.""r^iT" ar¥i L WAR ^, '<« F.5k. .|.,AM ajurttcU MttttteraitH Ifiihrata atljata. Neiu ^ork THE JAMES VERNER SCAIFE COLLECTION CIVIL WAR LITERATURE THE GIFT OP JAMES VERNER SCAIFE CLASS OF 1889 1919 Cornell University Library The original of this book is in the Cornell University Library. There are no known copyright restrictions in the United States on the use of the text. http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924030915650 Cornell University Library E527.7.F C59 History of .H.a.n}fit9J?,,,„''.f!KSH,iiiilii olin 3 1924 030 915 650 ROBERT B. HAMPTON. History of Hampton Battery F INDEPENDENT PENNSYLVANIA LIGHT ARTILLERY ORGANIZED At Pittsburgh, Pa., October 8, 1861, Mustered out in Pittsburgh, June 26, 1865. COMPILED BY WILLIAM CLARK SECRETARY V^ETERAN ASSOCIATION Copyrighted by William Clark 1909 All rights reserved MADE BY THE WERNER COMPANY, AKRON, OHIO, AND PITTSBURGH TO THE SURVIVING MEMBERS OF THE BATTERY AND THE MEMORY OF ITS GALLANT DEAD THIS VOLUME IS DEDICATED i^il PREFACE. jT THE Annual Reunion of the Hampton Battery Veteran Association held at Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on October II, 1 902, the following resolution was unanimously adopted: "Resolved, that the Secretary, WiHiam Clark, be authorized to compile a suitable History of the Battery during the Civil War, " which was signed by Benjamin R. Park, President, William T. Rees, Assistant Secretary, and Henry Hemple, Treasurer. After a great deal of labor and research the following volume has been prepared, and it is hoped that it will prove of interest to the surviving members of the Battery and their friends. It is hard to compile a history of any one of the three Pitts- burgh Batteries in the Civil War, — Hampton's, Knap's and Thomp- son's — as they were so closely identified through nearly the whole period of the conflict. They were in the same Army Corps and Division during the greater part of the four years of their service, and the history of one is really the history of all. The three Batter- ies lost in killed in action or who died of wounds received in the service forty-nine men, and nearly double that number were wounded. They were in active service nearly four years in the old Army of the Potomac, and their history is a part of the history of that Army, of which most truthfully and justly at the close of the war it was said : " This Army from the beginning has preserved its identity like no other of the national forces. The elements of all the other armies have been continually changing by transfers from one line of operation to another. The Army of the Potomac has had but one object, has operated but in one field, has been kept sub- HAMPTON BATTERY. stantially undivided, and has acquired a peculiar compactness of organization and unity of spirit. It has always occupied the fore- ground of the war, and all brilliant exploits elsewhere could but momentarily draw the public eye from it. Five times as much blood has been spilled by the Army of the Potomac as by all the other national forces combined. Everybody has felt that on its strong right arm mainly depended the fate of the nation. The Army of the Potomac should always be remembered as the Army that was pitted against the very head and front of the Rebellion, and sent it finally to the dust. Every living man who has faithfully served in that Army deserves unfading laurels, and every one of the tens of thou- sands of its heroic dead should have a monument as enduring as the Republic." This is high but merited praise, and Allegheny County can feel proud that her most famous military organizations belonged to this most famous of our armies. Pittsburgh, Pa., April, 1909. George V. Marshall, Robert E. Macoubray, David R. Lewis, Advisory Committee. William Clark, Historian. INDEX. " Absent Without Leave " 1 56 Antietam, Battle of 1 06 Arensberg, Conrad C 79, 101 Atwood, William 79, 101 Balken. Henry 76, 101 Band 149 Bassett, James 78, 101 Becker, Isaiah K 76, 101 Becker, Samuel B 76, 101 Berrysville, Battle of 14, 1 06 Blackburn's Ford, Battle of 71 , 1 06 Bright, Charles R 82, 100 Bright, John 82, 100 Brown, Mrs. H. E 18 Bull Run, Battle of 29-34, 106 Cavitt, Alonzo 76, 1 01 Cedar Creek, Battle of 17, 106 Cedar Mountain, Battle of 28, 106 Chancellorsville Campaign 38-55, 106 ChantiUy, Battle of 106 Charlestown, Battle of 1 06 Clark, Benjamin M 83, 101 Clark, William 76, 101 Coffin,Charles W 83,101 Dam No. 5. Raid on 12, 106 " Death of William Hastings " 161 Dennison, James 85, 1 00 Duffy, Timothy.Jr 84, 101 Engagements, List of 106 Edinburgh, Battle of 16, 1 06 Fieres, Henry 86, 1 00 Fisher's Hill, Battle of 1 06 Freeman's Ford, Battle of 28, 106 Front Royal, Battle of 1 06 Gaines' Cross Roads, Battle of 1 06 Geary, Captain Edward R 73, 1 32 Gettysburg Campaign 5 7-7 1 , 1 06 Glasgow, Robert 86, 100 Hampton Battery " B " Ordered to Mt. Gretna 171 Ordered to Puerto Rico 1 72 Arrived at Puerto Rico 1 73 Engagements 1 73 Ordered to New York 1 74 Mustered out 1 75 Roster 1 76 Hampton Battery " F " Organization 11 Equipment 13 First engagement 13 Enters Southern territory 14 Joined by Lieutenant Miller with recruits 27 Consolidated with Thompson's Battery 55 Attached to Second Army Corps 71 Again made independent organization 72 Roster 73 Members killed 1 00 Members wounded 101 Members living August I, 1909 101 Assignments 1 05 Engagements 1 06 Annual meets 1 07 Hampton Battery Veteran Association 1 07- 1 28 Hampton, Captain R. B. Death of 41 Biographical sketch 129 Hancock, Battle of 13, 1 06 Hanshaw, Charles 88, 100 Harrisonburg, Battle of 1 06 Hastings, William 28, 87, 100, 161 Heffernan, Patrick 88, 100 Helman, William 88, 100 Herbert, John H 87, 100 Hess. Henry 30, 88, 100 Holman, Mathew H 87, 101 Honorary members of Hampton Battery Association 128 Hunt, Captain Alfred E 1 68 Irish, Lieutenant Nathaniel Joins Battery 13 Wounded 59,73, 101 Irwin, Samuel 88, 101 Keirsh, Jacob 90, 100 Kerntown, Battle of '6, 1 06 Kidd. Henry A 89. 101 Lacy, William 90, 100 Lacy's Springs, Battle at 16, 1 06 Lee, Richard H 78, 100 Leech. Joseph S 90, 100 Loughrey, John E 90, 100 Luray, Battle of 1 06 McConnell, Joseph 93, 100 McGaugheysville, Battle of 1 06 Macoubray, Robert E 75, 101 Miller, J. Edwin 75, 101 Miller, Lieutenant Joseph L. Joins Battery 27 Mortally wounded at Gettysburg 59, 1 00 Biographical sketch 135 Mine Run, Battle of 72, 106 Morton's Ford. Battle of 1 06 Mount Jackson, Battle of 1 06 Nevin, William 1 93, 100 Newtown, Battle of 16, 1 06 Opequan, Battle of 1 06 Organization of Hampton Battery " F " 11 " Our Little String Band " 149 Peters, James 75, 101 Peters, Robert 11^ 101 Purdy. Hugh 94, 100 Rappahannock Station, Battle of 1 06 Rath, Adam 94, 100 Reminiscences 164 Ritchie, George 74, 101 Shaler, John C, letter to his sister 1 38 Sharp, Alexander 77, 101 " Some Reminiscences " 1 64 South Mountain, Battle of 1 06 Stoney Creek, Battle of 16, 1 06 " Stove Pipe Cannon " 1 60 Strasburg, Battle of . . . : 16, 1 06 Teese, James D 96, 1 00 Thompson's Battery and Hampton's Battery consolidated ... 55 Todd, First Lieutenant Joseph B 73, 100, 136 United States Ford, Battle of 1 06 Wallace, Corporal James, Death of 18, 1 00 Waterloo, Battle of 28, 106 Webber, John 99, 100 Weyman, B. Frank 99, 101 White Hall Church, BatUe of 72, 106 White Sulphur Springs, Batde of 28, 106 Wickline, James M 97, 101 Winchester, Campaign 1 5-24, 1 06 Woodstock, Battle of 16, 106 LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. Robert B. Hampton Frontispiece, 1 30 Shacklett House, Boyhood Home of Captain Hamp- ton 10 Hooker's Headquarters, Chancellorsville 40 Map of Battlefield, Chancellorsville 49 Shelter Rock, Gettysburg 56 Monument in Peach Orchard, Gettysburg 58 Monument on Hancock Avenue, Gettysburg 62 Bronze Tablet on Monument, Hancock Avenue, Gettysburg 64 Captain Hampton's Grave, Allegheny Cemetery ... 70 Monument in East Park, Pittsburg, N. S 98 West Face of Monument in East Park, Pittsburg, N. S 100 East Face of Monument in East Park, Pittsburg, N. S 102 Memorial Day Services, East Park, Pittsburg, N. S. 1 08 Edward R. Geary 1 32 Joseph L. Miller 1 34 Joseph B. Todd 1 36 A. E. Hunt 1 69 f -. THE SHACKLETT HOUSE, YEW HILL, NEAR WARRENTON, VA. BOY-HOOD HOME OF CAPTAIN ROBERT B. HAMPTON. FROM SKETCH BY PORTE CRAYON IN THE FALL OF 1858. Hampton Battery lAMPTON BATTERY " F," Independent Pennsyl- vania Light Artillery, was recruited in Pittsburgh in August and September, 1861, and was mustered into the United States service for three years, or during the war, on October 8, 1861 , with the following membership: Robert B. Hampton, Captain J. Presley Fleming, First Lieutenant Alfred N. Harbours, Second Lieutenant Robert Paul Joseph Leech Robert E. Macoubray James Wallace James Bassett David Wickline John Kenning Cornelius D. Rupert Jacob G. Wills Thomas Bruner John Smiley Joseph Reed Thomas Quartz Hugh Purdy Thomas Neely Joseph McConnell William Lafferty Samuel Irwin LoREN Hurd Joseph B. Todd David A. Stewart Daniel M. Shaeffer William Peters Washington Bassett William Dalmas James W. Wilson Valentine Wise Henry Hess John Tetley John Slatterly John T. Rowley John Pierce William T. Phillis Robert McDade John McAlease Jacob Keirsh William Hastings Albert M. Evans [11] HAMPTON BATTERY. John Ellis Henry Fieres James Dennison Casper R. Carlisle Benjamin M. Carlisle Alonzo Cavitt William Clark Benjamin M. Clark John Bright Charles R. Bright Amos Baxter William Brown Charles A. Borden Newell A. Borden Townsend Adams George W. Beaumont William Cappe John Weber Michael Keck Hiram Neely John James Adam Rath James M. Wickline Edmund J. Wilkins William Warnock Samuel D. Glass John G. Beatty James Vanzant Having received orders to join the forces of General N. P. Banks, at Williamsport, Maryland, we started on the same day on the Pennsylvania Railroad, arrived at Williamsport on the even- ing of Thursday, October 1 0th, and went out to Camp Lamon on the 1 1 th. The Camp was situated on a small stream called the Conococheague, about one mile north of Williamsport. In the early part of December the enemy made a raid on Dam No. 5 on the Potomac River, with the intention of destroy- ing it. After receiving from Williamsport an equipment of Belgian Rifles we marched to the Dam, drove the enemy back, and de- stroyed a mill on the Virginia side of the river, which they had been using as a rendezvous. General N. P. Banks, in his report to Washington under date of December 20th, 1861 , says: " Captain R. B. Hampton, of Hampton Battery, with a squad of his men, crossed the Potomac River at Dam No. 5 and [12] HAMPTON BATTERY. burned the old mill at that place, which the enemy had been using as a rendezvous, and returned with a lot of blankets, entrenching tools, etc., and found the dam but little damaged." On January 1 , 1 862, we were temporarily equipped with two six-pound brass guns and ordered to join General Lander at Han- cock, Maryland, about twenty-seven miles northwest of Williams- port, where General Stonewall Jackson was making a demonstra- tion. On January 4th, 5 th and 6th, we had quite brisk engagements with the enemy and repulsed them. This was our first experience with guns in actual warfare. The men behaved very well and received the commendation of their superior officers. On January 27th we broke camp at Williamsport and marched to Hagerstown, Maryland, where, on February 1st, 1862, we re- ceived our equipment — six ten-pound Parrot guns and one hundred and ten horses, with battery wagon, forge, harness, etc. Having been drilling all winter in Camp Lamon with hollow logs mounted on stumps of trees for cannon, we were quite proficient in the artillery drill and compared very favorably with Batteries that had had their equipment all winter On February 1 st. Lieutenant Nathaniel Irish, with a squad of men, joined us. He took command of the left section. Lieutenant J. Presley Fleming having command of the right section. We left Camp Bradford, at Hagerstown, Maryland, on February 12th, fully equipped, and marched to Boonsboro, Mary- land. On the 1 3th, we passed through Middletown, crossed South Mountain and arrived in Frederick City about eight o'clock P. M., and went into camp in the southern part of the city. On our arrival Captain James Thompson, whose Battery preceded ours two days, had his men supply each of us with a tin of good hot coffee, which we relished as only tired soldiers could. Not having men enough to man six guns, we here turned over to Captain Thompson, who [13] HAMPTON BATTERY. had not as yet been supplied, two of our guns fully equipped, with twenty-seven horses. We celebrated February 22d, Washington's Birthday, by a parade and fired a salute of thirty-four guns. Major General N. P. Banks, who was present, commended our boys on the manner in which they handled the guns. We received marching orders on February 24th and shipped our guns, caissons and other baggage by railroad to Harpers Ferry. The horses were sent across the country to Maryland Heights, where we took position to protect the infantry while they built pontoon bridges across the river. The bridges were built just above the site of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad bridge, which had been destroyed by the enemy, in the short space of seven hours. General Banks was at the head of the column and we had the honor of being on the right of line. Major General George B. McClellan was also present. This was one of the first pontoon bridges built by the Army of the Potomac, and as there was some fear that it would not stand the strain of a battery, we unhitched our teams and took our guns over by hand, which proved very successful. This was the first time our Battery had the pleasure of tread- ing on Southern soil. While the column was crossing over into the land of Dixie the band played the tune of that name. About six o'clock P. M. we took position on Bolivar Heights. The next day we marched to Charlestown, about ten miles from Harpers Ferry and the scene of the tragic death of John Brown, where we arrived about eleven o'clock. We were accom- panied by two regiments of infantry and a regiment of cavalry. We placed our guns in position to command the roads leading to Berry- ville and Smithville, and remained here until March 5 th, when we marched to Camp Hamilton, passing through Smithville. All was [14] HAMPTON BATTERY. quiet except the occasional capture of prisoners by our scouts, Colonel Carter, of the Southern army, being one of those taken. On the 8th we marched to Bunker Hill. We were now fourteen miles from Winchester, where General Jackson was in a fortified position. General Williams, who com- manded our division, sent a flag of truce into Winchester notifying the women and children to evacuate the town, as he would attack Jackson in his fortifications on the morrow. When within five miles of Winchester we bivouacked for the night and about dusk our out- posts were attacked by a squad of Southern cavalry, which was repulsed. A battle line of about fifteen thousand troops was formed and a slow and cautious advance begun toward Winchester. At nine o'clock we took possession of the forts, Jackson and his troops having withdrawn the day before. We remained in the enemy's fortifications until March 22d, when we received orders to go with a forage train to Centerville or Manassas. We marched to Snicker's Ferry, a distance of sixteen miles, where we found that the trestle bridge across the Shenandoah River had been broken down. We went into camp, and on the 25 th received orders to countermarch to Winchester, as Jackson had at- tacked our troops at that place under Shields, each having about ten thousand men. On arriving at Berryville, five miles from the Ferry, we received countermanding orders and remained there four days. On the 28th we resumed our march to Manassas Junction, crossing the Shenandoah River on the trestle bridge, which had been repaired. We then crossed the Blue Ridge Mountains to Snickers- ville and Aldie. On the 29th we arrived at Centerville and on the 30th crossed Bull Run and occupied the quarters the enemy under Beauregard had constructed. On April 1st, 1862, we received orders to countermarch to Winchester. After passing through Centerville, Aldie and Snicker's [15] HAMPTON BATTERY. Ferry and crossing the mountains and the Shenandoah River, we reached Winchester on the 4th, having marched fifty-six miles. On the 6th we marched southwardly with the column to Cedar Creek, passing through Kerntown, Newtown, Strasburg and Woodstock. Every day on this march we had warm skirmishes with the enemy. On the 16th we reconnoitered about two miles south of Edinburgh and had quite a fight with a column of the enemy's cavalry, which had taken position beyond Stoney Creek, and routed them com- pletely. We then passed through Mount Jackson, and on the 1 9th marched to Lacy's Springs, where we had a successful battle with infantry and cavalry. After reconnoitering about five miles north of Harrisonburg, we marched with a Brigade into that town and took possession. A reconnoitering expedition was then made to McGaugheysville, about five miles southeast of Harrisonburg, after which we returned to the camp, where we remained for several days. On these expedi- tions we had brisk skirmishes with the enemy every day. On the 5 th of May we again received marching orders and returned down the valley to near New Market. On the 6th we crossed the Massanutton Mountains, but at once recrossed and returned to New Market. From here we marched to Strasburg and then countermarched four miles south to Fisher's Hill, where we took position to cover the road leading to Woodstock. On the 24th of May, General Hatch, who was in command, ordered us to move over to Strasburg, as he heard that General Banks had been attacked by a strong force of the enemy which had advanced from Front Royal, in the Luray Valley, to Newtown. We advanced rapidly toward Newtown, and on arriving about one mile north of Cedar Creek and three miles north of Strasburg, we discovered our advance cut off and a powerful body of the enemy in our front. We at once opened fire and after an hour's heavy [16] HAMPTON BATTERY. firing, the enemy having advanced in front and flanked our right, we fell back to the crest of the hill south of Cedar Creek and again gave battle. The enemy still flanking our position, we again re- treated to the hill north of Strasburg, where we took position and held the enemy in check for over an hour. Darkness now came on and we started to flank the enemy's right and moved toward North Mountain. Here we got on a parallel road and started in the dark- ness toward Winchester, twenty-two miles away. A column was formed by dividing the cavalry and placing the artillery in the center, and about one o'clock in the morning we reached the southern limits of Winchester. In the meantime, our Captain with eighteen men and the rear squadron of cavalry and the battery wagon and forge, hav- ing been cut off, took the Romney Road and escaped to the moun- tains northwest of us. On joining our command at Winchester we laid down by our guns and slept for a few hours. The enemy advanced during the night and formed a line of battle. We took position on the left of the Strasburg pike and after a heavy action of about two hours our left section was ordered to the hill southwest of the town, where we remained until half past ten o'clock. Our right section had taken position on the Strasburg road. After ascertaining that the enemy, twenty thousand strong, was flanking us on the right. General Gordon ordered us to retire. Our section took position in the southern part of the town and fired canister point blank into the enemy's lines, doing terrible execution. We then joined the retiring column and brought up the rear. The enemy was now flanking our right and severely pressing our front, and our position became untenable. A complete retreating column was formed by General Banks, our Bat- tery being in the extreme rear, and we fell back to Martinsburg, a distance of twenty-four miles from Winchester. In evacuating Winchester, on May 25, 1862, we deemed it [17] HAMPTON BATTERY. unwise to leave the fort, as it was in good condition, so we placed powder in the magazine and in other places, intending to blow it up. But it was slow in exploding, and Corporal James Wallace, thinking that the fuse had gone out, returned to investigate. He no sooner got inside the fort than there was a mighty explosion and he was blown to pieces. An incident by way of digression that occurred during Banks' retreat may not be without interest. Some of the cannoneers of the Hampton Battery, seeing a little mulatto girl toiling along the dusty road trying to keep up with the retreating column, placed her on one of the limber chests and allowed her to ride there until they went into camp. Not long afterward a resolution was introduced in the House of Representatives at Washington charging General Banks with using the government teams for the transportation of fugitive slaves. The General's reply was worthy of the man. He stated that there was no truth in the charge and gave the following account of the incident: " When at a considerable distance on our march we overtook a small party on foot. My attention was attracted to a little girl about eight years old who was toddling along over the stones by the way-side, and I asked her how far she had traveled. ' From Win- chester,' she said. We were then about twenty-seven miles from that place. I requested some cannoneers of the Hampton Battery to give her a hft and the gallant men who had hung on the rear of the column for its defense the greater part of the distance responded with alacrity. No efforts were made to ascertain her complexion, but it is not impossible that she belonged to the race referred to in the resolution and that her little limbs had been strengthened by some vague dream of liberty in that hurried night march." The following poem, by Mrs. H. E. Brown, was suggested by the letter of General Banks : [18] HAMPTON BATTERY. ' Take up the little weary one, ' The brave commander said. And noble hearts and stalwart arms The kindly words obeyed. They gently raised the trembling form; Nor looked upon her face To know the color of her skin, The features of her race. AH night along the rugged road. Hungry, faint, and sore, Those infant feet had eager fled From slavery's cruel door. And now should freemen coldly turn. Nor lend a helping hand. And leave the child to die in sight Of freedom's promised land? The column now formed and moved toward the Potomac River opposite Williamsport, Maryland, arriving there about two o'clock A. M. on the 26th of May. Before crossing the river General Banks addressed the men and explained that the retreat was not chargeable to any inefficiency of our officers, but to the concentration of the several commands of the enemy who could be spared from the front of the army of McClellan, then operating on the Virginia Peninsula. Our column crossed the river and Hampton Battery took position to cover the road leading toward Martinsburg. In the report of Lieutenant J. Presley Fleming, who had command of the Battery during the absence of Captam Hampton, he says: " Williamsport, Md., May 29th, 1862. " I have the honor to report that after taking command of the Battery we left the Valley turnpike and proceeded to Win- chester by the Middle, or dirt, road, and after a forced march, reached Winchester at four o'clock in the morning of the 25 th in- stant. Shortly after our arrival the pickets were driven in, when [19] HAMPTON BATTERY. I immediately placed the Battery in readiness for action, and awaited orders. " Owing to our late arrival and the tired and weary state of both men and horses, I awaited daylight to report to headquarters. The enemy's operations commencmg at such an early hour, I im- mediately proceeded to place my guns in the best position my judgment indicated they were most needed, viz: I ordered one section, under command of Lieutenant Irish, on the right, in support of Colonel Gordon's command; the other section was posted in the center and on the right of the road, and also in support of Colonel Gordon, and continued in these positions during the action, with one exception, when the section under my command was ordered to the support of Colonel Donnelly, but was countermanded before the pieces were in battery. I immediately returned to my former posi- tion and resumed firing. The position of the troops of Colonel Gordon's Brigade when returned was such that the action of this section was in a great measure retarded, but the section on the right was enabled to do excellent execution at very short range. " During the action of the 25th, we had six men wounded by musket balls, but none of them seriously ; also three horses. One of the horses was left on the field. Our men are all doing well. We returned to this place, taking position in the rear, and doing such service as was ordered. " I am happy to state that my men are able and in readiness to try their mettle again, under your supervision, in any similar posi- tion you may see fit to place them. