, by any means, sound like the actions of a timid general.

In terms of military consequences, the outcomes of the Maryland Campaign of September 1862 and the Gettysburg Campaign of July 1863 were very much similar: Lee's invasion repulsed with heavy loss, Lee holding his ground the day following the fight, Lee getting across the Potomac to fight another day. Yet, while history always declares Gettysburg a Union victory, too often Antietam is portrayed as a tactical "draw." Yet when we consider not only the military consequences of the two campaigns but also their social, diplomatic, and political ramifications, the Maryland Campaign--with the resultant Emancipation Proclamation--must emerge as far more consequential.

But it seems that history, for the most part, is simply not yet willing to credit McClellan with anything; thus, while Meade earned a win at Gettysburg, McClellan, at best, earned a "draw."

Perhaps we need to rethink this; perhaps it is time we more fully appreciate the thoughts of Lee himself who after the war claimed McClellan as his most feared opponent. Perhaps we need to wonder why it is McClellan earned a "draw" at Antietam. The argument goes that it is because he did not follow up his victory and attack Lee again. Following this logic, then, why is, say, Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville not considered to be "draws." After all, Lee did not follow up these victories by assuming or re-assuming offensive actions. . .did he not also "allow" the Federals to escape across either the Rappahannock and Rapidan the same as McClellan and Meade "allowed" Lee to escape after Antietam and Gettysburg? Further, to say the war would have ended ignores the fact that there were still tens of thousands of Confederate soldiers still in Virginia and completely ignores the fact that this civil war extended far, far beyond the confines of its Eastern Theater.

Finally, perhaps it is time we rethink the value of Special Orders No. 191, examining it not by what we know now, but instead by what McClellan knew then. Doing so forces us to reexamine not only the Maryland Campaign of September 1862 but also the military career and legacy of George McClellan.

Just my (generally rambling) thoughts. . .

The Civil War Letters of John W. Derr. . .A New Blog With A Focus On The 48th!

2011-09-07T07:12:00.003-04:00

John W. Derr was twenty-one years of age when he was mustered into service as a private in Company D, 48th Pennsylvania Infantry, in late September 1861. A blacksmith by trade, Derr served throughout the entirety of the conflict, was wounded at 2nd Bull Run, and mustered out as a "Veteran" in July 1865.

Now, in commemoration of the Civil War Sesquicentennial, Private Derr's great-great grandson has launched a blog dedicated to his ancestor and his ancestor's service, titled "The Civil War Letters of John W. Derr." This is truly an excellent idea. . .In addition to posts on the history of the 48th Pennsylvania, the blog will feature, primarily, the many letters Derr penned home while in uniform. These letters will be posted over the next four years in chronological order, so that we can follow in those proverbial footsteps of Derr and his regiment as they fought their way through North Carolina, Virginia, Maryland, Kentucky, and Tennessee.

Derr's first letter home has recently gone up, written soon after his arrival at Camp Curtin in Harrisburg, where the regiment rendezvoused and was officially organized. In the letter, dated September 3, 1861, Derr rather matter-of-factly notes that he "made up my mind to go and fight for our country. . . .And I wish you wouldn't think hard of me that I left Deep Creek for I was tired of it long ago. . . ."

What an excellent way to kick off this blog; this letter providing some insights into soldier motivations.

I am looking forward to following this blog and reading Derr's letters homes. I have added the site to my links on the right-hand panel, or you can find it by simply clicking here.

The 48th PA/150th: Raising The Regiment: Company A

2011-08-24T07:50:00.005-04:00

One hundred and fifty years ago this month, volunteers from throughout Schuylkill County, both young and old, signed up to serve in what would become the 48th Pennsylvania Infantry, a regiment organized under the direction of Colonel James Nagle. Nagle received authorization from Pennsylvania's governor, Andrew Curtin, to recruit a regiment of "three-year" volunteers, and Nagle immediately went to work, enlisting the services of a number of acquaintances who established recruiting offices in the towns and townships of Schuylkill County. It was Nagle's desire to have the regiment recruited entirely from the anthracite-rich county in east-central Pennsylvania.

Port Clinton, Pennsylvania

Daniel B. Kauffman, a twenty-nine-year-old dispatcher of the Schuylkill Canal from the village of Port Clinton, set to work, organizing what became Company A. Like Kauffman, many of his volunteers hailed from Port Clinton--indeed, a good number had already served in the uniform of the Port Clinton Artillerists, a three-month organization that had served in the Shenandoah Valley from May-July, 1861, but saw no combat. Other recruits hailed from Tamaqua and the areas between in southern Schuylkill County. Also like Kauffman, many of his volunteers earned their living laboring on the Schuylkill Canal, which cut directly through Port Clinton.

Tamaqua, Pennsylvania

After enlisting their services, Kauffman's volunteers were directed to rendezvous at Harrisburg's Camp Curtin where, on September 17, 1861, they were formally mustered into federal service as Company A, 48th Pennsylvania Volunteers.

The 1861 roster of Company A, 48th PA was as follows:

Captain: Daniel B. Kauffman

1st Lieutenant: Abiel H. Jackson
2nd Lieutenant: Henry Boyer
Orderly Sergeant: Benjamin G. Otto
1st Sergeant: Lewis B. Eveland

2nd Sergeant: Albert C. Huckey
3rd Sergeant: William Taylor
4th Sergeant: Milton B. Nice
1st Corporal: John J. Huntzinger
2nd Corporal: Francis M. Stidham

3rd Corporal: Peter Zimmerman
4th Corporal: John Little
5th Corporal: John S. Bell
6th Corporal: John Taylor
7th Corporal: Joseph B. Carter

Privates

George Airgood
George Albright
George Betz

William Betz
Elias Britton

Israel Britton
George Briegel
Thomas B. Boyer

Charles Brandenburg
William A. Berger
John Cochran

John Cochley
Benjamin F. Cummings
James Day
Patrick Dailey
Henry Davis

Jacob Dietrich
William Dreibelbeis
Benjamin Dreibelbeis
James S. Eveland
William Eddinger
Samuel Eckroth
Franklin Frederici
Charles Goodman
Abram Greenawald
John Gallagher
Charles Krueger
John Hummel
William F. Heiser
Henry C. Honsberger
Jacob S. Honsberger
William Jacob Hein
John Heck
Jordan C. Haas
Lewis Hessinger
William K. Jones
Newry Kuret
Willis L. Kerst
William H. Koch
Coleman Jacob Kramer
Benjamin Keller
Franklin Koenig
George Liviston
Daniel Leiser
John H. Leiser
William Miller
William Meck
Bernhard McGuire
Levi Morganroth
John McLain
James Meck
Samuel B. Moyer
Joel Marshall
George Miller
William Neeley
Andrew Neeley
Simon Nelson
Isaac Otto
John Pugh
Henry H. Price

Richard B. Perry
George Ramer
Lewis M. Reese
John Ruff
Frank W. Simon
Augustus Shickram
John Springer
Morgan Simon
Henry Schreyer
John V. Spreese
Nelson Simon
David Steel
Jesse Springer
Abraham F. Seltzer
John Shenk
Henry Simpson
John Stahlnecker
Obediah Stahlnecker
Bernard West
Franklin Wentzell
John Weibels
John Whitaker
Samuel Weiser
Oliver Williams
John F. Youser

Sam Schwalm's Letters: A New Book on the 50th Pennsylvania Infantry

2011-08-16T08:01:00.002-04:00

The 50th Pennsylvania Monument at Antietam at Daybreak

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Just a brief interruption of my look at the 150th anniversary of the formation of the 48th Pennsylvania to announce the publication of a new book, The Civil War Letters and Experiences of Samuel Schwalm of the 50th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry Regiment, which includes an introduction written by Yours Truly. Published by the Pennsylvania-based Johannes Schwalm Historical Association, the book contains dozens of letters written by Samuel Schwalm, who enlisted in the summer of 1861 into what would become Company A, 50th Pennsylvania Infantry, a company recruited largely from northern and northwestern Schuylkill County. I was familiar with some of Schwalm's letters; copies of several are held at the Antietam Battlefield Library, which I used in my 2009 book Our Boys Did Nobly: Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, Soldiers at the Battles of South Mountain and Antietam.

It was a great thrill and a great honor for me to have been asked to write the introduction for this new book. Several months back, Dr. Michael Gabriel of Kutztown University asked if I would be interested in penning the introduction. Because of my familiarity with the 50th, and because I was familiar with some of the Schwalm letters--and, of course, because the 50th fought in the Ninth Army Corps--I gladly accepted. My contribution to this book is a concise overview of the war service of the 50th Pennsylvania, which I titled "With Stripes Unmarred and Stars Undimmed," the words Colonel Benjamin Christ used to describe the promised condition of the regiment's flags upon their return from war.

More information on this book, including ordering information, can be found here.

The 48th PA/150th: Raising the Regiment

2011-08-09T09:13:00.005-04:00

Record Banner of the 48th Pennsylvania Infantry

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This month marks the 150th Anniversary of the recruitment of the 48th Pennsylvania Infantry, and to help commemorate this, I will be devoting the next several weeks worth of posts to the origins of the regiment as well as its recruitment from the anthracite-laden coal fields and lush agricultural countryside of Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania.

In late July 1861, with the three-months' terms of service of the war's first volunteers about to expire and with no end to the Southern rebellion in sight, President Abraham Lincoln issued a call for 300,000 men to serve for "three years or the course of the war," whichever should come first. Governor Andrew Curtin of Pennsylvania immediately went to work, seeking to fill the quota established for his state. On August 14, he commissioned Colonel James Nagle, of Pottsville, to raise a regiment. Nagle was an experienced officer, whom Curtin could rely upon to raise and then lead a regiment of three-year men. In 1840, and at just eighteen years of age, Nagle organized the Washington Artillerists, a company of militiamen he would lead in Mexico, when it was mustered into Federal service as Company B, 1st Pennsylvania Volunteers. Nagle, who served a term as sheriff of Schuylkill County, had just recently been mustered out of service as colonel of the Sixth Pennsylvania Infantry, a three-month organization that served under General Robert Patterson in the lower Shenandoah Valley of Virginia from April-July 1861. Receiving his authorization to raise a regiment of three-year volunteer soldiers, Nagle determined to raise it almost entirely from his own Schuylkill County.

James Nagle raised the 48th Pennsylvania Infantry in the late summer of 1861

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To assist in his efforts, Nagle recruited the services of several friends and associates who proceeded to set up enlistment offices throughout the county. Nagle was well aware of the military capabilities of these men, they for the most part having served either under him in the 6th PA, or in other three-month organizations. Daniel B. Kauffman raised what would become Company A in and around the towns of Port Clinton and Tamaqua. James Wren, Joseph Gilmour, Henry Pleasants, and two of James Nagle's brothers--Daniel and Philip--set up recruiting stations in Pottsville, the county seat, drawing men from there and nearby St. Clair. Most of the men in Wren's company had served with the Washington Artillerists during the war's first three months and were among the very first Northern volunteer soldiers to reach Washington, D.C. following the outbreak of hostilities. William Winlack found volunteers from the coal fields surrounding Port Carbon, New Philadelphia, and Silver Creek, while Joseph Hoskings raised his company from Minersville and its surrounding areas. John R. Porter sought out recruits from Middleport and Schuylkill Valley, while Henry A.M. Filbert, a native of neighboring Berks County, drew his volunteers from Schuylkill Haven and Cressona in southern Schuylkill County.

An 1850 Map of Schuylkill County; the 48th Pennsylvania was raised almost entirely from Schuylkill County during the months of August-September 1861

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Oliver Bosbyshell, who served with the Washington Artillerists and who was mustered into what would soon become Company G, 48th Pennsylvania, in the summer of 1861, remembered the enlistment process. "As rapidly as men were secured the were forwarded to Camp Curtin, in Harrisburg, where the regiment rendezvoused. The medical examinations having been successfully passed, the recruits were equipped and assigned to their respective companies. Drills were instituted by the squad and company, and twice during its stay at Camp Curtin regimental drills were had. For the majority this was their first taste of military duty; however, there were many who had served in the Three Months' Service, in the Sixth, Fourteenth, Sixteenth, Twenty-Fifth, and other organizations. A number of those who first entered Washington City, and who are now known as the "First Defenders," re-entered the service in the Forty-Eighth Regiment, nearly all attaining the rank of commissioned officers."

Within just two months, 1,010 men volunteered to serve in what became the 48th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

In the weeks ahead--as we continue to commemorate the Sesquicentennial of the American Civil War--I will be posting biographical information on each of the above-mentioned men who recruited companies for the 48th, as well as the original field and staff officers. I will also be describing further their enlistment into Federal service and their first few weeks in uniform. Full rosters of each of the companies, with descriptions of each soldier, will also be provided.

"110 Degrees And I Just Got Chills:" Some Thoughts On The Manassas Sesquicentennial Commemoration

2011-07-23T06:00:00.005-04:00

The Stonewall Jackson Statue Atop Henry House Hill On The Morning Of July 21, 2011

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At one point early yesterday afternoon, I overheard the superintendent of Manassas National Battlefield Park tell one of the park's living history volunteers, clad in wool, that the National Weather Service stated that the past two days [July 21-22] were the two hottest consecutive days on the east coast since the 1920s.

Whether or not this is true. . .it certainly felt like it. The scorching temperatures and high humidity were the constant; the thread that ran through my two-and-a-half-day assignment at Manassas. Even at night there was no let-up. Leaving our shift on Thursday afternoon, Mannie noticed the temp was at a balmy 103 degrees, though the heat indices over the past two days climbed to near 120. It got so hot yesterday afternoon, that all afternoon outside programs were cancelled. I cannot even estimate how many gallons, yes, gallons of water and gatorade I drank, or how many times I soaked my handkerchief with cold water and placed it under my ranger hat. Within a matter of minutes each morning, sweat began to pour, and it continued to pour for the duration of our shifts. . .eleven hours Thursday, eight hours on Friday.

Still, despite all this. . .despite the heat, the humidity, and the sweat-soaked uniforms. . .I could think of nowhere else I would have rather been than on top of Henry House Hill on the 150th Anniversary of the First Battle of Manassas. It was a memorable experience and already ranks among the most rewarding of my short Park Service career.

Having left Bendersville around 1:oo p.m. on Wednesday afternoon, my first stop was to pick up my colleague Mannie in Boonsboro. An hour and a half later, we arrived at Sudley Road. "It won't be long now," we thought, "we made some good time." Just a few miles south on Sudley Road, however, we ran into some traffic. . .and there we sat, twenty minutes to travel the final two miles. No bother. We knew it would be busy. Arriving about an hour before the staff briefing, we took some time to wander the fields surrounding the visitor center and to snap some photographs. I could not help but to think, "I am here, working for the park service on the 150th." It was a thought that stuck with me constantly over the next two days. Twenty-five years ago, had you told the seven-year-old me that I would be doing that, while I sat there reading the TimeLife Civil War series books or watching the Classic Images Production of the Manassas 125th Anniversary Reenactment, he never would have believed you.

After a forty-five minute meeting that lasted an hour and a half, we checked-in to our hotel then stepped out for a late bite to eat, which proved to be a bad idea for me, since it kept me awake until after midnight.

Four-and-a-half hours of sleep then it was up at 5:00; to my chagrin, the hotel's continental breakfast did not begin until 6:30. So it was off to the Manassas maintenance yard, where we reported for duty at 6:00 and where we received a ten-minute briefing, led by our friend and colleague Keith Snyder who was in charge of the Roving Interpretation for the event. I cannot thank Keith enough for assigning me to this duty; to be able to spend two days on Henry House Hill, roving between four interpretative stops, talking about the battle and its significance on the battle anniversary itself is something I will never forget.

The heat was already unbearable that early in the morning, but we stepped off and prepared for what promised to be a long, hot, but enjoyable and memorable day.

Rangers Keith and Mannie in the foreground and Ranger Brian in the back (a part of the Antietam contingent) are all smiles as the day began Thursday, July 21, 2011.

A photo of "Jackson's Line" at 6:30 a.m. 7/21/11. . .the temps were already in the low nineties

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Already the ground was alive with activity as the Park readied for the Commemoration Ceremony. Here, a camera man angles for the best shot.

Our first assignment was to greet visitors as they arrived and to direct them to their seats for the 9:00 a.m. ceremony. Many hundreds arrived, though I am sure the number would have been much, much higher had not the forecasted heat indices been in the triple-digits.

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Following the ceremony, most of the attendees returned to their vehicles, though the hardy remained. The afternoon walking tour program had nearly 300 in attendance, a remarkable number considering the heat. However, this is a once-in-a-lifetime event and, like me, those folks, dedicated students of the Civil War, would not have missed it.

For the duration of the day on Thursday and for eight hours on Friday, I had the great privilege of presenting informal interpretation to a number of park visitors. Strangely enough, even though it was hotter on Friday, there were actually more visitors and I made many more visitor contacts than on Thursday, the anniversary itself. I got to see some friendly faces, friends and fellow Civl War historians/enthusiasts. Robert Moore was there, as was Jared Frederick. I got a few minutes of conversation with John Hennessy from Fredericksburg, as well as Rob Schenk and Nicholas Redding from the Civil War Trust. I also had the great honor to work this event alongside some of the best the National Park Service has to offer including, of course, my interpretative colleagues at Antietam...Mannie, Keith Snyder, Brian Baracz, as well as Christie Stanczak and Christy Tew of Antietam's Education division, who did incredible work in preparing a Family/Youth Services tent with a myriad of excellent programs designed for children. I am sure that because of their efforts, many children walked away from this event with an increased interest in Civil War history. Who knows, but maybe a lifelong passion for some or many of these youngsters was triggered here.

In addition to Antietam, staff was brought in from throughout the region, and I had a great thrill to be able to work alongside the likes of Frank O'Reilly and Greg Mertz from Fredericksburg/Spotsylvania, and Matt and Angie Atkinson from Gettysburg, all superb interpretors. It was further an honor to work, if just for a few days, along Manassas' outstanding staff.

Gettysburg's Matt Atkinson providing some "informal" interpretation to a group on the Henry House Hill Overlook. Mannie and I stood there, captivated, by Matt's great interpretative skills.

