Cameron County

Chapter VI

MILITARY HISTORY

INTRODUCTORY - WAR MEETING AT EMPORIUM - CAMERON COUNTY COMPANY (OLD BUCKTAILS)-  FIRST CAVALRY - EIGHTY-FOURTH REGIMENT, P.V.I. - ONE HUNDRED AND NINETIETH P.V.I. - ONE HUNDRED AND NINETY- FIRST P.V.I. - ONE HUNDRED AND NINETY- NINTH P.V.I. - MISCELLANEOUS.

The military history of Cameron county is connected with McKean, Potter and Elk counties so closely that many references to regiments and soldiers, representing Cameron, are made in the pages devoted to such counties.

A war meeting, held at Shippen (Emporium) April 20, 1861, presided over by N.L. Dike, appointed E.B. Eldred, Dr. Gibson, W.R. Rogers, William Jenkins and D.J. Morrison to draft resolutions expressing the sense of the inhabitants on the war question. Five resolutions resulted, one of which referred to the confidence the people placed in Col. Kane, and the desire of the men of Cameron to rally under the Union flag. On the 22d of the same month Col. Kane was present, enrolling. Under date August 5, 1864, Commissioners Mix and Whiting agreed upon the following order: "That they would and do hereby, on behalf of the county of Cameron, offer a bounty of three hundred dollars to volunteers, to fill the quota of Cameron county under the call of the President of the United States of July 8, 1864, for 500,000 men." In February, 1865, a similar offer was made to Cameron county volunteers who would respond to the last call for troops, and a special tax for relief purposes ordered.

CAMERON COUNTY COMPANY (OLD BUCKTAILS).

This company was mustered in regularly, June 1, 1861, although they were in the field so early as April 15, that year, and left Shippen April 28, for Harrisburg. John A. Eldred, the first captain, resigned September 10; L.W. Gifford, promoted from second lieutenant, served as his successor until resignation November 17, 1862; Neri B. Kinsey, promoted from first lieutenant of Company A, March 1, 1863, served as captain in the close; W.B. Jenkins, first lieutenant, was killed at Fredericksburg, December 13, 1862; J. Wood Craven, promoted from first sergeant to first lieutenant, March 1, 1863, served to the close, and in 1865 was brevetted captain; Oscar D. Jenkins, promoted from first sergeant to second lieutenant, November 2, 1861, wounded at Fredericksburg, resigned April 20, 1863, died in McKean county; Moses W. Lucore, promoted second lieutenant, July 1, 1863, was transferred to Company C, One Hundred and Ninetieth Regiment, in 1864; Enoch Barnum, sergeant in 1861, was wounded at Drainesville, December 20, 1861, and again at Fredericksburg, but served for some time after muster out, as he was on detached duty at the time; Sergt. A. Smith and Corp. Sydney Crocker were transferred to the One Hundred and Ninetieth Regiment; Corp. George W. Fine was killed at Harrisonburg, Va., June 6, 1862; Robert B. Warner joined the command in April, 1861, was in hospital at muster in. The names of private troops who were killed on the field or died while in service are as follows: Charles B. Carney and S.W. Landers, killed at South Mountain; Frederick Canfield, John S. Donley, Philip Dailey, John Greal, L.T. Jordan, G.F. Mestler, J.S. Miller, Samuel C. Moyer, John McElhany, J.C. McGill, G.W. McGowan, Perry McHenry, Samuel M, Soper, David Titcomb, W.E. Coorst, George Harmon. The list of private soldiers wounded includes the following names: John P. Blair, Thomas Campbell, Uriah Dehort, Leonard French, D.W. Fairbanks, John Felker, D.C. Freeman, John H. Gettings, Michael L. Gleeson, Thomas Malone, John A. McHenry, Orrin J. Schlatzer, George Haumer, L. Lucore, John Rader and R.A. Ingalsbee.

