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PRINT; JULIUS BIEN S CO. NEW YOR*
THE SHILOH BATTLEFIELD COMMISSION,
u
^the;
Seventy-seventh Pennsylvania
AT SHILOH.
HISTORY OF THE REGIMENT.
THE BATTLE OF SHILOH.
1905.
HARRISBURG, PA.:
HARRISBURG PUBLISHING CO., STATE PRINTERS. 1905.
FEB 28 19Q6 D. ot D,
TO THE SOLDIERS OF
THE SEVENTY-SEVENTH REGIMENT PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS.
IN REMEMBRANCE OF THE DAYS OF 1861-1866, WHILE
TOGETHER IN CAMP— ON THE MARCH— IN
BATTLE— AND IN CONFEDERATE
PRISONS.
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TO THE READER.
THE Pennsylvania Shiloh Battlefield Commission," having completed all the work and duties, for the performance of which, it was appointed; now as a proper finale, here- with presents to the Comrades and the Public, the following- pages; containing a full report of all the work and proceed- ings of the Commission.
The dedication of the monument, erected by the State to the Seventy-seventh Pennsylvania Volunteers, on Shiloh bat- tlefield.
A brief, but complete history, together with list of casual- ties in action and roster of all enlistments of the Regiment.
An accurate and impartial description of the Battle of Shiloh, compiled after much research and labor, by Major David W. Reed, the Secretary and Historian to the National Shiloh Military Park Commission.
This is doubtless the very best history of the Battle of Shiloh yet produced, and is here given to the reader by the kindly permission of the compiler.
We also give representative reports from Commanders of all the armies that were engaged in this great battle, viz: General W. T. Sherman, of the Army of the Tennessee, com- manded by General Grant, who, however, made no report on the Battle of Shiloh, therefore this duty fell upon his second in command, General Sherman.
Generals Buell and McCook, of the Army of the Ohio, and General Beauregard, of the Army of the Mississippi, Confed- erate. These reports, if carefully read, will be a great help to the reader and will enable him to better understand the various movements of the armies of both sides, during the engagement.
This work has been very arduous and trying by reason of defective and, in some instances, of the entire absence of reports bearing on the movements of the Regiment, it was at times, very difficult to arrive at exact facts.
We have, however, in the writing of this Regimental His- tory, used our utmost endeavor and diligence, to secure, as
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6 Seventy-seventh Pennsylvania Regiment.
nearly as possible, absolute truth and correctness, but possi- bly may have erred in some instances, if so, it was not inten- tional, and all we ask, is that the reader will, in such in- stances, kindly exercise that greatest of all virtues, "Charity."
As a whole, we flatter ourselves, that, we have, all circum- stances considered, here produced a volume, which, we trust, will meet with the approval of all its readers; and one, that will be a permanent addition to the History of the old Key- stone State in the great war between the States.
To the members of the "Shiloh National Military Park Com- mission," Colonels Cadle and Patterson, Majors Ashcraft and Reed, Captain Irwin and Mr. Atwell Thompson, Engineer in charge of the Park, his efficient assistant, Mr. W. S. Keller, and such other members of the Staff whom we have met while on our visits of duty to Shiloh, we feel very much indebted for their very kindly and valuable asistance and for the many courtesies shown us while with them. We do here desire to express our most sincere thanks and high appreciation, with the assurance that the very pleasant and agreeable friend- ships thus formed, will ever be cherished as some of the brightest spots in memory until we shall all have been called from this to a better world.
JOHN OBREITER, Chairman Penn. Shiloh Battlefield Commission. Lancaster, Pa., May 10, 1905.
CONTENTS.
Page.
Report of the Commission, 11
Dedication of Monument 35
History of thk Seventy-seventh Pennsylvania Volunteers.
chapter i.
Recruiting for the Regiment — Camp Slifer — Camp Wilkins — On to Kentucky — Camp Nevin — Company K — Reorganization of the Army — General Buell in Command — Munfordville — Division Moves North to aid Grant at Fort Donelson — Countermarch — Bowling Green — Nashville 69
CHAPTER II.
Pittsburg Landing — Battle of Shiloh — Company E Joins Regiment —
Siege of Corinth — March Across Alabama — Battle Creek, 77
CHAPTER III.
Bragg moves Northward — Buell follows — Louisville, Kentucky — ■ Re-organization of the Army — Fern Creek — Clay Village, Frank- fort— Lawrenceburg — Capture of Convalescents and Quartermas- ters— Scarcity of water — Perryville, 88
CHAPTER IAT.
Buell relieved from Command — Rosecrans succeeds him — Reconnois- sance to La Vergne — Reorganization of the Army — On to Mur- freesborough — Battle of Stone River — Review of the Army, 99
CHAPTER V.
Liberty Gap— Tullahoma. ' 115
CHAPTER VI.
Chickamauga Campaign — Battle of Chickamauga — Night attack on Johnson's Division — Seventy-seventh men prisoners — Escape from Confederate prisons, 123
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8 Seventy-seventh Pennsylvania Regiment.
CHAPTER VII. Page.
Chattanooga — Short Rations — Rosecrans plans to open communica- tions, plan approved by Grant, successful — Rosecrans relieved, Thomas placed in command — Grant takes supreme command — Skirmish at Lookout Creek — Reorganisation of the Army — White- side— 77th Re-enlistments — Home on Vetera^ Furlough, 136
CHAPTER VIII.
Regiment returns and joins the Army at Blue Spring, Tennessee —
Atlanta Campaign — Colonel Rose returns from prisou, 141
CHAPTER IX.
Confederates move Northward — Thomas sent to Nashville — Spring Hill — Battle of Franklin — Battle of Nashville — Pursuit of the Enemy — Winter quarters at Huntsville 149
CHAPTER X.
East Tennessee — Strawberry Plain — Bull's Gap — New companies of one year meu join regiment — Embark at Johnsonville for Texas — New Orleans — -Texas — Return to Pennsylvania — Discharged Jan- uary 16, 1866, at Philadelphia, 160
List of casualties in action, 165
Roster, 173
CAMPAIGN AND BATTLE OF SHILOH.
Field of operations, 255
Battle of Shiloh, 263
Organization of armies,
Army of the Tennessee, Union, 353
Army of the Ohio, Union, 361
Army of the Misissippi, Confederate 363
Commanding and Staff officers, 370
MOVEMENTS OF ORGANIZATIONS, . 281
SHILOH MISUNDERSTOOD, 349
REPRESENTATIVE REPORTS, UNION AND CONFEDERATE.
Report of General Sherman, 385
Report of General Buell, 391
Report of General McCook, 395
Reports of General Beauregard 400
ILLUSTRATIONS.
Page.
' The Shiloli Battlefield Commission, Frontispiece.
* Shiloh Church 11
' Committee on Location, 18
/ Hornets' Nest, 272
v Shiloh Monument, S. E. View,
°2 Shiloh Monument, N. W. View,
■ Bronze Bas-relief panel, Surrender of Col. Battle, "J
. Bronze Bas-relief panel, Capture of Battery j
Bronze Inscription Panel, 27
Inspection of Monument, 28
^Steamer Clyde at Pittsburg Landing, Tenn., 33
^Program of Dedication of Monument 34
/ Smwivors of 77th Regiment at the Dedication of Monument 01
' The Commanders of the Regiment in all its Battles:
^ Colonel Frederick S. Stumbaugh, 69
J .ieutenant Colonel Peter B. Housum, 106
S Colonel Thomas E. Rose, 115
/General D. C. Buell, 77
v' General A. McD. McCook, 79
/Colonel Edward N. Kirk, 101
V Hamburg and Purdy Road at Review Field, 80
•s Shiloh Spring, where the 77th men got water after the battle, 82
, Monument on Chickamauga Battlefield, front view, ~)
/ Monument on Chickamauga Battlefield, back view, j
V Siege Gun Battery, 273
y Tablet on site of First Field Tent Hospital, 309
' Fifth Brigade Tablet on Shiloli Field, 277
/ Seventy-seventh Pennsylvania Regiment, Tablet on Shiloh Field, . . 313
/ Bloody Pond on Shiloh Field, 348
'. Maps of Shiloh Field, in pocket in back cover.
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REPORT OF THE PENNSYLVANIA SHILOH BATTLEFIELD COMMISSION.
M
ANY years ago the good people of Harding county, Tenn- essee, hewed timber from the surrounding forests, and builded for themselves a house in the woods. Their lowly temple was erected on the main road to Corinth, Missis- sippi, about two and one-half miles from Pittsburg Landing. Here they peacefully assembled to worship the Lord of Hosts. Little did they dream, that their humble meeting-house would, one-day, become famous throughout the civilized world. They called it Shiloh Church. To-day the name Shiloh is written upon the pages of history, as the title of one of the greatest and most fiercely contested battles of modern times. In the great war between the States, on the sixth day of April, 1862, two large armies, one from the North and one from the South, met there in deadly conflict, that raged in all its fury, for two long days. In the very center of this dreadful contest, so destructive to life and limb, stood this humble, little log-church, from which the great battle of Shiloh took its name. Upon its site still stands a larger House of God, replacing its more lowly predecessor, and bear- ing the same historic name.
So important and far reaching were the results of this great engagement, that the National Government determined to forever preserve its historic held, and to properly mark upon it the lines of battle and the various positions of both armies on the ground over which they fought. To accomplish this purpose the Congress of the United States enacted the fol- lowing law:
AN ACT To establish a national military park at the battlefield of Shiloh. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That in order that the armies of the southwest which served in the civil war, like their comrades of the eastern armies at Gettysburg and those of the central west at Chicka- niauga, may have the history of one of their memorable battles preserved on the ground where they fought, the battlefield of Shiloh, in the State
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12 Seventy-seventh Pennsylvania Regiment.
of Tennessee, is hereby declared to be a national military park, whenever title to the same shall have been acquired by the United States and the usual jurisdiction over the lands and roads of the same shall have been granted to the United States by the State of Tennessee; that is to say, the area inclosed by the following lines, or so much thereof as the commis- sioners of the park may deem necessary, to wit: Beginning at low-water mark on the north bank of Snake Creek where it empties into the Ten- nessee river; thence westwardly in a straight line to the point where the river road to Crumps Landing, Tennessee, crosses Snake Creek; thence along the channel of Snake Creek to Owl Creek; thence along the channel of Owl Creek to the crossing of the road to Purdy, Tennessee; thence south- wardly in a straight line to the intersection of an east and west line drawn from the point where the road to Hamburg, Tennessee, crosses Lick Creek, near the mouth of the latter; thence eastward along the said east and west line to the point where the Hamburg Road crosses Lick Creek; thence along the channel of Lick Creek to the Tennessee River; thence along low water mark of the Tennessee River to the point of beginning, containing three thousand acres, more or less, and the area thus inclosed shall be known as the Shiloh National Military Park: Provided, That the boundaries of the land authorized to be acquired may be changed by the said commissioners.
Sec. 2. That the establishment of the Shiloh National Military Park shall be carried forward under the control and direction of the Secretary of War, who, upon the passage of this Act, shall proceed to acquire title to the same either under the Act approved August first, eighteen hundred and eighty-eight, entitled 'An Act to authorize the condemnation of land for sites of public buildings, and for other purposes," or under the Act approved February twenty-see vnth, eighteen hundred and sixty-seven, en- titled "An Act to establish and protect national cemeteries," as he may select, and as title is procured to any portion of the lands and roads within the legal boundaries of the park he may proceed with the establishment of the park upon such portions as may thus be acquired.
Sec. 3. That the Secretary of War is hereby authorized to enter into agreements whereby he may lease, upon such terms as he may prescribe, with such present owners or tenants of the lands as may desire to remain upon it, to occupy and cultivate their present holdings upon condition that they will preserve the present buildings and roads and the present outlines of field and forest, and that they only will cut trees or underbrush under such regulations as the Secretary may prescribe, and that they will assist in caring for and protecting all tablets, monuments, or such other artificial works as may from time to time be erected by proper authority.
Sec. 4. That the affairs of the Shiloh National Military Park shall, subject to the supervision and direction of the Secretary of War, be in charge of three commissioners, to be appointed by the Secretary of War, each of whom shall have served at the time of the battle in one of the armies engaged therein, one of whom shall have served in the Army of the Tennessee, commanded by General U. S. Grant, who shall be chairman of the commission; one in the Army of the Ohio, commanded by General
Shiloh National Park. 13
D. C. Buell; and one in the Army of the Mississippi, commanded by Gen- eral A. S. Johnston. The said commissioners shall have an office in the War Department building, and while on actual duty shall be paid such compensation out of the appropriations provided by this Act as the Secre- tary of War shall deem reasonable and just; and for the purpose of assisting them in their duties in ascertaining the lines of battle of all troops engaged and the history of their movements in the battle, the Secretary of War shall have authority to employ, at such compensation as he may deem reasonable, to be paid out of the appropriations made by this Act, some person recognized as well informed concerning the history of the several armies engaged at Shiloh, and who shall also act as secretary of the com- mission.
Sec. 5. That it shall be the duty of the commission named in the preceding section under the direction of the Secretary of War, to open or repair such roads as may be necessary to the purposes of the park, and to ascertain and mark with historical tablets or otherwise, as the Secretary of War may determine, all lines of battle of the troops engaged in the battle of Shiloh aud other historical points of interest pertaining to the battle within the park or its vicinity, and the said commission in establishing this military park shall also have authority, under the direction of the Secretary of War, to employ such labor and services and to obtain such supplies and material as may be necessary to the establishment of the said park under such regulations as he may consider best for the interests of the Government, and the Secretary of War shall make and enforce all needed regulations for the care of the park.
Sec. 6. That it shall be lawful for any State that had troops engaged in the battle of Shiloh to enter upon lands of the Shiloh National Military Park for the purpose of ascertaining and marking the lines of battle of its troops engaged therein: Provided, That before any such lines are permanently designated the position of the lines and the proposed methods of marking them by monuments, tablets, or otherwise shall be submitted to and approved by the Secretary of War, and all such lines, designs and inscriptions for the same shall first receive the written approval of the Secretary, which approval shall be based upon formal written reports, which must be made to him in each case by the commissioners of the park: Provided, That no discrimination shall be made against any State as to the manner of designating lines, but any grant made to any State by the Secretary of War may be used by any other State.
Sec. 7. That if any person shall, except by permission of the Secretary of War, destroy, mutilate, deface, injure, or remove any monument, column, statues, memorial structures, or work of art that shall be erected or placed upon the grounds of the park by lawful authority, or shall destroy or remove any fence, railing, inclosure, or other work for the protection or ornament of said park, or any portion thereof, or shall destroy, cut, hack, bark, break down, or otherwise injure any tree, bush, or shrubbery that may be growing upon said park, or shall cut down or fell or remove any timber, battle relic, tree or trees growing or being upon said park, or hunt within the limits of the park, or shall remove or destroy any breastworks, earthworks,
14 Seventy-seventh Pennsylvania Regiment.
walls, or other defenses or shelter on any part thereof constructed by the armies formerly engaged in the battles on the lands or approaches to the park, any person so offending and found guilty thereof, before any justice of the peace of the county in which the offense may be committed or any court of competent jurisdiction shall for each and every such offense forfeit and pay a fine, in the discretion of the justice, according to the aggravation of the offense, of not less than five nor more than fifty dollars, one-half for the use of the park and the other half to the informer, to be enforced and recovered before such justice in like manner as debts of like nature are now by law recoverable in the several counties where the offense may be committed.
Sec. 8. That to enable the Secretary of War to begin to carry out the purpose of this Act, including the condemnation or purchase of the neces- sary land, marking the boundaries of the park, opening or repairing neces- sary roads, restoring the field to its condition at the time of the battle, maps and surveys, and the pay and expenses of the commissioners and their assistant, the sum of seventy-five thousand dollars, or such portion thereof as may be necessary, is hereby appropriated, out of any moneys in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, and disbursements under this Act shall require the approval of the Secretary of War, and he shall make annual report of the same to Congress.
Approved December 27, 1894.
Upon the approval of this act, the Secretary of War ap- pointed the following Commission to carry its provisions into effect: From the Army of the Tennessee, Colonel Cornelius Cadle, of Cincinnati, Ohio, Chairman; from the Army of the Ohio, General Don Carlos Buell, of Faradise, Kentucky; and from the Confederate Army of the Mississippi, Colonel R. F. Looney, of Memphis, Tennessee. Major David TV. Reed, of Evanston, Illinois, an ex-Union officer, was appointed Sec- retary and Historian to the Commission, and Captain James W. Irwin, an ex-Confederate from Savannah, Tennessee, was appointed their Land Purchasing Agent.
The Commission at once went earnestly to work, acquired the desired lands, and began to improve them under the very able management of their engineer in charge, Mr. Atwell Thompson. AYithin the park limits now run thirty miles of gravel roads, unsurpassed anywhere. All undergrowth has been removed from the land except on that part of the field known as the Hornets' Nest. All lines of battle and all posi- tions of both armies have been definitely located and per- manently marked by metal tablets, bearing inscriptions which detail accurately and concisely the various occurrences of the
Shiloh National Park. L5
battle at the different points. Even the roads are completely marked with metal signs, making it impossible for strange visitors to the Park to lose their way.
Monuments mark the sites of General Headquarters during the battle, and the spots were General officers were killed or mortally wounded. The tablets showing the lines of the first day's battle are square, while the second day tablets are oval shaped. Red borders and letters are used on the Con- federate tablets, blue on those of the Army of the Tennessee, and orange on those of the Army of the Ohio. This arrange- ment is very readily understood. Visitors can see at a glance just what troops occupied a particular position, when they were there, and what part they took. Taken together, the inscriptions constitute a complete history of the battle.
The locations of camps are shown by tent shaped markers. This diversity of color and shape of tablets makes the Park much more interesting to visitors than other battle parks where but one shape of markers is used.
The plan of the Park, which is being faithfully and effi- ciently carried into effect, is to restore the whole field, as nearly as possible to the condition, in which it was at the time of the battle. To that end, all clearings made since the bat- tle, are replanted in forest trees. The new roads have been closed, and all the roads, which were there at the time of the battle, have been properly graded and gravelled.
The only perceptible change made, is the clearing out of undergrowth, in order to give a better view of the grounds, and to make them more accessible.
Thus far, a great deal has been accomplished, but much yet remains to be done.
Since the appointment of the Commission, two of its mem- bers have answered their last roll call on this earth, and have passed to their reward in a better world. They arc < Gen- eral D. C. Buell, and Colonel R. F. Looney. The vacancies caused by their deaths, were very creditably filled by the appointment of Major J. H. Ashcraft, of Paducah, Ky., to succeed General Buell, and Colonel Josiah Patterson, of Mem- phis, Tennessee, to succeed Colonel Looney.
By the death of Colonel Patterson, which occurred at Mem- phis, on tl>e 12th day of of February, 1004, a vacancy again
16 Seventy-seventh Pennsylvania Regiment.
occurred on the National Commission to fill, which the Sec- retary of War, has appointed General Basil W. Duke, of Louisville, Kentucky.
Under the provisions of the Act of Congress, establishing Shiloh Park, all states that had troops engaged in the battle were requested to co-operate, and to erect monuments or other memorials to such troops, on lines or positions occupied by them, during the engagement.
To this request a number of the states have already lib- erally responded. Ohio, Illinois, Indiana and Iowa, the states most numerously represented at the battle, have all their monuments in place. Other states are moving in the matter, and soon all of them will no doubt, have appropriate memorials erected. There are now about 120 monuments in place on the Park.
Our own old Keystone State, always honoring the patriot- ism and valor of its sons, has shown its appreciation by the following act of the Legislature, providing for a monument, which has been erected on Shiloh Park, to commemorate the services of the 77th Regiment of Infantry, the only Pennsyl- vania regiment that participated in the Battle of Shiloh:
No. 453.
AN ACT
To provide for the erection of a monument to commemorate the services of
Pennsylvania troops in the battle of Shiloh, and the appointment of a
commission to carry into effect the provisions of this Act, and making
appropriation therefor.
Section 1. Be it enacted, &c., That immediately after the passage of this Act, the Governor shall appoint a commission of seven persons from amongst the survivors of the said Seventy-seventh regiment of infantry. That the said commission shall be known as "The Shiloh Battlefield Com- mission." That the Governor shall fill all vacancies that may occur in said commission, and it shall serve without compensation, except actual neces- sary expenses incurred in the performance of its duties; and its duties shall be to select and decide upon location, design, materials and inscriptions for one monument, to commemorate the services of the said Seventy-seventh regiment of infantry during the battle of Shiloh, and to enter into contract for the construction and erection of said monument: Provided, Said monu- ment shall not exceed in cost the sum of five thousand dollars; and when such shall have been completed and erected, the Auditor General shall, upon properly, specifically itemized vouchers, draw his warrant upon the State Treasurer, in favor of the said Shiloh Battlefield Commission, for the sum of five thousand dollars, or so much thereof as may be necessary, for the
Shiloh National Purl: 17
payment of said monument, and for the further sum of one thousand dollars for the payment of the necessary expenses of the said commission.
For the purposes herein mentioned the following sums, or so much thereof as may be necessary, are hereby specifically appropriated: For the erection and completion of a monument as aforesaid, the sum of five thousand dollars, or so much thereof as may be necessary. For the payment of the neces- sary expenses of the said Shiloh Battlefield Commission, and of such officers of the State as may be designated by the Secretary of War of the United States and the National Shiloh Battlefield Commission to represent this Commonwealth in the dedicatory ceremonies, the sum of one thousand dollars, or so much thereof as may be necessary.
July 18, 1901 — This bill is approved except as to the following items:
I approve the item appropriating $5,000 for the construction and erection of a monument in the sum of $4,000, and withhold my approval from the balance of said item.
I withhold my approval of the item appropriating $1,000 for the expenses of the commission.
I have made the reduction aforesaid because of insufficient State revenue.
WILLIAM A. STONE.
The foregoing is a true and correct copy of the Act of the General Assembly No. 453.
