Corp'l Cooke that eventful morning, I wrote him, insisting on knowing
about it. I will here relate only the bare facts. Cooke was alone when
he mounted a portion of the breast-works, where there were transverse
sections about every 24 feet and running back about 20 feet. One of
our officers had been shot down who attempted going over just before
he did. As Cooke reached the top he saw about 20 Johnnies back against
the muddy excavations, waving their hats and cheering vociferously. He
looked as fierce as he could and yelled, "Get back here!" pointing to
our rear, and those Johnnies as one man obeyed, going over the works
as directed like as many monkeys; and, as he turned to look, they were
going pell mell for our rear, never looking back. He says he could
never devise a satisfactory explanation of their actions. But he knows
of the fact, and feels confident that he helped to swell the number of
prisoners that morning.
K's loss in killed and wounded that day amounted to more than one-third
of those engaged. There were four killed: The Cummins brothers,
Benjamin and James; Joseph Guess and John Makeown--all most excellent
soldiers, as were the two killed on the 8th of May. This reduced the
number on our roll to 58. Among the severely wounded was George
Sprowls, who fell into the hands of the enemy. Thus our losses from the
ranks on May 8th to 12th were: 6 killed, 16 wounded, and of the wounded
two were prisoners--Isaac Miller and George Sprowls.
During that fearful day of struggle in the "Bloody Angle," a detail was
called for from Brigade headquarters, out of the 140th--two from K--to
bring off the cannon the rebels had left in their flight when Hancock
charged the Salient, but which were now between the lines. Abram
Andrews and Norris Metcalf volunteered from K, and they did their share
of shouting when the feat was accomplished.
During the next 31 days, which brought the 2nd Corps through a number
of hard marches, hotly contested skirmishes and battles to the south
side of the James river, K bore an honorable part. At the time the army
was withdrawn to the north side of the North Anna river, in view of a
change of base, K came near having a part of its number gobbled up by
the rebels. As the army was retiring, K then in command of Lieut. Kerr,
was among the troops that covered the movement, and were deployed on
northern bank as pickets or skirmishers. The south side bank was 25 or
30 feet higher than the north one, and was lined with old rifle pits.
The rebels followed and occupied these, from which they kept up a
lively fire for some time. George Hanlin says that the river was
narrow, 60 or 70 feet wide, and K's line had no protection but a few
trees, which they hugged tighter than they did their sweethearts as
they bid them adieu when first off for war, and could only take a shot
now and then. Those good old trees! We see them yet, and we'll never
forget them while memory holds her throne. Late in the day the enemy
ceased firing. On a reconnoitering, the true condition was found out.
Earlier in the day (as ascertained later) the order had been given
calling off the pickets. This was to be done stealthily. From
individual to individual the word was to be quietly passed--"fall back
to rear." All went well till it came to George Johnson, who was hard of
hearing and did not catch the command, nor was he in a position to
notice the withdrawing. So he and all those in the Company that were to
his right were left. Having no orders to retire, they staid at their
posts. So, near sunset, being assured by two negroes, who had crossed
the river, that the Johnnies "had sure done gone," they got together,
Ralston taking command. All were at sea, not knowing where the Regiment
had gone. But they went directly back from the river. A few miles on
they saw in camp some cavalry. Ralston approached them to ascertain
whether friends or foes. Happily he found friends, and gave the "all
right" signal to the boys. It was Gen. Gregg's Cavalry, and he directed
the boys to remain with his command till their Regiment could be
located. This was done the third day after, when the Brigade was in
vicinity of Rural Plains, and they were in time for a hand in the fight
at Tolopotomy Creek. Then they were, in a few days, in the battles
fought at Cold Harbor. In one of these Andrew Chester was severely
wounded in left leg, and was disabled from further active service.
The 15th of June found K with the Regiment, after a forced march,
fighting for the possession of Petersburg. But that was too important a
place for the rebels, a key to Richmond, and, having the inside way,
they were there in force to resist.
In the campaign from the Wilderness to the James, K had 6 killed and 17
wounded, or more than half the number actually in line of battle. But
the Company was good for service yet, and formed an integral part of
the hosts that fastened themselves about Petersburg. About this time
Capt. Stockton returned, and the orderly sergeant came back on the 30th
day of June, having passed an examination as First Class Lieutenant.
