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Dy nie ns-nr'Ji

=1 sway they went, back to
As soon as they had left
men stacked arms and

'.-offlo^ and man win be'otir froht, <iu: _,,,.. .._ _,„^ ^

return to their homes, not took down the Confedprate stapk.. aniri
fe*ed by United Statea'pHed the muskets on tlie ground in rpar
).,lbng,;aB they observe their of our ranks, muzzles rearwardly aU

the concluslo-h of the ceremony we had'-*

1 the laws In force where
aside. Very rfespectfully,
!F*at. Ijieutenant General.
lee, after readlniT the letter
Grant, sat down -and wrote

, Headquarters
ly pf Northern Virginia,
' '• April \ 1865.

-I rocclved your letter of
)l)talnlng the terms of sur
h6. Army of NoTthern Vir
ruposed by you. As they
itlally the same as those
h .your letter of 8th Inst.,
!«!epted. I will proofed to
he. proper offloers tsi_CarJ;y
ions into effect.

R. E. Lee, General,
nant General U. S. Grant.

iEilLLIINIJESiEHT
HOLDS REUNION ON
LITTLE ROONO TOP

a pile of ?5"?:^«t^i-l-'J. ••«gr fif W brleadfc.,,

shoulder high. , Most orTlle, Confederates

behaved very quietly, but frequently somelj

men, instead of hanging their belts and '

cartridge boxes on the stacks, stood o!tii,

and threw them in a violent, peevish w6.yi

at the bottom ot the stacks. Regimental fn„a.- Mo-mhoro f\t Va

battle flags w^re deposited leaning against •"* I 111 UlHJ<f JlieillUeiS 01 Xa-<

the stgicks of the color guards. Tt was| ^V'-x^ m i,i ^ rn^j-X.

pathetic to see these e^i^ni soldiers asj lllOUS lO&tH Tell 01 (iatXier-

they marched past their' staclcs take a' ,.

last farewell touch of their battle .flag „

with tears streaming down their faoeSii f*l

Many of these battle flags were snatched

from their staffs liy our men and tornfi,,..

ing at Gettysburg.

OLD OOMMANDEK

Before the exercises at the dedication of

up for sovivenirs, until the practice wda'J;

stopped ,by order. Still, one would oo-|

qaslonally disappear mysteriously. And'
(SO It. continued until about 4:30 P. M:,

Brigades succeeding each other regularly, ., ...1^,1-1^ ■ 1 i /-< »/ u 1 »i.

without delay and in .good order. No neeflltl^e battlefield Biemonal in Gettysburg last

to stpp for lunch— there was not a crackerjTueBday, and before the veterans retumeol

or a bean in the division. The \ wagons to tjieir respective homes, a patbetio re.*
[appeared tb load the captured arms ?uidl,aion -waa held by the One Hundred and'

pie, tree as we go marching, on— GJory, "ilcoi of Coptpany .L . alid Wllliim Wei

Glory, Halleluiah.'

And as we watched|tOo

& designated as commission-,

I Grant— General pibbon, Qen-

@eneral Merritt.

a: lise- General Longstreet,

Ion, .General Pendleton. ^^

■if^l-w'^».»° '■r.»n^i?=i'°om'Jil?®,*^°"'®*^*f*^^i,'°°'' "P-4?v ^"11"^'', *°;i1tty-liitir Kepmentr i'^nnsylvam'a" V ol-
iiSPender Were: General Glb^ their respective homes, When the last , ^1.0-,.. t% ,.^y t. j

I, division infantry with artil-| confederate brigade had marched past our Wnteers, on the tfummit ot liittle Kouna
1,1 Griffin, Third division in-; brigade, disarmed and colorless, the Army'Top, at the point where the regiment's
*'i'2l*/i^ir ^®t?S''Um w?^®" T °* Northern Virginia had disappeared and' Zouave monument is located. Golon^i ,B.
lro?p?Scing UP thei/marclJ^r ^^"'=«^°r'' °"!^ ^ memory. y^._ Hill presided and the veterans turae*

y tq Burkesville .Junction, td^.^or ourselves the war was over- out in magnificent numbers.
5s:olsubsfstence and forage] Othello sopcu^^^ ^^^ ^^^^^ ^^^ ^^j.^^^^^ ^ ^,^^^^1

rwe^re'"sent\t''o"?heil 'C>aTthr°o'Sgh"eieat^dis^str'°rnTsuffie';!;E. J. Allen, who closed his remark, by
ajiY af our troops were with-l^"S, and now in victory so hard won, we'reading an original poem entitled, "The
j.d„by the nex:t morning alljcould not exult over a fallen foe. We; Veterans.'' The orator of the day wafi
It food,' except ear corn and wanted them for fellow citizens, and we;g ^ j-gi^h Wiilffei- of Grand Vallev

in-Lee entered his lines there succeeded. We were sure they would helpiS,«>,®*"„"°™'' wmger 01 trrana vauey,
!>^s^cLc?ii^rag he pjolresled upbuild our common country. We had'Oanon Cdunty. whose words were renums-
marters. Icaptured their arms, their flags and theirlcent of the campwgn; The secretary's roll,

itog, In' conversation with ^hearts. In retrospect how many who hai call was read and showed that 10 of thi

I. was' told that as soon a.framped with us had fallen by, tW way- comrades haddied duiiae the past ^ear;
a. General 'Gordon iiS3enil)le<^«iae and sealing their devotion with life's t^is beinc the heavMSfmortalitv of aa^^
tils corps and adtfressed thenjsacrlflce were denied witnessing the con- 1^"« "^""8 *"« heaviest mortality, ot M»J
M. speech, telling them thessummatlon of ylototy we had Just wit.|""Jj/""-.. _.„^.„' i^^ „~„,.«rf.„ .^ i

ithitmen could do, and no^nessed^ They h«.rL-marched. and sangjylth -,.^1 the reumon the ooi«l-adeB_ ad-,
fes at their homes, their duty uf, "Wp'U hang Jeff Davisto a sour apJ^Wied to the^_«r»ve» of^?W?S!S^.l'H?f?fl
ih^rs, .sisters, wives, children,
X6d . and tears should ceases
nt told me the tears streamed
heelcs of General Gordon, and
not a dry eye in the corps,
t General Gordon's advice was
ifeifc and would be followed by
'w'a? delighted to And this, as
f^ryijried for General Gordon;
3ect and admiration: He con-
i 'his death, a sincere and de
l citizen, and his Influence al-
ig good of the cou ntry he had
(rd to ■ ,des,froy.

ifi 11 were occupied in print
oles, and making the dupli-^
^pril 12, the fourth a;nnlvera-
tihg on Fort Sumter, the diy,
Ent Jefferson Davis directed
fisprinkled in the faces of the-
'order to concentrate public;
the confederacy, was the day
' the 'formal turning over the
Urrender. ■ General ' Grfffilri fa-
Id division by selecting it to;
surrender and Brigadier Gen-'
srlain to conduct the parade,
it 9 A. M. ' the Third brigade

up facing the road leading'
S(ttox court house; right rest-
ige of the village; commander
i.the right; arms loaded; bay-

The other two brigades, one-
g; were drawn up beyond the.
i Third brigade on the other'
roa.-d and .facing the prolonga-

Third brigade's line. At 9:30'

first Confederate brigade ap-

rehlng through the ttwWi

inander and staff at the^^lSiEli

Jlit ' colors ^flying. This prove!

' ;})rigade, .rXJordon's corps. The

bjjf our troops to attention and

'i-'ks soon as the ri'ght of the

ss reached the left of the Third* I 3 lOOA Cy^r, 61 c rio-i

p, commander ooramandedj olin ^ "^^ Overs

(ifunieU Uttioeraita ffiihrary

JItiiata, S^eiu )|arli

THE JAMES VERNER SCAIFE
COLLECTION

of Cem pgny B. interred in the Na-
^ " ' leterj;. ' Laurel wreaths were"
heir graves and Sergeant John
Pittsburg delivered an addreSB.
Joshua L. Chamberloih; coUeA-'
port • of Portland, Me., -vfta'
!d' himself in th^ gr«at batW^
as in the Fifth Army Corp* ^\
i. in which the One Hundred
lf1;h was serving, was present
Au|hter, Mrs. U. A. AJlen ol
Tha , venerable General re-
a beautiful eulogium in '«)rhieh
(d his listeners a& "Dear Com-
be 'Gallant Oile Hundred and
' General Chamberlain was
ly Genera] Ulysses S. Grant to
; bri^dier ge&eral by an order
\ at Petersburg, where he was
ided.

the Veterans in attendance had,
ichildren present, and it was
to fee them« according to Col-
es S,. McKenna, pointing out
of interest on the battlefiela
the young people some inter-;
ts regarding the historical'

CIVIL WAR LITERATURE

THE GIFT OF

JAMES VERNER SCAIf'

CLASS OF 1889

1919

_ Cornell University Library

E527.5 155th .P41

Under the Maltese cross, Antietam to App

'♦J^^'^' Bohannan, aggalfaAeter'an of
the Civil War, and a retired painting con-
tractor, died suaaenly yesterday in his
.£? V' ^J"* . ^Vrs^l street. While walking
ti.7^} "'^ ^°^^ ^8 suffered a stroke of
?*pP'^xy and died within a few mlnVutes.
mr. Bohannan wae born in Lancaster,
Sn "^^*®1t '^^ recTlved his early educa-
lif*^'^' * '''^ outbreak of the war he en-
in,^^,. I ^ srlvatfe in Gomoany G, One
hundred and Fifty-flfth Pennsylvania,

jmawm u. avttjwfec

Edward R. Thjrkleld, one o

residents of Bellevemon, Pa:, anfl^ Civil
"War veteran, died in his home Thursday
' evening. He was born In Fayette City,
Pa., July 28, 1833, and lived, there all his
life, except the last two years, during
jvhfch time he resided In Sellevernon.
With the first call trt troops he enlisted
In the Civil War an4 was ftj active eerv- ■

Vohinteers, ftnd served four years, par-
tlolpajtmg Jn many Important battles. He
gas, Injured Iji the, battle of Petersburg.
JTor bravery he was promoted to the
rank of lieutenant. At the close of the
war he came to this city, where he en-
gaged in the painting business, which he
carried on for 40 years. In 1870 he mar-
ried Jennie Kelly, who died in 1905. Later
J^nSJSJ,"^^ Mary Keefe, who, with two
children, feurvlve him. The children are
Mrs. Frank a. Dixon and Ord Bohannan.
Mr. Bohannan was a member of the
Bethany Lutheran Churph, Highland ave-

~^!fli\tii-S-^^^^^° ** Veteran.
!* Gen? S. W. Hill, President of thai
Survivors' Association of the 155th
Pa., has received, thru the kindness
of Representative James Francis
Burke, an honorable discharge fori
Wm, J. McKeever, of Pittsburgh. .This
act of justice Was requested by the
Survivars' ,. Association. McKeever
served In the regiment 10 months,
takmg^ jjart in the Antietam campaign
and ' thd famous charge of Hum-
phreys's Division at Fredericksburg.
He was wotinded there arid sent to
the Government Hospital at Balti-
more. Before fully recovering he was
-urloughed, and visited his aged par-
snts in Pittsburgh. There, contrary
;o his wishes, they Secured his release
TOm the army on habeas corpus pro-
!eedings. They claimed the right, as
veil as the 'necessity, of having him
tt home to help them. The order of
lie court was sent to the War De- i
laftment, but did not reach the regi-
nent, and McKeever was marked ab-
ent without leave, and so entered in i
Jates's History. This was only re- i
ently jliscovered. McKeever remained I
t home, supporting his parents iintil
hree years later, when he enlisted In
he 27th U. S. and served throe years
eceiving another wound in an Indian!
ngagement. He was promoted to the
ank of Sergeant, and received an
onorable discharge with excellent in- '
orsements. Since his discharge he
as Iwed in Pittsburgh for 40 years
1 the, employ of a wholesale grocery
jmpany, with many friends and ac-
aalntances. The Survivors' Associa-'
on gave a vote of thanks and appro-
ation to Representative feurke. ■ '

Sdwin Thlrkleld,

ice four years. He was wounded during
the Battle of the Wlldemoss. He Was a
member of Company B, One Htihdred and
Fifty-filEtJ» Re^m^t. Hfe served under
Col. Allen and was also a member of the
Pearson Zouaves. He was quartermaster
of J. M. H. Ctordon Post No. 89«, ot which
he also was the organiser. •He leaves
one son. Boss, and a daughter. Pearl. ,

He Belonged to the I55th Pa.

W. J', Brown, Normalvllle, Pa., is
going to Gettysburg, and, standing by
the monument of the 155th Pa., on
Little Round Top, where he was 50
years ago, swing his cap and give
three cheers for the gallant boys. At
the • battle his regiment stood in full
view of the enemy's lines, with his
right Oblique tp the Ro-und Top and
his~ left oblique to the Devil's' Den.
He was the tirst enlisted man to lake
position on Little Round Top, about
half an hour before the line sliowed^
I up. The base of the monument covers
the spot he stood on, with bare and
bleeding feet and a pasff in his pocket
^xcusing him from all diity. All lh,e
same, he went into the last charge
jhat was made oil the night of Ju ly
3 by the Pennsylvania Bucktails. , Ka'
claims also to be the only common
-eHizen of the United States who has
in jhis possession a letter of tlianx?,
frofci King Edward and. Queen Alox-
anpra./yjC|;;„J/ JrvjAvvX |^;,>nV :.j;3 ^.^

tiHB8— On thors^y, Apr" 11. 1912, at
11 a. Iti., at fiia reudenoiti 2830 Fieth ayiiilue,
JdhB O. PrleA husbatiid of Katherlna Fries,
aged 73 years. FiirK^M on Sunday, April 14,
Horn, the resldettce, at 11 p. m. Services at
St. John's Chiiroh, comer of Ft*rbe« iild Ju-
mbiiville street, at 2:80 p. m. Members of
Colonel J. C. Hull Post, NO. ,167, atnd friends
of the family are respectfully Invited to at-
tend,

[N«W Tdrk (N, Y.) and WheeUn* (W. Va.)
papers please copy.l

tru'A^-^^t Clarion. Pn,, Scnf ■M la^n,
Elijah Sf. Lee, Co. H. liwth
a membpr Bt J. B, Loomls
SUi-vlTcfl l\v Ills widow.

fllLinBING DEHTB

Jacob S, Friend of McKepsport
. Passes Away— Veterans Will,
Attend Funeral,

Jacob g. Friend, 6ne of the best-known
civil war veterans and citlaens of , the
county, (iled yesterday m6i*niiig at his
home in SicICeesport, after, a protracted
Illness, largrely due to breaking down
from seveVfe wounds receiver! at the Bat-
tle of the rWilderneSs and subsequent
! sufferings in Andersonville prison. Mr.
Friend was b^rn in Elizabeth, -^here his
grandparents were pioneer settlers of the
county.
In 1SC2, at the age of 16 years, he

I Joined a company recrult«"i by Joseph
I B. Power, the town schoolmaster, be-

coihlng a member of the One Hundred
ahfl Flfty-flfth Regiment. Pennsylvania
: Volunteers, serving in the ranks as a
[pi'J^te. ip all the campaigns of the Army
[Of theTPptomac froiri Antietam to 'the
Wilderness. > At the beginning of the lat-
ter battle, Mr. Friend was on the skir-
mish Ijne' commanded by the late Maj.
George M. , Laughlin-^jf this city, and re-
! ceived : two severe wounds, one in the
I shoulder and the. other In the forearm,
I and finally taken prisoner. He spent the

II months following in Andersonvillfe. .
Since the close of the war Mr. Friend

had resided in McKeesport,' where he

served in the city tax office and later

in the county controller's office, until he

was compelled to retire on account of

continued ill-health. Mr. Friend never

I married, his nearest relative being his

j sister, wife of ' Col. William BL 'Thomp-

I son, formerly of McKeesport, now of

i Harrisbuiss, P^a.

f .' Mr. friend was pne of the oldest mem-
bers of Ehcam^m^nt' No. 1, Union Vet-
eran Legion, and <5f Samuel B!lack Postr'
G. A.,R., of McKeesport, which organiza-
tions will attend. the funeral. The On&
'Hundred and Fifth-fifth Regiment Sur-
vivors' Association, Col. E. Jay Allen,
in the chair, and Col. S. W. Hill, secre-
tary, lield a meeting, adopted resolutions
and v.oted to attend the funeral tomor-
row. Mr. Friend was a member of tlie
Methodist Episcopal. Church.

I Funeral of J. S. Friend

Funeral services of the late Jacob S.
Friend, of Mel^eesport, a veteran of the
one Hundred and Fifty-flfth regimentj

\ Pennsylvania volunteers, .was held yes-;

I terday. Rev. A. M. Staples, of the'
Methodist Episcopal chufoii conducted the
serviae, 'Which was largely attended by
many from distant points in' the county.
Samuel Black post, of the G. A. R., witli^
colors, marched to the 'Soldiers' cemetery
plot at monument of McKeesport to vet-
erans of the Civil war, where the intei-
ment took place with the G. A. R. funeral
ceremonies. The A. B. Campbell Camp,
Son's of Veterans, in uniform, also at-
tended and furnished a firing squad for
the military salute oven the grave. The
ceremO'ny ended with "taps" by the post
bugger. The Survivors' association of
the One Hundred and Fifty-flfth regiment
and the Unicn Veteran legion also had
delegations in attendance. Colonel S. W..
Hill, Thomas E. Morgan. Charles F. Mc-

1 Kenna, Dr. William L. Penney and

' Samuel K. Eicher, veterans of the One
■ Hundred and Fifty-^th regiment,

Ithe pallbearers. Kfifiu,

'%f^,)]rrS/f^

— — — ..^.^..t-. ..., Q,&c»i ou, uieu ill Lne
home of his son-in-law, John H. Arm-
strong, 5905 Hampton street, yesterday.
He served in the Civil War from Antie-
tam to the surrender at Appomatox. He
was a native of Scotland and came to
Pittsburgh when he was 16. For 30 1
years he was a conductor on the Penn

avenue street cars, continuing until a
few years ago, having served while the
lines operated horse cars, cable and
traction. He resided in Lawrenceville
W over 40 j-ears. He leaves three
daughters. His last appearance in public]
^¥fS ^t j^the fiftieth anniversary or re-
M'on of the One , Hundred and Fifty-
fc-SPJ?!,-^®*'™^"'' Pennsylvania Volunteers,!
W.'Memorial Hall,' la'st September, when
:%& picture was taken With his com-
tames as the honor veteran in age of
.ms regiment. He was a member of the 1
_JIjnion Veteran Legion, Encampment No.
teiWhich has been invited to attend his?
■'*%eral on Wednesday.
.

What a Traveling Man Saw.

Editor National Tribune: I am a
traveling man, and don't often gret to
see The N.itional Tribune, but a short
time ago 1 was delayed at a small sta-
tion in eastern Ohio, and saw it — and
it was being enjoyed, too. A1; the post
office there about 15 or 20 men were)
congregated listening to the illustrat-
ed jokes you publish each week on the
last page of the paper. I ioined tlie
good-natured crowd, and passed the
time pleasantry listening to the jokes
with the rest until th« train came. I
sh'all try to keep up vv'ith it better
how. — John T. Sharp, 155th Pa., Phil-
adelphia, Pa../J'X*„,r ;„,,, /v /''(V

TKI-STA'TE -M;

IN "TKI-STATE I'SlRJttlTOBY — '9'1—

BEL.LBVERNON, Pa.— Edward R. Thlrkield
Is dead at his homn in Bellevernon. He was
bom in Fayetto City, in 1833, and had spent
most cf his life there. Dnring the Civil War
he was a member of Company E, One Hundred
and Fifty-fifth Regiment, and also a member
of the Pearson Zuoaves, He was quartermas-
ter of J. M. H. Gordon Post No. 396, G. A. R..
of which he was the organizer. One son, Ross,
; and one daughter, Pearl, survive.

SCO

O '-I

W ci

M g

H O

>- •

< 5

a s

« -a

< S

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS

A N T I E T A M

APPOMATTOX

THE LOYAL UPRISING IN

WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA

1861 — 1865

CAMPAIGNS 155TH PENNSYLVANIA
REGIMENT

NARRATED BY THE RANK AND FILE

PUBLISHED BY

THE 155TH REGIMENTAL ASSOCIATION

PITTSBURG, PA.

1910

^6^

<;^ rz

'%.. /

:> 'A

K.^^Hll]

Copyrighted, 1910, by

JOHN T. PORTER, Financial Secretary,

Pittsburg, Pa.

Printing and Binding: — The Werner Co., Akron, O., and Pittsburg.

Engraving : — J. C. Bragdon, Pittsburg.

Stenographic Work and Typewriting: — John T. Porter, Pittsburg.

Photographers: — Brady, Washington, D. C. ; Cargo, Pittsburg; W. S. Bell, Pittsburg; W. H. Tipton,

Gettysburg; Dabbs, Pittsburg; Dana, Pittsburg; and R. W. Johnston, Pittsburg.
Artists: — Edwin Forbes; David G. Blythe ; Wm. Batchelor, Pittsburg; Geo. Gillespie, Pittsburg; and

Robert E. Smalley, Pittsburg.

Preftace

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

Had it not been for these fateful words, just quoted, uttered by Governor
Andrew G. Curtin, at a great war mass-meeting, held on the West Common,
Allegheny, Pa., on the 24th day of July, 1862, the history of the One Hundred
and Fifty-fifth Pennsylvania Volunteers would probably never have been written.

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

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

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

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

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

ii UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

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

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

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

E. JAY ALLEN, JOHN H. KERR,

JOHN EWING, JOHN C. SLAS,

S. W. HILL, JOHN T. PORTER,

CHARLES F. McKENNA,

Regimental Committee on History.

Index to Portraits

Adams, Capt. David F. . . .

705

Albree, Joseph

Allabach, Col. Peter H.

Allen, Bradford . . .

458

Allen, David ...

459

Allen, Col. E. Jay . . .

59, 516, 620, 683

710

Allen, Capt. Wm. E

474

Alter, J. King . . . 449,

556

Anderson, Corp. John A. . .

478

Anderson, Sgt. Thomas C.

496

Anshutz, Capt. Lee

100

Ashworth, Daniel

705

Armstrong, Sgt. J. D.

506

Ayres, Gen. R. B.

665

Baldwin, Theodore ...

278

Bardeen, Charles ...

601

Barr, Col. James P.

Barrett, Corp. Spencer P. .

504

Bartlett, Brig. -Gen. Joseph J.

326

Beals, Hiram

466

Bell, Lieut. Arthur \\'

118

Bell, Capt. John S.

706

Bell, Capt. John T.

496

Birch, William . .

683

Boisel, Capt. Daniel .

706

Bollinger, George

419

Booth, Sgt. George

429

Black, Col. Samuel W.

Blair, Lieut. Samuel Q.

477

Bradley, Corp. George 456,

732

Bradley, John

705

Bradley, Ralph . ...

494

Bratton, George ^\' 437,

601

Brinton, Capt.

350

Breed, Lieut. H. A

683

Bruden, Corp. Jacob

475

Brunn, Capt. Jacob

Brunot, Hon. Felix R.

Bunton, Charles ....

561

Burchfield, A. P

707

Burnside, Maj.-Gen. A. E. 92.

579

Cain, Lieut.-Col. John H. 117,

620

Calhoun, Ephraim J. .

.503

• Callen, Theophilus S 384

* Campbell, Sgt. Harry S. . . . 729
Cargo, Lieut. Joseph M. . . . 414

Carnegie, Andrew 10

Carson, Lieut. Alexander. 103, 424
Carroll, Corp. James J. . . . 456
Chamberlain, Gen. J. L. . 219, 694
Childs, Col. James H. ... 73
Childs, Miss Laura ... 33

Clapp, Capt. E. E 265

Clark, Rev. John B., D. .D. . 52, 806
Clever, Corp. Robt. O. . . . 505
Cline, Major John A. . . 340, 620
Collier, Col. Frederick H. . . 23
Collner, Capt. William F. . .

297, 463, 677
Collord, Lieut.-Col. James . . 56
Coulter, Gen. Richard .... 219
Cowan, John . . . . 196

Crawford, Jacob 398

Craig, Isaac .... 407

Craig, John . . 407

Craig, Sgt.Washington A. . . 475
Crawford, Maj.-Gen. S. W. . 154
Culbert, Robert . . 495

Culbert, Samuel .... 495

Gulp, Robert R 408

Curll, Corp. D. Reid .... 475
Curry, Color-Corp. Henry M. .

457, 561, 583, 718

Curtin, Gov. Andrew G.
Dalzell, John K. ..
Davis, Corp. R. B. . . .
Davis, Thomas D. .
De Ford, Lieut. Risdon
Dehner, Leonard
Denniston, Capt. John T.
Dewalt, William H.
Dickson, Dr. Joseph . .
Dickson, Dr. John .
Dickson, Dr. Thomas
Dickson, Thomas H.
Dillon, John . .
Dittman, Adam . .

29,

. 456

402, 406

708

501

466

120

391

198

456

398

466

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

Domenec, Rt. Rev. M. . .31

Douglass, Howell ... . 489
Douglass, Robert P. . . 546, 634

Eagan, Rev. C. L 213

Elder, Col. Jas. J 799

Errett, Maj. Russell . 385

Euwer, Corp. A. N. . . 583, 609

Evans, William 284

Ewing, Lieut.-Col. John 298, 620, 683
Farley, Capt. Porter . . 187

Fillman, Josiah .... . 466

Finnegan, James 105

Fleming, Dr. Andrew . . 34

Fleming, Corp. K. G. . . 502, 583
Fleming, John A. . . 504

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

Frick, Col. Jacob G. 805

Friend, Jacob S. . . . . 572

Fullerton, Nathan N. 611

Fulton, Charles W. 478

Fulton, Sgt. Geo. P. . . 434

Gallaher, Dr. Thomas J. . 198

Gamble, Oliver P. . 442

Garrard, Gen. Kenner 219

Garris, David .... 456

Gilmore, Corp. Franklin .

398, 596, 599

Gilson, J. H 708

Glass, Capt. John P. . .13

Glass, Com.-Sgt. William B. . 83
Grant, Gen. U. S. . 235, 364, 579
Gray, Calvin . . 509

Gregory, Col. E. M. ... 219

Griffith, John 569

Griffin, Maj.-Gen. Charles 350, 665

Grounds, William 409

Grubbs, Capt. H. W 401

Hagan, Corp. Isaac N. . . . 481
Halleck, Gen. H. W .... 541

Hampton, J. H 51

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

Harriger, Harry .... 478

Hartman, William D. . . 480

Hartman, Lewis 480

Hays, Gen. Alexander . . . 256
Hays, John A. . . . . 399

Hays, J. Milton 628

Hazlett, Capt. Charles E. . . 169
Heasley, Henry W. . . . 495

Heath, Oliver M. 495

Heflick, Samuel J. . 409

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

Hess, William 471

Hill, Corp. Samuel W. 453, 623, 683
Hindman, William S. . 277, 441
Hooker, Maj.-Gen. Joseph 116, 135

Horner, Daniel K 439

Howard, Rev. William D., D. D. 30
Howe, Gen. Thomas M. . . 8, 49
Huey, Capt. Ben . . 507

Humphreys, Major-General

Andrew A 65, 796

Hunter, Sgt. George . 429, 431

Hunter, John . . .444

Hunter, John F 101, 536

Irwin, Sgt. James J. . . . 477

Irwin, Sgt.-Maj. John H. 128

Jackson, Brig.-Gen. Conrad F. 15
Jamison, John . . . 459

Jenkins, Col. David T. . . 246

Johnson, Rev. Herrick, D. D. 37

Johnston, Capt. Charles C. . 268
Johnston, David . . . 490

Johnston, Lieut. Ed. P. . . 399

Johnston, James P. . . 399

Tones, B. F 32

Jones, Capt. William R. . . . 108
Justice, Sgt. W. H. . . 398

Kaster, James M. . . 480

Kerr, Capt. Benjamin B. 118

Kerr, Geo. R. . . 480

Kerr, Sgt. John H. 623, 650

Ketcham, W. P. 459

Kier, Samuel M 49

King, Dr. James 41

King, Lieut. Wm. H. . . . 455

Kirkpatrick, Sgt. D. C. . . . 506
Kirkpatrick, Hon. John M. . 384

Kitchin, Dr. E. C. . . . 595

Kilgore, Capt. Samuel . . . 422

Kohen, F. P 705

Kribbs, Lieut. John A. . 462, 624
Kuhn, Wilbur W. . . . 437

Lafferty, Stanley 398

Lancaster, Sgt. J. M. . . 435, 585
Lapine, Capt. Jacob .... 137
Laughlin, Maj. George M.

350, 433, 446, 680, 720
Lawson, Color-Sgt. Thomas C. 603
Lee, Lieut. Elijah M. . . 477', 626

Le Goullon, G 495

Leonard, Hugh 431

Lemon, Corp. Michael B. 254

Lewis. John A. . ... 479

Lewis, Peter . 479

Lincoln, Abraham .... 3
Linderman, Fred. . . . 426

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

H.
544,

Linderman, Philip .
Lindsay, William . .
Liken, William A. .
Littlehales, William . .
Loutzenheiser, Newell D.
Lowry, Hon. Jas. Jr. . .
Locke, Col. Fred T.
Logan, Sgt. William
Lyon, Capt. D. E. . .
Lyon, Patrick
Lutes, J. H. . . • . .
Mackin, Color Corp. John

Mackin, John ....

Markle, Capt. John

Marlin, Color-Sgt. Thomas J. .

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

Marshall, Lieut. D. Porter

Marshall, E. S.

Marshall, Hawdon . . .

Marshall, Thos. M

Martin, Thomas C. . .
Mateer, Rev. Joseph, D. D. .
Mathews, William ....
Meade, Maj.-Gen. George G. .

152,
Meagher, Gen. Thomas Francis

Melchi, E. R

Merriman, Jackson . . .

Miller, A. S

Montooth, Maj. E. A. 83, 6'30,
Montgomery, William
Moody, Lieut.-Col. William H.
Mooney, Lieut. John
Moorhead, Hon. James K.
Moorhead, Maj.-AVilliam J.
Morgan, Miss Eva . .
Morgan, Capt. Geo. F. 117,

Morgan, Thos. E. 449,

Murphy, Corp. Richard

Myers, Milton L

McCabe, Sgt. Walter . . 333,
McCandless, Hon. \A'ilson
McCann, Dr. James .
McClellan, Maj.-Gen. Geo. B.
McClelland, Capt. Geo. P.
McClelland, William W. . .
McClintock, Oliver
McCook, Dr. George . .
McConnell, Lieut. Daniel W. .
McCush, Color-Corp. Thos. 492,
McFadden, James
McFadden, Patrick

426
398
299
398
438
51
446
493
474
267
449

583
540

4.54

583

)
373
501
447
223
51
488
323
436

579
136
447
442
705
635
361

24
477

38
175
681
464
517
431
401
407

51
200

63
458
706

33
2
401
583
431
431

61,

McFadden, Miss Rachel
McGimpsey, Sgt. PL W.
McGaughey, Robt. L. . .
McKee, Capt. S. A. . .
McKenna, Charles F. 623,
McMillan, James A. 401,
McMillen, William C. . ,
McPherson, Color-Corp. L.
416, 559,
Negley, Maj.-Gen. James S

Nevil, John A

Nevin, Col. John L . . .
Niederlander, Joseph . .
Nilan, Michael ....
O'Brien, Col. Edward
O'Neill, James P. . . .
O'Rorke, Col. Patrick H.
Ott, Charles W. .
Palmer, Capt. J. B.
Pangburn, Noah H.
Park, Sgt. Hugh
Park, James, Jr.
Parker, Sgt. James F.
Patterson, Col. John W. .
Pearce, Lieut. James D. .
Pearson, Gen. A. L. 117,
Pence, Harmon .
Pitcairn, Robert
Poland, Maj. John
Porter, Gen. Fitz John .
Porter, John T. ' . . 473,
Porter, Sgt. A^'m. D.
Power, Lieut. J. T.
Prestley, Rev. James, D. D
Price, Elijah X. . .

Quay, Col. M. S. . .

Ralston, Q.-M.-Sgt. John
Ramsey, John L. .
Ramsey, Corp. Wm. B.
Rankin, James A.
Rankin, John
Rankin, Samuel G.
Rankin, Corp. William .
Reed, Dr. J. A. E. . .
Reid, Maj. Bernard J.
Richards, James B. .
Rippey, Col. Oliver H. .
Robbins, Moses .
Rowand, A. H. Jr. .
Rowe, Col. D. Watson .
Rowley, Gen. Thomas A.
Russell, Corp. John C.
Ryan, Col. George .
Sackett, Edward W. . .
Sackett, Capt. Joseph B.

. 33

. 440
. 508

300, 485

635, 683

403, 404
. 407

561, 683
4
. 468
. 28
. 471
. 407
. 805

223, 442
. 166
. 407
. 117

432, 451
. 443
. 33
. 630
. 21
. 494

635, 663

448

. 14

. 665

619, 625

. 505

. 435

. 30

398

. 532

. 83

404

508

. 299

. 601

. 488

. 493

79, 592

679

. 443

. 27

. 399

372

. 799

. 20

. 508

. 345

449

. 330

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

Sallade, Corp. Martin \' B. . 428

Savage, Mrs. Kate ... 43

Scott, Col. Thomas A. . . . 9

Scott, William J 423

Schemerhorn, Capt. . 350

Secrist, Sgt. Asbury . 355

Shawhan, Sgt. Jos. . 415

Shaw, Dr. Thomas \V. 198

Sheridan, Maj.-Gen. P. H. . 348
Shore, Sgt.-Maj. William, Jr. .

360, 427, 681
Sias, John C. . . 490, 494, 625

Smith, Sgt. Albert K. . 419

Smith, Gen. " Baldy " 579
Smith, Dill A. . . . .49

Smith, George M. . . 224

Smith, Jeremiah 697

Speakman, Col. Frank B. . 807

Stafford, Miss Mary J. . . . 45

Stanton, Sec'y.-of-War E. M. . 541

Stewart, Sgt. David J. . . . 480

Stewart, Maj. R. E. . . 707

Strong, Lieut. James . . 346

Sweeney, Capt. John C. . 428
Sweitzer, Bvt.-Brig.-Gen. J.

Bowman . . .... 289

Sykes, Gen. George ... 665

Taggart, Capt. Samuel 16

Taylor, Thos. . . . 466

Thomas, John M., Chaplain 84

Thaw, William 35

Thompson, Color-Corp. Francis

487, 601

Thompson, Lieut. Robert . 434

Thorn, Ellis C. Hosp. Steward 79

Tomer, Color-Corp. Thomas J. 164

Tyler, General E. B. . . . 813

Tyler, Maj. Horatio K. . 706

Van Gorder. Frank .... 82
Vanosdol, Thos. Y. . , . 443

Van Tassel, James 397

Wadsworth, Gen. James S. . 257

Wall, Jos. S 449

Walter, Dr. Albert G. . . 199

Walters, Color-Corp. Charles

A 494, 583

Ward, Maj. Frank B 21

Warren, Gen. G. K. . 579, 665, 715
Watson, Mrs. Ellen Murdoch . 42
Weaver, Corp. H. F. . . 197, 625

Weed, Gen. S. H 166

Wells, Lieut. James .... 425
Welton, William ... 195

Weyman, William P. . 37

Whipple, Gen. Amiel W 138

White, Andrew . 482

White, Gen. Harry 606

White, Corp. \^'illiam John 436

Wilkins, Hon. AMUiam 5. 49

Will, Franklin . . 466.

Williamson, R. L. . . 495

Wilson, Rev. S. J., D. D. 51

Wilson, Surgeon W S. 79, 710

Winger, Josiah G 471

Winthrop, Brig.-Gen. Fred . . 352
Wiseman, Color-Sgt. Thomas

101, 601
\\'itherow, \\'illiam . 707

Woll, Leopold . . . 494

Woods, Sgt. Thomas L 266, 404

Wright, Gen. H. G. ... 579

Wycofif, Sgt. Isaac .... 195

Index to Illustrations

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

View of Pittsburg and Allegheny in 1861 xvi

The "Old 13th" in Action, 1861 18

National Officers and Delegates, United States Christian Commission . 36

Humphreys' Division Flag Insert 64-65

Lutheran Church, Sharpsburg . . 75

Lincoln's Visit to McClellan at Antietam . . 77

Fredericksburg, 1862 ... 94

Stone Wall and Marye's Heights 104

Burnside's "Muddy March" 110

Burnside " Stuck in the Mud " . . . 112

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

Camp Humphreys, Near Falmouth, Va. ... . . Insert 114-115

" Hoe-Down," Camp Humphreys ... .... .... 122

President Lincoln and General Hooker Reviewing Army . . ... 125

Crossing Rappahannock — On Way to Chancellorsville . . ... 130

Chancellorsville House 132

Scene — Battle of Chancellorsville .... . ... . 134

Departure 133rd Pa. Vols, from Camp Humphreys for Home . . . 143

" Sykes and Ayres " Division Flag Insert 144-145

" Reveille and Tattoo " 148

Gettysburg, Meade's Headquarters . . 159

Gettysburg— July 2, 1863 ... 161

General Warren on Little Round Top . . . ... 168

Devil's Den, Gettysburg .... . . . 171

General Vincent's Monument . . ... . . 202

Mine Run, 1908 Insert 214-215

Winter Quarters, Warrenton Junction . . . 217

Zouave in Action 227

The " Long and the Short " in Zouave Uniform 229

Griffin's Division Flag . Insert 232-233

The Bivouac " Night Before Battle of Wilderness "... . . 241

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

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

Fifth Corps Replenishing Ammunition, May 5, 1864 . . .... 250

Removing the Wounded at Wilderness .... 252

On March by Left Flank to Spottsylvania . . . . .... 260

General Warren and Stafif at Spottsylvania . . ... ... 270

Fifth Corps at Spottsylvania . 272

Pontoon Crossing North Anna at Jericho Ford . . . 274

viii UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

General Meade's Headquarters in Field, 1864 280

Skirmishing — Bethesda Church ^^^

Petersburg, 1864 39a

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

Group at Corps Headquarters 316

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

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

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

Truce 358

McLean House, Appomattox .... 363

General Lee Leaving McLean House at Appomattox 369

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

The Final Grand Review of the Army of the Potomac 380

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

Pittsburg, June 5, 1865 387

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

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

Trenches to Headquarters Fifth Corps 445

" Breaking Home Ties "—Off for War . . . ... 518

" Come and Get Your Quinine " . 523

On the Road to Antietam — Up South Mountain . . . . . . 525

"How-Dye-Do, General?" 528

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

Return to Company in Disgrace . . 531

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

General Humphreys' Court of Inquiry 535

Interviewing Secretary Stanton Under Difficulties 542

Uncle John Mackin Joins the Ranks for Battle 545

-On Temporary Provost Duty, Grant's Headquarters . . . 561

Bivouac — Wilderness . . 562

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

General Meade's Headquarters, Gettysburg 553

Guarding Fifth Corps Train in Wilderness . . 560

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

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

War Time Photos of Grant and Corps Generals .... .... 579

Building Breastworks Under Fire ... 581

Color Guard, 1864-5 . 533

The Fatal Vidette Outpost, Bethesda Church ... 586

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

Sketch of Callen's Grave, Bethesda Church 539

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

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS. ix

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

14, 1866 Insert 608-609

Lafayette Hall, First Re-union, 1875 . . . 635

Unveiling Monument, Sept. 17, 1886 and Re-union Group . Insert 636-637
155th Monument— Little Round Top ... . . 639

Warren's Monument, Little Round Top . . 651

Company E, 1894 Reunion Group .... . . 659

Company F, 1894 Reunion Group .... . . 661

Reunion 1894. Duquesne Park . 670-671

Around the Camp Fire .... . . . 673-

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

Executive Committee — Reunion, 1903 ... . 683

Reunion, 1903, Kennywood Park . 684

Snapshot of Comrades — Reunion, 1903 . . . 685

Reunion, 1905, Kennywood Park . 687

Regimental Executive Committee — Reunion 1905 ... 688^

Reunion, Kennywood Park ... . 689

Reunion— Bellevue, 1906 691-^

Reunion — Bellevue, 1906 ... . 695-6-

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

1907 . 698-9

General A. A. Humphreys' Monument . . . 701
Reunion, at Unveiling Monument to General Humphreys, Fredericks-
burg, Nov. 1], 1908 709

The Allegheny County Soldiers' Memorial Hall, 1910 . . 711

City of Pittsburg, 1910 .... . . . 794

>^^^^-^

Table of Contents

LOYAL UPRISING IN WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA:—
INTRODUCTORY— Epitome of Events, 1861-186? .

SYNOPSIS OF CHAPTERS:—

I JMuster-in at Pittsburg — Forced Alarch to Train . . 46

II Arrival in Washington, Camp Chase 62

III Forced March to Antietam 68

IV Scenes and Events in Camp McAuley, Antietam 81
V Fredericksburg Campaign, Dec. 186? ... 91

VI General Hooker — Chancellorsville . ... 115

VII Return to Camp Humphreys — Forced Marches . . 142

VIII The Battle of Gettysburg .... . .160

IX Scenes and Incidents of the Battle of Gettysburg 179

X Retreat of the Confederate Army — Mine Run . . 204

XI The Battle of the Wilderness 240

XII The Battles of Laurel Hill and Spottsylvania ... . 259

XIII Battles of North Anna— Bethesda Church— Cold Harbor . 271

XIV Petersburg Campaign — Weldon Railroad 292

XV Hatcher's Run, Weldon Railroad Raid . . ... 317

XVI Five Forks — Appomattox — Surrender — Paroling . . . 342
XVII Appomattox Incidents — Homew^ard March — Grand Re-
view, Washington — Home Reception — Mustered Out 371

COMPANY HISTORIES— PERSONAL SKETCHES,
ETC.— 1862-186.5 :—

CASUALTIES,

Memories of Company A .
Organization of Company B . .
Last Two Years in Company B
Company C, the Color Company
In the Ranks of Company D . .
Officers and Men of Company E .
Roll Call of Company F .

Sketch of Company G

Company H . . . . ...

Recollections of Company I . .

With the Colors, Reminiscences of

Company K . ....

Bv Wm. H. Dewalt . . 391

By H. F. Weaver . . 400

By Jas. A.. McMillan . . 402

By Jos. M. Cargo ... 412

By William J. Scott . . 423

By Noah H. Pangburn . 432

By Samuel W. Hill . 453

By John A. Kribbs 462

By John T. Porter . 472

By John C. Sias . . 485

By Thomas J. Marlin 499

Xll

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

CONTRIBUTED ARTICLES BY COMRADES:—

The Colonel's Tribute . . .

" Breaking Home Ties " . . , .

How I Found My Regiment

The Rise and Fall of an " Orderly "

Quay's Quandary ...

The Battle of Fredericksburg . .

Uncle John Mackin's War Exper-
ience .... ....

Within the Enemy's Lines — Chan-
cellorsville . . . . . . .

At Gettysburg — Under Front and
Rear Fire . . ...

The Kiskiminetas Squad

With Grant at Opening of Wilder-
ness . . .

Wounded and a Prisoner .

My Capture and Prison Life

The Battle of North Anna . .

Perils of Vidette Duty ...

Story of the Regimental Surgeon .

Reminiscences of Hatcher's Run
and Five Forks . . . .

At the Front and in the Hospital .

The Flag of the One Hundred and

Fifty-fifth

Return of Regimental Flag to
State, 1866 '

A Country Boy in the Army

Campaigning with Company A. .

The Charge at Five Forks

The Last Man Killed in the Armj^
of the Potomac . . .

Memories of Appomattox

The One Hundred and Fifty-fifth
in War and in Peace, A Roll
Call of Survivors . .

By Edward Jay Allen
By Thomas E. Morgan
By W. Stockton Wilson
By John T. Porter . .
By John T. Porter . .
By Henry F. AA'eaver .

By Charles F. McKenna

By Robert P. Douglass

By Henry F. Weaver .
By J. King Alter

By L. E. McPherson .
By John Griffith . .
By Jacob S. Friend
By Charles F. McKenna
By John M. Lancaster
By J. A. E. Reed .

By Elias A. Kitchin
By F'ranklin Gilmore

By Thomas C. Lawson

By S. W. Hill
By Arch N. Euwer .
By Nathan N. Fullerton
By J. A. McDowell

By John H. Kerr

By George AL Laughlin

Bv John T. Porter

. 515

. . 517

. . 530

. . 536

. . 533

. . 537

. . 540

. . 546

. . 550

. . 556

. 559

. . 568

573

. . 576

. . 585

. . 592

. 594

596

. 600

. 606

. 609

. 611

613

. 614

. . 616

619

REUNIONS AND DEDICATIONS :-

Organization of Regimental Association . . . . 633

First Reunion, 1875 — Old LaFayette Hall . . . . 633

Reunion, Pittsburg, Sept. 1'2, 1884 . . ... 660

Unveiling Monument and Reunion, Gettysburg, Sept. 17, 1886 . 637
Dedication of State Monument to Regiment, on Little Round Top

Gettysburg, Sept. 18, 1889 . '649

Reunion at Clarion, Pa., July 29 and 30th, 1896 . . 676

Reunion at Kennywood Park, 1903 ... . . ggS

Reunion at Bellevue Club, June 35, 1906 [ [ 69q

Dedicatory Ceremonies, Fredericksburg, Nov. 11, 1908 .... 703
Unveiling of General Humphreys' ^Monument, Nov. 11, 1908 and

Regimental Reunion ij-q^

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

xiu

MEMOIRS AND SKETCHES:—

Action on Death of General Warren Regimental Minute . .

Corporal Harry M. Curry .... By Col. E. Jay Allen .

Brevet-Major George M. Laughlin Resolutions

Colonel John H. Cain Resolutions

Brevet-Major-General A. L. Pearson Resolutions

Captain Samuel A. McKee . . . By Sgt. John H. Keer .

Captain George Pressley McClelland By His Pastor ....

Corporal Horatio S. Harnish, Com-
pany H By Wm. D. Hartman . .

Sergeant Henry R. Campbell, Com-
pany B By Richard M. Davis

Reverend Joseph Mateer, D. D.,

Chaplain By Colonel John Ewing .

Corporal George Bradley, Company F .

Color-Sergeant Thomas J. Marlin . By Rev. J. A. Thompson

Color-Sergeant Thomas Wiseman By Alexander Dempster .

Brevet-Major Samuel Kilgore . . Resolutions ....

Private James P. O'Neil, Company

E . . . . .... Press Obituary . . .

Colonel Peter H. AUabach, 131st

Pa. Vols. Press Obituary . . .

Colonel Patrick H. O'Rorke, 140th

N. Y. Vols. By Captain Porter Farley

Frederick Winthrop, Brevet-Major-
General, U. S. Vols By Maj. Geo. M. Laughlin

Stephen H. Weed, Brigadier-General From U. S. Register . .

716

717
T19

733
724
725
726

727

730

731

732
733
734
735

736

737

738

739
741

ROSTERS :-

Field and Staff — Rank and File — Revised to Date
Field and StafT . .... ...

Company A ...

Company B . . .

Company C .

Company D . ....

Company E . ....

Company F ...

Company G . .... . .

Company H . . .

Company I . . .

Company K

Record of 155th Pa. Infantry

r43 to 792
745-746
747-751
751-755
756-760
760-764
764-769
769-773
774-778
778-782
782-786
787-791
. 793

APPENDIX:

Sketches of Regiments Composing Humphreys' Division in Ah-
tietam, Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville Campaigns and
Official Reports ...

795

U NION

AND

CONSTITUTION

1301

iiSTiii Kiiifiiiiii,

Epitome of Events, 1861-1863.

]N EPITOME of the rapidly forming events of 1861 to 1862, trans-
piring in Western Pennsylvania up to the summer of 1863, when
the youths composing the rank and file of the One Hundred and
Fifty-fifth Pennsylvania Regiment volunteered for the Union cause,
is believed to be a fitting introduction to the history of the campaigns
of the Regiment. In this chapter, therefore, will be found a summary of impor-
tant events and incidents occurring in the Nation and locally during the first
year of the war.

All Western Pennsylvania had been aroused by certain acts and declarations
of Southern representatives in the closing days of 1860. So that when an order
from the Secretary of War, John B. Floyd, was issued directing the shipment
of heavy ordnance from the Allegheny Arsenal to distant points in the South
for fortifications, the greatest indignation of the citizens of Pittsburg was
aroused. Already some of the cannon had been conveyed to the steamer Silver
Wave at the Pittsburg wharf, when a public meeting was called and held in
January, 1861, on the Court House grounds in Pittsburg. It was a representative
meeting of loyal citizens. Prompt action was taken in protesting against the
removal of the cannon. James Buchanan, the President of the United States,
had many warm personal friends in Western Pennsylvania, and in response to
the demand of the citizens at this meeting at the Court House, presided over by
Doctor George McCook, Sr., it was resolved that a formal protest should be
telegraphed to the President. The telegram read as follows :

" James Buchanan, President of the United States :

^"Sir — An order issued by the War Department to transfer the efifective
munitions of war from the Arsenal in this city to Southern mihtary posts has

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

DR. GEORGE McCOOK.

created great excitement in the public
mind. We would advise that the
order be immediately countermanded.
We speak at the instance of the peo-
ple, and if not done, cannot answer
for the consequences.

" William Wilkins,
" William F. Johnston,
■' Thomas Williams,
" Charles Shaler."

On the receipt of this telegram
the President promptly counter-
manded Secretary Floyd's order for
the removal of the cannon, and the
excitement thereupon subsided.

President-elect Lincoln in
Pittsburg.

On the evening of February 14,
1861, occurred another important
event in the history of this period.
This was the arrival from Springfield, 111., of Abraham Lincoln, President-elect,
en route to be inaugurated President of the United States. He was received at
the Pittsburg, Fort Wayne & Chicago Railway station, on Federal street, Alle-
gheny City, by an immense multitude, anxious to see the man destined to fill
the most important position in the most critical crisis of the American nation for
the four years to follow.

On Smithfield street, at the Monongahela House, the crush was so great
that the military companies were required to clear the way for the Presidential
carriages. In response to loud and repeated calls for a speech, Mr. Lincoln stood
upon a chair in the lobby of the hotel, and begged to be excused from then ad-
dressing the assemblage, declaring that he had promised the Reception Com-
mittee that he would have " a few words " to say to the public the next morning.
He facetiously said, " Some people think L am like a town pump," referring to
the persistent demands for a speech, — " that all that has to be done is to shake
my hand and demand a speech and it will come like the water upon shaking the
handle of the pump."

The mihtary. General James S. Negley in command, formed the Presidential
escort while the President was in the city. The next morning fully ten thousand
people gathered around the Monongahela House to hear Mr. Lincoln's promised
speech from the portico of the Hotel, on Smithfield street. His patriotic ad-
dress on that occasion lasted but fifteen minutes. It was remarkable, as was
his subsequent address at Gettysburg, for its simple, easily-understood utter-
ances, all appealing to his countrymen to act for the good of the country, and

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

ABRAHAM LINCOLN.

4 UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

to be true to the Constitution and the laws under which the Nation in the provi-
dence of God had so prospered. This speech had a decided effect in enhghtening
the people of the whole country as to Mr. Lincoln's broad statesmanship and
comprehension of the conditions coiifronting the Nation at that time.

The First Call to Arms.

With the dawn of real war caused by the firing on Sumter on April 13,
1861, the call to arms in Western Pennsylvania was promptly sounded, and with
Pittsburg as the metropolis, nowhere else was there quicker and heartier response.
On the 15th of April the President's first call to the States for seventy-five
thousand militia to serve for three months was issued. At that date there were
still living and active in the ccmmunity many survivors of the Mexican W^ar.

These men still preserved the martial
spirit of veterans ; and because of their
military experience, they were among
the first to volunteer in response to the
call of the President. They were re-
warded with commissions, and at once
set about organizing companies and
regiments.

Chief among those patriotic surviv-
ors of the Mexican War may be men-
tioned General James S. Negley, com-
manding the State militia of Allegheny
county in 1860 and 1861; Colonel
Thomas A. Rowley ; Colonel Robert An-
derson ; Captain Alexander Hays ; Cap-
tain Oliver H. Rippey; Captain Samuel
W. Black; and Captain Samuel A. Mc-
Kee. Nor at that date had all the veter-
ans of the War of 1813 passed away.
Though incapacitated by age, these
venerable patriots became enthusiastic, and exerted patriotic influence bv their
language and loyal sentiment in support of the country's flag.

MAJ.-GEN. JAMES S. NEGLEY.

Prompt Filling of Quota.

Soon regiments and companies were recruited, and promptly placed at the
disposal of the Governor of the State, in numbers far surpassing the quota of
Western Pennsylvania. This produced great rivalry in recruiting.

The companies and regiments thus promptly recruited and mustered into
service from Allegheny county and Western Pennsylvania were all assigned to
the army of General Robert Patterson, of Philadelphia, a distinguished soldier
of the Mexican War. The troops of this command were ordered by the Gov-
ernment at Washington to remain at points in Pennsylvania — at York, and
along the Northern Central Railroad to guard it from raids by bodies of the

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS. 5

enemy in Maryland and Virginia, who frequently threatened the line of com-
munication with the troops in Washington and at the front. This military ex-
perience, however, was beneficial in educating officers and men in the school
of a soldier ; and at the end of their term of service these companies and regi-
ments served as the nucleus to furnish numerous colonels and generals and of-
ficers of rank to regiments organized later to serve three years or during the war.
As indicating the promptness of the responses. Colonel R. P. McDowell, of
Pittsburg, with three companies, was mustered into the United States service

HON. WILLIAM WILKINS.

on April SO, 1861, and made Colonel of the Fifth Regiment Pennsylvania
Volunteers.

From Sunday, April 14:th, to Wednesday, April 24, 1861, the record shows
that there had been recruited, armed, and sent to the front from Allegheny
county two thousand volunteers, and that as many more had tendered their
services to go on an hour's notice.

Great War Mass Meeting.

The prompt action of the citizens of Pittsburgh, on the news of the firing
on Fort Sumter, was indicated by a mass meeting of the citizens of Allegheny

6 UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

county and vicinity, held at City Hall on the evening of April 15th, just two
days after the fall of Sumter. The meeting was so largely attended that there
was not space for all who applied for admission, and many hundreds were turned
away.

Honorable William Wilkins, who presided at that great mass meeting, had
been a prominent Democrat, and a friend of General Jackson. He was called
from his retirement and the tranquility of his old age to preside at this great
meeting. The intense ardor of his eloquent and patriotic appeal for the preser-
vation of the Union had an electrical effect on the audience, and exerted a lasting
influence on the community. Colonel James P. Barr, editor of the " Post " ;
William Neeb, of the " Freiheits Freund " ; Honorable Thomas J. Bigham ; and
James Park, Jr., were appointed to draft resolutions on the state of the country.

At this great mass meeting addresses of great force and eloquence were
also made by Honorable Thomas M. Marshall, Honorable P. C. Shannon, Hon-
orable A. W. Loomis, Honorable Robert McKnight, Doctor E. D. Gazzam, Ex-
Governor William F. Johnston, and Marshall Swartzwelder, Esq.

The resolutions read by Colonel James P. Barr, Chairman of the Com-
mittee on Resolutions, and unanimously adopted at the mass meeting, pledged
the support of the people of the community without regard to party, to President
Lincoln's administration in support of the laws and Constitution of the United
States, and the preservation of the Union, until the Great Rebellion against the
Government should be suppressed. Judge Wilkins, as Chairman, announced the
Committee of Public Safety, whose duty among other objects was declared to be
" to keep a sharp lookout for traitors." The following citizens constituted the
Committee of Public Safety, who, throughout the entire period of the war, de-
voted their time and means unremittingly to the patriotic duties of the times.
The names and memories of every one of these loyal citizens deserves to be per-
petuated in the history of the country as examples of devoted patriotism :

Wm. J. Morrison.
James P. Barr,
Wm. F. Johnston,
Dr. Geo. McCook,
John Marshall,
Thos. J. Bigham,
Joseph Dilworth,
Chas. Barnes,
David Fitzsimmons,
C. L. Magee, Sr.,
John Harper,
Andrew Miller,
James Park, Jr.,
C. H. Paulson,
Alex. Nimick,
N. P. Fetterman,
John D. Scully,

David E. Bayard,
Jonas R. McCIintock,
James Kelly,
James Salisbury,
Wm. Martin,
Wm. Robinson, Jr.,
Wm. Bishop,
Harry Wainright,
Wm. H. McGee,
Dr. Thos. J. Gallaher,
Thos. Steele,
Russell Errett,
Wm. Caldwell,
Dr. Ed. Simpson,
Dr. James King,
John J. Dravo,
Joseph R. Flunter,

Samuel Rodgers,
Alfred Slack,
Christopher Zug,
John Birmingham,
John Wright,
John McDonald,
Wm. Barnhill, Jr.,
Wm. Owens,
Jared i\L Brush,
Robert Morrow,
John M. Killen,
Christopher I\Iagee,
Colonel Leopold Sahl,
Dr. Wm. M. Simcox,
Alexander Speer,
Henry Hays,
Joshua Rhodes,

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

Dr. Geo. S. Hays,
Benjamin Coursin,
John Mackin,
A. G. Lloyd,
John J. Muse,
Wm. Bagley,
Thos. M. Howe,
C. W. Ricketson,
Joseph Kaye,
J. B. Poor,
J. Herron Foster,
Chas. McKnight,
Wm. Neeb,
John D. Bailey,
John W. Riddell,
James A. Sewell,
Wm. M. Lyon,
Thomas Bakewell,
Wm. J. Howard,
Sol. Schoyer, Jr.,
John P. Pears,
Reuben Miller, Jr.,
Henry L. Ringwalt,
Geo. W. Wilson,
James Rees,
J. W. Barker,
R. H. Patterson,
W. K. Nimick,
Geo. S. Gallupe,
A. Nicholson,
David F. McKee,
Wm. Phillips,
Wm. M. Edgar,
Dr. L. Oldshue,
Dr. Geo. L. McCook,
Robt. McElherron,
Frederick H. Collier,
Thos. A. Rowley,
James Herdman,
Andrew Scott,
S. H. Keller,

Wm. M. Hirsh, .
Chauncey B. Bostwick,
Nat. Holmes, Jr.,
Samuel Riddle,
John Scott,
Thos. B. Hamilton,
Arch. McBride,
Andrew Fulton,
Wm. Simpson,
Alexander Hilands,
George A. Berry,
William Carr,
James Benny, Jr.,
J. B. Canfield,
H. L. Bollman,
Wm. B. Holmes,
David D. Bruce,
Wm. A. Lare,
Robert Finney,

A. L. Russell,
N. P. Sawyer,
Wm. S. Lavely,

B. F. Jones,
E. P. Jones,

P. C. Shannon,
Dr. E. D. Gazzam,
Geo. P. Hamilton,
Thos. M. Marshall,
J. R. T. Noble,
Henry McCullough,
James A. Hutchinson,
Francis Sellers,
D. S. Steward,
Henry A. Weaver,
R. H. Hartley,
J. R. Murphy,
Geo. W. Irwin,
John M. Irwin,
Wm. C. Barr,
James Floyd,
Alex. Moore,

James Verner,
John N. Tiernan,
Thomas S. Blair,
Samuel McKelvy,
John N. McClowry,
G. L. B. Fetterman,
Max. K. Moorhead,
George W. Cass,
Walter H. Lowrie,
Dr. E. Dilworth,
David Irwin,
Andrew Burke,
James R. Hartley,
Wm. G. McCartney,
John Atwell,
M. L Stewart,
Robt. B. Guthrie,
Hugh McAfee,
Hugh Kane,
Samuel Cameron,
R. J. Grace,
Joseph Woodwell,
John McDevitt,
James B. Murray,
James McAuley,
Adams Getty,
Edward Gregg,
John Dunlap,
John C. Dunn,
John Brown,
John E. Parke,
A. W. Loomis,
Wm. Wade,
John Graham,
Wm. Holmes,
Daniel Negley,
Wm. Woods,
George H. Thurston,
Edward Campbell, Jr.,
Wm. H. Smith,
John P. Penny.

Organization of Committee of Public Safety.

The Committee of Public Safety, thus appointed by Judge Wilkins, promptly
organized by the selection of General Thomas M. Howe as chairman. General

8 UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

Howe had been for many years one of the most prominent and successful busi-
ness men of Pittsburg. He entered upon the active duties of the position, which
became so absorbing as to take up his entire time so that his private business was
turned over to others. As the war progressed, General Howe's duties as chair-
man of the Committee of Public Safety were very much increased. In his
strenuous labors throughout the four years of the war, he presented the highest
type of patriotism. As long as a veteran of the Civil War or his descendants
survives in Allegheny county the memory of this esteemed and patriotic citizen
should be cherished for his great services to the Union cause.

GEN. THOMAS M. HOWE.

The various sub-committees of the Committee of Public Safety were quickly
organized, — the Executive Committee, Committee on Transit of Munitions of
War, Committee on Support of Volunteers not yet Accepted by the Government,
Committee for the Aid of Families of Volunteers, and later the Subsistence
Committee, etc.

Under the supervision of this Committee of Public Safety Allegheny's
quota of volunteers was speedily raised in answer to President Lincoln's first
call for seventy-five thousand men. This was the beginning of the Committee
of Public Safety's activity in aid of the Union cause. Not only did the city and

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

county furnish soldiers for the war, but during the entire period the manu-
facturers, merchants, and the banks of the city aided the Government in sup-
plying equipment,, clothing, food, and money. On April 17, 1861, the Board
of Bank Presidents sent a telegram to the Governor stating that, " The banks
of Pittsburg will cheerfully respond to the call for money to meet the late ap-
propriation to be used in enabling the Government to sustain the Constitution.
and the laws."

Services of Pennsylvania Railroad.

Simultaneous with these early events should be mentioned the patriotic
part and prompt service rendered by the Pennsylvania Railroad Company ta
the cause of the Union. J. Edgar Thompson was President of the Railroad,
Thomas A. Scott was Vice-President,
and Andrew Carnegie was serving as
Superintendent of the Pittsburg Di-
vision. At the special request of
Honorable Simon Cameron, Secretary of
War, Vice-President Scott was asked to
report in Washington to place the rail-
road and telegraph lines in proper con-
dition and control to co-operate with
military movements, and to meet all
emergencies.

At Colonel Scott's request Andrew
Carnegie was detailed to accompany and
assist Colonel Scott in this branch of the
work. This was early in April, 1861,
and Mr. Carnegie was first placed in
charge of the United States Military
Telegraph Corps, with headquarters at
Alexandria, Va. Mr. Carnegie organized
and operated this Military Telegraph
Department until November, 1861, estab-
lishing it on so firm a basis and putting it into such thorough working order that,.
at President Thompson's request, he was relieved and returned to duty as Super-
intendent of the railroad for the Western Division of Pittsburg. The transpor-
tation of troops and military supplies for the vast armies in the field had sa
increased and had become of so paramount importance to the railroad Company
and to the Nation that Mr. Carnegie was called upon to discharge the strenuous
duties of the position. On this important duty he served during the remainder
of 1861 and throughout 1862, discharging the difficult duties of the position so
successfully as to merit the highest encomiums of the officials of the railroad
company and also of the Government. The record of this period will establish
beyond a doubt that no official of the Government rendered greater service to-
the cause of the Union than did Mr. Carnegie, by his extraordinary foresight
in the prompt transportation of troops and supplies to the points of army activi-

COL. THOMAS A. SCOTT.

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

ties. His great services as organizer and first chief of the United States Military
Telegraph Corps were of vital importance in military campaigns. They are
matters of history, and the value of that corps to the army in the field cannot be
overestimated.

It may be well to mention in this connection the prompt and efficient services

ANDREW CARNEGIE.

of Robert Pitcairn, Superintendent of the Altoona Division of the Pennsylvania
Railroad.

Union Mass IMeetings.
During 1861 and the spring of 1862, war meetings continued to be held
nightly in Pittsburg, Allegheny, and vicinity. Lecturers became public advo-
cates for the Union. Ministers and lawyers went on the platform to plead the
cause of the country. Many halls and rooms were rented for meetings. Henry

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

ROBERT PITCAIRN.

Ward Beecher, of New York, was one
of the earliest of these war orators in the
country, and later he was appointed to
visit Great Britain, there to deliver Union
orations to the English people. After
him came Professor Amasa McCoy, of
the Smithsonian Institute, an orator of
national reputation, who spoke at a great
mass meeting in the Opera House at
Pittsburg. Many other orators of na-
tional fame delivered stirring addresses
for the Union in all the large cities.
Clergymen preached patriotic sermons.
Teachers caught the inspiration. Every-
body anxiously awaited events that came
all too soon and all too sad.

A Flag Incident.

The intense patriotism of the times
manifested itself in the universal dis-
play of the flag, so that bunting soon became a scarce article. An incident
happened at this period which showed the trend of the public mind. About the
year 1798 the United States Government erected a fort on a site fronting on
the Allegheny river and bounded by Hand street. Liberty avenue and Garrison
alley. In 1861 the storehouse and barracks of this fort, at the corner of Penn
street and Garrison alley, was still standing, being in charge of Major Henry
Talliaferro, U. S. A. The Major was a Virginian, a man at that date well over
seventy years of age. He had served as an ensign in the War of 1812, and had
been with General Andrew Jackson at the battle of New Orleans. When, amid
the extensive display of bunting throughout the city, this rendezvous and bar-
racks was distinguished only by its absence, suspicion was excited. The old Gov-
ernment buildings mentioned continuing to be flagless, a few ropes were strung by
over-loyal people on nearby lamp posts to intimidate all disloyal persons, and
specially as a hint to Major TaUiaferro, in command of the rendezvous. An
anonymous letter conveyed to the Major the purpose of these ropes, and demanded
that he show his colors immediately by putting out the flag on the public buildings,
under pain of being publicly denounced as a traitor. This epistle was secretly at
night tacked upon the door of the barracks. The Major, on discovering the insult-
ing aspersion, vehemently denounced the anonymous author of the letter. He
published a card in all the daily papers announcing his sincere loyalty to the
Union cause, and declaring that repeated requisitions for flags had been made, in
answer to which the Government had reported that it had run out of bunting, and
that his requisitions had been delayed. This card satisfied the people of the
venerable patriot's loyalty, and the incident was closed.

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.
A Central Military Rendezvous.

The rapid arrival and departure of large bodies of troops from points in
Western Pennsylvania outside of Pittsburg, and from Ohio and the West, most
of whom remaining over for various periods of time, converted Pittsburg in
those days into a great military rendezvous. .

The Pennsylvania volunteers who were not accepted by the United States
Government under the first call of the President did not disband, but con-
tinued their organizations. The wise provision of Governor Andrew G. Curtin
in recruiting at this period the Pennsylvania Reserve Corps for future emer-

CAPT. JACOB BRUNN, FRIEND RIFLES.

gencies resulted in the forming of two great camps, namely, Camp Wilkins,
on the old State Fair grounds at Penn and Twenty-ninth street; and Camp
Wright, at Hulton's station. Camp Wilkins was established April 27, 1861, and
named in honor of the distinguished Honorable William Wilkins. Camp Wright
was organized on May 28, 1861, by General George A. McCall, of Philadelphia,
an officer of the Regular Army detailed by Governor Curtin for that purpose.
It was at first called " Camp McCall."

At one time, at, a meeting in Wilkin's Hall, Pittsburg, forty-six complete
companies were reported as organized, representing over four thousand men

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

ready for war. The local militia were also well organized and splendidly
equipped. Parades, reviews, drilling, flag presentations and dress-parades were
every-day occurrences in Camp Wilkins and Camp Wright. The ladies of the
city were usually the donors of flags, and were attendants as honor guests at the
evening dress-parades.

At one o'clock in the morning of the 16th of May, 1861, Major Robert
Anderson, the hero of Fort Sumter, passed through the city, en route to Wash-
ington, and received an enthusiastic ovation despite the unusual hour.

We-stern Pennsylvania sent from Pittsburg to Wheeling and other points
adjacent upwards of four hundred recruits to be organized into companies for
the loyal portion of Virginia. Pennsylvania's quota under Air. Lincoln's second
call in 1861 was so promptly filled that recruits too late for enrollment under
the State's quota were obliged to enlist in other States whose quotas were un^-
filled. Western Pennsylvania thus furnished a large number of men, who subse-
quently rendered efficient service in the " Mountain State," being known as the
Second Loyal Regiment of Virginia. Among the prominent Pittsburgers thus
enhsting in the Second Virginia in the service of the Union were Colonel John D.
Owens; Captain Chatham T. Ewing, commanding a battery; Major A. J. Pente-
cost, Quartermaster; \\'m. H. Graham, Colonel David L. Smith, who was pro-
moted to the position of Commissary of the Fifth Corps, Army of the Potomac;
James R. Hutchinson, Joseph Forsythe, John Seibert, Captain A. C. Hays, Cap-
tain C. McClure Hays, and Samuel Scott.

Private Wm. H. Graham, after three years' service, the term of his regi-
ment in active service, remained a year longer with the army, and has the dis-
tinction of being one of the survivors who wit-
nessed the surrender of the Confederate army at
Appomattox, serving with Sheridan's command
on that occasion.

For the same reason the Friend Rifles, Cap-
tain Jacob Brunn, and the Pittsburg Zouave
Cadets, Captain John P. Glass, two companies
recruited in Pittsburg, went to New York and
were promptly accepted and mustered into the
famous " Excelsior Brigade," commanded by
General Daniel E. Sickles, to serve for three
years. Augustus H. Beckert, Ex-Commissioner
of Allegheny County, lost a leg in battle whilst
serving in the latter company.

Other well known citizens of Allegheny
county, Pennsylvania, who, after service in the
three-months' campaign, re-enlisted at Pittsburg
in August, 1861, in the First Maryland Cavalr}-,
were Captains Robert H. Patterson, John H.
Stewart, Leopold Sahl, Jr. (killed in battle Jan-
uary 18, 1862), John Seiferth and James M.
Schoonmaker, Q. M. Serg't (later Colonel Four- capt. john p. glass.

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

teenth Pennsylvania Cavalry), and late Private Wm. Boston, forty years Tipstaff
in Allegheny County Court, Common Pleas No. 2, and Privates William Caches
and Edward and Wm. Zacharias.

The full realization of the war and its horrors were first brought home
to the people of Pittsburg by the casualties befalling the Friend Rifles and the
Pittsburg Zouaves at the battle of Williamsburg, May 5, 1862, where both
these splendid Pittsburg companies, then in New York regiments, m Sickles'
Excelsior Brigade, in Hooker's Division, participated in that severe action, the
brunt of which fell upon Hooker's Division. The brave Captain Jacob Brunn,

MAJ. JOHN POLAND.

commanding the Friend Rifles, was instantly killed in leading the attack, and
his death was soon followed by that of the First-Lieutenant of his company,
Martin V. Miller. Second-Lieutenant Joseph F. Dennison was also seriously
wounded, resulting in the loss of his leg. Thus, in a few moments, the company
was wholly without officers.

Captain John P. Glass' company, the Pittsburg Zouaves, also suffered heavy
losses in the same battle. The enemy outnumbered the Union forces, and caused
heavy losses in the rank and file. Fully a score of Captain Brunn's Company were

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

taken prisoners, and paroled within a few days after their capture. These pris-
oners returned to Pittsburg in time to serve as pall-bearers to their gallant cap-
tain. Captain Brunn was an accomplished linguist, and had been frequently
called upon in earlier days by the courts of Allegheny county to act as interpreter
in the German, French, Italian, Spanish, Swiss, and other foreign languages,
which he had acquired by his seven years' service in the Prussian army. The
death and public burial of Captain Brunn, being the first occurring to a Pitts-
burg officer, created profound sorrow. The funeral of Major John Poland, of
the One Hundred and Second Pennsylvania \'olunteers, who was killed at the
battle of Fair Oaks, was the next to follow that of the lamented Captain Brunn.
The Scott Legion, survivors of the Mexican War, in which Major Poland
had served, attended the funeral service at St. Paul's Cathedral, where Bishop
Domenec preached a patriotic funeral sermon. The Duquesne Greys acted as
funeral escort to the remains of their late comrade, to St. Mary's Cemetery.

Organization of Pennsylvania Reserve Corps.

Pittsburg was well represented in the Pennsylvania Reserve Corps. In the
Eighth Reserves were Company B, Captain Robert E. Johnston ; Company C,
Captain George S. Gallupe ; and Company E, Captain E. P. Schoenberger.
Colonel George S. Hayes, of Pittsburg, commanded this regiment.

The Ninth Pennsylvania Reserves was substantially a Pittsburg regiment.
Colonel Conrad Feger Jackson, the regiment's first colonel, and who had been
promoted to Brigadier-General, was killed in battle at Fredericksburg, Va.

He was succeeded in the Colonelcy
by Colonel Robert Anderson, a gallant
and beloved officer, a former postmaster
of Pittsburg, and a veteran of the Mex-
ican War. Eight companies were re-
cruited in Pittsburg for this regiment,
one in Beaver county, and one in Craw-
ford county.

The One Hundred and Sixteenth
Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, of
Philadelphia, commanded by Colonel St.
Clair Mulholland, also had representa-
tion from Pittsburg in companies re-
cruited by Major David Magraw, of
Allegheny city, and by Captain Samuel
Taggart, who was killed at Ream's Sta-
tion, Va., August 25, 1864.
L-j^.^^^^^^^^^^^^^_» The news of Colonel Ellsworth's

^I^^^^^^^^^^^H^ tragic death. May 2-1, 1861, was received

^Sj^^Hi^^^HR^ in Pittsburg with every manifestation of

^^^ B^K^ ^"^ profound sorrow, as the memory of his

BRiG.-GEN. CONRAD F. JACKSON. triumphal tour, his wonderful control of

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

CAPT. SAMUEL TAGGART.

men, and the visit of the Chicago Zouaves to
Pittsburg were all still fresh in the mind of the
public. His death added much to the prevailing
excitement.

Colonel Samuel W. Black.

Early in June, 1861, Colonel Samuel W.
Black, an eminent Democratic lawyer of Pitts-
burg, returned from Nebraska, of which terri-
tory he was serving as Governor, having resigned
to recruit a regiment for the defense of the
Union. He was a veteran of the Mexican War,
in which he had acquired military experience as
Lieutenant-Colonel of the First Pennsylvania
Regiment. Colonel Black promptly issued a call
for volunteers, and in a very brief period recruited a regiment for the war, which
later became famous as the Sixty-second Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry. The
regiment was mustered into service at Pittsburg, July 4, 1861.

The story of the organization of the gallant Sixty-second Regiment Penn-
sylvania Volunteers at that period is interesting. Colonel Sam Black, on July 4,
1861, was serving as Chief-of-Stafif to General William Wilkins, commander-in-
chief of the forty or fifty companies of Home Guard organizations which had
sprung up in all parts of the city and county, and which rallied in the parks of
Allegheny city for review and patriotic demonstration. General Wilkins' ap-
pearance on horseback, with imposing chapeau of Revolutionary style, and im-
mense epaulettes, and accompanied by a brilliant staff of young officers in full
uniform, led by Colonel Black, presented an imposing spectacle of a most im-
pressive character, long to be remembered.

On the return of the companies to the city from this great review, a telegraph
messenger handed to Colonel Black a despatch from Secretary of War Cameron
authorizing him to recruit a regiment of volunteers in Western Pennsylvania.
On Penn avenue Colonel Black, on horseback, with this message in his pocket,
overtook the Eighth ward Home Guards, commanded by Captain E. S. Vi'right.
Out of respect to Colonel Black the company halted and divided its ranks so as to
allow them to present arms as Colonel Black passed through on his way from
the review.

The Colonel stopped to thank Captain Wright for the honor of the salute,
and announced to him the contents of the dispatch just received from Secretary
of War Cameron, stating that, although he was thus authorized, he had not as
yet secured a single recruit for his regiment. He ended by inviting Captain
Wright to have his company of Home Guards to be the first to volunteer for
his new regiment. Captain Wright ordered his company to break ranks for a
few minutes in order to act upon Colonel Black's message and invitation. At the
end of five minutes the question of volunteering had been submitted, and it
had been unanimously agreed that the company would volunteer to join Colonel

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS. 17

Black's regiment, and that Captain Wright should be continued in the new
company as Captain; also that First-Lieutenant William J. Patterson, of the
Home Guard Company, should retain his office. Captain Wright's company of
Home Guards became Company F of the new regiment, and he and Lieutenant
Patterson served the full three years of the Sixty-second Regiment.

Colonel John W. McLain reported at Camp Wilkins early in May, 1861,
with a magnificent regiment, one thousand strong, recruited in Erie county, for
the three months' call. Its commander. Colonel John W. McLain, of Erie, was
made Commandant of Camp Wilkins. The dress-parades and drilling of this
fine regiment during the first three-months of the war drew great crowds to the
camp daily. This brave officer, like Black and Rippey, met a soldier's death
at the head of the Eighty-third Regiment, in front of Richmond.

Patriotism of German Americans.

No nationality responded to Mr. Lincoln's, call for troops more promptly
or loyally than did the American citizens of German birth, residing in Allegheny
county. The German organization of Turners were among the first to tender
their services, almost in a body.

On the expiration of the three months' campaign the German companies
immediately re-enlisted in regiments for three years' service.

The Seventy-fourth Pennsylvania Volunteers was organized in Pittsburg
by Colonel Alexander von Schimmelfennig, a distinguished graduate of the Ger-
man army. He earned promotion to a Brigadier Generalship for gallant and
meritorious services with his regiment in the campaigns of the Army of the
Potomac.

Many companies composed wholly of German citizens were early recruited
in Allegheny county by Captains Hadtmeyer, F. Gerard, Gus Schleiter, Louis
Hager and Bardel Galisath, achieving fine military records.

President Lincoln's Second Call for Troops.

In August, 1863, President Lincoln's second call for three hundred thousand
more soldiers was issued. Under this call many mere boys were accepted for
military duty, .some not being over fourteen years of age. Fully one-half of
the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth Regiment was recruited from boys between
the ages of fourteen and eighteen. The mortality tables show that these youths
resisted disease and exposure better than did soldiers of maturer age.

Pennsylvania's quota under the first call for troops was twelve thousand five
hundred men, and twenty thousand one hundred and seventy-five had been
furnished. Under the second call, Pennsylvania's quota was eighty-two thousand
eight hundred and twenty-five men for three years. For this call eighty-five
thousand one hundred and sixty were actually recruited. The Pennsylvania
Reserve Corps and other organizations in Camp Wilkins and Camp Wright, by
this call, secured their long-desired chance to be mustered into the United
States service for active duty. Recruiting received a great impetus and became

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS. 19

an actual business. Pittsburg officers also enlisted many recruits for the United
States Navy, and especially large numbers for the gun-boat, ram, and marine
service on the Missouri and Mississippi rivers.

General John C. Fremont passed through the city on July 26, 1861, and
was accorded a public and enthusiastic welcome. The next day Major-General
George B. McClellan, fresh from his victories over General Lee's Confederate
army in Western Virginia, passed through the city, receiving a reception even
much more enthusiastic than that accorded General Fremont. General McClellan
was at that time the hero of the hour on account of his great victory for the
Union cause. As elsewhere in the North, the people of Western Pennsylvania
turned out on the occasion to make General McClellan's reception at the Union
Station an ovation.

On the 23d of July, 1861, another great war meeting was held in City Hall,
presided over by Sidney F. VonBonnhorst, Postmaster of Pittsburg. Honorable
Thomas M. Marshall delivered an impassioned patriotic opening address.
Colonel Samuel W. Black followed as the orator of the evening. Colonel Black
was in fine spirits to aid the objects of this great Union mass meeting when he
delivered his address. He soon after marched with the famous Sixty-second
Regiment to the front, and this proved to be his last public address.

David Blythe, a painter of the humorous in Pittsburg, who, by his war
pictures attained national celebrity, immortalized on canvas, the strenuous Hfe
and duties at Commissary Headquarters, at York, Pa., of the famous old Thir-
teenth Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, in the three-months' service, showing
Captain J. Heron Foster, proprietor of the Pittsburg Dispatch, serving with a
regiment; Max K. Moorhead, Quartermaster of the Regiment, and Captain
Leopold Sahl, all prominent citizens and soldiers, on duty in the camp. This
rare painting of Blythe was loaned for copying in this work, by the late Major
William G. Moorhead.

Return of the Three Months' Troops.

At this period the three-months' regiments commenced returning to the
city from their bloodless campaigns in Maryland and in parts of Pennsylvania,
guarding railroads. Most of the returning volunteers felt disappointed in not
having seen anything of actual war.

They soon responded to Mr. Lincoln's second call, and now volunteered
for three years, or during the war. Immense crowds at railroad stations and
in the streets enthusiastically welcomed these returning braves. Colonel Black
had no difficulty in recruiting the Sixty-second Regiment. Colonel Oliver H.
Rippey recruited ten companies. His regiment marched to the front and became
famous as the Sixty-first Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers. Colonel Alexander
Hays, a graduate of West Point and a veteran of the Mexican War, in a brief
period recruited ten companies. He was commissioned Colonel of the organiza-
tion to become known as the Sixty-third Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers,
which was destined to participate in every battle of the Army of the Potomac.

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

General Hays fell at the head of his di-
vision in the second day's battle of the
Wilderness, having attained the rank of
Major-General.

General James S. Negley, who was
made a Brigadier-General in the three-
months' service, at the end of said term,
soon recruited a brigade, consisting of
the Seventy-seventh, Seventy-eighth and
Seventy-ninth Infantry Regiments, from
counties of Western Pennsylvania.

Thomas E. Rose, of Pittsburg, be-
came Colonel of the Seventy-seventh
Regiment. He was captured by the Con-
federates later, and escaped from Libby
prison by the celebrated tunnel.

The departure of General Negley's
brigade from Pittsburg for the seat of
war in Kentucky aboard six large steam-
ers from the Monongahela wharf, on
October 18, 1861, formed a flotilla of
beauty. The event attracted great at-
tention along the Ohio river towns and landings until its destination was reached.
Colonel Thomas A. Rowley, having returned with the old Thirteenth Regi-
ment from the three-months' service, recruited a new regiment, which became
the One Hundred and Second Regiment Pennsylvania Infantry. General Row-
ley became a Major-General by brevet. This regiment shared the glory of
the old Sixth Corps in the campaigns of the Army of the Potomac. Its brave
Colonel, John W. Patterson, of Pittsburg, was killed in the Wilderness.

Colonel D. B. Morris, Lieutenant-Colonel David M. Armor, and Captains
James Chalfant and George W. Bowers recruited companies in the One Hundred
and First Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, which rendered valuable service to
the Union cause.

Colonel Theodore F. Lehman recruited a regiment which became the One
Hundred and Third Pennsylvania, four companies of which, namely, C, F, I and
K, were furnished by Allegheny county. Company G, of the famous Eleventh
Pennsylvania Infantry, which was recruited by Colonel Richard Coulter, of
Greensburg, was furnished by Allegheny county. This regiment earned great
distinction in its campaigns, being noted in FOx's book of regimental losses for
its high percentage of casualties.

GEN. THOMAS A. ROWLEY.

Cavalry Recruits.

The first cavalry company was recruited in the southern part of the county,
and in the adjacent townships of Washington county. The organization became
Company K of the First Pennsylvania Cavalry. Company G of the same Regi-

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

MAJ. FRANK B. WARD.

ment was recruited by Captain O. H. Robin-
son and Colonel David Campbell, of the old
Twelfth Infantry.

The Allegheny county companies — B, E
and G — in the Fourth Pennsylvania Cavalry,
were commanded by Captains Samuel B. M.
Young, James A. Herron and Benjamin F.
Blood. Lieutenant-Colonel James H. Childs
was promoted to Colonel of this Regiment in
March, 1862, and was killed at the battle of
Antietam. Captain Samuel B. M. Young, at
the close of the war, had attained the rank of
Colonel of this regiment. Dr. C. P. Seip, the
well-known Pittsburg physician, served as
bugler of this regiment throughout the war.

Many officers and men of the Ander-
son Troop, first known as " Buell's Body
Guard," also enlisted in Pittsburg. This troop later became the Fifteenth Regi-
ment Pennsylvania Cavalry. Serving in this regiment, the gallant Major Frank
B. Ward, of Pittsburg, lost his life in battle at Stone river. Judge James W.
Over, Associate Law Judge of the Orphan's Court of Allegheny county, served
throughout the war in this regiment, earning a most enviable record as a faithful
trooper.

Colonel James M. Schoonmaker recruited the
Fourteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry. He was awarded
a Medal of Honor by the Congress of the United
States for gallant and meritorious services in the
field. The late Colonel William Blakely became
Lieutenant-Colonel of this regiment.

Among the early cavalry enlistments from
Pittsburg was that of the ' heroic Captain Patrick
Kane, who fell commanding his company under
General Sheridan, in the action at Hawes' Shop,
May 28, 186^. His company of the Thirteenth
Pennsylvania Cavalry was recruited from the
" Shields Guards," a volunteer company which, un-
der Captain Kane, was the pride of Pittsburg's
Irish population for some years preceding the Civil
War.

Organization of Batteries.

The Artillery service was early an attractive •
one to youths seeking to enlist. Captain James
Thompson, an esteemed Irishman, a veteran of
the Crimean War, was commissioned Captain by
Governor Curtin, to rank from September 24, ^^^ j^^^ ^ Patterson.

22 UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

1861. His Battery was officially designated, " Independent Battery C, Pennsyl-
vania Artillery."

Captain Joseph M. Knapp, organizer of Knapp's famous cannon foundry of
Pittsburg, was next in line with a commission dated October 5, 1861. He was
followed by Captain Robert B. Hampton, commissioned October 17, 1861. These
artillery companies were all mustered in in the fall of 1861, and were best known
locally, and also in the service, by the names of their first captains. They won
great distinction as Thompson's, Knapp's, and Hampton's Batteries. Their
itinerary records include the history of the Army of the Potomac; also of Sher-
man's campaigns and " March to the Sea." Captain Thompson served through-
out the war, and survived after its close to the ripe age of eighty-nine years.
Captain Knapp, after honorable service, resigned in 1863. Captain Hampton
met a soldier's death on the bloody field of Chancellorsville. A fine monument in
the public parks in the city commemorates his memory.

Companies C and E of the Fifty-seventh Regiment Pennsylvania Infantry
were recruited in Pittsburg in the fall of 1861 by Captains William B. Neeper
and James B. Moore, two active members of the Duquesne Greys, who won
honors and promotion in the field. Captain Neeper became Lieutenant-Colonel
of the regiment, specially distinguishing himself at Chancellorsville, and in a
number of other battles in which his regiment sufliered most severely.

Review and Dress Parade in Parks.

Before General Negley's Brigade embarked for Louisville on October 17,

1861, it was arranged to have it pubhcly reviewed in the West Common in
Allegheny, and it was made a memorable and attractive occasion. From sur-
rounding counties of Western Pennsylvania large numbers of people attended
to witness the farewell parade. On this occasion Governor Curtin, accompanied
by his staff in full uniform, presented each regiment with a beautiful stand of
colors. The Governor made a most eloquent and soul-stirring address. The
presentations were in themselves striking object lessons in patriotism, and had
a great effect in promoting enlistments.

Allegheny county's part in recruiting during the first year of the Civil
War, up to the immediate formation of the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth Regi-
ment and the other organizations responding to President Lincoln's call of July,

1862, has been described at some length, as far as the limited space allotted per-
mits. Recruited and in Camp Howe at the same time, August 1, 1862, with the
One Hundred and Fifty-fifth were the One Hundred and Twenty-third Regiment
Pennsylvania Volunteers, commanded by Reverend Colonel John B. Clark, of
Allegheny city ; the One Hundred and Thirty-sixth Pennsylvania Volunteers, of
ten companies, commanded by the late Colonel Thomas M. Bayne ; the One
Hundred and Thirty-ninth Pennsylvania Volunteers, recruited by Colonel Fred-
erick H. Collier.

Many companies of these regiments, while rendezvousing at Camp Howe,
were recruited, however, from the counties of Beaver, Butler, Lawrence and
Allegheny. All these regiments were hurried to the front in time to participate

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

in the Antietam campaign, and each of them suffered very severely in killed
and wounded in the great battle of Fredericksburg, in December, 1862.

Recruiting was also very vigorously conducted for the United States Regular
Army, both of cavalry and infantry, and many recruits, preferring the artillery
and the marine branch, entered those arms of the service. During this period

COL. FREDERICK H. COLLIER.

Allegheny county's quota, through the eagerness shown in enlisting, was in
the incredibly short space of thirty days, fully furnished the Government.

Such is, as brief as possible, a review of the times and the events that oc-
curred leading up to the formation of the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth Regiment
Pennsylvania Volunteers. Contemporaneously with it was another gallant three
years' regiment, the One Hundred and Thirty-ninth Pennsylvania, under Colonel
Frederick H. Collier, for many years a Judge of Common Pleas Court No. 1, of

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

LIEUT.-COL. WM. H. MOODY.

Allegheny county. The One Hundred
and Thirty-ninth Regiment was but a
few days in advance of the One Hun-
dred and Fifty-fifth at the seat of army
activities, and later wore the Sixth Corps
badge with pride and glory in all the
campaigns of the historic Army of the
Potomac. Brevet-Colonel William H.
Moody, in command of the One Hun-
dred and Thirty-ninth Pennsylvania Vol-
unteers, was killed at Cold Harbor. The
efficient Quartermaster of this regiment
was the late Captain Samuel Harper.

In August, 1863, there was also re-
cruited in Allegheny county Company
D, of the One Hundred and Forty-
ninth Pennsylvania, Colonel Roy Stone,
commanding. The officers of this com-
pany were Captain James Glenn, First-
Lieutenant Jacob F. Slagle, Second-Lieu-
tenant VVm. M. Dalgleish. The latter
served on General Reynolds" staff on the
first day at Gettysburg. The One Hundred and Forty-ninth became later a gallant
Fifth Corps regiment, and formed part of the celebrated Bucktail Brigade. Lieu-
tenant Slagle was promoted to Major, and became better known, in later years, as a
Judge of the Common Pleas Court No. 1, of Allegheny county, until his death
in 1901.

First Union Victories Celebrated.

The early Union victories by Burnside at
Roanoke Island and Elizabeth City, in North Caro-
lina, in the East, and Forts Henry and Donelson,
in the West, under General Grant, caused great re-
joicings and public demonstrations in Pittsburg
and surrounding counties. On the 2d of February,
1862, Mayor Sawyer directed that a hundred guns
be fired in honor of the LTnion victories mentioned.

President Lincoln promptly placed General Mc-
Clellan in command of all the armies of the United
States, and assigned him the work of organizing
and drilling the fresh levies of troops, and moulding
from this material the grand army with which he, a
year later, on the Peninsula and at Antietam, con-
tested the legions of the Confederacy under its most
famous generals.

CAPT. SAMUEL HARPER.

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

COL. SAMUEL W. BLACK.

26 UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

Bitter Fruits of the War.

The patriotic people of Western Pennsylvania, among whom had been re-
cruited and forwarded to the front so many thousands of brave officers and
men early in the summer of 1862, began to hear ominous tidings from the ad-
vance of the Union army on the Peninsula, in the campaign against Richmond.
The malarious climate had stricken down many youths, the hosiptals were
filled, and many had died from the same cause. The names of the killed
and wounded in the battles and skirmishes following the opening of the cam-
paign were promptly bulletined each day, the lists increasing as the campaign
progressed. The battles of WiUiamsburg, Fair Oaks, Savage Station, Gaines'
Mills, Malvern Hill, and the Second Bull Run, all contributed thousands of names
to these lists. Crowds daily surrounded the various newspaper offices, eagerly
awaiting the mortality reports.

As the central point for Western Pennsylvania and Eastern Ohio at this
period, Pittsburg soon learned that the sights and scenes of suffering and misery
produced by the combats in the field would require prompt attention, and that ar-
rangements for the prompt care and comfort of these soldiers would become an
imperative duty. Men on crutches from loss of limbs, and otherwise maimed
and disfigured from wounds in action, began to appear in numbers on the streets
of the city. Returned soldiers, home for treatment of wounds or disease, became
numerous and required immediate care. Organizations of patriotic men and
women, without delay, assumed charge of this charitable work.

Soldiers' funerals were also numerous, not only from the casualties of bat-
tle, but also of youths who, unable to endure the exposures of the field, gave up
their lives from disease. Sadness and sorrow filled many homes during that
eventful period.

Among the most prominent officers who fell in the great battles just enu-
merated was the gallant Samuel W. Black, of the Sixty-second Regiment Penn-
sylvania Volunteers. At the head of his brave regiment, in the battle of Gaines'
Mill, Colonel Black was killed, his body remaining within the Confederate lines.
His remains were recognized by the Confederates, and he was buried in a local
cemetery, and his grave duly marked. Two years later, on the advance of
Grant's army in the second campaign against Richmond, Colonel Black's burial
place was discovered within the Union lines. Under authority of General Grant,
who had served in Mexico with Colonel Black, a guard of honor from the Sixtv-
second Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers was detailed to accompany the re-
mains to Pittsburg.

An incident out of the ordinary occurred on the disinterment of Colonel
Black's body, which seems proper to mention. In the inside pocket of his coat
there was found a small morocco pocketbook in good state of preservation, in
which, with memoranda and cards, was found a small photograph of the Colonel
in the full uniform of his rank, and bearing his autograph. The picture was
found to be in excellent condition, and was turned over to his daughter, Mrs.
William J. Moorhead, of Pittsburg, who very kindly favored the committee of
the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth Pennsylvania Volunteers with the privilege of
having the same copied and enlarged for the Regimental history.

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

COL. OLIVER H. RIPPEY.

UxXDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

Colonel Oliver H. Rippey, of the Sixty-first Pennsylvania Regiment, fell, like
Colonel Black, at the head of his regiment in the battle of Fair Oaks. He had
served in the Mexican War with Colonel Black, and had also practiced with
him for years at the Pittsburg Bar, attaining the front rank in his profession.
Colonel Rippey's remains were sent home under a guard of honor from his
regiment. The highest honor was paid his memory by the Allegheny county
Bar and by the municipality, he having resigned the lucrative office of City
Solicitor to recruit the Sixty-first Regiment. His remains repose near Colonel
Black's in Allegheny Cemetery.

Colonel John I. Kevin, of Sewickley, was among the earliest to respond in

April, 1861, to the call of President Lincoln.
By his efforts. Companies A and G of the
Twenty-eighth Pennsylvania Volunteers
were recruited in Sewickley. He was
chosen Second-Lieutenant of Company A,
and reported in Philadelphia to Colonel
John W. Geary, commanding the regiment.
In February, 1862, he, while on duty, was
captured, and confined in Libby and Salis-
bury prisons for six months. On being ex-
changed, he organized Independent Battery
PI, and was made Captain. Later he be-
came Lieutenant-Colonel of the Ninety-
third Pennsylvania \'olunteers, participating
with it in the Gettysburg campaign under
General Sedgwick, on July 2. 1863. As
Lieutenant-Colonel, he was in command of
the regiment, which took a prominent part
in the defense of Little Round Top when
assaulted by Longstreet's columns.

COL. JOHN I. NEVIN.

A AlEijoRAHLE \\'ar Meeting.

During those early days of the war,
party lines had in the main vanished. The Union party was the only party.

The third call of the President, which was for three hundred thousand men,
was issued in July, 1862. On the 2ith of that month, Governor Curtin attended
a great war mass-meeting, held on West Common, Allegheny. Judge William
Wilkins presided, and General Thomas M. Howe was chairman of the Committee
on Arrangements. Both Judge \\'ilkins and Governor Curtin made impassioned
patriotic speeches. Other eloquent speakers were Judge Wilson McCandless, Ex-
Governor William F. Johnston, Reverend Doctor Samuel J. Wilson, of the Pres-
byterian Theological Seminary; Judge P. C. Shannon: John H. Hampton, Esq.;
Reverend Doctor James Prestley ; J. J. Siebeneck, Esq.; Colonel Francis Felix;
and William C. Moreland, Esq. The number of citizens in attendance at the

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

meeting was estimated at over fifteen thousand, and many speaking-stands were
erected. Many additional stands for overflow meetings were also constructed
and used on the occasion. The speeches were all strong pleas for the Union and
that it must be preserved, and that the only way to save it was for the youths of
the country to enlist. Never was eloquence more fervid, and never more suc-
cessful. This was the largest and most imposing demonstration ever witnessed
in Western Pennsylvania. It had immediate results, and many men and youths
present then and there decided to enlist. There the One Hundred and Fifty-

GOV. ANDREW G. CURTIN.

fifth certainly obtained its share. The reported defeat and disaster to the Union
armies only stimulated the people to greater efforts and to renewed patriotic
responses.

Church Influence in the War.

Church influence of all denominations in those trying days was most
actively exerted in patriotic and charitable work in behalf of the soldiers and the
Union cause. Prayers were offered in all churches for the success of the Union
cause and for the President of the United States. Many ministers also became

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

active in urging enlistments in their congregations, and also in arranging for the
care of soldiers' families, and for the sick and wounded.

Reverend Doctor Howard, Pastor of the Second Presbyterian Church of
Pittsburg; Reverend Doctor James Prestley, Pastor of the Sixth United Pres-
byterian Church ; Reverend John Douglass, D. D., of the Covenanter Church ;
Reverend W. A. Passavant, of the Lutheran Church; Reverend Doctor Swift, of
a United Presbyterian Church of Allegheny ; Reverend Doctor Wilson, of the
Western Theological Seminary; Doctor I. C. Pershing, of the Methodist Church;
Reverend Doctor John B. Clark, of a United Presbyterian Church of Allegheny;
and all the ministers throughout the two cities and the county were exceedingly
active and outspoken in sustaining the President and the Union.

Church edifices, as well as public buildings, had the national flag displayed.
Reverend Denis Kearney, at that date assistant at St. Paul's Cathedral, was an
outspoken, patriotic Union man. It was by his direction that, within one week
after the fall of Sumter, a trained steeple-climber was brought from Philadelphia
to Pittsburg for the purpose of putting a flag on the Cathedral, then the highest
spire in the city. The churches of all denominations throughout the county
also floated flags from their spires and edifices, thus showing a true union of
spirit in the churches of all creeds for the Constitution and the Union.

The Right Reverend Michael Domenec, Bishop of the Diocese of Pittsburg,
a native of Spain, in response to President Lincoln's request, went to the Court
of Spain to assist in thwarting the intrigues of Pierre Soule, of Louisiana, and
other Confederate emissaries in obtaining the recognition by Spain of the South-

REV. JAMES PRESTLEY, D.D.

REV. WILLIAM D. HOWARD, D.D.

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

RIGHT REV. M. DOMENEC.

ern Confederacy. Bishop Domenec,
who was a man of great learning and
of extensive influence, is believed to
have been successful on this mission.
He received the thanks of President
Lincoln and also that of Secretary of
State William H. Seward for his
successful efforts.

The prompt action of Bishop
Domenec in the matter of urging loy-
alty and devotion to the Union cause
was most gratifying and beneficial in
its patriotic lessons to all citizens. On
the Sunday following the firing on
Sumter, Bishop Domenec ordered
read from the pulpits of all the Cath-
olic churches throughout the Diocese
an address replete with loyalty and
patriotic exhortations in behalf of the
Union and its preservation. In St.
Paul's Cathedral the Bishop person-
ally read the address, and in addition
expounded the duty of citizens in the
prevailing emergency. He particularly reminded naturalized citizens like himself
that they had taken oaths of fidelity to the Constitution of the United States, and
that the allegiance due by them was as strong as that of those born in the United
States, and obligated them equally to rally to the defense of the Union whether
attacked by internal enemies or foreign foes. Pointing to the dome of the
Cathedral, the Bishop eloquently appealed to Heaven, and prayed fervently that
victory would be grantedr against those attempting to succeed in the great re-
bellion against the Union. His earnestness and zeal in the Union cause united his
clergy and people on the side of law and order, and induced thousands of' the
followers of his faith in the Diocese of Pittsburg to volunteer in defense of the
Union.

The Pittsburg Subsistence Committee.

As the gateway between the Great West and Northwest and Washingfton
City, D. C, Pittsburg early in the war felt the importance of an organized sys-
tem of some kind to afford relief to the vast numbers of soldiers passing through
the city, both going to and returning from the front. Railroad trains and steam-
boats transporting troops were often unavoidably delayed en route, and the sol-
diers, having exhausted their rations, frequently arrived in the city without food,
and were Often compelled to make the entire journey to the scene of army activ-
ities fasting.

About the last days of July, 1861, the late B. F. Jones, of the firm of Jones
& Laughlin, passing along Liberty street one morning, noticed a train of soldiers

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

standing on the tracks of the Penn-
sylvania Railroad Company. The
men, having been started from their
camp without rations of any kind,
and being locked in the coaches, were
clamoring to get out to procure some-
thing to eat. Not many minutes
elapsed before Mr. Jones had pur-
chased the entire stock of apples and
crackers of a neighboring grocery
store, and had them distributed among
the soldiers to satisfy their pressing
wants.

No active step was taken toward
effecting an organization to provide
relief for such cases until Tuesday,
August 3, 1861. The arrival in the
city about midnight on Saturday a
few days previous, July 24, 1861, of
the Twenty-fourth Ohio Regiment,
weary and hungry, with no means of
relief in a land of plenty, emphasized
the necessity of speedy action toward
forming an association for the assistance of such cases. On Sunday morn-
ing this regiment was marched to the railroad station, where, standing
in line, they were served by a number of patriotic citizens, with ham, bread and
coffee.

On Tuesday, August 3, 1861, a public meeting was held and the Pittsburg
Subsistence Committee was organized with the following Executive Committee
and members :

B. F. JONES.

Executive Committee — William P. Weyman, Chairman ; Joseph Albree,
Henry M. Atwood, Doctor Andrew Fleming, Medical Director.

Members.

Albree, R. C,
Caldwell, C. L.,
Carnegie, Thos. M.,
Donnell, J. J.,
Edwards, Geo. B.,
Edwards, Wm. B.,
Fleming, Dr. Andrew,
Howe, Honorable T. M.,
Jones, B. F.,
Lemon, Oliver,

Howard, Miss Rebecca,
Haines, Miss J. B.,
Kennedy, Miss Bessie

(Mrs. Coll),.
Kennedy, Miss Alice

(Mrs. W.R.Howe),
Kennedy, Miss Emma

(Mrs. W. H. Forsythe),
Kennedy, Miss Sallie

(Mrs. Speer),

Bruchlocker, Miss Mary,
Breed, Miss Emma

(Mrs. T. F. Phillips),
Lothrop, Miss Martha

(Mrs. W. P. Weyman),
Lemon, Miss Sidney,
LaughHn, Miss Lizzie

(Mrs. H. S. Bailey),
Maitland, Miss Mary,
Moorhead, Miss Mary E.,

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

OLIVER McCLINTOCK.

JAMES PARK, Jr.

MISS RACHEL McFADDEN.

MISS LAURA CHILDS
(Mrs. Oliver McClintock.)

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

Lane, A. H.,
Little, Geo. W.,
Mattern, J. C,
McClintock, Oliver,
McClure, G. W.,
Nevin, Edw. H.,
Park, James, Jr.,
Robinson, Harry,
Riggs, C. H.,
Breed, Miss Sarah

(Mrs. Chas. Zug),
Denniston, Miss Kate

(Mrs. Stockton),
Dalzell, Miss Martha

(Mrs. Jas. M. Bailey),
Howard, Miss Mary

(Mrs. Henry M. Hay),

Schwartz, J. Ernest,
Scott, John,
Semple, Frank,
Thaw, Wm.,
Travelli, John J.,
Vandervort, B.'F.,
Weyman, B. Frank,
\\ oods, J. McQ.,
Weyman, Geo. W.
Young, W. W.,
Albree, Mrs. Jos.,
Albree, Miss Lizzie B.,
Arthurs, Miss Ann,
McFadden, Miss Rachel,
Atwood, Miss Lizzie,
Bryan, Miss Mary
(Mrs. R. C. Albree),

Moorhead, Miss Hettie,
Park, Miss Mary

(Mrs. Jas. A. Lowrie),
Robinson, Miss Mary,
Rodgers, Miss Julia

(Mrs. D. C. Mattern),
Thaw, Miss Annie C,
Thaw, Miss Lidie

(JVErs. Geo. B. Edwards),
Townsend, Miss Sabina

(Mrs. A. J. Rankin),
Lane, Miss Maria E.,
Lane, Miss E. P.,
Weyman, Miss H. K.,
Wade, Miss Bessie,
Childs, Miss Laura

(Mrs. O. McClintock),

The duties of this committee were to provide for the subsistence of such
companies and regiments as were in process of recruiting in the city, until they
were regularly mustered into the United States service, and to supply transient
wants of soldiers passing through the city. To serve this purpose the committee
rented the old Leech warehouse, corner of Penn and Wayne (how Tenth)
streets, and fitted up the same with dining-room and kitchen sufficient for the
accommodation of an entire regiment at one time.

On the next Sunday morning, August 8, 1861, one week from the time the

Twenty- fourth Ohio Regiment was fed,
the Twentieth Indiana Regiment, en
route to the front, was marched to the
newly-furnished quarters, and given a
breakfast consisting of ham, bread and
butter, and cofifee, by the Pittsburg
Subsistence Committee. On all incom-
ing through trains the Committee dis-
tributed a circular inviting sick and
wounded soldiers to avail themselves of
the means of assistance furnished by the
committee.

Many other regiments and com-
panies were taken care of in the old
Leech warehouse until October of the
same year, when city councils granted
the free use of the City Hall, then one
of the largest and finest buildings in the
county, for this purpose, and the head-
DR. ANDREW FLEMING. quarters of the Committee were trans-

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

WILLIAM THAW.

ferred to it. On the main floor of the
hall were placed ten long tables suf-
ficient for the accommodation of
twelve hundred soldiers at one meal.

Doctor Andrew Fleming, a lead-
ing physician of the city, took charge
of the Medical Department, and under
his supervision an adjoining room was
fitted up as a hospital, where the sick
and wounded soldiers might receive
the best medical attention, in addition
to the many little delicacies that
" often do more good than medicine."

Here the subsistence work was
carried on with renewed diligence, the
Committee entering earnestly and
heartily into the work of supplying the
wants of the brave defenders of the
Union. No appeal was made to the
public for funds, with a single excep-
tion that when the treasury was empty
at one time, a call was made by the
Committee upon the banks and busi-
ness men, who responded most liberally. From that time the public voluntarily
contributed so freely that the treasury was never exhausted.

Among the most liberal contributors to the funds of the Subsistence Com-
mittee was the late William Thaw, whose open purse helped out the Committee
in oft-occurring emergencies.

It was found by experience that owing to the distance of City Hall from
the railroad station, many soldiers who arrived by one train and departed by the
next, could not avail themselves of the hospitality of the Committee. To obviate
this disadvantage, on January 18, 1863, the second floor of the warehouse at 347
Liberty street, opposite the station, was fitted up as soldiers' quarters, and called
the " Soldiers' Home," meals being furnished here day and night. Upon one
occasion, the railroad having given notice a few hours in advance, thirty members
of the Subsistence Committee fed five thousand soldiers in twelve hours.

The walls of Old City Hall contained two memorable tablets, one bearing
this inscription :

" Pittsburg Subsistence Committee, Organized August, 1861, Dissolved
January, 1866, Sustained by Voluntary Subscriptions of the Citizens."

On the other inscription,

" 409,745 Soldiers Entertained in This Hall, 79,460 Sick and Wounded
Provided for at the Soldiers' Home, Total 489,205."

