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ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY
3 1833 00825 0984
Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2012
http://archive.org/details/briefhistoryoffoOOpenn
BRIEF HISTORY
OF THE..
FOURTH
Pennsylvania Veteran Cavalry,
EMBRACING
ORGANIZATION, REUNIONS,
DEDICATION OF MONUMENT AT GETTYSBURG AND
ADDRESS OF GENERAL W. E. DOSTER,
VENANGO COUNTY BATTALION,
REMINISCENCES, Etc.
PUBLISHED AT PITTSBURGH. PA.
EWENS 4 EBERLE, BOOK AND JOB PRINTERS, COR. FOURTH AVENUE AND WOOD STREET.
1891.
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"Fling out our Country's banner wide,
Our emblematic starry gem ; Our (Jnion never shall divide,
While floats the silken diadem. Year after year the brilliant stars
Shall indicate the strength of all ; Let all beware of civil wars,
Her patriot's wound, and traitor's fall." M.
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INTRODUCTION.
COMRADES : — A beginning has been made towards the accomplishment of the end sought, namely, a complete history of the regiment. This can only be done through your hearty co-operation — and not otherwise. The history of this grand- organization is largely locked up in your memories, and we want the facts which you can furnish to make this enterprise a success. By publishing each year the proceedings of our reunions and making them replete with fact and incident of the part borne by you, and paving access to all the records on file, we shall be able, in time, to commemorate in history the valor and patriotism of the men who gave themselves, unreservedly, to the cause of their country in its hour of peril, and perpetuated, one and indivisible, the Union of the States in a grand and glorious compact, which insures to all the most perfect freedom of conscience and action as good citizens o( the grandest republic of the world. Trusting that this venture will be received in the spirit which has actuated the Commit- tee in its preparation, we send it forth as the first number of a history which will be continued as long as there are members of the Fourth Pennsylvania Veteran Cavalry left to compile and read it, and thus leave, to our children something to inspire true loyalty in their hearts and the satisfaction of having the deeds of loved ones on record.
Publishing Committee.
PROPOSED HISTORY OF FOURTH REGIMENT PENNSYLVANIA CAVALRY.
The object of publishing such a work is to place on perm- anent record marches, battles and experiences of the officer.* and men who composed this regiment.
Dear Comrade : —
We have been employing some of our time in searching for matters and documents relating to the Fourth Regiment. We want a complete record of its progress from time of its organization to its muster out.
Will you answer the following questions ? sending same to J. B. Maitland, Historian, Oil City, Pa.:
When and where did you enlist ? When and where mustered out ? Were you drafted or a substitute ?
Were you in any battles or skirmishes ; when and where ? Note any acts of bravery, wounds received, and where ? Were you in any rebel prison ? Where were you captured ?
Do you know of any comrades dying in prison ? Name place and date.
When and where were you paroled ?
Were you promoted while in the army ?
If you were promoted, to what position ?
Were you on detailed duty ? If so, when and where ?
What is your present address ?
We trust you will reply promptly and fully, so we can make a complete history. Now, don't lay this aside ; it is to your interest to attend to this at once. Vours truly.
Publishing Committee.
HISTORY
OF THE
FOURTH PENNSYLVANIA CAVALRY
ORGANIZATION.
The Fourth Cavalry was recruited in compliance with authority granted by Governor Curtin, dated September 4th, [861. Company A was recruited in Northampton County; B, K and G in Allegheny County; C and D in Westmoreland and Indiana Counties; H, I, K and L in Venango County; Fin Lebanon County, and M in Luzerne Count)'. The companies rendezvoused at Camp Curtin; were transferred from there to Camp Campbell, on Meridian Hill, Washington, D. C, where the men were mustered into the Lrnited States service, and were organized in three battalions of four companies each. The State colors were presented by Governor Curtin, in per- son, on the 20th of September, 1S61, and were received on behalf o( the Regiment by the Commading Officer, David Campbell.
( )rigina! enlistment (1861) . . . 1,006
ke-enlisted and recruited 924
Total enrollment i<939
Mustered in from August 15th to October 30th, 1861. Mustered out July 1st, 1S65.
BATTLES
Participated in by the Fourth Pennsylvania Veteran Cavalry, as shown by the records of the War Department :
Mechantcsyille.
Gaines' Mill.
Glendale.
Malvern Hill.
Antietam.
Hedgesville.
Union.
Upperville, Nov. 3, 1862.
Manassas Gap.
Markham Station.
Little Washington.
Gaines' Cross Roads.
Waterloo.
Fredericksburg.
Kelly's Ford.
Rapid an Station.
Chancellorsyille.
Stevensburg.
Middle burg.
Upperyille, June 21, 1863.
Gettysburg.
Green Oak.
SlIEPHERDSTOWN.
New by' s Cross Roads. Muddy Run. Culpepper. Sulphur Springs. Bristol Station. K 1 1. pat kick's Raid. Wilderness. Spottsylvanta.
North Anna.
Ground Squirrel Church.
Glen Allen Station.
Yellow Tavern.
Brook Church.
Hawes' Shop.
Old Church.
Cold Harbor.
Tkeyilian Station.
Macon's Hill.
St. Mary's Church.
Petersburg.
Warwick Swamp.
Strawberry Plain.
Lee's Mill.
Deep Bottom.
Ream's Station.
Poplar Spring Church.
Fall's Church.
Wvatt's Farm.
Boydton Road.
Stony Creek Station.
Belle field.
Hatcher's Run.
Dinwiddie Court House.
Payne's Cross Roads.
Amelia Springs.
Sailor's Creek.
Farmville.
Appomattox.
and 16 additional engagements, making a total of jy battles and skirmishes, in which the Regiment lost in killed and wounded :
7 CASUALTIES
Killed and died of wounds 101
Died of disease 230
Died of other causes ' 25
Wounded ; 224
Captured or missing * 271
Total casualties 851
About 100 additional members were killed and wounded, of which no record is given.
FIRST REUNION.
Pursuant to a call made i\ugust 10th, 1875, members of the Fourth Pennsylvania Cavalry, residing in Allegheny County, convened and organized a society for the purpose of effecting a permanent organization of all the surviving mem- bers of the regiment.
The following officers were elected to serve until the first
reunion would take place, and adopt a Constitution and By- Laws :
President, - - Col. A. P. Duncan,
Vice President, - Mat. D. C. Phillips,
Rec. Secretary, - C. P. Seip, M. D.,
Cor. Secretary, - J. J. Greex, M. D.,
Treasurer, - - Alex. Matchett, Esq.
On September 17th, 1875, nearly two hundred members of the Regiment convened in Pittsburgh at the first reunion. The meeting was called to order by Col. A. P. Duncan ; the Constitution and By-Laws were then adopted, and the follow- ing officers were elected to serve during the ensuing year :
President, - - Mat. VV. N. Biddle, Vice President, - Maj. J. C. Paul,
Rec. Secretary, - Isaac Miller, Esq., Cor. Secretary, - J. J. Green, M. D.,
Treasurer. - - \V. H. Colllngwood.
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE:
Col. A. P. Duncan, Maj. D. C. Phillips,
Capt. Hughes.
Historian, - - C. P. Seip, M, D.
Orations were then delivered by Col. J. S. Haymaker and others, in Turner Hall, from which the Regiment adjourned to the St. Charles Hotel, where a banquet was participated in by all concerned, after which the society adjourned to meet at the call of the Executive Committee.
CONSTITUTION.
ARTICLE I.
TITLE.
The name and title of this association shall be the Society of the Fourth Pennsylvania Cavalry.
ARTICLE II.
OBJECTS.
The objects of this society shall be to perpetuate the memory of the Fourth Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteer Cavalry; it fortunes and achievements. To promote and maintain the kindly and cordial feelings which should exist between men who have faced dangers and hardships in the same cause, and to collect and preserve proper memorials of our fallen comrades.
ARTICLE III.
MEMBERS AND HONORARY MEMBERS.
Any officer or soldier who at any time served honorably in the Fourth Penn sylvania Cavalry is entitled to membership.
Officers and soldiers who became distinguished in other regiments or cum mands, and distinguished citizens, maybe elected to honorary membership.
ARTICLE IV.
ORGANIZATION.
This society shall be organized by the annual election of a President, a Vice- President, a Corresponding Secretary, a Recording Secretary, and a Treasurer.
ARTICLE V. MEETINGS.
The society shall meet once a year. The time and place of next meeting to be selected by ballet at each meeting.
All members unable to attend personally, at any meeting, are expected l<> notify the Corresponding Secretary, and to impart such information in regard t«> themselves as they may think proper, ami as may be of interest to their brethren of the society.
9 BY-LAWS
I. All meetings of this society shall be opened by prayer.
II. Every officer and soldier desiring to become a member of this Association, -.hall pay to the Treasurer thereof an initiation fee of the sum of one dollar, and the sum of two dollars as yearly dues thereafter, by which he shall be presumed as ■subscribing his assent to the Constitution and By-Laws, and shall thereupon be entitled to a copy free of charge. Such dues to be payable at, or before each annual reunion.
III. Any member who shall be in arrears for dues for a period of two years, shall be dropped from the rolls.
IV. All moneys paid out by the Treasurer shall be on the written order of the Recording Secretary, endorsed by the President; and at each annual meeting the Treasurer shall make a full report of his receipts and expenditures.
V. At each annual meeting the President shall appoint a committee of three members, not officers of the society, to audit all claims against, and accounts of the society.
VI. When the place of the next annual meeting is fixed, the President shall appoint an Executive Committee of three ( 3 ) members, residing at or accessible to the place of meeting, whose duty it shall be to make all needful preparations and arrangements for su;h meeting.
VII. No member shall speak more than once on any matter of business, and no longer than five minutes without consent of the society first obtained.
VIII. At each annual meeting there shall be selected, in such manner as the society shall determine, a person to deliver an address at the next annual meeting.
IX. No petitions for the relief of members shall be circulated at the reunions. Such cases shall be reported to the society, and relief ordered out of any funds not otherwise appropriated.
X. At any annual reunion the Constitution or By-Laws may be amended by a vote of two-thirds the members present.
Our first General Order :
GENERAL ORDER No. 1.
Major J. B. Maitland, Esq.:
Sir: — Vou will please remit to W. H, Collingwood, Treasurer, No. 715 Liberty Street, Pittsburgh, Pa., the amount of enclosed bill, at your earliest convenience, as it is not only desirable, but necessary, that the Regimental Organ- ization be thus fortined and equipped as soon as practicable, in that it may imme- 'liately advance in good order to prepare for the forthcoming annual reunion. Where it may be possible to do so, remit by Post Office Order, Registered Letter. »T by a Draft on a Pittsburgh Bank; and, on receipt of the amount of enclosed bill from all those who are not already members of the Association, their names will be immediately enrolled as such.
Vou will please forward to C. P. Seip, M. D.. Historian, No. 636 Penn Ave- nue, Pittsburgh, Pa., a succinct statement of all historical events and incidents con-
10
nected with the history of the Regiment, of which you may have some memoranda, or personal recollection — the ol>ject of which is to be able to compile, from the mass of information thus contributed by individual members, an elaborate, authentic, and complete History of the Regiment, ranging from its organization to its disbandment. All diaries, documents, or scraps of history in whatever shape, will again be returned to their owners, if by them desired.
You will please communicate to J. J. Green, M. D., Corresponding Secretary. No. 2530 Penn Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pa., your own address in full, and in plain and legible handwriting, together with the addresses of all the members of the Regi- ment of which you may be cognizant, or which you may now, or hereafter obtain; and, when you. at any time, shall have changed your place of abode, you are requested to thereupon notify the Corresponding Secretary of the fact, and to again communicate to him your address in full as before.
By order of Executive Committee,
Isaac Miller, Rec. Secretary. Ma J. W. N. Biddle, President.
Pittsburgh, Pa., September 25th, 1876.
Sir: — The Annual Reunion of the Fourth Pennsylvania Veteran Cavalry, will be held at Franklin, Venango County, Fa., on October 12th, 1876. The fare from Pittsburgh and intermediate points, as far as West Penn Junction to Franklin and return, will be only Four Dollars for the round trip. Train leaves Union Depot, Pittsburgh, at S:25, p. m., on October nth, and returning arrives at Pitts- burgh at 6 o'clock, A. M., on Friday, October 13th, 1876.
Please notify Corresponding Secretary by return mail, if you will be present. Present this Card when you apply for ticket at R. R. Office.
By order of Executive Committee.
Address, DR. J. J. GREEN, Cor. Secretary,
No. 2530 Penn Avenue, PITTSBURGH, Pa.
Pittsbi rgh, Pa., September 28th, 1S76
DevrSik: — The secon<! Annual Reunion of the Fourth Pennsylvania Yet. Cavalry, will be held in lrank!u>, Venango County, Pa., Thursday. October 12, 1876. As a Large delegation is expected from Pittsburgh, we earnestly request all the members of the Regiment in atml ;d><«ai the Oil Regions to be in attendance.
Ely order of Executive Committee,
Address J. J. GREEN,, M. D., Cor. Secretary,
No. 2530 Penn Avenue. PITTSBURGH, Pa.
1 1
SECOND REUNION.
The second reunion was held at Franklin, Pa., October 1 2th, 1876. The town was finely decorated for the occasion, and the display of bunting was large. Flags were waving from all the principal stores on Liberty Street, while a grand Centennial flag was stretched across the street near the Court House. In the profuse display of decorations on any patriotic occasion, Franklin leads all the towns in this section.
At an early hour the guests arrived and gathered in the rooms of the Sportsmen's Club. A business meeting was held here and the following officers elected for the coming year : President, Captain John P. Barr ; Vice President, Captain W. M. Shortts; Corresponding Secretary, Lieutenant L. D. Davis ; Recording Secretary, Captain J. R. Grant ; Treasurer, Lieu- tenant C. S. Mark. Post A. B. McCalmont, No. 160, G. A. R., from Oil City, was present and joined with the veterans in their reunion.
At the conclusion of the business meeting, the veterans, about eighty in number, and Post A. B. McCalmont, escorted by the Venango Greys and Greys' Band, proceeded to the Soldiers' Monument. The veterans presented a fine appear- ance with their soldierly bearing, and the Venango Greys, under the command of Captain Wiley, made a favorable impression. At the monument arms were presented, heads uncovered and a few moments passed in honor of the dead, when the procession returned to the Association rooms.
At 5 o'clock a grand banquet was given at the Exchange Hotel, at which many of the prominent citizens of Franklin were present. When each one had satisfied himself with the excellent spread an adjournment was made to the Association rooms. A business meeting was held, at which the following resolutions were passed :
AV'v/rv;/, That the thanks of this ass<»ciatioii are hereby tendered to J. Mor- l«*n Hall, General Ticket Agent, and the officials of the Allegheny Valley Rail* hmiI, for the favors shown the society at this reunion.
12
Resolved, That we heartily thank the Venango Greys, the Venango Grey '5 Band and Post General A. B. McCalmont No. 160, G. A. R., of Oil City, for their courtesy and attention to this Association.
Resolved, That we return our thanks to the Sportsmen's Club of Franklin, for their kindness in allowing this Association the use of their rooms.
Resolved, That these resolutions be published in the Oil City Derrick and Franklin papers.
The following persons were also made honorary members of the Association : Captain James B. Clew, Pittsburgh ; John H. Covode, West Chester ; William Collingwood, Pitts- burgh ; E. M. Biddle, Pittsburgh ; Airs. Jane Welton, Frank- lin ; Marshall Kerr, Kerrtown ; Capt. John A. Wiley, Frank* HrT; J. Morton Hall, Pittsburgh.
The Pittsburgh delegation consisted of Maj. W. N. Biddle, John T. Ewens, William H. Collingwood, Major J. C. Paul, Adjt. J. E. B. Dalzell, Capt. W. K. Gillespie and Isaac Miller.
At the conclusion of business the members marched to the Court Home, escorted by the Venango Greys and Band. While the veterans were passing through Liberty Street can- non were fired and loud cheers given. A good audience gath- ered at the Court House to listen to the address of Capt. C. E. Taylor. He spoke as a soldier to soldiers ; referring to the fitness of such reunions, and the memories they stirred in a soldier's heart. We give below the synopsis of his remarks :
ADDRESS OF CAPT. C E. TAYLOR.
Comrades of the Fourth Penxa Cavalry :—
While I hardly know how to find words to express my gratitude to you for the honor you have done me in asking me to address you, I can, at the same time, truthfully say, I do not know when you could have called upon me that I could not more nearly have done justice to you and myself. My mind has been full of so many matters for the past month. or two, that it seemed to me when you first asked me to address you, that I must peremptorily refuse. But my love for the old regiment got the better of my judgment, and I reluctantly consented to try and say something about our old associations; for of all the associations of my life, none are dearer to me to-day than those formed during my connection
13
with the noble old Fourth. Looking away back so many years, I can hardly remember of a single man in that whole command, that I could not have taken by the hand and called him my friend and brother — all bound together by the most sacred ties — ties woven by mutual hardships, dangers and privations, into the most tender and affectionate relations pos- sible for man to form. Yes, the associations formed by us at (a time when all the restraints of home were taken off, though rude and unpolished in many respects, were associations of the heart — associations which only death can obliterate, and even after death, in that bright world beyond the stars, I firmly believe that the associations formed at Gaines' Mill, Antietam, Gettysburg and other fields where death, in its most horrid lorm became your comrade, will be renewed again, and that when renewed they will continue throughout the countless cycles of eternity. You may think this an extravagant thought ; but it is ^ most beautiful one to contemplate, and I believe that our anticipation of such a happy reunion, will not only be fully realized in that far off and unknown land, but will make us- purer and better here. There are no friends like those who have faced death together, and no associations like those formed in the " imminent deadly breach." * *
The lights and shadows, joys and sorrows, trials and dis- appointments of more than fifteen years have glided past, since our first Colonel, David Campbell, received authority , from the Governor of the State to recruit and organize the regiment, afterwards known as the Fourth Pennsylvania Cav- alry. This was the formation of our union. To create that union its very basis was necessarily disunion, and every department, every relation of life was ruthlessly invaded. Long years of union in the varied pursuits of life were dissolved; business ruined, and fortunes wrecked ; political ties and life- long friendships like gossamer threads were snapped asunder; even the sacred precincts of the altar were no protection, and consequently the church dissolved the union of nearly half her members. The domestic circle was also invaded, and in the severing of that union of the family at home was felt the sharpest, keenest pang — the very agony of despair. The
14
father bade his boy a long- good-by ; sister from her brother parted, maiden from her lover, the wife gave up her husband, and with the severing of these ties, years of bright hopes and happy anticipations were blasted into life-long misery and sorrow. The gray haired mother sank upon her knees, as from her very soul in agony was wrung the prayer : — " If it be possible let this cup pass from me ; if not, Oh, God of battles, protect Thou my pride, my darling boy." Truly, our Union was born in sorrow, baptized in tears, cemented with blood ; and from the very depths of human suffering and woe, it gathered strength for its many fearful struggles and sacrifices. Under such circumstances was the union of our regiment formed. Its object I will not dwell upon. Suffice it to say, it was not that we might learn the art of war, and surely it was not a mercenary object. Thirteen dollars a month for being made a target was not a luxury sought by any. Oh, no; it was an object, grand, noble and worthy of our loftiest aspira- tions and most costly sacrifices. It dealt with the vital inter- ests of the whole human race, for all time to come, and stamped its impress upon the records of eternity.
But this union has left its impress upon us all. Yet, who among us, if he could, would exchange for a King's ransom, or for aught that wealth could purchase, the experience and knowledge, that brings to each, the heartfelt satisfaction of knowing the fact, that he was one who in some measure helped to bring about the grand result. Nay, I tell you there was more of duty well performed, more of sacrifice, more of life, more of death, and more of grand results crowded into that four years of our union, than seldom falls to the lot of man, in thrice the three score years and ten. During these fifteen years that have elapsed since the union of our regiment was formed, what a wonderful transformation has been wrought ! What changes have come over our country, our homes, our- selves. Many who, at the breaking out of the war, were in the first years of young manhood, are now in the full prime of their strength, and many of us who were then at the zenith of ripe manhood are now beyond the crest of the hill, and gray hairs and stooping forms admonish us that we are rapidly descending into the valley. Of the hundreds of men whose
15
names then appeared on the rolls of our regiment, and who entered the service with all the hope and ambition of true patriots, how few are with us to-day ! Out of more than eighteen hundred names that appeared on our rolls during the time the regiment was in the service, but comparatively a small number survive to reap the benefits that their heroism and fidelity secured. The history of the regiment shows that it took part in yj battles, besides numerous skirmishes. From Mechanicsville, where, on the 26th of June, 1862, it fired the first volley on the advancing enemy, to the final surrender at Appomatox Court House, it was almost constantly on duty.
When its three full years of service had expired, it was one of the few regiments that preserved its name and organ- ization by re-enlisting in a body. The men who composed the Fourth Cavalry were not ready to depart for their homes even when their term of service had expired. They knew their country still needed them at the front, and although they could have returned to their homes with all honor, yet, like true patriots, like men who prized the interest of their imper- illed country above all other considerations, they remained at the front, battling for the right, for the cause of humanity, for the integrity of the Union, until the last enemy of the country had thrown down his arms, and peace was declared through- out our wide domain. " Three years or during the war," was the services you agreed to render your country. But at the the expiration of that time, although you had stood every privation which fall to the lot of the soldier, you were still ready to try it for three years more. Thoughts of home were brushed aside along with the unbidden tear those thoughts were parent to, and you refused to listen to the pressing call of business, or social relation. The wants of your country were paramount to all else, and was the only consideration which impelled you to make the second sacrifice. Such lofty, such impartial patriotism is seldom to be found in any land.
