At our last meeting of the Schuylkill County Civil War Round table, Mrs. Eileen Matthews gave a brief lecture on her Great Grand Father Private William Wesner of the 151st PVI.. She also spoke of his three brothers who fought and died during the Civil War. The brothers all hailed from Schuylkill County Listed below is a brief history of the Fighting Wesner Family.
Samuel was the first brother to enlist, taking the oath on 9-9-61, followed by Charles who mustered in on 9-25-61. William mustered in on 11-4-62 and finally by Andrew who mustered in 4-11-64
Private Samuel Wesner
50th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry
Company C.
Enrolled 8-14-61 at Schuylkill Haven
M.I. 9-9-61 at Harrisburg
M.O. 7-30-65
Age 23
Height 5’9”
Occupation a Miner Laborer
Residence Foster Township.
According to records Samuel deserted in September 1861 and was arrested for desertion in the 10th district by the Provost Marshal and taken to Philadelphia.
According to records he was put back on the muster rolls of Company C, 50th PVI in June of 1864 and fought in all the engagements the 50th was engaged in till the end of the war.
According to his discharge
Camp of The 50th Regiment Penna. Veteran Volunteers
Near Georgetown D.C.
May 29th , 1865
John C Youngman
A.A. Genrl. 9th Army Corps
Captain
I have the honor to report that Private Samuel Wesner of my command has been 12 months in arrest charged with desertion, the above named is a good soldier and has done his duty through the greater part of last campaign. I deem it my duty to say that this said soldier is not worthy of such treatment and would most earnestly beg that he immediately be tried on the above charges. Or at once restore to duty with his company.
Charges have forwarded in the month of September 1864. several requests have been made for his trial but as yet no answer received, please to note the reason of delay, or instructions how to act in this case.
Very Respectfully
Your obdt, Servant
Charles C. Brown
Captain Commanding Company C
For further reading onthe Company C 50th P.V.I read my book
Private Charles Wesner
Company K
96th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry.
Charles Wesner was wounded in the advance of the 96th outside Burkittsville, Md. Toward Crampton’s Gap,
He died 5 ½ months from his wounds suffered at Crampton’s Gap. In the Antietam Hospital, Maryland on March 5, 1863
Wesner, Charles.... Mustered In Sept. 25,'61,
Died at Antietam, Md., March 5, 1862-buried in Nat. Cemetery, Antietam sec. 26, lot B, grave, 218
At Crampton;s Gap
Under command of Col. Henry Cake, the regiment charged the extreme Confederate left, unsupported, driving the 10th Georgia of Semmes’ Brigade from its Mountain Church Road defense line into a mountain meadow. In so doing they sparked one of the war’s few recorded hand-to-hand bayonet fights. Driven headlong into the meadow, remnants of the 10th took shelter in the stone farm house of the widow Susan Tritt, converting it into an impenetrable fortification, their fire coming to bear from its windows. Undaunted the 96th surrounded the house, broke into it, and again cleared it with the bayonet.
Pushing on into the wooded mouth of Whipp’s Ravine, Cake’s 96th commenced the arduous ascent toward the gap only to again come under fire from the 15th North Carolina of Cobb’s Brigade above them to their right on Arnoldstown Road. Cake turned the regiment to its right up the near vertical north face of the ravine, clawing their way toward their tormenter. In a twinkling the 96th fragmented the 15th North Carolina, a portion retreating into the gap, most scurrying up the mountain with Cake’s nearly exhausted men right behind. At the summit of the north ridge winded prisoners gave themselves up, and the 96th’s colors were planted in triumph after numerous color bearers had been shot from beneath them.
Unparalleled by any other unit that day, the 96th Pennsylvania had charged and routed both primary and secondary Confederate battle lines unaided, clearing the way for Union forces to reach the gap through token resistance before confronting the Confederate last stand at the summit. In near total darkness the 96th retraced its steps to Arnoldstown Road where it encamped for the night, still somewhat removed from its parent brigade.
