participated in the services rendered by the Company. He was promoted
Corporal on the death of his uncle, on the eve of the Gettysburg
campaign. In the famous charge of Hancock's Corps at Spottsylvania,
Va., he was wounded. He was cared for at the Finley hospital,
Washington, D.C. On recovery he was examined and transferred to the
Veteran Reserve Corps, and the surgeon placed him in charge of Ward No.
1. He remained in such service till all were sent home, or to their
different state hospitals, sometime after Lee's surrender. Then, after
assisting the Quarter Master in tabulating and turning over to
government officials the property, he received his final dischargee.
Since then the following may be said of him: Merchandizing for 32
years; Notary Public and Justice of the Peace 30 years; ruling elder in
the Presbyterian church 30 years; commissioner to the General Assembly
of same in Chicago; Recorder of Washington county 1885-'87; twice
Chairman of Republican convention; twice delegate to Republican State
convention; member of Legislature of Pennsylvania 1897-'98; member of
the Pennsylvania State Board of Agriculture 1899-1904; at present
Notary Public and conducting a successful insurance and general
conveyancing business. His address is Lock Box 404, Burgettstown, Pa.,
where he has long enjoyed residence, to the kind hospitalities and
courtesies of whose home the writer can give ample attestation.
8. James K. P. Magill was an out-and-out, all-round volunteer soldier;
among the lucky ones in nearly every battle and scrimmage and never
shed blood; full of good nature and of valuable service to the Company.
He was promoted Corporal July 2, '63, when Will Powelson was made a
Sergeant. He is justly an heir to a very high degree of comradeship
among the veterans, and he greatly enjoys the same. On muster out he
assumed duties of faithful citizenship in the old home community until
in '88, when he moved with his family to Pueblo, Colo., and he there
entered mercantile pursuits, winning a comfortable home and a
successful trade by his integrity and good business methods. You will
find him, as of yore, ever in good humor, at the Central Mesa grocery,
100 Block P, Pueblo, Colo.
9. James C. Lyle was a willing, quiet and faithful member; but, not
being very robust, he was subject to illness, and was several times in
the hospital; and he can relate some interesting and rather stirring
experiences in these times of absence from the Company; as when he was
fitted (?) out in a Washington hospital for going home to vote, and
when in May, '64, with other sick and wounded, he was several days a
prisoner under Fitzhugh Lee, and the federal and rebel officers had
a gala time with the hospital _stimulants_, and again when he, in
rejoining Company near Cold Harbor, was so hungry and completely worn
out on reaching division headquarters about dark, and receiving from
Lieut. Sweeney beef and hard-tack, gathered sticks, prepared and ate
his royal meal, the bullets rattling thick about him, one wounded near
him, and then lay down and slept; and never more glad in his life than
when next day he got back among his comrades in K. And from that on to
the close of the war he was with the Company. He was promoted Corporal
when Graham was made 5th Sergeant, March 17, '64. As he was a true
soldier, he has ever been a true and worthy citizen, successful in
farming and happy in home life. His address now is East Liverpool,
Ohio.
10. George A. Hanlin was found to be of good material for a soldier,
and the hospital never got him but for a while in the middle part of
'63. He had the aptitude of getting his full share of the sunshine of
army life, and therefore was a valuable member of K. He was advanced
to rank of Corporal in the promotion of Ralston to be First Sergeant.
The rebels had a pick at George, at Spottsylvania, on May 12, '64,
claiming his head, but luckily for him they only got a piece of his
ear, and he confronted them in the very next onset and ever after.
Peace established, he resumed work on the home farm; but soon moved to
Missouri, and in the 70's cast his lot in Colorado, first in mining a
short time, then in the feed and fuel business in Denver, in which he
succeeded well. And those who were fortunate enough to attend the
39th National G.A.R. Encampment can testify to his and family's
open-heartedness and generous contributions to the comfort and
pleasure of all old comrades. And he will ever be found the same,
at 3800 Palmer street, Denver, Colo. And to any comrade coming to
Colorado, seeking a home therein or the comfort and blessing of its
ozone and sunshine, he stands ready to give information and aid.
11. Marshall Wright, though last on the roll, was among the first in
readiness to respond to all just requirements. He was in hospital at
Washington, D.C., several months after Chancellorsville battle. In the
terrible conflict on May 12, '64, at Spottsylvania, he had a close
call. He was shot in the neck. He had a prominent "Adam's Apple," and
so had enough and to spare and live over it, and, after a short sojourn
with the surgeon, he took his place again in line to hold it till the
Company was mustered out. His life since has been a success, and he
still delights in the comradeship of "old Company K." He was promoted
Corporal in the transfer of D. M. Pry, Feb. 6, '65. His home is in
Elwood, Lawrence Co., Pa.