But it is also proper that you should pause a moment in your season of conviviality, and think of those who have long since ceased to mingle with us here. Would to God I had the ability, the eloquence to speak of them in fitting terms. Would that I had the time, at Least, to mention the name of
i6
every hero of the regiment who gave his life to his country. But this I cannot do; and you must, therefore pardon me, if I refer to a few names only on the long death roll of our com- mand. At Gaines' Mill on the 27th of June, 1862, when all was confusion and disorder, when the little valley that led down to the Chickahominy from Gaines' house, was filled with the dead and the dying, when our infantry broken and over- powered by the greatly superior numbers of the enemy, flushed with the hope of victory, came pressing over the crest of the hill like an irresistible torrent, at that fearful time when death reigned everywhere, do you remember who it was that stood at the head of his regiment like a statue, facing the storm as though it was a summer shower ? It was the gal- lant, the noble Childs 1 He had been ordered by his superior officer to maintain a certain position, and that position he proposed to hold, or yield it only with his life. At Antietam — how I dread to name that place— that chivalric officer was taken from you. His conduct after he received the fatal wound was God-like. First he sent Captain Hughes, one of our honored citizens, who was on his staff, to General Pleas- anton, and another of his aids to Lieutenant Colonel Kerr, to inform those officers that he was about to die, and to request them to see that his command was properly officered. He then sent word to the Surgeon to come to him, " if not attend- ing to any one whose life could be saved, as he was in great pain." He then called his Adjutant, to whom he delivered his messages of love and affection for his family, and then, only forty minutes having elapsed since he received the fatal shot. he died. A braver and a better man never drew his sword in defense of his country. He was a man who could truthfully say: " I do love my country's good with a respect more ten- der, more holy, more profound, than my own life."
His life was nothing to him. It was a shadow compared with the interests of his country and his regiment.
And then you will all remember the gallant and intrepid Covode, who was at his post when duty called him, and ready for any emergency. What a splendid officer and gentleman he was ! Genial, courteous, kind and generous when off duty, he was stern, yet dignified, brave, yet unassuming, when in the
v
face of the enemy. At St. Mary's Church, when shot down by a party of the enemy whom he believed to be his own men. his conduct was of the most heroic character. After receiving the fatal wound he was carried from the field, much against his will. He wanted to confront the enemy as long as life lasted, and in the extremity of death he clung to his post. Such conduct is rarely to be witnessed, and for that reason the memory of the gallant Covode should be especially dear to us to-day.
At Farmville, on the /th of April, 1S65, the Fourth lost another of its most accomplished officers. He was one of our own boys — one of Venango's heroes. He was my personal warm-hearted friend, and I can hardly mention his name to- day, although so many years have passed, without profound emotion. But on the record of his regiment, on the pages of his country's history, on yonder marble shaft — wherever it is to be found — I know that you will agree with me when I say that in the whole history of the war there is not to be found a more honorable name than that of William B. Mays. Ah, me ! when we think of the long list of our dead boys, how can we help feeling sad to-day ? True, they died in a glorious cause. True, they were the preservers of their country. True, the brighest jewels in a martyr's crown are theirs. And equally true, I believe, the hand of God has inscribed the his- tory of their priceless worth upon the records of a glorious eternity. But at the same time they were our brothers, our Iriends, our comrades. I would like to speak of all of them — officers and soldiers — of Kerr, Earke, Dunn, Say, Heckathorn. and oh, so many others; but it would be impossible on such an occasion.
\ es; we must leave our dead comrades; but as long as life lasts, in the quiet evening hour, in the stillness of the solemn night, in" tUs rush and whirl of business, wherever we may be. the torms of our dead comrades will continue to pass before us, and as. the years glide by those forms will become more and more distinct, as will the memory of our fallen comrades becow^ dearer and dearer to each one of us.
Yes; ah, yes; on this day, when we are met together to renew old associations, it is eminently proper that we should
18
speak of our fallen braves. They have left a name of which the nation and humanity may well be proud; and their con- duct has thrown a halo around the name of the Fourth Penn- sylvania Cavalry which time itself can never obliterate. -But while we would thus honor the dead, we should remember the living. Many are before me to-day who braved every danger of the battle-field, yet escaped without a scar. That they did so does not detract in the slightest degree from their record as true and valiant soldiers, but simply illustrates the mys- terious way of Providence in permitting one to be taken and the other left. And, as we have already said, it is right that those who escaped should meet together, not only for the pur- pose of keeping alive and stimulating feelings of patriotism, but for the purpose also of keeping alive their organization. But a few only of these reunions can be had at best. Already the shadows are beginning to lengthen with many of us. Since your first meeting, there are many vacant chairs in the banquet hall. As year after year glides by, name after name will be stricken from the roll, and soon the last survivor of that regiment, which was an honor to the State, the County and the Nation, will pass away. For the few years then, that we can remain here, at best, let us preserve our identity as a regiment, and above all things let us preserve those feelings of friendship which should always exist between those who have shared dangers and privations together. If we will do this, then will our reunions be fraught with all that is desira- ble and praiseworthy, and a perfect absence of everything of an unpleasant character will pervade our midst. We will learn to think of and treat each other as brethren united by the most sacred ties. Then can we look forward with bright anticipations to each recurring anniversay of our organization. Yes, in my imagination, I see many happy reunions of our regiment in the future. Our numbers are growing less, but not our friendship and affection.
Appropriate addresses were also made by Col. Jno. S. Mo Calmont, Col. L. D. Rogers, of the Sixteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry, Capt Mackey, Tenth Reserves, Capt. Hughes and Maj. \V. X. Btddle, Fourth Pennsylvania Cavalry, after which the meeting adjourned.
'9
GETTYSBURG MEETING.
A meeting of the Regiment was held at Gettysburg, Pa.,
October 6th, 1887, the purport of which is shown by the
minutes :
Gettysburg, Pa., October 6th, 1887.
In pursuance of notice published in the following papers, viz: Oil City Der- rick, Oil City Blizzard, Franklin Evening News, Bethlehem Times, Eastern Ex- press, Mauch Chunk Democrat, and three daily papers of Pottsville, a meeting oi the surviving members of the Fourth Pennsylvania Cavalry was held at the Eaele Hotel, Gettysburg, October 6th, 18S7, for the purpose of selecting a site for a monument, and appointing a committee to act in conjunction with the State Com- nission.
The meeting organized by electing Gen. W. E. Doster, President, and Maj. I). C. Phillips, Secretary.
On motion of Maj. Maitland, it was resolved that Gen. Doster, Maj. Maitland. Maj. Phillips, Capt. J. R. Grant and Capt. A. M. Beatty, be a committee of said regiment, to confer with the State Commission, for the purpose of taking advan- tage of the Act of Assembly of 1S87, relating to appropriations for soldiers' monu- ments at Gettysburg.
On motion of Capt. J. R. Grant, it was resolved that the committee be empowered to select the design, the material and the inscription for said monu- ment, and to contract for the erection of the same, under the powers given by said Act of Assembly; adding to the said appropriation such sum or sums of money as may be secured by the committee on subscriptions.
On motion it was unanimously resolved, that the monument be located on •'the northwest corner of the Weikerd property; on the east side of Round Top Avenue,'' (stake No. 1 17).
On motion adjourned. D. C. PHILLIPS, Secretary.
Immediately after the adjournment of the Regimental Meeting, the committee appointed to "select and erect the monument,*' met, and organized by electing Maj. J. B. Maitland, of Oil City, Chairman: Gen. W. F. Doster, of Bethlehem, Treasurer; and Maj. D. C. Phillips, of Xo. 68 Duquesne Way, Pittsburgh, Secretary.
On motion, the Secretary was requested to obtain suitable designs for submis sion to the committee, and the Chairman to prepare an inscription for like submission.
On motion, the following named persons were appointed a committee to solicit M!l»criptions, to be added to the appropriation from the State. All subscriptions to be handed or sent to the Treasurer, on or before January 1st, 1888.
Capt. J. R. Grant,
" A. A. Pl.LMMER,
" W. K. LlNEAWEAYER,
" A. M. Beatty, *« D. C. Bgggs,
Liect. A. B. White,
J AS. OGDEN.
There being no further business, on motion, the committee adjourned to meet at the call of the Chairman.
D. C. PHILLIPS, Secretary.
|
Gen. |
W |
. E. DOSTEK, |
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Mai. |
J- |
C. Paul, |
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*« |
L |
B. Maitland, |
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« 1 |
J- |
P. Bakr, |
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it • |
D |
C. Phillips, |
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" |
R |
J. PlIU'l'S, |
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Capt. |
Ai |
EX. Fk IZIER, |
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" |
W |
. K. Gillespie |
20
THIRD REUNION,
AND
DEDICATION OF MONUMENT.
The third reunion was held at Gettysburg, on Pennsyl- vania Da>', September iith, 1SS9, upon the occasion of the dedication of the Monuments of the Pennsylvania organiza- tions who participated in the battle of Gettysburg, the Fourth Cavalry being of the number. Transportation was furnished to its members entitled to the same, under the provisions of the Act approved May 8th, 1889. A business meeting was held in the Court House at 10 A. M., on September 11th, and the presence of our beloved Division and Brigade Comman- ders, Generals D. McM. Gregg and J. Irvin Gregg, aroused all to an intense spirit of enthusiasm, and their reception, amounting to an ovation, gave them additional proofs, if any were needed, of the devotion of the boys of the gallant Fourth to their trusted leaders, who had so many times led them to victory. The words of commendation from these men, as they briefly addressed us, were the best eulogy that the Regi- ment could desire. After arranging plans for the dedication of the monument, and placing the finances for its completion on a sound basis, adjourned to meet at the Camp-fire in the evening.
The Camp-fire was aglow ; and yet, pervading all,' was a feeling of sadness, caused by the absence of many well remem- bered comrades, who have long since been mustered out, — some among the scene> of strife, others peacefully at their homes, surrounded by loved ones. The memory of all these was blessed, and we lovingly paid tribute to the worth of Welton, Covodc, Childs and scores of others whose names and deeds are yet 'enshrined in our hearts. After an address of Welcome by D. C. Phillips, Secretary, (see address), the following programme was, as far as possible, carried out, except the dedicator}- address, which was delivered at the monument at 9 A. M., of Sept. 12th, and is appended hereto.
2f
P R O Q R ^\ M M E .
Fourth Pennsylvania Veteran Cavalry Reunion.
AND DEDICATION OF MONUMENT, Gettysburg, Penn'a., September hth, 1889.
PRAYER— Rev. D. Cupps, ....
GREETING— Maj. D. C. Phillips, SHEPHERDSTOWN— Gen. J. Irvin Gregg, ST. MARY'S CHURCH— Major J. C. Paul, INCIDENTS OF ST. MARY'S CHURCH—
Serg't \V. H. Collingwood, Pittsburgh, Penn'a.
Butler, Penn'a. Pittsburgh, Penn'a. Washington, D. C. Chicago, Ills.
FARMYILLE— Maj. J. B. Maitland, STONY CREEK— Maj. J P. Barr, SAILOR'S CREEK— Maj. J. R. Grant, - GETTYSBURG— C apt. A. M. Beatty, UPPERVILLE— Lieut. Col. R. J. Phipps, . ANTIETAM— Capt. Alfred Darte, Jr., CAMP LIFE— Doctor C. P. Seip, - . - LIGHT DUTY— Surgeon F. A. Bushey, FORAGING— Capt. \Y. K. Gillespie, LIBBY— Lieut. A. B. White, SULPHUR SPRINGS— Lieut. C. S. Mark, PENINSULA— Capt. Chas. E. Taylor, APPOMATOX— Gen. S. B. M. Young, OUR DEAD— Chaplain H. Q.Graham, DEDICATORY ADDRESS— Gen. W. E. Doster,
Oil City, Penn'a. Grove City, Penn'a. Franklin, Penn'a. Dempseytoun, Pa. Butler, Penn'a. Wilkesbarre, Penn'a. Pittsburgh, Penn'a. Green Castle, Pa. Pittsburgh, Penn'a. Washington, D. C. Franklin, Penn'a. Franklin, Penn'a. Ft. Mcintosh, Tex. HornerCity, Penn'a. Bethlehem, Penn'a.
Letters from absent comrades, expressing regrets and sending fraternal greetings, were read from Chaplain H. O. Graham, Captain \Vm. Hyndman, General S. B. M. Young, and others, followed by reading of paper on recovery of the body of Colonel Geo. H. Covode, then an address by Capt. A. M. Beatty, both of which are found herewith.
ADDRESS OF MAX D. C PHILLIPS, AT REUNION AT GETTYSBURG, SEPTEMBER 11, 1889.
COMRADES: — Notwithstanding my earnest request of your committee, that I should be excused from any attempt at speech making on this occasion (for, like our illustrious commander, Gen. Grant, I never made a speech in my life), they have assigned me the pleasant duty of welcoming you, veterans of the grand old Fourth Pennsylvania Cavalry, to this reunion, on this historic battle field of Gettysburg; a re- union, after more than a quarter of a century has passed since your gallant squadrons charged the enemies of your country, and drove them headlong from your native State.
No words of mine can adequately express the heart- felt pleasure it gives me to-night to look into the faces of so many of my old comrades, and to greet you with the warmest words of welcome.
But you have changed, greatly changed, since last we met. The hardships of those memorable years passed in the pines and swamps of Virginia, in camp, reconnoisance and battle, in Libby and Andersonville, sowed the seeds of disease and suffer- ing too plainly traceable on the countenances of many of those before me. These more than twenty-five years also, have done their part in changing the beardless boys of 1 86 1 to 1865, into veterans, in appearance as well as reality.
Comrades — this reunion will be the last in which many of the veterans here assembled will take part. Cherish the friendships formed during those memorable years, which tried men's souls and nerves, when you stood shoulder to shoulder and hurled back the valiant but misguided foe.
Teach your children to reverence the flag you fought under ; to preserve the liberties you fought for ; to defend, with their lives, if need be, the glorious union, which cost so much blood and treasure to preserve.
ADDRESS OF CAPT. A. M. BEATTY, AT REUNION AT GETTYSBURG. SEPTEMBER 11. 1389,
Mr. President axd Comrades:
I am happy to greet you on this historic field, and want to ask you to convene a court martial at once, as I have charges to prefer against two comrades. I had intended charging it to but one, and that was comrade Collingwood ; but since comrade Maitland has told you that he had a hand in preparing the programme for this evening, I want to include him, and I hope you will find a verdict, and impose such a •penalty that it will be an emphatic protest against such an imposition as inflicting me upon you for a speech at this time. I have no apology to make for my presence here on this field; I am here under orders, and do not deem an excuse any more necessary now than when I was here twenty-five years ago.
Gettysburg was, and is thought and said to be, one of the five decisive battles of the rebellion ; it was undoubtedly the most decisive, for here was defeated the best equipped and most powerful army the rebels ever had. They had made great preparations for the campaign before leaving home, and had acquired immense additions and strength in the way of supplies after coming into this great and loyal State. The old Keystone State, teeming with its millions of honest toilers was full to repletion. Its millions of bushels of grain, hund- reds of thousands of horses and cattle, sheep, swine and poul- try, was a vision to the eyes and a treat to the fiery veterans <>t Lee, whose military lives had most been spent on the exhausted soil and the wasted and worn sands of Virginia.
Their invasion was not a military necessity in the sense in which we are wont to speak of the moves of a campaign, but more of a political nature ; a movement born of despera- tion, and urged to force foreign recognition. It was under- taken with a full knowledge that it was to be a struggle to the death. Their conduct here, if it proves anything conclusively, proves that they fully realized this to be either the beginning "f their success, or the besfinning of the end.
24
Their conduct on this field has been sung in songs of praise throughout all the world during all the years of the quarter century ending to-day. That they fought heroically and bravely, none will deny. It would be belittling the cour- age and valor of our own troops for us to do so ; but with what mettle and what spirit were they met ? The army of the Potomac, well skilled in retreat, and fairly well taught in advancing, came winding its way from the banks of the Rap- pahannock, wearily toiling along the rugged foot hills and spurs of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Through a country already devastated and laid waste' by the ruthless hand of war. It came, but a semblance of its former self, save in discipline and heroic determination to do or die, that the Union might live. And now I speak particularly of Pennsyl- vania soldiers, when I say that comrades, who under other circumstances, and on other fields, would have been laggards, vied not only with each other, but with those who always strove to be at the front, to reach the scene of carnage and to be on hand for the final struggle.
This spirit ol determination and devotion was apparant throughout our whole army, and it seems as though it took just some such thing to arouse the Union army and its lead- ers to a sense of the importance of making a grand deter- mined effort to prove to the whole world that this great Republic of the United States could regulate it own affairs, and take care of its own people, whether they were found following the paths of peace, or found in armed rebellion; and I take this opportunity to refute the idea and scout the senti- mentalism which impels even some of our Northern speakers and writers to say, " that if we had failed and been defeated here, and they had won, the history of the rebellion would have been written the other way, and writh the other hand." As soon expect the sun to come up at night. Never, since the advent of the Nazarene, has the progress of human rights gone backward ; nor the Scribe been long stayed whose hand has been engaged in enlarging the bill of human rights and human liberties.
HaiPwe failed here and been crowded back into our own country, our homes and cities sacked, it would onlv have added
25
years and chapters to the history of the war, and have added generations to its victims.
\o, only the base of operations would have been changed, ['he contest would have been waged in the hills and valleys of the x-\llegheny Mountains, or fought out in the vales and on the granite peaks of New England. For the principles involved, Humanity, guided and directed by Humanity's God, would have endured to the end.
But Providence spared us, and seemed to be with us, and the mantle of Fate seemed spread with her mystic hand over us. The selection of our main position was masterly general- ship ; while allowing it was a serious blunder. After its -election, the manner o( attacking, and the three days of fighting, were a series of blunders on the part of the Rebel Commander ; but with the strategy of the campaign I have nothing to do, and as little with the tactics.
Our own part in the battle, as the historian tells you, was .1 modest one, and all of you who were here will remember how surprised we were that our list of casualties was so small, placed as we were for three or four hours in direct range of eight or ten pieces of the enemies artillery stationed on either *ide of the Sharfy House.
It appeared to me like a storm of bursting shells and case >hot, and I never remember of being under a cannonade, apparently so severe and destructive, which did so little dam- age. In many engagements — both before and after this one — which were insignificant in proportion, we lost heavily in horses and men from both artillery and small arms.
Whether it was our luck, or the fault of the Rebel artil- lerists, one can judge as well as another ; but we were here to ■ -hot if it was necessary, and I would remind my comrades •»' <>ther commands that "it was not always the man who got ••hot the most that fought the most." and we will deny to-day that it was any fault of our own, and swear that we would nave followed the gallant Doster wherever he would lead ; '-•'■ it where he would not or could not lead, men could not g<>.
Yes, comrades, we were here inspired by that spirit <>i pat- riotism and love of country, which pervaded our whole army; enl now we only ask recognition of the people of our common
26
country, in the same spirit which animated us then ; and ask them to remember their great anxiety least we would fail them at that time. Other fields of the war tell more of our powers in battle, but this one marks the greatest struggle of the war, and has been set apart by the great loyal hearts of ■our people as such, and designated as the Mecca of the patriot pilgrim, and the goal of the tourist.
This great forest of monuments, while in their individuality mark this place of acts of daring and heroism, and designate separate and distinct commands, as a whole teach an emphatic lesson and is an impressive lecture to all the young people of our country.
Many of you no doubt proudly claim, and justly so, lineal descent from the patriots and heroes of the American Revo- lution, and it has been, to many, a stimulus which urged them perhaps to greater deeds of daring and more steadfast devotion to the Union, and to the principles it embodies. They were grand men ; royal Americans, and the stars they planted in the azure field of our glorious national emblem, have shone with an undiminished lustre during all the years since, save the time they were obscured by the smoke of secession while borne by the columns breasting the waves of treason ; but our boast of Freedom and Liberty then was only an assertion, now, thank God, by your heroic devotion and sac- rifices, it is a fact ; and as the record of your ancestors served its dav and time as a talisman, ur^injj vou on to contest and victory, so let your history and achievements serve in guid- ing and directing the future of your children and children's children ; and if your pride of ancestry dates from the Revo- lution, its Lexington or Bunker Hill ; its Savannah or York- town, let the pedigree of your children start from the war for the suppression of the Rebellion ; and let it date from Gettys- burg, the hardest battle fought on LTnion soil, and the longest- contested battle of the war.
Here, worn and weary, you met the foe elated with initial success and flushed with promised victory, and hurled them from Cemetery's bloody heights and Rebellion's highest mark, crushed and discomfit ted ; and without any disparagement of our leaders of that time. I will sav that with Sheridan — the
27
Napoleon of American generals— here, they would have beeji annihilated, and never would have reached the south bank of the Potomac as an organization.
Our grand old army often suffered through its comman- der, although commanded by its best men. Historians, psy- chologists, and physiognomists, have all alike failed to explain why, nor will I attempt it now; but perhaps as rational an explanation as any can be found in the fact that many, amongst whom are to be found some of our loyal leaders who were gallant soldiers, profess to believe that the Rebels fought for what they believed to be right. I have stood on the sacred soil of this very field, no longer ago than last summer, and heard loyal Pennsylvanians slobbering over the Rebels assembled here, and telling them this. I have neither the time nor inclination to dispute or discuss this question, did I deem it neccessary, but will say the average Northern school- boy of 14 years, or more, knows better. Now I hope you will pardon me for alluding to the politics of the war, and I will say nothing further on that point.