In a sense the regiment had fought its own battle on its own terms and had paid accordingly. 96th casualties were highest of any Union unit engaged at Crampton’s Gap, 20 killed, 71 wounded. Only the maelstrom at Spottsylvania would claim a higher number from this regiment. If it can be said that the New Jersey Brigade crushed the Confederate right, then it can be truly said that the 96th Pennsylvania dispersed its left in vertical depth—all by itself. Their feats performed largely unseen in darkened woods, thanks were slow in coming. Several days later division commander Gen. Henry Slocum quietly offered Colonel Cake a congratulatory footnote: "Colonel, your coal-heavers did well!"
Timothy Reese, Burkittsville, Maryland
AotW Member
Following iare two letters written by Lieutnenat Samuel Russel
Of the 96th PVI.
Miners Journal Sept. 27 1862.
By Samuel Russel. Lt.
96th PVI. Co. C
Camp At Crampton's Gap, Blue Ridge Md.
September 15, 1862.
My dear Father:- Yesterday we advanced from this side of Buckeysville. Our regiment was in the advance some two miles. We found the enemy strongly posted on the mountain at Crampton's Gap; the main body of our troops (Slocum's division) soon arrived and we made preparations to storm the mountain pass. The enemy had every advantage and we every disadvantage; we were finally ordered forward and after advancing about a half of mile the rebels poured a tremendous fire of shell and grape upon us, still we kept on until we meet the infantry at the bottom of the hill, strongly posted behind a stone fence. It was perfectly useless to stand and fire at them so there was but one thing left for us to do, and that was to charge and drive them at the point of the bayonet. Col. Bartlett rode in front of our regiment and said, "Now Pennsylvanians do your duty!" Oh ! if 50,000 young men of Pennsylvania who are now still at home could have seen our regiment (very little over 400 strong) make the charge they would remain at home no longer. We were determined to take this place. Just before we reached the fence, we received a terrible fire: our men fell fast. Here our two color bearers were shot down. Two others immediately grasped the colors and were bearing them gallantly forward when they too were shot down. Lieut. John Dougherty of Co. F was killed here, and I believe Major Martin also, but were not to be kept back. On we went and took the fence, but that did not satisfy us we kept on and drove the enemy to the top of the mountain with terrible loss, completely routing them. Our forces were about equal. We could not use our artillery, but the bravery of the men made up for that. On reaching the top of the mountain we formed our lines again, but it was to dark to follow further. He we halted for about three quarters of an hour, when we came down some distance and remained for the night. We had no blankets and it was quite cold. Among the killed of our regiment are Saul Mcminzie, color bearer, and Martin Sipe. Wounded Sergt. Alexander Allison, Corporal Hilton, Privates Arthur Brannegan, C. Bast. D. Thomas, H. Lynch, J.Frasler, and Thomas Oliver color bearer.
None are very badly wounded. The loss in the regiment is 19 killed and 74 wounded. The loss to the rebels is five to our one and about 6 to 900 prisoners. I escaped without a scratch and was in the thick of the fight. I found an opportunity of firing my pistol fourteen shots. It is getting now getting dark. Col. Cake behaved most bravely. I am sorry to say we lost Major Martin, and Lieut. John Dougherty. All the men in the division behaved nobly. I will give you a further description of the battle at the first opportunity.
Your affectionate son,
Saml. R. Russel
Miners Journal: October 4 1862.
Lt. Samuel Russel letter.
Camp near Williamsport, Md. September 23, 1862.
My dear father- We left Sharpsburg battlefield on Saturday night about 11 O'clock and made a forced march of 13 miles, before 4 O'clock the next morning. We passed over a great portion of the battlefield. The bodies of a great number of rebels yet remained unburied up to that time. I thought we piled the rebels up pretty thick at Crampton's Gap, but Sharpsburg took it down. At one place you could count the bodies of 44 of them. The loss on both sides was pretty large but that of the rebels much larger than ours. John Hughes was Capt. of a battery and was at the battle. I do wish the 96th could have a chance to charge that battery. I have been hoping that we would fall in with the Penna. Militia. Dr. Hasseler came to see us. He told us they were between Williamsport and Hagerstown, but it appears they have been sent back to Greencastle. This morning we had orders to march back to Hagerstown at 8 O'clock but it since has been countermanded as to time. We are to march at a minutes notice, so we may go at any time.
