September 20-24, 1862: 2nd PA Emergency Militia (J. Witmer)

If you've been following the adventures of some of the Emergency Militiamen that I have been posting over the Sesquicentennial, my apologies for the lack of postings over the past few days.  I just returned from an absolutely unforgettable week of volunteering/working/helping/guiding, etc. at Antietam National Battlefield during the 150th Anniversary events.  In the days leading up, I tried to prepare these posts to go up automatically, but I sadly just ran out of time before I had to hit the road to Maryland.  Throw in a lack of a laptop, and little to no service on my Droid, and there you have the makings for my posting delay.  In the meantime, let's pick back up with John Witmer of the 2nd PA Emergency Militia...

you can read the previous day here.

Saturday 20 - about daylight, heard a little cannonading. It was quite faint and appeared to be a long way off. I saw Horace Yundt[1] this morning. Our companies had been next to one another all the time and I had not noticed him before. About half past ten o’clock we heard very heavy and rapid artillery firing in the direction of Shepherdstown. It appeared to be across the Potomac, and was the heaviest that I had yet heard. The regiment was now ordered to fall back to Green Castle, most of the men felt chagrined at being sent home before seeing the Potomac, and were quietly listening to the distant cannonading, when two of three heavy reports of cannon, sounded from behind the woods directly in front of us about a mile. It proved to be our own artillery shelling the rebel pickets in the woods, about a mile from Williamsport. You should have seen how the men skedaddled back to where their muskets were stacked, and awaited orders, then scouts began to ride up the road, at a furious rate, and [Kealey’s?] Maryland brigade (2 Regiments of volunteers) a few of whom had suffered at Front Royal were ordered down. They marched out singing “Glory Halleleujah” [sic] and at the same time our orders were countermanded, and we were formed into line and marched down just after the Maryland Brigade, when we got out of the field we commenced likewise to sing and marched on.  Everyone “Eager for the fray” but here again I regret to say, I must stop to tell of others, who instead of proceeding on towards Williamsport, quietly took up their retrograde march for Hagerstown.  Besides the stragglers from the different companies, there was one entire company that declined moving on with the regiment.  So the colonel took their colors and gave them to another company, and thus we moved on, it was now nearly evening and we lay along the turnpike about 1 ½ miles from Williamsport in the rear of our artillery.  While here we had a kettle of coffee brought out, and we feasted on that and crackers for a short time, when we were ordered into line of battle in a field just back of a couple of houses and a barn, where Gen. Reynolds has his headquarters.  From the turnpike at this place Williamsport could be distinctly seen – as well as the course of the river for many miles.  We stacked our arms, and were allowed to build small fires, and then rolled up in our blankets and slept soundly until morning.  Our artillery had been firing at intervals during the evening.  It was said that the rebels had shelled the Anderson Troop out of a woods back of Williamsport.  At any rate they have fallen back toward Hagerstown.

Sunday 21st - Soon after breakfast Genl. Reynolds ordered us back into a woods about half a mile off towards the left.  We now hear that the rebels crossed about 1200 strong (principally cavalry) at Williamsport and it was thought that it was intended to draw off our forces and protect their rear who were crossing into Virginia about Shepherdstown.  It is also reported that our pickets conversed with General McClellan last night, and saved us from being shelled by him.  As he seeing our camp fires mistook us for Rebels, perhaps this not be correct.  A member of the Pottsville Company preached us a sermon this morning  - immediately after which we got dinner and before long were told that the rebels had all recrossed the Potomac, and that Maryland was clear of them.  We now got ordered to march to Green Castle, and about twelve o’clock turned our faces homeward, we stopped a little while at our old camp ground at Hagerstown and got all our effects loaded upon the wagons.  We also sent our knapsacks with the other goods, and before the march was over we were very glad we had done so.  It was very warm, and the dust was almost intolerable.  We halted several times during the afternoon and about nine oclock at night marched into a wood just outside of Green Castle where we lay till morning.  We felt quite ready to halt as we had had a weary march of about 13 miles.

- John Witmer

Now I know this is lazy...but the conclusion of John Witmer's militia adventure was discussed in a previous post that can be read here.  I hope you'll find Witmer's final adventure, before returning home, as fascinating as I did.

---

[1] A member of Co. E, 2^nd Pennsylvania Emergency Militia.

September 20, 1862: Byers' Independent Cavalry Co.

Read the previous day here.

 

Dr. [George] Dock, George Bergner and myself called to see Gov. Curtin [who had traveled to Hagerstown] soon after breakfast at his quarters.  He was in fine spirits and expressed himself as believing that the Pennsylvania militia had saved the country, and at all events an invasion of our State by their sturdy and formidable appearance in Dixie, and ourselves, that is, our troops, to the very bands of the Potomac [River].  We met Gen. Kenley [commander of Maryland's militia] (late  Colonel) of Maryland, a small and preposessing man in his appearance and manners, who was complimented highly on the spunk and prowess he had already envinced on the Union side in this contest, and in further compliment to the General, after something I had said to him of what we thought of him in Pennsylvania for his bravery, Gov. Curtin said, "You know, Mr. Rawn, they make game cocks small."

 

- Charles Rawn

source:
"The Militia Journal of Charles Rawn, September 9 to 23, 1862". ed. by Darin Smith. available from http://rawnjournals.com; Internet.

September 19, 1862: 2nd PA Emergency Militia (J. Witmer)

Read the previous day here.

 

We awoke feeling very chilly and damp in consequence of the very heavy dew which fell during the night, but after a tin cup full of hot coffee felt much better and were ordered into line, and marched off to get our knapsacks. Uncle George and I then took a walk down through the town, and he returning sooner than I did found Uncle Hugh there, who had been over the battle-field the day before. He left however before I came back. So I did not see him. We were then marched down through the town and out into the fair ground about one mile south of Hagerstown on the Williamsport Turnpike. I was put upon guard at the gate to stay two hours but it was three, before I was relieved, about 1 o’clock P.M. Scouts came riding in from Williamsport bringing with them a parcel of contrabands and extra horses, stating that the rebels were crossing into Maryland at that place; about half past one o’clock after a hasty dinner we were formed into line, and ordered to load our muskets which you may be sure we did with dispatch. We then marched out and took our position in line of battle about three miles from Williamsport, on a hill in a ploughed field on the east side of the turnpike, here again I regret to say some of our regiment skedaddled; subsequently a regt. of Maryland volunteers (3 year men) who were encamped there were formed in line on our left and the 3^rd Militia on our right. Thus we stood awaiting events. We remained by our arms nearly all evening, and just before dark the danger apparently over we stacked muskets and rushed for a neighboring hay stack to get something to lie upon as we had not yet been in the service long enough to bring our minds to lying upon the ploughed ground. We sent a couple of men in to our old camp to bring out some coffee after which we lay upon our arms, [“for the night” scratched out] not knowing what was to happen. We heard artillery firing until after dark, after a little while we stacked arms and bivouacked for the night. during the evening all the farmers in the neighborhood left their homes with their wagons loaded with their movable articles. Expecting I have no doubt that their farms would be a battle field, before morning.

            About midnight we were aroused, and ordered to take our arms quietly, making as little noise as possible. The excitement ran pretty high, as we expected the rebel vanguard to be upon us at any moment. In fact the excitement was so great that a few more skedaddled; as we stood there in line. Every one peering into the darkness we had twenty additional rounds of cartridge given us, which we fully expected to use before morning. We looked in vain however, for the sun rose, and found us still in the same position, and the enemy not in sight. During the night we had a despatch [sic] from General McClelland [sic] (or purporting to be such) read to us stating that he had reliable intelligence that the enemy about 1000 strong with one piece of artillery had crossed into Maryland at Williamsport, that he intended to send a force of 2,000 infantry, four squadrons of cavalry, and a battery of artillery. Which were to arrive as soon after day light as practicable, and that it would be well for General Reynolds to co-operate, with his militia, so that the whole rebel force might be captured. Of course we were jubilant at the idea of capturing some rebels, especially as there were only about one thousand of them. All excitement however died away before morning, and we began to doubt whether the rebels had really crossed the Potomac or not.

