History of the One hundred and fiftieth regiment, Pennsylvania volunteers. Second regiment, Bucktail brigade

Preface

Now that nearly a third of a century has elapsed since the 150th Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers gathered to the colors, when inquiry is made about the beginnings of the organization, the recollections of many of its most intelligent members are found to be more or less confused, and on some points quite unreliable. Is it that the infancy of a regiment, like that of an individual, has nothing in it of sufficient value to be remembered and preserved to posterity ? Possibly not much. Yet, if even for a few of those still living who fought in the great War for the Union ; or for the friends who were, for valid reasons, unable to share their trials, but watched with solicitude their progress in the field ; or for the larger number of those who pride themselves on their descent from the patriotic actors in that grand tragedy, the birth and early movements of a particular military body have their interest, it is a sufficient warrant for noting in permanent form all that may be known of them.

It is scarcely a matter of wonder that the minute details of the organization of a regiment are so imperfectly recalled by its members. In the first days of his enlistment the eager soldier looks forward to the time of important deeds and chafes at every hour's delay in town or camp. However seriously his ambitions may be modified by actual experience of warfare, his desire at the start is to meet the foe as promptly as possible, — to hear the rattle of musketry, the clash of sabres, the boom of cannon, and to snuff the intoxicating smoke of battle. All

6 PREFACE.

else is " rubbish." Only after marching orders have set the machine of which he is a part in motion is the patient military " chronicler of small things" developed. Pocket annals blossom then on every side. Soon, however, the ardor of many would-be historians is chilled as the strain of daily duty grows more severe, and of diaries it is presently only a question of the " survival of the fittest."

After the transfer of the 150th from Harrisburg to Washington, the materials for a circumstantial account of its doings and experiences grow more abundant. It is the previous gap that is difficult to bridge over. But as some old and valued nurse is usually at hand to clear up misty points of family history or chronology, so there are still those left who stood in a manner as nurses to the infant organization, and, besides witnessing its birth, watched its growth, followed or shared the actions of its vigorous maturity, and continue to enjoy the memory of its achievements. From these have been gathered, as opportunity offered, many facts which — if of small general value — may prove interesting to the surviving members of the regiment and to their families and friends.

The narrative of the campaigns of the 150th — its tent-life, marches, and battles — has been drawn from all available sources, — chiefly from diaries kept by enlisted men and from letters "written from the field, supplemented by the recollections of field-, staff-, and line-officers, as well as of the rank and file. Nothing has been set down without careful authentication, and where the memory of witnesses has clashed in respect to any important incident, everything possible has been done to reconcile the disagreement and reach the actual fact.

Acknowledgments are due to General H. S. Huidekoper and Brevet Major R. L. Ashhurst for the use of valuable private army correspondence ; to Colonel George W. Jones, Captain H. K. Lukens, and Sergeant William R. Ramsey for many items of interest; to Adjutant William Wright for written

PREFACE. 7

accounts of the battles of the North Anna and Hatcher's Run, and of the expedition to Fall Brook; to Rev. H. M. Kieffer, D.D., for copies of his weekly reports, as hospital steward, for the greater part of the year 1864; and to Sergeant Albert Mealey, Corporal George A. Dixon, and Frank H. Elvidge, all of Company A, for the loan of diaries, — that of Private Elvidge in particular, on account of its covering a longer period of time and entering more fully into the details of each day's operations, proving the most serviceable contribution received from any quarter. Thanks are also due to many other members of the regiment for valuable suggestions and assistance from time to time as the work progressed, and to Mr. Ellicott Fisher, brother of the late Captain Harvey Fisher, of Company A, for the use of letters and papers left by the latter, relating to his army career.

If many matters are recalled by members of the command which find no place in this history, — such as instances of individual daring, humorous or pathetic happenings, unique experiences in camp or field, — their absence is explained by the fact that repeated requests for material of this kind received but a meagre response, to the regret of the writer, who knows the value of incident and anecdote in such a narrative. His work has been done painstakingly and conscientiously, in hours with difficulty snatched from an exacting business ; and if his book, which is truly a labor of love, have no other merit, it is at least, or aims to be, a faithful presentation of the truth.

Philadelphia, April 10, 1895.

