Chapter 13 - In Baltimore

Adah Isaacs Menken was born near New Orleans about 1835.  Facts concerning her family name and early life are obscure.  She was left in poverty at an early age, and appeared on the stage in New Orleans and in other US cities.  In 1856 she married Alexander Isaacs Menken, and thereafter bore his name through various matrimonial ventures, including marriage to heavyweight fighter “Benicia Boy.”  While on the stage in San Francisco, Adah knew many local writers, including Bret Harte, Mark Twain, and Joaquin Miller.  In 1864 she appeared in Astley’s Theatre, London as Mazeppa.  In this role she appeared almost nude, strapped to a running horse.  In England and France Adah became intimate with many literary men – Algernon Swinburne, Charles Reade, and Charles Dickens, to whom she dedicated a volume of verse, Infelicia.  Adah Isaacs Menken played other Dickensian roles, including Pip in Great Expectations.  Nicholas Nickleby was performed for her benefit in New York City in 1862.

CHAPTER XIII

IN BALTIMORE

The train stopped at the upper Depot, the company marched through the city to the other depot.  Here our officers learned that we would in all human probabili­ty be compelled to remain in the city over night, marched us to the So1d1ers Rest.  Here under the auspices of a number of patriotic ladles, a repast was soon set before us, and we partook of a hearty meal, consisting of bread, coffee, meat, cold tongue, pickled cabbages, pickles, &c., &c.  After we had partaken of the good things placed before us, “we fell in” and marched to a Market shed unoccupied near by where we unslung knapsacks, and prepared for a stroll thro’ the Monumental city.  It will not be out of place to mention that the “three Regulars,” as we were called were each plac­ed under a corporal, and under his charge we were kindly permitted to do the city.  It fell to our lot to be placed under the, prevalence of Corporal Freddy Ulrich and together we saw the sights. We visited the Monuments for which the city is noted, stood in awe under the shadow of the shot tower; feasted our eyes upon the sight of the guns that frowned upon the city and to sea-ward from Fort McHenry, watched the soldiers drilling on Federal Hill, visited the Franklin House kept by our old and respected former townsman Gideon Leisenring, sauntered along the dock and examined the construction and equipment of the various description, and crafts from the fishing smack to the three masted king of the sea, riding upon the majestic breast of the Chesapeake; we partook of a number of stews of oyster at “only 10 cents a bowl,” as well as several glasses of something stronger, to invigorate the inner man and to prevent “change of water doing us any harm,” as Freddy put it..

After taking in all the sights we turned our steps towards the place where the company, or at least our traps were stored.  After several mishaps, and at length by the aid of several policemen, we finally turned up at the place we had started from in the morning.

Soon alter our arrival the boys took up a collection and with the proceeds, some 90 cents, purchased two bushels of fine shell oysters, which by the aid of pepper, salt and vinegar did not go so bad.  Thus the day was spent, and in the evening we were again treated to a number one supper at the home, after which we were taken into a large brick house, near the corner of Howard and Franklin streets, and which bad been previously used as a Fur­niture Warehouse, but during the war was used for quartering troops that remained in the city over night, so that the condition in which we found it, will be readily appreciated by those who are posted in the way such places are generally kept.

Here we were told that we must remain for the night.  A number of the boys obtained permission to go to the theater.  Among those who were granted passes, we now remember  Lewis C. Schroyer, U. P. Hafley, Will Keller, Freddy Ulrich, Elias Millhoff, Will Fausnacht, Dan W. Gross, Jake Riegel, J. P. Ulrich and ourself.  We visited the two Theaters, Holiday and Front Sts., and examined the bulletin boards to see which one offered the greatest attractions.  At the Holiday Street theater they were running “Mazeppa,” or the Wild Horse of Mantary, with Adah Issac Menkin in the role.  This play we concluded would be the best, and when comparing notes with those who attended the other play, we found that it was.

Never showed movies , which came much later than the Holiday Street Theatre, but after we found a old pic of the theatre, we had to share it.  - http://www.kilduffs.org/featuredtheatre/

We distinctly remember that Lewis C. Schroyer who had never before been in a theater, was wishing that he could see a play with thunder and lightning in it, and it so happened that his wish was gratified to its fullest extent, as all can testify who have had the pleasure of seeing this excellent play. We passed a very pleasant evening, and had it not been for getting lost, we would have returned to out quarters at a seasonable hour, but as it was we did not reach the warehouse until nearly two o’clock.  Here we related to our less fortunate comrades who were awakened by our coming in, what we had seen, and it was almost morning before we were successful in closing our eyes in sleep, and had scarcely succeeded ere we were awakened by reveille, done up in Dasher’s (Antes Ulrich) best style.  We were however fully awakened by some one caging one of Levi J. Romig’s No. 9 government shoes across the room hitting him “ker chuck” on the cranium.  Jumping up with anything but a Christian feeling he attempted to discover who was the guilty party, but no one knew who had threw it, and we pitched it to its owner.

