enter the Company till Feb. 27, '65, and consequently received his
initiation in the final campaign of the war. On May 30, '65, by Special
Order 136 of Army of the Potomac, he was transferred to the 53rd
Regiment of Pa. Vols. When finally mustered out he settled down on a
farm near Eldersville. No reply to communications sent him as to date.
His address is Hanlin Station, Washington Co., Pa., R.D. No. 54.
Recapitulation of Battles, Casualties, Etc.
1.--Battles, Skirmishes, Reconnaissances-in-Force.
1. May 1-5, 1863 Chancellorsville, Va.
2. July 1-4, 1863 Gettysburg, Pa.
3. July 14, 1863 Falling Water, Md.
4. July 22, 1863 Ashby's Gap, Va.
5. {Aug. 31, }
{Sept. 4, 1863 } U.S. Ford, Rappahannock River
6. Sept. 12, 1863 Culpepper C.H., Va.
7. Sept. 17-30, 1863 Rapidan, s.w. Culpepper C.H.
8. Oct. 14, 1863 Auburn Mill, Va.
9. Oct. 14, 1863 Bristoe Station, Va.
10. Nov. 29-30, 1863 Mine Run, Va.
11. Feb. 6, 1864 Morton's Ford, Rapidan River
12. May 3, 1864 Ely's Ford, Rapidan River
13. May 5-6, 1864 Wilderness, Va.
14. May 8, 1864 Todd's Tavern, Va.
15. May 10-11, 1864 West of Spottsylvania C.H., Va.
16. May 12, 1864 Spottsylvania C.H., Va.
17. May 21, 1864 Guinea Station, Va.
18. May 23-26, 1864 Hanover Junction, Va.
19. May 29-31, 1864 Totopotomy Creek, Va.
20. June 2-12, 1864 Cold Harbor, Va.
21. June 13, 1864 Charles City, Va.
22. June 15, 1864 Petersburg, Va.
23. July 27, 1864 Deep Bottom, Va.
24. Aug. 14-16, 1864 Deep Bottom, or White'sTavern, Va.
25. Aug. 28, 1864 Ream's Station, Va.
26. Oct. 30, 1864 On Hatcher's Run, Va.
27. Dec. 10, 1864 Hatcher's Run, Va.
28. Feb. 6, 1865 Dabney's Mill, Va.
29. April 2, 1865 Sutherland Station, Va.
30. April 5, 1865 Jetersville, Va.
31. April 6, 1865 Sailor's Creek, Va.
32. April 7, 1865 Farmville, Va.
33. April 9, 1865 Appomattox, Va.
2.--(a) Casualties.--Killed in Action.
1. Thomas C. Hayes Gettysburg, July 2, 1863
2. Thomas J. Carter Gettysburg, July 2, 1863
3. Robert W. Hull Gettysburg, July 2, 1863
4. William H. Miller Gettysburg, July 2, 1863
5. Jesse M. Sprowls Gettysburg, July 2, 1863
6. John Maloy Todd's Tavern, May 8, 1864
7. John W. Tucker Todd's Tavern, May 8, 1864
8. Benjamin H. Cummins Spottsylvania, May 12, 1864
9. James A. Cummins Spottsylvania, May 12, 1864
10. Joseph Guess Spottsylvania, May 12, 1864
11. John Makeown Spottsylvania, May 12, 1864
12. Joseph Smith Graham Petersburg, Va., March 25, 1865
(b) Died in Service.
1. John Marshall, Nov. 17, 1862, in Regimental Hospital,
Parkton, Md.
2. John Henderson, Dec. 7, 1862, in Regimental Hospital,
Parkton, Md.
3. Andrew B. Davis, Dec. 9, 1862, in Regimental Hospital,
Parkton, Md.
4. Isaac Donaldson, Feb. 14, 1863, in Reg. Hosp. Camp, near
Falmouth, Va.
5. Isaac Golden, April 15, 1863, in Hospital, Mt. Pleasant, D.C.
6. David W. Corbin, April 21, 1863, Stanton Hospital,
Washington, D.C.
7. William L. Pry, from wound, May 21, 1863, in Camp Hospital,
near Falmouth, Va.
8. George Morrow, May 25, 1863, in Hospital, Washington, D.C.
9. Robert Virtue, from wound, Sept. 9, in Hospital, Baltimore, Md.
10. Benjamin F. Earnest, Dec. 14, 1863, in Camp, near Stevensburg,
Va.