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Our assignment came to an end Friday afternoon at 2:00p.m. Ninety minutes later, we were back on the road, heading home after an incredible two-and-a-half days at Manassas. I will long remember the privilege I had to work at Manassas for part of its Sesquicentennial Commemoration, but a few things will stick out above the rest. I'll remember turning away from the Ceremony for a few moments with Keith to gaze toward Matthews' Hill around 10:30 a.m., both of us visualizing that it was there, on that hilltop, 150 years ago to the hour that the first major land battle of the Civil War commenced. I'll remember looking around and seeing dedicated visitors, braving the heat, to help commemorate the battle's anniversary and honor the battle's dead. But perhaps most of all, I will remember the comment a visitor made to me late Friday morning. Having begun the day at 8:00 a.m. and doing some roving interp over the next three and a half hours at the Robinson House site, the Henry House Overlook, and Jackson's Line, I was making my way to the lunch tent. But as I strode next to the Jackson Statue at the top of Henry House Hill, I was approached by two visitors who had a few questions. They were from Alabama and this was their second time to Manassas; they having traveled all that way specifically for the 150th. One gentleman asked me if I could point out where the 33rd Virginia was before their charge. I was glad to be able to answer him, pointing toward their position, and briefly describing their attack. Continuing, I talked about the terrible and terrific struggle that consumed Henry House Hill that Sunday afternoon, 150 years ago, and what it meant for the nation and how this struggle on this otherwise nondescript hilltop in northeastern Virginia would usher in four devastating, bloody years and help trigger a second revolution in the United States. "And all of it," I finished, "happened right here, on this very ground, 150 years ago."

One of the gentleman then turned to me and said, "It's 110 degrees, and I just got chills."

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Me, Matt Atkinson, and Mannie Gentile on Henry House Hill, 7/22/2011

Gearing Up For Manassas 150!

2011-07-19T07:15:00.002-04:00

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The Civil War world is naturally focused on Manassas this week, as we move closer to the 150th Anniversary of the first major land battle of America's fratricidal conflict. Thursday, July 21, 2011, will mark 150 years since this terrible fight.

Even though I am now just thirty-two years old, I do remember distinctly the commemoration of the war's 125th Anniversary, back in the late '80s. The Civil War had captured my interest from an early age--since as long as I can remember--and my parents would do everything to help foster this interest. I remember every two months getting a new volume of TimeLife's Civil War series (those large hardbound, silver books, which still occupy an entire shelf in my office) and I remember how every Christmas from 1986-1990 I would unwrap the Classic Images collection of Civil War battle reenactments, produced for the 125th. And I well remember all the visits to National Battlefield Parks, listening to various ranger programs, and thinking how much I would love to one day do that. . .to work as a ranger at a Civil War park.

Well, that dream came true in May 2006. And as I have said many, many times before, there are few days that have gone by over the past five years that I did not think about how lucky I am to work at Antietam, alongside some of the best rangers the Park Service has to offer, interpretating one of the most significant battles in American history. It is truly an honor to wear that gray and green of the Park Service everyday. Over the years, though, I have also had some "can't wait to tell the grand-kids" kind of moments, such as delivering special hikes and tours on Anniversary weekends, working the 2009 Presidential Inauguration and the 2009 White House Christmas Tree Ligthing Ceremony. . .all very neat experiences.

But this week, I will have the great, great honor of working at Manassas Battlefield during the Sesquicentennial commemoration, something that is still difficult for me to believe.

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On Thursday, July 21 and Friday, July 22, I, along with several of my colleagues from Antietam, will be roving the battlefields of Manassas, providing interpretation on this important battle. Keith Snyder, in charge of the interpretation for the event, assigned me and my friend/colleague Mannie Gentile to Henry House Hill. The forecast for Thursday and Friday places the temperatures in the high 90's; we might even get to 100 degrees! And working ten-hour shifts in the heat will be sure to catch up with us (as Mannie said, it would be the exact opposite of the Inauguration, when we stood out for twelve hours in 10 degree weather!) Still, I can think of no other place I would rather be than right there, in the uniform of the Park Service, on Henry House Hill on the 150th Anniversary of the First Battle of Manassas.

Today is crunch time in preparation for the event. . .Already I am reading up on as much of the battle story as possible. . .books, articles, websites, Bullrunnings, etc. It is also packing day (I cannot forget the sunblock and sunglasses. . .the coolers and the bottles of water). And, yes, it is also laundry day. Because of the expected heat, I plan on taking no less than four uniforms! Then, tomorrow is travel day, leaving here early in the afternoon. . .heading south to Boonsboro, where I will pick up Mannie, and then further south on 15, through Leesburg, past Oatlands, and finally to the Manassas Visitor Center for a 6:00p.m. briefing. Hotel check-in will follow. . .but I have a feeling Mannie and I will be out on the battlefields until dusk. But we will not be out too late: we must then report for duty at 6:00 a.m. on Thursday morning for what promises to be a couple of long, hot, but thoroughly memorable and unforgettable days.

And, yes, I already have the camera packed. . . with a new battery and blank SD card.

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Pennsylvania's Civil War Militiamen Getting Long Overdue Attention. . .

2011-07-06T07:02:00.005-04:00

Pennsylvania Militia Organize in Harrisburg

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Dave Maher is a good friend of mine, who I have come to know over the past few years through his volunteer work at Antietam National Battlefield. One thing I discovered early about Dave was his passion for the study of the American Civil War and his dedication to historical preservation. A native of New Jersey, Dave currently resides near Harrisburg where he works with the Pennsylvania Historic and Museum Commission. Dave's main interest lies with his beloved Irish Brigade; recently, however, he has focused his attention on a little-known, though important, Civil War topic: the Pennsylvania Militia Men of 1862 & 1863.

In the late summer of 1862 and then again in June-July 1863, Pennsylvania Governor Andrew Curtin raised a call for volunteer militiamen in response to Confederate General Robert E. Lee's two invasions of Union soil, and the men from across the Keystone State responded in great numbers. Tens of thousands turned out to add their names to the rosters, and though they were the subject of much derision from the Union high command, their role was an important one and their service noble. Indeed, many of those who composed the Pennsylvania militia units in the summer of 1863--and who served during the Gettysburg Campaign--were recently discharged "Nine-Month" men from such hard-fighting units as the 125th, 129th, 130th, 132nd Pennsylvania, and so on. My own native Schuylkill County also furnished several of these militia companies, notably the 39th Pennsylvania Militia, a regiment raised by none other than Brigadier General James Nagle, who had just returned home from the army, following his resignation because of heart disease. Upon arriving at Harrisburg, General Darius Couch, commanding the Department of the Susquehanna, named Nagle a brigade commander.

The story of these men's experiences has long needed to be told, and Dave is certainly the right guy to do it, for he will give them due justice. Several weeks ago, Dave launched a blog titled Pennsylvania's Emergency Men, and so far, his posts have been simply outstanding. As Dave writes, his blog is "A look back at the the Pennsylvania Emergency Militia, and the Keystone state's reaction and response to the threatening advance of, and later invasion by, the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia during the Maryland Campaign of September 1862, and the Gettysburg Campaign of late June and early July 1863. As well as other historical thoughts and observations."

I have added Dave's blog to the blogroll on the right, and I am hoping you, too, will make it a regular stop on your daily Civil War blog reading list. Pennsylvania's Emergency Men can be found here.

Before the Crater: The 48th Pennsylvania at Petersburg: (Part 4): The Death of Lieutenant C.C. Pollock

2011-06-28T05:38:00.005-04:00

Curtis Clay Pollock, [standing, left] was just nineteen years old when he enlisted as a corporal in Company G, 48th Pennsylvania Volunteers, in the late summer of 1861. But for the young man, who put his life on hold that year to serve the nation, this would already be his second enlistment. In April 1861, Pollock was one of the first to volunteer his services to the Union, leaving Pottsville as a member of the Washington Artillerists and marching into the nation's capital on the night of April 17 as a "First Defender." With the 48th, Pollock advanced rapidly through the ranks and ultimately became a first lieutenant.

Throughout his time in uniform, Pollock wrote frequently to his parents in Pottsville, asking for newspapers, edible treats, and even money every now and then, while at the same time commenting upon the weather conditions, asking about loved ones at home, narrating the regiment's movements, and describing the best he could the regiment's battles. His final letter was written on June 12, 1864, from "Near Coal Harbor about 10 miles from Richmond."

Five days after penning this, his last letter home, Pollock, who always led from the front, fell seriously wounded during the attacks on Petersburg. Carried from the field and taken to Washington, Pollock died on June 27, 1864. His family had his remains transported back home to Pottsville, where they were laid to rest in the Charles Baber Cemetery.

William and Emily Pollock, Curtis's parents, received no more letters from their son. But in mid-July one did arrive from 1st Lieutenant Thomas Bohannan; another reached the family in early August penned by Sergeant Henry Krebs. Both were good friends of Curtis, and their letters described the death of the Pollock's brave son.

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Near City Point
July 6, 1864

Mr. Pollock
Sir
This morning I turned over your sons valise to the Agt of the Sanitary Committee. He promised me he would deliver it to the Express Office at Washington, D.C. It is in safe hands and I hope you will receive it in good order. I would have forwarded it before the present time but the difficulty was that there has not been any Express Office established here as yet.
I was very much surprised in hearing of Lieuts death. The morning he arrived at City Point from the battle field he sent the ambulance driver to inform me of his accident. My quarters are ½ mile from City Point. I went immediately to see my particular friend as I must say he was a favorite young man in the Regt and a brave soldier.
On my arrival at City Point the Ambulance Corps was preparing to have him carried on board the boat to be sent to Washington. I took him by the hand and asked him if his wound was dangerous. He seemed to think not and appeared to be very much pleased that his wound was not more serious. As soon as he was placed in a bunk on board the steam boat, I sat down and spoke to him a few minutes. He then requested me to get him his valise but at that time I was not able to get the valise as I had placed all the baggage belonging to officers of the Regt on board a barge at the White House to be sent around to City Point by water. The barge had not arrived at the time.
I bid the poor fellow good bye but not thinking at the time nor him either that it was our last fairwell with each other. I hope he has gone to a happy home. I must come to a close by sending my kindest regards.
Yours Respectfully
Thomas Bohannan
1st Lt.
48 Penn v vol

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W. Petersburg, Virginia
August 1, 1864

Mr. Pollock—
Dear Sir:
Lieut. Bohannan having a press of business he has requested me to answer for him your letter asking for information concerning Curtis’ valise and other effects. Enclosed you will find the address (obtained from the Agent of the Sanitary Commission at City Point) to which the valise was sent, which I trust will enable you to get it, if it has not yet reached you.
Serg’t Jones, (now Lieut) of Company “G” thinks that his pistol must be in the valise.
Serg’t Aumen (now Lieut) Company “G” was near Curtis when he was wounded and assisted him from the field. He states that he was quite cheerful and in good spirits, though he suffered considerable pain. One of the his first expressions was “Wasn’t that a splendid charge ?”
After he had walked some distance he said he felt faint and sank to the ground ere Lieut. A. could catch him. He soon revived and walked assisted by Lieut. A. to the Field Hospital.
A few hours after he was taken in an ambulance to City Point. Lieut. Bohannan met him on the road. He spoke cheerfully and requested him to send his baggage home. He seemed to think his wound was slight, and that he was very fortunate in escaping so well, without the loss of a limb as there were many around him. Two hours ride brought him to City Point, where there was boat in readiness to receive the wounded and as soon as she was loaded she started for Washington.
The baggage of our Corps was sent by water from White House and only arrived the day he left or it could have been sent with him. There is an overcoat with the Company baggage which was just discovered a day or two since. Lieut. Bohannan will see Major Bosbyshell about it, and if it is Curtis’ will send it by express.
The writer of this will see Lieut. Aumen and see if he has any additional particulars, he will, no doubt, be pleased to give them.
All the members of the Company and of the Regiment unite in the highest praise of his bravery and courage in battle as well as his example as a friend and companion. His death and the of Lieut. Jackson has cause a deep feeling of gloom and sadness to pervade Company “G” which will not easily be dispelled. They will live long in the memories of those who knew them to love and respect them.
Trusting that the condolence of a friend and former member of Company “G” is not here out of place, I beg to subscribe myself.
Very Respectively Yours,

Harry Krebs

Before The Crater: The 48th Pennsylvania at Petersburg: Part 3: Casualties

2011-06-26T06:27:00.004-04:00

The past several posts have focused on the actions of the 48th Pennsylvania at the Battle(s) of Petersburg, fought in mid-June 1864. These actions have long been neglected, or overlooked, with the lionshare of attention on the Petersburg Campaign centering on the Battle of the Crater and even the April 2, 1865 assault, which led to the collapse of the Confederate line.

But the fighting that took place from June 15-18, 1864, as the armies arrived at Petersburg and settled into position was no less important. As mentioned several times in the previous two posts, the 48th Pennsylvania was heavily engaged in these actions, particularly on June 17, and suffered a high number of losses. Indeed, during the action on June 17-18, the 48th lost twenty men killed or mortally wounded, forty-one wounded, and four captured/missing.

Their names follow.

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48th Pennsylvania Casualties at the Battle of Petersburg
[All casualties lost on June 17, 1864, unless otherwise stated]

Killed/Mortally Wounded (20)

John Cochrane (Co. A)
[Mortally Wounded]

Francis M. Stidham (Co. A) [June 18]
[Mortally Wounded; Died 7/10/1864]
Gilbert Graham (Co. C) [June 18]
[Mortally Wounded; Died 4/1/1865]
William Reysons (Co. E)
[Mortally Wounded; Died 6/24/1864]
James Regan (Co. E)
[Mortally Wounded; Died 6/30/1864]
James Mercer (Co. E)
[Mortally Wounded; Died 5/21/1865]
John Major (Co. E)
Horace Straub (Co. F)
Isaac Lewis (Co. F)
Simon Devlin (Co. F) [June 18]

1st Lieutenant Curtis C. Pollock (Co. G)
[Mortally Wounded; Died 6/27/1864]
Howard Jones (Co. G)
[Mortally Wounded; Died 7/13/1864]
George W. Morey (Co. H)
Jefferson W. Beyerle (Co. H)
James Mulholland (Co. H)
Anthony Gallagher (Co. H)
Thomas Davis (Co. H) [June 18]

1st Lieutenant Joseph Edwards (Co. I)
[Mortally Wounded; Died 7/2/1864]
Nathan Rich (Co. K)
Arthur Gray (Co. K) [June 18]

Wounded (41)
Elias Britton (Co. A)
John Holman (Co. A)
John McLean [or McLain] (Co. A)
William Huckey (Co. A)
John H. Shaeffer (Co. A)
Joel Lins (Co. A)
Henry Schreyer (Co. A) [June 18]
James W. Sterner (Co. A) [June 18]
William Dreibelbeis (Co. A) [June 18]
Joseph Dreibelbeis (Co. A) [June 18]
Sergeant Robert Campbell (Co. B)
Corporal James Rider (Co. B)
Sergeant Henry Weiser (Co. C)

1st Lieutenant James K. Helms (Co. D)
Corporal Jonathan Deitrich (Co. D)
Lewis Dietrich (Co. D)
Jacob D. Caspar (Co. D)
Joseph Berlinger [or Buddinger] (Co. D)
Joseph Lindenmuth (Co. D) [June 18]
Thomas Clemens (Co. E)
R.B. Thompson (Co. E)
Murt Brennan (Co. F)
Pat Boran (Co. F)
Corporal Robert Wallace (Co. F)
Edward L. Shissler (Co. F)
Joshua Reed (Co. G)
Lieutenant D.B. Brown (Co. H)
Charles Eberley (Co. H)
Lewis Aurand (Co. H)
Jonathan Dillet (Co. H)
Frank Ringer (Co. I)
William Kramer (Co. I)
Corporal Benjamin Williams (Co. I) [June 18]
Christian Seward (Co. I) [June 18]
Samuel T. DeFrehn (Co. I) [June 18]
Jacob Reichwein (Co. I) [June 18]
Charles R. Koch (Co. I) [June 18]
Sergeant Thomas Irwin (Co. K)
John Gillinger (Co. K)
Oliver W. Schwartz (Co. K)
David Houser (Co. K)

Captured/Missing (4)
Corporal Andrew Wren (Co. B)
[Captured; held in captivity 6/21/64-4/21/65]
Jacob Wigner (Co. B)
[Captured; Died 1/1/1865]
Mike Lavell (Co. G)
William Auchenbach (Co. G)

Before the Crater: The 48th Pennsylvania at Petersburg (Part 2)

2011-06-23T05:11:00.002-04:00

Union Troops Attack Confederate Defenses at Petersburg

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

From Joseph Gould, The Story of the Forty-Eighth

"On the 16th of June, 1864, the 48th Regiment, after a month’s hard fighting in the Wilderness, Spotsylvania, Cold Harbor, etc., crossed the James River, and about 4 p.m. arrived in front of Petersburg, just in time to see the 7th New York Heavy Artillery Regiment of the 2nd Corps make an unsuccessful assault on the rebel works, in which they lost many men killed, wounded and prisoners, also losing their colors. About two hours later we were thrown forward in front of the same rebel position to, as we believed, assault the same but instead of doing so, we were led past the front of their position down the bed of a creek until we came to the left, and at an angle of, the enemy’s line. About this time it became dark, and we were in an old line of the enemy’s works captured , a few days previously, by Butler’s colored troops.

"Although we could not now see the rebel position, we all knew that we were very near them. In fact too near for comfort, so, at about ten o’clock—and it was as dark as pitch—Col. Pleasants ordered Company G and Company B, of which last company Andrew Wren was a sergeant, to cross the creek to the enemy’s to reconnoiter; and, when within about fifty yards of their line, they received a volley which spoke volumes to us. They were ordered to fall back, but before doing so Sergeant Wren, who was on the extreme left of Company B’s line, got to within a few feet of the enemy’s works, and, seeing men pass along behind and on top of them, he so reported to his captain (Ulysses Bast), who sent the same information to Col. Pleasants, there being some doubts by all as to whether these men were friends or foes. Wren was ordered forward to find out; and, in company with Jacob Wigner, also of Company B, went to these works, and, leaning over, was just about to ask whose troops these were, when a big Johnnie grabbed the Sergeant by the collar of his blouse, unceremoniously, and, calling him a Yankees ----------, made him a prisoner, at the same time also gobbling up Wigner. Wren was at once taken to the center of the rebel regiment, where their colonel plied him with questions as to what troops he belonged to, whose corps, etc.

