Under the Maltese cross, Antietam to Appomattox, the loyal uprising in western Pennsylvania, 1861-1865; campaigns 155th Pennsylvania regiment

Front matter

* o

V

4 O

Preface

" The Peninsular Campaign is a Failure! The Union Arms have not been Victorious ! They have been driven back to the Gates of Washington, notwithstanding all reports to the contrary!"

Had it not been for these fateful words, just quoted, uttered by Governor Andrew G. Curtin, at a great war mass-meeting, held on the West Common, Allegheny, Pa., on the 2-lth day of July, 1862, the history of the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth Pennsylvania Volunteers would probably never have been written.

Up to that period the attempted secession of the Southern States had been the all-absorbing subject of public interest; but the real magnitude of the war for the Union had not been fully realized by the people of Western Pennsylvania. It was felt somehow that with the mighty efforts already put forth by the National Government, the Rebellion must be short-lived, and the national authority soon restored throughout the South.

The solemn and impressive declaration of the Chief-executive of the great Commonwealth of Pennsylvania that the war thus far had been a failure awoke the people with a shock to the real danger of the situation. The effect of the Governor's words was not discouraging ; they simply aroused the people from the sense of false security under which they had hitherto been resting, and stirred up all the latent patriotism in their hearts, resulting in a firm determination that the war henceforth should be waged relentlessly till the last armed foe to the Union should ground his arms.

Many youths who had never hitherto entertained a thought of enlisting, suddenly felt themselves impelled to enroll themselves in defense of the integrity of their native land; and thus it happened that the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth came into existence.

The Itinerary and Narrative in the following pages is but a record mainly of the rank and file of the Regiment, their hardships and sufferings, their sacrifices of life, limb, and health, in behalf of their beloved country.

The opening Chapter begins with the firing on Sumter, the official date of the beginning of the Civil War, and portrays the state of the public mind, which called forth upon the stage of action the patriotic devotion to the Union of so many heroic men and women in Western Pennsylvania. Their acts and sacrifices speak for themselves in the following pages.

ii UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

The authors of this history mostly belonged to the rank and file of the Regiment, and they have carefully avoided censorious criticisms, being content simply to narrate their story of the stirring events of the campaigns, under the Maltese Cross, the badge of the Fifth Corps, Army of Potomac, compiled from records, diaries, home letters, and narratives of actual participants, and leaving the reader his prerogative of passing upon the same.

The numerous War-time illustrations and photo groups of Reunions and Monument Dedications appearing in the volume is somewhat of an innovation, which, with the passage of time, will greatly enhance the work as an Illustrated Souvenir History of the greatest war of modern times.

The comrade authors are pleased to announce that the Governor, the Auditor-General, and the Adjutant-General of the State have given their official imprimatur to the contents of this volume. This approval of their labors is not only most gratifying to the authors, but adds to the authenticity of the work.

E. JAY ALLEN, JOHN H. KERR,

JOHN EWING, JOHX C. SI AS.

S. W. HILL, JOHN T. PORTER,

CHARLES F. McKENNA,

Regimental Committee on History.

Index to Portraits

A.

5 C

Adams, Capt. David F Albree, Joseph . .

Allabach, Col. Peter H Allen, Bradford . .

Allen, David . . .

Allen, Col. E. lay .

59, 516, Allen, Cain. Wm. E.

Alter, J. King . .

Anderson, Corp. John Anderson. Sgt. Thoma Anshutz, Capt. Lee Ashworth, Daniel .

Armstrong, Sgt. J. D Ayres, Gen. R. B. .

Baldwin, Theodore .

Bardeen, Charles Barr, Col. James P.

Barrett, Corp. Spencer Bartlett, Brig. -Gen. Joseph Beals, Hiram . . .

Bell, Lieut. Arthur W Bell, Capt. John S. ■ Bell. Capt. John T.

Birch. William . .

Boisel, Capt. Daniel Bollinger, George .

Booth, Sgt. George Black, Col. Samuel W Blair. Lieut. Samuel O.

Bradley, Corp. George Bradley, John Bradley, Ralph . .

Bratton, George W.

Brinton, Capt.

Breed, Lieut. H. A Bruden, Corp. Jacob Brunn, Capt. Jacob .

Brunot, Hon. Felix R Bunton, Charles . .

Burchfield, A. P. .

Burnside, Maj.-Gen. A. E Cain, Lieut. -Col. John H.

Calhoun, Ephraim J. .