- John Witmer

September 19-24, 1862: 7th PA Emergency Militia

Read the previous day here

The morning of the nineteenth dawned and there had been no attack.  The enemy had disappeared entirely.  In this vicinity, at least, everything hostile and in arms that had been on this, was now upon the other side of the river, and the day was devoted to rest - much needed rest.  It was seven o'clock on the evening of the twentieth before the regiment was again on the move.  Orders were then received to strike tents and be ready for the march.  The route carried the command through Hagerstown again; and thence on to Greencastle.  Speed was not essential, and so with an easy, swinging gait and frequent restful halts the journey was completed and Greencastle reached on the early morning of the twenty-first.  The camp, well located convenient to water, and appropriately named "Camp Rest," indicated that something of a stop was intended. 

The 7th, being accustomed to military drill and the usefulness of knowing it well, did not leisurely pass the time away at 'Camp Rest'.  The Regimental historian goes on to note:

The few days available from the twenty-first to the twenty-fourth were well utilized for such instruction and experience was can only be obtained through life in the field and camp.  Its value was fully demonstrated when within the year to follow the regiment was again called to the performance of those other and more strenuous duties of the [Emergency Militia] campaign of '63.  On the twenty-fourth the camp was broken and the regiment was entrained at Greencastle for its uneventful ride to Philadelphia.

source:

Latta, James. History of the First Regiment Infantry National Guard of Pennsylvania (Gray Reserves) 1861-1911. Philadelphia: J.B. Lippincott Co., 1912.

September 19, 1862: Byers' Independent Cavalry Co.

Read the previous day here.

 

I had witnessed the exciting, inspiring march of our Pennsylvania militia through Hagerstown toward Williamsport in the afternoon...  There had some 15,000 or more of them gone through - fine looking fellows, well clad, bold and gay, the march enlivened by songs making the walking sing and eliciting the admiration and praises of the crowds of spectators that lined the streets in Hagerstown.  I never felt prouder as a Pennsylvanian in my life - my own son, John Calvin, then only 16 years, 2 months and 14 days old, being in the ranks of the 1st Regiment, (I think that was his regiment) commanded by...Lieut. Col. Robert Lamberton [after Col. McCormick was placed in command of a brigade of PA militia].  Though I had seen him in the morning he ran out of the ranks to give me a hurried shake of the hand.  I heard men there in Hagerstown wonder where Pennsylvania found all her soldiers, and the fellows protest with quite emphatic oaths that Pennsylvania could fight the war out herself, without any other State interfering, and that it would be a good thing to engage her by contract to do it.  There were hundreds of men in these proudly moving columns from our very town with whom I was well and intimately acquainted and who hailed me with exulting and friendly greetings and salutations as they passed. 

After spending a relatively uneventful day in camp, and foraging for food, Rawn and the rest of Byers' Co. began to prepare to get a good night's sleep...

 

Picketed my horse, turned into the bugler's mess and arranged to spend the night but lo and behold! there came orders before we had finished supper that we should report at headquarters.  Here were beautiful visions of dreams - heavy slumbers too - at once destroyed.  We proceeded to town between 7 an 8 o'clock having one quartermasters wagon...loaded with corn, rations, etc., along. We received orders in town to divide the company in two corps - one of 34 or 35 with Lieut. Loyd to proceed forward with to Greencastle - the other with Capt. Byers to proceed [west] out the Hancock road to Col. Biddle's camp about two miles from town and report to him.  We got to his camp I suppose sometime from 11 O'clock to midnight, found him with a heavy battery planted in the road and wagons across it to stay or impede the progress of the rebels should they make their appearance, exigencies to be apprehended on the said Hancock road.  Divide here by orders into two parties - one under Capt. Harris taking the road leading to the  Williamsport road and the other under Capt. Byers on the Hancock road which we were ordered to scout or examine some four or five miles from Col. Biddle's camp.  We could only get around his battery and wagons by getting into a corn field and then get out of that again by chopping down a panel of post and rail fence.  We moved along quietly and deliberately, passing Col. B's pickets with all due form and ceremony, and after that proceeding even more cautiously and silently.  Dr. [George] Dock, our Surgeon, and myself proceeded half a mile or so further, and we were joined on returning to the main body by Luther Simon.  We all returned to Col. Biddle's camp about 3 O'clock in the morning. 

 

- Charles Rawn

source:
"The Militia Journal of Charles Rawn, September 9 to 23, 1862". ed. by Darin Smith. available from http://rawnjournals.com; Internet.



September 18, 1862: 2nd PA Emergency Militia (L. Richards)

Read the previous day here.

We waited hour after hour for our train, but in vain.  Wrote letters home beside the railroad tracks, on the ends of the sills.  Various reports from the army were in circulation, respecting the result of the battle, and the movements of the enemy, subsequently found to be unreliable.  After dinner had a battalion drill, and when all expectation of the train had been given up, between 3 and 4 o'clock it suddenly appeared.  Cheers greeted its arrival.  It consisted, like the one in which we had come down, of [freight] cars adapted for the present purpose, and we boarded it just in time to escape a shower which began falling at this moment.  ...arrived about 6 o'clock at Hagerstown, which we found occupied by a considerable militia force that had been pushed forward with the past two days.  Were surprised to find the companies of Captains Hunter and Eisenhower, from Reading, already there, as they had started from home after we had.  Were informed by them that they had left Harrisburg on Tuesday night, and arrived at Hagerstown on Wednesday morning.  They had been attached to the 11th Regiment, to the command of which Charles A. Knoderer, a talented civil engineer of Reading, who went as a private of Captain Eisenhower's company, had been promoted. The regiment was encamped...below town on the Williamsport pike.  Heard more definite intelligence of the result of the great battle fought yesterday, which is claimed as a decided Union victory.  Were informed of the death of Captain William H. Andrews, of the 128th Regiment, who fell in the battle, and also of its commander, Colonel Croasdale.  Captain Andrews's body had already arrived in Hagerstown.  Several other members of the Reading companies had been killed. coincidence

Our company was separated from the regiment and marched in the dusk of the evening into a narrow lane not far from the railroad depot, where we were told we were to pass the night.  The ground was was wet from the rain which had fallen, and a slight drizzle continuing, a most gloomy and uncomfortable aspect was imparted to the surroundings.  There was nothing to lie upon except our gum [rubber] blankets, and no better shelter than what could be improvised by stretching the tents - which we were now temporarily provided - from the top of a fence to the ground.  After supper...went through the town to buy some lanterns and other things for the quartermaster.  We were conducted by an old negro whom we picked up by the way, and obtained what we were in quest of, as well as a couple of bottles of good whiskey, procured at a grocery store, notwithstanding the fact that the town was under martial law, and the sale of liquor to soldiers had been prohibited.

After having made a pretty thorough exploration of the place, we returned to quarters, where we found a sharp discussion going on as to the propriety of the Governor's sending us across the State line, the authority for which some of the men were disposed to question.  The objection evidently proceeded from those who did not like our present proximity to the seat of war. The debate ended, however, in a tacit concurrence in the opinion of the majority that it was all right.  Passed a miserable night in this uncomfortable situation.  Slept but little, and caught a severe cold, from the effects of which I suffered for several weeks.

- Louis Richards

September 18, 1862: Byers' Independent Cavalry Co.

Read the previous day here.

