Reminiscences of the war; or, Incidents which transpired in and about Chambersburg, during the war of the rebellion

Front matter

Class _£/5~

Book ■ \,

HISTORICAL. - 5"

Introduction

No town in the Northern States is more inseparably interwoven with the tlirilling events of the late war, than Chambersburg. Gettysburg was made more widely memorable by the great and decisive battle fought there, but Chambersburg was the great centre of great events on our Southern border, from the advent of General Patterson's army early in 1861, until the vandal horde of McCausland left the town in ashes, in 1864. The insurgents had possession of Chambersburg in Stuart's raid in 1862 ; in Lee's occupation in 1863, when on his march to the death-blow to the Confederacy at Gettysburg, and in McCausland's raid in 1864, when Southern vengeance was glutted by the destruction of the most important and valuable portions of the town. Lee held his councils of war in the grove on the eastern outskirts of Chambersburg, for several days, and finally decided to cross the South Mountain aud accept the shock of battle on the direct line for Baltimore and the National Capital. And not only did the first trump of war sound in Chambersburg when the three months' troops crossed the Potomac, under Patterson in the Spring of 1861, but each year thereafter, until peace came at Appomattox ia 1865, the columns of "emergency men" and of militia called out after each invasion, made Chambersburg their objective point and liberally enjoyed the proffered or enforced hospitality of the people of the "Green Spot."

It was in Chambersburg that John Brown, then known only as "Dr. Smith," the prospector of Maryland ores, planned his mad raid on Harper's Ferry and fought the first skirmish of the war two years before the divided sections could realize that war was upon them, and the blackened walls and broken columns and withered shades which told of Chambersburg's desolation in 1864, were measurably the sequel of the innocent hospitality given to the unknown John Brown five years before. There is, therefore, much of the thrilling romance of the war's history that centres in and about Chambersburg, and it is unfortunate that it has not been preserved by some competent historian. The unwritten chapters of the war which relate to Chambersburg, would make a volume of surpassing interest, and add much to the as yet imperfect history of the greatest war of modern times. With the exception of a few unpretentious scraps of history about the Lee invasion and the burning of Chambersburg, there has been nothing written in any way calculated to preserve in history the trials and sacrifices of the faithful border people.

I am glad to preface the eflTort of Mr. Hoke to record some of the most important episodes of the eventful four years of civil war in Chambersburg. He was one of the most loyal of loyal citizens, and he witnessed every invasion of the town by the enemy. A close observer, a methodical recorder of events as they transpired, and possessing uncommon clearness of memory as to details, he is peculiarly fitted to recall into permanent history the interesting records which merit preservation. His chapters cover much unknown history pertaining to two of the great battles of the war — Antietam and Gettysburg — and preserve occurrences which are of absorbing interest to the descendents of the now rapidly lapsing actors in the dark days of the rebellion. All this work has been performed by Mr. Hoke with less pretension as a historical writer than as a conscientious delineator of the truth of history, and it will not only greatly entertain and instruct the people of the Cumberland Valley, but it will preserve for the future historian of the war, many links in the chain of the greatest conflict of man for man. a. k. m.

NOTE BY THE AUTHOR.

When entering upon the preparation of these Reminiscences of the War, I was unacquainted with the fact that the files of the Valley Spirit and Franklin Repository ^ which have been kindly placed in my hands by the editors and proprietors of those papers, contained such full and accurate statenaents of the events which transpired during the eventful period of the great War of the Rebellion. To one unacquainted with those events from personal observation, the accounts therein given would be but fragmentary ; but to one who saw them and passed through them, they afford ample data for a truthful and consecutive history.

Then I supposed, too, that my own record, written at the time the events narrated occurred, had been destroyed in the burning of our town in July, 1864. That record has been found carefully stored away with other books and papers, and it has proven of incalculable advantage to me.

I am also indebted to others for valuable papers, narrating events known in their details only to themselves. The papers furnished by T. M. Mahon, Esq., John A. Seiders, Esq., and J. W. Douglass, Esq., are notable examples. Mr. Douglass is one of the few living persons who saw and read General Early's order for the ransom of our town, and in default of its ransom, its destruction. The importance of placing such facts upon permanent record for the use of after eenerations and historians cannot be over-estimated..

