Colonel Elmer E. Ellsworth and Schuylkill County A little Piece of History

From the Pottsville Republican

June 14, 1913

Soldier’s Letter Arrives Fifty Years after Mailing

A soldier’s letter mailed 52 years ago, May 30, 1861, on the very date selected after the war as a Soldier’s Memorial Day arrived in Pottsville, today Saturday June 14, 1913 which by coincidence is Flag Day and another notable feature of the letter is that the envelope also contained a piece of the shirt worn by Col. E. E. Ellsworth when he was shot down while lowering a confederate flag at the Marshall House in Alexandria, Virginia, across the river from Fort Washington, where Henry Russell, the soldier who wrote the letter and a comrade of the First Defenders was stationed with his command at the time of the shooting and when he wrote the letter to his father the late Andrew Russell, Esq. Pottsville Penn. Per the directions on the envelope.
This soldier’s letter mailed more than half a century ago was in the U.S. mail that arrived on Saturday morning and was directed to Mrs. Priscilla K. Russel, widow of the dead soldier, the late Henry C. Russell, prominent resident of Pottsville. In his day, at their home “The Pines” Howard Ave. and Ninth St. and Mrs. Russell after submitting the letter to a sister of her husband Mrs. Anna R. Little, kindly gave her consent to the publication of the letter. Mrs. Little also has no objection, and to these good ladies the readers of the “Republican” are indebted for the pleasure of pursuing this interesting missive.
To fully understand the situation the explanatory letter contained in the accompanying soldier’s letter should be first read as follows.
“Pottstown, Penna. June 14, 1913
My Dear Mrs. Russell:
Enclosed please find a letter written by your husband to his father during the Civil War. I found it among my brother, M.E. Richards papers who also was a veteran of the Civil War. The letter still was sealed I suppose, it was given him to mail and was forgotten.
It affords ,me much pleasure to send this letter to you; it contains a small piece of Col. Ellsworth shirt secured after he was killed at Alexandria, Va., defending the flag. Just think! Written 50 years ago.
I know you will value it, as I would do under the same circumstances. I procured your address from Mrs. Hunt, who is a friend and life long resident of Pottsville. I thought she would know the old families.

Yours, Miss Annie E. Richards

Following the letter written by Henry C. Russell, First Defender:

Fort Washington, Maryland
May 30, 1861

My Dear Pa, I received your letter on the 25th inst., a few days ago and was very glad to know some one still “lives” in Pottsville. Letters are beginning to be few and far between. Two large mails came down today, but no letter for me. Matt Richards came down on the boat bringing those books that Mrs. Little sent to me and a large quantity of provisions for the “boys” we had collected at Washington during the past two weeks. He will return this by him.
Tomorrow is general inspection day and the men are all cleaning up guns, belts, quarters etc. Although we have not the best clothing and accoutrement's in the world our men make a first rate display. As evidence of their neatness and soldiery appearance, the orderly to the officer of the day has been, in every ……………. since our arrival, here, selected from our company. We have not yet been divided or commissioned.
During the past week we have been attending drill schools under Lieutenant Reynolds, U.S.A. At times when we drill he has said, “Sergeant, let me see you do that again”, and he likes our style of stacking arms.
Sam, (the writers brother) will be the Orderly Sergeant of our company after the Division is completed.

STAINED WITH COLONELS BLOOD

“Enclosed is a piece of Col. Ellsworth’s shirt stained with his own hearts blood. Sergeant W. McQuade who was on the boat when his body was carried aboard, got a large piece of it and gave me this. His clothing and that secession flag were torn into shreds by the men, as souvenirs. Keep it safely for me. We are all well.
Next week we got to work erecting a battery behind the fort. Work, work , and work is the order of the day.
Give my love to all the family, and Sam sends his love to you also. Capt. Smith has not yet replied to my communication.

God Bless you all.
Your Aff. Son
Henry C. Russell

I wonder what ever happened to the letter and the bloody shirt piece. Would have made a nice piece of history for the Historical Society.