After performing a hasty morning toilet, and answering roll call, we marched to the Rest, anxious to get breakfast, and glad to escape from the illy ventilated room of the almost intolerable stench that pervaded the building, and which had been strengthened by the doings of several of the roosters belonging to the company.

The breakfast prepared for us was similar to the other meals with which we had been regaled on the day previous and as could well be surmised we did ample just­ice to it.  The ”little one” and several of the boys were detailed to assist in waiting on table and the way that they served cold tongue was a caution to the commissariat of the Rest.

It has been decreed by fate that there is an end for all things, and that there must surely be an end to our pleasures as well as our sorrows, so the time for our departure for the front at length arrived, and we rather reluctantly bade adieu to the city of Baltimore.

We were marched to the depot and soon were seated in the cars.  A few sharp toots from the whistle, the throttle-valve was opened, with a hiss the imprisoned steam hastened to perform its function, slowly the ponderous iron wheels of the locomotive began to revolve, only to gain increased velocity with revolution until we were being carried towards our destination with all the rapidity possible.

Our company was entrusted with the Regimental Colors, and we carried  them with us to the regiment.  Little did we think as we gazed upon its silken folds for. the first time, with its beautiful Penn­sylvania coat of arms and its significant motto, “Virtue, Liberty and Independence,” upon its blue field, made radiant with the brightness of the stars, artistical­ly grouped around the same, of the many thrilling adventures that we should be called upon to undergo, while rallying be­neath its beautiful folds, and how many of those who at the time were anxious and willing to risk their lives in its defense, should be called upon to seal their devo­tion to the dear old flag, insignia of the noble free, with their heart’s best blood.

Yes, Company G carried the colors to the regiment, and upon every field upon which it was afterwards unfurled, it was heroically defended by the members of the company, whilst a number of them fell whilst gallantly following it on to victory, while those who were spared saw it float in battle for the first time upon the ill-fated field of Chancellorsville, as well as when in triumph for the last time it was unfurled in triumph in the fore-front of Sherman’s Army, near Durham Station, on the 30th of April 1866, when the Army of Joseph E. Johnston surrendered to the Army of Gen. Wm. T. Sherman, and the war was over.  How nobly Company G defended the colors entrusted to her care by the Governor of the State, it shall be our purpose to tell ere we finish the task we have undertaken to perform.

After the train had gotten fairly started the boys were somewhat surprised as well as pleased to discover Col. Simpson upon the train bound for Annapolis. The Col. in his characteristic manner shook hands  with the boys, and we all felt as though we had met a true friend.

As the train neared the Relay House the traces of the “unpleasantness” were becoming discernible.  Here and there we could see where the railroad had been torn up, and deserted picket fires were becoming numerous.  All these marks or signs of army life, whether made by foe or friend, were eagerly looked for by us.  At the Relay House, Col.. Simpson left our train, he taking the Washington train whilst we continued on our journey towards rebeldom.

Relay House Occupied by Union Soldiers in 1861

The B&O Railroad was the only railroad into Washington DC until after the Civil War, thus it was an essential supply train route for the Union during that time. To prevent Confederate attack or sabotage of the Thomas Viaduct and Washington junction, the Sixth and Eighth Massachusetts regiments, as well as Cook's Boston Artillery Battery, took control of the railroad junction,  Relay House train station, and the Thomas Viaduct on May 5th, 1861. The Relay House itself became the occupying Union Army headquarters.  Read More here:

http://thomas-viaduct-relay-maryland.blogspot.com/2014/06/civil-war-history-of-thomas-viaduct_4967.html

The time was pleasantly passed by us in various ways whilst making the run towards Harper’s Ferry.  Several of the boys had succeeded whilst in Baltimore to secure several canteens of “oh be joyful” which served as a stimulus to encourage all  manner of didoes, which our officers no doubt thinking that we would soon be called upon to play soldier in good earnest, did not prevent but enjoyed with as much gusto as the men.  A very pleasant surprise for us, was the fact that the “little one” had filled his haversack with pickled tongue whilst acting as one of the waiters at Baltimore, and which he brought forward and generously dealt out amongst us, and for a time we just more than “tongued” it.

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From Wikipedia - Adah Isaacs Menken (June 15, 1835 – August 10, 1868), was an American actress, painter and poet, the highest earning actress of her time.[1] She was best known for her performance in the melodrama Mazeppa, with a climax that featured her apparently nude and riding a horse on stage. 