To Col. A. K. McClure for a copy of Annals of the War, I am also under obligations. In the statements written by General Longstreet and other participants in the great struggle at Gettysburg, and in the dates and facts they have given in relation to the previous movements and purposes of their respective commands, I have derived valuable assistance.

I have been particularly careful to give exact and correct dates to the events narrated, and I can with the utmost confidence assure the reader of their correctness. In the main the data furnished me by so many persons, and gathered from so many sources, when carefully compared, entirely harmonized, except in one case alone, and upon that fact I have the most indubitable evidence in favor of the date I have given.

Chamhersburg , Jan. 22d, 1884. J. Hoke.

REMIKISCEICES OF THE WAR.

CHAPTER I. Commencement of the "War, and Marching of Troops from

Chambersburg.

In the preparation of these reminiscences of events which occurred in and about Chambersburg during the four years of the war of the rebellion, I am confronted by several difficulties, whicli may be stated as follows : In the destruction of our town by the torch of the invaders, July 30th, 186i, nearly all the records kept by our citizens were destroyed. My cash books of those days in which I noted principal events, were all, as I supposed, destroyed. Recently, however, I found among some books and papers boxed up and stored away, one of those books, containing dates of important events. This book begins with May, 18G2, and prior to that date I am dependant for information furnished by others, as well as to files of the Valley Spirit and Franklin Repositorij , kindly placed at my disposal by the editors and proprietors of those papers, for which I hereby express my thanks. The files of these papers, however, were all burnt in the great calamity of July 30th, 1864, and in the replacement of the same from their subscribers, they were unable to procure every number. Important links, therefore, are here and there wanting. Then, for convenience of narration, and to give authenticity to the facts stated, 1 write under my own signature, and as an eye witness of many of the incidents which I shall relate. This, I am aware, exposes me to the charge of egotism or a desire for notoriety. While disclaiming this, I shall in a series of articles, place upon record a simple statement of facts, many of which have hitherto never been published. This I do as a modest contribution to the annals of that eventful period when the destiny of our government seemed to hang in the balance, and when our valley was the theatre of the most stirring events which are likely ever to occur in the life of a generation.

In the early morning of April 12tb, 1861, the telegraph announced that Fort Sumpter had beeniired upon and the war commenced. The rebel batteries opened fire precisely at 27 minutes past 4 o'clock. Despatch after despatch was placed upon the bulletin board and printed in extras by our papers. These despatches read thus: "The War Commenced; Fort Sumpter Fired on," "Fort Sumpter Makes a Vigorous Reply." "Fort Sumpter in flames. " "The Fire Still Raging, and the Surrender of the Fort Inevitable." On the following day the announcement was made that Maj. Anderson, after a gallant resistance, had surrendered, and the rebel flag waved over the Fort. On the following day, April the 14th, President Lincoln issued his proclamation calling for 75,000 troops to serve for three mouths.

With the announcement of the commencement of hostilities, intense excitement seized upon all classes of people. Tlie stars and stripes were run up upon the public buildings, bank, hotels, and many private dwellings. A great demand set in for material to make flags, and red, white and blue flannels, delaines and muslins could scarcely be supplied in suflficient amount to meet the demand. Badges, shields and other devices containing the national colors, met with ready sale, and almost every person bore upon liim some token of love for the Union. Volunteering for the defense of the government, in response to the call of the President, went on vigorously and many enrolled themselve for service.

On the evening of Wednesday, 'April 17th, a public meeting was held in the Court House to take into consideration such matters as might be necessary to meet the exigencies of the times, Hon. Wilson Reilly was called to the chair, and Mr. B. B. Henshey was appointed Secretary. Mr. Reilly on taking the chair, made an eloquent and patriotic speech, in which he declared his readiness to support the Government by every means in his power, and his willingnei^s to shoulder a musket if needs be to save the flag of his country from dishonor. Mr. Reilly was followed by brilliant and thrilling addresses by Messrs. Brewer, Sharpe, Douglas, Rowe, McCauley, Stewart and Cook. The following committees were then appointed to prepare for the departure of the soldiers who were soon to march from our midst.