Elmer Ephraim Ellsworth (April 11, 1837 – May 24, 1861) was a lawyer and soldier, best known as the first conspicuous casualty of the American Civil War.


Ellsworth died shortly after arriving in Washington. On May 24, 1861, the day after Virginia seceded, Ellsworth led his men uncontested down the streets of Alexandria, Virginia, across the Potomac River from Washington. He ordered some of his men to take the railroad station, while he and a few other soldiers went to secure the telegraph office. While doing this, Ellsworth noticed a Confederate flag flying above the Marshall House Inn. He and four others quickly went up the stairs. Ellsworth cut down the flag and was on the way down the stairs, when the owner, James W. Jackson, killed him with a shotgun blast to the chest. Cpl. Francis Brownell, of Troy, New York, immediately killed the innkeeper. Brownell was later awarded a Medal of Honor for his actions.

Lincoln was deeply saddened by his friend's death and ordered an honor guard to bring his friend's body to the White House, where it lay in state in the East Room, on May 24, 1861. Ellsworth was then taken to the City Hall in New York City, where thousands of Union supporters came to see the first man to fall for the Union cause. Ellsworth was then buried in his hometown of Mechanicville, New York, in the Hudson View Cemetery.

Thousands of Union supporters rallied around Ellsworth's cause and enlisted. "Remember Ellsworth" was a patriotic slogan and a New York regiment of volunteers (the 44th New York Volunteer Infantry Regiment) called itself the "Ellsworth Avengers", as well as "The People's Ellsworth Regiment."

Relics associated with Ellsworth's death became prized souvenirs. The Smithsonian and Bates College's Special Collections Library have pieces of the Confederate flag that Ellsworth was removing when he was shot—in 1894, Brownell's widow was offering to sell small pieces of the flag for $10 and $15 each. The New York State Military Museum and Veterans Research Center in Saratoga Springs has most of the flag itself and Ellsworth's uniform, showing the hole from the fatal shot.

Last Assault of Schuylkill County's 48th Pennsylvania Volunteers

THE 48TH PENNSYLVANIAS VOLUNTEERS LAST ASSAULT
APRIL 2ND , 1865


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"BYS, WE’RE GOING TO EARLY MASS!”


Fort Sedgwick

One can only wonder how a soldier feels as he waits for battle. But to know the war is almost over and you are asked to go against enemy fire one more time has got to be one of the most terrifying experiences on earth. On a foggy Sunday morning on April 2nd , 1865 men of the 48th Pennsylvania Volunteer Regiment , one of Schuylkill Counties finest regiments would experience that fear and make a charge against the rebel held Fort Mahone.
In the report of Lt. Col. J.F. Branner who stated, “The rebels surprised a portion of our lines a short time ago, and after a short but desperate struggle, were driven back to their lines with considerable loss. Hardily a week had elapsed before the compliment was returned, with comparatively light loss to our arms. The fighting was terrific and the men fully determined, soon sealed the fate of the once strongly fortified city of Petersburg, Va.”
As the winter months were coming to an end the 48th was in a position near the Union Fort Sedgwick. Directly opposite Fort Sedgwick on a hill back of the main line of entrenchments, was the rebel fort, Mahone, an earthwork which would be the 48th final assault and battle. While in the area of Fort Sedgwick the 48th was in constant harassment from the rebels in Fort Mahone, continuous annoyance by rebel sharp shooters, and artillery. Major Oliver Bosbyshell of the 48th stated, “The 48th was a regiment of resolute soldiers, however, and this daily dealing with death and destruction only nerved them to greater zeal in the discharge of the important work assigned to the command. As the spring came on all felt that decisive action would surely ensue.”