We spent this day at our camp at Spriggle's, where we staid last night and night before.  We received this morning at this camp an addition of 15 men to our troop, whos names we had before we left, but who, for want of horses or otherwise, were not ready to leave Harrisburg with us.  Their was great rejoicing on their arrival in the morning soon after breakfast.  Several of them were very sore from the long ride, especially William Knoche and others, who it seemed had been a source of much merriment to their companions.  Spent all day at this camp two miles from Hagerstown.

- Charles Rawn

source:
"The Militia Journal of Charles Rawn, September 9 to 23, 1862". ed. by Darin Smith. available from http://rawnjournals.com; Internet.

September 18, 1862: 5th PA Emergency Militia

Read the previous day here.

A terrible Canonading awakened us on the morning of the 18th of September.  We could see, with our bare eyes, the smoke rising, and some could even recognise the marching troops with their glittering bayonets.  The rebels were routed, our cavalry making terribly havoc among them, but thousands of our gallant sons perished on the field of honor in the same week.  Thousands of affectionate hearts were rent assunder [sp].  We mourn, but we do not lament.  They are not dead, but live as guardian Spirites of our national glory.  They who fall for freedom and their people build themselves monuments in the hearts of the their Nations; they hail them as the benefactors of mankind, and their memory neither will, nor ever can be effaced. 

Early in the morning we received a telegraphic dispatch that the Governor was coming; about 10 o'clock the Allentown companies were invited to receive him with military honors.  I was stationed on picket duty near the depot; we all received him with hearty cheers. 

Our officers had an interview with him and he told them that they should remain there awaiting further orders.

The whole day was a day of great excitement.  The shouts of the multitude of warriors drowned the heavy cannon's report.  About 11 o'clock A.M. a woman came into our Camp, dancing and leaping like David before the Ark of the covenant, exclaiming: "Thank God, the day is ours."  The whole Regiment gave her three cheers, and from mountain to mountain reechoed the shouts of the brave militia Boys of Allentown, who were ready to shed their last drop of blood in the defense of their invaded State.

On the afternoon I received a furlough to go to the Post Office and see the town.  The streets were crowded with Cavalry and infantry dressed in fine Uniform. 

Most of the stores were closed, the inhabitants had gone to the battle field to bury the dead and to take care of the wounded.  Ambulances passed by, loaded with wounded.

I saw a great many persons, with yellow looking complexions, in the jail, most of them dirty boys between sixteen and eighteen years of age.

Their physiognomy indicated a great deal of stupidity, and striking national similarity;  they appeared to be as much alike as one cent to another.  Seeing these poor fellows dressed in rags I truly pities them, and commiserated their ill fate, that they should be the means of bringing shame and ruin upon themselves.  Somebody told me: "I have mocked and laughed them to scorn, but they have made no reply." - I gave him no reply either, but merely thought that he had very little refinement of feelings and true human nature in his heart.  Every immoral deed is human, even robbery, murder, and suicide, but true human deeds must necessarily be good and beneficial to mankind, else they would not even deserve the name human; for men considered as an immortal being must never allow his mortal flesh to govern his immortal soul.  Truly enough it would be rather impracticable to love an armed enemy who is going to destroy our life and our personal property.  In this case it would be right to say:

Tit for tat,

If you hurt my dog

I will kill your cat

 

But if the enemy is imprisoned, disarmed or disable, every man is by moral duty bound, and not only by moral duty, but by the dictation of common sense, to treat him as a man; for who knows the change of success in time of war.  To-day we may be the capturers, to-morrow probably the captured.

 

Hagerstown has a very gloomy aspect, the buildings look so gray and old, not like our northern white cottage and four story red brickhouses.  What a difference between Chambersburg, Carlisle and Hagerstown!  If the former look like a blushing maiden, in the morning of her life, full of beauty and grace, the latter looks like a widow-woman mourning in the midst of a beautiful scenery.  In the afternoon Captain ordered the Company to fall into ranks.  Gracefully and emphatically he began: "Soldiers, our first duty is obedience.  I, for my part, am willing to obey the Governor's call to the last, even going to Harper's Ferry.  Some of you, as I perceive, are anxious to see their wives and their children.  I have, as you know, a wife and babies too, but they have no weight on the balance of duty towards my God and my country.  I am willing to serve, if the Governor-demands it, even under Col. Longnecker's command.  Any one who is not willing to follow the way of duty and of honor, let him step out of the ranks."  Only three stepped out: one reported immediately, and the the others were sent home on their own account.  

September 18, 1862: 2nd PA Emergency Militia (J. Witmer)

Read the previous day here.

 

This morning was quite an eventful one, in the movements of the militia, the men just now appear to understand where they are going. Some companies skedaddled Entire, and a great many straggled from others. the Colonel [Col. John Wright] told us that he wanted all to leave now, that intended to go, as he wished none to leave after they got into Maryland, so that our ranks began to look as much thinned as though we had encountered the enemy. About 2 o’clock P.M. we took the cars and after a very pleasant ride arrived at Hagerstown late in the afternoon. We were then marched out and formed into line in a very rocky lane west of the town, here we stacked arms, and were then ordered to march up to the railroad station and leave our knapsacks, which we did, and they were safely stowed away in the wood shed.

            I never understood this movement, unless it was feared that we would be called into action, or have forced marches to perform. We now got our little shelter-tents which we put up along a pale fence and after getting supper which consisted of crackers, coffee (the real genuine article, unadulterated) and a little fat pork we crawled into bed with as little concern as though the rebel pickets had not left the very place where we were only the Monday before. We likewise heard artillery firing nearly all day to day.

- John Witmer

September 18, 1862: 7th PA Emergency Militia

Read the previous day here

With the coming dawn of the eighteenth came confirmation of the cheering rumors of the night before: that Antietam was over, the battle won, the invasion a failure, and that the enemy as in haste to put the Potomac between himself and his adversary.  Then the regiment retraced its steps to Funkstown, a distance of about seven miles, where it was halted, reviewed by the colonel [Col. Kneass] camp lines designated, streets laid out, and every preparation made for a well-organized stop.  But it was not so to be.  Stuart, the famous Confederate cavalry leader, was still abroad on our side of the Potomac.  There was a bit of a flurry about Williamsport.  Again there was a toilsome hurried march over the old route as far as Hagerstown, and then well out the Clear Spring Road in the direction of Williamsport, where most of the flurry was.  At Hagerstown "the hasty loading of trains, locomotives with steam up, and many anxious faces told of danger to the town, which happily General Reynolds and his division averted."  All night on this the night of the eighteenth out on the Clear Spring road, with one or two companies detailed for picket, the regiment was in line of battle, "every man at his post," silently awaiting, with loaded musket well in hand, an enemy that never appeared, listening for sounds that were never heard.  It seems to be conceded that this large gathering of militia at this point came under Stuart's observation, and diverted a movement which, though only intended as a raid, would, if successful, have been fraught with serious consequences.

source:

Latta, James. History of the First Regiment Infantry National Guard of Pennsylvania (Gray Reserves) 1861-1911. Philadelphia: J.B. Lippincott Co., 1912.

September 17, 1862: 2nd PA Emergency Militia (L. Richards)

Read the previous day here.

 

 

150 years ago today, while the Battle of Antietam raged...