On General Regulations : D. W. Rowe, Samuel Shryock and W. C. Eyster.

Committee on Contributions : J. Allison Eyster, J. W. Douglas and James Nill.

Committee to supply Pocket Bibles to the soldiers : Ex-Sheriff Brown, I. H. McCauley and A. N. Raukin,

In response to the call of this Committee on Contributions several thousand dollars were pledged by our citizens for the support of the families* of the departing soldiers, if needed.

On Thursday, April 18th, but five days after the fall of Fort Sumpter, a pole 120 feet high was raised in the centre of the Diamond. As soon as the pole was raised, the stars and stripes were run up upon it. when a number of ladies standing upon the balcony in front of the Franklin hotel, which stood where the Central Presbyterian church now stands, sang with thrilling effect the Star Spangled Banner. After this followed patriotic speeches by Messrs. Reilly, Stumbaugh, McClure, Brewer, Everett, Stenger and Welsh. When the flag of our country was run up to the top of the pole, a citizen of the town , James H. Bratton, now dead, standing by my side, was so overcome by his patriotic feelings, as to burst into tears. That same evening I remarked to a number of persons, that if Virginia adopted the ordinance of secession, the seat of war would be right along our border; and being in the great Cumberland Valley, which extended away down through Maryland and Virginia into Tennessee, armies of both the two contending parties would doubtless pass through our town, and one of the possihi ities was that the rebel flag might some day flout from that pole. My remark was considered wild and inipoi^sible. but altliounh no bated secesision flag ever floated from that pole, sixty tiiousand rebel troops, with many banners, passed under its shadow, and it was at last cut down by Gen. Iinboden's Cavalry, which constituted the rear of Lee s army, and were the last to pass through the town on the way to Gettysburg. The only rebel flag that was raised in town, was the regimental flag of a Mississippi regiment, which was hung out from the cupola of the Court House, the Colonel of that regiment being made Provost Marshal with headquarters in the Court House.

On the evening of the day of the pole raising, a public meeting was held in the Court House for the purpose of doing honor to the Chambers Artillery, wliich was to leave the next morning for Harrisburg. Hon. George Chambers was made president, and Hon. James Nill and D. K. Wunderlick, vice presidents. The venerable president, on taking the chair, delivered an address of nearly an hour's length replete with interesting personal reminiscences of the past. He told of the exciting scenes of the "Whiskey Insurrection" of 1794 — of his having seen General Washington in our town, when on his way to take command of the army sent to suppress the insurrection. He told also of the perils of the Indian Wars a few years later, and also of the war of 1812. He then spoke at length of the causes of the then present difiiculties, paid a high tribute to Capt. Housum and the noble body of men he was about to lead forth in the defense of the Union, and in thrilling language besought Capt. Housum and his command to fight valiantly for the glorious old flag, and die if they must on the field of battle with their faces toward the foe. After the adoption of some resolutions offered by Isaac McCauley, Esq., the soldiers repaired to Franklin Hall, where they partook of a farewell supper furnished by the citizens. After the supper a sword was presented to Lieut. John Doebler through Mr. Brewer, and accepted upon the part of Doebler by Mr. Sharpe. The day following these interesting occurrences — Friday, April 19th , — was one of thrilling events, not only in our own town, but elsewhere. In the morning train the Chambers Artillery embarked for Harrisburg. This company was composed of about 150 men— several persons uniting with it immediately upon the call for troops. Its officers were : P. B. Housem, Capt., John Doebler, 1st Lieut., Matthew Gillan, 2d Lieut., George Miles, 3d Lieut. Col. F. S. Stumbaugh, long associated with military organizations here, accompanied this company to Harrisi)urg witii the understanding that he was to Command the Regiment as soon as formed.