W. W. GRIEST, Secretary of the Commonwealth.
Governor William A. Stone, in compliance with the afore- said Act of the Legislature, appointed the following persons, all survivors of the Seventh-seventh Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers, viz:
Samuel T. Davis, Lancaster,
Henry P. Krebs, Pittsburg,
John W. Kreps, Allegheny,
Michael McNally, Philadelphia,
John Obreiter, Lancaster,
William A. Robinson, Pittsburg,
George W. Skinner, Scotland, as Commissioners to carry into effect all the provisions of the said Act of Assembly.
These Commissioners met for organization, on the 15th day of October, 1901, at the Soldier's Orphans Industrial School, Scotland, Pennsylvania.
The meeting was called to order by Captain Skinner, and the following permanent organization effected all being unani- mously chosen:
18 Seventy-seventh Pennsylvania Regiment.
John Obreiter, Lancaster, Chairman. Samuel T. Davis, Lancaster, Secretary. George W. Skinner, Scotland, Treasurer.
These officers were, on motion of General Robinson, ap- pointed as an Executive Committee, and given full power to act for the Commission in all cases.
It was decided to have one monument constructed and erected, as provided by law, the same to be of a combina- tion of bronze and granite; all inscriptions, as far as practica- ble, to be on bronze, in raised capital letters, it being the unanimous opinion, that inscriptions on bronze were more legible, more durable and less liable to injury from the ele- ments and other causes, than those inscribed on stone.
The monument to be of granite, surmounted by a statue, in bronze, of a private soldier, in the uniform, and equipments as worn by the regiment at the battle of Shiloh, and that the principal events, in the history of the regiment in that battle, be shown by bronze bas-relief panels on the sides of the monu- ment, and the Pennsylvania Coat of Arms in bronze bas-relief on its front.
On the 23d day of November, 1901, the Chairman and Sec- retary, together with Captains McNally and Kreps and Ser- geant Krebs, of the Pennsylvania Commission, met on Shiloh battlefield for the purpose of locating a proper site On which to have the monument erected; upon the arrival of this Com- mittee at Pittsburg Landing, they were met by Colonel Cadle, Chairman; Major Reed, Secretary, and Colonel Patterson, of the National Commission, also Mr. Atwell Thompson, Engi- neer in charge, his assistant, Mr. William S. Keller, and Gen- eral Lew Wallace, who was on a visit to the battlefield.
The purpose of our visit, with the able assistance of Major Reed and Mr. Thompson, was soon accomplished in a very satisfactory manner, the location decided upon is, on the Park plan, on line 96, station 73-30, 45' east, on the Hamburg and Purdy road, in an open field, known as the Review Field, in this field the Regiment rendered most efficient services during the battle.
No visitors to the Park will fail to see the Pennsylvania monument, and there learn from it, if he has not previously known, that Pennsylvania had one regiment there to take part
Shiloh National Park. 19
in the struggle, which took place on that ground on the 7th day of April, 1862.
The following are the rules adopted by the Secretary of War and the National Park Commission to govern the erec- tion of monuments or other memorials on the Park:
"RULES GOVERNING SHILOH PARK.
"War Department, "Shiloh Battlefield Commission, "Pittsburg Lauding, Tenn., March 1, 1896. "In accordance with the Act of Congress, approved December 27, 1894, establishing the Shiloh National Park, the following regulations are pub- lished for the information and guidance of all interested in the erection of monuments, tablets or other methods of indicating lines of battle or positions within the limits of the Park:
"1. Statements of the proposed dimensions, designs, inscriptions upon, and materials for all monuments, tablets or other markers, must be sub- mitted, in duplicate, to the Commissioners of the Park, and in the case of monuments, plans and elevations showing exact measurements, and a close estimate of weight must also be submitted. The Park Commissioners will report upon these to the Secretary of War, and upon his approval, such monuments, tablets, or markers may be erected, but not until such approval has been obtained.
"2. Monuments, markers and other permanent memorials must be con- structed of bronze or granite, or a combination of these two materials. The number of markers shall be limited to such, as in the judgment of the Secretary of War may be necessary to designate important positions.
"3. Inscriptions must be purely historical, and must relate only to the Battle of Shiloh. They must also be based upon, and conform to, the official reports, or competent testimony, where reports are missing or not complete, and must be submitted to the Secretary of War, through the Park Commis- sioners, for his approval, before being inscribed upon monuments, tablets or other markers.
"4. Regimental monuments shall be placed on brigade lines, or on ground where the regiments did their most notable fighting. However, in case a regiment concerned became separated from its own brigade, and most distinguished itself while alone or attached to another, its monument may be so placed as to show this fact. General memorial monuments, erected by States, must be located on grounds upon which some of the troops of the State erecting the monument were engaged. Where troops fought outside of the limits of the Park, their monuments may be placed at such points within the Park as the Commissioners of the Park may designate, with the approral of the Secretary of War.
"5. The location proposed for each monument, marker or other perma- nent memorial must be submitted to the Secretary of War, through the Park commissioners, for his approval, and none shall be erected until such approval shall have been obtained.
20 Seventy-seventh Pennsylvania Regiment.
"G. The foundations of all State monuments will be constructed without cost to the States, under the direction of the Park Engineer.
"7. The Commissioners will designate the width of tire to be used upon trucks hauling monuments over the roads built by the Government, and in case of wet weather such hauling will not be permitted. The width of tire will be regulated by the weight of the monument, permission for moving monuments to points designated for their erection must be obtained from the commission.
"8. Work upon monuments or other markers or tablets within the Park or its approaches, will not be allowed on Sundays.
"9. Brigades and Divisions may be designated in the inscriptions by their numbers, where that method was used, or by the names of their respective commanders, or both. The numerical designation alone would be meaningless to most visitors.
"For the Commission,
"CORNELIUS CADLE,
"Chairman."
The various monument builders, throughout the country, were accordingly invited to submit designs to the Commis- sion, on or before December 16, 1901, for one monument, con- structed on the lines indicated, and erected on Shiloh National Military Park, to cost for materials, construction and erec- tion, exclusive of foundation and all other expenses, a sum not exceeding three thousand dollars.
After careful examination and full consideration, by the Commission, of the various designs submitted. It was de- cided that the one submitted by the Harrison Granite Com- pany, of New York City, was, in all respects, the best, and gave the greatest value for the sum named; therefore, after making a number of modifications and changes in the design, which were accepted by that company, the award was made to them and the following contract entered into:
ARTICLES OP AGREEMENT,
Made and entered into this 27th day of February, A. D. one thousand nine hundred and two, by and between the Harrison Granite Company, duly incorporated, of New York city, and Barre, Vermont, of the first part; and the State of Pennsylvania by its The Shiloh Battlefield Commis- sion, appointed under Act of the Legislature approved July 19, 1901, of the second part.
WITNESSETH, That the said party of the first part do hereby, for themselves and their successors and assigns, covenant, promise and agree to and with the said party or the second part, that they the said party of the first part, their successors or assigns, shall and will, for the consid-
Shiloh National Park. 21
eration hereinafter mentioned, on or before the 15th day of September. A. D. 1902, well and sufficiently erect, finish and deliver completed in a true, perfect and best workmanlike manner, one monument on the site desig- nated by the said Shiloh Battlefield Commission on Shiloh National Military Park, at Pittsburg Landing, in the State of Tennessee, commemorating the services of the 77th Regiment of Pennsylvania Volunteers in the battle of Shiloh, agreeably to, and in accordance with the specifications and drawings prepared for said monument by the said party of the first part, and to the entire satisfaction of the Shiloh National Park Commission and the Shiloh Battlefield Commission of Pennsylvania, said specifications and drawings shall be part of this contract, any work or details shown in either specifications or drawings, or both, shall be executed as if it were fully shown in both specifications and drawings.
The contractors or party of the first part, at their own proper cost and charge, shall provide all manner of labor materials, utensils, cartage and transportation of every description, and everything else needful for the due performance of all the work required in the construction and erection of said monument.
In consideration for which, the said party of the second part, does covenant, promise and agree to and with the said party of the first part, their successors, and assigns, that the said party of the second part, after a thorough and satisfactory inspection by the said Shiloh Battlefield Com- mission, of the completed work, as soon as practicable after the above covenants and agreement have been strictly executed, kept and performed as specified, and after properly executed releases for all demands whatsoever furnished by the said party of the first part, will well and truly pay, or cause to be paid unto the said party of the first part, their successors or assigns, the sum of three thousand dollars, lawful money of the United States, being in full for all claims or demands whatsoever, incidental to the erection and construction of said monument.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the said parties to this agreement have hereunto set their hands and seals the day and year first above written.
HARRISON GRANITE CO., W. H. HARRISON, Pres. Witness present: S. P. Draa.
For the State of Pennsylvania, By its Shiloh Battlefield Commission,
JOHN OBREITER,
Chairman. Martha II. Davis. Phares Auxer.
S. T. DAVIS,
Secretary.
KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS,
That, We, the Harrison Granite Company of New York City, and Barre, Vermont, are held and firmly bound unto the State of Pennsylvania.
22 Seventy-seventh Pennsylvania Regiment.
by its The Shiloh Battlefield Commission, hi the sum of one thousand dollars, lawful money of the United States, for which payment well and truly to be made and done, we bind ourselves, our successors, and assigns.
WHEREAS, The said Harrison Granite Company have contracted with the State of Pennsylvania, by its The Shiloh Battlefield Commission, by a contract dated the 27th day of February, A. D. 1902, and hereunto annexed; the condition of this obligation is, that if the said Harrison Granite Company shall duly perform said contract, then this obligation to be void, otherwise it shall remain in full force and virtue.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, The said Harrison Granite Company have hereunto set their hand and corporate seal this 27th day of February, A. D. 1902.
HARRISON GRANITE COMPANY,
By W. H. HARRISON, Pres.
Witness present: S. P. Draa.
State of New York, County of New York,
On the 3d day of March, one thousand nine hundred and two, before the undersigned, a notary public in the State aforesaid, personally came W. H. Harrison, President of the above named corporation, who having been duly sworn, did depose and say, that he was personally present at the execution of the above contract and bond attached hereto, and saw the common seal of the said corporation, The Harrison Granite Company, of New York city, and Barre, Vermont, duly affixed thereto, and that the seal so affixed is the common and corporate seal of the said The Harrison Granite Com- pany of New York city and Barre, Vermont, and that the above contract and bond attached thereto, were duly signed, sealed, and delivered as and for the act ami deed of the said corporation to the intent and purposes therein mentioned, and that the name of the deponent subscribed thereto as President of the said corporation, in attestation of the due execution and delivery of the said contract and of the bond attached thereto, is of the deponent's own proper handwriting.
W. H. HARRISON.
President.
Sworn to and subscribed before me the day and year above named.
CHARLES W. <ASE,
Notary Public.
My Notarial Commission expires on the 31st day of March. 1902.
SPECIFICATIONS.
For labor performed, and materials furnished in the erection of a monu- ment to the 77th Pennsylvania Volunteers on Shiloh Battlefield, according to plans which accompany this specification. For the State of Pennsyl- vania by its Shiloh Battlefield Commission.
■J ;■"'
77T.H PA. MONUMENT S. E. VI EW S H I LO H .
V
print: jul PA. MONUMENT N.W.VIEW S H I L O H.
JS BIEN S CO- NEW YORK
Shiloh National Park. 23
General Conditions:
The material shall be of the most select Barre, Vt., granite of finest quality, free from flaws, iron, sap and other objectionable features, and in every way the best available material for the purpose- intended. It is to be jointed and surface cut, as shown by the drawings, the beds to be set perfectly level and true with jointings of sheet lead.
Finish:
The granite shall be rock-faced on vertical surfaces where so indicated in the design, all the washes, mouldings and margins being fine hammer dressed.
The carved Keystone on two sides of die shall be not less than 1' 10" across widest part.
Sizes :
L pper Die, 3'6"x3'G"x4'l"
Lower Die, 4' 4" x 4' 4" x 2' 3y2"
Third Base, 5' 0" x 5' 0" x 1' 0y2"
Second Base, 6' 3" x 6' 3" x V 0"
Bottom Base, 8' 0" x 8' 0" x 1' 6"
Approximate wTeight of granite, 40,640 lbs.
Approximate weight of bronzes, 950 lbs.
Bronzes :
There shall be a bronze statue surmounting the monument, the same to be secured to the granite by bronze expansion bolts, 2' 4" square at plinth, and 6' 6" high, including plinth, approximate weight 500 to 600 lbs.
There shall be one bronze bas-relief on the west side of the lower die, size of same to be 3' 5" x V 6y2" and weighing approximately 90 lbs.
Subject: Charge on Battery.
There shall be one bronze bas-relief on the east side, size of same to be 3' 5" x 1' 6y2", weighing 90 lbs.
Subject: Surrender of Col. Battle.
On the south side there shall be one bronze tablet, size of same to be 3' 5" x 1' 6%", weighing 70 lbs. and containing the following inscription:
77th Regiment Infantry, 2"
5th Brigade (Kirk's) 2"
2nd Division (McCook's) 2"
Army of the Ohio, 2"
Organized August 1, 1861. — Discharged January 16, 1866, %"
On the north side there shall be one bronze tablet, size of same to be
3' 5" x 1' 6y2," weighing 70 lbs., and containing the following inscription: The 77th Penna. arrived at Pittsburg Landing at 7 A. M. April 7, 1862.
It was the only Pennsylvania regiment on the field.
About 2 P. M. the regiment charged upon, and captured two guns of a Confederate battery.
24 Seventy-seventh Pennsylvania Regiment.
"Being now satisfied that the enemy had changed his point of attack from the right to my left, I ordered the 77th Penna. to take a position on my extreme left and repel the assault there being made. It immediately engaged the enemy. At this moment the contest along the whole line became terrible."
"This regiment, partially isolated from the division, moved steadily over an open field under a heavy fire, while here the enemy's cavalry charged it twice, but were each time repulsed with heavy loss.
Col. Stumbaugh had the satisfaction of receiving the sword of Col. Battle of the 20th Tenu., who surrendered as a prisoner."
General McCook's report.
All inscriptions on bronze tablets shall be in raised capital letters.
There shall be a bronze State seal bas-relief on the front side of the upper die, approximate size 1' 8" x 1' 2", weighing approximately 28 lbs.
All these shall be skilfully modeled by an artist of repute, and satisfac- tory to the Battlefield Commission, and shall be cast in copper bronze, of United States standard composition, in every way high class, and fully equal to the best of its kind.
All bronze tablets or panels shall be securely fastened with bronze expansion bolts, in recesses cut in the stone, and shall be below the surface of the stone work.
Foundation: It is understood that the Park Commissioners shall furnish the foundation ready for the erection of the granite work.
Erection: The delivery and erection shall be done by the contractor, and all work performed in a good and undamaged condition, and to the entire satisfaction of the Park Commissioners, and to the Battlefield Commission, and that all labor, attending the same, shall be in accordance with the requirements of the Shiloh Battlefield Commission.
All expenses incidental to the erection of this monument, including materials, transportation, labor, etc., shall be borne and paid by the con- tractor.
HARRISON GRANITE CO., by W. H. HARRISON, Pres.
Upon notice from the contractors, that the clay models for the bronze work were ready for the inspection by the Com- mission, a committee of two (Chairman and Secretary) of the Commission, on April 14, 1902, proceeded to New York City, for the purpose of examining them, at the studio of Julius C. Loester, Sculptor, where, after suggesting and making a number of changes, additions and alterations, they approved the designs.
The statue of the soldier to surmount the monument, was modeled after a portrait of the Chairman of the Pennsylva-
Shiloh National Park. 25
nia Shiloh Battlefield Commission, which was taken in the field in 1862.
After being finally completed the clay models were de- livered to the Gorham Manufacturing Company of New York City, who made the bronze castings from them.
Shiloh Park is one of the most difficult points in the country to reach with heavy freight. It is about twenty miles from the nearest railway station, Corinth, Mississippi, and the roads between the two points are mere trails or wagon tracks, impassable for a considerable portion of the year, for even light vehicles, and utterly so, at all times for heavy hauling. Consequently all monument work must be shipped by rail- road to some point on the Tennessee river and there trans- ferred to barges, which are then towed up the river to Pitts- burg Landing, where they meet with still another difficulty in the form of bluffs, from eighty to one hundred feet high, all along the river banks, over which the monument must be moved in order to reach the Park. All these difficulties make the matter of transportation a very considerable item in the cost of monuments.
Even the river, at certain seasons of every year, becomes too low for navigation, and for this reason our contractors were unable to comply fully with the terms of the contract, as to the time limit allowed therein, for fininshing the work.
All the wrork of construction, however, was completed in due time, but could not be forwarded until February 23, 1903, on which day it was shipped from Barre, Vermont, it reached Pittsburg Landing on the 30th day of March follow- ing, and was finally completed and erected on the 24th day of April. Whereupon Mr. Thompson, sent us the following notice regarding the event.
"War Department, "Shiloh National Military Park Commission, "Pittsburg Landing, Tenn., May 1, 1903.
"Mr. John Obreiter, Lancaster, Pa.:
"Dear Sir: Your letter of the 27th ulto., to hand. The 77th Penna. mon- ument is set, both granite and bronze. Mr. Lewis will complete the con- crete pavement to-day. Everything about the monument is precisely as specified. The granite is faultless and the workmanship as nearly perfect as any I have seen. You have a good monument, and you may pay for it at any time you please, and with an easy conscience.
26 Seventy-seventh Pennsylvania Regiment.
I shall grade around it in a few days, putting in a crossing, so that vehicles can leave the main road, and drive about it, so as to examine it on all sides. The bronze figure is good.
"Yours very truly,
"ATWELL THOMPSON,
"Engineer in Charge."
Iii order to be absolutely certain that the bronze work for monuments to be erected on Shiloh Park is of the proper standard and in every way correct, the National Commission- ers have borings taken from their inner surface as soon as such bronzes are landed at Pittsburg Landing. Before the bronzes are permitted to be erected, such borings are sent to competent chemists and assayers, and by them analyzed. Such analysis is made at the expense of the State Co minis sioners. It is a very wise and commendable precaution to take. Under this rule the 77th Pennsylvania bronze was duly analyzed, with the following very satisfactory result, proving it to be just what it was intended that it should be:
Analysis.
Copper, 88 . 5 per cent.
Tin, 3.5 per cent.
Lead, 0.3 per cent.
Zinc, 7.7 per cent.
In addition to the analysis, the State Commissioners ex- acted the following releases: the one from the Bronze Foundry people, which, in addition to releasing the State and Commission from all charges, also guarantees the quality of the bronze composition :
The second is a release from the sculptor, giving an un- qualified release from all charges for his work.
"RELEASE AND GUARANTEE OP THE GORHAM MANUFAC- TURING CO.
"Know all Men by these Present, That we. The Gorham Manufacturing Company, of the city of New York, did cast in bronze and furnish one statue of a private soldier, in the position of 'At Rest,' six and one-half feet high, two bas-relief and two inscription panels, each three feet five inches by one foot and six and one-half inches, and one bas-relief Penn- sylvania State Coat of Arms, for the monument to the Seventy-seventh Pennsylvania Volunteers, constructed and erected on the battlefield of
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Shiloh National Park. 27
Shiloh, by the Harrison Granite Company, of the city oi' New York, for the State of Pennsylvania, by its Shiloh Battlefield Commission.
"We, the said Gorham Manufacturing Company, do hereby guarantee that all of the above mentioned bronze work, as cast and furnished by ns, is of full United States standard copper bronze composition: And further, We do hereby release the said State of Pennsylvania, and its Shiloh Battle- field Commission, from all claims or charges, either for material, labor or anything whatsoever furnished by us, incident to the construction or erec- tion of said monument.
"In witness whereof we have hereunto set our hand and corporate seal this 4th day of May, A. D. 1903.
"GORHAM MFG. CO., "By G. H. ROBINSON, P't."
Witness present, W. C. Spencer.
"RELEASE PROM THE SCULPTOR.
"Know all Men by these Presents. That I, Julius C. Loester, of the city of New York, sculptor, did model in clay, the statue of a private soldier, two bas-relief panels and one Pennsylvania State Coat of Arms, for the Harrison Granite Company, of the city of New York. Said models were by me delivered to the Gorham Manufacturing Company, to be by them cast in bronze, for the said Harrison Granite Company, which bronze castings were to be used in the construction and erection of a monument to the 77th Pennsylvania Volunteers on Shiloh battlefield by the said Harrison Granite Company, for the State of Pennsylvania and its Shiloh Battlefield Commission. Be it known that I do hereby release the said State of Penn- sylvania and its Shiloh Battlefield Commission from all charges for labor, materials or any thing whatsoever, furnished by me, incident to the modeling of said statue, panels and coat of arms.
"In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this first day of May, A. D. 1903.
"JULIUS C. LOESTER. (Seal.)"
Witness present, John Cavagnaro.
On May 18, 1003, a committee of two went to Shiloh to in- spect, in conjunction with members of the National Park Com- mission, the completed Seventy-seventh Pennsylvania Monu- ment. Such inspection was made the following day, when it was found that the work had all been done in full accord with all the provisions of the specifications and contract.
It was therefore accepted, and so reported to the State authorities and paid for.
The following letter from the Chairman of the National 3
28 Seventy-seventh Pennsylvania Regiment.
Commission, in reference to the matter, further certifies that everything is as it should be:
"War Department, Shiloh National Military Park Commission, "Pittsburg Landing, Tenn., May 19, 1903. "Mr. John Obreiter,
"Chairman Pennsylvania Shiloh Commission, Lancaster, Pa.:
"My Dear Sir: I have to-day, with yourself and Captain McNally, of your commission, made a critical examination of the monument, erected upon the battlefield of Shiloh by the State of Pennsylvania, to the 77th Pennsylvania Regiment of Infantry.
"I find it to be in exact accord with the design, specifications and inscrip- tions, submitted by your commission under date of February 7, 1902, approved by this commission February 14, 1902, and by the Secretary of War February 17, 1902.
"I have the honor, therefore, to advise you that, when your dedication occurs, the monument will be received by the Government of the United States.
"Yours very respectfully,
"CORNELIUS CADLB,
"Chairman."