Fort Sedgwick

The plans for the final assault on the rebels was laid out, when unexpectedly the rebels launched a full scale assault on the 25th of March. At 4 a.m. Confederate General Gordon advanced his troops against the Union strongpoint and completely overwhelmed Fort Stedman, one of the weakest positions in the Union line. Completely surprising the troops the rebels swarmed over the defenses. General Hartranft immediately attacked the rebels with his Pennsylvania Division and turned back the charging rebels. Fortunately there was not enough weight behind the rebel attack and it flat out faltered. Giving the Union troops time to regroup and drive the rebels back to their own lines. The rebels were penned in at Fort Steadman, and many were captured while the remaining disorganized troops retreated back to their lines.
The 48th stood their ground and helped hold Fort Sedgwick. And praise was put on the men of the Pennsylvania Division under the bold and able commander General John F. Hartranft.
On the 29th of March orders were issued to the Army of the Potomac to be ready to move at a moments notice. Orders arrived stating that the Ninth Corps holding the line directly in front of Petersburg, was ordered to assault the enemy’s works at 4 a.m. the next morning. Waiting in readiness the 48th was in position, when the orders were to stand-down and remain in their old position. While waiting for the advance the artillery duel going on was so intense that the men witnessed two mortar shells one union and the other rebel meet in mid air, and whirl in a circle and burst between the lines. Orders were once again issued on April 1st, to make the assault the next morning. Fort Mahone was the objective of the 48th.
Prior to the assault, on the evening of the 1st General Curtin Brigade commander summoned all the commanders of his regiments and told each one what their objective was, “To storm Fort Mahone and break the enemy’s line around Petersburg.” Before leaving General Curtin’s tent Col. George W. Gowen the 48th’s commanding officer who served on General Curtin’s staff and knew the general well bid him good bye and stated “Tomorrow will be my last battle.” The general concerned at what Col. Gowen stated offered to have is 48th regiment put in reserve, and put another regiment to lead the assault. Gowen being the soldier he was refused such an offer and insisted in taking the place assigned to him.


Fort Mahone
At 4 a.m. on the 2nd of April a heavy artillery fire opened up on the rebel lines. The weather was foggy with a fine mist. The long roll of the drums sounded and the 48th awoke and fell into the company street. Just finishing their coffee and half rations the 48th was ready to move. The regiment moved in column toward the rear of Fort Sedgwick, marching through the deep muddy cuts that were knee deep in mud at places, these cuts were made in the road by the wagons used for carrying supplies to the front. The roads were all filled with a slushy mud; slowly the men emerged near the Jerusalem Plank road, and crossed near the left rear of the fort. Pioneers had cut open an area in the abates during the evening. The 48th passed through the narrow opening and moved toward the Union picket line.


Dead Reb in Trenches of Fort Mahone
When standing in line and facing the inevitable fear of charging into enemy fire, silence prevails leaving everyman to his own thoughts of family, friends and the heavenly spirit. When suddenly the silence was broken by an irrepressible Irishman in company “C” who sang out, in a thick Irish brogue. Almost everyman in the regiment could hear him say, “Bys, were goin to early mass”. The thought of what he said caused most of the boys to let out a nervous laugh.
Shortly the command, “Forward” was given and away went the 48th at rush. Leading the regiment was the fearless Col. Gowen along with General Curtin. The 48th moved off at a rapid pace, with rebel guns firing a deadly inferno of shot and shell at them. On they pushed into this hail of fire, with one objective in mind to take that rebel fort that had harassed them all winter long. The charge was temporarily halted by a depression in the field in which many of the men sought shelter from the terrific storm of lead coming at them. After a brief rest the men advanced quickly rushing the rebel picket line and capturing it and using the refuse side of the fort as a temporary shelter.


Fort Mahone defences
With General Curtin and Colonel Gowen running ahead they were immediately stopped by the rebel abates and chevaux-de-frise which consisted of a good sized timber, round or square, through which are bored holes, some six or eight inches apart and in opposite directions. When bored, stout sharp pointed wooden bars, about two inches thick were forced forming a four pronged obstruction making a good defense and very hard to remove. With their own hands the Colonel and General began to tear apart the sharpened wooden abates, pulling and ripping they threw it beneath their feet when suddenly Colonel Gowen was struck in the face with a piece of shell, carrying away half his face, and killing him instantly. His prophecy of being killed in this battle came true.