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, J. Presley Fleming, First Lieutenant." Captain Charles H. T. Collis, in his report to General N. P. Banks, May 28th, 1862, says: [20] HAMPTON BATTERY. " We had fallen back a mile, hotly pursued by cavalry, infantry and artillery, and losing three men killed, when, by an intervention of a generous God, we reached assistance. Captain Robert B. Hampton, Independent Pennsylvania Artillery, who I supposed was with you, now joined me, and placing his guns in bat- tery afforded my men a half hour's rest. Being outnumbered we fell back to Strasburg, where, taking position on the hill north of Hupp's house, we determined to make a final struggle, in which we were successful, forcing the enemy to retire to their first position at Middle- town. " Captain Hampton, of the Battery, deserves the thanks of all engaged, and the whole country, for his gallant behavior. His guns were served admirably and with telling effect." The following extracts are from the report of Colonel Charles H. Tompkins, of the First Vermont Cavalry: " The only troops in the field, independent of my five com- panies, consisted of Hampton's Pennsylvania Battery, composed of ten-pounder Parrot guns, and one company of zouaves. * * * Perceiving the enemy was advancing in too strong force for a success- ful opposition to be made, I deemed it advisable to retreat m order, abandon the wagons, and make an attempt to join General Hatch by making a detour to left of the enemy's right flank, and, signify- ing my intention to Captain Hampton, immediately commenced the movement, and was so far successful as to join Brigadier General Hatch at Winchester at eleven-thirty P. M." Captain Robert. B. Hampton, on his return May 29th, 1862, reports as follows: " I have the honor to report that after a short engagement at Strasburg on the afternoon of the 24th, in which the four guns be- longing to my Battery and one howitzer belonging to Captain Best [21] HAMPTON BATTERY. participated, and with which we succeeded in holding the enemy in check for some two hours and a half, I was compelled to withdraw the artillery, and started by a circuitous route to Winchester under command of First Lieutenant J. Presley Fleming, after which I returned to Strasburg and endeavored to bring forward my battery wagon and forge, and some few men who had remained with them, ordered all wagons, men, etc., to proceed on the Middle road to Winchester, all of which we got in column about dark and proceeded toward Winchester. We halted seven miles from Winchester and were sent forward to the front where the roads connect, found we were cut off, and altered our course to another road parallel with the pike, and came within three miles of Winchester. "About 9:00 A. M. Sunday, I halted the column and train and went to the rear of Winchester with the Adjutant of the Fifth New York Cavalry, and found that our force had retreated toward Martinsburg, the enemy in possession of Winchester, and we again cut off from connecting with our forces. Our column was again ordered to retire and proceed toward Martinsburg by way of the Middle road to within five miles of Martinsburg, and sent forward and ascertained that we were again cut off. I then consulted with Colonel DeForest and his officers and concluded to cross the mountain and go to Hancock, Maryland, which place we made by marching all night, and arrived at Hancock on Monday at 1 1 : 30 A. M. ; then employed the boats and crossed the train and men in safety, remaining there until dawn on Tuesday, the 28th, losing in our retreat one man wounded and four missing, and my battery wagon abandoned; also one wagon loaded with ordnance stores, and four mules, harness and camp equipage. Your obedient servant, Robert B. Hampton, Captain Commanding Artillery." [22] HAMPTON BATTERY. Colonel O. DeForest, in his report to General Hatch, May 29th, 1862, says: " Moving now to the summit of the hill north of Strasburg, I found that my own command, as well as a portion of the First Ver- mont Cavalry, a portion of General Banks' bodyguard, and Hamp- ton's Battery, were cut off from the main body of the army. In- fantry, cavalry and wagons were streaming back in wild confusion along the road on either side as far as the eye could reach. The Battery (Hampton's) having been at once ordered to the summit of the hill, I supported it with my cavalry, formed in line of battle in the field on either side. A few shell checked the small force of the enemy who were pressing on us from Middletown. " After a hasty consultation. Colonel Tompkins, Captain Hampton and myself decided to try and rejoin the main body by a mountain road on the west of the pike. Colonel Tompkins, forming the advance, with a portion of his regiment, was to move out the cross-road a piece and halt until the column should be formed, the Battery and my own command following. * * * I have subsequently learned that Colonel Tompkins pushed on without the Battery and that Companies A and E of my regiment entered Winchester about one o'clock A. M. Sunday with the Bat- tery. Captain Hampton and his battery wagon and forge remained with me. I halted a few minutes for Captain Hampton to bring up the battery wagon and forge from the rear and then moved rapidly on. * * * We marched from Strasburg Saturday at 5 : 00 P. M. and moved without halting that night eighteen miles. From dawn on Sunday, we moved, say, eleven miles to Winchester, and thirty-seven to Cherry Run Ford, making on Sunday forty-eight miles. On Monday we marched to Clear Spring, seven miles; on Tuesday to Williamsport, eleven miles — in all eighty-four miles." [23] HAMPTON BATTERY. Captain James W. Abert, United States Topographical Engineer, in his report to General Banks made mention of the Hamp- ton Battery as follows: " At Middletown, by the greatest good fortune, we found one of our batteries in position on the hill south of the town (Captain Hampton's). From this place we shelled the enemy, and as he approached near enough used double shotted canister, which checked him. We then retired upon Strasburg, where I directed the Bat- tery to be placed in the fort, but the side of the fort by which the enemy was advancing was completely unfinished. I then directed the Battery to follow me and I would try to save it by taking the back road to Winchester, but the Captain, when I told him that the road ran parallel to the main road and was only three or four miles distant from it, said that the enemy's flankers would intercept us and it would be vain to attempt it. I therefore left him." At two o'clock one of our guns was ordered to a position about two miles northwest of Williamsport, on the Romney road, and re- mained there on picket until the evening of the 28th. It then returned to camp and went into position with the other three guns to cover the Martinsburg road and approaches to the river, where we re- mained until the 31st of May. We then formed line, crossed the river, marched up the valley, and encamped near Falling Waters. The next day, June 1st, 1862, we marched to Martinsburg and went into camp north of the town where we remained until June 5th, when we again took up the line of march to Winchester, which we reached on the 6th. We encamped on the Romney road about one mile from town. On the 9th we again took up the line of march and encamped on the north branch of the Shenandoah River, near Front Royal. We remained here until the 25th of June, when we went into position overlooking both branches of the Shenandoah River, [24] HAMPTON BATTERY. twenty miles from Winchester, where we remained until the 29th, when we started on a reconnoissance up the Luray Valley. When about a mile from the town of Luray we were ordered to halt and remain for the night, after having marched from Front Royal, a distance of nineteen miles. On the morning of June 30th, not having found any enemy or cause to continue our reconnoissance further up the valley, we were ordered to countermarch. The road between Front Royal and Luray is located near a branch of the river which makes a considerable bend at this point. While the column was fol- lowing the road, about half a dozen of the boys cut across the short way, expecting to have a good mess of cherries. But on approach- ing the trees they discovered that a number of the infantry were up in the trees and a very uncomfortable number of bushwhackers, or guerrillas, had charge of their guns. A race for liberty now took place and our boys caught up with us just as we with the guns ap- proached the end of the cut-off line. They were almost black in the face from running. We learned after returning to camp that twenty-five of our infantry had been captured while lagging behind. On the Fourth of July, at daylight, we fired a national salute and spent the day practicing at a target at a distance of one and one- half miles, doing some very good work. The officers of our Battery provided a sumptuous dinner and the boys partook of it with a zest that no person but a soldier who had lived nine months on hard tack could describe or appreciate. Colonel Charles H. Tompkins makes report as follows: " On the morning of June 29th, 1 862, the cavalry force, con- sisting of five companies of the First Vermont Cavalry, three companies of the First Maine Cavalry, and two battalions of the First Michigan Cavalry, Hampton's Battery of Pittsburgh, Pa., the Fifth Connecticut Cavalry, and the Forty-sixth Pennsylvania In- [25] HAMPTON BATTERY. fantry, moving in the order here specified, was formed in line in the suburbs of Front Royal. The column moved until they had reached , about three miles beyond Millford and encamped, nothing having been seen during the day. " At five o'clock the next morning we moved on in the same order, Captain Best acting as guard for the Hampton Battery. When within about five miles from Luray a vedette of the enemy was captured by one of the advance guard. " Having reached the hill about half a mile out of Luray, two companies of the enemy's cavalry were discovered to be drawn up in line just outside the town upon the Gordonsville road. Our ad- vance charged the enemy, who met the charge, but were routed. " Having achieved the object of the reconnoissance, the cavalry force was reformed and returned to camp, arriving at 9 : 00 P. M. on the 30th, having marched forty-three miles." On the sixth of July we received marching orders and started toward Warrenton, encamping for the night about eight miles from Front Royal. The next day we marched to Gaines' Cross Roads, where we remained until the 1 1 th. We then crossed the Rappahannock and countermarched to Gaines' Cross Roads. On the 1 2th we returned to Front Royal and on the 1 3th moved our guns into town by reason of a false alarm that the enemy was com- ing, as they had captured four of our wagons bringing supplies to our camp. We remained at Front Royal quite mactive durmg the re- mainder of July and until August 10th, when the enemy's cavalry made a raid into Front Royal and captured several members of the Third Delaware Infantry. But bemg hotly pursued by Russell's Cavalry they abandoned their prisoners and swam the river in order to escape. We remained in camp until the 1 7th, and then started [26] HAMPTON BATTERY. on the march to Sandy Hook, meeting Lieutenant Joseph L. Miller with fifty -one men to fill the center section of our Battery, as follows : Joseph L. Miller Frederick L. Atwood William Atwood George H. Ritchie Frank H. Shiras Benjamin R. Parke Harry S. Dravo Richard H. Lee Charles B. Bullock Timothy Duffy, Jr. Robert Fife Henry Hemple John H. Hay William King William H. Knox George W. Little George V. Marshall George Noble William J. Nevin L. Halsey Williams Lemuel Wilcox John S. Rodgers Frank S. Bakewell Frederick W. Beshore Hugh W. Alexander Seth a. Calhoun Henry A. Kidd David R. Lewis Joseph L. Miller Thomas McCue William A. Newman Amos S. Petrie B. Frank Weyman Charles W. Gormley George A. Heberton Theodore M. Finley Isaiah K. Becker Thomas C. Bushnell Henry Balken Samuel B. Becker James Peters John B. McClelland John C. Shaler, Jr. Robert S. Peters Charles Stoehr Louis F. Arensberg Charles W. Coffin Martin Deitrich William Hood Matthew Holman Frank Krome We then started on the march to Little Washington, but on the next day countermarched to Waterloo Bridge. The Battle of [27] HAMPTON BATTERY. Cedar Mountain was mainly fought on August 1 0th. The Hamp- ton Battery arrived on the ground in time to take part in the engagement. We also fought at Freeman's Ford on the 22d, at White Sulphur Springs on the 23d and 24th, and at Waterloo on August 25 th. On August 20th we marched to the Sulphur Springs and joined General Sigel's command, which was bivouacked around the springs. The space near the spring not occupied by the troops was taken up by the slaves who had started for freedom — men, women and children, almost by the thousands. The next day we marched to Rappahannock Station and were ordered to take position in front of the line of battle, which had been formed by General Pope on the preceding day, with General Burnside on the left, General Banks on the left of center. General McDowell on right of center and General Sigel on right of line. We marched to the right of Sigel's Corps, in which we took posi- tion under Brigadier General Bohlen, who had just crossed the river with his infantry. We were here attacked by a strong force and compelled to fall back, General Bohlen being killed in the action. A number of men were lost by drowning and by exposure to the enemy's fire while crossing the river. Our right of line then moved toward Sulphur Springs, and when near that place the enemy opened fire on our column and we were ordered into position and with the other batteries gave battle for an hour and a half, sustaining sharp fire from the enemy. The next day, August 24th, we engaged the enemy across the river. This action continued for about three hours, during which time we had one man killed and two wounded. After being forced to change our position, we drove the enemy from their guns and the action ceased. We left our comrade, William Hastings, who had both legs [28] HAMPTON BATTERY. shot off, in a log cabin near the springs in charge of Hospital Steward Frank S. Bakewell, who remained with him until he died, five days later. Bakewell had him buried near the springs, and before returning to the Battery was captured and taken to Libby Prison, but was soon exchanged. During the afternoon of the 24th we marched to Waterloo Station and while on the march could see a heavy column of smoke rising from the burning buildings at the springs. There was skirmish- ing along the whole line of march, in which our Battery took but little part. We then marched to Warrenton and rested until the morning of the 27th, when we moved toward Manassas Junction (Bull Run) and took position in line of battle, and moved with the line to the battlefield of Bull Run. During the night we were assigned to place by General Schimmelfennig, who as Senior Col- onel, succeeded General Bohlen, who had been killed on the 22d. The next morning we were ordered by General Carl Schurz to take position on the extreme right of line and be in readiness for action at a moment's warning. During the night we opened fire on the enemy and from it sustained a severe and scorching fire from three batteries. By order of Captain Hampton, we limbered up and fell back a short distance, and then by order of General Schurz reoccupied our old position and in a very short time silenced the enemy's batteries in our front. A lull for a short space of time had taken place, when we were somewhat surprised to see a line of skirmishers advancing as we thought for the purpose of charging our battery. The advance was very cautious, being through a cornfield at the edge of which stood a stack of hay. Feeling that their presence was not wanted, we charged and double-shotted our guns with canister and fired almost simultaneously. Those of the skirmishers who were not killed or wounded took refuge behind the hay stack but were permitted to [29] HAMPTON BATTERY. remain only a few moments, as our guns were speedily loaded with case shot and fired through the stack. Before we could reload our guns the skirmishers disappeared behind the hill. We thought it rather imprudent to make an investigation as to the casualties around or near the haystack and let our Southern friends depart in peace. Again a lull took place and Major Keifer, Chief of Artillery for Sigel, thought he would ride down to the edge of the cornfield and ascertain what was to be seen. When a short distance from our line the Major was fired upon and his horse was shot m the left leg, causing the horse to fall and pinion the Major under him. Captain Hampton, seeing the predicament the Major was in, calmly walked down and released him and brought back with him his equipment under a storm of Southern bullets. About 4:00 P. M. we were ordered to report to General Milroy, who was hard pressed by Law's Brigade near the railroad cut, and began firing at blank range into the lines of the enemy just across the cut. At every shot we fired the enemy appeared to be moving toward the cut at a very rapid gait, and it was soon dis- covered that the cut was filled with them. When our sixth shot was fired they charged out of the cut and with a most demoniac yell demanded the surrender of the left gun, which in firing the last shot had recoiled against a stump and the handspike having pene- trated the stump it was impossible to extricate it. By order of General Milroy it was abandoned, after which Corporal Henry Hess jumped upon the limber and while facing the enemy was shot in the fore- head and instantly killed. With the limber and other paraphernalia of the left gun we joined the balance of the Battery outside of the woods and fell back. We held the advancing enemy from charg- ing on our guns as they had intended, having advanced through a strip of woods three times for that purpose. [30] HAMPTON BATTERY. General Philip Kearney, who had witnessed the attempted charges of the enemy, sent an orderly with his compliments written on the inside of an envelope, commending us highly for our fighting qualities. We then received orders to retire to the line of artillery on the crest of the nsmg ground in our rear, and while retiring and before commencing to ascend the hill, it was observed that the enemy was emerging from the woods three lines deep. We immediately halted and unlimbered and double-shotted with canister and gave the enemy a parting salute, which had the effect of stopping their advance and allowed us to proceed with the Battery toward the lines on the hill. Before reaching our position the right gun of the left section m cross- ing a deep ditch broke its axle. We swung the gun on the limber and succeeded in saving it. The remaining section, the right, took position on the left of the line of about eighty guns and a heavy cannonade was begun which lasted until dark. In the meantime we had dragged our dis- abled gun to the rear, where we met General McDowell's advance. He promised to recapture our lost gun but was unable to do so. Our infantry support was General Philip Kearney's Division, which had arrived on the field a short time before. At sundown we retired from the line and took position in the rear to bivouac for the night, having been engaged continuously during the day. The next morning we fell back to the rear and rearranged the right section for the field. We then took position in line with the artillery of McDowell's Corps. The whole line, after an engage- ment lasting about three hours, was driven back, causing great excitement among the teamsters and spectators. A cordon of cavalry was necessary to prevent a general stampede. As soon as the line of cavalry was in position to permit the column just formed to pass over the defile or bridge across Bloody Run, our Battery took posi- [31] HAMPTON BATTERY. tion and passed with the column to Centerville, a distance of about five miles. Here we halted to let Fitz-John Porter's Corps pass to our left. We then marched to the east of Centerville and bivou- acked for the night. The next morning our right section marched to the front and took position in line, while the left section, battery wagon and forge started for Fairfax Court House. The march was continued to near Alexandria, where we encamped until the morning of September 6th, when we marched to Washington, D. C, and encamped near the Capitol Building, where the left section was refitted. General Sigel, in his report of September 1 6th, on operations on the Rappahannock and Bull Run, says: " To be just to the officers and soldiers under my command I must say that they performed their duties during the different move- ments and engagements of the whole campaign with the greatest promptness, energy and fortitude. Commanders of divisions and brigades, of regiments and batteries, and the commanders of our small cavalry force have assisted me under all circumstances cheer- fully and to the utmost of their ability, and so have the commanders of the two batteries of Major General Banks' Corps (Captain Hampton's and Captain Roemer's) under Major Keifer, attached to me since our arrival at Freeman's Ford." General Carl Schurz, in his report dated September 1 5th, of the Battles of Groveton and Bull Run, makes mention of the Hamp- ton Battery as follows: " The Battery of the First Brigade, under Captain Hampton, was ordered to march along the outer edge of the woods in which General Schimmelfennig was engaged, and to take position there, in order to protect and facilitate the advance of my right; but the [32] HAMPTON BATTERY. cross fire of two of the enemy's batteries was so severe that Captain Hampton's Battery failed in two successive attempts to estabhsh itself until I sent Roemer's Battery to its support. * * * Now the whole line advanced with great alacrity, and we succeeded in driving the enemy away from his strong position behind the em- bankment, which then fell into our hands." General Robert Milroy, in his report of September 1 7th men- tions Hampton Battery as follows: " An hour before the charge I had sent one of my aides far back for a fresh battery, which, arriving as our boys were driven back, I immediately ordered into position and commenced pouring a steady fire of canister iiito the advancing columns of the enemy. The first discharge discomposed them a little, but the immense surging mass behind pressed them on us. I held on until they were within a few yards of us, and having but a handful of men to support the battery, I ordered it to retire, which was executed with the loss of one gun. I then rallied the shattered remnant of my brigade." On the evening of September 1st, 1862, and at Chantilly the following day, the Hampton Battery was engaged and again re- ceived the commendation of their superior officers. We then marched toward Alexandria and halted outside of the city. On the 3d we moved to Georgetown, D. C., and bivouacked in the rear of Fort Richardson. The next day, after crossing the Potomac, the division moved to Rockville, Maryland. On the 6th we formed in line of battle and lay upon the field until the 9th, when we moved to Mid- dlebrook and bivouacked. From here the Battery moved to Da- mascus, and on the 1 2th we went into camp near Jamesville. On the 1 3th we marched to Frederick and the next day to South Moun- tain. Our next advance was to Keedysville, and on the 16th we formed in line of battle. [33] HAMPTON BATTERY. The next