The Pittsburg Subsistence Committee needs no other record to speak to
posterity.

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

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UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

The Christian Commission.

The Western Pennsylvania branch of the Christian Commission was or-
ganized April 6, 1863, and relieved the Pittsburg Subsistence Committee of all
its duties except that of providing refreshments and medical attendance for
all regiments, companies or individual soldiers passing through the city to and
from the seat of war.

On the date above mentioned the Subsistence Committee transferred all its
hospital and medical stores to the army branch of the Christian Commission, and

REV. HERRICK JOHNSON, D.D.

WILLIAM P. WEYMAN.

the latter at once became active in collecting and distributing supplies for sick and
wounded soldiers.

At a meeting of the ministers of the various denominations of Pittsburg and
vicinity, held in the Second Presbyterian Church, April 6, 1863, the Army Com-
mittee of Western Pennsylvania was organized, and the following officers elected :

President, Reverend Herrick Johnson ; Chairman of Executive Committee,
Honorable Robert McKnight ; Secretary, Robert C. Totten ; Treasurer, Joseph
Albree ; Receivers, William P. Weyman, John R. McCune, Joseph Home, Henry
W. Atwood ; General Committee, Reverend William D. Howard, D. D., Reverend
S. J. Wilson, D. D., Reverend Wm. Preston, Reverend Wm. A. Snively, Reverend

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

HON. JAS. K. MOORHEAD, M.C.

JOSEPH ALBREE.

Geo. S. Chase, Reverend I. C. Pershing, Reverend H. H. Higbee, Reverend S.
Stewart, Reverend E. E. Swift, Reverend C. E. Swope, Reverend W. J. Reid,
Reverend Reuben Hill, Reverend J. D. Herr, Honorable J. K. Moorhead, Harvey
Childs, B. Wolff, Jr., Joseph McKnight, G. Follansbee, James McCandless,
Charles Arbuthnot, J. G. Backofen and Robt. H. Davis.

On the evening of April 16, 1863, the first public meeting was held, and from
that date the new Committee began active work in connection with the United
States Christian Commission. In 1864, Mr. Albree took the title of Field Sec-
retary, and William Frew became Treasurer. A band of patriotic men and
women had been trained to the work. The previous work of the Subsistence
Committee had been so remarkably efficient that its transfer of this part of its
duties to the Christian Commission secured for the latter a corresponding con-
fidence and influence. To the noble devotion of Messrs. Albree and ^^'eyman
belongs no small portion of the credit for the grand record which the Pittsburg
branch of the Christian Commission presents. The field of operations of the
Commission included Western Pennsylvania, Eastern Ohio and West \''irginia.
Local committees were everywhere organized, and the entire territory was thor-
oughly and systematically canvassed. The press and transportation companies
placed their facilities at the disposal of the Commission and were immensely
helpful to the noble cause.

The Pittsburg branch of the Christian Commission was associated with
those auxiliaries of the United States Christian Commission, whose field of work
was with the armies of the Southwest, having their principal depot at Nashville.

Considering the fact that the immense work carried on by the Commission

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

was entirely gratuitous, no salaries being paid, its success was remarkable. The
annual increase in the amount of stores received was about five .fold. In addi-
tion to cash receipts of $158,334.37, stores were collected to the value of $679,-
664.89 ; cash value of all receipts, $837,999.36. This magnificent showing was in
excess of any other branch of the United States Christian Commission. The total
cash value of supplies collected by the Pittsburg branch of the Christian Com-
mission was only a little less than that collected by the central office. The total
expense for collecting and forwarding the large receipts of the Pittsburg auxiliary
was only $3,787.35.

During the later years of the war the various Conferences and Presby-
teries in the home field Commission, at their own expense, kept delegates at
the front, co-operating with the Government in caring for sick and wounded
soldiers, and ministering to the comfort of the troops generally.

Felix R. Brunot.

Honorable Felix R. Brunot, a distin-
guished citizen of Pennsylvania, past the
age of military service, early volunteered
as an organizer of the United States
Christian Commission to visit the army
camp hospitals to relieve the many sick
and wounded requiring care and atten-
tion. Whilst Mr. Brunot was engaged on
this duty on the Peninsula with General
McClellan's army, the great Seven-Days
battles before Richmond occurred, and
the Confederates captured in battle many
thousand Union soldiers and many thou-
sand more of the badly wounded and
sick in the field hospitals also fell into the
enemy's hands, together with the sur-
geons, nurses, hospital attendants and
members of the United States Christian
Commission. Mr. Brunot was taken to
Libby prison — the Confederates declining

to recognize him as a non-combatant entitled by military law to immunity from
imprisonment. Mr. Brunot, in Libby prison, was invited by the Confederate au-
thorities to visit Secretary Stanton in Washington to secure a modification of
the existing orders prohibiting the introduction of medical supplies to any part of
the Confederacy. The unexpectedly large number of Federal wounded and sick
prisoners captured found the Confederates wholly unprepared for their care, and
their condition appealed strongly to the sympathies of Mr. Brunot. He accepted
the mission to Washington. His appeal and request for the suspension of the
existing military orders was refused by Secretary of War Stanton. Mr. Brunot
was urged in Washington not to return to Richmond to resume imprisonment in

FELIX R. BRUNOT.

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

Libby. The plea was made to him that he was a non-combatant entitled by usages
of war to immunity from imprisonment. These urgent appeals of personal friends
were not entertained, Air. Brunot asserting that he had given his parole of honor
to return within the Confederate lines, and that no mere personal discomfort
would justify him in dishonoring his parole. He accordingly returned to Rich-
mond and delivered his answer to the Confederate authorities of his failure to
secure from the Federal Government the medical supplies solicited for the suffer-
ing wounded and sick Union soldier prisoners. Few more chivalrous incidents of
exemplary honor during the Civil War is to be found than is illustrated by the
conduct of Mr. Brunot on this occasion. The Confederate authorities, unable to

provide for the unprecedented large
number of wounded and sick Union
prisoners, soon after thfe return of
Mr. Brunot from Washington paroled
all the wounded and sick, and included
him in the exchange. As an officer
of the Christian Commission, Mr.
Brunot resumed his duties and at-
tentions to the care of the returned
prisoners in camp and to the soldiers
in field-hospitals. Mr. Brunot con-
tinued until the close of the war most
active in the work of the United
States Christian Commission and later
to the United States Sanitary Com-
mission in its great field of labor on
the field with the Union armies.

Doctor Thomas Dickson, one of
the three brothers, eminent surgeons
of that name, practicing in Pittsburg,
and all of whom left their home pa-
tients, in the first battles of the war,
contracted typhoid fever while serving
with the United States Christian Com-
mission in the camps of McClellan's army besieging Richmond, and fell a martyr
to that disease. His two brothers. Doctors John and Joseph Dickson, were serving
with him at the time, and continued to respond with their personal attendance and
services to calls for volunteer surgeons on every great battlefield of the Army of
the Potomac until the end of the war.

Women's Work in the War.

The valuable and devoted services of the women of Pittsburg to the sol-
diers in the field and in the hospitals cannot be too highly extolled. They ex-
hibited a consecration to the work of humanity that is sacred and beautiful
beyond words.

Also among the first to tender their services to the Government as nurses

DR. THOMAS DICKSON.

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

were the Sisters of Mercy, of Allegheny county. They soothed many a fevered
brow, and watched the glorious young life ebb from many a patriot youth.
Their four years' work at the West Penn Hospital during the war is part of
Pittsburg's patriotic history. There lives to-day many a white-haired man who
cherishes in memory's choicest casket the tender recollection of a gentle, loving,
kind-faced Sister of Mercy, in somber robe, who was ever at his bedside when
his Hfe trembled in the balance. No sooner were the Union soldiers victims
to the missiles of the enemy, or prostrated by the many camp diseases than a
corps of trained and experienced nurses of that day, the ladies composing the
Sisters of Mercy of the diocese of Pittsburg, tendered their services to the Gov-
ernment of the United States, to go to any place where the sick or wounded
required attention. President Lincoln, in a grateful letter to Bishop Domenec,
returned his thanks, and at once accepted
this kind offer. The Government, which
had taken possession of the West Penn
Hospital of Pittsburg, with Doctor
James King as surgeon in charge, at once
turned over the entire management and
conduct of the institution to the Sisters
of Mercy, and to the corps of surgeons
of whom Doctor King was chief, who
had so heartily endorsed their qualifica-
tions. Their services were continued
from early in the war until long after
its conclusion. During those four years
many thousands of Union soldiers,
badly wounded and afflicted, became pa-
tients under the charge of these Sisters.
The development of the war, and the
great battles following required an in-
crease of hospital accommodations in
Washington, and a second draft upon
the Sisters of Mercy of Pittsburg was

made by Secretary of War Stanton, and they were placed in charge of the new
Stanton Hospital, Washington City, probably the largest institution for wounded
soldiers in that city. A score or more of Pittsburg's Sisters of Mercy served
faithfully and devotedly there throughout the war.

Under the supervision of the Christian Commission the first low-diet kitchen
in connection with military hospitals was established by a Pittsburg lady. Miss
Mary Moorhead, in the Cumberland Military Hospital, at Nashville, Tenn. This
kitchen was maintained about two years, feeding during that period from one
thousand to fifteen hundred patients.

Of the one hundred and six ladies commissioned for the work in these low-
diet kitchens, thirteen were from Pittsburg and vicinity, namely. Miss Mary E.
Moorhead, Miss Ellen R. Murdoch, Miss Hannah Shaw, Aliss Hetty Lathrop,
Miss Mary A. Little, Miss Mattie J. Fowler, Miss Mary Humbert, Miss Emily

DR. JAMES KING.

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

Hunnings, Miss Maggie Hopper, Miss Phebe Nease, Miss Mary Hunnings,
Miss Lizzie DeHaven, Miss Howells. Among these ladies thus devoted to the
Union cause, none was more distinguished for zeal and self-sacrifice in charitable
work in the hospitals of the Union armies than Miss Ellen R. Murdoch, now
Mrs. Ellen Murdoch Watson.

MRS, ELLEN MURDOCH WATSON.

In this field of work of Miss Mary E. Moorhead and the volunteer ladies,
assistants, the Commission was enabled to accompHsh prompt and efficient relief
for the soldiers through her father, the Honorable James K. Moorhead, one of
the most influential Congressmen during Lincoln's entire administration, and an
intimate personal friend of Secretary of War Stanton.

These Pittsburg ladies mentioned above also set up a low-diet kitchen at
White House Landing during General McClellan's Peninsula campaign. Mrs.
Watson, quoting from her interesting diary, says that, being attracted on one

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

occasion by the spectacle of a steamer coming down the James river from Rich-
mond under a flag of truce, they were astonished and delighted to see their
townsman, Honorable Felix R. Brunot, step ashore from the steamer, having
been released from his imprisonment by the Confederate Government, together
with thousands of paroled prisoners of war.

It is due to the memory of an esteemed and worthy lady of Pittsburg to
mention the name of Mrs. Kate Savage, lately deceased, whose husband, the late
John Savage, was proprietor, during the war, of a hostelry known as the " Amer-
ican Hotel," on Liberty and Grant streets, and immediately parallel with the
old Pennsylvania Railroad Passenger Station at Liberty and Grant streets, since
replaced with the Union Station. Trains from the East and the West almost
daily bearing regiments and companies as well as individual soldiers on fur-
lough came into the station at all hours, and particularly often during the night,
many being sick or wounded, and all hungry. The late Hunt M. Butler, Union
Depot master during the Civil War, in a card to the Pittsburg newspapers, wrote
a just tribute to the patriotic zeal and afifectionate solicitude shown throughout
the war by this good lady. To the soldiers, sick and wounded, without pay or
reward of any kind to his knowledge, Mr. Butler says she furnished meals and
lodging, and assisted many a poor, distressed, wearied, and often penniless sol-
dier passing through the city. She co-operated in every way with the zeal
and charity of the ladies of the Pittsburg Subsistence Committee in number-
less cases. It often occurred that exhausted and stricken soldiers, broken down
by the long ride on the cars, were unable to walk or be conveyed to the bountiful
table provided in Old City Hall for soldiers, or even to the Soldiers' Home, and
in such cases Mrs. Savage and her servants would carry food and refreshments

to them in the cars. Mr. Butler, who was a daily
witness to these benefactions so cheerfully and
gratuitously rendered the soldiers by Mrs. Sav-
age, all without ostentation or display of any
kind, urged that a permanent tribute to commem-
orate her deeds of charity to the soldier should
be made in Pittsburg's war history.

An instance of wounded soldiers being cared
for, far from home and far from the battlefield
where they fell, is recorded in the fact that
seventy of the wounded from the battle of Pitts-
burg Landing were brought to Pittsburg by a
hospital steamer, and cared for and tenderly
nursed by the loving women of the loyal city of
Pittsburg.

First Soldiers' Orphans' Home.

The mortalities, casualties and sufferings in-
cident to the Civil War found the State of Penn-
MRS KATE SAVAGE sylvania unprepared, with her many other

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

pressing obligations during the first )'ears of the continuance of the war, to pro-
vide homes and quarters for the many orphan children of soldiers throughout the
Commonwealth. The private homes, hospitals and orphan asylums of the various
religious denominations were wholly inadequate. To assign those unfortunate
soldiers' orphan children to the county poor-house was not to be thought of.

To Colonel James P. Barr, of Pittsburg, is due the distinction of being the
first to display a practical interest and devotion to the soldiers' orphans by his
establishing in Pittsburg the first Soldiers' Orphans' Home, located on Bluff
and Stevenson streets. This school was opened early in 1861, and continued
to be maintained throughout the years of the Civil War and after, until the year
1867, when the State of Pennsylvania established the system of State Orphans'
Homes and Schools, in all parts of the State. There were sheltered and pro-
vided for in the Pittsburg Soldiers' Or-
phans' Home, founded by Colonel Barr,
upwards of a thousand children of sol-
diers who fell in battle or died of disease
contracted in the military service. The
matron of this home was Miss Mary J.
Stafford, a native of Pittsburg, selected
for possessing the peculiar sympathetic
qualities and patriotic devotion to the
welfare of the wards placed under her
charge. Colonel Barr,' although at the
head of a great daily newspaper during
this period, which made great demands
upon his time, manifested great personal
interest in the development and mainte-
nance of this school, which was supported
wholly by the generosity of himself,
and a few other public-spirited citizens
of Pittsburg.

During the continuance of this Or-
phans' Home, the patriotic founder, to
reside closer and to more readily visit and superintend the institution, removed
from a remote part of the city to a dwelling next door to the home.

Patriotism, 1861-1862.

The foregoing pages, comprising the introductory chapter of this history,
from Sumter to Appomattox, constitutes a brief review of the rapidly transpiring
events of 1861 and 1862 in Western Pennsylvania. To this is added the names
and records of citizens, and tributes proper to preserve the memory of those
heroic patriots who so promptly, unselfishly and unremittingly sacrificed their
time and their means so liberally in sustaining the Government of the United
States in the great crisis of the Civil War. They rose above partizanship in
their zeal for the Union cause, disdained personal benefit or profit arising from
the necessities of the Government, in vivid contrast with the prevailing commer-

COL. JAMES P. BARR.

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

cialism of the present times. Without exception, no grander galaxy of loyal,
disinterested, public-spirited and true men than the one hundred citizens com-
posing the Committee of Public Safety could be found in any other country.

Nor was the loyalty, philanthropy and zeal manifested by the citizens named
in this chapter deserving of any greater acknowledgment or gratitude than that
of the ladies who so promptly rallied to the relief of the sick and wounded sol-
diers on the field, in the hospitals and in their journeys to and from the seat
of war. With such conspicuous and persevering examples of loyalty and pa-
triotism of the citizens of Western Pennsylvania, it is not strange that the
younger generation of youths composing the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth Regi-
ment Pennsylvania Volunteers, on their enlistment, should have been imbued
with the same noble principles and desires to spare no sacrifices in defending
the Union.

MISS MARY J. STAFFORD.

46 UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

REGIMENTAL ITINERARY.
Chapter I.

THE PRESIDENT'S CALL FOR 300,000 MEN.

Governor Curtin's Proclamation ; Call for State's Quota. — Prompt and
Rapid Recruiting of. — Cause of Activity. — Disasters of McClellan's Army
on Peninsula Doubted. — Great War Meeting in West Common. — Recruit-
ing Stands.^Reports of Meeting. — Eloquent Speeches. — Reverend John
B. Clark Organizes One Hundred and Twenty-third Pennsylvania Volun-
teers.^ — College Students, Farmer Boys and Apprentices Rally as Recruits
TO One Hundred and Fifty-fifth Pennsylvania Volunteers. — Promoters of
Companies Become Officers Without Election. — Physical Examination of
Recruits. — Clarion County Companies Join Regiment at Camp Howe. —
Colonel E. J. Allen Chosen Colonel. — Recruits Organized Into a Regi-
ment AND Ordered to Washington', D. C, September 2d. — Forced March of
Two Miles from Camp Howe to Railway Station. — Three Hours to Each
Mile. — Departing Scenes. — Freight and Stock Cars. — ^Railway Journey
in Dark. — Receive Arms and Accoutrements at Harrisburg. — Reach

Baltimore.

^RESIDENT LINCOLN, on July 2, 1863, issued a call for three hun-
dred thousand additional troops to assist in defending the Union and
Constitution.

On July 7, 1862, the Adjutant-General of the United States Army
made requisition on Governor Andrew G. Curtin, requesting him to
raise in Pennsylvania, as soon as practicable, twenty-one new regiments of vol-
unteer infantry, and on July 21, 1862, Governor Curtin issued a proclamation
as follows:

Pennsylvania — ss. :

In the name and by the authority of the State of Pennsylvania, I, Andrew
G. Curtin, Governor of said Commonwealth, issue the following

Proclamation :

To sustain the Government in times of common peril by all his energies, his
means and his life, if need be, is the duty of every loyal citizen. The President
of the United States has made a requisition on Pennsylvania for twenty-one
new regiments, and the regiments already in the field must be recruited.

The existence of the present emergency is well understood. I call on the
inhabitants of the counties, cities, boroughs and townships throughout our borders

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS. 47

to meet and take active measures for the immediate furnishing of the quota of
the State.

I designate below the number of companies which are expected from the
several counties of the State, trusting the support of her honor in this crisis, as it
may be safely trusted to the loyalty, fidelity and valor of her freemen.

Given under my hand and Great Seal of the State at Harrisburg, this 21st day
of July, in year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-two and of
the Commonwealth the eighty-seventh.

A. G. CURTIN.

By the Governor.
Eli Slifer,

Secretary of the Commonwealth.

Governor Curtin Addresses Great War Meeting.

The newspaper reports for months previous, emanating from Washington, of
desperate fighting and great victories had aroused the people of Allegheny county,
Pennsylvania, and led them to regard the Union armies as invincible; so that
when the news of the disasters befalling McClellan's army on the Peninsula, and
Pope's army on the plains of Culpeper, Warrenton and Manassas, in the closing
days of July, 1862, and the sullen and stubborn retreat of the Union army to the
defenses of Washington, reached Pittsburg, the public was appalled.

While the terrible news was received in sorrow, it caused no dismay, but
stimulated to fresh efforts the latent patriotism of the youths of the country.
Allegheny county was aroused, and to this patriotism formal expression was
promptly given in a great war meeting held on the 24th of July, 1862, in the
West Common, surpassing in numbers and intense interest any previous war
meeting held in the State of Pennsylvania.

Preparations for the meeting had been in progress for several days previous,
which resulted in an assemblage of between fifteen and twenty thousand people.
The speakers were Andrew G. Curtin, Governor of Pennsylvania; Honorable
William Wilkins; Judge Wilson McCandless; Professor Samuel J. Wilson, of
the Western Theological Seminary ; Thomas M. Marshall, Esq. ; Honorable
Judge P. C. Shannon; Honorable T. J. Bigham; Ex-Governor William F. John-
ston, and other highly distinguished citizens. Professor J. T. Wamelink, organist
of St. Paul's Cathedral, with a corps of singers, occupied a stand, and rendered
inspiring, patriotic music, both vocal and instrumental. There were five speakers'
stands, and two stands for speakers of overflow impromptu meetings. At the
meeting were also many citizens in charge of recruiting booths, with martial
music and transparencies, inviting young men to " fall in " and join the com-
panies then being recruited.

The strong emotions that filled the minds of the citizens of Western Penn-
sylvania at that period are exhibited in the extensive newspaper descriptions of
the meeting. The powerful and stirring eloquence of the orators exerted great
influence on the youth of that day. The earnest resolutions of loyalty to the
Union which were adopted voiced the sentiment of the people of Pennsylvania,

48 UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

in the darkest hour of the Civil War, to stand by President Lincoln. The meet-
ing caused a fresh uprising of the patriots of the State. In less than two weeks
following this great war meeting ten new regiments of infantry, two new inde-
pendent batteries, and several cavalry regiments were recruited in Allegheny
county, attributed directly to this meeting.

As bearing on the development of the future One Hundred and Fifty-fifth
Regiment, Captain S. A. McKee, Colonel John H. Cain, Captain Lee Anshutz,
and Captain Samuel Kilgore all attended this great meeting as recruiting officers.
It was there that they rallied the nucleus of their future companies.

General Thomas M. Howe presided over this great assemblage, and an-
nounced the list of officers for the various stands. General Howe had a State-
wide reputation as a public-spirited, patriotic citizen and successful business
man, and from Sumter to Appomattox devoted his time to aid the Union cause.

The Chairman, Honorable Thomas M. Howe, in calling the meeting to order,
announced the list of officers :

Stand No. 1 — Honorable William Wilkins, president, assisted by over one
hundred vice-presidents, comprising most valued and respected citizens.

Secretaries — Robert Finney, J. R. Hunter, Samuel Harper, E. A. Mon-
tooth, William B. Negley, William C. Moreland, Thomas M. Bayne, H. E. Davis.

Stand No. 2 — General William Robinson, Jr., acting president, assisted by
Simon Drum, John Morrison, C. T. Ihmsen, J. McDonald Crossen, and Thomas
McKee, vice-presidents.

Stand No. 3 — Thomas Bakewell, Esq., acting president, assisted by B. C.
Sawyer, G. L. B. Fetterman, John Birmingham, J. Sampson, and B. A. McVay,
vice-presidents.

German Stand — G. G. Backofen, Esq., acting president, assisted by N.
Voeghtly, Francis Felix, Major D. Fickeisen, Doctor A. H. Gross, and A. Hol-
■stein, vice-presidents.

Reverend W. D. Howard, D. D., at the opening of the meeting, addressed
a fervent prayer to the Throne of Grace, which was listened to with great
attention.

Honorable P. C. Shannon then introduced Judge Wilkins, the Chairman,
and proposed three cheers for him, which were cordially given. The pres-
•ence of a man of the magnificent appearance of the venerable William Wilkins,
then in his eighty-seventh year, appearing like a voice from the Revolutionary
period in which he was born, appealing to the youth of later generations,
added very much to the impressiveness of the occasion. In person he was fully
six feet tall; of fine classical features, heightened by extreme age; displaying
a wealth of snow-white hair resembling that of Andrew Jackson. His appear-
ance united with the beauty of his diction and the vigor of his eloquence and
appeals for the supremacy of law and the preservation of the Union, made his
powerful oration convincing and far-reaching in its effect.

The very eloquent address delivered on that memorable occasion by Professor
Samuel J. Wilson, D. D., wrought the populace to the highest pitch of enthusiasm.
His commanding appearance, the earnest and impressive manner of his oratory,

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

50 UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

as with uplifted hand he appealed to the youth to rally for the Union, and in-
voked in forcible terms the noblest attributes of the human heart, thrilled the
vast assemblage.

His impressive interrogatory, " What is gold — what is silver — as compared
with the honor of the Nation? It is offal when thrown into the balance against
the liberties of our country," electrified his hearers. The speaker's impassioned
eloquence, and appeal to the youth to go forth and battle for the Nation's life,
reached the sublimity of patriotic oratory.

The attendance of Governor Andrew G. Curtin at this mass-meeting in
his official capacity attracted the greatest public interest because of his untiring
zeal and labor for the Union. Governor Curtin was at that time in the prime
of mature manhood, having a manly, erect figure, pleasing countenance, and a fine
voice, and with his iron gray hair he presented all the attractive qualities which
his reputation as a gifted orator had gained for him. On this eventful occasion
he seemed more solemn, more earnest, and bore marks in his countenance of
profound concern. Those who heard his address will never forget the opening
words of Governor Curtin on being introduced. Gazing at the sea of faces before
him, without the slightest introductory remarks, his clear voice thundered out
the words. "The Peninsul.\r campaign i.? a failure! The Union armies

HAVE NOT BEEN VICTORIOUS ! TheY HAVE BEEN DRIVEN BACK TO THE GATES OF

Washington, notwithstanding .vll reports to the contrary!"

The effect of these words, so dramatically uttered, was startling in the ex-
treme because so unexpected.

The magnificent speeches of Judge Wilkins, Governor Curtin and Professor
Wilson were followed by most eloquent appeals in behalf of the Union cause
by ex-Governor Johnston, Judge Wilson McCandless, Judge P. C. Shannon,
Honorable Thomas J. Bigham, Thomas M. Marshall, Esq., John H. Hampton,
Esq., Colonel Francis Felix, and Honorable James Lowry, Jr.

Mr. Hampton was called upon by the audience to speak because of his great
zeal and labor in organizing the successful meeting, being chairman of the
committee on speakers. In response to loud calls, Mr. Hampton took the plat-
form and was received with very great applause, being a recognized, popular
speaker. He seemed much affected and wrought up by the addresses of the
preceding speakers.

To deliver an oration worthy of the great occasion, in his opening remarks
Mr. Hampton impressively parodied a celebrated classic utterance by the great
Roman orator, Cato, on a not unsimilar occasion, when the Roman legions had
been defeated. Striking an attitude of majestic defiance, and with intense and
impassioned emphasis, Mr. Hampton exclaimed, " Notwithstanding the dark and
gloomy tidings of disaster to the Union army, 'my voice is still for war!'"
Pausing for a moment at the close of this solemn utterance, Mr. Hampton was
rudely surprised by the response which was shouted him from the lips of a
wounded Union soldier in the audience, " Damn your great big voice ; it's your
wee small body we want."

Although Mr. Hampton was famous at the Pittsburg Bar for his imper-
turbability and presence of mind in court, which nothing could disconcert, he

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

JM.Hmpm

UxXDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

freel}- admitted in after years that the interruption and remarks of this wounded
soldier, thus made, completely destroyed his current of thought and shortened
and spoiled his intended great speech.

Renewed Exthusiasm in Recruiting.

As an immediate result of this awakened enthusiasm by the powerful and
stirring addresses at this meeting, a great impetus was given to recruiting through-
out Western Pennsylvania. Recruiting offices were opened in many of the
conspicuous streets in the cities and boroughs. The fife and drum for recruits
were heard continuousl}- during all hours of the day and often late at night. In-
deed, many drum corps seemed to parade the streets with every new recruit
secured.

The advertisements in the newspapers of the day and in the public hand-
bills emphasized the requirement in recruits that " None but sober, steady men
need apply." This at first appeared very suggestive that a prohibition army was
being recruited instead of a grand rally in defense of the Union. All recruits,
however, did not attain this high standard of sobriety.

Schools axd Churches Furnish Recruits.

Alini-ters left their pulpits and organized companies during this period ;
notably, Reverend John B. Clark. D. D., pastor of the Second United Presbyterian

Church, who, bidding farewell to his con-
gregation on girding on the sword in de-
fense of his country, recruited a regiment
in a period of less than ten days. The ma-
jority of his regiment were youths belong-
ing to his own flock, who proved gallant
soldiers. Reverend Clark held a war meet-
ing in the lecture-room of his own church,
and there organized his regiment, the One
Hundred and Twenty-third Pennsylvania
\'olunteers, he being unanimoush' chosen
as Colonel.

College students ' breaking off their
course of study, industrial apprentices with
unfinished terms, law students short of ad-
mission to the bar, and youths and adults
from every vocation vied with each other
in hastening to defend the flag.

In the enthusiasm of the youths eager

to enlist, but few elections for officers were

held, the minds of the recruits not being

upon office or position. The choosing of

REV. JOHN B. CLARK, D.D. Company" officers was, therefore, left in

UNDER THE .MALTESE CROSS.

DO YOU LOVE YOUR COtilTRY?

IF SO , RALLY FOR HER DEPIII^SBI

YOUNC MEN,

T«v Cnutxj dcaaals nn seisiec. €im» Utimi, (k»n,wfih
willhK iaifa aid brave hearts, It crash tat frcastat

A FINS OPPOKf UBTITT

Is now offered to persons desiring lo enlist for three
years or daring the m»r, by tbe

Now in camp, near PittsDurgh, nbo require a few mrfe
good nclive men to fill up their. ranks to the complement
sf 101 . This Company is attached lo the

INDEPGraT SftlRMISHEBS

A.C30SIPTiaX> XMT

COL HIRAH PITZ'S RBGSHSNT.

Persons wishing (o Join will please call immediately %t

Wo. ei "Wooa street,

VlfDEB LAFAYETTE HALL, PITTSBVB6a.

D. M. ARMOR, Capt

TYPE OF WAR TIME HAND BILL IN 1861-2.

54 UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

most cases to the promoters who had published the calls for recruits and incurred
recruiting expenses.

Organization of the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth.

The nucleus of the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth Regiment was Company
A and Company B of the " Kier Rifles," so named in recruiting in compliment
to S. M. Kier, a large contributor to the Union cause.

" The Hiland Guards," called after Alexander Hiland, who was Clerk of
Courts, was recruited by A. L. Pearson and E. A. Montooth, and it subsequently
became Company A of the Regiment.

Captain Frank Van Gorder and Joseph B. Sackett organized Company B of
the Kier Rifles, which became Company E of the Regiment.

Company A of the Kier Rifles, which was recruited by Captain John Markkj
E. E. Clapp and H. A. Breed, formed Company F of the Regiment.

"The Park Zouaves " was named after the late James Park, Jr., a patriotic
steel manufacturer of Pittsburg. It was recruited under the call of S. A. McKee,
a veteran of the Mexican War. It became Company I of the Regiment.

" The McAuley Guards " was recruited under the call of James J. Hall as
Captain, and Samuel Kilgore and Alexander Carson, Lieutenants. It was named
after James McAuley, who bore all expenses of its recruiting, but became Com-
pany D of the Regiment.

" The Park Rifles " was organized by John H. Cain and Lee Anshutz. It
became Company C of the Regiment, with its organizers as officers.

Comp.my G of the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth was organized at the home-
stead of Doctor Charles Klotz, of Clarion county, who was made Captain.

Company K was known as the " Loyal L'nion Guards." It was recruited
in Armstrong county in response to a call for recruits signed by J. A. Cline, of
Kittanning. It subsequently became Company K of the One Hundred and
Fifty-fifth, Cline being chosen Captain.

Company LI of the Regiment was recruited in Clarion count}- by Captain John
Ewing and Lieutenant D. E. Lyon, who were its first officers.

Physical Examination of Recruits.

All these companies, as soon as the men and the various recruiting officers
had been examined, and had passed the physical inspection of the United States
surgeons, were formally mustered into the United States service by Captain E. H.
Ludington, of the Seventeenth United States Infantry, mustering officer for
Pittsburg.

It might be interesting to the reader to describe the required physical exami-
nations. They were usually conducted in the rear rooms of the recruiting of-
fices, and were rushed through with the very greatest celerity because of the
existing emergencies. The great majority of the recruits, being youths from
sixteen to twenty, were sturdy, healthy, athletic boys, who, at the inspection, read-
ily disported themselves in nature's garb, demonstrating by gymnastic efforts,

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS. 55

trapeze performances, hand-springs and mischievous pranks generally, their
physical fitness, convincing the examining surgeons so as to pass the strenuous
youths in a body. Quite a minority, however, of the recruits, on one pretext or
another, were ver}- backward about being examined, and succeeded in avoiding
the ordeal. A few others were absent paying farewell visits to Bacchus, etc.,
but all were finally allowed to be mustered in. Many of the quota thus excused
from examination, in active service soon proved to be physically unfit for active
campaigning. Many of these, who did not die, were quite early mustered out on
surgeons' certificates of disability.

Rendezvous in Camp Howe.

The companies named above, upon being mustered in, were ordered to
report under their temporary officers at Camp Howe, now in the Fourteenth ward
of Pittsburg. The camp at that time was composed of a large tract of land
known as " Linden Grove," containing fifty acres, well laid out and watered,
with comfortable barracks and quarters erected thereon for the accommodation
of soldiers. It was occupied during the Civil War as a rendezvous and drilling
ground for recruits.

The companies named, and subsequently merged into the One Hundred
and Fifty-fifth Regiment, were all promptly clothed in ill-fitting blue uniforms,
unbleached underwear and astonishingly large army brogans. With the startling
instructions — though there was probably not a cartridge in the camp — to shoot
on sight any individual attempting to enter or leave Camp Howe, with or without
the countersign, the recruits were promptly armed with muskets belonging to the
camp, and detailed for camp guards.

The company from Clarion county, subsequently Company H, is conceded,
on the evidence of its future Captain, John Ewing, the honor of having one of
its recruits shed the first blood in his country's cause at Camp Howe. The recruit
thus honored insisted to a camp guard on duty that he had a right to go in or out
of the camp with or without the countersign. To end the discussion, the Com-
pany H recruit was given a prod with the bayonet by the guard that drew the
claret. This claim of first blood, however, was later seriously disputed on behalf
of Private James Fielding, of Company E. Fielding insists that a jab from a pro-
truding bayonet, which a recruit carelessly left sticking out of a tent at night,
drew blood from his big toe. From this wound Fielding was forever afterward
rendered hors du combat. Not being able to decide between Company H and
Company E on this grave subject, the compilers of this history are compelled to
remit the determination of the rival claims to, the category of undecided contro-
versies arising out of the Civil War.

Life and Scenes in Camp Howe.

The first assemblage and residence of the companies in Camp Howe was
marked with great spirit and gayety. The country boys, recruits from the Kis-
kiminetas, the Youghiogheny and the Monongahela valleys, and from the Clarion

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

and the Red Bank rivers, had brought with them to camp their musical instru-
ments, violins, flutes, guitars and mandoHns. The city men and boys, in addition
to their musical instruments, formed a glee club, George P. Fulton performing
on the guitar, and Harry Campbell and Robert Culp on the mandolins. Among
the many good vocalists were Colonel E. Jay Allen, Captain A. L. Pearson, John
H. Ralston, Jack Campbell, and Lieutenants E. A. INIontooth, George F. Morgan
and Samuel Kilgore. The week's sojourn in the camp was thus rendered a period
of marked enjoyment and conviviality. In the barracks at night there were " hoe-
downs," and music both instrumental and vocal, the singing ranging at times from
the martial to the humorous and the pathetic. Every day was marked by visits
of delegations of ladies and friends from the city and vicinity. Even though the
new uniforms did not fit, the recruits put forth their best efforts to please their
visiting friends.

This paradise of pleasure was rudely marred by the bill of fare and abom-
inable cooking arrangements of the camp. Shortly after the arrival of the com-
panies at Camp Howe, so-called camp-cooks were provided ; and then began an
experience of which the country boys, accustomed to mother's cooking, had
never before dreamed. Food of the most abominable character was served — ^vile
smelling and vile tasting. The country boys, who were compelled by force of
circumstances to live on these rations, soon began to experience the first symptoms
of home-sickness. The city boys, however, did not remain in camp for meals,,
on!)- reporting daily, and consequently escaped this unpleasant experience.

The companies were entirely free and independent up to that time, there
being no regimental organization in Camp Howe, although it was generally un-
derstood that E. Jay Allen was to be the
Colonel of the Regiment because of his
previous military experience in the field.
On the 3d of September, isii-.'. however, the
nine companies then in camp were ordered
to report immediately at Washington un-
der command of Colonel Allen, who was
commissioned Colonel at Harrisburg, as
Regiment -was on its way to the former city.
Colonel Robert Anderson, commanding
the Ninth Pennsylvania Reserves, on the
day before the Second Battle of Bull Run
granted a furlough to Sergeant James Col-
lord to join a company in Camp Howe,
which had been recruited for him bv his
friends at home. This company later be-
came Company F of the One Hundred and
Fifty-fifth. Sergeant Collord declined ac-
cepting the furlough until after the battle
which was then impending. The battle oc-
curred the next day and Sergeant Collord
LiEUT.-coL. JAMES COLLORD. ^"^'^^ badly wounded. On report of the sol-

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS. 57

diely conduct of Collord in this battle, Governor Curtin recalled an intended Cap-
tain's commission for him, and instead issued to the brave Sergeant a commission
as Lieutenant-Colonel of the newly-formed One Hundred and Fifty-fifth Regi-
ment. Owing to the severity of Lieutenant-Colonel Collord's wounds and con-
tinuance of disabilities he resigned at the end of two months.

ALxRCHixG Orders. — P.\ckixg Up.

While the companies were thus enjoying themselves with festivities, and in
getting used to their misfit uniforms and infamous food at Camp Howe during
the last week in August, 18(1-?, history was being made fast in the vicinity of
Washington. The disastrous campaign of Pope's army, which had been driven
to the very gates of ^^'ashington, cut short the jovialty of the several regiments
hastily recruited and quartered at Camp Howe. The One Hundred and Twenty-
third Regiment, Colonel John B. Clark; the One Hundred and Thirty-sixth,
Colonel Thomas M. Bayne ; the One Hundred and Thirty-ninth, Colonel F. H.
Collier; and a number of cavalry and artillery companies were all in the same
rendezvous, at Camp Howe. They were all ordered to the beleaguered Capital
at Washington as fast as the Pennsylvania Railroad trains could carry them.

On the memorable 2d of September, 1862, marching orders were received
for the future One Hundred and Fifty-fifth to break camp and march to the
Union station on Liberty street, next day, and there to take the cars for Wash-
ington, to share in checking the onslaught of the enemy. The scene on the eve
of Waterloo described by Byron's immortal stanzas, " There was a sound of
revelry by night," and the gayety at Brussels, rudely interrupted by the dashing
messenger who conveyed the order to the officers in the ball-room to march to
the battle of Waterloo, is paralleled by the orderly who brought the startling
news that night to the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth, announcing marching orders
for Washington at daylight. The new soldiers left the gay ball-room in the
concert hall of the barracks, some abruptly terminating friendly games of cards
in their quarters, on receipt of the ominous marching orders, all probably being
duly impressed that unless the Regiment hurried to the relief of the imperiled
Capital, the Confederates would catpure it.

The freight or cattle cars, or probably both, which the Pennsylvania Railroad
at that time was able to provide for the departing Regiment, it was announced in
orders, would not leave the station until 7 p. ii. Through some mysterious cal-
culation as to the time required to accomplish this short march of three miles
from Camp Howe to the Liberty street Station, it was deemed imperatively neces-
sary to enable the march to be accomplished in time, to sound the reveille as early
as five o'clock in the morning. This very liberal allowance of fourteen hours to
accomplish the packing up and short march of the new command could not be
■complained, of as being too severe or arduous on the nevy recruits, even in the
exciting emergency. Contrasting the time allowed for the march from Camp
Howe to the railroad station with the rapid-transit gait the same men acquired
later, in their memorable forced marches of twenty-eight and thirty miles a day
in the Maryland and Gettysburg campaign, it seemed most amusing. However,

58 UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

the elaborate preparations, the number of contlicthig orders, the delays, the ob-
structions, the countermanding of orders to getting ready to " fall in " and to
" fall out " for the march from Camp Howe to the relief of Washington via the
Liberty street Station, will never be forgotten by those participating.

Heavy Knapsacks. — A ^Iemoeable ]\L\rch.

All the morning of the 3d of September in Camp Howe was not unlike
many of the mornings spent and time lost by afmies in active campaigning, in
getting ready to fight. In Camp Howe, the new recruits were occupied up until
three o''-lock in the afternoon before they got under way, and bade farewell
forever to Camp Howe and its varied memories. The day of the departure was
unusualb' hot. The men in the ranks were still burdened with home presents
and gifts and material thought to be necessary in active warfare, stowed away,
making their knapsacks quite heavy. The contents of the latter were, of course.
Bibles, albums, shoe-brushes, clothes-brushes, tooth-brushes, soap, spoons, knives
and forks, cups and saucers, suspenders, gloves, neckties, mirrors, shirts, vests,
extra caps, etc., etc., swelling up the knapsack to an inordinate size. Some men
in the ranks, providing against rainy days, carried umbrellas. To all these were
added heavy blankets, and haversacks gorged to repletion with fruits and pre-
serves, to guard against possible starvation en route. Many of the canteens also
were filled with beverage — whether with water, coffee, or ardent spirits must ever
be a subject of conjecture. A march of one or two short squares brought the
greatest disorder and confusion to this untrained, undisciplined, and undrilled
corps, not unlike, for diversity of step, deportment, uniform and unsoldieily gait,
Falstafif's famous guard. At the end of the first two squares, which brought the
column to Fifth avenue, the ranks were broken for town-pumps and watering
troughs to bathe the fevered brows of the fatigued marchers. The right to rest
at this stage was conceded the column : and in half an hour, by coaxing and
threatening, the recruits resumed position, where they could recognize it, with
their own companies. The need of a fifer or drummer or band-master was at this
stage sadly felt. Although there was plenty of material in the regiment, the
Government in the emergency had furnished neither fife, drum nor flag to the
new organization.

The second " fall-in " after this half-hour's rest was followed by a slow
and easy march for another half hour, when by unanimous consent, but without
a formal vote, a second halt took place in the vicinity of Craft avenue, for the
double purpose of a rest as well as to allow the stragglers to catch up. Three-
quarters of an hour's halt was deemed necessary at this point to enable the wearied
recruits to regain strength sufficient to make the next mile inning. Much of this
being down hill, was accomplished with less fatigue and straggling in the ranks,
although a number took a half-way halt in the classic precincts of Soho, and
tarried there long after the Regiment had passed.

Flag Presentation En Route.
Before reaching the scene of the flag presentation scheduled to take place in
the vicinity of Ross street and the Court House at 6 o'clock p. ii., several more

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

60 UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

halts were agreed upon by the embryo officers and their men, but the column was
very much decimated b}- the time it reached the Second ward school-yard on
Ross street, where the flag presentation was to take place. The departing Regi-
ment, which was scheduled to depart from the Liberty street Station at 7 o'clock
p. M., was, by the 'compliment of the railroad authorities, indulged until half-
past nine, so as to allow the last tardy straggler from Camp Howe to rejoin his
company. Straggling had set in early and cofitinued late. Many of the men did
not know their officers. The Regiment had no designation ; and, until fjie future
officers would get their commissions, authority was very tenderly exercised. The
nine hundred men composing the nine companies made the three-mile forced
march at the rate of a mile in three hours. Many broke down, and sought trans-
portation in passing wagons and carts ; others loaded their baggage and persons
on the one-horse bob-tailed street-car line that had been recently constructed.
The final long-halt made at the Second ward school-house was for the purpose of
listening to a flag presentation by the ladies of the Second ward to Colonel E.
Jay Allen, the future commander of the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth. With this
rest the survivors of the march straightened up and, displaying considerable
sprightliness and improvement of step, as the ladies and crowds on the sidewalks
cheered them, marched down Fifth avenue to Wood street, thence to Liberty
street, where the train awaited them. The accession of the new flag thus pre-
sented also seemed to inspire the patriots with renewed vigor for the completion
of their journey to the railroad station.

Brr.\kixg Home Ties. — Farewell Scenes.

IJberty street, where the cars awaited the soldiers from Camp Howe, was
literally crowded by the friends and acquaintances of the departing soldiers; so
that when they broke ranks to enter the cars assigned them, they were beseiged
with demonstrative attentions of their friends and relations. The patriotism of
the young ladies of that day was so exuberant that they did not confine their
farewell embraces of hugging and kissing to sweethearts and relatives only, but
bestowed their favors and attentions on the boys in blue indiscriminately. At
this final farewell the embracing and farewell kisses of mothers, wives and
sweethearts, and smacks in general, resounding from every quarter, lasted until
the train departed at 9:30 p. m., the crowd cheering to the last echo as the train
bore the loved ones away, many of them never to return.

At the debut of this undisciplined, hastily organized collection of city boys
and country )'ouths, who added to the heavy-burdened knapsacks in many
cases, a walking arsenal of Bowie knives and horse pistols, ready for the emer-
gencies of war, it would seem hardly possible, that they would so soon, in a
few months, under efficient officers, become converted to well-drilled and disci-
plined soldiers. Yet it is a fact that these same raw recruits, for perfection in
drill, and especially in the bayonet exercise, were rewarded bv the Government
at the end of their first year, with the unique and fancy dress uniform of
zouaves, constituting one of the three volunteer regiments honored by the Gov-
ernment by being assigned to serve in the same division with Svkes' United States

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

Regulars. Not only did they excel in drilling, but their forced marches from
twenty-eight to thirty miles a day in the Maryland-Gettysburg campaign, carry-
ing muskets and sixty rounds of ammunition, exhibited their great development
in rapid^transit marches over their first and memorable march from Camp Howe,
Oakland, to the Liberty street Station a short year before.

On to Harrisburg and Washington.

The train steamed out of the Liberty street Station at 9 : 30 p. m. The
departing train was made up of freight cars, there being neither lamps, candles
nor lights of any kind, and the recruits retired early, and were soon in the land
of nod, after their early rising, fatiguing day's labor and marches. No stops
occurred on the route to the State Capital, where they arrived quite early. The
Regiment was immediately detrained, and marched a mile or more to Camp
Curtin for breakfast, being assisted and escorted on this early march by the
accommodating Provost Guards on duty at Harris-
burg. All day of the ith of September was spent
at Harrisburg, and many of the recruits escaped
from the camp and inspected the Capital and the
city at large.

While at Harrisburg it was announced to the
Regiment that Colonel E. Jay Allen had received his
commission and was to be recognized as Colonel of
the Regiment, which was to be numbered and known
as the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth Regiment
Pennsylvania Volunteers.

At the State Arsenal in Harrisburg, the Regi-
ment was armed with very heavy ordnance called
the Belgian rifle, and immediately entrained for
Washington via Baltimore. The accession of the
very heavy guns and cartridge-boxes to the already
heavy-laden recruit made his life very burdensome.
On arriving at Baltimore, the Regiment detrained
and bivouacked on the sidewalk of Eutaw street,
where they partook of the bounty of the Government
in the shape of a meal composed of raw pork, hard-
tack, and black, unsugared, uncreamed coffee. ^^'^^'SJJah H°pfngbum*^ ^■'^^^"

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

Chapter II.

CAMP CHASE.

Regiment Reaches Washingtox at 6 a. m. — Takes Breakfast at Soldier's
Retreat in Svvampoodle District. — Hardtack, Coffee and Salt Pork for
Breakfast. — March to Camp Chase. — Lqng Roll Sounded at Midnight in
Camp Chase. — One Hundred and Fifty-fifth Assigned to Allabach's
Brigade, Humphreys' Division, Fifth Corps.' — March to Fairfax Semi-
nary. — March to the City of Washington. — Colonel Allen Orders Wagon
Load of Oysters. — Humphreys' Division Exchange Belgian Rifles and
Sword Bayonets for Harper's Ferry- Muskets with Buck-and-Ball Car-
tridge. — Halleck Orders Humphreys' Division to Move.

Arrival in Washington.

iFTER a short stop in Baltimore and a detention en route at the Relay
House, the Regiment reached ^^'ashington, still in the uncomfortable
freight cars, at 6 a. m. Not an official, guide or chaperone of any
kind was on hand to receive or to pilot to breakfast the tired and
hungry One Hundred and Fiftj'-fifth Regiment. Colonel Allen and
stafif, however, who were excellent and vigilant foragers on this first assumption
of command of the Regiment, soon discovered the famous " Swampoodle dis-
trict," where the " Soldiers' Retreat " was located. This was the name of the
barracks 'in \vhich the meals to new regiments were furnished by the United
States at all hours. Colonel Allen's organization, approximating a thousand
men, needed no military drill or rehearsal to enable it to get into line promptly
on the Colonel's order to " fall in " on this occasion for breakfast. They im-
mediately stormed the " Soldier's Retreat." and took possession of the eating
stands and the contents thereof. Their first Government meal consisted of
hardtack, black, sugarless, creamless coffee with tin cup accompaniment, and
boiled salt pork. The soldier guests were allowed to stand and wait on them-
selves throughout the so-called meal.

Forced ^Lvrcit to Camp Chase.

About ten o'clock the Provost Guard of ^^'ashington assisted in gathering
in many of the sight-seeing bovs and they were marched in a body back to the
" Soldiers' Retreat," from whence they had wandered. Orders had come by
this time that the Regiment was needed at the front and should immediately
march across Long Bridge to Camp Chase on Arlington Heights. It at once

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

MAJ.-GEN. GEORGE B. McCLELLAN.

64 UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

packed up and made the march, under a broiling sun, arriving at Camp Chase
late in the evening. In this camp beautiful tents were distributed to the Regi-
ment, and the recruits soon began to attain a more soldierly appearance and
deportment. The few days they were permitted to remain in this fine camp af-
forded an opportunity for the officers to become acquainted with their men.
Guard and picket duties were also explained to the men who went on that duty.
To test the promptness of the command to respond to orders for action, Colonel
Allen, in this camp, had the " long roll " sounded at midnight, which meant a
call " to arms." This first test of the men was highly successful. They got out
of their elegant new tents with great alacrity and promptly fell into the ranks, all
believing the alarm to be a genuine and a real call to action, and that the enemy,
who was near by, had been discovered in force preparing for an attack on
the new camp. However, this was not the case, and Colonel Allen, before
dismissing the Regiment, thanked the officers and men for their exceedingly
prompt response to the long roll. At the same time he declared that it was
merely to test the Regiment that he had the call to arms sounded and the Regi-
ment routed from their tents at that unseasonable hour.

Allabach's Brigade. — Humphrey's Division.

In Camp Chase orders were read assigning the One Hundred and Fifty-
fifth Regiment to the newly-formed brigade of Pennsylvania regiments com-
manded by Colonel P. H. Allabach, a veteran of the Mexican war. It was also
simultaneously announced that the newly-formed brigade would form part of
the new division organized,, also composed of Pennslyvania regiments, and which
had been placed under command of Brigadier-General Andrew A. Humphreys,
late chief of topographical engineers, on the staff of General jNIcClellan, and
that the brigade and division had been assigned to the Fifth Army Corps, com-
manded by General Fitz John Porter. The Regiment the next morning marched,
mimolested by guerrillas or Black Horse Cavalry, a distance of four or five miles
to the vicinity of Fairfax Seminary, Virginia, and remained there all dav Sep-
ternber 11th.

General ]\IcClellan Resumes Command.

General George B. McClellan, who but a week prior to this date, had been
specially ordered by President Lincoln to again assume command of the Army
of the Potomac, was already leading his army in the :\Iaryland campaign against
the Confederates, whose columns were already invading that State. The rear
guard of the Confederates, however, still tarried in close vicinity of Fairfax
Seminary and other points near the Capital, their object being to detain Union
troops from joining :\IcClellan's army in pursuit of Lee. The day following the
midnight test by Colonel Allen already described, and the march the next day
to Fairfax Seminary by the Regiment, it was discovered that all of the rear
guards of the enemy had left their post, and were in full and rapid march to
join Lee's columns, invading Maryland.

HUMPHREYS' DIVISION FLAG,
September 18, 1862, to May 16, 1863.

THE MAN WITH THE MUSKET.

Soldiers pass on from this rage of renown,

This ant-hill, commotion and strife,
Pass by where the marbles and bronzes look down

With their fast-frozen gestures of life,
On, out to the nameless who lie 'neath the gloom

Of the pitying cypress and pine ;
Your man is the man of the sword and the plume,

But the man of the musket is mine.

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

MAJ.-GEN. ANDREW A. HUMPHREYS.

66 UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

An Oyster Feast. — Colonel Allen's Treat.

Humphreys' Division, on September 13th, marched from Fairfax Semi-
nary and crossed over the Potomac on the Acqueduct to Georgetown, and pro-
ceeding thence to Washington, where it encamped for the night. The One
Hundred and Fifty-fifth, after this marching, was short of rations, and the
men were beginning to feel the pangs of hunger. Colonel Allen was equal to
the occasion, and endeared himself to his command by promptly supplying the
failure of the Commissary to reach the Regimental bivouac with the necessary
rations. The Colonel visited Harvey's celebrated oyster depot on Pennsylvania
avenue, Washingfton, and ordered a wagon load of oysters in the shell to be de-
livered forthwith at the camp of the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth. In order
that no mistake in the destination of the oysters should occur. Colonel Allen
took a seat on the wagon accompanied by Mr. Harvey, the caterer. More wel-
come visitors, or more welcome goods, could not be imagined, than the considerate
Colonel and the contents of the wagon. The hungry soldiers, however, and es-
pecially those in the ranks from the countr}-, unused to opening bivalves, had their
patience sorely tested by the delay in getting at the oysters. The Governmental
power of " eminent domain " was exercised by pressing into service a number
of contrabands hanging around the camp, and commanding them with their
oyster knives to open the shells. This oyster feast was enjoyed immensely.
The patriotic Harvey declined to receive any compensation from Colonel Allen,
and announced that if one wagon-load was not enough, he would send others
up. At the close of the banquet, the Regiment gave Colonel Allen three hearty
cheers, whereupon he referred briefly to the public spirit Mr. Harvey had dis-
played in refusing compensation. This statement elicited three cheers and a
tiger for Harvey. The tardy wagons, with the supplies of hardtack and coffee for
the Regiment, however, joined the camp during the night, in time for distribution
of army rations at breakfast.

Great confusion, however, existed in army circles in \^■ashington at this
time, owing to the many unassigned soldiers and scattered organizations. Many
of the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth, on the march through the streets of Wash-
ington, became detached from their comrades and were unable to find the camp
that night. A number of these sufficient to compose a company, as if defending
the Capital, wandered into Jackson Park, and bivouacked at the foot of the bronze
equestrian statue of the rampant horse, on which Andrew Jackson appears to be
so bravely mounted and welcoming the public with his military chapeau. These
patriotic stragglers, however, failed to share in the distribution of Harvey's
oysters, and great was their disappointment on missing the rare treat.

Regiment Armed with Effective Weapons.

Humphre3s' Division, at this hah in \^'ashington, exchanged the ponderous
Belgian rifles and sword bayonets received at Harrisburg, the military board pre-
sided over by Captain .\. T. A. Torbert, U. S. A., having condemned them as
unfit for service. These arms were undoubtedly imposed upon the Government
in the emergency as effective weapons, and no doubt some grafter of that period

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS. 67

laid the foundation of a colossal fortune in thus swindling the Government. In
place of these useless arms, left at the Arsenal in Washington, the Regiment
received the Springfield rifles, being the old-fashioned muzzle loader, with ram-
rod and percussion cap accompaniments. The ammunition used in these ex-
changed guns was three buckshot and a bullet, called " buck and ball," which
in actual service became destructive only at close range.

As further evidence of the extraordinary confusion existing in Washington,
in the administration of General H. W. Halleck, an incident connected with
Humphreys' Division at this date is worthy of mention. As General-in-Chief,
Halleck issued the subjoined order on September 13th to General Humphreys,
ordering him to leave Washington with his newly-formed division within a few
hours, under pain of being court-martialed. This censure of one so energetic
and fiery a leader as Humphreys for tardiness and want of zeal, it is needless to
state was most uncalled for.

(Copy )

" Headquarters of the Army,

Washington, Sept. 13th, 1862.
Unless General Humphreys immediately leaves to take command of his
division in the field, he will be arrested for disobedience of orders.

(Signed) H. W. H.klleck,

General in Chief.
Addressed to General A. A. Humphreys."

This astonishing dispatch to General Humphreys was a most uncalled for
aspersion and betrayed lamentable ignorance on the part of Halleck of the situ-
ation. This controversy involving the commander and men of Humphreys'
Division is deemed of sufficient importance to incorporate in the Appendix. Gen-
eral Humphreys officially replied to Halleck's charge, and demanded that a Court
of Inquiry be convened to exonerate him from the unjust accusation implied in
Halleck's peremptory order just quoted.

68 UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

Chapter III.

FORCED MARCH TO AXTIETA:\J.

March of Humphreys' Division for- Wf-stern" Maryland Commenced
Sunday Morning, September 14:TH. — jMake Fifteen Miles in Heat and
Dusty Roads. — Cannonading Heard During the Day in Direction of South
Mountain. — General Humphreys at Head of Column. — ^NIarch Continued
ON September I-jth. — Abandoned Articles of Clothing and Knapsacks
Along the Route. — Forced March Resumed. — Reach Clarksville Late in
Evening. — Forced AL\rch Resumed September 16th. — September 17th
Humphreys Division Reaches Monocacy River. — Debris of Burned Bridge.
— First Real Evidence of W.ar. — Paroled L'nion Prisoners. — Humphreys'
Division H.\lts at Frederick. — Covers Appro.\ches to Washington. — Forced
ALarch to Join Army of Potomac Resumed. — Humphreys' Division Arrives
AT Antietam in ^Iorning of ISTH. — Harrowing Sights and Scenes. —
Humphreys' Division Takes Position in Reserve of Army of Potomac. —
Confederate Dead and Wounded Left in Hands of Union Forces. — Cordial
Reception of Commander-in-Chief. — Company' G of One Hundred and
Fifty-fifth Selected to Engage in Reconnoissance. — Camp McAuley. —
One Hundred and Fifty-fifth Without Shelter or Medical Supplies. —
President Lincoln Reviews Army of Potomac. — Colonel J. H. Puleston,
Representing Governor Curtin, Presents State Flag to One Hundred and
Fifty-fifth. — Regiment Without Accommodations for Sick or the Benefit

OF Clergy.

The Antietam Campaign.

IHE march into ^laryland of the eight new regiments of Pennsylvania
troops, aggregating eight thousand recruits, composing Humphreys'
Division, was commenced very early Sunday morning, September
14th, the shortest route from Washington to join McClellan's army
being in the direction of Western Alaryland. The troops, though
heavily burdened, marched all day in the great heat and dusty roads, making
fifteen miles, which was regarded as a most satisfactory feat for fresh troops
but little over a week from home. Late in the afternoon the Division, or rather
those who kept up with the colors, encamped for the night on the outskirts of
the beautiful village of Rockville, ;Md. This camp will be remembered as the
place where private Robert A, Hill, of Company " F," was shot in the foot by
an over-officious guard for trespassing on a peach orchard.

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS. 69

General Humphreys at the Head of His Din'isiox.

During this day's march the cannonading opening the battle of South Moun-
tain could be distinctly heard by the troops. As the column was hurriedly march-
ing in that direction, it was obvious to all that serious work was before the
Regiment. General Humphreys, the Division commander, made his appearance
with his staff at the head of the Division during this day, and became very con-
spicuous, riding backward and forward along the column on his superb charger,
appearing to be the very embodiment of energy and martial bearing. At this
time General Humphreys seemed to be a man of about fort)'-five years of age,
having fine classical features, wearing glasses, a military cape, and a black
slouch hat. He had a sturdy, well-knit figure, and in his movements and con-
versation displayed a most earnest and determined manner.

Rockville, iNId., where the Regiment camped that night, proved interesting,
as being the site of General McClellan's army headquarters two days previous.
September 15th was spent in continuing the march from Rockville from early
in the morning until three o'clock in the afternoon, when a long halt was taken
for dinner. Among the noteworthy incidents of the forced march made by
Humphreys' Division the preceding two days, were numerous well-filled knap-
sacks lying on each side of the route where they had been tossed by foot-sore
men who had carried them. New army overcoats and blankets issued by the
Government had also been thrown away by soldiers who were unable to carry
them farther on the fatiguing marches. Teamsters with the army wagon-trains,
who followed, often dismounted and picked up these abandoned articles on the
roadside, and in many cases were known to sell them to citizens along the route.

After dinner marching was resumed, and the same scenes continued until
late in the evening, when the column reached Clarksville and bivouaced for the
night, tired and worn-out by the severe marching in hot weather.

Early next day, September 16th, the column resumed the march, passing
through the villages of Hyattstown and Urbana, the populations of which treated
the marching troops very coolly. There were no cheers nor encouraging words
uttered by any of the inhabitants as the Union troops marched through these
places.

The Regiment this day manifested evidences of fatigue, and many more
knapsacks, overcoats and impediments to marching were thrown away by the
command. Night overtook many of the men who were unable to keep up, lagging
far behind the advance of the Regiment, unable to maintain the speed which
General Humphreys, Colonel Allabach, Colonel Allen, all riding superb horses,
so strenuously urged them to do. Nature asserted itself in many cases, and
from sheer exhaustion many of the troops could go no farther. Others turned
in at points where they broke down and formed temporary messes and groups
for the night. One of the rendezvous affording a night's shelter for the broken-
down and foot-sore inexperienced soldiers was a Young Ladies" Seminary build-
ing, recently vacated. There were man}- rooms and dormitories in the building,
also- a fine orchard of ripe apples and peaches adjoining, and plenty of limpid
water, all of which made it for a night's lodging a most welcome discovery. All

70 UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

the rooms on the different floors were occupied by the soldiers who had dropped
out of the ranks from exhaustion. The fatigued occupants retired very eadv.
The Confederates of Longstreet's Corps had occupied this building a few nights
previous. They had written their autographs, and many unpatriotic inscriptions,
with burnt sticks, on the beautifully, white-plastered walls. They had registered
their names, ranks, and regiments conspicuousl)' ; some recording disloyal epi-
grams and other epitaphs on Abraham Lincoln. The Union troops (about one
hundred in number) who found shelter in the hospitable seminary also took
burnt sticks and recorded tributes far from complimentary to one Jefferson
Davis and the Southern Confederacy, indulging at the same time in loyal
cartoons of Lincoln, Washington, etc. The names of John M. Lancaster,
Theophilus Callen, Newell D. Loutsenheiser, Thomas P. Tomer, James P.
O'Neil, Robert P. Douglass, Hugh Leonard, James Finnegan and John
Crookham, all of the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth, are among those now re-
called as having duly recorded their names, ranks, etc., that night on the walls
of the parlors of the seminary.

Private McKenna, of Company " E," especially distinguished himself on
this occasion as a lightning artist, and was given three cheers by the comrades
who witnessed his performance, and unanimously voted Regimental artist.

Before resuming the march the next morning the seminary orchard was
invaded by the visiting Union soldiers and the ripe apples and peaches liberally
appropriated at breakfast.

Scenes at Monocacy River. — Paroled Prisoners.

Humphreys' Division, after resuming the march September 17th, reached
the Monocacy river about ten o'clock a. m., where it halted for considerable time.
The troops very generally availed themselves of the opportunity presented to
enjoy a much-needed bath. All the regiments of the Division, having loaded
their guns soon after departing from Washington, their officers decided that
they should either discharge them or get rid of the loads by drawing the car-
tridges. A number also took occasion at Monocacy to indulge in target firing.
It was am.using to see how these inexperienced marksmen, many of them firing
guns for the first time in their lives, often missed not only the target but even the
large tree on which it was placed.

Humphreys' column pushed on, resuming forced marching, bemg prodded
by the fiery General and his staff'. The Regimental and company officers
also stimulated the men by referring to the reports that AlcCleilan's death-grapple
with Lee made it imperati-\>e that every man of Humphreys' Division should join
the main Union army to accomplish an assured Union victory over the Con-
federate troops.

The scenes at the Monocacy were the first real evidence of war and its
blighting effects that the new troops of Humphreys' Division had witnessed.
At the Monocacy Railroad Junction, on the Monocacy river, the railroad bridge
had two days before been blown up by the Confederates ; the timbers, debris and
wreckage of all kinds being plainly visible as Humphreys' column halted close

UNDER THE ]MALTESE CROSS. 71

by. Many things that fell under the observation of the One Hundred and Fifty-
fifth were very suggestive of war. The corpse of a negro killed in the blowing
up of the bridge was still exposed. It was currently reported that he was the
man the Confederates employed to apply the torch which caused the explosion
and destruction of the bridge.

Near this point another surprising spectacle awaited Humphreys' men on
their forced march to re-inforce McClellan's army then engaged with the enemy.
This was the presence of twelve thousand prisoners of war captured and paroled
by the Confederates at Harper's Ferry. They were all Ohio regiments who had
been captured by Stonevvall Jackson and paroled by him not to take up arms until
duly exchanged. This large body of Union troops, thus paroled at this critical
period, marching to the rear instead of to the front, appeared sad, and many of
the men paroled betrayed despondency as they spoke of the great prowess and
skill of Stonewall Jackson. As the paroled prisoners passed by the One Hun-
dred and Fifty-fifth Regiment, who had so shortly before left Pittsburg for the
front sanguine in their expectations of defeating and capturing the Confederates,
the effect may be more easily imagined than described. The incident was certainly
one which tended to chill the ardor of the most enthusiastic patriot at the time.

No doubt the chronic dread of uncovering Washington still haunted General-
in-Chief Halleck, and had much to do in influencing his orders on the advance of
McClellan's army against the Confederate forces invading Alaryland. It was
well known that General McClellan, on being restored by President Lincoln to
the command of the Army of the Potomac, had insisted that Harper's Ferry
was of no strategic importance, and should be evacuated so that the twelve
thousand troops garrisoning that post under Colonel Miles should unite with
his army immediately in the pursuit of Lee in Maryland. President Lincoln
referred General McClellan's request to General Halleck, and General McClellan,
before leaving Washington, accompanied by Honorable William H. Seward,
Secretary of State, waited on General Halleck to secure authority to evacuate
Harper's Ferry and to have its garrison join McClellan's army in its new cam-
paign. Halleck indignantly closed his ears to McClellan's appeals, dissenting
wholly from his views and emphatically declared that Harper's Ferr}' was a very
Gibraltar of strength and defense, and insisted that it was of the utmost impor-
tance, strategically, and that not a man from it could be spared to join Mc-
Clellan's army operating in Maryland against the main army of Lee. In less
than one week the folly of Halleck's views was demonstrated by the capture with-
out difficulty of Harper's Ferry by Stonewall Jackson, and the consequent sur-
render and paroling of twelve thousand Union troops. It was probably in con-
sequence of Halleck's orders that Humphreys' Division of new troops, eight
thousand strong, was halted for a whole day near Frederick, on this forced
march to join McClellan's army, and that this unfortunate delay prevented their
reaching Antietam until the day following the great battle. It is needless to
state that General Humphreys chafed intensely under this new order from Wash-
ington required him to halt in camp while almost within sound of the constant
cannonading at Antietam while the battle was in progress. However, the author-
ities in Washington, on the afternoon of September 17th, reconsidered their

'ri UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

action and, when too late, allowed Humphreys' Division to break camp and re-
sume its march to join McClellan's army after losing a day near Frederick.

Humphreys Ordered to Join AIcClellax.

The following order received from General Fitz John Porter may account
for Halleck's action when he reconsidered his order to Humphreys to go into
camp near Frederick instead of despatching his fine Division to the relief of the
Arm}- of the Potomac at Antietam :

'■ Headquarters, Fifth Army Corps, September 17th, 1862, 2 : 30 p. m.
" General A. A. Humphreys, in bivouac near Frederick :

We are in the midst of the most important and extended battle of the war.
The rebels are desperate. We have driven them some distance, but it is of vital
importance to get up all our troops. Come on as soon as possible, and hurry
up with all haste. Do not render the command unfit for service, but force your
march.

" Alex. S. Wzkv.. Brig. Gen., Chief-of-Staflf, Fifth Corps."

On resuming the march for Antietam, Humphreys' Division passed through
Frederick City, where the troops were cheered and applauded enthusiastically by
the residents, indicating by the large number of Union flags displayed and the
warmth of the reception that the loyal citizens of that place were in the majority;
also that but little success had attended the Confederate efforts to induce the
citizens of ^laryland to rally around the banners of the Confederacy. But three
days before this reception to Humphreys' Division, Bradley Johnson, himself a
JMarylander. with his Confederate cavalry, had posted handbill proclamations to
Marylanders along the line of the march of Lee's army, appealing to all Con-
federate sympathizers to aid the Southern cause.

Under the pressing orders of General Fitz John Porter just quoted and the
earnest zeal of the Division Commander, General Humphreys, and of the brigade
commanders. Colonels Allabach and Tyler, and also of the Colonels commanding
regiment^, the forced night march to Antietam was marked by few halts for
rests, the grave emergency not permitting it. The patriotism of the men in the
ranks and their desire to reach the battlefield in time to take part in the action
inspired them to demonstrate greater endurance, and to make a better record for
continuous marching than was ever achieved by any other fresh troops in any
previous campaign. Many of the men broke down and gave out from sheer
exhaustion on this memorable forced night-march. Many more, from over-
exertion on that night's campaign, contracted disabilities that made them cripples
and invalids for life. The ambition of the new and inexperienced troops to
respond to the orders and appeals of McClellan's amiy for help sustained them,
enabling- them to demonstrate their marching qualities ; so that there was less
than the usual dropping out of the ranks to straggle or rest.

During the night-march the column passed through ?iIiddletown, a village
which Ijore many evidences of its proximity to the battlefields of South ^Mountain

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

and Antietam, the principal buildings being converted into hospitals for the
Federal wounded.

On leaving the city of Washington, Humphreys' Division was estimated to
be eight thousand strong. General Humphreys, at the head of his troops, reached
Antietam, and reported to General AlcClellan on the field about seven o'clock
in the morning of the 18th. It was estimated that a thousand, foot-sore, wearied
and exhausted men of his command had broken down from fatigue on the
forced march of the night, and that after short rests to recuperate, the majority
of them had rejoined their command, continuing to report in detachments until
near noon.

On the last hour's march to join AlcClellan, the Union soldiers enjoyed the
comforting spectacle of seeing upwards of one thousand Confederate prisoners
in their gray and butternut uniforms, who were captured from Stonewall Jack-
son's command in the action at Antietam.

The Division soon after passed through the village of Boonsboro, the streets
of which were thronged with ambulances conveying wounded soldiers of Mc-
Clellan's army to the buildings which had been improvised as hospitals. From
these ambulances men of the Ninth Pennsylvania Reserves from Pittsburg, who
had been wounded in the famous cornfield, from
their seats in the ambulances, recognized and
called the names of many of the One Hundred
and Fifty-fifth Regiment as it was marching
to its position on the battlefield. In an ambu-
lance passing the Regiment, as it halted by the
roadside, was the dead body of Major-General
J. K. F jMansfield, a Union corps commander,
who had been mortally wounded on the previous
day. The Pittsburgers and \^^estern Pennsylva-
nians also manifested much sorrow as the body
of Colonel James H. Childs, commanding the
Fourth Pennsylvania Cavalry, who had been
killed in the cornfield the day previous, passed in
. an ambulance. Colonel Childs, as a native Pitts-
burger, was known to most of the officers and
men of the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth, and his
death caused a feeling of profound sorrow. In
the words of Colonel Allen, " ^^■e could realize
what his death meant to those at home — a sorrow,
as we were to know, but one of many thousands,
because of the dead whose bodies as yet lay stark
upon the bloody field of Antietam."

COL. JAMES H. CHILDS.

Humphreys' Division Forms Reserve.

General McClellan, on General Humphreys' reporting that his Division had
accomplished the march^ and were ready for duty, ordered the General to relieve

74 UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

General Morrell's Division of the Fifth Corps, which had been held in reserve,
and about eleven o'clock a. m., General Humphreys marched his command to
the position of reserve of the Army of the Potomac. The men loaded their
guns and formed in their first line of battle as the reserve of the army. After
some changes of position, the Regiment with the Division encamped in line of
battle for the night — in military parlance, " sleeping on their arms " for the first
time.

It was a marked compliment to the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth and to all
of Humphreys' Division composed entirely of new troops and officers, to be
selected by General McClellan for the responsible position of reserve for his
army at x\ntietam. Though inexperienced, undrilled, and undisciplined as they
were, yet the stamina and the courage they exhibited on the memorable forced
march indicated that the honor was not misplaced, and that had the enemy not
retreated during the night, Humphreys' Division was prepared for any emergency.
As developed, no better illustration of the rapid transformation of the American
youth from citizen to soldier could be displayed than was demonstrated in the-
discharge of this first duty as it was fulfilled by Humphreys' Division within two
weeks from the time they first donned a military uniform. It was, therefore, no
surprise that these self-same new troops, after a short two-months' drilling
under General Humphreys, Colonel Allabach, Colonel Allen and the other Regi-
mental and Company officers, should have become so reliable and excellent in
discipline and soldierly qualities a-) to be soon again honored b}' General Burn-
side, McClellan's successor in command of the Army of the Potomac. Hum-
phreys and his Division of Pennsylvania soldiers was assigned a most important
duty at Fredericksburg. When Couch's, Sumner's and Hancock's Divisions, of
the Second Corps of Sumner's Grand Division, the celebrated Irish Brigade, and
the United States Regulars were each in turn repulsed in their dreadful assaults
upon I\Iarye's Heights, it was Humphreys' Division that Burnside held in reserve,
having selected it to lead the " forlorn hope " against the stonewall and fortifica-
tions of Marye's Heights. How well they discharged their duty is shown in
the official reports of Generals Burnside, Hooker and Humphreys, who, in the
strongest language, singled out the One Plundred and Fifty-fifth Pennsylvania
and its gallant commander. Colonel E. Jay Allen, and the One Hundred and
Twenty-third Pennsylvania, Reverend Colonel J. B. Clark, as entitled to special
mention for conspicuous gallantry in that famous charge.

Flag of Truce at Antieta^

General Lee's Confederate army, having been driven back through Sharps-
burg to the Potomac, left the battlefield in possession of the Union Army. The
Confederate dead and wounded, therefore, fell into the hands of the Union
forces. It is a conceded fact that the casualties at Antietam for a single day's
battle surpassed in numbers and severity than of any other single day's battle
on either side occurring during the war, and consequently attests the very severe
fighting and terrible carnage on both sides.

The care of the Confederate wounded and prisoners, thus falling into

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

General McGlellan's hands in such large numbers, together with the unusually
heavy losses sustained by his own army, imposed upon him the duty of looking
after the wounded and sick of both armies. General Lee sent in a flag of truce
and asked leave to have his own Confederate surgeons remain on parole with
his wounded, to assist in caring for the same. This request was granted. Pre-
paratory to retreating, General Lee is reported as having called his ranking offi-
cers together, stating that as he expected McClellan to follow up the advantage
gained in the recent battle, he ordered the Confederate army to halt on the
south side of the Potomac, there throw up works and to resist to the utmost the
advance of the Union army if it attempted to follow.

That General McClellan contemplated the immediate pursuit of the Con-
federates is indicated by the prompt advance of the whole army over the battle-

^\"^- w,--.^^V.,

.."*'

THE LUTHERAN CHURCH, SHARPSBURG.

field and through the town of Sharpsburg, which the enemy had evacuated at
dayhght on September 19th, a few hours previous.

Battlefield Sights. — Sharpsburg.

Sharpsburg, as the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth marched through it to the
Potomac, bore many evidences of the fiery ordeal it had sustained during the
battle of the 17th. Many houses and several churches showed immense holes
and fissures resulting from being struck by shot and shell. The village grave-
yard did not escape, and many headstones were shattered by the projectiles which
lay around quite numerously. On porches and in back yards were to be seen
terrible effects of the battle, many dead bodies of Confederate soldiers, terribly
mangled, lying where they fell. These scenes being the first introduction that the
new troops had to real war made a deep impression upon all.

70 UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

The inhabitants of the town of Sharpsburg who, during the battle had taken
refvige in cellars or fled beyond the danger line, were beginning to reappear in
their deserted houses, some bringing their families with them. General McClellan
and his staff moved into the village about the same time the One Hundred and
Fifty-fifth was passing through, and a large United States flag was soon stretched
across the main street. General ]\IcClellan, always very popular with the troop?,
was greeted with the most enthusiastic and cordial cheering, which he most cour-
teously acknowledged. It was the first appearance of the Commander-in-Chief to
Humphreys' Division, and the reception so cordiall}' and spontaneously bestowed
upon General [NlcClellan indicated that he enjoyed their love and esteem for the
great victory achieved at Antietam.

Reconxoiss.w'Ce Across the Potomac.

^IcClellan's entire army moved toward the Potomac, indicating an intention
at the time to cross the river and renew the battle with the Confederates on Vir-
ginia soil. Humphreys' Division, after passing through the town of Sharpsburg
and a mile beyond, came to the banks of the Potomac, and at once a reconnoissance
was ordered by General Fitz John Porter, commanding the Corps. The One
Hundred and Eighteenth Penns}'lvania Regiment, known as the Corn Exchange
Regiment of Philadelphia, was selected to make the reconnoissance, and crossed
the Potomac at Shepherdstown. For some unknown, mysterious, and inexplica-
ble-reason. Company G, of the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth Regiment, recruited
in Clarion county, Pennsylvania, was also selected to cross the river at Shep-
herdstown, and to engage in what appeared to be either a supporting or an
independent reconnoissance. The cause for the expressions of surprise at the
remarkable selection of Company G for this special service is occasioned by the
fact that its officers were probably the most inexperienced, and least competent
at that time, of any in the Army of the Potomac, for so important a duty; al-
though the men of the company justly earned the reputation of being the equal
of any troops in the service for soldierly qualities. The reconnoissance ordered
b}- General Porter resulted most unfortunately for the Corn Exchange Regiment,
as the enemy were behind works, and were prepared for and expected a much
larger demonstration from a pursuit across the Potomac by 2\IcClellan's army.
The loss in this repulse was unusually large, a great man>^ of the wounded
and retreating men of the Corn Exchange Regiment being drowned in the
river. Company G of the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth was more fortunate
in that respect, as it escaped from its reconnoissance without the loss of a
man and saved even their knapsacks, which Captain Klotz stayed back on the
north side to guard. The cannonading during the reconnois'^ance was interesting
but not dangerous, and towards evening the One Flundred and Fift}--fifth wa?
withdrawn from the vicinity of the front and bivouaced for the night on the
banks of the canal running along the Potomac river, where Allabach's Brigade
was placed on picket duty.

This was new duty to the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth, and most mysterious
orders and countermanding of orders and many comical incidents occurred to all

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS. 77

the novices on picket duty. " All was quiet on the Potomac " during the Regi-
ment's first night on this dixty, and when daylight appeared, the surpassing beauty
of the surrounding scenery filled all with admiration.

Picket duty along the Potomac became the lot of the One Hundred and
Fifty-fifth, and of Humphre^-s' Division, for several weeks in succession. Camp
AIcAuley was the name given the bivouac occupied by the Regiment during
several weeks following. This camp was later the scene of much suffering and
misery because of the inadequate provision for the care of the sick and the in-

LINCOLN'S VISIT TO McCLELLAN AT ANTIETAM.

15, Hancock; 14, Griffin; 13, Sykes ; 12, Hooker; 11, Morrell; 3, Webb; 2, McClellan; 4, Meade; 16 Warren;

5, Custer; 6, Hunt; 7, Porter; 8, Locke; 9, Humphreys; 10, Burnside.

crease of the mortality among the soldiers was very great. Although within
a comparatively short distance (fifty or sixty miles) of A\"ashington City, the
headquarters of army supplies, the requisitions of Colonel Allen for shelter tents,
necessary clothing, surgeon's supplies and medicines for his regiment, although
approved by General Humphreys and forwarded by General ]v'IcClellan to \\'ash-
ington with urgent appeals for relief, received no attention whatever from the
■department at \\'ashington. Xo one seemed to be responsible for ignoring these
requisitions and demands, and consequent!}' great dissatisfaction prevailed in the
■army. Recriminations, charges, and complaints were daily occurrences, and dis-

78 UNDER THE :\IALTESE CROSS.

cipline was severely impaired through this cause. The hospitals were filled and
the mortality, as stated, became alarming. The Government at Washington
seemed incapable of meeting or unwilling to meet the emergency. Private relief,
public spirited citizens, the Christian Commission and other charitable organiza-
tions were touched by this condition of affairs, and finally brought relief and con-
solation to the suffering soldiers in the camps about Antietam.

The visit of President Lincoln to General McClellan at Antietam, making
his headquarters with General Fitz John Porter, Commanding Fifth Corps, also
brought additional rehef to the Army of the Potomac at this time. President
Lincoln, immediately after the great battle, wired the thanks of the Nation to
General McClellan and his gallant army for the victory at Antietam, and shortly
after paid them a visit. General McClellan, on this visit, arranged to have the
Army of the Potomac reviewed by the President. Lincoln's appearance on
horseback, with his singularly out-of-date silk hat and familiar but homely
features, attracted great attention, and elicited every mark of love and esteem
as the head of the Nation and the soldiers' greatest friend.

Camp McAulev. — Flag Presentation to Regiment.

In this camp also the State of Pennsylvania fulfilled its duty of furnishing
State flags to the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth and the other regiments of
Humphreys' Division. Governor Curtin had arranged to discharge in person the
duty of presenting these colors to the various Pennsylvania regiments, and was
expected to visit the camp of Humphreys' Division, composed exclusively of
Pennsylvania troops. However, he was prevented, and one of his staff, Colonel
J. H. Puleston, who was temporarily detailed from the British War Office, in
London, to assist the War Department at Washington and Governor Curtin
in organizing armies, discharged that duty in an eloquent address, to which
Colonel Allen responded in fitting and eloquent terms as follows :

Colonel : — In behalf of the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth Pennsylvania Vol-
unteers, I receive at your hands with pride and pleasure this glorious proof that
the old Commonwealth has not forgotten her sons who went forth from her
bosom to battle for the integrity of the Federal arch of which she is the key-
stone. While I am proud that Pennsylvania deems us worthy of so precious a
trust, I receive it with a saddened heart, for gazing upon its starry folds I remem-
ber the tried and the true who have gone down to the silent dead in this struggle
for freedom against despotism, while the end for which they fought was
yet unaccomplished. Brave spirits! Gallant souls! May the memory of their
deeds nerve us in our hour of battle that we may garner the harvest of which
they planted the seed. Remembering the calm grandeur of these heroic dead,
it is not for us to make promises of our future, but we may say to you, the
honored representative of our native State and home, that we feel the deep
responsibility resting upon all Americans in this struggle, and hope that when
we go forth to the fray, we will merit the confidence of those who love us, and
some day may return toward home and deliver this banner once again to Penn-

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

DR. J. A. E. REED,
Surseon.

STOCKTON WILSON,

Assistant Surgeon.

ELLIS C. THORN,
Hospital Steward.

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

sylvania. And grouped about it, may say with pride and with truth, " Tattered
though it be by the winds of heaven; soiled though it be b)^ the dust of earth;
stained by the blood of our comrades in the field, we give it again to thy trust,
O Pennsylvania, undimmed by shame, unstained by dishonor."

One of the great inconveniences suffered by the One Hundred and Fifty-
fifth from the time it left Pittsburg and on its march to Sharpsburg, was a lack
of surgeons and medicines. Doctor J. A. E. Reed, of Lancaster, Pa., and Doctor
W. S. Wilson, of Blairsville, Pa., received appointments as Assistant Surgeons
of the Regiment, and reported for duty in the bivouac at Camp ^IcAuley near
Antietam. Without medical supplies, hospital tents, or accommodations of any
kind for the nursing and caring for the sick, these devoted officers were very
much handicapped professionally in administering to the relief of the sick. Nor
had the Regiment the "benefit of clerg}' " of any kind, as no chaplain was ap-
pointed until the "2Sth of December following, when the Reverend Joseph
Thomas, an esteemed Methodist minister of Pittsburg, was appointed Chaplain.
The only medical attention the Regiment had from Camp Howe to Antietam
was that received from Ellis C. Thorne, a private of Company F, who was later
promoted to Hospital Steward because of his having served as drug clerk in civil
life.

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS. 81

Chapter IV.

SCENES AND EVENTS IN CAMP McAULEY.

Regiment Spends Month of October in Camp McAuley. — Many Changes
IN Regimental and Company Organizations Since Departure of Regiment
from Pittsburg. — Daily Drill, Discipline, Picket Duty, Inspections, Re-
views, Dress Parades, Fatigue Duty, Roll-calls and Reconnoissances. — •
Religious Services in Various Companies. — Recreation and Sports in
Camp McAuley. — Company Cook System a Failure. — First Military
Funeral in Regiment. — Emancipation Proclamation Read to Regiment at
Dress Parade. — Orders Received to Pack Up and Break Camp. — ^Army of
Potomac in Motion. — Orders of General McClellan Forbidding Foraging.
— General A. E. Burnside Succeeds General McClellan in Command of
Army of Potomac. — Grand Review of Army of Potomac — Farewell Ad-
dress of General McClellan. — General Fitz John Porter Relieved of

Command of Fifth Corps.

iLL of the month of October, 1862, was spent by the Regiment at
Camp McAuley. in the suburbs of Sharpsburg, on the banks of the
Potomac, where the boys really first became acquainted with their
company officers. The Regimental organization, with the company
formations, had been subjected to many changes in the short time
elapsing from the departure of the Regiment from Pittsburg. Major John H.
Cain was commissioned Lieutenant-Colonel; Captain A. L. Pearson was pro-
moted to Major; Lieutenant Frank J. Burchard became Captain of Company A;
Lieutenant E. A. Montooth became Adjutant; Frank Van Gorder, who had been
commissioned Captain of Company E, was appointed Quartermaster of the Regi-
ment, and in his place Lieutenant Joseph B. Sackett became Captain of Company
E; Corporal WilHam B. Glass, of Company F, was the first Commissary Sergeant
of the Regiment, and served as such during the entire term of service ; Sergeant
John H. Ralston, of Company F, was made Quartermaster Sergeant; Hawdon
Marshall, Private in Company F in this camp, became Principal Musician, as the
important office of Drum Major was known on the muster rolls. Another officer
of very great importance to the Regiment, although not known at all on the army
pay-rolls, made his appearance in this camp and conducted a flourishing busi-
ness — that of Regimental sutler, a very necessary office, which was held by
Samuel Pollock, of Pittsburg, aided and abetted by William Robinson and Gil-
bert McMasters, and subsequently by Ed. F. Pearson. This sutler quartette
composed a jolly set, and besides their stores of eatables they contributed much
to the good humor and entertainment in the camp.

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

FRANK VAN GORDER,
Quartermaster.

JOHN RALSTON,
Quartermaster Sergeant.

Between the sickness caused by exposure and scarcity of food and medi-
cines supplied by the Government in Camp ]\IcAuley. and the bill of fare con-
sisting of canned stuff and venerable eggs and sturd}- pies supplied by the sutler,
it became a question which cause contributed most to the population of the
hospitals in the camps. The sutlers accommodated the soldiers with a line of
credit, taking as collateral security orders on the monthly pay-rolls from their
customers. During the six weeks' occupancy of this camp, which may be said
to be the formative period of the Regiment from the raw and fresh material
composing it to the development of the soldier by the daily drills, discipline,
picket duty, inspections, reviews, dress parades, fatigue duty, roll-calls, and re-
connoissances. Attention was also paid to having company cooks and frequent
policing of camp during this period.

Chaplaix Appointed. — Religious Services.

As has been said, the Regiment was entirely without a Chaplain or spiritual
guidance the first few months of its service, until the Reverend John M. Thomas
was appointed Chaplain, December 28, 1862. This, however, did not deprive
the Regiment from previously holding very frequent religious services in the
various companies. Companies K, from Armstrong, and H and G, from Clarion
county, it may be said, set the first example of prayer-meetings, and the singing
of religious hymns each evening after drills, and especially on each Sunday.
The city companies, while possessed of many most exemplary Christian youths,
did not shine so conspicuously or seriously in devotional exercises as did their

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

rural companions. Reverend John B. Clark, D. D., of Allegheny, a minister of
the United Presbyterian Church and Colonel of the One Hundred and Twenty-
third Pennsylvania Volunteers, in the same camp and brigade of Humphreys'
Division, had an unusual number of young men, professed Christians, in his
Regiment. On Sundays many of the officers and soldiers of the One Hundred
and Fifty-fifth and neighboring regiments, attended his preaching, until the
Regiment succeeded in securing a regular Chaplain. Colonel Allen, in this camp,
issued an order that as many of the Regiment professed the Catholic faith,
they had his permission, and indeed his earnest recommendation, to attend divine
service each Sunday, in the adjoining camp of General AIeagher"s Irish Brigade,
where chaplains of that faith held services. As a result, the Regiment might
be said to have fared very well in the matter of religious instruction.

On the other hand, recreations and sports were not overlooked whilst in
this camp. The vioHns and musical instruments, which had made Camp Howe
so full of pleasant memories, were often reproduced in this camp, and the strains
of music were frequently heard until late hours, or until what was called " tattoo "
sounded. Colonel Allen, Lieutenant-Colonel Cain, Alajor Pearson, Adjutant
Alontooth, Sergeant Harry Campbell, Geo. P. Fulton, and many non-commis-
sioned officers were good singers, and at Regimental headquarters an impromptu
glee-club could nightly be heard at this camp on the banks of the Potomac.

One afternoon the entire Regiment, not on duty, and many of the' officers,
adjourned to a grove to witness a " set-to " in a ring, arranged between two pri-
vates, who had a dispute, according to the Marquis-of-Oueensbury rules of the
London prize ring. A rope was arranged, and
ring formed, seconds chosen, and a referee se-
lected in approved form. Two boy gladiators
came into the arena, each frowning at the other,
threw off their blouses, rolled up their sleeves,
took hitches in their belts, and glared at each
other from their comers, as they took seats

WM. B. GLASS,
Commissary Sergeant.

E. A. MONTOOTH,
Adjutant,

UNDER THE AIALTESE CROSS.

on camp-stools provided for the occa-
sion. In addition to " bottle-holders," a
large bucket of water and horse sponges
procured from a corral near by were
placed in position for use. When all was
ready, a commotion was heard in the
crowd, which was compelled to open
ranks a space back, whilst two other sol-
diers carried on their shoulders a large
hickory pole which they deposited in the
center of the ring. Principal Alusician
Hawdon JMarshall was time-keeper for
this occasion and gave the signal for the
contest to open. The parties took their
positions and the combat was about to
begin, when it was discovered that the
fight was to be across a pole, either end
of which was held by friends of the war-
riors, mutually chosen. One selected
Sergeant AIcGimpsey and the other
Jimmy O'Xeil. " Time " being called,
the boy fighters proceeded in true prize-
ring- style to spar for positions and to reach out and tap each other as if with
" knock-out " blows. Round after round, however, was thus fought amid cheers
by the assembled Regiment and visiting comrades at the elegant performance of
the fighters. At the end of half an hour of acute pantomime work, it was discov-
ered that the holders of the pole, across which the war was being waged, had en-
tered into a conspiracy to use the pole to prevent either of the combatants from
landing a blow on his antagonist ; whereupon the referee. Sergeant William Shore,
of Company D, pronounced the battle a " draw," and all parties adjourned, more
or less displeased at the result. It was learned afterwards that the two boy
combatants were in dead earnest, and had challenged each other to fight. They
were consequently much mortified and chagrined at the outcome of the contest,
whilst all their companions really enjoyed the bloodless encounter. The estrange-
ment of the combatants was of short duration. They subsequently became fast
friends, and when one of them fell on " Little Round Top." pierced by a rebel
bullet, he expired in the arms of his adversary in the mock fight in Camp McAule)'.

JOHN M. THOMAS,
Chaplain.

In consequence of the harrowing and exaggerated tales of the sufferings of
the Regiment in this camp, sent home and published in the papers generally, the
express companies were kept busy sending boxes from the homes of the boys,
containing delicacies and substantial food. Much sickness frequently followed
from indulgence in over-eating the contents of these boxes, as a result of the
sympathetic action of the friends at home. Before leaving this camp, the com-
pany-cook s}'stem introduced was found to be a total failure, principally because
of the selection for the trying position of the most uncouth and disqualified men

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS. 85

in the companies. As a result of dissatisfaction, company cooks were discon-
tinued, and eacli mess of three or four comrades accepted the raw rations dis-
tributed to the companies and did their own cooking as messes.

While in this camp, in the late October weather, the Regiment had not yet
received its full supply of tents or blankets necessary to the health and comfort
of the boys. To supply this want, however, they had an abundance of cord-
wood and rails with which they kindled many camp-fires. To keep themselves
warm on the frosty evenings before retiring, the boys of the One Hundred and
Fifty-fifth would stand around the blazing logs and rails with their backs to the
fire, sometimes getting so close as to scorch first the bottom of the legs of their
trousers and gradually burning them still higher, until at the end of five or six
days the severe scorching affected the entire back part of their unmentionables
and big holes were made in the garment.

At this period also requisitions for new supplies of clothing were very slow
in being filled and in consequence many of the boys, on account of the condi-
tion of their army trousers, were prevented from drilling and performing other
military duties. One day the camp of the Regiment was visited by Lieutenant
\V. J. Patterson and Sergeant Bernard Coll, of the Sixty-second Regiment Penn-
sylvania Volunteers, then in an adjacent camp. Comrades Patterson and Coll
had just been exchanged as paroled prisoners. They had been wounded and
captured at the battle of Gaines' Mill, and after their exchange and return to
camp, they were anxious to see their Pittsburg friends in the One Hundred and
Fifty-fifth. In conversation sometime after this visit to Camp McAuley, they
expressed surprise at the behaviour of so many of their friends in the One
Hundred and Fifty-fifth in remaining squatted on the ground during their visit,
and their failure to arise and hospitably welcome them. Comrades Coll and Pat-
terson, after hearing of the condition of the boys' wardrobe, fully accepted the
explanation, and pardoned the apparent want of courtesy on understanding that
the state of the wardrobe of about one-half of the Regiment caused by their too
close proximity to the rail fires, left them no alternative than to remain seated
in the presence of visitors, and thus conceal the ravages made upon the seating
portion of their Government uniforms.

To show their appreciation of the uncomfortable condition of their friends.
Comrades Coll and Patterson formed a relief party, and gathered up a supply
of necessary clothing from the more fortunate members of the Sixty-second, from
which they helped out the scanty wardrobe of their friends, the new soldiers of
the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth.

October 15th was election day in camp, but there was very little excitement
or interest taken in the State election.

Abram F. Overholt, private of Company E, a native of West Xewton,
aged nineteen, died in the hospital at this camp this day, and being the first death
in that Company, he was given a military funeral, ordered by Captain Sackett, in
command. The burial took place in the Lutheran Church graveyard in Sharps-
burg, around which a few weeks before the great battle of Antietam had raged.
His comrades, digging his grave and lowering him into his last resting place,

S(i UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

fired a military salute over his grave and marched back to camp. His death was
due to typhoid fever, a disease to which a great many other soldiers in Humphreys'
Division had fallen victims.

It was in the latter days of .September, whilst the Regiment was in Camp
McAuley, that the great Emancipation Proclamation was issued by President
Lincoln, and read to the various regiments in camp, at dress parade, by orders of
General McClellan, Commander in Chief. It is now a matter of history that this
great war measure would have been proclaimed at an earlier date, but the disasters
of the Union army in the summer of 1862 caused its postponement until the
Union armies had won a victory. President Lincoln followed the proclamation,
returning the thanks of the Government and Nation to General McClellan and
his troops for the victory of Antietam, in repulsing the Confederate invaders and
driving them south of the Potomac. Officers and men of the Army of the Potomac
received with delight the tidings of this great war measure, as a most opportune
blow to the Confederate cause and its corner-stone — human slavery.

Army in Motion.

October 30, 18(3?, was memorable because of the orders received from General
McClellan to "' pack up," break camp and resume the march and an active cam-
paign against the enemy. The large number of convalescent sick were placed in
ambulances and sent to Frederick, Md., and other points for further treatment.
Humphreys' Division marched through Sharpsburg, continuing on their way until
night. The next morning the march was resumed, and at noon the Division
reached Sandy Hook, the whole Army of the Potomac being in motion. The
Potomac river was crossed at Harper's Ferry on pontoons, the first the Regiment
had ever seen, presenting a sight most remarkable in its grandeur of scenery, as
well as a moving picture of the magnificent army of nearly one hundred thousand
men in motion, engaged in the opening demonstration of another campaign. The
army was in fine spirits, and had recovered from any demoralizing effects in-
volved in the disasters of the Peninsula and the defeats in the Second Battle of
Bull Run, and as General McClellan and staflf rode by, the cheers that greeted
him were as cordial as ever.

Harper's Ferry, which the new troops saw for the first time, presented a
singular sight. The United States arsenal, which had been blown up and de-
stroyed a year before, was the most conspicuous object visible. Huge piles of
gun-barrels, bayonets, shells, etc., taken from the ruins, were piled up and stacked
in the arsenal grounds.

The historic Engine House at which John Brown and his party made, the
famous stand at Harper's Ferry, and where Colonel R. E. Lee, U. S. A., suc-
ceeded in capturing Brown and his party but a few years before, also attracted
very great attention from the Union troops, as they marched along, many sing-
ing " John Brown's body lies a mouldering in the grave, as we go marching
on," etc.

Passing through Harper's Ferry, which was thronged with soldiers, Mc-
Clellan's grand army crossed over the Shenandoah on pontoons, and the columns

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS. 87

ascended a series of hills for three or four miles, on the south side, where the
Division again encamped on the sacred soil of Old Virginia. On November 2d,
the army resumed its march, and continued all day, halting in the evening at
Snicker's Gap.

Foraging and Straggling.

The disposition displayed by the new troops of the army, on crossing into
the enemy's country again, was to forage and raid on the farm houses and stock
of the non-combatant inhabitants, thus inducing straggling and loitering on the
march. General JNIcClellan, to stop this, issued an order on the first day's
march, announcing that further straggling would be severely punished, and that
the business of the Union soldier was not to molest, but to protect the peaceful
non-combatant citizens, and that their duty called for suppressing the rebel-
lion and dealing with armed foes of the Union only, and closing by stating that
violation of these instructions, because being subversive of discipline, would be
severely punished, whether committed by officers or enlisted men. With the
heedlessness due to the youth and inexperience of the new troops composing
Humphreys' Division, it was found most difficult to restrain them from violation
of these orders, and as a consequence, but little attention was paid to the orders
of the Commander-in-Chief.

General Fitz John Porter, commanding the Corps, and General Humphreys,
commanding the Division, because of the wholesale violation of the general
order prohibiting straggling and foraging, announced in orders to their respective
subordinate officers, that they would be held responsible and liable to court-
martial, if they permitted or tolerated, or did not suppress straggling or foraging
by their men. As this order did not seem to afifect the men, or threaten additional
punishment to them, although read to them on dress-parade on the second day's
march, it had little or no effect, and as a result, even more straggling and more
foraging on the part of the new troops took place, under the belief that they
had immunity from punishment. Chickens and fowls of all kinds, hogs, sheep,
bee-hives and other portable articles were coolly appropriated by the troops on
this day's march. Houses were invaded in search for apples and fruits and
vegetables, and many well-stufifed haversacks of the men indicated that their ap-
propriation of private property had been extensive.. Straggling, or dropping out
of ranks, to accomplish this result, of course, necessarily followed. The provost
guard of the Army of the Potomac was composed of United States Regulars,
veterans in the service, and it was said to be a most delightful duty to them, and
a work in which they reveled, to follow the new volunteer troops on the march
and to capture foragers and stragglers found with private goods on their per-
sons. As many as two hundred men of one regiment alone were thus arrested
on the march by the provost guard with the stolen property of non-combatants
in their possession, and they were accordingly, at the end of the day's march,
corraled as prisoners in what was called a " bull-pen," where they remained under
arrest until morning, when they were discharged. Strange to say, no part of
their captured goods was confiscated by the provost guard, or other officers, thus
practically putting a premium on straggling and foraging.

88 UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

Several colonels of regiments, for failure to enforce necessary discipline on
the day's march and to prevent straggling and foraging, were, as the general
orders had announced would be done, placed under arrest, on charges preferred
of disobedience of orders. It was a drastic remedy thus invoked, because of the
irrepressible desire of the soldiers and their belief that it was their bounden duty
to forage upon all inhabitants of the enemy's country, making no inquiries or
distinction as to the loyalty or disloyalty of the population. The officers thus
arrested were really not to be blamed, and should not have been censured, as,
despite all their efforts, their inen circumvented them, and disobeyed orders from
headquarters which the thoughtless youths scarcely comprehended.

The Regiment was placed on picket duty at Snicker's Gap, and served there
until the next day, when the army of McClellan again marched, and reached
White Plains, where a number more of stragglers and foragers were arrested
by the provost guards, composed of Regulars, and with their captured provisions
were detained over night, and returned to their regiments in the morning. At
this place, November 7th, the first snow of the season fell, giving the camp a
wintry appearance.

The One Hundred and Fifty-fifth, on this day's march, had its first ex-
perience as rear guard to the Fifth Corps. The wagon-train which was a very
long one, being composed of many ammunition wagons, quartermaster wagons,,
headquarters' wagons, commissary wagons and artillery trains, several miles in
length, occupied nearly the entire day in passing; so that it was nearly night
when in their capacity of wagon-train guards the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth
followed it, and marched all night over muddy, bad roads, about as intolerable as
was ever afterwards experienced in Virginia's muddy roads in bad weather.
The Regiment passed through New Baltimore and Georgetown and on nearly
to Thoroughfare Gap.

General McClellan Relieved from Command.-

General McClellan was relieved from command of the army at White
Plains, on November 7, 1862, at midnight, by special messenger from the Adju-
tant-General's office in the War Department at Washington. General McClellan,
commander of the army, was served with an order relieving him from com-
mand, and substituting in his place General A. E. Burnside, then serving in
command of a corps under McClellan. Had this order of removal been made
some weeks earlier, while General McClellan was tarrying in camp at Sharps-
burg and quarreling with the Government for its want of co-operation, it could
be well understood, as the Government was impatient that the army should move
before winter set in; but deferring the removal until the army was recruited
and in magnificent condition to strike a blow, and was well on the march, with
plans of campaign formed and renewed confidence in its commander, it came as
a surprise to the men under his command, who still worshipped McClellan and
appreciated his patriotism and generalship. The Army of the Potomac, how-
ever, its leaders and men, were in the campaign for the country and the Union,
and it mattered little to them as patriots what Generals led them, if they were

-M

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS. 89

only loyal and capable. That this was General McClellan's own view was clearly
exhibited by his patriotic deportment on this, to him, trying occasion. General
Bnrnside shared in the popular love and admiration of McClellan, and when thus
tendered the appointment as his successor, hesitated ,to accept it, and declared
to McClellan his want of confidence in his own capacity to succeed him, and
sought the former's advice as a special friend as to accepting the responsible po-
sition. General McClellan promptly assured General Burnside that it was his
duty to accept ; that it was the demand of the country, and that he should obey ;
and that he, General McClellan, would stay with him, explain his plans, introduce
him to all his officers, have a public review of the army in his honor, and in his
farewell address to the army would commend him as his successor. All of which
General McClellan did, much to the advantage and prestige of General Burnside.
A review of the army was at once arranged, and it was a most remarkable fare-
well demonstration. The cheers and applause that greeted " Little Mac," as he
was affectionately called, as he returned most gracefully the salutes and greetings
■of his men, will ever be remembered.

In this review of the army. General McClellan was accompanied by the
Generals commanding the corps, and General Porter, being always a favorite of
the Fifth Army Corps, accompanied General McClellan, the farewell review being
intended for both. General iNIcClellan issued the following farewell address :

" Headquarters of The Army of the Potomac,

" Camp Near Rectortown, Va., Nov. 7, 1862.
■" Officers and Soldiers of The Army of the Potomac :

" An order of the President devolves upon Major-General Burnside the
command of this army. In parting from you, I cannot express the love and
gratitude I bear to you. As an army you have grown up in my care. In you
I have never found doubt or coldness. The battles you have fought under my
command will probably live in our Nation's history. The glor}' you have achieved
over mutual perils and fatigues; the graves of our comrades fallen in battle and
by disease, the broken forms of those whom wounds and sickness have disabled —
the strongest associations which can exist among men unite us by an indissoluble
tie. We shall ever be comrades in supporting the Constitution of our country
and the nationality of its people.

" Geo. B. McClellan,
" Major-General U. S. A."

Major-General Porter issued a farewell address to the Fifth Army Corps,
replete with patriotic sentiments, on being relieved of its command, and com-
mended the qualities of the distinguished soldier appointed to succeed him,
Major-General Joseph Hooker. This farewell address was read at the Regi-
mental dress-parades.

An apparently belated order was also read about this time by Adjutant
Montooth, purporting to be a letter from Major-General Franz Sigel, in relation

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

to having the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers
transferred to his corps; as in the recruiting days in Pittsburg, many officers in-
voked the name of General Sigel as a popular hero of the hour to aid in re-
cruiting. This letter was an explanation indicating to those who wanted " to-
fight mit Sigel " that it was through no fault of General Sigel that their wishes
had not been reahzed.

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS. 91

Chapter V.

FREDERICKSBURG CA:\IPAIGN.

First Official Act of General Buexside to Order Reviews by A'arigus
Corps Commanders. — Rumor of Coming Battle at Fredericksburg. — Gen-
eral Burnside's Headquarters. — ENEArv Strengthens Fortifications on
Hills of Fredericksburg. — Balloon Service of Army of Potomac. — Burn-
side Reorganizes Army of Potomac into Three Grand Divisions. — General
Hooker Promoted to Command Grand Center Division. — General Daniel
Butterfield Succeeds to Command of Fifth Corps. — Failure of Pontoons
to Arrive from Washington, D. C. — Confederates Strengthen Fortifica-
tions Daily'. — Heavy Cannonading by Both Armies. — Laying of Pontoon
Bridges. — Humphreys' Division in Reserve as " Forlorn Hope." — Incident
OF U.vcLE John JMackin. — Humphreys' Division on Pontoons Bombarded by
Enemy. — Position of Regiment Opposite AIarye's Heights. — Humphreys'
Division, as " Forlorn Hope," Prepares to Assault. — Colonel Allen Com-
mands Regiment in the Charge. — Humphreys' Division Charges on Con-
federate Position Protected by Stonewall at Foot of Heights. — Charge
Made with Bayonets Only. — Humphreys' Division Repulsed with Loss of
1,700 Men. — Courage of Colonel Allen, Commanding One Hundred and
Fifty-fifth. — Regiment Remains on Battlefield Nearly All Night. —
Army Cross Rappahannock to Old Camps. — Captain Anshutz, Company
C, AND Color-Sergeant Thomas E. Wiseman Killed. — Staff of Regimental
Colors Cut by Canister Shot. — Color-Corporal Thomas C. Lawson Rescues
and Carries Flag Safely- Off the Field. — Longstreet's Description of
Charge of FIumphreys' Division. — A'andalism Committed by Non-com-
batants and Camp Followers. — Sorrowful and Distressing Scenes in
Hospitals in Town of Fredericksburg. — Retreat of Burnside's Army. —
Burnside's " Mud March." — Casualties.

|HE first official act of General Burnside, on his advent to power, was
to order reviews of his command by the various corps commanders.
On Sunday, November 16th, General Hooker, the new commander
of the Fifth Corps, conducted a grand review of the three divisions
composing the Fifth Army Corps. The next day the army broke
camp near Warrenton, passing through the town, which seemed deserted by all
the inhabitants except one or two indignant females well up in years, who scolded
and denounced the " Yankee troops " generally as they passed by. By slow and
easy marches the next two days the different corps reached positions. No con-
certed plan of action on these movements could be recognized, unless it was that

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

the movements were intended to conceal from the enemy the real object of
Burnside.