At 3 o'clock, morning of July 25th, we are on the march, crossing the
Appomattox on pontoons, two miles above City Point, and, guided by
fires, we push on and cross the James at Curles Neck on muffled
pontoons. Find ourselves in support of the 26th Michigan and 2nd Heavy
Artillery in a charge on the enemy's works, which are captured with a
battery of four heavy guns. James H. Fordyce was wounded, having a
thumb shot off. Well we remember our sylvan camp retreat that
night--the sound sleep, for oh, how tired we were. In line by 3 o'clock
in the morning--later move to right and entrenching for security, a
general line being formed. In the afternoon of the 27th it was noticed
that the rebels were striking tents and moving to their right. Gen.
Miles called upon Capt. Stockton to send some men out to scout for an
hour to ascertain the purport or extent of this movement. Serg't B. F.
Powelson with three other men responded, who went some distance to the
right, making the discovery that the rebels were aiming to turn our
flank. From a tree the sergeant could see a distance into the enemy's
country, but no very large amount of troops. The attack made by the
rebels in about an hour was successfully checked, and, at 2 o'clock
next morning our part of the Brigade, serving as rear guard, quietly
stole away and followed our troops, who had recrossed the river during
the night, returning by night to our old quarters back of Petersburg.
The object of this movement by our Corps was a ruse to draw and hold
the enemy's forces north of river, while, in the blowing up of a fort,
entrance to Petersburg might be made.
The heat becoming intense in camp, we indulged ourselves in building
arbors for protection, each Company by turns using the Regimental
baggage wagon. On this occasion Co. K was officially complimented as
having the best shade and cleanest quarters.
Then came heavy fatigue work in trenches and parallels. Six hours on
and six hours off, day and night. K's sober boys will remember the deep
study as to what use to make of some hot whiskey issued for stimulants.
Some tried stewing their hard tack in it. It did not prove of much
value.
In some of the fighting about Petersburg George Johnson was wounded,
but not seriously. Ofttimes the cannonading was terrific, and we were
maneuvering much and there was constant activity.
When the Second Corps, on Aug. 12, '64, dropped out of their places
about Petersburg, K withstood well that fearful jaunt to City Point,
though the writer must confess that, owing to the extreme heat and dust
it was "nip and tuck" with many of us. While awaiting transports here,
on the morning of the 13th, the writer and Sergeant Graham visited the
1st Division hospital to see Miss Mary Vance, a lady from Cross Creek,
Pa., whom Co. K claimed, and who all through the war gave her means,
time and strength in unceasing, disinterested ministrations to the sick
and wounded soldiers. We were also favored with meeting Miss Hancock,
of New York, well known as a lady of unceasing patriotic zeal.
Co. K shared in surprise, when, on the morning of the 14th, we
disembarked and found ourselves in the locality we occupied on the 26th
of July, in Deep Bottom. And now for the first time for many of us we
have opportunity of seeing that plain, quiet leader, Gen. Grant,
Hancock's headquarters being near where K was left with the colors,
while the Regiment was on the skirmish line. For a good part of the
time in this second Deep Bottom expedition, Capt. Stockton had command
of the Regiment. Co. K and part of Co. D were out on picket the second
night, out on the Division's advanced position to the right, and to
those who still survive there come vivid recollections of how we made
the most and best of our situation, there being a home in the vicinity,
with its fruit trees, a corn field and a sweet potato patch. Only
things were appropriated as seemed necessary. Magill can tell you what
a good supper he and the "Orderly" had together. Lieut. Burns, in
charge, and myself are known to have had a dry place on which to sleep
a while--a stable door, only borrowed. It was on the next day we shared
in that two miles charge, the Confederate Gen. Chambliss' corpse being
passed over by K in its advance, and we reached a point about six miles
from Richmond. The rebels became alarmed and are heavily reinforced.
This was the object of this movement--to divert attention and hold the
rebel troops, while the 5th Corps secures a foothold on the Weldon
railroad south of Petersburg. Protecting ourselves from being flanked,
and the purpose of our maneuvers having been accomplished, on the night
of the 20th the James was recrossed. During 18th, Capt. Stockton being
in hospital sick, Capt. Pipes assumed command of the Regiment, and on
the 20th Capt. Henry took command. We, of K, well remember that
never-to-be-forgotten tramp, tramp all the night of the 20th, through
darkness, rain and mud; awful and yet laughable, when men get lost,
when hats, shoes, caps, etc., disappeared, as the boys stumbled on in
brush and darkness. But we reach our old camping ground at Petersburg,
only to find things torn up. But what matters! for Uncle Sam has other
work for the valiant 2nd Corps, and off we set for the flank movement
on the Weldon railroad, the seizing of this road being the main purpose
in the movements. Co. K well remembers, too, the part it took in the
tearing up of the railroad and its corn roasts over the fires of
burning ties; and in the Ream Station engagement on Aug. 25th, in the
opening of which the 140th had special work assigned it in the rear and
on right, and our experience that night in falling back to a point
south of Petersburg near the Weldon railroad, where substantial works
were constructed.
