Class f f 5 ^ liook ^'5 PRESRNTKI) BY REGISTER OF THE MEMBERS OF THE Artillery Corps, W ashington Cxrays'' OF THE City of Philadelphia Who served in the War of the Rebellion 1861—1865 COMPUTED BY Brevet Captain John O. Fcering u. s. volunteers Published by resolution of the surviving members of the Old Guard of the A. C. W. G. 1912 f \athor "0 mn^m ARTILLERY CORPS, WASHINGTON GRAYS MONUMENT IN WASHINGTON SQUARE, PHILADELPHIA LLjuj IJJ — 'loi: 0QOl_ FOREWORD As a matter of duty to those whose names are hereinafter recorded, as well as to those who may be related by ties of blood to those who are dead, this list of members of the "Artillery Corps, Washington Grays" who served in the Union Army during the War of the Rebellion, 1 861-1865, has been compiled. To those who are conversant with the history of the City and State for the last fifty years and more, no word of explanation will be necessary, but as this volume may fall into the hands of some one to whose mind the query may present itself: "Who were the Washington Grays?" a single note of interpretation may be useful and welcome. Being fully convinced of the utility of a well regulated Volunteer Corps in a republican government, as well in time of peace as in war, some members of the Second Company of Washington Guards, Captain John Swift, which had served during the War of Eighteen Hundred and Twelve, in the Brigade of General Thomas Cadwalader, met together at the public house of Daniel Rubicam, No. 20 S. Sixth Street, Philadelphia, on April 19, 1822, with the view of forming a body of picked men, whose perfect drill, thorough organization, absolute discipline and uniform gentlemanly deportment in and out of uniform would claim and deserve the support and respect of a discriminating community, and establish for themselves a reputation of an "easy first" in the particular line of its justifiable ambition. The names of those who agreed to inaugurate and carry out this project, were John Swift, Andrew Donaldson, John Banks, Robert Steele, D. Allans, L. A. Lyon, W. H. Hay, Samuel Davies, Cephas G. Childs, Charles Goodman, Henry Leeman, C. E. Harrison, Jacob R. Beidelman, P. P. Gaskill, Samuel C. Rogers, Henry Bird, J. A. Hayes, J. Y. Davis , George M. Eyre, Charles Lukens, Henry Billington, ui Stephen Desgranges, Joseph Worrell, Jr., Joseph W. Taylor, Joseph Rumsey, Jr., Benjamin E. Carpenter, Francis P. MacCalla and John Y. Clark. Charles Goodman presided and Charles Lukens was secre- tary. They resolved to form a Volunteer Corps of Light Infantry, the color of the uniform to be gray and of domestic manufacture. Meet- ings were held in taverns, as hotels were then called, drills were had in the public squares or in the streets, as armories were considered too expensive luxuries ; uniforms were procured and owned by the members, the arms were loaned by the State, and a receipt taken therefor. John Swift, who became Mayor of Philadelphia, was elected the first Captain, he was supported by competent and painstaking subordi- nates, whose pride it was to contribute in every manner possible to the avowed laudable ambition of the Company. Alacrity in absorbing the instruction offered, bore its desired result, and as the Corps grew in reputation, its friends increased in numbers, and it was not long before the young men in the community for whom military matters had an attraction were anxious to become identified with an organization whose high aims and resolves were being realized, and had already attracted the favorable attention of all classes of citizens. It was the practice of the "Grays" to undergo a tour of duty about the Fourth of July, going to some nearby town in our own or a neighbor- ing State, or into camp in some convenient locality, amid pleasant and congenial surroundings, near to a good hotel, where meals could be procured. It may excite no little surprise that such excursions should con- sume a matter of ten days; but we must consider that in the then limited transportation facilities, great delay was encountered, for instance, in going to the City of Reading, the Corps marched to the west side of the Schuylkill River, then took the inclined plane rail- road, thence by canal to within a few miles of