The private troops transferred to the 190th Regiment and other commands were L.R. Akley, S.L. Akley (190th), Cassin Burrows, D. Tupper, Jerome. Taylor (V.R.I.), F.H. Butcher (Cav.), James Clark, Samuel Coorst, John J. Campbell, Erastus Carney, T. Lindsey, C. Daughenbaugh, William Doty, R.J. Davison (190th Regiment), Patrick Sheeley, J. Thalt, W. Shoemaker, Lewis Parker, Sam. Sharp, A.E. Gibbs, Smith E. Guthrie, A. Haumer, Wm. Payne, Matt. McCarrick, John Smithers, J.E. Washburn (mustered out with Company C); George Green (transferred to V.R.C.), James A.C. Johnson, Firman T. Kirk, Owen Lyons. Anson Lucore (burned on a raft near Marietta in 1865) Simon McMahon, James O'Byrne, Abram Stolliker and Ben. F. Wright (transferred to the 190th Regiment). The private troops discharged on surgeon's certificates were Reuben Akley, G.W. Cook, E. P. Denham, E.P. Easterbrooks, Horace H. Greeley, A. Hiller, Irwin Horton, B.F. Minard, G.L. Patterson, Smith G. Post, J.S. Russell, Samuel Sanford, Ben. Shattock, and William Sloat. The discharged under special orders were George Guthrie and William Murphy. The alleged deserters named in J.R. Sypher's sketch of this company in his history of the Pennsylvania Reserve Corps were A.D. Bennett, J.S. Dual, John Grow, S.F. Minard and Charles A. McGregor. Since the war Lieut. Robert Warner was drowned at Queen's Run dam.

FIRST CAVALRY

The First Cavalry was mustered in July and August, 1861, at Camp Curtin, and immediately went into service in Eastern Maryland, Company M capturing seven cannon, caissons and harness in the scout to Pontateague Landing, and one cannon and 1,500 small arms at Eastwood. Lieut. G.D. Bayard of the Fourth Regiment Cavalry, was commissioned colonel, September 1, 1861, with Lieut.- Col. Higgins and Maj. Owen Jones. The first regular service was performed at and around Drainesville, November 27, 1861, when several bushwhackers were killed or made prisoners. In this affair Asst. Surg. Samuel Alexander and Private Joe Haughling, of Company D, were killed. In April, 1862, the advance on the Rappahannock commenced, and on the 17th the First aided in driving the enemy toward Falmouth, which the regiment occupied next morning. On June 1 it was at Strasburg, skirmishing with Jackson's force and driving it toward Woodstock before the 8th, being under fire for eight days, including the fights at Harrisonburg and Cross Keys. Leaving Port Republic on the 10th, it fought its way to Manassas by the 23d, halted there two weeks, and in August were again opposing Jackson, retired successfully on Cedar Mountain, and held their position until Banks' arrival, when the First was in front supporting Knapp's battery. After Pope's retreat, on August 19, the First. Cavalry alone saved Bayard's brigade from capture, and on the 28th made the celebrated move between Jackson's rear and Longstreet's advance, and that night held Thoroughfare Gap for six hours against Long-street, and on the 29th opened the Bull Run battle at Centreville; engaged in holding the stampede during the retreat. In September, Capt. J.P. Taylor was commissioned lieutenant- colonel vice Barrows. Returning to the field, it saved the Rappahannock bridge on November 8, and captured the rebel camp. In December it entered the Fredericksburg campaign, where Gen. Bayard was killed on the 11th. On June 9, 1863, Gen. Pleasauton commanded the corps at Brandy Station, where Col. Duffy of the second division of the cavalry corps changed the fortunes of the day, but at a loss of three killed and eleven wounded in the ranks of the First. At Aldie, beyond Bull Run, Stuart's entire force was encountered on June 21, and by the 22d pushed back to the Blue Ridge- fourteen miles. The First Cavalry formed the rear guard in the march toward Gettysburg, where it arrived July 2, and was detailed as guard at Meade's headquarters. On July 16 we find the regiment facing the enemy at Sheppardstown, Md. At Carter's creek, on September 6, an outpost was surprised, Lieut. G.W. Lyon and Corp. Barre being killed and four men captured. At New Hope Church and' throughout the Mine Run campaign the regiment was in continuous service, and even after the Union forces had retired the regiment was detailed for service, in the various raids which mark the history of the war throughout the fall and winter of 1863. In April and May, 1864, we find the command at Falmouth, Kelley's ford, Spotsylvania and Todd's Tavern, always ready for or in action. On May 9, when Sheridan began his raid on Richmond, the First Cavalry saved the Sixth Ohio from capture at Chilesburg. On the 10th the regiment was the first to arrive at Haxall's Landing, where by mistake it was fired on by the United States boats. Crossing the Pamunky on May 25, it led the fight at Hawe's shop and the forlorn hope at Barker's Mills, losing heavily in the last assault. Soon after this command was ordered by Sheridan to destroy the Central Virginia Railroad, and later to report to Gen. Torbert. Subsequently it was engaged at White House, and sent by Torbert, without support, to capture a gun behind the enemy's line. In this rash affair it was entrapped, and in cutting a way through lost three officers and thirty- five men killed, wounded and missing. The regiment crossed James river, encountered the enemy at Malvern Hill, losing three killed and fifteen wounded; recrossed the James July 30, and continued in service until August 30. It was mustered out at Philadelphia, September 9, 1864.