I must relate a little incident that I saw during our charge at Crampton's Gap to show how reckless men can get. As we were charging, and just before we reached the stone fence where the rebels were , we came to a field, part containing corn and part grass and two or three apple trees. As soon as we came to the apple trees some of the men began knocking down the apples with their guns, all this was done under the heavy fire of musketry and within 60 yards of the rebels, after getting as many as they could wanted, they came on eating and fighting.
I suppose the bodies of Major Martin and Lieut. Dougherty have reached home before this. Our regiment lost but one killed and one wounded at Sharpsburg. That was done by a shell. We were supporting our batteries and were well protected by trees, rocks and rising ground.
We are all very well. Our wounded men are getting along very well; none of them are wounded dangerously. I send you a list of the wounded of our company. I should like to see it published as their friends might be relieved of a great deal of uneasiness.
Your affectionate son
Samuel R. Russel.
At every step, some poor soul escaped through a bullet hole into eternity, or some brave body fell forward, or sank to the earth, with agonizing shriek or cry of pain.”
John T. Boyle
Capt Boyle of the 96th Pennsylvania talking about the fighting at Crampton’s Gap
Check out John Hoptak’s Interview about the 96th at South Mountain on the website “This Mighty Scourge”
http://thismightyscourge.com/2009/11/07/interview-with-john-hoptak-author-of-our-boys-did-nobly/
Suggested reading about the Battle of South Mountain and the boys of Schuylkill County.
About “Our Boys Did Nobly”
Author: John David Hoptak
Paperback: 358 pages
Distributed by: Ten Roads Publishing, LLC
ISBN-10: 0557088968
Pvt. William Wesner
151st Pennsylvania Volunteer Regiment
Company I
Enrolled at Schuylkill Co. on 10-15-62, Mustered in 11-4-62 at Harrisburg and Mustered Out 7-27-63
William was 28 years old when he enlisted ion the 151st, P.V.I.
William was paid a $ 600.00 bonus for enlistment in the regiment.
William Wesner enlisted in the 151st Regiment..
Companies A and C, of this regiment, were recruited in Susquehanna, county, B, in Pike, F, in Warren, D, in Juniata, E, G, H, K, and part of I, in Berks, and the remaining part of I, in Schuylkill.
They rendezvoused at Camp Curtin near Harrisburg. During the month of September, where a regimental organization.
The 151st was known as the “School Teacher Regiment”
Company I, the company that William Wesner enlisted in was commanded by Captain William L. Gray of Cressona. Nearly six feet in height and weighing over 200 lbs. Captain Gray was the oldest officer of the regiment. Highly regarded by Colonel McFarland who commanded the 151st.during the battle of Gettysburg. Another local officer was Henry Merkle, also of Cressona who was the First Lieutenant of the company.
Captain Gray it seems was not particularly liked by the men of his company as a letter from the Pottsville Miners Journal dated April 18, 1863 states:
I am sorry to say that the Captain of Company I is little thought of by his men, and, as regards his military capacity. He is not much in advance of any of his men. I do not wish to injure any persons reputation, but these are my candid sentiments, I, for one, came into the service with the welfare of our country at heart. But I am sorry to see in the army so much tyranny as is shown by some of the officers, and I am of the opinion that if not more than half the salary was paid to officers, and a little more added to the pay of the private soldiers, we would have just as good officers and a great many more soldiers.
151st Pennsylvania Regiment
At Gettysburg.
From A First Defender in Rebel Prison Pens.
By Charles Potts, Late Lieut. 151st P.V.I.
Read before the Society October 29, 1913
In the early part of 1863 our regiment joined the army of the Potomac, being assigned to the first Corps, and doing picket duty until the move on Chancellorsville, when we were sent to the extreme right to occupy the positions vacated by the eleventh corps. Not gaining our object under Hooker, we crossed the river and went into camp near our old grounds overlooking Fredericksburg, but we were not to remain long.