Reading, and then marched into that place. No matter where the Corps went the result was invariably the same, the press and the people delighted to do them honor, and in a number of instances their presence and deportment enkindled a spirit of emulation which resulted in the formation of military companies founded upon the same lines, which not only created pride and ambition in the individual, but also reflected credit upon its locality which gave it birth, and in more than one instance the "Grays" had the pleasure to receive a visit from and entertain some of its foster children. iv On June 29, 1826, the Corps left Philadelphia with the intention of proceeding to Newark, N. J., expecting to remain over the Fourth of July. They took steamboat to Trenton, N. J., then marched to New Brunswick, where they were met by a committee consisting of Colonel J. Munson Clark and Captain J. L. Dickinson, of the Four- teenth Regiment of N. Y. S. Militia, who offered such inducements that the trip to Newark was abandoned and they proceeded to New York, crossed the North River to Hoboken and went into camp upon the private grounds of Colonel John Stevens, until the morning of the Fourth of July, when they crossed to New York and participated in the parade, with the usual result, unbounded respect and admiration was accorded them, and the papers exhorted the young men of the City to form a similar organization, which should be the equal of any in the country. This resulted in the formation of the "Tompkins Guard," which afterward achieved a national reputation; so it cannot be denied that these excursions, expensive as they were, entailing a severe tax upon the members as they did, resulted in invaluable ultimate good to the country inasmuch as it was the means of creating a desire for military knowledge in widely separate localities which become a source of instruction and benefit in a time of greatest need in the country's crisis. It was not so much men, for they offered themselves in great numbers; but the instruction, as to how and what to do, in a manner that would result in the greatest benefit to the country at large. As for the Corps itself, no matter in what aspect it appeared, individually or collectively, it was always creditable, as citizen soldiers or in the quieter walk of private life, they conducted them- selves in a manner that produced a lasting effect, satisfactory to themselves, and a source of just pride to the community to which they belonged ; at home or abroad they excited the liveliest admiration and respect, and created a desire for the establishment of similar bodies that in turn should disseminate a like reputation and influence. In whatever civic function, where there was the least degree of military flavor the Grays were always expected to perform its distinc- tive part, and for over fifty years it stood unrivalled in this respect. The Corps made its first parade July i, 1822, with four (4) officers and forty-two (42) men, under command of Captain John Swift. September, 1824, it paraded three (3) officers and sixty (60) men, under command of Captain Cephas G. Childs, as escort to General Lafayette, on the occasion of his visit to America, accompanying him as far as Chester, Pa., on his journey to Washington, D. C. General Lafayette was elected an Honorary Member of the Corps, October 24, 1824. On June 27, 1827, the title was changed to "Light Artillery Corps, Washington Grays." February 22, 1832, the one hundredth anniversary of the birth of General George Washington, the Corps, under the command of Captain Cephas G. Childs, with three (3) officers and thirty-seven (37) men, made a pilgrimage to Mount Vernon, taking with them a sarcophagus, in which the remains of General Washington were placed. At the time of this visit they secured a lock of his hair, which was placed in a medallion, the same being now in the possession of the Corps. When General Andrew Jackson, President of the United States, visited Philadelphia on June 5, 1833, the Corps paraded as his escort. The Corps participated in the Buck Shot War in December, 1838. On June 3, 1843, the title was again changed to that of "Artillery Corps, Washington Grays." It participated and did good