Joseph Asher Lumbard

Joseph Asher Lumbard was my great, great, great grandfather.  He was born in Snyder County Pa, and served with the 147th Company G.  After the war, he was editor of the Snyder County Tribune.  He wrote extensively about his time in the civil war, and this blog is my attempt to sort out his writings and add background information to him. 

More information about Joseph, aside from his writings and time with the 147th Company G in the civil war, can be found here on my genealogy blog, where I have additional family photos and census records and other records pertaining to his life:

http://heathersgen.blogspot.com/2011/01/joseph-lumbard-succumbed-to-stroke-1915.html

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Following his his entire diary.

Preliminaries

Company G, 147th, P. V. I.

BY  CORPORAL     J. A. LUMBARD.

PRELIMINARIES

The following history was published in the SNYDER COUNTY TRIBUNE, Selinsgrove, PA., J. A. Lumbard Editor, from January 13, 1876 to June 27, 1878.  The document from which this copy was produced consisted of photo-copies from a microfiche copy of a document that was made up from newspaper clippings of the original publication that were pasted into a book.  The copying was very poor and often segments of pages were black in the center of the book when it was not flat enough for the copying.  In addition many pages were speckled with spots that gave the OCR program difficulty with recognition.  While it was possible to guess at most of the missing words, there are six places in the document where the missing words are replaced by question marks, one for each letter that must have been in the word.  The reader is left to supply his/her best guess.

Lumbard appears to have been a frustrated poet and the language is even more flowery than the times would support.  This along with his rather liberal, and seemingly random, use of commas with an accompanying reluctance to use periods, and an excessive use of clichés, makes for tedious reading at times.  However, the recounting of the events is quite interesting and well worth the patience the reader may need to make it to the end.  Many of the events are the same as in the diary of Michael S. Schroyer, but in many places it provides more detail than Schroyer.  It is more than twice the length of Schroyer’s, but then Lumbard often uses two or three times as many words to describe an event than does Schroyer.         W. L. HAFLEY

Most of the articles can be found on microfiche at the Snyder County Historical Society, Middleburg Pa.

September 8 1862 - Maryland Invaded

Lewisburg Chronicle 

(Lewisburg, Pennsylvania)

9 Sep 1862, Tue • First Edition • Page 1

Prologue - September 11 1862

PROLOGUE

The red hand of Treason had drawn the veil of disunion closer and tighter around the National strongholds.  The stars and bars the emblems of slavery and oppres­sion, waved in triumph over a large por­tion of our common country, and for the time being, the Northern Copperheads boastingly asserted "that the North can never subjugate the South,” and that “one southerner was a match for five northern mudsils."  The grand Army of the Po­tomac, under its then lionized commander, General George B. McClellan, had been defeated upon the Peninsula, and had lost heavily in numbers in battle and from death caused by the malaria of the swamps.  General Pope had met the ene­my in the valleys of Northern Virginia, and the defeat of his Army at the second Bull Run, was the final result.

The Rebels emboldened by their suc­cesses, which alone in the department of the South-west had met with reverses at Shiloh and Fort Donelson, were determined to invade the Northern States.  At this critical epoch, the Government issued call for Three Hundred Thousand Vol­unteers to aid in crushing Rebellion.

The Governor of Pennsylvania issued his Proclamation, calling for volunteers for nine months, as well as for three years.  At this period, about the 1st of August 1862, Charles S. Davis, Nelson Byers and William H. Schroyer, prompted by patriotic impulses, recruited a company for the nine months service.  This company was not accepted, as by the time it was fully recruited Gov. Curtin had given official notice that no more nine month men would be accepted at this time.  Snyder County had then already forwarded Capt. George W. Ryan’s nine month company, and which was subsequently denominated company ”F,” and attached to the 131st regiment, P. V. I.  Thus the first com­pany raised by the above named gentle­men was never organized.