11. Samuel K. Shindle, March 17, 1864, in Andersonville Prison,
Georgia.
12. Michael Daugherty, March 18, 1864, from kick of a mule,
Brandy Station, Va.
13. Norris Metcalf, March 18, 1865, at home, near Eldersville, Pa.
14. George Sprowls, May, 1865, drowned in Chesapeake Bay.
(c) Wounded.
1. Edward S. Alexander, in hand and arm, Gettysburg,
July 2, 1863.
2. Samuel K. Shindle, and taken prisoner, Gettysburg,
July 2, 1863.
3. Silas Cooke, in right side, Spottsylvania, May 12, 1864.
4. William R. H. Powelson, in both hips, Spottsylvania,
May 12, 1864.
5. William Hanlin, in hand and leg, Gettysburg, July 2, 1863.
6. Abram Andrews, slightly in side, Todd's Tavern, May 8, 1864.
7. Lazarus Briggs, slightly in back, Chancellorsville, May 3,
1863.
8. George Carter, Spottsylvania, May 12, 1864.
9. Jesse M. Carter, Spottsylvania, May 12, 1864.
10. Andrew Chester, slightly in right ankle, Chancellorsville,
May 3, 1863. Severe gunshot in leg, Cold Harbor, June 6,
1864.
11. Isaac Chisholm, in thigh, Gettysburg, July 2, 1863.
12. Joseph Corbin, in leg, Gettysburg, July 2, 1863.
13. Henry Dickson, Spottsylvania, May 12, 1864.
14. Benjamin F. Earnest, in face badly, Gettysburg, July 2, 1863.
15. James H. Fordyce, thumb shot off, Deep Bottom, July 27, 1864.
16. George A. Hanlin, in ear, Spottsylvania, May 12, 1864.
17. Benjamin F. Hawthorn, through right shoulder, Spottsylvania,
May 12, 1864.
18. George W. Johnson, Petersburg, June 15, 1864.
19. John A. McCalmont, slight in foot, Chancellorsville, May 3,
1863.
20. Owen McElfish, flesh wound in leg, Sailor's Run, April 6,
1865.
21. Robert Meldoon, in face and leg, Gettysburg, July 2, 1863.
22. Isaac Miller, totally disabled, Todd's Tavern, May 8, 1864.
23. Enoch Mounts, in arm and breast, Wilderness, May 6, 1864.
24. Colin Nickeson, in breast, Gettysburg, July 2, 1863.
25. John W. Nickeson, thumb shot off, Chancellorsville, May 3,
1863.
26. Robert A. Pry, left foot, Todd's Tavern, May 8, 1864.
27. Wm. L. Pry, finger shot off accidentally, Chancellorsville,
May 3, 1863.
28. David McC. Pry, Spottsylvania, May 12, 1864.
29. William M. Rea, in ankle severely, Todd's Tavern, May 8,
1864.
30. George Sprowls, Spottsylvania, May 12, 1864.
31. William Stollar, through both thighs, Spottsylvania,
May 12, 1864.
32. Johnson Toppin, in shoulder, Gettysburg, July 2, 1863.
33. Robert Virtue, severely in breast, Gettysburg, July 2, 1863.
34. Ulysses S. Wheeler, slightly at Chancellorsville, and
again more severely, Todd's Tavern, May 8, 1864.
35. Thomas Wilkin, in hand, Todd's Tavern, May 8, 1864.
36. James Worstell, in left knee, Todd's Tavern, May 8, 1864.
37. Marshall Wright, in Adam's apple, Spottsylvania, May 12,
1864.
(d) Prisoners.
1. 2nd Lieut. Wm. B. Cook, July 2, 1863. Held to close of War.
2. Sergeant Samuel K. Shindle, July 2, 1863. Held till death in
Andersonville.
3. Isaac Miller, May 8, 1864, Todd's Tavern. Held over a month
and paroled.
4. George Sprowls, May 12, 1864, Spottsylvania. Held till close
of War.
5. 1st Serg't. George Ralston, April 1, 1865, Farmville. Held
till Lee's surrender, April 9, 1865.
6. Corpl. John McCalmont, April 7, 1865. Held till Lee's
surrender, April 9, 1865.