morning, September 1 7, 1 862, ushered in the famous Battle of Antietam, which is considered by many writers as one of the great battles of the world. Hampton Battery took position on right of line with instructions to keep a certain point in the enemy's line clear of artillery, which instruction was carried out to the letter and at little cost to us. Early in the day the churches and public building of Boonsboro were occupied as hospitals and were soon filled with the wounded of our army. Fortunately we had only one man wounded. The day wore on and just at sundown was the first lull of battle, carnage, destruction and death having held triumphant sway during the entire day. About sundown General McClellan, when retiring to his headquarters, passed us, and on being cheered by the boys, raised his cap and exclaimed, " I told the boys to hold their position during the night and I would make short work of the rebellion tomorrow." In General McClellan's official report of the Battle of An- tietam, speaking of the Twelfth Corps, he said: " The line of this corps was formed across the turnpike beyond J. Miller's house with orders to hold the position as long as possible and it became engaged about 7: 00 A. M., the attack being opened by Cochran's New York Battery and Hampton's and Knap's Pittsburgh, Pa., Batteries. For about two hours the battle raged with various success, the enemy endeavoring to drive our troops into the second line of woods, and ours in turn to get possession of the line in front. The artillery had been well served during the day, and night closed the long and desperately contested battle of the 1 7th of September, 1 862, nearly two hundred thousand men and five hun- dred pieces of artillery being engaged." Brigadier General A. S. Williams, commanding the Twelfth [34] HAMPTON BATTERY. Corps at the Battle of Antietam, mentions the Hampton Battery as follows : " Hampton's Pittsburgh, Cochran's New York and Knap's Pennsylvania Batteries were ordered to the front as soon as the command of the Corps devolved upon me. Knap and Cochran took post in front of the woods occupied by the enemy, Hampton farther to the left near General Greene's position. These Batteries were bravely and excellently served from morning till late in the afternoon. The enemy repeatedly attempted to seize them, but always met with bloody punishment." Captain Best in his report says : " Captain Hampton's Battery was placed in position near the Dunkard Church and expended two hundred and seventeen rounds against the woods in which said church is located." The next day we lay upon the field in line of battle. On the 1 9th we moved via Sharpsburg to Brownsville. We then crossed over Maryland Heights and moved down the mountain to near Sandy Hook, where we encamped until the 22d, when we again moved to Maryland Heights. On the 28th we encamped near Sandy Hook, where we remained until the end of the month. On October 2d we again encamped on Maryland Heights, where we remained until the 30th, with a reconnoissance to Loudon Valley on the 2 1 St. On the 30th we encamped at Bolivar Heights. On November 9th we made a reconnoissance to within six miles of Berryville, and on the 26th to Charlestown and Cockrall's Mills. General John W. Geary says m his report of the reconnois- sance of December 2-6, 1 862 : " In accordance with directions received on December 2d, 1862, to make reconnoissance in the direction of Winchester, I [35] HAMPTON BATTERY. started with about 3200 infantry and four guns each from Hamp- ton's, Knap's and McGilvery's Batteries, and about fifty of the first Maryland Cavalry at about 6: 30 A. M. on December 2d, the troops supplied with three days rations. We marched by the Harpers Ferry and Winchester turnpike to Charlestown, which we reached about 8:30 A. M., coming suddenly upon two companies of Twelfth Virginia Cavalry, who had taken position in vacant houses and in the woods about them about three-fourths of a mile our side of the town. A skirmish here occurred between our advance and this body of the enemy, which latter prosecuted a constant firmg for some fifteen minutes, resulting in a loss to them of four or five wounded and several horses killed, and in their rout. The col- umn was at once pushed on through Charlestown taking the Berry- ville road, upon which, from successively assumed positions, we drove another squadron of cavalry to within half a mile of Berr3rville, where we discovered the Seventh and Twelfth Regiments of Vir- ginia Cavalry upon a hill about one mile west of the town, who were dislodged by the prompt opening of our artillery upon them in the direction of Winchester. The ground which they occupied being most desirably promment I took possession of it by advancing my whole line and driving them from it. This movement was at once succeeded by the advance of one regiment of mfantry and two pieces of Hampton's Battery under cover of a skirt of woodland for about one mile further in the same direction, where I placed them in defensive position and sent forward my cavalry force about one mile further on the same road, where they encountered the enemy, the whole of the Twelfth Virginia Cavalry several hundred strong, who charged impetuously upon them. My cavalry retired, pursued by three parallel columns following closely the charging regiment, cheering vociferously at every step as they advanced, firing upon them until they came to within about one hundred yards of the [36] HAMPTON BATTERY. muzzles of the advance guns of Hampton's Battery, which in con- junction with the Seventh Ohio Infantry opened fire upon them with fine effect, mortally woundmg four and wounding twenty others. Those mortally wounded died in the vicinity a short time after. Seven or eight of their horses were killed and the whole party of the enemy was dispersed in the greatest confusion. " Being now dusk, we bivouacked in line of battle for the night. In the morning, taking one thousand infantry and four pieces of artillery, two of Hampton's and one each of Knap's and McGil- very's, I pushed forward to Opequan Creek, our passage being disputed by desultory firing from the enemy secreted in the woods. At Opequan Creek we found the camp of General A. P. Hill's troops, vacated three or four days previously. I ordered up the balance of my command and bivouacked in line of battle upon the rebel Hill's camp ground. Early in the morning of December 4th, we proceeded cautiously in the direction of Winchester, through Ash Hollow, having flankers on each side of the dense pine woods. Detached parties of the enemy's cavalry posted in it fled precipit- ously to Winchester. My whole force having gained the rising ground immediately east of the city, I ordered the parking of the wagons and the infantry and artillery into order of line of battle. The enemy having evacuated the city, I had the place searched and found and captured one hundred and eighteen of the enemy's sol- diers, whom we paroled. We also captured seven soldiers who were brought in with us. Having remained in Winchester until about 3 : 00 P. M. and considering that the object of the mission had been accomplished, we took up the returning line of march by the Mar- tinsburg turnpike. After bivouacking two nights in the woods with- out shelter through a severe snow storm, we reached our camp with- out a single casualty." On December 9th, 1862, we were ordered to join General [37] HAMPTON BATTERY. Burnside at Falmouth, opposite Fredericksburg, Virginia. We then marched to Hillsboro, and on the 1 2th moved on to Leesburg. The next day we moved to Fairfax Court House, where we en- camped for the night, leaving the next morning for Occoquan Creek. Our next march was to Dumfries. This is, or was until its dis- appearance, probably the oldest town m Virginia. There is nothing now to mark its existence except the bed of a canal and several cellars, the houses having long since disappeared. The site of the town appears to have been raised up several feet or the bed of the Potomac had sunk several feet, as the bed of the canal was several feet higher than the water in the river. Here the Battery remained until the morning of the 1 7th, when a countermarch was ordered and we returned to Occoquan Creek. Then we marched to Fairfax Station, where we remained for ten days, when we were ordered to Dumfries. From there we went to Stafford Court House, and on the 26th to Aquia Creek landing, where we remained in winter quarters, guarding the landing which was the main point of sup- plies for the Army of the Potomac, all winter and up to the last of April, 1863. The Chancellorsville Campaign was begun toward the close of April, 1863. The Hampton Battery crossed the Rapphannock River at United States Ford and went into position in the center of the line just in front of the Chancellorsville House, which was used by General Hooker as his headquarters, at nine o'clock in the morn- ing. The fighting during the early part of the day was mainly done by General Sykes with the regulars, but from about four o'clock until long after dark the Hampton Battery was hotly engaged. The account of this part of the battle is from the pen of Mr. L. L. Crounse, correspondent of the New York Times. He writes : " At 4; 36 P. M., Colonel Diven, who had cavalry skirmishes [38] HAMPTON BATTERY. on the plank road, reported the enemy advancing in force, and driv- ing in his pickets. He was soon discovered deploying to the right, and General Slocum promptly met the move by sending in Geary's Division and Hampton's Pittsburgh Battery. For a while there was a cessation in desultory and spasmodic firing which had been going on for two hours, but at six o'clock a most desperate charge was made upon our batteries commanding the plank road. Geary met them with great promptness, and wheeling a regiment into the road, a deadly volley was poured into their advance. At the same time Hampton's Battery double-shotted with canister and for about fif- teen minutes there was another fiery episode. Of course the enemy were repulsed with heavy loss. Their killed and wounded fell in the timber in front of our batteries, and the leaves and bushes having been set on fire by shells, the poor wretches suffered a double death." The next day. May 2d, Hampton's Battery was posted in the road leading east, where they were engaged during the day and at night were moved to the right of the line and went into position facing south, forming a portion of a line of forty guns under com- mand of Captain Best, Chief of Artillery of the Twelfth Army Corps. The object was to check the advance of Stonewall Jackson, who was sure to follow up his successful attack on General Howard as soon as it was daylight. The battle opened, but the enemy failed to make any impression on the line of guns, although attempts were repeatedly made to carry the position. A blunder of a member of General Hooker's staff resulted most disastrously. Huntington's Ohio Battery was stationed on the left and front of the line of artillery before referred to, on a rising piece of ground and was doing most efficient service, when it was charged by the enemy and captured. It was but the work of a few minutes to turn the fire of the captured battery upon the forty guns of [39] HAMPTON BATTERY. < Q CC D < en > Di -J ' u ' o |! 5i tj en "=• go HZ -2 o Q ^ < X en Qi O O H < u z w u en S Di O D a: cQ U, en en tJ oa Qi o Z Q >■ H z o H D. < [40] HAMPTON BATTERY. Captain Best, directly enfilading them. Hampton, seeing this new danger, without waiting for orders, changed front to the left and opened on the captured battery, when Colonel Derrickson, of Gen- eral Hooker's staff, ordered them to cease firing, stating that it was one of our own batteries. Before he could be convinced of his error the enemy had got the range and drove the whole line of Best's guns from the field, and by exploding the caissons literally blew the whole line into the air. At this juncture. Captain Hampton, waiting to give the enemy a last round, was struck by a shell above the left knee, which sev- ered the leg completely and cut his horse almost in two. The gallant Captain died in the course of a few hours. Lieutenant Irish distinguished himself by retiring from the field with his section, prolonging his fire as he slowly retreated in as good order as if on battery drill. The line of artillery being thus driven from the field, the infantry soon followed and the right wing of the army fell back defeated. It is the belief of many that if Hampton's and Knap's Batteries had been left to do what subsequent events proved was right, the result of Sunday morning. May 3, 1863, would have been different. Captain C. L. Best, in his report of the battle, says : " The Corps broke camp on Monday morning, April 27, 1863, one battery, in accordance with orders, moving with each of the two divisions — M of the First New York Artillery with the First, and Knap's E, Independent Pennsylvania, with the Second Division. Hampton's F, Independent Pennsylvania, and F, Fourth United States Artillery, were directed to remain and move with the Corps wagon train, and subsequently joined the Corps at Chan- cellorsville, on Thursday, the 30th. [41] HAMPTON BATTERY. "On Friday, May 1st, after proceeding about two miles toward Fredericksburg, the enemy was felt, evidently in some force, and commenced disputing the advance with his artillery. " Soon after these dispositions the whole command was recalled to Chancellorsville. While retiring the General commanding di- rected me to proceed to Chancellorsville and post the Corps Batteries in such positions for defense against the probable enemy as might be deemed most judicious. Accordingly, I placed Knap's, Hamp- ton's and one section of Battery F at the intersecting point, at Chancellorsville, of the roads leading to Fredericksburg, and the other four pieces of Battery F, with Fitzhugh and Winegar, on the rismg and open ground on the Gordonsville front. Thus we had fourteen guns on each front, on one or both of which the attack must occur, and did occur on both in the afternoon. The enemy was effectually checked or repulsed in each case. " The Batteries all maintained the positions specified until Saturday afternoon, when the Eleventh Corps was suddenly routed, and came fleeing in disordered and bewildered masses toward Chan- cellorsville. Having no doubt the enemy would follow in force, I gathered all our batteries save Knap's and Lieutenant Muhlenberg's section, massing them on the ridge in rear of our first division, and posting in position with them some fragments of the Eleventh Corps Batteries, until I had thirty-four guns in what may be termed the key-point of the battlefield. The General commanding soon after came up, approved the disposition and authorized me to open fire whenever I deemed it necessary. The necessity soon occurred, for there was no doubt that the enemy was in force in the woods be- tween six hundred yards and a mile in our front. It was an operation of great delicacy, this cannonade of thirty-four guns over the heads of our men, but it was a matter of necessity and was promptly and fully executed. [42] HAMPTON BATTERY. " Up to near ten o'clock at night the cannonading at intervals was terrific, and, in my opinion, contributed much to checking the bold and elated enemy. So far as I can learn, and I am happy to record it, not one of our men was killed by our fire, or even wounded. That night I entrenched all my guns, the digging subsequently prov- ing much protection. " Early Sunday morning. May 3d, the enemy commenced the attack, evidently determined to carry that point, and all my batteries again opened on their masses. " Here I beg leave to offer an opinion. Our position could not have been forced had the flanks of our line of guns been success- fully maintained. An important point — an open field about a mile to our left and front, guarded by a brigade of our troops (not the Twelfth Corps) and a Battery — was seemingly taken by a small force of the enemy and the Battery captured and turned upon us with fearful effect, blowing up one of our caissons, killing Captain Hampton, and enfilading General Geary's line. It was most un- fortunate. My line of guns, however, kept to its work manfully until about nine o'clock A. M., when, finding our infantry in front withdrawn, our right and left turned, and the enemy's musketry already so advanced as to pick off our men and horses, I was com- pelled to withdraw my guns to save them. We were also nearly exhausted of ammunition. " Captain Hampton was wounded on Sunday morning about eight o'clock, and died soon after. For the eighteen months I have been associated with him I have found him, particularly in battle, brave and devoted to his duty." Captain Joseph M. Knap, Chief of Artillery of the Second Division, whose command comprised Knap's and Hampton's Bat- teries, in his report dated May 7, 1863, at Aquia Creek, says: [43] HAMPTON BATTERY. " At three o'clock on Sunday morning, the 3d, I was or- dered to place Hampton's six guns near the headquarters of Gen- eral Williams, on the right of the Twelfth Corps. * * * Dur- ing the engagement on Sunday morning, Hampton's Battery was hotly engaged for about three hours and Captain Robert B. Hamp- ton was mortally wounded (died a few hours after) while gallantly performing his duty. " In this action one caisson of Hampton's was exploded; a second was disabled; one enlisted man was killed, and seven wounded (three seriously) ; and thirty horses killed and disabled, which, with the harness, were lost, compelling him to abandon the third caisson. No guns were lost. About six hundred rounds were expended, and during the afternoon the Battery was taken to the rear. On the 4th my command was not engaged, and Hampton's, under Lieutenant Fleming, remained in the rear." General H. J. Hunt, Chief of Artillery, in his report of the Battle of Chancellorsville, says : " At the same time a battery of thirty-eight guns (including Hampton's Pennsylvania Battery, six ten-pound Parrot guns) was assembled near Fairview by Captain Best, Fourth United States Artillery, and stationed so as to reach the enemy by firing over the heads of our own troops, distant five hundred yards, as no better position could be obtained and the use of the guns was imperative. The firing was very effective, and as far as known, without accident to our own troops. Down to ten o'clock P. M., the cannonade was at times terrific and contributed much to checking the enemy. The batteries were then entrenched. " Early next morning (Sunday, the 3d) the enemy renewed the attack and the batteries replied. An open field about three- fourths of a mile to the left and front of the Battery, occupied by [44] HAMPTON BATTERY. one of our brigades and some guns, was taken possession of by the enemy, who opened with artillery on Best's position with fearful effect, killing, among others. Captain Robert B. Hampton, of the Pittsburgh Battery, blowing up one of his caissons and enfilading our line of infantry. Best, however, stood to his work manfully until about nine A. M., when, the infantry having retired, both flanks of the Batteries being turned, the enemy's musketry picked off men and horses, and the ammunition being nearly expended, the guns were withdrawn to save them." General John W. Geary, in his report of operations since the morning of April 27th, says: " In obedience to orders I broke up the several camps of the brigades of the Second Division, at an early hour on the morning of the 27th, and took up line of march in the direction of Stafford Court House, at which point I was joined by the Twenty-eighth Pennsylvania, of the First Brigade, from Dumfries, thus making my command complete and consisting of the following regiments: The Twenty-eighth, Twenty-ninth, One Hundred and Ninth, One Hundred and Eleventh, One Hundred and Twenty-fourth, One Hundred and Twenty-fifth and One Hundred and Forty-seventh Pennsylvania ; the Sixtieth, Sixty-eighth, One Hundred and Second, One Hundred and Thirty-seventh, and One Hundred and Forty- ninth New York; and the Fifth, Seventh, Twenty-ninth, and Sixty- sixth Ohio, in three brigades, commanded, respectively, by Colonel Canby and Generals Kane and Greene. To these are to be added an artillery brigade, under command of Captain Knap, Chief of Artillery, consisting of Knap's (Pennsylvania) Battery, Lieutenant Atwell commanding, and Hampton's (Pittsburgh) Battery, Cap- tain R. B. Hampton commanding. " The Division halted for the night at a farm some three miles [45] HAMPTON BATTERY. east of Hartwood Church, and in the morning advanced toward Kelly's Ford on the Rappahannock River, encamped on the night of the 28th some two miles north of the river, and early on the morn- ing of the 29th crossed on a pontoon bridge thrown over the Rappa- hannock River a short distance below the ford. The column was then put in motion in the direction of the bridge over the Rapidan at Germanna Mills, which point was reached about four o'clock P. M., where I found the bridge destroyed, and the First Division in the act of fording the river some one hundred yards below. Per- ceiving from the rapidity of the current and the depth of the water, that the passage of so large a body of men would be attended with great risk and probably a loss of life, I at once halted my command and commenced the erection under my own personal supermtendence, of a foot bridge, usmg in its construction material which had been collected by the enemy to construct a bridge at that place. This was completed in a few hours and was of sufficient strength to admit the passage of our mule trains of ammunition and forage. Upon it the division crossed in good order, and was on the heights on the south side of the Rapidan at nine o'clock that evening, where it bivouacked during the night. " Early on the morning of the 30th, I advanced in accordance with orders in the direction of Chancellorsville. About ten o'clock the Twenty-eighth Pennsylvania, which had been detached from our right flank, fell in with a body of the enemy's cavalry, accom- panied with two pieces of artillery, and a brisk skirmish ensued, in which the loss on our part was one man killed and one wounded. " Without further molestation we advanced and entered Chan- cellorsville about two o'clock P. M., where my command was immediately disposed in line of battle in the following order : Hamp- ton's and Knap's Batteries were posted on a rising ground command- ing the approach by the plank and wilderness roads leading to [46] HAMPTON BATTERY. Fredericksburg at a point about two hundred and fifty yards in front and slightly to the left of the Chancellorsville House. They were supported by the Seventh Ohio and Twenty-eighth Pennsylvania Regiments, who thus composed the extreme left of the line. " On the morning of May 1 st, in obedience to orders, I marched my command from their lines, leaving Hampton's Battery to cover advance eastward along the plank road about one and one- half miles, and after some heavy fighting, I received orders to fall back to my original position near Chancellorsville. " On the morning of the second, indications of a movement of the enemy were visible on our front and along a road leading in a westerly direction apparently from the vicinity of Fredericksburg. Columns of their infantry and artillery could be seen about two miles distant, moving along a ridge in a southwesterly direction. " Upon one of these columns about noon Hampton's and Knap's Batteries were directed to open fire. They were replied to with much spirit at first, but a well directed fire soon silenced their battery, blowing up two caissons of the enemy and dismounting one of their guns, and the road after this was kept clear of the enemy's columns. " Shortly after daylight on the morning of the third, the action commenced at a distance from our line on the right and rear of the army and within half an hour it had reached my division. The fire upon our lines was of the most terrific character I ever remember to have witnessed. " The service has lost a brave and gallant soldier in the death of Captain Robert B. Hampton, of Hampton's Battery. At the commencement of our operations, he was attached to my command, but was temporarily detached on the evening of the 2d instant, and ordered to right of the First Division. While there, in the