Among the members of Company D, who resided in Cameron county, were Marcus L. French (promoted from sergeant to second lieutenant and to captain of Company E, April 2, 1862), who resigned February 10, 1863; Arch. R. McDonald, promoted from corporal to first sergeant and to second lieutenant July, 1864, wounded at Cedar Mountain, was captured August, 1862, transferred to battalion September 9, 1864, promoted first lieutenant of Company M, December 13, 1864, and captain January 23, 1865; was discharged June 20, 1865. John C. Lewis, promoted corporal, May 25, 1863, and Fleming W. Lucore, also promoted that day and wounded June 21, 1864, were mustered out September 9, 1864; Horace Taylor, wounded at . Cedar Mountain, August 9, 1862, and again on June 9, 1864, was transferred to battalion and mustered out as sergeant of Company M, June 20, 1865. Almiron Chapman, twice captured, was discharged for disability, February 14, 1863; Eli C. Davy was mustered out September 9, 1864. Charles C. Daniels, wounded at Cedar Mountain, died August 16, 1862. Chester E. Foster was transferred to battalion in September, 1864, and mustered out in June, 1865. W.B. Horton was made prisoner June 24, 1864, but returned and was mustered out in June, 1865. Charles D. Lord, Lemuel Lucore, Jr., Anson W. Lewis and R.C. Lewis were mustered out in September, 1864, but the latter served until June, 1865; and also John W. Lewis, with Henry C. Taylor and Charles H. May. Warren Mahon was missed at Brandy Station, Va., June 9, 1863. Of the above named, M.L. French and J.C. Lewis have died since the war. Nelson Sarrell, of Sterling, was blacksmith, A.H. German, Alfred Lewis, and perhaps one or two others, belonged to this command.

EIGHTY- FOURTH REGIMENT, P.V.I.

This regiment was raised in the counties of Cameron, Lycoming, Blair, Clearfield, Dauphin, Westmoreland and Columbia in August and September, 1861, and mustered in October 24, with William G. Murray, colonel; T.C. McDowell, lieutenant- colonel, and Walter Barrett, major. On January 2, 1862, the command was at Hancock, Md. On the 4th the regiment met Stonewall Jackson, but escaped with the loss of one man near Bath, and returned to Hancock, where Gen. Lander's division had arrived. Stonewall Jackson soon appeared, and. on the morning of the 5th sent Col. Ashby to demand surrender. The demand was refused, and an artillery duel of two days' duration ensued. During this time Jackson's main force was moving on Romney and thither, also, Lander directed his command, arriving there in time to set aside Stonewall's well-conceived plans. Lander died March 2, 1862, when Col. Kimball took command. Soon after the division was at Winchester, where Gen. Shields took command, and carried out the affair of Strasburg. On the 22d the battle of Winchester took place. Gen. Shields was wounded, while of the 260 officers and men of the Eighty- fourth who went into the affair, twenty- three were killed and sixty- seven wounded, Col. Murray, Capt. Patrick Gallagher and Lieut. Charles Reem being among the killed. On May 2 the brigade, under Col. Carroll (the 4th of Shields' division), proceeded toward Fredericksburg, but was ordered back to Fort Royal, and on the 31st proceeded to Port Republic, where the command arrived on June 8, 1862, making the celebrated charge on the "wagon train" that day. Unfortunately the "wagon train" proved to be thirty guns masked under wagon covers. In July the regiment joined Pope's corps, was at Cedar Mountain on the 9th, and afterward in the pursuit up the Rapidan to the Rappahannock. On July 30 Lieut. A.H. Nixon gave the night alarm which saved Carroll's brigade from Fender's South Carolinians. Nixon was about to be shot, when a fellow prisoner asked, "You will not shoot an unarmed man, will you?" and this simple question transferred all prisoners to the terrible prisons at Richmond. After its first campaign, the 84th returned to Washington with about seventy capable men. It was at Arlington Heights during the Antietam affairs, and there received 400 men together with returned veterans. In October the recruited command was near Fredericksburg, where the 84th led the fray, receiving from Gen. Carroll special mention. The affairs of Chancellorsville in April and May, 1863, won additional honors by desperate fighting and consequent severe losses. In the battles and skirmishes from July 24 at Wapping Heights to Mine run on November 30, and in the second Rapidan pursuit, February, 1864, the regiment sustained comparatively small loss. During the Wilderness campaign the 84th appears to have been everywhere, and Lieut. Nixon, the hero of Bull Run, gave the Pleasant Hill alarm which saved the regiment from capture. From June to October, 1864, the 84th was engaged in many brilliant affairs from Petersburg to Yellow House. In the last- named month the old soldiers were mustered out, and re- enlisted men and recruits formed in four companies and consolidated January 13, 1865, with the 57th regiment, of which Lieut.- Col. Zinn became colonel, G.W. Perkins, lieutenant- colonel, and Samuel Bryan, major. The new command was mustered out June 29, 1865.