7. Corpl. Abram Andrews, April 7, 1865. Held till Lee's
surrender, April 9, 1865.
3.--Promotions.
Capt. Wm. A. F. Stockton, Brevet Major, April 9, 1865.
First Lieut. Alexander Sweeney, Brevet Captain, March 13, 1865.
First Serg't. Benjamin F. Powelson, First Lieutenant Co. G. 31st
U.S.C.T., Sept. 27, 1864.
Thomas L. Noble, Quartermaster Sergeant of the Regiment, Nov. 28,
1862.
John A. McCalmont, 3rd Corporal, vacancy caused by death of
Donaldson, Feb. 14, 1863.
Joseph Smith Graham, 2nd Corporal, vacancy caused by discharge
of McCabe, Feb. 23, 1863.
David McC. Pry, 6th Corporal, vacancy caused by death of Wm. L.
Pry, May 12, 1863.
Corporal Wm. R. H. Powelson, 4th Sergeant, vacancy caused by
death of T. C. Hayes, July 2, 1863.
James K. P. Magill, 4th Corporal, vacancy caused by promotion of
Will Powelson, July 2, 1863.
William Porter, 7th Corporal, vacancy caused by transfer of
John F. Gardner, Dec. 17, 1863.
James K. McCurdy, Assistant Surgeon, 153rd Regt., P.V., Feb. 26,
1864.
Corporal Joseph S. Graham, 5th Serg't., vacancy caused by death
of Shindle, March 1864.
James C. Lyle, 2nd Corporal; vacancy caused by promotion of
Graham, March 17, 1864.
James L. Noah, Sergeant in Battery Independent Pa. Artillery,
Spring of 1864.
Corporal George Ralston, First Sergeant, vacancy caused by
promotion of B. F. Powelson, Sept. 27, 1864.
George A. Hanlin, 5th Corporal, vacancy caused by promotion of
Ralston, Sept. 27, 1864.
Ezra Conway, Wagonmaster Wagon Train, latter part of 1864.
Musician Jesse J. Morris, Drum Major and on Regimental
non-commissioned staff, Dec. 22, 1864.
Marshall Wright, 6th Corporal, vacancy caused by transfer of
Dave Pry, Feb. 6, 1865.
Corporal John A. McCalmont, 5th Sergeant, vacancy caused by death
of Graham, March 25, 1865.
Abram Andrews, 3rd Corporal, vacancy caused by promotion of
McCalmont, March 25, 1865.
This made the officers at close of war to be:
Stockton, Captain; Sweeney, First Lieutenant; Cook, Second Lieutenant;
Ralston, First Sergeant; Boyd, Second Sergeant; Alexander, Third
Sergeant; Will Powelson, Fourth Sergeant; McCalmont, Fifth Sergeant;
and the eight Corporals in their order: 1, Cooke; 2, J. C. Lyle; 3,
Abram Andrews; 4, Magill; 5, George Hanlin; 6, Wright; 7, Porter; 8,
Wm. Hanlin.
NOTE.--So far as my memory serves me and the information given me
goes, Comrades Berryhill, Geary, Magill, Porter and Wm. Scott were
practically with the Company in all the leading battles and were never
wounded. Comrades Johnson and Wilkin can have about the same said of
them, save that they received slight wounds. And Comrades Allison and
McCalmont missed the Deep Bottom and Ream's Station engagements.
NOTE.--Mr. Amos Sprowls, of Liberty, Neb., a brother of Comrade Geo.
Sprowls, wrote in answer to inquiry concerning George that he was
wounded and made prisoner at Spottsylvania, May 12, 1864, kept in
hospital at Richmond two months; thence sent to Andersonville prison;
thence, owing to Sherman's march to the sea, sent to North Carolina;
thence, at close of war, sent to Fortress Monroe to be conveyed by
ship to Annapolis, Md. Three transports were loaded; and one of these,
the "Governor," encountered a storm on Chesapeake Bay and sank with
1,600 souls. Sprowls was among them, as he was never heard of
afterwards. A Mr. W. S. Crafto, living near Washington, Pa., reported
seeing him on his way to Fortress Monroe.
Supplementary Statement.
Since forwarding the manuscript for publication, one of our number has
been summoned from service on earth. He has gone to rest. The taps have
been sounded. George A. Hanlin died suddenly from heart disease, Jan.