execution of his duty, he fell mortally wounded, on the morning of [47] HAMPTON BATTERY. the third, and died within half an hour. When I mention him as one of the bravest and most gallant officers of the service I feel that I am scarcely doing justice to his worth as a soldier and a gentle- man." On the morning of the 5 th, the three Pittsburgh Batteries, — Hampton's, Knap's and Thompson's — recrossed the river at United States Ford and were placed in position on the north bank covering the pontoon bridge over which the army was retreating the whole of that day and the night following. At daylight on the 6th, the enemy was discovered throwing up earthworks on an opposite eminence. Fire was opened upon them to which they replied with two twenty-four pounder howitzers and several rifled guns posted to the right and left. The eighteen guns of the three batteries soon succeeded in blowing up the enemy's caissons, silencing their guns and compelling their gunners to run to the cover of the woods, leav- ing their guns on the field. When all the army had recrossed the river and the last pontoon had been taken up the batteries returned to their camp at Aquia Creek. The record of Captain Robert B. Hampton is such a brilliant one that no words of praise that we can now write would add any luster to it. As he was carried from the field past the Chancellors- ville House, the headquarters of General Hooker, the commanding General, notwithstanding the hurry and confusion of the battle, found time to lean over his wounded comrade and bid him good bye and be of good cheer. We subjoin an extract from a letter written by General Joe Hooker to a gentleman in Pittsburgh, in which he makes mention of Captain Hampton. " Lookout Valley, Tenn., Feb. 24, 1864. "My Dear Sir: " It was my fortune to make the acquaintance of Robert Hampton in California, and when I assure you that his character [48] HAMPTON BATTERY. as a citizen was marked by qualities no less attractive than those subsequently displayed by him as a soldier, you will be able to appreciate my friendship for that lamented officer. Indeed, his character was almost faultless. Genial, generous, strong and faith- ful in his friendship in private life, and in his official character humorous, brave and noble. Of all who have fallen victims of the Rebellion, I know of no firmer spirit that that of your friend. Bob Hampton. " Very respectfully your friend, Joseph Hooker." The following letter from Major Robert H. Fitzhugh gives his impressions of the work of the Hampton Battery at Chancellors- ville : " Comrade WiLLIAM Clark, Secretary Publishing Committee, Hampton Battery Veteran Association, " Dear Comrade : " In complying with your request to state what I saw of the service rendered by the Hampton Battery at the Battle of Chan- cellorsville, it will be necessary to first briefly outline the situation in the vicinity of the Battery's position on the morning of May 3, 1863. " On the evening of Saturday, May 2d, the disaster to Howard's Eleventh Corps was followed by a drawing in of the Union line, so that, on Sunday morning. May 3d, it surrounded Chancellorsville in an irregular semi-circle of about one-half mile radius, convex to the south, and each wing being extended north- ward, so as to protect the road to United States Ford on the Rap- pahannock River. [49] HAMPTON BATTERY. " Chancellorsville, then the center of the Union position and, at that date, simply one large brick house, hes at the intersection of: 1st, the United States Ford road above mentioned, running north; 2d, the Plank Road running west; and 3d, the three roads running east to Fredericksburg, which need not be specified here. One-half mile west of Chancellorsville, the Fairview Ridge crosses the Plank Road and runs south for about six hundred yards until it sinks into a marshy valley. This valley crosses the Plank Road about four hundred yards west of the Fairview Ridge, and runs south, parallel with it, but turns to the southeast after passing the south end of the ridge. " From Chancellorsville to the marshy valley west of the Fairview Ridge, the ground was clear of timber on the south side of the Plank Road for a width of say, six or seven hundred yards. On the north side of the Plank Road grew the "Wilderness thicket." Toward the south end of the Fairview Ridge was a log building (" The Fairview House ") near which General Slocum had estab- lished his headquarters. " About five or six hundred yards southwest from the Fairview House, and in plain view, across the marshy valley was the Hazel Grove clearing, this being about as high as the Fairview Ridge. " At daylight on May 3d, Stonewall Jackson's command^ now under Stuart, was about one mile west of Chancellorsville, toward which it was moving on both sides of the Plank Road, while Lee, with the Division of Anderson and McLaws, was pressing also toward Chancellorsville from about the same distance on the east and south. " Opposing Stuart's advance were Berry's Division of the 3d Corps, north of, and WilHams' Division of the 12th Corps, south of the Plank Road, the infantry line occupying the edge of the woods along the marshy valley, some 400 yards west of the [50] HAMPTON BATTERY. Fairview Ridge, while on the crest of the ridge was a hne of thirty- four guns, posted there on the evening of May 2d by Captain Best, Chief of Artillery of the 12th Corps. The guns were en- trenched during the night. " Until daylight of May 3d, Birney's and Whipple's Divisions of the 3d Corps occupied the Hazel Grove clearing, facing the right flank of Stuart's advance. Confronting McLaws and Anderson, south and east of Chancellorsville, were Geary's Division of the 12th Corps, whose right joined Williams' left, fac- ing south and southeast, and, on Geary's left, facing southeast and east, Hancock's Division of the 2d Corps. French's Division of the 2d Corps was moved early in the morning from Chancellors- ville to the support of Berry on the Union right. " All of Hooker's army, except the Divisions above mentioned, and also excepting the 6th Corps, then near Fredericksburg, were, by daylight of May 3d, retired behind the new line about one mile north of Chancellorsville, forming a force of about 37,000 men lying inactive during the heavy fighting of May 3d, they being within from one to four miles of the Chancellorsville House. This surprising fact may, perhaps, be explained by supposing that Hooker expected to fight at greater advantage with all of his force inside of his new defenses. And it is certain that, after having ordered such withdrawal. Hooker, at 9:00 A. M., was knocked sen-eless by a shot striking a brick pillar of the Chancellorsville House, agamst which he was leaning, and that he remained prostrated for some hours, leaving the army without a Commander. But, whatever the cause of the inaction of 37,000 Union troops, what actually happened was that the 2d, 3d and 12th Union Corps, with an aggregate on April 30 (the nearest complete return) of 49,064, opposed a Con- federate force of 5 1 ,757. * * General Alexander gives Lee's force on April 30th at 60,000 Deducting Early's Division opposing Sedgwick 8,243 Confederate force at Chancellorsville 51,757 [51] HAMPTON BATTERY. " The position as it stood at 3 :00 A. M. of May 3d, and without Sedgwick, and perhaps without aid from the 37,000 troops of the new Hne, should have given Hooker the victory. While Birney's and Whipple's Divisions remained on their commanding position at Hazel Grove, close upon Stuart's right flank, any at- tempt by him upon the Fairview Ridge must have been hopeless. But Hooker had determined to still further draw in his lines to the strengthened position north of Chancellorsville, above mentioned, and just before daylight of May 3rd, directed Sickles to retire Birney and Whipple to the plain east of the Fairview Ridge. This abandonment of Hazel Grove was fatal. General E. P. Alexander, who then commanded Stuart's artillery, says of it " Even as the field stood, with or without the arrival of Sedgwick, the battle was still Hooker's had he fought where he stood. * * * There has rarely been a more gratuitous gift of a battlefield.' " " The withdrawal was nearly completed at daylight, when Stuart attacked the rear brigade (Graham's), capturing four guns, the fire of which was immediately turned on the Fairview Ridge, whilst Stuart's whole line on both sides of the Plank Road pressed closely on Williams and Berry, Anderson and McLaws at the same time engaging with Geary and Hancock. " The Hampton Battery had taken position on the left of Captain Best's line of thirty-four guns, on the Fairview Ridge, at about 7 :30 P. M. of the 2d, and with the other guns of the line had been firing on the Confederate infantry over the heads of Williams' Division. But when the captured guns opened on us from Hazel Grove, Captain Hampton turned his fire there and soon silenced them. Now, however, Stuart took the advantage which Hooker had thrown away, and his Chief of Artillery, Alexander, hurried fifty guns to the Hazel Grove clearing, from which, as General Alexander states, forty pieces were soon firing at one time. By [52] HAMPTON BATTERY. seven o'clock this forty gun battery was sending shot and shell full upon the left flank of Williams' infantry and obliquely along the line of Best's artillery, while the Confederate infantry made charge after charge, and maintained a close and severe fire upon the front. By 8:30 A. M. Williams had withdrawn his infantry from the front, and now every gun from Hazel Grove was firing furiously on Best's line, while Stuart's infantry charged to within a hundred yards of the Union guns, delivering a close and destructive fire. Shot from Hazel Grove seemed to rip the Fairview line from end to end, and our comfort was not increased by noticing that some of McLaws' fire from the rear was dropping in among our guns. All along the line men, teams and limbers went down, making it one of the raggedest looking artillery lines of the war. At the left of Best's line was the Hampton Battery, catching the first, and per- haps the worst of the fierce flank fire. Nine men were killed and wounded, thirty-two horses killed, two ammunition chests exploded, and Captain Hampton, his leg torn off by a shell, was carried dying from the field. And now was shown what stuff the Hampton Battery men were made of. An officer of Hooker's staff directed the commanding officer. Lieutenant Fleming, to make no reply to the Hazel Grove fire, but to turn every gun upon the charging Con- federate infantry in the front. And, for the last hour of the fighting at Fairview, while that storm of shot and shell poured unceasingly on their undefended flank, the Hampton Battery men stood to their guns, driving back the close pressing infantry, until, with their am- munition expended, the Battery was finally retired with the rest of the line by direction of General Slocum. No finer instance of constancy and devotion appears among the records of the war. " At 9:00 A. M., the Battery Commanders had reported their ammunition nearly spent, and bullets were hissing in from the right, added to the sustained infantry fire from the front and the con- [53] HAMPTON BATTERY. tinued pounding from Hazel Grove. Best then withdrew the guns, first from the left, then from the right, and last from the right center. In men, horses and material, all of the batteries of the line had lost heavily; but not a gun was lost, and they had so delayed Stuart's advance that all of the troops and trains outside of Hooker's new defensive Ime were withdrawn without further seri- ous loss. " Between 10:30 and 1 1 A. M. Stuart's and Lee's troops met at the Chancellorsville House. If Stuart could have forced the Fair- view Ime and have met Lee two hours earlier, very heavy losses and perhaps wholesale captures must have been incurred by a large part of the Union troops near Chancellorsville. In that event, it is certain that neither Sickles with the 3d Corps, nor Slocum with the 12th, nor Hancock with the 2d, could have played the distin- guished part enacted by each at Gettysburg. The Army of the Potomac would have been by no means the same as that which fought there under Meade. In short, it is clear that the stand made on the Fairview Ridge was a large factor in the course of events that made possible the turning of the tide when Pickett reached ' High Water Mark ' on Cemetery Ridge. And all who saw it will surely say that its post of honor on that Fairview line was worthily held by the Hampton Battery. " It may be as well to add that, at Chancellorsville, I was a Captain in the First New York Artillery, commanding Battery K, and was Chief of Artillery of Williams' Division, 12th Corps, and that from my station with the guns on Fairview Ridge I was an eye witness of the service there rendered by the Hampton Battery. " The space assigned to me permits only matter strictly bear- ing on the Hampton Battery's record; but I venture to add the strength and losses of both sides. " Aside from the 6th Corps, and Early's command opposed [54] HAMPTON BATTERY. to it, the strength and losses of the forces actually engaged at Chancellorsville, on May 3d, were as follows : Strength. Losses. Union 49,064 8,752 Confederate... 51,757 11,653 The figures speak for themselves. " The accompanying map is based on one attached to General Slocum's report. Robert H. Fitzhugh, Late Major, New York Artillery and Brevet Lieutenant Colonel, United States Volunteers." Pittsburgh, Pa., February 12, 1909." On June 3, 1 863, Batteries F and C — Hampton's and Thompson's — having become so reduced in numbers as to be unable to man all their guns, were consolidated under the command of Captain James Thompson and attached to the Reserve Artillery of the Army of the Potomac, commanded by General R. O. Tyler. Twenty-four men of the Hampton Battery were also temporarily detailed to Battery " H, " First Ohio Artillery, under Captain Huntington, as follows: Sergeant PATRICK Heffernan Sergeant George Ritchie Private WiLLIAM W. Dalmas Private Washington Bassett Private Amos Baxter Corporal WiLLIAM T. Phillis Corporal NewelL A. BoRDEN Private ToWNSEND Adams [55] HAMPTON BATTERY. ■H I^^^B ^^H ^M^^fflgB -j9 1 I 1 ^;;:3^mH 1 ^M tai ^^hI ^ ^^^^^ 9h RHH IhI ^^■HH ,^';5^^^^R%S« fe^^^i^f '^^flBBI^H^H Ih ^^|H| ~---:.^^3|^ Pj-iS?* H ^H^ -.J^KWH^^^I mKi hh^h IH h|^^HH| "^^^H -Mji ^H B HBh ^:r^^^B^^^H ^^m ^H^^^B H^BI H^nSHH^B 9 BH H ^HH '^^^ ilS H| I HHI ::^SM iH^Bt ^^ ^HH Hh ^S^S^M 1 HHh ^ Waterford, Pa. Brown, John U Marion, Ind. [101] HAMPTON BATTERY. ENGAGEMENTS. EAST FACE OF MONUMENT IN EAST PARK. PITTSBURGH, (North Side) PA. [102] HAMPTON BATTERY. Bruner, Thomas Trestle, Pa. Bullock, Charles B Pittsburgh, Pa. Buzzard, John Moundsville, W. Va. Byard, John F McKeesport, Pa. Campbell, Robert Bothell, Wash. Cargo, Hugh A Sheffield, Pa. Carlisle, Benjamin M Pittsburgh, Pa. Clark, Alexander J Dayton, Ohio Clark, Benjamin M Pittsburgh, Pa. Clark, William Pittsburgh, Pa. Crawford, Joseph Pittsburgh, Pa. Crofut, Horace S Dayton, Ohio Dalmas, William W San Francisco, Cal. Dalzell, William Charleroi, Pa. Dean, George W West Bridgewater, Pa. Downey, William Pittsburgh, Pa. Eckert, Charles Pittsburgh, Pa. Fife, Robert Pittsburgh, Pa. Gillespie, Robert M Bakersfield, Cal. Hazlett, George W Aspinwall, Pa. HalSTEAD, Henry Saxonburg, Pa. Hazlett, Samuel A Bakerstown, Pa. Heberton, George Pittsburgh, Pa. HemPLE, Henry Pittsburgh, Pa. HoLMAN, Matthew H Pittsburgh, Pa. Ingram, Milo E Butler, Pa. Kenning, John Bellevue, Pa. KocHER, Jacob Pittsburgh, Pa. Krapp, George Pittsburgh, Pa. Krome, Frank Pittsburgh, Pa. Land, George W Oakdale, Pa. [103] HAMPTON BATTERY. Lewis, David R Pittsburgh, Pa. Macoubray, Robert E McKees Rocks, Pa. Manchester, William Danville, 111. Marshall, George V Pittsburgh, Pa. McCauley, Cornelius Leechburg, Pa. McClelland, John B Pittsburgh, Pa. McKnight, Robert Bakerstown, Pa. Merrick, Frank A New Brighton, Pa. Miller, James P Tarentum, Pa. Newman, William A. Not known. Parke, Benjamin R Wellsville, Ohio Peters, James Latrobe, Pa. Peters, Robert S Limestone, W. Va. Petrie, Amos S Long Beach, Cal, RODGERS, John B Punxsutawney, Pa. Rosensteel, Jacob S Niles, Ohio Rowley, John T Cleveland, Ohio Shiras, Frank Los Angeles, Cal. Stewart, Milo B Pittsburgh, Pa. Stoehr, Charles Kelso, Wash. Taylor, Joseph S Elizabeth, Pa. Uptegraft, William Charleroi, Pa. Vanzant, JaMes Lewistown, Pa. Ventress, George Pittsburgh, Pa. Weyman, B. Frank Pittsburgh, Pa. Wickline, David M Peoria, 111. Wickline, James M Dayton, Ohio Wickline, Marion Beaver Falls, Pa. Wills, Jacob G Gibsonia, Pa. Wyant, HeNry Dorseyville, Pa. Young, Henry Pitcairn, Pa. [104] HAMPTON BATTERY. ASSIGNMENTS. April 1 , 1 862. To the Fifth Corps, Army of the Upper Potomac, Major General Nathaniel P. Banks Commanding, Williams' Division. May 31, 1862. Department of the Shenandoah, General Nathaniel P. Banks Commanding. August 1 6, 1 862. First Army Corps, Major General Franz Sigel Commanding. September 14, 1862. Twelfth Corps, Major General J. K. F. Mansfield Commanding. December 31,1 862. Twelfth Corps, Major General Henry W. Slocum Commanding. May 12, 1863. Artillery Reserve, Army of the Potomac, General R. O. Tyler Commanding. November 20, 1863. Second Army Corps, Major General G. K. Warren Commanding. May 22, 1864. Twenty-second Army Corps, Major General C. C. Auger Commanding. July 31, 1864. Department of West Virginia, Major Gen- eral David Hunter Commanding. August 30, 1 864. Twenty-second Army Corps, Major Gen- eral C. C. Auger Commanding. October 31, 1 864. District of Harpers Ferry, Major Gen- eral Philip Sheridan Commanding. February 28, 1865. Department of Washington, D. C, Major General C. C. Auger Commanding. [105] HAMPTON BATTERY. Up to and including the Second Battle of Bull Run the Hampton Battery was under fire sixty-two times, and traveled over eight thousand miles during the service. The following is a list of the most important battles in which it took part : Dam No. 5 Kerntown Woodstock Mount Jackson McGaugheysville Second Newtown Luray Cedar Mountain White Sulphur Springs Chantilly Charlestown Winchester Gettysburg White Hall Church Hancock Newtown Edinburgh Lacy's Springs Fisher's Hill Cedar Creek Gaines' Cross Roads Waterloo Rappahannock Station South Mountain Berryville Chancellorsville Blackburn's Ford Second Cedar Creek Stony Creek Harrisonburg Strasburg Second Winchester Front Royal Freeman's Ford Second Bull Run Antietam Opequan United States Ford Mine Run Morton's Ford [106] HAMPTON BATTERY. ANNUAL MEETS. HAMPTON BATTERY VETERAN ASSOCIATION. ARLY IN 1881 it occurred to some of the members of the Hampton Battery that an annual reunion of the survivors would be a very enjoyable affair, and a number of the members met in Pittsburgh on January 26, 1 88 1 , to discuss the subject. Here it was unanimously agreed to organize permanently for the purpose of holding annual meetings. The Association has met annually since that time, and the reunions have proved very enjoyable to all. The Association also holds memorial services every Memorial Day at the Hampton Battery Monument, East Park, North Side, Pittsburgh, Pa. Addresses are made by members of the Battery, after which they go to the various cemeteries of Pittsburgh and place wreaths on the graves of their deceased comrades. The following extracts from the minutes give the names of the officers of the Association since its organization, together with some other information in regard to it. " Pittsburgh, Pa., January 26, 1881. " At a meeting of some of the surviving members of the Hamp- ton Battery, held at the store of Comrade Isaiah K. Becker, corner of Penn Avenue and Seventh Street, the following persons were present: I. K. Becker, Joseph Crawford, Thomas Bruner, John H. Cunningham, William Clark, Casper R. Carlisle, Frank A. Merrick, William King, Robert E. Macoubray, Amos S. Petrie, James Peters, Jacob G. Wills, and John C. Shaler, Jr. " On motion, Robert E. Macoubray was called to the chair, [107] HAMPTON BATTERY. [108] HAMPTON BATTERY. and John C. Shaler, Jr., was appointed to act as Secretary and William King as Treasurer. " On motion of William King, duly seconded, the members present decided unanimously to organize permanently. " The officers already appointed, with the addition of I. K. Becker, as Vice President, were elected to serve for the current year ending October 8, 1881." " Pittsburgh, Pa., October 8, 1881. " The Twentieth Anniversary and First Reunion of the surviv- ing members of the Hampton Battery F, Independent Pennsylvania Light Artillery, was held this evening in Municipal Hall, Smithfield Street, Pittsburgh, Pa. " President Robert E. Macoubray stated that the object of this meeting is to continue the organization effected January 26, 1 88 1, and to arrange for annual reunions, of which this was the initial gathering. "The following officers were elected for the ensuing year: Robert Paul, President; William Clark, Vice President; John C. Shaler, Jr., Secretary; and William King, Treasurer. " Thirty-three members of the Battery were present. William Parker and Henry Brown, colored wards of the Battery during the war, were also present, and answered to their names. " We then adjourned to Grazier's Dining Rooms, where an excellent supper was served, after which the balance of the evening was spent in telling stories and singing songs." " Pittsburgh, Pa., October 7, 1882. " The Twenty-first Anniversary and Second Reunion of the Hampton Battery was held this evening at Municipal Hall, with President Paul in the chair. There were forty-five members present. [109] HAMPTON BATTERY. " On motion. Captain James Thompson, of Thompson's Bat- tery, was unanimously elected an honorary member of the Association. " Comrade William Clark stated to the meeting that the grave of Captain Robert B. Hampton in Allegheny Cemetery was with- out a monument or mark of any kind, and that on his individual responsibility he had undertaken to raise funds sufficient to erect a headstone at the grave. He had met with success sufficient to jus- tify the undertaking and had ordered a suitable stone, toward the payment of which he invited any comrade who might feel able to contribute. The cost of the stone was $250. Cash and sub- scriptions were secured tonight which, added to the cash already secured, made up the amount. "The following officers were elected for the ensuing year: Samuel D. Glass, President; John T. Rowley, Vice President; John C. Shaler, Jr., Secretary; and William King, Treasurer. " An association badge, consisting of the star of the Twelfth Corps and a pendant trefoil of the Second Corps, was adopted. " We then adjourned to Grazier's Dining Rooms for supper. 