CHAPTER
XIV
HARPER’S
FERRY
Never will we forget when first we caught a glimpse of
the first REAL fort near the Point of Rocks, in Maryland, where we
first caught sight of the Potomac River, on a gentle eminence to the right of
the railroad was a hastily thrown up earth work, with embrasures for three
guns. The moment it was discovered we
rushed for the windows to get a good view of it, but as the train was moving
along at a tolerable rate of speed, we did not have much time to examine it
very critically. We were now getting
into Dixie in good earnest and we would not have
been much surprised if at any moment a squadron of cavalry or a battalion of
rebel infantry should have attempted to dispute our further progress. Whilst we were busily engaged in surveying
the scenery which met our wondering eyes, we were startled by a hearty cheer in
the front car, which we soon learned was
occasioned by the first of Harper’s Ferry.
Sure enough, right to our left, we co’d plainly see
Bolivar Heights, and in its immediate front, snugly nestled in between the
mountain fastness, was all that the rebels had left or the famous town of
Harper’s Ferry, which had from its picturesque surroundings been very justly
designated the Switzerland of America.
But long ere we had time to contemplate the grandeur and sublimity of
the scene, the train halted and we were called upon to bid adieu to the pleasure of car riding.
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The battle at Harpers Ferry was in September of 1862, while Company G was still in Harrisburg Pa. On September 15th 1862, The union surrendered Harpers Ferry to the South, with over 12,000 union soldiers being taken prisoner. http://www.nps.gov/hafe/learn/historyculture/1862-battle-of-harpers-ferry.htm
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We got out of the cars crossed the river on the first
pontoon bridge we had ever seen, and about 9 o’clock, p. m., November 27, 1862,
we set our feet on the sacred soil of Virginia for the first time, and strange
as it appeared to us, upon the very spot made historical in the events of those
days, in which the heroic though deluded John Brown, too early struck the blow
to remove the shackles from the limbs of 4,000,000 of human beings whose only sin was that they were with skins
of ebony hue.
Hastily passing through the historic old town, without
giving it more than a brief passing notice, we were guided to the place where
the regiment was lying in camp, to which we joined our fortunes, company “F,” sometimes called
Q, having preceded us.
If we were to say that we were cordially received we
would be telling an untruth, a thing which those who know us best know we would
not like to do, in fact we were looked upon as a set of interlopers who were
not worthy of the recognition of the old veterans, who in the language of G.
D. Griggs, “had guarded the Point of Rocks, until the name was an anomaly, as
the POINT had been worn off by those battle scarred veterans.”
Our arrival was heralded by the “old” soldiers, as we
were wont to term them, in language of the following description:
“Another arrival of conscripts,” “say, give us one of
your white haversacks and gum blankets;” “How are you $450, government bounty,”
and many other such pet appellations as had a tendency to cause our blood to
rise.
We were marched to the left of the regiment and placed
in tents already erected. The sight
which greeted our eyes was indeed a novel one.
Quite a number of Sibly tents were erected in various parts of the camp,
and from the position which we occupied we had an excellent view of the camp of
the Division, then numbering about 5000 men all told.
Soon after our arrival and whilst we were busy looking
around, we were made aware that something unusual was about to take place, by
the beating of a drum at a place which we afterwards learned was regimental head-quarters,
and by the activity which at once existed among the men. The different companies “fell In,” equipped
with arms and accouterments. The colors
which M. S. Schroyer had deposited at the Colonel’s tent, was taken charge of
by a Sergeant and eight Corporals and escorting it to the parade ground, where
they took their position and the regiment was formed by company in line of
battle. The music which was stationed on
the right of the regiment, struck up a dirge, and with measured tread the
musicians marched down the entire line, then returned playing in livelier
strains. After the music was ended, the
Adjutant brought the command to a present arms, and then took a position in the
rear of the Colonel, who for sometime exercised the men in the manual of
arms. After these exercises the Adjutant
read general orders. Among which was the promotion of a number of
non-commissioned officers, after which the Adjutant dismissed the parade.
Thus we witnessed the first dress parade turned off in
regular military style and owing to the fact that we had no arms we did not
participate.
The Company had been divided into messes at
Harrisburg, but quite a number of changes took place when we proceeded select
permanent quarters on Bolivar Heights..
The first night spent in Camp on the sacred soil of
the “old Dominion,” we shall never forget. The camp-fires which illuminated the
hills and valleys could be counted by the thousands, whilst the signal rockets
could plainly he seen ascending from the station on Maryland Heights. In measured tread of the sentinel as he
walked to and fro, whilst guarding the camp from sudden attack or improper
interruption, taken in connection with the silence which fell over the camp
after taps, served to impress upon our minds the serenity of the scene.
A number of the members of the company ourselves among
the number, strolled to the top of Bolivar Heights, to where Knap’s Battery was
stationed, and had a splendid view of the cantonment. From this point we could see far in the
direction of Winchester, which was at the time in the possession of the
enemy. Around us as far as we could scan
we could see the ocean of fire, which located the picket reserve.
We returned to our quarters and prepared to close our
eyes in slumber, but before we succeeded our thoughts had wandered to the homes
of our childhood, and instead of being in an enemy’s country, we where standing
amidst the familiar scenes of our childhood left behind us in our native old
Pennsylvania.
The reveille aided by the authoritative command of
orderly Parks’ “fall in the company for roll call.” routed us out and we fell
in line promptly. At that first roll
call, company E of Philadelphia, and B of Huntingdon, between which companies
ours was sandwiched, owing to the number of strange names, they called us the
“Dutch” company, a name which we held as long as the company retained an
official existence, although at the time we did not have a single foreigner of
any nationality within our ranks, we were composed of Americans to the honor
born.
At the time we joined the regiment some
dissatisfaction existed among the six old companies, owing to the fact that
they were taken from the old 28th and moved so far back as the 147th
in the line. Quite a number of our boys,
in fact nearly all, had purchased a neat frosted German-silver G, with 147th P. V. I. to match and had placed them on our
caps. This act caused a number of the
old companies to look with displeasure on us.
A number of the members of company “F,” had been foolish enough to buy
the letter “Q,” 28th, P. V. I.
Our company, not being desirous of stealing the honor and glory
belonging to others, quietly wore their numbers, but heroically determined to
aid in winning a name for the number they wore that any regiment in the service
might envy.
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