12. Abram Andrews and his brother Peter were well known in the Company
as quiet, good men, "boys" as they were called, for they were small in
stature. Abram was sick some and in hospital, but for the most part was
with the Company. He received a slight wound at Todd's Tavern, but four
days afterwards was in line in that great day of victory for the 2nd
Corps at Spottsylvania, during which he and Norris Metcalf helped to
carry off the rebel cannon in face of desperate firing. He was promoted
Corporal to fill vacancy as McCalmont was advanced to rank of 5th
Sergeant, March 25, '65. On April 7th, in battle near Farmville, he was
taken prisoner along with Ralston and McCalmont. He ever rejoices to
say he belonged to "dear old Co. K." His address is Latrobe, Athens
county, Ohio, R.D. No. 1.
13. Jesse J. Morris was one of K's "rooters" (in the parlance of modern
athletics), a No. 1 drummer boy, 17 years old when sworn in and had to
"tiptoe it to reach the measuring stick." He enlisted as a private and
served in the ranks till some time in March, '63, being in Co. K's
first detail sent out on picket on the Rappahannock. He was then put in
Drum Corps. He soon was leader of the snare drummers, and, when Johnnie
Bryan was detailed as Adjutant's clerk, he was made Drum Sergeant, and
had charge of the Corps from that time until appointed Drum Major, Dec.
22, '64, and transferred to Regimental non-commissioned staff. Was with
the Regiment through all its marchings, campaigns and engagements.
Never away but 15 days, and that on furlough during winter of '64 and
'65. Never answered the surgeon's call but twice, and that for chills
when "we lay in go-for-holes in front of Petersburg, supporting Battery
5." His old blue drum hangs in a prominent place in his house,
bequeathed to his son. He is a "drummer" still, but now a successful
salesman for A. F. Bannister & Co., cutlery manufacturers, Newark, N.
J. And his home and address is 7514 Kelly street, Pittsburg, Pa.
14. George W. McConnell was enlisted as a musician. Practically he
never lost a day from service. After the battle of Gettysburg he was
left there in charge of three men of Co. H and color-bearer Riddle of
Co. F. He returned to the Regiment in October, when camped near
Warrenton, Va. About Jan. 1, '64, he was detailed by Gen. Hancock in
Drum Corps, at Division headquarters, and was in that till the close of
war. He was one of two out of 150 musicians who kept up with the
ambulance train and reported to Dr. Wishart, in rear of our line at
Petersburg, June 14, '64, the night of the crossing of the James. Was
at the Grand Review and the disbanding of the Company. Returned to old
home, but in '71 went to Kansas, then in '75 back to Ohio, and for 25
years has had a good home and prosperous business (black-smithing) in
Carrollton, Ohio, where he will gladly welcome any of K Company.
15. James B. Allison was very faithful and steady in service. He was
absent but once, then about four months in sickness, sent from Deep
Bottom to Chestnut Hill hospital, Philadelphia. Special mention has
been made of him at Gettysburg. He was conscientious in trying to do
his duty, and wrote me when I sought of him some information: "Now
after all these years have come and gone, I look back from the western
slope of life to those bloody days with some feelings of pride for
having done what I could to save the nation in its entirety, and also
with sadness as I still remember and think of the boys that laid down
their lives that the country might live." His address is, Prosperity,
Washington Co., Pa., via Dunn's Station.
16. Peter Andrews, to whom reference has already been made, was sick
and in hospitals in Washington and Philadelphia from June, '63 to July
'64. He rejoined us in time for the Deep Bottom engagement, and was
with the Company until the disbanding. He tells us of what he saw on
April 8, '65, near Farmville, on the field of conflict where the
charges were made the day before in which his brother was taken
prisoner. The dead lay thick, in some places the bodies of Union and
rebel soldiers crossing each other. He also says that he and Geo.
Johnson turned over to headquarters two rebel prisoners on that same
7th. When met June 25, '04 at the K gathering, Burgettstown, Pa., he
was extremely happy, reporting himself as having a family of nine
children and fourteen grandchildren, all proud of his army record and
associations, his good wife affirming "one of the grandest Regiments in
the Civil War." His address is Mount Oliver, Pittsburg, Pa.
17. James Arthurs was a good-hearted, trustworthy man, ever ready to
serve his country. He was not, however, quick to learn the manual of
arms, or military maneuvers. So he served mostly on detached duty as
Regimental teamster, and was faithful to duty till the muster out. No
word received from him directly. His address is Toronto, Jefferson Co.,
Ohio.