1 aps. " Pittsburgh, Pa., October 2, 1883. " The Third Annual Reunion and Twenty-second Anniver- sary was held this evening at the offices of Comrade William F. Hood, 98 and 100 Fourth Avenue. Fifty-one members were present, and Vice President John T. Rowley was in the chair. " William Clark reported that the headstone at Captain Hampton's grave had been erected and paid for. " On motion of Comrade L. Halsey Williams, it was resolved that we erect a tablet on the Battlefield of Gettysburg locating the position of the Hampton Battery on July 3, 1863. The President [110] HAMPTON BATTERY. appointed the following Committee to carry out the project : Robert Paul, J. Presley Fleming, L. Halsey Williams, B. Frank Weyman, William Clark, John B. McClelland, John T. Rowley, John C. Shaler, Jr., and George V. Marshall. "The following officers were elected for the ensuing year: John T. Rowley, President ; George V. Marshall, Vice President ; William King, Treasurer; and John C. Shaler, Jr., Secretary. " We then adjourned to the St. Charles Hotel, where a sumptuous banquet was served. Taps." *' Pittsburgh, Pa., October 6, 1884. " The Fourth Annual Reunion and Twenty-third Anniver- sary was held this day at 64 Grant Street. President John T. Rowley being absent. Vice President George V. Marshall took the chair. Twenty-five members were present. " The following officers were elected for the ensuing year : William Clark, President; James Peters, Vice President; William King, Treasurer; and John C. Shaler, Jr., Secretary. " Adjourned until 7 : 1 5 P. M. " Convened at 7:15 P. M., with President John T. Rowley in the chair. Nine members, in addition to those present this morning, were in attendance. " We then adjourned to Youngson's Dining Rooms and par- took of our annual supper." "Pittsburgh, Pa., October 6, 1885. " The Fifth Annual Reunion and Twenty-fourth Anniver- sary was held this evening in the Hampton Law Building, 408 Grant Street, with President William Clark in the chair. Thirty-seven members were present. " The election of officers for the ensuing year resulted as fol- [111] HAMPTON BATTERY. lows: President, James Peters; Vice President, John B. McClel- land ; Treasurer, William King ; Secretary, John C. Shaler, Jr. " Mr. George V. Marshall was named Chairman of a com- mittee to be appointed by himself to arrange for next year's reunion. " Votes of thanks were extended to Robert S. and Wade Hampton, of Titusville, Pa., for the loan of Captain Hampton's sabers for this reunion. Interesting mementoes, in addition to Cap- tain Hampton's sabers and including a metal facsimile of the bronze tablet for the monument at Gettysburg, were exhibited. " After some stories of the camp and march, we adjourned and proceeded to Youngson's Dining Rooms for our annual supper, laps. " Pittsburgh, Pa., October 5, 1886. " The Sixth Annual Reunion and Twenty-fifth Anniversary was held this evening at 408 Grant Street, with President James Peters in the chair and thirty-four members present. " The election of officers for the ensuing year resulted as fol- lows: President, John B. McClelland; Vice President, James Thompson; Treasurer, William King; and Secretary, John C. Shaler, Jr. Mr. George V. Marshall was named Chairman of a committee to be appointed by himself to arrange for next year's reunion. " A vote of thanks was extended to George V. Marshall for the fine photographs he exhibited of the monuments at Gettysburg, in Allegheny Park and in the Allegheny Cemetery. " On motion, we then adjourned to the Petroleum Exchange for our annual supper. Taps." " Pittsburgh, Pa., October 4, 1887. " The Seventh Annual Reunion and Twenty-sixth Anniver- sary was held this evening at 408 Grant Street. The President, [112] HAMPTON BATTERY. John B. McClelland, and the Vice President, James Thompson, being absent, William Clark was called to the chair. Thirty-eight members were present. " Captain James McGill, of Knap's Battery, who was pres- ent, was on motion elected an honorary member of the Association. " The Committee to secure a life-sized portrait of Captain Hampton presented a crayon portrait of him. "The following officers were elected for the ensuing year: Isaiah K. Becker, President; David Lewis, Vice President; Henry Hemple, Treasurer; and John C. Shaler, Jr., Secretary. Com- rade George V. Marshall was named Chairman of a committee to be appointed by himself to arrange for next year's reunion. " Adjourned to the Petroleum Exchange for our annual sup- per. 1 aps. " Pittsburgh, Pa., September 26, 1888. " The Eighth Annual Reunion and Twenty-seventh Anniver- sary was held this evening in the Hampton Law Building, 408 Grant Street, with President Isaiah K. Becker in the chair and forty members present. " James Stephenson, late Lieutenant in Thompson's Battery, who was present, was, on motion, elected an honorary member of the Association. " Officers for the ensuing year were elected as follows : David Lewis, President; John Kenning, Vice President; Henry Hem- ple, Treasurer; and John C. Shaler, Jr., Secretary. George V. Marshall was named Chairman of a committee to be appointed by himself to arrange for the next reunion. " On motion of Robert E. Macoubray, the thanks of the Association were tendered to Captain James Thompson for his [113] HAMPTON BATTERY. efforts to secure for Casper R. Carlisle a medal for special bravery at the Battle of Gettysburg. " Adjourned to Goodwin's Dining Rooms for our annual supper. Taps." " September 11,1 889. " A special meeting of the Association was held at the Battery Monument on the Gettysburg Battlefield on September 11,1 889. The following members were present: Townsend Adams, L. F. Arensberg, James Bassett, Amos Baxter, I. K. Becker^ C. B. Bul- lock, Benjamin Carlisle, C. R. Carlisle, Alonzo Cavitt, Benjamin Clark, William Clark, Samuel Creese, M. H. Holman, John Kenning, Frank Krome, D. Lewis, William Manchester, George V. Marshall, Frank Merrick, E. J. Miller, Robert Paul, James Peters, A. S. Petrie, John C. Shaler, Jr., Milton Sloppy, John Tetley, James Thompson, James Vanzant, E. J. Wickline, J. M. Wickline, Jacob Wills, Andrew Wright, and Henry Brown, colored. Total thirty-three. " Comrade Marshall took a picture of the monument with the members of the Association grouped around it, after which we ad- journed, and the members went to the Peach Orchard to select a site for the monument to be erected by the State appropriation." " Pittsburgh, Pa., October 1, 1889. " The Ninth Annual Reunion and Twenty-eighth Anniver- sary was held in the Hampton Law Building, 408 Grant Street, this evening, with President David R. Lewis in the chair. Twenty- seven members were present. " Robert S. Hampton, a nephew of our late Captain, was present, and on motion was unanimously elected an honorary mem- ber of the Association. " Officers for the ensuing year were elected as follows : John [114] HAMPTON BATTERY. Kenning, President; Frank A. Merrick, Vice President; Henry Hemple, Treasurer; and John C. Shaler, Jr., Secretary. George V. Marshall was named Chairman of a commitee to be appointed by himself to arrange for the next meeting. " Reverend David Jones being present was unanimously elected an honorary member of the Association. " After all business was transacted, we marched to Goodwin's Restaurant, where the annual supper was served. Taps." " Pittsburgh, Pa., October 4, 1890. " The Tenth Annual Reunion and Twenty-ninth Anniversary was held this evening in the Law Office of A. H. Rowand, 408 Grant Street, with President John Kenning in the chair and twenty- nine members present. " The Committee on the Monument to be placed in the Peach Orchard at Gettysburg reported that the design adopted would cost about $500 more than the State appropriation, and asked for sub- scriptions to make up the amount. About half the amount was raised at once. " Officers for the ensuing year were elected as follows : Frank A. Merrick, President; E. J. Wilkins, Vice President; Henry Hem- ple, Treasurer; and John C. Shaler, Jr., Secretary. George V. Marshall was reappointed as Chairman of the Reunion Committee. " The following record on the death of Henry Brown was ordered to be placed on the minutes: " 'Henry Brown was a slave prior to the War of the Rebellion, his owner and master residing on a plantation in the Shenandoah Valley. Henry escaped into the Union lines early in the war; dur- ing General Banks' operations, became a camp follower of the Hampton Battery and was employed to cook and take care of the officers' horses. He remained with the Battery until mustered out [115] HAMPTON BATTERY. " On motion of R. E. Macoubray, the request was granted and the following letter ordered to be sent to Battery B : Headquarters, Hampton Battery Association, Pittsburgh, Pa., October 9, 1891. 'Alfred E. Hunt, Captain Commanding Battery B, N. G. P. ' Dear Sir : ' Your letter of September 28th, to this Association, requesting that Battery " B " be allowed to adopt the name " Hampton Bat- tery," was considered at the annual meeting last night, and was unanimously agreed to. ' A Committee to arrange the details of this matter will confer with you at as early a date as possible, ample notice of which will be given you or representatives of Battery " B." Yours respectfully, John C. Shaler, Jr., Secretary, Hampton Battery Association.' " Officers were elected for the ensuing year as follows: E. J. Wilkins, President; Amos S. Petrie, Vice President; Henry Hem- pie, Treasurer; John C. Shaler, Jr., Secretary. " After the regular routine business, we marched to Goodwin's Restaurant and had our usual supper." " Pittsburgh, Pa., October 21 , 1892. " The Twelfth Annual Reunion and Thirty-first Anniversary was held this evening, Columbus Day, at the Armory of Hampton Battery ' B ' Fifth Avenue Market House, with President E. J. Wilkins in the chair and twenty-seven members present. " The election of officers for the ensuing year resulted as fol- lows: President, Amos S. Petrie; Vice President, Alfred E. Hunt, [118] HAMPTON BATTERY. of Battery ' B;' Treasurer, Henry Hemple; and Secretary, John C. Shaler, Jr. " On account of the National Encampment of the G. A. R. to be held here it was deemed advisable not to hold a reunion next year. 1893. " After the routine business was disposed of, we adjourned to an adjoining room where supper was served." " Pittsburgh, Pa., September 11. 1894. " The Thirteenth Annual Reunion and Thirty-third Anniver- sary was held at the residence of Comrade Robert Paul, 5323 Penn Avenue, by special invitation. President Petrie was in the chair and there were fifty-four members of Battery ' F ' and ten members of Battery ' B ' present. " Before the business meeting a sumptuous repast was served by Mrs. Paul, and the comrades certainly did it justice. ' " The Committee on the Carlisle Medal reported that the War Department had granted said medal about one year ago, and it was exhibited by the Secretary. The inscription reads as follows : ' The Congress to Casper R. Carlisle, of Battery ' F,' Independent Penn- sylvania Light Artillery, for special bravery at the Battle of Gettys- burg, Pa., July 3, 1863.' " On the call for the election of officers, it was resolved that the present officers be continued for another year, and on motion the additional office of Quartermaster was created, which officer was to have charge of the reunions. George V. Marshall was unani- mously elected to this position. " Dr. J. L. Dunn, who was present, was unanimously elected an honorary member of the Association. Dr. Dunn was Division Surgeon to the Second Division of the Twelfth Corps, to which the Hampton Battery was attached during the winter of 1862-1863, [119] HAMPTON BATTERY. and after Captain Hampton received his mortal wound at the Battle of Chancellorsville, gave him all the attention possible. " On motion of William Clark a vote of thanks vv^as extended to Comrade and Mrs. Paul for the splendid hospitality extended to the Association on this occasion. " On motion of R. E. Macoubray a vote of thanks v^^as tendered to Captain A. E. Hunt, of Hampton Battery ' B,' for hospitality and general courtesy extended to the members of the Association who were guests of the Battery during the late encamp- ment at Gettysburg." " Pittsburgh. Pa., January 30, 1897. " A Special Meeting of the Hampton Battery Veteran Asso- ciation was held this evening in the offices of Marshall Brothers, Diamond Street. " The following letter was directed to be sent to Mrs. Nellie B. Shaler, widow of our Secretary, John C. Shaler, Jr., born 1843, died 1 897, and the same to be entered on our minutes. ' Headquarters, Hampton Battery ' F ' and ' B, ' Veteran Association, Pennsylvania Light Artillery. ' Mrs. Nellie B. Shaler, ' Dear Madam : ' We wish to express to you the sense of loss we feel as com- rades of this Association in the removal of our friend, John C. Shaler, Jr. Judge,' as we more familiarly knew him, was one of the Battery in the war, and exerted an influence for good among the boys when home restraints were relieved. His manly conduct, with its unconscious influences, won for him their grateful acknowledg- ment in the endearing title of ' Judge.' Through all the changing scenes of war and subsequent peace, we shall always remember his [120] HAMPTON BATTERY. arduous and unselfish labor as Secretary of our Association and his genial warmheartedness at our annual reunions. ' We send this broken expression of our sympathy and appreci- ation and admiration of the noble qualities of our dear comrade, * Judge.' George V. Marshall, Alfred E. Hunt, For Hampton Battery Veteran Association. " Pittsburgh, Pa., October 1, 1898. " The Fourteenth Annual Reunion and Thirty-seventh Anni- versary v\^as held this evening in the Builders' Exchange, 409 Market Street, with President Amos S. Petrie in the chair. William Clark was appointed to act as Secretary. There were twenty-four members present. " Comrade James Peters offered the following resolution, which was unanimously adopted : ' Resolved, that as Hampton Battery B, United States Volun- teers, is to be mustered out of the United States service on November 1 7, 1 898, after honorable service through the entire Spanish-Ameri- can War, they shall be and are hereby incorporated with their entire membership into the Hampton Battery Veteran Association, their members becoming thereby associated with the original members of Hampton Battery " F," Independent Pennsylvania Light Artillery, and subject to all rules and regulations of the Association and eligi- ble to vote and hold office in the Association.' " On motion. Colonel Samuel W. Hill, W. C. Wallace, M. D., and Thomas J. Hamilton were elected honorary members of the Association. " On motion of James Stephenson, a vote of thanks was tendered to Samuel W. Hill, George V. Marshall, H. D. W. [121] HAMPTON BATTERY. English, Matthew Preston, Alfred E. Hunt, and W. H. H. Was- son, the Committee of the Hampton Battery Relief Association, for their very efficient work on the return of Hampton Battery ' B from Puerto Rico. " On motion, George V. Marshall and William Clark were appointed a committee to secure a suitable testimonial for Mrs. Robert Paul, for her kindness in giving us the use of her house and for the very elegant banquet furnished at our last reunion held September 11, 1894. " The election of officers for the ensuing year resulted as fol- lows: President, Alfred E. Hunt; Vice President, John B. McClelland, M. D. ; Treasurer, Henry Hemple; Secretary, William Clark ; Assistant Secretary, William T. Rees ; and Quarter- master, George V. Marshall. " On motion, adjourned and marched down stairs to Dimling's Dining Room, where an excellent repast was served." "Pittsburgh, Pa., October 10, 1899. " The Fifteenth Annual Reunion and Thirty-eighth Anniver- sary was held this evening. In the absence of the President and Vice President, William Clark, Secretary, called the meeting to order. There were twenty-four members of Battery ' F ' and sixty- one members of Battery ' B ' present. "The following officers were elected for the ensuing year: President, Dr. E. J. Miller; Vice President, A. J. Hesser; Sec- retary, William Clark; Assistant Secretary, William T. Rees; Treasurer, Henry Hemple; and Quartermaster, George V. Mar- shall. " The Committee on a Testimonial for Mrs. Robert Paul reported that they had procured a miniature solid gold badge similar to the metal badge of the Association, a five-pointed star with trefoil [122] HAMPTON BATTERY. pendant, and called upon and presented it to her with the following address : * Dear Mrs. Paul : ' At a meeting of the Hampton Battery Veteran Association held October 1 , 1 898, the following resolution was unanimously adopted : Resolved, that George V. Marshall and William Clark be a committee to procure and present a suitable testimonial to Mrs. Robert Paul for her kindness in giving us the use of her home for our last reunion, September 11,1 894, and for the elegant banquet furnished upon that occasion." ' We have the honor to be entrusted with this very pleasant duty, and on behalf and for the Association we hand you this token of our esteem and kind regards. George V. Marshall, William Clark, Committee.' " " Pittsburgh, Pa., October 13, 1900. " The Sixteenth Annual Reunion and Thirty-ninth Anniver- sary was held in the Builders' Exchange, Market Street, this evening. Assistant Secretary William T. Rees called the meeting to order, and in the absence of the President, Comrade James Peters was ap- pointed President pro tern. The roll call showed seventy-one mem- bers present. " The following officers were unanimously elected for the ensuing year: President, Dr. A. J. Hesser; Vice President, Dr. B. Rush Park ; Secretary, William Clark ; Assistant Secretary, William T. Rees; Treasurer, Henry Hemple; and Quartermaster, George V. Marshall. [123] HAMPTON BATTERY. " On motion, the officers were authorized to draw on the treasury to pay for a floral tribute at the death of every member. " After several short addresses, we adjourned to Dimling's Dining Rooms for supper." "Pittsburgh, Pa., October 12, 1901. " The Seventeenth Annual Reunion and Fortieth Anniversary was held this evening, with President A. J. Hesser presiding. " The following officers were elected by acclamation : Presi- dent, Dr. B. Rush Park; Vice President, Harry Lydick; Secretary, William Clark; Assistant Secretary, William T. Rees; Treasurer^ Henry Hemple; and Quartermaster, George V. Marshall. " The History Committee reported progress. " After speeches we adjourned to Dimling's for supper." " Pittsburgh, Pa., October 11, 1902. " The Eighteenth Annual Reunion and Forty-first Anniversary was held this evening with President B. Rush Park in the chair. Forty-two members were present. It was announced that the following comrades, all of Battery F, had died during the year: Thomas C. Bushnell, John H. Cun- ningham, James Bassett, John G. Beatty, Jacob Steiner, and Dr. Edward J. Miller. " All the officers of the preceding year were unanimously re-elected. " After several short speeches we adjourned to Dimling's for supper." " Pittsburgh, Pa., October 3, 1903. " The Nineteenth Annual Reunion and Forty-second Anni- versary was held today in the Builders' Exchange, Market Street. In the absence of the President, Secretary William Clark called the [124] HAMPTON BATTERY. meeting to order and on motion, Comrade David Lewis was ap- pointed President pro tern. " On motion, duly made and seconded, the Secretary, William Clark, was appointed Historian, with power to appoint three assistants. " The following officers were elected for the ensuing year : President, Harry S. Lydick; Vice President, H. W. Alexander; Secretary, William Clark; Assistant Secretary, William T. Rees; Treasurer, Henry Hemple; and Quartermaster, George V. Mar- shall. " On motion, John Dimling was elected an honorary member of the Association. " After a few brief remarks we adjourned to Dimling's for supper." "Pittsburgh, Pa., October 8, 1904. " The Twentieth Annual Reunion and Forty- third Anniver- sary was held this evening in the Builders' Exchange, Market Street, with President Harry S. Lydick in the chair. Fifty-one members were present. " The Committee on the History of the Battery reported progress. " The following officers were elected for the ensuing year: H. W. Alexander, President; D. B. Sullivan, Vice President; William Clark, Secretary ; W. T. Rees, Assistant Secretary ; Henry Hemple, Treasurer; and George V. Marshall, Quartermaster. " On motion, a committee consistmg of Robert E. Macoubray, James Peters, and C. C. Arensberg, was appointed to petition the Legislature for an appropriation to place markers on the Battlefields of Chancellorsville and Antietam, on the positions occupied by the Battery. [125] HAMPTON BATTERY. " After a few remarks by the members, we adjourned to Dimling's for supper." " Pittsburgh, Pa., October 7, 1905. " The Twenty-first Annual Reunion and Forty-fourth Anni- versary was held in the Builders' Exchange, Market Street, with Vice President D. B. Sullivan in the chair and fifty-five members present. " The following members were unanimously elected officers for the ensuing year: President, D. B. Sullivan; Vice President, Jacob Wills; Secretaries, William Clark and William T. Rees; Treasurer, Henry Hemple; and Quartermaster, George V. Marshall. " Adjourned to Dimling's for supper." "Pittsburgh, Pa., October 8, 1906. " The Twenty-second Annual Reunion and Forty-fifth Anni- versary was held this evening in Curry College, Market Street, with President D. B. Sullivan in the chair and sixty-one members present. " The Committee on Markers reported, and on motion was continued with the following additional members: George V. Marshall, Harry S. Lydick, and D. B. Sullivan. " The followmg officers were unanimously elected : President, Jacob Wills; Vice President, Thomas J. Stewart; Secretary, William Clark; Assistant Secretary, William T. Rees; Treasurer, Henry Hemple; and Quartermaster, George V. Marshall. " After a few stories and short speeches. Quartermaster Mar- shall led the way down stairs to supper. Taps." " Pittsburgh, Pa., October 9, 1907. " The Twenty-third Annual Reunion and Forty-sixth Anni- versary was held this evening, with President Jacob Wills in the chair and sixty-one members present. [126] HAMPTON BATTERY. " Comrade Burry was reported as having died since our last meeting. " Colonel R. H. Fitzhugh, Chief of Artillery of the First Division of the Tv^elfth Corps, was made an honorary member of the Association. " Officers were elected as follows : President, Thomas J. Stewart; Vice President, John T. Rowley; Secretary, William Clark; Assistant Secretary, William T. Rees; Treasurer, Henry Hemple ; and Quartermaster, George V. Marshall. " We then adjourned to Dimling's for supper." " Pittsburgh, Pa., October 10, 1908. " The Twenty- fourth Annual Reunion and Forty-seventh Anniversary was held at Curry Institute, 409 Market Street, this evening, with President Thomas J. Stewart in the chair, and forty members present. " The deaths of E. J. Wilkins, of Battery F, and Melvin B. Ash, of Battery B, durmg the past year, were announced. " The Committee on Markers at Chancellorsville and Antie- tam reported progress. " The Committee on History reported progress and stated that the history was about compiled and ready for revismg, and all that was needed now to complete the work was the money, and ali members were requested to forward their subscriptions at once. " On motion, duly made and seconded, the Treasurer was in- structed to turn over to the Committee on History the balance he held in the treasury, amounting to $247. " On motion. Captain William T. Rees was designated as a Committee from Battery B to compile a history of said Battery for the purpose of incorporating it in the History of Battery F. [127] HAMPTON BATTERY. "The following officers were elected for the ensuing year: President, John T. Rowley; Vice President, C. R. Henderson; all the other officers were re-elected. " We then adjourned to DimHng's for supper." HONORARY MEMBERS OF THE ASSOCIATION. Robert S. Hampton Wade Hampton W. T. Dunn * James D. Magill R. H. FiTZHUGH S. W. Hill Arch. H. Rowand, Jr. Thomas J. Hamilton James Thompson * John Dimling James Stephenson * David Jones W. C. Wallace, M. D. [128] HAMPTON BATTERY. CAPTAIN ROBERT B. HAMPTON. IaPTAIN ROBERT B. HAMPTON was born at Rock Hill, Fauquier County, Virginia, November 1 9, 1814. After the death of his parents, at an early age, he made his home with a maiden aunt, Miss Kittie Shacklett, at her farm known as Yew Hill, situated near Warrenton. While still a lad he followed his brother Wade to Pennsyl- vania, residing with him in Pittsburgh for a time. Later he engaged in the Commission Produce Business in Philadelphia, being a partner in the firm of Love, Martin & Company. In April, 1849, he retired from the firm and in the latter part of that month sailed for San Francisco. Captain Hampton resided in California for about ten years, carrying on his business as a merchant. He was also interested in mining. He took an active part in political and military affairs in California and was, in 1 85 1 , appointed one of the seven members of the " State Central Committee " by the Whig State Convention of California. This Committee, it appears from correspondence between Millard Fillmore and Captain Hampton, had immediate charge of Whig affairs in the Presidential Campaign of 1852. The turbulent and lawless element m San Francisco in the early days of the gold excitement was held in check only by severe and drastic measures, and the better classes of citizens found it necessary to regulate matters through military organizations and vigilance committees. Captain Hampton took a prominent part in these public affairs and was an officer of the First California Guard and a potent influence in the preservation of order. Early in 1860, Captain Hampton returned to Pennsylvania, coming to Pittsburgh. At this time the petroleum trade