Lee's army was short of food, and he was on his way to Pennsylvania, to have a good time. We struck tents and went after him as fast as possible, on forced marches. Well he got there sometime before us, and was enjoying himself on the fat of the land until he was disturbed early on the morning of July 1, 1863, by the first corps and a brigade of cavalry. Starting early in the morning from near Emmitsburg, we marched rapidly onto Gettysburg, going across fields directly into position. As our forces were being hard pressed for awhile, we supported the battery, but in a short time we were sent to fill up the gap in our lines made by shot and shell.
I could see we could not hold our position long, as the rebel reinforcements were being thrown on to our left flank, and our men gradually giving way. Occupying a position n the centre of the line, while the right and left were being driven back, placed us in a very exposed position, when we, too had to fall back to the rear and took shelter in a grove surrounding the Seminary Building, while all other troops had fallen back, leaving us alone to hold our ground as well as we cold, with one battery of artillery.
We soon found that we must vacate our position, or be surrounded and our whole command captured. Our general officers had all left the field, excepting Col. Chapman Biddle, who commanded our brigade, and was wounded in the head, but he was well mounted, and made his escape. Retreating for the second time, we made directly for the town, thinking we would be able to make another stand, but, to our great surprise, the rebel cavalry had cut off our retreat, and we were well bottled up.
It had never occurred to me that I might be taken prisoner, and when I found out that I was helpless in their hands my feelings can't be described.
Meeting a few wounded men of my company, I took them into the Lutheran church, then used as a hospital and rather than have the humiliation of delivering my sword to a rebel, I hid it in the building.
After supplying the boys with water, I went to the front just in time to see the Chaplin of the 90th Penna. killed, while standing in the doorway of the church. In company, with two others, we picked him up, but he had been instantly killed, the ball entering his mouth and taking an upward course through his brain. The rebels were picking up lose Yankees and sending them to a prison camp north of the town under the command of Col. French of the 14th West Virginia.
He extended us a welcome, taking our names, rank, and regiment, but offering us no further accommodations than the cold ground for a bed and an empty haversack for supper. We found him a good hearted old Virginia gentleman.
Our regiment in a few hours had been completely torn to pieces. We marched into the engagement with 66 al told, and our loss was 337. Our opponents were the 11th and the 26th North Carolina regiments, of which the 11th lost 50 killed, 159 wounded, and the 26th lost 86 killed and 502 wounded. So our boys must have done some good shooting. The official reports show that these three regiments suffered a greater loss than any other regiment in this battle.
The guns had ceased firing; the remainder of our army had taken up a position on Cemetery Ridge, entrenched and waiting reinforcements. As night was approaching we thought it was time to have something to eat, before retiring to a bed of clover. I found my stock of provisions consisted of only three and one half pieces of hardtack.
On the morning of July 2d we were moved to Willoughby Run at the Rebel General Pickett's headquarters, and there remained during the remainder of the fighting, being directly in the rear of the rebel batteries, until the morning of the fourth, when the enemy thought it better to go south.
All this time the rebs gave us no food until the eve of the 3rd, when they gave us a small quantity of flour, which we mixed with the waters of the creek and baked it on flat stones, as best we could, into some kind of bread, the like of which I had never seen before, but would have been very glad to have later on.
Andrew Wesner
Co. F, 48th Pennsylvania Mustered In to the service on 4-11-64 at Pottsville.
Andrew was 18 years old at the time of enlistment was 5’6 ½ “ tall had brown hair, a medium complexion, gray eyes and was listed as a laborer, born in Schuylkill County.
The following information came from:
The story of the Forty-eighth: a record of the campaigns of the Forty-eighth .
