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.

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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 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.

Chapter15 - Life On Bolivar Heights

CHAPTER XV

LIFE ON BOLIVAR HEIGHTS

The second day after our arrival, we spent much of our time in looking about us, everything was so changed from what we had been accustomed to see them at Harrisburg, and we soon found that we had much to learn before we could claim to be veterans.

It will be remembered that Bolivar Heights was the scene of Miles’ disgrace­ful and cowardly surrender, by which act it was turned over to the Rebels, and had been retaken but a short time before our arrival by a portion of the troops of our Division, under command of Gen. John W. Geary, and as may well be imagined, we anxiously searched for the traces of the battle, the marks were rare however, owing to the fact that it had only been a little skirmish.

We were interested in the novel way the men carried water for culinary purposes.  It consisted of a piece or wood about five feet long, with a place cut out to fit the carriers shoulders, it had both ends provided with hooks, straps or rope, to which the buckets were fastened, and thus one man could easily carry two buckets at a time.  The arrangement was similar to those used by the Spanish or French peasants in carrying grape or other fruits.

The first shell we heard explode was thrown from Napp’s battery, from the fort in which it was placed.  The shell was thrown at an unoccupied house outside of the lines.  A number of our boys went up to see the firing when they ascertained the fact that the Rebel cavalry frequently made their appearance in that locality and that Major Napp was experimenting with a view of obtaining the proper range.  Several shells exploded immediately over the house. This was something new to us, and whilst it was fine fun to see the practice as long as the shells were fired towards the enemy, we imagined that it would not be so funny when the shells once would be thrown towards us.  As we turned towards our quarters, Abel Seesholtz remarked that it would be a long time before any of the members of Company G, would be hit with a shell.  0n being asked why?  He replied in his good-natured way:

“Because if the Johnnies were to throw any shells at us, we’d “shake” so that it would be impossible to hit us.”  Poor Abel he lost his life by a shell.

In the afternoon Will McFall and several more of us, went over to the old farm house between the picket lines and the fortifications, and whilst there we saw a guard shoot a member of the 111^th P. V. I.  The guard was placed at an old board fence, with instructions not to allow any one to tear down the fence or to carry off the boards.  We had attempted to get one ourselves but when commanded by the guard, to “drop that board,” we at once dropped it.  We walked around the house, and soon after heard the report of a gun, and upon going to where the guard was stationed, we found that he had shot a man who disobeyed his order.  The ball had entered the right leg above the knee, shattering the bone and making amputation necessary.

A soldier was sent to the Division Hospital for a stretcher. Upon its arrival he was taken to the hospital where the leg was amputated, and it was afterwards reported that the man had died.  This incident served to impress upon the writer’s mind the necessity of promptly obeying the command given by a guard or picket.

We arrived at the company just in time to receive several letters from home in the mail.   Those who had the pleasure of receiving those precious letters whilst in the army, know full well how welcome were the messengers of love, from those who were near and dear to us.

The same train that brought us the mail also brought Lt. Schroyer to the company, he having remained at Harrisburg to attend to some business connected with the company.  The boys were all glad to see him.

After supper, an order was sent to the company for a detail of thirty men for fatigue duty, the men to take their dinners along, and to report at regimental head-quarter’s by eight o’clock, a.m., next morning.  We did not happen to be among the detail, but some of the detailed men were extremely anxious to know what FATIGUE duty was.  John P. Haas went up to the officers’ quarters and soon returned with the intelligence that those who had been detailed would have to work upon the forts which Geary was erecting for the purpose of making the defenses on the height more formidable.  Upon the receipt of this news the boys were not so anxious to go.

The detail started out at the proper time, and after reporting at regimental head-quarters; the regimental detail was placed in charge of Lt. Byers, who reported at Division head-quarters, and with the rest of the detail were marched to the south-east side of the hill, where a large earth fort was in the course of construction, and here the first fatigue detail sent out by Company G, worked.

In the evening when the boys returned to the company, they reported that the Captain in charge had credited the 147^th detail, which by the way was composed mainly of our company, with having done more work than all the remainder of the Division, and the blisters on the hands of the boys who had been on the detail certainly vouched for the Captain’s assignation.  They had been too green, and had worked harder that day, than they ever did again under similar circumstances.

In the evening another detail was made and we found our name called among the rest.  The next morning as on the previous day the regimental detail was marched to Division head-quarters.  Here we first saw General Geary, and were favorably impressed with his commanding appearance, and more especially when he informed us that owing to the fact that day was Sunday, and as it was not a of absolute necessity, we should return to our commands and report for duty on the following morning.

We got back in time to take part in the Sunday inspection.  Here we were a lot SMARTER than the rest of the detail as they were just in time to be too late and did not get into camp until it was over.  As our company had not yet received their arms, we only took out our knapsacks and had our clothing inspected.

This being our first inspection it did not prove much of a success.  We did not know how to pack our clothing and none of us had put on clean clothing that morning, and had placed our dirty clothing in the pockets of our haversacks, with no regard to order or system.  The adjunct came to our company and assisted our officers to inspect us.  When we were ordered to “open knapsacks” we felt considerably mortified.  After the adjutant gave us some instructions in preparation of inspection in the future, we were given in charge of the Orderly who then marched us to our camp.

Inspection over, a number of the company visited the town and made a number of  purchases of the suttlers there, owing to the fact that we had no “stamps” we remained in camp, anxiously awaiting the call to dinner to fall in for our “bean soup.”

At this time Sergeant Whitmer dealt out our cooked rations, and as it is a very natural thing for soldiers to growl, the job was a very unpleasant one.

At this dinner, a little incident occurred which at the time afforded the company not a little sport, Serg’t Whitmer had given Edward Fisher, a tin cup at coffee, and his ration of bean soup, when Fisher said in his particular vernacular:

“I wish. you’d give me a few more of your beans, mine’s all soup”

Whitmer made a reply that Fisher did not like, and throwing his plateful of beans over Whitmer, remarking:

“There, darn you, take your soup.”

Whitmer retaliated by throwing a cup of coffee over him, saying.. “If you don’t want soup take an extra ration of coffee.”