From out of the fund reserved for expenses, the Commis- sion, by proper management, was enabled to have a cement or concrete pavement, eight feet wide, constructed around, on all sides of the monument. This pavement was made from the very best obtainable materials, and is first class in every respect.
It adds greatly to the general appearance of the monument, and will most effectually prevent, for all time, the growth of weeds around it, as is so often seen elsewhere.
The total cost of the monument and pavement, including all expenses, necessarily incurred, incidental to its construc- tion and erection, is fully covered by the appropriation made therefor, viz., four thousand dollars.
Itemized vouchers, showing in detail all expenditures, are on file with, and were duly approved by the Auditor General of the Commonwealth.
The Commission have conscientiously complied with and performed all the duties required of them by the Act of the General Assembly, and feel confident their work will meet with the cordial approval of all who may see and examine the results of their labor of love.
PRINT. JULIUS B I EN a CO NEW YOF
NSPECTION OF MONUMENT.
Shiloh National Park. 29
The relations existing between the members of the Commis- sion, have been, throughout its entire existence, of the most pleasant and friendly character, all worked together in full accord and harmony at all times, from the beginning to the successful finish.
The only unpleasant feature met with, was the death of our most highly esteemed colleague, General William A. Rob- inson, than whom there did not exist a more upright, genial and kindly Christian gentleman. He was considerate and just at all times, and under all circumstances. His good ad- vice and sound judgment was always deferred to. He has, ever since his removal from our midst, been sadly missed by his fellow-commissioners.
His death occurred on the 4th day of October, 1902.
It was the unanimous opinion of his colleagues, that, out of respect for the memory of their friend and comrade, the vacancy on the Commission, caused by his death, should not be filled by any other person.
The Governor was accordingly requested to not appoint a successor to their lamented friend.
To further show their high regard and esteem for their soldier boys of 1861, the Legislature of our Commonwealth, passed an Act, which was very promptly approved by the Governor, providing for the Dedication of the Seventy sev- enth Regiment monument at Shiloh, and for the transporta- tion of all honorably discharged surviving soldiers of the reg- iment, from their homes in Pennsylvania, to Pittsburg Land- ing, and return, in order that they might attend the cere- monies at the dedication, and once more go over their .first battlefield, and meet old comrades whom they had not seen since the memorable days of forty years ago.
Such action on the part of the constituted authorities of the State, stimulates, as it should, patriotism and the love of country in the hearts of its old defenders; and such visit to the old familiar grounds of strife, will be a pleasant memory and a fertile theme of conversation with the "old boys" until they have all passed to their final reward.
The act referred to was as follows:
30 Seventy-seventh Pennsylvania Regiment.
No. 160.
AN ACT
To provide for the dedication of the Pennsylvania monument erected on Shiloh battlefield, to commemorate the service of the only Pennsylvania regiment at the battle of Shiloh, namely, the Seventy-seventh regiment of infantry; and to provide transportation for the survivors of the said Seventy-seventh regiment to and from Pittsburg Landing, Tennessee, to attend said dedication; and making an appropriation therefor.
Whereas, The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, by act approved July eighteen, one thousand nine hundred and one, author- ized "The Shiloh Battlefield Commission" to decide upon the location, design, material and inscription for one monument, to commemorate the service of the Seventy-seventh regiment of infantry, the only Pennsylvania regiment at the battle of Shiloh, and to make contract for its construction, and its erection on the battlefield of Shiloh;
And whereas, Under the provisions of said act, an appropriate monument has been constructed and erected to the said Seventy-seventh regiment, under the superintendence of the said Shiloh Battlefield Commission;
And whereas, The people of this Commonwealth have always venerated the patriotic and heroic deeds of her soldiers, and now desire, not only to commemorate the sacrifice of her sons who gave their lives for their country, but also to honor her surviving veteran soldiers; therefore,
Section 1. Be it enacted, &c, That the Governor of the Commonwealth shall, at such time within the current year, Anno Domini one thousand nine hundred and three, as he shall deem best, appoint a day for the dedi- cation of said monument, to be called "Pennsylvania Day."
Section 2. That said dedication shall be under the control and direction of the said "Shiloh Battlefield Commission," who shall make all arrange- ments and take charge of the ceremonies on the field.
Section 3. There shall be provided and furnished, at the expense of the Commonwealth, to all surviving honorably discharged soldiers of the said Seventy-seventh regiment, Pennsylvania infantry, transportation to enable them to attend said dedication; such transportation to cover distance from the railway station in Pennsylvania nearest their respective places of resi- dence, by the shortest and most convenient route, to Pittsburg Landing, Tennessee, and return, and it shall be so arranged that the said transporta- tion shall be good for one month, and shall permit stopovers at any stations on the route, within said time of one month.
Section 4. That the Adjutant General of the Commonwealth be and is hereby directed, authorized aud empoAvered to provide transportation for said soldiers as aforesaid, to and from Pittsburg Landing, Tennessee. For such transportation he is authorized to pay such sums of money as shall be agreed upon, not exceeding two cents per mile; and the Adjutant General is further authorized to provide such blanks, and establish such rules for the reception of applications and the issuance of orders for transportation, as may be deemed proper, and he shall give publicity to the provisions of
Shiloh National Park. 31
this act, in order that all soldiers entitled to transportation under the same may avail themselves of its benefits.
Section 5. That any person who shall personate any soldier entitled to the provisions of this act, to secure transportation under it, or use or attempt to use the transportation provided for such soldiers, or any such soldier, who, having procured such transportation, and who shall sell, barter, trade or dispose of such transportation in any manner whatever to any other person, shall be guilty of misdemeanor; and upon conviction thereof shall be fined not more than fifty dollars, or imprisoned not more than one month, or both fine and imprisonment, at the discretion of the court.
Section G. That the sum of five thousand ollars, or so much thereof as may be necessary, is hereby specifically appropriated, out of any money in the treasury not otherwise appropriated; that two thousand dollars, or so much thereof as may be necessary, of this appropriation shall be set aside for the purpose of paying the expenses of the said "Shiloh Battlefield Commission," necessarily incurred in the performance of the duties incident to said dedication, and of such officers of tlie State of Pennsylvania as may be designated by the Governor to represent the State at the dedicatory ceremonies; and shall be paid on the warrant drawn in favor of said Shiloh Battlefield Commission by the Auditor General upon the State Treas- urer, upon specifically itemized vouchers, duly verified by the officers of the said commission; unexpended balances, not exceeding three hundred dollars of this sum of two thousand dollars, which is hereby set aside as aforesaid, shall be used for compiling and editing the Reports of the said Shiloh Battlefield Commission; the balance of said appropriation, namely, three thousand dollars, shall be to pay for the transportation aforesaid and all expenses incident thereto, and shall be paid on the warrant of the Auditor General, drawn in the usual manner: Provided, That the Adjutant General shall, within sixty days after the dedication of said monument, file with the Auditor General specifically itemized vouchers, showing in detail the disbursements under this act. Unexpended balances of the money herein appropriated shall revert to the State Treasury at the close of the fiscal year ending with the thirty-first day of May, Anno Domini one thousand nine hundred and five.
Approved— The 16th day of April, A. D. 1903.
SAML. W. PENNYPACKER.
About the same lime that the Seventy-seventh's monument at Shiloh was ready for dedication, another Pennsylvania monument was due to be unveiled in commemoration of the services of the Seventy-third regiment at Missionary Ridge, near Chattanooga, Tennessee.
To save time and obviate the necessity of two separate journeys south by the Governor and his staff to attend both dedication ceremonies it was decided that the two events should take place at as nearly the same time as could be con-
32 Seventy-seventh Pennsylvania Regiment.
veniently arranged. Accordingly Governor Pennypacker se- lected November 9, 1903, for the dedication of the Seventy- third regiment's monument on the Missionary Ridge battle- field, and Thursday, November 12, 1903, for the dedication of the Seventy-seventh's monument on Shiloh battlefield.
With his characteristic vigor, despatch and unfailing good- nature, Thomas J. Stewart, Adjutant General of Pennsylva- nia, made all the necessary preliminary arrangements with the various railroad and steamboat companies for the com- fortable transportation of the survivors of the two regiments and the official party to the respective dedications. This labor of love was rather onerous, but General Stewart never dreams of complaining when asked to do anything for his comrades. All who profited by his foresight and thorough- ness on these dedicatory occasions loudly voiced their appre- ciation of his unwearying care for their comfort.
The regimental survivors, applying for transportation from the eastern part of Pennsylvania, .were directed to go by way of Washington, D. C, over the Southern Railway, while those residing in the western part of the State were routed through Cincinnati, over the Queen and Crescent Railway, to Chatta- nooga.
On November 7, 1903, Governor Pennypacker and Staff, to- gether with many survivors of the two regiments, left Phila- delphia on a special train for Washington, D. C. Joined there by many men from other parts of the State, they took a special train on the Southern Railway for Chattanooga. This special was run under the personal supervision of Mr. Charles L. Hopkins, the Philadelphia Passenger Agent of the South- ern Railway, and had the right of way over all other trains. The chosen route was through the far-famed "Land of the Sky," Asheville, North Carolina, and down the valley of the French Broad river. The men were all very much pleased with the first-class accommodations furnished and by Mr. Hopkins' constant attention to their comfort. None re- gretted the selection of a route which furnished them some of the most beautiful mountain scenery in the United States.
The special arrived at Chattanooga on Sunday evening, No- vember 8, 1903, somewhat ahead of the scheduled time. The Seventy-third's monument was dedicated the following morn-
Shiloh National Park. 33
ing. Then followed, until the evening of the next day, various sight-seeing excursions over historic points near Chattanooga, such as Chickamauga, Missionary Ridge, Orchard Knob and Lookout Mountain. These two days on their old familiar fighting grounds were a great treat to the men of the Sev- enty-seventh, adding very much to their enjoyment of the trip.
On the evening of the tenth, the Governor and Staff, to- gether with the survivors of the Seventy-seventh left Chat- tanooga, on the Nashville, Chattanooga and St. Louis Rail- way for Johnsonville, on the Tennessee river. There they em- barked on the steamer Clyde, of the St. Louis and Tennessee River Packet Company, for Pittsburg Landing, at which place they arrived about five o'clock on Thursday morning, Novem- ber 12, 1903.
There being no adequate hotel accommodations at Pitts- burg Landing for a large party, the Clyde was held there for them during their stay.
The sun rose that day in a cloudless sky and by the time the partjr had been driven to the monument for the formal exercises the temperature was about sixty-five degrees, while later on a light breeze tempered the sun's warmer rays.
The dedication ceremonies took place at the monument on the battlefield at 9.30 o'clock in accordance with the follow- ing order of exercises or programme, a facsimile of the pro- gramme as previously issued by the Commission is here given.
(34)
DEDICATION OF MONUMENT
SEVENTY-SEVENTH
PENNSYLVANIA
SHILOH BATTLEFIELD
NOVEMBER 12, 1903
THE PENNSYLVANIA SHILOH BATTLEFIELD COMMISSION
REQUEST YOUR PRESENCE AT
SHILOH NATIONAL MILITARY PARK,
PITTSBURG LANDING, TENNESSEE,
AT THE
DEDICATION OF THE MONUMENT TO THE SEVENTY-SEVENTH REGIMENT,
PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS,
O.N THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 1903.
JOHN OBREITER, Chairman.
S. T. DAVIS, Secretary.
GEO. W. SKINNER. Treasurer.
(35)
(30)
ORDER OF EXERCISES.
CAPTAIN MICHAEL McNALLY, 77th Pa. Vols., Presiding
PRAYER, Jacob Iseuberger, 77th Pa. Vols.
TRANSFER OF MONUMENT TO THE GOVERNOR,
John Obreiter, 77th Pa. Vols., Chairman of the State Commission.
ACCEPTANCE ON BEHALF OF THE STATE AND TRANSFER TO THE NATIONAL GOVERNMNT,
Governor Samuel W. Pennypacker.
ACCEPTANCE ON BEHALF OF THE NATIONAL GOVERNMENT,
Col. Cornelius Cadle, Chairman of the National Commission.
ADDRESSES,
Col. Thos. E. Rose, 77th Pa. Vols.
William L. Woodcock, 77th Pa. Vols.
General J. P. S. Gobin, National Guard of Pennsylvania.
DOXOLOGY.
(37)
PENNSYLVANIA SHILOH BATTLEFIELD COMMISSION.
♦Deceased.
Sergt. John Obreiter, Chairman. Capt. Samuel T. Davis, Secretary. Capt. Geo. W. Skinner, Treasurer. *Gen. Wm. A. Robinson. Capt. Michael McNally. Capt. John W. Kreps. Sergt. Henry B. Krebs.
(38)
Dedication of Monument. 30
INTRODUCTORY ADDRESS OF CAPTAIN MICHAEL McNALLY, OF THE 77th PENNSYLVANIA VOLUN- TEERS.
YOUR Exellency, ladies and gentlemen and comrades: As Presiding Officer, on this occasion, I extend to you a soldier's cordial and fraternal welcome, in behalf of the Shiloh Battlefield Commission of Pennsylvania.
We meet to-day to dedicate this monument, in honor and remembrance of the bravery and heroism of our comrades of the 77th Pennsylvania Volunteers, whose noble sacrifice on this spot, has made it possible for you and me, to still enjoy the protection and blessings of a free and united country.
In reviewing the scenes of the past, my memory carries me back to the bloody conflict, on this field of Shiloh, and the sacrifice then made by our comrades, in their heroic efforts for the preservation of the Union.
Little can the present generation appreciate the sufferings of those noble men, who so willingly offered up their lives for their country; but, we who were with them in that memor- able conflict, bear witness to their heroic devotion to the flag, and under the dispensation of a divine Providence, we arc here to-day, to praise their valor and do honor to their memory, and to mark in a fitting manner, the spot where they fell.
Comrades, let us cherish this spot, hallowed by the noble deeds of .the brave men, who gave up their lives, that this nation might live.
Your Excellency, comrades, and citizens of our noble State we entrust this beautiful monument to your faithful care and keeping. Let us keep in memory this consecrated spot, hal- lowed beyond all others, by the noble deeds, and splendid courage of our fallen companions.
In conclusion, permit me to request that the gentlemen who are to speak, make their addresses brief as consistent with the limited time, for visiting other parts of the field, by com- rades and others.
40 Seventy-seventh Pennsylvania Regiment.
IMiAYER.
Jacob Isenberger, 77th Pa. Vols.
OH! Thou God of our Fathers, we would most reverently uncover before Thee this day, in acknowledgement of Thy loving kindness and for Thy tender mercies which have followed us all the days of our lives up to this present moment.
Well do we remember, more than forty-one years ago, we stood on this historic battlefield, then in the vigor of young manhood. To-day our hair is turning gray, ready for the gar- ner, soon it will be said of us, that we too, have gone to join the great army on the other side.
We thank Thee that we are so highly favored to-day in meeting again, a remnant of this most gallant Pennsylvania Eegiment, on this field of carnage, looking in each other's faces, taking each other by the hand, greeting each other around this most beautiful monument about to be dedicated to commemorate the past as well as to commemorate the future. We pray Thee that nothing may be said or done that would mar or interfere with our enjoyment of this meeting; and when we are done with this life and its cares, we pray Thee, Thou God of our Fathers, that we may be gathered home with our fathers in that Kingdom where Thou hast gone to prepare a place for Thy children. There will be no wars, no rumors of wars, no pestilence, no separation, no death, where all tears will be wiped away, where we shall reign with the redeemed in glory throughout all eternity. We ask it all in Jesus' name. Amen.
Dedication of Monument. 41
TRANSFER OF MONUMENT TO THE GOVERNOR.
John Obreiter, Chairman of the Commission.
MR. PRESIDENT, LADIES, GENTLEMEN AND COM- RADES: It is indeed a great pleasure to see so many of your happy faces here today on this very interesting occasion. I extend to you, one and all, the heartiest greetings and bid you welcome to the field of Shiloh.
Comrades, it is more than two score years ago since you, for the first time set foot upon this soil, but how different the conditions from what they are now. Then you came here, met an armed foe and engaged him in mortal combat, now, you are on a peaceful mission, and meet only friends with kindly greetings of friendship and good will. All are now under the same flag, and all rejoice in the results of the great struggle that was then going on between the states, yet our being here to-day is the direct outcome of that former visit to Pittsburg Landing.
We are met here to-day to dedicate this beautiful monu- ment, erected by the State of Pennsylvania to commemorate the services rendered on this field by her Seventy-seventh Reg- iment of Infantry, the only regiment from east of Ohio that participated in the Battle of Shiloh.
The Seventy-seventh Pennsylvania came to Pittsburg Land- ing with the Army of the Ohio under General Don Carlos Buell. The Second Division of BuelPs Army, commanded by General Alexander McDowell McCook, wras composed of the brigades of Rousseau, Kirk and Gibson, the Seventy-seventh Pennsylvania then being a part of the command of Colonel E. N. Kirk.
Memory easily takes us back to those early spring days of 1862, the days of our boyhood and youth, and to the morning of that memorable sixth day of April, while on the march southward, and yet some thirty miles from this place, when the sounds of the conflict then raging here first broke faintly
42 Seventy -seventh Pennsylvania Regiment.
upon our ears, becoming more and more distinct as we ad- vanced. We can almost hear it yet, the boom-boom-boom of heavy artillery. Soon couriers appear from the front with in- telligence from the battle and bringing orders to hurry for- ward with the reinforcements; knapsacks, blankets and every- thing that would impede a rapid march, were thrown aside, an extra supply of ammunition taken, then the forward move was pushed with the utmost vigor.
The last fourteen miles of that march were made by you, my comrades, almost entirely on the double quick, reaching Savannah early in the evening. Who among you that were there, can or will, ever forget the scenes presented to view as we entered that town? The houses were all turned into hospitals and filled with wounded men brought from the bat- tle field eight miles distant. And you, my comrades, standing in those muddy streets that whole long, terrible night in a continuous down pour of rain, without shelter of any kind. It was indeed very difficult to keep even your powder dry. HoweAer, early the next morning, before the break of day, the regiment embarked on steamboats and proceeded up the river, arrived at Pittsburg Landing at seven o'clock in the morning of the second day of the great battle that was then being fought here. After landing, the regiment, together with the rest of the Brigade, advanced in support of Rousseau, and when his men had exhausted all their ammunition, Kirk's brigade took their place on the front line of battle. At about the same time, there being imminent danger on the left of the division, by reason of an extended interval in the line on that flank, the Seventy-seventh Pennsylvania was detached from its brigade, and sent alone, there to the left, into that gap, where it soon cleared the woods of an extremely annoy- ing lot of sharpshooters who were there concealed among the trees.
General McCook, in his official report, says, "Being now sat- isfied that the enemy had changed his point of attack from my right to the left, I ordered Colonel Stumbaugh's Seventy- seventh Regiment of Pennsylvania Volunteers to take a posi- tion on my extreme left. He immediately engaged the enemy. At this moment the conflict along the whole line became terri- ble.
Dedication of Monument. 43
"This Regiment, partially isolated from the rest of the divi sion, moved steadily over an open Held under a heavy fire, and while there, the enemy's cavalry charged it twice, but were each time repulsed with heavy loss. Colonel Stumbaugh had the satisfaction of receiving the sword of Colonel Battle of the Twentieth Tennessee, who surrendered as a prisoner."
This is the field referred to by General McCook. The clear- ings to the south, there beyond the road, were at that lime en- tirely covered by forest trees. The Regiment had advanced to this spot, Gibson's Brigade having been sent to the left of Kirk, was there to the right, but entirely concealed from our view by the smoke of battle and by undergrowth. It was heavily engaged and in danger of being forced back, when just at the opportune time, up came a section of Bouton's Illinois Battery, and yonder, in the edge of the woods went so vigor- ously into action that in a very short time it had silenced the enemy's battery there to the front. Then Bouton disap- peared toward the right of Gibson and there performed a like service.
Dodge, the historian of the Second Division, in describing this scene, says, "The Seventy-seventh Pennsylvania, ever watchful for an advantage over the foe, succeeded in getting a flanking range on his line, and poured in a very destructive enfilading fire.'' The enemy soon gave way, and pursuing him into the woods, the Regiment charged upon a Confederate Battery and captured two of .its guns. I remember as if it was but yesterday, while passing between those two guns, of going from the one to the other to see whether or not they were spiked. Captain McNally (ells me that he did the same thing, and the captain says they were not spiked. Leaving the guns behind, where they were doubtless picked up and turned in by some other command, which then received the credit for their capture, the Regiment pushed forward in pur- suit of the enemy, and just at the close of the fighting, cap- tured Colonel Joel A. Battle, he being the highest in rank of any Confederate prisoner taken at the Battle of Shiloh.
Only this morning I was informed that the friends of Col- onel Battle claim that he was taken prisoner upon his return to the field in search of the body of his son, who was killed during the conflict. 4
44 Seventy-seventh Pennsylvania Regiment.
It seems almost a pity to destroy such a pathetic little story of parental affection, but the facts however, are that the Col- onel was with his regiment, where every good soldier should be at such a time, he had lost his horse, and being a large heavy man, was unable to keep up with his men in their rapid retreat from the field, finding it impossible to get away, he, concealed behind a large tree, fired three ineffective shots at Major Bradford, when, seeing the men of the Seventy-seventh Pennsylvania closing around him, he displayed a white hand- kerchief on the point of his sword, surrendered and was then brought before Colonel Stumbaugh as shown by the bas-relief panel there on the monument.
His actions gave no indications, other than his great de- sire to get away with his command.
It is a great satisfaction to be able to say that the conduct of the Kegiment in this its first battle, met with the full ap- proval of its superiors, it having successfully performed every duty to which it was assigned. What more can be said of any command than that it did its whole duty, and when we con- sider that in this case those duties were performed almost without loss, who for one moment can doubt that we were under the protection of a power far greater than that of man?
General Sherman says, "I am ordered by General Grant to give personal credit where it is due and censure where I think it is merited. I concede that General McCook's splendid divi- sion from Kentucky drove back the enemy along the Corinth road, which was the great central line of this battle. There Beauregard commanded in person, supported by Bragg's, Johnston's and Breckinridge's Divisions," General Grant hav- ing himself made no report, therefore these words from Gen- eral Sherman come as from the highest authority and require no comment.