Company G, of the Eighty- fourth Regiment was recruited in Cameron and Cumberland counties, and mustered in October, 1861, with Merrick Housler, captain, who resigned in May, 1862. James W. Ingram took his place and resigned in September, 1862. R.C. Lamberton was promoted from second lieutenant October 4, 1864, but was transferred to the Fifty- seventh Regiment. Capt. Erastus E. Platt was transferred to the V.R.C., August 15, 1863, and John P. Brindle promoted from first lieutenant that day and resigned July 6, 1864. First Lieut. D.W. Taggart died at home, October 16, 1862; J. Russell Wingate died June 18, 1864, of wounds received at Petersburg. Francis Duffy promoted second lieutenant in May, 1862, resigned in October; W.H.H. Hursh, second lieutenant transferred to the Fifty- seventh in 1865; Sergt. James Thayer died at Cumberland, Md., February 22, 1862; Judson Beers is not accounted for, but died here in 1887; J. Hutchison is alleged to have deserted December 31, 1861; Thomas Carr is not accounted for, and Franklin Hausler wounded at Winchester, Va., March 23, 1862, was discharged on that account. Sergts. Frank J. Moore (dead), Horace Stiles and W.C. Wolf are not accounted for. Sergts. William Pickering and Corp. Jacob Burr were mustered out December 6, 1864; Penrose Chadwick, wounded at Winchester, March 23, 1862, is not accounted for, also John Adams, Amos A. Foster, Elisha Housler, William Hamilton, Leroy E. Leggitt and Alex M. Smith, air corporals, although subsequent records show regular discharge. Corp. John R. Wilson was captured at Chancellorsville, May 3, 1863, was transferred to the Fifty- seventh in 1865. Musician Jacob Storm deserted March 11, 1862, and John Dunn, Sr., is not accounted for.

Among the private troops of this command were the following named, captured at Chancellorsville, May 3, 1863: *Charles Burkholder, *S.D. Brownwell, Peter Darr (dead), *Jeremiah Gardner, Elias Goodman, Benjamin Getz. (dead), Matthias Kern, *Joseph Krall, Joe J. Konklin, H.B. Robinson, John Ritsan (dead), *David Scheaffer, *Adam Scheaffer, Chris Smith, *Joseph Swords, *John G. Stern, *Frankiin Stoner, *Thomas Snoddy,. John Shugas, *Daniel Shindel and Henry A. Walters.

Austin Bliss, wounded at Spotsylvania, in May, 1864, was discharged; Samuel Drew was missed at Port Republic, June 9, 1862; Allen Freeman died at Camp Kelley, February 10, 1862; Samuel T. Konklin and Reuben Lane were killed at Chancellorsville; Joseph McClaran was killed at Winchester, March 23, 1862; Albert Walthers was wounded and captured at Port Republic, and Abram White died in August, 1862.

George Anderson, Harrison Barr, Smith Beers, P. S. Culver, Nelson Cutler, William Craven, Martin Carrigan, William Cassidy, Horace M. Duel, D. Daughenbaugh, Ed. Fletcher, George Fair, A.A. Foster, Isaac Hofley, Theo. Haney, William Jones, Michael Kernan, Thomas Letts, Rufus Lucore, William J. Lucore, John Moore, John Mahood, Herman E. Morgan, Michael Monaghan, Henry Mix, Robert Miller, John McClanahan, John McKee, F. Nickerbocker, Chester Nerrigan, James Nolan, James L. Pepper, Dwight Roberts, Charles Sponsler, Henry Strickland, James J. Shaffer, Henry Stitler, D.P. Smith, Isaac Smith, John Stimer, John Sullivan, Samuel Sponogle, Amos J. Virgison, Silas Wheaton (died a few years ago), and Waldo Whitehead (since dead), were not accounted for at date of muster out.

Among others transferred to the 57th, January 13, 1865, were Thomas Daley, George Detmore, Josiah Daron, Levi Eicholtz, James L. Fisk, Epraim Homer, G.J. Kunkle and Jacob Wilson. Edmund Robinson was discharged December 5, 1864, and Robert Johnston was transferred to Company E. The alleged deserters are named as follows: William Lyons and Val. Stonebraker, in 1861.