service in the Native American riots January, 1844, and in the Kensington and Southwark riots in May and July of the same year. In 1846 the Corps tendered its services, through the Governor of Pennsylvania, to the President of the United States, as United States Infantry during the Mexican War. The tender was not accepted but five (5) members of the Corps went out as officers in the Regular and Volunteer Army. The Corps acted as guard of honor to the remains of ex-President John Quincy Adams, while lying in state in Independence Hall, March 7, 1848. In April, 1848, the Honorable Henry Clay was elected an Honor- ary Member of the Corps. The Corps escorted his remains and acted as special guard of honor while they were lying in state in Independence Hall, July 2, 1852. The Corps paraded March 11, 1857, at the funeral of Dr. Elisha Kent Kane, the noted Arctic explorer, and acted as special guard of honor. And many similar occasions found them in the foremost place. The last and most important event in which the Corps partici- pated, just before the breaking out of hostilities in 1861, was the firing of the salute at the raising of the first thirty-four star flag over Inde- pendence Hall, by President-elect Abraham Lincoln, on the morning of February 22, 1861. vi Standing in front of the Hall upon a temporary platform, hat and coat off, he pulled the halyards raising the flag to the peak of the staff above the roof of the building. As the sun just rising kissed the quivering folds of the national emblem, a cheer arose from thousands of loyal throats that was an earnest of the unflinching devotion of the City of Brotherly Love, a devotion which was never relaxed until the echo of the last gun had died away, and the rebellion had sunk like Lucifer, never to rise again. Fort Sumter was fired upon on Friday, April 12, 1861, and capitulated on Sunday the 14th. The President issued his proclama- tion calling for seventy-five thousand men to defend the Union. The Grays held a meeting and resolved to offer its services at once and recruit the Company to its full strength. No sooner were the books opened than hundreds poured in eager to serve with the Grays. So much excellent material offered, it was determined to form two Companies, and there would have been no difficulty experienced in getting treble the number in the two companies which were attached to the Seventeenth Pennsylvania Volunteers, commanded by Colonel Frank E. Patterson. There was delay in starting, owing to the fact that the government insisted that no troops should be allowed to leave for Washington unless fully equipped and able to success- fully repel a brutal attack similar to that made upon the Sixth Massachusetts Regiment while going through Baltimore in April, 1861. Forming on the west side of Washington Square on May 8th, 1861, the regiment marched to the railroad depot at Broad and Prime Streets and started for Washington, arriving at Perryville the same afternoon, remained there all night, and the next morning were loaded on five transports, the railroad bridges between the Susquehanna River and Baltimore having been destroyed, reaching Baltimore early in the afternoon, were confronted by a formidable mob, and the battery which had joined the column at Perryville was rushed upon the wharf unlimbered for action, the two companies of the Grays supporting. In the face of this show of force and determination the courage of the rioters seemed to vanish for there was no offensive demonstration. The regiment took train for Washington, where it arrived late that night, slept in vacant stores, and the next day was marched to and quartered in the Capitol until the following Sunday, when it went into camp at Kalorama. After remaining here about two weeks, took up the march into Virginia via Williamsport, thence to Charlestown and Martinsburg, in the vicinity of which it remained until the termination vii of its first enlistment, when it returned to Philadelphia and was mustered out. The companies were not re-enlisted as units, but the men sought positions where they could be found in Pennsylvania organizations or those of neighboring states. The knowledge and experience these men carried with them made their