Contents

CHAPTER PAGE

I. — Organization — The Philadelphia Companies ii

11. — To Harrisburg — Regimental Organization 21

Chapter I. Organization — The Philadelphia Companies

The 150th Pennsylvania Volunteers, like many other regiments designated by advanced numbers, was born of the exigencies of the government resulting from the disasters of the campaign in front of Richmond in the summer of 1862, — disasters which could in no sense be attributed to any lack of spirit, courage, or intelligence on the part of the Army of the Potomac, whose fighting qualities never shone more conspicuously than on the fields of Mechanicsville, Gaines's Mill, and Malvern Hill, but rather to a fatal defect in its management, which a comparison of the records of the two contending forces has already made plain. The pestilential air of the Chickahominy vied with the bullets and shells of the enemy in thinning the ranks of our troops, and at the end of the Seven Days' battles the necessity for immediate and active recruiting was painfully apparent. In July of that year, while the army was lying inactive at Harrison's Landing, on the James River, Major Roy Stone, who had commanded with great skill and gallantry the six companies of the ist Pennsylvania Rifles (better known as the" Bucktails," 13th Regiment Pennsylvania Reserve

Volunteer Corps, or 42d Regiment' Pennsylvania Volunteers), serving with McClellan, — the other four companies had been detached, and were operating with McDowell's command, under Lieutenant- Colonel Thomas L. Kane, — asked for and obtained orders to proceed to Pennsylvania on recruiting service. He had participated in most of the engagements in the ill-advised and humiliating "change of base," and while his little battalion had established an enviable reputation for valor and efficiency, it had met with most serious losses. It was to repair this waste that the major avowedly started on his mission ; but in consultation with his colonel, Hugh W. McNeil, who had just returned to his command after a considerable absence caused by sickness, he had broached the further idea of raising a brigade of the same stamp of men as the 1st Rifles, which the colonel caught up with much enthusiasm. The plan lay very near to Major Stone's heart, and he needed no urging to put it in execution. Colonel McNeil at once addressed the following letter to

Governor Curtin :

" Harrison's Landing, Va., July 8, 1862.

'■ Hon. a, G. Curtin, Governor of Pennsylvania.

" Sir, — Major Stone returns to Pennsylvania on the Recruiting Service. During the severe engagements of the past few days my regiment was in the hottest of the fight, under the command of Major Stone. The Generals of the Reserve Corps speak in the highest terms of its efficiency, and of the distinguished gallantry of that accomplished officer. Where the ' Bucktails' fought there was no giving way of our lines, and where the Major would bring up his Spartan Band, there brigades would re-form and hold their position. General Seymour says he cannot spare a battalion of such veterans from the service, and is desirous that its strength be at once re-established. The name of ' Bucktail' has become a terror to the enemy and an inspiration to our own men. I can speak impartially of the brave fellows, as it was not my privilege to lead them, and as to the Major, — to him is immediately due the credit of their heroic conduct on the Peninsula. A more extended organization would be greatly advantageous to the service.

" A Bucktail Brigade of light infantry would reflect additional honor on the old Commonwealth and the Executive that has given the Pennsylvania army to the country. I hope that you may authorize Major Stone to recruit a brigade to be attached to the Reserve Corps. He has won his title to such a command by brilliant achievement on the field, that has elicited the commendation of his General Officers, and has a reputation even with McClellan.

" I am. Governor,

" Your most obedient servant,

" Hugh W. McNeil, Colonel,

" Commanding- Rifle sT

About the same time Captain Langhorne Wister, of Company B of the same regiment, likewise requested permission to go home on recruiting service, basing his application on the reduced condition of his command, with incidental mention of a personal disability resulting from a slight wound in the ankle, received in the battle of Gaines's Mill. His petition was favored, and these two officers were presently in hearty co-operation in an effort to realize the commendable project of a " Bucktail Brigade." In his eagerness to pave the way for their success. Colonel McNeil, on the same day on which his letter was addressed to Governor Curtin, wrote to one of his own influential

friends as follows :

" Harrison's Landing, July 8, 1862.