On the 32d of November, Humphreys' Division was in camp six miles from
Fredericksburg, on the north side of the Rappahannock, where rumors were first
circulated that a battle would soon take place and an attempt be made to drive
the enemy, then occupying Fredericksburg and its adjacent heights, from that
locality. To many of the troops in the ranks what importance or significance,
strategetically or otherwise, there would be in the capture of Fredericksburg,
could not be understood any more than was General Halleck's strategy in persist-
ing upon the retention of Harper's Ferry as important in the Antietam campaign.
This thought was especially impressed upon the men of the Pennsylvania Re-
serves and other regiments of McDowell's Corps, which had, the previous spring,
occupied quiet and peaceful possession of Fredericksburg. They had for several
weeks held the town and the natural fortifications surrounding it, and without

being compelled to do so, had quietly
evacuated the position ; and it was now
proposed to give the enemy battle to re-
occupy the position. Finally Humphreys'
Division marched to the village of Fal-
mouth, a point on the hills bordering the
Rappahannock, immediately opposite the
town of Fredericksburg. There General
Burnside at once opened up the head-
quarters of the army, and settled down
for some weeks to a period of inaction;
although the enemy, divining his plans,
had commenced to work on breastworks
night and day, with details of contraband
labor, in plain view of Burnside's head-
quarters, strengthening the terraced hills
and strong natural defensive positions
surrounding the town of Fredericksburg
and making the same practically impregnable.

The balloon service of the Army of the Potomac here, being a corps organ-
ized by General Fitz John Porter in the Peninsula campaign, attracted great at-
tention. The balloon made daily captive ascensions to discover the movements,
the works, and the positions of the enemy.

''"'' '

■ .:■

^S'

^^.^L.

^$^S

■

. :<^

MAJ.-GEN. A. E. BURNSIDE.

Preparing for the Battle.

General Burnside took this occasion of military inaction to reorganize the
Army of the Potomac into three grand divisions. General Hooker was pro-
moted to the command of the Center Grand Division, which led to the assign-
ment of General Daniel Butterfield, a very popular officer, to the command of
the Fifth Corps. Whilst it was generally known that the objective point of the
movements of the Army of the Potomac was Fredericksburg, it had also been

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS. 93

known for a long time previous that the delay of the array in crossing to storm
the heights, was the non-arrival of the necessary pontoon trains from Washington
City. General Burnside had sent written orders making requisition for pontoons,
which went through the regular departments with as little celerity as in " piping
times of peace," and week after week passed, however, and the pontoons from
Washington, but sixty miles distant, failed to arrive. The red tape of the de-
partment at Washington was indifferent to the fact that the Confederates were
strengthening their fortifications daily and bringing up reinforcements; and
General Burnside, with an abundant staff and aids, preferred waiting on the cir-
cumlocution office in Washington, to detailing an officer of his staff and sending
him to the engineer corps in Washington, or to the War Department itself, to
take the pontoon trains which were stored in the War Department buildings in
Washington, to the Army of the Potomac. At last, when the enemy seemed to
have strengthened his last weak point, and to be at the very maximum of his
strength, the long-delayed pontoons arrived. The Commander-in-Chief, General
Burnside, unmindful of the greatly strengthened position of the enemy so ma-
terially added to during the long delay in the arrival of pontoons, determined to
accommodate the willing enemy by making direct attacks upon his strongest
positions, and so the battle of Fredericksburg was inaugurated.

It is not within the scope of a regimental history to describe more than what
fell under the observation of the members of the regiment ; or at most, the
division, and hence the orders and strategy and movements relating to other
corps or divisions in that disastrous and ill-fated battle, will not receive mention.

The One Hundred and Fifty-fifth Regiment remained in camp near Fal-
mouth from November 22d to December 11th, except three days in which the
Regiment was on picket. On Thanksgiving day a sermon was delivered by
Colonel John B. Clark, of the One Hundred and Twenty-third Pennsylvania
Volunteers, which, it is needless to say, was an eloquent discourse, coming from
such a source.

While encamped here a new base of suppHes was formed at Acquia Creek
for the Army of the Potomac, and a military railroad thirteen miles in length
conveyed supplies to the army in this position.

On Thursday, December 10th, Humphreys' Division received marching
orders and the Regiment was aroused before daylight by the sound of heavy
cannonading from Stafford Heights, where over one hundred pieces of Federal
artillery, under General Hunt, were posted. It was soon answered from the
enemy's works back of Fredericksburg. The duel between the contending forces
lasted for several hours during the day. The various columns of troops marched
closer to the army headquarters of General Burnside, so as to be ready to de-
scend from the heights of Stafford to the banks of the Rappahannock, thence
to cross the pontoons to Fredericksburg, which was still in the possession of the
enemy, and the south banks of the Rappahannock being lined with Confederate
sharpshooters.

Friday, December 13th, Humphreys' Division was moved a short distance
closer to the sound of the firing, which was kept up all day. Professor Lowe's
balloon, already mentioned as accompanying the army, was kept busy making

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

ascensions and reporting to Burnside. This really seemed unnecessary, because
of the fact that Stafford Heights, occupied by ,the Federal artillery, afforded a
magnificent view of the valley beneath on the opposite side of the Rappahannock,
on the plateau of which the town of Fredericksburg is located. The positions of
the artillery and the infantry of the enemy occupying the works could be plainly
seen with the aid of military glasses.

Crossing Pontoons Under Fire.

The laying of the pontoon boats opposite Fredericksburg, on which Hum-
phreys' Division and other troops were to cross directly opposite the town, was
a most difficult and hazardous undertaking, by reason of the Confederate sharp-

FREDERICKSBURG, 1862.

shooters and the regular troops lining the banks of the river and resisting every
attempt to float the pontoons into shape for tying and bridging purposes. The
fire of the enemy was so concentrated at first that the Union engineer corps in
charge of the work were driven from their positions by the enemy, and for a
time it looked as if the laying of the pontoons at the point in question would
have to be abandoned. The engineer corps, however, was re-enforced by com-
panies of volunteer infantry soldiers, who jumped into boats and were rowed
across by oarsmen while they fired in squads and got accurate range on the
sharpshooters and troops of the enemy occupying the Fredericksburg bank of
the river. These boats thus laden with soldiers and sharpshooters in large num-
bers, soon crossed, and on landing, drove the enemy, not only from the banks
./?,;- and hiding places, but also up through the streets of Fredericksburg, which the

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS. 95

enemy made no further serious attempt to hold. Under the protection, therefore,
of the Union troops who had thus landed and occupied in force the banks of
the river and the town of Fredericksburg, two bridges of pontoons were quickly
laid across the Rappahannock to a street located about the center of the town.
No further resistance from the city or the shore being offered, the Union columns,
corps after corps of Hooker's Grand Division, occupied the greater part of the
day in crossing, with the large supply and ammunition trains. The enemy, from
the works back of Fredericksburg, sought to repulse the crossing on the pontoons
by severely shelling the location occupied by the bridges, but their range being
far from perfect, but few of the shells from the heavy cannonading struck either
the bridges or the soldiers occupying them. Humphreys' Division, it was de-
termined by General Burnside, should participate in the direct charges he had
ordered against Marye's Heights, and should be the last command to make
the assault in case the others should be repulsed. This was because the Division
was composed of fresh troops, and this was its first battle; also because of
General Burnside's great confidence in Humphreys, its dashing General. The
■officers and men of this Division alike — this being their baptism of fire — could
be said, for this battle at least, " to be eager for the fray." In fact, it can be
truly doubted whether they were ever again as " eager for the fray " as they
were upon this occasion. To hear the cannons roar nearly all day, to know of
the repeated charges, and repulses of Federal troops under Couch and Sumner
and Hancock and Griffin and Sykes and Meagher, and to know that Humphreys'
Division was reserved to be the last to make the attack, and in fact, to be the
" forlorn hope," as was communicated in a vigorous address delivered to the
■command by General Humphreys, made it indeed a very trying occasion, and a
test of the soldierly qualities of the command. But, undismayed and undaunted,
the men touched elbows, and determined to do their duty.

Incident Before the Battle.

Whilst awaiting the final order to cross the pontoon, an incident occurred
regarding a well-known Pittsburger and his son, a soldier in the Regiment, which
deserves mention. Uncle John Mackin was the esteemed citizen referred to.
He had succeeded, through Colonel Thomas A. Scott, Assistant Secretary of
War, in securing a pass to visit his son. Corporal John Mackin, serving as color
guard in the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth Regiment. During this visit, on the
eve of battle, Colonel Allen, Regimental commander, provided him with quar-
ters and rations from his own mess. As the battle was imminent. Uncle Mackin's
war spirit rose to the occasion, and he demanded of Colonel Allen a gun and
permission to accompany the Regiment in the " forlorn hope " assigned it on
the occasion. The sight of rough-box coffins piled up by the hundred at the
freight station adjacent to Burnside's headquarters, being intended for the
soldiers killed in the coming battle, had no disheartening effect upon citizen
Mackin's intentions. He was not permitted, however, to accompany his son
across the pontoon bridge to Fredericksburg, the most that could be conceded
him was to allow him to remain on the north-side bridge approach, where an

96 UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

occasional shell from the enemy's bombardment was lighting. There he re-
ceived a farewell kiss and embrace from his beloved son, who left the marching-
ranks for that purpose, as the Regiment was rapidly marching to cross the
Rappahannock to engage in the battle of Fredericksburg.

The artillery and musketry fire of the morning, as stated, could be seen
but dimly by the waiting troops of Humphreys' Division by reason of the smoke
and fog, but later in the afternoon, when the Division was ordered to descend
the ravine from Stafford Heights and cross the pontoons, the fog had disap-
peared, and the smoke did not obstruct the view. The enemy's artillery, how-
ever, which earlier in the day had very poor range, seemed to take advantage
of the disappearance of the fog at this hour, and as the Division was getting
into line and marching down the hillside to the pontoon approaches, the shells
had better range, and occasionally struck and killed and wounded men, and also
struck the caissons and batteries crossing on the other pontoon bridge, which was
also within the range of the enemy's artillery. In crossing the pontoons, the
troops experienced a singular sensation. The fact that one's chances of being
either killed on the bridge or drowned if wounded and knocked off the pontoons
into the stream, was far from consoling. Officers and men, however, recognized
the dilemma and hurried across, not a halt occurring during the passage of the
One Hundred and Fifty-fifth Regiment. Once on the banks and in the town
of Fredericksburg, the Union troops were comparatively safe from the range
of the enemy's fire, the Confederates manifesting no disposition at the time to
shell or destroy the city, which they could easily have done.

General Humphreys Leads " Forlorx Hope."

With great celerity General Humphreys conducted the advance of the
Division through the streets of Fredericksburg, and up to the position opposite
Marye's Heights, where the great fighting of the fore part of the day had taken
place. Couch's Division, composed of the flower of the Army of the Potomac,,
veterans under Hancock, had already been repulsed in the charges against the
stonewall at Marye's Heights; General Thomas Francis Meagher's celebrated
Irish Brigade, the " forlorn hope " on many previous campaigns, had also been
repulsed with heavy losses, after making gallant assaults. It was in the lulJ
following these repulses, that Humphreys' Division arrived on the scene. It is
said that General Hooker, commander of the Grand Division, observing the ter-
rible repulses and slaughter, as he termed it, of the gallant commands in at-
tempting to assault Marye's Heights, before giving the final order for Hum-
phreys' Division to make the final attack as a " forlorn hope " of the Army of the
Potomac, rode back to General Burnside, and invited his confirmation of the
existing order for General Humphreys to attack the position with the bayonet.
Burnside is said to have replied with great determination, " Yes ; those heights
must be taken, and why should General Hooker ask such a question at this
time ? " " Because," replied General Hooker, " I thought that, in view of the
terrible losses of Couch's Division, Hancock's, Meagher's and the other brave

UNDER THE AIALTESE CROSS.

commands in assaulting the position, that the loss you had started out to accom-
plish, had been attained, and that, therefore, the renewal of assaults by the
magnificent Division of General Humphreys would be unnecessary." Burnside
then repeated the order, and Hooker rode away, and most reluctantly repeated
it to the Corps Commander, General Butterfield, who in turn delivered the
order to General Humphreys.

Colonel Aller^, with that solicitude for his men which marked his whole
service, made a detail of the very youngest and least sturdy looking boys of
the Regiment to guard the knapsacks, which had been unslung and piled up just

COL. PETER H. ALLABACH,
Brigade Commander,

preparatory to the advance and charge on Mayre's Heights. General Humphreys,
who seemed ubiquitous, in making his final preparations for the " forlorn hope,"
soon after discovered half a dozen boys hanging round the piled-up knap-
sacks, a short distance from the troops, and in his excitement, ignorant that the
boys had been detailed there by Colonel Allen, indignantly and profanely ordered
the knapsack guards to report at once to their companies, insinuating most un-
justly that they were a lot of skulkers. Two of the boys thus ordered to their
companies in less than half an hour later were killed in the charge ordered. The
knapsacks were never recovered, and it was just as well that General Humphreys

98 UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

dispersed the guards to their companies, for had they remained, they would un-
doubtedly have been captured by the enemy.

At this date probably the most accurate description of the participation of
the Regiment in the battle up to which the reader has been led, is contained in the
■official report of General A. A. Humphreys, the Division commander, and that
of acting Brigadier-General Colonel P. H. Allabach, and also the report of
•Colonel E. J. Allen, commanding the Regiment, which, being official and on the
archives of the Government at Washington, may be relied upon as accurate and
complete for the purpose of this history. The same is, therefore, appended as
being well worthy of perusal. The preparations for the " forlorn hope " and
the assault by Humphreys' Division, described in extracts of the official reports,
it may be further stated, were extensive and thorough.

jReport of Brigadier-General Andrew A. Humphreys, U. S. Army, Com-
manding Third Division, Fifth Army Corps, at Battle of Fred-
ericksburg, December 13th, 1862.
" Headquarters Third Division,
" Camp near Fredericksburg,

" December 16th, 1862.
■" General :

" I beg leave to submit the following brief report of the part taken in the
action of the 13th inst. at Fredericksburg, by the Division under my command.
" My Division, about four thousand five hundred strong, being massed
about the Phillip's house received orders at 3 : 30 p. m. to cross the river and
■enter Fredericksburg, which being done, it occupied, by your order, in quick
succession three different positions."

" One hundred and fifty yards in advance of the position my command
was ordered to occupy was a heavy stonewall, a mile in length, which was
strengthened by a trench. This stonewall was at the foot of the heights in
rear of Fredericksburg, the crest of which running four hundred yards distant
from the wall was crowned with the enemy's batteries. The stonewall was
heavily lined with the enemy's infantry. The Second Brigade, led by Colonel
Allabach and myself, moved rapidly and gallantly up to General Couch's troops
under the artillery and musketry fire of the enemy.

" As soon as I ascertained the nature of the enemy's position I was satisfied
that our fire could have but little eflfect upon him, and that the only mode of
■attacking him successfully was with the bayonet.'

***********
" The charge was then made, but the deadly fire of musketry and artillery

broke it after an advance of fifty yards.

" Our loss in both brigades was heavy, exceeding one thousand, including a

number of officers of high rank. The greater part of the loss occurred during

the brief time they were charging and retiring."

.jt

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS. 99

" The cool courage of Colonel E. Jay Allen, One Hundred and Fifty-fifth
Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, in bringing up his command to the charge
and in conducting them from the field fell particularly under my own observa-
tion, and I desire to bring his conduct to your notice."

Report of Colonel Peter H. Allabach, Commanding Second Brigade, Third
Division, at B.\ttle of Fredericksburg, December 13, 1863.

" Headquarters Second Brigade,
" Near Potomac Creek, Va.

" December 19, 1863.
■" General :

" The charge was made and the hne pressed forward to within twelve paces
of the stonewall under a galling fire of musketry and of grape and canister from
a battery on the right.

" Too much praise cannot be given to Colonel E. Jay Allen, of One Hun-
dred and Fifty-fifth Pennsylvania Volunteers for the fine style in which he con-
ducted himself and maneuvered his regiment."

Report of Colonel Edward Jay Allen, One Hundred and Fifty-fifth
Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers.

" December 13, 1862. Marched across pontoon bridges, crossing the Rap-
pahannock about 3 : 30 p. m. Marched through the city, crossed a canal and filed
to the left, the brigade marching left in front. The One Hundred and Fifty-
fifth Regiment was in advance on the left. All the command marched over
.a plateau some four hundred yards towards the enemy's rifle pits and batteries.
Halted within fifty yards of their first line, where they were covered by a stone-
wall, and for about an hour and a half replied to the fire of the enemy. Twice
the Regiment attempted to charge their lines and to carry them by the bayonet,
but owing to the heavy fire in front and an excess of enthusiasm in the rear
were compelled to fall back to their position. The Regiment, by command of
Brigadier-General Humphreys, commanding Division, was withdrawn with the
entire brigade about dark and formed again on their first line under the slope.

" The Regiment receiving no orders to fall back into the city, remained
until nearly daylight, when by order of Colonel Allabach, commanding Brigade,
it marched down into the city to renew their ammunition, and receiving enough
to make up quota of sixty rounds, marched back again to the cover of the slope
and remained there until Sunday evening, the 14th, when they marched into the
city, bivouaced in the streets that night and next day, and about an hour from
daybreak on the morning of the 16th recrossed the Rappahannock, taking posi-
tion in our old camp. Loss, nine killed, fifty-eight wounded. Captain Anshutz,
' Company C, and Color-Sergeant Thos. Wiseman killed, and entire Color Guard,

100

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

CAPT. LEE ANSHUTZ.

except Color-Corporal Thos. C. Lawson, were killed. Lieutenant E. E. Clapp,
Company F, wounded and included in above aggregate.

" Respectfully submitted,

" Edward Jay Allen,
" Colonel One Hundred and Fifty-fifth Regiment

" Pennsylvania Volunteers.
" Colonel P. H. Allabach,

" Commanding Second Brigade."

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

101

Color Sergeant axd Color Guards Killed.

Amid the malignant, deadly storm of leaden hail that penetrated the flesh
and splintered the bones of the men of the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth, the
flag was borne aloft by Color-Sergeant Thomas Wiseman till a mortal wound
caused it to fall from his nerveless grasp. As the brave Color-Sergeant reeled
backward, Color-Corporal Charles Bardeen seized the colors and carried them
forward, when he, too, received a death wound. The staff of the colors was
cut in twain by a canister shot, but the silken folds of the flag, with fourteen
perforations by minie balls, had not yet touched the ground, when Color-Corporal
George W. Bratten raised them again. He, too, was laid low, and Color-Corporal
Thomas C. Lawson grasped the splintered stafif, and, keeping the flag unfurled,
bore it through the bloody conflict and carried it safely off the field. Color-
Corporals Frank Thompson and John Rankin, Jr., both of Company I, also fell
mortally wounded.

Private John F. Hunter, of Company C, while serving as a personal and
mounted orderl}- to General A. A. Humphreys, and delivering orders in this

great charge, was badly wounded,
having his horse shot under him
and being a sufferer confined to
the hospital from his wounds for
several years after his discharge
from the service.

THOMAS E. WISEMAN,
Color Sergeant.

JOHN F. HUNTER,
Mounted Orderly.

103 UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

There had been four files of Confederates beyond that parapet and the
stonewall on Marye's Heights, which Humphreys was expected to carry. Al-
though all previous assaults by the flower of the troops under the bravest com-
manders, had been repulsed, to quote from a Confederate authority, " The last
assault (Humphreys) seemed to promise so much determination that an addi-
tional file of men was sent into the Confederate works. These extra men were
loading muskets for the ones in front, and this made a continuous fire. The
sharpshooters on the slope and in the trees, under all kinds of cover, had their
own way, subject to no return fire." The charge of Humphreys' Division was
one of the grandest events of the war. It was nearly dusk when the Regiment
received orders to fall back. Colonel Allen, being junior of the brigade, was
complimented by General Humphreys, by assigning him to the command of the
remainder of the brigade on the battlefield, and under his command the One
Hundred and Fifty-fifth and the One Hundred and Twenty-third, Colonel Clark,,
commander, withdrew from the field.

It is quite certain that very few Confederates were killed in this last assault.
Their fire was incessant, and the sharpshooters supported the battle-line by shoot-
ing at their leisure. The bullets from Humphreys' columns could be heard dis-
tinctly spattering against the stonewall. The loss in Humphreys' Division
reached one thousand seven hundred men killed and wounded, in a charge oc-
cupying less than ten minutes in execution. General Longstreet, in his pub-
lished volume on the war, speaking of the assault of Humphreys' Division, says:
" No troops could have displayed greater courage and resolution than was shown
by those brought against iMarye's Heights, but they miscalculated the wonderful
strength of the line beyond the stonewall. The position held by Cobb surpassed
strength and resolution."

A writer in the " Confederate Veteran," a historical magazine, for many
years published at Nashville, Tenn., states that in a communication from a
courier who, during the battle, carried a message from General Lee to General
Kershaw, commanding the defenses at the stonewall, occurs this passage: " When
we left the wall the gallant Federals in five lines of battle were on the charge.
I have since learned this was Humphreys' Division of Hooker's Reserves. They
were allowed to come within fifty yards of our hne. Then our quintuple line
rose up from behind the stonewall and delivered their withering fire, and the
batteries on the hill vomited double charges of canister. The first hne melted,
but the second came steadily on over the dead and dying of the former charges,
to share the same fate, but still no halt ; its other lines came on. Ye gods ! it is
no longer a battle, it is a butchery! Confederates might have made a more
impetuous charge, but for cool persistent courage there is no instance in the whole
history of the war that surpasses this charge of Humphreys."

Night Scenes on Battlefield.

It was a relief at dusk to find the Regiment sheltered by the slope at the
mill-race, subject to no direct fire of the enemy, except from occasional shells
and frequent renewal of sharpshooting when the men unnecessarily assumed a

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

lOS

standing or even a sitting position, exposing themselves. Quite late in the even-
ing it was discovered that the remainder of the brigade had left the battlefield
to go to the town of Fredericksburg. No orders had been received by Colonel
Allen, in command of the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth and the One Hundred
and Twenty-third Pennsylvania Volunteers, to leave the field, and they, there-
fore, assumed that they were ordered to remain. A heavy fog set in, and points
became undistinguishable. The cries of the wounded with the calls of names
of the various regiments to attract attention could be heard at frequent intervals,
and an occasional stray shot still penetrated the fog and reached the lines. As
the fog grew denser, volunteers were called for to ascertain where the Regi-
ments were, and also to bring in all the
wounded they could secure. Lieutenant
Alexander Carson, of Company D, with
an occasional relief of men, at great per-
sonal risk, brought in all wounded men
found in the Regiment's front, not ceas-
ing until one hundred and twenty
wounded men had been rescued. One
of those rescued was Color-Corporal
Chas. F. Bardeen, of Company F, who
received a mortal wound, shattering his
jaw.

In the early morning, just before the
fog lifted, several ambulances came
along, which, had they not been halted,
would have gone directly into the ene-
my's lines. Several were loaded up with
the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth
wounded whom they conveyed to the
hospitals in the town of Fredericksburg,
Corporal Bardeen being among them.
Sad to state, although poor Bardeen was
tenderly helped into the ambulance, and
a detail sent to accompany the wounded to the hospitals in the town of Fred-
ericksburg, all of Colonel Allen's subsequent efforts to discover the location of
the hospital or even the lot of this brave fellow, were unavailing, and his fate
will probably never be known.

As stated, the two regiments left on the field under Colonel Allen were
without orders. It was discovered late in the night that they were completely
cut off from communication with any other parts of the Union army. Major
Pearson was sent to penetrate the fog and the mystery of what had become of
the rest of the army. The Major not reporting after an interval, Adjutant Mon-
tooth was despatched on a similar errand, and he, too, could not find his way
back, as both he and Pearson subsequently reported in describing their wan-
derings and endeavors to keep out of the Confederate lines. So dense was the
fog that hours passed by and they could not find either the regiments or the

LIEUT. ALEXANDER CARSON.

104

UNDER THE ^lALTESE CROSS.

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

105

town of Fredericksburg. Colonel Allen then left the field, and, after much
trouble, crossed the canal leading into the town, where he soon found General
Humphreys' headquarters, it being explained there that the two regiments named
had been entirely overlooked. Orders were immediately given to Colonel Allen
that, as soon as the fog permitted, the two regiments named should march into
the town, which they did, joining the rest of the brigade in the streets of
Fredericksburg.

Street Scene in Fredericksburg.

The streets of the town where the troops of Humphreys' Division were sta-
tioned, it was noticed, were full of loot, and great scenes of vandalism and use-
less destruction of books, furniture, carpets, pianos, pictures, etc., were visible.
This conduct was contrary to the orders of the commanding General, but the
acts had been committed by non-combatants and camp-followers. The army
soldier, discharging his duty, has no time nor inclination for such disreputable
work. Many buildings had been dreadfully shattered by the shell and shot, but
this afforded no excuse for the wanton destruction of private property, or its
unauthorized confiscation by men masquerading as soldiers in the uniform of
blue.

The sights and scenes during the bivouac of the troops in the streets of
Fredericksburg were often quite amusing, even amid the gloom prevailing as a
result of the great disastrous battle. Human nature, as studied, revealed all
varieties of tastes and inclinations on the part of those troops who left the
ranks to inspect the city. Some of those characters might be seen with musical
instruments, with big horns, violins, accordions, and banjos, confiscated from a
deserted music store : others rolled out barrels of flour and delivered them in

^ their companies, where, with the aid of water and fire

P /^ ^^\ and griddles, flapjacks were hastily baked and dis-

tributed among companions. Drug stores gratified the
tastes of others, who provided themselves with medi-
cines and instruments to be found in such stores. The
enterprising James Finnegan, a character of Company
D, whose education abroad did not include either
reading or writing, rifled the desk of an abandoned
express office and found bundles of receipts, old notes
and cancelled checks, which he gathered up with great
care and concealed until its return to camp for exami-
nation, being under the impression that it was a bank
instead of an express company he was burglarizing,
and that his captured booty would enable him and
Lieutenant Carson, whom he intended to let into
the secret, to retire to Ireland, there to spend the remainder of their lives in
opulence and luxurious living.

It was during this sojourn on the streets of Fredericksburg that a detach-
ment of the Union Signal Corps, which had climbed up and occupied the interior
of the tall spire on the Episcopal church of the city, attracted by the waving

JAMES FINNEGAN.

Kir; UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

of signals the attention of the battery commanders on Marye's Heights. These
batteries, in a few well-directed shots at the steeple, caused a panic in the Signal
Corps, and the members of that body, with their little flags, withdrew very pre-
cipitately from their elevated position.

The One Hundred and Fifty-fifth, which was stretched along the sidewalk
or curbstone in front of this church, concurred most heartily in the rapid descent
of the signal men from the steeple, as the enemy's shells, directed at the steeple,
occasionally fell short and unpleasantly close to the Regiment enjoying a rest
on the sidewalk. Also whilst occupying this position on the streets. General
Burnside and his entire staff and cavalry escort left the army headquarters on
the north side of the Rappahannock and came over in person to the city of
Fredericksburg, halting at a public building not far from the position of the
regiments composing Humphreys' Division. As General Burnside and his staff
proceeded to dismount, the enemy's batteries, which had observed his conspicu-
ous crossing on the pontoons and passing through the streets with his escort and
flags, thought proper to direct a few shells at this cavalcade as it halted. The
shots thus aimed came very nearly ending the earthly career of General Burn-
side, as a solid shot within a few feet of him killed one of his mounted orderlies.
As soon as Burnside and staff entered the house, the shelling of the enemy
ceased, as they seemed to desire to avoid the destruction of the buildings. This
fatal incident did not seem to disturb General Burnside or the members of his
staff in the least as they entered the new headquarters.

Most sorrowful and distressing were the sights and scenes in the hospitals
in the town of Fredericksburg. The Court House, Market House and everjf
church and public building were literally crowded with amputating tables and
beds on the floor, containing the Union wounded, the death-rate of whom was
very great, necessitating the coffining and grave-digging for many.

Burnside Proposes to Renew the Assault.

It was currently believed and generally circulated that Burnside's visit
to the town was to demonstrate his confidence in the ability of the men of his
old corps to charge successfully and capture Marye's Heights by a direct at-
tack, although so many other assaulting columns had been repulsed. It was
asserted also that he had declared his intention to prove this by leading in per-
son the Ninth Army Corps in the assault, having organized and commanded
that corps in battles, and he, therefore, proposed to stake all on this new and
direct attack on Marye's Heights.

This undeserved reflection on the efforts of all the other troops and their
commanders who had been repulsed on the most brilliant charges with heavy
losses, was not received favorably by any of the commanders of divisions, corps,
or grand divisions, and they so warned General Burnside; but he was irre-
vocably committed to the plan of leading a new storming column in person. It
was known in advance of this campaign that all the Generals of the Army of
the Potomac, who had fought under General AlcClellan in his campaigns and
who had become so personally attached to him, would be closely scrutinized in

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS. 107

the battle in which his successor commanded, and with this notice it can be said
that Sumner, Hooker, Couch, Franklin, Hancock, Humphreys, Sykes, Griffin,
and General Meagher, commander of the Irish Brigade, and all officers under
McClellan, never fought better or co-operated more zealously with any other
commander than they did in the ill-fated and disastrous battle under Bumside
at Fredericksburg. President Lincoln, on receiving word of Burnside's determi-
nation to renew the direct assault upon Marye's Heights, intervened, and from
an intimation from him to Burnside, the latter abandoned his intention, and the
arrangements were accordingly changed so that the entire army at nightfall was
to fall back, and retreat to the north side of the Rappahannock, there to occupy
their old camps. It was fortunate, however, that word of General Burnside's
intention to resume the attack on the next morning by leading the Ninth Corps
in person reached General Lee through the capture by the Confederates of a staff
officer conveying such information to General Franklin, commanding the left
wing of the Union army, at the lower crossing of the Rappahannock. This
message thus captured was the cause of preventing orders to General Stonewall
Jackson's command and other Confederate troops for a night assault on Burn-
side's army camped on the streets of Fredericksburg.

General Lee, in answer to critics, after the battle, censuring him for not attack-
ing the Union army and preventing its retreat to the north of the Rappahannock, is
said to have asserted his belief in the truth of this captured message conveying
word of the renewal of the assault on Marye's Heights by Burnside in person.
Lee, therefore, averred, in answer to critics, that his works and positions were
impregnable, and that he had decided to postpone the attack on the Federals
in Fredericksburg until after the expected attack of Burnside's assaulting column
on the following morning.

Night Retreat of the Union Army.

The retreat of the Union army under Burnside from Fredericksburg was
conducted with great skill and success, considering the number of men and the
shortness of notice. It was to prevent the noise of the large bodies of marching
columns from attracting the attention of the enemy, that the men in the ranks
were ordered to remove their bayonet scabbards from the same side of the
person on which the canteens and tincups hung, which ordinarily made a noise
in rapid marching not unlike the proverbial cow-bells. Even talking in the
ranks above a whisper was prohibited because of the retreat and the necessity
of its being conducted quietly and rapidly. This necessity being communicated
to the men, they knew its significance, and readily reciprocated with the officers
in obeying the orders. The night was dark, rendered so by the heavy fog, and
brigades and divisions were soon in line, and a constant procession the entire
night, occupied the pontoon bridges from the center of Fredericksburg to the
north side of the Rappahannock. Ammunition trains, and ambulances convey-
ing the wounded men necessarily occupied one of the bridges, while the other
bridge was used by the troops, so that towards morning the whole town was
evacuated by the Union army.

108

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

Singular to state, Humphreys' Division, tlie last to cross on the pontoons, to
serve as the " forlorn hope " in the last charge against ^larye's Heights, had the
honor in turn of being the last to recross to the north side on the pontoons, and
was assigned the distinguished honor of covering the retreat of Burnside's army.

Among the remarkable incidents occurring on the night of the retreat was
the overlooking of many of the pickets. Owing to the confusion incident to
the retreat no orders were given for the retiring of the Union pickets and guards
who were on their posts. As a result, quite a number, accidentally discovering the
retreat of the main army and being without orders, left their posts and reported
at the river bank just in time to witness the last pontoon being taken up, leaving
them on the south shore of the Rappahannock. Fortunately, the continuing fog,
sleet and rain thoroughly concealed the entire movements of the Union army from
the enemy; and time was given guards and pickets to waken up and call in from
posts nearby other pickets and guards and those who were ofif guard taking rest.
These men, too late to cross on the pontoons, to avoid being captured, gathered on
the bank, and determined, cool as the weather was, that they had no resort but to
swim the stream, and, abandoning guns, equipments and knapsacks, plunged into
the river and swam across. Among many others thus abandoned, Corporal
Frank Gilmore, of Company A, of the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth, one of the
guards at the court-house in Fredericksburg, used as a hospital, swam the stream.

COXFEDERATE WiNE CONFISCATED.

A cheerful incident attending the evacuation of Fredericksburg occurred

concerning Colonel Allen, General Hum-
phreys and many of the One Hundred
and Fifty-fifth Regiment, and as the
sequel shows, a few uninvited comrades
of a neighboring regiment bivouacked
on the streets of the town. Some in-
quisitive spirits, members of the Regi-
ment, found a cellar full of other
spirits close by; and upon reporting the
discover}- early in the afternoon, Colonel
Allen sanctioned, for the sake of the
sick and wounded in the hospitals, the
appropriation of the contents of this
wine cellar, by a reliable committee from
the Regiment. The bottles were handed
up one at a time through a vault hole in
the sidewalk and passed along in quan-
tities aggregating over four hundred bot-
tles, when the work of the receiving
comrades at the top of the grating re-
quired a rest. At this point a comrade,
CAPT. WILLIAM R. JONES. who later became famous in Western

UxNDER THE MALTESE CROSS. 109

Pennsylvania, being none other than the late William R. Jones, late manager of
the Carnegie Steel Works at Braddock, but at that time serving as a private sol-
dier in the One Hundred and Thirty-third Pennsylvania Regiment, from Johns-
town, Pa., volunteered to reheve the over-worked men of the One Hundred and
Fifty-fifth, in the labors of receiving bottles of wine passed up to them through
the grating in the street. Private Jones kindly relieved the labors of the One
Hundred and Fifty-fifth men, but soon diverted a goodly number of the last hun-
dred bottles to himself and companions for services rendered. This diversion was
not discovered by the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth until the next day, when,
through Colonel F. B. Speakman, commanding the One Hundred and Thirty-
third, Jones' good joke on the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth leaked out. Colonel
Allen thought the confiscation of the wine justifiable, in view of the arduous
duties of the troops and the inclement weather, and that rations of this superb
wine should be distributed to his Regiment. The Colonel also sent a bountiful
supply of the wine to the sick and wounded in the hospitals.

General Humphreys Samples the Wine.

Orders had been issued by General Humphreys against the troops' interfering
with private property of any kind, and in the interest of discipline the direst
penalties were threatened to officers tolerating any violation of these orders. It
was, therefore, not without considerable curiosity as to how General Hum-
phreys, the Division Commander, might, if invited by Colonel Allen to share the
Colonel's ration, take the tender of a little of this confiscated wine. Without
any misgivings, however. Colonel Allen did induce General Humphreys to share
his hospitality, although it was disturbed once or twice by an occasional shell or
stray shot striking the building where the modest banquet to Humphreys was
being tendered. At the proper period of the feast. Colonel Allen produced from
beneath the table a bottle of wine, and in politest terms, asked General Hum-
phreys to share a bumper with him. The General, who at times could be as
polite as any man in the world, proved it on this occasion by most courteously
accepting the Colonel's ofifer and in the absence of silver goblets or fine cut-glass-
ware; the plain army tin cup was utilized and filled with the tempting beverage.
General Humphreys pronounced a warm eulogy upon it, and demanded to know
how Colonel Allen was so fortunate as to secure a bottle. The latter explained
to him that he had another bottle, and could furnish him another cupful, which the
General received with great gusto. When finding that General Humphreys would
not likely be shocked with the truth, he explained that to prevent vandalism and
the destruction of the wine, he had taken the contents of the entire cellar for his
sick and wounded in the hospitals, which report met with the hearty and cordial
approval of Humphreys as a wise and humane act, instead of censure. When,
however, Colonel Allen admitted that he had already distributed a hundred bot-
tles of this fine beverage to his own men bivouacking in the streets, Humphreys
professed to be shocked beyond measure at the awful waste of such fine wine
on such raw material as private soldiers. After some extenuating defense by
Colonel Allen, and pleading specially the gallant charge of the One Hundred

110

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

Z
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UNDER THE ^MALTESE CROSS. Ill

and Fiftv-fifth Regiment on Marye's Heights, Humphreys became reconciled
to the wanton waste of fine wine on private soldiers, and the Colonel produced
a third bottle from under the table and another cupful, which the Division Gen-
eral disposed of with great apparent relish. With the gift of a few more bottles
to General Humphreys, he and Colonel Allen separated with a cemented friend-
ship of a lasting character.

The enemy did not discover the retreat of the main army until late in the
day, when the fog lifted ; and great must have been their chagrin and disappoini-
ment over the masterly retreat of Burnside's army. The casualties on the Union
side have never been fully or carefully tabulated, but they are approximated to
have reached not less than seventeen thousand men, mostly killed and wounded,
a few being taken prisoners. As the distance from the north-side end of the
pontoons, on which the army crossed to their old camps was very short, and as
the winter huts of the camp were all intact, the same as they had been left a few
days before, Burnside's army soon resumed their old positions and camps.

About the only prominent general who took part in the battle of Fredericks-
burg that escaped official and personal denunciation by General Burnside was
General Humphreys, whom Burnside, in his official report recommended to be
breveted Major-General for conspicuous bravery and gallantry in leading the
" forlorn hope " by his Division on Marye's Heights. This recommendation
Lincoln adopted, and General Humphreys was accordingly so honored. The
charges preferred by General Burnside against seventeen of his leading Gen-
erals, growing out of this Fredericksburg battle, when presented to President
Lincoln, were met by the latter in his characteristic, homely and commonsense
way. He said to Burnside that, as between removing these other distinguished
Generals, who had won distinction on many battle-fields, and removing him as
the commander of the Army of the Potomac, it would occasion less trouble to
the Union cause to remove him. The Cabinet influences, however, that secured
the appointment of Burnside, were able to overcome this opposition, and to
secure him another chance to redeem his lost reputation as a General.

Burnside's Mud-march Campaign a Fiasco.

Accordingly, about the 20th day of January, 1863, Burnside organized an-
other campaign against the Confederates, and prefaced the opening of the same
with the remarkable address that " the auspicious moment had now arrived to
strike the enemy a blow," which, in view of the sequel, was ridiculous. When the
army broke camp to follow up, or take advantage of " the auspicious moment "
mentioned, the weather was fine, and the roads very good for military move-
ments ; but where the blow was to be struck was, of course, a profound secret to
all but Burnside and his advisers. All that the men in the ranks knew was that
the line of march was towards the upper fords of the Rappahannock, or possibly
the fords of the Rapidan where Hooker and Grant in later campaigns crossed to
meet Lee's army. But fate seemed to be once more against Burnside, as at the
end of the first half-day's march a decided change in the magnificent weather took

lis

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

113

place by a storm of drizzling rain and snow, which in a few hours made the roads
over which the heavy wagon and ammunition trains and the troops had to march,
impassible by reason of the muddy condition of the same. In many places the
roads became almost liquid. It was not unusual to see wagon trains, sutlers'
wagons and artillery wagons sunk to the hubs of the wheels, and the poor mules
were unable to budge their loads, it being as much as they could do in some cases
to keep their bodies or heads above the water and mud. At first the troops, to
meet this most unexpected change in the weather, were detailed by regiments,
with axes, to chop down trees and build corduroy roads, but the storm con-
tinuing, this became impossible, and the roads could not be used. The pontoon
trains as well as the wagon trains stuck in the mud, and the entire movement
was completely blocked — ^more effectually, in fact, than it could have been by any
human enemy. Unwilling to abandon this unfortunate movement, which had
suddenly become so inauspicious, the command was given that the mules and
teams in the pontoon trains stuck in the mud should be taken out, and in their
places ropes should be tied to the wagons, and regiments of men detailed, like
firemen, to pull the ropes of the wagons conveying the pontoons. The storm
continued, however, with unabated force, so that fires could not be lighted, rations
cooked or shelter secured for the men, and at last Burnside was most reluctantly
compelled to abandon the movement which had promised so well. The enemy
got word of the movement promptly from some source, and as the troops came
near the streams where the pontoons were to be laid, in derision, hoisted signs
with the inscription " Burnside stuck in the mud." 'After three or four days of
this miserable experience, the troops were marched back again to their old camps,
and soon after Burnside's resignation was accepted, and General Joseph Hooker
was named by President Lincoln to be his successor as commander of the Army
of the Potomac.

114

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

When the day's march was over, the bivouac spread,

The sky our canopy, the earth our bed —

How close along- the shadowy hill arrayed

Mingled the campfires of our Brigade !

Or, when through travel or in battle spent,

With what fraternal love each regiment

Shared with their comrades in their scanty store,

And with kind offices each other's burdens bore !

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS. 115

Chapter VI.

GENERAL HOOKER TAKES COMMAND.— CAMP HUMPHREYS.

Official Order Assigning General Joseph Hooker to Command Army of
Potomac. — ^Camp Humphreys. — Colonel Allen's Health Fails. — Lieuten-
ant-Colonel John H. Cain Assumes Command of Regiment. — Changes and
Promotions in Regiment. — Description of Camp Humphreys. — Routine
of Camp Life. — Bayonet Exercise and Skirmish Drill. — Religious Exer-
cises IN Camp. — ^Army of Potomac Reorganized by General Hooker. — ^Presi-
dent Lincoln Visits Army of Potomac. — Grand Review of Army in Honor
OF President. — ^April 36th Marching Orders Received. — Regiment on
Picket Duty at Fords of Rappahannock. — Army Crosses Rappahannock. —
Confederates Surprised. — Order from General Hooker Congratulating
Army.— Battle of Chancellorsville Begins. — Fifth Corps Supports
Eleventh Corps. — Humphreys' Division Under Fire. — Takes Position at
Front. — ^Regiment Supports Battery. — One Hundred and Fifty-fifth and
One Hundred and Thirty-first Pennsylvania Volunteers " Feel the
Enemy." — Affecting Incident of General Whipple's Death. — Humphreys'
Division Covers Retreat of Army Across Rappahannock. — Strategic
Ability of General Hooker.- — Casualties.

IN THE 36th day of January, 1863, the official order assigning General
Joseph Hooker to the command of the Army of the Potomac was
read at dress parade to all the regiments of the army. A few days
after this announcement, the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth moved
a few miles nearer to Falmouth, to what was probably the finest
camp and winter quarters it ever occupied during its term of service, known as
Camp Humphreys. On February 3, 1863, a few days after the " Mud March,"
this new camp had been laid out in approved military form, with parade campus,
fine company streets, officers' quarters and quartermasters' tents, and all the para-
phernalia of a genuinely comfortable camp for winter quarters. The bad sanitary
arrangements in the construction of the quarters in the previous camps and
winter quarters and the resultant sickness were the reasons for the perfection of
drainage and sanitary precautions attained in Camp Humphreys. The memories
of the good health and comforts and pleasant days in this camp during February
and March, and a large part of April, 1863, in the minds of the One Hundred
and Fifty-fifth Regiment, will never be forgotten. Indeed, so picturesque and
attractive was this encampment that the artist of the Regiment reduced its at-
tractive appearance to paper, and had the sketch copied and lithographed in
Pittsburg, and many copies were sold by the sutler in charge of the enterprise.

116

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

MAJ.-GEN. JOSEPH HOOKER.

As a historic souvenir of that period, this
bird's-eye view of Camp Humphreys is
reproduced.

This camp was remarkable, too, from
the fact that it was occupied by all the regi-
ments composing Humphreys' Division at
this time.

First, Colonel P. H. Allabach's head-
quarters, with Brigade flag floating, is
shown in the left of the foreground of
picture ; next, the One Hundred and Fifty-
fifth Pennsylvania Volunteer Regimental
quarters in the foreground with the Regi-
ment out on dress parade ; next, the One
Hundred and Twenty-third Regiment
Pennsylvania A'oUmteers, Colonel John B.
Clark; following this, the One Hundred
and Thirty-third Regiment Pennsylvania

Volunteers, Colonel Allabach; and lastly, the One Hundred and Thirty-first

Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, Colonel F. B. Speakman.

The other four Pennsylvania Regiments of Humphreys' Division, composing

General E. B. Tyler's Brigade, are not entirely visible in this picture of Camp

Humphreys, being partially concealed by the woods.

Changes Occurring in the Regiment.

Colonel Allen, whose strenuous and untiring labors and exposure in the cam-
paigns of Antietam and Fredericksburg, had seriously affected his health, finally
broke down. After weeks of suffering in the field, his complaint — inflammatory
rheumatism — not yielding to medical treatment, he was compelled, most reluc-
tantly, to relinquish command of the Regiment, and accept a sick-leave, in order
to secure home treatment. To one of his soldierly instincts, and with his fine
record, his retirement was most disappointing to the men of his command, who,
without exception, honored and esteemed him. During Colonel Allen's leave
of absence for his health, the command of the Regiment was assumed by Lieu-
tenant-Colonel John H. Cain, also a most popular and attractive officer.

Captain Frank Van Gorder, the Regimental Quartermaster, resigned and re-
turned to Pittsburg immediately after the battle of Fredericksburg. This vacancy
in the Quartermaster's office caused the promotion of James B. Palmer from
Sergeant of Company C to a Captaincy and Regimental Quartermaster, a posi-
tion he filled most creditably until the end of the war.

The resignation of Captain Charles Klotz, of Company G, already noted
as so loyally guarding the knapsacks of the Company- when it crossed the Poto-
mac at Shepherdstown, on the reconnoissance with the Corn Exchange Regiment,
the One Hundred and Eighteenth Pennsylvania, to discover the position taken
by Lee's army, on its retreat from Antietam, was accepted by Colonel Allen im-
mediately following the battle of Fredericksburg.

UXDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

117

LIEUT.-COL. JOHN H. CAIN.

MAJ. ALFRED L. PEARSON.

J. B. PALMER,
Captain and Regimental Quartermaster.

CAPT. GEORGE F. MORGAN.

118

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

LIEUT. ARTHUR W. BELL.

CAPT. BENJAMIN B. KERR.

Sergeant-Major George F. Morgan, of Company E, was promoted and
transferred to succeed Captain Charles Klotz.

' The death of Captain Lee Anshutz, of Company C, at Fredericksburg, left a
vacancy which was filled by First Lieutenant James S. Palmer.

Doctor James M. Hoffman, Surgeon of the Regiment, who had been trans-
ferred from the Ninety-ninth Pennsylvania Infantry in October, 1863, was dis-
missed A/[arch 22, 1863.

Doctor Joseph A. E. Reed succeeded Doctor Hoffman by promotion from
Assistant Surgeon of the Regiment.

Doctor W. Stockton Wilson became the Assistant Surgeon of the Regiment
at Antietam.

Sergeant Arthur W. Bell, of Company E, was promoted to First Lieu-
tenant to fill a vacancy occurring by the resignation of Lieutenant Miles P.
Sigworth, of Company G. Lieutenant Bell was a brave, efficient officer and
conscientious in the discharge of all duties.

The promotion of Captain Alfred L. Pearson, of Company A, to be Major
on December 31, 1863, occasioned the commissioning of First Lieutenant Frank
J. Buchard to be Captain, who served for three months, when his resignation was
accepted. He was succeeded in turn as Captain by John C. Stewart.

Captain Benjamin B. Kerr, who organized Company B, was compelled
by ill health in the camp to tender his resignation on April 3, 1863. His
position as Captain was filled by Henry W. Grubbs, promoted from First
Lieutenant.

First Lieutenant George W. Lore and Second Lieutenant Benjamin F.

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS. 119

Jennings, who were also active organizers of their Company, also tendered their
resignations during this period following the battle of Fredericksburg.

James J. Hall, who, with Samuel Kilgore and Alexander Carson, had
recruited Company D, was discharged on Surgeon's certificate, December 15,
1862, First Lieutenant Samuel Kilgore was promoted to the Captaincy of the
Compan}'.

Second Lieutenant Edward Meeker, of Company G, who commanded the
Company at Fredericksburg, resigned January 10, 1862, because of ill health.

First Lieutenant John T. Denniston, of Company C, was promoted to Captain
and transferred, November 10, 1863, to the staff of Brigadier-General Thomas
A. Rowley, U. S. Volunteers.

Regimental Quarters. — Camp Life.

The location occupied by the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth and other regi-
ments in Camp Humphreys was well selected, all the companies having good
wide streets. There were also regimental quarters and campus, and quarters for
the brigade commander and staff officers. The regiments occupying Camp
Humphreys were furnished with axes and sent to the woods near by to chop
trees and saplings from which to build log huts for winter quarters, each hut
containing quarters for three men. The chimney was made of sticks and mud,
surmounted by a box to convey away the smoke. The roof was made of wood
or slats, where obtainable, and in other cases tents were used. The interior of
the quarters thus constructed was very comfortable, being daily inspected, the
clothing aired and every precaution of a sanitary nature was taken to prevent
disease. Virginia pines, being winter-greens, were planted in rows along the
streets and borders of the camp, and arches of the same material were con-
structed in front of the quarters of each Colonel in the Division.

The streets, the parade-ground, and officers' quarters were policed regularly,
so that it could be said to be a model camp of neatness and cleanliness and
comfort.

A very frequent practical joke, perpetrated by soldiers leaving the camp in
the middle of the night for the outposts, was the covering, unobserved by the
slumbering occupants of the quarters, of the chimney with a board or other ob-
struction, which was sure to result in the smoking out of the inmates. Of
course, by the time this occurred, the perpetrators of the mischief would be far
away at their distant posts unsuspected.

The Colonel, and all the commissioned officers of the Regiment at head-
quarters, had servants, or men detailed during these winter quarters, to chop
the fire-wood into nice pieces for their daily use. These sticks of fuel were gen-
erally stacked up at night adjacent to each officer's quarters, and when no guard
was on duty, as was frequently the case, the returning pickets on the winter nights,
to save themselves the trouble of chopping fire-wood, would purloin an armful
of this nicely-chopped wood, and hide it in their own tents for use. Frequently
officers would be roused by this breach of duty, and would raise a rumpus,
shouting and calling for guards, and possibly using some profanity. In such
cases, however, the officer, being in his retiring costume, never followed through

130

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CAPT. JOHN T. DENNISTON.

the snow the absconding wood thief. On one or two occasions, however, watches
were set for these night prowlers, and several were caught in the act and made
examples of by being required the next day in camp to carry a good-sized log
on their shoulders, whilst the guard patrolled his beat to prevent their escape.
The result of this vigilance made the wood-robbers more particular as to the
officer upon whom they committed their depredations, and the shrewd ones were
wont to relieve the non-combatant officers of the regiment of their fuel. The
worthy Chaplain, whose peaceful instincts, they knew, could be safely relied upon
to prevent their being shot, even if caught in the act, became their victim, and as
a result his wood-pile was regularly diminished, and the good man, to his credit
be it said, never raised a disturbance or made a complaint. Some of the most
exemplary and devout comrades of the Regiment, and regular attendants upon
the sermons of the Chaplain in this camp, it is sad to relate, were also the most
regular attendants at his wood-pile whilst he was in the arms of ^Morpheus.

The morale of the men of Humphreys' Division was never better than it was
during their performance of picket duties, drilling and reviews, and the dis-
charging of soldierly duties, such as guard-mounts, wagon-guards and an occa-
sional scouting party, in this camp. As previously stated, the sanitary condition
of the camp was perfect and the hospital cots unoccupied. The bugle call, " Come
and get your quinine ! Come and get your quinine ! " for those suffering from
temporary or imaginary ailments to report at the Regimental doctor's tent, met
with few responses in this camp, and formed a marked contrast to the experience
of sickness, disabihties, and excuses from duty in preceding camps of the Division.

An unfailing and enjoyable daily bugle call was, " Come and get your mail,"

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS. 131

being the receipt of letters from home, a great antidote for home-sickness. The
joy on these occasions was surpassed only by the receipt of boxes by express from
home containing rolls of fresh butter, jellies, and many home delicacies.

During the long winter evenings, continuing until spring set in, many recrea-
tions were introduced in camp to relieve the dull monotony of the soldier's life.
Thus, at Regimental headquarters a glee club was formed, and often late in the
" wee sraa' hours " of the night, from that quarter might be heard the sweet notes
of " Lorena," " In the Old Louisiana Low-lands," and many other familiar
ballads. Membership in this camp choir was not restricted to officers, but disci-
pline was relaxed and the private soldier known to have a good voice, or to play
a musical instrument, was often excused from camp or picket duty to permit his
attendance at Colonel Pearson's headquarters, to participate with Pearson, Adju-
tant Montooth, Sergeant Ralston, Sergeant Harry Campbell, of Company B,
Quartermaster-Sergeant George P. Fulton, Corporal Robert Culp and other tal-
ented performers. Many of the Regiment who performed on musical instruments
had their vioHns, banjos, accordions and mandoHns sent from home during winter
quarters, so that even in the company quarters select quartettes would often be
formed. Frequent cotillions and hoe-downs were executed most gracefully in the
company streets with Corporal Bob Culp, of Company B, the Regimental fiddler,
calling the figures. A snap-shot sketch of one of these festive occasions, drawn
by the Regimental artist, has been reproduced for this history, in which portraits
of Sergeant Walter McCabe, Dick Murphy, Bill Jones and Pat Lyon, well-known
comrades, appear as forming the set in the hoe-down. Professor Bob Culp is
seated " rosining the bow " vigorously. Also heard nightly, but earlier in the
evening, was the very loud and animated singing of religious songs or hymns by
Company K, noted as being the most religious company of the Regiment, having
a number of preachers as officers, and elders and active church members in the
ranks. This company was from Armstrong County, Pennsylvania, and in their
lives and conduct were as exemplary Christians as were those of Cromwell's
army, although not quite so austere and fanatical.

Company E, a Pittsburg company, was camped on one side, and Company
B, another Pittsburg company, was camped on the other side of Company K.
The sweet strains of camp-meeting hymns were rendered in stentorian tones,
and the nightly rendition of these devout songs, such as " The Sweet Bye and
Bye," " In Heaven Above Where All Is Love," " In the Green Fields of Eden,"
etc., shouted by voices more vigorous than musical of this good company, very
much disturbed the nightly worldly enjoyments and pleasures of Companies E
and B on either side of " K." This sonorous rendition of sacred music in con-
. nection with the sounds of prayer meetings in so close proximity to the two com-
panies named was but little appreciated by the members of the latter companies,
their piety being less demonstrative. A very different feature enlivening other
companies in this camp was that of card-playing, prevalent during the hours
of the devotional exercises in Company K. It must be confessed, also, that oc-
casional private games of " poker " were indulged in by members of various com-
panies, and that the stakes, to make the game interesting, were not always limited
to a mere nominal sum.

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Discipline was relaxed on many pleasant days in these winter quarters and
officers and men engaged in pitching quoits, whilst others procured boxing gloves
and gave exhibitions of the manly art of self-defense. These diversions never
interfered with the respect due Major Pearson, who often took an active part
in these amusements. He was an excellent boxer and also surpassed as a pitcher
of quoits. In fact, an era of good feeling was engendered between officers and
men by this daily camp life through which they became better known to each other
and also more attached.

As indicating another variety of young men existing in the Regiment there
were not a few in these winter quarters who sent home for school-books aban-
doned on enlisting, and resumed their studies as opportunity gave them the time.
In some cases this occurred with such success, that the soldier students were quali-
fied, on returning home, to enter upon business or professional careers, and some
obtained distinction without further school or college education.

Drilling was not neglected, and the amount of attention paid to drilling the
men in the bayonet exercise and the skirmish drill and target-firing in which the
officers and men of the Regiment became very proficient, was of invaluable benefit
to the service in the subsequent active campaigns in which the Regiment par-
ticipated. This bayonet or skirmish drill superseded early in the war the old-time
tactics coming down from the days of Waterloo, which was simply a useless waste
of time and muscle in teaching a regiment of infantry how to form a hollow
square, and to kneel down, and with fixed bayonets receive a charge of cavalry.
It was found quite early in the Civil War that, however obliging the cavalry were
in Napoleon and Wellington's time in charging these " hollow squares " of infan-
try thus posted to receive them, that " Jeb." Stuart's and Fitz Hugh Lee's Confed-
erate cavalry never manifested the slightest disposition to fight Union veterans
that way. It cannot probably be said that any members of the One Hundred and
Fifty-fifth, however eager for the fray, ever felt disappointed at the failure of
the Confederates to impale their cavalry on the bayonets of the Regiment.

During camp life in the pleasant winter quarters of Camp Humphreys, many
subordinate officers of Allabach's Brigade seemed to be afflicted with various
minor ailments, such as cramps, etc., for which no other remedy seemed so
efficacious as frequent doses of Government " commissary." For a short period
only, during the absence of Colonel AUabach, Colonel John B. Clark, command-
ing the One Hundred and Twenty-third Regiment Pennsylvania \^olunteers, was
placed in command of the Brigade. Being a minister of the gospel and strictly
temperate, he refused to sign the usual requisitions of officers for " commissary,"
except for urgent medical purposes. Just at this particular period, it is stated
that cramps became very prevalent among certain officers of the One Hundred
and Fifty-fifth, and the situation became peculiarly distressing on account of the
inability of these officers, by reason of Colonel Clark's stand, to procure their
favorite remedy. Lieutenant Alex. Carson, of Company D, while suflfering greatly
from the deprivation of his favorite beverage and medicine, with a canteen strung
on his shoulder, visited Colonel Clark at brigade headquarters and presented the
depressed condition of himself and his companions in so touching a manner that
the good Colonel set aside his scruples for the nonce, and endorsed the requisition

124 UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

enabling the genial yet thirsty Lieutenant to procure just one canteen full of the
coveted medicine.

With a countenance expressive of great satisfaction, Lieutenant Carson has-
tened to his quarters where he speedily procured assistance to alter the formal
requisition by placing after the figure one the figure four, so that the amended
requisition would read fourteen instead of one. Thus amended, the requisition
was duly honored by the commissary, and the cramps and kindred diseases af-
fecting so many officers of the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth, after a few doses
of this sovereign remedy, disappeared like magic.

During the occupancy of Camp Humphreys the Regiment was without a
chaplain. Expecting to secure one soon, Lieutenant-Colonel Cain directed the
erection of a chapel adjacent to the Regimental camp. The boys of the religious
Company K, and many from other companies detailed for the task of building
the chapel, entered upon the work with alacrity, and labored with diligence and
pleasure. Private D. K. Stevenson, of Company E, who left a Methodist pulpit
to shoulder a musket, was chosen architect of the sacred structure, and Lieutenant
Alex. Carson, of Company D, was made superintendent of construction, and had
charge of the gang of soldier laborers that felled the trees and squared the tim-
bers. Among the Clarion and Armstrong county boys were many expert woods-
men, and the work went on in good shape for several weeks, according to the
elaborate plans. But, alas ! before the completion and dedication of the chapel,
the Chancellorsville campaign was on. The Regiment broke camp and the One
Hundred and Fifty-fifth Pennsylvania Volunteers' chapel was never completed.
However, before it was actually roofed, the boys of Lieutenant Carson's detail had
a dance in it. and the dulcet strains of the old-time tunes were duly brought forth
from Bob Culp's fiddle, " Andy " White, of Company H, calling the regulation
country-dance " figgers."

General Hooker Regrga.xizes Army.

General Joseph Hooker had acquired, before his appointment, the reputation
of being a most severe critic of all the previous Generals commanding the Army
of the Potomac — a fact which, in a letter communicating his appointment. Presi-
dent Lincoln referred to as being far from the cause of his appointment, and as-
suring him that it was in spite of his caviling and harsh criticisms of other com-
manders that he intrusted him with the command of the Army of the Potomac.
It is to be doubted whether in history there is a parallel of a General accepting a
promotion such as this, accompanied with the stern rebuke contained in this letter
of the patient Lincoln. Personally, however, General Hooker's handsome appear-
ance as an officer, his genial manners and aggressiveness in battle, earning the
soubriquet of " Fighting Joe," made his appointment a most popular one— the
more so, because it relieved the army of General Burnside, whose unfitness for
general command was established beyond doubt. General Hooker's tact also
served him well, and aided materially in restoring confidence to the army suffering
from the demoralization of Burnside's demonstration.

General Hooker's first move was to disband the organization of the grand

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

125

136 UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

divisions of the army made by his predecessor, and in their place restored the
corps organizations and plan of army commands, as maintained by General
McClellan. This change also relieved the^Fifth Corps of General Daniel Butter-
field, who became Chief-of-Stafi to General Hooker. General George G. Meade,
destined to become so famous as the commander of the army at Gettysburg and
at Appomattox with Grant, succeeded to the command of the Fifth Army Corps.
Probably, however, no single act of Hooker's, as the new commander, did more
to restore confidence and good spirits to the army than the increase of rations to
be distributed to the rank and file of the army, and the substitution of baker's
bread and also fresh vegetable rations in camp in place of the irrepressible hard-
tack. As a consequence. Hooker's appearance in the camps, on the march, and at
reviews was marked by the liveliest cheering and demonstrations, indicating the
appreciation of the men of his command of his efforts to increase their comforts.
During the weeks following his appointment and preparations of plans for
the spring campaign, drillings, inspections, reviews and target-firing were resorted
to daily; so that the army discipline was restored, and its tone and spirit was
never better under any General who had previously commanded than it was
when the orders to break camp were given by General Hooker, on the 27'th day
of April, 1863, beginning the march to Chancellorsville.

President Reviews the Army.

President Lincoln, on April 7, 1863, visited General Hooker in the camps at
Falmouth, where the winter quarters of the Army of the Potomac, on the north
side of the Rappahannock since the retreat from Fredericksburg, had been.

General Hooker made ample preparations to extend to the President, on the
occasion of his visit, a review of all the corps of the Army of the Potomac. It
was conceded that the army had reached the maximum of efficiency and morale
at this time, and the display on the occasion of this review by the President had
never been surpassed by any similar event since the opening of the Civil War.

Composing this grand army thus reviewed were commanders of distinction,
several of whom afterwards fell in battle. At the head of the column. General
John F. Reynolds, in command of the First Corps, rode with his staff and well-
known colors and corps markers.

General Hancock, styled by McClellan the " Superb," followed with his staff
at the head of the famous divisions and brigades of the Second Corps, con-
taining the decimated columns of the regiments of the Irish Brigade, with
General Thomas Francis Meagher at its head, each regiment carrying the green
flag of old Ireland side by side with the stars and stripes and Second Corps flag.

The Third Corps, commanded by General Daniel E. Sickles, who, present-
ing a magnificent soldierly appearance, followed with his staff, the historic
Excelsior Brigade, and the division Generals Whipple and Berry, who were
destined so soon to fall in battle at Chancellorsville, made an imposing sight.

The Fifth Corps was led by General George G. Meade, fresh from the
wounds received at Antietam and the honor of leading the Pennsylvania Re-
serves at Fredericksburg. This Corps also contained the division commanded by

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS. 127

General Charles Griffin; also the division of the United States Regulars, under
command of General George Sykes; and the division of Pennsylvania regiments,
led by the intrepid General A. A. Humphreys, in which the One Hundred and
Fiftv-Fifth, commanded by Colonel John H. Cain, was serving.

The Sixth Corps followed next, commanded by General John Sedgwick, a
veteran officer of the Mexican War who had also won distinction on many
battle-fields of the Civil War.

General O. O. Howard, with the empty sleeve recalling the loss of an arm
in the Peninsula Campaign, with his staff, led the Eleventh Corps, in which were
the divisions of German troops, commanded by General Von Steinwehr, Schim-
melpfennig, and Carl Schurz.

The Twelfth Army Corps was led by Major-General Henry W. Slocum, of
most distinguished record, in which General Geary,, of Pennsylvania, commanded
a division. This Corps completed the infantry troops in the review.

General Stoneman, at the head of the magnificent divisions of cavalry, com-
manded by Generals Pleasanton, Custer, Gregg and Buford, followed. The
historic batteries of artillery, regular and volunteer, made a splendid appearance,
all being under command of General Henry H. Hunt, whose handling of the
hundred pieces of artillery in the recent battle of Fredericksburg had earned him
great honor and distinction. General Gouverner K. Warren was promoted by
General Hooker to be Chief Engineer of the Army of the Potomac.

The pontoon boats on this occasion were not detained in Washington, nor
" stuck in the mud," but with their guards and engineers, and General Warren
at their head, also passed in review before the President and party.

The number of troops participating in this review, it is estimated, exceeded
one hundred thousand, and occupied the entire day from early morning until late
in the afternoon in passing. Humphreys' Division had marched six miles to the
open plain selected for this magnificent military pageant.

However, as the weather was fine, President Lincoln, as seen on the reviewing
stand, seemed to endure the fatigue of reviewing the long procession of troops
well, and remained until the last pontoon at the rear of the parade had passed,
returning with great precision and cordiality the salutations given him by the
corps and other commanders. The orders for strict discipline on this occasion,
prohibiting the men from making demonstrations, and, as required by military
etiquette, to keep their eyes front, were frequently disregarded, especially when
some of the famous brigades and regiments containing emotional individuals
threw up their hats and cheered lustily for the much-beloved President. This
flagrant breach of military etiquette was overlooked on this occasion, no offenders
being sent to the guard-house for the infraction.

Marching Orders. — Eight Days' Rations.

One week later, the 36th of April, marching orders were issued by General
Hooker to his army, together with the unusual direction that each soldier in the
ranks should carry on his person eight days' rations. On no previous campaign
or march of the army were the men in the ranks required to carry more than

128

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

JOHN H. IRWIN,
Sergeant-Major.

three days' rations. This order in itself indicated a
movement from the base of snpphe.s and probabihty of
hostihties lasting some days and marches to points where
the army wagons with supplies could not promptly fol-
low. This gave rise to a great deal of conjecture as to
the objective campaign about to be undertaken by General
Hooker. The secret, however, was well guarded, and
the soldier in the ranks had to keep guessing as to the
destination. The One Hundred and Fifty-fifth bade
farewell once more to Camp Humphreys, and just before
the move was detailed for picket duty at Bank's Ford on
the Rappahannock. The relations with the enemy at this
time were so friendly that conversations and exchanges
of civilities were frequent with the pickets on the opposite
side of the Rappahannock, no shooting at each other be-
ing tolerated without previous notice.

The left wing of the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth
composed of five companies, under command of Lieu
tenant-Colonel Cain, remained at Bank's Ford, whilst the
five other companies composing the right wing of the
Regiment, tmder command of Major Pearson, was as-
signed to picket duty at Kelly's Ford. Sergeant-Ma jor
John H. Irwin remained for duty with the left wing, with Lieutenant-Colonel
Cain commanding, at Bank's Ford; and Major Pearson, in command of the right
wing, detailed Private Charles F. McKenna, of Company E, as acting Sergeant-
Major of that wing. On this picket duty at these two fords, the Regiment re-
mained quite comfortable until April 27th, when the Irish Brigade, under General
Meagher, of the Second Corps, relieved both wings of the Regiment from picket
duty.

General George G. Meade, the new Fifth Corps commander, with his staff,
had visited the picket-posts of the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth Regiment at the
fords named the day before the Regiment was relieved by Meagher's men.
General Meade and staff made observations with their field glasses to ascertain
the positions of the enemy opposite and the situation of the forces across the
Rappahannock.

The Regiment was returning to Camp Humphreys on being relieved from
picket duty at the fords, when it met the other divisions of the Fifth Corps on the
march, indicating the opening of the campaign for which the eight days' rations
had been issued. General Meade personally halted the One Hundred and Fifty-
fifth Regiment on its march to its old camp, and directed the officers to have the
Regiment file off the road to the sides, so as to allow the marching column of
troops to pass ; and that when Humphreys' Division reached the point where the
Regiment had halted, the latter should fall into line and accompany it. The
greeting of the other regiments of Humphreys' Division to the One Hundred
and Fifty-fifth, halted on the roadside, was most cordial, and demonstrations of
affection were particularly manifested by the nine-months regiments on the

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS. laO'

march, with whom the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth had been associated ever
since enlistment.

The Fifth Corps column marched past Hartwood Church April -^Sth.
General Hooker and staff rode by close to where the One Hundred and Fifty-
fifth had halted in the column, and his presence was greeted with cheering and
shouts of " eight days' rations," which seemed to amuse the General very much,
as he most courteously responded to the salutes of his men. The 28th and 29th
were spent in marching to the point on the Rappahannock where it was intended
to cross over to give the enemy battle.

The Regiment, before starting on this campaign, had reached a high state of
efficiency, being under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel John H. Cain, who, in
the battle and subsequent movements of the Regiment, won the approbation of
his superior officers and all the men of the Regiment for his soldierly conduct.

Crossing the Rappahannock and the Rapidan.

The Regiment, on the night of the "^Qth, camped on blufifs overlooking the
Rappahannock. From these heights, on the next morning, a most impressive
and picturesque view was witnessed in the movement across the Rappahannock
on pontoons of the army composed of more than one hundred thousand men,
comprising infantry, cavalry and artillery. This, with miles of ammunition and
headquarters wagons, presented a remarkable scene and one most impressive and
interesting. It was dusk in the evening when it came the turn of Humphreys'
Division to cross on the pontoons. The soil on the south side of the Rappa-
hannock after this command had crossed was found to be marshy and sandy and
most difficult to travel over, and the wagon and pontoon trains could scarcely
move on these roads.

April 30th, 1863, Humphreys' Division rose early and marched steadily,,
fording " Deep Creek," a stream knee-deep. After marching until late in the
afternoon, the Division reached the Rapidan river at Ely's Ford. A halt of
three or four hours occurred at this point, the delay being caused by a blockade
of the roads by wagon trains. At first the proposition that all the troops should
wade the Rapidan at this ford seemed incredible, considering that the weather
was quite cool and that the troops had become very warm by their fatiguing
march. However, the order was given to ford the stream, and it was cheerfully
obeyed. Almost all of the troops stripped off their clothing and packed it in one
miscellaneous bundle, which they placed on their shoulders with their guns, and
timidly but firmly stepped into the cold water. Bundles and guns and clothes
were lost by many of the men in crossing this stream, and various devices were
invented to float or carry soldiers and officers across. The water was up to the
chest of a man of ordinary size, and the stream was quite swift. All the Division
trains, artillery, cattle and pack-mules, carrying hardtack and rations, forded the
river. After crossing the stream, Humphreys' Division encamped in a dense
pine woods for the night, starting big fires to dry their clothes, and receiving-
rations of hardtack and fresh beef.

Friday, May 1st, 1863, after resuming the march early and passing through

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UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS. 131

dense woods, about ten o'clock Humphreys' Division reached the open ground in
the vicinity of what afterwards became famous and known as Chancellorsville.
The Division formed in hne for inspection, during which a general order from
General Joseph Hooker, commanding the Army of the Potomac, was read by the
Adjutants to the respective regiments of the Division. The order congratulated
the army on its successful series of marches of the last few days, and its great
surprise to the enemy taken unaware, and promised the sure destruction of the
enemy on his own soil.

This order further declared that we had now got that enemy where he would
have " to come from his strongholds and give us battle, or ingloriously retreat."
The order thus read inspired the men with additional confidence and affection for
Hooker, for the march had been a success and a total surprise to the enemy.

After marching a few miles farther from this position, General Meade led
Griffin's and Sykes' Divisions of the Fifth Corps to the roadside near the
Chancellor House, and there formed a junction with the Second Army Corps
under General Hancock, which had crossed the Rappahannock the night before at
Bank's Ford. Whilst halted here an inspection of arms took place and the
command was ordered to load their guns. The bugle-call sounded to resume
the march. Many of the soldiers, from the excessive marching and the prospect
of battle, threw away at this point their knapsacks and other impediments likely
to become burdensome.

Battle of Chancellorsville.

The two Divisions of the Corps, Sykes' Regulars and Griffin's Division,
marched out very rapidly on a road in the direction of Bank's Ford. Humphreys'
Division was ordered to follow, and promptly did so, passing a Confederate
encampment on the road which gave every sign of having been suddenly evacuated
but a few hours before. Brisk artillery firing while on this reconnoissance towards
Bank's Ford broke out and could be heard very distinctly by the command. But
few of the shots or shells reached Humphreys' Division, which, as stated, was in
the rear of the Fifth Corps column ; but Sykes' Division and Griffin's Division
received some of this artillery firing of the enemy. From some unexplained
reason, Sykes' Division, which thus came across the enemy as the head of the
reconnoitering column, was given orders by General Hooker not to fight or bring
on a battle, and next was ordered to fall back to the place whence they started,
near the Chancellor House.

A singular scene took' place on the retrograde movement of this column
composed of the Fifth Corps. As it was falling back, panic-stricken teamsters,
pack-mule drivers, with a number of wounded prisoners, some contrabands and
the cattle train crowded the roadside and were in full retreat as if the enemy were
following the troops which General Hooker had sent out on this road to make a
reconnoissance.

General Sickles, at the head of the Third Corps, on the return of the Fifth
Corps from this reconnoissance, formed a junction with the Fifth and Second
Corps.

132

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

Humphreys' Division was detached from the Corps and assigned to a
position on heights commanding the southern approaches to United States Ford.
This was exactly the reverse of the position they had been picketing for two or
more months previous on the opposite side. In taking this new position, strict
orders were given to build no fires and to give no signs by which the enemy
might know or discover the presence of Union troops occupying this position, and
orders were also issued to be ready to fall into line at a moment's notice — virtually
to " sleep on their arms."

Saturday, May 3, 1863. All this day Humphreys' Division was engaged in

CHANCELLORSVILLE HOUSE. War Time Sketch by Edwin Forbes.
(May 1, 1863, at 9 to 10 o'clock a. m.)

Hampton Pennsylvania Battery is shown in the foreground. The One Hundred and Fifty-fifth Regiment,
Pennsylvania Volunteers, is seen on the right of the sketch. It has just loaded muskets and is marching
with the First and Third Divisions, Fifth Army Corps, on the reconnoisance on the River Road to
Fredericksburg, having got as far as Bank's Ford, when recalled by order of General Hooker, instead of
connecting with General Sedgwick at Fredericksburg, Va.

erecting earth works, rifle-pits and other defenses on the heights occupied by the
Division. Batteries were placed in position, and a body of the enemy, gathering
in the woods plainly in sight of the position occupied by Humphreys' Division,
was treated to a shelling by the batteries and driven from their position. The
battle of Chancellorsville was now on and very heavy cannonading and musketry
firing were heard close by, indicating the severity of the engagement.

While still engaged in throwing up works, the Fifth Corps received orders
to march immediately to the right to assist in checking the advance of Stonewall
Jackson's attack on the Union left held by the Eleventh Corps. The One Hundred

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS. 133

and Fifty-fifth knew by the sound of musketry coming from this unexpected
quarter that the enemy had broken through the Union Hues and the Regiment
double-quicked to the scene of action. On the way they beheld most astonishing
sights. Panic-stricken non-combatants, cattle, cattle-guards, ambulances, etc.,
completely choked up the road, impeding the passage; so that the troops were
obliged to take a parallel lane leading to the front. This lane was also soon
crowded with fugitives proclaiming terrible news about the disaster at the front
towards which the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth was hastening. The Fifth Corps
was ordered to relieve the Eleventh Corps under General Howard, and the latter
under orders were marched to the rear to occupy the earthworks covering the
approaches to United States Ford, which the Fifth Corps had been engaged in
erecting. Humphreys' Division was soon under fire, and by the presence of these
fresh troops the stampede was partially checked, and soon the whole Union line
was advanced and the lost ground recovered.

As night set in without a cloud, and the moon arose with unusual brightness,
the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth was posted in the woods, throughout which the
cry of the whip-poor-will was heard, furnishing a strange accompaniment to the
incessant boom of heavy fighting — artillery, cavalry and infantry — the roll of
musketry and picket firing all along the line lasting all night.

Death of " Stonewall " J.vcksox.

It was during these early hours of the night — about nine o'clock — that
General " Stonewall " Jackson lost his life whilst personally with his staff recon-
noitering outside his picket lines, previous to rallying his forces and making a
midnight assault on the Union lines. It appears that he was first seriously
wounded by pickets firing between the lines, and while being carried back to his
own lines was again wounded. No convincing evidence has ever been gathered
or submitted to establish the Confederate claim that General Jackson was killed by
the fire of his own pickets, mistaking him and his escort for Federal cavalry. The
close proximity of' the Union lines with skirmishers and pickets, and the con-
tinuous firing in that viciijity, cast a shade of doubt over the Confederate claim
that stronger proof than has ever yet been offered must be required to dispel.

Sunday, May 3, 1863. The battle was resumed soon after daylight by
furious attacks of the enemy under General J. E. B. Stuart, who had succeeded
General " Stonewall " Jackson. Humphreys' Division advanced from the rifle-pits
which they had nearly completed, being relieved by part of the Eleventh Corps,
and took position, on marching to the front, near the Chancellor House. Alla-
bach's Brigade was immediately assigned to support a battery, and after remain-
ing there an hour or more on this duty stray shots and shells dropping around
the position uncomfortably close to the Regiment, the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth
and the One Hundred and Thirty-third Regiments were detached from the Brigade
and marched to the right of the White House, where General Hooker's head-
quarters were located, and where with his staff he seemed to be receiving reports
from his subordinates. There had been fighting all along the line, and heavy
skirmishing in the vicinity of the White House, which General Hooker had

134

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

135

MAJ.-GEN. JOSKPH HOOKER.

selected for his headquarters. The enemy had range of the position and dropped
many shot and shell in the immediate vicinity of the position occupied by the
commanding General and his staff. General Hooker's deportment at this time
was most soldierly and inspiring ; and it was a matter of very great regret that
soon after, whilst standing on the porch of the White House, a shot struck a
column against which he was leaning and knocked him down, stunning him for
some time. Instead of yielding to his injuries and seeking treatment, on first
rallying from the effects of his injury, General Hooker insisted on mounting his
horse and riding past the line of his troops to show that he was still alive and
active. In this effort, however, the General overtaxed himself ; the exertion re-
quired to maintain his equipoise being too much, and he broke down a second
time, exhausted from his shock and injury, and was taken to his headquarters in
an ambulance. He was there put to bed, without his having made any provision
or given any orders concerning the battle then in progress. General Couch was
the senior Major-General on the field ; but, in view of what was supposed to be
only a temporary disability of the commanding General, and not knowing his
plans, General Couch hesitated and refused to give orders, or in any way exercise

136

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

control of the army, and, like the other corps Generals, remained inactive
awaiting orders. General Humphreys, after getting his division into line of
battle, took occasion at this point to address each particular regiment of his
command. With his staflf, he rode up in front of the troops, and in a most
€xcited manner and accentuating his speech with vigorous gesticulations and
profanity, demanded that each regiment of the Division stand up to the work
before them in the impending battle. To many of the Division who had so re-
cently won for General Humphreys his high honors and reputation in the great
charge at Marye's Heights, his address on this occasion was most surprising and
was wholly uncalled for. Nothing in the conduct of the men in the ranks so far
had given any excuse for the insinuations involved in this excitable and un-
expected speech.

General Humphreys Orders Reconnoissance.

From the position occupied by the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth and com-
panion regiments of the Division, which was in the reserve line of battle, the
Regiment had an excellent view of the columns of Union forces in the advance
going into battle before it came the turn of Humphreys' Division to move.
Whilst expecting at this point to advance in regular line of battle, the One
Hundred and Fifty-fifth and the One Hundred and Thirty-first, which, as
stated, had been detached, were deployed into the edge of the woods, where
they observed before entering forty or fifty pieces of Union artillery in line, with
lanyards drawn ready for action, all under command of Captain Stephen H.
Weed, U. S. A. Whilst the Regiment was waiting for the final order to deploy
into the woods, quite a number of Confederate prisoners who had been captured
in the same woods passed to the rear of the Union lines ; also many Union

wounded being carried back, whilst other
wounded men were walking. A remarkable
scene was also witnessed of a detachment of
Meagher's Irish Brigade, accompanied by
General Meagher himself and Colonel St.
Clair Mulholland, of the One Hundred and
Sixteenth Pennsylvania Volunteers, coming
out of the same woods where they had very
severe fighting all morning, pulling by hand
and ropes the Fifth Maine batterj- of ar-
tillery, the horses of which had all been
killed in the fight. The defence made by
the efficient officers and men of the famous
battery exhibited some of the severest and
most stubborn fighting of the war, its brave
and youthful Captain, Jacob Lapine, dying a
true soldier's death at his post.

Among the officers whose regiments were
GEN. THOMAS FRANCIS MEAGHER, actively engaged in the same woods defending

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

137

Lapine's Battery, was Lieutenant-Colonel William B. Xeeper, whose regiment,
the Fifty-seventh Pennsylvania Volunteers, was in the thickest of the fight.
Colonel Neeper was well known to Colonel Cain, Major Pearson, Adjutant Mon-
tooth, and many other Pittsburgers in the One Hundred and Fifty-iifth, having
long been an active member of the Duquesne Greys, of Pittsburg.

At last, the order was given for the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth and the
One Hundred and Thirty-first to advance from behind the position of the fifty-
four pieces of artillery, already mentioned, in line ready to shell the enemy in
the woods. The military term for the duty of these two regiments is called
" feehng the enemy," but, in point of fact, it proved to be the enemy feeling
them. The two regiments named were ordered to go into the woods and
advance silently as close to the enemy as possible, and that if attacked by the
Confederates from behind works or by their batteries, they were to lie down flat
on the ground to escape the range of the enemy's masked artillery and musketry ,
and that on no account were they to advance farther or to attempt to carr}' the
enemy's works. At the first advance into the woods, the enemy evidently did
not know of the approach of the two regi-
ments and no shots were fired. A rather
humorous incident took place at this time.
Major Pearson, deeming it a proper occasion
to imitate General Humphreys' inspiring ad-
dress to the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth,
made a speech demanding that each man
stand up to his work ; that no hiding behind
trees or holding back should take place, etc.
He had scarcely finished his impassioned ora-
tory when the enemy, discovering the pres-
ence of the two regiments in the woods,
opened out about as brisk a grape and canis-
ter and musketry fire upon them as they did
on Marye's Heights ; so that without express
orders every man in the One Hundred and
Fifty-fifth fell flat on the ground, including
the redoubtable Pearson, who, his men after-
wards claimed, got a little nearer down,
and hugged mother Earth a little closer than

his men. The range, however, of the Confederate artiller}- and musketry
all above the heads of the prostrate men. Soon the enemy ceased firing and,
jumping over their breastworks, advanced to capture the deployed troops.
General Humphreys, however, who was present and on the alert to the situation,
ordered the men of the two regiments of his command to arise instantly and
retreat as promptly and rapidly as they could, so that the fifty-four pieces of
artillery under Captain Stephen H. Weed could let loose their fire on the
pursuing foe. This movement ordered by General Humphreys was executed, to
use a hackneyed phrase, " with quickness and despatch ;"' and the pursuing foe
received the volleys of a most destructive fire from the waiting artillerymen,

CAPT. JACOB LAPINE.

was

138

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

and the woods in which the two Union regiments had been deployed was soon
covered with the bodies of dead and wounded Confederates, whose charge was
repulsed with severe loss.

As the two regiments of Humphreys' Division were falling back from the
woods, the famous Chancellor House in the rear could be seen burning, having
been set on fire by the shelling. The enemy's batteries resumed shelling the same
woods and around the White House, which was still Hooker's headquarters,
and near where Humphreys' Division was stationed and again exposed to
desultory firing.

General Hooker's continued disability prevented any general advance or
movement, but during the night of this day, May 3d, the Regiment furnished
details consisting of one hundred men with similar details from other regiments
to throw up rifle-pits at this point, and when completed, as they were towards
morning, Hayman's Brigade, of the Third Corps, occupied the position. The
weather was extremely cold for the season ; the eight days' rations had not held
out ; the overcoats and blankets had been thrown away on the march, and, as a
result, there was considerable discomfort experienced by many of the troops.

General Whipple's Death ; Affecting Scene.

May 4, 1863. Skirmishing with the enemy's pickets was kept up all day in
plain view of the position of the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth in the rear of the
skirmish line. The Regiment, from its position in reserve, saw General Amiel
W. Whipple, a distinguished officer commanding the Third Division of the Third

Army Corps, mortally wounded by a
Confederate sharpshooter while the Gen-
eral was standing by or leaning against
his horse writing an order. Stray shots
struck others near where the General
received his mortal injury. August
Shmuck, of Company K, was wounded
while taking observations and sighting
a piece of artillery away in reserve of
the skirmish line. General Whipple was
carried on a stretcher past the line
occupied by the One Hundred and Fifty-
fifth on the road near the White House,
followed by his staff. His wound being
mortal and death imminent, the unusual
spectacle was beheld of the stretcher-
bearers stopping and depositing the
stretcher with its occupant on the road-
side, while Father O'Hagan, chaplain
of the Excelsior Brigade, knelt down,
as did all of the General's staff, mourn-
GEN. AMIEL w. WHIPPLE. fully followiug, and the consolations of

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS. 139

religion were administered to the dying man, and prayers appropriate for the oc-
casion were uttered. It was truly a sad and pathetic scene to witness. The spot
where this solemn ceremony took place was still within the range of the foe's
sharpshooters, but no further casualties occurred at that point. General Whipple
passed away within half an hour of the time of receiving the dying sacraments of
his church. General Whipple had a distinguished career on the Peninsula, being
one of Hooker's ablest lieutenants, and was beloved by his men for his soldierly
qualities and courteous treatment of his subordinates.

General Whipple was one of the old Regular Army officers, being a graduate
of \\'est Point, and participating in the Mexican War and also commanding a
division at Fredericksburg. His death caused profound sorrow in Washington,
where he filled various military positions and enjoyed the personal confidence of
President Lincoln. After his death the President interested himself to secure
the appointment of General Whipple's two sons, then in their school days, as
cadets at West Point and Annapolis, respectively, where both in due time
graduated. Charles W. Whipple, on the outbreak of the war with Spain, was
made Chief Ordnance Officer, with the brevet rank of Colonel, and after the close
of that war was dispatched to the Philippines, where he continued to serve the
Government for several years, until his arduous duties and the baleful climate so
affected his health as to cause his retirement. His brother, who entered the navy,
did not long survive his graduation.

General Whipple's remains were removed to Georgetown, D. C, and were
given the honors of a public funeral, which was attended by President Lincoln
and Cabinet.

General Warren in the Trenches.

A detail under Lieutenant James Wells, of the One Hundred and Fifty-
fifth Regiment, reported quite early on the morning of May 5th, at General
Hooker's headquarters, which had been moved a mile or two back beyond the
range of the enemy's fire, the headquarters consisting of a wagon converted into
a. tent. General Hooker, when the detail reported, was pacing the ground in
front of his tent in deep thought. He was evidently very weak and fatigued,
for suddenly turning from his walk he entered his tent and wrapped himself in
blankets. The detail from the Regiment, in connection with those from other
regiments, in all aggregating a thousand men, was put to work constructing an
immense line of fortifications under the direct charge of General G. K. Warren,
Chief of Engineers. The work was difficult at best, but was increased by heavy
rains, which made the ground soft and muddy, and the men were kept hard at
work. Here an incident occurred which many who served on this detail will
recall. General Warren, in charge of the construction of these works, noticing
that some of the men and. boys detailed were inexperienced in such work, and
unfamiHar with the spade and tools, in a most kindly manner got down into the
trenches personally, and affectionately, as if he were a brother of the soldiers,
took shovels and picks from their hands and showed them the knack and skillful
way to use the same in throwing up earth.

The General, in thus educating the men in the use of the tools, must have

140 UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

gone along that entire line and thrown up perhaps a couple. of hundred spadefuls
of earth. This event was the first introduction of General Warren to the
members of the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth Regiment, and, in fact, to
Humphreys' Division. At first so modest was he and kindly in his action that no
one suspected him of holding the rank of Brigadier-General, as he had no sword
or epaulettes or style indicating his rank. Being intent on the work before him,
he had no time for such ornaments. This work, however, was all in vain, as
during the night Hooker's disability continuing, and no one superseding him or
assuming the responsibility, there was no alternative but to abandon the action,
and retreat across the Rappahannock. This was rendered the more necessary as
the river was rising and the pontoons were in danger of being swept away, and
there would then have been no way of supplying the army had it decided to
remain on the south side of the Rappahannock.

Humphreys' Division was again honored by being made the rear guard to
cover the retreat of the army across the Rappahannock, as it had across the same
stream under Burnside in the previous December. The Army of the Potomac,
as already intimated from this account, had been evidently not defeated, because
not more than one-third of it had been actually engaged in the battle. The
allegation was made at that time that General Hooker's incapacity to command
his army at Chancellorsville arose from intoxication. The men of Humphreys'
Division who saw him on that occasion until disabled by the injuries at the
White House are living witnesses to the injustice of this charge against General
Hooker. His strategic ability displayed in reaching the battle-field at Chancellors-
ville so promptly with nearly one hundred and twenty-five thousand troops and
springing a surprise on Lee is itself a tribute to his character and refutes the
charge that he had been drinking or exhibited any evidence of it to the observer.

Up to Chancellorsville the rapid movements of so large an army and the
laying of pontoons crossing streams with such celerit)^ and concealment from the
enemy, was unprecedented, and stamped Hooker as a General of exceptional
ability in the matter of prompt and successful movement of large armies, however
unfortunate it was that his injuries disabled him and prevented his successful
execution of plans to engage the enemy at Chancellorsville.

Movements of One Hundred and Fifty-fifth.

While the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth was, as the foregoing itinerary of
the Regiment's participation in the Chancellorsville campaign shows it to have
been, under fire at several difi^erent places, both on the reserve firing hne as
well as on picket and rallying to check the disaster to the Eleventh Corps, very
fortunately the casualties were comparatively slight. This was due to the fact
that none of the regiments of the Fifth Corps was called upon to make assaults
or charges upon the enemy's lines, although " sleeping upon their arms " and
ready at all times to do so.

In the advance and deploy of the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth and One
Hundred and Thirty-first into the woods, as already mentioned, near the Chan-

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

141

cellor House, these two regiments were used as a decoy to draw the enemy
from his works in pursuit, so that the assembled fifty-four pieces of artillery
under Captain Weed, U. S. A., could be used on the pursuers, hence but little
loss was sustained. Adjutant P. S. Noon, of the One Hundred and Thirty-first,
was killed in this advance in the woods. He was a most popular and gallant
officer, having made many friends in the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth. He
was a practicing attorney and a resident of Ebensburg, Cambria County, Pa.

Many pickets and guards of the Union army on duty were abandoned at
their posts lest their earlier withdrawal might be discovered by the enemy, and
the retreat v/hich General Hooker was anxious to conceal made known to the
Confederates.

The one hundred men of the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth, as already
described as detailed to construct earthworks, received no notice of the intended
retreat of the army until midnight, when they by mere accident discovered the
passing of the columns of the First and the Second Corps troops in full retreat
for the United States Ford pontoons, with wagon trains hurrying to the same
destination. Lieutenant Wells, in charge of the details, on making this discovery,
hurried back to where Privates O'Neil, Jones, Walters, Hays, Morgan and others
were sleeping. He hurriedly aroused the men barely in time to cross the Rappa-
hannock with the last troops crossing on the pontoons. Just about daylight the
last of the Union army reached the north shore ; but not until the enemy had been
aroused and fired some shells across the Rappahannock, with no other result,
however, than to hurry up the retreat.

143 UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

Chapter VII.

RETURN TO CAMP HUMPHREYS.— FORCED MARCHES.

Troops Regain Their Old Camps. — Expiration of Term of Service of
Nine-months' Regiments. — One Hundred and Fifty-fifth and Ninety-
first Pennsylvania Volunteers Assigned to Third Brigade, Sykes' Second
Division, Fifth Army Corps. — Camp Humphreys Abandoned. — Colonel E.
J. Allen Returns to Regiment. — Army of Potomac Breaks Camp and
Marches in Direction of Washington City. — Passes Over Battlefields of
Previous Year. — Depressing Sights and Scenes. — Great Fatigue - of
Troops. — Fifth Corps Remains Week Near Aldie, Loudoun County, Va.,
in Support of Cavalry Protecting Wagon Trains. — Fifth Corps Resumes
Forced Marching. — Physical Exhaustion of Men.-^— Hanging of '' Spy "
Richardson. — General Meade Succeeds General Hooker in Command of
Army of Potomac. — General George Sykes Commands Fifth Army Corps. —
General Ayres Succeeds to Command of Sykes' Division. — General Weed
Commands Third Brigade. — Sykes' Division on Pen?:sylvania Soil. — -Re-
nevited Martial Spirit Awakened in Troops. — Sunstroke and Blistered
Feet. — Cavalry Engagement Near Hanover, Pa. — Forced March of Regi-
ment Until Midnight of July 1st. — Sounds of Heavy Cannonading.

|N MAY 6th, 1863, Humphreys' Division took up its line of return
march, which occupied all day, over muddy roads and in rainy,
foggy weather, back to Camp Humphreys, the point from which
they had started for Chancellorsville with such bright hopes and
expectations of victory one short week before. The Union army
was not demoralized, although somewhat disappointed, as but a fraction of it
had been engaged. In regaining their old camps, the entertainments, drills, picket
and guard duties, and also the amusements which had marked the camp all the
previous winter, were soon resumed.

The relations existing between the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth and the
One Hundred and Twenty-third Pennsylvania Regiment, on the marches to
Antietam and to Falmouth, and in the Division camps at Falmouth and also in
Camp Humphreys, were most friendly and intimate. The companies of the
regiments, being mostly from Allegheny county, had strong ties of friendship
as schoolmates and neighbors before enlisting. Colonel Clark, commander of
the One Hundred and Twenty-third, was a brave soldier, who received from the
dashing General Humphreys, the Division commander, the great compliment on
the battlefield of Fredericksburg, where the regiment participated in the bloody

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

143

144 UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

charge on Marye's Heights, that, " after all, the Preacher-Colonel would fight."
The earnest and intense language used by the Division General in compliment to
Reverend Colonel Clark was emphasized with profanity, which the reverend
Colonel, under other circumstances, would undoubtedly have reproved.

Humphreys' Division Disbanded. — Regiments Depart for Home.

The One Hundred and Thirty-fourth Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers,
Colonel Edward O'Brien commanding, a native Pittsburger and a veteran of
the Mexican War, was from Beaver and Lawrence counties, and had many
warm friends — schoolmates and old neighbors — in the One Hundred and
Fifty-fifth. Both the One Hundred and Twenty-third and the One Hundred
and Thirty-fourth Pennsylvania Regiments lost, as shown by the official reports,
due to their exposed position, almost twice the number killed and wounded as
the casualty returns show that any other regiment sustained in that dreadful
action. These regiments, with this excellent record of officers and men, had
enlisted for the term of nine months, which was to expire on May 9th. It was
a source of sadness to some of the homesick comrades of the One Hundred
and Fifty-fifth who had enlisted for three years' service to hear in Camp
Humphreys each sunset, for thirty days before the term of the One Hundred
and Twenty-third and other nine-months' troops expired, their demonstrative
cheering that another day had expired, and that home and friends were accord-
ingly so much nearer to their view.

On May 8th, an equally solemn duty was assigned to those of the One
Hundred and Fifty-fifth Regiment who were homesick, namely, to escort Colonel
Clark's regiment of Humphreys' Division to the railroad station on their
way home. Homesickness was much aggravated by the circulation of reports
invented by the active minds of the Ananias clubs which abounded in every
regiment in camp.

It was gravely asserted that an egregious blunder had been made by the War
Department in mustering the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth Regiment into the
United States service as a three-years' instead of a nine-months' term regiment.
These veracious reporters asserted that the entire Cabinet of the President were
excited over the startling discovery, and that there was no possible way out of
this dilemma except promptly to discharge the Regiment as a nine-months
organization. In consequence of these persistent reports, therefore, continuing
until almost the night before the nine-months' regiments were to depart from
Camp Humphreys, the boys of the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth cherished the
delusion of accompanying the other Pittsburg regiments that had enlisted for
nine months and being mustered out with them in Pittsburg. The wish being
father to this thought among the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth, it may be well
understood that sorrow and sadness prevailed, after their feelings had been so
wrought up, when they were ordered to fall into line with their bands to escort
the nine-months' regiments from Camp Humphreys to Stoneman's Station, there
to entrain via Washington for Pittsburg. The disappointment to friends and
■sweethearts at home, to whom these members of the One Hundred and Fifty-

SYKES' AND AYRES' DIVISION FLAG,
May 16, 1863, to March 24, 1864.

THE MAN ^\ ITH THE MUSKET.

J knew him ! By all that is noble, I knew

This commonplace hero I name !
I've camped with him, marched with him, fought with him, too.

In the swirl of the fierce battle-flame!
Laughed with him, cried with him, taken a part

Of his canteen and blanket, and known
That the throb of this chivalrous prairie boy's heart

Was an answering stroke of my own.

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS. 145

fifth had given the most positive assurances that the Regiment would be dis-
charged as a nine-months' regiment, must have also been harrowing.

A practical joke was played on General Humphreys, the Division com-
mander, by some mischievous devils of the nine-months' troops, who, the night
before the disbandment of the Division and their homeward march, gathered up
all their cartridges, and with the powder from the same laid a mine leading to
■General Humphreys' tent. This they ignited by a slow match, thus giving them
time to escape before its explosion. The detonation caused a great excitement
and a scattering of tin cans and bottles in the vicinity of the distinguished
General's headquarters. The irascible General, thus aroused from his slumbers,
■called the provost guard and made an awful commotion in the camp, almost as
much so as if the enemy had broken through. It was generally supposed that if
the General had possessed power, instead of deploying the peaceful One Hundred
and Fifty-fifth — a three-years' regiment — to escort the nine-months' troops to
the station the next morning, he would have enjoyed assigning that Regiment to
the duty of shooting a couple of battalions of the nine-months' regiments of his
late command for their terrible act of insubordination and violation of the rules
and regulations and articles of war so dear to one so rigid in the enforcement
■of the same as was the General of the division being thus disbanded.

On the morning of the 8th of May, the whole of Allabach's Brigade was
•drawn up in line in Camp Humphreys to bid farewell to the nine-months' regi-
ments on their departure. Cheers were given and farewells were spoken. The
One Hundred and Fifty-fifth was detailed to escort them to the station. This
incident is also perpetuated in this history by a sketch made at the time by the
Regimental artist.

The disbandment of Humphreys' Division left General Humphreys without
a command. He was soon assigned to the command of a division in the Third
Corps under General Sickles, and at Gettysburg won great renown in the engage-
ment in the Peach Orchard. He was promoted by General Meade before leaving
the battlefield of Gettysburg to the position of Chief-of-Staff of the Army of the
Potomac. This position he filled with great ability under Meade and Grant until
the fall of 1864, when he was promoted to the command of the Second Corps.

Regiment Transferred to Sykes' Division.

The One Hundred and Fifty-fifth and the Ninety-first Pennsylvania Volun-
teers, the remaining Regiments of Humphreys' Division, were assigned to the
Third Brigade of General Sykes' Second Division of the Fifth Army Corps.
Colonel Patrick H. O'Rorke, of the One Hundred and Fortieth New York, was
in command of this Brigade. The other two brigades of Sykes' Division were
United States Regulars, for whom and for their fighting qualities the One
Hundred and Fifty-fifth soon learned to have the highest regard and
admiration.

On the departure of the nine-months' troops. Camp Humphreys, with its
memories and associations, was abandoned, and the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth
and the Ninety-first Pennsylvania became residents of Camp Sykes, near United

146 UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

States Ford, on the Rappahannock, spending several weeks in it. On June 3,
1863, this camp was broken up and the Regiment marched to the United States
Ford, where it settled down to an idle camp life again. There was no drilling
or roll calls or any routine of that kind in this camp, owing to the close
proximity of the Regiment to the enemy immediately opposite on the Rappa-
hannock. Conversation with the enemy, exchanges of newspapers and tobacco,
floating of little paper boats across the stream, and many other civilities were
daily exchanged with Confederates during the stay at this point. The particular
detail of Confederates thus so courteous and considerate to the Union troops
belonged to Phillips' Legion of General J. E. B. Stuart's Cavalry, who were
principally Virginians.

On Friday, June 5th, firing was heard in the direction of Fredericksburg,
and on the 6th further firing was heard. Apparently, Hooker was testing, or,
to use a military phrase, " feeling the enemy."

In this camp at United States Ford, Colonel E. Jay Allen returned from
sick leave to the Regiment, having been detained at his home in Pittsburg for
some months by severe sickness. The officers and men of the Regiment, however,
were delighted to welcome the popular Colonel and many called at his tent to pay
their respects. Major A. L. Pearson also returned at the same time from a
brief leave of absence. Colonel Allen brought reports in circulation in Washington
that the Union army was about to resume operations across the Rappahannock.

Colonel Allen's appearance, on returning, indicated that he was still far from
having recovered. The six weeks' confinement to bed and his room at home was
undoubtedly compulsory and benefited him, so that on the first sign of sufficient
convalescence he determined to disobey his physician's orders and disregard his
family's protests against his return to the Regiment. The possibility of an in-
vasion of Pennsylvania by the Confederates determined him to join the Regiment
at once wherever located. But his condition of health on reaching camp was not
sufficiently improved to permit his relieving Lieutenant-Colonel Cain in command
of the Regiment. Colonel Allen, however, hoping to further improve under care
of the Regimental surgeons, continued with the Regiment in camp and on the
forced marches following.

Marching Orders.

Lieutenant-Colonel John H. Cain, in command of the Regiment, had read
the " marching orders " at dress-parade on Sunday, June 7, 1863. The Regiment
was kept on the anxious bench as to the time of moving until Saturday, June 13,
in the meantime continuing the picket duty on the Rappahannock. On this date,
while the Regiment was being inspected, orders were received to move at eight
o'clock that night and requiring the men to pack up right away and be ready to
move. The camp was accordingly broken at that hour in the midst of a heavy
thunderstorm, the vivid lightning brightly illuminating the darkness of the
roads over which this remarkable forced night-march was being made. At mid-
night the column reached Hartwood Church, a well-known point, where the
troops bivouacked.

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS. 147

Sunday, June 14th, 1863, as early as five o'clock in the morning, the march
was resumed in the direction of Washington City, and instead of mud causing
annoyance this day the roads were dusty and the heat occasioned much suffering.
Continuously marching till night brought Sykes' Division, in which the Regiment
was serving, a distance of twenty miles, near to Catlett's Station, on the Orange
& Alexandria Railroad, still on the march towards Washington. The heat was
so great and the sun so strong that on this day's forced march ambulances follow-
ing the troops were frequently filled with sufiferers from sunstroke and exhaus-
tion from heat, many dropping from the ranks.

June 15, 1863, marched early from Centreville, the vicinity of the first and
second battlefields of Bull Run, covering twenty miles in the march. It was a
most fatiguing march owing to the great heat, causing the prostration of many
in the ranks. On this march, the Regiment passed Bristoe Station, celebrated
as the point where Generals Hooker and Kearney had engaged the enemy one
year previous. During this day's march many graves of soldiers of the Union
army who had fallen in action the preceding year were visible. Many of the
graves were unmarked and all seemed neglected, the weather and rains having
frequently washed away the mounds, leaving the bleached bones of the slain ex-
posed, certainly not a cheerful or encouraging sight to behold. The column
crossed Kettle Run, continuing along the line of the Orange & Alexandria Rail-
road, passing by Manassas Junction and joining the remainder of the Fifth Corps
in camp on the plains of Manassas, the identical Bull Run battlefield of 1861.
Through the intense and debilitating heat of this day the Regiment marched
twenty miles. Many more of the men in the marching column being prostrated
were obliged to be placed in ambulances. An engagement was deemed highly
probable at this halt, and General Griffin, commanding the First Division in the
advance, placed artillery in position to protect the point occupied by the Fifth
Corps, and Griffin's entire division was formed in line of battle.

Tuesday, June 16, found the entire troops of the Fifth Corps halted and
resting at Manassas. More graves — ^this time of Confederate soldiers killed in
the first battle of Bull Run — could be seen here. Only one headstone could be
seen, and the inscription upon it was : " Here lies the remains of George W.
Scovill, Private, Fifty-second Georgia Volunteers, aged twenty-one years, who
died for his country, July 31, 1861."

The ground where these Confederates were buried seemed well tramped
over and neglected, and the place was well supplied with the remains of old
Confederate forts, which had been constructed during the first year of the war.

Wednesday, June 17, reveille sounded early in the morning and marching
was resumed by the Regiment at daylight. The weather had become cooler,
although the roads marched over were still very dusty. The column marched
through the village of Centreville at six o'clock, having passed the famous stream
of Bull Run, a few miles back. This village appeared to be a well-fortified place,
the surrounding fortifications obscuring the village.

After an hour's halt at Centreville, brisk marching was resumed for the
remainder of the day. Many of the boys of the command were so fatigued and
broken down by the continuous and rapid marching, and their eagerness to keep

148

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS. 149

up with their companies, that teamsters and wagoners often came to their rehef
and favored them by permitting them to throw their knapsacks and guns into the
wagons, which they could again get at the end of the day's march in the park
of the wagon trains. During the march this day, the Regiment also passed near
Chantilly, made famous as the site where, the previous September, General Phil
Kearney, serving in Pope's army, lost his life whilst reconnoitering in advance
of his command.

The column camped this night near Goose Creek, four miles from Aldie,
Loudoun County, Virginia, and remained there until June 26, about a week.

The entire Fifth Corps remained encamped at this point, as a support to
Pleasanton's Cavalry, which was protecting the large wagon trains of the Army
of the Potomac from the raids of the enemy. The cavalry had very severe
fighting at Aldie and also at Upperville, and Sykes' Division of infantry was
called upon several times and the Regiment was drawn up in line of battle, but
the cavalry under General Pleasanton was so well handled as not to need the
active assistance of the infantry. The picketing in the camp was most enjoyable,
as the Regiment was located on the Catoctin mountains, and had " lookout
points " and signal stations communicating with all portions of the army. Every
day of the sojourn in this camp, there was more or less fighting, confined,
however, wholly to the cavalry and artillery because of the fact that it was
Stuart's cavalry which was harrassing and annoying the immense army trains
accompanying the Army of the Potomac.

General S. H. Weed Assumes Command of Brigade.

Brigadier-General Stephen H. Weed, lattly appointed commander of the
brigade in which the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth Regiment was serving, arrived
in this camp and relieved Colonel P. H. O'Rorke, who, up to this time, was
acting Brigadier in command of the brigade. This camp was but ten miles from
Leesburg, the county seat of Loudoun county. The picket guards in this camp
were located in pleasant places; the cherries were plentiful and just ripe,
and the farmers in the neighborhood were kind and obliging, although they
acknowledged themselves " secesh." Being treated well and protected by the
Regiment on picket, they reciprocated every way possible the courteous treatment
accorded them by the pickets.

On one occasion General Pleasanton rode by the place where the One
Hundred and Fifty-fifth was stationed, with angered brow and stopped the
retreating cavalry, ordering them to " About Face ! " The One Hundred and
Fifty-fifth Pennsylvania and the One Hundred and Forty-sixth New York stood
ready to support this retreating cavalry, but under General Pleasanton's leader-
ship the cavalry so rallied as to make the line of battle of infantry do nothing but
await the orders to advance, which never came.

During the brief ten-days' sojourn in this camp, streets were laid out in
regular style and the comforts of camp tents, etc., enjoyed. Spare time was
devoted to drilling and short summer excursions ; and, barring the recollection of

150 UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

a most awful water-spout and rain which deluged the camp, the memories of
the life in this bivouac were all of the most pleasant character.

Forced Marches to Gettysburg.