27, 1906, 2:45 p.m., in his place of business, Clifton street and West
38th avenue, Denver, Colo. He lacked 27 days of being 62 years of age.
The funeral services were largely attended, being conducted Jan. 30th,
10:30 a.m., in the undertaker's parlors and at the grave. The Crocker
G.A.R. Post, Denver, of which he was a member, and the Camp of the
Sons of Veterans, to which his sons belonged, were in attendance; and
he was buried in the full honors of these orders in Fairmount cemetery.
The writer delivered a short address, a tribute to the memory of a
faithful soldier, an upright citizen, a true husband and father, an
industrious and successful business man, and one beloved by all.
Conclusion.
Comrades of Company K, a feeling of sadness steals over me, as now I am
about to lay down my pen. About two years ago, upon your urgent
request, yet with great reluctance, I undertook this work. During these
two years four of our number have fallen out of ranks, never more to
answer to roll call here. How forcibly this reminds us that we are all
hastening to the last earthly roll call! By and by, and "soon 'twill
be," the last one of us must fail to answer. It behooves us to be true
and faithful to the end--to ever live and act that in the Grand Army
above, through Jesus Christ our victorious leader, we may have
comradeship unbroken and of ever increasing delight.
And now, Comrades, I have exhausted my resources in endeavor to serve
you in this work of placing in historic record your deeds of heroism
and works of patriotic sacrifice in the War of the Rebellion. Possibly
I have been too plain, conservative and modest in the language used.
But my heart's desire in it all has been to be faithful and true to
you--to each and all of you. If I had not been one of you, I might have
indulged in superlatives often. Of one thing rest assured, the verdict
of the reader will be, "Nothing is overstated."
I feel that I have imperfectly sketched your part in the saving of the
nation. Your children and theirs to the remotest time will ever be
proud of it. We can ever emphasize one battle, in which as a Company we
had our largest experience; and in which we registered our first and
greatest loss in "killed in action." It was the decisive battle of that
greatest of civil conflicts--"rebellion rising to its supremest effort
and falling fatally wounded." Yes, we can ever point with pride to our
"trial in the fire" at Gettysburg. And we can glory, too, in the
magnificent victory won by the 2nd Corps at Spottsylvania. Certainly
we cannot be charged with undue boasting if we do glory in such
expressions as "brave old Co. K!" "The fighting 140th Regiment P.V.!"
"The old reliable 2nd Corps!"
We together followed the flag of our country in march and battle for
almost three years in the Army of the Potomac, till "old glory" was
triumphant. And we certainly share in the honor a grateful nation
accords to its defenders. And, surviving comrades, in loving
remembrances of our dead, with our hearts full of gratitude and praise,
we do feel proud of what we did, inasmuch, while the years have come
and gone since we laid down our arms and again took our places as
citizens, we have seen our beloved country, more precious in the
immense cost of its preservation, rise to an unparalleled degree of
success and prosperity. And while we rejoice in this, let us, in taking
leave of each other, in the end of this book of history, pledge
ourselves and our posterity to continued faithfulness, to unflinching
devotion to our nation, even unto death.
* * * * * *
Transcriber's note:
Minor typographical errors have been corrected without note.
Irregularities and inconsistencies in the text have been retained
as printed.
One paragraph on page 24 contains both duplicated and missing text. As
printed, the text reads:
... comforts, etc., and some essentials were lost. The fact is, when
we were up in support battery on the 3rd, our knapsacks left by
order, at trenches, were ransacked by camp followers. fact is, when
we were up in support of battery on the 3rd, our knap- Wheeler, in
arm; McCalmont, in foot; Briggs, in back; Chester, in leg; and J. W.
Nickeson, thumb shot off. Corp'l W. L. Pry, in falling back to
hospital, overcome with fatigue, accidentally shot himself in hand.
An online search revealed one copy of the book with the following hand
written correction:
... comforts, etc., and some essentials were lost. The fact is, when
we were up in support battery on the 3rd, our knapsacks left by
order, at trenches, were ransacked by camp followers. The company
had only a few slightly wounded. These were: Wheeler, in arm;
McCalmont, in foot; Briggs, in back; Chester, in leg; and J. W.
Nickeson, thumb shot off. Corp'l W. L. Pry, in falling back to
hospital, overcome with fatigue, accidentally shot himself in hand.