At this point, Sept. 27, '64, K lost the First Sergeant, B. F.
Powelson, who was discharged to accept a First Lieutenancy in Co. G,
41st U.S.C.T. It was a struggle to break away from comrades who had
become so dear through so many days of true soldier life. And I well
remember that I almost gave up to my feelings. Corporal George Ralston
was promoted First Sergeant, and George A. Hanlin, corporal in
Ralston's place.
In the subsequent operations of the Regiment, during the remainder of
1864, Co. K bore well its part in the general movement of the left of
the Union army the 27th of October, flanking the rebel works at
Armstrong's Mill, on Hatcher's Run, and in the fighting, amid the
rigors of winter, on Hatcher's Run Dec. 8th to 19th, Companies D and K,
under Capt. Linton, doing special guard duty before and about Ft.
Fisher. Again in the early days of February, '65, in repelling the
enemy in an attack on our position about Dabney's Mill, Hatcher's Run.
And K shared in the marked vigilance of camp life in close proximity to
a strong and alert enemy through the winter, and also in the expectancy
of an early spring campaign. The Company had lost others from her roll
as follows: William A. Jackson, discharged Nov. 2, '64; Jesse J.
Morris, transferred to principal musician in the Regiment, Dec. 22,
'64; Henry Dickson, transferred to Veteran Reserve Corps; David McC.
Pry, transferred Feb. 6, '65, to Veteran Reserve Corps; Johnson Toppin,
Feb. 6, '65, transferred to the Veteran Reserve Corps; Norris Metcalf,
died March 17, '65, chronic diarrhoea, at home near Eldersville, Pa.,
and buried in Bethel church cemetery. Two names of persons coming in as
recruits had been added to the roll: Frank Stiver, from West Virginia,
enrolled as private Sept. 22, '64, and George A. Reed, Cross Creek,
Pa., enrolled as private Feb. 27, '65. The number on the roll March 20,
1865, was 53. Of this number Lieut. Cook, Isaac Miller and George
Sprowls were in rebel prisons; Wm. Rea, Wm. Hanlin, Jos. Corbin, Serg't
Boyd, Robert Dungan, D. J. Butterfoss, Silas Cooke, Andrew Chester, B.
F. Hawthorn, George Reed, James Worstell and Robert Meldoon were in
hospitals or serving in the Veteran Reserve Corps. This would leave 38
on the front. Lieut. Sweeney was on Division headquarters staff duty,
and several were on detached or special duty. So that only about 30
were present in line of battle.
On D. McC. Pry's transfer, Feb. 6, '65, Marshall Wright was promoted to
corporal.
On the advance of the 2nd Corps, on March 25, '65, the final campaign
opened. That day brought sadness to Co. K. Great activity was manifest
in both contending armies. The Federal army was moving in arranging its
forces for a forward movement to more closely invest the Confederates.
They were desperate in defence and were trying sorties to break away.
The rifle shooting from the trenches was close. Serg't Smith Graham was
instantly killed, his forehead pierced with the ball of some sharp
shooter. He was carried back into camp and laid in his bunk. It was a
sad blow to the Company for "Smith" was held in very high esteem. As
the army was all astir, he was buried near Fort Welch, and so far as
known his body found there its permanent resting place.
John A. McCalmont was made sergeant in Graham's stead, and Abram
Andrews was promoted to be corporal, taking the place of McCalmont.
Then followed the stern activities which soon brought the fall of
Richmond, Co. K participating in the five days' constant struggle,
crowned with the brilliant dash of Gen. Miles' Division (our Division)
at Sunderland Station, April 2nd. And, Richmond having fallen, Co. K
had its liberal share in the experiences in the rapid and close pursuit
of Gen. Lee's army, in the battles of Tailor's Creek and Farmville--in
the foraging in line of battle as in hot pursuit they passed through a
well stocked plantation at Tailor's Creek, and in the distribution of
Confederate money and other spoils of war in the trains captured in the
Farmville battle. In this latter conflict Sergeants Ralston and
McCalmont and Corporal Abe Andrews were taken prisoners and held till
Lee's surrender. They were asked or rather ordered to give up their
shoes and other effects. This they did in part, when talking and
parleying would not avail. Ralston, through an officer, secured a
pledge for the return of his watch at the close of the war, and when
released he hunted up the party and secured the return of his effects.