18. Lazarus Briggs was a quiet, good dispositioned fellow, somewhat on
the reserve, and at times a little hard to understand. He was slightly
wounded in the back at Chancellorsville. He was ever ready for any camp
or general soldier duty, but had a special dislike to the way the
rebels came at us generally. Yet towards the last the dislike somewhat
disappeared--we all got a little familiar with the Johnnies' ways--and
he stuck to his post of duty in all service, and was with the Company
till it disbanded. He still enjoys meeting with his comrades, and lives
in comfort and content with his family in Houston, Washington Co., Pa.
19. Benjamin B. Buchanan was characterized with a strong, patriotic
spirit, and entered the service with best intent. But he found that he
was physically unable to endure the hardships of stern army life. And,
after trying to overcome hindrances for some months to no purpose, he
was discharged for disability from hospital in Washington, D.C., where
he was during our first engagement, Chancellorsville. His disability
was increased by exposure in camp duty, and thus far he made sacrifice
for the cause, a sacrifice he realizes always. And his comrades
sympathize, too, with him in the loss of his partner in life, who died
a few years ago. His home is in Paris, Washington Co., Pa.
20. George W. Carter. Co. K had several sets of brothers in it: Will
and Ben Powelson; Abe and Pete Andrews; George and Harry McConnell; Tom
and George Carter; Joe and Dave Corbin; Ben and Jim Cummins; William
and Isaac Miller; John and Colin Nickeson; Robert and Dave Pry; and
George and Jesse Sprowls. The Carter brothers had a cousin Jesse. All
three were excellent soldiers. Tom fell bravely fighting at Gettysburg,
George was wounded at Spottsylvania as bravely fighting, but was able
to rejoin the Company, and then he stayed with it to the end. No direct
word was received from him, but his address is Millsboro, Washington
Co., Pa.
21. Andrew Chester was one of the most ready and willing to do service
in K. He was sure to be in everything going on. He was slightly wounded
by a piece of shell in his right ankle at Chancellorsville, and he was
severely wounded in left leg June 6, '64, at Cold Harbor, Va., and was
never with the Company afterwards. He was discharged from service when
in hospital at Philadelphia, July 3, '65. And now in the busy life he
is leading, as his impaired health and strength will permit, he is
eager to embrace every opportunity to touch elbows with his comrades,
and thinks, as he revels in the memories of our many well-fought
battles that nothing too good can be said in praise of "Old Co. K." His
address is Eighty-four, Washington Co., Pa., R.D. No. 84.
22. Ezra Conaway shared in the duties of the soldier as required of the
members of this Company up to the time when the arrangements were being
consummated for the Chancellorsville engagement. On April 26, '63, he
was detailed on detached duty and served after that as teamster, or in
the wagon train department, and became a wagon-master, was mustered out
with the Company. No word could be gotten from him, but D. M. Pry
reports his address--Monongahela City, Washington Co., Pa.
23. Joseph A. Corbin was with the Company in the faithful performance
of his duties till the battle of Gettysburg, wherein he was wounded in
the leg. He was discharged from the service from the hospital, May 20,
'65, and returned to his work on the farm. His address is Eldersville,
Washington Co., Pa., via Hanlin Station.
24. George Gardner was among a few, who, on the Company's being
subjected to the ordeal of active duties "on the field" or confronting
the enemy, were found physically incapacitated--unable to stand the
strain. So he was, on March 20, '63, discharged under General Order No.
77, War Department. And we were unable to get any satisfactory
information about him. Obtaining his address as Beaver, Beaver county,
Oklahoma, letters were addressed to him there, which, while not
returned to writer, were never answered.
25. Benjamin F. Hawthorn possessed many of the good qualities of a true
soldier. Prompt to respond to duty's calls, willing to share in the
burdens of service, taking trying conditions in a good-humored way, and
devoted to the cause for which he fought, he could be relied upon in
camp, on march and amid conflict. He was wounded by gunshot in right
shoulder at Spottsylvania, May 12, '64, and thereby disabled for field
service, but was, on the wound healing, transferred to Invalid Corps,
and did duty about hospitals in Washington City, from which he was
discharged in June, '65. He has ever evinced a strong attachment to his
comrades, specially to those of Co. K. Is engaged in the sale of books,
and enjoys home life. His address now is Box 199, California,
Washington Co., Pa.