The departure of these men, was one of the most affecting and impressive scenes that had ever up to that time been witnessed in our town. The fathers, mothers, wives, children, brothers and sisters, of the volunteers, together with almost the entire

Reminiscences of the War.

population of the towu, were collected at the depot to bid farewell to the gallant band. Almost every eye was bathed in tears. This was a new scene to our citizens, but they witnessed others like it during the war.

About one o'clock in the afternoon of the same day, Ave or six wagonsdrawn by two horses each, appeared upon the brow of the hill opposite the Reformed church. They were driven hurriedly down through the town to the depot. They were filled with U. S. troops under command of Lieut. Jones, and had been quartered at Harper's Ferry. Upon the approach of the Virginia troops to seize the arsenal and workshops there, Lieut. Jones, unable with his small command to defend the place, set fire thereto and fled with his men to this place and thence by rail to the barracks at Carlise. Before applying the torch , Lieut. Jones blew up the arsenals and shops, destroying about 15,000 stand of arms. That part of the machinery remaining uninjured, was taken by the rebels down 8outh and used to manufacture arms to destroy the Union. The arrival of these troops increased the excitement in the town, and we were made to feel that the seat of war was coming uncomfortably near.

Upon the evening of this day, word was received by telegraph of the riot in Baltimore and the massacre of the Massachusetts soldiers. Soon came the news of the destruction of the bridges along the Northern Central and Philadelphia, Wilmington and Baltimore railroads, and the stoppage of travel by those routes. Hundreds of Northern people sojourning in the South, and Southern people in the North, unable to pass to their respective destinations, availed themselves of the Franklin and Cumberland Valley railroads, and for a time travel was exceedingly brisk along this line. Among the distinguished persons who passed through our town at that time, was Hon. Caleb Cushing, of Massachusetts. He was in Washington, and had no other way to return home. One of our citizens, Mr. H. E. Hoke, having occasion to take a sewing machine to Greencastle to deliver to a person who had purchased it, rode 'n the baggage car one of those days. In this car were two men whose features were distinctively Southern. They each carried a Sharpe's rifle and had in charge several large chests which they stood by and guarded with great care. Whether these chests contained money or, what the South needed then more than money, percussion caps, he did not know. There were no military regulations then made to see after such things.

About that time Capt. Charles Camj)- bell received a commission from the Governor to recruit an Artillery company. He quartered his men in Franklin Hail, and had his cannon in front of it, within a short distance of our store, where he drilled his men.

A rifle company, under command of Capt. John S. Eyster, was about this time rapidly recruited. Also a large German company was organized and tendered their services to the Governor. A company of Home Guards was also organized, and their services tendered to the Governor to march if needed. On Sabbath, April 28d, a fine body of men, some sixty in number, under command of Capt. Walker, from Fannettsburg, arrived in town and were quartered in the Court House. While passing through Strasburg, a number of persons joined them, and others from the Valley were yet expected to swell their number. In a few days thereafter the following companies were encamped upon the Fair Grounds upon the hill along the Pittsburg pike, west of town. This encampment was called ''Camp Irvin." Capt. Walker's company from Fannettsburg, Capt. Dixon's company from St. Thomas, Capt. Eyster's company from Chambersburg, two companies from Fulton county, and Capt. Campbell's company of Artillery. The companies of Captains Dixon and Eyster afterwards became incorporated into the Pennsylvania Reserves. Capt. Campbell's Artillery also went into active service. As to what was done with the company of Capt. Walker and the two Fulton county companies, 1 am unable to say. The Fair Grounds after this became the rendezvous for various companies of recruits. It is said that one time during the war a company of recruits was encamped there. The officer in command had drilled the men up to that point where they learned the significance of "the Long Roll." And in order to test the promptness of his command in responding to this alarm and preparing for battle, he directed it to be sounded one night at midnight. The whole command upon awaking out of sleep and hearing this signal tor battle, and supposing that the rebels were upon them, fled in every direction and the majority never returned.

lO

Reminisce7ices of the War.

Chapter II

The Roll of Honor ; or the Names of those who First Flew to the Rescue of their Imperilled Country froji Franklin County.