When the surrender of Lee's army took place Co. K was on the advanced
line, on the road leading into Appomattox C.H. from the east, and when
Gen. Lee rode back through the lines toward Richmond they stood in
silence, with heads uncovered, as he passed.
The war practically over, K marched leisurely back with the Regiment to
Washington, D.C., and took part in the grand review, being formally
mustered out near Alexandria, Va., May 31, 1865.
The following, according to official records, is the final
disintegration of the Company:
Lieut. William B. Cook, discharged May 17, 1865, by order of the
Secretary of War.
William M. Rea, discharged May 19, 1865, on Surgeon's certificate of
disability.
Corporal William Hanlin, discharged May 20, 1865, G.O. 77 of office of
Adjutant General.
Joseph Corbin, discharged May 20, 1865, G.O. 77 of office of Adjutant
General.
Robert Meldoon, discharged May 20, 1865, G.O. 77 of office of Adjutant
General.
Second Serg't Milton R. Boyd, honorably discharged May 27, 1865.
Robert B. Dungan, honorably discharged May 29, 1865.
George Reed, transferred to 53rd Reg't P.V., S.O. 136 A. of P., May
30, '65.
Daniel J. Butterfoss, discharged from hospital about time Company
mustered out.
George Sprowls, died, drowned on Chesapeake Bay in sinking of a
transport.
Then the 37 mustered out with the Regiment, May 31, '65, near
Alexandria, Va., follows: Capt. Wm. A. F. Stockton, 1st Lieut.
Alexander Sweeney, Jr., 1st Serg't George Ralston, 3rd Serg't Edward S.
Alexander, 4th Serg't Wm. R. H. Powelson, 5th Serg't John A. McCalmont;
Corporals James C. Lyle, Abram Andrews, James K. P. Magill, George A.
Hanlin, Marshall Wright and William Porter; Musician George W.
McConnell; Privates James B. Allison, Peter Andrews, James Arthurs,
James S. Berryhill, Lazarus Briggs, George W. Carter, Jesse M. Carter,
James E. Cochran, Ezra Conaway, James H. Fordyce, William M. Geary,
George W. Johnson, Robert McClurg, Benjamin McCullough, Owen McElfish,
Colin R. Nickeson, Robert A. Pry, William Scott, Nathaniel Seese,
Oliver Staley, Frank Stiver, William Stollar, Ulysses S. Wheeler and
Thomas Wilkin.
Isaac Miller, discharged June 15, 1865, Pittsburg, Pa.
Benjamin L. Hawthorn, discharged June 17, 1865, Washington, D.C.
Andrew Chester, discharged July 3, 1865, hospital, Philadelphia.
Silas Cooke, 1st Corporal, discharged July 3, 1865, Cincinnati, O.
James Worstell, discharged July 5, 1865, Cincinnati, O.
Jesse J. Morris and Thomas L. Noble were mustered out with the
Regiment. John F. Gardner and James L. Noah had final discharge when
artillery mustered out. Geo. Reed, when the 53rd P.V. was mustered
out. David McC. Pry, John W. Nickeson, Isaac Chisholm, Henry Dickson
and Johnson Toppin were finally released when their Regiments in the
Veteran Reserve Corps were disbanded.
On muster out Co. K, with the 140th, was ordered to Pittsburg, Pa., for
final pay and discharge. Our feelings are readily recalled when we
arrived at Pittsburg, where in '62 we had been mustered in. Oh, what
changes wrought in three years! Then three commissioned officers and 93
enlisted men, and 5 recruits had joined us. Now only 37 present, 12 had
been killed in action; 4 died of wounds; 10 died of sickness.
Thirty-seven had been wounded. Many had been discharged on account of
disability. Others had been transferred to other commands and service,
some of whom had made good records for themselves. Many had gone out
beardless boys, but now returned well trained men. All are eager now to
quit the service and to return to their several avocations in a blessed
reign of peace in a nation saved, a Union preserved. The songs of
farewell are hastily sung, and Co. K becomes a thing of the past, each
going his own way, some never again to look into each other's faces,
but a tie of comradeship binding all hearts together that no period of
time can break.
[Illustration]
Sketches of Those Who Have Died Since the War.