683,

411),

456,

1 6 ,

92, 117,

474 556 i:h;

10(1

705 506 665 2 ; 8 601

732 705

579 620 503

Callen, Theophilus S 284

Campbell, Sgt. Harry S. . . . 729

Cargo, Lieut. Joseph M. . . . 414

Carnegie, Andrew 10

Carson, Lieut. Alexander. 103, 424

Carroll, Corp. James J. . . . 456

Chamberlain. Gen. (. L. . 219, 694

Childs. Col. James H. ... 73

Childs, Miss Laura .... 33

Clapp. Capt. E. E 265

Clark. Rev. John B., D. .D. . 52, 806

Clever, Corp. Robt. O. ... 505

Cline, Major John A. . . 340, 620

Collier, Col. Frederick H. . . 23 Collner, Capt. 'William F. . .

297, 463, 677

Collord, Lieut. -Col. James . . 56

Coulter, Gen. Richard .... 219

Cowan, lohn 196

Crawford, Jacob 398

Craig, John 407

Craig, Sgt. Washington A. . . 475

Crawford, Maj.-Gen. S. W. . 154

Culbert, Robert 495

Culbert, Samuel 495

Culp, Robert R 408

Curll, Corp. D. Reid ....

Curry, Color-Corp. Henrv M. .

457, 561, 583, Curtin, Gov. Andrew G. . . 29, Dalzell, John K. .. .

Davis. Thomas D. . .

De Ford, Lieut. Risdon Dehner, Leonard . .

Denniston, Capt. John T Dewalt. William H. .

Dickson, Dr. Joseph .

Dickson, Dr. John . .

Dickson, Dr. Thomas .

I lickson, Thomas H. .

Dillon, John ....

Dittman, Adam . . .

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

Domenec, Rt. Rev. M. ... 31

Douglass, Howell 489

Douglass, Robert P. . . 546, 624

Eagan, Rev. C. L -213

Elder, Col. Jas. J. .... . 799

Errett, Maj. Russell . . . . ■ 385

Evans. William 284

Ewing, Lieut.-Col. John 298, 620, 683 Farley. Capt. Porter . ... 18?

Fillman, Josiah 466

Finnegan, James 105

Fleming, Dr. Andrew .... 34 Fleming, Corp. K. G. . . 502. 583

Fleming. John A 504

Foster,' Lieut. J. A. H. . . . 503

Frick. Col. Jacob G 805

Friend. Jacob S 572

Fullerton, Xathan X 611

Fulton. Charles W 478

Fulton, Sgt. Geo. P 434

Gallaher, Dr. Thomas ]. . . . 198

Gamble, Oliver P 442

Garrard, Gen. Kenner .... 219

Garris. David 456

Gilmore, Corp. Franklin . . .

398, 596. 599

Gilson, J. H 708

Glass, Capt. John P 13

Glass. Com.-Sgt. William B. . 83 Grant, Gen. U. S. . 235, 364, 579

Grav, Calvin 509

Gregorv, Col. E. M 219

Griffith, John 569

Griffin. Maj.-Gen. Charles 350, 665

Grounds, William 409

Hagan, Corp. Isaac N. . . . 4S1

Hampton. T. H 51

Hancock, Maj.-Gen. W. S. 579, 607 Harnish, Corp. Horatio S. 255. 728 Harper. Capt. Samuel .... 24

Harriger, Harry 478

Hartman, William D 480

Hartman, Lewis 480

Havs. Gen. Alexander . . . 256

Havs. Tohn A 399

Hays. J. Milton 628

Hazlett, Capt. Charles E. . . 169

Heaslev. Henry W 495

Heath," Oliver M 495

Heflick, Samuel J 409

Heisey, Capt. Augustus H. . 412 Henderson. James R 509

05. 429.

101,

F

Hess, William

Hill, Corp. Samuel W. 453, 623, Hindman, William S. . 277, Hooker, Maj.-Gen. Joseph 116,

Horner. Daniel K

Howard, Rev. William D., D. D.

Howe, Gen. Thomas M. . . 8, Huey, Capt. Ben . . .

Humphreys. Major-General

Andrew A

Hunter, Sgt. George .

Hunter, John

Hunter, John F

Irwin, Sgt. James J. . .

Irwin, Sgt. -Maj. John H.

Jackson, Brig.-Gen. Conrad Jamison, John ....

Jenkins, Col. David T. .

Johnson, Rev. Herrick. D. D Johnston. Capt. Charles C.

Johnston, David . .

Johnston, Lieut. Ed. P.

Johnston, James P.

Jones, B. F

Tones. Capt. William R.

Raster, James M. . .