The Chambers Artillery, after arriving at Camp Curtin, near Harrisburg, was divided into two companies, Lieut. Doebler taking command of the second company formed. These two companies, with one other, composed mostly of men from Greencastle and St. Thomas and under command of J. G. Elder, were attached to the Second Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers. F. S. Stumbaugh, Esq., of our town, was made Colonel of this regiment;

Irwin, of , Lieut. Colonel ; Jas.

S. Given, of West Chester, Major; Isaac S. Waterburry, of Harrisburg, Ad'jt. General; D. Watson Rowe, Serg't. Major; Isadore A. Stumbaugh, Quarter Master Serg't; John A. King, M. D., Acting Asst. Surgeon.

The names and residences of the persons composing these three companies, are as follows :

list of CO. A, 2nd regt. penna. vol-

UNTEERS.

Capt., Peter R. Housum, ChambersburK. 1st. Lieut., George Stitzell, 'iiid Lieut., K. Sliannon Taylor " 1st Sergt. Thomas G. Cochran " 2ncl Sergt., Sam'l McDowell, 3d Sergt. Ailara Smith, "

4th Sergt., Bruce Lambert, 1st Corporal, Allison McDowell," 2nd " Thomas Myers, '" 3d " John F. Snyder, "

4th '• Jno. F. Pensinger, "

Privates— C7)rtm6e?-s&"r/. Ernest Causler. Justina McGuigai>. Allison Whitstone.

Edgar D. Washabaugh

Janus E. Cook.

Franklin Yeager.

John A. Seiders.

Samuel A. Stouffer.

James Aughinbaugh.

Frank Fortescue.

Harry Fortescue.

Lewis Fisher.

Edward Kline.

Frederick Batner.

John F. Peitfer.

Josephus Senseny.

Alexander Flack.

John F. Metz.

George S. Houser.

James C. Sample.

R. B. Fisher.

Jacob W. Miles.

John C. Gerbic.

Thomas W. Merklein.

Robert F. McCurdy.

Frederick Shinelield.

Richard Hardin.

John VV. Jones.

John C. HuUinger.

John King.

Geo. J. Ludwig.

Jacob Lutz.

Geo. S. Eyster.

Abraham A. Huber.

David W. Newman.

Peter Danner.

James Shumau.

Lewis Monatli.

Fancis Donovan.

Ephralm Finefrock.

George Goctman.

Peter Myers.

Edmund Ferry.

Thomas Durborow.

Wm. Harmony.

GreenviUagc.

John GalT.

Franklin D. Ditzlear.

Daniel Shatzler.

David AVallace.

New Franklin.

Henry Hannagan.

Wayneshoro\ John E. Walker.

John N. Hullinger.

Fayetteville.

Sylvester Weldy.

Walter B. Crawford.

Jeremiah Burkliolder.

Caledonia Iron Works.

Alexander J. Stevens.

Newville.

Wm. B. Over.

Jolin B, Johnston.

Wm. D. Cobaugh.

John P. Wagner.

James C. Eckenrode.

Jonas B. Huntsberger.

Mc Connellsbxirg.

David Hoke.

Ed. E. Fairweather.

John H. Neely.

LIST OF CO. B, 2nd REGT. PENNA. VOL- UNTEERS.

Captain, John Doebler, Chambersburg.

1st Lieut., George Miles, "

2nd " Geo. W. Welsh, "

1st Sergt., Benjamin Rhodes, "

2nd " Peter Ackerman, "

3d " Joseph Thomas, "

4th •' George Cook, "

1st Corpl., Henry Melvin, "

2nd " Alexander C. Landis, "

3d " Henry McCauley, Shippensburg.

4th " Porter J. Brown, Chambersburg.

Privates— C/ia»;i6e?-s6"f/.

Hamilton Spence.

Theophilus Stratton.

James Ridgley.

Jeremiah Smith.

Peter Dorty.

John Elser.

Samuel K. Snively.

Franklin Gipe.

Michael Harmony.

Edward Monath.

Wm. Fentiman.

Emanuel H. Forney.

Samuel Uglow.

James Borland.

Isaac S. Noel. (Honorably discharged)

Charles Jone.9.

1. A. Stumbaugh. (1 ransferred to Co 1 ' s .

Staff.)