On June 26, 1863, at daylight, this pleasant encampment was broken up
and forced marching was resumed by the entire Corps, which again forded the
celebrated Goose Creek — without doubt the crookedest stream in the world. At
a temporary halt in the road this day. General Meade, the Corps commander,
together with Generals Sykes, Ayers and Weed, appeared and seemed to be in
earnest consultation. The Corps reached the town of Leesburg about noon,
which appeared to be a neat and clean place. This day it was learned from the
inhabitants of Leesburg that General Lee's army was already in Pennsylvania,
and, as an inhabitant of the town remarked, " they would give the people an idea
of war and the way old Virginia was being treated."

On June 36, 1863, the column marched at three o'clock a. m. and at noon was
at Leesburg. After a delay of an hour or two, the Regiment resumed the march
and, passing Ball's Bluf¥, crossed the Potomac on pontoons at Edward's Ferry.
At this period, the Regiment felt very much like encamping, and certainly ex-
pected to do so, but the march continued and the column marched seven miles into
Maryland and finally encamped at Poolsville. The distance accomplished by the
Regiment in this day's forced march was from thirty to thirty-five miles, and
was without doubt the most severe ever experienced up to that date by the
Regiment. Many were stragglers from absolute physical exhaustion, and at the
roll-call and distribution of rations at the camp at the end of the day's march
but few responded. The missing of roll-call to the wearied straggler annoyed
him but little, but the issue of rations missed by him added hunger to his
alread)' multiplied woes and had a depressing effect upon his spirits.

June 37, 1863. After the unusually hard march of the previous day, the
Regiment again moved and marched all day to within a few miles of Frederick
City, having forded the Monacacy. The valley of the Potomac to that point was
in vivid contrast to the sandy plains and untilled fields of the Old Dominion,
over which the Army of the Potomac had operated. The beautiful fields of
golden grain almost ready for the reaper, and the well-laden cherry trees, ripe
and ready for the consumer, attracted the attention of all.

Execution of " Spy " Richardsox.

Near the end of this day's march by the various corps of the Army of the
Potomac en route for Frederick a grewsome sight was presented on a road in the
suburbs of Frederick. The cavalry had captured on the march a man in citi-
zen's clothes who had been a camp follower in the corps of Hooker's army
during the winter quarters in Virginia, having secured a permit to sell stationery,
pens and ink, song books and newspapers. No one ever suspected his loyalty
or that he might be a Confederate spy. He was well known to the One Hundred
and Fifth-fifth by his frequent visits to Camp Humphreys, where, during the

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS. 151

winter he peddled his goods. He was a cheerful, lively individual, past middle-
age, and had a refrain which he frequently shouted to the amusement of the
soldiers in response to their bidding him " good-morning " or asking him the
condition of his health, etc., to which he always made reply that with him " every-
thing is lovely and the goose hangs high." The story of his subsequent capture
on the march to Frederick was that the cavalry guards detained him, and finally,
not satisfied with his explanation or references, searched him and found concealed
on his person papers with details of the various army corps under Hooker and
of their estimated strength. A drum-head court-martial was convened at night
during a halt on the march, and on a hearing he was adjudged to be a spy and
ordered to be hung at daylight. The individual was ever afterwards known as
" Spy " Richardson. A placard with that inscription was tied around his body by
the cavalry. Many of the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth in passing recognized the
features and the dress of " Spy " Richardson as that of the old stationery
peddler, their frequent visitor in Camp Humphreys, who invariably wore a linen
duster in all kinds of weather.

General Meade's Appointment to Command.

Sunday, June 28, 1863. The Regiment remained this day in camp, at
Frederick, enjoying a well-needed rest. General Hooker, it was here learned,
had been relieved from the command of the Army of the Potomac the night
before by the acceptance of his resignation. General Meade, commander of the
Fifth Corps, his successor, was roused from midnight sleep by a special messenger
from Washington, assigning him to the command of the Army of the Potomac,
this being his first intimation of the appointment. General Meade afterwards
remarked that, when so summarily roused by the messenger from the War
Department, instead of expecting the appointment to succeed Hooker, he feared
that probably the message contained an order for his arrest or removal on un-
founded charges. General Hooker's resignation was occasioned through a
quarrel with General Halleck, the General-in-Chief, who refused to comply with
Hooker's urgent request that the twelve thousand Union troops at Harper's
Ferry should be sent to join the Army of the Potomac in the coming battle of
Gettysburg.

The first order General Meade issued on assuming command of the army
was to direct that the troops under General French at Harper's Ferry should
immediately join his army. General Meade's distinguished services under
Generals McClellan, Burnside and Hooker made his appointment pecuHarly
welcome and gratifying not only to the people of the country, but more especially
to the Army of the Potomac. The Fifth Army Corps was particularly elated
that their General should be selected for the high command. The change placed
General George Sykes in command of the Fifth Corps and General Romeyn B.
Ayres succeeded to the command of Sykes' Division. General Stephen H.
Weed became commander of the Brigade in which the One Hundred and Fifty-
fifth was serving. General Meade, on accepting the command of the army,
continued for the present all of General Hooker's staiif officers.

153

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

MAJ.-GEN. GEORGE G. MEADE.

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS. 153

Monday, June 29, 1863, General Meade, because of the enemy's operations in
Pennsylvania and the panic prevailing there, did not tarry at Frederick, but
pushed on for Penns}dvania at once to overtake the enemy, reaching on the first
day's march a place called Liberty, a small village on the road leading to
Pennsylvania. Many of the Regiment, as a result of the severe forced marching
and wading the streams, suffered from sore feet and could not wear shoes. As a
general rule, the pluck and desire of the troops to participate in the impending
battle sustained them and enabled them to keep up on the trying marches.

Tuesday, June 30, 1863. Marching was resumed at an early hour, passing
along the road from Liberty through the village of Union Mills to Frizzleburg.
More beautiful country, with more grain ripe and ready for the harvest, heavily
burdened trees of ripe cherries and fields of growing corn, unusually large red
barns, and general appearances of contentment and comfortable rural life, were
visible on the day's march. A memorable scene which impressed all the
soldiers and cheered them as they marched along, footsore and weary, took
place at Frizzleburg, Md. On the steps of the public school building were
grouped a hundred children with flags in their hands, singing the " Star-Spangled
Banner " and other loyal songs as the marching columns passed along. Marching
■still farther, as the Regiment advanced in towards the Pennsylvania line, the
■enterprising inhabitants prepared bread, pies and cakes and also milk in bottles
for sale at moderate prices to the soldiers as they passed. That any charge
whatever was made by these thrifty farmers was very disappointing to the over-
marched soldiers hastening to save Pennsylvania from the invasion of the
■Confederate army. At the end of a twenty-eight-mile march, the Regiment
camped this night close to the Pennsylvania line. The severe strain of these
marches on the most stalwart soldier often caused blistered feet, which retarded
■progress. The Captain of a company often, on the recommendation of the Sur-
geon of the Regiment, certified that the private soldier suffering from sore feet
should be excused from duty and exempt from arrest by the provost guards
following the army. One such pass to an afflicted comrade would be copied
■several times, signature and all, by sympathizing comrades and distributed to
messmates, who, although similarly suffering, had not been fortunate enough to
secure original passes. These copies so made in most cases passed the inspec-
tion of the provost guard as well as did the genuine passes. At the end of this
■day's march the usual sixty-day muster for the pay-rolls was made, the com-
panies averaging only thirty muskets present in the ranks.

Pennsylvania Reserves Join the Fifth Corps.

On the night of the 30th of June, 1863, the Fifth Corps marched until near
midnight. The Corps was joined on the march by the Division of the Pennsyl-
vania Reserves, under command of General S. W. Crawford. They were trained
^veteran regiments, which had been resting and recruiting their ranks for some
months in the defenses of Washington, and to-day overtook the Fifth Corps in

154

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

which they had previously so long served. A number of these companies and
regiments had been recruited in Pittsburg. The meeting of old friends by their
comrades in the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth en route was cordial and most
welcome. At many points on the march these reinforcements, rallying to the
defense of their native State, elicited loud cheers and enthusiastic demonstra-
tions. With the arrival of these troops also came the report, which was circulated
all along the line, that General McClellan had been restored to the command of
the Army of the Potomac and was on his way to join the army. General Mc-
Clellan's name and popularity on this report were also enthusiastically received;
but, alas ! it was doomed to contradiction as a mere camp rumor, as developments
soon demonstrated.

On Pennsylvania Soil.

Wednesday, July 1, 1863. General
Sykes' Division of the Fifth Corps, with
the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth, was up
early and started on the march soon after
daylight, and at the end of an hour's
travel the State line between Pennsyl-
vania and Maryland was reached. Strik-
ing Pennsylvania soil awakened a differ-
ent spirit, probably more natural than on
any previous campaigns, as the troops,
and particularly Pennsylvania regiments,
deemed the Confederate invasion an ag-
gravation of their offense in fighting the
flag of the Union. As a consequence,
despite the great fatigue from the forced
marches, loss of sleep and other priva-
tions, speaking for the One Hundred
and Fifty-fifth men, it can be truly said
that on reaching the Keystone State
their determination to fight to the bitter
end was most marked, and no signs
of doubt of the result were visible any-
where in the ranks. Disappointment, however, was experienced on crossing
the State line that these feelings were not more cordially reciprocated by their
fellow Pennsylvanians in the persons of the first inhabitants of the State met by
the advancing columns of the Union army. So far from welcoming them, or
displaying any sense of gratitude to the men in the ranks ready to die in the
defense of the Union and of Pennsylvania, the first inhabitants, met by the
columns as they marched by, were engaged at the various roadsides selUng fresh
milk in bottles to soldiers at ten cents a pint and fresh bread and cakes and pies
and buttermilk at proportionate prices. These mercenary people So engaged were
in many cases young athletic farmer boys, who, many soldiers thought, were
capable and should have been willing to take guns and to harrass the invading

MAJ.-GEN. S. W. CRAWFORD.

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS. 155

columns of Lee, instead of turning the sad incident of the war to making money
from the unfortunate footsore and over-marched Union soldiers.

Many of the first inhabitants of Pennsylvania thus met by the Union
army also seemed densely ignorant about the war for the Union or anything
else. In the most unsophisticated manner, they protested against the action of
General Jenkins, the Confederate cavalry leader, who had passed through that
section a few days before, impressing cattle and horses for the use of his
command without asking or securing the consent of the rural owners of the same.
These injured citizens, in their complaint to Union soldiers following Jenkins'
operations, asserted that his treatment was incomprehensible to them, as they
were really his friends ; that is, they had never done anything against the
Confederates to justify such discourteous treatment. Jenkins, they said, had
given in exchange for their fine horses he had carried off the broken-down and
jaded beasts of the Confederate riders, which these farmers said were not worth
their feeding. Not a few of the soldiers, and among them a number of the
One Hundred and Fifty-fifth, thought it but fair to patronize these milk and pie
vendors, the able-bodied young farmers and their wives, all apparently living in
affluence, judging by the size of their great barns and fine dwellings, so they
ordered canteens of milk and fine rolls of butter in the most lavish manner,
caring nothing for expense. When their orders were filled, these soldiers found
themselves in a very great hurry to rejoin their commands, being thus often
prevented from handing over the necessary change to the avaricious rustics.
The excited milk and pie vendors were, however, assured by the hungry soldiers
that the United States Government would cheerfully pay for the milk, pies,
bread, butter and other articles thus obtained. If any dispute arose about the
amounts to let the soldiers of. the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth Pennsylvania
know, when they would " O. K." their bills.

Neaeing Gettysburg. — Night Marching.

The marching this day was brisk and the suffering of the men from heat
and blistered feet was great. About noon General Sykes' Division reached the
town of Hanover, York County, in the streets of which the day previous there
had been heavy skirmishing between the advance cavalry of both armies. Many
signs of the severity of this cavalry engagement were still visible. Dead horses
killed in the skirmishing with the enemy still lay on the streets. Several build-
ings bore the marks of artillery shots, while others presented evidences of the
shots of cavalry carbines. All the remainder of the day there could be heard in
advance cannonading, indicating that fighting had begun in earnest, and with
renewed vigor the marching from Hanover was resumed. A few miles beyond
the town orders were received just before sunset to go into camp and halt for
the night. This order was most welcome to the fatigued troops and a camp
bivouac on the hillside was promptly laid out in companies by each regiment. All
arrangements were made and expectations for at least receiving a much-needed
rest preparatory to which and an early retirement, the troops engaged in cooking
their coffee and other food for their evening meal. This plain repast had hardly

156 UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

been finished by all the regiments when a scene occurred which changed all the
plans in the minds of the troops for a good night's rest and compelled the
immediate resumption of the forced march, lasting until midnight. The incident
alluded to consisted in Colonel P. H. O'Rorke, of the One Hundred and Fortieth
New York Volunteers, accompanied by a courier from General Hancock, riding
into the bivouac on the hillside. The courier and his horse, covered with foam, at-
tracted the attention of all in the temporary camp as he rode up with Colonel
O'Rorke and dismounted at General Sykes' headquarters. This courier was the
bearer of despatches, conveying the ominous news that the Union and the Confed-
erate armies had encountered each other outside of the town of Gettysburg and
had battled during the entire day ; that the Union advance under Generals Buford
and Reynolds had been repulsed and driven back to the town of Gettysburg;
that General Reynolds had been killed early in the battle ; also that it was
absolutely necessary that the Fifth Corps troops should press on by a night
march to Gettysburg to hold the place, and the enemy in check. Within five
minutes from the delivery of this important message, the bugles of each brigade
and regiment sounded the orders to pack up, and in not over ten minutes each
regiment was in line to obey the orders. The sad news of the battle, the sounds
of the cannonading they had heard during the day and the disasters to the Union
arms reported by the courier's despatch to General Sykes became known with
but little delay to the troops, and worn out as they had been with the long
march of the day they cheerfully and promptly obeyed the orders requiring them
to fall in for the resumption of the march by night, not a man of the One
Hundred and Fifty-fifth faltering. The march by slow and easy stages, thus
resumed, continued until midnight, passing through IMcSherrytown and other
villages. Along the road this night the troops were treated well. The people
along the line of march distributed bread and pies freely to the troops. Along
the line of march, at the occasional short halts, the troops learned more particulars
of the death of General Reynolds in the advance encounter with the Confederate
forces.

On this night's march the objective was the town of Gettysburg, where the
fighting had taken place. The tired columns halted at one o'clock a. m.,
too fatigued for further marching, and orders were given for the troops to lie
down on the road itself instead of deploying into nearby fields. This was but a
temporary halt, and orders were issued that but three hours' sleep would be
allowed before marching was resumed.

" French Leave." — Prisoners Released to Enter the Battle.

An episode worthy of mention occurred at the midnight halt, which concerns
three well-known comrades of Company D, all of whom have long since passed
away. Two of these comrades, William Jones and Daniel Haney, were mere
boys in their 'teens, and, although fearless soldiers, they had become homesick
with the monotonous wearisome march through Maryland to Gettysburg, and
openly expressed their intention to take a " French leave " for their home in
Pittsburg as soon as they would strike the Pennsylvania line. The third one of

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS. 157

the trio was the redoubtable James Finnegan, of the same company, who, as he
had a wife and several children living within the borders of Pennsylvania, was
found in just the humor to pay a visit to the family with or without leave of his
superiors. The comrades named carried their threats into execution promptly
on crossing the State line by throwing away their guns and accoutrements, and
defying any one to stop them from leaving the ranks for their homes. Captain
Kilgore accepted the challenge and ordered the arrest of the three worthies for
insubordination, mutiny and attempted desertion, and placed guards around the
offending comrades. During the long forced marches the prisoners, relieved of
gun and accoutrements, had much the best of the guards escorting them — the
latter being weighted down with gun, bayonet and sixty rounds of cartridges.
At the midnight halt in the middle of the road, from the faithful ranks of those
who had trudged along the exhaustive lengthy day's march, a detail of four
privates was ordered to report for the ignoble and disgusting duty of serving
as guards over the prostrate and sleeping forms of the three prisoners reposing
in a fence corner. At that hour and for that duty the wearied guards almost
mutinied. On reporting, it was found that Sergeant " Forty " Shawhan, of
Company I, was to be placed in charge of the important detail. He was impressed
with the absurdity of such duty over three prisoners who were too tired to
escape even if they desired to do so. The genial Sergeant, destined later to
fall in battle, directed the guards to follow his example by spreading their
" ponchos " on the ground and enjoy a good and badly-needed rest, sleeping until
called for duty. His example was followed, and neither guards nor prisoners
were disturbed or aroused until daylight, when the sound of distant artillery was
heard and the regiment was ordered to resume the march for Gettysburg, twelve
miles distant, the scene of the preceding day's battle. The charges and specifica-
tions against the three prisoners were promptly withdrawn, as they each demanded
release and privilege to go into the fight with their company, which they did, all
serving creditably.

Opening of Battle of Gettysburg.

As is well-known, on the morning of July 1st, as the Confederate armies
were complying with the orders to concentrate at Gettysburg, their advanced
columns under General A. P. Hill, a short distance out of Gettysburg, encoun-
tered the advanced pickets and skirmishers of the Union cavalry under General
John Buford, whose men dismounted, and in that capacity resisted and held back
for several hours the line of battle of the advancing Confederates. The skir-
mishing thus commenced opened the three days' battles of the contending armies
under Lee and Meade at Gettysburg, ending on the night of July 4th in the
complete retreat of the Confederate forces. This history is necessarily confined
to the movements and actions of the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth Pennsylvania
Volunteers in the campaign now under consideration. It becomes necessary,
however, for a proper understanding of the operations of the Regiment to em-
brace, at times, the itinerary and descriptions as well as the positions occupied
by . the four ■ regiments comprising Weed's Brigade and the two brigades of
Regulars associated as component parts of General Ayres' Division, all under

158

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

command of General Sykes, of the Fifth Army Corps. This is now mentioned
to account for the fact that space in this volume would not permit an adequate or
full description of the three great battles fought on July 1st, July 2d and July 3rd,
respectively, at Gettysburg, and the fourth great battle fought by the cavalry of
both armies, which in itself was conceded to be the greatest cavalry engagement
of the war.

The reader is referred to the admirable work of the Comte de Paris, occupy-
ing an entire volume, devoted to a description of the great battle of Gettysburg,
including the great cavalry encounter, which is considered to be a most ac-
curate and thorough description of the operations at Gettysburg of the various
corps of both the Union and the Confederate armies. The Comte de Paris, a
graduate of the great French military college, St. Cyr., the West Point of France,
was permitted by the French government to accept service during the Civil War
in the United States army. With his brother, the Duke de Joinville, he rendered
efficient service in the Peninsular campaign, participating in all the severe actions
of that period — an experience especially qualifying him to describe military
operations.

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

159

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X

160 UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

Chapter VIII.

THE BATTLE OF GETTYSBURG.

Thursday, July 3, 1863, Near Gettysburg. — Fifth Corps Rests a Few
Hours in Position on Battlefield. — Toward Noon on Reserve Near Center
OF Army. — General Meade's Order Read to Army. — Sykes' Corps Changes
Position to Power's Hill. — ^Troops Rest and Sleep. — Amusement Indulged
IN Just Previous to the Great Battle. — Weed's Brigade Occupies Little
Round Top. — Desperate Fighting on Little Round Top. — Enemy Repulsed
BY Weed's Brigade. — Perfect Range of Enemy's Sharpshooters. — Bucktails'
AND Berdan's Sharpshooters. — Scores of Dead Confederate Sharpshooters
Found in Rocks and Crevices of Devil's Den After the Battle. — ^Tremen-
dous Artillery Fire Against Little Round Top. — Grand Attacking Column
Led by General Hood. — ^Assaulting Column of Texan Troops. — Robertson's
Brigade of Texans Assault the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth. — Colonel
Cain's Order to Regiment to Aim Low and Fire. — Pennsylvania Reserves
Advance and Clear the Slope of Confederate Sharpshooters. — No Mid-
night Attack in Front of Little Round Top. — Fine View from Little
Round Top in Afternoon of 3d. — Pickett's Charge.

|HURSDAY, JULY 3d, 1863, marked the opening of the Battle of
Gettysburg to the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth Pennsylvania. At
four o'clock A. M. this day the troops of General Sykes' Fifth Corps
were aroused from their slumbers and resumed the march west-
ward, being welcomed along the road nearing Gettysburg by many
of the inhabitants, who freely distributed fresh bread, cakes, milk and other food
to the wornout soldiers and relieved the drooping spirits of the troops with
encouraging words as they passed. The One Hundred and Fifty-fifth did not
fail to receive its full share of these good fanners' provisions thus distributed by
their wives and families. The march continued until within two miles of the town
of Gettysburg, the vicinity of the battlefield of the day previous.

Fifth Corps Forms Reserve of Army.

The first position taken by the Fifth Corps was in the rear of the positions
held by Generals Hancock and Howard and the First Corps on the day previous.
From this, after a few hours' rest, towards noon, the position of the Fifth
Corps, aggregating about twenty thousand men, was changed so as to make it
the reserve corps of the army and placed near the center, ready in any emergency
when the enemy attacked, to be signalled or called to the relief of the

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

161

D
m

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163 UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

threatened quarter. While the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth halted here with the
other regiments of Weed's Brigade, the troops were massed in close column by
divisions, in the rear of the troops who were deployed in line of battle with
skirmishers advanced. The preparations all indicated the near proximity of
the enemy in force. Of course, at that time the geography of the battlefield
was entirely unknown to the men of the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth, but
from the knowledge they have gained since, the Regiment was to the right, or
eastward of Gulp's Hill. It was while waiting in that line of battle in reserve
that Colonel Cain, in obedience to orders received read to the Regiment in a
most impressive and significant manner a printed order from General Meade,
the new Commander of the Army of the Potomac, and indeed the same order
which is given below was read to every regiment in the Brigade.

" Headquarters Army of the Potomac,

"June 30th, 1863.
" The commanding General requests that, previous to the engagement soon
expected with the enemy. Corps and all other commanding officers address their
troops, explaining to them the immense issue involved in the struggle. The
enemy is on our soil. The whole country looks anxiously to this army to deliver
it from the presence of the foe. Our failure to do so will leave us no such
welcome as the swelling of millions of hearts with pride and joy at our success
would give to every soldier of the army. Homes, firesides and domestic altars are
involved. The army has fought well heretofore. It is believed that it will fight
more desperately and bravely than ever if it is addressed in fitting terms.
Corps and other commanders are authorized to order the instant death of any
soldier who fails to do his duty at this hour.
" By command of

Major General Meade.

S. Williams,

"-Assistant Adjutant-General."

Colonel Cain, as required by this order, also addressed the Regiment in
earnest and convincing terms. The scene, action, and words were of intense
and dramatic interest.

So many of the comrades of each company of the Regiment, wornout and
exhausted by the march, had dropped out of the ranks that the companies as they
stood and listened to this order looked very small, not averaging more than
thirty men to each company. Solicitude was also felt by many anxious mess-
mates for comrades who had straggled without permits and who had not been
able to overtake the Regiment up to the reading of this drastic order.

Stragglers Nearly Miss the Battle.

On the forced marches to Gettysburg daily medical inspections of each
company was held immediately after roll call — ^the object being to examine the sick
and exhausted and to issue proper passes excusing from duty those unable to

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

163

maintain place in the ranks. Whilst there may have been some who desired these
excuses and were not anxious to participate in the impending battle, it is simple
justice to state that such cases were exceptional, as many instances of comrades
well entitled to be excused occurred where they persisted under the greatest
difficulties in marching and keeping up with the company and participated in the
great battle. An instance illustrating this feeling, as also indicating how two
worthy comrades came near missing the battle of Gettysburg, occurred on the
morning of June 30th, 1863, the day before the opening of the battle. At the
morning roll-call and inspection a private appeared in ranks with his well-worn
shoes dangling from the muzzle of his musket instead of on his feet. It was
explained that his feet were too sore and bhstered to allow him to wear his shoes
and that he contemplated going into battle barefooted. Assistant Surgeon
Wilson issued the usual " pass " excusing the private from duty and bespeaking
mercy in case he straggled and fell into the hands of the
inexorable detail of United States Regulars serving as
division Provost Guards. Soon after the march was
resumed this barefooted private kindly loaned his pass
to his two messmates, and at the first halt these comrades
made two copies of same, inserting, however, in each
their own names as beneficiaries. The private owning
the genuine pass stuck to the company and declined using
its privilege. His two messmates fell out of the ranks
early in the day and failed to report at the night's halt
or to be present at roll-call the next morning. The com-
pany became solicitous for the missing men who were
both known as ideal brave soldiers and fears were en-
tertained that they would be disgraced by absence with-
out leave in the impending battle. Just a half hour be-
fore the order issued to the Fifth Corps to " double
quick " to the left of the battlefield to the relief of Gen-
eral Sickles in the Peach Orchard, the two tardy soldiers
were spied emerging from nearby woods and joined the
company in time for the battle. On reaching the summit
of Little Round Top one of these comrades, who was a
Color-Corporal, Thomas J. Tomer, fell badly wounded,
mates, Privates O'Neill and McKenna, came to his relief and helped him back a
few yards, where an immense boulder furnished him shelter until the stretcher-
bearers conveyed him to the nearest field hospital.

His barefooted mess-

From reminiscences of the Gettysburg campaign, by General A. L. Pear-
son, published in the " Pittsburg Sunday Critic," July 30, 1880, the following
extracts are given of incidents occurring on the forced marches to Gettysburg,
in which further allusions are made to the incidents mentioned by Assistant
Surgeon Wilson:

" Early in the morning of July 1st, before resuming the forced march for
Gettysburg, Colonel Cain, commanding the Regiment, detailed me to conduct an

164

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

inspection of the men of the Regiment with the Assistant-Surgeons, Reed and
Wilson, and to order those found to be unfit to continue the marches to the hos-
pital ambulances in the rear. The inspection resulted in finding over fifty men
barefooted, unable to wear shoes, broken down, and too much exhausted to re-
sume marching. These men were ordered to report to the hospital ambulances.
Among those thus ordered out of the ranks and to the rear as unfit for duty, I
recall the names of Sergeant James A. McMillan, of Company B, the most stal-
wart man of the command; also Sergeant William F. Collner, of Company G;

and Privates Noah H. Pangburn and
Charley McKenna, of Company E.
The forced marches and the streams they
had waded, the sand and pebbles getting
into their shoes, had so blistered and
bruised their feet as to prevent their
wearing their shoes. The men I have
jubt named, with a number of others
whom I cannot recall, refused to obey
the orders to go to the rear to the hos-
pital ambulances, claiming that as they
were on Pennsylvania soil with an im-
pending battle so close, they would strug-
gle to remain with their companies and
do their best to keep up. Assistant-
Surgeon Wilson thereupon prepared for-
mal passes which I countersigned, ex-
cusing each of the four men named from
all duty, and authorizing them to fall out
of the ranks, with immunity from arrest
by the Provost Guards.

" Collner, McKenna, and Pangburn,
each managed to reach the Regiment in
line of battle in time to participate in the
storming and capture of Little Round
Top.

" Sergeant McMillan's fate was pa-
thetic and extremely distressing. While
bravely following his comrades on this
day's forced march under the broiling
sun, he completely broke down and be-
came wholly unconscious, during which
he was conveyed by ambulance to a hos-
pital at Frederick. His case developed
into a severe attack of typhoid fever.
The battle of Gettysburg was over fully
six weeks before he was sufficiently re-
coLOR-coRP. THOMAS J. TOMER. storcd to Understand how he had missed

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS. 165

the battle and came to be in a hospital ward. It was the only battle of the thirty-
two to the credit of the Regiment that he missed."

Sykes' Corps soon changed its position, and during the greater part of the
remainder of that day all the regiments composing it lay upon Power's Hill,
about a mile eastward from the spot where the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth
monument now stands on Little Round Top. In this position the regiments were
permitted to rest and make up for the loss of sleep and fatigue of the night and
day before, although throughout the day the frequent sound of cannon firing
could be heard, which, however, seemed far awa}' and did not disturb the
slumbers of the weary troops of the division. Indeed, as the afternoon wore
away and the men wakened and cooked their meals everywhere there was evident
the best of spirits and joviality, strangely in contrast with the harvest of sorrow
and death so soon to follow. Many of the survivors of the Regiment will recall
that the few hours immediately preceding the great battle on Little Round Top
were enlivened by the singing by officers and men of many of the favorite camp
songs and .choruses, " Lorena," " The Virginia Lowlands," " Listen to the
Mocking Bird," etc., by many of the officers. Other amusements were indulged
in and everywhere demonstrations of a cheerful character were visible during
the few hours resting in reserve. This was also particularly true of the camp
of the United States Regulars of Ayres' Division, the immediate neighbors of
the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth. Discipline seemed to be relaxed to a great
extent. The fact that a battle was imminent appeared to have no disheartening
effect upon the lively spirits ever present in the veterans of the Regular army.

During this eventful rest opportunities to see more of the officers of the
brigade were afforded. Many of the men of the Third Brigade had not seen
General Stephen H. Weed, their new commander, until this occasion, as he had
only joined the marching column a few days before at Aldie. But he was seen
at this time in the day conversing and seemingly enjoying himself with Colonel
O'Rorke, of the One Hundred and Fortieth New York, his immediate predecessor
in command of the Brigade. Colonel O'Rorke seemed so gay and light-hearted
as he chanted familiar lines. In less than one hour after the pleasant social
intercourse of the gallant young officers named at this point of rest in bivouac
with their men, both lay dead amid the rocks of Little Round Top, both victims of
the unerring aim of the Confederate sharpshooters concealed in the Devil's Den.

The Capture of Little Round Top.

The last resting place of the troops on Powers' Hill was occupied until late
in the afternoon by Sykes' Fifth Corps. The artillery s lively play to the
westward was heard without disturbing the serenity of the troops, and, strange
to say, it seemed much more distant than it really was. The battle of the day
with Sykes' Corps had actually opened, and the entire Corps was soon set in
motion towards the high ground which could be seen to the westward, and
which, in fact, proved to be Little Round Top. The First Division of the Fifth
Corps, Brigadier-General Barnes commanding, and the Brigade of the L^nited

166

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS. 167

States Regulars, of Ayres' Division, preceded the advance of Weed's Brigade to
the left to the relief of General Sickles' Corps in its contest with Longstreet's
columns. Sykes' Corps passed along the road crossing the ridge at the foot of
the northern extremity of Little Round Top. The two advanced brigades of
Sykes' Corps, under Colonels Vincent and Sweitzer, soon became engaged in the
furious battle at the farther side of Little Round Top. When Weed's Brigade
was marching across the ridge to join them and had about reached the point where
the railroad now crosses the roadway the missiles of the enemy screeching over
their heads, the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth and other regiments wereJialted and
ordered to load, which, when done, and before moving farther, an incident oc-
curred which changed the line of march of Weed's Brigade, and which proved
to be a most important factor in the result of that day's battle.

Early on the 2nd of July a signal station had been located, by the orders
of General Meade, on the summit of Little Round Top, then unoccupied by Union
troops, with instructions to signal operations of the enemy.

Just before the opening of the battle and, the assault on Sickle's Corps in the
Peach Orchard by Longstreet's forces. General G. K. Warren, Chief Engineer
of General Meade's army, visited Little Round Top with Captain W. A. Roeb-
ling, of his staff, and made observations with field glasses from the summit which
disclosed the movement of Longstreet's columns in the dense woods nearly op-
posite Little Round Top and, although the enemy was marching to avoid obser-
vations, the flashing of the bright steel guns and bayonets in the sunlight dis-
closed to Warren a strong column assembling opposite his position, being the
extreme left of the Union army.

General Warren at once promptly directed the signal corps detail to com-
municate his timely discovery of Longstreet's movement to General Meade, with
request that he order the Fifth Corps troops then in reserve to immediately ad-
vance to occupy Little Round Top and the other positions in its front to check
the movement of the enemy designed to flank or capture the position. The signal
detail immediately complied with Warren's order and General Meade ordered the
Fifth Corps from its reserve to at once advance at double-quick to the left, report
to General Warren, and occupy the positions in front of Little Round Top, and
also to occupy Little Round Top itself.

Warren and Signal Corps.

General Warren was wounded slightly in the neck whilst reconnoitering with
his staff on Round Top. He insisted on the detail of signal corps remaining in
position, waving their flags conspicuously so the enemy could see that the posi-
tion was occupied by Union forces, whilst he dashed down the rocks to intercept
Weed's Brigade to advance on Round Top.

Note. — Captain Roebling, the young officer above mentioned, subsequently-
served until the close of the war as Engineer officer on the staflf of Major-General
Warren, commanding Fifth Corps, being promoted to Colonel for gallant conduct. In
civil life he has attained national distinction as the engineer constructing the great
Brooklyn bridge.

168

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

GENERAL WARREN ON LITTLE ROUND TOP.

Just at the time the com-
mand " Forward " was about to
be given. General G. K. Warren,
Chief Engineer of the Army of
the Potomac, with Captain W.
A. Roebling, a staff officer, rode
down towards the head of the
One Hundred and Fortieth New
York Regiment, of Weed's Bri-
gade, from the direction of the
sunmiit of Little Round Top.
His speed and manner indicated
unusual excitement. Before
reaching the One Hundred and
Fortieth New York Regiment,
which was bringing up the rear
of the brigade, he called to Col-
onel O'Rorke to lead his regi-
ment up the hill, now known as
Little Round Top. O'Rorke answered him that General Weed had gone ahead and
expected the One Hundred and Fortieth to follow him. " Never mind that," an-
swered Warren; " I'll take the responsibility." Warren's words and manner car-
ried conviction of the importance of the thing he asked. Accepting Warren's
assurance of full justification, O'Rorke turned the head of his regiment to the left
and followed the staff officer who had been with Warren, leading it diagonally up
to the eastern slope of Little Round Top. General Warren rode off evidently bent
upon securing other troops. A few seconds later the head of the One Hundred
and Fortieth New York reached the summit of the ridge. The march to the
relief of the left of Little Round Top was on the double-quick, being, as stated,
for the relief of the Third Corps, which was being severely pressed. The incident
mentioned of General Warren's separating the One Hundred and Fortieth New
York from its brigade and having it countermarched, and leading the way to
the summit of Little Round Top, was soon followed by General Warren's orders
to General Weed to have the other regiments of the brigade " about face," and
■double-quick to follow the One Hundred and Fortieth New York in the occupa-
tion of Little Round Top. While thus double-quicking into position, the One
Hundred and Fifty-fifth was under a heavy fire of the enemy. Captain S. A.
McKee, of Company I, was struck with a ball on the arm. Color-Corporal John
Mackin, of Company F, was also wounded before reaching Little Round Top.
The One Hundred and Fifty-fifth on the reserve march of Weed's Brigade, in
ascending Little Round Top, was in the rear, the Ninety-first Pennsylvania and
the One Hundred and Forty-sixth New York having preceded it.

Death of Weed, O'Rorke, and Hazlitt.
Little Round Top is an eminence covered with immense rocks and boulders
and small timber and at the time of the battle had no roads, thus making it

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

169

CAPT. CHARLES E. HAZLITT.

iro UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

inaccessible. These impediments made it impossible for the battery horses of
Captain Hazlitt's Fifth United States Artillery to haul the cannon up the steep
hill. A squad of the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth assisted in hauUng up the
four pieces to the summit of Little Round Top, where the battery did most
effective execution. The Bucktails of the Pennsylvania Reserves, who had been
detailed because of their long-range arms and their skill as sharpshooters, imme-
diately left the front of the Regiment, and, advancing over the rocks as skir-
mishers, sooa answered the strong force of Confederate sharpshooters in the rocks
known as the " Devil's Den." So accurate was the range of these Confederate
sharpshooters concealed in the rocks of Devil's Den, in the immediate front of
the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth, that Brigadier-General Stephen H. Weed, who
had just succeeded in capturing Little Round Top and posting his men in position,
was among the first picked off. Colonel Patrick H. O'Rorke, commander of the
One Hundred and Fortieth New York, whose regiment led the advance of
Weed's Brigade in the capture of Little Round Top, encountered a regiment of
Confederates near the summit seeking to capture the position, and, in resisting
this advance with sword in hand, inspiring his regiment, was instantly killed by a
minie ball in the head. The struggle here was very severe, and the loss of the
One Hundred and Fortieth New York in killed and wounded was very heavy.

The action and brave stand of the One Hundred and Fortieth New York
secured Little Round Top against the first assault of the enemy. Similar service
in repulsing the attack of the advanced columns of the enemy seeking to capture
the other slope of Little Round Top was rendered by Colonel Vincent, of the
Eighty-third Pennsylvania, and Colonel Chamberlain, of the Twentieth Maine,
with their brave men, Colonel Vincent, like Colonel O'Rorke, however, being
killed at the head of his regiment while rallying his men against the Confederate
onslaught. The One Hundred and Fortieth New York held the position thus
gained until reinforced by the One Hundred and Forty-sixth New York, under
Colonel Kennar Garrard; the Ninety-first Pennsylvania, Colonel Sinex, and the
One Hundred and Fifty-fifth Pennsylvania, Colonel John H. Cain, the remaining
regiments of Weed's Brigade, thus strengthening this naturally strong posi-
tion against any attack of the enemy. The sharpshooters from Devil's Den
continued their fire on these regiments as they were ascending Little Round
Top. Captain Charles E. Hazlitt, Fifth United States Artillery, who had so
promptly occupied Little Round Top with Battery D, fell a victim to a Con-
federate sharpshooter's aim soon after gaining the position. Captain Hazlitt
was killed while stooping over conversing with General Weed, who had been
mortally wounded and carried back. It was a particularly sad sight to the
remaining regiments of Weed's Brigade, as they reached the summit of Little
Round Top, to see their beloved commander's dead body and that of the popular
Colonel O'Rorke exposed to view, as the regiments were taking positions.

After thus securing the heights by the repulse of the enemy by Weed's and
Vincent's Brigades, a lull in the battle lasting half an hour or more occurred,
during which the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth and other regiments of the
brigade were ordered, from the abundance of stone and small rocks in the

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

171

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172 UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

vicinity, to construct stone walls instead of earthworks, to protect themselves
from the attacks of the enemy. But little time was lost in thus, from the
abundance of material, constructing these defenses, which afforded ample pro-
tection to the men against the Confederate sharpshooters in Devil's Den. So
perfect, however, was the range of these Confederate sharpshooters that fre-
quently the men of the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth would place their caps upon
their bayonets, and expose the same above the top of their stone-wall breastworks
as if being on the head of a soldier, to draw the fire of the enemy's sharpshooters.
Their shots never failed to perforate the cap thus exposed. This exposure, how-
ever, of the cap on the bayonet projected above the top of the stone walls used
as defenses was given a very practical turn to benefit the troops occupying Little
Round Top. The details from the Pennsylvania Bucktails and Berdan's sharp-
shooters, who had been detailed to the companies behind the stone wall occupied
by the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth, having telescopic rifles, answered the shots
of the Confederates in Devil's Den when they fired at the exposed caps above
the stone wall. When the enemy's sharpshooters fired, the Bucktail sharpshooters
were enabled to observe whence the little curl of smoke emanated, and, conse-
quently, with deadly aim, returned the fire of the Confederate behind the little
column of smoke in the rocks of Devil's Den below. That this fire of the Union
sharpshooters was very effective was disclosed later, when the Fifth Corps Hnes,
after the repulse of Pickett's charge, were advanced beyond Devil's Den, reveal-
ing scores of dead Confederate sharpshooters in the rocks, crevices and re-
cesses of the Den.

During the lull mentioned in the battle, except the sharpshooters' fire, suc-
ceeding the capture of Little Round Top by Weed's Brigade, the opportunity of
obtaining a view of the enemy was perfect to the occupants of Little Round Top.
The Confederates seemed to be engaged in forming a column or making move-
ments to renew the attack by a superior force, with a view of either capturing or
flanking Little Round Top.

Renewal of Attack by Robertson's Texans.
During this lull in the fighting with smaller arms, the enemy opened up a
tremendous artillery fire against Little Round Top from a large number (forty
or fifty) of their heaviest guns, almost causing the earth to quake among the
rocks surmounting Little Round Top. The Confederate fire, however, although
rapid and continuous, was inaccurate in aim, and for the most part went over
Little Round Top, doing but Httle harm to the troops occupying it. General
Meade's artillery, which was well posted, accepted the artillery challenge of the
enemy, and answered in kind with an equal number of guns ; but, for some reason,
the Union artillery after half an hour ceased firing, while the cannonading of
the Confederates was still active. The men of Weed's and Vincent's Brigades
could plainly see the formation of large columns of the enemy in the plain below,
maneuvering for a renewal of the attack on Little Round Top. The bad range of
the latter's artillery firing did not prevent the officers and men occupying Little
Round Top from following the movements of the enemy opposite very closely.
They saw the Confederate officers, when their line of battle was formed, dis-

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS. 173

mount and, with sword in hand, lead their columns on in great force. Hazlitt's
Battery, on Little Round Top, to the command of which Lieutenant B. F.
Rittenhouse had succeeded, and other adjacent batteries, had perfect range of the
formidable lines of the enemy, which had been massed as an attacking column
against Little Round Top. This grand attacking force was led by the Confed-
erate General Hood with his Texan troops. The destructive aim of the artillery
on Little Round Top and the adjacent batteries, as the shots and shells shattered
the Confederate column thus massed for the attack was plainly visible. The
bravery and determination of the enemy in so boldly and courageously disregard-
ing this destructive direct and enfilading fire, elicited the admiration of the
officers and men who were awaiting the attack. No sooner had one company
of the Confederate column been scattered by the bursting shells than its place
was taken promptly and in good order by others. On came the advancing column
across the open fields and across the stream, \\'illoughby Run, undaunted and
determined.

Weed's Brigade had not long been in the occupation of the position on the
rocky heights thus secured until the foe under Longstreet's direction made a
diversion from the attacks on the Third Corps, and assaulted along the whole
line of Weed's Brigade, with Hood's Texans and other troops, in efforts to
carry the Union position on Little Round Top. From these heights occupied by
Weed's Brigade on the summit, the maneuvering and preparations of the enemy
were plainly visible in front of the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth ; the United
States Regular Brigade of General Ayres' Division had advanced to the relief of
Sickles, but, although making a most obstinate resistance and falling back on
the retreat as if on drill, the Regulars were finally overpowered and driven back.
They rallied frequently and did much execution on the attacking column, but
they could not contend against the overwhelming numbers in the attacking party.

After the repulse of the Regulars immediately in front of Little Round Top,
the enemy emerged from the woods opposite to the point from which they had
driven the Regulars, and directed their attention to the position of Weed's and
Vincent's Brigades, occupying the summits of Little Round Top, a half mile
distant.

The One Hundred and Fifty-fifth, as has been already stated, was at a
disadvantage compared with other regiments in this part of the action, as its arms
consisted of the old Harper's Ferry muskets, using only buck-and-ball shot for
ammunition and being effective only at a very short range. As a consequence,
the Regiment, from its position, was obliged to witness this advancing column of
the enemy across the open plain for a quarter of a mile in front of Little Round
Top, and see them march triumphantly to the foot of the same, and to continue
the advance until they were within twenty yards before the Regiment was
allowed to shoot across the stone wall at the enemy. From this handicap the
other regiments of the Brigade, having arms of longer range, began firing at the
enemy first, and necessarily checked the enemy's advance in that direction. Not
receiving any immediate fire from the part of the line occupied by the One
Hundred and Fifty-fifth, the Confederate officers, believing it to be a break in
that position and not defended, directed Robertson's Brigade of Texans to the

174 UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

point in front of the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth. Colonel Cain, commanding,
however, and the captains of all the companies were strict in enforcing the
orders that not a shot should be fired until the enemy got close within range.
When the enemy's advance reached that distance, the order was given by
Colonel Cain, and repeated by the company commanders, to fire and to aim low.
The effect was immediate and checked the enemy, with fatal results, not sufficient,
however, to stop their onward attack and advance to within not less than twenty
feet of the Union line, where their officers and men rallied and poured destructive
volleys into the firing line occupied by the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth.. This
perilous position the enemy maintained for fully half an hour, returning volley
for volley, until their losses compelled their retreat and abandonment of their
attempt to capture Little Round Top in this second storming of the position.
In this repulse of the enemy in their effort to capture the position, great loss was
sustained by the One Hundred arid Fifty-fifth and a number of its most valued
and beloved members gave up their lives on this occasion. While thus exposed,
and suffering considerable loss in repulsing the attack made by Hood's men on
the position defended by the regiments of Weed's Brigade, it was a matter of
astonishment to all concerned, in view of the closeness of the range and the
number of volleys fired by the Confederates, that many more casualties were not
reported. Without exaggeration, it can be said with truth that the enemy's
bullets flew thick and fast, and it is only owing to their poor marksmanship that
their firing was not more destructive. This can be explained only by the fact
that the enemy being below the position occupied by Weed's Brigade and firing
up hill their bullets fell short of the mark.

After this repulse of the enemy and their withdrawal from the slopes of
Little Round Top to the Devil's Den, their picket line, many sharpshooters of the
Bucktails from the Brigade of the Pennsylvania Reserves and from Berdan's
took positions in the rocks and crevices on Little Round Top in advance of the
positions of the Union main line and of the skirmishers, and rendered most
effectual work in driving out from Devil's Den and adjacent rocks the remaining
squads of sharpshooters who had lingered in concealed positions.

Charge of Pennsylvania Reserves on Enemy^s Pickets.

By orders of General Meade, who was inspecting Little Round Top during
the action. General Fisher's and McCandless' Brigades, of the Pennsylvania
Reserves, advanced to clear the rocks on the left slope of Little Round Top still
occupied by many of the enemy's sharpshooters and also to establish an advanced
picket line in front of Vincent's Brigade. The brigades of Reserves advanced
and gained the ground, driving a few sharpshooters and advanced pickets of the
enemy from the points lately occupied by Robertson's Confederates back to their
own line, which was held by the Confederate General Law's Division.

After the repulse of Robertson's Texans, among the wounded who came
up from the base of Little Round Top was Major William G. Moorhead, of the
Seventeenth United States Infantry, which had suffered so severely at the
opening of the battle of Little Round Top by the Fifth Corps. Major Moorhead

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

175

being so well known as the son of Pittsburg's Congressman, Honorable J. K.
Moorhead, his appearance and bleeding condition attracted the notice and
sympathy of his friends in the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth Regiment as he
passed through the Regiment to the field hospital.

The occupants of Little Round Top were not doomed to further interruption
from the enemy either by bombardment or skirmishing during the remainder of
the day or night of the 2d of July. The cries and groans of the thousands of
the wounded of both armies lying between the lines of the contending armies
and also many within the lines, the latter being removed by ambulance, could be
heard distinctly all night, disturbing the slumbers of many wearied soldiers.
Little Round Top, being about two hun-
dred and eighty feet in height and ex-
ceedingly rough and rocky, afforded no
soft couches upon which to rest the
weary bones of the men of the One
Hundred and Fifty-fifth and the other
regiments of Weed's Brigade on the
night following this day's battle. The
huge boulders and rocks interspersed on
the summit of Little Round Top, many
boulders being as large as from six to
twenty feet, long and having their rough
edges and surface smoothed by time, fur-
nished beds for two or three comrades,
whilst others, fearing a renewal of the
enemy's bombardment during the night,
pitched their poncho beds behind the
rocks on the bare earth, so that there
were all kinds of couches and places of
repose. However, no midnight attack or
volleys or firing in front took place dur-
ing the night.

Early in the morning of the 3d of
July the reveille was not sounded as usual, but instead the Captains and other of-
ficers quietly visited the sleeping places of the men and roused them to be on the
alert and ready in case the enemy suddenly renewed their attacks upon this most
significant position of Little Round Top. All the morning of the third the enemy
made no attack, being engaged in preparing for battle and generally arranging for
attacks or charges along the Union line in hopes of regaining the lost ground of
the day previous.

Simultaneously with the opening of the enemy's batteries on the 3d, as
already stated. General Hunt, commanding the Union artillery, gave orders for
an immediate reply, and, as stated, for half an hour the Union batteries directed
an enfilading and direct 'fire, concentrated with excellent aim, upon the enemy's
positions in front of Little Round Top. During this heavy earth-quaking bom-

MAJ. WILLIAM J. MOORHEAD.

176 UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

-bardment officers and men of the Fifth Corps were ordered to seek positions of
shelter afforded by the large boulders and rocks so abundant on Little Round
Top, there to remain until the enemy's artillery fire had ceased or orders to resume
-position in battle line were received. It was terrifying at times behind the im-
mense rocks, when a shell short of range would burst in the air and strike some
of the men hugging the rocks or ground adjacent. George R. Kerr, a private of
Company H, and Lieutenant D. E. Lyon, of the same company, were both
wounded from the fragments of shells thus striking them in their supposedly safe
positions. For the most part, however, the enemy's heaviest fire missed the range
entirely of the troops on Little Round Top, and the missiles and explosives
alighted some distance in the rear, in many cases damaging and wounding the
occupants of the field hospitals there located. Indeed, on this occasion the
-amputations necessary to be undergone by the wounded carried back to the field
hospital were interrupted because of the severity of the enemy's shelling, which
reached far beyond the rear of the Union lines. Battery D, Fifth United States
Artillery, on the summit of Little Round Top, already mentioned, whose com-
Tnander, Captain Charles E. Hazlitt, and many of its enlisted men had been
picked of? by the enemy's sharpshooters early in the action, and details from
infantry replaced the fallen.

Activity' of Confederate Sharpshooters.

The presence of the Confederate sharpshooters among the rocks and crevices
-of Devil's Den, and their deadly aim, which had resulted in the picking off of
General Weed, Colonel O'Rorke, and Captain Hazlitt and the wounding of
General Warren, besides killing and wounding so many of the rank and file,
■caused General Meade to detail two Companies of Berdan's New York sharp-
shooters to the position occupied by the battery mentioned and the troops of
Weed's Brigade. The Berdans had telescopic rifles, and, in securing positions
and to avoid their own exposure, they could be seen creeping on hands and knees
to get behind rocks or protecting crevices on the slopes of Little Round Top,
from which to respond with deadly aim to the Confederate sharpshooters in
Devil's Den and vicinity.

Notwithstanding that the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth was behind the rocks
and boulders and the stone wall it had erected on carrying the position on July 2d,
and the concealed skirmishing of the Bucktail and Berdan sharpshooters in front
•with the enemy's pickets, the Confederate sharpshooters from their hiding places
in Devil's Den promptly fired at any soldier who exposed himself. Hence, it was
necessary under the strict orders of the officers of 'V\'eed's Brigade for the men
1:0 keep under shelter of the stone wall and surrounding rocks.

About ten o'clock, on the morning of the 3d of July, the enemy opened a very
heavy artillery fire on the right of the Union line near Gettysburg and kept it up
•continuously for several hours. In the afternoon three large columns of Con-
federates were seen emerging from the woods to the right of Little Round Top
as if to renew yesterday's maneuver and contest. Battery D, Fifth United States
Artillery, which was being supported by the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth in

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS. 177

the morning, consisting of four guns, opened a very exact fire of shell and
canister — ^the range being exact on the enemy's columns. The Confederate lines
thus advancing endured several enfilading volleys from Battery D and also from
the batteries adjacent. This finally caused the advancing columns of the enemy
to retreat and to regain the cover of the woods from which they had emerged for
the threatened movement. The Confederates then resumed the shelling of the
position occupied by Weed's Brigade on IJttle Round Top, with a view of silenc-
ing the destructive fire of Battery D, as stated, in command of Lieutenant B. F.
Rittenhouse, U. S. A., who succeeded the lamented Hazlitt.

Ax Artillery Duel.

This renewal of the shelling of the position on Little Round Top was light
when compared with the awful earthquaking shelling to which those positions
were treated by the Confederates later in the afternoon. From one hundred and
forty guns of the Confederates posted on commanding positions immediately
opposite the Union lines, a bombardment all along the line, including Little Round
Top, took place. This artillery fire was promptly replied to by every battery,
eighty and upwards in number, from the heights and positions opposite occupied
by the Union forces. This great artillery duel continued more than an hour and
was terrific in the extreme, surpassing any other occurring during the war. It
was not so destructive in casualties as it might have been, the Confederate
gunners failing to secure the proper range, and, as in the previous bombardments,
the shells went so far over the heads of those on Little Round Top as to do
practically no harm. The shells lighted half a mile and often a mile in the rear
of Little Round Top. The immense rock and boulders found upon this elevation
and the stone walls which the Regiments of Weed's Brigade had built for their
protection along the line occupied by them on Little Round Top rendered excellent
shelter from the enemy's artillery fire. These timely stone walls were a perfect
protection from the enemy's sharpshooters. They stopped the minie balls per-
fectly, but they would have been of no protection against the shot or shell of the
enemy striking them in front. There was very little musketry firing beyond the
skirmish on the left of the position occupied by the Fifth and the Third Corps, but
there was a formation plainly visible from Little Round Top about one p. m.
that day of large columns of the enemy on the right of Little Round Top, near
the center of the Union line.

It was supposed at that time that the cause of the terrific artillery duel
against Little Round Top and other positions of the Union forces was to cover
an attack to follow on some part of the Union line by columns of infantry, the
usual tactics of the Confederates under General Lee.

That the fighting on the L'nion right occupied by Hancock was severe was
known from the roll of musketry which was plainly heard, and also from the many
exploding caissons on either side struck by explosive shells from the batteries
exchanging fire at short range. Finally, the cheering all along the Union line
reached Little Round Top, and the word was passed along the line that the
Confederates' great charge under Pickett had failed.

178 UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

Pickett's Charge as Seen from Little Round Top.

From Little Round Top, under shelter from the heavy bombardments of
Longstreet's batteries, which opened on the Union center, simultaneously with
the assault of Pickett's troops, could be seen in the distant panorama Pickett's
columns advancing on their fatal charge. From the same position on Little
Round Top could be seen the lines of the gallant Second Corps ready and eager
to welcome Pickett's attacking column. Prominent among the division com-
manders under General Hancock was General Alexander Hays, commanding a
division on the advancing firing line. During the hottest of the fray General
Hays seemed to bear a charmed life as he rode out along the Union lines, cheer-
ing and stimulating his column to stand firm in the approaching assault, exposing
himself recklessly.

After Pickett's columns were finally driven back, a Union General rode
up to General Hays, whose command occupied a position adjoining what has been
called the " High- Water Mark " of the battle for the Confederates in the center of
the Union line, and said: "Well, General Hays, the rebels penetrated my line.''
Hays replied, with just pride: "Well, General, they failed to penetrate the line
of my division." General Hays' Division is credited with having captured thirty
Confederate flags in the action, receipts for which were sent him by the War
Department.

The close of this day's battle on the Union right and the cessation of hos-
tilities on the left occurred at sunset. The night of the 3d, like the night of the
■2d, was again one of anxious solicitude. The groans and cries of the
wounded still on the battlefield, as well as the heavy loss in able officers and many
thousands of the rank on the Union side as the result of the three days' conflict,
made all feel solicitous for the morrow.

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS. 179

Chapter IX.

SCENES AND INCIDENTS OF THE BATTLE OF GETTYSBURG.

Pastimes Indulged in by Troops During Lulls in Battle on 3d and 3d of
July. — Many of Regiment Visit Devil's Den. — Confederate Sharpshooters
Captured. — Cold Rain Sets in on Night of 3d. — Discomfort of Troops.—
Burial of Dead and Removal of Wounded. — Confederate Army Retreats
on 5th of July. — Sixth Army Corps Under General Sedgwick Leads Ad-
vance IX Pursuit. — Instructions from General Halleck to General
jMeade. — Union Army's Position at Gettysburg Defensive. — Congress Votes
Thanks of Nattox to General Meade. — Brilliant Charge of General
Farnsworth's Brigade of Cavalry. — ^^egiment of New York State Militia
Arrives at Gettysburg. — Many of One Hundred .\nd Fifty-fifth Went
Into B.attle Barefooted. — Feet Swollen and Blistered Unable to Wear
Shoes. — Coloxel Allen With His Regiment on Little Round Top. — Field
Hospitals Located Near Firing Line. — Casualties.

Recreations in Lull of Battle.

JL'RING the lull in the fire of the battle and the uncertainty of
how soon hostilities might be renewed, and while enjoying the
shelter of the immense rocks and boulders of Little Round Top
from the fierce artillery duel from the one hundred and forty Con-
federate guns, lasting over an hour in the afternoon of the 3d, and
also from the terrific bombardment on the 3d day of July, many of the men occu-
pied themselves with very pacific pastimes. In some groups so securely sheltered
cards were produced and games of euchre were enjoyed by proficients in the
science of Hoyle. Others might be seen reading home newspapers several days
old. Some, too, more seriously inclined, were perusing long-neglected Testa-
ments, while not a few others thought the time and opportunity most appropriate
to write letters home to parents or sweethearts. The apparent want of mail facili-
ties, however, made it uncertain when the letters being thus written could be
sent away. Some of a methodical turn were seen making entries in diaries, whilst
the irrepressible Regimental artist of Company E was engaged in making snap-
shots of Generals Meade and Warren in his sketch book.

Unpatriotic Farmers Demand Pay for Straw.

In the cessation of the firing and during the preparations of the Confederates
for a renewal of the battle on the 3d of July, the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth

180 UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

and the other regiments of Weed's Brigade, now commanded by Colonel Kenner
Garrard, were visited in their bivouac on a strange mission by some citizen farmers
residing adjacent to Little Round Top. This delegation had a grievance, and the
first officer they met to whom they poured out the story of their trouble was
Major A. L. Pearson. With an obtuseness of the existing carnage and surround-
ing misery caused by the meeting of the contending armies and before the full
contest for supremacy had been decided, these phlegmatic farmers complained
that the straw and hay in their barns nearby had been taken by the Union soldiers
and carried away to the field hospitals for use of the wounded soldiers in the
battle and made demand for immediate payment for the same. This unseemly
conduct so shocked Alajor Pearson that he gave the visiting farmers a stinging
rebuke, and in stern language denounced their want of patriotism and their
inhumanity in terms so strong that it must have penetrated the dense stu-
pidity of the claimants. Major Pearson ordered th e committee of farmers
to leave Little Round Top, threatening that if they did not do so at once
he would take the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth Regiment and destroy their
barns and have their owners court-martialed for their disloyalty as well as their
inhumanit)-.

The next day other farmers visited the field hospitals where amputations of
the wounded and burials of the dead were taking place, and with these spectacles
before their eyes repeated their inhuman demands to the surgeons in charge, to be
paid for the straw and hay thus used for the wounded. The dense ignorance of
these peasants and their want of knowledge of the great war, its causes or ob-
jects and their unconcern and total want of public spirit is the most charitable
explanation of their action on this occasion. It is by no means intended to brand
all the resident farmers of this vicinity as wanting in humanity or patriotism by
reason of the shameful actions of the visitors mentioned, who as stated before
the echoes of the cannonading at Little Round Top had died out were demanding
pay for the hay and straw required for the wounded soldiers. These were no
doubt exceptional instances and in marked contrast with many acts of kindness
and public spirit shown the LTnion soldiers by the general population of the
locality during the Gettysburg campaign.

As a reflex from the repulse of Pickett's great charge on the left center of
the Union line, the Confederates who had their skirmish line and sharpshooters in
and about the Devil's Den withdrew them and their immediate supports on
straightening their lines under the Confederate General Law, a considerable
distance back from their previous advance. In falling back to refomi their lines
on the left, the Confederates abandoned many of their wounded sharpshooters
who had been concealed in Devil's Den, and when the Union skirmis'h Hne and
pickets advanced they found squads of Confederate soldiers as well as many of
their wounded abandoned. Many Confederates were thus promptly captured and
still more surrendered without question. Quite a number who were badly
wounded came through the advanced Union picket line in front of the One Hun-
dred and Fifty-fifth. As the firing had ceased many of the One Hundred and
Fifty-fifth and of other regiments of Weed's Brigade availed themselves of the lull

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS. 181

in the battle and of the enemy's falling back half a mile or more to re-form their
lines, to go over the rocks and points fronting the scene of such severe fighting on
the second.

Among the oiScers who thus availed themselves of the enemy's falling back
and yielding up possession of the intervening ground was Lieutenant George
M. Laughlin, of Company E, and Lieutenant D. E. Lyon, of Company H. These
officers had heard of the death in battle of Sergeant David R. Acheson, of the
One Hundred and Fortieth Pennsylvania, who had been their classmate in
Washington College. The officers named found the position of the One Hundred
and Fortieth and evidences of the terrible fighting under Sickles in the Peach
Orchard and of the losses sustained by the sight of the number of unburied
bodies of the slain. They were unable, however, to find the body of their missing
classmate, their search being interrupted by the opening of the firing of the
enemy to whose lines these officers had unwittingly approached too close.
On a huge boulder in the Peach Orchard is carved and visible to-day the name
" David R. Acheson, One Hundred and Fortieth Pennsylvania," to mark the
identical spot where this brave soldier fell.

The redoubtable James Finnegan, of Company D, also took advantage of
this peaceful situation to visit the hill-slope and valley below, including Devil's
Den, which was now within the Union lines. Finnegan was unarmed and being
quite small in stature his ordinary appearance was not such as would tend to
terrify the ordinary Confederate soldier. He had no other business in that
portion of the field than mere curiosity to see the dead and wounded. As he
entered the huge rocks of Devil's Den, not less than four stalwart Georgian
sharpshooters concealed in the rocks, noticing that Finnegan was unarmed, threw
away their guns and called to him that they desired to surrender, as the Confed-
erates had fallen back half a mile, leaving them to be captured. Finnegan ac-
cepted their surrender unconditionally and proudly marched his prisoners up
Little Round Top to the lines of the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth, where
with great pride he reported his achievement to Major Montooth, Adjutant
of the Regiment. In answer to the question of how he came to capture
so many Confederates, Finnegan triumphantly replied : " Be gorra, I surrounded
'em."

Corporal Frank Gilniore, of Company A, during the cessation of hostilities,
also ventured down among the rocks very close to the enemy's new line in front
of which the Bucktail and Berdan sharpshooters were already on duty with the
Union advanced line. Gilmore found a Confederate concealed among the rocks,
who surrendered to him, and he brought his captive to the Regimental line,
turning him over to Adjutant Montooth. The prisoner was sufifering from a
bullet wound in the jaw, and requiring medical attention was sent under guard to
the field hospital for treatment. It was not long this day after the evacuation of
Devil's Den till hundreds of the Union troops unarmed were permitted to leave
their positions and to visit between the lines, some to help succor the wounded,
others to w^itness the fearful sights of the battlefield of the two previous days,
whilst still others got clothing and shoes, ammunition and guns, no longer useful
to the army of the dead who remained for the time unburied.

183 UNDER THE AIALTESE CROSS.

Curiosities of Artillery Contest. — Humane Incidents.

Among the curiosities of the cannonading at Gettysburg were several re-
markable instances where the enemy's solid shot struck and penetrated a Union
cannon squarely in the muzzle, in some cases cracking or bursting the gun thus
struck and in other cases the solid shot lodging like a plug solidly wedged in
the mouth of the cannon.

Conspicuous instances of the humane feeling pervading the soldiers of either
army so soon after the cessation of deadly firing and almost before the echoes of
the musketry volleys had died out was observable at Gettysburg. Particularly
noticeable was the reception of a few of the badly wounded Confederate sharp-
shooters who came into the picket line in front of the One Hundred and Fifty-
fifth to whom these Confederates surrendered. Some were badlj' wounded in
the jaw and face, interfering with their ability to eat the extremely hard oatmeal
bread forming the ration of the Confederates. Recognizing this situation and
the hunger of the prisoners. Private William P. Ketcham, of Company F, took
from his haversack a fresh loaf of soft bread which he had received in the
morning of the 2d of July before the battle, and insisted on a prisoner, whose
teeth had been knocked out, taking the soft bread in exchange for the latter's
very hardtack. Other One Hundred and Fifty-fifth pickets divided their rations
at this outpost with the hungry Confederates, and exhibiting mercy and humanity
most exemplary and chivalrous to vanquished foes.

Cessation of Hostilities July 4th.

As is usual after very heavy bombardments, a heavy cold rain set in on the
night of the third, continuing until morning. Much chilliness, on the bleak rocks
and stone bedding, was felt by the soldiers thus exposed. The knowledge, how-
ever, that the summing up of the da}-'s fighting along the line had resulted in a
victory for the Union arms cheered the spirits and hopes of all the troops so that
they soon fell into a refreshing sleep, being undisturbed from war's alarms through
the night. The choice of positions on the rocks for beds and quarters during this
night was quite animat-ed. Those who had retired early and secured spots beneath
the friendly boulders which had sheltered them so generouslv during the bom-
bardment found the same objects of little use against the element pouring down
from the canopy above. Pools of water in dug-out caves which had served the
day before as bombproofs now made these quarters very undesirable. Upper
stories on ledges and rocks were preferable, although their slope and shapes
made them somewhat uncomfortable to the wearied soldier. A veteran, however,
becomes used to all positions and accommodations, and with thanks that the
enemy did not during the night contribute to their discomfort bv re-opening the
batteries or making other disturbing movements the Union soldiers slept soundly
until the reveille sounded in the morning of the glorious Fourth of July. It was
a most cheerless day so far as the prevailing chilliness and drizzling rain and
annoyances attendant upon attempting to cook coffee and prepare meals from
the soldiers' rations could make it so. Their hardtack had become saturated with

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS. 183

■water and swollen and fires to cook or warm food were difficult to make because
of the prevailing rain and wet conditions. For this unsatisfactory state of things
consolation was obtained by the agreeable disappointment that the enemy, whose
lines were still visible, occupying every position of the day previous, had not
resumed hostilities except by desultory picket firing at points distant from Little
Round Top and the position of the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth.

As the day progressed, this feeling of gladness at the enemy's cessation of
hostilities increased, and the daj' was spent quietly by the troops resting from the
unusual labors of the previous three days. Stretcher-bearers, ambulances and
many of the troops were detailed in burial parties to visit the grounds and bury
the thousands of the dead of both armies remaining on the field and to remove
the large number of wounded of both armies to the field hospitals which had been
established near the battle line. This burial of the dead was one of the saddest
features of the bloody struggle. Many of the bodies, having lain on the field for
two and three days beneath the scorching rays of a July sun, were so distorted
and swollen as to be beyond recognition.

Teamsters and supply trains were also kept extremely busy bringing up and
distributing rations to the soldiers and hospitals as well as forage for the animals.
The heavy demands of the battle which had exhausted the supply of artillery and
infantry ammunition had to be met, and the same required replenishment before
any movement of the army could be renewed ; consequently the teams of the am-
munition train, drivers, and guards were kept busy on that duty all of the 4th
of July.

The Confederates engaged in retreating had no such difficulties to contend
against as had General ]\Ieade. They left their dead and wounded, as well as
several thousand prisoners, to the humanity of the Union army, and continued
their foraging off the country for their supplies, having half a dozen excellent
roads on which to conduct their retreat from Gettysburg to the Potomac.

The preparations described as well as the conditions existing on the battle-
field occupied every moment of the time and attention of General Meade and
his surviving Generals on the 4th day of July.

Retreat of Lee's Army and Pursuit.

Early on the morning of the 5th of July it was discovered that the Con-
federate army had, during the night, withdrawn their skirmishers from the line
occupied by them up to night-fall of July 4th. General Meade at once directed
General Pleasanton immediately to send the cavalry divisions of Gregg, Buford
and Custer in pursuit of the enemy. General Meade also set in motion the Sixth
Army Corps, under General Sedgwick, twenty thousand infantry, to pursue the
retreating Confederates. The other corps of the army speedily followed in
pursuit by different routes, but the Confederates had a full night's advantage
in leading the retreat, and Stuart's Cavalry, the rear guard of Lee's columns,
covered the retreat of the miles of wagon and ammunition trains, holding at bay
Pleasanton's Cavalry until the Confederate trains had time to make good their
escape.

184 UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

Another phase pecuHar to the Gettysburg campaign after the battle had
ended was the fact that in every company there were at least several men who by
reason of the excessive forced marches had their feet so blistered that they
could not wear shoes, and many were seen on the last days of the campaign pre-
ceding the battle with their shoes strung across their muskets as they marched
in the ranks barefooted. A number of these men throughout the army, who were
unable by reason of their exhausted condition, and further injury to their feet in
going in on the rocky heights and positions to battle, were rendered unfit for
further marching, and therefore could not take part in the pursuit. They were
sent, by orders of the surgeon, in a large number of cases, to the field hospitals
in Gettysburg, there to abide until their suffering feet were restored sufficiently
again to wear shoes. It is supposed that at a low estimate upwards of two
thousand of Meade's men were thus excused from the ranks on the renewal
of marching.

If, on the sunrise and reveille of that 4th of July, so bleak, so chilly and so
miserable, with its sorrowful associations, there was any officer or enlisted man
in Weed's Brigade, then holding position on Little Round Top, who was eager
for a resumption of the battle and anxious for renewing the fray, he kept it so
secret and subdued that it never reached the masses of the troops defending that
important position. The anxiety for battle and thirst for gore and terms so
freely used by descriptive writers, belongs to the domain of fiction, and de-
scribes a sentiment far from the truth.

Braver officers and men than those who withstood the continued bombard-
ment and the desperate fighting and charges of the Confederates at Gettysburg
never existed, and all would have obeyed orders instantly to resume the battle
and to die as so many of their comrades had, in defense of their flag and country.

Halleck's Instructions to ;\Ie.-\de.

Governor Curtin, of Pennsylvania, and the Governor of Maryland had each
issued calls, backed by the leading journals of the country, appealing to President
Lincoln to save their respective States, and particularly Pennsylvania, from the
invasion of the Confederate armies, that threatened a campaign of pillage and
plunder, and to capture and sack the great city of Philadelphia and the Capital
city of the State, Harrisburg; and that this duty thus devolving upon the Army
of the Potomac was paramount to any other obligation of General Meade, its
commander. How nobly General Meade, his officers and men, could justly con-
clude, on discovering Lee's retreat and abandonment of his superior position on
the ridges opposite that of the Army of the Potomac, that his army had, at great
loss and sacrifice, more than accomplished its mission in responding to the appeals
of the public that the Confederate army be driven from Pennsylvania soil and
south of the Potomac, turning the invasion of Lee's triumphal army into a disas-
trous defeat !

General Meade's instructions from General Halleck, President Lincoln's
military advisor, were to follow up in close pursuit and overtake General Lee in
his invasion of Pennsylvania, and to prevent the threatened capture by the Con-

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

li^i^,::^^„Z ;i:';;:^<..:^S!i^ June leti., isea

"• of (hiH Slat,, will, a

185

■■♦■•IUt-41

APPROACHING !

I MCMT KELY UPON THE PEOPLE H)R THE

DEFIGE^'STATE!

IND HAVE

CALLED THE MILITU

FOK THAT ri KPOSK.

the term of service will only be while the danger to the State

is imminent.

Send forward Companies

AS SOON AS POBSIBhE.

"^ANDREW G. CWRTIN.

PLACARD ISSUED BY GOVERNOR CURTIN, OF PENNSYLVANIA,

CALLING FOR VOLUNTEERS FOR THE DEFENCE

OF THE STATE, JUNE, 1 863

186 UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

federates of Harrisburg and Philadelphia, at the same time keeping Baltimore
and Washington within his protection. With but three days' elevation to the
command of the Army of the Potomac, General Meade had but little time to
plan a great battle at Gettysburg while also being handicapped by his strict in-
structions from the General-in-Chief, Halleck, to arrest the march of Lee's army
against the cities named. The meeting at Gettysburg of the two armies was
well known, to be merely accidental, and not preconcerted by either Lee or
Meade. General Meade, therefore, because of his instructions, decided not to
assume the offensive unless absolutely compelled to do so ; and, therefore, sought
the very strong position presented by the ridges and topography of the locality
of Gettysburg, to make the battle on his part what is known as a defensive battle.
He, therefore, chose his position, posted his troops and battalions for miles in
front of the enemy's strong positions, thereby challenging and awaiting the attack
of the Confederates. The Confederate positions were veritable Gibraltar strong-
holds, and had Meade and his Generals assumed the offensive, and sought to
storm and capture the strong positions on the fortified ridges liberally supplied
with batteries at every available point, it would have been welcomed by the Con-
federate commander, as was the persistent disastrous attack made by Burnside
on the fortified ridges held by Lee at Fredericksburg, and later by Grant's dis-
astrous charges and repulses on Lee's position at Cold Harbor, and would no
doubt have been followed by similar losses and final repulses. The wisdom of
General Meade's decision to make the battle on his part purely defensive was
verified soon after by the Confederate General's being compelled to assume the
offensive against the Union line. The story of the Wheatfield, the Peach
Orchard, Little Round Top, the repulse of Pickett's charge, the defense of
Cemetery Hill, and the great cavalry encounter on the flanks of Meade's army,
all attest the superiority and success of Meade's plans over that of the Confed-
erate chieftain.

General Meade, having with his army complied with his instructions to
intercept the invading column of Lee, and to prevent the further invasion of
Pennsylvania and the capture of Harrisburg and Philadelphia, as well as afford-
ing protection to Baltimore and Washington from the Confederate army within
a day's march of these cities, might well consider, as did all the Generals surviving
the battle, that their successful efforts, ending in driving the Confederates south
of the Potomac, would meet the prompt approval of General Halleck.

General Meade and his army had, as stated, more than fulfilled General Hal-
leck's instructions in every respect. Yet, strange to say, instead of thanks.
General Meade's action in not totally annihilating the Confederate army was so
sharply criticized by Halleck and others that General Meade promptly tendered
his resignation as commander of the Army of the Potomac. It is needless to say,
however, that the great and just Lincoln refused to accept his resignation, and
compelled Halleck and other carpers against General Meade publicly to retract
their unjust complaints.

Congress, which was in session, also voted the thanks of the Nation to
General Meade for his great victory at Gettysburg.

A singular coincidence to the experience of General JNIeade may be men-

UNDER THE ]\IALTESE CROSS.

187

tioned in the fact that General Lee, commanding the Confederate ami}- also
tendered his resignation to the President of the Southern Confederacy because
of the official censure and criticisms expressed by President Davis at the defeat
of his army by the Unibn forces at Gettysburg, and the failure of General Lee
to capture Harrisburg and Philadelphia, with the Confederate army invading
Maryland and Pennsylvania. Public sentiment in the South, however, came to
the relief of General Lee, and compelled the Confederate authorities to decline to
entertain the resignation of General Lee.

No Official Reports of One Hundred and Fiftv-fifth ox Little

Round Top.

The death of General S. H. Weed, commanding the P>rigade, and of Colonel
O'Rorke, killed early in the battle, pre-
vented official reports from those sources.
Lieutenant-Colonel John H. Cain, com-
manding the One Hundred and Fifty-
fifth Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers,
resigning soon after the battle, filed
no official report of the part taken
by the Regiment in the capture and de-
fense of Little Round Top on July "Jd
and 3d.

Fortunately,, however, from two
other reliable sources of actual partici-
pants, accounts of the battle have been
prepared and published, and so accur-
ately describing the events that they are
deemed appropriate for incorporating in
this history.

The first is the description of the
advance of ^^'eed■s Brigade at double-
quick up the rocky heights of Little
Round Top, and the bloody encounter oc-
curring there. The writer is Doctor
Porter Farley, of Rochester, N. Y.,
who was serving in the battle as Adjutant of the One Hundred and Fortieth
New York Volunteers, in Weed's Brigade. Adjutant Farley followed the
brave young Colonel O'Rorke in leading the men of the One Hundred and
Fortieth New York in the storming of Little Round Top, and was the first
to reach the body of O'Rorke as he fell pierced by a ball from a Confederate
sharpshooter.

As the scenes and experience of the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth Regiment
Pennsylvania \^olunteers was similar to that of the One Hundred and Fortieth
New York, in the absence of official reports. Adjutant Farley's historical account
is given in full. The second report of the eventful scenes on Little Round Top

CAPT. PORTER FARLEY.

188 UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

is in a letter from General G. K. Warren, describing the exciting events of the
arrival of Weed's Brigade.

The following are the extracts from Doctor Farley's historical sketch of
the scenes in question :

" The First Division of our Corps, commanded by Brigadier-General Barnes,
had preceded us, and our Division, the Second, under Brigadier-General Ayres,
followed it. Our Brigade, under Brigadier-General Stephen H. Weed, led the
Division, and though my recollection of the order in which the regiments were
marching does not agree with that of other officers present, I think that our Regi-
ment was the rear one of the Brigade, and that the leading regiments of our
Brigade were just over that slightly elevated ground north of Little Round Top,
when down its slope on our left, accompanied by a single mounted officer and
an orderly, rode General G. K. Warren, our former brigade commander, then
acting as General Meade's Chief Engineer. Warren came straight toward the
head of the Regiment where I was riding with the Colonel. He called out to
O'Rorke, beginning to speak while still some eight or ten rods from us, that
he wanted us to come up there, that the enemy were advancing unopposed up
the opposite side of the hill, down which we had just come, and he wanted our
Regiment to meet them. He was evidently greatly excited, and spoke in his usual
impulsive style. O'Rorke answered, ' General Weed is ahead and expects me to
follow him.' ' Never mind that,' said Warren, ' bring your Regiment up here
and I will take the responsibility.'

" It was a perplexing situation, but without hesitating O'Rorke turned to
the left and followed the officer who had been riding with Warren, while Warren
himself rode rapidly down the stony hill, whether in the direction from which
we had just come or to overtake the rest of the Brigade, I cannot say. but evi-
dently to find and order up more troops. The cause for this haste is graphically
described by General Warren himself, in a letter which he kindly wrote me
under date of July 13, 1872, from which I here take the liberty to quote. He
says :

General Warren's Account of Little Round Top.

Just before the action began in earnest on July ^d, I was with General
Meade near General Sickles, whose troops seemed very badly disposed, on that
part of the field. At my suggestion General Meade sent me to the left to examine
the condition of affairs, and I continued on till I reached Little Round Top.
There were no troops on it, and it was used as a signal station. I saw that this
was the key to the whole position, and that our troops in the woods in front of it
could not see the ground in front of them so that the enemy would come upon
them before they would be aware of it. The long line of woods on the west side
of the Emmettsburg road (which road was along a ridge) furnished an excellent
place for the enemy to form out of sight, so I requested the Captain of a rifle
battery just in front of Little Round Top to fire a shot into these woods. He

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS. 189

did so, and as the shot went whistling through the air the sound of it reached
the enemy's troops and caused everyone to look in the direction of it.

" ' This motion revealed to me the glistening of gun barrels and bayonets
of the enemy's line of battle, already formed and far outflanking the position of
any of our troops, so that the line of his advance from his right to Little Round
Top was unopposed. I have been particular in telling this as the discovery was
intensely thrilling to my feelings and almost appalling. I immediately sent a
hastily written dispatch to General Meade to send a division at least to me, and
General Meade directed the Fifth Army Corps to take position there.

" ' The battle was already beginning to rage at the Peach Orchard, and be-
fore a single man reached Little Round Top the whole line of the enemy moved
on us in splendid array, shouting in the most confident tones. While I was still all
alone with the signal officer, the musket balls began to fly around us and he was
about to fold up his flags and withdraw, but remained at my request and kept
waving them in defiance. Seeing troops going out on the Peach Orchard road,
I rode down the hill and fortunately met my old brigade. General Weed, com-
manding it, had already passed the point, and I took the responsibility to detach
Colonel O'Rorke, the head of whose Regiment I struck, who, on hearing my
few words of explanation about the position, moved at once to the hill-top.
About this time First-Lieutenant Charles E. HazHtt, of the Fifth Artillery, with
his battery of rifled cannon, arrived. He comprehended the situation instantly
and planted his guns on the summit of the hill. He spoke to the effect that
though he could do little execution on the enemy with his guns, he could aid in
giving confidence to the infantry. He stayed there till he was killed.

" ' I did not see Vincent's Brigade come up, but I suppose it was about this
time they came, and coming up behind me through the woods and taking post
to the left, their proper place, I did not see them. The full force of the enemy
was now sweeping the Third Army Corps from its untenable position, and no
troops nor any re-enforcements could maintain it. It was the dreadful misfortune
of the day that any re-enforcements went to that line, for all alike. Third Corps,
Second Corps and Fifth Corps, were driven from it with great loss. The earnest
appeals for support drew, I suppose, the troops of the Fifth Corps away from
their intended position, that is. Little Round Top, out on the road to the Peach
Orchard, and so it was that the Fifth Corps reached this vital point in such small
detachments. I was wounded with a musket ball while talking with Lieutenant
Hazlitt on the hill, but not seriously, and seeing the position saved, while the
whole line to the right in front of us was yielding and melting away under the
enemy's fire and advance, I left the hill to rejoin General Meade, near the center
of the field for a new crisis was at hand.' "

Regiment Exch.\xges Arms.

At Gettysburg, on the 4th of July, Colonel Cain, who for months previous
had been in correspondence with the Government, requesting that he be allowed
to exchange the Harper's Ferry buck-and-ball guns of the One Hundred and
Fifty-fifth Regiment for more modern arms without success, of his own accord

190 UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

took advantage of the opportunity to supply his command with the improved
Springfield rifles from the thousands of dead Union soldiers — United States
Regulars and Volunteer troops — on the field in front of Little Round Top. He,
therefore, announced to the men that the enemy, having abandoned the battle-
field for a mile in front of Little Round Top, including Devil's Den, that they
were at liberty to visit the actual battlefield for the purpose of gathering the arms
of the dead and wounded. The horrible sights and scenes of the unburied dead is
beyond the power of pen to describe. Private John C. Sias, of Company I, re-
lates that, while on this errand in search of arms, he came across, on the im-
mense boulders comprising Devil's Den, scores of dead Confederate sharpshooters,
many of whom had dropped down into crevices among the massive rocks to a
depth that made impossible the recovery of their bodies ; that one particular dead
Confederate sharpshooter occupied a ledge of a rock, his musket in his hands
resting on the rock, apparently sighting his weapon. He had been shot in the
forehead and instantly killed. The position of the body of the dead Confederate
remaining unchanged, it presented a truly gruesome sight. No firing of the
enemy — even of their sharpshooters — ^took place while the Union troops from
Little Round Top and vicinity were exploring the Peach Orchard, Wheat Field
and Devil's Den, on the 4:th, except when members of the Regiment, exchanging
arms, ventured too close to the Union outposts, and mingled among the Bucktail
and the Berdan sharpshooters on the advanced picket line. Shots were then occa-
sionally exchanged by the opposing pickets, but they were only desultory and did
but little harm.

General Farnsworth's Charge of Cavalry.

One of the many striking episodes of the grand battle of Gettysburg was
the tragic death of General Elon J. Farnsworfh, which occurred on the 3d of
July.

About two o'clock in the afternoon, when the air was being made discordant
with hideous noises and the earth was seemingly rocking and reeling like a
drunken man, from the brazen throats of two hundred and twenty-five pieces
of artillery, exploding caissons and ammunition wagons of both aniiies. General
Farnsworth's Brigade of Kilpatrick's Division of Pleasanton's Cavalry Corps,
swept around the base of Little Round Top, and charged upon the right flank of
Lee's army, resting upon the Emmettsburg road. This point, so vital to the safety
of the Confederate army, was most carefully and strongly guarded by artillery and
infantrjr. So fierce and impetuous, however, was the onslaught of this cavalr}'
brigade, under General Farnsworth, that they rode over the enemv's pickets
and skirmishers, and faced the infantry lines with flashing sabers.

The Confederate General Law relates that so courageous and determined was
the assault of these Federal troopers, in this charge, that they forced their horses
up to the very muzzles of the rifles of the Confederate infantry, and that the
use of artillery was unavailable against them. The First Vermont Cavalry, under
General Farnsworth in person, broke through the strongly defended line, and
swept up the valley in the rear of the enemy's main line in gallant style. The

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS. 191

jaded and exhausted steeds of the sturdy Vermonters, however, soon flagged, and,
checked in front by overwhelming forces of infantry and hemmed in on all sides
by superior forces of the enemy, the little band, with rapidly emptying saddles,
was compelled to describe a complete circle, and attempt to escape by charging
upon the point of the enemy's line where they had broken in. This gap, how-
ever, had by this time been closed by a strong force of the enemy, the severe fire
from which caused the remnant of the brave" riders to recoil and veer to the left.
About a dozen of the troopers at this point separated from the main body of the
riders, and made their escape by running the gauntlet of the fire of an entire
Confederate regiment.

General Farnsworth, with his handful of intrepid followers, sought refuge in
the woods at the base of Little Round Top. There they ran upon the skirmish
line of the Fifteenth Alabama Confederate Regiment, and, pistol in hand. General
Farnsworth, already sorely wounded, demanded their surrender. In return the
Confederate skirmish line fired upon him, killing his horse and wounding the
General in several places.

As the devoted General fell from his horse, a Confederate Lieutenant ap-
proached and demanded his surrender, which the General curtly refused, at the
same time shooting himself through the head with his own revolver.

It is related from Confederate sources that while General Farnsworth was
massing his troops for the charge in close proximity to the Confederate lines, a
voice was heard to exclaim in loud, angry and excited tones, " Colonel, if you
are afraid to attack, by God, I will lead the charge myself ! "

It was supposed in Confederate circles that, knowing the madness of the
proposed attack upon the enemy's strong infantry lines. General Farnsworth
had advised against it, but stung to the quick by the implied insinuation of
General Kilpatrick, he was goaded on to make the desperate charge which
routed every obstruction in his front, and resulted in his own untimely death, as
well as the loss of a most gallant regiment.

Falling within the Union line, this young General, not yet twenty-five years
■of age, was buried in the town cemetery of Gettysburg, in a grave surrounded by
broken shafts and headstones, uprooted ground and splintered trees, the scene
of the awful fighting and destructive firing on the first and the second day at
Gettysburg.

The charge at Balaklava was surpassed by the bold charge of General
Farnsworth, and, like that celebrated charge, it was not war, but a useless sacri-
fice of Hfe. From the position on Little Round Top the One Hundred and Fifty-
fifth Regiment, occupying its summit, had an excellent view of this dashing
■cavalry raid of Farnsworth into the very jaws of death.

Confederate Prisoners.

The large number of Confederate prisoners, many of whom were wounded,
made it impossible for the ordinary provost guards of the Army of the Potomac
to take charge of them after the battle of Gettysburg, when the enemy left their
dead and wounded within the Union lines. Therefore, details from regiments to

193 UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

serve as guards to the Confederate prisoners were assigned to convey them to
the prisons provided for Confederate soldiers at Washington. Among those de-
tailed for this diitjr were Privates Thomas E. ]\Iorgan and John K. Alter, of
Company E, of the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth, who reported to the provost
marshal in the town of Gettysburg on July 6th for that duty, with one hundred
other guards from other regiments. After ten days' service at that point, they,
with over twenty-five hundred prisoners, marched to York, Pa., in detachments,
and from there, by passenger trains, the prisoners with their guards, were taken
to \\"ashington city, and the prisoners delivered to the commandant of the
Confederate prisons there. These Confederate prisoners seemed to enjoy their
experience very much, getting abundance to eat and drink, and none seemed
anxious to escape or to quarrel with their captors.

On the morning of the 6th of July the guards thus detailed from the various
regiments witnessed a rather imposing sight in Gettysburg, before going on duty
to guard Confederate prisoners. This was the triumphal entry into the town of
a New York State militia regiment, numbering over one thousand strong, with
magnificent bands of music playing and National colors flying. They exhibited
all the airs and bravado of great heroes engaged in the capture of a mighty city
which had fallen only after a severe siege.

The scene would have been more impressive on those veteran guards and
other soldier spectators present, who had participated in the battle just ended, had
this dandy regiment fired a gun or been near any part of the battlefield during
the Gettysburg campaign.

The militia regiment, however, was put on provost guard duty in the town
and vicinity, and held possession of all the famous points during their stay in the
neighborhood, for nearly a month, until they were disbanded.

Before further describing the retreat of the Confederates, it is but proper
to advert to the condition in which the close of the battle of Gettysburg left the
companies of the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth Regiment. Not only the actual
casualties, which are copied from the official records at the close of this chapter,
but the general condition requires mention. As already stated in this narrative, the
long and forced marching from Culpeper and United States Ford in Virginia
to Gettysburg in pursuit of Lee's army, often in the most sultry heat that early
summer produced, resulted in heavy losses in the ranks of the Regiment from
sun-stroke, heat exhaustion, blistered feet, and general breakdown of many men
in the ranks. Many more in the ranks, sustained by greater strength and deter-
mination, at the end of this protracted forced marching to Gettysburg, ralHed and
went into the action when physically, if insisted upon, they might have been
excused by the surgeons because of their condition. Not a few of the dead
bodies of the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth, and of ^^'eed's Brigade, who fell in
that action in the storming of Little Round Top, had joined in the assault, were
barefooted, being unable to wear shoes because of the condition of their feet.
Among those, however, wholly unable to keep up until the last on these fatiguing
marches was Color-Sergeant T. C. Lawson, who, by protest of the Regimental
Surgeon, was compelled to leave the ranks and take to an ambulance, because of

UNDER THE .MALTESE CROSS. 193

his broken-down and exhausted condition. Sergeant Milton Ziegler and Private
CoHn Latta, of Company E, were sun-struck and dropped from the ranks on this
march, near Centerville. They were most excellent soldiers, but sustained such
lasting injuries that they never returned to their company, and after years of
suffering in civil life, died from the effects of the injuries received on this severe
campaign. These names do not comprise all who were thus forced from the
ranks on that march to Gettysburg. Among the Regimental officers there were
similar cases of suffering from the protracted marches, and equal heroism dis-
played in persistently accompanying the Regiment to the battlefield at Gettysburg.
Captain S. A. McKee, commanding Company I, who had served in the Mexican
War, and on whom age was already beginning to tell, was sick, and in the division
hospital when the orders to march to Gettysburg were issued. With a soldier s
instinct, he refused a sick-leave tendered him by the surgeons, and in an ambu-
lance, day after day, followed the devious marches of the Regiment to the field
of Gettysburg. The opening of the battle, however, caused him to leave the am-
bulance in the rear, and to join his command and to take command of the com-
pany just as it was entering the assault on Little Round Top on July 2d. In lead-
ing his company in this action. Captain ^Mclvee was among the first struck, re-
ceiving a painful wound.

Colonel Allen Returns to Regiment.

Colonel Allen, leaving a sick bed in Pittsburg, and against the advice of his
physicians, determined to join the Regiment wherever stationed. He found the
Regiment on picket duty, at United States Ford on the Rappahannock, but pre-
paring for the pursuit of the Confederate army invading Pennsylvania. General
George Sykes had succeeded to the command of the Division instead of his
friend, General Humphreys, under whom Colonel Allen had served so gallantly
at Fredericksburg. Colonel Allen's condition after his arrival in camp indicated
that he was far from having recovered his health. He was entitled, by reason of
seniority, to command the new brigade to which the One Hundred and Fifty-
fifth had been assigned, and which was then under command of Colonel P. H.
O'Rorke, of the One Hundred and Fortieth New York Volunteers. Colonel
Allen, however, waived the rank question, and requested to be given command of
his regiment. General Sykes', however, decided that this could not be done until
a court of inquiry would examine the sick leave granted Colonel Allen, and why
the formality of renewing it had been overlooked. General Sykes declared that
the army regulations gave him no discretion to dispense with the necessary for-
mality of a court of inquiry, but promised Colonel Allen to convene such a
court at the earliest moment practicable. Before this court of inquiry could be
convened, however, orders to march were issued, and the Maryland and the Penn-
sylvania campaign began.

Colonel Allen, being assigned an orderly, at first rode on the march on
horseback, but the exposure to rains and damp grounds soon disabled him from
continuing the campaign on horseback. Determining, however, to be with his
regiment and take command in the approaching battle, he, with indomitable pluck

194 UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

and spirit, continued on the long and wearied marches, often by night as well as
by day, in an ambulance, until the Gettysburg battlefield was reached. He later
found the Regiment on Little Round Top on July the 3d and 3d, sharing in
the shelling and the protection of the friendly rocks of the celebrated ground
with the men and officers of his Regiment. His condition, however, became so
much worse that his men cut him a pair of crutches to enable him to walk.

General Sykes, while expressing admiration of the determined and soldierly
instincts of Colonel Allen, declined to grant a renewal of the latter's request
for restoration to the command of his regiment, announcing that under the army
regulations he was powerless to grant the request, more especially so as since the
Colonel had participated in the long march and battle, his disabilities had so in-
•creased as to incapacitate him for the command of the Regiment.

On July 5th, when the army had left Little Round Top, and resumed the
march in pursuit of the defeated Confederate army. Colonel Allen, being unable
to follow, sought the protection of a farm house nearby. Lieutenant-Colonel
Cain, commanding the Regiment, and all the officers and many of the men, paid
Colonel Allen a farewell visit at his tent amid the rocks of Little Round Top, and
bade him a most affectionate adieu, as the Corps left the rocky summit to join
in pursuit of Lee's army.

Other changes and separations of officers, whose last appearance with the
Regiment was at Gettysburg, took place. Lieutenant E. A. Montooth, the highly
popular Adjutant of the Regiment since its organization, soon after the Confed-
erates crossed into Virginia, received an appointment from Governor Curtin, in
the office of Adjutant-General of Pennsylvania. Adjutant Montooth re-joined
the Regiment, and participated in the homeward march, the Grand Review at
Washington of the Army of the Potomac, and the public reception of the Regi-
ment at Pittsburg.

First-Lieutenant Joseph Torrence Power was detailed, after the battle of
Gettysburg, to the Treasury Department at Washington.

Incidents of Deaths of Wycoff and Welton.

Private William Welton, of Company E, who was instantly killed in the
Confederate's attack on Little Round Top, on the afternoon of July 2d, was shot
in the throat. Immediately back of him, and at about the same time, standing a
little higher up on the hillside, was Sergeant Isaac Wycoff, of the same com-
pany, who also was instantly killed by a minie ball entering his forehead.

As showing how little incidents produce unexpected results, in the case of
William Welton, his messmates. Privates Chas. F. McKenna and James P.
O'Neil, immediately after this, his fatal wound, took the contents of his pockets
from his body, consisting of a prayer book and some letters to his affianced, with
a view of sending the articles to his famil)'. This action occurred in the middle of
the battle, the comrades named not being allowed to leave the ranks long enough
to take the body of their messmate to the rear. The stretcher-bearers appeared
and helped to place the body on the stretcher, and it was carried away to the rear.

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

195

WILLIAM WELTON.

SGT. ISAAC WYCOFF.

The messmates named, being obliged to resume loading and firing in the ranks,
knew not to what point the body was carried by the stretcher-bearers. This
friendly action of Welton's messmates resulted in the loss at his burial in the
rear of all data to indicate his name, rank or regiment, so that Private Welton
was buried in a grave marked " name unknown." When the orders to cease
firing had been issued. Sergeant Wyckoff 's body was carried to the rear by orders
of Lieutenant Powers, with whom W\ckoflE had enlisted. Xoah H. Pangburn and
William S. Hindman, of Elizabeth, Pa., Wyckoff's place of residence, looked after
his burial and the due marking of his grave.

A remarkable coincidence seemed to prevail on these forced marches in the
fact that the extraordinary tall soldiers in the ranks were often the first to break
down, exhausted with the severity of the thirty-mile daily journeys. Thus, Lieu-
tenant Porter D. Marshall, of Company K, six feet, nine inches in height, con-
ceded to be the tallest soldier in the army, who had sustained all the hardships of
all the previous campaigns, succumbed to the fatigues and dropped out of the
ranks, excused from all duty, on June 30, being conveyed to a hospital. . He was
a brave soldier, never before missing an action.

Sergeant Thomas C. Lawson, of Company H, also over six feet tall, who
had won great distinction with the colors at Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville,
was ordered from the ranks on the same day with Lieutenant Marshall, for
physical disability resulting from the protracted marches and was reluctantly
compelled to turn the colors over temporarily to Corporal Alathew Bennett.

19(3

L'XDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

Lieutenant Marshall, the Regimental giant, and Sergeant Lawson soon re-
cuperated and returned to duty in their respective companies, present in every
battle from Gettysburg to Appomattox, it being also notable that notwithstanding
their extraordinary size, both escaped the missiles of the enemy during their en-
tire term of service.

Captain James B. Palmer, Quartermaster of the One Hundred and Fifty-
fifth, although by his office not required to participate in battle, was accepted by
General Steven H. Weed as a volunteer aide-de-camp on his staff on the morning
of July 2, 1863, and was serving with the General on Little Round Top, where
the Confederate sharpshooter from Devil's Den mortally wounded that officer.
Captain Palmer continued his services with General Garrard, the successor of
General Weed, during the remainder of the battle.

The Casualties at Gettysburg.

Corporal Mathew Bennett, of Company I, was detailed by Colonel Cain
a day or two before the battle of Gettysburg, to take charge temporarily of the
colors during the absence of Color-Sergeant Thomas C. Lawson, who was for
the time being incapacitated for active duty by the severe marching, and Ser-
geant Bennett performed his duty with credit to himself.

Color-Corporal John H. Mackin, of Company F, was wounded in the shoulder
on ascending Little Round Top, but despite the severity of the wound, remained
to the end of the battle, when, unable to resume the march, he reported to the
hospital, his wound being much aggravated by his neglect to secure early medical
treatment.

Color-Corporal Thomas J. Tomer,
of Company E, who had a surgeon's pass
in his pocket enabling him to straggle
free from interference from the provost
guards because of his fatigued and ex-
hausted condition from forced marches,
entered the battle with the colors, and
was stricken down at the first fire of the
enemy, on Little Round Top, being so
badly wounded that he was never able to
resume duty in the field, and causing
him to be a sufferer for life.

Also mortally wounded at Gettys-
burg, in the attack of the Texan brigade
on the position of the One Hundred and
Fifty-fifth, was Corporal David M.
Smith, of Company B. He was wounded
in the left groin, and was carried back a
short time after the attack, but died just
as he reached the foot of Little Round
JOHN COWAN. Top.

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

19?

Private William Douglass, of Com-
pany B, about the same time was struck
in the center of the forehead and with a
piercing shriek fell back dead.

In the very advance of his company,
Corporal Henry E \\'eaver, of Company
B, one of the youngest boys in the Regi-
ment, was wounded in the ball of the
right ankle joint, necessitating immedi-
ate amputation at the Field Hospital, at a
time when, as in a letter he describes it,
" the balls kept coming as numerous ap-
parently as drops of rain in a heavy
shower,'' and as he farther states, he lay
there " expecting to get another bullet in
the head at any minute."

Company K had. four men wounded
and one killed — Lieutenant Foster and
Privates Shields, Hetrick and David
Kirkpatrick, the last-named being struck
by a ball, but not disabled. Private John
Cowan was shot through the bowels and
killed.

The Regiment had no chaplain at
Gettysburg.

Field Hospital.

A matter requiring acknowledgment
here was the efficiency and zeal of the
Regimental surgeons. Doctor J. A. E.
Reed and Doctor W. Stockton \Mlson.
Assistant- Surgeon, and Ellis C. Thorn, hospital steward, in the Gettysburg
campaign. These officers were indefatigable in their attentions and efforts to
relieve the sufferings on the march and in camp, and to the great increase of their
duties precipitated by the three days battles of Gettysburg.

The emergency field hospitals at the rear of Little Round Top were opened
immediately on the attack by the enemy on that stronghold, and necessarily the
field hospitals had to be located as close as possible to where the injured fell. A
nearby woods in a position supposed to be somewhat sheltered was hastily se-
lected by the surgeons as a site for the field hospitals, which were located in many
instances within four or five hundred yards back of the position occupied by the
regiments and batteries in front. The Fifth Corps and Sykes' Division field
hospital were not far from General jMeade's headquarters during the battle.
Corporal Weaver, Color-Corporal Tomer, of Company E, and others who were
carried back to these field hospitals described the scenes of the accumulated

CORP. HARRY F. WEAVER.

198

UNDER THE AFALTESE CROSS.

DR. THOMA3 J. GALLAHER.

DR. JOHN DICKSON.

DR. THOMAS W. SHAW.

DR. JOSEPH DICKSON.

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

19a

thousands of wounded deposited by the stretcher-bearers on the grounds, await-
ing their turn for treatment, or the amputation table, during the afternoon of
the 2d and the 3d of July, as something terrific in its impressions. The enemy's
bombardment and shelling reached the woods and rocks near these field hospitals,
and the surgeons at their posts zealously discharging their duties, and in many
cases whilst performing amputation operations on the table, were exposed to as
deadly a fire from the enemy as were those in the front on the firing line ; yet they
did not desist or prove recreant to their duties.

Volunteer Surgeons and Nurses Reach Battlefield.

Before the sounds of battle at Gettysburg had ceased, delegations of good
people, principally physicians and Christian Commission members, reached the
front and tendered their much-needed services to the already overworked sur-
geons, nurses and hospital stewards. Philadelphia and Pittsburg surgeons arrived
in considerable numbers, bringing with them supplies of medicines, instruments,
lint and other needed articles. The men of the One Hundred and Fift3^-fifth
Regiment were gladdened by the visits of esteemed and skilled surgeons from
Pittsburg, with home messages, and were especially delighted to witness their
prompt devotion to their professional duties.

Of the many patriotic surgeons so promptly on the battlefield, tendering
their services, are recalled. Doctor Thomas W. Shaw, Doctor Thomas
J. Gallaher, Doctor John Dickson, Doctor Joseph Dickson and Doctor George L.
McCook, and others not now recalled.

Abundance of supplies for the wounded and sick followed the departure
of the delegation of surgeons for the bat-
tlefield, being provided by the Christian
Commission. No corps of surgeons labored
more devotedly in the field hospitals on the
battlefield and in the town of Gettysburg,
than did the patriotic members of the Pitts-
burg delegation, and too much praise can-
not be awarded the noble deeds and acts of
the surgeons named. All have long since
passed away to their eternal reward.

Nor was the patriotic devotion of the
profession confined alone to those who so
promptly rallied to the relief of the wounded
and sick after each battle. Doctor Albert G.
Walter, a surgeon of National reputation,
conducted a hospital in Pittsburg during the
Civil War, and gave to soldiers his unremit-
ting attention and highest skill. Doctor
George McCook, Sr., also an eminent sur-
geon of Pittsburg, gave freely of his skill
and services to the Union soldiers, his ad- pg albert g Walter

;2(lt)

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

vanced age alone preventing his tak-
ing the field of active service with his
numerous kinsmen, the fighting Mc-
Cook's of Ohio.

The late Doctor James AlcCami,
who attained the highest rank in the
surgical profession in Pennsylvania,
imbibed the patriotic spirit of his pre-
ceptors, Doctors John, Joseph and
Thomas Dickson, of Pittsburg, and
immediately upon graduating at Uni-
versity of Pennsylvania, volunteered
as Assistant Surgeon of the Fifth
Regiment of Pennsylvania Volunteers,
and served until the close of the war.
In the field hospital at Antietam,
Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville and
Gettysburg and in Grant's Virginia
campaigns, the young surgeon was un-
remitting in his devotion to the
wounded. Doctor Edward J. Don-
nelly, surgeon of Ninth Pennsylvania
Reserves, of Pittsburg, served in all
the campaigns of the Army of the Potomac and at his post of duty on the battle-
field, relieving the badly wounded. He was captured and taken prisoner by the
enemy several times, declining to abandon the wounded.

DR. JAMES McCANN.

OFFICLAL REPORT GETTYSBURG.

Report of Colonel Kenner G.arrard, Oxe Hundred and Forty-sixth Regi-
ment New York Infantry, Commanding Third Brigade.

Sir:

Headquarters Third Brigade, Second Division, Fifth Army Corps.

Camp near Berlin, Md., July 16. 1863.

I have the honor to make the following report of the part taken by the Third
Brigade in the late battle near Gettysburg :

On the 2d instant, after changing position several times in the early part
of the morning, the Brigade with the Division remained idle, lying by their arms
until about 4 p. m.

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS. ?01

At this time the Brigade was moved rapidly forward (most of the time at
the double-quick) nearly one and one-half miles, when it came under the fire of
the enemy's musketry; at this point the leading regiment, under the direction of
General Warren, Chief Engineer Army, of the Potomac, was led to the left up
on what is known as Round Top ridge. Hazlitt's Battery ascended the ridge im-
mediately in the rear of this regiment (the One Hundred and Fortieth New
York Volunteers, Colonel P. H. O'Rorke, commanding) and went into battery on
the summit. The One Hundred and Fortieth was formed in line, and was im-
, mediately closely engaged with the enemy at short musket range on the left slope
of the ridge.

A portion of the First Division, Fifth Army Corps, was engaged to the left
of the 'ridge, and this regiment and Hazlitt's Battery were brought up to assist
the First Division in repelling a heavy assault of the enemy, with the evident
design of gaining this ridge. Colonel O'Rorke was mortally wounded at the head
of his regiment, while leading it into action. The other regiments, One Hundred
and Forty-sixth New York Volunteers and the Ninety-first and One Hundred
and Fifty-fifth Pennsylvania Volunteers, were led to the right and front some dis-
tance and formed in line in a narrow valley to support a portion of the Third
Corps and Watson's Battery, then severely pressed by the enemy. Before be-
coming engaged, however, orders were received for these regiments to return at
double-quick to Round Top ridge, and secure and hold that position. The
Ninety-first was posted on the left of the battery connecting with the One Hun-
dred and Fortieth ; the One Hundred and Forty-sixth and One Hundred and
Fifty-fifth were posted on the right, extending from the battery on the summit
along the crest of the ridge to the gorge on the right. As soon as the regiments
had their positions, men from each regiment were advanced down the slope to the
front in among the rocks and together with those in line on the crest actively en-
gaged the enemy during the rest of the day. At night this ridge, naturally strong,
was strengthened by building a stonewall about half way down the slope wherever
the rocks offered no protection to the men.

The next day the Brigade remained in the same position and, though under
the shells of the enemy and exposed to their sharpshooters, it was not engaged
to any extent. When the Brigade and Hazlitt's Battery seized this ridge, it was
done under a heavy musketry fire and was entirely unoccupied, excepting b)- a part
of the First Division, on the extreme left, and I am gratified to report to the
General commanding the Division, that the order to secure and hold this ridge
was faithfully executed.

At no time during July 2d, 3d and 4th, after its position was assigned it, did
any regiment of the Brigade leave its place, excepting at the time of the heavy
assault, a portion of some of' the regiments advanced to the front down the slope
of the ridge, in order to have a better fire at the enemy.

A few moments after General Weed, the Brigade Commander, had placed
his command in position on this ridge, he was mortally wounded, on the summit
near the Battery. Lieutenant Hazlitt, commanding the Battery, while offering
his assistance to General Weed, fell, mortally wounded.

I am pleased to report that all the regiments performed their duty well, and

202

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

that during the two days' battle, the officers and the men conducted themselves
in the most praiseworthy manner.

A report of the casualties has already been furnished.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

K. Garrard,
Colonel One Hundred and Forty-sixth New York Volunteers,

Commanding Brigade.
George R-Y.vjv,

Captain and A. A. A. G., Second Division, Fifth Army Corps.

GEN. VINCENT'S MONUMENT, 83RD PA. VOLS.

Simultaneous with the advance of \\'eed"s Brigade with the One Hundred
and Fifty-fifth Pennsylvania \'olunteers storming of Little Round Top on July
3d, under direction of General Warren, the Eighty-third Regiment Pennsylvania
Volunteers, led by Colonel Strong Vincent, was storming the opposite side of the
mount, and met with fierce resistance from Confederate sharpshooters and a

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS. -203

hand-to-hand encounter during which the brave Colonel \'incent fell, mortally
wounded. He survived, however, long enough to receive direct promotion to a
Brigadier-Generals rank, by telegraphic order of President Lincoln. Pennsylvania
has erected a magnificent monument on Round Top to his memory and that of
comrades of the 83d, who also fell in the battle.