My recollections of the battle are those most deeply im- pressed on my mind, as on the average mind, by the most memorable events, and revert more particularly to sights and incidents connected with Pickett's charge. My post of obser- vation was as near the summit of Little Round Top as safety <>f my person would allow, and was secured soon after the heavy artillery fire of the Rebels commenced, and maintained vis long as anything could be seen through the darkness and the clouds and the canopy of smoke preceding darkness. Day- light was at a premium with us who were safe ; and all who were on the northeast side of Little Round Top, were com- paratively so. They were secure from any direct fire during any time I was there. It was a grand sight, and a plain one, until about the time the Rebels' second line, or body struck the Lmmettsburg road. • It was accompanied by a field bat- ter)- which was posted about two hundred yards west of the road, and by the time the battery got thoroughly to work their first line was hotly engaged with small arms. This, with the change of the position of the Vermont brigade, caused -e clouds of smoke to arise, which eddied overhead a little
2<S
south, although what air was moving" was coming from the southwest. About this time we were practically shut our from view, and the artillery was about all that could be definitely located. I did not hear any express fears that" the charge would be successful. Most of the comrades appeared to think, with an old Reserve man, who expressed himself that our artillery would do them up before enough of them reached our lines to accomplish anything effective. I don't say, for sure, that I formed or expressed any opinion of the charge at the time, so I can't say " I told you so." However. I believe I thought the effort would prove futile, for the report was credited that we had a large reserve of re-inforcements which had not been engaged, lying within supporting distance. I remember that we were all impressed with the gallant appearance of the Rebels and the brave manner in which they maintained their alignment and organization until after cross- ing the Emmettsburg road. Gaps and rents made in their ranks by our artillery were filled by other men as if those stricken down had dropped out in obedience to a command. But the same could not be said of them after crossing the road. It seemed to me that from there it was more a struggle to get inside our lines as a place of safety, than as a place to fight. More with a view to be taken than to take. Their experience coming over having taught them that to go back was certain death.
With the operations of our regiment after leaving- the spot designated by our monument, I have no personal knowl- edge, further than the Taneytown road. All I know is hear- say, but as you did at other places and other fields, I know you did your duty, and went wherever ordered. In all that has ever been said about it, I don't think it could ever be truthfully said that we refused at any time or place, to go where ordered, or do our duty. Your attendance here proves that you are good to come when called. Allow me to con- gratulate you. one and all. on the success of our meeting, and hope that with all of you the time is not misspent ; that you will carry away pleasant recollections, renewed and strength- ened affections.
29
AN INCIDENT OF THE BATTLE OF ST. MARY'S CHURCH.
BY W. H. COLLINGWOOD. READ AT CAMP-FIRE, GETTYSBURG, SEPTEMBER llth, 1SS9.
One of the most thrilling incidents in the history of the Regiment was the engagement at St. Mary's Church, which occurred on June 24th, 1864. The Fourth Pennsylvania Cav- alry had been engaged in numerous battles, but there are cir- cumstances and experiences which will probably fix the battle of St. Mary's Church indelibly in the memory of our surviving comrades.
The Second Division Cavalry Corps, Gen. D. McM. Gregg commanding, was vigorously attacked by the enemy, consist- ing of two divisions of cavalry and one of infantry. After a desperate encounter we retired, but each new position taken was flanked by the enemy. In this battle the Regiment lost in killed, wounded and missing, 8/ men.
Among the killed, was our beloved and courageous Col. Geo. H. Covode. Several fruitless attempts were made to carry the body of our dying Colonel from the field. One was made by Serg't James Rankin, of Co. B. He was severely wounded and compelled to retire. Another was made by Capt. Geo. \V. Wilson, Co. H.; Lieut. W. H. Slick, Co. D.; Josepn X. Tantlinger, Co. D., and several other members of the Regiment whose names cannot now be recalled, who placed the body on a litter made of rails and a blanket, and had retreated but a short distance when they too, were compelled to abandon the attempt and flee before the advanc- ing enemy. Captain Wilson failed to make his escape and was felled by a blow from a Rebel musket, which broke sev- eral of his ribs. During the same day he made his escape and returned to the Regiment.
Darkness ended the contest. During the night the division retired and joined the cavalry corps the following evening, near Haxall's Landing, on the James' river.
The following day Gen. Sheridan crossed to the north side of the river. There we remained about two weeks.
SO
About July 4th, Hon. John Covode, father of our lamented Colonel, visited our camp to learn the particulars of his son's death, and if possible to recover his body.
Lieutenant and Acting Adjutant J. C. Paul, called on "Mr. Covode at Gen. J. Irvin Gregg's headquarters, and volunteered to enter the enemy's lines, and if possible secure the body of the Colonel. Gen. Gregg being present said he could not detail the lieutenant on such a dangerous journey as entering ing the enemy's lines, but would give him a letter to Gen. D. McM. Gregg, commanding the division.
The division commander in turn, gave Lieut. Paul a note addressed to Gen. Sheridan, asking that Lieut. Paul be per- mitted to go on his errand of love.
The Lieutenant being anxious to start on his journey after dark of the same day, and feeling sure that Gen. Sheri- dan would grant the request, detailed the following comrades to accompany him : Serg'ts Sam'l King, Co. L. ; H. M. Kerr, Co. E., and Albert Martin, Co. D.
After reading Gen. Gregg's letter, Gen. Sheridan told Lieut. Paul he would not detail him to enter the enemy's lines, but would not prevent him if he so desired. The Gen- eral also reminded the Lieutenant of the result in case of capture.
Lieut. Paul replied, that he and his comrades had weighed the matter well, and were willing to take all the risks.
"Then," said the General, "I will have a transport carry you across the river and remain there until you return, You can arrange a signal with the commander of the vessel to use in case you return during the night."
The party crossed the river after dark and started on their dangerous journey. The enemy's picket line was about eight miles from the river, the intervening space being neutral territory. The exact location of the picket line not being known, the detail under Lieut. Paul proceeded in a very cau- tious manner. Finally they saw the reflection of a fire appar- ently about a half mile in their from. Serg'ts King and Kerr dismounted, and taking to the woods on either side of the road, crawled the entire distance on their hands and knees.
3*
They supposed the Ijght to be at the Rebel picket reserve, and that the picket line must necessarily be in their immediate Frottt. With this impression in mind they moved on slowly until they arrived near the fire. They found the fire was immediately in the rear of a temporary breast works, made by our division in the recent fight. Near the fire lay three " rebs," sound asleep. This was the enemy's outpost. Serg'ts King and Kerr did not disturb the watchful ( ? ) sentinels, but hurried back and made their report to Lieut, Paul. The Ser- geants offered to either kill or capture the three "Johnnies,*' but Lieut. Paul said " No; we will do nothing that may cause an alarm and interfere with our object." After a short con- sultation it was decided to retrace their steps. About a half a mile to the rear they took a road leading further to the left. In doing so they avoided the pickets which had been en- countered. After going some distance inside the lines the squad headed for the main road again, and from that time on their pace was rapid. After proceeding three or* four miles they found two of their wounded comrades in an old log hut which had been abandoned. The poor fellows had been there for nine or ten days, without attendance, and were unable to help themselves. Their wounds were filled with maggots, and they were in a most pitiable condition. They were put in as good shape as possible under the circumstances, furnished with food and water, and were promised they should be moved to the transport on the return of the squad. The promise was faithfully fulfilled. After leaving the wounded the party again pushed forward. As they advanced they found a num- ber of dead comrades, unburied, but the time was so pressing that they could not inter the remains, much as they regretted to leave the bodies on the field. At last the squad arrived at a log cabin near which the Colonel's body had been left. They awoke the colored man who occupied the hut, and, after des- cribing certain peculiarities of the Colonel, as well as his clothes, they inquired if he had seen the body and knew where it was buried ? The colored man, whose name is unfortun- ately unknown, took the members of the detail to' the spot where Lieut. Paul remembered leaving the body. After pro- curing a lantern Lieut. Paul and those with him removed the
32
slight covering of earth and at once recognized Col. Covode's peculiarly formed teeth and his flannel shirt. The latter was of an odd pattern ; the material having been made at his father's woolen mills, at Ligonier, Pa. The body was stripped of everything except the under clothing. After having iden- tified the remains, the detail proceeded as far as St. Mary's Church, where they found two bodies within the building.
One poor fellow had died while endeavoring to crawl out, and lay in the doorway with his head on one arm, resting on the steps of the structure. The Lieutenant and his party then retraced their steps towards the river where they arrived shortly after daylight. The following night Lieut. Paul, with 30 picked men and two ambulances, returned for the Colonel's body. Leaving the ambulances in the woods about two miles to the left of the road, they proceeded with a litter, secured the body and again retraced their steps, arriving safely in camp the following forenoon.
The body now reposes in the grave yard in which the remains of his wife and parents rest, near Ligonier, Pa.
It is to be regretted that the only participants now remembered by the writer, of the detail of 30 comrades who finally secured the body of Col. Covode, are the following :
Capt. YVm. Hyndman, Co. A. ' Capt. Frank H. Parke, Co. B.
D. R. Callen. Co. B, Allegheny.
Wm. Yantassell, Co. C, Apollo.
Henry Tillburg, Co. C, Williamsport, Pa.
John C. Waiters, Co. C, Jamestown, X. Y.
Albert Martin, Co. D, Cedar Rapids, la.
Lieut. \Y. II. Slick. Co. D.
Robert W^n, Co. D.
Jos. X. Tantlinger, Co. D.
Henry M. Kerr. Co. K. Boston, Pa.
Samuel King. Co. L.
fames M. Hi.th.ine. Co. I.
Loyal Adams, Co. L. Lieut. J<>hn C. Paul, who figured so prominently in the recovery of the body of C<>1. Covode, was promoted to the position of Major of the Regiment for bravery on the held.
33
DEDICATION OF .MONUMENT.
At 9 A. M», of September 12th, 1889, the Monument was dedicated, General \V. E. Doster delivering- the dedicatory address.
ADDRESS OF GEN. W. E. DOSTER.
Agreeably to the request of surviving comrades to write the history of our regiment during the Gettysburg campaign, and mindful of the necessity of attaining accuracy, I have consulted the regimental reports, made Aug. 4, Aug. 13, and Sept. 3, 1863, covering these operations, and on file in the War Department at Washington, and notes made by me at the time, and after comparing these with the recollection of other comrades, and visiting the field in 1882, 1886 and 1887,. and conferring with Col. Bachelder, submit the following :
The part taken by the Fourth Pennsylvania Cavalry in this campaign, properly speaking, begins with the time when it formed a part of the Union Cavalry Corps of the Army of the Potomac, that encountered and held in check the Confed- erate Cavalry, through the passes in the Blue Mountains, south of the Potomac, while the infantry of. both armies was passing northward toward Pennsylvania (a movement which covered the greater part of the month of June, 1863), and ends with the return of both armies to the line of the Rappahannock, near the end of July, 1863. During this period the Fourth Penn- sylvania Cavalry was commanded by the writer, and formed •part of the Third Brigade of the Second Division of the Cav- alry Corps. The brigade was commanded by Col. J. Irvin Gregg, the division by Brig. Gen. D. McM. Gregg, and the corps by Maj. Gen. A. Pleasanton. In the same brigade with our regiment were the Sixteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry, Lieut. Col. J. K. Robinson ; First Maine, Lieut. Col. C. H. Smith ; Tenth New York, Maj. M. H. Avery. On the general staff were Captain, later Gen. Wesley Merritt, ambulance officer: and Captain, later Gen. Custer, the latter then already dis- tinguished for his fighting on foot, in the advance, with his carbine. The three battalions of our regiment were com-
34
manded by Majors Covode, Biddle and Young. Co. A by Lieut. Joseph Andrews ; B, Capt. Frank H. Parke ; C, Capt. Robert D. Martin ; D, Capt. James T. Peale ; E. Capt. Robt. A. Robinson ; F, \V. K. Lmeaweaver ; G, Capt. Elias L. Gil- lespie ; H, Capt. Robert J. Phipps ; I, Lieut. Francis M. Ervay; K, Capt. James R. Grant ; L, Capt. Alender P. Duncan ; M, Capt. Alfred Dart, Jr.; Adjt. Lieut. A. B White.
The campaign may be said to have been opened by the battle of Brandy Station, June 9th, 1863, a reconnoisance intended to ascertain whether the enemy was moving North. In this battle we formed a part of Gen. Duffies division, which crossed at Beverly Ford, intending to effect a junction with Gen. Gregg's division which crossed at Kelly's Ford. During this action we were exposed to a severe artillery fire, and recrossed in the evening at Rappahannock Station. June 17 we were engaged at Aldie. June 18th we made a charge through the town of Middleburg and drove out the enemy, but finding the position untenable we retired from it at night. Next day, June 19th, we were ordered to retake the town, but, the enemy having been heavily reinforced, we found the task more difficult. Another charge followed, and we succeeded in dislodging them, and forcing them to take position about a mile west of the town, in a piece of woods, and behind the wall of a cemetery where they made an obstinate resistance. At last, by a united charge of our regiment and the First Maine, they were repulsed, and driven back to Uppervfllc. June 20th we rested. June 21st we fought in the battle of tlpperyiile, the account of which contained in the regimental report made Sept. 3d, 1863, is as follows :
Headquarters Fourth Pexxa. Cavalry, / September 3d, 1863. )
StR :• — I have the honor to report that on the morning of June 2 1st, I received orders from Col. Gregg to mount my regiment, which was encamped in the woods about one mile from Middleburg, on the Upperville road, and to move out in column of squadrons on the left of the Tenth New York and one battalion of the First Maine, on the right of the road lead- ing to Upperville, which I accordingly did. moving at inter- vals from the protection of one knoll to another, until we had
35
advanced perhaps one mile, when my pioneer corps took pos- session of a small rifled gun which had been abandoned by the enemy in his flight. After proceeding about one mile farther I was ordered to Cross the road and proceed parallel to it. This I did, at the same time deploying one company, dis- mounted, as skirmishers on my front, and afterward adding one squadron on my left. In this manner we reached a point within one-half mile of the town, occasional shots being exchanged between our skirmishers and those of the enemy. Here I was ordered to form my regiment as a support to and on the left of, I think, some regular regiments. Before the order to advance was given I was ordered to support TidbalTs batterv, then on the rising ground on the ri^ht of the road, in full view of the town and of the enemy. "% *"**"* -T^'-'.Q' OCT
After remaining here a short time I was ordered forward to the support of the battalion of the First Maine, which had been ordered to charge and drive the enemy from and beyond the town. I immediately ordered my regiment forward at a gallop, and after passing through and beyond the town some hundreds of yards, came up with the First Maine, which was formed on the road, apparently awaiting a charge by the enemy. In a few minutes the enemy * came dashing down the road, when I ordered my two first squadrons to advance carbines to be ready to receive them. The First Maine, after firing a few shots scattered to the ri^ht and left. The fire of my regiment being too hot for him, the enemy wheeled, and I ordered a charge, which was obeyed most promptly and gallantly by both officers and men. The enemy was driven from the field, leaving a number of killed, many wounded, and several prisoners in our hands. I then deployed two squadrons in the field on the right of the road as skir- mishers, falling back some distance in the field with the prin- cipal part of my command. The enemy again charged, my men at the same time wheeling, so as to throw a flank fire into him as he passed along the road.
About twenty of my men then dashed into the road in hi^ rear, and after a desperate hand-to-hand conflict, utterly routed and discomfited him, thus preventing his escape and
' Imboden and Robinson's Confederate Cavalry
36
causing the capture of the entire party, variously estimated at from twenty to fifty men.
The division coming up at this time, it was impossible to give the exact number. I now received orders to rally my men and fall back beyond Upperville, where I encamped for the night. During the actions of the day the regiment sus- tained a loss of one killed, three severely wounded, one slightly wounded, and two taken prisoners. *
I am sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
W. E. DOSTER, Lieut. -CoL Fourth Pennsylvania Cavalry.
To Lieut. John B. Maitland,
Act'g Asst. Adjt.-Gen. Third Cavalry Brigade.
The rest of the brigade was not engaged in the battle, t On June 22d we retired from Upperville, { through Mid- dleburg to Aldie, with a strong rear guard, but there was no pursuit'. On June 23d we marched to Leesburg, meeting a good deal -of Union infantry marching in the same direction. June 24th, 25th and 26th, we were on picket at Goose Creek, with instructions to guard all roads leading to Edward's Ferry; and learned here that Lee was in Pennsylvania and Stuart behind us.
On June 27th we were ordered to fall back on the main body at Edward's Ferry, where we crossed the Potomac by a pontoon bridge in the evening, and reunited with the Army of the Potomac. The same night we pushed forward towards Frederick, Md,, but the night being dark the regiments and
* Official report, two killed, nine wounded, five missing — total sixteen.
f My brigade was not actually engaged in the battle of Upperville, on June 2ist, except the 1st Maine and 4th Pennsylvania Cavalry, which was sent to the support of Gen. Kilpatrick in the afternoon. They charged the enemy repeatedly, driving him from town, and capturing one piece of artillery. Report of Col. J. Irvin Gregg.
\ "We took two pieces of artillery, one being a Rlakely gun, together with three caissons, besides blowing up one. We captured upwards of sixty prisoners. and more are coming in, including a Lieutenant Colonel, Major, and live other officers, besides a wounded Colonel, and a large number of wounded rebels in the town of Upperville. They left their dead and wounded upon the held. Of the former [ saw upwards of twenty. We also took a large number of carbines, pistol., and sabres. In fact, it was a most disastrous day for the rebel cavalry. Oar loss has been very small both in men and horses. I never saw the troopa behave bet- ter, or under more difficult circumstances." Report of Gen. Pleasanton.
37
brigades were all in confusion, and one-half of the Fourth strayed away. On Sunday morning, June 28th, we reached I . iYerson, Md., and Frederick at 5 P. M., where the lost com- panies rejoined us. At Frederick we learned that Gen. Meade had superseded Gen. Hooker. On June 29th one of our men was killed in a brawl at Frederick. The same day we left Frederick and marched to Unionville. June 30th we passed through Westminister and camped near Manchester. On July 1st, at 5 o'clock in the morning, we reached Hanover, Penn- sylvania; and slept in a wheat field. At 7 in the morning we were on the march again. Here we were told that Lee's army was at Gettysburg, that a battle had been fought, that Rey- nolds had been killed, and Howard was in command.
We arrived on the field at r 1 o'clock, A. M., of July 2d, and encamped in a clover field on the Breiter farm, where White's Run crosses the Baltimore Pike. Soon after our arrival, about noon or early in the afternoon, I was detached from the brig- ade and ordered to report directly to Gen. Pleasanton with my regiment, at Gen. Meade's headquarters on the Taneytown road. On our arrival there, I was ordered by Gen. Pleasanton to go with a Captian of his staff and support some artillery. This officer guided us across rocks and fields, about half a mile from, and to the left of the army headquarters, and stationed us on rocky ground, with a clump of woods in our rear and artillery just in front, a short distance north of Little Round Top. Beyond the artillery was the Union infantry line. Our regiment was stationed by squadron front, partly in the woods. When we arrived the Union artillery was hotly en- gaged with the Confederate artillery posted on the opposing heights of Seminary Ridge, who had caught their aim well, and directed their fire upon us. f We stood exposed to this galling fire for several hours, during which time, the better to protect the men, I ordered them to dismount. None were killed, but many horses and men wounded. At last the staff officer who had placed us in position, relieved, and led us back
I "The enemy's guns, which had been brought up in large numbers, were wheeled into position and answered, and soon after, along all that ridge, where he had advantageously posted battery on battery, seemingly an interminable line, the
w-'as terrihe. and the very air was tilled with shot and bursting shells, like hail in the thick coming storm." S. P. Bates, Martial Deeds of Pennsylvania, pp. 359, second day of Gettysburg.
38
to headquarters. The ground we occupied, as since identified by Captains Grant, Beatty and other comrades, was on the northeast corner of the Weikerd farm, near the present Han- cock Avenue. The clump of woods has since been cut down. It is to mark this spot that our monument is erected. On reaching headquarters the writer was invited to come into the farm house, and saw Gens. Meade, Butterfield and Pleasanton, sitting together in the inner room around a table. The latter remarked that there was no occasion for exposing the cavalry further, that Gen. Meade expected an attack on his right and rear, and that I should tell Gen. Gregg to keep a sharp look- out. I sent messengers to Gen. Gregg with this message and returned to the Breiter farm with the regiment, expecting to meet the division there, but no trace of it was left. It appears that at this time Gen. Greyer was skirmishing with the enemy about two miles east of Gettysburg, on the Hanover Pike, having with him the First and the rest of the Third Brigade. (See his report of July 25th, 1863.)
At 9 P. M. on the 2d, I was ordered to report again to Gen. Pleasanton, and under his personal superintendence, our regi- ment established a picket over the whole of the left of our line to the east of Gen. Meade's headquarters, and in advance of our infantry pickets, which we held until daybreak. We remained here on the reserve, a short distance south of the army headquarters on the Taney town road, during the artil- lery duel between the two armies, until 2 P. M. of the 3d of July, when the enemy being reported advancing on the Littles- town road in our rear, I was ordered by Gen. Pleasanton to advance toward the right and hold them in check. Under these instructions we barricaded the Baltimore Pike and threw out a skirmish line, in which duty we were joined by the First Massachusetts Cavalry, under Lieut. Col. Curtis, who had similar orders. - Hearing cannonading to the north of us, we concluded that this- was the attack we were ordered to meet, and marching in parallel columns with the First Massachu- setts, we struck the Hanover Pike, where we found Gen.
* Coi, Curtis, in & letter to me, dated July 16. iS<S6. says: -; I remember
very well ih it our two regiments were detached on the same duty July jd, 1S63, hut regret that I cannot remember where it was that we were scut to look after a threatened attack on the ri^ltt rear."