By Joseph Gould
SPOTTSYLVANIA
On the 12th, early in the morning, we were moved on to the left of Hancock's Corps. Our division was formed in two lines of battle. The 1st Brigade constituted the second line; the 2nd Brigade, the first line. In front of our regiment was the 17th Vermont Regiment, which had exhausted its ammunition after fighting bravely, and was relieved by us. Our position was on the top of a hill, in front of which was an open field and swamp, through which ran a small creek, and, beyond, another hill, where the rebels had erected a strong line of rifle-pits. On our left was a thick wood extending beyond the swamp to the line of the enemy. As the fog rose, a regiment of rebels was discovered occupying a pit formed by the banks of the creek. The left of the brigade was thrown forward into the woods, cutting off their retreat, except by the open field up the hill in front of our works, which, if attempted, would be certain destruction. A desperate effort
was made to drive us out of our position, but it was steadily maintained under a destructive fire of musketry and artillery. During this attempt the regiment captured two hundred prisoners of Gordon's division. Along in the afternoon the troops made another assault on the rebel line. The regiment charged forward to the swamp, but discovered that it was unsupported. It moved then by the left flank into the woods under a galling fire; and, later, reached its former position.
The report of Major W. B. Reynolds of the 17th Vermont, in speaking of the Spotsylvania engagement, says: "At 7 a. m., having exhausted 40 rounds per man, as well as all that could be procured from the dead and wounded, we were relieved by the 48th Penna. Vols, and withdrew about twenty paces, where we remained with fixed bayonets while ammunition was being brought forward. During this time, about fifty of the 26th Georgia, who had been in our front, were sent back as prisoners of war. The few survivors of the regiment made good their escape from the ravine, leaving in our hands a number of dead and wounded. At 11 a. m. I was ordered to support the 48th Penna. Vols, in an advance upon the enemy's works, having to advance across an open field about one hundred yards under fire from the enemy's entrenchments. The 48th Pa. formed in my rear as a support during the remainder of the day."
An incident occurred just here that shows the inventive genius of some of the regimental commanders. A soldier had not stood up to his work as he should have done, had shown the white feather during this encounter, and, upon his return to his company, after the danger was over, the colonel of his regiment, being made acquainted with these facts, had the culprit brought to his headquarters. Then he was bucked and gagged. This operation is performed by tying the hands tightly at the wrists, seating the person on the ground, putting his hands over his knees low enough down to insert a strong stick or musket under the knees and over the arms. This is the bucking part of it. The gagging consists of inserting a strong piece of wood, or, in lieu of that, a bayonet, into the mouth and tying it tightly around the neck by both ends. In this position, he is at the mercy of any one desiring to have fun at his expense. The colonel now summoned the captain of the company to which the "shyster" belonged and ordered him to fall in his company, single file, and commanded them to march by the comrade seated at their feet, and; as each one filed by, he was to spit in his face. Some of the comrades gave him the full benefit of all that tobacco chewing could bring forth, others scarcely reached his face with any spittle, but the colonel stood by, and as the men filed past ordered them to spit lively.
Our regiment suffered very severely in this fight, and the writer paid a visit to the field hospital to look after some friends, and, while there, came across some of his own company, one, named Lewis Woods, a great, big, noble-hearted fellow, from the northern part of the State, who now lay in a cow stable with his brains oozing from a ghastly bullet hole in his head. As I took the gallant fellow's hand and asked him if he recognized me, his only reply was a smile, and my mind went back to the trip on the steamer from Newport News to Baltimore, when, as he lay asleep on the deck, in a moment of boyish deviltry, I clipped one-half of his moustache completely off. What I would have given at that moment if I had never been guilty of this mischievous act! I had heard of people being shot to pieces, but never saw it until at this hospital. Just outside the fence surrounding the house a battery of artillery was stationed, and one of the artillerymen lay there torn limb from limb, and the sight was a sickening one to those passing by.
Sergeant William J. Wells, of Company F, relates the following:
A SOLDIER'S FAREWELL
"In this fight I was one of the Color Guard of the regiment. Comrade John Morrisey, of my company, came to me just before our charge across the swamp and bade me 'good-bye.' Inquiring why he did so, he replied: 'I shall be killed to-day.' I chided him, and tried to cheer him; then suggested that he remain out of the fight, which we all felt to be at hand. He indignantly refused, and said: 'I have never yet shirked my duty, and will not do it now. After I am dead, write to my sister, Mary, and tell her I died facing the enemy.' Just then the bugle sounded the advance. He ran to his company, and, immediately fell, shot through the forehead. After returning to our position, subsequent to the charge, we dug a hole with the bayonet; wrapped him in his blanket and buried him- Then, upon a piece of cracker-box, we wrote, with a charred stick, his name, company and regiment. While lying in the hospital at Chestnut Hill, Pa., his sister, finding my name among the new arrivals, visited me, and I delivered his dying message to her. She was a poor servant girl in the City of Philadelphia, but I shall never forget her distress."