And as the years have come and gone since the disbanding, Company K's
survivors have ever done their part in the reunions and camp fires held
by the Regiment. But so widely scattered have they become that only a
few each year have been able to answer to their names on such
occasions. In nearly a dozen states the present living are to be found.
We cast a look back to the time K was disbanded, and, when asked where
are Co. K's 101 members? we find the numbering to be: _12 killed in
action_; _14 died in the service_; _2 deserted_ and their names are
lost to us; _31 have died since_, and _42 are living yet_. The
_killed_ and _died in service_ have already been mentioned. And the
names of the two _deserters_ have passed from us.
So many years have passed with their burden of business, domestic and
other duties and of engrossing anxieties; so much have memory's
faculties yielded to the demands made upon them as that it has become
difficult to recall details in experience in those crowded years of
service, that the task of gathering data for presenting to the public a
just and impartial record of each one of K's members has been found a
very difficult one; and, despite the writer's most earnest and
persistent efforts through many months of time in search of necessary
information, he regrets his inability to secure such data as he in some
cases longed for. But so far as was within his power he has given the
records impartially, full and correct to the best of his information.
Nothing would he not have done to serve his comrades, each one of whom
was dear to him, and to each of whom he ever felt allied as to a
brother. Gladly does he make mention of anything to the credit or honor
of any one in a Company that sustained so worthy a record as did K,
than which, he hesitates not to assert, no other was superior in point
of excellence, in faithful, devoted, heroic service to our beloved
country.
With a feeling of sadness and in sorrow we record the list of those 31
who died since the Company was disbanded in June, 1865.
1. William M. Geary, from Candor, Pa., was almost constantly with the
Company, responding cheerfully to every call to duty, exemplary in his
conduct. He was one of five, who though in all the battles, yet escaped
injury. But the severities of the service shattered his constitution,
and he was the first to fall after the return. He suffered terribly
from ulceration of the bowels; but loving friends, among them Jno. A.
McCalmont, and other of his comrades tenderly cared for him. He died
June 25, 1866, and was buried in the home cemetery at Candor.
2. Colin R. Nickeson, of Claysville, proved himself a worthy soldier.
He was severely wounded in the breast on July 2, '63, at Gettysburg. He
also suffered some from illness. When the Company disbanded at
Pittsburg he returned to his home in East Finley Township. But he
virtually had given his life to his country, for he died from the
effects of wound and the severities of service, April 8, 1867, among
his home friends.
3. Second Lieutenant William B. Cook, Candor, practically sacrificed
his life on our country's altar. He was taken prisoner July 2, '63, and
confined in Libby prison, never getting back to the Company. He was
among those who through a tunnel tried to escape, but was recaptured.
When discharged in May, '65, he returned home. But his strength was
undermined. He entered on the practice of law in Pittsburg, Pa. But
from lung trouble he died Dec. 30, 1870.
4. Harrison McConnell, Paris, eager to be with those who went out to
defend the Union, slipped into the service, being duly enrolled as a
member of K, and got as far as Falmouth, Va. But, he being a minor, his
parents appealed to the U.S. Courts; and through the direction of the
Secretary of War, his friends took him from the camp to Washington
City, where a discharge was secured for him. Afterwards through the
recommendation of Senator Cameron, he did service in Washington City up
to time of illness resulting in his death, save one year in which he
was a clerk in the West Virginia House of Representatives. He died at
home, near Paris, Pa., July 17, 1872, and was buried at Florence, Pa.
5. James S. Berryhill, "Sans" as he was familiarly known, Cross Creek,
was ever a ready soldier and companionable fellow on march, in battle
or in camp. He faced the music all the way, and came through without
injury. But one Sabbath morning, July 19, 1874, in endeavoring to board
a freight train at Dinsmore Crossing, Panhandle railroad, on his way to
Sabbath school, he was accidentally killed, and his mangled body was
given a true soldier's burial in the old graveyard at Burgettstown, Pa.
6. George Ralston, of Claysville, made a corporal in the organization
of the Company, entered the ranks of soldiery with a truly loyal heart,
leaving his profession of teaching. With the exception of several weeks
in the hospital in '63, he "weathered the storm" with the Company till
the end. Was promoted to First Sergeant on B. F. Powelson's leaving K
to accept a position in another Regiment. But the "wear and tear" of
the service must have made inroads on his vitality, for after a brief
life at home with wife and children, he died from consumption, Aug. 28,
1874, and was buried in Claysville cemetery.