Kerr, Capt. Benjamin B Kerr, Geo. R. . . .

Kerr. Sgt. John H. .

Ketcham. W. P. . . .

Kier, Samuel M.

King, Dr. James . .

King. Lieut. Wm. H. .

Kirkpatrick. Sgt. D. C.

Kirkpatrick, Hon. John M Kitchin. Dr. E. C. . .

Kilgore, Capt. Samuel Kohen. F. P. . . .

Kribbs, Lieut. John A Kuhn, Wilbur W. .

Lafferty, Stanley Lancaster, Sgt. J. M.

Lapine. Capt. Jacob Laughlin, Maj. George M

350, 433, 446, 680 Lawson, Color-Sgt. Thomas C Lee, Lieut. Elijah M. . . 47 Le Goullon, G. . . .

Leonard, Hugh . . .

Lemon, Corp. Michael B Lewis. John A. . . .

Lewis, Peter ....

Lincoln, Abraham .

Linderman, Fred. .

3,

796 431

444 536 477 128

15 459 246

37 268 490 399 399

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

Linderman, Philip

Lindsay, William

Liken, William A

Littlehales, William ....

Loutzenheiser, Newell D. . .

Lowry. Hon. Jas. Jr

Locke, Col. Fred T

Logan, Sgt. William ....

Lyon, Capt. D. E

Lyon, Patrick

Lutes, J. H

Mackin. Color Corp. John H.

Mackin, John

Markle, Capt. John ....

Marlin, Color-Sgt. Thomas T. .

500, Marshall, Col. Charles, (C. S. A.

Marshall, Lieut. D. Porter .

Marshall, E. S. . .

Marshall, Hawdon Marshall. Thos. M.

Martin, Thomas C. .

Mateer, Rev. Joseph. D.

Mathews. William . . .

Meade, Maj.-Gen. George G. .

152, Meagher, Gen. Thomas Francis

Melchi. E. R

Merriman, Jackson

Miller. A. S

Montooth, Maj. E. A. 83, 630, Montgomery, William . . .

Moody. Lieut. -Col. William 11.

Mooney, Lieut. John ....

Moorhead, Hon. lames K. .

Moorhead, Maj. -William J.

Mortran, Miss Eva .

D

117,

333,

Morgan. Capt. Gen. F.

Morgan, Thos. E. . .

Murphv. Corp. Richard Myers," Milton L. . .

McCabe. Sgt. Walter .

McCandless, Hon. Wilson . .

McCann, Dr. James ....

McClellan, Maj.-Gen. Geo. P.. .

McClelland. Capt. Geo. P. . .

McClelland, William W. . .

McClintock. Oliver ....

McCook. Dr. George ....

McConnell, Lieut. Daniel W. .

McCush, Color-Corp. Thos. 492,

McFadden. James

McFadden, Patrick ....

540 454

583 )

37-;

579 136

24 477

51 200

63 158 706

401 583

431 431

McFadden, Miss Rachel McGimpsey. Sgt. H. W.

McGaughey, Robt. L. .

McKee, Capt. S. A. . . 300 McKenna. Charles F. 623, 635 McMillan, lames A. 401, 403 McMillen, William C. . . .

McPherson, Color-Corp. L. E. 416, 559, 561 Negley, Maj.-Gen. James S Xevil, John A. . . .

Xevin, Col. John I. . .

Niederlander, Joseph .

Milan, Michael . . .

O'Brien, Col. Edward O'Neill, James P. . .

O'Rorke, Col. Patrick H ( >tt, Charles W. . . .

Palmer, Capt. J. B.

Pangburn, Noah H.

Park, Sgt. Hugh . .

Park. James, Jr. . . .

Parker, Sgt. James F.

Patterson. Col. John W.

Pearce. Lieut. James D.

Pearson, Gen. A. L. 11 Pence, Harmon . .

Pitcairn. Robert . . .

Poland, Maj. John . .

Porter, Gen. Fitz John Porter, John T. . . .4?

Porter. Sgt. Wm. I). .

Power, Lieut. T. T. .

Prestlev, Rev. [ames, D Price, Elijah N. . . .

Ouav, Col. M. S. . .

Ralston. Q.-M.-Sgt. John Ramsey, John L. . .

Ramsey. Corp. Wm. B.

Rankin, James A. .

Rankin, John ....

Rankin, Samuel G.

Rankin, Corp. William Reed, Dr. 1. A. E. . .

Reid. Maj. Bernard J.

Richards. James B.

Rippey. CHI. Oliver H.

Robbins, Moses .