was attracting general attention, and he became interested, spending [129] HAMPTON BATTERY. ROBERT B. HAMPTON. much of his time in the oil regions with headquarters at Franklin, Pennsylvania, and it was while he was there that war broke out, and he determined to organize a battery and join the army. A commission was issued by Governor Curtin, dated November 9, 1861, to " R. B. Hampton, of Allegheny County, Pa., as Captain of Hampton's Light Artillery Company, said commission to hold from October 7, 1861." From that time forward until he fell at Chancellorsville, Captain Hampton's life was devoted to the Bat- tery. He was a born commander and with the fortitude of a soldier possessed the chivalric nature of an honorable gentleman, and held the men of his battery in high esteem and almost paternal regard. He never married and his home was that of his brother, Wade, in Pittsburgh. He was greatly beloved and admired by his relatives for his kindness, cheerfulness and generosity. [130] HAMPTON BATTERY. On March 24, 1863, Captain Hampton wrote home from camp near Aquia Creek, Virginia, as follows: "We had a jolly time in camp yesterday by the (my) company presenting their Cap- tain with a splendid sword. We had patriotic speeches, etc., from General Geary and others. Of course I felt very much compli- mented." This sword he sent home " to keep for me until the war is over." It is a treasured possession of Captain Hampton's nephew, Robert S. Hampton, of Titusville, Pa. The following inscription is engraved upon the scabbard of the sword : " Presented to Captain R. B. Hampton by the members of his Battery as a token of their regard. Middletown. Fought May 24, 1 862. Winchester. Fought May 25, 1862. Rappahannock. Fought August 22, 1862. White Sulphur Springs. Fought August 24, 1 862. Bull Run. Fought August 29 and 30, 1862. Antietam. Fought September 1 7, 1 862." Again Captain Hampton wrote home, April 7, 1863: "I should like to get a furlough to go and see you all, but we may be ordered onward soon and I shall not anticipate such a pleasure until some decisive battle, which will certamly ensue before the first of May, and I wish to be in it by the side of General Hooker, who is a friend of mme." The Captain's desire was never granted, as he was killed in the next battle, and in the family Bible appears this record: " Robert Brown Hampton was killed at the Battle of Chancellorsville, Va., May 3, 1863, on Sunday morning about eight o'clock." Before the war the Captain was a member of the Duquesne Greys, an old military organization of Pittsburgh, Pa. Robert S. Hampton. [131] HAMPTON BATTERY. CAPTAIN EDWARD R.GEARY. OUR BOY CAPTAIN. DWARD RATCHFORD GEARY was bom at Salem, Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, on Sep- tember 1, 1845, and was killed in the midnight battle at Wauhatchie, Tennessee, October 29, 1863, bemg only eighteen years and two months old when killed. His body was sent home and buried at New Salem, Pa. He was mustered into Knap's Independent Battery E, Penn- sylvania Light Artillery, as Second Lieutenant, on September 8, 1861. He was wounded at the Battle of Cedar Mountain, Vir- ginia, on August 9, 1862. On July 16, 1863, he was promoted from Second to First Lieutenant, and was commissioned Captain of [132] HAMPTON BATTERY. Hampton Battery F on October 20, 1863, but was killed before being mustered in. On March 13, 1865, he was breveted Major and Lieutenant Colonel. While our Battery was encamped on Maryland Heights in the fall of 1863, Lieutenant Geary was unanimously elected Cap- tain of Hampton Battery. His commission from the State of Pennsylvania, dated October 20, 1863, was forwarded to his father. General John W. Geary, then in command of the White Star Division of the Twelfth Corps. He had his son's commission in his pocket when Captain Geary was killed. Captain Collins, in his History of the One Hundred and Forty- ninth New York Volunteers, of the Twelfth Corps, says : " When the rays of the rising sun came over Lookout Moun- tain they fell with a mellow light upon the tall portly form of General Geary standing with bowed head on the summit of the knoll, while before him lay the lifeless form of a Lieutenant of Artillery. Scattered about were cannon, battered and bullet marked caissons and limbers, and many teams of dead horses in harness. There were many other dead, but none attracted his attention save this one. For he was his son. The men respected his sorrow and stood at a distance in silence while he communed with his grief. The Confederates had been instructed to pick off the artillerists. Lieutenant Geary had just sighted a gun and as he gave the com- mand to fire, he fell dead with a bullet through his forehead." Captain Joseph M. Knap, of Knap's Battery, says: " Captain Geary was one of the bravest, most efficient and devoted soldiers that ever lived." Post 236, G. A. R., County of Allegheny, State of Pennsylvania, was named after him. As Captain Geary was never mustered into the Hampton Battery his name does not appear on the rolls of the company, but the surviving members have very properly inscribed his name on the monument erected by them in the Allegheny City Park, to the memory of their fallen comrades. [133] HAMPTON BATTERY. LIEUTENANT JOSEPH L. MILLER. [134] HAMPTON BATTERY. SECOND LIEUTENANT JOSEPH L. MILLER. OSEPH L. MILLER was a native of Pittsburgh, Pa., his parents being Reuben Miller, Jr. and Anna Mills. He was born September I, 1841, and was educated in the public schools, principally in the old Second Ward, of which, J. B. D. Meeds was principal. After leaving school he was in the grocery business with Smith & Hunter. He enlisted in Hampton Battery on August 12, 1862, and was wounded at the Battle of Gettysburg, July 3, 1 863, from the effects of which he died on August 9, 1863. He was buried in the Allegheny Cem- etery. Lieutenant Miller was a brave and gallant soldier, always at his post, and by his gentle and pleasing manners endeared himself to all the members of the Battery. [135] HAMPTON BATTERY. FIRST LIEUTENANT JOSEPH B. TODD. lOSEPH B. TODD was born in Pittsburgh. Pa., in 1820, and was mustered into Hampton Battery on October 8, 1861, as Sergeant. He was promoted to Lieutenant March 5, 1864, and was mustered out of the service on February 16, 1865. He was wounded at the Battle of Gettysburg, July 2, 1863, and died from the effects of his wounds on March 6, 1865, at Pittsburgh, Pa. He was buried in the Allegheny Cemetery. Lieutenant Todd made his home in the old Lawrenceville District of Pittsburgh for many years, being engaged in the iron business with W. W. Wallace, on Liberty Street. He was a mem- ber of the old Duquesne Greys, a volunteer military organization of Pittsburgh, when he enlisted in the battery. Lieutenant Todd was a brave and good soldier, always attended to his duty in a most honorable manner, and had the respect of all under him. [136] HAMPTON BATTERY. LIEUTENANT JOSEPH B. TODD. [137] HAMPTON BATTERY. DESCRIPTIVE LETTER. LETTER FROM JOHN C. SHALER TO HIS SISTER. In Camp, near Warrenton, Va., July 26, 1863. My Dear Sister: In accordance with a promise made you some time ago I hereby commence an account of our movements since leavmg Fairfax Court House, June 25 th, and up to the present time. June 25th. About 9:30 A. M. at this date, we unexpectedly received orders to be ready for the road in twenty minutes. We were ready within the required time and marched about twenty min- utes afterward, taking the Centerville pike. A short distance outside of the Court House a camp had been broken up but things not all removed. Among other articles that were lying around were the instruments of a brass band, consisting of about a dozen pieces and a bass drum. We boys charged on them instantly and each piece was soon m the hands of some one. It was a laughable sight to see the fellows puffing away without getting much noise or music from anything but the drum. Our merriment was at its height when lo! we were in turn charged on by the real and enraged musicians, fol- lowed by a volley of outlandish and incoherent words. At first there was some danger of a panic on our part, but finally we managed to retreat in good order and took up our line of march with the battery, amid the shouts of laughter of the balance of the company. This ended our would be soiree. We left the pike about the middle of the day and by evening had reached a place called Drainesville. This vicinity has not been troubled much by the armies and presented all the signs of civiliza- tion, fine farms and plentiful crops, splendid houses and beautiful gardens, gentlemen and ladies, mischievous boys and pretty girls. [138] HAMPTON BATTERY. Soon after passing the above place rain commenced to fall and it became so dark we could scarcely see to march, but still we kept on until the middle of the night, when we halted, left the horses har- nessed, built large fires, got something to eat, laid ourselves down without covering, and in spite of the inclemency of the weather, slept soundly until morning. June 26. We awoke this morning with the rain pattering in our faces, and a rather uncomfortable feeling caused by wet clothes. The cooks soon after had breakfast ready. That over we soon marched and a short time afterwards crossed the Potomac at Edwards' Ferry, into Maryland. After crossing we did not march far until we went into camp, pitched tents and made ourselves as comfortable as circumstances would admit. During the day I saw two umbrellas, the only ones i think I ever saw in the army. One belonged to a fancy little captain of a wagon train. He should have been cashiered for carrying it. The other belonged to a diminutive drummer boy and was, I suppose, the gift of some anx- ious friend— mother or sister perhaps. He should have been at home selling newspapers, mstead of out wading through the mud. The site of our camp was on a high hill near the river. We could see back through the country on the other side five or six miles, and over the whole length of road during the entire day could be seen a steady stream of wagons, moving this way. You can form some idea of the immense trains of this army when I tell you this one of many was thirty miles in length. We have a rain- bow this evening. June 27. We marched about nine o'clock this morning. In about an hour we reached a place called Poolsville. As we passed there was a large band playing some fine music. Pleasanton's cav- alry came through about the same time. They also had a band [139] HAMPTON BATTERY. and the two vied with each other till we could scarcely hear the rattle of our artillery above the music, and the doors and windows were lined with ladies. In Virginia the fair sex never make them- selves visible when our armies are passing, but here they are patriotic. We next passed through Barnsville, which is situated almost in the mountains and is a very nice place. We passed through the mountains today and around the base of what is called " Sugar-loaf," a high peak of this range. The name " Sugar-loaf " I at first thought very inappropriate, but when we got properly m I found out the reason. The sides are very steep and covered with large rocks and small crooked trees. The peak is a very large conical rock and of a dazzling whiteness. Oh, it is grand, wild, and magnificent! It seemed to me as if it would have been a place chosen by some ancient baron to rear his castle. Our signal corps had a station there at the time, which could be seen for miles on either side. Near evening we crossed the Monocacy River and then marched on to Frederick City. We reached this place by the time gas had been lit, so that the city presented quite a brilliant ap- pearance. Our Brigade had got behind the rest of the Reserve about a quarter of a mile from the city, and we were obliged to double quick to close the column. We went rushing in at a rattling pace. The rumble of the wheels caused a continuous echo; the numerous lamps produced a thousand flitting shadows; orderlies rushed about on horseback; officers shouted orders; and the men hurrahed at the waving of handkerchiefs and flags. The whole was an exciting scene and very different from what the poor soldier is in the habit of seeing. [140] HAMPTON BATTERY. We passed through and camped about three-quarters of a mile from the town. June 28th. The morning is cloudy. This being Sunday a num- ber of the boys went to the city church, but the greater part washed clothes, among them myself. About two-thirds of the fellows who said they were going to church it seems were going for whiskey instead, and came home quite tipsy, having managed to get it some place or other. June 29th. Rain was falling fast this morning. We marched at nine o'clock. The rain ceased about ten and we had a chance to see the country as we passed, which was very pretty, covered by fine crops and inhabited by a patriotic people. We passed through the towns of Waterville, Lee's Settlement, Woodsboro and Bruceville. At the latter place we went into camp. June 30th. We marched at nine o'clock. The appearance of the country was about the same as what we had been passing through. Rain fell nearly all day. About the middle of the day we reached Taneytown and camped. July 1st. Morning cloudy. We have orders that we will not march. This evening we have orders to put four days' rations in our haversacks, for the wagons must be sent to the rear, as a battle is expected soon. We also received orders to march at 4:00 A. M. tomorrow. July 2d. Morning foggy. We were up at three and marched at four o'clock, taking the Gettysburg road for the battle- field, and double quicking about half the distance over a bad piece of road. When we came within sight of the battlefield we halted, parked and fed the horses, leaving them in harness. About the middle of the day cannonading commenced and [141] HAMPTON BATTERY. inside of an hour Lieutenant Chamberlain, of General Tyler's staff, came rushing up, exclaiming, "Captain Thompson, your battery to the front, countermarch and take the road to the right." We double quicked to the front and went into action amid a perfect shower of shells. The position we got, as well as those occupied by the other batteries, was a bad one, and was badly supported by infantry. After a couple of hours hard fighting we were compelled to fall back to the ground occupied by us in the morning. It had now become dark and both sides ceased hostilities. One of the guns manned by Thompson's men was deserted by them, and the horses ran off. A squad of our men tried to drag it from the field, but the nature of the ground would not allow, and we had to leave it on the field. Our loss was one man killed and several wounded. July 3d. Mornmg cloudy and uncomfortable. The enemy, elated by the little success they had gained last evening, commenced firing soon after daylight this morning, giving some of their guns high elevation. We were about a mile from our front and some solid shot fell near us. The enemy, after blowing up a couple of limbers on our side, and our batteries not replying, ceased firing. Soon after this we again went into position and immediately com- menced throwing up earthworks m front of our guns to protect us from ricocheting shot. These completed, we lay about our pieces waiting for the enemy to commence the attack. We then received orders that should the enemy commence firing not to fire until fur- ther orders. All this time we could see the enemy massing his batteries in front of us and preparing for a desperate duel. Some time after mid-day they opened on us with about sixty guns, and we, as ordered, lay down and let them peg away. It was awful to lie there as we did, for if anything is fearful it is to lie still while shot and shell are showering around; but let me be doing something and there is nothing I like better. In about half an hour after the [142] HAMPTON BATTERY. enemy commenced, a horseman came rushing into our hne shouting ' open up these batteries, commence firing, by order of General Crawford." We all sprang to our posts and commenced in earnest. The roar of the artillery was awful and I think can be truly called one of the heaviest artillery fights on record. It was some time before we could notice we were gaining any advantage, but finally their fire became weaker and soon after ceased altogether. We soon ceased also. We could again see them mov- ing their now shattered batteries into new positions. That finished, it was but a short time until we could see a long line of their infantry coming out of cover and getting ready for a charge. Their artillery opened again, but we did not pay any attention to it but commenced shelling their infantry line as it charged, keeping it up until they came within canister range, when we used that freely. It checked them, and our infantry, seeing them waver, made a charge and drove them back. In about ten minutes they again charged, and when close enough we gave them double and treble canister and almost annihilated them. They again fell back. This ended the fighting for the day, having repulsed them at all points. About dusk, there being indications of rain, and relying on the infantry for a guard against surprise, we made ourselves comfortable. Today Captain Irish, Lieutenant Miller, Lieutenant Todd, and also several privates, were wounded. July 4th. Morning cloudy. About five o'clock this morning we were relieved by another battery, after being on the field for thirty-six hours. We marched to the rear, pitched tents, and took our much needed repose. This was the only wet Fourth I ever knew of. There was not any fighting today. The enemy is said to be falling back. In examining my knapsack today I found a musket ball in it. [143] HAMPTON BATTERY. July 5 th. Raining this morning. Our army is beginning to move again this morning, as the enemy has retreated. At five o'clock P. M. we struck tents and marched, passing through Two-Taverns, Germantown and Littlestown. At the latter place we camped again about midnight. July 6th. We were ordered to lie here today to give the balance of the army a chance to get away. Our proper place is in the rear during a march. We received a large mail today, the only one for some time. The men in the several batteries had orders not to leave their respective camps during the day, but there were too many pies and cakes in Littlestown for them to regard orders much, and they left as they pleased. General Tyler, hearing that his order had not been obeyed and becoming wroth thereat, sent a provost guard into town to arrest all that might be there, and also placed guards at the several entrances to the field in which the Reserve was camped, who arrested all the town guard missed. They were taken before the General, who administered a sound rebuke and sent them under guard to their several camps, hoping they would do better hereafter. I am sorry for all the good it did them though. July 7th. We marched at seven o'clock toward Frederick City, passing through Taneytown, Bruceville and Woodsboro. The roads were very bad. We camped after dark near the latter place, in the midst of a heavy rain. July 8th. Rain still falling this morning. Marched at noon and reached Frederick City about five o'clock. Here we for the first time heard of the capture of Vicksburg. We also learned of the execution of a spy who was well known to the whole army, but not in that capacity. Last winter he was in the camps at Aquia Creek and Falmouth getting subscriptions for company memorials, which from the appearance of the samples were very nice affairs. [144] HAMPTON BATTERY. Our whole company had subscribed. It seems since he was proven a spy and met his just fate that his name was Richardson. He seemed hke a very shrewd fellow. July 9th. At noon today we again marched, taking the Hagerstown road. We passed through Middletown, over South Mountain, and through Boonsboro. By some mistake we almost marched through the picket line. We then had to march back through the town again before we could camp. It was then dark. We passed over the South Mountain battlefield today. Most of the ground is under good crops, but there are still a good many indications of a hard battle, — buildings pierced, trees cut off by shells, old bayonet fragments, etc., lying around, and the still more melancholy sight of long lines of graves m different parts of the field. In the mountains there are still the remains of a large pile of rebel knapsacks, which they were obliged to leave in their retreat. The scenery in the mountains is quite picturesque, wild and rugged, and I will not soon forget the impression it made on me. July 10th. This morning was dark and lowering, with an occasional dash of sunshine, reminding one of the flashing eyes of some demon in joyful anticipation of the fearful scenes which were to transpire today. This scene was the melancholy accident caused by the accidental discharge of one of the pieces that I wrote to you of on the same date. About four o'clock we broke camp and moved a few miles and again camped, passing through Boonsboro. Evening clear. July 1 1 th. We marched again this morning, still on the Hagerstown road, to a point called Benevola (scare up your Latin) where we went into park, pitched tents and made ourselves comfortable. There was a heavy cavalry fight here yesterday. [145] HAMPTON BATTERY. July 12th. Morning foggy. At an old mill dam here we found a splendid place for washing. The chute is old and decayed, and the water comes through in innumerable jets. A person stand- mg under becomes well cleaned in a few minutes. I took my Sunday wash here. A thunder storm today. July 1 3 th. This morning we broke camp and moved up to the left of our line of battle, as there was an attack expected there. After we had been lying here a while the discovery was made that our services were not needed and we were ordered back to camp. It was mighty pleasant to be hauled around this way and then have to pitch tents in a rain storm. We managed to make ourselves comfortable after carrying off nearly every shock from a rye-field. So much for red tape. July 14th. Morning cloudy. Today I saw a number of the militia of which the newspapers were speaking so much. Such a green set I never did see. Old soldiers were just stuffing them. It seemed to me strange how a sane man could believe them. Yet they were filling their note books with all that was told them. Evening cloudy. July 15th. We marched at 5:00 A.M., passing through Boonsboro, Middletown, Jefferson, and Petersville. The roads, on account of the much rain lately and numerous trains passmg over, were very bad. We camped near Berlin on the Potomac. July 16th. We understand we will lie here for a few days. I saw today that which will prove that the " cute Yankee " will make money no matter where situated. It was a chap going about from camp to camp, a rough barber's stool on his back and other necessaries in a haversack, giving a shave and a cut for fifteen cents each or twenty-five cents for both. He was filling his pockets too» for customers were plenty. [146] HAMPTON BATTERY. July 1 7th. Raining this morning. Nothing of interest today. July 18th. March at eight o'clock. We crossed into the sacred soil again today at Berlin. I believe the army was glad to get back into Virginia again, for they do not want to do their fight- ing m a loyal State. We passed through Lovettsville today, marched about five miles and camped. July 1 9th. We marched at eight o'clock. The only town we passed through today was Wheatland. About ten miles further on was Purcellville, near which we camped. The fields in this section of country are not under cultivation, but are partly evergreen with dewberries. I got into a patch today the like of which I never saw. The vines were so thickly matted a person could scarcely get through, and the berries were in such quantities I might say that they covered the ground. I sat in one place and picked my cap full. They are as large as Lawton Blackberries. The soldiers are living off them. They pick a tinful and then milk some cow, making ber- ries and cream good. July 20th. We marched at nine o'clock. At Purcellville this morning a suspicious character who could not give a good account of himself and told several conflicting stories, was put under arrest as a spy. We marched and camped today again at a place