Colonel Vincent, as Brigade commander, spoke his last words in action to
Colonel Joshua L. Chamberlain, of the Twentieth Maine Volunteers, who assumed
command of the Brigade on the fall of X^incent early in the battle.

The heavy volleys of O'Rorke's regimei.t. One Hundred and Fortieth New
York, in the advance of Weed's brigade on the summit of the ridge was heard by
Chamberlain, as his men engaged in a hand-to-hand conflict with the Texan troops
of Longstreet's corps on the left slope of Little Round Top. It ended by Cham-
berlain's, at the head of the Twentieth Maine, leading a successful bayonet charge
against the Confederate column which was seeking to pass through the gap be-
tween Little and Big Round Top Mountains, and thereby outflank the Union po-
sition. The losses of Weed's and Vincent's Brigades were unusually heavy in this
action, the destructive aim of the enemy's sharpshooters adding to the number of
casualties.

The late Lieutenant Arthur W. Bell, of the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth
Regiment, who was in charge of the Ambulance Corps of Weed's Brigade, states
in his report, that between 4 p. m. of July 2d and 2 a. m. of the 3d, the stretcher-
bearers removed from the rocks and fields of the positions occupied by the bri-
gades of Weed and Vincent over thirteen hundred wounded.

Retreat of Enemy Discovered.

The picket firing continued all day of the 4th between the two armies. Re-
connoitering parties of United States Regular cavalry had been sent out by
General Meade at intervals during all day of the 4th, and at dark the officers in
charge reported to General Meade that the enemy still occupied all their works
and picket lines, with no evidence of their abandoning any portion of the same.

Before daylight of the 5th Meade and all his staff were awake and alert for
action. General Warren, accompanied by Captain E. B. Cope, A. D. C, was dis-
patched to make observations of the enemy's movements from Little Round Top
as soon as daylight would allow a view.

There, surrounded by the men of Weed's Brigade, still fast asleep in their
water-soaked blankets, Warren, with his powerful field glasses, made important
observations which caused him for confirmation to ride to the advanced picket
lines of Wright's division of the Sixth Corps. This division then occupied the
Peach Orchard, the scene of the great fight of the Third Corps on July 2d. War-
ren then made a personal reconnoissance across the picket line and out along the
Emmittsburg Road and found all the positions of the enemy deserted, and that
Lee's entire army and trains had, under cover of darkness and of the heavy rains,
retreated during the night. Warren, on this discovery, rejoined Captain Cope on
Little Round Top and at once, representing Meade, delivered to General Sedgwick
orders to have the Sixth Corps, then in reserve, immediately to march in pursuit
of the retreating Confederate army. On Warren's reporting the retreat of Lee's
army, General Meade dispatched his cavalry in pursuit.

■20i UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

Chapter X.

RETREAT OF THE CONFEDERATE ARMY.

Confederate Army Retre.ats Across Potomac. — Regulars Sent to New
York. — Execution of Five Deserters. — ^Army of Potomac and Confederate
Army Maneuver for Position. — Union Army Moves Toward Orange Court
House. — Preparations for Battle. — -Union Army Withdraws. — Winter
Quarters at Warrenton Junction. — Incidents of Mine Run Campaign. —
Colonel Edwin M. Gregory, of Ninety-first Pennsylvania, Becomes Com-
mander of Brigade. — New Year's Day, 1864, in Camp. — One Hundred and-
Fifty-fifth Receives Zouave Uniform. — Lieutenant-Colonel Pearson
Assumes Command of Regiment. — Regiment Complimented for Proficiency
Tactics by General Garrard. — Description of Zouave Uniform. — ^Religious
Exercises in C.\mp. — Drowning of Captain Joseph B. Sackett, Command-
ing Comp.\ny E. — Impressive Military' Funeral. — Regiment Transferred
to First Brigade, First Division, Fifth Corps. — Major-General Gouveneur
K. Warren Succeeds General Sykes -\s Commander of Fifth Corps. — Fare-
well Address of General Sykes. — Orders Received to Break Camp.— Gen-
eral Ayrrs Com.mands First Division, now Consolidated to Brigade. — Fifth
Corps Camps for the Nii3ht on Outskirts of Wilderness.

jN THE morning of the 4th day of July, 1863, the Third Brigade, Sec-
ond Division, Fifth Corps, to which Colonel Kenner Garrard had
succeeded General Weed in command, together with the Sixth
United States Regulars of the Second Brigade, same Division, was
ordered on a reconnoissance in front of Little Round Top. Moving
about a mile to the front, through the AMieatfield, it was found that Lee was
still holding a strong position towards the center of the line, thus leaving the
contested grounds of the battlefield of the three days previous all within the
Union line, as stated, for a mile in front of Little Round Top. While this ad-
vance of the Fifth Corps was being developed. General Slocum had made a
reconnoissance on the right, and discovered that the Confederates had wholly
withdrawn from the front of the right of the army. It is presumed that General
Lee rather courted an attack from General Aleade at this time, but the latter
was too clear-headed to give up his defensive position when he knew that General
Lee must attack him or run away. As already stated, the remainder of the 4th
of July was full}- occupied by the Union army in getting up its large wagon
trains with supplies and ammunition, caring for the wounded, burying the

UXDER THE MALTESE CROSS. -'O.j

dead, and putting things in order generally for immediate pursuit of the
Confederates.

Instead of pursuing the Confederates on the direct line of their retreat, the
Union army made a flank movement by the east side of South Mountain. Lee's
army, by direct march, reached Williamsport on the 7th of July, two days after
retreating from Gettysburg, and finding that its pontoon bridge had been de-
stroyed by the Union cavalry, and the river swollen to a height of seven feet by
recent rains, immediately threw up intrenchments, and strongly fortified its
position.

The Union army, having crossed South Mountain, did not reach the vicin-

iai %mxitxs %x\\\i 0f t|e |0t0ttiac,

JULY 4th, 1863'

QENERAL ORDERS X
NO. 08. /

-The CoMmanding General, in behalf of the countiy, thanks the Army of the Po-

(Diuao for the glorious result of the recent operations.

ka enemy superior in numbers and flushed with the pride of a Bucoessful invasion,

attempted io overcome and destroy this Army. Utterly baffled and defeated, he has

now withdrawn from the contest. The privations and fatigue the Army has endured,

and the heraio courage and gallantry it h^ displayed will be matters of history to bo

ever remembered.

Onr task is not yet accomplished, and the Commanding General looks to tho Army

for greater efforts to drive from our soil every vestige of the presence of the invader.

It is r^ht and proper that wo should, on all suitable occasions, return our grateful

thanks to the Almighty Disposer of events, that in the goodness of his Providence

He has.tiioaght fit to give victory to the cause of the just.

]3y command of

MAJ, GEN. MEADE.

S.'WiLUAMS, Asat. Adj. General.

Facsimile of Meade's announcement of his victory over Lee at Gettysburg.
From the original in possession of Judge Samuel W. Fennypacker.

ity of Williamsport until the 12th, thus affording the enemy nearly a week in
which to further strengthen its works and prepare for an expected attack.

The One Hundred and Fifty-fifth, in line of battle with other regiments of
Ayres' Division, advanced several miles before coming into contact with the
Confederates in their intrenchments. The Brigade and Division immediately
began to fortify preparatory to assaulting the enemy's works. No movement was
made, however, until the 13th of July, when the skirmishers along the line be-
came engaged with the enemy and the Union troops prepared to make an
assault.

206 UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

No orders to attack, however, came before the morning of the 14th, when,
on the advance of the Union troops, the Confederate w^orks were found to be
deserted, Lee's arm)' having retreated across the Potomac at Falling Waters, a
short distance from Williamsport, during the previous night.

The results of the campaign in pursuit of Lee by the Fifth Corps were
several htmdred prisoners captured from the enemy's rear guard before they
could cross the river. The Confederates also sustained a great loss in the death
of General Pettigrew, who had led a brigade in Pickett's recent charge at
Gettysburg.

After crossing the enemy's works in the morning of the 14th, three brave
boys of Company K — E. A. Calhoun and R. O. and G. H. Clever — while passing
a house saw through a window several Confederates enjoying a good breakfast
before taking their departure for Virginia. The Company K boys captured the
entire squad.

Council of War.

After a council of war on the night of the 13th of July, at which were
present Generals John Sedgwick, John Newton, George Sykes, H. W. Slocum,
O. O. Howard, D. B. Biniey, G. K. Warren, Chief Engineer, A. A. Humphreys,
Chief of Staff, H. J. Hunt, Chief of Artillery, and John Gibbon, succeeding
Hancock in command of the Second Corps, the strength of the enemy's fortifica-
tions and natural defenses were discussed, resulting in quite a division of opinion
as to the chances of success in case of an assault by the Union army upon the
Confederate strongholds. General Meade was from the first favorable to the
assault, but was induced to delay by the many arguments adduced against it,
until the end of the council, when he gave the order to attack.

The 14th was spent in preparing for the assault; but when the advance was
began no enemy was found, the Confederates having retreated during the
night.

The enemy's works were found to be of the most formidable character, ex-
hibiting the highest military skill and engineering in construction.

It was a matter of deep regret, in view of later developments as to Lee's
condition, that he should have been allowed to escape once more to southern soil.
There must have been a sting in the remark said to have been made by President
Lincoln to General Meade and his corps commanders shortly afterwards, that,
" The fruit seemed so ripe, so ready for the plucking, that it was very hard
to lose it."

The next day, July 15th, the army was again on the move, marching
twenty-six miles across South Mountain. The next day the Fifth Corps moved
down the Potomac to Berlin, and towards evening crossed the river on pontoons,
and the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth was again on " old Virginia soil."

For the next few days the Fifth Corps moved along the Loudoun valley
amidst the marvelous profusion of blackberries. The One Hundred and Fifty-
fifth ate blackberries for breakfast, for dinner and for supper. There appeared
to be berries enough to supply several armies. During the night bivouacs the

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

2or

FIELD CF OCCUPATION

HEAR

mLLIAMSPORT MARYLAND

OY THE

UNION AND CONFEDERATE ARMIES

July 10 to 14 1863

Scale of Miles

rr-L E. P. cone

-208 UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

boys exercised their ingenuity in making blackberry shortcake out of crushed
hardtack and berries.

On the 24th of July, the Third Corps, commanded by General French, had
a skirmish with the enemy at Wapping Heights, near Piedmont, in the mountains.
Lee's army was retreating up the Shenandoah valley, and General Meade ordered
General French to make a flank attack on the Confederate columns through a
pass in the mountains.

General French was so dilatory in obeying this order that the enemy's col-
umns had all passed the point of the proposed attack before French reached
the position.

His advance consisted of a brigade of Hooker's old corps, who, as they
moved forward toward the crest which the rear guard of Lee's troops was de-
fending, coolly loaded and fired; then ate blackberries a while; then loaded and
fired and moved onward and upward a few steps ; then ate more blackberries, all
the while ridiculing their General.

On the morning of the 2oth of July, the Fifth Corps advanced in line of
battle toward the Confederate position, but with the exception of some desultof)'
skirmishing at a few points along the line with scouting parties of the enemy, no
firing took place, the main body of the Confederate rear guard having retreated
during the night.

After various marches and movements of little interest to the general
reader, but very trying to the patience of the soldiers, the Fifth Corps and the
other corps of the army retraced their steps through the mountain gap, and,
moving hx way of W'arrenton, went into camp at Beverly Ford, on the Rappa-
hannock, on August 6, 1863.

Two Brigades United States Regulars Sent to New York.

On the 13th of August, 1863, the two brigades of the United States Regu-
lars, under General R. B. Ayres, were, with other troops, detached and sent to
New York. It was expected that General Ayres' entire Division, with Garrard's
Brigade and the One Flundred and Fifty-fifth, would be included in this New
York detail, but at the eleventh hour the plan was changed and only the Regular
brigades were sent. The object of this detail was to preserve and restore order
in New York City "after the reign of terror produced by the memorable draft
riots.

On the 20th of August, 1863, five deserters from the One Hundred and
Eighteenth Pennsylvania, belonging to the Fifth Corps, were executed. The
solemn affair took place in an immense meadow shaped like a large amphitheater.
Orders were issued for the parading of as many regiments of the Fifth Corps
as could be spared from picket and other duties. Five graves had been dug, and
a coffin placed beside each grave. All were attended by ministers of their own
faith — two being Catholic, two Protestant, and the fifth was a Jew. After
the procession had been formed and the parade to the place of execution had
taken place, the prisoners, riding in an open army ambulance, alighted and were

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS. 209

then seated on their coffins. The firing party, consisting of sixteen files of men,
were drawn up in front of the place of execution, within sixty feet of the
condemned men. The bearing of all these individuals was firm and steady, ex-
cept the Jew, whose form of praying seemed to be hysterical, causing him to
appear to be completely overcome. After a few minutes delay, the bugle sounded
" attention," the signal for the three chaplains to retire. The prisoners were
then blindfolded, and the firing detail was marched to within ten paces of the
prisoners, who were blindfolded, whilst a breathless silence pervaded the audi-
ence of not less than ten thousand troops. " Ready ! Aim ! Fire ! " rang out on
the clear summer air, and the thirty-two muskets belched forth their flaming
tongues, and the five men fell dead upon their coffins. But little time was lost, as
the troops, playing lively airs, returned to camp.

An apparent cessation of important movements of both the Union and the
Confederate army now followed. On the 15th of September, 1863, General
Halleck, by order of the President, urged General Meade to move upon Lee's
army, it being known that Longstreet's Corps had been detached from the Con-
federate army and sent to Tennessee, and General Meade, therefore, issued orders
for a forward movement. Then followed a series of maneuvering for position,
and strategic tactics completely bewildering to the men in the ranks took place,
without results, except over-marching and exhausting the troops. Both armies,
like gladiators sparring for positions, frequently moved up and down the
Orange & Alexandria Railroad, crossing the Rappahannock and Rapidan, and
occupying and retreating from Culpeper alternately, so often as almost to be-
come monotonous. In fact, from this time on until winter set in, the country
about the Rappahannock and along the line of the Orange & Alexandria Rail-
road became a chessboard on which General Lee and General Meade played a
great game. It would be but a weary recital devoid of interest to the reader
to narrate the many details of the movements of the rival armies during this
period. It became a constant theme for newspapers in the North that the Army
of the Potomac was simply a " police guard " for Washington, and also urging
that it should renew operations before another winter set in, when campaigning
and marching of armies on Virginia roads would be out of the question.

Mine Run Campaign. — Bitter Cold.

On the 7th of November, General Meade put his troops in motion to force
a passage of the Rappahannock. By a brilliant charge at Rappahannock Station
the Sixth Corps, supported by the Fifth, took the works and captured sixteen
hundred prisoners. General David A. Russell, commanding the advanced Division
of the Sixth Corps, was mortally wounded in the charge.

The One Hundred and Fifty-fifth and Ayres' Division were in the advance of
the Fifth Corps in this action. The two corps then crossed to the south side of the
river, and went into camp some four miles east of the railroad, occupying the log
cabins constructed a few days before by the Confederates. As soon as the railroad

210

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS. 211

was repaired, General Meade followed this move, by deciding to cross the Rapi-
dan, and to advance rapidly towards Orange Court House. On the 23d of No-
vember, therefore, marching orders were issued, but, a severe storm occurring
during the night, the movement was delayed until the morning of the 26th.
The Fifth Corps, under General Sykes, crossed at Germanna Ford. On the 28th
of November, disposition was made to attack the Confederates. After a march
of several miles, the Confederates were found to have established themselves in
strong fortifications on the west bank of Mine Run. The Fifth Corps moved
and took position at four o'clock a. m., the 29th, in a thick forest immediately in
front of Mine Run and the enemy's works. The opposite bank of Mine Run at
this point had an elevation of over one hundred feet, with a gentle smooth slope
to the creek of over one thousand yards. General Meade, having received favora-
ble reports from his engineers, decided to make three assaults on the enemy's
works — one on their left with the Fifth arid the Sixth Corps, one on the center
with the First and the Third Corps, and one on the Confederate right with the
other corps, all imder command of General G. K. Warren. After an inspection
of the Confederate position. General Meade concluded to abandon the center
attack, and to reinforce Warren's column with two divisions of the Third Corps,
giving him nearly half the infantry under Meade's command. Orders were ac-
cordingly issued. The battle was to be opened by the Union batteries on the left
firing at eight o'clock a. m. on the 30th, this being a signal for General Warren to
make the main attack ; and at nine o'clock. General John Sedgwick was to assault
with his column.

Warren Decides Enemy's Position Too Strong to Attack.

Promptly at eight o'clock on the morning of the 30th, the Union batteries
opened, the skirmishers of the First and the Third Corps advanced across Mine
Run, and drove in the Confederate skirmishers, and every preparation was made
by General Sedgwick and others for the assault. Fifteen minutes rolled by, yet
nothing was heard from General Warren. Three-quarters of an hour passed and
still nothing was heard from Warren, and General Meade was fretting like a
war-horse under curb. At ten minutes to nine o'clock a dispatch was received
by General Meade from General Warren to the efifect that the position and
strength of the enemy in Warren's present front seemed so formidable that he
advised against making an attack ; that the full light of the sun showed him that
he could not succeed. General Meade rode to General Warren's headquarters
and, after inspecting the position of the enemy and concurring in the opinion
of General Warren that it was hopeless to make an attack, reluctantly abandoned
the assault; and, therefore, when night came, the Third, Fifth and Sixth Corps
returned to their former positions. General Meade, after mature deliberation,
finding by this inspection that the Confederates had been working all night to
render the only weak point in their position as strong as any other on their line,
decided to withdraw his army. The newspaper war correspondents of the
period bitterly arraigned General Meade for his action in abandoning the Mine
Run campaign. These newspaper comments elicited a manly, courageous letter

312 UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

from General Meade, in which he declared that he stood ready at any time to
surrender his sword and position as commander of the Union army rather
than wilfully to sacrifice the precious lives of the men of his command unneces-
sarily or without hope of great gain to the country.

On the abandonment of the Mine Run campaign, the One Hundred and
Fifty-fifth Regiment was, on the 2d of December, 1863, back at Rappahannock
Station with, the remainder of the corps. The day following the Regiment moved
to Warrenton, and was assigned the duty of guarding the Orange & Alexandria
Railroad. On this duty the Fifth Corps was disposed of by brigades at intervals
along the line from Brandy Station to Fairfax, and in these winter camps the
annals of the Regiment for 1863 closes. \Mnter quarters were enjoyed, with all
the pleasures and duties incident to the camps, until May 2, 1864, when, under
General Grant, a new campaign was initiated in the Wilderness.

IXCIDENTS OF THE AIlXE RUN CAMPAIGN.

To the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth Regiment the experience at 'Sline Run
was unique in the extreme from the fact that after the most extensive prepara-
tions for a battle had been made by the commander of the army under most
cheerless and discouraging circumstances, no battle was fought. Scarcely had
the movement of the army for Mine Run been undertaken by Meade, at the end
of a month of beautiful weather, so well suited for campaigning, than the most
miserable, uncomfortable and finally distressingly cold, freezing weather set in,
embarrassing movement and causing the greatest suffering and also a shortage
of rations.

When General Sykes, commanding the Fifth Corps, had massed his column
of ten thousand picked men, concealed in the woods in front of the stream known
as Mine Run, a magnificent view was afforded the troops of the fortified camps
and positions occupied by the Confederate army in winter quarters. It was
noted that the small stream had been dammed in front of the Confederate
positions, thus producing so good a stage of water as to prevent a crossing im-
mediately in front of their positions. On the opposite banks of the stream
many large trees had been chopped down and the limbs trimmed and placed
as a cordon of obstructions which the attacking party would be compelled to
climb over to take the works ; also there was an area of ground in front of the
Confederate fortifications of a half mile in width, necessary to be crossed under
the complete range of the man}- batteries which frowned from the ramparts of
the enemy's fortifications. After witnessing these bulwarks of the enemy, many
a veteran's mind, unbidden, averted to thought of similar embankments and ter-
raced works surmounted with Confederate guns faced by them at Fredericksburg.
The order issued to General Sykes required a picked body of troops, ten thousand
strong, to form in the adjacent woods, concealed from the enemy, there to re-
main ready on the signal to charge these extraordinarily strong fortifications of
the enemy. The assaulting columns would have been obliged to cross the stream
of Mine Run in plain view of the enemy, to reform in line of battle after crossing,
to climb over the chevaux-de-frise and other obstructions defending the enemy s

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS. 313

works, and then to march across the open plain in direct and enfilading range of
the enemy's batteries.

The tortures of the zero weather were aggravated by the prohibition of the
generals in command that to conceal the presence in the woods of so large a body
of Union troops prepared to charge, no fires to cook coffee or other warm food
should be allowed, lest the curling smoke irom the same should be discovered
by the enemy, and make known the position of the hostile hosts gathering to as-
sault their works.

One Hundred and Fifty-fifth Chosen for Stormixc. Column. — Chaplains

ON Duty.

The One Hundred and Fifty-fifth Regiment was selected for the post of

REV. C. L. EGAN,
Chaplain of GriHin's Division.

honor in the storming column on the works at Mine Run. Knapsacks were un-
strung and piled up in the rear. The faithful Regimental Chaplain, Doctor
Mateer, appeared and volunteered his services to take charge of the spare funds
and keepsakes of any of the Regiment who desired it, and also pinned the name
of each soldier to the lapel of his blouse, in view of the expected charge and the
extreme probability of its heavy mortality to the ranks of the One Hundred and
Fifty-fifth, so that the bodies of the slain could be thus identified. The Ninth
Massachusetts Regiment, also selected for the storming column, being mostly
composed of Irish citizens of Boston, Mass., had a Catholic chaplain, Reverend
Father C. L. Egan, who publicly administered the ceremony provided by his

314 UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

church, of prayers of absohition to all soldiers going into battle. This venerable
chaplain, standing on a stump or cliff in the woods, publicly invoked the blessing
of Almighty God on all the troops there massed, and eloquently prayed for the
success of the Union army. He also invoked divine forgiveness of sins to all
present about to offer their lives for their country. This scene was most im-
pressive and inspiring, irrespective *of creed. Many thousands of troops knelt
in reverence to the good man's prayer that God might forgive them all their
sins. No signal for the charge reached the troops selected and thus massed
for the attack.

As the day wore on and the suffering from the cold and exposure became
intense, as a culminating incident to the interesting situation of the troops thus
awaiting the order for the attack, the medical supply wagons and ambulances,
with the corps of doctors and stretcher-bearers, arrived in the same woods in
the rear of the troops. The medical supply wagons, with surgical instruments
and other material, were at once unloaded and tents for field hospitals were
immediately put up in plain sight of the troops, all of which was far from in-
spiring, the only gruesome particulars omitted from this depressing proceeding
being coffins and ready-made graves. The assaulting column, however, remained
until nightfall, when it was understood that a further inspection of the enemy's
lines by General Warren, who had been given command of the charging columns
to open the attack, had revealed the fact that the enemy had discovered, as
Warren had reported to General Meade, the weakest part of their defenses, and
that the enemy had occupied the night previous in strengthening that particular
point; so that when the fog subsided in the morning and Warren and his scouts
renewed their inspection, preparatory to giving the signal agreed upon for the
assaulting columns, Warren made the report already quoted to General Meade,
and the attack had to be abandoned.

Thus, in no previous battle in which the Regiment had participated had
there been such elaborate preparations, or such harrowing accompaniments or
such manifest determination of the men to make the attack, as marked Mine
Run; and yet it was a battle that never came off, although it is inscribed upon
the Regimental colors. It deserves, however, to rank as a great battle, for the
sufferings endured and for the maintenance in position for the attack in plain
view of the enemy for so long a period. The Confederates never left their
formidable works to make an attack or an advance at Mine Run against Meade's
army. The only hostile demonstration was, in their anxiety to find out what
was in the dense woods sheltering the storming column in which the One Hun-
dred and Fifty-fifth was assigned, the shelling of these woods by the Con-
federate batteries, which during the day dropped several shells into the same, in
military parlance was merely intended as " feehng for the enemy."

It was most fortunate for the Union arms, as the sequel showed, that no
battle was fought by General Meade at Mine Run, as the Confederates had de-
voutly prayed that he should do, for it would have been an engagement under
most adverse and discouraging circumstances, and quite likely attended with great
loss of life and the accomplishment of little good.

MINE RUN— 1908.

Sweet little Major, he mounts my knee,

And the tender blue eyes look at me.

" Tell me, Papsie, just once more.

What did you do when you went to war?"

" Say, tell me, Papsie, say you will —

How many Rebels did you kill ? "

So I told him the truth, or near as mi^s^ht be-

As many of thciii as they did of me.

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS. 315

Union Army Returns to Old Camps. — Re-enlistments Set In.

As so many of the three-year troops' terms were then expiring and the Gov-
•ernment was anxious to secure their re-enHstment, a disaster at Mine Run, and
probable repetition of Fredericksburg, would have so discouraged re-enlistments
that it would have been a most serious detriment to the country. As it was, the
army returned jubilant to its camp because no battle had been fought, and the next
four months, hostilities being suspended by both armies, was spent in winter
■quarters most enjoyably, and re-enlistments for another three years of the men
whose terms were expiring, became very popular, and benefited the Government
■enormously in securing the continuance of trained soldiers in the field.

The Mine Run campaign will be memorable to all the participants because
■of the thousands of Union soldiers in the woods where their guns were stacked,
who might be seen, because of the extraordinary cold and absence of fire, chasing
each other around the trees, keeping up the action all day, to keep themselves
warm and their blood from freezing. Notwithstanding this, there was very great
suffering and some loss of life from exposure.

An Exciting Incident.

On the march to Mine Run an incident occurred out of the ordinary which
shows the boldness of the enemy. With Meade's army of eighty or ninety
thousand men on the march for Mine Run, were their immense wagon-trains oc-
cupying many miles in length, sandwiched between each infantry division column,
•conveying ammunition and rations, each army corps occupying perhaps ten
miles of the line of marching. The division and corps wagon-trains were guarded
by a regiment at the head and one at the end of each mile of trains. In addition
to these front and rear guards for each mile of trains, individual and pioneer
guards accompanied the wagons as protection, the teamsters also being well armed.

In passing on the march beyond Culpeper, on the way to Mine Run, this im-
mense column of cavalry and infantry, batteries, ammunition and commissary
wagons, sub-divided into sections and guarded as described, was attacked by a
regiment of Confederate cavalry, which had lain in ambush watching for a weak
spot in the lines of train guards. The enemy dashed out in force, and succeeded
in surprising and capturing the Federal train guards, pioneers, teamsters and a
dozen or more loaded army wagons, all belonging to Ayres' Division, in which
the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth was serving. Among the wagons captured were
several containing General Ayres' dress uniform and sword, as well as ample
suppHes of " commissary " for the General and his staff.

Before the Union troops, marching in the front and the rear of this train,
with infantry supports, could be rallied to the rescue, the Confederate raiders
succeeded in escaping with all their plunder, taking the teamsters, wagon-guards
and also a number of Union soldiers, prisoners. General Ayres, being', at the
time, in command of a division of United States Regulars, received little sym-
pathy from the volunteers, whom the regulars were forever charging with care-
lessness and want of military sagacity.

316 UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

Reynolds Fox, of Company H, a faithful private of the One Hundred and
Fifty-fifth, was captured in this Confederate cavalry ambuscade of Ayres' wagon-
trains on the march to Mine Run, and died at Andersonville, August 33, 1864,
being buried in grave 6,649.

After enduring the miseries of the night march in zero weather, on the
return from Mine Run, the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth and other troops were
allowed to light fires in the morning. The severity of the frost and the miseries
of the night march in the freezing weather, bore a wonderful resemblance in the
minds of many at the time to the description of Napoleon's historic winter retreat
from Moscow, though neither Cossacks nor Confederates harrassed or in any way
disturbed the slow retreat of General Meade's army. At Brandy Station the
army reached the very familiar Orange & Alexandria Railroad, where the One
Hundred and Fifty-fifth crossed the Rappahannock. This crossing by actual
count made the fourteenth time that the Regiment, during 1863, in its campaigns
back and forward in that section of Virginia, had crossed and re-crossed that
historic stream.

The supply of eight days' rations with which the troops had been supplied
on the reconnoissance to Mine Run became exhausted before the expiration of
that period, and the miseries and discomforts of the severe winter weather were
aggravated by the agonies of hunger affecting most of the troops before they
reached camp or met the long-looked-for commissary, and again had their empty
haversacks refilled. After a two-mile march from the Rappahannock along the
Orange & Alexandria Railroad on December 3, 1863, the Regiment and the ac-
companying brigades halted, and a most welcome distribution of rations took
place. The next morning the march along the Orange & Alexandria Railroad to-
wards Washington was resumed, passing Bealton Station, and halting at Warren-
ton Junction, the place destined to be the winter quarters of the Regiment for
some months following.

Winter Quarters at Warrenton Junction.

The Fifth Corps was detailed all along this railroad to guard and protect
it from the raids of Moseby's guerrillas. Warrenton Junction and vicinity was
assigned to the care and observation of General Garrard's Brigade, of Ayres'
Division, with which the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth was serving. Orders
were given, on December 5th, to lay out the Regimental camp and to locate head-
quarters of the Regiment. This involved the going of the men of each mess to
the near woods, to cut, split and carry in timber necessary for the log huts of
which winter quarters were to be formed. The camp was laid out in regular
streets, the company officers' quarters being at the head of the streets, with non-
commissioned officers next, followed by that of the privates. The architecture
of these structures, although primitive, was uniform in style, being Hmited to
space sufficient for three men occupying a joint bunk, and having a fireplace
of old-fashioned style, and a chimney which frequently failed to carry upward all
the smoke. No fenders, tongs, or mantlepieces graced the fittings of the fireplace.
The interior was free from anything like cupboards or boxes. The canteens

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

2ir

318 UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

were hung upon the floor. The cooking utensils were very limited in number
and primitive in style, the same tin bucket in which the meals and coffee were
cooked, with scant rinsing from the limited supply of water, being made to dO'
duty in cooking soups, boiling beans, or dried apples, making rice puddings,,
stewing elderberries and many other purposes.

The only art decorations on the walls of the quarters consisted of cuts from-
Harper's and Leslie's, war pictures illustrating desperate cavalry charges and
infantry engagements. The uncarpeted floors were composed of split timbers.
The fires were made of sticks and logs of wood, the cordage of the same being
under the bed to prevent being appropriated by mistake. The pitched roof of
the huts were made of canvas tents furnished by the Government. Sometimes
to keep the light from shining through the transparent white canvas after the
" tattoo " had sounded " lights out," the occupants, desiring to continue games
of euchre or " penny-ante " after hours, would throw heavy blankets over the
roof to shut off the light from the " Officer of the Day " charged with the en-
forcement of camp orders after " tattoo " had been sounded.

The actual work of making these quarters fell very hard upon the city-bred"
boys in the companies because of their total non-familiarity with the use of
hatchets, axes, or picks, or the tools necessary to build the quarters; but the-
tie of comradeship was so strong that the woodsmen from the country com-
panies, familiar with this sort of labor, cheerfully aided the inexperienced town-
boy soldiers in the construction of their quarters. The streets of the camp
were wide and commodious and policed regularly by the removal of all garbage.
The chimneys on these structures or huts in the camp were unique features. A
beer keg or cracker box or any other kind of keg or box possible to obtain was
considered a proper crowning article for the chimney surmounting the fireplace
of the soldier's hut. When these could not be obtained, " hardtack " boxes were
sometimes strengthened and used for the same purpose, and both forms of chim-
neys served their purpose very well, although it must be admitted that all the
smoke created in the soldiers' quarters did not go up the chimney.

Life in Winter Quarters. — Amusements, Etc.

Strong temptations were offered, as in Camp Humphreys of the previous
year, and in fact, were often yielded to on many occasions in this winter camp
by mischiveous comrades, to play jokes upon the inmates through the use of
these chimneys. Long after " tattoo " and the occupants of the quarters had
retired, the fire in the primitive fireplace being well slacked so as to keep the
interior warm, the midnight guard called to leave camp for duty, before going
to his distant post, would place a plank or board on the top of the chimney, thus
soon driving all the smoke inside. The mischievous guard, in the meantime hav-
ing proceeded to his post of duty out of camp limits, would be beyond suspicion,.
or, in case of being accused, would have a good alibi, when the irate inmates,
nearly suffocated, would rush out of their huts and denounce the villainous deed,
and the orderly sergeant or some other officer would be aroused to hunt for the
invisible demon who, of course, could not be found.

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

319

FIFTH CORPS BRIGADE COMMANDERS.

220 UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

This form of disturbing the sleeping inmates was varied by the outgoing
midnight guard's occasionally taking from his sixty rounds of ammunition
a handful or two of cartridges, which, putting in a paper and tying with a
string, he would lower down through the chimney to the slacked fire, when in
a short time an explosion would follow from the discharge of the cartridges.
During the excitement sure to succeed the explosion, the mischiveous guard
would escape to his post of duty some distance beyond the camp limits, and
of course all trace of the offender would be lost.

From this camp. Colonel Kenner Garrard, of the One Hundred and Forty-
sixth New York Volunteers, who, as senior Colonel, on the 2d of July, had suc-
ceeded to the command of the Brigade, took his departure as Brigade comman-
der, having been promoted to a Brigadier-Generalship, and assigned to the com-
mand of a division of cavalry in the Western army, where he later earned great
distinction with General Sherman. The One Hundred and Fifty-fifth Regiment
in particular owed General Garrard a debt of gratitude for the personal interest
manifested by him in the welfare of the Regiment, and in enabling it to earn
the high distinction it subsequently gained under Colonel Alfred L. Pearson.

•

Colonel E. M. Gregory, Commanding Ninety-first Pennsylvania Volun-
teers, Succeeds General Garrard.

General Garrard, as commander of the Brigade, was succeeded by Colonel
Edward M. Gregory, of the Ninety-first Pennsylvania Volunteers, a popular and
brave officer. Colonel Gregory subsequently became equally noted in the army
for his zeal as a Christian worker, often varying the duties of military life by
preaching and conducting prayer-meeting services at his own brigade head-
quarters, and also at company and regimental meetings of the One Hundred
and Fifty-fifth. The Ninety-first Pennsylvania, Colonel Gregory's own regi-
ment, which had been recruited in the famous Moyamensing district of Phila-
delphia, afforded a fine field for Christian missionary work for Colonel Gregory.
The men composing the regiment, although being splendid fighters, were far
from being angels, or piously inclined. In this camp Colonel Gregory started a
religious revival in the ranks of the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth Regiment,
which lasted for several weeks, and won a great many converts to experience
religion. It is but proper to credit Companies K and G, of the Regiment, with
these pious awakenings and converts.

That extremes would meet on the subject of religious enthusiasm, even in
the same companies, is made apparent on the perusal of a diary of a most
worthy and exemplary Christian soldier of Company D, the late Corporal M. V.
B. Sallada, which was submitted to the compilers of the Regimental histor)^ In
this journal there appears the solemn record entered under date of January 21,
1864, Camp Warrenton Junction, " The company was paid off to-day, and went
on a general drunk." This was followed by a second entry on the same date,
" Eight p. M., held prayer-meeting services, conducted by Peter Tippin."

Early in December, while in these winter quarters, the Regiment was called
upon to witness on very short notice the execution of a private soldier of the

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS. 331

Eleventh United States Regular Infantry, convicted of desertion. Like the
former executions previously described, General Sykes' entire division was drawn
up in the three sides of a square to witness the sad ceremony. It was an af-
fecting scene, and happily the last to be witnessed by the One Hundred and
Fifty-fifth during the remainder of its term of service.

On December 36th, Companies E and K packed up and relieved part of the
Ninety-first Pennsylvania on guard duty at Catlett Station, on the Orange &
Alexandria Railroad. These companies went into the quarters of the Ninety-
first Pennsylvania, which had been moved out that day, but the enjoyment of
these fine winter huts by Companies G and K was of short duration, as within
twenty-four hours they were sent to Bristoe Station, and at the end of three
weeks were marched back to the Regimental camp at Warrenton Junction.

Orders Allowing Ten-day Furloughs Issued.

In this camp, while the army was resting, General Meade, to add to the
good feeling prevalent in the camps of his army, and to encourage re-enlistments,
which the Government was most anxious to take place, issued orders that ten-
day furloughs would be granted to worthy soldiers of each regiment, the only
condition being that some good reason must be assigned in order to obtain the
furlough, and that only seven applicants should be absent from the regiment on
furlough at any one time. As the precise reasons on which furloughs were to
be granted were not specified, but were left to the discretion of the applicant,
the greatest variety of declarations as to the urgency and necessity of the fur-
lough was embodied in the petitions in order to insure the success of the request.
The formality required in the application for a furlough was a respectful letter
from the soldier to the Colonel of his regiment, who in turn, if the appHcation
was approved, forwarded it to brigade headquarters with his endorsement. If
the application was not approved by the Colonel, it went into the waste basket.
At brigade headquarters the application for a furlough went through the same
process of treatment, and if approved, was sent to division headquarters by the
brigade commander with his endorsement. Undergoing the same mode of treat-
ment at division headquarters by the division commander, the application was
finally forwarded to corps headquarters. If, during its journey from the regi-
mental headquarters to corps headquarters, the reasons assigned for wanting a
furlough, were disapproved by the intermediate commanders, it found its way
to the waste-basket. As a corps was composed of three divisions, each having
twelve regiments and a number of batteries, the corps commander received for
consideration over one hundred applications a day.

At first, Major-General Sykes, commanding the Fifth Corps, undertook to
read and pass upon the urgent reasons assigned, but the perusal of applications
containing so many manifestly distressing cases of death, suffering and misery,
necessitating the presence of the applicants at home, soon wearied General Sykes.
After some weeks of this experience in reading the recitals in these applications,
ni?iny of which he could not avoid suspecting as being fictitious, the General
assigned the hundred or more daily petitions received, to the Adjutant-General

322 UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

of the corps. In turn, this official struggled with the perusal of the harrowing
reasons assigned for immediate furloughs, and wrestled with the puzzling prob-
lems presented. After some weeks of this trying exrecise, the Adjutant-General,
in turn, got rid of this duty by turning over subsequent applications to the enHsted
men who were confidential clerks at corps headquarters. These clerks enjoyed
the reading of the letters, being aware in many cases of the suspicious character
of many of the contents. This task of reading the fabricated excuses finally
became so monotonous that, for the peace and comfort of all concerned, the con-
fidential clerks, to avoid reading the voluminous applications, decided to draw
lots for the lucky seven, and the applications thereafter were decided in that way.

New Year's in Camp.

New Year's day, 1864, in this camp was made memorable to the men in the
ranks by the presence of the Regimental sutler, who had on hand nice plump
chickens at the cost of one dollar each, and fine fat turkeys at the price of six
dollars a piece. Apples were sold by the sutler according to their size, and eggs
according to their age. But prices did not deter the well-paid officers from in-
dulging in both chickens and turkeys. There were very few messes of privates
who could afford the luxury of paying the prices demanded for the poultry.
Uncle Sam, however, voluntarily distributed gratuitously old rye whiskey, styled
" commissary," to the men, in honor of the day, in the proportion of one quart
to twelve men. No excesses or abuse of this infinitesimal distribution of whiskey
was apparent in the camp, and the best of feeling prevailed. The usual thoughts
and reminiscences of the year just ended impressed the soldier, and thoughts of
home and friends as well as anticipations of what the future might have in store
for the Nation and for the individual in the army, also occasioned more than
a passing thought. The day was also made memorable by the extremely cold
weather, so intense as to prevent sleep. It was too cold even to sit before the
fire. The boys on picket suffered very severely from this night's exposure. Jan-
uary 3d was the first Sunday of the new year in this camp. Chaplain Mateer
preached a sermon in the chapel, but the weather was so bitterly cold that the
sermon had to be cut short and audience dismissed without the Doxology.

Colonel John H. Cain Resigns.

In this camp Colonel John H. Cain resigned the Colonelcy to resume business
in Pittsburg, left in the hands of his partners on his entering the military service.
Colonel Cain had risen from rank of private in the Twelfth Regiment Pennsyl-
vania Volunteers, in three months' service, to the Colonelcy of the One Hun-
dred and F"ifty-fifth Regiment. He commanded the Regiment at Chancellorsville
and elicited in official reports high commendations from both General Humphreys,
commanding the Division, as well as from General Meade, in command of the
Fifth Corps. He was also in command of the Regiment in the battle of Gettys-
burg, where, on Little Round Top, he, with the Regiment, earned great dis-
tinction. No more gentlemanly or popular commander ever served with the

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

233

Regiment. Both officers and men were assembled to receive his cordial hand-
:shake — a farewell parting to the gallant officer.

Colonel A. L. Pearson Assumes Command.

Alfred L. Pearson, Lieut.-CoL, was in Washington City when Colonel
"Cain's resignation was accepted, and he was at once commissioned Colonel and
arrived in camp and assumed command. Colonel Pearson inaugurated more fre-
quent drilling, and soon imparted enthusiasm and ambition to officers and men
to win distinction for proficiency of drill and excellency of discipline. The
promotion of Major John Ewing to rank of Lieutenant-Colonel, and of Captain
John A. Cline, to Major, soon followed, and gave, great satisfaction as deserved
•recognition to worthy officers.

Zouave Skirmish Drill. — Bayonet Exercise. — Target Firing.

During the summer and fall previous, General Garrard had insisted upon the
regiments of his brigade becoming perfect in the zouave drill and bayonet ex-
•ercise, and particularly in skirmish duties and target firing. So pleased was he
■with the efficiency attained by the regiments named that on his reports to General
Halleck he received permission from Washington to offer as a prize for skill in
the bayonet exercise and skirmish drill the French zouave uniform. The Gov-
■ernment accordingly ordered from Paris uniforms of that pattern for this
brigade, in compliment and as a reward for the high efficiency achieved by all

ZOUAVE BAYONET DRILL, PRIVATE JAMES P. O'NEILL.

234

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

the regiments composing it in the
drill and tactics so much desired
by General Garrard. Every day
in this camp, when the weather
would permit, the Regiment had
been deployed as a whole in open
order and vigorously drilled by
Colonel Pearson in the bayonet ex-
ercise, resulting in the men becom-
ing expert athletes in the use of
the muskets and bayonets. There
was no prouder officer in the army
than Colonel Pearson on the day
when these zouave uniforms were
distributed as a prize to his Regi-
ment ; and in the orders read on
dress-parade. Colonel Pearson con-
gratulated the Regiment, and es-
pecially the officers, for their close
attention to the new tactics and the
skill attained by the companies in
the same.

The exchange to the zouave
uniform from the plain blue in-
fantry uniform was enjoyed im-
mensely by the men of the One
Hundred and Fifty-fifth Regi-
ment, not only on account of their
having earned the recognition, but
also because of the great beauty
of the uniform and the greater
comfort and other advantages it
possessed over the regulation uni-
form. The zouave uniform may be described to those who have not seen
pictures of it as being wide — very wide — dark blue knee-breeches with ma-
terial enough in one pair to make two pairs of ordinary pantaloons, and
shaped not unlike the bloomer costume worn by some women years ago. Next
came the jacket of the same heavy, dark-blue material as the knee-breeches,
and trimmed with yellow at the collar and the wrists and down the fronts.
A feature of the uniform was the red flannel sash fully ten feet long and
about ten inches wide. This sash was trimmed with yellow, and was wound
around the waist of the soldier, adding much to the comfort, to the appear-
ance and to the preservation of the health on marches and fatigue duties
of the wearer. The foot-gear consisted of white canvas leggings, which came
down over the shoes, and were buckled along the sides and around the ankles,
reaching half way to the knees, where the breeches were fitted into them. Lastly,

GEORGE M. SMITH,
Regimental Bugler.

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

HAWDON MARSHALL,
Drum Major.

■2->M UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

the greatest and most impressive part of the uniform was the turban, after the
Turkish plan. It was composed of a sash of white flannel about a foot wide and
ten feet long, which would be nicely wound, so as to set or fit on a red fez skull
cap, to which was attached a blue tassel. This turban was seldom worn except
•on dress-parade or dress occasions ; but the red fez cap with the tassel was always
worn on fatigue or other duties. It took some time to get used to this metamor-
phosis, from the plain regulation uniform to the dullish colors and style of the
zouave dress, and some most amusing contrasts were presented on the introduc-
tion of this exchanged attire. The French soldiers, for whom this uniform was
patterned and made, were, as a rule, much smaller in stature than the American
soldier, and hence the imported zouave uniforms distributed, in many cases, were
•entirely too short for the many giants in stature in the One Hundred and Fifty-
fifth Regiment, and particularly in the companies where stalwart six-footers and
over was the rule. First- Sergeant D. Porter Marshall, of Company K, being
six feet nine inches in his stockings, had the greatest difficulty of any man in
the Regiment in securing a zouave outfit to conform to his stature. In contrast
with Porter Marshall, the tallest man in the Regiment, was Private Tobias Diet-
rich, of Company A, the shortest man in the command, who was awarded the
longest pair of zouave trousers. There was no provision made in the army
for a company or a regimental tailor, to cut down, enlarge, alter or mend uni-
forms. Colonel Pearson, commanding, met the situation which faced Sergeant
Marshall, the Regimental giant, b}- ordering the Regimental Quartermaster to
issue two suits of zouave uniforms to the Sergeant, out of which he could at
least make one suit nearly large enough to fit him. After some time, the Ser-
geant presented himself in the new zouave uniform, presenting a most singular
.and grotesque appearance, on account of his stature and the novelty of the new
uniform.

Whilst this uniform had its advantages on the march and was comfortable on
•other occasions, occasionally it was found to have its drawbacks. Thus, on the
march, if its wearers straggled, the singularity of their uniform distinguished them
from all other soldiers, and aided in their detection. The ever-vigilant provost
-guards easily knew the camp locations of the stragglers, and easily identified them
by their peculiar uniform, whereas, has they been dressed in the ordinary regula-
tion uniform, they would have escaped arrest.

MOSEBY AND HiS GUERILLAS.

The guerillas under Moseby disturbed the even tenor of camp life, and in
guarding of the Orange & Alexandria Railroad. One night, quite near the
pickets of the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth, they captured a mail carrier near
Bealton and killed him. The guerillas were pursued by guards of the Regiment,
who captured two of them in possession of the mail which they had stolen.

During this winter camp life many of the officers secured permission to have
their wives visit the camp and share their headquarters. Among others who
visited the camp, and enjoyed the dress-parades and reviews for a few days, were
Mrs. Pearson, the Colonel's wife, and some lady friends. A few days, however.

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

227

ZOUAVE IN ACTION.

328 UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

after these ladies left the Regimental headquarters, Moseby's guerillas executed
one of their frequent midnight raids. The guerillas, being dressed in Union
uniform, went out and relieved the Union pickets, when, having secured charge
of the picket line, they proceeded to raid the camp. They captured a Brigadier-
General, two sutlers and a number of horses. Had they known it, and extended
their raid a mile farther, they might have captured General Sweitzer and his
good wife, who was at the time visiting the camp. An order was issued after
these events withdrawing the permits for officers' wives to visit their husbands'
headquarters because of the attending risk and danger.

Religious Services.

In this camp the religious fervor, resulting from the revivals which were
inaugurated and maintained, culminated in the erection by the Regiment of a
union chapel for the Christian Commission and the Regiment, under the direc-
tion of the Regimental Chaplain, Reverend Doctor Mateer. The men vied with
each other in their zeal in constructing this chapel, which was soon finished, be-
cause of the lumber and material being so readily supplied over the Orange &
Alexandria Railroad, which the command was engaged in guarding. This chapel
was duly opened and prayer-meetings and Sunday exercises were regularly held
in it for some weeks.

The Reverend Constantine M. Egan, a Catholic priest, of Washington, D. C,
through the petition of officers and men of the United States Regulars serving in
the Fifth Corps, at General Griffin's request, was assigned to his headquarters.
Father Egan had been given a commission at large to visit soldiers of his creed in
the various camps, being assigned to no particular regiment, and serving with-
out salary, in the performance of his mission. Reverend Egan called upon
Colonel Pearson, commanding the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth, who readily
accorded him permission to hold services for the Catholic soldiers in the camp
of the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth Regiment. The announcement was read by
the Adjutant, John H. Irwin, at the usual dress-parade. Reverend Doctor Mateer,
the Regimental chaplain, also cordially welcomed Reverend Father Egan, and
tendered him the use of the Regimental chapel to conduct services and preaching
during his visit.

Colonel Pearson issued orders that all members of Father Egan's denomina-
tion would be excused from guard or other duties from ten to two o'clock on the
day of the celebration of services by Father Egan in the camp chapel.

As all the boys liked to be excused from guard, fatigue and other duties in
camp for the purpose of seeking amusements in card-playing, etc., in their quar-
ters, and there being no orders how to test the faith of the soldiers deserving to
be excused from duty, it was found that the entire Regiment, or a large majority
of them, had suddenly professed the Catholic faith in order to secure exemption
from duty, under pretense of attending divine service. Chaplain Egan's preach-
ing was, therefore, well attended. He preached a plain, eloquent sermon from the
gospel of the day, exhorting all in patriotic terms to serve their country faith-
fully in its hour of great peril.

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

239

THE LONG AND THE SHORT, IN ZOUAVE UNIFORM.

230

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

Father Egan remained several days in camp, the guest of Reverend Doctor
JNIateer. It was an agreeable exhibition of Christian harmony to find these two
ministers of different faiths working side by side, not only in the camp, but in
the hospitals and on the actual battlefield, for the relief of the brave soldiers.
Both these exemplary ministers frequently endured sacrifices on marches and
exposures in battle as much as did the rank and file.

Coincident with this religious revival in the camp, it is to be regretted that
the saving grace did not extend to some unregenerate individuals in the camp, wh&
made up for the shortage of furniture in their winter quarters by midnight visits
to the Regimental chapel, where they proceeded to lay their sacrilegious hands
upon the nicely-planed boards out of which the pulpit was made, and feloniously
carrying off the same, as was later discovered, to their tents and secreting therrt'
under their beds and blankets until the excitement of the vandalism had passed.
The pulpit furniture, sad to relate, was then metamorphosed into tables for
cards, meals and other profane purpo.'^es. The perpetrators were never
discovered.

Death of Captain Sackett and His ^Military Funeral.

January 34, 1864, towards midnight, the intelligence reached the camp of the
One Hundred and Fifty-fifth of the drowning of Captain Joseph B. Sackett,
commanding Company E, who had in the afternoon, in company with Quarter-
master-Sergeant John H. Ralston, left camp on horseback to visit the United
States Regulars. 'On returning to the camp of the One Hundred and Fifty-
fifth, about 9 p. M., Captain Sackett lost
his life in crossing Kettle Run. A heavy
rain storm had come up while the Cap-
tain and his companion were visiting
the camp of the Regulars, which had
caused the stream suddenly to rise,,
so that in attempting, on their return
to C3mp, to re-cross at the same ford,,
the Captain's horse, in swimming, threw
him off and kicked him, rendering him
insensible and causing his drowning.
Sergeant Ralston, on his horse, how-
ever, reached the opposite shore in
safety. A detachment of soldiers from
the Regular camp recovered the Cap-
tain's body soon after, and sent word
of the accident to First-Lieutenant
George ]\I. Laughlin, of Company E, in
the camp of the One Hundred and
Fifty-fifth.

Captain Sackett had been granted
CAPT. JOSEPH B. sackett. fifteen days leave of absence at the time

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS. 331

of the accident, and intended to leave the next morning for Pittsburg. General
Garrard issued orders to pay Captain Sackett the lionors of a military funeral
from the camp of the Regiment to the railroad station, a mile distant. It was
the first and only military funeral of an officer which the Regiment had been
called upon to witness or participate in during its service. Whilst many officers
of high rank and others had been slain in battle, the exigencies of the campaign
did not permit of carrying out the regulations prescribed for military funerals
occurring at posts or in military camps, as was the situation on the occasion of
Captain Sackett's death. The entire Brigade was massed for the solemn occa-
sion of the funeral, all except the Ninety-first Pennsylvania being attired in the
new zouave vmiform. The command of the funeral column was assigned by
General Garrard to Colonel D. T. Jenkins, of the One Hundred and Forty-sixth
New York Volunteers. The body of Captain Sackett, enclosed in a handsome
cofifin, was borne upon an artillery caisson. The thirty-two musicians, with their
instruments, composing the brass band of the United States Regulars, headed
the cortege, and in compliment to the companionship, a regiment of the United
States Regulars occupied a position in the funeral column. General Garrard, and
all of his staff, with colors draped in mourning, participated in the procession.
The sight was most impressive, the plain where the funeral procession was
formed and paraded to the station afforded a fine view of the troops composing^
the funeral cortege. The solemn strains of a dirge rendered by the band and the
display of the entire Brigade troops not on duty marching with arms reversed
and colors draped, and the escort of the United States Regular regiment, pre-
sented a scene of grandeur and solemnity, and was a mark of honor and respect
for Captain Sackett. Captain Sackett's command. Company E, was given the
post of honor, being next the caisson carrying the remains in the procession.
The remains were shipped to Pittsburg and there interred in the family lot in
Allegheny cemetery.

Captain Sackett was an unusually handsome officer, having commanded
Company E with credit in the three great battles of Fredericksburg, Chancellors-
ville and Gettysburg. First-Lieutenant George M. Laughlin succeeded Captain
Sackett in command of Company E.

Political Visitors to Camp.

During the State campaign for Governor of Pennsylvania in 1863, the Legis-
lature having passed a law enabling soldiers of the State serving in the armies
of the United States outside of the State to vote for State officers, representatives
of the State and of the political parties visited the camps in the Army of the
Potomac, to distribute tickets as well as to do some electioneering, both parties
being represented in the visiting delegates. Among those of prominence from
Allegheny county, who thus visited the army camps of Western Pennsylvania
soldiers, was a well-known divine. Reverend John Douglass, D. D., a retired
Presbyterian minister of Pittsburg, who, in the political campaigns during the
war, was quite active in addressing Republican meetings. On his army visit it
is related that a very humorous episode took place in the camp of the Sixty-second
Pennsylvania, a great majority of whom were of the Democratic faith, having:

232 UNDER THE AIALTESE CROSS.

enlisted with Colonel Sam W. Black and J. Bowman Sweitzer, active leaders in
the Democracy before enlisting in the service.

Reverend Doctor Douglass was the guest of Colonel Sweitzer, enjoying the
hospitality of his headquarters, which latter often included the best brand of
Government " commissary." During a discussion of the relative merits of
Democracy and Republicanism, and the Generals of both parties in the field, a
warm debate ensued between the mighty host and his clerical visitor, lasting until
the " wee sma' hours of the night," both combatants pugnaciously and aggress-
ively maintaining their diametrically conflicting views. The contest became so per-
sonal that General Sweitzer felt constrained to warn the doughty divine that
if it were not for his ministerial coat, he (Sweitzer) would thrash the life out
of him for his unpatriotic utterances and denunciation of McClellan, Porter and
other heroes of the war, who were of Democratic faith, and under whom
Sweitzer had fought so many campaigns.

The Reverend Doctor Douglass, with true Irish courage, accepted the chal-
lenge of Colonel Sweitzer, and declared that his ministerial coat need be no bar
to determining right then and there the supreme question of the moment as to
which of the two was the better man. Douglass whirled off his coat and defied
Sweitzer, when the staff officer of the latter interfered and prevented the wordy
combatants from coming to blows.

In a day or two this incident was forgotten, and Colonel Sweitzer and Doctor
Douglass ever after in Pittsburg, where they long survived the close of the war,
continued the warmest of friends.

Reviews, Drills, Amusements.

February 11, 18G4, will long be remembered by reason of a Brigade review,
which was the first full-dress zouave review held in the Army of the Potomac.
General Ayres, commanding the Division, was the reviewing officer, and he ex-
pressed himself as well pleased, congratulating the officers commanding the
Brigade.

In this camp the Regiment had the usual out-door exercises — -games of ball,
pitching horseshoes, boxing, for which many had sent home for gloves ; sparring
and wrestling matches, often took place. Fiddles that had been laid aside during
the active campaigning, were unearthed ; cotillions, round dances and amusements
generally were invoked. The members composing the Regimental glee club of
the previous winter's camp, however, were missed. Colonel E. Jay Allen, himself
a fine singer; Colonel John H. Cain, Adjutant E. A. Alontooth, the leading per-
formers in the concerts of the previous year, were absent, whilst George P. Ful-
ton, John Ralston, John H. Irwin, Sergeant Harry Campbell, Sergeant-Ma j or
Hawdon Marshall, Corporal Robert R. Culp, and others survived, and gave the
benefit of their music on the long winter evenings ; yet the absence of the orig-
inators of the glee club was felt.

Valentines in Cami-- and from Home.
A great season in this camp, however, was St. Valentine's day, February
14th. The valentines sent and received by the boys added very much to the

GRIFFIN'S DIVISION FLAG,
March 24, 1864, to June 2, 1865.

THE MAN WITH THE MUSKET.

I knew him, I tell you ! And, also, I knew

When he fell on the battle-swept ridge.
That the poor battered body that lay there in blue

Was only a plank in the bridge
Over which some should pass to a fame

That shall shine while the high stars shall shine !
Your hero is known by an echoing name,

But the man of the musket is mine.

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS. 235

revenues of the Postal Department, judging by their numbers. The sutler was
suppHed with a highly-colored assortment of humorous valentines. Sheets so
prominent in the windows at home were in stock, and the sutler had large sales
of them in this camp. Not satisfied, however, with these highly-colored pictures,
many of the soldiers employed amateur artists and color-painters to make draw-
ings and sketches suitable for sweethearts at home. The favorite drawing, in
the absence of tin-types and photographs, was the cartoon-sketching of the
soldier in the new zouave uniform, which afforded a fine field for the amateur
painters in camp, using Osborn's water colors. These cartoons depicted the
zouave in the attitude of resisting a cavalry charge, or bayoneting a fleeing Con-
federate, etc.

Lieutenant-General Grant in Command.

Early in March, 1864, General Grant, who had been assigned to command
the Army of the Potomac, passed the camp on the railroad, and, by many of the
Regiment, a mental note was made of the significance of this arrival so near
the approach of spring, and the conclusion was reached by all that it meant
business of actual campaigning.

On March 37th, at dress-parade, a notice was read by the Adjutant of the
One Hundred and Fifty-fifth Regiment that the Regiment had been transferred
to the First Brigade of the First Division. Also that the Corps commander,
General George Sykes, identified with the Fifth Corps from its formation, and
commanding it at Gettysburg and up to the present time, had been transferred
to the Western army; also that Major-General Gouverneur K. Warren had been
promoted from Chief Engineer of the Army of the Potomac to succeed General
Sykes as commander of the Fifth Army Corps. General Sykes was a most
efficient and faithful officer in every battle of the Army of the Potomac, having
won his fame and reputation as the commander of the United States Regulars.
That General Sykes reciprocated the love and esteem the Corps had for him is
shown by his farewell address, which was read to all the regiments at dress-
parade, reading as follows :

" Headquarters Fifth Army Corps,

" March 34, 1864.
"General Orders No. 5.

" Soldiers of the Fifth Corps : By direction of the War Department, I am
relieved from duty with the Army of the Potomac.

" In obeying an order so wholly unexpected, I part from you with the pro-
foundest regret. We have been associated together since your organization as a
corps ; we have shared all the campaigns of this glorious army and for months
It has been my pride and distinction to be your chief.

"The history of your achievements adds a lustre to the history of your
country and in the great battle of the War, on the 2d of July, 1863, your heroism
and valor indisputably saved the day.

" I part from you feeling assured that your manly virtues, courage and
patriotism will still be conspicuous in campaigns to come, and the insignia borne

334 UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

upon your flags and worn upon your breasts, will, in the shock of battle, always
be found in the thick of your country's foes.

(Signed) George Sykes,

Major-General.

Last Days in Winter Quarters.

In camp at Warrenton Junction, along the railroad, the Regiment passed
the four winter months, a most pleasant and enjoyable rest. They had all learned
from experience the life and duty of soldiers, and also the benefit of discipline;
and hence but little complaint or grumbling, such as had marked the dissatis-
faction and discontent of soldiers in the early days of their enlistment, charac-
terized this camp. The re-enlistments of the veteran regiments had been highly
successful. Many recruits were sent to the decimated regiments of the Army
-of the Potomac, including the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth; and the army was
brought to a high state of perfection, officers and men submitting to discipline,
cheerfully and willingly undergoing the hardships incident to military Ufe,
and looking forward to an early closing of the war in the approaching spring
■campaign.

Lieutenant-General Grant Issues Marching Orders.

May 1, 1864, orders were issued by General U. S. Grant, commanding the
armies of the United States, with headquarters with the Army of the Potomac,
to break camp and to pack up and take up the march once more to cross the
Happahannock river from Brandy Station, a distance of six miles, thus bidding
farewell forever to our winter quarters and pleasant associations incident thereto.
A feature on the resumption of campaign life is proper to mention here. It
is the coincidence that while changes in the general officers from the highest to
the lowest were constantly in progress by reorganizations and resignations, etc.,
reorganizations of the various messes of the enlisted men and non-commissioned
officers in the commands were also taking place. Soon after enlistment the sol-
diers selected their messmates, a mess being composed of two or three — ^generally
three. No detail or assignments of messes was made by officers or others.
The selections were amicable, being governed largely by congeniality. This
frequently led to changes from disagreements, and but few of the original messes
remained together even among the survivors until the end of the war. Many
messes of three were wholly extinguished by the casualties of war though not
always in one battle. Many other messes were broken up through sickness or
•disease causing deaths or discharges. Many more messes of three would be by
promotions requiring a separation. Still more messes would be disintegrated by
the detailing of members of the mess for special duty, such as guard-mount,
•orderlies, clerks, hospital nurses, or other positions. Therefore, on this day, the
breaking of camp on the resumption of the march marked as many changes in
the formation of messes of both officers and men relatively as did the changes
in the general army from Lieutenant-General Grant down.

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

235

LIEUT.-GEN. U. S. GRANT.

■236 UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

May 3d, Ayres' Division, now consolidated to a brigade, after breaking up
camp, slowly marched to Brandy Station, remaining there until about one o'clock,
when the march was resumed at a slow pace. The column was halted near
Culpeper, having accomplished six miles. This halt was supposed to be for the
night, and the troops spread their ponchos on the ground and lay down for a
night's rest, expecting no interruption until morning, although knowing that
the march was to be resumed. This night, in view of the resumption of the
campaign, the already heavily-laden knapsacks filled with trinkets accumulated
in the four months of camp life, were overhauled with a view of making the
same lighter by disposing of all unnecessary articles. Many sat up late stripping
their knapsacks of their contents for that purpose. Many more were in i.iost
earnest conjecture about the destination of the movement and the result of the
same, in anticipation of meeting the Confederate army south of the Rapidan.
Before the first sleep was had, about eleven o'clock, the Regimental bugle blew
the familiar sound of " Pack up ! Pack up ! " No time was lost. It was a little
past midnight before the column was in motion, and the One Hundred and
Fifty-fifth in its place in line. Daylight on May 4, 1864, found the column
at Germanna Ford on the Rapidan. Ayres' Brigade was in advance, conse-
quently the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth was among the first to cross imme-
diately after Sheridan's Cavalry, which had passed over at daylight, finding only
a few Confederate pickets, who retreated without obstructing the way. Here,
as they marched by at the Ford, the Regiment had a good view of General
Phil. Sheridan and his staff, who were halted near the Ford to allow the Fifth
Corps to take position to follow the cavalry, and also to see that his cavalry
wagon trains promptly followed the infantry column. After crossing this Ford
with the Corps the Regiment marched five miles, reaching the outskirts of the
Wilderness at the intersection of the Germanna Plank Road and the Orange
Court House Pike, where all the troops and the artillery seemed to camp. The
spectacle on the plateau of several miles in extent selected for this night's camp
for the army was most remarkable and one which those witnessing it can never
forget. It was a beautiful spring afternoon when the halt took place. The
troops had had no fatiguing march, and were fresh and well rested by their long
idleness in winter quarters, there being no stragglers. The breaking up of the
winter camp and the present out-door life and the resumption of campaigning
was most cheering and gratifying. Numerous fires were started, each mess
prepared its meals leisurely, having an abundance of rations, and as stated, the
troops were in magnificent spirits. The numerous brass bands of the United
States Regulars and others attached to the divisions in the Fifth Corps were
present in this bivouac, and bringing out their instruments, soon discoursed in-
spiring music, adding very much to the animation of the occasion.

The Calm that Preceded the Storm.

The Fifth Corps, which was thus camped on the edge of the Wilderness,
was thirty thousand strong, and with the Corps artillery and teams and wagons
all parked adjacent in that open country, as stated, made it a most remarkable

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS. 237

scene. The music of the bands continued until the last ray of the setting sun
had disappeared below the western sky and the shades of night had settled
down upon the camp. Everything was indicative of peace, comfort and good
cheer. No hostile sound or report from the enemy, who had fallen back
quietly from the Ford and allowed Grant's columns to come unresisted to the
Wilderness,. had yet been heard. All was quiet and still in that dense underwood
and jungle, or ground known as the Wilderness, except the song of the whip-
poor-will and the occasional screeching of an owl. Where was the enemy?
Why did the Confederates allow the crossing of the river by Grant's columns
without resistance? Their silence was ominous. Usually in war the crossing
of streams at the fords is resisted, and works and ramparts are erected by the
enemy to prevent the crossing by their foes. Yet the Confederates offer no
resistance and even abandon their defenses constructed at the Ford. Undis-
turbed, Grant's army, thus halted and in bivouac, at the usual sound of " tattoo "
at ten o'clock, lights went out and the troops retired and slept as soundly and
peacefully as in any camp during their service. No enemy disturbed their
slumbers, and but few had premonitions or discussed the prospects of the next
day, or anticipated the terrible fighting in the Wilderness.

The holocaust that closed the next day's fighting was in awful contrast
to the already described peaceful surroundings of the troops on retiring this
evening. The movements of that part of Grant's army as the troops packed up
from their bivouacs and camps along the Orange & Alexandria Railroad where
they had wintered, had been closely watched by the Confederate scouts and
pickets, and more especially from the signal stations on Cedar and Pony Moun-
tains, in the vicinity of Brandy Station and Culpeper. General Lee, in his
fortified camp and winter quarters at Mine Run and Orange Court House, was
supplied with reHable information of every movement of the Army of the
Potomac. No one knew this better than did General Meade, the commander,
who, upon consultation with Lieutenant-General Grant, the new commander,
directed General A. A. Humphreys, the able and efficient Chief-of-Staff of the
Army of the Potomac, to prepare and submit a project for the opening cam-
paign in the spring of 1864. General Humphreys accordingly prepared a
project that was approved by Generals Grant and Meade.

To prevent the enemy from discovering the real intention of the Union
commanders in the campaign about to open, no attempt at first was made by
night marches or through woods to conceal the movements of the Second, Fifth,
Sixth and Ninth Army Corps, or of the cavalry. On the contrary, in broad
daylight, these Corps, with the cavalry, aggregating on the army rolls at that
date, over one hundred and thirty thousand men, broke camp and by slow and
easy marches, commeiicing on April 30th, advanced to the Rappahannock, laid
their pontoons and continued their advance through the pickets of the enemy
south of the Rappahannock, halting at Brandy Station a day or two, and ex-
tending their columns as far as' Culpeper. This route was entirely in the oppo-
site direction from where Lee's entire army was located, and threatened a march
to Richmond away from the Wilderness or the svtbsequent movements of the
Union army into the Wilderness on the Spottsylvania route. The miles of am-

238 UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

munition trains and many more miles of supply-wagon trains and quarter-
master trains, together with the long column of artillery composing the one hun-
dred or more batteries of the Army of the Potomac, not to mention the superb
cavalry divisions of Generals Gregg, Merritt and Custer, and their wagon trains,
must have attracted in the week occupied in the change of base the serious
attention of General Lee and his vigilant Generals.

This open display of the movement of the Army of the Potomac as facing
Richmond, indicating to the enemy an advance southward and away from the
old battlefields of the Wilderness and Chancellorsville after the movement had
been started, was all suddenly changed. When nightfall came on the evening
of the 3d of May, the Second, Fifth, Sixth and the cavalry corps, in advance,
under Sheridan, were ordered, in conformity with the plan of campaign, to
march to the Rapidan, and there to cross — Hancock's Corps at Ely's Ford,
where the trains had delivered pontoons for bridges; the Fifth and the Sixth
Corps on pontoon bridges laid at Germanna Ford. General Wilson's Cavalry
Division led the advance of the columns across the Rapidan, meeting with no
resistance except the feeble fire of a few Confederate pickets occupying the
fortified points at the fords mentioned. The Ninth Corps, thirty thou-
sand strong, under General A. E. Burnside, followed the Fifth Corps, under
General Warren, and the Sixth Corps, under General Sedgwick, at Germanna
Ford.

General Grant's Movement to Wilderness Successful.

The movement projected by General Humphreys for the various corps was
carried out very successfully, being executed with precision and promptness,
every corps and column of troops and the vast army trains occupying miles and
miles of roads, and parks of artillery, were found to be posted in proper posi-
tions without confusion or interference with each other; so that it was a
subject of profound congratulation, indeed, to Generals Grant and Meade that
their first movement in the opening of the campaign of 1864 was a decided
success.

This fact had much to do with the splendid morale and spirits pervading
the entire army under its new commander in the opening of the battle in the
Wilderness on May 5th. Neither General Grant nor General Meade was given
to the issuing of vainglorious, bombastic orders, either before or after battles, as
had so many previous commanders of the army, who had been unfortunate in
issuing premature congratulations.

General Humphreys, in his volume on the " Campaigns of Mrginia," con-
tradicts the assertion of General Badeau, in his " Memoirs of General Grant,"
that the plan of campaign involved battles in the Wilderness. On the contrary,
General Humphreys asserts that the plan or project which he was ordered to
prepare, and which met with the approval of Grant and Meade, contemplated
no such thought as an engagement or campaign in so unsuitable a place as the
twenty miles of Wilderness presented. Its many drawbacks — its so few and so
narrow roads, all of which were familiar to General Meade and himself, from

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

239

previous campaigns, suggested its absolute unfitness for the maneuvering of
large bodies of troops. Its impenetrable jungles and undergrowth of saplings
made it impossible to handle a regiment, much less divisions and corps in-
telligently, or to form alignments. Besides, it was wholly impracticable,,
by reason of the absence of clearings or roads for either artillery or cavalry
movements.

-240 UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

Chapter XI.

THE BATTLE OF THE WILDERNESS.

Description of Wilderness. — One Hundred and Fifty-fifth and Ayres'
Brigade Open Battle. — One Hundred and Fortieth New York Volunteers
Suffers Terrible Punishment. — Battle Ground Not Adapted for Ar-
tillery. — Captain George M. Laughlin Commands One Hundred and
Fifty-fifth's Skirmish Line. — Ayres' Brigade Attacks with Tremendous
Energy. — Battle Rages with Tremendous Fury. — Contest Too Unequal
TO BE Maintained. — Enemy Falls with Fearful Energy on Ayres' Exposed
Flank. — Brigade Compelled to Retreat. — Woods on Fire. — Many Dead and
Wounded Left Between Lines Cremated. — Regiment on Skirmish Line
During Night. — Overpowered by Enemy's Solid Battle Line. — Regiment
Falls Back and is Fired Upon. — Heated Colloquy of Colonel Pearson
with General Ayres. — Colonel Pearson Placed Under Arrest. — Many
Wounded Become Prisoners. — Casualties.

IHE road over which the Fifth Army Corps had marched from Ger-
manna Ford on the afternoon of the 4th of May, 1864, ran in a
southeasterly direction for six or seven miles, where it formed a
junction with the Orange turnpike, running almost due west from
Fredericksburg to Orange Court House ; and the bivouac of the
One Hundred and Fifty-fifth that night was near the junction of these two
roads, in the vicinity of the Old Wilderness Tavern. The slumbers of the troops
during the night " before the battle " were serene and undisturbed. Daylight,
which broke about five o'clock on the morning of May 5th, found the troops
of Ayres' Brigade refreshed and on the alert for what the day should bring
forth. The sequel showed they had but little time to await the discovery.

The sun, in blood-red splendor, as if ominous of the dreadful carnage which
was soon to follow in the dense entanglement of the jungle in which Grant's
entire army was soon to become enmeshed, was pouring his slanting beams
through the openings in the woods so richly clad in the green robes of early
summer.

The Wilderness. — Combat Opens.

The Wilderness, on the outskirts of which the One Hundred and Fifty-
fifth rested so peacefully that calm spring night, and in the jungles and ravines
of which it was so soon to participate in one of the mightiest and bloodiest, if

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

241

not decisive, battles of the war, is a wild, desolate region of worn-out farms
covered with a dense growth of scraggy oak and pines, sassafras and hazel, in-
terlaced with an entanglement of vines that rendered its recesses almost impene-
trable. This forbidding forest, of twenty miles square, was intersected with only
a few narrow roads and many deep ravines, which made only parts of it ac-
cessible to the Confederates, who, however, were already familiar with every foot
of ground within its boundaries.

About nine o'clock on the morning of the 5th a rattling of carbines from
the cavalry outposts in advance revealed the presence of the Confederates in the
neighborhood, and the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth knew that Grant's quest
had been successful. Ayres' Brigade, in the advance, was formed in two lines
of battle on the right of the Orange Turnpike. The One Hundred and Fortieth

THE BIVOUAC, " NIGHT BEFORE BATTLE OF WILDERNESS,

New York, on the left, prolonged by the United States Regulars on the right,
composed the first line. The second line was formed immediately in the rear
of the first by the One Hundred and Forty-sixth New York on the left, just in
the rear of the One Hundred and Fortieth, and prolonged by the Ninety-first
and One Hundred and Fifty-fifth Pennsylvania on the right, the latter regiment
being in the rear of the Regulars, all these regiments forming and ready to ad-
vance as a double line of battle. All the regiments composing these two battle
lines unslung and piled their knapsacks, leaving guards over them. About noon
the final command " Forward " was given, and the troops advanced slowly and
laboriously through the undergrowth, with considerable noise caused by the
rattling of tin-cups, bayonets and canteens clashing together. A most accurate
and graphic account of this day's battle in the Wilderness by Captain Porter

242

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

Farley, of the One Hundred and Fortieth New York Vohinteers, in the same
brigade and location as the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth is here introduced:

Adjutant Porter Farley's Account of the Battle.

"After crossing the river, we marched in a southeasterly direction about
seven miles on the road leading from Germanna Ford to the Orange Turnpike.
All was quiet. We heard not a shot that day. An ominous silence was our only
welcome as we found ourselves surrounded by the tangled thickets of the Spott-
sylvania Wilderness. When we arrived at the junction of the two roads, we

LIEUT.-GEN. GRANT'S HEADQUARTERS, CULPEPER COURT HOUSE, MAY 1, 1864.

turned to the right and proceeded for about a mile up the Orange Pike and
bivouacked in the woods on the right of the road. We had started out on this
campaign a Regiment more than six hundred strong, and in point of material, dis-
cipline and appearance, we had the vanity to think there was no other organiza-
tion in the army superior to us. Our distinctive zouave uniform had made us
well known throughout the army, particularly as we had spent the winter beside
the railroad over which so many men and officers had passed on their way to
and from Washington. That fatal 5th of May was to see this splendid Regiment
shorn of half its strength, and mourning the loss of half its members.

" About nine o'clock on the 5th of May we became aware that the enemy
were in front up the Orange Turnpike. This road for some miles to the west-

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

243

244 UXDER THE ^lALTESE CROSS.

ward was perfectly straight, so that we could clearly see groups of men crossing
it some two miles distant from us.

" No large bodies of troops could be seen moving upon it, which, however,
was no proof against their presence in the woods on either side. Some one
or two pieces of artillery were planted on the road, and began firing in our
direction, but at very long range and doing no damage. A section of one
of our batteries was sent a short way up the road, and there took position and
replied to them. Lieutenant-Colonel E. A. Otis, of our Regiment, was out in
the woods in command of the picket line of our Division. The rebel skirmishers
soon reached them and a rattling fire began.

" Meanwhile we had piled our knapsacks, and had left them in charge of
a guard of two men. The Regiment formed a new line a few rods in front
of our bivouac, and there waited for more than an hour expecting any moment
to advance, the skirmish firing in our front continuing all this time.

" At last, about noon, we got the order ' Forward,' and with the left of our
Regiment guiding upon the turnpike, but not exposing itself upon it, we ad-
vanced in line of battle through the woods. The Regulars of our Brigade were
on our right and the One Hundred and Forty-sixth New York was in our rear.
The brush and undergrowth g'reatly impeded our progress, and prevented very
exact alignment, but we went steadily though slowly forward.

" After advancing about half a mile we reached our picket line, now act-
ing as skirmishers, and engaged with those of the enemy. We marched right
through and left them behind. The rebel skirmishers fell back as we went on.
In about five minutes we reached an opening in the woods some acres in extent
and forming a sort of valley or hollow two or three hundred yards in width
directly across our line of march. The rebels were posted on the crest of the
hill opposite us, just in the edge of the woods which skirted the hollow. The
very moment we appeared the}- gave us a volley at long range, but evidently with
very deliberate aim, and with serious effect. The mare which Colonel Ryan rode
was grazed by a bullet on the fetlock, and she kicked and plunged so that he
had to dismount and leave her to be led to the rear. Lieutenant John Hume,
who had lately been promoted from Regimental Commissary Sergeant, and who
here went under fire for the first time, was struck in the knee, and lost his leg
in consequence. Quite a number of enlisted men were also wounded, among them
a man named William Hurle, of my company. His gun and accoutrements were
immediately appropriated by our Regimental butcher, Casper Tromm, who had
no arms of his own, but who, in obedience to orders, followed the line up
closely, and now took his place in the ranks.

" The moment we received this volley, Colonel Ryan ordered us to lie down
and fix bayonets. In a minute or two one of General Ayres' staff, either Captain
Winthrop or Lieutenant Swan, rode along to see if we were ready to advance.
In a few seconds the order was passed along the command, and the Regiment
started at full speed with a shout \\hich drowned all other sounds. Captain
Grantson's was the color companv, and mine was next to it on the left. We were
thus just in the middle of the line. Colonel Ryan was with us, he and I run-
ning so near together that we exchanged words as we went across the field. Of

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

345

COL. GEORGE RYAN.

course, the moment we sprung to our
feet, the enemy opened fire upon us, and
many of our men fell before we reached
the skirt of the woods where the rebels
were posted. Unhindered by the fire that
thinned its ranks, the Regiment never
slackened its speed till it reached the
woods, where it expected to close on the
enemy with the bayonet, but they fell
back just as we were about to reach them,
retiring slowly into the undergrowth.
The moment we reached the woods our
speed was checked, and then for the
first time we opened fire, but still kept
advancing slowly. Ryan passed rapidly
along the whole line, waving his hat, for
he had no sword with him, having left it
sticking in the girth of his saddle. He
was full of energy, and though we were
in a forest, he showed himself at every
point of our thin line during these few
desperate minutes. As we drove the

enemy before us, it soon became evident that our position was a very perilous
one ; for, while we had charged across an .open valley, the Regulars on our right,
starting at the same time that we did, had been obliged to force their way
through the bushes, and were consequently far behind us. Our right flank was
thus exposed to a raking fire. The Regiment melted away like snow. ^len disap-
peared as if the earth had swallowed them up. Every officer about me was shot
down. No other officers were now to be seen, and only a few men scattered here
and there among the bushes. It seemed as if the Regiment had been annihilated.
" In charging across the clearing, we had moved in a direction somewhat
oblique to the road, so that our center companies were upon it when they reached
the woods. Several times during the fight I crossed from one side of it to the
other. Some two or three minutes later the One Hundred and Forty-sixth New
York, led by Colonel Jenkins, came up to the support of our right wing, though
really by that time they had to take the brunt of the fight, for our organization
was virtually destroyed. Jenkins' men came up in good style, and he led them
on bravely. It was the last time I ever saw him. Strange as it may seem,
though dressed in a Colonel's uniform, with shoulder straps, he was lost in that
charge, and was never afterward heard of. The One Hundred and Forty-sixth
advanced into the woods somewhat to the right of the road where I was stand-
ing. A half dozen or so of our men were firing from behind shelter at the sides
of the road, but they had no line of battle left. Just then there were two terrific
explosions in the hollow behind us, accompanied by the crash of shot through
the trees, and followed by a dense cloud of smoke which completely enveloped us.
Taken completely by surprise by this fire in our rear, we jumped into a gulley

346

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

COL. DAVID T. JENKINS.

which had been worn by the rain beside the
road, and in its friendly shelter retreated
some rods down the hill. The guns blazed
away, and we could now see that they were a
section of our own artillery planted in the
hollow and firing up the road where we had
been standing. At that same time we saw
emerging from the woods on the right a rebel
flag and full line of battle. We were nearly
cut off, but taking our only chance for escape,
started back across the open field. Sergeant
AIcDermott, of Company K, was my only
companion in this inglorious retreat. It
seemed as if the bullets flew about faster than
ever, and I was never more surprised in my
life than when we reached unhurt the shelter
of the woods on the other side. The artillery
men saw their danger at the same time, but
it was too late. Most of their horses were
shot, and the others became entangled in
their harness. The guns were lost and most of the men were killed or taken
prisoners. The officer in command of the section. Lieutenant Shelton, of
Battery D, First New York Artillery, was among those captured. His conduct
was gallant to be sure, but from my standpoint, the road up which he fired, I can
hardly call it wise. I have been informed by General ^^'arren that he directed
a section of artillery to accompany our Brigade, so that when the enemy should
be broken the guns might open fire, and their sound being heard along the line,
thus give confidence to our men. But the fact is that those two guns were un-
limbered in about the lowest part of the hollow, and fired two or three rounds
haphazard into the woods where some few of our men were yet left, and where
the One Hundred and Forty-sixth New York had just entered to suffer a loss
fully equal to ours.

" Upon regaining the shelter of the woods at a point somewhat to the left of
the turnpike, I found scores of men, some wounded and others not, but no
organized troops. Working my way up the road, I there met Colonel Ryan,
two officers and perhaps a dozen of our men. It was a wild meeting. Overcome
by our conflicting emotions of wrath, excitement and mortification, we all talked
at once. ' My God ! ' said Ryan, ' I am the first colonel I ever knew who
couldn't tell where his regiment was.' Each told hurriedly what he knew
of those he had seen hurt, and as we were still in an exposed place where the
bullets occasionally flew in among us, we fell back to the place where we had
left our knapsacks. Then in an incredibly short time the remainder of the Regi-
ment rallied.

" The One Hundred and Forty-sixth New York, Colonel Jenkins in com-

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS. 247

mand, advanced nobly to the assistance of the One Hundred and Fortieth, and
suffered severely."

Captain George M. Laughlin, of the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth Regi-
ment, Commands Skirmish Line.

All the regiments in Ayres' Brigade on the right of the One Hundred and
Fortieth New York did not sustain the enormous losses such as that Regiment
did, but all suffered heavy losses. On the first advance of Ayres' Brigade, on
the morning of the 5th, Colonel Pearson had detailed Captain George M. Laugh-
lin to command the skirmish line of the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth, who dis-
charged that hazardous duty with his men under the greatest difficulties. In
advancing the skirmishers, Captain Laughlin noticed something moving at a short
distance in the woods in front. In order to find out whether it was the
enemy lurking there, he ordered his men to fire in the direction of the sup-
posed sounds and movements, although from the underbrush nothing certain was
visible.

The firing elicited the fact that it was the Confederate skirmish line, and
that Captain Laughlin's surmise was correct. This, no doubt, was the opening
of the ball, as it is termed, in the great battle of the Wilderness. The firing
of the enemy at once became so severe, that Captain Laughlin ordered his men
to lie down, and continue firing as rapidly as possible. While directing the fire of
his men, he noticed the gun drop from the nerveless hands of the nearest man
on his right, as the enemy's bullet pierced his flesh. An instant later the reclining
soldier on the left of the officer was shot in the neck, inflicting a mortal wound.
While still engaged in bravely facing the enemy in this perilous position. Captain
Laughlin and his skirmishers were re-enforced by the approach of the battle
line of the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth and Ayres' Brigade.

On first coming in contact with the enemy, Ayres' Brigade advanced to the
attack with tremendous energy, driving them back with complete success, and if
the Brigade had been properly supported it is quite probable that the Confed-
erate troops would have been involved in hopeless disaster. As it was, however, a
whole Confederate division was rushed to the rescue of their shattered column,
and in what seemed the moment of victory, Ayres' Brigade was brought to a
sudden standstill, and the battle raged with tremendous fury. The contest, how-
ever, soon became too unequal to be long maintained by the Union troops. It
had been intended that the line of Ayres' Brigade should be prolonged and sus-
tained by a division of the Sixth Corps, but the denseness of the woods and the
absence of roads prevented the troops from making connection. On the ex-
posed flank of Ayres' Brigade, therefore, the enemy fell with fearful energy, and,
being thus overpowered, the Brigade was compelled to fall back.

The dense barrier of brushwood through which the One Hundred and Fifty-
fifth had to make their way in the advance was difficult work, even without the
effort to preserve alignment. Consequently, the line was very irregular and
broken by the time it reached the thin line of Regulars who preceded the right

348 UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

of Ayres' Brigade as skirmishers. In a few minutes the enemy, in overpowering
number, was encountered advancing swiftly to meet the advancing regiments of
Ayres' Brigade, their front Hues forced forward by those in the rear.

Instantly the fire became general and the sulphurous smoke settled down
over the combatants in the thicket as if it would shield the victims of the terri-
ble " shouting, screaming war-demon " against which the furious fire from the
One Hundred and Fifty-fifth and the other regiments seemed to have no visible
effect. As if to hide from view the victims of man's wrath, everywhere a gentle
steady rain of twigs and leaves was falling to the earth, pruned by the same
hail that penetrated the flesh and splintered the bones of the devoted men of the
few regiments that vainly fought to destroy or at least check this terrific on-
slaught. The colors around which the men of the Regiment had so often rallied
remained tightly furled around the staff. No room was there amid the thorns and
briars of that enslaving jungle to unfurl the flag.

Closer and yet closer came the hostile hosts. Faster and more furious fought
the Union troops. Yelling like devils the enemy fell upon the Union line. A
Confederate captain falls dead, shot by a soldier of the One Hundred and Fifty-
fifth. Three or four Confederates throw the body of their officer in a blanket
and bear him off ; while their strong lines, yelling and cursing, burst upon and
intermingle with the men of the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth. " Throw down
your guns ! Drop your colors ! Surrender ! " shouted the enemy^ Sergeant
Lawson, of Company H, of the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth, having no time to
go aroimd, jumped into a thicket of brambles, tearing his way through, badly
lacerating his body and leaving portions of his tattered garments impaled upon
the thorns.

Color-Sergeant Marlin, with a firmer grasp of the colors, turned and, amid
a shower of bullets, tore his way through the bushes toward the rear. The re-
mainder of the Regiment quickly abandoned the unequal conquest and retreated.
Had the enemy not become as badly disorganized as the men of the One Hun-
dred and Fifty-fifth, few of the wounded would have escaped. Indeed, quite a
number of the Regiment, as it was, were both wounded and captured. The battle
in the somber recesses of the Wilderness on the .5th of May, was a " pandemonium
of horrid sounds and a panorama of awful scenes." Suddenly a sullen roar smote
the ear, gradually dying out until the sounds resembled that made by a boy
running with a stick pressed against a paling fence : again swelling up into a con-
tinuous roar. It could not be said with truth that Ayres' Brigade was whipped
by the Confederates, but it was simply overpowered by vastly superior numbers.
The Brigade was soon re-formed in the rear and was again ready and eager
for action. Both officers and men, of the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth, and the
other regiments of Ayres' Brigade, chagrined and humiliated, declared that they
had not been whipped, but simply overwhelmed by the enemv.

Incidents of the Battle.

The clearing or open space, referred to in the narrative of Captain Porter
Farley, over which Ayres' Brigade drove the enemy, was the homestead of a

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS. 24&

Confederate named Major Lacy, whose house was surrounded by a lawn and
green meadows. In this opening of the battle of the Wilderness there was no
desultory firing to mark the beginning of the fray, but the fire opened instantly
on both sides as soon as the opposing forces came into contact, and became
deadly amid the bushes. So fierce was the contest that both lines of Ayres'
Brigade became confused, and fell back, the underbrush between the lines being
cut off as if it had been mown. The Regulars, the Ninety-first Pennsylvania and
the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth Pennsylvania were thrown into confusion, and
were unable to tell whether they were firing into friend or foe, and finally they
fell back through the underbrush. The two pieces of Union artillery, mentioned
by Captain Farley, got half way across the clearing when all their horses were
shot, and the guns were abandoned between the Hnes. Ayres' Brigade was re-
formed a short distance in the rear of the clearing by the continuous calls of the
Brigade and Regimental bugles, the density of the woods obscuring the position
of the troops from each other. Colonel Pearson, having been assisted to mount
an unsaddled horse, straightened himself up, and in a loud voice called " Atten-
tion! I want you to understand that this Regiment is not whipped yet," which
was received by the Regiment with a good-humored laugh and cries of " cer-
tainly not ! "

The musketry fire at close range, continuous and deadly, was kept up all
afternoon and evening, with constant picket firing by both sides, particularly
where covering the two pieces of artillery left between the lines. This entangle-
ment of wilderness was totally unsuitable for artillery operations and maneuver-
ing on this first day, and there were only three or four shots fired from the guns
on the opening of the fight. Both Generals Grant and Meade had been at the old
Wilderness tavern about eight o'clock in the morning of the 5th, and it was not
the opinion of either of these commanders that the Confederates were present
in any great force. On the contrary, it was their belief that General Lee had
fallen back, and that the forces of the enemy with which the cavalry had come
in contact were merely Lee's rear gtiard covering the latter's retreat. How they
mistook the true situation, later events showed.

Fire in \^'oods Adds to Horrors of War.

To add to the horrors of this battlefield, the woods took fire and many of the
dead and wounded left between the lines were cremated. This, no doubt, was the
fate of the many accounted for as missing.

So dense were the thickets through which the two battle lines had advanced
that, in falling back rapidly, many of the men had their flesh so lacerated and
their clothes so torn that from their bloody appearance they were supposed to
be wounded. When the gloom of night had cast its mantle upon this field of
slaughter, intrenching began on the newly-formed lines, and was steadily carried
on all night. The One Hundred and Fifty-fifth constructed intrenchments at
three different places, as they were shifted from point to point. Before daylight
on May 6th, however. Griffin's Division, with the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth,

250

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

left their newly constructed breastworks and advanced to their old position of the
day before.

The Confederates were just as busily occupied in building intrenchments at
the same time as was Ayres' Brigade. During the night, in lulls of picket firing,
the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth could hear the sharp ring of the enemy's axes
and the falling of trees. Very heavy skirmishing took place at intervals during
the 6th, and that night the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth, being deployed as
skirmishers, were moved from point to point in the woods, the locations being in-
dicated by Colonel Pearson, who whistled the bugle calls on the handle of his
riding whip. While on this skirmish line the Regiment could hear intrenching
operations being carried on, both in the direction of the enemy and in the rear of

FIFTH CORPS REPLENISHING AMMUNITION, MAY 5, 1864.

the Regiment. Toward morning the skirmish line formed by the One Hundred
and Fifty-fifth was located in front, or at the edge of a clearing, the men being
posted by twos at close intervals. As day dawned, the advance of the Confederates
to attack could be plainly seen by the skirmishers through the young green
foliage. Nearer and nearer they came. The One Hundred and Fifty-fifth held
its fire and watched the Confederates halt and straighten their line. Then, when
the bugles of the enemy sounded the charge, the firing began. The Confederate
officers could be heard giving commands. Suddenly the enemy's solid battle line
were upon the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth skirmishers, who opened fire at close
quarters and then fell back. The other regiments of Ayres' Brigade during the
night had constructed heavy breastworks, which were well manned. Before the

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS. 251

One Hundred and Fifty-fifth skirmishers could fall back into the breastworks in
the rear, a heavy fire of musketry and canister was opened right through their
ranks upon the enemy from the Union troops in the rear. So severe was this
fire that it quickly repulsed the Confederates, except some of the most advanced,
who rushed into the skirmish line of the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth, and lay
down with them to escape the fire of the Union troops. They were nearly all
taken prisoners. As soon as the enemy retreated, the fire slackened, and the One
Hundred and Fiftv-fifth skirmishers were ordered back into the breastworks.

Colonel Pearson Temporarily Relieved.

Upon reaching the works. Colonel Pearson, in command of the Regiment,
had a heated colloquy with General Ayres over this firing into the One Hundred
and Fifty-fifth by other regiments of his Brigade, in which the Colonel used lan-
guage deemed disrespectful to General Ayres. The result was that Colonel Pear-
son was immediately removed from command and placed under arrest, remaining
so until the army had crossed the James river. Lieutenant-Colonel John Ewing,
in the meantime, took command and remained in charge of the Regiment through-
out the campaign until after the charge on the 18th of June at Petersburg.

No formal charges were ever preferred against Colonel Pearson, 'and the
matter was arranged by the transfer, some weeks later, of the One Hundred and
Fifty-fifth to General Sweitzer's Brigade in Griffin's Division, Fifth Corps.

To resume the narrative : On being ordered out to the skirmish line to re-
lieve the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth, the Twentieth Maine left good fires burn-
ing in the rear of the breastworks they had been occupying. The One Hundred
and Fifty-fifth boys were not slow in utilizing these fires for the purpose of
making coffee. One fire composed of a pile of rails was surrounded by perhaps
a dozen men watching their cups of coffee coming to the boil, when a twelve-
pound solid shot from the Confederate hnes struck the end of the rails, scattering
rails, cups and coffee in all directions, fortunately, however, injuring no one.
As the only convenient place for procuring water was under dangerous shell
fire from the enemy, it was very disappointing to have such an accident happen
at such a time, and induced strong language from some of the boys.

The Twentieth Maine relieved the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth as skir-
mishers, and the latter took possession of the place behind the breastworks pre-
viously occupied by the former when the Regiment proceeded to prepare the first
cooked food they had had for forty-eight hours. The Twentieth Maine, Colonel
J. L. Chamberlain, in advancing to the skirmish line which had been established
by the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth during the night, had a severe fight
with the enemy, and suffered serious losses. A sergeant, who was some-
what late in gathering up his accoutrements, followed his regiment quickly
and in ten minutes thereafter was carried back dead, a shot having gone
straight through his chest. The grief of his brother, who helped carry him back,
was pitiable. /

May 7th was spent in the woods skirmishing and, in military language,

352

UNDER THE AIALTESE CROSS.

" feeling " the lines of the enemy, with occasionally heavy outbursts of musketry
and artillery.

After Observations.

In the engagement that took place on the 5th of May, 1864, the men of the
same army could not see each other at a distance of more than a few yards, and,
of course, could not see the enemy at a greater distance. Regiments struggling
through this mass of obstructions necessarily lost their bearings, and would sud-
denly come upon each other, and upon similar bodies of the enemy. All direc-

^-■^

REMOVING THE WOUNDED AT WILDERNESS.

tion being lost, there would be desperate fighting for the possession of ground,
neither side knowing how much or how little, from a military point of view, the
possession sought or defended was worth. It was impossible for corps com-
manders to handle their troops with any co-operation. Even brigades became
broken up so that they could not re-inforce an}- body of troops, or assist in taking
advantage of temporary successes. To add to the perils of the fighting, several
times fires broke out in the inflammable brush and dead leaves, literally smother-
ing with smoke the combatants, and often seeking out the wounded who had help-
lessly sought shelter. Colonel D. T. Jenkins, of the One Hundred and Forty-
sixth New York, with man}- others of that Regiment, after being mortally

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS. 253

wounded, became enveloped in the prevailing conflagration, and were last seen
in the flames.

Ayres' Second Brigade and Bartlett's Third Brigade, of Griffin's Division,
held their new positions until 3 p. m., when the Fifth Corps lines were readjusted
in their original positions, the enemy having fallen back to their breastworks
from which their deadly attack had been made. The recovery of the lost ground
of the Fifth Corps, and especially of Ayres' Brigade, in the afternoon by the
movement to straighten the lines to the original position, revealed a scene of
distress and misery rarely surpassed in any other war. On this ground, thus re-
taken between the lines, were strewn the bodies of several thousand soldiers of
both enemy and foe, who fell in the awfully close range and frequently hand-to-
hand struggle. At least a thousand wounded soldiers, unable to move, also were
discovered, and many of the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth, thus recovered, de-
scribing the advance of the enemy over the ground in dispute and the falling
back of the line of the attacking column of Ayres' Brigade, averred that the
enemy, passing over them for dead, had robbed their persons of everything of
value and carried oS knapsacks and contents in the most heartless manner.

Pathetic Incidents.

In the hand-to-hand encounter and stand of Ayres' Brigade, in the advance
in the Wilderness, the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth Regiment lost in prisoners
and killed and wounded many of its most valued and beloved comrades. Ser-
geant Harry R. Campbell, of Company B, a most popular and genial comrade,
noted in camps as an accomplished musician, was captured in this struggle with
the enemy, and destined to become a martyr in Libby and Andersonville prisons,
there to survive eleven months from the horrible treatment, dying at Annapolis
within a week after his exchange. He had become too much debilitated to jour-
ney on to the loving friends and relatives in Allegheny, Pa., who were unfortu-
nately kept in ignorance of his exchange.

Private John Hunter, of Company E, who, in the midst of the fray, was
clubbed into insensibility by a Confederate in the thicket, and captured and
taken prisoner, also died at Annapolis, his experience at Andersonville having
made him a physical wreck. His death at Annapolis occurred a few days after
his exchange.

Private Jacob S. Friend, of Company E, after being wounded in the shoul-
der and wrist in two places, was left for dead on this battlefield, from the shock,
and on reviving was taken prisoner by the retreating enemy, as the latter fell
back over the same ground to thtir earthworks. Private Friend, at the time of
his capture, was the youngest and most delicate in physique of any in the ranks
of the Company, but he survived the horrors of Andersonville treatment, and
was exchanged after eleven months' captivity. It was many years after the war
before the terrible effects of his long imprisonment were eradicated.

Sergeant Hugh W. McGimpsey, a sturdy, small-sized man, in this iight at
close range had an opportunity to display his well-known pugilistic abilities. He

254

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

CORP. MICHAEL B. LEMON, 1864 AND 1895.

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

355

got into a hand-to-hand encounter and wrestle with an able-bodied Confederate
whom he downed on the first round. Hardly had McGimpsey accomplished this
feat, however, when he was struck by a clubbed musket in the hands of another
Confederate and knocked insensible. Private Jacob S. Friend, of Company E,
who was standing next to McGimpsey, and who himself was soon after struck
insensible by the bullets from the enemy and taken prisoner, declared that he
actually believed all the time of his imprisonment that the blow thus received by
McGimpsey had killed him. After recovering from the shock, the brave Ser-
geant McGimpsey, finding that the enemy had fallen back, made a " bee-line "
for the new rallying ground of the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth Regiment and
Ayres' Brigade, surviving to participate in all subsequent campaigns of the
Regiment.

Corporal Michael B. Lemon, of Company E. also received in this day's
action very severe wounds, disabling him for life.

The One Hundred and Fifty-fifth Regiment quickly recovered the ground
thus lost in the afternoon and brought Corporal Lemon again within the Union
lines, in reach of the stretcher-bearers, who carried him back to the field
hospital.

Color-Corporal John H. Mackin, of Company F, who was among the first
to receive a wound at the battle of Gettysburg, was again unfortunate, while
serving with the colors, receiving in this action a more severe wound in the left
shoulder in almost the same place as his former wound. Many will recall a
remark often made by Mackin on his return to the camp after recovering from
the Gettysburg wound, that " lightning rarely strikes twice in the same place."
Corporal Mackin was sent to the Wash-
ington General hospital, and there died a
month later from the effects of his
wound.

Horatio S. Harnish, of Company
H, from Rimersburg, Clarion county, in
the thickest of the fray, at the opening
of the battle of the Wilderness, on
this first day, was instantly killed. In
the advance on the charge of Hum-
phreys' Division, leading the " forlorn "
hope against the stonewall on Marye's
Heights, at Fredericksburg, Horatio S.
Harnish fell, severely wounded,, and was
necessarily absent from the Regiment
some months, but at the earliest oppor-
tunity he rejoined the command in time
to participate in the great battles
of Chancellorsville, Gettysburg and in
the Mine Run campaign, but fell a victim
to the enemy's fierce fire on the 5th of

^^y- HORATIO S. HARNISH.

356

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

John Griffith, of Company H,
on this day was on the skirmish
hne, detailed from the One Hun-
dred and Fifty-fifth, commanded
b)' Captain Laughlin. When the
enemy, in response to the fire of
these skirmishers, returned the fire,
thus opening the battle with a ter-
rific attack along the Union Hne,
Colonel A. L. Pearson, command-
ing the Regiment, which, by reason
of the dense undergrowth, was not
far in the rear of the skirmishers,
rode along the lines and ordered
his men to " cease firing " and to
hug mother earth closely until the
firing ended. The enemy, however,
advanced over the skirmishers in
superior numbers, driving them
back into the Regimental ranks.
Griffith received a severe wound in
his right shoulder from the enemy's
fire, after which he remembered
nothing for a period. On reviving,
he found himself a prisoner, and
although very weak and faint from
the loss of blood, was sent to the rear of the Confederate army. Griffith endured
all the horrors of Andersonville for the following eleven months.

Private Harnet E. Meeker, of Company H, was wounded in the first day's
fighting in the Wilderness. He was taken prisoner, and died a few months later
in Andersonville prison.

The great battle of the Wilderness, commencing on the 5th and lasting
throughout the 6th and 7th of May, 1864, was a most remarkable struggle. It
was a contest for two days and nights on lines approximately four miles in length,
by the Union forces, comprising one hundred and thirty thousand troops in bat-
tle columns against the Confederate forces of sixty-five thousand men, also
lined up for battle on the defensive. The position of advances gained or lost
by either army as a result of the severe fighting in the Wilderness on the 5th, 6th
and 7th of May, carried with them no significance or military advantage.

GEN. ALEXANDER HAYS.

Death of General Alexander Hays.

The loss, in the action of the Wilderness, of General Alexander Hays, of
Pittsburg, who was mortally wounded while commanding a brigade of the
Second Corps, reached the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth Regiment, while alsc
fighting in the same bewildering jungle near where General Hays fell. The

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

257

General being personally known to many of the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth
Regiment, the news of, his death for the time being cast an additional gloom over
the Regimental ranks. General Hays had served with the Arrny of the Potomac
from its organization and in every great battle in the Peninsula campaign and at
Antietam under McClellan, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville and more especially
rendering most distinguished services in the famous Peach Orchard at Gettys-
burg. This career had earned for him the highest military reputation and pro-
motion to a Brigadier-Generalship for gallant services in the field. General H^ys
was a student at West Point with General Grant, and subsequently served with
him in the Mexican War. On visiting Pittsburg in 1867, Lieutenant-General
Grant, in company with Captain David Shields, who had served as A. D. C. on
General Hays' staff, visited the grave of General Hays in Allegheny Cemetery
and paid an affectionate tribute to the memory of his classmate.

Another distinguished officer, endeared to the Fifth Army Corps, was
Brigadier-General James S. Wadsworth, who was also killed in the battle of the
Wilderness whilst engaged with his Division in straightening out the lines. Gen-
eral Wadsworth's career illustrated the highest type of American patriotism.
He was past sixty years of age at the outbreak of the war for the Union, and
was also recognized at that time as the wealthiest landowner of the State of New
York. At Gettysburg, General Wadsworth, with his snow-white hair, was con-
spicuous on the first day in leading his division and later in the day in repulsing
the enemy's colurnns and in saving the important position secured by the lamented
General Reynolds, who fell early in the battle.

General Wadsworth's body fell into the^ hands of the enemy at the Wilder-
ness, and received the most tender care
and marks of respect from General Lee.
General Wadsworth lived long enough
after he fell to express to his captors the
patriotic sentiment, " I feel consoled that
at my advanced age the mortal wound
I have received has simply cut off but a
few years of the life left me for service
to my country." General Lee, as a trib-
ute of respect and esteem, sent a flag of
truce through the lines with an escort
conveying General Wadsworth's body to
General Grant's headquarters, where the
General's son, Lieutenant James S.
Wadsworth, Jr., who was serving on his
father's staff, received the body, and
with other officers on leave of absence,
escorted the remains to the home of
General Wadsworth, in the Genesee
Valley in the State of New York.

An incident occurred a few weeks
later in the campaign which revealed the qen. james s. wadsworth.

•258

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

public spirit and foresight and great consideration of General Wadsworth for
his troops. It was found, when nearing Cold Harbor, that the Quartermaster's
supply of army shoes for the troops of the Fifth Corps had run out, and that
much time would be lost in securing fresh consignments from Washington. The
forced marching and the fording of many streams by Grant's troops in the cam-
paign was so severe on shoes that many of the soldiers were actually barefooted
by the time they reached the vicinity of Cold Harbor. General Wadsworth's
Division, having suffered from a scarcity of shoes on former campaigns, the
General, anticipating the possibility of this again occurring, previous to the open-
ing of Grant's campaign to Richmond, at his own expense, purchased and had
■deUvered to his division train in the Fifth Corps, a number of boxes of shoes.
These boxes were opened for delivery at Cold Harbor. Many of the One
Hundred and Fifty-fifth Pennsylvania Volunteers will recall the joy of George
P. Fulton, Regimental Quartermaster- Sergeant, on receiving for distribution the
Regiment's share of these shoes from the stock so considerately provided by the
lamented General Wadsworth.

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS. 259

Chapter XII.

THE BATTLES OF LAUREL HILL AND SPOTTSYLVANIA.

Night March of Union Army to Spottsylvania Court House. — Flank
Movements Led by Sheridan's Cavalry. — Encounters Enemy in Force at
Alsop's Farm Late in Morning. — Severe Engagement Ensues. — General
SEDGVifiCK Killed by Confederate Sharpshooter. — Generals Warren and
Griffin Both Active in Directing Troops to Points of Attack. — Spirited
Attack of Ayres' Brigade with One Hundred and Fifty-fifth Upon Con-
federate Lines. — Fierce Contest. — United States Regular Band Renders
Cheering and Inspiriting Music. — Enemy Routed by Fifth Corps. —
Enemy's Strong Positions Captured and Intrenched by Union Line. —
Death of Captain Clapp in Battle of Alsop's Farm. — -Heavy Loss of Regi-
ment. — Lieutenant-Colonel John Ewing in Command of Regiment. —

Casualties.

[HE positions or advances gained or lost by either army as a result
of the severe fighting in the Wilderness carried with them no sig-
nificance or military advantage. The pine woods and impenetrable
undergrowth so obstructing the view of the contending armies,
added to the scarcity of roads, made all movements confusing
and unsatisfactory.