ONE HUNDRED AND NINETIETH REGIMENT, P.V.I.

This regiment was raised immediately after the affair of Bethesda Church, May 30, 1864, when the recruits and members, willing to re- enlist, of the 1st, 7th and 9th Regiments, and two companies of the 10th, 11th, 12th and 13th Regiments of the Pennsylvania Reserves, were organized under this title with Maj. W.R. Hartshorn, of the 13th, colonel; Capt. Joseph B. Pattee, of the 10th, Lieut-Col., and Capt. John A. Wolfe, of the 13th, major. The new command participated in the engagements at Cold Harbor, and on June 13 was present at Charles City with the 191st. At Petersburg Lieut. Christnot was killed, and Lieuts. Greenfield and Bletts mortally wounded. Near Yellow House Lieut. Stock was killed July 19, and Hartshorn's brigade captured, except a few on detached duty, who subsequently represented the 190th, under Lieut.- Col. Pattee, the main force being guests of the Confederacy, until Lee's surrender.

ONE HUNDRED AND NINETY- FIRST REGIMENT, P.V.I.

The history of the 191st Regiment is almost identical with that of the 190th, both regiments meeting at Washington for muster out, June 28, 1865. Moses W. Lucore served in this command with other comrades from this. county. His confinements in several Confederate prisons destroyed his health and caused his death.

ONE HUNDRED AND NINETY- NINTH REGIMENT, P.V.I.

Company K of this regiment claimed the following Cameron county men: H.E. Coleman, H.E. Chamberlin, Ira Fuller, G.W. Gore, Samuel D. Jordan, Michael Nugent and Royal Smith.

MISCELLANEOUS.

Charles Evans, a soldier, was killed at Keating Summit mill; Jesse Hart, Company H, 46th Pennsylvania Infantry, died on the Sinnemahoning in 1871; Virgil Holbrook, Company H, 158th, died during the war; and Don Jones, of Company F, 58th, also died; Elmer and Ira Lewis, of the gunboat "Victor," No. 33, died on the Mississippi; William Lewis, Company I, 76th, is dead; Clarence Lindsley, Company I, 148th New York, was murdered by Preston Gowers in 1883, the murderer killing Mrs. Gower and himself immediately thereafter; Thomas and James B. Logue, Company F, 211th, were killed at the wilderness; DeLoss Mumford, Company D, 53d Pennsylvania Infantry, was killed in action; Martin McMahon is buried at Driftwood; David and Josiah Miller died after the war; Osman Ostrander, Company D, 53d Pennsylvania Infantry, was accidentally killed some years ago; in Company F, of the 58th Pennsylvania Infantry, were James Peasley, George Peasley, Philander Peasley and Hiram Peasley who died in the service; C.C. Peasley, of Company H, 141st Regiment, died in 1880; Parker, Company I, 131st, died in 1882, and was buried at Sterling; James B. Ritchey, Company F, 211th, was killed at the wilderness; John H. Smith, of Company F, 148th, died during the war;. George Trump, of the 137th, died at Driftwood after the war; Charles Wykoff of Company H, 46th, is dead; Matthew Phoenix, of the 86th New York Infantry, was wounded at Locust Grove, Va. Harry Dutcher, Battery A, 4th United States Artillery, died at Driftwood about 1882.

The status of the Cameron county, men in the war, was truly rated by Representative J.C. Johnson, in his reply to Kreps, of Franklin county, during the debate on the bill authorizing suits against the commonwealth in 1889. Addressing the speaker, Mr. Johnson said: "I cannot let my youthful friend from Franklin attack my county without replying to him. He makes no reply to my argument whatever, but says my county was a young county when the border raids occurred. That is true, but young as she was, she sent volunteers to help defend the gentleman's border county. I had myself the honor and the pleasure to come from the northern boundary of the State to this southern boundary with the men of that part, and aid in protecting the widows and their infants and their homes; and the men of that county he so weakly attacks stood with me on the field of Gettysburg, and went thence to rebel prisons because of that defense, while the gentleman himself was an infant, or, to use his own words, 'a puny, weakly baby,' about the door- sill of his father's store."

* The names marked thus* returned to the command and were transferred to the Fifty- seventh Regiment, and Leonard Taggart to First Pennsylvania Cavalry.

Source: Page(s) 848-856, History of Counties of McKean, Elk and Forest, Pennsylvania. Chicago, J.H. Beers & Co., 1890.
Transcribed February 2006 by Nathan Zipfel for the Cameron County Genealogy Project
Published 2006 by the Cameron County Pennsylvania Genealogy Project