Rowand. A. H. Jr. . .

Rowe. Col. D. Watson Rowlev. Gen. Thomas A Russell. Corp. John C.

Ryan, Col. George . .

Sackett, Edward W. .

Sackett. Capt. Joseph B

3,

D

;9

. 683

33 630

, 663

, 625

30 398 532

27 399 372 799

20 508 245 449 230

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

Sallade, Corp. Martin V. B Savage, Mrs. Kate .

Scott, Col. Thomas A Scott, William J. .

Schemerhorn, Capt.

Secrist, Sgt. Asbury Shawhan, Sgt. Jos. .

Shaw, Dr. Thomas W Sheridan, Maj.-Gen. P. H.

Shore, Sgt.-Maj. William, |r

360, 427,

Sias, John C 490, 494,

Smith. Sgt. Albert K

Smith, Gen. " Baldv " . .

Smith, Dill A. '. .

Smith, George M. . .

Smith, Jeremiah . .

Speakman, Col. Frank 1'.

Stafford, Miss Alary J.

Stanton. Sec'y.-of-War E Stewart, Sgt. David J.

Stewart, Maj. R. E. . , Strong, Lieut. James . , Sweeney, Capt. John C. , Sweitzer, Bvt.-Brig.-Gen.

Bowman

Sykes, Gen. George . .

Taggart. Capt. Samuel .

Taylor, Thos

Thomas, John M., Chaplain

Thaw. William

Thompson, Color-Corp. Franci

48:

Thompson. Lieut. Robert Thorn, Ellis C. Hosp. Steward Tomer, Color-Corp. Thomas J

M

681 62.5 419

5:9 19

45 541 480 707 346 428

289 665

Tyler, General E. B

Tyler, Maj. Horatio K. . . .

Van Gorder. Frank ....

A'anosdol. Thos. V

Van Tassel, James

Wadsworth. Gen. lames S. .

Wall, Jos. S. .

Walter. Dr. Albert G. . . .

Walters, Color-Corp. Charles

Ward, .Maj. Frank B. . . .

Warren, Gen. G. K. . 5:9, iid Watson, Mrs. Ellen Murdoch Weaver. Corp. H. F. . . 19 Weed, Gen. S. H. . . .

Wells. Lieut. James . .

Welton, William . .

Weyman, William P. .

Whipple, Gen. Amiel W.

White, Andrew ....

White, Gen. Harry White, Corp. William John Wilkins, Hon. William .

Will, Franklin ....

Williamson. R. L. .

Wilson, Rev. S. J., D. D.

Wilson. Surgeon W. S. .

Winger, Josiah G. . . .

Winthrop, Brig.-Gen. Fred Wiseman. Color-Sgt. Thomas

101 Witherow, William ....

Woll, Leopold

Woods, Sgt. Thomas I. . 266

Wycoff, Sgt. Isaac ....

.583

42 625

166 425 195

3? 138 482 606 436

49 466 495

51 710 471 352

707 494 404 579 195

Index to Illustrations

Death of Color Guards — Charge Marye's Heights .... Frontispiece

View of Pittsburg- and Allegheny in 1861 xvi

The '• Old 13th " in Action, 1861 18

National Officers and Delegates, United States Christian Commission . 36

Humphreys' Division Flag Insert 64-65

Lutheran Church, Sharpsburg 75

Lincoln's Visit to McClellan at Antietam 77

Fredericksburg, 1863 94

Stone Wall and Marye's Heights 104

Burnside's " Muddy March " 110

Burnside "Stuck in the Mud" 112

Brig.-Gen. P. H. Allabach and Staff 114

Camp Humphreys, Near Falmouth, Va Insert 114-115

" Hoe-Down," Camp Humphreys 122

President Lincoln and General Hooker Reviewing Army 125

Crossing Rappahannock — On Way to Chancellorsville 130

Chancellorsville House 132

Scene — Battle of Chancellorsville 134

Departure 123rd Pa. Vols, from Camp Humphreys for Home .... 143

" Sykes and Ayres " Division Flag Insert 144-145

" Reveille and Tattoo " 148

Gettysburg. Meade's Headquarters 159

Gettysburg— July 2, 1863 161

General Warren on Little Round Top 168

Devil's Den, Gettysburg 171

General Vincent's Monument ' . . . . 202

Mine Run, 1908 Insert 214-215

Winter Quarters, Warrenton Junction 217

Zouave in Action 227

The " Long and the Short " in Zouave Uniform 229

Griffin's Division Flag Insert 232-233

The Bivouac " Night Before Battle of Wilderness " 241

Lieut.-General Grant's Headquarters, Culpeper Court House, May 1. 1864 242

Fifth Corps Crossing Rapidan — Germanna Ford, May 4, 1864 .... 243

Fifth Corps Replenishing Ammunition, May 5, 1864 250

Removing the Wounded at Wilderness 252

On March by Left Flank to Spottsylvania 260

General Warren and Staff at Spottsylvania 270

Fifth Corps at Spottsylvania 272

Pontoon Crossing Xorth Anna at Jericho Ford 274 viii UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