Dead in Fort Mahone
As the men began tearing apart the rebel obstructions it became apparent that they were in a very dangerous situation, unable to pass the obstructions most of the men fell back to the enemy’s picket line for reformation. Grasping the bloody lifeless body of Col. Gowen the men removed him to the rear. Leaning on his sword General Curtin seemed unconcerned about the intensity of the rebel fire calling to the men of the 48th , he yelled above the din of battle, “ Rally boys once more for the honor of the old Keystone state.” Looking at Sergeant William J. Wells of Company F, he ordered the colors brought to him. Rushing forward Sgt. Taylor of Co. A and Sgt. Sam Beddall of Co. E two of the best and most gallant soldiers in the 48th promptly moved forward and rallied around General Curtin ready to advance. And without much care as to company formation the men rushed forward with a loud and continuous huzzas the colors flying high and wanting nothing more than to avenge the death of their brave commander the boys of the 48th advanced over dead and dying rebels. They finally reached the fort and met the rebel soldiers face to face, muzzle to muzzle, blazing away at each other.

48TH VETERANS SAM BEDALL ON THE LEFT, AND THE FAMED CAPT. JACK CRAWFORD WHO MADE THE ASSAULT.

Here Corpl. James Horan, of company “C”, , urged his comrades forward and to the cannon's mouth and entered the rebel fort. He has belonged to this regiment ever since its organization, has always been a good and faithful soldier, and has several scars on his person from wounds received in action during this rebellion. Color-Sergt. John Taylor, Company A, carried the colors of the regiment through Fort Mahone to the enemy's second line. The color staff was twice shot off while in his hands. While the boys were engaged in the heavy combat going on the fort, the 39th New Jersey’s color bearer comes bounding into the fort. Seeing this gallant act Captain John L. Williams of Co. F, called out: “Forward boys, and save the Jersey colors,” which order was promptly obeyed. As the battle raged on the men began to gain the upper hand and slowly the rebels retreated and the fort was taken. At this time in the battle Private James Mullen, of Company I, who was one of the first to enter Fort Mahone, turned one of the enemy's guns upon them, exerted himself in every way to use it to good advantage upon the flying foe.


The Victors in Fort Mahone


During the assault the 48th lost :


Killed:
Colonel George W. Gowen, stuck with a piece of exploding shell.
Company B: Sgt. John Homer, John Coalts Company E: Pvt. Daniel D. Barnett
Company F: Pvt. David McCloir
Company H: Pvt. James King, William Donnelly, George Uhl.
Company I: Pvt. Albert Mack, Albert Zimmerman, Wesley Boyer.

Wounded:

Company A: Pvt. John Adams, slight in the foot.

Company B: 1st Sgt. John Watkins, severe in the thigh, Sgt. Robert Campbell, slight in the wrist, Sgt. William H. Ward, slight in the thumb, Pvt. Robert Jones, sever in the face.

Company C: Pvt. George C. Seibert, severe in head, Corp. James Nichelson, slight in right foot, Pvt. Jasper Goodvant, slight in shoulder, Albert Kurtz, Sever in thigh, James T. Martin, Slight in finger, Paul Dehne, Slight in the hand.

CompanyD: Sgt. Henry Rothenberger, severe in eye, Corp. Levi Derr, slight in foot, Aaron Wagner, sever in left leg, Jacob Schmidt, severe in head, E. McGuire, slight in finger, Joseph Buddinger, slight in shoulder, Chester Phillips, slight in the shoulder, Thomas Whische, slight in the head.

Company E: Corporal William D. Morgan, slight in leg, Pvt. William C. James, slight in the arm, Robert Meredith, sever in right knee and hand, Fredrick Goodwin, sever in right hand and neck, Thomas Hayes slight in wrist.

Company F: 2nd Lieut. Henry Reese, slight in the arm, Sgt. William J. Wells, sever in shoulder, Corpl. John Devlin, sever in hand, James Deneey, severe in leg, John Crawford, Slight in leg.