The War clouds grew thicker and thicker, and the time had arrived when every man in the country was required to throw his influence into the scales against treason and Rebellion.  The hour was without exception the darkest in our Country’s  history.  The draft of 1862 appeared inev­itable, already had the enrolling officers issued their notices, which included all able bodied males between the ages of 18 and 45.  At this time another effort was made to raise another company, this time for three years.  A large and enthusiastic meeting was held at Selinsgrove, in the old “Union” School-house, on the evening of August 25th, 1862, and which was fol­lowed by meetings at Boyer’s Tavern, Port Trevorton, Freeburg, Beavertown, Beard’s Tavern and Kratzersville, which resulted in recruiting 80 men..

On the 11th and 12th of September, ‘62, those who had volunteered to enlist for three years, began to concentrate at Se­linsgrove, with Head-quarters at the Keystone Hotel, and by the afternoon of the 12th, all were present or accounted for.

At one o’clock, p. m. on Friday, Sept. 12th, the boys were ordered to “fall in” for the first time, and with raised hands took an oath administered by John Em­mit, Esq., to the effect that “we would obey and respect the officers about to be elected by a majority of our Votes.” This being accomplished, the roll was called and the voting done, resulting in the elec­tion of Charles S. Davis, Captain, Nelson Byers and William H. Schroyer, 1st an 2d Lieutenants respectively. Byers was Davis' competitor, and Isaac Smith contest­ed the honor for 2d Lieutenant with Wm. H. Schroyer.  The result of the election gave general satisfaction and we all de­termined to "stand unto the last,” by the officers of our choice. 

Chapter 1 - The Departure September 12 1862

CHAPTER I

THE DEPARTURE

In the foregoing introduction It has been my aim to be brief, while at the same time, I desire to gave an outline of the cir­cumstances and dangers which threatened the general Government at the time the Company was organized, so that when the child of the future shall read the history of the hardships, privations and sufferings of the defenders of the dear old flag, it may form an intelligent idea of the cir­cumstances under which the above named organization entered the service of the Government, prepared for a long and ter­rible war, believing that we would in all human probability be called upon to serve the full term of our enlistment, and not as some supposed who had enlisted in the early part of the war, believing that the war would only be a trifle, or that the north could settle the rebellion in at least thirty days. The thirty day fallacy had been long ago exploded, and the members of Captain Davis’ company were well aware of these facts.

The night of the 12th of September 1862 will long be remembered by many of the citizens of Selinsgrove, it was the night preceding the departure of the company for Harrisburg.  We shall not endeavor to portray any of the events in particular, only in general -- for what was the history of one, was the history of all.  Mothers took an affectionate leave of the son who was going to meet his country’s foe on the field of battle, as they thought of the many chances against a safe return, tears would chase each other down their patriotic cheeks.  Husbands took farewell leave of their wives and children, which many of them should never more behold, and oh, how dear did those little ones ap­pear to the father who pressed them to his bosom, and impressed the good-night kiss for the last time perhaps; and who can imagine unless by experience, the sad parting between husband and wife, the one filled with sad forebodings, whilst the other felt that though he should never see his help-mete again, be was but doing his duty, and with Spartan firmness, he bade his wife dry her tears and hope for the best; he would do his duty and give the rest over into God’s hands.  Then again we had the lovers, who ere they parted vowed eternal constancy and though death might claim the hero, the heroine nobly bade him go, feeling that it was his duty, and she who had a lover march to the front in Company G, felt proud of him and freely gave her idol to her country.

The 18th of September dawned at last, and the quiet little town of Selinsgrove, was bustle and excitement.  The citizens had kindly furnished a large amount at stores which were contributed as a com­missary supply for the Company until we should become acquainted or accustomed to army rations.

At nine o’clock. a. m., the company was drawn up in line in Market St. when each member of the company was presented with a “housewife”—or needle case—pre­pared for the occasion by the patriotic ladies of the town.  At quarter past nine o'clock a. m., headed by the Selinsgrove Cornet Band, the company made its first march.  Reaching the river the parting scenes became general, after which the company and a large number of citizens were conveyed to the other side of the river by means of a large flat.  Owing to a delay in the arrival of the train, we were compelled to spend several hours awaiting its arrival.  During our wait speeches were made by Revs. Hall, Domer and Parks, and here it was that Rev. Domer gave the company the name of

“KEYSTONE GUARDS,"

and how well we merited the title, we shall endeavor to portray in the following imperfectly written history of the Compa­ny in its thirty-three months service.