General Meade's Headquarters in Field, 1864 280

Skirmishing — Bethesda Church 285

Petersburg, 1864 293

General G. K. Warren and Staff, Siege of Petersburg 304

Group at Corps Headquarters 316

Fifth Corps Headquarters, Yellow Tavern, Weldon R. R 318

Squad Company C in Camp, Peebles' Farm, Petersburg 322

Appomattox, Showing Position of 155th Pa. Vols, on Receiving Flag of

Truce 358

McLean House, Appomattox 363

General Lee Leaving McLean House at Appomattox 369

Generals Grant, Lee and Meade and Their Staffs at Appomattox . . 370

The Final Grand Review of the Army of the Potomac 380

155th Pa. Vols. Entering Old City Hall to Receive Welcome by City of

Pittsburg, June 5, 1865 387

Public Reception and Dinner to General A. L. Pearson and Veterans of

155th Reg. Pa. Vols, by City of Pittsburg, June 5, 1865 .... 388 Captain Laughlin and Private McKenna Detailed from Petersburg

Trenches to Headquarters Fifth Corps 445

" Breaking Home Ties "—Off for War 518

" Come and Get Your Quinine " 523

On the Road to Antietam — Up South Mountain 525

"How-Dye-Do, General?" 528

First Lesson in Military Manners, " Salute to Superiors " 529

Return to Company in Disgrace 531

Colonel Quay's Orderly and 155th Stockade Guard Under Arrest . . 533

General Humphreys' Court of Inquiry 535

Interviewing Secretary Stanton Under Difficulties 542

Uncle John Mackin Joins the Ranks for Battle 545

On Temporary Provost Duty, Grant's Headquarters 561

Bivouac — Wilderness 562

Field of Battle Gettysburg from the 155th Pa. Vols. Monument . . . 561

General Meade's Headquarters. Gettysburg 553

Guarding Fifth Corps Train in Wilderness 560

Prayer Book Found on Body of Dead Soldier at Wilderness .... 566 Skirmishers — Hunter, Friend and Lemon, at Opening Battle of Wilderness 573

" Hoo-doo-ed " On the Road to North Anna 577

War Time Photos of Grant and Corps Generals 579

Building Breastworks Uffder Fire 581

Color Guard, 1864-5 583

The Fatal Vidette Outpost. Bethesda Church 586

The Detail for Vidette Duty — Lancaster, Douglas. McKenna and Hipsley 587

Sketch of Callen's Grave, Bethesda Church 589

Final Resting Place of Theophilus S. Callen. Village Church Yard . . 591 Return of Regimental Flag to State of Pennsvlvinia, 1866 . Insert 606-607

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS. ix

Color-Sgt. Thomas J. Marlin Returning- Regimental Flag to State, July

Lafayette Hall, First Re-union. 1875 635

Unveiling Monument, Sept. 17, 1886 and Re-union Group . Insert 636-637

155th Monument — Little Round Top 639

Warren's Monument. Little Round Top 651

Company E. 1894 Reunion Group 659

Company F, 1894 Reunion Group , . 661

Reunion 1894. Duquesne Park 670-671

Around the Camp Fire 673-

Reunion 155th Pa. Vols., Clarion 1896 674-675

Executive Committee — Reunion, 1903 683

Reunion, 1903, Kennywood Park 6S4-

Snapshot of Comrades — Reunion. 1903 685

Reunion, 1905, Kennywood Park 687

Regimental Executive Committee — Reunion 1905 688

Reunion, Kennywood Park 689

Reunion— Bellevue, 1906 691-2

Reunion— Bellevue, 1906 695-6

Dress Parade and Review of Survivors By Colonel Allen. Bellevue,

1907 698-9

General A. A. Humphreys' Monument 701

Reunion, at Unveiling Monument to General Humphreys. Fredericksburg. Nov. 11, 1908 709

The Allegheny County Soldiers' Memorial Hall, 1910 711

City of Pittsburg, 1910 794 wdnUti

I

I