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.