‘Tis said, “that there is a time for all things,” and so the train at length arrived. With a hasty good-bye, and a long, long look towards the home of childhood, we were soon seated in the box cars, pro­vided for our transportation, a shrill whis­tle of "up brakes” and we were soon thundering down the Northern Central, en route to Harrisburg, and where we in due time safely arrived.  While on our way to camp, marching through the city we were frequently greeted by the urchins with "there goes another lot of ragged - militia - who were then rushing to the front;” we soon made known that we were three year men, and were greeted by the then popular cry of “bully for you.”

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Lewisburg Chronicle 

(Lewisburg, Pennsylvania)

12 Sep 1862, Fri • First Edition • Page 1

Pittsburgh Daily Post, 13 Sep 1862, Sat, Page 2

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Lamented Comrade’s Writings Tell of Service of Locally Recruited, Civil War Unit in 147th Regiment
By M. S. SCHROYER

Next morning, the 13th, we lined up in Market Street near Pine, ready to depart for the front. Before we left Market Street each member of the company was presented with a “housewife,” donated by the ladies of the town. The gift consisted of a sewing kit, and during the time of our service recalled many pleasant recollections.

Headed by the Selinsgrove band we marched to the river and there boarded flats to be ferried across the stream to the Junction, where we were delayed several hours on account of the lateness of the train. It was at that time that the Rev. Messrs Hall, Domer and Parks delivered addresses, and Rev. Domer baptized the company as the “Keystone Guards.” A rather humorous incident occurred when Rev. Dr. Stephen A. Owen, of Hagerstown, Md., then a student in Missionary Institute (now Susquehanna University), delivered an address to us. At the height of his oratory the stones on the mountain side, where he was standing, began to slide, and the young orator made a sudden and unceremonious descent, cutting short his excellent speech.

We boarded the train at Selinsgrove Junction and arrived at Harrisburg in the afternoon of the above date. To the music of drum and fife we marched up Market Street to Third, and from Third to Ridge  avenue, out Ridge avenue to Camp Simmons, where we camped.

This was my first visit to Harrisburg, and the march up Market Street and out to camp was one of the proudest days of my life. My age was 19 years and five months. So proud was I that I hardly think General Jackson’s overcoat would have made me a jacket.

Chapter 2 - September 15th 1862

CHAPTER II

OUR FIRST EXPERIENCE

Upon reaching camp we were placed in Camp Simmons, under command of Captain William Tarbutton, an ex-Methodist minister, and being the only troops at the time in the camp, we were dubbed Tarbutton’s Rangers, Co., A.  Here we first learned that to be a civilian was one thing, whilst being a soldier was certainly quite another.  While the boys were hav­ing a mouth battle, concerning where they were going to place their tents, Captain Tarbutton informed them that HE would dispose of that matter by ordering them WHERE to place their tents.

This was the first indication that we had of what we might expect in the future from those who would be placed in author­ity over us.  And we there and then first learned that. it was a soldier’s first and last duly to obey, without questioning the reasonableness or unreasonableness of the command.

The first afternoon of our camp life was spent in erecting our tents, after which we drew rations, consisting of sugar, cof­fee, bread, beans, rice,  meat, potatoes,  pepper, sa1t, candles and soap, which were stored under a tarpaulin which had been erected for a cook house.

The tents erected, rations drawn, after which a number of the boys started for Harrisburg to "see the sights” and, as it was the last night that we could really ex­pect to be absolutely free from military discipline, we made the most of it and did not return to camp until the “wee sma” hours of morning.

 The first morning that dawned upon us in camp was that of the holy Sabbath.— We were awakened at the break of day, by the salutation: “Fall in for roll call.”— B. T. Parks had charge of the company, and having been a member of Company B, 6^th Reserves, it was good sport for him to watch us “green ones” falling into line, and growling at the nonsense of playing soldier in earnest, generally muttering that it will be time enough when once in the field.