" Dear Theo, — Major Stone has proved himself a hero in the battles before Richmond. He goes to Pennsylvania to recruit our Spartan Band, now much reduced. He is likely to receive authority from the Department and the Governor to raise a ' Bucktail' Brigade. General Seymour commends him for that purpose. I would be greatly delighted that he should succeed. He has won, on the field, a title to a superior command, and proved himself eminently qualified.

" If any ' red tape' is required, I shall ask your influence in the proper quarter.

" Yours very truly,

" Commanding' Rifles.'''

The idea of the new brigade was no sooner presented to Governor Curtin than it met with instant favor, and the requisite authority for putting it on foot was given without delay. Through Colonel J. H. Puleston, Pennsylvania Military Agent at Washington (now Sir John Puleston, a member of Parliament), the approval of the Secretary of War was readily obtained, and the United States Superintendent of Recruiting Service for Pennsylvania endorsed the movement.

Before the middle of August, 1862, after due arrangements had been made for filling the depleted ranks of the ist Rifles, preparations for raising the Bucktail Brigade were begun, and the work was pushed forward with the utmost rapidity. In and near Philadelphia ten companies were speedily in process of formation for the regiment which eventually became the 150th, and, if sufficient time had been allowed, doubtless all of these could have been filled to the required standard. Such was their growth that the organization was placed upon the rolls of the Adjutant-General's Department, at Harrisburg, as the " 143d," and by the 20th of August clothing and other supplies were issued to the command under that designation. Two weeks prior to this date the Adjutant-General issued the following order :

" Head-Quarters Pennsylvania Militia,

• " Adjutant-General's Department,

" Harrisburg, August 6, 1S62.

" Major Roy Stone, — VVm. M. Dalgliesh, of Allegheny County, and George M. CuUen and Benj. F. Janney, of Philadelphia, having been appointed second lieutenants of companies, under the provisions of the first paragraph of General Order No. 75 of the War Department, of July 8, 1862, you will please muster them into the service of the United States as such. A, L. Russell,

" Adjutant- Genenil Pennsylvania^

It is possible that B. F. Janney was mustered in accordance with the above instructions, but, if so, the fact does not appear in the roster of the 150th as given in Bates's " History of the Pennsylvania Volunteers," where September i, 1862, is fixed as the date of his muster, as captain. Following Bates as an authority, Lieutenant Chalkley W. Sears, of F Company, was the first officer of the regiment to be mustered into the United States service, August 9, 1862, being named as the date of his muster. The next oldest officers by priority of muster were Adjutant Richard L. Ashhurst and Assistant Surgeon James Fulton, whose rolls were dated August 20.

As all of the original recruiting papers seem to have passed out of sight, if not out of existence, it is, at this distance of time, difficult to determine who were the nominal heads of all of the ten companies started in Philadelphia for Colonel Wister's proposed regiment. For the same reason it would be hard to tell by whom the first recruits were obtained. From the best information to be had, it is probable that among the earliest enlistments were some for Company A, effected in Germantown by Harvey Fisher, who became second lieutenant. Whether this bright and energetic young officer aimed at putting on foot a company of his own is not now known, nor is the inquiry important. Joining forces with Cornelius C. Widdis, who, with the assistance of influential friends, had obtained a large list of recruits, and with W. M, Taylor, likewise of Germantown, the roll of Company A soon approached completion, Widdis receiving the captaincy and Taylor the first lieutenancy.

Simultaneously with the formation of A, George W. Jones began, in Germantown, to raise the company which became B in the regimental organization. He had seen active service in the West, having enlisted in Colonel Phelps's * regiment of Missouri volunteers, and fought under Sigel at Pea Ridge. The captain was very successful in getting men, and in four or five days entered about eighty on his list.

* Colonel Phelps, who was a member of Congress, and wielded the sword without other than his civil pay, had his feelings greatly outraged by the loss of all his slaves through the instrumentality of General "Jim" Lane.

The other Philadelphia companies were of slower growth, and eventually it became necessary to weld several of them together in order to complete the two which subsequently became E and F. Many military bodies were in process of formation at that time, but they " materialized" slowly, in spite of a modest pecuniary inducement which had begun to be held out by the municipality to stimulate enlistments. The number of persons ambitious to wear shoulder-straps was out of all proportion to the number of those who were willing to handle the musket As a consequence, skeletons of companies, loosely articulated, abounded, and these in many instances fell asunder, — the parts to be gathered into new organizations with scarcely more solidity than the first.