 



Drilled in the morning in the adjoining fields, and while thus engaged observed a renewal of the reports of artillery towards the south, heard on the day previous, and with still greater distinctness.  These proceeded, as we afterwards learned, from the battle-field of Antietam, some thirty miles off.  A dull gruff belch, at irregular intervals, accompanied by a sense of concussion, told the story of the distant conflict.  This inspired strange and solemn feelings.  Human lives were being offered up as a sacrifice upon the altar of our country, and thousands of homes would sit in dread suspense until it should be known upon whom the fatal blows had fallen.  The result, too, was of great concern to us, who were auxiliaries in reserve against an untoward crisis.  The evolution now assumed a significance they had not heretofore possessed.  Their object seemed no longer to be skill merely, but preparation.  The zeal for duty was quickened, and it was the idea of responsibility which was uppermost in the minds of all.  Additional regiments meanwhile arrived, among others two of the Gray Reserves and Home Guards of Philadelphia, which left Harrisburg yesterday.  With drilling, guard mounting, and the usual routine of camp duties, the day wore slowly away.  Another picturesque scene at night.  After roll-call crawled again into our comfortable domicil [sic] of cornstalks, with every reason to expect another good night's sleep.

 

About 11 o'clock...the beating of the ominous long roll aroused us from our peaceful slumbers, and the word quickly passed that we had received marching orders for Hagerstown, and were to be ready to leave at 12. The accouterments having been collected by the light of the fires, the regiment marched to the railroad, a mile off, where it was expected a train would be waiting for us. Alas! we here received our first practical lesson of the great uncertainty of military movements, and the mechanical nature of the duties of the soldier, who must obey orders, simply, without inquiring for reasons. In the quality of civilians, which we could not altogether consent to drop, our sense of individual importance was frequently infringed upon in our new capacity. Each in his turn felt disposed to divide with his superiors the responsibility of command. After waiting several hours in the crisp cool air of the autumn night without and train appearing, we lost all patience and lay down on our blankets for temporary repose. As the dews of heavens gently distilled upon our unprotected forms, the memory of the comfortable quarters we had just left did not add to the feelings of reconciliation to our present miserable situation. Morning broke at length and breakfast was improvised by the cooks.

- Louis Richards

September 17, 1862: 5th PA Emergency Militia

Read the previous day here.

After we enjoyed, more or less, a night's rest hardly worth mentioning we received marching orders without stating the exact time; but our good Officers who treated their men so affectionately "like a father treats his children," awakened us about 5 o'clock in the morning.  In the afternoon of the 17th we left Camp Horn [near Chambersburg, PA] in haste, without knowing exactly where we were going; but the breaksmen told us that we were going to Dixie.  On the same day the battle of Antietam Creek was fought, in which the army of the Potomac, under Gen. McClellan, crowned itself with the laurels of victory.  About midnight we crossed the line of Pennsylvania and arrived at Hagerstown.  After a short march from the depot, in the darkness we halted in one of the principel [sic] streets, when the order "Rest" rang along the line.  

Never was an order more promptly obeyed, for each one being fatigued gladly sought refuge on the hard pavement.  During this time the superior Officers were consulting with one another, what measures to adopt, wether [sic] to move forward to Boonsboro or to go back to the line of Pennsylvania.  Several Companies began to sing patriotic tunes in the midst of a secession den. - Silence like death reigned in the streets.  The windows only were dimly illuminated.

The sweet sounds of music appeared like the spirits of our departed sires rising from their graves, inspiring us with an ardent love and zeal towards our country.  Only one Union man stepped out stating that he had two sons in the federal army, and ordered his servant to refresh us with a drink of water.  We arrived at Hagerstown exactly 48 hours after the rebels had evacuated the town.  We marched for hours in full equipment double quick time, without knowing where we were to halt.  Some murmured that we were to have an engagement on the morrow.  Every one of us, except a few complaining creatures on Canon fever patients, were resolutely determined to stand of fall like men.  The officers finally decided to remain on an eminence north of the town, until morning, awaiting further orders.  

Expecting a sudden attack of the enemy's cavalry we slept on our arms for about two hours, on the dusty soil of Maryland. 

I embraced my musket like a romantic lover his darling bride, praying "Lord of hosts, lead me to victory or death", and fell asleep.

September 17, 1862: 2nd PA Emergency Militia (J. Witmer)

Read the previous day here.

We were awakened just before daylight with orders to pack our knapsacks and prepare to march. We hastily got our blankets rolled up, and all our goods packed into our knapsacks with the exception of our plate and tin-cups and awaited breakfast fully expecting to be hurried off immediately. We got coffee and fresh beef for breakfast this morning, with crackers as usual.  I wrote my first letter home this morning, telling of adventures. We heard very heavy cannonading which continued all day in the direction of Harpers-Ferry.  We afterwards learned that it was the Antietam battle. Still the orders to march did not come, and we waited patiently until night came, when we thought certainly we would be allowed to sleep once more in our shanties, in anticipation of which I drove in a couple of stout stakes just above where I lay to prevent my being rolled out again in the night. I had just got my stakes driven, and was thinking how completely every thing was fixed when we received orders to fall in. We now had 50 rounds of cartridge given us (I had 10 rounds before which made 60.) and were told that we were to march to the railroad to get transportation, for Hagerstown. Every one seemed in good spirits, they apparently did not know that in order to reach that place, the state line had to be crossed. We marched about 1 ½ miles before arriving at the railroad, and then waited a long time for the cars, they finally came, but owing to some mistake they had another regiment on board and we had to wait till morning. We lay down on the ground in our blankets without any fires, and in spite of our hard beds and the cold, slept quite soundly.

- John Witmer

September 17, 1862: 7th PA Emergency Militia

Before being sworn into state service for the "emergency", the 7th Pennsylvania Emergency Militia had been known as the 3rd Regiment Infantry Gray Reserves from Philadelphia.  With hostilities growing in 1861, the Grey Reserves had been organized, and made up of National Guard regiments from the city.  The National Guard was not what we think of today, however, it was a well trained and well equipped militia unit that could be called upon by State and Federal government.  Many such units provided the back bone of the famed Pennsylvania Reserves, which were originally intended to act as Pennsylvania's last line of defense at the outbreak of the Civil War, before they were sent to Washington to strengthen the Union ranks after the disaster at the Battle of 1st Bull Run.  Upon the reorganization, the 3rd Regiment was designated as the "1st Regiment of the Brigade" (the Gray Reserves), and was then referred to as the 1st Regiment National Guard of Pennsylvania.  

The 7th PA Emergency Militia was among the very few military organizations that were accepted into state service as an already organized regiment.  Generally, after Gov. Curtin's call of Sept. 4, militia companies arrived in Harrisburg, organized into Regiments, and then sent south toward Maryland.  Being allowed to keep their regimental structure allowed the 7th to be quickly transported to Harrisburg, and then quickly transferred down the Cumberland Valley Railroad to Hagerstown.  There was some displeasure at losing their familiar Regimental designation (1st Regiment), and being given a new one (7th PA Emergency Militia).  However, with their presence in the Emergency Militia, Pennsylvania was assured of at least one unit with solid military training and cohesion.  

We pick up the 7th's journey on late on the night of September 16th:  

The arrival [in Chambersburg on the 16th] was after dark, and the troops were quartered through the night in churches and school-houses, until the next morning when they moved out to a wood on the south side of the town to an encampment known as "Camp McClure."

Instead of a camp, it was scarcely a halt.  Orders immediately followed to re-entrain, and the regiment was again on its way, this time over the State line to Hagerstown, Maryland.  On the route an issue of ball cartridge was made, forty rounds for the cartridge-box and twenty for the pocket.  At eight o'clock on the evening of the seventeenth on its arrival at Hagerstown the regiment left the cars, stacked arms in the main street, and awaited the distribution of what proved to be a very limited supply of rations.  The commissariat, by those who looked to it to be fed, was pronounced a failure, and what the soldier got he had either brought with him or gathered up from his own pursuit of it of obtained it through purchase by his officers while on the move.  Coffee was a negligible quantity.  There was mischief somewhere - nobody cared to inquire where.  It was said there were ample stores at the depots, but supplied and consumers rarely met.