The first regular meal in camp, who that had the pleasure to partake of it, will ever forget it? The cups that were dealt out to us were common pint tin cups, and it is useless to attempt to enumerate the burnt fingers, in attempting to prepare that meal, and then with what relish it was eaten.  It did not take long to discover that the members of Co. G, were not experts in the art of cooking, and that it would be necessary to hire or detail a gen­eral cook, whose duty it should be to pre­pare the rations for the company.  This was accomplished by securing Peter Lau­benstine, a former resident of Selinsgrove and who was paid fifty cents per month from each member of the company.

The first day spent in Camp after our arrival was the holy Sabbath, and well do we remember it.  It was a beautiful Sep­tember day, the bight sun shown down upon us with the warmth of midsummer.  The beautiful trees on the ridges on either side of us, were merely visible through the hazy atmosphere, the sweet music made by numerous bells, as they called together those who worshipped the “great Giver of every good and perfect gift,” in our front in the city, taken in connection with the novelty of our situation, served to make an impress on our minds, that the finger of time will find difficult to erase.

It was upon this day that our officers opened the box of provisions that had been prepared by our friends at home and “falling in” around their “A” tent caused the same to be dealt out to the men; each one seating himself upon the ground, with his plate and which by the way was a tin one, upon his lap and his cup of coffee near by.  Thus our first Sunday dinner was eaten in camp, and a noble repast it was, fit for Kings to dine upon, and often during the dark and try­ing times, when owing to the scarcity of “grub” in Uncle Sam’s larder, did our imaginations go out towards that Sunday  dinner

On Monday the 15th, we were examin­ed, and this exhibition owing to its novel­ty, was amusing in the extreme, and did the subject permit, a number of ludic­rous incidents might be given, which un­der the circumstances must remain among the unwritten doings of the company.— A number of the men, amongst them old Danny Herbster seriously objected to go­ing through the “ordeal.” but when they found that if they would march with the company they must submit, they grace­fully gave in and were accepted.  W. S. Keller passed twice, once for himself and also for B. T. Parks, and owing to his pe­culiar formation was detected by the ex­amining Surgeon, who as he passed him turned towards Captain Davis and with a knowing wink said: “Captain, you have two men pretty near alike, but they are both sound, which I suppose is all that you care about.”

The Captain saw the point and very po­litely thanked the Doctor for his kindness. Several of the boys who had enlisted, ow­ing to some bodily deformity, were not accepted..

The examination being over we were mustered into the United States service immediately.  This important step in our history took place about 4 o'clock, P. M. on the same day that we were examined and was performed by Captain Norton, who at the time was laboring under the influence of too much benzene, mustered ­us into service as cavalry, “to serve during  the war.” The latter clause was the cause of frequent contention in the company, as scarcely a half -dozen of the mem­bers agreed as to the time and manner in which they had been mustered.

After being mustered into service next step to be attended to was the draw­ing of the Quarter-master stores. Bright and early on the following morning B. T. Parks, acting Orderly Sergeant, detailed a squad of men and who were sent to the Camp Quartermaster, where they received all the clothing necessary to rig us out completely in Uncle Samuel’s toggery.

The sport now began in good earnest, the clothing consisting of pants, dress and overcoats, drawers, shirts, hose, shoes, ponchos, scales, &c., were distributed among the boys, who hastily exchanged their citizens clothes for "suits or blue," and when they next appeared in the com­pany street, a more ludicrous fantastic sight never greeted mortal sight be­fore.  We were raw recruits and had a great many things yet to learn.  The most of us having taken the clothing just as they had been issued to us, without regard to sizes and here was some of the results:  Luther Parks, the smallest soldier in the Company, was lost in a pair of pants large enough for a six footer, whilst Asa B. Churchill, the company giant, was arrayed in a pair of pants that scarcely reached his knees; Ed Fisher had his head enveloped in a monstrous cap, whilst John K. Stuck had a “wee bit" of a thing perched on the top of his head, while six or seven of the boys were trying to put feet that snugly fit a number 10 boot into number 6 shoes.