We might, as has been suggested, follow the Kegiment from here throughout its entire service, but you, my friends, want to see this beautiful Park, and our President has ordered us all to be brief and not to bore or weary you with too much talking, and as it is the first duty of the soldier to obey orders, therefore, I must, on this occasion, at least, try to be good and obedient, but I cannot refrain from telling you that the Seventy-seventh was the last of the Pennsylvania Kegiments
Dedication of Monument. 45
to be discharged from the service, and that throughout its whole long career it was never left behind to guard railroads or bridges, or to do garrison duty, but that it was always at the front, always within easy reach of the enemy and always ready for any emergency that might arise, and that it never broke in battle and never ran from the face of an enemy, and what the boys called "soft snaps" was entirely unknown to the Eegiment.
The men of the Seventy-seventh are justly proud of the record made by the Regiment, yet they are very modest about it. All concede that theirs was not the only Regiment in the service and that there were others just as good. The nearest approach to boasting that ever came under my notice was from our old comrade sitting there in your midst, with his crutches by his side, David Michael, of sturdy old company "G," when, a few years ago, he wrote in a letter now in my possession, "I do not wish to boast, but I will say, that for endurance and staying qualities, our Regiment was second to none." These appear to be the general sentiments of all the men of the Seventy-seventh. Our Colonel Rose, in his report on the Battle of Stone River, says, "During this great battle our little Regiment did no discredit to the old Keystone State." These words apply with equal force to the conduct of the Regiment at Shiloh and throughout its entire history.
The full significance of Colonel Rose's words will be better understood, when I tell you that, subsequent to that battle, the entire army of the Cumberland was drawn up in review, when its Commander, General Wm. S. Rosecrans, while riding along the line, paused in front of the Seventy-seventh, re- quested its Colonel to come forward, and said "Colonel, I see your Regiment is all right. Give my compliments to the men, tell them that the Senenty-seventh Pennsylvania is the Ban- ner Regiment of Stone River. It was the only regiment on the right wing that did not break ranks." Colonel Rose replied, "General, they never will break ranks." We can now, with all truth, go one step further and say they never did break ranks.
This monument of granite and bronze materials, almost in- destructible, will stand here long after we shall all have passed to our rewards. It will tell to all visitors of the ser-
40 Seventy-seventh Pennsylvania Regiment.
vices performed on this field by the volunteer citizen soldiers from the old Keystone State. The statue of a private sol- dier surmounting it, shows the uniform and equipments as worn and carried by the men of the Seventy-seventh, and it, together with the bas-relief and inscription panels, give al- most entire, a brief and concise history of the Seventy-seventh Pennsylvania Volunteers during that terrible 7th day of April, 1S62.
Now, your Excellency, Samuel W. Pennypacker, Governor of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the Shiloh Battlefield Commission, without expectation of any reward, other than the approval of then' comrades and fellow-citizens, have con- scientiously and fully performed and completed all the duties and purposes for which they were appointed, I now in their behalf, tender to you, this monument, a fitting memorial to the valor of the sons of Pennsylvania, with the hope and prayer that it may stand here in all its beauty, throughout all coming generations, unharmed or unmarred, by either the hand of man or the elements of nature.
ACCEPTANCE ON BEHALF OF THE STATE AND TRANS- FER TO THE NATIONAL GOVERNMENT.
Governor Samuel W. Pennypacker.
MR. CHAIRMAN, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN AND COMRADES: The Governor of Pennsylvania, the Ad- jutant General of Pennsylvania, two Brigadier Gen- erals of her National Guards, and all these distinguished citi- zens have travelled 1,200 miles to be at the dedication of this monument to the only Pennsylvania regiment that fought here. This is an event of more than ordinary significance. All over these hills, and among all these valleys, through which these rivers pour, the State of Pennsylvania has made a lasting impression. In early times her citizens, leaving the Cumberland and Susquehanna valleys, came through Virginia
Dedication of Monument. 47
and over the mountains to Tennessee, and many of the men of Tennessee, who won renown in battle and attained distinc- tion in the Legislative Halls, look back to the land of Penn, Wayne and Meade as that of their forefathers. Possibly I may be permitted to illustrate this close connection between the two states by a somewhat personal reference. A few years ago a Pennpacker was treasurer of the State of Tennes- see. My family contributed 147 men to the war of 1861. This was the largest single family contribution in the United States. The most intense sacrifice of the war occurred in the family of Mark Pennypacker, of Tennessee, all of whose five sons were killed in the Confederate army. I had a cousin, who at the early age of 23, was a Brevet Brigadier General in command of a brigade in the Confederate army of the south. He was wounded seven times and lives to tell of the virtues of the hospitals of this State. At Shiloh, when the attack was made, Major General Benjamin Mayberry Prentiss com- manded the front. His entire division was swept away by Johnston, whose name comes from the Perkiomen valley, and whose grandmother was a Pennypacker.
Pennsylvania bears a relation unlike that of any other state to that war. She was the first to step to the front in the struggle.
At 4.30 A. M. on April 12, 1861, the Confederates opened fire in Charleston Harbor. That very day, before the sun had gone down, the Pennsylvania Legislature voted $500,000 to arm the State. Pennsylvania troops were the first to arrive at Washington. She alone had an entire division in the army. Her pro rata of dead is larger than that of any other state. The decisive battle of the wTar was fought by her sons on her soil. The Army of the Potomac was organized by McClellan and commanded by Meade.
It was fitting that, in this initial battle to get down the Mississippi to its mouth, she should be represented on this field. This fell to the 77th Pennsylvania, a regiment of brave men and efficient officers. Its Colonel was one of the bravest of the brave, a very Chevalier Bayard, lb- stood on the right at Chickamauga at the death of General rreston Smith. He dug out of Libby prison, and had a distinguished career, after- wards, in the regular army. Private Long still carries a frag-
48 Seventy-seventh Pennsylvania Regiment.
ment of a rifle, broken in his hands by a Confederate shell. This regiment came 30 miles in one day to be in this fight, and was at once sent to the front. They had a severe strug- gle, and captured two cannons and a Colonel. They shed their blood and sacrificed their lives here. What more, as a representation, could be asked of them? Later on they parti- cipated in many more important engagements, of their part in which we may well be proud.
To them the State has erected this beautiful monument. I now accept it. It will stand longer than those, which, 3000 years ago, Tiglathpilesar erected on the plains of Assyria.
I now turn it over to you (addressing Colonel Cornelius Cadle), the representative of the United States, believing that a great people will never permit this monument to their memory to disappear from the face of the earth."
ACCEPTANCE ON BEHALF OF THE NATIONAL GOV- ERNMENT.
Colonel Cornelius Cadle, Chairman Shiloh National Military Park Commission.
G
OYERNOR PENNYPACKER, AND GENTLEMEN OF THE PENNSYLVANIA SHILOH COMMISSION: Under these instructions from the Secretary of War:
War Department, October 16, 1903. "Colonel Cornelius Cadle,
"Chairman Shiloh National Military Park Commission: "Sir: I beg to advise you that it will be impracticable to send a repre- sentative from the War Department to receive from the Governor of Penn- sylvania the monument erected upon the Battlefield of Shiloh to commemo- rate the services of the Seventy-seventh Regiment of Pennsylvania in the battle of Shiloh, which monument is to be dedicated November 12, next.
'*lt is, therefore, desired that, as chairman of the Shiloh National Military Park Commission, you will receive said monument from the State of Penn- sylvania on behalf of the Government of the United States.
"Very respectfully,
"ROBERT SHAW OLIVER, "Acting Secretary of War."
Dedication of Monument. Ill
it is my pleasant duty to receive from you, Sir, on behalf of the Government of the United States the magnificent monu- ment erected upon this field by the Commonwealth of Penn- sylvania to commemorate the gallant deeds of her Seventy- seyenth Regiment of Infantry on that memorable day in April, 1862, and to assure you and the Pennsylvania Commission that the work, so well done by your State upon this field, will be cared for by the United States and stand as a perpetual memorial to the fidelity of the soldiers of Pennsylvania, and of Pennsylvania's gratitude.
Pennsylvania sent to the support of the Union, during the War of the Rebellion, 197 regiments, 5 battalions and 13 com- panies of infantry; 27 regiments, 2 battalions and 18 com- panies of cavalry; 4 regiments and 3 companies of heavy artillery; 1 regiment, 1 battalion and 13 companies of light artillery, and 1 company of engineers.
The number of men furnished by Pennsylvania during that war was 337,936. It should be borne in mind, however, that.this number represents enlistments (credits) and not the actual number of individuals in service, which latter has never been officially determined, no compilation of the number of re-en- listments ever having been made. It is estimated, however, from the best data obtainable, that the number of individuals from Pennsylvania in service in the Union Army and Navy during that war was 269,230.
This little squad of Pennsylvania men, way out in the woods of the west, numbered but 504 for duty, less than two-tenths (2-10) of one per centum of Pennsylvania's total. It was the only regiment in the battle from the East of Ohio.
The number of deaths among the Pennsylvania troops in service during the War of the Rebellion was 33,183, of which number 9,351 were killed in action; 5,914 died of wounds re- ceived in action, and 17,918 died of disease and other causes.
The Seventy-seventh Pennsylvania's loss upon this field is incommensurable with the total of Pennsylvania's casualties in the War of the Rebellion. Yet your Commonwealth, Sir, never forgetful of the deeds of her loyal sons, places here, even for the smallest fraction of its forces in battle, an ever- lasting tribute.
Here was fought the first great battle of I lie West. Its
50 Seventy-seventh Pennsylvania Regiment.
result convinced the Nation, both North and South, that it was a war between Americans that could only be ended by courage, blood and time. It was ended favorably for both sides in the success of the Union cause, and from and because of that war we, the American people, are now a Nation of the World.
Our National Commission feels a gratification at the fact that }^our State selected as its Commission soldiers with whom we have been in entire accord. The result of their labor speaks for itself.
I again say that this granite and bronze memorial is now in the hands of the Government, the people of the United States.
ADDRESS.
Thos. E. Rose, Colonel 77th Pa. Vols.
COMRADES OF THE 77TH REGIMENT OF PENNSYLVA- NIA: It affords me greater pleasure than I can summon words to express to be able to meet so many comrades of the old 77th at this historic spot on an occasion so fraught with interest as this. We have come here to-day to dedicate a monument which our countrymen of the State of Pennsyl- vania have caused to be erected at this place as a lasting memorial of the services, which we, the soldiers of the 77th Regiment of Pennsylvania, rendered to our beloved country when she was in the throes of dissolution. It was indeed kind of our countrymen towards us to do this, and it was particu- larly kind and good of them to provide us with free trans- portation from our homes to this place to enable so many of us to assemble together on this occasion. Our countrymen of the State of Pennsylvania, by these acts have given a very clear and expressive token of their gratitude to us for our faithful services which we rendered to our country not only on this historic field but on many other hard fought fields.
Dedication of Monument. 51
On behalf of the regiment, I take sincere pleasure in thanking our countrymen of Pennsylvania for thus honoring ns.
My Comrades, as we are assembled here now to-day, we are a very different body of men in appearance, as well as in circumstances from what we were when we formed line on the banks of yonder river on the morning of the 7th of April, L862 with a powerful and victorious foe before us. We were then strong in numbers, in the bloom and vigor of youthful manhood, full of life's young blood, and of ardor for battle preparing to grapple with armed foes. Now we have dwindled to a small parcel of old men, decrepit and tottering under the weight of years and drawing very near to the banks of another and silent river, beyond which, in the language of Shakespeare, is that undiscovered country from whose bourne no traveler returns. Then we had a tremendous battle right on our hands. On every side was the clash of arms and the smoke of battle. As we stood that morning on this spot, we were in the midst of a disrupted country, with the prospect of a long and exhausting war before us; how long no man could then foresee.
On the evening of that day, the enemy was driven from the field; and the battle of Shiloh was won, but the war was not over; it was but the beginning of the war, and though we were elated b}r our great victory, we still looked with gloomy forebodings at the dark and bloody prospect before us, for we. the soldiers of the 77th Regiment of Pennsylvania in- tended from the beginning to fight the war to a finish, and we could easily foresee that there was many another fierce and desperate battle to be fought; many another long and toil- some march to be made (we had already marched from Louis- ville, Ky., to this place); many another night of shelterless exposure to cold and snow and rain to be endured, and many thousands of other appalling dangers to be encountered be- fore our country could be freed from its awful peril. Such was the outlook on the evening of the 7th day of April, 18G2, the last day of the great Battle of Shiloh.
But more than forty years have rolled away since that day. And now, as we dedicate this monument, the War of the Re- bellion is over. It is long past, and many of its incidents are forgotten. The foes with whom we so fiercely struggled from
52 Seventy-seventh Pennsylvania Regiment.
'62 to 'Go have become our friends, and the old battlefield on which we are now standing is no longer in a disrupted coun- try, but is in the midst of a great united and glorious country. On every side, instead of blood and carnage and the smoke and roar of battle, is peace and joy and safety — such is the wondrous change. None but those who went through that mighty struggle from first to last, endured its hardships and privations and fought its battles, can fully realize it; and none can realize it better nor more fully than the surviving soldiers of the gallant regiment, to the memory of whose ser- vices this fine monument is dedicated.
The 77th Kegiment of Pennsylvania Volunteers was mus- tered into the service of the United States in October, 1861, and discharged and sent home in January, 1866, having vir- tually served through the whole war; for its enrollment in October was but the continuance of the service of officers and men who entered the three months service in April when the war began. The regiment was composed principally, if not entirely, of that class of officers and men.
The original Colonel was F. S. Stumbaugh, of Chambers- burg, Pa., who served as its Colonel for a little more than one year, when he was appointed by the President to be a Briga- dier General. The second Colonel was Thos. E. Rose of Pitts- burg, Pa., who was promoted from Captain of Company B., and then served as its Colonel a little more than three years to the end of the war, and until the regiment was disbanded and sent home. Its original Lieutenant Colonel was Peter B. Housum, of Chambersburg, Pa., who served as its Lieutenant Colonel for a little more than one year. He was killed at the Battle of Stone River, December 31, 1862. The second Lieu- tenant Colonel was F. S. Pyfer, of Lancaster, Pa., who was promoted from Captain of Company K., and then served as its Lieutenant Colonel for a little more than two years, until he was physically disqualified for further service, and honorably discharged. Its third Lieutenant Colonel was Wm. A. Rob- inson, who was promoted from Captain of Company E., and then served as its Lieutenant Colonel a little less than one year to the end of the war and until the regiment was dis- banded. Its original Major was Stephen N. Bradford, of Scranton, Pa., who served as its Major for a little more than
Dedication of Monument. 53
one year until he was physically disqualified for further ser- vice and honorably discharged. Its second Major was Alex. Phillips, of Scranton, Pa., who was promoted from Captain of Company G., and then served as its Major for a little more than two years. He was desperately wounded and lost an arm at the Battle of Lovejoy Station, October 3, 1864; was physically disqualified for further service and honorably dis- charged. Its third Major was Joseph J. Lawson who was pro- moted from Captain of Company C, and then served as its Major a little less than one year to the end of the war and until the regiment disbanded. Its original Adjutant was S. T. Davis, of Lancaster, Pa., who served as its Adjutant for a little more than two years. He was desperately wounded at the Battle of Resaca, May 24, 1864; was physically disqualified for further service and honorably discharged. All of these field officers as well as its Captains and Lieutenants, with few exceptions had entered the three months' service and served continuously from the beginning of the war.
The Battle of Shiloh was only one incident in the long and faithful service of that gallant regiment. It was its first great battle however, and as it was the only Pennsylvania Regiment in this battle, no more appropriate- place could be se- lected to erect and dedicate a monument to the memory of this regiment than on this battlefield of Shiloh.
The Battle of Shiloh was fought on the 6th and 7th of April, 1862. On the 6th of April, 1862, the Confederate forces under General Albert Sydney Johnston having advanced from Corinth, Miss., attacked the U. S. forces under General U. S. Grant at this place. The Confederates were victorious from the very onset, and throughout that fearful day, the bat- tle raged like the eruption of a volcano. The major part of Grant's forces was driven pell mell to the river, but there were at least, 12,000 men of Grant's army that held the field and fought with great obstinacy until night closed upon the awful scene and until they could be reinforced by the army under General Don Carlos Buell, who was approaching from the direction of Nashville to take part in the battle. On the evening of the 6th, the leading division of Buell's army under General Nelson arrived at and crossed the river and joined the stubborn remnant of Grant's army. The next morning,
54 /Seventy-seventh Pennsylvania Regiment.
the second and third divisions of Buell's army under Generals Crittendon and McCook also crossed the river and went into the battle. Up to this time the Confederates had been vic- torious, but they had suffered appalling losses, among whom was their Commanding General. The arrival of these re- inforcements at once turned the tide of the battle and the Confederates were driven from the field. The obstinate fight- ing of Grant's forces on the 6th had so worn out and dis- concerted the Confederates that they could not withstand the vigorous onslaught of Buell's fresh troops on the 7th, so that the victory for the U. S. troops from that time on to the end of the battle was comparatively easy. The 77th belonged to and went through the battle with McCook's Division. This Regiment was highly complimented by its Commanding Gen- eral for its conduct in the battle.
At the time of the Battle of Shiloh, the 77th Regiment of Pennsylvania had been enrolled in the service of the. United States about six months and had performed some pretty hard and important service, but this was its first great battle, and its career of actual war service as a regiment may be said to have begun right here on the 7th day of April, 1862. Had its career of war service ended here, in all probability we would never have been assembled here or elsewhere like on the present occasion. But its career of war service did not end here. It served faithfully and heroically through the whole war; it served continuously and saw all the phases of the war. There was nothing in the way of good conduct that ever was done or could be done by soldiers in war, that was not done by the soldiers of the 77th Regiment of Pennsylvania in the course of its career. It is not necessary to relate parti- cular incidents of dashing feats of valor, or of steadfast cour- age and endurance on the part of its officers or men. No regi- ment that went through the entire war, from beginning to ending as the 77th Regiment of Pennsylvania did, but that officers and men do such things many times over, and the relating of them in detail would make people tired, for it was not special occasions of heroic conduct, or particular instances of spasmodic bravery on the part of certain troops that served our country through its periods of great danger. It was the long and continuous service of brave men who stood bv their
Dedication of Monument. 55
country through every trial. This the 77th Regiment of Penn- sylvania's Veteran Volunteers <li<l. It stood by the country
not only through the Battle of Shiloh, but through every bat- tle that occurred within the reach of the army to which it be- longed during the entire war; not only through one long and arduous campaign, but through every campaign of the army with which it served. It performed its whole duty from first to last, and did every kind of heroic act that ever was re- quired of, or done by soldiers in war.
The 77th Regiment belonged to that division of the armies of the United States designated as the Army of the Cumber- land. That army was originally organized and commanded by General Wm. Tecumseh Sherman in the latter part of the summer of 1861. It was afterwards more completely or- ganized and commanded by General Don Carlos Buell. It was next commanded by General Wm. S. Rosecrans when it received its designation and has ever since been known as the Army of the Cumberland. It was finally commanded by General Geo. H. Thomas, under whose command it remained, and still retained its designation as Army of the Cumberland until the Southern Confederacy- was overthrown and the war ended.
The 77th Regiment of Pennsylvania joined the Army of the Cumberland (then the Army of Ohio) at Louisville, Ky., in October, 1861, when that army was being organized by Gen- eral Sherman. From that time on it served with that army, went through all its campaigns and fought through all its battles. Wherever the Army of the Cumberland was during the war, there also was the 77th Pennsylvania sharing in all its vicissitudes, in all its victories, in all its reverses. I do not think the Army of the Cumberland ever was defeated, and I know it never was whipped or driven from any battle- field, but it did receive some staggering blows, and on no other part of that army, nor on any other one regiment, did those blows fall heavier or oftener than they did on the 77th Penn- sylvania; nor were those blows received by any regiment with sturdier manhood, nor returned with more fatal effect upon the enemy than those received and returned by the 77th Regi- ment of Pennsylvania, and as before stated, the 77th Regiment of Pennsylvania's Veteran Volunteer did its whole duty
56 Seventy-seventh Pennsylvania Regiment.
throughout the whole war, and our countrymen of Pennsylva- nia have done rightly and well to posterity, to themselves and to us, by causing this line monument to be erected and dedi- cated on this field as a lasting memorial of the services'of this gallant regiment.
ADDRESS.
William L. Woodcock. 77th Penn. Vols.
MR. PRESIDENT, COMRADES, LADIES AND GENTLE- MEN: I am glad to have lived to see this day. I am glad I lived to see the seventh day of April, 1862, when the Seventy-seventh Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers helped to win the great and important victory achieved on this field. I am glad, I say, to have lived to see this day when we come here again, not with sword and gun, but with glad heart and voice to do honor to the men of our regiment who died here for their country's flag, as well as to you who sur- vive. I am glad to have lived to see this glad day, when we know no North, no South, no East, no West, when peace reigns sup*reme in our land. I am glad to have lived to see the day when the Blue and the Gray are ready to inarch shoul- der to shoulder, under one flag against any foreign foe that dares to meet us in combat. We used to talk about shaking hands over the "bloody chasm." I thank God I have lived to see the day when there is no bloody chasm. The chasm is filled by the prosperity of the present and the hopes of the future. I am glad to have lived to see the day when the Nation in which we live is feared, honored and respected by all the Nations of the earth. I am proud to be an American to-day — proud that I live under the flag on which the sun never ceases to shine.
The Battle of Shiloh was a sanguinary one. It was one of the greatest battles of the war, and one of the most import- ant. The most important victory up to that date was won here on this bloody field. A brilliant southern writer acknowledges this when he said, "The south never smiled
Dedication of Monument. 57
after Shiloh." The sandy soil of Shiloh drank some of the best blood of the south and here her proudest hopes lie buried. Here they lost one of their brightest, bravest and best generals, namely. Albert Sidney Johnston. Near yon- der old log church he expired, and with him expired the hopes and spirit of his army. With him they won, without him they lost.