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 Fredrick Bergstresser Ulrich, "Corporal Freddy Ulrich", is 3rd from the left.  His name, and James  name, is misspelled as Werich in the caption - it should be Ulrich.

Chapter 30 - In Camp

CHAPTER XXX

IN CAMP

Time passed along smoothly, our time being taken up between camp guard, picket duty and drill, company and  regimental, and the building of winter quarters.

It was here that Lieut. Wm. H. Schroyer met with a serious accident, which came near breaking his leg, he being in command of a detail to bring in wood to build officers quarters, and while assisting in tearing down an old house one of the pieces of timber fell on him and injured him­ severely, causing him to be unable for duty for the greater part of the winter.

Up to the present time, the 12^th of January, the health of the company had been very good, but now a number of the boys, among them Lewis C. Schroyer, Ellis Noll, Corp. VonNeida and several others were removed to the regimental hospital, having been taken with Camp or Typhoid fever of the worst form.

 The boys in the hospital had considerable sport at the expense of poor El­lis Noll, who had the fever settle in his feet and they presented the appearance of a mammoth pair of boxing gloves and were as black as a silk hat.

Noll suffered excruciating pain in his pedal extremities, and would fre­quently give utterance to expressions, near to the following:

“These feet, them feet, those feet gracious what feet, oh, them feet.”

At one time it was feared that mor­tification had set in and that it would be necessary to amputate his feet in order to save his life, but his disease took a turn for the better, and he was, enabled to use “those” feet again.

Lewis C. Schroyer continued to grow worse, until on the morning of the 17^th of January his spirit quit its frail ten­ement and entered into the presence of the great Judge, then and there to give a strict account of the deeds done here below, and to receive the reward or punishment, in accordance to the verdict of the Judge.

The death of Lewis C. Schroyer, it being the first, excepting Rev. Hall (who did not properly belong to our company as he was a candidate for the Chaplaincy of the regiment to which we might become attached) caused considerable feeling among his comrades.  Had he been stricken down in battle it would have not appeared so hard but to have fallen a victim to the malignant fever seemed to his com­panions a severe stroke.

Sergeant Stuck was detailed to ac­company the corpse home, and accord­ingly on the morning of the 18^th of January, 1863, in company with a number of the boys, we had the last fond look at one who had been a companion of our earliest childhood, and whom we had ever esteemed as a true and tried friend.  The lid of the rough box was fastened down and placed in an ambulance was taken to the landing from whence in due time it arrived with its escort, and was interred with all the honors of war, in the 1st Lu­theran Cemetery, within a few paces where he had passed the greater part of his life, and where he is silently enjoying that sleep which shall know no awakening until Gabriel’s trump shall sound the alarm which shall cause the grave to give forth its dead.

On the afternoon of the 22^nd a snow having fallen to the depth of four or five inches, the right of our regiment was attacked by the 28^th P. V. I., which was attached to our Brigade and occupied a position to our right and front, and they were making it very lively for our regiment, using snow balls, having driven the right back as far as Company E., here they were struggling to get possession of the company flag, bearing the letter “P” which was their letter in the old regiment whilst in the 147^th they were “E.”

Our company, about 80 strong were anxious to have a hand in the fracas but owing to the fact that the company persisted in claiming to belong to the 28^th we held aloof and it was not until Lieutenant Tourison called upon Captain Davis to bring G Company to the relief of Company “E.”  This was all that the company wanted, the Captain sprang forward, and with a shout we threw ourselves into the breach and the flag was saved.  In vain the boys of the gallant old 28^th attempted to drive us back.  Never, we believe, did a mimic fight partake more of the nature of a genuine engagement than did the snow-ball battle at Dumfries.  And as James Kilmartin furled up the company flag, which had caused the battle, he proposed three cheers for Company “G,’ which were given with a will.

After the cheers had subsided, Serg’t. Baker proposed three cheers for Company E and the 147^th P. V. I.

The cheers were given with a will and from this time forward much of the ill-will which existed between the old and the new companies was forgotten and the best of feeling soon prevailed in the command.

About this time a number of the boys who were in the hospitals at Baltimore, came up to the company, from among them we remember Joseph S. Ulsh, who made his appearance decked out with a paper collar and necktie at the sight of which the boys greeted him with hearty cheers.  Joe informed the boys that the train in which they came up to the regiment had met with an accident whereby his baggage was destroyed, or he would have been able to supply the company with collars, as it was the only thing which he had left was the collar he wore and a pint bottle of “speerits” which Serg’t. Townsend drank as he-gulped about the half of it down, greatly to the disappointment of about half-dozen of the DRYEST of the men.  He pronounced it worth more down a parched throat than all the paper collars in the great United States, an opinion which a number of those present emphatically endorsed.