services of infinite value, and no matter where circumstances placed them, not one of them ever proved unworthy of the school in which they had been reared, and on every battlefield on which the fierce passions of men had unbridled sway, where death claimed its victims by the thousands, some Gray proved himself worthy to represent the corps by chivalrous conduct or glorious death. While the first enlisted men fought no fierce battle, it preserved the patriotic line of defence, which said to deliberate treason, "thus far and no farther shalt thou go," while behind its unbroken line was enrolled, recruited and equipped the finest army the world has ever seen. As soon as it became certain that the two companies A and F recruited as a part of the Seventeenth Regiment would be actively engaged in the field, there appeared in the morning papers a notice calling upon the honorary and contributing members of the "Artillery Corps Washington Grays" over 45 years of age to meet at the Wetherill House, on Sansom Street west of Sixth, on the evening of the 17th of April, 1861, for the purpose of forming a reserve Corps to suppress riot or sedition and aid the lawfully constituted authorities in preserving the peace and upholding the majesty of the law, during the absence of the active command. This notice was signed by Cephas G. Childs, Peter C. EUmaker, Joseph M. Thomas, George M. Wharton and Jacob Bennett. The result exceeded the greatest expectations, young men presented themselves in such numbers that it was found necessary to adjourn, to meet at Sansom Street Hall on the evening of April 19th, when a regimental organization was effected and a committee appointed to select officers for the various subdivisions. When the committee reported, it was found every field, line and staff officer with but one exception, had been at some time connected with the "Artillery Corps Washington Grays," and the exception was a "Philadelphia Gray." The first Colonel was Peter C. Ellmaker, and the name adopted was "Washington Gray Reserves," which the popular tongue soon corrupted into "Gray Reserves." The Corps, while being largely represented at the front during the war, still maintained its organization at home, and in the fall viii PLBLJC LEDGER. Ilir! ADH IfllA n I M»AV. AJ'Kd f'iucK l)^L < ^:^7. Thenumljeis of the Ligbt Artillery Corps oJ Wafehirgton Grays, oyer 45 years if age, rre rf quested to me* 1 at.tte 'Wettierill House, tbis eveniBir, for tbe purpcsa of organiziDir a Re- aerre Guerd, for the protection of the city and support of tbe Gonstitntion and tlie Laws of the United States cf America Signed by Ja- cob Bennett, O O. OhUds, J . M. Thomas, P.O. Elimaker and Geo. W. Wharton. April 17th, 1861. Meeting qf Veteran Soldurs —A nuiTiber o'l (Cei tl«-nifn •who were Inrmeriy ronnectwa wUh th» artillery corpts of Washinetot! Grays h»ld a m^eUnu lait evenlufc, at tho Wi-tfcerili Ho isc, for ih? purpose of orp;^nix hk a Re'prve (luard for the i>rott>o.rioii ofilif city. TH" inOitliiRwas ralhd tj crttpr by appointing Mr. Ohartoj S Sirsih Ohni! m!Hi Col E. (}. OtUldi salfl that there was a sacred le^ry, tbe :nosi valuable ocoof all, the old la dtp«ridence HaJl, the birthplace of our liberty, which should be defended agiviast all assaults of those traitors who were contem; latin g the capiuie of Washington. Iha Rrsftve Ojrps contemplate raising a force ol 5000 men, who are to iw held in rea- diness to defend the city against all attacks that may be made npon it. A ccmmltteeof five, compofed of the follow- ing gent!emej3, were appointed to draft a series of rfsolntions expressive of the sense of the meeting:— Ool.Ohilds, .Morten McIVIicha»l, Jos. M. Thomas, Peter E. Eimaker and Charles QllpiD. The following waa then submitted for the signatures of those who wished to join : " The President of the United States haying, on tbe 15th inst., issued a proclamation an- nouncing that.ijortionof the people are in open rebellion against the laws acd the Constitution, we, the undersigned, retired and contributing members cf she Washington Grays, and other citizens of the city of Philadelphia, OTei 15 years of age, lereby agree to rafte a regiment cf at lea.st 800 men, lor the purpose of deiending^^ and protectii g the city of Philadelphia, to be designated as the "Re-serve Corps," who pledge themt elves to each other to maintain the laws, and uphold the eonstitated authorities of the couitiy in her hour of trial. This dicument was Bigned bj over forty gentlemen who were present, and amor g the urst residents of the city. The ccmmittee was continued, for tbe pur- pose of reporting a plan of organization on Friday evtoirg. A dtill meeting will be held this eTening, at Sansom Street Hall. April 1 8th, 1861. April 20th, 1 86 1. Tht 0?4 WmihiKfbm, th-ayM—kn a.