After considerable trading with one and another, all at last succeeded in getting suited to their various needs, and when we had everything arranged, even to sewing on of the brass scales, the company presented a very (?) martial appearance.

After we were once fully equipped hav­ing received everything excepting arms and accouterments, we began to play the part of the soldier in good earnest.  Drill morning, noon and evening, was the order of the day.  More recruits began to arrive and we were detailed to stand guard over the camp, armed with clubs.  In those days a corporal was a very important per­sonage.  Calls similar to the following: 

“Corporal of the Guard, post number 115, double-quick,” owing to a change of diet, were quite frequent,

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Sunbury American 

(Sunbury, Pennsylvania)

13 Sep 1862, Sat • First Edition • Page 1

Chapter 3 - Our First Lessons

September 17-19 1862

CHAPTER III

OUR FIRST LESSONS

On the 17th of September our officers at attempted to procure arms, and begged for permission to march us on towards the field of action, as the rebels were then in­vading “My Maryland.”

Old Captain Tarbutton, to whom the application had been made, politely informed them that they should rest easy, since they and their men would see fighting enough before their term of service would expire.  A verification that was lit­erally fulfilled.

On the 18th of the same month, the wounded from the battle field of Antietam reached Harrisburg, and part of the com­pany was detailed to assist in unloading the cars, freighted with the mangled and maimed Union soldiers, none of whose wounds had as yet been dressed.

To hear the moans and groans of the poor fellows, was sufficient to convince the most stout-hearted of Company G’s boys, that to play soldier was a very dan­gerous game and to say the very least, we had chosen an avocation that would certainly call us to places where death and destruction stalked through the land in an open and defiant manner.

We have always surmised that the experience gained upon that occasion had a great deal to do with several members of our company getting discharged from service on account of physical disability.  ­We remember one of these chaps who car­ried a beg of sweet potatoes on his shoulder on the day he was discharged, when a few hours before, he had been almost too weak to carry his discharge from one ward to the other.

The first guard duty that the company performed with muskets and accouterments, was on the 19th of September, 1862, in the Capitol grounds, upon the occasion of firing a salute of one hundred guns, in honor of the victory obtained over the Rebel Army at Antietam.

It was upon this occasion that the writer halted A. G. Conic, the then great war Governor. Upon being informed as to who it was that stood at the mercy of our bayonet, we brought the old fuzee to a present, recognizing the salute, his Excel­lency passed on.

At this time we were kept very busy do­ing guard duty on the hill.  The Capitol grounds were dotted with tents which had been used by the Militia, who had flocked in by the thousands to defend the State from the invasion which was then being threatened by the Rebels.

Here the members of the company had ample opportunity of playing the part of Sunday soldier in its brightest light.  The grounds were nearly always filled with strangers who visited Harrisburg to catch a glimpse of army life.

Soldiers are apt scholars, and we believe that we can truthfully claim as much aptitude and shrewdness for the members of Company G as was possessed by any other company, or at least it did not take our boys long to learn that it was a good thing to be provided with a piece of raw bacon, the fattest we could get, with several hard-tack, and whenever there would be any persons about who by their actions gave us reason to believe that they were friends of the soldier, we would seat ourselves near them on the ground, take out our “prepared” grub and commence to eat it with the keenest appetite.  As a general thing the first vender of pies and cakes that happened to pass that way would receive an order for the balance of stock, and as a natural result the soldiers would get something better than bacon for that meal.

Part of the above arrangement is what perplexed Peter Laubenstine our cook.  He reported the case to our officers in about the following words;

“I can’t understand what ails the boys, when they go to town they can’t get their meat fat enough and when they are in camp, why I can’t get the meat lean enough, it just beats the ‘old boy.’”

The officers said that it was strange, but it was impossible for them to tell how this change in the diet was brought about.  And as to the company cook he remained in ignorance until long after we left Harrisburg.