This was a battle of the hour, that is, it was not thought out on paper beforehand. It was a battle of Regiments and Brigades. The Confederate Army flushed with their victory of the previous day, came up on the morning of the second day's fight feeling sanguine that they would crush the Union Army, cross the Tennessee river, and re-possess the capital of the State. On the other hand the Union Army being re- inforced by Buell's Command, went into the battle on the second day also sanguine of success; hence the fighting was fierce and bloody; never did men do more for that flag than did those who fell here in its defense; never did men do more for their country than did you who survive. All honor to the men behind the guns. All honor to the brave men of the Sev- ent3'-seventh Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers. All honor to the memory of Colonel Stumbaugh who led the regiment through the fight, and all honor to him who succeeded in com- mand, that man who never knew a fear, Colonel Rose; here he sits to-day, looking young and vigorous in his 76 years. Com- rades, behold him!
As we dedicate this beautiful monument to the dead, let us dedicate ourselves to the living, that from our lives the youth of our land may learn lessons of patriotism that shall be as lasting as eternity, so that the generations to come after us shall see that this Government of the people "shall not perish from the earth." So that they will not allow that flag — the flag that is so near to our hearts — to be dishonored. For the balance of our lives let us live for our God, our country and our fellowman. There are not many of us left, only about three hundred of the Seventy-seventh Regiment are left. Many times did we answer to Roll Call on this sanguinary field, let us so live as that when the Roll is called up yonder "We'll be there." Let us remember that he lives most who lives best. Let us cultivate patriotism and engraft
58 Seventy-seventh Pennsylvania Regiment.
it into the hearts and minds of our children and all others who are subject to the touch of our influence. The love of country is a virtue that should dominate every American heart and life. Let us cherish and promote patriotism.
It is said that Mary, Queen of England, sometimes called the bloody Mary, was greatly in love with the city of Calais, she had great trouble with it during her reign. It was some- times in possession of England and, sometimes in possession of France. When she was on her death bed she heard that the city had been taken by Napoleon and burned to ashes. She raised herself up in bed much to the surprise of her maids and, pointing with her bony finger to her heart, she said to her maids, "When I am dead, look and you will find Calais written on my heart."
Let us so love our country — our fair broad America — that when we are dead our friends will find America written on our hearts.
ADDRESS.
General J. P. S. Gobin.
M
R. CHAIRMAN, COMRADES, LADIES AND GENTLE MEN: "After hearing all these eloquent words of wis- dom and words of patriotism, I will not take up much of your time, either as a Comrade or as a member of the Na- tional Guards of Pennsylvania. There are, however, thoughts that come to me upon this occasion, to which it may be fitting to give utterance.
This was a peculiar field and a desperate battle. More his- tory has been written about it than about any other field. There have been more controversies about this battle than about any other that was waged. Therefore, when I see this monument of Pennsylvania here, I am more than gratified.
This battle was called by someone "the tournament of death." It was the source of much contention immediately after the fight and ever since. Grant contended that he was
Dedication of Monument. 59
not surprised, that he had exhausted the Confederate army, and could have defeated them on the second day upon the ar- rival of Lew Wallace. The Confederate Army of the Mis- sissippi contended that Grant was defeated, and that his army would have been captured on the second day. Buell appar- ently coincides with the views of the Confederates as to this contention.
The 77th Pennsylvania was here on the new line of the second day. Both sides seemed to retire after the first day's fight. It is singular, that but three minor commanders thought of fortifying their positions, or preparing for further fighting. Nelson built lunettes for one battery, but there were no entrenchments erected.
This was the heaviest and most sanguinary engagement of the early war. Though Grant had captured Fort Donel- son, and a Confederate army, this was the first decisive battle of any magnitude. If the Mississippi had been opened up at that time, there is good authority for saying, that Lincoln was prepared to accept peace then, without any reference to slavery. If Corinth could have been occupied, and the Con- federate lines broken there, it is probable that there would have been concessions and peace.
Halleck for some reason, was displeased with Grant after Uonelson. He was probably doing too much fighting for him. At all events he suspended him from command and placed General C. F. Smith, an able officer, in command of an ex- pidition to capture Corinth, a very important strategic posi- tion. Smith met with an accident and was disabled. This position, however, had been selected by him as a rendezvous of troops and the point from which to operate against Cor- inth.
After the accident to General Smith, Grant was placed in command but with orders from General Halleck to await the arrival of Buell before attacking. This delay enabled the Confederates to concentrate an army at Corinth. General Beauregard came from Richmond to assist General Johnston in an offensive campaign, which was well planned and if sue cessful, would have produced great results. This plan was. first to wipe out Grant and then Buell and march to the Ohio, transferring the war into the northern states. This was pre- 5
60 Seventy-seventh Pennsylvania Regiment.
vented by the determined fighting of the Union troops on this field.
It was largely a regimental fight. There could be and was not any proper concerted action on our side. Prentiss was attacked at daylight and the first information which as- tounded the North was that this Division had been captured at i) o'clock. We now know that he fought all day until with overpowering numbers in front, flank and rear, he surrendered at about 5.30 P. M. It is also known that Beauregard wanted to retire to Corinth and postpone the action because he be- lieved the Confederates had apprised the Union army of their approach and it would be- impossible to surprise them.
It might also be called a fight of the rank and file. Our troops were absolutely new. They had never been under fire; they did not expect to be attacked. The object of their con- centration was to march on Corinth and capture it, which they could have done without difficulty up to the middle of March. They got there after Halleck took command, at the rate of three-quarters of a mile a day.
This was a very sanguinary fight. We boast of Gettysburg and of the troops on both sides there, but they were veterans under able officers. They, as here, were all Americans. Id that respect these battles remind me of the story told of the battle of Dundee, waged between the English and the Boers. An able writer, preparing a history of that fight, made an ex- haustive study of it. He found that there were no English and no Dutch engaged in it, but only Irish on both sides.
Grant with 33,000 men was badly outnumbered. The Con- federates had 43,698 men at Mickeys on Friday night. The desperation of the fighting was most intense. The loss of some commands were very heavy. The Sixth Mississippi lost 300 out of 476. In the first day's fight Cleburne lost 1,013 out of 2,700. and on Sunday he had only 800 left. The Twelfth Iowa lost four more than they took into the fight (Laughter), because a number came out of the hospital after the fight be- gan. Nine out of fifteen brigade commanders engaged, were killed or wounded, and 53 regimental commanders out of 61 were killed or wounded here on the Union side.
Considering the ground, and that the troops were new and unused to warfare, the result is surprising. It was a sur-
Dedication of Monument. 61
prise on both sides. It was a surprise to our side to be in a fight. The other side was surprised at our good fighting. Of course, some ran. That nearly always happens. One man, when stopped and asked why he ran, explained that he ''ran because he could not fly." (Laughter). Some ran very fast too, like the man who had picked up some sweet potatoes. He built a fire and was roasting them, when the fight started. He picked up his hot potatoes and put them in his pocket. During the fight he tried to eat one. It was too hot. He put it back in his pocket. Then he became scared and ran away. After running ten miles he stopped and tried again to eat one, but he had run so fast that it was still too hot to eat.
But the fight is over. Its purposes are accomplished. Through the fighting of these men the whole world is satis- fied that Uncle Sam is a pretty big person. As an English statesman predicted at the time, if the North and South get together, in forty years, there will not be a gun fired in the world without their permission. His prophecy has come true. We are now a great world power. Uncle Sam has in- deed become a pretty big fellow. It takes a number ten hat to fit his head.
These things were necessary to prepare us for our future greatness, and to make us ready to properly discharge our great world duties.
It cost immense sums of money, and thousand of valuable lives, caused immeasurable suffering in all parts of the Na- tion, but to-day, under God's Providence, the scars are being healed, and, when the future historian prepares a correct history, on no field will he find more material for earnest thought, than upon this ground of Shiloh.
After the exercises a regimental group was photographed in front of the monument. Then all were driven over the field to the various points of interest until evening. Many were greatly interested in the fine specimens of mound build- ing on the bluff of the Tennessee river a short distance be- yond the extreme left of the Union line of battle. Quite a cluster of these prehistoric erections are here enclosed within the original surrounding earthworks. Some have been opened, yielding many human bones, one perfect skeleton of a sitting man of unusual size, fine pottery and other relics.
62 Seventy-seventh Pennsylvania Regiment.
The veterans all appeared to be much pleased with their visit, and greatly admired their beautiful monument. They left Pittsburg Landing at six o'clock in the evening of Novem- ber 12, 1903, on the steamer Clyde, as they had come, a home- ward-bound, happy party of veterans, with hearts full of gratitude to the great Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, that had so honored their battle days and deeds.
Dedication of Monument.
63
Roster of Survivors of the Seventy-seventh Regiment ol: Pennsylvania Volunteers, who, under the Act of Assembly, applied for, and were fur- nished Transportation by the Stale, to Pittsburg Landing, Tenn., and return, to attend the Dedication of the Monument at Shiloh on November 12, 1903.
Acker, Edward Sergt.,
tAngermiller, Henry, j Private,
♦Anderson, Robert Private,
Albright, Jacob, Private,
Bivens, William, Private,
Buchens, John C, Private,
Brine, Jesse Private,
Black, Samuel D., ■ Private,
•Brauff, Sidney J Captain,
Cramer, Samuel Private,
Childers, Randell Corp., .
Cooper, Nelson T Corp., .
Cox, Daniel W Private,
Diggins, Jesse i Private,
Duganne, Peter S., Private,
*Daugherty, Geo. W. , j Private,
Davis, Samuel T ! Captain,
Eckels. Asa, Private,
Private, Private, Private, Private,
Evans, David E
Evans, Joseph T.,
Gilliland, David R. P., .
*Green, David,
Hill, Joseph C Private,
Houck, McKenzie Private,
Hahna, John H., Private,
Houghtelin, Wm. D., Sergt.,
§Heiserman, H. D. Private,
Holt, James, Private, ,
Heller, Geo. W Corp., ..
Herr, Mahlon P, Private, ,
Isenberger, Jacob Corp.,
Itinger, Samuel H [Private,
Jordan, Thomas, Private,
*Jones, Richard L (Private,
♦Johnston, James W ' Lieut., .
Johnston, Jacob Musician,
Kraus, Juhn G. Private,
Krebs, Henry P., : Sergt.,
Kreps, John W. Captain,
Kautz. James Private,
Keeler, Samuel Private,
Lohr, Alexander Private,
fLewis, Edward T Private,
Lowry, David Lieut.,
Long, Henry H Corp., ..
*Lortz, John Private,
McNally, Michael Captain,
McCracken, Lorenzo, Private,
B,
A, B, K, F, C E, C, E, C, A, D, I, A, B, C, G, E. E, B, C, F, E, F, B, B,
D, C, I, K, K, C, K, E, F, Band, B, C, B. K, B, D, K, B, C, A, C, K,
123 S. Highland Ave., Pittsburg,
Pa. Delk, Franklin Co., Pa. Parnassus, Westmoreland Co., Pa. 103 E. King St., Lancaster, Pa. Well's Tannery, Fulton Co., Pa. Lititz, Lancaster Co., Pa. Roulette, Potter Co., Pa. Emlenton, Venango Co., Pa. 1335 Penn Ave., Allegheny, Pa. 1307 25th St., Altoona, Pa. Hopewell, Bedford Co., Pa. 1329 E. Manor St., Columbia, Pa. 1013 N. Front St., Harrisburg, Pa. Broad Top, Huntingdon Co., Pa. Hoboken, Allegheny Co., Pa. Newport, Perry Co., Pa. Lancaster, Pa. Sandy Lake, Mercer Co., Pa. Kane, McKean Co., Pa. 1626 Forbes St., Pittsburg, Pa. Roaring Springs, Blair Co., Pa. Enid, Fulton Co., Pa. S76 Miami St., Akron, Ohio. New Grenada, Fulton Co., Pa. Mount Oliver, Allegheny Co., Pa. Box 68, Oakmont, Allegheny Co.,
Pa. Wichita, Kansas. Huntingdon, Pa. 237 Boas St., Harrisburg, Pa, I'.it'i N. 6th St., Philadelphia, Pa. Lancaster, Pa. Altoona, Pa.
Pitcairne, Allegheny Co., Pa. 131 Maple Ave., Pittsburg, Pa. Webster's Mills. Fulton Co., Pa. Duncannon, Perry Co., Pa. Knoxville, Allegheny Co., Pa. 220 Shady Ave., Pittsburg, Pa. 1100 Allegheny Ave., Allegheny, Pa. 315 N. Market St., Lancaster, Pa. 523 Sylvan St., Braddock, Pa. 616 South Ave., Wilkinsburg, Pa. 658 E. Main St., York, Pa. 72S Maryland Ave., Pittsburg, Pa. Mount Joy, Pa. Chambersburg, Pa. 1621 Master St., Philadelphia, Pa. 536 N. 3d St., Columbia, Pa.
04
Seventy-seventh Pennsylvania Regiment.
Roster of Survivors — Continued.
McGiffin, John,
McLaughlin, Robt. J.
Michael, David,
Makinson, Charles,
Moore, John
Miller, Edward B., ....
Manning, William
•Mulholland, Geo. B., . Mulholland, James C. , . *Nunemacher, Amb. W. tOlmstead, Stephen, ..
Port, William D
Porter, Julius,
Pollock, George
Pontz, Jacob
Prentice, William J.
Quinn, Henry
Rose. Thomas E., ..
Reacherd, Geo. W. ,
Row, Jacob,
Row, Jeremiah
Ramsey, Samuel S., Rhoads, Joseph E.,
Ruggles, Joseph,
tSkinner, George W., Shuler, Samuel M., Stimmel, Joseph W. *Sill, George P., ..
Sharp, William J.
Stevens, Jacob
tStimeling, Jacob, . ♦Stanton, Campbell, *Smith, James C, ..
*Shultz, Henry,
Swartz, George W.,
Sturgis, Nathan, ...
Sites, Jacob
Shure, Jacob D. , — Sherk, Christian G.,
*Vote, Lewis
*Wilkins, George W. Wagner, Reuben, •Wagner, Jesse W., *Wilson, Samuel H. ,
Private, Private,
McGowen, George S Sergt.
Miller, Samuel M Private,
Wise, John V Private,
Private, .
Private, .
Corp
Lieut., .. Private, . Private, . Private, . Private, . Private, . Private, . Private, . Corp
Lieut., .. Private, . Private, . Col.,
Private, . Private, .
Corp
Sergt., .. Lieut., .. Private, . Captain, . Musician, Private, , Corp. ,
Private, .
Private, . Private, . Sergt.. .. Private, , Private, . Private,
Sergt., .
Sergt., .
Musician,
Private,
Private,
Musician,
Private,
Private,
Sergt. , .
A, A, A, A, I, C, A, Band, T, B,
H,
C, C, D, C, K, E,
K, A, Band, C, B, Band, I, C, C,
16 Grace St., Pittsburg, Pa. 220 W. Allen St., Mechanicsburg, Pa.
71S N. 3d St., Harrisburg, Pa. 6203 Woodland Ave., Philadelphia,
Pa. South Gibson, Susquehanna Co.,
Pa. 60S S. Queen St., Lancaster, Pa. 217 W. 3d St., Chester, Pa. Mulberry, Clermont Co., Ohio. Mount Joy, Pa. 3308 Ward St., Pittsburg, Pa. Bellwood, Blair Co., Pa. 2225 N. 3d St., Harrisburg, Pa. 390 Parsonage St., Pittston, Pa. Pine Grove Mills, Centre Co., Pa. New Bedford, Lawrence Co., Pa. New Wilmington, Lawrence Co.,
Pa. Lancaster, Pa.
209 Ninth St., Pittsburg, Pa. Cottage, Huntingdon Co., Pa. 2427 West North Ave., Baltimore,
Md. Rouzerville, Franklin Co., Pa. Rouzerville, Franklin Co., Pa. Rouzerville, Franklin Co., Pa. 112", ^Vashington Ave., Tyrone, 1201 N. Second St., Harrisburg, Newry, Blair Co., Pa. Scotland, Franklin Co., Pa. Liverpool, Perry Co., Pa. Port Royal, Juniata Co., Pa. 125 Beltzhoover Ave., Pittsburg,
Pa. Box 44. New Bedford,
Co., Pa. Petersburg, Huntingdon Dimmsville, Juniata Co. Box 266, Pittsburg, Pa. Coalport, Clearfield Co., 24 Montour Way, Pittsburg, Pa. R. F. D. 5, Volant, Lawrence Co.,
Pa. Lititz, Lancaster Co., Pa. Rouzerville, Franklin Co., Pa. Liverpool, Perry Co., Pa. Mount Joy, Pa.
7530 Hamilton Ave., Pittsburg, Pa. Mercersburg, Franklin Co., Pa. 714 Capitol St., Harrisburg, Pa. Lixerpool, Perry Co., Pa. P. O. Box 101, Alexandria, Hun- tingdon Co., Pa. 633 High St., Lancaster, Pa.
Pa. Pa.
Lawrence
Co., Pa.
Pa.
Pa.
Dedication of Monument. Roster of Survivors — Continued.
65
|
Name. |
X |
>. a p. 1 o |
Residence. |
|
Captain, .. Sergt Private, .. Private, .. Private, .. |
F, F, F, c, c, |
||
|
Willett, William H. |
|||
|
Hollidaysburg, Blair Co., Pa. Patterson, Juniata Co., Pa. 207 Sixth St., Newport, Perry Co., Pa. |
•Not present at the Dedication. Did not use the transportation furnished them.
tUsed transportation only to Chattanooga, Tennessee and return.
JUsed transportation only to Johnsonville, Tennessee and return.
§Did not get to Shiloh, joined the party on their return, on the Tennessee river.
Members of the 77th Pennsylvania Volunteers who were present at the Dedication of the Monument at Shiloh, but who were not furnished Trans- portation by the State.
|
Name. |
X a d |
>> c a 1 o |
Residence. |
|
Lieut Captain, .. Sergt Sergt |
c, F, K, c, |
Hennessey, Oklahoma. |
|
|
Lancaster, Pa. Greenville, Hunt Co., Texas. |
(66)
HISTORY
Seventy-seventh Pennsylvania
VOLUNTEERS.
By John Obreiter,
President 77th Perm. Reg't. Association.
1905.
(68)
PRINT: JULIUS BIEN a CO. NEW YORK
COL.F.S.STUMBAUGH.
CHAPTER I.
Recruiting for the Regiment — Camp Slifer — Camp Wilkins — Kentucky — Camp Nevin — -Company K — Re-organization of the Army — General Buell in Command — Munfordville — Division moves to aid General Grant at Fort Donelson— Countermarch — Bowling Green — Nashville.
ON the first day of August, 1861, Frederick S. Stumbaugh of Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, received authority from the War Department to raise a regiment to be composed of one company of artillery and eight companies of infantry. He began recruiting at once. The companies for the regiment were recruited in the counties of Allegheny, Erie, Franklin, Fulton, Huntingdon, Lancaster and Luzerne. Thus the cen- tral, northern, eastern, southern and western parts of the State were represented in this regiment.
A general rendezvous was established at "Camp Slifer," Chambersburg, so named in honor of the Hon. Eli Slifer, then Secretary of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Pursuant to orders, the regiment left "Camp Slifer" on October 6, 1861, and went by rail to Camp Wilkins at Pittsburg, Pa., where it was organized, armed, equipped and mustered into the United States' service on the eighth day of October, 1861. It was thereafter known as the Seventy-seventh Regiment of Penn- sylvania Volunteers.
Frederick S. Stumbaugh was chosen Colonel. Peter B. Hou- sum, of Chambersburg, Pa., who had recruited about one hundred men, for the artillery company was made Lieutenant Colonel, and Stephen N. Bradford, of Luzerne county, was commissioned Major.
Charles F. Muehler, of Erie, brought about sixty men to Camp Wilkins for the artillery company. These men were consolidated with Honsum's men into one company, of which Charles F. Muehler was chosen Captain. The regiment at this time had one company of artillery and six companies, viz: A. B. C. D. F. and G. of infantry. It was assigned to the
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70 Seventy-seven Ih I'< inisylvania Regiment.
Negley brigade, which included the 77th, 78th and 79th Penn- sylvania Volunteers and was commanded by Brigadier Gen- eral James S. Negley, of Pittsburg.
The Regiment, Colonel F. S. Stumbaugh commanding, left Camp Wilkins on Frida.y, October 18, 1861, and embarked with the rest of the brigade the same evening, on steamboats on the Monongahela river, and went down the Ohio river. Dis- embarking at Louisville, Kentucky on Tuesday morning the 22d, they marched through that city to Camp Oakland. On Wednesday, the 23d, the regiment struck tents, marched to the L. and N. depot. The train started at 4 P. M., and arrived at McCook station, 51 miles from Louisville at midnight. Late as it was, the tents were pitched in the woods. On the morning of the 24th, the troops moved to an open field near Nolin creek. To the new location the name Camp Nevin was given. Here they were kept industriously at work learning military by daily drills.
Meanwhile Frederick S. Pj^fer was recruiting a companj7 at Lancaster, Pa., which place he left, on October 30, 1801, for Camp Wilkins at Pittsburg. There his men were armed and equipped. On November 10 they were started for Louisville on the steamer Argonaut. On the 11th orders came to pro- ceed down the river as rapidly as possible, to Guyandotte, which place had been attacked by a force of the enemy. The recruits, however, arrived too late to take any part, but just in time to see the repulsed enemy retiring in the distance. A large part of the town had been fired and was burning fiercely when the boats with reinforcements arrived. On the evening of the 12th, Captain Pyfer's command arrived at Louisville, reaching Camp Nevin the next evening by the Louisville and Nashville Railroad. As this company had been recruited for the 70th Regiment, the men refused to go into any other, and were therefore not mustered into the 77th until December 8 as Company K of that regiment at Cam]) Negley, to which place, about two and one-half miles south of Camp Nevin, the brigade had been moved about the last of November.