39
Gregg hotly engaged with Stuart's cavalry. The Rebel bat- teries got our range as we deployed into the orchard, just south of the present cavalry monument. f
On the night of the 3d of July we camped with the brigade between the Baltimore and Hanover Pike. On the 4th we stood in a pouring rain near Rummel's house. On the 5th we were ordered to advance to Gettysburg by way of the York- road, and to wait at the cross roads of the York and Hanover Pikes for the rest of the brigade. As we advanced we found a Rebel picket line holding a piece of woods between us and the town. On our approach they surrendered and came into our lines. On this route we took possession of 5 hospitals and 300 wounded Confederates. At the junction of the York and Han- over Pike, in Gettysburg, we found a barricade across the street to the height of the second story of the houses, made up principally of wagons and furniture, which our pioner corps re- moved. Now began the pursuit of the fleeing army by way of Cashtown road or Chambersburg Pike. In the morning the Sixteenth had the advance. During the afternoon the Fourth held the advance, having one man killed by the rebel rear guard at Stevens' Furnace. On the 6th, at Fayetteville, we were ordered to advance toward Greencastle, and on this day the report shows we captured 100 rebels, 8 horses, destroyed 20 caissons and gun-carriages and a large quantity of ammu- nition and wagons. r\ss't Adjt.-Gen. Maitland rode with us at times, urging us on. The movement was so rapid (frequently a gallop) that out of two hundred and fifty horses which we had when we left Gettysburg, only sixty were able to keep up when we reached Marion." Here a citizen brought us word that Fitz-Hugh Lee's cavalry, numbering about 2000,
f "The 4th Penna. Cavalry, having been sent to report to Gen. Pleasanton. Was not with me during July 3d, but joined me on the evening of that day, when my command was ordered to move to the front and take up a position on the left in order to meet a threatened attack in that direction. While remaining in that 'position the enemy got my range, etc.'- Report of Col. Gregg.
* June 30th, twenty-six officers and two hundred and seventy-eight men for duty* Record War Department.
" Near Marion I fell in with the rebel rear guard, under Fitr-Hugh Lee, and accordingly was ordered to fall back, rejoin, the brigade and march to Chambers- hurg.V Regimental report, Aug. 4, 1N03.
"Continued the pursuit on the 6th to Marion, finding the road filled with broken down wagons, abandoned limbers and caissons filled with ammunition ready for immediate use. On July 7th. Sih and oth were on the march from Chambers- burg to Middle town, MU." Report of Col. Gregg.
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were lying- dismounted and unsaddled at Brown's Mills, in a field near by, which turned out, on examination by Capt. Dun- can, to be correct. I sent back to the brigade for reinforce- ments, and suggested that now would be a favorable chance for an attack, and hid the remnant of the Fourth Pennsyl- vania Cavalry in the woods until the messenger returned. While waiting a citizen handed me a copy of the Philadelphia Enquirer, containing an account of the battle, and stating that the Potomac had risen and the Union cavalry had utterly routed the retreating- army of Lee. When the messenger returned he reported, much to our surprise and regret, that my request for reinforcements was refused, and that I was ordered to fall back on the brig-ade at Fayetteville at once. We accordingly did so, and marched to Chambersburg, spik- ing one Rebel gun on our way back, f
On July 7th we marched with the brigade leisurely to Waynesboro' and Ouincy. On July 8th we passed through Wolfsville and Myertown to Middletown, meeting Gen. Smith's force of militia. On July 9th and 10th we camped at Boones- borough, shoeing horses and laying in forage, rations and ammunition. On July 12th and 13th we received thirty-five new horses and were joined by Scott's nine hundred cavalry and detachments of the Thirteenth and Fourteenth Pennsyl- vania cavalry. On July 13th we rested. On July 14th we moved with Gregg's division, by a pontoon bridge, across the Potomac and camped that night on Bolivar Heights. What took place on the 15th of July is so fully told in the regimen- tal report made at Sulphur Springs, Va., Aug. 13, 1S63, that I copy the same entire :
SlR: — I have the honor to the report that immediately after the battle of Gettysburg and the pursuit of Lee as far as Marion (described in my last report), this regiment accompan- ied the brigade to Middletown and Boonesborough, Md., with- out any event of note occurring until July 14th, when the regi- ment rccrossed the Potomac at Harper's Ferry and encamped on Bolivar Heights. On the 15th we marched with the brig- ade as far as Shepherdstown. About 4 V. M. was ordered bv
f FUz-Hugh Lee proceeded that afro moon to VVilliaimport, which he reached in the evening of July 6th. ia time to relieve Imboden from the attack of Buford and KUpatrick. Bates1 Martial Deeds. 320.
4*
Col. Gregg to advance four miles out the Winchester road to Wolper's Cross Roads and report my arrival. About one mile from Shepherdstown my advance guard encountered and drove before them a party often rebels, which was increased to about, forty by the time I had reached the cross roads. They fled into the woods and renewed the attack, but were again dispersed.
I learned from a prisoner whom we captured that about five hundred rebel cavalry belonging to (A. G.) Jenkins, were at Leetown, in front; that a rebel cavalry force was on my left near Charlestown, and that a portion o( Ewell's corps, whose drums were heard distinctly, was near Martinsburg and about three miles to my right, and sent the information to the Colonel commanding the brigade. I threw out pickets on all the roads and held them without further molestation until 1 1 p. M., when I was ordered back with three squadrons to Shep- herdstown, the balance being relieved next morning. At I P. M. of the 16th, I was ordered to move my regiment on the right of the Winchester road and Randol's Battery, and instructed to support the battery while watching and holding the enemy in check on the right of the line. I successive!}- advanced three squadrons — Captains Peale and Duncan and Lieut. Andrews — to the right of the line which became warmly engaged about 5 P. M., and so remained until the close of the day. Meanwhile two squadrons, Captains Peale's and Dart's, had been sent under Maj. Young to the support of the First Maine, and held their ground on the right of the road until orders were given to retire. Capt. Robinson remained as sup- poFFof battery.
For gallant and meritorious conduct 1st Serg't John Har- per, Company B, deserves special mention.
In this action seven were wounded and six missing.
I fell back with the brigade to Harper's Ferry the same evening and thence moved to Bristoe Station and Warrenton without meeting with anything unusual, except rest, ration^ and forage.
I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
W. E. DOSTFR,
Lieut. -Col. Commanding
Lieut, Maitland, Ass-t Adjt.-Gen.
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On July 17th and iSth we were at Harper's Ferry, the infantry. of the Army of the Potomac crossing the river at Ber- lin. On July 19th we marched by Leesburg, Warrenton Junc- tion, Bristoe Station and Bealton to Amisville, where we arrived July 24th and resumed picketing, and patroling as far as Little Washington and Thornton's Gap. Lee was again on the Rapidan, and Meade on the line of the Rappahannock, and the Gettysburg campaign was over.
It will thus be seen that, in the month that elapsed be- tween June 1 8th and July 18th, 1863, the Fourth Pennsylvania Cavalry was almost daily under fire, that it marched, in the course of that time, about five hundred miles; that it was among the foremost to assail the enemy's rear when he advanced and when he retreated; and in the actual shock of this great con- test, it helped to stand the brunt in the centre of the line.
It is of course not within the scope of this address to give a history of this regiment from the time it was mustered into service, August 13th, 1861, to the time it was mustered out, July 1st, 1865. But it may appropriately be added, that it took part in seventy-seven battles and skirmishes, and lost in killed, wounded, died of disease or other causes, captured or missing, eight hundred and fifty-one, of which a record is kept, besides about one hundred of killed and wounded not recorded, making a total of nine hundred and fifty-one lost out of a total enlistment of nineteen hundred and thirty men. or about one-half. Thirteen of its commissioned officers were killed in action or died o( wounds: — Col. James H. Childs, at Antietam; Col. George H. Covode, at St. Mary's Church: Maj. Wm. B. Mays, at Farmvillc ; Adj't J. E. B.Dalzell. at St. Mary's Church: Adj't Clement Fugleman, at Dinwiddie C. PL; Adj't Jerome Mc Bride, at Kelly's Ford ; Capt. Frank H. Parke, at Ream's Station; Capt. David P. Smith, at Poplar Grove Church: Lieut. John A. \Yelton,at Sailor's Creek; Capt. John C. Harper, at Hatcher's Run ; Lieut. Chas. E. Nugent, at Dinwiddie C IP; Lieut. Francis \V. Bowen, at Hawes' Shop. and Lieut. Alvin Youngs. Surely we, the survivors of that organization, may be proud that our names appear on the rolls of the Fourth Pennsylvania Cavalry, and that the monument dedicated here will keep its glory in perpetual remembrance.
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After the ceremonies of dedication were over the members of the regiment readopted the Constitution and By-Laws of 1875 ; arranged for a reunion at Pittsburgh for September, 1890; elected officers ; appointed Secretaries for the different- companies, with a view of securing a perfect roll and the addresses of surviving comrades ; then adjourned to meet at Pittsburgh. After which, assembling in front of the monu- ment, a photograph of the regiment was taken, good-byes were said, and once more we left the battle scenes of Gettysburg, but with emotions quite different from those felt in 1863, when leaving the field of carnage.
It was a matter of mortification to the Committee that it was unable to present a completed monument, but delays occurred from time to time, beyond its control and that of our contractors, H. Oursler & Sons ; but the substance was there, and the imagination was left to supply the rest. On Friday, November 29th, 1889, the monument was formally accepted, on the part of the regiment, by A. M. Beatty and J. B. Mait- land; and for the State, by the Commission. It is a matter for congratulation that the regiment received the recognition it merited in the occupancy of the site on which the monu- ment is erected, and that, in the monument itself, it has an enduring fame, second only to its magnificent achievements.
The monument is of Westerlv granite, bearing on its front the figure of a soldier, mounted, and the names of the regiment, brigade and division ; on the other side the legend :
Detached on the morning of July 2nd. from the Brigade at the
junction of White Run and Baltimore Turnpike, Ordereh to
report to Head Quarters, Army of the Potomac,
supported a Battery temporarily near this position,
on picket at night, RETURNING late on the afternoon of the 3rd to
Second Cavalry Division
Mustered in Aug. 15 to Oct. 30 1861 Re-enlisted Jan. I 1864
Mustered out July I 1865
Recruited in Northampton Allegheny Westmoreland Inoiana
Venango Lebanon and Luzerne Counties
Total enrollment 1930
Killed and died of wounds officers 9 men 92 Total 101
|
Died of disease etc. |
3 |
•• 252 |
■ 255 |
|
Wounded |
21 |
' 248 |
• 269 |
|
Captured or missing |
5 |
" 266 |
271 |
|
Total casualties |
896 |
From Mechanicsville June 26 1862
To
Appomattox April 9 1865.
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DIMENSIONS OF MONUMENT.
First Base 9:0 x 4:6 x 1 :6.
Second Base .....: 8:0 x 3:6 x 1:3.
Die . 7:0 x 8:0 x 2:0.
Height 10:9.
Weight 38,440 lbs.
Comrades should make Gettysburg- their Mecca, and those who have not made the pilgrimage are recommended to make it, and see, for themselves, one of the finest monuments on the field, commemorating thje deeds of valor of a regiment justly proud of its record.
Your Publishing Committee deem it but just that the ser- vices of the Committee having in charge the erection of the monument at Gettysburg, should receive proper recognition, take this means of acquainting the regiment at large of the work accomplished at great personal inconvenience, time and expense ; going again, and again, to the battle field, and to other places, in securing a site, and carrying forward to com- pletion the enterprise undertaken. We wish, furthermore, to congratulate the regiment that it has a monument completed and paid for. which is in all respects an honor to it, as well as to the Committee who so faithfully performed the arduous labors in connection with planning and erecting it ; the total cost of which was about twenty-five hundred ($2,500.00) dollars, fifteen hundred dollars being appropriated by the State, and balance, one thousand dollars, was contributed by comrades and their friends.
In order to have a> complete a record as possible of the surviving members n( the Fourth Pennsylvania Cavalrv. comrades are earnestly requested to send name and address of any member not found in the following List, to the Corresponding Secretary. Wm. II. Collingwood, 715 Liberty Street. Pittsburgh, Pa.
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LIST OF SURVIVING MEMBERS
OF THE FOURTH PENNSYLVANIA CAVALRY, INCLUDING
■ THOSE WHO WERE PRESENT AT DEDICATION OF
MONUMENT, GETTYSBURG, SEPT. 12, 1889.
Name. Company. Post-Office.
John H. Ashbaugh D Hillsview, - Penn'a.
L. J. Adams M ....... Carbondale,
George R. Berry M Gilatt,
Jeremiah Brinker C Latrobe,
John Broadback A South Easton,
John Boyce B Pittsburgh,
Wm. C. Bigler K Cranberry, -
William Blake D Irwin Station,
Henry Bender .... I Wallaceville,
H. F. Bowman . . H Neilsburg,
Geo. W. Brown B Economy,
John H. Beckman D. . . . New Florence,
Absalom Bumgardner H Witherup,
Andrew Brown H Grapeville, -
Maj. John P. Barr L Grove City, -
John Barber C Paulton,
James F. Billingsley K Utica,
Capt. A. M. Beatty H Dempseytown,
Sylvester J. Brandon L Coal City, -
Dr. William G. Bishop L Brookville, -
S. C. Bole E Leechburg, -
James M. Bethune I Knox,
Ass't Sur. Frank A. Bushcy Greencastle,
Wm. J. Boyd . .A Mauch Chunk,
I lenry M. Black K Duke Centre,
Frederick Berge M Scranton,
T. C. Byrnes I Cranberry, -
J. W. Baker K Millbrook, -
abana S. Cline.- E Leechburg, -
46
Name. Company. Post-Office.
R. C. Sgt., W. H. Collingwood, E Pittsburgh, - Penn'a.
Benj. Cable D Bolivar,
James Caldwell .D.... Brinton,
Alexander Campsey A E. Mauch Chunk. "
Robert P. Clark H Lottsvilie, -
Geo. W. Conrad M Glenwood, -
Wm. Cruikshank B Verona,
ML B. Conrad M ..... . Carbondale, -
R. B. Crawford L Tionesta,
Lodovic Conrad M ■'. . '. . . . South Gibson,
Geo. W. Crawford B Dixmont,
John Caldwell G Pittsburgh, -
Hugh Crawford B . ..Canton,
L. B. Caushey, C Penn Station,
D. R. Callen B .... Allegheny, -
Harrison Craig B Pittsburgh, -
David Cupps E ... Butler,
John Daywalt C Mercersburg,
\V. H. Devenney I Franklin,
James S. Duncan C East Sandy,
Capt. Alfred Darte, Jr M Wilkes-Barre,
Robert Dickinson E Hopewell,
James R. Downing H Seneca,
Geo. H. Dull E Fayette City,
Wm. H. Durning I Franklin,
Thomas M. Dias E Elizabeth, - "
Josephus Dick E . \ . . Camden,
Wm. W. Dunbar G Evans City, -
Absalom Darkes F Conshohocken,
Geo. A. Dewoody ........ H Balliet.
David W. Davidson L Sunville,
John Dempster E Irwin,
L. C. Darte M Wilkes-Barre,
Abner X. Darte M Tirzah,
Wm. Duncan E Uniontown, -
Gen. W. E. Doster A Bethlehem, -
John A. Ebright F Lebanon",
T. J. Edwards .A Mahanoy City,
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Name. Company. Post-Office.
fohn T. Ewens I . . . . Pittsburgh, - Penn'a.
Charles O. Ellis M ...... . Waymart,
R. B. Fraser ' A Pittsburgh, -
Geo. Franzy C Dubois,
Nathan Fritz A Ashley,
Alexander T. Felton. . M Carbondale,
Capt. Alex. Frazier I Cooperstown,
Wm. M. Gayetty H Venus,
Dr. John J. Green C .... Pittsburgh, -
Condy. Gallagher. .. . A Lansford,
Geo. Ghearing I Dempseytown,
Chaplain, H. Q. Graham Homer City,
John Boyd Galy L Seneca,
Capt. Wm. K. Gillespie E Pittsburgh, -
David R. P. Gates K Knox,
Capt. J. R. Grant K Franklin, - H
Wm. Gamble F Lancaster, -
Geo. K. Hess F Lebanon, - "
S. P. Heath E Boston,
Robt. A. Hutchinson L . '. . . . Kennerdell, -
Sam'i Hull D New Florence.
Wm. G. Hall H Cooperstown, 4i
Lieut. John B. Hogue I New Lebanon,
James Hoover I Cooperstown,
Geo. Hoon D Ligonier, - "
R. M. Hoffman K Kennerdell, -
J. N. Hoskinson D Bolivar, - "
Herman J. Hambleton F Philadelphia,
Frederick Imhof F
John Irvin B Allegheny, -
Cal. James 1 .... . Oil City,
Geo. F. Joslin M Wilkes-Barre,
David Jones E Allegheny, -
Henry M. Kerr E Boston,
James R. Knox D Manhattan, - Kansas.
Geo. \V. King K Franklin, - Penn'a.
Geo. B. Kent A Summit Hill,
John D. Kirkpatrick B Allegheny, -
48
Name, Company. Post Office.
Chas. C. Kirchner C Latrobe, - Penn'a.
VVm. Kain A Walnutport,
Reuben H. Kieffer F Annville,
John Lichtenfelt D Bolivar,
Thomas Lockwood E Greenoch,
John Lamb E Boston,
Jacob Lyons H Franklin,
James Little K Service,
John H. Leasher .' C Pleasant Unity,
Samuel Lowry....' F ...... Bismark,
Peter P. Lafever G Livermore, -
Michael J. Murphy M Beaver Falls,
Daniel McCartney C Latrobe,
Joseph Mooreland B New Wilmington,
Jno. P. Maitland L North Clarendon,
Lieut. James A. Morrison E Branchton, -
John H. Matthews . . . : . . . . F Myerstown,
Isaac Maloney H Polk, -
Capt. Geo. W. Moss F Wilkes-Barre,
Abram S. Martin E Locust Lane,
Lieut. Cyrus S. Mark I Franklin,
A. T. Malin C Robbins Station,
Maj. J. B. Maitland L Oil City,
Robt. H. McMunn B Allegheny, -
John T. Murdock G Allegheny, -
John W. Moore G Pittsburgh, -
David L. Miller H Franklin,
Samuel H. Murray D Creek Side, -
Sam'l Miller, Nat. Mil. Home, C Milwaukee, - Wis.
Geo. H. Nez C Connellsville, Penn'a.
James Ogden . D Latrobe,
Surgeon \V. B. Price Berlin, - Ills.
John Poorman M Middletown, Penn'a.
Levi Porter : K Clintonville,
Robert M. Painter E Elizabeth,
Jamt-s A. Painter E Manor Station,
S. F. Karnes L Canonsburg,
Daniel Kiester K Franklin,
49
Name. Company. Post Office.
Lieut. Abner J. Pryor L Rockland, - Penn'a.
Mai. Duncan C. Phillips F Pittsburgh, -
Lieut. Col. Rob't J. Phipps. . . . H Clintonville, "
James Patton E Elizabeth, - "
John Ouinn G Pittsburgh, -
Isaac Robbins E Philadelphia, "
Lieut. Jos. \V. Russell K Grove City,
David H. Rayzor K Barkeyville, "
Henry Raizer F Lebanon,
David Ray H Cooperstown, 4t
John G. Robison D West Fairfield,
A. W. Robertson H Cooperstown, "
John Rinker A Leighton, - 4'
Philip Raiger .... F Reading,
Isaac J. Robb D New Florence,
Samuel E. Reynolds B Allegheny, -
Albert R. Sloan K Eldred,
Geo. Schlager A Scranton, - "
W. J. Stewart G Sewickley, - "
Thos. S. Speakman E Joint, - "
YVm. A. Seaton L Forestville, - "
Absalom Shuler K Hilliards, - 4<
Geo. \V. Spealman E Apollo,
A. G. Sollimjer L Canonsbur«\
Jostah H. Seabold F Annville,
David Scully D Laughlinstown,
Charles S. Sanford H East Smethport,
J. B. Snyder L Franklin,
Rufus P. Seely I Wailaceville,
Dan. Sollinger L Rockland,
Dr. C. P. Seip B Pittsburgh, -
Lieut. Wm. II. Slick D New Florence, "
John Sorby B Verona,
John L. Stouffer . . .' C Greensburg,
Sam'l Stouffer C Greensburg,
Edward Stroup I Tidioute, - "
Wm. Stermer A Maucb Chunk,
W'm. G. Sheppard L Porterfield, -
50
Name. Company. Post-Office.
Daniel W. Servey- I Curllsville, - Penn'a
W. B. Shtilds D
Marlin T. Thompson C Pittsburgh, -
Abraham T. Taylor L Bradford,
Joseph X. Tantlinger D West Fairfield,
Nelson M. Thompson E Apollo,
Chas. H. Tripp H Evansburg, -
Henry Tilburg C Montgomery,
John H. Ulrich F Annville,
J. Vandermark M Carbondale, -
Vet. Sur., Jas. A. Van Horn . . B Hunlocks Creek,
W. H. Vantassel C Apollo,
Sharpless Wise K Franklin,
John B. Woodling K Jackson Centre,
Lieut. Geo.. XV. Wise . . . K Callensburg,
Lee M. Wilson B Murdocksville,
Jacob S. Wikel F Hummellstown,
Samuel M. West C Apollo,
James Wilkins H East Green, -
Thomas J. Watt I W'allaceville,
William Wright C Pittsburgh, - .
John W. Welsh .... A Weissport, -
Charles T. Voder C Washington, D. C.
John B. Yost A ...... . Hazelton, - Penn'a.
Gen. S. B. M. Young B Ft. Mcintosh, Texas.
