Chapter 14 - Harpers Ferry

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.

==================================================================

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

==================================================================

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 28^th and moved so far back as the 147^th in the line.  Quite a number of our boys, in fact nearly all, had purchased a neat frosted German-silver G, with 147^th  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,” 28^th, 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.

Chapter 52 (Traveling)

CHAPTER LII

On the morning of the 16^th we broke camp about 9 o’clock, and were on the move by 10 o’clock, and by noon we went into camp at Sandy Hook, in Maryland opposite the town of Har­per‘s Ferry.

Here we halted and prepared our frugal meal of coffee and crackers and which we soon devoured, so as to be ready to move on short notice.  Soon after dinner we observed the officers servants bringing up the Colonel’s tents, and make preparations to put them up.  This was a hint which we soon followed and in a very short time dog tents sufficient to accommodate 6000 men were visible to the eyes of the beholder.

It was while lying here that 0rderly Sergeant B. T. Parks was hit with a spent minnie ball, while seated upon the ridge-pole of a sink.  The ball cut the skin and caused a lump to swell almost instantly and which became black-and-blue of the size of a silver half dollar.

It was afterwards discovered that one of the 5^th Ohio boys had accidentally fired off his rifle, and that the ball had struck a rock from which it glanced and then struck the Orderly.  This was before Parks had an introduction to rebel bullets and he did not relish the feel, and the way he came limping into camp, after the event, was sufficient grounds for us to form an opinion that he certainly did not desire to use his person as a target for minnie balls even if they were spent.

We remained in this camp for three days, including the one in which we arrived there.  On Sunday morning, July 9^th, we re-crossed the Potomac River, and once more stood upon the soil of the old Dominion.  Each man feeling that the Rebel Army again had the advantage and that when next again we would meet them, the struggle for supremacy would be a sever one.  As we marched through Harper’s Ferry our minds recalled the time when first old Company G marched thro’ this ancient old town, less than a year ago, and we could not fail but to be impressed  with the great change which had taken place in our ranks since that eventful day.  We had served a winter in the front and passed through two severe engagements, and now the com­pany scarcely mustered 40 men where as we had crossed some 80 strong.  If this change was to continue for the next year, there was no telling how the thing would end, and by the time that we would come around that way again there was no telling who would be left to march across the Potomac again.

While passing through the town, some of the boys in snooping around smelled pies which were in the process of being baked, at last they discovered where they were, and made a rush for the oven, and several of the boys burn­ed their hands pretty badly, but notwithstanding the burns, they secured the pies.

During the day we marched within a short distance from Hillsborough.  On this march our troops discovered some carbines in a stable which they took out and then fired the buildings.

On the following day we marched to Snickersville via Purcelville.  Whilst on this march we moved over the battlefield on which General Pleasanton whipped the Rebel Cavalry previous to the battle of Gettysburg, and whilst resting here, one of Company C’s boys was seated upon powder which bad been spilled during the engagement, he filled his pipe and after lighting the same he carelessly threw the match on the ground, by which means the powder became ignited and he was seriously burned.  The Surgeon made an application for the burn.  When this lotion was applied to the injured man’s face and hands it gave him the appearance of a smoked Yankee.  He was placed in an ambulance and during the day he was frequently greeted with the cry of “put that nigger out of that ambulance.”

We went into camp near Snickersville where we remained until the morning of the 23^rd.  During our stay in this camp we lived principally on blackberries, which grew in great abundance in the immediate vicinity of our camp.  Several of the boys made a raid upon the farmers sheep and mutton was both plenty and cheap.  It was whilst encamped here that the writer enjoyed(?) his first shave.  Seated upon the stump of a fallen tree, a seat which was not cushioned by any means, and under the by no means gentle hand of Gid Glazer of Company B, we underwent the operation of having the maiden down scraped from our face.  When we were finished we bore a very strong resemblance to a peeled beat, and it certainly was the very last time that we got shaved at Glazer’s barber shop..

On Thursday morning, July 23^rd, we broke camp and moved by way of Paris Gap, passing through Upperville and encamped near Markham, march­ing until midnight and went into camp a short distance from Markham, having traveled fully 25 miles.  Here we should have drawn rations, but owing to the uncertainty of our communications, and the probability of an engagement being brought on, the rations were not issued, and although it was the first rations our company had ever failed to get, the boys were terribly put out about it, and the way that the growlers spit out the Dutch and English was a caution.

It was while lying here, awaiting orders to move, that we had the first good view of General Meade, the hero of the battle of Gettysburg.  He passed our cantonment, on his way to the front.  He was mounted upon a small horse, and attired in the blue undress uniform, wearing a cap and glasses.  He was riding leisurely along with his left hand resting in the right breast of his coat, with his head thrown gently forward, and was evidently deeply en­gaged in thought.  The General was closely followed by several of his staff officers, who in turn were followed by several orderlies.