September 20, 1862: Byers' Independent Cavalry Co.

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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)

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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

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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.

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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)

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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