Maj. Jas. T. Peale D Washington, D. C.
Maj. Jno. C. Paul C New York City, X. Y.
Maj. J. H. Trimble ;". .McKeesport, Penn'a.
Capt. A. A. Plumer I Franklin,
Lieut. Geo. C. Morton B East Liverpool, Ohio.
Ass't Surg., J. S. Skeclcs. Albion, - Penn'a.
R. O. M. Sgt.. G. M. Bacon,. . G Greensburg,
Capt. Wm. llviulman A Now York City, X. Y.
Hosp. Stew., John Fulton G Xew York City, X. Y.
Rob't Crawford A Mauch Chunk, Penn'a.
Rob't Boston \ Humboldt, -
John Prumbore .A Lehighton, -
John S.Webb A ...... Lehighton, -
5i
Name. Company. Post-Office.
Andrew Graver .....A Weissport, - Penn'a.
Reuben Arner A Weissport, -
John Lewis A Coalciale,
Chas. Kech -. A E. Mauch Chunk, "
W. F. McClure A Kester, - Col.
Jos. McLaughlin A Summit Hill, Penn'a.
J. Katzmoyer A Summit Hill, "
James. Davis A Summit Hill, "
J. E. Richards A Lansford
John Jeffries A Lansford, - M
Kdwin Gwlym A Lansford, - "
A Kettra . .A Lansford, - M
Tilman H. Ash A Wilkes-Barre,
Henry J. Miller A Oil City,
Capt. Jas. H. Grenet B Pittsburgh, -
Thos. Cruikshank B Verona, - "
Jas. Zollinger B Pittsburgh, -
Geo. YV. Speer B Allegheny, - "
Alfred Masonhimer. . B Allegheny, - "
Hugh Handlon . . B Pittsburgh, -
A. F. Scott B Allegheny, -
Phil. Zollars B Allegheny, -
Lawrence Hinnure B Chartiers,
Michael Solar B Allegheny, - "
Alonzo Harpending B Waterloo, - X. V.
Geo. Stedeford . ..v. .. B ... . Allegheny, - Penn'a.
Jas. S. Phillips .....B Pittsburgh, E. E., "
John W. Cassidy B Pittsburgh, -
Thos. L. Davis B Finley ville, -
H. J. Blaisclell C Oakdale, .- Fla.
Michael Bash C Apollo, - Penn'a.
Uriah Xeptial C Apollo, - "
Isaac Barber • C Apollo,
Lieut. Wm. A. Thompson ... C ..... . Pittsburgh, E. E., M
John G. Frederick C Irwin Station,
Isaac Miller C Parker's Landing, "
Andrew Hice C Pittsburgh, E. E., "
Dr. W. A. Sanders C Braddock, -
52
Name. Company. Post-Office.
Daniel McCadden C Livermore, - Penn'a.
Isaac Blackson C Pleasant Unity, ".
N. Brindenthall C Latrobe, - ■*
D. L. Crawford .... C Latrobe,
Wm. Sindorf C Derry, - M
John McGuire C Livermore, -
H. B. Simons C Red Cloud, - Neb.
James Kilgore C Pittsburgh, - Penn'a.
A. S. Marshall C Clarksburg, -
Daniel Kelly C Greensburg, -
H. L. Freeby C ..... . Tawas City, - Mich.
J. M. George C Philipsburg, Penn'a.
Lieut. A. W. Martin D Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
Peter Winebriner D New Florence, Penn'a.
Wm. P. Ferguson D New Florence,
Michael McCullough D New Florence,
Tobias W. France . . . D Bolivar,
Wilson P. France D Bolivar,
Reuben Reed D Dunbar, - u
R. J. Smith D Wooster. - Ohio.
James Caldwell D Brinton, - Penn'a.
Matt. W. Brown D West Fairfield,
D.J. C. Peer D West Fairfield,
Alex. Irwin D Hillside,
Henry C. Wakefield D Seward,
David S. Wakefield D Seward, - "
James R. Long D Seward,
Isaac Johns D Seward,
Israel Johns D Seward,
Samuel D. Murphy D Ligonier,
Thomas Hill D Altoona,
William McDowell D Altoona, - . "
Joseph Fry D Bottsville,
Adam Mangus D Hillsview,
W.D.Blackburn D Washington, D. C
Thos. Walker D. Greensburg. - Penn'a.
Geo. W. Beistel D Ligonier,
John A. Baker D Ligonier,
53
Name. Company. Post-Office.
Isaac Sarena D Ligonier, - Penn'a.
fames Shrum . . . D Ligonier,
John A. Wherry D Pittsburgh, -
Capt. A. F. Coon E David City, - Neb.
Hon. Martin A. Foran .E Cleveland, - Ohio.
David Spealman E Brush Valley, Penn'a.
Daniel Fouks E . . . . . Penn Station,
Win. Marhoff E ...... . Greenoch,
J. C. O'Brien E Medina, - Minn.
Alex. Gregg E Salem, - Penn'a.
Geo. H. Tiel E ..... . Laughlinstown,
Jas. M. McLaughlin E Helena, - Mont.
Allen Foster E . . . . Brush Creek, Iowa.
Wm. D. Smith E Medina, P. O., Minn.
John G. Smith E Irwin, - Penn'a.
S. Fry E Irwin,
John A. Fulton E Sabetha, - Kan.
Geo. B. Hays E ..... . Kanawha Sta'n, Wr.Va.
Win, Leek E Vesta, John'n Co. Neb.
Benj. Thomas, Sol. Nat. Home, E Milwaukee, - Wis.
James Clark E New Florence, Penn'a.
Robt. Mack E Clyde P. O., -
Joseph Gillespie . . E Esdaile, Pierce Co. Wis.
Wm. R. Johns E . ... New Florence, Penn'a.
David R. P. Mann E Homestead, -
Theo. Deuring E Cincinnati, - Ohio.
Jas. Scannell E Germantown,
Lieut. A. B. White F Washington, D. C.
Capt. \V. K. Lineweaver F Pottsville, - Penn'a.
Maj. Daniel C. Boggs G Stuart, - Neb.
Lieut. Alex. Matchett G Pittsburgh, - Penn'a.
Lieut. B. C.Adams G Pittsburgh, -
P. F. McCloskey G East Liverpool, Ohio.
A. Morrison, Sol. Nat. Home, .G Dayton, - "
F. Haviland. G Dayton,
Robert Osborn G Chicago, - Ills.
N. C. Stevenson G Mt. Chestnut, Penn'a.
Robert T. Crawford G Benzonia, - Mich.
54
Name. Company. Post-Office.
Thomas Aiken G Allegheny, - Penn'a.
W. D. Foote G Mat'toon, - Ills.
B. M. Duncan G Butler, - Penn'a.
A. M. Borland G . Butler,
Wm. Barr G Beaver Falls,
Alfred Dunbar G Evans City, -
Alpheus Dunbar . . G Evans City, -
R. D. Stoller G Wilkinsburg,
I. N. Duncan G Butter Cupps,
Anthony Chambers G Pittsburgh, -
E. G. Duncan G Greenfield, - Iowa.
Hiles Fleeger G Fleeger, - Penn'a.
Eli S. Fleeger G Fleeger,
Hammond Gardner G - "
Samuel Irvin G Butler,
Hugh Miller G Parkers Landing, "
John Miller ........ T G Zelienople, - u
Henry Miller G Harmony,
Josiah McKissock G Edenburg, - "
Edward Randolph G Zelienople, -
Samuel Seaton G Boyer P. O.,
J. H. Shannon . G Allegheny, -
John Watters G Evans City, - "
Samuel Miller G Butler, - u
Capt. Andrew Nellis G South West City, Mo.
A. G. Wilkins H Meadville, - Penn'a.
Asa Clark H Blooming Valley, "
Harvey A. Hatch H Blooming Valley, "
J. M. Gayetty H Oil City,
Hiram Connor H Franklin,
E. Dewoody H Franklin, - "
William Brown H Cooperstown,
J. R. Stover H Fertig P. O., -
Matt. B. Connor H Bridgevilie, -
Caleb Gray H
Geo. W. Lindly H
Cyrus Michael H
VV. H. Varner II
55
|
Name. |
Company. |
Post Office. |
|
|
Walter C. Parker |
... H ... . |
. .Reynolds, |
Neb. |
|
Capt. Geo. \V. Wilson . . |
. . . FI ... |
. . Cranberry, |
Penn'a. |
|
Chris. Hyser |
.. H ... |
..McDonald, - |
<< |
|
Chas. W. McElravy |
.. ..H. . |
. . Reidsburg, - |
" |
|
Capt. Charles E. Taylor |
. Franklin, |
u |
|
|
B. F. Crain |
..Utica, . .Franklin, . .Cooperstown, . . Cooperstown, |
u |
|
|
Robt. H Hands |
a |
||
|
fames Dille |
a |
||
|
Robt. J. McClelland |
u |
||
|
Daniel J. Brown |
. . Waterford P. C |
" |
|
|
A. W. Kinnear |
.'.Raymilton " |
M |
|
|
Barnett Lupher |
..Canal |
u |
|
|
J. Randall |
. . Franklin, |
u |
|
|
D. Z. McCracken |
. . Franklin, |
u |
|
|
W. Tarr |
. . Cherry Tree P. |
O. " |
|
|
S. M. Lupher Crawford Belig |
..Canal P. O., |
u |
|
|
..Sunville P. O., |
u |
||
|
Geo. Leslie |
. . Kossuth " |
li |
|
|
John Vorous |
. . New Lebanon, |
" |
|
|
Wm. Strite |
. . New Vernon, |
(4 |
|
|
John Findley |
..Clark's Mills, |
(i |
|
|
F. R. Showatter |
. . Grafton, . .Chardon P.O., |
Ohio. |
|
|
J. L. McCalmont |
Penn'a. |
||
|
William Reagle |
. .Raymilton, - . . Cooperstown, . .Sonora P. O., |
M |
|
|
Al. H. Jackson |
a |
||
|
.Lewis Byers |
<< |
||
|
Geo. Kinnear |
it |
||
|
M. F. Hasson |
. . Centerburg, |
Ohio. |
|
|
Wm. H. Thompson |
. .Ottumwa, |
Iowa. |
|
|
Wm. B. Keener |
. .Silver Cliff. - . .Pittsburgh, - |
Col. |
|
|
Silas L. Davis |
Penn'a |
||
|
Capt. Francis M. Ervay. |
..Dallas, |
Texas. |
|
|
Jacob Harlan |
. ...K ... |
..Balliet P. 0., |
Penn'a |
|
Robert Shaw |
.... K ... . |
. . Barkey ville, |
" |
|
William Hackett |
. . . . K . . . |
. . Franklin, |
»• |
|
H. Mover |
K . . . . |
. . Balliet P. O., |
" |
|
Jonathan McKean |
K ... |
. .Crawfords Corner. 4l |
|
|
A. W. Shorts |
. . . .K .. |
. . Franklin, |
M |
56
Name. Company. Post-Office.
S. R. Weston ■..:... K . Wesley P. O. Penn'a.
Eli Hovis .-..:;;. .K. .... .Clintonville,
Thomas McLaw K ...... Polk P. C, -
J. H. Montjar K Clintonville,
Benj. Stover . v . . K Emlenton, - "
Solomon Funk K ..-.:. . Findley, Hanc'k Co.,0.
M. V. Phipps K...-. ..Wesley P. O. Penn'a.
A. J. Phipps . ...K Wesley "
Israel S. Yard . . . . K Barkeyville,
Alvey Bigley K ..'... . Barkeyville,
Jos. Bleakley K ...... . Barkeyville,
Jas. Bleakley K Barkeyville,
A. M. Jones K Barkeyville,
Robt. S. Sarver K Franklin,
W. B. Foster K Franklin, -
J. R. Dodds, K Polk P. O., -
P. S. Atwell K Big Bend P. O., "
R. M. Hovis , K Clintonville,
Perry McFadden K Kennerdell P. O., M
W. W. Crawford K Clintonville,
Jacob Henderson K Balliet P. O.,
Robert Shorts K Kennerdell, -
L. Sauter rK David City, - Xeb.
Samuel Russell K Metz, Jasper Co., Iowa.
Eli Williams K Floyd P. O.. - Penn'a.
John Bergwin L Rockland P. O.,
D. S. Smith L Rockland "
John S. Roberts L Rockland
John Huston L Franklin,
S. W. Pryor L Cranberry P. O., ••
S. Bergwin L Turkey City,
Ed. Bergwin L Coal City,
Henry Xeely L Rockland P. C, "
Liberty Est is L Lake Pleasant,
E. C. Spencer L West Liberty, Penn.a.
JiH>. Montgomery L Nickleville, -
John Hagan L Brooklyn, - N, V.
C. II. W. Ruhe ..L Pittsburgh, - Penn'a.
■1
57
Name. Company. Post Office.
J. E. Estis L Lake Pleasant, Penn'a.
Daniel Brown .... ............. L Union City, - "
Geo. Behers : . L Pittsburgh, -
John Donaldson . . . L Pittsburgh, -
Thomas Parker L Pittsburgh, -
Robt. Fowler L Pittsburgh, -
Martin Geering M Geering, - Neb.
L. H. Conrad M Carbondale, - Penn'a.
John Ulmer M Carbondale, -
G. M. Felton M South Gibson,
Bradner Mapes M Clifford P. O.,
D. R. Stpuffer M Mt. Pleasant.
Elias J. Harding M Pickville,
Al. Brenneman M . . . . . .Freeport, "
John Sweeney M Freeport, - '•
A. W. Robertson . . Cooperstown, "
J. S. Davison Sunville P. O.,
Ethan Stone Franklin,
Cyrus R. Dennison Sunville P, O., "
August Epert Franklin,
James C. Morrison Franklin, - "
James Wilson West Green,
W. E. Gray Franklin, - '■
John Jones Franklin,
HONORARY MEMBERS.
James B. Clew Pittsburgh, - Penn'a.
John H. Covode Grand Rapids, Mich.
Wm. Collingwood Pittsburgh, - Penn'a.
J. Morton Hall Pittsburgh, -
E. M. Biddle Pittsburgh, -
Mrs. Jane Welton . . .• Franklin,
Marshall Kerr Kerrtown,
Capt. John A. Wiley Franklin, - "
T. H. Childs Pittsburgh, -
H. Childs . . Pittsburgh, -
A. H. Childs Pittsburgh, -
53
CONTRIBUTIONS TO MONUMENT.
Nwie. Company. Amount.
Capt. A. M. Beatty $ 5 co
S. Burgwin 5 oo
Maj. D. C. Phillips ioo oo
Gen. W. E. Doster ioo oo
Maj. John C. Paul ■ ioo oo
Jno. H. Covode, Hon. Member 25 oo
Capt. W. K. Gillespie E '. 25 00
John T. Ewens I 10 00
Dr. C. P. Seip B. . 10 00
John Boyce .. . ; B 10 00
A. H.&H. Childs, Hon. Members 50 00
Wm. H. Collingwood E 25 00
W. Collingwood, Hon. Member 10 00
Dr. J. J. Green C 10 00
T. H. Childs, Honorary Member 50 00
G. H. Tiel ...E .'."
John Irvin B
Ewens & Eberle
Capt. A. A. Plumer I :
Venango Bat. Ass'n, 4th Pa. Cav
Maj. J. B. Maitland L '. . :
Capt. J. R.Grant. . K
B. F. Crain I
\V. H. Collingwood E
Capt. Alex. Frazier .... I 5
W. H. Cramer K
Capt. J. M. Gayetty H
\V. H. V artier H
A. J. Pryor L
\V. G. Sheppard L
I. H. Morgan
W. C. Bigler '. K
C. James I
J. R. Downing H
H. M. Black K
Robert S. Sarver K .
S. R. Weston K
|
10 |
00 |
|
I |
00 |
|
10 |
00 |
|
50 |
00 |
|
50 |
00 |
|
25 |
00 |
|
25 |
00 |
|
5 |
00 |
|
5 |
00 |
|
5 |
00 |
|
2 |
00 |
|
2 |
00 |
|
1 |
00 |
|
1 |
00 |
|
1 |
00 |
|
1 |
CO |
|
1 |
00 |
|
1 |
00 |
|
1 |
00 |
|
1 |
00 |
|
1 |
00 |
|
1 |
00 |
59
■
LIST OF CONTRIBUTORS
TO MONUMENTAL FUND AND EXPENSE OF REUNION, AT GETTYSBURG, PA., SEPTEMBER 11TH, 1889.
Name. Comp. Post-Office. Amount.
Gen. W. E. poster A. .Bethlehem, t- Penn'a. $10 oo
Maj. R. J. Phipps H . . Clintonville, - " 1 1 oo
A. T. Felton M . . Carbondale, - " I 00
J. B. Woodling K. .Jackson Centre, " I oo
Geo. \V. Crawford B . . Dixmont, - I oo
J. H. Leasher C. Pleasant Unity, " I oo
W. J. Boyd A . . Mauch Chunk, \l I oo
Samuel M. West C. Apollo, - I oo
Jas. Caldwell D . . Brinton, - w 2 oo
Dr. W. B. Price Berlin, - Illinois, 5 00
Jas. Ogden D . . Latrobe, - Penn'a. 5 00
L. S. Cline E . . Leechburg - " 1 00
Jas. A. Van Horn B . . Hunlock's Creek, " 2 00
H. M. Kerr E. .Boston, - " 1 00
C. C. Kirchner C . . Latrobe, - " 1 00
Jas. Patton E . . Elizabeth, - 4i 2 00
Wm. Steiner A. .Mauch Chunk, - " 2 00
Lieut. Jas. A. Morrison. . E . .Branchton, - " 2 00
Chas. O. Ellis M. .Waymart, - " 5 00
L. J. Adams M . . Carbondale, M 1 00
David Cupps E . . Butler, " I 00
Hugh Crawford B . . Canton, - - " 2 00
Geo. Schlager A. .Scranton, - " 1 00
Capt. Alfred Parte, Jr. . .M. . Wilkes-Barre, - 4i 25 00
D. R. P. Gates : K . . Elk City, - " 50
L. C. Darte M . . Wilkes-Barre. - " 10 00
J. B. Gailey L . . Seneca, - - " 5 00
R. P. Clark H . . Lottsville, - 50
Daniel Keester K. .Franklin, - " 1 00
Thps, M. Dias E . . Elizabeth, - " 1 00
J. Yandermark M. .Carbondale, - '■* 5 00
J. L. Stouffer C. .Greensburg, - " 50
j. X. Hoskinson D. . Bolivar, - I 00
6o
Name. Comp. Post-Office. Amount.
H. Bender I . . Wallaceville, - Penn'a. I oo
W. II. Devenney . I . . Franklin, - I 00
Geo. Ghearing . . . I . . Dempseytown, " I oo
Dr. J. J. Green C. . Pittsburgh, - " 300
Fred. Berge M. .Scranton, - " I 00
Maj D.C.Phillips F. . Pittsburg, - " 1000
Jas. Painter E . . Manor Station, 44 2 00
Geo. A. Dewoody H..Balliet, - 50
R. B. Fraser A . . Pittsburgh, - 2 00
A. T. Malin C.Robbins, - - " 100
Thos. Lockwood E . . Greenoch, - " 50
John Lamb E . . Boston, - - " 2 00
W. H. Vantassel C. .Appollo, - I 00
Jno. G. Robinson D . . West Fairfield, •■** 1 00
Isaac J. Robb D . . New Florence, *4 1 00
James R. Knox D . . Manhattan, Riley Co., Kan. 5 00
Jos. Moreland B. . New Wilmington, Penn'a. I 00
John B. Yost A..Hazelton, - " 1 00
J. Lichtenfelt D.. Bolivar, - - " 1 00
John Ouinn G . . Pittsburgh, 44 1 00
Geo. Brown B . . Economy, - " 1 00
Condy Gallagher A. .Lansford, " 1 00
Jos. McLaughlin A. .Summit Hill, - 1 00
C. S. Mark I . . Franklin, - 44 1 OO
J. M. Bethune I . . Knox, - - " 2 00
R. P. Seely I . .Wallaceville, - 1 00
Lee Wilson B, Murdocksville, 44 I 00
Win. Cruikshank ■■■ . B, .Verona, 44 I 00
Alex. Campsie A. East Mauch Chunk, 4' 35
Samuel Heath E . Boston, 44 10
John H. Ulrich F . Annville, 4i 1 00
R. II. Keiffer . .F. . " - - » 25
G. K. Hess . F. . Lebanon, - «« 1 00
S. Wise K . . Franklin, 4l 1 00
Lieut. Geo. W. Wise . K. .Callensburg, - " 1 00
D. L. Miller ...H . Franklin, * 50
John Barber C. Paul ton, - - " 2 00
S. C. Bole E . . Lcechburg, " 2 00
6i
Name. Com p. Post-Office.
T. J. Edwards A. . Mahanoy City, Penn'a.
A. R. Sloan... . K..Eldred, - - '.'•
\V. J. Stewart G. . Sewickley,
David Ray H . . Cooperstown, -
T. T. Watt I . . Wallaceville, -
Cal. James I ; . Oil City,
Benj. Cabel D . . Bolivar, -
J. S. Duncan C . . East Sandy, - "
T. C. Byrnes I . .Cranberry,
John Sweeney M . . Freeport,
G. YV. Conrad M. .Glenwood;
S. Stouffer C . . Greensburg, - "
Dr. W. G. Bishop L . . Brookville,
Levi Porter K . . Clintonville,
John \V. Moore G . . Pittsburgh,
Capt. A. M. Beatty H. .Dempseytown, M
Capt. Wm. Hyndman. . .A. . Ketcham, - Idaho,
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Paid Expenses of Reunion $71 15
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VENANGO BATTALION ASSOCIATION.