On the 7th of May, General Grant determined to evacuate the useless
positions held by him in the Wilderness jungles, and directed General Meade
to make a night march of the entire army to Spottsylvania Court House, a dis-
tance of fifteen miles, so as to secure the advantage of the open country and also
of the many roads radiating from that place. Grant's plan was to secure these
roads before the Confederates could overtake him, and to cut of from Lee's army
communication and supplies and stores from the outside, and also to enable the
Union army to continue unmolested on its march towards Richmond. There were
but two or three roads from the Wilderness to Spottsylvania Court House suitable
for traveling or for moverhents of armies, and the race was soon commenced
by both armies for the latter place. The extensive preparations on the after-
noon of the 7th by General Grant's army for this change of base naturally led
to great discussion on the part of the rank and file as to the destination of the
march. Many miles of ammunition, quartermaster, commissary and headquarter
wagon trains, with the proverbially balky mules and the consequent lurid swear-
ing of their teamsters, not to mention the artillery and caissons with the accom-
panying noise, made the scenes of this afternoon's preparations for the all-night

260

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

march most remarkable, and not soon to be forgotten. It naturally led in the
minds of many in the waiting columns of troops by the wayside and in the in-
trenchments who were not to move until the cover of the night concealed their
movements, to thoughts concerning the new commander, General Grant, and of
the significance of this night's evacuation movement by the left flank. Unbidden
memories arose of the many sad retreats of the gallant Army of the Potomac
under other commanders, when greatly outnumbering the enemy, as on the pres-
ent occasion. The Union army had made retreats from Fredericksburg and from
Chancellorsville, near the same territory now being traversed, to the north side of
the Rappahannock, for no other reason than that the commanders, Burnside and
Hooker, had demonstrated their total inabihty to handle so large an army. The

ON MARCH BY LEFT FLANK TO SPOTTSYLVANIA.

route of the march of the troops and trains was now in the direction of Chan-
cellorsville and was most suggestive of a retreat of the Union army instead of
a flank movement, as the marching was termed. The veterans and trained troops
under Grant, however, on this occasion gave way to no such misgivings or doubts
in their new commander. The movement of the infantry columns preceded by
Sheridan's cavalry by the left flank promptly disclosed that the abandonment of
the positions of no strategic importance in the Wilderness and which were
no longer worth contesting, was simply a change of base for better . positions
and partook of none of the qualities of a retreat. The cavalry, leading the ad-
vance, guarded the roads on the route of the night march to keep the moving
columns of infantry following advised of the position or the approach of the

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS. 361

enemy. The movement required the trains to be set in motion by three o'clock
in the afternoon of the 7th, so as to clear the road for the troops. It was rightly
apprehended that the people of the country would inform General Lee of the
movement and that he would surmise its object.

In accordance with the project of General Grant, the troops began to move
at half-past eight in the evening; General Warren advancing with the Fifth
Corps by the Brock road towards Spottsylvania, General Sedgwick with the Sixth
Corps by the Plank road to Chancellorsville ; Burnside with the Ninth Corps
followed Sedgwick. Hancock with the Second Corps followed Warren as far
as Todd's Tavern. General Sheridan was directed to have a sufficient force on
the approaches from the right to keep the corps commanders advised in time of
the appearance of the enemy. General Meade and General Grant set out about
11 o'clock p. M. for Todd's Tavern, in advance of the Fifth Corps, reaching there
about midnight. At five o'clock in the morning General Warren informed Gen-
eral Meade that the head of his column had reached General Merritt's cavalry
headquarters at 3 :30 a. m. ; that Merritt's troopers had already moved to clear
the road, and that he. General Warren, had massed his troops there as they
arrived, to give them a rest, for the march on a dark night by a narrow road
running through woods had much fatigued them ; also that General Fitzhugh
Lee's Cavalry Division had barricaded the road by felling trees across it, and
had disputed every foot of the ground.

Battle of Alsop's Farm or Laurel Hill.

In the darkness of the night, General Merritt, commanding the cavalry ad-
vance, found it exceedingly difficult to make any progress. At six o'clock in the
morning. General Warren, upon an intimation from General Merritt that the
infantry could push the enemy faster than could his (Merritt's) cavalry, ordered
an advance of the Fifth Corps, General Robinson's Division now leading. In
reporting this. General Warren added, " It is difficult to do much with troops in
an expeditious manner in these dense woods." The same obstacles continued
until about half-past eight o'clock, when Robinson's Division emerged from
the woods into the open ground of Alsop's Farm, about two and a half miles
from the Spottsylvania Court House. Robinson advanced his Division along
the left fork of the Brock road to the junction of the two roads. Lyle's Brigade
on the left, Dennison's on the left and Coulter's Brigade on the left rear, where
the line was reformed in columns of regiments, advanced along the road in open
ground, with a strong line of skirmishers in front. When within two or three
hundred yards of the woods which the road entered, suddenly a severe musketry
and artillery fire was opened upon Robinson's Division from an intrenchment
just inside of the wood. This staggered them, and in a short time they fell
back to the shelter of the woods in the rear, followed by the Confederates. The
Maryland brigade. General Dennison's, took up a position in the edge of the
woods and checked the further advance of the enemy, who had turned the left
of Lyle's Brigade, which had held on close to the enemy's intrenchments under
shelter of a steep crest. General Robinson was severely wounded at the first fire

362 UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

while leading his men. In the meantime, General Griffin placed General Bart-
lett's Brigade in line of battle in advance, Generals Ayres' and Sweitzer's Bri-
gades marching on the road. When Bartlett's Brigade got half way across the
open ground of Alsop's Farm, it also came under fire of the enemy's infantry
and artillery. By the exertions of General Griffin, who led his Division in per-
son, and of Generals Bartlett and Ayres, the men reformed quickly under cover
of Ayres' Brigade. Griffin again advanced his Division, taking the line afterward
held for several days. General Crawford came up with his Division of the
Pennsylvania Reserve Corps, driving the enemy out of the woods in his front.
Field's Confederate Division of Longstreet's Corps had been coming up all this
time, and taking part in the fight. They began now to push through the pines
on Griffin's right, threatening that flank. Coulter's Brigade, which came up,
having had several hour's rest, the troops were in good condition. They ad-
vanced in fine style and drove the enemy out of the woods on Griffin's right.
The position now held by the Fifth Corps was intrenched. It was from two to
four hundred yards distant from that of the enemy. At 13:30 p.m. General
Warren reported to General Meade that he had pushed back the enemy, but had
not quite gained the junction of the Brock and Catharpin roads. Many of
Warren's men, wounded and tired, fell out of the ranks into the woods. Warren
also reported that his corps had encountered Fitzhugh Lee's division of cavalry
and two divisions of Longstreet's Corps, from both of which he had taken a
number of prisoners ; also that Longstreet's men, thus captured, had stated that
they had left their trenches at the Wilderness the night before at eleven
o'clock.

On the afternoon of the 7th, General Lee directed General R. H. Anderson,
now in command of Longstreet's Corps, to move to Spottsylvania Court House,
and at eleven o'clock that night this Confederate corps took up the line of
march by the Catharpin road. It was about three miles shorter than that taken
by General Warren's Corps. Anderson had also the additional advantage of
encountering no obstructions or barricades of the enemy. Along this road An-
derson's Division of Longstreet's Corps was slowly stretching out, endeavoring to
unravel the mystery of Warren's movement. The forest fire, so fatal to the Union
army and so fortunate for the enemy in the Wilderness two days previous had
by this time spread to the woods through which Longstreet's road led. Once
more fortune favored the Confederates. Once started on the march, Ander-
son's troops could find no suitable place to bivouac, and were compelled to forge
ahead so rapidly or fall back beyond the fire zone. The latter course was not
to be thought of, and the consequence was that early in the morning of the 8th
they reached the vicinity of Alsop's Farm and Spottsylvania in advance of
Warren's troops.

The foregoing account of the battle of Laurel Hill, or Alsop's Farm, as
it has been termed, relates only generally to the part taken by the Fifth Corps, un-
der General Warren. Much of it is compiled from the official narrative of
General Humphreys, Chief of General Meade's staff. It will be perceived that
the movements of General Grant to capture the radiating roads at Spottsylvania
Court House before General Lee's army could reach there was promptly check-

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS. 263

mated and defeated by Lee on discovering the night march of Grant's army
by the left flank. This information immediately caused Lee to direct the evacu-
ating of all the Confederate positions in the Wilderness, and was also the cause
of the Confederates' forced night march over shorter roads, thereby reaching
Spottsylvania Court House in advance of Grant's columns. General Meade
ordered General Sedgwick with the Sixth Corps to move to Spottsylvania Court
House and there to unite with General Warren in an immediate and vigorous-
attack upon the enemy.

Spottsylvania Court House.

The arrangements for the attack of the Fifth and Sixth Corps were not
completed until late in the afternoon, and were then only partial. At one o'clock
of the same day, by order of General Grant, General Sheridan was directed to
move his entire cavalry forces against the enemy's cavalry, and when' his sup-
plies were exhausted to proceed to General Butler near City Point.

There was nothing in the site of Spottsylvania Court House that gave it
special military strength. Its importance was derived from its proximity to the
Richmond & Fredericksburg Railroad and the stage and telegraph roads between
those towns. Roads also radiated from it in several directions, including a good
wagon road to Richmond. No active operations were undertaken against the
enemy on the 9th, the army being allowed a much-needed rest. The skirmishers
and sharpshooters on both sides, however, were very active, and in the morning-
General John Sedgwick was killed while standing close to the intrenchments at
the right of his Corps at the point where the forks of the road on Alsop's Farm
unite. He was highly esteemed, being a modest, brave, courageous, honest-hearted
man, much beloved by all of the troops composing the Sixth Corps.

The skirmishers of the Fifth and Sixth Corps were pushed forward so as
to develop the position and character of the enemy's works, and ascertain where
they were probably vulnerable. This work was continued by both those corps
on the 10th.

The part taken by the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth Regiment in the battle
of Laurel Hill on the 8th calls for more particular mention than is given in the
foregoing narrative. On the all-night forced march for Spottsylvania the Regi-
ment, with others, experienced great fatigue and annoyance in the narrow roads,
halts being often made every one hundred yards or so to ford streams, or on
account of obstacles placed in the road by the enemy to impede the progress of
the Union troops. Whilst the Corps halted at three o'clock in the morning, after
overtaking General Merritt's cavalry, the men of the One Hundred and Fifty-
fifth availed themselves of the chance for an early breakfast, but were obliged
to take their hardtack without their usual accompaniment of warm coffee. Fires
were prohibited, because the divisions were expected to fall in at any moment
to relieve Merritt's Cavalry, which was being pressed, on the skirmish line ; but
it was not until six o'clock that the troops were required to come into line for
action. As has already been described, Robinson's Division of the Fifth Corps
was first ordered in, and on being repulsed and reformed. General Griffin's

264: UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

Division, under his personal supervision, was next formed and ordered to
advance.

General Griffin gave directions as to the point of attack. The One Hun-
dred and Fifty-fifth, as already stated, was serving in General Ayres' Brigade,
of Griffin's Division of the Fifth Corps, and took part with that Brigade
under General Ayres, in this morning's attack upon the enemy. The Confeder-
ates, on their part, were well prepared for the assault, and from every point
of the intrenchments in the woods poured heavy volleys in return to the fire of
the Union troops ; so that it required a second assault, conducted by General
Griffin, to carry the position and to drive the Confederates from the field. On
the renewal of the second assault by General Griffin's Division, General Ayres
ordered his magnificent brigade brass band of the United States Regulars under
cover, with orders to render most cheerful and inspiring music as his Brigade
advanced against the enemy. This fine band, so often heard in camps and reviews,,
never rendered more timely and more cheering music than it did on this exciting
occasion. The routing of the enemy by the Fifth Corps and the capturing of
their strong positions enabled the Union line to be safely held and intrenched.
The spade and other intrenching tools were soon brought to the front and
placed in the hands of the troops who had won the positions. The casualties
in the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth Regiment in this engagement, known as
■" Laurel Hill," and also as the battle of " Alsop's Farm," were unusually severe,
although protected in sorne respects by the advantageous position chosen by
General Ayres.

General Warren appeared in this action in the full regulation uniform of a
Major-General, which was presented to him by admiring friends in New York.
Receiving it on the march, the General wore it in this battle, but the remainder
of the campaign he, hke Grant, Meade, and other commanders, appeared in the
plain fatigue dress of his rank.

Stampede of PACK-iiuLES.

A highly exciting incident occurred during this all-night march whilst Gen-
eral Warren's Corps was in advance, preceded only by Sheridan's Cavalry skirm-
ishers, protecting the roads branching from the main route of the march. As is
usual in all marching columns, the divisions and brigades have, in addition to
their Generals and staffs mounted, also a retinue of orderlies and servants on
horseback. Immediately following the Generals and their retinues on this night
march were also a number of pack-mules, carrying baggage, stretchers, cooking
utensils, surgical instruments and other articles of necessity. The pack-mules
were led, and formed quite a cavalcade in the immediate rear of the head-
quarters procession. Whilst the infantry divisions were marching in the dark-
ness along the main road, they passed along on the right side of the road a mile
or more of Flancock's Corps, the main body of the troops being sound asleep _
in their trenches, protected only by pickets. No firing on either side was taking
place, and everything was quiet, when suddenly the silence of the marching
column was disturbed and almost a panic occasioned by an alarming noise of

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

26&

CAPT. E. E. CLAPP.

266

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

clattering hoofs, accompanied by shouts and yells as if the enemy's cavalry had
attacked the Union infantry column. On ! on ! the tumult and panic continued
to increase, coming apparently at a swift rate back from the head of General
Warren's column. It was incomprehensible to the men in the ranks and their
officers, as no shots were fired to indicate a hostile demonstration. Finally, after
an hour's interruption of the march, it was discovered that the cause of the alarm
was the breaking loose from their drivers of fifty or sixty pack-mules, which
fled to the reax-on. the flanks of the marching column and continued their journey
in the darkness along by the portion of the line in which the One Hundred and
Fifty-fifth was marching. How much farther the stampeding mules continued
their wild rush is not known ; but it was most fortunate that it occurred on the
opposite side of the road from where Hancock's veterans were enjoying their
much-needed sleep, for had the mules broken into their ranks, arousing them
suddenly, there certainly would have been firing and destruction of life under

the mistake that it was an attack of

the enemy.

Casualties. — Incidents.

The death of Captain E. E.
Clapp, of Company F, who was killed
in this battle of Alsop's Farm, was
peculiarly pathetic, as on his person
was a twenty days' leave of absence,
which had been issued a few days be-
fore the campaign opened, and which
he declined to avail himself of in the
presence of the enemy. In the An-
tietam campaign Captain Clapp was
taken ill and nursed in a hospital in
the town of Frederick, where he met
an estimable young lady in attendance
on the sick. This acquaintance
ripened into courtship and an engage-
ment to marry, for which his leave
of absence had been procured. He
was buried on the battlefield and the
grave duly marked, but years after-
ward his parents visited Virginia and
removed his remains to the family
burying ground in Massachusetts.

Sergeant Thomas I. Woods, an
exemplary soldier of Company B,
and Private Wm. Douglass, of Com-
pany D, fell mortally wounded in
SGT. THOMAS I. WOODS. this engagement. Among the first to

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

267

be wounded in this action was Private Samuel W. Hill, of Company F, who was
struck by a minie ball on the skull and rendered totally unconscious. He was
removed to a field hospital of the corps adjacent to the battlefield. Private Hill
refused a furlough to the hospital in Washington, offered him by reason of his
wound, and in less than a week he reported on the firing line at Spottsylvania for
duty with his company. The ball which struck Private Hill still remains imbedded
in his skull, medical men all advising against any attempt to remove it.

The late Private James P. O'Neil, of Company E, so well known to all the
survivors of the Regiment since the war as a brilliant newspaper man of Pitts-
burg, had a very narrow escape from death on this day's action, the result of a
ball's striking his abdomen. The wound bled
most profusely, almost dyeing his whole zouave
uniform the crimson color of his body sash. His
wound made him hysterical. He left the ranks
and ran shouting to General Griffin, who was
close by, excitedly pointing out the location of
the enemy to the General and his staff. Captain
George M. Laughlin, commanding Company E,
observing his condition, detailed O'Neil's mess-
mate. Private McKenna, to conduct him to the
field hospital near by.

Private Patrick Lyon, of Company D, also
received in this action a severe wound in the
knee, necessitating his removal to the field hos-
pital. Private Lyon, from the serious nature of
his injuries, was also entitled to a hospital fur-
lough home, but declined it, and soon rejoined
his company for duty with the musket, although
continuing to suffer from his wound.

Sergeant Joseph Shawhan, Company I, pop-
ularly called " Forty," also fell in this battle,
and was buried on the field by his comrades.
His remains, with the headboard on which his name was carved, were removed
soon after the war to the family lot. South Side Cemetery. Pittsburg.

PATRICK LYON.

The weather, for so early in Alay, was unusually hot and oppressive, several
cases of sun-stroke and heat exhaustion occurring to men of the One Hundred
and Fifty-fifth, causing many to be unable for duty. At the field hospital of the
Fifth Corps close to the scene of the fighting, attending from the first wounded
to the last of the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth, was Colonel A. L. Pearson, acting
as a volunteer nurse whilst relieved from command. Colonel Pearson, while
suffering very much from the apparent injustice of his treatment, remained close
to the Regiment, accompanying it in all its marches and skirmishes, expecting
daily to be restored to his command. He rendered most efficient service to the
sick and wounded of the Regiment, co-operating with the army surgeons in se-
curing for them the best attention.

268 UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

The Christian and Sanitary Commission agents through this campaign ap-.
peared, and were prompt and conspicuous in the field, rendering every assistance
possible to the soldiers, sick or wounded, in each battle.

There also reappeared on duty at the front and in the field hospitals, at
this time, the faithful volunteer chaplain-at-large of the Fifth Army Corps,
Reverend Constantine Egan, of Washington, D. C, previously mentioned as

CAPT. CHARLES C. JOHNSTON.

having visited the Regiment while it was in \\inter quarters at Warrenton
Junction, and conducting Catholic service.

First-Lieutenant Charles Johnston, commanding Company A in this day's
battle, was mortally wounded. He was one of three brothers, whose parents were
early settlers in Lawrenceville. All the brothers enlisted with Captain Pearson
in Company A of the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth Regiment. Lieutenant Ed-
ward P. Johnston suffered the loss ^of his right arm from wounds received in

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

269

the charge of the 18th of June, 1864:, in front of Petersburg, and James P.
Johnston, his youngest brother, still in his teens, after a service of two years, was
honorably discharged, by reason of disease contracted in the service, and died
from the effects thereof soon after the close of the war.

First-Sergeant Thomas Innes Woods, of Company B, was killed on May
8th. The first time that Sergeant Woods was ever known to ask permission to
leave his post on march or in battle occurred this day, after the Regiment's all-
night march to reach Spottsylva-nia ahead of Lee. When it became evident that a
battle was imminent, Sergeant Woods asked Captain H. W. Grubbs for a pass
to go to the rear. On his declaring that he was not sick, he was advised by the
Captain that tmder the circumstances he could not be excused, and Sergeant
\\'oods resumed his post at the head of the Company. Shortly after, during a
halt by the roadside, Sergeant Woods wrote in his diary the following, addressed
to his friend, Sergeant James A. McMillen : " I am going to fall to-day. If you
find my body, I desire you to bury it and mark my grave so that if my friends
desire to take it home they can find it. Please read the Ninetieth Psalm at my
burial." He was killed early in the battle. His body was found by Sergeant Mc-
Millen and others of Company B, the diary being found in his pocket. His re-
quest for the Ninetieth Psalm to be read at the grave was complied with.

' ->/c"G-

REVEILLE.

370

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS. 371

Chapter XIII.

SPOTTSYLVANIA.— NORTH ANNA.— BETHESDA CHURCH.— COLD

HARBOR.

Ayres' Brigade at Spottsylvania. — Fifth Corps Occupies Extreme Right
OF Army. — Hancock's Corps Storms " Bloody Angle." — Captures Four
Thousand Prisoners. — Night of May 13th Flanking Movement to Left. —
Severity of Engagement at Spottsylvania. — Fifth Corps Crosses North
Anna River at Jericho Ford. — One Hundred and Fifty-fifth and Ayres'
Brigade Repulse Four Persistent Charges of Confederates. — Remarkable
Heroism, Tenacity, Endurance and Suffering of Union Troops. — Badly
Blistered Feet Caused by Scorching Roads and Wading Streams of Water.
— Battle of Bethesda Church. — Battle of Cold Harbor. — ^June 2d, Fifth
Corps Attacked by Early's Confederates. — One Hundred and Fifty-fifth
.\nd Fifth Corps Take Position to Protect Army While Crossing James
River. — Army of Potomac Crosses to South Side of James River. —

Casualties.

I
i

VY 10, 1864. The Regiment spent all day with Ayres' Brigade be-
hind breastworks which had been erected and afiforded protection
from the enemy's firing in answer to the desultory firing which was
kept up by the regiments of the Brigade. About four o'clock in the
afternoon, Ayres' Brigade was ordered to advance and drive the
enemy some distance back to their works, a position of skirmishing which the
Brigade held for some time, until relieved by other troops, when it resumed its
former place and position in the breastworks.

May 11, 1864, was occupied by the Regiment and Ayres' Brigade in the
breastworks, with little disturbance from the enemy, enabling preparations to
be made for an attack arranged for the next day. May 13th, on the enemy's works
by the entire Corps, supported by the Sixth Corps. In the evening the Ayres'
Brigade moved to a position on the left of the Corps. The position of the entire
army under Grant at this time, at Spottsylvania, was the Fifth Corps on the
extreme right, near the Po river; the Sixth Corps adjoining the Fifth on the
left, under General Wright. The Second Corps, under General Hancock, con-
tinued the line, to the left, occupying the front of the salient of Lee's intrench-
ments. The Ninth Corps, under General Burnside, held the extreme left, near
Spottsylvania Court House.

272

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

■ i"\ ■/■

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS. 373

The Bloody Angle.

Although the losses of all these corps had been very heavy, their depleted
ranks were promptly filled up by reinforcements from Washington, fresh divis-
ions and brigades and regiments appearing promptly and ready for action. The
battle of Spottsylvania was opened promptly at daylight of the 13th. Hancock's
Corps stormed the angle, since famous as the " Bloody Angle," because of the
desperate character of the fighting and heavy losses to both armies. Hancock's
troops, however, were successful, and captured four thousand prisoners, many
^ns and two officers, Major-General Edward Johnson and Brigadier-General
George E. Stewart, who were commanding the defenses of Lee's army at that
time. The news of this victory spread like wild-fire in the other Federal columns
and lines of battle. The Fifth Corps, later in the day, had to fight hard to hold
the Confederate works, which had been captured by Hancock, the enemy making
repeated and desperate assaults to recover the captured works. The One Hun-
dred and Fifty-fifth Regiment of Ayres' Brigade occupied part of the captured
works. The losses on both sides were very heavy because of the closeness of
the infantry and artillery firing. The troops under Warren in this vicinity
were required to change positions so often because of the changes in the enemy's
movements as to make it very difficult in the new country to distinguish the
points of the compass.

From the 13th to the 18th following, the four corps of Grant's army, occu-
pying their own works and the works captured from the enemy at Spottsyl-
vania, were never out of range of the enemy's artillery. The Confederates
would not leave their works to attempt to dislodge the Union troops where
intrenched. The positions of both armies were very strong, the fortifications
being practically impregnable, and Grant and Lee were undoubtedly playing a
game of chess with their armies in the matter of the movement of troops.

During the occasional lulls of these days' battles, Brady's photographic
wagon and outfit from Washington appeared in the reserved bivouac of the Fifth
Corps. One day General Warren and his entire staff, while under a desultory
fire from the front, were exposed to a different fire from the rear by the snap-
shot of the large camera of the army photographer, which successfully executed
the General and his stafif in a large picture. . General Warren's staff was com-
posed of a brilliant and capable set of young officers. Captain Robert Warren,
Colonel Fred T. Locke, Assistant Adjutant-General, who had served in that ca-
pacity since the organization of the Fifth Corps, attaining rank as Brevet Briga-
dier-General for meritorious conduct at Five Forks and Appomattox. The
engineers on Warren's staff when he assumed command of the Fifth Corps were
Captain Washington A. Roebling, who subsequently earned distinction as the en-
gineer constructing the great Brooklyn Suspension Bridge; Captain E. B. Cope,
U. S. A., who, with Captain Roebling, was with Warren on Little Round Top ;
and Captain Paine, U. S. A. Captain James W. Wadsworth, son of General
James S. Wadsworth, killed in the Wilderness, and Captain George B. Hal-
stead, and Captain A. S. Marvin were Assistant Adjutant-Generals, and A. D. C.
on the staff. Captain William T. Gentry, U. S. A., was commissary muster

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS. 275

officer. Colonel H. C.Bankhead, U. S. A., was Inspector-General of the Corps.
Colonel David L. Smith, of Pittsburg, was the efficient Commissary-General of the
Fifth Corps, and an A. D. C. on the Corps staff. Captain Thomas was the Corps
Quartermaster.

More Flank Movements.

During the night of May 13th, the army moved to the left, marching
through mud and rain, and crossing the Nye river. It was so dark that the
enemy could not see the movement, and th? Union troops could see but a few
feet ahead. Mounted men were placed at intervals along the road by General
Warren's orders to prevent regiments from losing their way. General Grant had
discovered, from his experience in the Wilderness, that it was useless to fight
Lee behind intrenchments and fortifications for the mere positions gained, the
military advantages of mere positions not justifying renewals of further assaults
and loss of Hfe. The unanimous opinion of both armies at Spottsylvania Court
House was that either of the armies behind intrenchments was unassailable, and
that a front attack by either army was a foregone failure. They had acquired
the art of rapidly constructing impregnable earthworks, all approaches being
covered with abattis and slashed timber. The men of both these armies had re-
fused to be driven from their positions, and died where they stood. At Spottsyl-
vania they had fought for twenty-four hours with only a line of felled trees and
a line of earth six feet thick between them, in a continuous rain, every thread of
clothing drenched and soaked, water over their shoe-tops, no food but rain-
soaked crackers. As showing the severity of the fighting, oak trees eighteen
inches thick could be seen cut down by the constant patter of minie balls. At the
end of twenty-four hours fighting at Spottsylvania, when the exhausted Con-
federates were withdrawn, it was only to disclose the presence of another line of
strong breastworks, constructed by the enemy, one hundred yards in the rear
of their first line.

General Grant evidently believed that if one of the large corps of the Union
army was detached and exposed to a march of twenty miles in a southeasterly
direction. General Lee would be tempted to leave his works and attack the ex-
posed corps, and that while the Confederates were thus moving for the attack,
he (Grant) could fall upon them with his main body and bring on a general
engagement before they could again intrench. Accordingly General Hancock's
Second Corps moved on the night of May 20th and reached Guinea Station
the next morning. General Lee declined to attack the exposed Second Corps,
but on the contrary moved rapidly south of the North Anna river to Hanover
Junction, where he arrived May 23d, interposing his army between Grant and
Richmond.

Fording the North Anna.

Grant's entire army was in motion at 5 a. m.. May 23d, the Second Corps,
the most eastward, moving to Chesterfield Ford, on the North Anna river, the
Fifth Corps to Jericho Ford, and the Ninth Corps to a crossing between the
Second and the Fifth Corps. The scenery along the route of the army's move-

276 UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

ment was most beautiful, being an open country abounding in fine fertile farms,
and every appearance of comfort and prosperity of the inhabitants, as com-
pared with the portions of Virginia previously occupied in the campaigns of the
Army of the Potomac. Ayres' First Brigade of Griffin's Division waded the
North Anna stream at Jericho Mills Ford, time not permitting the troops to
wait for the pontoon bridges which were soon to follow. General Ayres' Brigade
advanced the line further from the crossing as each Brigade of the Corps following
got over. A strong skirmish line from Ayres' Brigade was posted ahead, driving
the Confederate outposts in advance of them. The fording of these streams by
so many men, in water so cold, and often in places so deep, was attended with
great difficulty to the troops, but the urgency of the race for positions left no
alternative, it being generally known that Breckenridge's and A. P. Hill's
Confederate forces were in position at another portion of the stream where there
was a ford, in anticipation that that would be the place where the Union troops
would cross, instead of Jericho Mills. Whilst the Fifth Corps was crossing,
Ayres' Brigade was in two lines in the edge of the timber. In front of the line
formed by the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth and other regiments of the Brigade ■
was the skirmish line of the Fourteenth Regiment of United States Infantry,
less than thirty feet in advance. After the divisions of the corps had all crossed
the stream and secured positions without opposition being developed, muskets
were stacked and blanket-rolls hung on them.

Repeated Attacks by the Enemy.

Towards sunset, after the men had their suppers cooked, and were engaged
in eating, and non-combatants were peacefully bivouacked in the midst of the
troops, not expecting battle, about 6 p. m., the yells of the enemy were heard, as
they crossed the fields in front, their advance being preceded by the flight of
hogs and cattle, sheep and fowl, from the farms, in and through the lines of the
Brigade pickets. The familiar ' rebel yell " was recognized, and instantly the
stacked arms were seized and the men of the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth and
all along the line, dropped to their knees and were ready. The first line of
skirmishers fired steadily during the first and second attacks of the enemy.
The One Hundred and Fifty-fifth and Ayres' entire Brigade then advanced over
the line of pickets, and repulsed three more very persistent charges of the Con-
federates, the last severe charge occurring after dark, although during the entire
night frequent renewals and attempts were made at very short intervals to drive
Ayres' men from their position, which was being strengthened ever\' moment by
the erection of earthworks. During the night frequently both pickets and
skirmishers were driven in, and the men behind the works engaged in strength-
ening the same, dropped their tools and opened fire, checking the enemy's further
advance. The attack was a total surprise. General Ayres, who led the advance,
and who rallied the first troops that crossed around the Corps flag, was most
active in directing the firing diiring the engagement.

At the time of the first attacks and charges by the enemy, there being no
intrenchments, the loading and firing of the troops of Ayres' Brigade was all

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

•2T7

done while kneeling. After the repulse of the enemy,
the engineers' tools, the spade, shovel, ax and pick
were brought up- and put to work, and as stated, were
frequently exchanged during the night for the musket
to repel the fierce assaults upon the pickets and
skirmishers.

Among the killed in the first attack by the enemy
in this action were Privates William S. Hindman, of
Company E, and Theodore Baldwin, of Company F,
two of the youngest and most popular members of the
Regiment, and no deaths produced greater sorrow to
their comrades.

On the morning of the 25th of May, it was dis-
covered that the enemy had withdrawn from the battle-
field of North Anna, leaving a large number of killed
and wounded on the field. The One Hundred and
Fifty-fifth Regiment alone, in going over the field
in front of their position, gathered up a wagon load of
Confederate arms, with the bayonets still fixed, which
had been left by the enemy on the field. Generals
Meade and Warren both, in orders, publicly congrat-
ulated General Grifiin, the Division commander, and
General Ayres, commanding the advance Brigade, for the gallant style in which
their commands repulsed the repeated attacks of the enemy.

WILLIAM S. HINDMAN.

Tuesday evening. May 26, 1864, the Fifth Corps was again on the move,
Ayres' Brigade leading the advance along the line of the A'irginia Central Rail-
road. Details of troops were made up to tear up and destroy the track, which
occupied all the day. Ties were piled up and set on fire, and the rails were laid
across the piles of burning ties and heated. Squads of men then seized the rails
at each end, and bent them into all sorts of shapes. The railroad bridges and
much stock were also destroyed. But little time was given the troops .for rest,
and the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth Regiment, under command of Lieutenant-
Colonel Ewing, was among the busiest troops engaged this day.

On Wednesday morning. May 27, 1864, whilst operating along the railroad
mentioned, and advancing towards Hanover Junction and the Pamunkey river.
Company E, of the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth Regiment, with three companies
of the Ninety-first Pennsylvania and the One Hundred and Fortieth and the
One Hundred and Forty-sixth New York, were detailed as advanced skirmishers.
They were deployed in an open field, really serving as vidette posts, being pro-
tected only by hastily gathered railroad ties, behind which the skirmishers lay and
hid their bodies from the unusually accurate range of the enemy's sharpshooters,
many of whom were posted on trees in the adjoining woods. The minie balls that
raised the dust along this exposed skirmish line were very numerous, and con-
tinued until night set in, when Company E was relieved from the skirmish line.

378

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

THEODORE BALDWIN.

UNDER THE AIALTESE CROSS. 379

Coolness of General Griffin Under Fire.

An episode which elicited the admiration of the men on the skirmish line
■was the calmness and coolness displayed by General Griffin, the Division com-
mander, while in a very dangerous position. As the General visited the vicinity
of the exposed skirmish line of Company E, commanded by Captain George M.
Laughlin, he approached the advanced position through heavily wooded timber
where his division was concealed, walking along the pubHc road towards the
front, and making no effort to conceal his presence from the enemy. The Gen-
eral, apparently unconscious of the danger, exposed himself to plain view of the
■enemy, as he approached the outposts of the skirmish line, in order to take ob-
servations of the enemy's position. He was warned by Corporal John M. Lan-
caster, of Company E, who was on duty closest to General Griffin's position, to
get under cover, as the enemy's sharpshooters, concealed in the trees and other
places, had full range of the position. The General, without the slightest exhi-
bition of concern, continued his advance in the middle of the road; when the
minie balls, raising the dust close around him, caused him to heed the advice of
the Corporal. As General Griffin turned to leave the road for the cover of the
woods, a minie ball struck the heel of his boot, on which the General turned
towards the enemy, and said loud enough for the men on his own skirmish line
to hear, " Johnny, your aim was bad ; you shot a little too low this time " ; and
then disappeared in the woods. In less than ten minutes after. General Griffin
dispatched the Maryland Brigade of three regiments to take position in the
field occupied by the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth skirmishers, to drive the
enemy's pickets and skirmishers back from the position they occupied. This the
Maryland Brigade did in gallant style, but not without heavy loss.

The ground gained on the railroad, and property destroyed and track torn
up by Grant's army this day, while keeping the troops unusually busy, was quite
satisfactory, and General Grant, evidently not desiring to have a battle on the
railroad thus destroyed, issued orders to move on to the Pamunkey river. This
led to the evacuation of the Union breastworks just completed for defensive
purposes, as was done at Spottsylvania.

Changes in Campaign Methods.

And here it is proper to recognize a condition that began in front of
Spottsylvania Court House and continued until the end of the war.

In all engagements previous to Spottsylvania, the regiments were main-
tained as units, each regiment usually having its front covered by a detail of
skirmishers from its own ranks, and somewhat under the observations of the
Regimental commanders. But in the strenuous fighting in the Wilderness and
the first two days at Spottsylvania the limit of human endurance was reached.
Commanders of brigades, regiments and companies could not personally super-
vise every detail of the moving, fighting and care of their commands, every hour
of the twenty-four hours of the day. No less could the rank and file stand up
without sleep, food or rest. They had to be relieved from the firing line for sus-

280

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

<
s
z
o

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS. 281

tenance, washing of face and hands, even though with a small amount of water
poured from a comrade's canteen, issue and cooking of rations, replenishing of
ammunition and cleaning of guns.

During the battle of Spottsylvania Court House, the entire line of the Fifth
Corps was held in close contact with the enemy's line at from two hundred to
four hundred yards distant, with the intention of assaulting, if the enemy
weakened his line in front by withdrawing troops to re-enforce other parts of
the line in resisting the attacks of the Sixth, Second and Ninth Corps. The
fighting on the skirmish line was constant and severe with many attacks on either
side to test the resistance of the line in their front.

To furnish this firing line, details were made from each Regiment for
twenty-four hours duty, sometimes the right or the left wing (five companies)
with a complement of one or two field, and company officers ; sometimes one
or two or three companies, sometimes heavy details from all of the companies, the
remainder of the command occupying the intrenchments, ready to support the
firing line in either defence or attack.

And so it came that in the fierce continuous fighting at Spottsylvania, the
distinguishing services of any regiment or brigade or its commander disappears
and is merged in that of the corps. But in this development of the subordinate
officers and their detachments, came so many instances of personal gallantry that
the pen fails to record and a record of the same would be wearisome to the
reader. It produced in the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth Regiment a long list
of magnificent, unsurpassed outpost officers, captains, lieutenants, sergeants, cor-
porals and privates, equal to any emergency.

No night was too dark, no thicket too dense, no swamp too treacherous to
estabUsh a Hne of active skirmishers. In open ground and daylight a squad of
four men, each with a couple of rails on his shoulder and musket in hand, made
a rush to the ground selected in advance. On arriving on the ground selected,
the four of each squad then combined their rails and dropped behind them, one
firing and three digging. By this means, they intrenched in a few minutes the
places thus selected with marvelous swiftness and skill, in close contact with the
enemy. Did the position occupied by the enemy's skirmishers suit better, they
were by the Union skirmishers boldly charged upon, their line penetrated and
taken in reverse, prisoners sent to the rear and the pits made to face the other
way. Reprisals were frequent on both sides, the fighting fierce and deadly —
sharpshooting constant and skilful. The heroism, tenacity, endurance and suf-
fering cannot be told. A man or regiment in a historical battle for an hour or
fraction thereof can say he was in such a battle. What can be said for the de-
tachments engaged in continuous, hourly battle for the many weary miles from
Spottsylvania to the James river? The operations in advancing on Cold Harbor
partook very much of the foregoing character.

On May the 37th and the 28th, the Regiment marched twenty miles, and

halted at night very weary and fatigued, sufifering much from heat and thirst.

On the 28th of May, after reaching Hanoverton, the Regiment crossed the

282 UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

Tolopotomy river, and again began putting up as usual works for defense of
position.

Early in the morning, May 39th, the left of the Ninth Corps connected with
the right of the Fifth Corps, the Sixth Corps on the right of the Ninth Corps, and
the Second Corps on the extreme right, and the whole line thrown forward in
front of Hawes' Store.

May 30th, the Fifth Corps continued the advance of Griffin's Division to-
wards Shady Grove Church, capturing two lines of earthworks.

At the close of the day, the Fifth and Ninth Corps had been placed south
of the Tolopotomy creek line held by General Lee, and on the right flank of Lee
with the Second Corps passing the enemy's line along Tolopotomy creek from
Atlee Station southeastwardly to vicinity of Cold Harbor.

As fast as ground was gained from the enemy the new position was in-
trenched, and usually a counter attack had to be repulsed. Occasionally several
attack had to be repulsed in quick succession.

More Flanking Movements. — Much Suffering.

After very severe marching May 27th, and renewed on the 28th of May,
1864, the Fifth Corps reached and crossed the Pamunkey river about noon,
where, on the south side of the stream, Ayres' Brigade and the One Hundred
and Fifty-fifth were halted, and instead of resting, intrenching tools were dis-
tributed among the already much fatigued men and the work of chopping down
trees and building earthworks to defend the position of the Corps was imme-
diately commenced. At this point in the campaign, from the protracted and
continuous marches and fighting, there was much suffering among the troops.
Hundreds of private soldiers could be seen the previous two or three days
wending their way over the scorching, sandy roads with sorely blistered bare
feet, unable to wear shoes, caused by wading the streams and marching over
the sand and stones, and the bruises incident to the severe campaign. But littie
relief could be afforded the suffering on these marches which were necessary and
unavoidable. The men, though suffering, bore the hardships and fatigue with but
little murmuring or complaining. The halt on this day and the construction of
earthworks was near Hanoverton. The base of supplies for the army was trans-
ferred, on reaching Hanoverton, to White House Landing on the Peninsula, as
the latter place afforded a water base for supplies, which was a great advantage,
affording easier freight deliveries than by long-distance hauling from the Orange
& Alexandria Railroad from Washington and the supply trains from Fredericks-
burg following the marching army.

Early on the morning of the 29th, the Ninth Corps moved into the interval
between the Sixth and the Fifth Corps, and then the whole line was thrown
forward in front of the Hawes' store. In this position the Regiment remained on
the 29th. Generals Early, Breckenridge and Anderson, with their troops in line
behind the Confederate breastworks, awaited attack. On the morning of the
30th of May, 1864, General Griffin's Division was ordered by General Warren

UNDER THE ^MALTESE CROSS. 283

to drive the Confederate skirmishers of General Rodes' Division from the Union
front. The enemy, however, made a determined resistance, and prolonged their
line of defense, on which Crawford's Division of the Fifth Corps was brought
up, and with the assistance of Richardson's Battery, drove the enemy back.
General Griffin, at this point, ordered General J. Bowman Sweitzer's Brigade
to advance against the enemy, with the Twenty-second Massachusetts deployed
as skirmishers, and the Fourth Michigan supporting them. These troops ad-
vanced, and quite brisk fighting took place, ending in the repulse of the
Confederates. The Sixty-second Pennsylvania lost heavily in this action.

General Humphreys, in his " Mrginia Campaigns," says of the situation on
May the 31st, " The Infantry Corps were pressed up against the enemy as close
as practicable without assaulting, but the position was so strong, naturally, and
so well intrenched and the intrenchments so strongly held that an assault was not
attempted. The skirmish lines, however, were kept up against the enemy and an
attack threatened."

June 8, 1864. Griffin's Division was massed this day at Bethesda Church,
where General " Baldy " Smith's newly-arrived Eighteenth Army Corps occu-
pied the right. In the afternoon of the ?d of June, 1864, General Lee undertook
to depart from his defensive policy, and assumed the offensive. He ordered
General Early to attack the right flank of the Union army. General Bartlett's
Brigade of the Fifth Corps held the extreme right and on the right of this
brigade were skirmishers of the Ninth Corps. Desultory firing by both
armies was kept up all day until late in the afternoon, when the Confederates
advanced on the flank of Burnside's and Bartlett's skirmishers. General Rodes,
commanding the Confederate's advance, having cleared off everything that inter-
posed, made a desperate charge along the whole line, which was met by Griffin's
Division, which, in time, had discovered Early's movement. General Griffin
formed Ayres' Brigade in line on the left, Bartlett in the center and Sweitzer on
the right, and moved forward under musketry and artillery fire to the attack. They
had the enemy in the open now and were ready to test their strength where
everything seemed equal. These three brigades threw themselves upon Rodes
and forced him back to his defenses, both sides incurring heavy losses.

Treasure Trove.

During the lulls in the firing on the 2d of June, 1864, while the One Hun-
dred and Fifty-fifth was occupying its breastworks, some enterprising comrades
■of Company F, in investigating a spot of newly-disturbed earth, quite unex-
pectedly discovered hidden treasure of value. The breastworks extended through
an orchard and typical farm of a Virginia planter at Bethesda Church, along the
Mechanicsville road, about ten miles from Richmond. This treasure, consisting
of silverware and silver coin, with much Confederate paper money secreted in
pitchers and cans, had been buried no doubt by the fugitive occupants of the
farm, to conceal it from the Union troops advancing on Richmond. Privates
Alexander Stevenson and James J. Carroll, of Company F, although at the time
hourly interrupted by the firing of the Confederates and the driving in of the

281

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

Union skirmishers, were the lucky discoverers of this
treasure-trove. The " find " amounted to several hun-
dred dollars in good gold and silver coin of Uncle
Sam's minting, considerable silverware, also thousands
of dollars in Confederate notes, payable only " one year
after the recognition of the Independence of the South-
ern Confederacy," which Stevenson and Carroll and
other companions, and, indeed, the whole of the
Union army under Meade and Grant were then doing
their very best to prevent. This discovery produced
quite a sensation in the ranks.

In the active campaigning then engaging the at-
tention of the officers of the army, no inquiry was
ever instituted to have these lucky soldiers disgorge
the mone}' and valuables thus found by them and ap-
propriated to their own use.

A few hours later. Sergeant Lancaster and Pri-
vates McKenna, Hipsley and Douglass, of Company
E, under the fire of the enemy on the advanced skir-
mish line, rescued and carried in from the front the
body of Private Theophilus S. Callen, of the same
company, who had been killed on vidette outpost just
before daylight that morning. Whilst engaged in burying their fallen comrade at
the foot of a peach tree just inside the breastworks, the burial party unearthed
buried treasure, consisting of silverware, cutlery and Confederate paper money,
but no gold or silver coins.

Many were wounded in broad dajdight on this day from the frequent as-
saults of the enemy's skirmishers. Two worthy privates of Company E, Daniel
Horner and John Horner, brothers, received mortal wounds, and Private William
Evans received a double wound, one in the face, shattering his jaw, and the
other in the arm and wrist.

THEOPHILUS S. CALLEN.

Cold Harbor Assaults.
General Grant had intended to make a general
assault on Cold Harbor on the 2d, but it was postponed
until the next day at 4 : 30 p. M., on the 3d. Three
corps, commanded by Hancock, Wright and Smith, re-
spectively, assaulted the Confederates works. The
ground over which these corps moved was very much
exposed, and in the charge the troops were subjected
to a cross-fire which occasioned severe loss. In the
meantime Burnside's Ninth Corps, assisted by part of
the Fifth Corps also created a diversion, by attacking
the enemy's line near Bethesda Church, carrying the
advanced line. The enemy again attempted to retake
this position in the afternoon, but their attack was re-

WILLIAM EVANS.

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

385

pulsed with considerable loss. General Ayres' Brigade and the One Hundred and
Fifty-fifth took part in this attack and repulse of the enemy. Immediately after
the assault on the 3d of June at Cold Harbor, General Grant visited all the corps
commanders, and, after interviews, decided to abandon offensive operations at
that point. General Grant states, in his Memoirs, " I have always regretted that
the last assault at Cold Harbor was ever made. No advantage whatever was
gained to compensate for the heavy loss sustained." General Humphreys, the
Chief-of-Staff of the Army of the Potomac, and who, as Chief of Topographical
Engineers in the Peninsula campaign under McClellan, had become thoroughly
familiar with the strength of the Confederate defenses, protested to General
Grant against making the charge and assaults upon the works at Cold Harbor,
declaring, in his opinion, the same to be impregnable.

From the disaster at Cold Harbor the army rested in the breastworks in the
various positions occupied by the corps, with occasional skirmishing and changes

SKIRMISHING— BETHESDA CHURCH.

of unimportant positions, until June 12, 1864. Both armies were then in condi-
tion for a cessation of hostilities from the unprecedented severity of the cam-
paign, and daily engagements and skirmishes occurring since May 5th, in the
Wilderness.

General Grant had visited, as already stated, all the corps commanders at
Cold Harbor, after the assault of the 3d, and had ordered General Hancock's
column, after the first repulse of that desperate assault, to reform his line to
renew the assault on the Confederate works, but that corps had lost so many
Generals and field officers of high rank in addition to the very heavy losses of
enlisted men, that Hancock reported to General Grant that his decimated corps
and ranks could not be made to renew the assault.

A flag of truce was soon afterwards sent to General Lee by General Grant
for the burial of the Union dead in front of the Confederate positions. As a

286 UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

result of the interviews with his corps commanders, General Grant thereupoji
decided to abandon all offensive operations at that point. The Fifth and the
Ninth Corps, with Wilson's Cavalry, covered the right of the Army of the Po-
tomac, during the 2d and 3d of June, from the vicinity of Bethesda Church to
the Pamunkey river, the main body of the Confederate cavalry being on Lee's
left, with Fitz Hugh Lee's Division on his right. On the afternoon of the 'Jd,
General Lee, having been re-inforced, determined to take the offensive, and with
Early's Division, attacked in force the Union right, and being re-inforced by
Rodes' Division, the latter troops succeeded in getting into the rear of the Fifth
Corps skirmish line. While Generals \\'arren and Burnside were thus engaged on
the right of the line, repelling this assault, Generals Smith and Wright, with their
Corps, made an attack on the Confederate position at Cold Harbor, which was par-
ticularly successful. General Smith capturing upwards of eight hundred prisoners
and the first line of the enemy's works. The occupation on the right of the
position held by the Fifth and the Ninth Corps engaged in heavy skirmishing
on the 3d, prevented those two corps from participating in the intended general
assault at Cold Harbor on the Confederate position. However, to create a diver-
sion, the Ninth Corps, assisted by portions of the Fifth Corps, attacked and
carried an advance line of the enemy at Bethesda Church, which in the after-
noon the enem)^ by a counter-attack, attempted to re-take, but were repulsed
with considerable loss. These two corps, the Ninth and Fifth, while thus en-
gaged, were serving the purpose on the 3d of preventing large portions of the
Confederate forces from re-inforcing General Lee's defenses and assisting in
the repulse of Hancock, W^right and Smith, in their unsuccessful assault, which
was attended with such heavy loss of life of officers and men.

In all these movements and attacks by Warren's troops, the One Hundred
and Fifty-fifth was an active participant, as shown by the casualty returns.

On June 7th, while the One Hundred and Fiftj'-fifth was resting in the
breastworks, George P. Fulton, Regimental Quartermaster-Sergeant, received, on
requisition, a full supply of shoes for the Regiment, being a portion of the shoes
provided for the Fifth Corps by the lamented General James S. \\'adsworth at
his own expense, previous to the beginning of the Wilderness campaign, in an-
ticipation of their probable need at this time. So many of the Regiment being
barefooted at this time, this foresight of General Wadsworth was greatly
appreciated.

A Retrospect of the Overland Campaign.

Up to the crossing of the James River by the Army of the Potomac about
forty days had elapsed since the beginning of the campaign, and never before
in the history of the world had such continuous bloody fighting taken place
in any war. During that entire period, day and night, some part of the army was
engaged in battle.

Frequently a single regiment on the skirmish line or on picket duty, being
suddenly attacked, would hold its ground against the enemy until overpowered
and cut to pieces.

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS. 287

The troops were continuously within hearing of cannonading from some
portion of the fighting zone, and they became so accustomed to the sounds that,
like the ticking of a clock, they ceased to notice them.

On one occasion during this overland campaign to Richmond, the Fifth
•Corps, in the vicinity of Bethesda Church and Cold Harbor, had, quite unex-
pectedly to the Confederates, captured a position so favorable to military opera-
tions that it was almost a certainty that a desperate attempt would be made by the
enemy to recover it. Quickly forming in line of battle, the Union troops, with
•quickened pulses, awaited the enemy's onslaught. The line of battle thus formed
■extended across a ravine or water-course several hundred yards wide, covered
by low-standing timber and underbrush that hid the troops occupying it from the
view of the other parts of the line, and also concealed their position and strength
from the enemy.

The expected attack was not long delayed, but instead of assaulting along
the entire line of the Fifth Corps the Confederates, from some cause — perhaps
in the behef that it was the weakest part of the line — concentrated their efforts in
fierce and persistent attacks against the part of the line occupying the ravine.

The brave Michigan troops composing part of the brigade in the ravine,
bracing themselves against the storm of lead and hail and bursting shells hurled
against them, repulsed in turn the repeated attacks. The right and left wings
■of the Union hne on the higher ground on each side of the ravine, stood at
parade-rest in an expectant attitude, listening with breathless interest to the
tumult of hell going on in the ravine, and giving but passing attention to the
shells that went screeching over their heads from a distant Confederate battery.

The suspense endured by the boys of the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth while
thus waiting to be attacked amid the commotion was worse than the actual
furor of battle.

The rapid and furious fighting in the ravine, charging and counter-charging,
after a time resulted in a scarcity of cartridges, and soon came the cry from the
heroic Michiganders for ammunition. To supply this want an ammunition
wagon drawn by six mules was rapidly driven to the front, the drivers lashing
and urging their animals to "their utmost speed. The team went rushing through
the parted ranks of the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth to the front, and wheeled
around, leaving the rear of the wagon towards the front. Immediately two sol-
diers ran to the rear of the wagon, one on each side, to let down the endgate,
while another mounted the wagon to push the boxes of ammunition to the ex-
pectant soldiers. While engaged in this work a cannon shot with a demoniac
screech passed between the soldiers at the endgate, struck the tar bucket hanging
to the axle of the wagon, bespattering the soldiers with tar, passed under the
wagon, out along the wagon tongue between the mules, and ricocheted over the
heads of the Regiment, injuring neither man nor beast.

While it is quite natural to suppose that the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth
boys were glad enough not to be down in the vortex of death and destruction
going on so close to their position, yet such was the patriotism and the sympa-
thetic emotion excited within the breasts of many that had there been no re-
straint they would have rushed to the assistance of their comrades in the midst

288 UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

of the battle. Indeed, as it was, a young corporal of Company F, Samuel W.
Hill, seized a box of ammunition and lugged it down the slope through the
bushes into the midst of the zipping minie balls and hurtling fragments of burst-
ing shells till compelled by exhaustion to relinquish his burden to stronger but
not more willing hands.

Successful Strategic Operations.

On the 9th of June, 1864, General Meade directed Major Dunn, Chief En-
gineer of the Army of the Potomac, to select and intrench a Hne in the rear
of the position at Cold Harbor, to be held while the arrhy was withdrawing and
moving to the south of the James river. The intrenchments so ordered were im-
mediately constructed, and were finished on the morning of the 11th of June.
On the 10th, General Warren's Corps was directed to move, and advance to a
position, keeping entirely out of the observation of the enemy, which the Corps
did successfully. General Warren, being advised confidentially of the part his
corps would take in the march to the James, was directed to move as soon as it
was dark on the evening of the 12th. General B. F. Butler, on the 9th of June,
sent General Gilmore and General Kautz from City Point with the cavalry of the
Army of the James on an expedition against Petersburg, to capture the city and
also to destroy the railroad bridge across the Appomattox. The expedition con-
sisted of four thousand infantry and fifteen hundred cavalry. General Gilmore
says the pontoon bridge over the Appomattox river was not muffled as was prom-
ised it should be, and that the crossing of Kautz Cavalry could be heard for
miles, and no doubt put the enemy on his guard. These movements under Gen-
erals Gilmore and Kautz were wholly unsuccessful. General Beauregard, com-
manding the forts and intrenchments of Confederates at Petersburg telegraphed
to Richmond that, having sent all his troops to re-inforce General Lee, he would
be obliged to abandon the lines at Bermuda Hundred or those of Petersburg,
unless his own troops with others to man the fortifications of Petersburg were
at once sent to him by General Lee.

Grant's Army Crosses the James-River.

The quietness and secrecy with which the orders of Grant and Meade for
the crossing of the James River and change of base of the Army of the Potomac
were carried out by Generals Warren, Hancock and Humphreys, Chief-of-Staff,
exhibited the highest order of military skill on the part of those commanders.
It effectually deceived General Lee, who disregarded the repeated requests and
appeals of Beauregard, and ignored dispatches from other Confederates that
the columns of the Army of the Potomac were being rapidly transported across
the James to capture Petersburg. General E. P. Alexander, General Lee's
Chief-of-Artillery at Gettysburg and subsequent campaigns, in a very recently
published history, departs from the usual style of Confederate writers by
venturing to criticise and to question the infallibility of Lee's generalship in
this campaign. In his ably-written work. General Alexander declares that General

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

389

BVT.-BRIG.-GEN. J. BOWMAN SWEITZER.

-390 UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

Lee was very much at fault in refusing to believe the warnings and notices from
Beauregard and others that Grant's entire army was across the James en route
tc Petersburg, and in scouting the information as unreliable and incredible, from
the reports obtained by him through his officers and scouts on duty in front of
Richmond.

To General Humphreys, the Chief-pf- Staff of General Meade, too much
■credit cannot be given for the successful carrying out of the project, or plan, to
transfer bodily an army of one hundred and fifty thousand men — infantry, cav-
alry and artillery and their immense wagon trains — across the James, success-
fully eluding the unusually expert and vigilant enemy, from whose immediate
front this army had withdrawn. Not a man of that great command was killed
-or captured by the enemy in this great movement over the James. So carefully
had every point been guarded and every advantage taken to keep from view the
movements, that it was, in fact, all accomplished without discovery by the enemy.

In preparing to carry out the project made by General Humphreys for trans-
fer of the Union army to the south side of the James, General Warren was di-
rected to move his corps out the Long-Bridge road, not only far enough to cover
the crossing of the Chickahominy by the army, but also to hold the bridge over
White-Oak swamp. It was expected that such a movement by General Warren
would deceive General Lee, by giving him the impression that it was an advance
upon Richmond. The movement evidently made the desired impression upon
General Lee, and to a greater extent than was contemplated, as his subsequent
movements and actions show. General E. P. Alexander states that Lee was
uncertain what the Army of the Potomac was doing until the afternoon of
the 17th of June, when the entire Army of the Potomac was south of the James
river with all its cavalry and trains.

One Hundred and Fifty-fifth Transferred to Sweitzer's Brigade.

On the 16th of June the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth, by steam-ferry,
crossed to the south side of the James river, at Wilcox Landing. On the 15th
of June, previous to crossing the James river, the Regiment was, by the follow-
ing circular or order, transferred from the First Brigade of the Second Division
of the Fifth Corps, General Ayres commanding, to the Second Brigade of the
First Division of the same Corps, General Griffin commanding.

" Headquarters Fifth Army Corps,

" June 15, 1864.

" The Ninety-first Pennsylvania Volunteers, Colonel Gregory, and the One
Hundred and Fifty-fifth Pennsylvania Volunteers, Major Ewing, are relieved
from duty with the Second Division, General Ayres, and will report to Brigadier-
General Griffin, commanding the First Division.

" By command of

" Major-General G. K. Warren,

" Fred T. Locke, Assistant Adjt.-Gen."

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

^91

This order transferred the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth Regiment to the
Brigade commanded by Colonel J. Bowman Sweitzer, composed of the following
regiments: Sixty-second, Ninety-first and One Hundred and Fifty-fifth Penn-
sylvania Volunteers and the Twenty-first Pennsylvania Cavalry, dismounted.
This was a most gratifying order to the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth, because
■of the popularity of General Sweitzer and of the men of the Sixty-second Penn-
sylvania Volunteers — fellow Western Pennsylvanians with whom they were here-
after to be brigaded.

292 UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

Chapter XIV.

PETERSBURG CAMPAIGN.— WELDON RAILROAD.

June 18th, One Hundred and Fifty-fifth Assaults Enemy's Fortifica-
tions IN Front of Petersburg. — Disastrous Effect of Charge. — One Hun-
dred AND Fifty-fifth Regiment Transferred to Sweitzer's Brigade of
Griffin's Division. — Official Orders of General Griffin, Congratulating
One Hundred and Fifty-fifth on Brilliant Conduct in Charge of 18th
of June. — Fifth Corps Headquarters Established at Avery Mansion. —
Siege of Petersburg Entered Upon. — Jerusalem Plank Road and Weldon
Railroad. — Distressing Scenes on Battlefield. — Colonel Pearson Re-
instated in Command, Participates in Engagement. — Major Ewing
Slightly Wounded in Foot. — One Hundred and Fifty-fifth in Trenches.
— Departure of Sixty-second Pennsylvania. — Recruits of Sixty-second
Pennsylvania Transferred to One Hundred and Fifty-fifth. — Warren's
Headquarters at A^'ERY House. — Accuracy of Picket Firing. — Covered
Ways. — Mortar Plants. — Explosion of Mine. — Griffin's Division Destroys
Railroad. — Impetuous Charges of Confederates Upon Union Line.- — Re-
pulse OF Enemy. — Furious Dash Upon One Hundred and Fifty-fifth and
Bloody Repulse. — Corps Headquarters of General Warren at Yellow

Tavern. — Casualties.

Assaults.^ — Siege of Petersburg.

JY MIDNIGHT of the 16th of June, 1864, the entire Army of the
Potomac, with all its numerous wagon and artillery trains, had suc-
cessfully moved from its positions in front of Richmond and the
Confederate army of General Lee, and crossed the James River
without the loss of a man, gun or wagon.
General Wright's Sixth Corps covered the operation, being the last troops
to reach the right bank of the James. The navy also assisted with its armored
ships and gun-boats in covering the passage of the river; but the movement
being undiscovered by the enemy, neither army nor navy had occasion to inter-
fere during the passage.

General Hancock's Corps, on the 14th, was the first to cross, with all its
infantry and four batteries of artillery, to the south bank of the James. The
Fifth Corps, late at night on the 17th of June, was ordered by General Meade
to make an assault in strong columns upon the enemy's works in front of
Petersburg. At four o'clock on the following morning the attack was ordered

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

293

294 UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

to be made by the Fifth, the Ninth and the Second Corps, with portions of the
Sixth Corps and the Eighteenth Corps, and other troops were to be held in
readiness to support the attack. The One Hundred and Fifty-fifth was with
this Fifth Corps assaulting column, but on the morning of the 18th it was
found that the enemy had abandoned the intrenchments which they had so suc-
cessfully defended the day before. The ground in front of the points previously
assaulted was thickly covered with the killed and the trenches at those points
filled with Confederate dead from the assaults of the previous day by Smith's,
Hancock's and the Ninth Corps. Finding the Confederate line abandoned, Gen-
eral Meade at once ordered the army to press forward and to make renewed
attacks on the enemy's inner works before they could receive re-inforcements
from Lee's army. The Fifth Corps on the left of the Ninth, in this new advance,
had a very considerable distance to traverse to reach the second line of in-
trenchments of the enemy's main line, and it was exposed to a very severe ar-
tillery fire during the advance movement. Deep ravines and a Norfolk Railroad
cut, which was held by the enemy at its northern end, and from which an
enfilading fire from batteries and skirmishers was kept up at frequent intervals,
made it very difficult to cross.

On the 18th of June, General Meade ordered a simultaneous attack on the
enemy's works, and fixed the hour at twelve o'clock, directing all the corps to
attack at the same hour with strong columns. General Burnside's and General
Warren's Corps were kept occupied in endeavoring to drive the enemy out of the
railroad cut in their front, so as to get close enough to the enemy's intrenchments
to assault. The ground to be passed over was open and exposed to the enemy's
artillery fire for a long distance. General Meade again ordered assaults by all
the corps with their whole force at all hazard as soon as possible, as he found it
useless to appoint an hour to effect co-operation.

One Hundred and Fifty-fifth ]\Lvkes Bayonet Charge.

All the corps assaulted the enemy's works late in the afternoon and at hours
not widely apart, but were repulsed with considerable loss. General Warren's
assault with the Fifth Corps was well made. Griffin's Division being particularly
conspicuous and heavy losers. Thfe One Hundred and Fifty-fifth Regiment, which
had but a few days previous been transferred to Sweitzer's Brigade of Griffin's
Division, led the advance in the charge on this day, many of its men being killed
within twenty feet of the Confederate works, and many more, crossing over that
distance, occupied the moat around the hostile works unobserved by the enemy be-
hind the same. This charge of Griffin's Division and of Warren's Corps with fixed
bayonets was no more successful than the other assaults. Lieutenant-Colonel
John Ewing led the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth on this bayonet charge, and
gave the order to fall back only when the enfilading fire of musketry and artillery
of the enemy supplementing the direct destructive fire made the chance of success
impossible.

In this charge the loss of the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth Regiment was
greater than in an}^ other engagement during its campaigns. Captain Samuel A.

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS. ■<i95

McKee, of Company I, a veteran of the Mexican War, a brave and capable
officer, fell mortally wounded leading this charge, dying on the field of battle,
a true soldier's death.

On the death of Captain McKee, the boy Captain of the Regiment, A.
H. Heisey, took command of the storming column during the remainder of the
battle, and when the order to retreat was given 'by Lieutenant-Colonel Ewing,
conducted the movement successfully, under the direct and enfilading fire of
the enemy. Captain Heisey received commendations from both Lieutenant-
Colonel Ewing, commanding the Regiment, and General Sweitzer, the Brigade
commander, for his cool courage throughout the action.

Both Captains Heisey and Kilgore were particularly in demand as experts
in the zouave skirmish drill during the campaign.

Colonel Joshua L. Chamberlain, of the Twentieth Maine, in Griffin's Division,
also led his Brigade under the destructive fire of the enemy. Colonel Chamber-
lain was wounded in the leg, resulting in the loss of a limb whilst in command
of his brigade in this assault. He received the distinction of being promoted
on the field of battle to the rank of Brigadier-General by General Grant.

General J. Bowman Sweitzer, of Pittsburg, commanded the Brigade, and
was conspicuous for his bravery in this severe engagement. It occurred but a
few days before the term of service of his regiment, the Sixty-second Pennsyl-
vania Volunteers, expired, and made it a soldierly test.

One Hundred and Fifty-fifth Complimented.

Generals Meade and Warren both issued complimentary orders to Griffin's
Division on the great valor and gallantry displayed by the men in this brilliant
charge upon the enemy's fortifications.

The following official dispatch was forwarded from the battlefield that night
by General Griffin to General Meade, referring to the part taken by the One
Hundred and Fifty-fifth in the charge:

" Headquarters First Division, Fifth Corps.

"June 18, 1864.
" Colonel Locke,

" Assistant Adjutant-General, Fifth Army Corps.
"Colonel: In answer to your statement just received, I have to state that
nearly all the dead and wounded were recovered. A very few of the One Hun-
dred and Fifty-fifth Pennsylvania are still, I fear, outside, perhaps within twenty
feet of the earthworks.

" Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

" Chas. Griffin, Brigadier-General."

The next morning at nine o'clock General Warren officially dispatched tO'
General Meade a report of this charge, from which the following extract is

396 UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

given concerning the participation of the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth in the
great charge :

" Headquarters, Fifth Army Corps.

" June 19, 1864, 9 a. m.
" Brigadier-General S. WilHams,

" Acting Adjutant-General Army of the Potomac.
" My Division commanders report that all their dead and wounded were
recovered last night, except a few of the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth Penn-
sylvania Volunteers (Griffin's Division), which lie within twenty feet of the
enemy's works.

" G. K. W.ARREN, !Maj.-Gen. Commanding.''

General Sweitzer, before departing with his regiment, the Sixty-second
Pennsylvania Volunteers, for Pittsburg, a few days after this memorable charge,
wrote Colonel Pearson, who had again been restored to the command of the
Regiment, that as he had vouched to General Griffin for the One Hundred and
Fifty-fifth Regiment, in requesting its transfer to his brigade from General
Ayres' Brigade, he had asked General Griffin how he was satisfied with Pearson's
zouave regiment, and that Griffin had emphatically replied that, in his opinion,
no better troops or regiment existed in the Army of the Potomac, as their actions
in the desperate charge on the 18th of June had fallen under his own personal
observation.

General Griffin subsequently issued a formal order congratulating the One
Hundred and Fifty-fifth and the other regiments of the brigade on their brilliant
conduct in the charge of the 18th of June.

Incidents of the Charge.

This battle of the 18th of June was fought on what is known as the " Avery
Farm," on which was erected a fine mansion of colonial style. This house, which
was situated between the lines, was unoccupied, and was frequently struck by shot
and shell, being, by the advance of the Fifth Corps quite close to the Confederate
fortifications, the scene of the assault of June 18th. This family mansion, by
the advance of the Union lines, being well within the same, later became the
headquarters of General Warren and his staff, attaches, orderlies and telegraph
operators connected with the Corps. The advance of the Fifth Corps on the
18th of June to within twenty feet of the enemy's works, where assaulted by
General Sweitzer's Brigade, as officially stated, was the high-water mark of the
charge of Grant's army in the siege of Petersburg.

Immediately after the charge, on the following day, the regular siege of
Petersburg was entered upon, the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth still holding its
advanced position. The Fifth Corps works, as laid out by General Warren,
were commenced, and a line was constructed on the position gained by the ad-
vance of Sweitzer's Brigade in that memorable charge.

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

297

SGT. WILLIAM F. COLLNER.

298

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

LIEUT.-COL. JOHN EWING.

A most remarkable incident occurred
during this charge. When Lieutenant-
Colonel John Ewing, finding that his
men were falling thick around him,
and that it was evident that his small
force could not capture and hold the
works of the enemy in front, ordered
tke .men- of. the- Regimnet to fall back ;
instead of obeying this order, Sergeant
William F. Collner, of Company G.
Private James A. Rankin, of Company
I, and a number of others of the Regi-
ment, thinking it safer to continue their
advance, ran the short distance to the
enemy's fort, being about a distance
of not more than twenty feet, and took
refuge in the ditch or moat surround-
ing it.

In this position they were completely
protected from the direct and enfilading
fire to which the Regiment had been ex-
posed on falling back under Lieutenant-
Colonel Ewing's orders. These members of the Regiment, probably a dozen in
number, remained in this hazardous position undiscovered by the enemy until
night, under cover of which, they, in turn, succeeded in escaping, crawling back
on hands and knees within the Union lines.

Private James A. Rankin, of Company I, was one of the parties who secured
shelter in the moat of the Confederate fortification. Becoming impatient, and '
expressing fears of being taken prisoner with its known horrors, Rankin, against
the urgent entreaties of all the comrades who were sheltered in the ditch, made
a rush before dark to gain the open space between the lines, and thereby exposing
himself to the Confederate sharpshooters, was instantly killed, his body falling
back into the ditch.

During the night the enemy, out of humanity, believing the parties in their
front to be wounded, or engaged in removing the dead, did not open fire on the
moving parties in the space between the lines. Captain McKee's body and that
of Privates W. A. Liken and David Lear, of Company E, instantly killed in the
charge, were removed in the night by comrades without molestation by the enemy
and buried in the ravine below the crest from where the charge was made.

Among the numerous narrow escapes in this assault was that of Color-
Bearer-Sergeant Thomas L Marlin, who received a shght wound on the chin,
which paralyzed his jaws for several days.

If the charge of the 18th of June already described, in which the First and
the Second Brigade of Griffin's Division lost so heavily, and many of the One
Hundred and Fifty-fifth storming the enemy's works were killed within twenty
feet of the same, had taken place the day previous, the Regiment would un-

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

299

WILLIAM A. LIKEN.

JAMES A. RANKIN.

■doubtedly have succeeded in carrying the works and entering Petersburg, as
during the night of the 17th General Beauregard had been re-inforced from
General Lee's army, Anderson's and Hill's Corps having both arrived and secured
positions before the final Union assault was made. Lieutenant-General Grant,
to whom General Meade reported the action on the advance of June 18th, made
the following reply :

" City Point, \'a.,

June 18, 1864, 10 o'clock p. m.
" Major-General Meade :

" I am perfectly satisfied that all has been done that could be done, and
that the assaults to-day were called for, with all the appearance and information
that could be obtained. Now we shall rest the men, and use the spade for their
protection, until a new vein can be struck.

U S. Gr.ant, Lieutenant-General."

Then began the long and tedious work of besieging the city of Peters-
burg under the supervision of the army engineers. Frowning redoubts, long
lines of breastworks, mortar batteries and field works of all kinds were con-
structed — the sortie, the bomb-proof, the mine, the counter-mine, the covered
ways, were all now to be added to the experience of those who had not partici-
pated in the siege of Yorktown. This necessitated the encircling or covering of
two railroads, the Weldon and the Lynchburg, as the siege of Petersburg
demanded.

300

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

CAPT. SAMUEL A. McKEE.

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS. 301

June 21, 186-1. The disastrous repulses of the several storming columns had
convinced General Grant that the defenses around Petersburg were impregnable
against direct assault ; and henceforth the energies of the Union army were to
be directed against General Lee's lines of communication with the South. On
this day active operations were again commenced by the main army, having in
view the capture of the Weldon Railroad.

Battle of Jerusalem Plank Ro.\d.

The Second Corps advanced across the Norfolk Railroad and then marched
rapidly southward, followed by Griffin's Division and the One Hundred and Fifty-
fifth Pennsylvania, under an intensely hot sun and stifling, blinding clouds of
dust. In the afternoon the Second Corps, in advance, struck the enemy in the
vicinity of the Jerusalem Plank Road which runs southward from Petersburg.
From the nature of the earthworks constructed by the enemy parallel with the
Jerusalem Plank Road, it was very evident that Lee understood the very great
importance of the Weldon Railroad, and was ready and determined to defend it.
A severe engagement took place on what was known as the Davis Farm, about
three miles south of Petersburg. The Sixth Corps came up during the night fol-
lowing, and formed on the left of the Second Corps, prepared to move in con-
junction with that corps against the railroad. The right of the Second Corps
rested on the Jerusalem Plank Road, with Griffin's Division including the One
Hundred and Fifty-fifth of the Fifth Corps, on the opposite side of the rail-
road. On the 22d of June, when the advance against the Confederate works was
renewed by the Sixth and the Second Corps, desiring to mass more closely, the
left of the Second Corps began to press toward the right, thus creating a gap
between the two corps. Quick to take advantage of this mistake, the Confederate
General, Hill, pushed Mahone's Division into the gap. As was usual with the
enemy, the attack on the Union lines was made with tremendous energy, resulting
in the capture of many Union prisoners.

On the afternoon of the 33d of June, the Fifth Corps, being camped in
reserve, resting from its labors on the fatigue duty and work of the siege and
picket, was suddenly summoned to break camp and to double-quick half a mile
to the front in the vicinity of the Jerusalem Plank Road, at the advanced posi-
tion in the breast works held by the Second Corps. The enemy had attacked in
force the breastworks occupied by General Corcoran's Irish Legion, consisting of
a brigade of New York regiments, and after meeting considerable resistance, the
Confederates broke through the line, captured many prisoners and carried the
breastworks. It was to relieve this part of the line that General Sweitzer's
Brigade and the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth of Griffin's Division was sum-
moned. The One Hundred and Fifty-fifth and the Brigade at once advanced
beyond the lines of Corcoran's Irish Legion, which had suffered terribly, and the
Regiment at once deployed as skirmishers, being only a few yards from the
enemy in places. It was quite dark and the obscurity was further deepened by
the woods in which the battle and skirmishing was being conducted; but the
Brigade held its advanced position until daylight, when it advanced and drove

302 UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

the enemy from the Union breastworks which they had captured the day previous.
The scenes on the field when Sweitzer's Brigade and the One Hundred and
Fifty-fifth advanced through the lines of the troops of the Second Corps, sur-
passed in terrible agony and misery any that the Regiment had previously ex-
perienced. This peculiar fact was caused by the closeness of the range of the
enemy's artillery and musketry fire in the woods and roads. The One Hundred
and Fifty-fifth was obliged at one point of the action to change position, and
move across the Jerusalem Plank Road at a point commanded by a most perfect
range of a Confederate battery. The officers in command of the Regiment with-
held the order for the movement across the Jerusalem Plank Road, and leaving
the woods sheltering it, until the enemy's battery in question had fired its volley
along the Plank Road, and then before the battery could be re-loaded to fire
again, the Regiment double-quicked across the narrow road to the new position
on the line assigned it.

A previous volley from the Confederate's battery commanding the road had
poured its deadly shot into a regiment less fortunate than the One Hundred
and Fifty-fifth, while it was moving across the fatal point of this road. On the
roadside crossed by the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth were dozens of men struck
and mortally wounded, piled in the middle of the road, and crawling to the side,
many shouting in their delirium of home, mothers, wives, and others appealing
most piteously to the Almighty for relief. The dead also strewn upon the road
from the same cause were very numerous. As stated, it may be doubted whether
a more horrible sight than that met by Sweitzer's Brigade in rapidly crossing the
Jerusalem Plank Road at this point, was ever witnessed on any battlefield.

As to the desperate character of this action, General J. Bowman Sweitzer,
who was commanding the Brigade, and whose long and honorable service in all
the campaigns of the army of the Potomac had earned for him a Brevet Brigadier-
Generalship, expressed the opinion that this afifair of the "22d of June on the
Jerusalem Plank Road was one of the severest engagements in which he or his
command had ever participated. The One Hundred and Fifty-fifth was fortu-
nate, however, in 'sustaining comparatively slight loss in this engagement, which
resulted in recapturing the works taken from the Second Corps.

Incidents of the Engagement.

This was the first engagement in which Colonel Pearson had participated
since his altercation with General Ayres and suspension from the command of
the Regiment, in the battle of the Wilderness. Lieutenant-Colonel John Ewing
was slightly wounded in the foot in this action, and four others of the Regiment
were wounded. One of the comrades of Company E received a wound under
most peculiar circumstances. His name was Hugh Bayne, who, although hale
and hearty physically, and at home a coal miner by occupation and used to
laborious work, was discovered, after his enhstment and settling down to duty
in the service, to be mentally weak. From this fact, commanders of the company
would never allow him to take charge of a gun or musket in the camp, on the
march, or in battle, Bayne was assigned duty to be performed with an ax or

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS. 303

shovel or other peaceful implement — work which he did cheerfully. By some
extraordinary oversight in this day's engagement, Bayne, who did not realize
what danger was, accompanied the Regiment and Company to the relief of the
position of the Second Corps on the front of the line. Armed with a shovel,
Bayne stood up at one point of the action, when all of the Regiment in response
to orders of the officers had lain down and were hugging the earth as closely as
possible to avoid the enemy's shots. In plain view of the Regiment, Bayne
arose, and seeing the enemy's line very distinctly, turned around to inform his
comrades of the fact, when the enemy sent a minie ball through his jaw. It is
said this occurrence was the only time that poor Bayne was ever known to look
serious. His wound, however, was not dangerous. He was taken to the hospital
and, after recovery, discharged for mental incapacity.

For half an hour in the same evening of the S2d, the One Hundred and
Fifty-fifth was tinder the severest shelling at the closest range it had ever ex-
perienced, the shells in great numbers striking in their .front, in their midst, and
in their rear, ricocheting and bursting with crashes as if the heavens were
falling. And yet amidst the storm of fragments of ragged iron, the Regiment,
hugging the earth closely, suffered comparatively little harm.

The Fifth Corps was pushed up close to the Confederate works, occupying
the ground a little to the eastward of the direct Petersburg front, being the iden-
tical position in advance which it had captured in the assault of the 18th of June.

After re-capturing the works of the Second Corps from the enemy and hold-
ing them a day or two the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth went back into reserve
bivouac.

Sixty-second Departs for Home.

On the night of the 3d of July, 1864, the Sixty-second Pennsylvania Regi-
ment, commanded by Brevet Brigadier-General J. Bowman Sweitzer, on account
of the expiration of its three year's service, took its departure from the front for
its journey home to Pittsburg. The night before, notwithstanding the picket firing
and shelling and the bomb-proof places of refuge existing in front of Petersburg,
special permission was given the officers and men of the One Hundred and
Fifty-fifth Regiment for a display of good will and to bid farewell to General
Sweitzer and to the officers and men of the Sixty-second Regiment.

The officers of General Sweitzer's Brigade and General Griffin, commander
of the Division, tendered General Sweitzer the honor of a farewell banquet —
if the humble fare of the commissary stores and the holding of the same
amid the firing of the enemy will admit of being designated a banquet. On
the "menu," however, were "commissary" and "hardtack" in abundance.
Colonel Pearson, who had rejoined and resumed command of the Regiment,
Lieutenant-Colonel Ewing, Major Cline, Captains Laughlin, Quartermaster Pal-
mer, Kilgore, Allen and Heisey, participated on the behalf of the One Hundred
and Fifty-fifth in these festivities. Among the guests also in attendance was
Brevet Brigadier-General Richard Coulter, Colonel of the famous Eleventh
Pennsylvania Volunteers. General Coulter, like General Sweitzer, had been per-
mitted by the authorities at Washington to command various bodies of troops in

304

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS. 305

active service, performing, for two years, ttie duties of Brigadier-General, but,
despite the repeated recommendations of Generals Meade and Grant, for gallantry
in action, he had been refused the vi^ell-earned commission.

In General Sweitzer's farewell remarks on the occasion, he congratulated
General Griffin, the Division commander, who was present, on the transfer of the
One Hundred and Fifty-fifth Regiment to his division, stating that he had re-
quested the War Department, because of his special confidence in the gallantry
and bravery of Colonel Pearson and Lieutenant-Colonel Ewing, so long the
commanders of the Regiment in the active campaigns, that the three hundred men
of the Sixty-second Regiment, whose terms of service had not expired, be
assigned to and distributed among the companies of the One Hundred and Fifty-
fifth Regiment. He also declared, turning to Colonel Pearson, that he felt no
uneasiness as to the future of the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth, after what he
himself had witnessed of their storming and assaulting the enemy's works on
the 18th of June, while serving in his (Sweitzer's) Brigade.

The Sixty-second Regiment of Pennsylvania Volunteers left for home on the
3d of July, after the banquet in their honor held on the night of July 3d.

Many of the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth were permitted to accompany the
officers and men of the Sixty-second some distance from their camp to ex-
change farewells and to send messages to relatives and friends in Pittsburg and
vicinity.

The revised Regimental roster in the Appendix shows the names and ranks
of the members of the Sixty-second Pennsylvania Volunteers, thus transferred
to serve unexpired terms in the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth. It is but due these
officers and men, thus transferred, to record the fact that no worthier, braver, or
more chivalric soldiers than they proved to be while serving in the One Hundred
and Fifty-fifth, ever faced an enemy.

Avery Mansion. — Corps Headquarters.

Through the close proximity of all the officers and men to the corps General
and staff, his orders are given immediate attention, and distributed to the division
and brigade commanders of the corps without delay. The right arm of the corps
General, at his headquarters, is called the Assistant Adjutant-General of the
■corps, with the rank of Colonel. He is furnished two assistants with the rank
■of Captain, and also a number of enlisted men detailed to assist in copy-
ing orders and preserving records, and tabulating morning reports and other
routine work.

It is through the Adjutant-General of the corps that all executive work and
'details of the corps, as planned and directed by the corps commander, are shaped
and formulated for action and communication to all subordinate division com-
manders. Really, though usually but little seen or known to the public, the corps
Adjutant-General is a most responsible officer, his office demanding constant
energy in the discharge of the duties in active campaigning. The Fifth Corps
was most fortunate in having, during the three years' service of the One Hun-
dred and Fifty-fifth Regiment in the field, the duties of Assistant Adjutant-Gen-

306 UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

eral, performed by Colonel Fred T. Locke, of New York, who was wounded
in action several times, and on special recommendation of General Meade,
was brevetted Brigadier-General for gallantry and meritorious services in
the field.

The location of corps headquarters in the early da)s of the siege of Peters-
burg in the Avery Mansion was a source of no little concern to the large colony
to be described below as comprising the headquarters. The shelling by the
enemy, the Union mortar firing and Confederate replies, made the locality and
building most undesirable, especially at night, when coveting tired nature's sweet
restorer. General Warren and his personal staff preferred the beautiful lawn,
and erected their tents on that ground. This left the stately mansion for the
United States Military Telegraph operators, the Signal Corps and other depart-
ments. The upper stories were reserved for sleeping apartments, the accommo-
dations being limited to sleeping on uncarpeted floors.

During the first days of the siege, both armies were hard at work strength-
ening positions and extending their defenses, working at night as well as all day,
in regular relief working parties.

On account of his reputation as a military engineer. General Warren, as
corps commander, was, with the rank and file, kept unusually busy day and night
in the great work of investing the Confederate army intrenched behind the miles
of breastworks composing the defenses of Petersburg. In addition to the mili-
tary fire-arms, the troops of this corps were furnished picks, shovels and spades
and other tools, and were required day and night to serve on details for fatigue
duty, as the hard labor in erecting forts and digging trenches, was termed. This
work of the troops was done under frequent fire of the enemy, and the me-
chanical implements of the soldier-laborer had frequently to be dropped for the
gun and its deadly sharpshooting.

General Warren, in directing and superintending with engineers this con-
struction of siege operations, usually located corps headquarters close to the
front, and in the vicinity of the siege works being constructed. A fine old colonial
mansion, known as the Avery Mansion, situated near the Union firing line on the
18th of June, on the great charge, had been abandoned by its owners. It was,
notwithstanding its continued exposed condition, taken possession of as Fifth
corps headquarters, and continued to be occupied as such during the first month
of the siege. It had been already damaged in actions before its spacious parlors,
rooms and grounds were made corps headquarters. The latter means in active
campaigning much more than the corps General and his personal staff. Head-
quarters comprises, in addition, a large retinue of commissioned officers, such as
corps Quartermaster, corps Commissary, corps Provost Guard, corps Medical
Director, a company of sharpshooters, a company of cavalry as escorts, a number
of mounted and unmounted orderlies, soldier clerks. United States MiHtary Tele-
graph operators. United States Signal Corps, United States mail clerks, wagon-
ers, teamsters and colored cooks and servants, in all forming a colony of from
three to four hundred people, together with horses, mules, etc., all camped close
together at the end of each night march, or in winter quarters. Also the medical,
hospital and ambulance officers and new men formed quite a large contingent.

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS. 307

It did seem unkind and even malicious in both armies during this strenuous
period of the siege, that every night just as the wearied day fatigue parties and
the occupants of the Corps headquarters mansion were seeking sorely-needed rest,
that the Confederate and Union batteries should at intervals break out in duels
lasting often an hour or more. Stray shells and spent cannon balls frequently
added to the excitement by striking the old Avery Mansion, penetrating the roof
or a window with a great noise, and arovising the slumberers and especially ter-
rifying the contraband cooks and servants in the corps colony. The United
States Military Telegraph Corps operators had their ticking machines on the
first floor of the building destroyed by one of these unwelcome visitors. The
heavy siege mortars introduced by General Warren to the grounds of the Avery
Mansion, when discharged at the enemy, as was done daily, also jarred and racked
the venerable mansion, adding to the discomforts of the inmates. However, but
few casualties resulted from the fire of the Confederates during this period of
Corps headquarters.

Fourth of Jtjly Celebrations.

July 4, 1864, was spent by the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth in the advanced
trenches, and as bombardment and mortar firing by both armies continued
throughout the entire day and night, Independence Day about Petersburg was
celebrated by much more noise and waste of powder than marked the Nation's
birthday celebrations at home.

After spending a few days in reserve, resting, the Regiment was on this
day moved to the camp formerly occupied by the Sixty-second Pennsylvania, now
consolidated with the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth. John Adams' famous ad-
dress about the proper celebration of Independence Day, contrasted with the
boom and noise of cannonading, musketry and picket firing along the line in front
of Petersburg, was more than literally complied with in the army. Earnest and
serious work by the armies behind the trenches and in the siege works being con-
structed occupied the time of the commanders and subordinate officers of both
armies operating at Petersburg, on this anniversary of the Nation's birth. The
lines of the contending pickets were very close, and although lulls in firing took
place, eternal vigilance was manifested by the videttes and pickets of both
armies without relaxation on account of the Nation's holiday.

The survivors of the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth Regiment serving in the
trenches could not refrain from recalling memories of the equally noisy celebra-
tion of July 4th on Little Round Top, Gettysburg, where, in addition to the great
victory of the gallant Army of the Potomac on that historic field, word was also
received of Grant's great victory and the surrender of the Confederate army at
Vicksburg. Thoughts of the cold, wet, dreary day of the preceding July 4th
came unbidden to contrast the soft side of the rocks and boulders on Little Round
Top, the Regiment's only couches for resting, with the dusty, sandy, heated soil,
their sleeping places in front of Petersburg.

The Regiment, with the Corps, was located less than a mile from Peters-
burg, and from their position an excellent view of the church spires and public
buildings of the besieged town was plainly visible. The peaceful and sweet

308 UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

chimes of the church bells were heard each Sunday, very frequently having for
accompaniment the shrieking, angry sounds of the cannon and mortars of both
armies. The Confederate's heaviest mortar gun became so regular in its firing at
this stage of the siege as to be dubbed " The Petersburg Express." The terrible
reverberating sounds of the heavy artillery and numerous shells fired into Peters-
burg during the siege, made the Union soldiers think that but little would be
left of the beautiful " Cockade City " at the end of the siege. In this they were
mistaken, for after the surrender at Appomattox, preceded by the fall of Peters-
burg, the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth Regiment, in marching with the Corps
through the town of Petersburg, could see but little of the effects of the heavy and
continuous bombardment by Grant's army, on any of the churches or high build-
ings exposed.

Changes in Regiment. — Details, Etc.

A number of vacancies in details and positions in the Corps and Division
was occasioned by the occupants returning home with the Sixty-second and other
regiments, whose terms of service had expired.

Captain George M. Laughlin, of Company E, was appointed Commissary
of Musters of the First Division, on the personal staff of General Charles Griffin,
commanding the Division. It was a promotion and distinction for the Regiment,
which occasioned great joy to all except the members of his own company, who,
whilst appreciating the honor, deeply regretted the severance of the affectionate
ties which had won their love and esteem. Captain Laughlin discharged the duties
of his position so satisfactorily that, on General Griffin's promotion to the com-
mand of the Corps, Captain Laughlin continued on his staff, and was finally
brevetted Major for gallant and meritorious service in action.

A special order was received on July 10th from General G. K. Warren,
commanding the Corps, ordering Private Charles F. McKenna, of Company E, to
report at once for special duty with Colonel Fred T. Locke, Assistant Adjutant-
General of the Fifth Corps. Private McKenna left the trenches to obey this
order, and served at Corps headquarters under Generals Warren and Griffin
until the war ended, being present at Five Forks and at Appomattox on duty with
Colonel Locke, Adjutant-General.

Private John C. Sias, of Company I, was detailed as orderly at the Division
Headquarters, and Private Edward W. Sackett, of Company E, was detailed
at Brigade Headquarters.

Sergeant Zerah C. Monks, transferred to the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth
from the Sixty-second Regiment, was appointed Orderly-Sergeant of Company
E, and proved himelf to be an efficient and brave officer. At the action of Five
Forks he became engaged in a hand-to-hand encounter with a Confederate, which
ended in the death of Sergeant Monks' antagonist.

Captain Ben Huey, also transferred to the Regiment from the Sixt3-second,
was assigned to Company K of the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth as Captain, in
which position he proved himself to be a capable and brave officer. He moved
to Bellevue, Pottawatomie county, Kansas, where, in the year 1900, he died uni-
versally esteemed.

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS. 309

On the 5th of July, at this camp, the Regiment was visited by agents of
the Sanitary Commission, and treated to a welcome addition, in the shape of
canned fruits of various kinds, to their daily fare of hardtack and meat. From
the 5th to the 30th of July the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth, through " fatigue "
details, was almost constantly undergoing hard labor in the trenches, constructing
forts and breastworks. While engaged in this toil, the Regiment became so
callous to the sound of shrieking and bursting shells around them that they paid
little heed to them.

On July 20, 1864, the Regiment moved out to the front line at daylight, to
reheve another Regiment of the Brigade, and the enemy's pickets on this part
of the front being peaceably inclined were soon on good terms with the Union
pickets. For another week there was no picket or general musketry fire, and
but for an occasional shelling, which the Union and the Confederate batteries
exchanged to keep themselves in practice, the Regiment was as comfortable on
the front as it had been in its camp in the rear. The picket lines in front of the
Regiment were not over one hundred yards apart, and indeed in many places
closer. Many exchanges of small articles, such as newspapers, coffee for tobacco,
etc., took place.

Life in the Trenches.

July 28th. After dark the Regiment moved a mile to the right, to a much
less comfortable position, being within range of the enemy's heaviest artillery,
where the breastworks were so poor as to afford little or no protection. On the
morning of the 29th, at early dawn, the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth, with
many other regiments, was put to work cutting and carrying timbers to build
up and strengthen the breastworks. No trenching was done during daylight, as
the enemy, having accurate range of the position, seemed determined to prevent
it. The Regiment would bivouac all day some distance away in the most pro-
tected situation to be found, and details would be called to go out and work
all night in the trenches. On this night the Regiment put in several hours of hard
labor, and by morning was tolerably well protected. The shoveling was con-
tinued during the night of the 30th, the works were as well constructed as any
along the line. The picket posts along in front of this portion of the breastworks
were holes in the ground large enough to contain two men. The earth from the
holes was banked up on the side next the enemy with narrow embrasures therein
large enough to allow the men to look and shoot through. These exposed picket
posts on both sides afforded fine opportunities for target practice, as when firing
was going on the occupants were continually on the watch for a head or an arm
to protrude above the pit. Frequently, to test the accuracy of the fire, a Union or
a Confederate soldier would place an empty fruit-can upon the little breastwork,
and in a moment the can would topple over perforated by a minie ball. Inside
the hole next the bank of earth a few sticks or boards were placed forming a
platform, or banquette, to kneel upon while firing. To walk across the open space
between the Union breastworks and rifle-pits would have meant certain death;
therefore, communication with the picket lines was had through trenches and
"covered ways." These trenches would commence at the main line and run

310 UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

out in a zigzag direction to the picket post, the earth being always banked up on
the side next the enemy to conceal the movement, constituted a covered way.
Sometimes the trenches ran straight out perpendicular to the enemy's line, so that
bombshells from the enemy's mortar plants could be dropped into them. In such
cases, timbers or plank with a thick covering of earth formed a roof over the
same. These trenches and " covered ways " were frequently deep and large
enough to allow ammunition and supply wagons to be driven through them con-
cealed from the enemy. In several places inside the enemy's main line the
locality in the rear of the works was so much exposed to the range of the Union
sharpshooters that it was very unsafe for the enemy to approach or to leave the
same. To overcome this difficulty, the Confederates constructed " covered ways "
wide and deep enough to allow ammunition and supply trains and columns of
troops to pass through them unobserved by the Union troops.

A distinguished Confederate officer. Honorable John S. Wise, of A'lrginia,
who was present during the siege, relates that during the picket firing between
the picket lines two Confederate pickets in a post, becoming weary of the etern?'
vigilance required of them, fixed a mirror in the rear of their little excavation,
so that by sitting with their backs to the embrasures and looking into the mirror
opposite, they could see the reflection of the Union lines in front. One day
these Confederate pickets. Hays and Collins by name, while engaged in a
friendly game of cards, began a bantering scuffle over the game, when Hays
incautiously lifted Collins slightly above the parapet of the rifle-pit. Instantly the
watchful eye of a Union sharpshooter, detecting the exposure, sped a minie ball
which perforated the neck of Collins, killing him instantly.

Both sides had many mortar plants from which immense bombshells were
dropped by each side into the breastworks of the other. These mortars were
fired into the air at a sufficient angle to the horizon to allow the big shell to drop
at almost any spot the gunner desired to reach. To protect themselves against •
these missiles that came down like great meteors from the heavens, the soldiers
of both armies dug deep holes into the earth, like cellars, covering the same with
roofs of earth ten to fifteen feet in thickness constituting bombproofs. These
mortar shells, however, were not very dangerous, as they generally struck and
buried themselves in the ground before exploding, and beyond covering the by-
standers with earth, did little damage.

During those long midsummer days of the siege of Petersburg, when the
rays of the Southern sun beat down upon the occupants of the riflepits unreHeved
by breeze or shade, when the slightest exposure of the body meant death or
wound, life in the pits as well as in the breastworks became indescribably mo-
notonous, and the prolonged strain on the nerves could not endure for long.
By a tacit agreement, the pickets on both sides stopped firing at each other during
the daytime, and as already stated, became quite friendly. On one occasion
during the summer seige a party of young ladies from Richmond visited Peters-
burg, and were conducted to the Confederate intrenchraents defending the city.
Encouraged by the peacefulness of the surroundings, the young lady sight-
seers mounted to the top of the Confederate parapets to view the Yanks in their
front. Thousands of Union soldiers' were visible engaged in various occupations,

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS. 311

some cleaning and polishing their arms, others in fighting an enemy unnamable
in polite conversation or literature. "Hello, Johnny! is this ladies' day?"
shouted a Yank from an adjacent pit. The Union troops were not fighting
women, and the Confederate ladies were not molested.

This silent compact between the Union and Confederate pickets not to
fire on each other during the daytime, was always ended at night by one side or
the other calling out, " Look out, Yank ! (or Johnny !) we're going to shoot."

The reflecting reader may be curious to know how these pickets and men
in the trenches were supplied with water. The defect of streams and springs
was remedied by the sinking of artesian wells. At a. depth of ten or twelve
feet beneath the sandy, porous soil an abundant supply of pure water could be
had; and many wells were sunk within the lines and along the picket posts of
both armies.

The Mine Explosion.

July 39th. The One Hundred and Fifty-fifth men were about exhausted
by the unintermitting shoveling in the trenches in which they had been engaged
by details for the past three nights. In the evening of this day orders were read
that at sunrise next morning a mine would be exploded under a fort a short
distance to the right of the position occupied by the Regiment, and that firing
upon the enemy would be commenced all along the line. The idea of this mine
was originated by Lieutenant-Colonel Henry Pleasants, of the Forty-eighth Penn-
sylvania, who, as a mining engineer, was familiar with mining operations in the
Schuylkill counties mining districts of Pennsylvania. To the Forty-eighth Penn-
sylvania, composed largely of miners, was intrusted the construction of the
mine. The work of excavation was commenced on the 35th of June, and com-
pleted on the 36th of July. The utmost precautions were taken to prevent knowl-
edge of the operation from reaching the enemy. The doomed fort was a little
more than a mile from Petersburg, directly in front of the Ninth Corps, at a very
familiar location to the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth as being the very point on
which the Regiment had made its brilliant charge on the previous 18th of June.
The excavation was commenced in the side of a ravine, surmounted by an earth-
work on the Union line, and the distance to be mined to reach the Confederate
fort was about five hundred feet. As the excavation progressed, the earth from
the mine was thrown on the works to prevent the accumulation of heaps, which
might cause suspicion and give rise to inquiry. When the mining operation was
completed under the fort, the excavation was within twenty feet of the surface,
and the nailing of planks and timbers in the enemy's fort overhead could be
distinctly heard by the miners. Chambers for explosives were carefully con-
structed in the mine, and the whole charged with three hundred and twenty
kegs of powder, amounting to four tons. A fuse spliced in many places to make
it of proper length, was carefully laid, and the mine was ready to be sprung.
While the excavation was progressing, all intercourse between the opposing
pickets was strictly prohibited and a constant skirmish fire was kept up in front
of the Ninth Corps, while to the right and the left of the line the pickets were
on amicable terms. Notwithstanding all the precautions as to secrecy taken by

313 UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

the Union officers, the enemy was not unaware that some such operation was
being prosecuted. The artillerymen in the enemy's fort, lying with their ears
to the ground, could distinctly hear the work going on beneath them. The Union
pickets themselves, aware of the undertaking only by vague rumor, occasionally
threw out vague hints, such as " Johnny, you're going to heaven soon," or " We're
going to blow you up next week," etc.

The Confederate engineers, evidently placing no reliance in the informa-
tion coming from the rank and file, seemed uncertain as to the location of the
mine, and after making two or three attempts to countermine at different points,
abandoned their efforts and awaited further developments. The plan of assault
was that upon the explosion of the mine a fierce cannonading was to open all
along the Union line upon the enemy's works, thus keeping them fully employed,
and preventing the withdrawal of any troops to reinforce the part of the line
to be destroyed by the explosion of the enemy's fort. Then, before the Con-
federates could recover from the consternation and confusion which the ex-
plosion of the mine and the sudden burst of a tremendous artillery fire would
naturally create, a strong assaulting column from the Ninth Corps would advance
rapidly through the gap created by the explosion, passing to the right and left
of the wrecked fort, to the crest of the ridge beyond, known as Cemetery Hill,
which completely commanded the city of Petersburg, and which was the key
to the extensive fortifications encircling the city. This fort that was to be blown
up formed a salient in the enemy's line, and was the same in the moats of which
many of the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth had taken refuge until darkness en-
abled them to escape, in the famous charge and repulse on the 18th of June.
The space between the fort and the Union line over which the storming columns
would have to advance to reach the fort was about one hundred and fifty yards.

To render success more probable. General Grant, on the 26th and 27th, sent
two divisions of the Second and the Nineteenth Corps, with Sheridan's Cavalry,
across the James river to join with the Tenth Corps in a determined attack in
front of Richmond, to distract the attention of the enemy and draw their troops
away from the works in front of Petersburg. On the 29th, the gunboats on the
James river joined in the attack, and Lee's suspicions being fully aroused that a
serious assault upon his right was really impending, sent all his available troops
from Petersburg to defend his menaced right flank. This was the opportunity
Grant desired. Soon after dark on the 39th of July, 1864, all the troops that
were to take part in the Union assault were placed in position. Ledhe's Division
of the Ninth Corps was to lead in the advance, followed by Wilcox's and Pot-
ter's Divisions of the same Corps. These troops were to be supported by the
Eighteenth and the Second Corps on the right and the Fifth Corps on the left.
The troops that had been sent across the James quietly returned during the night.
The fuse was to be lit in the mine at half-past three on the morning of the 30th.
Promptly at the time specified the match was applied to the fuse, but after wait-
ing a reasonable time no explosion occurred, and it was decided that the fuse
at some point was defective. Two brave men of the Forty-eighth Pennsylvania,
who had toiled in the mine night and day under the direction of Colonel Pleas-
ants, having faith that their work was not a failure, volunteered to enter the

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS. 313

mine and remedy the trouble. The defect was found and repaired. The fuse
was lighted a second time. This failure of the first attempt and the consequent
repairing of the fuse consumed time, and the explosion did not take place until
a few minutes before five o'clock in the morning, when there was a deep rum-
ble and the earth in the neighborhood trembled as with an earthquake, and then
with a tremendous explosion a conical mountain, seemingly half an acre in
extent, rose in the air, carrying with it stones, timber, caissons, bodies and limbs
of men, and some of the heavy guns of the fort. Remaining poised for a mo-
ment, the black earth in the center streaked and serried with lightning, surrounded
by white smoke which still came pouring out of the volcano, the mass settled
back to the earth.

Of the two hundred Confederates in the fort, many still asleep, none es-
caped. For a moment the deepest silence prevailed ; then, as if old Chaos and all
the thunderbolts of heaven were being hurled into that living Golgotha, one hun-
dred heavy siege guns and seventy thousand muskets from the Union works, in
compHance with the previous orders, opened fire upon the enemy's line. The
Confederate troops in the works for nearly a quarter of a mile on both sides of
the exploded fort left their positions, fleeing in terror from the wholly unexpected
sight so much resembling the Day of Judgment. A great gateway to Cemetery
Ridge and Petersburg was opened up, and surely Grant will lay a strong hand
on Petersburg to-day. But why does not the Union storming column advance?
Finally, after a waste of much precious time, Ledlie's Division of Burnside's
Corps slowly advances — hesitates— halts — finally advances again as far as the
crater, and again halts, blocking the way for the other divisions of the Ninth
Corps. An hour passes. Where is Burnside, the commander of the Corps?
Why does not Ledlie advance to the crest? Generals Grant and Meade were
both at the scene of action. To General Meade's peremptory order to Burnside
to advance, the latter replied that there were difficulties. What were the diffi-
culties? He could not specify any.

Is it any wonder that, under the circumstances, the troops of Ledlie's Divis-
ion yielded to the calls of humanity, and entered the crater to render assistance
to the torn and shattered fragments of human beings still alive, half buried in
the debris, and begging piteously for help ? — " For God's sake, a little water !
Yanks, have mercy, take me out; FU do as much for you some time! " This re-
sponse to the calls of humanity was ruinous, for it gave time to the enemy to
recover from the panic into which they had been thrown by the unexpected
catastrophe.

" But," says this distinguished Confederate author, Honorable John S. Wise,
" If Burnside was deficient on the aggressive, the Confederate officer in command
of the Division defending the position, was a Roland for his Oliver. * * *
Bushrod Johnson held the rank of Major-General. He selected headquarters at a
house in the rear of the lines, and there he remained vegetating, without any
friendly intercourse with his command. When General Lee, some hours after the
mine had been exploded, reached General Johnson's headquarters, Johnson knew no
details of the disaster, or of the dispositions made to repair it, although it was his
own Division that was involved, and the enemy over the hill was not four hundred

314 UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

yards distant. If the enemy had pressed forward at any time within two hours
after the explosion, they would in all probability have found General Bushrod
Johnson in bed. When General Lee arrived about eight o'clock, he found him
actually ignorant of the peril."

The stupidity — or whatever it might be called — -which occasioned the delay
of three hours in taking advantage of the opportunity to capture Petersburg
created by the explosion of the mine, was fatal to the project; for it gave the
enemy time to recover from the stupor occasioned by the explosion. The fierce
fire from several batteries which the Confederate General, Haskell, had by that
time placed in position on Cemetery Ridge, now poured upon the unfortunate
Union troops huddled like sheep in and around the crater, aggravated the hor-
rors of the scene. It was now impossible for the Union troops in that vicinity
either to advance or to retreat, and the officers lost all control of their com-
mands. The carnage was beyond description. The victims were crushed in the
very jaws of Death itself. From the time of the explosion to its close. Generals
Grant and Meade were on the ground, and both Generals Warren and Ayres
occupying works and whose troops were in line of battle requested to be allowed
to lead their men to the charge, but Grant and Meade refused. At nine o'clock
General Meade ordered Burnside to withdraw his troops, but it was two o'clock
in the afternoon before the order was executed.

The detailed description of the mine explosion and its deplorable conse-
quences is only adverted to in the history of the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth
Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, because of the Regiment's participation with
the Fifth Corps in firing at the enemy's line opposite, and also from their desire
to follow their leader. General Warren, had his request to be allowed to leave
the breastworks and charge the enemy's defenses opposite, been granted.

The One Hundred and Fifty-fifth maintained its position without change
amid the bomb-proofs until the 18th of August, undergoing daily inspection, and
house-cleaning to keep and promote proper sanitary conditions in its cramped
quarters, varying this daily routine with the use of the shovel and pick. The
mortar plants on both sides went through their daily and nightly performances,
keeping the men in the trenches dodging to avoid the falling aeroUtes. During
this period there was much good-natured badgering indulged in between the foes.
" Grant's Petersburg Express " sent a great many iron messages into Peters-
burg, especially the lower part of the city, in the neighborhood of the railroad
bridge over the Appomattox. Life in the trenches at this time was very monoto-
nous and unpleasant, the heat and flies preventing sleep in the daytime, and
digging in the trenches at night allowing no time for it.

Capture of Weldon Railro/\d.

On the 18th of August, the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth and Fifth Corps,
being relieved in the trenches by other troops, marched out and started on another
flanking movement to the left. In referring to movements to the left, the reader
will understand the left flank or end of the Army of the Potomac and the right
flank or end of Lee's army is meant. The One Hundred and Fifty-fifth and

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS. 315

Griffin's Division being in advance, being preceded by a brigade of cavalry,
marched in the direction of the Weldon Railroad, and between seven and eight
o'clock in the morning struck the railroad at Six Mile Station.

The One Hundred and Fifty-fifth and Griffin's Division at once began tear-
ing up the track, while the other divisions, under Ayres, Crawford and Cutler,
marched up the track towards Petersburg, driving the enemy's skirmishers before
them until the Union troops were within two and one-half miles of the city. At
this point the Confederates of Hill's Corps, under Heath and Mahone, were
encountered double-quicking down the railroad from Petersburg. The two
divisions under Ayres and Crawford formed in line of battle at right angles to
the railroad, in the open fields, Ayres being on the left of the railroad and Craw-
ford on the right. About 2 v. m. the enemy emerged from the woods immediately
in front, and made one of their usual impetuous charges upon the Union line,
forcing it half a mile down the road to the Yellow, or Globe Tavern; but the
Fourth Division, under Cutler, advancing rapidly to the support of Ayres and
Crawford, flanked the enemy's line on the left. This turned the tide of the bat-
tle, and the enemy was repulsed. The Union forces now began throwing up
earthworks, and by daybreak on the 19th were strongly intrenched. The rain
fell in torrents during the night, and the enemy, fearing an advance of the
Union forces, kept up a vigorous shelling the entire night, making the work of
intrenching very arduous and dangerous.

It was not considered probable that General Lee would consent to give up
one of his most important railway lines of communication without a determined
effort to retake it. Steps were immediately taken by Grant to reinforce the
Fifth Corps under Warren, and connect the earthworks just constructed with the
Union main line on the right. The Ninth Corps, having arrived in the vicinity
on the morning of the 19th. and connection having been made with the Fifth
Corps on the right, the whole line, preceded by a heavy line of skirmishers, ad-
vanced slowly in the direction of Petersburg, throwing up intrenchments as they
advanced. No opposition was felt until about ten o'clock, when the enemy
was encountered in force, and the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth and the Fifth
Corps, under Warren, prepared for a fierce resistance. About four o'clock in
the afternoon, in the midst of a heavy downpour of rain, the enemy under Heth,
yelling Hke demons, made a furious dash upon the One Hundred and Fifty-
fifth and Griffin's Division, capturing the advanced picket line and the strongly
intrenched skirmish line, driving the pickets and skirmishers back upon the main
line. Here, however, the Confederates received a bloody repulse, not without,
however, having inflicted a heavy loss upon the Brigade of United States Regu-
lars under General Joseph Hayes, who was among the wounded and captured.