John Hicks.

John H. Frederick.

Hugh Brotherton.

Dennis Riley.

John J. Hershberger.

Jacob Jones.

Wm. Henneberger.

Robert Smith.

Wm. Eaker.

John King.

Charles Shanebrook.

Frank Kline.

Geo. W. Baker.

Robert W. Moore.

Jacob W. Smith.

James McGeehan.

John Fisher.

P. A. J. Snider.

Harrison Hutton.

Adolphus McGuigan

John S. White.

Wm. T. Smith.

Peter Snider.

John Stoner.

John W. Bryson.

Wm. H. Pence.

John Pence.

Geo. Seabrooks.

Newville.

Samuel Hardy.

Isaac Hardy.

Scotland.

Lanson Coleman.

Greenwood.

Jeremiah Perrl.

Quincy, 3 ^Harrison Seabrooks.

Fayetteville.

Wm. T, Hazlett.

Merccrshurg.

Martin Louman.

George W. Daley.

David L. Hoffman.

Loudon.

Alexander McCurdy.

McConnellsburg .

Alexander Prosser.

Samuel Shoemaker.

Strasburg.

Walker Shearer.

Springville Lancaster co J. H. Martin.

Fairvieiv township , York conniy.

Peter Corden.

Edgar Wolf. (Honorably discharged)

Alexandria, Hu n t ingdon county.

Edgar G. McLaughlin.

New York.

John Swuninski.

Reminiscences of the War.

II

LIST OF CO. C, 2nd REGT. PENNA. VOL UNTEERS.

Captain, J. G. Elder, St. Thomas.

1st Lieut., J. B. Strickler, Green?astle.

'2nil " Jacob West, St. Thomas.

^^ M. Sergt., T. J. Keilly, Greeneu.stle.

;{d " Jacob Snyder, Loudon.

4th " G. A. Pool, Greencastle.

1st Corpl., T. J. Koonse. "

2nd " Christian Burkholder, Loudon.

;5d " Thomas Hill, St. Tliomas.

4th " David C. Shatter, Greencastle.

Privates— Greencastle.

Edwin P. Byers.

Geo. Benee."

Charles Byers.

Cor. Barnhisel.

John B. Bj'ers.

VVm. Byers.

Geo. Bush.

James B. Comins.

Emanuel Carpenter.

James Gatl'.

David Hess, John F. Koonse.

John H. IvOgue.

Geo. F. Missavey.

John A. Marshal.

Jessie K. Norris.

Miller H. Pensinger.

Samuel H. Prather.

John E. Pool.

John G. Rowe.

Abraham H. Shealy.

Emanuel F. Shatzer.

Wm. Shorts.

David Tracy.

Jacob Watson.

Joseph Wlldern.

Wm. A. Weyant.

Wm. A. Wildern.

Leander B. Zook.

Waynesboro'.

Joel Hattly.

Jacob H. Funk.

Cyrus Gossert.

Henry Grabill.

John Mickle.

David Morehead.

St. Thomas.

Samuel Antrim.

.lacol) Dotrich.

John Ferry.

Wm. A. Hosier.

Jeremiah Martin.

Samuel Bennecker.

Geo. Sulavan.

Alexander Speer.

Wm. H. Snow.

George Vorler.

Marion. (ieorge Butts.

John H. Stickel.

I 'pton.

Tliomas Dayley.

John Doubleman.

Josenh Stoner.

Mercersbvry.

David E. Haya.

Jolin S. King.

John Shatzer.

Chamber sburg.

Christian Miller.

Cashtoicn.

Simon Rupert.

Lo^ldon. .TohnH. linger. .James McElrea.

Henry M. Spidle.

Geltysbury.

Wm. G. Little.

Geo. Little.

Leitersburg, Md.

Martin Morgan.

Wm. A. Cassatt.