COMPANIES H, I, K and L.
On January 16, 1887, the following- members met at Franklin, Pa.: JR. Grant, A. M. Beatty, Alex. Frazier, C. S. Mark, L. D. Davis and John Huston, for the purpose of arrang- ing- for a reunion of the battalion. Letters from comrades were read, concurring in the object. .After effecting an ogan- ization, adjourned to meet on the 19th of January. John P. Barr was appointed historian, with request to prepare a paper to be read at the coming reunion. Additional names were added to the committee, and adjourned to meet January 21st. Committee of Arrangements met as per adjournment, and fixed on April 8th for the reunion, and the proper steps taken to carry out the plan.
REUNION OF VENANGO BATTALION,
APRIL 8th, 1887.
The first reunion of the Venango Battalion of the Fourth Pennsylvania Cavalry was held in Franklin, April 8th, 1887, at 2 o'clock. V. M. Captain J. R. Grant called the comrades to attention, and in his introductory remarks said the committee of arrangements had sent out letters of invitation to the boys and thought a great fraud had been perpetrated, as he saw before him a lot of gray headed men, but, if properly vouched for, the proceedings would begin. They were identified accordingly, and the first meeting was opened by a hearty welcome from the Mayor in behalf of the city. R. H. Wood- barn, of W. B. Mays Post, No. 220, cordially extended a wel- come and the hospitality of the Post during the stay in the city, and right royally it was carried out, the citizens vieing with each other to do honor to the veterans. A committee of five was appointed on permanent organization, consisting of
63
J. B. Maitlancl Chas. E. Taylor, A. M. Beatty, Alex. Frazier and Levi Porter, who, through their chairman, reported the following, which was adopted: President, Cyrus S. Mark;
J Vice-Presidents, A. M. Beatty, Co. H; R. W. Shaw, Co. K; A.
J. Pryor, Co. L; Secretary, John Huston; Corresponding Sec- retary, L. D. Davis; Treasurer, J. R. Grant; Historian, J. B. Maitiand; Chaplain, Rev. B. F. Crane.
On motion it was decided to hold the second reunion in Franklin, on the first Friday in April, 1888. Adjourned to meet at 7 o'clock, P. M., in the Court House. The order to "fall in" was given, and the line of march taken to the Exchange Hotel, where the banquet was served in its own superb style. The boys, with their usual impetuosity, suc- ceeded in getting the better of even a very large supply of edi- bles. Returning to the Court House, Judge C. E. Taylor, of Co. I, gave one of, his happy addresses and prepared all for the good cheer of the evening. Porter Phipps, of the Six- teenth Pennsylvania Cavalry, did honor to the Fourth when he stated that General Gregg selected nearly every member of his staff from the Fourth, and five of them from the Venan- go Battalion. Maj. McClintock, of Oil City, offered the fol- lowing resolution: "We, the survivors of the Fourth Regi- ment Pennsylvania Cavalry, having extended our session to the morning of April 9th, in commemoration of the surrender of Gen. Lee, at Appomattox, do, in this twenty-second anni- versary of that momentous event, drop a tear on the graves of our dead comrades of the long ago, and congratulate the liv- ing upon the magnificent results of the successful close of the war for the Union, and the almost miraculous realization of our fondest hopes and aspirations, and send greeting to all comrades of the old Pennsylvania Brigade, and extend a cor- dial invitation to meet with us at our next reunion."
The Court House was tastefully decorated, and among the pictures hung about the room was an oil painting of Col. J. H. Childs, who fell at Antietam, Sept. 17th, 1862. It is not saying too much that never was commander idolized as was Col. Childs. and the men were much moved at the sight of him, who always had a kind greeting for his men.
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SECOND REUNION OF VENANGO BATTALION, Held at Franklin, PA., April 1st, 1888.
President C. S. Marks called attention; the divine bless- ing invoked by Chaplain Crane, and the second reunion was open for business. Minutes read and approved. The Presi- dent gave a brief history of the Association, its objects and aims. R. \V. Dunn, President of Select Council, in the absence of Mayor Lewis, welcomed the members in well-chosen words. A committee on place of holding next reunion, selected Oil City, and the time, April 26, 1889. Election of officers resulted as follows: President, J. B. Maitland; First Vice- President, A. A. Plumer; Second Vice-President, Wm. C. Bigler; Third Vice-President, Geo. Ganing; Recording Secre- tary, J. M. Gayetty; Corresponding Secretary, Calvin James; Treasurer, J. B. Maitland; Chaplain, Franklin Flowers.
Resolution: That a Publishing Committee of five mem- bers be appointed, to whom all matters pertaining to the pub- lication of a history of the regiment, or the battalion, shall be referred. The question of the erection of a monument at Gettysburg was then considered. The plans and specifications submitted, proposing a height of 10 feet, width of 7 feet, thick- ness of 2 feet, weight of 38,440 lbs.; estimated cost $2,100.00. Subscriptions to the fund asked for and a hearty response.
A. M. Beatty read a letter from the War Department, Adj't General's office, saying: " In reply to your inquiry, I have the honor to inform you that so far as shown by the records on file in this office, the Fourth Pennsylvania Cavalry was engaged in at least 75 combats of various degrees of magni- tude. There is also indirect evidence that the regiment as a whole or in part, participated in other affairs, but the defective character of the regimental records makes a full and complete record of them impracticable." (Signed O. D. Green, Ass't Adj-Gen'l.)
65
A list of battles in which the regiment had participated was then given, numbering yj in all. Adjournment to supper at 4:30 P. M., the line formed, but was confronted by a pho- tographer, and a picture of the Venango Battalion was the. result of the affray. The United States and Exchange Hotels supplied all our wants in a fine banquet, provided by the city.
Before the camp was ablaze, in the matter of a history it was left to the Historian to appoint a member from each of the four companies composing the battalion. An escort, W. B. Mays Post, headed by the Franklin Cornet Band, preceded us to the Opera House, which was crowded to its utmost. The stage was a representation of the camp, and brought back scenes of "Auld Lang Syne." Comrade Boyer gave a lucid descrip- tion of camp-itfe, — its joys and its sorrows. Maj. McClintock regaled the audience with anecdotes of army life. J. R. Grant recalled the fact, that just twenty-three years ago that night, the Fourth Cavalry was at Sailor's Creek, Va. That day they captured 6.GOO prisoners, including 20 women on their way from Richmond, and enough artillery and supply wagons to fill a five acre field. He gave a graphic account of the scenes through which the regiment passed from the 2nd to the 9th of April, 1865, when the Appomattox surrender took place. It was a fact, he said, that the Fourth Cavalry closed the fight at Appomattox. In concluding, he did not wish to be under- stood as claiming that the Fourth Cavalry did all the fighting in the war. The rest of the army rendered much assistance; in fact, the Fourth Cavalry were nobly supported by the Army of the Potomac all the way through. [Laughter.]
Addresses by Porter Phipps, of the Sixteenth Pennsyl- vania Cavalry, A. M. Beatty, A. G. Wilkins, (alias "Corporal Schnapps,") together with the fine music discoursed by the quartette led by Prof. Kinsley, enlivened the evening, making all feel that is was good to be there. The attendance was nearly one hundred.
It is proposed to hold the next reunion at Butler, Pa., on the same date that the regiment meets, when all business matters can be arranged and a time for holding the next battalion reunion determined.
66
FOURTH REUNION.
HELD AT PITTSBURGH, FA., OCTOBER 1ST, 1S90.
A committee of arrangements was appointed by Col. \Y. E. Doster, President of the Association, August iith, 1890. consisting of Dr. C. P. Seip, Dr. J. J. Green, W. PL Colling- wood, John T. Ewens, John Boyce, R. B. Eraser, John W. Moore and Wm. K. Gillespie.
Several meetings were held and arrangements made to hold our Fourth Reunion on October 1st, 1890. The pro- gramme was for a business meeting at Veteran Legion Hall. Sixth Avenue, at 2 P. M.; banquet at Seventh Avenue Hotel, at 8 P. M. The regiment assembled at the Seventh Avenue Hotel on the morning of October 1st; Mr. Wilson, the pro- prietor, having generously placed three parlors at the service of the members as reception rooms. A most delightful morn- ing was passed in meetings, greetings and reminiscences, and at 1:30?. M , the Regiment formed, about 130 present, and escorted by a drum corps, marched to the Veteran Legion Hall, Sixth Avenue. The meeting was called to order by Dr. C. P. Seip, Chairman of Executive Committee, and lead in prayer by Chaplain H. Q. Graham. Dr. Seip then introduced Major J. B. Maitland, Vice-President of the Association, as presiding officer. Major Maitland, on account of the absence of minutes of the Gettysburg meeting in 1889, gave a sketch of the organization effected at Gettysburg, September 12th, 1889, he stated that since then, the Regimental Monument had been completed, inspected by the building committee, and accepted October 29th, 1889; and that the monument is a marvel of beauty, and will delight every member of the regi- ment, when they shall have the pleasure of seeing it.
Minutes of Capt. Darte. Recording Secretary, of business meeting at Gettysburg, September 12th, 1889, were then read. also action of that meeting completing the permanent organ- ization as follows: President, VV. E. Doster; Vice-President, J. B. Maitland; Corresponding Secretary, W. H. Collingwood; Recording Secretary, Wm. K. Gillespie; Treasurer, J. R. Grant.
67
The Constitution and By-Laws adopted at reunion in Pittsburgh, in 1875, were then read and adopted, as the Con- stitution and By-Laws of this organization.
On motion of Comrade Collingwood, it was unanimously- agreed to change the Constitution as to permanent officers, so as to provide for the office of Chaplain.
Letters of acceptance and regret were then read by the Secretarv, some of them conveying the mournful tidings of the death of comrades, and bearing words of love and affec- tion from surviving relatives of the following comrades: John Anderson, Co. K; Daniel McKee, Co. H; H. A. Ross, Co. I; Parcus Copeland, Co. H. Others from comrades, who would, but could not come, and all bearing messages of good will and expressing the intensity of affection lodged in the hearts of comrades of the old Fourth, for each other.
President Maitland then made a statement regarding the battle of Stony Creek,, stating that the credit of that success was claimed by the Sixteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry. He stated clearly, facts showing that the Fourth captured the Fort, and about 200 prisoners, — a larger number than were present of the Fourth — burned a great quantity o( stores, together with storage houses, and returned inside of 20 minutes, when just then Hampton's Rebels came in sight, but they were compelled to accept the situation and bottle their wrath.
The President also read, from his Diary, as follows:
STONY CREEK.
FROM DIARY OF MAX J. B. MAITLAND. '
December 1, 1864 — Thursday. — Precisely at 3:30 A. M., were in the saddle, and moved on the Lee's Mill road in the following order: Thirteenth Pennsylvania, Fourth Pennsyl- vania, section Second Pennsylvania, section Sixteenth Penn- sylvania, Eighth Pennsylvania, The advance found the mill and bridge burned at Lee's Mill, and the column was delayed till daylight. Thence struck the plank road at Proctor's, and moved from there southward to Rowan ty Creek, where a picket was found and quickly dislodged; pushed across and to the Railroad; found that a train had just left. At Stony
6$
Creek the rebels fired several signal guns, calling, no doubt, for help. We moved down on a charge to Stony Creek Station, dismounted the Sixteenth Pennsylvania, and threw the Fourth Pennsylvania, mounted, well on the left of the works. It charged and also the dismounted men, and in 20 minutes 3 guns were ours, the works, and 200 prisoners, and an immense lot of stores, which, together with buildings, cars, etc.. were fired and destroyed. Returned to camp at 9 P. M., hav- ing accomplished a march of 50 miles. The Thirteenth and Second Pennsylvania were left on picket.
CASUALTIES:— OFFICERS. Lieut. Luther Day, Co. K, 16th Penn'a, killed. Lieut. Chas. White, Co. I, 13th " wounded. Lieut. O'Callaghan, Co. E, " " "
Capt. Ervay, Co. I, 4th " "
ENLISTED MEN* Reg't. Killed. Wounded. Missing.
2d Penn'a o o o
4th " 2 12 1
8th " o o o
13th " o o o
16th " o 9 o
President Maitland also filed the following bearing on and confirming the claim of the Fourth for that action:
'o
STONY CREEK.
"TOBIE." HISTORY OF THE FIRST MAINE.
"Reveille at 2 o'clock in the morning of Dec. 1st, 1864. Our dream of rest in camp vanished, and cross and sleep}', the command marched via McCann's, Lee's Mills and the Jerusalem Plank Road for Stony Creek Station, the point on the Weldon Railroad from which the rebels wagoned their supplies around the left of the army. The rebel pickets were found at Rowanty Creek. The brigade pressed rapidly for- ward to Stony Creek Station, some two miles from the Rowanty bridge, and reached there early in the day. The
69
enemy's works consisted of two small forts, with several pieces of artillery in position on thc^south side of Stony Creek and both sides of the railroad, with lines of works extending on the flanks of the forts. Gen. Gregg ordered the Fourth to" cross the creek below the fortifications without delay, and attack the rebels in the rear. It did so in most gallant style, under a heavy fire from the enemy, who had a perfect range of the ford. Halting a moment to reform, the regiment charged under command of Maj. W. B. Mays, in rear of the railroad, and then directly down to the railroad to and between the forts, where they dismounted and actually charged, with pistol and saber in hand, over the works, forcing the enemy to surrender unconditionally and at once. The regiment cap- tured more men than it numbered, burned all the rebel stores, which were numerous, the station and the high bridge over Stony Creek, and in twenty minutes time returned with the prisoners. Hampton's headquarters were only four miles from the station, and the dashing engagement took place almost in the suburbs of his camp, and haste was necessary, for on the heels of the "boys in blue," came Hampton, who was obliged to bottle his anger a while longer, as the battery of the Third Brigade poured canister through their columns. The First Maine destroyed the bridge across Rowanty. The regiment reached camp at midnight, and the rebel taunt of "beef" henceforth was answered by " Stony Creek."
STONY CREEK.— BATES' HISTORY.
•'At Stony Creek, Dec. I, 1864, Gregg's cavalry and a battery were engaged, in which the Fourth performed gallant service. It was led by Maj. Mays. A fort near the point where the railroad crosses the run, stood in the way of further advance, and it was necessary to capture it. This duty was assigned to the Fourth. Plunging into the stream, it crossed above, and making a detour, came in upon and attacked the rear of the work, while the front facing the river was held by the Sixteenth Cavalry, dismounted. Assailed thus in front and rear, the garrison was soon compelled to surrender. Two
70
hundred prisoners, three cannon, with arms, equipments and stores, were captured. The tess was considerable. Capt. Francis M. Ervay was among- the wounded."
The following- correspondence was afterwards furnished by the President for incorporation in the minutes, as con- tributing to establish our claim:
Oil City, October 26, 1890. Mr. F. D. Garman, MifTlingtown, Pa.:
Dear Sir and Comrade: — I was very much inter- ested in the history of the Sixteenth Cavalry, read at the reunion at Franklin, on the 24th inst., especially in that refer- ring to the action'at Stony Creek, in which I think your claims too strong, as well as the language imputing an attempt on the part of another regiment to steal your honors. I hope that sentence will be expunged from your forthcoming history, and that you will allow the credit due the Fourth Pennsyl- vania Cavalry, who, with the Sixteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry, jointly achieved a splendid victory. The casualties in the Fourth denote sufficiently clear the part borne by that regi- ment.
Yours in F., C. & L.,
J. B. MAITLAND.
Mifflintowx, October 1, 1890. Major J. B Maitlaxd, Oil City:
Dear Sir and Comrade: — The intention of my story of the regiment was neither to give the record of another regiment, nor to reflect on it, but simply to give ours. As you will recollect, our regiment charged dismounted, and crossed the creek on the raiiroad bridge, stepping from tie t<> tie. This, too; in front of the fort. The smallness of our loss was due to the fact that a large gun, trained to sweep the bridge, could not be fired because of the fact that the charge, as it was being rammed home, stuck, and before this could be remedied our boys were upon them. All you say about the "Gallant Fourth " is true, and I join in any enconiums you give them. They were to the left, and of course our efforts without them, as theirs without us, would have been futile.
7i
There have been efforts made to take from us not only what we did at Stony Creek, but also at Trevilian Station and St. Mary's Church, but not by yourself or the Fourth Pennsyl- vania Cavalry Association, for whom " our boys," as well as myself, retain the kindest remembrance.
Yours Fraternally, F. D. GARMAN.
Headquarters 2D Brigade, 2D Div., \
Cavalry Corps, Army of the Potomac, ;-
Before Petersburg, Va., Dec. 3, 1864. )
General Orders j No. 16. )"
The Colonel commanding takes this opportunity to con- gratulate and compliment the officers and men of the Second Brigade, on their conduct in the brilliant affair at Stony Creek Station. The rapidity of your advance, and the impetuosity of your attack, called forth remarks of approbation from all who witnessed your assault upon the enemy's works, and places the capture of Stony Creek Station amongst the most brilliant achievements of the war. You have demonstrated to the world your ability to successfully assault well constructed earth works — with artillery in position and fully manned — even when situated between a deep and wide creek. Your previ- ous history has won for you the name of the " Fighting Brig- ade." Stony Creek will add to that, the name of the "Dash- ing Brigade."
(Signed) J. IRVIN GREGG,
Col. and B't Brig. Gen. Comdg. Brigade.
JOHN B. YOST writes:—'' Stony Creek Station was my last fight in the war. Was wounded in the right shoulder in that engagement and went to Lincoln Hospital, and was discharged May 12, 1865." He justly claims for the regiment the honor of being the only mounted body that charged a fort, and for him- self the distinguished honor of being the first man to reach the works, although wounded when about forty yards from them, and his horse killed at the fort. The gallantry of the men in that charge was conspicuous. (See " Tobie," and notes from the diary of the A. A. G.)
72
The President also furnished from his Diary the record of the votes of the Fourth for President of the United States in 1864:
Company. McClellax. Lincoln.
A 26 12
B 2 29
C ,. .. 8 18
P 5 24
E 1 30
F 9 20
G 7 ••'• 43
H 19 8
I 8 ;.. 24
K 6 .. . 28
L 4 31
M 12 8
Total 107 275
Corresponding Secretary Collingwood called attention to inaccuracies in Bates' History, and stated that many casual- ties were not reported, and that many comrades, who had served lon^ terms in the regiment, were not recorded, and suggested that company organizations be formed for the pur- pose of completing company and individual records, and com- piling and recording facts for regimental history.
Comrade Hon. M. A. Foran, Co. E, now of Cleveland, O., was called on and made a very interesting address, with reminiscences of our last campaign in the Spring of 1865 up to Appomattox.
# President Maitland read blank forms with notice that copies would be sent to comrades asking for personal inform- ation as to facts and experiences, for use in preparing regi- mental history, and urged each survivor to fill the blanks and mail them to the Historian.
Comrade Edwards being called for sang a song, M Let Me Like a Soldier Fall."
Rev. Turner, son of the first Chaplain of the Regiment, was introduced, and in a short address told of his being, when
73
a very small boy, with the regiment in Camp Sprague, Wash- ington, D. C. in 1862, and of the return in poor health, and the death of his father in 1864.
Capt. Beatty furnished a complete record of the names of Co. H. Capt. Boggs, who came from the far west. 1500 miles, to attend the reunion, suggested that in consideration of his long march, the haversack and canteen furnished by the Com- missary should be well filled and contain what any Commis- sary of the Fourth should know would be a requisite after a long march. President Maitland called attention to the faith- ful and efficient work done by Comrade Collingwood, and the Association gave him a most hearty vote of thanks. Colling- wood being called for, made one of his most effective speeches to prove that the Association was being taken in, and that he hadn't done much.
Comrade Robert Painter introduced his aged mother, who gave three sons to Co. E, all good soldiers and faithful to the end. She was greeted by the Association and invited to attend the banquet.
The election of officers was then proceeded with, result- ing as follows : President, J. B. Maitland ; Vice-President, Thos. J. Edwards ; Chaplain, H. Q. Graham ; Corresponding Secretary, W. H. Collingwood ; Recording Secretary, Wm. K. Gillespie ; Treasurer, J. R. Grant * Executive Committee, B. M. Duncan, Co. G ; David Cupps, Co. E. ; A. M. Borland, Co. G. ; Geo. D. McFarland, Co. G. ; Auditing Committee, R. J. Phipps, David Cupps.
Suggestions for place of next reunion, including Philadel- phia, Greensburg, Leechburg and Butler were made and But- ler was decided upon by a large majority.
Comrade Cupps pledged Butler for a hearty reception and entertainment, and offered a resolution thanking the committee of arrangements for the manner of conducting their work, preparatory to the reunion. Thos. J. Edwards offered remarks and resolution advocating the interest of the mem- bers in the commutation of Capt. G. W. Moss' death sentence. President Maitland sketched his soldier life, Collingwood
74
reported many of his acts of bravery, and said that his record was without one unfavorable trait. Comrade Cupps offered the following:
Resolved, That a committee of five, familiar with the "life and services of Capt. G. W. Moss, be appointed to represent this Association, in doing all that can be done to secure the commutation of sentence of our comrade.
The committee appointed was as follows: Chairman, A. M. Beatty, R. J. Phipps, J. B. Maitland and M. A. Foran.
Comrade Edwards sang a song, and Chaplain Graham pronounced the benediction, and the Association adjourned to meet at the banquet hall at 8 P. M.
BANQUET.
About 8:15 P. M., the veterans, with their wives, fell in line, and keeping step to the sound of the sweet music furn- ished by the Cathedral Band, they were ushered into the large banquet hall, where an elaborate supper had been prepared by the host, Mr. B. C. Wilson. After all had taken seats at the various tables, a prayer was offered by the Chaplain, Rev. H. Q. Graham.