called Union, which is very inappropriate as far as the sentiments of the people are concerned. The day has been very warm and roads bad. Evening clear. July 2 1 St. A heavy rain this morning, but it soon ceased and the weather cleared off. Nothing of interest today. July 22d. Marched at noon. When we had marched about two miles we halted for a short time on a high hill, from which there [147] HAMPTON BATTERY. was an extensive view of surrounding country. Here and there could be seen a village peeping out from amongst the trees, and bordered by some stream whose meanderings were lost among the distant hills. The country was dotted over with clumps of timber, and seemed well situated for agricultural purposes. But little was under cultivation, on account of the war. We did not march more than five miles until we again camped. Our camp today had one great attraction, viz: a deep run in which we were enabled to get a swim. July 23d. Marched at eight o'clock. The country through which we passed today was uninterestmg. We marched about ten miles and camped at White Plains. This evening we heard cannon- ading. It seems Mosby managed to burn part of the 12th Corps train and some batteries were shelling him out of a piece of woods where he had taken cover. July 24th. We lay in camp today until near evening. Marched at dusk for Warrenton, which we reached just as the gray streak of dawn appeared. This march was very fatiguing, both on man and beast. The roads were so miserably bad the cannoneers could not ride, and it was very slavish to go plunging through mud holes and over banks in our endeavors to keep pace with the carriages. The drivers were so sleepy they could scarcely see what they were doing, almost running out of the road at times. We passed Warrenton and parked. July 25 th. We fixed up in a permanent manner today, ex- pecting and hoping we will stay for some time. It is a month today since we left Fairfax Court House, and since then we have not been forty-eight hours in one camp, but on the move nearly all the time. John C. Shaler. [148] HAMPTON BATTERY. OUR LITTLE STRING BAND. |N the History of Hampton Battery " Our Little String Band " is a significant feature and possesses a tenacious hold upon our affections. It was organized in 1862, and was composed of the following members: C. C. AreNSBERG, Leader and Violin George V. Marshall, Second Violin and Guitar James Wilson, Cornet George Ritchie, Flute and Piccolo Alonzo Cavitt, Bass Viol Edmund J. Wilkins, Guitar and Violin Frank A. Merrick, Flute The effort to revive some of the latent music and " lost chords " of this little band has resulted in bringing to light these reflections on the times and events in and about Aquia Creek, where our Battery was in winter quarters during 1862 and 1863. Aquia Creek Landing, at the time of the war and before, was the railroad terminal between Richmond and Aquia Creek, a branch of the Potomac. At this point boats connected with the railroad for Washington, D. C, a distance of about forty miles. This was a very busy place while the army was encamped here, as was also the vicinity between this part of the country and Falmouth after the disastrous Battle of Fredericksburg and the " Mud March " follow- ing. On the Potomac River, about three-quarters of a mile below Aquia Creek, another boat landing was built. This was used for the unloading of forage, ammunition, commissary stores, etc. It was [149] HAMPTON BATTERY. called by " U. S. Yankees " Ubedam Landing. Some of the piles of its ruins yet remain, and the place is still known in the neighbor- hood by its wartime nickname. A railroad, built on piles, connected it with the old Aquia Creek steamboat landing. Along this little branch railroad the engineers and train hands lived with their families. They had comfortable, portable houses which were sent down and erected by the government. There was quite a small colony of them, mostly from Massachusetts. Our band was often invited to spend the evening with these people. They always had something good to eat. We occasionally contributed flour, sugar, coffee, etc. to their supplies, while we enjoyed their good apple dumplmgs, biscuit, and snitz or dried apple pies. , There was a prevalence of pine trees in this locality, and we soon had our little houses built. We used the pine boughs to make shelter stables for our horses. During our stay in these winter quarters, we entertained guests from dear old Pittsburgh. Boxes came to us by Adams Express, filled with " pies and things." Oysters and fish we got in great quantities from the Potomac and the adjacent streams. Some of the boys were excellent cooks, and we certainly did live on the fat of the land. A circumstance of the hour was Mrs. Teese's visit to her sons in this camp. She kindly volunteered to darn the stockings of any of the boys who would bring them to her cabin. At roll call. Orderly Robert Paul informed the company of this offer. It was washday m camp, and the good old lady was fairly forced to leave her quarters in order to make room for the socks that came pouring in from the one hundred and sixty members of the Battery. While we were here, many of the boys were granted furloughs to visit their homes, and on their return, they were always well laden with articles for their less lucky companions. [150] HAMPTON BATTERY. When our band was organized we were short a bass, so we all chipped in, and when E. J. Wilkins secured a furlough, he brought one back with him. We were somewhat at a loss to know how to take care of it. One night we were out serenading. The ground was white, and in passing along through the hospital tents, near the camp, we saw a coffin in the snow. Some one took off the cover and found the bass " just fit it." We took the gruesome thing back to our camp that night, and sawed off the lower end. It made an excellent case. It was carried in our wagon until a few days before the Battle of Gettysburg. Then it was left, with the rest of our instruments, with a family named McAllister, in the village of Taneytown, Maryland, not far from Gettysburg. Many are the episodes connected with the string band of Hampton's Battery. It afforded us participation in endless schemes of frolic, as well as in gatherings of hallowed memory, and be- guiled the monotony of many a tedious hour and dull day. Sometimes we were joined by other bands from regiments and batteries in the neighborhood. The One Hundred and Eleventh Regiment, from Erie, Pa., was camped near us. They had a brass band in their regiment, and played with us many a time. We often serenaded the several corps and brigade com- manders, and occasionally were invited to play at the head- quarters of the general officers. At these recreations we were treated to the best that could be had. On one occasion, during the time we were in these winter quarters. General Joseph Hooker, then in command of the Army of the Potomac, was on his way from Washington to his headquarters near Falmouth, and stopped over to see Captain Hampton. The Captain had other friends there to meet General Hooker, among whom were General John W. Geary, Commander of the Second Division, Twelfth Corps, of the Army of the Potomac, General [151] HAMPTON BATTERY. Thomas L. Kane, brother of the explorer, and Commander of the Bucktail Brigade, Second Division, Twelfth Corps, and General Greene, Commander of Greene's Brigade. Generals Hooker, Geary and Kane and Captain Hampton (an old forty-niner) had all been members of the Vigilance Committee of California before the war. Our band had a busy time on that occasion helping to entertain the Captain's old comrades and other friends. Their stories and reminiscences delighted us as we witnessed their great pleasure in being again in each other's society. Surely we remember one remark our Captain made that night. In addressing his dis- tmguished guests, and naming each and his high office in his country's service, he said: "And I, Bob Hampton, Commander of Hamp- ton's Battery, would not exchange places, my dear comrades, with any of you." It is needless to say that the little band played longer, louder and stronger than ever, for we knew our Captain said what was in his heart. In the midst of these associations is the memory of Chancellors- ville. After this battle we returned to our old camp at Aquia Creek, but it had no interest for us now. With the loss of our beloved Captain, and other comrades, the depletion in men, horses, guns, caissons and everything else, we were a sad and sorry looking Battery. Our Battery's last engagement in the Chancellorsville campaign was on the north side of the Rappahannock, at United States Ford. We were protecting the pontoon raisers. How it did rain! The men stood to the guns and kept up such a warm shelling all through the night and following morning that the enemy could not, and would not dare to bring their batteries into action. Knap's, Thompson's and Hampton's Batteries, or what was left of them, were there, helping to save from damage our engineers and infantry, who were the last to leave the enemy's side of the river. [152] HAMPTON BATTERY. Beautifully situated on the bluff on the north side of the river where our Battery was planted was a farm of three or four hundred acres, highly cultivated and improved. One of the members of our Battery, Jacob Rosensteel, was so well impressed with the farm that he bought it shortly after the war and still owns it. The music was pretty well driven out of us by this time. We lost interest in the little organization during this period of its history. After returning to the old camp at Aquia Creek, a few days after the battle of Chancellorsville, the weather cleared up, the roads became dry, and as the landscape took on the varied tints of early summer, men and horses began to feel better, and the band got together again. Before long, however, we were moved to another camp at White Oak Church, nearer to Fredericksburg. We always called this place Camp Dusty. Our band held meetings here, and the music helped to alleviate the sadness of our late experiences. At Camp Dusty the Vermont Brigade of the Sixth Corps gave a ball. It was a gala entertainment. Many friends of the Ver- monters were there from Yankeeland. Our band helped to furnish the music. Unfortunately, Arensberg, our leader, had his fingers crushed that day, and could not be on hand. We did the best we could under the circumstances, and managed to satisfy the Ver- monters, who thought we had a pretty good little band. When the Hampton Battery passed through Taneytown, on the way to Gettysburg, we were forced to say good bye to " our little string band." The instruments were hard to take care of while on the march. While camping in that town, the McAllister family were very kind to us. Our tents were pitched back of their house. When we marched on they took care of our music boxes, and in course of time shipped them back to Pittsburgh, with the exception of a guitar, which two of the young ladies brought to its owner in [153] HAMPTON BATTERY. West Building Hospital, Baltimore, Maryland. The event of the marriage of one of the daughters of the family interested some of us about that time. In collecting data for our History, the recollection of this circumstance, and also the memory of a dinner given at their house and attended by many of the officers on the army's return from Gettysburg, and to which they invited a number of us, form the medium by which we have again come in touch with two of the surviving members of that family, whose great kindness the Hamp- ton Battery boys remember with gratitude. Through the courtesy of the postmaster of Taneytown, two daughters of Alexander McAllister were located. A letter written by one of them to one of our members in the interest of the Hampton Battery History, is herewith appended: "December 14, 1908. " Dear Sir: " Sister and I received your letter Saturday morning and we are pleased to know that you have not forgotten us, and desire to renew our acquaintance. It therefore gives me great pleasure to write you in reference to the past. Yes, my father, Alexander McAllister, lived one mile west of Taneytown. Father died in 1 883 ; my mother in 1 880. " I remember with pleasure the day you refer to; quite a num- ber dining with us, and as one of the party left he said to my father, ' You will hear from me.' So in quite a short time father received a paper (I think from Pittsburgh). It told of the army's move- ments from Virginia into Maryland, and then encamping in and around Taneytown. It spoke of many dining at our house, ' White Cottage,' and by way of a little courteous flattery spoke of the din- ner being served by the hands of his (Alexander McAllister's) fair [154] HAMPTON BATTERY. daughters. Miss Mary and Miss Eliza. I only mention this by way of recalling some of the past. On the evening of the first of July, General Meade, who had his headquarters in and near Taneytown, was ordered with his men to go at once to Gettysburg; and a sad time it was. The men who were in and around our house were greatly depressed for they feared there would be trouble ahead, or great distress, which there surely was. On the third of July, Gen- eral Lee found his cause a hopeless one, and he and his poor broken up army returned to Virginia. On their return from Gettysburg we had many callers, many of whom had been there previous to going to Gettysburg. " You spoke of my sister's marriage. Yes, she was married on the 19th of November, 1863, the day that the National Cemetery at Gettysburg was dedicated. And how many changes have taken place since then ! " Sister unites with me in extending you an invitation when you come to Washington to come to see us. " Hoping this will find you well, I am. Respectfully your friend, Eliza McAllister Gardner. Mrs. William P. Gardner, 914 I Street, N. W., Washington City, D. C. George V. Marshall, Hampton Battery, U. S. A. [155] HAMPTON BATTERY. ABSENT WITHOUT LEAVE. E ARE often asked to relate events that happened nearly half a century ago about our adventures while in the service, and our description of daily occurrences is apt to be received w^ith a great deal of allowance. The story of this adventure has often been told but never to my recollection has been written, and it refers to three misguided young members of the Hampton Battery, none of whom had reached his nineteenth year. In order to appreciate our position it will be necessary for me to give a little history of Mobly and his followers. Harpers Ferry was at that time under the command of General Stevens. He frequently sent out scouting parties with Lieutenant Pearson in command. They had several encounters with the bushwhackers but Mobly was elusive enough to get out of reach. There was a general order issued against General Mobly and Billy the French- man, for murder, with a reward for their capture dead or alive. My impression was that these murders were committed without the usual provocation of war, but were the result of their dashing out on unfortunate stragglers of the Federal Army. I always had a con- tempt for this mode of warfare, but this gang would rather shoot to kill than be burdened with the care of prisoners. It was therefore a good guess that Mobly would not be taken alive. Billy the Frenchman was captured by one of the scouting parties and brought into Harpers Ferry and hanged the same day, by authority of Gen- eral Sheridan, who was in the Valley of the Shenandoah on his tour of devastation under orders from Grant to destroy everything that he could not use. The telegram to Sheridan after the capture was, " We have caught Billy the Frenchman." The laconic reply [156] HAMPTON BATTERY. was " Hang Billy the Frenchman this afternoon at two o'clock. Signed, Sheridan." One of Mobly's victims who was shot and left for dead on the field in Loudon County, Virginia, was Sergeant Stewart, one of Pearson's scouts, whom Mobly knew very well from frequent en- counters. This man was taken to the hospital supposed to be mortally wounded, but he recovered and returned to his command at Harpers Ferry. Knowing that Mobly was still uncaptured he asked for permission to look him up. Permission was granted and he crossed the river and laid in wait for him, knowing that he visited his mother who lived on a farm less than a quarter of a mile from our picket line. As morning was breaking he was rewarded by seeing Mobly and a companion riding towards the house. He waited until he came close enough for mutual recognition, when he cried, ^' Halt ! " Mobly turned and seeing the aim of Stewart, cried : " I am a dead man," and was shot and instantly killed. His companion was wounded, but made his escape. Stewart brought the body of Mobly into Harpers Ferry strapped on his own horse, with his head on one side and his feet on the other. He threw the remains over the fence in front of General Stevens' headquarters, evidently well pleased with his morning's work. While in the hospital Stewart told the attendants that he was sure to settle the score with Mobly when he got well enough to travel. He provided himself with plenty of rations, and among his guns was a repeating carbine, with which he shot him. He laid his plans so well that Mobly was caught like a rat in a trap. In order to understand the narrative fully we will have to go back to the disastrous campaign of the Army of the Potomac ending with the Battle of Chancellorsville. Two months later oc- curred the memorable Battle of Gettysburg. TTie Battery had [157] HAMPTON BATTERY. through losses and other causes been temporarily disabled, and while waiting for guns, etc., we were assigned to guard and picket duty. On Sunday, September 1 1 th, William F. Hood, George Noble and myself took a stroll on the outside of the picket line. I armed myself with a Colts six shooter, while my comrades were armed with Springfield rifles, notwithstanding the fact that had become apparent to us, that artillerymen armed with muskets were more dangerous to each other than to the enemy. We were aware of the band of bushwhackers that infested Loudon County on the south side of the Shenandoah River. We made up our minds that if we would meet Captain Mobly and his band we would just kill them. Had we been successful, Falstaff would not be in it with the stories we could have told in relating the adventure. The details of our capture was a deep humiliation to us. The first indication of an enemy was a volley of pistol shots. The ping of the bullets was uncomfortably close. After getting sight of the enemy, both Hood and Noble brought their guns to an aim, but they did not fire as they were by this time on a gallop toward us, Mobly in the lead with a revolver in each hand. We all jumped the fence, expecting to get into the shelter of the woods. I fired two shots from my revolver, after which there was a regular fusillade of bullets. Fortunately for us, none were wounded. Hood and Noble were holding their guns with their right hand on the trigger. Mobly yelled to them to break their muskets, at the same time firing his revolver at short range and wounding Hood in the arm. He then pointed his revolver at me with the command to hand my revolver to him. He seemed very suspicious of every movement of our hands, and kept his gun on us until we turned over what money we had. It was a brief and thrilling experience, more so than any engagement we were ever in. We were each compelled to march [158] HAMPTON BATTERY. beside a horse and rider. I had the honor of being escorted by Mobly, while Hood and Noble were guarded by his two compan- ions. There were others in the rear and from the talk of an old farmer who was an onlooker we did not think much of his sincerity. When he detailed to us what he might have done we had little to say, realizing that we were in a tight place. The members of the Battery always treated Mrs. Mobly with uniform kindness, buying milk and other necessaries from her. This circumstance had its weight in getting our freedom. Hood's wound was bleeding and painful, and we had to make frequent stops to give him relief. My mind was full of schemes for making our escape. Mobly said we would have to go to Libby Prison, but for my part I was optimistic in regard to our disposal, thinking it was as much a problem to our captor as to ourselves. We also felt sure an armed party from the detail would start after us. After walking a short distance the Captain dismissed us with threats of dire punishment if we did not treat his people right. We concluded he had the floor and kept a discreet silence. But I have always maintained that we were lucky to get off so well. We were gladly welcomed by our comrades, who had concluded that we had been captured or met a worse fate. I am the only survivor of the trio. Hood died in Pittsburgh about five years after the war, and Noble only a few years ago. David Lewis. [159] HAMPTON BATTERY. THE STOVE PIPE CANNON. I HE FOLLOWING incident occurred on the Harrison- burg and Winchester pike while the Hampton Battery was retiring from Harrisonburg to Williamsport, Maryland, covering the retreat of Banks' army. We made a dummy cannon out of a piece of stove pipe and the front carriage of a wagon, and placed it in the middle of the road. When the enemy discovered the dummy they thought the Union Army had turned upon them, and halted the entire Con- federate Army until they could reconnoiter. When they discovered that they had been deceived they did not leave enough of the dummy to fill a match box. This piece of strategy held up the enemy until we had retreated to Cedar Creek. We were again cut off at Cedar Creek. Our Captain asked Lieutenant Colonel Tompkins to support our battery, but he refused. We stood there undecided what to do until an unknown guide led us down the back road to Winchester toll-gate, where we broke through the enemy's skirmish line and returned to our own army. We went into formation of battle and remained there all night. The next morning the whistle on a locomotive led them to believe that we were getting reinforcements and they halted long enough to allow us to retreat to Martinsburg, Virginia. We had no more skirmishes until we left Williamsport. When General Banks saw the Battery in line of battle the next morning, he asked whose battery it was and when told that it was Hampton's said that he thought it had been captured and asked how we escaped. We told him that we had broken through the enemy's lines at Winchester toll-gate with the loss of only the bat- tery wagon and forge. James Vanzant. [160] HAMPTON BATTERY. THE DEATH OF WILLIAM HASTINGS. |N THE issuance of President Lincoln's call for addi- tional troops, I and fifty-two others left Pittsburgh on the evening of August 12, 1862, to join the Hampton Battery. After being examined by Dr. Edward Simpson, we gath- ered at the Pennsylvania Railroad Depot at the foot of Washington Street, and under the command of Lieutenant Harbours and the then Mr. Miller, proceeded to Harrisburg. After another examination we received our uniforms and started to join Captain R. B. Hampton's Battery. We met them on our way to Front Royal, where we received a cordial reception. The Captain told us not to swear as he did enough of it for the whole Battery, and that he had promised our parents and friends that he would be responsible for our conduct. In a day or two after joining the Battery, the Confederates on the opposite side of the Rappahannock River started an ar- tillery fight at Warrenton Springs. They were stationed near Jefferson, where there was some of the Fifth Virginia Cavalry. We had not been in action long until William Hastings was wounded in both legs, one above and the other below the knee. A rough looking personage from California strayed along and cut them off, I assisting as well as I could, and administering the anesthetic. It was the first surgical operation I had seen. I have witnessed many since. We took poor Hastings to a log cabin of one room and an attic. I found a loaded musket and a half-barrel of hard tack in the loft. After putting up a yellow flag, I dismissed the two-wheeled ambulance and driver. Captain Hampton sent Crofut, one of our men, lo stay with me and wait on us. The poor fellow was very much afraid of being taken prisoner, and after he had cleaned some things for us I sent him back to the Battery, but he went to