"This was the beginning to Comrade Wren of a period of ten months as prisoner of war, the most of the time being spent at Andersonville, Ga; his comrade being a younger man and a new recruit, not being so well inured to hardship, soon succumbed and died there. The scenes witnessed by Comrade Wren during these ten months in prison cannot be described; and if they could, the people of to-day would not believe them. The wonder now is that a comrade is still alive who went through these privations, and there is not much doubt but our comrade is very much alive, as the moulders in the upper foundry of the Philadelphia & Reading shops, of Pottsville, can testify, and he is numbered as one of the honored survivors of the 48th Regiment.

"About daylight on the 17th, the 48th and the 36th Massachusetts crossed a swamp in single file, in perfect silence, the line formed and joined to that of the second brigade, and, by a quick movement, carried the works in front. It was a complete surprise; the enemy was driven in confusion, four pieces of artillery and six hundred prisoners were captured.

"In the charge on the rebel line on the morning of the 17th of June, 1864, the 48th Regiment captured the whole line in their front, and had more prisoners to take care of than there were men in the regiment, besides having captured the colors of the 44th Tennessee Rebel Regiment, and the 7th New York captured from them the day before. Our victory was very complete. Just after daylight another advance was made, and we captured two brass field pieces, with the gunners belonging to them, and sent them to the rear. These guns belonged to Pegram’s Battery, and the remaining four guns and the men belonging to them were buried at the crater on the 30th of July following, the entire battery being thus destroyed by the 48th."

Before the Crater: The 48th Pennsylvania at Petersburg: June 1864 (Part 1)

2011-06-18T06:03:00.005-04:00

While the 48th Pennsylvania Infantry is, of course, best known in Civil War history as "that regiment of coal miners" which successfully tunneled under the Confederate lines at Petersburg, even before this remarkable feat, the 48th was heavily engaged in attacks against those same lines a week before they began digging; indeed, the regiment suffered some of its highest casualties of the war during these assaults, and the valor of two of its members would be recognized with Medals of Honor. Regimental historian Oliver Bosbyshell would even declare that the attack on June 17 "was probably, in all its results, the most brilliant engagement for the Forty-eighth of any in which it participated."

Since the time is right--it being mid-June, of course--I thought I would spend a few days (weeks) focusing on these largely overlooked, but deadly actions.

To do so, and as I have done before when examining other campaigns, I am going to let the soldiers of the 48th speak for themselves, posting their letters, diary entries, reports, etc, all commenting upon or describing their role at the Battle of Petersburg, in mid-June 1864.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Union Soldiers Assault Confederate Lines Surrounding Petersburg

* * * * * * * * * *

The Attacks on Petersburg
June 16-17, 1864
From Oliver C. Bosbyshell, The 48th In The War

* * * * * * * * * * *

"The Forty-eighth crossed the pontoon bridge over the James River bright and early on the morning of the sixteenth, and directed its march straight for Petersburg. The advanced words on the City Point road, captured a day or two before by Butler's command, were passed about noon, grimly marked by the dead bodies of negro troops, who had fallen in the assault upon them. These were the first dead colored troops the boys of the Forty-eighth had seen and their stiff forms eloquently answered the query as to whether the colored troops would fight or not.

"The enemy's works at Petersburg were reached by the regiment about 5 o'clock p.m., in time to witness the assault of Barlow's Division of the Second Corps. This charge was also participated in by the Second Brigade of the Second Division of the Ninth Corps, who were temporarily attached to Barlow's Division by order of General Potter, that officer having been directed to send a brigade to support Barlow's attack.

"This charge was unsuccessful, the rebels maintaining their position, obliged Barlow to fall back, which he did, with the loss of some prisoners.

"The Forty-eighth were lying in a strip of woods, trying to secure some rest after the hard march from the James River, but this was not to be. The assault having proved unsuccessful, orders came to the Forty-eighth to advance. Line of battle was formed under the frowning ramparts of a small fort, bristling with artillery, directly in the regiment's front. Twilight was rapidly closing in on the scene and all felt that an assault on the rebel works meant serious business for the Forty-eighth, but all were steeled to the task. The advance began; some fifty yards beyond the woods were covered, when the line veered to the right, and filed into a gully through which ran a small creek. The movement continued to the right, following the winding of the creek, and leaving the enemy toward the left, until an abandoned part of the enemy's original line of works was reached. By this time it became too dark to distinguish objected at any distance.

The Attacks on Petersburg, June 15-17
The 48th PA Fought in the IX Corps, under Burnside

"Companies B and G were detailed to reconnoiter the position of the enemy. This was about ten o'clock at night. Deploying as skirmishers, these companies, with the rest of the regiment supporting, crossed over the little creek and advanced almost up to the enemy's works, who welcomed them with a lively volley of musketry. Under orders the line retired to the position secured in the abandoned works. So determined was Sergeant Wren and a private of B Company to ascertain the exact location of the rebel works that they ran right up against them, and the proverbial hospitality of the South induced the 'Johnnies' to gather them into their ranks, and them the delight of a Southern prison.

"The anxiety of Colonel [Henry] Pleasants for the safety of the colors, during this midnight foray, is well remembered--he cautioned the greatest care to be observed lest some unforeseen accident should occur and they be lost in the dark.

"Very little sleep was permitted the regiment, for at 3 o'clock the next morning (seventeenth) the men were quietly roused by Colonel Pleasants, who passed along the line, informing each company commander of the assault to be made on the enemy's lines. Caps were removed from the pieces, as reliance was to be had on the bayonet alone. He informed the men of the danger before them, and directed that if any felt disinclined to make the assault, they had permission to remain where they were. There is no record or evidence of any kind that a single man of the regiment took advantage of this offer--not one stayed behind! Tin cups and coffee pots were so secured as to make no rattling sound, and directions were passed along in whispered accents. Bayonets were silently fixed, the pieces, by order recapped and the regiment moved quietly out of the old rebel works left in front, with the stealthiness of Indians, over the creek where line of battle was formed, in utter darkness. Moving the right, for about a hundred yards with panther-like tread, a whispered command 'forward!' was given, and the savage rush began. Some firing on the right of the regimental line, resulted in an immediate answer from the enemy, along their entire line, thus marking it vividly by the flashes of their muskets. Directly into this fiery ribbon, belching its leaden hail through the ranks of the charging lines, swept the Forty-eighth, emptying its muskets at the instant the rebels' works were reached.

Sergeant Robert Reid, Company G, Medal of Honor Recipient

"How the heart beat, and the pulse throbbed during that onslaught! If fear or dread marked the supreme moment of the attack, it was banished completely in the glorious rush of the fight! What a harvest of prisoners--they were captured by the score, disarmed and sent to the rear, only to be gathered up by the regiments in reserve and turned in as captives of their own. The Forty-eighth actually secured more prisoners than the regiment had men engaged in the fight. Two flags and two pieces of artillery were likewise part of the regiment's trophies. The colors of the Forty-fourth Tennessee were captured by Sergeant Patrick Monaghan, of Company F, and the colors of the Seventh New York Heavy Artillery were recaptured by Private Robert Reid, of Company G. For this gallant and praiseworthy deed the War Department conferred upon these two soldiers the United States Medal of Honor. The distinction gained by Monaghan and Reid was proudly accorded them by every man in the regiment, as all recognized the achievement as adding additional glory to the command.

"The early dawn disclosed the redan further south--which carried two guns that were making sad havoc, by enfilading the attacking line. This work was on the left and front of the Forty-eighth, about a hundred yards distant. The wild rush and wholesale gathering in of prisoners, and generally good time the regiment was having in what had already been accomplished, disturbed the formation of the command considerably, so Pleasants, seeing the necessity of securing this redan, hastily ordered the boys in line, and with the shout of 'forward!' made a dash for the fort. Like a savage torrent, the impetuosity of which Pleasants tried to stem, the regiment fairly tore over those hundred yards and swept through the fort irresistibly. The enemy ran in great disorder by squads and singly to their left and rear. The men attempted to fire on the fleeing foe, by reversing the guns, but the rebels foiled this 'little game' by having loaded them with sand before leaving. The enemy brought a battery in position and shelled the captured fort, vainly trying to drive the regiment away. The guns were safely hauled to the rear by hand, notwithstanding the heavy fire of shot and shell poured into the captors from the battery referred to.

"Whilst on the gun platform, endeavoring with others to fire the guns, Private Robert Reid, of Company G, felt uncomfortably near him flying chips, broken by shot and shell, from the planking used to line the inside of the embrasures. Seeking cover, he dropped into the hole used by the rebel gunners for protection, and lo! a dozen of the 'Johnnies,' heretofore unobserved, were snugly stowed herein. They surrendered forthwith. Reid, with Sergeant Daniel Donne, of G, marched these captives to the rear, whilst others of the regiment were hauling off the cannon.

"The Forty-eighth maintained this line, so gallantly and determinedly wrested from the enemy, fortifying and strengthening it by using the outside of the fortification for the new line, reversing the position from the way the rebels planned it. This was probably, in all its results, the most brilliant engagement for the Forty-eighth of any in which it participated. Praise is due every officer, from Colonel Pleasants down, and to every man who was in this grand assault, for the splendid record the work here accomplished has given to the Forty-eighth Regiment. This achievement, with the wonderful Mine, are two brilliant and remarkable pages in the regiment's history, the like of which few other commands can boast."

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Gettysburg State of Mind . . .

2011-06-09T07:33:00.005-04:00

Gettysburg has been on my mind lately, and there are a few reasons why.

First, I am happy to say that I will be delivering a presentation on the Battle of South Mountain titled "Antietam's Bloody Prelude" as part of this year's Gettysburg Foundation's Sacred Trust Lecture Series. It was both a surprise and an honor to have been invited to participate. While my focus will, of course, be on the September 14, 1862, fight at South Mountain, I will be drawing parallels between Lee's first invasion of Union soil--the Maryland Campaign--with his second, as well as discussing the roles played at South Mountain by some notables of Gettysburg, especially George Meade, Robert Rodes, Alfred Iverson, Richard Garnett, Henry Slocum, and others. I am scheduled for Sunday, July 3, 2011, at 1:30 p.m. Other presenters that anniversary weekend include friend and fellow blogger Harry Smeltzer, who will be speaking on Colonel O'Rorke, Ethan Rafuse, Ed Bearss, Bradley Gottfried, Troy Harman, Allen Guelzo, Adam Goodheart, and many others. For the complete listing of speakers and their topics, click here.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

My attention has also been focused on Gettysburg lately because I was asked to write the Gettysburg title for the History Press' Civil War Sesquicentennial Series. This also came as a surprise. The editor-in-chief of the Series, Douglas Bostick, broached the idea with me several months back; indeed, he asked if I would be interested as soon as we wrapped up the South Mountain book. I thought about it. . . thought about it some more. . .then ultimately decided to do it. Two weeks ago, Doug informed me that the proposal was accepted and now, having just signed and returned the contract, my focus for the next year will be back on the great struggle of July 1863.

I must admit, though, that this is a daunting challenge, and I sometimes feel as though I entered into a vast abyss. As per the contract, I was given just 50,000 words--my South Mountain book exceeded 70,000. To condense so important and so large a battle into so little space will be tough. . .very tough. Still, I could not pass up this opportunity. It was a great thrill and an even greater honor to have been asked, and I am looking forward once again to working with the History Press. They did such great work with my South Mountain book, which, I am happy to say is already in its second printing, the first having sold out within three months.

My deadline for the Gettysburg title is April 1, 2012, which, as my buddy Ted Alexander reminded me, "is tomorrow." Indeed, I will have just ten months to fashion this work. The book will, in no possible way, be an exhaustive study--such a thing, no matter how many words, is possible. Nor will this book be geared toward the buffs and enthusiasts. Instead, I have decided to write a narrative for the general audience and interested public, for those seeking, perhaps for the first time, to gain a concise history of this important campaign and battle. My intention is to draw upon and synthesize all the latest history and write about some of those lesser-known aspects of the battle, as well as some of its lesser-known figures and personalities. Those are the intentions, at least. We will see where the study takes me. . .One final note, my buddy Mannie Gentile will once again be developing the maps; we've already talked about their design, and I must say, they are going to look great.

PROFILES: Elias Britton, Company A, 48th PA

2011-05-25T06:25:00.002-04:00

Elias and Israel Britton--whether brothers or cousins, I am not quite certain--volunteered their services to the Union during the summer of 1861, and in mid-September were mustered into service as privates, in Company A, 48th Pennsylvania Infantry. Israel hailed from Tamaqua and listed his occupation as farmer; Elias, the older of the two at age 25, was a miller from Auburn. He stood 5'6" in height, with a dark complexion, dark eyes, and dark hair.

The Brittons served throughout the four years of the conflict. Both fell wounded at 2nd Bull Run on August 29, 1862, and in early 1864, both would reenlist, offering to serve another three years, or until the war was decided. It appears Elias fell ill near war's end, and was absent when the regiment mustered out of service on July 17, 1865. The records indicate that Israel deserted on March 15, 1865. Both, however, are listed as "Veterans" in the regimental muster rolls, having served nobly in the ranks of Company A and even shedding some of their blood in combat.

We Interrupt Your Normal Broadcasting. . .

2011-05-19T05:33:00.006-04:00

. . .to bring you this special announcement.

If you have not yet already noticed on the right-hand panel, there is a new video out there, shot on site on the battlefields of South Mountain, and produced by my good friend, colleague, and fellow blogger, Mannie Gentile. Narrated by yours truly, the video is a quick three+ minute promo for The Battle of South Mountain, which was published this past February by the History Press.

PROFILES: Private Charles Abel T. St.Clair, Co. A. Killed On This Date In 1864

2011-05-12T06:00:00.001-04:00

A proud Private Charles A.T. St.Clair stands for his photograph before setting off for war.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Charles St. Clair was just sixteen years of age when the American Civil War broke out that fateful spring of 1861. Too young to enlist that year, St.Clair very proudly tendered his services in February of 1864, when the 48th Pennsylvania was back home, in Schuylkill County, on a six-week furlough. The regiment's seriously depleted ranks were bolstered by the addition of hundreds of new recruits, including the now nineteen-year-old St. Clair, who entered as a private in Company A. A resident of the southern Schuylkill County area, near Port Clinton, St.Clair listed his occupation simply as "Laborer." At 4'11", he was one of the shortest members of the regiment, but his height certainly did not deter him from wielding a musket in combat. Having bid farewell to his friends and family left behind, St. Clair traveled to Annapolis, where they regiment rendezvoused before setting out with the rest of the Ninth Army Corps to link up with General George Meade's Army of the Potomac.

What followed was some of the heaviest, most sustained fighting of the Civil War. During the ten days between May 5 and May 15, 1864, the 48th Pennsylvania lost no less than 33 men killed or mortally wounded, 99 wounded, and 11 captured or missing, in action at the Wilderness and during the bloodletting that was Spotsylvania. On May 12, the regiment suffered its highest number of men lost on any single day of the war, save for August 29, 1862, at Second Bull Run.

Among the killed in action was Private St. Clair of Company A. As with his fellow comrades who were also killed that brutal day, the remains of the young man were buried near where he fell.

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48th Pennsylvania Casualties at The Wilderness & Spotsylvania:

5/5/1864-5/15/1864

Killed/Mortally Wounded (31)

Louis M. Robinhold, Company A, 5/12, Spotsylvania
Isaac Otto, Company A, 5/12, Spotsylvania
John J. Huntzinger, Company A, 5/12, Spotsylvania
Abel C.T. St. Clair, Company A, 5/12, Spotsylvania
Sgt. William Kissinger, Company B, 5/12, Spotsylvania (Died 5/24)
Cpl. David J. Davis, Company B, 5/12, Spotsylvania
Matthew Hume, Company B, 5/12, Spotsylvania
Frederick Knittle, Company B, 5/12, Spotsylvania
Laurentus C. Moyer, Company B, 5/12, Spotsylvania
Daniel Wary, Company B, 5/12, Spotsylvania
John Deitz, Company B, 5/12, Spotsylvania
Daniel Brown, Company C, 5/6, The Wilderness
Michael Mohan, Company C, 5/12, Spotsylvania (Died 5/20)
Jonathan Kauffman, Company D, 5/6, The Wilderness
Lawrence Farrell, Company E, 5/6, The Wilderness
Cpl. John Powell, Company F, 5/12, Spotsylvania (Died 5/26)
Israel Manning, Company F, 5/12, Spotsylvania
David F. Thiel, Company F, 5/6, The Wilderness
John Morrissey, Company F, 5/12, Spotsylvania
Lewis Woods, Company F, 5/12, Spotsylvania
Richard Williams, Company F, 5/12, Spotsylvania
Andrew Wessman, Company F, 5/12, Spotsylvania
Lieutenant Henry C. Jackson, Company G, 5/12, Spotsylvania
James Spencer, Company G, 5/12, Spotsylvania (Died 5/31)
John Armstrong, Company G, 5/12, Spotsylvania (Died 7/1)
William Williams, Company G, 5/12, Spotsylvania
Abraham Benscoter, Company H, 5/12, Spotsylvania
Joseph Chester, Company H, 5/12, Spotsylvania (Died 5/24)
Benjamin McArdel, Company I, 5/6, The Wilderness
Henry J. Ege, Company I, 5/12, Spotsylvania
John W. Henn, Company K, 5/12, Spotsylvania

Wounded (99)