The Fifth Corps, under Warren, maintained its Hne without change of posi-
tion during the 20th, amid severe cannonading but no general fighting. On the
31st, however,- the enemy renewed the attack on the Union lines, driving in the
skirmishers and advancing again and again to the charge, but always receiving
bloody repulses. On the' 23d reconnoitering parties were sent out, and the
enemy was discovered busily engaged in intrenching about three miles from
Petersburg. The Corps headquarters of General Warren were then established

316

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

at the Yellow Globe Tavern, a strong skirmish line was established by the
One Hundred and Fifty-fifth and other regiments, and the troops went to work
industriously with the spade, in the use of which they were becoming adepts.

During this fierce contest for the possession of the Weldon Railroad, it was
supposed that the enemy's heaviest attack would be made on the left of the
Union line occupied by Griffin's Division, in an endeavor to flank the Fifth Corps
and drive it off the railroad. The Second Brigade, with the One Hundred and
Fifty-fifth Pennsylvania, forming the left of Griffin's Division, it was supposed,
would receive the brunt of the assault; but the enemy, in charging on Griffin's
Division, on account of some obstruction in the way, always obliqued to the right,
thus shifting the force of its attack upon the right of Griffin's Division and upon
the other divisions of the Fifth Corps. For this reason, the losses of the One
Hundred and Fifty-fifth were much lighter than they might have been had the
Confederate's columns reached the Union line at the points aimed at when their
advance commenced.

GROUP AT CORPS HEADQUARTERS.

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS. 317

Chapter XV.

HATCHER'S RUN.— WELDON RAILROAD RAID.

Confederate General Hampton's Cavalry Raid in Rear of Union Army. —
Pickets in Front of One Hundred and Fifty-fifth Attacked by Enemy.
—Cavalry Reconnoissance in Direction of South Side Railroad. — Regi-
ment Supports Cavalry on Squirrel Level Road. — Engagement at Chap-
man's Farm. — Battle of Peeble's Farm. — Capture of Fort McRae by
Griffin's Division. — One Hundred and Fifty-fifth Colors First Planted
ON Enemy's Works. — Farewell Sermon of Chaplain J. M. Mateer.- — Orders
to Pack Up and Break Camp. — Enemy Encountered in Strong Force at
Hatcher's Run. — Fifth Corps Regains Its Former Quarters. — Sutlers'
Stores. — Weldon Railroad Raid. — Destruction of Track. — Contrabands. —
Bushwhackers and Guerrillas Foraging. — Apple Jack and Peach Brandy.
— Sussex Court House Burned. — Regiment Goes Into Winter Quarters. —
Griffin's Division on March to Left. — Engagement at Dabney's Mills.
— Engagement of Second Hatcher's Run. — ^Lieutenant-Colonel Ewing

Wounded. — Casualties.

Successful C.-^-Ttle Raid by Hampton's Cavalry.

|ERY early on the morning of the 15th of September, 1864, General
Grant received reports from the Union cavalry outposts that a
mysterious movement of Confederate cavalry was taking place on
the left of the Fifth Corps. A reconnoitering force composed of
several regiments of Union cavalry and a brigade of infantry was
sent out towards the Vaughan Road running nearly south from Petersburg.
The enemy's outpost lines were broken through and the country traversed in
various directions, and although Dearing's Confederate Cavalry was encoun-
tered and a slight brush took place, the reconnoissance could obtain no knowledge
of anything alarming, yet one of the most brilliant, daring and successful raids
of the war was being made by the Confederate cavalry leader. General Wade
Hampton. Setting out from Reams' Station on the Weldon Railroad, and
making a wide detour of the Union left, General Hampton, with his Confederate
cavalry and two batteries, appeared suddenly early on the morning of the 16th
of September, 1864, in the rear of the center of the Army of the Potomac. One
of Hampton's regiments, dressed in Union cavalry uniforms, relieved the Union
pickets, thus making the surprise more complete. His object was to seize a herd
of twenty-five hundred beef cattle pasturing southeast of Petersburg, near Syca-

318

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS. 319

more Church. The attack was so sudden and the surprise so complete that
Spear's Union Cavalry Brigade, which was picketing the locality, was driven
away by the Confederates, and two regiments, the Thirteenth Pennsylvania
and the First District of Columbia Cavalry, stampeded, the latter Regiment, with
all its horses, arms, equipments, wagons and camp paraphernalia being captured.
It is also related that General Grant and his staff, whose headquarters were close
by, narrowly escaped being among the trophies of the daring Confederate cavalry
leader.

As soon as this great herd of cattle, with their herdsmen, guards, etc., were
secured and driven ahead, General Hampton and his troopers set out on their
return to the Confederate lines. General Kautz and Gregg's Union Cavalry
Divisions soon followed in rapid pursuit, continuing as far as Belcher's Mill, on
the Jerusalem Plank Road, where the Confederates, under Rosser and Dearing,
made a stand, holding the Union cavalry at bay while the other portions of
Hampton's columns moved leisurely off with the cattle. In addition to the
cattle herd, Hampton carried off three hundred prisoners, two hundred mules
and thirty-two wagons ; also a telegraphic construction corps of forty men, with
their trains and twenty miles of wire.

Attack on Union Picket Line. '

The more effectively to conceal this raid of Hampton's cavalry, the Con-
federates, early on the morning of the I6th of September, made a fierce attack
upon the pickets all along the line of the Fifth Corps, driving many of them
into the intrenchments. The attack in front of the One Hundred and Fifty-
fifth continued for more than an hour, but the Union pickets succeeded in re-
pulsing the enemy. When the firing began on the picket line, the One Hundred
and Fifty-fifth was called to arms, and the companies stacked their muskets in
the company streets to await the result of the attack upon the pickets. While
the Regiment was thus marshalled,' a large black snake was seen to protrude its
head and neck from a hollow limb of a large oak tree in the camp, and a mem-
l)er of Company H, with an ax, climbed the tree to cut off the limb. Sitting
astride the limb, with his back against the trunk of the tree, the soldier at-
tempted to sever the limb between himself and the hole in which the snake was
concealed. The strokes of the ax jarring the limb, caused the snake to poke
liis head out of the hole and attempt to escape. The axman using the handle of
his ax as a club, battled with the reptile to drive it into the hole again. This
unique battle was kept up half an hour before the limb was finally severed from
the tree and the serpent dispatched. During the progress of this snake fight
more interest was displayed in it by the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth than in
the expected attack of the enemy.

Engagement at Chapin's Farm.

On the 39th of September, 1864, a reconnoissance was made by Gregg's
cavalry towards the left front of Griffin's Division, in the direction of the South-

320 UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

side Railroad. In the afternoon of that day it was evident, from the heavy can-
nonading in that direction, that the Union cavalry had come into contact with the
enemy in force. In the meantime, the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth, having re-
ceived orders to " pack up," moved, about five o'clock p. m., a short distance on
the Squirrel Level Road, then turning to the right on a narrow country road, ad-
vanced a mile, where it formed in line of battle to support the cavalry. The
latter fell back through the lines of the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth, pursued
by the enemy. After a slight skirmish, the Confederates, finding that they were
fighting with infantry, fell back. The Regiment remained in position until
darkness set in, and then marched back to its old camp. This skirmish was
known as the battle of Chapin's Farm.

The Action at Pebble's Farm.

Early on the morning of the 30th of September, Griffin's Division returned
to its position of the evening before, and with cavalry skirmishers in front, ad-
vanced about a mile. At this point the enemy's skirmish line proving too strong
for the cavalry, Griffin's Infantry Division formed in line of battle, and advancing
slowly, pressed the enemy's skirmish line in a northwesterly direction. The
Confederate artillery, supporting their skirmish line, seemed to have a good
range as to distance, but their shells burst high in the air, doing but little damage.
As Griffin's Division descended into a deep, heavily-wooded ravine, the enemy's
shells cut down trees eight to ten inches thick, in the vicinity of the One Hun-
dred and Fifty-fifth. Several short halts were made in this ravine to straighten
the alignment of the advancing columns.

After crossing a small stream at the bottom of the ravine. Griffin's Division
threw out a strong line of skirmishers, and awaited developments. The skirmish-
ers met with little resistance, advanced up to the crest of the ridge on the opposite
side of the valley, until reaching the open space beyond the crest, where they
were met by a furious enfilading fire from an unseen foe lurking in the woods
on the left front. The One Hundred and Fifty-fifth skirmishers were well pro-
tected by large oak trees, and the Confederate skirmishers, while making very
close shots, failed to repulse them. This cleared space, known as Peeble's Farm,
was of several hundred acres in extent and entirely inclosed by a fringe of forest
on four sides. The ground descended slightly from the edge of the woods in
which the Union troops were located to the middle of the plantation occupied by
the homestead, barn and numerous outbuildings, then gradually ascended to the
farther side of the farm. On commanding ridges on the opposite side of these
fields, half a mile distant, was discovered a Confederate redoubt called Fort
McRae, containing several rifled guns, and connecting on either side with fines
of well constructed intrenchments erected by Confederates, having a clear sweep
of the entire open ground of this farm. Across this space, a thousand yards wide,
Griffin's Division was to charge on the enemy's works.

Capture of Fort jMcRah.

As the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth line of battle advanced to and joined
the skirmishers on the edge of the plantation, the fire from the enemy's position

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS. 321

became furious. For some reason, the Regiment advanced on the charge before
orders to do so were given. As the troops, with loud cheers, started on the
" double-quick " into the open ground, Colonel A. L. Pearson, commanding the
One Hundred and Fifty-fifth, who had dismounted, shouted to the men to
" halt." Finding he could not make himself heard, the Colonel, with an oath,
exclaimed, " Well, if you will go, then go ! " and starting after, was soon in the
midst of the charging column. This assault of Griffin's Division on Fort McRae
and the enemy's breastworks was to have been made in three lines, one behind
another; but if the charge was so made, the lines soon became intermingled as
one Hne. Color-Sergeant Thomas J. Marlin, of the One Hundred and Fifty-
fifth, seeing that the color-bearer of another regiment of Griffin's Division was
likely to reach the Confederate works sooner than he, called on Corporal Thos.
Anderson, of Company I, to assist him, and the two planted the colors of the
One Hundred and Fifty-fifth on the enemy's works ahead of all the other regi-
ments of Griffin's Division. When the charging column had approached to
within one hundred yards of the enemy's intrenchments, the cannoniers in Fort
McRae were seen limbering up their guns and hooking on their horses, and when
the Union troops surged up over the breastworks like a huge, resistless billow, the
Confederates had made good their escape, leaving but one gun and fifty or sixty
prisoners in the hands of Griffin's victorious troops.

A half-hour later Potter's Division, of the Ninth Corps, marched through
the captured works in pursuit of the retreating enemy. An hour later heavy
musketry and cannonading in the direction taken by the Ninth Corps announced
the fact that they had overtaken the foe ; but as the tumult became louder and
nearer, it also became evident that the Confederates were the victors. Shortly
after the advance of the Ninth Corps in pursuit of the enemy and their ap-
parent repulse, the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth which with the Third Brigade
had been massed near the spot where they had crossed the enemy's works, with
Colonel Pearson leading, double-quicked to the left a short distance, with the
enemy's bullets humming over their heads and through their ranks. The Regi-
ment then charged through the woods to a field beyond, encountering the enemy
flushed with victory, advancing to re-capture their lost works. It appears that
after passing through the captured works and advancing some distance. Potter's
Division of the Ninth Corps formed in line of battle and advanced until checked
by the enemy in a strong line of works on a hill half a mile further on. Endeav-
oring to carry this position, the Ninth Corps Division suffered a severe repulse,
and being thrown into confusion, allowed a gap in their lines to be created,
through which the Confederates threw a strong flanking force, dispersing Potter's
Division, and capturing more than fifteen hundred prisoners. Sweeping onward
this flanking force of the enemy endeavored to re-capture their lost works at
Peeble's Farm, and it was this force that the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth, as
already described, under Colonel Pearson, encountered and drove back. The
other troops of Griffin's Division, with a battery, soon came to the support of the
One Hundred and Fifty-fifth, and a hot engagement ensued, lasting until dark-
ness put an end to the strife. For more than an hour during this engagement, the
One Hundred and Fifty-fifth lay on the ground loading and firing, directly in

322

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

333

front of the guns of Griffin's battery, which fired over the heads of the prostrate
Regiment, a position which finally became exceedingly uncomfortable, when this
battery became engaged in a duel with a Confederate battery which had got the
range. When night came on and the firing ceased, the One Hundred and Fifty-
fifth, using their bayonets and tin-plates, threw up light intrenchments of earth.
The next day, the artillery firing on both sides was kept up all day, with few
casualties in the Regiment.

Intrenching Operations Renewed.
On October 1, 1864, the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth moved nearly a mile to

REV. JOS. MATEER, D.D.
Chaplain, 1863-4.

the right, along the captured works, and began the work of changing them into
Union defenses. On the 3d of October, because of some threatening movements
of the enemy, the Regiment was moved back to the position which it had occu-
pied on the afternoon and evening of the 30th of September. Beyond a severe
shelling by the enemy, only skirmish firing took place. In the afternoon of the
2d the Regiment again moved to the right, taking a position nearly half a mile
in advance of the enemy's works captured on the 30th ult., and for several days
labored hard in the construction of new defenses, with plenty of slashed timber
in front.

On October 7, 1864, a recruit of Company H, who had been with the Regi-

324 UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

ment only five days, becoming demoralized with fear when assigned to picket
duty, committed suicide by shooting himself through the head while on his post
forty or fifty rods in advance of the breastworks.

On October 8, 1864, the picket line of the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth was
advanced half a mile, the Regiment in line of battle supporting the movement.
From the 8th to the 36th of October, 1864, no event of unusual importance oc-
curred to the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth. Comfortable quarters had been
erected, and the men daily performed the common routine duties of camp, such
as guard-mount, inspections, sending out details to build new fortifications,
strengthen old ones, etc.

On October 23, 1864, the Regimental Chaplain, Reverend J. M. Mateer, D. D.,
preached his farewell sermon to the Regiment, General Gregory, of the Ninety-
first Pennsylvania, who had a few days previous been promoted to a Brigadie'--
Generalship, taking an active part in the services. Chaplain Mateer's resignation
was greatly regretted by the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth. His Christian char-
acter was fully exemplified by his frequent visits and ministrations to the sick
and wounded of the Regiment in the field hospitals. In the camp many a sol-
dier's pathway was made smoother by the kindly advice of this simple-hearted
Christian minister who sought only to do the Master's will. Frequently before
battles. Chaplain Mateer became the repository of the money, valuables, memen-
toes and letters of members of the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth, to be sent, in the
event of their falling in battle, to relations and friends in the distant North. The
trust thus reposed in him was always faithfully executed, and the burden of many
a grief was lightened b}- the comforting words accompanying these messages.

As this season of the year in A-^irginia, the fields and lanes contained an
abundance of persimmon trees, the fruit of which was now ripe, and the forests
a plentiful crop of wild fox grapes, of moderate size and good flavor ; but the men
of the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth, not being permitted either by their officers
or by the enemy, to roam the country at will, were compelled to forego the for-
bidden fruit. The outlying pickets were more fortunate in this respect, as they
occasionally gathered quantities of delicious fruit.

Action at Hatcher's Run.

On the 26th of October, 1864, orders to pack up and break camp were re-
ceived, and at an early hour on the 27th of October, 1864, the Regiment, com-
manded by Colonel A. L. Pearson, marched out of their works, near Peeble's
Farm, and with other regiments of the Second Brigade, took its place in the
columns of Griffin's Division, to attempt by another flank movement to get a grip
on the Southside Railroad. Soon after passing through the Union picket line,
the enemy's outposts were reached and their pickets driven two or three miles into
their first line of works. Here the Confederates wer^ encountered in strong
force. The One Hundred and Fifty-fifth doubtless were ready to renew the at-
tempt to route them had the Regiment been ordered to charge on the works. In-
deed, several of the most adventurous spirits of the Regiment did advance to

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS. 325

and mounted to the top of the enemy's defenses, and narrowly escaped being-
killed or captured for their rashness.

Corporal George Clever, with some comrades of Company K, approached
the hostile works without being discovered, the Corporal mounting to the top of
the parapet. The enemy, not expecting an attack, had been paying but little
attention to their front, and when Clever appeared upon the parapet, they were
very much surprised, a Confederate officer exclaiming, " Look at the damned
Yankee! Shoot him! Shoot him! " causing the Corporal to make a hasty retreat.
Finding that probably no attempt would be made to assault the Confederate line,
the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth threw up light earthworks, which they occupied
continuously imtil noon of the 18th of October, being under a desultory fire
from the enemy the entire tim.e.

At this point on Hatcher's Run, the Fifth Corps was formed in three lines
of battle, Griffin's Division being on the second line. During the period of the
enemy's hottest fire, a New York regiment of fresh troops in the first line of
battle, becoming panic-stricken, on the opening of the battle, made a rush through
the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth for the rear, many throwing away in their flight
guns, accoutrements and knapsacks. The One Hundred and Fifty-fifth, having
before the Wilderness campaign, relieved themselves of all superfluous baggage,
joyously availed themselves of this opportunity to secure a fresh supply of over-
coats and well-stocked knapsacks, which, in many cases, they refused afterwards
to restore to their original owners.

It was learned later that the Second Corps, which was still further to the
left than the Fifth Corps, had been unable, because of the impenetrable forests
and marshes, to secure a favorable position to connect with Warren's troops, and
as the enemy's fortifications were being rapidly manned with strong re-enforce-
ments, an assault was deemed impracticable, and the Union troops were with-
drawn. The previous night had been cold and wet, causing considerable suffer-
ing among the troops, and it was with much rejoicing that the One Hundred and
Fifty-fifth, on the 28th of October, marched back to their former comfortable
quarters in the intrenchments.

Camp Life. — Incidents.

During the autumn just ending, the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth, in its vari-
ous movements, was never settled in a camp longer than a day until the Regi-
mental sutler pitched his tent and displayed his enticing wares for sale. A plenti-
ful supply of tobacco, both for chewing and smoking, could always be obtained
from the sutler's store at a very moderate price. If a youth had never been ad-
dicted to the use of tobacco at home, it required but a short period after enlist-
ment for him to acquire a taste for the weed. The articles of food kept in stock
by the sutler was a decided variance from Uncle Sam's fare, and had it not been
for high prices and lack of money, the soldiers might have enjoyed many home
luxuries. Butter was in greatest demand as a luxury to be used on the good
soft bread rations issued by the Government to the troops when in camp, and
eighty cents to a dollar a pound was not considered a high price for it, as being

336

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

of a much stronger quality than the home
article, a much smaller quantity of it
sufficed.

About the 1st of November, 1864,
the One Hudnred and Fifty-fifth was
transferred to the Third Brigade of the
First Division of the Fifth Corps, with
Brigadier-General Joseph J. Bartlett, a
brave and popular officer, as commander
of the Brigade. Life in the trenches,
camps and marches, drills and inspections
continued daily during this month.

Along in the first days of December,
1864, the hopes of the One Hundred
and Fifty-fifth of being ordered to go
into permanent winter quarters, were
much disturbed by rumors of another
flank movement by the Fifth Corps to-
ward the Southside Railroad. The move-
ment of the Sixth Corps to the rear of the
Fifth Corps seemed a confirmation of
these camp rumors ; and when orders
were received by the Regiment to " pack up," no surprise was felt. In the mean-
time, the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth were delighted to learn that Colonel Pear-
son had received a commission as Brevet Brigadier-General and Lieutenant-
Colonel Ewing as Brevet Colonel, on recommendation of General Meade, for
gallant and meritorious conduct in the field.

BRIG.-GEN. JOSEPH J. BARTLETT.

The W'eldon Railroad Raid.

On the 6th of December, 1864, the Fifth Corps, including the One Hun-
dred and Fifty-fifth, broke camp, and massed in the rear near the Jerusalem
Plank Road, with a division of the Second Corps, and Gregg's Division of cav-
alry, comprising in all about twenty thousand men, vi^ith twenty-two pieces of
artillery. The massing of these troops on the Jerusalem Plank Road dispelled
the idea of another " flank movement " to the left. The supplying of the troops
with four days' rations, and the news that the supply trains carried additional
supplies of rations for eight days, as usual in siich cases caused much conjecture
among the troops as to the destination of the impending movement. When, after
a wet, disagreeable night, the troops started at daybreak southward on the
Jerusalem Plank Road, rumor became busy and word spread that the destina-
tion of this strong force was Wilmington, North Carolina, which town, the in-
genious reporters asserted, was to be stormed by this expedition in the rear,
whilst the United States navy made a front attack. A march of about fifteen
miles brought the Fifth Corps column near to Freeman's Bridge across the
Nottoway river. Before reaching the bridge, the column filed to the right on a

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS. 337

country road, crossing the Nottoway a mile above the bridge at a ford about
three feet deep. The Union cavalry forded the stream, and the infantry crossed
on pontoons without any delay, the entire force being on the south side of the
river before dark. The One Hundred and Fifty-fifth bivouacked about half way
between Sussex Court House and the Nottoway. Early on the morning of the
8th of December, 186-i, the column passed through the former place, marching
in a southwesterly direction toward the North Carolina State line. Late in the
afternoon the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth with the other troops reached the
Weldon Railroad and immediately began tearing up the track, continuing the
work of destruction until midnight. The rails were twisted from the ties, the
latter piled up in square heaps and fires kindled, and the rails placed across the
top. When the latter became heated to a degree that the ends sagged down, they
were twisted by the troops around the trees that fringed the track, thus render-
ing them forever useless for railroad purposes. As night set in, the long line
of burning ties, extending for miles along the straight track, presented a most
beautiful sight.

The following day the column, still moving southward, continued to destroy
the track in the same manner, until reaching Bellefield on the ^leherran river,
nearly forty miles south of Petersburg. Before reaching Bellefield, distant some
three miles, the troops encountered the enemy in some force at a small stream
called Three Creek. Having burned the railroad bridge, this force disputed the
passage of the stream. However, a Federal battery having opened upon the
enemy's position, attracted their attention while the Tenth New York Regiment
forded the stream and flanked their position, the Confederates falling back to
Bellefield. Hicksford, across the river from Bellefield, was discovered to be well
protected by strong defensive works, well manned by militia and a part of
Hampton's Confederate cavalry. The place was not considered of sufficient
strategic importance to warrant the loss of life the taking of the position might
occasion. A severe engagement later took place and Warren's troops were sub-
jected to a very hot fire from the hostile works, but the enemy was finally driven
from them, only to occupy another stronger position beyond the town.

Return from Weldon Railroad Raid.

On the morning of December 10, 1864, General Warren ordered a return
march to the Union lines to commence. This was a great disappointment to the
troops, as the work of destruction in which they had been engaged for the last
two days was quite exciting, and they were more than willing to continue it.
But the reconnoissance ordered by General Grant, to be conducted by General
Warren's Corps, had been successful, and hence its return to the main line.

The Weldon Railroad had been destroyed by the Union cavalry in June
previous, to a point twelve or fifteen miles south of Petersburg, but the road was
still used by the Confederates as far North as Stony Creek Station, in conveying
supphes to Lee's army, wagon trains being used to convey military stores across
a comparatively level country to the Southside Railroad for re-shipment to
Petersburg. General Grant's design in sending out Warren's expedition was to

3-i,s UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

destroy the railroad so far south as to render it useless as a means of communi-
cation with the Confederate Capital, and in this duty the Corps had been
successful.

Ever since starting on this raid on the 6th of December, the weather had
been very wet and disagreeable ; but now the increasing cold terminated in storms
of sleet and snow, making the roads almost impassible for the trains and troops.
Much suffering from exposure occurred, but the troops made few complaints.
The wagon and artillery trains occupied the highways, while the troops marched
on their flanks through muddy fields, forests and swamps as guards. Negroes
from all directions left their masters and flocked to the protection of the Union
troops, among them old men and women and little children, and as soon as a
wagon of the supply train was emptied of its contents, it was filled with negro
mothers with their childhen. So tightly were they packed into the canvas-covered
wagons that little woolly heads often protruded from every crack and crevice in
the cover, reminding one of the " Old woman who lived in a shoe.''

On the return, the enemy's cavalry followed the Union column and en-
deavored to harrass the rear, but did not cause much trouble. On the 13th of
December, 1864, Warren's expedition reached the Union lines in safety, though
much exhausted from the forced marches and severe winter weather.

Incidents of the R.aid.

During the progress of this expedition, known in general history as the
Weldon Railroad Raid, General Warren issued strict orders prohibiting foraging
or the committing of depredations by the troops upon the inoffending non-com-
batants along the route of march. Learning, however, that these supposedly
peaceful inhabitants, in many cases, were engaging in bushwhacking and murder-
ing stragglers who were unable to keep up with the column, Warren withdrew his
orders against foraging, and the troops, taking advantage of the license, soon
became possessed of all sorts of household articles. The principal forage, how-
ever, gathered in by the troops consisted of hogs, turkeys, chickens, flour, sweet
potatoes, with honey and jams and jellies as accessories. " Apple-jack " and
peach brandy, another bi-product of that part of Virginia, was discovered in lib-
eral quantities, many of the troops soon showing the hilarious effects of the bev-
erages. Few of the troops in this expedition had ever tasted the distillations
known as " Apple-jack " and " Peach Brandy " — many had never even heard the
name — consequently, being unaware of the intoxicating qualities of these se-
ductive beverages and finding them delicious to the taste, drank copiously of the
same. Being well aged, these liquors were quick in action and lasting in their
effects ; and hundreds of the troops, becoming intoxicated, were unable to keep
up with the column in the forced marching. Many were captured by guerrillas;
some were bushwhacked by the inhabitants, and, no doubt, a number perished
from exposure.

Coffeepots were hastily rinsed and used as vessels in which to stew chickens
or turkeys. Fresh pork foimd its way into the frying pan so quickly that many
of the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth declared they felt the animals still kicking

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS. 339

as they swallowed the meat. A member of Company H, seeking flour to thicken
his chicken broth, visited a plantation, where he was quickly surrounded by a
troop of negro children of various ages, sizes and shades of color, all eager to
inform him where everything was to be found. An old negro, who seemed to
be manager about the place, solemnly informed the forager that there was not
an ounce of flour on the premises, but that the warehouse contained an abun-
dance of corn-meal. Compelled by necessity to accept the latter as a substitute
for flour, the soldier borrowed a sack, which he proceeded to fill with meal,
assisted by the aged servant. In the warehouse were several barrels of Sorghum
syrup, the head of one of which had been knocked out. In the swarm of colored
children scampering around was a lively girl of fifteen or sixteen, who, to the
delight of the other little darkies, leaned over the barrel and lapped up a mouthful
of the syrup with her tongue. " You can't do that again, Topsy," bantered the
forager. Immediately Topsy dipped her tongue a second time into the barrel,
and the soldier pushed her head down into the syrup. Lifting her head with a
jerk and sputtering molasses over everything till she caught her breath, the girl
shouted, " O, golly, isn't I sweet! " causing her younger companions to become
fairly hysterical with merriment over the scene.

On forced marches of columns of troops it is customary to halt for a rest
of ten minutes after each hour's march. During one of these halts on this return
march of Warren's troops, while the sleet was giving the ground and bushes a
coating of ice, a soldier belonging to some other regiment of the Third Brigade
passed through the column of the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth resting on each
side of the road. The mud was ankle deep. The comrade was hatless. His
canteen was full of apple-brandy, and his head with the effects of it. He had z
brace of chickens fastened to his belt, his gun strapped over his shoulder, and
a willow basket filled with honey on his head. As the joyous soldier waded
through the mud, perfectly indifferent to the trickling down of the honey over
his head and shoulders, his voice rang out in the strains of a patriotic song. The
One Hundred and Fifty-fifth, with hearty cheers, sped the joyful soldier on his
way.

Cruelties of Bushwhackers.

On the second day of this return march, the body of a murdered Union sol-
dier was discovered pinned to the ground by a stake driven through his mouth.
At Sussex Court House the bodies of half a dozen nude Union soldiers were
found placed side by side near the road in front of the Court House — murdered
by bushwhackers. In retaliation, General Warren ordered the torch to be applied
to the Court House and all public buildings in the village and to all barns and
storehouses along his line of march, and for many miles great columns of smoke
rising above the tree tops, within half a mile of each side of the road, and many
homeless families, were visible evidences of the penalty the inhabitants were
paying for the inhumanity of residents. Many of the population along the route
of march, however, showed a kindly feeling toward Warren's troops. At several
large homesteads the white members of the family assembled on the porches
and balconies to view the pageant of warriors, infantry, cavalry and artillery —

3,30 UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

perhaps the first they had ever seen — passing; while their slaves stood at the
roadside with buckets of spring water, handing out dipperfuls to the thirsty sol-
diers as they passed by. It seemed a pity that these kindly-disposed — or at least
humane — people should have to suffer for the sins of their miscreant neighbors,
who, in return for the protection afforded them by General Warren, should
abuse his humanity by murdering his troops from ambush. It was not a time
for discrimination, however, and General Warren was perfectly justified by the
laws. oL.war in^ retaliating by permitting his troops to forage at will ; and when
these treacherous people resorted to the barbarous practice of murdering and
mutilating their victims, he was fully justified in applying the torch to their
property.

These bushwhackers, not being mustered into the military or regular service
of the Confederacy, nor in any way connected with the Confederate armies,
were simply cut-throats and murderers, and, if captured, were entirely outside
of the rules governing civilized warfare. Their trial by a drumhead court-
martial would have been speedily followed by the death penalty.

Winter Quarters, 1864.

On reaching the Union lines, in the rear of Petersburg, on December 12th,
after the Weldon Railroad raid, the Third Brigade filed off a short distance to
the left of the Jerusalem Plank Road, and late in the afternoon went into camp.
The night following was most disinal, the rain and sleet falling continuously all
night, rendering the bivouac of the troops most miserable.

About the 15th of December, 1864, orders were received by the Regiment
to construct quarters, and the men, believing they were to spend the winter in
this pleasant locality far in the rear of the firing line, proceeded to build quar-
ters of the most elaborate and substantial character. By the 20th of the month
the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth were housed in the most commodious and
comfortable quarters they had ever occupied. The extra clothing which the
Regiment had packed up and sent to ^^'ashington for storage before breaking
camp at Warrenton Junction the previous spring, was now returned and dis-
tributed b)' the Regimental Quartermaster. Manv had despaired of ever seeing
these articles again, and their joy and appreciation on return of same was ex-
pressed b}' many.

Contemporaneous with the movements of the Army of the Potomac dur-
ing the previous autumn. General Sherman was advancing on his famous
" March to the Sea," the progress of which was watched by the Regiment and
all soldiers in the Army of the Potomac with deep interest, and every scrap of
news reaching camp from the expedition was scanned with the greatest eager-
ness. The success of General Sherman and the fall of Savannah was announced
to the Army of the Potomac in general orders, followed bv a salute of one hun-
dred guns from the Union forts in front of Petersburg, causing great rejoicing
and cheering among the troops.

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS. 331

Christmas and New Years.

December 35, 1864, Christmas Day, the United States Sanitary Commis-
sion, backed by the good people of the North, treated the Army of the Potomac
to many delicacies. Many of the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth thought the
distribution of the good things should have commenced with the enlisted men
and ended with the officers, instead of vice versa, as was the fact. After the
officers were supplied, each enlisted man of the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth re-
ceived this day one large apple or two small ones. New Year's, 1865, falling
upon Sunday, January 3d was observed instead. A reception was tendered the
commissioned and the non-commissioned officers of the Third Brigade by General
Bartlett, Brigade commander, at his headquarters. The non-commissioned of-
ficers of the One hundred and Fifty-fifth and of other regiments proceeded in
a body to pay their respects to General Warren, at his corps headquarters.
General Warren cordially welcomed their friendly visit, and feasted them
royally. In the afternoon the privates of the Regiment, after enjoying well
their feast of hardtack and one apple apiece, indulged in games of ball, boxing,
wrestling matches and other amusements. During this holiday period and rest-
ing in camp, many furloughs were granted to the Third Brigade, the One
Hundred aftd Fifty-fifth receiving its due share. During the holidays and con-
tinuing the entire month of January, 1865, many Confederate deserters came
into the Union line, an indication that the Confederates were rapidly losing hope
of the success of their cause. These deserters, coming in often in squads of
five or six, declared that Lee's army was almost on the verge of demoralization
from starvation and exposure, and the ragged clothing and half-famished con-
dition of these specimens strongly corroborated their assertions.

Marching Orders.

February 4, 1864, orders were received in the evening of this day to "pack
up " and be ready to march at a moment's notice. Being in the middle of win-
ter, the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth could hardly believe they were to leave
their pleasant, comfortable winter quarters to begin a new campaign at that
inclement season of the year, hence the officers of the Regiment advised leaving
behind in camp all but absolutely necessary articles. The pickets of the Regi-
ment also remained behind on the posts near the old camp and guards were left
in the camp. Early in the morning of February 5th, General Bartlett's Brigade,
in which the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth was serving, and Griffin's Division
marched by way of the Weldon Railroad track south several miles, then to the
southwest of Petersburg to Rowanty Creek, the approaches to which were
guarded by Confederate breastworks. The enemy, in small force at this point,
was easily routed, leaving some prisoners in the hands of Bartlett's Brigade.
Crossing the stream, the First Division advanced in column to the Vaughan
Road, some six miles distant. At this point an incident occurred which showed
great bravery on the part of the enemy. General Warren, with his staff, in com-
pany with General Griffin, approaching a squad of twenty or thirty Confederate

332 UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

cavalrymen, guerrillas wearing Union uniforms, inquired to what command they
belonged. The Confederates answered by firing a volley, a bullet of which
passed through General Warren's coat, thereby causing a hasty retreat by both
Generals and their staffs. The One Hundred and Fifty-fifth rested at this
point for several hours. The night was cold and the ground frozen hard, making
sleep impossible, and the Regiment was not sorry when orders came about
midnight to resume the march towards the rear of the Confederate works at
Hatcher's Run in a northerly direction. After a weary tramp of several miles
in the darkness, the Regiment bivouacked in the rear of the same Confederate
works they had been facing on the previous movement in October, 1864, in the
vicinity of Hatcher's Run. The next day, the 6th of February, was quite cold
and cheerless and was spent by the Regiment in transforming with pick and
shovels the enemy's works, now evacuated, into Union defenses.

Battle of Dabney's Mills.

In the afternoon of the 6th of February, heavy firing in front and to the
right of the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth indicated that the Second and the
Third Divisions of the Fifth Corps had become hotly engaged with the enemy,
and about 3 p. m., Griffin's Division, in line of battle, crossed the Confederate
works and advanced in the midst of a severe artillery fire, across a wide field
to a woods in which the enemy were posted in strong force. While crossing this
open space the Regiment met an aged colored man and a woman carrying a
white child of two or three years. The old couple were badly frightened.
Some of the troops shouted to them to seek refuge behind a large fallen tree,
which the little group proceeded to do. After reaching the woods a short halt
was made, the troops hugging the earth to avoid the severe musketry and ar-
tillery fire being poured upon them. In a few minutes the command came to ad-
vance and open fire on the enemy, .both of which were done quite vigorously,
the enemy being driven back nearly half a mile to a new fine of defense, in
which General Mahone's Division of Confederates, who had just arrived in sup-
port of their retreating troops, awaited the assault of Bartlett's Brigade. General
Bartlett, not deeming it prudent or necessary to risk the terrible fatalities which
would probably ensue from a direct assault upon a foe superior in numbers
and brave to recklessness, and protected by strong earthworks, ordered the One
Hundred and Fifty-fifth and the other troops in the Third Brigade to fall back,
which they did in good order. They were pursued slowly by General Mahone's
strong division of Confederates. On account of the furious fire still kept up by
the retreating One Hundred and Fifty-fifth and the Third Brigade, Mahone's
men did not press the pursuit very closely.

As the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth approached the edge of the woods
from which they had first advanced, a line of troops, said to have been the
Second Brigade of Griffin's Division, composed partly of three New York
Regiments of raw, undisciplined troops, the same that had become panic-stricken
at Hatcher's Run the previous October, had formed in the edge of the woods to
support the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth and other troops. As the humming

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

333

of the enemy's minie balls passing through the ranks and over the heads of the
line of the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth, reached these raw troops, they again
became demoralized, and commenced firing into the ranks of the withdrawing
line of the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth. The Regiment, thus placed " between
the Devil and the deep sea," charged upon the panic-stricken Second Brigade,
causing it to break and turn into a fleeing mob. In this state of affairs, it became
impossible for the regiments of the Third Brigade to maintain their order, and
utter confusion resulted. Amidst the buglers' assembly calls of the Brigade and
Regimental bugles, the mass of troops fell back to a commanding ridge, on the
crest of which several batteries had been quickly placed in position, the gunners
standing with lanyards drawn, waiting until the disorganized mass of troops
had passed' through, then pulling the lanyards, the guns belched forth a storm of
canister that suddenly checked the onward rush of the elated enemy. The re-
treating troops fell back behind the captured Confederate works on the banks
of Hatcher's Run, from which they had emerged two hours before, and within
twenty minutes order was again established, every soldier being with his com-
pany and regiment. As darkness set in, the enemy made an assault upon the
position occupied by the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth, but were easily repulsed.
Thus ended the battle of Dabney's Mills, so-called from a sawmill located on
Hatcher's Run.

Further Incidents of Life in the Trenches.

The whole region between the lines of the contending armies during the
siege of Petersburg was so cut up by " covered ways," " dug-out " roads, rifiepits,
etc., as to make it almost impossible to pass safely without losing one's way from

b^^^ the main lines to the picket posts, when the fog was

^^^ heavy.

\>. / In winter and early spring this marshy country,

drained by Hatcher's Run and Gravelly Run, was subject
to frequent fogs so dense in character that frequently
from daybreak until ten o'clock, a soldier wandering a
few rods from this camp would be unable to find his way
back to the same. On one occasion during this winter
campaign. Sergeant Walter McCabe, of Company B, of
the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth, in command of a large
squad of pickets, started out in the morning to relieve
the Union pickets already on duty. After wandering
for some time in what seemed to be the direction of the
Union picket line, the Sergeant and his squad were
brought to a sudden halt, and challenged to give an ac-
count of themselves. To the great consternation of the
squad of the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth, they found
themselves prisoners within the Confederate lines. On
being lined up, the Confederates promptly relieved them
of nearly all their clothing, and of all their valuables.
SGT. WALTER McCABE. One of the enemy would exclaim, " Say, Yank ! that's

334: UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

a nice overcoat, let's exchange." Another would exclaim, " Off with your shoes,
Yank, I'll exchange with you ! " A mercenary Confederate would ask, " Have
you any money? Out with it — you'll not need it where you're going; I'll take
care of it for you! " Others insisted on trading shoes "even up," the unfortu-
nate Yankee giving a compulsory consent.

When the exchanges were all completed, the scene presented the appearance
of a Confederate company dressed in neat zouave uniforms guarding a company
of Union soldiers dressed in ragged, tattered Confederate clothing, their heads
sticking out through crownless hats, bare spots showing through rents in trous-
ers, especially in the rear, together with soleless shoes, etc. As the Confederate
cavalcade started to march with their Union prisoners for the rear of the Con-
federate troops, they in turn became confused by the thick fog, and striking a
covered way, unconsciously marched their prisoners right back into the Union
lines. In turn the late captors were captured. It is needless to add that the
fortunes of war having changed, the Confederates were made to disgorge their
plunder in short order, and Sergeant McCabe's squad promptly came into their
own again without much ceremony.

Whether it was Major-General G. K. Warren's high reputation as a skillful
engineer, or his eminence as a brilliant strategist and fighter and great coolness
in cases of emergency, that led to his being selected by General Grant to lead all
important and hazardous movements looking to the complete isolation of Lee's
army within the defenses of Petersburg is a problem the readers of this volume
will each have to solve. Be the cause or causes what they may, however, the
facts stand out so plain that he who runs may read. Every fresh advance into
the enemy's strongholds by General Warren's Corps involved the greatest dangers
and necessitated not only courageous fighting qualities on the part of his troops,
but the ability to perform very hard manual labor. Every new position gained
had to be fortified; every intrenchment captured from the enemy had to be
remodeled so as to make it a defensive position for the Union troops. Thus
during the entire summer and autumn of 1864, as well as the greater part of the
winter of the Petersburg campaign, the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth Regiment
was constantly engaged either in fighting, or, through details of men, digging and
shoveling in the trenches.

Immediately upon securing a firm grasp of an important position, General
Warren set his troops to work to fortify the same. As soon as the new works
were made impregnable against the enemy's assaults, some other corps of the
army of the Potomac would march in to occupy the position, and the Fifth Corps,
under General Warren, would march out to make new conquests and fortify
again. This order of campaigning ended only at Appomattox. That General
Warren fully appreciated the hardships to which his brave, uncomplaining troops
were subjected, goes without saying. The details from the One Hundred and
Fifty-fifth, who toiled in the trenches, all bear willing testimony to the kindness
and sympathy shown them by the kind-hearted General, who often personally
superintended their work. Frequently, when some youthful soldier, who from his
tender nurture and surroundings at home, had never handled a shovel before.

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS. 335

would evince awkwardness in the use of the same, General Warren would get
down into the ditch, grasp the tool, and kindly show the novice how to use it
to advantage.

During the siege of Petersburg, General Meade received complaints that
in many cases the enhsted men failed to extend the military salute to their su-
perior officers, thus neglecting to show proper respect to their mihtary
superiors. In response to these complaints. General Meade issued a General
Order, directing that thereafter all soldiers in the ranks should, in accord-
ance with military regulation, salute their superior officers anywhere when
meeting or passing them. On receiving this order, General Warren immediately
requested General Meade to except from the provisions of the order the hard-
worked troops of the Fifth Corps, then engaged toiling in the mud and water
of the trenches in fatigue details, day and night. General Meade thereupon
qualified the General Order, making it apply only to " soldiers off duty '' in
camps, or on guard duty, dress parades, or on distinctly military occasions, and
not to include working details of soldiers engaged in constructing defensive works.

Topography of Petersburg District.

To the general reader the description of the various movements of the
One Hundred and Fifty-fifth and of the battles fought by the Fifth Corps under
General G. K. Warren, must be unintelligible without a clear understanding of
the topography of the region in which those events occurred. Running south and
southwest from Petersburg were several wagon roads and two railroads, which
formed the main arteries of communication between Petersburg and Richmond
and the southern States of the Confederacy, and over which were conveyed the
principal supplies for Lee's army. The possession of these roads by the Union
army, of course, meant the speedy surrender or evacuation of the Capital and
strongholds of the Confederacy. The first important road of which the Union
army obtained possession west of the Norfolk & Petersburg was the Jerusalem
Plank Road, running almost due south ; which was followed a few weeks later-
by the capture of the Weldon Railroad, running south into North Carolina, and
the Halifax Wagon Road, running south parallel with this railroad. The only
remaining railroad by which Lee's army could obtain supplies was what was
known as the Southside Railroad, running in a southwesterly direction from
Petersburg. The vital importance of this railroad to the Confederate Capital led
General Lee to make use of every means at his command even to the utmost to
protect it from capture.

Before reaching the Southside Railroad from the Weldon Railroad, it was
necessary to cross four important wagon roads running south from Petersburg —
first, the HaHfax Road ; second, the Vaughan Road ; next, the Boydton Plank
Road; and lastly, the White Oak Road. These wagon roads, about ten miles
south of Petersburg, crossed, first. Hatcher's Run, flowing southeast; second,
Gravelly Run, flowing in the same direction, the two streams uniting to form
Rowanty Creek. These various roads were connected by numerous narrow
country roads crossing from one to the other. The distance from the Yellow

336 UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

Tavern and Four-Mile Station on the Weldon Railroad across to the Southside
Railroad was about ten to twelve miles. The capture of Fort McRea and con-
necting works at Peeble's Farm, by the Fifth Corps, reduced the distance to the
Southside Railroad to about six to eight miles. The intervening space, however,
was so strongl}- fortified with numerous lines of intrenchments and redoubts,
also well manned by Confederate veteran troops that its capture by direct assault
was hopeless to the Union Generals.

With the bull-dog tenacity, characteristic of General Grant, he determined
to plant his forces on the Southside Railroad by flanking movements ; that is, by
pushing his troops around the western ends of the enemy's intrenchments and
coming in on their rear. This necessitated the movement of the Union troops
south several miles, then a march in a westward direction across the country trav-
ersed by the country roads and streams already mentioned. The greater part
of this region was thickly covered with forests, and intersected and cut up by
deep ravines and impassible marshes.

Along the western crest of every ravine, and at the intersection of every
cross-road with the main road, the Confederates had constructed surprisingly
strong works. Should the Union troops successfully assault one line of de-
fenses, the enemy had only to fall back to a still stronger position in their rear,
commanding the first position and rendering it untenable. This second position
was commanded by a third earthworks still further in the rear. Not satisfied
with this series of defensive fortifications behind which they could bid defiance
to the Union army, the foe had constructed other earthworks facing to the south,
following these up with others in the rear of the first, until the gloomy forests
and swamps of that dreary region, ten to fifteen miles square, was cut up by a
labyrinth of defensive works, of which the Confederate officers alone held the
thread.

It was impossible for General Lee, with his rapidly depleting army, to oc-
cupy continuously these defenses ; but his faithful scouts, always on the alert,
kept him fully informed of every threatening movement by the Union troops
in that direction, and holding the key to the position, that astute General was
able to fill the works with his troops on short notice, and was never caught
napping. Entangled in the intricate mazes of the Hatcher's Run forests, the
Union troops were constantly in danger of being ambushed and shot down by
unseen foes, or cut off from supports and captured by flank movements on the
part of the enemy.

General Warren and the Fifth Corps.

To face these dangers and to undergo the hardships and exposures inci-
dent to campaigning in such a region in the dead of winter, the reader will ob-
serve that General G. K. Warren, with his Fifth Corps, composed of such troops
as the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth Pennsylvania Volunteers, was invariably
selected by General Grant to penetrate the heart of Lee's network of supposed
invincible intrenchments during the siege and extensions to the left, and finally
to storm the enemy's strong position at Five Forks, and plant his faithful troops

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS. 337

on the coveted Southside Railroad, capturing at Five Forks more prisoners than
he had troops in his command.

Inclement Weather.

On the night of the 6th of February, 1865, to the 13th, the One Hundred
and Fifty-fifth and Griffin's Division suffered extremely from cold and ex-
posure. ■ Having left all camp paraphernalia in their former quarters, some
soldiers even leaving their blankets, and the weather continuing very inclement,
the ground being frozen hard, it was impossible to attain restful sleep. In fifteen
minutes after lying down the part of the body in contact with the frozen earth
would become numb with cold, compelling the weary soldier to turn continually
from side to side. Huge fires of oak logs were kept burning constantly, but the
wind blew all the heat as well as the smoke away from the windward side, while
the dense biting wood smoke was blinding and. choking on the side to leeward.
A more miserable week than that spent by the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth
during the lull following the Dabney's Mills campaign could hardly be imagined.

New \\'ixter Quarters, 1865.

On the 13th of Februar}-, 1865, the camp-guards and pickets, together with
the camp property left behind at the former quarters, were restored to the
Regiment. Having, by hard labor, changed the enemy's works which the One
Hundred and Fifty-fifth had captured on the banks of Hatcher's Run into strong
Union defenses, the Regiment moved out as usual this day, and other troops
moved in. The Regiment was moved back a mile or more to a forest of yellow
pine timber, and ordered to erect new quarters. After another week of toil com-
fortable houses were completed, and with the exceptions of regular details for
^' fatigue duty " in the trenches, the Regiment spent a few pleasant weeks in this
■camp. The barns and other buildings torn down for the sake of the boards, not
furbishing sufficient material for the needs of both officers and men, the latter
were compelled to procure their share of the same surreptitiously, by running
the gauntlet of guards at night and carrying off such boards and other material
as they needed.

Within a few rods of this new winter camp of the One Hundred and Fifty-
fifth was a fine large tabernacle erected by the Christian Commission, in which
undenominational religious services were, held nightly through the week and in
daytime on Sundays. The soldiers in the field — in this portion of the army, at
least — had heard much about the great work which the Sanitary Commission
■of the North was doing among the soldiers of the Army of the Potomac. The
work of this Commission was evidently confined to the hospitals, as there were
few visible signs of their presence at the front ; but the hearts of the troops were
with the brave, self-sacrificing ministers and" nurses of the Christian Commission,
who were everywhere present ministering to the physical as well as the spiritual
needs of the men in the trenches. Close in the rear of the battle line, often amidst
the crashing of shells and the smoke of battle, these devoted men carried fuel and
"Water to keep their vessels of hot coffee full and steaming; and with hands tender

338 UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

as a woman's, fed the hungry, staunched the blood, and bound up the gashes
made in human flesh by the deadly missiles of the enemy. These priests of
God, Catholic and Protestant, asked no questions of the sufiferer, but simply
obeyed the divine precept to feed the hungry, clothe the naked and bind up the
wounds of both friend and foe. Many a wounded Confederate owed the Chris-
tian Commission a debt of everlasting gratitude. Helplessly wounded, in the
hands of his foes, he was treated with the same tender consideration as if he
were a friend, and all for Christ's sake.

Camp Occupations, — Drilling Resumed.

In a few days after the battle of Hatcher's Run, February 6, 1865, the
weather moderated and became mild and pleasant, continuing so for weeks. After
the middle of the month, rumors of another move circulated freely among the
troops, and when orders were finally received to " pack up " and " send to the
rear all superfluous clothing and baggage," the rumor increased to a certainty.
General Warren with the ubiquitous Fifth Corps had threaded his way among
such a net-work of Confederate intrenchments, successfully assaulting some and
flanking others, that he had finally reached the point from which the whistling
and rumbling of trains on the Southside Railroad were plainly audible. The
war had been ended in the Southwest by the destruction of Hood's Confederate
army at Nashville ; Sherman, in his march through the Carolinas, had successfully
reached Goldsboro ; the Union forces were in possession of all the seaports and
coast cities of the South ; Sheridan had cut the canal and destroyed the Lynch-
burg Railroad northwest and west of Richmond ; the Union cavalry were probing
the heart of the Confederacy, and wails of despair were filling the air throughout
the South. The One Hundred and Fifty-fifth, expecting every day to be ordered
to move, were bracing themselves for the final supreme effort ; for the whole
command felt that the next move of their trusted Corps commander would
place them across the Southside Railroad, the only remaining artery conveying
blood to the impoverished brain of the Confederacy.

Taking advantage of the beautiful weather, daily reviews were held. The
One Hundred and Fifty-fifth Regiment, under command of Brevet Brigadier-
General A. L. Pearson, was assiduous in its daily practice of deployments, skir-
mish drills and the useful and graceful bayonet exercises. Every afternoon, on
the immense fields in front of the Cumming's House, there was a review either
by brigades or divisions, and frequently by the entire Corps, attended occasionally
by Generals Grant and Meade and their staffs.

At this time the wife of General Charles Griffin was in camp, and accom-
panied her husband on these reviews. She was a handsome woman, a superb
rider and rode a beautiful horse. At this time, the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth
was at the zenith of its reputation in the Fifth Corps as one of the attractive
regiments. Gaily dressed in its pleasing dark blue zouave uniform, white turbans,
leggings and white gaiters, moving as one man with a light, free step, whether
in company, regimental or division line, swaying in beautiful cadence to inspiring
martial music, the Regiment presented an impressive picture. All these scenes
were long to be remembered, and did much to prepare the Regiment for its crown-

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS. 339

ing career in the battles yet to come, culminating in the final victory at Appo-
mattox Court House.

Second Battle of Hatcher's Run.

On the morning of the 25th of March, while the country was covered with a
fog so dense that the rays of the morning sun were too weak to penetrate, ter-
rific cannonachng was heard to the right, coming from the direction of Peters-
burg. Bartlett's Brigade, including the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth, was
ordered to break camp and march. Leaving their comfortable quarters, the One
Hundred and Fifty-fifth Regiment marched amid the fog two or three miles to
the right in the direction of the cannonading, eating a breakfast of hardtack as
they marched. Halting, the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth remained in one spot
two or three hours, watching with great interest the hazy movements of a division
of the Second Corps maneuvering in their front and left, having learned in the
meantime that the heavy cannonading in the early morning was caused by a
Confederate attack'on Fort Steadman, and final repulse of the enemy. About
noon, the Union troops half a mile in front and to the left of the position occupied
by the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth, became engaged with the enemy. The
fog had lifted and disappeared, the sun shone bright and clear, wanning the
chilly air of early spring. The buds were swelling ready to burst. There was a
balmy sweetness in the air, beauty in the landscape, but no birds. Instinctively
the feathered tribe had deserted those regions when the terrible tempests of
human wrath converted the once peaceful hills and valleys into scenes of tumult
and horror. Soon the brazen-throated engines of war with ear-splitting deto-
nations began to fill the air with missiles of destruction. The musketry firing
increased to a continuous roar ; again subsiding to sounds resembling the ripping
of canvas or the rattling of a stick over a paling fence. The firing increased and
subsided continually, and as the battle extended the contending hosts became en-
veloped in the smoke and lost to view. Awe-stricken, the One Hundred and
Fifty-fifth gazed upon the sublime scene transpiring within a landscape which the
deepest hues of the painter were powerless to portray, or words, the winged
messengers of thought, to describe.

About an hour before sunset, the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth, and other
regiments under General Bartlett, marching in the direction of the heaviest
firing, formed in line of battle in the rear of the troops on the firing line, which
they ascertained to be the famous Irish Brigade of the Second Corps, and ad-
vancing to the front, relieved them. The heavy volleys poured into the enemy's
line by the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth seemed for a time to stimulate their
fire, and in a very short measure of time many of the Regiment fell killed or
wounded. Lieutenant-Colonel John Ewing was wounded in the leg, and Major
John A. Cline, who had lately been promoted from Captain of Company K, re-
ceived a minie ball in the shoulder, but declined to leave the field. The Regiment
lost two killed and about thirty wounded.

The fire of the enemy was very severe, particularly for the two right com-
panies, A and F. The slope of the ground somewhat protected the left companies.

,340

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

MAJ. JOHN A. CLINE.

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

341

It was growing dark, and the flash of the enemy's fire was very conspicuous.
Above the roar of musketry came a voice, " Fire right obHque." It may have
been the voice of a private or a sergeant, or a captain, but the inspiration was
taken up by many voices, and that obHque fire was concentrated with such mur-
derous effect that the fire of the enemy slackened and finally ceased.

The One Hundred and Fifty-fifth maintained its position until the enemy
gave up the contest and retreated behind their breastworks about nine o'clock.
In front of the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth, during this battle, lay many dead
soldiers, and some members of the Regiment whose guns were becoming well
worn, taking advantage of the opportvmity presented, went out in the darkness
and exchanged guns with the dead men, securing bright new arms in place of
their own worn and rust-eaten weapons. In history this engagement is known
as the second battle of Hatcher's Run. By midnight the Regiment was back in
the old camp which it had left in the morning.

For two days the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth, to employ a military term,
" slept on their arms." That is, their guns were stacked in the company streets,
their knapsacks were packed, and a constant supply of four days' rations were
kept in their haversacks, so that the Regiment, had occasion required it, could
have been on the march within five minutes after receiving orders to move.

342 UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

Chapter XVI.

FR'E FORKS.— APPOMATTOX.

Engagemext of Lewis Farm or Quaker Road. — Gallantry of Colonel
Pearson. — Burying the Dead. — Furious Attack of Confederates on Fifth
Corps. — Plan of Battle of Five Forks. — Sheridan Orders Plan to be Put
Into Execution. — Brilliant Charge of Fifth Corps. — Gallantry of AIajor
George M. Laughlin, of Griffin's Staff. — Warren's Removal frojni Com-
mand of Fifth Corps. — Griffin Succeeds Warren. — April 6th, General
]\Ieade Resumes Control of Fifth Corps. — One Hundred .\nd Fifty-fifth
Under Comjiand of Major Cline. — Regiment Deployed as Skirmishers in
Advance of Brigade. — Flag of Truce. — Grant's Letter to Lee Proposing
Surrender. — Lee's Letter Accepting Terms. — One Hundred and Fifty-
fifth Among Regiments Designated to Receive Surrender. — Confederate
Army Stacks Arms in Front of One Hundred and Fifty-b-ifth and Third
Brig.\de. — The War Over. — Parole of General Lee and Staff. — Casualties.

ARCH 29, 1865. This morning at daylight the One Hundred and
Fifty-fifth marched out of its camp with the other regiments of
the Fifth Corps, to initiate a new campaign, which proved to be
the beginning of the end. No sheher except the canopy of the
heavens was to cover them until the last armed foe of the glorious
Stars and Stripes had grounded his arms. General Lee, with the knowledge
that General Warren, who, with his invincible troops had gradually wrested
from him his strongest positions, was now massed on the left near the Southside
Railroad, Lee's last real artery, read)' to strike for that coveted prize either by
force or by strategy, must have considered his position extremely critical. To
a man of weaker nerve and less fruitful of resource than Lee, the situation
would have certainly seemed desperate. There was, however, still a net-work
of strong defenses to be overcome by ^^'arren before Lee's hold on his im-
portant railroad was loosened. The latter, realizing this, immediately stripped
his long lines of fortifications around Richmond and Petersburg of troops, leav-
ing but a skirmish line to guard them, and concentrated the main body of his
army near the threatened points, to meet General \\^arren with his troops in the
advance, and Sheridan with his cavalry still farther to the left.

The left of the Confederates' main line of intrenchments, beginning north-
west of Richmond, which had never yet been broken, extended from Petersburg
in a southwestward direction to Hatcher's Run at the point where the Boydton
Plank Road crosses that stream ; thence on the southside of and parallel with

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS. 343

the stream some distance westward to the White Oak Road, thirty-five miles
in length. This line of intrenchments protected Lee's right and rear ; but about
four miles farther west from the termination of this main line on the White
Oak Road, a detached line of intrenchments existed, running parallel with the
White Oak Road, to cover an important strategic point known as " Five Forks."
To reach the Southside Railroad in this roundabout way, it was necessary that
General Warren should either circumvent or successfully assault these fortifica-
tions. It was evidently Grant's plan to use both methods of reaching the coveted
prize — Sheridan with his cavalry, to endeavor to flank the strong positions, while
Warren's columns kept the enemy's troops so fully employed that they could not
be used against Sheridan. To the latter commander must be given the credit
of originating the general plan of this campaign, but to Warren belongs the
glory of successfully carrying the details into effect. At an early hour of March
29th, 1865, the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth together with Warren's whole corps
marched southwest to Rowanty Creek at the point where the Quaker Road
crosses that stream ; thence north along that wagon road to a point where it
crosses Gravelly Run, the southern branch of Rowanty Creek.

The Battle of Lewis Farm.

Shortly after crossing Gravelly Run on the Quaker Road, the First Brigade
of Griffin's Division came into contact with the enemy in advance of their
breastworks on Hatcher's Run, and a severe engagement ensued, the Con-
federate pickets, unable to check the advance of the Union troops, rapidly fell
back to their main line of battle. Here, a determined stand being made, the
First Brigade was compelled to retreat in confusion. The One Hundred and
Fifty-fifth, being nearest the scene of action, was promptly sent on the double-
quick to the support of the discomfited First Brigade. Arriving on the ground,
no organized Union troops were to be seen by the Regiment. One of Griffin's
batteries, however, was holding its ground on a ridge a few rods in advance.
Without taking time to form in line of battle, the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth
pushed on hastily and formed in the rear of the battery where the enemy's
column was seen advancing on the double-quick to capture the guns.

The battery boys maintained their position bravely, and the rapidity with
which they loaded and fired cannister into the exultant enemy was surprising.
The appearance of the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth so suddenly in the rear of
the battery in its support was like an apparition to the foe, and, after a few
volleys had been poured into their column by the Regiment, the Confederates
quickly retreated.

Dashing Exploit of General Pearson. — Death of Lieutenant Strong.

A short distance in front and to the left of the position occupied by the
battery was a long saw-dust pile, behind which, unknown to the One Hundred
and Fifty-fifth, a large number of the Confederates were concealed. General
Pearson, commanding the Regiment, who in some way became aware of the

344 UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

presence of this hidden force, rode up to the " Color-Sergeant " and reached for
the Regimental colors, which Color-Sergeant Marlin refused to yield, saying,
" Show me where you wish the colors carried, and I'll take them there." Gen-
eral Pearson, however, seized the colors, and shouting, " Follow me, men, or
lose your colors," galloped furiously up on this saw-dust pile, the Regiment
following, cheering lustily. The enemy immediately took to their heels, leaving
fifty or sixty prisoners in the hands of the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth. This
gallant act of General Pearson was, on recommendation of General Charles Grif-
fin, rewarded by a Brevet Major-Generalship.

Lieutenant James Strong, of Company I, a gallant and faithful officer, was
shot through the head and instantly killed in this action, falling close to General
Pearson as he planted the colors on the enemy's position. As Lieutenant Strong
lay on the field mortally wounded, Corporal Charles A. Walters left the ranks
to relieve his suiiferings. With true soldierly instinct, Lieutenant Strong bade
the Corporal to spare his efforts, as his case was hopeless, and to return to the
ranks of his Company. Lieutenant Strong left a wife and six children in a little
cottage by the coal works on the Youghiogheny, where he had been employed, to
mourn his death.

After this short battle, the Regiment spent an hour or longer in succoring
the wounded and burying the dead from their own ranks, as well as looking after
the wounded of the brave members of the battery which had so gallantly held its
ground until reinforced by the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth.

Several men were detailed with picks and shovels to dig a trench fifteen or
twenty feet long, six feet or seven feet wide, and three feet deep. Over the bot-
tom of these trenches were carefully spread blankets taken from the knapsacks
of the dead men. The bodies were then tenderly laid side by side and covered
with blankets. The trenches were then filled up. Where the identity of a dead
comrade, through any letters or other documents about his person, could be
a.scertained, his name with his company and regiment was written or carved
upon a stick or piece of board which was driven into the ground at the head
of his position in the trench.

An incident of heroism and devotion to duty occurred in this action and is
worthy of notice. In the impetuous rush of the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth to
the support of Griffin's battery in this action, in the midst of the rain of missiles
that were raising dust spots in the ground over which the Regiment was double-
quicking, a soldier of the First Brigade, which had become disorganized and
scattered, unable to find his own command, voluntarily joined the ranks of the
One Hundred and Fifty-fifth, and was thus going into battle among entire
strangers. Early in the action this visiting comrade received a mortal wound
and toppled over. Thus died in battle an unknown patriot.

This brief engagement is known in history as the battle of the Quaker Road,
or Lewis Farm. Later the same evening the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth ad-
vanced a mile, and putting out a strong picket line, bivouacked for the night.
At the apex of an angle in the road where a squad of the Regiment's pickets was
posted a Confederate captain was noticed approaching, evidently reconnoitering.
Unaware of the vicinity of the pickets, the officer approached within a few yards

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS. 345

of the post, on discovering which he demanded the surrender of Sergeant D. R.
Curll, of Company H, and Lieutenant D. Porter Marshall, of Company K,
They refused and in turn captured the daring Confederate officer.

This movement of the Fifth Corps along the Quaker Road was supported
on the right flank by the Second Corps, commanded by General Humphreys, the
latter advancing by the Vaughan Road, intending to strike the enemy's works at
Hatcher's Run at the point where the road crossed the stream, about four miles
to the right of Warren. Thus both corps were marching north towards Hatcher's
Run on parallel roads. Griffin's Division of the Fifth Corps, including the One
Hundred and Fifty-fifth, was the first to come into contact with the enemy at
Quaker Road, or Lewis Farm, which action has already been described. The
point where this engagement occurred was less than two miles from the enemy's
main line on Hatcher's Run. The Division pressed on, forcing the Confederates
into their works. Sheridan's cavalry, by a more circuitous route, had by this
time reached Dinwiddle Court House, about six miles southwest of the position
occupied by the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth and Griffin's Division on the
■Quaker Road. The Second Corps, under Humphreys, marching north on the
Vaughan Road, encountering many obstructions, had not yet reached the enemy's
front on Hatcher's Run, when night set in. To resist this advance of the Union
army. General Lee had twenty thousand muskets and a few brigades of cavalry
in position, protected by a series of the strongest fortifications parallel with
Hatcher's Run, as previously described, that modern military science could de-
vise. The night of the 29th of March was exceedingly stormy and wet, but on
the morning of the 30th the rain had ceased and the One Hundred and Fifty-
fifth, with the other troops, were up and in position ready to strike. The ground,
however, was so soaked with rain as to become almost a swamp, and the roads
were impassible for artillery trains. Military operations were well nigh at a
standstill. The firing along the outposts was continuous. The Second Corps
•extended its left and made connection with the Fifth Corps. It became a serious
question to the Union army of getting up supplies of subsistence and ammunition.
The wounded could not be carried back to the railroad, and had to be made as
comfortable as possible in the woods, with the limited number of tents available
for shelter. Grant's army at this point could neither advance nor retreat.

Warren, however, pressed his troops close up to the Confederate works on
the White Oak Road to keep the enemy occupying them from sending re-
inforcements to the troops opposing Sheridan, who had advanced to assault the
enemy's works at Five Forks. The Confederates having superior numbers, how-
ever, easily repulsed the cavalry, and drove Sheridan's troopers back to Din-
widdle Court House. Early on the morning of March the 31st, the One Hun-
dred and Fifty-fifth and the other regiments of Griffin's Division extended their
lines gradually still further to the left, endeavoring to connect with Sheridan
and reach the right flank of the enemy's line so as to overlap it and get in
their rear.

The stormy weather and bad roads which had impeded the progress of
Warren's troops, had been of immense advantage to Lee, giving him an oppor-

346

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

tunity to reinforce his works at Five Forks, which was threatened by Sheridan's
cavalry, and Lee had all of his troops now well forward and in posi-
tion to reinforce any part of his long lines on Hatcher's Run which might
become hard pressed. Every hour's delay, however, meant increased peril to the
enemy. Brave and full of resources to the last. General Lee resolved to repeat
the tactics which he had used so successfully against the Union forces in the
Wilderness, and by which he had so often foiled Grant's flanking movements.
This was to launch strong bodies of his troops with the fury of a thunderbolt
upon the flanks of Warren's troops while they were engaged in changing position
and unprepared to resist a sudden attack.

In the movement

LIEUT. JAMES STRONG.

B.\TTLE OF Gravelly Rum.

westward on March the 31st, Ayres' and Crawford's
Divisions of Warren's Corps marched by
way of Boydton Plank Road, with Griffin's
Division, including the One Hundred and
Fifty-fifth, in the rear, in what is known in
military terms as en echelon. Extremely
anxious to reach the flank of the enemy's
position and connect with Sheridan, General
Warren obtained permission from General
Meade to make a reconnoissance in the
evening, and, if he found it possible, to take
position on the flank of the enemy's works.
It was this reconnoitering movement that
precipitated the conflict. The advance had
scarcely begun when Lee, believing the op-
portunity for which he was watching, had
arrived, with the swiftness of lightning,
hurled his veterans like an avalanche upon
Ayres' Division, which, stunned by the blow,
fell back upon Crawford's Division in turn,
confused by the mass of fugitives rushing
upon them from Ayres Division, broke their
lines, and fell back upon Griffin's Division
and the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth. The
enemy, flushed with victory, charged upon
Griffin's Division, but were repulsed and
sent staggering backward. Then, while the
two former divisions were rallying and re-
forming their lines. Griffin's Division, includ-
ing the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth,
charged upon the enemy, driving part of
them back in a mob over their intrenchments,
and the remainder disappeared down the

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS. 34?

White Oak Road towards Five Forks. Before the enemy could regain their in-
trenchments, a large number of prisoners were left in the hands of GrifHn's
Division. Although Lee had failed in his attack on Warren, he was quickly
ready for another bold and determined effort.

Privates Edward R. Melchor, of Company E, and Alexander Eaton, of Com-
pany H, were killed in this action. Among the wounded were Corporal John
Saber, of Company B, Privates James Martin, Company D, Henry Starr and
William H. Stitt, Company G, and Martin Y. B. Sproull, Company K.

Bad news flies fast. An exaggerated report of the disaster to the Fifth
Corps, without information as to the glorious recoup, led General Grant, in issu-
ing orders to the Fifth Corps to move to the assistance of General Sheridan that
night, to authorize General Sheridan to relieve General Warren from the com-
mand of the Fifth Corps in case Warren failed him.

That evening General Warren was directed to withdraw from the White
Oak Road, being relieved by the Second Corps, and to advance by crossing
Gravelly Run and to make connection with General Sheridan. It was a slow,
hard, all-night's march. Bridges had to be built crossing the swollen Gravelly
Run, and many places through the impassable swamp had to be corduroyed.
The troops toiled all night and began to arrive at Sheridan's position soon after
daylight, the rear of the Fifth Corps not arriving until noon, April 1, 186.5.

Battle of Five Forks.

Meantime Sheridan had been making his dispositions to attack as soon as
the troops of the Fifth Corps were available. General Custer's Division of
cavalry was brought up and placed in position. The enemy occupied a line of
intrenchments in front of the White Oak Road covering the road to Ford's
Station, which, leading southward in two branches at its intersection with the
White Oak Road, constituted the " Five Forks." General Sheridan deployed his
dismounted cavalry in front of the enemy's works. With a scabbard he sketched
for General \\'arren the location of the enemy's intrenchments on the White
Oak Road, and directed Warren to advance across the White Oak Road past
the enemy's flank, then to change direction to the west and advance rapidly
taking the enemy in flank and rear, which would be a signal for advance by the
cavalry. Warren immediately sketched a plan of attack, copies of which he
furnished to his division commanders.

After the orders had been given by General Warren, the troops of the
Fifth Corps marched two to three miles, and were in position for attack by
4 p. M., April 1st, near the White Oak Church. The attack was immediately made,
advancing across the White Oak Road, Ayres on the left and Crawford's Division
on the right, in line by brigades. Grifiin's Division, in reserve, was in line by
brigades in rear of Crawford's Division. Firing began at the White Oak Road.
General Sheridan, who rode with General Ayres, was chafing with impatience.
The moment General Ayres' strong skirmish line met the enemy, Sheridan put
spurs to his horse and dashed along in front of the battle lines shouting encour-

348

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS. 349

agement to the troops. As the lines moved forward, a man on the skirmish line
was struck in the neck, crying, as he fell to the groimd, " I'm killed." " You're
not hurt a bit," shouted Sheridan, " pick up your gun, man, and move on the
front." The poor fellow grasped his musket, sprang to his feet, and rushed
forward a short distance, then fell dead.

It was found that the enemy's line did not extend as far eastward as General
Sheridan had been led to beheve by his scouts, but was covered on the left by a
skirmish line of Munford's dismounted Confederate cavalry in deploy. Gen-
eral Sheridan impetuously ordered an immediate change of direction by Gen-
eral Ayres' left brigade, under command of General Fred Winthrop, and an
attack on the flank of the enemy's line. This broke the connection of Winthrop's
Brigade with the rest of Ayres' command. Winthrop gallantly attacked, and
after driving the enemy a short distance, was himself attacked in flank and
driven back with serious loss, the gallant General Winthrop himself being killed
at the head of his brigade.

General Ayres and General Sheridan rapidly brought the other two brigades
of Ayres to the assistance of Winthrop's Brigade, and then ensued some very
sturdy fighting. In the meantime General Crawford, having lost touch with the
division on his left by the sudden withdrawal of Ayres' troops, was advancing
rapidly northward, driving the dismounted Confederate cavalry before him
through the woods. General Warren's aides, having failed to get. Crawford to
change direction and follow Ayres, General Warren went after him in person,
in the meantime sending orders to Griffin to change direction and move into the
gap between Ayres and Crawford. This Griffin did handsomely, but there was
much very difficult ground to be covered, and it took time, while Ayres and the
cavalry were fighting hard.

During this wheeling movement of the Fifth Corps many troops of the
three divisions, becoming confused, lost their commands, and were intermingled
in the rear. General Chamberlain, commanding the First Brigade of Griffin's
Division, who was among these troops, endeavoring to reduce them to a sem-
blance of order, was most ably assisted by Captain George M. Laughlin, formerly
Captain of Company E, of the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth, but now on Gen-
eral Griffin's staff. General Chamberlain states that Captain Laughlin went
dashing in among the disorganized body of troops in this action, and by his
gallantry and cool courage in this trying emergency succeeded in rallying the
men, inspiring them with such confidence that they followed him enthusiastically
into the hottest part of the engagement. It was no doubt this clearness of mind
and self-command of Captain Laughlin in times of urgent need and severe strain
that led General Griffin to call the Captain to a distinguished position on his
staff, an honor which the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth highly appreciated.

General Ayres' Division on the left, which had fallen back a short distance,
quickly rallied, and charging on the flank of the enemy's intrenchments, ran over
them, capturing over one thousand prisoners. Griffin's Division, with the One
Hundred and Fifty-fifth, rushing through the gap, fell upon the works in their
front, capturing fifteen hundred prisoners. Crawford's Division, which General
Warren had gone after, and brought up on the right, fell upon the rear of the

350

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

MAT. -GEN. CHARLES GRIFFIN AND PERSONAL AIDES— CAPTAINS LAUGHLIN,
BRINTON AND SCHEMERHORN.

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS. 351

enemy, capturing four guns and many prisoners. The Union cavalry was now in
front of the Confederate works, and Crawford's Division of troops concentrated
at right angles with the W^hite Oak Road. At this point Crawford experienced
a most stubborn resistance. The troops in the turmoil, becoming somewhat dis-
organized, had halted without orders. It was a most critical period. General
Warren, seizing the Corps colors and spurring his horse to the front, called
on Crawford's men to follow him. The effect was electrical. There was a
wild rush, irrespective of organization, and a large part of the enemy that re-
mained were captured. General Warren's horse was shot under him, and but
for the timely interference of Colonel Richardson, of the Seventh Michigan,
Warren might have been killed. In his efforts to shield his beloved commander,
Colonel Richardson was himself mortally wounded. The few of the enemy that
escaped were pursued by \\'arren's troops in squads till night, and many of the
exhausted fugitives surrendered. Thus ended the battle of Five Forks, one of
the most brilliant and certainly the most decisive battle of the war. General
Sheridan suggested the general plan of attack, but it was Warren with the Fifth
Corps who arranged the details and fought and won the battle, it being mainly
a battle between the infantry of both armies. The trophies left in possession of
General Warren's troops were many guns and battle flags, and more than five
thousand prisoners.

Incidents of the Five Forks Campaign.

In this engagement and rout of the enemy from their last stronghold, the
One Hundred and Fifty-fifth captured a prisoner for every man in the Regiment,
three guns and a number of wagons and ambulances.

Among the brigades suffering most severely in the fight immediately under
Warren on the right was the command led by Brigadier-General Richard Coulter,
whose conspicuous gallantry in all the battles of the Army of the Potomac, from
the first Bull Run to Five Forks, had earned for him not only well-deserved
promotion, but also the title of " Fighting Dick," an epithet which he cordially
■despised. His command suffered the heaviest in casualties of any brigade in
the action of Five Forks.

General George A. Custer, commanding a division of cavalry, also serving
on the right at Five Forks, was credited in General Warren's official report with
most conspicuous services in the final attack, defeat, and pursuit of the Con-
federates in their last stand and assault upon Crawford's Division at Five Forks ;
Warren's report also detailing the number of battle flags and prisoners captured
by Custer's Cavalry on the same part of the battlefield on which they charged
the enemy.

The losses of Crawford's Division, led by Warren in person, exceeded con-
siderably the losses of the other two divisions of the Fifth Corps combined.

Among the many officers killed in this brilliant and successful assault on
the Confederate works at Five Forks, as already stated, was Brigadier-General
Frederic Winthrop, of New York, commanding the First Brigade, Second Di-
vision, Fifth Corps. While leading the charge at the head of his troops, this

353

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

BRIG.-GEN. FRED WINTHROP.

distinguished young officer, in his twenty-
seventh year, was mortally wounded by a
shot through the lungs. He survived his
wound scarcely two hours, and when told
that the assault had been completely suc-
cessful, exclaimed, " Thank God, I am now
willing to die."

General Warren Removed from
Command.

April 2, 18tJ.5, the announcement was
made in general orders that Petersburg had
fallen, the news, though expected by the
troops, being received with acclamations
and great demonstrations of joy. While still
felicitating themselves over the joyful an-
nouncement, the astounding news came that
General Warren had been removed by Gen-
eral Sheridan from the command of the
Fifth Corps at the moment of the victory at
Five Forks. The information seemed in-
credible. The One Hundred and Fifty-fifth and all the troops of the Fifth Corps
were shocked and indignant at this action, and for hours following were scarcely
able to credit the news, attributing the report to baseless camp rumors. The
announcement, however, proved to be only too true.

Without detracting in the least from the fame of General Sheridan and his
brave troopers, the fact stands out clear and uncontradicted in the history
of that period that it was the brilliant generalship of General Warren and the
courageous fighting of his invincible infantry corps that consummated the fall
of the Confederate Capital, and rendered the glory of Appomattox a certainty.
And just at the supreme moment, when the glorious news that Liberty and
Self-government were once more triumphant was encircling the globe on the
wings of the lightning ; when the bells were ringing and bonfires blazing over the
joyful tidings throughout the North, General Sheridan, with authority from
General Grant, removed General Warren.

For sixteen years General Warren knocked yearly at the doors of the Gov-
ernment for a Court of Inquiry, and it was not granted until the Presidency of
Rutherford B. Hayes. It was in vain that he appealed to the authorities in Wash-
ington, after his arbitrary removal from the command of the Fifth Corps and
the failure to prefer charges of any kind against him, for a Court of Inquiry.
Under Prefident Hayes' administration a commission of Major-Generals of the
United States army was appointed as a Court of Inquiry. General Hancock was
detailed for service in the Court, but was soon afterward nominated for the
Presidency and was obliged to withdraw from the service. This declination of
General Hancock, it was said, greatly affected General Warren at the time.

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS. 353

because of his great faith and confidence in Hancock's sense of justice. General
George A. Custer, commanding a division of cavalry,' side by side with General
Warren, in his report of the battle, paid the highest tribute to the energy, ability
and soldierly qualities exhibited by ^^■arren in the action. General Charles
Griffin and General Romeyn B. Ayres, in official letters furnished soon after the
event, bore testimony to General Warren, refuting the insinuations that he had
left anything undone in co-operating with General Sheridan. General S. W.
Crawford, the Division commander, and General Richard Coulter were witnesses
at the Court of Inquiry, and testified from their personal observation as com-
manders in the battle to the great valor, distinguished gallantry and intrepidity
of General Warren at Five Forks, and to the further fact that the division, com-
manded by General Crawford and led by Warren, had sustained more loss in
killed and wounded in the action of Five Forks than did the divisions of Griffin
and Ayres, with whom Sheridan was present. They furthermore in official re-
ports certified to the capture of several thousand Confederate prisoners and
numerous stands of colors of the enemy. After months of deliberation, the
Court of Inquiry completely exonerated General Warren from blame of any
kind, whilst conceding the discretionary right and power vested in General
Sheridan to remove Warren with or without cause.

As the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth, somewhat strung out and scattered by
the under-brush and other obstructions, advanced, they suddenly came upon the
enemy's field hospitals, where the Confederate surgeons were dressing their
wounded.

Pushing forward, the Regiment soon reached an open space in the rear of
the enemy's works, but found their further progress intercepted by a ravine filled
with bushes. The crossing of this depression caused more confysion in the ranks,
and as the Regiment climbed up the opposite bank, the men found themselves
face to face with a strong column of Confederate reinforcements marching in
the rear of their works. Before regaining their breath and forming into anything
like a semblance of order, the Regiment received a volley from the reinforced
enemy which threw the troops into worse confusion, and caused them to fall
back into the woods from which they had just emerged.

Major CHne, who had command of the Regiment, gallantly rode among the
boys and quickly ralHed them. Not waiting to regain his hat, which had been
knocked off by an overhanging branch, the major bravely led the Regiment in
a renewed attack upon the enemy, which was made with such impetuosity that
the Confederates in their front threw down their arms and surrendered. When
the battle findlly ended, it was found the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth had cap-
tured more prisoners than there were men in the Regiment, besides three pieces
of artillery, and a number of caissons, army wagons, ambulances, etc.

The Regiment suffered .severely in the action. Among the many casualties
were Captain George P. McClelland, who commanded Company F in the engage-
ment. He received a serious wound in the thigh, and was for half an hour a
prisoner in the hands of the enemy. He was rescued, however, by the grand
counter-charge of the Regiment.

-35i UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

The Captain's wound was deemed a mortal one, and he was removed to a
field hospital and as tenderly cared for as the surrounding conditions would per-
mit. To the surprise and pleasure of his comrades, Captain McClelland survived
his injury, and after months of suffering finally recovered sufficiently to return
to the peaceful pursuits of civil life.

Lieutenant Thomas B. Dunn, of Company C, was also badly wounded in the
knee, from which he died a few hours later. It was his first appearance after
being promoted to First Lieutenant for gallant and meritorious services in many
battles. He had just returned from home on a furlough, and wore a new uniform
presented to him by friends. General Pearson visited him in the field hospital,
and urged Doctor Kitchin, the Regimental surgeon, to do his best for the Lieu-
tenant, promising him a substantial reward if he could save the life of his
wounded friend, but all without avail.

The brave Sergeant Hughey Park, of Company E, was wounded in the
groin in this battle, finally dying of his wound years afterwards. He had escaped
unscathed in all previous campaigns.

During the half-hour interval between the first and the second charge by the
One Hundred and Fifty-fifth, several members of the Regiment who were
leading the advance in the first charge were captured by the enemy.

Among those thus captured were Sergeant J. A. AIcDowell, of Company F,
and Solomon Durnell and Daniel Hawk, of Company K, all of whom had exciting
experiences imtil recaptured by the second charge of the Regiment. Sergeant
\Mlliam Logan, who had been detailed from Company I, for duty with the Corps
battalion of sharpshooters, while with his detachment had a narrow escape from
capture by Pickett's Confederate division in this action. The detail had been
assigned to duty on the flank, and were very much exposed. When the battle
was over, six sharpshooters were found killed, but the survivors all escaped
capture.

As a sequel to ^Nlajor Cline's experiences, it may be mentioned that a few
days later, at Appomattox, he discovered his lost hat on the head of a Confederate
prisoner. On learning, however, that the Confederate had bought the hat from
a fellow prisoner who had found it at Five Forks, paying therefor three hundred
dollars. Confederate money, the gallant Major declined to reclaim the hat.

On the morning following the battle of Five Forks, when the rolls of the
various companies were called, the missing were carefully sought for in the
woods and grounds through and over which the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth had
advanced in its wild rush. Among the missing was Sergeant Asbury Secrist, of
Company F. He and a Confederate soldier were found dead in the woods, lying
feet to feet, each with a bullet hole in his forehead, both muskets empty. So far
as is known, no mortal eye witnessed that deadly combat. Only friend and foe
and God were present. In the impetuous onslaught they had met and both died.
Sad and shocking as was the spectacle, the sequel was still sadder. Away back
in Fayette county, Penn.sylvania, both the aged parents of young Secrist sickened
and died with grief within a short period after hearing the sad tidings, the mother
losing her reason before dying.

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

355

SGT ASBURY SECRIST.

356 UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

That is the story of but one side. Had Sergeant Secrist's Confederate an-
tagonist a wife, mother or father? His name never became known, there being
nothing on his person by which he could be identified. Did some trembling,
hoping, loved one in the sunny Southland watch and wait and pray in agony of
expectation for the step and knock that would never be heard, and pine away
for tidings no human being could ever bring? God knows.

In the afternoon of the 2d of April, 1865, the Regiment marched in line of
battle to the Southside Railroad at a point about fifteen miles from Petersburg,
and turning to the right marched in the direction of the fallen city until night
set in, when the Regiment went into bivouac, being satisfied that the news regard-
ing the capture of Petersburg was correct.

The doom of the fallen city was sealed, as the uninterrupted and incessant
bombardment with the heaviest siege guns the entire night previous was bound
to penetrate the weak spots in Lee's defenses.

General Lee was soon made aware of the terrible disaster to his army at
Five Forks. Its full significance was apparent to him. His right flank had been
turned, and the Fifth Corps, now with Griffin as . commander, was in his rear.
The problem with Lee now was how he could hold on until he could provide for a
retreat.

News of Victories. — Pursuit of Confederate Army.

Breaking camp April 3, 1865, the Regiment marched in the direction of
Richmond, but halted on announcement being made that Richmond also had
fallen, and that the Confederate army, in a demoralized condition, was trying
to escape to North Carolina. Then the Fifth Corps let itself loose — the One
Hundred and Fifty-fifth especially, cheering itself hoarse. Within half an hour
the Regiment and all brigades and division of the Fifth Corps were retracing
their steps, and starting on a long, arduous march to intercept the Confederate
army. Sheridan was in the advance with his cavalry, and although he would
have preferred his old Sixth Corps, yet requiring the support of infantry troops
that could endure the fatigues of long, rapid marches, and whose fighting qualities
could be depended upon in the most critical emergency, he hesitated not a mo-
ment before selecting the Fifth Army Corps.

Thus was initiated the first scene in the last act of the great tragedy, which
had its commencement on the 12th of April, 1861, when the first Confederate shot
was fired against Fort Sumter.

The afternoon of April -l, 1865, the Fifth Corps arrived at Jetersville at
about the time the vanguard of Lee's army arrived at AmeHa Court House, nine
miles distant, and about the same distance from Burkesville Junction. The Corps
found Sheridan's cavalry intrenched in a slight line of rifle pits extending across
the Richmond & Danville Railroad, and skirmishing with bodies of Confederate
cavalry towards Amelia Court House, and being greatly concerned lest the Fifth
Corps would not arrive in time. The Fifth Corps immediately occupied the cav-
alry works, and in a short time with pick and shovel had them thick and high.
The Union cavalry moved off to take care of the flanks and the outposts on the

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS. 357

road to Amelia Court House. The next day, April .5th, the tired troops of the
Second and the Sixth Corps began to arrive and the Regiment felt that Lee
was effectually headed off in his retreat to Danville to unite with General John-
ston. At the same time General Ord with the Twenty-fourth Corps was arriving
at Bufkesville Junction. The next morning, April 6th, at daylight, found two
divisions of Union cavalry massed, saddled and bridled, in front of the works
of the Fifth Corps — one on each side of the road leading to Amelia Court
House. A few minutes later appeared Generals Grant, Sheridan, Meade, Griffin
and the Division commanders of the cavalry and of the Fifth Corps, and possibly
Generals Humphreys and Wright, all mounted. The scene was aii unusual and
notable one. A squad of Sheridan's scouts approached on the gallop and made
a report to Sheridan personally. From the gestures and pointings of these
scouts, the troops in line assumed that General Lee's army was endeavoring to
pass to the westward of the position of the Fifth Corps. General Sheridan re-
ported to General Grant, and after a very short consultation a decision was
reached.

A few orders from General Grant and then the cavalry bugles began to blow
at each division, each brigade, each regimental and each troop headquarters, all
blowing at once. There was " mounting in hot haste,'' as the cavalry moved
out on the road to Amelia Court House.

The Fifth Corps bugles immediately began sounding the general " pack up "
call, and the troops were soon in motion, still foltowing the cavalry up the Amelia
Court House road, and, after a march of three miles westwardly, were soon on
the trail of Lee's army, which had evidently been marching all night. During the
•day's march some four hundred of Lee's disabled army wagons were passed.
About the middle of the day heavy firing on the right of the Fifth Corps' line
of march indicated that the Second and the Sixth Corps, moving on a shorter
line, had struck the Confederate army at Sailors Creek. The battle lasted until
evening, resulting in the capture of six thousand Confederates, including nine
general officers, many pieces of artillery, wagons, etc.

The Regiment, with the Fifth Corps, marched in a circle that day, following
Lee's army twenty-seven miles, and camped at night only nine miles in an air
line from the starting point of the morning.

April 7, 1865. The Regiment and the Fifth Corps was on the march again
at daylight in the neighborhood of High Bridge, where the Second Corps had
been skirmishing with the rear guard of Lee's army. All day the Fifth Corps
followed Sheridan's Cavalry, passing south of Lee's army through Prince Ed-
wards Court House, camping at night in the neighborhood of Pamplin's Depot.
At daylight on the morning of the 8th of April the march was resumed, follow-
ing Sheridan's Cavalry at a rapid gait all day, reaching, that evening, Appomat-
tox Depot on the Lynchburg Railroad, where the cavalry had captured four
supply trains loaded with provisions intended for Lee's army. The cavalry boys
had detached the four engines and were having their fun running them up and
<lown the track, ringing the bells and tooting the whistles. These sounds, to the
«ars of the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth, seemed like a return to civilization.
The Fifth Corps crossed the track and passed on a couple of miles northwest,

358

UNDER THE :MALTESE CROSS.

APPOMATTOX, SHOWING POSITION OF 165TH PA. VOLS. ON RECEIVING FLAG OF TRUCE.

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS. 35f>

going into bivouac about two o'clock in the morning, near where Custer's Cav-
alry was having a skirmish with Lee's advance guard. General Ord's Twenty-
fourth Corps reached Appomattox Depot shortly after the Fifth Corps, and both
these corps were now as squarely planted across Lee's path on the road to Lynch-
burg as they had been at Jetersville, and the sentiment in the One Hundred and
Fifty-fifth now was that if Lee escaped on the morrow, it would not be through
their lines.

The Surrender of the Confederate Army.

April 9, 1865. Too much worn out from exhaustive marches to cook or to
eat, the weary One Hundred and Fifty-fifth Regiment bivouacked at two o'clock
A. M., this day, at the sides of the road, and before the Regiment had rested or
had time to make coffee, firing in front warned the command that the second
scene in the last act of the great tragedy was about to be enacted. General Bart-
lett's Brigade was at once formed in line of battle, and the One Hundred and
Fifty-fifth, now under command of Major John A. Cline, was ordered to the
front. The Confederates, believing they were opposed by cavalry only, had
already advanced to brush the latter aside, and to continue their retreat. The
firing became rapid as the cavalry gradually fell back. The commands came
sharp and quick from the brigade commander, General Bartlett, '" One Hundred
and Fifty-fifth — Forward as skirmishers! On center! Take intervals! De-
ploy ! " These movements being quickly executed by the One Hundred and
Fifty-fifth, the skirmish line covered the entire front of Bartlett's Brigade, which
rapidly formed in line of battle. As the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth, now de-
ployed as skirmishers, advanced, the Union cavalry parted and, turning to the
right and left, rode off. the field, uncovering the advancing infantry skirmish line
of the Regiment. The spectacle of the glittering arms and serried ranks of the
Union infantry had all the effect of a stunning and unexpected blow to the Con-
federates, who immediately began to fall back through the village of Appomattox.
The One Hundred and Fifty-fifth skirmish line pressed closely on the rear of the
Confederates, capturing on the road seventy-seven men, the remnant of an
Alabama brigade, and two pieces of artillery which had been firing.

Whilst the right of the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth skirmish line, which ex-
tended a considerable distance along the ridge overlooking the village of Appo-
mattox, was engaged, a mounted courier suddenly emerged from a wooded grove
within the Confederate lines bearing uplifted a small white flag of truce, and gal-
loped directly to the Union front, reaching the firing line occupied by the One
Hundred and Fifty-fifth. No attempt was made from the Union line to interrupt
thi3 messenger bearing the emblem recognized in time of war as a cause for sus-
pending fire. On reaching the skirmish line, the courier was received by Sergeant-
Major William Shore, who, by orders of Major Cline, of the One Hundred and
Fifty-fifth, commanding the skirmish line, conducted him to General J. L. Cham-
berlain, commanding the Division. The Confederates were no doubt induced to
send in the flag of truce by the discovery a short time previous that instead of
being pursued by the advance of cavalry and that cavalry was the only force in
their front, they were facing infantry. They were much astonished on the with-

360

UNDER THE -AIALTESE CROSS.

drawal of the Union cavalry to discover the whole Fifth Corps infantry in bat-
tle line advancing to the attack, and cutting off all chance of retreat by the line
they had chosen.

The arrival of the messenger with the flag of truce at General Griffin's
headquarters, to which he had been forwarded by General Chamberlain, resulted
in the immediate despatch of Captain George M. Laughlin, aide-de-camp on
General Griffin's staff, with orders to be delivered by him to Major Cline, com-
manding the Regiment, on the advance skir-
mish line, at once to cease firing. This ex-
tremely hazardous duty Captain Laughlin
promptly performed. The Confederates, how-
ever, through some misunderstanding, con-
tinued their firing at points along the line, in
disregard of their own flag of truce. Persist-
ing in this, General Griffin, on receiving re-
ports from Captain Laughlin that the Con-
federates were disregarding their own flag of
truce by firing, ordered Captain Laughlin to
return to the front and deliver an order to
Alajor Cline to resume firing until the enemy
cea«ed. In delivering these orders. Major
Laughlin was exposed to a galling fire from
the enemy. , Finally, when the Confederates
stopped firing. Captain Laughlin again de-
livered General Griffin's orders for the last
time for the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth to
" cease firing," which order was obeyed and
not a hostile shot on either side was after-
wards exchanged.

Death of Young Montgomery.

During these intervals of firing the One
Hundred and Fifty-fifth had several killed and
wounded, one of the saddest and most pa-
thetic being that of Private William Mont-
gomery, of Company L who, while loading and
firing, was mortally wounded by a cannon ball.
The pathetic feature of this young soldier's
death being that he had scarcely reached his fifteenth year, and had been in the
service but a few months, his life being really sacrificed after a flag of truce
was within the Union lines, and through which the peace of Appomattox oc-
curred. This young Pittsburg boy's life was undoubtedly the last sacrifice which
was offered up to the Union cause in the Army of the Potomac, as the final
orders to cease firing had been delivered on both sides but a few moments before
the hostile shot ended this young patriot's life, and no further casualties occurred.

SGT.-MAJ. WILLIAM SHORE, Jr.

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

361

WILLIAM MONTGOMERY.

:i(;-i UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

Young Montgomery's last words were messages of love and affection to his
mother and the tender of comforting hopes that his injuries were not
serious. He expired the following day, while the paroling ceremonies were being
enacted.

A few -disorganized Confederate regiments were unwilling to surrender, and
wanted to fight it out, truce or no truce. A magnificent spectacle was presented
during the morning of April 9, when Merritt's bugles sounded the charge, and a
whole division of Union cavalry went thundering down on the South Carolinians,
who, without officers, persisted in firing. Guidons bending to the front, sabers
gleaming, and the troopers cheering, Merritt's men soon captured the belligerent
Confederates.

Many of the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth at this time were suffering from
hunger and fatiguing marches, but never did more refreshing news come to any
troops than the announcement which this flag of truce conveyed to the Regi-
ment. Hunger and exhaustion, however, were forgotten amid the universal
joy.

The position occupied by the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth on the skirmish
line was on a commanding ridge from which the entire landscape, including the
village of Appomattox, could be seen. The Confederate army was visible on
both sides of the road, and the McLean ^Mansion where the negotiations between
Grant and Lee were being conducted, was distinctly within the range of vision.
It was a most advantageous position for the Union troops, had the negotiations
for the surrender failed. When the terms had been satisfactorily arranged be-
tween Grant and Lee and the latter finally rode back along the line of Confed-
erate troops, he was greeted with immense demonstrations of joy by his men. the
cheering, however, having a more joyful significance to the Union troops than it
had on any previous occasion.

Terms of Surrender Concluded.

The day was well advanced when the two armies settled down quietly to
await the result of the peace negotiations between Generals Grant and Lee.
When the negotiations were finally concluded. General Lee came down from the
porch of the AIcLean House, mounted his heavy gray horse, and rode back to
his army. A few minutes later a Union staff officer came down and announced
that the Ami}- of Northern Virginia had surrendered. Shortly after this an-
nouncement a Union battery about one hundred yards distant from the McLean
Mansion began firing a salute, when immediately a couple of aides came dashing
down from the porch with orders from General Grant to stop the salute, saying
that there must be no exultation over the fallen foe.

General Grant wrote the following letter of terms of surrender in the
presence of General Lee and his Chief-of-Staff, Colonel Charles Marshall,
namelv :

LENDER THE MALTESE CR( ;SS.

363

364

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

" Appomattox Court House, Virginia.

" April 9, 1865.
" General R. E. Lee,

" Commanding C. S. A.

" General : —

" In accordance with the substance of my letter to you of the 8th inst, I pro-
pose to receive the surrender of the Army
of North Virginia on the following terms,
to-wit: Rolls of all the ofificers and
men to be made in duplicate. One copy
to be given to an officer or officers as
you may designate. The officers to give
their individual paroles not to take up
arms against the Government of the United
States until properly exchanged, and
each company or regimental commander
sign a like parole for the men of his
command.

" The arms, artillery and public prop-
erty to be parked and stacked and turned
over to the officers appointed by me to
receive them. This will not embrace the
side-arms of the officers nor their private
horses or baggage. This done, each officer
and man will be allowed to return to his
home, not to be disturbed by United States
authority so long as they observe their pa-
roles and the laws in force where they may
reside.

LIEUT.-GEN. U. S, GRANT.

Very respectfully.

U. S. Grant, Lieut. -Gen.

General Lee, after reading the letter of General Grant, wrote the following:
" Headquarters Army of Northern Virginia,

" April 9, 1865.

" General : — I have received your letter of this date containing the terms of
surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia, as proposed by you. As they are
substantially the same as those expressed in your letter of the 8th inst., they are
accepted. I will proceed to designate the proper officers to carry the stipulations
into effect.

" R. E. Lee, General."

To Lieutenant-General Grant.

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS. 365

General Lee's Farewell Order.

When General Lee entered his Hnes after the surrender there was a continu-
ous cheering as he progressed to his headquarters, from which he immediately
issued the following General Order :

" Headquarters Army Northern Virginia.

" April 10, 1865.
" General Order No. 9 :

" After four years of arduous service, marked by unsurpassed courage and
iortitude, the Army of Northern Virginia has been compelled to yield to over-
whelming numbers and resources. I need not tell the brave survivors of so many
hard-fought battles who have remained steadfast to the last that I have consented
to the result from no distrust of them ; but feeling that valor and devotion could
accompHsh nothing that would compensate for the loss that must have attended
the continuance of the contest, I determined to avoid the useless sacrifice of those
whose past services have endeared them to their countrymen.

" By the terms of the agreement, officers and men can return to their homes
and remain until exchanged. You will take with you the satisfaction that pro-
ceeds from the consciousness of duty faithfully performed, and I earnestly pray
that a merciful God will extend you his blessing and protection. With an in-
creasing admiration of your countrymen and devotion to your country, and a
grateful remembrance of your kind and generous consideration for myself, I
bid you an affectionate farewell.

" R. E. Lee, General."

Parole of General Robert E. Lee and Staff.

We, the undersigned prisoners of war, belonging to the Army of Northern
Virginia, having been this day surrendered by General Robert E. Lee, C. S. Army,
commanding said army, to Lieutenant-General U. S. Grant, commanding armies
of the United States, do hereby give our solemn parole of honor that we will not
hereafter serve in the armies of the Confederate States of America, or render aid
to the enemies of the United States until properly exchanged in such manner as
shall be mutually approved by the respective authorities.

Done at Appomattox Court House, Va., this 9th day of April, 1865.

(Sgd.) R. E. Lee, General.

W. H. Taylor, Lieutenant-Colonel and Assistant Adjutant General.

Charles S. Venable, Lieutenant- Colonel and Assistant Adjutant General.

Charles Marshall, Lieutenant-Colonel and Assistant Adjutant General.

H. E. Payton, Lieutenant-Colonel, Adjutant and Inspector General.

Giles B. Cook, Major and Assistant Adjutant and Inspector General.

H. E. Young, Major, Assistant Adjutant General and Judge Advocate
General.

366 UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

INDORSEMENT :

The within named officers will not be disturbed by the United States au-
thorities so long as they observe their parole and the laws in force where they
may reside.

(Sgd.) George H. Sharpe,
Assistant Provost Marshal General.

As soon as General Lee returned to his troops and issued this general order,
the Confederate General Gordon assembled the men of his corps and addressed
them in a powerful speech, telling them they had done all that men could do, and
now their duty was at their homes, to their mothers, sisters, wives and children,
and bloodshed and tears should cease. During this eloquent address of General
Gordon, the tears streamed down his cheeks, and there was not a dry eye among
the hardened veterans of his corps. General Gordon continued until his death a
sincere and devoted citizen and his influence was ever after always for the good '
of the country he had fought so hard to destroy.

The Union officers named by General Grant to carry the stipulations into
effect were Generals Gibbon, Griffin and Merritt. General Lee, for the Con-
federates, appointed Generals Longstreet, Gordon and Pendleton. ■

The troops designated to remain to receive the surrender were :

General Gibbon, Second Division Infantry, with artillery.
General Griffin, Third Division Infantry, with artillery.
General MacKenzie, First Division Cavalry, with artillery.

As the Union army had started on the campaign with but twelve days' ra-
tions, and that period having about expired, the army supplies were about ex-
hausted. General Grant having ordered 30,000 rations to be furnished the
Confederates, the supply was still further diminished. The other corps of the
Union army were, therefore, ordered back to Burkesville Junction to receive food
and forage by the railroad. By the morning of the 18th, the remaining troops
designated to receive the formal surrender were doing duty on both empty stom-
achs and empty haversacks. A small hand printing-press having been found at
one of the corps headquarters of the Union army, the 10th and 11th of April
were spent in preparing forms of paroles and making duplicate rolls.

By the irony of fate, April 12th, the fourth anniversary of the firing on Sum-
ter, was the day appointed for the ceremonies attending the formal surrender of
the Army of Northern Virginia.

The Fifth Corps Receives the Formal Surrender.

By General Meade's order the Fifth Corps, General Griffin in command, was
designated to receive the formal surrender.

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS. 36?

General Griffin, having selected his former division, now commanded b}- Gen-
eral J. L. Chamberlain, to receive the arms and colors of the Confederates,
recognized the latter's claim by reason of seniority, to command the Third
Brigade, which had been assigned to conduct the parade. For this purpose
Brevet Brigadier-General Pearson, who had been the commander of that Brigade
in the final campaigns from Hatcher's Run to the firing line at Appomattox, was
temporarily assigned to command the First Brigade, resuming command of the
Third Brigade on the homeward march and the final review of the Army of the
Potomac, May, 1865.

The Third Brigade, thus honored, was formed entirely from the eight veteran
regiments of Chamberlain's Division, as follows :

One Hundred and Fifty-fifth Regiment Pennsylvania.

Twentieth Regiment Maine.

Thirty-second Regiment Massachusetts.

First Regiment Michigan.

Sixteenth Regiment Michigan.

Eighty-third Regiment Pennsylvania.

Ninety-first Regiment Pennsylvania.

One Company First Maine Sharpshooters.

At 9 A. M., April 12th, the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth was relieved from its
position on the skirmish line, which it had been occupying continuously since the
morning of the 9th, and with the Third Brigade was drawn up on the right of
the road leading into the village, muskets loaded and bayonets fixed. General
Chamberlain and stalif on the right of the line, adjacent to the hamlet.

The First Brigade, under Brevet Brigadier-General Pearson, and the Second
Brigade, Brevet Brigadier-General E. M. Gregory, formed on the opposite side
of the road beyond the left of the Third Brigade, facing the prolongation of the
Third Brigade.

At 9: 30, a half hour later, the silvery tones of the bugles brought the troops
to " attention " and soon the first Confederate brigade made its appearance, march-
ing through the village and along the road in front of the Third Brigade. When
the head of the Confederate column reached the left of the Third Brigade, and
directly opposite the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth, their commander gave the com-
mand, " Halt ! Close Up ! Front Face ! Stack Arms ! Unsling Cartridge Boxes !
Hang on Stacks ! " This being done, the command was given, " Right Face !
Forward! Countermarch by File Right, March! " and away they went unarmed
and colorless, back to their camp.

As soon as this brigade, which it was learned was Evans' Brigade, of Gor-
don's Corps, had departed, the troops of the Third Brigade, by orders of General
Chamberlain, then stacked arms and took down the Confederate stacks, piling the
muskets on the ground in their rear, muzzles outward. One Confederate brigade
succeeded another all day long, continuing until nearly 5 p. m. ; and as S. W.
Hill, a member of the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth, who was present at these

368 UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

"final ceremonies, expresses it, " There was no need to stop for lunch, as there
was not a cracker nor a bean in the Third Brigade, General Grant's orders of
30,000 rations to the Confederates having exhausted the supplies of his own
Tnen."

It was evident that the Confederates were much dejected, though there ap-
peared an expression of relief on their faces as they marched away, and their de-
pression may have been caused more by hunger and emaciation than by the chagrin
of defeat. Most of them acted in a soldierly manner, but occasionally one would
-display ill-temper by peevishly throwing his cartridge box at the foot of the stacks
instead of hanging it thereon.

The color guards, having stacked their arms, the color-bearers deposited their
■flag against their stacks — some of them with tears in their eyes bidding farewell
with a kiss to the tattered rags they had borne through so many dangers. The
scene during the day was pathetic in the extreme, and tears welled up in the eyes
■of many a seasoned veteran in the Union lines.

When the last Confederate brigade had disappeared there was a pile of
muskets shoulder-high, which the army wagons soon hauled away. The Army
of Northern Virginia, the pride of the Confederacy, the invincible, upon which
their hopes and faith had been reposed, had disappeared forever, existing thence-
forth in memory only.

The total number of Confederates who received paroles at Appomattox
reached about 28,000, though less than half that number had arms to surrender.
Between the opening of the campaign on the 29th of March and the 9th of April
more than 19,000 prisoners and 689 pieces of artillery had been captured.

Twenty-eight thousand hatless, shoeless, famishing men were cast adrift by
the collapse of the Confederacy, hundreds of miles from their poverty-stricken
homes. While the low-hovering smoke of battlefields had lifted, yet the embers
and ashes of war had left desolate the entire intervening region, and the outlook
-of these disheartened and penniless men was indeed cheerless. With the true
American spirit of humainity, those of the Union soldiers who had any money
freely and generously shared it with th'eir former enemies, and many Confederates
-were assisted to reach their homes in the Southwest by way of northern
railroads.

In the words of a gifted writer, " For ourselves the war was over — Othello's
■occupation gone. Our thoughts were homeward. We had followed the flag
through defeat, disaster and suffering, and now in victory so hard won we could
not exult over a fallen foe. We wanted them for fellow citizens, and we suc-
ceeded in getting them. We were sure they would help up-build our common
country. We had captured their arms, their flags and their hearts. In retrospect,
Tiow many who had tramped with us had fallen by the wayside, and sealing their
devotion with their life's sacrifice, were denied participation in the consummation
of the victory we had just witnessed. They had marched and sang with us,
' We'll hang Jeff Davis on a Sour Apple Tree, as we go marching on — Glory,
Glory, Halleluiah ! ' and as we watched the last Confederate disappear surely
the shades of comrades gone before would unite with us in singing, ' Glory,

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

369

Glory, Halleluiah ! ' There is Peace in all the land ! and from every town and
hamlet and every bereaved heart in the Great Northland would come the
response —

' Praise God from whom all blessings flow,

There is Peace in all the land.

There is Peace.' "

GEN. LEE LEAVING McLEAN HOUSE AT APPOMATTOX.

370

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS. 371

Chapter XVII.

APPOMATTOX INCIDENTS.— HOMEWARD MARCH.

Incidents of Flag of Truce. — Sergeant Shore's Reception of Truce Bearer.
— Return of Army to Washington.^ — Fifth Corps Reviewed in Petersburg
BY General Warren. — March of Troops Through Richmond. — Grand Re-
view IN Washington. — Farewell Address of General Meade to Army of
Potomac. — ^Return of One Hundred and Fifty-fifth to Pittsburg. — Public
Reception and Dinner. — Parade and Public Exhibition and Drill in Alle-
gheny Parks. — Regiment Mustered Out of Service.