Knapsacks and baggage were left behind at Hagerstown, and with lightened load the regiment pulled out for its first real march to Boonsboro.  The distance was ten miles, which with an hour's halt at Funkstown was covered before daylight on the morning of the eighteenth.  "I remember," reads a note made of the occasion, "that weary march, and how we dropped like logs, in bivouac, at three o'clock in the morning, feeling the coming day might be fatal to some of us; for signs of war and battle were in the air, and the guns of Antietam had been making unwonted music to our ears.  Signals on the mountain tops, orderlies dashing by, broken caissons and vacated rebel camping grounds told us we stood on sacred soil; but the battle was over when we reached Boonsboro."

The march [to Boonsboro] was well along, when the regiment pulled out of the road and into the timber for a short halt and a brief rest.  Overstrained to the limit of endurance, the men were soon asleep.  Other troops began to pass along the road, and their tramp aroused some of the more restless.  One especially, bewildered at his sudden awakening, hurriedly gathered accoutrements, knapsack, and musket, and hastened to join the ranks of the moving column, thinking it his own, with the very natural inquiry for his own Company D.  "Yonder on the right," was the prompt response.  Our new recruit pushed along until he dropped into what he supposed was his place or very near it, neither he in the darkness recognizing any of the men about him, nor they him.  He had failed to extend his inquiry beyond the letter of his company.  What regiment it was had altogether escaped him.  By and by day began to break, strange faces were all about him, and the distant boom of the cannon indicated a near approach to a battle-field.  Suddenly it dawned upon him he had forgotten to ask for the regiment, and when he did, back came the answer, "Twenty-ninth Pennsylvania."  Without disclosing his mistake, he quietly let himself drift to the rear, and after some tribulation, much fatigue, and a bit of chagrin found his way back to his command again.

source:

Latta, James. History of the First Regiment Infantry National Guard of Pennsylvania (Gray Reserves) 1861-1911. Philadelphia: J.B. Lippincott Co., 1912.

September 17, 1862: Byers' Independent Cavalry Co.

Read the previous day here.

Windy, signs of rain.  Left Spriggle's [Farm] at 7 A.M., for [Hagerstown], where we reported to Gen. Reynolds at 8 to 9.  Received orders to proceed to Jones' Cross Roads [modern day intersection of MD65 & MD68], six miles on the Sharpesburg Pike or road, where we arrived about 10 to 11 A.M.  Found great  bustle.  large numbers of the Anderson Cavalry about, riding back and forth as orderlies to and from the scene of the terrible fight there and all day going on in the neighborhood of Sharpsburg. 

We have been within very distinct hearing of the rapid and incessant discharges of artillery at the fight the whole day since daylight this morning.  Saw some secesh prisoners from the fight brought in while we were at the Cross Roads.  We reported there, as ordered, to Captain Palmer who is by no means of unassuming appearance a man of some 30 years of age, about 5 feet 10 inches high, quite thin, reddish face, quick and firm looking, but evidently...feeling and thinking himself to be some considerable [?], and that he was making that impression upon observers.  He inquired our force and how we were armed; said we would do very well, and ordered us to proceed to Williamsport, some four miles distant, by way of Manor Cross Roads to relieve, as I at finish understood him, a cavalry company there.  We started off and when within a mile or two [of] Williamsport were met by him coming from that direction.  How he had got round or ahead of us I cannot say, as we had left him at the Cross Roads.  He hurried us in on the gallop and sharp trot to Williamsport, and ordered us through Capt. [Byers], and his aid, one Samborn or Sambent, to proceed to the burning of the ware-houses, canal boats, board yards, etc. to prevent and obstruct the passage of the retreating rebels across the river into Virginia at that point.  Our fellows unhorsed and went into it with a will, and in a very short time - say from 10 to 15 minutes the ware-house, planning mill and lumber yards were in full and terrible conflagration.  Many of the leading citizens cursed and swore at what they chose to designate as a wanton useless and unauthorized destruction of property, calculated in no way to retard the progress of the rebels across the [Potomac] river.  They got up a great excitement against us, and for a time it seemed as if they had determined to make an attack upon us.  Capt. Palmer was there until the flams was fully going, and left there to direct us the aid above named.  There were no Union troops of any kind in Williamsport or nearer than one to two miles.  A brick dwelling house, said by the man who lived in it to belong to "dam rebel or secesh", was burned from the were heat of the burning warehouses nearest it, which were some 20 or 30 yards off, and the wind blowing parallel with and not toward the house any part of the time.  We got there about the middle of the day, and had our work accomplished, including the undermining of and preparation to blow up the wall of the aqueduct across the creek, and despositing a heavy amount of powder in it, awhile before sun set.  We had orders to remain there until notified by our pickets or by Union picket firing that the enemy was approaching, and then to leave on the Hagerstown road.  Our horses were tied round a certain warehouse on the main street, or near it and around a coal yard fenced in, not unsaddled, but with bridles off, eating hay.  We had laid down to sleep about 9 to 10 o'clock - myself and the bugler together.  He went to sleep soon.  I had not gone to sleep, when about 10 1/2 to 11, four picket shots followed by Captain's order, "Up men!" roused us, and in less than five minutes we were in our saddles and on the way out of Williamsport.  When out about 1 to 1 1/2 miles, we encountered a heavy picket of cavalry, which we at first took for rebels, drawn up along the side of the road.  They were uncertain of  our character and purpose for a time as we were of theirs.  Questions were hurriedly exchanged an "who are you?" and a shot fired on their side, (a warning shot, I suppose) I drew my right pistol and the Captain and I Leut Boyed advanced slowly.  Explanations took place and we turned out to be friends - they a picket of New York cavalry encamped near by where we encountered them.  We pass on and made our camp that night at Spriggle's [Farm], east of Hagarstown and some seven miles from Williamsport, an hour or two after mid-night. 

- Charles Rawn

source:

"The Militia Journal of Charles Rawn, September 9 to 23, 1862". ed. by Darin Smith. available from http://rawnjournals.com/papers/militia_journal_1862-09-09_to_1862-09-23#pdf; Internet.

September 16, 1862: 2nd PA Emergency Militia (L. Richards)

Read the previous day here.

 

Part of the morning was devoted to foraging at the neighboring farmhouses, but little or nothing could be procured, the ground having already been pretty well covered by advance parties.  Apples, however, were abundant, as there were many fine orchards in this vicinity.

Here, under the direction of the Quartermaster, a sort of wigwam was constructed, built of fence-rails and cornstalks, and floored with straw.  It was long enough to accommodate the entire company, and formed a very tight and really comfortable tenement.  The Conococheague Creek ran within a few hundred yards of the camp, and the men had several good baths in it.  Regiments were continually arriving from the railroads, and the shrieks of the steam-whistles, the blasts of bugles, clatter of drums, and the cheering of the trrops enlivened the day.  Among the accessions were the Blue Reserves, of Philadelphia, a uniformed organization, which made a handsome appearance.  Before night there were said to be ten thousand men on the ground.  A large force of militia was evidently intended to be concentrated at this point.  Met a number of acquaintances among the new arrivals.  Had several squad and company drills, and expected, from the arrangements we observed in progress, to remain some time in this situation.  While out for excercise we could hear the noise of distant artillery proceeding from the direction of Sharpsburg and Harper's Ferry.  The anxiety increased to hear something from the army.  Occasionally a newspaper, a day or two out of date, was brought in from the railroad, and its contents eagerly devoured.  It was said that Hagerstown had been abandoned by the rebels, and that telegraph and railroad communication had been re-established with that point.  Reports circulated, which were afterwards verified, that fighting had commenced between the corps f Generals Hooker and Reno had been killed.  When the camp-fires were lighted, after nightfall, the woods resounded with martial music, song, and cheers, and the scene was a highly animating and inspiring one.  Such sights are seldom witnessed, and are not to be soon forgotten.  Before turning into our hut, seated myself on a bank a little distance apart from the rest, in company with my friend K., and we took a quiet smoke and talked of home, whither our thoughts continually turned.  Enjoyed the best night's rest of the campaign, owing to the comfort of our quarters.