Company A:
*Sgt. Albert C. Huckey, 5/12, Spotsylvania, Arm
*Cpl. Charles Brandenburg, 5/12, Spotsylvania, Knee
*Cpl. Jacob Honsberger, 5/12, Spotsylvania, Head (slight)
*Morgan Leiser, 5/12, Spotsylvania, Arm
*Benjamin F.C. Dreibelbeis, 5/12, Spotsylvania, Arm (slight)
*Charles Hillegas, 5/12, Spotsylvania, Back
Company B:
*Sgt. Thomas B. Williams, 5/12, Spotsylvania, Concussion by Shell
*Gottleib Shauffler, 5/12, Spotsylvania, Wrist
*David Deitz, 5/12, Spotsylvania, Foot
*John Brown, 5/12, Spotsylvania, Head
*Henry Shoppell
Company C:
*2nd Lieutenant William Clark, 5/6, Wilderness, Left Hand (slight)
*Sgt. Jonas Geiger, 5/6, Wilderness, Leg
*William Neely, 5/12, Spotsylvania, Left Leg
*William J. Haines, 5/12, Spotsylvania, Side
*Murt Brennan, 5/12, Spotsylvania
*James Coakley, 5/12, Spotsylvania
Company D:
*2nd Lieutenant H.E. Stichter, 5/12, Spotsylvania, Back (slight)
*Sgt. Henry Rothenberger, 5/12, Spotsylvania, Shoulder
*Cpl. Edward Lenhart, 5/12, Spotsylvania, Arm
*James Deitrick, 5/12, Spotsylvania, Thigh and Hand (severe)
*Botto Otto, 5/12, Spotsylvania, Leg, Arm, and Toe
*Perry L. Strausser, 5/12, Spotsylvania, Right Hand
*George S. Beisel, 5/12, Spotsylvania, Leg
*William F. Moyer, 5/12, Spotsylvania, Shoulder
*John Kohler, 5/12, Spotsylvania, Chin
*Jonas Miller, 5/12, Spotsylvania, Arm
*Joseph Zeigler, 5/12, Spotsylvania, Shoulder
*Patrick Cooligan, 5/12, Spotsylvania, Head (slight)
*Andrew Knittle, 5/12, Spotsylvania, Leg
*Gustavus H. Miller, 5/12, Spotsylvania, Leg
*Henry D. Moyer, 5/12, Spotsylvania, Side
Company E:
*Sgt. John McElrath, 5/12, Spotsylvania, Head
*Cpl. Samuel Clemens, 5/6, Wilderness, Hand (slightly)
*Cpl. William J. Morgan
*James McLaughlin, 5/12, Spotsylvania, Right Army
*George W. Schaeffer, 5/12, Spotsylvania
*David Williams, 5/12, Spotsylvania, Foot (slightly)
*W. Simmons. 5/12, Spotsylvania, Arm
*G.W. James, 5/12, Spotsylvania, Leg
*W.C. James, 5/12, Spotsylvania, Arm
*James Meighan, 5/12, Spotsylvania, Thumb
*Robert Penman, 5/12, Spotsylvania, Arm
Company F:
*Sgt. Richard Hopkins, 5/12, Spotsylvania, Hand (slight)
*William E. Taylor, 5/12, Spotsylvania, Hand
*Anthony Carroll, 5/12, Spotsylvania, Leg
*William S. Wright, 5/12, Spotsylvania
*James Brennan, 5/12, Spotsylvania, Abdomen
*Henry Holsey, 5/12, Spotsylvania, Leg
*William H. Kohler, 5/12, Spotsylvania, Back
*John Eddy, 5/12, Spotsylvania, Head
*Jno. T. Reese, 5/12, Spotsylvania, Arm
*John Crawford, 5/12, Spotsylvania, Head
*A.H. Whitman, 5/12, Spotsylvania, Leg
Company G:
*Sgt. R.M. Jones, Head (slight)
*Cpl. George Farne, Hand
*Patrick Cunningham
*John Becker, 5/6, Wilderness, Foot
*Adam Hendley, 5/6, Wilderness, Neck (slight)
*M. Berger, 5/12, Spotsylvania, Left Arm
*Clay W. Evans, 5/12, Spotsylvania, Hand
*Patrick Grant, 5/12, Spotsylvania, Arm
*William Maurer, 5/12, Spotsylvania, Shoulder
*John Kautter, 5/12, Spotsylvania, Hand
*Patrick Savage, 5/12, Spotsylvania, Arm
Company H:
*Samuel Fryberger, 5/6, Wilderness
*William Donnelly, 5/10, Ny River, Abdomen
*William Huber, 5/12, Spotsylvania, Arm
*Benjamin Koller, 5/12, Spotsylvania, Arm (slight)
*John Klineginna, 5/12, Spotsylvania, Eye
*Daniel Ohmacht, 5/12, Spotsylvania, Arm (slight)
*Albert Davis, 5/12, Spotsylvania, Thigh
*John Stevenson, 5/12, Spotsylvania, Groin
*Michael Melarkee, 5/12, Spotsylvania, Right Shoulder
*Daniel Cooke, 5/12, Spotsylvania, Foot
*John Cruikshank, 5/123, Spotsylvania, Hand
*Michael O’Brien
*Charles Focht
*John Olewine, 5/12, Spotsylvania, Hand
*Joseph Edwards, 5/12, Spotsylvania, Finger
*Thomas Palmer, 5/12, Spotsylvania, Leg
Company I:
*Sgt. Luke Swain, 5/12, Spotsylvania, Concussion of Shell, Arms & Legs
*Sgt. Jacob Ongstadt, 5/12, Spotsylvania, Head (slight)
*Cpl. D. Klase, 5/12, Spotsylvania, Thigh
*Cpl. Wesley Knittle, 5/12, Spotsylvania, Hip
*Charles Lindenmuth, 5/12, Spotsylvania, Face
*Francis Boner, 5/12, Spotsylvania, Leg
*Charles Washington Horn, 5/12, Spotsylvania, Both Legs and Hand
*M. Dooley, 5/12, Spotsylvania, Both Legs
*W. Tyson, 5/12, Spotsylvania, Concussion, Head
*Charles DeLong, 5/12, Spotsylvania, Hip
Company K:
*Cpl. George Weaver, 5/12, Spotsylvania, Breast
*David R. Dress
*Elias Fenstermaker, 5/12, Spotsylvania, Finger
*Thomas Fogarty, 5/12, Spotsylvania, Finger
*Henry Schulze, 5/12, Spotsylvania, Body
*Franklin Ely, 5/12, Spotsylvania, Foot
*Simon Hoffman, 5/12, Spotsylvania, Foot
*Andrew Webber, 5/12, Spotsylvania, Breast

Missing in Action (11)
*George Seibert, Company C
*Edward Ebert, Company D
*John D. Weikel, Company D
*William Gottschall, Company E
*George Kramer, Company F
*Harrison Bright, Company H, Deserted, Returned 6/6/64
*Michael Scott, Company H
*Lewis Aurand, Company H, Deserted, Returned 6/6/64
*James Wentzell, Company H
*W.B. Beyerle, Company I
*W.B. Shearer, Company I

Help Restore The 50th Pennsylvania Monument At Antietam!

2011-05-07T07:23:00.003-04:00

The 50th PA Monument at Antietam

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Lizzy Bianchi is a student at Honesdale High School in northeastern Pennsylvania with a great interest in the American Civil War. Last summer, while touring the Antietam Battlefield, Lizzy told her guide, Bill Sagle, that she would love to do something to help preserve the battlefield for her senior project. Bill directed her question to me, and I had just the project for her. Only a few days prior to Lizzy's visit, my colleague Brian Baracz showed me photographs of the unveiling/dedication of the 50th Pennsylvania Monument, featuring a bronze, 7'4" statue of Colonel Benjamin Christ who organized and first led the regiment and who, at Antietam, commanded the First Brigade in Orlando Willcox's Second Division, Ninth Army Corps. The photographs revealed that when first unveiled, there was a hilt (handle) on Colonel Christ's sword. That hilt is no longer there.

But Lizzy is now determined to replace it.

I suggested the idea to her and she hit the ground running. The 50th Pennsylvania was formed in the summer of 1861 with volunteers from several Pennsylvania counties. Two companies--A & C--came from Schuylkill County, as did Colonel Christ, a native of Minersville. Since other volunteers came from Lizzy's home area, she feels more of a special attachment to the regiment. . .and to this endeavor.

I placed Lizzy in touch with artist and Civil War historian Michael Kraus who last year did such excellent, excellent work in sculpting the replacement sword for the 48th Pennsylvania monument, and Mike has agreed to work on this project as well.

We are very fortunate to have someone like Lizzy undertake a project like this, especially in someone so young and so passionate about the study and preservation of history.

Reward her efforts and help her achieve her goal by donating today. Any amount, no matter how large or small, will help. Mike Kraus has estimated a total cost for this project of $3,000. Lizzy has another year to make this project a reality and I encourage all of you to show her how much her efforts are appreciated by donating today.

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To donate, send a check or money order to Lizzy Bianchi and in the subject line, write "50th Pennsylvania Monument." Send to:

Lizzy Bianchi

50th Pennsylvania Monument Restoration

32 Middle Creek Road

Lake Ariel, PA 18436

This Photograph Shows the Missing Hilt from the sheathed sword of Colonel Benjamin Christ. Let's return it!

PROFILES: Lieutenant Joseph Edwards, Co. I, 48th PA

2011-04-30T07:56:00.002-04:00

Lieutenant Joseph Edwards

(Pictured here as Sergeant)

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With Sesquicentennial fever temporarily abating and with the First Defenders-theme a thing of the past, I thought it a good time to present a Profiles piece of a 48th PA soldier, something I have not done for quite some time.

Today, a quick look at the life and service of Joseph Edwards of Company I. Edwards, a native of Schuylkill Haven, enrolled on August 15, 1861, and was mustered into service as 1st Sergeant of Company I. He was, by occupation, a tailor and at age 34 was among the older soldiers to enlist that summer of '61. He stood 5'4", with Light Hair, a Light Complexion, and Gray Eyes. Edwards served with usual distinction, advancing in rank in 2nd Lieutenant in September 1863 and finally to 1st Lieutenant on March 16, 1864.

While at the head of his company, Edwards fell wounded three months after his last promotion, on June 17, 1864, outside Petersburg. The regiment suffered heavily that day, losing several fine officers including, of course, Edwards. He was transported to Mt. Pleasant U.S. General Hospital where, on July 2, he succumbed to his wounds. He left behind a wife, Masura Edwards, of Orwigsburg and a young son. The remains of Lieutenant Joseph Edwards were brought back to his native Schuylkill Haven, where he was laid to rest in the Union Cemetery.

Lieutenant Edwards's Final Resting Place,
Union Cemetery, Schuylkill Haven, PA.

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"A Glorious Army" by Jeffry D. Wert

2011-04-27T06:53:00.003-04:00

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Jeffry Wert ranks among the most highly regarded historians of the Civil War practicing today. Even the beginning student of the conflict is quick to recognize his name, for through his many works Wert has established a reputation as an eminent scholar of the war. He has also demonstrated his mastery of the English language and skill with the pen, so to speak. Not only is he a fine historian, but he is also a superb writer. His main purview is the war in the East, with some of his past titles including, Major General Jeb Stuart: Cavalryman of the Last Cause, General James Longstreet: The Confederacy's Most Controversial Soldier, The Sword of Lincoln: The Army of the Potomac, and Gettysburg: Day Three, all excellent works.

Wert's latest title may go down as one of his finest works yet. A Glorious Army: Robert E. Lee's Triumph, 1862-1863, is a fast-paced narrative history of what is perhaps the Civil War's most famous army, under its most famous commander, during its most successful year. Wert examines thirteen months of the four-year conflict, from Lee's assumption of army command from the wounded Joseph Johnston on June 1, 1862, to the army's retreat following its mass bloodletting at Gettysburg in mid-July 1863. Along the way, Wert analyzes Lee's strategic and tactical thinking, arguing that Lee was motivated by an aggressiveness and a willingness to assume the offensive in order to destroy or crush the Union forces, continuing to wear down the North's willingness to fight. For good or ill, argues Wert, this strategy was the right one for the always outnumbered army commander to pursue. Going hand-in-hand with this, however, was the heavy toll paid by the army. During those thirteen months, says Wert, Lee's army suffered more than 90,000 casualties, and lost a disproportionate number of field and general officers, including, of course, Jackson, whose loss, says Wert, was "irreplaceable." A reader will not find in this work detailed, tactical analyses of each of the major battles that occurred during this time; instead, what we find is an overview of Lee's best year in army command, with the focus on the "big picture," but with ample discussion of the conflict as seen through the eyes of the soldiers in the ranks. The book is also laden with fine biographical portraits of Lee's lieutenants.

A Glorious Army is a synthesized history, incorporating the best of the recent scholarship on Lee and his army by such notables as Joseph Harsh, Robert Krick, and Joseph Glatthaar. Most refreshing is that this is not a work of blind hero-worshipping, which so often obscures our view of Lee, his subordinates, and his soldiers. Yes, they made mistakes; they committed errors; and they did suffer from defeats, in-fighting, and a certain degree of disfunction in the ranks. Wert discusses these, such as the persistent discipline problems and the ever-present desertions. He also does a fine job in presenting all sides to a particular controversy and in analyzing other historians' points-of-view.

There are some things with which I would disagree with Mr. Wert. For one, I do not consider Antietam a tactical draw. It was a Union victory. The fact that Lee simply held his ground the following day does not, in my estimation, equate to a military draw; he did, after all, hold the ground at Gettysburg on July 4, 1863. Lee did manage to get across the Potomac after each battle, and the war did continue after both fights. That McClellan did not pursue and deliver a crushing blow is not sufficient grounds either to declare Antietam a draw. We would never consider Chancellorsville a draw simply because Lee did not pursue Hooker across the Rapidan and deliver the final blow.

Still, A Glorious Army is a first-rate study by one of today's first-rate historians of the Civil War. I have no doubts that this book is already on the "must read" lists of almost every student of the conflict. It is a fine work, masterfully written. We would expect no less from Mr. Wert.

For more information on this title, click here.

"Siege of Washington" by John and Charles Lockwood

2011-04-25T05:25:00.006-04:00

One hundred fifty years ago today--on April 25, 1861--the United States, especially those in the capital city, breathed a little easier. On that day, the famed 7th New York Infantry and the 8th Massachusetts arrived in Washington, ten days after President Lincoln's called for troops to suppress what with the firing on Sumter had become the now hostile rebellion of America's southern states. The capital, many believed, was now safe.

Those ten days, from April 15 to April 25, had been incredibly nerve-wracking to the young nation, now torn asunder. With the capitulation of Sumter later followed by the secession of Virginia and the seizing of the United States military stations at Harpers Ferry and Norfolk, many believed Washington would surely come under attack. Fear gripped the nation; anxiety pervaded the highest levels of government. Many in the Confederacy clamored for such an action, including many high ranking military men and politicians. The papers especially demanded Washington be attacked. That it never did would later be seen as one of the Confederacy's "lost opportunities" of the conflict, since many felt the capital, ill-prepared and under-defended, could have easily fallen.

In The Siege of Washington brothers John and Charles Lockwood, both lifelong residents and historians of DC, investigate these trying days, and thus address a chapter of the conflict not frequently discussed, recounting in vivid detail the events of these days and, more importantly, describing the moods of the two nations, the Union and the Confederacy, during the war's earliest days.

Having just completed a formal review of this title which I hope will soon appear in Civil War Times, I will not go on at great length here. But I will say that this is a much-needed title, well-written, and certainly worthy of inclusion on the shelves of your Civil War library.

For more information on the book, click here.

The Lockwood brothers have also recently contributed an article to the New York Times's "Disunion" blog, titled "State of Siege." Read it here.

New Blog~ "Fiery Ordeal" ~ Dan Vermilya

2011-04-22T05:52:00.005-04:00

Please join me in welcoming to the Civil War blogosphere a dedicated young student of the great American conflagration, Dan Vermilya, who has launched a blog titled "Our Country's Fiery Ordeal," or "Fiery Ordeal" for short. It can be found here, or under my blogroll.

I first met Dan last year when he began work at Antietam as one of our summer visitor use assistants, but as far as I am concerned, Dan is a park ranger--and a good one, at that--for he proudly wears the gray and green and understands the importance and significance of what it is we are doing at Antietam.

More than this, Dan is passionate about the study of the Civil War and has recently completed his master's thesis, which focused on the experiences of Ohio troops during the Atlanta Campaign. He allowed me the pleasure of reading this manuscript, and it was excellent work. Dan provided an insightful soldiers' perspective during this 1864 campaign. I expect great things from him in the future.

While we may disagree about certain, non-Civil War topics, such as sports teams (he's a Cleveland Indians' fan, while I cheer for the Yankees), Dan is a good friend of mine. If possible, I see in him a younger version of myself. As you will read in his "Inaugural Post," his love for the study of the Civil War began at young, young age. . .as did mine. And it all started with a family trip to Gettysburg. . .as it did with me. Some of Dan's earliest and best childhood memories involve traveling to Civil War battlefields, including, of course, Antietam, where a photograph of him was snapped while he walked the Sunken Road. About ten years before this, a photograph of another young visitor was taken walking the very same ground. It's just a little funny that now, here we are, working together at Antietam, fulfilling our childhood dreams of one day wearing the gray and green of the National Park Service at one of America's most hallowed and most serene Battlefields.

Our newest Civil War blogger, Dan Vermilya, walking the Sunken Road, ca. 1996.

Yours Truly in the Sunken Road, ca. 1986.

Please make Dan feel welcome; head on over to his site, become a follower, offer your comments, and add his blog to your daily reading lists.

"Lincoln On The Civil War"

2011-04-21T06:37:00.004-04:00

Just in time for the 150th Anniversary of the outbreak of the American Civil War, Penguin Books has released Lincoln on the Civil War. This neat little keepsake book contains the full text of nine of Lincoln's most famous--and most treasured--speeches. Included within the pages of this handsomely clothed-bound book, one will find Lincoln's 1838 "Address to the Young Men's Lyceum of Springfield, Illinois," his famed "House Divided Speech" of 1858 and, of course, his February 27, 1860 "Cooper Union" speech. Included also is Lincoln's speech delivered at Independence Hall in Philadelphia on his way to Washington in February 1861, as well as the full texts of both Inaugural Addresses, the Emancipation Proclamation, Gettysburg Address, and a speech on the topic of Reconstruction, delivered April 11, 1865, just three days before his assassination.

This is a useful, handy reference and I am willing to bet teachers will especially be glad to have this in their middle and high school classrooms. And at just $13.00, there is no going wrong.

Penguin writes:
"This well-rounded selection of Abraham Lincoln's finest speeches combines the classic and obscure, the lyrical and the historical, and the inspirational and intellectual to present a historical arc marking periods of the Civil War--crisis, outbreak, escalation, victory, and Reconstruction. Addressing the conflict's multiple aspects--the issue of slavery, state versus federal power, the meaning of the Constitution, civic duty, death, and freedom--this elegant keepsake collection will make a wonderful inspirational gift for professed Lincoln fans, Civil War buffs, and lovers of rhetorical genius."

Click here for more information.

Civil War Writing Contest & Upcoming Photography Conference

2011-04-20T06:17:00.003-04:00

Just a heads' up to all those who may be interested. . .

Our friends at Civil War Interactive have recently launched a Writer's Contest, its fourth in the past fifteen years, looking for reader-submitted articles on the topic of "Civil War Battles," (but not just any battles. . .read the guidelines for more). The contest kicked off of April 15 and will run through early June, so all those so inclined, click here to learn more. Top prizes are books, which is always a good thing.