26. Robert McClurg, soon after the Regiment joined the Army of the
Potomac at Falmouth, Va., was assigned to duty in the Pioneer Corps,
and sustained a good record for fidelity and efficiency in that
department of service to close of war, being ordered back to Company
for Grand Review and muster out. Then he went back to and has ever
enjoyed the peaceful scenes and happy experiences of rural life, ever
having an open heart for any member of K. The writer on a visit to his
place, with Comrade Wm. Hanlin, in 1904, saw the large apple tree,
grown from the two grafts out of the slips sent home by him from
Virginia, to which reference has been previously made. He, too, can
tell of some lively scraps with the Johnnies, who were always averse to
the laying down of pontoons or to the construction of roads, etc. His
address is Paris, Washington Co., Pa.
27. Owen McElfish was not a very robust fellow, but wiry and
well-disposed. He was in hospital during the engagement at
Chancellorsville; after that, with the Regiment about all the time.
Never had a furlough. Received a flesh wound in leg April 5, '65, but
kept with the Company and shared in the capture of Lee's headquarter
train (or part of it) with flags, money and apple-jack. Of the latter,
he says two wagon loads, and "we had a good time that night and next
morning. Adjutant Ray said the 140th could lick the rebel army." Since
the war closed Owen has managed to take good care of himself; but, in
impaired health and strength, he feels the sacrifice he has made in the
nation's defence. His address is Rainsburg, Bedford county, Pa.
28. Isaac Miller proved to be a good and most reliable soldier. At
Todd's Tavern, May 8, '64, as stated heretofore, he was wounded
severely in leg and was left on field; taken prisoner; kept a month or
more, but fractured bone never set; paroled and sent back through
lines; at Annapolis in hospital a while, then sent home to vote, and at
Pittsburg, Pa., on June 15, '65 received his discharge papers. After
discharge had the ball taken out, it having lodged in back part of limb
and had been there for over a year. He is badly crippled, not able to
do any work. In '84 went with family to Kansas. In '93 went to the
health resort, Eureka Springs, Arkansas, where he now resides.
29. Enoch Mounts was with the Company, sharing in all its requirements,
up to April, '63, but was in the hospital during the movements about
Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville. On opening of Gettysburg campaign
he was with the guards of the hospital train. Discharged Aug. 22, '63.
He re-enlisted Feb. 14, '64 in Co. A, 100th Regiment P.V. Wounded in
Wilderness May 6, '64, in arm and breast. Final discharge on May 15,
'65. He is in the firm of Enoch Mounts & Son, painters and paper
hangers; residence 63, Sumner Ave., Washington, Pa.
30. John W. Nickeson was a very quiet but ever trustworthy soldier. He
was wounded at Chancellorsville, having a thumb shot off, and was
unfitted for field service. When wound healed he did duty to close of
war in the Veteran Reserve Corps. The war ended, he returned to the
farm, where ever since he has lived a good upright citizen, though of
late years in broken health. His address is Claysville, Pa., R.F.D.
No. 63.
31. James L. Noah met faithfully all the requirements of the service in
the Company until Dec. 17, '63, when he was transferred to Battery B,
1st Rhode Island Light Artillery, 2nd Corps Artillery Brigade. In
spring of '64 he was transferred to Battery C, 1st Independent
Pennsylvania Light Artillery, holding the rank of Sergeant. Discharged
at Washington, D.C., June 8, '65. In July, same year, he went with Jim
Cochran to Rock Island, Ill. Was in west till '93, holding while there
several positions of trust, but losing his wife by death in '91. Is at
present in the employ of the Pittsburg Coal Co. He wrote us, "I hold
all comrades of Co. K more dear to my heart than all the rest of
humanity." Address, Box 93, Sturgeon, Pa.
32. Robert A. Pry was practically on duty throughout term of
enlistment, an evenly tempered soldier, and contributing his full share
of the good humor of the Company. After battle of Gettysburg he was
detained for service at field hospital and other places for some little
time, and then he rejoined us. At Todd's Tavern the Johnnies gave it to
him in the left foot, causing his absence from the ranks about two
months. Then he favored the Company with his presence to the end, and
says he can never forget the day when old K stood on the skirmish line
at Appomattox as the flag of truce came out in its front from Lee,
seeking terms of surrender. He has in his riper years been sitting to
dispense the laws of his preserved country as Justice of the Peace. And
he avails himself of every opportunity to keep in touch with his old
comrades. His address is Lazearville, W. Va. (Brooke Co.)