Company G: Pvt. Peter bailey, slight hand, John Droble, sever in right shoulder, Patrick Dailey, slight in finger, Nick feers, sever in left thigh, Thomas Howell, slight abdomen, Thomas Smith, flesh in thigh, John Wright, sever in thigh, George Kane, severe in leg, 1st Lieut. William Auman, sever in mouth.

Company H: Sgt. Peter Hadelberger, sever right arm and breast, Willoughby Lentz, slight in shoulder, George Lewis, Slight in thigh, Benjamin Koller, slight arm, Henry Matthews, slight in arm, 2nd Lieut. Thomas H. Silliman , severe in throat.

Company I: Pvt. Jonathan Mowery, sever both thighs, Charles Wagner, sever in right leg, Joseoh Shoener, severe right leg, John Road, sever right leg and wrist, Henry Goodman, dangerous in the face.

Company K: S. Hoffman, flesh wound leg, Benjamin Kline, slight in the back, Paul Snyder, Slight in the back, Jacob Ebert, severe in thigh, David Phillips, slight in the side, John Williams, slight in the arm, John Windermuth, sever right shoulder.

Missing:

Company B: Sgt. Isaac L. Fritz, Pvt. William Reppert, Mike Kingeley, Nicholas Stephens, Lewis Kieckner, Hnery Rinker, Daniel Hurley.

Company C: Pvt. James Hanan

Company D: Pvt. Samuel Kessler

Company E: 1st Sgt. John C. McElrath, Corp. George W. James. Pvt. David McGeary, John O’Neil.

Company F: Pvt. Albert Fisher

Company G: Pvt. Patrick Galligan

Company I: Sgt. James McReynolds, Pvt. James Mullen, Theo. Rett, Johan OAtres, Thomas J. Reed, Jacob Reichmine.

Company K: Pvt. William Pelton, John Marshall, George Shaners.

If you want the history of the 48th P.V.I. and great stories concerning the regiment check out John Hoptak's blog the 48th Pennsylvania Infantry.

Another Schuylkill County Victim of Rebel Cruelty

Cahaba, Prison Alabama.

ANOTHER VICTIM OF REBEL CRUELTY

WILLIAM R. WREN CO. K, 19TH PENNSYLVANIA CAVLARY

Pottsville Miners Journal
April 29, 1865, Pottsville, Penna.

William E. Son of Mr. Thomas Wren of this Borough was interred in this Borough on Sunday Afternoon last. The remains were attended to the grave by the “Guard of Honor”, headed by the Pottsville Band, and a large number of citizens. William was born in Pottsville on the 9th f December, 1845. He enlisted in company H, 27th Reg. P.V. M. under Capt. Potts, June 17, 1863 and was discharged July 31st, 1863. He enlisted the following August in company K, 19th Pennsylvania Cavalry. He was captured by rebel forces under Forrest, near Memphis, April 27th, 1864. He remained in imprisonment in Castle Morgan, Alabama, for eleven months, enduring the hardships and deprivations which our men suffered who were prisoners. He was finally exchanged and reached Jefferson barracks, Hospital, Missouri, on the 7th of April, 1865. His weak condition when he left the Rebel prison, rendered him susceptible to disease. He contracted typhoid fever of which he died in that hospital on the 23rd. The terrible condition of four hundred prisoners who came on the same boat to Jefferson Barracks may be imagined, when we state that between the 7th and the 23rd, over two hundred of them died. The remainder were living skeletons and dying daily. Mr. Wren went on for the body of his son, and witnessed with painful feelings the condition our poor men were in. and there are some who say, “Forgive the leaders of the Rebellion.” Let the response of merciful, just men, “never”!” Never”! “NEVER!.”