- Louis Richards

September 16, 1862: 5th PA Emergency Militia

Read the previous day here.

On the 16th, next day, we removed to the woods, building ourselves tents and huts like the Israelites in the wilderness.  The temperature was rather hot and the ground mellow.  I hesitated to lay down in the dust, but there was no other choice.  Finally submitting to the absolute necessities and accommodating myself to circumstances, I laid down with the expectation to sleep, but alas! I was mistaken in my bright expectations.  Some of my neighbors were singing, others using vulgar expressions, and some praying in a very loud voice and telling Heavenly Father what he ought to do, and that our cause is the right one, and so forth - consequently I could not shut my eyes for a long while.  In regard to combining vulgar songs and expressions with loud prayers I thought of the words of Napoleon: "From the sublime to the rediculous [sp] there is but one step."

Finally Morpheus took me in his arms and I fell asleep.  Sleep in the messenger of heaven to keep the equilibrium between the material and the spiritual world.  Without him mankind would sink into an untimely grave, under the pressure of trials and affections.

- Paul Wald

September 16, 1862: 2nd PA Emergency Militia (J. Witmer)

Read the previous day here.

We started about sunrise and marched down the road toward Greencastle in search of our regiment, not knowing where it was situated, and being told that it was still further on, we continued marching down the road until we were stopped by our pickets on the side of Greencastle. They told us that our Regiment was encamped back a mile of two towards Chambersburg.  So back we started, tired & hungry and found the regiment encamped in a wood about five miles south west of Chambersburg, it was now nearly three oclock P.M. and the most of us had not eaten any thing since we left Harrisburg, so you may believe we had a good appetite for the dandelion coffee, and bean soup, which we got about four o’clock. We then set about erecting shanties in the woods, which was done by putting up a ridge pole, leaving nails against it (the fences were torn down for this purpose) and thatching with straw and corn fodder. The straw we carried from a barn about a half a mile off and the fodder we brought from the fields. We cut and husked the corn and carried off the fodder. Then we thought we had very comfortable quarters, but as the shed was built up the side of a hill, and Uncle George and I slept at the lower end, the men slid down in the night and we were rolled out into the woods which was not very pleasant especially as it was raining.  Our ration this day were bread, hard crackers, and bean soup.  The crackers were prefferable to the bread as it was generally sour. Some of the men bought chickens, and I saw some from the Pottsville company carrying in a large pig. I felt quite ready to retire after roll call which was at nine oclock, and with the exception of rolling out of  bed slept very soundly until morning “And the Evening and the morning were the first day”.

- John Witmer

September 16, 1862: Byers' Independent Cavalry Co.

Read the previous day here.

Clear-fine-hot-sun.  We woke at 5 A.M.  Considerable discussion and doubt in the Company about the propriety of our going out of the State.  We had been ordered to report to Gen. Reynolds at Chambersburg, where, not finding him, we proceeded to Greencastle expecting to find him.  He was not there, but said to be at Hagerstown.  The Captain himself had great doubts about the fitness of our going out of the State to report to any one, as we would then be under his orders.  I considered it rather ridiculous for us to set out for service and yet stop short of being appointed to any, and thought it most unbecoming and unsuitable for us to ask the nature of the orders we might get there.  We accordingly determined with some hesitation on the part of the Captain and some others, (he hesitating I think mainly from his implied obligations not to take the men beyond the [state] borders) to move on to Hagerstown, and we left Greencastle at 2 to 3 P.M.  Our arrival at the State line five miles from Greencastle, we loaded pistols to be ready for emergencies.  When within a few miles of Hagerstown the Quarter master [Benjamin] Peters and the Surgeon [George] Dock went ahead into the town to look for quarters.  They returned with word that all was full and forage not to be had.  We halted at the farm of an Thomas Spriggle, two miles out of town, where we got hay for our horses and quarters for the men in the barn and got bread, butter and apple-butter in abundance for ourselves.  I detailed the guards - four watches of two hours each for the night, and turned into sleeping quarters at 9 to 10. 

- Charles Rawn

source:
"The Militia Journal of Charles Rawn, September 9 to 23, 1862". ed. by Darin Smith. available from http://rawnjournals.com/papers/militia_journal_1862-09-09_to_1862-09-23#pdf; Internet.

September 15, 1862: 2nd PA Emergency Militia (L. Richards)

Read the previous day here.

 

We are now down to regular army fare, our bill consisting of rations of bread, meat, coffee, and that well-known item of camp necessaries called "hardtack," which is a host in itself, being made to go a great way by reason of the degree of mastcation which it requires.  There can be no complaint as to the strength of the coffee, since there is no milk to dilute it, but the color of the sugar might afford groun of exception on the part of the over-fastidious.  Soups of rice, meat-bones, and occasionally poultry, when there happen to be any hen-roosts in close proximity, make a substantial dinner.  Soldiers' appetites are uniformly good, and little defects in the system of cookery are not ordinarily closely crticised.  Alcoholic beverages also are stored away in flasks against cases of emergency, which, in military affairs, as is well known, are of constant occurence. 

During the morning we were gratified with the sight of the enemy's paraphernalia, consisting of a train of captured baggae wagons, taken from Longstreet, and which were being driven in the direction of Harrisburg, whither, it is said, some hundred of more of prisoners from the same corps are being conducted.  With a view of the latter we were not rewarded.  The curiousity of the men to see a live rebel - in a captured condition - is very great.  A slight change in the position of our quarters was ordered during the day, and tents were struck about 4 P.M. and the company marched about two miles further to the south, halting in a large stubble field west of the railroad, in a position which had been dignified by the title of "Camp McClure."

- Louis Richards

September 15, 1862: 5th PA Emergency Militia

Read the previous day here.

On the 15th of September our Regiment left Harrisburg.  I was detailed for Regimental guard.  We arrived at Camp Horn, 3 miles below Chambersburg, about 1 o'clock in the morning and slept on a stubble field, under the free heavens.  Before we left I remarked jokingly, "Now I will get a chance of studying Astronomy", but my eyes refused to render me any service that night.  We all slept a little better than father Jacob going to Haran. Stones were our pillow and blankets our coverlits. 

- Paul Wald

September 15, 1862: 2nd PA Emergency Militia (J. Witmer)

After returning home from his adventure with the Emergency Militia, John Witmer, of Co. H 2nd PA Emergency Militia, wrote an extensive letter to his grandfather telling him all about what he had seen and done.

150 years ago today...

I started for Harrisburg on Monday Sept. 15^th expecting to find someone to go with but found that Uncle George had gone on towards Chambersburg with his Regiment, and that there was no intelligence to be had of Fred, so I concluded to go on myself, and join the Christianna [Lancaster County] Company. I had just got a pass from the Chief of the transportation department to carry me to Chambersburg, when I stumbled very luckily upon Mr. [William] Briton 2^nd Lieut. of the Christianna Company, who procured for me a musket, knapsack, canteen & haversack, so I transferred all my goods into my knapsack and about six o’clock in the evening, we got aboard of the [train] cars and were off for Chambersburg.  There was very little to be seen during the ride down the valley as it got dark almost directly after we started. Nothing of interest occurred while we got from the cars about twelve o’clock at night (there it became interesting) in an old orchard about two miles below Chambersburg, we rolled ourselves up in our blankets and lay under a tree (there were about 20 of us recruits for the Company) and posted guards. I went on guard about 2 o’clock and stayed till daylight.

source:
Witmer, John S. to Grandfather, September 29, 1862. Pennsylvania State Archives, Manuscript Group 7, Military Manuscripts Collection.