Benjamin F. Janney, William S. Pine, Henry W. Gimber, William A. Elsegood, and others were actively engaged in recruiting companies for the new regiment in the city proper. Each controlled a considerable number of men, but each found great difificulty in filling up even to the minimum required by the law. When, under pressure from the War Department, it became imperative to hasten the completion of companies, in order that the proposed regiment might take the field, the veteran Pine — an ex-sergeant of marines, who had circumnavigated the globe under Commodore Downes, in the years 1831 to 1835, participating in the attack on the Malays of Quallah Batoo, in the island of Sumatra, in 1832 — consented to unite with Janney on condition of receiving the first lieutenancy. J. Quincy Carpenter, who was also instrumental in adding recruits to the same command, was made second lieutenant.

Gimber's progress in procuring enlistments had been slow and laborious, and the prospect was far from encouraging. By a series of transactions, into the particulars of which it is unnecessary to enter, an imposing contribution was made to his company, of men enlisted chiefly at Phoenixville by Chalkley W. Sears, who became second lieutenant ; and William A. Elsegood was induced to turn over his recruits bodily to the same company. Of Elsegood, Sergeant WiUiam R. Ramsey says, " He had his recruiting office in a shoe store belonging to himself or his father, on the west side of Third Street, above Chestnut. It was run by Edward Kates, who was afterwards a corporal in Captain Gimber's company." The sergeant adds that he himself enlisted under Elsegood. The latter had been a line officer in the 66th Pennsylvania Volunteers, which by a series of misfortunes was never filled up to the required standard, and after a brief term of comparatively uneventful service was, March 3, 1862, broken up and merged into the 73d and 99th Regiments, Elsegood receiving the position of first lieutenant in Company H of the 99th. Bates's History states that he was promoted to the captaincy May 12, 1862, and resigned July 4 of that year.

Adjutant Ashhurst was of inestimable assistance in effecting the several consolidations mentioned, thus assuring the completion of four companies for the regiment. It is not too much to say that this able young staff-officer, in whose selection Colonel Wister was peculiarly fortunate, was the controlling spirit in all the negotiations by which the Philadelphia wing of the organization was moulded into shape, bringing to his delicate task the intelligence, enthusiasm, patience, and diplomacy essential to success. Embarked in the practice of the law under the most favorable auspices, with every prospect of early distinction in his profession, and with home ties of unusual strength and attraction, it is in the highest degree creditable to his patriotism that he should have withdrawn from the many interests which claimed him to serve his country in the field.

Incidentally it may be stated that the regimental recruiting office was on the north side of Chestnut Street, between Fifth and Sixth Streets, and the regimental head-quarters at No. 131 South Fifth Street, in the law office of William Rotch Wister,

Esq., a brother of Colonel Langhorne Wister, who labored diligently to promote enlistments, and was serviceable in many ways. It may be interesting to recall the fact that the regimental head-quarters of the I2ist Pennsylvania Volunteers, which was being raised at the same time, were in the same building, just across the hall-way, in the law ofifice of Chapman Biddle, the first colonel of that regiment. The adjutant of the I2ist, the lamented Thomas M. Hall, sat just across the entry at a desk corresponding to that used by Adjutant Ashhurst. Thus early in their history began the association and companionship of the two regiments, destined to be continued in friendly rivalry on many a toilsome march and on more than one bloody field.

The ranks of Companies E and F were still far from full when those of A and B had nearly attained their maximum. To further the work of obtaining men an expedient was adopted — not entirely new or original — which resulted most satisfactorily. A huge furniture car of the platform variety was hired for the purpose, tastefully decorated with the national colors, and showily placarded with appeals to " Enlist in the Bucktail Brigade !" From poles planted in the body of the van hung a seductive array of bucktails to be bestowed upon the expected recruits. With ample provision of horses and martial music, this gigantic vehicle, in charge of Captain Janney, Sergeant Bringhurst, and others, assisted by Captain Jones, began its journey through the principal streets, attracting attention wherever it appeared, and preceded and followed by the usual throng of the unemployed, forever on the watch for the latest excitement. Its progress was a triumph, bringing resolution to many who had been balancing between the desire to serve their country and indisposition to leave their homes and families. The car rolled on to the music of the drums and fifes, which grew in intensity at every moment, catching the spirit of the recruiting officers, whose appeals could scarcely have been more impassioned if they had been preaching a new religion. By nightfall many men had been gathered in, to whom the record of the original Bucktails was familiar, and who. were proud to decorate their hats with an emblem so favorably known in our own army and so highly respected — if not feared — by the enemy.