HEAVY LOSSES
Since crossing the Rapidan on the 5th the regiment had been under heavy fire every day, and had lost, in killed and wounded, one hundred and eighty-seven, amongst the killed being Lieut. Henry C. Jackson, of Company G, who fell on the 12th. Lieut. Jackson was a noble fellow, and idolized by his men; his loss was deeply felt.
The Spottsylvania engagement of May 12th became intensely interesting to us, and Comrade Bob Reid, of Company G, gives a very interesting description of it: "It was a very foggy morning when Captain McKibben of General Potter's staff ordered Col. Pleasants to follow him with the 48th, and it will be remembered that McKibben rode a very dilapidated plug of a horse that day, but he rode right to the front, leaning forward on his horse, as he led us up the hill, until he had us under fire, when we formed line of battle behind one of the advance regiments. There was a rebel regiment behind the brow of the hill, directly' in our front, and our position did not suit our Colonel. We moved forward past the right of the advanced regiment until we got about half way between it and the enemy, which proved to be the 13th Georgia. Before we commenced firing about twenty of the rebel troops came in and surrendered. When within about seventy-five yards of the enemy we were ordered to halt, and commence firing, when for a short time the engagement was very lively. The enemy were at a decided disadvantage, they being down the slope of the hill, we at the top. About the time we opened fire another, or part of a rebel regiment, came to their support. We hammered away at them until some one from the centre of our regiment called out that they wanted to surrender, but Col. Pleasants ordered us to continue firing, which we did until the rebels threw down their arms and came in a body. We captured fully two hundred prisoners. They left one colonel, three line officers and seventy-five men killed, and a large number of wounded on the field.
Captain Hosgins
William Auman Company G, 48th ,wrote the following:
This is the tenth day of the fighting, and from present appearances it will last for some days yet. The 48th has been under fire for seven days, and were severely engaged twice. At the Battle of the Wilderness, we were engaged and lost three killed and twelve wounded. On the 12th, we had a hard fight on the ground we now occupy. Our regiment was in the thickest of the fight and lost heavily. Lieut. Henry Jackson was killed beside me. He was struck in the neck by a rifle ball. I helped to carry him out. He died while we were carrying him to the hospital. When he was struck he fell against me. I asked him where he was hit; he whispered, "I don't know," and then his head fell to one side, and I saw that he was dying" He never spoke again. The loss in the regiment in that day's fight was one hundred and thirty-seven, killed, wounded and missing.
We drove the enemy a mile, when we met the 13th Georgia Regiment. We completely annihilated that regiment, taking many prisoners and killing and wounding nearly all the rest. We then charged on the rebel works, but not being supported by the regiment on our right, and being exposed to a terrible cross fire from the lines of rifle pits and a battery, we were compelled to retire to the left into a wood. Here the left of the regiment was run close to the enemy's earthworks, and a number of our men were shot. We fell back, formed line, and took position on the same ground we were on before we charged. Here we put up breastworks and have been fighting ever since. While I am writing, the bullets are whistling over my head, but as long as we do not expose ourselves, we are quite safe.
Casualties:
COMPANY F.
Killed.—David F. Thiel, John Morrissy, Lewis Woods, Richard Williams.
Wounded.—Sergt. Richard Hopkins, Corp. John Powell; Wm. E. Taylor, Israel Manning, Anthony Carroll, Wm. S. Wright, James Brennan, And. Westner, Henry Holsey, Wm. H. Kohler, John Eddy, John T. Reese, John Crawford, A. H. Whitman.
Missing.—George Kramer.