During November an important reorganization of the army occurred. New departments were created and commanders assigned. The troops in Kentucky were designated the Army of the Ohio, and General Don Carlos Buell placed in com-
hi Kentucky. 71
inand. The following order was issued by the War Depart- ment:
Headquarters of the Army,
Adjutant General's Office, Washington, November 5), 1861.
(General Orders No. 97.) The following departments are formed from the present departments of the West, Cumberland and Ohio:
4. The Department of the Ohio. To consist of the States of Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, that portion of Kentucky east of the Cumberland river, and the State of Tennessee: to be commanded by Brigadier General D. C. Buell; headquarters at Louisville.
In pursuance of this order General Buell assumed command of this Department on the 15th of November. He re-organized the army under his command into six divisions, and numbered the brigades from one to thirty-seven.
First Division to be commanded by Brigadier General George II. Thomas.
Second Division to be commanded by Brigadier General A. McD. McCook.
Third Division to be commanded by Brigadier General O. M. Mitchell.
Fourth Division to be commanded by Brigadier General Win. Nelson.
Fifth Division to be commanded by Brigadier General T. L. Crittenden.
Sixth Division to be commanded by Brigadier General T. J. Wood.
By virtue of this new organization. General McCook issued these orders:
Headquarters Second Division,
December 3, 1861.
(General Orders No. 32.)
I. A new organization is hereby announced in pursuance of orders from the General commanding the Department of the Ohio.
II. This command will be styled the Second Division, and consist of the following brigades, regiments and companies:
Brigades. Fourth Brigade, Brigadier General L. II. Rousseau.
Fifth Brigade, Brigadier General T. II. W 1.
Sixth Brigade, Brigadier General R. W. Johnson. Seventh Brigade, Brigadier General James S. Negley.
Brigade < Organization — Fourth Brigade. First Ohio, Col. B. b. Smith, Filth Kentucky, Col. H. M. Buckley.
Sixth Indiana, Col. T. T. Crittenden.
1st Battalion, 15th U. S., Maj. John H. King.
1st Battalion, 19th U. S., Maj. John H. King,
72 Seventy-seven tli Pennsylvania Regiment.
Fifth Brigade.
29th Indiana, Col. John F. Miller.
30th Indiana, Col. Sion S. Bass.
34th Illinois, Col. E. N. Kirk.
77th Pennsylvania, Col. F. S. Stumbaugh.
Sixth Brigade.
15th Ohio, Col. Moses R. Dickey. 49th Ohio, Col. Win. II. Gibson. 32nd Indiana. Col. August Willich. 39th Indiana, Col. Thomas J. Harrison.
Seventh Brigade.
1st Wisconsin, Col. J. C. Starkweather. 38th Indiana. Col. B. F. Scribner. 78th Pennsylvania, Col. Win. Sirwell. 79th Pennsylvania, Col. II. A. Hambright.
III. The following commands will he under the immediate control of the General commanding:
1st Kentucky Cavalry, Col. Buckner Board. Battery A. 1st Ohio Artillery, ('apt. C. S. Cotter. Battery A. 1st Kentucky Artillery, Capt. D. C. Stone. 26th Pennsylvania. Capt. Chas. F. Muehler.
By command of P.KIGADIER GENERAL McCOOK.
DANIEL McCOOK, Captain and Asst. Adjt. General.
Pursuant to this order, Muehler's battery was permanently detached from the Seventy-seventh, and made an indepen- dent battery on December 4 1861.
Early in December the army prepared to march, and on the ninth, General McCook issued orders to advance. Next morn- ing the Sixth Brigade moved toward Munfordville, situated on the north bank of Green river on the Louisville and Nash- ville Railroad. That night it encamped at Bacon creek. One hundred men from the 32d Indiana were sent forward twelve miles to the river and occupied the town. The Confederates retired as the Union troops approached. The entire Sixth Brigade and trains arrived on the twelfth. The railroad bridge across Green river, at this point, bad been destroyed. Fortunately a pioneer corps of about forty men, all mechanics, was attached to the 32d Indiana. They were provided with
/// Kentucky. 73
proper tools and had wagons, built with water-tight bodies to serve ;is pontoons with which small streams could be readily and quickly bridged. Within thirty-six hours these men, by working constantly, day and night, constructed a temporary bridge across the river, which served until replaced by regular and more substantial pontoons.
On December twelfth, the remaining brigade of the Second Division moved to Bacon creek. On the seventeenth they marched to Munfordville, when within four miles of that town the sounds of battle reached their ears. From the irregu larity of the firing it was for sometime uncertain whether it was target practice or an actual engagement with the enemy. Ere the firing had ceased all the troops reached the town, where they learned the true nature of the case. The Seventy- seventh was just in the act of erecting their tents, when the long roll sounded, calling them into line of battle. A sharp engagement was in progress on the south side of the river, between a part of the 32d Indiana and a body of Confederates, but by the time the other regiments reached the river the enemy had been completely routed. This fight was called the battle of Rowlett's Station.
The camp at Munfordville was called ('amp Wood, in honor of the father of General T. J. Wood, commander of the Fifth Brigade, who resided in the town. While there the Seventy- seventh exchanged their old muskets for Belgian rifles, a much better arm. These were much heavier than the Springfield rifles and came from Liege, Belgium. Especially because of their great weight the transition from Liege to siege was easy, and the men promptly dubbed their new arms "siege guns."
Captain Henry W. Derby joined the regiment in Kentucky, early in December, 1801, with a small body of men, recruited in Luzerne county. While with the 77th they were known as Company H. Their number was too small to constitute a complete company and they were consequently, never fully organized as such. Their officers resigned early in April, 1862. Others were appointed to take their places. In this condition the men remained with the regiment for several months, participating in all its marches and duties, until the company was finally disbanded. Some of these men remained
74 Seventy -seventh Pennsylvania Regiment.
with the regiment as late as November, 1862. The balance joined other companies, and the 77th saw the last of old Com- pany H, and once more consisted of only eight companies.
On December twenty-fourth, General Wood was ordered to Bardstown, Kentucky, and Colonel Edward N. Kirk, of the 34th Illinois, succeeded him in command of the Fifth Brigade.
On the eleventh of February, the Third Division arrived and camped on the south bank of the river. On the 18th it moved southward toward Bowling Green. That day the camp was all excitment. The most active preparations were made for a movement. Troops, clothing and equipment were thor- oughly inspected. All who were sick and unfit for duty were sent to the general hospital. About nine o'clock that even- ing marching orders came. The men did not know their desti- nation, but all was delight and enthusiasm, any change being welcome.
On the 10th the men were roused early to prepare for the march. The night had been intensely cold and stormy, freez- ing the ground hard. The weather was the coldest yet ex- perienced in Kentucky. Tents were struck, wagons loaded and the march northward began. Soon after the column had started, news came that our army under General Grant had attacked Fort Donelson on the Cumberland river, and that the battle was then in progress. The effect of this news upon the men was almost magical. They inarched more rapidly from their eagerness to get there in time to take a hand in the fight. That night the command stopped at Upton, four- teen miles north of Munfordville. Owing to the bad condi- tion of the roads the trains were unable to reach them, and the men had to lie upon the frozen ground without covering other than the blue vault overhead. The night was clear and very cold. The ground froze hard. The men tried to keep comfortable by burning the ''top rails" of the fences. Orders had been issued to burn only the top rails of fences, but they did not restrict the boys, as they soon discovered that there were always 1<>p rails so long as any part of the fence was left.
Early on the fifteenth the report of the attack on Fort Don- elson was confirmed, but the forward march was not resumed. On the contrary a bitter disappointment came at one o'clock in the shape of orders to countermarch. Fort Donelson had
In Kentucky. 75
been attacked and captured without the assistance of the Second Division.
On the 15th, the division encamped at Bacon creek. The next morning they were early on the move and happy because informed that their destination was Bowling Green and Nash- ville. They arrived at Bell's Tavern, a station of the Louis- ville and Nashville Railroad, late on the evening of the sev- enteenth. Here the men were put to work repairing the rail- road and clearing a tunnel, which the enemy had partially filled. Bell's Tavern was the station nearest to the Mam- moth Cave, and all who could took advantage of the oppor- tunity to visit this great natural wonder.
On the 23d, the division marched twenty-seven miles to the Big Barren river, and encamped opposite to Bowling Green. As usual the bridge across the river had been destroyed, and had to be rebuilt. On the 24th, Colonel John F. Miller, of the 29th Indiana, returned from sick leave, and, because of seniority in rank, superseded Colonel Kirk in command of the Fifth Brigade.
The movement south began again on the 26th, when the di- vision crossed the river in boats, and bivouacked on the south bank. The following day the march was resumed, and camp was pitched that night near Franklin, Kentucky, twenty-one miles from the river. On the 28th the command marched twenty-two miles, about seven of which were through fields and on railroads, as the turnpike had been ploughed up in order to retard the progress of the Union Army. As the wagons could not keep up with the marching column of troops, the men were on very short rations, each receiving only a very small piece of soft bread during the entire day. On the first of March, fourteen miles were covered before breakfast to Camp Negley, at the railroad junction, ten miles north of Nashville. Here the boys were supplied with abundant ra- tions, and had a glorious feast, making up for the privations of the previous day. On March second, the troops were early on the move, and encamped that night, near Edgefield, on the north bank of the Cumberland river, opposite Nashville. The following night was spent at Camp Johnson, five miles south of the city.
On the ninth the long roll was sounded in consequence of a 6
76 tSeventy-seventJi Pennsylvania Regiment.
spirited skirmish on our picket line with a force of Confeder- ates. In it the Seventy-seventh had four men wounded and one officer, Captain Phillips, of Company G., who was struck by one bullet in the hand, another went through his coat and a third struck his sword scabbard. A number of the enemy were seen to fall, but their loss could not be ascertained, as they carried all their dead and wounded away with them in their flight. The next night another attack was made on the Union pickets, but no damage was done.
GEN.D.C.BUELL.
print: juuusbien a co new york
The Battle of Shiloh. 77
CHAPTER II.
Pittsburg Lauding — Battle of Shiloh — Company E joins the Regiment — Siege of Coriuth — March across Alabama — Battle Creek.
ON March twelfth, the division marched to Franklin, Ten- nessee, the Seventy-seventh being the rear guard. The bridge across the Harpeth river, at this point, was saved from destruction by the advance column of cavalry, who ar- rived as the enemy were about to set fire to it. Next day the column reached Rutherford creek, where it was again delayed long enough to build a bridge across that stream. On the twenty-second the division arrived at Columbia only to find the bridge across the Duck river destroyed. The pioneer corps of the 32d Indiana were at once put to work rebuilding it. On the twenty-ninth, Colonel Miller was ordered to other duty, and was succeeded in command of the Fifth Brigade by Colonel E. N. Kirk.
The bridge across Duck river having been completed, the division, on March 31st, was ordered to march. Crittenden's and Nelson's divisions had, two days previously, moved for- ward toward Savannah, Tennessee, to there join the forces under General Grant, preparatory to a united attack upon the enemy. Their progress was slow as the roads were in bad condition, being either very rough or very muddy, and in some places, almost impassable. This weary march was continued until the morning of the sixth day of April, 1862. The column was then twenty-two miles from Savannah. The day was bright and clear. The sun's rays were rapidly drying the roads and the men rejoiced at the propect of a bath that night in the Tennessee river.
Suddenly, just after leaving camp, booming cannon were dis- tinctly heard in the distance. All the line was attention. "Hark, what's that?" "Boom! Boom! Boom." "It must be a battle, why don't we get orders to hurry on?" "We will be too late to take part in the fight." The orders came in due time. As the column moved forward, a courier came riding
78 Seventy-seven tit Pennsylvania Regiment.
hastily up, bearing orders to "take an extra supply of ammu- nition, and hurry forward as rapidly as possible; take only ammunition and ambulance trains." The roar of artillery was heard throughout the entire day. Responsive to these sounds, the men, almost unconsciously stepped out more briskly. The last fourteen miles to Savannah were made by the Seventy-seventh almost entirely at double quick, or on the run. The Fourth Brigade arrived at seven o'clock in the evening, and the Fifth, Kirk's, one hour later.
That night brought with it a heavy thunder storm. During the entire night rain poured down in torrents. The men had to stand in the streets without any shelter whatever, and had the greatest difficulty in keeping their powder dry. They themselves were most thoroughly soaked, which made their condition extremely miserable.
PITTSBURG LANDING.
At four o'clock, on the morning of the seventh, the Seventy- seventh, with twenty-one officers and 483 enlisted men, a total strength of 504 rank and file, together with the rest of the bri- gade embarked on steamers, reaching Pittsburg Landing at seven o'clock. In 1862 two small log houses contained the en- tire population of Pittsburg Landing, Tennessee, which lies eight miles south of Savannah, Tennessee, on the west bank of the Tennessee river. High bluffs, at this point, confine the river both north and south of the Landing, where steamboats stopped occasionally to land or take on passengers or freight. From the landing a dirt road ran through a deep ravine in the bluffs, to the country back of the river, the soil of which is a stiff, tenacious clay, almost impervious to water. There were none but dirt roads which, in wet weather, became almost impassable and which were at all times utterly so for heavy hauling. The country was thickly overgrown with tim- ber, full of dense underbrush. There were a number of clear- ings under cultivation. About two and one-half miles from the landing stood the small log Methodist meeting house called Shiloh Church, from which this battle took its name. This church was on the main road to Corinth, Mississippi, twenty-two miles distant from Pittsburg Landing.
On this ground, within a radius of two miles and three-
PRINT: JULIUS BIEN 8 CO. NEW YORK
GEN.A.MCD. Mc COOK.
The Battle of Shiloh. 79
quarters, Grant's entire army was encamped, when it was un- expectedly attacked on the eventful Sunday morning, the sixth of April, 1802. During that day's terrible fight the Union forces were driven steadily back, until the Confederates had reached a point within six hundred yards from the land- ing itself, when fortunately, night put an end to the conflict.
As the boats drew near the shore, men crowded the banks of the river, preparing to jump aboard, as soon as the vessels got near enough for them to do so. Guards, with fixed bay- onets had to be stationed all along the gunwales to keep this mob of frightened and demoralized soldiers off the boats. It was estimated that there were fully 8,000 of these skulkers hiding behind the bluffs along the river, near the landing. By this crowd the disembarking regiments wrere greeted some- what after this fashion: "Oh! you'll catch it when you get over the hill there!" "I pity you fellows, you'll never come back again," etc. The replies, if any, ran thus; "How do you know?" "You don't say so?" "You cowards!" "Fall in here!i This Regiment is a good one, and will not run away!" "Come on!"
Crittenden's and Nelson's Divisions had arrived previously and were already in position, some of Nelson's men having helped to repel the last Confederate onset of the night before. In addition to these the Second Division, McCook's, arrived as before stated early in the morning. These three divisions were all of BuelPs army that participated in the battle until just at its close, when Wood's Division arrived and the 21st Brigade took part in driving the enemy from their last stand.
The line of battle, as formed on the morning of the seventh, was, from right to left, as follows: General Lew Wallace, Gen- eral W. T. Sherman, General McClernand, General Hurlbut and General McCook, General Crittenden, with General Nel- son on the extreme left. Upon the arrival of General Wood, late in the afternoon, just at the close of the battle, his troops were placed to the left of McCook, and immediately to the left of the 77th to close up the gap in the line there existing, be- tween the left of McCook and Crittenden's right.
By order of General McCook, General Rousseau moved his brigade to the front at six thirty o'clock in the morning, and formed his line to the right of Crittenden's Division, and to
80 Seventy-seventh ^Pennsylvania Regiment.
the left of Hurlbut's and McClernand's. The attack upon the enemy by our right and left divisions was almost simultane- ous. It is impossible to say whether the first shot fired that morning came from the Union right or left. Our men steadily pushed the Confederates back, until halted by General Buell at the close of the battle. General Nelson's Division, on the extreme left, having advanced too far, thereby exposing his right flank, Crittenden was moved up in prolongation of Nel- son's line. About half an hour later Rousseau had formed his line, Kirk's Brigade reached the front, and was placed in reserve to Rousseau, with the 34th Illinois and the 30th In- diana in the front line, and the 29th Indiana and 77th Penn- sylvania in the second line in reserve. Rousseau, having ex- hausted his ammunition, was relieved by Kirk's Brigade, all except the 77th Pennsylvania.
General McCook, being assured that the enemy had ceased their efforts on the right of his line and was preparing to turn his left, ordered the Seventy-seventh Pennsylvania to the ex- treme left of the division to repel the assault being made at that point. The regiment moved over an open field, and tak- ing its position at the point indicated, immediately engaged the enemy. At this time the conflict along the whole line be- came terrible. While in this field the regiment repelled two separate cavalry charges, driving the enemy back with con- siderable loss, and farther on it cleared the woods of a lot of sharpshooters, who were picking off the officers in both Mc- Cook's and Crittenden's divisions.
From this time, till the close of the battle, the Seventy-sev- enth was completely isolated from the rest of the division, having been sent to the left to prevent the Confederates breaking through the large gap or interval between McCook and Crittenden. While here alone, the regiment charged a Confederate battery and captured two of its guns. Leaving the captured guns in its rear, it pushed on, compelling the rest of the battery to leave the field. Just at the close of the fight, it had the pleasure of capturing Colonel Battle, of the 20th Tennessee Infantry. He had lost his horse and could not keep up with his men who were being driven rapidly back. When he found escape impossible, he picked up a rifle and fired three shots at Major Bradford, before he could be over-
The Battle of Shiloh. 81
hauled. The 20th Tennessee belonged to the Third Brigade of Breckinridge's Corps, which formed the rear guard of the retreating Confederate army, and consequently were the last of the enemy to leave the held.
The regiment also captured a considerable number of en- listed men, but as there was neither regimental nor brigade report on this battle, therefore, the number of such prisoners is not of record and cannot be accurately given.
During this battle the regiment carried into effect every order given to it, and performed all its duties in a manner satisfactory to its superior officers. An additional most grat- ifying feature is the fact that its loss was so very slight, only three men killed and seven wounded. Colonel Kirk, after be- ing seriously wounded, remained on the field during the day, but was then obliged to relinquish the command of the bri- gade to Colonel Stumbaugh, of the Seventy-seventh Pennsyl- vania. As Lieutenant Colonel Housum had been left sick at Nashville, the command of the regiment devolved on Major Bradford.
In this connection extracts from General Sherman's and General McCook's official reports may be appropriate. The former says, in part; "I am ordered by General Grant to give personal credit where it is due, and censure where I think it merited. I concede that General McCook's splendid division from Kentucky drove back the enemy along the Corinth road, which was the great central line of this battle. There Beau- regard commanded in person, supported by Bragg's, John- ston's and Breckinridge's divisions."
McCook says in part:
Being now satisfied that the enemy had changed his point of attack from the right to my extreme left, I ordered Colonel Stumbaugh's Seventy-seventh Regiment Pennsylvania Volun- teers to take a position on my extreme left, and repel the assault there being made. He immediately engaged them, and at this moment the conflict along the whole line became terrible. Colonel Kirk's Brigade was now ordered to engage, and arrived precisely at the right moment, as the cartridges of Rousseau's Brigade were all expended. General Rous- seau's brigade fell back through openings made in Kirk's
82 Seventy-seventh Pennsylvania Regiment.
ranks, and retired to the woods in the rear to be supplied with ammunition."
Further on in his report he says:
"Colonel Stunibaugh with the Seventy-seventh Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers early in the action, being ordered to watch the enemy on my left, was at a later period ordered to engage. His regiment, partially isolated from the rest of the division, moved steadily over an open field in its front under a heavy fire. While here, the enemy's cavalry charged this regiment twice, but were each time repulsed with heavy loss. Colonel Stumbaugh had the satisfaction of receiving the sword of Colonel Battle, of the 20th Tennessee who sur- rendered as a prisoner." The regiment had advanced to a point in the woods within sight of and east of Shiloh Church. Colonel Battle was the highest in rank of any Confederate prisoner taken at Shiloh. After his capture and at the close of the battle the division was withdrawn to a point near the Landing, and there bivouacked for the night. The men got no rest, however, as there was an almost continuous down pour of rain during the entire night, and all were without shelter of any kind whatever. On the ninth the command was moved out, about three miles from the river, for a better camping site. The following day another short move was made for better ground. Here the men built small bark huts to partially shelter themselves from the elements. The nights were very cold, and, as they had neither blankets nor over- coats to protect them, they suffered intensely. On the fif- teenth, to the great joy of the men, the baggage and wagon trains arrived. Tents were speedily erected, but almost im- mediately orders came to take them down again, and move off the battlefield to better ground. The following day there was a decided change for the better. The temperature rose rapidly, the weather becoming very pleasant, so that over- coats were not needed.
While here the command suffered severely from sickness, occasioned by exposure and the unwholesome surface water which the men were obliged to use. From this time until May ten, when the command arrived near Farmington, it was constantly engaged in reconnaissances and regular camp
Siege of Corinth. 83
duties. Occasionally the picket lines would be attacked, but a few return shots would always put the enemy to flight.
Captain William A. Robinson arrived at Pittsburg Landing, Tennessee with Company E., on the evening of May 2, 1862, and on the following day, marched about twelve miles south to join the regiment, which was actively engaged there in the movement upon Corinth, Mississippi. On May 8th, one hun- dred men of the Seventy-seventh Pennsylvania, under Cap- tain Rose, and one hundred of the 29th Indiana, under Cap- tain Davis, were sent out to build a bridge across Seven Mile creek. They were attacked about nine A. M. by a superior force of the enemy. After a spirited resistance, they com- pelled the foe to retire and then continued their work until 4 P. M., having lost one killed, three wounded and one captured, all of the 29th Indiana. The enemy had at least four killed and one captured. The number of their wounded could not be ascertained, as they were borne along in the retreat. On the ninth the command moved four miles toward Farmington.