September 15, 1862: Byers' Independent Cavalry Co.

Read the previous day here.

Clear, fine, hot-sun, extremely dusty.  A large cavalcade of secesh prisoners and wagons captured by our army, or a portion of it, was brought into this place yesterday, creating a whirl of delight and rejoicing some 40 to 70 wagons and some 70 prisoners.  They were put into the jail.  At 2 1/2 to 3 P.M., our troop left Chambersburg for Greencastle, where we arrived at 5 1/2 to 6 P.M.  We had considerable difficulty in getting our horses and men properly distributed into suitable quarters.  A good deal of disatisfaction among the men, and justly so I though, that quarters had not been certainly and sure provided for all of them beforehand.  J.B. Boyd and self stopt [sic] at Mrs. Kurikles, and an aunt of his wife, where we were treated very kindly.  Got a good supper and good bed!  Our horses were in the stable of a man named Haas, who had kept a livery, but had left the town with his horses for fear of the rebels.

- Charles Rawn

source:
"The Militia Journal of Charles Rawn, September 9 to 23, 1862". ed. by Darin Smith. available from http://rawnjournals.com/papers/militia_journal_1862-09-09_to_1862-09-23#pdf; Internet.

September 14, 1862: 2nd PA Emergency Militia (L. Richards)

Louis Richards, of Reading, a member of Co. G, 2nd PA Emergency Militia, published his daily thoughts years after the war, but his subtle sarcasm, and dry humor help to place the reader amongst the events of '62.  150 years ago, Richards and the 2nd PA were on the move through the scenic Cumberland Valley, and as the "saviors" of the Valley moved againt Robert E. Lee and his "rebel horde", they recieved quite a memorable excursion.
 
Our company had been attached to the Second Regiment of Militia, as Company "G."  The Colonel was John L. Wright, of Columbia.  There were ten companies, mostly full, from Columbia, West Chester, Reading, Pottsville, and Lancaster City and County.  The First Regiment, commanded by Colonel Henry McCormick, and containing companies from Harrisburg, Philadelphia, and Chester and Lebanon counties, had already been sent off down the Cumberland Valley Railroad to Chambersburg.  At 11 o'clock we received marching orders for the same place, and about 1 1/2 P.M. the regiment proceeded out to near Camp Curtin and got aboard a train of freight cars, which had been provided with seats for the transportation of troops.  A long delay, with the explanation of which we were not furnished, ensued; but about 3 the train started.  A halt of an hour or more was made in town.  A tremendous and enthusiastic crowd was out to see us off.  Moved over the Long Bridge and stopped another half hour west of the Susquehanna.  Chambersburg, our destination, was fifty-two miles distant.  Passed successively through Mechanicsburg, Carlisle, and Shippensburg, at each of which places short stops were made.  Were struck with the great natural beauty of the Cumberland Valley region.  Crowds of people came out to the stations to meet us, and black and white, old and young, all joined in the heartiest demonstrations of welcome.  Were also greeted from the houses and roadsides all the line by people waving their handkerchiefs and swinging their hats.  At Mechanicsburg a whole girls' school was out to see us.  This was a specially engaging sight to some of our number, who thought that that village would be a good place to camp.  The elite of the town were at the station, and "S." pointed out to me the leading beauties of the place - I mean the ladies .  Soldiers of a day, we already began, in the midst of these inspiring scenes, to feel like real veterans.  Between stops the men beguiled the time singing, jesting, smoking, etc., and every one was in the best possible humor.  Private T.H., among the rest, favored the company with a curious song in Pennsylvania Dutch called "Babbel Maul," which performance his delighted auditors compelled him frequently to repeat.  It was generally agreed that the most desirable way to march was by railroad.  Dusk deepened into night, and at about 9 o'clock Chambersburg was reached.  Proceeded a mile or two below the town, when the train halted in a wood brightly illuminated with camp-fires, and resonant with the cheers of soldiers.  Disembarked and went into camp.  Rigged the tents, built the fires, mounted the large cooking kettles with which we had been furnished at Harrisburg, boiled coffee and got our supper - "grub" is the military term for it.  No news of any account from Maryland.  My two comrades of the night before and myself constructed a sort of crib with fence rails put up between adjoining trees, and, after a smoke, laid ourselves up in it to sleep.  The arrangement worked well, and we slept comfortably in this rustic bedstead until 5 A.M.

September 13 & 14, 1862: 5th PA Emergency Militia

Paul Wald, from Allentown, was a member of Co. C, 5th Pennsylvania Emergency Militia.  150 years ago today (and yesterday), Wald and his comrades were smack in the middle of Harrisburg, which was a flurry of activity and excitement.

September 13:
The first night after leaving Allentown, on the 13th of September, we slept in the capitol buildings at Harrisburg, with no less than 2000 of fellow soldiers.  For excitement and the shouts of the lively Companions I hardly had one hour's rest.  Getting disgusted and weary of the tremendous noise, I sought refuge on the Rotunda where several of our gallant Officers were sitting, who participated in all our privations and conversed with Captain Gregory on the Spirit of 1776. 

September 14:
Sunday the 14th of September - but no Sabbath.  Harrisburg was entirely changed into an arsenal, wheresoever we turned our eyes there we could see Regiments marching, Companies drilling and squads running on double quick time. 



Capital grounds in September 1862 - Harrisburg, PA

September 14, 1862: Byers' Independent Cavalry Co.

Over the coming days, I will be heavily involved in the events at Antietam National Battlefield, which will commemorate the 150th Anniversary of the battle.  Over the same period of time, I plan to have a series of blog posts (sometimes several a day) highlighting the memories and movements of the Pennsylvania Emergency Militia, during what is also the 150th Anniversary of their role in the Maryland Campaign.  These posts will almost entirely be made up of day by day accounts from some of the Militimen themselves.  Hopefully by reading these accounts, your perception and understanding of the Maryland Campaign will be broadened just a little bit.  While the actions of the two armies that fought the bloody Battle of Antietam are important, it is also equally important to remember that the entire nation was on edge, and nowhere is this more plain to see than in the story of Pennsylvania and the Emergency Militia.



Charles Rawn - courtesy of the Historical Society of Dauphin County

We start things off with the daily diary of Charles Coatesworth Pinckney Rawn.  You can read more about Rawn in one of my first "Meet A Militiaman" posts here.  Rawn was a Sgt. in the Byers' Independent Cavalry Co., which was raised largely from men of Harrisburg.  The added mobility of being on horseback, and Rawn's social standing offered him a quite different experience during the "emergency" than most of the average infantry Emergency Militiamen.

150 years ago today...
 
Up at 5 to 5 1/2 A.M.  Looked after our horses - got some breakfast at 6 to 7 and mounted.  I formed the company at 6 3/4 and at 7 A.M., we were on the march to Chambersburg.  We reached Shippensburg about the middle of the day.  The streets were crowded, and the people hailed our arrival with manifestations of great pleasure and satisfaction.  Our horses were quartered chiefly alone at the hotels, but the people insisted upon distributing the members of the company among themselves to dine 1 or 2 or 3 here and there among them as seemed suitabl.  Frank Meaham and myself were pressed to the home of one E. J. McCune, a youngish man, merchant, with a pleasant young wife and their child, living very comfortably, who gave us an excellent dinner and indeed in som respects rather extra.  I wrote whilst dinner was getting ready to my wife, giving her an account of our progress thus far.  At about 2 P.M. we were again in our saddles, and after a short return of thanks by [Capt.] Byers, on behalf of the company, to the citizens for their kind and polite treatment we left for Chambersburg where we arrived, eleven miles from Shippensburg and fifty from home, at 5 P.M., and stopped at Mr. Riley's Western Hotel, where we got our horses comfortably stabled, got a comfortable supper and distributed ourselves for sleeping to various quarters.  I went just across the way from the hotel to one Guiselman, where I was put into a well furnished chamber with a superior spring bed.  Went to bed about 9 1/2 to 10 P.M.

source:
"The Militia Journal of Charles Rawn, September 9 to 23, 1862". ed. by Darin Smith. available from http://rawnjournals.com; Internet.