Andrew Was seriously wounded in the groin during the engagement on May 12th. He was evacuated to the Lincoln General Hospital, Washington, DC by reason of the gunshot wound to the groin. Where he died.
96th Officers
Private Charles Wesner
Company K
96th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry.
Charles Wesner was wounded in the advance of the 96th outside Burkittsville, Md. Toward Crampton’s Gap,
He died 5 ½ months from his wounds suffered at Crampton’s Gap. In the Antietam Hospital, Maryland on March 5, 1863
Wesner, Charles.... Mustered In Sept. 25,'61,
Died at Antietam, Md., March 5, 1862-buried in Nat. Cemetery, Antietam sec. 26, lot B, grave, 218
At Crampton;s Gap
Under command of Col. Henry Cake, the regiment charged the extreme Confederate left, unsupported, driving the 10th Georgia of Semmes’ Brigade from its Mountain Church Road defense line into a mountain meadow. In so doing they sparked one of the war’s few recorded hand-to-hand bayonet fights. Driven headlong into the meadow, remnants of the 10th took shelter in the stone farm house of the widow Susan Tritt, converting it into an impenetrable fortification, their fire coming to bear from its windows. Undaunted the 96th surrounded the house, broke into it, and again cleared it with the bayonet.
Pushing on into the wooded mouth of Whipp’s Ravine, Cake’s 96th commenced the arduous ascent toward the gap only to again come under fire from the 15th North Carolina of Cobb’s Brigade above them to their right on Arnoldstown Road. Cake turned the regiment to its right up the near vertical north face of the ravine, clawing their way toward their tormenter. In a twinkling the 96th fragmented the 15th North Carolina, a portion retreating into the gap, most scurrying up the mountain with Cake’s nearly exhausted men right behind. At the summit of the north ridge winded prisoners gave themselves up, and the 96th’s colors were planted in triumph after numerous color bearers had been shot from beneath them.
Unparalleled by any other unit that day, the 96th Pennsylvania had charged and routed both primary and secondary Confederate battle lines unaided, clearing the way for Union forces to reach the gap through token resistance before confronting the Confederate last stand at the summit. In near total darkness the 96th retraced its steps to Arnoldstown Road where it encamped for the night, still somewhat removed from its parent brigade.
In a sense the regiment had fought its own battle on its own terms and had paid accordingly. 96th casualties were highest of any Union unit engaged at Crampton’s Gap, 20 killed, 71 wounded. Only the maelstrom at Spottsylvania would claim a higher number from this regiment. If it can be said that the New Jersey Brigade crushed the Confederate right, then it can be truly said that the 96th Pennsylvania dispersed its left in vertical depth—all by itself. Their feats performed largely unseen in darkened woods, thanks were slow in coming. Several days later division commander Gen. Henry Slocum quietly offered Colonel Cake a congratulatory footnote: "Colonel, your coal-heavers did well!"
Timothy Reese, Burkittsville, Maryland
AotW Member
Following iare two letters written by Lieutnenat Samuel Russel
Of the 96th PVI.
Miners Journal Sept. 27 1862.
By Samuel Russel. Lt.
96th PVI. Co. C
Camp At Crampton's Gap, Blue Ridge Md.
September 15, 1862.