About a week before the close of August the several companies were settled in camp near Nicetown, on Logan's farm, commonly known as " Stenton," not far from the point at which Fifteenth and Cayuga Streets now intersect each other. Logan's Run separated their tents from those of Collis's Zouaves (114th Pennsylvania), who were awaiting orders to march. Prior to this time Captain Jones had quartered and subsisted many of his men at Napfle's Hotel, at the corner of Wister Street and Germantown Avenue (then " Duy's Lane" and " Main Street"), at a considerable expense to himself; while Captain Widdis's company remained at their homes, or boarded among their friends, with the understanding that if the government eventually commuted their rations for this period, the money should go to them. Mention is made of this circumstance because it has an important bearing on an incident which occurred later in the history of the regiment, and which will be recorded in its proper place. During the brief encampment at Nicetown, Sergeant Bringhurst handled the commissary stores for the entire command, and tradition has it that even at this early day, when inexperience might have been presumed to guarantee fairness and honesty in such a position, methods of deriving profit from soldiers' rations were speedily discovered and freely practised.

Some of the consolidations already referred to were effected at this point, and here, too, loud murmurs of dissatisfaction arose when marching orders came before the bounty promised by the city had been paid. While the withholding of this money would probably not have prevented the movement of the command, it was generally recognized that these expressions of discontent were well founded, and that the pledge of the municipal government should be kept. Principally through the good ofifices of William Rotch Wister, Esq., sufficient funds were raised to cover one-half of the stipulated sum, which was distributed among the men, and it was promised that the remaining half should be forthcoming at an early day. Thus all unpleasantness was allayed, and much hilarity prevailed at Stenton before the tents were abandoned.

CHAPTER 11.

TO HARRISBURG — REGIMENTAL ORGANIZATION.

On Monday, September i, Companies A and B broke camp and marched to West Philadelphia, where they took train for Harrisburg. Collis's Zouaves had already gone, their departure hastened, no doubt, by the condition of affairs before Washington, where Pope — more from others' fault, perhaps, than his own — had conducted a hopeless campaign. On Tuesday evening, September 2, about eight o'clock. Companies E and F followed the example of their comrades, and, marching to West Philadelphia, started by rail for Harrisburg about half-past eleven, arriving there at daylight and rejoining the first two companies at Camp Curtin.

If, in speaking of the command, the four Philadelphia companies have been designated A, B, E, and F, it is not that the designation of any company had, as yet, been absolutely fixed. A tacit understanding seems to have existed that Widdis's and Jones's companies were to occupy the flanks, and to be A and B respectively. As already stated, the regimental organization was borne upon the papers of the Adjutant-General's office as the 143d. Sufficient evidence of this may still be found in the pigeon-holes of the War Department, and, if further proof is needed, it is found in a certificate still in the possession of Sergeant William R. Ramsey, which appears to have been written in Philadelphia, dated after the company reached Harrisburg, and endorsed still later by Colonel Wister. This document originally read :

" I do certify on honor that William R. Ramsey is a member of Company C, 143d Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers.

" H. W. GiMBER,

" Commanding Company C.

" Philadelphia, September 3, 1862."

As it now appears, the " C" is crossed, and the figures " 150" are marked over 143. This certificate is another evidence that Colonel Wister originally contemplated the formation of a purely Philadelphia regiment, whose framework was^duly laid, but which failed to reach the fulness and symmetry of a perfect structure. It also shows that Captain Gimber's company expected to occupy the position of " color" company in the battalion. Indeed, without any intention of censuring its ambitions, it may be remarked that the Quaker City element of the regiment seems to have been willing to accept whatever places of honor or profit were going. Six more companies, however, were needed to round out the organization, and until these were secured the alphabetical designations necessarily remained uncertain.