These lists are all certified to by the respective captains. It will be seen that in this first rush to arms, Franklin county furnished in these three companies alone, including regimental officers, 205 men. Of these, 112 were from Chambersburg. It will be recollected, too, that several other companies in process of forming, and numbering about 60 men each, offered their services to the Governor, and could not at that time be accepted. Many of these men, when their three months' enlistment expired, re-entered the service; and several of them sealed their devotion to their country by laying down their lives upon the field of battle. Prominent among those who fell is Col. Peter B. Housum. One of our excellent citizens and business men, he was loved and respected by all. Upon the bloody field of Stone River he poured out his life blood that the government he loved so well might live. Let bis memory ever be held in grateful remembrance by the people. Then there were others among those who first flew to the rescue of their country in her hour of peril, and died upon the field, or in the hospital, besides Col. Housum, who deserve to be gratefully remembered, but I cannot recall chem, nor tell of their deeds of noble daring and heroism. Nor is our gratitude due to those only who fell in battle or hospital. Some were wounded and maimed for life. Others contracted diseases which rendered their after-life unpleasant and painful. The cases of Col. Elder and Sergeant Thomas G. Cochran are familiar to all.

It will be recollected that at a meetinsr of citizens of Chambersburg, held in the Court House, on the evening of April 17th, to take into consideration the preparations necessary for the comfort and welfare of our departing volunteers, a committee was appointed to supply each soldier with a copy of the Scriptures. This committee taking no action in this matter, the Managers of the Franklin County Bible Society directed the writer, as their Treasurer and Librarian, to send to these men a copy each of the New Testament. Rev. W. B. Raber, then a resident pastor at York, near which these men were encamped, and who was personally known.by nearly all of the Franklin county men, was selected to present these Testaments. The following is a copy of the proceedings in connection with these presentations. The originals, with every other vestige connected with this affair, were destroyed with the Society's library and records in the great calamity of July 30th, 1864. For this record I am indebted to the Valley Spirit., in whose issue of May 15th, 1861, it is printed.

Camp Scott, i

Headquarters 2d Regt., Peuna.Vols., \

York, Pa., May 2d, 1861. S

On Thursday morning. May 2d, 1861, the volunteers of Franklin county, quartered at Camp Scott, after morning drill, were assembled together in companies at the request of Col. F. S. Stumbaugh, for the purpose of making some suitable acknowledgement of their appreciation of the care and generosity of the Franklin County Bible Society, in presenting each one of the soldiers from Franklin county with a copy of the New Testament.

Companies A, B and C were formed in a triangle, the officers in the centre. Col. F. S. Stumbaugh stated the object of the meeting in some appropriate remarks. Capt. J. G. Elder, of company C, was elected President, and Capt. P. B. Housum, of company A, and D. Watson Rowe, were chosen Secretaries.

Remmiscences of the War.

The following resolutions were offered by Mr. Rowe, and were unanimously adopted :

Whereas, The Franklin County Bible Society has presented each one of the Volunteers of Franklin county with a copy of the New Testament ; and

Whereas, We acknowledge the word of God contained therein as the only will to direct us how we may honor and serve our Maker, and fulfil our whole duty as soldiers, citizens and men ; and find ih its teachings the preparation for death as well as the rule of life, and therefore hold it precious above all things : Therefore,

Resolved^ That we return our warmest thanks to the Franklin County Bible Society for their tender care of our spiritual welfare and comfort; and that as our best return to the Society, we will regularly and studiously ponder the words of life and wisdom which they have placed in our hands.

Resolved^ That a copy of these resolutions be furnished by the Col. of our Kegimeut to the Franklin County Bible Society, with the request that they be published in all the County Papers.

JAMES G. ELDER,

D. W. RowE,

Secretaries.

In accordance with the request contained in this last resolution. Col. Stumbaugh transmitted a copy of the action taken, with the following letter:

To J. Hoke and others. Committee of the Franklin County Bible Society : Respected Sirs : The package containing 300 copies of the New Testament reached Camp Scott on Tuesday evening of last week, and on Wednesday morning, I proceeded, in pursuance with the promise previously made, to distribute them among the members of the companies from Franklin county, under my command, in 2d Regiment Penn'a Volunteers, viz : (Companies A, B and C. I wish you could have been present to see how every countenance beamed with joy on the reception of the precious book.