Dr. C. P. Skip arose and said: —
Comrades, Ladies and Gentlemen:— We have with us to-night nearly every comrade whose address we could find to meet with us to partake of this banquet. Among others, Ave have invited a few of the infantry and artillery forces, without whom our organization was never perfect. It was our pleasure frequently to open an engagement in order to get the infantry and artillery to fight. We have them with us to- night, and they will fight their battles here as they did in olden times. I now introduce to you our Toast Master, Major J. B. Maitland.
Major MAITLAND, who was greeted with applause, said: —
Comrades, Ladies and Gentlemen:— The Fourth Penn- sylvania Cavalry never claimed to have secured the great vic- tor}- and peace achieved alone. It was in connection with the other arm^ of the service, and therefore, we are very glad to meet thosu to-night \\ ho represent these other arms of the
75
service. We promise you now a rare treat furnished by our host; and later on, at the last of the feast, we will have, we trust, the best of the wine.
While beautiful strains of music floated through the ban- quet hall, the veterans and their guests partook of the follow- ing elegantly prepared
MENU.
Blue Points.
Consomme Printaniere.
California Salmon, Steamed, Sauce Hollandaise.
Potatoes, a la Julienne,
Sliced Tomatoes. Qceen Olives. Celery.
Frozen Sherbet, au Chartreuse.
Spring Chicken Broiled, a la Maitre d' Hotel.
Asparagus, with Dressing.
Sweetbread in Case. French Peas.
Deviled Crabs, Baltimore Style. Sweet Potatoes, Freed.
Chicken Salad. Shrimp Salad.
Tltti Frutti Ice Cream. Ornamented Cake. Assorted Cakes. Fruit.
Deidsheimer Wine Jelly. Confectionery. Pineapple Cheese.
Crackers. Tea and Coffee.
At the close of this delightful feast, Comrade T. J. Edwards, Co. A, was introduced, who favored the audience with a medley which was received with hearty applause.
MAJOR MAITLAND: We have with us to-night one whom it is not necessary for me to introduce to you, for his name is well known to all of us — our guest, Gen. A. L. Pearson. After the applause had subsided,
Gen. Pearson said: —
Mr. Chairman, Ladies and Gentlemen: — Many years ago I had the pleasure of forming the acquaintance of very many members of the Fourth Pennsylvania Cavalry, because we were thieves together, or very nearly so. I am here to acknowledge that I was at that time the receiver of stolen goods. Even to-night, as I came into the banquet hall, Com- rade Frazier, who is sitting in the near neighborhood, remarked to me, "I think the last horse you got was a stolen sorrel that I gave you." lie is a little mistaken as to that being the last
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horse I got from the Fourth Pennsylvania Cavalry. The last one I got was a miserable affair. An hour or two before the battle of Preble's Farm, I had the misfortune to have a very valuable animal shot, and, as usual, I sent a note over to "Col. Young of the Fourth to loan me a horse. He did. It was shortly afterwards shot, and I sent a second note to the worthy gentleman, and he sent me a three-year old black colt that had never been shod, and never had a bridle bit in his mouth. I had to have a horse ; it was necessary at that time ; so I mounted and did th_- best I could. I think Young intended that which came very near happening, namely, to get me into the hands of the enemy. I wanted the horse to go one way, he wanted to go the other. I am sorry to say he wanted to go toward the enemy, and I didn't. [Laughter.] That was bad enough ; but two or three years ago I heard from Col. Young in Texas. He had the impertinence to send me an itemized bill, in which he charged for every horse that he had ever loaned me, and expected payment. Well, I knew very well that he hadn't bought the horses, because the Fourth Pennsylvania Cavalry never was noted for purchasing horses, [Laughter] and it was the best mounted cavalry regiment con- nected with the Army of the Potomac. I paid for the horses — I sent him a three-cent postage stamp, and got a one-cent stamp in return. Young and I are at least square to-day. I have very many pleasant recolections of the Fourth Pennsyl- vania Cavalry. I remember very distinctly when they were out with the Fifth Corps on a little reconnoisance toward. I think Lynchburg.
A voice: Apple-jack raid.
Gen. Pearson : I stand corrected ; it was the apple-jack raid. I remember that the cavalry was in front. I remember distinctly that we found the empty casks lying about when Ave got up. The Fourth Pennsylvania Cavalry, as usual, had been there ahead of us ; and there were the casks, marked "Apple Jack," but "Jack" was gone. [Laughter.]
I remember upon that occasion, just at noon, there was a halt, and many of the Fourth Cavalry went out skirmishing — not for the enemy. Some came in ladened with geese ; a
77
number had pieces of boards upon their heads ladened with honey, and piled up in pyramidal shape. It was a rather warm day, and the honey ran down ; the bugle sounded, and they moved up near us with handfuls of feathers dropping- off them. ' Well I don't know whether they looked like cavalry or geese ; [Laughter] but they had the honey and goose too. I remember distinctly a few things that were not so bright and pleasant. I remember the Fifth Corps standing under arms when you men fought at Ream's Station. I remember leaving my command and going towards Ream's Station and getting there just about the heat of the battle when one of your officers, Frank Parke, received the wound that afterwards killed him. I remember that terrible conflict. I remember the action of the Fourth Cavalry, and I remember many actions in which they were engaged, a number of which I saw myself; and I say to-night, as I have said many, many hundreds of times before, that no better men ever mounted the back of a horse ; no better men ever drew the sabre in battle ; no better men did more to sustain the grand old Government and keep the old flag afloat, than you men here to-night, and the dead comrades that have gone ; and I hope and pray that this, your fourth annual reunion, will be but one of very many ; and Ihope and pray that when next you meet the man that stands to-day acknowledged as one of the finest cavalry officers in the regular army, Col. S. B. M. Young, will be with you. [Applause.]
MAJOR Maitland : — Comrade Seip will now read a letter from our Comrade S. B. M. Young.
COMRADE Skip: — This letter was just received this even- ing, and reads as follows :
September 25th, 1890. My Dear Doctor :
I regret that I cannot be with the veterans of my old regiment, but you know that I always obeyed orders when in the field with you, and I have never forgotten that the first duty of a soldier is to obey. My orders here are of such- a character that I am compelled to remain in the city with the command, but I assure you that in spirit I will be
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with the old boys of the gallant Fourth Pennsylvania Cavalry. May my old comrades who meet with you live long to fight their battles over. Say to all of them that my prayers will be with them. God bless them all.
Ever yours and their friend,
S. B. M. Young.
Comrade C. P. Seip: — The reason why this letter came too late to be read at the business meeting this afternoon was from the fact that it was sent with another communication to Gen. Pearson, and, as usual, he delayed handing it over. That is characteristic of the man; he always keeps the best things for the last. As to his story about the cavalry horses, I know that he never gave you the remotest idea of the number of horses that were procured for him by our regiment. Why, I was detailed many a time to go out and steal a horse for the General, [Laughter] and I venture to say there -are many men in the regiment to-day that stole more than one horse and took it over to the 1 5 5th Pennsylvania. Gen. Pearson reported many horses killed; how he killed them I don't know. The colt he referred to, which Col. Young sent him last, was the only effort we ever made that we thought would succeed in getting him into a fight. [Laughter.] I am very glad he has reformed since he came here. He doesn't steal any now because he doesn't get a chance. Yet, he has told the truth; we can all vouch for the fact that he did get into that fight, and that his horse did go ahead, and it was on that occasion, that his regiment performed the mobt glorious deeds in its whole career.
General Pearson: — I want to say —
Major Maitland: — General, the comrades are all busy with Dr^Seip, and there will be no attention paid to anything else said.
Gen. Pearson: — I can only say, Mr. Chairman, I know why this is done. I have convicted them half a dozen times of stealing hogs. [Laughter.]
Major Maitland: — These personalities, comrades, will not be allowed in our own command; but as between men of dif- ferent commands they are permitted.
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Col. Gallupe was introduced, and greeted with applause. (Cries of lk Heavy Artillery.")
Col. Gallupe: —
I had the honor and pleasure of commanding all arms of the service, so that the heavy artillery is only a portion.
Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen:— I am not at all accustomed to addressing audiences of any kind, more especially an audience of this kind, and after the amusing and very interesting address of Gen. Pearson, for me to assume to say anything of a serious character would be decidedly out of place. Of course, I know a good deal of the history of your 1 regiment — the Fourth Cavalry, it having been raised here and officered by a great many officers from this neighborhood, whom I met on many occasions, being connected with the Fifth Corps from its organization until the close of the war. The record of this regiment I had the honor and pleasure of placing on file in Washington City in 1869. I was detailed in the War Department for eleven months, and I wish to give you a little information, something you have probably never heard before, in regard to that matter. The cavalry regi- ments are all placed on file in one part of the War Depart- ment by themselves. The remarks of company officers and regimental officers are placed on each of the final muster-out rolls, and in going over these and making up the book in which a brief history of each regiment is entered, taken from the final muster-out rolls, there is but one regiment of cavalry I believe, in Pennsylvania, whose record is at all brighter than yours, if it is possible to be, and that is the First Pennsylvania Cavalry, or was originally the First Pennsylvania Cavalry. That regiment and your regiment stand pre-eminently among the first regiments of cavalry in the Army of the Potomac. That is a true record. The Harris Light Cavalry also has a remarkably good record; also, the Eighth Illinois Cavalry and the First New Jersey Cavalry. Those regiments stood very high; but your regiment and the First Pennsylvania Cavalry had the cleanest and best military record, I believe, if! remem- ber aright, of any of the regiments of cavalry in the Army of the Potomac during the war.
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I wish to say just one word in regard to one of your Col- onels, who fell at the battle of Antietam. I was very well and intimately acquainted with him — Col. Childs. I had carried him an order, I think, about twenty minutes before he fell by the bridge — you gentlemen remember the place very well. An order had been sent on three different occasions by Gen. McClellan to Gen. Burnside to charge across the bridge. He made excuses, and gave three different and distinct reasons for not charging, and failed to do it, as you remember, until late in the afternoon. Had the charge been made when it was ordered first, Col. Childs would probably be alive to-day. It was on account of this delay that Col. Childs was there ; it was nM intended that the cavalry should be there at that time, and on account of this delay Col. Childs happened to be in that particular locality. Hence, his death. He was a man who stood remarkably high in the estimation of his superior offi- cers, and I am sure, in the estimation of all who ever met him or knew him.
Gentlemen, as I said before, I am not acustomed to mak- ing speeches and addresses, and I know that a speech to be at all interesting to old soldiers must be full of wit and humor. That is something I do not possess. Therefore, hoping that you will meet again and frequently, is the sincere wish of your humble servant. Good night.
MAJOR MaiTLAND: — I can say we are very much gratified at the statements you have made to-night. We are striving at our reunions to make history for our regiment, and the statements you have given us to-night are new to us, and we are very much obliged.
Those who were at our business meeting this afternoon cannot doubt, if they ever did, the kindly feeling existing between soldiers, and especially between soldiers of the same regiment. Where all have done so well, it would be invidious to make any comparisons at all ; and yet, in our work as a reg- iment, beginning back fifteen years ago (our first regimental reunion being held in this city) we began then to make the history of our regiment. Many of our comrades have con- tributed largely to this end, but there is one among them
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especially, who has given much time, and time that he could not well spare from his business. This regiment has twice taken occasion to honor that comrade; first, at Gettysburg, by a unanimous resolution of the comrades, thanking him for the arduous labors performed in connection with the erection of our monument; and again, for the pleasure of the present reunion we are largely indebted to this same comrade. He has taken time that really did not belong to him, time that should have been devoted to sleep, in order that he might further your interests and your pleasures at this reunion- There is no one, after what I have said, who will not fully understand whom I mean — Comrade \V. H. Collingwood, [Applause) a man who has ever been true to the interests of the regiment. I will not say that I desire to cane him. We all love him too much for that; but, until very recently, we believed him, with one exception, to be the youngest member of the regiment. We have found out that he has been deceiv- ing us somewhat, because another was reported to-day who joined us in 1865, who was only 15 years of age. But we for- give him, and will not withhold the cane on that account. Comrade Collingwood, I now have the pleasure on behalf of the Fourth Pennsylvania Cavalry, of bestowing upon you this- their gift. [Applause.]
W. H. COELIXGWOOD:—
Mr. President and Comrades:— This is a complete sur- prise to me, and I cannot express in fitting words my appre- ciation of your gift. So far as my work for the regiment is concerned, I would say that I simply did my duty, as best I could, as Corresponding Secretary; just as every member of the Fourth Cavalry has done his duty, if not more than his duty, heretofore. There is no organization with which I am connected, nor is there any person, from whom I appreciate a gift so much as from the regiment in which I served, from comrades whom I love, and with whom I stood side by side on the battle-field. The feeling with which soldiers who stood elbow to elbow in battle regard one another can not be imparted to, nor can it exist in those who were not in the
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army. This gift, be assured, comrades, shall be cherished as long as I live. I thank you. [Applause.]
The cane is of ebony, handsomely mounted with gold, inscribed as follows:
W. H. COI.LINGWOOD,
FROM HIS COMRADES OF THE
FOURTH PENNSYLVANIA CAVALRY,
OCTOBER I, 189O.
Comrade Edwards, by special request, then sang "The Old Canteen."
Major Maitland:
The word "Antietam " has peculiar significance to mem- bers of the Fourth Pennsylvania Cavalry. It has been referred to here to-night, and I am reminded of it as I look out upon the audience and see the wife of our old member, Capt. Hucrhes, and his son and daughter in the audience. I am reminded also, that on that day I was in command of the car- bineers of Co. G, (I believe a Pittsburgh company), and when the word passed through the regiment that Col. Childs had fallen, it was almost impossible to hold those men to their posts of duty. Every man was ready to spring forward to the relief of Col. Childs, Our Comrade C. S. Mark will talk for a few moments on the subject of Antietam.
Comrade Mark: —
Ladies and Gentlemen, Comrades:— I do -not know- that I have anything special to say, or of interest to the com- rades, with reference to Antietam. You doubtless all remem- ber the 17th day of September, T862. If there is any one battle in which I had the honor to participate during my term of active service in the field that I remember distinctly, it is Antietam. I remember that early in the morning while we lay on the opposite side of the creek awaiting orders, ail read\- at a moment's notice to enter the engagement, the order finally came. You all remember with what haste the regiment crossed the Stone Bridge upon that morning. You also remember the regiment deploying to the left of the road and forming at the base of a hill upon the crest of which a battery was planted, and our purpose of forming there was to support
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that battery. I remember that for at least an hour, if not more, it was a very warm place to be. The rebel batteries on the opposite hill had got in direct range of our battery, and they were sending the shot and shell in there pretty thick and fast. The range was so perfect, as you remember, their close, solid shot came, as it were, all to a certain point upon the crest of the him. Then all at once, it seemed they began to descend, passing right over the heads of the regiment so closely that we almost unconsciously, as we did on that occa- sion and often before, ducked our heads, and instantly got up again; and many was the remark made in reference to it. About that time, I remember a commotion throughout the ranks, "and in few moments we learned its cause. Word was brought to us that Col. Childs had just fallen, mortally wound- ed. I think there was not a member of the regiment that did not feel at that moment the loss of Col. Childs. He was a manly officer, and a jjrave soldier. We felt keenly at the time our loss. We had another officer just at that time who had not had an opportunity hitherto of displaying much courage on the field. I refer to the talented Col. Kerr. I was close by his side and remember well, when the word came that Col. Childs had fallen, the remark he made, I think to the bearer of the message. Col. Childs sent a request, I believe, that he wished to see Col. Kerr. The Colonel studied a moment and said "No, sir; my place is now with the regiment." From that moment on Col. Kerr rose highly in my estimation as an •officer, and I believe did good service thereafter.
It was only this morning that the Major asked me to make some remarks upon Antietam, and asked me to think up something during the day. I will just ask the rest of my comrades whether you have thought of much to-day ? That is, whether you had an opportunity to think of much. There was a great deal done; we have all been busy. As the boys say, "I have a big head on me" to-night; I can't account for it. I leave it to Dr. Seip. whom I believe you all know to be a good physician, and understands his business, to judge as to whether it was caused by what I have taken here to-night. (Dr. Seip — The supper ought not to cause it.) Therefore, comrades, thanking you for the kind attention you have given
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me. and with the wish that you may enjoy many more such reunions, I bid you good night.
COMRADE John HUSTON: — I rise for a personal explana- tion, if I am in order. Major M ait land: — Certainly.)
I would like to say that when I was a small boy I was born of Scotch-Irish, Presbyterian parents. We traced our ancestry back on my father's side to the Bruce family; and I must say that I was taught in my youth to be truthful in all things; but in an evil hour, when I was a small boy, I was apprenticed to the printers' trade, and. like all printers, devel- oped into a most excellent liar. [Laughter.] Why, my dear Major, I was responsible for quite a number of those lies in the Forest Press, as I was for some lies in the Oil City Der- rick. I was a good liar; but, thank God, I never assailed any man's private character in all the lies that ever I was guilty of expressing, nor did I ever assail any community. But here I hold in my hand a copy of a mugwumpian paper published in this city, the Pittsburgh Di spate Jl, wherein I find one of the most amazing lies that I ever saw in my life. They have the audacity to publish, under the title of " Short Stories," a scur- rilous account of the Major's life and character during the war. I would like to read it to you, if I can see. When the press stoops to insult an entire brigade, and to villi fy- a good soldier. it is time to call a halt. Xow I will read for your edification:
" Major Maitland, of the Fourth, was in the habit of enter- taining quite a number of infantry officers — " Xow, the idea of it ! Entertaining infantry officers at dinner ! A lie at the start. It's preposterous ! "And the Major had a cook by the name of Hannah — " Did ever any of you gentlemen hear of that Hannah? 'Laughter, and cries o( "What's the matter with Hannah?") The piece goes on to state that the Major had quite a number of infantry officers around the table, and the spoons fell short —
When he arrived at this point in his speech, the audience was convulsed with laughter and applause, and then
Major Maitland arose and responded as follows:
It was .in infantry soldier, I believe, whom I heard relate. that, when he fir^t went into the war, he studied and practiced
strategy. Very often when he might have attacked the ene- my directly, he made a detour. He had been taught in that way, and said he, the first time I ever saw an army I was behind a tree. Well, the enemv was coming directlv for that tree, and I got to one side and to the other side, but the bul- lets came pecking in, and pecking in, and finally I had to leave the position. There was a cavalry — (no, I beg pardon, not a cavalry Chaplain,) but there was a Chaplain there who also believed in strategy. He wasn't willing to make an open, direct, straightforward attack. So the Chaplain made a detour, and this infantry soldier (of course, cavalry wouldn't do that) made a detour also. But the enemy pressed forward, and finally one of the Chaplain's limbs was taken off, and one of the infantry soldier's limbs was taken off also; both lying there indiscriminately in the road. There was a new surgeon there, and he, not knowing which belonged to the infantry soldier and which to the Chaplain, took up the Chaplain's leg and put it on the infantry soldier, and vice versa. After a time they came together to celebrate this victory. They were having a jolly time. The infantry soldier was a man of not very correct habits; he was like our friend Seip — always sigh- ing for the canteen or appollinaris, or something of that kind. He went into one of those little places of business where the canteen' was freely used — (A voice: Speak-easy.) No, sir; we didn't know anything of that kind; there were no speak- easies until Pittsburgh introduced them. Well, this infantry - soldier was standing holding a glass in his hand, and was about to drink to that great victory, when, what should come up but that foot. The Chaplain's leg protested against that, and the glass was immediately shaken out of his hand. [Laughter.] He looked out, and he saw the poor Chaplain being dragged into that place by the infantry soldier's limb. [Laughter.] So you will see, both these men were unfortun- ate, and I have it, upon the best information, that a short time ago this infantry soldier who is now a reformed man, and gets along comfortably well with this limb which is not his own. but belongs to the Chaplain), went to a prison to talk to the convicts, and there came out one dressed in prison garb. He thought he saw something familiar in his face. It was the
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former Chaplain. That leg had taken him to State's prison ! [Laughter] Now, I do not vouch for the truth of this story, it was told by an infantry soldier.
I will not answer this newspaper story you have just heard. You know me too well. I know of no Hannah. [Laughter, and a voice: "No, it's a newspaper lie, of course it is!] The name of the only lady I know is Etta. Now, this matter has been suppressed again and again. In my county I am know as a Prohibitionist, and this story has done me immense injury. I fact, I think it is largely due to this story that I was defeated for the Mayorality on the Prohibition ticket last Spring at Oil City, and I am surprised that a com- rade should bring it into this audience as he has to-night and give it further publicity. I want the newspapers to retract it; take it back.
MAJOR PHIPPS being called upon spoke as follows:
I discover that the Fourth Pennsylvania Cavalry still retains one of its chief characteristics, and that is of pitching into anything it finds. The way you did business the first half hour or so after you came into this room put me a little in mind of Captain Grant. I believe it was on the Kilpatrick, or the Richmond raid, as it was called; we were gone some sixteen days without anything to eat. The Captain captured or had given to him about three gallons of cabbage. He ate it all for dinner and got sick. [Laughter — Voice, M Pickled cabbage ! "]
Major Phipps: — Yes, Pickled cabbage.