Note: Cahaba or Castle Morgan, according to the book “Portals to Hell” was a red brick cotton warehouse at Cahaba, Ala. A brick wall inclosing an area of 15,000 square feet covered by a leaky roof with 1,600 feet of open space. With four open windows, and an earth floor.
The structure was merely a shell. The sleeping arrangements consited of rough lumber with out straw ir bedding of any kind..
The supply of water for drinking, cooking, washing and bathing was conveyed from an artesian well, along an open street gutter for two hundred yards into the prison. In its course the stream gathered the washing of Confederate soldiers and citizens, the slops of tubs, and the spittoons of groceries, offices, and hospitals. It was an open sewer in the midst of a small town and the receptacle of the filth, solid and liquid, which the careless, indifferent, or vicious might cast into it.
It became so crowded that each man had barely enough room to lie down. Estimates suggest that each man in the prison had only six square feet of living space (U.S. Army regulations at the time required that military posts allow at least 42 square feet of living space per soldier.) The cooking was done by the prisoners themselves in the open area in the center of the prison yard. The sleeping arrangements consisted of rough bunks, without straw or bedding of any kind, under a leaky roof, which extended out from the brick wall. These bunks could accommodate only four hundred and thirty two men. There was a single fireplace in the building and fires were sometimes built upon the earthen floor of the barracks. The firewood, when furnished at all, was either green sap pine or decayed oak from old fields.

Iwo Jima Marine Corps Veterans at World War 2 Day Reading Pa. 2009

Though these men shown below are not from Schuylkill County, I find it important to add their stories. The purpose of this blog is to keep alive the stories of these men who fought and died for our country and have given us the freedom that we all live under today. Without their sacrifices, we would not live in a free society. And myself and my wife feel honored and privileged to have met these individuals and to have heard their invaluable, personal narratives.




Marine Vet Sgt. Roy Earle talks about an event that happened on Iwo Jima.
Video is with the permission of Roy Earle.

Sgt. Roy Earle was born and raised in Bloomfield New Jersey. He enlisted in the Marine Corps on November 10, 1942. He was sent to telephone school and was assigned as a field lineman and switchboard operator. Sgt. Earle made landings on Roi Namur on the 2nd wave , at Saipan on the 5th wave at Tinian and the 4th wave at Iwo Jima. Roy participated in 4 battles with different outfits and remains as one of those fortunate Marines who survived.
After the war Sgt. Earle worked with a pharmaceutical company and then returned to school earning several degrees, including an MBA from Rutgers University. He later became a professor with several universities finishing his educational career as the Chairman of the Business Department and Dean for Casco Bay College. He was also the National President for the Fourth Marine Division Association from 2005-2006.




Sgt. Roy Earle shows a Piece of shrapnel that nearly hit him on Iwo Jima.




My Grandson, Nathaniel, having the honor to be photographed with Iwo Jima veterans.


Left To Right Marine Jack Colby, Marine Sgt. Roy Earle, Marine Vern Brinzenhofe

Vernard (Vern) Brinzenhofe I Co., 3rd Bn. 25th Marine Regiment 4th Mar. Div. Vern was born in Struthers, Ohio and joined the marines on 5 May 1942. After boot camp at Paris Island he was assigned to the 1sr aviation engineers, Fleet Marine Force. He was shipped to Samoa and New Caledonia to construct airfields. He then landed on Guadalcanal in September, 1942 and survived the second Coral Sea battle aboard ship Vern experienced numerous Japanese bombards while constructing the vital Henderson Airfield. He was sick with malaria and had to be evacuated to New Zealand in February 1943. After his recuperation he was assigned to I co. 3rd Battalion 25th regiment 4th Marine Division Where he participated in the invasions of Saipan and Iwo Jima. He was wounded by mortar fire on the 3rd day at Iwo Jima and was evacuated to Pearl Harbor. He later returned to the 1-3-25-4th Marines on Maui and was training for the invasion of Japan when the war ended. Vern worked for the Army Corp of Engineers in civilian life.

Jack Colby, 4th Signal Company H&S Battalion 4th Marine Division. Jack joined the Marines on December 2nd, 1942 and was trained as a field telephone operator. He participated in the invasion of Roi Namur, Saipan, Tinian and Iwo Jima. In civilian life Jack worked with the Washington Dc and Virginia Telephone company for 39 years.