Time passed rapidly, we had been in camp two weeks, and the company under B.T. Parks’ skillful hands, was making rapid progress in the school of the company, and we were pronounced by Capt. Tarbutton to be the most efficient troops in camp.

Up to the 30th of September, our officers had not been announced yet, we had been actually awaiting to hear who the favored ones were to be.  At last the appointments were made, and at roll-call on the morning of November 1st, B. T. Parks called the roll in the following order for the first time. (I have added the officers in order that the company roster may be complete.

Captain      Charles S. Davis

1^st  Lieutenant             Nelson Byers

2nd Lieutenant           William H. Schroyer

        NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS

1^st  Sergeant           B. T. Parks

2^nd      “                   James E. Lloyd

3^rd           “                  George W. Townsend

4^th       “                  Henry W. Baker

5^th       “                  Franklin M. Stuck

1^st  Corporal           Isaac D. Whitmer

2^nd       “                  John R. Reigel

3^rd        “                 Francis W. Wallace

4^th        “                 Frederick B. Ulrich

5^th        “                 Henry Shrawder

6^th        “                 Jeremiah Malick

7^th        “                 Samuel H. Bower

8^th        “                 George W. VonNeida

MUSICANS

           Lewis C. Schroyer

           Antes Ulrich

                  PRIVATES

App, Solomon                    Millhoff, John

App, Jeremiah                    Miller, Elias

Bingaman, Jno. F.   Moyer, Jeremiah

Churchill, Asa B.    Mull, John

Doebler, Henry J.   Miller, Reuben

Eby, Amantes                     Matter, John

Ehrhart, Daniel                   McFall, William

Fisher, Edward                   Napp, Isaac J.

Fausnacht, W. E.    Nerhood, Jacob

Griggs, George D.   Noll, Elias

Garman, Jacob                   Noaker, George

Gross, Daniel W.    Parks, Calvin E.

Henninger, Win.     Parks, Martin L.

Herbster, Win. H.   Reed, Isaac E.

Herbster, Thomas   Reed, John

Hassinger, Allen     Romig, Levi J.

Hafley, Uriah P.     Reigle, Jacob J.

Herbster, Daniel     Reed, Isaac B.

Haas, John P.                      Schroyer, M. S.

Hathaway, Jere.      Shreffler, Henry E.

Jarrett, Samuel                   Stuck, John K.

Krebbs, Jacob                     Smith, James W.

Keller, William S.   Spade, William

Kreamer, Henry      Swab, Jacob

Knarr, Franklin                   Seesholtz, Win. E.

Kreamer, Daniel W. Swartz, John A.

Knight, Fred H.      Sholly, Adam S.

Lahr, Peter             Shaffer, Michael S.

Lahr, Daniel D.      Shiffer, Wm. H. H.

Long, John C.                     Templin, Stephen

Lumbard, Joseph A. Ulsh, Joseph S.

Leider, Jacob                      Ulrich, James P.

Mark, John T.                     Ulrich, Lot

Millhof, Elias

Millhoff, Lewis

     The above is a correct roster of the original company, as well as the first non-commissioned officers appointed by the officers, but by the discharge of Sergeant Lloyd and the transfer of Corp. Shrawder to the 14^th United States Regular, other changes soon followed.

John A. Swartz was the first member of the company to desert, which he did on the 25^th of September.  No effort was ever made to compel him to return. 

The company mustered all told, rank and file 88 men.  An effort was made during our stay at Harrisburg to have it recruited up to the maximum number, 101 men, and the following recruits to the company were secured.

 Bastian, Joseph F.

 Hoffer, Peter H.

Marks, Cyrus

Shearer, Jacob

Waughen, Wm. Henry H.

All of the above, excepting Hoffer, deserted, which take with Swartz, Daniel Lahr who also deserted, and Lloyd , discharged with Shrawder transferred, the company reduced to 80 men.

The name of Rev. Hall, who had died from an attack of small-pox and who lied buried in the Even. Lutheran Cemetery in Selinsgrove never had his name on the company roll, as he was endeavoring to secure Chaplaincy.