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I was also notified that the U.S. Army Heritage and Education Center in Carlisle, PA, is hosting a conference on Civil War Photography, titled Understanding War Through Imagery: The Civil War in American Memory, which looks interesting. The conference is scheduled for June 26-26, and registrations must be submitted by May 15. The release for this event is provided in part below:

In conjunction with the Civil War sesquicentennial, The U.S. Army Heritage and Education Center (www.usahec.org) & Army Heritage Center Foundation presents their Civil War Photography Conference, Understanding War through Imagery: The Civil War in American Memory June 25-26, 2011. We invite you to join us for this conference focused on the events of the Civil War, early photography and photographic techniques and related historical and research resources. The USAHEC offers a unique setting that promotes interaction between speakers and attendees, scholars and enthusiasts. This year’s speakers include both established and new scholars, who will be discussing a wide range of topics surrounding the Civil War and photography.

Please find conference brochure and schedule, speaker list and registration information at: Understanding War through Imagery Brochure.

Register by May 15 and save $10.

Recent additions to our digitized photographs include the Massachusetts MOLLUS Photograph Collection. Please see our online catalog USAHEC Online Catalog (a quick link to the Mass-MOLLUS Collection is on the lower right.) Our holdings cover a wide range of US Army resources, including books, photographs, and manuscripts.

The First Defenders, Nicholas Biddle in the New York Times

2011-04-19T05:43:00.003-04:00

I was very pleased last night when I discovered that the story of the First Defenders made its way into two excellent pieces that appeared yesterday on the New York Time's Opinionator page. I am hoping that given such attention, that these (long) neglected Pennsylvanians will resume their rightful in Civil War historiography as the first Union soldiers to arrive in Washington and the first to have shed blood when attacked in Baltimore on April 18, 1861.

Read Richard Tofel's piece on the "Battle of Baltimore," by clicking here.

Friend Ron Coddington, well-known for his Civil War Faces series, contributed a fine article specifically on the First Defenders and the story of Nicholas Biddle, which can be found here.

First Defenders!

2011-04-18T05:53:00.003-04:00

First Defenders' Monument, Reading, Pennsylvania

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I could not let today pass without a brief mention of its significance.

April 18, 2011, marks the 150th Anniversary of the First Defenders' arrival in Washington. Overlooked, indeed, largely forgotten in the vast annals of Civil War historiography, the First Defenders were the first Northern volunteers to reach the nation's capital following the outbreak of civil war in April 1861. They numbered some 475 strong, composing the ranks of five militia companies, and all of them hailed from Pennsylvania. The Ringgold Light Artillery from Reading had been drilling since January 1861, in response to militia general William Keim's urging that they be prepared should sectional hostilities erupt. Those hostilities did erupt on April 12, when Confederate forces opened fire on Fort Sumter. After a 36 hour-long bombardment, Major Robert Anderson ordered the white flag be raised, and the nation was thus plunged into fratricidal war. The day after the capitulation of Sumter, Lincoln issued a call for 75,000 volunteers, to serve a three-month term of service. Among the first companies to respond were the five First Defender units. In fact, in 1866, former Secretary of War Simon Cameron stated that the very first unit to do so was the National Light Infantry, from Pottsville. On April 17, the National Light Infantry, under the command of Captain Edmund McDonald, left Pottsville, along with the city's other pre-war militia unit, the Washington Artillerists, formed in 1840 by the then eighteen-year-old James Nagle, who rose to the rank of brigadier general in the Civil War. When the two companies departed Pottsville on that "cold, raw, and disagreeable" day, Captain James Wren led the Washington Artillerists. He travelled along with his orderly, sixty-five-year-old Nicholas Biddle, a former slave who escaped bondage some forty years earlier via the Underground Railroad. The Pottsville units arrived in Harrisburg late on the evening of April 17, joining the Ringgold Light Artillery, under Captain James McKnight, which had arrived hours earlier. Later on, the Logan Rifles from Lewistown and the Allen Infantry from Allentown arrived in the Pennsylvania capital.

Early the following morning, April 18, the militia troops were mustered into Federal service by Captain Seneca Simmons, who, one year later, met his death on the fields of Gaines's Mill. After taking the oath, the volunteers boarded train cars and set out for Baltimore. Arriving in the secessionist-leaning Maryland city, the Pennsylvanians were greeted with insults and threats and then, as they marched through the city, to Camden Station, they were pelted with bricks, rocks, bottles, and just about everything else the mob of some 2,500 "hot-blooded secessionists" could get ahold of. Nicholas Biddle was among the first struck; so too would fall a number of the members of the Allen Infantry. These men, all of them painfully wounded, thus shed the first blood of the Civil War. After this rather harrowing ordeal, the men reached Washington around 8:00 p.m. on the night of April 18. They were greeted at the depot by Major Irvin McDowell, who escorted the troops to their quarters. . .in the U.S. Capitol building. Later that night they received their muskets and accoutrements. Their uniforms would be weeks in arriving. After their three month term of service, which they spent guarding the government buildings, the First Defenders were mustered out. Most of them reenlisted in three-year organizations, mainly the 48th, 49th, 50th, 53rd, and 96th Pennsylvania Infantry and the 7th PA Cavalry. Many of these men were destined to become listed among the 620,000+ war dead. The First Defenders remain forgotten; not even a footnote. Most accounts of the war have the famed 6th Massachusetts Infantry, which marched through Baltimore on April 19, suffering several fatalities from that same mob, as the first northern volunteers to reach the nation's capital upon the commencement of sectional hostilities. They were not the first, of course. There to greet them when they arrived were the 475 Pennsylvanians who arrived 24 hours earlier.

Civil War Soldiers' Monument, Pottsville, Pennsylvania. Two of the five First Defender Companies hailed from the Schuylkill County seat.

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Surviving First Defenders Gather At Their April 18, 1901 Reunion

"Antietam: September 17, 1862" Now Available

2011-04-16T07:00:00.002-04:00

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I am taking a quick detour this morning from my focus on the First Defenders and the opening days of the American Civil War simply to announce that my Antietam: September 17, 1862 book is now available, hitting the shelves this past Wednesday, April 13.

Bob Casey, executive director of the Western Maryland Interpretative Association, approached me several years back, inquiring whether I would be interested in writing a short, succinct account of the Maryland Campaign and Battle of Antietam. I agreed to do so and, working along with friend and colleague Keith Snyder, I am very happy to say that the book has at last seen the light of day. I could not be happier with the finished product; Keith did a superb job with the layout, design, and in developing the maps.

The book is 82 pages in length, richly illustrated with several great maps. It is geared toward those who are simply hoping to gain an understanding of this important campaign and pivotal battle; those, perhaps, who plan on visiting Antietam for the first time, or for students and younger adults who have expressed in interest in history and wish to know more.

Of course, every day when I put on the 'gray and green' of the National Park Service, I do so with great pride, for I consider it quite a privilege and an honor to work at so fine a national battlefield park, alongside the best rangers the Park Service has to offer. Yet over the years, there have been some events/highlight moments that stick out: helping to lead the Battle Anniversary hikes each year is a great, great honor, and last year's restoration of the 48th Pennsylvania Monument and replacement of General Nagle's sword ranks among my proudest moments. The publication of Antietam: September 17, 1862, by the Western Maryland Interpretative Association, is another of these accomplishments that will stick with me.

To learn more, or to order a copy, please click here .

The Union's First Defenders: The Ringgold Light Artillery

2011-04-13T06:22:00.005-04:00

Yesterday, April 12, 2011, marked the 150th Anniversary of the Civil War's opening shots at Fort Sumter. What followed were four of the most brutal and devastating years in America's young history. In terms of numbers of alone, more than 620,000 soldiers--Union and Confederate--perished in the great American conflagration, or 2% of the entire population. Today, 2% of our population would exceed six million. Yet that 620,000 number is far too low, for they stopped counting the war's casualties in the Spring of 1865. But what of those whose wartime wounds cut short their lives in the late 1860s and 1870s? Those young men, carrying the scars of the conflict and perishing in their thirties and early forties?

For the past several months, my focus on this blog had been on the First Defenders of the Union, those very first volunteer troops who arrived in Washington upon the outbreak of civil war and in response to President Lincoln's April 15, 1861, call-to-arms. They were Pennsylvanians from the counties of Schuylkill, Mifflin, Lehigh, and Berks, some 475 strong who entered the nation's capital on the evening of April 18, 1861. Thus far in our examination of these largely overlooked early volunteers, we have looked at the National Light Infantry and Washington Artillerists of Pottsville, the Logan Guards of Lewistown, and the Allen Infantry of Allentown.

Today, we will focus on the last of the five companies of First Defenders, the Ringgold Light Artillery from Reading, in Berks County.

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The Ringgold Light Artillery was a militia company formed in Reading, Pennsylvania, in August 1850. From that point until the outbreak of civil war, it was commanded by Captain James McKnight who, after serving his first ninety-day enlistment with the First Defenders, would go on to serve as major of the 5th United States Artillery.

McKnight kept up his company with regular training and parade reviews. In the winter of 1860-1861, in the midst of the secession crisis, McKnight called together his company more frequently, preparing them for what he prophesied would be armed conflict with the rebellious Southern states. On April 15, just three days after the war's inaugural shots at Sumter, the Ringgold Light Artillery was drilling, with full ranks and fully equipped, at their parade ground near Reading when a telegraph arrived announcing Lincoln's call for 75,000 men to serve a three-month term of service.

Immediately, a telegraph was fired off to Governor Curtin's office in Harrisburg: "The Ringgold Light Artillery are parading this morning with their guns for practice; have ninety men on parade, every one of them expecting to be ordered on duty for the U.S. service before they leave their guns."

A short time later, a response came from Eli Slifer, Secretary of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania: "Captain James McKnight: Bring your command to Harrisburg by first train. If any of your men need equipments, they will be provided by the general Government. Lose no time."

And with that, the Ringgold Light Artillery marched off to war. . .and into the history books as one of the first volunteer companies to reach Washington after the start of hostilities. They, along the with National Light Infantry, Washington Artillerists, Logan Guards, and Allen Infantry, were the nation's First Defenders.

April 21, 1861, Photograph of the Ringgold Light Artillery at the Washington Navy Yard

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The Ringgold Light Artillery
Reading, Pennsylvania

Captain James McKnight

Lieutenant George W. Durell

Lieutenant William Graeff
Lieutenant Henry Nagle
Sergeant Daniel Kreishner

Sergeant Henry Rush

Sergeant Jeremiah Seiders
Sergeant Amos Drenkel
Sergeant James Fox

Corporal Levi Homan
Corporal Frederick Folkman
Corporal Jacob Womert
Corporal Horatio Leader
Corporal John Hook

Privates

Anthony Ammon
Charles B. Ansart
James Anthony
Aaron Bechtel
David Bechtel
Augustus Berger
George S. Bickley
Charles A. Bitting
Harrison G. Bouse
William W. Bowers
Reuben Burkhart
William Christ
Henry Coleman
Daniel M. Dickinson
William C. Eben
Edward G. Ebling
George B. Eckert
Henry E. Eisenbeis
Robert Eltz
Benjamin F. Ermentrout
Samuel Evans
Adam Faust
William W. Fix
Henry Fleck
Harrison T. Fox
Christian Frantz
Adam Frees
John Frees, Jr.
Daniel Frey
Charles Gebhart (Gerhart)
Henry Geiger
James H. Gentzler
Addison Gery (Gehry)
George Green
Lemuel Gries
William Haberocker
Samuel Hamilton
Andrew S. Helms
Jacob Hessler
Nathaniel B. Hill
Franklin Housel
Amos Huyett
John L. Kennedy
George W. Knabb
John D. Koch
Peter Lantz
George Lauman
George D. Leaf
Daniel Leeds
Isaac Leeds
Jacob Leeds
Aaron Levan
Charles Levan
Daniel J. Levan
Christopher Loeser
Harrison Lutz
Daniel Maltzberger
James L. Mast
Howard McIlvaine
Joseph H. McKnight
John H. McLenegan
William Miller
William P. Mock
Charles P. Muhlenberg
Henry Neifert (Neihart)
Edward P. Pearson
Frederick Peck
James Pfleiger
Frederick Phillipi
Francis Rambo
Isaiah Rambo
William Rapp, Jr.
George Rhoads
Charles Rick
Ferdinand Ritter
Henry Rush
William Sauerbier
Franklin Schaeffer
Franklin Schmeck
Edward Scull
Albert H. Seybert
Jonathan Shearer
Jackson Sherman
Albert Shiery
George W. Silvis
Edmund L. Smith
William H. Smith
Charles Spangler
Henry Whiteside
Daniel Whitman
Samuel Whitner
Frederick Yeager
Daniel Yohn
John L. Yohn

April 16 Program/Signing At Harpers Ferry

2011-04-06T06:44:00.004-04:00

Next Saturday, April 16, I will be delivering a short presentation and signing copies of my South Mountain book at Harpers Ferry National Historic Site. I will be joined throughout the weekend by such friends as Tom Clemens, Scott Mingus, and Steve Stanley, who will also be signing.

I am looking forward to this event as Harpers Ferry kicks off its Civil War Sesquicentennial programming, which will run through 2015,

For more on the weekend's activities and a schedule of events, click here . I hope to see you next weekend in one of America's most historic little towns.

The Union's First Defenders: The Allen Infantry

2011-04-01T08:07:00.005-04:00

The first Northern volunteers to arrive in Washington in response to President Abraham Lincoln’s first call-to-arms in April 1861 were Pennsylvanians from Schuylkill, Berks, Mifflin, and Lehigh Counties, organized into five companies. Over the past few weeks, we have examined three of these companies: The Washington Artillerists, National Light Infantry, and Logan Guards. Today, in continuing with our look at the Union’s First Defenders in commemoration of the approaching Sesquicentennial, we will examine the youngest of the five First Defenders companies, the Allen Infantry, from Allentown, Pennsylvania.

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The Allen Infantry was organized in 1859 and was commanded by Captain Thomas Yeager, who, by most accounts, was a good officer though a strict disciplinarian. As the company’s historian, James Schaadt, wrote, Yeager regularly drilled his company, which, by the outbreak of war, “had arrived at a fair stage of efficiency in Scott’s Tactics.” The uniform worn by the Allen Infantry was gray, with gold trimmings. In February 1861, Yeager and his men paraded with President-Elect Lincoln through the streets of Philadelphia, and accompanied the soon to be sworn in president on his journey to Harrisburg. Two months later, when Lincoln issued his call for 75,000 volunteers to serve a three-month term of enlistment, the soldiers of the Allen Infantry were quick to respond.

As soon as word arrived of the firing upon Fort Sumter, Thomas Yeager boarded a train car and headed for Harrisburg to personally offer the services of his company to Governor Andrew Curtin. The governor issued him a captain’s commission, certainly one of the first issued during the war, and Yeager returned to Allentown to call up his men. “Men, especially young men,” said Schaadt, “left furrow and workshop and office in obedience to the call,” and it was not long before the muster-rolls were full. The citizens of Allentown prepared a farewell dinner for Yeager and his men, placing a five-dollar bill under each of the plates for the men to use on their journey. No matter how kind and thoughtful the gesture, these five-dollar bills were issued by local banks and could not be used anywhere other than Lehigh County.

After dinner, the soldiers of the Allen Infantry departed their homes and families, setting off by rail to Harrisburg. April 17 was a cold day and a layer of snow still covered the ground, even at that late spring date; still, this did not prevent the people of Allentown from turning out in large numbers to bid farewell to their gallant company of volunteers. As the train sped away from East Penn Junction, “Most of the volunteers then regarded the journey as a pleasant change from daily occupation, a picnic and agreeable visit to the National Capital; a very few, more serious, realized it was the beginning of war, with its horrors, cruelties, and privations,” wrote James Schaadt.

Crowds turned out at various stations along the route to Harrisburg, cheering the volunteer soldiers along the way. They arrived in the state capital that evening, where they joined up the Logan Guard, Ringgold Light Artillery, Washington Artillerists, and National Light Infantry. Unfortunately for Captain Yeager, he did not get much sleep that night. Around 1:00 a.m. on the morning of April 18, a loud knock came on the captain’s door. It was militia General William Keim, telling Yeager that he and his men were to head immediately to Washington with their muskets loaded. Yeager, still groggy, replied that his men’s weapons were useless, having no locks and no flints. Keim responded by telling Yeager that they could be used as clubs. Clearly, there were some who anticipated trouble during their journey to Washington.

Despite his early wake-up call, Yeager and the soldiers of the Allen Infantry would not depart Harrisburg until 8:10 a.m. on the morning of April 18, having just been sworn into Federal service. Two trains of the Northern Central Railroad, each pulling twenty-one cars, departed Harrisburg and headed south toward Baltimore, where they arrived at 2:00 p.m. Of course, a mob of nearly 2,500 Baltimoreans had gathered, determined to prevent the Yankee troops from passing through their city. Mayor George Brown and Marshal George Kane arrived with the city police force, which was to escort the largely unarmed Pennsylvanians through the city to Camden Station, where they were to board another train for Washington. The men marched nervously through the city, subjected to the jeers and insults of an increasingly angry mob. “Roughs and toughs, longshoremen, gamblers, floaters, idlers, red-hot secessionists, as well as men ordinarily sober ad steady,” described Schaadt, “crowded upon, pushed and hustled the little band and made every effort to break the thin line. Some, mounted upon horses, were prevented with difficulty by the policemen from riding down the volunteers. The mob heaped insults upon the men, taunted them, cursed them, called to them, ‘Let the police go and we will lick you,’ ‘You will never get back to Pennsylvania,’ ‘Abolitionists! Convicts! Stone them, kill them,’ . . . ‘Hurrah for Jeff Davis,’ ‘Hurrah for South Carolina.’” As Schaadt concluded, “It was a severe trial for the volunteers with not a charge of ball or powder in their pockets. . . .”

At last, the Pennsylvanians reached Camden Station, but this is where the mob’s anger turned to violence. Bricks, bottles, stones, and anything else the mob could get their hands on, were hurled at the Pennsylvanians, causing a number of painful injuries, particularly in the ranks of the Allen Infantry. Privates Edwin Hittle and Ignatz Gresser were struck down; Private David Jacobs was hit in the mouth by a brick, which knocked out his front teeth before he fell unconscious to the ground. Private Henry Wilson Derr was struck in the ear, which caused him to lose his hearing.