his home [161] HAMPTON BATTERY. in Connecticut, and did not return until the issuance of President Lincoln's proclamation pardoning deserters. I used the musket to good advantage, shooting a guinea fowl in the neck, which caused a constriction of the esophagus, and the poor bird surrendered and was soon plucked, and made into soup for my poor patient. The next day Lieutenant George, of the Fifth Virginia Cavalry, and two of his men came up and wanted to know what I had in the cabin. I told him, and he recognizing me as a brother Mason, treated me kindly and sent me some whiskey, which I needed very much for Hastings. A colored woman had sent me some turpentine which enabled me to keep the maggots out of his wounds. I carried in a belt around my waist, tea, quinine, etc. I made some tea, and seeing a sugar bowl on the shelf, added what I believed to be sugar, but which proved to be salt. I told Lieutenant George that I would like to keep my horse, and he promised to let me have it, but two nights afterward it was taken away. Delirium set in on the third day, and then death came and took him. I found a five dollar bill in the pocket of his jacket, and used it to pay for the digging of his grave and burying him. I wrote to his mother giving her the location of his grave, which was under a tree not far from the cabin. I heard that General Wade Hampton was at Warrenton Court House with his cavalry, and I walked there and reported to him. He treated me as I expected and told his adjutant to give me dinner. He also gave me a written pass to report to Major General McLaws' Division of the Confederate Army, which was expected at Warrenton Court House. I met it near the Springs and reported to Brigadier General Barksdale, who lent me a shawl and placed me under guard of his men. The next morning I proceeded to the Court House under guard of a cavalryman. When we were near the town I was taken to the Division Commander. Here a Major [162] HAMPTON BATTERY. undertook to bluff me, and I told McLaws that, although a prisoner, I would not submit to it, and he put a stop to all rudeness. I was first locked up in a church and then in the Court House at Warren- ton. This was after the second battle of Manassas, and when the prisoners and citizens, as well as the soldiers, were assembled, we trudged on the railroad track to Gordonsville. On the way we met President Davis on an observation car propelled by hand. The next morning we were put on freight cars with the privilege of sitting down on our thumbs. I secured a place near a barrel of crackers and about two yards from President Davis, whose conversation, when the train was not in motion, I could easily hear. He was a well educated and most interesting man, as Craven's " Jeff. Davis in Prison " will tell you. Dr. Craven was his attend- ing physician at Fortress Monroe. Davis knew the natural history of our whole Atlantic coast. By dusk we were drawn up in line before a tobacco ware- house, Libby Prison, and searched for counterfeit Confederate money. They fortunately skipped me, as I had a counterfeit five dollar bill in my pocket. We were confined in the top (third) story of the building on the corner of a street runnmg through to the James River. The food was plain and dear. The women of Richmond, to my surprise, brought us, while in line, loaves of bread. God bless them. I thanked them, and they told me they wished to follow the Golden Rule with us, as we ought to do with their sons and hus- bands in Northern Prisons. The notorious Lieutenant Ross was our keeper. Citizens with us asked me to request him to allow me to take letters for them. " Damn them," said Ross, " we consider them as spies; you soldiers will, I hope, soon be exchanged." Children came up the steps and offered us salt at fifty cents a tablespoonful. On the way to Gordonsville we met some cars loaded with salt which they had captured from us. I took my dough on a piece of tin to a fence and dabbed it against the salt in the car and so got salt without being assaulted or even sworn at. [163] HAMPTON BATTERY. After about three weeks we were, with the exception of the spies, taken to Harrison's Landing, where I fortunately secured an Infantry overcoat which some one had cast off, but true blue. I shall never forget my disappointment on bemg sent back the first day, nor my mtense delight at seeing the Star Spangled Banner on our steamer at Harrison's Landing the next day. We saw the masts of our two frigates which had been rammed near Fortress Monroe. At Annapolis I quietly passed the guards and spent part of a day in the city. A New York Regiment destroyed the large and good sutler's establishment. I never saw a cleaner sweep of everything. You would not know the frame building was ever there. At Washington I slipped past the guard and proceeded to Maryland Heights, where our Battery was. Captain Hampton made it all right and as I got a pension in October, 1907, there is no score against me at the War Department. Frank S. Bakewell. SOME REMINISCENCES. MAY BE able to suggest one or two incidents that were overlooked m preparing the history. I remember the first raid the new section, which had been mustered in on August 12, 1862, took part in. It was from Bolivar Heights out into the valley toward Berry ville. What a good time we had and how the Battery looked on the way back to camp. The men's necks were garlanded with sausages; little live porkers were squeal- ing on the caissons; and chickens were squawking everywhere. Every man was loaded to the guards. Then there was an incident occurred on Bolivar Heights which strongly portrayed the all powerful assimilating influence of army life. Will Atwood, Halsey Williams and myself, fresh from the nurture of good homes and careful parents and the culture of well regulated Sunday Schools, determined, as winter was coming on, that [164] HAMPTON BATTERY. it was absolutely necessary that we should have a shingle roof to cover our shanty. With this end in view, we procured a mule team and wagon and started for the town of Harpers Ferry. On the way we came upon a deserted house, the siding of which had been torn down and the roof rested on the bare studding. " Here we are," said Williams, " the very thing we want." Wholly unconscious of any wrong, of course, because of the atmosphere, new to us, but strongly influential, every blessed son of us got busy with saw and hatchet and soon the roof was down and after a good deal of hard work was placed upon the wagon. Then came another placing. The provost guard came along and placed us all under arrest. Shame and humiliation took possession of us, self-respect was at zero, and the guard house was looming in the distance. The fact that the guard could not take a roof to the guard house saved our bacon long enough to send word to Captain Hampton, who sent Lieutenant Todd to our rescue. In impressive and beautiful language, he set forth the guileless innocence of his Sunday School boys with such good effect that the guards, with tears in their eyes, ordered the whole outfit to camp, with the threat that if any of us were caught in that part of the town again it would go hard with us. On arriving at camp we were summoned to the Captain's quarters, and he said things as only he could say them. " Only a few weeks in the ser- vice," said he, " and under arrest for stealing a house. What will you take before you are through," and then the air was blue for about ten minutes, and chills, such as the fear of baths never pro- duced, chased each other up and down the boys' spines so that they were hardly able to put the roof in position upon their little cabin. But we got the roof up at last and were comfortable all winter. We always liked to play practical jokes on the Sutler. On the way to Gettysburg, the lynch pin slipped, seemingly at least, in his wagon and the wheel came off. To get the Battery past we had to upset the wagon over the bank, and of course guard his stock. No one ever enjoyed these little incidents more than we did and do to- day. Benjamin R. Parke. [165] History of Hampton Battery B NATIONAL GUARD OF PENNSYLVANIA IN WAR WITH SPAIN 1898 WITH COMPLETE ROSTER HAMPTON BATTERY. CAPTAIN ALFRED EPHER HUNT. JAPTAIN ALFRED EPHER HUNT was born at East Douglass, Massachusetts, March 31, 1855. He was a descendant in the eighth generation of William Hunt, who in 1 635 came from Salisbury, England, and settled at Concord, Massachusetts. His mother was Mrs. Mary H. Hunt, the well known temperance worker. He graduated from the Boston Institute of Technology in the class of 1876. In 1878 he was married to Maria T. McQuesten, of Nashua, New Hampshire, who, with one son, Roy Arthur, survives him. Immediately after graduating from the Institute of Technology he entered upon an active business career as a mmmg and metallurgical engineer. In 1881 Captain Hunt located in Pittsburgh, Pa., and in a remark- ably short time he reached the very first rank among mining engineers, chemists, and metallurgical experts. His reputation as such soon became mternational. At the time of his death he had been President of the Engineers' Society of Western Pennsyl- vania, Vice President of the American Institute of Mmmg Engineers and of the American Society of Civil Engineers, was a member of the British Iron and Steel Institute and of the Institute of Civil Engineers of Great Britain. He was a Thirty-second degree Mason and a member of the Shrine and had been Eminent Commander of Tancred Com- mandery. Knights Templar. Among business men he was a leader and an organizer. In business he was a skillful manager, having administrative ability of the highest order. He was one of the controlling stockholders of the Pittsburgh Testing Laboratory and the organizer and leading spirit in the control of the Pittsburgh Reduction Company, engaged in the production of aluminum. To Captain Hunt more than to any other one man is due the credit for the large output and general use of aluminum in America today. At his death at the very early age [168] HAMPTON BATTERY. CAPTAIN A. E. HUNT, HAMPTON BATTERY B, N. G. P. [169] HAMPTON BATTERY. of forty-four years, he ranked in Pittsburgh as one of her first citizens. Military tastes and abilities were his. At twenty-one years of age he had been promoted from private to Captain of a company in the Ninth Massachusetts, a National Guard Regiment, passing through all the lower positions in the company. On his removal from Boston to Nashua, New Hampshire, he resigned his commis- sion in the Massachusetts Regiment, but immediately enlisted in a New Hampshire Regiment and was soon made First Sergeant and shortly after that was elected Captain of the company. In 1881 , on locating in Pittsburgh, he resigned his commission in the New Hamp- shire Regiment. In 1884, Battery B, National Guard of Pennsyl- vania, was organized. Captain Hunt again enlisted as a private and a few days later was elected Captain of that organization, which position he held, being re-elected from time to time, until the Battery was mustered out of the service of the United States at the close of the war with Spain, November 1 7, 1 898. In military matters he was able. As a disciplinarian he was severe but fair. He grasped every situation quickly and went straight to the core of every proposition with little regard for ceremony and " red tape." His men loved and respected him and always had full faith in his ability in every situation. During all his life Captain Hunt was a most untiring worker, having a capacity for work equaled by few men. In addition to giving close personal attention to every business enterprise in which he was interested, and to his Battery, he was a live, active, working member of every organization or society to which he belonged. He died April 26, 1899, beloved and respected by all who knew him, from a complication of diseases resulting from exposure during his campaigns in the war between the United States and Spain. Harry S. Lydick. [170] HAMPTON BATTERY. HAMPTON BATTERY B. AR WITH SPAIN was formally declared on the 25th of April, 1 898, and orders were received by the =r»J^3 Batttery on April 27, to proceed to Mt. Gretna, Pa. On the evening of April 28th, in heavy marching order and escorted by the Veterans of the Hampton Battery Veteran Associa- tion, we paraded through the city before starting for camp. Anticipating that the Battery would be recruited to a greater number of men than authorized by the State Code, we left the city with thirty additional men. The following officers were in com- mand: Captain, Alfred E. Hunt; First Lieutenants, Edward Eichenlaub and Alfred W. Marks; First Lieutenant and Assistant Surgeon, William C. Wallace; Second Lieutenant, Wilson Cross; and Second Lieutenant and Quartermaster, Alfred G. Loyd. The six officers and one hundred and sixteen men answered the query of the Governor as to whether they would enlist in the United States Volunteer Service in the affirmative, and as orders had not been received to recruit to a greater number than the State had authorized, on the muster in First Lieutenant and Surgeon William C. Wallace returned home, no provision having been made for a surgeon to accompany the command. Second Lieutenant Alfred G. Loyd accepted the position of Quartermaster Sergeant. Four men were rejected in the physical examination. On May 8th the remaining four officers and seventy-eight men were mustered into the United States Volunteers, the rejected men returning home and the balance enlisting in the Fourteenth and Eighteenth Regiments. The armament of the Battery consisted of two 3.2 breech loading rifles, and with this equipment we embarked on May 18th for Chickamauga, Georgia, and arrived at Camp Thomas on May [171] HAMPTON BATTERY. 20th, where we reported to General Brooke. The Battery was brigaded with eleven other volunteer batteries under command or Brigadier General E. B. Williston. Two additional 3.2 breech loading rifles were issued to the command shortly after our arrival at Camp Thomas. Orders were received about the middle of June to recruit the Battery to war strength, or one hundred and seventy-three men, and Lieutenant Marks was ordered to Pittsburgh for recruits. On arrival in Pittsburgh, Lieutenant Marks found that the Hampton Battery Veteran Association had received a large number of ap- plications, so that he was able to enlist ninety-five fine looking and representative Pittsburgh soldiers and report with them at Camp Thomas on the 28th of June. The Battery drilled constantly and efficiently under the super- vision of General Williston and Major George B. Rodney, of the Fourth Field Artillery. The Battery Commander ordered the com- mand to drink only boiled water, and at regular intervals marched the command to remote points on the Chickamauga Creek for bath- ing. A most rigid and careful discipline regarding camp hygiene was maintained, with the result that only three men contracted typhoid fever during the entire term of service. The Battery was selected as part of a Battalion commanded by Major Rodney, which Battalion was ordered on July 1 6th for Newport News, Virginia, enroute either to reinforce General Shafter in Cuba, or to Puerto Rico. On arrival at Newport News the Battery was ordered to embark for Puerto Rico on the trans- port Roumania. Owing to the excellent care given the stock the command reached Puerto Rico without the loss of a single animal. This was an excellent record for a volunteer command, as the load- ing and unloading of the horses and mules required the greatest of care. The transport ran aground off the port of Guanico, but later [172] HAMPTON BATTERY. landed there, where orders were received to report to General Miles, at Ponce. Upon our arrival at Ponce, orders were received to pro- ceed to Arroyo and report to General Brooke. The Battery arrived at Arroyo on the morning of August 3d, and the unloading of stock commenced at once. There were two lighters available for the purpose. They were brought along side the transport, which was anchored about four miles from the shore, and the horses and mules were lifted out of the transport in canvas slings, and the lighters towed by a steam launch to withm an eighth of a mile of the land. The animals were then driven to the shore. In order to facilitate the unloading of the guns and heavier baggage, the Battery, with the aid of a large detail of the Third Wisconsin Infantry, erected a wharf. Several wrecked barges were filled with sand for use as piers on which to build the superstructure by running stringers from one sunken barge to another. This wharf was used to unload the guns and heavy baggage of the entire First Army Corps, and was erected in nine hours. The next day the same detail erected a bridge over a creek on the road leading from Arroyo. This bridge was eighty-five feet from abutment to abutment, twelve feet wide, and thirty-five feet from the bed of the creek. When complete it was rigid enough to permit artillery and cavalry to trot over it. The structure will be quite a lasting one, as it was built largely of redwood and mahogany. The command was encamped for a week at Arroyo in an old sugar cane field, during which period the entire Battalion partici- pated in target practice with both percussion and time shells, at ranges of from two thousand to five thousand yards. Our work received the commendation of the officers, who said that the regulars could do no better. On the evening of August 12th the Battery moved forward into the town of Guayama, occupying it after the Spaniards had [173] HAMPTON BATTERY. been driven out by the Fourth Ohio, the Fourth Pennsylvania, and the Third Wisconsin Infantry. On the 1 3th the Battery moved forward through the town of Guayama and up the mihtary road through the mountains toward El Caney. Battery B was with the advance outpost of the column. The Battery arrived about nine o'clock in the morning near the summit of the mountains, where the Spaniards had made strong entrenchments and disputed the for- ward march of the column. General Brooke ordered the army deployed and a delay of nearly two hours occurred while the various infantry columns moved to their position, which was very difficult to obtain in the mountainous country. In the meantime. General Brooke gave orders that the Battery, which had been advanced as far as possible, be put in action front, in echelon. The target of two block houses, at the top of the hill about twenty-five hundred yards away, was first given as the point to attack and demolish if possible, after which orders were given to shell the point wherct earthworks were supposed to exist. The guns were all loaded and waiting the command of the General to commence firing when news was received through General McLaughlin, of the United States Signal Corps, that a Peace Protocol had been signed, and that by order of the President the cessation of hostilities would immedi- ately take place. The command was ordered to return to Guayama, where they went into camp and remained until August 23d, when they were ordered to Ponce to take transport to New York. The march to Ponce was made over very rough roads without loss or delay. On September 3d a detail of the Battery was ordered to unload the transports which were to take them to New York. The Battery also worked upon the unloading of other transports, which were to take other commands before the departure of the artillery battalion. [174] HAMPTON BATTERY. On September 7th the command left their camp and marched to the port of Ponce, where ten days' rations were issued and the baggage and equipment loaded on the transport Concho, which sailed on the 8th for New York. We arrived at the latter point on September 15th, where we were met by Major Richardson, of the State Arsenal and a Committee of the Hampton Battery Veteran Association. The guns and other ordnance stores were sent from Jersey City to Rock Island and Watervliet Arsenals. On September 1 6th the command returned to Pittsburgh and marched through the streets in a short parade, being very enthusi- astically received by the citizens. Each man was given a verbal furlough for two days and thereafter was furloughed for sixty days. The command was ordered to return to the place of enrollment in Pittsburgh on November I 7th, and in two days were mustered out of the United States Volunteer service under date of November 27, 1898, an additional ten days' furlough having been granted. The Battery sustained a very severe loss in the untimely death of their First Sergeant, Samuel J. Stewart, who died in the Alle- gheny General Hospital on November 15, 1898, of pneumonia. He was given a military funeral by the entire membership of the Battery on the 1 8th. On December 19, 1898, the command was reorganized into the National Guard service, making it the most rapidly reorganized company which had served during the Spanish War. [175] HAMPTON BATTERY. ROSTER OF HAMPTON BATTERY B. OFFICERS. Alfred E. Hunt, Captain Edward Eichenlaub, First Lieutenant Alfred W. Marks, First Lieutenant Wilson Cross, Jr., Second Lieutenant Samuel J. Stewart, First Sergeant George E. Forrest, Sergeant William T. Rees, Sergeant Thomas J. Greed, Sergeant Addison H. Sallade, Sergeant Audley a. Hutchison, Sergeant Harry S. Lydick, Sergeant Robert W. Bissell, Corporal Frank P. Coennen, Corporal James A. Gormley, Corporal George A. Gill, Corporal Samuel B. Henry, Corporal Thomas C. Hall, Corporal Anthony J. Loeffler, Corporal James A. Lowery, Corporal HosEA J. Levis, Corporal George H. Matheson, Corporal LORIN B. Ohlinger, Corporal Clarence H. Powell, Corporal J. Lavaille Stuart, Corporal Daniel B. Sullivan, Corporal Harvey M. Suplee, Corporal William P. Battle, Musician William A. Barclay, Musician Melvin B. Ash, Artificer J. Edward Smith, Artificer Charles A. Sanford, Artificer [176] HAMPTON BATTERY. PRIVATES. Charles W. Adams Martin C. Baker George L. Barker John D. Barrett Charles E. Bayne Walter J. Besser Milton W. C. Biggam Henry Blum Alpheus E. Boyd George H. Brady James H. Braithwaite Elmer E. Bratt Charles R. Brown George W. Bruner Perry Bryan Jay Buchanan Clinton T. Bundy William L. Carpenter John S. Caughey Louis C. Clark Cyrus K. Clark George I. Cochran Jacob W. Coennen John Coennen Mathias Coennen Charles Collins Oliver S. Colwes Edward S. Cook Frank A. Cowell Samuel L. Crumay Louis E. Cumpston Michael Cunningham Frank H. Dabbs John G. Dailey Walter A. Douglas John C. Douthitt Hezekiah N. Duff Clarence Dunkle Charles E. Ellis Frank R. Elsrode Harry G. Erust William H. Everson Joseph F. Feltwell Francis M. Filler John W. Fisher Marion Forse Charles Francis Frederick C. Frank Joseph Frantz Frank M. Friesell Joseph F- Furrer Robert F. Geiger William Geltz John C. Gill James F. Grey Samuel A. Grey Edward C. Griggs Frank K. Hall [177] HAMPTON BATTERY. Albert Hand Thomas Hanton William C. Hasson Austin B. Haynes Frank C. Hays Hugh Heister Clarence R. Henderson William M. Henderson Andrew J. Hesser William W. Hill John G. Hosick Rector Hudson Robert F. Hull James B. Hunter John Gill Jordan John A. Keck William A. Klingensmith William H. Lee Simeon R. Loomis Walter W. Longwell Alfred G. Loyd John E. Marquis Daniel J. McCabe James McClain H. M. McClarran William W. McCormick Ray McCullough William J. McDade C. P. McFarland Joseph R. McGraw James McIntyre [1 Thomas C. McKean Arthur V. McKee Leroy McKitrick Worth McKitrick D. H. McLaughlin William H. McMasters Jacob J. Mehringer Frank H. Mellon Joseph C. Mitchell John L. Morgan Minor E. Morrow Elmer Myers George F. Myers Daniel Neely Alexander B. Nevin William C. Nevin Edward J. Null James D. Patterson Theodore E. Payne Henry B. Peeler Charles S. Perrine Clarence C. Preston John S. Purucker John F. Reicheimer Clifton B. Reighard Daniel T. Rodgers Joseph J. Ryan Charles R. Schaum George W. Schmidt James H. Scott Frank Semple, Jr. 78] HAMPTON BATTERY. George E. Shepler Charles O. Smart William J. Smith Charles F. Spang Samuel W. Sprague John W. Springer James C. Stewart Robert Stewart William J. Stewart Charles Stoehr, Jr. Thomas O. Stuart Edward J. Sullivan John Sunday William T. Suplee William E. Thompson Joseph F. Toomey Jesse A. Turner Charles B. Warren William C. Washburn Burt C. Wasson Lloyd C. Weaver Charles C. Williams Richard Williams George W. Welsh Harry S. Wilt Walter Yingst [179] ffiiil ,iMl(i|>-1i>>1|n)iiiMn< ! Li ill Si!!