On the 10th, by special orders from General Buell, the Sec- ond Division was designated as the reserve of the centre of the army before Corinth, as a special mark of distinction be- cause of its eminent services in the battle of Shiloh. The actual siege of Corinth began on the seventeenth of May. The policy was to approach and intrench. This plan of opera- tion seemed slow, but was actually rapid and sure. The ob- ject was to reduce the place with the least possible sacrifice. The enemy's works were constructed upon a position of great natural strength. Any attempt to carry them by surprise or force, even if successful, would necessarily result in great loss to the assailants. By heavy fighting the lines were con- stantly carried forward by both the right and the left wings. As soon as a position was gained it was intrenched. Thus the flanks of our army closed in upon Corinth. When the flanks were secured the center advanced and intrenched. This first line of intrenchments was about four miles from Corinth. The siege from now on was conducted with great activity. At all hours of the day there was cannonading and musketry fighting on sonic parts of the line. Before the end of the siege, this fighting, although sometimes very severe and long continued, became so common and frequent that it
84 Seventy-seventh Pennsylvania Regiment.
excited no alarm and attracted very little attention except from those immediately engaged. On the 20th the division moved to the front and bivouacked inside the line of intrench- ments. On the 27th it was ordered forward to drive the enemy from the Hamburg-Corinth road, and gain possession of Bridge creek, a small stream which ran through a deep morass and across the road. This was accomplished with a loss of four men wounded. On the night of the 28th, the regi- ment worked on the intrenchments close to the Confederate works. All work had to be done there without any noise, and no loud talking wTas permitted. On the morning of the 30th the enemy was surprised by a new line of intrenchments which had sprung up during the night, almost under their noses. That morning the army was early on the move towards Corinth, but without meeting the enenrv. Suddenly, about six o'clock, a roaring was heard that, at first sounded like the discharge of heavy guns. These heavy reports were quickly followed at short intervals by others. Soon dense volumes of smoke became visible. "What's that?" exclaimed the men. "They are 'skedaddling.' and destroying what they cannot take along." All was soon made clear. The regiment speedily came in sight of the works of the enemy and found them evacuated. The Seventy-seventh's Hag was the first Hag of the center division that was planted on those works. After going over them, arms were stacked for a short rest. The Confederate camps were all deserted, their tents still standing. The boys in blue were soon among them, picking up mementos of all kinds, among which were large numbers of homemade knives, of all shapes and sizes. The enemy had, apparently, left in great haste, as much camp equipage was left behind. In some places was found kneaded dough ready to bake into biscuits. In many Dutch ovens biscuits were baking, baked or burnt. Kettles of meat hung over the fires, some cooked, others not yet done. Everything indicate'd a hasty departure, without even taking time to eat their break- fast before leaving. On their outer works were mounted numerous "Quaker guns" (logs with ends painted black to imitate cannon) with dummy gunners as harmless as the guns beside them.
At the point where the 77th entered the hostile works was
In Alabama. 85
a blue uniform, stuffed with straw, suspended by the neck from the limb of a tree, with a card on it marked General Hal- leek. While the regiment was there, the General and his Staff rode up. Some one direeted his attention to the effigy, but he, having other matters to attend to, rode on. Thus ended the siege of Corinth.
On June nine, General Buell received orders to proceed toward East Tennessee, the objective points being Chatta- nooga, Knoxville and Dalton, and to repair the Memphis and Charleston Railway and hold that line as he advanced. The march east began on June tenth. The column moved steadily forward, receiving its supplies as it reached the chief points of communication with the north — Tuscumbia, Florence, Athens and Huntsville, Alabama. In this latitude the weather was now excessively warm, and the' roads deep with dust. On June eleventh, Iuka, Mississippi was reached. It was a pretty little town with some famous mineral springs and large hotels, indicating clearly that it was a favorite re- sort for the pleasure or health seekers of the Southland. Here the command remained for some days. On the 15th, it camped on a high bluff, along the banks of the Tennessee river, opposite to Florence, Alabama, at the point where Gen- eral Andrew Jackson crossed, with his army, in 1812. The place is still called Jackson's Ferry.
On the 22d the division crossed the river, and passing through Florence, camped about one mile east of the town. On the 24th, it marched ten miles, and on the 25th, nineteen miles, fording Shoal and Sugar creeks. Owing to the intense heat, the command Avas obliged to lie over during the middle of the day. . On the 26th, with a temperature of 125 degrees in the shade, the men marched eleven miles, fording Elk river. The twenty-seventh was too hot for marching. While in camp in the woods, a horse race was arranged by some of the officers of the brigade. It gave rise to a dispute, which ended in a sw7ord duel between a Captain and First Lieutenant of the Seventy-seventh. They, with their seconds, repaired to a secluded spot in the woods to have it out, but, somehow7, the affair leaked out. and a guard wras sent .after them to arrest both offenders. But the guard came too late. The fight was on when they arrived, one having already received
86 Seventy-seven Hi Pennsylvania Regiment.
a sword cut on the head, and the other a cut on one arm. Both were placed under arrest. That evening the command passed through Athens, having marched eight miles. The following day's inarch to Indian creek was fourteen miles. While camped here some of the boys celebrated the "Fourth of July," ''Independence Day," as best they could, making speeches and singing patriotic songs, the writer himself en- joyed a plate of Indian creek turtle soup. Huntsville was passed on the fifth, and next day the command marched fifteen miles, forded Flint river, and camped at Hurricane creek. During the night quite a panic was caused in camp by stam- pedes among the mules, which occurred three different times during the night. Each time the men scattered in every di- rection, some getting behind trees. All thought that the enemy's cavalry was attacking. Xo one was injured. The next night's bivouac was thirteen miles farther east at Paint Rock creek. Here was found a large spring, pouring forth most excellent water, which at some former time, had been utilized to drive a mill, the ruins of which were still there.
On the eighth, Larkinsville was reached after a fifteen mile tramp. The next day the command passed through Scotsboro to Bellefonte, twelve miles more. On the tenth another twelve miles were covered, fording two creeks. On the four- teenth, the entire division was reduced to half rations in con- sequences of a raid of Confederate cavalry to Murfreesbor ough and the destruction of the railroad there. On the eigh- teenth, camp was left at 3 A. M., passing through Stevenson and Bolivar, the division halted near the mouth of Battle creek. The camp was located at the foot of a huge moun- tain from the top of which the enemy's camps were in plain view on the south side of the Tennessee river. While in camp here the 77th picketed the north side of the Tennessee, while the Confederate picket line extended along the south side of the river. The lines being in plain view of each other, frequent conversations, across the river, were held by the boys in blue with those in gray.
The second division was the only one as far east as Battle creek. The other divisions of Buell's army were at different points all along the line of the Memphis and Charleston Rail- road, and at other places in the rear where the presence of
Battle Greek. 87
troops was necessary. Half rations were continued during
the whole stay of the Division in the camp at Battle creek. The amount issued was really very little more than one-fourth rations, as most of the articles allowed by army regulations were missing' entirely. Only coffee, sugar, hard bread and meat, with occasionally, a few beans or peas, were issued in half allowance. The amount issued being barely enough to sustain life. To prevent the men going out foraging and to keep them in camp, an order was issued on July 25, providing for a roll call every two hours, during the day. Good spirits, however, prevailed among the men. Some of them, in a jocu- lar way, headed their letters "Camp Starvation, at the foot of Mount Misery, Tennessee."
88 Seventy-seventh Pennsylvania Regiment.
CHAPTER III.
Bragg moves Northward — Buell follows — Louisville, Kentucky — Re-organi- zation of the Army — Fern Greek — Claysville — Frankfort— Lawrenee- burg — Capture of Convalescents and Quartermasters — Scarcity of Water — Perryville.
ON the twentieth of August it was reported that the Con- federate army, under General Bragg, had crossed the Tennessee river, at or near Chattanooga, and was mov- ing northward, aiming probably at Nashville. This placed the Army of the Ohio on the defensive by threatening its en- tire line of communication with the north. This was a vital matter as the army was already almost without supplies. The country was destitute of corn and other grain, and even fodder could be secured by foraging in only very small quan- tities. Under such circumstances, the only safe plan was to withdraw the army from the line of the Memphis and Charles- ton Railroad and the Tennessee river, and concentrate at some point to the north, and there strive to hold Nashville and pro- tect the line of communication.
Therefore, pursuant to orders issued on the twentieth, the Second Division, at eight o'clock in the evening, began its march. Not a bugle, drum, cheer or noise of any kind was heard. Very cautiously, in the stillness of the night, they pro- ceeded to Battle creek, covering the bridge at that point with cornfodder to deaden the sound of the men crossing on it. Evidently they were about to execute some coup, to surprise the enemy and. take Chattanooga. Meanwhile the hostile pickets just across the river, ever watchful though they were, never dreamed of the departure of the Union army. But the column had barely started when it was halted to lie on its arms lor the night. At daylight it moved up the valley and bivouacked for the night, about Jasper. The next morning at five o'clock the troops were again in motion, the men still thinking that they were bound for Chattanooga. After marching about three miles they were halted and ordered to countermarch over the Cumberland mountains. Naturally
Battle Creek. 89
the troops were extremely disappointed. llere the moun- tains arc rugged and rocky, layer upon layer they lie rough and steep, almost perpendicular at many places, and practi- cally without roads over them. Up these heights the artil- lery and heavy trains must be taken.
Whole companies were placed at the wagons, cannons and caissons. It was pull, push and put shoulders to the wheels. In some instances they had to be lifted up bodily. When the ascent had been very nearly accomplished, and the men had already begun to rejoice that their arduous labor was nearly ended, another bitter disappointment came in the shape of orders to face about. For what purpose they did not know. It was very discouraging to have to work so hard to get can- non and wagons up the mountains, only to bring them down again. But the latter task was easier, while difficult enough to accomplish in safety, it was easier to bring them down than to carry them up.
The descent was finally accomplished and the command, reaching the valley about ten o'clock at night, bivouacked at Battle creek, not far from the old camp ground. All were greatly discouraged at this. Three days had been taken up with the hardest possible work and marching, and all to no purpose, so far as the men could then see or learn.
Bragg's army had crossed the Tennessee river, and was moving northward up the Sequatchee valley, precisely where General McCook had intended moving with his command. To keep on, and, with a single division, cross the mountains, risk- ing an attack by the whole Confederate army, was not to be thought of. To remain in the mountains was equally unsafe, as Bragg had force sufficient to capture McCook's whole divi- sion, upon learning the whereabouts of the Union forces. Therefore the latter pursued the only seemingly safe course in returning to Battle creek, where they might keep advised of Bragg's movements, or follow after and hasten to form a junction with the main Union army at some point in his rear.
McCook resumed his march on the 23d, crossing the moun- tains at Altamont. On the 29th, the command was entirely without supplies. General J. W. Sill took command of the division on the 26th. On September fifth, the command ar- rived at Murfreesborough where the greater part of BuelPs
90 Seventy-seventh Pennsylvania Regiment.
army was bivouacked. It was evidently the intention of General Bragg to make Nashville his first point of attack, he was however, most effectually frustrated in that design by the rapid concentration of the Union army at that point, by the eighth of September the entire Army of the Ohio had reached the city, and it was then secure against any at- tempts of the enemy to capture it. Consequently he moved northward to invade Kentucky, crossing the Cumberland river at Carthage, several miles east of Nashville. General Negley was left with a garrison sufficient to hold the city, while the remainder of the army pushed forward toward Louisville, Kentucy. Forced marches, sometimes both day and night were the order, the men subsisting almost entirely on green corn, and the supply of even that was very scant. At Bowl- ing Green, on the fifteenth the men received a small allow- ance of supplies. Bragg was then at Glasgow, about thirty miles north, but Buell was gaining on him rapidly.
Captured despatches revealed Bragg's intention to push on to and try to secure possession of Louisville. In the mean- time he had attacked the garrison at Munfordville, and com- pelled it to surrender. The prisoners were paroled and sent south to meet Buell's advancing army. They passed the Sev- enly-seventh at Bell's Station. On the nineteenth, Bragg's army had reached Bardstown, where his entire force was con- centrated. Meanwhile Buell hastened to Louisville, at which place his entire army arrived between the twenty-fifth and twenty-seventh. The Seventy-seventh arrived on the twenty- sixth.
At last there were prospects of a short rest, after the long and weary march. From the twentieth of August to this time, the army had marched, sometimes both day and night, subsisting upon what could be found in a country, over which both armies had passed and repassed, and over roads, cov- ered deep with dust, under a scorching sun, bivouacking at night under the open sky without any shelter, in all kinds of weather, rain, clear or stormy. Yet the men endured all these hardships and privations, without fault finding or grumbling. Their entrance into Louisville was greeted with joy and delight by the citizens who vied with each other in doing everything possible for the soldiers. While marching
Louisville, Kentucky. 91
through the streets they were given all along the line provi- sions and water, and cheerily greeted on all sides with "God bless yon." They felt thai they had. indeed, again reached "God's country," and the land of plenty. Dirty, ragged, bare- footed and footsore after a long and weary march of 350 miles, they were mad*1 happy by the warm welcome of the people of Louisville.
From September twenty-fifth to October first, Louisville pre- sented a scene of the greatest activity. Great numbers of troops, enrolled under the call for 300,000 additional men, issued in July by the Persident, were encamped all around the city on both sides of the Ohio river. They had been rallied there to prevent the city falling into the hands of Bragg's army. To this great mass of men was added the vet- eran Army of the Ohio. Hungry, ragged and begrimed with dust they had just completed one of the most remarkable marches recorded in history. Still full of spirits and life, and ready for any duty to which they might be called, this great army was estimated to number 100,000 men. They had to be fed, clothed, and to a great extent, newly equipped. Again provisions had to be made to subsist this host on the forward move, which was soon to occur. Everything neces- sary had to be provided, and properly distributed.
It became necessary also to reorganize the army. This was effected by dividing it into three corps, each of which was in reality a complete army in itself, with all the branches — artillery, cavalry and infantry. General McCook was placed in command of the First Corps, or left wing, composed of three divisions, one of which was the second, the Seventy- seventh being in the Fifth Brigade, Second Division. The brigade organization remained unchanged. General Critten- den was assigned to the Second Corps, or the left wing, and General Gilbert to the Third Corps, or the center Army of the Ohio.
On September twenty-ninth. Colonel E. N. Kirk, who had been seriously wounded at Shiloh, having fully recovered from his injuries, returned and was directed to resume command of his old brigade. His return was hailed with joy by all his men, by whom he was greatly beloved. Colonel Stumbaugh, who had command of the brigade during Kirk's forced ab- 7
92 Seventy-seventh Pennsylvania Regiment.
sence, rejoined, and again took command of the Seventy sev- enth. On September thirtieth, the army was ready to again advance against the enemy, whose forces were still at Bards- town. On October first the movement began over the Bards- town, Frankfort and Lebanon pikes. The Second Division was in advance on the Frankfort pike, the Fifth Brigade lead- ing the division with the Seventy-seventh Pennsylvania and the Thirty-fourth Illinois in front.
The enemy was encountered within five miles of Louisville, and skirmishing commenced, continuing intermittently until the command reached Fern creek, on the east bank of which their cavalry was posted in force. Their pickets were at- tacked by the Union cavalry, forced back upon their main body and held in check until the Seventy-seventh Pennsyl- vania and Thirty-fourth Illinois came to the relief of the Federal cavalry. Advancing rapidly, the infantry opened fire and after a short time forced the Confederates from their position. The Union line advanced steadily, pressing the enemy back until their retreat became a rout. The brigade pursued them for a distance of three miles, but were unable to overtake them. Then Colonel Kirk ordered Captain Ed garton to open with his battery, though the distance was a full half mile. The firing was very effective and greatly has- tened the enemy's departure. The cavalry then drove them two miles further. A large quantity of ammunition fell into Kirk's hands.
The column moved on through Boston, Simpsonville and Shelbyville, at which latter place the troops were greeted as warmly as they had been at Louisville. On the third of Oc- tober the column resumed its march toward Frankfort. Gen- eral Sill ordered Colonel Kirk lo make a reconnoisance ten miles to the front. When about three miles from Shelby- ville, Kirk encountered the enemy's outposts of cavalry, who, upon his approach, fell back, from point to point, toward their main body, with scarcely any resistance. At Clay Vil- lage, six miles from Shelbyville, Colonel Kirk, at ten o'clock A. M.. learned that a force of Confederates, consisting of two regiments of cavalry and a brigade of infantry with four pieces of artillery were in line of battle about two miles from his front. The men were halted to fill their canteens and
Clay Village. 93
then ordered forward. The cavalry was directed to advance and feel the enemy. The Thirty-fourth Illinois was formed into a skirmish line to the right and left of the turnpike. Edgarton's battery was stationed and the other regiments of the brigade were placed in position. These dispositions had just been completed, when the enemy's cavalry came dashing down toward the Union lines. Colonel Kirk ordered his artillery and skirmishers to open upon the enemy, who were rapidly advancing, and were, by that time, within easy range. For a time the Confederates dauntlessly pushed on until close to the Union line, a large portion of which now concentrated its Are upon them. For a while they stood the tire bravely, but not long. First their line wavered. Then it gradually fell back. Soon the shells from Edgarton's bat- tery falling among them so rapidly, sent them back in the wildest confusion. Kirk was anxious to pursue farther, but his instructions allowed him to advance to Clay Village only, and reconnoiter a short distance beyond. Having driven the enemy four miles beyond that point, it was clear that to go farther would be a violation of his orders. The enemy ad- mitted a loss of forty-two, seven killed, nineteen wounded and sixteen missing, the latter, two lieutenants, one color sergeant and thirteen privates fell into the hands chiefly of the Seventy-seventh Pennsylvania. The loss in Kirk's bri- gade was three wounded.
After this engagement, the command returned to Clay Vil- lage, and bivouacked there for the night. On the following- day it returned to near Sholbvville. On the sixth it passed through Clay Village, Hardinsville and Bridgeport to Frank- fort, the capital of Kentucky. On that evening the command camped on the west bank of the Kentucky river. Bridges at this point had been destroyed by the enemy, causing some delay in moving the troops across the river, which was. how- ever, accomplished on the seventh. The division then moved through the town and out on the Georgetown pike. It was ascertained that the Confederate forces, under E. Kirby Smith, had moved in another direction, and had crossed the Kentucky river at Salvisa. Thereupon, on the evening of the seventh, the division recrossed the river, and wrent toward Lawrenceburg. After the latter place had been passed the
94 Seventy-seventii Pennsylvania Regiment.
enemy harassed the Federal column all along the line of march. At times they nearly succeeded in cutting off the wagon trains. Water was very scarce and hard to get. Can- teens were nearly all empty. More than once five dollars offered for a single drink of water were refused. The intense heat added greatly to the discomfort of the troops, yet that day they marched twenty-nine miles.
When in September the army left Bowling Green, moving northward, there remained behind some seventeen hundred wagons containing all the extra baggage and camp equipage of the army. This immense wagon train some two weeks later proceeded to Louisville, where it arrived on the fourth day of October, where the contents of the wagons were stored and the wagons formed into trains, to furnish supplies to the army then advancing on the enemy. The different sections of these trains were placed in charge of the quartermasters. Some of the quartermasters of the Second Division made ap- plication for permission to each take a wagon containing his personal effects, official papers and books, and move forward to join the command then at Frankfort. Their request was granted. They started on the seventh. On the eighth about noon they passed Dumont's division, and learned that Gen- eral Sill, with the Second Division, had left Frankfort that morning, moving towards Lawrenceburg. They followed after the Division. Learning that a Confederate force had been seen that day in the direction they were going, they sent word back to Dumont's command and asked that an escort be sent with them to guard the wagons until they could join their own division. Such escort was promised them, but it failed to materialize.
They then pushed on toward Lawrenceburg, where they ar- rived that evening at about nine o'clock, only to learn that the Second Division had passed through that forenoon and had a fight with the enemy, who were repulsed. The divi- sion had then marched toward Salt river. The train followed until about ten P. M., finding they were near the river, though not yet in sight of the troops, they halted for the night in a field surrounded by woods. The whole party consisted of nine quartermasters and quartermaster sergeants, one major (Bradford) two line officers, and forty-three convalescents re-
Capture of the Quartermasters. 95
turning to their regiments from the hospitals. Early the next morning they were tired upon from the woods in the rear. This was a very rough reveille, but it made them get up in a hurry. Not seeing any enemy they thought the shots came from a few Confederate scouts who might be hovering around. They then very leisurely hitched up their teams, after which they resumed their march. The convalescents were disposed by Major Bradford, of the Seventy-seventh Penn- esylvania as train guards. Soon after entering the woods, the train was fired upon from the left. A portion of the guard, under Captain McClellan, of the Thirty-ninth Indiana, was deployed into the woods to defend it from attacks as it passed along the road. They soon reached Salt river over which they passed on a covered bridge, amidst a shower of bullets. In the meantime nearly all the skirmishers were warmly engaged, one man, a private of the Thirtieth Indiana was severely wounded. The train then halted, for upon a hill some distance to the front, was a large force drawn up in line of battle. This force consisted of infantry, artillery and cavalry, and, as a great many were in blue uniform, it was thought to be General Sill's command. Soon, however, the Confederate flag was caught by the breeze. Then there was no more doubt as to who confronted them. The question now arose, what can we do? J. E. Cassell, quartermaster of the Seventy-seventh, suggested a flag of truce and surrender. Then Quartermaster Bailey of the Thirtieth Indiana, being the oldest man in the party, consented to go out, provided some other person go with him to carry the flag. Sergeant Chapin of the Thirty-ninth Indiana undertook to do so. At this moment word was brought in that Major Bradford, with a part of the skirmishers had been captured, and that the enemy was moving on their rear. This made it necessary to go forward at once with the white flag. It was soon halted. A Confederate officer advanced to receive the flag and very little time was afforded Bailey for reflection. He could not understand why all this preparation was made to capture so insignificant a number. He, however, rightly concluded that the enemy was unaware of the small force of their opponents. The Confederates probably were under the impression that they were surrounding the entire Second Division. Where-
(JG Seventy-seventh Pennsylvania Regiment.
upon Bailey concluded to keep up this deception until, if pos- , sible, he could get favorable terms of surrender. He but- toned up his overcoat to conceal his rank. Upon the ar- rival of the Confederate officer, salutes were exchanged. Bailey in his most dignified manner, said, "Sir, I see that you are a Confederate officer," "Yes sir;" was the reply. "Are those your troops?" inquired Bailey. "Yes sir;" was again replied. "Who are those men in blue on our left?" "They are also our troops." "They yours, too! — in blue uniforms!" "Yes sir." "Well sir," said Bailey, "those men have deceived us, we have been skirmishing with your men for some time past, have killed and wouuded some of them, and you have wounded some of ours, and we have finally come out to hold a parley." "I shall be obliged to report to General Cheat- ham, for orders." "Very well, sir," said Bailey. The Confed- erate officer went off to headquarters.