-y;)n'Tied naeedogot tJiem^Ctbersofthe ' HsiaeGaar*," Jorreed ontcf this orgaDizatioo, waa held Jait evening at Sansom Street Hall. It w?s 8ta»e4 that ft2S meji "^ert already enrolled, aad 'hey are f c S bO u 1 Q. u u 0) 3 :g 3 Captain . . . . 2 First Lieutenant . 2 I I Second Lieutenant . 2 I I Sergeant . . . . 8 2 2 3 I Corporal . . . . 8 2 I 2 3 Private . . . . 130 I I 3 6 7 23 16 7 4 5 57 Musician . . . . 4 I I I I Totals 156 I I 7 7 II 29 19 9 6 9 57 Note: The above table shows that 6 entered the service as commissioned officers, 16 as non-commissioned officers, and 134 as privates and musicians, and that when they retired from the Army, 84 held commissions, 15 warrants £is non- commissioned officers and 57 retired as privates. 52 TABLE NO. 2 Showing the rank held by each member of the entire roll on entering the service, and that held at their final muster out RANK HELD ON FINAL MUSTER OUT RANK HELD ON ENTERING SERVICE ■5? 1 PQ "0 u •3 d a a •a -.J a a a e V 3 2 E ■4-1 v 9 a> 3 •0 8 s 1 u > a 3 Colonel .... Lieut. Colonel . . Major Captain .... First Lieutenant Second Lieutenant . Sergeant .... Corporal .... Private .... Musician .... Volunteer Aids, etc. 3 2 3 25 26 20 24 24 307 5 3 I I I 2 3 3 I I 4 I 2 3 2 I 4 I 6 I 2 I 2 4 3 8 15 7 5 5 4 24 I 9 3 5 2 20 I II 2 I 7 I 6 3 II I II 12 I 213 I I I Totals 442 3 9 II 15 20 61 40 22 21 24 214 2 Note: The above table shows that 82 entered the Army as commissioned officers, 48 as non-commissioned officers and 312 as privates and musicians, and that when they retired from the Army 181 held commissions, 45 warrants as non- commissioned officers and 216 retired as privates and musicians. 53 TABLE NO. 3 Exhibit showing the different Commands that took part in the "War of the Rebellion 1861-1865," on whose Rolls there appears one or more names of those who were members of the "Artillery Corps, Washington Grays." Pennsylvania Cavalry, 2nd, 3rd, 5th, 6th, 7th, 13th, 14th, 15th, i6th, 19th and 20th Regiments, and Independent Company "Anderson Troop." Pennsylvania Artillery, 2nd and 3rd Regiments and six (6) Independent Companies. Pennsylvania Infantry, ist, nth, 17th, i8th, 19th, 20th, 22nd, 23rd, 27th, 28th, 29th, 30th, 46th, 56th, 57th, 58th, 6ist, 69th, 71st, 72nd, 75th, 82nd, 88th, 91st, 95th, 97th, 99th, 104th, io6th, 109th, iioth, 114th, 115th, ii8th, 119th, I2ist, 131st, 141st, 147th, 150th, 153rd, 172nd, i86th, i88th, 191st, 192nd, 196th, 197th, 198th, 214th Regiments and Ind. Co. "Zouaves de Afrique." Pennsylvania Independent Company Engineers. Pennsylvania Militia, Antietam and Gettysburg, Emergency, 7th, 20th, 2ist, 31st, 32nd, 44th and 49th Regiments. Pennsylvania Militia Departmental Corps. New York Cavalry, ist Regiment. New York Engineers, 1st and 15th Regiments. New York Infantry, 62nd, 127th, and 153rd Regiments. New Jersey Infantry, 6th Regiment. Maryland Infantry, nth Regiment. Ohio Infantry, 113th Regiment. Delaware Cavalry, Independent Company. Rhode Island Cavalry, ist Regiment. District of Columbia Infantry, 3rd Battalion. Missouri Infantry, 39th Regiment. Veteran Reserve Corps, i6th and 21st Regiments. Volunteer Signal Corps. U. S. Army Dragoons, ist and 2nd Regiments. U. S. Army Cavalry, ist and 2nd Regiments. U. S. Army Artillery, ist, 3rd and 5th Regiments. U. S. Army Infantry, 1st, 6th, loth, nth, 12th, 13th, i6th, i8th, 19th, 2ist and 26th Regiments. U. S. Army Colored Heavy Artillery, 8th Regiment. U. S. Army Colored Infantry, iiith Regiment and Independent Company. U. S. Marine Corps. U. S. Navy, 2 Assistant Engineer's. Volunteer Staff duty, 10 Officers. COT 21 1911 LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 0014311 9166