Comrades, we meet to-night under much different cir- cumstances from that of twenty-six or twenty-seven years ago. Then we were called together by the sound of the bugle. To-night we were called together by the bugle-blast of a "calling-wood " ( Collmgwood). Always obey that blast when it calls on you and you will have a good time. Comrades, we meet again to-night to reburnish the golden links that bind us together as comrades. I am no speech maker, and I feel very different in the presence of these distinguished guests, and my wife is here. I feel a little to-night in the condition of a com- rade of my old command the first fight that we were engaged
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in. By-the-way, I presume the comrades remember the screech or sound of the first shell. I do! It was during this engagement, the first shell, or screech of shell that I heard, I made up my mind that it was coming straight for my head. I had charge of the skirmish line; and I wanted to be as brave as possible. I roiled off my horse flat on the ground until I heard the shell explode about a half mile beyond me; when I got up, got my horse, and made up my mind that I would go back to the skirmish line and do my duty. We had one com- rade that I could not keep in line; he would be constantly falling back to the rear. About the third time I went to him and said "John, you want to keep up in line, the boys will all
begin to call you a coward." He said, " I don't give a d ,
my horse is too white to stand up there." That is a little the way with me to-night; my horse is a little too white to make a speech in the presence of these distinguished guests.
As I look jnto the faces of my old comrades to-night, I can only think of them as the brave, noble boys of one of the grandest regiments that ever marched to the defense of a nation's honor; a regiment composed of men who were always characterized by their undaunted bravery, unflinching courage, and unwavering adherence to the right; possessed with a rec- ord resplendent with the noblest achievements of modern warfare; always prepared to do and to die for the eternal ri rht. The history and glorious achivements of the Fourth Pennsylvania Cavalry have been written in letters of light on the pathway of our national history. Its name stands out second to none, tested and tried by the heat and fire of over seventy engagements by the precious blood of its members (our comrades; shed on freedom's altar for liberty and union. By your bravery, courage and noble deeds when your country was in peril, you have erected for yourselves monuments more lasting than brass, and higher than the royal structure of the pyramids. Union now. and forever, one and inseparable was your motto; infallible patriotism was your strength; immuta- ble fortitude your support; your lofty watch-words, Philan- throphv. Fraternity and Equality; your inspiration the grand old stars and stripes that you followed from Drainesville to Appomattox, from victory to victory, until you at last saw it
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purified, redeemed and saved, so that to-night it floats out to the breeze majestic and grand, honored and respected by ever\r nation, and in every clime beneath the sun. My com- rades, the proudest moments of our lives was when after "the din and smoke of the battle had rolled away at Appomattox, our exultant voices joined in the grand old anthem: " The Star Spangled Banner"; stainless and sacred as it ever shall be, we brought it back without the loss of a single star. We meet to-night as comrades proud of our old regiment, proud of our record, proud of each other, and of the part we took in one of the greatest struggles for human liberty recorded in the pages of history, either ancient or modern. The world may call us heroes; historians may perpetuate our deeds, but my comrades, let us remember that the acoutrements of war have long since been laid aside, peace has married progress. We have lived to see the golden band of prosperity encircle 43 slates in this glorious Union, peace and prosperity crown the nation unparalled in the annals of time. What the world needs to-day is a progressive philanthropic people. We have been soldiers and patriots, but above all let us be magnan- amous American citizens and may it be our inspiration to place one more impregnable rock upon our national structure, and as it rests there throughout the ages, what shall we have it represent, Liberty ? No 1 for that was built into its very foundations by the patriots of the revolution. Patriotism ? No ! for that has been rolled there by the immortal heroes of Yorktown and Appomattox. Mutual beneficense ? Yes ! there is the place for that mighty rock, it will crown the summit of our mighty structure and cast a halo of glory and peace over all people. Do this, arid we will leave behind us footprints on the sands of time that can never be washed away by the storms of the ages to come; an irreproachable reputation and a character that the world will cherish and admire forever. My comrades what can I say of the immortal heroes, our noble comrades, once with us but now are no more; It seems to me my poor speech would be inadequate for the task of expressing our feelings in regard to them, our noble dead; we remember them as comrades, we remember them in the camp, on the long and dust}' marches, in the desperate
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battle and deadly strife, in storms of shot and shell, and in the terrible charge, their sabers gleaming in the sun; we remem- ber their last parting words to loved ones as their noble young lives went out on the field of carnage, their heroic blood mak- ing rich the land we love, and brighter the red stripes of that old flag they followed to the death; their names would make a long list of heroes to be added to those that are silently sleeping on fame's eternal camping ground. Could we call the roll of our comrade heroes, we would find the names of the gallant Childs — revered by all; the brave, noble Covode; a Duncan, a Mays, a Welton, a Harper, a Phipps; and a host of others whose names have been written in azure with letters of dia- monds on the pages of our country's history. They have long since passed into the realms of peaceful slumber, immortalized by the splendor of their matchless conduct and bravery on every battlefield in which they were engaged. They have long since passed within the veil, but we still remember their comradeship and their matchless bravery; let us cherish their memories and emulate their virtues, with the unfailing hope that after life's work is over, crowned with the imperishable chaplet of duty and labor well done, we shall meet them on celestial shores of eternal rest, amid brighter scenes, in happier realms of eternal joy.
After tendering our genial host, Mr. B. C. Willson, a vote of thanks for his liberality and special efforts in making this one of the most enjoyable reunions held in this city, the com- rades, after a general hand-shaking, adjourned to meet in Butler at our next reunion.
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REMINISCENCES.
EXTRACTS FROM CAPT. HYNDMAN'S HISTORY OF CO. "A.
October nth we encamped for the night on our old grounds at Sulphur Springs, where on the eventful morning of October I2th, 1863, we crossed over on the north side of • the Rappahannock, halting between Warren ton and Sulphur Springs. We were preparing to go into camp when ''Boots and Saddles" was sounded, and we were soon on the march back to Sulphur Springs. Crossing the river, we proceeded to Jefferson, where we found the Thirteenth Penn'a. engaged with Stuart's Cavalry. Our regiment was soon deployed and engaged with the enemy. Towards evening the Rebs closed in on us from all points— infantry and cavalry — the whole of Ewell's Corps being present. They came charging upon us in front and on both flanks, we were driven back and almost surrounded ; but I am proud to record the fact, that our small force fought with desperate resistance against such tremendous odds. Several daring charges were made by portions of our regiment. A number of both regiments suc- ceeded in reaching the river at different points, and dashing into the water, made their escape. Many of us however were not so fortunate. In order to keep the road open to the river, those who were mounted made repeated charges along its banks.
While in the act of making the last of these, I was severely wounded. The ball entered my right ear, and. as I afterward learned, came out at the back of my head. I dropped insensible from my horse, and did not become conscious until the enemy, some time after, began to rifle my person, they took my boots, hat and all that was in my pockets. After being taken back a short distance, I found nearly three hundred of our men whom the enemy had captured. Thirteen of these were comrades of my own company and out of this number but few are alive to-day ; the rest having died at Libby or Andersonville. The members of our company (A) who were
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captured were as follows: Orderly Sergt. Welton; Commissary Sergt. McLaughlin ; Privates Boyd, Fritz, Schultz, Mover, Stahler, Ward, Smith and myself. We arrived in Richmond on the 15th, and were confined in a large tobacco warehouse, denominated "Libby Prison, No. 4." Here we first experienced prison life. The bill of fare consisted of half a pound of corn bread a day to each man, and very seldom any meat.
Obliged to carry our own rations, (such as we received,} every day to the prison, we got a breath of fresh air. A detail of 40 or 50 was made from among the prisoners each day, who, with pieces of old blankets, proceeded under a rebel escort to the bake house, the rations were thrown into these old blankets and carried to the prison. The dead house was adjacent to the commissary department, thus we passed the ghastly charnel of our dead comrades daily, and glanced at it with heavy hearts, we felt that our own emaciated bodies would soon be numbered among its corpses. Having decided to make my escape, and not caring to have more than one com- panion in the perilous undertaking, I proposed my plan to all the members of my own company separately, but none of them thought it feasible. I at last found my man in Corporal Alex. Welton, "Co. K," he was eager to make the attempt with me, and knowing him to be brave and prudent, I at once took him into my confidence, and we matured the plan by which we made our escape.
We each succeeded in securing a rebel cap and we already- had old, tattered grey jackets, and now felt ready to make the attempt, we got detailed together to assist in carry- ing rations. Taking our positions about the centre of the column as it moved out of prison in files of two, we each had a piece of blanket around our shoulders, and our rebel caps under our arms ; the column was protected by one rebel guard in advance, one in the rear and one Corporal a little forward of the centre. We requested the comrades in our rear to promptly fill the gap in case we stepped out at any point, and also take our blankets. Just as the centre turned the corner of 19th street, so that the rear guard could not see us, leaving the ranks quickly, we doned our rebel caps, started
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down Main street again, and passed the rebel guard in the rear very nervously, whistling the "Bonnie Blue Flag," and trying to assume rebel airs. We quickened our pace in order to turn the next corner soon as possible, and in a short time were at the river, in the vicinity of the Navy-yard. Remaining in this partially secure place for a short time, our nerves became more steady, which gave us renewed courage. Again we started for the suburbs of the city. We walked boldly on until we found ourselves in a small ravine about five miles from the city limits; here we seated ourselves behind a pile of cord- wood, and then for the first time, ventured to open our hearts to each other, and to congratulate ourselves on the success, (thus far) of the undertaking.
After a short rest we proceeded — not knowing whither we were going — and soon met an old negro with an old horse and cart-load of wood. After some hesitation we decided to ques- tion him about the roads, and found we were on the direct route to Harrison's Landing, where the enemy's out-posts were located. We told him we were escaping prisoners, when he at once took an interest in our behalf, and gave all the information he could. He advised us to secrete ourselves until night-fall, and to keep clear of all white men, as the whole neighborhood were in league in order to re-capture escaping prisoners — but, said he, "you need not fear the colored people, they are your friends," and such they proved to be. After parting with our colored friend, we concealed ourselves in underbrush near the road-side until it became quite dark. A short time after a very heavy rain and wind storm set in. the rain coming down in torrents. Onward we sped, Welton grasping my wrist, and thus we hurried along with drooping heads, yet with faintly hopeful hearts, our minds intent on thought. Not a word was exchanged during the entire night. With all its terrors, such a storm was our safeguard.
We arrived at Westover Landing shortly after day- light and concealed ourselves in an old deserted house on the river bank. Secreting ourselves among a lot of corn fodder which we found therein, and being very tired, slept soundly until late in the afternoon. While sitting on the river bank we discovered a boat fastened to a pier, we concluded to
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make this boat our means of escape down the river. Feeling very hungry we crawled up to one of the plantation buildings and discovered a darkey in the yard, whom I recognized as one I had met during the encampment of our army at Har- rison's Landing. He at once took usinside, and after hearing our story, gave us all he had to eat, consisting of a week's rations of corn-meal, which he made into cakes, and a small piece of shoulder, we did not stop until we devoured his entire week's allowance. It was now quite dark, after bidding our colored friend good bye, we at once started for the boat pre- viously referred to.
Soon we were in the middle of the James River, silently pursuing our course. It was a cold November night, we were in a leaky boat, bare footed and very thinly clad, but we were seeking our liberty, and these were but as naught. Becoming quite fatigued toward morning, we approached the shore feel- ing that we had passed the most of our dangers, we landed near the mouth of the Chickahominy; after a thorough search we failed to find a single habitation, returning, we sat down on the cold, damp shore, and huddling together, shivered as if we had been seized with congestive chills, encircling each other, we lay down in still increasing misery and suffering. Through fatigue, slumber came upon us, we awoke to find the sun shining bright and clear, we found it almost impossible to rise, being so stiffened and benumed; we again entered our boat, and after an eventful ride of several hours we landed, abandoning our boat, and taking a direction, as we thought, toward Williamsburg we soon struck a road, shortly came to where it forked, where we found a mile-post which pointed toward Williamsburg, five miles distant, and, after five long hours of agony, we reached our picket line, and were taken to the provost-marshall's; next day we were conveyed to Fort Mc- Gruder, where we received every attention. After a few days recuperation, we were taken to Fortress Monroe, and at once conveyed to Gen. Meredith's headquarters; he supplied us with everything necessary from the Quartermaster's Department. The following day we were sent to a camp of distribution at Baltimore. I applied for and was granted a furlough; Welton preferred being sent at once to the regiment.
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RECOLLECTIONS OF COMRADE H. CRAWFORD, RELATIVE TO THE DEATH OF COL. JAMES H. CHILDS.
Will give you my idea of this occurrence. When we filed to the left of the road after crossing the bridge in support of the battery in front of us, (name of the battery does not occur to me) there was Companies B. and M. commanded by S. B. M. Young, and Companies E. and A. I think, commanded by Capt. Tumbler, (am not positive about Company E.)
Capt. Tumbler was sent with us to place Tidball's battery at the right of the road at the top of the hill. We had the fence partly torn down and two guns up the bank, and I was lifting on a wheel of one of the pieces, when the rebel battery commenced shelling us. The first shot they fired, hit a dead tree just to the left of the road in front of us. The second shot came down among us, did not explode, but wounded John Irvin, of Co. B. The third shot came down to business, passed under my horse, cut both legs off of my brother Geo. W. Crawford's horse, and killed the next man and horse to him. Sergt. Cramer, of Co. M. was the man killed. The same shot also wounded John Boyce, of Co. B., in the foot. This raised a commotion among us. I took Boyce on my back and when about half way down the hill, our Colonel was hit. I did not stop with my man, but crossed the bridge about fifty yards to a house on the right of the road, where a hospital was being established. When I got back to the regiment they told me the Colonel was dead. When we afterwards advanced over the same road, the spot was plain to be seen where our Colonel had lain on the bank o{ the road, and wc all spoke of the occurence. That morning after we advanced almost to the river, we formed in line and Capt. Herron, of Co. E, rode out in front of the regiment, held up his discharge, told what it was, said "good-bye" and left.
I saw a map of this field, and the location where Col. Cliilds was killed. It was very correct all but the spot, and it was in the rear of the regiment where we formed on the left of the road. HowcChilds had the map and he wanted to locate
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the spot where his father was killed. He took two men and went there, the place where they located it, I claim it is not correct. Conversed with several of the comrades and they did not know the exact spot.
Referring to recollections of Comrade Crawford, relative to the death of Col. Childs, I would say that I concur heartily in his statement, and that writers that claim that he was under cover of the hill, pleasantly chatting with companions, are in error. When the fatal missile struck him he was near the crest of the hill, on horseback, returning to the command, after reconnoitering the position in front, and accompanied by a member of his staff, Capt. H. M. Hughes, of Co. K. The Adjutant, who was temporarily in command of Co. G., sup- porting the battery, saw the Colonel at the moment he was stricken down, and the sad news soon spread, and he remem- bers with one impulse "G" started to the rescue of their beloved leader, and it was with the utmost difficulty they where restrained from breaking away from their position. The sad- ness of that hour was only equaled by that, of when the news of the death of Lincoln came to us. Of commanding presence, courteous and affable,Jie won the hearts of officers and men alike. — Adjutant.
L C DARTE, OF CO. M., CONTRIBUTES THE FOLLOWING RELATING TO COLONEL COVODE.
Wilkes-Barre, Pa"., March ioth, 1890.
I have often thought that if Colonel Covode had not been so utterly regardless at all times of his own personal safety, he might have passed through the war. This of course is only one of those suggestive thoughts that will arise in one's mind under circumstances past. I recall in my own memory the regard he had fur others by a little incident which I, myself, recollect "awful well" as the little girl would say.
It was sometime in May 1 864, I think the very day of the fight at "Yellow Tavern," the day that Gen. Jeb. Stuart was
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killed, that I was acting as one of Col. Covode's ''orderlies," I rode after him and with him all that day. Our brigade was confronted, I think, by the rebel Gen. Gordon's cavalry.
Col. Covode rode away from where our regiment was drawn up in line, out to the edge of the proverbial "clump of trees" which skirted an open field, and I, as "orderly," of course followed. It was some distance from the regiment, right before us, and within three or four hundred feet — possibly it was some distance more than three or four hundred feet — one or Gordons' regiments was just forming into line of regi- mental front. We looked at them as they posted their guidons and galloped into line. Of course Col. Covode had halted as soon as he discovered them and there he sat on his horse and I on mine, a little to his rear and side. It did not appear to be but a minute or two since we had halted our horses, when zip, zip, zip, sung the bullets as they whizzed passed us.
The zip, zip, of the little missiles came in quick and con- tinuous succession. The firing was from another quarter and not from the men of the regiment fronting us. Col. Covode never moved. It suggested to my mind at the time that the rebel regiment opposite us were on dress-parade and Col. Covode as its commanding officer was reviewing them. The firing became so hot that the horses themselves grew restless under it, especially mine. Possibly its rider was just a little restless too; but the Col. showed not the slighest inclination to get away from the position. I looked at him very earnestly and very intently. He had on his face htat peculiar but pleas- ant looking smile, which to this day is as vividly fixed in my memory as if it was but yesterday I had seen it. The zipping sounds of the little leaden messengers seemed to increase every moment, yet Col. Covode remained in the exposed posi- tion watching carefully every movement of the rebel regiment in our front.
As the firing directed to us seemed to increase he turned his smiling face to me, and never thinking of himself, said "Darte, it's a hot place here for you, you can fall back if you choose." Darte didn't fall back, for the order was somewhat qualified, but was awfully willing to "get out of that" soon as possible all the same.
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Just about this time, however, one of our light battery guns— I think Capt. Robinson's battery — opened up from a point on our [eft on that little rebel regiment in front of us and the rapidity with which they 4igot out of that" was both gratifying and amusing. Col. Covode smiled, for he had re- viewed a" rebel regiment apparently on dress-parade, and apparently dismissed them. Of course all this is only a little incident, and possibly uninteresting in detail, but together with other like matters connected with the character of Col. Covode, gave to me an insight into his character which will always remain with me.
I have the highest regard for his memory, in his every way of doing things, as I recollect them, in the years gone by.
COPY OF LETTER FROM GENERAL D. McM. GREGG, December, 1889,
How well I remember the gallant Colonel Covode. At the moment we were compelled to abandon him, I was with the rear guard, and in failing back came upon the party bearing their Colonelon a stretcher. His great weight and the intense heat made it impossible for the men to carry him- farther. I dismounted, and from a small flask gave him some brandy, but the rebels were close upon us, and the Colonel, careful of the safety of others, had bade me leave him else I would be captured. At the last moment I quit him most sorrowfully. He was a errand soldier.
"DEEP BOTTOM/ AUGUST 16, 1864."
LEAVES FROM THE DIARY OF MAJ. J. B. MAITLAND, A. A. G.
Orders at a few minutes after midnight to march at 4 A. M. In accordance with the same, the regiments and section of battery were notified, and at 5 A. M. moved in the following order: 16th Penn'a; 1st Maine; Section 8th Penn'a; 13th Penn'a; the 4th and 2nd Penn'a on picket duty.
We struck the Charles City road at an early hour, with- drew 4th and 2nd Penn'a from picket line, and the 4th Penn'a
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previously ordered on Central Road, was halted and awaited the coming of the brigade. Arriving within gun-shot of the enemy's rifle-pits at Deep Run. The 2nd and 4th were thrown across the stream and dismounted, completely routing the enemy. The 16th Penn'a. then charged, and the A. A. G. was directed to bring rapidly forward, one gun; which did not arrive in time to open on the retreating foe. The entire com- mand was moved forward and the advance led in person by Col. Gregg, became warmly engaged. The Colonel was wounded in the wrist while in the extreme advance. His loss at that time was keenly felt; not only by the members of the staff, but by the entire brigade, as his place could not be well filled, he having the whole plan of battle well matured.
The command devolved on Col. Kerwin, of the 13th, being the senior officer present. As the head of the column moved on to the attack, Col. Gregg said, (pointing to the wounded arm) "tell the boys to avenge this."
Soon after, the body of Gen. Chambliss was brought back. Truly, we thought, is our brave leader avenged. Afterwards the body of the Rebel General was sent under flag of truce, within the rebel lines.
The enemy were driven, with but slight resistance, to a point on the road about one and one-half miles from White's where they were found strongly entrenched and in some force. Soon they opened a brisk fire, principally on the road, to pre- vent our further advance. Only two shots from their battery. We soon found they were outflanking us in a movement to our left, which caused our line to fall back.
Although closely pressed and under a severe fire, we formed in an open space and held the enemy in check. Here was wounded the gallant Lieut. Mattson, seriously; also Lieut. Cutler, slightly; and Col. Kerwin's life saved by a diary; the ball intended for his heart, penetrating the diary which he had in a side pocket. The shock, however, was sufficiently severe to disable him from further service, and for the second time on that eventful day, we were without a leader.
Forming a second line, we gradually withdrew from the first. The second line we were directed to maintain at all hazards, and nobly the Cavalry did it.
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Although mounted and formed on the crest of a hill, receiving volley after volley of musketry, still they stood until the welcome orders came to fall back to yet another line, which was accomplished in good order under an artillery as well as musketry fire. The 2nd Penn'a. had formed a line in the edge of the woods fronting the plain on the banks of Deep Run, behind which we formed. Soon our skirmishers were driven in upon the main body and finding our position unten- able— the enemy having gained posession of the woods — we again fell back, crossing the swamp, and taking posession there we held it during the remainder of the day. We lost heavily in this action. Among the fallen brave, none were more deeply lamented than Geo. McCoy, Co. L., 4th Penn'a. His "comrades brought off the body, exposing themselves to a severe fire while doing so; and burried it on Charles City road in the presence of many who dearly loved him for his many soldierly qualifications and manly virtues. Lieut. Geo. L. Bragg, fell by a stray bullet, a noble, brave officer, ever at his post, and unlike some others, filling a like position, usually accompanied his command to the front. Among the wounded were Lieut. Col. Wilson, Maj. W. A. Corrie, Lieut. Orton Reed, Lieut. Nellis, Lieut. Robeson and Capt. Hall.
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