“Fortunately, the cars into which the infantry clambered were box or freight cars not furnished with seats,” said Schaadt, “but whose wooden roof and sides protected the volunteers from the shower of cobbles and bricks now rained upon them by the rioters, more than ever infuriated at seeing their prey escape.” At long last, having made their way through this harrowing ordeal in the streets of Baltimore, the First Defenders arrived in Washington and were assigned quarters. The Allen Infantry was assigned to the Vice President’s Office in the Capitol Building.

The First Defenders remained in the defenses of Washington for the entirety of their three-month term of service before being mustered out in late July 1861. Returning to Allentown, the soldiers of the Allen Infantry were quick to reenlist in other organizations, especially the 47th, 53rd, and 128th Pennsylvania Volunteers. Many of them would give their lives during the course of the conflict, including Thomas Yeager who, as Major of the 53rd Pennsylvania, was killed in action at Fair Oaks, Virginia, on June 1, 1862. His remains were returned to Allentown where they were interred in the Union Cemetery.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

The Allen Infantry

Allentown, Pennsylvania

* * * * * *

Captain Thomas Yeager

1st Lieutenant James M. Wilson

1st Sergeant Joseph T. Wilt

2nd Sergeant Solomon Goebel

Sergeant John Winne

Sergeant Henry Sawyer

Sergeant George Junker

Sergeant Charles W. Abbott

Corporal William Wolf

Corporal John E. Webster

Corporal Ignatz Gresser

Corporal Daniel Kramer

Privates

Theodore Anderson

Francis Bach

Henry Cake

Norman H. Cole

Ephraim Dare

Charles Dietrich

Wilson H. Derr

Milton Dunlap

William Early

William G. Frame

Charles C. Frayer

Gideon Frederick

Matthew Fuller

Samuel Garner

James Geidner

Otto Greippe

Edwin Gross

George F. Henry

Joseph Hetinger

Nathaniel Hillagoss

Edwin M. Hittle

John F. Hoffman

John Houck

Joseph Houser

George Hoxworth

David Jacobs

George W. Keiper

Alexander Kercher

William Kress

Maxmillian Lakemeyer

Isaac Lapp

Paul Leiberman

Martin Leisenring

Franklin Leh

Edwin Miller

Thomas McAllister

Henry McNulty

Theodore Mink

Charles Orbann

Charles A. Pfeffer

Jonathan W. Reber

George W. Rhoads

William Rhue

John Romig

Ernest Rothman

Charles A. Schiffert

Samuel Schneck

Stephen Schwartz

Lewis G. Seip

Adolph Sheidler

Enville Sheidler

Marcus H. Sigman

Charles Spring

Adolph Stehfast

Henry Storch

John Uhler

Martin Veith

William Wagner

John Weber

Benneville Weigandt

Darius Weiss

Joseph Weiss

Allen Wetherhold

Frederick Zuck

James Schaadt, Company Historian

"War in Human Form" At Mysteries and Conundrums

2011-03-25T15:53:00.002-04:00

Mysteries and Conundrums, maintained largely by the staff at Fredericksburg & Spotsylvania National Military Park, is one of the very best Civil War blogs out there. Today, esteemed historian John Hennessy posted a poignant story about Private Henry Ege of the 48th Pennsylvania, for which he has given me much credit, though I only supplied the photographs and factual information. Mr. Hennessy deserves high praise for his eloquence in penning this moving account of so young a soldier to give his life to the nation and in capturing the human side of war.

Please click here to read Hennessy's thoughts in "War in Human Form."

The Union's First Defenders: The Logan Guards

2011-03-12T06:28:00.005-05:00

The Logan Guards was a militia company founded in 1858 in Lewistown, the seat of Mifflin County in central Pennsylvania. A public meeting held in August 1858 established the constitution and by-laws of the company and immediately thereafter John B. Selheimer was elected its captain.

The company was quickly organized and it was not long before it was brought up to strength. Company and squad drills were conducted nearly every night at the company’s headquarters, an unfinished brick building on Logan Street, which had originally been intended for a church, but was now converted into an armory and drill room. Assisting Selheimer and his lieutenants in drilling the recruits were two other militia officers from nearby areas: Captain Henry Zollinger of Perry County, who would later lead a company in the 49th Pennsylvania, and Captain William Irwin, a Mexican-American War veteran who held command of the Juniata Guards of Mifflin County. Irwin would later serve in the Logan Guards and rise to brigade commander’s rank in the Civil War.

Even before the firing upon Fort Sumter on April 12, 1861, Captain Selheimer offered the services of the Logan Guards to Governor Andrew Curtin, of Pennsylvania. On April 16, and in response to Lincoln’s first-call-to-arms, Curtin summoned the Logan Guards to Harrisburg. The company immediately responded and by the following morning, had arrived in the state capital where it was joined by Ringgold Light Artillery, National Light Infantry, Washington Artillerists, and Allen Infantry.

Together with these four other companies, the Logan Guards would march into history the following day—April 18—when they arrived in Washington, first in defense of the Union. They shared in the dangerous march through Baltimore, in which several of these Pennsylvanians shed the first blood of the war, and would spend their thirty-days’ term of service mainly at Fort Washington, along with Pottsville’s Washington Artillerists.

Near the end of July, the Logan Guards were mustered out of service and the men began their journey home. Private William McKay described the journey home: “Having been mustered out of the United States service and received our pay in gold, we astonished the citizens of Harrisburg by our soldierly appearance and exemplary conduct. We arrived home safely. The entire population turned out to receive us and we received a perfect ovation. The citizens and the ‘Slemmer Guards’ received us with all the honors, the members thereof being of the most respectable families. A bounteous and never-to-be-forgotten dinner was provided for us in the Court House, and speeches of welcome were made and responded to, after which we broke ranks and the old Logan Guards ceased to have an organized existence.”

Yet the war was just beginning. Most of the men who marched off to war with the Logan Guards reenlisted that summer of Summer of 1861 and many would go on to great laurels and distinction in the Civil War. Indeed, no less than thirty-three Logan Guards would rise to commissioned officers’ rank. Among the notable were Thomas Hulings, William Irwin, Joseph A. Matthews, and William Galbraith Mitchell, who would become one of Major General Winfield Scott Hancock’s most trusted aides.

The following is the roster of the Logan Guards, complete with a brief record of their subsequent wartime service.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

The Logan Guards

Captain John B. Selheimer

Lieutenant Colonel, 25th PA

1st Lieutenant Thomas M. Hulings

Colonel, 49th PA; Killed in Action At Spotsylvania, 5/10/1864

2nd Lieutenant Robert W. Patton
Major, 131st PA
3rd Lieutenant William H. Irwin

Colonel, 49th PA; Brigadier General

1st Sergeant Joseph A. Matthews
Major, 46th PA; Colonel, 128th PA; Bvt. Brigadier General
Sergeant Joseph S. Waream
Captain, Co. K, 131st PA
Sergeant Henry A. Eisenbise
Lieutenant, 45th PA; Captain, Co. A, 46th PA (Twice prisoner of war)
Sergeant William B. Weber
Adjutant, 46th PA; Captain, Co. A, 46th PA
Sergeant Chauncey M. Shull
Corporal, 2nd I, 83rd PA
Quartermaster Sergeant David Wasson
Commissary Sergeant William T. McEwen
Major, 1st PA Cavalry
Corporal Elias Eisenbise

Captain, Co. F, 107th PA

Corporal Porter P. Butts
Corporal John M. Nolte
Captain, Co. A, 46th PA
Corporal Frederick Hart
Sergeant, Co. F, 107th PA; Killed at Gettysburg, 7/1/1863
Fifer Samuel McLaughlin
Drummer William Hooper
Sergeant, Co. A, 46th PA; Mortally Wounded, Chancellorsville, Died 5/5/63

Privates

Jesse J. Alexander

Corporal, Co. C, 1st PA Cavalry
William E. Benner
Robert Betts

Private, Co. C, 1st PA Cavalry
William H. Bowsman

Private, Co. A, 46th PA; Captured at Winchester, 5/25/62; Released
James D. Burns

Quartermaster Sergeant, Co. A, 20th PA Cavalry
Jeremiah Cogley

2nd Lt. U.S. Marines
Emmanuel Cole

Henry Comfort

Corporal, Co. A , 4th PA (1862 Militia)
Samuel Comfort

2nd Lieutenant, Co. A, 4th PA (1862 Militia); Private, Co. C, 78th PA
William R. Cooper

Private, 76th PA
William Cowden

Private, Co. A, 46th PA; Killed at Cedar Mountain, 8/9/1862
Franklin D’Armit

Thomas Dewees

Private, Co. A, 1st PA Cavalry; Private, Co. F, 16th PA Cavalry
James Eckeberger

Captain, Co. C, 49th PA
George W. Elberty

Sergeant-Major, 46th PA
W. Asberry Elberty

Musician, Co. A, 4th PA (1862 Militia); Co. A, 36th PA (1863 Militia)
Joseph Bingham Ferrerr

Daniel Fessler

Stevens’s Battery (Independent, Battery E), PA Artillery
Abraham Files

Private, Co. D, 131st PA
Owen M. Fowler

Captain, U.S.C.T.
George M. Freeborn

William H. Freeborn

Captain, Co. B, 49th PA; Mortally Wounded at Fredericksburg while laying Pontoons;

Died 8/20/1863
Joseph A. Frichthorn

Sergeant, 78th PA
George Hart
Private, 78th PA
James W. Henry
Sergeant, 149th PA
John Hughes
Private, Co. C, 20th PA Cavalry; Died of Disease
John T. Hunter
Captain, 1st U.S.C.T.; Mortally Wounded, Fort Wagner, SC
James M. Jackson
Private, 12th U.S. Infantry
John W. Jones
Sergeant, Co. F, 107th PA; Wounded at Fredericksburg
Henry F. Kaiser

Jonathan S. Kauffman

Private, 131st PA
Thomas Kinkade

Private, Co. A, 46th PA; Died at New Market of Wounds, 5/11/1862
John Langton

Private, Mann’s Independent Company, (1862 Militia)
Charles Laub (Lamb)

Sergeant, 1st DC Volunteers; Died of Disease
Elias Link
Private, Co. A, 46th PA; Died at Harpers Ferry, 11/11/1862
George J. Loff

Samuel B. Marks

1st Lieut., Co. A, 4th PA Militia (1862)
Robert A. Matthews

William McCay (McCoy)

Private, Co. F, 107th PA
William McEwen
John A. McKee

Captain, Co. A, 4th PA Militia (1862)
William McKnew

Private 24 54th PA
John S. Miller

Private, Co. K, 131st PA
Joseph A. Miller

Private, 2nd Co., 78th PA
William Mitchell

Captain, 49th PA; Chief-of-Staff to General Winfield Scott Hancock

Robert Morten
Corporal, 22nd PA Cavalry; Killed in Action, 1864
John Nail (Nale)
Corporal, Co. F, 107th PA; Died 10/9/62 of wounds received at Antietam
Robert Nelson
Private, Co. C, 6th PA Militia (1862)
William A. Nelson
1st Sergeant, Co. K 131st PA; Captain Co. K, 36th PA Militia (1863)
Thomas A. Nurse
Corporal, Co. A, 46th PA; Killed at Antietam, 9/17/1862
John M. Postlethwait
Musician, 49th PA Band
Joseph W. Postlethwait
Musician, 49th PA Band
James Price
Henry Printz
1st Sergeant, Co. A, 46th PA; Lieut., 205th PA
James Rager (Roger)
Private, Co. D, 49th PA; Died of Disease, 5/11/1864
Bronson Rothrock
Corporal, Co. A, 46th PA
Nathaniel W. Scott
Corporal, Co. C, 1st PA Cavalry; Died 7/2/1863 in Libby Prison, from
Wounds received at Brandy Station
William Sherwood
Captain, Co. F, 49th PA
Augustus Smith
Sergeant, Co. F, 107th PA; 1st Sergeant, 22nd PA
James T. Smith
49th PA
Theodore Smith
Sergeant, Co. K, 131st PA; Private, 2nd Co., 78th PA
George A. Snyder
Private, Co. K, 131st PA; Private, 2nd Co., 78th PA
Lucien T. Snyder
Charles W. Stahl
Private, Co. A, 4th PA Militia (1862)
Francis Sterrett
2nd Lieutenant, Co. D, 107th PA
Gideon M. Tice
Sergeant, Co. A, 4th PA Militia (1862); Private, 2nd Co., 79th PA
Thomas M. Utley
Adjutant, 4th PA Militia (1862); Adjutant, 36th PA Militia (1863); Clerk in War
Department
Henry G. Walters
Gilbert Waters
Captain, Co. L, 9th PA Cavalry; Killed in Action, 6/28/1863
David B. Weber
1st Lieutenant, Co. K, 131st PA; Corporal Co. C, 78th PA
Franklin H. Wentz

Captain, Co. F, 107th PA; Wounded at Gettysburg, 7/1/1863

David Wertz
Died of rheumatism, 1862
George White
Corporal, Co. C, 1st PA Cavalry; Wounded, 5/9/64; Captured, 6/21/64;
Released; Believed to have died of wounds
Phillip Winterod
Private, Co. D, 49th PA; Killed in Train Accident
Edwin Ziegler
Captain, Co. G, 107th PA; Major & Brevet Lt. Col., 107th PA

The Union's First Defenders: Sergeant Val Stichter's Diary: Part Two: June-July, 1861

2011-03-07T07:32:00.002-05:00

We conclude today with the final two months' entries of Valentine Stichter, a First Defender serving in the Washington Artillerists, of Pottsville. Stichter along with most of his company were assigned to guard duty at Fort Washington, several miles south of Washington along the Potomac, where the men were drilled and trained in soldiering under the leadership of Major Joseph A. Haskins of the U.S. Regular Army. The level of frustration among the First Defenders grew, however, as the weeks passed and they remained inactive.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

June

1—Engagement at Aquia Creek by Pawnee and two other vessels destroying secessionists’ battery. Heard the report of the guns here to-day. News brought up by steamer St. Nicholas. T. Riley and A. Russel came here last night at 12 o’clock. Brought soap for men. All well. Rain in the evening. Another rumor of us going to Washington. Major Haskins writes on to keep us here.
2—Sunday. Inspection with knapsack on. Steamer Chas. Freeborn passed here on her way to Alexandria for repairs. Had four holes in her. Captain said two batteries destroyed; a number of rebels killed; none of our men hurt; cannon ball knocked off one of our men’s hats, but not hurting him.
Depot and other buildings burned. Articles of war read. Wrote letter home.
3—Commenced four drills per day. On picket guard.
4—Came off picket. Chopped wood for cooks. Raining. Word received by Gypsey. All quiet at Aquia Creek. A regular hobbled in blacksmith shop for deserting; his third time. Received havelocks, etc, with letter from Brother Joe. All well. Bath in river.
5—Appointed orderly for Lieutenant Reynolds. Rain. Thos. Wren, Frick, Shippen and Snyder visited us. Companies were divided, 17 taken out of the Logan Guards.
6—Company B moved to our old quarters on the hill. John Curry went over to Company B. R.C. Wilder and S. Harris visited us. Notified of my appointment as third sergeant. Chas. Potts and Geo. Hartman, cooks; Chas. Van Horn, assistant. Rain.
7—Entered upon my duties. Wilder went home. Shipped our boxes off on steamer Gypsey. Beefsteak for dinner.
8—Took a bath. Five negro runaways came to wharf. Offered themselves to Major Haskins. They were forward to Washington.
9—Sunday. Came off picket. Inspection. Shippen and Snyder started for home.
10—Lieutenant Nagle, Wallace and myself went to the ravine to look for petrified shells, etc. Very warm.
11—Arrangements made for mail daily. A basket of letters lost. Five drills to-day. All well.
12—Major Haskins gone to Washington. Captain D.A. Smith acting commander of the fort. Two skirmishing parties of Federal troops had an engagement on James River. Ten of our troops killed and wounded. General Butler afterwards reinforced the battery taken.
13—Major Haskins reports. Order written for our removal by General Mansfield, but declined leaving us to. Richards and others from Minersville here.
14—Practicing at aiming. John Curry preparing for work. Jas. H. Campbell and Dr. Owens arrived.
15—Cleaned up all the quarters. Campbell franked 500 envelopes for the company.
16—Sunday. Inspection at 8 o’clock. Wrote a letter to wife and two for C. Hinkle. Complimented by Major Haskins on our appearance.
17—Logan Guards moved into their new quarters. Signal rockets seen by our pickets. Troops up under arms last night in Alexandria and Washington, reported by Drummer Bowen.
18—D.B. Christ paid us a visit. William Bartholomew received an appointment in the army as second lieutenant to report at Illinois in ten days; D.A. Smith, major, commanding; F.B. Wallace, adjutant, of dress parade; engagements 15 miles above Alexandria. Fifteen killed and wounded of our troops.
19—D.B. Christ returned to Washington; his business here to get the companies for three years did not succeed. Saw a balloon floating over Washington, which is to be used taking observations of the surrounding country.
20—Very warm, captain gone to Washington.
21—On duty as sergeant. Very warm.
22—Maize and Rickert arrived. Received our dress coats.
23—Sunday. Inspection at 8 o’clock. Church at 10 o’clock and 3 o’clock; Maize preached.
24—On parade to Washington city. Purchased things wanted after dinner. City lined with volunteers. Went to theatre in the evening. Stopped by patrol going to boarding house.
25—Had our photographs taken . B. Reilly came. Gilmour and I went with him to Colonel Cake’s quarters. All took dinner with him and Major Campbell; after dinner visited infantry’s quarters. Rode with him to War Department. Saw the White House on our way. Two regiments arrived from Milwaukee.
26—More soldiers arriving. Went to Alexandria. Two deserted. Military seen quartered in all the streets.
27—Started on duty. Regimental parade.
28—B. Riley started for home. Engagement three miles from Alexandria
29—Three large steamers passed loaded with Massachusetts troops. Brought the steamer Jas. Guy to by a 32-pounder. Sent company photograph to wife. Party out scouting.
30—Sunday. General monthly inspection of all the troops. Rain to-day. Read chapter in testament.