"Give Us A Man Whose Heart Is In The War"



Gen. John Reynolds



By September 11, 1862, Pennsylvania was scrambling to organize the many Emergency Militia companies that were starting to stream into Harrisburg in response to Gov. Curtin's call for troops on September 10.  However, there was still one very important thing that was not on it's way to Harrisburg at that time, and that was a commander to lead this new Pennsylvania force.  Well connected Philadelphia citizens wrote directly to Washington, pleading for a competent officer.  "We implore you to give us one who combines the sagacity of the statesman with the acuteness and skill of the soldier.  Give us a man whose heart is in the war."  Their recommendation was Philadelphia native, George Meade.  When it became clear that the war department was not going to give them Meade, Pennsylvania regrouped.  This time Harrisburg sent word to Washington requesting another officer, this time from Lancaster, "We want an active, energetic officer to command the forces in the field, and on that could rally Pennsylvanians around him.  It is believed that General Reynolds would be most useful, and I hope you will arrange to send him..." 
General George B. McClellan, commander of the Army of the Potomac, tried to thwart the loss of one of his experienced and able generals.  "General Reynolds," wrote McClellan, "is now engaged on important service, supporting with his division an attack on New Market [MD].  He has one of the best divisions [the Pennsylvania Reserves] and is well aquainted with it.  I cannot see how his services can be spared at the present time."  1st Corps commander 'Fighting' Joe Hooker, whose Corps included Reynolds and the Reserve Division, had much more forceful words for Pennsylvania's request:

I have been shown an order relieving Brigadier-General Reynolds from the command of a division in my corps.  I request that the Major-general commanding will not heed this order; a scared Governor ought not to be permitted to destroy the usefulness of an entire division of the army, on the eve of important operations.  General Reynolds command a division of Pennsylvania troop not of the best character; is well known to them, and I have no officer to fill his place.  It is satisfactory to my mind that the rebels have no more intention of going to Harrisburg than they have going to heaven.  It is only in the United States that atrocites like this are entertained.

Reynolds too was upset.  Here he was, with his Division chasing Lee through Maryland, on the verge of another great battle.  He was sure that another capable showing by him and his battle hardened Pennsylvania Reserve Division would earn him a promotion to Major General.  He soon was ordered from his command, and by September 14, Reynolds was in Harrisburg struggling to bring the large, untested, and untrained Pennsylvania Emergency Militia toward the seat of war.  He realized it would be an arduous and thankless task, but at the end of the day, Reynolds was a soldier and he did his duty.  He felt he had lost a great opportunity, and that the war would pass him by, robbing him of a prominent place in history.  Two weeks later, having missed the Battles of South Mountain and Antietam, and with the threat of invasion passed, Reynolds disbanded the Militia, and was on his way back to the Army.  It would be George Meade who had won acclaim at the head of the Pennsylvania Reserves, not Reynolds.  However, nine months later, this time chasing Lee through Pennsylvania, toward the town of Gettysburg, Reynolds' name would forever after be remembered by history in stone and bronze.

sources:
Nichols, Edward J. Toward Gettysburg: A Biography of General John F. Reynolds. State College: The Pennsylvania State University Press, 1958.

United States War Department. The War of the Rebellion: a Compilation of the Official Records of Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Vol. XIX, Part II. US Government Printing Office, 1887.

September 4, 1862: "The State to be Armed"

The following is a re-post from last September.  I apologize for my laziness, but over the past year my available research time has been somewhat placed on the back burner.  Among the many projects drawing away my attention has been my effort to become an official Antietam Battlefield Guide.  This requires large amounts of time researching, testing, preparing practice tours, and traveling to and from the Battlefield in Maryland.  The light at the end of the tunnel is within sight, and I hope to report to you after the approaching Antietam 150th (something else that has been occupying much of time and thoughts) that I have successfully passed through the Guide mentorship process, and have become a full Guide. 

Enough with my sob story.  Today, we officially enter the Sesquicentennial of the Maryland Campaign, as Sept. 4 marks 150 years since Lee crossed his Rebel army into Maryland for the first time.  Sept. 4 also marks an important milestone in the story of Pennsylvania's Emergency Militia, as you will read below.  Over the next few weeks, as I take part in events (both on and off the Antietam Battlefield) that mark this moment in history, I hope to share with you my thoughts, interests, photos, videos, etc., of the remembrance of this hugely important time period in American History. 

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By September 1862, the mighty armies of the North (Army of the Potomac commanded by McClellan, and the Army of Virginia commanded by Pope), were massed in confusion and demoralization in and around Washington.  Gen. McClellan had been beaten back from the outskirts of the Confederate capital at Richmond, and Gen. Pope had been soundly defeated and sent fleeing from the field at the Battle of 2nd Bull Run.  This left Gen. Robert E. Lee and his Army of Northern Virginia unopposed.  With Lee's sights now set on moving north into Maryland, panic immediately began to spread northward into nearby Pennsylvania. 

The summer before, the Pennsylvania Reserve Corps, who had been originally organized for state defense, had been sent away into Federal service, to help bolster the Union Army after it's defeat at the Battle of 1st Bull Run.  On September 4, Lee began to look north as he crossed his army over the Potomac River into Maryland.  Many in Pennsylvania feared Lee's ultimate goal was the state capital in Harrisburg.  Pennsylvania was completely undefended, but not helpless.  That same day, September 4, Pennsylvania Governor Andrew Curtin issued a proclamation calling for the men of Pennsylvania to form and train companies of militia, which were to be called forward to Harrisburg if Lee should indeed threaten the Commonwealth.  This proclamation, which appeared in nearly every newspaper, created what would become the Pennsylvania Emergency Militia; the state's last line of defense.

Proclamation of Gov. Curtin

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.  [General Order No.] 33

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

PROCLAMATION

WHEREAS, in the present position of affairs, it is expedient that measures should be taken to arm and prepare our people for defense.

            Now, therefore, I did earnestly recommend the immediate formation, throughout the Commonwealth, of volunteer companies and regiments, in conformity with the militia act of 1858.  Arms will be distributed to the organizations to be formed.

            It is further recommended that in order to give due opportunities for drill and instruction all places of business be closed daily at 3 o’clock, P. M. so that persons employed therein may after that hour be at liberty to attend to their military duties.

            The cheerful alacrity with which the men of Pennsylvania have hitherto given themselves to the services of the country has pressed heavily on her military resources  -  I am reluctant to ask her people to assume further burdens; but as their safety requires they should do,  it is in their behalf that I put forth the recommendations herein contained and urge a prompt compliance with them.

Given under my hand and the Great Seal of the State at Harrisburg, this 4^th day of September, in the year of our Lord 1862

By the Governor,                                               Eli Slifer

                                                                        Secretary of the Commonwealth

sources

Bates, Samuel P. History of Pennsylvania volunteers, 1861-5 : prepared in compliance with acts of the legislature. Harrisburg: B. Singerly, State Printer, 1869.

Carlisle Herald, September 12, 1862

Harsh, Joseph L., Taken at the Flood: Robert E. Lee and Confederate Strategy in the Maryland Campaign of 1862.Kent, Ohio: Kent State University Press, 1999.