33. William M. Rea was among the many noble-hearted farmer boys in K
who at their country's call "hastened to the field of battle," "Clif"
Hayes, his neighbor, being the first to fall. Will Rea bore full his
share in sacrifice for the country we saved. At Todd's Tavern, May 8,
'64, he was shot through the ankle with a musket ball, and at field
hospital had his foot amputated that night. After he was struck he
crawled back quite a distance till his knees were all sore, and, the
line falling back past him, two of Co. B carried him till they were
ordered by Gen. Miles to leave him and to go into a ravine nearby and
carry off one of the General's wounded aids, and in a short time Gen.
Miles dispatched a stretcher and had Rea conveyed to hospital. After
ten days at Fredericksburg he was taken to a hospital in Washington
City, where he remained for fully a year, and therefrom was discharged
May 19, '65. He suffered ever after, the stump never healing over,
until in June, 1904, 40 years afterward, when in the Mercy Hospital,
Pittsburg, he had a reamputation, the stump this time healing nicely.
He enjoys good health and is a good, practical farmer, enjoying
neighborship with that ever reliable comrade Johnnie McCalmont. His
address is Bulger, Washington Co., Pa., R.D. No. 50.
34. William Scott was with the Company nearly all the time, having on
two occasions been on detached duty a short time. He evinced
commendable pluck on marches, for though he suffered much from sore
(tender) feet, he was determined to keep up. His fidelity to the
company in its strenuous service made strong the tie which binds him
still to its members. He in days of peace has lived to enjoy the fruits
of victories won. In June, 1904, the writer, with Comrade Wheeler,
visited his lovely home and enjoyed a royal dinner with him and wife.
His address is Avella, Washington Co., Pa., R.D. No. 2.
35. Nathaniel Seese served mostly as Company cook, or in some way in
the commissary department. He was with us in the battle of
Chancellorsville, and took part in the Company's last battle at
Farmville. Was mustered out with the Company. We were unable to gather
any satisfactory information concerning him since the muster out, and
could not hear from him, having written often. To best of word obtained
his address is 118 Allen St., 31st Ward, Pittsburg, Pa.
36. Oliver Staley, with one exception, was practically with the Company
through all its service. During the Wilderness campaign in '64 he was
in the hospital and rejoined the Company before Petersburg in time for
the Second Deep Bottom engagement in Aug. '64. With Comrade Johnson the
writer enjoyed a pleasant visit with him in his home in West
Washington, his address being 67 Canton avenue, Washington, Pa.
37. William Stollar was another member of K generally found on hand
ready for any duty. He was wounded at Spottsylvania, May 12, '64, but
had his consolation in the fact of having taken part in one of the most
successful charges of the war, which won for Gen. Hancock the rank of
Major General in the U.S. Army. He, too, very highly prizes his
membership in K of the 140th P.V., and availed himself of every
opportunity to assist in the gathering of data for this history. He has
ever enjoyed the farm life in the community from which he enlisted. His
address is Claysville, Pa., R.F.D. No. 63.
38. Thomas Wilkin was only away from the Company from Dec. '63 to
April, '64, when he was detached as teamster in the 2nd Corps Artillery
Brigade. He was one of the lucky ones whom the rebels could not hit,
though often they came "mighty close" to it. Some say he did get a
buckshot in the hand at Todd's Tavern battle. He seems to have
forgotten it. He lives happily on his farm "near the church and the
school house," in his adopted state--Missouri, having raised a
good-sized family. His love for his comrades never wavers. His address
is Kingston, Mo., R.F.D. No. 1.
39. James Worstell never failed to answer to duty's call in K's varied
experiences so far as the Orderly Sergeant remembers, until in that
fatal charge under Col. Brody at Todd's Tavern the rebels "spotted
him," giving him a severe wound in the left knee, and he was thereby
unfitted for K's further marches and fights. But after a nine months'
siege in hospitals he did service in the Veteran Reserve Corps three
months in Johnson's Island, Lake Erie, guarding rebel prisoners, and
then in Cincinnati, receiving his discharge there July 5, '65. He has
enjoyed a good degree of success in life, and can boast of having
raised a goodly number of stalwart sons of the veteran, and of having
constant touch with members of old K. He can speak for himself at 209
Jefferson avenue, Canonsburg, Pa.
40. William A. Jackson, of Florence, Pa., was not with the Company
much, coming in as a recruit just on the eve of the "on to Richmond"
campaign in '64, and not being able to endure the severities of the
service was absent considerably, and was discharged on the 2nd day of
November that year. No answer was received from him. His address was
given by his sister as Lincoln Place, Allegheny Co., Pa.
41. Frank Stiver, of West Virginia, did not enter the Company till late
in September, '64, and was not known by the writer. He was a good
soldier, remaining with the Company till its muster out, May 31, '65.
No reply came from him to letters addressed him. His address was given
as Harmony, Butler county, Pa.