July

1—All anxious to know what time we were to be discharged. Rain. Received papers from Brother H.
2—Heber S. Thompson came back. Steamer Pawnee and Pocahontas went down to Aquia Creek and Matthias Point to reconnoiter.
3—First target practice by company. Had the most in target, 5 out of 5. F.T. Brown, Garret and others arrived. Comet very large, has been visible one week north of west.
4—Salute of 34 guns from nine of the guns from the fort. No whisky allowed in the camp. A lonesome Fourth. Sat on parapets of water battery looking at fireworks going on at Washington.
5—Regular drills. Target practice at 300 yards. Got nine balls in target out of ten. Major gave sentinels extra instructions through the night; expecting an attack.
6—Target practice again; have 13 balls out of 15 in best shot. John Bannan, Shippen, Evans and others arrived. Another scouting party out. Great sport seeing the old fellows lay down on our bunks to sleep.
7—Weather very hot. Got a contraband slave at 12 o’clock M. with a small boat.
8—John Bannan and party started for Washington. Also Major Haskins. Major orders for muster-out rolls to be made for the 17th of July.
9—Three contraband slaves came to wharf to-day. Father of one that came Sunday. Rain in the evening. Very welcome. No dress parade.
10—Major Campbell and C.M. Atkins arrived here. Brought news of our being discharged on the 17th of this month. Captain E.L. Hartz was here.
11—Campbell, Atkins and Hartz started for Washington. Weather fine. Went up ravine again; found turtle heads; hard work to dig them out. Dobson, Esterly and Judge Foster came.
12—Esterly and company went to Washington. Paymaster Cameron and Adjutant General Thomas arrived. Received pay up to June 1, 1861, $23.60. Complimented by the adjutant on our drilling. Dissatisfaction of the Logan Guards in not receiving any pay on account of pay roll not being right. They term us Major Haskins’ pets. Bayonet exercise to-day. A shell fired from the fort up the river for the benefit of adjutant, his wife and daughters.
13—Rain. No drills. Packed up baggage and knapsacks. News of Captain McDonald’s company being disbanded and on their way home from Harrisburg. Jas. Graeff arrived here to-day. Named the bunks to-day; ours is the Continental House and Restaurant.
14—Sunday. Off main guard.
15—Cane off main guard. Heber S. Thompson was made orderly for the officer of the day by Captain Smith. Wrote two letters.
16—Fired at target yesterday; made poor showing. Looking for steamer.
17—Gold pencil from the ladies of Pottsville was presented to Major Haskins to-day by our officers. Making preparations to leave to-morrow for certain. Received a letter from father. Abraham Nagle came Thursday.
18—No battalion parade; all anxious to see the reinforcements; disappointed. C. Sheetz started for home this evening on a schooner.
19—Company skirmish drill this morning. All hands on the lookout for steamer with troops. Report started to-morrow for certain.
20—On the lookout for steamers. Major received an order of mustering us out; to start for Washington to-morrow and leave our arms at the arsenal; no reinforcement for the fort; major takes it very hard.
21—On main guard. Still at our post. Steamboats busy transporting troops to Alexandria. Sixteen thousand sent out of Washington to-day. Heavy cannonading in direction of Manassas Junction from 3 o’clock this morning, keeping up at intervals all day. Supposed by us to be a hot battle. Sound of guns seem nearer as if on the retreat this evening, 6 o’clock. At 12 o’clock this night steamer Baltimore came to wharf with news of our troops retreating toward Alexandria, with orders for Major Haskins to put things in working order around the fort. The guard employed in getting ammunition for the companies. The regulars load all the cannon. All hands have to have their cartridge boxes filled. Positions given for each company. Anticipation of an attack by the rebels, in crossing the river below us. All prepared. Wrote to wife.
22—Raining. All quiet. Lieutenant Wallace gone to Washington bearer of dispatches from major to War Department concerning our removal. Steamers Pawnee and Pocahontas passed here on their way to Washington. Brig. Perry lying off Alexandria. Steamer Gypsey seized by Major Haskins and attached to Brig. Perry. News of fight yesterday better than was reported here. Had fire in the stove in officers’ quarters to-day. Wore our overcoats. Cold rain all day. Another battle in Virginia to-day. Living on hard bread, pork and beans.
23—Cleaned up the quarters of the water battery. Quite a number of Government vessels and steamers passing up the river. Various reports of the Manassas battle; the one of our batteries being taken is false. General McDowell reported to have been arrested by order of General Scott. Steamer Mt. Vernon arrived with Christopher Loeser and daughter, of Pottsville, in company with two gentlemen and other ladies in time to see our dress parade. Lieutenant Patton and orderly sergeant of Logan Guards have gone to Washington to demand their pay or discharge.
24—Saw the balloon ascend in rear of Alexandria; landed nearly opposite the fort on the Virginia side. Steamer Philadelphia landed at the wharf to take us to Washington; left the fort at 7:30 P.M.; reached Washington Arsenal at 9:10 P.M. Exchanged our muskets and were quartered in officers’ building outside of the arsenal grounds. Guard of three from each company detailed to keep men from going up to the city. Officers went to War Department to see about transportation.
25—At 7:30 o’clock order to march to depot. Formed line immediately. Very dusty and warm. Remained at depot until 1 P.M. Started for Baltimore. Reached Baltimore at 9 P.M. Served bread and coffee. Started for Harrisburg at 3 o’clock A.M.
26—Arrived Little York at 6:30 A.M. Cheered along the route. Arrived in Harrisburg at 9:45. Stacked muskets in depot. Slept at depot.
27—Arrangements for mustering us out. Moved to Capitol. Some 10,000 or 12,000 volunteers in town; Capitol grounds covered with them waiting to be paid. Second Pennsylvania Regiment marched to quarters of paymaster and demanded pay. Twelfth Regiment three-year troops brought down double-quick from Camp Curtin to guard the arsenal.
28—Went downtown to be mustered out, but could find none of the mustering-out officers. Returned and handed our muskets over at arsenal; to be mustered out and paid to-morrow morning.
29—At 5 o’clock formed line and marched downtown and were mustered out at 8 o’clock. Dismissed company to be at quarters when wanted to receive our pay. Formed line at 12:30 o’clock; marched to Market street; returned without pay to quarters. Fear of mob being raised to mob the paymaster. Formed line again at 1:30 P.M. Marched down again. Received pay as sergeant, $31.86 in full. Discharged honorably out of service of the U.S. Government this day. Captain Smith making arrangements with the P. & R. R.R. Co. for taking us home. Going home to-morrow morning at 8 o’clock.
30—Started for home this morning at 8 o’clock via R.R. Road in company with Easton Volunteers. Arrived in Reading in time to make the connection for Pottsville. Arrived at Pottsville at 12:45 o’clock. Marched around town by the Committee of Arrangements, who gave us a grand reception and a welcome home. Stopped at Market House, where speeches were delivered by John Bannan and Benjamin Haywood, Esq., after which we marched to the armory. Dismissed and returned to our homes well satisfied with duty performed and happy to meet our families and friends.

The Union's First Defenders: Sergeant Val Stichter's Diary: Part One: April-May, 1861

2011-03-01T08:35:00.003-05:00

Post-War View of First Defender Val Stichter of the Washington Artillerists

* * * * * * * * * * * * *

Valentine Stichter was twenty-seven years old when the American Civil War broke out. He was quick to enlist, and as a member of the Washington Artillerists would be listed among the First Defenders. However, because of "certain circumstances," Stichter did not travel with his company on that fateful April 18 trip to Baltimore and on to D.C. Instead, he was a few days' behind, arriving in the Capital on April 20.

Stichter described his journey to Washington in his diary, as well as noting the day-to-day doings of those first three months in Washington. Stichter's diary appeared first in Heber Thompson's 1910 publication, The First Defenders.

This is the first of two posts, covering the months of April and May 1861.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Left home on April 17th, 1861, with the company. Accompanied them to Reading, but, owing to certain circumstances had to remain over until next day. Satisfactory arrangements being made, advised Captain Wren, of following up next morning. Returned home, arranged matters and next morning telegraphed Captain James Wren, “On our way.”

Several other recruits, after finding out my intentions, desired to accompany me. We received the following transportation:
E.H. Wheeler, Esq.
Pottsville, April 18, 1861

Please pass over the P. & R. R.R. on to Washington City the following recruits, and charge the same to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, by order of the Hon. Eli Slifer, Secretary of State:
Valentine Stichter
Franklin Myers
Franklin B. Bannan
George A. Lerch

(Signed) James Nagle
Brigade Inspector for 1st Brig. 6th Div.

We left here on the morning of the 18th for Harrisburg, arriving there at five o’clock, and after a red tape delay of twenty-four hours to get transportation for Washington, D.C. from State officials, we became disgusted and concluded to forward our blue overcoats and baggage by express to Washington, purchase our own tickets and start for the capital, which we did at 1 o’clock P.M.

On approaching Baltimore the newsboys distributed a number of circulars, marked: ‘Extra—Riot in Baltimore with the Mass. 6th Regt.,’ etc. (Startling news for us on our mission). Having three hotels recommended to stop at and not knowing location of either, we chose the Maltby House.

On arrival at the city our cabman was obliged to drive us several squares out of our way, owing to some of the streets being occupied by the city military, called out to suppress the riot. Unpleasantly for us, as we thought afterward, that we had made that selection, for on arrival at the Maltby House and aligning from the cab, one of the first sights that met our eyes was a wounded man being by on a cellar door, a victim of the riot.

Entering the hotel, we found a very large room supported by cast iron columns. The whole floor seemed to be taken up with groups of men discussing the situation and outcome of the riot which had taken place that afternoon, giving vent to their feelings, to wit: ‘Three cheers for Jeff Davis’ ‘Damn the Northern Abolitionists’ ‘We’ll see whether any more of those (oath) will pass through here for Washington.’

We registered our names proper, which was in turn scanned by most of them. The eye of suspicion was cast upon us, our party at supper table noticed, eager to catch on to our mission. After supper enjoyed a smoke, and between nine and ten o’clock retired to bed for pleasant dreams, orders being given landlord to wake us in time to take the 4 o’clock A.M. train south. Fortunately, we thought (through a kind Providence) to enter cars next morning unmolested, but not forgetting that probably the forethought of sending our blue army coats by express from Harrisburg and not visible in our possession on that occasion was the means of saving our lives from an infuriated mob, and our bodies sent home in rough boxes.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

April

18—Left home at 2 o’clock P.M. Arrived at Harrisburg same day.
19—Left Harrisburg at 1 P.M. Arrived at Baltimore at 6 P.M.
20—Left Baltimore at 4 o’clock A.M. Arrived at Capitol at Washington at 6 A.M. Made arrangements in the company. Bought pipe, tobacco, towels, etc.

The U.S. Capitol Building During the Civil War. Stitcher and the First Defenders were initially quartered here upon arrival in Washington.

21—Sunday. On guard from Saturday evening, 7:30 o’clock until Sunday evening at 8 o’clock. Read a chapter in the Bible to comrades in the evening. A certain attack on the Capitol last night; all prepared; squads barricading the inlets and windows with flour, which was seized at Georgetown; 6000 barrels.
22—On guard for 7 hours’ shift.
23—Had a dress parade in the park. Trouble about our cooking arrangements. Moved quarters.
24—More troops arrived from New York, a regiment of 1000. Numbered the muskets today. On 24 hours’ shift guard at upper door. Flour seized by the U.S. Government, amounting to 7000 barrels, making it in all 13,000 barrels, with rice, coffee, and sugar. Visited John Pass at hospital.
25—Paid a visit to patent office and post office. Park parade; cheers given for our company. Gave Massachusetts regiment a serenade with the comb band. Longed to see friends at home. Package of letters arrived; none for me. Brown’s letter contained a few words from home.
26—Had dress parade in the park for three hours. Downtown and bought wearing apparel. Rhode Island and Massachusetts troops arrived; 1600. All well to-day. Seen President Lincoln and lady in Park. New York regiment sworn in.
27—In park, 1600 Pennsylvania troops arrived. Received shoes, blankets, etc.
28—Sunday. Chapter read out of Bible by Captain Wren. Prayer by Frank Myers. President Lincoln visited all the volunteers. Shook hands with him and Secretary Seward. Visited Long Bridge on guard from 7 o’clock last evening. Twenty-four hours’ shift. Preaching in the Senate chamber. Wrote letter home.
29—Parade in park three and a half hours. Squad went downtown to exchange shoes. Another Massachusetts regiment arrived. Report of an attack on the 5th of May.
30—Drill in park. Orders at 1 o’clock to proceed to Fort Washington; in half an hour all prepared for the march and on our way; 1.30 o’clock arrived at Navy Yard; boarded the steamer Philadelphia seized by the Government; passed Alexandria, Palmetto flag floating over the city; the dock was commanded by rebels with two brass six-pounders; prepared for an attack with 32-pound shells on steamer; arrived at Fort Washington 6.30 o’clock; packed in a small house with Logan Guards.

Fort Washington along the Potomac River, courtesy of The Marker Hunter.

May

1—Captain Wren resigned to run for Colonel. Trees all cut down. Mounted guns on water battery. Held an election, of which I was appointed inspector. Wren received 113 voted; opposite, 8.
2—Prepared for quarters in water battery. Put in floors and table. Steamer Kill Van Kull brought to by shot from the fort. Rhode Island troops on board. Moved quarters to water battery. On guard on Fort Heights from 8 P.M. till 8 A.M. Guard house in rifle battery. Quite cold. Very uncomfortable.
3—Great dissatisfaction among the men. Altered the sleeping bunks; made an upper tier. Rain to-day. Received a letter from Brother H.; one enclosed from wife and family; first one; much pleased to hear from home; all well. Meeting held by members about impositions. James Wren went to Washington.
4—Rain all day; remained inside.
5—Sunday. Inspection by Major Haskins at 9 o’clock. Bath in the river. Washed underwear, etc.; fresh shad for dinner.
6—Rain all day. On guard 24 hours. Appointed orderly sergeant for commanding officer of the day; 91 guards on duty to-day and to-night.
7—On guard at 8.30 o’clock. Received canteens and haversacks. Seized a vessel of corn.
8—Received 6 large guns, 24-pounders; lot of grape and canister shot, balls, etc. Provisions for 3 months. Twenty head of cattle engaged in hauling up cannon and mounting same.
9—Received five 8 and 10-inch colombiads for shell. Lot bombs, ammunition. Fresh beef for dinner. Radishes and pies for supper. Carried boards for officers’ quarters. On guard at rifle battery.
10—Rain. Unwell. Colonel H.L. Cake, Captain McDonald, and Messrs. Baber, Mattson, Geo. Patterson, Jas. H. Campbell and others visited here to-day. Got revolver.
11—Hauled up 32-pounders on foot; finished at 2 o’clock. Cleaned up for inspection. Steamer Jas. Guy seized.
12—Sunday. Inspection at 9 o’clock. Army rules read at 10. Received Government uniforms; distributed them. Clothes vermin discovered in camp. Troops passed for Washington.
13—Received 2 barrels eggs and barrel butter of Morris. One barrel eggs of Nichols & Beck. On picket guard. Battle with cattle. Rain.
14—Wrote a letter to family. Cleaned musket. Nothing new to-day.
15—On the main guard 24 hours. Potatoes for supper.
16—Came off guard. Wren’s resignation accepted. Haywood and Huntzinger paid us a visit. All well at home.
17—On police duty.
18—On fatigue duty. L.C. Thompson, W. Patterson and Mr. Garrisgues paid us a visit. Unloaded a steamer with provisions.
19—Sunday. Wrote to wife and father. Inspection at 9 o’clock. On picket guard. Report of Washington’s bones being removed to Kentucky.
20—Rain all day. Packed box with clothes to send home. Living on luxuries, ham, dried beef, pickles, sweitzer cheese, etc.
21—On fatigue duty. Commenced Hardee’s drill. Fired bomb shell up the river from fort. Dragged trees for south side of parapet walls for barricading.
22—Wash day. On picket guard.
23—Came off picket guard. Cleaned my gun.
24—Went on main guard. Appointed orderly sergeant under Captain Perkins. Alexandria taken by the Zouaves. Col. Ellsworth killed. Heavy cannonading through the night. Harper’s Ferry and Arlington Heights taken possession of.
25—Came off main guard. Thirty-five rebel pickets captured near Alexandria. Captain of Pawnee court-martialed from giving false signals.
26—Inspection at 8.30 o’clock. Wrote two letters and received one. All well at home. Weather very warm.
27—On rifle battery guard. On police duty.
28—On fatigue. Shad fishing ended. Fired 11 guns for death of sergeant. Flag at half-mast at fort. Received letter from wife.
29—On long guard. Appointed orderly for officer of the day. D.A. Smith received letter from Brother H. Families well cared for at home.
30—Came off guard. Luxuries arrived for members. Game of ball.
31—Monthly inspection of all the troops in fort. Steamboat loaded with ladies from Alexandria for Piscatawa. Rumored engagement at Alexandria in a few days. Nine ladies arrived here to-day. A ball held in our old quarters by all the officers in the fort with the ladies.

Interior of Fort Washington, courtesy of Civil War Trust.

The Union's First Defenders: The Washington Artillerists

2011-02-24T07:51:00.012-05:00

As mentioned in my previous post on the National Light Infantry, up until the Civil War's Sesquicentennial hits in mid-April, I am going to be focusing (almost exclusively) on Pennsylvania's First Defenders, the first five companies of Union volunteers to reach Washington upon the outbreak of hostilities. Over the next seven to eight weeks, most of the posts on this blog will be histories of these companies, biographies of many of the soldiers who composed their ranks, as well as photographs of the soldiers, newspaper accounts, letters, diaries, and other writings of these First Defenders during the war's first ninety days.

Being a native of Schuylkill County, home to two of these first five companies, I have long been interested in the story of the First Defenders and have sought to bring this story to light. Sadly, these Pennsylvanians are often overlooked when describing the Union response in the wake of Sumter. Other units, most notably the 6th Massachusetts, are often erroneously identified as the first to reach Washington, which is simply not the case. Indeed, when the bloodied 6th arrived on the night of April 19, Pennsylvania's First Defenders were there to greet them in their quarters of the U.S. Capitol Building. They had arrived twenty-four hours earlier. Nor was the 6th the first unit to shed blood at the beginning of the war, as is often related. It was, instead, Pennsylania's First Defenders, several of whom were bloodied while marching through Baltimore on April 18, one day ahead of the Massachusetts men.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

In my previous post, I looked at Pottsville's National Light Infantry, one of two First Defender companies to hail from the Schuylkill County seat. The other was the Washington Artillerists.