My dear Father:- Yesterday we advanced from this side of Buckeysville. Our regiment was in the advance some two miles. We found the enemy strongly posted on the mountain at Crampton's Gap; the main body of our troops (Slocum's division) soon arrived and we made preparations to storm the mountain pass. The enemy had every advantage and we every disadvantage; we were finally ordered forward and after advancing about a half of mile the rebels poured a tremendous fire of shell and grape upon us, still we kept on until we meet the infantry at the bottom of the hill, strongly posted behind a stone fence. It was perfectly useless to stand and fire at them so there was but one thing left for us to do, and that was to charge and drive them at the point of the bayonet. Col. Bartlett rode in front of our regiment and said, "Now Pennsylvanians do your duty!" Oh ! if 50,000 young men of Pennsylvania who are now still at home could have seen our regiment (very little over 400 strong) make the charge they would remain at home no longer. We were determined to take this place. Just before we reached the fence, we received a terrible fire: our men fell fast. Here our two color bearers were shot down. Two others immediately grasped the colors and were bearing them gallantly forward when they too were shot down. Lieut. John Dougherty of Co. F was killed here, and I believe Major Martin also, but were not to be kept back. On we went and took the fence, but that did not satisfy us we kept on and drove the enemy to the top of the mountain with terrible loss, completely routing them. Our forces were about equal. We could not use our artillery, but the bravery of the men made up for that. On reaching the top of the mountain we formed our lines again, but it was to dark to follow further. He we halted for about three quarters of an hour, when we came down some distance and remained for the night. We had no blankets and it was quite cold. Among the killed of our regiment are Saul Mcminzie, color bearer, and Martin Sipe. Wounded Sergt. Alexander Allison, Corporal Hilton, Privates Arthur Brannegan, C. Bast. D. Thomas, H. Lynch, J.Frasler, and Thomas Oliver color bearer.
None are very badly wounded. The loss in the regiment is 19 killed and 74 wounded. The loss to the rebels is five to our one and about 6 to 900 prisoners. I escaped without a scratch and was in the thick of the fight. I found an opportunity of firing my pistol fourteen shots. It is getting now getting dark. Col. Cake behaved most bravely. I am sorry to say we lost Major Martin, and Lieut. John Dougherty. All the men in the division behaved nobly. I will give you a further description of the battle at the first opportunity.
Your affectionate son,
Saml. R. Russel
Miners Journal: October 4 1862.
Lt. Samuel Russel letter.
Camp near Williamsport, Md. September 23, 1862.
My dear father- We left Sharpsburg battlefield on Saturday night about 11 O'clock and made a forced march of 13 miles, before 4 O'clock the next morning. We passed over a great portion of the battlefield. The bodies of a great number of rebels yet remained unburied up to that time. I thought we piled the rebels up pretty thick at Crampton's Gap, but Sharpsburg took it down. At one place you could count the bodies of 44 of them. The loss on both sides was pretty large but that of the rebels much larger than ours. John Hughes was Capt. of a battery and was at the battle. I do wish the 96th could have a chance to charge that battery. I have been hoping that we would fall in with the Penna. Militia. Dr. Hasseler came to see us. He told us they were between Williamsport and Hagerstown, but it appears they have been sent back to Greencastle. This morning we had orders to march back to Hagerstown at 8 O'clock but it since has been countermanded as to time. We are to march at a minutes notice, so we may go at any time.
I must relate a little incident that I saw during our charge at Crampton's Gap to show how reckless men can get. As we were charging, and just before we reached the stone fence where the rebels were , we came to a field, part containing corn and part grass and two or three apple trees. As soon as we came to the apple trees some of the men began knocking down the apples with their guns, all this was done under the heavy fire of musketry and within 60 yards of the rebels, after getting as many as they could wanted, they came on eating and fighting.
I suppose the bodies of Major Martin and Lieut. Dougherty have reached home before this. Our regiment lost but one killed and one wounded at Sharpsburg. That was done by a shell. We were supporting our batteries and were well protected by trees, rocks and rising ground.
We are all very well. Our wounded men are getting along very well; none of them are wounded dangerously. I send you a list of the wounded of our company. I should like to see it published as their friends might be relieved of a great deal of uneasiness.
Your affectionate son
Samuel R. Russel.
At every step, some poor soul escaped through a bullet hole into eternity, or some brave body fell forward, or sank to the earth, with agonizing shriek or cry of pain.”
John T. Boyle
Capt Boyle of the 96th Pennsylvania talking about the fighting at Crampton’s Gap
Check out John Hoptak’s Interview about the 96th at South Mountain on the website “This Mighty Scourge”
http://thismightyscourge.com/2009/11/07/interview-with-john-hoptak-author-of-our-boys-did-nobly/
Suggested reading about the Battle of South Mountain and the boys of Schuylkill County.
About “Our Boys Did Nobly”
Author: John David Hoptak
Paperback: 358 pages
Distributed by: Ten Roads Publishing, LLC
ISBN-10: 0557088968