In a short time he returned, accompanied by General Cheat- ham. Just then there was firing in their rear, and Bailey re- marked, "Sir! your men are firing upon us while we are out with a flag of truce, what does that mean?" the General asked if there was a flag in the rear, and sent his officer to order the firing to cease. When Bailey said "Well General we have come out to hold a parley." "What have you to say?" in- quired the General. Bailey replied, "We see that you out- number us and, in order to save the useless shedding of blood, if we can make proper terms we will surrender." General Cheatham was very gracious, bowed low, and asked, "What are the terms you wish to make?" Bailey replied, "We have several quartermasters with us, who have their books and papers with them containing their accounts with the Govern- ment, and if these officers can retain these documents and pri- vate property will be respected, we will surrender." General Cheatham said he would be obliged to report to General Withers before he could make terms of surrender." What shall I tell General Withers is the strength of your force?" Bailey replied, "You may say to him our force consists of nine quartermasters, one major, two line officers, forty-three convalescents and nine army wagons. General Cheatham angrily exclaimed, "You are in no condition to dictate terms of surrender!" Bailey replied, assuming much dignity, "I do
Capture of the Quartermasters. 97
not know about surrendering without suitable terms." General Cheatham evidently seeing that he was duped, said "Very well, sir; 1 will report to General Withers." He soon returned and said, "Sir; General Withers instructs me to say that he accepts your proposed terms of surrender, but very much regrets that your force is not greater." Whereupon the train and prisoners were brought before General Withers, who gave directions to his officers to see that the terms were strictly complied with. The men were paroled and allowed to depart towards Louisville
It was ascertained that the Confederate force consisted of not less than fifteen thousand men, belonging to the command of General E. Kirby Smith, who had been ordered to inter- cept the Second Division. The enemy had discovered the camp of the quartermasters early in the morning, and sup- posing it to be the Second Division, completely surrounded the camp, with the above result. General Sill had been en- camped that night only three miles in advance of the nine wagons. During the delay occasioned by the quartermasters, he defeated the advance Confederate brigade at Dog Walk, and resumed his march, thus escaping this greatly superior force of the enemy.
The capture of the Second Division, which numbered scarcely six thousand men, was undoubtedly prevented by the delay caused by the stout resistance of these forty-three convalescents, and the tact and duplicity displayed by the quartermasters.
On the morning of the ninth there was more or less skir- mishing in the front and rear of the column. Many men, on account of the heat and scarcity of water fell out of the ranks to look for water. Quite a number of these were captured by the enemy, who constantly hovered around the flanks of the marching column. Company K, of the Seventy-seventh, lost four men, captured in this manner. The other companies of the regiment suffered less severely. On the tenth the com- mand reached Chaplin river in the midst of a heavy rain- storm. Water was plenty enough then and easy to get. In fact the men had a great deal more than they wanted.
On the eleventh the division camped upon the battlefield of Perry ville, which was the scene of a great conflict on the
98 Seventy-seventh Pennsylvania Regiment.
eighth. A great many dead, both blue and gray, still un- buried, strewed the field. Bragg had been beaten, forced to retreat and get out of Kentucky. His invasion of that State was an utter failure. In the pursuit, the Seventy-seventh was always at the front, and faithfully performed all its duties. On the twenty-third of October, the regiment passed through Bradfordsville. Most of the town had been destroyed by the Confederates, because the inhabitants were nearly all good Union people. On the following day the division camped near Saloma. There, on the twenty-fifth, for the first time since leaving Battle Creek on the twentieth of August, the wagon trains and camp equipage joined the command. Con- sequently the rejoicing was general. For more than two months the men had been without shelter of any kind. The tents came very opportunely too, for while the men were still erecting them, a heavy snowstorm set in. The night was in- tensely cold and by the morning of the twenty-sixth more than six inches of snow covered the ground, and the streams were frozen solid enough for men to walk across on the ice.
On October twenty-seventh, the command left Saloma, passed through Bowling Green on the thirty-first, Franklin, Kentucky on November fourth, Tyrce Spring, Tennessee, No- vember five, and arrived at Nashville on the seventh.
Murfreesborough Pike. 99
CHAPTER IV.
Buell relieved from command — Rosecrans succeeds him — Reconnoissance to Lavergne — Re-orgaiiization of the Army — On to Murfreesborough — The Battle of Stone River — Review of the Army.
War Department, Adjutant General's Office, Washington, October 24, 1862.
(General Orders No. 1GS.)
I. By direction of the President, the State of Tennessee, east of the Tennessee river, and such parts of Northern Alabama and Georgia as may be taken possession of by United States troops, will constitute the Depart- ment of the Cumberland.
II. Major General W. S. Rosecrans is assigned to the Department of the Cumberland.
III. The troops under the command of Major General Grant will con- stitute the Thirteenth Army Corps; and those assigned to the command id' Major General Rosecrans, will constitute the Fourteenth Army Corps.
By order of the Secretary of War.
L. THOMAS, Adjutant General.
PURSUANT to this order General Rosecrans reached Louis- ville and assumed command on October thirtieth, and on November seventh, at Nashville, made the following- changes in his command: General George H. Thomas was given command of the center; General McCook, of the right wing, and General Crittenden, of the left wing. The divi- sions constituting the right wing were the Second, to which the Seventy-seventh Pennsylvania was attached, commanded by General J. W. Sill; the Ninth Division under General J. C. Davis, and the Eleventh under General P. H. Sheridan. The Second Division remained in camp at Edgefield on the north side of the Cumberland river, opposite to Nashville, until November sixteenth. Then it crossed the river and moved out the Murfreesborough pike six miles beyond Nash ville and encamped there. While there, several reconnois-
100 Seventy seventy Pennsylvania Regiment.
sances were made to locate the enemy and find out their in- tentions.
On the nineteenth, Colonel Kirk moved out with two regi- ments, the Seventy-seventh being one of them, and two pieces of Edgarton's battery. He soon found the enemy and opened fire on them, but received no reply. They were driven several miles, after which Colonel Kirk returned to camp with his command.
The next reconnoissance of the brigade took place on the twenty-seventh, the entire brigade participating, with the ex- ception of the Thirtieth Indiana, which was on picket. About four miles out the enemy was first encountered. A running fight ensued. It was kept up until the brigade reached Lav- ergne, which was nine miles from camp, and just midway be- tween Nashville and Murfreesborough. Upon the Federal approach toward the town the enemy opened a fierce and well- directed artillery fire. The first shell passed directly over Colonel Kirk's head, the second dropped right in the midst of his staff, and others fell around the line, or passed close above the heads of the men. Kirk at once directed Captain Edgarton to open with his battery. His fire was very rapid and accurate, but the Confederates had a decided advantage, as their guns were fired from the top of a hill. Consequently the recoil would send their guns back below the crest, where they could be reloaded in comparative safety. Kirk, in order to dislodge the enemy, ordered the Seventy-seventh Penn- sylvania and the Twenty-ninth Indiana to move to the left and front, with a view to charging the battery from the flank.
The Confederates soon discovered the nature of this move, and hurriedly retired upon their reserves. In a few minutes the Federal forces were on the ground the enemy had left. Plenty of blood stains wTere found there, but the killed or wounded had all been carried off by their comrades. The enemy were driven about one mile farther. Then the bri- gade was ordered to return to camp. It did so in good order, having sustained a loss of twelve wounded. The command reached camp about four P. M., bringing with it three pris- oners, who said that they had been under the command of General Joe Wheeler. They, however, either could not or would not tell the extent of their loss, except that Wheeler
PRINT: JULIUS Bl EN S CO. NEW YORK
CO L.E.N. KIRK.
Advance on Murfreesborough. 1UI
was wounded in the thigh. Several store and other houses, from which shots had been fired at the brigade, were burned.
On November twenty-ninth, Colonel Kirk was commis- sioned Brigadier General. About this time Colonel P. S. Stuinbaugh was compelled by ill-health to retire from military service. He was honorably discharged on December 7, 1862. Pursuant to orders from the Commanding General, General R. W. Johnson took command of the Second Division on De- cember tenth.
Another reorganization of the army followed on the nine- teenth, by virtue *of these orders:
"I. The numeration of divisions and brigades, now running through the whole army is hereby changed. Divisions will hereafter be known as the first, second and third, etc., of the center or of such wing. Brigades, as the first, second and third, etc., of such division.
II. Brigades in divisions, and divisions in wings, etc., will be numbered from right to left; but in reports of operations they will be designated by the names of their commanders."
The Second Division was, consequently, designated as the Second Division, Right Wing, Army of the Cumberland; and the brigades as follows:
First Brigade (formerly Sixth), Brigadier General A. Wil- lich.
Second Brigade (formerly Fifth), Brigadier General E. N. Kirk, and
Third Brigade (formerly Fourth), Colonel H. M. Buckley.
This was the organization on December twenty-sixth, when the march upon Murfreesborough commenced, the announce- ment of which was made the previous night. The day dawned very drearily. A heavy fog covered the low lands, and dense clouds hung overhead. However no order came to check the advance. Reveille was sounded all along the lines, rousing up the men. In a short time the army wagons were moving toward Nashville, to be there safely parked, under the protec- tion of the guns of the forts.
The army moved southward, expecting the enemy to offer battle at Stewart's creek, about five miles south of Lavergne on the Murfreesborough pike. Therefore the army moved in three columns, pursuant to the following instructions:
102 Seventy-seventh Pennsylvania Regiment.
"McCook, with three divisions, to advance by the Nolens- ville pike to Triune.
Thomas, with two divisions (Negley's and Rousseau's) to ad- vance on his right, by the Franklin and Wilson pikes, threat- ening Hardee's right, and then to fall in by the cross roads to Nolensville.
Crittenden, with Woods's, Palmer's and Van Cleve's divi- sions, to advance by the Murfreesborough pike to LaVergne.
With Thomas' two divisions at Nolensville, McCook was to attack Hardee at Triune; and if the enemy reinforced Hardee, Thomas was to support McCook.
If McCook beat Hardee or Hardee retreated, and the enemy met us at Stewart's creek, five miles south of LaVergne, Crit- tenden was to attack him. Thomas was to come in on his left flank, and McCook, after detaching a division to pursue or observe Hardee, if retreating southward, was to move with the remainder of his force on his rear."
At six o'clock Davis' Division moved out the Edmonson pike with orders to move to Prim's blacksmith shop, thence by dirt road to Nolensville. Sheridan at the same time moved direct to Nolensville, followed by Johnson with the Second Division. The advance struck the enemy about two miles out, when skirmishing commenced, which was kept up briskly throughout the day. It had rained the entire day, and the roads had become very deep with mud and almost impassable. The corps camped on the hills, south of Nolensville, for the night. At daybreak, on the twenty-seventh, the corps moved forward; General Stanley with the cavalry in advance, closely followed by the second division. A heavy fog covered the whole country, making the movement of troops very difficult. After having proceeded about one and one-half miles, a large force of cavalry, supported by artillery, was encountered. They opened fire on our cavalry, and appeared to be inclined to contest the advance. The skirmishing becoming more animated, the column pushed rapidly on until, ascending higher ground, it was opened on with shot and shell. General Kirk took advantage of the cedars along his front, in which he posted the brigade, together with Edgarton's battery, which opened with every gun upon the Confederate battery, and after a short and spirited contest, drove them out of range.
The Battle of Triune. 103
The third brigade was ordered up, and placed on the right of the road. The first brigade was in reserve. The firing in front became very spirited, but hazardous, as the fog became so dense that it was impossible to see any distance through it. Even our own cavalry on the fianks were mistaken for the enemy, and fired into by our own men. Before attempt- ing any farther advance it was deemed best to await the clear- ing away of the fog. After which the division moved for- ward in line, skirmishing with the enemy until about four o'clock P. M., when it reached high ground, overlooking Triune. Here the enemy, in force, was in plain view, drawn up in line of battle.
Our artillery commenced shelling their position. One of Edgarton's first shots disabled one of their pieces. The in- fantry charged the Confederate batteries, which did not await their coming, but tied. The rain now came down in torrents, and the pursuit had to be abandoned temporarily. An hour later it was resumed, but the enemy had destroyed the bridge across Wilson's creek, which runs by the edge of the town, compelling the Union artillery to cross at a point about one and one-half miles below. The troops pushed on, driving the enemy before them, until darkness put an end to the conflict. The men bivouacked for the night in the mud on the field, without fire or shelter, about a mile south of Triune.
On the twenty-ninth, the right wing moved on the Bolerjack road, the second division being in the rear of the corps. The third brigade was left temporarily at Triune, for the purpose of protecting the right flank of the army. That night was very disagreeable, owing to a cold drenching rain. Kirk's and Willich's brigades bivouacked near the Salem pike, about five miles from Murfreesborough, the men lying on their arms in the rear of Davis' division.
On the thirtieth, McCook formed his corps in line of battle; Sheridan's division covering the "Wilkinson pike, with Davis in line on his right. Kirk's and Willich's brigades were in reserve on the pike. Sheridan and Davis were engaged during the day, meeting with some loss, but steadily forcing the enemy back. About one o'clock in the afternoon, Kirk and Willich obliqued to the right, covering Davis' right, as they
104 Seventy-seventh PmnsyVoariia Regiment.
moved into position. It being seriously threatened by the Confederate cavalry. Edgarton threw a few shells among them, and they retired. Soon after this two hostile batteries, on the front of the Seventy-seventh Pennsylvania, opened fire. Edgarton replied, opening with all his guns upon the nearest one, killing and wounding several of their horses and men, and dismounting one of their pieces. They rapidly withdrew, with the loss of one of their guns, and two or three caissons. His guns were then turned upon the other battery, which, too, was soon driven from the field.
The third brigade (Baldwin's i was ordered up from Triune. It joined the division after dark, and bivouacked near John- son's headquarters. On the evening of the thirtieth, the left of Rosecrans' line of battle rested on Stone river, about three miles northwest of Murfreesborough. Thence it extended, in a southwesterly direction, fully three miles, to the Franklin pike, about two aud three-fourths miles west of Murfreesbor- ough, at the point where a dirt road connects it with the Wil- kinson pike. Kirk's brigade was formed on the right of Davis' right. Willich's brigade was on Kirk's right, on the extreme right of the line, facing south. It was thus posted in order to protect that Hank. The cavalry was also on the right flank. Kirk's picket, or skirmish line, covering his front, joined Willich's on the right and Davis' on the left. Throughout the night, the pickets observed great activity among the enemy, as of a continuous movement on their part toward the Union right. This was duly reported to Head- quarters.
At dawn on the morning of the thirty-first, the skirmishers of the Seventy-seventh Pennsylvania saw, in their immediate front, the advancing Confederates, who came up in heavy col- umns in regimental front and four columns deep, with a strong reserve, massed and advancing in their rear. One column moved directly against the front of the Seventy-sev- enth, the others against the regiments to the right. The Seventy-seventh skirmishers opened fire upon the advancing foe, as soon as they came within range. They, howTever, paid not the slightest attention to it, but kept steadily on, singing as they came. Enough words could be distinguished to in- dicate that the song was something about southern rights.
The Battle of Stone River. 105
As they reached the last fence, which was less than fifty yards in front of the Seventy-seventh's skirmish line, their command, "down with the fence," was distinctly heard. After crossing that fence line they opened a fire, which, from the be- ginning, was very hot. The skirmishers fell back, and the regiment advanced to their support, but it was unavailing. As the enemy was in overwhelming numbers, the regiment was compelled to retire. It did so slowly and in good order, though its loss at this point was very heavy. On reaching the original Union line of battle, it was found that all the regiments to the right of the Seventy-seventh had been struck by the enemy, and driven back, so that they were not then in sight of the Pennsylvanians. After falling back a short dis- tance farther, the regiment formed on the right of Davis' di- vision, which was also retiring. A short distance in front, and in plain view, could be seen the guns of Edgarton's battery, which had been captured by the enemy in their onslaught upon the right, early in the morning. Some idea of the fierce- ness of the attack can be gained from the experience of the picket posts. A single, typical illustration will suffice. Of the five men at one of these posts, one was killed, another ser- iously wounded in the breast, aud a third was taken prisoner, a loss at that post, in a very few minutes, of sixty per cent. The remaining two succeeded in reaching their proper places in the Union line in safety. The experience of the other picket posts was similar to this one.
Some of the horses of Edgarton's battery had been taken to water. Of those remaining with the battery, at the time of the Confederate advance, so many were killed and disabled by the hostile fire, that the battery became entirely unman- ageable and was captured. To the east of Edgarton's guns was a Confederate battery in action. Lieutenant Colonel Housum ordered the regiment to charge these guns. It did so unsupported in good style, driving all the enemy's gunners away. The right of the regiment got right in amongst Ed- garton's guns, but for lack of horses, were unable to move them. Suddenly an overwhelming force of infantry con- fronted the regiment, and it was again forced back. The Con federate gunners at the same time rallied, and opened upon it with all their guns, first with canister, then with grape, and
106 Seventy-seventh Pennsylvania Regiment.
finally with shrapnel and solid shot. The regiment retired slowly and in good order. At every puff of smoke from the guns, the men dropped to the ground. After the shot had passed over them, they would rise, and retire farther. Thus the regiment finally passed out of range, but not without con- siderable loss. Here Lieutenant Colonel Housum was mor- tally wounded by canister, from which he died the following day. Here, too, the color-bearer, who had carried the flag through the Mexican war, received his death wound, as did also numbers of the men.
The regiment, retiring in a northerly direction, was halted upon a slight eminence in the woods, by a mounted officer, and ordered to hold that position. They faced about and stood still, awaiting the oncoming of the enemy. Troops, in great disorder and confusion were streaming northward on all sides of the regiment. It seemed to be a case of every one for him- self, and the enemy take the hindmost. Amidst all this con- fusion, the Seventy-seventh stood still, facing the oncoming storm, until ordered by another mounted officer to retire. He told us that we would all be captured, if we remained there much longer. Then the regiment retired in good order, halt- ing on every favorable piece of ground, to give battle until it finally reached the Murfreesborough pike, where in the woods it found the remnants of the other regiments of the division.
Lieutenant Colonel Housum was the only field officer with the regiment in this engagement. After his fall, the com- mand devolved by seniority upon Captain Thomas E. Rose, of Company B.
At this point, the special part taken by the Seventy-seventh having been just set forth, it becomes necessary to revert back again to the beginning of the battle to show how the other commands fared. In their original attack, the Con- federates moved on the right, so as to completely flank Kirk's line, thus rendering his position entirely untenable. On they came like a huge, irresistible tidal wave. The Thirty-fourth Illinois soon became engaged at close quarters, and, in a few moments, lost a dozen killed and five times that number wounded. Over its colors the strife was terrible. Five color- bearers fell in rapid succession. At last their colors were
LIEUT. COL. P. B.HOUSUM.
PRINT. JULIUS B I EN S CO. NEW YORK
The Battle of Stone River. 107
handed to one of Edgarton's men, who was mounted, to carry to the rear, but he too was shot. Then the flag fell into the hands of the enemy.
The Confederates now rushed upon Edgarton's battery. He told his men to save themselves, while he, with one of his lieutenants, stood by one of his guns, loading and discharged it into the column as il closed upon him, until he was taken prisoner. Many of his men refused to leave him, and fought the foe with their swords, until they were either killed or cap- tured. General Kirk, having lost his guns, hastily withdrew his regiments to another position, there to renew the contest with the oncoming enemy. He dashed to Willich's brigade, which was also suffering heavily from the enemy's fire, and appealed for aid. A portion of one of his regiments aided-in the new defense. The other regiments, while awaiting orders from General Willich, were driven back before such orders could be given. The enemy's fire was so heavy that it soon threw Kirk's ranks into disorder. He had his horse shot from under him at this point. With greatly superior num- bers, the Confederates forced the brigade to fall back again. Kirk's -second horse was shot under him, and he was himself mortally wounded. Willich, too, while trying to rally his brigade in support of Kirk, had his horse shot under him, was wounded and captured. Back of this point lay a corn field and beyond it was a piece of timber for which, in con- siderable confusion, the men hastily pressed.
General Kirk followed for a short distance, but soon, from the great loss of blood, his strength failed, and he was borne to the rear. Colonel Dodge, of the Thirtieth Indiana, was no- tified, and at once assumed command of the brigade. This retreat was disastrous to a further unity of action, during this fearful struggle. A part of the Thirty-fourth Illinois, in its retreat, got mixed up with Willich's men, and was carried too far to the right. Many of them were captured by the Confederate cavalry on the right flank of the Federal troops. Major Dysart, of the Thirty-fourth Illinois, suc- ceeded in rallying about fifty of his men, behind a fence, nearly a mile in the rear of his former position. He opened fire upon some Confederate cavalry, hut finding it impossible to hold his position, was compelled to retreat to the Nashville pike.
8
10S Seventy-seventh Pennsylvania Regiment.
The Thirtieth Indiana, falling rapidly back to the right and rear, halted for a moment at a fence, and then fell back farther into the woods. Here it was joined by some of its men from its four companies, which had been on picket in the morning. They had lost, among others, Major Fitzsim- mons, who was captured. Major Buckner reported to Col- onel Dodge that the Seventy-ninth Illinois were present and ready for duty. Dodge ordered it forward across an open field to the right. The regiment was new and this was its first battle, but it advanced steadily under a terribly de- structive fire. It came on a double quick, formed on the right of the Thirtieth Indiana, and at once engaged the enemy. General Johnson, seeing the enemy advancing on the remnants of the