Eighteen-year-old James Nagle founded what would become the Washington Artillerists in 1840. Originally, they were called the "Pottsville Blues," but two years later, they switched their branch of service and adopted another name: the Washington Artillerists. Nagle regularly drilled his company, which was composed almost entirely of volunteers younger than twenty years of age.

Upon the outbreak of the Mexican-American War, Captain Nagle tendered the services of his company to the United States. In December 1846, the company marched off to war, led by twenty-four-year-old James Nagle. His younger brother Daniel, at age eighteen, served as the company's drummer. Forming part of General Winfield Scott's army, the Washington Artillerists--officially designated as Company B, 1st Pennsylvania Volunteers, saw action at Vera Cruz, Cerro Gordo, and on several other fields of battle. The men returned home to a hero's welcome on July 28, 1848.

Captain James Nagle in 1848

The organization of the Washington Artillerists was maintained throughout the 1850s, and in January 1861, it participated in the inauguration ceremony of Pennsylvania's Governor Andrew Curtin. By this time, however, the company was commanded by Captain James Wren. Nagle, in 1850, was promoted to the rank of colonel in the state militia system and Wren, an immigrant from Scotland, assumed command of the company.

The Washington Artillerists once more tendered its services to the nation following the outbreak of civil war in April 1861 and the offer was immediately accepted. The company departed Pottsville, along with the National Light Infantry, on the afternoon of April 17. While his former company was thus making its way to Harrisburg, so too was James Nagle, having been summoned to the state capital by Curtin. Nagle was put to work organizing the trainloads of volunteers expected to be arriving in the city. Curtin then commissioned Nagle as colonel of the 6th Pennsylvania Volunteers, a three-month unit that would be mustered out of service in July 1861. However, authorized to raise a regiment of 'three-year' troops, Nagle returned to Pottsville and organized what became the 48th Pennsylvania Infantry. Many of the soldiers of this regiment, especially those who rose to officer's rank, were formerly members of the Washington Artillerists, which had also been mustered out of service in July following its three-month term of service. Among the officers in the 48th were James Wren and Daniel Nagle.

Daniel Nagle, pictured here as colonel of the 173rd Pennsylvania Infantry

The Washington Artillerists arrived in Harrisburg late on the evening of April 17, and the following morning were mustered into service by Captain Seneca Simmons of the 7th U.S. Infantry. Shortly after the swearing-in ceremony, after which these men were United States soldiers, the Washington Artillerists boarded traincars and headed toward Washington. Forced to switch cars in Baltimore, some of the members of the Washington Artillerists were injured by the mob of Confederate supporters who were determined to prevent the Pennsylvanians from marching through their city. Notable among those injured was Nicholas Biddle, the sixty-five-year-old African-American orderly to Captain Wren. Some even argue that Biddle, a black man in uniform, was the very first casualty of the American Civil War.

Nicholas Biddle, in the uniform of the Washington Artillerists

After serving three-months about Washington, the Artillerists were mustered out and began the long journey back to Pottsville. Most of them would re-enlist into the ranks of Schuylkill County's "three-year" regiments, including the 48th Pennsylvania, 96th Pennsylvania, and 7th Pennsylvania Cavalry. One of its privates, William Auman, would fight with Company G, 48th Pennsylvania throughout the Civil War, then remain in the army. . .working his way all the way up to the rank of Brigadier General. In the Spanish-American War, General Auman fought alongside Theodore Roosevelt at San Juan Hill.

The following is the roster of the Washington Artillerists when mustered into Federal service on the morning of April 18, 1861. These men, along with those of the other four First Defender companies, were among the very first volunteers for the United States during the Civil War.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Washington Artillerists

Captain James Wren

James Wren, Commander of the Washington Artillerists

First Lieutenant David A. Smith

2nd Lieutenant Francis B. Wallace

3rd Lieutenant Philip Nagle

Philip Nagle, another of James's brothers, would go on to serve for a brief period of Captain, Co. G, 48th Pennsylvania

1st Sergeant Henry C. Russel

2nd Sergeant Joseph Gilmour

Joseph Gilmour would go on to serve as Major of the 48th PA Infantry. In late May 1864, near Cold Harbor, Virginia, Gilmour was struck down by a Confederate sharpshooter and mortally wounded. His uncle, James Wren, paid for his funeral and for his tombstone.

3rd Sergeant Cyrus Sheetz

Cyrus Sheetz would serve as Captain, Co. G, 48th Pennsylvania

4th Sergeant William McQuade
Quartermaster Sergeant George Gressang

Corporal Delaplain J. Ridgway
Corporal Samuel Russel
Corporal Charles Hinkle
Corporal Reuben Snyder

Privates

William Eagan
William Auman
Henry Alspach
William Bates
G. Wilson Bratton
Joel H. Betz
Henry Brobst
Charles E. Beck

Beck would go on to serve as 1st Lieutenant, Co. C, 15th PA Cavalry

Henry Bobbs
Richard Bartolett
Jeremiah Brandt
David B. Brown

J. Frank Barth

Anthony Burns

Albert Bowen

Alexander S. Bowen

Wiliam Brown

Oliver Bosbyshell

Bosbyshell, seated, would go on to serve as Major of the 48th PA Infantry. Standing on the left (behind the right shoulder of Bosbyshell) is another First Defender, Curtis C. Pollock. As 1st Lt., Co. G, 48th PA, Pollock would fall mortally wounded at Petersburg in June 1864.

Samuel Beard

David Boyer

William W. Clemens

William Cole

John Curry

Thomas Corby

Corby would turn to the Navy after serving as a First Defender. He was on the U.S. Steamship Hatteras when it was sunk by Rafael Semmes's Alabama off Galveston, Texas, on January 11, 1863. He was rescued from the waters and held a captive on the Alabama until later released on parole at Port Royal, Jamaica.

Daniel Christian

Benjamin C. Christian

John Christian

Frederick Christ

William Degan

Phillip Dentzer

Henry Dentzer

Nelson Drank

Francis P. Dewees

Louis Douglass

Henry K. Downing

John Engle

Charles Evans

Evans later served as a Sergeant in Co. G, 48th PA

Joseph Fyant

Peter H. Frailey

William J. Feger

Peter Fisher

Charles A. Glenn

Peter Grow

George H. Hill

James R. Hetherington

William H. Hardell

William Heffner

Alfred Huntzinger

Charles A. Hesser

John Hoffa

Benjamin F. Heffner

George H. Hartman

Thomas F.B. Hammer

Patrick Hanley

Henry H. Hill

Charles Haas

Frank Haas

Richard M. Hodgson

John J. Hetherington

Thomas Irwin

Thomas Jones

Thomas Johnson

Benjamin F. Jones

John Jones

Joseph Kear

Charles P. Loeser

William Lesher

Godfrey Leonard

Edward J. Leib

Leib would go on to serve as Brevet Major of the 5th U.S. Cavalry; he was wounded at Five Forks, VA, on April 2, 1865

Daniel Moser

George Myers

Nelson T. Major

William F. Maize

Charles Maurer

Edward Nagle

John Noble

Charles P. Potts

As a 2nd Lieutenant in command of Co. I, 151st PA, Potts would be captured on July 1, 1863, during the Battle of Gettysburg. He would be held a prisoner of war until March 1865, one month before the end of the war, being confined at Libby Prison for a portion of his captivity.

John Pass
Richard Price
Thomas Petherick, Jr.
Robert F. Potter
Richard Pott
William Ramsey Potts
Theodore H. Patterson
Curtis C. Pollock
Joseph Reed
August Reese
George Rice
William E. Riley
Samuel E. Shoener
James S. Silliman
Robert Smith
Frank A. Stitzer

Stitzer would go on to command Co. K, 48th PA. He was the last surviving veteran of the First Defenders.

Charles Slingluff

Slingluff later served in the 48th PA

Thomas Severn (Fifer)
Isaac Severn
Edward L. Severn
Edwin J. Shippen
Hugh Stevenson

Stevenson later served as 1st Lieutenant, Co. C, 96th PA

Lewis T. Snyder
William Spence
Valentine Stichter

Heber S. Thompson

Thompson later served as Captain, Co. I, 7th PA Cavalry. He was taken prisoner of war at Atlanta on April 20, 1864, and released on parole at Charleston, SC, on December 20, 1864. He would later pen the first history of the First Defenders.

Alba C. Thompson
Ambrose H. Titus
Charles Van Horn
Victor Wernert
John C. Weaver
Eli Williams
Albert G. Whitfield
David Williams

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

The Union's First Defenders~The National Light Infantry

2011-02-22T09:29:00.007-05:00

Throughout the four years of the American Civil War, more than two million soldiers served in Union blue, some for a few weeks, others for the duration.

With the Sesquicentennial upon us—or almost upon us—my attention is now drawn to those first volunteers of the Union: Pennsylvania’s First Defenders.

In the wake of Fort Sumter, President Lincoln issued a call for 75,000 men to serve for a period of three months. Thousands turned out to answer the call, and on April 18, just 72 hours after Lincoln’s call, the first of these thousands reached Washington. Arriving around 7:00 p.m. that evening, were some 475 Pennsylvanians composing the ranks of five militia companies from Schuylkill, Lehigh, Berks, and Mifflin counties, 475 volunteer soldiers who thus go down in the history books as the First Defenders.

Most of these men spent their three month term of service in the defenses of Washington after being more formally organized into the ranks of the 25th Pennsylvania Infantry. When mustered out in July 1861, most would re-enlist in regiments formed that summer, to serve for three years, or the course of the war.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Over the next several weeks, as we make our way toward the 150th Anniversary of the Firing on Fort Sumter and the inauguration of America's Civil War, I will be posting histories of these five First Defender companies, along with rosters, photographs, stories, and so on.

Up first, a brief history and the roster of Pottsville's National Light Infantry.

The National Light Infantry was formed in 1831, making it the oldest of the First Defenders companies, although its organization was not regularly maintained in those thirty years prior to the war. However, throughout the 1850s, and with war clouds building, interest in the militia company grew. To many of the soldiers comprising the ranks of the National Light Infantry, the war did indeed seem an "irrepressible conflict," in the words of New York Senator William Seward. Thus, on the evening of April 11, 1861, literally just hours before that first fateful shot hundreds of miles away at Sumter, the officers of the National Light Infantry met in Pottsville and drafted a series of resolutions. One of these resolutions was put forth by Corporal Henry Lutz Cake, who would later serve as colonel of the 96th Pennsylvania Infantry, which read:

On motion of Corporal H.L. Cake that the services of this company be tendered to the Secretary of War and the Governor of Pennsylvania in defense of the Union, and that the company be ready to march at six hours' notice.

The motion accepted, a telegram was sent to Governor Andrew Curtin of Pennsylvania and Secretary of War Simon Cameron, making known the willingness of the National Light Infantry to serve, if needed. With that, the National Light Infantry became the very first company to offer its services to the government at the start of the Civil War. Cameron verified this when in 1866, he wrote the following note:

"I certify that the Pottsville National Light Infantry was the first company of volunteers whose services were offered for the defense of the Capital. A telegram reached the War Department on the 13th, notifying the tender. It was immediately accepted and the company reached Washington on the 18th of April, 1861, with four additional companies from Pennsylvania, and these were the first troops to reach the seat of government at the beginning of the war of the rebellion. ~Simon Cameron."

Their offer accepted, the National Light Infantry departed Pottsville on the afternoon of April 17, 1861, and headed for Harrisburg. With them traveled Pottsville's other militia company, the Washington Artillerists. The two companies, numbering around 230 men, arrived in the state capital that evening and on the following morning, were sworn into Federal service by Captain Seneca Simmons of the 7th U.S. Infantry. Their muster roll report is below, signed by Captain Simmons, who was later killed at Gaines's Mill in June 1862:

Hours after being sworn into U.S. service, the National Light Infantry, along with the Washington Artillerists, Logan Guards of Lewistown, Ringgold Light Artillery of Reading, and Allen Infantry of Allentown, boarded train cars and headed off to Washington. Forced to switch trains in Baltimore, the largely unarmed Pennsylvanians marched through the city and were subjected to the jeers and insults of a large crowd, nearly 2,500 strong, of vehement Confederate supporters. When they reached Camden Station, the mob hurled bricks, stones, bottles, and whatever else they could get their hands on, at the Pennsylvanians. Many of the projectiles hit their mark, thus the first blood shed in America's bloodiest war was shed by Pennsylvania's First Defenders.

At last the weary Pennsylvanians reached Washington around 7:00 p.m. that evening--April 18--and went into quarters in the halls and chambers of the U.S. Capitol Building. So thankful was he of the timely arrival of these Pennsylvanians, that President Lincoln traveled from the White House and shook the hand of each of the 475 men, including, of course, those of the National Light Infantry.

Below is the roster of the National Light Infantry when first sworn into service by Captain Seneca Simmons during the late morning hours of April 18, 1861. These men, along with those who comprised the ranks of the other First Defenders units, were the first of the more than two million soldiers who would volunteer and fight for the Union in the American Civil War.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
The National Light Infantry
Captain Edmund McDonald

Lieutenants
James Russell

Lewis J. Martin

Henry Lutz Cake

Sergeants
Lamar Hay

Abram McIntrye
William F. Huntzinger
George D. Boyer

Quartermaster Sergeant
D. Daniel Downey

Corporals
Ernest Sourbray
Charles C. Russell
Edward Moran
Fred W. Conrad

Privates
Thomas Bull
William Buckley
John Burress
Jacob Bast
B.F. Bartlett
John E. Benedict
John Bodefield
William A. Beidleman
William Baker
William Britton
William Carroll
Patrick Curtin
William A. Christian
J.J. Dampman
John T. Deiner
John Dooley
George DeCoursey
Jeremiah Deitrich
John Donegan
James Donegan
James Evans
John Eppinger
Ernst Ellrich
David Eberle
Amos Forseman
Michael Foren
Edmund Foley
Charles F. Garrett
William F. Garrett
George W. Garber
Uriah Good
Henry Gehring
Levi Gloss
M. Goodyear
James M. Hughes
Thomas G. Houck
Charles F. Hoffman
Herman Hansen
Frank Hanley
David Howard
John Hartman
William H. Hodgson
John M. Howell
William Irving
Joseph Johnson
Enoch Lambert
William Morris Lashore
Anthony Lippman
George A. Lerch
Michael Larkin
Lawrence Mangen
James Marshall
James E. McDonald
Edward McCabe
James P. McGinnes
William Madeira
George W. Mennig
Henry C. Niece
Thomas H. Parker
William Pugh
Henry Quin
John Rauch
Jonas M. Rich
M. Edgar Richards
Charles J. Redkey, Jr.
William R. Roberts
John T. Simpson
Charles J. Shoemaker
Frederick Seltzer
Samuel Stager
James Sammen
F.W. Simpson
James R. Smith
Jacob Shoey
John Stodd
John Schmidt
Alexander Smith
Franklin A. Schoener
Terrence Smith
Emmanuel Saylor
George Schertle
Edward Thomas
Ira E. Troy
Elias Trifoos
C.F. Umbenhower
Mark Walker
Frank Wenrich
Charles Weber
Lewis Weber
William Weller
John P. Womelsdorf
Henry Yerger

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

"The Battle of South Mountain" Now Available

2011-02-07T06:19:00.004-05:00

It was in early March of last year when I signed a contract with the History Press to write a short, narrative history of the often overlooked Battle of South Mountain for publication as part of its Civil War Sesquicentennial Series.

Eleven months later, I am very pleased to say that that book is now available.

It has been a great, great pleasure working with the History Press, from my first telephone call with Doug Bostick, managing editor of the Sesquicentennial Series, through all the frequent interractions with Adam Ferrell, Jaime Muehl, and everyone else. They have all been extremely helpful and professional, and all have shown a willingness to work with me in bringing this book to print. I do hope I am able to work the History Press again someday.

The book was originally scheduled for release on March 8; then it got bumped up to February 11. Imagine my surprise, then, when this past Friday, February 4, when I was stepping out for a clear-your-head kind of trip down to Gettysburg when I saw the boxes piled up outside my back door.

I could not be more pleased with the finished product. The book looks great and my only hope is that I have met the expectations placed in me to write this history. The Battle of South Mountain is a tough one to explain and I am sure that despite my best efforts and despite the dozens of times I read through the manuscript, that there will inevitably be some mistakes/errors. But now that the book is done I can only hope that I have succeeded in my goal of helping to bring to light the history of this often forgotten battle, waged on September 14, 1862, just three days before Antietam, and further our understanding of the Maryland Campaign.

To everyone who helped me along the way. . .from Eric Wittenberg, who first put me in touch with Doug Bostick, and Mannie Gentile, who once again did an excellent job developing the maps for this book. . . .from my Park Service colleagues Brian Baracz and Christopher Gwinn who read the entire manuscript and offered very helpful suggestions and pointed out my errors, to Dr. Thomas Clemens, Scott Hartwig, and Ted Alexander who were each of great assistance, as were Isaac Forman, Dave Maher, Dan Vermilya, and James Rosebrock. . .to all of you, and to so many others, I say thanks. Your support, your assistance was all very much appreciated.

The Battle of South Mountain can be purchased either through its publisher at http://www.historypress.net/ or through any of the major online book retailers. It will also soon be available at various bookstores in the area. I also have some book signing events lined up for ther year ahead, if you wanted to come on out and say hello.

The book runs 224 pages, with over 50 illustrations and eight maps. It retails for $21.99.

I would love to know your thoughts on the book; if you enjoyed it, post a review on amazon; if you didn't. . .well, you can always send me your thoughts via email ;)

Welcome "The Epitaph: Tombstones of Civil War Soldiers"

2011-02-02T18:15:00.004-05:00

The Grave of Captain John F. Dougherty, 96th PA, in Pottsville, PA

Dougherty was killed in action at Crampton's Gap during the September 14, 1862, Battle of South Mountain

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I first became acquainted with Sharon Murray two years ago. When I first launched my effort to restore the 48th PA monument by replacing General Nagle's missing sword, one of the first donations came from Sharon. . .all the way from Idaho.

Sharon has since moved to West Virginia and several months ago began volunteering at Antietam National Battlefield.

As you know, I have a fascination with cemeteries and a love for helping preserve the memories of our Civil War dead. Sharon shares these passions and just today launched a blog, The Epitaph: Tombstones of Civil War Soldiers.

Please help welcome Sharon to the Civil War blogosphere. I am very much looking forward to her posts as she provides the stories of the soldiers' service and sacrifice and a photograph of their final resting places.