About the time of the arrival of the first instalment of the Philadelphians there reached Camp Curtin four companies from Crawford County, which had been recruited under proper authority for the Bucktail Brigade by Captain Henry S. Huidekoper, of Meadville, in person, or with his co-operation. Three of these were from Meadville, commanded by Captains H. S. Huidekoper, John B. Fay, and J. W. H. Reisinger; the fourth came from Titusville, commanded by Captain John W. Sigler. A fifth company had been raised at Conneautville, in the same county, by Captain A. J. Mason, avowedly in Huidekoper's interest; but for some unexplained reason it was assigned to the 145th Pennsylvania.

Much less difficulty seems to have been experienced in recruiting in Crawford County than in Philadelphia, though nearly the same inducements were held out at each end of the

State. The machinery for drafting was almost ready to be set in motion, and this fact was skilfully used to hasten voluntary enlistments. On August 6 this handbill was struck off, and within a day or two posted throughout Crawford County:

"BUCKTAIL BRIGADE.

©00,000 IVIEirsJ CALLED OUT!

Drafting commences Aug. 15.

H. S. HUIDEKOPER

has been authorized by Gen. Stone to raise a Battalion of

FOUR COMPANIES FOR THE BUCKTAILS.

All Companies, parts of Companies and Recruits reporting immediately

AT MEADVILLE,

will be provided for and be sure of a place in the Bucktail Brigade.

Enlist Now and Receive the Bounty of $25,

one month's pay in advance, and $75 at the end of the war, and not wait to be drafted into a poor regiment and receive no bounty.

The County will probably give her Men $50 apiece.

H. S. HUIDEKOPER

WISHES 100 MEN TO FORM A SELECT COMPANY,

The Battalion will probably receive its arms, etc., immediately, and be encamped in Meadville for four weeks. All men enlisting in this Battalion will be sure of the best care, and can have money at all times transferred to their families free of charge.

MEADVILLE, PA., Aug. 6, 1862. (Journal Print.)"

In less than three weeks of actual recruiting time the battahon was ready, and on August 27 the following poster appeared :

"BUCKTAILS!

ALL MEN" WHO HAVE ENLISTED IN"

HUIDEKOPER & DERICKSON'S CO.,

REISINGER & SHAW'S CO.,

J. B. FAY'S CO., or CAPT. ZEIGLER'S CO.,

MUST BEPORT THEMSELVES AT MEADVILLE ON

MONDAY, SEPT. 1ST,

TO BE IN READINESS TO LEAVE IMMEDIATELY FOR HARRISBURG.

They reported, and reached Harrisburg on the 2d of September.

With so large a body of men under his control, and with influential friends to assist him, Captain Huidekoper might properly have asked for, and could easily have obtained, command of a regiment, had he been so minded. In fact, he was sent for by Adjutant-General Russell and informed by him that upon the recommendation of Captain Tarbutton, commander of Camp Curtin, he was to have the colonelcy of a regiment then forming. This he declined on account of the engagements which he had entered into with his own men and the promises he had made to the parents of many of them. When, however, the Adjutant-General offered him the lieutenant-colonelcy of a regiment to be commanded by Colonel Wister, he at once accepted the proffered position, pleased with the prospect of being associated with a superior officer of excellent social standing, approved courage, and ample military experience. These two gentlemen had never met, nor had any correspondence passed between them, until they were brought together to arrange the details of the regimental organization. On the 4th of September these details were completed. Captain Henry W. Crotzer's company, from Union County, recruited chiefly at Lewisburg and Mifflinburg, and Captain' Horatio Bell's, from McKean County, were added to the eight from Philadelphia and Crawford, making the total of the command about 928.

Entirely without his knowledge, and with no previous intimation from any quarter of the probability of such an appointment, Captain Thomas Chamberlin, of Company D, 5th Pennsylvania Reserve, was named by Secretary of State Slifer for the position of major, and the proposition favorably received by the other field-officers. Captain Chamberlin, like Captain Wister, had served since the spring of 1861, participating in the Peninsular campaign, and was at this time in hospital at Baltimore, after a brief sojourn in Libby Prison, recovering from a severe wound received at the battle of Charles City Cross Roads (otherwise known as " Glendale" and " Eraser's Farm").