On the morning of the 25^th of January the hearts of the boys were buoyed with the announcement that those who desired it could now have packages sent from home.

The boys hastened to their tents and soon were busy sending the glad tidings to friends at home, informing them of the news and requesting the forwarding of home luxuries.

We have before us a letter which was saved by the person to whom it was addressed, which we here publish, just as it was written, showing how the tastes of the writer run:

Dumfries, Va., Jan. 26, 1863

Captain Davis having told us that we can now have parcels sent us from home, if you can, I ask that you would send me a small request.  Boil 2 doz. eggs, hard; a can of apple butter; a cake of chocolate; 1 pint of brown sugar; tell the boys to crack and pit me about a pint of walnut g??????; a few sweet cakes; a little bag of flour to make gravy to my beef; send me the directions how to make sour dip; send ground pepper; get me a quart tin like Schroyer’s to boil my coffee in; make me three little bags to carry my salt, coffee and sugar in, make them large enough to hold a little more than a lb. with a string to draw them shut; send me a piece of ham; bake some fat cakes, a loaf or two of bread, several apple mince pies, right strong; put in several fish hooks and a line; if you can think of anything else that I am in need of send it along.  Send the box as soon as you can.  Send me the recipe in the next letter you write after you send me the box.

S.—Send a roast chicken, a piece of dried beef and some pickled cabbage.

No more at this time.

      From

                              Yours affectionately,

The above letter we consider about an average one of those written home with a view of hurrying along the good things, and in all cases, when it was possible, the wishes of the writers were pleasingly gratified.

The time passed away slowly enough whilst we were expecting the good things from home, and anxiously did we await the arrival of the first information that the boxes had been shipped, and that they were on their way, intended to cheer the hearts as well as fill the stomachs of the lucky receivers of the boxes containing the innumerable good things, prepared by the fond and willing hands of the near and dear ones at home.

John P. Haas was the fortunate individual who received the first box, and never we will forget his “damt ??? it” when upon opening the box found the greater part of its contents was spoiled.

The Schroyer Brothers of Selinsgrove

 
M. S. Shroyer in front of this childhood home on the west side of South High Street, Selinsgrove Pa.

Michael Simon Shroyer was born on March 26 1843, one of 3 sons born to  Christian and Katherine Schroyer.   

Michael served for 3 year in the Civil War, with the 147th Co. G, along with his brothers Lewis and WIlliam.  Michael would be the only one of the three to survive the war.

 Lewis, a private in Co G, died of typhoid fever in a hospital tent at White Run Shoals, near Frederick Md, on January 17th 1863.

 Lieut. William H. Shroyer died May 15 1863, from wounds received in camp at Dumphries.

"Lieutenant William H. Schroyer. of the same company, succumbed May 15, 1863, to a wound received in camp at Dumphries. His leg was Injured there, and compelled the lieutenant to walk on crutches. Nevertheless, he participated In the battle of Chancellorsville the first three days of May. His Injured limb bad pained him so during the engagement that one of th surgeons, realizing his suffering, told Lieutenant Schroyer that as the bat tie was about over he should go to a hospital In the rear and have his injury dressed. While he was going back a stray shell killed a horse. Lieutenant Schroyer was passing, and the dead animal fell on the limping lieutenant and Inflicted injuries from which he died."

In 1912, the Selinsgrove Times Tribune ran a series of articles he wrote about his time in the war. In that account , he wrote of his homecoming:

"The writer gave each member of the company goodby, until at last he stood alone, leaning against a post. Then the sad thought of home and mother came to my mind, and, if I ever missed my two dear brothers, who sacrificed their lives for their country, and mother and home, it was then. I don't think I ever spent a sadder moment In all my life than while standing there. 

"But in the midst of my thoughts a hand beckoned me Into the street. I went out and met James E. Lloyd. He said to me: "Schroyer, where are you going to make your home?'' "I do not know," I replied, "my folks are all gone, and I am left alone." "Come home with me, "and I followed." he said, 1

 "Three years later I became his brother in-law."

In 1881, M.S. Schroyer built this brick home at the corner of High & Chestnut streets, , on the site replacing the home he was taken to after returning from the war.  The former dwelling was owned by Richard Lloyd, who would become Michaels father in law.

The Schroyer Boot & Shoe store is to the left in this photo, which was taken about 1910.

Michael Schroyer married Miss Mary Lloyd in 1867.  Mary died a few years later, and Michael then married his sister in law, Anna Lloyd, in 1873.  The couple had one son, R.L. Shroyer.  

Schroyers Boot And Shoe Store, W. Chestnut St, Selinsgrove Pa

His obituary listed his occupations as "hardware and show merchant"