Number of Confederates Paroled.

|CCORDING to the records of the War Department, the number of
officers and enhsted men of the Army of Northern Virginia paroled
at Appomattox on the 9th of April, 1865, was a total of twenty-
two thousand, three hundred and thirty-five infantry, composed of
Gordon's and Ewell's Corps. The cavalry and artillery corps and
detachments swelled the grand total up to twenty-eight thousand, three hundred
and fifty-six men. It has been stated that of the troops surrendered only eight
thousand had arms in their hands. If this was correct, then the greater part of
those men who had no arms must have thrown them away when they found
they must surrender. The casualties of the Union army in these closing opera-
tions, from the 29th of March to the 9th of April, of officers and enlisted men,
killed, wounded and missing made a total of nine thousand, nine hundred and
forty-four.

General Griffin, to whom Grant assigned the order of arranging the final
details for the surrender and parole of Lee's army, in comphment to General
Joshua L. Chamberlain, commanding the First Brigade of Bartlett's Division,
designated him to command the parade and final review.

General Chamberlain, who, in acknowledgment of his valuable services on
many a bloody field, and at Gettysburg in particular, had been assigned the honor
of receiving the arms and colors of the Confederate army, asked for the famous
old Third Brigade of the First Division of the Fifth Corps, with which he had
been so long identified. His request was granted, and it was the Third Brigade,
including the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth, that he found in line of battle on
the morning of the 12th of April, 1865, to participate in the last ceremony of
the formal surrender of Lee's once magnificent army.

373

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

UNION SCOUT A. H. ROWAND.

A. H. ROWAND. Esq.

General Lee's Clemency to Spy at Appomattox.

During Lee's retreat, after the evacuation of Richmond and Petersburg,
Sheridan's cavalry scouts dressed in Confederate uniforms freely intermingled
with the Confederate troops. Three of these Union scouts, one of whom was
Arch H. Rowand, Jr., of Pittsburg, serving as a private of Company K, First
Regiment, West A'irginia Cavalry, and at present a well known member of the
bar, were captured, on April 7th, near Appomattox Court House. They were
tried during the bivouac at night by a drumhead court-martial, all were found
guilty of being spies, and one of them was sentenced to be shot at -daylight the
next morning, the 8th of April, the otiier two succeeded in making their escape
from the Confederate guards.

During the progress of the war, General Lee had for reasons satisfactory
to himself issued an order that all proceedings and findings in summary court-
martials involving capital punishment should be submitted to the Commander-in-
chief of the Confederate army for approval before being carried into execution.

On the occasion referred to a courier from General Gordon, bearing the
findings of the court-martial against the spies, reached General Lee's head-
quarter bivouac in the early hours of the morning. Colonel Charles Marshall,
Asst. Adj. General and Mihtary Secretary to General Lee, first received the papers
from the courier, and proceeding to General Lee's quarters, awakened him and
presented the important paper to him. for approval. General Lee, sitting up in
his tent and looking over the documents by the light of a tallow dip candle, re-

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

373

marked, perhaps with well-founded apprehension of the morrow's catastrophe
to the Confederate army, " Colonel, do you not think there has been enough blood
spilled in this dreadful war without shedding any more uselessly? Carrying this
sentence into execution under the present circumstances can serve no useful pur-
pose; therefore, the further execution of the sentence will be postponed for the
present."

The Colonel Charles Marshall mentioned above was later, and until his
death a few years ago, a prominent and distinguished member of the Baltimore
bar, with a well earned legal reputation throughout the country.

Colonel Marshall and Scout Rowand Exchanging Reminiscences.

Many years after the close of the war, Colonel Charles Marshall, who, as
previously stated, had served as chief-of-staff to General Lee throughout the
Civil War and at Appomattox, attended an important case in Pittsburg as attor-
ney for Baltimore parties, before the late Honorable J. W. F. White, Judge of
Common Pleas Court No. 2, of Allegheny county. At the close of the argu-
ments General A. L. Pearson, Judge Slagle, John H. Kerr, Charles F. McKenna,
E. A. Montooth, and Arch H. Rowand, Jr., of the Pittsburg bar, all of whom
had taken part in the surrender at Appomattox, and were familiar with Colonel
Marshall's part therein as a Confederate officer, tendered an informal reception
and collation at the Hotel Henry to Colonel Marshall.

The former Union scout. Arch H. Rowand, Jr., exchanged interesting remi-
niscences with Colonel Marshall about the last days of the Confederacy, and
the Appomattox campaign, when his fel-
low scout of Sheridan's cavalry was
saved from death through the clemency
of General Lee in suspending execution
of sentence after the scout had been con-
demned to death by a drumhead court-
martial. Colonel Marshall took occasion
to congratulate Comrade Rowand on
his opportune escape from the Confed-
erate camp and the drumhead court-
martial and sentence, which also awaited
him on the same occasion, when General
Lee declined to have his convicted mess-
mate shot at daylight.

Comrade Rowand, at the time of
his capture as a Union scout by the
Confederates, wore the uniform of a
company of South Carolina Confederate
cadets, with whose dialect and style
young Rowand in early boyhood, by
reason of residence, had become quite
amiliar. j,ql charles Marshall, c.s.a.

374 UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

A medal of honor was awarded Comrade Rowand by Congress, on recom-
mendation of General Phil Sheridan, for important services rendered the Union
cause as a scout in various campaigns of the Union army.

Form of Appomattox Paroles Questioned.

General J. L. Chamberlain, the Union General detailed to receive the
formal surrender of the Confederates, describes the preliminary conference he
had with General Henry A. Wise, the senior Confederate division commander,
the remnants of whose command were about forming preparatory to stacking
arms and disbanding. In the midst of the prevailing excitement. General Wise,
who in civil life was known as one of Virginia's greatest lawyers, earnestly ex-
postulated with General Chamberlain on what he termed the ridiculous proposi-
tion then about to be enacted of paroling an army without the signature of each
paroled individual. General Wise indignantly inquired if there were no lawyers
among the Generals or leaders of Grant's army to insist upon the individual
signatures of each and every Confederate to be paroled, averring that it was
unprecedented and of very doubtful force whether the commanding officers of
regiments could sign binding paroles for the men of their respective commands,
as the articles of surrender between Lee and Grant provided. General Chamber-
lain declares that he suppressed his feelings of amusement at the venerable
General Wise's indignation and profound concern over the technical question of
the vahdity of paroles of the Confederate rank and file, all of whom had endorsed
most heartily General Lee's actions in surrendering his army. He closed the
discussion with General Wise by expressing the opinion that as subordinate of-
ficers of Grant and Lee, General Wise and himself had no other course than
cheerfully to obey the orders of their commanding officers.

The Various Flags of Truce.

Much has been said and written about the various flags of truce which pre-
ceded the formal execution of the papers of surrender by General Lee in the
McLean House. Colonel Charles Marshall, who, at Appomattox, made the
copies for Grant and Lee, of the terms of capitulation, has declared that so
many stories have been told about the flags of truce at Appomattox, as almost to
convince him that he was not present on the morning of the surrender, as he
saw no flag of truce at all. It is certain, however, that, on account of the difficulty
in reaching Lieutenant-General Grant on that morning, located in a distant por-
tion of the army, quite a number of messengers and flags of truce were hastily
sent through the lines of the Union army, by direction of General Lee.
From the council of the night previous it became known to Generals Longstreet
and Gordon that the surrender of General Lee of his army had been determined
upon and that all were anxious to avoid further effusion of blood. How-
ever, the advanced videttes of the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth Regiment, occu-
pying the skirmish line of the Fifth Corps on the advance at Appomattox on the
morning of the 9th of April, 1865, saw a mounted staff officer leave the enemy's

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS. 375

columns just outside the village of Appomattox, carrying on his uplifted sword
a white object like a towel, evidently intended as a flag of truce. General Grif-
fin, commanding the Corps, also observing this plain movement of the officer,
dispatched Captain George M. Laughlin, senior aide-de-camp of his staff, to the
One Hundred and Fifty-fifth, occupying the skirmish line, with orders to cease
firing because of the approach of the rider with the flag. The young Confederate
oiificer, bearing the flag of truce, on reaching the skirmish line, was first stopped
by Sergeant-Ma j or William Shore, to whom the officer spoke, remonstrating that
his flag of truce was repeatedly fired upon.

To this Sergeant-Ma j or Shore responded that until the Confederates quit
firing the Union troops would not cease their firing. Sergeant Shore gave the
flag bearer safe escort through the skirmish line to Colonel Pearson, now in com-
mand of the Brigade, who in turn passed the bearer with Captain George F.
Morgan of the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth, a staff officer, along to General J.
L. Chamberlain, commanding the Division and from thence by escort the officer
was finally passed to General Grant, whose headquarters at that time was some
miles distant in the rear from Appomattox. Until General Grant's reply was
received a long wait occurred, and the status quo at the front of both armies
was preserved, but under the greatest strain and tension.

Sergeant-Major Shore's participation in the reception of this flag of truce
delivered so conspicuously by the Confederate courier was corroborated in a
singular manner many years after the close of the war. Sergeant-Major Shore,
in 1903, while serving. in the employ of the city of Pittsburg, read of the appoint-
ment of an ex-Confederate veteran to be United States Judge of the District of
Alabama. The item stated that this Judge, being then a boy of nineteen, had
ridden across the open field at Appomattox with a flag of truce on his uplifted
sword, and had passed through the Union skirmish line and was at once es-
corted to General Grant with Lee's final message for the surrender on April
9th. Sergeant-Major Shore opened correspondence with the newly-appointed
Judge, Honorable Thomas E. Jones, and interesting letters passed between
the two. This interesting correspondence will be found in report of Bellevue
Reunion, 1907, in this history.

While the Fifth Corps was in line of battle immediately after the flag of
truce and pending the arrangement of Generals Grant and Lee for the surrender
and parole of the latter's army, quite an exchange of courtesies was taking
place between the Confederate Generals and Union Generals, with their staffs,
and particularly between those officers who had been cadets together at West
Point.

Generals Custer and Merritt were particularly fraternal with Generals
Fitz Hugh Lee and Lomax, Confederate cavalry leaders. So many evi-
dences of mutual joy and friendship were exhibited that it became difficult to
tell from the conviviality and hilarity which were the victors, and which the
vanquished,

General Fields, commanding a division of the Confederate army under
Longstreet, opposite the position held by the Fifth Corps and the One Hundred
and Fifty-fifth, had been a classmate at West Point with General Charles Griffin.

376 UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

General Fields sent his compliments to Griffin by an aide, whereupon General
Griffin dispatched Major Laughlin, of his staff, with his compliments to Gen-
eral Fields, to escort the latter to his headquarters as his guest pending the
paroling ceremonies then being arranged to take place a day or two later. The
hospitality of General Griffin was gratefully accepted by General Fields, and the
greeting of the two classmates of the '50's at West Point was cordial in the
extreme.

The Confederate officers' mess chest and wardrobes had become quite re-
duced by the fall of Petersburg and Richmond and the harrassed retreat of the
Confederate army, and the capture of their wagon trains by the Federal cavalry.
General Fields, therefore, apologized for his fatigue attire, and his inability ta
return the hospitalities of General Griffin's larder.

General Griffin, being an abstemious man, had to depute the distribution of
the champagne festivities with his Confederate guest to other Generals of his
corps who did not share his prejudices against the limited use of ardent spirits,
especially to the stranger within their lines.

It was said, however, that General Griffin, before their final parting, in-
sisted on his Confederate guest's accepting a substantial roll of money for his
immediate expenses.

General Fields was a brave soldier, having been in the war from the first
battle of Bull Run to Appomattox, and during his visit to General Griffin, the lat-
ter sent for General Ayres to come and meet Fields, both Griffin and Ayres
having participated in the battle of Bull Run in the artillery service, and having
commanded bodies of troops down to Appomattox.

Magnanimity of General Grant.

It is related by the late Major Geo. M. Laughlin that, on the evening of
May 5, 1864, in the bivouac of General Meade's headquarters in the Wilderness,
an informal council of war was held. A preliminary discussion took place as to
the terrible carnage which had occurred that day in the various divisions of the
Fifth Corps, and the inadequate gains as to position or advantages. On this
occasion, General Griffin, whose Division of the Fifth Corps had opened that
memorable battle, and suffered such severe losses, expressed his views to General
Meade, presiding, in very forcible terms, denouncing it as an inexcusable blunder
to fight under such disadvantages of position; and also characterizing in severe
terms the losses occasioned in the rank and file of his command as " useless
slaughter." Lieutenant-General Grant had just arrived at the meeting in time to
hear the remarks of General Griffin. Though not addressed to him, he quietly
expressed to General Meade the great surprise he felt that the latter tolerated
any such remarks or criticisms from subordinate commanders, declaring that
in the armies with which he had served in the West the commanders never per-
mitted such conduct. General Griffin, overhearing General Grant's expressed dis-
pleasure at his remarks, quietly withdrew from the informal council of war.

General Griffin, it is said, subsequently expressed his belief that his earnest
remarks criticising the great and useless carnage of the first day in the Wilder-

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS. 377

ness would be remembered by Grant to his disadvantage in subsequent promotion.
In this, however, General Griffin was agreeably disappointed, as after Five Forks,
when other Generals were competing for the command of the Fifth Corps to
succeed General Warren, it was Grant's act that awarded the distinguished honor
to General Griffin, unsolicited and unexpected by him, but much to the gratifica-
tion of the rank and file of the Fifth Corps. When Lieutenant-General Grant
separated from General Lee, and rode back to rejoin his own army where the
various Union Generals had assembled at Appomattox Court House, General
Grant advanced and cordially greeted and shook hands with General Griffin,
publicly expressing his thanks for and great appreciation of the services of the
latter, and of his brilliant handling of the Fifth Army Corps in the memorable
pursuit of the Confederate army. He also announced the permanent appoint-
ment of General Griffin to command the Fifth Corps.

The magnanimity of the Lieutenant-General on this occasion overcame
General Griffin, who, with unconcealed emotion, accepted the proffered hand, and
thanked General Grant for his generosity.

News of Assassination of President Lincoln.

One of the most shocking experiences in the midst of the great joy prevailing
in the camps on the fall of Richmond and the surrender at Appomattox was the
intelligence of the assassination of President Lincoln. The President had but
a few days before visited the Army of the Potomac and General Grant at
the latter's headquarters at City Point, and also General Butler's camps after
the fall of Richmond, everywhere counseling " peace and good will " and laboring
to bring about the restoration of harmony and peace to both sections. On his
return to Washington, Mr. Lincoln had, in response to a serenade by the
citizens of Washington, made an address which, for patriotism, charity, love and
Christian sentiment, seemed actually inspired. To the soldiers of the Union,
President Lincoln was especially endeared. His personality was well known to
the Army of the Potomac through his frequent attendance at its many reviews
under McClellan, when camped in the vicinity of Washington, and under Burn-
side and Hooker.

Homeward March Through Petersburg. — Grand Review by General

Warren.

The return of the army to Washington for disbandment after the surrender
of Lee was delayed for some weeks because of the impediments to travel by the
destruction of railroad bridges and the condition of the wagon roads, which, at
that season, were almost impassable. This delay was very trying on the rank
and file of the army, now so anxious to return home. From the 17th of April
to the 5th of May the Fifth Corps, guarding army stores and resting, encamped
at various points. On the 5th of May, 1865, the troops of the Fifth Corps
bivouacked for the night just outside the intrenchments at Petersburg and the
next day resumed their triumphant march through that city.

378 UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

No more impressive or touching scene occurred during the varied ex-
perience of soldiers in active service than the occurrence of the homeward march
of the Union armies. The mingled emotions of the closing scenes of the war
are hard to describe — the loss of dear comrades in battle, marches, sieges, all
occupying the mind of the returning soldier, who was yet cheered and com-
forted with the knowledge of the triumph of the Union cause, and also by the
thought of an early return home, and the receptions and the glory awaiting him
on his native heath.

On the 5th of May a most memorable example of the earnest affection and
deep emotion showed by the returning veterans of the Fifth Corps for General
Gouverneur K. Warren, so long the commander of the Fifth Corps, and at
times previously identified wtih the Second and the Third Corps of the Army of
the Potomac, the youngest corps commander in the army.

General Charles Griffin, his successor as corps commander, with Generals
Ayres, Crawford and Chamberlain, division commanders, shared this affection
for Warren as a brave soldier and chivalrous officer. General Grant had de-
servedly appointed General Warren, on the fall of Petersburg, to be Governor
of the city, which the latter had by his skill contributed so much toward cap-
turing. The city of Petersburg and its line of intrenchments, being on the route
assigned for the homeward march of the Fifth Corps, it was determined by
General Griffin to invite General Warren, as military Governor, to extend
to his late corps the honor of a public review as it passed through the
" Cockade City." Accordingly, preparations were made in all the regiments
and batteries for the occasion. Instructions from the officers were given for
all the rank and file to prepare themselves, their uniforms and arms, in the
best shape, for the farewell reception to their late beloved commander. The
numerous bands and drum-majors were also put upon their metal to do their
best. The reviewing stand selected was a platform erected in front of the
" Bolingbroke House," which was occupied as the headquarters of the military
Governor and staff.

On the reviewing stand with General Warren was Mrs. Warren, the bride
whom he had married while on leave of absence en route to Gettysburg, and also a
number of distinguished Generals of the Army of the Potomac, staff officers and
their wives. In the line of the column being reviewed were ten thousand soldiers,
survivors of the twenty-five thousand who, during General Warren's command,
had so faithfully followed the Maltese Cross from the Wilderness to
Appomattox.

As General Griffin at the head of the Corps rode by, he saluted General
Warren and joined him on the reviewing stand. As the bronzed veterans fol-
lowing Generals Ayres, Chamberlain and Crawford, commanding divisions and
the historic batteries of the Corps, obtained sight of their old commander, their
emotions overcame them. The war being over and discipline relaxed, the men
most enthusiastically saluted and cheered to the echo their old commander. The
climax, however, of excitement and enthusiasm was reached when Warrens
old brigade, composed of zouave regiments, including the One Hundred and
Fifty-fifth, now commanded by General A. L. Pearson, reached the reviewing

UNDER THE I\IALTESE CROSS. 379

stand. These veterans were formed in what is known as " open order " maneu-
vers, and carried their guns on their knapsacks, and with their tattered flags and
weather-beaten faces, they seemed to be the very ideal of veteran soldiers. They
halted before the reviewing stand after saluting General Warren, and most en-
thusiastically cheered and cheered, adding " tigers," until their officers ordered
them to resume the march. This grand ovation and tribute to Warren, so
cordial and unanimous, should have gone far towards making his superiors right
the recent wrong occasioned by his arbitrary removal from the command of the
Fifth Corps in the supreme moment of victory at Five Forks.

The people of Petersburg, who crowded the streets and occupied the win-
dows and dwellings at the time, declared they had never witnessed anything
like the scene of this great military demonstration of the Fifth Army Corps
through their streets. The miles and miles of ammunition and quartermasters
trains, artillery caissons, and ambulance wagons, which followed, were also a
source of great surprise to the population, white and black, of Petersburg.

On to Richmond.

On the 6th day of May the march of the army corps was continued to
Richmond. The One Hundred and Fifty-fifth with the Fifth Corps rested at
Manchester, outside of the city of Richmond, until the next day, when it passed
in silence through the principal streets of that city, no band playing, or other
display, the ruins of the recent fire being visible. The Fifth Corps was reviewed
by Genera! Halleck, whose unpopularity to the soldiers in the field caused him to
receive scant honors or cheers from the returning veterans. The army marched
by forced marches by way of Hanover Court House, and by way of Fredericks-
burg, toward Washington. The fatigue of these forced marches day after day
was somewhat relieved by sights of many of the battlefields on which the One
Hundred and Fifty-fifth had fought, and over which they were now marching
under such vastly changed conditions. The then unfinished white dome of the
Capitol was at length sighted by the returning columns on the afternoon of the
12th of May, 1865. Cheer upon cheer was sent up all along the columns as the
shining dome came into view, as expressions of the gladness and joy of the vet-
erans, and of their gratitude that the war was really over. The Fifth Corps went
into final camp about a mile from Falls Station on the Orange & Alexandria
Railroad. A few days later General Sherman's great army arrived and encamped
on the heights above Alexandria.

The Grand Review in Washington.

Preparations were now made for a Grand Review in Washington of these
two magnificent armies. On the 24th of May, 1865, the President and his cabi-
net, with the representatives of foreign governments, and thousands upon thou-
sands of people coming from distant cities, witnessed the imposing pageant on
Pennsylvania avenue. Little children pressed flowers into the hands of the

380

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS. 381

hardy veterans as they marched in the review; kindly smiles and svi^eet words
of welcome greeted the soldiers on every hand. The pride that swelled the hearts
of the returning comrades participating in these great reviews can never be for-
gotten. Elsewhere in this history will be found a more detailed description of the
Grand Review of the Army of the Potomac, but it is deemed proper at this point
specially to advert to the appearance of the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth Regi-
ment on the occasion of that grand pageant which occupied the entire day in
passing the reviewing officers. Brevet ]\lajor-General A. L. Pearson, on this
historical occasion, commanded the brigade in which his regiment was serving.
Being at its zenith of proficiency in the zouave drill and bayonet exercise, the
One Hundred and Fifty-fifth, under command of Major J. A. Cline, was de-
ployed in the parade in what is known as " open order," the men carrying their
guns on their shoulders, and with the alignment and accuracy of step of veteran
soldiers, together with their brilliant-colored uniforms, they elicited admiration
and cheering all along the line. The tattered flag of the Regiment, showing its
shattered flag-staff, was still carried by the intrepid color-sergeant, Thomas J.
Marlin, and attracted great attention. No Roman legions returning from con-
quests of foreign lands ever received more enthusiastic applause than did this
regiment of Pittsburg zouaves in that historic review. There was no prouder
trio in the parade than Drum-Major Sergeant Hawden Marshall, who in the
picturesque zouave uniform performed astonishing juggling feats with his baton;
and also the martial music of the veteran drum-and-fife corps of the Regiment,
led by Sam Heflick, with whom the third member of the trio, the Regimental
bugler, John Mooney, marched. It is to be regretted that the era of the kodak
had not arrived at the date of this event so that the picturesque scenes of this
Grand Review could have been perpetuated by the camera of to-day.

After the Grand Review of the Army of the Potomac, the regiments com-
posing the Fifth Corps were detained one or two weeks longer in the camps near
Alexandria, while the muster-out rolls were being prepared and properly certi-
fied. For some reason these lengthy muster rolls and rosters had to be executed
in seven copies on blanks furnished by the Government, a tedious and laborious
undertaking.

General Meade's Farewell. — Scenes in Last Camp.

In this camp was read to each regiment the following beautiful Farewell
Address of General Meade to the Army of the Potomac, with whose fortunes
that able General and devoted patriot had been associated from its organization
to its disbandment:

" Headquarters Anny of the Potomac,

"June 28, 1865.

" Soldiers : — This day two years ago I assumed command of you under the
orders of the President of the United States. To-day, by virtue of the same
authority, the army having ceased to exist, I have to announce my transfer to

383 UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

other duties and my separation from you. It is unnecessary for me to enumer-
ate all that has occurred in these two eventful years, from the grand and decisive
battle of Gettysburg, the turning-point of the war, to the surrender of the Army
of Northern Virginia at Appomattox Court House. Suffice it to say that history
will do you justice. A grateful country will honor the living, cherish and support
the disabled, and sincerely mourn the dead. In parting from you, your com-
manding General will ever bear in memory your noble devotion to your country,
your patience and cheerfulness under all the privations and sufferings you have
been called upon to endure.

" Soldiers, — Having accomplished the work set before us, having vindicated
the honor and integrity of our Government and flag, let us return thanks to
Almighty God for his blessing in granting us victory and peace, and let us hon-
estly pray for strength and light to discharge our duties as citizens, as we have
endeavored to discharge then as soldiers.

" George G. Meade,
" Major-General U. S. A."

Farewell Torchlight Parades.

A memorable instance indicative of the prevailing joy, and of the harmony
existing between the rank and file of the Fifth Corps, and also of their officers,
occurred in this camp a few nights after the great Review in Washington. The
tribute being entirely spontaneous and unexpected, its sincerity and significance
was, therefore, the more to be appreciated and valued by the recipients. The
closing days of May, 1865, in this camp, while the troops were awaiting muster-
out, were marked by unusually fine weather. Amid the prevailing joy and pleas-
ures in this peaceful camp was the singing by the company glee clubs of familiar
songs suggestive of home and friends. One evening some enterprising comrades
took the short pieces of candles distributed early in the evening to the soldiers
of each company, and placed them dul}' lighted in the sockets of their bayonets.
Not a breath of air was blowing to impair the candles thus lighted. As the
darkness of night set in, the antics of these comrades with lighted candles took
the shape of orders for the men to fall into lines, and with their lighted candles
on their bayonets to form a line of march. Companies thus formed were soon
organized into impromptu regiments ; regiments were soon rallied into brigades,
and soon the enthusiasm of the candle lighters for a procession spread through-
out the divisions. Privates in the ranks soon found themselves installed as Col-
onels of provisional regiments in this demonstration. Other subalterns were
suddenly elevated to command divisions in this grand demonstration. It was
soon arranged that the candle-light parade under command of an improvised
Major-General, should march to the Brigade, Division and Corps Generals' head-
quarters to congratulate the Generals commanding, on the return of peace, and
to testify by this farewell demonstration the affection and esteem entertained
by the troops for their leaders. Five or six thousand of the comrades, out of pure
joy, rallied to the ranks of the parade, which was marked with excellent
discipline.

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS. 383

The candle-light column first waited upon Major-General Charles Griffin.
Subversive of all ordinary discipline, the processionists immediately demanded
that the General give them a " speech," and the cries of " Speech ! Speech !
Speech ! " were heard. General Griffin resembled General Grant and many other
West-Pointers in being wholly disqualified to make a speech; and the cries for
a speech embarrassed the General. A compromise was reached, however, and
General Joshua L. Chamberlain, commanding a division of the Fifth Corps, was
offered as a substitute. General Griffin occupying the background. General Cham-
berlain, in response to calls, had to produce General Griffin on the stand (a
cracker box), where he bowed his acknowledgment and received the cheers of his
men. General Chamberlain delivered an eloquent address which he, as well as
Generals Griffin, Ayres, Gregory, Bartlett, Coulter, Pearson and the other Gen-
erals and Colonels, felt for the rank and file of the Corps.

From General Griffin's headquarters the procession moved to General Ayres',
General Bartlett's, General Pearson's and to the headquarters of other com-
manders. The oratory and exercises, however, were cut short by the ration of
candles burning out, leaving all in the dark.

En Route to Pittsburg.

On June 1, 1865, the Regiment was ordered to report at Camp Reynolds,
Pittsburg, for pay and final muster-out, a most gratifying order, doubly so in
meeting the ever-welcome paymaster as well as prospects of reaching home.
It is needless to say this order was obeyed with alacrity. Here it is proper to
state that three hundred and sixty of the recruits and men transferred in July,
1864, to the Regiment from the Sixty-second Pennsylvania were here re-trans-
ferred to the One Hundred and Ninety-first Pennsylvania. The parting of these
faithful officers, and equally faithful comrades and messmates of the One Hun-
dred and Fifty-fifth was a disappointing ordeal to the recruits mentioned, as they
had expected to accompany the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth on its homeward
journey to Pittsburg. They were, however, mustered out a few weeks later.

As a majority of the men and officers of the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth
were from Pittsburg, the municipality determined to accord the returning organi-
zation on its return and before its final muster-out in Pittsburg, a public reception
and dinner at City Hall. It was at the same time arranged by the city, through
the Honorable James Lowry, Mayor of Pittsburg, that before the disbandment
of the Regiment a short parade through the city, ending with a public exhibition
of the zouave drill by the Regiment in the Allegheny parks, should take place.

Public Reception to the One Hundred, and Fifty-fifth.

On the morning of June 7, 1865, two hundred and fifty surviving comrades
of the Regiment, under command of General A. L. Pearson, arrived from Camp
Reynolds, in the city of Pittsburg about ten o'clock, where they were joined by the
Twenty-sixth Michigan veterans which had just arrived at the Union Station
on its way home. The parade starting from Liberty Street Station, was headed

384

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

HON. JOHN M. KIRKPATRICK.

by Young's Military Brass Band, fol-
lowed by one hundred city police, march-
ing by platoons. The Mayor of the city
and speakers, and the councilmen of the
city followed in open carriages. The
One Hundred and Fifty-fifth veterans in
their gaudy zouave uniforms, marching
in open order, came next, presenting a
handsome and picturesque appearance.
The stalwart veterans of the Twenty-
sixth ^lichigan, fully equipped with their
accoutrements and glistening arms,
brought up the rear of the parade.
From the Union Station the procession
moved along Liberty street to Smith-
field, along Smithfield to the Mononga-
hela House, from the balcony of which
the Honorable John J\L Kirkpatrick paid
an eloquent tribute to the survivors of the
Regiment, alluding in pathetic terms to
the many faces that were missing from
the ranks of the returning braves, who
had sealed with their life-blood their devotion to the cause of the Union and
human rights. Ex-Governor William F. Johnston followed with an eloquent
tribute to the soldier boys in general who had so patriotically defended their
country.

The formal reception exercises took place in the City Hall, the place
during the entire Civil War of the reception and entertainment of Union-
soldiers of both Eastern and Western armies passing through Pittsburg. The
program of exercises on the occasion of the reception and dinner to the Regi-
ment consisted of an eloquent and patriotic address of welcome by Honorable
James Lowry, Mayor of the city of Pittsburg, and a reply on behalf of the
Regiment by General A. L. Pearson. These were followed by addresses of
Wilson McCandless, General J. Bowman Sweitzer, Colonel E. Jay Allen, Rev-
erend James Pressly, D. D., Honorable Thomas AL Marshall, Reverend John
Douglass, D. D., and James Park, Jr., all delivering eloquent and patriotic trib-
utes to the members of the Regiment, living and dead.

The Pittsburg Subsistence Committee, assisted by a number of ladies,
friends and relatives of officers and men, provided the very elegant repast,
which was furnished by the well-known caterer, Schildecker. The festivities,
in response to demands, were enlivened by the Regimental glee club, who ren-
dered some popular war and camp songs, the members of the club announced
on the printed programs being General A. L. Pearson, George P. Fulton, E.
A. Montooth, John Ralston, Robert A. Thompson, Hawdon Marshall and
the Regimental bugler, John Mooney. Sam and John Heflick and WiUiam
Grounds, of the fife-and-drum corps, were also called to the platform, and

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

385

played martial airs. The camp-calls were sounded by John Mooney, Regi-
mental bugler.

In the afternoon the Regiment re-assembled at City Hall and formed
for the street parade. Mayor Lowry and the Councilmen of the city, in open
carriages, joined the parade, crossing the St. Clair street bridge to the Alle-
gheny parks, where General Pearson had company drills in the bayonet exer-
cise and zouave tactics, ending with a final review and dress-parade of the
Regiment.

The assembled thousands filling the windows and balconies, and crowding
the pavements along the line of march were not those of the usual sight-seers
who gather out of curiosity to witness city parades. Far different was the
sentiment that pervaded the multitudes assembled from city and country to
do honor to the survivors of the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth. Fathers and
mothers, sisters and brothers, sweethearts and wives, were there to catch a
first glimpse of their hero for the safety of whom for three long years their
daily and nightly prayers had ascended to heaven. Among the throngs of
people were many who had lost loved ones by " War's cruel alarms," and
whose tenderest sympathies were manifested in their greetings to these sur-
vivors of the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth by the tears which coursed down
their cheeks. The bunch of flowers that fell at the soldier's feet was a greet-
ing from a maiden whose shy glances, more eloquent than words, assured a
welcome to her returning hero. For every heart throb in the ranks of the
Regiment as they marked time to the strains of the inspiriting music there was
a corresponding pulsation of love and sympathy somewhere in the vast throng.
" Boys in blue," some with arms in
slings, some with heads bandaged, some
on crutches, occupied points of vantage
from which to view the triumphal return
of their Regimental comrades in many
wearisome marches and bloody battle-
fields.

Finally Paid Off. — Guns Returned
TO United States.

The breaking ranks after this final
parade and review was the last appear-
ance of the survivors of the Regiment
in zouave imiform as a body. The
Regiment was formally paid off, and
turned their guns in to the Government
the next day at Camp Copeland, now
within the limits of the industrial bor-
ough of Braddock.

On the 8th of June, 186.5, Major
Russell Errett, paymaster of the United jjaj. russell errett.

386 UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

States army, appeared in Camp Reynolds, and paid the men their accrued wages
for three months, each private receiving thirteen dollars per month, and being
handed at the same time an honorable discharge paper.

An unusual and certainly unnecessary requirement was exacted by the Gov-
ernment from the veterans who had served it so faithfully when it demanded,
on muster-out, that their muskets should be returned, or that in lieu thereof
the sum of fourteen dollars be deducted from their wages. Indignation was
felt at this order, and many soldiers resented the demand and in disgust sur-
rendered their favorite guns rather than submit to the unreasonable deduction
demanded.

Many a veteran, as he received his honorable discharge and gave up his
musket, bayonet, and cartridge-box, was conscious of the same feeling of sadness
and regret that he had seen exhibited by the Confederates as they grounded
their arms at Appomattox a few weeks before. Many, in later years, regretted
that they had not paid the amount demanded and kept their faithful weapons,
their companions in many campaigns and defense in many battles.

With this grounding of arms, which, with the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth,
was its first and last surrender, the career of the Regiment as a military organiza-
tion ceased, its record and deeds in the war for the preservation of the Union
thenceforth becoming part of the national history.

The scenes on disbandment and parting of comrades in Camp Reynolds
were more than ordinarily interesting, and quite pathetic. General Pearson,
Lieutenant-Colonel Ewing, Majors Cline and Laughlin, Captains Heisey,
Sweeney, Allen, and many other popular officers wei-e surrounded by the men
of their late commands, receiving from them many expressions of good will and
esteem.

The faithful color-bearer, " Tom " Marlin, in a brief address, formally
confided the remnants of the Regimental colors to the temporary custody of
General Pearson, eliciting hearty plaudits for both Pearson and Marlin, and
most demonstrative applause for dear Old Glory.

The messmates of the rank and file — cronies for three years in camps and
comrades in marches and battles — indulged in many interchanges of reminis-
cences of the past and hopes for the future. Unbidden tears welled up as the
names of dear comrades were recalled, who had been left behind sleeping under
the sod of Old Virginia's grassy hillsides and green valleys. Vows were ex-
changed that wartime friendships would ever be cherished throughout life.

Delegations of friends from Kittanning, Clarion, Butler, Brownsville, and
other towns in Western Pennsylvania had come to inform the companies and
squads from those places of the cordial local receptions arranged in their honor
by the dear home friends impatiently awaiting their arrival.

The final hand-clasp and leave-taking was very impressive ; and when the
last veteran had left the precincts of Camp Reynolds, the story of the marches,
sieges, and battles of the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth Pennsylvania Volunteers
under the Maltese Cross, the most sublime and thrilling events that human pen
can relate, came to an end.

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

387

166TH REGT., PA. VOLS., ENTERING OLD CITY HALL TO RECEIVE WELCOME AND
DINNER TENDERED BY CITY OF PITTSBURG,
JUNE 5, 1865.
, In this Historic Hall the Pittsburg Subsistence Committee, at the outbreak of the Civil War, fitted
",? ''!*'=hens and tables and provided meals to over 100,000 Union soldiers passing through Pittsburg,
allowing no Union soldier to depart hungry.

1862

1865

'ompanyHi^tporie

■ pElSOmLSKETCM

390 UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

" They invited nrie; still questioned
me the story of my life from year
to year; the battles, sieges, and for-
tunes that I have passed through.
I did consent." — Othello.

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

391

MEMORIES OF COMPANY A.

By Private William H. Dewalt.

I HE recruiting office opened in August, 1862, by Alfred L. Pearson
and Edward A. Montooth, of Pittsburg, then two newly-admitted
members of the Pittsburg bar, was located in singularly unique and
dilapidated quarters, in a four-story plain brick building, at the cor-
ner of Fifth avenue and Smithfield street. The first floor of this
structure, which was then known as the Splane Building, was ' occupied as a
saloon. Had the structure not been torn down ten years ago to be replaced by
the present Mellon buildings, it would doubtless have fallen down from sheer
dilapidation. A drum corps composed of just two men, a drummer and a fifer,
was stationed at the dismal, shaky. Fifth-avenue entrance to the recruiting
office. This entrance, together with the shaky stairs to the fourth floor where
recruits signed the roll, was really like an initial test of the courage of the boys
desiring to enlist.

The band discoursed patriotic tunes until a squad or even a single recruit
was enlisted, when it exultingly paraded with the recruit or squad through the
principal streets with a boy bearing a transparency announcing that the
" ' Hilands Guards ' were filling up rapidly," and
that now was the time to enlist, etc. The names
published on the hand-bills and advertisements for
recruits as officers of the embryo company were
A. L. Pearson, Edward A. Montooth, and Frank J.
Buchard.

Edward A. Montooth had already recruited the
greater part of a company called the " Hilands
Guards, ' named after Alexander Hilands, a wealthy
and public-spirited citizen, who long had held the
position of Clerk of Courts of Allegheny county.
Through the patriotic influence of their patron, this
Company was favored with permission to bivouac
on the Court House grounds, and also to conduct
the drilling of " awkward squads " in full presence
of the Court House habitues, and also in view of
the jail prisoners peeping through the windows of
the old jail.

The " Arsenal Guards," recruited by A. L.
Pearson, had also secured a number of recruits, and
after due negotiations, the Hilands Guards and the
Arsenal Guards were consolidated, and became ^jj_ jj dewalt.

39-> UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

Company A of the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth Regiment Pennsylvania Volun-
teers. Pearson became Captain of the new company, Montooth accepted the
First-Lieutenancy, and Buchard became Second-Lieutenant.

The pleasant week spent in Camp Howe, and the rude " war's alarms " that
occurred nightly, together with the performance of glee clubs and musical instru-
ments, and the genuine " hoe down '' dancing in the barracks by the one thousand
recruits rendezvousing in Camp Howe, awaiting the summons to the front,
would form an interesting and amusing chapter in itself, of which, no doubt, men-
tion is made in this history by other comrades.

Lieutenant Montooth was promoted to Adjutant of the new regiment at its
first organization, and soon made, it was said, the finest adjutant in the Army of
the Potomac. To this deserved tribute might justly be added that he became
also the most popular of Adjutants.

So far as military knowledge or training is concerned, none of this trio.
Captain Pearson, Adjutant Montooth, or Lieutenant Buchard, had the least
experience in the field, or ever smelled powder in any shape. Captain Pearson,
however, had acquired a reputation as a popular and well-drilled officer of the
" Home Guards " company, which he had, during the first months of the war,
organized for later calls. Its flag presentations, reviews, parades, and competitive
prize-drills the first year of the war, had made the " Arsenal Guards," of Law-
renceville, under Captain Pearson, locally famous. The gay Captain and the
festive \'ouths composing the rank and file of the company- attained great
popularity, especially among the fair maidens of that period. The " Hilands
Guards " furnished half the recruits, all enlisting for three years or during the
war.

Charles C. Johnston, Edward P. Johnston, and James P. Johnston, brothers,
were among the first to enlist with Captain Pearson. They were sons of William
Johnston, one of the pioneer settlers of the borough of Lawrenceville, and who
had served three terms as postmaster. These boys all proved on many battle-
fields to be chivalrous, knightly soldiers. Charles C. Johnston, who had at-
tained the rank of First-Lieutenant, fell in battle at Laurel Hill, May 8, 1864;
Edward P. Johnston lost his right arm in action at Cold Harbor, June 2, 1864,
and was afterward promoted to the rank of Captain. James P. Johnston, the
youngest of the brothers, after an honorable record in many battles, died of
disease.

Captain John C. Stewart, who had risen from the rank of Corporal, was
a brave soldier, and who was present for duty in all the great battles from Antie-
tam to the Wilderness, is pleasantly remembered for his kind and gentle treatment
of his command. At the bloody battle of the Wilderness, Captain Stewart re-
ceived serious wounds, forever incapacitating him from further military service.
Lieutenant Charles C. Johnston, on the wounding of Captain Stewart, took com-
mand of the company and, as stated, became engaged a few days later, May 8th,
with the enemy at Laurel Hill, and was the first to fall in that severe action.
Lieutenant Johnston was shot while leading his company into the battle. His
body was carried to the rear and laid side by side with the body of Captain
Edward E. Clapp, of Company F, who was killed in the same action. Two

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS. 393

nobler patriots than these brave officers, thus buried together, could not be found
in any army.

John M. Campbell, who rose to the rank of First-Lieutenant, and who served
from Antietam to Appomattox, was a highly original character. He was well
educated, having been a pupil of the old Pittsburg High school, of good family,
brave as a lion, generous, witty, and ever cheerful. He was an all-round athlete,
and had an intimate acquaintance with those sciences of which Hoyle is the recog-
nized authority. In camp, with boxing gloves, he could hold his own with any
other comrade of the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth or neighboring regiments, in
contests according to London prize-ring, or Marquis of Oueensbury rules. He
frequently gave exhibitions of the manly art. In evenings in camp it required
an able handler of cards to win stakes from him. Promotion to commissioned
rank did not change " Jack's " deportment to his late comrades in the ranks. At
his request they ignored his rank and title and salutes, and continued to call him
" Jack." As an officer, in camp or any of its duties, or as a drill-master or disci-
plinarian, " Jack " made no pretentions, and never aspired to be a martinet. In
battle, however, no other soldier was more daring or insensible to fear, nor ex-
hibited greater skill in leading his company, nor capacity to inspire his men
to deeds of valor. After the war he drifted to the very far West, it was reported.
Though all would have been delighted to welcome " Jack " Campbell to the Regi-
mental reunions, he never attended nor communicated by letter. Whether scalped
by Indians or " dying with his boots on " in some Cowboy disturbances, or pass-
ing to the Great Beyond in a more peaceful way, or whether still in the land of
the living, his surviving comrades have never heard.

Just the opposite in deportment to " Jack," there was in the company the
mild, quiet, patient, retiring, young Sergeant, William Justice, of Pittsburg, ever
ready for duty and always performing it uncomplainingly. Never missing roll-
call nor a battle was his record, with the words added, " wounded in action."
Reared tenderly by pious parents, the often dangerous and immoral environments
of camp life never affected his exemplary Christian character and charitable dis-
position. Sergeant Justice has long slept in the Allegheny cemetery, where com-
rades annually decorate his grave, and recall his amiable and chivalrous life as a
soldier.

No greater evidence of the effects of time is manifest than in the efforts
of the veterans of the Civil War to narrate the history and reminiscences of oc-
currences happening forty-three years ago. The last shots fired at Appomattox,
April 9, 1865, were fired by the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth Regiment Penn-
sylvania Volunteers, which was then 'serving on the advanced skii'mish line, its
former Colonel, Brigadier-General A. L. Pearson, then commanding the Third
Brigade, of the First Division of the Fifth Corps, having on that eventful morn-
ing at Appomattox, specially deployed his old regiment for duty on the skirmish
line. The Confederate army, having been constantly harrassed on its retreat from
Petersburg, by Sheridan's troops in the front and in the rear, determined, on
reaching the vicinity of Appomattox Court House, to make a last stand. For
that purpose. Generals Longstreet and Gordon had halted the Confederate infan-
try and artillery, and, hastily throwing up breastworks, invited Sheridan's dis-

394 UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

mounted cavalry, their close pursuers, to advance and accept the wager of battle
thus tendered. The Confederate commanders named, at this time, were totally
ignorant of the fact that the entire Fifth Corps under General GrifEn had by
forced night marches arrived and were in battle line to support Sheridan's cav-
alry. General Pearson, commanding the advance brigade of infantry, knowing
that the end of the Confederate army was at hand, requested General Griffin,
commanding the corps, that his old regiment, the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth,
should be deployed to serve as advance skirmishers in the impending movement
against Longstreet's and Gordon's Confederate forces. General Griffin granted
General Pearson's request, and having placed all the Fifth Corps batteries in posi-
tion for action, advanced his infantry to attack. This done. General Sheridan
ordered his dismounted cavalry, which had been harrassing and pursuing the
Conefderates, to fall back as if retreating from the fire of the Confederates.
The Fifth Corps infantry columns then advanced and opened fire on the enemy.
The appearance in battle line of the columns of the Fifth Corps infantry and
batteries, and their action in immediately opening fire was an astounding revela-
tion to the Confederate commanders, who, however, continued the unequal combat
with the superior forces of the Union infantry. During the continuance of the
firing a young Confederate courier appeared with a flag of truce, riding rapidly
from the enemy's lines between the skirmishers of both armies, towards the Union
line. Strange to say, both the Confederates and the Union troops disregarded
the flag of truce and its bearer on his journey to the Union line. The firing of the
skirmish lines was kept up, as no orders, to cease firing had been received. The
bearer of the flag of truce entered the Union line at the advanced position occu-
pied by the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth Regiment then on skirmish duty. The
truce bearer, who had narrow escapes from being shot by the fire of both
armies, on reaching the Union lines, complained bitterly to Sergeant-Major
William Shore, of the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth, who was the first to receive
him, that in open disregard of the flag of truce the Union troops had continued
to fire on the white flag. The Confederate courier also indignantly inquired of
Captain George F. Morgan, serving as personal aid on General Pearson's staff,
as to why the Union troops did not cease firing on seeing him approach with the
flag of truce. Captain Morgan, who was equally indignant at the Confederates
for keeping up their firing, minie-balls and shells falling close to him during his
'dialogue with the courier, inquired why the courier did not have the Confederate
army respect their own flag of truce by ceasing to fire. Captain Morgan then
conducted the courier to General Pearson, who instructed him to take the messen-
ger to General Charles Griffin, commanding the Fifth Corps. General Lee had
furnished this messenger with a letter accepting General Grant's overtures for
peace. The war then ended in an hour, no hostile shots being fired thereafter by
either army.

This matter of history of the surrender at Appomattox is preliminary to
rendering a just tribute to the memory of A. L. Pearson, under whom the writer
had the honor as a boy of seventeen, to enlist as a private soldier, in August,
1862, and who served in Company A, organized by Captain Pearson, until the
last shot was fired at Appomattox.

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS. 395

As Captain, Major, Lieutenant-Colonel, Colonel, and as Brevet Brigadier,
and Brevet Major-General, and as the recipient of a Medal of Honor for gallant
and meritorious conduct in many battles. General Pearson never for a moment
forgot his old company. The members of Company A and all surviving comrades
of the Regiment claim to share in the glory, and the deserved promotions and the
high honors which so rapidly came to their first Captain. In the great charge of
Fredericksburg, Lieutenant Pearson, while serving as an officer of Company A,
sheathed his sword, and seizing the gun of a fallen soldier, took his place in the
ranks and loaded and fired with a zeal that encouraged his men to imitate him.
The daring and courage, intelligence, enthusiasm, alertness, the intuitive percep-
tion, and unerring judgment in action of General Pearson eminently qualified
him for the distinguished honors heaped upon him as a natural-born soldier.

The writer would like to protract this narrative by mentioning many dear
comrades and many incidents of the war, but once one becomes reminiscent it is
difficult to tell where or when to end. Understanding that Corporal Frank Gil-
more and Private Nathan Fullerton have furnished personal sketches of their
interesting experiences, the writer will close his contribution by referring readers
to their articles. Privates Benjamin Strubel, who served the entire term in the
field, and his brother, John H. Strubel, proved good and faithful soldiers, the
former being early honored by being detailed to Fifth Corps headquarters.
Private John Milton Hays, the youngest and shortest comrade, and John A.
Hays, in camp life and in winter quarters were ever-present in good humor, doing
much to cheer their comrades. For the officers and others in camp they fre-
quently gave dramatic recitals, evincing great talent in that line.

The Roll of Honor, names of the killed and wounded of the Company, tells
its own story of the Company's achievements and services on the many battle-
fields of the Army of the Potomac.

Record Enrollment Casualties, Etc., Company A.

KILLED and died OF WOUNDS.

Lieutenant Charles C. Johnston— Killed at Laurel Hill, Va., May 8, 1864.

Corporal George Tackelberry — Died March 37, 1865, of wounds received at
Hatcher's Run, Va., March 25, 1865.

Private Samuel Claypoole — Died August 5, 1864, of wounds received at Cold
Harbor, Va., June 4, 1864.

Private William Davis — Killed at Peebles Farm, Va., September 30, 1864.

Private George Edmunds — Died July 37, 1864, of wounds received at Peters-
burg, Va., June 18, 1864.

Private Jeremiah Nolf — Died April 32, 1865, of wounds received at Quaker
Road, Va., March 39, 1865.

Private Isaac Nelson — Died January 31, 1863, of wounds received at Fred-
€ricksburg, Va., December 13, 1863.

Private Moses Robbins — Killed at Peebles' Farm, Va., September 30, 1864.

396 UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

Private Samuel W. Smith — Killed at Dabney's Mills, Va., February 6, 1865.
Private Peter V. Boehr — Wounded and missing at Chancellorsville, Va.,
May 3, 1863.

DIED OF DISEASE.

Corporal Joseph Bauer, January 1, 1864.

Corporal McGrew Wiley, February 25, 1863, at Falmouth, Va.

Private Henry Holmes, August 5, 1864, in New York.

Private Nicholas Marchand, November 19, 1862.

Private Abraham Smeltzer, September 25, 1864, at City Point, Va.

WOUNDED.

Captain John C. Stewart, Wilderness, Va., May 5, 1864.

Captain Edward P. Johnston, Wilderness, Va., May 5, 1864, with loss of arm.

First-Sergeant Wilham H. Justice, Wilderness, Va., May 5, 1864.

Sergeant Brintnel R. Goodlin, Dabney's Mills, Va., February 6, 1865.

Corporal Franklin Gilmore, Laurel Hill, Va., May 8, 1864; Dabney's Mills,
Va., February 6, 1865.

Corporal John W. Smyers, Dabney's Mills, Va., February 6, 1865.

Private Thomas B. Bilt, Hatcher's Run, Va., March 25, 1865.

Private John Beck, Peebles' Farm, Va., September 30, 1864.

Private William DeWah, Hatcher's Run, Va., October 27, 1864. (Loss of
arm.)

Private Frederick Diviner, Hatcher's Run, V'a., March 25, 1865. (Loss of
arm.)

Private George Fifer, Fredericksburg, Va., December 13, 1862.

Private Archibald Griffin, discharged on account of wounds, February 25,
1865.

Private Tolbert Richter, Hatcher's Run, Va., March 25, 1865.

Private Thomas Rosser, Petersburg, Va., June 18, 1864.

Private William Roberts, Hatcher's Run, Va., March 25, 1865.

Private R. T. Robinson, Hatcher's Run, Va., October 27, 1864.

Private Joseph Robbins, Dabney's Mills, Va., February 6, 1865.

Private Moses Robbins, Chancellorsville, Va., May 3, 1863.

Private George Sharp, Laurel Hill, Va., May 9, 1864.

Private Henry A. Troutman, Bethesda Church, Va., June 2, 1864. (With
Sixty-second Pennsylvania Volunteers.)

Private James R. Thompson, Petersburg, Va., June 18, 1864.

RECAPITULATION.

Total enrollment 146

Killed and died of wounds 10

Died of disease 5

Discharged on account of wounds and disabilities 42

Transferred to Veteran Reserve Corps 2

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

Deserted 6

Transferred to other companies and regiments. . . .• 25

Not on Muster-out Rolls 5

Discharge at expiration of term 1

Discharge on habeas corpus 2

Veterans discharged by General Orders 4

Mustered out with the Regiment 44

397

JAMES VAN TASSEL, CO. A,
and Brother of 4th Cavalry.

398

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

WILLIAM LITTLEHALES.

WILLIAM LINDSAY.

JOHN DILLON.

STANLEY LAFFERTY.

SGT. W. H. JUSTICE.

JACOB O. CRAWFORD. CORP. FRANKLIN GILMORE. ELIJAH N. PRICE.

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

39S

MOSES ROBBINS.

LIEUT. ED. P. JOHNSTON.

JAMES P. JOHNSTON.

JOHN A. HAYS.

iOO UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

ORGANIZATION OF COMPANY B.

By Corporal H. F. Weaver.

IHE writer, having by the fortunes of war become disabled by wounds
received in battle on Little Round Top, Gettysburg, July 2, 1863,
can only partially comply with the request to furnish a sketch of
Company " B." All subsequent campaigns must be described by
those who participated after the writer's compulsory withdrawal
from the service.

Captain Benjamin B. Kerr, of Pittsburg, who had acquired the prestige of
a year's active service in the field as a member of Company A, Ninth Pennsyl-
vania Reserves, organized Company B of the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth
Regiment Penns)'lvania Volunteers. The roster of commissioned and non-com-
missioned officers mustered into the United States service at Pittsburg, at Camp
Howe, in August, 1863, was as follows :

Benjamin B. Kerr, Captain; George W. Lore, First- Lieutenant ; Benjamin
F. Jennings, Second-Lieutenant ; Henry W. Grubbs, First-Sergeant ; John Mc-
Millan, Second-Sergeant ; Daniel W. McConnel, Third-Sergeant ; James J.
Stewart, Fourth-Sergeant ; James A. McMillan, Corporal ; Milton L. Meyers,
Corporal ; James D. Wilson, Corporal ; John Miller, Corporal ; John Saber, Cor-
poral ; \A'iIliam Story, Corporal; Adam Black, Corporal; David M. Smith, Cor-
poral.

First-Lieutenant Lore resigned before the battle of Fredericksburg to
enter the United States navy. Captain Kerr commanded the Company at the
battle of Fredericksburg, Mrginia, December 13, 186"2, soon after resigning
because of ill-health.

Lieutenant Benj. F. Jennings, after honorable service at Antietam and
Fredericksburg battles, resigned. Sergeant Henry W. Grubbs and Sergeant
John McMillan were commissioned First-Lieutenant and Second-Lieutenant to
fill these vacancies. No one hundred more cheerful, active, mischievous, and
diversified characters than formed the rank and file of this Company could be
found in any army.

Nearly all nationalities were represented. Old age and extreme youth, a
few fanatical prohibitionists and a number of strong anti-temperance advocates
characterized the Company membership.

In civil life the recruits had varied occupations, and a number seemed to
have had none. Coal miners and iron and steel workers from the vicinity of
Pittsburg, however, formed the great majority of the recruits. Captain Kerr
and the other officers in command, undoubtedly had their lives shortened with
the troubles and difficulties occasioned in breaking in the wild mustangs and skit-
tish colts of the Company, and making them understand the necessity of military

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

401

CAPT. H. W. GRUBBS

LIEUT. DANIEL W. McCONNELL.

SGT. JAMES A. McMILLAN.

MILTON L. MEYERS.

402

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

discipline and unquestioning obedience to orders. All, however, being permeatei
with a patriotic spirit, the urgent exigencies of the service aided materially ii
demonstrating the necessity of discipline, and the raw recruits soon became ex
cellent soldiers, proving it on their first campaign and forced marches througl
Maryland, and at Antietam, as also in the famous charge on Marye's Height
at Fredericksburg, December 13, 1868.

Keeping no diary, the writer now only recalls in a most general manner th(
names and persons of many dear comrades, with whom he enlisted and touchec
elbows in battle from Antietam to Gettysburg. Whilst often boisterous, unruly
and difficult to control in the early days of their service, no kinder, better-hearted
or devoted friends to each other could be found than were those in the rank;
of Company B.

The peculiarity of the nick-names by which many came to be known is re-
called as most amusing. There was " Spitty " Grounds, " Greaser " Woods,
" Spoony " Drake, " Dad " Craig, " Nervy " Fitzgerald, " Pat " Lyon, " Watty ''

McCabe, " Limpy " Stack, who answered these strange
cognomens in camp as if they had been bestowed upon
them at baptism. The most of these brave soldiers
have long since passed to the Great Beyond, but as a
survivor the writer cherishes only the most affectionate
remembrances.

It is due Captain Henry W. Grubbs, who rose
from First-Sergeant to Captain, and served bravely
from Antietam to the Wilderness; First-Lieutenant
John McMillan, who participated in every battle of the
Regiment, having command of the Company on the
last campaign and at Appomattox; and Second-Lieu-
tenant Daniel W. McConnell, his brave and efficient
assistant in all of the same battles, to say that their
promotion was well earned. These officers returned
home in command of the Company.

Sergeant James A. McMillan and Corporal Richard B. Davis are recalled
by the writer as faithful, brave soldiers, ever ready for duty and obedient to
orders. In another part of this history, the writer contributes his recollections
of Fredericksburg and Gettysburg, and having told the story here of the original
organization of Company " B," the writer will conclude this sketch.

CORP. R. B. DAVIS.

LAST TWO YEARS IN COMPANY B.
By Orderly-Sergeant James A. McMillan.

Corporal H. F. Weaver's contribution describing the organization and roster
of officers in the campaign to Gettysburg, where the gallant Corporal's military
career was cut short by a Confederate bullet, disabling him for life, will shorten
the writer's story, confining it to incidents in the last two years' campaigning. It

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

403

is no easy task after the lapse of forty-
three years to tap one's memory to re-
call the scenes and stirring events and
interesting incidents of war days. The
writer has, however, distinct recollec-
tions of several incidents and episodes
of service in Company B, which may
be of interest not only to the survivors
and their friends, but to the general
reader.

The Company was composed of men
and boys gathered from many walks of
life, farmers, tradesmen, coal miners, mill
men, laborers and one solitary preacher,
constituting the roll of the Company.
No reflection is meant on the morality
of the Company when the opinion is ex-
pressed that there might have been more
of the latter's holy calling to the profit
of the remainder of the Company.
One thing is certain and that is that
the " peep-o'-day " boys, and the " mud-
larks " of Saw Mill Run, so well represented in the ranks of the Company, could
be relied upon in becoming busy when there was anything doing, from a raid on
the sutler store to a battle with the " Johnnies." On either occasion they did
their duty and reaped their rewards in their share of the spoils and in the
honors of war.

The fortunes of war deprived this Company within seven months froni the
time of leaving home of its original commissioned officers — Captain, First and
Second Lieutenants — all having resigned and returned to their peaceful homes.

JAMES A. McMillan.

A Fatal Presentiment.

All the battlefields of the Army of the Potomac, as well as the national
cemeteries at Antietam, Fredericksburg, and Gettysburg, attest by their graves
the heroism of members of Company B from Antietam to Appomattox. The
incidents I shall describe may have been overlooked in the itinerary of this his-
tory, and will not, therefore, encroach on the general narrative. At the battle
variously called Laurel Hill and Alsop's Farm, on May 8, 1864, on the all-night
march from the Wilderness, preceding the morning of this battle, First-Sergeant
Thomas Innis Wood, one of the bravest and most energetic men in the Company,
who had been promoted from the ranks, experienced a strange and pathetic
presentiment as to his fate in the battle of the morrow. Its persistent domination
so overcame him that he approached Captain H. W. Grubbs, commanding the
Company, with the most unexpected and surprising request to be excused from
service in the approaching engagement. The Captain inquired if he were sick

404

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

or disabled in any way, and on the Sergeant's answering in the negative, regret-
fully refused his request. At a halt on the road on the line of march, Sergeant
Woods was seen to leave the ranks and seat himself at the foot of a large tree,
where he took from his pocket a diary and made entries therein. Of this action,
although observed by the writer and others of the Company, Sergeant Woods
offered no explanation, and as the column renewed its march no significance was
attached to the action. An hour later the engagement opened and soon became
a desperate conflict. The One Hundred and Fifty-fifth Regiment, with the
. Fifth Army Corps being in the advance, was soon ordered forward to assault
the enemy's column. In doing so the Regiment lost from the severe fire of the
enemy a number of its best soldiers. Among the latter, falling early in the action,

was Sergeant Thomas Innis Woods,
having been at first reported among
the missing. The writer and other
volunteers of the Company instituted
a search in the woods at the scene of
the assault by the Regiment, and
found among the large number of
slain the dead body of their dearly-
beloved comrade. The detail in re-
moving his remains took from his
pocket his diary and watch which
were given into possession of the
writer. An examination of the diary,
made as the Company buried his body
in a battlefield grave, exhibited the
last entry made by Sergeant Woods
a short half hour before the battle in
which he lost his life. This entry
was addressed to the writer, and ex-
pressed the belief that the Sergeant
was certain he would fall in the im-
pending battle, in which event he
asked the writer to bury his body,
and to mark his grave so that his friends could recover his remains after the
war. The diary entry further requested the writer to read the 90th Psalm at
his burial and also gave instructions as to the disposition to be made of his watch
and personal effects. Thus the mortal career of one of the best, bravest, and
most exemplary Christian soldiers was ended.

JOHN L. RAMSEY, THOS. I. WOODS and

JAMES A. McMillan.

Another incident of a different character is recalled, and may be worth re-
peating here. On the last days of May, 1864, the Regiment, on crossing and
fording the North Anna River and securing position on the south side, had a
very active and busy time in getting into line before being discovered by the
Confederates of Breckenridge's Corps, who were waiting for them at another
ford. General Warren, being well aware of that fact through his scouts, directed

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS. 405

the march of his columns to an unguarded passage some miles higher up the
stream, at Jericho Ford, and crossed the entire corps of infantry to the south
side of the North Anna before being discovered. While in line awaiting the
expected attack of the enemy, having arms stacked and cooking the frugal meal
allowed on the march, one of the boys of Company B, who might have been
" Pat " Lyon, was seen slowly marching to join his Company in its position await-
ing attack. This comrade named had been wounded in the knee in the fight
at Laurel Hill a few days before, and although unable to march with the Com-
pany, he followed the army as best he could. As he came to the Company line
before the opening of the battle, he was limping, but was also lugging a pillow
slip half full of cornmeal, and also a genuine hickory-smoked Virginia ham.
Some kindly-disposed native Virginian must have given these timely articles to
comrade Pat, for he would not steal. Pat, on joining the Company, threw down
the sack of cornmeal and the ham, and said to the Company, " There, youse
hungry fellers can have something for supper." Elaborate preparations were at
once started for a royal meal of corn cakes and ham. The Confederates, how-
ever, must have smelled the odor of the frying ham, for they soon coiicentrated
in our front, and then and there attempted to capture the meal in preparation.
They made desperate efforts to drive the Regiment back over the river, con-
tinuing the attack at intervals all night. The Confederates did not succeed in
forcing General Ayres' Brigade, in which the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth
was serving, back to the North Anna, but they certainly did spoil that supper.
All survivors of Company B to this day deeply regret that generous " Pat " Lyon's
effort to supply his Company with a good supper on the battle line ended so
disastrously.

The memorable charge of the 18th of June, 1864, in front of Petersburg,
is detailed so fully in the itinerary, both as to losses and strategic advances, as
to require but little mention here. In this assault some comrades of Company B,
the writer remembers, started for the right, opposite the center of the breast-
works, and they ran into a wire fence which was stretched along the Baxter
Road. Private R. B. Davis, the writer remembers, among others, in striking
the wire fence turned a somersault head first into the road, Sergeant Walter
McCabe being his running-mate on the occasion. The wire was concealed by
the bushes, and caused the tumble on the part of Davis. The enfilading fire of
infantry and artillery on this occasion was more severe than the direct fire, from
the close range of the enemy's fort, in which Company B lost eight men out
of thirty engaged. Corporal Robert Story received three bullet wounds, as
did also Alexander Crowley, from which both died. Two comrades lost legs,
one lost an arm, and only one of the wounded was able to return for duty again.

In December, 1864, the Fifth Corps, to which the One Hundred and Fifty-
fifth was attached, was ordered on a reconnoissance south, to destroy the Weldon
Railroad that was of the greatest importance to the Confederates as a line of
supplies. After quite a lengthy march the Union column reached the road.
They went to work with a will, destroying the road, burning the ties, and twisting

406

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

the rails. This work occupied nearly two days. The weather was extremely c
and disagreeable. On the afternoon of the second day the troops halted, ;
having no shelter or blankets, considerable suffering from exposure ensued.

" Spoony " Drake, one of their water squad who had gone after water
make coffee, soon returned to camp drunk, and being asked if he had got
any water, replied that he had not, but that he had obtained some of the t
stuff he ever tasted. On investigation it was found that his canteens and cofif
pot were filled with applejack, and he had also a comb of honey in his haversa
After sampling the stuff, and discovering it pleasant to the taste, the writer g;
" Dick " Davis a pull of it. " Dick " at the time, was trying to dissect or ma
cate a portion of an old cow that had been picked up and slaughtered by
butchers and issued to the Regiment. In a very few minutes after taking
pull at the canteen, " Dick " could not connect his kr
with the beef. On being informed that he was drunk,
frankly admitted the self-evident fact. On attempting
turn to give the writer his knife, Comrade Davis, sad
state, fell into the embrace of mother earth, and soon s
sided into one of the quietest soldiers in camp. There w
others.

These, after partaking of the applejack, tried to diss
the cow, but were soon prostrated, and the writer decla
his belief now that that quarter of the cow in question ne
was carved. In looking back, the writer is fully convin(
that the entire command was applejacked, or in other wo
were drunk. All, however, could duly declare their ign
ance of the qualities of the applejack, or, that they kn
that the beverage was loaded.

The return march of this reconnoissance to the 'W
don Railroad was marked by unusually severe, bitter cc
and sleety weather, causing the clothes of the troops
freeze as they marched. One shivers yet as he recalls t
march. The discomfort of that night following will :
bt forgotten while any of the participants live.
A little incident also worth noticing occurred on the march back fr
this raid on the Weldon Railroad, to our camps in front of Petersburg. On pa
ing a large plantation some of the boys found a hogshead of molasses, tun
it on end, knocked the head out, and helped themselves. The molasses bej
to get low, and in order to get to it it was necessary to balance on the top
the hogshead to reach the sweet contents. One poor fellow overbalanced i
went head first into the molasses. When he was pulled out he was surely one
the queerest looking pickles one ever saw, and was nearly smothered. Oh!
he was sweet.

Not to protract this sketch the writer cannot close without expressing, e'
at this late day, the friendship and obligations for the many favors and ki:
nesses in the daily life of a soldier received by him at the hands of this gall
company. The writer would like to name every one of the heroic dead and

RICHARD B. DAVIS.

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

407

MICHAEL NILON.

ISAAC CRAIG.

JOHN CRAIG.

patriotic survivors who so faithfully served their country, but to do so in this
sketch would be impossible. Where all did so well, it seems unjust to single out
particular persons, but the writer could not forbear the tribute due Sergeant
Thomas Innis Woods, for his good advice and excellent example during his
service, nor can he overlook Comrade " Dad " Craig, still living. Can you for-
get, Comrade " Dad," the night you stood the writer's watch at Laurel Hill, when
tired nature exhausted the writer's power of endurance so that he could no longer
stand ?

Dear Comrade " Dick " Davis, still my neighbor, ever ready as a soldier for
duty, unselfish as a mess-mate, with a never-empty haversack, and always ready
to divide its contents, how can memory of you ever fade ! To brave Sergeant
Walter McCabe, ever fearless unto recklessness at the front, honest, true, and
faithful as a friend, a similar tribute is due to you. " Bob " Stoddard, always
as ready to fight the enemy as he was in camp to forage for subsistence, gave up
his life on the 18th of June, 1864. Little, but gallant, Sergeant " Johnny " Hays,
faithful WilHam Woods, reliable William C. McMillan, gentle and jolly " Mike "
Nilon, the brave and dutiful " Charley " Ott, who lost his leg on the fateful

WALTER McCABE.

CHARLES W. OTT.

WILLIAM C. McMILLEN.

408

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

18th of June, David M. Smith, killed at Gettysburg, sturdy and brave Lieu-
tenant " Dan " W. McConnell, and gallant Corporal Harry F. Weaver, who lost
his foot on Little Round Top, July 2, 1863, and the dutiful Corporal Milton L.
Meyers, all are among the friends and patriots of Company B impressed on the
writer's memory. Many have gone where war is unknown and all deserve
tributes as earning for Company B its honored record. Handsome Sergeant
Harry R. Campbell, whose sad fate it was to be wounded and captured in the open-
ing battle of the Wilderness, and to be carried off to languish in Confederate
prisons, brings a tear to the eyes of the writer. His death at Annapolis aboard
the exchange steamer on the memorable 9th of April, 1865, his patriotic spirit
passing away as his comrades of Company B at Appomattox were receiving the

surrender of the Confederate army are but
one among the thousand other like occurrences
of that terrible war.

At the recent unveiling of the Hum-
phreys' Monument at Fredericksburg on No-
vember 11, 1908, and at the reunion of the
Regiment on the same occasion, but twelve
survivors of Company B answered roll-call on
the old battlefield on Marye's Heights, thus
evidencing the ravages of time and the work
of the grim messenger in the ranks of this
famous Company, on whose rolls the names of
one hundred and fifty men were carried.

The fact that this Company furnished
music as well as fighters should not be over-
looked, as but few performers on the ear-
piercing fife in the army could surpass the
masterly notes in playing of " Sam " Heflick
and his younger brother, John Heflick, who
joined his brother in the Company in the second year of the war, both proudly
serving until the triumphal day at Appomattox, and in the parade through the
streets of Pittsburg on the occasion of the reception accorded the survivors of the
Regiment at the close of the war.

To Company B must also be credited the honor of Corporal " Bob " Culp,
the accomplished Regimental violinist, and no less skillful blacksmith. This Com-
pany had also the honor of furnishing an able member of the Regimental Drurt^
Corps, in the person of Private William Grounds.

ROBERT R. GULP.

Record Enrollment, Casualties, Etc., Company B.

KILLED AND DIED OF WOUNDS.

Sergeant Thomas L Woods— Killed at Laurel Hill, Va., May 8, 1864.
Corporal Robert Story — Died July 14th of wounds received at Petersburg,
Va., June 18, 1864.

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

409

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SAMUEL J. HEFLICK AND WILLIAM GROUNDS
of Regimental Band.

410 UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

Corporal Adam Black — Died July 9, 1863, of wounds received at Fredericks-
burg, Va., December 13, 1862.

Corporal David M. Smith— Killed at Gettysburg, Pa., July 2, 1863.

Private Alexander Crowley — Died July 6, 1864, of wounds received at
Petersburg, \'a., June 18, 1864.

Private William Douglas — Killed at Gettysburg, Pa., July 2, 1863.

Private Plenry Kaner — Killed at Fredericksburg, Va., December 13, 1862.

Private Abraham Miller — Killed at Peebles' Farm, Va., September 30, 1864.

Private Michael Seiffert— Killed at Spottsylvania ,Va., May 11, 1864.

Private William C. Todd— Killed at Quaker Road, Va., March 29, 1865.

MISSING IN ACTION.

Private Harrison Daverbiss, Wilderness, \^a.. May 5, 1864.

DIED IN PRISON OR RESULT OF IMPRISONMENT.

Sergeant Harry R. Campbell, at Annapolis, Md., April 9, 1865.
Private William A. Moore, at Richmond, Va., September 16, 1864.

DIED OF DISEASE.

Private John L. Byers, at Bolivar Heights, \"a., December, 1862.

Private William Cronemeyer, at Camp Humphreys, Va., March 17, 1863.

Private Samuel Edmunds, at Stoneman's Switch, Va., December 12, 1862.

Private William Glenden, at City Point, Va., December 28, 1864.

Private David Hopkins, at Annapolis, Md., March 17, 1865.

Private Archibald McMillan, at Sharpsburg, Aid.. November 7, 1862.

Private Alexander Porter, at Philadelphia, Pa., May 12, 1863.

Private John Ramsey, at Appomattox C. H., \"a., April 12. 1865.

Private William Smith, May 3, 1863.

Private Carl Truxall, at Washington, D. C.. July 13, 1864.

Private Michael Weaver, at Washington, D. C, May 6, 1865.

WOUNDED IN ACTION.

Sergeant John Hays, Petersburg, Va., June 18, 1864.

Sergeant James P. Stewart, Fredericksburg, Va., December 13, 1862.

Sergeant Francis A. Flarvey, Petersburg, Va., June 18, 186-1. (Loss of arm.)

Corporal Harry F. Weaver, Gettysburg, Pa., July 2, 1863. (Loss of foot.)

Corporal John Saber, Boydtown Road, Va., March 31, 1865.

Private Robert R. Gulp, Hatcher's Run, Va.. October 27, 1864.

Private Ferdinand Deitsch, Laurel Hill, Va., May 8. 1864.

Private John Eastwood, Fredericksburg, \"a., Dec. 13, 1862.

Private John Gabel, Petersburg, Va., June 18, 1864. (Loss of leg.)

Private Patrick Lyons, Laurel Hill, Va., May 8. 1861.

Private John McKinley, Fredericksburg. A'a., December 13, 1862.

Private Hugh McFarland, Hatcher's Run, Va., October 27, 1864.

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

Private Charles McMahon, Petersburg, Va., July 18, 1864.

Private Charles W. Ott, Petersburg, Va., July 18, 1864. (Loss of leg.)

Private Patrick Stack, Wilderness, Va., May 5, 1864.

Private Samuel Upcraft, Fredericksburg, Va., December 13, 1862.

RECAPITULATION.

Total enrollment , 157

Killed and died of wounds 12

Died of disease and in prison .... 12

Deserted 6

Discharged on account of wounds and disabilities ' 46

Transferred to Veteran Reserve Corps 8

Transferred to other organizations 31

Never joined Company 6

Officers resigned 3

Discharged at expiration of term 2

Transferred men discharged by General Orders 4

Dishonorably discharged 1

Wounded in Action 16

Mustered Out with Regiment 26

411

•-■7cJ W,;v...^

413

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

COMPANY C— THE COLOR COMPANY.

By Lieutenant Joseph M. Cargo.

JOMPANY C may truly be said to have had its birth at the great
Union mass-meeting held on the West Commons (now Park)
of Allegheny City, in the latter part of July, 1863, when the news
of repulse and disasters to the gallant Union army under General
George B. McClellan startled the country and aroused the patriotic
element predominating in the young and old of that day and generation.

Among the recruiting stands opened on that memorable day, when twenty
thousand people rallied to hear the sad news from the lips of Pennsylvania's
own great War Governor, Andrew G. Curtin, and other patriotic orators, was.
John H. Cain, of Pittsburg. His recruiting booth was decorated with the
Nation's flag under the folds of which, in United States uniform, a fifer and
drummer kept time to the music of the day. During the progress of the meeting
and after each stirring war address urging enlistment. Captain Cain's quota was
rapidly filling and at last twenty-five names were enrolled. Besides the writer,
who signed his name, he now recalls comrades Archie N. Euwer, L. E. Mc-
Pherson, John McGee, Thos. B. Dunn, Thos. Wiseman, and Thomas Sprague, as

among the gallant comrades with whom
in the next three years' service in the field
the writer was destined to become most
intimate.

Captain Cain had served three months
in the Twelfth Pennsylvania Infantry un-
der Mr. Lincoln's first call for three-
months' troops. He had in that regiment
the benefit of the military service in camp
and on drills under two efficient and brave
soldiers who later died for the Union
cause — 'General Alexander Hays, who was
killed in the Wilderness, Major of the
Regiment, and Colonel James H. Childs,
who fell commanding the Fourth Penn-
sylvania Cavalry at Antietam, Captain of
the company in which Captain Cain had
served as a private.

Lee Anshutz, of Pittsburg, at the

same mass-meeting was recruiting for the

One Hundred and Fifty-fifth, and se-

CAPT. AUGUSTUS H. HEisEY. cured a number of volunteers. He had

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS. 413

achieved a reputation as an efficient Captain in command of a company of Home
Guards in Pittsburg, known as the Park Rifles. It was drilled by the late James
G. Weldon, a Sergeant in the Duquesne Grays. The company wore an attractive
zouave uniform in mild imitation of that of the famous Ellsworth Chicago
zouaves. Its gaudy uniform made the organization exceedingly popular in local
circles, with its fancy drills and presence at flag presentations, reviews, etc. To
the city school boys of fifteen and sixteen years of age, this company was es-
pecially attractive. It is needless to add that for the same reason it became de-
cidedly popular among the school girls and lassies of that day. They frequently
attended the fancy drills and gorgeous dress parades daily had on the Allegheny
Commons parade grounds. On these occasions the young ladies were wont not
only to cheer the embryo heroes of the rank and file of Captain Anshutz' crack
company with the bewitching smiles, but frequently accompanied the same with
wreaths, bouquets, and small flags to emphasize their sympathy for the Union
and the youthful zouaves of the Park Rifles.

Among the boys still attending school or just leaving whom the writer now re-
calls first meeting at the company, answering to Captain Anshutz's roll-calls, were
John F. Hunter, Charles F. McKenna, John Mackin, and other boys who grad-
uated the next year into full-fledged volunteers in the One Hundred and Fifty-
fifth Regiment, none of those named having at the time passed his seventeenth
year. Chas. Seibert, Nicholas Seibert, J. J. Ricketts, and F. C. O'Brien volun-
teered from this home-guard company to join the Sixty-second Regiment Penn-
sylvania Volunteers, being organized by Colonel Samuel W. Black. Scott C.
McDowell, the handsome color-bearer of the Park Rifles, still later joined the
same regiment and died a soldier's death in the famous Peach Orchard on the
field of Gettysburg.

Captain Anshutz, at the close of the great War meeting of July, 1863, al-
ready mentioned, merged the recruits who had volunteered with him with those
already recruited by Captain Cain at the same mass-meeting, and thus Com-
pany C of the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth was completed. It organized by
the choice of John H. Cain as Captain. Lee Anshutz was made First-Lieutenant
and James S. Palmer was appointed Second-Lieutenant. On organization of the
Regiment, Captain Cain was commissioned Major and Lieutenant Anshutz was
promoted to Captain, and James S. Palmer advanced to First-Lieutenant. John
T. Denniston was promoted to the vacant Second-Lieutenancy of the Company.

A Flag Reminiscence.
In October, 1863, when the representative of Governor Curtin at Camp
McAuley, Sharpsburg, Md., on behalf of the State of Pennsylvania, presented
the beautiful new United States flag to Colonel Allen, commanding the Regi-
ment, assembled on dress parade for the occasion, all will recall the eloquent
and patriotic response of the Colonel in receiving the colors. Particularly pa-
thetic is the recollection now recalled how at the bugler's call. Captain Anshutz
and Color-Sergeant Thomas E. Wiseman, of " C " Company, marched to the
front of the Regiment, where the Colonel handed the spotless new flag to Color-
Sergeant Wiseman, accompanied with a solemn charge as to the duty of the

414

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

Sergeant to forever defend the honor of the precious emblem entrusted to his
custody. How vigorous and soldierly erect both Captain Anshutz and Color-
Sergeant Wiseman appeared as they proudly marched back to the Regimental
line with the sacred colors can never be forgotten by those who witnessed the
impressive ceremony.

What a distressing contrast in scenes and coincidences in the lives of these
two beloved comrades occurred in less than two short months when the Regiment
received its baptism of fire in the battle of Fredericksburg, December 13, 1863.
It formed with seven other new Pennsylvania regiments, composing Humphreys'
Division, the " forlorn hope " or last desperate assault ordered by Burnside, and
led by the intrepid General A. A. Humphreys against the stonewall defended by
the Confederate army on Marye's Heights. Seventeen hundred and fifty men
killed and wounded in the bayonet charge of this Division, occupying not over
fifteen minutes, tells its own story. Among the killed of Company C were
Captain Anshutz and Color-Sergeant Thos. E. Wiseman. The beautiful flag

was badly riddled and torn by the ene-
my's missiles. The flag staff was shat-
tered and broken. Sergeant Wiseman,
however, held on to the colors until they
were rescued from his dying grasp by
Color-Corporal Thomas C. Lawson, of
Company H. Immediately around the
prostrate forms of Captain Anshutz and
Color-Sergeant Wiseman four of the
color-corporals also lay mortally wounded
defending the colors, being Chas. Bar-
deen. Company F, Frank Thompson,
Company I, Geo. W. Bratten, Company
E, and Robert Rankin, Company I.
Both Captain Anshutz and Color-Ser-
geant Wiseman were buried by comrades
of the Company in the Court House
yard. The Court .House was one of the
largest buildings in the town. Its rooms
were used for hospitals. It was over-
crowded with wounded and dying. The
numerous amputations and operations in
progress greatly over-worked the large
corps of surgeons. The many coffins we
had seen piled up on Stafford's Heights,
just before the army crossed over the
Rappahannock on the pontoons to Fred-
ericksburg, were all needed in this en-
gagement.

Private John F. Hunter, of Com-
LiEUT. JOS. M. CARGO. P^n}' C, wliilst Serving as the personal

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

415

•mounted orderly of General Humphreys in the great charge on Marye's Heights
was shot in the shoulder and knocked off his horse by the fire of the enemy.
It became necessary to amputate his arm at the shoulder joint. Comrade Hunter
was so disabled by his terrible wounds that it was long after the close of the war
l)efore he was permitted to leave the hospital.

Lieutenant James S. Palmer, on the death of Captain Anshutz, assumed com-
mand of the Company during the remainder of the battle. He was rewarded with
merited promotion, being commissioned as Captain, and Lieutenant Denniston was
■promoted to First-Lieutenant. Orderly-Sergeant Augustus H. Heisey, under
whose discipline the raw material of the Company had been developed into
trained soldiers, also received recognition, being advanced to a Second-Lieuten-
ancy. In this capacity, owing to the pro-
tracted sickness of Captain Palmer and
the absence of Lieutenant Denniston on
•detailed staff duty for several months,
Lieutenant Heisey frequently com-
manded the Company.

The casualty list of Company C, be-
ginning at Marye's Heights, was fol-
lowed by the death of Privates Abner
Adams and Marion Hartley, who met
■their fate on the skirmish line on open-
ing the battle of the Wilderness. Both
todies fell into the enemy's hands
and were never recovered. Three
days later, on May 8th, early in the
morning, the Fifth Corps, with Ayres'
Brigade and the One Hundred and
Fifty-fifth in advance, occurred the bat-
tle of Laurel Hill, or Alsops' Farm, as
it is often called. Sergeant Joseph
M. Shawhan, popularly known as
■" Forty '' in the Regiment, was among
the first killed, as he led the Com-
pany into action. His death cast a gloom over the Company. He was much
beloved by his superior officers and the ranks of the Company for his soldierly,
manly qualities. In the same action Samuel Andrews fell, mortally wounded.
After the battle, both these heroes were buried on the battlefield by comrades,
who affectionately marked their graves with headboards.

The general history with itinerary of the Regiment tells the story of the
subsequent continuous actions and skirmishing at Spottsylvania, North Anna, and
Bethesda Church in the great flank movement of the Union army under Grant
■on its second " on to Richmond " marches.

On June 1st and 2nd, at Bethesda Church, the Ninth Corps, under General
Burnside, and the Fifth Corps, commanded by General Warren, were ordered
•by Lieutenant-General Grant to advance their skirmish line against the enemy

SGT. JOS. SHAWHAN.

416

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

and to make constant demonstrations of heavy firing to detain the large corps of
General Lee's army from reinforcing the other Confederate corps in the Cold
Harbor fortified defences of Richmond. General Grant had ordered the Second
Corps, under General Hancock, and the Sixth Corps, under General Wright, to-
mass in force assaulting columns to capture the fortified positions held by the
enemy. Two successive assaults in force by thes^ determined corps were re-
pulsed with the heaviest loss in officers and men of any similar action of the
campaign. General Grant issued a third order to renew the assault, but the
order was subsequently countermanded owing to the heavy losses. For two
days and nights the advance of this vidette and skirmish work was assigned to
Ayres' Brigade in which the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth was serving. The
exposure to the deadly range of the enemy's sharpshooters during this period
told upon the list of killed and wounded in the Regiment.

June 18th, 1864, marked a bloody day's work in the career of the Regi-
rhent. Lieutenant-General Grant determined to have all the corps of the army
at a certain hour on this day simultaneously attack the outer works of defences
of Petersburg in hopes of penetrating the lines and capturing the city, before
General Lee's army, defending Richmond, could be transferred to the de-
fences. It was, however, found impossible by reason of the stubborn resist-
ance of the enemy to carry out this intention, and the assaults were made sep-
arately by the Fifth, Ninth and Sixth Corps, late in the afternoon. Colonel
Ewing, commanding the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth Regiment, delivered
orders to " fix bayonets " and to charge the Confederates' fort in front,
and with cheers the men advanced. They first met a direct destruc-
tive fire from the defenders of the fort, which, however, did not halt the col-
umn until a very heavy enfilading fire of infantry
and artillery opened and checked the assaulting column
within thirty yards of the enemy's works, when the
order to fall back was given. The venerable Captain
S. A. McKee, with uplifted sword, leading the assault,
fell mortally wounded, with a score of the bravest
spirits of the Regiment as his companions in death.
Color-Sergeant Thomas J. Marlin, with the colors in
hand pressing to the front, received a painful wound
which disabled him. By direction of Colonel Ewing,
Color-Corporal L. E. McPherson, of Company C, took
Sergeant Marlin's place and charge of the colors during"
the remainder of the battle, and for the next week's
active campaign, after which period Sergeant Marlin
returned from the hospital to resume his old posi-
tion.

In this day's action Captain Heisey, commanding
Company C, was conspicuous side by side with Cap-
tain McKee in leading his men in the advance of the
storming column, and was among the last to obey the
LEMUEL E. Mcpherson, order to fall back.

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS. 417

The charge of the Regiment on June 18, 1864, was only equalled in its
severity and daring by that of its experience in the famous charge of Humphreys'
Division on Marye's Heights, December 13, 1863.

The One Hundred and Fifty-fifth can truly assert that its members on this
assault on the outer defences of Petersburg got closer to the enemy's works than
did those of any other command engaged in the storming columns on that occa-
sion. The only Union troops actually reaching the enemy's fort on this occasion
were a half dozen daring spirits of the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth Pennsylvania
Volunteers, commanded by Sergeant " Bill " Coiner, of Company H, who, refus-
ing to fall back, crossed through the deadly fire of the enemy and took shelter in
the moat or ditch surrounding the Confederate fort. The fatal range of the
enemy's firing was shown as young Rankin, of Company I, who exposed him-
self preparatory to running back to our lines before night would set in, was
instantly perforated by a half dozen shots from the enemy's sharpshooters,
his body falling back into the moat. The others in the moat laid low until the
shades of night, when they escaped by crawling back within our lines, picking
their way through the rows of the dead and dying. Both Generals Warren and
Griffin, at midnight, sent field reports to Generals Grant "and Meade of this
action of the men of the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth Regiment on reaching
the front.

Passing from the many other important events so rapidly following in the
siege of Petersburg we reach Fort Stedman near the end of the great siege. At
Fort Stedman, March 25, 1865, in front of Petersburg, the enemy during the
night performed a daring deed in first capturing our pickets, and next the
guards stationed at entrance to the fort. It was a complete surprise and at first
was quite successful, the Confederates capturing this important fort and turn-
ing its guns upon the Union forts adjoining. The victory, however, was of
short duration, as General Meade and his corps commanders at once made coun-
ter moves which drove the enemy from Fort Stedman with heavy loss in prisoners
and killed and wounded, and driving the enemy back into the Confederate line.
Under Colonel Ewing, the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth participated in the action
at Hatcher's Run, following the recapture of Fort Stedman, and sustained severe
losses. Colonel Ewing received a serious wound in the foot, so disabling him that
he turned the command of the Regiment over to Major John A. Cline. In this ac-
tion. Sergeant Thos. C. Sprague, Corporal Thomas Montgomery, and Privates
Samuel K. Book and John C. Book were wounded. Memory so crowds one as the
mind is concentrated on those days long gone by, that it is difficult to draw the cur-
tain or tell where to end the narrative. However, as the sketch of the Company
shows that Company C lost its brave Commander Anshutz in its first battle, it is
but proper to state that at Five Forks, its last battle, planned and won by General
G. K. Warren, the Company lost its last commander. Lieutenant Thos. B. Dunn,
who fell mortally wounded in that decisive battle. He had escaped all missiles
of the enemy in every battle from Antietam to Five Forks to receive his death
at the very end of the campaign. His promotion had been recent and he had
]ust returned from fifteen days' leave of absence to visit Pittsburg, when march-

418 UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

ing orders opening Grant's last campaign were issued. Lieutenant- Dunn's home
was at Perrysville, Allegheny county, where he was deservedly popular. Gen-
€ral Pearson, commanding the Brigade, knowing the soldierly qualities and rec-
ord of Lieutenant Dunn, was so grieved, on hearing of his wounds, that he
visited the Field Hospital and offered Dr. E. C. Kitchen, the Regimental Sur-
geon, one thousand dollars in gold if he could save the life of the brave Lieu-
tenant, but, alas! it was impossible. April 7th, a burial party laid his remains
to rest in the Fifth Corps field hospital burying ground adjoining the Danville
Railroad.

In July, 1863, Captain James S. Palmer, who was never of robust consti-
tution, broke down under the severe hardships of active campaigning. He re-
mained under treatment at his home in Pittsburg until August, 1863, when he
resigned. During the absence on sick leave of Captain Palmer and until No-
vember, 1863, Lieutenant John T. Denniston was the ranking officer and com-
manded the Company, the captaincy being left vacant. Lieutenant Denniston,
by order of the War Department, was, in the fall of 1863, detailed for staff
duty, reporting to General Thomas A. Rowley. No more deserving or patriotic
officers than Captain' Palmer and Lieutenant Denniston were in the Union army.
Both proved themselves fearless soldiers in battle and chivalrous gentlemen in
camp, and their severance from the Company occasioned sincere regret.

By the resignations mentioned Lieutenant Heisey, who had long commanded
the Company, during the absence of Captain Palmer and Lieutenant Denniston,
became Captain, continuing to hold this rank until mustered out with the Regi-
ment. On the resignation of Captain Frank Van Gorder as Regimental Quarter-
master early in the history of the Regiment, James B. Palmer, of Company C,
was promoted to Regimental Quartermaster, with rank of Captain. He fulfilled
the important duties so satisfactorily that he retained the important position dur-
ing the entire term of service of the Regiment.

This sketch cannot end without noticing a somewhat peculiar character in
the Company, known as little " Johnnie " Boyd. He was of drawfish size and was
a typical Irishman, being quick at repartee, also genial, good natured, and shrewd.
Endowed with no education, he depended upon picking up news and current
events of the day from those of a more literary turn. When not drilling and off
duty, " Johnnie," being of sober habits and industriously inclined to earn an honest
penny or dollar, secured permission from Colonels Allen, Cain, and Pearson
in turn to enjoy the exclusive franchise of laundryman for Company C and
adjacent companies. His franchise was frequently invaded by Private James
Finnegan, a countryman of Boyd's, who was serving in Company D. Great
Avas the fun in camp when these two worthies often indulged in joint discussions
over their respective rights and claims to the exclusive franchises as Company
laundryman in the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth Regiment. In battle, " Johnnie"
Boyd was full of martial spirit and did his duty on all occasions as fearlessly
as did his ancestors at the battle of the Boyne or at Fontenoy.

Among those entitled to credit in action and Field Hospital service was
Albert K. Smith, who, although at times in delicate health, fulfilled the arduous
•duties of Sergeant in the ambulance corps during the campaigns of the Regiment.

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

419

SGT. ALBERT K. SMITH.

In conclusion, it may be stated that the
proudest day in all the history of the dear
old Regiment was when it stood in line on the
occasion of paroling the Confederates of
General Gordon's and Longstreet's com-
mands after the surrender at Appomattox
and when we looked without malice into the
eyes of the brave Confederates, our oppo-
nents on so many hotly contested battlefields,
as they cheerlessly stacked their guns and
sadly and siletly broke ranks and walked
away.

This paroling scene occurred April 12,
1865. It was a full compensation to those of
us who witnessed the solemn ceremony for
all our sufferings and sacrifices of the three
years' service. The only regret felt was that
all our brave fellow comrades who once stood
in our ranks could not be with us on the
occasion to enjoy the glorious end of the campaign culminating so happily in a
restored and reunited country. ,

As the author of the sketch, it would ill-become the writer to say much
of his own military record as Sergeant and Orderly-Sergeant of the Company,
assuming command of the Company on the fall of Lieutenant Dunn in the battle
at Five Forks. But the writer thinks he may be excused for alluding to the fact
that General Lee's sudden notion to accept General Grant's terms to surrender
the Confederate army at Appomattox seriously interfered with the writer's pro-
motion and commission as a Second-Lieutenant. Major Cline, commanding the
One Hundred and Fifty-fifth at Five Forks, had forwarded a recommendation
after the battle of the writer's name for promotion to the vacant Second-Lieu-
tenancy, and the same was forwarded " approved " by General Pearson, com-
manding the Brigade. The recommendation in due time reached the War De-
partment at Washington, and the commission was
finally made out.

The commission as Lieutenant was forwarded
to the writer, but arrived too late for his actual
muster into the service with the rank, as at Camp
Copeland, Pittsburg, he was paid off and mustered
out with his Company on June 2, 1865, as Orderly-
Sergeant.

Uncle Sam, however, in the " piping times of
peace," twelve years after the close of the Civil
War, corrected this injustice, and, upon due investi-
gation, made handsome amends and directed the
i^ ^^S^l^^' issue of a commission as Second-Lieutenant and the

^^%EORGE BOLLINGER. mustcr in of the writer to that rank, and awarded

430 UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

the additional pay and emolument, as will officially appear by true copy of Special
Order in the case issued by the War Department.

(Copy.)

Special Orders Headquarters of the Army

No. 193 Adjutant-General's Office,

Washington, Aug. 20, 1887.

EXTRACT.

1. By direction of the acting Secretary of War, under the act approved
February 3, 1887, to complete his record, the discharge of First-Sergeant Joseph
M. Cargo, Company C, One Hundred and Fifty-fifth Pennsylvania Infantry Vol-
unteers, May 11, 1865, and his muster into service as Second-Lieutenant, same
company and regiment, May 13, 1865, is amended to take effect April 1, 1865, and
he is mustered for pay in the advance grade during the period embraced between
the aforesaid dates.

By command of Lieutenant-General Sheridan.

R. C. Drun,
Official : Adjutant-General.

J. C. Kelton,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

Record, Enrollment, Casualties, Etc., Company C.

killed and died of wounds.

Captain Lee Anshutz — Killed at Fredericksburg, Va., December 13, 1863.

Lieutenant Thomas B. Dunn — Died April 3, 1865, of wounds received at
Five Forks, Va., April 1, 1865.

Color-Sergeant Thomas E. Wiseman — Died of wounds received at Freder-
icksburg, Va., December 13, 1863.

Sergeant Joseph Shawhan — Killed at Laurel Hill, Va., May 8, 1864.

Corporal Cyrus L. Jamison — Killed at Five Forks, Va., April 1, 1865.

Corporal Anthony Thresher — Died of wounds received at Wilderness, Va.,
May 5, 1864.

Private Samuel Andrews — Killed at Laurel Hill, Va., May 9, 1864.

Private Abner J. Adams — Killed in Wilderness, Va., May 5, 1864.

Private Robert F. Campbell — Died of wounds received August 19, 1864.

Private Marion Hartley— Killed in Wilderness, Va., May 5, 1864.

Private William H. Linhart— Killed at Petersburg, Va., June 18, 1864.

Private Phillip Perry— Killed at Petersburg, Va., June 18, 1864.

Private George W. Plough — Killed at Petersburg, Va., June 18, 1864.

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS. 431

Private John Shue — ;Died of wounds received at Hatcher's Run, Va., Oc-
tober 27, 1864.

DIED OF DISEASE.

Corporal Edwin D. Carpenter — Died December 29, 1862.
Private Andrew P. Christy — Died at Baltimore, Md., July 28, 1864.
Private Joseph Funiack — Died at Washington, D. C, January 1, 1863.
Private Michael Sullivan — Died June 13, 1864.

WOUNDED IN ACTION.

Sergeant Thomas C. Sprague, Hatcher's Run, Va., March 25, 1865.
Sergeant Phillip A. Drain, Wilderness, Va., May 5, 1864.
Corporal Archibald N. Euwer, Peebles' Farm, Va., September 30, 1864.
Corporal Thomas Montgomery, Hatcher's Run, Va., March 25, 1865.
Private Robert Andrew, Wilderness, Va., May 5, 1864.
Private Joseph Bowers, Wilderness, Va., May 5, 1864.
Private Samuel K. Boak, Hatcher's Run, Va., March 25, 1865.
Private James M. Clark, Fredericksburg, Va., December 13, 1863.
Private Williamson Christy, discharged for wounds April 17. 1865.
Private John F. Hunter, Fredericksburg, Va., December 13, 1862.
Private David W. McCombs, discharged for wounds fdate unknown).
Private James W. McCandless, discharged for wounds (date unknown).
Private William H. Showalter, Fredericksburg, Va., December 13, 1862.
Private Martin F. Stewart, with Sixty-second Pennsylvania Volunteers.
Never joined company.

Private James Webb, Laurel Hill, Va., May 8, 1864. (Loss of leg.)
Private John C. Wick, Hatcher's Run, Va., March 35, 1865.

RECAPITULATION.

Total enrollment 148

Killed and died of wounds 13

Died of disease 4

Discharged on account of wounds and disabilities 43

Transferred to Veteran Reserve Corps 14

Officers resigned 3

Transferred to other organizations 30

Dishonorably discharged 3

Not on Muster-out Rolls 8

Never joined company 5

Deserted 11

Mustered out with Regiment 35

Wounded in action 16

433

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

423

IN THE RANKS OF COMPANY D.

By Private William J. Scott.

I HE " McAuley Guards " was the name under which Company I>
of the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth Pennsylvania Volunteers was
recruited in August, 1863, in the city of Pittsburg, to serve for three
years. Its promoter and financial contributor to its organization ex-
penses was James McAuley, a public-spirited and loyal citizen, of the
Fourth Ward, Pittsburg, at that date serving as President of one branch of City
Councils. Also engaged in banking business.

Captain James J. Hall, who had served in the British army in the Crimean
War, had advertised for volunteers to form a company. Samuel Kilgore, who-
had commanded a local Home Guard company, was also advertising for recruits —
Alexander Carson, of Allegheny, assisting him. Captain Hall, for the Captaincy,
transferred his recruits to Messrs. Kilgore and Carson.

The expenses of recruiting, which were upwards of twenty-five dollars per
day for the drum-and-fife corps and flag and hall hire, with additional costs of
maintaining the recruits until sent to rendezvous at Camp
Howe, were all defrayed by Mr. McAuley. He also gave
the officers orders on the best tailors in the city for regu- j

lation uniforms and belts, and also to manufacturers of
equipments for swords and pistols.

Captain Hall was unable to endure the forced
marches in the field and resigned before participating in
active campaigning. Captain Samuel Kilgore became his
successor, and Alexander Carson was made First-Lieu-
tenant, James Wells being promoted from Orderly-Ser-
geant to Second-Lieutenant.

The rank and file of Company D, if not recruited
from the four quarters of the globe, was gathered from
the four quarters of Allegheny county, with consider-
able drafts upon England, Ireland and Scotland and the
German Empire. Ireland, although in a respectable mi-
nority, predominated in the matter of securing all the
commissioned officers. It is but proper also to remark
that they — Captain Kilgore, Lieutenant Carson and
James Wells — continued to fill said positions with credit.
Lieutenant Wells resigning, however, after two years
active service. His place was taken by the promotion william j. scott.

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

of John C. Sweeney, Orderly-Sergeant. Like all the companies so hastily re-
cruited at the crisis of the war existing in 1862, Company D had the greatest va-
riety of characters, good, bad and indifferent. Discipline at first set hard upon
the stirring spirits, many being mere boys. Yet in the real duties of a soldier-
in fighting, in battle or on skirmish line, scouting or picket duty, they would take
any risks. It can truly be asserted that to a man no better or braver soldiers ever
responded more quickly to the hazards of a soldier's Hfe than did the men com-
posing Company D. It was only in the long, dreary, dull, inactive days in camp
that the devil got busy in a number of Company D. Then it was that commotions
and disturbances broke out, terminating in altercations, mutinies, and open re-
bellion against some particular commissioned or non-commissioned officer. When

it did break out, for a while, pandemonium
prevailed.

In the early days of the service the
members of the Company were often
known to display their superabundant
spirits in camp. After pay-day, when
flush financially and enabled to secure
" commissary " beverages, they were
known to capture a newly-commissioned
officer, and, despite his protests and rank,
thoroughly to " haze " him, after taking
his sword from him. The form of this
ceremony at this period often took the
shape of sportively tossing the newly-
fledged officer up and down in an out-
stretched army blanket until he promised
to be good and appealed for relief.

This hilarious disposition on the part
of Company D, which might be construed
as somewhat subversive of discipline, sur-
prising to state, often called for the sever-
est criticism from officers of other com-
panies in the Regiment. Several officers
became so indiscreet as openly to boast of what they would do as officers
with Company D, if Colonel Pearson, commanding the Regiment, made them
Officer of the Day, declaring how they would tame the turbulent tigers. Com-
pany D soon heard of these threats and at once began preparation for the
" coming conflict." Colonel Pearson, commanding the Regiment at Warrenton
Junction, arranged that Captain Kilgore should be detailed on picket duty on a
certain day, when one of the belligerent officers, anxious to tame Company D,
should be detailed as Officer of the Day in the camp of the One Hundred and
Fifty-fifth, with instructions to keep the strictest military surveillance over Com-
pany D in the absence of Captain Kilgore on picket duty.

The Officer of the Day appeared on duty with the proverbial chip on his
shoulder. He was further equipped in regulation uniform, belt, sash and sword,

LIEUT. ALEX. CARSON.

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

425.

together with an extra pompous strut. He first ventured to conduct an inspec-
tion of Company D, All of the Company were on the alert, and waiting for
the officer in question. The ball opened by a Corporal, who had not finished
his pay-day spree, leaving his quarters and passing the august officer without giv-
ing him a military salute as the Officer of the Day. The latter halted the jovial
Corporal, and in terms very offensive rebuked the offending subaltern, who in
profane and unmilitary language promptly retorted. The officer then drew his
sword to strike the Corporal, who, however, dodged the blow and clenched holds
with the officer, throwing him to the ground and taking his sword from him.
The disarmed and discomfited Officer of the Day reported the situation to Colonel
Pearson, who at once relieved the disarmed Officer of the Day. He detailed in
his place a new Captain for that duty. This officer, on cautiously visiting the out-
skirts of Company D with a guard to arrest the Corporal who had initiated
the row, found the whole Company all in line, fully armed, and announcing the
establishment of a " dead line " across which the Officer of the Day was forbid-
den to step.

At dusk Captain Kilgore opportunely returned to camp and order in Com-
pany D was at once restored. All of Company D always obeyed with af-
fectionate promptness any order Captain Kilgore had to give. For form's sake
the Corporal and companions engaged in this day's mischief were ordered by
Colonel Pearson to be tried for unmilitary conduct, but owing to some error or
mistake as to the date of the alleged offense, which had crept into the record, alt
the accused were discharged. No repetition of the scene ever occurred. The
offending Corporal had, at Fredericksburg and Gettysburg, distinguished himself
with the colors in battle, and was a favorite of Cap-
tain Kilgore and Colonel Pearson.

In the first battle of the Regiment, being the
charge at Marye's Heights, Company D claims that
Private Philip Linderman, one of its members who
was wounded in the assault, and who remained twelve
hours on the field before being removed, went closer
to the famous stonewall than any other soldier en-
gaged in the attack on the Heights. General Burn-
side, after the battle, sent a flag to General Lee,
asking for an armistice to bury the dead, and to re-
move the wounded on the battlefield, which request
was granted. Colonel E: Jay Allen, commanding the
One Hundred and Fifty-fifth Regiment, detailed
Lieutenant Alex. Carson to visit the battlefield and
to recover the bodies of the dead and wounded of
the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth lying between the
lines of the contending armies. The bodies of the
dead and wounded were placed in ambulances. Lieu-
tenant Carson officially reported to Colonel Allen,
as having discharged the duty assigned him, and that

LIEUT. JAMES WELLS.

426 UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

he found Private Philip Linderman, of Company D, who had been wounded
in the charge the day before, lying closer to the famous stonewall than that of
any other soldier on that portion of Marye's Heights. The sights and scenes
of this visit and detail, Lieutenant Carson avers as never being equalled in any
later battles during the war.

FiNNEGAN Finds and Loses a Fortune.

An amusing episode occurring after the withdrawal of the One Hundred and
Fifty-fifth Regiment from Marye's Heights, to bivouac on the streets of Freder-
icksburg is narrated by Lieutenant Carson. It concerns Private James Finnegan,
a character of Company D. Finnegan was a diminutive little fellow, a typical
Irishman, shrewd, witty, and a good soldier. He left a wife and family in New
Castle, Pa., on enlisting. He was ever eager, by tailoring, barbering or wash-
ing clothes, when off military duty in camp, to earn a dollar for the support of his
wife and family. He invariably drew the government clothes and shoes several

PHILIP AND FRED. LINDERMAN.

sizes too large for him. No amount of drilling could make him familiar with the
manual of arms, and no amount of inspections or punishments could make Fin-
negan look in the least like a soldier. At Fredericksburg, Lieutenant Carson re-
lates, that Finnegan with others visited an abandoned bank office and on ran-
sacking drawers found packages of old promissory notes long previously can-
celled. Finnegan, unable to read, sought the aid of a comrade, who seriously
informed him that his " find " amounted to one hundred thousand dollars, and
that the notes were as "good as gold." Finnegan lost no time in confiding his
good luck to Lieutenant Carson, and solemnly proposed that they both take
" French leave " for Ireland, where he would divide his fortune equally with the
Lieutenant. It took great efforts to eradicate from the mind of Finnegan the
ideas and visions of great wealth he had acquired.

UNDER THE MALTESE CROSS.

437

Sergeant William Shore, of Company D, was promoted to be Sergeant-
Major of the Regiment, the second year of his service. He continued in that im-
portant position until the end of his term, rendering most efficient services as a
brave and capable soldier. At Appomattox, where the One Hundred and Fifty-
fifth Regiment was on the firing line until ordered b}- General Chas. Criffin, com-
manding the Fifth Corps, to " cease firing," Sergeant- ^Major Shore had the great
distinction of receiving Captain Thos. G. Jones, then a young officer, of General
Gordon's staff, bearer of the Confederate flag of truce to General Grant, and of
passing the officer with the flag through the line on to General Chamberlain,
who was in command of the Division at that point. The youthful staff officer.
Captain Jones, is now the Honorable Thos. G. Jones, United States Judge for the
District of Alabama, being appointed to that position by President Roosevelt.

On the same memorable occasion,
Regimental bugler, William Mooney,
of Company D, had the honor to
sound the last bugle call of the Union
army to " cease firing," when Major
Geo. M. Laughlin, A. D. C. to Gen-
eral Griffin, commanding the Fifth
Corps, was dispatched to deliver the
message to the One Hundred and
other regiments to " cease firing."

The general history of the cam-
gaigns at Chancellorsville, Gettysburg,
Mine Run, Wilderness, Petersburg
down to the Surrender and the Grand
Review at Washington describes the
scenes and events in which Company
D participated and, therefore, repeti-
tion here would be superfluous.

For individual records of the one
hundred and fifty men who from
time to time served in the Company,
the complete and revised Roster in the
Appendix must suffice.

It is due the officers who moulded
the. raw material of this Company into disciplined soldiers that credit be given
them. Captain Kilgore, because of his proficiency in drilling the zouaves in
the skirmish drill, was much in demand for outpost duty on the firing line. He
was beloved by his men, whom he never invited in time of